10 Best Cooler Brands [Premium & Budget Picks]

Cooler brands can be tricky as they vary in capability and size.

Do you want a small but light cooler? Are you sure with which quarts (qts) capacity you want your cooler to be?

There is even the matter of cost to consider as the prices can be rather hefty.

Thankfully we have just the guide for choosing only the best coolers that would serve you well for years.

The 10 Best Cooler Brands – Full Reviews

Let’s go over all the cooler brands that will have you enjoying those ice-cold drinks for that weekend getaway you’ve been planning with your friends.

1. RTIC 52 Ultra Light Cabela Polar Cap Equalizer 80qt Cooler – Best Overall

The RTIC 52 Ultralight can balance all the factors that make a tremendous hard-sided cooler:

• Balance capacity
• Ice retention
• Portability
• Price

This cooler can carry around 52 quarts of storage while being compact enough to be stored and carried easily.

The portability is due to the lightweight material the RTIC coolers are made from; the cooler weighs around 23 lbs.

The model even has a drain spout to release any melted ice to keep its content cold and dry.

This RTIC cooler costs only around $200 due to being sold on the RTIC website and having many discounts available, compared to a Yeti or other premium cooler price of $300.

However, RTIC coolers aren’t available physically in an outdoor goods store.

The lightweight material and the injection-molded construct are much less durable or robust than other premium roto-molded coolers.

The $200+ price is the logical price for being more weight manageable and less expensive than a soft cooler.

Pros

• Affordable price point
• Quality ice retention
• Capacity (52 qts)
• Very portable
• Very lightweight (23 lbs)

Cons

• Only sold online
• Injection-molded model is not as robust as the roto-molded variation
• It comes only in one capacity variation

2. Yeti Tundra 65 – Best Value

The Tundra is one of the best models among the Yeti Coolers due to its premium cooling, ice retention capabilities, and durable roto-molded build.

This Yeti cooler’s roto-molded construction is designed for a long trek or an extended camping trip.

The Tundra’s excellent quality and durability are not surprising as Yeti coolers are known for their years-long longevity sculpt-wise and product performance.

The Tundra is even robust and bear-resistant thanks to the extra accessories like:

• Additional locks
• Tie-down slots
• Basket for dry goods

The external sculpt also has a beautiful design and colorway,

The biggest downside for this Yeti cooler is that the model line is relatively expensive at around $375+, even compared to other premium cooler brands.

The capacity for quart the Yeti Tundra 65 carries is ironically only 60 qts, with most of its bulk coming from its sculpt. You can get “flimsier” cheaper coolers that can hold more quarts.

The Tundra also lacks an integrated bottle opener and cup holder set despite the number of accessories available.

Pros

• Great longevity
• Premium cooler
• Roto-molded sculpt
• Ice retention

Cons

• Relatively expensive
• Missing important accessories (cup holder, bottle opener, etc.)

3. The Coleman Xtreme 5 Cooler – Best Budget Pick

This Coleman cooler model makes up for its modest price of $80+ compared to similarly priced coolers.

The cooler comes with a very generous capacity of 70 qts. They also have other carrying capacity models, as little as 50 to a hefty 150 qts.

The Coleman Xtreme 5 Cooler can support up to 250 pounds due to its Have-a-Seat lid should you choose to use it as an impromptu seat.

It even has 4 handy cup holders built in!

However, its ice retention is relatively poor in that its ice can only remain frozen for 2-3 days in good conditions.

It’s heavily recommended to pre-chill the cooler before loading it with ice.

Remember, the Coleman Xtreme 5 Cooler was explicitly designed for the casual camper or outdoorsman that more than makes up its price despite its poor retention.

Pros

• Very budget-friendly price
• Still quite large despite the price
• Sturdy enough to act as a chair
• Lightweight (12lbs)
• 70 qts cooler with other carrying capacities (62,100,150 qts)

Cons

• Plastic construction
• Poor ice retention
• Can be compared as lacking to more expensive coolers

4. Yeti Roadie 24 – Best Small Cooler

The Yeti Roadie 24 is a small, reliable, convenient cooler perfect for picnics, outdoor dates, and other casual outings.

Expect all the best qualities of a Yeti Cooler product.

These include extended longevity, robust construction, and capable ice retention, all in a much lighter sculpt (12lbs) for a 23.6 qts capacity.

The Yeti Roadie 24 also comes with the following features:

• Sturdy roto-molded construction
• Thick but easy-to-open rubber latches
• Compatibility with a Yeti Tie-Down-Kit for trips on a boat or a truck

All great for an adventure or long trips!

However, the Roadie is ultimately too expensive for its niche of being a complete but significantly smaller cooler than other Yeti products.

Pros

• Robust yet easy-to-carry sculpt
• Superior ice retention among diminutive coolers
• Yeti brand longevity
• Capacity for 23.6 qts

Cons

• Very pricey for its size

5. Canyon Pro 45 Quart Cooler

The Pro 45 cooler from Canyon Coolers has a capacity of 45 quarts, is available in Diamond and Sandstone, and has ice retention up to 7 days.

The interior dimensions are 19.75 x 11.25 x 11.75 inches and it is made of hard roto-molded kayak plastic.

The Pro 45 has several benefits, including long-lasting cooling, a lifetime warranty, impressive storage capacity, and an airtight seal.

The only drawback is its weight, but this is due to the cooler’s sturdy construction.

6. RovR Products RollR 45

The RollR 45 of RovR Products is the best cooler with wheels on the market.

The wheeled cooler comes with the following:

• Quarts capacity range of 45 to 85
• Burly all-terrain wheels
• Long pull handle
• BiKR Kit Attachment (sold separately) capability for your bike

It also provides you with rigid construction, capable ice retention, optional cup holders and side prepping boards, etc.

However, the model is among the more expensive wheeled coolers at around $400+.

Another concern is that all the extra features and accessories add unnecessary weight to the wheeled cooler.

Pros

• 45 Qts with other sizes (60, 80, & 85 qts)
• High-quality all-terrain wheels
• Can be attached to a bike
• Excellent ice retention
• Robust construction

Cons

• Expensive price point
• Very heavy (37 lbs)

7. Orca 40 Quart Cooler

Outdoor Recreation Company of America (ORCA) is a smaller Tennessee cooler brand known for its committed outdoors people following.

This 40 qts cooler is made from a robust sculpt that would rival other yeti coolers in long-term durability.

The model even comes in many quarts capacities for just about any activity.

The model has flexible side handles for EASY PORTABILITY. It even comes with an exterior organizer pocket for small trinkets and gear like a bottle opener.

It also has a stiffer t-handle attached to the sculpting compared to its competitors.

However, despite the wide range, the model costs a steep $320+.

ORCA isn’t as mainstream online and available in physical stores as other cooler brands, so ORCA coolers aren’t as accessible as other brands.

Pros

• Big capacity (40 qts) with a wide capacity variations (20, 26, 58, 75, & 140 qts)
• A very sold all-rounder cooler
• The hard and robust construction of ORCA coolers
• Long durability or longevity

Cons

• It doesn’t stand out enough for its price
• Stiff handle latch
• Not as available or as widespread

8. Engel HD30 Soft-Sided Cooler

Engel Coolers have a reputation for their ice retention test design, keeping their ice frozen solid for 3-5 days.

This is all thanks to the vacuum technology and welded seams preventing warm air out and cold air in.

The best soft-sided cooler even has an air release valve to help regulate airflow to keep ice from melting.

You also get an adjustable strap and supporting accessories such as a bottle opener and a water-resistant front pocket to support the cooler.

It has a 32 quarts capacity (48 cans according to the description – important metric for choosing a beer cooler) and comes in 3 rugged colors — all for the modest price of around $240+.

However, despite the excellent vacuum technology fabric and temperature control, the Engel HD30 is pretty large for its soft-sided category.

The bag is very cumbersome for extended outdoor activities such as a hike. The bag’s soft-sided exterior is also vulnerable to tears due to accidental tears.

Its zippered exterior pocket was also vulnerable to water so keep that in mind while carrying it around.

Pros

• Easy to pack and carry
• Lightweight yet quality fabric construction
• Reasonably priced
• Longer ice retention compared to similarly sized coolers

Cons

• Not as robust compared to hard-sided coolers.
• Rather large and cumbersome for a soft-sided cooler

9. Hydroflask Day Escape Soft Cooler Pack

The Hydroflask Day Escape Soft Cooler Pack is a soft-sided backpack cooler that can hold up to 21 qts of ice for days.

The cooler, unlike the heavier hard-sided coolers, is comparatively lightweight and has supportive straps and padding for easy transportation of any cargo.

The ice retention can last 36 hours, all the while having extra space for anything else due to its spacious and stretchy side pocket.

The space’s seams are welded and made from a food-grade liner, meaning any leak is contained and easily cleanable.

However, the cooler can be comparatively pricey, not for other coolers but for backpacks. $180+ for a cooler can be seen as expensive for a backpack.

Some buyers say that carrying the cooler as a backpack can be awkward when wearing it despite its comfortable features.

Pros

• Long-lasting ice retention
• Leak-proof interior space
• Weighs only 3lbs
• A lot of features to sport it as a backpack

Cons

• Pricey for a backpack cooler
• It needs a lot of adjustments
• Only one kind variation of quarts capacity

10. Pelican 20 Quart Elite Cooler

The Pelican company is known for making dependable storing cases ranging from camera gear to guns to even drones.

Pelican coolers are no exception to this trend with their hard-sided cooler construction.

It’s considered bear-proof for a reason for the simple camping trips it’s designed for. The hard-sided construction even comes in different color tones and other colorways.

The Pelican Elite cooler series comes in a wide range of quarts capacities from 14 to 150 qts.

This cooler comes with more functional accessories. These are:

• Integrated self-draining cup holders
• Easy-to-use latches
• Firmer handle that is cheaper than the brand

However, this cooler series can’t match up performance-wise and durability-wise due to being injection-molded.

The cooler wasn’t designed for prolonged use as it lacks a drain plug for accumulated melted ice, and its ice retention is only suitable for a couple of days.

Pros

• Bear-proof hard-sided cooler construction
• A massive carrying capacity of 20 qts
• Self-draining cup holders and other accessories
• A line of hard coolers cheaper than Yeti coolers

Cons

• Not for very long day trips
• Not as high-quality as other cooler brands

Igloo BMX

This Igloo cooler is designed for low-capacity day trips.

This model’s MOST prominent standout feature is that it is only around $100+ for a quart cooler compared to other cooler brands.

The cooler model has the following features, such as:

• Triple-point grab rubber handle for easy gripping
• Protective kick plate
• Large molded ruler on the lid for measuring fish

However, the model’s capabilities reflect how much you are paying. Remember that $300+ is the standard price of a quality cooler for good reason

In exchange for the affordable cooler, the ice retention can be seen as lacking compared to other cooler brands.

It can only keep their ice cold for only 4 days in peak conditions. The cooler also has been noted to have leaks due to a lack of a rubber seal.

All in all, the Igloo BMX is still a quality cooler compared to similar budget coolers. It just pales to more established brands.

Pros

• Budget-friendly price point
• Built for longevity

Cons

• Very poor ice retention
• Low capacity

What Should You Consider When Picking a Cooler Brand?

It’s only natural to want the best coolers when you purchase one for yourself. However, there are many factors to consider before you can buy the best cooler for you.

We’ll be discussing each element thoroughly.

1. Cooler Construction (Hard-Sided)

Construction techniques help shape what kind of performance and function the product will do.

Hard-sided cooler construction techniques used to make high-end hard-sided coolers are divided into TWO TYPES:

• Rotational Modeling techniques
• Injection Modeling techniques

Rotational Modeling Techniques

Rotational Modeling or rotomolding techniques construct a single continuous plastic piece that has been rotationally molded into a single shape.

The process creates a durable outer shell that leaves fewer stress points (e.g., Yeti coolers, Kong coolers, and other high-end coolers).

However, these hard-sided coolers are very costly and can be very heavy. The standard price among similar quality coolers is around $300+.

Injection Modeling techniques

Injection Molding techniques work by inserting hot plastic into an exact molding process for their desired molded shape.

Unfortunately, they are constructed from multiple pieces, resulting in decreased durability.

Only really high-end coolers can match roto-molded cooler durability.

2. Cooler Construction (Soft-Sided Cooler)

Construction techniques help shape the product’s performance and functionality. Soft-sided coolers are much more lightweight and portable than hard coolers.

The model is also even cheaper in many cases and is preferable for buyers who only plan to carry small amounts of food and drink or for casual outings.

Famous soft-sided coolers include the Hydro Flask Day Escape, the YETI Hopper, backpack coolers, and other high-quality coolers.

However, even the best soft coolers can only retain ice for 3-5 days at the maximum. They are also predictably less durable and offered only in smaller sizes for carrying capacity.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Cooler construction does not affect a cooler’s ability to retain ice. Both a soft-sided cooler and a hard-sided cooler have similar ice retention abilities.

3. Cooler Capacity (Sizes) or Quart Capacity

Sizing for Coolers varies as different units can measure them by differing companies. Some use liters, gallons, etc.

However, quarts are the industry standard.

• SMALL (10-35 Quarts): Th