Ice, Ice Baby: The Best Boat Coolers for Every Boater

What's the best way to chill out on your boat? That's easy, by owning one of the best boat coolers on the market! It's a fact: while you're on your boat, the last worry you need is the temperature of your drinks. But all it takes is one sip of a warm beer, a steaming hot swig of lemonade, or an iced coffee that tastes more like a hot chocolate to know the chilled life is the only life for you. Even if you're ice fishing, or on a cold-weather fishing trip, I can say with confidence no one likes a warm beer. But with endless options, such as coolers specifically tailored to kayaks and even floating coolers, which do you choose? That's why I wanted to showcase some of the best boat coolers on the market. And even break down what goes into them and what you should be mindful of in your search.
The Key Features of the Best Boat Coolers
It might seem obvious, but it all starts with one thing: keeping everything cool. Keeping cool comes down to several factors. And face it'”sometimes a higher price tag doesn't mean a better product. Put simply, the best boat coolers on the market are often defined by a handful of varying key features. Let's run through each of them right now:- Seal & Thickness ” Keeping ice cool is a must. While most cooler brands claim they're up for the task, the seals and wall thickness are two big-ticket items to consider. Look at the lid construction and any seals. How thick are the walls? Regardless of the model, these are two main factors for a cooler's efficacy.
- Sturdiness ” Your cooler needs to stay in one place, at all times, especially in rough waters. Wheels are great for portability, but ensure they can lock in place. Also, check if the cooler has non-slip protection and if it's weighted to not spill over at the smallest waves.
- Security ” On the same lines, a lock is a great method of securing a cooler on board. But you should also look for a tight locking mechanism to keep cold air inside. A lock will also commensurate with the lid (so it doesn't fly off in the wind).
- Capacity & Weight ” You don't want your cooler to cause your boat to tip, so weight is key. But you also want to find a balance to ensure you have enough capacity to carry whatever you need'”drinks, lunch, your fishing haul and more.
- Drainage ” This is one of the last and essential features to consider in a boat cooler. A cooler's drainage capability is important because it allows you to drain your cooler of any water at the end of your trip. Does it have a plug or will you have to muscle a chest of water and maybe even fish to tip it over?
Additional Cooler Considerations
On top of the important key features needed for a high-performance boat cooler, consider these additional elements.- Design & Shape ” It helps to explore various designs and shapes. If you want a boat cooler to match your boat, the way it looks may play a pivotal role in your purchase.
- Seating ” Because coolers can often take up a lot of room, I often think of them as an additional seat. That's why, from fishing boats to deck boats, having a cooler serves as a key part of the furniture on deck. Even if I don't want to necessarily sit on it, it's important to be mindful of the space it takes up. Coolers, depending on their size, can constitute an entire passenger on your boat.
- Intention of Use ” Consider how you intend to use your cooler. Will it be used to house drinks, bait, or ice for your catch of the day? If it's to be filled halfway through your trip, it may need extra room to fit your catch as well.
The Best Boat Coolers for Every Boater
To help you find a boat cooler for your needs, I broke them down into two types:- Heavy-duty coolers for larger boats/parties
- Coolers suited for smaller vessels like fishing boats
Best Heavy-duty Boat Coolers
Coleman Rolling Cooler
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- Weight: 14.8 lbs
- Size: 23' x 18' x 18'
- Ice Retention: 5 days
- Special Features: Closed lid supports 250 lbs
Igloo Marine Ultra Cooler
Igloo 36 Quart Marine Ultra Cooler, White
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- Weight: 7 lbs
- Size: 24' x 13.6' x 13'
- Ice Retention: 5 days
- Special Features: Fish measuring lid
YETI Tank Bucket Cooler
YETI Tank 45 Bucket Cooler, Desert Tan
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- Weight: 17 lbs
- Size: 22' x 22' x 18'
- Ice Retention: 12 - 24 hours
- Special Features: Lid sold separately
Orion Heavy Duty Premium Cooler
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- Weight: 47.6 lbs
- Size: 36.9" x 21.2" x 18.4"
- Ice Retention: 7+ Days
- Special Features: Bottle openers
YETI Tundra
YETI Tundra Haul Portable Wheeled Cooler, White
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- Weight: 43 lbs
- Size: 28.2' x 18.6' x 19.5'
- Ice Retention: 8 days
- Special Features: Rotomolded construction
Best Boat Coolers for Smaller Vessels
YETI Hopper Flip Portable Cooler
YETI Hopper Flip 18 Portable Cooler, Fog Gray/Tahoe Blue
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- Weight: 5 lbs
- Size: 15.8" x 10.2" x 12.6"
- Ice Retention: NA
- Special Features: Capacity of 16 cans (plus ice)
Outrav Insulated Cooler
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- Weight: 1.6 lbs
- Size: 12" x 8.5" x 8.5"
- Ice Retention: NA
- Special Features: Bottle opener
Coleman Marine Cooler
Coleman 42-Can Soft-Sided Marine Cooler Bag , White
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- Weight: 3.4 lbs
- Size: 18.5' x 10.6' x 14.2'
- Ice Retention: 36 hours
- Special Features: Shoulder strap
Pelican Elite Soft Cooler
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- Weight: 7 lbs
- Size: 17' x 10' x 13.5'
- Ice Retention: 2 days
- Special Features: Anti-slip base