Are hard or soft coolers better?

"Both are great options, and it really depends on your specific needs," says Chris Welch, Senior Manager of Category Management at YETI. In terms of design, hard coolers are constructed with thick walls that serve as stronger insulation. "They are great for those looking for maximum ice retention to stay out longer and are in need of an ultra-durable cooler built to last, the hard cooler is the way to go. Soft coolers are usually engineered to really maximize portability, without sacrificing durability, and should feature a leak-resistant and puncture-resistant construction." A soft structure and straps help with portability, so users can tote them anywhere.

Which coolers can float?

Generally, it is soft-sided coolers that can float, which can be helpful if they fall out of your canoe but should not be relied upon as floatation devices. The RTIC Soft Pack cooler does have the ability to float, so if you frequently enjoy time in the pool or at the lake, it might be worth prioritizing.

What ice packs are best for coolers?

Welch likes the use of reusable ice packs when using coolers, especially in conjunction with regular ice. "You want to find packs that are built with a durable design that is break-resistant and comes in multiple size options, which means you can outfit everything from your smallest hard cooler to biggest soft cooler," he says. "No messy cleanup, no puddles to drain — just toss it back in your freezer." If you want to avoid using ice and ice packs entirely, consider getting an electric cooler to keep food and beverages chilled.

The 7 Best Coolers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Ultra-Light 52 qt Ice Chest — Photo:
Food & Wine / Dera Burreson

Every household needs a reliable cooler, whether for keeping things cool at hot summer barbecues or a little bit of extra cold storage for holiday gatherings. So, we imagined nearly every scenario while choosing the best coolers on the market, from a tailgate to a picnic. So many ice coolers range from backpack style to design-forward pieces that can double as a bona fide seat. Regardless of their shape and extra features, they must keep things at the right temperature, not leak when stuffed with ice and perishables, and be easy to handle with the rest of your gear.

To test the best coolers, we looked for peak insulation performance, the seal's tightness for said cooling and leak protection, overall durability during various situations, and how easy it was to open and handle for one person or two. These coolers took a bruising as we put them through essential tasks such as balancing a beverage in one hand and maneuvering an ice chest along the beach or rolling wheeled versions along the asphalt. We even performed a drop test with our contenders to mimic real-life conditions. Read on for the reasoning behind our selections and our favorite ice coolers on the market.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

RTIC 52-Quart Ultra-Light Cooler at Amazon ($210)

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

YETI Tundra 65 Cooler at Amazon ($350)

Jump to Review

Best Large Capacity:

Orca 140-Quart Cooler at Amazon (See Price)

Jump to Review

Best with Wheels:

Yeti Tundra Haul Cooler at Amazon ($450)

Jump to Review

Best for Picnics:

The Get Out Cooler Bag at Food52 ($300)

Jump to Review

RTIC Outdoors 30-Can Backpack at Amazon ($125)

Jump to Review

Best Backpack Cooler:

Hydro Flask Escape Soft Cooler at Amazon ($200)

Jump to Review

Best Overall

RTIC 52-Quart Ultra-Light Cooler

PHOTO:

Amazon

$210 at Amazon $210 at Walmart View on Rticoutdoors.com

Pros

It has an incredible cooling ability, with plenty of ice still intact after a full day.

Cons

The ropes on the handle are sometimes awkward, and it is hard to lift alone.

The RTIC Ultra-Light 52-Quart Ice Chest is a superior cooler across the board, and the best overall on our list. It's the perfect size for most cooler needs, from backyard barbecues to beach days. The interior has both a divided bin and a removable wire basket so you can easily separate the contents. Food remained nice and cold, with the interior temperature holding at a cool 32 degrees on a hot day. The RITC insulated so well that much of the ice barely melted during our tests, and every can was still cold after 24 hours. The tight seal means that the ice chest does not leak when tipped. While the design of the rope handles might make it difficult to lift the cooler alone, it's helpful for two to move it around. Even better news? RTIC released a wheeled version of this cooler this summer, and we love it as a more portable solution if you find yourself toting a large cooler on the go.

Capacity: 49.2 liters | Weight: 40.12 pounds | Can capacity, with ice: 78

Best Splurge

YETI Tundra 65 Cooler

PHOTO:

Amazon

$350 at Amazon $350 at REI View on Yeti.com

Pros

It makes a comfortable seat and can act as a small table at a campsite.

Cons

It is hard for one person to handle alone, and it got scuffed in the drop test.

Yeti Tundra 65 Cooler is a superstar from performance to design. The T-shaped latches fit into molded latch keepers, so the lid stays closed. The latches are durable, and the seals shut the cooler to a freezer-quality level to minimize air exchange. While this isn't the cooler for solo travelers since four hands are needed to manage it, it's the perfect splurge for a family that often goes tailgating, camping, or to the beach. We love that it is so durable that it can double as a table or a seat. It's easy to transport it from place to place, thanks to the solid handles on each side, and it held up well during our drop and leak tests. The cooler lost half its ice in 24 hours, but the temperature only increased to 2.2 degrees, so we know it will keep perishables cold for days.

Capacity: 65 liters | Weight: 29 pounds | Can capacity, with ice: 17

Best Large Capacity

Orca 140-Quart Cooler

PHOTO:

Orcacoolers

View on Amazon View on Gathroutdoors.com $600 at Home Depot

Pros

The cooler is very sturdy and holds an impressive amount of cans.

Cons

Due to its size and lack of wheels, two people need to move or lift it.

Our editors loved the capacity of the huge Orca 140-Quart that holds a whopping 68 cans with ice. Since it is one of the most oversized coolers on our roundup, it requires handling assistance. You will need another person's help loading it, keeping the top open, moving it, and draining it. This cooler is heavy when empty, but the chest feels incredibly solid and can easily be used as a seat. It has a superior cooling ability — we found the temperature increased barely one degree in 24 hours. It was also difficult to tip over and didn't scratch easily. The latches were challenging to close, but there was no water or ice spillage. It's the perfect cooler to use as a second fridge or cold storage for an event.

Capacity: 132.4 liters | Weight: 64 pounds | Can capacity, with ice: 68

Food & Wine / Dera Burreson
Food & Wine / Henry Wortock
Food & Wine / Henry Wortock
Food & Wine / Henry Wortock
Food & Wine / Henry Wortock
Food & Wine / Henry Wortock

Best with Wheels

Yeti Tundra Haul Cooler

PHOTO:

Amazon

$450 at Amazon View on Yeti.com $425 at Dick's

Pros

This ultra-durable, reliable cooler is easy to handle despite its solid construction. It holds ice well and keeps drinks cold, even after 24 hours.

Cons

You have to somewhat tip it to drain it, which can be heavy for some when full.

This YETI Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler was our top pick when we tested best-wheeled coolers. It's perfect for outdoorsy types who want helpful design features such as an easily removable ice tray, tie-down slots to attach to your boat, car, or truck bed, non-slip feet so it stays in place, and a leak-proof drain system. The cooler has an excellent gripped handlebar that pulls up and makes it easy to maneuver the wheels over rough terrain. It holds ice well and keeps things cold all day long. In fact, we did not detect any melted ice after a full 24 hours. It is heavy when it's full and is difficult to lift if the top is loaded with more gear, but the wheels solve for portability. It's one of the best cooler options for campers and beachgoers.

Capacity: 50 liters | Weight: 37.5 pounds | Can capacity, with ice: 82

Best for Picnics

The Get Out Cooler Bag

PHOTO:

The Get Out

$300 at Food52 View on Thegetout.shop $150 at Urban Outfitters

Pros

The shoulder straps are comfortable, and the ice chest cools very well.

Cons

The pocket is pretty useless and doesn't even fit a phone.

The Get Out Cooler Bag was a favorite for us for many reasons. The retro-looking backpack has a funky design, but the bag's features are for the modern user. The insulation exceeds expectations for a backpack style. While there isn't a ton of ice left after 24 hours, the temperature only dropped by 2.6 degrees and was still at a food-safe temperature. Since it keeps food cool and can also fit a wine bottle, this is the perfect backpack-style cooler for a picnic. The soft-sided cooler is also comfortable on the shoulders, and the zipper is easy to use, which isn't always the case with similar cooler styles.

Capacity: 15.1 liters | Weight: 6 pounds | Can capacity, with ice: 12

The Get Out Cooler Bag displayed on picnic blanket with grass in background — Food & Wine / Dera Burreson

RTIC Outdoors 30-Can Backpack

PHOTO:

Amazon

$125 at Amazon $119 at Walmart $120 at rticoutdoors.com

Pros

It is comfortable to carry and durable when handled roughly. It also floats.

Cons

The zipper can be finicky, but they provide lubricant.

The RTIC Outdoors 30-Can Backpack is one of our favorite soft-sided coolers. We think the size is perfect for easy carrying, and we were impressed with its durability: Beneath its structured outer shell, there are two inches of foam and a tear-resistant liner. At just 4 pounds, it's comfortable to carry for a long time, even at total capacity. We also like its comfortable strap for easy travel, and you can even take it in a pool, lake, or beach as it floats. And if this size isn't ideal for you, it comes in 12-, 20-, or 40-can sizes. Apart from all this — it keeps things nice and cool for up to 24 hours. We did find that the zipper can stick, but not so much that it would deter us from purchasing it.

Capacity: 40 liters | Weight: 4 pounds | Can capacity, with ice: 30

Best Backpack Cooler

Hydro Flask Escape Soft Cooler

PHOTO:

Amazon

$200 at Amazon $100 at REI View on Hydroflask.com

Pros

This cooler backpack is lightweight and has superior insulation for hiking and day trips.

Cons

It's smaller than most standard coolers, so not ideal for packing for a big group.

The Hydro Flask Escape Cooler's leakproof construction and padded shoulder straps make it the ultimate backpack cooler for anyone heading into the great outdoors. Choose between the 20-liter backpack version or the 18 or 26-liter shoulder bag, depending on your packing needs. The molded base ensures the bag won't topple over wherever you set it down, but the soft construction makes it easy to pack and store when needed. The brand offers several trendy color options, and the bag is easy to wipe clean.

Capacity: 20 liters | Weight: 2.63 pounds | Can capacity: 16

Food & Wine / Jhett Thompson
Food & Wine / Jhett Thompson
Food & Wine / Jhett Thompson
Food & Wine / Jhett Thompson

Our Favorite Cooler

Overall, our tests showed that the RTIC Ultra-Light 52-Quart Ice Chest was the best for both performance and appearance. A close second with some of the highest scores across our test subjects was the Bluu Softside Leakproof 35-Quart Cooler, our choice for Best Softside.

Factors to Consider

Style

When it comes to coolers, you have every style imaginable, from hard-sided, to soft-sided, to tote style, and even floating coolers. Depending on how you intend to use your cooler, these tend to have different cooling capacities and duration. If you want things to stay cold the longest, especially if you need them to stay cold for food safety over long periods of time or in hot conditions, a hard-sided cooler with a tightly sealed lid and good insulation will be your best bet. If you just need to get something from point A to point B, or for a short day trip, you can often get away with a soft-sided cooler or hamper or even an insulated tote-style cooler.

Size

Capacity will always be one of the main things to consider when purchasing a cooler. It will be important to think about how much internal volume will be taken up with ice or ice packs when deciding how large a cooler you might need. Remember that it is the inside capacity that is the most important, for some coolers, there can be as much as a three- to four-inch-thick insulation wall, so the exterior dimensions can be misleading. Finally, consider the overall size in terms of transportation. Do you need to be able to carry it alone? Put it on your bike? While a huge cooler might fit in your car or on your boat, will you be able to lift it when it is full? Sometimes you might be better off with two smaller, more manageable coolers rather than one huge one for better flexibility.

Cost

Coolers can range from truly inexpensive to wildly pricy, so some of these choices will come down to budget. Having said that, it is one of the areas where some of the high-end products really do perform in ways that simply outshine their less costly competitors. So, some of your decision-making should involve how often you need to use a cooler and under what sort of conditions. It might be that making a larger initial investment will ultimately serve you better. This is especially true if you are going to rely on a cooler to keep perishable food at safe temperatures. If you mostly want to keep your beer cold, you can achieve that with a cheap cooler. But if you don't want everyone at the family reunion to get food poisoning from the warm potato salad, you might want to invest a bit more in your own peace of mind.

Bluu Softside Leakproof 35-Quart Cooler — Food & Wine / Henry Wortock

How We Tested Coolers

After researching the best in the market, our experts worked through a rigorous testing process with 48 coolers in every form and function one can imagine. We simulated the way one might use an ice cooler in everyday life. Cooling was a primary concern, so we performed multiple steps to measure cooling ability with ice and cans, taking the temperature after specific periods. We lifted the coolers full of ice and cans to feel how easy they were for people to handle, and we tipped them on their sides to see if they leaked. We also knocked them off raised surfaces to see if the lids popped open. Although many coolers performed well, the ice coolers we selected are designed to impress with extra fun features and comfort, which made them stand out from the competition.

Coleman Rolling Cooler — Food & Wine / Henry Wortock

Other Coolers We Tested

Strong Contenders

Pelican 20-Quart Elite Cooler (Amazon)
Cabela's Polar Cap Equalizer 80-Quart Cooler (Cabela's)
Lifetime 65-Quart High-Performance Cooler (Home Depot)
Yeti Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler (Amazon)
Ozark Trail Cooler (Amazon)
Herschel Pop Quiz 30 Pack Soft Cooler (Hershel)
Engel HD30 (Amazon)
XSpec Roto Molded Wheeled Hard Cooler (Amazon)
XSpec Roto Molded Ice Chest (Amazon)
Roam - The Rugged Cooler 45-Quart (Amazon)

What Didn't Make the List

We tested over 30 additional coolers within several different categories that didn’t quite make the grade, including options from Pelican, Igloo, Rover, Coleman, Polarbox, Icemule, Cotopaxi, Arctic Zone, and Yeti. A previous version of this roundup included the Yeti M20 Soft Backpack Cooler and the Yeti Hopper Soft-Sided M30, which have been recalled. Find more information here.

REI Co-op Cool Haul 24 Soft Cooler — Food & Wine / Henry Wortock

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hard or soft coolers better?

"Both are great options, and it really depends on your specific needs," says Chris Welch, Senior Manager of Category Management at YETI. In terms of design, hard coolers are constructed with thick walls that serve as stronger insulation. "They are great for those looking for maximum ice retention to stay out longer and are in need of an ultra-durable cooler built to last, the hard cooler is the way to go. Soft coolers are usually engineered to really maximize portability, without sacrificing durability, and should feature a leak-resistant and puncture-resistant construction." A soft structure and straps help with portability, so users can tote them anywhere.
Which coolers can float?

Generally, it is soft-sided coolers that can float, which can be helpful if they fall out of your canoe but should not be relied upon as floatation devices. The RTIC Soft Pack cooler does have the ability to float, so if you frequently enjoy time in the pool or at the lake, it might be worth prioritizing.
What ice packs are best for coolers?

Welch likes the use of reusable ice packs when using coolers, especially in conjunction with regular ice. "You want to find packs that are built with a durable design that is break-resistant and comes in multiple size options, which means you can outfit everything from your smallest hard cooler to biggest soft cooler," he says. "No messy cleanup, no puddles to drain — just toss it back in your freezer." If you want to avoid using ice and ice packs entirely, consider getting an electric cooler to keep food and beverages chilled.

Our Expertise

Jennifer Zyman is a Senior Commerce Writer for Food & Wine and a recovering restaurant critic with a culinary school degree and over 15 years of food writing experience. Her work has appeared in Atlanta Magazine, Bon Appetit, Eater Atlanta, The Kitchn, Local Palate, National Geographic, Southern Living, and Thrillist. To write this story, she used our insights and extensive data, and her culinary expertise.
Stacey Ballis contributed our factors to consider and the Q&A using her research and advice from cooler industry experts.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!