In the world of coolers, YETI pioneered the high-end concept, and the Tundra is its best-selling and most versatile model. This popular line features premium cooling and ice-retention capabilities with a thick, rotomolded build that’s more durable and less prone to cracking than injection-molded options like the RTIC above. Further, you get a handy basket for dry goods, secure closures, and multiple tie-down slots to easily secure it on a boat or truck bed. What’s more, the Tundra is certified as bear-resistant (locks are sold separately for $30), which is great for those who plan to spend time in bear country.
They add functionality, convenience, and show that Igloo isn’t just concerned about making a product that can keep food and drinks cold. No matter if you are looking for an affordable, mobile, personal lunch bag or something that can keep a family’s worth of items chilled for days, Igloo likely has a product that meets your search criteria. As such, we recommend you check out some of the reviews for their products.
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. 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.
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 igloo cooler with wheels 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.
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.