A good cooler only keeps cold what you put in cold. Bagged ice melts into a slush that soaks cardboard, floats tortilla packs and leaves raw meat sitting in water, which is why restaurant kitchens hold cold product on frozen blocks and in sealed pans rather than loose ice. Reusable ice packs bring some of that order to a home cooler: they stay solid longer than loose cubes, they keep the bottom of the cooler dry, and they go back in the freezer when you get home.
This guide is the follow-up to our main best coolers roundup, which covers the boxes themselves. Here we cover only what goes inside: hard blocks, flexible sheets and mats, and a steel option, from Cooler Shock, Arctic Ice, FlexiFreeze, ICY-COOLS, Igloo, Freez Pak, Thermos and Outset. Cold-holding claims are quoted only as each maker states them, because no two makers test the same way, and we write “Not stated” where a listing gives no figure.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which cooler ice pack to buy
For a full-size cooler, our pick is the Cooler Shock 14 x 10-inch three-pack: each pack is large, Cooler Shock says it freezes at 18°F and replaces 5 to 6 pounds of ice, and the maker claims safe temperatures for up to 48 hours in a size-matched cooler. For a drinks cooler, the made-in-USA Arctic Ice Chillin’ Brew freezes at 28°F. To wrap containers and fill odd gaps, choose the FlexiFreeze ice sheets, which stay flexible when frozen and can be cut to size.
None of these replace a cold start. Chill the cooler, chill the food, and keep the lid shut, and any of these packs will do more of the work.
Five cooler ice packs at a glance
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of cooler, with size and cold claims as each maker or listing gives them. All eight ice packs are reviewed in full below.
| Ice pack | Best for | Type & size | Stated freeze point or claim | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cooler Shock 14 x 10-Inch Ice Packs, 3-PackBest overall
|
Full-size hard coolers | Fill-with-water pack, 14 x 10 x 1.5 in | 18°F; up to 48 hours (Cooler Shock) | View on Amazon |
Arctic Ice Chillin’ Brew Ice Pack, MediumBest for drinks
|
Cans and bottles on ice | Hard pack, 1.5 lb | 28°F (Arctic Ice, for the series) | View on Amazon |
FlexiFreeze Ice Sheets, 4-PackBest flexible sheet
|
Wrapping containers, odd gaps | Water-filled sheet, about 19 x 8 in | Not stated; flexible when frozen | View on Amazon |
ICY-COOLS Penguin Ice Mats, 6-PackWater only, made in USA
|
Soft coolers and totes | Flexible mat, 8.5 x 5.75 in | 30–50% longer than ice (ICY-COOLS) | View on Amazon |
Igloo MaxCold Ice Freezer Block, SmallBest small hard block
|
Small coolers, topping up | Hard gel block, 6.5 x 2.9 x 1.7 in | Not stated; 6.8 oz of gel | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Freeze points and cold-holding claims are as stated by each maker and were not measured by us; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best cooler ice packs
These eight ice packs cover the ways people actually load a cooler: big flat packs that line the bottom of a hard cooler, a colder-than-ice pack for drinks, flexible sheets and mats that wrap around containers or slide into a soft cooler, small hard blocks for topping up, a can-shaped block, and steel packs for people who would rather avoid gel. To keep this page useful next to our main cooler guide, none of these products is reviewed there.
1. Cooler Shock 14 x 10-Inch Ice Packs, 3-Pack – Big Packs That Freeze Below 32°F
If you own a full-size hard cooler, this is the set to start with. Each pack measures 14 by 10 by 1.5 inches, which is large enough to cover most of the floor of a mid-size cooler with two packs and leave the third for the top layer.
What sets Cooler Shock apart is the freeze point. The listing gives an 18°F phase change point, colder than the 32°F of plain ice, and says this keeps contents at safe temperatures for up to 48 hours in a size-matched cooler. Cooler Shock also says each pack replaces 5 to 6 pounds of ice, which frees space for food and drinks.
The packs arrive empty of water. You add water with the included funnel, shake, cap and freeze, then they are reused from then on. That first fill is a small job, but it means the packs ship light. The maker describes the construction as nylon-reinforced.
Because the pack freezes colder than ice, give it a full night in the freezer before a trip, and keep it from pressing directly on anything you do not want to freeze, such as lettuce, cilantro or soft drinks in thin cans. A layer of folded towel or a sheet of cardboard between pack and food is enough.
Why we like it
- 18°F phase change point, per the listing
- Cooler Shock claims safe temperatures for up to 48 hours in a size-matched cooler
- Each pack said to replace 5 to 6 pounds of ice
- Large 14 x 10-inch footprint lines the floor of a hard cooler
Key specifications
| Model | 7CSLSET |
|---|---|
| Type | Flexible pack you fill with water once, nylon-reinforced |
| Count | 3 |
| Size | 14 x 10 x 1.5 inches each |
| Fill | Water added by the buyer; 18°F phase change point |
| Cold claim (maker) | Safe temps for up to 48 hours in a size-matched cooler |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
For a cooler packed for a long day, size and freeze point matter most, and this set has both. Three big packs give you a cold floor and a cold lid layer, so the load is chilled from below and above rather than from one side.
Skip it if you mostly use a lunch bag or a small soft cooler. Cooler Shock itself says to measure the cooler’s interior before buying, and a 14-inch pack will not fit many small bags.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Colder freeze point than plain ice
- Large packs cover a cooler floor
- Stated 48-hour claim is specific
Cons
- You fill each pack with water before first use
- Too large for lunch bags
- Can freeze delicate food it touches
2. Arctic Ice Chillin’ Brew Ice Pack, Medium – Made for the Drinks Cooler
Arctic Ice names beer and other beverages as the target for this series, and the freeze point follows from that. Arctic Ice’s listings for the Chillin’ Brew series give its freeze point as 28°F, a few degrees below plain ice, so it chills cans and bottles without being cold enough to freeze most drinks solid.
This listing is a single medium pack weighing 1.5 pounds; the series also comes in small (0.75 lb), large (2.5 lb), X-large (5 lb) and XX-large (10 lb). Tuck it between rows of cans, or set it on top of the drinks, where cold air sinks down through the load. In a large drinks cooler, use it alongside ice rather than in place of it.
Arctic Ice says the fill is a non-toxic phase change material, that its packs are made in the USA, and that they carry a limited lifetime warranty. The listing also says that in the maker’s own tests the packs held food-safe temperatures for hours, even days. That is the maker’s claim, with no figures attached; we have no way to check it.
Why we like it
- Freezes at 28°F, per Arctic Ice
- Non-toxic phase change fill, per the listing
- Five sizes in the series
- Made in the USA, limited lifetime warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 1209 |
|---|---|
| Type | Hard pack |
| Count | 1 |
| Size | Medium, 1.5 lb |
| Fill | Non-toxic phase change material; 28°F for the series |
| Cold claim (maker) | Food-safe temperatures “for hours, even days” (no figure) |
| Made in | USA; limited lifetime warranty |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
A drinks cooler gets opened all afternoon, and a pack that freezes below 32°F helps it recover between openings. A sealed hard pack is also easy to rinse and drop back in the freezer.
Skip it if you need to cool a large cooler on packs alone. One 1.5-pound pack is a supplement for drinks, not a substitute for a full load of ice; add a second, or step up to a larger size.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Freeze point chosen for drinks
- Made in the USA
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Sold singly
- No cold-holding figure given
3. FlexiFreeze Ice Sheets, 4-Pack – Wraps Around Containers, Cuts to Fit
A hard block cools whatever it touches, and in a full cooler that is often only one side of one container. FlexiFreeze sheets solve that by staying flexible when frozen, so you can wrap one around a tub of marinated carne asada, a jar of salsa or a stack of cans.
Each sheet measures about 19 by 8 inches and 5/8 inch thick, and the set has four sheets. The listing says they are filled with 100 percent pure water, with no chemicals or gels, and the sheet is made of small cells, so you can cut it to fit a lunch bag, a narrow cooler or the gap beside a drinks row.
Water freezes at 32°F, so these will not run colder than ice, but they also will not freeze food solid the way a below-zero pack can. For a family cooler, that is a fair trade.
Why we like it
- Stays flexible when frozen, per FlexiFreeze
- Filled with pure water, no gel
- Can be cut to size
- Four sheets of about 19 x 8 inches each
Key specifications
| Model | FF4PK-44 |
|---|---|
| Type | Flexible sheet of small water cells |
| Count | 4 sheets |
| Size | About 19 x 8 x 5/8 inches each |
| Fill | 100% pure water |
| Cold claim (maker) | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
These suit anyone who packs food in containers rather than loose cans. Wrapped around a container, a sheet touches far more of it than a block would, and a cut piece fits pockets a rigid pack cannot.
Skip it if you want a pack that runs colder than ice. Water-filled sheets hold at the freezing point of water, and FlexiFreeze gives no cold-holding figure.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Bends around food and drinks
- Water fill, no gel
- Cut to the size you need
Cons
- No stated cold-holding time
- Not colder than ice
- A cut sheet loses the cells you cut through
4. ICY-COOLS Penguin Ice Mats, 6-Pack – Purified Water, Made in the USA
These are smaller, flat mats for soft coolers, totes and lunch bags. Each one measures 8.5 by 5.75 inches, and the set has six, so you can slide one under the food, one on top and keep spares in the freezer for the next day.
ICY-COOLS says the mats are made in the USA, filled with purified water, and made without BPA or PVC. They freeze flat and stay flexible, which lets them stack neatly in a freezer drawer and bend slightly around a container in the cooler. The maker describes a four-layer, burst-resistant build and says cleanup is easy even if one is punctured, since the fill is water.
The cold claim is relative: ICY-COOLS says the mats stay colder 30 to 50 percent longer than traditional ice. That compares the mats with ice under the maker’s own conditions, so treat it as a rough guide rather than an hour count.
Why we like it
- Made in the USA, per ICY-COOLS
- Purified water fill, made without BPA or PVC
- Six mats, flat and flexible when frozen
- Four-layer, burst-resistant construction
Key specifications
| Model | 27000 |
|---|---|
| Type | Flexible mat, four-layer build |
| Count | 6 |
| Size | 8.5 x 5.75 inches each |
| Fill | Purified water |
| Cold claim (maker) | Colder 30–50% longer than traditional ice |
| Made in | USA; limited lifetime warranty |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
For a soft cooler or a tote of tacos and drinks heading to the park, a stack of thin mats does more than one thick block, because you can put cold on every side of the load. The water fill is a plus for anyone wary of gel.
Skip it if you are filling a 50-quart hard cooler. Six small mats will not carry a big cooler through a long day on their own; bigger packs like the Cooler Shock suit that job better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Water fill, no BPA or PVC
- Six mats to layer around food
Cons
- Small for large hard coolers
- Cold claim is relative, not in hours
5. Igloo MaxCold Ice Freezer Block, Small – A Compact Hard Block From a Cooler Maker
Igloo makes coolers, and the MaxCold block is the plain hard pack it sells to go inside them. This small size measures about 6.5 by 2.9 by 1.7 inches and holds 200 milliliters (6.8 ounces) of freezable gel, so it fits a small cooler, a lunch box or the gap beside a row of bottles.
Igloo describes the fill as its Ultratherm gel for extended cooling and states that the gel is non-toxic. The hard shell keeps its shape, so the block stacks well and can be pushed down between items without folding. Igloo says it cleans easily with soap and water and simply goes back in the freezer between uses.
It is sold as a single block, so most people will want two or three, and pair them with bigger packs in a large cooler.
Why we like it
- From Igloo, a cooler maker
- 200 ml (6.8 oz) of gel in a compact hard shell
- Igloo states the gel is non-toxic
- Cleans with soap and water
Key specifications
| Model | 25055 |
|---|---|
| Type | Hard block |
| Count | 1 |
| Size | 6.5 x 2.9 x 1.7 inches |
| Fill | 200 ml (6.8 oz) Ultratherm gel |
| Cold claim (maker) | “Extended cooling performance” (no figure) |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Wash with soap and water; refreeze |
Why we recommend it
A small hard block is the most useful spare to keep in the freezer: it fits almost anywhere, and it tops up a cooler that is starting to warm. Igloo’s name on it means a maker you can reach if something goes wrong.
Skip it if you need one pack to cool a whole cooler. At 6.8 ounces of gel, this is a supporting piece, and Igloo gives no hour figure.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact and rigid
- Fits small coolers and gaps
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Sold singly
- Small gel volume
- No stated freeze point or hours
6. Freez Pak 6-Can Ice Pack – Shaped to Sit Against Cans
A flat pack touches a round can along one thin line. Freez Pak’s can block is shaped to fit 12-ounce cans, so the cans nest against it and more of each can is in contact with the cold. The title says it holds six cans, and it measures 4.0 by 2.1 by 8.8 inches.
Freez Pak says the pack is 100 percent made in the USA, in a recyclable polypropylene bottle that is BPA-free, and describes the fill only as “a safe premium formula” without naming it. The maker’s cold claim is modest: it says the pack keeps food and drinks cool “for hours” without the mess of melting ice.
It works best in a six-pack cooler or a small soft cooler set aside for drinks, which also keeps the food cooler shut more of the day.
Why we like it
- Shaped to fit 12-ounce cans
- Made in the USA, per Freez Pak
- Recyclable polypropylene bottle, BPA-free
Key specifications
| Model | 4944 |
|---|---|
| Type | Hard block shaped for cans |
| Count | 1 (title: holds 6 cans) |
| Size | 4.0 x 2.1 x 8.8 inches |
| Fill | Not stated (“safe premium formula”) |
| Cold claim (maker) | Cool “for hours” |
| Made in | USA; limited lifetime warranty |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
For a small drinks cooler, a shaped block makes better use of a little cold than a flat pack. It is a simple, made-in-USA piece, and the shell is recyclable.
Skip it if you carry bottles or tall cans. The shape is built around standard 12-ounce cans, and Freez Pak does not name the fill.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Cans nest against it
- Made in the USA
- BPA-free shell
Cons
- Built for 12-ounce cans only
- Fill not named
- Vague cold claim
7. Thermos Reusable Ice Mat, 36-Cube – Food-Contact Safe Cube Mat
The Thermos ice mat is a single flexible sheet of 36 small cubes. It works like a blanket: drape it over the top layer of a cooler, wrap it around a bowl of pico de gallo, or fold it into a soft cooler.
Thermos says the mat is food-contact safe, reusable and durable, and that each cube holds a clear, non-staining water-based solution of purified water, which is not for drinking. It is stored in the freezer until needed and, per Thermos, stays flexible when frozen.
The listing does not give the mat’s dimensions or any cold-holding time, so check the photos and the product page for size before you plan around it. That gap is why it ranks below the FlexiFreeze sheets, which state their size.
Why we like it
- Food-contact safe, per Thermos
- Stays flexible when frozen
- Clear, non-staining purified water solution
Key specifications
| Model | IP5036TRI |
|---|---|
| Type | Flexible mat of 36 cubes |
| Count | 1 mat |
| Size | Not stated |
| Fill | Water-based solution, purified water |
| Cold claim (maker) | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Not stated; store in the freezer |
Why we recommend it
If the mat will touch food directly, as it might draped over a tray of cut fruit, Thermos’s food-contact statement matters. Most packs on this page make no such claim.
Skip it if you need exact dimensions to plan your cooler. The listing gives none, and it is one mat, not a set.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Food-contact safe, per Thermos
- Drapes over or wraps around food
- Water-based, non-staining fill
Cons
- Size not stated
- Single mat
- No cold-holding figure
8. Outset Stainless Steel Ice Packs, Set of 2 – No Gel, Dishwasher Safe
For anyone who would rather not have plastic or gel packs next to food, Outset makes these from food-grade stainless steel. Each one measures 7 by 4.75 by 0.5 inches, thin enough to slide down the side of a lunch box or a small cooler.
Outset says each chiller can stay cool for up to six hours, after about four hours in the freezer. That is a day trip or a lunch, not a weekend. The maker says the packs are dishwasher safe and safe to store with food, and that the steel shell holds up to being tumbled around.
Six hours is short next to the big packs on this page, so think of these as a clean, durable choice for a small cooler of sandwiches or tortas, or as an extra layer in a bigger cooler.
Why we like it
- Food-grade stainless steel, per Outset
- Dishwasher safe
- Thin 0.5-inch profile
- Ready after about 4 hours in the freezer
Key specifications
| Model | 76667 |
|---|---|
| Type | Stainless steel chiller |
| Count | 2 |
| Size | 7 x 4.75 x 0.5 inches each |
| Fill | Not stated |
| Cold claim (maker) | Cool up to 6 hours each |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher or hand wash |
Why we recommend it
Steel is easy to clean and does not tear, and a pack that goes in the dishwasher is the most hygienic way to keep reusing one next to food.
Skip it if you need cold for more than an afternoon. Outset’s own figure is up to six hours, and two small packs are not enough for a full cooler.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No plastic gel pouch
- Dishwasher safe
- Durable steel shell
Cons
- Up to 6 hours, per Outset
- Small for big coolers
How to choose cooler ice packs
Ice packs look alike in photos, but a few details decide whether they suit your cooler.
- Size to the cooler, not the other way round. Measure the inside of your cooler before you buy. Large packs like the 14 x 10-inch Cooler Shock line a hard cooler’s floor; small mats and blocks suit soft coolers and lunch bags.
- Freeze point. Plain water freezes at 32°F. Packs that change phase below that, such as Cooler Shock at 18°F or Arctic Ice at 28°F, run colder than ice, which helps a cooler that is opened often but can freeze tender food they touch.
- Hard or flexible. Hard blocks stack and hold their shape. Flexible sheets and mats wrap around containers and fill gaps. Many people use both: hard packs on the bottom, a flexible sheet on top.
- What is inside. Some makers name the fill (water, vegetable-oil derived, gel) and some do not. If a pack will sit against unwrapped food, prefer one the maker calls food-contact safe, like the Thermos mat or the Outset steel packs.
- How much you need. No pack works miracles in a half-empty cooler. Fill empty space with packs, extra drinks or ice so less warm air is trapped inside.
Packing a cooler for a cookout
Ice packs are one part of keeping food safe outdoors. The FDA’s advice for picnics comes down to a few habits:
- Keep it at 40°F or below. The FDA says cold food should be stored at 40°F or below to prevent bacterial growth, and to place cold food in a cooler with ice or frozen gel packs.
- Pack meat frozen. The FDA notes that meat, poultry and seafood may be packed while still frozen so they stay colder longer. Frozen fajita meat works as an extra ice pack on the way to the park.
- Two coolers if you can. The FDA suggests packing beverages in one cooler and perishable foods in another, since the drinks cooler gets opened all day.
- Keep the lid shut. Once at the picnic site, the FDA says to limit the number of times the cooler is opened as much as you can.
- Watch the clock. Served food should not sit out longer than 2 hours, or 1 hour when it is above 90°F, according to the FDA. If food is left out longer, throw it away.
For a cooler of agua fresca, see our guide to aguas frescas, and for planning quantities, our guide to Mexican food for a group.
How we chose these eight ice packs
We started from what a kitchen asks of cold holding: enough cold for the size of the load, no meltwater around the food, and something easy to clean and reuse. We then looked for reusable ice packs sold on Amazon in the United States, from identifiable makers, and in stock when we checked. We skipped near-duplicate sizes from the same maker and products already reviewed in our main cooler guide.
We left out YETI’s ICE packs and Arctic Ice’s larger Chillin’ Disc, both showing only limited stock, Igloo’s larger MaxCold blocks, which were out of stock, and packs from sellers we could not identify. Specifications and claims come from the Amazon listings and are quoted as each maker states them.
We searched the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database for each brand and found no recall of any ice pack on this page. The ice pack recalls we did find there were from 2012, when California Innovations recalled Cryofreeze and Arctic Zone gel packs because damaged packs could leak gel that might contain diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. Those packs are not on this page. We have not measured how long any of these packs stay cold.
Cooler ice pack questions, answered
What are the top cooler ice packs for a big cooler?
For a full-size hard cooler, choose large packs with a freeze point below 32°F. Of our picks, the Cooler Shock 14 x 10-inch packs are the biggest, and Cooler Shock states an 18°F phase change point and up to 48 hours in a size-matched cooler.
Are ice packs better than ice?
They are cleaner, since they do not melt into water, and some run colder than ice. Loose ice still fills gaps around cans better than any pack. Many people use packs on the bottom and top and loose ice around the drinks.
How long do cooler ice packs last?
It depends on the cooler, the load and the weather, and every maker measures differently. Stated figures on this page range from up to six hours for Outset’s steel packs to up to 48 hours for Cooler Shock in a size-matched cooler.
Can ice packs touch food?
Only if the maker says so. Thermos calls its ice mat food-contact safe and Outset says its steel packs are safe stored with food. For other packs, keep food in sealed containers or bags, which also stops raw meat juices spreading.
Should ice packs go on the top or bottom of a cooler?
Both, if you have enough. Cold air sinks, so a pack on top cools the load from above, while packs on the bottom keep the floor cold. Put the foods that need the most cold, such as raw meat, nearest the packs.
Our final pick for keeping the cooler cold
Buy the Cooler Shock 14 x 10-inch three-pack for a full-size hard cooler. Add the Arctic Ice Chillin’ Brew for a drinks cooler, FlexiFreeze sheets or ICY-COOLS mats to wrap containers and fill a soft cooler, an Igloo MaxCold block or two as freezer spares, the Freez Pak can block for a six-pack, the Thermos mat to drape over food, and Outset’s steel packs for a short trip without gel. Whatever you choose, keep the food at 40°F or below.
For the cooler itself, go back to our main best coolers guide, and for a drinks fridge on the patio, see the best beverage cooler. Or let us do the cooking: see the menu or call to order.