Beach coolers are known to be the most essential beach day companions. On a warm day, they can keep your refreshments cold, giving you more time to enjoy the waves instead of worrying about your lukewarm beverage. Water resistance, temperature regulation and portability are variables that differ among many beach coolers.
With all these variables to bear in mind, finding the best beach cooler is no easy task. You need to ask yourself a couple of questions. For one, do you intend to spend most of the day outside or need your cooler bag for just a few hours? Your answer will determine if purchasing a top-of-the-line artic soft pack heavy cooler that provides enhanced cold retention is necessary.
You also must consider the distance between the shoreline and the parking lot. If the distance is considerable, portability should be at the forefront of your decision. In this instance, a wheeled cooler or a backpack cooler might be the best choice to make.
Considering there are so many coolers to select from, we have taken the time to whittle it all down to the best beach coolers on this list.
How We Tested and Compared
The best beach cooler is one that can keep your food and drinks cold for extended periods of time, be easy to transport, and stand up to the rigors of a day at the beach. We tested each cooler on this list to these metrics, ensuring you get the option of only the best beach coolers.
Best Tote: Hydro Flask 20 L Tote
Totes are essentially made for the beach, and with this 20-liter tote cooler from Hydro Flask, you can keep your drinks and food fresh for up to 4 hours. You can get this tote cooler bag in different sizes, 8 liters, 20 liters, and 35 liters. Considering this product isn’t a hard cooler, it is best suited for short trips like beachside picnics or an afternoon at a farmer’s market.
The great thing about this soft cooler is that it can be used as a lunch bag or a reusable grocery bag for environmentally friendly shopping trips. It is constructed with a coated fabric that is waterproof and buttery soft. This ensures stains are a thing of the past. The tote bag is so convenient that you’ll most likely use it for more than just the beach. Storing it away is easy, thanks to its collapsible design.
What We Love
The fabric is spill and water-resistant, making it the perfect option to take to a wet and sandy beach.
What We Don’t Love
The inside might be a bit narrow to pack all your beach day essentials, so it might be a better option for a single person or couple rather than a family on beach day.
Best Small: RTIC 6-Can Everyday Cooler
The RTIC 6 can everyday cooler is the perfect beach cooler for cooling just a few items without lugging around a bulky beach cooler. While this cooler might have a small capacity, it has features that rival the biggest hard cooler.
It offers 24-hour cooling thanks to the closed-cell foam insulation and RTIC Ice packs. This, however, means that it is not compatible with ice. Thanks to the easy-open zipper that pops back, you can easily open and close the top. You even get a removable bottle opener.
The bottom half of this insulated cooler bag is coated, so you don’t have to fret when placing it on wet surfaces or sand. And while this soft cooler is small, it can be collapsed further for compact storage. You should note that this beach cooler was created with a fabric zipper, so liquid might seep out if you aren’t careful.
What We Love
The small size is great for half-days at the beach and shorter excursions.
What We Don’t Love
This soft cooler can only be used with RTIC branded icepacks, and these products are sold separately.
Best Collapsible: CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag
This CleverMade Collapsible Cooler bag is one of the best beach coolers. Its design avoids the pitfalls of hard coolers that take up space. This beach cooler has a steel wire frame that provides structure while ensuring it can be collapsed to save space.
You can select from two sizes, one fitting 30 canned beverages with ice and the other fitting 50. Both insulated cooler bags provide solid temperature and ice retention thanks to the 3 layers of leakproof insulation. Furthermore, this beach cooler has sturdy sides and Velcro top handles, making carriage easy. As a bonus, CleverMade adds a bottle opener in one of the straps.
What We Love
This beach cooler is constructed using recycled materials and is a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option.
What We Don’t Love
The only way to ensure this insulated cooler bag remains flat when folded is via an elastic band called the WireStrap.
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Best for Solo Days: IceMule Jaunt 15L Soft-sided Cooler
The IceMule Jaunt 9L backpack cooler lets you travel in style. It is water-resistant, portable, and lightweight. This soft cooler has enough room for 3 bottles or 9 beverages. The contents of your cooler can remain cold for about 24 hours. This IceMule beach cooler comes with the IM AirValve, which lets the cooler float while you are in the water.
You also don’t have to worry about not having a space to store your valuables, as there is a spacious waterproof pocket that can be used to store your keys, phone, and money while you swim. Carrying this soft cooler is easy, thanks to the padded shoulder straps.
What We Love
There are various styles and colors to select from, and this compact backpack cooler seamlessly merges functionality and style.
What We Don’t Love
The bottom part of the backpack cooler is quite hard, making carrying the cooler uncomfortable for some.
Best Budget Option: Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Cooler
If you are searching for a budget-friendly beach cooler, you can’t go wrong with the Titan Deep Freeze by Artic Zone. Due to the deep-freeze performance insulation, it can store 30 canned beverages and keep them cold for up to 2 days.
This insulated cooler bag has been made with convenience and comfort in mind. It has adjustable shoulder straps coupled with anti-slip pads that help distribute weight. The top closes without a zipper, providing easy access to your drinks and food.
You also get a removable hardbody liner with SmartShelf technology. This technology separates hard food items from soft ones, ensuring they are not squished. The hardbody liner can be removed to make more space for your drinks.
You should note that a lower price point means that it leaves a lot to be desired in the durability department. Nevertheless, it is still an outstanding budget beach cooler.
What We Love
SmartShelf interior allows you to have dual compartments and more storage space.
What We Don’t Love
The top of the insulated cooler bag doesn’t have an airtight seal, which might not be ideal for longer beach days.
Best Heavy-Duty: Yeti Tundra Haul Hard Cooler
Lugging around the Yeti Tundra Haul shows that you mean business. This heavy-duty hard cooler can keep 82 beverage cans cool even in the most sweltering weather. This is possible thanks to 2 inches of insulation. The pressure-injected commercial-grade polyurethane foam in the lid and walls ensures the best temperature retention capabilities possible.
In terms of its build, it is one of the best rotomolded coolers out there. This means that it is nearly indestructible. Moving this beach cooler around is easy, thanks to the curved strong, welded aluminum arm that gives you a comfortable grip. The design ensures you have the option of either right or left towing.
The large plastic wheels are puncture resistant and have been designed to glide over almost any surface. However, you should note that the Yeti Tundra Haul doesn’t roll as smoothly on the sand as on other surfaces—that can be said about almost every rolling cooler. However, the large wheels on the Tundra give the Yeti the edge. While this beach cooler is slightly expensive, the price is worth it if you want an all-weather cooler that can last a long time.
What We Love
The wheels on the cooler make transportation easier, especially when you have your hands full with beach gear and kids.
What We Don’t Love
This is one of the hardiest coolers out there, and that hardiness comes at a steep price point.
Best Backpack: Igloo Outdoor Pro Snapdown 42-Can Backpack
The Outdoor Pro Snapdown beach cooler from Igloo is one of the best backpack coolers out there. And while beach coolers with this design tend to leak, that isn’t the case with this backpack cooler.
Carrying this cooler around is easy, thanks to the adjustable padded straps that make wearing the beach cooler on your back possible. You also get tote handles for those who want to carry their cooler differently.
If you are concerned about having that much weight on your back, worry no more, as Igloo has added a sternum strap to this backpack cooler to help distribute the weight. You no longer have to worry about leaving your refreshments behind due to an unwieldy load.
There are also convenient accessories attached to this beach day cooler, such as exterior pockets, attachment loops, and an attached bottle opener. All these accessories make your beach day worth it.
What We Love
This backpack cooler can keep your drinks cold for hours without leaking.
What We Don’t Love
Backpack coolers do not have the longevity of hard coolers, particularly regarding ice retention.
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Best Overall: Yeti Hopper Flip 18 Insulated Personal Cooler
Coolers made by Yeti are some of the best on the market. It doesn’t matter if you purchase something for the beach or a personal backpack cooler; Yeti coolers are known to deliver. The spacious Hopper Flip 18 also toes this line, as it can hold 30 cans. Its sturdy rectangular shape makes it a great choice for those who want to also store delicate refreshments.
Portability is made easy thanks to the extremely padded shoulder strap. There are also handles on the sides and at the top for added convenience. As stated earlier, Yeti is known for making highly durable rotomolded coolers and the Hopper Flip 18 underlines that commitment.
This beach cooler has a puncture-resistant shell and hardy leakproof zippers. You also get external straps that enable you to connect other accessories to this soft cooler. And while this cooler doesn’t come with temperature retention information, it can be said that the Hopper Flip 18 can keep your beverages cold for more than a day. You can pick from a range of colors when purchasing the Hopper Flip 18.
What We Love
This beach cooler has many positive aspects that make it great for a beach trip. It is puncture resistant, leakproof, and can keep beverages cold for days. It can also be connected to your other beach-ready accessories.
What We Don’t Love
We found that the watertight zipper can be difficult to operate; however, this beach cooler comes with lubricant, which can alleviate this small issue.
Best Wheeled: Igloo Trailmate Journey 70-Quart Cooler
The Trailmate Journey by Igloo comes with a plethora of accessories that can transform any beach day. This beach cooler has a 70-quart capacity, storing 112 cold beverages.
The contents can remain cold for 4 days thanks to the ultra-therm-insulated lid and body. It has a telescoping handle and oversized wheels that make portability a breeze. The tires are large enough to pull the cooler through sand, wooden trails, and dirt.
It also comes with a butler tray and cup holders, making the wheeler cooler a great choice for those who love entertaining. It can also ensure the kids keep drinks and food off the sand.
It has dry storage areas and umbrella holders, which make it a great hard cooler for any beach day. You should note that this cooler is extremely large, so ensure you have sufficient room in your home and vehicle before purchasing it.
What We Love
The removable butler tray means you can always entertain and keep food off the ground.
What We Don’t Love
The top cover of the cooler can be challenging to lock.
Buyer’s Guide: What to Consider When Purchasing the Best Beach Cooler
The following are tips and factors you need to consider when searching for the best beach cooler for your next outing:
How Do You Want to Carry Your Beach Cooler?
When searching for a beach cooler, consider how you intend to use it. Think of your favorite beach; if the walk from the parking lot to the shoreline is long, you are better off selecting a wheeled cooler to drag behind you to the beach. This helps to save your back.
Conversely, you can still use a backpack cooler as it is a hands-free and portable option; however, you won’t be able to carry as much. You also must consider the size. If you intend to head to the beach by yourself and don’t want to carry a large cooler in your hands, then you can size down. However, if you are a group heading to the beach for an entire day of drinks and food, you must prioritize space and size.
Do Not Assume Every Cooler Is Leakproof
A rule of thumb to remember when searching for the best beach cooler is to not believe every cooler is leakproof and waterproof unless advertised. Even with that, mistakes can happen. You must select the best beach cooler with excellent ice retention.
This factor is important when combined with locks for hard coolers and waterproof zippers for soft coolers. You will also need a thick reinforced base that prevents holes from appearing at the bottom.
Conclusion
Choosing the best beach cooler for your needs can make a big difference in your beach day experience. Whether you prefer a soft-sided or hard-sided cooler, it’s important to consider factors such as size, insulation, durability, and additional features when making your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do coolers stay cold?
This typically depends on the type of cooler you are using. For the most part, Styrofoam beach coolers typically keep your drinks cold for about 12 to 30 hours. Soft coolers can keep your drinks cold for about 12 to 18 hours. If you want longevity, you are better off with a premium hard cooler that keeps your drinks cold for 2 to 6 days.
Another factor you must consider when calculating how long your drinks stay cold is ice. According to physics, using large blocks of ice instead of cubes will make your drinks stay colder longer (about 2 days). Alternatively, you can use dry ice, which is much better at retaining cold.
That being said, the type of beach cooler you use will play an important role. Putting dry ice in a premium beach cooler with proper insulation can last longer than 2 days. However, putting it in a beach cooler with limited insulation might only last 16 to 24 hours.
How much ice should I put in a cooler?
Regardless of the size of your beach cooler, the ice-to-drinks ratio should always be 2 to 1. This means 1/3 of your beach cooler’s space should be taken up by your drinks and food, while the other 2/3 is taken by ice. If you use a soft cooler, you are better off with ice packs than real ice, as soft coolers tend to leak.
What features should I look for when choosing a beach cooler?
When choosing a beach cooler, there are several features to consider. Firstly, look for a large enough cooler to transport all your food and drinks but not too bulky.
Second, insulation is also important, as it will help keep your items cold longer. Other features to consider include durability, ease of cleaning, and additional features such as cup holders or bottle openers.
Are soft-sided or hard-sided coolers better for the beach?
Soft-sided and hard-sided coolers can work well for the beach, depending on your needs. Soft-sided coolers are usually more lightweight and portable, making them a great option for those carrying their cooler over long distances or on foot. They are also more flexible and easier to store when not in use.
Hard-sided coolers, on the other hand, are more durable and can keep items colder for longer periods of time. They are also better at withstanding bumps and knocks, which can be important on a crowded beach. Ultimately, the choice between a soft-sided or hard-sided cooler will depend on your specific needs and preferences.