These Top-Rated Coolers Are Perfect for Tailgates, Picnics, and More

Whether you’re gearing up for a summer of adventurous camping trips, park picnics, or just some fun backyard hangs, you want to have the best cooler ready to go. From tasty (and low-cal) spiked seltzer to your favorite brews, there is something so refreshing about sipping on a cold drink in the heat of summertime. Plus, a cooler full of lukewarm beverages can tend to put a damper on the mood. With modern insulation technology that allows some coolers to keep contents cold for days or even weeks at a time, now is the perfect time to invest in a high-performance cooler designed for outdoor use.

Best Coolers

How We Chose

Nowadays, there are so many types of coolers out there, from backpack coolers, to tote bags, to eco-friendly, to just plain rugged. We've done extensive testing on soft coolers and used what we learned through those tests about quality brands and what to look for to help guide our picks here. We also reviewed guides from trusted brands like Outdoor Gear Lab and CNET to help determine the most important specs to consider in a cooler.

Below, learn more about the best coolers to keep your favorite drinks and snacks ice-cold.