A small hard cooler is one of those things every camper ends up owning. It rides in the back of the car, takes a few knocks, and keeps lunch and a few drinks cold without any fuss.
The Coleman 15L hard cooler is exactly that. On Amazon it’s sold as the Coleman Daintree. It’s compact, tough and simple, and I paid $65 for the 15 litre version.
What You’re Getting
A hard-shell cooler from Coleman with a capacity of 15 litres, or 22 cans. It has a hinged lid, a swing-up carry handle, a smooth top that’s easy to clean and ThermOzone insulation. The same cooler also comes in 28, 38, 44 and 57 litres.
The good
- Tough hard shell
- Hinged lid that stays attached
- Holds 22 cans in a compact box
- Smooth surfaces, easy to clean
- Comfortable carry handle
- Also in 28, 38, 44 and 57 litres
The not-so-good
- 15 litres fills up fast
- Bulkier than a soft cooler
- Costs more than a soft cooler
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Coleman |
| Model | 15L Hard Cooler (Daintree) |
| Weight | About 1.9 kg empty |
| Size (outside) | 39.5 × 31 × 28 cm |
| Colour | Grey |
| Capacity | 15 L22 cans |
| Insulation | ThermOzone foamFree of CFCsHFCs and HCFCs |
| Keeps cold | Up to one day |
| Lid | FlatHingedNo cup holders |
| Carrying | Swing-up bail handle |
| Other sizes | 28 L38 L44 L57 L |
Space and insulation
The inside is one plain white compartment that holds 15 litres, or 22 cans. With a six-pack in the bottom there’s room left over for an ice brick and lunch, which is about right for two people on a day out. The straight sides make it easy to pack, and nothing gets squashed the way it can in a soft bag.
The walls and lid are filled with Coleman’s ThermOzone foam insulation, which is free of CFCs, HFCs and HCFCs and keeps the contents cold for up to one day. For the best result, pre-chill your drinks, use ice bricks and keep the cooler in the shade.
Lid and handle
The lid is hinged, so it stays on the cooler when you open it and can’t get left behind or blow away. It closes with a firm press. The top is smooth and flat, which makes it easy to wipe down and handy as a spot to put a plate or a drink. There are no cup holders moulded into it, and it isn’t rated as a seat, so don’t use it as one.
The bail handle swings up over the lid and holds the cooler level when you lift it, so you can carry it in one hand. It’s comfortable to grip, and it folds down out of the way when the cooler is packed in the car.
Size, weight and build
At 15 litres this is a compact cooler. It measures 39.5 × 31 × 28 cm on the outside, so it fits behind a seat or in a corner of the boot. On my scale it weighs about 1.9 kg empty. The hard shell is the reason to buy it. It protects what’s inside and takes the knocks of being loaded in and out of a 4WD.
Hard cooler or soft cooler?
We also have the Coleman 30 Can Soft Cooler, and the two do different jobs. The hard cooler is tougher, easier to clean and protects what’s inside. The soft cooler is lighter, holds more cans and goes over your shoulder. For a walk from the car park to the beach I’d take the soft one; for the back of the 4WD, the hard one.
Conclusion: Coleman 15L Hard Cooler
The Coleman 15L hard cooler is small, tough and simple. It has a hinged lid, a comfortable handle and room for 22 cans, and it wipes clean in seconds. At 15 litres it fills up fast, and it’s bulkier to carry than a soft cooler. For day trips and as a second cooler next to the fridge, it’s a very good buy.
A small, tough hard cooler with a hinged lid, a carry handle and room for 22 cans.
At 15 litres it fills up fast, and it’s bulkier to carry than a soft cooler. A very good pick for car campers and 4WDers who want a cooler that takes a few knocks.
- Car campers
- 4WD tourers
- Day trips
Yes. I paid $65 for the 15 litre, which is more than a soft cooler, but you get a hard shell that will last for years.
