• Sure you could bring all your picnic foods in a boring shopping bag, but why would you when you can use a cute picnic basket instead?
  • Our top pick is the Picnic at Ascot Collapsible Picnic Basket because it comes with everything you need for an enjoyable picnic – minus the food, of course.

The weather is fine, the afternoon is open, and you’ve got the best recipe for chicken salad. Conditions are perfect for a picnic. Whether you’re setting out with your family, planning a romantic outing for two plus a bottle of champagne, or even enjoying a meal on your own, dining in the great outdoors is a terrific and time-tested way to enjoy the pleasant weather of spring or summer.

But you need some way to carry your food, drink, and utensils to your destination, and that’s where picnic baskets come into play. Sure, you could just toss your lunch into a bag or tote, or use a plastic cooler, but where’s the fun in that? Whether you want traditional wicker or something a bit more modern, a good picnic basket signals that something special is on the agenda – it’s not just eating outside, it’s a celebration.

We’ve assembled a list of the best picnic baskets for every need.

Here are the best picnic baskets in 2020:

Prices and links are current as of 6/3/2020.

The best overall

If you’re looking for a durable, easily cleaned picnic basket that’s perfect for anywhere from the beach to Shakespeare in the Park, you can’t go wrong with the Picnic at Ascot Collapsible Picnic Basket.

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.

The basket's included glass, plates, flatware, and napkins help set it apart from the competition. Plus, it 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 to bring a lot of food for four people, although it's plenty roomy for two or three.

The best on wheels

Foto: Source: Freeport Park

You'll be the envy of everyone at the concert in the park when you roll up with the Freeport Park Picnic Basket for Four.

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

The best for two

Foto: Source: Picnic Time

When it's just you and your significant other, the Picnic Time Piccadilly Willow Picnic Basket is just the right size 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

The best for wine

Foto: Source: Picnic at Ascot

If you aren't having a full meal, but you want to enjoy wine and snacks, the Picnic at Ascot Wine and Cheese Cooler Bag is all you need.

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

Check out our guides to the best coolers

Foto: Source: Yeti/Facebook

The best coolers

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.

The best backpack coolers

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.