High Tides, Good Vibes: The 6 Best Beach Cooler Reviews

The 6 Best Beach Cooler Reviews: Overview

Naturally, people who love the beach want the BEST beach cooler reviews. We’re right there with you. There are lots of styles and sizes to choose from, which makes shopping especially fun. (Or worse, depending on your perspective.)

It can be time consuming, since there are so many factors to consider. Size is important, of course, as a couple can get by just fine with a Yeti Roadie, but a larger family would be happier with an Orca 58 Cooler. You’ve also got to take into account how busy your favorite beaches are. If they’re as crowded as the subway during rush hour, compact cooler bags and backpacks work best.

We’ve got you covered. With each best beach cooler review, we’ll also give you tips to help you see if it’s a good fit for you.

The 6 Best Beach Cooler Reviews: The Best Wheeled Coolers for the Beach

We thought of wheeled coolers first because beach days require oodles of gear. Between towels, umbrellas, and beach chairs, it’s nice to have a big, easy-to-use cooler that’s easy to bring along.

The Igloo Trailmate Journey Wheeled Cooler 72 Quart

Igloo designed its Trailmate Journey Cooler with beach use in mind, and every feature points to that. The wheels are flat-free, over-sized, and extra tough – you’ll have no problem wheeling this ice chest over sandy beaches, even if they’re rocky.

With thick foam insulation, the Igloo Trailmate can hold ice for up to four days. The ice retention combined with party-friendly features like the dual bottle openers and butler tray means you can camp out on the beach for a couple of days. It’s huge, so if you like to party on the beach in groups, this could be the cooler for you.

The current price on Amazon is less than $300.

> Click Here to Read More Trailmate Journey Cooler Owner Reviews 

 

The Arctic Zone Ultra Collapsible Wheeled Cooler, 58 cans

The Arctic Zone Ultra Collapsible landed a spot in our review of best beach coolers because it’s versatile and easy to use. The wheeled cart is detachable, so you can switch it from a cooler bag to a wheeled cooler.

Features that make the Arctic easy to transport include a long, telescope handle, padded handles, and an adjustable shoulder strap. Two mesh pockets and an insulated front compartment make it easy to organize. Plus, it collapses, so talk about easy storage!

Since its collapsible, this could be just the cooler if you live in a tiny apartment.

>> Click Here to Read More Arctic Zone Wheeled Cooler Owner Reviews 

The 6 Best Beach Cooler Reviews: The Best Insulated Cooler Bag for the Beach

The Yeti Hopper Portable Cooler

This high-end beach cooler bag does an excellent job of keeping contents cold for days at a time. It’s durable, too. The Outdoor Gear Lab‘s durability test results show that the Yeti Hopper is no wimp. Its strong outer fabric, sturdy straps, and leak-free compartments are virtually flawless.

Unsurprisingly, it’s expensive. But if your budget allows, and you want one of THE most durable cooler bags, consider making the Yeti Hopper your next best investment. Its small size is perfect if you’re in a couple or flying solo.

>> Click Here to Read More Yeti Hopper Cooler Owner Reviews 

The 6 Best Beach Cooler Reviews: The Best Backpack Coolers for the Beach

Ah, backpack coolers. They free up both hands, and you can find plenty of them for under $100.

The Polar Bear Nylon Series Large Backpack Cooler

Ask just about anyone with knowledge of cooler types and brands, and they’ll tell you that the Polar Bear Nylon Series Large Backpack Cooler is a great investment. We included it in “The Best Backpack Cooler Reviews: Staff Favorites” because of how durable it is.

When you order through Amazon, it costs $100. That’s pricier than a lot of other backpack coolers, but you definitely get what you pay for. This mighty cooler can hold about 50 beverage cans, plus ice packs. It can hold ice 24+ hours – just make sure to pre-cool it correctly.

In addition to having a large capacity, this insulated backpack isn’t phased by much. Polar Bear’s patented exterior shell protects it from the elements, and the zipper is built especially for weathering the elements. Since zippers tend to break easily, this is a huge plus in our book.

This is a very versatile cooler. We recommend this to anyone considering a beach backpack cooler, because it also functions well for longer hiking, camping, or road trips. Oh, and did we mention it has a built-in bottle opener?

>> Click Here to Read More Polar Bear Backpack Cooler Owner Reviews

The Picnic Time Zuma Insulated Cooler

The Picnic Time ‘Zuma’ Insulated Cooler is a fabulous backpack cooler. It’s great for afternoons at the beach, as well as picnics. In addition to black, the ‘Zuma’ is available in red and blue, which are great for setting a ‘beach party’ vibe.

You can store dry goods (snacks, sunglasses) in the front mesh pocket, and there’s also a built-in cell phone holder in the right shoulder strap. People either love or hate the drawstring enclosures. On one hand, they’re long and aren’t as secure zippers. But on the other hand, they look casual and are a cinch to open.

This is a more affordable option than the Polar Bear Backpack Cooler, but it works just as well for a day at the beach. It holds ice well for day trips, though not any longer.

We give this our official stamp of approval for those of you who want a less “hardcore gear” looking backpack.

>> Click Here to Read More Zuma Backpack Cooler Owner Reviews 

The 6 Best Beach Cooler Reviews: The Best Floating Cooler for the Beach

As they say, save the best for last. Sure, floating coolers aren’t as durable as other types. But they’re just plain awesome.

The Intex River Run II Sport Lounge, Inflatable Water Float

The Intex River Run II is much more than just a cooler – it’s a cooler built into a floating lounge. The two lounge seats with backrests are heavenly, perfect for spending a few hours on the lake with a friend or partner.

More into the group scene? Each Intex River Run II Sport Lounge features connectors for latching onto other Intex River Run Lounges.

The built-in cup holders and cooler (with lid!) bring it all together. This is pretty much the recipe for an ideal day on the water: friends, floating lounge chairs, plenty of cold beer…

It’s hard to pass up this genius invention, especially since it’s only about $30 on Amazon. This is the floating cooler-lounge for you if you’re primarily looking for a fun new beach toy and a cooler that’ll keep ice cold for a few hours on the water.

>> Click Here to Read More Inflatable Water Float Cooler Owner Reviews 

The 6 Best Beach Cooler Reviews: Beach Cooler Comparisons

We just threw a mix at you: wheeled coolers, beach bag coolers, insulated cooler bags, and floating coolers – but that’s because each one is perfect for somebody! And let’s not forget about the classic hard coolers.

Some are straightforward and utilitarian. Some are just plain fun.

Looking for a fun beach party accessory? The Intex River Run Floating Lounge is the cooler for you. Don’t know what to buy for your snobby mother-in-law? Well, if she likes the beach, Yeti Coolers are universally-loved by the snob community.

One last suggestion before you go – opt for the Yeti Hopper, Polar Bear Cooler, or the Igloo Trailmate if you want the best ice retention and durability.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Chuggie