Foam cooler or EPS box: what is the difference?
A foam cooler and an EPS box are the same thing: both are made of EPS, expanded polystyrene. The difference is in the name and in the use. A cooler is often a smaller, reusable box with a lid, a box is usually the shipping packaging. At Cooled Solutions they come from our own production since 1972, with a matching lid as standard.
Foam cooler or foam box: does the name matter?
The product goes by several names: foam cooler and foam box, styrofoam cooler and styrofoam box, in the plural foam coolers or foam boxes. As far as content goes, the name makes no difference. It is the same white, light plastic that is about 98% air and 2% polystyrene.
The same box is also called a Tempex box, an insulated box, an EPS box or a styrofoam box. If you want all those names in one place, you will find them in our article buying a Styropor box. It is always a light, insulating package made of the same material.
EPS box or foam cooler: where is the difference?
There is no difference in material or in how it works. Smaller, open versions with a lid are often called foam coolers, while the standard shipping packaging is called an EPS box. The table sets the two side by side.
| Aspect | EPS box | Foam cooler |
|---|---|---|
| Material | EPS, about 98% air | EPS, about 98% air |
| Lid | Matching lid included | Matching lid included |
| Usually meant as | Shipping packaging for temperature-sensitive products | Reusable cooler that you take along again and again, for example to a market, on a boat or to a barbecue |
| Ordering | Per piece or per pallet | Per piece |
| Found at | EPS boxes | Foam coolers |
One example: the 10 liter EPS box measures 400 x 300 x 200 mm and has a 35 mm wall. It is supplied at 100 pieces per pallet and can also be ordered per piece.
If no standard size fits, you request a quote and we look at one of the existing molds.
The same boxes are used for fish, meat, meals and pharmaceutical products. For fish, choose a version with drain holes, so that meltwater runs off. For a number of sizes, both variants exist with the same dimensions.
Buying foam coolers: per piece or per pallet
If you want foam coolers in quantity, you order per pallet. A full pallet gives the lowest price per box. The number per pallet differs per size: 200 pieces for 4.7 liters, 100 for 10 liters, 35 for 30 liters and 6 for 173 liters. The complete overview is at our EPS boxes per pallet.
If you are looking for one box or a few pieces, see the foam coolers per piece, from 4.7 to 173 liters. Another name for the same family is Tempex boxes, which you also order per piece.
What stays the same for both
Whichever word you use, the wall thickness decides how long the contents stay at temperature: according to our product information, a thin-walled 20 mm box keeps products cool for about eight to twelve hours, and a thick-walled box of 40 to 50 mm combined with gel packs reaches 24 to 48 hours. What that means in your situation depends on the outside temperature, the coolant and the length of the trip.
Place ice packs on top of the product and fill the box or cooler tightly, because empty space works against you. Read on in choosing the right box size if you are unsure about the size. A number of sizes come with and without drain holes, handy for fish because meltwater then runs off. A separate lid is only available on request.
Frequently asked questions about the foam cooler and the EPS box
Is a foam cooler the same as a Tempex box?
Yes. Tempex is the old brand name for expanded polystyrene foam. A Tempex box, a Tempex cooler and a foam cooler are made of the same material.
Does a foam cooler come with a lid?
Yes. Every box or cooler is supplied with a matching lid as standard. A separate lid is only available on request.
Can I also buy foam coolers per pallet?
Yes. You order the EPS boxes per pallet and the foam coolers per piece. Both versions have the same insulating effect.
Do you know what you are looking for? See the whole range of foam coolers and boxes from our own production, available from stock right away. If you are unsure between a cooler and a box, contact us. We are happy to help you think it through.
You will find all names in our glossary.
