1
Best Overall
Yeti Tundra 65 Hard Cooler
Credit: YETI
Pros
Five year warranty
Nonslip bottom
Easy-to-grip handles
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.
2
Best Cooler Tote Bag
Hydroflask 20 L Insulated Tote
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.
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3
Best Long-Cooling
Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler
Pros
Cool Riser Technology for better performance
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.
4
Best Long-Cooling Runner-Up
Coleman Vintage 54 Quart Steel Belted Portable Cooler
Pros
Ice lasts up to four days
Vintage style
Comfortable handles
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.
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5
Best For Beer
American Beverage 4 Faucet Beer Cooler
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.
6
Best Budget Cooler
Coleman 5-Quart Cooler with Shield
Credit: Coleman
Pros
Affordable and versatile
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.
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7
Best Cooler Backpack
Polar Bear Coolers Original Backpack Soft Cooler
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
8
Best Meal Cooler
CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag
Credit: CleverMade
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.
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9How 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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