Igloo Island Breeze Cooler Review

Storage Size: 28, 48, 50, and 60 quart sizes

Construction: Plastic composition

Cost: Budget to intermediate-priced

Features: Push-button telescoping handle, soft-ride wheels, molded side scoop handles, elevated design

Pros: Quite durable, wheeled options for mobility, modern look, decent price

Cons: Low cooling ability, the lid can be stubborn

Check Current Prices on Amazon

Last Updated by Brandon F. on August 12, 2022

This is our Igloo Island Breeze Cooler Review.  The Igloo Island Breeze coolers have an updated and progressive design and also utilize cool riser technology, which elevates the base of the cooler off of the ground, reducing the heat transfer that exists between the base of the cooler and the ground.  We are seeing this technology put into more and more Igloo Coolers with great results.  Also, it has a slotted lid for easy stacking and a curved backside to assist in carrying comfort. 

Depending on the size, there are either side handles or an overhead carrying handle.  Furthermore, some sizes come with wheels.  It is available in a variety of sizes, in 3 different colors, is made of plastic, and is offered in 9, 28, and 48 quart non-wheeled and 28, 50, and 60 quart wheeled examples.

Insulation Ability –

Insulation on Igloo Island Breeze Coolers isn’t anything amazing.  Despite the cool riser technology, you might get 2 days’ worth of ice performance out of them but after that will need to refill it.   This can be attributed to the rather thin walls (less than an inch) that simply allow too much cold air to escape. Also, the popular Ultratherm insulation that we have seen in many other Igloo products isn’t present here.

Buy on Amazon

The lid can also be somewhat sketchy and it is important to push down very firmly on it when you close it. Failure to do so can cause the cooling performance to drop to mere hours.  Also, the fact that the available sizes are not on the large side plays a part.  This is because larger coolers typically hold ice longer than smaller coolers.

These products are fine for a day on the beach but may struggle to do much beyond that.  If that is all you are looking for then they will perform just fine.  But for many, they are looking for something more long-term than just a few hours to a day.  This will likely result in those shoppers having to shop around for a larger and more expensive ice chest with thicker walls and longer ice retention capabilities.  But for people who only need a few hours of cooling ability, this ice chest will work fine.

Mobility and Durability –

The Igloo Island Breeze Cooler is a pretty durable product, and the common issues that Igloo ice boxes experience in regards to weak hinges and handles are for the most part avoided here.  They are all relatively small and most sizes come with wheels so it is a very mobile-friendly product.

Also, the curved backside makes it not a painful experience to carry it around on your side.  The only major complaint is that the lid can be somewhat stubborn and very difficult to open.  It can require a lot of force to lift open and then require just as much to push it back down to guarantee a good seal.

Other helpful features include UV inhibitors being installed into the walls as well as Igloo Infrared Technology.  These help to protect the cooler against the harmful UV rays from the sun.  This is particularly important on colored coolers as, without these helpful features, color can quickly fade over time.  Carrying methods will vary.  For the largest sizes, you will have swinging side handles while the smaller sizes will have overhead swing-up hand handles.  And the wheeled versions will have an extendable locking tow arm.

Visual Appeal – 

Buy on Amazon

These ice chests are available in red, blue, and white (and recently green) so there are a few options to work with.  The updated progressive external look is a nice touch, and the features such as the cool riser technology and stacking features are incorporated nicely.  We wish there were built-in cup holders, however.  Also, the cooler won’t give off a sense of “toughness” like many other larger coolers on the market.  This may not matter to a lot of people but to others who value an aggressive look, it will dock a few points.

Cost – 

Online prices vary quite a bit with this product.  Expect to pay in the mid-budget range up to hovering in the extremely low intermediate tier.  This is a competitive price for what is a very simple cooler.  You don’t get a ton of ice life or features but we can’t be too picky given the nice price point.  But some people may be willing to spend a bit more on more features.

Overall Rating – 

The Igloo Island Breeze Cooler Review receives 3 out of 5 coolers.  The upgraded cooler shell is a nice touch and the shape helps to make it a very user-friendly cooler.  We also like the protection implemented against UV damage.  The cooling ability is a bit on the low side, however, so this would only be a recommendation for a quick day or short weekend trip.  And why is the lid so hard to open and close?  With a few small tweaks, this could be a great cooler but, given the price, we can’t complain too much.