Whether you’re camping, tailgating, going to the beach, or just having people over for a barbeque, coolers are super important. Beyond keeping drinks cold, you obviously need a good cooler if you want to keep uncooked food fresh. The expert product reviewers at BGR tested dozens of different coolers to find the best ones for every budget, and we’ll tell you all about our top picks in this guide.
Our top picks
- Best overall: YETI Tundra 65 Cooler
- Best rolling cooler: Igloo Trailmate Journey 70 Qt Cooler
- Best backpack cooler: ICEMULE Jaunt
- Best large hard cooler: Igloo Polar 120-Qt Cooler
- Best for wine: YETI Roadie 24 Cooler
- Best cheap options: Maelstrom Soft Cooler Bag
Want to know why we chose each of the coolers listed above? Keep reading to dive deeper into what makes each option so impressive.
1. Best overall: YETI Tundra 65 Cooler
YETI Tundra 65 Cooler
Rating: 4.5 Stars
The YETI Tundra 65 is just as adept at keeping your catches cold in the field as it is storing the drinks and food for your backyard barbecue, this ice chest is plenty roomy, holding a limit of redfish or your prized brisketIce stays ice thanks to up to 3 inches of PermaFrost Insulation and an extra thick FatWall design is certified Bear-Resistant
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Pros: Holds 39 cans with 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio, Heavy-duty, Dry ice compatible, Side handles, Secure latch
Cons: Expensive, Can be difficult for one person to move
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People have come to know YETI coolers as some of the most reliable and sturdy ones out there. The YETI Tundra 65 is no exception and is the standard for durable coolers. The 65-quart option is our pick because it gives you a good size and is still not too difficult to move, though some people may need some help. We liked it better overall than the YETI Tundra 45, for an obvious reason: Capacity.
The Tundra 65 holds 39 cans while still allowing you to have a 2:1 ice-to-can ratio. The FatWall design holds up to two inches of PermaFrost insulation, delivering ice retention that isn’t matched to keep ice frozen. Basically, the contents will remain cold for a long time because of the cold air, and the ice won’t melt easily.
The T-Rex lid rubber latches are easy to use and keep your lid shut. It’s certified bear resistant. The DoubleHaul handles make it simpler to grab and move. You can store dry ice in this as well. This is a basically indestructible cooler that can be easily mounted to your boat, trailer, or truck, thanks to the tie down points. If you’re bringing this camping, hunting, or to the beach, it’ll be good to go. It can also store bottle openers.
What you need to know
You pay for the quality, and this is an expensive cooler. But it should last you a long time. When it’s filled, it may not be the easiest to move by yourself, either, so make sure you grab a friend to help.
2. Best rolling cooler: Igloo Trailmate Journey 70 Qt Cooler
Igloo Trailmate Journey 70 Qt Cooler
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Spacious 70-quart capacity fits up to 112 cansTackle sand & other challenging terrain with the superior traction & ground clearance of 10-inch, never-flat, smooth-ride wheelsPull your load 50% easier thanks to the comfort & leverage of our horizontal dual-trigger steel Glide handle that has locking & telescoping functions
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Pros: Great design, Glide telescoping handle, Lockable, Butler tray, Oversized wheels
Cons: Expensive, Handle can get stuck
The Igloo 70 Qt Premium Trailmate Wheeled Rolling Cooler handles all kinds of terrain without an issue. Wheeled coolers aren’t always equipped with the best wheels, but the oversized wheels on this are 10″ and never flat, allowing them to be used on gravel, sand, concrete, and more. You’ll have plenty of traction and also enough ground clearance to make it work.
The telescoping and locking glide handle makes pulling your load 50% easier. Thanks to the cup holders and flat surface, the removable butler tray keeps food and drinks away from the sand. The lockable box with an anti-leak gasket keeps items dry inside, which isn’t included in many other coolers.
There is also a side pocket to keep your sunscreen and sunglasses out of the sun. This is one of the best coolers because it holds 70 quarts and has impressive ice retention.
What you need to know
Some users have had issues with the handle getting stuck. It also isn’t incredibly cheap, but you may be able to find it on sale.
3. Best backpack cooler: ICEMULE Jaunt
ICEMULE Jaunt
Rating: 4.5 Stars
RUGGED AND VERSATILE – From our proprietary MuleSkin fabrics and the game-changing IM AirValve, to the welded seams and padded straps — these soft sided cooler bags are built to outlast your next beach day, hike, picnic and more.24+ HOURS OF COOLING – Ultra-tough Muleskin Exterior and Interior plus PolarLayer Insulation ensures strength and superior ice retention to maintain ice-like temperatures for 24+ hours. Holds 9 Liters or 10 cans + ice; 7”L x 7.50”W x 17”HHANDS FREE COOLER – This lightweight, backpack-style cooler has two padded and ventilated straps that leave both your arms free to grab your surfboard, fishing pole, or any other adventure gear. Perfect portable cooler for men and women.
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Pros: MuleSkin fabrics, Padded and ventilated straps, PolarLayer insulation, Waterproof
Cons: Not everyone will like the design
Plenty of people are interested in backpack coolers. They are much easier to carry than traditional coolers and can be brought to all kinds of places. The ICEMULE Jaunt is our pick for this style of soft cooler because it offers superior ice retention and is 100% waterproof.
It will keep your drinks ice cold for up to 24 hours as the MuleSkin fabrics combined with a PolarLayer insulation ensure strength and cold retention to keep drinks cold. It has two padded and ventilated shoulder straps that allow you to wear this and use it hands-free.
This is one of the best soft coolers. It features a collapsible design, so you can roll it up when you aren’t using it. It has a front zippered pocket to store additional items. It is waterproof and buoyant, so it will even float next to you in a kayak or boat. The rolled-top design of the cooler backpack is simple to utilize for the soft-sided cooler.
What you need to know
It comes in two different sizes: small and large. The small holds nine liters and the large holds 15. The small may not be large enough for you if you’re carrying items for a group.
4. Best large hard cooler: Igloo Polar 120-Qt Cooler
Igloo Polar 120-Qt Cooler
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Ultratherm insulated body and lid keep ice for 5 days at 90 degrees FahrenheitReinforced swing-up handles with tie-down loop featureDual snap-fit latches secure lid closure
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Pros: Ultratherm insulated body, Holds 188 cans, Dual snap-fit latches, Swing-up handles
Cons: May not keep ice frozen as long as advertised
If you want a hard-sided cooler that holds a lot of beverages and just about everything else you might want, the Igloo Polar 120-Qt Cooler is our top pick. We chose the 120-quart option, but you can also opt for an even larger 150-quart version. The hard cooler is fully insulated, thanks to the Ultratherm insulated body and lid. It is said to offer five days of ice retention.
The 120-quart choice holds 188 cans, meaning you can host your next block party right out of the cooler. The extra large cooler has reinforced swing-up handles, making it simpler for you and a friend to carry this when it’s filled. The dual snap-fit lid latches keep the lid closed securely.
If you want to drain the cooler, the threaded drain plug offers a hose hook-up for easy draining. It is a quality cooler because of its cooling performance and rugged cooler design.
What you need to know
Some users have commented that it may not actually keep ice cold for five days. So just be ready to temper your expectations in that case.
5. Best for wine: YETI Roadie 24 Cooler
YETI Roadie 24 Cooler
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Made for the road and ready to go – The Roadie 24 Hard Cooler packs more while taking up less space. It’s built tall to accommodate critical bottles of wine and slim enough to squeeze behind the driver’s or passenger’s seat of a carHEFTYHAULER HANDLE – Designed for easy hauling and comfortable carrying
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Pros: Better than the Roadie 20, Wine-friendly design, Fits in a backseat, QUICKLATCH closure
Cons: Expensive, Might be awkward for some people to carry
For those who prefer to bring wine to their picnic or to the next barbecue, the YETI Roadie 24 Cooler is the pick. It is 10% lighter and holds 20% more than the Roadie 20, meaning it’s a durable cooler. This YETI cooler actually performs 30% better thermally.
The hard-sided cooler is built taller than other some of the other best coolers, making it a great way to store two-liter bottles. That makes it ideal for storing wine bottles in it. The ROTOMOLDED construction is thinner and more lightweight but still provides durability and cold retention with its thick walls.
The non-slip feet keep it in place on the ground. The QUICKLATCH closure is flexible and meant for one-handed access to the interior, but the lid latches will remain shut securely.
What you need to know
It is offered in numerous colors, so you can pick your favorite one. However, it is not cheap, so you should keep that in mind when looking for one.
6. Best cheap options: Maelstrom Soft Cooler Bag
Maelstrom Soft Cooler Bag
Rating: 4.5 Stars
EXTRA LARGE CAPACITY – Extra-large size yet weighs only 1.65 lbs. The Maelstrom Icy Hollow Soft sided cooler will hold up to 75 cans of your favorite drinks plus 2-4 ice packs; or with 60 cans you can add 15 lbs. of ice for long lasting coldness. Whether it’s camping, hiking, picnicking, or a BBQ party, the cooler bag easily packs a lot of food, fruits, beer, meat, or even seafood together. It’s large enough to carry all picnic essentials for the whole family!STAYS COLD LONGER – Thoughtful 5 layer insulation design. Exterior surfaces are made of rip-stop 600D Oxford materials plus one layer of waterproof PVC. Interior layers are thicker, reinforced food-grade PEVA materials with seamless ultrasonic welding for 100% leakproof and tear-resistance. A built-in EPE foam middle layer and 210D liner add additional insulation, allowing the Maelstrom Icy Hollow Soft Sided Cooler Bag to keep food or drinks cold for up to 12 hours.
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Pros: Versatile, Unique design with quick access panel, 5 layers of insulation, Large capacity
Cons: Less durable than more expensive options
The Maelstrom Soft Cooler Bag delivers some terrific bang for your buck. We picked the 75-can version because it is the largest, but it is still incredibly lightweight. When it’s not filled, it weighs just over a pound and a half. This soft cooler bag can hold up to 75 cans as well as two to four ice packs. If you don’t want to go with ice packs and prefer ice, it can hold 60 cold drinks and 15 pounds of ice.
Thanks to the 5-layer insulation design, it will keep your food and drinks colder for longer. The layers are made from food-grade PEVA materials to keep food cold for up to 12 hours. It also can work as a food-warming bag, so your food won’t just become immediately cold once you use it.
The unique design of one of the best soft coolers offers a top Velcro pull tab for easier access and the ergonomic design allows you to hold it two different ways. The largest one is a reliable cooler that’s under $50, so it’s the best budget cooler.
What you need to know
Melted ice can leak out of the zipper if you’re holding it a certain way. Not all of the colors are offered in every size.
More good options to consider
There are other coolers to consider when you’re trying to pick from the best in the cooler market. One of the best soft-sided coolers is the RTIC 30-Can Pack Cooler. It is an insulated cooler that offers 24 hours of ice retention, so your items stay cold. The RTIC Soft Pack Cooler is one of the top-tested soft coolers. It comes in many colors and retails for around $130.
You can also opt for a Coleman cooler like the Coleman Ice Chest. The 316 Series is fully insulated and holds up to the ice retention test. With handy cup holders on the top, each person can use a cup holder. This holds up to 80 cans. It’s one of the cheaper coolers, as it’s under $50, so it’s a great choice for people on a tight budget.
The post The best coolers you can buy, based on expert testing appeared first on BGR.
