Overview: The Igloo KoolTunes isn’t any abnormal cooler. It is usually a tight moveable speaker. by way of NewsFlicks

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My cooler is cooler than maximum coolers. My cooler is additionally a boombox. 

My cooler is the $149.99 Igloo KoolTunes Playmate Cooler, a 14-quart hardsider with integrated audio system. It is a 2020s reboot of an equivalent cooler-boombox combo Igloo launched again in 1989, whole with the similar unfashionable glance, however now with wi-fi Bluetooth connectivity. 

My first brush with the KoolTunes was once again in 2023, when I used to be trawling Easiest Purchase’s listings looking for purple units for a Barbiecore reward information. Ever since then, I have questioned why I have by no means observed one in actual lifestyles: It combines two summer time entertaining necessities in a single adorable, handy bundle; it seems like a no brainer for seaside days and tailgates. Is it simply the sufferer of deficient advertising, or is it in reality a shoddy gimmick that sucks to make use of?

After after all trying out the KoolTunes all through a contemporary lakeside picnic, I’ve to imagine it is the former. The KoolTunes assists in keeping snacks and drinks chilly whilst providing well-rounded sound high quality (minus some oomphy bass). It is a a laugh, purposeful novelty product that I revel in the use of such a lot, I feel it merits a Mashable Selection Award. Unfold the phrase.

Igloo KoolTunes evaluation: Design and lines

The KoolTunes is a variant of Igloo’s vintage plastic Playmate design that is available in vaporwave colorways. It has a integrated take care of and a tent-top lid that swivels open while you press a button on its aspect. It could simply are compatible a 12-pack of beer or soda cans with an ordinary seven-pound bag of ice. It is IP56-rated for defense in opposition to mud debris and massive splashes, so it is protected to make use of outdoor — simply do not dunk it in water.

Stocked up.
Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

For my picnic, I stocked the KoolTunes with a charcuterie unfold for my husband and me (plus beverages) on ice. We spent two hours with it out of doors in humid 80-degree Fahrenheit climate, then introduced it again house. After unpacking our leftovers, I set the KoolTunes out at the counter, nonetheless filled with cast ice, so I may just see how briskly its contents melted. Lo and behold, a host of ice chunks had been nonetheless floating round in there on the 24-hour mark. They might without a doubt disappear sooner had I left the KoolTunes out within the solar all day, however I am assured that it will probably stay refreshments chilled for no less than a complete afternoon within the warmth.

There are two saucer-sized 5W audio system at the entrance of the KoolTunes. At the again, you’ll be able to discover a keep an eye on panel with bodily buttons for energy, Bluetooth pairing, and quantity; a USB-C port for charging (hidden below a rubbery flap); and a trademark mild. The sunshine turns blue when the KoolTunes is attached for your smartphone, inexperienced when it is totally charged, and crimson whilst it is charging. It flashes blue when the KoolTunes is in pairing mode and crimson when it is low on battery. (Observe: I have not examined the KoolTunes’ battery lifestyles but, however Igloo charges it at as much as 10 hours in keeping with fee. I’m going to replace this evaluation as soon as I have verified that.)

The KoolTunes comes with a three-foot USB-C charging wire, however you will have to provide your personal USB adapter.

This KoolSync sticky label peels proper off, by way of the way in which.
Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The KoolTunes connects for your smartphone the use of Bluetooth 5.0. That is actually out of date wi-fi generation — it got here out in 2016; in 2025, we are on Bluetooth 6.1 — however I do not believe maximum customers will care. (I imply, the newest Apple iPhone nonetheless makes use of Bluetooth 5.3 from 2021.) The KoolTunes paired nearly right away with my iPhone 15 Professional at startup and remembered the telephone the following time I grew to become it on; I did not want to re-pair them. Additionally, I used to be ready to stroll the duration of 3 Chicago town loads with out shedding its connection, which means it has a wi-fi vary of no less than 100 ft.

The KoolTunes helps a “KoolSync” function that permits you to proportion its audio with a 2d KoolTunes. (It is just suitable with its ilk, no longer every other moveable audio system.) Igloo by accident despatched me two evaluation gadgets, so I used to be ready to check out it this mode myself. It is not anything miraculous, however it works as supposed. In the event you occur to wait the similar cookout or pool birthday party as any other KoolTunes proprietor, you’ll DIY a stereo gadget.

Igloo KoolTunes evaluation: Sound high quality

A fab, unfashionable vibe.
Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Honestly, I actually most effective anticipated the KoolTunes to be excellent on the “cooler” half of of its task description since Igloo is not within the audio industry. However because it seems, it is in reality a half-decent moveable speaker, too. 

Perhaps it is because I spend maximum of my days trying out laptops, which usually sound — if I is also frank — like ass. However I actually do suppose the KoolTunes’ audio is pleasantly transparent and crisp, no longer tinny or muffled. Tune taking part in from it sounded balanced, whilst voices on podcasts had been undistorted.

I’m going to upload 3 caveats. One is that the KoolTunes’ sound is principally front-facing, since that is the place its audio system are situated. You will not listen what it is taking part in as effectively in case you are at the back of or beside it.

The second one is that the KoolTunes’ audio has a teeny little bit of bass to it, however not one of the deep, thumping bass you would get from a nicer moveable speaker. (My $179.95 JBL Price 5, an older model of our height pick out, blows it out of the water right here.) Igloo describes it as being “punchy”; on a scale from 1 to Rocky Balboa, I might give it a cast 2.

My ultimate asterisk is that the KoolTunes can sound strained at upper volumes, relying on what is taking part in. “365” by way of Charli xcx was once tremendous at complete blast, however “Sunset” by way of Gordon Lightfoot appeared pressured. It wasn’t crackling or muddy-sounding, however it type of felt adore it was once pushing the KoolTunes to its prohibit. That stated, you’ll be able to most certainly by no means use the KoolTunes at max quantity in public puts or at social purposes the place you’ll be able to be speaking to others: It could get really loud.

Igloo KoolTunes evaluation: Value and total worth

The KoolTunes retails for $149.99 at the Igloo website online and at main outlets like Amazon and Dick’s Carrying Items. (It was once bought out at Easiest Purchase, Costco, and Walmart the closing time I checked.) Igloo itself carries essentially the most colour choices, together with special-edition designs impressed by way of bands and NFL groups. The ones opt for $40 extra if you’ll catch them in inventory.

The KoolTunes can be excessively pricey if it had been only a undeniable previous cooler sans speaker capability. Igloo sells a rugged 14-quart Playmate for $32.99 and an ordinary 16-quart Playmate for $29.99. Does the boombox bit advantage a $120 upcharge? After talking with Mashable’s Bethany Allard, who is examined Bluetooth audio system prior to now, I feel it is most commonly legitimate.

The audio system lack booming bass, however are spectacular for being connected to a cooler.
Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

In keeping with Allard, audio system across the $100 mark usually ditch nice bass and a protracted battery lifestyles to stay inexpensive. Additionally they lack excellent audio high quality and readability at upper quantity, she stated. On this sense, the KoolTunes parallels the contest at its value level.

Allard added that almost all Bluetooth audio system retailing for $100 to $120 typically have some type of spouse app that we could the consumer toggle equalizer settings, test on their battery lifestyles, and mess around with other connection choices. That is the KoolTunes’ largest shortcoming in comparison to common price range audio system. (Igloo does not have an app for it.) I for my part did not understand its absence when I used to be the use of my KoolTunes, however in case you are any person who likes with the ability to alter and customise their audio system’ sound, you’ll be able to fail to notice some additional fixings right here.

If it is helping, the KoolTunes is quite simple to seek out on sale at a deep cut price. The Igloo website online had it marked all the way down to $99.99 in mid-July all through Amazon’s High Day sale, and I be expecting identical offers to pop up over Exertions Day weekend and Black Friday. In case you are a Costco member, I might stay a particularly shut eye out for it there: It dipped down to only $49.97 at the wholesale store’s website online earlier than promoting out.

The cooler portion of the KoolTunes comes with a one-year guaranty, however its electric parts (i.e., the speaker portions) are most effective coated for 90 days. That is a actually quick guaranty, so remember to check out your KoolTunes for any production defects once you unbox it. For comparability’s sake, common moveable audio system from common manufacturers like JBL and Bose have one-year warranties. The Final Ears Wonderboom 4, Mashable’s favourite price range Bluetooth speaker, has a two-year guaranty.

Ultimate ideas: Is the Igloo KoolTunes price it?

Will the KoolTunes sign up for your subsequent picnic or seaside day?
Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The KoolTunes is considered one of my favourite merchandise I have examined all yr. It isn’t a gimmick, however a a laugh fusion of summer time birthday party tools that is priced most commonly relatively. All of the higher if you’ll to find it on sale.

I would not purchase a KoolTunes to switch a excellent moveable speaker that you just already like and use, however if you wish to improve an present cooler to one thing with a little bit extra pizazz, I feel it is a rad choice. It might additionally make a super reward for outdoorsy other people to your lifestyles. They most certainly would not have one but, for some atypical reason why.