Best Coolers 2026

As avid campers, beachgoers, tailgaters and backyard party hosts, we know firsthand that a cooler’s job isn’t just to keep things cold—it needs to handle the heavy haul, endure the crowd and withstand accidental drops without breaking a sweat. After testing seven models from brands like Yeti, RTIC and Coleman, we named the RTIC Ultra-Light Cooler the best cooler overall because it’s spacious, secure, thoughtfully designed and keeps ice frozen for days. Of course, several other coolers impressed us, too. That’s why we’ve broken down the highs (and lows) of each model to help you choose one that meets your needs.

I was impressed with the RTIC Ultra-Light Cooler from the moment I picked it up, primarily because it’s truly lighter than other coolers of the same size. And when I started testing it, I remained impressed in almost all regards. Upon adding 20 pounds of ice and sealing it shut, I checked in every eight hours, and even after an entire day, there was hardly any water at the bottom. Fast forward five days and plenty of ice remained to keep things cold. Only the Yeti Tundra 45 had better insulation results.

Very Durable And Comes With A Decent Seal

It pained me to push this cooler off a camp table and drop it on asphalt, but I need not have worried: Aside from a few minor scuffs, it looked good as new. It also stayed securely shut through every fall—I found no issues with the rubber latches or the gasket, and impacts didn’t cause it to leak. T-style latches pop into place with minimal effort and keep the lid closed.

To actually test the seal of this RTIC cooler, I filled it halfway with water, secured its lid and turned it on its side. While it was not exactly a waterfall, water did start leaking from the lid almost immediately. I was a bit off-put by this result, but as I would learn after testing multiple models, a leaky cooler is the norm, not the exception.

The Downside: Drainage Is Somewhat Lacking

Considering this cooler has not one but two drain ports, I was a bit let down by the drainage experience. When half-filled with water, it took only a few minutes to empty with both valves open, but there was a fair amount of water left behind that sat below the reach of the drains. Fortunately, tipping it over to let the remaining water escape quickly solved this problem.

Packs In Several Worthwhile Extras

I was already sold on this cooler because of its weight, ice retention and ease of closing, but a few thoughtful extras made it more compelling. These include a dry pouch set into the top of the cooler lid and a built-in bottle opener. Ultimately, this is a durable, insulative model that isn’t perfect, but it checks almost every box and doesn’t cost a fortune to own, unlike some of its rivals. For that reason, it’s my top recommendation if you’re looking for a combination of performance, features and price.

While the RTIC Ultra-Light bills itself as lightweight, the Coleman Pro is more than a pound lighter. It’s easy to carry even when fully-loaded, and it would be a breeze for two people to haul. The design stood up to durability testing without issue, though it took on more cosmetic damage compared to the other coolers I tested. Granted, coolers are meant to be used and abused, but this one held onto grass strains and the plastic shell looked a little beat up when dropped on pavement.

Poor Seal, But Speedy Drainage

The Coleman Pro was also the outright loser in terms of leaking when positioned on its side—water flowed out like a river. If you’re concerned about spills, the poor seal is worth considering. And yet, while it isn’t watertight, the lid is easy to close. Unlike models that feature stiff rubber latches, the Pro’s steel latch closes effortlessly, which is a plus for those rare moments when you only have one free hand, like fishing.

As much as I was let down by the leakage, I was pleased with this cooler’s ability to drain quickly and efficiently. I opened up its single drain valve and let the cooler do its thing, and within a few minutes, almost every last drop was gone. No water remained after leaving it open in the sun for just 15 minutes.

Easy To Haul And Well-Priced

Hard-sided coolers are notoriously heavy and difficult to carry, even when empty, but the Coleman Pro sheds weight to make hauling your goods just a little easier. While the lightweight design comes at the cost of insulation, it should still keep food and drink cold for a couple of days. At $200, it’s a well-priced model for fast-and-light adventures to the beach, campsite and beyond.

The Yeti Tundra 45 blew away the competition in terms of ice retention. After six days, it still contained chunks of ice, long after the ice melted in every other cooler. Finally, I had to call it and give up—this cooler’s insulation outlasted even our testing protocol. And beyond insulation, it felt incredibly rugged, with a certified bear-resistant construction that showed no signs of damage after multiple drops. Yeti gained recognition years ago for its insulation and durability, and these qualities are still present today.

A Master At Keeping Cold (But It Does Leak)

Funny enough, the Tundra 45 offers best-in-class insulation, but it was also one of the leakiest coolers I tested, second only to the Coleman Pro. Naturally, you might think a cooler that leaks so easily has a poor seal, but that’s not the case here. When I secured the lid with the rubber latches and pushed down firmly on the top, I detected no air leaks. And as noted, it stayed closed during drop tests. This leads me to believe Yeti has simply mastered the art of rotomolded insulation.

Great For Hunting Trips And Hot Summer Adventures

Like many of its rivals, the Tundra 45 has tie-down slots and multiple points for padlocks. These aren’t special features, but they’re worth mentioning, and you can find a lot of accessories on Yeti’s website, though you’ll pay more for the convenience they provide.

At the end of the day, this cooler is expensive, and you can probably get by with weaker insulation to save money, as evidenced by the cheaper RTIC Ultra-Light. But if you truly need class-leading insulation for hunting trips, van life or hot summer festivals, this is the cooler to buy.

I was surprised to discover the cooler with the largest capacity—Engel’s 60-quart UltraLite Cooler—was far from the heaviest. In fact, it was only 1.5 pounds heavier than the Coleman Pro, which makes it a great option for camping trips when you need to schlep it from the car to the campsite full of food and drink. It shrugged off multiple drops, save for a few scuff marks, and lost nothing in terms of performance or functionality. Based on my findings, it should stand up to the rigors of the great outdoors.

Simple To Open And Drains Quickly

Like almost every other cooler I tested, the Engel UltraLite was a slow but steady leaker. With that said, it’s remarkably easy to open and close the lid’s dual latches. There was a slight learning curve, but a few failed attempts helped me get the hang of it. And to my surprise, this cooler was the drainage winner—upon unplugging the drain, I stood back and watched all the water clear out in about seven minutes.

A Better Value That Other Coolers We Tested

Engel includes a simple basket for dry goods, and a built-in bottle opener comes in handy as well. While it’s fair to say most coolers in this guide are good for camping, the UltraLite wins out thanks to its lightweight build, reliable insulation and rugged durability. And at just $240, it delivers a better value than Yeti or Canyon, offering 25% more capacity at a lower price in a cooler that’s easy to carry wherever adventure takes you.

The RTIC Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler faces steep competition as more wheeled models hit the market, but it remains a durable, versatile design that ultimately won over our tester. Thanks to a set of plastic puncture-resistant wheels and a solid metal handle attached to the side, it’s easy to maneuver over roots, rocks, sand and pavement. And when you combine that all-terrain prowess with top-tier insulation (it retained ice for five days), durability and a reasonable sticker price, you’re left with a wheeled cooler that looks good on paper and performs as it should in the real world.

Beat The Yeti Roadie 48 In Durability

The Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler’s biggest competition is probably the Yeti Roadie 48, a model we also tested and loved. Unlike the RTIC’s solid metal handle, the Yeti features a telescoping suitcase-style handle that rises from the back. It’s incredibly maneuverable but relies on more moving components, and dropping it at the wrong angle can actually bend the handle if it’s extended. RTIC’s handle is shorter, so the cooler is kind of awkward to pull behind you, but it’s ultimately stronger and still easy to use. Therefore, it inches out the Yeti Roadie.

Beyond wheels and handles, the Ultra-Light shook off multiple drops, including one on hard pavement that forced the wheels to absorb the impact. Inside, a rubber storage net built into the lid serves as a hammock of sorts for dry goods, and a single drain port evacuates water efficiently. RTIC also attaches a metal bottle opener to one of the corners, and rubber T-latches are easy to lock into place.

Comparable Performance For Hundreds Less

The RTIC isn’t going to beat Yeti when it comes to insulation, but it’s comparable in almost every other way, and nearly $200 less. If you’re looking for a wheeled cooler that keeps things cold for days, can take a beating and doesn’t sweat varied terrain, this is a great option.

Other Coolers We Tested

Here are a couple of other coolers we tested that didn’t quite make our list of top picks. These models aren’t bad by any means, but they don’t stand out as the best options for a particular preference.

• Yeti Roadie 48: This is an excellent wheeled cooler that features a suitcase-style handle, durable wheels, effortless latches and a deep bin for taller objects, like bottles of wine. It didn’t make the list of winners because the handle is made with a lot of moving parts that can break, and while the cooler offers best-in-class insulation, it’s a lot more expensive than similar models, like RTIC’s Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler.
• Canyon Coolers Outfitter V2: This cooler earned high marks for its insulation and strong seal that refused to leak, even when the cooler was tipped on its side for an hour. While we found it to be a well-rounded model, it didn’t wow us for any particular reason, and at $300, it’s a bit more expensive than the competition without offering any distinct advantages.

How We Tested The Best Coolers

To identify the best coolers, we created a testing protocol that focused on four key variables: durability, ice retention, locking method and seal, and additional features. With insights from Straley, Fletcher and Callahan, we evaluated each cooler’s performance, testing everything from insulation and construction to latches and drain plugs. Below is a breakdown of how we tested coolers, and the expert advice that guided us along the way.

Durability

To find out just how tough these coolers are, we dropped each one from waist height (around three feet) onto a hard surface, multiple times from multiple angles. We also left them outside for days, rolled them up and down hills, knocked them over, slammed them shut and treated them with the kind of disrespect that only real-world use can deliver. Afterwards, we inspected them for cracks, broken latches and lid separation.

Ice Retention

To test how long each cooler could keep contents cold, we ran a side-by-side experiment under controlled conditions. First, we brought all coolers to room temperature with their lids open for an hour, then added the same amount of ice and recorded a baseline internal temperature. We then placed the coolers in a shaded, sheltered area away from direct sun and rain to level the playing field.

Every eight hours, we opened each cooler to gauge the ice level, note how much was left and measure the internal temperature. To simulate real-world use, we opened each cooler for two minutes every 12 hours and continued testing until all the ice had melted (save for the Yeti Tundra 45, which refused to give in after six days). We compared results based on how long each cooler held ice and how quickly the ice levels dropped.

Seal, Locking Mechanism And Drainage

A cooler’s ability to keep things cool isn’t just about insulation—it’s also about how it seals and drains. To test for leaks, we filled each cooler halfway with water, closed the lid and tilted it in multiple directions before leaving it on its side, watching for drips around the lid, drain plug and seams.

From there, we applied pressure to the lid to see if it flexed, created air gaps or failed to stay shut. And finally, we checked how efficiently each cooler drained by opening the drain plug and timing how long it took to empty, noting which models had leftover standing water inside.

Additional Features

A lot of modern coolers come with additional features, from built-in bottle openers to dry racks and cutting boards. Coolers outfitted with convenient extras, like bottle openers, drain ports and padlock slots earned additional points, and we made note of coolers that included larger accessories, though these didn’t earn more points because some brands make you pay for them. Ultimately, these features shouldn’t dictate which cooler is right for you, but they can factor into the decision process.

How To Pick The Best Coolers

Keep the following considerations in mind to help you find a durable, reliable cooler for adventures to come.

• Ice retention: “In my experience, value ice retention over all else,” says 4Patriot’s Tom Callahan. “There is something to be said for never having to make a late-night ice run again.” Most modern coolers can keep contents cold for days at a time, but some models offer better insulation than others. Consider household names like Yeti, RTIC, Canyon and Coleman that have extensive track records when it comes to reliable insulation.
• Capacity: Cooler capacity is measured in quarts, though a lot of brands also list the number of 12-ounce cans it can hold. “Sizing will be dependent on how many people are going to be using the cooler and how long you will be out,” says Joel Fletcher. “A 25-quart cooler will get one person by for a day trip or overnight adventure, whereas if you are going to be spending a week on the river or on an overland trip, a 100-plus-quart cooler will be what you need.”
• Weight and portability: Lift a cooler that weighs 20 pounds and do the same with a cooler that weighs 30 pounds, and you’ll quickly realize the extra weight adds up fast. Add food and drink to the equation, and a cooler that feels light when empty can be unwieldy or even impossible to lift on your own when fully loaded. Therefore, it’s more important to look for thoughtful features like grab handles, straps or wheels that make them easier to transport.
• Durability: Consider the level of hardship your cooler may face. Do you need one that can “withstand being strapped to the back of a raft or the bed of a truck,” asks Fletcher? Or one that can handle the added weight when used as a seat or step stool? Many coolers are rugged and capable, though some are more prone to popped latches or cosmetic damage than others. Look for well-known brands with strong warranties to make sure your cooler serves you for years to come.
• Additional features: If you’re on the fence between two models that have similar ice retention and capacity ratings, look for extras like a built-in bottle opener, non-slip feet, a dry basket and other extras that will make the experience that much more enjoyable.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

Our team is comprised of outdoor equipment and apparel experts who perform exhaustive research, conduct interviews and spend time with products in the field. As a result, we’ve published a large library of gear guides, which includes dozens of camping and hiking stories.

• This guide was written by Forbes Vetted staff writer Steven John, who has covered outdoor products for over a decade and spent time recreating outside for much longer than that. He tested coolers from RTIC, Yeti, Coleman, Engel and others over the course of multiple weeks to find the best models available right now.
• This guide is overseen and edited by Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta, an outdoor enthusiast who spends as much time exploring the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest as he can. Vigliotta helped test wheeled coolers for this guide by rolling them up and down hills, dropping them from tables and subjecting them to other destructive experiments.
• Because new and updated coolers are released regularly, we revisit and revise this guide as needed to keep it up to date with the latest recommendations and information. It was last updated in May 2026.

Our Experts

• Andrew Straley, chief gear expert for Kampgrounds of America, the owner of a large network of campgrounds across North America
• Joel Fletcher, a gearhead with Backcountry.com, a retailer that specializes in outdoor gear
• Tom Callahan, senior vice president of product development at 4Patriots, a company that focuses on emergency preparedness products