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I thrive on warm weather and cold drinks. As soon as things heat up, I’m headed out for picnics, barbeques, and backyard football. In doing so, I’ve discovered that nothing is a bigger buzzkill than a lukewarm soda.
That’s why I decided to get a patio cooler, as I knew that the BEST patio coolers would keep my drinks chilly and refreshing while also offering ease of use and outdoor durability like soft cooler. Now, I can’t wait to get back outside to share some ice-cold brews with my friends, whether it’s on the road or just in my backyard.
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- Dual table and cooler design
- 7.5-gallon drink storage capacity
- Sleek resin construction
- Easy clean up with drainage plug
- Lightweight packaging makes it easy to pack up and transport
This slick-looking patio bar blends in great with the furniture. It also offers a unique design that enables you to use it as a table with an adjustable height of 10 inches.
Underneath the lid, you can store up to 7.5 gallons of iced drinks. There’s a convenient drainage plug in the bottom so you can EASILY clean up any spills. Now is the time to buy a Keter Pacific Cool Bar.
Top 11 Best Patio Cooler Reviews
The Keter Pacific Cool Bar is what I would consider one of the best outdoor patio coolers. What you’ll notice right away is its appearance. Unlike many other patio coolers, it will easily blend in with your backyard furniture. It lives up to its marketing as an all-in-one cooler and coffee table.
In addition to sprucing up your patio, it also boasts a 7.5-gallon capacity, so you don’t have to worry about running out of drinks. The only downside to this patio cooler is that its usage is less flexible than other models.
Although this cooler isn’t too large or bulky, it doesn’t have wheels. However, its weather-resistant material makes it perfect for your backyard BBQs. Just remember to bring it inside during the winter.
Who Should Get This?
This cooler is PERFECT for anyone looking for a stylish high capacity model that doubles as a table and a cold drink dispenser. You can’t go wrong with this cooler.
Pros
- Unique, functional design
- Portable Dimensions: 19.5” x 32.2”
- Large hidden cooler blends in with backyard furniture
- Weather-resistant rattan material
Cons
- Not as convenient to transport as a cooler with wheels
If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, the Arctic Zone Hot/Cold Insulated Collapsible Picnic Cooler won’t disappoint.
Despite its affordable price point, it has a sturdy design. Its leak-proof lining and super foam insulation keep cold drinks cold and hot things hot.
It can be easily collapsed and stored anywhere. On top of all that, it is portable and easy to carry with its built-in shoulder strap. You won’t sacrifice size for portability. This cooler can carry a massive 48 cans, meaning you won’t run out of chilled beverages.
The only downside is that it can be hard to carry around such a large cooler, but thankfully the load becomes more comfortable the more people drink.
Who Should Get This?
This cooler is perfect for anyone who needs to bring a lot of cold drinks to an event. It’s also fantastic for anyone watching their budget.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Collapsible design for easy storage
- Included shoulder strap
- Multiple color options
Cons
- Bigger size makes it hard to carry around
A rolling patio cooler is incredibly convenient. Being able to wheel around drinks, rather than have everyone mill around one spot, opens up your events’ flow. I love the Permasteel 80 Quart Portable Rolling Patio Cooler.
This massive 110-can cooler is perfect for big events out on the patio. Because of its wheels and side handles, you can easily move it around the venue even when it’s fully loaded, so you can make sure the drinks get to where they need to.
It’s also got a weather-resistant and polished steel-coated finish that will complement existing patio furniture.
Its only real downside is its large size. The design is bulky, which makes sense, given its carrying capacity.
Who Should Get This?
This cooler is fantastic for the weekend patio warriors who love hosting big events in their homes. This model can SINGLE-HANDEDLY supply an entire party.
Pros
- Easy to move with wheels and side handles
- Built-in bottle opener and cap catcher
- Large capacity of 110 cans
Cons
- Bulky and hard to transport
This is yet another cooler that wins points with me for its aesthetic charm. What could inspire happy nostalgia better than an officially Coca-Cola branded product that looks like it rolled right out of the ‘60s?
But even beyond appearances, this cooler is a definite winner. Its sizable 60-quart capacity means you can bring as many drinks and consumables as you’ll need.
Its strong insulation can keep drinks cold for days at a time. And, it comes with a retro double lid, so people can pop it open from both sides without getting in each other’s way.
The steel towel bar means you can quickly clean up spills instead of searching for a clean towel, and its drain and plug system allows for easy draining the day after.
Who Should Get This?
If you’re looking for a cooler that evokes simpler times, then this is a great choice. Make this cooler the centerpiece at your next patio get-together.
Pros
- Stylish retro aesthetic
- Easy to roll and move around
- 60-quart capacity
- 3 fun color combinations
Cons
- Paying a premium for a brand
If you’re the type of person that is more likely to hit a trail or go camping rather than stay in the comfort of your patio, the Carhartt Unisex Delux Work Cooler might be for you. The 24-can cooler works if you’re just using it on your deck, but it truly shines when you bring it outdoors.
Its small size may limit the number of drinks you can bring, but the comfortable shoulder strap means you’ll carry it with ease. It’s also constructed out of heavy-duty polyester, meaning it’ll survive harsh outside conditions.
If you’re hiking and want a quick drink, the quick access lid lets you get to your cold beverage without zipping and unzipping. This feature is also fantastic if you just want a few cold ones on the patio.
Who Should Get This?
For those always on the go who need a portable cooler that can double as a patio cooler and an outdoors cooler, this is an excellent choice.
Pros
- The small size makes it easy to carry around
- Heavy-duty material stands up to rain and dirt
- Quick access lid on top
Cons
- You can’t bring as many drinks
- ONLY one color
The only things that the Backyard Expressions Patio Outdoor Beverage Cooler gets wrong are its small capacity and lack of wheels. While it does have side handles that make it easy to lift, this isn’t as easy to use as a full-on rolling cooler. And because it can only hold 45 cans, you may find yourself needing to restock it more often than you’d like.
Those small issues aside, this bottle-opener included cooler is an excellent choice. Its stylish rustic wood looks fit in anywhere, with both color options looking superb. The wood finish means you don’t need to worry about weathering as that will only improve its looks.
Just imagine opening up your next patio party with this great-looking cooler as the centerpiece.
Who Should Get This?
This is a wonderful option for those who want a stylish cooler that can stay outside on their patio all the time.
Pros
- Wood finish means that any weathering IMPROVES looks
- Stylish color options of rustic brown and coastal grey
- Lid props open on its own
- Side handles to transport
Cons
- Relatively small 45-can holding capacity
- No wheels, so needs to be lifted
This cooler offers a lot of what the Coca-Cola model provides but at a lower price point that I just love. Although its design is a bit derivative and generic, its durable steel frame and retro sensibilities make it a must get for fans of bargains in the mid-range cooler market.
More importantly, it’s chic looks complement its fantastic features. This cooler excels at its job, with a 73-liter capacity that holds beverages and food with ease. It also comes paired with a bottle opener and cap catcher so you can get to the drinking and fun faster.
I was able to clean spills or stains easily with its built-in drainage hole, and the dual lid made it easy for me to grab things out of the cooler. If you can get past its lack of originality, it’s a well-priced and robust addition to any patio.
Who Should Get This?
Those who want a cooler that can do it all at an affordable mid-range price point should look no further. The Frigidaire model does it well, even if it didn’t do it first.
Pros
- Durable steel frame
- Bottle opener and cap catcher included
- 73-liter capacity
- Retro metal design
- Wheels make it easy to move
Cons
- Derivative design
Whether in its backpack or its handbag form, this lightweight cooler manages to pull it off with style. To me, it looks like a bag from a dystopian future society, which I LOVE.
But beyond this unique appearance, the VAKKER 36 Insulated Cooler Bag, unfortunately, has a limited capacity at just 36 cans. There won’t be enough space for all the food and beverages you need to bring for larger social gatherings.
However, it makes up for this with its portability. It’s incredibly easy to bring around, and its rugged material protects it from overuse and accidental scuffing.
It’s also waterproof and capable of floating, so I don’t even have to worry if I drop it in a lake, making it fantastic for boaters.
Who Should Get This?
Those with a bent for sci-fi settings may already find themselves drawn to this model. If you can get past its small size, there’s a lot of versatility to appreciate.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Keep ice solid for 3 days
- Portable, stylish bag design
Cons
- Only holds 36 cans
This is one expensive cooler that is (mostly) worth the asking price. It makes an excellent first impression with a professional premium rattan build that reflects the higher cost. Move beyond the superficial, however, and you’ll find a model that succeeds in all ways but one.
Its 80-quart capacity reflects the giant in its name. Whether you need to bring a couple of 6-packs or keep a charcuterie board cold, this cooler will be up to the task. It’s fantastic for large events like weddings or family reunions.
The design is ergonomic, with carefully placed bottle openers and side handles and two wheels to lock for stability. You’ll NEVER have any issues using this model, regardless of mobility issues.
Who Should Get This?
If you’re looking for a high-end well designed cooler and don’t need it to be the most durable, this model could be the one for you.
Pros
- Locking wheels for mobility and stability
- 36 hours cool time
- Ergonomically designed for ease of use
- Nice rattan finish
Cons
- Rust and durability issues
Not everyone is looking for the most expensive cooler. Sometimes you just need something that’s travel-friendly, affordable, and multifunctional. The Permasteel 14 Quart Picnic Cooler has a sleek metal finish that means it’ll look great on your patio or at the beach. It’s the model that can do it all.
The carrying handles and small size give off strong picnic vibes and invite you to head outside at the first sign of the sun. Its steel construction will survive the bumps and falls that happen on a fun day out.
Unfortunately, some of its advantages also turn into drawbacks. The small dimensions limit how much soda and salami you can bring, and the metal material makes it much heavier than its size would indicate. This cooler is great for beaches, picnics, and the patio, but not so much for hikes and camping.
Who Should Get This?
This is the model for those looking for an excellent low-range deal that looks better than it should. Probably NOT the best fit for hardcore hikers.
Pros
- Sleek portable design works for multiple purposes
- Good price point
- Durable and usable in many places
Cons
- Small dimensions: 11.6” x 9.25” x 14.2”
- Heavier than it looks
The Merry Garden Wooden Patio Cooler is an excellent example of a simple, timeless design. It’s so easy to use that it even comes pre-assembled, meaning all you have to do is pull it out of the box and fill it with ice to get going.
Its unassuming wooden finish means that it’ll weather well and always look timeless on your deck. It can slot in anywhere while still carrying all your drinks with its substantial size and clean square shape.
This cooler is only let down by its construction. The wood finish is made out of plastic, and numerous reviewers have reported damage to the piece upon arrival. And while it does its job of keeping your hors d’oeuvres and spirits cool, it doesn’t come with the extra functions that other models have.
Who Should Get This?
If you want a simple, easy-to-use version of a patio cooler, this model won’t disappoint. It’s easy setup means you’ll be serving your drinks in no time.
Pros
- Simple straight to the point design
- The large size and wood finish
- Comes pre-assembled
Cons
- No extra functions
- Cheap plastic exterior
Final Verdict: Best Patio Cooler For Your Money
The Keter Pacific Cool Bar remains the single best patio cooler. It’s one of the few offering a dual use as both an elegant table and a relatively large capacity cooler. And, it comes with a fashionable design that lets it blend in on any patio. The best part is that it’s also affordable – as in a steal at the price it’s currently going for. Try it, and I know you’ll LOVE it.
