Nothing improves an outdoor adventure better than a cold drink, and the best coolers will keep that beverage icy cold for days at a time. That goes for camping trips, backyard parties, barbecues, boating trips, or long days at your Airbnb’s pool. And these coolers aren’t just about keeping your beers, hard seltzers, orange wines, or non-alcoholic drink of choice cold—they’ll also keep your sandwiches, potato salad, and overpriced blackberries from spoiling despite the the mid-summer heat and humidity.
It’s getting hot as hell out there, and the only thing separating you and a warm can of beer is one of these coolers. You’re going to need something that can take a beating, won’t leave you with a puddle of lukewarm melted ice (i.e. water), and won’t break your back mid-way to your campsite. As summer approached, we took some of our favorite coolers (and a few newcomers to the beverage-cooling scene) to the beach to see which ones kept their cool in the heat. Whether you have your own beach day planned or want to spend a Lazy Sunday on your own outdoor sofa, grab one of these coolers and get ready to chill, literally.
The Best Coolers, According to GQ:
In This Guide
The Best Cooler, Overall: Yeti Tundra
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Photo by Timothy Beck Werth
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Photo by Timothy Beck Werth
We’ve used a variety of Yeti products over the years, from coolers to koozies, so we had high expectations when testing the Tundra. Available in sizes between 33 liters all the way up to a massive 311 liters, the Tundra is the coolest cooler around. The Tundra’s super-thick walls are pressure injected with trademarked insulation, which protect your goods from the effects of the outside temperature, i.e. your ice-cold drinks stay cold even in a hell-like landscape.
The Yeti brand has loyalty comparable to Apple or Patagonia, and we’re happy to report that this cooler will not disappoint—go ahead and get your hopes up. It has an uncanny ability to hold ice and low temperatures (a laser temperature gun tells no lies), even when we placed it directly in the Carolina sunshine on a 90 degree day. We also appreciate that Yeti includes a dry goods basket to stop sandwiches from getting soggy. The cooler has a premium construction, which is apparent in the heavy-duty T-rex handles, the cool colorways, and overall durability.
We should note that because Yeti uses three inches of its PermaFrost insulation, the interior may not be as spacious as you’d expect at first glance, so pick a size accordingly. The cooler’s also on the heavy side, but that’s the cost of entry for bear-proof materials and insane levels of insulation. Yes, there are cheaper coolers, but we’re not convinced there are any better ones.
The Best Yeti Alternative: RTIC Ultra-Light Cooler
RTIC
Ultra-Light 52 Quart Hard Cooler
Yeti coolers are famously durable and cold, but they’re also famously expensive. If you don’t think of a cooler as a status symbol, then you’ll appreciate the RTIC brand (pronounced “Arctic”). RTIC and Yeti coolers are strikingly similar, and the two Texas companies have a complicated history. But if you want a heavy-duty cooler that can hold ice for days, RTIC delivers at a lower price point. The RTIC 52-Quart Ultra-Light Cooler is bigger and lighter than the Yeti Tundra 45, yet comes in at only $199. You can’t fail to notice that the clasps, marine-grade handles, and overall design are similar on both coolers.
Our testers raved about their RTIC cooler, which can hold ice for days, no sweat. This hard cooler is significantly lighter than similar premium coolers, making it easier to take to and from your party, marina, or campsite. Our RTIC-loving friends report that these coolers hold up to years of abuse, so don’t be afraid to really throw it around. We also recommend using RTIC ice packs with this cooler, as they’ll improve performance and give you extra space for cans, bottles, and food.
The Best Soft Cooler: RTIC Soft Pack Cooler
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Photo by Timothy Beck Werth
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Photo by Timothy Beck Werth
RTIC doesn’t have the brand name recognition as Yeti, but we wholeheartedly believe it gives the Abominable Snowman’s eponymous brand a run for its money. It’s not quite half the price but performs spectacularly well and is just as durable and road-ready. Likewise, soft-side coolers may not hold ice quite as long as their hard-bodied brothers, but we were still impressed with this cooler’s ability to keep our items cool. The ice may have melted, but the resulting slush actually kept our drinks colder compared to items resting on top of ice in a nearby Yeti. And because of the waterproof zipper and interior, you don’t have to worry about leakage. In fact, the watertight zipper is so tough that RTIC provides zipper lube (the zipper can be tricky to maneuver, especially one-handed). For daytrips, a mix of beverages and food, or picnics, RTIC’s Soft Pack is ready to go.
We loved the Sage color of the cooler we tested, and we found the handles, straps, and zipper to be extremely high quality, though somewhat lacking in padding. The combination of 1.5 inches of insulation and a waterproof design make this a hardier option than most soft coolers. To make the most of the interior space, we once again recommend using RTIC ice packs. And while we tested the 20-can version of this cooler, but smaller and larger sizes are also available.
The Best Backpack Cooler: CamelBak ChillBak
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Photo by Timothy Beck Werth
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Photo by Timothy Beck Werth
CamelBak’s ChillBak is the Inspector Gadget of backpacks. It has enough space to carry up to 24 cans and 15 pounds of ice, but for those hoping to nix a trip to the water fountain, the pack also includes a six-liter water pack that connects to a spigot for quick and easy hydration. Rather than sipping directly from the spigot like with other hydration packs, you can use this reservoir and tube to refill water bottles without missing a step. While CamelBak describes this as a 30L cooler backpack, the interior cooler only holds 24L (the water reservoir holds the missing 6L). The padded straps keep your shoulders comfortable, although the weight distribution of this backpack could be better. Fully packed, it felt unwieldy and top-heavy. Despite the chest and waist belts, we wouldn’t advise using this on super-long treks.
