The biggest difference you'll hear a lot about when purchasing a cooler is ice retention. Especially how long a cooler can keep a whole batch of ice frozen (melted ice, i.e. water, doesn't keep ice very well when you drink it cold). All of the newer, more expensive options are tipped to use rotational molded coolers specifically designed to perform best in this test (and in doing so justify their price tags).
That's all well and good, but I was worried that the standard ice retention test alone wouldn't tell the full story. Of course, some coolers keep ice frozen for much longer than others, but using melting point as a metric seems to ignore everything that came before. I wanted to get a good sense of performance before the ice melted at all, in a matter of hours rather than just a few days.
To do so, I started with a modified version of the ice retention test. Instead of filling each cooler with ice, we added ice equal to 10% of the total capacity of each cooler. (We already have an accurate measurement of the total volume of each cooler from the capacity tests described earlier.) Less ice means a greater challenge for the coolers, and this allows us to take a closer look at how well they perform compared to each other. I hope so.
We specifically wanted to track the ambient temperature of each cooler, so we placed ice on each cooler we tested under a tall bottle of propylene glycol solution (watered-down antifreeze) containing a temperature probe. Why did it get higher? The temperature under the ice would have been roughly the same in all coolers, leaving maintenance as the only real variable. Tracking ambient temperatures higher than that makes much more sense and gives you some additional variables to consider.
Oh, and I did all of this in one of our appliance lab's climate-controlled test chambers. I also made sure each cooler was left open in the room for a few hours beforehand to make sure they were all operating at room temperature (about 80 degrees). degrees Fahrenheit to emulate nice outdoor summer temperatures).
Ultimately, it was a useful test. After 48 hours (72 hours for the larger coolers) I got a nice graph showing the temperature inside each cooler, minute by minute. And the differences between coolers were noticeable. To help you put this data in perspective, we've separated soft-sided coolers into their own category and then categorized the coolers into separate size categories. So I ended up choosing a small cooler (less than 40 quarts), a medium cooler (40 to 59 quarts), and a large cooler (60 quarts or more). Below you can find graph data for each category, as well as performance data for soft coolers (again, you shouldn't expect much from those coolers).
Mobility and Durability
We also considered the design and features of each cooler while testing and keeping an eye on durability issues. I wasn't that impressed because it had a lid. Igloo Latitude Wheel Cooler, for example. It doesn't lock and the plastic nub hinges are a total joke. With a gentle tug, the entire lid comes right off. And the cheap plastic wheels didn't impress me either. Not a good idea if you are looking for a camping cooler.
that much Rovr Rollr Wheel Cooler It performed much better thanks to its sturdy design, with sturdy wheels, sturdy steel handlebars, and a $50 optional accessory that lets you tow it behind the bike. We also liked that it has a divider on the inside to easily store items you don't want to get wet separate from the ice, and that it can be customized with a variety of interior liner designs. The only complaint is that the T-shaped handlebars include comfortable rubber grips on the sides, but not in the center. This is the point you actually want to hold when carrying it with one hand.
![Igloo cooler open](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/a469022ac04581f64ddaf9399855332fb9f5cafb/hub/2021/03/12/ed45d07f-adf4-457c-87a7-ed8fa4b15281/coolers-2021-08.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200)
I try my best but I can't Pretty Capture all the great features of your Igloo Trailmate in one photo.
When it comes to coolers on wheels, the Igloo Journey Trailmate 70qt All-Terrain Cooler came with a dizzying array of extras and features. Overall, it wasn't as durable as the Rovr, but I think it was mostly designed for other purposes. If I were going trekking into the woods with a couple of friends on the weekend, I would definitely choose the Rovr. But if you're heading to the beach with your family for a day, you'll probably choose an igloo.
Oh, and if you're going to be spending a lot of time camping in a place where bears are a concern, you'll probably want to invest in a bear-proof cooler. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee maintains a running list of certified options that includes several coolers from this list. Several models we've tested from Cabela's, Orca, Rovr, Magellan Outdoors, and Yeti are all suitable.
It's also worth considering whether the cooler is sturdy enough to sit on, meaning it will come in handy when you go camping. Most coolers I tested did that, but some performed much better. for example, Bison Gen 2 Cooler They advertise themselves as the ideal casting platform to stand on during your next fishing trip, and they also sell non-slip traction mats for the lids in a variety of designs.
Between the hinges, lid, drain plug, and lid latch, the Bison cooler felt like the most premium product to the touch, but it didn't retain cold air as long as other rotomolded models. It costs about $150 more than the cheapest rotationally molded product, the Xspec 60qt performance cooler.
latches and lids
![cooler latch](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/be5c83e9f30711b5ed46391bb4527dce1ddc0afe/hub/2021/03/12/d0539bff-7b3a-4273-a4fa-45ef31f797eb/coolers-2021-04.jpg?auto=webp&width=768)
The Magellan Outdoors model has four hinged latches, two on each side, allowing you to open the cooler from either side or remove the lid completely.
Let's take a closer look at hinges and latches. Some are good, some are bad, and some do not exist. Coolers with removable lids tend to be cheaper and not top percentile performers. There is one exception that I have seen so far. The Magellan Outdoors features a double-latch, double-hinged, removable lid and is our pick for the best small and large coolers. The easy-to-use dual latch design allows the cooler to be opened from either side, and if desired, the lid can be removed completely by unscrewing the latches on either side.
Now let's compare this to most of the newer cooler designs from models like Yeti, RTIC, Orca, Cabela's or Frosted Frog that have rubber T-handles that need to be stretched to secure the lid. Even as a fully grown adult, it is difficult to pull them down. I asked three different adults to secure this handle and out of the four of us, two succeeded, one failed and the last one succeeded after excessive effort. Performance is important, but design is also important. Sometimes it can even stop a transaction.
I think a rubber bungee style latching mechanism would be very efficient from a cost and maintenance standpoint for the manufacturer. There are few moving parts and there is rubber… so it just bends. However, the latch mechanism I see would be a nice middle ground between rubber latches and the latches found on Magellan Outdoors products. I've seen this happen with products like the Xspec 60qt cooler, Amazon Commercial 20qt cooler, and Lifetime 55qt high-performance cooler. These latches have rubber straps that secure the lid, but each strap has a plastic handle on the end that allows you to leverage the mounting points to easily achieve a tensioned fit. It's much better than a rubber T-handle. But make no mistake. Magellan Outdoors still gets our vote for best latch mechanism.
![blue backpack cooler](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/d216b6b87d5d0cc72bea9d5dfe8fdb90ce4066aa/hub/2021/03/12/ad8f3456-1438-4d01-9c43-ddef4d9f444f/coolers-2021-01.jpg?auto=webp&width=768)
Our first soft-side and backpack cooler may not have the best performance, but it's durable and a great option for hikers and campers alike.
The Yeti Hopper Backflip 24 was the first backpack-style cooler we tested, and while its overall performance wasn't stellar, there were things we liked about it. First is the backpack. i like it. Having your hands free is always a bonus when taking your gear to the beach or out for a hike. The backpack also has many straps and attachment points. The target demographic is thought to be more focused on hiking than spending time at the beach. But in both cases, you get extra stuff.
Since this is a cooler with soft sides, there are no latches, only zippers. The zippers are water- and leak-proof. During our capacity evaluation, we tested filling the entire cooler with water and then closing it. It sloshed around in the closed position full of water without spilling a single drop, so it's safe to assume that leaks won't be an issue. The recent Magellan Outdoors soft side cooler (holder of the best soft side cooler title) has the same zipper setup.
final thoughts
Surprisingly, brand matters. Everyone expects Yeti coolers to perform well. But they also expect it to cost more than their competitors. It's a good idea to keep an eye on some of the other brands we've come to respect that have more appetizing price tags. Magellan Outdoors, Frosted Frog, RTIC, and Amazon Commercial coolers are also worth a look across their offerings based on what I've seen.
The only other thing to say here is that I'm still surprised that we don't see more advanced options that try to separate themselves from the pack with clever bonus features like a built-in battery for charging your devices while camping. Outdoors (or even better, solar panels).
If that's what you're hoping for, your best bet is Kickstarter and Indiegogo. coolest cooler and Infinite Cooler” target=”_blank Living a life of infamy. The reason I say infamous is because both cash embezzlements have a history of: Production delays and definitely dissatisfied customers. Go ahead and read the comments on Infinite Cooler's Indiegogo campaign, which passed its March 2019 release date without showing anything. It's not pretty.
If you're tempted to back such a campaign with cold hard cash, it's enough to recommend the healthiest possible skepticism. I mean, come on – the last thing you literally want in your cooler is to get burned. Use an old-fashioned cooler like the one recommended above.