I Tested 8 Coolers for Weeks to Find the Best, Most-Insulated Ones for Outdoor Adventure

It’s been a little over a year since I moved to Vermont, and in that time, through blistering winters and sweltering summer days, one piece of gear has stayed in constant rotation: a cooler. I don’t need to tell you why a cooler is necessary when the weather heats up. But even beyond those warmer months, I’ve leaned on mine more than I expected. Whether I’m trying to save ingredients from spoiling in the fridge or bringing leftovers from recipes I’ve tested to my family, having a reliable cooler on hand makes things so much easier.

There’s no shortage of options out there, from internet-famous brands like Yeti to new versions of classics like Coleman. The best coolers keep things cold, can withstand a few accidental tumbles out of the trunk, and don’t make you dread carrying them around. A bad one? Let’s just say I’ve lost more than a few wedges of fancy cheese to subpar insulation.

To help you avoid that pain, I spent a few weeks testing eight different coolers across a range of sizes, styles, and prices. So, whether you’re gearing up for summer or just want something reliable for everyday use, I’ve got five recs that’ll keep your stuff cold and last for the long haul.

The Winners, at a Glance 

The Best Cooler

Rovr RollR 60 Wheeled Cooler

$399 at Amazon View on Walmart $399 $300 at Backcountry

This cooler is the most spacious one I tested. It kept food and drinks chilled for nearly 32 hours. Plus, it was easy to transport, with its sturdy wheels and grippy pull handle.

Another Great Cooler

Canyon Coolers Pro 45 Quart Cooler

$320 at Amazon View on Canyoncoolers.com

Spacious interior? Check. Section divider that doubles as a cutting board? Check. Keeps things cool for over 48 hours? Check. Sure, it doesn’t have wheels, but I’ll let that slide because it nailed everything else.

The Best Cooler for Beach Trips

Coleman Pro 45 Ultra-Light Premium Hard Cooler

$200 at Amazon View on Walmart

This is the lightest pick among all the winners, making it ideal for carrying if you have to walk a few hundred steps on the beach. Plus, it kept things nice and cold for over 48 hours.

The Best Compact Cooler With Wheels

Yeti Roadie 48 Rolling Wheeled Cooler

$425 at Amazon View on Yeti.com View on Westmarine.com

If you don’t want to lug around a bulky cooler, this one fits the bill at just a bit over a foot wide. It also has sturdy wheels and a pull handle, making it easy to take with you on the go.

The Best Spacious Cooler With Wheels

Yeti Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler

$450 at Amazon $450 at Dick's View on Tractor Supply Co.

This spacious cooler can pack plenty of food and drinks. Its deeply grooved wheels made it easy to pull, even when filled to the brim.

The Tests

• Capacity Test: I loaded each cooler with three ice packs and filled it with enough food and drinks for an overnight trip. As I filled them up, I paid close attention to how everything fit, making sure nothing got squished or crushed when I closed the lid. 
• Usability Test: After loading each cooler with food and drinks, I closed the lid and picked them up, holding each one for about a minute. If the cooler had wheels, I rolled it through grass, rocky patches, and some muddy spots in my backyard to see how easy it was to haul around.
• Cold Retention Test: I packed each cooler with 16 pounds of ice and left them outside in the sun and overnight for a full 48 hours. Every eight hours, I checked the inside temperature with an instant-read thermometer to see how well they were holding up.
• Durability Test: It had to be done. I loaded each cooler with a pack of seltzer water, tossed it in the trunk of my car, and then dropped it onto concrete five times. I took note of any damage and whether the cooler’s lid stayed shut.

What We Learned

Grippable Handles Were Helpful

All of the best coolers have different length handles and straps, but one thing they all shared was a solid grip. Whether it was a non-slip pull handle like on the RovR, Yeti Roadie 48 Cooler, or Yeti Tundra Haul, or rugged built-in side handles like the ones on the Canyon Coolers Pro 45 and Coleman Pro 45, having a good grip made it way easier to lift and lug the cooler around, no matter how heavy it was. During testing, I found it difficult to carry models like the Yeti Tundra 45 because it didn’t have grippable built-in handles, and the straps were slippery.

That said, if you plan on lugging your cooler over longer distances, like hiking to your campsite instead of just leaving it in a designated spot, you will want to go for one with wheels and a pull handle to make transport much easier. In that case, the handle design is less important. 

Thicker Insulation Made Coolers Heavier

Some brands construct their coolers with thicker insulation to maintain a colder interior. I noticed this with models like the Canyon Coolers Pro 45, RovR, and Yeti Tundra Haul. They were a lot heavier to carry, each weighing over 37 pounds without ice or food inside. 

Still, all of these models performed best in the cold retention test and come with either durable wheels or grippable handles, making them easy to transport despite their weight. If you’re looking for something more lightweight that still offers solid insulation, I recommend the Coleman Pro 45. It was one of my top picks and only weighs around 19 pounds, making it much easier to carry.

Wheels Make Cooler Transport Easier

Before testing all these coolers, I was using a simple handled cooler. But after trying out a few coolers with wheels, I promised myself I’d never go back. They make it a lot easier to move around.

It really comes down to how you plan to use your cooler. If you’re heading out on a camping trip where you’ll need to haul your gear, I highly recommend one with deeply grooved wheels, like the RovR, Yeti Tundra Haul, or Yeti Roadie 48 Cooler. But if you’re just walking a few steps to the beach from your car, a no-wheel model like the Canyon Coolers Pro 45 or the Coleman Pro 45 will do just fine.

Latched Coolers Were the Most Durable

After tossing eight different coolers out of my car more than 40 times (yes, really), I found that the ones with rubber, steel, or durable plastic latches that could be securely fastened stayed shut, even when they were flying out of the trunk. All of my top picks had this function.

Coolers like the Coleman Classic didn’t make the cut. Since it doesn’t have a latch, the lid popped open every time it took a fall, and drinks went everywhere.

All of the Coolers Held Lots of Food and Drinks

If you're buying a cooler, you might as well go big. A spacious cooler is more versatile than a small one, and you can always use a lunch box for day trips or picnics. For this test, I packed each cooler with the same set of items:

• An eight-pack of seltzer
• A six-pack of beer
• Salsa
• Mustard
• Sliced turkey
• Sliced provolone
• A loaf of bread
• A quarter of a watermelon
• A bag of grapes
• A carton of eggs
• A pack of butter

Each cooler had a capacity of over 45 quarts, and I was able to fit everything on this list, plus three ice packs, without an issue.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Cooler

Be real about how you plan to use your cooler and how often. If you intend to pull it out of your garage only once or twice a year, then you don’t need one with lots of extras, such as a latch and wheels. If you know you’ll use your cooler often, opt for one that has grippable handles or straps, can hold a good amount of food and drinks, has a latch to keep the lid sealed shut, and maintains a cold temperature for at least 12 hours. Then consider the nice-to-haves, such as solid wheels for easily dragging on your hikes or fun colors that will pop at your barbecue get-togethers.

Our Favorite Coolers

The Best Cooler

Rovr RollR 60 Wheeled Cooler

$399 at Amazon View on Walmart $399 $300 at Backcountry

What we liked: When testing the striking turquoise RovR, I couldn’t get over the gorgeous color. As I was testing it, every guest who came by commented on how great it looked. But beyond its chic appearance, it’s also designed well. The interior is roomy and comes with a removable compartment—perfect if you want to keep meat separate from produce. I could easily fill it with enough food and drinks for an overnight trip, with plenty of space left for ice packs. Out of all the models I tested, this one has the largest capacity, but it’s built in a way that still feels compact.

You can tell this cooler was designed with adventure in mind. It has a spot to attach a bear lock to keep curious critters out, a latch, rugged wheels, and a long, T-shaped, grippy handle that made it easy to roll across different terrain.

In the cold retention test, it maintained temperatures close to 40˚F for 32 hours. And it crushed the usability test, thanks to those sturdy wheels and its easy-to-pull handle. I dropped it again and again, and the lid stayed sealed every single time.

What we didn’t like: This cooler weighs 41 pounds, so if you’re thinking about carrying it over a long distance instead of rolling it, you’ll probably get winded quickly.

Key Specs

• Capacity: 60 quarts
• Material: Plastic
• Dimensions: 19.8 x 20.1 x 20.6 inches
• Weight: 28.3 pounds
• Care instructions: Hand-wash

Another Great Cooler

Canyon Coolers Pro 45 Quart Cooler

$320 at Amazon View on Canyoncoolers.com

What we liked: This cooler doesn’t have wheels, but it delivers in almost every other way. It’s spacious—you can load it up without having to squish anything. It also comes with a removable plastic cutting board that clips onto the side and doubles as a divider to keep your meats and drinks separate.

In the cold retention test, it stayed below 35˚F for 48 hours, making it a great option for an overnight trip. The grippy carrying straps are another perk—you can easily carry it a few steps from the car. Plus, during the durability test, it barely received a scratch.

What we didn’t like: If this cooler had wheels, I’d be completely sold. But it doesn't, and it weighs 38 pounds. I wouldn’t recommend trying to carry it over long distances.

Key Specs

• Capacity: 45 quarts
• Material: Rotomolded kayak plastic
• Dimensions: 17.2 x 16.2 x 26 inches
• Weight: 38 pounds
• Care instructions: Hand-wash

The Best Cooler for Beach Trips

Coleman Pro 45 Ultra-Light Premium Hard Cooler

$200 at Amazon View on Walmart

What we liked: If you’re looking for a lightweight cooler to take on beach trips—especially when you’ve got to walk a lot to find the perfect spot—this one’s worth considering. It weighs under 20 pounds and has sturdy straps spaced just right for carrying comfortably on your own.

I had no trouble loading it up with plenty of food and drinks, and in the cold retention test, it kept everything chilled for over 48 hours. It’s also a solid pick for weekend trips that stretch beyond 24 hours. During the durability test, it held up well, with just a few minor scuffs after multiple drops.

What we didn’t like: This cooler doesn’t have wheels, so if you’re taking it on a camping trip, be aware that you’ll have to carry it the entire way. It also doesn’t have any interior dividers, so you’ll have to get creative with how you pack food.

Key Specs

• Capacity: 45 quarts
• Material: Plastic
• Dimensions: 24.5 x 16.3 x 17.1 inches
• Weight: 19.8 pounds
• Care instructions: Hand-wash

The Best Compact Cooler With Wheels

Yeti Roadie 48 Rolling Wheeled Cooler

$425 at Amazon View on Yeti.com View on Westmarine.com

What we liked: Not only is this one of the few coolers on the market that’s deep enough to fit a bottle of wine standing up, but it’s also designed to be compact, measuring just a little over a foot wide. Even with its smaller footprint, I had no trouble loading it up with enough food and drinks for an overnight stay.

This is the kind of cooler I recommend for camping adventures. It comes with a sturdy telescoping handle, allowing you to drag it through dirt, sand, or even muddy terrain without an issue. The lid didn’t pop open once after I dropped it a few times.

What we didn’t like: I was a little let down that the interior temperature reached 47ºF in less than 24 hours.

Key Specs

• Capacity: 48 quarts
• Material: Polyethylene
• Dimensions: 19.8 x 20.1 x 20.6 inches
• Weight: 28.3 pounds
• Care instructions: Hand-wash

The Best Spacious Cooler With Wheels

Yeti Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler

$450 at Amazon $450 at Dick's View on Tractor Supply Co.

What we liked: Everything I love about the Yeti Roadie 48 shines even brighter in this larger model. Its 50-quart interior easily fits plenty of food and more for an overnight trip. I also appreciated the built-in space for bear locks to keep your precious goods safe. It comes in lots of colors, including a stunning lime. It maintained a decently cold temperature for over 24 hours, and during the durability test, the lid remained closed without opening once.

What we didn’t like: Its ice melted quicker than the other winning coolers. Additionally, it weighs 37.5 pounds, making it quite heavy to lift when not rolling it around.

Key Specs

• Capacity: 50 quarts
• Material: Polyethylene
• Dimensions: 28.1 x 18.6 x 19.6 inches
• Weight: 37.5 pounds
• Care instructions: Hand-wash

The Competition

• RTIC 52-Quart Ultra-Light Wheeled Hard Cooler: In previous tests, the RTIC held ice for over 48 hours and had reasonable storage space. It wasn’t particularly comfortable to carry; the molded grips required holding it like you're doing bicep curls to relieve stress on the hands. It’s been discontinued.
• Yeti Roadie 32 Cooler: With a 32-quart capacity, this cooler doesn’t offer enough space to fit the food and drinks you’d need for an overnight trip.
• Igloo BMX 52 Quart Hard Cooler: The fold-up handles caused strain on the wrists.
• Yeti Roadie 15 Cooler: The Yeti 15 is even smaller than the 32-quart version. It’s a solid picnic cooler, but not large enough for an overnight trip.
• Coleman Classic: This cooler is a good budget pick if you’re just using it for casual cookouts and need to keep drinks cold for a few hours. But if you’re looking for something more heavy-duty that can keep food and beverages chilled beyond 24 hours, you’re better off going with one of the winning models. In the cold retention test, this one hit the 40ºF mark within 24 hours. Plus, it doesn't have a latch to keep your precious goods secured if it takes a tumble.
• Yeti Tundra 45: The Yeti Tundra performed about the same as the Coleman Classic in the cold retention test, hitting the 40ºF mark within 24 hours. The even bigger downside? It costs about six times more. For that reason, I couldn’t justify naming it a winner. It also doesn’t have wheels, and the strapped handle is slippery.

FAQs

What are the best coolers for camping?

Camping usually means dealing with all kinds of terrain—rocky, sandy, hilly, sometimes even muddy—so flat ground isn’t always guaranteed. That’s why it’s worth buying a cooler with durable wheels and a sturdy, long handle. Models like the Yeti Tundra Haul or the RovR make it way easier to haul your stuff without having to carry it for miles or worry about the wheels giving out halfway down the trail.

What’s the best cooler for the money?

You’ve got to be real with yourself. Are you planning to use your cooler regularly, or just once or twice a year? If it’s the latter, dropping $400 on something like the RovR probably isn’t worth it. In that case, a more budget-friendly option like the Coleman Classic might make more sense. It didn’t pass the test for the best performance, but if you’re just using it for the occasional cookout to keep drinks cold for a few hours, it’ll get the job done.

Why are Yeti coolers so expensive?

Yeti coolers are a social media favorite, but their popularity goes beyond TikTok and Instagram adornment. Part of what drives their higher price tags is the design, they’re built with thick insulation. On average, you can expect to pay somewhere between $300 and $400 for one.

Where are Yeti coolers made? 

Yeti manufactures its coolers in facilities around the world, including China, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.

Why We’re the Experts

• Ashia Aubourg is a Serious Eats contributor with experience reviewing cooking gear and working in kitchens (and farms!). Her work with Serious Eats spans gift guides, educational pieces, and product reviews. She recently fried tons of eggs, seared several pork chops, and made pounds of pasta to find the best non-toxic cookware sets.
• For this review, Ashia tested eight coolers by evaluating their capacity to hold a weekend’s worth of food and drinks, how long they keep contents chilled, their durability, and how easy they are to transport.
• Serious Eats first tested coolers years ago. For this review, Ashia compared our previous top picks against newer models.