Thanks for the review. We have updated our gasket which had improved ice retention and leaking! We also have a 5 year warranty on all our coolers, not a 1 year.
Thanks for the comparison. I think the Orca is the better cooler but not by enough for me to dish out the extra cash. I bought the Lifetime and very happy so far.
I will add, lifetime has great customer service! I had the original designed lifetime and had a couple issues and they sent me a new redesigned version. My original had a warped top and a leaking issue. I can definitely tell a difference in quality between the older version and new. Lifetime has me as a customer for life as of now.
Nice review. Although you did have the same amount (weight) of ice in them from the beginning, the lifetime wasn’t completely filled like the orca. Though not much, that air space does make a difference. That considered, I’d go for the Lifetime.
Stay Frosty useless? He’s made the point that you can purchase a cooler for less than 100$ that can compete with coolers that cost 3 to 4 times the price. If you were any taller all the shit that goes over your head would hit you right in the face!
Lifetime changed the seal and lid on the 55 to be the same as on their 28 and 77 quart coolers. It doesn't leak now and holds ice a little longer. The Lifetime 55 is actually 62 quarts. I have had a lifetime 28 and 77 going on two years and they are great. They live uncovered in the back of the truck 1/2 of the year, and I have seen very minimal warping (less than on Yeti's). I can put the 28 upside down and it doesn't leak. It is one of the best sealed coolers on the market. For the price you can't beat Lifetime coolers. They hold their own and even best some rotomolded coolers in ice retention without being too heavy to handle. Side note: If you measure the inside volume of your own coolers, you will find that they usually don't hold exactly what the number on them implies. Sometime it is less and sometimes it is more. Yeti is the worst. A Yeti 45 only hold 31 quarts!
6/20/2020 So I just picked up a 29 quart lifetime cooler at Walmart and was looking at the 55-quart lifetime. The seal on the top of the lid on the 29 cooler is now on the 55 quart cooler.the seal was no longer on the bottom part of the opening of the cooler which makes the 55 quart cooler now a better cooler than what it was. Just thought I'd give an update on my findings. Thank you
FWIW, the Lifeline seems to be a much better value. These comparisons tend to ignore some 2 basic things: The smaller internal space (due to increased insulation) will increase ice retention. Ice-retention would probably be about the same if both coolers were filled to the same percentage of their capacity. The second thing is external dimensions: There's only so much storage space in your car, truck, house, trailer, etc... so you're going to be losing the same amount of storage space with each cooler but the Lifeline holds more stuff. Being watertight is attractive, but the selling point is ice retention.
I was shopping for the lifetime and heard that they fixed those issues so I just ordered a 55 qt from Lifetime, considering it was already impressive before the fixes were even made. So now for the price, you literally cant beat that.
How's the durability so far? I went in to buy one of the 55qt Lifetimes today and when I opened the lid, I apparently pushed it back too far and the plastic hinges definitely stretched and felt like they were going snap had I put any more pressure on it. Seems like does a great job, but those hinges worried me.
It just means the Lifetime is just BIGGER if it would have fit mre ice and the exact same amount of ice is used. Yet another reason to buy the lifetime if it is a larger capacity for a WAY lower pricetag, and holds ice for within hours of the one that costs nearly 3x as much. Not much of a comparison.
I think the comparison was fair. When you go to buy ice, you buy it by the bag. I haven't heard of anyone buying a 3rd bag of ice only to dump 3 quarters of the bag so that their cooler can get perfectly full. It's not done in a lab, and we don't know how they were used (and what was putting at what temp / thermal mass. Just in terms of quick and dirty usage, I think it's pretty good. I get what you mean about airspace, but I always end up with airspace as I rarely have enough to perfectly fill any cooler I use in the real world.
Lifetime is on sale at Wal-Mart 76 bucks for the 28 qt if you pre chill the ice will last and from other videos and reviews the lifetime has been improved upon so the lid does not warp or leak anymore especially the smaller 28 and the 77 qt
I have the lifetime cooler. I added a 3/4 inch sticky side foam to make a gasket around the edge to make it water tight. That gasket was only 10 bucks to make it water tight. It also made the ice last longer.
They redesigned the lid toughness and rubber seal on the Lifetime. Its better now, claims 7 days retention still, i believe it lasts 9 days without opening it too much. Probably 5 with constant use. Still around the same price too.
I bought an Orca 20 Dallas Cowboys edition for 150 on FB Marketplace (250 on their site) and have been pleased with. Easily three days of ice retention with no pre chill. Yes, a different size than this, but their quality is top notch. I would still consider the Lifetime if I needed a bigger cooler.
Bro that’s a comprehensive test you did there I just picked up the 28qt version of the lifetime this week I hope it works well! If it can get me through an extended 3 day weekend camping I’ll be happy!
Great video, sir. I have that Lifetime. Two of my friends have Orcas. Mine is as good as theirs for half (or quarter) the price. I think that the latches on the Lifetime are better than any in the business, with the possible exception of the Pelicans.
What state? what month? parked inside? any driving? The challenge with coolers is keeping food dry. great work!.. Looks like you could meat that Walmart cooler for 5 days and not die.
Nice review but all coolers work better at full capacity more drinks full of ice. You did great job showing what a value lifetime is for the money. Also it comes with a 5 year warranty.supposably this April the seal should be updated not to leak.
16:17 The Lifetime comes with a 5 year limited warranty I just bought one Great review and side by side comparison of both coolers by someone who uses them everyday can't get any better then that
My lifetime cooler keeps everything cold for 10 days but i don't use ice , i use PVC homemade polar bear sticks, its like water filled with rock salt, freeze them and leave them in the bottom. Lifetime cooler kicked my Rtic Ultra light coolers butt 😂great review by the way
Been surprised to see Lifetime near the top on several challenges I’ve watched It does have a couple issues but 1/2 the $ price and a large cooler too, it’s going to be hard to buy another brand and convince myself I’m not buying it just for the name
I have the life time 55qt I work in 90-100 degree weather I fill it up with water and then put 20 pounds of ice in it which still usually lasts 3-4 for days which is not to bad for a 100 dollar cooler
I just bought the 55 Lifetime Cooler. I want one size smaller but it didn't have a drain. A drain is a necessity, in my opinion. Wish they would add that feature. 😎
It’s basically pick your poison. If you want something more affordable, but that. You want something high end that’ll probably last a lifetime, buy it. Either is a good choice IMO. Personally I’m rough on stuff and my cooler sits in a truck box that stays over 140 degrees all day everyday. I need something that has really durable sides to deal with all the tools jammed in there. To each their own.
Treatment for the two were different enough to get the results wanted by the guy doing the testing, I've tested these myself and for the money lifetime is the way to go, and bonus it's made in the USA
I have 3 coolers I have 1 55 qt Lifetime 1 Ozark trail about the same size and I big daddy YETI 110 I've done my own research 2 main things I've discovered The first thing Is direct sun light I try and keep mine out of sun much as possible The second is I talked to a bunch of people who have some the same coolers And some who different They say another thing that really helps keep ice colder and longer is rock salt I have 2 buddies That put rock salt on their ice And their coolers stay in the backs of their pickups And their beer is always ice cold
I just bought lifetime love it I had a caribou that I lost it was a very good cooler held ice for 5-6 days easy but you should do same quart size for a comparison
Keeping food at a safe temp is important. Rotomolded units will score lower temps longer. Certified Bear proof is important in western camping. But I don’t want a leaker in my RV. Always buy the best you can afford for any longer term camping with food. A lifetime warranty is good insurance esp for people who forget to raise their tailgates!
Got my ozark trail 52qt for $98 Performed just as good Just keep your cooler away from direct sunlight and after camping for four days...time for a hot shower :-)
the only bad thing about the ice machines in western ky its so humid here when the ice comes out the machine its already starting to melt so need to really freeze it first. by the way pro tip is to drain the water as much as possible to keep the ice a lot longer. the water melts the ice so thats why having the plugs is important kind of. well i keep fresh bait up to 5 days sitting on ice not in ice water and they will stay firm but slowly get soft bellies over those 5 days some firmer then others the less they sit in any water the more firm they will stay though. but ya. if you drain the water as much as possible the ice last longer in any cooler.
I have the Lifetime 55 quart by Walmart that has the roller handle and wheels. They've gone up in price as mine was $154. I go hog hunting 8 hours from home. The meat is vacuum sealed and frozen before departing. I'm hoping that if I put ice in the bottom, the meat and then ice on the top with a bath towel draped over the top, I'll be able get back home with frozen meat.
Nice review, these days with everything going on people can't even stay IN their house for a day so any cooler will do fine holding ice past a few hours.
Update review to include redesigned Lifetime 55qt and any similar size high end roto-molded cooler. Important they be comparable in capacity as air space is warmer. You will find that the Lifetime (improved) is comparable to coolers 3-4x more expensive. Its a no brainer. Orca 58qt is $340. Lifetime $97
Very good review but with one big comparison missing and that’s weight. I want to be able to pick up the loaded cooler by myself without worrying about messing up my back.
Isn't it obvious that a smaller cooler would be lighter than a larger cooler. Also, doesn't the weight of the cooler depend on what product you personally decide to put into it? How can someone else quantify your unknown usages? Duh!!!
Seems a total fail for Orca, considering the Lifetime had 37.5% more headspace and lacked the Orca’s superior design feature…intended to eliminate as much headspace as possible while also providing added top-cover insulation. The last temp check, to me…showed anything but an “even” or “neck & neck” performance. > LIFETIME: starting without ice and 38% more hot air, warms by 10-degrees over a 12.5 hour period. >ORCA: 12.5 hours with ice, in less space and cooler air, warms 10-degrees. BUT WAIT-THERE’S MORE!! The Lifetime had to repeatedly cool more air due to it greater capacity and equal number of openings. The Orca’s higher exchange rate would greatly hinder cooling efficiency over time 🤔 Orca suuuux
Similar to comparing a Toyota to a Fiat. For now they'll both get you a where you need to go but which one will be with ya in 25 years? Just depends on what you value more, the money in your pocket right now or the savings from never needing to replace a cheaper one.
My wife bought me a life time for my b d couple yrs ago when they first were sold by Walmart. I love it. I've had different coolers for years. Yrs ago the igloo was the best I had owned up to then. I have probably 8 in various degrees of deterioration. Can't beat the Coleman 68 qt extreme. It's predecessor went bad before it went out of warranty. Coleman sent me a replacement with proof I had cut the bad one in half. Think this out....MOST people only use one for couple of days at a time. Why pay extra for a yeti. The difference in price is several years of ICE. Dduuuhh.
My lifetime holds up as well as my friends canyon and YETI coolers. Perhaps it is how it's packed? Mine stays ice in it 4 days for sure. I keep meats and everything in there sometimes it's even frozen.
I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes to people, but the lifetime is NOT a rotomolded cooler, although it is made to appear like it is. I know the rotomolded stuff is supposed to be sturdier in theory, even though the one from Lifetime is "Bearproof" by labeling. All that said, Lifetime is one HECK OF A DEAL in comparison to almost anything out there at the moment.
Don't overbuy a cooler. If you can get a $98 55 quart cooler that is American made, and competes as well as the $240 and $300 comparables, no brainer. Wasting money otherwise.
I didn't see to much difference, but I can buy 3-lifetime coolers for the price of one Orca, this is a no brainer to me, go with the one that will last its 5-year warranty and when it gets beat up and don't work anymore, buy a new one. That's 15 years of having a cooler opposed to lifetime warrenty for over 300 and its gonna look like shit after a while.
WOW, First issue I see with this test is that both coolers were not filled to the same level of fullness, not pounds but fullness of the case no matter the capacity. The lifetime is going to lose even if equal in insulation value. Don't believe it, get 2 identical ORCA coolers pack one full like it was on this test and put 2 inches less ice in the second one then see which one runs out first.
😮L👀k at all this ice chest! u guys went off the deep end! but in all-N-all u guys ain't playing & u really want 2 know which 1 is the best so thanks 4 getting down to the bottom of it😏😜
Lifetime doesnt leak, the orca leaks in the back lid seal. I’ll buy 100% made in America Lifetime before any $400 rip off gimmick cooler. Be smart, dont follow fads 🤙🏻
Odd that a product named Lifetime doesn’t offer a Lifetime warranty Seems like that would alone would propel the name past being thought of as a Walmart brand and into the top of the pack in name as well
I wonder if YETI sue orca for a similar design! Yeti already went through RTIC and file a law suit because of the coolers looking alike even tho they didn't look that close. But the orca coolers do look like lot like the YETI coolers
lifetime has a 5 year warranty, and the new models have the seal on the lid, instead of the bottom. They say it doesn't leak now either. coolers are certified bear proof when they are lockable. So the Lifetime is bear proof too.
Seems like a good cooler but I wouldn’t buy any cooler based on “bear proof “ marketing bs. If a bear wants it, it’ll get it, and if it can’t open it is going to drag it so far you’ll probably never find it, and if you’re in a state park, the rules are to keep it in the bear box at all times or you get a well deserved expensive fine, thus bear proof is irrelevant.
Water in ice should always be right at freezing (32f) at standard pressure. You can check thermometers this way. Just put some crushed ice in water in a glass, stir it up and let it sit for a few minutes and use it as a temperature standard.
Grizzly Coolers These US-made coolers offer a lifetime warranty for all of their hard coolers, while soft coolers are covered by a 2-year warranty. To claim the warranty, you have to be the original owner since it is non-transferable.
Something is wrong with the Orca's straps. I have one and mine are much tighter and cannot be removed or fastened as easily as the one in this test. That orca might not be as air tight as it should be.
Orca is the better cooler but not that much better for me to justify the $200 extra cost. I just bought 2 lifetime 55’s for less than the price of the Orca
My New puppy chewed up my lifetime cooler. He ruined a latch the handle and peeled off the gasket. Contacted lifetime they had the new parts out to me in a week free of charge.
Not a good test Both coolers should have been filled with the same amount of air space. I'm not sold that life time would have won completely full of ice but I'd like to see someone with $ buy all these cooler and do an accurate test, my father in law has a huge Yeti and holds ice forever but weighs as much as a fridge and cost $300 to $400 last time I bought ice it was $3 a bag soooooo
The Lifetime has 30% more capacity, which means you it has to cool down more warm air each time you open it. Not a good test. If you fill one up to capacity, you should then fill the other likewise. The opening and rearranging part is worthless because it introduces too many variables. Just check once daily for ice retention until one loses all of its ice first would be much more indicative of its performance.
For anyone looking at a lifetime. I highly suggest not going for it. I had one for my paddle board and the top of it warped within a week. I’ve retention is still like 2 days which isn’t awful I guess , but I really expected more from it. Maybe I just got unlucky.
sorry but you sound like you are trying to justify your purchase. No hate, but cooler buyers have Snoobs. Do us a calculation on how long it would take to pay for your ice. My water has never leaked on a cheap cooler.
