It is important to remember that you're probably not interested in taking a wheeled chest on a ten-day rafting trip or a three-week road trip, but rather to the picnic down the road or a tailgating party. Outstanding temperature control and range. Though its lack of an airtight seal and less-than-bomb-proof hinges aren't as impressive as the competition, its low cost and high versatility make this icebox a great value. It also attaches to the side of the interior with a simple hand screw, which means it won't move during transit like all the other baskets are wont to do. Because its blow-molded and not roto-molded, the plastic is thinner and more flimsy compared to other major brands. Learn more. It lasted 2.8 days in keeping its contents under 40 F and just a few minutes shy of 3 full days under 50 F. Not far behind, the Igloo BMX 25 also scores well in this arena. If that's not enough, it also comes standard with some of the most useful features we've seen, including a large, removable dry bin and a giant dry storage box that attaches to the lid and literally doubles the amount of stuff you can haul. Due to the blow-molded construction method, the thinner plastic is a bit of a liability. The Tundra 65 boasts the most impressive all-around performance out of any cooler we tested. A rubber seal helps trap cool air inside the rotomolded Roadie 24 while a 13" tall interior fits most wine and 2L soda bottles upright. The RovR also boasts solid, durable construction, hefty latches, and integrated hinges that we expect to last through countless picnics and get-togethers. These products proved to be very durable, despite the fact our team was unable to find a grizzly bear willing to test each of them rigorously. However, while the results from our insulation testing are in many cases far below some of the manufacturer's claims, we went out of our way to push these competitors to their limits. However, we feel that the dark grey coloring likely works against this cooler if you do happen to leave it in the sun. Its not the prettiest cooler, but it gets the job done. Two internal baskets make loading and locating things that much easier, as you can lift out the basket to find what you need. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. I ran several tests on the Igloo BMX 25 to test its ice retention, capacity, insulating power, and water-tightness. Additionally, though the lid feels like a tight fit, it isn't watertight. Mid-sized model insulation performance, comparing results of our rigorous insulation testing in units with capacities from 35 to 54 quarts. But pulling the RovR with its air-filled wheels lets you glide over imperfections in the ground and keeps your hands happy. It offers some of the best insulation of any soft cooler, keeping its contents below 40 F for just over three days in our insulation testing. A free app on your phone lets you easily control and monitor your powered cooler without having to get out of your sleeping bag or camping chair. Therefore, it lets cold air escape and warm air enter, unlike some beefier models with freezer-quality gaskets keeping their contents separate from the outside air. And if one drain isn't enough for you, the RTIC features two drains, one on either end. Unlike the rubber latches of many of their competitors that you stretch into place, Pelican's latches are a simple push design, featuring a release button in the middle that 'unlocks' the lid, allowing you to lift the latch away from the body and raise the top. It costs extra, but we bought it, tried it, and now we can't imagine life without it. It also weighs less by a significant margin, which adds to its portability. It feels pretty solid with a thick handle that never gave us any reasons to doubt its integrity. Many competitors have visible screws holding on the latches (Kenai 65) or hinges (Igloo BMX 25, Coleman Xtreme 70, and others), rope ends and knots visible (RTIC, Engel, and others), or even tiny plastic ridges leftover on edges from the manufacturing process (Yeti Tundra models). Despite the BMX hinges being proclaimed as delivering "extended performance," it is possible to pull the mounting screws right out of the lid by overextending the open lid. Write Review. My ice tests were all identical and were all performed under the same conditions at the same time. No, the Igloo BMX 25 doesnt have a gasket in the lid. We also discovered after a rainstorm that the external pocket isn't waterproof, though this is a small gripe. When it comes to performance, the BMX 25 fared the worst in all of my tests. However, I struggled a few times getting the cooler open one-handed as the latches are fairly stiff. Of course, the internal dimensions and capacity also make a big difference in what you can bring with you in your icebox and how many extra bags and boxes you'll need to bring along. This is necessary to actually make IGBC certified coolers bear-resistant. On Igloos site, the BMX 25 has a 4.6-star average with over 200 reviews. We gauged how easy each one is to open and close - does the lid stay open while you load it? It fits a full 40 quarts of contents as well as whatever you can cram into the large external storage pocket covering the back of the box. Maggie has been playing and guiding in the outdoors for over fifteen years, from backpacking the Tahoe Rim Trail to kayaking the Caribbean. We overextended hinges, jumped on lids, yanked on latches and handles, and dropped full chests from a carrying height. 5. Max spends most springs harvesting maple syrup at a remote tree farm and relies on ice chests to keep that perfect amber elixir from spoiling. These two top-scoring options continued to warm at nearly equal rates, with the Tundra 45 topping out at 4.2 days of sub 50 F and the 40-quart Orca 40 crossing that final threshold at 3.8 days. We asked our friends and family, who span three generations, to help us dive into these coolers (sometimes literally) and identify the top performers. 4/25/2021. With this model, you get the construction elements and features of top coolers, such as a rotomolded design, robust hinges, comfortable grips for carrying, and two drainage spouts. The Coleman Xtreme and Pelican coolers have leashes attaching their drain plugs to the body of the chest. BMX stands for blow-molded construction (the X is just because its cool). The most important metric for most of us is how well an ice chest keeps food cold and fresh. It's also almost alarmingly expensive compared to others. Igloo BMX 25 vs Basic Cooler Kitchen Alpha 33.4K subscribers 498 Dislike Share 24,418 views Jul 17, 2021 Igloo BMX 25 quart cooler review. Its angled shape also facilitates different styles of grabbing from the single hand in the middle to double hands on either side or even hooking one end over the elbow. Available in 24-quart and 70-quart capacities, the IMX has advanced Ultratherm insulation, marine-grade lid latches, lockable lid, stainless steel bottle opener, cup holders, wire basket for dry storage and way more. If you're an angler, you might appreciate a model with an integrated ruler across the top to measure your catch. Small hard-sided coolers are typically between 20-22 quarts, so the 25 quart capacity is excellent considering the footprint is comparable. The largest dry bin of any cooler we tested, the Rovr's bin is also the only one that hand screws into place. But for what we most like to carry for a daytime adventure, it's not bad. Plus, the IMX coolers have a drain spigot, gasket, steel handle, better insulation, and cost more. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. It's a simple design that does what it's meant to do. But I also did the same for several other brands so I could compare them all against one another. It's also very expensive, but if you're ready to take the plunge into the iceless world of powered coolers, the Dometic is consistently the best-performing model we've tested. Both Pelican models we tested - the Pelican Wheeled and the Pelican 20 stand out to our testers as having exceptionally easy-to-use latches. But the 25 is an ideal size for a single person to carry, and it has capacity for a big picnic, or supplies for an overnight camping trip for two. certification from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, be sure to always check local regulations, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Excellent insulation, super durable, easy to use, great size, Excellent insulation, great drainage, durable, compact design, Pretty good insulation, convenient size, comparatively lightweight, good price, Very durable, good insulation, comfortable handle grips, The best wheels, very durable, comfortable to pull, useful accessories, Expensive, no leash for plug, smaller than claimed, Tall narrow shape is hard to dig through, expensive, not our favorite handles, Handles uncomfortable, not our favorite latches, A bit large for one person, no leash for plug, latches are scarily stretchy, Not amazing insulation, awkward latches, expensive, on the heavy side, If you want the best insulation and the longest lasting cooler, look no further than this simple yet effective model, Excellent insulation in a compact, durable cooler, An above-average performer that comes in funky colors offers a good value, A high-performing and durable cooler with solid usability features at a lower price than expected, A wheeled cooler that provides top notch portability with a robust and useful feature set, 78.1cm x 44.5cm x 40.6cm | 30.75" x 17.5" x 16", 67.9cm x 50.8cm x 49.3cm | 26.75" x 20" x 19.4", 74.9cm x 43.2cm x 42.2cm | 29.5" x 17" x 16.6", 81.3cm x 47cm x 43.2cm | 32" x 18.5" x 17". It also lacks a rubber gasket around the top or lid. Steven has spent numerous months living and climbing in Yosemite National Park, where he lacks a fridge; instead, he stores all of his food in a cooler, working to keep it safe from the hundreds of black bears that call the park home. GrassEducational 2 yr. ago. With that said, even the minimum construction standards required to deter a hungry 10 foot long, 900 lb grizzly lend a lot of credibility to the durability of a product. Its taller, narrower shape is also more comfortable for a single person to carry from the car to the beach. It also comes with a removable dry basket inside the top to keep sensitive items out of melty ice water and can be outfitted with loads more accessories for all kinds of activities. Yet, because it's so small (relatively speaking), we hardly miss those extra features. It's also much lighter than the majority of the rest of the competition, even lighter even than several of the personal-sized models we tested. Igloo 24 qt IMX Lockable Insulated Ice Chest Injection Molded Cooler Igloo Key Features: Dimensions: 24.41 x 16.14 x 16.14 inches Size: 24 qt Construction: Injection-molded Weight:. All of our coolers underwent head-to-head tests against the same five performance metrics. BMX 25 Qt Cooler $89.99 4.5 (403) BMX 25 Qt Cooler $89.99 4.5 (403) BMX 25 Qt Cooler And in our insulation test, this cooler lasted an entire six days before the internal temperature rose above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. - +38 099 938 31 09 . Designed with the iconic '90s style in mind, these coolers are all about bright and contrasting colors that many grew up with. Portable. GearLab is reader-supported. Simply click "User Guide" for more info. It also boasts one of the tallest internal heights of any cooler we tested, so you can rest assured your chilled Pinot Grigio will stay that way all day. This guide shows the current YETI colors, plus the rare, limited edition, and never to be seen again. As some performance aspects are more important than others, we weight each metric accordingly. The Engel, Tundra 65 and 45, Xspec, Titan, Orca58 and 40, RTIC, and Igloo IMX all follow this model. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. For the ultimate in portability, the IceMule Pro is where we turn to. A lot. The world of coolers is a vast and variable market, and the BMX 25 threads the needle in the middle. The Roadie is not airtight or leakproof there is a sizeable gap where the ends of the rubber seals meet that's only covered by a piece of fabric tape. The best powered cooler we have tested is the seriously impressive Dometic CFX3 45. Does it come with any handy features like a dry bin for items that shouldn't touch ice or soak in slushy water? And 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. Just because a cooler is rotomolded doesn't necessarily make it the best insulator. All trademarks property of their respective owners Results from our rigorous insulation testing. No sponsored content. Of our test subjects with a manufacturer's claim for ice retention attached to them, not a single one lived up to it in our tests. Portability is a win for the Igloo BMX 25. On the flip side, those products with large handles and awkward shapes that are difficult to Tetris into the back of the minivan, along with everything else you need for the party in the park, don't score as well. The durable fabric edges of the roll-top and thick sides make it very difficult to get a truly watertight seal when the cooler is inverted, so be careful when setting it down in the back of your car. You might think the Igloo BMX 25 looks awesome. What is the difference between Igloo BMX and IMX coolers? Among these smaller coolers, the Igloo BMX has a much broader and more comfortable to use plastic top handle, and a smoother overall design that makes carrying this product full of heavy glass bottles of craft beer a much more pleasant experience. The thick, stiff latches of this Orca provide additional security, as well as require a little extra muscling to maneuver them in and out of place. If you just want a cooler that works and you dont care about the bells and whistles, the BMX 25 is perfect. The BMX 25 is a portable personal-sized cooler that's impressively lightweight in comparison to other similarly sized options. As a matter of fact, at $220, this cooler is currently the cheapest of any cooler in either our midsize or large cooler category, with the exception of the Igloo BMX 52qt Cooler, which happened. You can pump them up just like your car or bicycle tires, giving you the freedom to run over the same types of terrain. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. For example, though the Coleman Xtreme lasted just 4.1 days under 40 F, it came in only 14 hours behind several burlier (and far more expensive) rotomolded models. Complete with Cool Riser Technology, the Igloo BMX 25 qt Cooler can hold ice for up to 4 days, producing a cool beverage each time you reach inside. Thats right: Cooler Bill. But that doesnt tell the whole story. Interestingly, the RTIC is the only model we tested with straight-up foam handles for a two-person carry. I live for the weekend getaway. in Valpo, you can use a credit card for the equivalent metro. It's the only model we tested that has actual pneumatic tires instead of cylindrical plastic chunks labeled as wheels. 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. We think the handle could be improved a bit by a more forgiving, squishy section, but honestly, the overall larger size and ergonomic shape of the handle and cooler edges make this ice chest a breeze to carry, compared to the other coolers in this review. Additional close contenders include the Pelican Elite Wheeled and RTIC 65, which both maintained FDA safe temperatures of less than 40 F for about six days and acceptable beer temperatures for just shy of 7 days. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. We ran and re-ran insulation tests under controlled but harsh laboratory conditions. In our insulation tests, the Tundra 45 eeked out a marginal win, lasting 3.8 days under 40 F. Impressively, with an extra 6 quarts of internal volume, the Orca 40 maintained food-safe temperatures for 3.5 days. ), or you'll need twice as much ice as food (gonna need a bigger cooler) While all these things will of course help extend the life of your ice and, therefore, the freshness of your food, it's unlikely that you'd actually be able to follow all these rules every time you use it. Though we didn't have ten years to spend testing each model, we spent months subjecting them to prolonged use and a fair amount of abuse to see how they stood up to the pressure. It also has a pair of indented handles hiding underneath both sides of the top for two-handed carry. Though it can't match the premium models' rotomolded insulation prowess and rugged durability, the Coleman clearly shows its worth and value, considering the massive chunk of change you'll save. When fully loaded, the IceMule Pro carries 39 cans and makes us wish it had a weight-bearing waist strap. Yet, every unit we've tested from Orca appears clean and polished. Performance Comparison Take it easy with the BMX 25. Credit: Maggie Brandenburg Insulation We also wish there were leashes for the drain plugs, and there isn't a dry bin included (it's sold separately at a low price). Put simply, keeping refrigerated food items below 40 F greatly reduces the chance of food spoiling and making you sick. And even while cooling, it draws just 50.7 watts, which is on the low end of powered coolers we tested. Its walls can be inflated or deflated to match your load, body, and preference and its shoulder straps are soft and flexible. But if you do, take a video and send it to me. Overall, the YETI performed around 10% better. Models featuring a compact, packable shape and handles that hide away easily are easier to pack into a vehicle for your next adventure. In general, we gave higher scores to more universally useful features, such as a leash for the drain plug (so you don't lose it), internal baskets or dividers to keep your food fresh the way you want it, and the ability to hold dry ice, which extends the cooling capacity. They call me Cooler Bill. For these reasons, I recommend the RTIC 20 Qt as my personal favorite cooler in the 20-25 quart category. The YETI does the best in this situation because of its nylon handle, and the RTIC does well because the stainless steel bar is recessed into the cooler so it doesnt take up extra space at the sides. Compared to other brands, its far lighter and can carry a lot. As far as 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. Maggie doesn't underestimate a great cooler's value, whether it's for off-grid living, celebratory summit beers, road trips, or backyard barbecues. We chose 50F in part as an average maximum ideal beer serving temperature and also to easily see the rate at which each cooler gains degrees as its ice melts within by comparing how much time there is between when each model crosses the 40 and 50 lines. Plus, because its around three inches taller and three inches slimmer, it makes for a more convenient seat or table-top when camping. I doubt youd place a single hot dog in your cooler with seven pounds of ice and let it sit around for four days, unopened. It should also be noted that the price of the RTIC 65 tends to fluctuate, so sometimes this cooler is a better deal than others. 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