Frosty Cooler Review
Last Updated by Brandon F. on September 6, 2022
Frosty Coolers are a somewhat new entry into the cooler game. Currently, their main focus is on their hard-sided coolers as well as their lineup of tumblers. They do offer up a small array of cooler accessories as well but the main focus of this review will be on their hard-sided coolers.
Frosty is attempting to keep up with the “big dogs” of the cooler world but at a much more reasonable price point. You won’t find a ton of features and accessories with these units but what they strive to achieve is being a tough, durable cooler that can keep ice life for multiple days but at a fraction of the price.
Frosty Cooler Lineup
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As of the time of this article, Frosty has the following sizes for their coolers: Frosty 25, Frosty 35, Frosty 45, Frosty 55, Frosty 65, Frosty 75, Frosty 85, and Frosty 120. This is an impressive selection of sizes and adequately meets what most people are looking for in small, medium, and large cooler sizes.
One thing noticeably missing is any soft-sided coolers. So for those after a more cost-effective soft-sided cooler that can keep up with the much more expensive Yetis of the world, you will have to keep looking.
Frosty Cooler Insulation/Ice Life
Frosty’s main goal is to have ice performance that is equal to or near to the other premium cooler brands but at a much more reasonable price. We can understand how expensive the top hard-sided coolers can be and Frosty is hoping to change that.
As we typically expect, the best coolers for keeping ice follow a proven method:
Thick, roto-molded insulation that utilizes quality polyurethane foam (which has excellent insulation properties)
Quality, a freezer-grade gasket that provides a lot of squeeze
Robust latches that provide a lot of pressure to get the most squeeze out of the gasket
Those three components are the key to a cooler with long ice life. And in this case, Frosty Coolers meet all three of these requirements.
Their website claims that ice life is up to 10 days and also makes the disclaimer that you won’t achieve these results in extreme conditions such as using the cooler in a 120-degree desert and opening it every 30 minutes. It is extremely refreshing to see a cooler company try to be more honest about the real-life results you are expected to see.
We oftentimes see cooler brands boast ridiculous ice numbers that could only be possible if you were to fill the cooler to the top with ice, leave it in a cool, shady area, and never open it!
Before we go into the results of our ice tests, we will go into more detail about the components that exist to help maximize ice life.
Thick, Roto-Molded Walls
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As we discussed in our “must-have” list of features for long ice life, thick roto-molded walls are at the top. There will be some variance in specifically how thick the walls are depending on which wall you are looking at as well as which size Frosty Cooler you are testing. However, we found that the thickness typically falls between 2 to 3 inches across all models.
This is about average compared to most other premium cooler brands we have tested. In addition, the specific pressure-injected polyurethane used is commercial grade and looks/feels exactly like what you will find on much more expensive Yeti and Orca coolers.
Thick Rubber Gasket
The rubber gasket is the primary seal that helps to keep cold air in and warm air out. The thickest walls in the world don’t mean much if there isn’t a quality gasket to help create a sealed volume. The freezer-style gasket that Frosty Coolers implements are very similar to what you will find on most other premium coolers. It is embedded in a channel and, when the lid is shut, is able to really form some nice squeeze characteristics and promote a powerful seal.
Thick Rubber Latches
The rubber T-latches on Frosty Coolers are also very similar to what we have seen in most other models but with one notable exception. They are stretched in order to catch the extruding pin on the main body of the cooler. This is a bit different than we have seen in other cooler brands where the “T” portion of the latch is typically what is the main component that is holding the latch down.
From a performance standpoint, we really don’t see a major difference and both designs seem to provide an adequate amount of force to squeeze the gasket down.
Frosty Cooler Ice Life Results
As we mention in all of our tests, these ice life results are not the best case. If you are looking for maximum ice life then you would simply fill your cooler to the brim with ice, store it in a cool, dry place and never open it. Unfortunately, that isn’t how real-life works.
Coolers are typically used in warm environments (often exposed to direct sunlight) and are constantly opened and closed. Because of this, your real-world results are almost always going to be lower than optimal results. So many of the numbers you see from companies may be slightly inflated.
It is worth noting again that Frosty is one of the few brands we have come across that explicitly mentions this fact on their page. Essentially, they advertise up to 10 days of potential ice life but expect something lower than that if you are planning on using the cooler how a cooler is supposed to be used.
For our testing, we fill up coolers 1/3 to ½ way with ice and typically throw a few random items in there as well. We leave the coolers outside and open them about once per hour as you would during normal use. Being March in Texas, temperatures are in the mid-70s in direct sunlight so, while not blistering hot, still put the coolers in an environment that is not optimal for ice life.
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After testing, our specific results were as follows:
Frosty 25 Cooler: 40 to 60 hours
Frosty 35 Cooler: 48 to 70 hours
Frosty 45 Cooler: 55 to 80 hours
Frosty 55 Cooler: 65 to 95 hours
Frosty 65 Cooler: 75 to 110 hours
Frosty 75 Cooler: 85 to 130 hours
Frosty 85 Cooler: 95 to 145 hours
Frosty 120 Cooler: 120 to 185 hours
Thoughts
The results were about what we expected. Ice life for a given size is right in line with other premium coolers of similar sizes (maybe a tiny bit below average overall but not significant enough of a difference to worry too much about). We also saw a clear, relatively linear relationship between cooler size and ice life. In other words, larger coolers tend to keep ice longer than smaller coolers.
The top performer was the Frosty 120 which had maximum ice life of approximately 185 hours. While not quite the 10-day value that Frosty mentioned, this is likely accounted for by the fact that we didn’t put the cooler in a best-case environment. We are confident that if we aimed to maximize ice life that 10 days isn’t too far off from the expected results.
Frosty Cooler Toughness
The implementation of thick roto-molded walls not only helps with ice life but also plays a vital role in a cooler’s toughness. The polyurethane used is commercial-grade and should handle the typical wear and tear that a cooler experiences. This includes things such as being dropped, kicked, or beaten around in the back of a truck bed.
The other various components (rubber gaskets, rubber latch, metal pieces for the hinge, etc.) are also on par with the level of quality we are used to seeing in premium coolers. The one area we don’t know about is the latch design. Rubber latches cracking and/or breaking after a period of use is a very common complaint among coolers and having this feature fail essentially cuts your ice life in half if not more.
The decision to go with latches that have a center hole that hooks rather than using the latch body as the main securing mechanism is certainly unique. However, it does expose the latch to new types of loads that most other latches won’t experience.
We would be curious to see a long-term test of these latches and how they compare to a more traditional design. In fact, this test is something we might look into performing ourselves! We get plenty of questions about latches and it would be helpful to you, the reader, to really know the true quality of these latches.
Also, we need to discuss the warranty. At the moment, it is just one year. This is lower than most other premium cooler brands that are known to offer 2, 3, and even lifetime warranties on their hard-sided coolers. This is not only an added perk to the customer but companies that offer extremely long warranties are showing the consumer that they stand behind their product and believe in their quality.
Furthermore, Frosty Coolers are currently not IGBC (International Grizzly Bear Committee) certified. While this isn’t by any means a requirement, it is just another step that cooler brands can take to show that their product truly is tough.
Frosty Cooler Features
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In order to offer up the competitive asking price that Frosty Coolers manage, some shortcuts had to be made. This part may be why their warranty is somewhat lacking but it is also evident in their limited features.
These days, with so many premium cooler brands competing for a market share, we are seeing more and more unique features pop up. Built-in bottle openers, pressure-release valves, embedded fish scales, and more are becoming the norm.
Frosty has decided to take a more Spartan approach and limit offering up these various features. The only features worth noting are the non-slip feet, integrated locking system, molded tie-down slots, built-in cup holders (on some sizes) and high-flow drain spout. These features are almost all other coolers as well. The one exception is the Frosty 75 model which also comes with corner bottle openers and wheels.
We understand that many people may not care about these additional features and will only be concerned with the most important parts of a cooler: keeping ice and lasting for a long time. And Frosty Coolers definitely check those boxes (particularly considering their asking price). However, in the competitive premium cooler world we live in today, it is important to stand out from the competition. And, in that regard, Frosty does fall a bit short when looking at a strictly feature standpoint.
Frosty Cooler Visual Appeal
The overall design aesthetic of Frosty Coolers resembles their features: simple and to the point. Outside of some subtle curves that are built into the walls of the cooler and the unique rubber latches, you won’t find any eye-catching visuals. In addition, the only color choice currently available is white.
This is a bit disappointing as almost every single other premium cooler brand has various color choices to choose from. In addition, many can also offer multi-colored coolers which are great for supporting your favorite sports team.
The one bright spot is that Frosty can make custom logos for your cooler but they will require you to reach out to them and place a special order. We aren’t sure about the minimum order quantity required or what the price surcharge is, however.
Frosty Cooler Price
Easily the biggest positive of Frosty Coolers is their asking price. Thanks to a combination of their efficient manufacturing/retail process as well as their decision to keep their coolers as simple as possible, Frosty has managed to offer up a premium-level cooler for a much lower asking price than just about all of the competition.
While you won’t get all of the features and color choices as many of the other (more expensive) brands, the overall ice life and toughness is very similar. And to many people, this is all that really matters. And while Frosty Coolers still won’t be as cheap as your typical Coleman or Igloo cooler, the fact that they can compete with the very best in performance and be at the price point that they are is still quite impressive.
Frosty Cooler vs. Yeti
Nobody can deny that Frosty Coolers are a true competitor in the premium cooler game. But how do they compare to Yeti?
Yeti has been the go-to high-end cooler for much of the population over the past few years. Their combination of impressive ice life, American-made build quality, and great marketing has made them a formidable opponent for any up-and-coming cooler brand.
While Frosty Coolers don’t have near the track record of Yeti, they have found a formula that involves a simple design, few features, and adequate performance. This allows them to drive down their asking price while still promising impressive ice retention numbers that will rival most premium cooler brands. However, this simplistic approach may not be for everybody. People that enjoy loads of accessories, multiple color options, and a more diverse selection of features to enjoy will come away unimpressed by Frosty.
Conversely, Yeti has tons of different sizes, most of the features you would want in a cooler, and plenty of customization options. They also have their reputation and “designer brand” appeal. However, they are extremely expensive.
So which is better?
Well, that depends! For those who are only after a simple cooler that will keep their items cold (and don’t need all the bells and whistles), Frosty is the clear choice. It is much more affordable and, for the most part, will keep up with other high-end cooler brands in terms of performance.
But for those who are looking for more of a long-term investment, better features, and more stylish look, and a better warranty, then Yeti might be your answer. But it will involve spending quite a bit more to enjoy this luxury.
Either way, both brands offer a lot and you will not be disappointed with either!
Final Thoughts
Frosty Cooler is taking a somewhat unique approach in its lineup of hard-sided premium coolers. Rather than try to adorn them with tons of features, color options, and accessories, they are focusing on the basics: ice life and toughness.
In regards to ice life, they score about average compared to other premium coolers. This is primarily due to the proven method of using 2 to 3” thick roto-molded materials in combination with a large gasket and a right latch seal.
This design also helps with their toughness and you can expect this cooler to last as long as many of the other premium coolers on the market. We do wonder if their specialized latch design will hold up to multiple years of wear and tear, however. Also, we wish that they would increase their warranty longer to keep up with other brands.
The low-cost approach is also felt with their lack of color choices and the overall simplistic design of the cooler. Again, this may not be a big deal to many but it is worth noting.
Overall, if you are after an effective premium cooler at the lowest possible price point, then Frosty Coolers should be at the top of your list. If you want something with more of a “wow” factor then you might want to look at some of the other premium cooler brands. Just expect to pay a bit more.
Frosty Cooler Review
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Frosty Coolers aim to meet the core functions of a premium cooler but at a price point that is more obtainable by the regular person. You won’t find a ton of bells and whistles on these products but Frosty believes that its cooling ability, build quality, and a competitive asking price will make up for that. You can choose between 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85, and 120-quart options.
Insulation Ability – 
The combination of roto-molded commercial-grade polyurethane foam, freezer-grade gaskets, and a tight seal have proven time and time again to be a good approach for extending ice life. That is also the case here and you will find that Frosty Coolers are competitive against other similarly-sized coolers that are offered by other brands. Depending on which size you go with and what sort of environment you put the cooler in, you can expect to see from approximately 40 to 185 hours of ice life.
Mobility and Durability – 
The simple approach and usage of quality materials mean that these coolers will also last for a long time, even with your typical wear and tear. Being simple, it also means that there are fewer things that can break. That being said, we do question the decision to go with an improvised latch design and would need to see a long-term study done to see if this design is better or worse than the latch design that nearly every other premium cooler brand goes with. Also, the relatively short warranty period (1 year) is a bit concerning.
As for features, there isn’t a ton to get excited about. Outside of the 75-quart model which includes built-in bottle openers and wheels, the rest of the sizes are very Spartan and won’t offer the level of features that most of the other premium cooler brands present. Whether or not that is a big deal is up to you.
Visual Appeal –
You only get one color option to choose from (white) and the overall design of the cooler is simple and a bit underwhelming. There are options for custom logos that can be put on the cooler but it requires a special order. Again, if you are someone who doesn’t care about standing out then this may not be a big issue.
Cost – 
Frosty made some sacrifices in other areas to really excel in this one. From a price standpoint, it doesn’t get much more affordable than this for a premium cooler. Out of all of the premium coolers that we have tested (and it is a lot!), the asking price for Frosty Coolers is tough to beat. While they won’t be quite on the level of budget brands such as Coleman and Igloo, you will likely see sizeable cost savings between a Frosty Cooler and most of the other top brands out there.
Overall Rating – 
Frosty Cooler does some things extremely well but it comes with a bit of sacrifice in other areas. For those who just want a functioning cooler with long ice life and dependability at a low cost, Frosty is hard to beat. The cooler works as it is intended and should keep ice for about as long as your buddy’s Yeti or your Uncle’s Engel. The build quality is also up to par and you should expect for this unit to last a while. And this comes at a price point that is tough to beat and essentially leads the pack among other high-end ice chests. But you won’t get the host of features, accessories, and color options that other cooler brands can be brought to the table.
