A light-colored cooler will keep ice longer.

Yes. White, tan, or other light colors reflect sunlight, so the cooler stays cooler inside. Dark colors absorb heat, which makes the ice melt faster.

This isn’t a marketing gimmick — it’s basic physics. Dark surfaces absorb more solar radiation. If your cooler sits in direct sun, that extra heat gets transferred inside. A light-colored cooler reflects most of that energy away. In the shade, the difference shrinks, but in full sun you might get an extra day of ice.

If you’re buying a new cooler for beach trips or camping, skip the black. Get white or tan. Your beer will thank you.