From being thrown into vehicles, dropped from waist height, jumped on by a 200 lb tester, dragged across hot surfaces, yanked on, jerked around, and otherwise abused, these chests have seen it all. The best powered cooler we have tested is the seriously impressive Dometic CFX3 45. It won our Editors’ Choice award in our review of the best powered coolers. It offers some of the coldest achievable temperatures and above-average insulation.
The Coleman Xtreme, Cabela Polar Cap, and Pelican coolers have leashes attaching their drain plugs to the body of the chest. Both Pelican models, the Igloo IMX 70qt, the Engel, and the Xspec all have built-in bottle openers hidden in various spots. Equally as important, the RovR’s handle swings out far enough from the chest’s body to coleman screen tent avoid painful heel smashing. And with motocross-style rubber handles located on the edges of the sides of the wide trolley handle, it’s clear that this product is designed with the user in mind. Attachment is easy, and the flexible, pivoting arm allows for freedom of bike movement and no loss of turning radius or steering ability.
But they’re made with multiple pieces—unlike the single, uninterrupted form with rotomolding—which can lead to a drop in durability and added susceptibility to cracking. That being said, a high-end build like RTIC’s 52 QT Ultra-Light stacks up favorably to top rotomolded coolers in overall toughness. Many injection-molded coleman ice chest designs also allow for various mounting locations for accessories like tables, cup holders, and cutting boards—something you don’t typically get with rotomolding. Roam is primarily a rooftop tent manufacturer and well regarded among serious outdoor-goers like overlanders and those who like to get off the grid.
Downsides are even more weight (the RovR and Igloo weigh around 35 lb.), bulk, and cost. Additionally, these wheeled beasts still struggle over rough terrain and may require carrying if you don’t have a defined path to follow. But for camping, days at the beach, or even tailgating, a rolling cooler can be a solid choice. For those who plan to carry or move their cooler with any regularity, weight should be an important consideration.
Rotomolded coolers like Yeti’s Tundra above are made out of a single piece of continuous plastic, which is great for durability but means they typically lack built-in features and mounting locations. Tack on a price that undercuts the similarly sized Tundra 65 above by a considerable $135, and the Xspec stands out as a very well-rounded design at a great value. Orca (Outdoor Recreation Company of America) isn’t a household name like Yeti, but the Tennessee brand has gained a dedicated following of committed outdoorspeople. Their 40-quart cooler gives premium rotomolded models here a real run for their money.