Ao Carbon Cooler Review
Storage Size: 12, 24, 36, and 48 cans (approx. 16 to 60 quarts) sizes
Construction: Plastic and vinyl composition
Cost: Premium-priced
Features: Removable shoulder strap, side pocket, leak-proof liner
Pros: Waterproof, multiple carrying options, strong fabric, very attractive
Cons: A bit large for what it carries, not many external features, a bit expensive
Insulation Ability | |
Mobility and Durability | |
Visual Appeal | |
Cost | |
Overall Rating |
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Last Updated by Brandon F. on December 22, 2022
This is our Ao Carbon Cooler Review. The Ao Carbon coolers are advertised as being a more high-class soft-side cooler. Made of woven vinyl that resembles carbon fiber, it puts off a more luxurious look while still adhering to the nice performance expectations of Ao. It contains 3/4” thick foam as well as water-resistant and tough outer material that results in 24-hour performance. It is available in silver and black and in a variety of sizes including 12, 24, 36, and 48 cans (approximately 16 to 60 quarts). It is primarily made of vinyl and plastic.
Insulation ability –
Cooling performance is comparable to other Ao products, with the 24-hour promise being a bit of a reach but potentially achievable depending on how much ice is used and how often you open it. However, the ¾” thick foam does make a difference. The vinyl is also mostly waterproof so there shouldn’t be a lot of concern about melted ice coming out.
Mobility and durability –
All sizes have the inclusion of both an overhead carrying handle as well as a larger side shoulder strap. This makes moving this product, even when full, much easier. That being said the coolers are somewhat large and when full (especially in the larger sizes) it can become a significant amount of size and mass. Thankfully the entire package stays together quite well, and the attractive external material does a reasonable job of avoiding tears.
Visual Appeal –
This is an attractive-looking cooler and a definite upgrade in styling points from most of the competition. The carbon-fiber look matches great on boats, RVs, etc., and it is tough enough to not be easily tarnished during use. There aren’t a lot of external features such as side netting and smaller compartments but, in this case, we feel this adds to the classy feel.
Cost –
This product creeps up into the premium-tiered price category. This is quite a bit to ask for a cooler that doesn’t have a ton of performance.
Overall Rating –
We give the Ao Carbon Cooler Review 3 coolers out of 5. This is a very classy-looking cooler that does an alright job of ice retention and the build quality and materials are good enough, albeit it is a bit on the large side for a given size. Also, the price is somewhat high so we wouldn’t mind if its performance was bumped up a notch or two. It’s still not a terrible choice, however.