If you’re looking to get the best value rotomolded cooler, you’re at the right place. A rotomolded cooler or rotationally molded cooler is designed to keep ice for long periods of time, as well as keeping perishables protected while outdoors. The rotomolding procedure makes sure every part of the cooler is main with a continuous layer with no imperfections, which also makes it possible to uphold any degree of abuse while used. For lovers of high end coolers, we recommend Coleman Xtreme Series Portable Cooler to take with them while taming rugged outdoor trips.
Rotomolded coolers are designed to last a lifetime, but only if you’ve made the right choice of best high end cooler. The following lines are going to provide you with the information to make a more informed decision the next time you’re in the market for a rotomolded cooler.
10 Top Rated Value Rotomolded Cooler for the Money
Here we have a comparison table of 10 best value rotomolded cooler for the money currently available on the market to buy.
| Picture | Rotomolded Cooler | Capacity (QT) | Price | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Yeti Tundra Cooler | 45 | $$$$ |  |
 | Coleman Steel Cooler | 54 | $$$ | |
 | Canyon Cooler Outfitter Series | 22 | $$ |  |
 | K2 Summit 20 Cooler | 20 | $$$ | |
 | Vibe Element Cooler | 45 | $$$ | |
 | Pelican ProGear Elite Cooler | 35 | $$$$ | |
 | Orca Heavy Duty Cooler | 20 | $$$ | |
 | Grizzly Cooler | 15 | $$$ | |
 | Engel DeepBlue Performance Cooler | 25 | $$$ | |
 | Igloo Yukon Cooler | 50 | $$$$ | |
The interactive comparison table has 5 columns which are:
• Cooler pictures
• Brand and model name – (click to view more details or to purchase)
• Storage Capacity – Storage capacity of coolers in quarts
• Price – These are approximate prices on Amazon.com. Here is the price legend.
- $ = under $50,
- $$ = $50 to $100,
- $$$ = $100 to $150,
- $$$$ = $200+
• Rating – These are our ratings on a 1 to 5 scale.
Now that you have seen what is available, let us take a quick look at the reviews of the best value rotomolded cooler to buy.
10 Best Value Rotomolded Cooler for the Money Reviews
The following are our top ten picks for the best rotomolded cooler for your money that are available in the market today.
Yeti Tundra Cooler
Yeti has been in the business of providing high-end products for the fishing community for decades. From its early days, of targeting the high-end fishing community to providing premium quality products for all outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking and hunting etc. Yeti has proven to be the go-to destination for those who want to purchase high-end coolers. There’s a reason why Yeti Coolers are considered to be second to none. The range of coolers do not only look good, but are also reliable when it comes to keeping ice cold, ensuring that it lasts longer during any outdoor event.This cooler is a bit on the heavy side, and offers amazing insulation. The Yeti Tundra Cooler is not only the best ice cooler for your money, it ended up creating a whole new category of coolers with its famed ice retention and superior build that can take quite a beating, (even from a bear!).
Coleman Steel Cooler
If you’re thinking about the best high end cooler for your money, then look no further than the Coleman Steel Cooler. Manufacturing coolers since 1954, the Coleman range of coolers have become synonymous with outdoor pool parties and patio grill parties. When you want to keep your beer or sodas nice and cold, then the Coleman Steel Cooler is what you need. This is one of those brands that still remains to be the top choice for folks who don’t want to keep refilling ice in the cooler every little while just so they can enjoy a cold one, while on a picnic. Coleman rolled out its steel ice chest which is a significant upgrade from its previous cooler models, and proves to be one of their best coolers yet. The Coleman Steel cooler with its 85-can capacity makes for a great choice when looking for a reliable cooler for your outdoor event. The latest upgrade means the cooler can maintain its temperature for up to three days, making it, by far, the best ice chest cooler in the market today.
Canyon Coolers Outfitter Series
Canyon claims that its newest range of high-end coolers in its Outfitter series is cooler than Yeti. This is a tall claim to make, and one that Canyon Coolers is prepared to stand behind, which says a lot about the product. Those who are looking for a good deal though are going to find it with Canyon Coolers Outfitters Series, especially since the company’s cooler range starts from around $140 dollars, making them a good choice for those who are in need of a cooler but are on a budget. That coupled with the fact that you get the best cooler for ice retention makes Canyon Coolers an easy choice. And that’s not all, Canon coolers come with a lifetime warranty, which is again testament to its superior quality and the confidence that the company has in its Outfitter Series coolers. If you’re in the market for a large cooler, then this should be your choice for the best large cooler for your money. A 35QT Canon cooler can easily fit 36 cans of beer, so you can do the math from there. The Canon Outfitter Cooler Series can also keep ice frozen for up to 18 days, which is amazing!
K2 Coolers Summit 20 Cooler
You won’t always need an extremely large cooler to keep your beer or food warm while out on a picnic. This is a market that the K2 Cooler’s Summit 20QT Cooler caters to nicely. While this cooler is considered to be a bit smaller in size this in no way makes it less reliable. In fact, the insulation in the K2 Summit 20QT coolers is efficient enough to make ice last for up to three days, and maybe more, in some cases. The reason for this is its insulation, which is thicker than most coolers. This also makes the cooler heavier than other coolers of the same size, which is certainly not going to be a deal breaker, considering its high level of efficiency. You also get a nice, sturdy strap along with the cooler, making it easier to carry around. It also means you will be able to carry more stuff since your hands are going to be free thanks to the straps. The K2 Summit 20QT Cooler can also fit up to 18 beer cans, and ice packs, so there’s plenty of room for storage with the K2 Summit 20QT cooler.
Vibe Element Cooler
If you’re looking for the best rotomolded cooler, then the Vibe Element Cooler (45-QT), is just the cooler you need. The Vibe Element Coolers cater to those who require large coolers for storing ice or food while outdoors. These coolers offer amazing insulation and can easily maintain its temperature even if it’s 90 degrees outside. What this means is that whatever you’ve stored in the Vibe Element Cooler will remain frozen for up to five days. This alone makes the Vibe Element Cooler a high-performance cooler that’s worth your money. While this cooler can be used outdoors, it is typically used in the house of garage. The cooler is also ideal for camping trips since its high-performance insulation can easily keep food cold for up to five days. The Vibe Element Cooler 45-QT cooler is affordable and perfect for weekend trips.
Pelican Products ProGear Elite Cooler
When talking about the best coolers for keeping ice, Pelican Products ProGear Elite Cooler is one of the names at the top of the list. Pelican coolers have maintained a reputation for being extremely reliable. The coolers are made from high-quality, durable materials and are quite efficient when it comes to keeping its contents cold for long durations of time. Its sturdy build, great insulation and affordability is what makes this 35 lbs cooler worth the investment. The 65QT Pelican ProGear Elite Cooler features a 2-inch thick, high density foam insulation that enables it to keep its contents chilled for up to a week, which is amazing and is one of the reasons why you should get the Pelican ProGear Elite Cooler. Pelican offers a lifetime warranty for its products. The cooler is also easy to travel with because of its sturdy wheels. Its heavy-duty design means it can take a mauling from a bear before it cracks. The lid of the Pelican ProGear Elite cooler features four cup holders and the lid can also be locked to protect its contents from the wildlife and elements while outdoors.
Orca Heavy Duty Coolers
Orca Heavy Duty Coolers always make the list when it comes to the best coolers for keeping ice and food. Orca is been in the business of providing heavy-duty coolers for years and its products have gotten better through the years. But, what really makes this company special is that while other roto molded cooler manufacturers outsource their work to China, Orca has remained American, by manufacturing its products one US soil. The Orca Heavy Duty Cooler is made from premium materials and is extremely durable. It also has great insulation, which keeps its contents chilled for longer. According to Orca, their heavy-duty range of coolers can keep beer or ice chilled for up to five days. It also sports a rugged build, making it ideal for outdoor use such as camping or hunting. But, by far, one of the best features of the Orca Heavy Duty Coolers is a nifty little pouch that’s been bolted to the back of this cooler and can be used to store any small accessories you may be carrying, like your phone or car keys. Overall, the Orca lineup of heavy-duty coolers are affordable and the idea size making it one of the best options out there in roto molded coolers.
Grizzly Cooler
Grizzly coolers have always maintained their reputation for delivering high-end coolers. The company prides itself in manufacturing heavy-duty, efficient and affordable coolers that can be used for camping or hunting, or just about any outdoor activity. The Grizzly cooler is not only rugged in its design, but also offers the best insulation of any cooler at its price point. You also get a roto molded cooler that sports a bear-proof design. The cooler also features non-slip rubber feet so its stays in place wherever you keep it. There’s also a dry goods tray in the Grizzly Cooler, which keeps everything nice and organized while you’re on a trip. There’s also an embossed ruler on the lid which is a smart idea for cleaning and prepping the cooler for your next trip. Similar to Orca, the Grizzly cooler has also remained American and are manufactured in the US. Grizzly offers a lifetime warranty for all its products, so you can rest assured that you are going to get a durable rotomolded cooler that offers great insulation capabilities. Grizzly coolers can keep its contents cold for up to a week and change, making them one of the best options you could go for when searching for the best coolers for keeping ice. Grizzly also designs coolers in many sizes, so you are sure to find one that’s perfect for your needs.
Engel DeepBlue Cooler
Engel is one of those manufacturers that offers both high quality and reliability that’s provided to you at an affordable price. This simple, yet efficient strategy is what has made Engel one of the leading cooler manufacturers in the market today. In fact, compared to some of the other cooler manufacturers mentioned here, Engel actually offers better products for its price point. Engel offers the very best in rotomolded insulation with its 2-inch polyurethane insulation walls and hard plastic interior, which helps maintain the interior temperature for a longer period of time. The Engle DeepBlue also uses an incredible air-tight freezer quality gasket seal that ensures superior cooling capability. Apart from that, its durable design can withstand bumps and external pressure while on the road. In short, the cooling can last for up to 10 days, which is incredible considering its size and price. Engel DeepBlue also features a self-drain feature, which makes it easy to clean. The DeepBlue series is built with a non-skid lid that features holes that are located at the front corners where the lid locks can be replaced. You also get rope handles and specially molded hand grips, making it easy to carry. When it comes to keeping your food or beer cool the Engel DeepBlue delivers in spades.
Igloo Yukon Cooler
The Igloo Yukon cold locker is the ideal size to keep drinks chilled and food fresh for long periods of time. This cooler comes with loads of features, which offers you the best bang for your buck. Regardless of whether you are travelling through a rugged terrain or just making a trip to the beach, the Igloo Yukon cooler is ideal for any outdoor event. The manufacturer boasts of its easy-grip T-handle latches which helps keep its contents safe while on the go. The 50QT Igloo Yukon has been designed with reversible anti-skid pads which prevents any sliding. The handles are rugged have been designed with wide grips and are large enough for two hands for carrying bulky weight, making this an ideal design and size for the commercial fishing industry or some other outdoor adventure. The Yukon weighs around 33 pounds, which means it’s easy to carry around. Its robust 5/16-inch stainless steel hinge rods and dual stainless steel locking system is just perfect for just about all weather conditions, which means it has earned its spot on the list of the best ice coolers for the money.
What is a Rotomolded Cooler?
Most coolers are manufactured using a process called blow molding, which is an extremely thin layer of cheap plastic. On the other hand, rotomolded coolers are manufactured by using a technique known as rotational molding. This is a high temperature, low pressure forming process which uses both extreme heat and dual axle rotation which results in an even coating of plastic. In other words, rotomolded coolers are a one-piece part with no seams which leads to maximum cooling capability and superior build quality.
Parts and Features of a Rotomolded Cooler:
- Design —Rotomolded coolers feature a one-piece, seamless construction that ensures better durability and protection from the elements. It also results to better cooling capabilities as compared to normal coolers.
- Build (outer) —Rotomolded coolers feature a door-style hinge or a molded plastic hinge, that’s molded right into the cooler and a full-length aluminum rod that connects the body and holds it together along with a robust lid. Heavy-duty rubber T-latches ensures that the contents of the cooler remain safe.
- Insulation —Thicker cooler walls results to more insulation. The insulation in many of the high-end brands can be up to two inches thick and filled with top-grade polyurethane insulation that results to maximum cooling retention. The thicker the insulation, the more you’ll have to pay for the rotomolded cooler.
- Functionality —Rotomolded coolers are built from heavy duty materials ensuring its durability. These coolers are also fitted with robust latches or locks to ensure the contents stay safe. Some rotomolded coolers also feature a bear-proof design, which is pretty self-explanatory.
- Ice Retention —Rotomolded coolers have superior cooling capabilities as compared to normal coolers. The cooling capability differs from product to product, but some coolers can keep their contents chilled for up to a week.
How a Rotomolded Cooler is made
There are six steps to a rotomolding process. Each step has a specific importance in the functionality and efficiency of the rotomolded cooler.
- The mold (cavity) is first filled with a polyethylene powder which is predetermined. This process is called “charging the mold.”
- These halves are then secured together by using a series of clamps or bolts. For a totally enclosed piece, the entire mold is made from a heat conductive metal.
- The charged mold is then placed in an oven where it is heated and rotated simultaneously around two axes at right angles to each other.
- During this process, the resin melts and is fused, taking on the shape of the mold.
- When the entire powder is fused into a single homogeneous layer on the mold cavity, a combination of water and air is used in a cooling chamber to cool the mold slowly. This slow process helps maintain the part’s dimensional stability.
- In the last step, the molds are removed from the cooling chamber, opened and the finished parts are removed. The molds are then prepared for the next cycle. Before the molds are recharged and steps one through size are repeated, it is critical to ensure that no moisture is present inside the mold.
How to Use a Rotomolded Cooler for Long Ice Retention?
So, you’ve brought your very own rotomolded cooler, but aren’t sure on how to maximize the cooling ability? Well, you’ve come to the right place. The following are a few tips that will enable you to do just that:
- Use good quality ice – Warm ice, near 32°F is usually wet to the touch and dripping with water. This type of ice won’t last very long. However, cold, sub-zero ice is relatively dry, which will last longer.
- Use dry ice –Unlike a normal cooler, a rotomolded cooler can store dry ice, which provides around 3X the cooling power of regular ice. It won’t crack a rotomolded cooler, and leaves plenty of space for other items in the cooler.
- Pre-cool –Storing your items in a warm cooler is not a good idea as it is only going to consume more ice. For best results, always pre-cool the cooler before storing anything in it.
- The more, the better –You should always fill the cooler with as much ice as you can. Typically, you should have an ice to contents ratio of 2:1.
- Freeze contents –The best high end cooler can freeze contents for longer, but you don’t want to bank just on that. To give it an edge, try freezing or pre-chilling the contents you are about to store in the cooler, which will ensure they remain cool for a longer period of time.
How to Choose the Right Size for a Rotomolded Cooler?
The size of the cooler will have a direct impact on the level of insulation of the cooler. As a rule of thumb, when packed similarly, a smaller design cooler will not remain cooler as long as a larger design. Also, rotomolded coolers are also more efficient when they are fully loaded and do not need to contend with cooling empty spaces.
This means a fully loaded smaller cooler can hold ice for longer, as compared to the same size cooler that’s half full or a larger cooler that’s half empty. This is why it is important to choose a rotomolded cooler that’s the right size, because that would mean that it will be mostly packed, at least, at the beginning of your trip, resulting to more insulation sufficiency. The size of a rotomolded cooler starts from 20QT and can go all the way up to 125QT, or higher, depending on your needs. Many of the best high end cooler manufacturers normally design coolers of various sizes to cater to their clients.
Again, the size of cooler you decide on purchasing will depend on its intended use. A good way to gauge the capacity of a cooler is by dividing its capacity in quarts by 30, as in, a 60-quart cooler will equal to two cubic feet. It is important to remember when selecting a rotomolded cooler that at least 30 to 50 percent of the cooler’s capacity will be taken up by the ice you store in it. So, for three people who are going on a day trip, a 40-quart cooler is an ideal option, but for three people going on a weekend camping trip, try going with a 50 or 60-quart cooler, since you will be out longer.
Also, try not to buy a cooler that’s too large, especially since a tightly packed cooler can keep the contents colder for longer periods of time. The best ice chest for the money will depend on what you are using it for, as in, the duration of the trip and the amount of people who are going. While buying a very large size cooler and then filling it with lots of ice may also be an option, it will result to more expense on purchasing the ice and also an extra amount of weight that you will end up carrying.
Best Value Rotomolded Cooler Kit Buying Tips
There are various important factors to consider when choosing a rotomolded cooler. Here we are going to take a quick look at the factors to consider when choosing a rotomolded cooler.
Construction (Insulation and outer walls)
The size of the cooler is going to have a direct effect on the level of insulation performance. The cooling ability is how long the ice chest is able to keep the stored items chilled before needed fresh ice. Normally, large, heavy rotomolded coolers excel when it comes to cooling. Needless to say, the construction of the rotomolded cooler you choose is going to make a big impact on the amount of cooling it offers. Make sure you read the details of the insulation type and thickness of the rotomolded cooler before buying it. The latch-design is another major factor that must be considered while purchasing a rotomolded cooler. Always go with the best rotomolded cooler for your money so that you get a cooler that has a robust design and superior insulation. Also, test the internal latching mechanism on the cooler to make sure it’s going to last the trip.
Country of Manufacture
Needless to say, you should always go American when purchasing a rotomolded cooler or anything for that matter. This is mainly because the US has strict rules on the quality of products and their design when manufactured. The same cannot be said for the same products that are manufactured in China or elsewhere. That said, it is possible to get a well-designed and efficient rotomolded cooler from a top tier brand that outsources the design of its products.
IGBC certification
Grizzly bears have been listed as “threatened” in the US by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This has led to the formation of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee or IGBC, which was formed in 1983. The organization helps ensure the recovery of the grizzly bear population and their habitat in the lower 48 states in the US. Whether you’re camping, hunting or living in bear habitat, you can keep bears from becoming food-conditioned by protecting your food and garbage. IGBC–certified products have passed a testing protocol.
Price
The price is always going to be one of the main factors regardless of what you’re purchasing. While asking for the price is a good idea especially for those on a budget, it is also important to realize that some things are worth the investment, and buying a rotomolded cooler is definitely one of them. Even for those on a budget, buying a rotomolded cooler will ensure superior cooling capabilities, and you also get to choose from multiple sizes so that you are able to find one that perfectly suits your requirements.
Warranty
The good news is that most high-end brands offer a lifetime warranty with their rotomolded coolers, so you can rest assured that the product you purchase is going to last you a long time, and can be easily replaced if it doesn’t.
Quality
The quality of the cooler you choose will depend on the brand. There are many brands out there, such as the ones mentioned here that offer premium quality rotomolded coolers. If you have selected any one of the best ice chests on the market, you won’t have to worry about something like quality.
Accessories
Accessories in a rotomolded cooler usually includes an easy clean system, which makes it easier to clean/drain the cooler once finished. Other features include sturdy handles, durable non-slip legs, cup holders and pouches. The type of accessories featured in a cooler will vary from brand to brand, but they will all offer a certain level of functionality.
Brand
The aforementioned products are from the top brands such as YETI, Igloo,Grizzly, and Coleman of rotomolded coolers.
Get the Best Rotomolded Cooler for the Money
When it comes to determining the best value rotomolded cooler factors such as life expectancy, cooling capability, price and features should all be closely considered before making a choice. Whether you are storing your favorite beverages or freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices from the best easy to clean juicer, it makes sense to pick the right cooler for your storage needs. When it comes to the question of whether there is a single rotomolded cooler that can function for everything, the answer is unfortunately “no.” That’s because the size of the cooler you purchase will depend on what it is being used for. After all, you wouldn’t want to haul a large 125QT cooler if you’re going hunting alone for a day now would you?