REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Lid cupholders
REASONS TO AVOID
Small handles on each end
Coleman 62 Xtreme Wheeled Review
Coleman
Credit: Coleman
RELATED: Best Coolers of 2024
Our Verdict
Our testing team awarded the Coleman 62 Xtreme Wheeled the OutdoorGearLab Best Buy honor. We give this award to products that provide performance above and beyond what the consumer would expect for the price. This cooler defines the category. Performance in all categories came close to that of the much more expensive models in our list, while the price is solidly beneath that of the majority of products we tested. In head-to-head insulation testing, this Coleman beat all the other products in its size class.
Our Analysis and Test Results
With the 62 Xtreme Wheeled, Coleman offers a solid and reliable cooler for an excellent price.
Performance Comparison
Our Best Buy pick Coleman 62 Qt Xtreme Wheeled.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Insulation Value
In our head-to-head testing, coolers are best compared to those of similar capacity. Consult our How We Tested article to learn more about how to interpret the results of the 7 pound ice test we performed. On our roster of tested products, this Coleman is best compared to the Igloo Island Breeze 60 Roller. These two have basically the same capacity, and therefore the results of the test are most comparable. And the Coleman blows the Igloo out of the water. Essentially, the Coleman held onto over a half pound more ice. This is notable in a test where the results varied among all coolers of all sizes by 1.2 pounds. In our less formalized, "real world" testing, the Coleman Xtreme also fared well. When filled to the brim with a family's worth of food, drink, and ice, our testers found that the Xtreme would last over 3 days in typical California mountain summer conditions.
Comparison of the lid seal on the Coleman Xtreme. The lid's own weight is not enough to press it down into the base. The lid seals with just a friction fit and a push from above.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Ease of Use
Our testers found the long and low profile of the 62 Xtreme to be easily loaded while leaving most contents readily available. With this much volume, effective organization is key, and the shape of the Coleman allows that. The lid of this cooler closes with a simple "friction fit". Drop the lid and a gap remains. Press with just a little force and the plastic presses together, with the lid sinking into the recessed opening. This makes for very easy opening and closing. However, with use and warping that is inevitable, the integrity of the lid seal will suffer in this format. The lid itself, once pressed closed, makes an excellent seat. Or outdoors "coffee table". In fact, Coleman goes the extra mile and includes 4 molded in cup holders in the lid. The lid is large enough for a tray of chips and salsa next to the cup holders. Or a user can sit on the lid next to the drink holders. We approve.
It's simple and subtle, but a cooler that makes excellent furniture will go a long way. In the case of the Coleman Xtreme, the lid is smooth and sturdy, with one end equipped with recessed beverage holders. What more do you need?
Credit: Jediah Porter
Durability
Just like with all the coolers in our test, we had no issues with the durability of this Coleman. Generally, in normal usage, coolers aren't subject to very much stress. And they're easy to design for strength and integrity. However, as noted in our Best In Class overview article, companies like Yeti and Pelican have totally changed the cooler game. Only the most aggressive and hard core users will require the durability these manufacturers provide. However, with a curve-breaking cooler like the Yeti Tundra 65 in the mix, it must be noted that a traditionally constructed models like the Coleman 62 Xtreme Wheeled is not nearly as durable. Hinges and handles will break down with time. Ultraviolet light from the sun will degrade the plastic and epoxies that hold it all together.
Simple plastic hinges hold the lid of this Coleman. In extended use, hinges like this can break down. But we are talking 10s of years of use.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Portability
In the experience of our testing team, the 60 quart size class is where coolers start to get difficult to transport. A box of this size, full of ice and drinks and food, cannot readily be carried by a single person. Therefore, effective 2-person carry or wheels are required. The wheel and handle combination on the Coleman Xtreme is just right. The wheels roll smoothly, with a simple folding pull-handle doing the driving. In two-person carry, the handles on each end are a bit small, but fully functional. The large, swing-out handles on the Pelican 45 Elite serve a bit better in this capacity.
Recessed and compact wheels translocate the Best Buy award winner where you need to go without getting in the way of sliding in and out of a car.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Value
Clearly, with this design winning our Best Buy award, we approve of the value it presents. This is a no-frills, functional cooler. If this is the size you need, and you're looking for something less expensive than a Yeti, this guy will serve you well.
Half a load in the Coleman Xtreme. This is the perfect size for long weekends and big families. A solo or coupled traveler will not need quite so much space.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Conclusion
Our testers hold confidence in this model. It does the job with no frills and no complaint. There are super high-end designs available out there for a much steeper cost. There are also cheaper offerings. For many people, spending more just isn't worth it. Similarly, for basically all cooler consumers, spending less just isn't worth it. As it goes, "you get what you pay for." With coolers, the price point that the Coleman Xtreme hits seems to be the sweet spot for value and minimum acceptable performance.
Picnic time in Mammoth Lakes with the Coleman Xtreme.
Credit: Jediah Porter
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Jediah Porter
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