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The best ice packs for coolers this summer, according to Consumer Reports

An ice pack that thaws too fast leaves lunch warm by noon. Consumer Reports tested ice packs for freeze time and cold retention

Santeri Viinamäki / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

An ice pack that thaws too quickly leaves a packed lunch warm well before noon, no matter how good the insulated bag around it is. Freeze time, size and how long a pack stays cold all trade off against each other, so the right pick depends on how much space is available and how long food needs to stay chilled.

Consumer Reports tested ice packs for freeze time, melt speed and cold retention, so shoppers can find one that fits their lunch bag and schedule.

Arctic Zone High Performance Ice Packs

Arctic Zone High Performance Ice Packs cost $13.99 for a two-pack and earned Consumer Reports' top pick........

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