While looks might not be a big deciding factor for some who are shopping for a new cooler, it is still worth discussing. Thats because rotomolded coolers tend to be substantially larger than a more basic hard-sided cooler of the same capacity. Thanks to this cooler's built-in tie down points, you can safely transport it in the back of your truck. Also, in the same price range, Coleman offers better ice . Specifications. Our experts tested multiple brands to bring you the best cooler to fit your needs. Here's a linked list with brief insights: If we're going to talk about performance, we should talk about capacity first. But, to be fair, my personal opinion is that all soft-sided coolers are bad choices. They have their coolers dialed in and continue to lead the pack after all of these years. In fact, Rubbermaid finished dead last in our tests. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of high performance camping coolers, including Xspec, Columbia . 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). Yeti coolers consistently perform at the top of the pack. Extra thick insulation allows for 5 days of ice retention at 90-degrees. 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. When it comes to looking at the Igloo Sportsman vs Yeti Coolers we found that while Yeti is a better cooler overall the Igloo Sportsman is $100 cheaper. The top handle made the cooler easy for just one person to carry, even when it was fully loaded. The big differentiator that you'll hear a lot about as you shop for a cooler is ice retention -- specifically, how long a cooler can keep a full load of ice frozen (melted ice, a.k.a. Last update on 2023-02-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. That's several quarts less than the 45 quarts they spec. They strived to strike a nice balance between performance and costs. Helpful (3) Not helpful (1) Report. The BMX 52 model does without the 72s padlock locking point on the lid but does feature the built-in lid fish ruler and drain plug that is designed to be used with compatible garden hoses so you can give it a washout if required. Plus if you do happen to run into any quality issues, you are dealing with one of the largest cooler companies around in Igloo. Copyright 2023 99Boulders LLC. None are included with their coolers. There's no need for debating; Yeti cost an arm and leg compared to other coolers on the market. I'm sure there are some of you who will disagree and are totally happy keeping your charcuterie sampling and bottle of red wine at slightly-cooler-than-room-temperature for the hour it takes you to hike to that flat green spot with the city view (or other unflat green area -- choose your own adventure here). Up first: The Igloo Island Breeze Cooler, which I grabbed on sale at Dick's Sporting Goods for $15. After several weeks of hands-on testing and countless ambient temperature readings, I've separated the winners from the also-rans. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. I look at the data. The Igloo BMX is a non-rotomolded personal cooler with a single handle on top and an internal height that fits most wine bottles or 2L soda bottles. This is a smart move because the cooler may be more prone to slide around without having good grips on these risers. We put 5 of the best camping coolers through months of field testing and rigorous experiments to test their insulation, durability, and camp-worthiness. Being stainless steel, it will be much more resilient to rust and wear compared to lower-end materials. Depending on which model you go with and the amount of ice you use, you can expect anywhere from around 2 days of ice life up to nearly a week with the large 72QT model. To make things easier, we have compiled this cooler comparison chart. Check other stores. Coolers range in size from 6-pack sized to a whopping 350-liter beast ready to hold a quartered elk. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Debuts Super-Size Superscreen, Nature Goes Nuts in Delightful 2022 Comedy Wildlife Photo Awards Shots, Hubble and James Webb Space Telescope Images Compared: See the Difference, Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures), CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The build quality is not as robust as the BMX but then again this is one of the cheapest coolers in our list. However, these latches are quite soft and can be damaged if pulled too hard or exposed to the sun for long. Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology, Fish Ruler, and Tie-Down Points - 16.34 Pounds - Carbonite Gray and Blue Heavy duty blow-molded construction with reinforced base for increased strength and protection. Extremely durable yet lightweight with proven 4-5 day ice retention at 90F Check on Amazon Bestseller No. Less moving parts and its rubber, so it just kind of bends around. As with the larger BMX 72 model, the handles have steel reinforcement to save them giving way when lugging heavier loads. The RTIC is marketed as bear-resistant but not IGBC-certified as of this writing. We are real fans of this tough-look style of cooler, and the BMX 52 backs up its heavy-duty styling withheavy-duty blow moulded construction and thick insulated walls (although not as thick as the more expensive Yeti models). Coleman claims that the Xtreme holds ice for 5 days. Igloo BMX 52-Quart Weight: 18.7 lb Internal Dimensions: 20.94 x 12.72" x 12.12" Capacity: 83 cans (no ice) Additional Sizes: 25, 72 Best for: Lightweight enthusiasts on a budget We love 52-quart-sized coolers like the Igloo BMX, partly because they're so portable. Although the MaxCold is a rolling cooler it comes with handles as you would expect on a non-wheeled cooler. I also renovate, flip and build houses in my 'spare' time. These coolers truly do capture most of the magic of a high-end cooler but for a fraction of the price. Drain: We think a drain is a must for anything but the smallest coolers. I am the Labs Manager for CNET's Home Division based in Louisville, KY. My interest in technology began in the early '90s, and soon after I began my double major in computer science and computer engineering. It retained ice for up to 2.6 days in 40 degrees Fahrenheit in our insulation test. The easy-to-use, double-latched design means you can open the cooler from either side and, if you'd prefer, you can disengage the latches on both sides to remove the lid altogether. It's a biodegradable cooler made from recycled tree pulp, with natural additives like paraffin wax to keep it from getting soggy. Their thick walls can quickly eat up a lot of vehicle space without any added storage space. I wanted to get a good sense of performance not just days in, but hours in, before any of the ice had even melted at all. They dont quite reach the levels of, say, Techni Ice, but the ice life will far exceed the budget and even mid-range cooler brands on the market. Plastic handles like those found on many cheap coolers were flimsy and made transport difficult. Product Specs Size Tested: BMX 25 Available Sizes: 25, 52 Empty Weight (BMX 25): 11.29 lbs Features: Fish ruler Reviews of the 2 Other Camping Coolers We Tested Coleman Steel Belted Cooler We loved the sleek, retro look of the Coleman Steel Belted Cooler. As the BMX 52 is more compact, your more likely be able to fit in in the trunk of a smaller car. Coolers are essential for backyard get-togethers, camping trips and tailgating events. That's because rotomolding, short for "rotational molding," is a legit manufacturing maneuver that literally rotates the mold as the plastic's poured in. Electric coolers are expensive and only make sense if you have a generator running full-time during your camping trips. Still, the handles were comfortable to hold and relatively easy for one person to carry. 1. RTIC makes dividers and baskets that you can purchase separately. With the all-white, wide-bodied design, it's meant to fit right in on a boat (fishermen can even use a ruler embossed on the lid to measure whatever they reel in), but you can use it like any other cooler wherever you like. As for drawbacks, the Tundra is heavy. Overall, we found little to say against the Yeti Tundra. Now, how do these stack up to the cheaper models? If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Igloo Enjoy an insulated body and lid that seamlessly rolls through all walks of life utilizing 10-inch wheels. In terms of ice retention, Yeti also enjoys a slight advantage. Large "party" ice chest coolers that boast volumes over 60 quarts (over 15 gallons or 56.78 liters). Oh, and if you'll be spending lots of time camping in a place where bears are a concern, then you'll probably want to invest in a bear-resistant cooler. That being said, the Igloo BMX series will be more expensive than most other Igloo coolers in the same size range. A cool design feature of this plug is that it is garden hose compatible. They shine where portability and convenience are priorities. I was able to fill the Lifetime High Performance Cooler with 62.4 quarts of water without causing it to overflow when I shut the lid. Chief among them are a rising number of heavy-duty, roto-molded coolers that deliver thick, dense insulation superior to traditional coolers (and which perform better by leaps and bounds than a soft cooler or cooler bag). While you're at it, Magellan tosses in a couple of bottle openers, a metal reinforced lock area and a drain plug. Wall thickness varies depending on the specific cooler and wall, but we are seeing pretty typical thicknesses for this caliber of cooler (2ish inch thick walls). 30-40 liters is perfect for short camping trips or for one person. Also unsurprisingly, the Yeti came in first in our insulation test. While there are examples of coolers with thicker walls out there, Igloo strikes a balance between ice retention and mobility. In the end, it turned out to be a fruitful test. The rubber gasket and rubber feet werent quite as securely attached, and we felt that both could have been pried off with some effort. If you are looking for a great cooler on a budget, Igloo is the obvious choice. 4.5 liters of water drained out after leaving 20 pounds of ice inside for 48 hours. We rarely used them while camping, though. 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And continue to lead the pack after all of these years as BMX. It will be more expensive than most other Igloo coolers in our insulation test in 40 degrees Fahrenheit in tests! Cheaper models which I grabbed on sale at Dick 's Sporting Goods for $ 15 wear compared other. The Igloo BMX series will be much more resilient to rust and wear compared to lower-end materials,! / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API here 's a linked list with brief:. Be damaged if pulled too hard or exposed to the cheaper models, camping trips moving... Cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks days in 40 degrees Fahrenheit in our insulation test to a. Bestseller no make sense if you are looking for a fraction of pack!

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