I have both Techni Ice and Waeco Cool-Ice iceboxes (cooler, esky, ice chest or chilli bin). I conducted a test to compare which icebox held ice the longest and, much to my surprise, found that they performed equally well. I was sure that there was going to be a clear winner!
The Techni Ice iceboxes receive rave reviews by many happy customers on the internet. I have used my 40 litre Techni Ice icebox on several camping trips. I used to have two Techni Ice iceboxes, but I gave the 60 litre icebox away because it was too large for my needs. It was too heavy for a single person to lift when full and took up too much space in the back of my car.
I recently purchased a Waeco Cool-Ice icebox WCI-42 (which curiously is 41 litres) as a second icebox based on Waeco’s reputation producing in-car and mobile fridges.
Having two iceboxes of different brands, I was interested to know whether the Waeco Cool-Ice or Techni Ice icebox performed best.
Techni Ice vs Waeco Cool-Ice test
I conducted a test to see which kept ice the longest — the Techni Ice or the Waeco Cool-Ice. My test methodology was:
- two bags of party ice in each icebox
- opened twice a day to inspect
- drained of water and photographed once a day around 4pm
- swap positions each day to eliminate any minor environmental differences.
This test was not designed to test the absolute length of time either icebox could hold ice. Let’s face it. Anyone can get ice to last 15 days or longer if they are in Tasmania in the middle of winter! There are also many variables as to how long you get ice to last — pre-cooling the icebox, using block ice vs party ice, using a damp towel over the ice, relative volume of ice to food, how many times you open the icebox, and the list goes on.
A more informative test is of the relative ice keeping capabilities in a given set of environmental conditions. In this case, two bags of party ice in Brisbane in August with winter average temperatures in the range 9.5 – 25.8 °C.
In theory, the Techni Ice should have a slight advantage over the Waeco Cool-Ice. The Techni Ice is deeper relative to its volume than the Waeco Cool-Ice giving better thermal efficiency. The Waeco Cool-Ice is also 41 litres, the Techni Ice is 40 litres. I used the same amount of ice in each icebox so the Techni Ice had a slight advantage over the Waeco Cool-Ice in the ice to volume ratio in the test. The Waeco Cool-Ice, on the other hand is a lighter colour, meaning that it does not absorb as much heat. There are white and yellow versions of the Techni Ice iceboxes available, but the one I own is blue.
Waeco Cool-Ice (left) and Techni Ice iceboxes
Two iceboxes and four bags of ice
Day 0
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 4 drained of water — the Waeco Cool-Ice had slightly more ice left
Techni Ice vs Waeco Cool-Ice test result
As you can see, both the Techni Ice and Waeco Cool-Ice iceboxes kept ice for a similar amount of time, so the decision really comes down to a review of price and design. In my opinion, the key differentiating points for review are the following.
| Techni Ice Classic (40 litres) | Waeco Cool-Ice WCI-42 (41 litres) |
| Deeper, giving better thermal efficiency | Wider, allowing easier access to food |
| Skids moulded on the bottom — I often drag my icebox around the camp site | Moulded feet may not be so easy to drag around camp site |
| Rugged moulded handles, but can be difficult to pack around in the car | Handles fold flat on side of icebox making it easier to pack around in the car, but handles are possibly more prone to damage |
| Tap-thread-size drain plug | Captive drain plug to stop you losing it around the camp site |
| Rope holds lid open preventing damage to hinges | Lid is reliant on hinges to keep it open |
| Quad latches, but I never use the bungee hooks | Bungee latches work well |
| Lid intrudes into the storage area when closed, making it difficult to judge how full you can pack the icebox | Lid is level with the top sides, so it is easier to judge how full you can pack the icebox |
| Dual airlock seal | Labyrinth seal design |
| I have stood on mine (I am 80 kg) and used it as a seat | I have used it as a seat — perhaps one day I will stand on it too |
| Lifetime guarantee | 5 year warranty |
| $99.00 from Techni Ice + $15.00 delivery to Queensland ($299.00 recommended retail) – try eBay too | $127.95 from Down Under Camping ($179.00 recommended retail) |
Handles, drain plugs and skids vs moulded feet
In the end, the iceboxes delivered similar performance. Both the Techni Ice and Waeco Cool-Ice are great iceboxes, so the decision really is up to price and design features — the choice is yours!
What is your favourite icebox? Tell me in the comments box below.
Hi, great post! I have the exact same TechniIce in blue color.
However, my experience with it has been less than stellar. I have used it a handful of times, and I find the ice melts within a day or so. This past weekend, we went camping and even my mate’s Coleman esky was far better than Techni-ice, which I was very surprised about – given it is supposed to be a much better product.
I checked the seals etc. and everything is fine. What I did notice is that when I touch the outer walls of the Techni-Ice box, it is cold. This can’t possibly be a good thing as it means the cold is not being retained inside the box and instead gets drawn to the outside, mixes with the warm air outside and gets dissipated. Is my basic understanding of the laws of physics/thermodynamics correct?
Do you find that your esky is cool to touch on the outside when you fill it in with ice and other stuff? I would think that the best esky in the world will completely insulate the chill inside from the outside, i.e. the outside surface should be at room or ambient temparature, so suff can remain cold inside for a very long time.
Hi Graham
Thanks for your comment. I would think that the best iceboxes would feel similar in outside temperature to that of a fridge or freezer. The best iceboxes have similar insulation in them.
Many years ago, I had a free promotional icebox given to me. It had thin walls and the lid did not seal very well. I bought the Techni Ice to replace it, but the promo icebox actually outperformed the Techni Ice. After several parties using both iceboxes for drinks, the promo icebox would keep ice for a couple of days longer than the Techni Ice. Unfortunately, the promo icebox was breaking up from old age, so I eventually had to throw it away.
I purchased the Waeco Cool-Ice thinking that it would outperform the Techni Ice, but as you can see from the test, their performance was nearly identical.
I do not know why my old icebox performed so well, but I wish I could get another one!
Rex.
Hi there, thanks for your entertaining and interesting blog. We like you are desperately trying to avoid taking the trailer away with us camping and want to keep our stuff down. Just wondering re iceboxes and esky’s what your reasoning is for not using the electric / gas fuelled Eski’s. Is it just to avoid taking gas, or running it off your car battery, do you prefer using ice??? We sometines take the 3-way esky and run it off gas or electricity if we have it, and sometimes we use 2 round collapsable soft esky’s and fill them with ice everyday which is a bit of a hassle but at least we don’t have to take the gas bottle. Anyway I’m interested in your thoughts in this.
Thanks v much Joanne
Hi Joanne
My reasons for using an icebox, rather than a fridge are:
1) Icebox plus LOTS of ice is still cheaper than a fridge plus dual battery system and/or solar panels plus fridge slide, etc, etc. After the first fill, which tends to melt quickly, I only generally only top up my icebox up every couple of days.
2) An icebox takes up less room in the boot of my car, particularly when you factor in a fridge slide and space for the fridge air vents.
3) My car is primarily used around town. It is not a dedicated camping vehicle. I therefore need to return it to its around town state after our trips. Having a fridge slide permanently mounted in the back makes it difficult to do this.
4) I have totally eliminated gas from my camping kit — I run dual fuel stove and lights — therefore I do not want to carry gas for a fridge.
I hope that helps.
Rex.
I purchased the 41 litre Cool Ice by Waeco and looked forward to its superior cooling. However, the 10 day rated cooling effectiveness was unattainable. A bag of party ice only lasted a day which was the same as the non-insulated Willow 55L I was using previously. This was in April in Hervey Bay with an ambient day time temperature of about 26 – 28 degrees. Ice chest was kept in a cool tiled bathroom floor of a unit and only opened for drinks. Once or twice a day.
Hi Don
The claims by ice box manufacturers are achieved under very specific conditions.
I used two bags of ice in my test and the ice melted within four days.
But that does not mean that the ice boxes are not useful. I have used both my ice boxes camping on several occasions. Once the initial contents and ice box has been cooled down, I use about one bag of party ice every day or so — that is in camping conditions of opening the ice box multiple times per day and also outdoors in the weather.
Rex.
Awesome blog entry, exactly the comparison I was looking for. Will go for the Waeco, for sure, as I was going to before this confirmed it 🙂
Hi,
I have had a waeco cool ice 75 litre for 4 years now and have never had a worse esky yet. After many bad trips with ice melting I done every thing as best I could, pre cooled the esky overnight and then used 2/3 ice to 1/3 precooled drinks. Placed the esky into the trailer beside my mates 80ltr Tropicool esky. Upon arrival at camp site 6 hrs later (with eskys in sunlight on road trip) my Waeco was nothing but water while the Tropicool was 80% ice. I had to take icedaily from the Tropicool for the remainding 3 days of our trip.
Very poor
Paul
Waeco don’t make a 75 litre ice box but they do make a 70 litre that actually has a 68 litre capacity.
That is the size Waeco Ice box I have and I also have a 70 litre techni ice long.
The Techni Ice is currently undergoing a warranty claim as the lid started bubbling and the ice appears to be melting at a faster rate since this occured. The Waeco Ice box is more compact and lighter than the techni Ice and appears to get better lasting ice the same enviroment.
My apologies to Paul as I have just found a 75L Waeco Ice box advertised on Gumtree.
They must have stopped manufacturing of this model about 5 years ago.
Cheers
Great blog I too are in the market for a reliable cooler , so thanks agsin for uour research.
Pete
I currently own 13 different eskys and have prober boy owned 40 over the years and I recon if you need it for 3 days or more the only one worth taking is the ever cool fibreglass ones
I have the Waeco Ico Box. When I go camping I pre-freeze some plastic containers of water. It does chew up some space though. I take only frozen food (curries and the like) and the best I have done is about 3-4 days before things thawing. Even after 4 days, the water was still very cold although the ice was gone.
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great thanks broooo
I just bought a 55L Dometic (Waeco) icebox(15/12/2018) Put a bag of party ice in it. Left it in the garage and the ice didn’t last two full days. Only opened it twice to check ice. Was not overly hot on those two days either. I would expect a little better considering it was $200