However, we also realize that many are short on time and ultimately only care how long a cooler they are looking to purchase can hold ice. Therefore, we have included the results of our Ultimate Ice Challenge below. This ice challenge is our most sophisticated ice challenge to date which came about as a result of what our over 1. The table below is sortable so you can value cooler based on price, ice retention, etc.
We have personally seen lids warp and bubble on some cheaper model. Marine coolers are built to take the extreme conditions of boating. They are rust resistant, slip proof, and UV protected.
They offer a lot more insulation than standard coolers. Some may even have a commercial grade gasket lid to keep the hot summer heat out. Some have rulers on the lid to help you measure out the fish you have caught.
Best of all many are able to resist odors that fish can sometimes leave behind in other coolers. Another option that many are turning to especially those kayak fishing and tournament fishing are fish kill bag coolers. This take up significantly less room when compared to larger hard sided coolers. One thing you definitely want to know before you buy a marine cooler is how long it is rated to hold ice for. Luckily for you, we have already conducted a myriad of tests and have ranked just about all coolers available see table above.
Do you want a cooler stable and solid enough for you to sit on and use as an extra chair or casting platform? This could also be an important factor in your decision. This would mean nonskid and perhaps a high end roto molded plastic. Most Popular. They offer a line of coolers and that is getting increasingly better each year. The latches are a push pull latch different from rubber tail style on most coolers. Pelican also lists a Lifetime Guarantee online to back their coolers. These will be great for the family who needs extra drink space however, the angler is not going to want to use this as a platform as it will not be flat and could end badly if stepping into a cupholder while fighting a fish.
Just one of those "you gain some, you lose some. The Engle features raised feet keeping the bottom of the cooler off of the warm deck of your boat, helping it retain ice for longer. Lastly it features a large flat lid that can be easily and comfortably used as a seat and a standing platform for fishing.
The downsides is the feet are not advertised as non-marking and the handle design is lacking ease. It will however, make a decent cooler for those looking to spend less money but still have a great looking cooler with a non-marking bottom and good overall performance. The Ozark Trail features a much cheaper looking design but still retains that quality and strength with stainless steel components and one piece mold. It features non-marking feet but they do not elevate it quite as high as others so this can hurt ice retention.
The top features a fish ruler and cupholders but like the Pelican, this can be a slight turn off if looking to use this cooler as a platform for fishing. Our Boats. April 2, You first need to take a few steps to prep your cooler. The most important is "priming" your cooler, the night before put a decent amount of ice in it so it's nice and cold the next day. Next you want to make sure everything entering your cooler is cold, not room temp or warm, you want it cold so make sure all your drinks are in the refrigerator the night before.
If you're going for a long trip, say camping, freeze some of your meat and thaw before cooking, this helps act as ice and keeps everything colder longer. If you've got extra water bottles freeze several and put those in the night before, these will prime your cooler but they'll also begin to melt. Next day remove them, fill with bag ice, then place your bottles back in and then begin packing everything else. The size selection in the Leeward series is a bit limited too — there only are 50, 72, and quart options.
No small and extra-large sizes, as you can see. These coolers are also pretty easy to clean because they have a simple, flat shell. In terms of sizing, Coastal Xtreme coolers are similar to Igloo Leeward. There are 3 sizes — 28, 70, and quarts — but unlike Leeward, you are at least getting a small quart size. Like the Tundra coolers, Hopper M30 is a high-quality piece of cooler technology.
The ice retention of this one is pretty good as well, it should keep ice icy for at least 24 hours, up to 48 with pre-chilled content and some good quality ice packs e. Cooler Shocks. In soft coolers for boating, the biggest concern, in our opinion, is cleaning.
Insulation and durability are excellent in the Hopper M30 cooler too. The outer shell is puncture- and UV-resistant, while the magnetic closure along with the fully welded seams allows for improved thermal insulation and leak resistance. Another notable feature in the Hopper M30 cooler is the HitchPoint Grid — a series of loops that you can attach accessories to. The size in this cooler is also pretty decent — it can take up to 20 cans of beer with ice-to-can ratio or 28 pounds of ice which equals about 32 quarts.
All in all, YETI Hopper M30 is pretty expensive, but if you are a YETI-head or just want a great soft cooler no matter the money, it may be the best boat cooler out there for your needs. We also like the organizational abilities of this cooler — apart from a zippered main compartment, it has a few mesh and zippered side pockets on the outside. Like Hopper M30, this cooler also has D-rings for secure anchoring to your boat. The closure in this cooler is interesting as well — it has a small zippered flap in the center that allows you to access your stuff without opening the entire thing.
For good ice retention advertised at 36 hours and leak resistance, the Coleman Marine cooler has heat-welded seams — similar to what Hopper M30 has.
The Nochill Marine Boat Bag is a durable soft cooler designed specifically with boaters in mind. The outer shell material is different in the BoatBag, first of all — instead of nylon, you have military-grade PVC tarpaulin that is not only tear-, stain-, and water-resistant but can also withstand UV rays without fading.
The bottom of the BoatBag soft cooler is reinforced as well — the fabric here is denser and thus offers better grip and abrasion resistance. With all that, the BoatBag cooler should work particularly well in marine settings, e. Also, there are 3 size options to choose from 12, 24 and 48 cans. We really hope that our marine cooler reviews have helped you find the best boat cooler for your needs, or at least have set you on the right track.
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If you believe that your copyright has been misused, please provide us with a message stating your position and we will endeavor to correct any misuse immediately. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we may receive an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep this website alive. Luke is a co-founder of bestcooler. Luke has a deep passion for sports and all-things-outdoors.
From fishing to hiking, from family camping to solo bike trekking, Luke adores spending quality time enjoying nature, oftentimes checking out new coolers while doing so.
Add Comment. Post Comment. PRO TIP: Know that larger coolers tend to retain ice better, so if you want to store ice or fish for a long time, opting for a possibly large cooler might be a good idea. This video, although a bit old, gives some good practical advice on choosing boat cooler. Yeti Tundra 35 is a great marine cooler.
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