We also like the unique assortment of multi-toned colorways that add a nice dose of flair. Rotomolded coolers like YETI’s Tundra above are made out of a single piece of continuous plastic, which is great for durability but means they typically lack built-in features and mounting locations. Tack on a price that undercuts the similarly sized Tundra 65 above by a considerable $135, and the Xspec stands out as a very well-rounded design at a great value. When deciding on the right size of cooler for your needs, consider where you’ll use it and the number of drinks and snacks you’ll want to store in it.
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. Closed-cell foam is considered igloo electric cooler a better insulator than open-cell foam because the tiny bubbles of gas in closed-cell foam remain independent from one another. Air bubbles that do not share cell walls and in effect stay insulated from one another are better at reducing the overall transfer of heat through the foam.
Coleman understands the tendency to consider the cooler the unofficial extra chair at the tailgating party, so they made their lid able to withstand two-hundred-fifty pounds of cookout enthusiast. Holding up to eighty-four cans and keeping them cold for up to five days, the Xtreme also has a telescoping handle that locks so you can push or pull your cooler to the heart of the action. If you wanted something a little more heavy duty, you’re not going to get many that are as rugged, tough, and sturdy as the Milee Heavy Duty Wheeled Cooler.
There are also a couple of wheeled versions of the Igloo MaxCold that I haven’t tested yet. Given how well the non-wheeled version performed, I have to imagine that they’d be better picks than the other wheeled coolers I tested in this price range, the Igloo Latitude and Coleman Xtreme. Both of those felt cheap and flimsy to me, and neither one performed well enough to merit any extra consideration.
And while bags of ice come relatively cheap, it can be a real pain to have to drain your cooler and replace the ice on a daily basis (not to mention having to travel and purchase more of it). Another benefit of high-end hard-sided units is durability—the difference in quality is immediately apparent and igloo ice chest some of the best out there are truly meant to last a lifetime. All that said, if you just need a reliable cooler for days at the beach or packing a lunch on the road, it’s probably a good idea to save your cash. But if you consistently head outside for days at a time, the investment is well worth it.