Aldi's Bucket Cooler Backpack Is Trending On TikTok But Is It Worth Buying?

If you are trying to cut down on your spending, one of the worst places to be spending your time is on TikTok. The addictive video app has not only solidified itself in many of our daily lives, but also in our wallets as we are so frequently marketed to, and so easily influenced to buy. However, sometimes TikTok really does come in clutch with some great deals for actually useful products. Better yet, it is the first place you should go if you're looking for a good dupe, though you may want to avoid some of TikTok's design advice.

And what better place to be selling this particular product than a go-to for affordable home items, Aldi. The most recent must-have is the Live In Style Bucket Cooler Backpack. But is this budget cooler worth the hype, or should you save your cold, hard cash for the next trend cycle? Well, honestly, this one might be worth it. Not only is it only $25, but the design is super similar to other cooler backpacks by brands like Corkcicle and Yeti. The big difference, however, comes down to price, which is a fraction of the cost of popular brands, which range from about $150 to almost $300. For that reason alone, it's at least worth a shot. 

Design-wise, the Live In Style bag is most similar to the Corkcicle with its solid color, simple shape, and zippered top flap. They also appear to be a pretty similar size (though Aldi, staying true to their "less is more" motto, doesn't list dimensions) and have padded straps. According to one Aldi super fan that posted in the Facebook group "Aldi Aisle of Shame Community", it measured 11.22 x 8.07 x 13.58 inches. Interestingly, Corkcicle also neglected to post their dimensions on their site. The Aldi model also comes in a couple of color options, including beige, light blue, black, and red, which is less than the eight offered by Corkcicle, but to pay only 16% of the price seems a reasonable consolation if you have to opt against your color preferences. 

Aldi had a similar model for sale last year, though the style was much more backpack-like in appearance and didn't seem quite as heavily insulated. It was also listed for just $10, and while the price increase isn't exactly ideal, this new one does seem to have vastly improved in construction and stability. There's no side-by-side comparison, but the Aldi pack appears to be just as big, if not bigger, than its competitor, which can hold a total of 12 cans. Luckily, the same Facebook poster who took measurements also found that Aldi's cooler was equally capable of holding 12 cans. 

One area that raised some complaints was a lack of pockets both internally and externally, but the Corkcicle offers only one external pocket, so you're not missing much there. Another TikTok claimed that while it is insulated, it is not heavily insulated. Instead of using it as a cooler, she repurposed it into a swim bag for her kids, which confirmed that it is waterproof. So even if you do have some melty ice, you should be able to stay dry. Plus, you can look once again to TikTok for hacks to keep your cooler chilled for longer. 

Overall, comments left by supposed Aldi cooler purchasers were largely positive, with many claiming that even coolers they had purchased a couple of years back were still holding up well. While it may not be a top-tier cooler, it could definitely be worth the $25 if you need a new cooler or are looking to ditch a bulkier model. Whether taking it to the beach, picnics, sports games — the options are endless — you can carry all your chilled goods hands-free.