Scary Mommy 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards Best Lifestyle Cooler Brands

1. RTIC Outdoors

What Scary Mommy readers love about RTIC Outdoors:

In this economy, finding serious high-end quality that doesn't completely break the family budget means everything. RTIC is totally overbuilt but NOT overpriced.
We’ve owned our RTIC for over a decade, and it’s still going strong. It literally keeps our drinks cold and ice intact for six days straight!
Perfect for weekend chaos because the interior actually fits wine and liquor bottles standing completely upright. Plus, the smooth wheels make transport effortless.

What Scary Mommy readers love about Pelican:

It is so easy to carry, which is an absolute lifesaver when I need my hands completely free to wrangle kids at the beach.
The two separate compartments are pure genius, and the colors are gorgeous. Plus, it actually keeps all our drinks and snacks ice-cold!
I’m so tired of cheap coolers breaking after one season! Thankfully, Pelican is heavy-duty, perfectly engineered, and comes with a literal lifetime guarantee. It’s my beach 🦸!

What Scary Mommy readers love about Hydro Flask:

Hydro Flask has always made killer gear, but their newest lineup is by far the best ever. They are completely unbeatable all-around!
No exaggeration—this is the best daily cooler I've ever owned! It's effortless to travel with and keeps snacks perfectly insulated all day long.
Obsessed with the style. The vibrant colors look amazing, and the comfortable carrying design makes park & pool outings so much fun.