Best Cooler

Newsweek

24-04-2025

Vote for the best cooler!
25 Qt Bison Cooler
Photo courtesy of SeizaVisuals/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of SeizaVisuals/iStock by Getty Images
Family-owned Bison Coolers has perfected the art of keeping stuff cold with its 25-quart hard cooler. Made in Texas, the coolers come with a lifetime warranty, so while it's unlikely that you'll damage one (they're sturdy enough to be certified bear proof!), you can always get it replaced. Two-inch-thick insulated walls keep its contents icy, and multiple color options let you chill in style.
Bass Pro Shops Polar Cap Large Cooler
Photo courtesy of Bass Pro Shops
Photo courtesy of Bass Pro Shops
Packing for your next camping trip? You can fit plenty inside the 50-quart Bass Pro Shops Polar Cap Large Cooler. It'll keep your food and drinks ice-cold thanks to a freezer-grade gasket. This hard cooler makes your most rugged adventures a little easier: it has a fast-latch closure you can open with one hand and rubber feet to keep it rock solid even on the bumpiest ATV rides.
Bote Kula 5 Magnepod
Photo courtesy of Bote
Photo courtesy of Bote
If you love paddleboarding, fishing or anything that gets you on the water, Bote's Kula 5 Magnepod 5-gallon bucket cooler is for you. Besides keeping drinks cold all day, this cooler doubles as a seat, a bait container, tackle storage—anything you need to achieve the perfect lake life. And you'll appreciate the magnet on the lid to keep your metal travel mug steady on the waves.
Calpak Insulated 17L Soft-Sided Cooler
Photo courtesy of zamrznutitonovi/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of zamrznutitonovi/iStock by Getty Images
Your pool day just got a little cooler with the 17-liter insulated soft cooler from Calpak. Blending California style and go-anywhere function, this water-resistant bag expands to fit extra water bottles and looks cute doing it. A removable crossbody strap and exterior pockets keep your hands free for carrying beach towels, and a fold-flat design lets you stow it neatly between trips.
Canyon Coolers PRO 65 Quart Cooler
Photo courtesy of Wavebreakmedia/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of Wavebreakmedia/iStock by Getty Images
Designed in 2011 to withstand Arizona's deserts, Canyon Coolers help you keep your cool in any climate. The company's popular 65-quart Pro hard cooler, lined with eco-friendly insulation, keeps drinks cold for multiple days. Every camper knows that coolers double as tables, and Canyon Coolers goes an extra step with a divider that converts into a cutting table. Bears get your cooler? Don't worry; it has a lifetime warranty.
Coleman 50-Quart Xtreme 5-Day Hard Cooler with Wheels
Photo courtesy of Coleman
Photo courtesy of Coleman
You probably know Coleman as a top brand for affordable camping gear, and the Xtreme 50-quart hard cooler lives up to the company's trusted reputation, keeping your veggies, hot dogs and sodas chilled for up to five days. You won't break a sweat trying to carry it thanks to heavy-duty wheels and a telescoping handle. If you do need a breather, the lid with built-in cupholders works as a seat.
Engel 35 High Performance Hard Cooler
Photo courtesy of Engel
Photo courtesy of Engel
If you're prepping for a weeklong hunting or fishing wilderness trip, make sure your plans include an Engel, the original molded hard-shell cooler that's been keeping it chill since 1962. The 35-quart High Performance cooler can stand up to the toughest conditions, including hungry bears. You can keep your fresh catch cold and ice frozen for up to 10 days thanks to silicone gaskets and 2-inch-thick insulation.
Grizzly 60
Photo courtesy of ranplett/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of ranplett/iStock by Getty Images
The only thing you'll have to worry about with the Grizzly 60-quart hard cooler is which of the 14 fun colors to choose. Its durable design means you'll never deal with dents or leaks during your rafting adventure or deep-sea fishing voyage. And there's a ruler on top to measure your catch. If the wild outdoors get a little too wild, Grizzly has your back with a lifetime warranty.
IceMule Pro Large 23L
Photo courtesy of ChiccoDodiFC/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of ChiccoDodiFC/iStock by Getty Images
What began as an idea during a hot hike in Virginia has become a cool reality: the 23-liter IceMule Pro Large acts as both a soft cooler and backpack that's perfect for chilling your water and stowing your trail gear. The outside is waterproof, so rain and whitewater are no problem for this lightweight yet rugged bag. And if it falls out of your kayak, it floats!
Igloo Trailmate Journey 70 Qt Cooler
Photo courtesy of fotostorm/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of fotostorm/iStock by Getty Images
Igloo has been making some of America's most-loved coolers for 75 years (there's even one at the Smithsonian!), so it's no wonder that the 70-quart Trailmate Journey is known as the "Swiss Army knife of coolers." All-terrain wheels, bottle openers, umbrella holders, a flip-out serving tray: this hard cooler is like your own personal butler. And it'll keep your snacks and drinks cold for several days.
Laka 30
Photo courtesy of Laka
Photo courtesy of Laka
Your boat called; it wants a Laka 30 rolling hard cooler. Non-slip feet and cupholders keep the cooler—and anything on top of it—stable on the water. Your drinks and bait can stay ice cold for 10 days because of its thick walls and airtight gasket. And its telescoping handle lets you roll along the dock. The best part? A built-in bottle opener for toasting a picture-perfect day on the lake.
ORCA 40 Quart Cooler
Photo courtesy of SeizaVisuals/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of SeizaVisuals/iStock by Getty Images
The Outdoor Recreation Company of America (ORCA) invites you to fill its 40-quart hard cooler with ice and watch how long it takes to melt; you'll be waiting for eight days! Its heavy-duty design lets you carry the party wherever you want, from beaches in the summer to deer stands in the winter. To stow your smartphone while you set up camp, just pop it in the exterior cargo net.
Permasteel 80-Quart Antique Patio Cooler
Photo courtesy of Permasteel
Photo courtesy of Permasteel
Get your deck ready for summer barbecues with Permasteel's Antique Patio Cooler, an 80-quart style maker that blends the look of a vintage wood cooler cart with modern powder-coated steel. You can please everyone in your thirsty crowd with its 50-bottle capacity and built-in bottle opener with a cap catcher. Serve drinks on the go with the cooler's swivel wheels, and keep extra party supplies handy on its bottom shelf.
RTIC 52 Qt Ultra-Light Cooler
Photo courtesy of RTIC
Photo courtesy of RTIC
Three inches of foam insulation, freezer-style seals that lock in cold for a week and a construction 30% lighter than most coolers its size: the RTIC 52 Qt Ultra-Light could be your new go-to for lake days and getaways. It comes with marine-grade handles, a traction lid and slots to secure it on your boat, all for a price that won't send you overboard. RTIC can even monogram your cooler!
Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler
Photo courtesy of fotostorm/iStock by Getty Images
Photo courtesy of fotostorm/iStock by Getty Images
When Yeti says its products are "built for the wild," it means every word; the 48-quart Roadie hard cooler is virtually indestructible. Big, puncture-resistant wheels and a telescoping handle let you traverse any terrain in comfort, and the cooler's height is perfect for chilling wine and 2-liter bottles. And its legendary insulating power will keep your food cold for days so you can spend more time in the backcountry.
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Our Featured Panelists
Amy Piper is a freelance travel writer, blogger, photographer and author specializing in luxury and multigenerational travel. She is a native Michigander who travels through the lens of a food lover and has been to 45 states and 41 countries around the world. From getting chased by bomb-sniffing dogs in the middle of the night in Bogotá to being boarding on her plane from Buenos Aires to Paraguay due to the wrong visa, Amy always has an exciting adventure to tell her readers and community of travel enthusiasts. Learn more at followthepiper.com.
Linnea Bailey is an award-winning journalist specializing in travel and tourism. Her freelance work can be found in Southern Living, The Palm Beach Post, Florida Weekly, Modern Luxury, art&culture magazine, The Palm Beaches Blog and more. A former newspaper reporter, she now owns a communications company in West Palm Beach. Linnea is an active member of The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the North American Travel Journalists Association, the International Travel Writers Alliance, The Family Travel Association and The Adventure Travel Trade Association. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida's journalism school. Learn more about her travels at www.linneabailey.com.
Margot Black is a passionate outdoor travel writer whose love for the natural world is contagious. With decades of experience exploring the great outdoors, she is a respected expert in the field of adventure travel. Margot strongly believes in the transformative power of nature and works tirelessly to encourage families to spend more time outdoors together. Her travel writing blends in-depth research with a personal touch, providing readers with an escape to the world's most breathtaking landscapes. Margot's warm, capable and fun-loving demeanor inspires her readers to embark on their own adventures and create memories that will last a lifetime. Read more about her adventures at blackinktravelwriting.com.
Mike Shubic is a seasoned road trip travel video blogger, traversing the byways of the world looking for those hidden gems of the road. From unique destinations, unexpected discoveries, creative cuisine, intriguing inns to exciting attractions…the road is his page. The experiences are his ink. And every 300 miles, a new chapter begins. Whether you live vicariously or by example, Mike will do the exploring so you can have an adventure. Learn more at MikesRoadTrip.com.
Joelle Machia is a travel writer, photographer and co-owner of the Wanderers Compass Travel Blog. With a mission to inspire wanderlust, Joelle encourages readers to explore the world through authentic, independent travel. The blog offers a mix of storytelling, destination insights, off-the-beaten-path finds, photography and practical travel tips. Joelle aims to help readers turn their travel dreams into a beautiful reality. She is a proud member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), and the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA).
Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.