The Igloo KoolTunes isn’t any odd cooler. It is also a good moveable speaker.

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

My cooler is the $149.99 Igloo KoolTunes Playmate Cooler, a 14-quart hardsider with built-in audio system. It is a 2020s reboot of an an identical cooler-boombox combo Igloo launched again in 1989, full with the identical retro look, however now with wi-fi Bluetooth connectivity. 

My first brush with the KoolTunes was again in 2023, once I was trawling Greatest Purchase’s listings seeking pink devices for a Barbiecore reward information. Ever since then, I’ve puzzled why I’ve by no means seen one in actual life: It combines two summer season entertaining necessities in a single cute, handy bundle; it looks like a no brainer for seashore days and tailgates. Is it merely the sufferer of poor advertising, or is it truly a shoddy gimmick that sucks to make use of?

After lastly testing the KoolTunes throughout a current lakeside picnic, I’ve to consider it is the previous. The KoolTunes retains snacks and drinks chilly whereas providing well-rounded sound high quality (minus some oomphy bass). It is a enjoyable, practical novelty product that I get pleasure from utilizing a lot, I believe it deserves a Mashable Selection Award. Unfold the phrase.

Igloo KoolTunes assessment: Design and options

The KoolTunes is a variant of Igloo’s basic plastic Playmate design that is available in vaporwave colorways. It has a built-in deal with and a tent-top lid that swivels open once you press a button on its facet. It might probably simply match a 12-pack of beer or soda cans with a regular seven-pound bag of ice. It is IP56-rated for cover towards mud particles and large splashes, so it is secure to make use of outside — 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 drinks) on ice. We spent two hours with it outdoors in humid 80-degree Fahrenheit climate, then introduced it again house. After unpacking our leftovers, I set the KoolTunes out on the counter, nonetheless stuffed with strong ice, so I might see how briskly its contents melted. Lo and behold, a bunch of ice chunks have been nonetheless floating round in there on the 24-hour mark. They’d definitely disappear quicker had I left the KoolTunes out within the solar all day, however I am assured that it could actually hold refreshments chilled for not less than a full afternoon within the warmth.

There are two saucer-sized 5W audio system on the entrance of the KoolTunes. On the again, you will discover a management panel with bodily buttons for energy, Bluetooth pairing, and quantity; a USB-C port for charging (hidden below a rubbery flap); and an indicator gentle. The sunshine turns blue when the KoolTunes is related to your smartphone, inexperienced when it is totally charged, and pink whereas it is charging. It flashes blue when the KoolTunes is in pairing mode and pink when it is low on battery. (Observe: I have not examined the KoolTunes’ battery life but, however Igloo charges it at as much as 10 hours per cost. I am going to replace this assessment as soon as I’ve verified that.)

The KoolTunes comes with a three-foot USB-C charging twine, however you will have to produce your individual USB adapter.

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

The KoolTunes connects to your smartphone utilizing Bluetooth 5.0. That is actually outdated wi-fi know-how — it got here out in 2016; in 2025, we’re on Bluetooth 6.1 — however I do not suppose most customers will care. (I imply, the most recent Apple iPhone nonetheless makes use of Bluetooth 5.3 from 2021.) The KoolTunes paired virtually immediately with my iPhone 15 Professional at startup and remembered the cellphone the subsequent time I turned it on; I did not have to re-pair them. Additionally, I used to be capable of stroll the size of three Chicago metropolis heaps with out shedding its connection, which means it has a wi-fi vary of not less than 100 toes.

The KoolTunes helps a “KoolSync” function that allows you to share its audio with a second KoolTunes. (It is solely appropriate with its ilk, not some other moveable audio system.) Igloo unintentionally despatched me two assessment models, so I used to be capable of attempt it this mode myself. It is nothing miraculous, nevertheless it works as supposed. In case you occur to attend the identical cookout or pool social gathering as one other KoolTunes proprietor, you possibly can DIY a stereo system.

Igloo KoolTunes assessment: Sound high quality

A cool, retro vibe.
Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

In truth, I actually solely anticipated the KoolTunes to be good on the “cooler” half of its job description since Igloo is not within the audio enterprise. However because it seems, it is truly a half-decent moveable speaker, too. 

Perhaps it is as a result of I spend most of my days testing laptops, which usually sound — if I could also be frank — like ass. However I actually do suppose the KoolTunes’ audio is pleasantly clear and crisp, not tinny or muffled. Music taking part in from it sounded balanced, whereas voices on podcasts have been undistorted.

I am going to add three caveats. One is that the KoolTunes’ sound is especially front-facing, since that is the place its audio system are positioned. You will not hear what it is taking part in as properly should you’re behind or beside it.

The second is that the KoolTunes’ audio has a teeny little bit of bass to it, however not one of the deep, thumping bass you’d get from a nicer moveable speaker. (My $179.95 JBL Cost 5, an older model of our high decide, 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 strong 2.

My last asterisk is that the KoolTunes can sound strained at larger volumes, relying on what’s taking part in. “365” by Charli xcx was high-quality at full blast, however “Sundown” by Gordon Lightfoot appeared pressured. It wasn’t crackling or muddy-sounding, nevertheless it form of felt prefer it was pushing the KoolTunes to its restrict. That stated, you will most likely by no means use the KoolTunes at max quantity in public locations or at social capabilities the place you will be chatting with others: It might probably get really loud.

Igloo KoolTunes assessment: Worth and total worth

The KoolTunes retails for $149.99 on the Igloo web site and at main retailers like Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Items. (It was offered out at Greatest Purchase, Costco, and Walmart the final time I checked.) Igloo itself carries essentially the most coloration choices, together with special-edition designs impressed by bands and NFL groups. These go for $40 extra should you can catch them in inventory.

The KoolTunes can be excessively costly if it have been only a plain outdated cooler sans speaker performance. Igloo sells a rugged 14-quart Playmate for $32.99 and a regular 16-quart Playmate for $29.99. Does the boombox bit benefit a $120 upcharge? After talking with Mashable’s Bethany Allard, who’s examined Bluetooth audio system prior to now, I believe it is largely legitimate.

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

In accordance with Allard, audio system across the $100 mark sometimes ditch nice bass and an extended battery life to stay inexpensive. In addition they lack good audio high quality and readability at larger quantity, she stated. On this sense, the KoolTunes parallels the competitors at its worth level.

Allard added that almost all Bluetooth audio system retailing for $100 to $120 often have some form of companion app that lets the consumer toggle equalizer settings, examine on their battery life, and mess around with completely different connection choices. That is the KoolTunes’ greatest shortcoming in comparison with common price range audio system. (Igloo would not have an app for it.) I personally did not discover its absence once I was utilizing my KoolTunes, however should you’re somebody who likes with the ability to regulate and customise their audio system’ sound, you will miss out on some additional fixings right here.

If it helps, the KoolTunes is comparatively straightforward to seek out on sale at a deep low cost. The Igloo web site had it marked all the way down to $99.99 in mid-July throughout Amazon’s Prime Day sale, and I count on related offers to pop up over Labor Day weekend and Black Friday. In case you’re a Costco member, I might hold an particularly shut eye out for it there: It dipped down to only $49.97 on the wholesale retailer’s web site earlier than promoting out.

The cooler portion of the KoolTunes comes with a one-year guarantee, however its electrical elements (i.e., the speaker components) are solely coated for 90 days. That is a extremely quick guarantee, so you should definitely examine your KoolTunes for any manufacturing defects as quickly as you unbox it. For comparability’s sake, common moveable audio system from in style 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 guarantee.

Last ideas: Is the Igloo KoolTunes value it?

Will the KoolTunes be part of your subsequent picnic or seashore day?
Credit score: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The KoolTunes is one in every of my favourite merchandise I’ve examined all yr. It is not a gimmick, however a enjoyable fusion of summer season social gathering gear that is priced largely pretty. All the higher if you’ll find it on sale.

I would not purchase a KoolTunes to exchange an excellent moveable speaker that you just already like and use, however if you wish to improve an current cooler to one thing with a little bit extra pizazz, I believe it is a rad possibility. It will additionally make a terrific reward for outdoorsy people in your life. They most likely do not have one but, for some odd purpose.