What plans do you have for the next summer? Whether you are preparing for a camping trip, kayaking, fishing or just spending time at the beach, having the best marine coolers can make the whole experience great. After all, you want to enjoy a cold drink and ensure that your catch remains fresh throughout the trip.
Just like there are different types of boats, marine coolers also vary, and what can be good to you might not suit the needs of another person. I have researched the best marine coolers to help you choose the best. These are great coolers that will make your camping or fishing expedition great because they can keep food and other beverages fresh for up to one week.
Table of Contents
- Comparison of 10 Best Marine Coolers in 2020
- Top 10 Best Marine Coolers Review in 2020
- 1. YETI Tundra 65 Cooler
- 2. Pelican Progear Elite Cooler
- 3. YETI Tundra 45 Cooler
- 4. Igloo Super Tough STX Cooler
- 5. Engel 65 High Performance Hard Cooler
- 6. Igloo Quick and Cool
- 7. Currituck Heavy Duty Cooler
- 8. Coleman Esky Series Marine Cooler
- 9. Coleman Xtreme 5 Marine Cooler
- 10. Coleman Xtreme Marine Cooler
- How to Choose the Best Marine Coolers
- Final Verdict
- Relevant Resources
Comparison of 10 Best Marine Coolers in 2020
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | YETI Tundra 65 Cooler |
| Check Price |
 | Pelican Progear Elite Cooler |
| Check Price |
 | YETI Tundra 45 Cooler |
| Check Price |
 | Igloo Super Tough STX Cooler |
| Check Price |
 | Engel 65 Cooler |
| Check Price |
 | Igloo Quick and Cool |
| Check Price |
 | Camco Heavy Duty Cooler |
| Check Price |
 | Coleman Esky Cooler |
| Check Price |
 | Coleman Xtreme 5 Marine Cooler |
| Check Price |
 | Coleman Xtreme Marine Cooler |
| Check Price |
Top 10 Best Marine Coolers Review in 2020
After testing and comparing the features and performance of different cooler, my team and I came up with top 10 best coolers for boating. The marine cooler reviews will assist you to decide on the best model that suits you for different outdoor activities.
1. YETI Tundra 65 Cooler
When you are searching for the best boat coolers, it is great if you consider a cooler that can actually keep your drinks cold. After all, why would you spend your money purchasing a product that doesn’t meet your needs? The YETI Tundra 65 Cooler is designed for all outdoor lovers.
The Yeti cooler is a perfect companion when you are going for a fishing trip or any other activity outdoors. It features a freezer-style sealing gasket that ensures your drinks remain cold and your catch stays fresh. It has plenty of room to hold your catch and beverages. No disappoints with the marine cooler. Ice remains solid, thanks to the 3-inch PermaFost insulation combined with the extra thick FatWall design.
The construction of this cooler is also another great feature. It has a Roto-molded polyethylene construction to provide durability. It is also UV resistant so you do not expect it to fade after using it for a few times. For comfort when you are carrying the cooler, it has textured handle grips and a nylon rope. When the rope wears, you can replace it for easy carrying.
Highlighted Features
- Freezer style sealing gasket
- PermaFost insulation
- Roto-molded polyethylene construction
- Textured handle grips
- Replaceable nylon rope
- Very easy to use
- It is portable
- Designed with non-slip foot to prevent sliding
- The lipgrip handles make carrying easy
- Leakproof and drains easily
- Users say it doesn’t hold ice as expected
Also Read: Best Lunch Coolers of 2020 – Find The Perfect One Here
2. Pelican Progear Elite Cooler
Spending time outdoors is fun, and if you are well organized, your adventure becomes better. When you are out for fishing, camping, hiking and any other outdoor activity, you need to carry some food with you especially if it will take a couple of days. How will you ensure that your food, beverages and catch do not go bad?
It’s simple, get the best marine coolers and your food will remain fresh for a longer time. The cooler is great for long week trips. Unlike other standard coolers, this one can retain ice for up to ten days. This is made possible by the freezer grade gasket and the 2 inch polyurethane insulation.
Transporting it from one point to the other is also easy with the dual handle system. But if you want to carry it over a long distance, you might need some assistance. The entire hardware of the cooler is corrosion resistant making is last longer. Additionally, the cooler is strong enough to withstand falls without scratching.
Highlighted Features
- High ice retention
- 2 inch polyurethane insulation
- Dual handle system
- Corrosion resistant hardware
- Wheels provide easy transport
- Ability to retain ice up to 10 days and freezer grade gasket.
- The dual handle make it easy to carry
- Designed with a durable plastic material
- Perfectly insulated
- Too big for small trips
- The cooler is heavy
3. YETI Tundra 45 Cooler
This marine color is available in four different sizes as well as over 8 different colors that come in a different shades ranging from completely wide to brightly colored options that will be great for men and women alike. Moreover, it comes with capacity to hold up to 25 cans of carbonated drinks such as Pepsi or Coca-Cola plus there will still be plenty of space remaining for you to add ice to maintain the cool temperature.
Furthermore this marine cooler comes with an outer layer made up of over 3 inches of PermaFrost insulation that will add an extra layer that will absorb the heat and UV light coming from outside therefore preventing the ice inside from quickly melting. Also the outer wall has been tested and found to be resistant to scratches and scuffs and even certified as bear resistant which means that it seals any smells coming outside and possibly attracting wildlife as well as being capable of withstanding a bear attack.
Such instances are very common if you are planning on either hiking or camping in areas such as the Yellowstone National Park or the Arizona Wildlife Park. Lastly the customers have reported that this tundra cooler is very well balanced which is why it is very unlikely to tip over regardless of where you place it.
Highlighted Features
- Military-grade polyester rope
- Weight of 22 lbs
- PermaFrost Insulation of up to 3 inches
- Capacity of up to 26 cans
- Hard outer body will prevent the cooler from getting damaged scratched or scuffed
- Different sizes and colors
- Tested and certified as bear resistant
- Lid is constructed from heavy-duty rubber
- Expensive compared to other similar models
- Lack of customer support
- 30-day only warranty
4. Igloo Super Tough STX Cooler
How would you feel when going for an outdoor activity and your food goes bad? It’s not a good feeling, right? If you equip yourself with the Igloo Super Tough STX Cooler, your food can last longer while still fresh. This is a nice cooler for people who want durability and high performance without spending a lot of money.
Whether you are on a beach trip, hunting, camping or boating trip, the Igloo will be your friend. The cooler has 120 quart capacity so it can accommodate quite a number of loads. Carrying it is also easy with the comfort grip side handles. It also has gasket heavy duty backup plates that do not pull even when you are carrying a heavy load.
The cooler has a high ice retention with the ability to hold ice for up to 7 days at a temperature of 90 degrees F. It also has a fully foamed lid that boosts the ice retention. Because you will be using the cooler outdoors, Igloo made sure that is durable to handle outdoor conditions. It is made with stainless steel latches for durability and also features UV inhibitors to protect it from the sun’s rays.
Highlighted Features
- 120-quart capacity
- Comfort grip side handles
- Gasket heavy-duty backup plates
- High ice retention
- Stainless steel latches
- UV inhibitors
- Made with a tough outer shell for durability
- Comes at a reasonable price
- Dual stainless steel latches for longer life and secure closure
- Offers a maximum cold retention
- Poor quality latches
Also Read: Best Tackle Boxes in 2020 – Buyer’s Guide and Comparison
5. Engel 65 High Performance Hard Cooler
Engel prides in providing quality coolers with top features. If you are willing to spend a little more to acquire a cooler that will serve you for many years, try the Engel Coolers High Performance ENG65 Roto-Molded Cooler. The cooler is amazing with the ability to hold ice for up to 10 days.
It has an incredible ice retention system, thanks to the 2 inches polyurethane insulation all-round the cooler. You will appreciate the seamless rotationally molded make of the cooler that gives it a long life. Again, its UV resistant construction protects it from the rays of the sun so no fading even after many years of outdoor use.
Highlighted Features
- Up to 10 days ice retention
- 2 inches polyurethane insulation
- Seamless rotationally molded make
- UV resistant construction
- Keeps your catch fresh longer
- Quality construction to last longer
- Effective temperature retention
- Can hold a lot of drinks and other stuff
- Easy to drain
- The latches are disappointing
- Cooler is heavy
6. Igloo Quick and Cool
When it’s out there, all you need is a cold drink to quench your thirst. Also, you want to bring home fresh catch that will stay a little longer without going stale. You need to get the best marine coolers for boat to meet all these needs.
The Igloo Quick and Cool Cooler is a nice pick for people who love outdoor activities like fishing, camping, tailgating and much more. As compared to other coolers, this unit features a quick access hatch that allows you to get a quick access to your food and beverages while still keeping the cold air inside.
It is designed with a stain and odor resistant liner to ensure that your food and drinks remain fresh when you are outdoors. It can hold a total capacity of 248 12 ounce cans so there is ample storage for food to take you a couple of days. The body and the lid of the cooler are designed with UV inhibitors to provide protection against damage from the sun’s rays.
Highlighted Features
- Quick access hatch
- Odor resistant liner
- Large capacity
- UV inhibitors
- Provides ample storage for fish, food and drinks
- Easy draining
- You can access your contents easily with the quick access latches
- Designed with snap-fit latches for secure lid closure
- The ice doesn’t last long
- Pretty difficult to carry
- Handles are not durable
Also Read: Best Boat Grills of 2020 – Top 15 Picks for Your Pontoon
7. Currituck Heavy Duty Cooler
What makes the best boat cooler? The most important thing that you should bear in mind when buying a cooler for outdoor use is its ability to retain ice. If you will be spending several days in the wilderness, you need a cooler with superior cold and ice retention. This is exactly what makes the Camco 51870 White Caribou Cooler popular among outdoorsmen.
This marine cooler is designed with thick and seamless walls to provide more insulation and high ice retention. Additionally, the sealing gasket ensures that there is cool air in and hot air out so no chances of the ice melting. The first thing that you will notice when you have a glance at the cooler is its design.
It features a rotomolded design making it durable as compared to other standard marine coolers. To add on the durability of the cooler, there are two hinges that are built to the lid that prevent it from damage when you are opening the cooler. Again, being a one piece cooler, there are no chances of cracking or breaking.
Highlighted Features
- Superior ice retension
- Rotomold design
- Two hinges
- Crack and breakproof
- Tough so it doesn’t break easily
- Keeps ice longer
- Has a large drain plug
- Features rubber tension latches that provide a secure latch
- Built to last
- Has reversible feet for sliding or staying out
- Heavier than other standard coolers
8. Coleman Esky Series Marine Cooler
How do you keep your catches cold and your drinks safe when outdoor for fishing and other activities? What if you will be spending a few days fishing, do you want to bring home stale catch? Of course not! You need to get the best marine coolers for fishing to keep your catch fresh.
The Coleman Esky Coolers is a great option for outdoor lovers. The cooler works well featuring a thick insulation and tight-fitting lid gasket that ensure the ice stays longer. It can keep ice for up to 9.92 days. It has a large capacity to accommodate drinks and games keeping them fresh and secure.
You can carry other dry items inside the cooler, and they will remain dry. It has an integrated cutting board to prevent your items from getting wet. The construction of the cooler is another thing that makes it great. All the components are durable so you are sure it can last for many years.
It features large knuckle hinges made with stainless steel pins that make it last long. The cooler is best suited for outdoor use so it will maintain its good looks, thanks to the built-in UV inhibitor that offers protection against the sun’s rays.
Highlighted Features
- 92 days ice retention
- Thick insulation
- Durable components to last long
- UV inhibitor
- Features a dry ice compatible
- Has dual drains for easy and faster draining
- Durable soft touch grips
- Has a gasket seal toloss of cold air
- Non-skid feet prevents slippage
- Great for camping and hunting trips
- It is heavy
9. Coleman Xtreme 5 Marine Cooler
Another great marine cooler that has been reported to be enough insulated to maintain cold temperature for up to 4 days provided and the lid is properly closed.
Moreover it is one of the largest marine coolers that you can purchase for such affordable price plus its capacity is close to 150 quarts which will be sufficient to stock up on drinks and food for up to 7 people and 4 days thus you will be capable of carrying enough food and drink for the duration of your hiking or camping trip.
Also, the inside of this marine cooler is lined with a patented anti- bacterial material and has been reported to be capable of withstanding mold, odor and fungus growth as well as any rust or corrosion on the stainless steel parts of the marine cooler.
Highlighted Features
- UV Guard material
- Capacity holds 252 cans
- Items cold for up to 5 days
- Weight of 18 pounds
- Large capacity that is capable of holding enough food for up to 7 people
- Anti-bacterial material will prevent mold and fungus growth
- Good customer support
- Two year warranty period
- Customers have reported that it is very difficult to find the right type of dividers for this model of marine cooler
- The drain was reported to get congested very often
Also Read: Best Roll Top Backpack – Top Rated Backpack Compared in 2020
10. Coleman Xtreme Marine Cooler
Lastly there is the Coleman 70 qt marine cooler model which comes with durable plastic handles on the sides that you can use to easily put it into your car or take it out. Moreover it comes with plastic dividers that are already included in the packaging box and have been reported to be very useful in providing food and drink sections inside the cooler itself.
This will keep the food protected from heavy drink cans thus will prevent the food from getting crashed and squashed. The manufacturer has ensured that customers have a good customer support as well as a 30-day money back guarantee.
Also, you can purchase at an additional price padded handles that can be fixed to the plastic handles on the side of the marine cooler for easy carrying but keep in mind that some customers have reported the drinks splashing if carried in this way. Sadly, this model of the best marine cooler comes only in one color and size however if you are just looking for a medium sized one then this model should be perfect especially at such affordable price.
Highlighted Features
- 70 qt marine cooler
- UV Guard material
- Up to 5 days ice retention
- Features 4 cup holders on the lid
- Medium sized marine cooler that will be great for small groups of people going out for hikes or camping
- Customer support
- 30 day money back guarantee
- Available in one size and color only
- Can be difficult to wash as there are many hooks and corners inside
- The outer body can be easily scratched and scuffed
How to Choose the Best Marine Coolers
If you are planning for a day out in the waters, you need an effective cooler to help you keep your catch at an optimal temperature. The big query is, how are you going to choose the best marine coolers for the money? Here are some tips that will guide you when acquiring the best fishing coolers.
Types of Coolers
Before you indulge in buying a marine cooler, it is great if you know the options that are available. You can get them in soft-sided coolers and hardshell molded cooler. The soft coolers are ideal for food and beverages. They can hold a capacity for one person that can take you for two days. These coolers are available in different designs and sizes. On the other hand, if you want a cooler that can handle a lot of abuse, go for the hardshell coolers. They have an incredible impact resistance and their hardware is also great.
Size
The size of the cooler you get highly depends on the size of your boat. For instance, if you have a one-person kayak, a big cooler is not necessary. On the other hand, if you have a big kayak and you have several people, you need a big cooler that can store food. Also, if you are catching larger fish, a cooler with more quarts will be ideal.
Durability
The last thing that you need is a poor quality marine cooler that breaks after using it for a few days. You want to get the best cooler for fishing that is durable so that you can enjoy a longer use. Pay attention to the material used to make the cooler. You can also read more reviews to find out what other users say about the durability of the cooler.
Ice Retention
For how long can the cooler keep the contents cold? When you are out there selecting, look for the best marine coolers with a high ice retention. As a general rule, the best cooler should have an insulation of between 2-3 inches.
Other Considerations
- Impact resistance
- Presence of wheels for portability
- Check out the hinges
- Impact resistance
- The type of construction
- Odor and stain resistance
- Type of insulation
- UV protection
- Sturdiness and stability
Final Verdict
A cooler is an essential item that every outdoor enthusiast requires to keep food and drinks fresh for a long time. After going through the best marine coolers review, I’m positive that you will find a favorable unit that will suit your needs. Whether you want one for fishing, outdoor entertainment, hunting or camping, the above coolers will be great.
Our top pick from the 10 best marine coolers review above is the YETI Tundra 65 Cooler. This cooler is packed with excellent features and its durability is outstanding. It also has plenty of room to hold your catch, food, and beverages. Its ice retention is also high and feels very comfortable when you are carrying.
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