Get ready for your next picnic, barbecue or beach getaway with our list of the best esky, cooler bags and boxes on the market.

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Whether you’re going to the beach, on a picnic, camping or hosting a barbecue or party, an esky or cooler bag is an essential item.

There are plenty of options — from the traditional hard shell models that can double as stumps during for backyard cricket matches, to soft cooler bags that fold down to save space.

We’ve searched the web to find the best eskys and cooler bags available on the market right now, based on real life customer reviews and ratings.

Before you purchase an esky online, you need to see this list.

Coleman Collapsible Cooler, Amazon Australia, $24

If you are looking for something lightweight that one person can carry around, this cooler bag from Coleman is a good option. You can literally throw it over your shoulder.

Don’t be fooled by its relatively small size - it promises to hold 34 cans and is the best-selling camper cooler on Amazon.

It is designed to fold flat, which is handy when it comes to fitting in back in the car after your day out is finished and for storage at home.

It’s fully insulated to keep your food and drinks nice and cold, with a main compartment that zips up and also has a handy front pocket where you can stash your keys and phone.

It has almost 2000 reviews and an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. One Australian reviewer said they used it for groceries and it was holding up well.

At $24 it’s a good budget pick if you need something that’s easy to transport and doesn’t take up much space to store.

Coleman Soft Cooler with Removable Liner and Wheels, Amazon Australia, $39.99 (RRP $74.99)

If you need a large cooler bag, investing in one with wheels is going to save you a lot of heavy lifting.

This Coleman Soft Cooler comes with a removable liner for easy cleaning and extendible handle and wheels that will make the trip from the car to the beach a whole lot easier.

The zippered main compartment holds up to 42 cans, but you’ve also got two mesh side pockets and a dry pouch for additional storage.

Igloo 52QT BMX Cooler, 49L, BCF, $139 (RRP) $229.99

If you are planning a longer trip or need something with extra capacity, this 42 litre option is highly rated by BCF customers. Of the 180 plus reviews, it has an average star rating of 4.6, with one reviewer saying compared to older eskies, it had definitely out performed them.

Hap Tim Soft Cooler Bag, Amazon Australia, $39.99

This soft cooler bag from Hap Tim has got all the bells and whistles. It’s been built with a waterproof linen to stop any food or drink leaking, as well as an easy access flip top design. There’s top handles and carry handles on the side so you can take it from place to place with absolute ease.

We also love the large capacity – this bag can hold 30 litres of volume, which works out to be about 40 cans of drink.

Coleman Picnic Cooler, Amazon Australia, $167.90

If you’re looking for an esky that’s sturdy – and one that can doubles as a seat and a drinks holder – you can’t go wrong with this picnic cooler from Coleman. The 66 litre volume gives you plenty of space and the oversixed handles make it easy to carry. It’s worth noting that despite the product’s size, it is available with free shipping.

Sunnylife Metallic Eco Light Cooler Lunch Bag, The Iconic, $19.99

Need a smaller esky to carry your lunch to work or school? This Sunnylife model is going to work great for you. It’s lightweight and easy to carry around, plus it’s insulated for cold or warm meals for up to three hours.

Country Road Byron Medium Cooler Bag, The Iconic, $99.95

Not only does this Country Road cooler bag look really pretty but it’s also super functional. You’ve got plenty of room to store your food and drinks, and you can also carry the bag like a backpack to keep some of the load off your wrists and arms.

Alfresco Picnic Bag Trolley Set, Myer, $151.95

Going on a picnic sometime soon? This cooler bag and trolley hybrid is an absolute game changer. The built in thermally insulated cooler bag keeps your food and drinks cold, while you’ve also got side pockets for extra storage.

The front of the trolley holds a mini cutting board, bottle opener, cheese knife, ceramic plates, glasses, salt and pepper shakers and cutlery.

The convenient trolley wheels and variety of handles makes for super easy transportation.

Sachi Insulated Carry Basket with Lid, Catch, $27.95

We love the idea of this insulate carry basket, especially if you’re going on a small picnic or gathering. The metal frame means the basket stays in place, so you can easily pack and unload whatever food or drink you decide to carry. It also easily collapses down when not in use.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING AN ESKY ONLINE

While you may be tempted to buy the cheapest esky you can find, it may be worth looking into the features available to see if the product is right for you.

Looking to save your hard-earned cash? Check out the news.com.au Coupons page to see all the best deals from your favourite brands.

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