BruTank Cooler Review: This Cooler’s Fun Features Go Beyond Drink Storage
Updated: Aug. 07, 2024
The BruTank cooler boasts a dry goods basket, built-in tap, bottle opener and two rugged wheels for navigating tough terrain.
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As campers, glampers, boaters and partyiers, we at Taste of Home know the importance of ice-cold beverages for summer fun. After all, nothing brings the blues on a hot day more than lukewarm drinks. That’s why our Product Testing Team tried many different coolers in our quest for the best. From the rugged Yeti Tundra to the budget-friendly Lifetime cooler, our top picks impress with their generous size and indispensable durability. But only one option dazzles with its fun features, which take any boating trip from boring to rip-roaring: the BruTank cooler.
The BruTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler earned high marks in our tests for the best coolers—and not just because of its handsome look. Our Product Testing Team tried it alongside 11 popular options, where it secured its spot as one of our top six picks. It performed splendidly in most of our tests, including ice retention and longevity. But the real selling points are the numerous features this brisk beverage bearer boasts. Whether your party is taking place on a boat or during a tailgate, this cooler impresses on every outdoor occasion. Here’s why we can’t get enough of this fabulous and functional cooler.
What is the BruTank Cooler?
The BruTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler is a heavy-duty cooler made from BPA-, BPS- and BPF-free materials. It’s built for style and features nine stunning shades: Denim, aqua, ocean swirl, alpine swirl, charcoal, light blue swirl, white, azure and blush. While we tested the behemoth 55-quart option, the BruTank cooler also comes in a smaller 35-quart size for smaller families and single folks.
But that’s not all! Inside is a 2.8-gallon tank attached to an exterior tap. This ingenious inclusion lets folks fill up this insert with mixed drinks or water to bring along on the trail. With the tank installed, the cooler fits a whopping 40 pounds of ice—plenty for filling up cups and keeping beverages cool. Additionally, the cooler is also capable of holding up to 50 12-ounce slim cans, 58 standard 12-ounce cans or 12 wine bottles standing upright with room for ice. Without ice, the cooler can fit much more—up to 82 regular cans, according to our tests!
It also boasts additional features, including a soft foam topper that doubles as a seat, two rugged wheels with impressive treads, a built-in bottle opener and a dry-goods basket. BruMate also lists other accessories sold separately, including a cup holder, heavy-duty lock and fishing rod holder.
“This cooler was designed with party people in mind,” says tester Annamarie Higley. It’s an excellent option for those who love to lounge on the beach!
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler
With two rugged wheels, a built-in tap and a dry basket, the Brutank cooler is ready for any expedition.
How We Tested the BruTank Cooler
For our piece on the best coolers, our Product Testing Team tried 12 popular options from familiar retailers, including Ninja, Orca and Engel. To thoroughly evaluate the performance of each cooler, the team looked at features, performance, and value. Over the course of a week, the Product Testing Team:
- Tested 12 coolers and performed roughly 10 tests on each
- Collected more than 420 data points
- Spent an estimated 40 hours on this test, including researching, sourcing, intaking and testing the products
Our Testing Team taped thermometers to the inside of each cooler and tracked ambient temperature/percentages of remaining ice after 24 hours, 72 hours, and 96 hours. We kept the coolers outdoors in a van during the year’s hottest weekend. Temperatures maxed out around 95 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning the temperature inside the van was well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit—a seriously unrelenting stress test. We also considered weight, leakage, drainage, capacity, insulation, maneuverability and accessories.
Testing Team Evaluation
While the cooler does retain ice well enough for a day at the beach, it performed below average on the ice retention tests. Don’t expect to enjoy days upon days of unrelenting chill—after about three days, all but 10% of our ice melted. However, the features are so cool that they make up for this. The only real concern regarding longevity is the foam seat topper on the lid, which we predict will easily become logged with sand and eventually look pretty beat up.
Tap
Upon the first test, we had considerable leakage from the tank into the cooler’s basin, so we recruited help for assembly. The cooler comes with five similar-looking plastic parts, all of which fit into the tap, which makes assembly a bit confusing. We finally figured it out, but it’s not an intuitive process. Once we were up and running, we were overall impressed with the cooler’s performance.
The strong liquid stream from the tap quickly fills a red Solo cup. Just hold it there for a second or two after you’ve lifted your finger off the button to catch any dribbles. Additionally, the button is ergonomic, and we appreciate the rubbery cover to promote hygiene. Overall, we found that the tank is definitely party-sized. We put two whole jugs of liquid in there (190 fluid ounces) and 8 cups of ice, and there was still plenty of room left. This would accommodate a sizable crowd.
Bottle Opener
We tested tons of options with subpar openers that are awkwardly placed—this was not one of them. This bottle opener is super solid! The placement, which sits on the center of the inside of the lid, is perfect for access and leverage. The only downside is the cooler must be open to use it, meaning cold air easily escapes.
Dry Goods Basket
The dry goods basket is the perfect place to put sandwiches, fruit and other snacks when you want to keep them cool and away from any ice melt. This is one of three coolers we tested with a dry-goods basket, with Yeti and Titan also having one. This is the shallowest of the trio. However, this is a blessing in disguise since it does not take much space away from ice and drinks. It’s also longer than the others, so we expect it to hold a similar amount of snacks.
Size and Maneuverability
At 43.20 pounds, the cooler is a bit on the heavier side and carrying it is a two-person job. However, wheels help with mobility. Given that they’re large and heavy-duty, they work well on gravel, concrete, and grass. The size of the wheels is both a blessing and a curse since they contribute to its already far above-average weight. That said, they make the entire thing super traversable. According to tester Dylan Fischer, we were even able to clear curbs completely with no sweat.
One thing we didn’t love was the T-shaped handle. After sitting in the hot sun for a couple of hours, the black handle became super hot. However, the large rubber-coated bars make it easy to pull around alongside or behind you—it just makes the cooler a bit more difficult to lift.
Pros:
- Two rugged wheels with impressive tread
- 9 appealing color options
- Built-in tap
- Bottle opener
- Dry goods basket
Cons:
- Foam seat is nice, but bangs up easily
- Handle gets hot in the sun
- Pricey
Why You Should Trust Us
Our expert Product Testing Team conducts each test in our product testing lab under controlled conditions. The team has a combined decade of experience testing and evaluating products. We’ve tried everything from the best food processors to comparing Shark vs. Dyson vacuums. The team is totally committed to fair testing practices, and we’d never recommend a brand that performs poorly in our analysis.
FAQ
How long does the BruTank keep ice?
According to our tests, the BruTank cooler holds ice for up to three days in the hot sun, with 10% of the ice we started with remaining on the third day of our tests. By day four, the ice was fully melted, but the interior of the cooler was still relatively chilly at 66°F.
Can you use the BruTank without the tank?
Absolutely! The BruTank cooler fits up to 58 standard 12-ounce cans with the tank installed.
Is BruMate as good as Yeti?
While the Yeti beat out its competitors as the overall best cooler we tested, the BruTank offers additional features that the Yeti doesn’t have. These include its tank and tap, along with its rugged wheels. If you’re looking for a cooler that performs well and offers many additional bells and whistles, you can’t go wrong with the BruTank cooler.
Where to Buy the BruTank Cooler
The BruTank cooler is available for around $400 on the BruMate website. You can also secure it at many major retailers, including Moosejaw, Amazon and Dick’s. For those looking for an attractive cooler that doesn’t skimp on details, the BruTank cooler will keep the party going long into the night!
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler
With two rugged wheels, a built-in tap and a dry basket, the Brutank cooler is ready for any expedition.
Originally Published: July 19, 2024
