Is sea your second home? There are only a few things that beat the sea breeze and sunshine on your skin while holding the steering wheel of your boat. Maybe sometimes you stop by your favorite fishing spot to get the catch of the day and have a can of your favorite cold drink out of your ice chest. Make sure you have the best coolers for boats ready to keep your stuff chilled properly. Wondering which one fits your preference? Read on for our best recommendations!
How To Choose The Best Coolers for Boats
There are many coolers out there but they aren’t built the same! Every sailor has their preferences and necessities that it’s almost impossible to conclude all needs into one super cooler. On the other hand, coolers can be an expensive piece of equipment you have on your boat so you need some research before investing in one. Luckily, we’ve done the homework to help you narrow down the options. Here are several pointers to choose the best cooler for boats!
Material
Marine life isn’t for the faint of heart and the gear you bring along should have the resilience, usefulness, and durability to withstand one of the toughest environments on earth. Saltwater and UV rays are the biggest opponent of all things metal and plastic. They can corrode and breakdown materials easily if they aren’t built specifically for the lifestyle. It’s a no-brainer that your cooler has to be able to withstand these threats to work properly.
Rotomolded coolers are your best friend in this! The best coolers for boats are rotomolded for a good reason. This tech creates a seamless construction that promotes durability and minimizes chill air seepage. They are mostly made from LLDPE plastics to keep the cooler lightweight and transportable. If ice retention is your priority, rotomolded coolers are your best bet!
Design
The second most important pointer is the design of the cooler. While materials emphasize durability and resilience, design highlights the usability of a cooler. Color options, for example, the best coolers for boats are usually brightly colored, if not white. White coolers are scientifically proven to have better ice retention and UV rays protection among other colors.
Coolers also need to provide ease of transport or it can be a handful to transfer. A pair of comfy and strong handles are needed for this. You can choose between molded handles, folding handles, or rope handles. We love rope handles more because they don’t take up extra space and make hand-carry comfortable. And last but not least is a non-skid feature on the feet or some tie-down slots to keep the cooler stay in place. A slide-around cooler can be dangerous for you!
Ice Retention
What’s a cooler that can’t keep things chilled? A warm box! Nobody likes a puddle of warm melted ice in their cooler, right? That’s why you need to be extra cautious about ice retention. Of course, not everyone needs a 10-day ice retention cooler if they only need it for a weekend trip, but getting cooler with adequate ice retention is always a good investment! Find the cooler with thick insulation and an airtight lid gasket to ensure the best ice retention rate. For the best chilling performance, mix your ice packs with real ice!
What is the difference between a marine cooler and a regular cooler?
Marine coolers are reinforced to stand the beating of coastal weather. They’re usually paired with stronger hinges coated with anti-rust material aside from other types of reinforcement such as anti-skid feet, and UV protection. They also have better insulation to battle hot weather.
Are marine coolers better?
They are generally stronger and insulated better than regular coolers, even hunting coolers. However, they’re heavier and pricier at the same time.
How do you keep a cooler from sliding on a boat?
Look for coolers with anti-skid feet or tie-down slots features at the bare minimum. For further protection, you can use additional gears like a rubber mat or netting.
EchoSmile Rotomolded Cooler
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EchoSmile Rotomolded Cooler guarantees a smile on your face with its ruggedness and functionality that suit right into your sailing days. Made of strong LLDPE plastic, the rotomolded construction provides the strength and insulation you need to conquer the sea. It’s so easy and comfy to carry with the rope handles by the side, making position transfer is done with such ease.
The cabin is sealed perfectly with its silicone ring on the lid. It works well to keep ice for up to 5 days under the sun. This cooler is perfect to take on a fishing trip with its extra features like the cup holders and the build-in fish ruler. This cooler comes in 4 color options and 5 sizes to accommodate different loads and occasions.
What We Love
A fail-proof cooler for your boat.
Pros:
- Rugged
- Silicone ring seals
- Rotomolded LLDPE material
- Cup holders
- Fish ruler
- Drain plug
- Good ice retention
Cons:
- Could use some tie-down slots
Kenai Cooler
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Kenai Cooler is one of the best coolers for boats with no frills. Its grown popularity owes it a lot to solid cooling power and practicality. Though it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of the more expensive coolers, the weight and durability won’t let you down. With a weight of only 26lbs, this 45 quartz cooler can keep up to 25 drink cans cool for 2-3 days!
The sturdy, rotomolded body houses thick Ecomate insulation that is environmentally friendly. The lid is equipped with a silicone rubber gasket to keep the cold air inside and the hot air outside. It has 2latches that can be easily operated with one hand. It’s especially useful when your other hand is busy handling the fish you just caught! The cooler comes in plenty of colors that will fit any personality.
What We Love
A great starter cooler for boats!
Pros:
- Practical design
- Durable material
- Rotomolded LLDPE plastic
- Silicone rubber gasket
- Flip latches
- Rope handles
- Anti-skid feet and tie-down slots
- Fair ice retention
Cons:
- Heat escapes easily when it’s opened often
Coho Ice Chest
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Coho Ice Chest is famous among avid anglers for its usability and design that fit right into coastal life. There are more features to break down beyond its construction and ice retention power. Even though the body isn’t rotomolded, the 3-inch thick insulation and durable walls can keep up with the more popular yeti coolers with seats for boats to give more than 7-day ice retention! The key to this excellent ice retention is the minimization of cold seepage using the quick-access latch at the top.
Other features are worth-noting for anglers alike. The top lid is equipped with 4 self-draining cup holders for your favorite drinks while you’re sitting on top of it. It also has a recessed part that’s plated with a magnetic disk where you can temporarily store your hooks and swivel so it won’t get lost on the boat. The last thing is the tie-down slots you can find on the left and right sides of the lid. They are especially useful if you think the anti-skid feet won’t be enough to keep them from sliding.
What We Love
A cooler specifically designed for anglers in mind.
Pros:
- Recessed cup holders
- Freezer grade gasket
- 3-inch insulation
- ColdSeal-ed easy access hatch
- 2-in-1 drain system
- Fish ruler
- Tie-down slots
Cons:
- It’s not rotomolded
Orion Heavy Duty Premium Cooler
10
Orion Heavy Duty Premium Cooler is an all-rounder product to cater to your cooling needs in all weather and all outdoor occasion. Mind you that this product sells out fast! Its loyal customer can’t stop boasting about its outstanding durability and ice retention rate. These abilities make it one of the best coolers for boats that money can buy.
This rotomolded cooler can keep ice for more than 7 days when prepared correctly. It has 2-inch thick insulation to your catch fresh until you’re ashore. The top lid is quite sturdy for your seating with an extra cushion for your comfort. It has some of the toughest hinges in the industry that even the bears can’t destroy. As the cherry on top, the company is so confident in the quality of their products that you get a 10-year warranty for every cooler you purchase!
What We Love
A versatile cooler for outdoor activities beyond fishing.
Pros:
- Excellent ice retention
- Highly durable
- Bear-resistant
- Rotomolded
- Large drain plug
- Tie-down slots
- Padded lid
Cons:
- Pricey
Mammoth Cooler
9
Hunting for some big fish and looking for the perfect cooler to contain it? Mammoth Cooler is your answer. This unit is one of the best coolers for boating for its flatness and durability. Once set up, this cooler sticks on like it’s a part of the boat! Its anti-skid feed helps it by plenty to keep the cooler stays in place. Depending on your preferences, you can choose between the 2 color variants and 4 size options.
This cooler has a freezer-grade gasket to seal the inside chill from the warmer outside air. It has 2 strong rubber T-latches that secure the lid from accidentally opened. Transporting this big boy is a lot easier than you thought thanks to the rope handles on the sides. The same goes for the drain system. With the help of a heavy-flow drain system, this cooler has a built-in thread to create a draining vortex so you can empty this cooler in a relatively shorter time than other coolers.
What We Love
A tank of a cooler for some serious fishing!
Pros:
- Dual-walled rotomolded construction
- Foam insulation
- Freezer-grade gasket
- Threaded drain holes
- Non-skid feet
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- It doesn’t have the strongest ice retention
Moeller Deluxe Permanent Mount Swing Back Cooler
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Sunrays and salty water is the perfect recipe for corrosion and fabric wear when you’re out there fishing. A ragged cushion and no-longer-cool ice chest are a normal sight. It might be the right time for you to give your mounted cooler some rest and replace it with Moeller Deluxe Permanent Mount Swing Back Cooler. As one of the most popular coolers with seats for boats, it will bring your boat back to its glory!
This comfy toughie is made of quality marine-grade materials to give you the best durability and function. It has an amazing cushion perfect for all-day sailing, both for your back and your bum! The cooler has a double-wall construction that can keep things cold for days. It’s a perfect ice chest for your ration and drinks!
What We Love
One of the most popular coolers with seats for boats in the market.
Pros:
- Durable build
- Mildew-resistant thread
- Comfy cushion
- Corrosion-resistant frame
- Foam insulation base
- Easy-installation
Cons:
- Mounting holes may not perfectly be aligned with your boat
Coleman Coastal Xtreme Series Marine Portable Cooler
7
Coleman Coastal Xtreme Series Marine Portable Cooler is the newest addition to the legendary US-born brand that produces some of the best coolers for boats. This cooler is space-efficient and lies flat and steady on your boat once it’s boarded. With the 2 size options, this solid unit fits most boats’ deck or galley and with some additional cushioning, it’s one of the best coolers with seats for boats!
Like many marine coolers, this ice chest comes in white color to minimize heat absorbance. Some people may refrain from getting bright colored coolers because it’d be a pain to keep the color stay bright. With this cooler, you need not worry about that because it’s easy to clean and protected by UVGuard material. The 28-quart variant can accommodate up to 48 cans in one go.
What We Love
An all-time favorite basic cooler for boat owners.
Pros:
- Simple but practical design
- Recessed cup holders
- Comfy handles
- The lid also serves as seating
- Durable
- UVGuard material
- Well-insulated
Cons:
- Lower ice retention
Lifetime High Performance Cooler
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Lifetime High Performance Cooler could be your next marine coolers for boats that are friendly for your wallet but a beast on a boat! This lightweight cooler is quite a toughie with its rugged body and quality hinges. You can even take this cooler beyond the seas and into the woods with great certainty because even a bear can’t crack it open when it’s properly sealed. It comes in 2 color variants to fit your preferences.
The body of this cooler is made from heavy-duty PU and integrated with thick insulation to keep your stuff cold for up to 8 days. The latches are also heavy-duty with rubber snap latches that are friendly to your fingers. For the draining system, this cooler has a capped drain that’s hose compatible so you won’t have to worry about creating a mess when drying the cooler.
What We Love
A robust cooler with great ice retention.
Pros:
- Rugged build
- Capped drain
- Easy to use latches
- Thick insulation
- Rope handles
- 2-mode feet
- 5-year limited warranty
Cons:
- The body isn’t rotomolded
Engel High Performance Cooler
5
Talking about another legendary brand of the best coolers for boats producers, Engel High Performance Cooler has been proven as one of the go-to coolers for many sailors and anglers. The key to its long-standing reputation lies in the no-frill design paired with durability and high ice retention. While it can keep ice for more than 10 days, it’s best to use this cooler as a cooler for keeping ice to accompany your main cooler.
This cooler uses a rotomolding method to create a seamless construction around its body. It has 2-inch thick insulation that’s effective to counter the hot weather and keep the inside air sealed tight. The silicone airtight gasket helps to create the sealing while the lid is secured by 2 flip latches. Long days under the sun? The UV-resistant construction will protect this cooler for a long time!
What We Love
The legendary hard cooler you can trust.
Pros:
- Great ice retention
- Rotomolded
- 2-inch insulation
- Silicone airtight gasket
- UV-resistant
- 10-year warranty
Cons:
- Latches may break early
Igloo Leeward Marine Grade Ice Chest
4
Need a rugged ice chest for your next boating trip? Seek no further than Igloo Leeward Marine Grade Ice Chest! As one of the best coolers for boats, this solid unit has garnered a lot of sweet reviews from users around the world. While some mentioned its ruggedness, others are also amazed by its powerful insulation and draining system. This cooler only comes in white but has several sizes to accommodate different necessities.
The rugged body is the result of the rotomolding construction method to create a seamless body both for the lid and for the walls. To maximize its chilling power, the walls are embedded with Ultratherm insulation that’s famous for its lightness and density. But one of the most favorite features of this cooler is the draining system. Switch between the fast/slow drain with ease with the Easy Bottom Drain!
What We Love
One of the most secure marine coolers for boats.
Pros:
- Highly durable
- Fair ice retention
- Easy to use latches
- Silicone rubber gasket
- Anti-skid feet
- Ultratherm insulation
- Fast/slow dual drain
Cons:
- The top lid isn’t suitable for seating
Igloo Marine Ultra Family
3
Coming from the company that makes some of the best coolers for boats, Igloo Marine Ultra Family is exceptional in giving the chill power you need when you’re venturing far to the seas. All of their coolers are already amazing, these coolers are built differently with several reinforcements made for the sea life. UV rays have no chance against their rotomolded bodies and the seawater will find it hard to corrode their hinges and screws.
The walls of these coolers are embedded with the company’s trademark Ultratherm insulation to ensure the best retention possible (up to 7 days). It has one easy-to-use latch positioned in the middle for a one-hand operation. If you notice, there are marks on the top lid that functions as a fish ruler. What makes these coolers so great is their anti-odor liner that you’ll appreciate more when you deal with a fishy game!
What We Love
A marine-grade cooler that’s built to stay strong in coastal weather.
Pros:
- Strong hinges
- Ultratherm insulation
- UV-resistant
- Odor-resistant liner
- Capped drain
- Strong single latch
- Fish ruler
Cons:
- The lid isn’t insulated
Pelican Elite Coolers with Wheels
2
The runner-up position for the best marine coolers for boats is the mighty Pelican Elite Coolers with Wheels that have garnered a lot of attention since its fairly recent debut. This rugged cooler is built to withstand even the heaviest impact of a raging storm. This durability also extends to its anti-shear hinges and seat-in lid. This awesome cooler comes in 3 color variants and 2 sizes.
The lid houses 4 cup holders and a fish scale to give your catch-of-the-day some raw measurement. For transport, this cooler makes the transfer seamless with a help of heavy-duty wheels and a built-in trolley handle. Worry that this cooler might slide here and there on the boat? You shouldn’t! The non-skid feet will keep the cooler sticks on their spot!
What We Love
One of the most rugged coolers in the world, now with heels!
Pros:
- Easy transport
- Molded handles
- Excellent ice retention
- Anti-shear hinge system
- Tie-down slots
- Self-draining cup holders
- Lifetime guarantee
- Fish ruler
- Easy to use latches
Cons:
- Pricey
YETI Tundra Haul Portable Wheeled Coolers
1
It’s impossible to talk about coolers without mentioning the best coolers for boating: YETI Tundra Haul Portable Wheeled Coolers. The cooler that becomes the main chill gear for avid sailors and anglers has been unbeatable in terms of ice retention, durability, and portability. It’s rugged to the core that it can take anything that’s thrown at it. Be it weather, salt water, or even a shark attack, it will prevail!
The rotomolded body is the house of Permafrost insulation that works wonders to keep stuff extra cold for more than a week. The Tundra hauler is perfect to carry everything you need for a week under the sun with complete ease thanks to the aluminum handles and Never Flat tires. Don’t let the price stops you, get this cooler if you want to make one purchase for a lifetime!
What We Love
The best yeti coolers for boating that will keep your stuff cool for a long time!
Pros:
- Rotomolded
- Super tough
- Excellent ice retention
- Weather-resistant
- Strong hinges and latches
- Freezer-grade lid gasket
- Built-in wheel
- Extra-thick Permafrost insulation
Cons:
- Not UV-resistant
