BRüMATE COOLER REVIEW: WE TESTED THE VIRAL COOLER WITH A BUILT-IN DRINK TAP

The first time that I was introduced to the BrüMate brand was through a 2022 viral video in which someone mixed a cocktail in the drink tank of a BrüTank cooler. This was an innovation that I hadn't seen before: a cooler that houses a removable drink tank for storing and chilling your favorite beverage and an external tap for dispensing said beverage — without even having to open the cooler! What could be better for serving up your favorite cocktail recipe at a family cookout or for storing cold water on a long road trip?

Since watching that video two years ago, I've tested out many BrüMate products from the Era 40-ounce tumbler to the Rotera 25-ounce water bottle and now within the last few months, the BrüTank hard cooler. The BrüTank comes in three different models: the 3-gallon BackTap, the 35-quart rolling cooler and the 55-quart rolling cooler — all featuring their signature built-in drink dispenser.

What is the BrüTank 55-quart rolling cooler?

The BrüTank 55-quart rolling cooler is the largest cooler that BrüMate sells and the one that I personally tested. While the manufacturer states that it can fit 48 12-ounce cans or 12 bottles of wine or liquor, our Lab found that we were able to fit 24 cans with ice and the drink tank or 83 cans without ice and the drink tank. Thanks to its inventive design and large capacity, it's an ideal cooler for tailgating with cans of beer, serving up 2.8-gallons of your fave margarita — or best of all, both.

This rolling hard cooler boasts some impressive features, besides the drink tank and dispenser. It comes with a large pull handle and sturdy all-terrain wheels, allowing you to roll the hefty cooler around with ease on grass, carpet or cement. (I still need to test it out on the beach this summer, since the manufacturer claims that it will effortlessly glide over sand). It also comes with a built-in bottle opener and removable dry storage basket. There's also a built-in foam bench top, which isn't the most comfortable seat, but it provides a slip-resistant surface where you can rest a plate or a can of beer at a cookout.

Aside from these unique innovations, one of my favorite things about the BrüMate brand is their fun colors and designs. This cooler comes in a funky black and red swirl design to a pastel denim color to coordinate with your style.

How we test coolers

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab we've tested more than 85 coolers in the past decade. When we test coolers we assess the coolers' ice and temperature retention, how well they resist odors and how easy they are to use and clean.

To test temperature retention, we fill each cooler with a comparable ice-to-can ratio of one-thirds cans to two-thirds ice. We then place a thermocouple (a highly sensitive scientific thermometer) inside one soda can in each cooler and connect the cans to a data logger to record the temperature every hour over a total of 119 hours. We also use this test to determine how easy coolers are to pack.

Once a cooler is completely loaded, we carry or roll the coolers around to see which ones would be the easiest to travel with. We also weigh the coolers to determine how heavy they are after being filled up to their capacity with cans and ice.

How we tested the BrüTank

Since we were intrigued by this cooler (especially the 55-quart model) and the manufacturer's claims, we put it to the test in our everyday lives and in Lab tests. I personally took this cooler on a weekend in upstate New York to test out how easy it was to use, pack, move and lift in and out of my car's trunk. I found that the cooler kept my food cold throughout the weekend and I appreciated the dry basket for keeping items organized and dry.

When it came time to lifting the cooler in and out of my car though, I needed a lot of assistance. Even empty, it is heavy at 44 pounds. But I did find the cooler was easy to roll and navigate on grass, cement and rocky dirt terrain.

Meanwhile in the Lab, we packed the cooler with ice and cans to check for maximum capacity and then tested out the drainage spout after the ice had completely melted. Our analyst said it drained almost completely on its own, but it did require some tipping over to drain any remaining water because the drain isn’t completely flush to the base like other coolers we've tested. We also rolled the cooler (filled to maximum capacity) around to see how well it fared around corners and on carpeted flooring. One analyst noted that the cooler was hard to maneuver around corners, while another one stated that you needed to use two hands to pull the cooler since it is heavy when completely full.

We also filled up the 2.8-gallon drink tank to see how easy it was to remove from the cooler, fill up and reinstall inside the cooler — all of which, were easy to perform. Since the spout is located at the bottom of the cooler, we did find it difficult to fill a cup larger than 8 ounces, unless you have the cooler perched on the edge of a raised platform or resting in the back of a truck or SUV. There is an air vent in the top of the cooler's lid which is designed to aid with easier liquid flow, but we still found that you have to push hard on the spout's button to release liquid and that it drips a little bit right after pouring.

Some of our consumer testers also weighed in on their experiences after putting the cooler to use under real-life circumstances. One consumer tester had this to say: "Aside from its ability to keep items cold, aesthetically it is very pleasing and I am able to wheel it with ease. When bringing it from my garage, I have to wheel it over grass. With cheaper quality coolers, it is sometimes a workout when lugging it over the grass filled with drinks and ice. With the BrüTank cooler, due to the size/ quality of the wheels and handle to pull, I do not find it difficult or annoying to wheel even when filled to the brim."

How long do BrüMate coolers hold ice?

The BrüTank 55-quart cooler was included in a recent round of side-by-side Lab testing with four other similar cooler models. For this round of testing, we tested their temperature and ice retention for 119 hours (almost five days). After 119 hours of testing, the temperature of the cooler had only elevated by 1.7°F. Within this test, the BrüTank retained its temperature better than all other models tested. BrüMate claims that this cooler offers more than seven days of ice retention, but after four days of testing, the cooler's ice was completely melted. Based on prior testing knowledge, we know that most hard coolers retain ice for the longest amount of time (about two days) compared to most soft coolers, but with any cooler you should add some fresh ice daily to help the cooler retain its cool temperature.

How does the BrüTank compare to competitors?

The BrüTank 55-quart is similar to other coolers on the market that we have tested in comparison to size and design. It's a heavy and sturdy hard-body cooler with wheels, which is comparable to one of our best-tested models from Yeti, the YETI Tundra Haul. Both coolers cost around $400, however they also both retain temperature well, have easy-to-use drain plugs and boast easy-to-roll durable wheels.

Our Lab would recommend either of these coolers if this is the style of cooler you're looking for. Otherwise, there are many brands with coolers in various sizes, shapes and designs on the market for one to choose from. Check out our guides to the best coolers or the best cooler backpacks if a smaller cooler is more your speed.

Is The BrüMate cooler worth it?

The BrüTank 55-quart rolling cooler is worth it if you are looking for a large cooler to tailgate, bring to the beach, camp or even entertain in your backyard. While this cooler is expensive, it is comparable in pricing to similar models from competing brands and could be worth it to you if this is the type of cooler you're looking for. In combination with all of this cooler's features, we think this is a good buy for the right person.

Word to the wise, I do recommend making sure that the BrüTank's dimensions fit inside your car's trunk and determining if you can lift a 44+-pound cooler prior to purchasing. If you cannot lift or transport this cooler, there will be less opportunities to use this cooler.

Why trust us Good Housekeeping?

Eva Bleyer is the reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. She wrote this story based on first-hand testing, extensive research and experience testing other coolers and insulated products. She has tested a wide variety of kitchen appliances and gear, from gas ranges to microwaves to kitchen scales to blenders and more.

2024-03-28T21:37:49Z dg43tfdfdgfd