Whether you’re packing for a beach day, loading up the car for a road trip or stocking up on groceries, a good cooler can make all the difference. The problem? Not all coolers are created equally. Some struggle to keep ice frozen for more than a few hours, while others are so bulky or heavy that they’re more of a hassle to carry than they’re worth.
To find the best of the best, I tested 11 portable coolers across a variety of real-world scenarios — from grocery runs and afternoon picnics to beach days, boat outings, camping trips and even a 10-day California road trip. I evaluated each cooler on a scale of 1-5 (1 being the worst, 5 being the best) in the following categories:
- Insulation: How long does it keep food and drinks cold?
- Portability: How easy is it to carry or transport?
- Ease of cleaning: Can I just use a wipe and/or soap and water to clean it?
I also talked to two experts to better understand what separates a great cooler from an average one. After weeks of testing, a few clear standouts emerged. Whether you’re looking for the best cooler overall, a backpack cooler for hands-free adventures or an insulated tote for everyday errands, these are the coolers we’d recommend reaching for first.
Best backpack cooler$undefined$325.00
What should I look for when buying a cooler?
After testing nearly a dozen coolers, I found that portability matters just as much as insulation. A cooler that keeps ice for days won’t do you much good if it’s too heavy or awkward to carry where you need it. Instead, look for the right balance of capacity, ice retention and portability based on how you actually plan to use it.
“Picking the right cooler comes down to balancing three things: how many people you’re feeding (capacity), how long you need to keep ice frozen (ice retention) and how far you need to carry it (size and weight),” says Sal Vaglica, who has been reviewing, writing and testing gear for more than 20 years.
According to Vaglica, comfort should be a top priority — especially with soft-sided coolers. Look for wide, padded carrying straps, a well-balanced design and an opening that stays open while you’re packing or unloading. If you’ll be traveling with the cooler when it’s empty, a collapsible design can also make it much easier to pack and store.
“Think about it like buying a backpack: comfort matters when it is fully loaded,” Vaglica advises.
Best overall portable cooler
Insulation: 5/5 | Portability: 4.5/5 | Ease of cleaning: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4.83/5
What to know: If I could only own one cooler, this would be it. The RTIC 22-Quart Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler offers the best balance of insulation, portability, storage and value out of every cooler I tested. It became my go-to companion on a 10-day California road trip and performed just as well at the beach as it did at campsites and roadside picnic stops. I was also genuinely surprised by how much this cooler held. Despite its fairly compact 28-can capacity, it easily fit enough food and drinks (plus several pounds of ice) for my husband and I during our road trip. The exterior compartments were also incredibly handy for keeping napkins and other small snacks organized.
Insulation: This cooler impressed me more than any other I tested. Even during warm summer days, it consistently kept our food and drinks cold for 25 hours or longer before needing fresh ice. Whether we were driving between destinations, spending the day at the beach or staying at a glamping site, I never worried about anything inside warming up.
Portability: On paper, this cooler weighs about the same as the Stanley Lifted Spirits Cooler, but thanks to the wheels and telescoping handle, it feels light as a feather to pull. Even when fully loaded with food, drinks and ice, I found it incredibly easy to maneuver through campgrounds, parking lots and up dirt hills. By comparison, the Stanley relies solely on two side handles, which lowered its portability rating. The only place the RTIC struggled a bit was deep sand — which is true of just about any wheeled cooler.
Ease of cleaning: Cleanup couldn’t have been easier. The smooth interior wiped clean in seconds, and the drain plug made emptying melted ice quick and mess-free. After 10 days of daily use, it still looked almost brand new.
More coolers, tested by the author
Best backpack cooler:
Insulation: 4.5/5 | Portability: 4.5/5 | Ease of cleaning: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.5/5
What to know: If you prefer to keep your hands free, the Yeti Hopper M20 is worth the investment. I’ve used mine for years on beach trips, boat days, island excursions and even as a carry-on for a trip to Hawaii so I had a reliable cooler throughout the vacation. It’s comfortable to wear, exceptionally durable and one of the most versatile coolers I’ve tested. Plus, the M20 holds an impressive amount considering it’s worn like a backpack. I was able to pack drinks, snacks and plenty of ice without feeling like I was sacrificing storage space, making it ideal for full-day outings.
Insulation: The insulation consistently kept food and drinks cold throughout long beach days and boat excursions. While I wouldn’t expect multi-day ice retention like a premium hard cooler, I never found myself wishing it performed better during typical day trips.
Portability: The backpack design is a game changer, especially for beach days, boat trips and travel. Keeping both hands free makes it much easier to carry the rest of your gear. Just be warned — once it’s fully loaded with drinks, ice and snacks, it gets heavy. The padded shoulder straps help, but you’ll definitely notice the extra weight.
Ease of cleaning: The waterproof interior wipes clean easily after use, and I appreciated that spills and melted ice never soaked through the exterior. The wide opening also makes it easy to reach inside, though the magnetic closure and buckles require a little more attention than a traditional zippered cooler.
Most durable soft cooler:
Insulation: 4/5 | Portability: 5/5 | Ease of cleaning: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.5/5
What to know: If you need a smaller cooler that can handle years of beach trips, boat days, camping weekends and picnics, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is hard to beat. Its puncture-resistant shell, leakproof construction and rugged design are built to withstand serious wear and tear while remaining comfortable enough to carry all day. The Hopper Flip 12 comfortably fits enough food, drinks and ice for one or two people on a full-day outing. While it doesn’t maximize every inch of space due to its structured design, it never felt cramped for its intended use.
Insulation: This soft-sided cooler kept drinks and snacks cold throughout a full day outside. While some hard-sided coolers retained ice longer in my testing, I found the insulation more than sufficient for most day trips.
Portability: The compact shape and padded shoulder strap make this one of the easiest premium coolers to carry. Whether I was walking across the beach, loading it into the car or bringing it onto a boat, it never felt bulky or awkward. It definitely gets a little heavy if it’s filled with beverages but it’s very manageable compared to others I’ve tested.
Ease of cleaning: The waterproof liner wiped clean with minimal effort, even after ice melted and food spilled inside. The only reason it didn’t earn a perfect score is because the heavy-duty zipper can collect sand or debris which occasionally requires a little extra maintenance to keep operating smoothly.
Best cooler for commuters:
Insulation: 3.5/5 | Portability: 5/5 | Ease of cleaning: 4/5 | Overall average score: 4.17/5
What to know: Designed for everyday use, the Hydro Flask Carryout Soft Cooler Tote is an excellent option for bringing lunch to the office, packing drinks for a small picnic or carrying snacks on a day trip. It’s lightweight, comfortable to carry and surprisingly spacious, though its insulation is better suited for day use than overnight cooling. It comfortably fits its advertised capacity without feeling overstuffed.
Insulation: The insulation kept food and drinks cold for a few hours so if you’re looking for multi-day ice retention or an overnight camping cooler, this may not be the cooler for you.
Portability: This is where Hydro Flask really excels. The padded shoulder straps, lightweight construction and tote-style design make it one of the easiest coolers to carry. Unlike bulkier hard coolers, it’s something I’d happily bring to work, on a picnic or for happy hour on the beach.
Ease of cleaning: The interior wipes clean easily after spills and the leak-resistant liner made cleanup straightforward. I deducted a point because, unlike some insulated lunch bags, it isn’t machine-washable.
Best cooler for grocery shopping:
Insulation: 3.5/5 | Portability: 4.5/5 | Ease of cleaning: 4.5/5 | Overall average score: 4.17/5
What to know: The Titan Insulated Tote is a lightweight cooler that’s ideal for things like grocery runs and shorter beach outings. It offers plenty of space and is easy to carry, though its insulation is best suited for a few hours rather than all-day adventures. I had no trouble fitting frozen foods, refrigerated items and pantry staples inside. It also accommodated plenty of drinks and snacks for a quick beach trip. It even folds flat for storage, making it just as convenient to put away as it is to carry.
Insulation: In my testing, the insulation kept ice for roughly three hours. It’s enough time to keep perishables cold on the way home or enjoy a few hours at the beach, but if you need reliable all-day ice retention, you’ll want a more heavily insulated cooler.
Portability: This is easily one of this cooler’s biggest strengths. The lightweight design, comfortable shoulder straps and flexible construction make it far easier to carry than a traditional hard cooler. Whether you’re unloading groceries or walking from the parking lot to the beach, it feels effortless to transport.
Ease of cleaning: The leak-resistant interior wiped clean easily after use, even after carrying groceries and melting ice.
Best cooler for entertaining:
Insulation: 4.5/5 | Portability: 2.5/5 | Ease of cleaning: 5/5 | Overall average score: 4/5
What to know: This cooler is equal parts functional and stylish. Whether you’re hosting by the pool, spending the afternoon on the boat or setting out drinks on the patio, it keeps beverages cold while doubling as a statement piece. Just keep in mind that at nearly 17 pounds empty, it’s better suited for destinations you can drive or dock up to as opposed to long treks across the beach. It easily handled drinks and snacks for a small gathering of five to six people, and I especially appreciated that it accommodates wine bottles upright — something many coolers can’t do. It’s clearly designed with entertainment in mind!
Insulation: Ice held up well during full afternoons outside, keeping drinks cold throughout pool days and happy hours. While it won’t outperform premium rotomolded coolers on multi-day ice retention, it offers more than enough insulation for backyard gatherings, boat days and weekend entertaining.
Portability: This is where the tradeoff comes in. At almost 17 pounds before adding ice or drinks, it’s not the cooler I’d want to haul across soft sand or carry a long distance to the beach, even with the included shoulder strap. It’s certainly portable enough to move from the house to the patio, dock or boat, but it really shines when it can stay put and serve as the centerpiece of your setup.
Ease of cleaning: The steel interior wipes clean easily and the built-in drain plug makes emptying melted ice quick and mess-free after a day of entertaining.
Frequently asked questions
According to Corban Warrington, co-founder and head of product development at Fieldbar, high-density closed-cell foam provides better insulation because its sealed gas pockets help block heat transfer. Hard-sided coolers also tend to outperform soft-sided options in ice retention because their rigid shells and airtight seals do a better job of trapping cold air.
“A cooler’s exterior and insulation materials have the greatest impact on its thermal performance,” Warrington says.
“One of the biggest mistakes is focusing on capacity without considering weight or internal dimensions,” Warrington tells us.
He recommends thinking about how much the cooler will weigh once it’s packed with food, drinks and ice, as well as whether it can actually fit the items you plan to bring.
He also recommends looking for durable hardware and replaceable components, which can significantly extend a cooler’s lifespan.
How we tested portable coolers
Rather than relying solely on manufacturer specifications, I focused on how each cooler performed in everyday situations, whether that meant keeping groceries cold on the drive home, surviving a full day at the beach, rolling through a campground or preserving food and drinks during a 10-day California road trip.
While most of the coolers were tested over a three-week period, some — the Yeti Hopper M20 Backpack Cooler and Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler — have been part of my personal gear collection for years, giving me the opportunity to assess their long-term durability and performance over dozens of outings.
Why trust Shop TODAY?
Camryn LaSala is a former Shop TODAY editor and current contributor. She has over eight years of experience as a writer and editor helping readers discover the best products online from travel and beauty to fashion, home goods, gift guides and kitchen must-haves. She has previously tested and written about Turkish towels for our Ranked series.
Meet the experts
- Corban Warrington is the co-founder and head of product development at Fieldbar, a Cape Town, South Africa-based company that makes premium coolers and accessories.
- Sal Vaglica has been testing, reviewing and writing about outdoor gear for more than two decades with bylines in “The New York Times,” “Men’s Journal,” “The Strategist” and more.
