Techni Ice Cooler Review
Last Updated by Brandon F. on December 9, 2021
One of our readers mentioned the Techni Ice brand to us and told us that he and his neighbor feel that it performs better than even Yeti. This instantly caught our attention and we figured we need to check out this brand.
Surprisingly to us, Techni Ice has been around for quite a while and is part of a group of companies owned by Global National Australia. They have headquarters in Melbourne Victoria and also have an operation based out of Miami, Florida.
After further research, Techni Ice has quite a following and has been the cooler of choice for many companies and events around the world (even at the Beijing and Atlanta Olympics!).
Their approach is quite simple: They strive to offer up a premium cooler that has fantastic ice life and tough performance while still being within the budget of those after a high-end cooler.
We break down all of the specifics of Techni Ice and its various products below. But for those after just overall info, check out the table below:
Techni Ice Cooler Lineup
Techni Ice sells hard-sided coolers, soft-sided cooler bags, and a few other items including ice packs and even a tent! We will be focusing primarily on their lineup of hard-sided and soft-sided coolers for this Ultimate Guide.
It is worth noting that there are two different sites you can buy Techni Ice Coolers from www.techniice.com and www.techniiceusa.com. Since we are here in the USA we will be focusing on the products that they offer on the USA-based site, which is the Signature Series and the soft-sided cooler bags.
For our friends across the pond, it appears that Techni Ice opens up their lineup even more to include a Classic Series, a Compaq Series, and a Commercial Series in addition to the Signature Series. We aren’t going to go into great detail about the Classic Series, Compaq Series, and Commercial Series since they seem to be directed at non-American people but we will be sure to check them out if they arrive on the USA site.
Techni Ice Hard-Sided Coolers
Want to try a Techni Ice Hard-Sided Cooler Yourself?
Buy on Amazon Price not available
Techni Ice hard-sided coolers come in a few different size options that should meet the needs of most people. Their sizes include 37-quart, 47-quart, 63-quart, 74-quart, 90-quart, 111-quart, and 132-quart. All units come with the traditional side rope handles while the 90-quart and 111-quart models also come with wheels on the end to allow for easy transport.
The one thing that we first noticed about the sizes (other than the nice range) is that they come in sort of random values. While most other brands will offer up a 45-quart, 60-quart, etc., Techni Ice almost seems to pick random numbers. Most likely this is because they are designed around certain volumes in liters but the more common way to advertise cooler storage sizes is in quarts.
Techni Ice Soft-Sided Coolers
Are you interested in experiencing a Techni Ice Soft-Sided Cooler?
Buy on Amazon Price not available
As for the soft-sided coolers, you can choose from 5-quart, 14-quart, 24-quart, and 36-quart choices. The overall design approach for each is pretty similar outside of the 5-quart (we will go into greater detail about that below).
Techni Ice Cooler Ice Life
One of the aspects that Techni Ice takes the most pride in is its extremely long ice life. If you frequent their site for very long you will see where Techni Ice proudly states that their coolers have “unrivaled ice retention”. This is a lofty statement so you know that they must have some special features in place to back it up.
Sure enough, Techni Ice does stand behind their claims as their ice life is among the best in the industry. This makes Techni Ice the perfect cooler for those who prioritize ice retention and need the cooling performance of their ice chest to span days if not weeks.
So what makes these impressive statistics possible? We will go over a few of the key features that assist with ice life below as well as provide our findings for how much ice life you can expect.
Extremely Thick walls
Both the hard-sided coolers and the soft-sided coolers by Techni Ice enjoy extremely thick walls. As we have shown time and time again, thin walls are one of the most significant variables that affect how long a cooler can retain ice and, all else equal, thicker is almost always better.
Techni Ice has taken this to heart by implementing industry-leading thickness. In their hard-sided coolers, you will enjoy at least 2.8” thick walls and, in some cases, over 3” of wall thickness (typically in the lid). This is a HUGE number and something that we can’t recall seeing any other cooler brand be able to match. Even in the premium cooler realm, closer to 2” or maybe 2.5” thick is the norm.
As for their soft-sided coolers, Techni Ice claims that their cooler bags have walls that are approximately twice as thick as traditional cooler bags. While this may be true of some of the more lower-end cooler bags, we found that the thicknesses were more closely aligned with the cooler bags that Yeti and RTIC offer up (perhaps a bit thicker but by no means twice). Either way, it is still very impressive.
Quality Material
While thickness is very important, the material used can be equally important. We have seen some cases where a cooler with thinner material performed better than a thicker product because the material used was better-constructed and more thermally sound.
Techni Ice utilizes extremely high-quality and high-density multi-compound PU insulation. It is also constructed in the traditional and industry-proven rotomolding method that results in solid construction that doesn’t give cold air any easy avenue to escape.
Similarly, the soft-sided cooler bags take advantage of high-density PE foam which is among the most efficient soft material for insulation purposes.
Dual Airlock System
Another industry first for us is the Dual Airlock System that Techni Ice hard-sided coolers have. Specifically, this system has one EVAS Seal plus an additional Fridge Gasket Seal. Every other cooler brand that we have tested up to this point has had, at most, a single fridge/freezer gasket. This extra layer of protection that you get with the second gasket results in a ton of squeeze that, according to Techni Ice, provides a perfect seal at virtually all ambient temperatures.
Elevated Feet
Another fact that people are often surprised to learn about is just how much radiant heat from the ground can affect ice life. Coolers that have their entire base resting flush on the ground suffer from this radiant heat and it can result in multiple hours of potential ice life time being shaved off.
This is particularly noticeable when temperatures rise extremely high (which is a common occurrence in the summer months here in the South). Techni Ice Coolers avoid this by elevating the base off of the ground.
Techni Ice Cooler Ice Life Results
So we went over some of the many helpful features that this brand has in place to help take its cooling performance up to the next level. But what does this look like in the real world? Surprisingly, Techni Ice is rather quiet about their ice life claims. While most other brands plaster their website with lofty numbers, Techni Ice simply says that they are the best. From a brand that boasts that they lead the pack in cooling performance, do the results back their claims up?
We are proud to say that they do!
Below are the results of our testing.
Experience some of the best ice retentions in the industry!
Buy on Amazon Price not available
Thoughts on Ice Life
In regards to the hard-sided coolers, we are extremely impressed. True to form, these coolers have the longest ice life we have come across for a given size range in the industry! The combination of the extremely thick insulated walls, double gasket, elevated feet, and all-around good construction pays off here.
For those who are after a cooler that can maximize ice life, then look no further.
For the soft-sided coolers, we were very impressed with the ice life across the board. While total ice life was a bit lower than the highest-end soft-sided coolers we have tested from some other brands, the asking price for Techni Ice products is substantially more affordable and the performance difference isn’t noticeable enough to make a huge difference.
We get a lot of questions about how we do our testing and where we get our numbers from. As you can see, there is a rather large range displayed for some of the products. The reason there is such a range is that there are so many variables that come into play that directly affect how long you will truly enjoy having ice in your cooler. A few of these include the outside air temperature, how much ice you have filled the cooler with, the other contents in the cooler, how often and how long you open the cooler, and much more.
A lot of the cooler brands we have seen will advertise lofty numbers on their site. We have seen brands say that some of their models will hold ice for nearly 3 weeks! While we aren’t necessarily questioning the validity of these statements, it is important to understand that many of these values come from the “in a perfect world” scenario.
Is filling a cooler to the brim with ice, storing it in a cool setting, and never opening it up putting it in a real-life scenario? More than likely not.
For our testing, we use the coolers and test them in ways that you, the consumer, would more than likely use them. This gives us a much better idea of what sort of numbers you will expect.
Techni Ice Cooler Toughness
Next to ice life, cooler durability and toughness are almost always the top priorities. In the premium cooler market, you are oftentimes spending hundreds of dollars on a cooler so you want something that can handle the harshest conditions and also do so for many years.
Thick Walls are Good for More Than Just Ice Retention!
Remember those super thick walls we discussed earlier? They also play a vital role in making the cooler extremely tough. When you combine thick walls with quality wall material, the result is a shell that is very resilient against bumps and scratches. In the premium cooler tier, most of the brands have figured out how to make a hard shell thanks to optimized insulation and rotomolded construction and Techni Ice fits that mold (pun intended).
Quality Components Help to Avoid Corrosion
Let’s face it: outdoor coolers are likely to experience all sorts of weather conditions. This can include water either from Mother Nature or from ice simply spilling so having components that can be exposed to water without issue is extremely important.
Techni Ice has incorporated corrosion resistance in all of its components. This includes their fully integrated corrosion-resistant hinges, stainless steel latches, and corrosion-resistant axle and wheels on the wheeled models.
As for the Techni Ice soft-sided cooler bags, you will enjoy washable PVC lining (that is very resilient to punctures), a heavy-duty carry handle/shoulder strap, and a protective base with rubber feet.
Also worth noting is the lifetime warranty that Techni Ice offers on parts and labor for their Signature Series. That being said, we only found mention of this warranty on their non-US site so we are waiting to get confirmation that it also applies to USA customers as well. Either way, it is extremely impressive that the company will stand behind their product for a lifetime and speaks volumes for the level of quality you are working with here.
Techni Ice Cooler Accessories
If you want to compete in the very competitive world of high-end coolers, you need to have something that can help you stand out. A popular approach as of late is to include additional accessories on your cooler outside of those that help with ice control.
Techni Ice must have received this memo as they offer up several different helpful accessories that we like to see and that you, the customer, directly benefit from.
Huge Drainage Bung
The Signature Series Coolers incorporate an oversized drainage bung that makes emptying an ice chest full of water quick and simple. The diameter of the bung comes in at an impressive 50mm and is among the largest examples we have seen. Time and time again we have seen cooler brands offer a drainage port but they make it too small but anything but the smallest chunks of semi-melted ice to pass through. You are then left having to tip the cooler over to remove the ice. You don’t have to worry about that here!
Handles and Tie Down Points
To transport and secure a heavy ice chest, it is important to have good features that assist in mobility and security. These come in the form of comfortable dual side handles, built-in tie-down points, and optional wheeled configurations. While most other cooler brands have these things, it is still good to note.
Extra Goodies
Beyond these somewhat standard features, Techni Ice also has an integrated fish ruler on the lid as well as removable baskets and dividers that go inside. These help to create additional storage space that is above the ice and also divides the cooler volume into segments to allow for compartmentalization.
The soft-sided cooler bags also provide some extra non-chilled storage room thanks to external pockets located on the sides of the bags. This additional storage space can be essential on soft-sided coolers since the storage volume in the main compartment is much smaller than a traditional hard-sided cooler.
Techni Ice Aesthetics
We always like to include a small section that discusses the looks of coolers. To some, this metric may not matter but you would be amazed to see how serious some people are about having a cooler that can stand out from the crowd at the lake or tailgate. Custom colors, team logos, etc. are very popular additions that people like to add to their coolers.
The overall shape and appearance of the Signature Series Coolers are pretty standard compared to the competition. The main things that will pop out are the stainless steel latches and the huge drainage bung. Most other brands have utilized rubber T-latches (we assume for cost-savings) but we certainly prefer the styling of the stainless steel.
The Cooler Bags take an equally standard approach and design. They seem to thrive on a “less is more” ideal which we don’t mind.
The main issue we have with the generic product choices is the lack of colors. From what we can tell, you only have white colors to choose from. This is in contrast to the non-US site that seems to have more selections.
That being said, Techni Ice does have a very popular Custom Branding option where you have much more freedom in the cooler color, the inclusion of emblems, etc. However, it appears that this is only on custom orders and they don’t have any “over the counter” options in multiple colors for US customers at this point.
We also didn’t see any sort of relationship with sports teams that allows Techni Ice to include official team logos on their products. This is something that other larger brands such as Yeti and RTIC have achieved and something that we enjoy. Perhaps Techni Ice will look into this in the future.
Techni Ice Price
The asking price of these premium coolers is always a topic of conversation and for good reason. High-end ice chests can cost well into the 3 figures, making them pretty expensive for the average consumer.
Because of that, trying to find a cooler that performs well and lasts for a long time without breaking the bank is a big desire these days.
So how does Techni Ice Compare to other brands?
Well, we aren’t going to say that Techni Ice Coolers are cheap. Because they aren’t! Premium coolers will fetch a premium because of all of the great benefits that you get with them: superior ice retention, great construction, loads of features, etc.
However, compared to other brands in the same category, Techni Ice has aligned its price point to be competitive.
If we were to line up all of the premium cooler brands that we have tested (and there have been a lot!) based on asking price, from cheapest to most expensive, Techni Ice would fall somewhere in the middle.
Great value for what you get. Check out a Techni Ice Signature Series Cooler.
Buy on Amazon Price not available
In other words, there are some more affordable premium brands out there but at the same time, there are quite a few more expensive brands as well.
That being said, the ice life of these ice chests exceeds anything we have come across for a given size. And the toughness and features are aligned with what we have come to expect from other brands. So because of that, we are considering these a good bargain.
As for the soft-sided cooler bags, the asking prices are much cheaper than the premier soft-sided examples offered by Yeti, RTIC, etc. And while you may take a slight drop in total ice life, the toughness and build quality are there. Overall, they are a fantastic deal as well.
Interested in the mobility of a soft-sided cooler? Look into the Techni Ice Cooler Bag.
Buy on Amazon Price not available
Techni Ice vs. Yeti
Yeti is often on the shortlist for people who want the absolute best when it comes to coolers. But as you can tell by this review, Techni Ice brings a lot to the table as well. So which is better between Techni Ice and Yeti?
It is a pretty close race! Both brands offer up impressive ice life, great build quality, and carry a proven reputation.
Yeti does have an edge when it comes to size selection and color options. And the accessories are more abundant as well.
But in terms of raw ice retention, Techni Ice has an edge. Also, while still expensive, Techni Ice Coolers are a bit more affordable than a Yeti.
Because of these reasons, we have to give a slight nod to Techni Ice over Yeti.
Final Thoughts
Techni Ice has been around for a while and has made its presence known outside of the USA. While they don’t’ appear to have as large of a market share here in the states, we feel that they are a diamond in the rough and can hang, if not beat, just about everything that the USA has to offer in regards to hard-sided coolers.
Their ice life is simply unparalleled and all of the other things we like to see in a high-end cooler are present (outside of a bit more customization when it comes to color options). Their soft-sided products are equally impressive and provide nearly the same level of performance as other premium soft-sided coolers but at a fraction of the price.
We break down the individual metrics and give our Overall Rating below.
Techni Ice Signature Series Cooler Review
The Signature Series is the premiere lineup of coolers offered up by Techni Ice. They prioritize maximizing ice life while still being easy to use and also having the necessary features that customers have come to expect. You will pay a premium asking price but for what you are getting, Techni Ice hopes that it feels like a bargain. They come in 37, 47, 63, 74, 90, 111, and 132 quart options.
Insulation Ability – 
The ice retention ability of Techni Ice Hard-Sided coolers is industry-leading. This is accomplished by multiple well-thought-out features. First, the cooler walls are the thickest we have come across, being nearly 3” thick (or more) on all walls. Second, the insulation material is of very high quality and does an excellent job of being an insulator. Finally, the inclusion of a second gasket provides unparalleled squeeze which minimizes how much hot air can sneak inside. Other benefits such as elevated legs and latches that provide a good bit add up to what we consider the best cooling ability anywhere. You can expect multiple days up to over a week of consistent ice with these products.
Mobility and Durability – 
The thick walls do add a bit of overall weight to the coolers and, when full, you will find that they may be quite heavy. Thankfully, there are comfortable rope handles and optional wheels on some of the larger sizes that allow for easier transport. From a toughness standpoint, these units are to the level of durability that we have come to expect from reputable cooler companies. The thick walls assist in insulation but doubly so in providing a strong shell that is both scratch-proof and drop-proof. Added to this is premium hardware made of corrosion-resistant materials that should last for years without breaking. We also appreciate having a few additional user-friendly features such as an embedded fish scale, oversized drainage nozzle, and optional mounted basket and divider.
Visual Appeal – 
Our only minor issue with Techni Ice Coolers is in the lack of availability of additional colors, emblems, etc. While the overall design of the ice chest is acceptable, only being able to choose a white color choice is a bit underwhelming. It is worth mentioning that there are many more color choices according to the non-USA site and Techni Ice also has a very robust and popular customization option. However, this will require additional steps and potentially a minimum order of product quantity to even make it justifiable.
Cost – 
While the Techni Ice Signature Series Coolers are by no means the cheapest ice chests you will find, they are still competitively priced within the premium cooler class. More importantly, from a performance standpoint, they blow just about everything else out of the water. Incredible ice life and acceptable build quality mean you will have something that will out-perform your friend’s cooler and last just as long, if not longer. For this reason, we still consider these to be an excellent deal.
Overall Rating –
We will admit that we didn’t know much about Techni Ice coming into this review but we left being extremely impressed. The ice life alone is worth taking note of this brand and the fact that they can include great build quality and most of the features we like to see makes the Techni Ice Hard-Sided Cooler a total package.
The asking price is in the premium price tier but fair considering what you get. Our only minor complaint is that there aren’t a lot of color and customization choices outside of having Techni Ice product specialty products for you. Also, we would like to see Techni Ice bring over some more of their products to the USA-based site. But all in all, this is one of the best coolers we have tested and we highly recommend it.
Techni Ice Soft Cooler Review
The soft coolers offered up by Techni Ice take a similar approach to their big brothers, the hard-sided Signature Series. They focus on performance and simplicity and let their build quality and proven success do all of the talking. They also do this for a very reasonable price which is far below what many of the other premium cooler companies ask for their soft-sided coolers. There are options of 5, 14, 24, and 36 quarts to choose from.
Insulation Ability –
Overall, we are content with the ice performance of these soft-sided coolers. The inclusion of insulated walls that are approximately twice as thick as typical soft-sided coolers play a huge role in maximizing how long ice will last and your items will stay cool. The high-density PE foam does a good job of taking advantage of this thickness and you will enjoy ice performance that is above average compared to the competition.
That being said, we did notice a slight step down from some of the top soft-sided coolers offered by RTIC and Yeti. This may be due to the inner lining or perhaps a less air-tight zipper feature. Either way, the difference is subtle and may not be an issue for most. Depending on which size you go with and the conditions, you can expect anywhere from 1 to 4 days of ice life.
Mobility and Durability –
From a design and construction standpoint, these are pretty standard. The mobility is acceptable thanks to the overhead carrying handle. The durable PVC lining and the double-stitched base also provide adequate protection from scratches and tears. For extra storage, there are also some external pockets for your non-perishable items.
Visual Appeal –
A very safe design, the Techni Ice Cooler Bags suffer from the same issue as the hard-sided coolers in that you are severely limited in your color choices and aesthetic freedom unless you go with a custom design from Techni (which takes a lot more time and we assume requires a minimum purchase). While the white it comes in doesn’t look bad that, coupled with the conservative design, means that these won’t stand out from the crowd from a looks standpoint.
Cost –
We are very pleased with the asking price to enjoy one of these units. They are substantially cheaper than the top premium soft-sided coolers on the market and fall more in line with the asking price of Arctic Zone and Polar Bear soft-sided coolers. Despite being noticeably cheaper, their combination of ice retention and great construction means that they can hold their own against the best. While you may see a slight performance drop, the cost savings make it easy to overlook it.
Overall Rating –
The Techni Ice Cooler Bags are another great product offered up by this international company. These products take a refreshing approach of trying to compete with other premium-level examples but at a much more reasonable price point. The performance and build quality are plenty good and you should be able to enjoy these products for several years without issue. Our only minor complaints are in the slightly lower level of ice life you will get and the lack of color choices. But overall, they are still a strong buy in our book.
