Best Patio Coolers to Make Your Summer Parties Spectacular and Never-ending

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 24, 2024
Do you like having BBQs but don't want to whip up and down to your fridge for a chilled bottle of lemonade or beer? Well, you don't ...Read more
PROS

With double doors, you will get full access to your drinks from both sides, and with a bottle cap catcher, you will keep your backyard clean. Due to big and durable castors, you can easily move this cooler around.

CONS

The body of the cooler gets hot in the sun.

OUR VERDICT

If you like having barbecues with your folks on hot summer days, you will definitely like this model. Since it has a lot of room, you can fill it once and have cold drinks for the whole day.

detailed parameters
Type

Chest Rolling Cooler

Capacity

80 quarts

Features
  • Bottle opener
  • Bottle cap catcher
  • Two carrying/pulling handles
  • Drainage hole
  • Four castors
Dimensions

37"L x 19"W x 34 1/2"H

Weight

42.5 pounds

Warranty

30 days from Amazon

PROS

Due to such accessories as a wire basket for cups and a towel bar, this cooler is much more convenient to use. The storage door will save your drinks from an exposure to direct sunlight.

CONS

There are no carrying handles.

OUR VERDICT

With a resin wicker design, the Suncast DCCW3000 will be very attractive for those who want to place it by the pool or in the garden. In this cooler, you will refrigerate enough drinks for a middle-sized company.

detailed parameters
Type

Chest Rolling Cooler

Capacity

77 quarts

Features
  • Basket for cups
  • Towel bar
  • Additional storage
  • Drainage hole
  • Castors
Dimensions

34" x 26" x 22"

Weight

31 pounds

Warranty

10 years

PROS

Owing to all-weather materials used in the construction and an aluminum tray, this patio cooler is very durable and long-lasting. Plus, you can use its cap separately as a tray.

CONS

The produced ice may melt fast under the direct sunlight.

OUR VERDICT

With two-color netting, this model is similar to rattan furniture and will be an excellent addition to your patio. Also, it is quite space-saving and will be ideal for a small terrace.

detailed parameters
Type

Bucket Standing Cooler

Capacity

~44 quarts

Features
  • Extra rack
  • Removable drop
  • Tray top
Dimensions

21" W x 21" D x 32.75" H

Weight

15 pounds

Warranty

60 days

PROS

Being made of eucalyptus hardwood, the body of this cooler is moisture resistant. Plus, its smell scares away some insects (flies and ants), so you may not worry that they get into the cooler.

CONS

Carrying handles are thin and may cause discomfort.

OUR VERDICT

The Merry Garden MPG-PC01 is not very high, so you can take the drink out of it sitting in your patio chair. Plus, due to its simple design, it will fit any interior.

detailed parameters
Type

Chest Standing Cooler

Capacity

34 quarts

Features
  • Carrying/pulling handles
  • Drainage hole
Dimensions

17.2" x 23" x 20.5"

Weight

36.4 pounds

Warranty

30 days from Amazon

PROS

All metallic parts are covered with powder paint thus they are corrosion resistant. Also, it has a polyurethane inner liner, so you may not worry about the leaks.

CONS

Its feet may get slightly scratched on a solid surface.

OUR VERDICT

The Leigh Country TX 93728 has an unmatchable design of the 19th century. So it will be quite attractive for those who are fond of vintage furniture and US history.

detailed parameters
Type

Chest Standing Cooler

Capacity

54 quarts

Features
  • Carrying/pulling handles
  • Bottle opener
  • Drainage hole
Dimensions

19" L x 27" W x 30" H

Weight

39 pounds

Warranty

1 year

Keep Everything at Hand

This bright cooler surely attracts much of attention. It is made of steel and has a quite stylish design that makes it almost ideal for your patio or the area around your swimming pool. However, you are not limited to one color. You can select among few options or even get an undyed model with steel gloss. The capacity of the storage space is 80 quarts so you can chill about 100 cans and there will still be some space for ice. Also, convenient double doors enable you to get your drinks out from any side fast and easy. This solution allows keeping the steady temperature inside the cooler in comparison to the models with the solid top as the cold air is not vent off fast. If you want to use your Outsunny cooler as a basket for drinks, you can easily remove the cap because it isn't affixed to the body with loops, it just lays on the top. As for the water from melted ice and snow, you can drain it through the drainage hole easily. You will find it on the back side of the cooler. 

For those who prefer to drink beer or lemonade from glass bottles, there is a quite handy attachment on the front. The model features a built-in bottle opener, so you won't have to go to bring a special tool for opening your bottle, everything you need is already on your patio cooler. You will also notice a large rack under this rolling ice chest where you can put your patio stuff. It offers enough space for such useful accessories as glasses, shakers, towels to wipe yourself after swimming in the pool or for bottles, and for other drinks. Besides, the Outsunny has very convenient carrying handles that are good not only for moving the cooler but also for hanging napkins on them. Undoubtedly, with the patio cooler by Outsunny, your backyard will become an even better place for BBQs and parties. However, there is one more thing you should take into your account - the dimensions of the model, just to make sure you have enough room for it. 

You Can Easily Handle It Alone

This patio cooler may seem quite big, but don't worry you can move it around by yourself. Four swivel large-diameter castors guarantee free running and simple maneuvering on a level surface, grass, and dry ground alike. Plus, two of the castors are equipped with pedal stoppers that prevent the cooler from rolling down an inclined surface. As for carrying, for example, down the stairs, this model has two wide handles, so it is quite possible to transport it by yourself. However, due to the weight of this cooler (42.5 pounds), it is better to ask someone to assist you. 

Anytime Access to the Ice

As we have mentioned before, such patio coolers have the same principle of operation as thermoses. It means that cooling something inside them requires an ice. Since this model allows you to chill many bottles, you will need much ice for this. If you don't want to go to the store each time you have a BBQ, you can make ice with an ice mold in a chest freezer. With such a freezer you will always have enough ice for your drinks and cocktails. 

Keep Your Backyard Clean With a Cap Catcher

 

Last updated price $269.98
Stock In stock
ASIN B00LGZUYG8

For a Little BBQ Party

The Suncast DCCW3000 is an excellent cooler that can hold up to 70 bottles. It is made of durable polypropylene that is direct sunlight-resistant and can endure different weather conditions that is a big plus for patio furniture. Another advantage of this model is its geometrical shape. Having a square bottom and the 34-feet height makes the DCCW3000 a universal solution that you can place next to your grill, on the patio, or even in the kitchen. By the way, you can put some meat in this cooler to keep it cold and have it by your side instead of reaching your fridge for a new portion of this food. With such a compact size and four swivel castors, the cooler is quite transportable and easily ensures a good maneuverability. Obviously, you won't experience any difficulties when moving this model around. However, it is better to place it on a solid and unruffled surface since the use of small-diameter wheels on the cooler makes it very difficult to move it on the grass or soil. 

As for the inside container, it is made from moderately thick vinyl, which means the ice will start to melt in a few hours after you fill the cooler. Still, all the drinks and food inside will remain cool for about 5-6 hours that is more than enough for a BBQ party. With that, the light (31 pounds only) weight of the product makes it an advantageous solution in terms of capacity/weight ratio. Besides, the water from the melted ice inside is not a big problem since you can drain it through a special hole and refill the cooler. 

Quite Useful Accessories

Particular attention should be given to additional options and accessories that allow for simpler use. There is a cabin near the cooler bottom where you can keep glasses, a bottle opener, or drinks that don't need to be cooled. Also, this model features a door that protects the DCCW3000 contents from direct sunlight. We consider the available towel bar to be another useful extra of Suncast Cooler. With such a useful feature you always can keep a towel at hand to quickly dry a wet bottle. Finally, there is a small lock on the lid of the cooler to keep it tightly shut. Therefore, you may not worry that insects will get inside the cooler. 

Minimum Tools Required

As the most of the patio furniture models from Suncast, you get this cooler disassembled when you unpack the box. Although, due to a smart design, high-class materials and structural elements used, the assembling of this cooler won't take you more than 10-15 minutes. Plus, you won't need many tools for that, a Philips screwdriver will suffice. And the most important thing, you will find a detailed manual in the box, so even if you are new to this, you will assemble the Suncast DCCW3000 easily. 

No Need to Bend Over

You will notice that there is another helpful accessory of this model - a wire basket on one side of the cooler. It can hold the most important things for you, such as glasses for your drinks. So you won't need to lean each time you want to pour a cocktail in a glass for your guest. 

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
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ASIN B004PCHHVE

It Is More Than Just a Cooler

This wicker ice bucket set will be a good addition to your terrace. With rattan furniture design, this set will blend with your interior perfectly. This cooler has a wicker cap that can also be used as a tray and a galvanized bucket for ice. The frame of the stand is constructed of aluminum pipes thus the cooler is quite durable. And the wicker cap is made of polymer material, so it is UV resistant and easy to clean. In other words, due to its strong structure and rugged materials used for its build, you can safely place this cooler in open space without worrying about precipitation and temperature drop. 

At the same time, we find the model multifunctionality to be quite rich. Not only can you use the Wicker Patio Cooler for its direct purpose, filling the cooler with ice and chilling your drinks in this device, you can also close it with a cap, and it will serve you as a patio table since its height is not bigger than that of average patio tables. The dimensions of the Wicker Patio model makes it easy for you and your friends to sit around it on patio chairs chatting and drinking some refreshing drinks on a hot day. It is convenient to do so also because of the shape of the stand. If you take the ice bucket out, you can use that free space as an additional cabinet to store the tea stuff. That is to say, with this patio cooler, you get several accessories at once. 

Another boon of the Best Choice Products Wicker Patio Cooler is that it has an extra rack under the ice bucket. Of course, many models have such option, but this one is high-sided. That's why you can keep glasses and other fragile staff on it safely. The only common thing we haven't found in this model is a drainage hole. However, you don't need one when using this cooler. The ice bucket has two folding handles, so you can get it out of the main basin with their help easily and drain water. 

Easy to Install

As for the convenience of use, the cooler is pretty lightweight (just 15 pounds) and easy to carry. However, we recommend carrying it around empty since there are no carrying handles and the model is very capacious (19" in diameter) and may feel very heavy when filled in. The feet of the stand attach to the wicker basket at a small angle to vertical and are furnished with rubber patches. Therefore, the cooler stands steady both on the solid level ground and wet grass. You should also take into your account that the cooler is supplied in a knocked-down form. Still, the assembling process will hardly take you more than 10 minutes. All you need for that is a Phillips screwdriver. 

It Will Fit Any Interior

Due to its double-colored wicker-work cover, this model will blend with almost any furniture, both in your garden and next to your pool. If you are selecting furniture for your backyard, we recommend considering storage benches with a compartment for wool blankets that you can use, for instance, when gathering with friends on a breezy evening. For those who like freshly-made meat with a bottle of cold drink, a charcoal grill will be an irreplaceable cooking utensil. In case you don't like tinkering with charcoal to keep the grill at a glow, we suggest selecting an electric grill then. 

You Can Always Use It Separately

 

Last updated price $0.00
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ASIN B014I8PWMK

A Cooler Chest

If you want to purchase a small cooler that you can place, for example, on your patio or in your garden, the Merry Garden MPG-PC01 is the right choice. Despite its compact size, this model looks quite impressive and will fit in harmoniously with other elements of the interior of your house. Such effect is mostly achieved with natural materials used in the MPG-PC01 structure and its quite simple design. The body of the cooler is made of eucalyptus hardwood, thus, it is quite durable compared to previous models. However, we don't recommend you to leave it in the rain outside since the hardwood may deform and become unattractive because of a high humidity. 

The design of this patio cooler brings it quite a simple yet pleasant look. It resembles a chest and has a flat cover, so you can use it for a table. As for its intended purpose, the interior compartment is made of a dual-layer plastic with air space between the layers. This solution allows keeping a steady temperature inside the Merry Garden longer. Plus, the model tank closes tightly that also contributes to controlling the inside temperature and protecting your food and drinks from bugs and ants. The capacity of the MPG-PC01 is no slouch either. This model enables you to chill 20-30 cans or 2 tray packs of bottled beer in it. With such parameters, this cooler will be an excellent option for a BBQ in a small company, because after filling it once you will be supplied with cold drinks for the whole day. 

You Don't Need to Hold the Lid

What's worth a notice about the product, aside from its attractive appearance and dimensions, are the included useful accessories. The lid has two folding rods that keep it open. They also serve as stoppers that prevent the lid from bending back, so your cooler won't topple over. There are also two folding handles that can be locked in a horizontal position so that it is convenient to carry the cooler or put it into a niche. However, these handles are a bit thin, so you should wear gloves when transporting it filled. 

Very Simple Cleaning

A removable container is another pleasant thing about this model. So when you want to clean your cooler, just take it out of the wooden body and wash it with warm water and cleansing agent. The body, contrary to the container, is better to be wiped with a wet rag with no chemical agents used. As for the melted water drain, there is a drainage hole on the back side of the cooler. To our mind, the maintenance of the Merry Garden cooler is quite simple, and won't take you much time. 

For Years to Come

Unlike many similar models, the loops of this one are made from metal. Therefore, the device is quite wear-proof and with proper care will serve you well for a long time.

Last updated price $0.00
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ASIN B00559WM4S

An Eye-Catching Design

When we talk about design, it is quite difficult to ignore the merits of the TX 93728 Leigh Country Cooler. It looks like a vintage chest, but in fact, it is a very capacious wooden patio cooler. Indeed, being painted in gray and decorated with metal stars and horseshoes, it is an example of a unique southern style. However, these are not for decoration only. One of the horseshoes serves as a cooler regulator handle that makes this model more complete. Moreover, all wooden parts of this patio cooler are finished with a moisture-repellent coating, and the metal parts are covered with powder paint. That allows you to use the TX 93728 outdoors all year round. However, the model will not only fit your patio but will also blend with your home interior perfectly. Plus, the Leigh Country model has a handle on each side and is very convenient to carry around for one person as it has the width of 27" and weighs 29 pounds. 

As for the height of this patio cooler, it is 30" measured from the top to bottom of any of the four solid legs, with which the cooler is equipped. Therefore, if you place it next to your grill, you can get your cold drink out quickly and without getting down or getting away from the meat you grill. We have also found the bottle opener on the front side to be quite an appealing feature. It may seem an unimportant feature, but often times it is the only thing that is missing when you need to open bottles while having a party. Inside the cooler, you will easily find space for up to 50 12oz cans or several packs of bottled beer. 

The only thing we want to emphasize is that there are no patches to protect the TX 93728 feet bottoms from potential damage. For this reason, we recommend you to place it on a soft surface, or to attach rubber patches to the feet, which you can easily find in any construction store. 

Forget About Leakage

According to some customer reviews, previous models by this manufacturer tended to develop a leakage with time. However, with the TX 93728 model, the maker has taken into consideration all the predecessor products' faults. The internal sidewalls of this cooler are made of solid polyurethane that is very durable and corrosion resistant, so you can have no worries about it letting you down one day. You will also notice that the drainage faucet is on the bottom. It seems that it's not very convenient to squat each time you need to drain the cooler, however, such approach allows for draining all the accumulated water. The faucet itself is made of composite material. That is to say, the manufacturer has eliminated all the problems occurred in previous models and prolonged the service life of this cooler.

Party Big

As we have mentioned before, the capacity of this patio cooler table is 54 quarts, and it will easily chill drinks for a middle-sized company. However, as a rule, when you run a party near the pool with a lot of guests, using one cooler may not be convenient enough. In this case, you can use ice buckets in addition to your country-style cooler. Just fill some buckets with ice from the cooler, put a few bottles in, and place them next to the pool to save your guests going to the opposite side of your backyard each time they want to take a fresh bottle with a refreshing drink. 

In a Wild West Style

 

Last updated price $167.83
Stock In stock
ASIN B00T0CPC98

What is a Patio Cooler?

You can hardly find a person who doesn't like spending time with friends near the pool, having a barbecue on a hot sunny day. If you don't like going to the kitchen each time you want to take a fresh drink from the fridge, you should definitely pay attention to patio coolers. Patio coolers have the same principle of operation as thermoses. Due to special inner walls design and materials, the temperature inside the cooler remains practically constant regardless of an ambient temperature. For this reason, after you fill it with ice and drinks, they will stay cool for a few hours and up to a few days. Plus, small coolers dimensions allow you to place them everywhere you want. You will also notice that they are available in many different colors, designs, and materials, so you can easily select the best one for you. Moreover, you could also get interested in patio umbrellas that will protect you from the baking sun. And if you usually relax under a covered shed, consider our misting fans review. Using the fans greatly helps reduce air stuffiness and make it more humid. In this review, you will find the five most interesting and high-quality models of patio coolers. We hope this information will be of use for you.

What Features to Compare

Type

The first question you need to find an answer to when choosing a patio cooler is how you are going to use it since there are many different models with many features available on the market. If you have a lot of space in your backyard and want to have cold drinks always at hand, you should pay your attention to the on-castors models. Due to such design, you will be able to move the cooler when you need to. In case you want to place a patio cooler near the sofa on the verandah, go for standing coolers that are not too high or not equipped with legs, so you will take a new fresh drink without getting up and going to the fridge. And for those of you who like having barbecues and parties near the pool, we recommend models with legs that allow for taking a drink without bending over. As for the style of the cooler exterior, this is up to your personal preferences. 

Capacity

Since the quality of your leisure and the convenience of a cooler device use will depend on the capacity of a patio cooler, don't forget to check on this feature too. It is obvious that big coolers can store many bottles. However, they require more space and ice than smaller ones do. Therefore, for large gatherings we recommend you to purchase a model with 75 and more quarts capacity. For the smaller group of 5-6 people, a cooler with the capacity within 40 - 75 quarts will be enough. Also, take into consideration the dimensions of the cooler, so that you find enough space for it in your backyard. 

Ease of use 

Another important aspect you need to clarify is the set of accessories that comes with the model you have chosen. For instance, the availability of large handles and big castors makes moving the cooler around more convenient. Moreover, if the model has a bottle opener and a cap catcher, it will dispense you from cleaning up the mess next morning. Also, some products allow you to drain water accumulated inside through a special drainage hole. And in case there is an additional storage space, you can place some BBQ stuff there.

FAQ:

Q: How should I clean my patio cooler?

A: Well, the way of washing your cooler will vary with the type of materials that it was made of. As a rule, the internal storage is made of polyurethane, so you can wash it with all-purpose cleaners and a brush. You may also use power washes. However, you will have to adjust them by diluting with water, for example. As for the body of a cooler, you should clean it carefully. If it is wooden, you can wipe it out with a rag that was moistened in soapy water. In any case, you should better check on the way of cleaning in the manual, so that you will wash your patio cooler appropriately.

Q: How should I store my patio cooler in winter?

A: The best way to protect your patio cooler is to keep it indoors, especially in winter. Though most of the models are made moisture and corrosion resistant, it is advisable to store the cooler in your garage, for example, so that it won’t lose its appealing looks under severe weather conditions.   

Q: How can I prevent the ice from a fast melting?

A: In spite of the fact that all modern patio coolers won't let the ice inside to melt for a few hours or even the whole day, there are a few tricks that may help you to slow down the melting a bit more. For starters, you could use an aluminum foil to line the cooler. Just cover the inner container with one layer before putting the ice inside to keep it from melting a bit longer. In addition, you can place your cooler in a shade to prevent its body warming up fast in the sun. Also, you can try to fill up the ice more often, as renewing the ice inside from time to time will keep the container cold and prevent the rest of the ice from getting warm. Alternatively, fill your cooler with large ice cubes since they melt slower, or add some salt to the ice as in some cases it also helps to slow down the ice melting. 

Q: Can I chill food in my patio cooler?

A: Yes, in fact, you can. However, you need to remember that your cooler is not a freezer and you shouldn't leave food in it for long periods of time as it may get spoiled soon. On the other hand, you can store meat for your BBQ in there when preparing to grill, so that you won't need to go to the kitchen to take a fresh portion. 

Sources:

1. Josh Aldridge How To: Choose A Cooler For The Outdoors, GearJunkie. June 8, 2016.

2. Linda Rodriguez McRobbie The Surprisingly Cool History of Ice, Mental Floss. February 10, 2016.

3. Bryan Menegus The Smart Way to Make Perfectly Clear Cocktail Ice, SPLOID. March 21, 2016.

4. How to Open a Bottle Without a Bottle Opener, wikiHow.

5. Alison Spiegel How to turbo-chill a bucket of beers, Tasting Table. July 14, 2016.

6. Max Mutter How to Choose a Cooler, outdoorgearlab. May 3, 2016.

7. How to Cool Beers Without a Fridge, wikiHow.

8. 22 Easy and Fun DIY Outdoor Furniture Ideas, architectureartdesigns.

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