Yes, I ended up buying the expensive coolers, but only because I run a cooler review site and thats my job. But pulling the RovR with its air-filled wheels lets you glide over imperfections in the ground and keeps your hands happy. We've tested 35 models over 9 years in search of the best cooler. Whew, some of these coolers are getting expensive. An internal light assists in finding that last beer in the dark, and a tall interior easily accommodates your celebratory champagne. A combination of low weight, small size, and large carrying handles help make this possible. The Engel, Tundra 65 and 45, Xspec, Titan, Orca58 and 40, RTIC, and Igloo IMX all follow this model. It offers some of the coldest achievable temperatures and above-average insulation. 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. But I also did the same for several other brands so I could compare them all against one another. The Roadie 24 is just over 13 inches tall inside, which allows standard wine and 2L bottles to stand upright. Among mid-sized models, it's useful to point out that the internal volume of the Yeti Tundra 45 measures roughly 35 quarts. These products proved to be very durable, despite the fact our team was unable to find a grizzly bear willing to test each of them rigorously. Whether you're setting out on a road trip or a hunting trip, we can help you choose your perfect icebox. certification from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, be sure to always check local regulations, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Excellent insulation, super durable, easy to use, great size, Excellent insulation, great drainage, durable, compact design, Pretty good insulation, convenient size, comparatively lightweight, good price, Very durable, good insulation, comfortable handle grips, The best wheels, very durable, comfortable to pull, useful accessories, Expensive, no leash for plug, smaller than claimed, Tall narrow shape is hard to dig through, expensive, not our favorite handles, Handles uncomfortable, not our favorite latches, A bit large for one person, no leash for plug, latches are scarily stretchy, Not amazing insulation, awkward latches, expensive, on the heavy side, If you want the best insulation and the longest lasting cooler, look no further than this simple yet effective model, Excellent insulation in a compact, durable cooler, An above-average performer that comes in funky colors offers a good value, A high-performing and durable cooler with solid usability features at a lower price than expected, A wheeled cooler that provides top notch portability with a robust and useful feature set, 78.1cm x 44.5cm x 40.6cm | 30.75" x 17.5" x 16", 67.9cm x 50.8cm x 49.3cm | 26.75" x 20" x 19.4", 74.9cm x 43.2cm x 42.2cm | 29.5" x 17" x 16.6", 81.3cm x 47cm x 43.2cm | 32" x 18.5" x 17". The RovR RollR 60 is easily our rolling favorite. Several of the models we tested have IGBC certification - what does that mean, though? The BMX 25 not only looks tough but also features heavy-duty blow moulded plastic construction, and while the cooler walls are not as thick as the Yeti model, it is still a good performer when it comes to keeping stuff cool. 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. The main thing is that the handle stays strong when loaded with ice, beers, and food, and the rubber latches are still as good as new. Got feedback? In other cases, you can spend far less without a substantial drop in overall performance. To help you find the right model, we tease apart performance differences between contenders, implementing specific tests spanning five exhaustive, mutually exclusive metrics. Its injection-molded design is super durable with amazing ice retention but still weighs 40% less than coolers with similar performance. While more and more competitors now automatically include an internal dry basket, Orca continues to offer it as an extra accessory, subbing in the external mesh pocket instead. Im rarely carrying just beer, and the YETI is often much more useful for picnics than the above graph suggests. Initially skeptical, we now use it all the time. You might think the Igloo BMX 25 looks awesome. We dragged our test subjects through the gravel, sand, mud, and grass while road tripping, tailgating, camping, and hanging out on the beach. We filled each model with water to see how well their seals worked (or if they worked at all) and left them all out in the scorching midday desert sun for hours on end to see what would happen. 5. And we considered not just the sheer weight of each chest, but what that weight gets you in terms of capacity - as in how worth it are the extra pounds? GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Impressive. The juddering of pulling hard-wheeled models over even 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). The best performer, the YETI Roadie 24, held below 40 degrees for 73 hours. Of our test subjects with a manufacturer's claim for ice retention attached to them, not a single one lived up to it in our tests. Additionally, several other aspects add to each one's overall durability, beyond just a sturdy hinge and a set of bearproof locks. If that's not enough, it also comes standard with some of the most useful features we've seen, including a large, removable dry bin and a giant dry storage box that attaches to the lid and literally doubles the amount of stuff you can haul. This post contains affiliate links. Steven has spent numerous months living and climbing in Yosemite National Park, where he lacks a fridge; instead, he stores all of his food in a cooler, working to keep it safe from the hundreds of black bears that call the park home. Our bestselling BMX coolers have a durable, feature-loaded design and advanced insulation for extended ice retention, making them the perfect go-to rugged cooler for any outdoor adventure, whether you're camping, road tripping, fishing or just chilling out back. The market for ice chests continues to grow over the years, resulting in some extremely close competition and hard-fought rivalries. The Arctic Titan has an oversized drain to decrease the time you spend emptying it. We compare YETI, RTIC, Igloo, ORCA, and Pelican to see which of their 20 qt coolers is the best. The Tundra line also includes a plethora of other sizes, many of which we've tested from small, personal boxes to giant behemoths. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Outstanding temperature control and range. The thick, stiff latches of this Orca provide additional security, as well as require a little extra muscling to maneuver them in and out of place. 4/25/2021. Beyond that, it doesn't boast much. Models we reviewed that are IGBC certified include the Yeti Tundra 65 and Tundra 45, Orca 58 and 40, Pelican Wheeled 80 and Elite 20, Engel 65, Arctic Zone Titan 55, and RovR RollR 60. On the other hand, if you're the type of explorer heading off the grid for extended periods and pushing your gear to the limits, the extra cash you'll drop on the Yeti Tundra 65 is well worth the investment. As some performance aspects are more important than others, we weight each metric accordingly. For an everyday cooler whose price won't bring tears to your eyes or cause your jaw to hit the floor, check out this worthwhile model from Igloo. It also lacks a rubber gasket around the top or lid. Igloo 24 qt IMX Lockable Insulated Ice Chest Injection Molded Cooler Igloo Key Features: Dimensions: 24.41 x 16.14 x 16.14 inches Size: 24 qt Construction: Injection-molded Weight:. There are also a few interesting design features like the stainless steel kick plateits mainly for design and it reminds me a little of the toys I used to play with when I was seven, but you can kick the front of your cooler all you want with no recourse. The small, personal-sized models can't keep up with their larger brethren regarding insulation. We've also tested the top powered coolers for those who have access to a power source and prefer an iceless approach. To make things easier, we have compiled this cooler comparison chart. A certification from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee verifies that the product in question has been tested by said committee and meets minimum standards for design and structural standards that are considered "bear-resistant" by a team of grizzly bear experts. At 24 qt., IGLOO's compact IMX is the high-performance cooler countless adventurers rely on. The webbing top handle is a bit short. On the flip side, those products with large handles and awkward shapes that are difficult to Tetris into the back of the minivan, along with everything else you need for the party in the park, don't score as well. I'm attracted to the plethora of features. Lastly, the bike attachment accessory is seriously impressive. 2023 Peacoat Media LLC - All Rights Reserved | About Contact T&Cs Privacy Policy Disclosures. It seems perfect to support an outing for 4-6 people. When fully loaded, the IceMule Pro carries 39 cans and makes us wish it had a weight-bearing waist strap. and thanks to IGLOO's Ultratherm insulation in the body and lid, plus the rubberized lid . If you're interested in a smaller capacity option, we're big fans of the exceptionally useful 40-quart volume and compact shape of the Orca 40. glacire bmx igloo; accessoires de sac de golf; Yeti Hopper Flip 18 Amazone; frigo professionnel qui ne refroidit pas; le plus petit refroidisseur par vaporation; They tout that the BMX 25 (which stands for Blow-Molded eXtreme; the construction plastic they use on the plastic) is built for sturdiness and performance, with diamond plate metal "kick plates" and "tough, oversized hinges." The best powered cooler we have tested is the seriously impressive Dometic CFX3 45. The Tundra 65 is a reasonable weight for its size, and its low profile makes the last beverage easy to find. After hundreds of questions from my friends about the best gear, I figured thousands of guys must have the same problems finding the best cooler for their money. The slightly larger Xspec has a similar ratio of overall dimensions (shorter length, taller height - but not so much that it's hard to find that last beer under all the ice), and it's reasonably easy for a single person to carry a short distance. Still, despite the thinner plastic, the Igloo is still a tough cooler and Im sure you could put it through a beating and itll come out fine. Though the Dometic CFX3 doesn't have an energy-saving mode like many other powered coolers, it does have different levels of battery conservation that ensure it won't prevent you from starting your car in the morning. Of course, the internal dimensions and capacity also make a big difference in what you can bring with you in your icebox and how many extra bags and boxes you'll need to bring along. I made a special note of when the temperature crossed the 40-degree and 50-degree marks (safe internal temperature for meats, and the limit at which beer ceases to be frosty). ), or you'll need twice as much ice as food (gonna need a bigger cooler) While all these things will of course help extend the life of your ice and, therefore, the freshness of your food, it's unlikely that you'd actually be able to follow all these rules every time you use it. You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. For a more packable cooler, check out our comparison of the best soft coolers. 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've tested several rolling models over the years. The Engel has part-rubber-part-metal latches, and the Xspec mixes plastic clasps with rubber straps that ditch the brawn for a bit more finesse when securing them. In our insulation tests, the Tundra 45 eeked out a marginal win, lasting 3.8 days under 40 F. Impressively, with an extra 6 quarts of internal volume, the Orca 40 maintained food-safe temperatures for 3.5 days. In some cases, that extra cash does bring excellent insulation performance, greater utility, and convenience. This cooler is not IGBC certified, but after months of testing, our team agrees that this model is built to last. And with a large (for a soft cooler) capacity of 48 cans, the Engel HD30 just might be enough to get you through a weekend of camping. Igloo Igloo 24 qt. The Igloo BMX 25 performs nearly as well as major competitors in insulation and ice retention tests, but its a fraction of the price. In terms of ice retention, Igloo quote 4 days at 90oF, which is pretty impressive and means that you can use this cooler . Are the latches easy to maneuver with full hands? While other models often have tiny wheels, rigid wheels, low clearance, or narrow, uncomfortable handles, the RovR is what a wheeled chest should be. The Igloo BMX 25 is a solid choice that combines performance and price. Overall, the YETI performed around 10% better. The RTIC has a soft foam handle to help ease the pain of carrying this relatively large, fully-loaded cooler. Despite its taller profile, it can't quite fit an upright, standard-sized bottle of wine or 2L of soda, though it comes fairly close, at 11.25 inches of internal height. It's also helpful to consider how often you find yourself needing the cooling and insulating services these ice chests provide and how burly and rugged you need your gear to be. I doubt youd place a single hot dog in your cooler with seven pounds of ice and let it sit around for four days, unopened. Recommended by 96% of travelers. When it comes to performance, the BMX 25 fared the worst in all of my tests. When it comes to high durability and above-average insulation and usability, the RTIC 65 is a fantastic example of a high-value item. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Shelf Life of Food (Measured Days Below 40F), Days of Cold Beverages (Measured Days Below 50 F). The Igloo BMX 25 can hold 15 pounds of ice total, but I recommend only adding 5-7 pounds to allow for other contents. However, this is just speculation and not something we witnessed during our extensive testing. The RTIC has visually similar rubber latches that are much more flexible. That's where the Yeti Roadie 24 comes into play. In the chart below, you can see how the Igloos space efficiency compares to its competitionI get this number by dividing the number of cans a cooler holds by its liquid quart capacity. This rugged cooler has a bold sturdy construction with best-in-category cooling performance thatll. The RTIC offers a similarly simple interior that's spacious enough to bring a ton of food with you on your hunting trip or camping adventure. Thats why I picked up the Igloo BMX 25, the iconic brands budget-friendly small hard-sided cooler. The Coleman has four beverage holders molded into its lid and makes an inexpensive companion on your next camping weekend. Still, more flexible rubber might have a shorter lifespan than denser rubber, though we haven't had an issue after using this product for years. It's built to be a seat when you finally reach your destination (Yeti even sells a seat cushion to go with it, though we haven't tried that out). Rubber T-grip latches are popular as a durable, easy-to-use solution for keeping your ice chest closed. Despite this oversized stature, it's more portable than we expected, with comfortable handles on each end that make carrying it that much easier. The Igloo BMX 25 not only holds the most out of the coolers I tested, but it also has the greatest space efficiency. Attachment is easy, and the flexible, pivoting arm allows for freedom of bike movement and no loss of turning radius or steering ability. We tested each model's ease of use by, well, using them. No bottle opener or can holder, though it does come with a three-year manufacturer's warranty, which is a nice safety net just in case. If you're an angler, you might appreciate a model with an integrated ruler across the top to measure your catch. USD $149.99 $6.25/qt (4.5) . And if you are so inclined to make additional purchases, the RovR can be mounted to the back of your bicycle like a tiny, ice-filled wagon. You can also pick up the handy bike attachment and tow the RovR behind your bicycle. In this review, youll see how the Igloo BMX 25 compares with the YETI Roadie 24, the RTIC 20 QT, and the ORCA 20 QT. And unlike many other coolers, the BMX has no rubber feet to stop it from sliding across the bed of your pickup if you neglected to tie it down. When I went shopping for a smaller camping cooler, it made my eyes water. This review represents over 600 combined hours spent using, abusing, and meticulously testing over 35 different ice chests over a span of nine years not including the time spent researching hundreds of new and promising models to find the ones worthy of inclusion. Fully loaded, the igloo bmx 25 vs imx 24 is often much more useful for picnics the! My eyes water might appreciate a model with an integrated ruler across the top powered coolers for those who access! 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