BEST MARINE COOLERS 2023

Seavilis Milee does a great job in creating both a reliable and affordable cooler. With its 75-quart heavy-duty model, they easily earn the title of the best marine cooler for the money.

Following tradition for any quality large boat cooler, the Seavilis Milee 75 quart is crafted from a rotational molding process. This creates a high-density product that can withstand all the typical shakes, rattles, and bumps on a boat. Those bumps are transmitted into the non-skid feet of the cooler, which elevate the frame off the ground to maintain better temperature retention.

The temperature of the cooler is also fairly well regulated by the UV resistant thermal molding which works to reflect the sun’s rays, without absorbing the heat into the cooler. All in all – the Seavilis Millee is likely the best cooler for boating at a respectable price.

BRAND: SEAVILIS MILEE
COLORS: Sea Foam Gree, Marble, Marine Camo
DIMENSIONS: 33.5″ x 17.9″ x 18.2″
WEIGHT: 40 lbs.
CAPACITY: 75 quart storage
ICE RETENTION: 6 days
CONSTRUCTION: Smooth rotomolded construction
STURDINESS: Slip-resistant rubber feet, suitable for all harsh environments
DRAINAGE: Singular drain plug
PORTABILITY: Dual nylon rope handles

There is a lot to like about IGLOO’s 52-quart ice chest, and for several different reasons.

First off, IGLOO’S 52-quart model offers a handful of useful features, such as a fish ruler, bottle opener, 700 lb. weight capacity, and pair of self-draining cup holders. The handy features make it more than just a storage container, but also a tool with multiple functions.

Secondly, when it comes to performance, the IGLOO 52 is no doubt one of the best coolers for boating, as it can retain ice for extremely long periods of time, without succumbing to hot temperatures on sunny days.

Yet another newcomer to the cooler market is Xspec, a sporting goods company that has made waves with its 60 quart rotomolded cooler.

Xspec’s 60 quart rotomolded cooler is on the larger end of boating coolers, making it a great option for those hunting for bigger fish. Even when filled with ice, the interior capacity still leaves roughly 30-40 quarts of free space for fish, drinks, and food. This large size considered and 3” of insulation, its no wonder that the model can retain ice for days.

Where the Xspec truly shines though is its abundance of neat features. Every color of the 60-quart cooler is crafted with low-profile Snap Tight latches, a perfectly flat surface, bottle opener, and a navigation compass. Most anglers will likely never need the compass, but it’s nice to know that it’s there in case it ever is needed. The brand may be fresh on the scene, but any boat cooler review would be foolish to overlook the awesome product it offers.

BRAND: Xspec
COLORS: Camouflage, Grainite Print, Seafoam
DIMENSIONS: 28.2″ x 17.9″ x 18.2″
WEIGHT: 31 lbs.
CAPACITY: 60 quart storage
ICE RETENTION: 3 days
CONSTRUCTION: Solid rotomolded construction
STURDINESS: Slip-resistant rubber feet, suitable for all harsh environments
DRAINAGE: Singular drain plug
PORTABILITY: Dual nylon rope handles

Bearing the fancy name Ice Vault is no easy task, but living up to it is even tougher. Thankfully, Blue Coolers does a great job with their premium cooler – which is designed for all sorts of outdoor activities.

The Ice Vault is a rotomolded marine-grade cooler that can easily compete with other popular brands. It contains 2+ inches of insulation, non-skid feet, no-fail hinges, a rapid drain system, and lockdown straps. Nothing about those features is particularly extraordinary, but it is nice to know that they all function just as they should on the Ice Vault.

However, what many anglers may find appealing about the Ice Vault is its cutouts for locks, which allow anglers to secure their goods without having to worry about items going missing. While this is the main differentiating feature, the Ice Vault is still a great product that can retain ice for days and keep fish fresh long after they have been pulled from the water.

BRAND: EchoSmile
COLORS: White
DIMENSIONS: 21 x 12 x 13 inches
WEIGHT: 15 lbs.
CAPACITY: Depends on size
ICE RETENTION: 5 days
CONSTRUCTION: Smooth rotomolded construction
STURDINESS: Slip-resistant rubber feet, suitable for all harsh environments
DRAINAGE: Singular drain plug
PORTABILITY: Dual nylon rope handles

Finding American-made products can be somewhat of a challenge in 2023, so an entity like CORDOVA manufacturing all of its products in the US is quite the rare find.

Nevertheless, the country of origin isn’t what truly makes the CORDOVA 28 a winner, but rather its stellar design and ambitious new ideas. The 28 quart rotomolded cooler offers all the same essentials as other rotomolded coolers (including thick insulation and great ice retention). But, where it really differentiates itself is its CNC cut metal handles, and top mount lid latches – these lightweight aluminum handles never develop an ounce of rust (as they don’t contain any iron). Additionally, the top-locking lid latches make accessing the cooler easier than ever before, as handlers can effortlessly unlock the lid in tight spaces.

All in all, the CORDOVA 28 is a medium size marine cooler that’s incredibly well-suited for short to medium days out on the water. And if the weight of larger coolers is a concern, then the compact cooler is a great alternative to a marine cooler with wheels.

With some very minor improvements, there is a decent chance that the KENAI 65 cooler could sweep the title as the best cooler for a boat in future years.

Nevertheless, the 65 quart rotomolded cooler is great in just about every way. It offers lengthy rope handles for easy transport, a full length drain channel for quick water release, and built-in divider slots to separate goods.

The only noticeable aspects that the model could improve on are adding additional features that many other competitors offer, such as cupholders and fish rulers. But with that being said, the KENAI 65 is still a great option which features a sturdy frame, non-slip feet, and plenty of space to store food, beverages, and fish. Best of all, it is crafted with responsible processes that do not add more plastic waste to the oceans.

Any angler looking for a whale of a good time on the water can surely rely upon the Orca 40-quart hard sided cooler. At just 40 quarts this well-crafted piece does a fantastic job withstanding the elements.

The hard-sided classic is not quite a small boat cooler, but not quite a large one either. Regardless, it is a great size for a rotationally molded cooler that can double as both a chair and a boat cooler.

Feature-wise, Orca’s mid-size product does offer some interesting add-ons, such as its included cargo net attachment, flexible handle grips that can form to a carrier’s hand, and Orca tail T-latches to match the brand’s name. However, a consideration to be made is that the lid seals tight enough that it can be tough to open. This can still be a positive, as such a tight seal ensures that warm temperatures can’t seep in.

With so many different rotomolded coolers flooding the market, it’s hard to tell which option really is the best marine cooler of 2023. But BISON COOLERS’ 50-quart model is certainly a great alternative to KONG’s first place model. This American made variant does exactly what is expected of such a piece.

Bearing the name of one of the most rugged mammals from the American West, the BISON COOLERS 50-quart cooler truly is as robust as it sounds. The ultra-hard shell is armed with dual drain plugs, lengthy rope carrying handles, and unlike any other model – cantilever latches. The cantilever latch system bypasses the difficulties associated with opening T-latches by offering something that doesn’t need to be stretched.

Yet, another key feature that sets the piece apart is its shark fin gasket, specifically designed to prevent the seal from compressing over time. Coolers often compress the gaskets on their lids, so having a model that doesn’t do that in the slightest is extremely beneficial.

The trend of naming a sporting goods company with all capital letters is kept alive and well with RTIC, yet another brand trying to manufacture the best boat cooler for avid outdoorsmen.

The plus side of the brand is that it certainly does a really great job with creating a cooler that can be taken on a boat, to a cabin, and to Saturday tailgates. The RTIC ice chest is crafted with dual drainage points, a super sturdy rotomolded frame with up to 3” of insulation, and large non-slip rubber feet.

What it lacks in color options, it makes up for in general functionality and performance, as the ice chest really does keep contents as cold as the Arctic Circle itself.

Capacity

Before buying a marine cooler, an individual needs to analyze their intended uses for it. What may be an ideal marine cooler for a kayak trip, is likely not the same cooler for a multi-day boat trip.

Coolers come in a wide range of sizes, but the three most common brackets are small (daytrip), medium (two days trip), and large (three or more days trip).

To give a more accurate idea, a small cooler is roughly 20 quarts, a medium is approximately 40, and a large is typically 60+ quarts.

Portability

The portability of a cooler is a massive factor to consider before purchasing a model to take out on a boat.

Portability can be broken down into two factors – size and features. The size of the cooler will obviously affect its portability, as a 70+ quart cooler will be far more difficult to transport than say a 20-quart cooler.

The second contributing factor, which is a cooler’s transport features, can make a big difference. Rope handles, tie-down notches, and locking lids all massively improve the portability of a product (which can be a real game changer). However, nearly all the models found on this boat cooler review already include those factors.

Additional Features

Over the course of recent years, cooler brands have started to add helpful and interesting features which may ultimately improve the utility of the pieces.

Although they are not absolute must-haves, some of the additional features now coming standard on the best marine coolers are fish rulers, bottle openers, and space dividers. For the most part, the accessories are just added bonuses, but being able to crack a cold one right off the side of a cooler is a pretty sweet feeling.

1. What is a marine cooler? And why do I need one?

A marine cooler is a product specifically designed to withstand the barrage of elements when out on a boat.

To tolerate all the wear and tear on a boat, the best marine coolers are manufactured from a rotational molding process. This process, which involves injecting hot plastic into a mold, constantly rotates the piece to evenly disperse the plastic particles. This even dispersion of the liquid into all points ensures that there are no weak spots or potential cracks, creating an ultra-hard and ultra-durable cooler.

However, marine coolers also contain other key features. These include non-slip grips, latch-based lids, and occasionally fish rulers. The non-slip grips help the cooler stay in place, rather than sliding around on the back deck of a boat, whereas the latch-based lids guarantee that there is always a tight connection.

Anglers or sportspeople who often head out on a boat are better off with a marine cooler, as they generally perform better in high heat than opposing coolers. The thick layers of insulation associated with marine coolers can help the contents stay cold even when the temperature is well over 100+ degrees.

2. Marine cooler vs regular cooler: what is the difference?

Marine coolers are slightly larger, bulkier, and more insulated coolers than typical run of the mill coolers.

Regular coolers are often made from a blow molding process, which creates plastic pieces with hollow interiors. Such a design is suitable for a backyard BBQ, sports game, or other low-key events, but certainly not a long day out on the water. That’s where rotomolded marine coolers come in handy. The ultra-durable construction of these coolers can tolerate both the sun and brutal damage that items on boats often receive.

Furthermore, marine coolers also offer additional features that are rarely found on regular coolers. Features such as non-slip feet, which elevate the cooler off the ground while also preventing it from sliding around. Regular coolers often skid around surfaces when they aren’t securely latched, which is something that could only happen to marine coolers with wheels, not standard box models.

3. What size marine cooler would work best for me?

For most anglers, a marine cooler of 40+ quarts is ideal. Marine coolers are often medium to large scale containers, as they must contain food, drinks, and even fish. As such, 20-quart coolers simply can’t offer enough storage space, as even just a few small ocean fish are too large to fit inside.

On the contrary, 40-quart coolers are an ideal size due to being both mobile and spacious. They contain enough space that handlers can fill them with refreshments but without them being too unbearably heavy. Nevertheless, other slightly larger coolers such as 60- and 70-quart coolers are great options for those heading out for long days on the water. The length of a 70-quart cooler is typically enough to fit whole ocean fish inside, such as salmon or redfish. 100+ quart coolers are useful in some situations, but their practicality makes them less useful than having multiple smaller, and more portable coolers.

4. Do boat coolers come with a basket inside?

Some brands do offer baskets with their coolers, as a way to separate goods from one another. However, such a feature is largely dependent upon the size of the cooler, and how much storage capacity it has.

Coolers that offer 50+ quarts of storage are typically large enough to include a divider and basket as they can divide the portions into two 25+ quart sections. This can be handy when aiming to keep fresh fish on one side while still trying to keep food, beverages, or quality sunscreens in the other. In situations such as that, a basket is convenient to keep dry goods elevated above the ice and water.

As always, we create our content with you, fellow adventurers, in mind. So, how’d we do? Did you find this informative? Did it help you make a decision? Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear from you below. Thanks for reading and we hope your next adventure is a great one!