A cooler is something you usually don't give much thought to until you need one or your old one begins leaking all over your beach towel. Then you pay attention. Rubbermaid coolers, part of the long line of plastic Rubbermaid products, are top sellers in most every cooler category.

For the tailgate or beach basic, consider the 48-quart Rubbermaid cooler. It has a white lid for optimum sun reflection and with its rectangular shape, can hold 72 12-ounce cans of soda, beer or whatever suits your fancy. As with any good cooler, this Rubbermaid cooler has a drainage plug and two handles for community carrying.

Options

Rubbermaid coolers are available in many water cooler options. These are great for when you're working outside and want to provide beverage for a crew or need a large container to hold water or another beverage for a bigger event. The most common size of this Rubbermaid cooler is 10 gallons.

Considered the industry leader in these types of coolers, these Rubbermaid coolers are insulated so you can fill them with iced tea or hot chocolate. They have a drip-proof spigot and some have a method for storing small drinking cups on the side.

Those famous Gatorade coolers seen on the sidelines of football and basketball games are actually Rubbermaid coolers. This is a thermal jug that is usually available in a 7-gallon size. Perfect for drinking or throwing on the coach at the end of the game!

For the outside worker, consider the 2-gallon Rubbermaid cooler. It is also insulated and has the drip-proof spigot. This is the size of Rubbermaid cooler that construction workers and other outdoors workers prefer. Fill it with cold water or tea in the morning and your beverage will still be cold in the afternoon when signing off for the day.

All of the water coolers have a handle for carrying and a screw-on lid. Prices can be as low as $10 or as much as $70, depending on the seller and size.