Overall, the BMX is a solid cooler at a great price. Finally, you have the largest size, the 72 quart. Handles: every cooler we tested has handles, but we liked some designs more than others. 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). Determine upfront what youre likely to carry in your cooler and how much room that will take. The previous title holder for this category was one of the cheapest coolers we've tested to date, the Coleman Stacker. Igloo Flip and Tow 90qt Roller Cooler - White. SCRIPPS CO., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. RTICs Hard Cooler finished as a close runner-up, lagging only slightly behind the Yeti in most of our tests. Rubberized T-grip latches keep lid secure, and a threaded drain plug is garden hose compatible and features a non-slip, easy-grip stainless steel tethered cap. Notice that we listed size and capacity separately. These sizes hit the normal optimal size ranges that we see most people request. It didn't hold the cold for as long as the Yeti did, but it still performed admirably, earning the runner-up spot in our tests. Though some ice chest sizes are more popular than others (50-quart, for instance), there really isn't much uniformity among coolers as far as size and shape are concerned. . Not quite so much. Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in the category. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. Oil Green. None are included with their coolers. The Kick-Start Every Morning With Coffee Maker Guide. Genius. At the time of this writing, Igloo has 3 different models of their BMX Ice Chest to choose from: The BMX 25QT, BMX 52QT, and BMX 72QT. Specifically, I wanted to track the ambient temperature in each cooler, so I spread the ice in each one I tested beneath an elevated jar of propylene glycol solution (watered-down antifreeze) with a temperature probe in it. None of them get that cold, and they don't hold their median temp for long at all. Even the cheap, disposable Styrofoam cooler we tested did better. Here's another Coleman cooler, and one that's new in 2019. Small or personal-sized coolers that advertise internal volumes of less than 40 quarts (that's less than 10 gallons or 37.85 liters). Overall, it wasn't quite as durable as the Rovr, but I think they're mostly designed for different purposes. But if you are more budget-minded and just after the good performance without breaking the bank, then we have to give a slight nod to Igloo. If you are looking for a great cooler on a budget, Igloo is the obvious choice. First off, it is a backpack. As a matter of fact, at $220, this cooler is currently the cheapest of any cooler in either our midsize or large cooler category, with the exception of the Igloo BMX 52qt Cooler, which. Rotomolded is short for rotationally molded, a process in which heated plastic is slowly rotated inside of a mold, allowing it to form into a shape of perfectly uniform thickness. While you're at it, Magellan tosses in a couple of bottle openers, a metal reinforced lock area and a drain plug. Everyone expects a Yeti cooler to perform well. Our cooler is 55 quarts, so we used 41.25 lb. Rubberized T-latches secure lid closure and lock in the cold. Coolers with removable lids tend to be cheaper coolers that aren't going to perform in the top percentile -- with one exception I've found so far. Every component of this cooler, from the bolts holding the rope handles in place to the rubber latches, feels well-manufactured. If the MaxCold is a little too plain for your tastes, you could consider stepping up to the Igloo BMX, a new model for 2019 that costs about $100. Expect to pay around $100 for the BMX 52 Quart cooler which is a lot more than generic models available but far cheaper than the equivalent capacity Yeti Tundra 45 which retails for $300. Performance is important, but design matters, too -- and sometimes, it's a deal-breaker. Up first, the Yeti Tundra 45. Extremely durable yet lightweight with proven 4-5 day ice retention Check on Amazon Sale Bestseller No. The prices range from $300 to $400 for the 60-, 80- and 100-quart models, and what you're paying for is undoubtedly performance. But which one? When you're done, just dump the water out, let it air dry, then use it again. If youve ever tried to empty a larger cooler at the end of the day, you know how tough it can be. The rubber gasket and rubber feet werent quite as securely attached, and we felt that both could have been pried off with some effort. Igloo 90-quart Maxcold Latitude Flip and Tow Wheeled Cooler (79) Compare Product $799.99 X50 LiON Fridge Freezer Cooler Bundle and Solar Panel (97) Compare Product $269.99 - $379.99 Massimo ENX 12v E Kooler (6) Compare Product More Colors Available $49.99 Titan 50-Can Collapsible Cooler (123) Compare Product $249.99 Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. 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. 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. Or simply a big party in your yard! Again, that pink line at the bottom that's making all of the other lines jealous is Yeti -- nothing we tested really came close to matching it. Do you plan to pack up covered dishes for family picnics, or will you simply use it to cart around beverages and maybe some sandwiches when you head to the beach? These coolers truly do capture most of the magic of a high-end cooler but for a fraction of the price. We dont see any Igloo BMX Soft Coolers at this point. . For instance, the Bison Gen 2 Cooler goes so far as to advertise itself as an ideal casting platform to stand on during your next fishing trip and even sells nonslip traction mats for the lid in a variety of designs. Considering the performance, this is a steal compared to comparable coolers. This Igloo cooler has UV inhibitors that can take care of the extra heat the sun throws on your cooler. So which cooler is better? But they also expect them to cost more than their competitors. They strived to strike a nice balance between performance and costs. 3 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. Hard-sided coolers are the most common type of cooler used for camping. I've been an outdoor enthusiast my entire life. Brand expert. Lifetime Warranty; Overview. Reviews ethics statement. $119.99. of ice in the Lifetime Cooler. 2 Like the larger BMX 72, the BMX 52 has a hinged lid which is both sturdy and aids single-handed operation. The performance wasn't close enough for me to pretend like I could name another victor even if I wanted to. Impressively, this is one of the. Still, it's worth it if you just want the best performance for the price. And for people who enjoy camping and the outdoors, it will be able to handle ice more multiple days (more on that later). 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. If I'm trekking into the woods for a weekend with a couple of pals, I'm going to take the Rovr, no question. The lowest temperature recorded between the two was less than a degree apart (44.6 vs. 45.5 degrees Fahrenheit). . While the steel of the body felt solid, stable, and durable, the rest of the cooler was slightly lacking in build quality. . It lacks an air/watertight seal, which loses it some points on insulation, and the rubber latches can catch against your leg if you carry it the wrong way around, but it's miles ahead of your old ice bucket or gas station styrofoam. We do not doubt that this assists with ice retention. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. This RTIC unit tested with impressively low temperatures. Although expensive, it was the top performer in all of our categories. A common complaint that people have (particularly when using a larger cooler) is how to empty the cooler of melted ice. Features blow-molded construction, a reinforced base, stainless steel hardware, and rubberized T-grip latches. This size is good for mobility purposes and it doesnt take up a lot of space either. That's why we decided to take a quick break from the gadgets and gizmos of the CNET Smart Home to test out 18 hard-bodied coolers that range from $4 to $400 in price. It nearly won our Best Value award, but we were disappointed by the durability issues with the latch and the poor quality of the components and manufacturing. Among the high-end, rotomolded coolers that we've tested over the past two years, the Yeti Tundra 45 still reigns supreme -- but note that Cabela's Polar Cap Equalizer Cooler actually managed to notch a lower minimum temperature. He then decided to leave Gotham for a while after having a parent's association, and later the police, on his case (which resulted in Gordon becoming alcoholic and cheating on his wife) and had to shift his focus on the countryside, spending most of his time in scouts camps, wearing a scout chief uniform over his Batsuit, to cover his identity as the Batman. Yeti Hopper Two 30. It's probably the most popular "rotomolded" cooler out there, and at $300, it ain't cheap. One area that Igloo has always seemed to lack is their high-end premium coolers. As of writing this, it costs $231 -- a good deal for a model with a bigger-than-advertised capacity (and as that "65" in the name suggests, it's big to begin with). If you hop over the other Igloo Coolers that we have tested, you will quickly see that! The T-grip latches on the lid ensure it stays in place and opens and closes well on top of making it comfortable and easy to carry around. The T-latch rubber catches add to the tough appearance (and make it look like a cheaper Yeti), there are tie-down loops to keep it secure in your trunk and plenty of patterned stainless steel to provide both style and more importantly, protection. A cooler this size (around 50 quarts) is great for an extended road trip or a few days away camping. At the end, we rated each coolers durability out of 10. Igloo MaxCold Cooler, 50 quarts -- $45 For a fantastic value pick, consider the Igloo MaxCold Cooler, which I scored on sale for just $45. While there are examples of coolers with thicker walls out there, Igloo strikes a balance between ice retention and mobility. The Igloo BMX 25 filled with equally affordable refreshment. It doesn't lock shut and the plastic nub hinges are a total joke. Now, how do these stack up to the cheaper models? While testing the Tundra, it became clear: Yeti didnt cut any corners when making this cooler. We liked this cooler and thought it insulated well for the price point. 4.5 liters of water drained out after leaving 20 pounds of ice inside for 48 hours. 1. Theyre perfect as a supplemental drink cooler or for toting snacks on short camping trips. Reinforced swing-up handles. Head to REI and pick up the Igloo Recool for $10. While we have tested coolers with thicker walls than that, thicker walls do sacrifice storage volume and add weight. A large single handle was easiest for one-person carry. The Coleman Xtreme finished dead last in all of our tests. With the rotomolded design, its essentially two large pieces joined together by a heavy-duty hinge at the back which we dont think we could break if we tried. Just look at the graphs. There are three easy ways to reach out: Email: customerservice@shop.igloocoolers.com. The entire point of this list is to make finding the best cooler a little easier. While we think the styling of the Igloo BMX Coolers looks great, we do wish that there were some more color options. We then create one easy-to-understand review. As in this case. . A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking. From superior ice retention to little features that go a long way, Igloo built the adventure-ready Overland 50-Quart Chest Cooler to see you through a quick overnight car camping getaway as well as when you're headed to the great outdoors for the long haul all while keeping your provisions fresh. While looks might not be a big deciding factor for some who are shopping for a new cooler, it is still worth discussing. That said, finding the best cooler for your needs is complicated by a crowded field. Lifewit Insulated & Leakproof Collapsible Cooler Bag Overall Score: 8.7 11. If it's sunny and you're thirsty, then you're going to want one of these coolers on standby. And despite being an expensive Igloo Cooler, the price point for these ice chests are still quite a bit lower than many of the other premium cooler brands with similar sizes. Again, this is the same seal that we are used to seeing from other manufacturers on their high-end coolers. Watch the video for. The insulation was better than we expected, but still not on par with the premium coolers in our test. Many premium models are fully leak-proof and can hold their own against the insulation of hard-sided coolers. These include wheeled options, slots for inserting ice packs, internal lights, pressure bleed-off valves, and more. If that sounds a little daunting, never fear. At 52 quarts, this BMX model has a generous capacity that is equivalent to 83 12oz cans. Inside the lid, you will find an oversized rubber gasket for helping to seal. Coleman sells a boatload of different coolers, including the popular Coleman Xtreme Marine Cooler, which I picked up for $42 at my local Walmart. The RTIC is marketed as bear-resistant but not IGBC-certified as of this writing. * Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Zipperless Hardbody Cooler. As convenient as the space is, coolers will get much heavier when theyre loaded down. Another aspect that is somewhat limiting maximum ice life is the cooler sizes. The backpack has lots of straps and hitching points, too -- I imagine the target demographic is more hiking-oriented than day-at-the-beach, but in either case, you'll be able to secure extra stuff. Some felt that this cooler was overpriced for what it does. There's no need for debating; Yeti cost an arm and leg compared to other coolers on the market. 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. Opening the cooler up from time to time better emulates real-life usage of the cooler. This can make it helpful for quickly cleaning out after a fishing trip or camping trip. In terms of ice retention, Yeti also enjoys a slight advantage. Like that Igloo cooler in the previous slide, it lacks both a latch and a drainage spout, and the performance was, again, pitiful. This is pretty normal for coolers of this size. All rights reserved. It is also lightweight. 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