The best coolers to buy in 2024, per our review

The sun is shining, the weather is about to get warmer and summer will be here before you know it! So grab your beach chairs, sunblock, set up your hammocks, or lounge on some outdoor furniture, because ’tis the dang season.

While everything seems just a little bit better in the summer, there is a slight downside to the warmer weather. Without a proper cooler, your ice-cold drinks and fresh food may get soggy, hot, and warm. Yuck!

To avoid any spoiled meals or room-temperature drinks, opt for a top-of-the-line cooler that’ll keep your snacks and beverages fresh and ready to eat and drink.

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There are so many different versions such as portable, electric, foldable, and more to fit your unique needs. No matter if you’re camping or hosting a backyard BBQ, a cooler is an absolute essential to keep you and your guests cool, hydrated, and nourished. To provide the best recommendations, Post Wanted has tested out some of the top cooler brands firsthand.

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Below, discover the best coolers currently available on the Internet. Options range from hardshell coolers, soft-sided coolers, backpack coolers, and more. Best of all, some of the coolers are even on sale.

Best overall: Igloo Latitude 30 Quart Roller Cooler

• Star rating: 4.4/5 on Target
• Capacity: 41 cans

Carry your favorite beverages and perishable snacks with ease using this spacious cooler by Igloo. The plastic material will insulate and keep everything from soda, cocktails, fruit, and more from getting hot, allowing you to soak up the sun at the beach, an outdoor game, and more.

Editor’s Note: Igloo has always been my go-to cooler brand. When it comes to rolling coolers, I’ve found that something that is slightly taller than it is wider is ideal to avoid bumping and tricky navigating (similar to rolling luggage). The size of this cooler is also ideal for road trips. I tested it out on a drive from Washington State to Colorado and found that it fits easily in the backseat of a cramped car, stuffed between two passengers. In addition to saving space, it saved all of our snacks and drinks for hours on end, with very few ice refreshed). The simple, attractive, uncomplicated design of Igloo has a somewhat vintage feel to it — which is not surprising considering the brand’s 75-year history.

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Best lightweight: 52 QT Ultra0light Wheeled Cooler

• Star rating: 4.7/5 on Amazon
• Capacity: 78 cans

If you’re on the hunt for a lightweight hard cooler, you’ve found it.

This RTIC hard cooler is 30% lighter than rotomolded coolers of the same capacity, features three inches of closed-cell foam, and is infused with toughness. Best of all, it can be carried by one person and features a removable divider and upper basket.

Editor’s Note: My jaw dropped when I picked up this cooler. Considering the size, you would expect to work up a sweat heaving it around. But this masterpiece by RTIC is feather-light. And, that’s not even my favorite part about it. The silicone-gripped, no-slam aluminum handle makes it easy to tow through any terrain, ideal for camping trips, hiking, or beach days. The extra tall, puncture-resistant wheels are jacked up like a truck — they glide right over anything. And the heavy-duty latches keep the cold locked in. If stored right, your goods should stay fresh for days.

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• Best backpack cooler: Yeti Hopper M20

  

  • Star rating: 4.7/5 on YETI
  • Capacity: 36 cans

  Pros:

  • Mildew-resistant
  • Easy to carry
  • Suitable for air travel
  • Additional pocket for storage

  Cons:

  • Not as large as some hard-sided coolers
  • More expensive than other brands

  Put your drinks on your back with the Yeti Hopper M20. This convenient wearable cooler is designed with high-density fabric to withstand punctures and UV rays. Both the interior and exterior are also treated to be mildew-resistant, and the tapered design distributes weight evenly. If you’re looking for a long-lasting cooler to bring on your next solo trek, this is the one.

  Editor’s Note: Anyone considering a hiking or camping trip this summer needs to consider adding the Hopper M20 to their cart. Having the option to wear your cooler reduces the burden of carrying, and keeps all the essentials close by. I love the slim build and the wide straps, which keep some pressure off your shoulders. The Kangaroo slip pocket also provides an extra sleeve to store all your smaller items, keys, and phone. Another great feature about the Hopper is that it’s built for air travel. If you’re traveling somewhere warm this summer, you can easily stow this cooler pack above your seat as a carry-on.

  YETI

• Best for access: Ninja FrostVault 30qt Hard Cooler with Dry Zone

  

  • Star rating: 4.7/5 on Ninja
  • Capacity: 26 cans with ice

  Pros:

  • Keeps drinks cool for days
  • Two separate storage spaces (one without ice)
  • Molded handles

  Cons:

  • Not as light as some other brands
  • The interior section may be smaller than expected

  Ninja’s latest creation, the Ninja FrostVualt, is equipped with fridge temperatures and premium ice retention to keep food cool for up to five days. But, what sets this cooler apart is the secondary watertight containers. The 30-quart capacity fits up to 26 cans with ice.

  Editor’s Note: I love the design of this Ninja cooler. A separate container beneath the main ice cooler offers a perfect spot to leave your favorite snacks and drinks. There’s no need to comb through piles of ice and freeze your fingers off. I’ve realized this also reduces the need to bring a separate bag for all your extra goodies and those that require cooling — making it ideal for patio parties and entertaining. In addition to streamlining the packing process, the sturdy molded handles make it easy to carry alone or with a helping hand.

  NINJA

• Best for wine: YETI M15 Soft Cooler Tote

  

  • Star rating: 4.7/5 on YETI
  • Capacity: 32 cans

  Pros:

  • Tall enough to fit wine bottles
  • Sturdy straps
  • Can be worn two ways

  Cons:

  • Slightly less durable than hard-sided coolers
  • More expensive than other brands

  Yeti’s tough-as-nail M15 is one of the newest additions to its soft cooler family. This one is equipped with durable magnets to seal the top tight and allow easy access when you are ready to remove your goods. Quick-release buckles can also be fastened over the top for an extra layer of protection. Each carry point is double-stitched so you can handle more weight than you prefer to carry.

  Editor’s Note: Wine bottle compatible? Say no more. This extra-tall wearable tote cooler can fit under 32 cans or a few bottles. It also functions seamlessly as a hands-free shopping bag (perfect for those who have to commute to get groceries). I love that you can choose between carrying it and wearing it cross-body, depending on the weight of the goods you throw inside. The magnetic strip offers a secure closure, but it is also quite easy to open it when you need to grab something. My favorite part about the Hopper? It’s available in stunning colorways, like agave teal and king crab orange.

  YETI

More Post Wanted Picks

Best wheeled: Igloo Trailmate 70 Quart Cooler

• Star rating: 4.3/5 on Amazon
• Capacity: 112 cans

Enjoy an insulated body and lid that seamlessly rolls through all walks of life utilizing 10-inch wheels. You can also look forward to a butler tray, two bottle openers, and self-training cup holders.

Customers are saying: “This cooler was perfect. Over the past three years I have purchased other coolers and NONE of them held up to a trip to the beach — the handles have always been too short. The large wheels, height off the ground and extendable handle make it much easier to handle. The cup holders on top as well as the extra tray that can be placed on the handle are such a great addition. Worth every bit of the costs!”

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Best for serving: Permasteel 80 Quart Classic Outdoor Patio Cooler On Wheels

• Star rating: 4.6/5
• Capacity: 110

This cooler is serving both looks and portable cooling capabilities. We didn’t think a cooler could look elegant until Permasteel stepped in. It comes with four wheels that you can move indoors and outdoors, so your favorite beverages and snacks are never too far out of reach.

Customers are saying: “I’m obsessed with this cooler! It was pretty easy to put together. I love that it has wheels so I’m able to roll inside or out. I used it for champagne bottles at my birthday party and surprisingly there was still ice in it two days later and that’s without a lid the entire time! I got several compliments on it, just super cute!”

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Best value: Coleman 62 Quart Series 316 Wheeled Cooler

• Star rating: 4.6/5 on Amazon
• Capacity: 50 -101 cans and ice

For any large gatherings or events that require a lot (and we mean a lot) of drinks, this cooler has enough space to hold up to 101 cans — meaning you’ll never be without a cold one.

Customers are saying: “This cooler holds a ton of frozen food packages and bags. We moved and loaded all the contents of our fridge and freezer into this massively large cooler on wheels! Was the best experience as nothing defrosted during the four-hour drive to our new house. Also, this cooler makes it easy to load up on the bevy of cold items we get for the two-hour driving trips to Costco. Highly recommend!”

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Best for hunting: Engel 13 Quart Drybox Cooler

• Star rating: 4.7/5
• Capacity: 9 cans

Perfect for hunters and kayak fishermen, this drybox cooler is small in size, but keeps food and drinks cold and dry. You can even throw in your valuable electronics, such as your camera or keys, to protect your goods. The best part about it? The hefty locks are sure to keep your goods safe from predators.

Customers are saying: “Holy moly guacamole! This cooler is excessively fantastic! I’ve had it for two years now and have used it on a weekly basis. Okay, the gasket that makes it leakproof is still going. The cooler looks great and the color is like day one. The locking system is fine — if I place chilled drinks from the refrigerator to the cooler without ice or icepack, they will keep cold for hours as if they were in ice — well, almost that cool! … Perfect for road trips, one day at the beach, car rides or a long day running errands …”

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Best design: Coleman Reunion 54-Quart Steel Belted Cooler

• Star rating: 4.4/5
• Capacity: 85 cans

Have you ever seen a better looking cooler? Not only does it look great, but it also features comfort handles perfect for gripping and traveling, a no-tilt drainage plug, and a secure lid that holds up to 250 pounds, so go ahead and take a seat.

Customers are saying: “I first used it at a Super Bowl party and left it in the garage after. Still had ice five days later [and the] few beers left [in it] were still cold. Many compliments and this ice chest looks so cool. Looks great, works amazing. No regrets and worth the price.”

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Best shoulder strap: Grizzly 15 Cooler

• Star rating: 4.7/5
• Capacity: 15 quartz

Choose from eight fun colors with this Grizzly Amazon favorite. Look forward to rotomolding, a rubber gasket, lock sides, a shoulder strap, and more.

Customers are saying: “This is the perfect cooler for a fishing trip or campout. It’s an absolute tank of a cooler and I’m confident you could drop it from a plane and it’d be fine. I see a lot of people complaining about the size. I put about 13 cans in it with ice and the dry container easily. Take the container out and you could fit probably 14 cans in it. For a guy like me who just wants to fish and maybe stay a night, it’s perfect. The strap is very well made and will not break, and it’s perfect to use as a seat. It’s made in the USA, which I love!”

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Best portable: Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Portable Cooler

• Star rating: 4.8/5 on Amazon
• Capacity: 12 cans and ice

There’s no brand quite like Yeti.

This Yeti soft-sided cooler is made to be tough, as it features a Dry Hide exterior shell, is waterproof, and is resistant to mildew, punctures, and UV rays. You can also look forward to closed-cell rubber foam, a secure closure to keep it leak-resistant, and more.

Customers are saying: “This cooler is AMAZING! I have traveled several times in the last year, leaving my breastfeeding infant at home. I brought this cooler in each trip to keep my milk cold during travel. One of my trips resulted in a 21-hour day stuck on the same plane trying to get home with frozen milk. This cooler passed the test! I was able to change out the ice once, and when I got home, my liquid gold was still frozen! It also fits nicely in the overhead compartment! I can’t say enough good things about this cooler!”

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Best lunch bag: Carhartt Insulated 12 Can Two Compartment Lunch Cooler

• Star rating: 4.8/5
• Capacity: 12 cans

Need a lunch cooler that doubles as a drink holder? Then meet this Carhartt two-compartment cooler. Details include two compartments, a large space that holds up to a six-pack, a top handle, and more.

Customers are saying: “Great lunch box/cooler. The upper zipper section is nice for storing fruit or things you don’t need to keep cool and has a side zipper to access without opening the entire pack. Material is sturdy.”

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Best colors: Orca Walker 20 Seafoam

• Star rating: 4/5
• Capacity: 20 cans

Complete with a magnetic handle, durable outer material, and a padded shoulder strap, this cooler is great for a plethora of uses. Take it with you on day trips, hikes, beach trips, and more.

Customers are saying: “This is hands down the best soft cooler I have ever owned! I drive a truck and the cooler is on the floor, which gets warm because of the engine. Plus, I was running the heat with it blowing on the floor. I drive 500 miles one way and when I get there the ice is still full with not much melted at all. Better than my Yeti and it holds more and was $100 less!! Orca is my go-to cooler from now on. Zipper is tough at first, but after I put the wax that was supplied on it, it is now getting very easy to open.”

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Best pattern: Swig Life Family Cooler Bag

• Star rating: 4.3/5
• Capacity: 36 skinny cans or 8 wine bottles

Choose from 10 various designs and patterns to find your perfect family cooler. The bag holds up to 36 skinny cans, eight bottles of wine and keeps it all cold for up to 48 hours.

Customers are saying: “This adorable cooler kept our food, ice and drinks cool for several hours during our beach trip and several pool trips this summer. No leaks in the car either! Would definitely recommend it.”

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Pelican Dayventure Backpack Cooler

• Star rating: 4.6/5 on Amazon
• Capacity: 19.4 quarts

Featuring a lightweight design and padded shoulder straps, this closed-cell foam cooler backpack is next level. Throw it over your shoulders and enjoy leak and puncture resistance along with exterior pockets to keep everything separate and secure.

Customers are saying: “This backpack is awesome. Holds a lot of cans and you don’t even no the weight is there when it is on your back. Had an issue with shipping but that was fixed no questions asked. Very good customer service. I am usually a yeti guy but I think I might have to change that. This pelican is flawless.”

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Best serving cooler: Brümate Backtap Backpack Cooler

• Star rating: 5/5
• Capacity: 14 slim cans, 12 standard cans

Is there anything cooler than a backtap backpack? Fill it with water, wine or restorative drinks, like our ultimate favorite drink, BioSteel.

The backpack holds up to three gallons of your favorite beverage, 14 slim cans, 12 standard 12 oz beer cans or five bottles of wine.

Customers are saying: “I took four half gallons of ice cream to work in a hot plant. The ice cream was still frozen SEVEN HOURS later when we ate it on our lunch break! We were very impressed.”

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Most compartments: FORICH Backpack Cooler

• Star rating: 4.6/5
• Capacity: 30 cans

Rather than have to pick up and carry or pull your cooler through the grass, sand or pavement, just throw this handy backpack on and you’ll have a drink easily within reach. The design can hold a lot of drinks and snacks, according to reviewers. It even features two side mesh pockets for added storage.

Customers are saying: “This works great for camp and for any event that we need food/drinks for. It fits a lot and makes life much easier to carry. Love all of the compartments. Good and sturdy so far. It’s comfortable to wear as well!”

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Best thermal pack: Columbia PFG Thermal Pack Cooler

• Star rating: 4.6/5
• Capacity: 30 cans

Ditch the picnic basket and try this backpack on for size instead. The interior can fit up to 30 cans and includes a slime-tech durable, gunk, muck and goo-resistant material to keep it looking and feeling fresh alongside your chilled food and drinks.

Customers are saying: “I work construction — usually a decent walk to and from the work site. I’ve always used Arctic Zone, but wanted something bigger and more durable….This is it for sure, well insulated, I can fit three 16-ounce Poland spring bottles side-by-side at the base, which leaves tons of room for food. Other compartments I use for wet wipes, hand sanitizer, napkins and whatever else you need. Wish there were other colors, but the comfort, durability and space make that irrelevant.”

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Best with bluetooth: Super Real Bluetooth Speaker Cooler

• Star rating: 4.4/5
• Capacity: 12 ounces

What’s better than some cool drinks? Some cool drinks and music.

This bluetooth speaker cooler is lightweight, water-resistant, and weighs less than three pounds. So enjoy some tunes and cold sips and bites.

Customers are saying: “I bought five of these Bluetooth coolers, one for myself and one for each of my four adult children. Who just love theirs. I use mine every day. The sound is very powerful and of good quality. The Bluetooth is easy to pair and holds a charge for a long time. Drinks stay nice and cold, even overnight. The bag is light weight and roomy. It is reasonably priced and makes a good gift.”

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Best heavy-duty: YETI Tundra 45 Cooler

• Star rating: 4.8/5 on Amazon
• Capacity: 26 cans

Camping trips with friends won’t have to be spent refilling ice or grabbing a warm beverage since this durable cooler can hold up to 54 cans and 37 pounds of ice.

Customers are saying: “Perfect for camping in the summer. Most coolers keep ice cold for a day, but this keeps it cold for a few days and doesn’t sweat/condensate.”

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Best long-term cooling: RovR Products RollR 60 Wheeled Cooler

• Star rating: 4.5/5
• Capacity: 60 cans and ice

Whether you’re going for a week-long camping trip or a weekend getaway this cooler is up to the task. The back tires are made from heavy-duty materials that can trek through the sand, grass, and more. It can hold up to 20 pounds of ice and 60 cans. Plus, it can keep ice cold for up to 10 days.

Customers are saying: “I’m on a four-week cross country road trip and this cooler has been a gem. Food has stayed icy-cold every step of the way — colder than my refrigerator at home.”

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How we tested

To determine the quality of each cooler, we evaluated each of them on portability, durability, and capacity for carrying, as well as the duration of cooling. We tested a range of models to find a cooler that suits a variety of needs — hosting, hiking, camping, and more.

Portability: Coolers come in a range of forms — totes, backpacks, as well as wheeled and cross-body options. We evaluated how easy it was to carry and move each cooler, making note of the weight and comfort level of the straps or handles.

Durability: When it comes to durability, we looked for coolers that are puncture-resistant and virtually indestructible. I evaluated the different materials used to construct each cooler and tested the level of strength by giving each of these coolers a hit and a drop. Coolers can be hard-sided or soft-sided. For those that are soft-sided, I tested out whether each cooler kept its shape when loaded with heavy drinks and ice.

Cooling: Each cooler offers a unique capacity for cooling. While some promise to keep your drinks cool for days on end, others only can provide hours of chilling. To test this out, we loaded each cooler with ice and drinks and reached in to check if they made it past the expected cooling duration. I also looked for any signs of condensation or sweating.

Carrying capacity: While some coolers provide enough can space to keep the whole party refreshed, others are more suited for family picnics, or solo travel. I made note of each cooler’s capacity and also evaluated whether the internal storage space aligned with the size and weight of the cooler (nothing more frustrating than towing around a heavier cooler that only fits a handful of cans).

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