CommentLoader-

Save StorySave this story

CommentLoader-

Save StorySave this story

We've been hunting down the best coolers for years. Whether you're heading out for an evening picnic, a weekend adventure, or a weeklong overlanding trip, you need to chill—your food and drinks, that is. There's a wealth of options these days, from little soft-sided coolers perfect for a day trip to heavy-duty, high-performance wheeled coolers with ice retention times that seem to defy the sun—like our top pick, the Yeti Tundra Haul.

Cooler manufacturers aren't necessarily lying about how long ice will last in their coolers, but they are testing under ideal conditions that are never going to exist in the real world. We've been testing coolers for more than four years now, and we've stored them under the sun, in bike trailers, and in cars, all while trying to keep food and drinks cool and edible. Below, you'll find our top picks for each category, as well as a few alternatives, plus general buying tips if none of these capture your fancy.

For your other outdoor needs, be sure to check out our other buying guides, like the Best Portable Grills, Best Camping Gear, Best Camp Cookware, Best Tents, and the Best Binoculars.

Updated April 2026: We've added new coolers from Dometic and Rovr, reformatted this guide, removed a few older picks, and ensured accuracy throughout. Next, we'll be testing additional coolers from Rovr, Yeti, Coleman, and Solo Stove.

Table of Contents

AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

- Best Cooler for Most People

- Best Yeti Dupe

- Best Affordable Cooler

- Best Backpack Cooler

- Best Cooler for Camp Chefs

- Best Cooler for Using Less Ice

- Best Cooler Tote

- Best Cooler for Large Parties

- Best Electric Refrigerator/Freezer

- Best Stackable Coolers

- Best Electric Cooler With Ice Maker

- Best Cooler With Speakers

- Best Cooler for Picnics

- Compare Our Top 13 Coolers

- More Coolers We Tested

- What Do I Look for in a Cooler?

- How Do I Efficiently Use My Cooler?

- How Does WIRED Test Coolers?

The Best Coolers

Best Cooler for Most People

Courtesy of Yeti

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Yeti

Tundra Haul

$450 Amazon

$450 Dick's Sporting Goods

$450 Yeti

From barbecues to beaches, this hard cooler has become ubiquitous, and for good reason. It's expensive and heavy, but Yeti's rotomolded Tundra Haul is built like a tank with 3-inch-thick insulated walls, a heavy aluminum arm, and puncture-proof, one-piece wheels. When it's full, you'll need two people to lift it into the trunk of a (very big) car. The Haul kept ice frozen for six days in blazing 90-degree heat while stored in direct sunlight on my colleague Adrienne's deck. I've managed to get five days out of it in the insane humidity of Florida in the spring. If you can afford it, a Yeti hard-sided cooler is the best cooler around. —Scott Gilbertson

Capacity82 cans or 64 pounds of ice (55 quarts)Weight37 poundsDimensions18.63" D x 28.25" W x 19.5" HAvailable Colors5 (plus more limited-edition)Molding TypeRotomoldedAdditional FeaturesWheels, handle, drain plug, tie-down slots, replaceable parts. Bear-resistant (and bear-proof with the right locks)Warranty5 yearsIce Melt TestTBDCoors Light TestTBD

Best Yeti Dupe

Photograph: Martin Cizmar

Courtesy of Amazon

Chevron

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

RTIC

Ultra-Tough Cooler

$240 Amazon

RTIC is known as the slightly cheaper competitor to Yeti, offering basically the same rotomolded performance at a significant savings—it depends on the product and size, but they're typically 20 to 40 percent cheaper. I've actually come to prefer this 45-quart cooler over my old Yeti 65. First, it's the right size. A Yeti 45 is 34 quarts, which is a little small for a weeklong trip with four people, whereas the RTIC 45 is a true 45 quarts, with enough room for a gallon of milk, a case of beer, and a little fruit.

This model weighs 30 pounds empty, thanks to its closed-cell foam core, but the padded handles make it easy enough to carry even when loaded. It will still fit comfortably in a sedan, whereas if you jump up to the Yeti 65, it won't. Second, I've had no problems with a leaky drain plug on the RTIC one, whereas I eventually gave up on the Yeti cooler and used J-B Weld silicone sealant to stop the drip. The Vader-esque black is perhaps not the most efficient color for a cooler, but it resists stains. I've had no issues with ice retention. —Martin Cizmar

Capacity60 cans (45 quarts)Weight30 poundsDimensions18.19" D x 26.35" W x 15.75" HAvailable Colors6Molding TypeRotomoldedAdditional FeaturesHandles, latches, drain plug, bottle openerWarranty5 yearsIce Melt TestTBDCoors Light TestTBD

Best Affordable Cooler

Courtesy of Igloo

Save to wishlistSave to wishlist

Igloo

Wheelie Cooler

$31 Walmart

$30 Target

I have had a version of this basic Igloo ice chest for

13 Best Coolers for Sunshine and Nighttime (2026) | WIRED