Review of the Igloo BMX Cooler by The Cooler Zone.

Brandon F’s update on August 16, 2022.

Igloo’s coolers have undergone some changes recently. Their product lineup is extensive, as you can see from the many Igloo Coolers that we’ve reviewed in the past. It’s difficult to keep up with all the products and subtle changes that happen each year.

One area where Igloo has always lagged behind is their high-end “premium” coolers that can compete with the top brands in the market such as Yeti, Orca, and Engel.

Attempts have been made in the past, including the Igloo Sportsman Coolers and the Igloo Cold Locker Coolers, which enjoyed relative success and received many positive reviews from us. They possessed the exceptional qualities we expect from a cooler that can hold its own against the best.

Their latest foray into this realm is the BMX series, which we will review in this article. We’ll look at the features, quality of build, ice retention time, and give them a score from 0 to 5.

If you’re in a rush, you can check out the chart below for a summary of the key features and a link to purchase one of these coolers.

Model

Igloo BMX 72 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology, Fish Ruler, and Tie-Down Points - 18.70 Pounds - Carbonite Gray and Blue

Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology, Fish Ruler, and Tie-Down Points - 16.34 Pounds - Carbonite Gray and Blue

Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology, Fish Ruler, and Tie-Down Points - 11.29 Pounds - Carbonite Gray and Blue

Storage Volume

Tested Ice Range (Hours)

Cost (Amazon)

Model

Igloo BMX 72 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology, Fish Ruler, and Tie-Down Points - 18.70 Pounds - Carbonite Gray and Blue

Tested Ice Range (Hours)

Model

Igloo BMX 52 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology, Fish Ruler, and Tie-Down Points - 16.34 Pounds - Carbonite Gray and Blue

Tested Ice Range (Hours)

Product Description:

The Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler with Cool Riser Technology, Fish Ruler, and Tie-Down Points is an exceptional model that can keep your goods cool for extended periods. With a weight of 11.29 pounds, this Ice Chest is perfect for individuals who require a convenient cooler for short outings.

Igloo stocks three models of the BMX Ice Chest alongside the BMX 25QT, which are BMX 52QT and BMX 72QT, providing optimal size ranges. The BMX 25QT is the smallest of the range, perfect for individuals who require mobility and do not have space constraints. In contrast, the BMX 52QT is medium-sized. It can handle larger outings like picnics, tailgating, and camping trips, allowing for ice management over multiple days. The BMX 72QT is the largest in size, providing ample space for anything one may need to store, such as food and drinks for an outdoor party.

While the carrying method of the smallest size differs from the two larger sizes, most of the features are still retained across all three sizes. However, Igloo has not launched its BMX Soft Coolers at this point.

For Igloo to compete with the premium cooler brands, they must have many of the features expected when spending a considerable amount of money on a cooler. The Igloo BMX 25 Quart Cooler and the other models feature blow-molded construction. This approach forms a tougher design by molding the cooler's body into a single piece, eliminating the need to glue or merge walls while improving ice retention.

The thickness of the walls on the cooler varies based on the specific type of cooler, but for this caliber of cooler, we typically see walls that are around 2 inches thick. While it is possible to construct coolers with thicker walls, doing so would result in decreased storage space and added weight. In our experience, walls that are 2 inches thick seem to strike a balance between performance and storage capacity.

The Igloo BMW 25 QT Cooler comes equipped with a gripped overhead carrying handle, which is standard for coolers of this size. This design allows for easy transport by a single person, leaving a hand free for other items.

For larger coolers, such as the Igloo BMX Ice Chest sizes 52QT and 72QT, the overhead carrying handle is replaced with gripped swing-up handles reinforced with stainless steel. We recommend that these larger coolers be carried by two people, especially if they are filled to capacity.

Rubber t-latches are used to securely close the lid, and users will need to stretch them down to "lock" them into place. These latches feel similar in texture to those of other coolers on the market and work effectively. The oversized rubber gasket inside the lid helps to create an airtight seal, which prevents cold air from escaping. However, it is recommended that users periodically apply sealant grease to the gasket to prevent cracking and potential leak paths.

Hardware is another essential feature of a high-quality cooler. The Igloo BMX Coolers are equipped with oversized hinges and stainless steel screws to hold the hinges securely in place. While hardware may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering cooler construction, it plays a crucial role in the longevity of the product. Using stainless steel hardware ensures that the cooler is more resistant to rust and wear compared to lower quality materials.

If you're interested in purchasing an Igloo BMX Cooler, head over to Amazon to make your purchase.

If you're in the market for a tough and feature-packed cooler, then the Igloo Coolers are worth checking out. One of their standout features is the "Cooler Riser Technology." This means that the cooler sits on legs, which minimizes the surface area that comes into contact with the ground. This translates to longer ice life, which is great for outdoor adventures. The BMX series takes it to a whole new level by outfitting the risers with aggressive grips to prevent sliding.

Another issue is the hassle of emptying out melted ice. However, with Igloo's high-flow threaded drain plug, you can effortlessly drain your cooler. And, it's also garden hose compatible, making it ideal for a quick cleaning job. Some other features worth mentioning are the tie-down slots, diamond plate metal inserts, and molded fish ruler. While these are great, we wish they had wheeled options, slots for inserting ice packs, internal lights, and pressure bleed-off valves.

The real test of a cooler's worth is how well it keeps your food and drinks chilled. The Igloo BMX Cooler impresses in this regard. With thick rotomolded walls, a large rubber gasket, and a fortified latch system, it ticks all the boxes for long-lasting ice retention. Plus, Cooler Riser Technology minimizes heat transfer, resulting in even longer ice life. To test its ice retention capacity, we filled it halfway with ice and opened it occasionally in an outdoor setting. While there are variables to consider, our results serve as a rough estimate of its ice life performance.

Take a glance at the illustration presented below to discover our findings:

Purchase on Amazon

After scrutinizing Igloo BMX Coolers, we were thoroughly impressed with the ice preservation they provide. Depending on your preferred model and ice quantity, you may prolong your ice life up to almost a week with the 72QT version.

With this longevity, you can use these coolers for a plethora of activities, such as a weekend camping trip, fishing, a large tailgate, or even a week-long road trip. In comparison to other premium cooler brands, these coolers' ice life aligns directly with their counterparts'. Although they may fall short of Techni Ice, they surpass the average ice life of budget and mid-range cooler brands available in the market.

However, cooler sizes do influence the ice life significantly. On that note, other brands boast coolers that exceed 100QT and even more, which results in a longer preservation of the ice.

Igloo BMX Cooler Aesthetics

While aesthetics may not bear much weight when purchasing a new cooler, it's worth discussing.

Traditionally, Igloo is known for offering numerous styles of coolers. When testing Igloo coolers, it quickly became evident that they have a gigantic pool to choose from.

The Igloo BMX Cooler took styling to the next level. The coolers are intended to compete with the most durable brands in the market, and they have a rugged appearance to match.

We appreciate Igloo's approach to designing the BMX series. The gray colors complement each other, and the blue latches pop, giving it an extraordinary appearance. The diamond plate metal insert at the bottom adds that extra rugged touch.

However, we have one significant complaint regarding styling—the lack of color options. We could only find five color schemes available presently. Although the existing options look great, we wish there were more color selections to choose from.

Furthermore, specialty colors matching your favorite professional or college sports team and custom options, allowing companies' logos, are not available for Igloo BMX Coolers. Maybe these features will be added in the future.

*Update as of 10/5*

We have been informed that the Igloo BMX Cooler now comes in other color options such as Green/Orange, Sandstone/Red, and Carbon. This has caused us to adjust our rating for this metric accordingly.

Price of Igloo BMX Cooler

When searching for a new ice chest, the price is a significant factor to consider. Igloo typically competes in the budget and mid-range categories, aiming to balance performance and affordability. They have achieved this goal and have become one of the most popular cooler brands worldwide.

Despite this, the Igloo BMX Cooler series is more costly than other Igloo coolers in the same size range due to its superior build quality, durability, features, and ice retention. Nevertheless, these ice chests' price point is still lower than that of many other premium cooler brands with comparable sizes. Although the performance may be slightly lower than some of these brands, the amount of money saved makes it easy to overlook.

We believe the Igloo BMX coolers are an excellent bargain for what you are getting.

Igloo BMX Cooler vs Yeti Cooler

A fascinating comparison can be made when comparing Yeti's Tundra series coolers to the Igloo BMX Coolers, as both cater to similar audiences but approach the task differently.

From a performance standpoint, Yeti has a slight upper hand, as its excellent build quality and powerful warranty are challenging to beat. Yet, the Igloo BMX Cooler is still impressive and should not be underestimated.

Yeti also enjoys a slight advantage in terms of ice retention. For a given size, Yeti coolers hold ice longer than Igloo BMX coolers by several hours to a day or more.

Regarding features, both brands are on par, with Yeti not excelling in built-in features on their coolers. However, where Yeti excels is in the plethora of accessories they offer, surpassing Igloo in this aspect.

Yeti also wins in terms of size and color choices, as they offer different models and endless color options. Igloo BMX Coolers, on the other hand, only has three sizes and five color choices.

However, where Igloo outweighs Yeti is in the price point. Yeti remains one of the most expensive cooler brands in the market, making many people question whether the extra cost is worth the slight performance advantage. Igloo offers comparable performance at a fraction of the price.

So, which cooler is better? It depends on your priorities. Yeti is the best option if you want the absolute best, regardless of price, and value owning an American-made product. They have perfected their coolers and continue to lead the market. However, you will pay an extremely high price to enjoy one.

Yet, if you are budget-conscious and want good performance without breaking the bank, then Igloo is the way to go. They know how to make coolers, and the Igloo BMX Cooler series is a great example of their craftsmanship and affordability.

Review of the Igloo BMX Cooler

Buy on Amazon

Advantages: Low price, Good at keeping ice, Chic design, Robust construction

Disadvantages: Few color choices, Scarcity of accessories

Features: Blow-molded fabrication, T-latches, Stainless steel fittings, Swing-up handles, Threaded drain plug, Skid pads, Fish ruler, Tie-down slots, Cool Riser Technology

The Igloo BMX Cooler is Igloo's recent contribution to the high-end cooler market. Igloo is no stranger to this industry, and the BMX Cooler line is the latest addition. These coolers have many of the same qualities you'd expect in a high-end cooler and boast exceptional construction quality. They are also highly competitive in terms of ice retention. However, there are only a few options for colors and sizes, and they aren't the best cooler in terms of performance. Nevertheless, their price is unbeatable.

Insulation Capacity — 

The thickness of the walls in the Igloo BMX Cooler collection is comparable to that of other premium cooler manufacturers. Igloo has found a middle ground between ice retention and portability. Additionally, the cooler features a robust latching mechanism and a high-quality rubber gasket to keep cold air in.

One of the unique features that distinguish the Igloo BMX Coolers from their rivals is the Cooler Riser Technology. Although we can't say for sure how much this feature contributes to extended ice life, it's undoubtedly beneficial.

Depending on the specific model you choose and the type of application you intend to put it through, you can expect ice life of roughly two days up to almost a week.

Features/Construction Quality — 

The Igloo BMX Coolers have typical attributes. They come with features like tie-down slots, a high-flow drain port, stainless steel fittings, and comfortable grip handles.

A few of the more unique features include a fish scale on the cooler lid and what Igloo refers to as "blow-molded" construction. We believe that this is a fancy way of saying roto molding, but the name certainly makes for an attention-grabbing headline.

This cooler should last for a long time under typical use without any issues. Cleaning out the cooler from time to time and applying a little oil to the gasket to prevent it from drying out is all that's required for upkeep. Furthermore, if any quality issues arise, you're dealing with one of the largest cooler firms, Igloo.

Aesthetics — 

While we believe the Igloo BMX Coolers' design is fantastic, we wish there were more color choices. The combination of grey, blue, and the metallic finish on the diamond plate adds up to an attractive cooler that stands out in a crowd. When we first wrote this review, only one color option was available. Igloo has since expanded its product line, and there are now a larger number of colors to select from. This was a much-needed improvement. However, team logos and/or custom color options are still unavailable.

Price — 

Igloo has always been known for its reasonably priced coolers. Despite the BMX series increasing in price, they are still much less expensive than other high-end coolers on the market. Additionally, despite being more affordable, these coolers boast many features and performance levels comparable to much more expensive products. If you're searching for a high-quality cooler on an ice chest budget, these items will check off your requirements.

Overall Rating — 

Our tests of the Igloo BMX Coolers left us highly impressed. These coolers succeed in capturing most of the "magic" of a high-end cooler but for a fraction of the price. The ice retention is excellent, and the construction quality is unmatched. The only minor complaints are that there aren't enough features and color options. If you're looking for an exceptional "bang for your buck" cooler, you won't find a better option than the Igloo BMX Cooler.