
When recently shopping for a new cooler, I came across more than those boxy, utilitarian ones we all grew up with. A portable cooler that chills and thrills, from a design point-of-view, is trending hot. Check these out and you’ll see why.

Made of sturdy steel with a durable powder coat finish and decorative nail heads, Crate and Barrel’s insulated white picnic cooler adds a touch of mid-century modern style to parties, picnics and camp sites. $69.95.

For a small patio or deck, Keter’s 7.5 gallon rattan-look cooler table is ideal. Not only does this portable cooler hold up to 40 12-ounce cans and chill for up to 12 hours, it has a pull-up top that converts into a table. Best price I’ve found is on Amazon. $47.87.

Permasteel’s 80-quart patio cooler is party perfect. This all-steel retro cooler comes in four popsicle bright hues, has an insulated basin that keeps content cold for up to 36 hours, a bottle opener and cap catcher, plus four castors for easy movement. Amazon has the best price, $138.71-$152.98.

What’s the coolest of them all? The Classic Coolest with Blender. This 55-quart portable cooler is made to last. It has extra thick insulation for up to five days of ice retention, a built-in ceramic knife, corkscrew, magnetic bottle opener with cap catcher, and a removable divider/cutting board and four dinner plates. There’s also a tie-down bungee cord, oversized rubberized wheels, a built-in, ice-crushing blender powered by a 20 volt rechargeable battery, a splash-proof removable outdoor Bluetooth speaker, a waterproof USB charger; and an LED light in the lid. Worth the investment. $399.99.
Don’t let the heat of summer beat down your quest for style. Get a portable cooler that chills -and thrills- before another day goes by.