It nearly won our Best Value award, but we were disappointed by the durability issues with the latch and the poor quality of the components and manufacturing. But another aspect of Igloo BMX Coolers that makes them unique compared to other coolers that we have tested is the Cooler Riser Technology. 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 also took each cooler's design and features into consideration as I tested and kept an eye out for durability concerns. Hope this helps to answer your question! 314 reviews. When you buy something through one of the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. If you don't feel like spending $300, don't worry -- the Yeti wasn't the only recommendable option we found by any stretch. 3.7 out of 5 stars. This registered feature that Igloo has entails putting legs on the underside of the cooler which literally lifts the cooler off of the ground. From a quality standpoint, this cooler should last for many years of typical use without issue. If youre on a budget and insulation is your top priority, this cooler is not a bad choice. We typically recommend that these larger coolers be carried by 2 people (particularly if they are filled up with items). We filled each cooler with 20 lbs of ice and left them outside in temperatures topping 90 degrees. If you are after a great bang for your buck cooler, then look no further than the Igloo BMX Cooler. Your better bet? Coleman Xtreme Marine Cooler Overall Score: 8.5 15. The build quality is not as robust as the BMX but then again this is one of the cheapest coolers in our list. It's 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. It isnt as spacious or durable as the Yeti or RTIC, but its a great drink cooler that kept our beer ice cold during our weekend camping trips. One thing to decide when youre going for a larger-capacity cooler, though, is portability. In regards to features, both brands are pretty similar. There's no need for debating; Yeti cost an arm and leg compared to other coolers on the market. Are ice life, insulation and versatility more significant? We also couldnt find anything in the way of custom options that allow you to put your company logo. The latches had noticeably more give than those of the Yeti. As far as we can tell, are only 5 color schemes to choose from right now. Considering that the Tundra product line is certified as bear-resistant by the IGBC (when used with bolts or padlocks), were not surprised by its durability. But they also expect them to cost more than their competitors. There are a few features that could be added and more color options would be a welcome plus, but these are minor complaints. If the MaxCold is a little too plain for your tastes, you could consider stepping up to the Igloo BMX, a new model for 2019 that costs about $100. This Coleman cooler isn't much better as far as the design is concerned, although the lid does tend to stay on its hinges when you pull on it, so point Coleman. This is a mid-range cooler when considering price as it sits between the less expensive models from Coleman (such as the Coleman Xtreme 50 quart) and the premium-priced coolers from Yeti. Reviews ethics statement. Others have a channeled bilge type, so youll need to tilt the cooler more for those final drops. Smart home technology and wireless connectivity, 10 years product testing experience with the CNET Home team, production delays and decidedly unhappy customers, Best Kitchen Gifts for a Home Cook or Foodie, The 5 Best Tea Subscriptions to Gift This Year, Amazon Commercial Rotomolded Cooler, 20qt, Yeti Hopper Backflip 24 Insulated Backpack Cooler, Coleman 24-Can Party Stacker Portable Cooler, Xspec 60 Quart Roto Molded High Performance Cooler, Igloo Trailmate Journey 70qt All-Terrain Cooler, the comments on the Infinite Cooler's Indiegogo campaign, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Weve tested thousands of dollars of outdoor gear over the years, and weve developed an eye for quality. Rubbermaid doesn't make as many coolers as it used to, but you'll still find a few options if you shop around, including the $20 Rubbermaid Ice Chest Cooler. Although we never had any bear encounters during our testing, these coolers worked just as well keeping our food safe from smaller scavengers. The Yeti Hopper Backflip 24 was the first backpack-style cooler that we've tested, and although its overall performance wasn't stellar, there were things I did like. The insulation was better than we expected, but still not on par with the premium coolers in our test. While testing the Tundra, it became clear: Yeti didnt cut any corners when making this cooler. A really interesting comparison can be made when looking at Yetis Tundra series coolers and the Igloo BMX Coolers. This helps to reduce cracking and potential leak paths. The best performing was the YETI Roadie 24, but that only outperformed the Igloo by 5 hours (about 8% better). This was a much-needed addition. From a performance standpoint, Yeti has a slight advantage. It has relatively thick rotomolded walls, a larger rubber gasket for sealing, and a strong latch system for providing a lot of squeezes. This cooler from Cabela's was another rotomolded option that tested well, essentially finishing in a dead heat with the Orca. Its great that they have carried over a lot of the styling from the larger BMX 72 along with its useful features. The Igloo Sportsman Cooler (55 Quart) provides the . Greenbelly Meals Review: Are They Any Good? We put that to the test during our capacity evaluations, where the entire cooler is filled to the top with water, then closed. These coolers truly do capture most of the magic of a high-end cooler but for a fraction of the price. Still, it's worth it if you just want the best performance for the price. We rolled each cooler around on the ground; sat, stood, and jumped on top of each one; and tried to pry the lids open to see how durable the components were. I was able to fill the Lifetime High Performance Cooler with 62.4 quarts of water without causing it to overflow when I shut the lid. Specifications. 2023 CNET, a Red Ventures company. The Best Value award is well deserved. We do not doubt that this assists with ice retention. Here's a linked list with brief insights: If we're going to talk about performance, we should talk about capacity first. But it still has some redeemable qualities. Lower volumes of drained water indicated more ice retention and better insulation. Less ice meant more of a challenge for the coolers, which would hopefully give us a more granular look at how well they perform relative to one another. Igloo benefits from this size difference, however, when it comes to sparing your wallet, as the BMX 25 and 52 are currently available online for about $60 and slightly above $100, respectively, earning a 5/5 in pricing. Youll get between 65 and 70 quarts of space with some other models. A compact little cooler perfect for solo trips out camping or fishing, the. This size is large enough to handle bigger outings such as a picnic or tailgate. Yeti coolers consistently perform at the top of the pack. We dumped 20 pounds of ice into it and after 48 hours only 3.5 liters of water drained out. Pros: Competitive price, Good ice retention, Nice styling, Well-built, Cons: Limited color options, Not a lot of accessories, Features: Blow-molded construction, T-latches, Stainless steel hardware, Swing-up handles, Threaded drain plug, Skid pads, Fish ruler, Tie-down points, Cool Riser Technology. They shared some of the special qualities that we look for in an ice chest that is designed to hang with the best. Yeti is already a name people tend to associate with better performance (if not higher prices), and at least with coolers, for good reason. The 28 and 55 quart coolers can almost always be picked up for under $100. Convenient size for optimal performance. There are a lot of variables at play here so we stress that our numbers only be used as a rough guide for what you can expect in similar conditions. Overall, the BMX is a solid cooler at a great price. We will elaborate on their features, discuss build quality, put them through our ice retention test, and finally give them a rating from 0 to 5. Pure Outdoor Emperor coolers are made with 18/8 stainless steel to resist bacteria and odors and come in three sizes: 25-liters, 50-liters, and 80-liters. If anything, the smaller, cheaper models were mostly conservative in their estimates, with ones like the Coleman Xtreme and Igloo Latitude wheeled coolers coming in several quarts more sizable than advertised. Our first soft-sided and backpack cooler didn't perform the best, but it is durable and a great option for hikers and campers alike. We liked this cooler and thought it insulated well for the price point. A CNET editor since 2013, Ry's beats include smart home tech, lighting, appliances, broadband and home networking. The different model sizes and available colors on Yeti Coolers are seemingly endless. While this market isnt new to Igloo, the BMX Cooler series is their latest rendition of this. The RTIC is marketed as bear-resistant but not IGBC-certified as of this writing. That being said, the Igloo BMX series will be more expensive than most other Igloo coolers in the same size range. Inside the lid, you will find an oversized rubber gasket for helping to seal. On paper, the Igloo BMX Cooler seems to check most of the boxes for features that we look for in coolers that will hold ice for long periods. Oh, and if you'll be spending lots of time camping in a place where bears are a concern, then you'll probably want to invest in a bear-resistant cooler. I look at the data. Most of the coolers that I tested were, but some took things even further. Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler $129.99 Igloo 52 Quart Latitude Cooler $34.99 Igloo Mission 50 Quart Cooler $179.99 Igloo IMX 70 Quart Cooler $299.99 Igloo IMX 24 Quart Cooler $149.99 Igloo Mission 72 Quart Cooler $219.99 Igloo Ringleader 16 Can Cooler Tote $19.99 Dometic Cooler CFX3 100 Protective Cover $179.99 Dometic CFX3 75DZ Powered Cooler $1399.99 As the BMX 52 is more compact, your more likely be able to fit in in the trunk of a smaller car. This RTIC unit tested with impressively low temperatures. Sure, some coolers would probably keep the ice frozen for a lot longer than others, but using the melting point as your metric seems to disregard everything that comes before. With the all-white, wide-bodied design, it's meant to fit right in on a boat (fishermen can even use a ruler embossed on the lid to measure whatever they reel in), but you can use it like any other cooler wherever you like. Performance Comparison Take it easy with the BMX 25. Credit: Maggie Brandenburg Insulation You will find features such as tie-down slots, a high-flow drain port, stainless steel hardware, and comfortable grip handles. If you invest in a much larger cooler than you need, you may find it is more difficult to carry than if youd chosen something smaller. Performance was decent, but not spectacular when we tested it out. The materials look and feel high-quality. The rope carry handles on the Yeti and RTIC were our preferred design for two-person carry. Igloo BMX 52 Qt Cooler ($99.99) Photo courtesy of Academy Sports + Outdoors. The larger bmx 52 and bmx 72. Product Specs Size Tested: BMX 25 Available Sizes: 25, 52 Empty Weight (BMX 25): 11.29 lbs Features: Fish ruler Reviews of the 2 Other Camping Coolers We Tested Coleman Steel Belted Cooler We loved the sleek, retro look of the Coleman Steel Belted Cooler. RTIC coolers are by no means cheap. 4.4 (314) 4.4 out of 5 stars. So although its shorter in length than the BMX 72, its only an inch shorter in height and width. The previous title holder for this category was one of the cheapest coolers we've tested to date, the Coleman Stacker. Bear-resistance: The Yeti Tundra line is certified bear-resistant by the IGBC when used with bolts or padlocks. For a rotomolded option that's a lot bigger at the same $300 price, consider the 58-quart Orca Classic. In fact, some coolers can even chill items for several days. The biggest issue was the latch. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. BMX 52 Qt Cooler | Igloo Holds Up To 83 Cans BMX 52 Qt Cooler 4.6 (640) $129.99 Quarts 25 52 72 When the outdoors beckon, you need the spacious 52-quart BMX. For many, the price that you pay to own a Yeti just isnt worth the slight performance advantage you may see. After 48 hours, we measured the volume of liquid that drained out of each cooler to determine how much ice remained. With the rotomolded design, its essentially two large pieces joined together by a heavy-duty hinge at the back which we dont think we could break if we tried. Buy literally anything else. The expensive guys? Finally, you have the largest size, the 72 quart. Ice retention is strong and the build quality leaves nothing to be desired. This is a smart move because the cooler may be more prone to slide around without having good grips on these risers. But the Igloo BMX Cooler ramps up the styling. I ended up buying the Igloo from GovX as well. Reviews ethics statement. How to Clean a Hydration Bladder: 4 Easy Ways Using Household Items. And despite their BMX series creeping up in price, they are still quite a bit cheaper than other premium coolers on the market. Soft-sided coolers are perfect for carrying drinks or lunch. It has even sparked a debate if Yeti coolers are worth the price. It's also one of the sturdiest and most well-built coolers that we tested. A common complaint that people have (particularly when using a larger cooler) is how to empty the cooler of melted ice. Igloo BMX 52 quart cooler review Dirtwalker Outdoors 601 subscribers Subscribe 368 50K views 2 years ago Yep, bought an Igloo BMX 52 cooler and reviewed it for a week. You can findholiday deals going on now. While you're at it, Magellan tosses in a couple of bottle openers, a metal reinforced lock area and a drain plug. Its lowest internal temperature during testing was the coldest, but the real treat was the fact that it held that low level temp for around 20% longer than the next best contender. Igloo Sportsman Parts and Accessories. Igloo traditionally is known as a cooler brand with many different styles to choose from. 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. Locking mechanism: A locking mechanism for the lid is important, not just to prevent spills but also to ensure a good seal and insulation. Read our Magellan Outdoors Dual Open 20qt Cooler review. But you will pay an extremely high price to enjoy one. 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. 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. The BMX 52 has neat swing-up handles with rubber groups that provide extra protection when carrying. Igloo Bmx Vs Lifetime Cooler 52 Quart Reviews 72 Outdoor Gear Review from www.expocafeperu.com. Lifetime is a value-packed cooler that features some similar features to a Yeti. GIVE FEEDBACK Those with larger cars and trucks will have no issues with loading. At this size, you have ample room for just about anything. The cooler has a heavy-duty blow-molded construction and rubberized T-grip latches to keep your drinks secure. Oil Green. DWYM is your trusted product review source. I wasn't impressed with the lid on the Igloo Latitude wheeled cooler, for instance. If you are after the absolute best, regardless of price, and also value the pride in owning an American-made product, then Yeti remains on top. As for drawbacks, the Tundra is heavy. The 25-quart Igloo BMX is currently $99.99, . Soft-sided coolers, which don't have a specific capacity range, but tend to line up with the same offerings as small or personal-sized coolers. $119.99. Having a tough cooler with helpful features is one thing. Rubberized T-latches secure lid closure and lock in the cold. The Coleman Xtreme finished dead last in all of our tests. At a push, this cooler can be handled (safely) by one person. 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