Very informative, Thanks. . . . Back in mid 1960’s, my Dad built the best ice chest ever, from scratch. Exterior of textured aluminum, folded & riveted corners, gasketed lid with piano hinge and magnet “latch”. Interior of thick flat plastic sheets, solvent welded together. Most critical, he had access to catalyst activated expanding foam insulation, and filled the walls about 2 inches thick all around. Kept ice for DAYS. No drain however, so had to tip the chest on side for drainage. . . . Unfortunately, in the 1980’s, it never came back from one my brother’s trips to watch and drink at car races.
We bought one a few years ago to replace a stainless Coleman that we'd been using for over ten years. On the first trip it paid for itself and kept our stuff cold for 3 days (Texas summer). We chose it over a Yeti mostly because it's less likely to get stolen.
I have the BMX 25 cooler for the last 3 years and it has not disappointed me. I did add rubber gaskets around the rim to give it more of an airtight seal which worked well and I also cut out a 1/2 inch Styrofoam to fit on top the inside diameter to give it a extra insulation. My cooler can keep all my goods cool and fresh for four days which is more than enough. The best part is the price, it's a quarter of the cost compared to the Yeti and other expensive brand and the performance is at par. Peace of mind knowing if they do break in into your car it's less of a headache since it didn't cost you an arm and a leg.
@@dvader3000 You can find them at your local hardware stores like, Home Depot, Lowe's, Rona's, Ace. Look for weather strips or rubber seal. Hope this helps. Good luck.
@@jaredwilliams2357 I think he says the foam is "around the top". I added Reflectix brand mylar bubble wrap insulation to the outside front and back over the fake boilerplate and wrapped it around the bottom. With the addition of feet and a gasket it's now an 8-day cooler
You mentioned that the "Igloo was not airtight, so the cold air escapes". It is really important to understand that it is really letting warm air in. I know, what does it matter? This concept permeates everything we do. Heat is energy. Lack of heat is a lack of energy. If you placed all of these coolers in a complete vacuum, the ice would last nearly indefinitely. There is no heat transfer in a vacuum. Understanding this concept will help you understand why some coolers work better than others. Bottom line, a good cooler keeps heat out, not the cold in.
I have the 25q bmx. I work heavy highway construction and my cooler is in the back of my truck everyday and night, and i only have to add ice once a week, maybe 2 times if the temps are 90+. For the cost, I’d gladly buy this over a yeti or rtic time and time again… also i think the igloos are the best looking. Like you said, subjective.
I will say this. First off, nice review. I personally like the looks of the BMX 25 which I got after doing research of many in similar capacity. As for ice retention, it'll hold a lot longer that I need as it's just a personal 2-3 day cooler and well, it won't hold enough contents to outlast the ice for me so I'm fine with that. The weight IS a factor for me as well. It's definitely lighter than any roto equivalent. I couldn't care less if it retains ice beyond three days as the contents would already be gone. It's only a personal weekender in size. The handle could be improved though. Should've had a one piece metal handle for durability. All that said, for the price, the ice retention per size, and the weight. I love mine and it's been hard used in fishing boats, beach, and visits to parties and bonfires. I love it for the 60 bucks I paid. Can't justify 200 plus for a small personal cooler.
I agree with your assessment of the BMX25's appearance. The OG and Desert Sand colour matches the rest of my gear. The less rigid material is a lot easier on things it bumps into and after a few cheap hacks it also performs at least as well as the high priced alternatives without advertising the owner as having more money than brains.
You should try experimenting with ice retention times after adding a rubber gasket to the bmx 25. The cooler has a cutout on the top of the lid that perfectly fits a rubber gasket or seal. I did it on mine and it works great.
Makes a you wonder why it has the groove but not a seal. Maybe it was in the original design and decided to leave out the gasket for cost or it had issues.
@@whatfreedom7 It's called a labyrinth seal. The tongue and groove design provides a tortuous path for air flow. The real issue is the lack of insulation on the bottom, as cold drops, and heat rises. Place this on a foam pad, and it would likely do much better.
Excellent video! Additional plus on the Igloo for me is the factory is about 5 minutes from my house and they have HUGE sales a couple times a year there.
Nice job of explaining the differences. I have the BMX 52qt. It was quite a bang for my buck @ $80 from Target a few years back. My only gripe is I wish that it had a flat lid. That goofy design makes no sense to me.
The "goofy design" offers several advantages. I shaped a piece of wooden cutting board to fit the rectangular recess in the lid and utilized the corner eyelets to attach straps which hold down a closed cell foam cushion. Form follows function and the BMX25 provides it in spades.
The BMX 25 is the best bang for the buck. I had gatorades, ice teas in bottles, then water bottles on top laying flat. One 7lb bag of ice over the top. 4 hours later when we went to drink the gatorades at the Hunting property, our gatorades were slightly slushy and brain freeze cold. I was blown away how darn good this cooler is. I bought it last year and got it on sale for less than 80$. I left the drinks in the cooler in the garage and forgot about them. 3 days later I opened it up and there was still floating ice in the water and the drinks were still very cold. This thing is a nice little workhorse cooler.
Last year, I bought the BMX 72. Rugged and held ice well, but the hinges were garbage. Just short screws directly into the plastic body, and they pulled out within 3-4 uses. I sent pics to Igloo, and they refunded my money without a hassle. Bought the IMX 70 instead, and with its full-length piano hinge, it's built like a tank.
Just based on sight of my bmx 52 if I could change anything with its design it would be putting the drain plug on the left instead of the right. So it can be drained much easier while in the passenger seat.
I bought the igloo reactor 35. It seems to solve my cooler dilemma. I needed a personal cooler with wheels for a day outing in a park. I wanted wheels to assist in carrying sporting equipment and a small folding chair, as well as items to keep me hydrated, fed and a couple of beers for post event chilling. I’ve been using a yeti small bag which i could put 2 frozen bottles of water and a gatorade then carried it attached to my sports bag but no thing else, no snack no after beer (i would put my 2 beers in someone else’s cooler). Many cooler manufacturers think smaller coolers don’t need wheels because the cooler itself is relatively small, not taking into account the user is going to the park for more than just drinking and free hands is not necessary. So my choices, a cooler that feeds a party of four or carry a smaller cooler along with other things i also needed to carry. I found reviews for this need nearly non-existent.
Great review!! A fish ruler on the lid top of any cooler lid is gross if it’s holding food. Last thing I want is fish juice on top, and dripping down the sides of a cooler that has fresh food and drinks in it. Totally a risk if not cleaned properly immediately.
@@CoolerSpyOfficial I agree with adding in the Lifetime 28. I bought that one about three years ago and I love it. Then my Dad gave me the Igloo BMX 25 as a present. The Igloo has been my go to ever since. Both are great coolers but you are right about the Igloo being easier to handle. A side by side comparison would be great.
buyer beware on igloo coolers. I bought 3 sportsmen- (yeti copies). The handles broke on all 3. I sent in the warranty info- it was ignored. I did it again- and they sent an email "we do not have any handles for the sportsmen coolers". Supposedly grizzly proof- but if the grizzly picked up the cooler it would break. I am so frustrated with igloo. I will never buy another igloo product again. I LOVE your videos- great content. Thank you! I am looking for a replacement---your videos are very helpful. Thanks
For average folks, a "use case" perspective would be really helpful. E.g., "The wife and I are taking the kids camping over the weekend" vs "The guys and I will be chasing deer over the weekend."
My artic has been my GOTO cooler for 5 years. I glued a 2 inch kneeling pad to the top for a seat. PERFECT fishing cooler. But it is heavy. I have a smaller coleman cooler that is getting spray foamed very soon. Its better to carry to the beach.
Dude Great Presentation, clear and well put together But I love the Fish Ruler song! This should be their commercial and they'd sell 10x more coolers just for the hilarity of it.
The gasket only affect leaking fluid if tipped over. The air flow carrying heat out of the cooler is insignificant. The biggest effect is the density of the foam which is directly proportional to the thermal conductivity of the foam. Less dense more efficient. Example Aerogel is the best insulation by far. Now that is really pricy. I would add an insulation sheet to the bottom since the item being cooled and the cooling media touches the bottom, where you need the best insulation.
I am very happy with my Igloo 30 Reactor soft cooler. Leakproof and waterproof as well. Not sure I would go with a hard cooler because I need the durability but its a solid brand. If someone needs a durable cooler, but not Yeti expensive, one should try Cordova coolers. Roto molded, excellent ice retention and solid prices. I own their 20 cooler and very satisfied. Thanks for posting this.
I have the igloo bmx25 and added a silicone seal on the groove that´s already there, how? clean the groove with isoprop alcohol, drill several 1/8" holes along the groove, apply black hi temp silicone and then film wrap the opposite end of the cooler, seal tight, wait 48h. that´s it. cut the excess silicone spill with sharp X-acto knife. Big improvement. When boating, just cover it with a towel.
I put 2 ice coolers in my box everyday, on a summer day it will keep my food pretty cold from about 4:30am when the box is loaded til about 12:00p.m. afternoon which gives me enough time to eat my food for the day. Wish it lasted a bit longer on hot days, but I open and close the lid a lot throughout the day. In cooler weather where it's about 40 degrees in the morning then heats up to around 70-80 by 11-12 o'clock, the igloo box will keep my stuff cold enough throughout the entire day but the drinks and food will really start to climb in temperature around 2:303:00pm.
I have a elite pelican 70 and bmx 72 i agree with you a weather seal at the lid would have been a game changer!!! I put one and let me tell you its not i think as good as the pelican but for the price darn good deal the best for the price
I’m just getting into this cooler life. I’m not even close to a light user as it’ll only be used for the occasional park and beach usage. I don’t wanna spend through my nostrils for something that’ll mainly just sit in the garage. But I don’t want something that’ll just be a waste of time.
Foam density changes. The BMX is likely using a less dense foam or it would need a foaming jog to avoid coming apart. Rotomolders use denser foam because it's possible with the stronger walls. Seal is also a huge deal.
Do you mean a "jig" because I have no idea what a "jog" would be? It's the airspaces trapped in foam that provide the insulation, not it's "density". I prefer the less rigid construction of the Igloo because it won't damage things it bumps into. There is no justifying the price of a YETI. Add a gasket and feet to the Igloo for chump change and it'll outperform the conspicuously expensive prestige alternative without broadcasting ones gullibility.
Another way you can help it keeps it's cool is to keep it from contact with the warm ground , putting a spacer between it and the ground and keeping it in the shade, Another thing you can do is use bigger ice, blocks not cubes, I used to use 1 gallon milk jugs or 1/2 gallon one and bust it up with a hammer and dump that in the cooler. Thanks for this review, It cost you some $$$.
Best way to keep it off the ground is to add feet. I try to keep my coolers in the shade and always throw a space blanket over top of them. Try freezing Gatorade bottles, which has a colder freezing temp due to the sodium and then drink it as it melts. Do the same with 4L water bottles and you won't be carrying needless weight or taking up useful space.
YETI purchasers have more money than brains. Reflectix is your friend. Wrap it around your BMX25 in the molded in recess where the fake boilerplate is located, including underneath and get the whole thing off the ground with some rubber feet. Add a gasket of tubular weather seal and a Reflectix shroud over all and it outperforms any YETI for a fraction of the cost. After these mods I wouldn't trade my Igloo for ANY other cooler.
I'd love to see a video on the Igloo IMX 24 with you cutting one of those in half. I was looking at the BMX 25 and decided on the IMX 24 instead after seeing them in person at an Academy Sporting Goods store. It looks and feels so much better and premium then the BMX 25 and also has some additional perks like having a built-in bottle opener and cup holders on the top, as well as having actual feet and a rubber gasket inside the lid unlike the BMX 25. And the one I got at Academy ended up ringing up for $105 instead of $150. I think or am assuming that the color I got was an old, discontinued color and it was on clearance and the price was marked down, so I really lucked out!
I much prefer the BMX25 to the IMX24 for the following reasons. Shape: The IMX24 has an overhanging lid that increases the outside dimensions while reducing capacity. Cup Holders: Where there are cupholders there isn't insulation. Material: The BMX25 won't damage what it bumps into and is less brittle, especially when using dry ice. Weight: Almost half the weight of the IMX24. Volume: 25 is one quart more than 24. Features: The corner eyes in the lid of the BMX allow for tie down straps which are also ideal for attaching a foam cushion to the lid, increasing R value and utility. Indents: The recess in the lid is perfect for installing a wooden cutting board. Boilerplate Panels: The recessed panels of the BMX25 are perfect for the addition of Reflectix insulation to the outside front, back and bottom. Seal: The BMX25 has a perfect design for adding aftermarket weatherstripping. Price: The BMX25 is the best value in the industry.
My igloo keeps stuff frozen for 3.5 days by a) setting in same spot in the truck on a foam pad for less heat gain thru the base, b) however full it is outranked, a fluffy Terry towel sets on the top before closing to kill off air circulation inside, c) my latch is weak so I cinch strap around it for minimal air leakage, these newer rubber snubber latches should work great, d) throw a couple large towels over the top & hanging down the sides so sun thru the topper windows isn't direct on the cooler, e) for extreme summer heat driving thru the Baja desert I start with a chunk of dry ice on top of the food & below the inside towel to get everything super cold to start. Works great, minimal cost.
a) feet work better than a foam pad against heat transference. b) Reflectix insulation (mylar bubblewrap) cut to fit works better than a towel. c) A weatherstripping gasket stops ALL air leakage. d) A mylar space blanket over top reflects solar and radiated heat MUCH more effectively than a towel. e) I put the dry ice in the bottom and use Reflectix to keep it from damaging perishables and pre-freeze some Gatorade and water bottles along with my steaks. I still have fresh milk and eggs after a full week!
@@UguysRnuts Thanks a bunch for the reply. My worst cooler problem is 3 days travel in August to & 3 days back from southern Baja California. You gave me 2 steps I can apply. 1st, a mylar bubble wrap fitted cover to slip over the whole ice chest & 2nd, feet under it, both will minimize heat gain in the back if the truck driving thru the desert day after day.
I bought one and put a rubber seal around the lid. My ice lasted in the hot blazing sun for 4 days. 3/4 melted by the 4th day but my hand was sooo cold when i reached in for a beer.
Thing is I got mine for 109 on sale at Canadian tire and while it doesn’t have the same ice retention as a yeti, igloo still works great for the price.
Add a gasket and feet to eliminate conductivity from the ground and it will retain ice at least as well as a YETI without the weight, rigidity and cost.
I found a igloo latitude on the side of the road 2 or 3 years when I was leaving the camp ground it only has a small dent on the lid but idc it was free
The coolers do not need to be 100% airtight. Cold air settles it does not rise and leak out the top. The cold stays in the cooler as long as you have the lid shut because it doesn't migrate up and out throwing up her crack. And the extra insulation on top is for keeping the sun raising at Bay so that is not a waste. In my opinion igloo is just fine and cost less than the other two which makes it perfect. You don't need anything that's going to keep ice for a week, unless you're naked and afraid somewhere. LOL
The igloo bmx 25 last a year and i olny used it prolly a goodn4 times. The hinges ended up breaking apart and NO no horse playing foul play going on. I just opened its last time and the hinge just broke apart. It was truly a sad day. I just bought a Yeti. Going to see how that does for me.
I just stick with my old ass coleman that to this day kicks ass and keeps everything cold for almost a week before the ice is totally gone. If u ever see one with the dimpled green metal thats about 40+ years old at a garage sale, snag it
I have the stainless steel version that Costco sold about 10 years ago and I regret not getting a couple of them. Those things are amazing! And yes, we had one of the green ones when I was growing up - the plastic on the inside disintegrated eventually and I bought the stainless one mainly from nostalgia - but they still are awesome coolers!
LOVE my BMX, cept that damn handle....always getting in the way of opening the top with those damn latches!! BUT we have reached an understanding.....since I spent be coup hrs adding an Igloo drain ( much adaptation) I shall keep using it as our primary beach cooler! # ret2Avon
I realized you just did this test, but any chance of adding the Igloo Overland from Walmart to the testing? Kinda curious what they cheaped out on for the Walmart only product - there's basically no details outside of the Walmart product pages 🤣
Still costs way too much for a little cooler...you can buy an actual mini fridge for what these things cost...a couple of mini fridges with the Yeti...I'll never buy any of them...
U started on a good path with the numbers I like it. But seems to me u pay for the high end coolers in weight. And cost of course. I’d love to see a weight vs cooling effectiveness chart. Because there has to be a sweet spot.
Are you going to sell the coolers you cut in half? Maybe you could lave a 50% off sale? 😂 I'll be making my own cooler with my 3D Printer. Thanks for the review of coolers. I'm one of those who care more about funtinality than astetics. Just sayin'
There’s really a channel dedicated entirely to coolers? Wow. How niche can you get. What is so fascinating about coolers that a whole channel needs to be dedicated about them?
Why would the cooler designers opt for thinner bottoms when heat rises? Wouldn't you then want the bottom to be the most insulated, then the sides. Or maybe just have the bottom equally insulated with the sides (like that middle one)?
Well ... I used to work at Igloo. My educated guess is 1) the liner (inside part) is from another model and / or 2) they didn't want to use any more foam then necessary. It may be hard to believe but they spend almost as much time testing the size (measured in cans) and ice retention as they do price. And that foam is very expensive. Just having a foam filled lid is a huge deal for them. It requires special tooling and an added process to make that lid.
@@kevinpeterman7127 Makes sense from that perspective, and I don't doubt they put research into it. I just don't know why it would be done that way unless it was a cost-cut type compromise, like you mentioned. Just wondering how it kind of charts out a bit - as a math major fascinated by data, and as someone too poor to actually afford a yeti cooler (or most not rock bottom coolers).
From what i see on amazon reviews, just buy some car door frame seal on a roll and put it on the igloo lid and it makes it pretty good.. The arctic cypress plant(just a metal building in a industrial park) is down the street from me.. i wouldnt buy anything from them; ive heard how they treat their employees
Good review, but I almost didn't bother because of the thumbnail and title. Click bait might work for video games, but for product reviews it might be better to look professional.
Very informative, Thanks. . . . Back in mid 1960’s, my Dad built the best ice chest ever, from scratch. Exterior of textured aluminum, folded & riveted corners, gasketed lid with piano hinge and magnet “latch”. Interior of thick flat plastic sheets, solvent welded together. Most critical, he had access to catalyst activated expanding foam insulation, and filled the walls about 2 inches thick all around. Kept ice for DAYS. No drain however, so had to tip the chest on side for drainage. . . . Unfortunately, in the 1980’s, it never came back from one my brother’s trips to watch and drink at car races.
"fish ruler you can measure your ...."🤣 This is the best review I've ever seen
We bought one a few years ago to replace a stainless Coleman that we'd been using for over ten years.
On the first trip it paid for itself and kept our stuff cold for 3 days (Texas summer).
We chose it over a Yeti mostly because it's less likely to get stolen.
I have the BMX 25 cooler for the last 3 years and it has not disappointed me. I did add rubber gaskets around the rim to give it more of an airtight seal which worked well and I also cut out a 1/2 inch Styrofoam to fit on top the inside diameter to give it a extra insulation. My cooler can keep all my goods cool and fresh for four days which is more than enough. The best part is the price, it's a quarter of the cost compared to the Yeti and other expensive brand and the performance is at par. Peace of mind knowing if they do break in into your car it's less of a headache since it didn't cost you an arm and a leg.
Where did you buy the gasket?
@@dvader3000 You can find them at your local hardware stores like, Home Depot, Lowe's, Rona's, Ace. Look for weather strips or rubber seal. Hope this helps. Good luck.
How do you keep the styrofoam down after adding ice and water? Wouldn’t it float?
@@jaredwilliams2357 I think he says the foam is "around the top". I added Reflectix brand mylar bubble wrap insulation to the outside front and back over the fake boilerplate and wrapped it around the bottom. With the addition of feet and a gasket it's now an 8-day cooler
Nobody's going to break into a car for an Igloo cooler but they will for a $400 YETI they can sell for crack.
That fish ruler song! I wasn't expecting it to end like that!
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Gotta keep 'em guessing!
Wasn’t expecting to laugh out loud watching a cooler review 😅
Thanks so much. I loved the first 2 videos keep it up , your the only one doing this in full detailed description
I appreciate you watching the vids, and I'll keep them coming!
You mentioned that the "Igloo was not airtight, so the cold air escapes". It is really important to understand that it is really letting warm air in. I know, what does it matter? This concept permeates everything we do. Heat is energy. Lack of heat is a lack of energy. If you placed all of these coolers in a complete vacuum, the ice would last nearly indefinitely. There is no heat transfer in a vacuum. Understanding this concept will help you understand why some coolers work better than others. Bottom line, a good cooler keeps heat out, not the cold in.
Bottom line, an airtight seal increases performance, regardless of the direction of convection.
I have the 25q bmx. I work heavy highway construction and my cooler is in the back of my truck everyday and night, and i only have to add ice once a week, maybe 2 times if the temps are 90+. For the cost, I’d gladly buy this over a yeti or rtic time and time again… also i think the igloos are the best looking. Like you said, subjective.
100% agree. The YETI colours are gross.
I will say this. First off, nice review. I personally like the looks of the BMX 25 which I got after doing research of many in similar capacity. As for ice retention, it'll hold a lot longer that I need as it's just a personal 2-3 day cooler and well, it won't hold enough contents to outlast the ice for me so I'm fine with that. The weight IS a factor for me as well. It's definitely lighter than any roto equivalent. I couldn't care less if it retains ice beyond three days as the contents would already be gone. It's only a personal weekender in size. The handle could be improved though. Should've had a one piece metal handle for durability. All that said, for the price, the ice retention per size, and the weight. I love mine and it's been hard used in fishing boats, beach, and visits to parties and bonfires. I love it for the 60 bucks I paid. Can't justify 200 plus for a small personal cooler.
I agree with your assessment of the BMX25's appearance. The OG and Desert Sand colour matches the rest of my gear. The less rigid material is a lot easier on things it bumps into and after a few cheap hacks it also performs at least as well as the high priced alternatives without advertising the owner as having more money than brains.
You should try experimenting with ice retention times after adding a rubber gasket to the bmx 25. The cooler has a cutout on the top of the lid that perfectly fits a rubber gasket or seal. I did it on mine and it works great.
Makes a you wonder why it has the groove but not a seal. Maybe it was in the original design and decided to leave out the gasket for cost or it had issues.
Great idea, maybe a "cooler hacks" video... thanks for watching!
I was thinking of that foamy rubber tape. You have a link to the gasket you used?
@@whatfreedom7 what gasket did you put on it?
@@whatfreedom7 It's called a labyrinth seal. The tongue and groove design provides a tortuous path for air flow. The real issue is the lack of insulation on the bottom, as cold drops, and heat rises. Place this on a foam pad, and it would likely do much better.
Thanks, I just picked up an Igloo on sale for under $80 USD. Seems to work quite well.
Excellent video! Additional plus on the Igloo for me is the factory is about 5 minutes from my house and they have HUGE sales a couple times a year there.
Nice job of explaining the differences. I have the BMX 52qt. It was quite a bang for my buck @ $80 from Target a few years back. My only gripe is I wish that it had a flat lid. That goofy design makes no sense to me.
The "goofy design" offers several advantages. I shaped a piece of wooden cutting board to fit the rectangular recess in the lid and utilized the corner eyelets to attach straps which hold down a closed cell foam cushion. Form follows function and the BMX25 provides it in spades.
Do a test and open them 20 times an hour. This would be a real use test.
hahah true that!
20 times per hour per child in your family.
20 times an hour your beer would be gone in an hour. If it can't keep cool for that long what's the point?
Yeah nothing works well at that rate.
The BMX 25 is the best bang for the buck. I had gatorades, ice teas in bottles, then water bottles on top laying flat. One 7lb bag of ice over the top. 4 hours later when we went to drink the gatorades at the Hunting property, our gatorades were slightly slushy and brain freeze cold. I was blown away how darn good this cooler is. I bought it last year and got it on sale for less than 80$. I left the drinks in the cooler in the garage and forgot about them. 3 days later I opened it up and there was still floating ice in the water and the drinks were still very cold. This thing is a nice little workhorse cooler.
Try freezing a few Gatorades and ice teas and you won't need to buy ice.
I added window seal to the cooler and does great
Last year, I bought the BMX 72. Rugged and held ice well, but the hinges were garbage. Just short screws directly into the plastic body, and they pulled out within 3-4 uses. I sent pics to Igloo, and they refunded my money without a hassle. Bought the IMX 70 instead, and with its full-length piano hinge, it's built like a tank.
Those IMX's are solid, but man they are heavy.
Just based on sight of my bmx 52 if I could change anything with its design it would be putting the drain plug on the left instead of the right. So it can be drained much easier while in the passenger seat.
I bought the igloo reactor 35. It seems to solve my cooler dilemma. I needed a personal cooler with wheels for a day outing in a park. I wanted wheels to assist in carrying sporting equipment and a small folding chair, as well as items to keep me hydrated, fed and a couple of beers for post event chilling. I’ve been using a yeti small bag which i could put 2 frozen bottles of water and a gatorade then carried it attached to my sports bag but no thing else, no snack no after beer (i would put my 2 beers in someone else’s cooler). Many cooler manufacturers think smaller coolers don’t need wheels because the cooler itself is relatively small, not taking into account the user is going to the park for more than just drinking and free hands is not necessary. So my choices, a cooler that feeds a party of four or carry a smaller cooler along with other things i also needed to carry. I found reviews for this need nearly non-existent.
Great review!! A fish ruler on the lid top of any cooler lid is gross if it’s holding food. Last thing I want is fish juice on top, and dripping down the sides of a cooler that has fresh food and drinks in it. Totally a risk if not cleaned properly immediately.
I added a rubber gasket on mine I also have a reflectix cover for it bc of the sun beating down on it when I camp in my car.
You deserve more subscribers, that was a great video
Thank you so much! I appreciate you watching and commenting!
Thanks for cut away. I like how the bmx is straight walled. That is probably why you have greater storage efficiency over the others.
Lifetime 28 quart cooler will be a good comparison. It is similar price range as Igloo BMX 25 but much better insulation.
Great idea! I'll add it to the list!
@@CoolerSpyOfficial I agree with adding in the Lifetime 28. I bought that one about three years ago and I love it. Then my Dad gave me the Igloo BMX 25 as a present. The Igloo has been my go to ever since. Both are great coolers but you are right about the Igloo being easier to handle. A side by side comparison would be great.
buyer beware on igloo coolers. I bought 3 sportsmen- (yeti copies). The handles broke on all 3. I sent in the warranty info- it was ignored. I did it again- and they sent an email "we do not have any handles for the sportsmen coolers". Supposedly grizzly proof- but if the grizzly picked up the cooler it would break. I am so frustrated with igloo. I will never buy another igloo product again. I LOVE your videos- great content. Thank you! I am looking for a replacement---your videos are very helpful. Thanks
Black rtv and a piece of painted piece of wood at the base of the igloo it helps
For average folks, a "use case" perspective would be really helpful. E.g., "The wife and I are taking the kids camping over the weekend" vs "The guys and I will be chasing deer over the weekend."
My artic has been my GOTO cooler for 5 years. I glued a 2 inch kneeling pad to the top for a seat. PERFECT fishing cooler. But it is heavy. I have a smaller coleman cooler that is getting spray foamed very soon. Its better to carry to the beach.
Dude Great Presentation, clear and well put together
But I love the Fish Ruler song! This should be their commercial and they'd sell 10x more coolers just for the hilarity of it.
You should test out the Igloo overland from Walmart I'd like to see differences between Walmart exclusive vs the rest.
The gasket only affect leaking fluid if tipped over. The air flow carrying heat out of the cooler is insignificant. The biggest effect is the density of the foam which is directly proportional to the thermal conductivity of the foam. Less dense more efficient. Example Aerogel is the best insulation by far. Now that is really pricy. I would add an insulation sheet to the bottom since the item being cooled and the cooling media touches the bottom, where you need the best insulation.
Without a gasket the cooler will pump air in and out as it flexes, like a blacksmiths bellows. So spend $20 and add one. Done.
This is a WELL made video
Thank you brother!
Add my vote to BMX25 LOOKS AWESOME! ✌️🇺🇸
I am very happy with my Igloo 30 Reactor soft cooler. Leakproof and waterproof as well. Not sure I would go with a hard cooler because I need the durability but its a solid brand. If someone needs a durable cooler, but not Yeti expensive, one should try Cordova coolers. Roto molded, excellent ice retention and solid prices. I own their 20 cooler and very satisfied. Thanks for posting this.
I have the igloo bmx25 and added a silicone seal on the groove that´s already there, how? clean the groove with isoprop alcohol, drill several 1/8" holes along the groove, apply black hi temp silicone and then film wrap the opposite end of the cooler, seal tight, wait 48h. that´s it. cut the excess silicone spill with sharp X-acto knife. Big improvement. When boating, just cover it with a towel.
I put 2 ice coolers in my box everyday, on a summer day it will keep my food pretty cold from about 4:30am when the box is loaded til about 12:00p.m. afternoon which gives me enough time to eat my food for the day. Wish it lasted a bit longer on hot days, but I open and close the lid a lot throughout the day. In cooler weather where it's about 40 degrees in the morning then heats up to around 70-80 by 11-12 o'clock, the igloo box will keep my stuff cold enough throughout the entire day but the drinks and food will really start to climb in temperature around 2:30 3:00pm.
Perfect for the summer concert in the park.
Who knew? The singing coolerspy. Love it!!!
I have a elite pelican 70 and bmx 72 i agree with you a weather seal at the lid would have been a game changer!!! I put one and let me tell you its not i think as good as the pelican but for the price darn good deal the best for the price
I have Roll way 60 QT Frosted Frog and it works damn good even in this insane heat we been having.
I'm a big fan of RTIC tumblers. People who fork out a boatload of money for Yeti probably have a closet full of Dyson cash extraction equipment.
It fits perfectly on the floor behind the front seat
Fish ruler lmao
I’m just getting into this cooler life. I’m not even close to a light user as it’ll only be used for the occasional park and beach usage. I don’t wanna spend through my nostrils for something that’ll mainly just sit in the garage. But I don’t want something that’ll just be a waste of time.
Foam density changes. The BMX is likely using a less dense foam or it would need a foaming jog to avoid coming apart. Rotomolders use denser foam because it's possible with the stronger walls. Seal is also a huge deal.
Do you mean a "jig" because I have no idea what a "jog" would be? It's the airspaces trapped in foam that provide the insulation, not it's "density". I prefer the less rigid construction of the Igloo because it won't damage things it bumps into. There is no justifying the price of a YETI. Add a gasket and feet to the Igloo for chump change and it'll outperform the conspicuously expensive prestige alternative without broadcasting ones gullibility.
Came for the cooler review, stayed for the free concert
Another way you can help it keeps it's cool is to keep it from contact with the warm ground , putting a spacer between it and the ground and keeping it in the shade, Another thing you can do is use bigger ice, blocks not cubes, I used to use 1 gallon milk jugs or 1/2 gallon one and bust it up with a hammer and dump that in the cooler. Thanks for this review, It cost you some $$$.
Best way to keep it off the ground is to add feet. I try to keep my coolers in the shade and always throw a space blanket over top of them. Try freezing Gatorade bottles, which has a colder freezing temp due to the sodium and then drink it as it melts. Do the same with 4L water bottles and you won't be carrying needless weight or taking up useful space.
Boots, now coolers, good times! 👍
it's a secret, you're the only one who knows...
Very informative!! Thank you!!
YETI purchasers have more money than brains. Reflectix is your friend. Wrap it around your BMX25 in the molded in recess where the fake boilerplate is located, including underneath and get the whole thing off the ground with some rubber feet. Add a gasket of tubular weather seal and a Reflectix shroud over all and it outperforms any YETI for a fraction of the cost. After these mods I wouldn't trade my Igloo for ANY other cooler.
I'd love to see a video on the Igloo IMX 24 with you cutting one of those in half. I was looking at the BMX 25 and decided on the IMX 24 instead after seeing them in person at an Academy Sporting Goods store. It looks and feels so much better and premium then the BMX 25 and also has some additional perks like having a built-in bottle opener and cup holders on the top, as well as having actual feet and a rubber gasket inside the lid unlike the BMX 25.
And the one I got at Academy ended up ringing up for $105 instead of $150. I think or am assuming that the color I got was an old, discontinued color and it was on clearance and the price was marked down, so I really lucked out!
I much prefer the BMX25 to the IMX24 for the following reasons.
Shape: The IMX24 has an overhanging lid that increases the outside dimensions while reducing capacity. Cup Holders: Where there are cupholders there isn't insulation.
Material: The BMX25 won't damage what it bumps into and is less brittle, especially when using dry ice. Weight: Almost half the weight of the IMX24.
Volume: 25 is one quart more than 24.
Features: The corner eyes in the lid of the BMX allow for tie down straps which are also ideal for attaching a foam cushion to the lid, increasing R value and utility.
Indents: The recess in the lid is perfect for installing a wooden cutting board.
Boilerplate Panels: The recessed panels of the BMX25 are perfect for the addition of Reflectix insulation to the outside front, back and bottom.
Seal: The BMX25 has a perfect design for adding aftermarket weatherstripping.
Price: The BMX25 is the best value in the industry.
My igloo keeps stuff frozen for 3.5 days by a) setting in same spot in the truck on a foam pad for less heat gain thru the base, b) however full it is outranked, a fluffy Terry towel sets on the top before closing to kill off air circulation inside, c) my latch is weak so I cinch strap around it for minimal air leakage, these newer rubber snubber latches should work great, d) throw a couple large towels over the top & hanging down the sides so sun thru the topper windows isn't direct on the cooler, e) for extreme summer heat driving thru the Baja desert I start with a chunk of dry ice on top of the food & below the inside towel to get everything super cold to start. Works great, minimal cost.
Great hacks!
a) feet work better than a foam pad against heat transference.
b) Reflectix insulation (mylar bubblewrap) cut to fit works better than a towel.
c) A weatherstripping gasket stops ALL air leakage.
d) A mylar space blanket over top reflects solar and radiated heat MUCH more effectively than a towel.
e) I put the dry ice in the bottom and use Reflectix to keep it from damaging perishables and pre-freeze some Gatorade and water bottles along with my steaks.
I still have fresh milk and eggs after a full week!
@@UguysRnuts Thanks a bunch for the reply. My worst cooler problem is 3 days travel in August to & 3 days back from southern Baja California. You gave me 2 steps I can apply. 1st, a mylar bubble wrap fitted cover to slip over the whole ice chest & 2nd, feet under it, both will minimize heat gain in the back if the truck driving thru the desert day after day.
@@EngineerMikeF Glad to be of service! Have a great trip.
I bought one and put a rubber seal around the lid. My ice lasted in the hot blazing sun for 4 days. 3/4 melted by the 4th day but my hand was sooo cold when i reached in for a beer.
Thing is I got mine for 109 on sale at Canadian tire and while it doesn’t have the same ice retention as a yeti, igloo still works great for the price.
Add a gasket and feet to eliminate conductivity from the ground and it will retain ice at least as well as a YETI without the weight, rigidity and cost.
Good demo video !! H.
4:19 "safety first" puts NON safety glasses on 😂😂😂😂.
Could you review the Pelican 45 or 65 qt rolling wheeled cooler?
That best would be awesome! try to decied on the Yeti or Pelican cooler with wheels.
"Fish Ruler" is a hit!
Sooo many bears here in Texas that 300$ yeti will keep them out!
Home Depot gasket works excellent for the BMX 25.
I found a igloo latitude on the side of the road 2 or 3 years when I was leaving the camp ground it only has a small dent on the lid but idc it was free
Is this a igloo video or a Milwaukee video 🤣
Do you plan to test the igloo IMX 25
Love the Milwaukee Tool
The coolers do not need to be 100% airtight. Cold air settles it does not rise and leak out the top. The cold stays in the cooler as long as you have the lid shut because it doesn't migrate up and out throwing up her crack. And the extra insulation on top is for keeping the sun raising at Bay so that is not a waste. In my opinion igloo is just fine and cost less than the other two which makes it perfect. You don't need anything that's going to keep ice for a week, unless you're naked and afraid somewhere. LOL
Good video! Thank you!
I know it's not a well marketed brand, but I am very happy with my 8 year old Pelican.
I like the look of pelican a lot
Any idea what’s the width of the igloo 25qt on the bottom? Online measurements include the width of the handles also as it sticks out. Thank you!
Do a hack to make an Igloo cooler as efficient, of not more, than a comparible size Yeti.
Great idea! I'll get working on it!
The only thing that matters is how long the ice lasts.
The igloo bmx 25 last a year and i olny used it prolly a goodn4 times. The hinges ended up breaking apart and NO no horse playing foul play going on. I just opened its last time and the hinge just broke apart. It was truly a sad day. I just bought a Yeti. Going to see how that does for me.
Sand can be hot. Igloo should definitely beef up the insulation on the bottom.
you need to get a real man’s sawzall man
I just stick with my old ass coleman that to this day kicks ass and keeps everything cold for almost a week before the ice is totally gone. If u ever see one with the dimpled green metal thats about 40+ years old at a garage sale, snag it
I have the stainless steel version that Costco sold about 10 years ago and I regret not getting a couple of them. Those things are amazing!
And yes, we had one of the green ones when I was growing up - the plastic on the inside disintegrated eventually and I bought the stainless one mainly from nostalgia - but they still are awesome coolers!
LOVE my BMX, cept that damn handle....always getting in the way of opening the top with those damn latches!! BUT we have reached an understanding.....since I spent be coup hrs adding an Igloo drain ( much adaptation) I shall keep using it as our primary beach cooler! # ret2Avon
Sorry...forgot...GREAT SHOW!
I realized you just did this test, but any chance of adding the Igloo Overland from Walmart to the testing? Kinda curious what they cheaped out on for the Walmart only product - there's basically no details outside of the Walmart product pages 🤣
I'll look into it!
Shoulda bought an ozark trail.
Same price.
Now try the new igloo overland it looks like the same bmx copy. States on cooler that it has 1.5” walls . It would be interesting too see.
great recommendation -- I'll add it to the list!
I was trying to find any reviews/comparisons with the Overland... Seems like an interesting option
Still costs way too much for a little cooler...you can buy an actual mini fridge for what these things cost...a couple of mini fridges with the Yeti...I'll never buy any of them...
You could still get the igloo and go to your hardware store and put a seal around that
I subscribed because the song. 😂
Should have went with the Dewalt Sawzall you could have been done cutting that in half last week.
Damm Funny Music video!!!!!
U started on a good path with the numbers I like it. But seems to me u pay for the high end coolers in weight. And cost of course. I’d love to see a weight vs cooling effectiveness chart. Because there has to be a sweet spot.
Smoke and mirrors. Trapped air is the best insulator and it weighs nothing. YETI's are a gimmick for the wannabes.
No drain plug and it condensates on the bottom🙁
I really liked my Igloo cooler, but for some reason, it just didn’t do as good a job after I cut it in half. Hmm 🧐.
Review the lifetime .. it's a budget cooler and a Yeti killer ..
Project Farm meets Ginger Billy, has love child...
😂😂😂😂😂@the song
Eyes watered at the price of the yeti, cuts a bmx igloo in half…makes sense 😅
Il rivestimento plastico quanti mm è
For the same money you could have bought a Lifetime which is better and Made in USA.
What about the lifetime rotomolded 26q from Walmart?
Looking into it now!
I've seen those in a video. They are awesome AND won't leak.
Are you going to sell the coolers you cut in half? Maybe you could lave a 50% off sale? 😂 I'll be making my own cooler with my 3D Printer. Thanks for the review of coolers. I'm one of those who care more about funtinality than astetics. Just sayin'
There’s really a channel dedicated entirely to coolers? Wow. How niche can you get. What is so fascinating about coolers that a whole channel needs to be dedicated about them?
It's not just a UA-cam Channel, Joe....coolers are a way of life. - Cooler Bill
Why would the cooler designers opt for thinner bottoms when heat rises? Wouldn't you then want the bottom to be the most insulated, then the sides. Or maybe just have the bottom equally insulated with the sides (like that middle one)?
Well ... I used to work at Igloo. My educated guess is 1) the liner (inside part) is from another model and / or 2) they didn't want to use any more foam then necessary. It may be hard to believe but they spend almost as much time testing the size (measured in cans) and ice retention as they do price. And that foam is very expensive. Just having a foam filled lid is a huge deal for them. It requires special tooling and an added process to make that lid.
@@kevinpeterman7127 Makes sense from that perspective, and I don't doubt they put research into it. I just don't know why it would be done that way unless it was a cost-cut type compromise, like you mentioned. Just wondering how it kind of charts out a bit - as a math major fascinated by data, and as someone too poor to actually afford a yeti cooler (or most not rock bottom coolers).
From what i see on amazon reviews, just buy some car door frame seal on a roll and put it on the igloo lid and it makes it pretty good.. The arctic cypress plant(just a metal building in a industrial park) is down the street from me.. i wouldnt buy anything from them; ive heard how they treat their employees
Good review, but I almost didn't bother because of the thumbnail and title. Click bait might work for video games, but for product reviews it might be better to look professional.
Is Fish Ruler on iTunes? Asking for a friend…..😅
Lol, so do tell, what was the measurment of ....?
last I checked it was something like 48 inches.
@@CoolerSpyOfficial 😁😅ooh, that's a big one!
80's SYNTH WAVE COOL MUSIC
BY FOREVER SUNSET
🎹🎼🎵🎶DEEP SPACE SAMURAI