The best picnic basket overall
It's not made of traditional picnic-basket wicker, but it's easy to overlook that when you consider all that the Picnic at Ascot Collapsible Picnic Basket has to offer. This fully insulated, leak-proof, and zipped-shut basket has an aluminum frame, padded handles, and heavy-duty polyester canvas fabric on the outside.
It carries up to 65 pounds of food and drink, which should be more than enough for your average picnic. The picnic basket also includes four sets of stainless steel cutlery, plates, napkins, and acrylic wine glasses.
When the fun is over, it's super easy to clean — Just give the basket a quick wipe-down and then fold it flat for storage.
This is the number-one pick of The Wirecutter. The reviewer praised the basket's included glass, plates, flatware, and napkins. He also liked that the Picnic at Ascot Collapsible Picnic Basket folds flat when you're done using it and it's nice and roomy, so you can fit everything you want inside.
Pros: Folds flat for storage, durable design, comfortable to carry
Cons: A bit small if you want bring a lot of food for four people, although it's plenty roomy for two or three.
Buy the Picnic at Ascot Collapsible Picnic Basket on Amazon for $64.95The best traditional picnic basket
The Picnic Time Country Picnic Basket is as traditional as can be. It's just the sort of "pic-a-nic basket" Yogi Bear loved to steal and Dorothy used to carry her little dog Toto. It doesn't include place settings, but it has lots of room for your own plates and utensils, as well as your food and drinks.
The basket is made of sturdy, hand-woven willow, and is fully lined with a cotton/poly red-and-white-gingham fabric that removes for cleaning. The poplar wood lid is split so you can lift each side individually, and when closed, makes a handy table for your drinks. The handle is wicker and very durable, but not padded, so it might weigh a bit heavy on your hands if the basket is fully loaded.
You're probably not going to choose this basket if you have a long walk to your picnic site, but it's a lovely basket for a picnic at the park, an outdoor amphitheater, or even for dining in your own backyard.
Pros: Traditional style, roomy interior, reasonable price
Cons: Does not include place settings
Buy the Picnic Time Country Picnic Basket on Amazon for $35.95 (originally $48.95)The best backpack picnic basket
You could file the VonShef Picnic Backpack under "Things picnickers in the old days wish they had," and appreciate today's ability to carry everything you need for a picnic while leaving your hands free to carry other things or hold onto your sweetie's — or your child's — hand.
It may not be the traditional design, but we dare say the VonShef Picnic Backpack is even better. A roomy, fully insulated food storage compartment keeps your sandwiches cool, and the padded, adjustable shoulder straps make it easy to carry a lot of food. The bag also has a carrying handle on top and heavy-duty polyester canvas fabric that easily wipes clean.
You also get place settings for four people, including plastic plates, stainless steel utensils, cotton napkins, and plastic wine glasses. To sweeten the deal, it also comes with salt and pepper shakers, a small cutting board for cheese or bread, a butter knife, and a bottle opener, plus a fleece blanket with waterproof backing and a detachable insulated wine cooler.
Pros: Backpack design makes the basket easy to carry, includes plenty of accessories
Cons: None to speak of, unless you prefer a traditionally styled picnic basket
Buy the VonShef Picnic Backpack on Amazon for $39.99The best picnic basket on wheels
If your heart is willing, but your back says, "No thanks," to lugging a heavily loaded picnic basket to an outdoor play, concert, or equestrian event, you'll appreciate the ingenious design of the Freeport Park Picnic Basket for Four. This traditionally styled and well-stocked-for-four picnic basket has a sturdy frame, four wheels, and a 36-inch retractable handle, just like your favorite wheelie suitcase.
Beautifully styled wicker on the outside, the inside of the basket's food compartment is insulated for either hot or cold foods and has enough space for all the fruit, finger sandwiches, and munchies you and three friends want to pack.
The picnic basket includes four sets of stainless steel cutlery, ceramic plates, plastic wine glasses, and cotton napkins, along with a wooden cutting board, cheese knife, salt and pepper shakers, corkscrew, tablecloth, and separate wine tote. Whew, all that, and your back will still feel good by the time you reach your picnic site.
Pros: No need to carry a heavy basket, fully loaded with accessories, beautiful style
Cons: A few buyers felt the food compartment was too small, expensive
Buy the Freeport Park Picnic Basket for Four at Wayfair for $193.99 (originally $318.99)The best picnic basket for two
There's no need to lug a large, heavy picnic basket if you only need a tote large enough for two people's lunch. And that's just what you get, along with traditional picnic basket style, with the Picnic Time Piccadilly Willow Picnic Basket.
This beauty is woven from willow and lined with red-and-white checked polyester fabric. Fill it with fruit, sandwiches, your favorite cheese, home-baked chocolate chip cookies, and a bottle of wine to have the perfect date night.
The picnic basket includes two sets of stainless steel cutlery, two melamine plates, two plastic wine glasses, and a waiter-style corkscrew.
Pros: Easy-access double lid, traditional style, nice quality accessories
Cons: Not insulated to keep food cold
Buy the Picnic Time Piccadilly Willow Picnic Basket on Amazon for $44.99-$46.99 (originally $85.95)The best picnic basket for a romantic date
When romance is in the air, wine and cheese might be all you need, and that's just what the Picnic at Ascot Wine and Cheese Cooler Bag is designed to carry.
This isn't a full picnic basket. It's just large enough for one or two bottles of wine, champagne, or other bottled beverages; along with a few tidbits of your favorite cheese, fruit, or small munchies.
The bag has an adjustable shoulder strap, so go ahead and hold hands on the stroll to your picnic site. It's made of heavy polyester canvas and fully lined to keep the contents cold. There's even a separator to keep the two bottles from clanking against each other as you walk.
You'll also enjoy the included two acrylic wine glasses, cheese knife, cutting board, bottle stopper, and corkscrew. The bag is available in several different colors and patterns.
Pros: Perfect for a romantic date, easy to carry, separator so bottles don't clank together
Cons: Not large enough to carry a full meal
Buy the navy Picnic at Ascot Wine and Cheese Cooler Bag on Amazon for $38.50Check out our guides to the best coolers you can buy
Whether you're heading out for a weekend camping trip, an afternoon in the park, a tailgating party, or you're grilling in the backyard, you'll need a cooler if you like cold drinks and fresh food.
The coolers we chose are all distinct from one another in multiple ways. There's a good chance that a few of them will be the outright wrong choice for some people, but there's a great chance that at least one will be the absolute best cooler for you.
Here are our top picks for the best coolers you can buy:- Best overall: Coleman Performance 48-Quart Cooler
- Best for longterm use: Yeti Tundra 75
- Best soft cooler: Pelican Elite Soft Cooler
- Best cooler bag: CleverMade Cooler Tote
- Best cooler with wheels: RovR RollR cooler
Hauling a cooler around when it's full of ice and your beverage of choice is no easy task. Backpack coolers solve that problem by making the cooler much more portable. For those who haven't heard of backpack coolers before, it's exactly what it sounds like: a cooler you can strap to your back like a knapsack.
These portable ice chests simply strap onto your back and you're free to lug whatever else you brought along or just enjoy your surroundings.
Here are our top picks for the best backpack coolers you can buy:- Best backpack cooler overall: Yeti Hopper Backflip 24
- Best backpack cooler for easy access: Hydro Flask Soft Cooler Pack
- Best multi-purpose backpack cooler: OtterBox Trooper LT 30
- Best budget-friendly backpack cooler: Barebones Backpack Cooler
