In a crowded field of high-end ice chests, the Engel 50 Rotomolded Cooler is a standout. It’s tough and durable like any cooler in this category, and has a full 2 inches of insulation in the lid, sides and bottom, helping retain cold and ice for up to 10 days. The all silicone gaskets create a near airtight seal that is durable and will never lose its shape.
Backcountry anglers and hunters will be glad to know the Engel Rotomolded Coolers are IGBC Certified Bear Resistant Containers. Engel Rotomolded Coolers come in a vast array of sizes, from 25 through a massive 320. The 50, the review model, holds 48 quarts. That’s 55 pounds of ice or 60 cans of your favorite beverage.
Use: We’ve lived and fished with the Engel 50 Rotomolded Cooler for a full year. For a 20-foot center console the 50 is an ideal size. Up to two fit comfortably in the WON test Skipjack, where the heavy-duty rubber feet hold them securely without the need for mounting brackets — no holes drilled in the deck. Outfitted with optional White Seat Cushions ($89.99 each), they make for comfortable perches. Depending on our plans, we could easily use one or both and they keep ice like crazy for long weekends or offshore trips. We usually have ice left over.
Cost: $329.99
Info: Engelcoolers.com
Bottom Line: The 50 size isn’t ideal for storing fish – for that, you probably want an 80 or better. We use a kill bag, but store the ice in the cooler until needed. This cooler is a pleasure, tough, noncorrosive (the metal on the hinges and seat cushion fasteners is stainless), and the bottle opener feature baked on one of the latches really works. The Engel 50 Rotomolded Cooler meets all of our high-end ice chest needs.