Throw in a premium rotomolded build with excellent ice retention and a variety of fun features like optional cup holders and a side prepping board, and this cooler is as fun and functional as anything on the market. But, impressive cooling properties aside, the Coleman 316 Series Insulated Portable Cooler is a must-have for its durable, portable, and functional design. Equipped with two sturdy back wheels and a tow handle, the cooler is made for easy transporting, whether you’re headed to the campground, the beach, a tailgate, or a backyard party. The 80 can-capacity (which translates to about 50 pounds of ice) cooler also has a leak-proof construction that features a handy tethered drain plug, as well as a stain-resistant liner for easy clean-up.
However, given these coolers’ smaller capacities, most users will be restocking the contents frequently anyway. These coolers are simply made by inserting hot plastic into a defined mold, given time to cool, and then removed. The process is simpler and cheaper than rotomolding and allows for greater precision because of the molded shapes.
Open- and closed-cell foams act as insulators to reduce heat conduction, while fabrics and liners, such as coated polyurethane and reflective Mylar, create a radiant barrier that reduces and reflects heat radiation. If you’re wondering what kind of foam your cooler has, a good rule of thumb is to try to squeeze the foam with your fingers. If your fingers can compress the foam more than 75%, you’re probably dealing with open-cell foam. If the foam feels denser than that and doesn’t compress much at all, you probably have your hands on closed-cell foam. With better insulation, a cooler can maintain lower temperatures for longer, thus consuming less ice.
It wasn’t a major issue, but it also wasn’t a reassuring thing to see on a cooler. Nothing broke, and we could simply press it back into place, but each time we did this it got noticeably looser. By the end of our testing, it had loosened to the point that simply lifting on the handle was enough to pop the lid open, making the latch essentially useless. We liked that the BMX wasn’t as heavy and bulky as the Yeti and RTIC. The top handle made the cooler easy for just one person to carry, even when it was fully loaded. The rubber gasket and rubber feet weren’t quite as securely attached, and we felt that both could have been pried off with some effort.
Electric coolers are expensive and only make sense if you have a generator running full-time during your camping trips. The disadvantages (other than the premium price tags) are that rotomolded coolers tend to be heavier and bulkier than other coolers. Although the handles are made of a foam that feels cheaper than the Yeti’s rubber, they were actually more comfortable to carry.
With a price tag that’s still well into the triple digits, the RTIC 45 didn’t quite make the cut for our Best Value award. Still, if that Yeti price tag is pushing your budget, this is a top cooler for camping that’s nearly as good as our Top Pick for much less money. RTIC makes a rotomolded cooler very similar in design to the Yeti Tundra but with a noticeably lower price tag. As far as durability, there isn’t much on this cooler that can break. With the rotomolded design, it’s essentially two large pieces joined together by a heavy-duty hinge at the back — which we don’t think we could break if we tried. Since dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide, it passes directly from a solid to a gaseous state, meaning no water to deal with as it melts.
Its dual drains make cleaning it a breeze, and the flexibility of this model’s rubber latches means it’s easier to open and close with a single hand than other rubber-latched models. Additionally, several other aspects add to each one’s overall durability beyond just a sturdy hinge and a set of bearproof locks. The latches and handles don’t factor into an IGBC rating, as they are irrelevant to bear safety but pertinent to any model’s longevity.
If you need ice for extended periods (we’re thinking of you, rafters and multi-day campers), the cost is worth it. But for those on day trips or shorter overnight outings with access to new ice, an inexpensive cooler like the Coleman 316 Series or Igloo Ecocool is a fine option. In the world of coolers, Yeti pioneered the high-end concept, and the Tundra is its best-selling and most versatile model. This popular line features premium cooling and ice-retention capabilities with a thick, rotomolded build that’s more durable and less prone to cracking than injection-molded options like the RTIC above.
The Arctic Titan has an oversized drain to decrease the time you spend emptying it. And if one drain isn’t enough for you, the Ultralight features two drains, one on either end. As far as coleman screen tent drains go, several products have dual-function drains, meaning there’s a hole through the shaft of the drain plug that lets water run out without having to remove the entire drain cap.