The Best Coolers for Beach Days, Camping Trips, Tailgating, & More

Capacity: 38 cans 
Weight: 2.75 lbs.

I am seriously obsessed with Hydro Flask’s Carry Out soft cooler. Not only is it nice to look at, but it’s the perfect size for all of my summer adventures. It’s large enough that I can fit lunch, snacks, and plenty of drinks inside for me and a few friends, but not so big that it feels clunky or too bulky to carry to the beach. There are two carry handles, but I always use the long adjustable strap that can be worn across the body as it helps distribute the weight better. I’ve been filling this thing up with drinks for my friends and I every weekend at the pool—I routinely get compliments on its size and its looks. Even after it’s been sitting all day in the sun, everything inside stays cold and fresh (that’ll last for up to 24 hours). It can fit 38 cans when empty, but even with plenty of ice, I can still fit more than enough drinks in there. More things I love: The super-soft, water-resistant material and small exterior side pocket where I stash napkins or hand wipes. It’s available in a few other colors, including a gorgeous blue, teal, green, and black. —Meaghan Kenny, commerce editor

Capacity: 12 cans 
Weight: 2.4 lb.

The RTIC Soft Pack Cooler is fully waterproof; the only downside to the leakproof zipper is that it can be pretty difficult to open and close. The cooler itself is easy to carry while walking a few blocks to the beach and thanks to the crossbody shoulder strap, my hands remained free for beach towels and chairs. Since it’s a soft-shell design, it’s very lightweight, though the larger sizes will be heavier, of course: The smallest size available is 2.4 pounds when empty and the largest is 5.5 pounds. Considering how durable and long-lasting this cooler is, it’s pretty impressive that it can float. According to online reviews, it can even withstand floating behind a whitewater raft over rapids. I can’t wait to take it out with me paddleboarding. —Hannah Towey, associate editor, transportation and travel news

Capacity: 32 cans 
Weight: 1.65 lb.

If you’ve got a group of friends driving to the beach or subwaying to the park, this cooler will keep your snacks and bottles of wine cold. It can fit a good amount (like, several bottles of wine with ice, and room for more), and luckily it’s lightweight on its own so you won’t be too weighed down. I would be hesitant to pack it full of cans of beer or seltzer, if you have to carry it though. It’s not one of those heavy duty keeps-drinks-cold-for-12 hours situations, but for cool beverages, it’ll absolutely get the job done. (To prolong the hours of cool-keeping, fill it with ice packs to drop the temperature for an hour or two before putting your drinks in.) The colors are cute, I love the two exterior pockets—one with a zip is great for keys and a bottle opener; the other can hold a stack of paper cups, or a sleek reusable water bottle—and the shoulder strap is comfy, even though the buckle and padding only align if you wear the strap fairly long. Overall, super cute, easy to clean, and great for beverages. —Megan Spurrell, associate articles director

Capacity: 20 cans
Weight: 1.79 lb.

Stanley’s All-Day Midi combines functionality and style. I own it in this bright coral shade that goes with any picnic blanket. With snap-top handles as well as a side strap, carrying the cooler is super convenient for carrying it over to my neighborhood park. This bad boy also features a unique “doctor’s bag” hinge top which pops the top open in widely, which help with packing and unpacking. You can load up with reusable ice packs, pop it shut, and all the while, the sturdy zipper keeps things safely stored. I can already tell it’s going to be one of my favorite summer companions. —Jessica Chapel, commerce writer

Capacity: 20 cans
Weight: 1.98 lb.

This just in—soft coolers have hit Stanley’s website. The brand is offering this super cute and convenient backpack cooler in all kinds of fun colors. Along with stretch mesh pockets on its interior (to fit your Stanley Quencher—or another beverage of your choice), it also features an easy-carry top handle and hinge-top zip opening. The backpack cooler has a 20-can storage capacity and comes with adjustable backpack straps. Not to mention, these backpacks are made from 100% recycled polyester to make dining outside more sustainable.

Capacity: 26 cans
Weight: 5.26 lb.

This ’80s-inspired boombox from Igloo is part cooler, part speaker—and it gives all the nostalgia you could ask for. I put it to the test on a beach day when I packed a bag of ice and 26 cans inside. To my surprise, they all fit comfortably—the swivel lid closed with ease, and the drinks stayed cold throughout the day. On its own, the cooler weighs a little more than five pounds, which isn’t too bad—especially when you consider the added weight of the speaker. The KoolTunes cooler comes with a charging cord for the built-in-speaker that can be plugged into any outlet. The speaker boasts an impressive 10 hours of playback on a single charge and is easy to pair with a Bluetooth device. For the five hours I was at Rockaway Beach, the music played clearly and though we did have numerous cans in the cooler, they didn’t vibrate inside. The speaker is also water-resistant, which offers me peace of mind for pool days or any spills. I’d recommend this for beach trips or solo days at the park; a single cooler is best for a group of four at most. If you do have two, the coolers can sync together when playing music next to each other. —Paris Wilson, commerce writer

Capacity: 33 cans
Weight: 13 lb.

The Yeti Roadie 24 hard cooler has garnered over 6,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and over 4,000 five-star reviews on Yeti—and it’s easy to see why. The slim, lightweight hard-shell cooler is easy to transport with its thick carrying handle and offers enough space for a few wine bottles and up to 33 cans. It’s compact enough to fit behind the driver or passenger’s seat in a car, making it great for family road trips, game days, or concert tailgates. And because of its hard-shell exterior, this cooler is extra durable—you’ll be using it for years to come. Standout features we love include its non-slip feet, so that it doesn’t slide around on a boat or in a car, easy-to-use latches that can be opened with one hand, and freezer-quality gasket that traps in the cold. Choose from more than a dozen shades, from light pink and orange to lilac and bright green.

Capacity: 82 cans
Weight: 37.5 lb.

Yeti’s Tundra Haul wheeled cooler is a godsend for walking down long beach boardwalks with a very full, very heavy cooler. Instead of carrying something for group events, simply roll this two-wheel cooler around with ease. Its durable, hard-shell exterior can handle plenty of action, and will last for years worth of family barbecues and tailgates with friends. It can hold up to 82 cans or 64 pounds of ice, and it’s wine bottle compatible, meaning you could fill it with 11 wine bottles standing up, if that’s what the day calls for. Yeti’s leakproof cooler really does the job of keeping drinks and lunches cold all day long—that’s one of the reasons it has thousands of rave reviews across its website and on Amazon. Reviewers also love it for its size, quality, and ease of maneuvering. More pros: It features a drain system for any ice that melts over time, sturdy latches that keep the cooler tightly closed, and comfortable grips on the handle. Yeti also offers a five-year warranty on its coolers.

Capacity: 6L
Weight: 6.4 oz.

For solo picnics or something small enough to commute to work with, Calpak’s insulated lunch bag is a great choice. We swear by Calpak for its durable suitcases, thoughtfully designed travel accessories, and affordable price point. This mini bag features a water-resistant interior and an insulated lining that keeps your lunch cold for hours. My favorite thing about this lightweight option is its drawstring closure that lets you make the bag more compact if you packed less, or have a little extra wiggle room when needed. There’s also multiple exterior pockets for essentials like hand sanitizer, sunglasses, and a water bottle. —M.K.

Capacity: 11 cans
Weight: 2.6 lb.

Like all Yeti products, this cooler keeps drinks cold for what feels like a lifetime. It can hold up to 11 cans, but that’s without space for an ice pack—if you’re trying to keep things cold for longer on ice, you can fit about half—meaning this is ideal for solo use, couples, or to hold snacks for a small group. I’ve used it for cut fruit and cheese on a beach day with a crew of four friends; if I’m heading to the park and want to pack a hefty sandwich and a seltzer or two, it becomes more of a personal cooler. That’s what I love about it. With soft sides, a comfy shoulder strap, and just the space you need, it’s a far cry from Yeti’s heavier duty options, and something I use far more regularly as a New Yorker. The zipper creates a perfect airtight seal, keeping cold in, and dirt and sand out. For a slightly bigger version, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is a great option. —M.S.

Capacity: 10 cans
Weight: 9.8 oz.

From overalls to beanies, the durable and reliable Carhatt brand has worked its way into the urban hipster trend scene, and has proven here to stay. Best for outdoor adventures whether that means packing lunch to the beach or heading out for a quick picnic, this mini cooler is compact, portable, and stylish. The reliable camping cooler boasts effective insulation, dual compartments, and a durable exterior that can stand up to various weather conditions.

Capacity: 12 cans
Weight: 6 lb.

Brümate’s Magpack shoulder sling cooler was intentionally designed for ease of portability. Thanks to a magnetic lid to seal that seals in the cold and prevents spillage, it’s completely leakproof. It also features a durable, waterproof, and puncture-proof shell. The cooler comes with a shoulder strap that makes it easy for transporting and it has a 24-hour ice retention period. Of the same trusted design, the brand offers 18- and 24-can coolers, too.

Capacity: 24 cans

This is a great backpack cooler for a beach or park day with a few friends—I’ll definitely be using it for Rockaway Beach excursions and afternoons in Central Park this summer. It holds a lot—24 cans, 18 cans and 2 wine bottles, or more practically speaking, around 10-12 cans, plus sandwiches and snacks. I really like the neoprene material; it feels comfortable against your skin, and while I haven’t worn it on a super hot day yet, I imagine it will fare better against sweat than other materials. I was a bit skeptical that it would perform as well as a solid cooler, but while testing it out, I sat outside for almost four hours and the drinks inside were just as cold as when I took them out of the fridge. The bag itself is super lightweight when empty, and has room for more than just the food and drinks you want to keep cold: There’s a front pocket like you’d find on a school backpack, as well as another zippered compartment on the lid; in these spaces, you can store a phone, wallet, keys, sunglass case, and other small items, which makes it much more useful—you don’t have to carry another tote or purse for your personal belongings. There are two side pockets for water bottles, and I love that they’re made with elastic siding to adjust to the size of the bottle you put inside. —Madison Flager, associate commerce director

Capacity: 12 cans
Weight: 2.8 lb.

This nylon backpack cooler is perfect for a party of two or a small group. Since only half of the bag is designated as a cooler, it holds a bit less food and drink than some other backpack coolers, but still enough for one or two people. I particularly like that this split cooler has a few separate sections—great for when you’re packing both food and gear, or if you have a few different things that need to be stored at different temperatures (one section has a cooler insert while the other section is a standard backpack). The cooler insert is easy to use and clean, and I appreciate the ability to store everything I need for a day trip in one bag. The padded straps and external pockets are also great little perks that made it comfortable to carry and use while hiking or picnicking. —Jamie Spain, travel bookings commerce editor

Weight: 2.6 lb.

The insulated soft cooler backpack by Hydro Flask can keep your products cold for up to 24 hours. Especially versatile in this blue color, the bag also comes in various shades and prints that go with any aesthetic. It offers a large, easy-to-access hinge on the top, as well as a leakproof interior lining that can be wiped down in case of any spills. In addition to its spacious interior, the exterior stretch pocket fits up to a 32-ounce bottle. It also includes padded shoulder straps for comfortable hands-free transport.

Capacity: 35 liters

The RTIC Everyday insulated tote bag stands out for its packability. The lightweight tote bag is fully collapsible and can lay flat in your suitcase, making it a great option to bring along on beach vacations or camping trips. It’s insulated and chic, and to my pleasant surprise, the PVC-free coated, waterproof exterior didn’t absorb any dirt during my eight-hour park day, which was a huge plus. The cooler bag didn’t leak at all, despite holding many beverages. Seriously—I held drinks and light snacks for around seven people, and with drinks coming in and out, I probably could have added even more. It actually served as an ample four-day trip bag where I packed my clothes, unpacked, and then used it for a day of picnicking at a local park. Thanks to its high level of insulation and collapsible nature, it has also become my new go-to grocery bag. I’ll never go back to carrying a handful of average totes after using this. One note: Due to its size, it’s not the best for treacherously long trips on your feet or long journeys hiking or climbing. —J.C.

Nothing screams summer quite like this Beach Bum cooler bag from Think Royln. The brightly colored bag is made from recycled material and is fully waterproof. It features a top zipper closure as well as a back zip pocket and can be carried by its top handles or a crossbody strap.

Capacity: 6 cans, 2 wine bottles
Weight: 10.6 oz.

This Bellroy tote is as lightweight as it is flexible. It folds flat and fits wine bottles up right, which is a great plus when it comes to toasting parkside. The tote folds flat and is compressible, making it a great option to pack in a carry-on or weekender bag. It also offers a wide zipper opening, allowing for easy access to your drinks and snacks. The soft handle makes for a smooth commute with the tote, and the puffer insulation truly keeps all items cool. For extra protection and peace of mind: It features a seam-sealed waterproof interior lining and padded bumpers on the base.

Capacity: 42 cans
Weight: 2.92 lb.

Hydro Flask’s Day Escape tote is sleek, reliable, and lightweight. Whether camping, beaching, or tailgating, the tote is leakproof, durable, and keeps all your outing essentials cool for up to a whopping 36 hours, thanks to its smart insulation. It features shoulder straps and a removable cross-body strap for ease of carrying—and thanks to its soft-sided nature, it’s one of those spacious totes that doesn’t eat up too much car real estate when packing for a day.