The 9 Best Coolers of 2023 Tested by GearLab

It offers solid insulation to keep your peak-bagging beverages chilled until you reach the summit and an easy roll-top design that’s beyond simple to use. Made of thick, waterproof material, this backpack cooler proved itself more than capable of holding its integrity through all our backcountry rough handling. Sure you can buy one lgloo Cooler that costs double and may keep ice a day longer but it probably weighs double this cooler too. It was easy enough for two men to carry, performed well, and cleans up easily. A cooler’s latch or closure system is one of the defining characteristics of a premium model and plays a significant role in overall cooling performance.

igloo ice chest

It measures 28.4 by 15.8 by 17.5 inches, its design incorporates bevels and angles all over the place, and it has a ruler and cup holders molded into its lid. Insulation obsessives may want to fill those cup holders with Styrofoam, but considering how well this cooler performed in our tests, doing so doesn’t seem to be all that critical. Unlike most of the other models, the Coleman Xtreme has a channeled drain, which made draining much easier and required very little tilting on our part. Additionally, several other aspects add to each one’s overall durability beyond just a sturdy hinge and a set of bearproof locks. The latches and handles don’t factor into an IGBC rating, as they are irrelevant to bear safety but pertinent to any model’s longevity.

In this diverse selection, you’ll find amazing offerings from some of today’s most well-respected companies. From electronics, to housewares, athletic equipment, Igloo coolers, food, health and beauty supplies, and pretty much anything else under the sun, you’ll have no trouble finding exactly what you’re after. According to our testing, over a long enough period of time, a cooler with closed-cell foam will keep things cool for longer. But in the 24- to 48-hour range, we haven’t seen a huge difference between using ¾ inch of closed-cell or open-cell foam in a cooler. Different types of insulation work in their own ways to minimize heat transfer into a cooler. Open- and closed-cell foams act as insulators to reduce heat conduction, while fabrics and liners, such as coated polyurethane and reflective Mylar, create a radiant barrier that reduces and reflects heat radiation.

Ensure all cleaning agents are thoroughly rinsed and the cooler is dry before storage. For now, Igloo has had far more opportunities to become frozen in Texans’ minds, to be part of the moments we hold dear, but Yeti may be built for the direction we’re headed. In this heat, though, we have to lgloo Cooler fill them both up with ice before we fill them with memories. The paper pulp of the Recool composts easily in the backyard, and it performs basically as well as any cheap single-use cooler. While the Cabela Polar Cap 80 boasts impressive features, there are some areas where it falls short.

Like many of its competitors, the Tundra 65 has a tiny lip on the inside of the bottom of the drain, so it is challenging to fully empty without flipping the cooler upside-down. Still, we think the Tundra 65 is a useful choice for almost any vehicle-powered activity. ROAM is primarily a rooftop tent manufacturer and well regarded among serious outdoor-goers like overlanders and those who like to get off the grid. But their foray into coolers hasn’t gone unnoticed, combining the ruggedness and utility that ROAM is known for with a myriad of functional features. And importantly, all these features are integrated nicely and have the same solid and confidence-inspiring feel as the rest of the aptly named Rugged. Born from a modest metalworking shop back in 1947, Igloo has been instrumental in redefining how we live, work and play.

Many of the options we tested have this feature, including the Pelican Wheeled, Arctic Titan, Xspec, and Igloo IMX. Still, others have specific slots to tie them down in your boat, backseat, or truck bed. Igloo also offers cooler totes and bags for everyday use, like taking your lunch to work or school. As you search for the right cooler to choose, igloo electric cooler the many options available can make it intimidating to ensure you find the right one. Really, it all comes down to which cooler best suits your needs and works for the activity you have planned. Additionally, MaxCold insulation helps keep your refreshments cool well into the day, ensuring a hydrating drink or satisfying snack when you need it most.

The Roadie 24 is just over 13 inches tall inside, which allows standard wine and 2L bottles to stand upright. The Roadie also outlasted all other personal-sized models in our insulation testing. Just as its name suggests, this little box has proved itself to be our go-to road trip companion.