Their wheeled rolling cooler offering is a thirty-quart ice chest built with more insulation than other coolers in its range. The bungee net up top helps you haul extra stuff on game day and Canyon also offers a no-hassle, lifetime warranty. Over half of the coolers on our list cost $200 or more, which goes to show how pricey these units can be. Hard-sided coolers from YETI, RTIC, ORCA, and others are able to keep ice frozen for significantly longer than budget options from companies like Coleman or Igloo.
We’ve tested Polar Bear coolers for seven years now, buying them or receiving test units from Polar Bear. Recently, however, we’ve been let down by the lifespan of its soft coolers (though not this backpack in particular). But with care, you can extend the lifespan of any soft cooler—the number one rule seems to be not to leave it out in the sun. The Original is made with an exterior of 840-denier UV-resistant nylon wrapped around open-cell foam. Technically less insulating than closed-cell foam, open-cell foam performs fairly well for most applications as long as the cooler isn’t left in the open sun.
Regarding the latter, some will be able to double up as seats or tables, will have extendable handles, cup holders and built-in bottle openers, and even some LED lights on the inside. That’s about as fantastic of a result as I could have hoped for from the MaxCold, and easily the best cooler performance I was able to find for under $100. The next step up would be the Lifetime High Performance Cooler, which I found on sale at Walmart for $97. It finished my performance tests in a virtual tie with the MaxCold, and it offers a bigger, better design that features a pair of heavy-duty lid latches and roped handles, plus a built-in bottle opener. Features can include drain plugs, removable butler trays, built-in bottle openers, or storage pockets. Think about what will be the most useful for your needs and prioritize choosing a cooler that offers them.
And while bags of ice come relatively cheap, it can be a real pain to have to drain your cooler and replace the ice on a daily basis (not to mention having to travel and purchase more of it). Another benefit of high-end hard-sided units is durability—the difference in quality is immediately apparent and some of the best out there are truly meant to last a lifetime. All that said, if you just need a reliable cooler for days at the beach or packing a lunch on the road, it’s probably a good idea to save your cash. But if you consistently head outside for days at a time, the investment is well worth it.
We also like the unique assortment of multi-toned colorways that add a nice dose of flair. Rotomolded coolers like YETI’s Tundra above are made out of a single piece of continuous plastic, which is great for durability but means they typically lack built-in features and mounting locations. Tack on a price igloo electric cooler that undercuts the similarly sized Tundra 65 above by a considerable $135, and the Xspec stands out as a very well-rounded design at a great value. When deciding on the right size of cooler for your needs, consider where you’ll use it and the number of drinks and snacks you’ll want to store in it.
Style-wise, the exterior (which is water-resistant and stain-resistant) comes in fun colors like a turquoise-esque Pine variation, a summer-appropriate Blue Lagoon version, and a very neon Citrus model. The Moss variation is a quieter, but still snazzy, outdoorsy igloo electric cooler hue for you understated gents out there. A first-of-its-kind cooler, the EcoCool Latitude 90 Roller Cooler is primarily constructed from recycled plastic, i.e., yogurt cups, milk jugs, and more “post-consumer resin” that typically ends up in landfills.
This cooler from Igloo has a 110-quart capacity that’s sure to fit just about anything you need to carry, up to 168 cans. The foam insulation inside the walls and lid keeps your contents ice cold, and the drain plugs makes for easy cleaning. Though a full cooler of this size is bound to be on the heavy side, the telescoping handle with a cushioned grip and the smooth wheels make it easier to transport. Plus, the lid can be secured with the impact-resistant latch to avoid leaks or spills. The polyethylene exterior is made with infrared technology and UV inhibitors to protect against sun damage on toasty days.