We tested 15 top-rated coolers from Yeti, Oyster, REI and more to find the options that offer plenty of chill for your next beach day, camping trip or afternoon in the backyard
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When you’re shopping for a cooler, you’ll find plenty of giant, hulking chests designed to keep a family fed for a week or a frat party buzzing until the cops show up. But most of the time, all you need is a grab-and-go box to keep a couple of cans of soda cold for a road trip, or to get some popsicles to the beach without turning into puddles.
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Don’t endanger your back and spend a small fortune on a plastic coffin that makes you feel like you’re packing for an expedition into uncharted territory. The right portable cooler can be convenient, lightweight and not need three bags of ice to get it cold. I tested 15 to find the best you can buy.
Best overall portable coolerYeti Hopper Flip 18 Soft Cooler
Best cooler for cold retentionOyster Tempo Cooler
Best ultraportable coolerREI Campwell Folding Cooler 18L
Best budget portable coolerTitan by Arctic Zone Zipperless Hardbody
Best backpack coolerEngel Roll-Top High Performance Backpack Cooler
I have been testing and recommending consumer products professionally since 2008, designing testing processes and objectively reviewing everything from pool cleaning robots to (sadly non-robotic) running shoes. I have used coolers for grocery shopping in cities, road trips, camping, beach days and boat trips – and I know how important it is to keep your lettuce unwilted, your ice cream frozen, and your beer frosty.
Every manufacturer publishes cooler dimensions, but I meticulously measured every review unit to ensure accuracy. Since shape can affect usable capacity, I also filled each with as many 12oz cans as they could carry and easily close.
To test how well they kept their contents cold, I filled each cooler with a load of ice equivalent to a quarter of its 12 oz can capacity. The coolers were then closed and placed in a dark room maintained at 76F (24C) and the temperature inside each cooler was recorded every 15 minutes over a 24-hour period.
