The Best Floating Coolers To Keep Your Drinks Chilled In 2022

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.