Best cooler

These dependable coolers will keep the party going at tailgates, picnics, or campsites.

Best cooler
(Image credit: @Sandrene Zhang on Unsplash)

When the great outdoors beckons, you'll need a good cooler to keep your favorite frosty drinks chilled for hours. Whether you're exploring the wilderness or tailgating before a big game, you never want to go without cold drinks and snacks. Ice chests have evolved, and they come packed with a ton of cool features. From coolers on wheels to backpacks, we have you covered.

Best overall

Arctic Zone Titan hardbody cooler

(Image credit: Amazon)

Arctic Zone Titan hardbody cooler

Soft cooler for the soft side of life

The Titan Hardbody collection is Arctic Zone's newest addition to its iconic ice chest array. It features not one but two insulated front pockets for extra storage. The insulated hardbody liner includes a removable smart shelf so you can separate hard and soft food items.

Pros:

  • Hard body
  • Removable shelf
  • Outside pockets

Cons:

  • Doesn't keep ice frozen

The large zipperless lid flips open for quick access to your food and drinks, while adjustable straps enable you to haul this baby around without breaking a sweat! The cooler comes in multiple fun colors and everything is really easy to clean. It won't keep ice frozen for days, but is a great option for keep foods and drink cold during day trips.

Cooler bag

TOURIT Cooler Backpack

(Image credit: TOURIT)

TOURIT cooler backpack

A premium cooler for light and easy trips

This sleek on-the-go backpack is built for comfort and portability. Complete with one large compartment, two zippered front pockets, two mesh side pockets, and a zipper pocket on the top flap, you get sufficient space to carry up to 30, 330-milliliter cans of your favorite cold drinks.

Pros:

  • Fun design
  • Holds a lot of cans
  • Well insulated

Cons:

  • Doesn't keep ice for long

The interior is lined with high-density insulation and leak-proof material, and there's a beer opener on the strap. This cool bag comes in four other fun colors in case you need options. This bag won't keep ice cold for days, but with cold packs you will enjoy cool drinks throughout the day.

Best hard cooler

Coleman rolling cooler

(Image credit: The Coleman Company, Inc.)

Coleman rolling cooler

Roll your way to refreshment

This large 50-quart Coleman cooler is designed to keep up with the demands of any adventure. You get lots of space to pack up to 84 cans of cold drinks, and the chest can keep ice for up to five days. 

Pros:

  • Heavy-duty design
  • Wheels
  • Good amount of space

Cons:

  • Heavy

This cool cooler features Xtreme Technology and heavy-duty rugged wheels so you can lug it around on any terrain effortlessly, which is extra helpful since packing this cooler full will make it extra heavy to move around on your own. Extras include molded cup holders, a telescoping handle, and a have-a-seat lid that supports up to 250 pounds.

Ice for days

Igloo 25-quart BMX cooler

(Image credit: Igloo)

Igloo 25-quart BMX cooler

Bold, sturdy construction

The Igloo might not be as big and heavy as some of its peers, but don't let that fool you! This 25-quart chest has a reinforced swing-up handle for comfortable carrying, extra thick foam walls, and an insulated lid to help keep ice longer. 

Pros:

  • Sturdy handle
  • Easy carrying
  • Insulated walls and lid

Cons:

  • Smaller than other coolers

With tie-downs to prevent lifting or dragging and non-slip corners so it won't slide all over the place, this cooler can't be beaten. This cooler features a stainless steel kick plate to help it last longer, with additional steel reenforcement in the handle. This lightweight cooler is perfect for taking along on fishing trips or to the job site to keep foods and drinks cool and fresh.

Rugged

RTIC hard cooler

(Image credit: RTIC)

RTIC hard cooler

Built for your toughest adventures

This 45-quart chest is your perfect midsize cooler. It can be carried by one person and doubles as a bench for when you're tailgating or camping. The chest is made with three-inch insulated walls to keep ice frozen for up to seven days. 

Pros:

  • Holds 45 quarts
  • Sturdy enough to double as a bench
  • Keeps ice frozen for days

Cons:

  • No wheels

Heavy-duty rubber latches and self-stopping hinges ensure a tight seal when in transit. A molded non-slip grip bottom ensures the cooler stays in place. There are slots and grooves to help tie-down this cooler without worrying about slipping or buckling. The cooler can get heavy depending on what you put in it, and it doesn't have rollers to help move it.

Beat the heat

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The best coolers for the great outdoors are dependable, lightweight, and easy to carry. Our top pick, the Arctic Zone Titan hardbody cooler, is hands down one of our favorite models because it keeps ice solid for up to three days without feeling heavy or bulky.  

With a built-in seat, heavy-duty wheels, and a telescoping handle, the Coleman rolling cooler is just what you need for all kinds of getaways. This ice chest works so you don't have to. 

For light trips, picnics, or hikes, you'll get to go enjoy life with the Tourit cooler backpack strapped to your back. It's a practical carryall designed with a charming pop of color and expertly engineered insulation to keep your drinks chilled at all times.

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As experts, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your life. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. Our detailed product overviews balance objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is easy.

Grace Monene is an avid writer with a keen eye for home and office improvement. She has a knack for finding the best little things that will improve the quality of indoor and outdoor living. When she's not writing, you will typically find her reading or testing out the latest technology.