Are High Performance Coolers Really Worth the Price?

If you have ever found your food floating in a cooler full of melted ice halfway through the trip, or wondered if your prize catch was going to spoil before you got it home, you’ll appreciate the performance of these top of the line coolers by Yeti and Engel. While they may cost significantly more than the standard department store cooler, there is a reason.

For starters, many of the less expensive coolers cut corners on insulation. Most offer less than an inch of insulation, and many have no insulation in the lids, where it s needed most. Some of these coolers rely on dead air space for insulation, which is extremely inefficient. The Engel Coolers feature at least 2 inches of freezer-grade insulation all around which makes their performance far superior to department store models.

Next, check out how these coolers close. The department store cooler probably stays closed with friction, which relies on two plastic surfaces meeting for a seal. The Engel high performance coolers all feature positive locks and freezer-grade gaskets for a tight, reliable seal that keeps the cold air in the the warm air out.

Standard coolers are typically injection molded from less expensive plastics, designed for a picnic in the park. The high performance marine coolers are roto-molded from high strength plastics to withstand extreme abuse. In fact, the Engel coolers are made with the same process and materials that are used to make white water kayaks! If your typical outing is more than a picnic in the park, you'll really appreciate the durability of the high performance cooler.

Tired of replacing your cooler every year or two? Your new Engel marine cooler will probably be the last one you ever need to buy. Engel Plastic marine coolers have been certified as bear resistant containers by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Council (IGBC). That means they have survived strenuous tests in the lab AND by hungry grizzly bears and are approved for use as camping coolers in areas inhabited by Grizzlies. It also means that these coolers will last a lifetime, and stand up to whatever your adventures throw their way.

Additional questions? Talk with one of our representatives via chat, e-mail, or toll free at 866.560.1330. We are always happy to help.