An adventurous life calls for a quality cooler. It doesn’t matter whether you’re going camping, heading to the beach, having a picnic, or going on a road trip. Warm drinks and food just don’t cut it.
The cooler market has blown up over the years, and you have so many options that choosing one of the best coolers can be a lot to handle.
In this guide for the best coolers, we have done all the research for you and will give you the top coolers, from the best camping coolers to the best backpack coolers and everything in between.
Remember that buying a cooler is an investment, and you should take the time to choose the right one.
When picking the best coolers for all your adventures, you will find many different types of coolers that are best suited for each trip.
Hard-sided coolers are tough and keep things cold for long periods of time. They are ideal camping coolers for long trips.
Soft-sided coolers are easy to carry and move around, making them excellent for day trips and picnics. They’re lightweight, so you won't get tired of transporting them around.
You also get coolers with wheels that are handy to pull even on bumpy ground. They are perfect if you don’t have any people to help you carry the cooler around.
Stepping it up a notch, you can get an electric cooler. They don’t need ice so they keep things cold for a very long time. These coolers are great for long camping trips where you don’t have access to shops.
You can opt for a backpack cooler, which is incredibly convenient. These types of cooler boxes have become more popular amongst hikers and on-the-go enthusiasts.
We've checked out loads of the best coolers to help you pick the right one.
The great thing about this list is that you can customize the designs, making them a little extra special.
The Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler leads the pack among top coolers in the market. This tough cooler has an influence on ice retention keeping stuff cold for up to four days.
The Tundra 45 fits 54 cans without ice, which works well for beach trips or camping with friends or family. It's small enough to squeeze into a car trunk, and its comfy rope handles with rubber grips make it easy to carry.
Choose this cooler if you want a solid high-performing cooler that can endure a lot of damage.
The Yeti Hopper Flip 8 Soft Cooler is a small but mighty option for day outings and solo trips. This little cooler delivers big results with top-notch insulation and toughness.
The box-like design makes it a breeze to carry and pack. It fits in kayaks or hiking bags.
You can grab your drinks thanks to the wide opening with the zipper. It has enough room for six to eight cans plus ice.
You should opt for this cooler if you are an outdoors fan who wants a trusty easy-to-move cooler.
The Yeti Roadie 24 Hard Cooler gives you a flexible and slightly smaller option in the Yeti range. This is one of the best small coolers for road trips.
It stands 13 inches tall, so you can fit wine bottles upright. The cooler keeps stuff cold for a long time.
You can open it with just one hand using the QuickLatch system, and the strap makes it comfy to carry by yourself.
The Brewtus XL Cooler Backpack is one of the best backpack coolers for outdoor trips. This roomy cooler has space for up to 32 cans which is a lot, compared to other backpack coolers.
This cooler is great because there are removable adjustable padded shoulder straps and web-carrying handles with a comfortable grip.
The front two daisy chains let you hook on extra gear, which is essential for hands-free activities.
The 54QT Cooler gives you a tough and flexible option to take on your outdoor trips. It provides ample space, giving you plenty of room to store your drinks and food.
This cooler has some standout features. It comes with stainless steel parts to make it last longer, has a built-in bottle opener, and there is a drain cap for easy cleaning.
This cooler is part of the Rainalertz line, which is known to make good outdoor gear.
This is a great option if you would use a cooler for camping, picnics, or tailgating because of how big and tough it is.
The BruTank 35-Quart Rolling Cooler offers a helping hand in the form of wheels.
This holds 36 12oz cans or nine wine bottles, so it's just right for group outings. The Brumate cooler with wheels works well because it has a handle that pulls out so you can move it across different surfaces.
What stands out is its 1.8-gallon drink tank with a tap built in, letting you pour your favorite drinks in style.
If you are looking for an all-in-one cooler for beach trips, camping trips, and RV life, then this Brumate cooler with wheels is your perfect companion.
The BruMate BackTap is one of the more innovative and unique coolers we have on this list.
It's the first backpack cooler with a stainless-steel lining, leak-proof design, and built-in tap. This Brumate cooler box can be filled with 3 gallons of your favorite drink, 14 slim cans, 12 regular beer cans, or 5 wine bottles.
You can carry it like a backpack or with a top handle.
This Brumate cooler box is great for outdoor parties where you would like to make a punch that stays fresh and crispy for hours.
The Igloo Arctic Lunch Cooler works great for your daily outings. It holds 9 regular 9oz cans which is sufficient space for one or two people.
It has a zipper-closed main area front pocket, and mesh side pocket to organize your stuff. The handles on top make it easy to carry.
This cooler bag fits the bill for people who want a cooler for work meals or quick picnic dates.
The Otterbox Iceberg Cube Cooler is an effective cooler for outdoor adventures. It holds 24 cans or a mix of food and drinks, which makes it a top pick for camping and picnics.
Its high-quality insulation keeps ice solid for up to three days when you chill it first and pack it right.
You'll find built-in pockets for your utensils and strong handles to carry it . For added comfort, you can use the extra shoulder strap.
The Summit 24 Can Cooler Backpack can fit up to 24 cans in it, which makes it great for camping or beach trips. This is one of the best backpack coolers that won't break the bank.
The straps on the shoulders have padding and can be adjusted, and there's a snap-on web handle too, so it's easy to carry.
This tough cooler backpack is just what outdoor lovers need when they want to keep their hands free and their drinks cool.
The Igloo Party to Go Cooler is a great choice for your outdoor gatherings. It holds 32 cans, which makes it ideal for small groups or road trips.
You can access your drinks through the double-zippered opening, while the leak-resistant antimicrobial liner ensures everything stays clean and fresh. (No more damp car smell)
It has extra pockets to store essentials, and the attached bottle opener can be handy.
The Igloo REPREVE 36 Can Backpack Cooler gives you a flexible and green choice for your outdoor trips. It is considered green choice because it’s made from REPREVE Performance Fiber.
It's big inside and holds up to 36 cans. There are extra storage spots, such as a zipped top part and outside pockets for water bottles.
This cooler is a great option for picnics, beach days, and tailgate parties.
The Igloo Seadrift Snap Down 12 Can Cooler is an amazing companion for beach outings and is one of the best small coolers for road trips.
This small cooler boasts tough 600D polyester with TPE coating helping it resist water, dirt, and sand.
The cooler fits 12 cans and includes a spacious front zip pocket to store dry items. It offers several carrying choices such as a detachable shoulder strap and two grab handles making it easy to move around.
The Stormtech Salt Spring 16 Cooler is on our list of the best coolers because it is aesthetic and strong. This small cooler fits 16 cans making it great to take on road trips.
Its big zippered compartment keeps things cold and doesn't leak. You can store more stuff in the outside pocket.
It’s very easy to carry as it has adjustable handles and straps. It's made of 100% PVC, so it's tough and simple to clean.
The Igloo Maddox XL Cooler holds 42 cans making it ideal for camping excursions and outdoor events.
Its main compartment is accessible through a dual-zippered pull handle opening with a folding lid.
The cooler comes equipped with dual side grab handles, an adjustable shoulder strap, and a handy carabiner bottle opener.
This PVC-free cooler combines durability with eco-friendliness as it is made 420D Diamond Weave Polyester.
The Igloo® Kooltunes® 14 Qt Cooler is a cooler and a speaker, which makes it the center of attention in any outdoor event.
This clever cooler combines a 14-quart Playmate Classic with built-in Bluetooth speakers ranking it among the top small coolers.
It can hold 26 cans, which works well for beach outings or picnics. The two slim 5-watt speakers pump out high-quality sound with strong bass.
And don’t worry, the speaker is water resistant.
You can enjoy up to 10 hours of music on one charge keeping the good times rolling all day.
The cooler world has stepped up its game giving us tons of choices for every kind of trip. You've got tough hard-sided coolers that keep ice frozen for ages, and backpack coolers you can carry on hikes - there's something for everyone who loves the outdoors.
When picking a cooler that's right for you, think about things like how well it insulates how long it lasts, and how easy it is to carry.
And the best part about all these coolers we have suggested is that they are fully customizable! You sent us the artwork, logo, and quotes. You name it, and we make it!