The Compass #3: Labor Day Weekend Picks

Labor Day weekend is the unofficial last big summer hang, so this week’s Compass is built around actually using the extra day: grilling outside, keeping drinks cold, setting up the backyard, and giving everyone something to do. I looked for recognizable, useful Amazon picks rather than novelty “Labor Day” merchandise — things that can earn their keep this weekend and still be useful well after summer is over.

Pricing and availability are accurate as of August 30, 2026 and are subject to change.

The Labor Day Weekend Setup

Igloo BMX Insulated Hard-Shell Cooler

$105.02

A real cooler is one of those boring purchases that suddenly becomes indispensable when ten people are reaching for drinks. The BMX line is built for outdoor use and works just as well for tailgates, beach days, camping, and future backyard weekends.

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Coleman Portable Camping Chair with Built-In 4-Can Cooler

$39.99

The built-in cooler is slightly ridiculous until you are actually sitting outside for three hours and realize you never have to get up for a drink. It folds into a carry bag, so it also earns a spot for tailgating, camping, kids’ sports, and fire-pit nights.

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Make the Grill Better

TempPro TP19H Instant-Read Meat Thermometer

$13.99

A thermometer is a better grill upgrade than another pile of specialized utensils. This one gives you a fast temperature check for burgers, chicken, steaks, and anything else where guessing can turn dinner into either charcoal or a food-safety discussion.

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Weber Rapidfire Compact Chimney Starter

$24.99

If the grill still starts with a puddle of lighter fluid, this is the inexpensive upgrade I’d make first. A chimney gets charcoal going quickly and evenly without turning lighting the grill into its own twenty-minute project.

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Two Easy Extras

YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler with MagSlider Lid

$35

This is the individual version of keeping the cooler cold: fill it once and stop babysitting a sweating cup on the patio. It is also the least seasonal pick here, since the same insulated tumbler moves straight from Labor Day drinks into coffee season.

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TOSY Rechargeable LED Flying Disc

$39.27 $19.48

The cookout does not necessarily end when the sun goes down. TOSY’s rechargeable light-up flying disc is an easy throw-in for a backyard or beach bag, and unlike a holiday decoration it stays useful for camping trips and evening hangs afterward.

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