Last Updated on December 17, 2020
Engel Coolers is fast becoming a big hit in the coolers market and for good reasons. For starters, its performance has been constantly compared to Yeti and Orion Coolers. Compared to a Yet, it can easily save you as much as $200 just by selecting any of its wide range of product offerings. The brand has teased you should watch out for a fiercer product lineup come 2021 with the introduction of a new US-made injection-molded coolers and soft coolers.
For now, whether it is a rotomolded cooler or an Engel lunch box that you are eyeing, keep reading to find out the finer details before spending.
Photo courtesy of Engel Coolers
Contents
About Engel Coolers
Since 1962, the brand has grown steadily over the years. Products are sold in physical and online stores, and in online marketplaces such as Amazon.
Today, the product line includes hard coolers, soft coolers, drybox coolers, and live bait coolers.
Photo courtesy of Engel Coolers
Engel Hard Coolers
| Product | Interior Dimensions (l x w x h) (inches) | Weight (lbs) | Standard Can Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG25 See Price | 14½ x 9 ¼ x 9 1/4 | 18 | 24 |
| ENG35 See Price | 19 ½ x 9 3/4 x 10 1/4 | 22 | 42 |
| ENG45 See Price | 21 ½ x 13 ½ x 9 ½ | 26 | 48 |
| ENG50 See Price | 18 x 11 ¾ x 13 ¼ | 24 | 60 |
| ENG65 See Price | 23 ½ x 11 ½ x 12 | 26 | 90 |
| ENG80 See Price | 28 ¼ x 11 ¼ x 13 | 32 | 100 |
| ENG85 See Price | 26 ½ x 13 ¼ x 12 | 35 | 96 |
| ENG123 See Price | 35 ¼ x 13 x 13 1/2 | 42 | 130 |
| ENG165 See Price | 41 x 13 ½ x 17 ½ | 58 | 264 |
| ENG240 See Price | 45 ½ x 16 ¾ x 17 ¼ | 65 | 347 |
| ENG320 See Price | 55 ½ x 16 ½ x 18 ½ | 82.5 | 341 |
The product lineup consists of 12 products ranging from a 25-quart all the way to a 320- quart. The product line also includes the Engel High-Performance Roto-Molded Water Cooler.
Hard coolers are built for toughness and are designed to survive the demanding outdoors. If you like taking your coolers for trekking, kayaking, and other outdoor adventures, these hard coolers are for you.
Photo courtesy of Engel Coolers
Engel Soft Coolers
| Product | Interior Dimensions (l x w x h) (inches) | Weight (lbs) | Standard Can Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engel HD20 22-qt Tote See Price | 15 x 8 1/2 x 10 | 3 ½ | 24 |
| Engel HD30 32-qt Tote See Price | 18 x 7 ½ x 13 | 5 ¼ | 48 |
| Engel 23-qt Backpack See Price | 18 x 7 x 16 ½ | 4 | 24 |
Looking for an Engel lunch box? The brand does not give you just one but three products to choose from. Product lineup includes the Engel 23-quart backpack, 22-qt tote, and 32-qt tote,
Photo courtesy of Engel Coolers
Engel Drybox Coolers
| Product | Interior Dimensions (l x w x h) (inches) | Weight (lbs) | Standard Can Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engel 7.5-qt Drybox Cooler See Price | 10 ½ x ˜7 ¼ x 6 ¼ | 2.5 | 8 |
| Engel 13-qt Drybox Cooler See Price | 8 ½ x 12 x 7 | 3.5 | 18 |
| Engel 19-qt Drybox Cooler See Price | 10 x 13 ½ x 8 | 5.5 | 32 |
| Engel 30-qt Drybox Cooler See Price | 16 ½ x 11 ½ x 9 ½ | 7 | 48 |
| Engel 13-qt Live Bait Drybox.Cooler See Price | 8 ½ x 12 x 7 | 3.5 | 18 |
| Engel 19-qt Live Bait Drybox.Cooler See Price | 10 x 13 ½ x 8 | 5.5 | 32 |
| Engel 30-qt Live Bait Drybox.Cooler See Price | 16 ½ x 11 ½ x 9 ½ | 7 | 48 |
| Engel 30-qt Live Bait Drybox.Cooler with 4 rod holders See Price | 16 ½ x 11 ½ x 9 ½ | 7 | 48 |
When you like to keep your coolers and everything inside it dry and protected from soaking in ice cold water, take a closer look at Engel Drybox Coolers. It is water-resistant for up to 3-ft of water so you can safely store even your gadgets and expect no damage done at all.
There are four products to choose from in this range, available in 7.5, 13, 19, and 30-quart variants.
Photo courtesy of Engel Coolers
Engel Live Bait Coolers
Fancy a fishing weekend trip to the lake? Then Engel bait coolers will be the best cooler for the job. It takes the Drybox Cooler features to a higher level with the addition of a 2-speed aerator pumps that keep baits alive even as you’re soaking in a lot of sun.
Choices include 7.5, 13, 19, and 30-quart coolers. The 30-quart drybox cooler size comes in two variants. One comes with a net accessory only while the other comes with 4-rod holders.
Photo courtesy of Engel Coolers
Product Lineup
From highly specialized Engel bait coolers you can take for fishing trips to an Engel lunch box cooler you can take with you everyday to the school or office, or a quick day trip to the beach, there’s definitely a product in this brand to suit your needs and lifestyle.
To summarize your choices, here’s a table that organizes key product features so you can easily figure out the best model to suit your needs. Note that only products available on Amazon are included.
Photo courtesy of Engel Coolers
Engel Hard Coolers
- Seamless rotomolded construction
- 8 up to 10 days of ice retention, depending on cooler size
- IGBC-Certified Bear-Resistant Container
- All-silicone gaskets
Wide range of sizes from 25-qt to 320-qt
Engel Hard Coolers are well-known for their excellent ice retention capacity, even though reviews would still rank more expensive brands of coolers higher. At the end of the day, ice retention will depend on your intended use and how long you are planning to stay outdoors at any given time. Besides, ice retention is affected by several factors and not just the product construction and design.
Other than built to last, these hard coolers are made for the rugged outdoor terrain. Most importantly, all Engel Coolers come with a 10-year warranty. All you really need to worry about is getting the right size for your intended use and considering how many people will be in your company.
Pros
- This is rotomolded and comes with silicone gaskets that help keep cold in and heat out longer.
- Cooler at any size can retain ice for 8 up to 10 days.
- A wide range of cooler sizes ensures there’s a size to match every need.
- Equipped with a Unity Latch System made of stainless steel and also serves as a bottle opener.
- Wide range of color options available.
Cons
- Product quart capacity may not be accurate.
- Body is relatively heavy compared to other brands in the same category.
- Drain plugs are screwed and may prove to be a hassle when clearing it out.
Photo courtesy of Engel Coolers
Engel Soft-Sided Coolers
- Tear-resistant, 600-800+ denier polyester outer material
- 1-inch closed cell foam insulation
- UV-reflective outer lining
Available in two carry-on designs, tote and backpack:
The ideal Engel lunch box hanging by your shoulder or on your back can keep your food and drink cold or warm for up to 3 days. In addition, padded straps keep your shoulders and back comfortable. Air-resistant and waterproof, the best Engel Coolers are all-business when it comes to performance. Lastly, it also comes with a built-in bottle opener.
Pros
- The reflective outer material helps slow down heat absorption.
- Choices available include a tote and backpack design.
- Shoulder straps are adjustable whether in backpack or tote design.
- Lightweight product adds to portability.
- Design and construction result in ice retention of up to 3 days.
Cons
- Storage space and capacity may limit what you can bring.
- Ice retention capability depends on other factors including frequency of use.
Photo courtesy of Engel Coolers
Engel Drybox Coolers
- Leak-proof design and build
- Comes with both carry handles and shoulder straps
- Doubles as a dry box
- Made with non-absorbent material
- Built with airtight gasket seal
Available in four sizes:
- Engel 7.5-qt Drybox Cooler
- Engel 13-qt Drybox Cooler
- Engel 19-qt Drybox Cooler
- Engel 30-qt Drybox Cooler
All Engel Drybox Coolers purchases come with a 5-year warranty. What makes these coolers special is that these are specially designed to be leak-proof. That’s why when using these products, you won’t have to worry about accidental spillage. Moreover, these drybox coolers are also stain and odor resistant. Other than storing food, you may also use it as dry storage for electronics, documents, and other objects you want to stay protected from moisture and getting wet.
Pros
- All choices come with built-in accessories, including tray.
- These coolers are lightweight and compact.
- Non-absorbent surface makes it easy and hassle-free to clean and maintain.
- High quality screws and hinges promote durability.
- Dry cooler design improves food freshness without soaking in ice water.
Cons
- This may not perform as well as Engel live bait coolers if you intend to use it for fishing trips.
- Limited selection also provides limited capacity.
Photo courtesy of Engel Coolers
Engel Live Bait Drybox Cooler
- Supplied with 2-speed aerator pump
- Water-resistant
- Comes with a pull out net
- Resistant to odor and stain
4 sizes to choose from:
- Engel 13-qt Live Bait Drybox Cooler
- Engel 19-qt Live Bait Drybox Cooler
- Engel 30-qt Live Bait Drybox Cooler
- Engel 30-qt Live Bait Drybox Cooler with 4 rod holders
Engel live bait coolers keep expensive bait alive all day. So, at least, that gets your mind off worrying about your bait and actually enjoy fishing more. Moreover, these products can carry more bait while the design provides easier access when you need to get one on the hook. Carry handles are provided and so is a shoulder strap to keep you comfortable.
Pros
- Instead of a hang tray, Engel live bait coolers are built with a pull net.
- Provides larger capacity than other live bait coolers from other brands.
- Air pump provides a steady supply of aerated water.
- Cooler may be powered using a 12V adapter easily accessible in a car or boat.
- All purchases of Engel bait coolers come with a 5-year warranty.
Cons
- Limited capacity available from the range of choices.
- Pump is covered by a 30-day warranty and replacement only.
Photo courtesy of Engel Coolers
Buying Guide And Practical Tips
To sum up, Engel Coolers are more inexpensive than a Grizzly or a Yeti. So, you can easily save up to $200 simply by choosing this brand. Is it worth it? Well, that depends on many things, including these top three factors:
Intended Use And Ice Retention
If you like going on extended outdoor trips, particularly ones that last for at least 5 days or more, you will certainly require a high-performance cooler. There are Engel live bait coolers that perfectly suit you if you take regular fishing trips too.
If you’re looking for something to use daily or for daytime trips, and Engel lunch box should be sufficient. However, if the wild outdoors is your playground, you need a hard cooler built to take the rugged terrain and climate.
So, it does pay to think before your splurge. Besides, you don’t really require premium ice retention if you only need to keep your food warm or your drinks cool for an entire afternoon.
Size And Capacity
There is a wide range of products from this brand that come in all sizes and capacities for you to choose from. Thus, there must be one to suit your every need. An important question you need to answer is, “How many people are you packing for?” Other than that, think about how frequently you go on such trips.
Answering both should give you a good idea of whether or not you really need a large cooler or if a smaller one would suffice. After all, the value of your investment can only be equal to the value of utility you have for it, which includes how frequently you get to use it.
Budget
There’s no problem with investing a significant amount of money on a cooler. However, it’s only wise to know exactly what you’re spending your money for. A good rule of thumb when shopping for coolers is to set your budget.
You can easily forget functionality once you’re faced with wonderful promises of durability, capacity, and what-not. So, learn to spend only within your means. After all, that’s the first step to getting the best value for your money.
Photo courtesy of Engel Coolers
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Engel Coolers Retain Ice for A Week?
Well, that depends on which type of Engel cooler you are using. Of all the product lines, the hard coolers are the ones that are capable of retaining ice the longest. Engel hard coolers have an ice retention capacity that may last from 8 to 10 days, depending on size. However, even that is influenced by a number of factors.
Where Are Engel Coolers Made?
The company that sells Engel Coolers are based in Florida, US. However, the manufacturing plants are located in Thailand. However, based on comparative tests versus other cooler brands, performance is at par. Therefore, as long as quality standards are in place and ensured with every purchase, it does not make a difference where it is manufactured.
Is Engel Better Than Yeti?
Each brand of coolers carry their own pros and cons. Firstly, both brands offer a wide variety of coolers that come in different sizes. Secondly, while most comparative tests confirm that a Yeti has longer ice retention capacity, if you’re not camping out for a week or beyond, it really doesn’t matter.
Besides, factors such as cooler storage location, frequency of opening the lid, using the correct 1:2 ratio of contents to ice, and cooling the contents before storage can all affect how long ice will last.
If Engel Performs As Good As A Yeti, Why Is It Cheaper?
Engel hard coolers are similarly rotomolded just like Yeti Coolers are. This design and engineering practice has become the gold standard in manufacturing hard coolers.
When it comes to pricing, however, other factors come into play. For one, Engel Coolers are manufactured in Thailand. On the other hand, Yeti Coolers are produced in different facilities located in the US, China, and the Philippines. Another factor that influences pricing could be marketing and advertising cost which, arguably, Yeti Coolers are spending more on.
Photo courtesy of Engel Coolers
Conclusion
In sum, Engel Coolers is a brand that has been around for decades. The top reason that has made this brand survive the changes in the industry is quality. It has, likewise, given equally tough brands that came after it a good turn for their money. Its relatively long history and persistence make its innovative product line time-tested. Thus, when you choose to purchase one, you know you’re buying quality that has already stood the test of time.