Travel The Best Coolers of 2023: Perfect for Road Trips, Beach Vacations, Soccer Games, and More By Anna Price Olson Anna Price Olson Anna Price is the Assistant General Manager of Southern Living. She joined the team in 2022. Previously, Anna Price was the Editorial Director of Brides—a Dotdash Meredith brand. She was with Brides for eight years, working on the print magazine at Condé Nast for five years and, more recently, leading the digital edit and social teams. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 6, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Getty Everyone needs a reliable cooler for their travels. Whether headed for destinations near or far, you'll no doubt need a cold drink once you get there. We've rounded up some of our favorite coolers to keep you chilled out and stocked with snacks and sips for all your road trips no matter the season. Big ones for trunks and hatches, wheeled ones, totes, hard-sided ones, soft ones—there's a cooler here for everyone. They're all different sizes and can be counted on to keep your stuff cool on the go. Fill them with drinks and provisions for a picnic or a party, and you'll be on your way. All these coolers come in fun colors with all sorts of handy features, too, ensuring there's one that will be just right for your travels. Choose one for your next adventure, pack it up, load it in the back, and hit the road. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Coleman 60 Quart Wheeled Cooler at Amazon Jump to Review Best Heavy Duty: Igloo IMX 70 Cooler at Amazon Jump to Review Best Soft: Yeti Hopper M30 Soft Cooler at Amazon Jump to Review Best Backpack: IceMule Classic Soft Cooler at Amazon Jump to Review Best with Wheels: YETI Portable Wheeled Cooler at Amazon Jump to Review Best for One Person: Lilly Pulitzer Insulated Soft Beach Cooler at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Small Groups: RTIC Outdoors 30-Can Backpack at Amazon Jump to Review Most Stylish: Swig Life Cooli Family Cooler Bag at Amazon Jump to Review Best Throwback: Igloo Retro Picnic Basket Cooler at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Road Trips: YETI Roadie 24 Cooler at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Coleman 60 Quart Wheeled Cooler Amazon View On Amazon At less than $50, this cooler is a quality piece without the price tag. It holds up to 47 cans, meaning it can work for a family or a large group, and best of all: It's on wheels! Reviewers rave about the size, saying it can hold up to four full watermelons, as well as the durability, claiming it keeps food and beverages cold for up to five days, no problem. Others say it's the perfect size for a camping trip or beach day, too. What We Like AffordableOn wheels"Massive" in size What We Don't Like Not as sturdy as more heavy duty coolers This cooler measures 23 x 18 x 18 inches and weighs 11.4 pounds empty. It holds up to 47 cans with 30 lbs of ice. Best Heavy Duty Igloo IMX 70 Cooler Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target This big cooler belongs at tailgates, parties, and every other get-together you've got on the calendar. It hauls all your cans and bags of ice—and then some. Reviewers say it holds up to the 7-day ice-cold promise, with some using it for up to 10 days with no melting. Plus, it's made for a day outdoors with built-in UV inhibitors that prevent sun damage. One note: It's heavy—25 lbs, even on it's own—so be sure to have an extra set of hands on deck when transporting this cooler from point A to point B. What We Like Great qualityFeatures add-ons like a wire basket and self-draining cupholdersKeeps cold for 7-plus days What We Don't Like Large and bulkyHeavy This cooler measures 36 x 20.7 x 20.3 inches with a capacity of 70 quarts, 70 liters. It holds and weighs 25.8 lbs empty. Best Soft Yeti Hopper M30 Soft Cooler 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon This soft-sided cooler is a crowd-favorite, and it's now available in a "new and improved" model this year. Made in a tote-bag style, it can be carried over the shoulder via the cushioned, removable strap and is a great option that's super easy to pack, unpack, and clean. Reviewers love this soft cooler because it's lightweight and easy to carry but don't worry: They say it's heavy-duty, too. What We Like LightweightAvailable in 4 colorsImproved model with better zipper, according to reviews What We Don't Like Expensive This cooler measures 25 x 12 x 17.5 inches and weighs 7 lbs empty. It fits a full case of your go-to drink. Best Backpack IceMule Classic Insulated Backpack Cooler Bag Amazon View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart Sometimes, a backpack cooler is a must when your hands are needed for hauling extra beach chairs and gear. This cooler can maintain ice-like temperatures for 24 hours, so it's a perfect day bag to pack for a beach or camping trip—it even floats! Best part: It's lightweight and collapsible so when it's empty, you can fold it up, throw it in another bag, and have one less thing to carry at the end of the day. What We Like AffordableEasy to carryWaterproofAvailable in 10 colors and prints What We Don't Like Limited in sizeLightweight This cooler is available five sizes—from the mini (9 liters) to the large (20 liters). It weights just over 1 lb empty. Best with Wheels YETI Tundra Haul Portable Wheeled Cooler 4.6 Amazon View On Amazon View On Yeti.com View On Academy.com When you need to haul cool stuff and want to do it in style, this wheeled cooler by Texas-based brand Yeti is a great option. It's pricey but durable and reliable. With this mid-size 45-can cooler and a 5-year warranty, you may never need to buy another. Reviewers rave about the innovative design and noticeable, high quality build from the latches to the wheels and insulated interior. What We Like Heavy-dutyOn wheels!5-year warrantyManufactured in Texas What We Don't Like ExpensiveBulky This cooler measures 18.6 x 19.5 x 28.3 inches and weighs 37 lbs empty. Best for One Person Lilly Pulitzer Insulated Soft Beach Cooler with Adjustable/Removable Strap and Double Zipper Close Amazon View On Amazon Looking for a cute cooler for one person? We found the perfect one from one of our favorite Southern brands, Lilly Pulitzer. This handheld cooler comes in four color ways—from pink and green to a more gender neutral blue—and is travel friendly with an adjustable shoulder strap and top handle. It's tall enough to fit a bottle of Champagne and, according to reviews, is also perfect for packing lunch, snacks, and a couple drinks on the go. What We Like AffordableCute printInsulated and well-madeEasy to cleanPetite size What We Don't Like Small sizeMaintains ice-like temperatures for a limited time This cooler measures 10 x 10 x 12 inches and weighs 14.6 ounces. It holds a bottle of Champagne or wine. Best for Small Groups RTIC Outdoors 30-Can Backpack Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Rticoutdoors.com If you always wish you could throw your cooler on your back and hit the road, this is the pick for you. It's a tough option that can carry up to 30 cans in one go. In fact, this cooler is a favorite among the Southern Living staff, as multiple editors have used this style for soccer games, camping trips, and days at the beach. All agree: It's "not a bear to carry" and keeps drinks ICE COLD! Only complaint? Some say the zipper can be a pain in the you know what, and that it holds slightly fewer cans that label claims. Still, all say they'd purchase it again, no question. What We Like Well-madeKeeps drinks ice-coldEasy to carry and cleanAvailable in 11 colors What We Don't Like Zipper can be a pain to open and closeFits fewer drinks than it claims, so size up if needed The 30-can cooler measures 17.13 x 13.78 x 12.8 inches and weighs 6 lbs empty, but this cooler is available in a number of sizes—from the 12-can mini to the 40-can large. Most Stylish Swig Life Cooli Family Cooler Bag Amazon View On Amazon If you want a cooler that's as cute as it is functional, this may be the style for you. It's designed with families in mind, so it's easy to pack, easy to store, and easy to carry with soft sides that fold up when not in use and adjustable padded straps that extend up to 48 inches. Available in 11 adorable prints (like polka dots, camo, and leopard), it fits up to 8 bottles of wine of 36 slim cans. What We Like Available in 11 fun printsLightweight and easy to carryKeeps drinks cool for up to 48 hours What We Don't Like Prices vary greatly by colorSome reviewers complain about the durability of the zipper This bag measures 19.5 x 15.5 x 10.5 inches. Best Throwback Igloo Retro Picnic Basket Cooler 4.2 Igloo View On Amazon View On Igloocoolers.com BUY IT: $49.99; target.com We can't resist a retro throwback, and this cooler is just that. Modeled after Igloo's best-selling cooler of the 90s, this picnic-style ice chest is a sturdy, mid-size cooler worth the hype. It's ideal for tossing in the back of a pickup truck or SUV for a weekend away or a day at the ballpark. When packed, it can hold up to 36 cans, or enough drinks and snacks for a group of four for a three-day weekend. Trust us: One Southern Living editor owns this one, and has put it to the test. What We Like Retro design Lightweight yet durable Great mid-size cooler Available in three colors (pink, yellow, and turquoise) What We Don't Like Bulky to carry for one person This cooler measures 13.12 x 19.79 x 12.88 inches and weighs 5.5 lbs empty. Best for Road Trips YETI Roadie 24 Cooler Amazon View On Amazon View On Yeti.com View On Backcountry.com This lighter-weight Yeti is super versatile and easy to transport. It's tall enough for wine bottles and can fit behind the passenger's seat of a car. Available in five colors from hot pink to classic navy, reviewers rave that this cooler keeps their drinks cold for beach trips, lake trips, and short-distance drives. Only complaint? The short strap can be difficult to carry. What We Like Well-madeCompact in size, yet tall enough to fit wine bottlesAvailable in 5 colorsManufactured in Texas5-year warranty What We Don't Like ExpensiveLimited size not ideal for large parties This cooler measures 14x7.5x16.5 inches and weighs 12.8 lbs empty. It holds 24 cans. Best for Entertaining BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler BrüTank View On Brumate.com This cooler is an investment with a waitlist— but, for those who love to entertain, it may be worth the wait. It features all-terrain wheels that can be rolled across rocks, sand, and grass, and set up for a portable party anywhere. It features a built-in can opener, 2.8 gallon tank and drink dispenser, and a 7-day ice retention, making it a fun tool for serving batch cocktails or fresh lemonade right out of the chest. What We Like Heavy duty cooler with wheelsAdd-ons like a built-in drink tank, dispenser, and bottle opener7-day ice retention What We Don't Like ExpensiveDoes not ship immediately This cooler measures 32.65 x19.5 x 19.5 inches and holds 50 slim cans, 48 standard cans, 12 wine bottles, or 40 lbs of ice. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit