The insulated lid and extra wall insulation were a game-changer that allowed us to enjoy the scorching temperatures outside without our perishables sweating. We ran and re-ran insulation tests under controlled but harsh laboratory conditions. We dragged our test subjects through the gravel, sand, mud, and grass while road-tripping, tailgating, camping, and hanging out on the beach. We asked our friends and family, who span three generations, to help us dive into these coolers (sometimes literally) and identify the top performers. 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.
It’s also easy to grip with wet hands, so it’s a trusty poolside companion. This double-walled stainless steel tumbler kept beverages just as cold as two of our other picks, the Yeti Rambler and Stanley’s The IceFlow (but not as cold as the RTIC Everyday Tumbler). The Simple Modern vessel also kept hot drinks warmer for longer than our other picks. Of all the tumblers we tested, the 24-ounce Simple Modern Classic Tumbler offers the best combination of performance and value. We revisited 1989 to bring back our popular KoolTunes, a Playmate with built-in speakers — the party-perfect cooler! Another downside I’ve experienced is the lid leaks ever so slightly when the cooler is stacked on top of other items, like a blanket or even other coolers.
With a fast boil time and functional Piezo auto-igniter, this stove is sure to impress even the most discerning camp chefs. To test the tumblers’ ability to keep beverages cold over time, we filled each one with ice water; then we measured the temperature with a smart-sensor thermometer over the span of 10 hours. We did the same test using boiling water, measuring the temperature at hour intervals over five hours. This tumbler has a sloped lip, which makes sipping easy, and the smooth, lid-locking mechanism is easy to operate while you’re driving.
I recently came across the Coleman 40-Quart Powerchill Thermoelectric Cooler and decided to give it a go during a road trip. This icy companion proved to be quite efficient, easily cooling our drinks and snacks to a chilly 40° F below the surrounding temperature. coleman chair Its design was versatile, working as a chest cooler or standing upright like a small fridge, all while keeping everything neatly organized in its tray shelf. One of the most impressive features of the cooler was its ability to keep ice for an extended period.
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. The Orca has coleman electric cooler a unique take on the classic t-shaped latch design, as the “t” portion of the grip is a whale’s tail. Although you could carry it alone, it’s best to get the help of a second pair of hands. If you’re looking for an excellent and highly portable cooler, we recommend the Ultralight RTIC 52.
We also considered each stove’s simmering ability and ease of use to determine an overall rating. We distinguish between different testing criteria so you can make an informed decision based on the pros and cons of each model. The RTIC Ultralight and RovR RollR are two more of our favorites among the crowd for their ease of use. The RovR has a sizable dry bin and tall interior with nearly vertical walls. This feat is made even more impressive by all the bouncing you’ll be doing with the enormous wheels over debris on your way to the party. It also boasts one of the tallest internal heights of any cooler we tested, so you can rest assured that your chilled Pinot Grigio will stay that way all day.
For this update, the top 12 have been analyzed and ranked to determine the best of the best. From one-pot-magic and sauce-simmering marathons to wind-resistance trials and boil tests, we put each stove through a ton of cookoffs in the great outdoors. When testing, we assess each model for efficiency, performance, and function, noting how easy each one is to set up, use, clean, and transport.