9 Best Coolers to Keep Your Drinks Perfectly Chilled
Because there's honestly nothing worse than a surprise warm beverage.
Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.
Weirdly, a cooler can say more about someone than their wardrobe choices. A creative director's white sneakers, a graphic designer's work pants, a business guy's packable down jacket, none of these speak so deeply to someone's core as their cooler of choice. Yeti's display a certain status. Igloos and Colemans are the basic man cooler (and we're not mad at that). Everything else is probably niche and hyper-researched. So where the fuck do you start?
You made it here cause you actually want a cooler, and you aren't dumb enough to be swayed by branding. (Congrats!) And we're here to provide you an expert opinion, so let's get to it. All the coolers on this list are worth your money, it's just about deciding what you want. Any one of these coolers will quickly become your favorite camping gadget or backyard buddy. So buy now, and spring for that express shipping, because you'll wanna post up, throw some tunes on, and put this cooler to use ASAP.
Pros
- Keeps ice chilled for days
- Great medium size
Cons
- You do pay a premium for the brand name
The original status cooler, and nowadays you don't have to be a rich guy who goes fishing to own one. It'll keep your ice chilled for days, and impress passerbys checking out your beach setup.
| Volume | 45 quarts |
|---|---|
| Dry Weight | 24.6 pounds |
Pros
- Big off-road wheels
- Great ice retention
Cons
- Steep price
Pelican cases are the industry standard for anyone carrying gear—DJs, photographers, or other people who do actual work. Just like the cases, Pelican coolers are overbuilt and crazy tough. This 45-quart wheeled option will have ice retention similar to Yeit's Tundra 45, but with the big-ass wheels, you can pull this one over anything.
| Volume | 45 quarts |
|---|---|
| Dry Weight | 37.25 pounds |
Pros
- Cool retro look
- Great color options
- Ideal size
Cons
- Ice retention isn't that great
Can't believe I'm giving this idea away for free, but you should buy this retro remake Igloo in faux Tiffany Blue. Then, buy a set of Tiffany Sterling Silver Paper Cups to serve drinks in. Nothing is more fun than going high brow-low brow!
Honestly the cooler looks great, but that stainless steel isn't going to be the best at keeping ice. It'll keep your drinks cold all day, but here it's less about specs and more about the looks.
| Volume | 54 quarts |
|---|---|
| Dry Weight | 17 pounds |
Pros
- Good quality
- Great price
Cons
- If you care about brand recognition (we know you do) spring for the nice brands
You'll see RTIC on every one of these online lists. Why? Performance wise, most people won't notice the difference between these and a Yeti. It's also become the kind of "anti" choice, for the real heads that don't care about brand names. All you need to know is it's high quality performance at mid-tier pricing. That my friend, is up to you.
| Volume | 52 quarts |
|---|---|
| Dry Weight | 21 pounds |
Pros
- Good price
- Will keep ice chilled all day
Cons
- Not great for long weekends or hot days
What makes the best budget cooler different than the best value cooler? Well, because unlike with the RTIC, you will notice this cooler is inferior to others on this list. Ice will melt quicker, and it doesn't look as good. But a 62-quart wheeled cooler for under $100? It's an unbeatable deal. Let the nerds argue about which cooler is the best. You enjoy your cheap cooler bliss for a low price.
| Volume | 62 quarts |
|---|---|
| Dry Weight | 14.7 pounds |
Pros
- Great ice retention
- Snow Peak's only hard sided cooler
Cons
- Paying for the brand name
Wait a minute... When did they start selling coolers at SSENSE?? When Japanese luxury camping brand Snow Peak collaborated with USA-made cooler brand Grizzly. Everyone else at the beach thinks they're stunting with Yeti coolers. You're over here with a $600 cooler from the GORP brand they don't even know about.
| Volume | 40 quarts |
|---|---|
| Dry Weight | 24 pounds |
Pros
- Roll top closure saves space, prevents spills
Cons
- Soft coolers just cannot keep ice all day
If you're only packing for a few people, hiking, or have any sort of long trip to your destination, go for a backpack cooler. As far as that category goes, IceMule is the premier name.
We say go for the 33L size, since it's only $10 extra. And whatever space you don't use can be compressed with the roll-top closure.
| Volume | 35 quarts/ 33 liters |
|---|---|
| Dry Weight | 3 pounds |
Pros
- Sturdy shoulder straps
- Great price
Cons
- Soft coolers don't keep ice well
Ok, if you're buying a soft cooler, it seems logical to buy from those brands that make great hard coolers, right? NO!
Soft coolers will just never be very good at keeping ice. They're meant to be easy to carry for city folk going to the beach or park. Save yourself the frustration and do not buy a $200+ soft cooler. This Hydro Flask tote cooler will work just fine!
| Volume | 37 quart/35 liter |
|---|---|
| Dry Weight | 1.65 pounds |
Pros
- Portable size
- Same incredible Yeti ice retention
Cons
- Carry strap issues
Soft coolers are great for small groups, but for those that want a hard cooler to tote around, Yeti's Roadie is a great fit. Everything amazing about the original, shrunken down into a size that's comfortable to carry.
The only downside is the carry strap, and it's a strange one. Depending on your size—if you're anywhere on the bigger or smaller than average spectrum—the strap can be both too long and too short. Too long to farmer's carry, too long to sling over your shoulder. All in all, a very minor issue, but one that can be annoying.
| Volume | 24 quart |
|---|---|
| Dry Weight | 13 pounds |
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