15 Best Coolers for All of Your Summer Adventures

Editor favorite

I am seriously obsessed with Hydro Flask's Carry Out soft cooler. Not only is it nice to look at (could this light pink shade be any more adorable?), but it's the perfect size for all of my summer adventures. It's large enough that I can fit lunch, snacks, and plenty of drinks inside for me and a few friends, but not so big that it feels clunky or too bulky to carry to the beach. There are two carry handles, but I always use the long adjustable strap that can be worn across the body as it helps distribute the weight better. I've been filling this thing up with drinks for friends and I every weekend at the pool—I routinely get compliments on its size and its looks. Even after it's been sitting all day in the sun, everything inside stays cold and fresh (that'll last for up to 24 hours). It can fit 38 cans when empty, but even with plenty of ice, I can still fit more than enough drinks in there. More things I love: The super-soft, water-resistant material and small exterior side pocket where I stash napkins or hand wipes. It's available in a few other colors, including a gorgeous blue, teal, green, and black. —Meaghan Kenny, associate commerce editor

Capacity: 38 cans 
Weight: 2.75 lbs.

Editor favorite

This cooler is waterproof, leakproof, and it can even float, so it’s perfect for boat trips and beach days. It comes in four different sizes that can hold up to 12, 20, 30, or 40 cans. I tested out the smallest size, and it held enough drinks for my party of six. If you’re packing food as well, I’d say it could fit sandwiches and snacks for three to four people, depending on how hungry you are. I accidentally left some seltzers in the cooler overnight after a trip to the beach and when I opened it up the next morning the cans were still cold to the touch. This was only with two or three small ice packs in the cooler, but if you really fill it up with more ice, the contents can stay cool for up to two days.

The RTIC Soft Pack Cooler is fully waterproof; the only downside to the leakproof zipper is that it can be pretty difficult to open and close. The cooler itself is easy to carry while walking a few blocks to the beach and thanks to the crossbody shoulder strap, my hands remained free for beach towels and chairs. Since it’s a soft-shell design, it’s very lightweight, though the larger sizes will be heavier, of course: the smallest size available is 2.4 pounds when empty and the largest is 5.5 pounds. Considering how durable and long-lasting this cooler is, it’s pretty impressive that it can float. According to online reviews, it can even withstand floating behind a whitewater raft over rapids. I can’t wait to take it out with me paddleboarding. —Hannah Towey, associate editor, transportation and travel news

Capacity: 12 cans 
Weight: 2.4 lbs.

Editor favorite

If you've got a group of friends driving to the beach or subwaying to the park, this cooler will keep your snacks and bottles of wine cold. It can fit a good amount (like, several bottles of wine with ice, and room for more), and luckily it's lightweight on its own so you won't be too weighed down. I would be hesitant to pack it full of cans of beer or seltzer, if you have to carry it though. It's not one of those heavy duty keeps-drinks-cold-for-12 hours situations, but for cool beverages, it'll absolutely get the job done. (To prolong the hours of cool-keeping, fill it with ice packs to drop the temperature for an hour or two before putting your drinks in.) The colors are cute, I love the two exterior pockets—one with a zip is great for keys and a bottle opener; the other can hold a stack of paper cups, or a sleek reusable water bottle—and the shoulder strap is comfy, even though the buckle and padding only align if you wear the strap fairly long. Overall, super cute, easy to clean, and great for beverages. —Megan Spurrell, senior editor

Capacity: 32 cans 
Weight: 1.65 lbs.

Editor favorite

This ’80s-inspired boombox from Igloo is part cooler, part speaker—and it gives all the nostalgia you could ask for. I put it to the test on a beach day when I packed a bag of ice and 26 cans inside. To my surprise, they all fit comfortably—the swivel lid closed with ease, and the drinks stayed cold throughout the day. On its own, the cooler weighs a little more than five pounds, which isn’t too bad—especially when you consider the added weight of the speaker. The KoolTunes cooler comes with a charging cord for the built-in-speaker that can be plugged into any outlet. The speaker boasts an impressive 10 hours of playback on a single charge and is easy to pair with a Bluetooth device. For the five hours I was at Rockaway Beach, the music played clearly and though we did have numerous cans in the cooler, they didn’t vibrate inside. The speaker is also water-resistant, which offers me peace of mind for pool days or any spills. It comes in five color combinations and has a retro boombox design, making it just as cool to look at as it is to use. I’d recommend this for beach trips or solo days at the park; a single cooler is best for a group of four at most. If you do have two, the coolers can sync together when playing music next to each other. —Paris Wilson, commerce writer

Capacity: 26 cans
Weight: 5.26 lbs.

Highly rated

The Yeti Roadie 24 hard cooler has garnered over 6,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and over 4,000 five-star reviews on Yeti—and we can see why. The slim, lightweight hard-shell cooler is easy to transport with its thick carrying handle and offers enough space for a few wine bottles and up to 33 cans. It's compact enough to fit behind the driver or passenger's seat in a car, making it great for family road trips, game days, or concert tailgates. And because of its hard-shell exterior, this cooler is extra durable—you'll be using it for years to come. Standout features we love include its non-slip feet, so that it doesn't slide around on a boat or in a car, easy-to-use latches that can be opened with one hand, and freezer-quality gasket that traps in the cold. Choose from more than a dozen shades, from light pink and orange to lilac and bright green.

Capacity: 33 cans
Weight: 13 lbs.

Highly rated

Yeti's Tundra Haul wheeled cooler is a godsend for walking down long beach boardwalks with a very full, very heavy cooler. Instead of carrying something for group events, simply roll this two-wheel cooler around with ease. Its durable, hard-shell exterior can handle plenty of action, and will last for years worth of family barbecues and tailgates with friends. It can hold up to 82 cans or 64 pounds of ice, and it's wine bottle compatible, meaning you could fill it with 11 wine bottles standing up, if that's what the day calls for. Yeti's leakproof cooler really does the job of keeping drinks and lunches cold all day long—that's one of the reasons it has thousands of rave reviews across its website and on Amazon. Reviewers also love it for its size, quality, and ease of maneuvering. More pros: It features a drain system for any ice that melts over time, sturdy latches that keep the cooler tightly closed, and comfortable grips on the handle. Yeti also offers a five-year warranty on its coolers.

Capacity: 82 cans
Weight: 37.5 lbs.

Editor favorite

Like all Yeti products, this cooler keeps drinks cold for what feels like a lifetime. It can hold up to 11 cans, but that's without space for an ice pack—if you're trying to keep things cold for longer on ice, you can fit about half—meaning this is ideal for solo use, couples, or to hold snacks for a small group. I've used it for cut fruit and cheese on a beach day with a crew of four friends; if I'm heading to the park and want to pack a hefty sandwich and a seltzer or two, it becomes more of a personal cooler. That's what I love about it. With soft sides, a comfy shoulder strap, and just the space you need, it's a far cry from Yeti's heavier duty options, and something I use far more regularly as a New Yorker. The zipper creates a perfect airtight seal, keeping cold in, and dirt and sand out. For a slightly bigger version, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is a great option. —M.S.

Capacity: 11 cans
Weight: 2.6 lbs.

Editor favorite

This cooler has quickly become my little weekend companion. At a mere 1.19 pounds, it's perfectly compact and easy to carry on all of my summer adventures. I've taken it to the beach, to outdoor movies, and to picnics at the park, and it has kept things nice and cold—even in 90-degree heat. The unique “doctor’s bag” hinge top pops open to help with unpacking, so no wrestling to get to the goods here. The small pocket on the side has just enough storage for my wallet and keys. The bag can hold up to 10 cans, or about 7 with ice packs. Baguette notwithstanding, it's ideal for a mini picnic and small charcuterie. I was delighted to find my strawberries bright, Brie intact, and rosé cans chilly, even after six hours in the park. According to Stanley, they'll stay that way for up to 12 hours. Made from 100 percent recycled polyester, its size and chic design also makes it a great everyday lunch box. —Pallavi Mohan Kumar, associate visuals director

Capacity: 10 cans 
Weight: 1.19 lbs.

Highly rated

For solo picnics or something small enough to commute to work with, Calpak's insulated lunch bag is a great choice. Our editors swear by Calpak for its durable suitcases, thoughtfully designed travel accessories, and affordable price point. This mini bag features a water-resistant interior and an insulated lining that keeps your lunch cold for hours. Our favorite thing about this lightweight option is its drawstring closure that lets you make the bag more compact if you packed less, or have a little extra wiggle room when needed. There's also multiple exterior pockets for essentials like hand sanitizer, sunglasses, and a water bottle. The popular lunch bag has earned itself an impressive rating of 4.9 stars and over a thousand positive reviews. Choose from more than a dozen fun colors and patterns, including this bright dragonfruit shade that's perfect for summer.

Capacity: 10.3 liters
Weight: 6.4 oz.

Editor favorite

This is a great backpack cooler for a beach or park day with a few friends—I'll definitely be using it for Rockaway Beach excursions and afternoons in Central Park this summer. It holds a lot—24 cans, 18 cans and 2 wine bottles, or more practically speaking, around 10-12 cans, plus sandwiches and snacks. I really like the neoprene material; it feels comfortable against your skin, and while I haven't worn it on a super hot day yet, I imagine it will fare better against sweat than other materials. I was a bit skeptical that it would perform as well as a solid cooler, but while testing it out, I sat outside for almost four hours and the drinks inside were just as cold as when I took them out of the fridge. The bag itself is super lightweight when empty, and has room for more than just the food and drinks you want to keep cold: There's a front pocket like you'd find on a school backpack, as well as another zippered compartment on the lid; in these spaces, you can store a phone, wallet, keys, sunglass case, and other small items, which makes it much more useful—you don't have to carry another tote or purse for your personal belongings. There are two side pockets for water bottles, and I love that they're made with elastic siding to adjust to the size of the bottle you put inside. —Madison Flager, senior commerce editor

Capacity: 24 cans

Editor favorite

This is my go-to cooler for all activities. I love that it's a backpack so it's easy to carry around and you have your hands free for other things. It also keeps food and drinks remarkably cold (colder than any other cooler I've used) for hours on end, and has a fixed shape so it doesn't collapse in on itself when not full. It's not too heavy (though definitely not light once you fill it up), and has a ton of different handles to grab it from, including the backpack straps, side straps, and a hand grip on top. It can fit a good amount of food and drinks inside so it's perfect for a picnic in the park, and doesn't take up too much space when not in use—ideal for city-dwellers like me. It's particularly good for outdoorsy people who want a bag to bring their own food and drink on a light hike with them without it being too difficult to carry. The zipper can be a bit finicky due to the shape of the top, but is sturdy enough that it won't be a real problem. —Jamie Spain, travel bookings editor

Capacity: 24 cans 
Weight: 4 lbs.

Editor favorite

This cooler is great for a small picnic or to keep beverages cool during a day at the beach, park, camping, hiking, etc. It holds up to 15 cans that will stay cool for up to 24 hours. I took the RTIC Backpack Cooler to a picnic and a day at the beach and both times I was met with cool beverages and food for the duration of my outing. It's super lightweight and easy to carry; plus, there are so many easy-access pockets for anything else you might need to bring along. The only con worth noting is that the zippers are not waterproof, so be careful if packing ice as it may leak over time. —Vara Reese, supervising producer

Capacity: 15 cans 
Weight: 3 lbs.

Editor favorite

This nylon backpack cooler is perfect for a party of two or a small group. Since only half of the bag is designated as a cooler, it holds a bit less food and drink than some other backpack coolers, but still enough for one or two people. I particularly like that this split cooler has a few separate sections—great for when you're packing both food and gear, or if you have a few different things that need to be stored at different temperatures (one section has a cooler insert while the other section is a standard backpack). The cooler insert is easy to use and clean, and I appreciate the ability to store everything I need for a day trip in one bag. The padded straps and external pockets are also great little perks that made it comfortable to carry and use while hiking or picnicking. —J.S.

Capacity: 12 cans
Weight: 2.8 lbs.

Editor favorite

The RTIC Everyday insulated tote bag stands out for its packability. The lightweight tote bag is fully collapsible and can lay flat in your suitcase, making it a great option to bring along on beach vacations or camping trips. It's insulated and chic, and to my pleasant surprise, the PVC-free coated, waterproof exterior didn't absorb any dirt during my eight-hour park day, which was a huge plus. The cooler bag didn't leak at all, despite holding many beverages. Seriously—I held drinks and light snacks for around seven people, and with drinks coming in and out, I probably could have added even more. It actually served as an ample four-day trip bag where I packed my clothes, unpacked, and then used it for a day of picnicking at a local park. Thanks to its high level of insulation and collapsible nature, it has also become my new go-to grocery bag. I'll never go back to carrying a handful of average totes after using this. It's one of the most multi-purpose items I own. One note: Due to its size, it's not the best for treacherously long trips on your feet or long journeys hiking or climbing. —Jessica Chapel, editorial assistant

Capacity: 35 liters

Highly rated

Cotopaxi's Hielo Cooler Bag will definitely turn some heads thanks to its fun, brightly-colored design. Each bag in this collection is one-of-a-kind—meaning the brand will surprise you with a unique cooler in a mix of vacation-ready shades. Looks aside, the cooler is functional and practical for travelers; it features a long padded, adjustable strap that allows it to be carried as a classic tote bag on your shoulder or worn as a crossbody. We love the wide opening and metal frame that makes it sturdy enough to hold its shape and easy to find what you're looking for. It also features a waterproof lining, a water bottle pocket, and a roll-top buckle closure so the bag's contents stay extra secure. The insulated tote is perfect for your next camping trip or day down the shore.

Capacity: 12 liters
Weight: 1.9 lbs.