If you are an avid fisherman, you know that the sport involves a lot of special equipment and tools. One non-essential piece of equipment that can be used to make your life that much easier is the marine cooler.
Marine coolers are specifically designed to keep food and drinks cold for long periods of time. They can be used in very high temperatures, making them perfect for fishing.
In this article, we will be discussing five top-quality marine coolers that you should definitely consider. Also, we will mention a few key factors to keep in mind while shopping.
Marine Cooler Reviews
Cascade Mountain Tech Rotomolded Marine Cooler
This marine cooler is the most expensive option on our list. With that being said, Cascade Mountain Tech products are famous for being extremely high-quality and long-lasting. You will be sure to get plenty of use out of this purchase. This marine cooler is very tough and buoyant. On top of this, it is versatile, meaning that it can be taken with you on all your fishing, camping, and other outdoor adventures.
Insulated with high-quality materials, your food and drinks will stay cold for up to four days. On top of this, the cooler is spacious and will be able to hold plenty of goods. If you are not shopping on a budget, this marine cooler may be perfect for you.
Product Highlights
This cooler is made out of high-quality materials, including insulating plastic and nylon. The product is also incredibly long-lasting, meaning that you will get plenty of use out of the purchase.
Designed to be perfect for every occasion, this cooler is extremely versatile. With a spacious interior, the cooler can hold up to 38 drink cans and multiple packs of ice.
The marine cooler includes a number of unique features that make it perfect for every fisherman. The product can be purchased in a variety of colors and sizes. For this reason, it could be a great choice for fishermen who are looking for smaller or larger coolers.
This cooler has very impressive ice retention. To be more specific, it will keep your food cold for up to four days. The cooler features very strong nylon locks that prevent leaks, and this will also assist in keeping your food and drinks cooler for longer.
What I Like
The ice retention of this cooler is very impressive. On top of this, the product is made out of high-quality materials and is known for being long-lasting. The cooler includes non-slip feet, making it perfect for boat fishing.
This cooler is specifically designed to keep your food and drinks cool for as long as possible. It includes very thick insulation that adds to the quality of the cooler. With a hard shell, the product can be taken with you on any type of outdoor adventure.
What I Don’t Like
As we have already mentioned, this cooler is expensive when compared to other options mentioned on our list.
Pros
- Made out of high-quality materials
- Very impressive ice retention
- Long-lasting and durable build
- Versatile for various uses
- Non-slip feet for added safety
- Strong and sturdy locks
Cons
- Very expensive compared to other options
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Igloo 70 QT Insulated Marine Cooler
Igloo is a major brand in the marine cooler market. This particular product is made out of high-quality materials and will last you a very long time. It is also a very popular choice amongst fishermen, as it is not overly expensive. This cooler does weigh a lot, though, which makes it difficult to carry.
It is also large in size, offering plenty of food and drink storage space. The cooler features special UV inhibitors to keep out as much heat as possible. With strong locks, the cooler will also prevent any leaks.
Product Highlights
This marine cooler is made out of high-quality materials, including plastic and nylon. This makes the product highly durable and long-lasting. You will be sure to get plenty of use out of this investment.
Most users claim that the cooler is well worth the money. Sold at a reasonable price, this option may be perfect for fishermen who are shopping on a budget.
The cooler features a secure lid, including strong locks and rubber sealant. It also includes anti-skid feet that make it perfect for boat trips. This cooler is incredibly spacious, meaning that you will have no trouble fitting food and drinks inside. The ice retention capabilities of this cooler are also impressive, and it is designed to keep your goods cold for three to four days.
What I Like
This marine cooler is very reasonably priced, and it is made out of highly durable nylon and plastic, making it long-lasting. You will get a good few years of use out of this investment.
This option is incredibly spacious, making it perfect for fishermen who enjoy long trips or who go out in large groups. The cooler offers an impressive ice retention period of three to four days. The product also includes a number of other helpful features, such as anti-skid feet and strong sealant locks.
What I Don’t Like
The size of the product can also be seen as a disadvantage. Even though it does include side handles, it can be inconvenient to carry this large cooler around. The product also weighs a lot when compared to other options on the list.
Pros
- Made out of durable plastic and nylon
- Built to be strong and long-lasting
- Anti-skid feet and strong sealant locks
- Reasonably priced for most people
- Plenty of interior space
- Impressive ice retention period
Cons
- Can be difficult to carry around
- Weighs quite a lot
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Coleman 70 QT Xtreme Marine Cooler
Coleman is another popular brand on the marine cooler market. This specific product is made out of high-quality plastic to improve overall ice retention. You will be extremely impressed with how long this product keeps your food and drinks cool.
This cooler is very large and will be able to store plenty of goods at the same time. With that being said, it is also very reasonably priced considering the size. If you are shopping on a budget, this marine cooler may be perfect for you.
The cooler was specifically designed with versatility in mind. In other words, it can be used during a number of activities, including fishing and camping.
Product Highlights
This Coleman marine cooler is made out of high-quality plastic. The insulation used is also very thick, allowing the product to keep your goods cooler for longer. To be more specific, your food and drinks will stay cold for three to four days with this marine cooler.
If you are on the market for a reasonably priced option, look no further. With 70 quarts of capacity, you will find it easy to fit plenty of food and drinks in this cooler at once.
With strong sealant locks, the cooler will not leak any cold air. This cooler also features side handles that make it easier to carry. It is also versatile and can be used onshore or on a boat.
What I Like
This cooler is very reasonably priced and includes a number of helpful features. For example, it features side handles that include a rubber grip. On top of this, the product has a sealant lock to prevent unnecessary leaks.
With an impressive ice retention period, your food and drinks will stay cooler for longer. The cooler is also versatile and extremely durable. You will be sure to get plenty of use out of this investment.
What I Don’t Like
This Coleman marine cooler is large in size, making it difficult to transport. Even though it does feature side handles, it is still quite heavy and awkward to carry.
Pros
- Plenty of interior space
- Reasonably priced for good value
- Made out of high-quality plastic
- Features plenty of insulation
- Impressive ice retention period
Cons
- Awkward to carry around
- Relatively heavy and clunky
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RTIC Hard Marine Cooler
This marine cooler is made out of high-quality plastic and nylon. The product is designed to be used on a variety of occasions, making it incredibly versatile. RTIC describes this option as the best marine cooler on the market.
This product features heavy-duty T-latches and a freezer-grade gasket. While it may not be the largest cooler on the market, it is spacious enough for smaller fishing trips. On top of this, the cooler is very reasonably priced when compared to other options on our list.
Plus, the product includes very thick insulation that ensures maximum ice retention. To be more specific, your food and drinks should stay cool for between three and five days.
Product Highlights
The RTIC marine cooler is made out of high-quality plastic and nylon. These materials are specifically used to keep the cool air within. The cooler also includes thick layers of insulation to prevent any leaks. This product should keep your goods cool for three to five days due to its excellent ice retention.
The cooler comes with a number of helpful features that make it stand out. This includes padded side handles, a durable lid, and strong locks. You will struggle to find a marine cooler that offers all of these features for such a reasonable price.
When compared to other options on the list, this product is the most budget-friendly. However, the quality is still very impressive. In fact, you will be sure to get plenty of years of use out of this purchase. To improve its longevity, the product is specifically designed without hinges and other frail parts.
What I Like
There is plenty to like about this RTIC marine cooler. For starters, the product includes padded side handles and strong lid locks. Also, the lid includes rubber seals to prevent as much cool air from getting out as possible.
This cooler is made out of high-quality materials, meaning that you will get plenty of use out of the purchase. RTIC products are known for being incredibly durable and long-lasting, meaning that this would be a good investment.
This specific cooler is also very budget-friendly. In fact, it is the cheapest option on our list. It should keep your food and drinks cool for three to five days. The cooler is versatile and can be used on all types of outdoor adventures, whether that is at the beach, on the boat, or around the pool.
What I Don’t Like
The biggest disadvantage of this marine cooler is the size. When compared to the other options on our list, this product is the smallest.
Pros
- Made out of high-quality plastic and nylon
- Durable and long-lasting
- Versatile and can be used on the boat and around the pool
- Very well-priced for great value
- Includes a number of helpful features
Cons
- Not as spacious as other options
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YETI Tundra 65 Marine Cooler
This YETI marine cooler is made out of a combination of plastic and polyurethane foam. It will keep your food and drinks cool for three to five days. While this cooler is not the cheapest option on our list, it is still reasonably priced.
The cooler also offers a decent amount of space, making it perfect for fishermen who go on long trips with large groups of people. However, the size and weight of the cooler also make it awkward to carry.
This product includes a number of helpful features that make it well worth the money, such as padded side handles, thick insulation, and rubber lid seals. If you are searching for a high-quality marine cooler that can be used on a variety of outdoor adventures, look no further than the YETI Tundra 65.
Product Highlights
This marine cooler includes polyurethane foam as insulation. This material is perfect for keeping in as much cold air as possible. Also, the cooler includes a plastic and nylon shell that improves ice retention as much as possible.
This option comes with a number of features that make it well worth the money. For starters, it includes padded side handles to make it easier to transport. The cooler weighs a lot and is very large in size, meaning that this feature will be extremely helpful.
The YETI Tundra is also reasonably priced. If you consider the size and quality of the product, the price tag will seem very low. With a very spacious interior, you will be able to easily fit all of your food and drinks inside at once.
What I Like
There is a lot to like about the YETI Tundra marine cooler. For starters, it is spacious and incredibly durable. Also, thanks to the high-quality materials, you will be sure to get plenty of use out of the purchase.
As we have already mentioned, the cooler includes a number of helpful features that make it well worth the money. This includes padded side handles and strong lid seals. The cooler is specifically designed to keep your food and drinks cool for as long as possible.
Sold at a very reasonable price, you will be sure to get plenty of use out of your purchase.
What I Don’t Like
Arguably the only disadvantage of this marine cooler is the size and weight. While it is incredibly spacious, the size makes it quite difficult and awkward to carry around. It is also heavy, meaning that you may need help to transport the cooler.
Pros
- Great value for money option
- Made out of high-quality plastic nylon and polyurethane foam
- Very thick insulation
- Impressive ice retention
- Versatile usage options
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons
- Difficult to carry around
- Heavy to move and carry
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Marine Cooler Buyer’s Guide
If you are looking for the perfect marine cooler, there are a number of factors to consider. Below, we will be discussing a few marine cooler characteristics to keep in mind.
Size
The size of your marine cooler is very important. If you are on the market, you know that there are plenty of different options to choose from in this department. With that being said, you will need to select a product that matches your specific requirements when it comes to size.
If you often go fishing in large groups and require more space, your best bet would be a larger cooler. On the other hand, if you tend to go on shorter fishing trips with fewer people, a smaller product should work just fine.
Ice Retention
The ice retention of your marine cooler is a very important aspect to consider. Some fishermen go out to sea for days at a time, meaning that their cooler should be able to retain ice for as long as possible. Certain brands, such as Igloo, design their products with this specific characteristic in mind. For this reason, if you are looking for a marine cooler that will be able to retain ice for long periods, be sure to do your research beforehand.
In general, more budget-friendly options tend to retain ice for a day or two. On the other hand, pricier products can last up to four or five days.
Insulation Material
There are various insulation materials that can be used to keep your marine cooler cold. Many products simply make use of plastic. With that being said, this material is generally thicker and will keep out as much heat as possible.
Brands
There are a number of very popular marine cooler manufacturers for you to choose from. Brands such as Igloo and YETI are known for specializing in ice retention. RTIC products are slightly cheaper, but they are still of decent quality. Cascade Mountain and Coleman marine coolers are also fairly popular amongst fishermen.
Price
If you are looking for a high-quality marine cooler, you will have to spend a fair amount of money. Decent products can range anywhere from $250 to $650. As a general rule, it is not recommended that you purchase a product cheaper than $150.
Marine Cooler FAQs
What Is a Marine Cooler?
Marine coolers are designed to keep your food and drinks cold while out in the sun. These products are normally used by fishermen while out at sea or on the beach. Unlike normal coolers, they are specifically designed to be used in high temperatures.
Why Do You Need a Marine Cooler?
Marine coolers are not considered an essential item when you are engaging in water activities. With that being said, they can drastically improve your fishing experience, meaning that they are worth the investment. Nothing is better than spending the day out and being able to still enjoy a cool drink along the way.
How to Choose a Marine Cooler?
As we have already mentioned, there are plenty of factors to consider before purchasing a marine cooler. For starters, you will need to consider which size you will need. You will then need to think about ice retention and which brand you prefer. Finally, you will need to set a budget for your ice cooler.
Marine Cooler Or Regular Cooler?
You may be wondering what the differences between marine and regular coolers are. As we have already mentioned, marine coolers are specifically designed to be used by fishermen. For this reason, they are able to retain ice in much higher temperatures than regular coolers. This is mostly due to the fact that they are made using much thicker layers of insulation.
Do Marine Coolers Float?
When sealed, most coolers can and will float. This is due to the fact that the air within the cooler is less dense than water, subsequently keeping the container at the surface. Also, the insulation used to keep the cooler cold improves the overall buoyancy. So yes, a marine cooler will float if it accidentally falls in the water.
Final Verdict
There are plenty of high-quality marine coolers available out there for you to choose from, including the five products mentioned above. It is essential that you decide exactly what you are looking for before investing in an option. Also, there are various factors for you to consider, including the pricing, insulation material, and ice retention capability.