We were impressed with the performance of this cooler; it kept ice frozen for three days. It was also light, spacious, and less unwieldy than some of the more square coolers due to its slightly slim shape. The tab zipper was easy to pull, and the cooler was easy to fill and use once we figured out how to prop open the top by unbuckling the side clips.
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This spacious cooler kept ice frozen for two and a half days. Its well-padded shoulder strap made it comfortable to carry even when it was loaded down with food and drinks. That said, the side handles were a bit long, especially for shorter users, so the cooler hung close to the floor, occasionally bumping into our shins. Exterior pockets provided extra storage. The zipper was a tad trickier to use than others but was still relatively quick and easy to open and close.
Though this hard-sided ice pack was one of the more expensive in the bunch, it contained a large amount of liquid, had a convenient handle for easy transporting, and never formed bulges as it froze. We needed only one of these packs to line a cooler and keep soda chilled for more than a day, and the pack stayed cold for almost 14 hours when we let it sit out at room temperature.
Large and hard-sided, this ice pack consistently aced our cooling tests, keeping water chilly for 6 hours and soda in a cooler under 50 degrees for 36 hours. It also took a whopping 19 hours to thaw when left at room temperature. It’s large and inexpensive, easily filled the bottom of our 38-quart cooler, and stored compactly in the freezer. One downside: It often had small bumps in the plastic after freezing.
Our favorite set of plastic cups has everything we were looking for, including thin rims that make the cups very pleasant to drink from. The textured exterior allowed us to grip the cups securely. After these cups were used, washed repeatedly, and deliberately dropped onto concrete, they retained only minor nicks and dents. A bonus: This is the least expensive set (per cup) in our lineup.
Though their rims are slightly thicker than those on the cups of our winning set, these cups were still nice to drink from. They had the second-widest bases in our lineup, so each cup sat sturdily on all surfaces. Testers were able to securely hold the cups, thanks to the attractive water-like ripple pattern on the cups’ exteriors. When dropped repeatedly, these cups retained a similar amount of dings as the other cups in our lineup. Lastly, they are stackable for easy storage.
Testers raved about this travel mug, which not only kept coffee hot and cold for far longer than any other mug we tried but also was the easiest to use. Slim from top to bottom, it was comfortable for hands of all sizes to hold, open, and close, but because the opening is narrow, we had to aim a little more carefully when filling it. A simple push of a button popped open its lid, exposing the clean drinking spout within. Testers also loved that this leakproof mug came with an equally easy-to-use locking mechanism, which provided good insurance against accidental spills. Just a few minor durability issues: Like the other models, it dented when dropped, and it smelled of coffee even after several washes. Also worth noting: Because it’s so good at retaining heat, you may want to cool your favorite beverage to the temperature you prefer before sealing the mug or you risk a very hot surprise on your first sip.
This cleverly designed, supercompact, and extra-lightweight grill is easily the most portable of the grills we tested. With a rectangular steel body and a handle on top, it feels just like a tackle box. Curved steel legs swing up to latch the lid. Narrow vents slow the escape of heat and smoke and help the cook box stay hot, as does the griddle-like grate that resembles an enameled broiler pan. It doesn’t create impressive grill marks, but it gets the job done, and it’s extremely simple to clean.
This smaller version of our favorite Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill shares many of its attributes. The ample cooking surface fit six to eight burgers at a time or a 1½-pound flank steak. The domed cover allowed us to grill-roast a butterflied chicken perfectly. Adjustable vents on the cover and on opposite sides of the grill’s body gave us plenty of control over the fire.
Long, comfortable to grip and pinch, and easy to open, these grill tongs are almost identical to the ones we originally reviewed. They’re just as agile, durable, and easy to use—sturdy enough to maneuver heavy racks of ribs but also capable of more precise work, such as turning delicate asparagus spears and pieces of chicken. The arms of the tongs are slightly wider than in the previous incarnation. As a result, the tongs are a touch heavier, though they are still lightweight and agile. And because the arms are wider, it’s actually easier to clean their interiors. The pincers are virtually unchanged; their shallow scallops ensure that you’ll never accidentally tear any food that’s in their grip. Two small bonuses: a big loop at one end for storage and a built-in bottle opener.
This grill spatula aced all our tests. Its front edge is just 3 inches across, so it can fit between the most closely packed burgers on the grill, but the head then flares out toward the handle to support wider items such as grilled pizza. Its comfortable, rounded handle with a silicone grip never became slippery, and at a moderate weight of 8¼ ounces, it wasn’t fatiguing to use for extended periods of time. It lifted 10 pounds with ease and survived abuse testing looking good as new.
Our new favorite passed every test and looked good doing it. Its clear, lightweight Tritan plastic material stayed as clear and stain-free as glass, and its audibly snug seal didn't leak, even when we turned the container upside down and shook it hard. It held a generous amount of chili, and its low profile helped foods chill or heat up more evenly than did deeper containers. One quibble: While we like that the gasket is attached so we don't have to fuss with removing it, you do need to clean carefully under its open side, as some testers detected very slight fishy odors. It's also sold in sets, in varying sizes.
These bowls were the most durable of all the commercially compostable models we evaluated. Their thicker sides helped compensate for their thinner bottoms: While their bottoms softened when holding hot foods, their walls didn't soften or become sweaty. We also liked their wide rims and bases and short sides, which made them easy to grasp and lift, comfortable to hold, and a pleasure to eat from. These bowls are fine as long as you’re not eating hot foods out of them and would fare well with most picnic foods, such as potato or pasta salad.
This set of utensils has it all: a fork with effective, pointy tines; a sharp knife with many small serrations; and a perfectly shaped spoon. The fork cleanly punctured even the most delicate pieces of lettuce as well as the slippery pasta. Plus, this set is both sturdy and comfortable to hold and eat from. These utensils are made from a compostable and renewable resource, but keep in mind that they need to be commercially composted.
These plates, which are made from pulped and pressed sugarcane husks, were the roomiest of the bunch, with an 8-inch eating surface and a steep lip to keep food from crowding or spilling over. Thanks to their thick bottoms, they were impervious to pizza grease, had no trouble holding up 2 pounds of food, and didn’t budge when prodded with a fork or knife (though testers noticed a tiny bit of floppiness after food sat for 5 minutes, food was still safely contained).
Our favorite disposable bowls had a wide base, generous rim, and short walls that made them comfortable and easy to lift, hold, and eat from. They were also durable: Their waterproof coating kept them from becoming soggy after containing hot or cold foods for prolonged periods of time. They also showed little damage after we used disposable forks and knives to cut food in them and poke them. These bowls are large, which makes them ideal for main courses or large salads but a bit too big for just a slice of ice cream cake or a side of potato salad. However, these are an excellent overall option.
This ultradurable cooler outpaced every other model in cooling and durability, but it’s a bit heavy for the average person. Ice lasted a whole week, and when we placed sodas and ice packs inside, the cooler kept our beverages below 50 degrees for more than five days. We also loved its rubber latches, which were easy to close, and its durable rope handles. The cooler’s weight did make it fairly difficult for one person to carry when full, and it didn’t fit all our groceries or soda cans (it could fit only 24 cans, along with ice packs). However, if you’re looking for a smaller cooler that holds all the essentials, this is an excellent option.
This budget-friendly model did a decent job of cooling, keeping ice for six days—longer than any other product priced under $100.00. Its wheels made it more portable, and its roomy interior easily held a weekend's worth of groceries. We liked that the side handles were molded into the body, which prevented them from breaking when dropped. The telescoping handle you use to roll the cooler (like a luggage handle) wasn't so durable, though; one of the poles dented after we dropped the cooler, which prevented us from pushing the handle down and obstructed the lid from opening fully.