Compared to larger models with lower surface area to volume ratios, this 68-hour performance may not sound that impressive, but among similarly-sized personal coolers, the Roadie outshines the rest. He is currently the President of the London Mountaineering Club, training to become a Winter Mountain Leader, looking to finally finish bagging all the Wainwright fells of the Lake District and hoping to scale more Alpine 4000ers when circumstances allow. The Roadie 24 has new, two-part latches that combine a plastic clasp with a rubbery arm that holds the lid tightly shut. Thats enough space to fit 90 12-ounce cans, so unless youre throwing a fraternity party it should be more than enough for a weekend. The Roadie cooler is a great option if you want a classic hardshell cooler. Its convenient size and shape and thoughtful features make it a great choice for 1-2 person road trips (as its name implies), beach days, and even some overnight camping trips. The Igloo Trailmate won't be able to keep up with Yeti when it comes to insulation ability. Whats the story with running and bone density? The only other thing I'll say here is that I'm still surprised not to see more of the high-end options try to separate themselves from the pack with clever bonus features like a built-in battery for charging your devices while you camp outdoors (or better yet, a solar panel). On the topic of wheeled coolers, the Igloo Journey Trailmate 70qt All-Terrain cooler also came with a dizzying amount of extras and features. Some are good, some are bad and some are just nonexistent. And you can find some great lightweight coolers from Igloo for less than $50 if you just want something affordable, definitely check out the budget-friendly options from Igloo. (931) $129.99 $149.99. At under $100, the price and the features make for a compelling argument on why you should get one it simply depends on whether it will serve your needs. But they also expect them to cost more than their competitors. To help put this data in perspective, I broke down the coolers into separate size categories after peeling soft-sided coolers into their own category. Magellan Outdoors has a double-latching, double-hinged removable lid and happens to have won our picks for best small and large cooler. There are only two available sizes: the 24-quart and the 70-quart coolers. The only downside of this Yeti cooler is the price point. Carrying the cooler, even when it was full, proved to be a comfortable and fairly easy task. The temperature down in the ice would have been roughly the same in all of the coolers, leaving retention as the only real variable. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. For the colors, there are also only 2 available options: white and gray. Near the base is a massive drain plug to help you drain out all the water as fast as possible. Instead of a full load of ice in each cooler, I went with an amount of ice equivalent to 10% of each cooler's total volume. Oh, and I did all of this in one of our appliance lab's climate-controlled test chambers, and I made sure to let each cooler sit open in the room for several hours beforehand to ensure that they all started at room temperature (about 80 degrees Fahrenheit to emulate a good outdoor summertime temp). Whether it is a soft-sided cooler, a hard-sided cooler, one that has foam insulation or a removable liner, I've considered all these and more to come up with the list of best coolers for you. Also, the zipper is 100% leakproof and waterproof, allowing you to confidently use this cooler regardless of the weather conditions. Luke has a deep passion for sports and all-things-outdoors. It uses thick, insulated walls to maintain the inner temperature and to keep the heat from outside outside. Tracking the ambient temperature up above it was much more telling, and it gave us some additional variables to consider. As a matter of fact, at $220, this cooler is currently the cheapest of any cooler in either our midsize or large cooler category, with the exception of the Igloo BMX 52qt Cooler, which happened to be the poorest performer of the aforementioned categories. I get that a rubber bungee-style latching mechanism is probably very efficient from a cost and maintenance perspective for the manufacturers. That hinge is also self-stopping, which means you can stop the coolers lid at any point without it slamming shut. The closest comparable Yeti product we can compare the Igloo IMX 70-qt cooler to is the YETI Tundra (our review here), while the YETI Roadie (review) would be the closes match to the 24-quart version of the IMX. If you're looking for a lightweight cooler able to keep ice for couple of days, then this is it. Chief among them are a rising number of heavy-duty, roto-molded coolers that deliver thick, dense insulation superior to traditional coolers (and which perform better by leaps and bounds than a soft cooler or cooler bag). Hopefully, they introduce more sizes and colors as time goes by. It is a lot lighter than the Tundra, but it also has a smaller capacity. Another Magellan cooler. Getting a cool box for your summer garden parties or getting your kid a soft sided cooler for school trips? Being injection-molded doesn't mean that this cooler can't take much beating. Luke is a co-founder of bestcooler.reviews, a cooler expert and author of 70+ reviews on this website. They consist of a nylon cord with a strong plastic handle. x 54.625 in. You can also fit some ice in addition to those cans, to ensure they stay cold for as long as possible. This is further compounded by the dark blue color we tested, though Yeti also makes this model in lighter hues, which we solidly recommend. the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, A high-performing and durable cooler with solid usability features at a lower price than expected, A functional cooler for a mere fraction of the price of the competition, A well-performing, personal-sized cooler for a fraction of the price of its competition, 41.9cm x 35.6cm x 44.5cm | 16.5" x 14" x 17.5", 81.3cm x 47cm x 43.2cm | 32" x 18.5" x 17", 72.4cm x 39.4cm x 44.5cm | 28.5" x 15.5" x 17.5", 51.4cm x 30.5cm x | 20.25" x 12" x 15.25"/20". On the inside of the cooler is 2-inch thick foam, while the lid has 1.5-inch thick foam insulation to keep your food and drinks cold for a long time. However, thats probably because this isnt a rotomolded cooler, making it less durable. Even though summer is over, it's never too early or too late to grab a reliable cooler. We only make money if you purchase a product through . Picture Information. We discussed injection molded coolers vs rotomolded coolers in our post about best lightweight coolers, where the IMX has taken one of the top spots. We have very few complaints about the durability of this mighty little cooler. In fact, we squared them off against another industry leader in Hydro Flask for our Yeti vs Hydroflask feature. It generally compromises the longevity of the cooler. Yeti have proven time and time again that their products stand up to the most robust and rigorous tests. By Maggie Nichols, Genaveve Bradshaw. The main advantage softshell bags have is their weight theyre usually at least 50-60% lighter than thick plastic coolers, making them the more comfortable option for long-haul adventures. I am the Labs Manager for CNET's Home Division based in Louisville, KY. My interest in technology began in the early '90s, and soon after I began my double major in computer science and computer engineering. Tried and True 1.71K subscribers Subscribe 14K views 1 year ago Welcome back to another knowledge drop series video! Here's a linked list with brief insights: If we're going to talk about performance, we should talk about capacity first. But in the big picture, if you want stuff to stay cold, you literally cannot beat Cabela's Polar Cap option. And yes, the cooler performs well enough to keep everything in it cold for at least a weekend. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. This adds up to a lid that wont withstand years or abuse in rugged outdoor settings. Available in 24-quart and 70-quart capacities, the IMX has advanced Ultratherm insulation, marine-grade lid latches, lockable lid, stainless . It would make sense that a fully airtight cooler can be expected to perform even better when it comes to insulation, but alas, the Roadie isn't quite airtight. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, I've broken them down into four main categories: Is a bigger ice chest always better? However, if you infrequently use a cooler and need something to keep things cool only a few times per year, the Roadie 24 is perhaps overkill for your needs. Other features of the Roadie 24 cooler include the same rubber latches and the NeverFail hinge system as you have on the Tundra, as well as wine-friendly internal height. Igloos IMX 70 cant compete with the Tundra 65 in terms of ice retention. For the most part, this cooler was built for people who wanted a nice and cheap cooler that does the job well without having to break the bank. They're difficult to pull down, even as a full-grown adult. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Then I measured out the exact number of quarts each cooler could hold -- important information to have when you're dealing with large quantities of melted ice. Let us know! Sure, it can get heavy when filled to capacity, but the comfortable handle makes everything a bit easier. However, we're not sure in what instance you would want it. That left me with small coolers (less than 40 quarts), midsize coolers (40-59 quarts) and large coolers (60 quarts or more). The ones on the Yeti tundra use a ball while the ones on the IMX use wings. We discussed injection molded coolers vs rotomolded coolers in our post about best lightweight coolers, where the IMX has taken one of the top spots. You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. These have a tendency to come apart very quickly. Most of the coolers that I tested were, but some took things even further. bestcooler.reviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It's also worth considering whether or not your cooler is sturdy enough to sit on, something that comes in handy when you're out camping. To do that, I started with a modified version of the ice retention test. Find the best coolers of the bunch based on size, features and, most importantly, how cold they stay over time, and then categorize them in a way that will make it easy for you to find the best cooler for your needs. I suppose it might be because it is a new product line and Igloo still wants to test it out. More helpful, the indented handles on the bottom of either side of the lid are perfectly placed for easy grabbing and moving the Roadie 24 with two hands. Do you want a hardshell cooler, a softshell cooler, or an option with wheels? The exact type and performance of the insulation in the Igloo cooler are not specified, so I wouldnt expect too much from it. Magellan Outdoors, Frosted Frog, RTIC and even the Amazon Commercial coolers are worth a look pretty much across their product offerings based on what I've seen. I mean, come on -- the literal last thing you want from your cooler is to get burned by it. I recommend keeping an eye on other brands we've come to respect that have a more palatable price tag. Yetis Tundra 65 will keep food fresh for almost a week, a duration thats pretty much unrivalled in the cool box world. Lets start with the most obvious similarity: the T-latches. Through his hiking, mountaineering, climbing and trail running adventures, Alex aims to inspire others to get outdoors. But if you just want a sturdy hardshell cooler that doesnt cost an arm and a leg, the Igloo Ice Cube might be the best option for you. water, isn't as good at keeping drinks cold). The $219 RTIC wasn't as spacious as expected, either, holding just 39.6 quarts of water before overflowing with the lid closed. The backpack has lots of straps and hitching points, too -- I imagine the target demographic is more hiking-oriented than day-at-the-beach, but in either case, you'll be able to secure extra stuff. On top of all that, this Igloo cooler boasts swing-up handles on the sides. We tested soft coolers head to head from brands like Yeti, Engel, REI, and more to find which will keep your refreshments cold best. Yeti Roadie 24 Cooler. As cool boxes are arguably both brands forte, for the purposes of comparison we've chosen the Yeti Tundra 65 and the Igloo IMX 70 hard sided coolers. Its not exactly a ruler you can use to take photos while holding fish, but it will certainly let you measure your catch of the day. Bestcooler.reviews, established in 2015, is a leading blog-style magazine dedicated to reviewing and blogging about coolers. x 23.25 in. When it comes to insulation, the Yeti Roadie 24 does a pretty solid job for a small cooler with a lot of surface area. Igloo promises up to 8-day ice retention in a cooler that's 40% lighter than rotomolded ice chests of a similar size. You can easily fit 2-liter soda bottles upright in the Roadie 24 cooler, while the quality rotomolded construction guarantees that the durability isnt impacted by the weight reduction. Free shipping for many products! Another thing: the weight. By far the lightest and smallest cooler we tested, the Igloo BMX has skinny walls compared to the more expensive options in our line-up. Not only does it allow for four extra quarts of liquid capacity, but it's a few pounds lighter (Yeti says 10%), and performs better on insulation tests (Yeti says 30% better). Worth the Buy? For instance, the Bison Gen 2 Cooler goes so far as to advertise itself as an ideal casting platform to stand on during your next fishing trip and even sells nonslip traction mats for the lid in a variety of designs. That's a five hour difference in the span of roughly three days, which isn't critical. Its a lightweight cooler that weighs only about 4 lbs when empty, so it wont be a big deal to carry it in your hand for more than 5-10 minutes at a time. Are the more expensive coolers actually worth their asking prices? And thats fine if you dont need to fit 40+ cans in a cooler, the Tundra is too big for you anyway. Its interior is now taller than it is wide, stretching just over 13 inches inside plenty of space for the average-sized bottle of celebratory champagne or refreshing 2L soda. Go on, read through the comments on the Infinite Cooler's Indiegogo campaign, which blew through a March 2019 ship date with nothing to show for it. But we didn't count this against the Roadie 24, as the plastic grip can not only be slid out of the way when you don't need it, but a slit running its length allows you to remove it easily if you prefer. Coolers Like YETI: Our Top 10 Favorite Cheaper Options, Yet Amazing Quality, New Years Cooler Sales 2021 Find the Best Holiday Deals Here, Cyber Monday Cooler Deals 2021 Best Sales Guide for Coolers, Yeti Vs Hydro Flask The Battle of Drinkware Giants, Blue Cooler Review Solid Coolers with Excellent Price per Quart Ratio, Revo Cooler Review Checking Out Revos Party Barge, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV3gZJyTehY, Igloo IMX 70 qt. It's all more than enough for me to recommend the healthiest possible dose of skepticism if you ever find yourself tempted to back a campaign like that with your cold hard cash. Yetis modern Hopper soft sided coolers have a good reputation too, albeit not the stellar rep of the Tundra. This detailed comparison can help you make up your mind! I do like that. This hard tube is uncomfortable in the shadow of so many other models' squishy and grippy handles. Coolers are an essential component of any barbecue or camping trip. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. In its closed state, full of water, I sloshed it around without spilling a drop, so it's safe to assume that leaks won't be an issue. Additionally, there are cutouts on each side that function as handles, allowing you to pick up the cooler if you just want to quickly move it from one place to another. Yeah, I know. They were popularized by Yeti, which uses them on virtually all of their hard coolers. The best part? 65% Ron Swanson, 25% Ben Wyatt, 10% Andy Dwyer. Just as its predecessor, the Roadie 24's lid stays open for easy loading and unloading. 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