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Best Beverage Coolers

Updated May 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Igloo 60-Quart Ice Cube Roller Cooler
Igloo
60-Quart Ice Cube Roller Cooler
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Highly Rated
Bottom Line

This is perfect for anyone who needs to regularly transport a lot of cold drinks.

Pros

Features a lightweight, wheeled design with a long handle for easily pulling even when full. Holds up to 90 cans. Has 4 drink holders on the lid. A recessed drain plug helps empty melted ice.

Cons

The handle seems flimsy when it is loaded full.

Best Bang for the Buck
CleverMade Soft-Sided Collapsible Cooler
CleverMade
Soft-Sided Collapsible Cooler
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Collapsible Design
Bottom Line

Leakproof bag is convenient for travel and carrying smaller amounts of drinks.

Pros

Collapses flat for easy storage and transport, then snaps up into a structured shape. Comes in 6 colors. Holds 50 cans (or 8 gallons), which is a decent amount for the price. Easy to carry various heavy loads in this tote.

Cons

Some users say the zipper is not very sturdy.

Trinity Stainless Steel Cooler with Shelf
Trinity
Stainless Steel Cooler with Shelf
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Bottom Line

Keeps beverages cool for long periods of time while providing style all day long.

Pros

Made of high-quality 304 grade stainless steel. 20-gallon capacity. Has the ability to hold ice for up to five days. Bottom shelf offers extra storage. Two-sided easy access lid. Includes drainage plug for convenience.

Cons

Sparse reports that the bar cart may arrive with a few dings.

Coleman Stainless Steel Cooler
Coleman
Stainless Steel Cooler
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Premium Cooling
Bottom Line

Heavy-duty steel belted choice with charming retro design, provides extended cooling of drinks.

Pros

Can hold up to 85 cans. Retains ice for up to four days even under temperatures as high as 90°F. Comfortable steel handles for easy transportation. Easy to clean rust-resistant stainless steel hardware. Comes with a no-tilt channel drain.

Cons

Some say its loose latching mechanism compromises seal.

TOURIT 35-Can Portable Soft Cooler
TOURIT
35-Can Portable Soft Cooler
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Portable Convenience
Bottom Line

Portable foam model with premium insulation and sleek design, delivering convenience.

Pros

High-density insulation and waterproof materials cools food and drink for up to 10 hours. Water-resistant and easy-to-clean. Wear-resistant exterior. Handles and adjustable shoulder strap for easy transportation. Rope for attaching accessories.

Cons

Reviewers complain about drinks losing ice faster on hot days.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
156
Consumers
Consulted
26
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for best beverage coolers

What’s more refreshing than an ice-cold brew, can of soda, or bottle of water on a hot day? It hits the spot and keeps you hydrated, which is why a beverage cooler should be your next investment.

Whether you’re camping, traveling, or tailgating, it’s important to have drinks in tow, and it’s even more important that they remain cold. Beverage coolers are insulated to maintain the optimal temperature, which is usually just over freezing. Depending on their construction and the type of insulation, some beverage coolers are capable of keeping properly packed contents cold for a whopping 48 hours.

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Some hardtop beverage coolers feature a lid equipped with built-in can holders to prevent cans, bottles, and glasses from sliding across the top of the cooler.

Key considerations

Types

Hardtop: These beverage coolers remain a popular option because they’re durable, portable, and available at every price point. While most are made from molded plastic, you’ll find a few hardtop beverage coolers with stainless steel walls and lids. Hardtop beverage coolers hold up to heavy-duty use, and some can be used for makeshift seating. Most have two handles for easy carrying, and some even feature a telescopic handle and wheels for easy rolling. Many also have a spigot to drain water from melted ice

On the downside, when fully packed, some beverage coolers are far too heavy for one person to carry, so be prepared to enlist someone’s help. Also, the lid on lower-quality coolers doesn’t have a great seal, which means warmer air can seep in and raise the temperature inside the cooler.

Soft tote: It’s safe to say that no two soft tote beverage coolers are alike, so you’ll find a wide variety of colors, styles, and even features. One thing they all share in common is that they’re the most lightweight, portable options of all beverage coolers. These coolers usually come with handles, and occasionally they include a crossbody strap or backpack straps for hands-free portability. Most styles are collapsible, which means you can store one easily in a car or RV when it’s not in use. Many soft tote coolers are equipped with pockets or compartments for additional items.

Unfortunately, soft tote coolers lack the structural integrity of hardtop models, so they’re prone to tipping over if not well packed. They rarely keep beverages cold as long as other types of coolers, so you’ll need to pack them with quite a few ice packs to keep beverages chilled.

Patio or backyard: These beverage coolers are usually constructed of stainless steel or weather-resistant plastic. Many of these styles are designed to match outdoor furniture, such as bars and patio sets. These coolers typically have a large capacity to accommodate plenty of bottles and cans with ample room for ice. Many designs also feature convenient “bar-ready” accessories, such as a bottle opener, attached recycling bin, and shelf. Certain beverage coolers in this category also have wheels, making them easy to move around a yard or party.

On the downside, while patio or backyard beverage coolers are weather resistant in most seasons, most aren’t intended to be left outdoors in snow or hail. Cleaning them can also be a bit challenging because they have hard-to-reach nooks and crannies where mold and mildew can grow.

Features

Drainage

One of the downsides of using a beverage cooler is that the ice eventually melts, which means you’ll need to dump out the excess water. Fortunately, many hardtop and patio beverage coolers are designed with a drainage spout to make the emptying process as easy as possible. While you might need to slightly tilt the cooler to get out all the water, it’s much easier than trying to maneuver the cooler 90°.

Insulation

Beverage coolers keep drinks cold with insulated walls and, in some designs, the drinks stay cold for up to 48 hours. With that said, the better the insulation quality, the more you’ll end up spending on a beverage cooler. More often than not, the coolers that retain cold the longest tend to have the highly sought-after feature of an insulated lid, which is something you’ll rarely find in lower-priced styles.

Capacity

As you compare coolers, you’ll see capacity listed in quarts, gallons, or cans. While quarts and gallons certainly offer a more accurate representation, many consumers agree that it’s far easier to understand cooler capacity in terms of 12-ounce soda or beer cans.

While there’s no standard capacity for beverage coolers, it’s fairly easy to separate them into low-, medium-, and high-capacity models:

  • Low-capacity coolers hold 4 to 24 cans.
  • Medium-capacity coolers hold as many as 30 to 50 cans.
  • High-capacity coolers hold upwards of 90 cans.

Maintenance

An often overlooked feature of beverage coolers is how easy they are to clean. Most soft tote coolers only require spot cleaning with mild soap or detergent and water, though you’ll need to allow adequate time for the cooler to dry before using it. Hardtop beverage coolers are easy to simply wipe clean, and they dry within seconds or minutes.

Patio and backyard beverage coolers require the most effort to clean. Stainless steel coolers call for finish-appropriate products, which can rarely be used to clean the interior insulated walls. You might need to tackle the inside with a sponge, scrubber, or even toothbrush to reach all the nooks and crannies as well, especially if anything other than water has spilled inside the cooler.

Prices

Beverage coolers cost between $12 and $300, mostly depending on capacity and construction.

Inexpensive: If you’re on a budget, you’ll find a wide variety of tote styles with low to medium capacity for less than $50. There are a few hardtop beverage coolers in this range, but they’re mostly low-capacity designs without an insulated lid.

Mid-range: These beverage coolers cost between $50 and $150. This range mostly includes medium- and high-capacity hardtop coolers from well-respected outdoor equipment brands. You’ll also find a few licensed coolers featuring college and major league sports teams here.

Expensive: The most expensive beverage coolers cost between $150 and $300. These include high-end hardtop coolers made of stainless steel, many of which are intended for marine use. This bracket also includes the vast majority of patio and backyard coolers.

Tips

  • Rinse out your beverage cooler. To prevent stains and strange smells from lingering inside your cooler, rinse it out with a diluted mixture of vinegar and water after each use.
  • Learn how to pack like a pro. To maximize your cooler’s “chill time,” learn to pack the contents correctly. It’s recommended that you layer the bottom with frozen food and ice packs, followed by refrigerated food and beverages. Fill in all the gaps between items with ice or ice packs.
  • Bring a scoop for ice. For sanitary reasons, it’s recommended that you use a scoop or spare cup for putting ice in glasses.
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If you’re tailgating and bringing a high-capacity beverage cooler, place the cooler in your car and then pack it with beverages, food, and ice packs. That way, you won’t have to lift the fully packed cooler into the car.

FAQ

Q. Why do some beverage coolers have buckles or latches?
A.
Many hardtop and patio beverage coolers have buckles or latches for safety reasons — they help keep out curious kids and pets. The buckles and latches also help provide an airtight seal between the lid and the insulated walls.
 

Q. Is it possible to repair a soft tote beverage cooler rather than get a new one?
A.
It depends on the extent of the damage to the cooler. In some instances, a small puncture can be easily fixed with duct tape and later patched with appropriate materials. If you have a good-sized cut through all the layers, unfortunately, the quality of the insulation is compromised, so your only option is to invest in a new beverage cooler.
 

Q. Should I invest in a patio or backyard beverage cooler or just use a regular hardtop beverage cooler?
A.
If your goal is aesthetics, then it’s an easy choice to invest in a beverage cooler that matches your other outdoor furniture or appliances. On the other hand, these coolers tend to have a large footprint, and it’s not always practical to have one around when it isn’t in use. Hardtop coolers, especially those with wheels, tend to be a safer bet in this case. The only pitfall of a hardtop beverage cooler is that guests will need to bend down to retrieve drinks.

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