Best Coolers Of 2025
New cooler models are better insulated than ever. But are they worth the extra weight and cost? Our team is here to find out.
We’ve tested nearly 100 coolers over the past decade, putting each through a standardized insulation test with hundreds of pounds of ice. We also compared them in real-world scenarios, from camping trips to beach BBQs.
1. Xspec 45 Towable
The Xspec 45 Towable offers a strong balance of value and performance at half the cost of premium coolers. Its 3-inch-thick, 8-inch-tall wheels ensure smooth towing over sand or uneven terrain with minimal effort. Our lead tester, Gene Bradshaw, noted, “Few coolers felt as good on big bumps, roots, and curbs on our way from the car to the beach.” During our insulation test, it kept contents under 40°F for 5.9 days and under 50°F for 6.4 days — slightly less than the Yeti Roadie 48 and Rovr RollR 60, but still impressive, especially for the price.
Despite its lower cost, the Xspec 45 Towable feels well-designed and durable. It’s a value cooler, not a cheap cooler. A unique snap-tight latch opens and closes easily with one hand, and its size is actually larger than advertised — 48.7 quarts versus the claimed 45 quarts. It’s easy to move around with molded-in handles, dangling straps, and a telescopic handle. Every part we tested felt sturdy and comfortable. Our tester praised the soft-close lid, noting, “The slow-close hinge is super handy when packing quickly, to prevent unexpected closings.”
2. Canyon Outfitter 55 V2
The Canyon Outfitter 55 V2 does it all and does it all well. It is uniquely constructed from rotomolded kayak plastic that feels grippy and rugged to the touch. It balances a high-quality build and performance well, weighing in at 27.4 lbs and keeping temperatures below 40°F for an impressive 5.2 days in our insulation performance testing. The Outfitter is also IGBC certified as bear-resistant for those who use coolers in the wilderness with curious animals around.
The latches on the Canyon Outfitter 55 V2 are unlike any others we’ve encountered on a cooler before. Canyon calls the style the FAT CAM Family Friendly Latch. Our tester remarked, “It feels sturdy, and I didn’t find it involved any effort to use.” So, we have to agree: children and adults of varying ages will have no problem successfully using it. Durable materials, sturdy design strategies, and user-friendly features are evident throughout this cooler. We especially loved the length-appropriate strap handles that many cooler manufacturers seem to miss. Our tester Gena remarked, “The straps are long enough that I didn’t bang my hands when carrying the cooler — this is so important!” The lid features a squishy black gasket that kept things nice and dry in our water slosh test. Canyon is so confident in the Outfitter 55 V2 cooler that they offer it with a lifetime warranty and free replacement parts. We love Canyon’s commitment to making everyone’s experience with this cooler a good time.
3. Xspec 60qt
The Xspec 60qt is our favorite value cooler without wheels. One tester notes, “It’s the balance — solid insulation, fun features, and a lower price than most we tested — that works.” Despite its affordability, it performs well, keeping contents below 40°F for 6.1 days and below 50°F for 6.7 days in our tests. This is unmatched value for the price.
We love the Xspec 60qt’s fun features: a molded ruler, built-in compass, bottle openers, tie-down slots, and an air-release button. It shines with details like nonslip feet and a drain chain (you won’t lose the drain plug). Its rectangular shape also makes lifting easier than some square options.
4. Igloo Marine Ultra 70
The Igloo Marine Ultra 70 delivers high capacity storage at an approachable price with surprisingly solid insulation performance to boot. Our in-house measurements put the Igloo at a roomy 76 quarts, six more than the manufacturer advertises, and in our insulation assessment, we found it able to maintain temperatures below 40 degrees for 4.2 days. This cooler is a featherweight compared to almost every other model we’ve reviewed, especially considering its capacity, weighing in at just 13.6 pounds. We also note Igloo has taken steps to address potential durability concerns by upgrading its hardware to stainless steel on the hinges and lid latch for a longer lifespan.
The Marine Ultra 70 is part of Igloo’s Marine Collection and features the best handles we’ve ever seen on an Igloo cooler. Our tester Gena reports, “These handles are great, built with super textured grips that are very easy to grab and hold onto, and built in a ‘swing away’ style so you don’t hit your hands against the cooler’s body when in use.” Unfortunately, that’s the only part of the design that’s grippy. This cooler does not feature nonslip feet or any textured plastic on the body of the cooler, which we feel would be a critical feature for coolers used in marine environments. If you’re looking for a cooler more suited for slippery situations, we suggest checking out the Canyon Outfitter 55 V2’s multiple tie-down options, nonslip feet, and grippy kayak plastic construction.
5. Coleman Portable Rolling 50
The Coleman Portable Rolling 50 is a budget-friendly cooler that shines among the competition, with greater capacity and easy portability and surprisingly capable wheels at just 12.5 pounds – a fraction of the 30.3-pound Xspec 60qt. One lab tester noted, “Even though the wheels don’t seem that burly, I was able to roll it over most terrain types.” The telescoping handle of this unit raises to a comfortable height that seems appropriate for most people and feels satisfactory to pull. The Portable 50’s lid also features four shallow cup holders, one in each corner. Although we’d recommend pulling this cooler, it also includes molded-in handles for carrying or lifting it.
The Portable Rolling 50 offers four days of insulation under 40°F. That’s good, but ice melts about 1.6 times as fast as in the top-rated coolers. For an average day at the beach, this is plenty of insulation. But if you are camping over multiple days or on an outing in temps over 100°F, you will notice how much more ice you have to buy with this Coleman than you would with a premium cooler. For example, the Yeti Roadie 48 is of a similar size and can hold temperatures under 40 degrees for almost seven days.