In the past few years the world of adventure coolers has become as varied and epic as the adventures we bring them on! That’s why I’ve put together this round up of the best coolers of 2024. At Backpackers we’ve been testing out new cooler launches all year long in order to compare the new with the tried and true cooler classics. And what we’ve found is that there are some new bests in town!
So what makes the best coolers? A few things! I’ve looked at how well they insulate and how long they insulate. I’ve also factored in their weight, usable space and overall shape. We want coolers that fit in our cars and small spaces, after all! The cherry on top of the best coolers of 2024 are the little design features that make a big difference. Things like ease of carry and attachments that could make the user experience exceptional.
Don’t see your favorite cooler on this list? Let us know what we’ve missed in the comments below and we’ll get a gear tester on it!
Keep scrolling to check out the best coolers of 2024!
RTIC 65 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler
Taking the top spot for a reason is RTIC’s 65 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler. Not only does this cooler keep your items cold longer than the most expensive and similar looking coolers on the market, it also costs $100 less. Super effective insulation and money saving? Yes, please!
This cooler is easy to haul with two long carry handles and it has a simple drain to let liquid out whether that’s ice or a spill. The 65 QT size can hold up to 64 cans plus ice to keep those cans chilly! This is a very durable cooler that makes a great camp bench or camp table. It’s also got spots for locks, making it bear-proof. This is a great cooler for any car camping situation, beach adventure or hunting excursion. It’s built perfectly for any adventure!
See the RTIC 65 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler
IceMule Pro Cooler 23 Liters
A solid backpack cooler is worth its weight in… beer? Summit beers, more specifically. Or maybe river beers. No matter where you like to partake, IceMule makes the perfect backpack cooler with its Pro Cooler 23 Liters. This backpack can hold 18 cans, plus ice. It’s a comfortable carry even when fully loaded. And of course it’s constructed from 1,000-denier, which is durable as heck!
Our gear tester Jon used this cooler on an epic paddle trip down the Green River in Utah and was impressed by the coolers ability to insulate. He also noted that this cooler floats!
See the IceMule Pro Cooler 23 Liters
Stanley All Day Julienne Mini Cooler
If your adventure calls for a picnic for two, the All Day Julienne Mini Cooler by Stanley is just the ticket! It can hold up to 10 cans and ice and has some nice storage pockets for things like utensils. It’s a very lightweight cooler at just 1.19 pounds, yet can keep your yummy things cold for 12 hours.
The Julienne Mini Cooler has carry handles, along with a comfortable shoulder strap. It comes in a broad array of color options too! Soft coolers definitely have a place in the best coolers of 2024 and this is definitely one of our very favorites of the year!
See the Stanley All Day Julienne Mini Cooler
YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler
The quest to find the most effective mid-sized cooler on wheels came to a close when one of our gear testers got their hands on the YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler. This is a solidly built cooler that’s perfect for car camping, beaches and festivals. It can hold up to 42 cans with ice. It comes with a dry basket to keep your cooler organized and best of all the Roadie 48 can keep ice icy for days!
YETI is such a well known company when it comes to adventure coolers for good reason. They make excellent coolers! And out of all the coolers they make, the Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler is the true standout they make in 2024.
See the YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler
BOTE KULA 5 MAGNEPOD Cooler
BOTE’s KULA 5 MAGNEPOD Cooler is a cooler, seat, bait well, rod holder, cast net holder or equipment bucket all in one! This is a round, bucket style cooler that’s perfect for days on the water. It keeps ice cold all day and is lightweight. The magnetic lid is a design feature that really stood out, as it makes it simple to open the cooler with one hand while your other is holding a fishing rod.
The size of this cooler is just right for a single day of food and drinks for two. It comes in a few great color options as well! BOTE has a bit of a cult following and after using this cooler, it’s easy to see why!
See the BOTE KULA 5 MAGNEPOD Cooler
Igloo x Parks Project Playmate Cooler
This next cooler is such a cooler gold-standard that we had to put it on our best coolers of 2024 list! And just on time for our list, they launched the Parks Project version. Ladies and gents, say hello to the Igloo x Parks Project Playmate Cooler! This cute cooler is easy to carry, keeps its contents nice and cold all day and can hold roughly 30 cans with ice.
So many of use have nostalgic memories with Igloo Playmate Coolers. They’re simply wonderful. Great for keeping drinks cold on road trips, great for picnics and great for little adventures. Create new memories with this super cute Parks Project Playmate Cooler!
See the Igloo x Parks Project Playmate Cooler
Dometic CFX3 Dual Zone Powered Cooler
This one is for all the overlanding and RV enthusiasts! Say hello to Dometic’s CFX3 Dual Zone Powered Cooler. This thing is build for adventure of the wheeled variety! Its powerful VMSO3 compressor technology efficiently refrigerates and deep-freezes to -7°F. It features a battery protection system that prevents a dead car battery and allows a draw on dual batteries. You can download the CFX3 app and control the cooler from your phone too, which is really nice if you plan an excursion for the day.
The 75-liter storage capacity holds up to 113 cans and you don’t need ice! This is the most expensive cooler on our round up, but is the only electric option. This cooler truly does work like a dream and our gear testers who live the overland life have raved about this pick all year!
See the Dometic CFX3 Dual Zone Powered Cooler
ORCA 20 Quart Cooler
The Backpackers pick for the best mid-size small hard sided cooler is ORCA’s 20 Quart Cooler. This cooler is proudly made in the USA and is just the right size for a day or two of solid adventure. It can hold up to 30 cans and has a nice drain spout. It’s super durable and feels good in hand. It’s obviously well crafted.
A thoughtful design feature with this cooler is a cargo net that affixes to the outside of the cooler and serves as a pocket. The ORCA 20 Quart Cooler is Grizzly Bear Resistant Certified, which means this cooler has been tested and certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. Pretty awesome!
RovR RollR 80 Wheeled Cooler
Sometimes you need a giant cooler! But dang can those get heavy fast! That’s why we love RovR’s RollR 80 Wheeled Cooler. This thing is no joke when it comes to fantastic insulation, durable build and wheels that are meant for rough terrain! This cooler can hold 120 cans with ice. And get this! It boasts a 7-10 day ice retention. Which we did test, and yes, the claims are true!
It is certified IGBC bear resistant and comes with a 5-year warranty. The features of this cooler seem quite endless thanks to its patented AnchR™ pin system for attaching accessories (not included) like the LandR Bin, BikR Kit, Double Cup HoldR, Prep Board, Stash Bag and Umbrella/Rod HoldR.
See the RovR RollR 80 Wheeled Cooler
Hydro Flask Cooler Cup
Last but not least, we’ve got the tiniest cooler on the list! The Cooler Cup by Hydro Flask! This little cooler is just the ticket when you want to keep one can you’re sipping on extra cool or extra hot! It works both ways with a nice insulation layer between stainless steel and the lovely exterior colorway. The best part of this Cooler Cup is the thermoplastic elastomer sleeve that lets you slide in a narrow bottle or thick can with the same snug fit, making it versatile in what it can hold! Early stocking stuffers, anyone?
See the Hydro Flask Cooler Cup
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