MILEE Cooler Review
Updated by Brandon F. on February 8, 2022
One of our readers mentioned MILEE coolers to us so we decided to check them out. We had a hard time sourcing the backstory on MILEE. While some people only care about the final product, we like to read up on a company, its ideals, etc. Well when it came to MILEE, we didn’t have much luck. They don’t have a website that we could find and most of their business seems to be on online retailers such as Amazon.
As for their product lineup, they currently offer a small but relatively popular lineup of hard-sided coolers. These coolers are eerily similar to other brands that we have tested and we can only assume that they are going to the same source for them (more on that below).
In this huge MILEE Cooler Review, we will put these ice chests through our typical ice tests, inspect their features, discuss aesthetics, evaluate pricing, and more.
But before we get into all of that, check out the table below for a quick rundown and links to the best MILEE Coolers that you can buy online.
MILEE Cooler Lineup
MILEE is a small company and its product lineup is quite limited. At the time of this writing, the only sizes that we could find were 20 Quart, 45 Quart, 70 Quart, and 75 Quart. And all of these models come in hard-sided configurations only. If you are after a smaller personal-sized cooler, a huge cooler, or any sort of soft-sided cooler, you will be out of luck when it comes to MILEE.
But while the options are limited, MILEE does manage to offer up sizes that will meet most people’s needs. We have found that 20 to 70-quart hard-sided coolers are the best-selling products for many brands so it is no surprise that so many cooler companies seem to focus on it.
As for design approaches, you will find a lot of common features among all sizes. The most notable differences lie in the 20 Quart model as it replaces side handles with a rotating overhead carrying handle and the 70 Quart model comes with a pair of wheels. But more on all of that in the features section below!
MILEE Cooler Features
Before we dig into the various features that MILEE Coolers offer, we need to make something clear. We see A LOT of similarities between MILEE Coolers, Vibe Coolers, and nICE Coolers. They come in essentially the same sizes, have the same shapes, and utilize seemingly identical features. There are so many similarities that we have a hunch that they may all be coming from the same manufacturer. And if they aren’t the same manufacturer, they come from sources that are extremely similar in how they design a cooler.
That being said, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you check out our other reviews, you will find that nICE Coolers and Vibe Coolers are among some of the highest-rated coolers that we have tested. These coolers, however similar they may be, work and work well. And they do so at a much more affordable asking price than quite a few other premium coolers on the market.
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s break down the features.
Seeing how a cooler’s core function is to keep items cool, having features in place that assist with prolonging ice life is essential. With MILEE Coolers, you will find rotomolded walls that are filled with a thick layer of insulation. Depending on the specific cooler and wall you are looking at, you can expect 2 ½ to 3 ½ inch thick walls to be common. This is an acceptable thickness and helps to minimize how much hot external air can come in through the walls.
Working in conjunction with these thick insulated walls is a freezer-grade gasket. And this freezer-grade gasket gets plenty of squeeze thanks to the thick rubber T-latches on the front of the cooler. All 4 sizes of MILEE Coolers will come with 2 T-Latches. We wouldn’t mind seeing a third T-latch in the middle of the larger sizes to provide more closing force, but it is a minor complaint.
It is worth mentioning that the thick walls and one-piece construction also play a huge role in the toughness. Where there does need to be hardware to attach parts (such as between the body and the lid), you will find quality stainless steel components. The one negative comes in the warranty. We couldn’t find a long 3+ year warranty on MILEE Coolers like we are used to seeing on other premium coolers. Also, these coolers are currently not Certified Grizzly Bear Resistant by the IGBC.
For transport, you will find a comfortable overhead carrying handle on the 20-quart model. There is a padded grip that is pretty resistant to water. This is very helpful because even the 20-quart model can be pretty heavy when full of ice and drinks.
As for the larger models, the overhead handle is replaced with more traditional side nylon rope handles. You will also find rubber grips located on both of the side handles to assist with carrying. While a single person could technically carry the larger models, we always recommend partnering up (particularly when the cooler is full). Remember: a full cooler of this size can easily weigh hundreds of pounds!
The most notable other feature related to transportation lies in the 70 Quart Model. On the right side of the cooler (when looking at it from the front), MILEE has included a pretty rugged set of rubber wheels. This allows you to either carry the cooler in a traditional method of towing it along using the wheels. This is a great idea and we always enjoy cooler companies that implement wheels in their coolers.
So far most of the features that we have discussed are extremely common on most premium coolers. The next few, however, are what help to make MILEE stand out from the crowd.
First off, you will find metal bottle openers located on the front corners of the cooler. We all know how frustrating it is when you are out on the lake and don’t have a bottle opener lying around. Now all you have to do is find your cooler and your problem is solved!
For draining melted ice, there is a handy no-leak drain plug located on the side of the cooler. And for helping to keep your ice chest secure while transporting, there are helped molded tie-down slots located on various faces.
One of our favorite aspects of the MILEE Coolers is that they include additional components that would normally cost extra with most other coolers. These extras include a cutting board/divider for inside the cooler, and dry goods basket that can be mounted above the ice, and an external cup holder that can be fasted to the outside of the cooler to hold your drinks. Buying these components individually could cost upwards of 50 dollars with certain other brands.
Finally, probably the most recognizable feature on MILEE Coolers is the front pressure release button. This button, when pressed, will equalize the air pressure inside the cooler with the air outside. This can help alleviate those annoying times when your cooler will create a vacuum seal due to the difference in air pressure because of the cold air inside condensing.
As you can see, there are plenty of great features on MILEE Coolers. Some of these features are quite common while others, such as the built-in bottle openers and pressure release valve, are a bit more unique. But overall, we are quite content with the features that are in place.
MILEE Cooler Ice Life
When you are spending good money on a premium cooler, you expect impressive ice life. MILEE Coolers have most of the features that we like to see when it comes to maximizing ice life (thick insulated walls, strong latches, large gasket, etc.) but how does this translate to real-life numbers?
To find out, we put our test coolers through our typical ice tests. This consists of filling the cooler up with a recommended amount of ice (typically around a 2:1 ratio of ice to cans/food), leaving it out in the Texas heat, and occasionally opening it. This gives more accurate real-life results than, say, filling the cooler up to the top with ice, leaving it inside, and never opening it.
You can see our results in the chart below:
Ice life is quite good across the board. While MILEE Coolers are not going to win the award for the longest ice life in the industry, they are certainly towards the top end of the spectrum. And this can be attributed to their thick roto-molded walls and great air seal.
Specifically, you can anticipate the smallest size, the MILEE 20 Quart, to hold ice for a solid two days in typical summertime conditions. As you scale up to larger sizes, the ice life will increase up to almost a week for the largest model, the MILEE 75 Quart.
As we suspected, these results are eerily similar to the results that we had for similar sizes of nICE Coolers and Vibe Coolers. And this further supports our claim that these are essentially the same coolers.
Overall, we are quite happy with these results. Quite frankly, most people only need a day or two of ice retention for most applications. And no matter what size of MILEE Cooler you go with, you should achieve this. And for people who do happen to need more, you will enjoy even longer ice retention in the larger models.
MILEE Cooler Aesthetics
From a looks standpoint, MILEE Coolers have some definite pros and some definite cons.
Their positives include the overall shape and design of the cooler. The subtle curves are nice but what really “pops” are the stainless steel bottle openers on the corners and the pressure release button. In a world of coolers with “boring” front faces, the unique pressure release valve is sure to turn some heads at your next tailgate or boat party.
But in terms of color options, we are quite underwhelmed. We aren’t sure if it is because MILEE is in the process of updating their coolers or that certain models are in limited supply, but the available colors are all over the place. And in all cases, the sheer selection of colors is quite lacking.
For instance, the only two color choices that we could find in the 20 Quart model are Sky Blue and Sea Foam Green. And while we enjoy both colors, we wish that there were more options to pick from. Noticeably missing are plain colors such as whites, tans, or grays in most models. Many people may not want a cooler with colors that pop as much as these do. And that could cause them to look elsewhere for their next ice chest.
The larger models are equally varied. In the large 75 Quart ice chest, the only colors we could find were a Marble and a Marine Camo. Again, both colors look great! But where is the variety? The more colors, the better as far as we are concerned!
Also, being a smaller company, MILEE doesn’t offer anything in the way of custom colors or specialized decals, or team logos. What you see is what you get so hopefully you are content with only one or two random color choices!
MILEE Cooler Price
MILEE Coolers utilize many of the premium features that we expect to see from a brand that hopes to compete with the best. Rotomolded construction, stainless steel hardware, and high-quality rubbers aren’t cheap. However, MILEE seems to be aiming to be a “low-cost” version of a premium cooler. While they certainly aren’t cheap, they are noticeably more affordable than certain brands such as Yeti and Orca.
But it does come with some sacrifices. Lack of custom options, a shorter warranty, and less brand recognition to name a few. But to many, these things don’t matter. They simply want the best performing cooler for the best price. And in that regard, MILEE is quite good.
However, it is worth mentioning the close resemblance to nICE and Vibe Coolers yet again in this section. Due to their very similar features and performance, your best bet is to go with whichever of these 3 brands happen to be the most affordable at that time (as long as you aren’t partial to a specific color).
MILEE Cooler vs. Yeti
Yeti has and continues to be the most popular name in the high-end cooler world. Not only are their ice chests great from a performance standpoint, but they also have the name recognition that few, if any, other cooler brands can match.
MILEE, on the other hand, is a relatively unknown brand. They aim for equal performance to a Yeti but at a fraction of the price.
So which is better between MILEE and Yeti?
In terms of raw performance, both are extremely similar. You will find ice life and toughness to be neck to neck for a given size.
In regards to features, we have to give a slight nod to MILEE. While Yeti may have a larger selection of additional accessories that you can purchase, MILEE is winning the race when it comes to what you get when you simply buy one of their coolers.
But Yeti has a clear edge in several categories. You will find the size selection, color choices, customer support, and warranty much better in a Yeti Cooler than a MILEE Cooler. Also, Yeti has the name recognition that MILEE can’t match.
In summary, the better cooler for you will depend on your specific needs. If you are after strictly the best bang for your buck when it comes to ice life and features, MILEE presents a strong case. But if you are after more flexibility when it comes to color/size choices as well as peace of mind that comes with a proven warranty (and a deeper pocketbook) then Yeti is probably the best choice for you.
But no matter which brand you go with, you are going to enjoy a great cooler.
MILEE Cooler Review
Pros: Good performance for the price, A lot of features
Cons: Limited Size/Color choices, Missing great warranty
Features: Rotomolded construction, Oversized rubber gasket, Stainless steel bottle openers, Nylon rope handles, Tie-down slots, Dry goods basket, External cup holder, Divider/Cutting Board, Pressure release valve, Wheeled options
MILEE is a small company with limited cooler options. But what they do have are solid performers for someone who is trying to stick to a budget but still wants the benefits of a high-end cooler. You can choose from 20, 45, 70, and 75-Quart hard-sided models. You will find a nice array of features and solid ice life but with less customer support, warranty coverage, and customization options than the big guys.
Insulation Ability – 
You will find nice ice life no matter which model of MILEE Cooler you go with. On the smaller end, their 20 Quart example should yield around 2 days of ice life in typical demanding conditions. If you scale up to one of their larger models, this increases to anywhere from 4 up to almost a week of ice life. This can be attributed to the thick insulated walls, large rubber gasket, and solid clamping force from the rubber T-latches.
Mobility and Durability – 
From a toughness standpoint, these are solid contenders. The one-piece rotomolded construction has proven time and time again to be one of the most reliable approaches in the industry. And the other components aren’t too shabby either: quality stainless steel hardware, freezer-grade gaskets, and more. What is lacking is the multi-year warranty and proven customer service that is provided by some of the larger companies.
As for features, there is quite a bit to get excited about. You will have many of your “normal” features such as the features mentioned above in addition to a high-flow drain port, tie-down points, and non-skid feet. But in addition to this, you will find bottle openers on the corners of the cooler, a pressure release valve, a dry goods basket, a cutting board/divider, a cup holder, and more. This is a solid list of features considering the respectable price point.
Visual Appeal – 
While we don’t have any qualms with the overall design or shape of a MILEE cooler, what do we have issues with is the severe lack of color choices. We do suspect that this a simply a case of supply and demand and that the places where we shop for coolers are simply limited in color options. But for you, the consumer, this can be quite frustrating. Many sizes that we tested only had two colors available. What happens if you don’t want a bright green or blue cooler?
Also, there isn’t much in the way of custom decals or color choices.
Again, we think that the design of the coolers is nice. But we simply want more color options.
Cost –
These are premium coolers and, as such, will fall into the premium cooler price range. But they are noticeably more affordable than some of the other high-end cooler brands that we have tested. And when comparing features, performance, and toughness, MILEE makes a strong case that you should go with them over one of these other brands.
But due to the extreme similarities that MILEE coolers share with nICE Coolers and Vibe Coolers, we encourage you to check both of those brands out as well. If you are dead-set on a 45-quart cooler, for instance, compare the prices from all three brands for that size. And whichever you can find for the cheapest should be the one that you go with because they are all so similar in their performance and features.
Overall Rating –
We enjoyed testing MILEE Coolers but saw a lot of similarities between other brands in their approach. However, this formula is proven to be successful so we can’t complain too much. You will find great ice life, plenty of nice features, and a reasonable price if you decide to go with MILEE. But the color choices and limited warranty are worth mentioning. But in terms of bang for your buck, MILEE makes a strong case (along with nICE and Vibe).
