Whether it is a soft-sided cooler, a hard-sided cooler, one that has foam insulation or a removable liner, I've considered all these and more to come up with the list of best coolers for you. We have very few complaints about the durability of this mighty little cooler. Welcome to yet another review on our cooler blog. The main advantage softshell bags have is their weight theyre usually at least 50-60% lighter than thick plastic coolers, making them the more comfortable option for long-haul adventures. I also love the strong hinge it has on the back. Not a dealbreaker, but it does get a bit annoying. As much as we like its tall internal height when it comes to bringing along those over-sized bottles, its narrow shape makes it more challenging to easily locate small items that have migrated to the bottom of the cooler. There are also rubber pads under the feet to prevent the box from skidding around on bumpy rides. Its an expensive option for sure, but you are definitely getting premium quality and performance for your money. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee keeps a running list of certified options, which includes a number of coolers from this rundown. We'll show the testing processes, and Andrew and I have a poolside chat about cooler features. One of the best things about this softshell cooler is the presence of external attachment points. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Igloo 24 Qt IMX Hard Sided Cooler, Gray at the best online prices at eBay! Luke has a deep passion for sports and all-things-outdoors. The Ice Cube cooler is great for people who are tired of carrying heavy coolers in their hands. Igloo is particularly affordable when it comes to small and simple coolers, with most options being under $100. That meant putting those manufacturer capacity claims to the test, and I wanted a better, more universal metric than just counting how many cans I could cram into each one. To offer a quality cooler at this price-point, they had to make tradeoffs to keep the price that low. As in this case. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking. The robust and patented T-Rex lid latches are designed so that they never fail and the boxs hinges interlock, with an almost unbreakable dual-pin design. The Igloo IMX cooler delivers on its promise: it's lightweight, durable, well made and keeps ice for nearly a week. However, this personal-sized box is much less likely to be our top choice for a weekend camping in grizzly bear country anyway, so we don't think it's a significant downgrade to this model. However, even while doing that, they still managed to make a high-quality ice chest that actually does its job well! There aren't many crazy features on this unit, but it does have bottle openers built into the rubber latches, a pressure relief valve to help open the cooler when the interior pressure rises, and rubber padded feet to elevate the cooler and help reduce direct heat transfer. How can we improve GearLab? However, we're not sure in what instance you would want it. That's a lot better than the rubber T handles, but make no mistake, Magellan Outdoors still gets my vote for best latching mechanism. High levels of durability is a common factor in Yetis product line-up. Through his hiking, mountaineering, climbing and trail running adventures, Alex aims to inspire others to get outdoors. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. I think that the priciest cooler they make is about $250, which is virtually the starting price for most Yeti coolers. The previous title holder for this category was one of the cheapest coolers we've tested to date, the Coleman Stacker. Free shipping for many products! 4.5. It is injection molded, and because of this, it's about 30% to 40% lighter than all rotomolded counterparts. But in the big picture, if you want stuff to stay cold, you literally cannot beat Cabela's Polar Cap option. The Igloo IMX is one of those coolers. The Yeti Hopper cooler features closed-cell foam insulation that performs incredibly well. Worth the Buy? Coolers Like YETI: Our Top 10 Favorite Cheaper Options, Yet Amazing Quality, New Years Cooler Sales 2021 Find the Best Holiday Deals Here, Cyber Monday Cooler Deals 2021 Best Sales Guide for Coolers, Yeti Vs Hydro Flask The Battle of Drinkware Giants, Blue Cooler Review Solid Coolers with Excellent Price per Quart Ratio, Revo Cooler Review Checking Out Revos Party Barge, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV3gZJyTehY, Igloo IMX 70 qt. Its very affordable, durable, and features excellent insulation that keeps ice frozen for days at a time. 24 70. Head over to Amazon to see all the different sizes these coolers are available in, as well as their prices. Though they cost extra, Yeti also offers several additions to the Roadie 24 that can improve your user experience, including a tie-down kit, ice packs, a dry bin, and even a seat cushion. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. This is actually shorter than what you would get with a rotomolded cooler from, say, Orca or RTIC. While the webbing handle is an improvement to the carrying comfort of the Roadie 24, it's a bit short and frequently gets caught on top of the lid, making it impossible to open the cooler more than a few inches. They were actually sturdy and comfortable. Both guys share their passion on this website, covering different types of coolers, posting in-depth buying guides and reviewing tens of different products every year. The lid itself also has some pretty strong rubber t-latches to make for a secure close. Its Yeti vs Igloo, as we open the lid on the battle between two of the finest camping cooler brands around. Yeti, by contrast, are recent upstarts. My favorite is the fact that this cooler has a dry foods basket. The wheels allow you to fill them to capacity without worrying that you will be inconvenienced by their weight. Most of the coolers that I tested were, but some took things even further. The Roadie 24 is 10% lighter in weight and holds 20% more than a Roadie 20, it even performs 30% better thermally ; It's got a taller build than its predecessor, so it now accommodates a standard bottle of wine (or 2 liter bottle) upright, and is a better fit behind the driver's or passenger's seat of a car 8 trail running hacks you'll wish youd known sooner, 12 things successful ultra runners are doing, Why and when runners should see a podiatrist, Garmin Instinct 2X: news, rumors and everything we know so far, Technical mountain running vs trail running: know the difference, Trail running essentials: everything you need before you head off road, Google Maps will soon show National Park trails but don't forget your compass, Where to buy the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. At this price-point, it's a no-brainer. Getting a cool box for your summer garden parties or getting your kid a soft sided cooler for school trips? The YETI Roadie 24 is a significant improvement over the Roadie 20 in every meaningful way. The pricing of the BMX starts at some $60 for the smallest option, and it goes up to $150 for the largest cooler. A quality camping cooler is basically your fridge in the great outdoors. The four coolers tested in this test were a YETI Tundra 45 ($299), the Otter Box Venture 45 ($299), the Igloo Amadeo Bachar Limited Edition BMX 52 ($249), and the Igloo Leeward 50 ($199). Picture Information. The Magellan Outdoors model features four hinge latches, two on either side, so you can open the cooler from either side, or remove the lid completely. on the inside. We thought that seemed a bit expensive for a cooler so we put it head-to-head. If youre in need of a tough as nails cooler that will keep everything chilled for several days, theres no doubt that Yeti is a solid choice. But the best value doesn't have to mean the least amount of money. None of them get that cold, and they don't hold their median temp for long at all. I say keep the cash and use it to stock your cooler -- especially since these hard-sided Magellan Outdoors coolers boast one of my favorite cooler features of all time: the double-sided hinge latches. This durable and useful 1-2 person option won our testers over among the competition of its size. Yeah, I know. And at the time of writing, Yeti backs this product with a five year manufacturer's warranty to help protect your investment in case of any error during the making of or fault of the materials used in this cooler. Softshell coolers are generally better for people who will spend a lot of time walking or hiking with the cooler. And you can find some great lightweight coolers from Igloo for less than $50 if you just want something affordable, definitely check out the budget-friendly options from Igloo. The walls feature up to two inches of insulation, which virtually guarantees that ice will stay ice for hours, if not days, in the Tundra coolers. We put that to the test during our capacity evaluations, where the entire cooler is filled to the top with water, then closed. IMX 24 Qt Cooler. I wouldnt recommend them for hikes because the wheels arent exactly designed for rough terrain, and theyre still really heavy. The brand really puts performance over all other features, at times even sacrificing convenience and capacity to favor it. But if youre prioritizing quality, performance, and convenience over everything else, the Hopper is a great option for you. The IMXs lack of integrated hinges immediately raise eyebrows when it comes to durability. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. Yeti comes out on top. Both the Tundra Haul and Roadie boxes come with wheels for increased portability. Everyone expects a Yeti cooler to perform well. So, if you want great performance with a friendlier price tag than its competitors, you can feel safe picking up this RTIC. If you want a wheeled cooler, the Tundra Haul is the best option from Yeti. When it comes to insulation, the Yeti Roadie 24 does a pretty solid job for a small cooler with a lot of surface area. And yes, the handle has its own compartment where it stores, so its not going to be in the way when youre actually using the cooler. You can also fit some ice in addition to those cans, to ensure they stay cold for as long as possible. I recommend keeping an eye on other brands we've come to respect that have a more palatable price tag. Another thing: the weight. If you want something you can use occasionally, you dont have to spend a lot of money to get the best cooler that exists. No "sponsored" content. Yeti Tundra 65 $375 at REI 82 OVERALL SCORE Insulation 9.0 Durability 9.0 Ease of Use 7.0 Portability 5.0 Features 7.0 Measured capacity: 56 quarts | Days Below 40 F: 6.5 REASONS TO BUY Top-notch insulation Very durable Simple to use REASONS TO AVOID Expensive No plug leash Smaller than expected It's an investment that's well worth the money for anyone who never leaves home without a cooler full of goodies and our clear favorite among coolers of its size. Yetis ultra-durable Tundra cool boxes are widely regarded as the finest around. In its closed state, full of water, I sloshed it around without spilling a drop, so it's safe to assume that leaks won't be an issue. It is, therefore, stronger, more durable, and bear-resistant. The lowest temperature recorded between the two was less than a degree apart (44.6 vs. 45.5 degrees Fahrenheit). After several weeks of hands-on testing and countless ambient temperature readings, I've separated the winners from the also-rans. Overall, it wasn't 8 days as Igloo stated but we didn't pre-chill the cooler and also we didn't use any ice packs or block ice, both of which could have impacted retention times in a positive way. However, it's not perfect. Find the best coolers of the bunch based on size, features and, most importantly, how cold they stay over time, and then categorize them in a way that will make it easy for you to find the best cooler for your needs. Moving on. The webbing handle has a plastic grip that easily slides around to be wherever you want it. If youre looking for an affordable option, Im afraid this is not it. We discussed injection molded coolers vs rotomolded coolers in our post about best lightweight coolers, where the IMX has taken one of the top spots. To be fair, they work a lot better than most other types of latches, and we think Igloo did well to include them here. Setting up base camp on Everest? For the most part, this cooler was built for people who wanted a nice and cheap cooler that does the job well without having to break the bank. Today were particularly looking at the Igloo IMX cooler series. Tundra Haul weighs 37 lbs when totally empty, and I think the wheels are more a necessity than anything else. In fact, Im yet to hear of a certified bear-resistant ice chest that isnt rotomolded. Go on, read through the comments on the Infinite Cooler's Indiegogo campaign, which blew through a March 2019 ship date with nothing to show for it. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. However, they are substantially cheaper and this will appeal to the more casual user. The new, expensive options all hang their hat on this test, with roto-molded coolers specifically designed to ace it (and in doing so, to justify their price tags). If you dont care about too many premium features, and want something that wont require you to break the bank, then this cooler is perfect for you. Igloos IMX 70 cant compete with the Tundra 65 in terms of ice retention. Wednesday October 5, 2022. In fact, its capable of keeping ice frozen for 3-4 days, depending on the conditions it sits in. Also, don't forget to check out our handy dandy video buying guide for coolers with Andrew Gebhart. All trademarks property of their respective owners The new over-the-top handle is wide, hefty webbing with a robust plastic handle attached by rotating plastic attachments that feature tie-down slots on the outsides. The plastic itself is UV resistant, making it durable, even if you keep the cooler in the sun for hours on end. Soft-sided coolers, which don't have a specific capacity range, but tend to line up with the same offerings as small or personal-sized coolers. It would cost potentially several thousand dollars to test them all. These latches have rubber straps to secure the lid, but at the end of each strap lies a plastic handle which you can leverage against the mounting point to easily achieve the tensioned fit. Privacy Policy | Friends: FS22 Maps, YETI Hopper Flip 18 Portable Cooler, Charcoal, Igloo Ice Cube 60 Quart Roller Cooler , Ocean Blue, Medium sized cooler is great for weekend outings, Capacity: 45 cans of beer / 55 lbs of ice, Capacity: 20 cans of beer / 24 lbs of ice, Softshell shoulder strap with thick padding, Capacity: 18 cans of beer / 24 lbs of ice, Dimensions: 32.19 x 17.34 x 16.82 (72-quart version), No information about the type of insulation, The Hopper Flip 18 has ColdCell Insulation, a closed-cell foam that offers superior cold-holding to ordinary soft coolers, with a capacity of up to 16 cans plus ice, Features a 100% leakproof HydroLok Zipper and high-density fabric that withstands punctures and UV rays, Ultratherm insulated body keeps cold for a long time, Push button and locking telescopic handle. The expensive guys? Hardshell coolers with wheels are another great option, but theyre still not good enough for hikes. In fact, we squared them off against another industry leader in Hydro Flask for our Yeti vs Hydroflask feature. Less moving parts and its rubber, so it just kind of bends around. If overextended, you can literally see them straining towards breaking point. I didn't plan it this way. More helpful, the indented handles on the bottom of either side of the lid are perfectly placed for easy grabbing and moving the Roadie 24 with two hands. on the outside and 16.75 in. The Igloo Trailmate won't be able to keep up with Yeti when it comes to insulation ability. It is financially restrictive to test all the coolers that the readers would like tested. In this video I compare the Yeti Roadie 24 to the Yeti Roadie 20 and then test how the new Yeti Roadie 24 fits in your vehicle and how much beer it will hold!! All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. The performance wasn't close enough for me to pretend like I could name another victor even if I wanted to. One problem I had with the Coleman, which we have talked about before, was that it has flimsy plastic hinges. But, to be fair, my personal opinion is that all soft-sided coolers are bad choices. And if thats precisely what you are looking for, theres no need to look further than the Tundra Haul. But the Igloo BMX 25 Qt cooler insulates well . It is very lightweight, making it one of the best options on the market for people who need a cooler they can carry for prolonged periods of time. I update this list periodically. And if you must do that, I would recommend sealing the contents so that the cold air can circulate around the items at the top. 65% Ron Swanson, 25% Ben Wyatt, 10% Andy Dwyer. This great mix of plastic and metal serves to make for a very strong cooler that can take just about anything. Heres how it works. 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