Igloo joins the high-performance cooler category with their take on the Rotomold ice chest, the IMX series. Needing a smaller volume option for day trips, we recently acquired the IMX 24Qt cooler to see how the offering from the mainstream brand performs in comparison to the high-end models.
With a retail price of $100, the offering from Igloo is almost half the price of its esteemed competitors. So how does it rank in comparison?
Features & Specs (via Igloo)
Igloo is the king of the department store coolers, but they don’t compare to the rotomolded offerings. However, as a rotomolded design, the IMX is a different beast altogether though, with features inline among other offerings in the rotomolded cooler category.
- Stainless steel locking plate in lid with integrated bottle opener
- Wire basket included
- Drain plug
- Fish ruler
- Marine-grade rubberized lid latches
- 5-year warranty
Capacity & Measurements
- Capacity: 24 quarts/ 22 liters (35 12-oz cans)
- Weight 16.01lbs/7.3kgs
- Exterior Dimensions: 24.41″ x 16.14″ x 16.4″
- Interior Dimensions – top – 15.36″ x 10″ x 9.7″
- Interior Dimension – bottom – 14.08″ x 8.83″
On the road
Rotomolded coolers are the best performing coolers you can get these days; the insulation on top-performing models are capable of cooling performance for up to several days if prepped properly. We’ve had a great experience with our full-size Canyon Cooler on our van life adventures, but it’s simply too large to tote out to the car for shorter day trips.
Let’s get right to it: the downside of the Igloo IMX cooler is the amount of space it takes in the van and car. Although its capacity is smaller, it still takes up a good amount of space. The handle is large and robust, but also takes up space, which makes it feel like a first-gen design. Unlike the big square and rectangular design that fit in small spaces well, (and maximize the volume of space they reside in) the Igloo model doesn’t hold as much, while still taking up a good amount of room.
Now that the form factor is out of the way, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t matter in our use in day trips. Less space in the cooler means less air to keep cold, and it does exactly what we need it to do: keep our lunches and refreshments cold for the day or overnight trips.
While it weighs almost as much as our much larger Canyon Cooler, it wasn’t too much that we couldn’t tote it around fully loaded, though it is slightly unweildly.
The Igloo cooler is durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing, and comes with a value-packed priced tag. At under $100, the price and the features make for a compelling argument on why you should get one — it simply depends on whether it will serve your needs.
The Igloo IMX 24 Qt Cooler sells for $99.99. Check out the full line at Igloocoolers.com
