Top Best Cooler Bags: Best Picks 2024

Scott Nelson By, Scott Nelson
Updated
YETI Hopper M30 Portable Soft Cooler
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: YETI Hopper M30 Portable Soft Cooler

The YETI Hopper M30 is the perfect cooler for your next fishing excursion or day of exploring the outback. Made with a leakproof liner, this soft cooler keeps ice frozen for up to 24 hours. The Hydroshield Closure has powerful magnets to create an ultra leak-resistant shield and wide-mouth Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze

Keep your drinks and food cool without the zippers with the Arctic Zone Titan. With a patented zipperless lid and easy access to food or beverages, this cooler is perfect for outdoor sporting events, a day at the beach, or taking it to work. Read Review

3. Best Style: CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag

Carry your favorite drinks and snacks with you everywhere with this large capacity, lightweight Cooler. They're made with high-quality materials and are designed to hold up to 50 cans of your favorite drinks plus ice. The sturdy handles make it easy to carry while the top is designed for multiple-tiered loading. Read Review

4. Best For Travel: RTIC Soft Cooler 30

A durable zipper keeps your drinks and snacks protected at all costs, preventing spills and leaks. Keep your drinks cold for up to 24 hours while avoiding the mess thanks to 2 inches of closed-cell foam and puncture and tear-resistant liner. Read Review

If you’re throwing a barbecue or plan to visit a pool party, then you need to pack some food. But when it’s hot outside and you don’t have enough ice, it can be challenging to keep your food cool. Fortunately, there are some great cooler bags available that will help you beat the heat this summer. 

Cooler bags aren’t just for farmers and avid campers; they are also useful when you go on picnics or outings with friends and family. They are a great way to transport ice water or frozen vegetables from place to place without any risk of ruining your other food or drinks. These days, there are lots of cool bags for sale on the market, so it's not hard finding one that suits your needs.

Let's find out the article below together for the best cooler bags on the market today.

Before making our recommendations, our specialists spend substantial time researching and analyzing your requirements. Then we found the YETI Hopper M30 Portable Soft Cooler is the greatest choice for its high-quality performance. If you're looking for another one, consider Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 YETI Hopper M30 Portable Soft Cooler
Our Score:
9.7
YETI
  • Hydroshield Closure - Uses powerful magnets to create an ultra leak-resistant shield. Wide-mouth opening makes it easy to get in and out. Dual, Quick-Release Buckles ensure that your Hopper won’t open unexpectedly
  • Double-Stitched Carry Options -Every pick-up point is reinforced. Hopper can handle more weight than you’d prefer to carry. Capacity: 7.2 Gallons, 20 cans, 28 lbs. of ice (just ice)
  • The Hopper M30 delivers on a top customer request - a wider, easier opening. Through thoughtful engineering and thorough design, the Hopper M30 replaces a zipper with magnets
TOP Choice #2 Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze
Our Score:
9.6
Arctic Zone
  • Adjustable Backsaver shoulder strap with anti-slip shoulder pad centers load weight for easier carrying; interior liner dimensions: (L x W x H) 9.8" x 4.75" x 10.25"
  • Deep Freeze high performance insulation with radiant heat barrier reflects heat rather than absorbing it
  • Ultra Safe leak proof, easy clean interior lining; water and stain repellent, wipe clean exterior
TOP Choice #3 CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag
Our Score:
9.5
CleverMade
  • Versatile totes can be packed up for a daytime picnic and are small enough to place in the trunk of your SUV as an ice chest on road trips; collapesed down, the cooler can fit in your suitcase for vacation. Recommended to use with Clever Ice
  • The perfect size for food delivery services and a great solution to haul groceries from the store or farmer's market to your kitchen at home; comfortable handle and duffel bag handles make toting heavy loads easy
  • Measures 18.25"L x 12.25"W x 11.5"H when open and collapses flat to 3"; weighs 2 pounds when empty; lightweight bag holds 30 liters (8 gallons) by volume with a load capacity of 50 pounds
4 RTIC Soft Cooler 30
Our Score:
9.3
RTIC
  • Handles Any Terrain: Every RTIC Soft Pack Cooler floats in water, so your drinks and snacks can go wherever you go, whether that’s swimming in Lake Tahoe or hiking in Glacier.
  • Leak-Free: A durable zipper keeps your drinks and snacks protected at all costs, preventing spills and leaks.
  • Lightweight Yet Durable: The Soft Pack is prepared to take on every adventure with a heavy-duty nylon shell.
5 Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze
Our Score:
9.2
Arctic Zone
  • Triple layer ColdBlock base has 3 thick layers of SuperFoam that are designed to keep the conductive heat from the hot ground at bay
  • Features a padded back with breathable mesh panels and adjustable padded backpack straps; interior dimensions: (L x W x H) 9.5" x 5.5" x 14.5"
6 Swig Life Packi 12 Cooler Bag
Our Score:
9.0
Swig Life
  • KEEPS COLD 48+ HOURS. Tri Cool technology features triple-layer construction including PVC-coated, polyester exterior, extra-think, closed-cell foam insulation, and AquaSeal heat-welded seems.
  • SUPER GIFTABLE, SEASONAL PATTERNS. Swig Life releases exclusive, new seasonal patterns throughout the year making the perfect for women, mom, teachers, birthday, girls weekend, Valentines Day, Mothers Day, and Christmas.
  • EASY TO CLEAN, PVC-COATED, polyester exterior is waterproof, sandproof, puncture-resistant, condensation-free, and wipeable.
7 BUILT Large Welded Soft Portable Cooler
Our Score:
8.9
BUILT
  • TOUGH SHELL : Made from tough shell fabric, similar to white water rafts, with a high-strength 1000 denier polyester core with double tpu coating which is highly resistant to puncture and abrasion
  • HANDLE HEAVY LOADS : Box stitched and reinforced side handles can take on heavy loads and a large, comfortable shoulder strap makes lugging 30 lbs. of ice and beverages easier
  • LINER IS BPA-FREE, & FDA FOOD SAFE : Welded seams makes for a leak-proof construction durable and abrasion resistant EVA bottom adds heavy duty stability
  • 🚴‍♀【Multi Function Soft Cooler Bag】 With ergonomic padded back with breathable mesh panels and padded adjustable shoulder straps, this lightweight cooler backpack is portable and comfortable to carry as, camping backpack, hiking backpack, picnic backpack, travel backpack, beach cooler backpack, work backpack, etc.
  • ❄【Insulated Backpack for 24 Hours】Upgraded with thickened PEVA insulation material, padded with thick anti-leaking foam lining, LOSAHI designed this insulated cooler backpacks hold drinks cold up to 24 hours, way longer than the average backpack in the market. Zipper the cold in and keep your foods in an ideal temperature for whole day!
  • 🌞【LOSAHI Service】 All of LOSAHI bags are with 1 year warranty, contact us if need any help when using our bags.
  • Durable side handles and an adjustable shoulder strap give you a couple of ways to carry the lightweight cooler; perfect for long drives in your SUV and small enough to throw in a suitcase for vacation
  • Features include: 5 layers of leak-proof insulation, water resistant zippers and body, top interior dry storage compartment, daisy chain to clip keys, fleece lined pocket for your sunglasses or cell phone
  • Coolers can be loaded with bags of ice from the grocery store to keep your beers and wine chilled, the integrated bottle opener on the handle gives you quick access to pop open a bottles of beer
10 MOJECTO Cooler Lunch Bag
Our Score:
8.4
MOJECTO
  • MULTIPLE CARRYING OPTIONS: Long adjustable and removable padded shoulder straps, two carrying handles and trolley pass through at the back of black insulated lunch cooler bag
  • SMOOTH DOUBLE ZIPPERS: Insulated cooler lunch bag comes with smooth no-snag branded double zippers as strong long lasting zippers are the most important component of lunch bags, cooler bags and lunch boxes.
  • LONG LASTING COOLING: Cooler lunch bag is thickly insulated to maximize cooling efficiency with insulation on all sides. Enough room for food, drinks, accessories. Cooler is not intended to put open ice, open liquid or homemade plastic ice packs. Use ice packs/ice gels made for cooler bags and lunchboxes. Sharp edges of ice can damage the liner.

Is Picking The Best best cooler bags For Your Needs Simple?

The best cooler bags is influenced by a multitude of factors, including all those stated below. Depending on the sort of product, the learning process differs. We'll be ready to aid you and propose solutions since we're here to support you.

Clients remain the first focus. Firstly, educate yourself before making an informed shopping decision:

  • Why should customers be concerned with product details?
  • What function does a website have in helping me learn more about a product?
  • What are the advantages of purchasing this item for myself?
  • What properties of the product should you consider when choosing the perfect product for your requirements and circumstances?

Buyers rely on our opinions and assistance. To help you acquire the most accurate automatic selection, we searched and evaluated our products below using AI and Big Data tools. As a result, it must always be accurate and current. This aim is being pursued with fervor and determination.

A critical examination of these aspects would be valuable because people and technology designed and reviewed them. It's necessary to remember the following ones:

Bear-Resistant Ratings

Many top-rated hard-sided coolers can be listed as being bear-resistant. This is an important consideration if you are camping in bear territory. You should specifically look out for IGBC ratings. This indicates that a cooler has been tested and is in compliance with their regulations. You should ensure your cooler is included if you plan to travel in bear-proof gear or frequent backcountry areas.

Ice Retention And Cooling Capabilities

Ice retention is one of the most difficult things to determine when researching coolers. This is largely due to external factors. The temperature of the air and direct sunlight have a significant impact. Ice quantity is also important. Most brands suggest a ratio of 2:1. You should also open the lid as often as possible to let warm and cold air into your cooler. Pre-chilling your cooler before loading it is a good idea to ensure maximum efficiency. To reduce the cooler's interior temperature, you should fill it with ice at least for a couple of hours. Once you are ready to go, add fresh ice in the right ratio. You can also expect your cooler to become pre-warmed if it is left out in the sunlight before you load it up.

Cooler Latch And Closure Systems

The cooler's closure or latch is a key feature of premium models and will play a major role in cooling performance. Two rubber T-handles are a common feature on high-end, hard-sided coolers. They keep the lid in place and prevent it from opening. They are extremely sturdy and user-friendly.

Wheeled (Rolling) Coolers

We mentioned above that if you have cooler needs such as mobility and large capacity or maximum ice retention it is a good idea to look into a hard-sided rolling model. These wheeled monsters can still be difficult to maneuver on uneven terrain, and will need assistance if there is no clear path. A rolling cooler is a good choice for camping, tailgating or days at the beach.

Cooler Sizes (Capacities)

A few things to consider before we get started: Size. Importantly, coolers do not measure the interior capacity of all models. Some coolers use cans to measure interior capacity, others use liters or quarts. However, most manufacturers use quarts as a unit of measure. We've used that measurement in this article when it was possible. A final point: Don't let the product name fool you.

Weight And Portability

Weighing your cooler is an important factor for those who will be carrying it or moving it around regularly. For models with less capacity, they can weigh as little as 10-15 pounds and up to 50+ for those that have 75+ quarts storage. This number goes up dramatically when you load it down with food and drinks. Even though the handles are made of rope, some are plastic and others are nylon. They are too heavy to be carried for extended distances. We recommend wheels if portability is important. They are easier to carry for longer periods of time and more convenient for one person, so they're less burdensome.

Cooler Drain Systems

Many of our hard-sided coolers have drainage systems that allow you to drain the water out once the ice is melted. This is usually a pop-off or screw-on cap located at the bottom of cooler. Simply remove it and let the water flow out.

Cooler Construction

There are two main types of construction techniques used to make premium hard-sided coolers: injection molding and rotational molding. Yeti popularized rotomolding (even though they weren't technically the first company to do so) and is the dominant market at the top end. This type of cooler is made from a single, continuous piece of plastic which is then rotated to form the desired shape. These coolers have fewer stress points, so they are more likely to break under pressure. They also feature a thicker outer shell that ensures exceptional durability. Cost and weight are the main drawbacks.

FAQs

Can I Use Dry Ice In A Cooler?

Most times, the answer is yes. Some coolers can be damaged by dry ice, but the majority should work fine. However, you will need to cover dry ice with blankets or other insulators. A cooler designed for dry ice is best if you plan to use it every day. You won't have to do any special tasks because the cooler has compartments to store dry ice.

How Does A Portable Cooler Work?

Combining the insulation of the cooler with the ice you put inside, either ice cubes, ice packs, or foam, slows down warm air circulation and helps keep things cool.

How Much Do Coolers Cost?

Consider what your cooler will be used for. If you need it to store food or drinks for several days or at extreme temperatures then more money is an investment in food safety. A cooler that is cheap and cheerful may suffice if you just need to chill a handful of drinks for an afternoon barbecue.

How Long Does A Cooler Stay Cold?

It all depends on how efficient the cooler is at insulation. This includes the temperature outside, initial temperature of food and its stacking. Food can be kept cold for up to 4 days with ice (the best), in ideal conditions. A high-end cooler may even keep it chilled for as long as 10 days.

What Is The Best Hard Cooler?

There are many coolers. It really doesn't matter which cooler you choose. A cooler that is more resistant to damage will be the most suitable if you intend on using it every week.

Does Food Stay Cool In A Portable Cooler Without Ice?

But it will take longer than if you put ice inside the cooler. Insulation in the cooler stops food from heating up faster than if left out. The temperature of the cooler and how chilled the food were at the beginning will determine the time it takes to cool down. Even frozen foods will heat up faster if they are kept cool in a trunk compartment of a vehicle.

How Do I Clean My Cooler?

Warm water and dish soap will generally clean your cooler. You can also use warm water and bleach to remove stubborn stains or odors.

Which Size Cooler Do I Need?

Although you might feel compelled to buy a large cooler, make sure it fits in the car. Smaller coolers can be lifted without the need for assistance. However, coolers with larger capacities can hold more ice and so tend to stay cool longer than smaller models.
Higher coolers can store bottles more upright. Models with recessed lids are better for loading items higher, but they may become warmer.

Overall, we will research and update new info for the list of best cooler bags regularly. On a frequent basis, please check our websites for the latest changes and updates.

Aside from best cooler bags, we can bail you up. If you want further support, please do not hesitate to contact us.


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About Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson

Scott Nelson is a freelance writer who specializes in camping and wildlife topics for CampFireHQ. He has written for several outdoor magazines and websites, and he enjoys nothing more than spending a weekend in the woods with his family. Scott is an experienced camper and backpacker, and he has also spent considerable time studying the behavior of bears and other large mammals.

Read Scott's full bio