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 ice chest 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.
Sure, these are not ideal for longer trips but not everybody goes away for days. A good addition to game-day trailer parties, BBQs or just general trips where you need to bring the party with you. If you’re just planning a day out rather than a weekend or longer, the Picnic at Ascot Ultimate Travel Cooler is one that we feel you should take a look at. It is smaller than most on this list at 36-quarts but it will still hold up to 32 cans of drink and keep it cold for a good 24-hours.
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 especially appreciate the recycled fabric exterior, welded seams to prevent leakage, and odor-resistant antimicrobial liner that’s removable and a cinch to clean. We tend to steer clear of most bargain-basement coolers—they may work well for a day or two but often lack the impressive ice retention of premium models and won’t stand up as well to regular outdoor use. Igloo’s ECOCOOL 52 isn’t totally exempt from these drawbacks, but it’s more well rounded and functional than much of the budget competition. For just $60, igloo cooler with wheels the Igloo boasts a generous 52-quart capacity, and the proprietary foam insulation does a good job keeping food and drinks chilled for up to three days (in the right conditions, of course). The feature set is also pretty well sorted for the price, including four self-draining cup holders and functional lifts at the bottom that slightly elevate the cooler off the ground or truck bed. Igloo also added holes in the swing-up handles, allowing you to string a bungee between them to make carrying heavier loads easier.
A boat-bound cooler, or one you plan to take to the beach or lake, will also need to be waterproof. Any cooler you plan to bring outside beyond your own deck or yard should be reasonably able to withstand the elements. If you choose a soft cooler on wheels, make sure the fabric can handle being loaded up with ice and the resulting leftover water. Most hard coolers on wheels can withstand water, from inside or out, but it’s still a factor you’ll want to double-check.
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 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.
If you plan to use your new cooler for local picnic trips or backyard barbecues most often, the Rovr RollR 60 makes strolling down the sidewalk, traversing grass fields, and rolling across sand a breeze. The cooler’s coolest feature is easily the fact that it has pneumatic tires vs. plastic wheels, so you can pump ‘em up just as you would with a bike or car. This gives the cooler the capability to roll over the same types of terrain that are accessible to those vehicles.