I’ve tested dozens of high-end coolers, and the New Arctic Zone Roto Molded Cooler has a feature I’ve never seen before.
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Arctic Zone Launched a Roto Molded Cooler, and We Put It to the Test
Updated Sep. 09, 2024
Tailgating season has officially arrived, so we’re back with another cooler review because who wants to show up at the tailgate empty-handed—or worse, with warm drinks?
You’re probably familiar with—or have at least heard of—Arctic Zone, the brand that makes reliable and affordable lunch bags and soft coolers. But you might be less familiar with Titan Pro Outdoor Gear, which makes rotomolded hard and welded coolers. Arctic Zone, Titan by Arctic Zone and Titan Pro Outdoor Gear are all brands of the same company. Titan Pro is Arctic Zone’s luxury brand and offers quality, hard-shell coolers with standout features.
When we heard Titan Pro was launching a roto hard cooler, we knew we’d need to test it to see how it performs. Ahead, read our unfiltered review of the all-new Titan Pro cooler.
What is the Titan Pro 25Q Roto Hard Cooler?
Arctic Zone designed the Titan Pro 25 Quart Roto Cooler to hold ice for days. Its rotomolded construction is incredibly durable and offers high-performance insulation. The rugged exterior features heavy-duty, easy-open latches, plus a dual-grip drain tethered to the inside so you don’t lose it. It also features an adjustable shoulder strap that converts to a handle so you can carry it in whichever way is most comfortable.
It comes with the Ice Saver performance booster, a thermal cover that sits over the cooler’s contents to reduce ice melt by keeping warm air off of it. The cooler’s freezer-grade gasket helps keep contents cold longer, too, with an impressively tight seal. Additionally, the cooler’s hard plastic shell inhibits the growth of bacterial odors and stains, so it’s easy to clean.
The 25Q Roto Hard Cooler comes in three neutral colors (tan, gray and white), and it has features we’ve never seen before in all of our days of cooler testing.
MARY HENN/FAMILY HANDYMAN
I Tried It
Titan Pro 25Q High Performance Roto Hard Cooler
The perfect cooler for any outdoor activity, even at night thanks to the integrated interior light.
Pros:
- Interior, waterproof light that detaches and turns on when lid is open
- Great ice retention, comparable to other high-end brands like Yeti
- Ice Saver performance booster extends longevity of ice
- Durable
- Easy-to-use latches
- Stainless-steel bottle opener
- Gear Grabber bungee system holds extra items on top
Cons:
- Ice Saver thermal cover doesn’t fit perfectly; seems like sizing could be better
- Only available in 3 neutral colors
Features We’ve Never Seen Before
The Titan Pro 25Q Roto Cooler has a capacity of 25 quarts (as is in the name) and weighs just over 19 pounds when empty. It’s not just another rotomolded cooler, though: It boasts a few features we haven’t seen in any other ice chests we’ve tested.
Integrated Interior Light
Okay, this cooler has one of the coolest (pun intended) features we’ve seen: an interior light! That’s right, make nighttime fishing and camping easier with this cooler’s waterproof, removable LED light. It turns on when the lid is opened, and you can remove it from the interior wall of the cooler to use it as a flashlight or lantern.
Bungee Gear System and Other Accessories
One of my favorite features on this cooler is the bungee system on top of the lid. It allows you to carry small packs and blankets with your food and beverages. It also has a convenient, stainless-steel bottle opener in the front outside corner. Multiple tie-down slots, anti-skid foot pads and padlock compatibility add security to your adventure.
Superior Ice Retention
Regarding ice retention, Titan Pro claims the cooler can hold ice for more than six days if it’s 100% full of ice and packed with the Ice Saver performance booster. But let’s be honest: How often do you haul a cooler of just ice? When half-full of ice and half-full of food or drink, the cooler is said to hold ice for three days (four with the Ice Saver performance booster). If that’s the case, the Titan Pro cooler rivals other popular hard coolers from brands like Yeti in terms of ice retention.
Microban®
For hunters and anglers–and, honestly, anyone concerned with keeping their cooler odor-free–Arctic Zone included Microban technology in the construction of this ice chest. It inhibits the growth of bacteria, which can cause odors and stains. This is an especially great feature for those hauling raw meat or fish in their cooler.
IP65 Waterproof and Dustproof Rating
This cooler holds a rating of IP65, meaning it’s impervious to dust and solid foregin objects, as well as protected against water jets. So, no worries if you’re out at the beach and rain starts to fall, or if your kayak paddle splashes water onto the cooler.
We tested all its features to see if the claims were valid.
How We Tested It
When I unboxed the Titan Pro 25Q Roto Hard Cooler, I was seriously impressed with its overall design. I opted for the driftwood tan color, which is a light beige in person, and I love it. I immediately noticed from the design that the high-performance cooler is made for the outdoors: Its heavy-duty latching system and bungee top clue you in to this. However, I also appreciated the built-in bottle opener and shoulder strap, which make the versatile cooler great for game days and day trips.
I audibly gasped when I opened the cooler and discovered the interior light, which turns on when the lid is lifted. Coincidentally, I opened the cooler for the first time at night, and the LED light completely illuminated the cooler’s interior—no batteries or switches necessary. The cooler light up right out of the box. This is one of my all-time favorite features I’ve seen in a cooler, and it would be very handy for nighttime fishing, camping overnight or tailgating in the evening after the sun goes down.
I also noticed the secure latches and tight seal right away. Ensuring your cooler latches properly and has a tight seal helps with ice retention. Some coolers can be difficult to open, close and latch, but the Titan Pro cooler is easy to flip open and snap shut, which is essential when trying to get food and drinks out quickly.
To test the cooler’s durability and ice retention, I packed it for a weekend getaway with my family. The cooler stayed sealed shut while moving around in the back of my Subaru, and nothing leaked from the top or drain plug. No condensation appeared anywhere on the outside of the cooler. For the trip, I packed the cooler with two bags.
In other words, I packed it about 3/4 of the way with ice cubes. I could fit eight beverages and a few baggies full of fruits and veggies comfortably, but I could have fit more if I had used less ice. The ice remained intact, and the cooler’s contents stayed cold effortlessly after two days of being in 70+ degree weather. By the third day, about half of the ice was still intact and half of the ice had melted and pooled in the bottom of the cooler.
Some of the ice probably would have lasted longer, but I emptied and unpacked the cooler after returning home and finding the ice half-melted. I recommend using block ice or reusable ice packs for longer-lasting ice to avoid this. Additionally, ice packs won’t melt, and cooler contents won’t get wet and soggy.
While I think the 25-quart size is perfect for road trips, tailgate parties and days at the beach, I’m not sure this size is big enough to hold more than what you’d need for a day or two. Of course, that depends on how much ice you use, what you pack and how many people you’re packing for. I recommend sizing up to the 55-quart cooler if you want it to hold food and beverages for more than a couple of people or more than a couple of days.
Why You Should Trust Us
Shopping Editor Mary Henn is an expert product tester at Family Handyman. She has tested hundreds of products, including hard and soft coolers from leading brands like Yeti, BruMate, HydroFlask, Oyster, RTIC and more. Mary has extensive experience with the best coolers and often puts them through rigorous tests to compare them. (Check out her comparison of the Oyster Tempo Cooler vs. the Yeti Roadie.) When testing outdoor gear like coolers, she considers performance, quality, added features and overall value.
FAQ
Is Titan as good as Yeti?
Truthfully, I found that the Titan Pro cooler had more built-in features (light, bungee strips, bottle opener, etc.) than other brands I’ve tested, and its ice retention was comparable to Yeti coolers. However, Yeti has tons of additional accessories you can add to your cooler (at a price, of course) and more styles and colors of coolers. Yeti also has a number of durable and useful non-cooler items, like the Yeti Loadout Go Box.
How long does ice last in the Titan cooler?
According to the website, the Titan Pro Roto Hard Cooler will hold ice for around six days if it is 100% full of cubed ice. If it is 66% full, it will hold ice for 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 days; if it is 50% full, it will hold ice for 3-4 days. (This swamp cooler hack can help keep the contents of your ice chest colder for longer.)
What Others Have to Say About the Titan Pro Cooler
Other reviews talk about how handy the built-in light is, especially without a headlamp or phone nearby. Additionally, people talk about the cooler’s impressive ice retention and how its size is perfect for quick weekend getaways. It’s great if you have limited space in your car. One reviewer even goes as far as to say it’s a game-changer in extreme weather. “The Titan Pro High Performance 25Q has been absolutely amazing keeping ice for the weekend, even when the outside of the cooler is too hot to even sit on,” says John Patrick of Phoenix, Arizona.
Titan Pro 25Q Roto Hard Cooler vs. Titan Pro Leak Proof Welded Cooler
Titan Pro manufactures two kinds of coolers: roto hard coolers and welded coolers (which are launching soon). The Welded Cooler has a more portable body with a hard liner and fabric outer shell. It also has plenty of dry cargo compartments, a tie-down compression strap, an adjustable shoulder strap and two side mesh pockets for carrying all your food and drinks for a long-haul hike.
A smart shelf fits near the top and holds bottles in place while keeping food items from getting wet and soggy. Like the Titan Pro roto hard cooler, the welded cooler has an attached stainless steel bottle opener, antimicrobial protection and high-performance insulation. However, you’ll sacrifice some other features, like a built-in light and maximum ice retention, for portability.
Final Verdict
We have not seen a better cooler for nighttime use in all our cooler testing. If you fish or camp at night, this cooler has unbeatable features. Its ice retention capabilities are on par with those of other roto hard coolers from other big brands. I would only add a set of wheels to this cooler.
When full of ice, the cooler becomes quite heavy for shoulder carrying. However, that shouldn’t be an issue if you don’t need to walk far with it. It’s ideal for keeping in the back of a truck or on a boat, and the shoulder strap/handle is excellent for carrying the cooler short distances.
Where to Buy the Titan Pro Roto Hard Cooler
MARY HENN/FAMILY HANDYMAN
I Tried It
Titan Pro 25Q High Performance Roto Hard Cooler
The perfect cooler for nighttime activites
The Titan Pro 25Q Roto Hard Cooler is available on Amazon for $275. You can also shop the Titan Pro 55Q Roto Hard Cooler on Amazon and other products from Arctic Zone and Titan by Arctic Zone.
Originally Published: September 09, 2024
