The Coleman 316 Series is the value workhorse — under $110, 52 quarts, and a lid built to take 250 lbs as a camp seat. Coleman tested ice retention to 5 days at 90°F, though real-world use sees 3-4 days under field conditions. The built-in cup holders and heavy-duty handles are genuinely useful at campsites. Loses to the Yeti Roadie 24 and RTIC Ultra-Light on insulation tier but at less than half the price.
Strengths
- +Lid doubles as a seat — supports up to 250 lbs
- +Built-in cup holders on the lid fit 30 oz tumblers
- +Heavy-duty swing-up handles — easier two-person carry than the Coleman Xtreme
- +Holds up to 80 cans — biggest can capacity in this lineup
- +Coleman's reputation for 3-5 day ice retention at 90°F
Watch-outs
- −Injection-molded construction can't match the Yeti Roadie 24 or RTIC Ultra-Light on multi-day cold retention
- −Heavier than the Igloo BMX 52-quart at similar capacity
- −No drain channel — gets crowded around the bottom plug
- −Lid finish scuffs visibly over a season
How it compares
Best value at the 50-quart tier. Larger capacity than the Yeti Roadie 24 and similar to the Igloo BMX 52-quart, but with the sit-on lid that neither competitor offers. Loses to the RTIC Ultra-Light on ice retention quality, wins on capacity per dollar. Smaller than the Coleman Xtreme 70-quart but easier to carry.
Who this is for
At a glance: campsite hosts who want a budget-friendly 52-quart cooler that doubles as a seat.
Why you’d buy the Coleman 316 Series 52-Quart
- Lid doubles as a seat — supports up to 250 lbs.
- Built-in cup holders on the lid fit 30 oz tumblers.
- Heavy-duty swing-up handles — easier two-person carry than the Coleman Xtreme.
Why you’d skip it
- Injection-molded construction can't match the Yeti Roadie 24 or RTIC Ultra-Light on multi-day cold retention.
- Heavier than the Igloo BMX 52-quart at similar capacity.
- No drain channel — gets crowded around the bottom plug.
Rating sources
Our 4.3 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
