Whether youre chilling with your friends at the beach, having a romantic picnic in the park or hiking your favorite trails, theres no better way to enjoy a dose of refreshment than with an ice-cold beverage. However, when youre away from your home, finding a drink on ice isnt easy. Thats why a personal cooler is an essential piece of any on-the-go kit, especially in the warm summer months.
As coolers come in a variety of forms, you can bet youll find one for your needs. There are styles for more sedentary activities, like tailgating and at-home barbecues, as well as options for more active pursuits, like hiking and days out at theme parks. This versatility means you can keep your food and drinks cool while youre away from your kitchen.
Take a look through our list of the best coolers available and find the right fit for your cooling needs. Weve included cooler backpacks, rolling coolers and even heavy duty coolers for extreme adventures. Whatever you require, make sure youre never without a refreshing drink.
1. Coleman 120-Quart Coastal Xtreme Marine Cooler
BEST OVERALL
Sometimes you just need a heavy-duty cooler. The Coleman 120-quart Coastal Xtreme Marine Cooler has an insulated lid and extra insulation in the walls for longer ice retention. In other words, this cooler will keep your recently caught fish fresh until you get back to shore.
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Buy: Coleman 120-quart Coastal Xtreme Marine Cooler $49.00
2. Coleman 16-Can Soft Cooler
BEST VALUE
If you have just a few cans to keep cool and dont want to lug around a big, bulky cooler, the Coleman 16-Can Soft Cooler is worth checking out. It holds 16 cans, features a soft outer cover with extra pockets for storage and its easy to clean. This cooler also has a hard plastic inner liner, so ice doesnt leak through.
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Buy: Coleman 16-Can Soft Cooler $18.35
3. Coleman Oversized Quad Chair with Cooler
MOST UNIQUE
Its important to carry as few things as possible when camping. Thats why the Coleman Oversized Quad Chair with Cooler is so brilliant. Its a cooler and comfortable folding chair all in one. Plus, it has a cup holder and adjustable arm rests. Most importantly, the armrest cooler keeps your beverages frosty and food fresh all while providing a comfortable seating arrangement after a long day of hiking.
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Buy: Coleman Oversized Quad Chair with Cooler $27.89
4. CleverMade SnapBasket
BEST SOFT-SIDED COOLER
This is a cool-looking cooler. The CleverMade SnapBasket lives up to its name and holds 50 cans of your favorite drink. It has collapsible soft sides made from extremely durable rip-stop fabric, which is also comfortable to grip. Plus, its available in multiple colors.
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Buy: CleverMade SnapBasket $25.89
5. TOURIT Cooler Backpack
MOST LIGHTWEIGHT
The TOURIT Cooler Backpack keeps you hands free while keeping your food and drinks cold. Its convenient for picnics, camping, hiking and more. In addition, it uses soft, insulating cotton on the outside which makes lugging this thing around easy as cracking open a cool beverage.
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Buy: TOURIT Cooler Backpack $36.99
6. Rubbermaid Roller Ice Chest
MOST MULTI-FUNCTIONAL
Nothing keeps your food and drinks cold on those long, hot days better than the Rubbermaid Roller Ice Chest which has superior thermal retention. Its stain and odor resistant and has an easy-to-clean liner. And, best of all, you dont have to carry it around; just roll it. Plus, its made in the USA. Close the lid, and the drink holders turn this cooler into a nifty side table.
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Buy: Rubbermaid Roller Ice Chest $61.03
7. Coleman 54-Quart Steel-Belted Cooler
MOST DURABLE
If durability is what youre looking for, try the Coleman 54-Zuart Steel-Belted Cooler. Its built to last with stainless steel handles and a solid steel latch that securely seals contents inside. As an added bonus, the 54-quart capacity can hold a grand total of 85 cans.
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Buy: Coleman 54-quart Steel-belted Cooler $79.30
8. Igloo BMX Cooler
BEST FOR OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
If youre all about the adventurous side of life and need a cooler box thats ready to come with you, check out the Igloo BMX Cooler. The impressively durable construction includes a reinforced base, a diamond kick plate and a molded shape to maximize its strength. It also sports T-grip latches to ensure your cooler stays closed when you want it to and offers up to five days of ice retention. Furthermore, the lid includes an integrated ruler for fisherman wanting to estimate the size of fish and features four tie down points for added security during transport.
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9. IceMule Pro Cooler
MOST PORTABLE
Theres a reason the IceMule Pro Cooler looks like a backpack, and thats because it is one. The design includes built-in straps for easy carrying along with a waist buckle for an even more secure fit. This impressive portability makes this cooler an ideal choice for adventurous activities like tubing, trips to the park or even just hanging out in the garden with friends. The large capacity has enough room for 18 cans with ice, while the heavy-duty, flexible wall and Trifold DriTop closure is capable of keeping ice cold for up to 24 hours at a time.
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10. RovR Products RollR Cooler
BEST WHEELED
With its impressive 75-liter capacity, theres no way youre going to want to carry the RovR Products RollR Cooler around with you. Thats why the smart design includes built-in wheels and a pulling handle to make transporting your cooler by hand super simple. Inside the cooler, youll find a refrigerator-grade gasket and foam insulation which combine to deliver up to 10 days of ice-retaining capability. The space inside also includes interior compartments to make organizing your food and drink easy. In addition, theres a built-in drain plug for easy cleaning after use.
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11. YETI Tundra Cooler
BEST RANGE OF COLORS
With its easy-carry handles and heavy-duty T-Rex Lid Latches, the YETI Tundra Cooler is a convenient and durable cooler choice. The construction of the cooler boasts three-inch permafrost insulation and a fat-wall design to ensure your drinks stay cool inside, even when its baking hot outside. Theres also enough space for up to 20 cans with the recommended 2:1 beer to ice ratio. This nearly indestructible cooler is an ideal choice for fisherman, tailgaters, road trippers and backyard hosts. It also comes in a range of attractive colors.
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Buy: YETI Tundra Cooler $249.99