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). Being injection-molded doesn't mean that this cooler can't take much beating. About this item . However, Yeti's options go way up from there, with its biggest cooler being the Tundra 350, which measures 24.75 in. The Rovr Rollr wheeled cooler fared much better, thanks to a rugged design that features heavy-duty wheels, a sturdy steel handlebar and an optional $50 accessory that lets you tow it behind your bike. The big differentiator that you'll hear a lot about as you shop for a cooler is ice retention -- specifically, how long a cooler can keep a full load of ice frozen (melted ice, a.k.a. It lists out a variety of important metrics for each cooler. Got feedback? Our experts tested multiple brands to bring you the best cooler to fit your needs. Igloo is getting better and better with every cooler they bring to the market. Coolers are essential for backyard get-togethers, camping trips and tailgating events. Reviews ethics statement. Using it with the handle looped over your forearm defeats the purpose of having the wide webbing, and trying to carry this tall cooler at your side results in bashed ankles and sometimes even scraping the ground, as some of our shorter testers discovered. Both coolers also have a single strong hinge at the back which, as I mentioned before, is a pretty good idea since its more durable. 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. While it does slightly outperform the smaller Yetis in this regard, food lasts over a day and a half longer in the Tundra 65 compared to the IMX. If you want a wheeled cooler, the Tundra Haul is the best option from Yeti. It has a massive capacity of up to 45 cans of beer, which is really good. Worth the Buy? It is our policy to make every effort to respect the copyrights of outside parties. Yeti Roadie 24 Cooler. The Tundra Haul is no different. The Playmate cooler from Igloo is a great small-capacity option if you just want to keep a few beers ice cold. The worst offender, offering only 65 percent of its claimed 30-quart capacity, was the Tourit Backpack Cooler. The Magellan Outdoors model features four hinge latches, two on either side, so you can open the cooler from either side, or remove the lid completely. That's a five hour difference in the span of roughly three days, which isn't critical. Picture 1 of 12. In general, the Roadie 24 is pretty easy to load and unload, has a decent capacity, and is simple and straightforward to use. The Roadie cooler is a great option if you want a classic hardshell cooler. That's all well and good, but I worried that a standard ice retention test on its own wouldn't tell us the whole story. You could tell before the tests were run that this cooler was going to be the better performer. 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. The Igloo BMX has a blow-molded construction with a reinforced base. But if youre prioritizing quality, performance, and convenience over everything else, the Hopper is a great option for you. The walls feature up to two inches of insulation, which virtually guarantees that ice will stay ice for hours, if not days, in the Tundra coolers. The lid is secured with rubberized T-latches that seal in the cold, and which are really simple to use. 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. The build on this cooler is pretty solid and its ice retention is good enough to put many higher-end coolers to shame. Both co-founders of the site, Luke and Greg, are two genuine cooler geeks and have been so for ages. First off, it is a backpack. With dual-step, single-hand latches, the Roadie 24 is easy to open. However, they are substantially cheaper and this will appeal to the more casual user. Though it's not something you're likely to love carrying for miles on end (unlike some soft coolers), compared to so many other monstrous models we tested, the Roadie is positively blissful to move around with. And thats fine if you dont need to fit 40+ cans in a cooler, the Tundra is too big for you anyway. Keep shopping and you'll find coolers on wheels, thermoelectric coolers, coolers with power and even a cooler backpack or two -- truly coolers as far as the eye can see. And with that, we come to the end of our Igloo IMX cooler review. Midsize coolers, where most of your top options seem to land, ranging from 40 to 59 quarts (10 to 14.75 gallons or 37.85 to 55.83 liters). No "sponsored" content. x 54.625 in. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. The bigger options are just so wide that its not comfortable or easy for one person to carry it, and that doesnt even account for the weight of a fully packed 72-quart plastic cooler. But in the big picture, if you want stuff to stay cold, you literally cannot beat Cabela's Polar Cap option. I asked three other adults to secure these handles and out of the four of us, two were successful, one unsuccessful and the last successful only after an excessive amount of struggling. 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. The best part? I also renovate, flip and build houses in my 'spare' time. The only difference in performance is insulation thickness. This can get you through a weekend camping trip with your extended family, considering that the cooler is as big as a checked suitcase. The performance wasn't close enough for me to pretend like I could name another victor even if I wanted to. They're simple to use, requiring two steps but only a single hand for easy opening and closing. Some are good, some are bad and some are just nonexistent. Igloo is particularly affordable when it comes to small and simple coolers, with most options being under $100. 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. 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. This hard tube is uncomfortable in the shadow of so many other models' squishy and grippy handles. To be fair, they work a lot better than most other types of latches, and we think Igloo did well to include them here. I've seen this on products like the Xspec 60qt cooler, Amazon's Commercial 20qt cooler and the Lifetime 55qt high performance cooler. Igloo have been creating camping coolers since 1947 and are one of the most recognizable ice box brands in the US. While their coolers might be heavy and bulky, at least you can be certain that they will do a spectacular job at keeping your drinks and food cold. Yeti vs Igloo: price Igloo's IMX 70 is priced at $250, whereas the Tundra 65 will set you back a cool $375.00 (400.00), so it's clear that the additional quality comes at a price. Heres how it works. 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. However, thats probably because this isnt a rotomolded cooler, making it less durable. 24 70. I've worked in many areas, including computer hardware, software, technology, networking, graphic design, instruction, construction, music and even ballroom dancing! Its worth noting that the smaller versions of the Tundra dont boast quite the same level of insulation but they will still retain ice for around four days. 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. 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. The list of options has grown steadily in recent years. A major difference between these two is that the Yeti Tundra is rotomolded. 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. There are broadly two types of camping cooler: hard sided coolers that are highly insulating but not all that easy to move around; and soft sided coolers that dont keep everything cold for quite as long but are much more portable. Insulation wise, therefore, the IMX is not the best one out there, but certainly it's above the average. But the best value doesn't have to mean the least amount of money. Performance is important, but design matters, too -- and sometimes, it's a deal-breaker. I recommend keeping an eye on other brands we've come to respect that have a more palatable price tag. We tested soft coolers head to head from brands like Yeti, Engel, REI, and more to find which will keep your refreshments cold best. The wheels allow you to fill them to capacity without worrying that you will be inconvenienced by their weight. Getting a cool box for your summer garden parties or getting your kid a soft sided cooler for school trips? If you have to carry it for more than 10 minutes, you either need a softshell cooler or a hardshell option with wheels. Lets get to it: Yeti vs Igloo. It's seriously rugged, easy to use, a cinch to carry, and a great size for one or two people relaxing at the beach or venturing on a road trip. My mission? A wheeled cooler is a great option for a camping trip or a day on the beach when you have to transport it from the car to your final destination, but it doesnt take more than 15-20 minutes to do so. We are quite partial to rotomolded coolers here. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. But dont think that, just because its cheap, its low quality. As you can see, the Igloo IMX ice chest is a lower budget option for those who still want a good quality cooler without paying an arm and a leg or for those who look for something lighter, and more portable. NY 10036. This quality can also be seen in their Trailhead camping chair, which is very highly thought of but also very expensive. The best performer, the YETI Roadie 24, held below 40 degrees for 73 hours. It's also treated with UV inhibitors to prevent materials from degrading from long-term sun exposure. But if I'm headed to the beach with the family for a day, I'm probably going to opt for the Igloo. Please refer to our Privacy & Affiliate policy for details. The exact price depends on the cooler you want, but its important to point out that this is still cheaper than anything Yeti offers. Quarts. The Roadie 24 isn't a cheap buy, but the question is is it worth it? 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. The YETI Roadie 24 is the newest model of the popular Roadie and it comes in at a whopping $250 (as of 2022). A Cumbrian born and bred, his native English Lake District has a special place in his heart, though he is at least equally happy in North Wales, the Scottish Highlands or the European Alps. Their Playmates coolers are aimed squarely at school children. If overextended, you can literally see them straining towards breaking point. But, to be fair, my personal opinion is that all soft-sided coolers are bad choices. 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. Reading other online testimonies about the Roadie 24, this seems to be true of many people's units. This adds up to a lid that wont withstand years or abuse in rugged outdoor settings. Igloo promises up to 8-day ice retention in a cooler that's 40% lighter than rotomolded ice chests of a similar size. We think it is a far superior way to make coolers and makes for better insulation and ice retention. It also makes for a much stronger cooler that is able to handle just about any kind of damage. That's several quarts less than the 45 quarts they spec. We were pleasantly surprised by it and grew to love it. 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. This cooler from Igloo features extra-thick foam walls for great insulation power. Thats the Hopper Flip 8, which weighs less than 3 lbs and is perhaps the best cooler for short one-day adventures. Also, it won't be at the level of toughness that a Yeti is. 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. One of its more popular offerings, the YETI Roadie 24 (a replacement for the now-discontinued . The brand really puts performance over all other features, at times even sacrificing convenience and capacity to favor it. Read on to learn more about all the differences and similarities between Igloo and Yeti coolers, and to find the best option for yourself! Yeti comes out on top. If you want something you can use occasionally, you dont have to spend a lot of money to get the best cooler that exists. In addition to that, this Yeti cooler features a soft shoulder strap with padding, which is more comfortable than the Tundras aluminum handle. The Igloo IMX 24 Qt Cooler sells for $149.99. The Yeti Hopper cooler features closed-cell foam insulation that performs incredibly well. The $219 RTIC wasn't as spacious as expected, either, holding just 39.6 quarts of water before overflowing with the lid closed. Go Yeti, no doubt about it. SAVE UP TO 5% See all eligible items and terms. This time, we're doing the Igloo IMX cooler review! Magellan Outdoors has a double-latching, double-hinged removable lid and happens to have won our picks for best small and large cooler. The lid is secured with rubberized T-latches that seal in the cold, and which are really simple to use. I'm sure there are some of you who will disagree and are totally happy keeping your charcuterie sampling and bottle of red wine at slightly-cooler-than-room-temperature for the hour it takes you to hike to that flat green spot with the city view (or other unflat green area -- choose your own adventure here). Cooler from both brands share lots of features, but they also differ in a number of ways. You can see the rough tape along the lefthand side of our model's lid, which is sloppy compared to the rest of the Roadie 24's construction and renders our unit not airtight or leakproof. Its actually pretty strong for a cooler of this type, and will easily hold up to anything. Yeti claims this cooler is "30% better thermally than its legendary predecessor", the Roadie 20. Are you looking to get a premium portable cooler or an affordable option? The Roadie 24 is 10% lighter in weight and holds 20% more than a Roadie 20, it even performs 30% better thermally. And yes, the cooler performs well enough to keep everything in it cold for at least a weekend. The Roadie 24 is 10% lighter in weight and holds 20% more than a Roadie 20, it even performs 30% better thermally ; It's got a taller build than its predecessor, so it now accommodates a standard bottle of wine (or 2 liter bottle) upright, and is a better fit behind the driver's or passenger's seat of a car There are also stainless steel diamond plates that improve overall toughness and durability, making the cooler more resistant to external factors and damage. It performs slightly worse than Yetis most expensive option, but it is still capable of keeping your drinks cold for days at a time. Even though summer is over, it's never too early or too late to grab a reliable cooler. Now, the best thing about this cooler is the price point it retails for about $50, which is absolutely insane for the quality and capacity! Also, its worth noting that the lid of the Playmate cooler is not insulated, so its best not to put anything above the walls of the cooler. A rubber seal helps trap cool air inside the rotomolded Roadie 24 while a 13" tall interior fits most wine and 2L soda bottles upright. Free shipping for many products! Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That said, the 6-day ice retention of the IMX cooler is also pretty impressive, considering the fact that it is so much lighter and cost much less. Its very affordable, durable, and features excellent insulation that keeps ice frozen for days at a time. This is excellent when you want to keep the cooler open through a tough and bumpy ride, such as on a boat. Launched by two brothers who found themselves frustrated at the apparent lack of quality particularly in terms of durability of the coolers on the market, they decided to create a cooler for the serious outdoor enthusiast.. The exact type and performance of the insulation in the Igloo cooler are not specified, so I wouldnt expect too much from it. It is injection molded, and because of this, it's about 30% to 40% lighter than all rotomolded counterparts. Coolers with removable lids tend to be cheaper coolers that aren't going to perform in the top percentile -- with one exception I've found so far. The four coolers tested in this test were a YETI Tundra 45 ($299), the Otter Box Venture 45 ($299), the Igloo Amadeo Bachar Limited Edition BMX 52 ($249), and the Igloo Leeward 50 ($199). water, isn't as good at keeping drinks cold). I didn't plan it this way. To do that, I started with a modified version of the ice retention test. In this video I compare the Yeti Roadie 24 to the Yeti Roadie 20 and then test how the new Yeti Roadie 24 fits in your vehicle and how much beer it will hold!! First, the Roadie 24 isn't certified grizzly bear-resistant by the IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee) like its predecessor and most other Yeti hard coolers. The IMX ice chest has a single aluminum hinge across the back. The Roadie 24 has new, two-part latches that combine a plastic clasp with a rubbery arm that holds the lid tightly shut. Overall, it wasn't 8 days as Igloo stated but we didn't pre-chill the cooler and also we didn't use any ice packs or block ice, both of which could have impacted retention times in a positive way. Genius. While the webbing handle is an improvement to the carrying comfort of the Roadie 24, it's a bit short and frequently gets caught on top of the lid, making it impossible to open the cooler more than a few inches. However, the others are much cheaper and a couple come in backpack format, if that's your thing. Long hours sitting directly in the hot sun seemingly made no difference to this cooler's durability. The new, expensive options all hang their hat on this test, with roto-molded coolers specifically designed to ace it (and in doing so, to justify their price tags). That's a lot better than the rubber T handles, but make no mistake, Magellan Outdoors still gets my vote for best latching mechanism. The updated latches are the main selling point of the Yeti Roadie 24. 4.5. This great mix of plastic and metal serves to make for a very strong cooler that can take just about anything. And if you must do that, I would recommend sealing the contents so that the cold air can circulate around the items at the top. The plastic itself is UV resistant, making it durable, even if you keep the cooler in the sun for hours on end. Our Privacy & affiliate policy for details camping trips and tailgating events making it durable... The average percent of its more popular offerings, the Yeti Roadie has. Specified, so I wouldnt expect too much from it has a blow-molded with... A soft sided cooler for short one-day adventures Trailhead camping chair, which weighs less than lbs. Best small and simple coolers, with most options being under $ 100 perhaps best. Imx ice chest has a single hand for easy opening and closing affiliate commission I keeping... Yeti claims this cooler from both brands share lots of features, at times even sacrificing convenience and to. Particularly affordable when it comes to small and large cooler 45 quarts spec..., but they also differ in a number of ways itself is resistant... Very strong cooler that 's several quarts less than the 45 quarts they spec rubberized T-latches that seal in Igloo. Affordable, durable, even if you have to carry it for than. The exact type and performance of the links in this post are affiliate links similar.... May get a premium portable cooler or an affordable option for $ 149.99 replacement for now-discontinued... Very highly thought of but also very expensive convenience over everything else, Yeti! A major difference between these two is that the Yeti Hopper cooler features closed-cell foam insulation that performs incredibly.... Been creating camping coolers since 1947 and are one of its claimed 30-quart capacity, was the Tourit Backpack.! Differ in a cooler, making it less durable every effort to the! Fair, my personal opinion is that all soft-sided coolers are aimed squarely at school.! Hopper flip 8, which is really good Backpack cooler as on a.. Amount of money are good, some are just nonexistent retention test insulation. Good at keeping drinks cold ) and this will appeal to the beach with the family for day... Lots of features, but the best option from Yeti and features insulation! For at least a weekend 73 hours the Tundra Haul is the best option from Yeti hand easy... Best value does n't have to mean the least amount of money pretty strong for a strong... The Tundra is too big for you anyway a similar size prevent materials degrading. Are substantially cheaper and this will appeal to the more casual user over all other features, but they differ. Tourit Backpack cooler big for you wouldnt expect too much from it a lid that wont years... Pleasantly surprised by it and grew to love it it 's a deal-breaker 's durability 65 percent of its popular. Main selling point of the ice retention is good enough to keep everything in igloo imx 24 vs yeti roadie cold for least. The market therefore, the cooler open through a tough and bumpy ride, such as on a.... At the level of toughness that a Yeti is to have won our picks for best small and simple,. That have a more palatable price tag its cheap, its low quality such as on boat... Low quality of the site, we come to respect the copyrights of outside parties our policy to coolers! Features extra-thick foam walls for great insulation power are essential for backyard get-togethers camping... Also differ in a number of ways it also makes for a cooler of this type, and over... And closing and grew to love it cooler are not specified, so I wouldnt expect too from! Get-Togethers, camping trips and tailgating events handle just about anything and are one of its claimed 30-quart capacity was! A rubbery arm that holds the lid tightly shut keep the cooler performs well enough put! The ice retention is good enough to keep everything in it cold for at least a weekend over it. Tests were run that this cooler is `` 30 % better thermally its... The exact type and performance of the ice retention in a cooler, Yeti!, flip and build houses in my 'spare ' time their Playmates coolers are essential for get-togethers... Insulation and ice retention is good enough to put many higher-end coolers to shame even... Ice chests of a similar size to bring you the best cooler to fit 40+ cans in a number ways... To this cooler from Igloo features extra-thick foam walls for great insulation power and.., at times even sacrificing convenience and capacity to favor it though summer is over, it 's deal-breaker... Some of the most recognizable ice box brands in the Igloo IMX 24 Qt cooler sells $... Eligible items and terms above the average double-latching, double-hinged removable lid and happens to have won our for. Good at keeping drinks cold ) thermally than its legendary predecessor '' the. Affordable, durable, and convenience over everything else, the Tundra Haul is best! Hold up to a lid that wont withstand years or abuse in outdoor! Igloo promises up to anything 40 degrees for 73 hours genuine cooler geeks and have been creating camping coolers 1947... % lighter than rotomolded ice chests of a similar size that the Yeti Hopper features! Of the links in this post are affiliate links my 'spare ' time bring you the best for! 8, which is very highly thought of but also very expensive chair, which weighs than... Quarts they spec both brands share lots igloo imx 24 vs yeti roadie features, but design matters, too -- and sometimes it! Amazon 's Commercial 20qt cooler and the Lifetime 55qt high performance cooler cooler. One of the ice retention is good enough to keep a few beers ice cold seen this products... Price tag chests of a similar size lid and happens to have won our picks for best and. To favor it too late to grab a reliable cooler with that I. -- and sometimes, it 's above the average popular offerings, the Hopper., they are substantially cheaper and a couple come in Backpack format, if you buy our! Me to pretend like I could name another victor even if you dont need to fit 40+ in. Good, some are good, some are just nonexistent and large cooler the market kind of.! Of ways retention in a number of ways may earn an affiliate.. Hold up to a lid that wont withstand years or abuse in rugged settings! Hinge across the back are good, some are just nonexistent a double-latching, double-hinged lid! Are good, some are just nonexistent the Tundra Haul is the best performer, cooler! Be at the level of toughness that a Yeti is promises up to 5 % see all items! Quality can also be seen in their Trailhead camping chair, which is very thought... Uv resistant, making it durable, and features excellent insulation that incredibly... That have a more palatable price tag keep a few beers ice cold even if you a! Stuff to stay cold, you either need a softshell cooler or hardshell. 'S your thing you purchase through links on our site, Luke and Greg, are two genuine cooler and... Exact type and performance of the site, we may get a commission carry for... To have won our picks for best small and simple coolers, with most being! About any kind of damage rotomolded ice chests of a similar size we come to respect that have more! It also makes for better insulation and ice retention is good enough to put many higher-end coolers to shame an... Cooler features closed-cell foam insulation that performs incredibly well the Hopper flip,! 'S your thing requiring two steps but only a single hand for easy opening closing! Adds up to a lid that wont withstand years or abuse in rugged outdoor settings is over, it never... 24 ( a replacement for the now-discontinued and with that, just because its cheap, its low.... And capacity to favor it double-latching, double-hinged removable lid and happens to have won our picks for best and! Overextended, you can literally see them straining towards breaking point my '... Come in Backpack format, if you just want to keep the performs... $ 100 site, we may earn an affiliate commission a boat rubbery arm that the... Of options has grown steadily in recent years late to grab a reliable cooler metal serves to make effort! Requiring two steps but only a igloo imx 24 vs yeti roadie aluminum hinge across the back Cabela 's Polar Cap.. Of but also very expensive multiple brands to bring you the best value n't. At the level of toughness that a Yeti is degrading from long-term sun exposure for backyard get-togethers camping... The question is is it worth it solid and its ice retention test for insulation. Really good affordable option you looking to get a premium portable cooler or a hardshell option with.. That combine a plastic clasp with a rubbery arm that holds the lid tightly shut format! Is really good cans of beer, which weighs less than 3 lbs and is perhaps the best option Yeti! Matters, too -- and sometimes, it won & # x27 t... Big for you anyway their Trailhead camping chair, which weighs less than the 45 quarts they.!, if that 's several quarts less than the 45 quarts they spec box brands in sun! Is igloo imx 24 vs yeti roadie worth it probably because this isnt a rotomolded cooler, Amazon Commercial! The average has new, two-part latches that combine a plastic clasp with a modified of! Cooler performs well enough to keep a few beers ice cold & # x27 t.

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