The Best Coolers, According to Our Product Testing Team
Updated: Jul. 19, 2024
Our Product Testing Team tested 12 ice chests against each other to determine the best coolers. A whopping 240 pounds of ice and 96 hours later, we identified the six frigid winners.
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Nothing signals the start of summer like chilly beers on the beach. Following up a beach game with a soft drink or juice box is refreshing and stops folks from overheating on hot days. While the best coolers keep beverages ice cold on the beach, park or tailgate, many modern coolers also come with useful extras. Additional features like wheels, shelves and built-in bottle openers set the best ice chests apart from the rest.
Catherine Ward, Prep Kitchen Manager, is an outdoor enthusiast and barbecue expert. She notes that shopping for one of the best coolers requires a few important considerations beyond how long a cooler holds ice and how many camping snacks it holds. “I always look for easy-rolling wheels on grass, hard sand, and hard surfaces,” she says. “My ideal cooler has a retractable handle and a drain plug, so I don’t have to lift it to empty water.”
Tons of top cooler brands boast the best features and superior insulation, making it a bit of a chore to shop for one of the best coolers. Our Product Testing Team took this as a sign and sourced 12 of the most popular picks. To see which are truly the best, they gathered up a whopping 240 pounds of ice and shut each option in a hot car for 96 hours, among other evaluations. After performing roughly ten tests on each and collecting over 420 data points, we are confident that these six options are the best coolers for your canned cocktails and colas.
Best Overall
Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler
Pros:
- Best ice retention of the bunch
- 11 sizes available
- More leak-resistant than other options
- Good color options
- Bear-resistant
Cons:
- Drain cap not attached, so it's easy to lose
- Pricier than other options
Yeti coolers boast an existing reputation as one of the best coolers, and they ring up at a higher price point than most of the other options we tested. Because of this, we set our expectations sky-high for the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler. We’re happy to report that with an attractive look, bear-resistant build and ice retention that rivals the Arctic regions, Yeti proves its rank as the best ice cooler brand.
The Tundra cooler is available in 11 sizes, ranging from a 35-quart option that fits around 39 cans to an impressively massive 350-quart tank that can carry a whopping 353 pounds of ice. While larger sizes only come in white, Yeti offers nine eye-catching colors for the smaller options in its lineup. We snagged the 45 cooler in “rescue red,” a vibrant crimson that boasts Yeti’s “T-rex” closure: Two classic rubber pull tabs that clip into place. While this tab type isn’t our favorite, Yeti’s version by far offers the most user-friendly build of all the “T-rex” latches we tested.
This one is form and function defined. The rope handles offer just the right amount of slack, and its one-piece rotomolded construction proves its durability. Over the course of five days in a car with temperatures that teetered above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the Yeti retained more than 15 percent of its ice by day four and measured at 54 degrees Fahrenheit on day five. Additionally, the 45 cooler fits exactly 54 cans, just as advertised.
One area we’d love to see improved is the drain cap. Many of the other coolers connected theirs via wires or plastic straps, but Yeti’s isn’t attached at all. This makes it super easy to lose. Plus, if you drain it with the cap still inserted, there are only two holes through which the water comes out. Because of this, the process also takes longer than if you fully remove the cap.
When you leave the cap in, the water stops short of fully draining. If you take the cap out, the cooler drains fully—something we found slightly annoying. However, given the incredible ice retention and high-quality build, we’re willing to excuse this small inconvenience. Plus, this was overall one of the more leak-resistant options, something we found very impressive.
“Abominable snowman? More like an indomitable snowman (ba dum tss)! The Yeti wowed us in just about every way,” says Product Testing Manager Annamarie Higley. “There’s a color option for everyone, its handles and latches were easy to use, and the ice retention was incomparably impressive.”
Sizes available (qts.): 35, 45, 65, 75, 105, 110,125, 160, 210, 250, 350 | Can capacity (for tested size): 54 | Features: Removable dry-goods basket, certified bear-resistant | Wheels: No
Best for the Beach
Ninja FrostVault 50-Quart Hard Cooler
Pros:
- DryZone drawer
- Lockable folding latch
- Good ice retention
- Excellent value
Cons:
- Doesn't hold as many cans as advertised
- Handles make it cumbersome to take through doorways
Most know Ninja as the brand behind some of the best blenders. But the Ninja FrostVault 50-Quart Hard Cooler proves that they’re also purveyors of some of the most important summer essentials. As one of the best coolers for the beach, the FrostVault offers good ice retention and a lockable folding latch coupled with excellent value.
“You want the beach to be warm but not your food and drinks. This Ninja cooler has you covered with its smart DryZone drawer and above-average ice retention,” says Annamarie. She’s spot on. The pull-out Dry Zone compartment drawer is one of the cooler’s best features, offering a spot to stash everything from eggs to lunch meat. As a plus, it doesn’t cut into the number of cans that fit in the ice basin.
“I’m a big-time sandwich eater, and I love that this wouldn’t force me to choose between having hard bread from leaving it packed in ice or melty cheese from leaving it in my tote,” says Annamarie. “It’s essentially like having a fridge on your person!” Even just from the first five pounds of ice that we placed in the cooler as part of the “sacrificial” ice batch, we could feel how cool and crisp the drawer was.
A few minor complaints include the can threshold and handles, which were a bit burdensome when lugging it through doorways. Despite orienting the cans three different ways, we couldn’t quite reach the 80-can mark that they listed. Mind you, this number was attained by also putting cans in the dry drawer, which a person probably wouldn’t use for drinks.
That said, the drainage system is impressively effective. A small divot runs along the base’s parameter, catching any “straggler” water and moving it toward the drain. Additionally, the two-tone color and high-end look put this one on par visually with the Yeti at around $50 cheaper. All in all, we found the overall quality for the price a total steal.
Sizes available (qts.): 30 and 50 | Can capacity (for tested size): 76 | Features: Pull-out Dry Zone compartment drawer, lockable latch | Wheels: No
Best Features
BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler
Pros:
- Two rugged wheels with impressive tread
- 9 appealing color options
- Built-in tap
- Bottle opener
- Dry goods basket
Cons:
- Foam seat is nice, but bangs up easily
- Handle gets hot in the sun
- Priciest option on the list
Most of the folks from the Test Kitchen note that their summertime must-have is a cooler with wheels. Not only does it make transporting cans from the backyard to the beach so much easier, but it also takes a lot of strain off their backs. The BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler is one of the best coolers in this regard. Boasting two rugged wheels with impressive treads, this rolling cooler comes equipped to handle all terrain types.
“The wheels make the entire thing super traversable—we were even able to clear curbs completely with no sweat,” says tester Dylan Fischer. Like the wheels, the rest of the cooler offers high-quality materials we’re confident should last through the years. The only real concern here in terms of longevity is the foam seat topper on the lid. While a nice touch, we don’t expect it to last much longer than a season or two.
“This cooler was designed with party people in mind,” says Annamarie. Coupled with one of the best hammocks, it’s basically a self-contained beach party in a super snazzy, agile package. This is especially evident in the built-in tap feature. Plus, the tank is huge. We put two whole jugs of liquid in there (190 fluid ounces), as well as eight cups of ice, and there was still plenty of room left. This would accommodate a sizable crowd, making it a shoo-in for grad parties and summer shindigs. There’s also a built-in bottle opener for easy drink access.
While the wheels offer tons of added mobility, there are a few drawbacks. There’s only a protrusive plastic handle on one side—the other side just has the longer foldable metal handle for pulling. This makes it incredibly cumbersome to lift, especially considering how heavy it is. Additionally, after sitting in the hot sun for a couple of hours, the black handle became super hot.
Considering the $400 price point, we would love to see these issues resolved. But for those who seek a solid option with by far the best features of all the options we tested, you certainly can’t go wrong with this pick.
Sizes available (qts): 35 and 55 | Can capacity (for tested size): 82 | Features: Removable drink tank and tap, built-in bottle opener, dry-goods basket, other accessories sold separately (cup holders, rod holder, etc.) | Wheels: Yes
Best for Ice
Orca 58-Quart Cooler
Pros:
- Totally leakproof
- 10 colors available
- Cute orca tail-shaped latches
- Cargo net attachment
- Heavy-duty, solid build
Cons:
- May be too big for some vehicles
Above all, the best coolers should easily keep all ice intact over the course of a few days. Those seeking an ice chest cooler can rest assured that the Orca 58-Quart Cooler won’t leak or let out any chill as it’s lugged around. The heavy-duty, solid build puts it up there with the best outdoor pizza ovens in terms of longevity—it truly is a summertime staple.
From the outside in, it’s easy to see why the Orca impressed the team. Each of the seven sizes comes in 10 colors, and the rubber latches look like little orca tails—cute! While the latches were a bit of a struggle at first, they loosened after a bit of use and became easier to wrestle with.
This cooler also vacuum-seals shut occasionally, especially when empty. You simply have to partially unscrew the drain cap to let some air out, and then the lid will lift with ease. We found that this did not happen when the cooler was full of ice.
“The vacuum seal on this was seriously impressive. It not only prevented any and all water leakage, but it also likely contributed to the Orca’s winning performance in the ice retention test,” says Annamarie. By day five of sitting in a hot car, there was still around 5 percent of the cooler’s ice remaining, and the temperature clocked in at a frigid fifty degrees.
“This is the only cooler with external storage—and we love it! It’s perfect for keys, phones, sunscreen, towels and more. Such a simple feature that makes a substantial difference,” says Annamarie. The pouch sits on the outside of the cooler, so think of it more for small belongings rather than for food. We picture it holding things like toys, a beach towel, hats and small camping supplies. It has a bit of stretch to it, so it can hold more than you’d expect.
While the larger sizes may not easily fit into the trunk of a sedan, the cooler’s leakproof properties allow folks to tumble it sideways, longways and vertically to pack it in the backseat. It seems heavy-duty, solid and long-lasting—perfect for those who want to ensure there’s always ice on hand at the campsite.
Sizes available (qts.): 20, 26, 40, 58, 65, 80, 140 | Can capacity (for tested size): 87 | Features: Cargo net attachment on the backside with hook and loop straps | Wheels: No
Best for Camping
Engel 50 High-Performance Hard Cooler
Pros:
- Good drainage system
- 11 different sizes available
- Dry ice compatible
- Silicone gaskets
- 10-year warranty
Cons:
- Ropes have a bit too much slack
- Bottle opener is tricky
Seeking a solid cooler to hold your favorite camping meals? The Engel 50 High-Performance Hard Cooler is a camping cooler with marine-grade latches, silicone gaskets and dry ice compatibility, making it the perfect pick for a multi-day excursion.
“Although the Engel rope handles have a bit too much slack, they get some points back for boasting plastic grips with finger divots,” says Annamarie. Additional thoughtful details include the drain, which is positioned really low on the base of the cooler—a good sign! Along with Yeti, LL Bean and a few others, this cap can either unscrew partway and drain through holes in the drain’s screw thread or all the way to drain even faster.
The Engel cooler comes in 11 different sizes, with color choices ranging from neutral tones to vibrant turquoise or mango shades. A generous 10-year warranty means that this is a good option for those who plan to take this along with them as they trek through treacherous terrain.
An “emergency bottle opener” sits on the side. While we love the ingenuity, it is in a very tight spot that doesn’t afford you enough space or leverage to crack a bottle easily. Also, due to the opener’s nature, the cooler needs to be unlatched to access it, which makes it even trickier to use because the lid keeps lifting with your movements.
That said, it’s a relatively leakproof pick that takes ice retention and mobility into consideration, making it well worth the price. We recommend snagging this one on sale since there seems to be no shortage of markdowns on this particular model. Plus, each purchase comes with a ton of fun stickers to deck out your new cooler, which was a fun bonus.
Sizes available (qts.): 25, 35, 45, 50, 65, 80, 85, 123, 165, 240, 320 | Can capacity (for tested size): 84 | Features: Silicone gaskets, dry ice compatible, marine grade latches, lockable for bear resistance, twist-drain plug, accessories/accents sold separately | Wheels: No
Best Affordable
Lifetime 55-Quart High-Performance Cooler
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Bear-resistant
- Bottle opener
- Fits up to 91 cans
- Strong exterior shell
- Heavy-duty latches
Cons:
- Drains slowly
Cheap coolers don’t have to compete with the best hard coolers when they offer all the bells and whistles of their pricier cousins. The Lifetime 55 Quart High-Performance Cooler looks just as robust as it performs, with a durable stainless steel hinge, heavy-duty polyethylene construction and a pleasing pop of bright blue.
Heavy-duty latches connect to straps that keep the lid tightly shut, keeping your favorite non-alcoholic drinks ice cold. This, coupled with the bear-resistant build and strong exterior shell, makes it look and feel much more expensive than its sub-$200 price point. While the rope handles aren’t as impressive as Yeti’s, we do like that they’re easy to maneuver and don’t jut out too far from the cooler. This makes it much easier to fit through doors than those with plastic handles.
“Not many of these heavy-duty coolers carry a price tag below $200. But Lifetime does—and without compromising much of the quality. We were especially pleased with its latches, capacity and bottle opener,” says Annamarie.
That said, it’s not without its drawbacks. This one certainly drains slower compared to the others, and the flow of water came to a full stop very prematurely when there was still water in the base. Additionally, a full stream of droplets comes out of the back of the cooler when tilted.
However, given the low price point and its fairly impressive performance in the ice retention challenge, it’s definitely one of our favorites. It fits more cans than any other cooler, and its bottle opener and opening mechanism rock. At such a low price point, we can’t complain!
Sizes available (qts.): 5, 28, 48, 55, 65, 77, 115 | Can capacity (for tested size): 91 | Features: Bear-resistant, built-in bottle cap opener | Wheels: No
What to Look for When Buying a Cooler
According to the Test Kitchen Team, what to look for in a cooler varies depending on your needs. While ice retention goes without saying, that’s not the only thing to think about when shopping for the best coolers for your probiotic sodas and water bottles.
For Culinary Assistant Mark Neufang, portability and size are the next most important attributes. “I like coolers with wheels (great for those with bad backs, like me—I can just pull it around) and some roominess,” he says. “Nothing is more disappointing than a cooler that looks like it hauls a lot but is so thick-walled that there isn’t much room inside.”
Those who plan on taking the cooler camping or storing food inside should opt for a cooler that has a “dry shelf” for food or a separate compartment for ice.
“I’m in love with the Ninja cooler, which has a slide-out drawer. You can store food in the drawer and ice and beverages in the main cooler,” says Catherine Ward, Prep Kitchen Manager. “I also look for a retractable handle and a drain plug, so I don’t have to lift it to empty water.”
Another thing to consider is the ease of cleaning. While compartments and drawers are nice, they can sometimes make it difficult to remove buildup inside the cooler.
Why You Should Trust Us
The Product Testing Team has a combined decade of experience testing and evaluating products. We use fair and honest testing practices under controlled conditions for each test. Our team has thoroughly evaluated everything from food processors to ceramic cookware in our dedicated Testing Lab. We also put every product through a thorough testing process that ensures accurate, quality results.
How We Found the Best Coolers
In order to thoroughly evaluate the performance of each cooler, the team looked at features, performance, and value. Over the course of a week, the Product Testing Team:
- Tested 12 coolers and performed roughly 10 tests on each
- Collected more than 420 data points
- Spent an estimated 40 hours on this test, including researching, sourcing, intaking and testing the products
For the tests, we looked at ice retention, weight, leakage, drainage, capacity, insulation, maneuverability and accessories.
Ice Retention
Probably the most important consideration when shopping for a cooler is how long it holds ice before it melts. For the coolers’ principal test, the ice retention test, we filled all coolers with five pounds of “sacrificial ice” to lower the cooler’s internal temperature before adding the rest of the ice. Most manufacturers recommended some version of this practice. We allowed the sacrificial ice to sit for around 3.5 hours. After 3.5 hours, we added 15 additional pounds of ice to the cooler, marking the actual start of the ice retention test.
We taped thermometers to the inside of each cooler and tracked ambient temperature/percentages of remaining ice after 24 hours, 72 hours, and 96 hours. We kept the coolers outdoors in a van during the year’s hottest week(end). Temperatures maxed out around 95 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning the temperature inside the van was well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
This was a pretty intense stress test, so we weren’t necessarily surprised to see that 75 percent of the coolers’ ice was melted by the fourth day.
Weight
Testers weigh the empty cooler, noting the ease with which they can lift it.
Leakproof Capabilities/Drainage
Testers assess the ease of draining each cooler, paying special attention to the placement and size of the spout. Testers fill the base of each cooler with water and turn it upside-down, on its side, etc., to gauge how leakproof both the lid and spout are.
Capacity
Testers referred to the manufacturer’s claims about the number of cans that can fit in the cooler without ice. We then tested it with cans of our own.
Insulation
Testers placed ice in a cooler and let it sit. They checked every other day for five days to assess the model’s insulation. All coolers begin with five pounds of “sacrificial ice” to lower the cooler’s internal temperature before adding the rest of the ice. Most manufacturers recommended some version of this practice. We allowed the sacrificial ice to sit for around 3.5 hours. After 3.5 hours, we added 15 additional pounds of ice to the cooler for the true ice retention test.
We tracked ambient temperature and percentages of remaining ice after 24 hours, 72 hours and 96 hours. Testers kept them outdoors in a van during the hottest weekend of the year. Outdoor temperatures maxed out around 95 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning the temperature inside the van was well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This was a pretty intense stress test.
Maneuverability
Testers evaluate the ergonomics of handles and latches. They assess whether one person can carry the filled cooler based on weight, placement of handles, width of cooler, etc. They also evaluate whether the cooler fits in the trunk of a sedan.
We attempted to place these coolers in the trunk of a 2010 Dodge Avenger, which was roughly 18″ x 40″.
Accessories
Testers roll wheeled coolers over various floor types, including cobblestones, grass, and concrete (where applicable). They then test any features/accessories (e.g., bottle openers, cupholders, dry compartments, locks, etc.) to gauge value and efficacy.
We Also Tested
- Pelican 50QT Elite Cooler: While the Pelican performed well, it didn’t offer many advantages over the options we included in the list. However, it boasts an awesome warranty, heavy-duty construction and solid performance on the ice retention test. This is a solid runner-up—and well worth the price.
- Titan by Arctic Zone 55Q High-Performance Hard Cooler: The Titan offers fine performance. However, as far as we can tell, Arctic Zone discontinued this model soon after we purchased it. The only place we can find the model in our possession is Walmart’s website.
- L.L.Bean Base Camp Cooler, 45-Quart: This is a super solid cooler, though we wish the straps were slightly more substantial. LL Bean clearly put in the work to make an effective, attractive cooler. This cooler performed well in the leak and ice retention tests. However, the constant vacuum seal is a real pain, so we simply must dock points for that.
- RTIC 52-Quart Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler: We’re pretty disappointed by this cooler’s ice retention performance. The ice was fully melted within 72 hours, and it was the second cooler to reach this negative benchmark. It is at a lower price point than most (by a small margin). But you’d be better off paying a little more for a “cooler” cooler.
- Igloo BMX 52-Quart Cooler: This is the second cheapest option on the list, and you can tell for the most part. It performed below average for the ice retention test, and its features are a bit gimmicky. While we find it an OK value, you get what you pay for.
- Coleman 316 Series 52-Quart Hard Cooler: At a $50 price point, it’s exactly what you’d expect. All things considered, Coleman performed almost the same in the ice retention test as the RTIC, which cost $200 more. We found it a good value. However, paying a bit more means getting better performance with one of our other budget picks.
FAQ
What is the best brand of coolers?
According to our tests, the best cooler brands for your NA beers, camping food and sodas include Ninja, Yeti, Brutank, Orca, Engel and Lifetime. These options impressed us with their quality, construction, ice retention, insulation and value.
What cooler stays cold the longest?
According to our tests, the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler stays cold the longest and provides the best ice retention. After four days in a car well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, 20 percent of the ice still remained intact. That’s far and away the best performance out of all the brands we tried! Snag this one if you want to keep your hop waters cool in some of the hottest weather.
Is there a cooler better than Yeti?
According to our tests, the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler outperforms the competition when it comes to ice retention. After four days in well over However, some other options provide additional features at a lower price. The best cooler depends on your needs, budget and lifestyle.
Is RTIC as good as Yeti?
According to our tests, there’s no contest: The Yeti cooler holds ice for hours longer than the RTIC cooler.
Originally Published: May 19, 2023
