Ask two people and they will have different opinions on the best cooler and why they think one is better than the other.
Some will go for looks, stating that a fiberglass ice box is better because it looks better and stays better longer. A fiberglass cooler will not scratch as easily as a plastic one. Its material of construction is harder, which will reduce the appearance of those bumps and scratches that quickly mark a plastic cooler. The flip side is that the fiberglass cooler is also more fragile than a plastic one. A very strong blow can dent a plastic cooler and leave a mark on it; however, the same blow can often chip the surface of a fiberglass cooler.
Many people believe that a fiberglass cooler is a better insulator than a plastic one. It’s true that ice seems to last longer in a fiberglass cooler that has the same wall and lid thickness as a plastic box. This seems strange as both are filled with similar insulation, injected under pressure. The reality is that fiberglass coolers often have thinner walls than plastic boxes, so they both retain ice for roughly the same amount of time.
Fiberglass coolers are more expensive than plastic coolers. The labor content in the manufacture of fiberglass coolers is much more than for a plastic box.
Odor retention is one of the key reasons many people cite as a reason for rejecting a plastic box. While it is true that it is difficult to remove a really bad smell from a plastic box, it can be done with generous amounts of bleach and a little air in the sun. Fiberglass boxes are much easier to keep odor free. A quick cloth with bleach, a rinse, and a thorough dry before storing and it should be odor-free for next use.
The best thing about a plastic box is that they are sturdy. You can stand on a good quality cooler or use it as a seat in your boat or while camping. They can be thrown away and will suffer abuse that would destroy a fiberglass cooler. Of course, they will be scored and scratched when you do this, but if you don’t care about the look of your fridge, that doesn’t matter.
In short, the main reason most people choose a plastic cooler over a fiberglass one is the price. A fiberglass cooler usually costs at least twice as much as a plastic one.
