Pack your cooler wisely when packing for the beach or camping trips; not all coolers provide adequate cooling protection for food and drinks.

The best coolers combine ice retention, portability and durability with value and features to deliver optimal performance for camping trips, beach visits and picnics. Below is more information about some of the top coolers for these purposes.

Hard-Sided Coolers

No matter if you’re camping, fishing, road tripping, tailgating or tailgating; these rugged hard coolers are designed to last and keep food and drinks cold while withstanding off-road excursions. Their durability also means they can withstand bumps and bruises in an off-road adventure!

With advanced insulation technology and freezer style gasket for multi-day ice retention, this premium cooler offers up to 3 inches of foam insulation and up to 30% lighter weight compared to rotomolded coolers without compromising durability or performance.

This Yeti model kept food and drinks cool for two full days during our testing, while still being tough enough to withstand rough handling. With its convenient handles and light enough weight for one person to carry alone, its non-skid feet proved more durable than those found on other coolers we evaluated. Furthermore, its compartment in the lid provided storage space for keys, utensils, napkins and other small items; its wide-opening lid made room for 1-liter bottles.

Rotomolding

Rotomolding is an established manufacturing method used for plastics that range from kayaks and playground equipment, to Yeti coolers that boast their superior durability.

Process Description: Injection molding requires filling a hollow mold with hot plastic, which is then spun and cooled to create one piece. This creates thicker walls that are more resistant to cracking compared to coolers made using injection molding where two separate pieces need to be fused together with insulation foam.

Rotomolded coolers feature insulated walls to increase their temperature retention, helping keep ice and food colder for longer. Some models feature rubber gaskets to seal out heat and moisture – making it easier to keep drinks and snacks at a constant cool temperature. Bear Resistant models can provide extra protection from forest creatures; others come equipped with accessories like dividers and locks. YETI combined its innovative technologies into the Tundra body for an outstanding product experience.

Warranty

High-end coolers typically come with generous manufacturer warranties that cover damage and defects; Yeti’s Tundra and Roadie collections even come with lifetime coverage!

Most premium coolers will feature some sort of drainage system to quickly dispose of any extra water left from melting ice, usually via an easy access screw-on or pop-off cap that makes cleanup much simpler.

Rotomolded coolers may be tough, but they lack built-in features and mounting locations for things such as ice buckets or baskets for dry goods. Xspec’s Rugged Cooler collection stands out by offering a durable rotomolded build plus an impressive selection of extras at an extremely reasonable price – certified bear-resistant with tie-down slots for attachment to truck beds or boats, it weighs extremely little when wheeling around, making transport similar to transporting high-end luggage pieces.

Accessories

The best coolers come equipped with many accessories that can enhance their experience or add to its functionality, such as the Xspec 60 Quart’s combination of tough rotomolded construction with useful features such as a basket for dry goods storage and multiple tie-down slots; as well as providing added details like molded rulers and compasses on its lid as well as drain chains.

Yeti’s Tundra line provides exceptional cooling and ice retention at an excellent value, and can withstand bear attacks without IGBC certification. At $200 full MSRP it delivers excellent insulation as well as its classic design – which has long been a fixture at campgrounds and backyard barbecues – along with metal components for enhanced durability.

Coolers play an indispensable role in our lives, from off-grid camping trips and celebratory summit beers to road trips and celebrations of every sort. We appreciate brands’ efforts in creating coolers we rely on daily; from replacement latches, cooler carts and accessories like we have at Overton’s.