We’ve pulled together our list of the best floating coolers and floating ice chests to make your days on the water more enjoyable.
Whether you’re after something fun and quirky or just need a simple piece of equipment to keep you going on watersport adventures, our list of options will give you all the information you need to make the best purchase.
The best floating coolers
Editor’s choice: ICEMULE Jaunt 15L
- Small front pocket for valuables
- Fun colorways
- Floats easily, even when full
- 24-hour ice retention
Pros
- Hands-free carry
- Easy access with roll top and buckle closure
- Front pocket for valuables
- Excellent ice retention
Cons
- Not as large capacity as some other coolers on this list
The ICEMULE Jaunt is quite different from most of the other coolers on this list. Rather than an inflatable cooler, this model is more closely related to traditional coolers or soft-sided coolers. The ICEMULE Jaunt is my favorite cooler for paddleboarding and river days. I use this all the time and regularly use it to store food for weekend trips in my van.
At 24 hours, this cooler has excellent ice retention. When the exterior is inflated, it floats. The Jaunt also features backpack straps for hands-free carry. Nearly all ICEMULE Coolers float, so you can check out their other models too.
See ICEMULE Jaunt 15L on Amazon
See ICEMULE Jaunt 15L on ICEMULECOOLERS
Best for lake days: WOW Float Fridge 30-Pack Cooler
- Durable molded handles
- Zippered lid
- Four cupholders
- Holds up to 30 cans
- Great pool cooler or for use at the lake
Pros
- Easy carry handles
- Plenty of storage space
- Zippered lid keeps drinks colder
Cons
- Could use more cupholders
- Ice retention could be improved
The WOW Float Fridge 30-Pack Cooler is the best floating cooler for lake days. We tested it both onshore and floated it between our barge of paddleboards for easy access to our drinks. It retained ice for the full seven hours we were at the lake with no leakage. Like many of the coolers on this list, it features built-in cup holders on the exterior. The main drink storage is in the middle. The 30-can capacity means that there’s plenty of space.
See WOW Float Fridge 30-Pack Cooler on Amazon
See WOW Float Fridge 30-Pack Cooler on Walmart
See WOW Float Fridge 30-Pack Cooler on Lowe’s
Best for rivers: Intex Mega Chill Inflatable Floating Cooler
- Holds up to 30 cans
- Five cup holders
- Extra storage areas
- Three air chambers
- Two durable grab handles
- Repair patch included
Pros
- Large main cooler compartment
- Extra drinks and storage spaces
- Durable design
- Easy to connect to a boat
Cons
- Cooler compartment isn’t insulated
The Intex Mega Chill has plenty of room, whether it’s bottles of water or beers. The main cooler compartment is big enough to hold a 12-pack, a couple of water bottles, and enough ice to keep it all cool. Then, on the outside, it has multiple drink holders and larger spaces for snacks.
Other features include two durable grab handles, an easy-to-use connector, and three air chambers for a stable ride and to ensure that this inflatable cooler doesn’t sink if one of them is popped.
See Intex Mega Chill Inflatable Floating Cooler on Amazon
See Intex Mega Chill Inflatable Floating Cooler on Walmart
See Intex Mega Chill Inflatable Floating Cooler on Home Depot
Multi-purpose cooler: Intex River Run II Sport Lounge Floating Cooler
- Lounge seating area
- Lid for floating cooler to keep drinks protected
- Two cup holders on either seat
- Connect n’ Float system for additional products
- Can hold up to 24 cans
- Built-in backrests for extra comfort and support
Pros
- Ideal for two people
- Robust enough to hold plenty of weight
- Quick inflating time because of the durable valve system
Cons
- More focus on the seating side of things than the actual floating cooler
- A few customer complaints about tears in the material, which may indicate a lack of long-term durability
Another great Intex product, this one is more of a floating lounge than a simple cooler. If you’re looking for something that’s small and comes with two great seats, then the River Run II Sport Lounge is a perfect choice. It comes with two built-in drink holders and armrests, sturdy grab handles, a mesh bottom, and connectors. The built-in cooler has a lid to keep your drinks and food covered and increase ice retention.
See Intex River Run II Sport Lounge Floating Cooler on Amazon
See Intex River Run II Sport Lounge Floating Cooler on Walmart
See Intex River Run II Sport Lounge Floating Cooler on Home Depot
Best hard plastic cooler: CreekKooler Pup 15-Quart Floating Towable Cooler
- Molded handles for easy lifting and maneuvering
- Water-tight lid that locks and keeps your drinks safe
- Keeps ice for up to 24 hours
- Keeps up with you when you’re kayaking or rafting
- Foam insulation that keeps your drinks cool, even without ice
- Robust and secure
Pros
- Extremely easy to tow
- Easy on the eye and doubles up as a dry storage container too
- Lots of storage space for all your belongings
- Very sturdy and durable
Cons
- Great for kayaking, but not necessarily great for pool parties
This is an excellent floating cooler, especially if you’re looking for a floating cooler for a kayak. Not only does it look like an inflatable kayak, but it’s built with the water sport in mind, naming itself ‘the ultimate water companion’. Made from durable materials and featuring foam insulation, the CreekKooler can hold around 15 cans of drink, as well as ice.
There are built-in drink holders and a water-tight lid. The molded handles make for easy transportation too, and it can double up as a storage container on the dry as well. This is a nifty little product.
See CreekKooler Pup 15-Quart Floating Towable Cooler on Amazon
See CreekKooler Pup 15-Quart Floating Towable Cooler on Walmart
See CreekKooler Pup 15-Quart Floating Towable Cooler on REI
Best for beer pong: Beer Nation Inflatable Beer Pong Table and Cooler
- Beer pong game incorporated into a floating cooler
- Carry handles for easy transportation
- Built-in cooler can hold ice and a six-pack
- Reinforced cooler for peace of mind
Pros
- Unique product that’s fun and easy to use
- Surprisingly robust for a beer-pong table
- Keeps drinks cool for hours at a time
Cons
- Some difficulty inflating as the product is large
- Quite large if you only need it for cooling drinks
If you’re looking for the ideal pool party floating cooler, then the Beer Nation Inflatable Beer Pong Table (with cooler, of course) is perfect. Whether you’re relaxing on the lake or having the ultimate pool party, this can be your centerpiece. There’s an extra-large cooler in the middle, which is surrounded by the floating beer pong table.
This is quite a large float, so it might not be ideal for those with smaller pools. For a gimmicky float, it’s also high quality and well-constructed.
See Beer Nation Inflatable Beer Pong Table and Cooler on Amazon
Largest hard cooler: CreekKooler Insulated Floating Cooler
- Two inches of insulation to keep your drinks cool
- Can hold up to 30 cans and a lot of ice
- Perfect for kayaking and rafting with its unique design
- Easily towable and floats well on water
- Four drink holders
- Water-tight locking lid
Pros
- Floats incredibly well, even when there are a lot of drinks and ice
- Holds ice well and stops it from melting, even in direct sunlight
- Towable
Cons
- Can feel the cooler tugging on your kayak or raft when it’s fully stocked
- Not ideal for pool parties because of the tight-locking lid
The CreekKooler Outdoor Insulated Floating Cooler is perfect for those who are active on the water and need extra storage for big days, large groups, or multi-day outings. The floating ice chest has a water-tight lid and foam insulation. This cooler works just as well on dry land too.
Although more expensive than most, it is worth the money. It’s robust, durable, and perfect for kayaking. Some customers have even accessorized their floats to match their fishing kayaks.
See CreekKooler Insulated Floating Cooler on Amazon
See CreekKooler Insulated Floating Cooler on Walmart
See CreekKooler Insulated Floating Cooler on Camping World
Best for large groups: Bestway Hydro Force Tropical Breeze Raft
- Includes removable sunshade
- Six cup holders
- Cushioned oversized backrests
- Cooler bag for food and drinks
- Six-person capacity allows you to socialize with friends and family
- Mesh bottom for durability
Pros
- Customer reviews have stated that the float could handle more than six people
- Material is thick and durable
- Plenty of seating room
- Cooler bag is decent-sized
Cons
- Because of its size, it takes a while to assemble and blow up
- Heavy to carry after you have assembled it, so make sure your friends are nearby
- Canopy sometimes acts as a sail, so you may need a small anchor to stop it from floating away
Floating island is an understatement for this cooler. This giant product from Bestway can hold up to six people. With six cup pouches, a removable sun awning, extra-wide backrests, and a cooler bag, the Tropical Breeze Inflatable Floating Island is ideal for families. There’s a removable sunshade plus an area for dipping your feet into the water and keeping them cool. However, the cool bag isn’t the largest compared with other coolers on our list.
See Bestway Hydro Force Tropical Breeze Raft on Amazon
See Bestway Hydro Force Tropical Breeze Raft on Walmart
See Bestway Hydro Force Tropical Breeze Raft on Home Depot
Best fishing cooler: The Big Bobber Floating Cooler
- Insulated and shaped like a fishing bobber
- Holds up to 12 drinks
- Hinged opening
- Can be anchored to your belongings, trees or rocks
- Lightweight at only 5lbs
Pros
- Easily anchored
- Hideaway handle is easy to use and secretive
- Keeps an entire 12-pack of drinks cool for hours
Cons
- Capacity could be bigger
- Hinge can rust
- Handle could be more ergonomic
The Big Bobber Floating Cooler is a great hard floating cooler modeled after a classic fishing bobber. It holds up to 12 cans and features a hideaway built-in handle. You can store the big bobber on land or in the water, and anchor it to your gear, boat, or a nearby tree to keep it from floating away. Aside from its cute shape, it offers excellent functionality and can keep drinks cold all day.
See The Big Bobber Floating Cooler on Amazon
See The Big Bobber Floating Cooler on BassPro
See The Big Bobber Floating Cooler on Cabela’s
Why trust us
Having lived in Texas, I learned the best way to keep cool was to get in the water. I spent many summers tubing down Central Texas rivers with a cold one in hand and an inflatable cooler not far behind.
Who this is for
This guide is for anyone looking for the best floating coolers. Whether you plan to host parties in your backyard pool, tube down your local river, or hang out at the lake with your buds, there’s a model here for everyone.
How we picked
We selected the best floating coolers by looking at hundreds of customer reviews, considering the best sellers, and including our personal favorites. We wanted to ensure there were nimble options for rivers, large floating base style options for groups, and smaller options for pools.
How we tested
I tested the floating coolers in this guide on lakes and rivers in the Pacific Northwest. For the inflatable floating cooler models, I towed them behind my paddleboard to see how well they floated and how hard they were to tow. With the ICEMULE cooler, I usually keep it on my board but have the peace of mind that if I capsized, it would stay afloat. Both tested models made several trips to lakes and rivers.
Features to look for in floating coolers
Materials
If you’ve never bought a floating cooler before, it can be tricky to know what kind of materials you should be on the lookout for. This is why it’s important to read the reviews and research the best materials for the best cooling ability. PVC or vinyl tends to be high quality and durable. Most popular floating coolers like Big Bobber, Intex Mega Chill, and Aqua Oasis feature these materials.
Effectiveness
There’s no point in buying a floating cooler that doesn’t keep your drinks cool. The better product quality you buy, the more information the company will provide on insulation. If you’re just purchasing a float to hold your current cooler, then you don’t have to concern yourself too much with insulation. Just make sure it’s stable enough to hold that weight. You’ll want to look for notes on ice retention to understand how well your floating ice chest performs.
Size
The bigger the float, the bigger the hold. If you’re planning parties, you’ll need something larger to cater to all your friends and family.
Durability
Pool products and inflatable items aren’t often as durable as you would like. There is the risk of the product deteriorating, ripping, and even permanent deflation. Ensure you research the durability of each product. High quality is essential when it comes to floating coolers.
Portability
Whether at home, down the river, or on the lake, you need a floating beer cooler that can easily deflate and inflate. If you are not using an inflatable cooler, your floating cooler should still be portable and easy to carry. The better the quality of the product, the easier it should be to inflate and deflate.
Stability
When using your inflatable cooler float, you want to be confident that you can leave drinks open and unattended without the cooler capsizing. Consider reviews and the product description, ensuring that they talk openly about stability. This is especially important if you’re looking for an inflatable drink cooler that can withstand a lot of weight. You don’t want a capsized cooler ruining all the fun!
Style
So you’ve picked something that suits all your needs, but does it suit your tastes? Floating coolers come in various styles and designs, some of which are a little more tongue-in-cheek than others. If you need a more serious floating cooler for more intense activities like kayaking or fishing, then an inflatable pirate ship might not be right for you. However, if you need a floating pool cooler that will be functional and entertain the kids, you might be headed in the right direction.
Floating cooler FAQ
Q: Where can you use floating coolers?
You can use floating coolers anywhere there is water. You can use them for parties, fishing, lake days, tubing, paddleboarding, or as a floating base for your group to return to.
Q: Can a floating cooler sink?
A floating cooler could sink if the mechanisms that make it float are damaged. Inflatable coolers could have their sides popped or cut. Generally, damage or improper use is what would make a floating cooler sink.
Q: Do regular coolers float?
No, most traditional cooler options and regular land cooler models would sink in water.
Q: What are the benefits of a floating cooler?
A floating cooler means your cooler can stay with you when you are on the water. This keeps your drinks accessible and helps keep you hydrated.
Sources:
- Tips For Tubing With A Cooler – ATXcursions
