Best Cooler

As the summer heats up, you're on a mission to keep things cool. From an ice chest that will last your entire beach trip to compact picnic companions, we've pulled together a list of the best coolers on the market. They offer great ice retention and durability to see you from summer to summer as well as handy features like built-in bottle openers and drink holders. Take a look at our top picks for your summer adventures.

These 10 coolers were selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best. Congratulations to our 2024 winners; you can now visit our 2025 Best Cooler contest.

1. BRÜMATE BrüTank 35-quart rolling cooler

With 30% less weight and a smaller frame, BrüTank offers the same great features from its 55-quart model in a more-compact offering. The cooler still offers ice retention for seven-plus days and a removable drink tank (1.8 gal.) with a tap as well as a pull handle and puncture-resistant tires to help you navigate the terrain of your chosen getaway.

2. RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler

The 52-quart Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler from RTIC boasts puncture-resistant, lightweight construction and a silicone-gripped handle, making it easy to tote your drinks and perishables across various terrains. With a 78-can capacity and insulation that offers up to five-day cooling, it's easy to keep your camping provisions preserved. A silicone net built into the lid adds extra storage for smaller items.

3. Blue Coolers Cobalt 55 Quart Roto-Molded Super Cooler

Offering an even higher per-quart value than Blue Cooler's standard offerings, the Cobalt line beats out other high-profile brands. This traditional roto-molded cooler is also 20% lighter than other traditional models and offers three-day ice retention, perfect for weekend camping trips. Features like removable tether handles and tie-down slots make this a portable choice.

4. Otterbox Cube Cooler

A soft-exterior insulated bag, the Otterbox Cube Cooler can chill up to 24 cans with ice retention of up to two days. The waterproof exterior also includes pockets for additional storage, including a large zippered compartment. This lightweight, durable cooler bag comes with an ice pack and an attached bottle opener.

5. RovR RollR 45 Wheeled Cooler

The RollR 45 Wheeled Cooler from RovR offers a compact ice box with all-terrain wheel and a dual-grip handle. At full capacity, it holds up to 54 cans with 10 pounds of ice; you can, however, roughly half that and take advantage of the DeepFreeze Dry Bin for a drip-free refrigerated section. The AnchR Pin System allows you to securely attach accessories like a cutting board.

6. YETI Roadie 24

The YETI Roadie 24 offers a compact ice chest with a 33-can capacity and RockSolid durability. The perfect picnic companion, it's just tall enough to accommodate most wine bottles, can pivot to keeping hot items heated and can easily slip behind your car seat. It comes in a variety of core and seasonal colors, making it easy to match your personal style.

7. Cordova Basecamp Class Hard Cooler

Cordova's 48-quart Basecamp Class Hard Cooler can keep up to 42 cans of your favorite beverage chilled for days on end. A patented Lid Lock system helps prevent mashed fingers, and bear locks keep you from having to share your provisions with the local wildlife. Additional features include anti-slip feet, an advanced drain plug and a built-in bottle opener.

8. Rugged Road 65

A great option for boating or lakeside fun, the Rugged Road 65 V2 has a rugged Titan Shell exterior and floats upright in water. It also beats most of the competition in the weight department, coming in at just 13 pounds (empty) while offering similar ice retention (seven days). You can even flip the lid and reattach to gain drink holders and a cutting board.

9. Igloo Retro Picnic Basket Cooler

Featuring a '90s-inspired color palette and picnic basket styled handles, Igloo's Retro Picnic Basket 25-quart cooler offers some brightly tinged nostalgia for your outdoor gatherings. It also delivers on the refreshment front with a 36-can capacity and THERMECOOL foam insulation to keep your food and drinks cold. The waffle-top lid doubles as a seat and features sturdy, impact-resistant hinges.

10. LAKA 20

With an 18-can capacity, the 20-quart cooler from LAKA provides a more-compact and lighter-weight option in an oval format, great for space-saving packers. Even with a smaller footprint, it delivers exceptional cooling with up to three-day ice retention. Bonus: it comes in a cavalcade of bright colors, and custom options are available.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Panel of Experts

Julie Bielenberg is a Colorado-based writer producing over 75 pieces a year for outlets such as AAA, Family Vacationist, Rachel Ray in Season, Spoke + Blossom, USA Today, Vail Daily and numerous others. She has been the State's #1 agritourism for ten consecutive years and is always in search of field, farm, forest and forage. Julie has three children and two pandemic pooches and is married to an avid outdoorsman. Follow her on Instagram.

Marly Garman is a writer, editor, and creator of Simply Living Happy, a lifestyle site founded in 2021 dedicated to helping readers improve their health, wealth, mindset and overall happiness. Marly has over a decade of business management experience, where she thrived at optimizing operations across industries. She draws on this experience, her reputation for insightfulness and penchant for continuous improvement to inform the practical tips offered on Simply Living Happy.

Susan Lanier-Graham is founder and publisher of Wander With Wonder, an award-winning online travel journalism magazine. She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles while traveling the world over the past three decades. Susan's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including various AAA publications, TravelandLeisure.com, Hotels.com, Modern Luxury, WHERE publications, Fairmont.com, Marriott.com and more. Susan is a member of Society of American Travel Writers, International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, and North American Travel Journalists Association. She is also a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist.

Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.