After spending many years evaluating more than 40 cooler models, we’ve chosen eight that are well made, well insulated, and well suited for a range of outings. The Igloo MaxCold scored a lower average temperature during the ice retention test than any other cooler except lgloo Cooler for Yeti and Orca, which each cost $300. Still, that’s more than some other cheap coolers can say. Downgrade to the $20 Rubbermaid Ice Chest Cooler or the $15 Igloo Island Breeze Cooler, for instance, and you won’t get a lid latch or a drainage spout at all.
Whether it is a small cooler with wheels or a portable ice chest cooler they are going to be durable. Igloo uses high-quality products and many are made in the U.S.A. The handle and wheels make it very portable and the cooler only weighs 13.5 pounds.
That said, we always take manufacturer-provided specs with a grain of salt, and there isn’t an established, standardized test here. If we had to generalize it, we would say that you should expect to get approximately half of the claimed ice retention time in real-world use, give or take depending on your specific circumstances. For those who don’t know, Pelican is an industry leader in tough, dependable cases for storing and protecting everything from camera equipment and laptops to guns and drones. Therefore, the jump to hard-sided coolers was a logical progression. Like the venerable YETI Roadie above, Pelican’s 20QT Elite here is a lower-capacity option for day trips on the water, strapping to the back of an ATV, and other short outings away from home.
And it is still sized in a way that makes it easy to store. Combine that with solid construction and a reasonable asking price, and you have a true contender. But it does come with some issues, including weak zippers and a smaller-than-desired top access point. Another portable solution, the Hard Top Gripper is extremely mobile for those who can make do with the small storage space. Being small does mean that it is very easy to carry and store and the ice performance, despite being little, isn’t too bad.
Make sure to keep in mind that these injection-molded coolers weigh more than your non-injection counterparts. This is a large chest that can have a decent cooling ability if you get a well-assembled one. The weak hinges and handles can be a huge headache and we wish that Igloo would have upgraded these items even if it resulted in a small premium on the final product’s price. However, the price is great which makes it still neutral to soft buy in our book.
This is one of Igloo’s most proven coolers and it is specially designed for boat outings. The selection size is massive so everybody, no matter their storage needs, can likely find a model that works for them. The insulation is adequate (even in the sun) and there are wheeled options for added mobility. igloo electric cooler That being said, they can be on the bulky side and prices tend to fluctuate quite a bit depending on where you shop. This is a great, simple cooler that does what it needs to do while remaining very affordable. This is a solid choice for those who don’t want to spend high dollars on a premium cooler.
The size is at a happy medium that allows for adequate storage space while still being very mobile and easy to store. Our only issues are that it is a little too thin and we wish that they would update the carrying method. The Playmate is one of the best-selling Igloo coolers and this is thanks to its simple design, igloo electric cooler easy mobility, and great asking price. But it does suffer from short ice life and has very few features that other modern coolers are bringing to the table. One common trend that we have seen with Igloo products across the board is the consistent tendency to be one of the most affordable for that category.
And despite being more expensive than most Igloo Coolers, it is still more affordable than a lot of its competition from other brands. They also know what customers are looking for, particularly regarding what accessories or features they should add to their products. Many Igloo coolers are loaded with unique and well-thought-out accessories that are there to help the user.