An ice bucket is the simplest way to keep drinks cold within arm’s reach, whether that is a bottle of wine on the table or a tub of beers by the barbecue. The choice comes down to scale: a neat insulated bucket for a few drinks, or a big galvanized tub for a crowd.
I have picked the ice buckets and beverage tubs worth buying across every occasion, and set out how to choose. Every pick links to its page on the shop, and the boxes show the current price.
The best ice buckets and beverage tubs, ranked
| Rank | Pick | Type | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oggi Insulated Ice Bucket | Insulated tabletop bucket | Keeping a few bottles cold at the table | $35.49 |
| 2 | Ice Bucket with Lid and Scoop | Bucket with lid and scoop | Cocktails and slow-melting ice | $32.97 |
| 3 | Behrens 16-Gallon Galvanized Tub | Galvanized party tub | A crowd of beers by the barbecue | $86.03 |
| 4 | Swell Stainless Ice Bucket with Tongs | Stainless with tongs | A smart tabletop look | $37.00 |
| 5 | Twine Cheers Beverage Tub | Rustic beverage tub | Entertaining and outdoor spreads | $37.96 |
The top picks at a glance
Swipe through the shortlist, then read the full write-up on any pick below.
What the top ice buckets cost
Ice buckets are mostly cheap, but the big galvanized party tubs cost more simply because they are bigger lumps of metal. Here is what the shortlist costs so you can match the spend to the occasion.
The takeaway: buy for the size of your gatherings. A small insulated bucket is perfect for the table, but you will want a proper tub the first time you host a barbecue.
How to choose an ice bucket
Three things decide which ice bucket suits you. Match them to how you entertain and the choice is easy.
- Size. A tabletop bucket holds a bottle or two, a beverage tub holds a case of beer with ice. Buy for the number of drinks you need cold at once.
- Insulation. Double-walled and insulated buckets keep ice solid for longer and do not sweat onto the table. Single-wall galvanized tubs are cheaper but melt faster and drip.
- Lid and extras. A lid slows melting and a scoop or tongs keep hands out of the ice. Nice for cocktails and a tidy table, not essential for a garden tub.
- Look. Stainless and insulated buckets suit a smart table, galvanized tubs suit a rustic or outdoor spread. Pick the one that matches the setting.
Match the bucket to the party. A neat insulated bucket is perfect on the table, but the first barbecue you host you will wish you had bought the big tub.
Dan Smullen, Beer Is My Life
Best Overall: Oggi Insulated Ice Bucket
For most people this is the ice bucket to get. It is double-walled stainless, so ice lasts longer and the outside stays dry on the table, and the 4-quart size handles a bottle or a few cans with ice to spare. Classic looks, solid build and no fuss. The safe pick for a home bar or a dinner table.
- Double-walled, ice lasts longer
- Stays dry outside, no table rings
- Smart, classic stainless look
- Right size for a bottle or a few cans
- Too small for a big party
- No tongs included
Best with Lid and Scoop: Insulated Bucket Set
A lid makes a real difference: it slows the melt and keeps the ice clean between rounds. This insulated bucket comes with a lid and a scoop, so it is the pick for cocktails or any table where the ice needs to last the evening. Tidy, practical and well reviewed.
- Lid slows melting and keeps ice clean
- Includes a scoop for tidy serving
- Insulated to hold ice longer
- Great for cocktails and long evenings
- Lid is another thing to store
- Modest capacity for a crowd
Best Party Tub: Behrens 16-Gallon Galvanized Tub
When you are catering a crowd, nothing beats a big galvanized tub. This 16-gallon Behrens swallows a case of beer and a bag of ice, and the weatherproof steel shrugs off a summer of barbecues. It is not subtle and it will drip as the ice melts, but it is exactly what a party needs.
- Holds a case of beer plus ice
- Tough, weatherproof galvanized steel
- Doubles as storage out of season
- Rustic look suits an outdoor spread
- Single-wall, so ice melts faster
- Drips condensation as it warms
Best Tabletop: Swell Stainless Bucket with Tongs
For a smart table, this stainless bucket comes in at 68oz and includes tongs, so guests are not fishing for ice with their fingers. It is the pick for a dinner party or a cocktail cart where looks matter as much as function. A neat, presentable option.
- Comes with tongs for tidy serving
- Smart stainless finish
- 68oz suits a dinner table
- Good size without being bulky
- Not insulated as heavily as double-walled buckets
- Too small for a big gathering
Best Rustic: Twine Cheers Beverage Tub
If your gatherings lean rustic, this galvanized beverage tub looks the part on a garden table or a drinks station. It is mid-size, so it holds a decent run of bottles and ice without the bulk of a full party tub. The pick for entertaining where the setup is part of the show.
- Rustic galvanized look for entertaining
- Mid-size, holds a good run of bottles
- Sturdy handles for carrying
- Doubles as a display for a drinks station
- Single-wall, ice melts quicker
- Smaller than a full party tub
Other ice buckets and beverage tubs worth a look
A few more depending on size and style:
- Behrens Hot Dipped Galvanized PlanterTub 4 Gallon 00-OV 4-Gallon Ova a smaller 4-gallon galvanized tub for a handful of drinks.
- HOMZ Utility Tub, Storage Bucket with Rope Handles, 17 Gal, Black a 17-gallon utility tub with rope handles for the biggest gatherings.
- American Metalcraft PTUB87 Natural Galvanized Steel Pail a natural galvanized pail with a rustic finish.
- Grip Stainless Steel Bucket (2 Gallon) – Great for Pets, Cleaning a hard-wearing 2-gallon stainless bucket.
Which ice bucket should you buy?
For the table, the insulated Oggi bucket is the safe pick, or the lidded set if you want ice to last the evening. For a barbecue or a crowd, get a galvanized tub, sizing up to the 16 or 17-gallon options if you host often. And if the setup is part of the show, the rustic Twine tub looks the part.
Browse the full range on the ice buckets and beverage tubs page, or see the parent beer coolers section for more.
Ice bucket FAQs
How long does ice last in an ice bucket?
In a double-walled, insulated bucket, ice can last several hours before it turns to water. Single-wall galvanized tubs melt faster because the metal conducts heat, but they hold far more ice to start with. A lid slows melting in either case.
What size ice bucket do I need?
For a table with a bottle or two, a 3 to 4-quart bucket is plenty. For a party, step up to a beverage tub that holds a case of beer plus ice, which usually means 4 gallons or more.
Do I need an insulated ice bucket?
For the table, yes, since insulation keeps ice solid longer and stops condensation ringing the surface. For a garden party tub it matters less, because you refresh the ice and the tub is outdoors anyway.
Can you use a galvanized tub for drinks?
Yes. Galvanized steel tubs are a popular, weatherproof way to chill beer and soft drinks for a crowd. Give a new one a rinse before first use, and expect some condensation on the outside as the ice melts.
