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Choosing a cooler for camping means balancing capacity, ice retention, and how you’ll carry it. For car campers, a large rolling cooler like the BrüTank 55 can hold food and drinks for a group, while a lightweight soft cooler like the MagPack 12 is easier to take on a day hike. Our food storage guide covers more on keeping food safe.
We compared six BrüMate coolers: three hard-sided BrüTank models and three soft MagPack coolers. All feature BrüMate’s insulation and leakproof designs, but they differ in size, carry style, and extras like built-in drink taps.
Every specification on this page comes from the manufacturer’s own product page, checked on 1 November 2026. We have not used these products ourselves, so the picks are based on published specifications only.
For more on keeping food cold on a car camping trip, see our car camping guide and food storage tips.
How we chose these
- Capacity: How much food and drinks you need to store for your group size and trip length.
- Portability: Whether you need wheels for heavy loads, a shoulder sling, or a backpack style.
- Ice retention: How many days the cooler can keep ice without needing a refill.
- Extra features: Built-in drink taps, bottle openers, and seat tops add convenience.
All BrüMate coolers use IceGuard insulation and leakproof designs, but the hard-sided BrüTank models specify ice retention in days while the soft MagPack coolers do not.
Comparison table
| Product | Capacity | Ice Retention | Type | Carry Style | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BrüTank 20 | 20 qt | Up to 5+ days | Hard cooler | Top-carry handle | 1-gal drink tank |
| BrüTank 35 | 35 qt | Up to 7 days | Hard cooler | All-terrain wheels | 1.8-gal drink tank |
| BrüTank 55 | 55 qt | Up to 7 days | Hard cooler | All-terrain wheels | 2.8-gal drink tank |
| MagPack 12 | 12 cans | Not stated | Soft cooler | Shoulder sling | Pivot magnetic lid |
| MagPack 18 | 18 cans | Not stated | Soft cooler | Shoulder sling | Pivot magnetic lid |
| MagPack 24 | 24 cans | Not stated | Soft cooler | Backpack | Pivot magnetic lid |
Ice retention for MagPack soft coolers is not specified in days; BrüMate states the insulation ‘locks in the cold for days on end.’
1. BrüMate BrüTank 20-Quart Easy-Carry Cooler: for small groups or day trips
The BrüTank 20qt is a hard cooler with a removable 1-gallon drink tank and built-in tap. BrüMate says it offers up to 5+ days ice retention and has a foam seat top and built-in bottle opener. It uses a soft grip top-carry handle for easy transport.
- Removable 1-gallon drink tank with built-in tap (BrüMate)
- Foam seat top (BrüMate)
- Built-in bottle opener (BrüMate)
Pros: Up to 5+ days ice retention; built-in drink tap; foam seat top
Cons: No wheels; must be carried by top handle; smaller capacity than rolling models
Check the BrüMate BrüTank 20-Quart Easy-Carry Cooler on Amazon
2. BrüMate BrüTank 35-Quart Rolling Cooler: for car camping with wheels
The BrüTank 35qt rolling cooler is 30% lighter and smaller than the 55qt model. It has puncture-resistant all-terrain wheels that glide over sand, a 1.8-gallon drink tank, and up to 7 days ice retention.
- Removable 1.8-gallon drink tank with built-in tap (BrüMate)
- Puncture-resistant all-terrain wheels (BrüMate)
- Foam seat top (BrüMate)
Pros: Up to 7 days ice retention; all-terrain wheels; 1.8-gal drink tank
Cons: 30% lighter than 55qt but still bulky; no shoulder carry option
Check the BrüMate BrüTank 35-Quart Rolling Cooler on Amazon
3. BrüMate BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler: for large groups and long trips
The BrüTank 55qt is the largest rolling cooler, with a 2.8-gallon drink tank and up to 7 days ice retention. It includes all-terrain wheels, a foam seat top, and a built-in bottle opener.
- Removable 2.8-gallon drink tank with built-in tap (BrüMate)
- Puncture-resistant all-terrain wheels (BrüMate)
- Foam seat top (BrüMate)
Pros: Largest capacity; 2.8-gal drink tank; up to 7 days ice retention; wheels
Cons: Heaviest model; not stated weight; large footprint
Check the BrüMate BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler on Amazon
4. BrüMate MagPack 12-Can Shoulder Sling Soft Cooler: for solo day trips
The MagPack 12-Can is the lightest and most compact soft cooler from BrüMate. It has a zipper-free Pivot magnetic lid, IceGuard insulation, and a waterproof, puncture-proof Repel shell. A shoulder sling makes it easy to carry on day trips.
- Zipper-free Pivot magnetic lid (BrüMate)
- IceGuard insulation (BrüMate)
- Waterproof and puncture-proof Repel shell (BrüMate)
Pros: Lightweight and compact; shoulder sling; leakproof magnetic lid
Cons: Ice retention days not stated; only 12-can capacity; no drink tank
Check the BrüMate MagPack 12-Can Shoulder Sling Soft Cooler on Amazon
5. BrüMate MagPack 18-Can Shoulder Sling Soft Cooler: for weekend getaways
The MagPack 18-Can is a mid-size soft cooler with a shoulder sling. It uses the same Pivot magnetic lid and IceGuard insulation as the other MagPack models, and the Repel shell is waterproof and puncture-proof.
- Zipper-free Pivot magnetic lid (BrüMate)
- IceGuard insulation (BrüMate)
- Waterproof and puncture-proof Repel shell (BrüMate)
Pros: Mid-size capacity; shoulder sling; magnetic lid
Cons: Ice retention days not stated; no wheels or backpack straps
Check the BrüMate MagPack 18-Can Shoulder Sling Soft Cooler on Amazon
6. BrüMate MagPack 24-Can Backpack Soft Cooler: for hands-free carrying
The MagPack 24-Can is a backpack soft cooler designed to keep drinks cold for days. It features the Pivot magnetic lid, IceGuard insulation, and a durable Repel shell, with backpack straps for hands-free carrying.
- Zipper-free Pivot magnetic lid (BrüMate)
- IceGuard insulation (BrüMate)
- Waterproof and puncture-proof Repel shell (BrüMate)
Pros: Backpack carry; 24-can capacity; magnetic lid
Cons: Ice retention days not stated; no drink tank; soft cooler may not retain ice as long as hard models
Check the BrüMate MagPack 24-Can Backpack Soft Cooler on Amazon
Which one fits you
| Your situation | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Car camping with a group | BrüTank 55 | Large capacity, wheels, and 7-day ice retention for multi-day trips. |
| Day hikes or picnics | MagPack 12 or 18 | Lightweight, shoulder sling, and compact size. |
| Beach trips with sand | BrüTank 35 or 55 | All-terrain wheels glide over sand; drink tank for refreshments. |
| Solo camping or short trips | MagPack 12 | Smallest and lightest; easy to carry. |
Practical tips
- Pre-chill your cooler with ice before packing to extend ice retention.
- Consider how you’ll carry the cooler: wheels for heavy loads, a sling for short walks, or a backpack for hands-free hiking.
- If you want a built-in drink dispenser, choose a BrüTank model with a removable drink tank.
- For soft coolers, look for leakproof and puncture-resistant materials like BrüMate’s Repel shell.
FAQ
How long does ice last in a BrüMate cooler?
BrüMate states the BrüTank 20qt holds ice up to 5+ days, while the 35qt and 55qt hold ice up to 7 days. The MagPack soft coolers do not list a specific number of days but are insulated to keep drinks cold for days.
Can I use the drink tank for other beverages?
The drink tank is removable and has a built-in tap; BrüMate says it is hand-wash only, so you can fill it with any cold beverage.
Are BrüMate coolers leakproof?
Yes, BrüMate says the MagPack soft coolers have a leakproof Pivot magnetic lid, and the hard coolers are designed to be leakproof as well.
Do the rolling coolers work on sand?
BrüMate states the all-terrain wheels on the BrüTank 35 and 55 are puncture-resistant and glide over sand.
Sources
Specifications from each manufacturer’s product page, checked 1 November 2026: BrüMate BrüTank 20-Quart Easy-Carry Cooler, BrüMate BrüTank 35-Quart Rolling Cooler, BrüMate BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler, BrüMate MagPack 12-Can Shoulder Sling Soft Cooler, BrüMate MagPack 18-Can Shoulder Sling Soft Cooler, BrüMate MagPack 24-Can Backpack Soft Cooler. Makers can change specifications; check the product page before you buy.
