My cooler is cooler than most coolers. My cooler is also a boombox.
My cooler is the $149.99 Igloo KoolTunes Playmate Cooler, a 14-quart hardsider with built-in speakers. It's a 2020s reboot of an identical cooler-boombox combo Igloo released back in 1989, complete with the same retro look, but now with wireless Bluetooth connectivity.
My first brush with the KoolTunes was back in 2023, when I was trawling Best Buy's listings in search of pink gadgets for a Barbiecore gift guide. Ever since then, I've wondered why I've never seen one in real life: It combines two summer entertaining essentials in one cute, convenient package; it feels like a no-brainer for beach days and tailgates. Is it merely the victim of poor marketing, or is it actually a shoddy gimmick that sucks to use?
After finally testing the KoolTunes during a recent lakeside picnic, I have to believe it's the former. The KoolTunes keeps snacks and beverages cold while offering well-rounded sound quality (minus some oomphy bass). It's a fun, functional novelty product that I enjoy using so much, I think it deserves a Mashable Choice Award. Spread the word.
Igloo KoolTunes review: Design and features
The KoolTunes is a variant of Igloo's classic plastic Playmate design that comes in vaporwave colorways. It has a built-in handle and a tent-top lid that swivels open when you press a button on its side. It can easily fit a 12-pack of beer or soda cans with a standard seven-pound bag of ice. It's IP56-rated for protection against dust particles and big splashes, so it's safe to use outdoors — just don't dunk it in water.
For my picnic, I stocked the KoolTunes with a charcuterie spread for my husband and me (plus drinks) on ice. We spent two hours with it outside in humid 80-degree Fahrenheit weather, then brought it back home. After unpacking our leftovers, I set the KoolTunes out on the counter, still full of solid ice, so I could see how fast its contents melted. Lo and behold, a bunch of ice chunks were still floating around in there at the 24-hour mark. They'd certainly disappear faster had I left the KoolTunes out in the sun all day, but I'm confident that it can keep refreshments chilled for at least a full afternoon in the heat.
There are two saucer-sized 5W speakers on the front of the KoolTunes. On the back, you'll find a control panel with physical buttons for power, Bluetooth pairing, and volume; a USB-C port for charging (hidden under a rubbery flap); and an indicator light. The light turns blue when the KoolTunes is connected to your smartphone, green when it's fully charged, and red while it's charging. It flashes blue when the KoolTunes is in pairing mode and red when it's low on battery. (Note: I haven't tested the KoolTunes' battery life yet, but Igloo rates it at up to 10 hours per charge. I'll update this review once I've verified that.)
The KoolTunes comes with a three-foot USB-C charging cord, but you'll have to supply your own USB adapter.
The KoolTunes connects to your smartphone using Bluetooth 5.0. That's really outdated wireless technology — it came out in 2016; in 2025, we're on Bluetooth 6.1 — but I don't think most users will care. (I mean, the latest Apple iPhone still uses Bluetooth 5.3 from 2021.) The KoolTunes paired almost instantly with my iPhone 15 Pro at startup and remembered the phone the next time I turned it on; I didn't need to re-pair them. Also, I was able to walk the length of three Chicago city lots without losing its connection, meaning it has a wireless range of at least 100 feet.
The KoolTunes supports a "KoolSync" feature that lets you share its audio with a second KoolTunes. (It's only compatible with its ilk, not any other portable speakers.) Igloo accidentally sent me two review units, so I was able to try it this mode myself. It's nothing miraculous, but it works as intended. If you happen to attend the same cookout or pool party as another KoolTunes owner, you can DIY a stereo system.
Igloo KoolTunes review: Sound quality
Truthfully, I really only expected the KoolTunes to be good at the "cooler" half of its job description since Igloo isn't in the audio business. But as it turns out, it's actually a half-decent portable speaker, too.
Maybe it's because I spend most of my days testing laptops, which generally sound — if I may be frank — like ass. But I really do think the KoolTunes' audio is pleasantly clear and crisp, not tinny or muffled. Music playing from it sounded balanced, while voices on podcasts were undistorted.
I'll add three caveats. One is that the KoolTunes’ sound is mainly front-facing, since that's where its speakers are located. You won't hear what it's playing as well if you're behind or beside it.
The second is that the KoolTunes' audio has a teeny bit of bass to it, but none of the deep, thumping bass you'd get from a nicer portable speaker. (My $179.95 JBL Charge 5, an older version of our top pick, blows it out of the water here.) Igloo describes it as being "punchy"; on a scale from 1 to Rocky Balboa, I'd give it a solid 2.
My final asterisk is that the KoolTunes can sound strained at higher volumes, depending on what's playing. "365" by Charli xcx was fine at full blast, but "Sundown" by Gordon Lightfoot seemed forced. It wasn't crackling or muddy-sounding, but it sort of felt like it was pushing the KoolTunes to its limit. That said, you'll probably never use the KoolTunes at max volume in public places or at social functions where you'll be chatting with others: It can get really loud.
Igloo KoolTunes review: Price and overall value
The KoolTunes retails for $149.99 on the Igloo website and at major retailers like Amazon and Dick's Sporting Goods. (It was sold out at Best Buy, Costco, and Walmart the last time I checked.) Igloo itself carries the most color options, including special-edition designs inspired by bands and NFL teams. Those go for $40 more if you can catch them in stock.
The KoolTunes would be excessively expensive if it were just a plain old cooler sans speaker functionality. Igloo sells a rugged 14-quart Playmate for $32.99 and a standard 16-quart Playmate for $29.99. Does the boombox bit merit a $120 upcharge? After speaking with Mashable's Bethany Allard, who's tested Bluetooth speakers in the past, I think it's mostly valid.
According to Allard, speakers around the $100 mark typically ditch great bass and a long battery life to remain affordable. They also lack good audio quality and clarity at higher volume, she said. In this sense, the KoolTunes parallels the competition at its price point.
Allard added that most Bluetooth speakers retailing for $100 to $120 usually have some sort of companion app that lets the user toggle equalizer settings, check on their battery life, and play around with different connection options. This is the KoolTunes' biggest shortcoming compared to regular budget speakers. (Igloo doesn't have an app for it.) I personally didn't notice its absence when I was using my KoolTunes, but if you're someone who likes being able to adjust and customize their speakers' sound, you'll miss out on some extra fixings here.
If it helps, the KoolTunes is relatively easy to find on sale at a deep discount. The Igloo website had it marked down to $99.99 in mid-July during Amazon's Prime Day sale, and I expect similar deals to pop up over Labor Day weekend and Black Friday. If you're a Costco member, I'd keep an especially close eye out for it there: It dipped down to just $49.97 on the wholesale retailer's website before selling out.
The cooler portion of the KoolTunes comes with a one-year warranty, but its electrical components (i.e., the speaker parts) are only covered for 90 days. That's a really short warranty, so be sure to inspect your KoolTunes for any manufacturing defects as soon as you unbox it. For comparison's sake, regular portable speakers from popular brands like JBL and Bose have one-year warranties. The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4, Mashable's favorite budget Bluetooth speaker, has a two-year warranty.
Final thoughts: Is the Igloo KoolTunes worth it?
The KoolTunes is one of my favorite products I've tested all year. It's not a gimmick, but a fun fusion of summer party gear that's priced mostly fairly. All the better if you can find it on sale.
I wouldn't buy a KoolTunes to replace a good portable speaker that you already like and use, but if you want to upgrade an existing cooler to something with a little more pizazz, I think it's a rad option. It would also make a great gift for outdoorsy folks in your life. They probably don't have one yet, for some odd reason.
