I have the ROVR 60 and the handle is like the Yeti and Rtic. I also have mailed them with questions before I purchased it and they responded the next day. The customer service response by ROVR was the reason I pulled the trigger on it. I hate that you did not have the same experience. You can also get beach wheels for the ROVR. I have these as well and they work awesome at the beach. I do live in Florida so that was the other big selling point for me. Thanks for your reviews, I appreciate the time you put in and the information is very helpful!!
Well that's all great info, thanks for taking the time to share! The RovR 60 handle definitely looks better and I'm glad you had good customer service from them. Those beach wheels look pretty cool.
He is a Yeti fan boy. Obviously. He visited the Yeti factory 😂. I also own the Rovr 60. It’s far superior in every way. The inside design with the dry bin is genius. Plus I tow it with a bike sometimes. I would purchase the 45 but not until they change the handle. Telescoping handles and sand do not mix.
There’s something to be said about the light weight of the Coleman like you mentioned. Besides being inexpensive I appreciate the lighter weight especially as I get older. I looked at some of those expensive coolers and besides the exorbitant cost I didn’t like how heavy they were.
Wow. You put a lot of work and time into this. Very well done. It was also thorough. You covered more practical angles than all the other reviews I've looked at. Oh, and 10 bonus points for pronouncing creme de la creme like a Frenchman!
Oddly enough, i have that igloo latitude, I've e beaten it up for three years, and nothing has broke. I think you bought a lemon handle lol. Ice retention sucks though! Awesome review!
I have the Igloo trailmate. It's a good cooler. Mid priced. Has a bunch of features. Yes, it's bulky but I also have truck so it fits perfectly in the back. I dont need a super insulated yeti. I dont plan on leaving food or drinks in it for days. It will hold the ice for a a day or two. No issues. I can fit a lot in it and I can strap other stuff on top of it and strap it down with the bungee attachments. The big wheels and long handle make it a breeze to pull on sand at the beach.Basically, no complaints.
I’ve found the secret to keeping ice 🧊 in the cooler is pre cooling all your drinks, and if possible, pre cooling the actually cooler inside itself. I do that and use just a basic igloo wheeled cooler and people are blown away at how the ice lasts 2 days in 118+ degree weather in Laughlin NV. Put all your drinks in the fridge before packing, and if you have a freezer that fits the cooler itself, put it in to cool it- if not, use one or two bags of sacrificial ice to precool the night before. You’d be surprised at how well that works. The great part is, no one is gonna steal your “expensive cooler” but ironically they should because the drinks inside are probably colder than all the people out there that just put room temp drinks in their “yeti’s”.
I just really like how the Igloo Trailmate looks. Stands out from all the others. Everywhere I go, it’s always Yeti. But damn, $400-$500 is crazy money. Guess it’s worth it though if you camp frequently and need it to hold ice for several days. Gonna probably go with Trailmate, my use is park days and beach days.
The Trailmate is awesome for park days and beach days, no doubt about it. Just make sure you have the space for one. They are big and bulky, takes up almost the whole cargo bay in my Honda Pilot. But not a big deal if you have a pickup.
My wife and I love your reviews... you are our go-to channel for comprehensive info. Thank you so much! So you didn't specify the leaky test on all of these. We are looking for a wheelable cooler that wont leak while moving it around... very important for many scenarios imo. It has to keep food cold for 4 days minimum too. What is your advice on that? Thanks so much!
So in my experience they all leak a little, but only if filled to the brim with a ton of water from ice melt. In most real world situations there's not enough ice water to slosh to the point of spilling out through the crack in the lid in regular use. Usually there's more ice and food and a bit of water at the bottom that will only spill out if the cooler tips over. I've never had any of these spill in my vehicle from sloshing around. So personally, I don't count that as a deal maker or deal breaker. That said, of these, the Pelican seemed the most watertight to me, but as I said, I don't like that cooler for other reasons and wouldn't recommend it. The Lifetime was quite good as well and it's a solid choice. The yeti and RTIC both leaked quite a bit in an aggressive slosh test, but have been fine under typical use. I hope that helps and thanks so much for your trust and support!
What an awesome, comprehensive video! I got a Trailmate as it was the most well rounded for my situation of daytrips and short weekend bursts over random terrain. Love the insight on all of them however!
I wish the white igloo had a lock feature to hold the lid closed. Brother knocked his over walking to the beach and lost all his ice. But rolls amazingly in the sand.
Maluna has wheeled coolers also. I’m looking at the 70 qt.. But before getting it Would love to see your expert hands review it to see if the insulation is as good as the non wheeled version.
So that's actually the exact same cooler, they just offer a wheel kit to add onto it. So the wheels won't have any impact on ice retention. You can even buy the wheel kit as an accessory after the fact. Not sure how good the wheels are themselves, but that's not a bad way to go.
Great video 🎉. You're right about the telescopic handle. Now I have a Coleman cooler with a telescopic handle and is the worst. I have a lot troubles with the handle.
So your main problem with the Rovr is you got the wrong one. The Rovr 60 and 80 have the same heavy duty handle the Yeti has. They are by far the best out of what you have in that group. The Rover 60 is also much closer in size to the Yeti tundra with the wheels that you have their.
The only cooler i've had that was water tight was a canyon outfitter. It has a foam type seal that worked great but seemed to get stinky and stay that way. If you left it open to dry after use it would probably be fine. They have a wheeled cooler but i've never used one. Engel and Yeti are my favorite two brands that i've used.
I bought a ROVR 60 recently on market place for $250. Love everything about it except on thing the weight. After this review I’m really liking the RTIC due it’s all terrain non flat wheels. I do agree with others that the ROVR 60 is more comparable than the 45. I’m enjoying mine so far.
Good to know. Agreed I think the RovR RollR 60 is more comparable to the others. I just wanted to include a couple smaller capacity coolers since not everyone needs a 60+ qt cooler.
Thanks! I’m going Coleman or lifetime because I’m cheap and only need for weekends and pack ability is important. Those handles suck, I have that style on some luggage.
I picked up the Coleman 38 quart budget boy used on Facebook for 20 bucks, drilled a bunch of fishing rod holders into the side of it and now it's better than a Yeti
The burly lid of the injection molded cooler (like Pelican Elite 50) will not warp up at the ends like the thin rotomolded lids like RTIC or Yeti when sitting outside in hot sun. Even the Rotomolded Pelican lids are significantly thicker and resistant to warping. I’ve seen lots of cooler failures, but the biggest disappointment is a lid failure. I am a fan of Yeti as the designs are the most compact for the volume provided, but all thin rotomolded lids will eventually warp when left out in hot sun.
From what I've seen among these and many other coolers is that it is not that rotomolded coolers have thinner plastic than injection molded ones, but I believe it's the plastic compound itself. Rotomolding is done at a much lower temperature than injection molding. So I think that high heat resistance of the plastic used for injection molding makes it more resistant to high outdoor temps. Rotomolding usually is done between 250-400 degrees F, not super duper hot.
@@theoutdoorempire IM coolers like Pelican Elite and the discontinued Otterbox Venture have a polypropylene shell while most rotomolded coolers use polyethylene. It is true that polypropylene is significantly more rigid and has a higher melting temperature than polyethylene. Polyethylene is more wear resistant. Despite the marketing claims for rotomolded coolers, it appears that manufacturers of rotomolded coolers are using the less desirable plastic.
The slots on the trail-mate ( marine version) lid is for iPad or phones. The liner is anti microbial food grade. The stash pod floats in case cooler falls of boat
Thank you so much for doing all of this work in reviewing these coolers! My only recommendation is that you might have mentioned the "gimmick" of the ROVR, since it was a Kickstarter specifically aimed at a bike towable cooler.
I have the igloo trail mate. First one purchased had a handle that didn't work first day. Took it back and got a replacement. This one's handle lasted about 2 years before not extending. I still used it, not comfortable though. I am around 3 to 4 years of using it and recently one of the lid hinges broke. Wheels are still good and keeps things cold about 5 days.
Great review! Love how you added your experience with customer service. I don't care how good a product is if the customer service is terrible. I won't buy it. Was wondering if you could review the Moosejaw ice fort 55? It has a 5 year warranty, has wheels, and is rotomolded. Seems like a great competitor. Would be interested in how it stacks up to these.
Nice review you should try rovr 60 it has a different handle setup but I agree customer service sucks. I'll be buying the new rtic has everything you want for a great deal.
Thanks for watching! Ya I saw the handle on the RovR RollR 60 is different and I'm sure much better than the 45. Glad you're dialed in on your next cooler choice!
I have heard good things about the Magellan coolers. I don't have one myself (no Academy Sports near me), but my brother-in-law does and it's been good to them. Reasonably priced too as I understand it.
@@theoutdoorempire I really appreciate your input. I think between the ability to really seal, the lifetime warranty, and being 120% bear proof (we have grizzlies), Im going to go with your selection. Thank you.
@@nickhtk6285 Shoot, I may have mispoke in my last comment (I was in a rush). Sorry about that! I'd probably go with a Yeti actually, but for the reasons you mention the Pelican is still a great option. I just don't like the wheels or tow handle on the Pelican wheeled version. Although they are more water tight as you say. To be truly bearproof you probably ought to add padlocks with any cooler. Good luck!
Great video, but you didn’t include the best wheeled cooler out there!…the Orca 65 Quart Wheeled Cooler! You should get it and compare this Orca to your top 2-3 in this video!
Excellent review and like the categories you rated. Like others have stated the two main ones missing that I think would be important due to popularity and quality would be the Moosejaw 55qt rolled and Orca. As far as price goes the moosejaw is cheaper than the rtic which is very competitively priced in the rotomold category. My only worry is ice retention, I haven't tested it, but looking at in the store it's super durable, easy to roll, and easy latch system. But I get it, you're not going to have every cooler and you rated 9 which was super helpful, thanks for taking the time! You talked me out of buying a Rovr I saw on Facebook market that was only 200! Even for that price I don't think it's worth it just given the fact you didn't like the handle and the latch system, Im a big latch guy, nothing I hate more than going in and out of a cooler where the latches are annoying
Great input! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I've definitely got my eye on the Moosejaw. The Orca wheeled looks solid as well. And ya, not a fan of the latches on the RovR and DEFINITELY don't like the tow handle. But I suspect the RovR RollR 60 would be a much better bet because it doesn't have the same retractable handle as the 45. So that could be an option for you.
What about the newer yeti telescopic handle cooler? I figured you would be testing that one instead of the much older tundra haul version. I seen several in an ace hardware and those yetis seemed to be pretty good quality as well.
I've handled the newer Yeti wheeled coolers too and indeed their telescopic handles are way better than the ones I have. However, I still prefer the Tundra Haul style. Sand and grit could still give you guff. But to each their own.
@@theoutdoorempire thanks for the great videos and the reply. Yep I agree sand could add trouble but for my use and probably many others it would not be dragged in sand. Used mostly for events, parties, fishing, hunting, camping, and road trips. Just wouldn’t mind see how well it compares especially since it’s only a little older than the Rtic
I've been looking at Siberian coolers. The Alpha Pro series gets great reviews, but I need a wheeled cooler. Siberian makes the Sojourner 50 QT wheeled cooler, but I can't find reviews on it. Are you considering testing that one?
I just noticed that as well. I think you can still find them in some retail stores and maybe Amazon. But I suspect Coleman is replacing the Xtreme series with the 316 series. So if you can find a Coleman 316 wheeled cooler (amzn.to/43TF8OS - affiliate link, FYI), that is just as good. I have one without wheels that did just as well as the Xtreme for ice retention. And I've seen the wheeled version in a store and it is basically the same kind of build as the Xtreme. So I'd say they are functionally equivalent.
So RTIC only makes the one cooler with wheels and it's the ultralight. If you're looking at the regular ultralight vs the wheeled ultralight, the capacity is basically identical though you have some little bump outs inside the wheeled version. They're the same in build quality and ice retention. It's really just a matter of whether or not you want the wheels. And they're pretty sweet if you'll move it around a lot, but if you'll leave it in one spot most of the time like on a boat or something, the wheels might be annoying. Oh and the wheeled one has that silicone net and the regular ultralight has a second drain plug. But neither of those features are particularly special so I wouldn't figure them into a decision. Good luck!
Yes I’m sure most of these coolers seals will leak because some people use them with dry ice to keep food frozen on extended trips. It needs to be able to let the carbon dioxide escape to prevent an explosion.
Lol the handle on ROVR Roller is like clearance sale travel luggage... lasts about 2 trips and then you're awkwardly fidgeting with the handle for 10 seconds every time you have to use it...
Regarding these coolers, what about leaks from the drain plug? I ask because I recently bought an Igloo Maxcold Latitude model based on ice retention. Compared to a Coleman I've been using, the Igloo Maxcold did a far better job with ice, but their screw in drain plug constantly leaked water and soaked my carpet; thus, I returned it after less than a week. I like drain plugs, but not when they're leaking, especially if they're brand new. Were any of these coolers reviewed leak proof from the drain plug?
Great point, I've had that experience too. I prefer when the drain plug is a male plug that threads in vs a cap that threads onto a male drain, if that makes sense. The male drains have gotten banged up before and cause leaks. In this video, I didn't have issues with any of the cooler drains, but my favorite drain among these would be the YETI or the Coleman.
You're onto something but just slightly off. It's the Yeti Tundra series that is both rotomolded and IGBC certified bear resistant. The Roadie series is neither of those. It's injection molded and has not gone through the IGBC process which you can see on IGBC's website where they publish a list of certified products. The Roadie has no padlock holes which is one of the requirements to be bear resistant.
@@theoutdoorempire I was incorrect about the bear certification after further research. However, you even admitted in the "The 10 Best Coolers of 2024 - Hard, Soft, Wheeled, Cheap" @ 11:45 of the video that the roadie isn't roto molded and point out that the reason is because of the seams in the plastic. The Yeti Tundra Haul has the same seams, so how can one be rotomolded and the other not when they have the same seams in the plastic?
@@altwelve1 When you look at those seams up close, they are indeed different. The Roadie is multiple pieces of plastic that are assembled together with fasteners (like screws) or by snapping together. You can actually see a gap between the seams on the Roadie. It's also much lighter weight which is an indication of the type of plastic used, more in alignment with injection molding than rotational molding. The Tundra Haul does indeed have lines on it that look like seams, but there is no gap. These are not actually seams, but lines left from hot plastic that began to squeeze out of the seams in the metal mold used to mold the plastic into its cooler shape during the rotomolding process. When they open the molds after it cools, they pull out the coolers and there are these rough edges of plastic along the mold seams from where it tried to squeeze out. People actually have to take razor blades and buffers to trim off the excess plastic and smooth it out. So you're just seeing the imprint of the mold seams because the cooler is one solid piece of plastic. I actually got to go do a cooler factory tour with Cordova coolers a while back and did a video about it. You can see this process firsthand in that video on my channel, it was pretty cool to see. Cheers!
Awesome review man! The igloo is on sale for 199 rn at best buy I was thinking about buying it but kind of leaning towards the rtic now...whats yoye thoughts? Is the rtic worth the extra 100 bucks rn with the igloo being on sale?
Ya know that's a good deal on the Igloo. However, I think the Trailmate was a bit overpriced in the first place since it's still the cheaper blow molded construction, so not near as tough. I think $300 for the RTIC is a fair price and if they ever put it on sale it'd be a great deal. Depends. The Trailmate is bigger and has all those cool features and accessories, but it's also really bulky so if you don't have a truck it'll be a pain to lug around. The RTIC holds ice longer, is tougher, rolls better, more compact, just doesn't have as many doodads. Both are good, but personally I'd go with the RTIC because I have no use for that Igloo Trailmate.
When I reached out to Igloo's customer service they responded relatively quickly, but I didn't inquire about a replacement for this one. They do seem a bit hit and miss, some good coolers and some bad.
I can’t stand the rubber straps, they always fall down in the way to closing it, then you have to re open it to move the strap and close it again. Gets annoying after using it all day on. Especially on a boat when you’re rocking around or on plane. A pointless step to closing a cooler
Agreed, it often takes two hands free to close them. I like some others I've seen where they latch from the bottom instead of top. Check out my best rotomolded coolers video to see what I mean.
28 Cooler Ice Retention Challenge 👉 ua-cam.com/video/J0Nel351sbg/v-deo.html
RTIC Ultra-Light Wheeled cooler review 👉 ua-cam.com/video/QnE4m59TRrE/v-deo.html
I recommend setting the playback speed to 1.25x for this video 👍
Me too. 😉 The host is a slow talking wind bag.
I did 1.5x lol might be a bit too fast but still understandable lol
Wow that's crazy. 1.25x makes it sound like a normal talking speed. Maybe a tiny bit fast but not that fast. Wow.
I have the ROVR 60 and the handle is like the Yeti and Rtic. I also have mailed them with questions before I purchased it and they responded the next day. The customer service response by ROVR was the reason I pulled the trigger on it. I hate that you did not have the same experience. You can also get beach wheels for the ROVR. I have these as well and they work awesome at the beach. I do live in Florida so that was the other big selling point for me. Thanks for your reviews, I appreciate the time you put in and the information is very helpful!!
Well that's all great info, thanks for taking the time to share! The RovR 60 handle definitely looks better and I'm glad you had good customer service from them. Those beach wheels look pretty cool.
He is a Yeti fan boy. Obviously. He visited the Yeti factory 😂. I also own the Rovr 60. It’s far superior in every way. The inside design with the dry bin is genius. Plus I tow it with a bike sometimes. I would purchase the 45 but not until they change the handle. Telescoping handles and sand do not mix.
There’s something to be said about the light weight of the Coleman like you mentioned. Besides being inexpensive I appreciate the lighter weight especially as I get older. I looked at some of those expensive coolers and besides the exorbitant cost I didn’t like how heavy they were.
You're absolutely right! I think for most routine uses of a cooler, the lighter weight and lower expense of that Coleman makes a lot of sense.
Wow. You put a lot of work and time into this. Very well done. It was also thorough. You covered more practical angles than all the other reviews I've looked at. Oh, and 10 bonus points for pronouncing creme de la creme like a Frenchman!
Merci ! It was my pleasure and I'm working on many more.
Oddly enough, i have that igloo latitude, I've e beaten it up for three years, and nothing has broke. I think you bought a lemon handle lol. Ice retention sucks though! Awesome review!
Good to know. Thanks for watching!
I have the Igloo trailmate. It's a good cooler. Mid priced. Has a bunch of features. Yes, it's bulky but I also have truck so it fits perfectly in the back. I dont need a super insulated yeti. I dont plan on leaving food or drinks in it for days. It will hold the ice for a a day or two. No issues. I can fit a lot in it and I can strap other stuff on top of it and strap it down with the bungee attachments. The big wheels and long handle make it a breeze to pull on sand at the beach.Basically, no complaints.
I’ve found the secret to keeping ice 🧊 in the cooler is pre cooling all your drinks, and if possible, pre cooling the actually cooler inside itself. I do that and use just a basic igloo wheeled cooler and people are blown away at how the ice lasts 2 days in 118+ degree weather in Laughlin NV.
Put all your drinks in the fridge before packing, and if you have a freezer that fits the cooler itself, put it in to cool it- if not, use one or two bags of sacrificial ice to precool the night before. You’d be surprised at how well that works. The great part is, no one is gonna steal your “expensive cooler” but ironically they should because the drinks inside are probably colder than all the people out there that just put room temp drinks in their “yeti’s”.
I found that using a 2 litter bottle of frozen water helps pre chill the inside and you don't waste ice.
reason the yeti and rtic leak a lot is because they are meant to be compatible with dry ice and other things that may need some ventilation!
I like the igloo trailmate because it has replaceable parts and tiedowns for the back of my suv for offroading over rough terrain.
Good call! Most of those Rotomolded ones also have tie down slots too, FYI.
I just really like how the Igloo Trailmate looks. Stands out from all the others. Everywhere I go, it’s always Yeti. But damn, $400-$500 is crazy money. Guess it’s worth it though if you camp frequently and need it to hold ice for several days.
Gonna probably go with Trailmate, my use is park days and beach days.
The Trailmate is awesome for park days and beach days, no doubt about it. Just make sure you have the space for one. They are big and bulky, takes up almost the whole cargo bay in my Honda Pilot. But not a big deal if you have a pickup.
Find a buddy to get you the yeti military discount. Brings it down closer to $300.
My wife and I love your reviews... you are our go-to channel for comprehensive info. Thank you so much! So you didn't specify the leaky test on all of these. We are looking for a wheelable cooler that wont leak while moving it around... very important for many scenarios imo. It has to keep food cold for 4 days minimum too. What is your advice on that? Thanks so much!
So in my experience they all leak a little, but only if filled to the brim with a ton of water from ice melt. In most real world situations there's not enough ice water to slosh to the point of spilling out through the crack in the lid in regular use. Usually there's more ice and food and a bit of water at the bottom that will only spill out if the cooler tips over. I've never had any of these spill in my vehicle from sloshing around. So personally, I don't count that as a deal maker or deal breaker. That said, of these, the Pelican seemed the most watertight to me, but as I said, I don't like that cooler for other reasons and wouldn't recommend it. The Lifetime was quite good as well and it's a solid choice. The yeti and RTIC both leaked quite a bit in an aggressive slosh test, but have been fine under typical use.
I hope that helps and thanks so much for your trust and support!
What an awesome, comprehensive video! I got a Trailmate as it was the most well rounded for my situation of daytrips and short weekend bursts over random terrain. Love the insight on all of them however!
Great to hear! Thanks for watching and I'm glad you found one you like.
I wish the white igloo had a lock feature to hold the lid closed.
Brother knocked his over walking to the beach and lost all his ice.
But rolls amazingly in the sand.
Agreed, that would be a nice addition. At least you can run a bungee cord over it if you want with those hooks on the side.
@theoutdoorempire yea that's what he does now. But the first time it sucked for him
Maluna has wheeled coolers also. I’m looking at the 70 qt.. But before getting it Would love to see your expert hands review it to see if the insulation is as good as the non wheeled version.
So that's actually the exact same cooler, they just offer a wheel kit to add onto it. So the wheels won't have any impact on ice retention. You can even buy the wheel kit as an accessory after the fact. Not sure how good the wheels are themselves, but that's not a bad way to go.
Great video 🎉. You're right about the telescopic handle. Now I have a Coleman cooler with a telescopic handle and is the worst. I have a lot troubles with the handle.
Ya I like a fixed tow handle.
*deletes Igloo MaxCold from Amazon basket*. Thanks man! Great reviews.
Good call! Haha. Thanks for watching.
Great video exactly what I was looking for today.
I like rotomolded coolers and my back says wheels are the way to go moving forward.
Glad it helped. Also check out the Brumate Brutank. I got one of those since I did this video and it's awesome too.
Thanks for the review I was indecisive between the Rtic and Igloo! 😊 I ended up purchasing the Rtic.
How do you like it? I just bought one
I have that Igloo Latitude roiling cooler and the handle lasted 5 minutes. It's now been relegated to a bait cooler. That's all it's good for.
So I'm not the only one! Bait cooler is a good idea. Otherwise I was thinking target practice. 😂
So your main problem with the Rovr is you got the wrong one. The Rovr 60 and 80 have the same heavy duty handle the Yeti has. They are by far the best out of what you have in that group. The Rover 60 is also much closer in size to the Yeti tundra with the wheels that you have their.
Yes, so I'm told. I'm sure a better handle would make a better RovR. Thanks for watching!
The only cooler i've had that was water tight was a canyon outfitter. It has a foam type seal that worked great but seemed to get stinky and stay that way. If you left it open to dry after use it would probably be fine. They have a wheeled cooler but i've never used one. Engel and Yeti are my favorite two brands that i've used.
Good to know. I've got a Canyon without wheels and I like it a lot too but it's hard to go wrong with an Engel or a Yeti.
A foam seal can easily be added to any cooler.
Wow- excellent review. Helps a lot when shopping for these expensive coolers. Well done.
Glad you think so!
I bought a ROVR 60 recently on market place for $250. Love everything about it except on thing the weight. After this review I’m really liking the RTIC due it’s all terrain non flat wheels. I do agree with others that the ROVR 60 is more comparable than the 45. I’m enjoying mine so far.
Good to know. Agreed I think the RovR RollR 60 is more comparable to the others. I just wanted to include a couple smaller capacity coolers since not everyone needs a 60+ qt cooler.
Thanks! I’m going Coleman or lifetime because I’m cheap and only need for weekends and pack ability is important. Those handles suck, I have that style on some luggage.
Solid choices for that kind of use.
Great review! Buying the Rtic based on the revIew.
Glad it was helpful. Enjoy that RTIC!
Reaching out from Norway! Your Review is fabulous. you take it down to a normal person use!
Amazing, thanks for the note from Norway! I just got a new cooler that's made there, the Oyster Tempo. Gonna have a review out on it soon. Cheers!
I picked up the Coleman 38 quart budget boy used on Facebook for 20 bucks, drilled a bunch of fishing rod holders into the side of it and now it's better than a Yeti
I'd love to see a photo of that!
The burly lid of the injection molded cooler (like Pelican Elite 50) will not warp up at the ends like the thin rotomolded lids like RTIC or Yeti when sitting outside in hot sun. Even the Rotomolded Pelican lids are significantly thicker and resistant to warping. I’ve seen lots of cooler failures, but the biggest disappointment is a lid failure. I am a fan of Yeti as the designs are the most compact for the volume provided, but all thin rotomolded lids will eventually warp when left out in hot sun.
From what I've seen among these and many other coolers is that it is not that rotomolded coolers have thinner plastic than injection molded ones, but I believe it's the plastic compound itself. Rotomolding is done at a much lower temperature than injection molding. So I think that high heat resistance of the plastic used for injection molding makes it more resistant to high outdoor temps. Rotomolding usually is done between 250-400 degrees F, not super duper hot.
@@theoutdoorempire IM coolers like Pelican Elite and the discontinued Otterbox Venture have a polypropylene shell while most rotomolded coolers use polyethylene. It is true that polypropylene is significantly more rigid and has a higher melting temperature than polyethylene. Polyethylene is more wear resistant. Despite the marketing claims for rotomolded coolers, it appears that manufacturers of rotomolded coolers are using the less desirable plastic.
The slots on the trail-mate ( marine version) lid is for iPad or phones. The liner is anti microbial food grade. The stash pod floats in case cooler falls of boat
Thanks for the insight! That cooler does have a lot of clever details to it.
Thank you so much for doing all of this work in reviewing these coolers! My only recommendation is that you might have mentioned the "gimmick" of the ROVR, since it was a Kickstarter specifically aimed at a bike towable cooler.
Very good point! Thanks for chiming in.
I have the igloo trail mate. First one purchased had a handle that didn't work first day. Took it back and got a replacement. This one's handle lasted about 2 years before not extending. I still used it, not comfortable though. I am around 3 to 4 years of using it and recently one of the lid hinges broke. Wheels are still good and keeps things cold about 5 days.
Sounds about right, thanks for sharing! I'm not surprised about the handle. I am skeptical about any telescoping handle on a cooler.
I’ve heard can’t even hold ice for 24 hours
Just learned about the Coleman Convoy.. hopefully see them in comparisons soon
I discovered that one recently too. Looks interesting. Hopefully I can cover that one in the future.
Great review! Love how you added your experience with customer service. I don't care how good a product is if the customer service is terrible. I won't buy it. Was wondering if you could review the Moosejaw ice fort 55? It has a 5 year warranty, has wheels, and is rotomolded. Seems like a great competitor. Would be interested in how it stacks up to these.
Thanks for watching! And I just got that Moosejaw Ice Fort. Been using it a bit lately and will include it in some future content.
@@theoutdoorempire Awesome! Thank you sir😀
Nice review. Based on my own experience with some of these, I agree with your detailed analysis.
Excellent, thank you!
Great review but Gotta include brumate rolling cooler next time to see how it stacks up
I'd love to, I've heard good things!
Damn no Kong? I have a 20 and 50 no wheels. The best if not one of the top latches so easy to open and close love them
Good to know!
Nice review you should try rovr 60 it has a different handle setup but I agree customer service sucks. I'll be buying the new rtic has everything you want for a great deal.
Thanks for watching! Ya I saw the handle on the RovR RollR 60 is different and I'm sure much better than the 45. Glad you're dialed in on your next cooler choice!
I have the pelican same one you showed love it best thing I ever bought
Glad you love it! I liked the cooler, but not the wheels or handle compared to the alternatives.
I am in the market fora dependable cooler now. Thank you!! Looks like Rtic for me!
Perfect!
Awesome video. Thanks buddy. I really appreciate this.
You're welcome.
What about your video about reasons NOT to buy yeti cooler? I’m confused.
Thanks for your thorough comparisons.
Thanks for watching them!
This was honestly great lol. Have you seen the brumate wheeled cooler? It looks nice but it’s pricey
Not yet! But I'm working on getting one. Glad you liked the video!
just suscribed! loved your method of testing the coolers.
Awesome, thank you! And welcome!
Great video! I’m currently looking for a camping, beach and picnic cooler. What about the “Magellan Outdoors Pro Explore IceBox 75 qt Cooler”?
I have heard good things about the Magellan coolers. I don't have one myself (no Academy Sports near me), but my brother-in-law does and it's been good to them. Reasonably priced too as I understand it.
Bought monoprice 2yrs ago… not one issue. I would highly recommend for price can’t beat it
Glad to hear it! It's not a well known one, but I too was impressed for the price.
Great video! Id be curious how the Cater Gator would hold up to this test
Me too, I'll have to add that one to my wish list!
Given prices and availability in my region it really comes down to Pelican and Yeti. Others that are available aren't that much cheaper.
Between those two, I'd personally lean toward Pelican most likely.
@@theoutdoorempire I really appreciate your input. I think between the ability to really seal, the lifetime warranty, and being 120% bear proof (we have grizzlies), Im going to go with your selection.
Thank you.
@@nickhtk6285 Shoot, I may have mispoke in my last comment (I was in a rush). Sorry about that! I'd probably go with a Yeti actually, but for the reasons you mention the Pelican is still a great option. I just don't like the wheels or tow handle on the Pelican wheeled version. Although they are more water tight as you say. To be truly bearproof you probably ought to add padlocks with any cooler. Good luck!
Great video, but you didn’t include the best wheeled cooler out there!…the Orca 65 Quart Wheeled Cooler! You should get it and compare this Orca to your top 2-3 in this video!
Indeed, I'd like to get one of those to test.
Review igloo latitude 90 quart
Very thorough video!!
Glad you liked it!
Impression video! Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Excellent review and like the categories you rated. Like others have stated the two main ones missing that I think would be important due to popularity and quality would be the Moosejaw 55qt rolled and Orca.
As far as price goes the moosejaw is cheaper than the rtic which is very competitively priced in the rotomold category. My only worry is ice retention, I haven't tested it, but looking at in the store it's super durable, easy to roll, and easy latch system.
But I get it, you're not going to have every cooler and you rated 9 which was super helpful, thanks for taking the time!
You talked me out of buying a Rovr I saw on Facebook market that was only 200! Even for that price I don't think it's worth it just given the fact you didn't like the handle and the latch system, Im a big latch guy, nothing I hate more than going in and out of a cooler where the latches are annoying
Great input! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I've definitely got my eye on the Moosejaw. The Orca wheeled looks solid as well. And ya, not a fan of the latches on the RovR and DEFINITELY don't like the tow handle. But I suspect the RovR RollR 60 would be a much better bet because it doesn't have the same retractable handle as the 45. So that could be an option for you.
Good job!
Much work you did!
Thank you!
Thanks for the reviews!❤🎉😊
You are very welcome!
"Last AND least..."
Savage bro! 😂
Honest sarcasm. 😜
Looking at ORCA ‘s wheeled cooler..wish that was in here..
Me too. Maybe next time!
Great video. Thanks for the info!
You bet! Glad it was helpful.
I can understand not putting Ozark in the mix but you should’ve put Kong. ‘ cause it’s a lot better than that yeti.
Working on it for a round 2!
What about the newer yeti telescopic handle cooler? I figured you would be testing that one instead of the much older tundra haul version. I seen several in an ace hardware and those yetis seemed to be pretty good quality as well.
I've handled the newer Yeti wheeled coolers too and indeed their telescopic handles are way better than the ones I have. However, I still prefer the Tundra Haul style. Sand and grit could still give you guff. But to each their own.
@@theoutdoorempire thanks for the great videos and the reply. Yep I agree sand could add trouble but for my use and probably many others it would not be dragged in sand. Used mostly for events, parties, fishing, hunting, camping, and road trips. Just wouldn’t mind see how well it compares especially since it’s only a little older than the Rtic
Hi, can you review the kong 50 wheeled. I don't see any videos on that one
Great input, I'll see what I can do!
so if you aren't worried about bears and you live in the usa, it looks like coleman is solidly the best deal
Sounds about right. Although this Coleman Xtreme series is now discontinued. The new model is the 316 Series and it's tested very well for me also.
I've been looking at Siberian coolers. The Alpha Pro series gets great reviews, but I need a wheeled cooler. Siberian makes the Sojourner 50 QT wheeled cooler, but I can't find reviews on it. Are you considering testing that one?
I have Siberian on my wish list but hadn't looked at the wheeled one yet. Thanks for the suggestion.
Thanks for saving me from buying a rovr. I would’ve hated that handle
Solidarity.
Missing a good one brother moose jaw ice fort rolling hard cooler 55 should be tested as well
I just got one of those! So I'll include it in the next round.
Brutank? Wanting to get it over the Yeti but don't know enough to spend that amount. Wonder why it is not featured...too new?
It's on my list for next time and hopefully I'll have one in the next few weeks. Stay tuned!
I have one and prefer it over my other coolers… rarely use the reservoir, but it glides like a Cadillac
I can't seem to find the Coleman Xtreme anywhere, looks like it's been discontinued? And idea where I can grab one?
I just noticed that as well. I think you can still find them in some retail stores and maybe Amazon. But I suspect Coleman is replacing the Xtreme series with the 316 series. So if you can find a Coleman 316 wheeled cooler (amzn.to/43TF8OS - affiliate link, FYI), that is just as good. I have one without wheels that did just as well as the Xtreme for ice retention. And I've seen the wheeled version in a store and it is basically the same kind of build as the Xtreme. So I'd say they are functionally equivalent.
Couldn't have found the best if the BrüMate BrüTank wasn't included
Coming soon...
Can confirm
Nice review. Must’ve been a lot of work and money to do all this.
Yes it was! But thank you for watching.
Thank you for your review.
You bet! Thank you for watching!
I'm really torn between the Rtic light 52 and the Rtic 52 with wheels. Is there a size difference between the two or are they the same?
So RTIC only makes the one cooler with wheels and it's the ultralight. If you're looking at the regular ultralight vs the wheeled ultralight, the capacity is basically identical though you have some little bump outs inside the wheeled version. They're the same in build quality and ice retention. It's really just a matter of whether or not you want the wheels. And they're pretty sweet if you'll move it around a lot, but if you'll leave it in one spot most of the time like on a boat or something, the wheels might be annoying. Oh and the wheeled one has that silicone net and the regular ultralight has a second drain plug. But neither of those features are particularly special so I wouldn't figure them into a decision. Good luck!
Great review!
Glad you think so! Thanks!
Yeti coolers are must haves!
Lots of Yeti fans out there!
Amazing review!
Wow thanks! I'm still pretty new at this and trying to figure out what people like to see. Would you mind letting me know what you liked about it?
If my yeti roadie latches break , can I replace them ?
Not sure. Would probably have to ask YETI customer service.
Have you tested the roadie wheeled 60 vs tundra haul?
Not head to head. I've handled the Roadie, but only have the Haul right now. Perhaps down the road.
Yes I’m sure most of these coolers seals will leak because some people use them with dry ice to keep food frozen on extended trips. It needs to be able to let the carbon dioxide escape to prevent an explosion.
The new moosejaw looks interesting
Agreed. I'm maneuvering to get one. 😏
@theoutdoorempire I can't wait for the video. It's cheaper currently than the rtic and is roto molded.
Need to test a Kodi
Noted thanks!
Lol the handle on ROVR Roller is like clearance sale travel luggage... lasts about 2 trips and then you're awkwardly fidgeting with the handle for 10 seconds every time you have to use it...
Sir, you are correct 💯.
Regarding these coolers, what about leaks from the drain plug? I ask because I recently bought an Igloo Maxcold Latitude model based on ice retention. Compared to a Coleman I've been using, the Igloo Maxcold did a far better job with ice, but their screw in drain plug constantly leaked water and soaked my carpet; thus, I returned it after less than a week. I like drain plugs, but not when they're leaking, especially if they're brand new. Were any of these coolers reviewed leak proof from the drain plug?
Great point, I've had that experience too. I prefer when the drain plug is a male plug that threads in vs a cap that threads onto a male drain, if that makes sense. The male drains have gotten banged up before and cause leaks. In this video, I didn't have issues with any of the cooler drains, but my favorite drain among these would be the YETI or the Coleman.
yeti is NOT rotomolded or certified bear resistant. Only the Roadie 48 is certified bear resistant.
You're onto something but just slightly off. It's the Yeti Tundra series that is both rotomolded and IGBC certified bear resistant. The Roadie series is neither of those. It's injection molded and has not gone through the IGBC process which you can see on IGBC's website where they publish a list of certified products. The Roadie has no padlock holes which is one of the requirements to be bear resistant.
@@theoutdoorempire I was incorrect about the bear certification after further research. However, you even admitted in the "The 10 Best Coolers of 2024 - Hard, Soft, Wheeled, Cheap" @ 11:45 of the video that the roadie isn't roto molded and point out that the reason is because of the seams in the plastic. The Yeti Tundra Haul has the same seams, so how can one be rotomolded and the other not when they have the same seams in the plastic?
@@altwelve1 When you look at those seams up close, they are indeed different. The Roadie is multiple pieces of plastic that are assembled together with fasteners (like screws) or by snapping together. You can actually see a gap between the seams on the Roadie. It's also much lighter weight which is an indication of the type of plastic used, more in alignment with injection molding than rotational molding.
The Tundra Haul does indeed have lines on it that look like seams, but there is no gap. These are not actually seams, but lines left from hot plastic that began to squeeze out of the seams in the metal mold used to mold the plastic into its cooler shape during the rotomolding process. When they open the molds after it cools, they pull out the coolers and there are these rough edges of plastic along the mold seams from where it tried to squeeze out. People actually have to take razor blades and buffers to trim off the excess plastic and smooth it out. So you're just seeing the imprint of the mold seams because the cooler is one solid piece of plastic.
I actually got to go do a cooler factory tour with Cordova coolers a while back and did a video about it. You can see this process firsthand in that video on my channel, it was pretty cool to see. Cheers!
just browing through coolers for the first time and realizing how expensive they are LOL
Ya the prices can get pretty wild.
Just love your videos! Ty!
Glad to hear it, thanks for watching!
Have you seen the brutank cooler from brumate?
Yes, I got one! I included it in my last ice retention video if you wanna check that out. I plan to use it more this year and do a review on it.
What about the Yeti Roadie 48/60
Ya, I've heard good things. I've checked them out in stores, but haven't fully tested one yet.
What about the Orca Wheeled 65?
Looks like a goodie, I just don't have one (yet).
This is awesome ❤
You're awesome!
Awesome review man! The igloo is on sale for 199 rn at best buy I was thinking about buying it but kind of leaning towards the rtic now...whats yoye thoughts? Is the rtic worth the extra 100 bucks rn with the igloo being on sale?
Ya know that's a good deal on the Igloo. However, I think the Trailmate was a bit overpriced in the first place since it's still the cheaper blow molded construction, so not near as tough. I think $300 for the RTIC is a fair price and if they ever put it on sale it'd be a great deal. Depends. The Trailmate is bigger and has all those cool features and accessories, but it's also really bulky so if you don't have a truck it'll be a pain to lug around. The RTIC holds ice longer, is tougher, rolls better, more compact, just doesn't have as many doodads. Both are good, but personally I'd go with the RTIC because I have no use for that Igloo Trailmate.
I bought the Igloo and it leaked all over the back of my car. I took it back and got the RTIC in red, white, and blue. It's a lot better
I’ll take the rover just on functionality
best cooler is the igloo 52 qt marine 👌👌👌
Igloo has horrible customer service. If you have a complaint, they will stonewall you. They also make some very cheesy coolers.
When I reached out to Igloo's customer service they responded relatively quickly, but I didn't inquire about a replacement for this one. They do seem a bit hit and miss, some good coolers and some bad.
Thanks for making this video
You bet! I appreciate you taking the time to watch it.
Have you tried anything Blue Coolers yet?
Not yet, but working on it.
you really didn't review the correct ROVR. the comparable version Vs those others is the ROVR 60 WITHOUT a retractable handle.....jeash.
Yep I'm sure the RovR 60 can only be better than the 45.
I don't need my cooler to be bear resistant. My 12 gauge takes care of that feature.
Thanks~~
Welcome!
You’re missing the BruTank my friend.
Not anymore! Stay tuned.
I can’t stand the rubber straps, they always fall down in the way to closing it, then you have to re open it to move the strap and close it again. Gets annoying after using it all day on. Especially on a boat when you’re rocking around or on plane. A pointless step to closing a cooler
Agreed, it often takes two hands free to close them. I like some others I've seen where they latch from the bottom instead of top. Check out my best rotomolded coolers video to see what I mean.