Best Car Camping Coolers, Food Storage, and Water Jugs
- Sierra McQuay
- Aug 18
- 4 min read
Introduction
The right cooler, food storage container, and water jug can make all the difference in keeping your meals fresh, your snacks protected, and your water supply steady.
But with so many options out there, it can feel overwhelming to choose the right setup for your style of camping. To help, we’ve rounded up our favorite coolers, food containers, and water jugs that are durable, practical, and designed for car camping comfort.
That being said, you really can't go wrong with any decision you make! Below, we highlight a few things you should keep in mind while you pick out your gear.
How to Choose the Right Cooler, Food Storage, and Water Jug
When picking the best gear for keeping your food and drinks fresh while camping, here’s what to keep in mind:
Capacity: Think about the size of your group and the length of your trip. Larger coolers and water jugs are great for family weekends, while smaller containers are easier to carry and pack.
Durability: Camping gear takes a beating. Choose tough materials (rotomolded coolers, rugged storage bins, heavy-duty plastic water jugs) that will last.
Ease of Use: Look for features like wheels on big coolers, locking lids on storage containers, and spigots on water jugs that make camp life easier.
Budget: Not all camp kitchen gear has to be expensive. There are affordable options that perform surprisingly well alongside high-end picks.
Wildlife & Critter Safety: If you’re camping where bears or other animals are present, consider bear-resistant storage.
Best Car Camping Coolers at a Glance
Best Overall: YETI Tundra 45
Best Budget: Coleman Xtreme 50-Quart Cooler
Best Wheeled: ARTIC 72 Wheeled Cooler
Best Car Camping Food Storage Containers at a Glance
Best Overall: Rubbermaid ActionPacker 24-Gallon Storage Box
Best Budget: Sterilite 30-Quart Gasket Box
Best For Bear-Resistant & Backpacking: BearVault BV500
Best Car Camping Water Jugs at a Glance
Best Overall: Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-Gallon
Best Small Capacity: Scepter 10L Water Container
Best Grab & Go: Igloo 6-Gallon Water Container
Best Car Camping Coolers
Best Overall: YETI Tundra 45
Capacity: 45 quarts
Weight: 23 lbs
Price: $325
✅ Pros: Legendary ice retention, nearly indestructible, perfect size for a weekend trip.
❌ Cons: Heavy, expensive.
Best Budget: Coleman Xtreme 50-Quart Cooler
Capacity: 50 quarts
Weight: 12 lbs
Price: $51.55
✅ Pros: Affordable, solid ice retention for price, doubles as an extra seat and has cupholders.
❌ Cons: Not as durable, lid hinges can wear out over time.
Best Wheeled: RTIC 72 Wheeled Cooler
Capacity: 72 quarts
Weight: 37 lbs
Price: $329
✅ Pros: Big capacity, great for group trips, wheels make hauling easier. Comes with dividers, a storage net, and a built in bottle opener.
❌ Cons: Still heavy even with wheels, takes up lots of space.
Best Car Camping Food Storage Containers
Best Overall: Rubbermaid ActionPacker 24-Gallon Storage Box
Capacity: 24 gallons
Weight: 10 lbs
Price: $128 pack of 2
✅ Pros: Super tough, lockable, stackable, critter-resistant.
❌ Cons: Bulky, not airtight.
Best Budget: Sterilite 30-Quart Gasket Box
Capacity: 30 quarts
Weight: 4 lbs
Price: $21.68
✅ Pros: Lightweight, airtight seal, affordable.
❌ Cons: Not as rugged, lid clips can break with heavy use.
Best For Bear-Resistant & Backpacking: BearVault BV500
Capacity: 11.5 liters
Weight: 2.9 lbs
Price: $94.95
✅ Pros: Bear-proof, clear sides make it easy to find food, doubles for backpacking.
❌ Cons: Small capacity for car camping groups, pricey.
Best Car Camping Water Jugs
Best Overall: Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-Gallon
Capacity: 7 gallons
Weight: 2 lbs (empty)
Price: $15
✅ Pros: Durable, stackable, affordable, built-in spigot.
❌ Cons: Spigot can drip if not tightened well.
Best Small Capacity: Scepter 10L Water Container
Capacity: 2.6 gallons (per container)
Weight: 2.4 lbs (empty)
Price: $35
✅ Pros: Military-grade durability, stackable, easy to carry.
❌ Cons: Smaller capacity means you may need more than one.
Best Grab & Go : Igloo 6-Gallon Water Container
Capacity: 6 gallons
Weight: 2.2 lbs (empty)
Price: $30-40
✅ Pros: Lightweight, affordable, solid handle, skinny so fits in more spots.
❌ Cons: Plastic feels thinner, spout not as durable as pricier options.
Final Thoughts
As I mentioned above, you really can't go wrong with any of the gear that you pick from these lists, but you should have something! A sturdy cooler keeps drinks cold for days, solid food storage keeps critters out of your snacks, and a reliable water jug saves endless trips to the campground spigot. With these picks, you’ll be set for stress-free meals and more time enjoying the outdoors.
If you need help picking out additional gear, let us know! We would be happy to give you our expert gear recommendations.
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