The 6 Best Picnic Baskets for Summer

I will NEVER say no to going on a picnic! They're such a fun and easy activity during the summer — and all you need to do is pack up your favorite snacks in one of the best picnic baskets! 

My family LOVES picnics, so I know a thing or two about how to choose a location, which snacks are the most packable, what accessories are worth bringing, and of course, how to find the best picnic baskets. If you're in the market for a functional and stylish option, I've got you covered with great picks from Amazon, Target, Pottery Barn, and more!

Our Top Picks: 

1. Best Overall: HappyPicnic Wicker Picnic Basket Set – $59.95 at Amazon
2. Best Insulated Picnic Basket: ALLCAMP Insulated Picnic Basket – $24.99 at Amazon
3. Best Wicker Picnic Basket: Hearth and Hand Natural Woven Picnic Basket – $29.99 at Target
4. Best Small Picnic Basket: Pottery Barn Suffolk Picnic Basket – from $63 at Pottery Barn
5. Best Picnic Basket Backpack: Sunflora Picnic Backpack – $79.99 at Amazon
6. Best Splurge: Williams Sonoma Honeycomb Picnic Basket – $219.95 at Williams Sonoma

Reviews of The Best Picnic Baskets

1. Best Overall: HappyPicnic Wicker Picnic Basket Set

This picnic basket is perfection! It comes with everything you could need for a yummy meal on the go: a waterproof blanket, plates, cutlery, wine glasses, and cloth napkins. Everything has its own place inside this cute wicker basket, so you won't wind up with a mess of accessories inside the basket every time you open it. 

I really like that the basket is lined with an aluminum foil cooler bag to keep your fresh fruit or creamy dips (like my yummy, classic guacamole!) cold even when you're out in the sun. Bonus: It comes in several different colorways, so you can pick whatever suits your style best!

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 11.8 x 17.8 x 7 inches
• Weight: 5.7 pounds
• Accessories: four stainless steel cutlery sets, four 7-inch plates, four wine glasses, four napkins, one waterproof blanket

What I Like:

• Includes insulated cooler pouch
• Comes with a bunch of accessories
• Easy to organize
• Cute design

What I Don't Like:

• Some reviewers say the accessories aren't durable enough

What Others Are Saying:

This basket is Good Housekeeping's pick for the best wicker picnic basket and Better Homes & Gardens' best overall picnic basket. It also has a 4.6-star rating from more than 1,800 reviewers on Amazon.

Buy the HappyPicnic Wicker Picnic Basket Set: 

2. Best Insulated Picnic Basket: ALLCAMP Insulated Picnic Basket

This insulated and collapsible picnic basket is perfect for keeping your food at the ideal temp AND saving space when you're not using it. If you'll be in warmer temps(like the beach!) or if you have a long car ride ahead of you (my family loves picnicking on road trips!), the ability to keep refrigerated foods cold is SO convenient. That means you can take delicious sides like my Easy Pasta Salad and my Avocado Egg Salad without it getting too toasty or risking anything going bad!

While this “basket” is actually more of a soft-shell cooler bag, it has an arm handle like an actual basket that makes it easy to carry. Plus, it's available in a ton of different patterns and colors, like nautical stripes, trendy cherries, and a neutral gray.

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 9.5 x 15 x 9.8 inches
• Weight: 1.54 pounds
• Accessories: N/A

What I Like:

• Affordable
• Keeps foods hot or cold
• Packs down for easy storage
• Handle makes it easier to carry

What I Don't Like:

• No organizational pockets 
• Not an actual basket

What Others Are Saying:

Good Housekeeping dubbed it the best value picnic basket, while Travel & Leisure gave it the best collapsible superlative. It also has a 4.7-star rating from more than 2,900 Amazon shoppers. 

Buy the ALLCAMP Insulated Picnic Basket:

3. Best Wicker Picnic Basket: Hearth and Hand Natural Woven Picnic Basket

I love the Hearth and Hand brand at Target, so I'm not surprised to see that they make an ADORABLE picnic basket! It only has one deep pocket, but it's lined with cloth that you can take out and spot clean. I also love the faux leather design of the handles and the handy buckle closure, which snaps closed for easy use. Sure, it's not an insulated cooler, and it doesn't collapse or have organizational pockets, but if you're just packing up some snacks to munch on at a nearby park, this is PERFECT!

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 11.25 x 16 x 12 inches
• Weight: 4 pounds
• Accessories: N/A

What I Like:

• Affordable
• Sleek design
• Removable liner for easy cleaning
• Cute design

What I Don't Like:

• No organization
• No special features or accessories

What Others are Saying:

This basket got a shoutout from Food & Wine and House Beautiful. 

Buy the Hearth and Hand Natural Woven Picnic Basket: 

4. Best Small Picnic Basket: Pottery Barn Suffolk Picnic Basket

Pottery Barn makes this small, wooden basket that's picnic-perfect! It has a pretty woven design and cloth inner lining that comes in two different patterns. It's on the smaller side, but you can still fit a couple bottles of wine and plenty of snacks. The only downside? The wine can roll around since there aren't any pockets or straps, so you might want to pack it with a towel to be extra careful. 

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 10 inches
• Weight: 2.75 pounds
• Accessories: N/A

What I Like:

• Sleek design
• Liner comes out for hand washing

What I Don't Like:

• Lid needs to be physically tied down
• No organization

Buy the Pottery Barn Suffolk Picnic Basket: 

5. Best Picnic Basket Backpack: Sunflora Picnic Backpack

Heading on a hike for your picnic? You can pack everything you need in this bag and then throw it on your back. It comes with a bunch of accessories — including some unique ones like a corkscrew and a bamboo chopping board — to make your packing process a lot easier. Staying organized will also be a cinch because it has a cooler compartment, a wine bottle pouch, a spot for the included blanket, and other pockets inside to hold accessories. You even get enough silverware, plates, napkins, and wine glasses for four people!

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 5 x 11 x 14 inches
• Weight: 6.18 pounds
• Accessories: four sets of silverware, four plates, four napkins, four wine glasses, one corkscrew/knife, one pepper and salt shaker set, one cutting board, one blanket

What I Like:

• Includes insulated cooler pouch
• Comes with a bunch of accessories
• Easy to organize
• Sleek design that comes in multiple colors
• Easy to carry

What I Don't Like:

• On the pricier side
• May be a bit bulky with the blanket 

What Others Are Saying:

This received the best overall picnic basket award from Travel & Leisure, and it has a 4.7-star rating from more than 4,200 reviewers on Amazon.

Buy the Sunflora Picnic Backpack: 

6. Best Splurge: Williams Sonoma Honeycomb Picnic Basket

The GORGEOUS design of this Williams Sonoma basket makes it a worthy upgrade. The woven black basket is lined with a honeycomb-printed cloth and comes with pretty accessories like stemless wine glasses and brushed-gold utensils. And like the other options that include accessories, this has pockets to keep everything in place. The main compartment is separated into two sections with one side lined in aluminum for insulating food. 

If you have a larger budget, this splurge is perfect for romantic date nights or outdoor celebrations!

The Specs:

• Dimensions: 21 x 13.5 x 8.25 inches
• Weight: 7 pounds
• Accessories: four plates, four sets of stainless steel utensils, four napkins, four wine glasses, and one corkscrew

The Pros:

• Gorgeous design
• Comes with a bunch of accessories
• Insulated compartment keeps food cold
• Easy to organize

The Cons:

• Bulky design
• Expensive

What Others are Saying:

Better Homes & Gardens dubbed this picnic basket the best splurge and Good Housekeeping named it the best luxury picnic basket. 

Buy the Williams Sonoma Honeycomb Picnic Basket: 

Other Picnic Baskets to Consider

Mark & Graham Picnic Cooler Basket

This basket would be a super sweet gift idea because you can personalize the included cutting board with their initials for an additional cost. It has a pretty design and includes helpful accessories like utensils, plates, and cups. It'll also keep food cold with an insulated compartment. However, it's definitely on the more expensive side, and the cutlery doesn't look like it's anything to write home about. The Mark & Graham Picnic Cooler Basket is available at Mark & Graham for $200.

ZORMY Wicker Picnic Basket

This is another popular picnic basket on Amazon. It comes with enough accessories for two people and the entire compartment is insulated for keeping food hot or cold. Its wicker design is cute and classic too, but some reviewers were torn about its quality. The ZORMY Wicker Picnic Basket is available at Amazon for $46.99.

PICNIC TIME Country Vintage Picnic Basket

This is exactly what I imagine Little Red Riding Hood would carry through the forest! It's lined with a gingham cloth and has dual-sided lids for easy access. It may not be the most practical for a picnic, but it's pretty nonetheless! The PICNIC TIME Country Vintage Picnic Basket is available at Amazon for $42.50.

Why You Can Trust Me

Hi, I'm Maria, the founder of Two Peas and Their Pod! My family and I LOVE picnics because they're a great way to get out of the house and spend some time outdoors! And, of course, I'm a big foodie, so I'm always happy to whip up some snacks or treats to bring along. 

Over the years, I've come up with recipes and tips to make the most out of picnics, so it was about time I made a list of the best picnic baskets! I perused retailers like Amazon, Target, Pottery Barn, and Williams Sonoma, as well as other editorial sites, to find top-rated options. From there, I considered material, price, features, and included accessories. The final result: A bunch of charming yet practical picks that'll MAKE your picnic!

Everything to Know Before Buying a Picnic Basket

What to Consider Before Buying a Picnic Basket

Here are some things you should think about before buying your brand new picnic basket!

Capacity: The most important aspect of a picnic basket is how much food it can hold. After all, it's not a picnic without the yummy snacks and treats! The ones that include accessories are typically labeled as being for two or four people, but you can definitely stretch a basket to work for more than that (you'll just need extra utensils and plates). If you're only packing for one or two people, you can go with something smaller.

Features: Depending on what you're packing (and how soon you're eating), you might want to look for a picnic basket with an insulated compartment to keep your food cold. Another nice feature to look for is organizational pockets to keep your food and accessories in place, along with straps or handles for easy carrying (especially if you're headed to the beach!).

Accessories: You don't NEED included plates, utensils, and glasses, but they can definitely come in handy! You can always bring your own, but baskets that include them usually have slots and pockets to keep them from shuffling around and potentially breaking.

What Should You Put in a Picnic Basket?

I have SO many ideas for what you can put in your picnic basket! Generally, though, I highly recommend packing cold foods like sandwiches, salads, and fresh fruit and veggies. But don't forget dessert! You can never go wrong with homemade classics like brownies or cookies that are easy to pack.

Are Picnic Baskets Heavy?

Most picnic baskets are only a few pounds on their own, but they can get heavy once you add in food and drinks. Of course, the baskets that come with accessories like plates, glasses, and utensils will be heavier. 

If you're worried about it being too heavy, go with a lightweight option without any accessories and pack items that don't require utensils or plates, like sandwiches!

How Do You Clean a Picnic Basket? 

How you clean your picnic basket depends on the material! I recommend paying attention to the brand's care instructions because most of them require spot cleaning.

Where to Buy a Picnic Basket

Here, of course! But really, you can find picnic baskets on Amazon, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, and lots of other retailers!

The Best Picnic Recipes

Like I said, I am FULL of ideas for what you can bring on a picnic! I've included a few yummy, summer-inspired recipes that I think will appeal to your taste buds below! 

• Potato Salad
• Easy Chickpea Salad
• Fruit Salad
• Easy Pasta Salad
• Watermelon Feta Salad
• Caprese Sandwich
• Easy Cucumber Salad
• S'mores Rice Krispie Treats
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Prices were accurate at time of publication.