{"id":16447,"date":"2026-08-14T10:42:53","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T10:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=16447"},"modified":"2026-08-14T10:42:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T10:42:53","slug":"the-best-coolers-on-sale-this-summer-from-yeti-to-travoca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=16447","title":{"rendered":"The Best Coolers on Sale This Summer, from Yeti to Travoca"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Published August 14, 2026 04:30AM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Coolers are clutch. Not only do they keep your perishables from perishing on campouts and multi-day missions, but the best coolers are essential for keeping apr\u00e8s libations crispy and cold.<\/p>\n

Now, as much as we love coolers, we hate paying full retail for them. Why? Well, when you spend a mortgage-sized payment on a cooler, it eats into your budget for those libations. And we have priorities over here. (Pilsners. Pilsners are our priorities.)<\/p>\n

In case you\u2019re in the same boat, we\u2019ve pulled together our favorite budget coolers, as tested by the Outside<\/i> beer\u2014I mean, gear\u2014team. We\u2019ve also hunted high and low for discounted coolers that are currently slashed during end-of-summer sales. Needless to say, if you need a new cooler and want to save some coin for cold ones, you\u2019re in the right place. Cheers to that!<\/p>\n

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The Best Budget Coolers, as Tested By the Outside Crew<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Every year, Outside<\/i> testers put coolers on the chopping block, analyzing options from multiple brands head-to-head on camping trips and river sojourns. You can check out the results of our annual testing in this article on our nine favorite coolers. But if you want to get straight to the best budget options, we\u2019ve cherry-picked these two below.<\/p>\n

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(Photo: Courtesy Igloo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Best Cheap Cooler<\/b><\/h2>\n

Igloo Trailmate Cooler for $110 ($120)<\/b><\/h3>\n

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If you\u2019re looking for a cheap cooler, Igloo is a bargain brand worth considering. Igloo coolers aren\u2019t outperforming our tried-and-true favorites when it comes to ice retention, but the dollar retention is as high as it gets. The Trailmate<\/a> is fairly durable, and it\u2019s ready for weekend camping trips no problem, but what really stands out is the price. Scoop up this Igloo icebox now and you can score an extra 10 bucks off the already reasonable price tag.<\/p>\n

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\"RTIC
(Photo: Courtesy RTIC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Best Bang for Your Buck<\/h2>\n

RTIC 42 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler for $249<\/b><\/h3>\n

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You\u2019re going to see RTIC in this aRTICle more than any other brand, simply because the outfitter manufactures premium coolers but doesn\u2019t charge premium prices (and because we\u2019ve tested them to the extreme). Their slogan is \u201coverbuilt, not overpriced\u201d and our testers co-sign that. The 42 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler<\/a> isn\u2019t just cheaper than the competition, the closed-cell-insulated cooler is up to 30 percent lighter, too\u2014another claim from the RTIC marketing department that was backed by testers who didn\u2019t break their backs hauling it to and fro. Ice retention isn\u2019t quite on par with the biggest names in the business (you know who we\u2019re talking about), but the bang for your buck is hard to beat.<\/p>\n

RTIC\u2019s Big Summer Sale<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Shop RTIC\u2019s summer sale in its entirety here<\/a>, or read on for a handful of hard coolers, soft coolers, and bundles that caught our team\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n

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\"RTIC
(Photo: Courtesy RTIC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

RTIC Sidekick 8 QT Road Trip Personal Cooler for $47 (<\/b>$59<\/b>) + FREE 30 oz Essential Tumbler<\/b><\/h3>\n

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Not only can you get $12 bucks off RTIC\u2019s aptly named Sidekick<\/a>, a petite cooler with a 12-pack capacity, but RTIC\u2019s throwing in a 30-ounce, insulated tumbler for free. We like this deal for two reasons: The price of the tumbler is right (free), and it\u2019s important to hydrate when drinking your way through the Sidekick\u2019s contents.<\/p>\n

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\"RTIC
(Photo: Courtesy RTIC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

RTIC 16 QT Road Trip Cooler for $79 ($99) + FREE 30 oz Essential Tumbler<\/b><\/h3>\n

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RTIC is currently peddling the already affordable Road Trip Cooler<\/a> for 20 bucks off. That\u2019s a dollar per can of its 20-can carrying capacity. Plus, you get a free 30-ounce, insulated tumbler to boot. Between the cheap retail price, the discount, and the free tumbler, it sure is feeling like happy hour around here.<\/p>\n

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\"RTIC
(Photo: Courtesy RTIC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

RTIC 22 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler for $143 ($179) + FREE 30 oz Essential Tumbler<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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This deal caught our eye off the bat, namely because the 22 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler<\/a> is a smaller version of our \u201cbest bang for your buck\u201d award winner, the 42 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler<\/a>. It\u2019s got the same telescoping handle, same lightweight yet capable construction, same easy-rolling wheels, and a similarly reasonable retail price. The big difference? It fits 28 cans to the 42 QTs 56 cans, and it\u2019s now on sale for 20 percent off. Oh, and you get a free tumbler with this one, too!<\/p>\n

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\"RTIC
(Photo: Courtesy RTIC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Cooler for $191 ($239) + 2 FREE 30 oz Essential Tumblers<\/b><\/h3>\n

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If you\u2019re in the \u201cWho needs wheels?\u201d camp, the RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Cooler<\/a> is a relatively lightweight option with a 60-can capacity. It\u2019s got two heavy-duty handles for hauling from trunk to picnic table and back again. Even better? It comes with two free tumblers (gasp!) and the 20 percent discount saves you enough cash to fill this RTIC to the brim with beers (depending on your personal proclivities to search the higher or lower shelves when perusing liquor store beer selections).<\/p>\n

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\"Ultra-Tough
(Photo: Courtesy RTIC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler Pro for $96 ($129)<\/b><\/h3>\n

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The sole soft cooler in RTIC\u2019s summer sale, this Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler Pro<\/a> is 25 percent off. A durable, welded, leakproof construction makes this buoyant beverage container a river trip essential, while two inches of closed-cell foam keep contents chilled. Apparently, RTIC doesn\u2019t drive a hard bargain on soft-siders, because this cooler also comes with two gratis 30-ounce Essential Tumblers.<\/p>\n

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A Tester-Approved (and Currently Discounted) Electric Cooler: Travoca Rigel Dual-Zone eCooler<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Testers who have relied on the Travoca Rigel eCooler during their adventures have been impressed with its innovative design, as vacuum-insulated walls and a highly efficient, fast-freezing compressor hides beneath the bamboo accents. You read that right: We said freeze. Travoca models (there are four: 25L<\/a>, 35L<\/a>, 45L<\/a>, and 60L<\/a>) feature a dual-zone design that allows campers to freeze and refrigerate simultaneously. Yes, that means ice cream is on the menu for your next campout. Score!<\/p>\n

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\"Travoca
(Photo: Courtesy Travoca)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Travoca Rigel Dual-Zone eCooler<\/b><\/h3>\n

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Now, we know that 400-plus bucks for a cooler sounds expensive, and it is. But it\u2019s actually more reasonable when you consider two things. First off, the Travoca is cheaper than similarly sized coolers from competitors, like the Dometic CFX5, our testers\u2019 favorite electric cooler. For reference, the Dometic CFX5 35 comes in at $1,000, while the corresponding size of the Travoca Rigel is normally $750. But now isn\u2019t \u201cnormally.\u201d That brings us to our second point: Travoca is in the midst of a serious summer sale, and that 35L size of the Travoca Rigel is slashed to $600. The smallest size, the 25L version, starts off at 455 dollars. Peep all the sizes and sale prices above.<\/p>\n

A Note on Power:<\/i><\/b> If you don\u2019t have a van, camper, or overlanding rig with an auxiliary battery, the easiest way to deploy an ecooler is with a power station like the <\/i>Travoca Vega 1500<\/i><\/a>. This off-grid electricity hub is relatively affordable compared to beefier power stations (like those from Goal Zero), and it\u2019s also on sale for 200 dollars off.<\/i><\/p>\n

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More Summer Savings on Coolers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Double-Digit Discounts on Yeti Hopper Soft Coolers<\/b><\/h3>\n

Finding discounts on Yeti gear can be a difficult if not impossible task. Currently, though, the cooler kingpin is slashing prices on certain colors and sizes from its Hopper Soft Cooler lineup.<\/p>\n

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\"Yeti
(Photo: Courtesy YETI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yeti Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler for $260 (<\/b>$325<\/b>)<\/b><\/h3>\n

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First up, we\u2019ve got the Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler<\/a>. This nifty backpack can lug up to 36 cans. It features comfortable straps for easy-carrying, whether you\u2019re hauling beers to the beach or a picnic up to a national park overlook. We\u2019re huge fans of the exterior material, which is a beefy, overbuilt nylon laminated with thermoplastic polyurethane for storm-ready security. We wouldn\u2019t want those picnic goodies to get soaked on the stroll in, would we?<\/p>\n

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\"Yeti
(Photo: Courtesy YETI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler for $200 (<\/b>$250<\/b>)<\/b><\/h3>\n

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Another cornerstone of the Hopper collection, the Flip 12 Soft Cooler<\/a> doesn\u2019t have two shoulder straps, just the one. But thanks to the wide, shoulder-cradling padding\u2014and grab handles galore\u2013this little 24-can cooler is a breeze to bring on moderate adventures. Closed-cell rubber keeps contents chilled, a waterproof zipper keeps them dry, and that heavy-duty, TPU-laminated exterior will keep this durable cooler in heavy use for years to come.<\/p>\n

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And Two More Not to Miss<\/b><\/h3>\n

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\"Core
(Photo: Courtesy Core Equipment)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Core Equipment Magnetic 18-Can Soft Cooler for $100 ($150)<\/b><\/h3>\n

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We saved one of the best deals for last. This 18-can Climakeep Cooler from Core Equipment<\/a> is currently 33 percent off, bringing the price down to a more-than-reasonable c-note. We actually just got our hands on this cooler, and our first impression after hauling tasty treats to the shores of Tahoe is two thumbs up. It has everything we\u2019re looking for in a cooler, including solid ice retention, a leakproof construction that handles weather and watersports, and a well-cushioned strap for easy carrying. It also boasts two features we don\u2019t look for but appreciated nonetheless: a handy outer zippered pocket, and a magnetic lid that means you don\u2019t have to zip it shut every time you reach for a cold one.<\/p>\n

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\"Camelbak
(Photo: Courtesy REI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Camelbak Horizon Insulated Stainless-Steel Can Cooler Mug \u2013 12 fl. Oz. for $14 ($20)<\/b><\/h3>\n

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Okay, so this one isn\u2019t exactly a cooler\u2026 Essentially, the Can Cooler Mug<\/a> is a stainless steel, heavily insulated coozie. It\u2019s not exactly a camp essential, but it\u2019s fun, surprisingly practical, and makes for a great gift. And it\u2019s 31 percent off at the moment. We\u2019ll drink to that.<\/p>\n

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Published August 14, 2026 04:30AM Coolers are clutch. Not only do they keep your perishables from perishing on campouts and multi-day missions, but the best coolers are essential for keeping apr\u00e8s libations crispy and cold. Now, as much as we love coolers, we hate paying full retail for them. Why? Well, when you spend a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16448,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wild-living"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16447"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16447\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}