There’s nothing like claiming a spot on the bare earth by planting down a cooler brimming with ice-cold drinks. Maybe you toss a few frozen grapes in there, sandwiches for nourishment, and some Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for after lunch. Wherever you are, it’s better with enough cold drinks to go around.

The wrong cooler is just a hassle, though. Nobody wants to lug the thing all the way to the destination and find a swamp of half-melted ice inside. You need to get at least a full afternoon of preserved ice out of it, and not in some laboratory conditions, either. It needs to perform when the sun is beating down on it on a hot day. We’ve rounded up the best coolers for every need, from backpacks to wheeled behemoths to affordable ones you can squish into a closet or throw out when you’re done with them.

_{Prices are accurate as of August 21, 2025. Subject to change.}

For Vintage Vibes: Igloo Legacy 54 Quart Stainless Steel Cooler

Once I’d gained an apartment with a courtyard, I knew that I’d want to begin throwing parties during the summer. And there’s no way I was going to make people run inside every time they wanted a drink. Vintage steel coolers always held a fascination for me, so I was an easy mark for this stainless steel, 54-quart cooler from Igloo.

The built-in bottle opener mounted to the front of the chest was a big draw for me, because bottle openers always go missing during a party. Its attractive pebbled powder coating (available in four colors) was tough enough to withstand the abuse of 50 friends slamming down the lid, banging it with beer glasses, and sitting on it. The last time I put it to use, I forgot to empty it out for over 24 hours, and there were still whole ice cubes floating in the cool water inside.

The Top Performer: RTIC 52-Quart Cooler

Yeti makes a great cooler, but it comes with a great price, too. The RTIC offers a very similarly built cooler with extreme ice-coddling performance. Three inches of closed-cell foam insulates the contents well enough to keep them chilled for up to seven days. This is the cooler you want if you’re going on a long camping trip and want to make sure there’s plenty of fresh eggs for breakfast and hot dogs for dinner every day of the week.

A Soft-Sided Cooler: Polar Bear 24-Pack Nylon Soft Cooler

Hard-sided coolers may have the edge in cold retention, but a soft-sided cooler is lighter and easier for one person to carry; Polar Bear’s has an adjustable shoulder strap. When you’re not using it, you can squash it down and tuck it away, rather than having a hard cooler taking up a bunch of storage space.

Polar Bear says it’ll keep ice solid for up to 24 hours in 100-degree temperatures. While you may be better served on days-long trips by a hard-sided cooler, this soft-sided model is more than up to the task of keeping your drinks and sandwiches ice cold for a trip to the beach or an impromptu picnic at the park.

Best One-Time Use Cooler: Igloo Recool

Don’t need a cooler for more than a one-off event and don’t want to have it hogging space in your closet? Igloo’s Recool is made in the US out of compostable, 100 percent biodegradable materials that can be thrown out after you’re done with it. The Earth won’t cry much over it, and neither will your wallet, with it costing only $10. While it won’t match the performance of a more solidly built cooler, Igloo says it’ll keep ice frozen for up to 12 hours and hold water for up to five days without leaking. The four cup holders molded into the lid are a nice touch, too.

The Coolest Wheeled Cooler: Igloo Trailmate Journey

At 70 quarts, the Trailmate Journey can pack up to 112 cans of your favorite drink without the need to carry that monstrous weight. Wheeled coolers take the strain off the unlucky person tasked with transporting drinks to the beach or over the roots and rocks to the picnic spot in the park, but too many of them have tiny wheels that struggle over terrain that isn’t perfectly flat. The Trailmate Journey’s 10-inch wheels eat up off-road obstacles so that you spend less time struggling with its telescoping handle.

Like an SUV kitted out for self-sufficiency, the Trailmate Journey also has a few ingenious features I’ve never seen on a cooler before. There’s an exterior pocket for carrying sunscreen, paper towels, snacks, or whatever else you don’t want sharing space with the food and drinks inside the insulated space. And a plastic picnic tray, ordinarily stored against the inside of the lid, can be removed and attached to the outstretched handles as a serving tray or eating tray.

Load Up a Backpack Cooler: Coleman Backroads

Not big on the idea of carrying a cooler around at all? I don’t blame you. You may endeavor to find a cooler that doesn’t weigh much. You know, one of those coolers that brags about being made of ultralight this or that, a real lightweight model. And then you load it up with the drinks, and it ends up weighing almost the same.

Carrying weight on your back can be a more comfortable way to transport the goodies. Out of all the backpack coolers I looked at, Coleman’s Backroads does the best job of appearing to be a regular backpack while still having enough space inside its insulated compartment for 30 cans. It even has side pockets for carrying sunscreen and bug spray, because who’d want to pack them in there with the ice and the drinks?

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I’ve always been a movie buff, but these days, I prefer the comfort and convenience of having the theater experience at home. With a simple projector and screen, I’ve completely transformed how I enjoy movies. You can do the same in your own backyard with only a few pieces of equipment — no major DIY skills needed. At home, moviegoer annoyances like people playing with their phones in the dark theater or increasingly expensive snacks are no issue. It will become the ultimate cinematic experience for you and your family. Here are a few ways you can create the perfect movie theater at home.

_{Prices are accurate as of April 15, 2025. Subject to change.}

Choose a Projector

You don’t need to spend a lot for a good-quality projector. This portable and easy-to-set-up option by Panseba has been sufficient for my needs, and though its list price is $100, it’s usually discounted. Just about everything you’ll need to get started is in the box, including an HDMI cable to plug into your laptop (which I do), a power cord to keep it running, a remote, and a screen with sticky-back hangers to hang in a convenient spot for everyone to view. However, higher-end options are available, such as the Aurzen Smart Projector. Unlike the Panseba option, you can connect several streaming accounts to the projector, so you don’t have to worry about connecting it to your computer.

Set Up Your Screen

The Panseba projector comes with a screen, but you may want a higher-quality one. I recommend this portable 120-inch option. It’s suitable for both indoors and out, and it comes with ropes, hooks, and double-sided tape for hanging. If you don’t want to hang a screen on a wall, especially if you plan to take your movie theater experience on the go, you may want a screen with a stand. That one’s a bit more expensive, but the setup is smooth for outdoor use, and it even has a travel bag for easy carrying.

Enhance Your Audio 

Once you have your method of viewing set up, you’ll want to consider your audio. Projectors typically have decent sound, but adding a Bluetooth speaker gives you that authentic movie theater experience. JBL is one of the best Bluetooth speaker brands, with many options across sizes and price points. I recommend the waterproof Charge 4 for its excellent sound and 20-hour battery life. I also like that it has an aux port, which I find to be the easiest method of connecting a speaker to a portable projector. It. However, if you want something low-cost, consider the Uakinat Mini Bluetooth Speaker. It may not have the frills of the JBL, but it’s under $10 and, from my experience, has decent sound.

Choose Comfortable Seating

You have your movie projector and screen set up, you have good sound, and now you need a comfortable place to sit outside. There’s a wide variety of options to consider. I like the Best Choice Products Oversized Padded Zero Gravity Chair. It’s portable and can support up to 300 pounds. Plus, it has a removable tray for holding your favorite beverages and a phone or tablet. If you want something cozier and more comfortable, you may like the Big Joe Milano Outdoor Bean Bag Chair. It’s lightweight, weatherproof, and easy to maneuver around if you want to make sure you get the best view. 

Get Your Movie Snacks & Beverages

If you are truly investing in your backyard cinema, the Nostalgia Popcorn Maker Cart is a must-have. It’s designed like an old-school, professional popcorn cart and makes up to 32 cups, with base storage for holding toppings and treats. It goes well with these movie theater popcorn bags, perfect if you have neighbors or friends over to indulge in your new backyard theater. Add a rolling ice chest to stay stocked up on drinks too. You can roll it over for your guests to grab their beverages before the movie starts, and it also has a bottom shelf for storing plates, bowls, or cups.

Feature image credit: South_agency/ iStock