Lunch coolers are great companions on the jobsite, especially on a hot day where your iced coffee, beer, energy drink, or other beverage loses its coolness. In the same way, if your beverage is hot, such as coffee or hot chocolate, it might go cold later without a properly-sealed container. That’s where a lunch cooler comes in handy.
In this article, we’ll give you a guide on how to choose the best lunch cooler for construction workers. After all, taking frequent breaks is important if you’re working nonstop.
How to choose the Best Lunch Cooler for Construction Workers?
Are you wondering which lunch cooler is the best for your needs? Here’s how you should choose a lunch cooler for your construction job:
1. Insulation
The most important feature to look for in a lunch cooler is insulation. Is it good for storing drinks for hours? If you need to work for a long time on the construction site, make sure that the lunch cooler you have in mind has a thick insulation lining to keep the drink temperatures the same.
2. Durability
No one wants something flimsy to take to the construction site. Make sure you get a lunch cooler that’s not only water-resistant but also corrosion-proof and can withstand drops and abrasions. You wouldn’t want it to get leaks, right?
3. Usability
Look for a lunch cooler with convenient features such as an easy-open lid. Some coolers also don’t have a lid but instead, have a special design that allows you to open it with just one hand – perfect for getting a sip of energy drink (or beer) while holding something or if you’re in an awkward position but need to hydrate.
4. Capacity
How many bottles or cans can the lunch cooler hold? Does it have extra room for ice? Does it have compartments for utensils and whatnot? You should know about the lunch cooler’s capacity, which is usually measured in quarts (or liters).
5. Comfort
Consider a lunch cooler with a shoulder strap, other than a top handle. This will help you carry it from place to place around the jobsite.
Best Lunch Cooler for Construction Workers
Here are our top picks for the best lunch cooler for construction workers:
Klein Tools 55600 Work Cooler
If you need to chill your drinks, the Klein Tools 55600 Work Cooler is a perfect jobsite companion. It will keep your bottles of energy drinks cool for up to 30 hours and it will hold up to 18 cans in one go. Easy access is possible thanks to its 90-degree lid design.
Since it is built for tough usage, the cooler supports up to 300 pounds of weight, so you can use it as a double-purpose chair when you feel tired. The hinged lid is made of stainless steel and is also recessed to fit most standard-sized 1-L water bottles. Inside, the cooler will hold up to 16.1 liters or 17 quarts.
Arctic Zone Titan Hardbody Cooler
For those who need a zipper-less drink carrier, the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Hardbody Cooler is for you. Made with TPE ripstop fabric to ensure durability, it has a zipper-less lid that allows easy access to your much-needed supplies. It comes with a front zippered pocket for extras.
It comes with a “HardBody” liner and a well-designed shelf for storing your essentials on the go. Measuring 12.25 x 12.25 x 8 inches, the cooler bag also has a leak-proof design and an inside lining that makes cleaning a breeze. The shoulder strap is also adjustable depending on the user for comfort. Since it is stain-resistant, it is perfect for the jobsite.
YETI Hopper Portable Cooler
Made with a capacity of up to 6 cans (with ice included in a 2:1 ice to beer ratio), the YETI Hopper Portable Cooler has a leak-proof design due to its HydroLok zipper. To keep your drinks cool, it uses closed-cell foam insulation known as ColdCell. What’s more, it has a wide opening so you’ll easily and quickly grab your favorite drinks.
Since it is waterproof and puncture-resistant thanks to its DryHide shell design, you’ll find it a great companion for tough jobsite conditions. Measuring 11.5 x 10.5 x 8 inches, you can also use this cooler to carry only ice, which will hold up to 8 pounds.
Carhartt Deluxe Lunch Cooler Bag
Whether it’s your favorite drinks or snacks, the Carhartt Deluxe Lunch Cooler Bag is a great choice due to its dual-compartment design to fit in more items on the go. Measuring 10 x 9 x 7 inches, this cooler bag is very lightweight at only 0.7 pounds when empty – good for those who feel fatigued when carrying a big cooler.
Because it uses YKK zippers and triple-needle stitching, it has great durability alongside its metal hardware. You can also use the ID tag should the bag become misplaced. You can conveniently fit a 6-pack of beer (or energy drinks). It has both a top handle and a shoulder strap for carrying convenience.
Igloo Playmate Cooler
Made with a leak-proof construction, the Igloo Playmate Cooler is a 14-quart (13.2-liter) capacity drink holder that comes with a molded handle for convenient carrying. It looks similar to that of a standard toolbox so it suits a construction worker’s conditions very well. If you don’t like misplacing lids, this is for you.
Because the lid swings in two directions, getting your favorite drink or snack inside becomes convenient. The lid also has a push-button design that makes access easier. The outside texture has a diamond plate look to protect it from unfavorable conditions. It also doesn’t weigh too much when empty, which makes it great for traveling and carrying essentials.
HSD Lunch Bag
Made with waterproof and military-grade materials, such as YKK zippers and MOLLE/PALS webbing, the HSD Lunch Bag is a great choice for storing your lunch pack and drinks. It fits up to 12 beer bottles/soda cans or you can also fit up to 4 meal prep containers. The webbing can be used for carabiners and keys.
We like that there’s a front pocket for storing utensils and other items you will need on the jobsite. It has an 8-mm lining that insulates whatever you put inside (and it’s also easy to clean). The cooler bag measures 11 x 8 x 9 inches so it’s just right for standard-sized containers and drinks.
Engel Insulated Cooler Drybox
With 19 quarts for its capacity, the Engel Insulated Cooler Drybox will fit up to 32 cans of energy drink, beer, or whatever you have in mind. This makes it suitable for a group or team of construction workers since it will carry a lot in one go. With various choices for colors, it has a recessed EVA gasket seal to keep your drinks cool.
Aside from ABS carry handles, the cooler also has a shoulder strap made of PP for convenient traveling. Like most standard coolers, it has a self-stopping hinge and polystyrene foam molding for the insulation. Stainless steel is used for all the fittings and screws for durability.
RTIC Soft Cooler Insulated Bag
Yet another convenient construction site lunch cooler is the RTIC Soft Cooler Insulated Bag, which has a leak-free design due to its durable zipper. With multiple color choices, this bag will hold up to 30 beer or beverage cans with added ice.
It has a puncture-resistant closed-cell foam lining that’s 2 inches thick and enclosed with a heavy-duty nylon shell to keep your drinks secure. Because this cooler can float in water, it’s great for tough weather conditions and even piping jobs underground or near bodies of water. The liner’s design makes it easy to clean plus the outside stays dry (despite the cool drinks inside) and is waterproof as well.
Igloo BMX 25 QT Cooler
For those who want a good ice carrier, the Igloo BMX 25 QT Cooler will keep your ice cubs or blocks up to 5 days, which is great for extended hours and days on the construction site. This is due to its thick foam and insulation lid, which keeps the ice solid for a long time.
Durability is also present thanks to the blow-molded construction and reinforced base. Aside from that, this molded base has an elevated design that keeps whatever you put inside away from contact with the outside world so your ice stays cool. The lid is secured with a rubberized non-slip T-grip while the cooler has corrosion-resistant stainless steel fittings.
Stanley 10-01026-005 Heritage Cooler
With a 7-quart capacity (6.6 liters), the Stanley 10-01026-005 Heritage Cooler includes a Stanley Classic 1.1-quart bottle that fits on top due to the recess and other items inside the cooler. It will keep your drinks and the like cool (or hot) for 24 hours due to the leak-proof construction.
Moreover, the cooler is made with 18/8 stainless steel for durability. The included vacuum Thermos is leak-proof and dishwasher-safe. Because it is BPA-free, it’s safe to use for food items of all kinds. The compartments inside the cooler are both 4 inches deep, both with a 7-inch length with the larger one at 8 inches in width and the smaller at 4 1/2 inches.
Conclusion
It is important to have a lunch cooler for construction work that will keep your drinks cool (or hot) so you can consume them later. Just make sure they have enough space for what you need. We hope that these picks helped you in choosing the best lunch cooler for construction workers!
