Greatest Coolers of 2023 | GearJunkie

How We Tested Coolers

Our expert gear testers have been reviewing coolers since 2020, meticulously researching dozens of the best coolers on the market to continuously update this review, and bringing you an extensive look at seven of the best coolers you can find today. Miya Tsudome is a writer who brings over three years of gear reviewing experience combined with over a decade of being a serious outdoor enthusiast to help bring this current review to life. Having spent many months living out of her car in pursuit of rock climbing adventures all over the country, she knows that having a good cooler, especially during the hot summer months, can make a world of difference. 

Each product was tested over several weeks, and taken out on different occasions for real-world applications — overnight camping trips, backyard barbecues, and day trips to the local swimming hole. The most recent lineup of coolers was tested in October in the high desert of Bishop, California, where the average temperature was in the high 70s to low 80s for the majority of the month. Each cooler was rated based on its performance in our ice retention test, its insulation and materials, durability, extra features, weight, ease of transport, and ease of maintenance and cleaning. The coolers that ranked the highest in specific categories were assigned an award in our top picks. 

Also, we did not include soft coolers, backpack coolers, or electric coolers in this test.

Ice Retention Test

For our ice retention test, we filled each cooler up 85% of the way with the same type of bagged, cubed ice. Each cooler was stored indoors before the test, to ensure that their starting temperatures were all about the same. While it is recommended to pre-chill a cooler for the best ice retention, we did not pre-chill any of the coolers to best mimic how we would actually use them. For the actual test, we stored the coolers outside in an area that was mostly shaded during the day, with a few hours of direct sun exposure and temperatures that varied from 35 degrees overnight to 100 degrees in direct sun. This was also our idea of the best imitation of how these coolers would typically be stored outdoors. 

Variables that can affect ice retention include the ice quantity, outside environment and temp, exposure and amount of sunlight, type of ice (crushed, block, cube, dry), airspace, and more. In order to find the best of the best coolers, it was crucial for us to do a direct comparison. 

We checked each cooler’s ice retention/melt rate once a day and recorded the time and temp for each one. We also noted the time once each cooler’s ice was fully melted. The YETI Tundra 45 and Orca 40 tied for first place, retaining ice for the full 10 days, and having the coolest interior temperature 48 hours in at 27.3ºF and 27.8ºF, respectively. The RTIC 45 and RTIC Ultra-Light came in next, retaining useable ice for 8 days with interior temperatures 48 hours in at 29.2ºF and 31.2ºF.

While the Igloo ECOCOOL had an interior temperature of 34.6ºF at the 48-hour mark, it surprisingly still had some ice left inside after 10 days. The RovR RollR 45 only lasted 6 days with useable ice, but it also had the least amount of ice inside out of all the coolers due to the useable space. In contrast, the Coleman 316 still held a large quantity of ice after 10 days, although this is more so due to the amount of ice that it is able to hold in its 120-quart interior rather than due to its insulation properties. More ice = more ice retention. 

This test was not meant to be purely scientific, but rather to reflect the realistic use of a cooler outdoors and accurately compare cooler performance. To keep it fair, we did make sure that all coolers were subjected to the same variables and criteria as much as possible. It is worth mentioning again that this test was not performed in the height of summer, but rather during a time when overnight temperatures dipped fairly low, causing the ice to melt much slower than if this test was done in July.

Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Cooler

Cooling Performance

Insulation and Materials

Coolers have a long and storied history. From a humble beginning as a wooden box with an interior tin chamber invented by Thomas Moore Jr. in 1802, to the decently insulating styrofoam boxes that came from the World War II era, to the plastic exterior coolers we know today pioneered by the Coleman company, coolers have come a long way. Historically, coolers have been made with interior and exterior shells of plastic, with hard foam in between. Many basic coolers are still made this way today, such as the Igloo ECOCOOL and the Coleman 316. 

In 2006, two brothers named Roy and Ryan Seiders revolutionized the cooler market with their rotational molding or “rotomolding” design — this involves a heated plastic mold that is rotated continuously while powdered polyethylene is added to it to create a uniform thickness. They also pioneered the use of polyurethane instead of styrofoam as insulation, which created superior ice retention. YETI was the company born from their design and is considered the gold standard in coolers today. Many companies have since adopted the rotomolding technique for their coolers, and now a majority of premium coolers, like the Orca 40, RTIC 45, and of course, the YETI Tundra 45, are rotomolded.

Coolers use a few different sorts of foam or petroleum-based insulation, typically double-walled. YETI employs its pressure-injected polyurethane foam, while Igloo totes its proprietary THERMECOOL insulating foam. While rotomolded coolers offer the best ice retention and durability by far, they are also considerably more heavy and expensive. The trade-off for lighter, less expensive coolers, however, will be in their performance and durability. 

Seals

The highest-performing coolers in our lineup all have heavy-duty rubber gaskets that work to seal their lids airtight. In order to keep your cooler as consistently cold as possible, you need to be able to trap that cold air inside and try to open it up as little as possible. So the best coolers will implement the same materials and mechanisms as deep freezers will, with rubber gaskets that create airtight seals, and sturdy, thick latches that pull the lids tight. The Igloo ECOCOOL and the Coleman 316 are the only coolers in our lineup that do not implement this feature.

Other Features

Another thing to consider if you want the absolute best-performing cooler you can buy, is the color you choose. When measuring the outside temperature of each cooler during our ice retention test, the lighter-colored coolers consistently had lower exterior temperatures. So although that dark grey cooler might be more your style, the white one might be the better choice.

Size and Volume

The sweet spot volume of all the coolers we tested was a 40- to 45-quart cooler. This medium size is the most convenient, providing enough space for 3-5 days worth of food for 1-2 people, or plenty of room for a few six-packs of cold drinks for a backyard barbecue. In terms of the different sizes that each brand offers, 30- and 60-quart capacities are also popular. The largest cooler we tested was the Coleman 316 which can serve a purpose for large events or gatherings, and is a good value for its size.

You’ll want to consider not only how much cooler space you may want for different adventures, but a very important factor to also consider is a cooler’s dimensions. You don’t want to buy the perfect cooler only to find out that it doesn’t fit in your car when packed, or in a spot on your storage shelf. Most coolers are rectangular in shape, and can be easy to slide into car trunks and stack other things on top of. Some coolers have wheels, like the RovR RollR 45 which while making transport easier, can take up more room in a trunk or on a shelf. It’s also a good idea to think about the items you’ll be keeping cool, and make sure those (maybe wine bottles or a coffee press for camping) fit the internal dimensions as well.

Weight

Weight is also an important consideration when choosing a cooler. Rotomolded coolers with their thick, 2 inches of insulation and durable outer plastic layer will be the heaviest cooler you can buy. Coolers like the YETI Tundra 45, RTIC 45, and Orca 40 all weigh between 23 and 30 pounds alone. The RovR RollR 45 weighs a whopping 37 pounds, granted it has wheels which means transportation won’t be as difficult an affair. 

The RTIC Ultra-Light Hard Cooler is a great innovation from RTIC that uses injection molding to create a lighter, midsized cooler. At 31 pounds, the 52-quart model is around the same weight as its 45-quart, rotomolded counterpart, resulting in a higher capacity for less weight.

The Igloo ECOCOOL weighs in at only 9.84 lbs, making it the lightest cooler in our lineup. However, its lightness is attributed to its injection molding, thin walls, and non-insulated lid. Though lightweight, the ECOCOOL is not a premium cooler for the serious consumer but is a great budget pick or option for someone who has more trouble carrying heavier loads.

Ease of Transport

Handles or Wheels?

Some would say this is personal preference, but in our opinion, it all comes down to your cooler volume and what you’re hauling. So, if you are leaning toward a 20- to 40-quart cooler, you probably don’t need wheels. These coolers aren’t so wide that it’s difficult to carry them on your own, and typically come with molded indentations as well as sturdy rope handles on either side. Our testers loved the YETI Tundra 45 with its military-grade nylon rope handles and comfortable, rubber grips.

If you are going to invest in a cooler with a capacity of 60, 70, or 100+ quarts, definitely consider one with wheels, or at least one with a few different carry options (tow handles, grips, two-person carry, etc). This is a flaw in the Coleman 316 we tested, which at a 120 quart capacity and 37.9” width does not come with wheels and pretty much requires two people to carry it fully loaded. The RovR RollR 45, however, comes with beefy, 9”, all-terrain tires that can be inflated with a bike pump, and handle sand, gravel, and rough terrain with ease, making it the best of its class for ease of transport.

If you are frequently loading up on ice and filling that bad boy with cans, you may want something with wheels. Or maybe not, if you plan on rolling that cooler over rugged terrain. But, if you know you’ll be hauling your cooler around with family or friends, a two-handled one may work just fine.

Durability and Build Quality

It’s also worth considering the durability and build quality of a cooler, especially when you start shelling out some more cash. A cooler can be an expensive investment, and if you are planning on using one a lot it’s nice to know that it will hold up to years of use.

Rotomolded Coolers

Rotomolded coolers take the cake in this category again, with their continuous molding design creating a noticeably thick and robust exterior. This method creates a uniform thickness all around, resulting in coolers that have superior ice retention and can withstand being used routinely as a seat or footstool, not to mention withstand attempts at forced entry by grizzly bears. Yes, you read that correctly, coolers such as the YETI Tundra 45, Orca 40, and RovR RollR 45 hold certifications from the International Grizzly Bear Committee that state that they successfully withstood attempts at entry from actual grizzly bears. Not only is this a testament to their durability, but also allows you to have peace of mind if you do any camping in areas where bears might be of concern. The RTIC 45 also claims to be bear-resistant, yet does not hold the actual certification from the IGBC.

Injection-Molded Coolers

Injection-molded coolers create two separate shells that are fused together by insulated foam, making them more lightweight than their rotomolded counterparts. Yet they are more likely to crack or separate, causing their durability to be called more into question over time. While you can sit on the lids of the Igloo ECOCOOL and the Coleman 316, the noticeable flex of their plastic will make you want to be more careful handling these coolers so as to not crack their plastic components.

Maintenance and Cleaning

After purchasing a new cooler, it’s important to keep up with some basic cleaning and maintenance to ensure its lifespan is as long as it can be. After use, you’ll always want to leave the lid open to let the cooler air dry, ensuring that no moisture is trapped inside that can cause mildew or bacterial growth. It’s a great idea to wash the interior with some warm, soapy water, and then let air dry. You definitely do not want to leave a cooler with food and water in it for days, as this will ensure bacterial growth. All of the coolers in our lineup are relatively easy to clean. The lighter coolers such as the Igloo ECOCOOL and the Coleman 316 can tip over easily when empty and the lid is open, making them a little more cumbersome as the lid can flop close on you while giving the scrub down.

Additional Features

Some coolers will have additional features that make them stand out from the pack. Our testers appreciated the cargo net on the back of the Orca 40 more than they initially realized they would, often using it to store knives, utensils, and a small cutting board. The YETI Tundra 45 comes with a dry rack to keep some items up and away from the ice, which we believe should be a feature included in every cooler. The RovR RollR 45 has the most impressive amount of features and add-ons you can purchase such as an attachment to wheel the cooler around with your bike, a deep dry goods bin that is tall enough for a bottle of wine, or a collapsable fabric bin that rests on top for easy transport of other items for your picnic.

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