Best Cooler Bag Reviews 2023

A product is priced based on many factors, such as the material, size, capacity, style and design, and sometimes on the brand that manufactured it. While we agree that “expensive” is not synonymous with quality, it's true that if you want top quality, you should be prepared to pay for it.

Our research showed that a good cooler bag usually costs between $19 and $100. This may look like a wide range for one product, but that is because of the varying features. We also noticed some cheap cooler bags, but we didn’t feature them in this review. Some of them are not well insulated, durable or made of quality materials. Any product you choose based on this review will surely be a good bargain.

Getting a good cooler bag can save you a lot of hassles and stress, but if you don’t know what features to look for, you might be unable to make the right choice. Listed below are some of the features that must be present in a good cooler bag:

• Proper and long-lasting insulation – Ensures that the bag keeps contents at the required temperature
• Storage capacity and dimensions - Sometimes the size of a bag does not really show how much it can contain; the layout and design of the interior affect its storage capacity
• Durability – The length of time the contents can be preserved at the required temperature, and how long the bag can withstand wear and tear
• Size – Know what the bag will be used for, as this will determine the appropriate size
• Weight – You don’t want anything that’s cumbersome and adds to the overall weight of your luggage
• Portability – Look out for features like comfortable handles, padded shoulder straps, and bags with soft sides. All these contribute to making bags portable and easy to carry
• Material – The type and quality of material used to make the bag affect many other features of the bag
• Leakproofing – The liner seams have to be strongly welded to prevent any form of leakage or spills
• Style – There are different styles of cooler bags, and each has its advantages and specific functions that they perform

Cooler bags come in different styles and designs. Each style or variation has its advantages and downsides. Most common are the bags with soft sides, handles and shoulder straps, and rear pockets for attaching them to a carry bag or luggage with wheels. Some combine the three carrying options, while some have only one or two of the handle style. One advantage of a soft-sided cooler is that this model is most often collapsible for ease of mobility and storage. It doesn’t take up as much space as coolers with hard sides.

If you plan to use the cooler for activities that extend more than a day out on the beach or tailgating with friends and family, get a bag that you can either carry over your shoulder backpack-style, or one with strong and comfortable-to-grip handles. The bag will be loaded with drinks, food, and other small items, and this will make it heavy, so strong and padded handles and straps are essential. A backpack-style cooler bag gives you the advantage of hands-free carrying, and is usually best in situations when you have other items that you have to carry or a really weighty bag.

Weight is also important. Look for the most lightweight cooler bag available. Also check the level of insulation. Many good cooler bags combine light weight with thick insulation.

If you are embarking on a trip or an outdoor adventure, get a bag with adequate storage capacity and compartments. You may want to pack some fresh fruits, cold cuts or salad in addition to dry food, snacks, drinks and water. A bag with different compartments helps you to organize your stuff and have each type of food in a different storage space.

The distance of your destination and the duration of your activity, including the number of people involved, should be considered when choosing a cooler bag. This determines the appropriate size of bag. While you would want a size that is adequate for whatever you're carrying, you should also be careful about getting a bag that isn’t too big. This might end up being an encumbrance instead of an asset.

The type of material used in a cooler bag is very important. Look for waterproof materials and antimicrobial features. Poor quality material promotes mold, mildew and odor, and because cooler bags are used for edibles, this is not acceptable. FDA-approved food grade material is an essential feature, because this means that the bag is safe for contact with food.

Many cooler bags have hard plastic liners that can be removed for cleaning. Check how easy it is to clean the interior of the bag. Most bags can be spot-cleaned with warm soapy water and a washcloth. A good cooler bag should also be leak-proof, and this is determined by how well the liner seams are welded. The best liner seams are usually the ones that are heat-welded.