A summer get-together, in my opinion, isn’t complete without some tasty beverages and good music. Sure, you can sprinkle in some grilled dishes or the occasional lawn game to liven things up, but there’s something about reaching into an ice-packed cooler for a refreshing drink and bobbing your head to an ear worm of a track that just screams summertime.
Still though, I can’t count how many times I’ve had everything packed for a weekend gathering with friends, only to realize halfway down the road that the Bluetooth speaker I specifically put on charge in preparation for the occasion was not in-tote, after all. As I pull into the location, I’m left hoping that someone else in the party had enough forward thinking to have their speaker on hand, usually with no luck.
It seems the folks at Igloo have experienced this same dilemma and are looking to appease packing checklists everywhere with its KoolTunes speaker-cooler combo deal. Originally an iconic product of the 1980s, this sleek silhouette has been upgraded to match the times, forgoing the Walkman port for a Bluetooth system that seamlessly connects to your trusted smartphone. Your soundtrack to a good time is no longer left at the mercy of your memory — everything’s integrated into one party-packed profile.
But can this two-for-one reimagined relic really enhance your meet-ups and summertime excursions? Does the combination rob one facet or the other when it comes to real-world execution? To find out, I packed up this unique piece of 80s nostalgia for a few occasions on my calendar, ranging from weekend barbecues to evening slowpitch softball games. I took note of how well the KoolTunes cooler performed in terms of keeping vibes high as well as keeping drinks cool. Should this be a must-own for party-ready adventurers, or is the tech tandem best left in yesteryear? Here's what I found.
Igloo KoolTunes: What We Think
If you’re looking to set the mood at any gathering, the KoolTunes cooler is prime for the occasion. The 14-quart capacity can easily fit enough beverages and ice for a nice day amongst friends, and connecting to the Bluetooth is near seamless thanks to the audible voice prompts. Plus, the 10-hour battery life is sure to keep the good times well scored from start to finish.
Does this cooler replace your large, more rugged ice chest or your 360-degree portable speaker? No. Each component sort of takes away from one another when it comes to premium sound quality or long-lasting ice retention. However, if you’ve got a small group hanging at the lake for the day, or a rec team celebrating a victory post-game in the dugout, this unique novelty profile fits right into the mix — and serves as a damn fine talking piece, too.
There's plenty of internal space to keep a group's worth of beverages chilled for the day.
Igloo’s iconic tent-top silhouette has been present across the brand’s Playmate lineup for what seems like ages. One of the problems often experienced with this profile, however, is trying to swivel the lid back into its locking position with a chest full of beverages and loose ice cubes. You often need to sacrifice your ice or beverage totals, which limits how much you’re actually bringing to the table (pun intended). Thankfully, I was capable of filling out the KoolTune’s 26-can capacity along with plenty of ice for the day without any hiccups.
I attribute this usability to the KoolTunes’s thinner yet still well-insulated walls, which gives enough room for the ice to settle without protruding upward. The brand's proprietary foam insulation is compromised slightly — there’s an entire speaker system baked into the design, after all — so I wouldn’t plan a multi-day trip with this profile. For day-long events, though, I think it does the job well.
Additionally, I appreciated Igloo’s decision to only carry the KoolTunes silhouette in a 14-quart design. This capacity sort of promotes a group meetup, as 26 cans is a little much for just a solo trek outdoors. I particularly liked this size for rec sports, as there’s enough room to house a few sports drinks for intra-play refueling, as well as a few suds to celebrate with the team post-game. I also didn’t experience any carrying issues thanks to the molded-in handle. The five pound cooler sat comfortably in my hand and at my side when walking from the car to the gathering with little strain across my arm — a definite perk considering how much ice and refreshments are in-tote.
Getting music bumping is simple and secure.
When I first brought the KoolTunes cooler into the wild for testing, I was immediately met with intrigue from my friends as I constantly confirmed that it was, in fact, a cooler with built-in speakers. While the visual appeal is definitely there — and only heightened thanks to Igloo’s retro-inspired colorways — the real curiosity lay in whether the speakers could actually project sound qualitatively. Once connected, my friends and I were greeted with a worthwhile audio experience filled with crisp notes, hearty bass hits and clear resolution in every played track.
Additionally, I experienced no issues with Bluetooth connectivity. Pairing the cooler to a smartphone is quick and simple, and the built-in audible prompts help confirm when a paired device had been matched successfully. The connection range is also impressive, which I tested as I mulled around a few parties without ever losing signal.
The one caveat I will point out, however, is that the KoolTunes speaker layout is mono-directional, meaning the output is only present on one side of the cooler. To get the best audio experience, be sure to have the output pointed toward your group or activity.
There's no, "cranking it to 11" with the KoolTunes cooler.
In terms of volume across the KoolTunes silhouette, I was surprised at how clear the music was, even when set at max levels. I also appreciated how Igloo automatically sets the volume at 60 percent upon startup, eliminating any chances of blowout or changes to the surrounding atmosphere. Unfortunately, however, I did feel that talking over the projected tracks was a far-too-achievable feat at times. Sure, this is fine for small gatherings where you’re actually trying to converse with colleagues, but relying on this Igloo cooler to deliver tunes for a larger festivity may be asking too much of the tech.
If you’re looking for a speaker system that casts a wide net of sound, you may want to rely on a more outdoor-oriented setup. The 5-watt speakers pack a punch, but keeping the music within earshot from yards away is a tough task, especially with fellow patrons talking and hanging out around the area. This is another nod to the mono-directional makeup of the KoolTunes profile — the soundscape can only travel so far in one direction.
This Igloo cooler is good at ice retention, but still has a shelf life.
I really think this KoolTunes profile from Igloo fits well in the lane of small-group gatherings or one-day events, but after taking this cooler out and about for a few days, I think its usability is capped at those scenarios. For one, 14 quarts is not enough to house food and beverage options for a weekend-long camping trip — there are other silhouettes better suited for those more adventurous tasks. Secondly, I think the inclusion of a Bluetooth system and dual-speaker setup within the walls of the cooler sacrifices a little too much insulation to consider this a sturdy pick for extra hot endeavors. On particularly clear days when the cooler would be resting under direct sunlight, I did notice its tendency to lose ice more rapidly. While I didn’t feel the interior temperature was compromised (I never dumped out the water), this lack of thermal retention did leave me scrambling for shade.
I also wouldn’t recommend storing perishables in the KoolTunes cooler given these thinner walls. While it’s okay to have a slightly warmer beverage at the end of a get-together, food is another animal that I’d rather not test. In theory, though, this cooler isn’t built for family getaways to the campsite or multi-day vacations in the wild. It’s designed for those quick stops at a friend’s barbecue or those spur-of-the-moment treks to the beach. Don’t overcomplicate things and let the good times (and tunes) roll.
Igloo KoolTunes: Alternatives
The easiest alternative to the Igloo KoolTunes would be to pair a well-to-do soft cooler of similar dimensions to a better-quality portable speaker. There’s plenty of options on both ends of the tandem, including the Rtic Soft Pack Cooler and Sony SRS-XB23, that can upgrade your setup in terms of thermal retention and sound quality. Plus, you can mix and match each item to your tastes and needs, with some combinations even coming in under the $150 price tag of Igloo offering. Admittedly, though, you’ll need to keep both items top of mind before leaving your abode, which is the main convenience at play when it comes to the KoolTunes silhouette.
If you’re dead set on a speaker-cooler profile, your best bet is the CA-E065A KoolMAX from Tunes2Go. This impressive cooler packs in multiple connection ports and audio modes, and the wheeled 40-quart capacity is easy to tote along for outdoor excursions. At nearly $400 dollars, though, it’s quite the investment for a setup that’s accomplishable by other means.
