Then stock up on other essential outdoor items and accessories like folding and beach chairs, camping stoves and compasses to help you stay prepared for any adventure. What’s more, Igloo’s IMX coolers include many more features igloo electric cooler outdoor and fishing enthusiasts can depend on. A lot goes into building a cooler, and we’re committed every step of the way. If you’re looking for exceptional prices, turn to this impressive collection at BJ’s Wholesale Club.
Whether you’re setting out on a road trip or a hunting trip, we can help you choose your perfect icebox. If you are looking for maximum cooling power, premium rotomolded coolers from brands like YETI, RTIC, and ORCA are the clear leaders in keeping ice cold for long stretches. If you need ice for extended periods (we’re thinking of you, rafters and multi-day campers), the cost is worth it. But for those on day trips or shorter overnight outings with access to new ice, an inexpensive cooler like the Coleman Xtreme or Igloo ECOCOOL is a fine option.
If you want a backpack cooler, we recommend the Polar Bear Original Nylon Backpack Cooler. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Sega and Igloo said that the Sonic the Hedgehog Little Playmate cooler is just the beginning for their collaboration.
But for what we most like to carry for a daytime adventure, it’s not bad. Still, for bringing some cool refreshments and a chilled lunch for a few friends on a longer walking journey, this comfortable backpack cooler is our top choice. Though nothing broke during testing, the hinges and latches are a potential weak point. Though this seems like an unimportant detail, when packed with goodies, it can be a little painful to grasp onto hard plastic. All in all, we were impressed with the RTIC Ultralight, with its lightweight construction, ease of use, and pleasant price. Simply put, coolers are unlike most other categories of outdoor gear that may last for just for a couple seasons before needing to be replaced.
The RovR is the only one with actual rubber tires filled with air (aka pneumatic tires), the same as a vehicle or bicycle. While competitors may point to this as a downside (more maintenance, the potential for flats, etc.), it makes for a vastly better pulling system. The juddering of pulling hard-wheeled models over smooth surfaces, like city sidewalks, can quickly leave blisters on your hands from the vibration of the plastic wheels (this really happened to a tester). But pulling the RovR with its air-filled wheels lets you glide over imperfections in the ground and keeps your hands happy. If you spend enough time car or van camping, you might consider upgrading from the old ice chest to a powered cooler that uses the energy from your vehicle or camper to keep things cold exactly like your fridge at home might. The best powered cooler we have tested is the seriously impressive Dometic CFX3 45.
That said, it lags a little in the insulation department compared to some intense rivals, which is likely due to the imperfect seal between the top of the body and lid. It is important to remember that you’re probably not interested in taking a wheeled chest on a ten-day rafting trip or a three-week road trip, but rather to the picnic down the road or a tailgating party. We think the latches are a bit stiff to manipulate but can become easy to learn with some practice. After using it for years now, this rolling icebox is like nothing we’ve ever experienced before and is the only one that our friends request to cart around. We are a bit disappointed to have measured this large model with “65” in the name at just 56 quarts, but our testers ended up appreciating this surprisingly useful size more than the models that are actually 65 quarts. The Tundra line also includes a plethora of other sizes, many of which we’ve tested — from small, personal boxes to behemoths.
One charm of the RTIC 65 is its reasonable price, which allows us to be far less careful with this equipment than we are with something as expensive or desirable as a Yeti. Ease of use is a critical factor in your overall happiness with any given product. We gauged how easy each cooler was to open and close — whether or not the lid fully shut after closing, latch maneuverability, ease of loading, capacity, and if it included any convenient features like dry bins. The RTIC models have visually similar rubber latches that are much more flexible. As such, they are easy to use, lacking the stiff stubbornness of many other latches. Still, more flexible rubber might have a shorter lifespan than denser rubber, though we haven’t had an issue after using these products.
Its flexible side handles make carrying a breeze, and we found the exterior organizer pocket to be a nice addition for storing small items like koozies, kitchen utensils, and a bottle opener. Starting at 20 quarts and going all the way up to 140, there’s an ORCA cooler for just about any activity. For a more packable cooler, check out our comparison of the best soft coolers. We’ve also tested the top powered coolers for those who have access to a power source and prefer an iceless approach. Whether you’re planning on a relaxing beach day or a weekend camping trip at your favorite spot, we’ve done the hard work to help you find the best camping gear.
We tend to steer clear of most bargain-basement coolers—they may work well for a day or two but often lack the impressive ice retention of premium models and won’t stand up as well to regular outdoor use. Igloo’s ECOCOOL 52 isn’t totally exempt from these drawbacks, but it’s igloo electric cooler more well rounded and functional than much of the budget competition. For just $60, the Igloo boasts a generous 52-quart capacity, and the proprietary foam insulation does a good job keeping food and drinks chilled for up to three days (in the right conditions, of course).
YETI’s Roadie 24 and Pelican’s 20QT Elite are two notable exceptions that don’t come with drain plugs, which can make dumping out extra water a bit of a hassle. However, given these coolers’ smaller capacities, most users will be restocking the contents frequently anyway. These coolers are simply made by inserting hot plastic into a defined mold, given time to cool, and then removed.