The Best Cooler Bags, According To Our Testing

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Keep your six-pack cold for hours with these lightweight and portable cooler bags.

In This Article

Southern Living/Tara Massouleh McCay

If you don’t want to invest in a hard-sided cooler, or maybe you need something more compact for on-the-go use, a cooler bag is a great choice. They come in numerous styles and designs and allow you to carry them like a tote, shoulder bag, or backpack.

Cooler bags give you more space while road tripping, but also allow you to still remain mobile while camping, hiking, and spending time on the water. “Soft coolers tend to weigh less, have more flexibility, and are easier for individuals to manage on their own,” says Hannah Mara, head of food and beverage for YETI.

To compile this list, we took factors like ice retention, size, capacity, weight, and carrying style into consideration, testing all of the options on this list over several weeks. We tested the coolers at the beach, camping, tailgating, etc. by filling them with half contents (food, drinks, etc.) and half ice, noting if they leaked, were easy to clean, and what the water/ice ration was at the end of each use.

We realize that some consumers want a larger cooler bag than can carry as many cans as possible, while others need a simple design that will keep a six-pack cold for hours, so you’ll find a variety of cooler bags on our list.

Ice retention rivals more expensive options

Durable outer shell and tear-resistant liner

Smooth, leakproof zipper

Floats in water

Zipper can be hard to pull

Lightweight, durable, affordable, and leakproof, RTIC’s Soft Pack Cooler has it all. It comes in 12-, 20-, 30-, and 40-can sizes, so you’re sure to find a size to accommodate your needs. It’s made with a heavy-duty nylon outer shell that works well on sand, the trail, or any terrain you may encounter. And 2 inches of closed-cell foam on the inside combined with a puncture and tear-resistant liner keeps drinks and food cold for up to 24 hours, all with no leaks.

When we filled both this cooler and one from a more expensive brand with ice and left them in a covered area for four hours, the ice in both coolers remained mostly solid, and there was no discernible difference between the two (except the price).

A bonus feature we love? The cooler floats, so your drinks and food can join you in the lake or pool. Plus, the leakproof zipper keeps liquids sealed inside, although it can require some effort to unzip (it was still smoother than that of other coolers we've tested).

The wide opening also makes the cooler easy to pack and unpack. It also comes with a removable carrying strap and a zippered pocket on the front. Use it for road trips, camping, beach days, lunches, and more. Numerous colors and patterns are available.

Style: Tote/shoulder strap | Capacity: 12, 20, 30, or 40 cans | Dimensions: Varies | Weight: Varies | Ice Retention: 24 hours

Southern Living / Eric Brockob

Holds up to 30 cans

Includes several pockets for storing ice packs and other essentials

Removable plastic insert for easy cleaning

Ice retention is less than most cooler bags on our list

Only comes in two colors

If you don’t plan on using your cooler bag every weekend, this choice from Coleman is great for the price. It can keep your drinks cold for 12 hours or more and will hold 30 standard cans.

We liked the removable plastic liner that helps to protect the contents of the cooler and makes cleanup a breeze in the event of a spill. The elastic bands along the top of the cooler are great for securing paper plates and other items you don't want to jam into a cooler bag.

There’s a main zippered compartment that opens up wide and zippered front and inside mesh pockets for storing ice packs and other essentials. The welded seams also ensure the cooler is completely leakproof. We did notice some loose threads along the seams, but the seams themselves still felt secure.

If you prefer a smaller bag for lunches or short trips, the Chiller also comes in a 9-can size and a 16-can size. Carry it by the side handles or use the adjustable strap, which allows you to transport the cooler more comfortably when it’s full. As of right now, it’s only available in blue and black, so we would like to see more colors available in the future.

Style: Shoulder bag | Capacity: 30 cans | Dimensions: 13 x 13.2 x 11 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Ice Retention: 12 hours

Southern Living / Eric Brockob

Includes backpack straps for comfortable carrying

Stands unsupported on its own

Tough polyester shell that's lightweight and waterproof

The top opening is a bit narrow

For a hands-free way to haul drinks and snacks from your car to a beach or a picnic, a backpack cooler is a great choice. We love HydroFlask’s 20-liter backpack cooler for numerous reasons. We tested the cooler on a Fourth of July picnic and left it overnight to test prolonged ice retention, finding that it worked great, with ice still in the bag the next day.

First, it keeps things cold for 36 hours—longer than most other cooler bags on this list. It will also hold 36 cans without ice, and the padded mesh back and straps add comfort when carrying. The backpack’s exterior is a tough polyester shell that’s lightweight but also waterproof, and the watertight zipper keeps water out and helps prevent leaks.

Loops on the sides of the backpacks allow you to attach gear and accessories to the cooler to free up your hands, and the sternum strap and carry handles help you out in case you’re trekking the cooler a long distance.

The backpack will stand unsupported on its own, which helps when you’re trying to load it down with drinks and snacks. Two colors are available, and the entire backpack is made from BPA-free materials.

Style: Backpack | Capacity: 36 cans | Dimensions: 18.1 x 18.5 x 8.5 inches | Weight: 2.6 pounds | Ice Retention: 36 hours

Southern Living / Katherine Polcari

Strong shoulder strap

Durable bottom

Easy to pack

Heavy when full

Not leakproof

If you’re looking for something a bit smaller that could be used for keeping groceries cold or to hold drinks for the beach or a picnic, the RTIC Everyday Insulated Tote Bag is great to have on hand. It’s fully collapsible, meaning it’s easy to store it in the back of your car for grocery runs or beach days.

We tested the tote on day trips to the lake and on grocery store runs without ice to test the cooling, and we found that it kept our items cold, was easy to pack, had a sturdy shoulder strap, and a durable bottom.

The fully insulated interior is made with closed cell foam and welded seams to keep contents cold while on the go. A zippered interior pocket stores your essentials and makes it easy to find them, and the waterproof base is essential to protect from wet surfaces and help keep the tote upright.

It is worth nothing that this cooler tote is best used with ice packs rather than ice, as the bag may leak liquid from loose ice. Plus, loose ice would leak out of the zipper, as it’s made from fabric and not waterproof.

Its lightweight, collapsible design makes it an everyday essential for beach days, picnics, and keeping groceries fresh on the way home.

Style: Tote | Capacity: 35 liters | Dimensions: 21.25 x 14.5 x 9.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Ice Retention: Intended for use with ice packs

Southern Living / Jenna Sims

Folds down flat when not in use

Adjustable shoulder strap

Wide opening for easy filling

Condensation can accumulate on the liner of the bag

Handles lack padding

Trying to save space in your car or while traveling? We love this collapsible choice from REI, as it folds down flat when you don’t need it. When you’re ready to add your beverages, just use the side clips to expand it to hold up to 24 cans with ice.

We tested the cooler bag on short trips, transporting Tupperware and drinks, and found that it was easy to pack in the open-top mode, and held ice nicely for up to 3.5 hours. It has a sturdy and comfortable strap and doesn't leak.

The top zipper opens wide for easy filling, and the seam-sealed liner is leakproof and easy to clean. The exterior shell is made from polyester that stands up to the outdoors, and an abrasion-resistant, recycled nylon material helps prevent wear and tear, too.

Carry it by the attached straps or the padded, adjustable shoulder strap to free up your hands. An added outer pocket includes a key ring to store your car keys, and daisy chains allow you to attach accessories and gear. REI uses recycled materials for this cooler bag for a touch of sustainability.

Style: Shoulder bag/tote | Capacity: 24 cans | Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 10 inches | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Ice Retention: 32 hours

Southern Living / Massouleh McCay

Can keep over 30 pounds of groceries cool for six hours

Foldable when not in use

Two side pockets for organization

No key loops or interior pockets

Non-padded straps

Designed for use as a grocery store bag, Nook Theory’s insulated bag can hold over 30 pounds of groceries and will keep cool for around six hours in case you need to run some errands after grocery shopping. We tested the bag for everyday tasks, fitting a variety of items inside, and it maintained cool temperatures during short trips.

The bag has a sturdy base to help you organize its contents, and it’s foldable so you can store it easily when not in use. Grab a few of them to store in the car to make grocery shopping a breeze (and feel better knowing you’re not using single-use plastic bags).

The exterior is made of a scratch-resistant canvas material that comes in lots of colors, and the interior is made with thermal foam that is leakproof and designed to keep things cold for hours.

There are two side pockets as well, which also help with organization and a bit of added space. The front and back handles are long enough to use the bag as a tote, or throw it over your shoulder as a shoulder bag.

Style: Tote | Capacity: 40 cans | Dimensions: 13 x 16 x 9 inches | Weight: 12 ounces | Ice Retention: 6 hours

Southern Living / Chloe Gebacz

Exterior side pockets give extra storage

Easy to fill

Easy to carry

Drawstring top doesn’t seal tightly

Can get heavy

Store a bottle of wine plus extra cans alongside charcuterie items and other picnic essentials with the Beverage Bucket Bag from Corkcicle. It has a drawstring top that you can fold down to reveal the ice bucket, which has insulation that will keep your things cold all day. Fill it with ice and then cans, to-go containers, etc.

There are also four wrap-around pockets on the exterior, which work well for storing picnic and beach extras like sunscreen, sunglasses, bottles of wine, flip flops, and more. We tested the bag on afternoon outings and found that it was easy to fill and kept items cold for four hours.

There also weren’t any leaks, and the side pockets were super handy. The adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to throw over your body and go, and the food-safe interior liner means you’re good to go when packing it with food.

Style: Shoulder bag | Capacity: 12 cans or 6 cans and 1 wine bottle | Dimensions: 10.5 x 12 x 12 inches | Weight: Not listed | Ice Retention: Not listed

Southern Living / Melanie Fincher

Tall enough to accommodate four standard wine bottles

Comes with dividers to keep the bottles from breaking

Elastic strap inside the lid holds a wine bottle opener

No external pockets

Not the longest ice retention

Lots of cooler bags aren’t tall enough for bottles of wine, but this one is made specifically to cart your wine to parties, the lake, a picnic, and more. It will hold four standard wine bottles, and comes with a divider to keep the bottles separated and prevent them from bumping into each other and possibly breaking. You can also take the divider out and use the bag to store other items if you wish.

The interior is made with thermal foam, which not only protects your wine bottles, but insulates the cooler to keep wine chilled (for about three hours in our experience). It’s also leakproof, so you don’t have to worry about any leakage while on the go.

Carry it by the top handle, or attach the shoulder strap and carry it over your shoulder. An elastic strap inside the lid holds a wine bottle opener for when it’s time to get the party started.

Style: Shoulder bag | Capacity: 4 wine bottles or 15 cans | Dimensions: 13.5 x 8 x 7 inches | Weight: 1.3 pound | Ice Retention: Not listed

Southern Living / Eric Brockob

Igloo MaxCold Evergreen Gripper: This cooler bag was tested during everyday outings for ice retention and compartment use, and we liked its separate compartments, sturdy handles, and packing ease, however, it did leak from its zippers when tilted and there was less room in it will the full-can capacity compared to others on this list.

Ozark Trail 24-Can Soft Cooler Tote: This was also tested for beach trips and left in a car or kitchen to test prolonged cooling, and we found that it kept items cool for extended periods with no leaks, but the ice melts fast. The capacity for 24 cans is also questionable.

Southern Living / Jeanna Clayton

In the hot summer month of July, we took cooler bags to the beach, tailgating, camping, etc. and using the cooler for at least two hours.

Each cooler was filled with 50% contents (food, beverages, etc.) and 50% ice. After each use with ice, we drained the coolers and cleaned them as needed, taking note of the ice to water ratio at the end of each use.

Coolers were used at least twice during the testing period. In total, 394 cans were used in the cooler bags. We are still in the process of long-term testing many of the bags on this list and will update this piece with how well the cooler bags hold up over time.

Southern Living / Melanie Fincher

We love the RTIC Soft Pack Cooler because it’s affordable, leakproof, durable, and comes in multiple sizes to suit different needs. The ice retention rivaled much more expensive coolers in our testing, and the wraparound zipper keeps the cold inside. For a budget-friendly option, Coleman Chiller Soft-Sided Portable Cooler is very spacious and comes with multiple pockets for storing extras. Plus, it can retain ice for 12 hours, which should be more than enough for a picnic or beach day, and we loved the removable inner bin that makes cleanup a breeze.

Whether you only need something small that will hold a few bottles of wine or a six pack, or something that will hold 30-plus cans for a crowd, you’ll want to consider what your cooler bag can handle when purchasing. The last thing you want is to be lugging around a huge cooler bag that you won’t even fill all the way up, or vice versa: having a cooler bag that’s too small for all the drinks and snacks you need.

Besides size, it’s also important to consider the amount of items that you’ll be transporting. Whether you’re spending all day at a friend’s tailgate or watching your child’s sports tournament, cooler bags that have side pockets will come in handy. Not only do they provide you with more storage space but they give you easy access to items such as car keys, first aid items, and much more.

Consider where you’re going to be using the cooler bag, as weather can play a huge role in ice retention. If you’re going to the lake or beach on a hot day, you’ll want a cooler bag with great ice retention that’ll keep your drinks cold all day long. You’ll also want to consider the bag’s exterior as well to make sure it can hold up to sand, water, dirt, and mud you might encounter.

Cooler bags often come with either a top handle, a shoulder strap, backpack straps, or a combination. If you’ll be carrying your cooler bag with other equipment, like beach chairs or camping chairs, consider a backpack cooler bag or even one that comes with a shoulder strap. If you aren’t going too far, or are using a small cooler bag, you might be able to get away with a tote-style bag that you can carry by hand.

While it varies depending on the bag, in general, cooler bags keep their temperature for about 12 hours. That being said, they are perfect to use for sporting events, outdoor parties, camping, hiking, and any event that requires you to be outside for the better part of a day.

There are other factors that affect the temperature of your cooler bag, such as size, insulation, outdoor temperature, and more. Note that larger cooler bags remain cooler longer than smaller ones. Also, pre-chilling your cooler bag will also help to keep your items cool for a long time (this is especially helpful for environments where the temperature is 100°F or more).

Always check to see if there are specific cleaning and care instructions that come with your cooler bag, and abide by those. If there are no instructions, simply wiping out the interior with a cleaning wipe or paper towels and an antibacterial cleaning spray will work. Depending on the materials used on the exterior of your cooler, you can possibly clean the outside with soap and water and then rinse them off and let them air dry.

Be careful when storing glass bottles in a cooler bag that doesn’t have padded dividers specifically for glass bottles. The glass can clink together and break in the bag without padded dividers. (Fortunately, our favorite cooler bag for wine, the Tirrinia 4-Bottle Wine Carrier, does come with dividers to prevent this.)

It’s also recommended to clean out the cooler bag when you’re done using it, as leaving liquids and food inside the bag will make it grow mold quickly. We also don’t recommend storing anything super smelly, like tuna and fish, inside your cooler bag, as the insulation can lock in that smell and it can be hard to get rid of.

Amanda Ogle is a freelance writer and editor with seven years of experience covering food and drink, travel, and general lifestyle topics. To come up with this list, we tested the cooler bags at the beach, camping, tailgating, etc. by filling them with half contents (food, drinks, etc.) and half ice, noting if they leaked, were easy to clean, and what the water/ice ration was at the end of each use. For expert insight, Amanda consulted with Hannah Mara, head of food and beverage for YETI.