Whether you’re camping, tailgating, or hosting a barbecue for friends and family, having a great cooler on hand to keep your food and drinks chilled and fresh for hours is key. Coolers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and shells, and the most popular brands (like Yeti and Rtic) are known for their coolers’ ability to retain temperature for long periods of time. That said, temperature retention isn’t the only factor to consider while shopping. Given the differences in construction, capacity and value, the best cooler for you will depend on its intended use.
igloo soft coolerAnd 1.79 lbs., respectively, while the Tote and Backpack weigh between 3 and 4 lbs. Colors range from dark gray to black, depending on which version you get. But if you view it as your long-term cooler companion, it’s worth its high price. We’ve taken it to campsites, beaches, and potlucks with friends and family, and it’s been appropriate in all settings. Carrying it around was comfortable, thanks to the padded straps and chest and hip straps, and the weight was evenly distributed. Bestcooler.reviews, established in 2015, is a leading blog-style magazine dedicated to reviewing and blogging about coolers.
igloo water coolerBut we got about 10 cans in the insulated section, with enough ice to keep them cold. It has a lightly padded shoulder strap, but backpack-style straps would make lugging it around much easier. The Deep Freeze seems like it’s built to last, so you can expect to use it for years without needing to replace it. All things considered, we think the price range is more than reasonable.
“They also typically have a higher capacity, which is worth the extra weight for space,” says Newar. Some can support up to 250 pounds, so they even double as impromptu seats. This soft cooler has a grab handle and an adjustable shoulder strap that won’t dig into your skin. It’s also handily collapsible, so you can pack it in a suitcase or stuff it in a backpack and easily store it when it’s not in use. After throwing it on the ground during our tests, there were no scuff marks or visible damage. Though the Dolphin Mini is billed as leakproof, water seeped through the zippers once the ice had melted.
The RTIC cooler is a solid option if you can’t decide between a hard or soft design. It’s technically a soft cooler, but its nylon shell aims to resist damage while its closed-cell foam insulation keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours, according to the brand’s website. It even floats on water and is leakproof from both the inside and the outside, according to the brand.