We’ve got your outdoor needs covered, from the top-ranked camping chairs to get comfy in at the end of the day and our favorite camping tents for when it’s time to hit the hay. An Igloo hard-sided cooler is a safe and reliable storage solution for keeping your snacks and beverages cold throughout the day. With the Igloo IMX series of coolers to Igloo MaxCold and BMX cooler options, Igloo hard coolers make a great choice for many outdoor adventures. From fishing and tailgating to beach vacations and backcountry camping, Igloo has an ice chest or hard cooler to fit your needs. Previously, we tested hard coolers in the summer in Baltimore through a week that saw highs of 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of 64 to 72 degrees. And more recently we tested most of our picks again throughout the year in Hawaii.
Several of our top-performing contestants have been in regular use for several years now, and each season we update their durability and performance information, documenting how they change over time. We ran and re-ran insulation tests under controlled but harsh laboratory conditions. We dragged our test subjects through the gravel, sand, mud, and grass while road-tripping, tailgating, camping, and hanging out on the beach. We asked our friends and family, who span three generations, to help us dive into these coolers (sometimes literally) and identify the top performers.
All metalheads can shop the brand-new Slayer x Igloo cooler collection now on igloocoolers.com/slayer. “Collaborating with SLAYER to capture the band’s distinct and influential look onto our world-famous coolers has been incredible,” said Adrienne Berkes, vice president of marketing at Igloo. “Through our effectively chilling KoolTunes and Playmate, we’re providing SLAYER’s legion of fans a unique and practical way to show their undying devotion to the band.” 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. We previously noted that Yeti had suspended sales of our backpack pick, the Hopper M20, due to a potential safety issue with the closure, which could fail, releasing magnets, which would be dangerous to ingest.
For those who plan to carry or move their cooler with any regularity, weight should be an important consideration. Even when empty, hard-sided options weigh anywhere from pounds for low-capacity models up to 50+ pounds for premium designs with 75+ quarts of storage. And despite including carry handles, they’re simply too hefty to travel with for long distances. If portability is a priority, we recommend looking at options with wheels, such as RovR’s RollR 45 or Igloo’s Trailmate Journey. Although these units still are decidedly hefty (the RovR is around 37 lbs. while the Igloo is just under 35), the wheels make them much easier and less cumbersome to transport for extended periods, even just for one person.
The process is simpler and cheaper than rotomolding and allows for greater precision because of the molded shapes. But they’re made with multiple pieces—unlike the single, uninterrupted form with rotomolding—which can lead to a drop in durability and added susceptibility to cracking. That being said, a high-end build like RTIC’s 52 Ultra-Light stacks up favorably to top rotomolded coolers in overall toughness.
On its final tour, SLAYER performed more than 140 shows in 20 countries and 40 U.S. states. This website is owned by Jacksons Leisure Supplies Ltd. and is not the official Igloo Coolers website nor is it run by Igloo Products Corp. Jacksons Leisure Supplies Ltd. are an official distributor of Igloo products in the UK.
Rubber T-grip latches are popular as a durable, easy-to-use solution for keeping your ice chest closed. Even after several years of use, the Tundra 65’s latches are virtually the same as the first day we bought the cooler. If you prefer thicker, sturdier latches and don’t mind the extra muscling required to operate, the Orca 58 and 40 both have brawny rubber T-grips (in the shape of Orca tails) that practically exude security and confidence. Over half igloo cooler with wheels of the coolers on our list cost $200 or more, which goes to show how pricey these units can be. Hard-sided coolers from YETI, RTIC, ORCA, and others are able to keep ice frozen for significantly longer than budget options from companies like Coleman or Igloo. 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).