The Best Picnic Baskets for Your Next Al Fresco Meal

Best Overall: Mark & Graham Belmont Picnic Basket

View at Mark and Graham ($149) 

Pros: This model includes all the plates and flatware you need but still has plenty of storage.

Cons: A single top handle means this isn't the easiest to carry over long distances, and it shouldn't get wet.

When you imagine the platonic ideal of a picnic basket, you're probably picturing this classic model from Mark & Graham. Made out of traditional wicker and leather buckle straps, this basket seems to be plucked straight out of the English countryside. But good looks aren't the only thing this model has going for it: it's also cleverly designed to hold the plates and flatware you need for your meal, as well as all of your food.

The top flap is constructed with chic buckle straps and snaps to hold your dining tools, while the roomy basket interior fits both the included wine glasses and a separate insulated compartment. You can easily store chilled items like cheeses on one side, while drier items like bread can be stashed separately (and stay sog-free). A jaunty blue-and-white-striped lining completes the look; this bag will likely be the star in any photo you snap.

• Size: 20.5 x 13 x 8 inches
• Items included: four plates, four sets of flatware, four wine glasses, and a corkscrew
• Weight: 9.5 pounds

Best Value: Allcamp Outdoor Gear Insulated Picnic Basket

View at Amazon ($22)

Pros: A clever design allows this basket to collapse for storage, and it's versatile enough to function as a grocery bag.

Cons: This model does not have any additional items like plates or flatware and lacks the typical basket aesthetic.

Lest we forget, the most crucial part of a picnic is the food, but the vessel in which it's carried can make all the difference. That being said, you can certainly find durable baskets or carriers without shelling out $100 or more. Our favorite low-cost model is this one from Allcamp—not only is it fully insulated, but it collapses as well, making it ideal for storing when not in use.

Other features we love are ones often seen on much higher-end models: the heat-sealed, leak-proof lining (feel free to load this baby up with a ton of ice); an easy-to-clean polyester canvas exterior; a small zippered pocket in the front that's perfect for flatware; and an aluminum handle with a soft-grip, making it easy to tote to your picnic spot. While this basket's size won't fit enough food for a party of six, the flip side is that it easily doubles as an insulated grocery tote.

• Size: 15 x 9.5 x 9.8 inches
• Items included: None
• Weight: 1.54 pounds

Best Splurge: Weston Table Wicker Hamper Picnic Basket

View at Weston Table ($652)

Pros: This high-end basket even comes with an heirloom-quality quilt and premium plates and cutlery.

Cons: The price is higher than most and it's on the bulkier side.

If you're looking to curate a Gatsby-esque picnic meal and just haven't been able to find the perfect basket, you're in luck: this model from Massachusetts's Weston Table boutique is dripping with Roaring Twenties appeal. Nearly every feature of this classic model has been upgraded to luxury level, from an interior and exterior trimmed with leather to the porcelain plates, stainless steel knives, and acacia wood cutting board.

Apart from the pieces you would expect in a traditional basket, this model is also equipped with many additional fun gadgets, like a wine duffle, a removable cooler bag, salt and pepper shakers, and a wine glass basket. But what truly sets this piece apart is that it also includes a small, pinewood slat table and a beautiful patchwork quilt. While the price on this basket is certainly up there, this is the sort of gift that can be passed down through generations.

• Size: 25 x 16.25 x 11.25 inches
• Items included: four plates, four wine glasses, four forks, four spoons, four knives, cheese knife, corkscrew, bottle stopper, cooler bag, wine duffle, wine glass basket, cutting board, salt shaker, pepper shaker, slat table, and quilt

Best for Wine: Mark and Graham Wine and Cheese Picnic Basket

View at Mark and Graham ($159)

Pros: A purse-shape design that's very easy to carry, and also offers monogramming.

Cons: The small size is not suitable for holding many items, and it's not easy to clean.

Sometimes, you just need the essentials for a picnic meal: we speak, of course, of a few hunks of your favorite cheeses and a crisp bottle of white wine. For those occasions, there's no reason to lug a full-sized picnic basket; instead, opt for a model that's tailor-made for that lighter meal.

Mark & Graham's version fits everything you'll need for an elegant wine and cheese spread, all housed inside an easy-to-carry cylindrical wicker tote with extra-long straps. Once you open the two sides of the basket, there are slots and pockets for everything, including wine glasses, napkins, and cutting boards, plus all the tools of the trade like a bottle stopper, corkscrew, cutting board, and cheese knife. Plus, like many Mark & Graham products, this can be monogrammed with foil debossing on the leather tag.

• Size: 8 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches
• Items included: two wine glasses, bottle stopper, corkscrew, cotton napkins, cutting board, and cheese knife
• Weight: 6 pounds

Best Insulated: Business and Pleasure The Premium Cooler Bag

View at Business and Pleasure Co. ( $79)

Pros: It's made out of durable materials perfect for outdoor activities, and will resist sunlight damage and wear and tear.

Cons: It does not come with any additional items like plates or flatware, and needs to be emptied as soon as ice melts to prevent leakage.

By now, you might know that wicker and sand are not a great combination. And, except for a few models like our best overall winner above, most wicker baskets are not insulated, either. All this is to say, if you're having a picnic on the beach, bring a bag that keeps your food cool and the sand (and sea) out. And, since no one loves dragging a hard-sided cooler over bumpy mounds of sand, opt for Business & Pleasure's cooler bag, instead.

This model is the ideal beach picnic bag for a few reasons: it's made from the brand's Premium Beach Umbrella canvas, which is treated to be UV-, water- and mold-resistant; has a waterproof and insulated interior lining; and has extra-rugged and leather handles for carrying to your perfect picnic spot. While this cooler isn't equipped with any picnic supplies, that means it can morph from portable cooler to picnic bag without worrying about any interior latches or loops getting crushed or snagged.

• Size: 12.5" w x 8.5" d x 8" h
• Items included: None
• Weight: 2 lbs

Best Backpack: Everly Picnic Backpack

View at Pottery Barn ($149)

Pros: The backpack has special pockets for wine and a blanket, freeing up space in the main compartment for flatware and glasses.

Cons: There is very little room for also storing food inside it.

A specific subsection of picnics is the elusive picnic hike. This is the reward meal after a long scramble up a hill, where you can toast to your success with a bit of champagne. If you've ever done any hiking, you'll know that carrying a standard picnic basket on a trail is a giant hassle. Instead, opt for a backpack model, like our favorite from Pottery Barn.

This design allows you to carry everything you'll need for your meal, without worrying that various flatware pieces or glasses are jangling around inside. From the cheese knife to the salt and pepper shakers, every item included has its own compartment, making it a breeze to pack and unpack. And, crucially, the items are made to withstand a tumble: the wine glasses are hard-to-break acrylic, and the shakers are equipped with non-spill tops.

• Size: 21 x 6.5 x 15.5 inches
• Items included: blanket, combination corkscrew, cutting board, cheese knife, salt and pepper shakers, four wine glasses, four plates, four sets of flatware, and four napkins.
• Weight: 6 pounds

Best Tote: Rovr Keepr

View at Amazon ($150)

Also available at Rovr.

Pros: A movable divider on the inside ensures food and drinks are always secure.

Cons: There is no lid on this tote, so for long days in hot conditions it isn't ideal.

If you're looking for an ideal model for an—ahem—liquid-only picnic, then this tote from camping company RovR is ideal. The sturdy bag can fit multiple bottles of different sizes (and cheese and crackers, if you'd prefer), and also comes with a double-walled, vacuum-sealed ice bucket so your drinks can stay frosty all afternoon.

We also love the large, flat base of this rigid tote, which allows it to sit upright on various surfaces. Inside, the included dividers are moveable, which means any combination of wine bottles, glasses, and snacks will remain secure as you carry it. It's also constructed to withstand the rigors of outdoor life with high-density foam and waterproof TPU fabric.

• Size: 15.2 x 13 x 12.6 inches
• Items included: None
• Weight: 5 pounds