Maybe it's the nostalgia of buying an Igloo cooler, or perhaps it's because Igloo coolers have really stepped up their game.
No matter the reason, you're looking to buy an Igloo cooler, and I don't blame you.
It can feel overwhelming looking at all the newer companies with their rotomolded coolers that will cost you an arm and a leg.
Igloo coolers are budget-friendly and backed by years of production. Plus, Igloo has some really neat stuff on the market.
But, shopping for Igloo coolers can get confusing. So, here it is:
Places to buy Igloo coolers:
- Amazon
- Igloocoolers.com
- Igloo Company Store
- Retail Stores
Igloo coolers are sold on the company’s website, igloocoolers.com, on Amazon through the Igloo store, at the company store in Texas, and throughout the country in retail stores.
It's hard to enter a hardware or outdoor store without seeing Igloo products on the shelves.
So, what’s the difference? And where can you find the best Igloo cooler?
Where to Buy Igloo Coolers
Igloo does not have information on its website about authorized dealers.
Amazon | igloocoolers.com | Igloo Company Store | Retail Stores | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Warranty | 1-year warranty on coolers; 5-year warranty on rotomolded and IMX coolers | 1-year warranty on coolers; 5-year warranty on rotomolded and IMX coolers | 1-year warranty on coolers; 5-year warranty on rotomolded and IMX coolers | 1-year warranty on coolers; 5-year warranty on rotomolded and IMX coolers |
Return Policy | Free returns from amazon.com | 30-day return window with a shipping fee | 30-day return window | Store-specific |
Shipping | Free with an Amazon Prime membership | Free shipping on orders above $100 | N/A | Store-specific |
Shipping Time | 1-2 days | 3-6 days | N/A | N/A or store-specific |
Igloo Company Store
Igloo has a company store in Texas if you are ever in the area.
You can peruse this small but packed store to check out all of Igloo's newest gear and talk to Igloo representatives.
Retail Stores
Loads of authorized dealers sell Igloo products.
Igloo coolers, drinkware, and Playmates are sold through tons of authorized dealers.
Some of these stores are extremely large, while others are small mom-and-pop shops.
Here’s a quick list of SOME of these dealers:
- Walmart
- Target
- The Home Depot
- Kohl’s
- Lowe’s
- DICK’S Sporting Goods
- Ace Hardware
- REI
When shopping for Igloo products at a retail store, you must follow the policies of that particular store.
In other words, if you purchase a cooler from Lowe's and wish to return it, you must follow Lowe's return policy. It's the same with shipping times, free shipping, and customer service.
Unless you want to make a warranty claim, nothing transfers to igloocoolers.com.
The advantage of buying from a retail store is that you can see, touch, and compare the product in person.
Additionally, I like comparing the sizes of coolers before choosing one.
Image by: Glamisduner
Amazon vs. Igloocoolers.com
When comparing, I looked specifically at the Igloo Store on Amazon instead of third-party dealers.
Warranty
There are different warranty periods for the coolers on igloocoolers.com.
For example, rotomolded coolers (Sportsman and Yukon) and IMX coolers have a 5-year warranty period.
The BMX cooler line has a 3-year warranty period, while everything else is 1-year.
A Warranty Submission form on the website must be filled out to claim the warranty.
On the form, there is a spot for Purchase Location. To me, this indicates that the warranty covers all Igloo purchases, no matter where those purchases took place, including Amazon.
Amazon also offers an additional 2-year or 3-year protection plan at an upcharge.
Return Policy
You can return items to igloocoolers.com within 30 days of your purchase. However, you will be charged a return shipping fee on a sliding scale based on your order price.
So, the more expensive your order was, the higher the return shipping fee will be.
Once the product is returned, it will be inspected and a refund will be processed within 7-10 business days. Igloo does not offer store credit.
Returning to Amazon is straightforward, convenient, and free.
Prices and Sales
Comparing 1:1 on Amazon to igloocoolers.com, igloocoolers.com has significantly better prices.
That said, sales on Amazon brought the prices down to those on igloocoolers.com.
Your best chance for a deal is to purchase from the website during a sale, such as the Labor Day Sale or Black Friday.
Igloocoolers.com and Amazon are not linked in sales. Check both sites for sale prices before purchasing.
Shipping
Currently, on the igloocoolers.com website, you can play a retro 8-bit video game to win free shipping, which is pretty neat.
In addition, igloocoolers.com offers free shipping on orders over $100. Anything under that amount is charged at a flat rate based on your order weight.
- Under 2 lbs: $5.99
- 2 lbs -14.99 lbs: $9.99
- 15 lbs - 34.99 lbs: $15.99
- 35 lbs and up: $19.99
Items are shipped from Katy, Texas and take 3-6 business days to arrive. The closer you are to Texas, the sooner you'll get your package.
Amazon offers free shipping on all orders and next-day shipping with an Amazon Prime subscription.
Custom Orders
Igloo does not do custom orders, as far as I can tell.
It does, however, have tons of limited releases on its website. I'll be honest; I went into quite the rabbit hole looking at all the fantastic Playmate choices and thinking about how cool they would be for Christmas gifts.
Currently, Igloo offers NFL, The Simpsons, Disney, and Star Wars, to name just a few.
The website also has styles I haven’t seen in stores, such as the Retro line and the Legacy Cooler line.
These unique coolers are unavailable on Amazon and may be in stores, but most likely are not.
Customer Service
You can contact Igloo’s customer service by email or phone during business hours. They will respond to emails within 2 business days.
Their email is: [email protected]
And their phone is: 1-800-273-7024
Amazon's customer service can be accessed through a contact-us form.
The Best Igloo Cooler on the Market Right Now
In my opinion, this is the best Igloo cooler on the market right now. The cooler holds up to 35 cans and boasts four days of ice retention.
IMX coolers use Ulratherm insulation and have the longest-lasting ice retention among all Igloo coolers.
They have durable, marine-grade rubberized lid latches and are injection-molded to provide durability.
This cooler is lightweight but also quite heavy-duty. It has neat features like a bottle opener, cup holders, a fish ruler, and a wire basket.
This cooler weighs 16 lbs, which is impressive for its size and durability.
Customers love that the IMX cooler is well priced, has a sleek design, and holds ice really well.
Campers love this cooler because it's a nice size to keep food and beer for a weekend trip but small enough to store in a bear locker.
FAQs
Is Igloo a Good Cooler?
Igloo produces the best-performing coolers on a budget. Rotomolded coolers that put a hole in your pocket perform better in terms of ice retention, but at a cost.
Is an Igloo Cooler as Good as a YETI?
While Igloo coolers provide better value for the money, YETI coolers offer better performance.
One of the differences is that YETI coolers are rotomolded, while Igloo coolers are injection-molded.
Rotomolded coolers have better ice retention and are more durable, whereas injection-molded coolers are budget friendly and lightweight.
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Kendall Casey
Kendall is a freelance outdoor adventure writer passionate about educating those who wish to explore the outdoors. When Kendall isn’t writing, she is exploring the woods of the US Northeast on foot or kayak.
