All Premium-Priced Coolers
Updated by Brandon F. on December 21, 2021
This is a listing of all premium-priced coolers we have reviewed. We define “premium” as being a product that is in the highest bracket in terms of cost per quart of storage volume. The reason we break things down into dollars per quart is to allow all different-sized coolers to be on an even playing field in regards to cost.
For example, a small personal cooler will almost always be cheaper than a large cooler overall, but the large cooler might be a better bang for the buck in terms of how much storage you are getting for your money. Premium coolers can vary quite a bit in price, but many can go well into the multiple dollars per quart range. Before we go into greater detail and provide a full listing, we have included our top-rated premium coolers in the table below.
Best Premium Coolers
While there is a good variety of sizes and shapes to choose from in this range, we noticed that there are a lot of smaller, personal-sized examples. This is likely because as a cooler becomes larger it is easier for the manufacturer to produce more storage space for only a marginal increase in costs while on a small ice chest a significant portion of the manufacturing costs is still consumed but resulting in only marginal storage volume. That being said, there is still a lot of top-of-the-line cooler manufacturers that offer very sizeable examples.
In the premium tier, products will oftentimes be made of high-end materials and metals and have a wide variety of additional features. Furthermore, more exotic and time-consuming manufacturing processes might be used to help maximize durability and ice life. The result is products that can potentially last for many days with their initial ice and can also be exposed to a wide variety of challenging environments.
On a smaller scale, while the ice life might not be quite as impressive, the personal and small-sized coolers will have a host of additional features and be made of more unique and aesthetic materials that will help them to stand out.
The target audience for those looking at the premium price tier will be people who are prioritizing insulation ability, product life, and in some cases looks over the cost. Many of these coolers could be considered an investment that will be planned to last for years. This sticker shock may scare some off but others will secretly know that buying a more expensive cooler that lasts much longer could be the more frugal move.
Kong
Our Rating:
One of the best “bang for your buck” coolers on the market. The Kong Coolers combine impressive ice life, tons of great features, and robust build quality. Plus, they look great! This is one of the best coolers you can buy.
Pros: Great ice retention, Lifetime warranty, Attractive styling, Very durable
Cons: Limited size options
Engel Soft-Sided
Our Rating:
A truly fantastic product, Engel’s entry into the cooler bag industry impressed us. The ice retention is industry-leading and the build quality is unmatched. There are also some cool features that you won’t find anywhere else. Combine this with great styling and you have one of the top coolers we have ever reviewed.
Pros: Industry-leading ice life, Incredibly tough outer shell, unique vacuum feature, attractive styling
Cons: Limited sizes, Strap adjustment is a bit more work
Grizzly
Our Rating:
This cooler has an incredibly long ice life, even when compared to other worthy premium coolers available. This is thanks to extra-thick walls, optimal construction, and a simple and proven approach. Plus it looks the part as well. Just be expected to pay well into the upper price range to enjoy one.
Pros: Some of the best ice life on the market, incredibly durable, aggressive look, easy to carry considering the size
Cons: Very expensive, heavy
Pelican Elite Wheeled
Our Rating:
We love the combination of the proven performance of the Pelican Elite with the mobility of including wheels. You will pay a bit extra for the wheeled feature but it is worth it as it makes moving this behemoth cooler much easier. Plus, we dig the recent re-design.
Pros: Incredible ice life, more mobile-friendly, extremely durable
Cons: Expensive, still quite bulky
Orion
Our Rating:
When it comes to styling and features, it doesn’t get much better than Orion. Plus, the warranty is among the best in the industry. But it does come at a very high asking price and most of the colors may have a bit too much “pop” for someone who would prefer to blend in.
Pros: Very clever features, Impressive ice performance, Awesome Styling, Long warranty
Cons: Extremely expensive, Not a lot of “safe” color choices
Canyon Adventure Series
Our Rating:
A truly fantastic cooler that has some of the longest ice life we have ever come across. There are plenty of features that help to make it tough while easy to use. Consider the reasonable asking price and a lifetime warranty and you have a home run.
Pros: Super long ice life, extremely tough, lifetime warranty
Cons: Not many color choices
Palm
Our Rating:
Palm’s recently revised V2 Coolers improve on what was already solid design. You will enjoy fantastic ice life and one of the longest warranties in the business. The additional features are welcome as well. Our only minor issue is the lack of color options.
Pros: Great ice retention, Extremely tough, Good value, Wheels on new models
Cons: Only two sizes of new models are available right now, Limited color choices
K2 Summit
Our Rating:
K2 offers up one of the top coolers on the market with its Summit series. Ice life can be potentially a week or more (in the largest sizes) and the build quality is top-notch. You may not see quite as many exotic features as you do on other premium coolers but the straightforward approach results in a long-lasting and effective cooler that will make its owner happy for many years to come.
Pros: Incredible ice life, wheeled option for mobility, very sturdy construction, great tough look
Cons: Quite expensive, very bulky
Cordova
Our Rating:
This Idaho-based company impressed us with its boat-inspired lineup of hard-sided coolers. The ice life is there but the most notable aspects are their clever features and beautiful aesthetics. And having a lifetime warranty sure doesn’t hurt, either!
Pros: Good ice life, Lifetime warranty, Many clever features, Awesome styling
Cons: Not a ton of sizes, Limited colors, High price tag
nICE
A great lineup of small to large coolers that have good ice life and toughness. What brings these over the top is their clever features combined with a relatively competitive asking price.
Pros: Acceptable asking price, good ice life, loaded with features
Cons: Limited size options
Cordova Soft
Our Rating:
While somewhat limited in size selection, the current models of Cordova’s Soft Cooler line are quite good. They offer up tons of storage space, great build quality, and impressive ice life. A solid choice for someone who needs to transport a lot of cans for the weekend.
Pros: Tons of storage, Great construction, Attractive styling, Reasonable cost
Cons: Maybe simply too large for some, Limited color options
Techni Ice Signature Series
Our Rating:
This cooler comes with industry-leading ice life and the proven performance that we come to expect from top coolers. There are enough features to make most happy and the asking price is more than fair considering what you get.
Pros: Incredible ice retention, Good Build Quality, Reasonable Price
Cons: Very limited in color choices
Vibe
Our Rating:
Another worthy candidate in the premium cooler market. While it lacks in sizes and colors, it more than makes up for it in features, toughness, ice life, and a fantastic asking price.
Pros: Very affordable for a premium cooler, loaded with features, good ice life
Cons: Limited size options, few color choices
Igloo Sportsman
Our Rating:
This is a great cooler that is designed to compete with the best coolers in the industry. It comes with the premium build quality, tough components, and it is proudly made in the USA. It also is more affordable than a lot of its competition on the market. The only minor issue we have is a lack of color choices.
Pros: Great ice retention, Extremely durable, Cheaper than many other premium coolers
Cons: Somewhat limited features, Lack of color choices
Engel Backpack
Our Rating:
If you are after a backpack cooler, look no further. Engel combines extra-thick insulation and a sun-resistant inner shell to produce great ice retention. The quality materials and construction also mean that this product will last for many years. An attractive cooler with multiple color choices, it is the “total package”.
Pros: Awesome ice performance, Extremely resilient outer shell, Attractive styling
Cons: Pricey for a backpack, Not a true backpack, Limited sizes
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
Pelican Elite
Our Rating:
This cooler will give you an extremely long ice life and it is backed by proven construction and high-quality components. Plus, the aggressive look helps to make it stand out. But it does come at a very high asking price (even with the premium cooler sector).
Pros: Incredible cooling life, Very durable, Rugged look
Cons: Very heavy and difficult to move, Expensive
Polar Bear
Our Rating:
We are impressed with the large and diverse selection of Polar Bear Soft Coolers. These models are extremely durable and have very good ice life (particularly in the Eclipse and H2O series). The features are acceptable and the asking price, while not the cheapest, is more than fair considering what you get for it.
Pros: Huge model selection, Great ice retention, Very tough construction, Customization options
Cons: Styling may not appeal to some, Can be a little pricey
Siberian Soft
Our Rating:
While very limited in sizes and color choices, the Siberian Sidekick 32 is a great performer when it comes to ice retention and overall toughness. And there are enough features to make most people content. We hope to see Siberian build upon this platform in the future.
Pros: Good ice retention, Very tough, Awesome warranty
Cons: Limited in colors and sizes, Can be a bit expensive
Siberian
Our Rating:
This cooler lineup impressed us with its diverse selection of helpful features. The ice life is also quite good but for the high asking price, this is to be expected. A solid choice for someone who wants a premium cooler that is easy to use and gets the job done.
Pros: Loaded with unique features, Very attractive styling, Adequate combination of ice life and toughness
Cons: Not the cheapest, Lacking in color choices
CustomCoolerStore
Our Rating:
The main selling point of this small lineup of coolers is the impressive ability to upload designs to be printed on the cooler. Also, the ice life and asking price aren’t terrible, either.
Pros: Great ability to upload designs, Good ice life
Cons: Limited size selection, Only two base colors, Pretty expensive
Bison
Our Rating:
A solid competitor with a few intuitive features, Bison coolers stand behind a great warranty and are made in the USA. However, for the price, there are better performers out there.
Pros: Great warranty, Awesome latch design, Made in the USA
Cons: Very expensive, Average ice life
Bison SoftPak Cooler Bag
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
RovR
Our Rating:
RovR offers up some attractive and extremely well-constructed wheeled coolers in their WHEELR Series. There are also some other clever features to enjoy with these ice chests. However, be prepared to pay a handsome premium to enjoy one.
Pros: Great styling, Really neat features, Well constructed
Cons: Extremely expensive, Limited color choices
Canyon Outfitter Series
Our Rating:
The “little brother” of the Adventure Series, it sacrifices little for a noticeable price drop. Very good insulation and almost as tough while lightweight and adhering to the great lifetime warranty.
Pros: Good ice life, “cheap” for being premium, plenty durable
Cons: Not many color choices
Igloo Yukon Cold Locker
Our Rating:
The most impressive ice performer of the Igloo lineup, the Cold Locker can compete with some of the big dogs while being a little more affordable. It also comes with many of the features and quality materials that we like to see at this price point and have the stored Igloo name backing it.
Pros: Amazing cooling ability, extremely tough and long-lasting, aggressive styling
Cons: Very heavy and bulky, expensive
Lit Cooler
Our Rating:
A very refreshing premium cooler that stands out from the crowd thanks to its solid build quality and attractive and handy LED lighting. Acceptable performance and tons of color choices make this a solid buy despite the high price tag.
Pros: Handy lighted interior, Tons of color choices, Acceptable toughness
Cons: Expensive, Somewhat limited ice life, Not a lot of sizes
Engel High Performance
Our Rating:
This cooler’s ice life is up to the demands of most people after a premium cooler. However, in the ever-increasing premium cooler market, finding ways to stand out is important and Engel’s simple approach may not wow many people. The tradeoff for this straightforward approach is a more affordable asking price. And you will still enjoy quality construction at this cheaper price point.
Pros: Great insulation ability, very tough, cheaper than many comparable coolers
Cons: Lid doesn’t seal as well as expected, bland styling, still quite expensive
Thermik Cooler
Our Rating:
Another solid competitor in the premium cooler market. It takes a proven approach of offering solid ice life and toughness as well as some helpful accessories such as a pressure release valve. We just wish that there were more colors to choose from.
Pros: Good ice performance, Tons of great features
Cons: More expensive than some similar brands, lack of color options
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
Kysek Soft Cooler
Our Rating:
We like what Kysek brings to the table with this soft cooler. It comes with a relatively good ice life and has most of the features we want to see in a premium soft cooler. We particularly like the extra strong material and quality binding used. However, the design is essentially a copy off of Yeti and it comes at a similarly high price tag.
Pros: Acceptable insulation, All of the expected features, Super tough
Cons: Pricey, Very similar design and approach as Yeti/RTIC
Mammoth Ranger
Our Rating:
The Mammoth Ranger Cooler is the larger sibling of the newly-updated Mammoth lineup. It offers up extremely thick rotomolded walls and quality hardware. This results in a tough package that can offer a very nice ice life. But it is a bit lacking in features and color choices.
Pros: Impressive ice life, Extremely tough, Lifetime warranty
Cons: Not a lot of features, Lacking in color options, Pretty pricey
Taiga
Our Rating:
Taiga impressed us with their huge selection of customization options and their awesome lifetime warranty. But the cooler is pretty bare when it comes to features and ice performance is average for the premium price tier. But this is still a solid competitor all around.
Pros: Endless customization options, Lifetime warranty, Great build quality
Cons: Limited sizes, Not a ton of features, Quite expensive
Simple Modern
Our Rating:
Simple Modern Soft Coolers are limited in color choices and size selection but what is available offers up a good performance and build quality for a reasonable price.
Pros: Good ice life, Nice build quality, Good value
Cons: Limited size and color choices, Questions about warranty
Icemule
Our Rating:
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
Yeti Roadie
Our Rating:
The smaller version of Yeti’s hard-sided coolers, the Roadie adheres to the thick walls and quality construction but with a much smaller storage volume. For its size, you will enjoy great ice life and the build quality is top-notch. But you are limited in storage volume and the asking price is very high.
Pros: Great cooling ability for the size, Premium materials used for construction, Portable
Cons: Very expensive, Quite heavy for the size
Orca
A very straightforward cooler that doesn’t wow you with tons of features but instead with good ice life and toughness. There is also a huge selection of color and pattern choices but they do come at a high cost.
Pros: Plenty tough, Good ice life, Many color options
Cons: Little in the way of features, Rather expensive
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
Kysek Hard Cooler
Our Rating:
This cooler meets all of the needs we like to see including long ice life, plenty of features, and extra tough construction. They are quite expensive but the awesome performance helps to make the sticker shock a little easier to swallow.
Pros: Great ice retention, clever accessories, quality materials and construction
Cons: Expensive, limited color choices
Mammoth Cruiser
Our Rating:
The Mammoth Cruiser is the smaller sibling of the new Mammoth lineup. It attempts to find a happy medium between ice life and mobility and, for the most part, succeeds. But the overall feature choices are a little lacking and you won’t find as many colors to choose from as you may like.
Pros: Great build quality, Lifetime warranty, Very mobile
Cons: Limited in features, Expensive for the size
Yeti Tundra Series
Our Rating:
One of the originators of the premium hard-sided cooler market, the Tundra has certainly made a name for itself. You will enjoy fantastic ice performance, great American construction, and a proven reputation. But the features are a bit lacking and the asking price can be extremely high. But that is the price you pay to enjoy an iconic Yeti cooler.
Pros: Great ice life, Awesome warranty, Tons of accessories, Team logo options
Cons: Very expensive, Boring styling, Limited features
Yeti Hopper
Our Rating:
A very impressive soft-sided cooler across the board, the Hopper was one of the original premium soft-sided coolers to hit the market. You will find the ice life and toughness among the best there is and there are a few different colors to choose from as well. But it does come with a high asking price and somewhat limited storage locations
Pros: Some of the best cooling on the market for a soft-sided cooler, Great size for its intentions, Very tough
Cons: Lack of additional pockets, Few color options, Very expensive for the storage size
Orca Pod
Our Rating:
The Orca Pod is the larger of the two Orca backpack coolers. It comes with tons of storage space and ice retention is among the best in the industry. Combine this with extremely high-quality construction and you have the perfect recipe for a premium cooler. But this product is quite large/bulky and the asking price may be more than some people can afford.
Pros: Fantastic ice life, Tons of storage space, Extremely durable
Cons: Quite bulky, Limited features, Expensive
Orca Podster
Our Rating:
The Orca Podster is the smaller of the two popular backpack coolers. It finds a happy medium between storage capacity and ice retention. Plus, the build quality is rock-solid. But there aren’t a ton of features and the asking price is quite high to have a chance to enjoy this special cooler.
Pros: Very tough, Good ice life, Mobile
Cons: Expensive, Limited color choices, Questionable styling
Homitt
Our Rating:
Homitt delivers good performance and nice build quality at a very competitive asking price. This is a great cooler for those who want their money to go further. However, we do have issues with their lack of color choices and warranty information.
Pros: Good performance, Nice construction, very reasonably priced
Cons: Very limited color options, Unsure about specific of warranty
Pelican Soft
Our Rating:
The Pelican Soft Cooler is a tough competitor thanks to its high-quality components and American build quality. The ice life is quite good as well. But there aren’t a lot of features and currently only one color option. Also, it is quite expensive. But if you are willing to pay for it, you will enjoy an excellent soft cooler.
Pros: Great ice life, Extremely tough, Good warranty
Cons: Expensive, Lack of features, Only one color
MILEE
Our Rating:
MILEE has a small but proven lineup of hard-sided coolers. They take a very standard approach that we have seen emulated in other cooler brands but it works. Our main issues are with the lack of color choices and a small warranty.
Pros: Good performance for the price, A lot of features
Cons: Limited Size/Color choices, Missing great warranty
Dometic Patrol
Our Rating:
While Dometic may be known more for their powered coolers, their recent Patrol hard-sided coolers are no slouches, either. They have great build quality and their ice life will compete with the very best. However, they are a bit Spartan when it comes to features. And we wouldn’t mind a few more color choices.
Pros: Good ice retention, Built sturdy
Cons: Not a lot of features, Only one color choice
Kula
Our Rating:
Kula has one of the most unique styles of any cooler that we have tested. The round cooler offers up a nice list of features and is built quite well. However, the ice life and high asking price might turn some people off.
Pros: Great build quality, Attractive, Nice warranty
Cons: Uncomfortable to carry, So-so ice life, Expensive
Lifetime
Our Rating:
This cooler offers up good ice retention and decent build quality for a lot less money than most other premium coolers on the market. However, there are some notable quality issues and the color selection is severely lacking. Still, if you are on a tight budget and looking for a decent ice chest, this isn’t a bad choice.
Pros: Good value, Decent performance, Futuristic styling
Cons: Some design flaws, Very limited color options
Dewalt
Our Rating:
Dewalt is known for its power tools. But their new lineup of hard-sided coolers isn’t shabby, either. They offer good quality and performance at an acceptable price. However, you will be stuck with their bright yellow color.
Pros: Reputable brand name, Great construction, Good ice retention
Cons: Few features than other brands, Only one color option (bright yellow), Unsure of warranty
Ao Backpack
Our Rating:
A great-performing backpack that has an acceptable cooling ability and is tough enough to hold up to typical wear and tear for quite some time. It is a bit expensive for the amount of storage that it has, but if you are willing to pay the premium price it should meet most of your needs.
Pros: Mostly water-resistant, extremely mobile, uses tough materials, very attractive look
Cons: A bit short on ice life, quite expensive
Frosty
Our Rating:
One of the most affordable premium-level coolers you can buy, Frosty has a great approach that will sit well with those on a tight budget. However, it has to make some notable sacrifices in features and styling to achieve this.
Pros: Good ice life, Plenty Tough, One of the more affordable premium cooler choices
Cons: Few features, Boring design, Lack of color choices, Disappointing warranty
Stanley Adventure
Our Rating:
Although somewhat lacking in size options, the Adventure Cooler is a tough little ice chest. It has enough ice performance to meet most people’s needs and the ability to be able to secure a Stanley bottle on the top is cool. It is also very mobile. But the lid can be a little finicky and the asking price, while not crazy high, is still in the premium price sector.
Pros: Nice ice life considering its size, Very easy to transport, Great implementation of bungee cord
Cons: We would prefer metal hardware over plastic, The lid can sometimes be stubborn, Pretty expensive
Stanley Heritage
Our Rating:
A fun little cooler that comes with its own Stanley bottle, the Heritage Series attempts to stand out from the crowd thanks to its mobility and convenience. While ice life is nothing amazing, it is more than serviceable. And the compartmentalized interior is a nice touch. But you won’t have much in terms of color or size choices.
Pros: Great feature that allows thermos to be attached, Looks quite classy, Decent cool life
Cons: Relatively limited storage space, Wish there was metal hardware used, Only one size
Calcutta
Our Rating:
Calcutta Coolers can hang with the best when it comes to ice retention and build quality but outside of their LED drain plug, features are a bit lacking. They are also quite expensive and don’t have many colors to pick some. But when it comes to simply being a cooler, they perform fine.
Pros: Good ice life, Really cool LED drain plug, Nice build quality
Cons: Very expensive, Limited features, Not many color options
Kysek Dry Bag
Our Rating:
These dry bags are assembled with great construction methods and have a similarly tough outer shell that we have become used to from Kysek. However, you are giving up a significant ability to keep items chilled for very long and are still having to pay a premium for this high-performance bag.
Pros: Quality construction, Super resilient outside fabric, Attractive looks
Cons: Aren’t designed to store cold items, Expensive considering they aren’t coolers, Not as many features
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 on features, 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
Kysek Trekker Backpack
Our Rating:
The Trekker Backpack finds a happy medium between ice retention, performance, and mobility. There is plenty of storage space and, thanks to the comfortable shoulder straps, it is a breeze to carry (even when full of drinks). Ice life won’t be quite as long as in a traditional premium soft-sided cooler but it is good for being a backpack.
Pros: Very mobile, Easy access to stored items, Comfortable to wear, Lots of storage
Cons: Ice life is lower than a traditional soft-sided cooler, pretty expensive
Engel Cooler/Dry Box
Our Rating:
A very clever approach but for those who aren’t after the specific needs that this cooler addresses, you will end up paying more for a product that doesn’t have as long of ice life as a more traditional premium cooler. The unique design also results in rather limited storage space. But we certainly can’t deny its quality components and for people after an “all-in-one” cooler, this can’t be beaten.
Pros: Can retain both hot and cold items, the cooler can be submerged underwater without issue, quality hardware
Cons: Not the best cooling performance, a bit limited in storage volume, expensive for the size
Picnic Time Pranzo Insulated Lunch Tote
Our Rating:
This is a solid choice for someone who wants to take the effort out of their next picnic. It comes with plenty of features as well as a nice layout that gives you room for all the various items you would need. Also, it has a very attractive look. The issue is with the lack of insulated storage volume and the somewhat high asking price.
Pros: Thick insulation, high-quality materials used, awesome looking design and layout
Cons: Severely limited insulated volume, expensive
Coleman Excursion
Our Rating:
The semi-recent update to the design resulted in 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 the predecessor
Cons: Still a little expensive, limited sizes, might be too small for many
Ao Carbon
Our Rating:
This is a very classy-looking cooler that does an alright job of ice retention and the build quality and materials are good enough, albeit it is a bit on the large side for a given size. Also, the price is somewhat high so we wouldn’t mind if its performance was bumped up a notch or two. It’s still not a terrible choice, however.
Pros: Waterproof, multiple carrying options, strong fabric, very attractive
Cons: A bit large for what it carries, not many external features, a bit expensive
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
Coleman Xtreme Marine
Our Rating:
The Xtreme Series has recently undergone some updates and the new look is much more attractive. Also, 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
eBags Crew Cooler II
Our Rating:
The Cooler II provides some much-needed updates to this popular cooler bag. There are plenty of places to carry items and the aesthetics are on point as well. However, we do wish that the ice life was bumped up a little higher as the asking price can tend to creep up on this product.
Pros: Plenty of room for a lunch outing, 3 different carrying methods, looks very nice
Cons: Ice life is a bit on the short side, pretty expensive
Cascade Mountain Tech
Our Rating:
Cascade Mountain Tech has a small selection of coolers. While these coolers don’t do anything poorly, they also don’t do anything to stand out from the many other premium coolers on the market. Good build quality, nice ice retention, but no soul.
Pros: Good ice life, Tough build quality
Cons: Few features, very little in the way of colors, expensive
Igloo Stainless Steel
Our Rating:
One of Igloo’s most attractive coolers, the stainless steel stands out from the plastic we are used to seeing. It also helps (or at least doesn’t hurt too badly) the ice life. But this aesthetically pleasing cooler does come at a much higher asking price and also suffers from some very weak latches. Also, the attractive steel outer finish is easily scratched.
Pros: Very attractive look, decent insulation performance
Cons: Expensive, latches break very easily, easily scratched
Wildkin Lunch Bag
Our Rating:
The cooling ability of the small lunch bag is pretty good. There are also some intuitive storage compartments with well-placed zippers for accessing them. There are plenty of color and design options to pick from, too. But it will cost a bit more than you are used to seeing for a product of this size and the storage volume can still be a major limitation.
Pros: Great cooling for the size, unique side-access to storage areas, a wide variety of colors and patterns to choose from
Cons: Expensive for the amount of storage volume, build quality could be better, only one carrying method
Picnic at Ascot Collapsible Basket
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 are 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: Works well enough for a picnic, should be plenty of storage space, quite light and mobile, unique look
Cons: Expensive for the size, not good for an all-day affair
Read Our Review of Picnic at Ascot Collapsible Basket Cooler
eBags Crew Cooler Jr.
Our Rating:
This is a smaller version of the popular Crew Cooler. It is certainly more mobile but it may be too small for some as the storage size was trimmed down. However, the build quality is nice and it looks attractive as well. The price point just needs to come down some to make it a stronger buy for us.
Pros: Very mobile, decent build quality, a lot of additional storage pocket, looks nice
Cons: Expensive for the size, very limited in insulated storage volume
Everest Cooler Lunch Bag
Our Rating:
This is a rather boring lunch bag that doesn’t do anything to make it stand out from the crowd. While the cooling life is acceptable for a lunch bag and it is easy to carry, the limited size and somewhat pricey cost (given the size) make it only a decent choice, in our opinion.
Pros: Decent cool life, lightweight, and easy to carry
Cons: Expensive for the size, very limited size, boring appearance
Mammoth Discovery
Our Rating:
The now-retired Discovery Series cooler offered up solid ice life but it didn’t quite hold up to its competition at a similar price point. Also, many of the features and the simple look of the cooler were a bit underwhelming as well. However, the build quality and components used were good and a Mammoth Discovery Cooler is designed to last for many years.
Pros: Decent cooling performance, very well-built cooler with premium metal hardware
Cons: Very heavy, not very exciting visually, super expensive
Picnic Time Insulated Cooler Picnic Tote
Our Rating:
We love the originality in finding a way to squeeze in just about every picnic-related item you would need. The additional storage space will also come in handy. The main concern lies with how little remaining space there is for your actual chilled items. While the picnic tote does look nice, you will be severely limited in finding room for the edible items you want to bring.
Pros: Has everything you would need for a picnic, multiple carrying options, looks great
Cons: Rather pricey, may run into issues with storage space
Igloo Gripper
Our Rating:
Igloo’s old design, the Gripper needs a facelift both in terms of performance and looks. What it does have going for it is being extremely mobile and being assembled with high-quality components. There are also plenty of colors to choose from. Where it lacks is in its overall ice life, very limited storage space, and simply being too pricey for what you are getting.
Pros: Very mobile, decent construction, wide color selection
Cons: Won’t keep items cool for very long, storage volume might be an issue, somewhat expensive for the size
eBags Lunch
Our Rating:
In terms of simply being a lunch cooler, it does the job well enough. You can expect your items to stay cool for a few hours but not much more than that. The build quality is quite good and we like the material choices. But you will be limited in storage volume and, for the size, the asking price is up there.
Pros: Will fill its purpose in regards to keeping items cool until lunch, high-quality materials, strong strap
Cons: Very limited in storage size, expensive for how much space you are getting, very plain styling
Wildkin Lunch Box
Our Rating:
This lunchbox is extremely easy to transport and comes with many fun color options. But the simple fact of the matter is that it is too small for most people’s needs. And this not only results in difficulty in packaging all of your items but also sub-par cooling ability.
Pros: Very easy to transport, side-access to compartments, a huge array of colors and patterns to choose from
Cons: Way too small for many applications, struggles with cooling life, not at all waterproof, expensive given the storage size
Packit Freezable Bag
Our Rating:
There is plenty of color and designs to choose from. Also, the Freezable Bag concept is a clever idea. But the implementation and results just don’t work very well. There are some major quality issues you have to deal with and the asking price is simply too high for what you get.
Pros: Bag uses itself as a cold source, very mobile, a huge variety of color and pattern choices
Cons: Doesn’t stay very cold by itself, has construction issues and weak materials, expensive for the storage size
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 are 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, 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
