All Intermediate Priced Coolers
Last Updated by Brandon F. on July 13, 2022
This is a listing of all intermediate-priced coolers that we have reviewed. “Intermediate” is defined as products that fall in the middle-tier in regards to dollars per quart of storage volume. In other words, they are typically noticeably more expensive than a budget product but also noticeably cheaper than a premium product.
The reason we analyze these coolers based on dollars per quart rather than simply an overall cost is that it allows for a more direct comparison between two products of vastly different sizes. For convenience, we have listed our top intermediate-priced coolers in the table below.
Top Intermediate Priced Coolers
Specifically, intermediate-priced coolers oftentimes are in the one to two dollars per quart range. There is a nice variety of sizes in this tier, ranging from tiny personal ice chests up to huge examples. Unlike the budget-tier, you will start to see more high-quality materials and metals used in some of these products, and having additional features becomes more common. Related to this, cooling performance can be noticeably better than the budget offerings but still fall a bit short of some of the top premium coolers.
The primary target for products at this price is people looking for a happy medium between cooling ability/features and cost. You generally won’t get the extremely long-term ice life and unique features found in the highest brands, but there are still plenty of choices here that will serve you and your friends/family fine for most applications.
Igloo Trailmate
Our Rating:
This cooler combines acceptable ice life with awesome mobility, tons of features, and an attractive look. We like how Igloo managed to cram so many cool accessories into this cooler while still maintaining great build quality and a decent asking price. We highly encourage you to check out this ice chest if you want a large cooler that is more mobile.
Pros: Great mobility, lots of helpful features, good build quality, awesome styling
Cons: It will be a bit pricey for an Igloo, only one size to choose from
Rubbermaid Gott Marine
Our Rating:
The Gott Marine manages to check most of the boxes while maintaining a competitive asking price. With up to a week of potential ice life, it can hang with much more expensive coolers. We also like the ergonomic grips and built-in ice packs for an extra boost. The only minor issue we have is that the lid can be a little difficult to work with and you won’t find quite as high of hardware as in ultra-premium ice chests.
Pros: Fantastic insulation, very tough, good grips, great price
Cons: Lid can be a little stubborn, quite bulky
Arctic Zone Titan 48
Our Rating:
Arctic Zone’s largest remodeled soft-sided cooler, the Titan 48 increases storage capacity while sticking to the great looks and the huge list of features that we love about this brand. It is reasonably priced and has good enough ice life to meet most people’s casual needs.
Pros: Very convenient zipperless lid, Smartshelf Technology makes removing items a breeze, Extremely attractive
Cons: Somewhat weak zippers, Lower ice life than advertised in most applications
Igloo Marine Ultra Soft Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
This soft cooler bag has a very good ice life for a semi-affordable soft top. In addition, there is plenty of storage and helpful features such as the top-access lid and padded shoulder strap. Our only minor complaint lies with the somewhat weak zippers and sometimes questionable stitching near the shoulder area.
Pros: Incredibly good insulation for a soft-side, multiple carrying methods, easy-access top, looks awesome
Cons: A bit bulky and heavy, weak zippers and shoulder strap
Bison SoftPak Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
A proven soft-sided cooler bag, the BIson SoftPak utilizes an extremely tough outer shell and thick insulation to give it a bump in performance. It won’t have quite the ice life of the top cooler bags but the asking price is much more reasonable.
Pros: Very tough outer fabric, Thick Insulation, Proven Looks
Cons: Somewhat limited ice life for a premium cooler bag
Grizzly Drifter
Our Rating:
The Drifter is a small but potent lineup recently released by Grizzly. These coolers don’t have the longest ice life but are adequate for the size and, outside of some loose stitching, are plenty tough. Also, they are at a competitive price point.
Pros: Plenty of additional storage areas, Attractive styling
Cons: Threads can unravel easily, Limited size options
Ozark Trail
Our Rating:
You will get to enjoy a quality premium cooler that has around 80% of the performance of other top coolers but for a fraction of their asking price. All of the features and components we like to see are here. The only minor complaints are some lingering quality issues and a lack of color choices. But for those on a tight budget, this cooler is worth looking into.
Pros: Great Value, Plenty of Features, Good Ice Retention
Cons: Some Quality Issues, Few Color Choices
Techni Ice Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
A viable all-around bag, the Techni Ice Cooler Bag enjoys the extremely thick walls that we have come to enjoy from Techni Ice. This results in good ice performance and toughness while maintaining a reasonable asking price.
Pros: Good ice retention, Fair price, Good craftsmanship
Cons: Lack of colors, Not as many features as other soft-sided coolers
Coleman Marine
Our Rating:
We like the recent upgrades that Coleman has done on their Marine Coolers. This is particularly true in the Offshore Pro Series which cranks up the ice life and toughness. Also, many of the weak hinge issues they suffered from in the past have been corrected. Outside of the somewhat weak handles, these are solid-performing ocean-friendly ice chests that can be had at a reasonable price.
Pros: Has all the features you need to handle water environments, Good ice life in certain models, Relatively lightweight
Cons: Handles can be weak, Lower-end models have so-so ice life, Bland styling
Igloo Marine Ultra
Our Rating:
This is one of Igloo’s most proven coolers and it is specially designed for boat outings. The selection size is massive so everybody, no matter their storage needs, can likely find a model that works for them. The insulation is adequate (even in the sun) and there are wheeled options for added mobility. That being said, they can be on the bulky side and prices tend to fluctuate quite a bit depending on where you shop.
Pros: Overall good to very good insulation, many wheeled options, stainless steel hardware, looks very professional
Cons: Bland styling, need to shop around to find a good deal
Igloo Backpack
Our Rating:
The Igloo Backpack Cooler has undergone some changes that have improved its looks and ice performance. The result is a series of mobile coolers that we enjoy. Ice life will vary but can reach up to a half day. And the features that are in place make this a very portable and reliable product.
Pros: Very reasonably-priced, Nice features, Good build quality, Plenty of choices
Cons: Limited colors, No extreme long-term ice solution
Igloo BMX
Our Rating:
The Igloo BMX is Igloo’s latest attempt to compete in the premium cooler market. The overall performance and ice retention numbers are good. And despite being more expensive than most Igloo Coolers, it is still more affordable than a lot of its competition from other brands.
Pros: Good ice life, Nice build life, Competitively priced
Cons: Limited color and size options
Rubbermaid Marine
Our Rating:
This is a decently-priced and relatively durable product that has the insulation ability to be a suitable option for a long weekend fishing trip or even a couple of days longer. The water-friendly design and materials mean that it will feel right at home in both fresh and salt water. The weak point is the handle which is notorious for breaking and this is quite unfortunate since there will be a lot of weight behind these when they are full and it would be nice to have a handle that can hold up to the demands. But for the price, we can’t be too picky.
Pros: Very good insulation, thick durable plastic, good price
Cons: Plastic hardware can break, quite bulky, and very boring design
Icemule
Our Rating:
With a unique design, Icemule Coolers lead the way in terms of mobility and portability. Their ice life is acceptable and the build quality is plenty resilient. But this simple approach does come at come costs: lack of features and not a lot of options for storing items outside of the insulated main area. But these coolers have their place among our readers.
Pros: Very simple to use, Extremely tough, Acceptable ice life
Cons: Limited additional pockets, Very short warranty, Can be pricey
Giantex
Our Rating:
Giantex has managed to capture many of the special qualities of a premium level cooler but at a more intermediate price range. However, it is still a step down from the big boys and also suffers from boring styling and a lack of color choices.
Pros: Great price considering performance, Not super heavy
Cons: Lacking in size and color options, Questions about warranty
Arctic Zone Titan 16
Our Rating:
Being a smaller size, the ice performance is somewhat lacking here. However, outside of this concern, everything else about the Titan 16 is quite good. The intuitive lid makes accessing items a breeze and we like the styling of it. This is an acceptable choice for a small soft-sided cooler if super long ice life isn’t a big concern.
Pros: Very convenient lid, Smartshelf technology is a nice touch, looks awesome
Cons: Struggles with cooling life
Picnic Plus Tremont Picnic Backpack
Our Rating:
A nice “all-in-one” package, the Tremont Picnic Backpack has everything that you would need for a picnic. Plus, it comes together to look very nice. And it doesn’t hurt that the cooling performance is not half bad. But all of those extra items do result in a reduced amount of storage space. Also, people may not be interested in paying the increased asking price for all of the items when they don’t need them.
Pros: Great package of assorted picnic items, looks great, the cooling area is serviceable enough
Cons: Very heavy for the size, might struggle to store all of your chilled items, the container may fall apart over time
Igloo All-Terrain
Our Rating:
We love the mobility of the All-Terrain cooler thanks to its massive wheels. The cooling is good enough and the asking price is very competitive. We do wish that Igloo would improve the hinges and also add some more color choices to the mix, though.
Pros: Decent job at cooling, great mobility, looks aggressive, good price
Cons: Weak hinges, no other color options
Igloo Super Tough STX
Our Rating:
This is a tough-looking cooler that combines good ice life with durable construction. And it can do this while maintaining an acceptable asking price. The major weak point lies with the fasteners and latches which don’t always close correctly. But overall, it is still a solid choice.
Pros: Very well-insulated, tough outer shell, looks awesome, acceptable price
Cons: Fasteners don’t always close tightly, very heavy
Port & Company 6 Pack
Our Rating:
We were surprised by how good this bag was at keeping cold and also how well it was made. This results in a product that will last for several years and is even waterproof. However, you will be limited on the storage volume.
Pros: Great cold retention, waterproof, very mobile, premium feel to the design
Cons: Limited storage size
Sacko Dual Compartment Insulated Lunch Bag
Our Rating:
This bag will outperform most similar-sized lunch bags when it comes to ice life. In addition, there are multiple storage areas (both insulated and non-insulated) to meet all of your lunch needs. Having multiple colors to choose from is a bonus. Our only issue is that the material could use a bit of thickening up.
Pros: Very nice cooling ability, two separate storage areas with easy access, multiple carrying handles, looks great
Cons: Material is a little flimsy
Read Our Review of Sacko Dual Compartment Insulated Lunch Bag
Sacko Insulated Lunch Bag
Our Rating:
An effective and simple lunch bag that has a spot for everything an individual would need for a lunch. The zipper quality and material are quite good for a lunch bag at this price point and the looks aren’t bad, either. The only concern is that it may be a bit too small for someone who happens to pack larger lunches or for any more than one person.
Pros: Insulation and zipper seal is adequate, easy access top, great aesthetics
Cons: 8-quart option might be a bit too small for some
Coleman Soft
Our Rating:
These simple soft-sided coolers are surprisingly resilient and should last for a few years without major issues. There is also plenty of storage area for the size. Prices may vary so be sure to shop around. The major issues include water easily leaking out and a challenge in storing as many cans as Coleman states that it can.
Pros: Look great, a lot of places to store items, plenty of sizes to choose from
Cons: Air easily escapes, exaggeration on how much you can store
Coleman Xtreme Marine
Our Rating:
The Xtreme Series has recently undergone some updates and the new look is much more attractive. In addition, the thicker insulation and higher quality materials result in quite good ice life for the size and price. That being said, the lid can be a bit stubborn to open and close and screws used on the hinges can also strip prematurely.
Pros: Very good ice life, wheeled options for mobility, relatively tough, higher quality materials
Cons: Lid can be too tight, quite heavy, screws can strip, pretty expensive
Coleman Stainless Steel
Our Rating:
This is an extremely attractive cooler and will certainly stand out from the crowd. Recent improvements make it adequate in ice life and the toughness is bumped up a notch thanks to steel construction and hardware. But it is limited in features and size options, and it will be a bit more expensive than most other Coleman Coolers.
Pros: Very attractive look, Metal components
Cons: Limited features, Only one size, Somewhat expensive
Igloo MaxCold Workmans Meal to Go Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
This is a very attractive cooler bag that is quite durable thanks to quality materials and decent construction. It is also easy to use thanks to the multiple access points. And we like the overall styling of it. But the ice life is a little lackluster and the zipper design could be improved upon.
Pros: Multiple access points to stored items, tough outer material, very attractive styling, comfortable padded carrying handle
Cons: Insulation performance could be a lot better, can be difficult to get to the zipper while carrying
Read Our Review of Igloo MaxCold Workmans Meal to Go Cooler Bag
Igloo MaxCold
Our Rating:
As its name suggests, the Max Cold is quite good at keeping ice for its price point. While it won’t hang with the “big boys”, it will hold its own against most other coolers at its price point. There are also plenty of sizes to choose from including wheeled options. However, it does come with some concerns. They include having rather weak handles and hinges as well as needing a bit of a styling update.
Pros: Very good ice life, easy access to items, huge selection of sizes, many wheeled choices
Cons: Weak handles, pretty modest styling
Igloo MaxCold Hard Top Gripper
Our Rating:
Another portable solution, the Hard Top Gripper is extremely mobile for those who can make do with the small storage space. Being small does mean that it is very easy to carry and store and the ice performance, despite being little, isn’t too bad. However, the zipper can be a bit stubborn at times and it needs some additional features to be a real home run choice for us.
Pros: Acceptable job at keeping items cool, easy to carry, modern styling
Cons: Zipper can get stuck easily and there is only one of them, not enough additional features
Ozark Trail Soft
Our Rating:
This is a solid competitor that finds a happy medium between cost and performance. We encourage you to try to stick to the premium models as they have a nice bump up in ice life and overall build quality. But the (more affordable) entry-level can coolers will work for short-term solutions as well.
Pros: Very attractive price, Acceptable performance, Plenty of sizes to choose from
Cons: A little lacking in colors, A few quality issues
Rubbermaid
Our Rating:
One of the most popular Rubbermaid coolers out there, this product takes a very simple and cost-effective approach. For the size, you will enjoy nice ice retention and the lid (a common weak point on budget coolers) is quite robust. But the design is very bland and there simply aren’t enough features to get us excited. Plus, the common weak handle problem that plagues some other Rubbermaid models also exists here. But we love the great asking price.
Pros: Good ice life for the size, strong lid, decent price
Cons: Weak handles, pretty plain design
Ao Vinyl
Our Rating:
A tough product that has a good ice life for being a soft-sided cooler, while adhering to some of the benefits that those types of coolers bring. It does fall a bit short on the looks category, though. However, for someone looking for a rugged but still somewhat mobile cooling solution, this should do the trick.
Pros: Great cooling ability, two carrying choices, strong material
Cons: Still prone to scratches, not many external features, looks are questionable
Coleman Excursion
Our Rating:
The semi-recent update to the design resulted in a more attractive styling and subtle ice life improvements. That being said, the available sizes are on the small side. It can be an adequate personal cooler for an afternoon outing but may struggle beyond that.
Pros: Lid seals pretty well, rather tough, more progressive styling than predecessor
Cons: Still a little expensive, limited sizes, might be too small for many
Arctic Zone Ultra 50
Our Rating:
The largest of the Arctic Zone products, the Ultra 50 has the storage space you need but misses the mark in other areas. For the size, the ice life just isn’t that great. That being said, we do like the quick-access lid and comfortable carrying handles.
Pros: Quick-access lid is super handy, tons of storage space, mobile for its size
Cons: Can be quite bulky, not enough color choices
Dalix Cooler and Lunch Bag
Our Rating:
For a simple and low-cost lunch bag, this will suffice. While it does have thin walls, the cooling life isn’t that bad considering the price. There are also quite a few places to store additional items. But there are some quality issues and don’t store anything fragile in the top compartment: it can be easily crushed.
Pros: Good cooling performance for the price, multiple storage areas, affordable
Cons: Quite large for a lunch bag, the strap is somewhat weak, items in the top compartment can crush ones in the bottom compartment
Igloo Party Bar
Our Rating:
The Party Bar is certainly a unique design and a cool addition to any large gathering. The looks are on point and we like how you can divide the storage into different parts. But the ice life is lacking some and the walls could use a bit of beefing up (particularly in the lid).
Pros: Awesome looking cooler, compartmentalized storage, casters for mobility
Cons: Poor ice preservation, flimsy lid
Driftsun
Our Rating:
All of the premium components and features we look for in high-end coolers but a bit rough around the edges. It comes in at a cheaper price but you will be sacrificing some in regards to ice life and toughness.
Pros: Premium features for a more affordable price, decent size range
Cons: Quality issues, Lid doesn’t hold a great seal, inconsistent insulation walls
Igloo Hard Liner
Our Rating:
This product has good cooling performance and we recommend using ice packs instead of ice for it. The size is at a happy medium that allows for adequate storage space while still being very mobile and easy to store. In addition, there are plenty of color choices. Our only issues are that it is a little too thin and we wish that they would update the carrying method.
Pros: Acceptable ice life (especially with ice pack usage), easy to store and transport, a lot of choices in color
Cons: No handle for carrying, a little too flimsy
Igloo Island Breeze
Our Rating:
This cooler recently went through an update which resulted in a more modern appearance and slight improvements to build quality. We also like the mobility thanks to the wheels and extending carrying handle. However, it is a bit limited in how well it cools and the lid can be a little finicky.
Pros: Quite durable, wheeled options for mobility, modern look, decent price
Cons: Low cooling ability, the lid can be stubborn
Picnic Time Turismo
Our Rating:
Another attractive offering, the Turismo is designed for someone who needs to keep items cool and look professional while doing it. There are multiple insulated areas and plenty of spots for other items as well. And this is accomplished while being able to stay quite mobile and lightweight. But there are some quality issues, particularly related to the Velcro used and some of the stitching.
Pros: Multiple insulated areas for categorization and increased space, very mobile, professional-looking
Cons: Not waterproof, low-quality water bottle, velcro is weak
Picnic Time Zuma Insulated Cooler Backpack
Our Rating:
This is another cooler backpack that doesn’t inspire us because of some notable issues. While it does have pretty thick insulation that does an above-average job of keeping items cool, the available space for these items is severely lacking. There is ample space for other items, however, and they are also easy to access.
Pros: Decent insulation ability, easy top access, plenty of storage areas
Cons: Limited in insulated storage volume, somewhat flimsy, very plain looking
Read Our Review of Picnic Time Zuma Insulated Cooler Backpack
Picnic Plus Savoy Insulated Lunch Tote
Our Rating:
A convenient lunch tote, it has enough room to store most normal lunches for a single person. There are also tons of different color and pattern options to pick from. But it is severely lacking in how well it does at keeping chilled items cold and only a portion of the available storage volume is designed to even hold chilled items.
Pros: Quite roomy for being a lunch tote, plenty of storage areas, great color and pattern selection
Cons: Struggles with cold retention, not a lot of room specifically for chilled items
Thermos Element 5 Lunch Lugger
Our Rating:
Thermos is very good at making the most out of a small package; this is no different here. This Lunch Lugger is plenty large enough to package your lunch items for the day. Plus, it has a handy external pocket for non-chilled items. But the zippers are notoriously weak and you are severely limited on color selections.
Pros: Large cooling storage for the size, good size for easy mobility
Cons: Zippers break easily, only one color choice
Picnic at Ascot Cooler Backpack
Our Rating:
This Backpack is functional. It is very mobile and there are lots of storage pockets for your various items. But its ice life is lacking and the straps, while the handle, are very weak and prone to tearing prematurely.
Pros: Extremely mobile, plenty of pockets for storage, nice design
Cons: Struggles some with keeping items cool, weak straps
Ao Canvas
Our Rating:
A very “average” cooler in just about every word. It will keep items cool for a long enough period to be useful and the build quality isn’t terrible, but there are several minor complaints that we wish weren’t there for its intermediate price.
Pros: Acceptable cooling ability, multiple carrying options, many color choices
Cons: Fabric is prone to tearing, weak should strap, occasionally has odd folds in the material
EasyLunchboxes Insulated Lunch Box Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
This is an extremely lightweight and mobile product and the build quality isn’t all that bad. But the tiny size and very thin walls mean that you won’t be able to store much and what you do store won’t stay cool for long. Also, it could use a bit of a facelift in the design department.
Pros: Very light, decent build quality
Cons: Poor cooling ability, too small of storage volume, boring design
Read Our Review of EasyLunchboxes Insulated Lunch Box Cooler Bag
Thermos Element 5 Can
Our Rating:
Don’t let the small size fool you: this cooler will store a surprising amount of items. In addition, the cooling is good enough for its intentions of carrying some cans for a few hours. But outside of the insulated internal storage, you won’t have much room for storing anything else. Plus, the zipper is weaker than we would like to see.
Pros: Adequate job of cooling, carries quite a bit for the size
Cons: Not a lot of other storage options, the zipper is very weak, flimsy structure, little variance in aesthetics
Picnic at Ascot Collapsible Rolling
Our Rating:
We think that this product looks lovely and will serve its function for a short picnic. It will keep items cool for a few hours and there is tons of room for your various picnic supplies. However, it isn’t capable of much more than that and it will cost you more than you would expect.
Pros: One of the few soft-sided coolers on the market with wheels, lightweight, and a nice amount of storage volume
Cons: Very little insulation, poor build quality, only one color option, pretty expensive
Read Our Review of Picnic at Ascot Collapsible Rolling Cooler
Arctic Zone Eco Blend 45
Our Rating:
The Eco Blend 45 is good for carrying a relatively large amount of items for a short period, but not for much else than that. Issues include leaking walls, boring looks, and too high of an asking price for what you are getting.
Pros: Plenty of storage room, easy carrying with straps
Cons: Very poor insulation ability, easily leaks, very plain appearance
Dalix Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
The best thing that this Cooler Bag has going for it is its multiple places to carry items. Also, it doesn’t have too big of a sticker shock. However, the construction quality is sub-par (particularly around the strap) and the cooling ability isn’t great.
Pros: Multiple carrying options, additional front storage pockets, decent price
Cons: Cooling ability could be better, the strap is very weak, only two color choices
