Practicality and functionality should be at the top of your list when buying one of the best coolers. That’s why at Tom’s Guide, we only recommend coolers that offer exceptional ice retention and are easy to carry or pull around.
We also realize that you want a range of choices, including hard and soft cases, and those that will stay put while you camp, or can be carried around on a hike. And we strive to recommend coolers that meet every budget.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to buy a cooler that’s right for your needs, including ice retention, durability, storage, and extra features, such as additional pockets and bottle openers.
Our top overall pick is the Pelican Elite Cooler. It’s a sturdy cooler with exceptional ice retention, and it might be the only cooler you ever need to buy.
The quick list
Here’s the best coolers you can buy right now based on our testing and reviews. Scroll on for our full in-depth reviews.
If you love the great outdoors, this Pelican Elite Cooler boasts up to a 150-quart, 216-can capacity and comes with two inches of polyurethane insulation. This means exceptional ice retention for up to 10 days — so your beverages will stay cool.
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If you want a heavy-duty, reliable cooler, with plenty of capacity to keep all your drinks and treats cool, this cooler gets the job done. Its wheels can tackle the toughest terrain, and a pop-up storage bin converts the RollR into a temporary wagon. It’s also available in 45, 60 or 80 quarts.
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Ninja’s new cooler offers premium ice retention and a first of its kind cold and dry storage section. You can look forward to enjoying a cool beverage, while food is kept dry. It also offers great ice retention that keeps it cold for days.
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With its classic design, the Coleman Steel-Belted Cooler has a 54-quart capacity (or 85 beverage cans), and a Have-a-Seat lid supporting up to 250 pounds. If you’re on the move, it has a 4-day ice retention (even in a heatwave), and excellent portability. Best of all, it’s great value for money.
If you want to splurge on a premium, heavy-duty, outdoor cooler, the Yeti Tundra 45 is a great option. The brand is known to cater for “serious outdoor enthusiasts”, so this comes with a 10-day ice retention, and huge 38-quart capacity for those adventures.
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This 25-quart cooler is easy and comfortable to carry around, and has excellent insulation — all for an affordable price. With its Cool Riser Technology, this has up to 5 days of ice retention.
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Best outdoors
It might be on the expensive side, but the Pelican Elite Cooler is built like a tank. (Which is probably why it comes with a lifetime warranty.) Boasting up to a 150-quart, 216-can capacity, the Elite Cooler will take anything you throw at it--or inside it, for that matter. This monster has two inches of polyurethane insulation with a 360-degree freezer-grade gasket, which means exceptional ice retention for the long haul. (Up to 10 days, depending on weather conditions.) You won’t have to worry about rotting food anymore.
With an average rating of 4.6 out of 806 reviews, buyers say this cooler “is very well made” and “a lot of thought has gone into the design”. Reviewers also love the ice retention and say it is “awesome” and that there’s “plenty of room for everything”.
The ergonomic design is held to a higher standard, and it shows. Durability is the standout feature here, and the hard-molded plastic is meant to withstand the harshest of elements. Add in a few more perks—a fish ruler, built-in bottle opener, easy-to-open latches—and this is one of the best coolers money can buy. It might even be the last cooler you ever need to buy.
Best overall
If we’re talking outdoor essentials with a sense of flair, nothing comes close to the RovR Wheeled Cooler. In fact, this thing is practically a mobile home for food and drink. Let’s start from the bottom up: the 9-inch high-performance, puncture-resistant tires are perfect for any terrain, from concrete to deep sand. A pop-up storage bin converts the RollR into a temporary wagon — perfect for short trips into bear country. (Did I mention this cooler is certified bear resistant? Well, it is.)
This cooler scores 4.7 out of 64 reviews at Dicks Sporting Goods. “This is a great cooler that keeps your stuff as cold or colder than in the refrigerator”. Reviewers also highly rated the beach wheels as “it was like floating over the sand”. Although some reviewers had an issue with the collapsing handle.
What’s unique about the RollR cooler is its upgradeability. What does this mean, exactly? It’s all about the accessories. For a few extra bucks, you can install cup holders, electric lanterns, and even an umbrella holder to the RollR itself. And speaking of trips, the optional bike rack lets you tow this cooler/wagon/tiny house with aplomb.
When it comes to innovative functionality, the RovR RollR is tough to beat. It’s quite possibly the best cooler (and camping accessory) you never knew you needed. (And if you have a little more to spend, the 80-quart option is worth the splurge.)
Best modern
Ninja has come up trumps with its innovative Frost Vault cooler that’s available in either 30 or 50 quart capacity. What makes this cooler different from the competition is the addition of drawers, allowing you to separate food and keep raw protein separate from cooked food. Its hard sides also make it secure to use and keep the food in place without squashing.
The insulation is 3 inches deep, so although this takes some of the internal capacity, it does add to the ice retention time, which some reviewers have stated stays cool for up to 5 days.
Gaining a 4.7 rating out of 79 reviews at BestBuy, reviewers says “it’s heavy duty” and “can hold 48 cans with no ice”. They also love that it has a ‘dry zone’ so you can store snacks separately without them getting soggy. However, some reviewers said it would benefit from having wheels.
However, unlike the RovR RollR cooler that we’ve rated the best overall, it doesn’t come with wheels, so you’ll have to take into account the distance you want to carry the cooler from your vehicle.
Both coolers come in a choice of cloud white, lakeshore blue, and slate blue, while the 50 quart version is also available in spruce green.
Best budget
Over the age of 30? You might recognize this cooler from your childhood. Heck, you might recognize it no matter what. That’s because the iconic Steel-Belted Cooler is an oldie but a goodie. This no-nonsense stainless steel unit has a 54-quart capacity (or 85 beverage cans), and like other models in the Coleman line, its Have-a-Seat lid supports up to 250 pounds. The scorching heat is no match for this bad boy; it offers 4-day ice retention, even in temperatures as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
This cooler is a popular choice gaining a 4.5 rating out of over 6,000 reviews at Amazon. Reviewers say it’s “excellent value”, and “it keeps beverages cold for days”, plus they love its “vintage vibe”. However, some consumers dislike the latch functionality.
While aesthetics should come last when considering a cooler, this one sure aims to please. Combined with excellent portability, ease of use, and a competitive price point, this is one of the best coolers on the block. For the nostalgia types, you can get this cooler in the traditional Coleman green, or opt for matte black, red, silver, stainless steel, or turquoise models.
Best premium
If you haven’t yet heard of Yeti (the cooler brand, not the Himalayan humanoid), it’s about time you did. Since 2006, this company has been churning out high-end outdoor gear, but everything started with its cooler line. Meant for the “serious outdoor enthusiast,” these coolers are absolutely designed for maximum use and abuse--from mountaineers to fishermen to big game hunters.
With an average rating of 4.5 at BackCountry, reviewers said, “I took it on a 12-day adventure and only had to refill the ice twice”, and “I think it would survive the Rapture and Armageddon”. Although some have commented that “it’s heavy without anything in it”.
It’s the extreme attention to detail that puts this cooler ahead of the pack. The freezer-quality Coldlock gasket keeps your ice retention on point; the Lipgrip handles make transporting the cooler more comfortable; the leakproof design is easy to drain; the T-Rex lid hatches keep everything in place; and the molded tie-down slots make it easy to attach the cooler to a boat, trailer, or truck bed. You won’t find any extra features—like built-in cupholders or bottle openers—but the Yeti Tundra does its job, and well.
Best portable at an excellent price
Some of the best coolers out there can be on the pricey side, but Igloo proves you don’t need to break the bank to get one. This 25-quart cooler boasts heavy duty blow-molded construction and a reinforced base, which means the BMX 25 can take a little abuse; the rust-resistant, stainless-steel hardware should provide peace of mind while it’s bouncing around in the back of your truck. (Or getting rained on in the driveway.)
Scoring 4.5 out of over 19,000 reviews at Amazon, users say, “it is so lightweight”, and “it latches easily but is still secure”. Its ice retention is also “remarkable” and it’s easily comparable to premium coolers, making it “excellent value”.
Thanks to Cool Riser Technology—which elevates the molded base to improve cooling performance—you can count on up to 5 days of ice retention; the extra-thick foam walls and insulated lid do the rest. A fish ruler and four tie-down points are both welcome perks, and the skid pads on the corners add an extra layer of protection. Not bad for a cooler that costs less than $100.
Best affordable
Arctic Zone proves that the best coolers don’t have to break the bank. Available in four different sizes (and three earthy colors), the Titan Deep Freeze cooler is a great companion for budget-conscious adventurers. The flip-up lid is ideal for easy access to food and drinks, and the FDA-compliant HardBody liner is equipped with a removable shelf. It’s perfect for city dwellers and food couriers--or for when cleanliness needs to be top-of-mind.
Achieving 4.6 out of over 50,000 reviews at Amazon, users appreciate the build quality, capacity and value for money and like the removable inner tray, and extra pockets. Although, some reviewers don’t like the top zippers.
The adjustable shoulder strap lets you move your perishables around with ease, and you’ll be the talk of your friends’ next beach day with the detachable bottle opener. (Oh, the zippered/mesh pockets on the outside are a welcome addition, too.) Arctic Zone sweetens the deal with a limited lifetime warranty.
Reviewers reported poor insulation performance, but for the price, this is the cooler to beat.
Best leakproof
This is a fantastic cooler for keeping your stuff chilled, but that’s not all it does. The YETI Hopper M30 Portable Soft Cooler stands out for its wide mouth and magnetised closing with buckles. This means it can withstand impacts without opening up. And that’s just the start. The dryhide shell is also resistant to mildew, punctures, and UV rays, and the liner is constructed from FDA-approved food-grade material.
With a 4.6 rating out of 139 reviews at Amazon, users say it has a “durable and high quality construction”, and “I like that it doesn’t have a zipper to open”, since "the magnetized opening stays open by itself”. They also say it is easier to carry than a standard cooler. Although, "unless you ‘pre-cool’ the cooler it is just another cooler bag”.
The “hitchpoint grid” lets you clip stuff to the cooler itself, such as a bottle opener or YETI Sidekick Dry bag (not included). The wide strap makes the Hopper easy to lug around, and the added grips on the side are a welcome design choice. This cooler isn’t cheap, and the magnetised closing can be awkward to keep open as you load and unload, but for busy parents and day-trippers, it just might be a chilly godsend.
Best large-capacity budget
Coleman is an affordable outdoor brand that’s been around for ages. When it comess to quality materials that are built to last, their cooler line has always been top-notch. Case-in-point: The Xtreme 5 Wheeled Cooler is perfect for casual camping trips, baseball games, family reunions, and more. This model holds up to 62 quarts (or 85 soda pop cans, if you prefer), and it’s easy to cart around with the included flip-up handle. (Though some reviewers found the wheels to be a tad clunky.)
Gaining a 4.1 rating out of 32 reviews at Walmart, users say it is “well made, sturdy” and “easy to roll”. Plus, it “holds ice and keeps cold for at least 3 days”. However, some users are disappointed with its ice retention and others criticize its wheels for being too flimsy.
A good cooler is also a good travel accessory, and Coleman includes four molded cup holders built right into the lid. The Xtreme 5 is meant to be sat on, too; as an ad-hoc stool, it can hold up to 250 pounds without breaking a sweat. (Pun intended.) The extra insulation retains ice for up to 5 days, and the leak-resistant channel drain makes clean-up a snap.
How we chose
We conducted extensive online research to find the best coolers. We spent time reading reviews to find those with the highest and most consistent ratings. When we spotted recurring problems we saw these as red flags and dismissed these products from our list. The models that have been shortlisted demonstrated the highest reputation from consumers and were highly recommended.
Once we compiled this list, we also factored in other specifications. We looked at capacity, ice retention, size and weight. In doing so we were able to find the models with the most to offer. During our research we also considered a range of options to suit individual requirements, such as budget and premium models, and those with the best capacity.
How to choose the best cooler
How to choose the best cooler for you
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Before you choose a cooler, you must consider its size. Size ultimately affects the portability. On top of that, you need to decide on the external material — whether you want a hard or soft case. If you need to carry it for extended times, opt for soft, but if you want one for large get-togethers, or you need durability, a hard case would be best.
Portable vs. non portable: If you don’t plan to move your cooler once it’s placed, then you don’t need to worry so much about its portability. But, if you’re planning to take it on vacation or on road trips, then consider how much it will weigh at full capacity and whether you will be comfortable carrying it.
Durability: The latches must seal securely and shouldn’t ease up when travelling. The cooler won’t be able to insulate effectively if the seal is broken.
Insulation: You want your cooler to be effective at insulating, so it keeps its contents chilled for as long as possible. The performance in this can vary — some models will keep ice frozen for up to a week, while others will only last a day.
Extra features: If you want the latest features and you’re happy to pay for it, look out for external storage compartments, cup holders, bottle openers and even umbrella holders. There are also models available which offer bike attachments.
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What size cooler should I buy?
The size cooler you buy will depend on how you intend to use it, the number of your party and how long you will need to keep items cool. If you are going on a day excursion, and you are in a small group, you’ll probably be fine with a small soft-sided cooler, which will also be easier to carry than one with hard sides.
For a group of three people on a daytrip, a 40-quart cooler will probably meet your needs, but if you are going away for a couple of days a cooler with a 50-60-quart capacity will be more suitable. However, do remember that the larger the cooler the heavier and more awkward it will be to carry, unless you are able to pull it along on wheels or a trolley. If weight is going to be an issue, purchasing two smaller coolers may be the answer.
How much ice do I need to put in a cooler?
This will depend on the size/capacity of your chosen cooler. However, the ideal ice-to-contents ratio is 2:1. This will ensure you have sufficient ice to keep everything nice and chilled.
Cooling tips
— Pre-chill your foods or beverages before putting them into the box. This will keep them cooler for longer, and even save ice. Plus, nobody likes warm snacks!
— Always keep the cooler box lid closed as much as possible, to prevent the cold air escaping. So try not to keep it open for long periods of time.
— If you fill your cooler box to the top, this can also prevent the cold air escaping each time you open it.
