10 Best Coolers, Ranked (According to Amazon Reviews)

As summer rolls around and temperatures rise to picnic-perfect conditions, you’ll probably find yourself in need of a good cooler to last you through the year and beyond.

The casual picnic goer may have different needs than heavy-duty hikers and campers or someone trying to earn extra cash as a Door Dasher or Uber Eats driver, but everyone needs a cooler with integrity and proven longevity. 

But don’t just take our word for it — keep reading for the best coolers ranked by Amazon reviews.

$30 to $42.99

If you need a simple yet reliable cooler for camping, beach days, or cookouts, set your sights on the Maelstrom Soft Cooler Bag. Ranging in size from 24 to 75 can capacity and $30 to $42.99, this leakproof cooler stays chilled for up to 12 hours.

The Maelstrom cooler has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon with over 4,800 reviews. “Love that it folds flat for storage,” said one 5-star reviewer. “Super lightweight, and glad it has the shoulder strap.”

$19.99

For those needing something more versatile, consider Vankor’s Camping Cooler Backpack, available in several solid colors and patterns for $19.99. The leakproof backpack cooler can hold 25 cans, has a cellphone pocket, is small enough for a carry-on, and has mesh side pockets.

The cooler has a 4.5-star rating and nearly 1,300 reviews. One reviewer said, “For the price, I assumed this wasn't going to keep anything cold but I needed it on a whim, luckily everything stayed cold and our ice kept for the entire 4+ hours.”

$89.99 to $169.99

Those wanting more of an investment piece could consider the Igloo BMX Hard Cooler, which ranges in size from 25 to 72 quarts and costs $89.99 to $169.99. The hard shell cooler is ideal for those needing a more heavy-duty option, with features including tie-down loops, a drain plug, five days of ice retention, and a fish ruler.

There are over 17,600 ratings, with an average of 4.5 stars. “The size/weight is perfect to carry around,” praised one reviewer. “I even used it to sit on, and it’s very sturdy.”

$59.99 to $64.99

If you’re a parent, pet owner, or usually on the go, a cooler with wheels and a handle may be more up your alley. Coleman’s Portable Rolling Cooler can hold 84 cans and stays cold for up to five days, is leak-proof, and the top is sturdy enough to sit on with can holders that can double as a serving area.

With a 4.5-star rating and nearly 19,000 reviews, this cooler is favored by many. “Great price for a cooler this size,” said a 5-star reviewer. “I like the big, sturdy wheels — easy to move, easy to open/close, very convenient.” Choose from a black colorway for $59.99 or a more colorful option for $64.99.

$39.99

The Coleman Chiller Series is a solid, classic cooler option. The 48-quart size costs $39.99 and comes in an ocean blue colorway. The hard shell cooler has two side handles and can fit up to 31 cans. As a bonus, it’s deep enough to hold 2-liter bottles.

This cooler has a 4.5-star average rating and nearly 10,500 reviews. “It's just right for the beach days with my family of 5,” said one 5-star reviewer. “My husband and son lifted it with no problem.”

$22.99 to $27.99

For a lighter haul, consider NOL Natural Organic Lifestyle’s Insulated Lunch Bag. The bag comes in three sizes from 4 liters to 12 liters and ranges in price from $22.99 to $27.99. The cooler has a handle, a removable cross-body strap, and front and side pockets, and it stays cool for five hours.

Choose from a handful of solid colors ranging from neutrals to brighter hues. There are over 1,300 reviews with an average rating of 4.6 stars. “Very durable, nice quality,” praised a 4-star reviewer. “Very easy to clean and looks very nice. Good strap, and comfortable to carry.”

$47.79 to $124.99

Another sturdy, timeless option is the Coleman 316 Series Insulated Portable Cooler. Size options range from 52 to 150 quarts, with a hard shell exterior in a navy blue color. There are two side handles and the top is sturdy enough to double as a seat.

The 4.6-star average rating comes from over 3,000 reviews. A recent purchaser and 5-star reviewer praised the cooler, saying, “The quality of material is amazing and extremely durable. The handles make it extremely easy to move and use.”

$98.98 to $129.99

If you’re willing to shell out a bit more money for an investment piece, consider the Igloo Polar Hard Cooler. The 114-liter cooler comes in gray, white, and sandstone colorways with slight variations in price. It says cold for five days and has two side handles with tie-down loops, secure latches, and a drain plug.

There are over 8,500 5-star reviews and an average rating of 4.6 stars. One of the many 5-star reviewers said, “We used dry ice and had to store the foods for [five] days. Everything stayed frozen.” They continued, saying, “Very sturdy, and in 20 years of use, I just this year replaced the plastic hinges on our older ones.”

$32.99 to $72.99

Another on-the-go option is Arctic Zone’s Titan Deep Freeze Cooler. The sizes range from a 9-can to 48-can capacity, and prices range from $32.99 to $72.99. Alongside attractive features like a shoulder strap, leakproof design, and external pockets, this cooler has a removable shelf to separate drinks from foods inside the cooler.

There are over 37,500 5-star ratings, with one of those reviewers saying it’s a “very good cooler for the price.” They continued, adding, “Not bulky at all and comfortable to carry around on the shoulder strap.” The cooler has an average rating of 4.6 stars.

$300

The best splurge option is YETI’s Hopper Flip 18 Portable Soft Cooler, with a 4.7-star average rating. The cooler is leakproof, puncture-resistant, and has a 6.2-gallon capacity. There are 16 trendy color options available. It also has a soft shoulder strap as well as side handles.

Of the nearly 1,200 reviews, 999 are 5-star. “Yeti once again meets my expectations. Great quality product and very well built,” praised one of the many 5-star reviewers.

The type of cooler you need depends on what you need it for, your lifestyle, and so on. Regardless if you’re trekking up a trail, hauling out a kayak, or heading to a barbecue, though, you want a product that’s high-quality. More than that, you want to ensure it’s vetted by others.

When making your final decisions, make the most of your Amazon Prime membership and sift through reviews to see if anyone else had your specific needs, questions, or concerns, ensuring you’re making a purchase that will fit your requirements and last a while.