Coolers: A Complete Buying Guide

On this page (10 sections)

1. Which type of cooler fits your plans?
2. How much cooler capacity do you need?
3. What insulation and construction should you compare?
4. Which cooler features make day-to-day use easier?
5. How should you choose a cooler brand?
6. Which cooler should you choose for fishing, groceries or drinks?
7. How can you help a cooler keep ice longer?
8. What should you check before buying a cooler?
9. Explore coolers by topic
10. How do you pick the best cooler on the market for your needs?

The best cooler on the market is the one that suits what you pack, how long it needs to stay cold and how you will carry it. Choose a hard-sided cooler for a sturdy shell, a soft cooler for lighter daily trips, or a powered model when you have a reliable electrical source.

Start by estimating your largest usual load: drinks for a day out, groceries for the drive home, or food for a multi-day trip. Then compare size, insulation, handles, wheels and drainage with that use in mind.

This guide covers cooler types, capacity, insulation and practical features so you can narrow the choices before you buy. For a specific shortlist, start with best coolers on the market for keeping ice.

Which type of cooler fits your plans?

The right cooler type depends on what you carry and how you move it. Hard coolers suit many outdoor and group uses, soft coolers work well for portable daily loads, and powered coolers need an appropriate power source.

Hard coolers vary widely. A rotomolded ice chest has a molded shell, while other hard coolers may use different materials and construction.

If a smaller rugged chest is your priority, see our guide to best small rotomolded coolers.

Soft coolers are bags with insulated walls, often with a zipper closure and carry handles or a shoulder strap. For an RTIC zipper that sticks, see RTIC zipper lubrication tips.

If the zipper is damaged, see RTIC cooler zipper replacement. They are easier to carry when empty than a rigid chest, but you should check their compartments and dimensions against your lunch containers or bottles.

Powered coolers are a separate category from ice chests. The phrase can also refer to appliances designed for wine or beverages, so make sure the type matches your intended use before comparing models.

For wine storage, compare wine cooler refrigerators.

What are the best cooler types on the market for daily use?

For everyday errands, lunches and short outings, a compact soft cooler or small hard cooler is usually the easiest place to start. Match its shape to your containers and the space available in your car or bag.

A soft lunch cooler can separate a drink from food or organize a packed meal into compartments. The Carhartt Camping Cooler has two compartments and measures 10 x 9 x 7 in, making it a relevant example for work or day trips.

For a personal hard cooler, compare the outer measurements and empty weight with your carrying needs. A compact chest can still feel heavy once it holds food and ice.

How much cooler capacity do you need?

Choose cooler capacity by the food, drinks and ice you need to carry together. A quart figure is a useful comparison, but the shape of your containers and the room taken up by ice affect what fits.

Think in terms of a real load. Count cans, bottles, meal containers or groceries, then check whether they fit without blocking the lid or making items difficult to reach.

The products below show different size and use patterns. Their capacities are not directly interchangeable: the YETI Tundra 45 is a 45-quart hard cooler, the Tundra 35 is described as holding up to 20 cans with a recommended 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio, the Coleman rolling cooler is 50 quarts, and the Carhartt is an 8-liter lunch cooler.

Is a 35- to 50-quart cooler enough for a trip?

A cooler in this range can suit a small group or a planned day trip, depending on what you pack. The 45-quart YETI Tundra 45 has a stated capacity of up to 26 cans with a recommended 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio.

The YETI Tundra 35 is a smaller hard-cooler option that is described as portable enough for one person to haul. Its stated carrying capacity is up to 20 cans with a recommended 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio.

Those can counts are tied to the recommended ice-to-contents ratio, so they are not the same as a cooler packed only with cans. If the cooler will carry groceries, containers or fishing gear, plan around those items instead.

See the best 50 quart cooler options for a focused comparison.

When is a large wheeled cooler worth choosing?

A large wheeled cooler is useful when you have a bulky load and a route where rolling is easier than carrying. For a hard-sided option, read our YETI Tundra Haul review.

The Coleman Xtreme Rolling Cooler has a 50-quart capacity, wheels and a retractable telescoping handle.

Coleman says its double-wall insulated lid and body help keep ice frozen for up to 5 days in temperatures as high as 90°F. It is also described with all-terrain wheels for sand, gravel and grass, though surface conditions and load can affect how easy it is to pull.

Compare the cooler's outside dimensions with your vehicle, storage area and path to the picnic spot. For more options, see best large coolers with wheels.

What insulation and construction should you compare?

Compare insulation, lid fit and shell construction together, since no single material label tells you how a cooler will perform in every situation. Look for clear details about the design, then consider your trip length, weather and how often you will open it.

The YETI Tundra models use rotomolded construction and up to 3 in of PermaFrost insulation, with an extra-thick FatWall design. YETI describes that design as bear-resistant.

These are maker descriptions, not a guarantee of ice life under every packing or weather condition.

A tight lid and gasket can help limit warm air entering when the cooler is closed. Repeated openings, direct sun, warm contents and loose packing can all change how long ice lasts.

Coleman describes its Xtreme cooler's double-wall insulated lid and body as helping keep ice frozen for up to 5 days in temperatures as high as 90°F. Treat that as a stated condition to compare, not a promise for every trip.

Look at the insulation material and thickness where available, but do not assume two coolers with similar labels will perform the same. Design, lid seal and use all matter.

Read our best stainless steel ice cooler guide if a metal cooler is on your shortlist.

Which cooler features make day-to-day use easier?

The most useful cooler features are those that reduce carrying effort, simplify drainage or make contents easier to organize. Decide which of these would help your routine before paying for extra size or hardware.

• Handles: Rope, molded or side handles affect how two people or one person can lift the cooler.
• Wheels: Wheels and a pull handle help move a heavier cooler across a suitable surface.
• Drain: A drain lets meltwater out without tipping a full cooler.
• Basket: A dry goods basket can keep items above ice and easier to reach.
• Compartments: Separate spaces help organize lunches, snacks or drinks.
• Lid strength: A seat-support claim applies only to the stated load and use instructions.

The YETI Tundra 45 and Tundra 35 include one dry goods basket. Both have T-Rex Lid Latches made from heavy-duty rubber, according to YETI's product description.

The Coleman rolling cooler has a built-in drain and a lid described as supporting up to 250 lb. Follow its use guidance and do not treat a seat rating as a reason to overload or stand on the lid.

If your choice is between a larger chest and a lighter soft cooler, think about the whole trip from loading to storage. A cooler you can move and clean comfortably may be more useful than added capacity you rarely need.

Compare best soft sided coolers for portable options.

How should you choose a cooler brand?

Choose a brand by the features, size and support details that matter for your use, rather than relying on a brand name alone. Compare similar cooler types and check the construction, parts and care guidance.

Brand ranges can include different materials, sizes and price tiers. A brand that makes a premium rotomolded chest may also sell simpler coolers, so compare model by model.

Look at the exact construction and features you need: wheel design, drain placement, handles, basket, latches and insulation. If you care about where a cooler is made, confirm the claim for the particular model rather than assuming every item from the brand has the same origin.

Our guide to the best brand of cooler explains how to compare brands by these details. If country of manufacture matters to you, browse best coolers made in the USA.

Which cooler should you choose for fishing, groceries or drinks?

Choose a cooler around the items you carry and how you access them. Fishing, groceries and drinks can call for different shapes, openings and ways to manage water.

For groceries, a cooler should fit your bags or containers and sit securely in your vehicle. Keep chilled food cold during the trip and move it into refrigeration soon after arriving.

See our best cooler for groceries guide for shopping-focused options.

For fishing, consider whether you need room for drinks and food, a drain for meltwater, and a size that is practical to load and clean. A larger cooler can be useful for more gear, but check its empty weight and where it will ride.

Compare best coolers for fishing for models suited to that use.

For wine or canned drinks at home, a dedicated beverage or wine cooler is a different appliance category from a portable ice chest. Check the installation space and storage layout before buying.

Browse best wine coolers for home or best rated beverage coolers for those options.

How can you help a cooler keep ice longer?

To help a cooler retain cold, start with cold contents, keep it shaded when practical and limit how often you open the lid. Good habits work alongside insulation and a well-fitting lid.

Pre-chill the cooler when practical, then pack cold food and drinks. Add ice or cold packs based on the maker's guidance and the amount of space your contents occupy.

Keep frequently used drinks near the top so you do not need to search through the full load. Drain water when needed if your setup calls for it, and close the lid fully after each use.

Cold packs can be useful when you want less meltwater around food. Compare best cooler ice packs and check their shape against the cooler's interior.

For refillable options, see how to fill and freeze refillable ice packs for coolers.

What should you check before buying a cooler?

Before buying, confirm the cooler fits your load, route and storage space. Check outside dimensions, empty weight, opening clearance, carrying method, cleaning needs and the power requirements if it is an electric model.

Use this short checklist:

1. Estimate the load: Include food, drinks and ice or cold packs.
2. Measure the space: Check the vehicle, storage spot and path to where you will use it.
3. Compare empty weight: The cooler gets heavier once packed.
4. Check access: Make sure the lid or zipper can open fully where it will sit.
5. Review upkeep: Look for a drain, removable parts and clear cleaning instructions.
6. Confirm the use case: A beverage refrigerator, powered cooler and ice chest do different jobs.

For a hard cooler, check whether accessories or replacement parts are available for the model you are considering. You can compare YETI Tundra 35 cooler details and the YETI Tundra 45 cooler review when you are weighing those sizes.

If you are comparing a YETI hard cooler, see best YETI hard sided coolers and best YETI Tundra cooler accessories. For other brands, explore best Igloo hard sided coolers, best RTIC hard sided coolers and best Pelican Elite coolers.

You can also compare best Pelican cooler accessories and best Pelican cooler replacement parts if you already own a Pelican cooler. For a specific construction question, read are Lifetime coolers rotomolded.

Explore coolers by topic

• Best Large Coolers
• Best Lunch Coolers for Work
• Best Water Cooler Dispensers for Home
• Best Large Water Coolers with Spouts
• Best Small Plug In Coolers
• Walk In Freezer vs Walk In Cooler: Which Do You Need?
• Best Ice Coolers with Drain Plugs

How do you pick the best cooler on the market for your needs?

Pick the cooler that matches your load and transport first, then compare insulation and features. A soft cooler fits small portable loads, a hard chest suits many outdoor uses, and a wheeled model helps move a larger load.

Choose the YETI Tundra 35 if its smaller hard-cooler format suits your carrying needs. Consider the Tundra 45 for more capacity, the Coleman rolling cooler when wheels and a drain matter, or the Carhartt lunch cooler for separated work meals.

A useful cooler is one you can load, move, open and clean in the place you plan to use it. For a closer look at ice retention, continue to our guide to the best coolers for keeping ice.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose the best cooler on the market?

Start with what you will carry, how long it needs to stay cold, and how you will move it. Then compare usable capacity, insulation, empty weight, handles, wheels, drainage and cleaning.

A cooler that is easy to load and carry for your plans is often a better fit than a larger one with features you will not use.

Are hard coolers better than soft coolers?

Hard coolers give you a firm shell and are available in many sizes, from small personal models to large wheeled chests. Soft coolers are lighter and easier to carry or stow, but their capacity and structure differ.

Choose based on your load, transport and storage space.

What cooler size should I get?

Choose a size by the food and drinks you need to carry at the same time, with space for ice or cold packs. Think through your largest typical load, not just the number of people on the trip.

Check both outside dimensions and usable capacity before deciding where the cooler will go.

Do coolers keep ice longer when they are full?

A well-packed cooler can leave less air space, but ice life also depends on the insulation, seal, starting temperature, how often you open it and the heat around it. Pre-chill the contents, keep the cooler shaded when practical and limit lid openings to help reduce unwanted warming.

Are powered coolers different from ice coolers?

Yes. An ice cooler relies on ice or cold packs, while a powered cooler uses an electrical supply to cool its contents.

Powered models can suit a vehicle or fixed spot with reliable power, but check the power source, capacity and operating limits for the model.