Though nothing broke during testing, the hinges and latches are a potential weak point. Though this seems like an unimportant detail, when packed with goodies, it can be a little painful to grasp onto hard plastic. All in all, we were impressed with the RTIC Ultralight, with its lightweight construction, ease of use, and pleasant price. For a more packable cooler, check out our comparison of the best soft coolers.
It offers some of the best insulation of any soft cooler, keeping its contents below 40º F for just over three days in our insulation testing. While many similar coolers have thick zippers that are a struggle to operate or very narrow openings that are difficult to navigate, this soft cooler is impressively easy to use. The corners unclip, allowing the top to open quite far for swift loading and locating items. And coleman screen tent with a large (for a soft cooler) capacity of 48 cans, the Engel HD30 just might be enough to get you through a weekend of camping. Despite this oversized stature, it’s more portable than we expected, with comfortable handles on each end that make carrying it that much easier. After years of regular use, this durably constructed soft-sided model looks and works just about the same as the day we first bought it.
We are a bit disappointed to have measured this large model with “65” in the name at just 56 quarts, but our testers ended up appreciating this surprisingly useful size more than the models that are actually 65 quarts. The Tundra line also includes a plethora of other sizes, many of which we’ve tested — from small, personal boxes to behemoths. Like many of its competitors, the Tundra 65 has a tiny lip on the inside of the bottom of the drain, so it is challenging to fully empty without flipping the cooler upside-down. Still, we think the Tundra 65 is a useful choice for almost any vehicle-powered activity.
According to our testing, over a long enough period of time, a cooler with closed-cell foam will keep things cool for longer. But in the 24- to 48-hour range, we haven’t seen a huge difference between using ¾ inch of closed-cell or open-cell foam in a cooler. Closed-cell foam is considered a better insulator than open-cell foam because the tiny bubbles of gas in closed-cell foam remain independent from one another. Air bubbles that do not share cell walls and in effect stay insulated from one another are better at reducing the overall transfer of heat through the foam.
The green Coleman cooler’s spacious interior provides enough room for 223 cans, plus ice. The unit features the same rugged, heavy-duty build that’s made Coleman the most trusted name in portable drink and food storage systems. The model features an eco-friendly build, crafted with Thermozone insulation that’s free from toxic chemicals that can damage ozone levels, including CFCs, HFCs and HCFCs. A rustproof-build and a leak-resistant drain empower no-tilt emptying and easy carrying. The Coleman beverage cooler is outfitted with two sturdy two-way handles for comfortable carrying and a hinged, snap-tight lid that keeps contents neatly contained, even on bumpy rides. The lid is designed with four built-in cup holders for added convenience.
The Coleman Chest Cooler is Coleman’s standard offering for those looking for an “everyday” type of cooler. It is similar to their Marine line except this one is intended more for on-land excursions (and it will typically be a bit more affordable as well). It contains Thermozone coleman instant tent insulation which promises extra-long ice life compared to other similarly-priced coolers in the industry. In contrast, open-cell foam is permeable to air and water like a sponge (which is why it frequently appears in foam pillows, as it’s squishier and it breathes).