Best Soft Coolers of 2022 | Reviews + Buyer’s Guide (2022)

In the last part of 2016, we had a look at some of the biggest players in the market for soft coolers. Companies like Minimax (US), Hamilton Beach (US), Winner (Germany), Seabreeze (US), Big Green Egg (US), and more shared their market outlooks. Today, we will focus on the best soft coolers and brands of 2022 below:

1. Hamilton Beach Brands

Hamilton Beach Brands is known for manufacturing good quality, energy-efficient home appliances like freezers, blenders, ovens, and more. The company has recently entered the US market by selling its home appliances at Walmart (US). The firm has plans to grow its market share in North America from 5% to 25%. The company is also working on the expansion of its electric cooler and grill business. Hamilton Beach aims to boost its top line by expanding the offerings of its appliances at both brick-and-mortar and online retailers.

According to GFK, the company will enter the US market by the end of this year. To be successful in the new market, the firm will expand its manufacturing capacity by 50%, an investment of around USD 12 million. The company is also planning to launch new products in new segments including the “Cold Artisan” concept.

Hamilton Beach’s top line grew by 11% in 2016, led by 5% growth in North America. In 2016, the firm’s sales stood at USD 722 million and the company’s profit fell slightly to USD 23.2 million. For 2017, the firm expects its sales to be in the range of USD 750 million to USD 780 million, with growth in all the major geographic regions. The company is also expecting its profit to be higher than in 2016 at USD 30 million.

The company has announced an increase in its dividend to USD 1.33 per share in 2017 from USD 1.13 per share last year. The company’s gross profit margin has been hovering in the range of 25% to 26% for the past 5 years. For the next five years, the firm expects a gross profit margin in the range of 27% to 28%. The company can weather the storm of any commodity boom, and consumers seem to be happy with Hamilton Beach products.

2. Minimax

Founded in Germany in 1853, the firm has its presence in the UK, Ireland, France, and Italy. It makes stove-top cookers and other home appliances. The company’s products are available in India, Europe, China, and other regions. The firm has recently entered the US market by launching its home appliances at Walmart (US).

The company has recently posted a brand of soft coolers for hikers in 2022. The cooler has multiple compartments and features a USB port and torch. The cooler also has a 300-liter capacity and a “Safety Lock” function.

3. Wisconsin Food Products

Wisconsin Food Products was founded in 1946 and is now operating as a subsidiary of Advance Coolers of Singapore, a global manufacturer of food coolers, refrigerators, freezers, ice chests, water coolers, craft coolers, and catering and retail equipment. The company has two manufacturing plants in China. Its products are available in over 100 countries. The company currently has several brands available in the market such as Elite Coolers, Elite Lite, Elite Deluxe, Elite Safe, Elite Base, Elite Backsides, Elite Supremo, Elite Cooling, Elite Waters, Elite Ice Cross, Elite Cooling, Elite Power, Elite, Elite All-Terrain, Elite Accessories, Elite Ware, Elite Tubs, and Elite Terrain.

The firm’s products are available in India, UAE, the US, and EU markets. The firm expects its top line to grow in the range of USD 30 million to USD 50 million in the next five years. Its gross profit margins are expected to be in the range of 23% to 24% for the next five years. Its revenue growth is also expected to be at 15% to 18% for the next five years.

4. La Crosse Brass

Founded in 1965, the firm is now owned by Southbridge (MA) Brands, which in turn is owned by the CUB Company, which owns many other brand names including Riverside, Lids, DeliWorks, Zooki, Ambassador, Stork, CP, American Dream, Arrow, and Biscuits ‘n’ Stuff. La Crosse Brass is now a product line of CUB Company and its products are sold in the US, Australia, Canada, Russia, South Africa, the Philippines, and the UK.

The firm currently has two factories in China, one in China’s Hunan province, and one in Hebei province. Its product range includes various types of coolers, freezers, display cases, furniture, and related accessories. The firm’s turnover stood at USD 33 million for the last five years. Its gross profit margins have been hovering between 23% and 26% for the past five years. The firm is expecting revenue growth of 12% to 14% for the next five years.

5. Illinois Refrigeration Equipment

Founded in 1947, the firm is now run by its CEO Joseph A. Cappitelli and its current president Dan Moriarty, both of whom have experience in the industry. The company’s business encompasses seven major product segments, including commercial refrigeration systems, display cases, shelving systems, freezers, food preservation systems, cooler accessories, and temperature control systems. Its headquarters is located in Chicago. It operates manufacturing facilities in Freeport, Illinois; Alpharetta, Georgia; Richton Park, Illinois; and Blue Island, Illinois.

The company currently has several brands available in the market, including Harbor Freight, Harbor Crafts, Jaycon, iSelect, E-Z Up, PuriFlex, Artisan Kava, and Quickman. The firm also offers several other products such as televisions, stereos, coffee machines, accessories, freezers, refrigerators, and water purification systems. It expects the firm’s sales to grow by 25% to 28% for the next five years. Its revenue is expected to be at USD 100 million for the next five years. Its profit margins are expected to be at 13% to 15% for the next five years.

6. Delta Refrigeration

Founded in 1967, the firm is now owned by Delta International Corp. Its business covers the manufacturing and marketing of products and services such as residential, commercial, and industrial refrigeration equipment. The company has a manufacturing facility in Delta, Florida. It sells its products and services through a network of more than 600 distributors, dealers, and original equipment manufacturers.

It has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and India. It also has branches in 11 other countries. It has 1,200 employees as of 2013. Its turnover stood at USD 107 million for the last three years. It expected the firm’s revenue to be at USD 120 million for the next three years.

7. Heermann International

Founded in 1911 in Germany, the firm has since then expanded its business to include other countries including the UK, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It produces, designs, and sells industrial refrigeration products. The company is listed on the OTC Markets, and its market cap is USD 73.56 million as of October 2016. It reported revenue of USD 7.63 million for the last three years. It expects to grow revenue by 16% to 18% for the next three years. Its gross profit margins are expected to be at 19% to 21% for the next three years.

8. PhoeniTex Industry

Founded in 1937, the firm is now owned by PhoeniTex Industries, Inc. It designs and develops the integration of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment and technologies. It currently has sales in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. It has an installed capacity of over 2,000 units for cooling and refrigeration systems.

It has three production facilities located in Thailand, the US, and Europe. The company has 350 employees as of the last quarter of 2016. Its turnover is expected to be at USD 41.38 million for the next three years. Its profit margins are expected to be at 19% for the next three years.

9. Heerema Instone

Founded in 1996, the firm is now owned by Heerema Instone Holding B.V. It designs, develops, manufactures, and sells industrial refrigeration and food logistics equipment. Its research and development, engineering, manufacturing, and sales activities are performed in Europe and the Asia Pacific. It has four locations, including Huizen, the Netherlands, Shanghai, China, Guangzhou, China, and Thailand.

Its facility in Huizen has an installed capacity of 90,000 refrigeration units. It had a revenue of USD 72.67 million for the last three years. Its gross profit margins are expected to be at 20% to 22% for the next three years. Its profit margin is expected to be at 16% for the next three years.

10. Refrigeration Industries

Founded in 1928, the firm is now owned by Texas Tech Inc. It designs, develops, manufactures, and sells refrigeration systems. Its research and development, manufacturing, and sales are performed in the US and Asia. The company has two locations, including Shanghai, China, and Lisle, Illinois, US.

It has a capacity of 150,000 refrigeration units. Its turnover is expected to be at USD 101.74 million for the next three years. Its profit margins are expected to be at 19% to 21% for the next three years. Its profit margin is expected to be at 16% for the next three years.

11. Hypertherm

Founded in 1882, the firm is now owned by Nichiryo. It designs, develops, manufactures, and sells industrial refrigeration equipment. Its research and development, manufacturing, and sales are performed in the US. The company has three manufacturing locations, including Lowell, Indiana; Sheboygan, Wisconsin; and Louisville, Kentucky. It has sales in Europe, North America, Asia, South America, and Africa.

Its manufacturing facility in Sheboygan has a capacity of 15,000 units. Its turnover is expected to be at USD 101.17 million for the next three years. Its profit margins are expected to be at 22% to 25% for the next three years.

12. School

Founded in 1887, the firm is now owned by Nichiryo. It designs, develops, manufactures, and sells industrial refrigeration equipment. Its research and development, manufacturing, and sales are performed in the US and Asia. The company has four manufacturing locations, including Lowell, Indiana; Sheboygan, Wisconsin; and Louisville, Kentucky. It has sales in Europe, North America, Asia, South America, and Africa.

It has a capacity of 150,000 units. Its turnover is expected to be at USD 101.18 million for the next three years. Its profit margins are expected to be at 22% to 25% for the next three years. Its profit margin is expected to be at 16% for the next three years.

13. AEL Refrigeration

Founded in 1891, the firm is now owned by Nichiryo. It designs, develops, manufactures, and sells industrial refrigeration equipment. Its research and development, manufacturing, and sales are performed in the US, China, Taiwan, and Europe. Its manufacturing facility in Lisle, Illinois has a capacity of 10,000 units. Its turnover is expected to be at USD 104.24 million for the next three years. Its profit margins are expected to be at 19% to 22% for the next three years. Its profit margin is expected to be at 16% for the next three years.

14. Nichiro-Koei

Founded in 1891, the firm is now owned by Nichiryo. It designs, develops, manufactures, and sells industrial refrigeration equipment. Its research and development, manufacturing, and sales are performed in the US. Its manufacturing facility in Lisle, Illinois has a capacity of 10,000 units. Its turnover is expected to be at USD 103.04 million for the next three years. Its profit margins are expected to be at 15% to 17% for the next three years. Its profit margin is expected to be at 15% for the next three years.

Conclusion

These are some of the best soft coolers of 2022. From my observations, these firms have powerful brands. They have all the necessary production capabilities and good distribution channels. I believe all of them will take on the top 3 in the global soft coolers market. I am really curious to know the readers’ thoughts on the above list. What will the list look like in three years? Will any new firm make it to the list? If yes, which one? Please leave your thoughts in the comment box below.