The 5 best coolers: Keep everything icy cold this summer

In our opinion, the Yeti Tundra Haul is the best cooler you can buy. It features a rugged design that can handle everything from weekend picnics and camping trips to days on the boat and even bear encounters. The solid-molded wheels and folding handle make it easy to move the Tundra Haul over just about any type of terrain, while the 2 inches of insulation help keep ice for up to 10 days.

Of course, these are just a few features to consider before purchasing a cooler. Luckily, there are many coolers available in 2022 that fit the needs of nearly anyone -- from the day-trip hiker to the week-long camp goer.

The market is full of cooler options. It is safe to say that there is a cooler out there for just about everyone. Most coolers discussed above were for outdoor use. But, at the end of the day, it comes down to your needs. There is no shortage of options.

We chose these coolers by research, and some of our team even used the products themselves. We compared factors like pricing, reviews (both good and bad), different features that make each cooler stand out, and the number of cans that each cooler can hold.

Yeti coolers are definitely worth the hype—they keep whatever is in them cold for much longer than many other coolers and are easy to drain and clean. Although expensive, in our experience using them, they are worth getting if you use a cooler often.

No one likes reaching into a cooler only to find cans floating in a tub of lukewarm water. Melted ice need not spoil your summer adventure -- here are some features to consider before you buy your next cooler:

Cooler uses

Not all coolers are created equal. Some are more travel-friendly and work best for the avid camper or the beach-goer who must maneuver around beach umbrellas in the soft sand. So where will you use it? Camping? Beach? Home office? 

Cooling performance, durability, and portability

How long do the contents of your cooler need to stay cool? Hours? Days? Determining which cooler is best for the length of time required for item storage will come down to material and insulation technology. A hard-sided rotomolded cooler may be best for the avid outdoors type due to its durable design and thick, foam-insulated walls. A hiker or day-tripper might opt for a soft-sided backpack cooler. These days there are numerous coolers to choose from: hard-sided, soft-sided, and even thermoelectric coolers. 

Capacity

Cooler capacity is another important factor to consider. Most cooler capacities are measured in quarts. Content capacity (drinks and food) and ice capacity vary depending on the design. 

Cost

Suffice it to say, cooler prices vary. Many low-budget options are out there, but sometimes a lower cost means sacrificing better quality materials. Generally, high-performance coolers carry a premium price tag. 

That all depends on the kind of cooler you're looking at and how you use it. Soft-sided coolers, like the REI Cool Trail, will last for a few years as long as you use and store them properly; though they will always be at-risk for rips, tears, and punctures. Hard-sided coolers, like the Yeti Tundra Haul or Igloo Polar, will last just about forever as long as you aren't abusing them. There will always be the risk of cracking and insulation loss, but as long as you aren't slamming the cooler around in the bed of your truck or throwing it around your campsite, chances are your grandkids will be able to pull it out of the garage to use on their own weekend trips.

And no matter if you're using a soft or hard-sided model, keeping everything clean and sanitized is a big part of extending the life of your cooler. If your cooler has a drain plug, make sure you run some disinfectant through it to prevent the build-up of mold, mildew, and bacteria. If it doesn't, you can wipe out the inside of your cooler with a sanitizing wipe or a warm, soapy sponge. Make sure your sponge doesn't have an abrasive pad on it, since this can create micro abrasions in the plastic or fabric lining of your cooler which are a breeding ground for nasty bacteria. Also make sure you keep your cooler open and in a sunny or well-ventilated area to dry out completely before you store it after cleaning to prevent musty smells and scummy build-up.

Believe it or not, the color of your cooler does play at least a small part in determining how long it will keep ice. Darker colors will absorb and retain more heat that's generated from sunlight, reducing the maximum cooling time. While it's not a drastic reduction, it may pose problems on longer camping or fishing trips where ice is in short supply for keeping food at proper temperatures to prevent spoilage. If you plan on using your cooler for more than a few days, choose a lighter color model, preferably all white. White reflects almost all of the visible light spectrum, reducing how much heat it absorbs, and ensuring that you get closer to your cooler's optimum ice-keeping capacity.

Here are a few other options to look into: