Best Beach Cooler • Reviews & Buying Guide (December 2024)

When you start planning summer beach trips, you’ll want to have a beach cooler on hand to bring all your refreshments with you. Choosing the right cooler for you depends on several different factors.

One of the best choices for beach trips is a nice soft-sided cooler, one that can reliably transport your stuff and keep it cold.

There are not many companies around that have a track record like Yeti for keeping things cold.

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This beach cooler is easy to transport, offering several handles for owners to take advantage of for easy moving.

If you’re on the lookout for the best soft sided cooler, you would be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Yeti Hopper Two 30 Portable Beach Cooler. Several things come to mind when it comes to making sure you get the perfect cooler for you, and those things are typically durability, portability, and how much you can fit in the cooler.

The Hopper Two 30 holds up magnificently in all of these departments. This cooler from Yeti offers superior ice retention, keeping your stuff cold for days. Whether you’re packing up some beers, sodas, or water for your beach trip, you can count on it to keep your stuff cold without worry.

You won’t find any extra frills with the Hopper Two 30, just a simple design that couldn’t be more straightforward. There are no outside pockets, only a zipper opening on the top of the cooler bag. There are several attachment areas, however, where you can secure things like keys or alternative shoulder straps.

This beach cooler is easy to transport, as well, offering several handles for owners to take advantage of for easy moving. The Hopper Two 30 weighs in at 5.3 pounds when empty, making it nice, light, and easy for almost anyone to carry comfortably.

Durability is no joke with this cooler, either. Its heavy rubber exterior protects it from punctures, and the nylon straps are sure to hold up, too. Even the clips securing the straps on the bag are built to last.

Available in Yeti’s well-known color schemes of gray and blue or tan and orange, the Hopper Two 30 also holds true to Yeti’s well-known reputation for quality. This is one cooler that will definitely hold up and stand the test of time.

Pros

The Hopper Two is definitely built to last and will serve you well for a long time.

Made by a company that’s world-famous for its superior coolers, Yeti’s Hopper Two 30 is one fine beach cooler bag. Here are just a few of the many features that make it a great purchase.

• Very well insulated: One of the most important parts of any cooler for the beach is insulation, and this beach cooler is no joke in this department. The great insulation job here is what allows for such a high ice retention time, and this cooler can keep your stuff cold for days on end with no troubles.
• Light and easy to transport: The Hopper Two is easy for almost anyone to move around from place to place. At only 5.3 pounds, it is light and easy to pick up, and moving is made even easier by the three different handles; a shoulder strap, two straps at the top, and two straps on either side.
• Durable and made to last: The Hopper Two is definitely built to last and will serve you well for a long time. Its rubber exterior keeps it protected from punctures while keeping your things safe and cold, and the included nylon straps are attached securely and won’t easily break off.
• Minimal design guarantees simplicity: The Hopper Two is a simple, light affair. You won’t find many bells and whistles here, just a simple design that anyone can grasp just by looking at the cooler. There are no aesthetic distractions here, just one simple top pocket for loading and unloading your stuff.
• This cooler has a great carrying capacity: The Hopper Two can haul quite a bit for a cooler of its size. It is able to hold 24 cans plus ice, or 6-foot-long sub sandwiches, or even 4 tubs of ice cream.
• Leak proof and airtight: This cooler isn’t going to leak on you, and is easy to seal with the HydroLok zipper. This ensures nothing is spilled and the cold is kept inside the cooler.

Cons

From the durability, simplicity, and ease of transport that it offers, this cooler can be an enticing purchase. It is important to remember that as with everything else in life, even the Hopper Two 30 has a few drawbacks.

• Zipper can be sticky: The zipper on the Hopper Two can sometimes be a little sticky, but that is easy to address with the zipper lubricant that Yeti includes in the package.
• Bulky construction can make it hard to carry long distances: The heft that comes from all the insulation and durability comes at a small price. It can be a little difficult and awkward for some folks to carry longer distances due to the added bulk.
• Simple design also means some features may be missing: The simplicity of the design of the Yeti means that some features you may expect from these types of coolers may be missing. You won’t find any external pockets or other such amenities.

Summary

For summer trips to the beach, you’ll want the best cooler bag on your side, and that is exactly what Yeti has made here.

If you’re looking for the best cooler for the money, the Yeti Hopper Two 30 Portable Beach Cooler should be at the top of your list. It is a fine beach cooler bag, guaranteeing you a durable and easy to move product that will keep your stuff cold for days on end.

For summer trips to the beach, you’ll want the best cooler bag on your side, and that is exactly what Yeti has made here. A simple and easy to use cooler that can hold plenty of stuff, you can carry your food and drinks confidently knowing they will stay cold and protected.

Does any of this sound like a good deal to you? If so, the Hopper Two 30 may just be the perfect beach cooler for you. Grab one for yourself, and you’ll be all set for your next trip to the beach with your friends and family.

Whether you’re drinking beer with your buddies or packing drinks for the kids, having a beach cooler by your side is something to be happy about.

Your food and drinks will stay cold for hours while you and your family enjoy the water and relax under the sun.

There truly is nothing better than a day at the beach!

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The Yeti even has Hitchpoint grids, a feature where you can add special attachments.

When you’re on the hunt for the ultimate beach cooler, you won’t have to look much further than the Yeti Hopper Flip 18 Portable Beach Cooler. This soft-sided cooler has a host of benefits to help make it your favorite companion on the beach, aside from just keeping your drinks and snacks cold.

The Yeti 18 has an airtight, leak proof design, utilizing a HydroLok zipper that keeps in the cold and keeps out the heat. Other soft-sided coolers are particularly prone to leakage, but this is not the case with this cooler. That’s because the Yeti has a radio frequency weld, meaning that its plastics are bonded together using pressure and electromagnetism, forming a tough seal.

The Yeti has a Waterproof DryHide Shell, which is the tough exterior of the cooler. It is resistant to mildew as well as punctures, and even UV rays from the sun. The liner inside is even made from a food-grade material approved by the FDA.

The interior dimensions are 14.25″ x 10.25″ x 8.5″. It can hold a capacity of 17.8 liters, and weighs exactly 5.1 pounds. The cooler is made from 840D polyurethane with foam insulation.

The Yeti even has Hitchpoint grids, a feature where you can add special attachments. Things like MOLLE bottle openers and Zingers are a few accessories that can be added onto this cooler, and are sold separately.

Ultimately, it wouldn’t be a cooler if it didn’t excel at keeping your stuff cold, and the Yeti outperforms many other coolers in that department, too. Yeti has produced a soft-sided cooler that can keep your stuff cold reliably for days, even when the sun is bearing down on top of it. Paired with the HydroLok seal, your Yeti is a beast that the heat just can’t beat.

Pros

The Yeti is tough as nails, and its DryHide exterior shell will stand up to any use.

When it comes to true value for money, you would have a hard time picking out a better cooler than the feature-packed Yeti Hopper Flip 18. If you’re looking for a cooler that has everything, you’ve found it in this model.

• Space-saving, easy to pack shape: The Yeti 18 is shaped like a cube, which makes it super simple to load. The square design also fits neatly with other stuff when packing up the car. No need to figure out how to pack around an oddly-shaped item with this cooler.
• Grab on the go with ease: The Yeti has a double stitched top handle that makes it simple to just pick up and head out whenever you’d like. It also has a padded shoulder strap that can make it simple to fling over your shoulder and walk with.
• Thick ColdCell insulation: This thick layer of closed-cell rubber foam is a superior choice when it comes to keeping your stuff cold for days. This alone should earn the Yeti a spot on the list for the best soft-sided cooler for the beach.
• This cooler will not leak: The Yeti’s brilliant design and construction makes it comes leak proof. Thanks to that patented HydroLok zipper, you won’t have to worry about water or anything else getting into your cooler, or about anything leaking out either.
• Will handle a beating: This is one durable cooler. The Yeti is tough as nails, and its DryHide exterior shell will stand up to any use. It’s puncture resistant and won’t scratch easily. No worries about rocky beaches with this cooler.
• Easy on your body: For a cooler that appears quite large, the Yeti is quite light and easy to transport. Weighing in at only 5.1 pounds when empty, the Yeti is not a very heavy cooler and is easy for almost anyone to carry comfortably.

Cons

High performing, easy to carry, durable and leak proof, the soft-sided Yeti 18 cooler checks almost every box. But as with almost any other product you might purchase, the Yeti Hopper Flip does have its drawbacks.

• Extra insulation cuts down on space: While the Yeti has plenty of insulation to ensure your stuff stays cold for days, that extra insulation does come at the cost of not having quite as much space inside.
• Might not be the best option for rugged environments: While the Yeti is durable, it is still not as durable as a hard-sided cooler. For fishing or hunting expeditions, a hard sided cooler could be a better option.
• Make sure to use the included zipper lubricant: Yeti includes some lubricant for the zipper with this cooler. Making sure to use it will be a big help for owners, as sometimes the zipper may get stuck or not zip completely, so always make sure to double-check.

Summary

The Yeti brand has a long line of happy customers with several great products, and the Flip 18 cooler is no exception.

If you’re looking for the best soft cooler, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option than the Yeti Hopper Flip 18 Portable Beach Cooler. Ridiculously easy to transport, lightweight, watertight and leak proof, with superior ice retention, this cooler is feature-packed and hard to beat.

The Yeti brand has a long line of happy customers with several great products, and the Flip 18 cooler is no exception. It is a great value for the money, and anyone who is in the market for a soft-sided cooler should give this one a good look.

If you want a product with the quality that makes Yeti famous, with the bragging rights that you own the coolest cooler, then you should look no further than the Hopper Flip 18. You’ll feel as cool as your drinks carrying this beach cooler around.

A huge majority of us will imagine a beautiful day on the beach, spending time with some of our favorite people on the beach.

People everywhere hit the beach every year, and one of the most fun things about a trip to the beach is bringing some drinks and snacks for everyone to enjoy.

You will want to have a reliable beach cooler that can keep all those goodies cold, though.

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This cooler has cup holders molded right into the lid, making it easy for you to put your drink somewhere safe when it’s not in your hands.

When you decide to start shopping around for the best beach cooler for your needs, you should definitely consider the Pelican Elite 20 Quart Beach Cooler. This cooler is hard sided and capable of carrying up to 19 liters. It is made of polypropylene, ABS plastic, polyurethane, and stainless steel. It weighs in at 12 pounds and 8 ounces.

The Pelican Elite offers several great benefits that make it worth the money, as well. It is able to hold 15 beverage cans, or can carry up to 3 upright wine bottles. It is also durable, rugged, and easy to transport. These benefits all add up to a great experience.

The Pelican affords its owners up to three days of ice retention, keeping your drinks and snacks reliably cold. This is great for people who want to spend the weekend at the beach.

This cooler has cup holders molded right into the lid, making it easy for you to put your drink somewhere safe when it’s not in your hands. It isn’t going to open unless you really want it too, either, because the press and pull latches keep the lid secure.

Carrying comfort is maximized by a few design flourishes on this cooler, too. It has a contoured side and an easy-carry handle, making it easy to transport it, no matter how much stuff it’s loaded up with.

The smaller size of this cooler compared to some others in the competition makes it easier to move around, as well. Some coolers won’t fit comfortably on the seats of the car, but the Pelican Elite is an exception to this rule. Its smaller size makes it more maneuverable and manageable.

Pros

The Pelican Elite has a metal locking hasp to prevent spillage, along with thick rubber feet to keep it balanced on slippery surfaces.

The Pelican Elite is one nifty cooler, with a lot of features adding up to help make it the ultimate beach cooler, and one of the best options for people looking for a cooler that has everything.

• This cooler has a built in bottle opener: Maybe you brought some beer with you in your cooler, and somehow managed to forget your bottle opener. No need to fret, because your Pelican Elite cooler has a bottle opener built right in for your convenience.
• Very well insulated: The insulation on the Pelican Elite is no joke, sporting two inches of polyurethane foam insulation to keep your stuff cold and moisture out. Your cooler is waterproof, giving you peace of mind for your trip to the beach.
• Easy to transport: The Pelican Elite comes with two different sets of handles to make moving it an easier task. The two handles on the cooler help to evenly distribute its weight, ensuring that everyone can move it easily without hurting themselves.
• Guaranteed for life by Pelican: Pelican is so confident in the quality of the cooler that they have built, they cover it for life. With one of their taglines being “You break it, we’ll replace it”, you know they feel pretty good about the quality of their construction.
• Safe and secure: The Pelican Elite has a metal locking hasp to prevent spillage, along with thick rubber feet to keep it balanced on slippery surfaces. It is also kept secure by three locking latches, making it easy to secure your things and not worrying about anything from the outside getting inside, or vice versa.
• Easy to clean: All the metal parts on the Pelican Elite are made from smooth stainless steel, making it easy to clean and take care of. It is resistant to corrosion, meaning that mud, sand, and heavy downpours will have no effect on your cooler.

Cons

The Pelican Elite offers many benefits, such as ease of transport, security of everything inside of it, and a lifetime warranty straight from Pelican. As with every other product you can purchase, however, there are a few things you’ll want to consider before making your final purchase decision.

• The Pelican Elite is on the heavier side: This cooler is on the heavier side of the scale for coolers, weighing almost 13 pounds. This isn’t very heavy by itself, but once you load it down, the heft can add up pretty quickly.
• The upright design means the cooler might fall over: Be careful when placing the cooler, as the design might help it topple over in the right conditions. You’ll want to double check to make sure that it is securely on the ground before leaving it alone, to prevent it from falling over and spilling your stuff.
• Rubber seal may be problematic: If your Pelican Elite came with a faulty rubber seal, you’ll want to get in touch with Pelican to address the issue. Not every unit is affected, but it is something to keep in mind when purchasing.

Summary

It offers plenty of advantages for the money, giving you a durable cooler that is going to last you for a long time.

At the end of the day, the Pelican Elite 20 Quart Beach Cooler is a great option to consider. When you’re looking for the best beach cooler for your family, you’ll have trouble finding a better option than the Pelican Elite.

For some, it could be the best cooler on the market. It offers plenty of advantages for the money, giving you a durable cooler that is going to last you for a long time. The secure latches guarantee that your stuff stays safe and not spilled, while the superior insulation ensures your drinks and snacks stay cold for days.

When shopping around for a beach cooler, keep the Pelican Elite in mind. It could just be the best option for you and your family, helping serve up cold drinks on your next outing to the beach.

When you’re looking for the best cooler for the money, you will want to see as many features and specs as possible. In fact, there are several options on the market for high-end coolers.

You can count on these coolers to keep your drinks cold whether you’re getting ready for a day on the beach or preparing for a hunting or fishing trip.

When going out on such expeditions, you’ll want a sturdy and reliable beach cooler to accompany you.

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This high-end, hard-sided cooler sports a sturdy design that will last a long time.

When you’re shopping around for best beach coolers on the market, one option you won’t want to miss is the Pelican Elite 50 Quart Beach Cooler. No matter what kind of adventures you have planned, this cooler will not let you down.

This high-end, hard-sided cooler sports a sturdy design that will last a long time. It affords its owners top of the line cooling capabilities, being able to retain ice for ten days. It is even marketed as being bear-proof!

You won’t want to be carrying it too far on your own, however, as it weighs in at a total of 26.3 pounds when empty. A heavier cooler indeed, but worth it when it is so feature-packed.

This Pelican 50 quart cooler has a volume of 52.87 quarts, which equals a little less than 50 liters. The exterior of the cooler has measurements of 30.00″ x 20.30″ x 20.40″.

The bulk of the cooler is made of polypropylene. Beverages and other content inside the cooler are kept as cold as possible with the help of two full inches of polyurethane insulation lining the walls of the cooler.

Pelican hasn’t forgotten the niceties either, including a handy stainless steel bottle opener and providing 9 different color combinations. You can choose a bright red and blue to stand out, gray with a strip of neon green for a little flair, or classic white for a cool table top at the beach.

Pros

Every Pelican cooler sold comes with a lifetime guarantee from Pelican themselves, giving you peace of mind when using your cooler.

No longer will you have to worry about having your ice melt in the cooler again. The Pelican Elite cooler has proven that it has what it takes to be known as the ultimate beach cooler.

• Superior ice retention: Lined with a thick 2 inches of polyurethane and a freezer-grade gasket to secure the lid, this Pelican Elite does its cooling job extremely well. Testing has proven that it takes up to 9 or 10 days for ice to start melting.
• Molded handles that make for a sturdier construction: This cooler features handles that are molded right into the sides so they won’t snap or break like handles that are attached after construction. The handles are ergonomically designed as well, making carrying the cooler a comfier experience.
• Guaranteed for life by Pelican: Every Pelican cooler sold comes with a lifetime guarantee from Pelican themselves, giving you peace of mind when using your cooler. Not every company offers such a guarantee, so that is always a welcome thing to see.
• Built in cup holders and bottle opener: This cooler can be one of the best options to take to the beach with you to have a beer with your friends by the ocean. Not only will your beer stay cold for quite a while in the cooler’s built in cup holders, but you will also be able to take advantage of the cooler’s built in bottle opener.
• Two push button ABS latches help secure your stuff: The lid on this cooler securely closes down with two heavy-duty ABS latches. The latches are push button, very easy to operate and help ensure the lid stays securely shut, keeping your food and beverages inside the cooler safe and airtight.
• Quick and easy to drain: The drain plug to this cooler is easy to screw on or off, and is attached to a rotating ring for ease of use. The floor of the cooler is designed for quick drainage, and it can even accept a regular hose should you need to drain somewhere else.

Cons

There is no doubt that the Pelican Elite 50 quart model does a great job at keeping your food and drinks cold for long stretches of time. As with anything else, however, there are a few things you will want to think about to make sure this is the right cooler for you.

• A bit on the heavier side: Because of its durable and solid design, as well as how well insulated it is, these coolers weigh close to 27 pounds by themselves. The good news is that the molded, ergonomically designed handles won’t break off once you load it up.
• Takes up a lot of room: Make sure when packing up for your trips that you have a plan for where you will store this cooler, as it is quite bulky. You’ll want to make sure you have plenty of room in the back of your vehicle or that you have a good sized trunk.
• The latches can bite your fingers: When you are getting ready to close the cooler up, you will always want to make sure you’re not wrapping your fingers around the inside of the latch. It can (and will!) close down on your fingers if you’re not paying attention.

Summary

The Pelican Elite will hold up for a lifetime, and they will keep your drinks and food iced down for days.

If you are in the market for the best beach cooler or just a heavy-duty cooler that will keep your stuff cold on a trip to the beach or even a fishing or hunting trip, then the Pelican Elite 50 Quart Beach Cooler may be the perfect match for you.

The Pelican Elite will hold up for a lifetime, and they will keep your drinks and food iced down for days. This is a huge deal for folks who love trips to the beach, campers and outdoorsmen in particular, as they may be out in nature for days with no fridge. This cooler will have your back in such situations.

All in all, this is a great beach cooler from Pelican that will serve anyone who purchases one well. With an array of great features and a lifetime guarantee to back it up, it can be tough to say no to one of these nice coolers.

If that latter scenario sounds like something that is running through your mind, you might consider getting a great beach cooler for your beach outings.

A quality cooler can hold all of your drinks and snacks, keeping them cold for hours or even days on end. The best coolers are durable, easy to carry, and will hold all of your things comfortably.

Luckily, when it comes to quality soft coolers, the folks at Tourit are making quality products that really get the job done.

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The shell of the backpack cooler is waterproof and airtight, keeping the heat and everything else out.

When you’re looking for the best soft cooler, it is hard to argue with the great products made by Tourit. The Tourit Leak-Proof Soft Sided Beach Cooler is no exception here. This cooler does something a little different, offering a cooler in the form of a backpack.

It sports a unique design that you don’t see in any coolers of its caliber. Sleek and modern, you’ll be showing off your best backpack cooler to everyone at the beach.

This Tourit cooler backpack is very well made. The material comprising the cooler is leak proof, keeping everything inside and cold. The shell of the backpack cooler is waterproof and airtight, keeping the heat and everything else out.

It works well in rugged situations, with a durable outer shell that will not easily tear. This also protects the interior insulation, making sure that nothing punctures it as well as keeping everything inside cool and protected.

The liner inside of the Tourit cooler is antimicrobial and resistant to things like mold and mildew. It also proves very easy to clean. As if that wasn’t enough, it is incredibly easy to zip up for airtightness, and all you have to do is zip up with the pull tab. It couldn’t be any simpler.

Pros

The Tourit comes with a little extra storage space for when you just can’t get everything in the main compartments.

One of the best parts about the Tourit backpack cooler is that, right out of the box, it comes with many features that make it a compelling buy. Just what advantages does this outstanding cooler offer?

• Superior ice retention: Thanks to the insulation job done, the backpack cooler can keep your ice frozen for at least three days. There are three layers of insulation. The outer layer is completely waterproof, the middle layer is actual insulation made of high density foam. The interior layer is another one that is leak-proof, to ensure that nothing gets out of the cooler.
• Rugged and tough construction: When you imagine any sort of backpack, you picture something that is built tough to take anywhere. This is also the case with the Tourit. It is very well made and durable. The outer shell is tough and waterproof, ensuring you’re not going to tear it easily.
• Easy to carry: The Tourit is really easy to transport. In fact, you can carry it three different ways. You can use the detachable shoulder strap to carry the cooler like a backpack, you can use the top handle to carry it from the top, or you can use the side handles for heavier loads. Multiple ways to carry it makes it more accessible and easier to transport for different people.
• Extra storage space: The Tourit comes with a little extra storage space for when you just can’t get everything in the main compartments. You’ll find a zippered pocket on the front and two mesh pockets on either side for added carrying capacity.
• Two fun colors to choose from: The Tourit backpack cooler comes in two fun colors for you to choose from. Make your backpack cooler a fashion statement by choosing between navy blue and cool grey options.
• A lifetime warranty has your back: Tourit gives anyone who purchases the backpack cooler a lifetime warranty. This gives you peace of mind knowing you are covered if anything were to happen to your cooler.

Cons

It’s easy to carry, made well, comes in a few fun colors, and is backed by a warranty straight from the manufacturer. This cooler has a lot of things going for it, and of course, there are a few things that the Tourit could do just a little bit better.

• Gets a little heavy when weighed down: If you intend to load this cooler to its capacity, you might want to think twice about carrying it backpack-style, because it will get heavy. Instead of having a drag on your back, you can take advantage of one of the alternative carrying methods, such as the top or side handles.
• Not as much capacity as other coolers: While the Tourit is one fine product, its capacity isn’t quite as large as other coolers you can find. The main allure to the Tourit is the sheer number of ways you can carry it.
• Condensation can occur: Although leak proof, condensation can form on the outside if left in an enclosed hot space for hours. You may want to put a towel under it if packing it in the trunk for a long car ride on a hot day.

Summary

Looking for the best soft cooler can be a tough undertaking, but if you’re looking for something that is durable and easy to carry, the Tourit is a good option.

The bottom line is, if you’re looking for the best insulated backpack cooler bag, you don’t have to look any further than this Tourit. A unique product with a durable design, this beach cooler does exactly what it says it will do: keep your food and drinks cold and protected.

Looking for the best soft cooler can be a tough undertaking, but if you’re looking for something that is durable and easy to carry, the Tourit is a good option. With three different ways to carry it, you are given the ability to take your cooler bag anywhere you want with ease.

When you’re ready to hit the beach with your friends and family with plenty of cold drinks and snacks, you can count on the Tourit Leak-Proof Soft-Sided Beach Cooler to have your back. You’ll have the peace of mind knowing your stuff is nice and cold, as well as having the neatest cooler on the beach.