Magellan Outdoors is a rocket brand, which is to say it is developing at an incredible speed. Indeed, brands like Magellan are a few on the market because the secret formula to quick development isn’t so easy.
Emerging into the industry of ice coolers is one of the toughest accomplishments since it relies on a set of 3 pillars: Quality, performance & durability. Thus, without a killer advertisement campaign, it was surprising to see a Walmart-class cooler shoulder to shoulder with the big players in the industry.
At first, Magellan caught our eye but now it has our dedicated attention & that calls for a microscopic analysis.
So, what should you expect from Magellan coolers, how resilient are they, how good is the ice retention & is it the best cooler for the buck? Let’s find out.
SIDE NOTE: Recently, it’s extremely hard to find Magellan Coolers available for sale online. In addition to our in-depth Magellan review (continued below), we’ve provided some of the best selling alternatives below:
- TITAN DEEP FREEZE ZIPPERLESS HARDBODY COOLER: Zipperless cooler features a patented, "flip-open" Zipperless lid for quick access to food and drinks; Keeps ice for up to two days and holds up to 16 cans
- DEEP FREEZE PERFORMANCE INSULATION: Features Deep Freeze Performance Insulation with an integrated radiant heat barrier; Perfect for keeping food and beverages cold during travel, tailgates, picnics, and more
- ALL-TERRAIN WHEELED COOLER – Venture into the great outdoors with confidence, equipped with the RTIC Ultra-Light insulated cooler with wheels, equipped with puncture-resistant, all-terrain wheels to effortlessly traverse through rough terrains.
- PREMIUM ICE RETENTION – Crafted for maximum portability, durability, and extended ice retention, this portable cooler ice chest box boasts 2.5 inches of closed-cell foam insulation to keep food and drinks cold for multiple days. 78-can capacity.
- VOLUME: True 30 quart internal volume (holds 22 cans)
- EXTREME ICE RETENTION: 2 inches of polyurethane insulation with a freezer-grade gasket delivers extreme ice retention
- ENGEL HARD SHELL DRYBOX FISHING COOLER: Stainless Steel industrial strength latches and hinged lid for quick and access to food and drinks; Keeps ice for up to two days and holds up to 32 cans with a 2:1 ratio of ice to cans.
- ENGEL HIGH-PERFORMANCE INSULATION: Features high-grade molded polystyrene foam insulation with hard plastic outer shell heat barrier; Perfect for keeping food and beverages cold on job sites, fishing, camping, travel, tailgates, picnics, and more.
- Heavy duty blow-molded construction with reinforced base for increased strength and protection
- Extremely durable yet lightweight with proven 4-5 day ice retention
Magellan Ice Chests Compared
| Coolers | Capacity (Quarts) | Dimensions (L X W X H) | Weight (Lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
 Magellan Outdoors Ice Box 25 | 27.2 | • External 20.5" x 14" x 14.1" • Internal 16.5" x 10.1" x 9.8" | 16.2 |
 Magellan Outdoors Ice Box 40 qt Rolling Cooler | 41.95 | • External 20" x 20" x 19" • Internal 15.5" x 13.7" x 14.5" | 30 |
 Magellan Outdoors Ice Box 50 | 53.8 | • External 30.2" x 17.2" x 16.7" • Internal 24" x 11.5" x 10.5" | 28.4 |
 Magellan Outdoors Ice Box 75 | 75.2 | • External 32.4" x 19.5" x 18.5" • Internal 26.5" x 13.8" x 12" | 39.8 |
Available Sizes & Dimensions
In order to receive any kind of attention, a brand is required to provide a decent list of options from which we can choose the cooler that fits us best.
Accordingly, marketing might not be the strength of Magellan but the brand has definitely accomplished a solid sense of variety through its hard-cooler collection. Hence, here are the sizes made available by Magellan:
Magellan Outdoors Ice Box 25
The casual cooler is the one thing manufacturer can’t skip & Magellan has done a great job riding this wave through its Ice Box 25. In fact, the brand designed this little cooler for anyone seeking a reliable ice chest for picnics, weekend adventures & BBQ parties.
Accordingly, the cooler measures 14.1 inches in height and 14 inches in width, which means that it,’ll fit easily on your vehicle of choice.
Compare To: Yeti Roadie 20 QT
- The YETI Roadie is BYOB’s new best friend with a capacity of up to 14 cans with recommended 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio
- Will keep your ice… well ice thanks to up to 3 inches of PermaFrost Insulation and an extra thick FatWall design is certified Bear-Resistant
Magellan Outdoors 40 Qt Rolling Cooler
For those of you who are more active and need a cooler that can go with them anywhere, Magellan introduces the 40 quart sport cooler. While the 40 quart isn’t a hard-sided cooler, it is still very popular since it is highly versatile.
Indeed, this cooler can be used to cater for team sports, outdoor parties and wild camping. Accordingly, since it is capable of holding up to 41.75 quarts, the cooler at hand measures 20″ x 20″ x 19″.
Compare To: Yeti Tundra Haul
- Rotomolded Construction makes it armored to the core and virtually indestructible
- The Haul is the first-ever YETI cooler on wheels. Perfect for taking the Tundra's legendary toughness and unmatched insulation power the extra mile
PS: The cooler at hand has a suitcase style handle and actual wheels to highlight the versatility aspect.
Magellan Outdoors Ice Box 50
For bigger tasks, Magellan introduces the Ice Box 50 which is a decent sized cooler that is designed with the outdoors in mind. In fact, this cooler is often described as the best match for anglers / hunters which makes sense once you take into consideration its robust shell and high capacity.
Even though the name indicates that this cooler can handle 50 quarts, its load value is actually 53.8 quarts and that’s enough space to cater for an entire week of fishing / hunting. Moreover, since it is meant for larger cargos, the cooler at hand measures 30.2″ & 17.2″ x 16.7″.
Magellan Outdoors Ice Box 75
If you’re looking for a beast then the Ice Box 75 should be able to make ends meet since it is capable of handling up to 68 liters.
This cooler is undeniably the best this brand can offer for those who enjoy extended fishing trips, long camping adventures or any activity that requires capacity and duration.
In that respect, the cooler at hand measures 32.4″ x 19.5″ x 18.5″ & weighs around 40 pounds while empty.
Compare To: Yeti Tundra 75 QT
- The YETI Tundra 75 is the outdoor cooler that's ideal for keeping your family and friends fed and hydrated, able to hold up to 50 cans with recommended 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio, briskets, or fishing limits easily
- Ice stays ice thanks to up to 3 inches of PermaFrost Insulation and an extra thick FatWall design is certified Bear-Resistant
Design & Build Quality
When it comes to design, Magellan Outdoors doesn’t reserve any effort to appeal to the eye. In fact, the brand made sure that its coolers look as premium as possible while maintaining a significantly low price tag. Hence, while Magellan coolers look tidy, a closer look would expose some blemishes that might not be seen otherwise.
Nonetheless, Magellan hard-sided coolers are still very robust since they are made the same way Yeti, Orca & other big names are. Indeed, Magellan coolers are roto-molded, granting them a unified mold that will impact performance as well as durability.
Since quality is at stake here, it is important to note that Magellan coolers are exceptionally good. Indeed, keeping price in mind, it is impressive to see these coolers undergo the same building process premium coolers go through.
Accordingly, Magellan coolers feature a roto molded polyethylene shell that is capable of enduring a 50-foot roof drop test. Thereafter, the shell is injected with pressurized foam to fortify the mold and set the base for insulation.
Ice Retention & Insulation Ability
Since we are on the topic of insulation, it is necessary to bring back the building process of Magellan coolers.
Indeed, a large part of a cooler’s performance depends on its build and that’s why rotational molding is considered to be the best approach. In that respect, the rotational approach entails a dual axle mechanism that ensures the cooler’s mold remains in one piece till the end. Once completed, the mold functions as an impenetrable shell that doesn’t only resist UV rays but also helps maintain the cool.
Moreover, insulation depends slightly on the crust but it is directly influenced by foam injection. Accordingly, the type and density of the foam injected into the walls of the cooler can influence performance significantly which is why Magellan adopts pressure injected PE foam which is a special kind of foam with tiny air bubble that function as a distraction for heat.
In other words, once heat begins to penetrate the walls of the cooler, it is forced to separate into these tiny capsules that reduce its effect before it reaches the core.
One last component of the insulation mechanism of Magellan coolers is the removable gasket. Indeed, this rubber seal plays a major role in maintaining the temperature of the cooler because it is literally the gatekeeper.
In fact, without a proper gasket, Magellan coolers wouldn’t manage to maintain ice for more than a couple days. However, since these coolers are perfectly sealed, they have proven to be capable of reaching up to a week of ice life.
Features
Features are often viewed as the aesthetic aspect of coolers but it is much more than just that. Features play a major role in the practicality aspect of a cooler since they are what we interact with directly. So, how well did Magellan do in its feature test? Let’s find out.
T-Latches
Latches are a critical component of coolers because they are the one features that we rely on the most. Indeed, latches can have a huge impact on your experience if they are weird, impractical or simply weak.
Accordingly, in order to avoid those down falls, Magellan decided to adopt the T-latches design for its many benefits.
T-latches are not only easy to use but they are also highly resilient and once locked in place they squeeze the lid down, enhancing the seal.
Anti-skid Feet
For a much safer experience, Magellan hooks its coolers with reversible gripping feet to make sure they stay in place during transportation.
Hence, whether you casually strap your cooler on your truck or on your boat, you will certainly appreciate the fact that they won’t be sliding around uncontrollably.
Draining plug
For an efficient draining process, Magellan coolers are equipped with oversized dual plugs that will make the draining process a lot easier and faster.
Also, the draining exit comes with a built-in hose attachment to allow quick and complete draining without risking losing any ice in the process.
In order to keep this Magellan cooler review concise and to the point, here are some honorable mentions that didn’t make the cut:
- Tie-down slots
- Stainless steel locking plates
- Bottle openers
- Wire basket
- Multi-purpose divider
- Removable strap handles
Who is it for?
While Magellan is an entry level brand, it still offers quite the portfolio to appeal to pretty much anyone out there. Indeed, the brand at hand invests in design, quality, performance as well as variety which makes it one of the most affordable options for casuals, anglers & hunters.
Nonetheless, it must be noted that while Magellan coolers are great for people on a budget, they would still struggle to compete with some of the big dogs out there.
Magellan Vs. Yeti: Which Is Better?
Speaking of competition, there can’t be a Magellan cooler in-depth review without a quick comparison with the flag holder: Yeti.
Yeti is undeniably a pioneer in the industry & a brand that accomplished so much already which is a conclusion that was built on so many variables.
Indeed, Yeti hasn’t become a great brand in a night but rather worked through it in order to gain momentum and build such reputation.
In that sense, Yeti’s selling aspect is quality and that is something that apparently a lot of people are willing to pay a lot for. In fact, Yeti might just be the most expensive cooler on the market but once you take into consideration the advantages, it almost seems intuitive. So, what does a brand like Magellan Outdoors offer that Yeti can’t give you?
Well, to keep it short, the only advantage that Magellan has on Yeti is the price but that isn’t a simple conclusion. Yes, Magellan is an affordable brand and that will certainly impact quality of materials, final touches & performance. However, once you take a look at the bigger picture, you begin to understand that you’re definitely not at a disadvantage here because you are getting every penny’s worth in a cooler & that’s something that can’t be said about Yeti.
Compare To: Yeti Tundra 45 QT
- The YETI Tundra 45 combines versatility with durability with a capacity of up to 26 cans with a recommended 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio
- Ice stays ice thanks to up to 3 inches of PermaFrost Insulation and an extra thick FatWall design is certified Bear-Resistant
Magellan Cooler – Bottom Line
While everything significant has already been already discussed in details in this Magellan cooler review, one thing is left to be determined and that is whether this brand is what you’re looking for.
Accordingly, as much as we’d love to tell you to just click that purchase button and everything will be okay, we can’t. However, one thing we can tell you is: if you click it, you won’t regret it.
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