13 Beach Coolers That Guarantee Your Drinks Stay Ice Cold

May 01, 2023

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SPENDING A DAY at the beach is one of life's great pleasures. No matter if you're the type of beachgoer that likes to gather around and throw the football and listen to music with friends, or the type that likes to vibe out and dig into a good book, a trusted beach cooler is the best way to maximize the experience and provide you with a way to stay near the water for much longer periods of time.

Over the past three years we've tested over 30 beach coolers, evaluating each cooler on design notes like insulation, durability, portability, and features. We broke down each cooler and created a scoring system to evaluate each of these four categories, rating each cooler quality on a scale from 1-10 (10 being absolutely perfect). We rarely give out 10s, as we believe there's always room for innovation and improvement, but with that being said you will find some 9s (and even a 9.5) on this list. Our best overall beach cooler is still the Yeti 18 Soft Cooler, as we believe it has the ideal balance between insulation and portability.

Read more: How Men's Health Tests Products

Naturally, when you're aiming to keep your waters, seltzers, beers, and, food, on the cool and refreshing side, you'll want one of the best beach coolers you can get. Of course, what you define as the best beach cooler will depend on your specific needs. Are you looking for a large one with wheels to pull as you make your way across the seemingly endless stretch of sand toward the perfect spot? Maybe you're looking for a beach cooler bag or backpack to throw over your shoulder. Of course, you can't forget the small beach coolers for when you're taking a solo day al fresco. But, when all is said and done, you may just be looking for a cooler with the best ice retention—because who knows how long you'll be out there (just don't forget to bring your sunscreen and sunglasses).

No matter what type of cooler you're looking for to be your beach companion, we found the 13 best beach coolers for all types of preferences. Get the intel on all our top picks below.

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There's no doubt that you're well aware of the insulating power of a Yeti cooler—whether it's one of the iconic hard-sided coolers or a soft option, like this bad boy. The 18 Soft Cooler is a tough cooler with a zipper opening for easy access and has a capacity capable of holding up to 30 cans by itself (no ice).

This soft cooler is as accessible as they come, able to swallow a couple of six-packs and some snacks whole without a problem. Perhaps best, it's rather stylish and you can wear it around with comfort thanks to its soft carrying strap. For quick beach trips that only require entertaining a few people (or just yourself), this is the perfect investment you won't ever regret.

A Closer Look: 17.7 x 11.5 x 12.8 inch | 4.5 pounds | 30 cans | 3-year warranty

Read more: Best Soft Coolers

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18 Soft Cooler

$300.00

yeti.com

Anyone who's spent time searching for the perfect spot on the beach knows the pain of lugging a heavy cooler across a soft stretch of sand. No more, thanks to Igloo's beach cooler, which has oversized wheels and metal stability bars that'll work with sand and other tricky surfaces.

In many ways, this is like the SUV of coolers to us, capable of taking on all the bumps and varied terrain and offering premium space and lots of cool bells and whistles. The removable butler tray is a clever addition too, affording a little class at your favorite beach spot or hilltop perch. There's also a dry storage area, great for phones and other things you want to keep safe and away from any moisture. Overall the volume, the rugged carrying design, and the special features sell us on the Trailmate Journey being one of the absolute best beach coolers you can buy. Just remember this is large capacity, so the portability is not the best when it comes to storing in a car or at home.

A Closer Look : 34.6 x 19.7 x 23.6 inch | 34 pounds | 112 cans | 1-year warranty

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70 Qt Olive Trailmate Journey

$234.99

amazon.com

Strong latches, easy-carry handles, and a durable bench seat top make this Coleman cooler a solid option for all-day beach hangs. It keeps ice cold for up to days at a time (some reviewers said up to 4 days total) and can support at least a couple hundred pounds when using it as a seat.

We've had a few run-ins with this cooler, both testing personally and also stumbling upon it when meeting friends at the beach. It's the ideal mid-sized go-to cooler, with enough durability to let it get battered and bruised, and enough portability to jam into the trunk of a sedan. Slap stickers on this thing, drag it out into the shallow shore water, let your adrenaline junkie friend backflip off it (just make sure it's planted firmly into the sand). This is an affordable cooler anyone can scoop at any time, just don't expect it to come with any fancy features or trust it will insulate longer than 24-36 hours. But remember, it's $50. You can't beat this price!

A Closer Look: ‎25.6 x 14.8 x 16.5 inch | 8.7 pounds | 80 cans | 1-year warranty

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316 Series Insulated Portable Cooler

$38.49

amazon.com

If you've built up a collection of Hydro Flask water bottles, why not round it out with a cooler from the brand as well? This large—but lightweight—backpack cooler will fit up to 36 cans (without ice), which means you can stay fully stocked for your beach day. It also has a watertight zipper, so you won't be worrying about any leaks should things move around when you're en route.

A lot of thought went into it, clearly. The zipper is quiet and smooth while the liner is BPA-free and food-grade. While you almost have to search for them (a design compliment), there are hoops for attachments. It's a well-made cooler that maximizes volume in a pretty reasonably-sized build.

A Closer Look: 18.1 x 18.5 x 8.5 inch | 2.6 pounds | 36 cans | 5-year warranty

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20 L Day Escape Soft Cooler Pack

$199.99

hydroflask.com

ORCA coolers have a reputation for being strong and long-lasting. While we do enjoy its hard cooler lineup, we find the Walker 20 to be a great personal cooler that's great for traveling (especially road trips) and definitely the beach.

It holds up to 20 cans and is made from adventure-grade 840 denier double TPU material. Features include a magnetic split handle, a soft carrying strap, and waterproof zippers. When using, we liked throwing in a six pack and our lunch (think a sandwhich, chips, cookie, and fruit). If you're looking for a personal cooler with lots of space, special features, then you can't go wrong with this versatile pick. The only downside is it expensive for a personal cooler, so we recommend buying it really if you anticipate using it as your go-to personal cooler for all things, and not just specifically for the beach.

A Closer Look: 14.5 x 11 x 13.25 inch | 3.6 pounds | 20 cans | 3-year warranty

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Walker 20

$250.00

gathroutdoors.com

Laka offers respectably priced hard coolers that come in tons of fun colors. We found the Laka 20 carries all the high-quality specs one would expect out of a high-performance cooler: a polyurethane thermal barrier, rubber latches, non-slip feet, and an ergonomic handle.

What stands out to us the most is the oval-shaped design (what we'd call a bucket design), which is appealing to those looking to save space but still want a mid-sized cooler they can use for both personal use and entertaining guests. We also loved the array of vibrant colors and the fact we could store the cooler in tight spaces better than others on this list—a major plus for those living in city environments.

A Closer Look: 18.5 x 14.5 x 16.5 inch | 13.5 pounds | 18 cans | 5-year warranty

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Laka 20

$159.99

lakacoolers.com

RTIC's 32 QT Ultra-Light is the perfect hard cooler for small gatherings. For starters, it's designed to be lightweight, and RTIC claims the cooler is about 30% lighter than most hard-molded models on the market. While it's hard to say we can verify that statistic, we can say it felt significantly lighter in weight when testing it without food and drink inside and with food and drink packed in.

The Ultra-Light also comes with durable carrying handles, secure sealing latches, and a built-in bottle opener. What's really great is it's only $200. This is a solid option if you like this rectangle style of cooler and you want to optimize keeping your gear lightweight.

A Closer Look: 14.5 x 23 x 15.5 inch | 21 pounds | 48 cans | 1-year warranty

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32 QT Ultra-Light Cooler

$159.99

rticoutdoors.com

Yeti took its iconic Roadie cooler and boosted its capacity and added wheels. The result is an ultra-tough, do-it-all wheel cooler that is perfect for BBQs, camping, and, yes, even trips to the beach. The wheels are probably the smoothest we've tested—they roll like butter on all types of terrain. The retractable handle is made of strong metal, making it super reliable and easy to maneuver when rolling too. It's far from flimsy.

As far as capacity, you can fit up to 76 cans in the Roadie 48 (up to 98 cans in the Roadie 60), plus you have interior racks for organized storage and a configuration that even allows easy carrying of wine bottles. What's cool is Yeti provides ice packs and a carrying rack with this cooler. We used the ice packs and regular ice, and found they insulate similar. We also used the rack to store food in and discovered it was a smart way to keep it dry.

If you're wanting a large capacity cooler for beach trips and more, then you can't go wrong with this pick here. Just be prepared to make a hefty initial investment.

A Closer Look: 19.8 x 20.1 x 20.6 inch | 28.3 pounds | 76 cans | 5-year warranty

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Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler

$450.00

yeti.com

There's no doubt that you're well-aware of the insulating power of a Yeti cooler—whether it's one of the iconic hard-sided coolers or a soft option, like this tote. This tough cooler has an extra-wide magnetic opening for easy access and has a capacity perfect for bigger groups, holding up to 26 cans with ice.

It's a virtual artillery belt of great add-ons, from clipping junctions to magnetic closures and an opening that's both wide and stays open when you need it to. This is as accessible as they come, able to swallow several six-packs whole without a problem. Perhaps best, it's rather stylish and you can wear it around as though it were a messenger bag.

Read more: Best Soft Coolers

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Hopper M30 Soft Cooler

$350.00

yeti.com

A rolling bag you pack down flat and carry it through the airport, this Columbia wheeled cooler is optimized for beach vacations. It holds up to 50 cans and features a kickstand bottom to help hold the cooler up vertical position.

We like the size-to-volume ratio and the material really does seem to fend off unwanted odors and mold. It's also a breeze to clean up when the fun day at the river comes to a close. The handle extends to a generous length and the wheels are quite well, especially when you consider the price you're paying.

A Closer Look: 13.5 x 10 x 16 inch | 4.75 pounds | 50 cans | 1-year warranty

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Crater Peak Wheeled Cooler

$56.24

amazon.com

Sometimes you just want to wear your cooler. This one packs up cleanly and travels with you effortlessly. It's a great one to have for surf days at the beach or lake outings, with some reviewers talking about having ice left over in the bag even after three days of hot boating trips.

The design is clean and cylindrical, looking a bit like a futuristic duffle. We liked how the design makes the bag have some gentle padding, so it does help prevent from cans and ice jabbing into your back while you walk. The straps are cushioned and comfortable around the shoulders too, and there's even a chest snap for added support.

A Closer Look: 14 x 11 x 24 inch | 4 pounds | 24 cans | 90-day warranty

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Pro X-Large 33L

$144.95

icemulecoolers.com

If you're looking for something that isn't too big or too small, consider this 16 qt option from Stanley, which will hold up to 21 cans. Between the easy-to-use top handle and the bungee system on the lid, this option is essential for any outdoor occasion.

The latches are a nice feature and things do stay plenty cold for a full day and a half in this cooler. There's a nice gasket for draining when the trip is over and tie-downs for things you want to pack along with you.

A Closer Look: 16.7 x 12.8 x 11.2 inch | 6.7 pounds | 21 cans | Limited-lifetime warranty

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Adventure Easy Carry 16 Qt Outdoor Cooler

$63.96

backcountry.com

If you're feeling saucy, bring your favorite fridge with you. This sophisticated beast is basically commercial grade, with a high-res screen and an app for remote temperature adjustment. It's powered by a compressor, so there's no need for ice and you can get things as cold as -7F, should you wish.

The volume is impressive, with up to 67 cans living comfortably in this cooler. The aluminum handles are plucked straight from your favorite restaurant kitchen walk-in and the internal trays are useful for sorting.

If you have the dough, it's hard not to go for this cooler. It can be charged in your car without draining your battery or can go portable with a lithium battery of its own. It is heavy, but that's usually the way expensive things are.

A Closer Look: 16 x 27.5 x 19 inch | 41 pounds | 67 cans | 2-year warranty

Read more: Best Outdoor Gear for Men

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CFX3 45-Liter Portable Refrigerator and Freezer

$759.99

amazon.com

If you're looking for a small personal cooler, why not consider combining it with your beach chair? The Ostrich 3N1 Chair is a deluxe reclining beach chair with a small cooler that holds about a six-pack on the back. The chair even folds out for face-down laying and comes with cupholders.

What this option provides is a consolidation on gear for those who live close to the beach (or on it). This chair offers for quick beach trips for a couple hours at a time. We liked how you can store a couple cold drinks inside and also one or two snacks, all while providing a top-of-the-line beach chair that lays out flat!

A Closer Look: 61.77 x 26.1 x 14 inch | 9.8 pounds | 6 cans |

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Backpack 3N1 Chair with Insulated Cooler Bag

$174.95

amazon.com

If you're feeling saucy, bring your favorite fridge with you. This sophisticated beast is basically commercial grade, with a high-res screen and an app for remote temperature adjustment. It's powered by a compressor, so there's no need for ice and you can get things as cold as -7F, should you wish.

The volume is impressive, with up to 67 cans living comfortably in this cooler. The aluminum handles are plucked straight from your favorite restaurant kitchen walk-in and the internal trays are useful for sorting.

If you have the dough, it's hard not to go for this cooler. It charged in your car without draining your battery or can go portable with a lithium battery of its own. It is heavy, but that's usually the way expensive things are.

Read more: Best Outdoor Gear for Men

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CFX3 45 Powered Cooler

$959.99

backcountry.com

A rolling bag you might see at the airport, this cooler is highly portable and comes in at a very agreeable price. There's a side pouch for additional gear and the bungee cords up top prove to be a great idea for shoving in last-minute items.

The wheels are okay on normal ground but can struggle a bit in the muck, on the trail, or in the sand. We like the size-to-volume ratio and the material really does seem to fend off unwanted odors and mold. It's also a breeze to clean up when the fun day at the river comes to a close. The handle can be a bit short for taller folks.

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Soft-Sided Cooler with Wheels

$51.07

walmart.com

You'd never know this was a cooler unless you opened it up and looked inside. This pack cooler is very backpack-like, with dual compartments for proper storage. It's made with some recycled materials, which is great for the environment, especially amid a cooler category that tends to use a lot of plastic.

The volume is not great, but probably enough four half-day outings like hikes or snowshoe treks. The lash straps are useful and can take on any number of attachments, whether it's clothing or a blanket. For brief small group outings or solo trips, it's a nice option.

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Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler

$79.95

rei.com

RTIC's 20 Qt hard cooler is the perfect size for a small gathering—and it comes with a carrying handle that'll make it easy to transport to and from your car. The 3-inch foam-insulated walls will allow everything inside to stay cold for up to 10 days, and the hard exterior will also make it double as an extra seat.

Given the size, you might think it could hold a bit more, but that's probable due to the thick insulation involved. The sticky feet are great to keep the whole thing in place and the handles are sturdy and great for hauling. Because it is so burly, it can also be used as a cutting board or even a step stool.

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20 Qt Hard Cooler

$179.99

amazon.com

Wanna throw it back this season? Look no further than Igloo's Playmate 50th Anniversary cooler, which is sure to bring up nostalgic feelings. It's just the right size for a small meal, and the tent top makes it easy to carry along with your other things.

Some trips don't require a whole lot, just a time-tested cooler with the signature rotating lid handle. For the price, it does quite a lot. Plus, you can customize with pretty much in color in the rainbow. Party outside just like your parents used to with what's essentially the same reliable cooler.

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Playmate 50th Anniversary Edition 7 Qt Cooler

$24.99

igloocoolers.com

Add a pop of color to your beach day, camp haul, or other outdoor adventures with this roller cooler from RovR. It'll retain ice for up to 10 days, holds 60 cans and 10 lbs of ice, and comes with deep freeze and wagon bins. Suffice to say, this cooler has it all.

The wheels can take on just about anything but are a bit much in the end, making the whole thing feel a little like a car. It's a little on the heavy side but the mobility more than nullifies that. The bullseye latches look cool and work even better. Overall, a solid, solid cooler.

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Rollr 45 Cooler

$368.95

backcountry.com

Volume: Your beach cooler should hold at least a six pack, but depending on the amount of time you plan on spending out on the sand, and what you plan on bringing (food and drinks, or just food?), then you'll want to pay closer attention to volume specifics. This prior notion is why we listed two cooler backpacks: one that holds 20L and another that holds 33L. A 20L will certainly pack a lot of drinks, but a 33L gives you that extra room to add either more beverages or add snacks and food on top of your drinks.

Special features: Special features can be a lifesaver if you're going to be wearing or hauling anything. For example, the Igloo Trailmate Journey has features like butler trays, tie-down hooks for bungee cords, and a lockable water-resistant storage container for phones and personal items. These features will certainly help elevate your beach hangout and offer a much more seamless process of getting all your gear to the shore.

Types of Use: You obviously want a cooler that's portable, You also want to look for durability and insulation. All of the beach coolers above will sustain coldness for an entire afternoon and longer, plus they can get banged up and be fine. The trick to looking at durability and design though, is determining when you need to upgrade or boost your overall investment. If you are only looking for a cooler that can hold mostly drinks and a few snacks (and for only a few hours at a time) then you can get away with a cooler under $100—like our favorite mid-sized cooler, the Coleman 316 Series. But if you plan on trips like a full day affair with lunch and all, an overnight camping trip, or an adventure to a remote beach spot, then a roller cooler that's bigger in capacity (and yes, more expensive) should be considered. You don't want to throw your back out carrying out your beach cooler.

While some might say throwing a cooler half full of ice is ideal, a good ratio is actually 2:1. By putting in twice as much ice as food and drink, you're ensuring that everything stays nice and cold for an entire day and more. So don't skimp, and when it comes to keeping the ice, we recommend laying all the ice down first and then storing food and drink on top of it. Make sure to keep all food in a zip-lock bags to keep it dry and help avoid any cross-contamination. And when the ice inside melts and you need to add more, don't dump out all of the water that's melted. Instead, put the ice in with the melted down water, as it's likely going to still be cool and will actually help insulate better than if you were to dump out all the water and start over.

One last note, it can be tough to get this ratio for soft coolers, so to eliminate the potentially leakage and cramming of space we recommend opting for an ice pack, instead of actual ice.

Most cooler types have a time range of staying cold. Hard coolers can usually stay cold for well into 2 full days, and then extending into 6-7 days if you buy a high quality insulated cooler (think brands like Yeti or Igloo).

Soft coolers can be expected to last at least 12 hours and up towards 1 full day. Styrofoam coolers can last up to 12 hours too, but you shouldn't count on them to take you as far as a soft cooler and certainly not as far as a hard cooler.

We made our selections on the best beach coolers of 2023 based on several criteria. First off, we wanted a few different formats, so we opted to look at those on wheels, backpack-style coolers, and more traditional versions. Strength of insulation is key, as without that, you're drinks are tepid and your snacks can go bad (or melt). We also looked closely at cooler strength (durability), as well as it's weight and ease of use when navigating (portability). Lastly, we evaluated our beach coolers for any special features that make them unique, whether it be pull-out food tray or special compartments to look your phone and personal belongings. Once we compiled all of our testing notes we broke each category down into a 1-10 grading scale, with 10 being the absolute best. Our score sheets very rarely have a 10 out of 10, as we believe there is always room for improvement and innovation.

We then took our score sheet awarded the best of the bunch and determined what each beach cooler does best. These are the coolers that are made to put in long shifts while away from your trusted fridge back home.

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