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.
If we have enough space, our preferred method is to use both block and crushed ice together, and YETI has more great tips here. Many of the top hard-sided coolers are listed as bear-resistant, which is a worthwhile consideration should you be camping in bear country. However, not all coolers listed as bear-resistant carry this certification—you can see a full list of certified coolers here. If you frequent the backcountry or will be traveling where bear-proof gear is required, make sure your cooler is on the list.
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.
One great way to use these coolers that people don’t think of often is these coolers are also great for keeping things hot. If you need to transport some meat you smoked in your smoker but don’t want it to be cold all you need to do is put hot water into the cooler to warm it up. The cooler has extendable handles making it easy to roll it. This is perfect for attaching camping chairs, bags, hammocks with a stand, or even a small camping grill. The Igloo trailmate really is a premium Igloo cooler with wheels.
Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). Skip the Styrofoam next time you need a disposable cooler. The paper pulp of the Recool composts easily in the backyard, and it performs basically as well as any cheap single-use cooler. The handle and wheels on the Yeti Tundra Haul are the best we’ve come across. This cooler feels like you can roll it across anything without the handle straining or bending, or the wheels breaking.
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.
If portability is a priority, we recommend looking at options with wheels, such as RovR’s RollR 45 or Igloo’s Trailmate Journey. We tend to steer clear of most bargain-basement coolers—they may work well for a day or two but often lack the impressive ice retention of premium models and won’t stand up as well to regular outdoor use. Igloo’s ECOCOOL 52 isn’t totally exempt from these drawbacks, but it’s more well rounded and functional than much of the budget competition. For just $60, the Igloo boasts a generous 52-quart capacity, and the proprietary foam insulation does a good job keeping food and drinks chilled for up to three days (in the right conditions, of course). The feature set is also pretty well sorted for the price, including four self-draining cup holders and functional lifts at the bottom that slightly elevate the cooler off the ground or truck bed. Igloo also added holes in the swing-up handles, allowing you to string a bungee between them to make carrying heavier loads easier.
But open-cell foam’s ability to insulate greatly diminishes when it’s wet because water permeates all of the open space and acts as a conductor of heat. In open-cell foam, most bubbles (more than 50%) share walls with igloo cooler with wheels one another. These foams, which weigh around 0.5 pound per cubic foot, are light and easy to compress. This simple lunch-box-style cooler is insulated with thick closed-cell foam and made from a durable coated nylon.
Where it lacks is in its overall ice life, very limited storage space, and simply being too pricey for what you are getting. This is an excellent all-around ice chest that doesn’t have any major flaws. The ice life is acceptable and the construction is, for the most part, up to par.
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.