We tested coolers of all shapes and sizes. Here’s what we found.
See our recommended coolers here:
Cabela’s Polar Cap Equalizer:
Yeti Tundra Haul:
RTIC 45 QT:
Magellan Outdoors Icebox 20 QT:
Frosted Frog 20 QT Ice Chest:
Magellan 24 Can Square Cooler:
LifeWit Collapsible Cooler Bag:
See CNET’s written best list here:
Check out our top picks for small, medium and large coolers. We’ve got you covered whether you want to break the bank or find a budget pick. Recommendations include models from Cabela’s, Yeti, Frosted Frog, Magellan, RTIC and more.
0:00 Intro
1:02 Best Overall Cooler
2:10 Best Large Cooler
2:45 Best Midsize Cooler
3:42 Best Budget Cooler
4:06 Best Small Cooler
5:18 Best Soft Cooler
6:00 How We Test Coolers
7:28 Best Cooler Features
12:13 What’s Cooler Than Being Cool?
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crispy crunchy cooking
May 30, 2022 at 12:12 pm
like 24….very nice sharing dear….Wow very well done my sweet friend. Outstanding performance and excellent presentation…God bless you always. Stay blessed always dear.
hermatred
May 30, 2022 at 12:20 pm
Nice
Bermudagrass Central
May 30, 2022 at 12:56 pm
Good info, thanks
Chris Bilinski
May 30, 2022 at 1:03 pm
As always well put together video and information…you guys (and Girls) knock it out of the park!! 👏 BRAVO
Andrew McGinnis
May 30, 2022 at 1:14 pm
Solid Info.Thanks!
Bobby L
May 30, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Icecold
T. Wood
May 30, 2022 at 1:23 pm
Plus the rubber latching mechanism will ALWAYS be the first thing to wear out ! Bad design 😡
Shane W
May 30, 2022 at 1:26 pm
Yep, pure ghetto 🗑
SS S
May 30, 2022 at 1:29 pm
And here I thought Igloo and Coleman were decent. Of course I haven’t bought a cooler in 15 years. Other than the soft sided they are all more expensive then I’d get.
stephensonmatthew7
May 30, 2022 at 1:29 pm
Now ladies? Yeah!
What’s cooler than being cool?
ICE COLD!
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright, alright.
Adipose Rex
May 30, 2022 at 3:17 pm
Give me Frosted Frog anytime. That color is my favorite.
B M
May 30, 2022 at 3:58 pm
🤣🤣🤣
Diane Auger
May 30, 2022 at 5:16 pm
Super nice cooler, I haven’t used a personal one in years.
James Dubben
May 30, 2022 at 5:29 pm
Now I’ll cancel my consumer reports subscription. Oh wait, I don’t one.
NextNate03
May 30, 2022 at 5:42 pm
I would thought a tech channel like CNET would also review Smart Coolers.
Will Bar
May 30, 2022 at 9:18 pm
I thought so as well since I have a Bodega that I can control from my phone and it has dule zones so I can cool on one side and freeze on the other and it has wheels and a handle, a drain plug and a cutting board. But it cost me over 400 so it’s a bit pricey.
Jacob Canote
May 30, 2022 at 6:20 pm
Ice cold
Steph Pears
May 30, 2022 at 6:42 pm
did the crowd funded “coolest cooler” ever release?
Whitney B
May 30, 2022 at 8:10 pm
I have several coolers. Sometimes you need wheels, sometimes you need a small soft side to throw over your shoulder. Sometimes you need that big daddy cooler.
Lance Beare
May 30, 2022 at 8:31 pm
Should have tested Pelican
Uneek637
May 30, 2022 at 9:16 pm
I have had mine for many years and works great. I would have loved to see how it stacks up.
Christina J.
May 31, 2022 at 12:04 am
The beer switched hands when he was pushed into the pool 😅
XzTS
May 31, 2022 at 10:06 am
ATK also did equipment testing on coolers years ago. They voted Yeti as the top contender, and Coleman as a best buy.
Goodasgrits
May 31, 2022 at 1:38 pm
Industry standard of 2/3 ice? How do you find your cans in there? 😁 With that much ice, you could just use a 5 gallon bucket instead of a cooler. A prechilled roto-moulded cooler needs very little ice. It is mostly just to rechill the air after you open it. (BTW, check out the Rovr Rollr…the Ferrari of coolers.) Great reviews!
Bri Sul
May 31, 2022 at 10:52 pm
Another great video!! We went camping this weekend too! We got SNOWED on! Ha 😊 Thank you for sharing and taking us along on your adventure! ✨
Trevor Forbes
May 31, 2022 at 11:33 pm
No Engel coolers ??? The hold ice the longest. I
NEMIdeergoon
June 1, 2022 at 1:05 am
Best budget cooler is by far the Lifetime from Walmart, any age can operate the locking mechanism. Bear proof, 6-7 day ice retention, totally depending upon use, can be longer. And bottle opener. 80 bucks in the off season.
marshalt
June 2, 2022 at 6:38 am
I love my Lifetime coolers. They might not be “rotomolded” but who cares? They are hundreds less than a Yeti or Rtic, but perform almost as good.
Joshua Tenney
June 1, 2022 at 7:09 pm
Can you review otterbox, pelican, and Siberian coolers as well next time?
Eric W
June 1, 2022 at 11:17 pm
Glad you got that lav mic off after the push 😉
Omer Khan
June 2, 2022 at 4:48 am
Alright Andrew, I would love to hang out with you and have a cold one. Good work!
ET phone home
June 2, 2022 at 6:01 am
no pelican?
Eric Catman
June 2, 2022 at 12:25 pm
Did I just see a The Weeknd Out of Time vibe?
Micro Outdoors
June 2, 2022 at 5:37 pm
Coolers? Umm not anymore. For the same price points the 12v fridge / freezer are in now. Most are still cheaper than a yetti. Example, the Setpower 45L (RV45D) is $400. And can be a freezer, fridge or both at the same time. Plugs into your 12v car plug, and will hold temp for hours unplugged.