REASONS TO BUY
Fully removable lid
Unique appearance
Solid insulation performance
REASONS TO AVOID
Short and uncomfortable carry straps
Lack of built-in/molded handles
Prone to scuffs/scrapes
East Oak Rotomolded 25 Review
This unique, chic cooler is at the top of our list for entertainment needs, but we wouldn't want to use it when traveling
Credit: Matt Lighthart
By Kolby Anderson ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 1, 2025
Contributions From: Genaveve Bradshaw
RELATED: The Best Coolers of 2025
Our Verdict
If you're looking for a cooler that stands out in a crowd, look no further than the East Oak Rotomolded 25. It delivered a solid performance in our insulation testing and is quite durable. Although this cooler looks great and performed well in our evaluation, moving it around is inconvenient since it offers only one set of short handles for carrying, and the design pinches your fingers against the sides of the cooler. We loved its unique lid, which allows the cooler to be opened in either direction or removed completely. Although a silicone gasket is around the lid, it leaked considerably during testing — another reason not to move it too much once filled. If your cooler needs to look cool and it's going to stay in one spot while entertaining, we'd recommend checking out the East Oak 25. We're devoted to putting in the work so you can make quick, educated decisions on any cooler purchase. If you're still unsure, go check out reviews of the best coolers and best soft coolers on the market.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The East Oak 25 is a trendy rotomolded cooler that breaks free of many of the traditional cooler design stereotypes. It features a fully removable lid and a unique cauldron-like shape that catches the eye.
The unique lid of the East Oak can open in either direction or be removed completely.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Insulation
Once the East Oak 25 was full of ice and our sensor was set up, we monitored the closed cooler closely to see how long it could keep things below 40 degrees. The result was just over four days, with the 50-degree mark surpassed soon thereafter (in less than half a day more). This curious cooler surprised us in our insulation testing, yet compared to the rest of the lineup, it performs slightly below average. Then again, the manufacturer claims that this cooler can keep things cool for four plus days, and our testing corroborates that.
During our insulation testing, iButton sensors are placed within a mason jar nestled in the ice inside each cooler.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Our durability testing helps us find any weak points in coolers that might signal trouble down the road.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Durability
The East Oak is surprisingly robust, with a few caveats. Our tester, Gena Bradshaw, said, “I stood on this cooler, but I was holding my breath from the first moment — it did not feel stable.” Although it handled Gena standing and jumping on top of it without notable damage, we wouldn't recommend such actions for everyday use. However, we found it does make for a comfortable seat or small table in a pinch. This cooler leaks minimally when walking casually and with little water inside. Yet, while it features a gasket in the lid, it is not watertight, and we found that carrying this cooler at an angle resulted in water pouring out like a waterfall. We also noticed that this cooler's white color shows stains and scratches easily. Then again, overall, we saw no big red flags regarding durability.
The unique cauldron-like shape of the East Oak Cooler makes it awkward to move at times.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
We were able to fit 20 12-oz cans inside the East Oak 25, though we did have to stack the top layer of cans lying on their sides.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ease of Use
The East Oak quite literally “falls short” when it comes to handles. Our tester say, “Carrying this cooler solo sucks because of how short the handles are, which leave me banging my hands against the hard plastic body of the cooler --this hurts after just a short amount of time.” Instinctively, we often reach for the latches, expecting to find handles molded into the cooler's body, but find none.
It's easy to mistake the East Oak lid latches for handles, and if you happen to grab them by accident, the lid will come completely off.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Packing this cooler is straightforward, and we had no trouble fitting 20 12-ounce cans inside. Its unique lid can be opened from either side or taken off altogether. The lid also features a silicone gasket that we believe aids the cooler's overall insulation performance, even if it is not 100% watertight. The cooler has a leakproof drain with a little bungee cord attached to keep it from getting lost, and it drained well during testing. We found this cooler's shape interesting and aesthetically pleasing, but it's a bit awkward for storage.
Carrying the East Oak 25 forces your fingers against the cooler with the short handles, which we found uncomfortable.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Portability
If high portability is paramount in your cooler decision, the East Oak 25 might not be the right choice. Although it's not extremely heavy, weighing in at 16.7 lbs, the rope handles are too short for one person to carry it comfortably. In testing, we found this problem could be circumvented if two people carried it. However, the design choice is still quite inconvenient for a cooler of this size. The East Oak is also shaped like a cauldron, which our tester found quite awkward during the carry test. She notes, “It's wide and round, and it feels like I am attempting to hug it while simultaneously waddling to try and carry it around”. The silicone seal in the lid is also prone to leaking in any orientation other than upright. This cooler checks a lot of boxes, but easy portability is not one of them.
Although the lid features a silicone gasket, the East Oak leaks significantly when jostled around.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The East Oak 25 is a great-looking cooler, but we don't love the handle design and found that it pinches your fingers.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Additional Features
The East Oak is pretty bare bones when it comes to additional features. The manufacturer offers a 3-year warranty, and while researching, we found their website to be not very user-friendly. At the time of review, there are no available accessories for the rotomolded East Oak, and the cooler does not come out of the box with any either. The manufacturer warns against using dry ice in this cooler, and although it's available in two sizes and two colors, not all combinations were in stock when we performed our research.
The East Oak is the perfect height for a convenient chair or small table.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the East Oak Rotomolded 25?
If you're looking for a cooler that presents well to entertain in your backyard or at an event, and your core need is adequate insulation performance, the East Oak 25 is a great option. We love its chic, unique appearance and fully removable lid. But it's not for everyone. If you're someone who totes their cooler to various outings or likes to customize it with accessories, the East Oak isn't a great fit for you.
Although a bottle of wine won't fit upright in the East Oak, it still has enough space to fit inside if you get creative.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
What Other Coolers Should You Consider?
The East Oak 25 is an attractive, functional cooler with many great qualities, but it's not for everyone. If your adventures have you constantly on the go, it's hard to beat the Xspec 45 Towable Cooler. It performed well in every metric we tested and has great portability at a fair price. The Yeti Roadie 48 and Yeti Roadie 60 are also highly portable and offer premium quality builds and excellent insulation performances if your budget allows. If you're still unsure, check out our comprehensive review of the best coolers on the market to get the information you need to decide which cooler is best for you.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare East Oak Rotomolded 25 versus top competing products:
—Kolby Anderson and Genaveve Bradshaw
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