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Igloo BMX 25 Review

A convenient personal-sized cooler with decent performance available at a fraction of the cost of its competition
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Igloo BMX 25 Review (The Igloo BMX wins top marks for portability due to its light weight, comfortable handle, and smoothed corners more...)
The Igloo BMX wins top marks for portability due to its light weight, comfortable handle, and smoothed corners more conducive to carrying
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg
Price:  $90 List
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Manufacturer:   Igloo Coolers
48
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#18 of 23
  • Insulation - 50% 4.8
  • Durability - 20% 3.2
  • Ease of Use - 15% 5.0
  • Portability - 10% 7.5
  • Additional Features - 5% 5.9

Our Verdict

This tough little cooler surprised us with its long-lasting, thick-walled insulation, shockingly low weight, and cost that's a fraction of the competition. The Igloo BMX 25 isn't the most rugged option out there, but it's a reliable personal cooler that's bigger than we expected on the inside and is easy to carry, even when loaded with beverages or the day's catch. It lacks an air/watertight seal, which loses it some points on insulation, and the rubber latches can catch against your leg if you carry it the wrong way around, but it's miles ahead of your old ice bucket or gas station styrofoam. If you want to upgrade your individual-sized cooler without spending hundreds on the competition, we recommend this one.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Budget-friendly
Built-in ruler
REASONS TO AVOID
No drain
Poor ice retention for multi-day use
Editors note: This review was updated on October 31st to reassess awards.

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igloo bmx 25
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Igloo BMX 25
Awards Top Pick Award
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Best Buy Award
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Best Buy Award
Best Cooler for the Tightest Budgets
 
Price $90 List
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Bottom Line A compact personal-sized cooler that offers adequate performance at a lower price than its competitorsA durable but heavy wheeled cooler with high-end build quality and convenient featuresWith reliable performance, this cooler is a great shape, easy to use, and a good valueA capable, no-frills wheeled cooler with mediocre insulation performance and a great priceA decent budget-friendly option for quick trips, but its insulation performance doesn’t hold up after a few days
Rating Categories Igloo BMX 25 Xspec 45 Towable Xspec 60qt Coleman Portable Ro... Coleman 316 Series 52
Insulation (50%)
4.8
8.3
8.7
5.1
4.8
Durability (20%)
3.2
8.7
7.6
2.4
3.4
Ease of Use (15%)
5.0
8.6
7.2
4.2
4.0
Portability (10%)
7.5
8.5
7.0
8.5
6.5
Additional Features (5%)
5.9
6.6
7.2
3.5
3.1
Specs Igloo BMX 25 Xspec 45 Towable Xspec 60qt Coleman Portable Ro... Coleman 316 Series 52
Shelf Life of Food (Measured Days Below 40ºF) 4.0 5.9 6.1 4.1 4.0
Days of Cold Beverages (Measured Days Below 50º F) 4.4 6.4 6.7 4.6 4.4
Measured Weight 10.1 Ibs 34.9 lbs 30.3 Ibs 12.5 Ibs 9.4 Ibs
Measured Capacity in Cans 34 69 90 90 74
Measured Capacity 17 qt 48.7 qt 57 qt 52 qt 44 qt
Advertised Capacity 25 qt 45 qt 60 qt 50 qt 52 qt
Measured Internal Maximum Body Height 11.8" 16.1" 13.0" 14.0" 13.0"
Does it Fit a Wine or 2L Bottle Standing Upright? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Measured Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) 20.2" x 12.0" x 15.8" 23.2" x 19.2" W x 21.0" 29.5" x 17.0" x 18.0" 22.8" x 17.8" D x 17.6" 26.0" x 14.5" x 17.7"
Drain Plugs 1 1 1 1 1
Outer Construction Blow-molded Plastic (non-rotomolded) Rotomolded Rotomolded Blow-molded Plastic (non-rotomolded) Blow-molded Plastic (non-rotomolded)
Inner Construction Pressure-injected polyurethane Manufacturer lists
'3" roto-molded insulation'
Manufacturer lists 'Integrated insulation' Xtreme® technology Pressure-injected polyurethane
Warranty 5 Years 30 Day Return Policy Only 1 Year - Limited 1 Year 5 Years

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Igloo BMX 25 is a heavy-duty blow-molded personal cooler with a single handle across the top and an internal height that fits most wine bottles or 2L soda bottles. It features corner tie-downs and a fish ruler across the top of the lid.

Performance Comparison


igloo bmx 25 - the rubberized t latches are pulled into a groove in the cooler's...
The rubberized T latches are pulled into a groove in the cooler's body to keep the cooler securely closed.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Insulation


The Igloo BMX 25 is bolstered with extra-thick foam insulated walls and claims to maintain food-safe temperatures for days. The shape of the cooler's base holds most of the bottom slightly elevated from the surface below it, which also aids in its insulation performance. The USDA's best practice for storing food is to keep food at or below 40 degrees, and most beverages are enjoyed at or below 50 degrees. We evaluate each cooler's insulation by placing them in a temperature controlled room, filling them with ice, and placing multiple sensors inside of a mason jar in the ice to closely track the temperature changes for ten days.

igloo bmx 25 - the depth of the igloo allows adequate space for a variety of drink...
The depth of the Igloo allows adequate space for a variety of drink containers.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg


The Igloo held up to its claims, maintaining temperatures at or below 40 degrees for four days and keeping things cold at or below 50 degrees for an additional half day. We feel the dark coloring works against this cooler if it's left in the sun, but the BMX 25 is available in nine different colors, so choose wisely. Although the lid feels like it fits tightly, it isn't watertight, which allows cold air to escape, and warm air detracts from its insulation performance. Many other coolers use freezer-grade gaskets to mitigate this issue. All things considered, we found the Igloo's insulation to be adequate, given its size and price point.

igloo bmx 25 - although it has a decent amount of insulation, the igloo bmx 25...
Although it has a decent amount of insulation, the Igloo BMX 25 lacks a proper gasket to seal in cold air and prevent the ingress of warm air.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Durability


The BMX 25 looks tough from across the room. In fact, BMX stands for blow-molded eXtreme, referring to the manufacturing process used in its creation. It's adorned with a stainless steel kick plate, as Igloo refers to it, and many other components made of stainless steel, including the hinge hardware and reinforcement inside of the swinging handle. In our durability testing of the Igloo, we spent a significant amount of time standing and jumping on it, and we wouldn't recommend that you do the same, as our tester noted that "it is long and narrow (for its size) and thus was very wobbly!"

igloo bmx 25 - the bottom profile of the bmx 25 is shaped in an effort to keep the...
The bottom profile of the BMX 25 is shaped in an effort to keep the cooler slightly off the ground to help insulation performance.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Despite the hinges of the BMX being made of high-quality materials, it's possible to pull the mounting screws right out of the lid if you overextend it at all. We felt some concern about how soft the rubber latches are as they seem prone to damage from the elements or too strong of a pull. Part of our durability testing involves filling the cooler with water and seeing how watertight it is as we move it around. The lack of a gasket or seal allows water to easily spill out, which could spell disaster if placed on the seat of a vehicle and tipped over in transit. Overall, we loved the thick, sturdy walls and robust feel of the Igloo, but there are a few minor flaws in this cooler's durability and performance.


igloo bmx 25 - we found the hinges of the igloo bmx to be the least durable part of...
We found the hinges of the Igloo BMX to be the least durable part of this little cooler.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Ease of Use


The BMX 25's rubber latches can be easily unhooked with one hand, and the lid stays open for easy loading access. The handle stays pretty much where you leave it, making a quick set-it-down-to-close-the-back-hatch maneuver a cinch. The inside of this cooler is also decently spacious for its size and can fit 34 cans if you only add a little bit of ice around the sides, and easily accommodates an upright standard-sized wine bottle. The Igloo also has tie-down holes in all four corners that will keep this little box securely fastened and closed until you untie it again.


We feel that Igloo may have missed an opportunity by not making these tie-down holes also lockable, which can add a measure of animal protection or peace of mind. We also found that the lid's topography prevents it from being an excellent surface for your cold can or even a comfortable seat. Additionally, the handle runs so close to the cooler's side that it runs into the rubber latches if they're not properly sealed. And unlike many other coolers, the BMX has no rubber feet to stop it from sliding across the bed of your pickup if you neglected to tie it down. Those minor concerns aside, we think the BMX is decently easy to use.

igloo bmx 25 - the pliable latches on the bmx 25 are a bit softer than many of the...
The pliable latches on the BMX 25 are a bit softer than many of the competition's, making them easier to open with one hand.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Portability


Some monster-sized coolers can make your back hurt just by looking at it. The Igloo BMX 25 is a breath of fresh air when it comes to portability. Compared to most coolers we tested, the Igloo is a feather-light, weighing in at only just over 10 pounds. Even when compared to similarly sized coolers, the BMX stands out as being light and easily portable. The stainless steel reinforced handle helps make this cooler a breeze to carry, even when fully loaded.


igloo bmx 25 - we feel that the bmx 25 (right) could benefit from a section of...
We feel that the BMX 25 (right) could benefit from a section of softer handle material like the Roadie 20 (left) has.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg


We feel like the handle could be improved comfort-wise by adding a section of a more forgiving material but overall, the size and ergonomic shape of the handle makes the BMX 25 no sweat to carry compared to many of the other similarly sized coolers. Our tester mentioned, “I'm not sure how this is meant to be carried over great distances. The plastic handle can't be put over the shoulder, but I could put it in the crook of my elbow.” This is something to keep in mind if you expect to carry this cooler a great distance.

igloo bmx 25 - the bmx 25 is a highly portable personal-sized cooler that's...
The BMX 25 is a highly portable personal-sized cooler that's impressively lightweight compared to other similarly sized options.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Additional Features


Leaning more towards being a budget cooler, we didn't expect much from the BMX 25. The main additional feature consists of a molded-in fish ruler on the lid. This is a nice feature, but we would love to see a little more, like a bottle opener or cup holder. Igloo provides a standard three-year warranty that protects you from defects; nothing remarkable. We were happy to see that Igloo offers replacement parts for most of their coolers on their website.



igloo bmx 25 - measure your catch right as you reel it in with the handle molded-in...
Measure your catch right as you reel it in with the handle molded-in ruler on the BMX 25.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Should You Buy the Igloo BMX 25?


The world of coolers is a vast and ever-changing market, and the BMX 25 threads the needle in the middle. It offers above-average performance with a below-average price tag. If you're looking for a solid personal-sized cooler but don't need it to withstand being filled with fireworks, tossed off a cliff, or chewed on by a bear, we think the Igloo BMX is an adequate performer that offers excellent value.

igloo bmx 25 - the igloo bmx 25 is lightweight and inspires confidence in your...
The Igloo BMX 25 is lightweight and inspires confidence in your ability to take it anywhere you may be headed.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

What Other Coolers Should You Consider?


If you're not entirely sold on the BMX 25 but are still in the market for a personal-sized cooler, the Yeti Roadie 24 is another great option to consider. It slightly outperforms the Igloo and is much more durable, albeit at more than double the cost. If that's not quite enough space for you, we recommend checking out some of the wheeled coolers on the market, like the Xspec 45 Towable and the larger sized Yeti Roadie 48 and Yeti Roadie 60. These offer quite a bit more space and the added convenience of wheels for portability.

igloo bmx 25 - the bmx 25 is conveniently sized for an impromptu hangout on a nice...
The BMX 25 is conveniently sized for an impromptu hangout on a nice day.
Credit: Maggie Brandenburg

Genaveve Bradshaw, Maggie Nichols, Rebecca Glades, and Kolby Anderson