October 2025: We did a complete overhaul of this article, with a dozen new coolers tested using a new testing procedure detailed below with six new top picks. We also removed some of the previous members of our best list that are no longer available for sale, including Cabela's Polar Cap Equalizer 80-quart cooler and East Oak Cooler, 25-quart.

These are the other coolers we've tested with our new testing procedure, detailed below. They didn't make the cut for the main list, but that doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with them and you might still prefer them, depending on your situation.

Goal Zero Alta 50/Alta 80

The Goal Zero Alta 50 was the last electric cooler I tested. There's nothing particularly wrong with it, but the other two electric coolers I recommend fit a better niche. The Goal Zero is extremely large -- it holds the largest number of cans of soda at 77. It also has the most solid construction of all the options. It's stainless steel, and the handles are solid and spring-loaded. When you release them, they snap back decisively.

Similarly, the lid is tight and well built. The latches are metal and very secure. I feel like this cooler would be a good second fridge or freezer in a garage if you bought too much food and needed an emergency extra. 

There are two downsides though. The first is that the stainless steel construction looks nice until it doesn't. The unit I tested already has a couple of dents in it. The second is in the control panel that you use to set the temperature. It's on the bottom of the cooler, so it's not terribly convenient to get to or even see. These two factors ultimately keep it off our main list, but if you need what’s basically a second fridge, this is a good option. 

Magellan Outdoors Pro Explore IceBox

The Magellan Outdoors Pro Explore IceBox is a smaller carrying cooler, but it's not a backpack. You can carry the cooler with an included shoulder strap or with the strap handles on either side. This is a hard-sided cooler with a hard top, covered in a soft fabric. Like its larger counterpart above, when you open and close this lid, you feel a good seal and a whisper of air escaping when you push it closed.

This cooler also comes with a nifty bottle opener tethered to the cooler and tucked into a convenient pocket for that purpose. The cooler also has a series of loops on the front of it which you can use to attach other things, like tools and utensils, to the front for help with carrying. Overall, I like the cooler, but I like the backpack form a little better, which keeps it from earning a top spot.

RTIC 45 gal and Yeti Tundra 45

These two coolers are remarkably similar, despite belonging to different brands. They both have the same basic rotomoulded plastic construction, rope handles and rubberized latches. Their ice retention test numbers are similar, though at the end of the test, the RTIC held on just a little bit longer.

They do have some differences, though. Notably, the RTIC cooler is less expensive at $239 vs. $325, but the Yeti Tundra cooler comes with certification from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. That basically means that, if you also get a bear-proof lock, you can keep your food safe from grizzly bears. If you're camping in bear country, that might be worth the extra money, but it’s a pretty niche use case otherwise. 

Yeti Tundra Haul

Similar to the Yeti Tundra above, the Yeti Tundra Haul also comes with bear-proof certification, which is always a nice bonus for campers. This is also a wheeled cooler, so that means it has a larger capacity and is easier to maneuver. The wheels are also durable plastic. Meanwhile, the handle is solid and feels like stainless steel -- arguably the most solid-feeling handle among the roller coolers. 

Like the Yeti Tundra 45-gallon cooler, there's not much more to this cooler except good ice retention, which is arguably the most important attribute. However, many coolers today have extra features that make them more desirable, and this one simply does not. It's a great back-to-basics cooler, but if you want something with more bells and whistles, you'll want to look elsewhere.

RTIC Ultra-Tough 24-Can backpack

The RTIC Ultra-Tough backpack cooler has several nice features. It starts off with an extra storage pouch on the front. It's about the size of a handbag or clutch purse, good for carrying a phone or small tablet, perhaps. Unlike the dry storage vault on the Ninja cooler above, this front pouch does not get cold from the ice in the cooler — I tested that specifically. 

There's also a web of bungee cords on the top that are good for securing something small, like a pillow or rolled-up blanket. There are elastic cup holders on each side and a few canvas loops on the front if you need to secure anything else. The top of the cooler is thick and slots nicely into the opening to seal in the cold without zipping up the zipper, which is a nice bonus.

Capacity

• Small or personal-size coolers that advertise internal volumes of less than 40 quarts (that's less than 10 gallons or 38 liters).
• Midsize coolers, where most of the top options seem to land, range from 40 to 59 quarts (10 to 14.75 gallons or 38 to 56 liters).
• Large "party" ice chest coolers that boast volumes over 60 quarts (over 15 gallons or 57 liters).
• Soft-sided coolers don't have a specific capacity range but tend to be offered in the same categories as small or personal-size coolers.

If we're going to talk about performance, we should talk about capacity first. Although some ice chest sizes are more popular than others (50-quart, for instance), there isn't much uniformity among coolers as far as size and shape are concerned. Apart from determining how many cans of beer or soda each one will hold, size and shape will have an impact on performance, too. After all, with the quantity of ice being equal, a 75-quart cooler has a bigger job on its hands than a 45-quart cooler.

Ice retention

The big differentiator that you'll hear a lot about as you shop for a cooler is ice retention -- specifically, how long a cooler can keep a full load of ice frozen (melted ice -- that is, water -- isn't as good at keeping drinks cold). The roto moulded coolers tend to excel at this, earning their higher price, but they also face competition from electric cooler options. I did vary the testing procedure to account for the differences between a regular ice box style cooler and an electric cooler. The differences are detailed in the testing section below.

Mobility, durability and other usability features

I also considered each cooler's design and features as I tested and looked for durability concerns. Specifically, I looked at the handles, latches, lids and drain plugs or gaskets, with a view toward how easy they were to use, especially when on the go.

Oh, and if you'll be spending lots of time camping in a place where bears are a concern, then you'll probably want to invest in a bear-resistant cooler. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee keeps a running list of certified options, which includes a number of coolers from this rundown. Several of the models I've tested from Cabela's, Magellan Outdoors and Yeti all make the cut.

Testing for coolers took place in two different phases. It would not have made sense to test an electric cooler in the same way as I tested an ice cooler, so I had to conduct two separate tests to put them through their paces. 

For all the coolers I tested, the ambient temperature was around 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and I had to open each cooler at least once an hour to check the temperature. Below, you can see the graph that shows which coolers best retained the ice over time.

How we tested ice coolers

For the ice coolers, I wanted to get a sense of how long they could retain their ice. I loaded up the cooler with a row of soda cans and poured a 2-inch layer of ice on top of them. For coolers with different levels -- a surprising number, I might point out -- I added a layer of cans on each level and poured ice over them. I filled the ice on top of the cans two inches deep.

I placed the thermometer high in the cooler to get the temperature near the top. If the cooler had a separate rack, I put the thermometer on that. If not, I rigged a solid core wire inside the cooler and hung the thermometer from that. I took temperatures every hour (meaning I opened the cooler once every hour) for 48 hours (excluding about 7 hours to sleep) and recorded the results. I stopped the test when every cooler no longer had ice (but still had cold water).

How we tested electric coolers

For the electric coolers, since only one had a battery, I plugged each one in until it reached its set temperature, 40 degrees. From there, I powered them off and took the temperature every hour from thermometers rigged similarly to the ice coolers test. It was interesting to find that the electric coolers do not retain cold nearly as well as the ice coolers.

Below you can see a temperature comparison between the Anker Solix EverFrost 2 and an RTIC cooler, showing which one kept the temperature cooler over time.

From there I evaluated other aspects of the coolers from how easy they are to move around, how heavy they are to lift when empty, and other frills and accessories. That, plus the testing helped me arrive at my final conclusions.

These coolers were tested using an older testing methodology. Direct comparison is no longer possible with newer coolers on our list; however, several picks have also been retested with our newer methodology, like the RTIC and Yeti Tundra Haul, earning them spots on our new list.

Magellan Outdoors Pro Explore IceBox 75-quart cooler: The performance of Magellan's largest offering was very close to Cabela's Polar Cap Equalizer. The lowest temperature recorded between the two in our cooling tests was less than a degree apart (44.6 vs. 45.5 degrees Fahrenheit). If your main goal is to keep things cold, then the question is whether or not that extra 0.9-degree difference is worth paying another hundred bucks for. I say keep the cash and use it to stock your cooler -- especially since these hard-sided Magellan Outdoors coolers boast one of my favorite cooler features of all time: the double-sided hinge latches. The hinges themselves are the latches, and they're on both sides of the cooler, so no more walking around to "the other side," reaching over the lid or asking someone to grab your drink. This model also has wheels, which is great when you're loaded down, as well as metal bottle opener inserts on either side of the cooler.

Magellan Outdoors Pro 24-can square cooler: Yes, I know -- another Magellan cooler. You could tell before the tests that this cooler was going to be the better performer. The competitors sport very thin walls, and that's doesn't do much for in terms of insulative capabilities. The others are much cheaper and a couple come in backpack format, if that's your thing.

Yeti Tundra Haul hard cooler: Yeti is already a name people tend to associate with solid performance (if not higher prices), and at least with coolers, for good reason. Yeti coolers consistently perform at the top of the pack. The Tundra Haul is no different. Although the Yeti didn't hit the lowest overall temp of the bunch, it did hold its lowest temperature for much longer than its competitors. The Haul has rugged "Neverflat" wheels, suggesting you could trek out farther or into more rugged terrain than you might venture with a lesser cooler. It will transport more easily than most, and you can be sure you'll be getting maximum cool duration for your time.

RTIC 45-quart hard cooler: If you want great performance with a friendlier price tag than its competitors, you can feel safe picking up this RTIC. The best value doesn't have to mean the least amount of money. This RTIC unit tested with impressively low temperatures. It gave the lowest temperatures in the midsize cooler category and low enough to play ball with the largest of coolers we tested.

These coolers are currently commercially available from the dozens we've tested over the last few years. Here's a linked list with brief insights:

• Lifewit Collapsible Cooler Bag 24L (25 quarts): A handle-carry soft-sided cooler. It's popular on Amazon, but as expected soft sides didn't perform well in terms of keeping things cool during our testing.
• Tourit Cooler Backpack (20 quarts): Another popular Amazon find. In our testing, these backpacks weren't great for cooling, but at least this one is stylish and has a connected metal bottle opener. 
• Amazon Commercial Rotomolded Cooler (out of stock) (20 quarts): Amazon has a line of roto-molded coolers that perform better than most (but not all, keeping it out of the winner's circle), and have one of the best cooler latching design.
• Camp Zero 20L Premium Cooler (21 quarts): Very middle-of-the-road performance. It offers neat color options and four lid molded-in cup holders, which is great unless, you know, you need to open the cooler.
• Frosted Frog 20qt Rotomolded Ice Chest (20 quarts): This was a brand requested to be reviewed by multiple CNET readers, and we've grown to love it too. We saw excellent performance, just not the best. 
• Klein Tools Work Cooler (17 quarts): Sturdy, but not great performance as a traditional cooler, but would maybe keep your lunch cool. 
• Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler (52 quarts): Looks neat and "BMX-y" and is the lowest-priced midsize cooler we tested -- but it also gave the worst performance.
• KENAI 65 Quart Cooler (65 quarts): Classic design. Great color options. OK performance.
• Frosted Frog 75QT Cooler (75 quarts): Like the other Frosted Frog model we tested, we found it to have reasonable pricing for excellent performance. 
• Bison Gen 2 Cooler (50 quarts): The higher price tag will get you the coldest temp in its category, but also an inability to maintain that temp keeps this cooler from the winner's circle.
• Cabela's Polar Cap Equalizer Cooler (60 quarts): One of the most expensive coolers on the list, but that's the price you pay for a former "best large cooler" title holder.
• Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler (33 quarts): Lowest temp reached in the small cooler division, but its price tag keeps it from being the top pick.
• RTIC 65 Cooler (65 quarts): Middle-of-the-pack performance with a slightly higher than median price tag. 
• Igloo Island Breeze Cooler (48 quarts): Low cost around $50, but second to lowest performance scores in its division.
• Igloo Latitude Wheeled Cooler (60 quarts): Large, but lowest performance scores in its division.
• Igloo MaxCold Cooler (50 quarts): Some of the best scores in the midsize cooler division and an attractive price tag.
• Lifetime High Performance Cooler (55 quarts): One of the better-performing midsized coolers and a deal at just over $100.
• Orca Classic Cooler (58 quarts): Formerly awarded best midsized cooler for a reason, but the price to pay is steep.
• Pelican Elite Cooler (50 quarts): Gets colder than most, but won't hold it as long as others. 
• Yeti Roadie 24 Cooler (20 quarts and 60 quarts): Middle-of-the-road performance. Picks a temp and holds it well. 
• Yeti Hopper Backflip 24 Insulated Backpack Cooler (22 quarts): It is a backpack, but most any other cooler will perform better. 
• Coleman Portable Cooler (16 quarts): One of the cheapest options at only $23, but isn't going to hold its temp for very long.
• Pelican 20 Quart Elite Cooler (20 quarts): Not a strong competitor in comparison with others. 
• Xspec 60 Quart Roto Molded High Performance Cooler (60 quarts): One of the best coolers we've ever tested. Formerly named our best overall cooler, priced at $220. Top-notch features and performance.
• Igloo Trailmate Journey all-terrain cooler (70 quarts): Feature-rich and excellent performance. Just above the median price tag.
• Gosun Chillest (48 quarts): No need for ice, this is basically a portable fridge and freezer. Set the temperature in two different zones with a range from -4 degrees F to 68 F with electricity from 12-volt, AC or solar. We tested both the fridge and freezer sections in our Gosun Chillest review.
• Laka 20 (20 quarts): This adorable oval-shaped cooler comes in dozens of cool colors. It's both lightweight and tough.
• AirSkirts Inflatable Cooler (58 quarts): Don't have a lot of space to store a cooler when not in use? This inflatable cooler conveniently packs down into a small bag you can store in the tightest spaces. However, its performance doesn't compare with traditional coolers.
• Yeti V-Series (60 quarts): This sleek, upscale stainless steel cooler is tall enough to chill wine bottles inside. It'll set you back a pretty penny, though.
• Ice Mule R-Jaunt (20 quarts): The backpack style is convenient to carry, but it doesn't perform as well as some of the other soft-sided coolers.
• Ice Mule Jaunt (15 quarts): A clear backpack cooler looks pretty neat, but it had the worst performance of all the soft-sided coolers we tested.
• Ice Mule Boss (23 quarts): Another Ice Mule backpack, but this one performed better than the other two, putting it in the middle of the soft-sided cooler pack.
• Iron Flask (out of stock) (13 quarts): A portable cooler with cup holders on top and middle-of-the-road performance among the soft-sided coolers we tested.
• Orca Wanderer (23 quarts): A better-than-average performer, this soft-sided cooler is tall and narrow so it can hold taller bottles.
• Lifewit Collapsible Cooler Bag (25 quarts): While its performance among the soft-sided coolers we tested was middling, the price makes it an appealing option.
• OlarHike Cooler Backpack (out of stock) (23 quarts): Similar to the Tourit. It's not as attractive, but you may be able to load a bit more into it.
• Igloo Playmate Cooler (4 quarts): Everything about this is tiny. Tiny capacity, tiny level of performance, but also a tiny price tag.
• Orca 40 Quart Cooler (40 quarts): A steep price tag for median performance in this category.
• Rubbermaid Ice Chest Cooler (out of stock) (48 quarts): One of the worst temperature performances in midsized coolers.
• Coleman Xtreme Marine Cooler (out of stock) (70 quarts): Tons of capacity in this cooler, and for less than $80, it's a solid choice.
• Coleman Xtreme Wheeled Cooler (50 quarts): Fairly poor stats in the midsized cooler performance tests, but less than $70.
• Rovr Rollr 60 Wheeled Cooler (out of stock) (60 quarts): Holds temp well, just maybe not as cold as its competitors. Highest price tag we've tested.
• Coleman 24-Can Party Stacker Portable Cooler (out of stock) (23 quarts): Gets super cold, but doesn't stay that way for long; only $30.
• Rubbermaid Blue Wheeled Cooler (out of stock) (45 quarts): Median performance, but it's $58 and on wheels.
• East Oak Rotomolded Hard Cooler (out of stock)(45 quarts): The larger version of our favorite small cooler, you can't go wrong with this effective and good-looking cooler. It doubles as a stool or table when closed.
• Brumate BrüTank (55 quarts): Go camping with this trendy and stylish cooler. It's chock full of features, like a foam seat top, all-terrain wheels, a built-in bottle opener and more. 
• Coleman Convoy  (65 quarts): This is a solid cooler, but surprisingly it had the worst performance of the large coolers we tested.