The 8 Best Coolers To Bring Anywhere And Everywhere This Summer
It's picnic season.
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There's nothing better than a little summer sun, whether that means heading to the beach or throwing down a blanket in the park for a picnic. But there's nothing pleasant about warm beer and soggy sandwiches. Lukewarm water, soda, and canned cocktails don't have to be a necessary casualty of enjoying the outdoors. Investing in a good cooler will keep all of your drinks, snacks, and meals in perfect condition, no matter what the temperature is outside. There are so many different sizes and types of coolers, from soft, portable totes to large, durable hard coolers, and we handpicked the very best.
And, while you're at it, take note of some of our favorite recipes that are perfect for the beach or a picnic. We love a good roast potato salad, chicken pasta salad, and no-bake oat cookies for dessert.
Pros
- Five year warranty
- Nonslip bottom
- Easy-to-grip handles
Cons
The durable Yeti Tundra 65 Hard Cooler is made for any adventure. With permafrost insulation and a tight lid system, it can keep temperatures cold for four nights. Its bear-proof design keeps unwanted visitors out of your food. And, for all the fishermen out there, the lid is so sturdy it can also be used as a casting platform.
Pros
- Easy to carry
- Waterproof and durable fabric
Cons
- Doesn't keep contents cold for long trips
Hydro Flask is known for its super cute reusable water bottles, but the brand also makes solid coolers. The lightweight Hydroflask 20 L Insulated Tote claims to keep its contents cool for at least four hours, making it great for trips to the grocery store, beach, or park.
Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler
Pros
- Cool Riser Technology for better performance
Cons
With extra-thick foam walls, the Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler will retain ice for up to five days. It's durable, lightweight, and easy to carry with its easy-to-grip handles.
Coleman Vintage 54 Quart Steel Belted Portable Cooler
Pros
- Ice lasts up to four days
- Vintage style
- Comfortable handles
Cons
The 54-quart capacity of the Coleman 54 Quart Portable Cooler
holds about 85 cans, plus its four-day ice retention makes this one of the best coolers for camping in style. The lid supports up to 250 pounds, so it can also double as a seat.
Pros
- Great for parties
Cons
- Expensive
The American Beverage 4 Faucet Beer Cooler comes with four taps so you can dispense four different beers of your choosing. To ensure your brew is cold, there's a cold plate chiller that works by chilling the beer on its way to the beer faucets.
Pros
- Affordable and versatile
Cons
When you close your eye and think of a cooler, this reliable Coleman 5-Quart Cooler is probably what you see. It doesn't have multi-day insulation features, but it's great for same day events like soccer games and picnics. For under $20 we're certainly not complaining. Plus, it's FlipLid top reverses to be used as a tray with cup holders.
Pros
- Keeps ice for 24 hours
- Can hold 18 cans and seven pounds of ice
Cons
- Soft shell isn't as durable as a hard shell
The Polar Bear Coolers Original Backpack Soft Cooler ensures weight is evenly dispersed over your shoulder, making this the best on-the-go cooler. Take it on your next hike to keep your hands free until you take a break.
CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag
Pros
- Leakproof
- Collapsible and easy to store
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not as easy to clean as hard shell coolers
Melted cheese and lukewarm egg salad? That will certainly ruin a picnic. The durable CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag is large enough to insulate lots of food and up to 50 cans. While it has a soft shell, it's structured with a steel wire frame.
How we picked these products
There are a few general rules of thumb you should consider when choosing a cooler. West Marine, an expert boating and fishing company, says that coolers generally will fill 30-to-50 percent of their capacity with ice before anything is even stored inside. Also, remember that a tightly packed cooler will stay colder for longer, so buy a product that has enough space for all of your food and drink but not too much space that it all melts too fast.
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