The Best Coolers Under $75 for Outdoor Adventures

If you haven’t noticed, the culinary landscape for outdoor enthusiasts has become radically modernized. It wasn’t long ago that a day at the beach required bringing along a cooler that made you feel like you were entering a strongman contest, often requiring a second person’s assistance.

These days, customers demand more. Fortunately, manufacturers have caught on to the notion that bulky beverage boxes are burdensome and no fun to haul around. Today’s coolers utilize modern materials that are lighter, more ergonomic, and durable. These coolers embrace the day’s activities more than ever before, often becoming an essential piece of gear instead of something that just tagged along. 

Best Overall Coolers Under $75

Ozark Trail Soft-Sided 12-Can Cooler, $14
Rtic 15-Can Lightweight Backpack Insulated Cooler, $45
Igloo 48-Quart Laguna Ice Chest Cooler, $25
Ozark Trail Highline 12V Iceless Electric Cooler, $74
Igloo 5-Day Marine Ice Chest Cooler with Wheels, $65, originally $80
Ozark Trail 50-Can Soft-Sided Cooler, $10
Igloo 5-Gallon Sports Rolling Water Cooler with Wheels, $45, originally $50
Arctic Zone Zipperless Soft-Sided Cooler, $19
Igloo 25-Quart Basket Cooler, $33
Kepooman 10-Gallon Storage Cooler, $61, originally $94

Ozark Trail Soft-Sided 12-Can Cooler

Light, compact, and affordable, Ozark Trail’s soft-sided economy cooler is perfect for holding up to a dozen cans with plenty of room for ice. It comes with an expandable top storage compartment and dual mesh side pockets with plenty of room for storing a few paperbacks, sunscreen, and a portable power bank for your smartphone. Its easy-to-clean plastic hardliner keeps everything tidy when you sling it with the included shoulder strap on your way to a fun adventure. 

Rtic 15-Can Lightweight Backpack Insulated Cooler with Additional Storage Pockets

This cooler is an ergonomically designed backpack with high-density foam insulation that locks the cold in for up to 24 hours. Three zippered pockets on the outside and one mesh pocket let you store anything you’d normally toss into a backpack. The heavy-duty polyester exterior is simple to clean, keeping this backpack cooler’s weight under two pounds. 

Igloo 48-Quart Laguna Ice Chest Cooler

Classic styling meets contemporary materials with Igloo’s 48-quart ice chest cooler. Insulated with Ultratherm foam, this cooler use Cool Riser Technology to provide a cleaner, Eco-friendly cooling solution. Complete with stain- and odor-resistant liner, this cooler holds up to 76 cans.

Lifoam 24-Can Envirocooler

Designed to be the life of the party, this cooler won’t overstay its welcome. The Envirocooler is built with eco-conscious materials that decompose quicker than similar coolers. High-density construction and molded handles make it easy to maneuver up to 24 standard-sized 12-ounce cans, plus ice.

Ozark Trail Highline 12V Iceless 30 Cans Electric Cooler

Use this cooler unpowered to keep ice frozen for three days, or plug it in and allow it to operate like a refrigerator that keeps items cool up to 40°F below room temperature. The Ozark Trail Highline 12V Iceless Electric Cooler is great for keeping snacks, groceries, or up to 30 cans cold in your car, or take advantage of the easy-carry handle and airtight door seal to use it untethered like a regular cooler at the beach or pickleball court. Its convenient built-in cord storage compartment keeps the tether tidy when not in use. 

Igloo 52-Quart 5-Day Marine Ice Chest Cooler with Wheels

Marine-grade quality meets futuristic materials and construction with Igloo’s 52-quart rolling cooler. Heavy-duty, non-marking wheels make it simple to transport this cooler to your favorite fishing spot, where you can use the included fishing rod holders to help you catch your dinner or just set your beverage down in one of the four built-in beverage holders while you make a few casts. This cooler has special UV coatings, a condiment shelf, two additional drink holders, and properly placed tie-down loops that lock the lid to keep your catch secure. 

Ozark Trail 50-Can Soft-Sided Cooler

Although you can hold up to 50 cans in Ozark Trails’ soft-sided insulated tote cooler, there’s little doubt you’ll be doing much more than that with this convenient travel bag. A perfect replacement for grocery bags, the footprint is 20.25 x 7.50 x 18.25 inches and can haul all kinds of things and still break down small when not in use. You can easily access its contents with an oversized opening and stow away smaller items like keys, lip balm, and a couple of paperbacks inside the bag’s zippered front pocket. 

Igloo 5-Gallon Sports Rolling Water Cooler with Wheels

That nostalgic water cooler from the ball field got a major makeover with Igloo’s 5-gallon rolling cooler. Sure, you can fill it with water, sports drinks, or that sickly sweet orange beverage from childhood birthday parties, but don’t limit yourself to beverages. Its leak-resistant lid and spigot mean you can keep all kinds of things cool inside of the 14- x 15- x 22-inch footprint. 

Arctic Zone Zipperless 16-Can Soft-Sided Cooler with Hard Liner

Arctic Zone’s Zipperless cooler is another example of manufacturers actually considering how customers are using today’s coolers. Its patented flip-open zipperless lid means snacks and drinks are easily accessible, and with its SmartShelf, you can keep hard items like canned drinks separate from soft foods like sandwiches that can easily get crushed. With an oversized, ergonomic Backsaver shoulder strap and an anti-slip shoulder pad, you’d have no idea at first glance that this premium-looking, stylish bag is insulated.

Igloo 25-Quart Picnic Basket Cooler

You won’t need to plan a trip to Jellystone Park to enjoy this modern-day basket cooler. Perfect for dining alfresco, its 25-quart capacity means there’s plenty of room for ice and sparking beverages, but still can also keep a small cutting board, cocktail forks, and even a tablecloth separate from wet items in any of the three zipper compartments. Its classic basket-style handle design makes it simple to haul around with one hand while you pack along all kinds of goodies or up to 36 cans.

Kepooman 10-Gallon Storage Cooler for Outdoor Activities

Furniture meets functionality with Kepooman’s 3-in-1 multipurpose ice cooler. This cooler’s 10-gallon capacity weighs in at only eight pounds when empty, which means it’s not too heavy to bring to a tailgate or along on an extended camping trip. In addition to the 37-liter capacity, it doubles as a side table or a seat ideal for holding a camper up to 220 pounds.