That said, if ruggedness is something you need, the Coleman may not be the best choice. Its handles, hinges, and latches don’t inspire confidence in their ability to last the years in the same way as the high-end, IGBC certified, and rotomolded models do. Every time we’ve used it over the past several years, it seems to pick up numerous extra scratches and dirt, though it still works the same.
The Xspec strikes a very happy medium, narrow enough for simple solo carrying, tall enough to fit an upright bottle of wine, yet shallow enough to find whatever you’re looking for easily. If you’re interested in a smaller capacity option, we’re big fans of the exceptionally useful 40-quart volume and compact shape of the Orca 40. That said, there’s something a little bit extra about a plastic box that’s not only well-designed and durably built but also clearly shows attention to detail at every turn.
The rope handles lift well above the cooler, so you won’t hit your hands during transport. Not only that, it scored well across the board, specifically impressing us with its features coleman screen tent and ease of use. Draining was no trouble at all, thanks to this double-drain system. Thanks to these, you can separate your cooler into compartments and keep it cool.
There would be nothing to eat in nature and the takeaway food would taste bad due to the change of temperature. Even if you choose to take a conventional cooler with you, it would be heavy and inconvenient. Under such circumstances, coleman cooler is here to provide a solution to tackle these problems.
Each cooler was opened only once per day to photograph where the ice level was and how well each cooler was doing. For this test, I placed each cooler in direct sunlight for approximately half of each day and then in shade for the other half. This test is just a practical, real-world test of how people actually use similar coolers. In theory, the Coleman Xtreme is meant to compete on the cooling side of the equation while still maintaining an affordable price.
We test the insulation performance, durability, ease of use, portability, and features of every single model. As some performance aspects are more important than others, we weigh each metric accordingly. Below, we discuss our test results and which models stand out in each area.
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. Closed-cell foam is also much more expensive to produce than open-cell foam. The resulting product is strong and especially rigid feeling, and typically it weighs more than 1.7 pounds per cubic foot with more than 90% of its air cells closed to one another. Closed-cell foam is also water-impermeable—so it’s an ideal material for, say, surfers’ wetsuits. Different types of insulation work in their own ways to minimize heat transfer into a cooler.
Even after regular use over several years, the Tundra 65 performs just as well as the day we bought it. Yeti also continues to diversify the colors and personalization options available for this cooler, providing more choices to match your style better. As we prefaced above, if your cooler must-haves include easy mobility, large capacity, and maximum ice retention, it’s best to consider a rolling hard-sided model. From our picks above, the RovR Products RollR 45, Igloo Trailmate Journey, Pelican 80QT Elite, and Coleman Xtreme have rear wheels and tow handles, and Yeti’s Tundra series also includes the wheel-equipped Haul.
This, in part, is due to raised feet and its airtight seal created by the freezer-grade lid. Uniquely, it includes a release valve to alleviate the pressure created by the lid’s seal. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions.