Over at Indiegogo, a new fundraising campaign recently popped up for the Coolbox, which is described as the world’s most advanced tool box.
The Coolbox has a slew of built-in features, such as a whiteboard, a 3-outlet power bar, a built-in 20V 5Ah LiPo battery, a 12′ retractable power cord, a bottle opener, LED flood light, USB charging ports, Bluetooth speakers, a smartphone and tablet stand, a smartphone compartment, and a digital clock.
Advertisement
Oh yea, it also has a tool storage compartment with removable tool tray, large carrying handles, and wheels. The Coolbox tool box also has a magnetic lid for keeping ferromagnetic steel hardware from getting lost.
The Coolbox measures 22″ long x 12.5″ wide x 9″ tall.
Right now, the fundraiser campaign price is $169 for early adopters and $179 for backers. They’re saying that the $179 price reflects $120 savings, which suggests a retail price of $299.
Campaign(via Indiegogo)
Advertisement
First Thoughts
There are things I find interesting about the Coolbox tool box, and things I find absolutely ridiculous.
First – did anyone else notice that whomever designed the above “Power Explanation” graphic mistakenly grouped a Milwaukee M12 jigsaw as a power tool?
The electronic components are waterproof – a plus. The speakers are marine-grade 40W 3″ x 5″ speakers. Marine-grade sounds good, but 40W sounds like a big power drain.
The battery pack takes 4 hours to fully charge, and there are no details as to how big of a load it can handle. All the Coolbox crew says is that tools like large recip saws, circular saws, and air compressors aren’t recommended.
Overall, I like that the makers were able to cram so much functionality into a tool box.
BUT it looks to be a small tool box, despite a 65 pound load rating. And it’s said to be made from injection molded plastic. For $169or $179, I would expect to see structural foam or a heavy duty resin. From the prototype images, the Coolbox looks to resemble an everyday $15-20 consumer tool box.
You get a whiteboard, but no place to store erasable markers. A 3-outlet power bar and retractable power cord, but no mention of amperage or cable gauge. An LED light, but no mention of output in lumens. A built-in battery, but no mention of how much of a load it can handle. Bluetooth connectivity, but no aux cable or AM/FM tuner?
Both of the co-founders are labeled as entrepreneurs, with one being excited to bring the highest quality, and most technologically advanced toolbox to thousands, and even millions of homes around the world.
I don’t really see how the Coolbox is “technologically advanced,” although pop-culture and gear sites are happy to describe it as such. Yes, the Coolbox tool box incorporates a bunch of electronics you don’t ordinarily see in tool boxes, but all of the tech is available off the shelf and in standalone products.
If this had half the features and was priced at under $75, I might have found it interesting as a DIYer or consumer tool box. But at $169 for early birds, $179 for other campaign backers, and what seems to be a suggested retail price of $299, this seems to be more of a cool “show off to friends and neighbors” gadget for people with money to burn.
On the other hand, if it is built with the highest quality, then at least it’s not a cheap do-everything box designed around as low a price point as possible.
Personally, I would rather spend $180 – or more if necessary – on the tool box and tech accessories of my choosing.
Yes, the Coolbox is unique. Yes, it provides some convenience by featuring a couple of popular accessories built right into the tool box. But what happens if one of those components fails, such as the LiPo battery pack?
I like modularity and customization. That’s mostly why I don’t like the idea of the Coolbox. The high pricing only hardens my stance. But what do I know? It’s Day 1 and the Coolbox already has 353 backers.
Kevin smith
I would have expected to see a solar panel or two on the lid as well as a blender, cooler, coffee maker and bobble head as well.
I wouldn’t spend $50 on this stupid thing, let alone $180. Needless to say, $300?!?! I guess they are going with the “we only have to sell one” retail model. Good luck.
Boyle Dover
Interesting, given that they’ve sold a sh!t ton of these after only two days into their campaign I’d say it looks like ….
[Admin warning – Please refrain from making personal attacks, it’s uncalled for.]
Boyle Dover
If that’s the case then shouldn’t posters be flagged for making insinuating remarks of the same kind? “Looks they’ve used the “only need to sell one . . business model””?? Seriously?! That’s pretty uncalled for. Thanks for the impartiality, an unbiased review and an open and free forum for people looking for factual information regarding the products they purchase. NOT
Stuart
Everyone is free to say what they want about a product. Not everyone is going to have the same opinion as you, and that’s okay.
Attacking other commenters and insulting them for their opposing opinions is most certainly NOT okay. If you love the idea of this product, there are ways to express this without attacking anyone you don’t agree with.
That other comment of yours that was deleted didn’t even reference the product at all – you were just insulting another commenter.
Are you’re affiliated with this product? I’m hoping that’s the case, as this would explain your antagonistic conduct.
Boyle Dover
I’m product searching and what I seem to have come across here with your site seems pretty biased. You’ve clearly failed to miss the point of what I’ve written. No surprise really since you seem to have missed the entire point of what that product looks to be about. And if I may be so bold as to reciprocate to your question as to whether I’m some kind of an affiliate of these bearded bobbleheads then might I ask who’s paying you to write your ridiculous reviews? Opinions aside, the world was such a better place when all we had was Consumer Reports. They actually TESTED products first before they expressed any kind of sentiment. Kinda makes this message thread of yours about as meaningful as dental floss at a Willie Nelson concert. You do like Willie Nelson don’t you?
Stuart
I’m sorry, but I can’t take anything you say too seriously. That’s what happens when you think that name-calling and unprovoked personal attacks against readers is a valid or intelligent way to make a point – it severely weakens any argument you try to make.
Do you see the words REVIEW anywhere? No? Then it’s not a review. I guess you want me to gush all about the product like pop culture blogs, magazines, and news sites? I’m sorry, I don’t believe in hyping up a product just because that’s what everyone else is doing.
firefly
Stuart, thanks for keeping the comments board in check.
Boyle Dover, you can try as you may but please don’t insult the intelligent of the commenters on this board.
jason. W
Mmmmmmmk
Benjamen
This seems like too much of a one size fits all toolbox, maybe they need to pair back the features and offer a few different tool boxes.
I can see a built in retractable cord and power strip in a tool box being pretty handy.
I can see a large battery paired with an inverter for charging tools in locations without power being pretty handy too.
I can see having a built in light so you can find your tools in the box.
But what is with the digital clock?
Boyle Dover
“Too much of a one size fits all” . . hmm, uh, well YAaahh . . isn’t that kinda the point?
Michael Quinlan
Everything about this screams “jack of all trades, master of none.” I also prefer purpose-built tools – do one thing and do it well.
Pete
Meh, I agree with you. I like modularity and this isn’t that. You get what you get no more no less. If one thing breaks is it serviceable or replaceable? I would prefer a modular box like a tough box with clips like an ar rail or something and have everything be moveable and purchase able to adapt to each user and you don’t habe to buy anything you don’t want. Basically like a adult Lego tool box. A modular system with different attachments that you can buy with what you need.
Shoot I could build a box like theirs for cheaper and does the same things. It just wouldnt be a “pretty”. It’s a cool design and thought but it looked like they were trying too hard especially with their hipster beards. It’s almost like they took the coolest cooler and made it to a cool box. I wouldn’t pay more than $40
Jerry
Hey, now THERE is an idea! What about a toughbox, available in a couple different sizes (heights) that would have modules that would lock onto it? There could be a power strip with cord reel, USB charging ports, etc. Another module might have a rechargeable battery, and inverter. There could be different modules available for different needs, and you could upgrade as you wanted to.
Make them with some sort of universal locking mechanism to hold them together, and a standard size, or multiples thereof. By that, I mean if the main box was, say
12X26, some modules could be maybe 12X12, so two of them would fit on, or under the main box. This should be simple to engineer, just have the half boxes of standard height, so they could sandwiched between the full length boxes if need be. Wouldn’t it be neat, if it was compatible with an existing system, as well? If you have tools in L-boxes, you could just clamp a couple on top of your big box, along with the power strip cord reel module, and have your tools, accessories, and charging station in one neat package. Add decent sized wheels, and a nice handle to the big box (or maybe make a separate trolley that it all attaches to), and you might have the next big thing.
firefly
I like it!
I can definitely see the appeal because I would totally get something like it for car camping if the price is right. Beside car camping it probably would be good for small task around the office or working on my car electronic.
I actually don’t mind paying around $150 for it if the toolbox is made out of high quality material such as heavy duty resin as you pointed out. But for that price all the component better be modular enough to be replaceable. I know it’s possible to get a good toolbox and all the separate component, but there are certainly something appealing about having everything integrated nicely together…
ACAZ
I’m sold those two guys with the beards look like they now what they are talking about…….yea not….. Yuppie tool box
regopit
The tool box for the Suburban Hipster. It won’t be long it will be on QVC. To bad Bill Mays is dead this would be right his ally. As seen on TV.
mnoswad
The concept of a portable job center isnt a bad idea. everyone here loved the milwaukee tool cart with the power strip built in, and everyone is buying jobsite radios and toughbox tool boxes, so this seems to be a logical combination of those ideas put into a practical principal.
The problem is the obvious beard guys are putting alot of people off the idea, and that video has a guy wearing toe shoes…….deal breaker for this broadcaster.
Plus the name proclaims to be “cool” Cool Box……..no body is going to buy a “coolbox”.
A few marketing problems have tainted the credibility of this idea. But if Dewalt or Milwaukee put out a simliar product, many would be adding it to their wishlists.
Jim Felt
In glad these guys are pushing the envelope. Meaning trying a plethora of ideas. All in one case.
Do I think it’s valid or useful for any use I can even imagine? Absolutely not.
To flimsy looking, to small and certainly not very thoughtfully spec’d.
I’m out of here.
Adam
Well can’t say I am overly enthusiastic about a product whose staff come onto review sites to attack people giving their opinion, “Boiled Over.” I guess I would say if you don’t want to deal with negative opinions affecting your fundraising then raise money the old fashioned way, with private funding.
As for the product I think it is very ambitious. It will fit a niche in the market. I view it as appealing to homeowners and weekend warriors. I don’t see it in a professional setting. At least not in the construction trades although perhaps in a design or art studio. Given all the electronics onboard I think it will appeal to the type of shoppers at the box stores that buy the large job site radios that take mutiple inputs such as usb and SD, like the Bosch power box.
In terms of prosfessional use, not enough room for daily essential tools for general carpentry, 21″ won’t fit a recip saw for example. And the unit seems like it would be wasteful and expensive to use several as a regular set up. Perhaps the designers could come up with other sizes that stack with it but do not include all the electronics that would allow it be used as a home base of sorts as part of a larger set up.
The main concern I have with it is liability. The power strip aspects of it raise all sorts of red flags for a professional job site. We have to pay close attention to UL listing on our extension cords on the job to comply with our insurance and while it isn’t really an OSHA issue for us, questionable power cords and extension strips are a job hazard, and a sure way to get the code enforcement up our rears. Power strips from home and radios with power outlets on them are usually left in the trucks or taped over on our job sites as a general rule. Perhaps once the product hits production we can see more ratings of such systems.
I am with Stuart on this one, for that price range you need to be structural foam. For the same price my guys can buy a steel job site box, which will hold everything this does times 50. While not as portable, in a professional setting far more accepted and practical. And at a $250 plus potential retail you really need to appeal to the professional consumer.
As for the hipster beards, we generally don’t care what you look like on the job site, just so long as you can pull your weight. I don’t have the first impression looking at their page and this review that this box would fit on one of our job sites but that is not to say that it couldn’t have a nice home in the garage of a DIY’r or as an art supply carrier in our designer’s studio.
Adam
John
Thanks, Stuart. A really useful, commonsense review. For me, your summary identifies the core issue:
“But what happens if one of those components fails, such as the LiPo battery pack? I like modularity and customization.” Exactly.
Joe M
Gotta say… Just… No. Too many gimmicks in one place. The clock and whiteboard seem a little redundant with the rest. And… does EVERYTHING need a bottle opener these days? Methinks not. It’s either a tool box, or it’s a toy, it shouldn’t try to be both.
The built-in power features, like the power bar, bluetooth speakers, USB ports, and LED light make sense to me. Would be nice if it was compatible with one or more tool company’s standard tool batteries instead of stuck in the tool box itself. I don’t like that, as has been mentioned before, if it breaks the whole tool box is useless.
I don’t like the extra features. I’m sorry, I know they were going for something, but the Clock, Bottle Opener, and Whiteboard are just plain silly for a tool box.
Sean
I’m with you on the bottle openers. How many bottles are people opening? Sometimes I have to remind myself that an astonishing number of people drink; however, even when used to drink I rarely needed a bottle opener other than the one in the kitchen drawer.
Furthermore, you can pop off a bottle top in two seconds by hooking it on the edge of some table you don’t mind banging up. A wine opener, on the other hand, is something you do NOT want to be without when you’ve just bought a bottle of wine. I’ve actually shoved the cork INTO the bottle to get to it’s toxic contents!
Phil
This will be a hit with the hipster set that can’t be away from their iThings for a moment. I do think there are some cool ideas in here, I see so much that is half-baked (goes well with the “baker” typo, lol). Wheels? Great idea for any toolbox expected to have some weight to it, but one has to stoop uncomfortably to use them. Needs an extending handle. The whiteboard idea is actually clever IMO, good for notes, memos, small collaborations, punch lists, etc., but as noted, there’s no at-hand storage place for the marker, which would also do well to be tethered into the box so it doesn’t inevitably walk. Bottle opener? Milwaukee has been there, done that, besides, PBR comes in cans. There are way too man failure points, and the whole idea appears to have started out at some sensible level and then they began to brainstorm and figure what else could be tacked on. I can see the appeal of such a toolbox with the younger, crafts and maker crowd far over the task-focused professional users in the trades and industry. It brings so much into play that many people simply would never use.
glenn
Certainly some interesting ideas and features in there. But it s not for me.
I like the whiteboard and the magnetic lid in particular and they are features that I would use.
Not so good though are that the wheels are are way too small to be effective for any site I work on and having the power inlet and outlets at the bottom of the box is just asking for trouble. Mains power and water are not a good mix, not all job sites are dry all the time or under cover. At least the ones I work on aren’t.
I agree with some of the above comments in that it would be great for a dyi-er, hobbyist etc.and will most likely find a market. Best of luck with it.
Jerry
I like that people are pushing the envelope of ingenuity with things like this. To me it is a nice prototype, showcasing what can be done, but I don’t feel it would be a final product I would want.
First off, the whiteboard is a great idea, but I would have it on top of the lid, with some sort of cover, and storage for the pens, along with an eraser or eraser cloth. The idea is great, but who wants to have to reach across an open toolbox, while stooping down, to read/write what is written there? Put the whiteboard so it can be written on, and read, from above, when the box is closed. On the jobsite, I tend to keep the lids on my boxes closed, or the wind will blow them shut anyway.
I also really like the idea of the included cord, and power bar, but I do NOT like the power bar at the bottom of the box, where all the dirt, mud, and moisture is. However, it is a good concept, in that you could Use it to hold cordless tools, put the box somewhat near a power source, pull out some cord (hopefully it is at least 10 feet long), and then plug in your chargers to the power bar. This might take a few mods to the box, to be sure things like a cordless recip saw would fit, and also figuring out dividers on the tray, to best fit common chargers and batteries.
I think the included battery, speakers, clock, are unnecessary. For the money, I’d rather buy a jobsite radio compatible with my cordless tool batteries, and I already have a clock on my phone, in the dash of my truck, etc.
The USB charging ports are a great addition, and I think the light is not a bad idea, either, but all it needs to be is enough to find what is in the bottom of the box, so cost should be negligible.
As for total cost, I figure $50 for the box, plus $10 for the whiteboard, another $25 for the cord and power bar, maybe another $5 or $7 for the LED to shine in the box, making it worth (to me) a bit under $100, provided it was sized to hold my cordless drill, impact driver, recip saw, a charger or two, several batteries, and required accessories for the above mentioned tools.
Jerry
Ps, I like the built in magnetic tray, but looking at the picture again, I do NOT like that the bottom is not flat. IMO, if they should put the cord reel upright, in a corner, get rid of the battery, and gain more usable space.
Stuart
It does have a flat bottom – the battery and cord reel components look to be beneath the floor of the tool box. The tool box’s storage compartment has a couple of walled-off compartments.
Barry
Come on guys, they offer a whole set of High Quality hand tools for an extra $39. You can expect same high quality on the Foolbox.
And a bottle opener? If you can’t open your beer using any of the tools inside the toolbox, you should not drink beer. Seriously.
Dave in VT
I don’t need half of the features found in this thing. Pass.
Barry
Meh, too much bling and not enough actual backbone.
It’s just a replicant of the Coolest Cooler, IMHO. However, the features made sense to me on the cooler but just don’t for a worksite.
My grandpa would be turning over in his grave if he saw this. Of course, grandpa believed metal toolboxes were for mechanics and if you worked wood you built your own toolbox to fit your tools.
One of the things that stands out to me as a horrible idea is putting the outlets on the bottom. I live in WI, 8 months out of the year job sites are generally snowy, wet, muddy, or some combination of all three. Even if I make sure not to set it down in a bad location, sometimes you wind up pushing a 2 wheel cart for maneuverability. This would have you pushing it straight into the badness.
Larson
I agree, this is the “coolest cooler” in a toolbox. I think it’s cool, and a great idea by the guys that came out with it. Would I ever buy one? No, probably not. Do I think the two contractors sitting with one is realistic? No, not really. But do I think it would be awesome for a light DIY heck yeah. The whiteboard is actually really cool, thinking of adding one to the inside of my tool chest now for jotting down sketches or plans
rob
I am not sure how useful this would be as an everyday toolbox as other’s have mentioned. Where I see something like this useful would be at trade shows, where you’re often limited on space and looking for ways to combine things. I can’t tell you how many times I am at shows and you forget your USB phone charger, or you grabbed an extension cord but need to plug more items into it, plus when setting up and breaking down the Bluetooth speaker would be cool. I think this would also be a great emergency toolkit box to have for when bad weather or an earthquake hits.
Now the cost is high, but it’s still something I’d consider adding to my mix. Not for everyday use but as a specialty item.
Greg
This thing seems way to small for rolling around. That girl pulling it looks hunched over trying to drag it. Needs longer extension handles and beefier wheels. Have to agree with Stewart that it looks way too flimsy and cheap plastic to be considered for any real tradesman.
I do like the magnetic top, I use parts trays all the time doing small punch list stuff. The outlets should be higher as others have pointed out. I can see this for small M12 line up of tools but for 150+ no thanks. I can get 2 Dewalt tough boxes, a 4 gang power strip, and LED head lamp for that price.
KL
The mag strip is really just a nightmare in a metal fab shop. It’ll collect every piece of fuzz and abrasive dust. I agree the receptacles should be higher. One reason it MIGHT be embraced if it were Milwaukee or DeWalt is the backing of those giants (plus I’m sorry but it would be a bit less gimmicky). But with these guys, if they’re out of business in a year, then what?? I don’t trust their battery and I don’t really see a need for pass-thru power. Whatever, if they succeed and stick around it’s because the market wanted their product. Good luck.
Charles McDaniel
It’s a tool box for people who don’t actually work. I applaud innovation but a tool box is for protecting and organizing tools. This is more of a project manager work station to run run a laptop, talk to contactors, and store blue prints. Tool boxes go hand in hand with pick up trucks and work vans. Can you really see someone with a f-250 mud down the side dents and scrapes in the bed, the dash covered on receipts and crumpled coffee cups buying this turd? It’s a poser box
Joe
My honest opinion from a maintenance guy that is always thinking about making his work easy and fast.
I definitely find the whiteboard useful even if does not have a built in writing utensil holder. I always write things down be it working on an HAVC system or writing down the refrigerant PSI pressures to detect possible refrigerant leaks. I see this as a plus no matter what.
The dual handles should technically allow to distribute the weight better.
The integrated power bar and wheels – this is a no brainer.
Usb ports – again a plus. Everyone with a cell phone on the go knows the benefit of a USB port to charge the phone.
Bluetooth speakers – at work there is someone always playing their radio station on a stand alone radio. Bluetooth means I can use my cell phone .mp3 files to play them on the speakers (if I understand that correctly). So play music in my phone and connect it to the speakers wireless.
LED light – I mean who does not need that?
Built-in 20V 5Ah LiPo, etc etc… everything sounds good to me. My only concern is the quality! $169 sounds cheap for everything they where able to cram in there. I mean just the 20V 5Ah (18V?) battery alone should be in the $40 range. The bluetooth electronic module and amp circuitry plus speakers should be in the $30 or more range. Just the toolbox alone would cost $20.
I don’t know about the rest, but this is close to the holly grail of toolboxes IF everything works as expected. (reliable)
glenn
I should have added in my previous post that generally, LiPo’s are not the safest choice of battery to use. I certainly would not be leaving a couple of thousand dollars worth of tools in a box while charging unattended LiPo’s.
Yes they are light, yes they are safer than they used to be and yes the chargers are now much better and incorporate safer technology than in the past. But, their actual construction is in no way ideal for job site use and to this day, if not handled correctly, there is the risk of catastrophic failure resulting in an almost unstoppable fire.
Li-Po batteries are generally manufactured in a pouch format, which makes them much lighter than the similar Li-Ion, which are usually encased in metal (read as safer), but it is this very structure which poses the risk. If the pouch is compromised in any way, they will start to burn.
There is much more to this than I can post here, so this is just some very basic info and a very basic “be forewarned”.
Li-Po fire video link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctY4oBrqK5U
Anton
It looks like the guys that made the fancy cooler are branching out.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ryangrepper/coolest-cooler-21st-century-cooler-thats-actually
Fermin Magnus
But… if there really is this huge untapped market out there, shouldn’t the (allegedly) few games that succeed in appealing to women be monster successes? Go back to the candy bar: if every other candy manufacturer was making sweet candies, the one who invented mints would clean up, even with terrible advertising and a non-standard product.
http://msk-door.ru/dver-attika-belenyij-dub/