Pros:

• Padded insulation lining keeps medication supplies cool and safe from the heat
• Water-resistant material is durable and easy to clean
• Available in many different colours

Cons:

• Less high-tech than other options
• Not great for longer trips

Buying guide

Insulin that isn’t stored correctly can deteriorate and lose its effectiveness. Injecting spoiled insulin can negatively affect your blood sugar levels and may lead to hyperglycaemia.

Here are the things you should be aware of when buying an insulin cooler or case.

The best temperature to store insulin

Unopened insulin supplies should be stored in the fridge between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C). These supplies will be safe until the expiry date is labelled on the container.

Open insulin supplies need to be used within 28 days after they have been removed from the refrigerator.

These need to be stored at room temperatures under 86°F (30°C) during this period. Any temperatures higher than this can spoil the insulin and make it unsuitable for use.

Insulin should never be stored in the freezer or right opposite a refrigerator’s cooling component. Freezing immediately makes the insulin ineffective.

What does spoiled insulin look like?

Insulin is a liquid medicine that is typically colourless and transparent. If insulin stored in vials, pens, or cartridges appears cloudy or contains clumps, it may indicate spoilage or degradation. (Certain insulin products are cloudy, so ensure you know what type you have and whether it should be cloudy

In most cases, you’ll be able to spot spoiled insulin with your naked eye.

If you do suspect that your insulin has gone bad, dispose of the item and get a new supply from your refrigerator.

You can learn more about how to spot if your insulin has spoiled or expired in our guide. Does Insulin Expire?

Choosing the best insulin cooler

Every insulin cooler is different, so the best one for you will depend on your circumstances.

You need to consider:

• Cooling power (fridge temperature vs. room temperature)
• Cooling duration
• Cooling method (insulation vs. electric vs. water, etc.)
• Weight and capacity (size)
• TSA approval if traveling
• Looks

We’ll cover some of the most common features in insulin coolers below, so you know what to look for when shopping for these accessories.

Cooling power

The insulin coolers in this review are designed to keep your insulin at room temperature or lower, but not to actively cool it down further, as they don’t have an external power source for cooling.

The only exception is the 4AllFamily cooler, which can be turned into a small insulin fridge by using its USB-powered refrigerator cap.

Cooling method and duration

If you are traveling for longer periods of time, in very hot climates, or in places without access to refrigeration or air conditioning, it’s important to choose a cooler that works with what you have available.

The 4AllFamily DisonCare, Sugar Medical and Apollo coolers use ice packs, so they are best suited for trips where you have access to a refrigerator at night. On the plus side, they can keep your insulin cool all day.

FRIO coolers use water evaporation to keep their contents cool for up to 48 hours at 100°F. This makes them very versatile.

Breezy packs use a high-tech insulation material that recharges automatically at night when temperatures dip under 75°F. This makes them easy to bring anywhere, but also impractical in very hot climates.

The VIVI Cap uses simple insulation to keep your insulin pens cool. It also warns you when your insulin is getting too hot, and you need to find refrigeration. It’s great for everyday use but not for travel in hot climates. It also only works for insulin pens.

Portable travel fridges for Insulin (Please attach picture and affiliate link)

If you are traveling for more than a few weeks and need to bring a lot of insulin, a real travel fridge may be a necessity.

Electricity and/or battery-powered insulin fridges can keep your insulin cool indefinitely, if you have regular access to electricity.

We have a full review of the best portable insulin fridges 

Case capacity

Always make sure that your cooler’s capacity is large enough to hold the amount of insulin you’ll require on your journey.

Some pen cap coolers can only store a single insulin pen out of the heat. This is good for everyday purposes, but not for trips where you need to cool many insulin pens.

If you need to keep several insulin pens or vials cool, the highest-capacity insulin coolers are 4AIIFamily and DisonCare, which can both hold up to seven pens