Even though summer seems to be flying by, there’s still plenty of time to squeeze in a couple more beach days and camping trips before the weather turns from unbearably hot to unbearably cold. And speaking of cold, one of the best ways to beat the heat is to sip on an ice-cold refreshing drink.
But even though keeping your favorite beverages cold when you’re out on warm days is a challenge, having a high-quality cooler makes all the difference. Whether you’re going on a solo outdoor adventure or you’re bringing a crew, a cooler will keep your snacks and drinks cold for hours (or even 10 days, in some cases).
Coolers come in a variety of size capacities, including 5 quarts, 45 quarts and even 100 quarts for large gatherings. And while you may be accustomed to them coming in red and blue, brands like Yeti and Igloo offer coolers in a variety of fun colors so you can always spot yours on a crowded beach.
The coolers listed below are the best ones you can shop online, according to the many glowing reviews people wrote about them. They also come with a ton of neat features like integrated insulation, built-in bottle openers and bear-resistant materials (for camping, of course). We listed them in order from smallest to largest so you can easily find the best one for your needs. Many brands of coolers share how long you can expect them to stay cool, so we’ve shared that information when available, too. (P.S.: Read our handy guide on the best way to pack a cooler to make it stay cold.)
Arctic Zone Titan zipperless cooler (9+ cans)
The unique design of this cooler includes a "zipperless" lid that flips open, allowing easier access to your favorite drinks and snacks. Your ice will also stay frozen up to 2 days. The interior lining is super leak-proof and it has an adjustable shoulder strap with a shoulder pad for comfort. It comes in four size capacities: 9, 16, 30 and 48 cans. It comes in a bunch of colors.
Promising review: "I have now owned the Arctic Zone Titan 9 for several months. I bought it to use as a lunchpail at work. I have a very physical job, and work 12 hour shifts so I carry extra food to get me through the day. When I get home every evening the ice pack that I placed in the cooler over 12 hours ago is still frozen, and I have no problems with any of my food or drinks getting warm during the day, even though I leave the chest in the cab of my truck while I work, and we were having 100+ degree days back to back for several weeks. I highly recommend the Arctic Zone Titan 9." — Steve B.
Coleman Snap N Go collapsible hard cooler (35 quarts)
Large coolers can take up a ton of space when you’re not using them, but that’s not an issue for this collapsible cooler by Coleman: Not only can it hold up to 64 cans (without ice), but it folds down to a third of its size to be stowed away once the party’s over. It has a removable waterproof liner, keeps ice cold for up to 48 hours and comes in three colors.
Promising review: “This is the “coolest” cooler I have ever seen! Love how easy it is to setup and break down, while feeling sturdy, keeping things cold for days with no leakage. Makes it so much easier to transport and store when not using. Loved it so much I went back and bought another one for a recent gift. Way to go Coleman!” — Amazon Customer
Yeti Tundra cooler (45 quarts)
If you're looking to splurge on a heavy duty cooler, look no further than Yeti. This cooler holds 45 quarts, so you can fit up to 26 cans and ice. It has three inches of commercial-grade insulation to keep your drinks chilled and extra thick walls to stand up against bears. It comes in multiple colors, including yellow, navy, white and tan. The brand is also highly recommended by experts we've spoken to.
Promising review: "Superb cooler. As good as advertised! Could not be happier....my soon to be wife bought this for my stage golf day and didn't disappoint. I put ice in on Friday and some is still in there on Monday. Well worth the purchase!” — DonCobra
Igloo Tag Along Too picnic-style cooler (11 quarts)
For something on the smaller side (and in a ton of fun, summery colors), you’ll want Igloo’s Tag Along Too, a picnic-style portable cooler with a soft, adjustable crossbody strap and 14 cans’ worth of space. The compact cube design with the handle is perfect for toting around the beach or park.
Promising review: “Amazing actually keeps things cold for 2 days in the trunk. It is July in Georgia... yall its doing the job and well! Its tiny so be sure you are ok with that. This is definitely for an individual not a family... or even a couple really lol unless you are just adding drink.” — Itsyagirl
Tourit insulated backpack cooler (28 cans)
Have a hands-free summer by carrying this cooler on your back. It looks just like a regular backpack except, well, it's a cooler! It's insulated, has a leak-proof liner to keep liquids in and can keep foods cold for up to 16 hours. And if you are a lover of pockets, you'll definitely want to grab this. It has one main storage compartment, two side mesh pockets, two large front zipper pockets, one zipper pocket on the lid, one mesh pocket and one beer opener on the strap. It can hold up to 28 cans.
Promising review: "I bought this bag because I’m tired of how difficult and awkward coolers are to carry, and I’ve always wanted a backpack one. The first time I used this, one If my water bottles inside leaked, and I had no idea because the bag never leaked! Not even a drop! I was so impressed. I love it. The size is perfect - for our trip to the beach it held all the water, sodas, and snacks for a family of four. I like that it has outside pockets as well, and even water bottle pockets on each side. I think it’s a great bag!" — Tiffany
Coleman wheeled cooler (60 quarts)
Give your beach sips the carry-on treatment and store them in this wheeled cooler that has a retractable handle. It can hold up to 47 (!) cans with 30 pounds of ice, perfect for your next backyard or beach hang. It comes in two shades of blue, plus a dark red.
Promising review: "I purchased it for long camping trips. Recently used it to store food for my 5 day trip to Colorado Rocky mountains. I am impressed. Even after 5 days of my trip, half of ice was there and the food was frozen. I would definitely recommend it." — Maria Shoaib
Stanley All Day Julienne soft cooler bag and lunchbox (10 cans)
Do we even have to introduce Stanley at this point? That’s right, the makers of the famous Quencher tumblers also offer this insulated lunchbox/soft cooler bag, which comes in many chic colorways and can hold up to 10 cans for an individual or small gathering. The sturdy construction and zippered top lets you have access to all the contents at a glance, and the long shoulder strap lets you carry this thing around with ease.
Promising review: “Love! Cute, practical and keeps my lunch cold ALL DAY. zipper is easy to open and sturdy. Plenty of room for my lunch and my daughter’s lunch when I took on a field trip, but not too big that it was a pain to carry around.” — Amazon Customer
RTIC hard cooler (45 quarts)
For a less expensive 45-quart option than the Yeti above, RTIC's hard cooler fits the bill. It has three-inch foam insulated walls to keep your items fresh and a cool-lift design to keep your ice intact longer. Color options in this size include light blue, gray, tan and white.
Promising review: "Amazing cooler that also functions as my boat seat with the additional RTIC cooler cushion. Can spend all day on the lake in the Texas heat and still have ice in it 4 days later. Built like a tank and is a little heavy loading in and out of the boat and have no doubt this cooler will last a lifetime. Super pleased." — Michael Hodges
Coleman portable hard cooler (9 quarts)
Store your lunch, a few cans or bottles and ice in this portable cooler that comes with a handle and can hold four to nine 12-ounce cans, depending on how much ice you add. It'll keep your drinks ice cold until you're ready to pop one open.
Promising review: "This is such a great little cooler. Perfect size to fit behind the seat of my Chevy Cruze or 4runner for road trips. I love the fact that this cooler allows bottles to sit upright and still closes. It worked great on our beach trip. My son loves to sit and stand on it so it is pretty durable. It also fits great in our folding wagon." — Amazon customer
Coleman wheeled ice chest (100 quarts)
100 quarts is a lot. But sometimes the most exciting festivities call for that much room. This wheeled, fully insulated ice chest can hold up to 160 cans. The 6-inch wheels are durable and built to last, and it also has built-in sunken cup holders that keep your drink safe. It comes in gray, blue and tan.
Promising review: "This cooler holds a ton of frozen food packages and bags. We moved and loaded our all the contents of our fridge and freezer into this massively large cooler on wheels! Was the best experience using as nothing defrosted during the 4 hour drive to our new house. Also, this cooler makes it easy to load up on the bevy of cold items we get for the 2 hour driving trips to Costco. Highly recommend!" — health guy