BOTE Kula 5 Magnepod Review: The Cooler That’s Cooler Than You’d Expect

The BOTE Kula 5 Magnepod isn’t your typical hard cooler. It’s a 5-gallon, round rotomolded tank that doubles as a camp seat, SUP companion, and day-trip sidekick. Built by a paddleboard brand known for its versatility, the Kula 5 feels like it was designed with a specific user in mind: folks who move between the water, the trail, and the tailgate.

After several weeks of use in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley on rough 4×4 roads and post-hike hangouts at the trailhead, I realized one thing: the Kula 5 is a cooler that leans less on brute chilling power. Rather, its calling card is a smart design.

It’s comfortable, tough, and filled with clever features that make everyday use a pleasure. It won’t win any long-haul ice contests, but it’s easily one of the most thoughtful small coolers I’ve tested.

In short: The BOTE Kula 5 Magnepod ($299) is a feature-heavy, rotomolded 5-gallon bucket that’s incredibly durable. The EVA foam lid doubles as a seat, the sticky rubber feet keep it steady when used as a step, and the centered drain makes it easy to empty. Yes, it has some flaws. But for anyone looking for a portable, personality-filled cooler for daily adventures, the Kula 5 delivers.

See how the Kula 5 stacks up against the competition in our buyer’s guide for the Best Coolers of 2025-2026.

BOTE Kula 5 Magnepod Cooler: Review

BOTE started as a paddleboard company in Florida, and you can feel that DNA in nearly everything it makes. The brand’s approach has always been more about lifestyle than pure performance. When BOTE introduced its first cooler several years ago, it leaned on that same hybrid mentality: products meant to do more than one thing well.

And so came the Kula 5. Initially conceived as a cross between a bucket and a hard cooler that could strap to a SUP, it has evolved into a piece of gear that works for anyone. It has a little bit of flair that you don’t often find in its competitors, and we are definitely here for that.

Ice Retention: Cold for a Day, But Not a Weekend

The Kula 5 does what most small coolers need to do in that it keeps things cold for a full day of adventure. But the real test came when I moved beyond the 24-hour mark and into the multiday adventure realm.

As with all coolers tested by GearJunkie, I put the Kula 5 through our ice retention test. I loaded it up with cubed ice I bought at the grocery store, placed it in a relatively shady spot in our backyard, and popped a thermometer inside. Then, I waited.

At the 24-hour mark, the temperature was solid: a crisp 32 degrees Fahrenheit, which is what I hoped to see. But as the test continued, that number crept up and up. At 48 hours, I found some water and a reading of 34 degrees Fahrenheit. But it was the 72-hour thermometer reading where the proverbial wheels began to fall off. I opened the lid to find a reading of 37.9 degrees Fahrenheit and a decent amount of melted ice.

According to the USDA, food should be stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler. Thus, this is still within the realm of safety. However, the ice was melting fast, and it became clear that the Kula 5 shines — but only within a timestamp. Anything under 48 hours, and you’re golden. If you need something to last beyond that, it will be a gamble.

The design explains much of that tradeoff. The Kula’s circular body leaves less room for thick insulation than a rectangular cooler. And, its lid relies on a compression-style seal instead of a deep gasket. My take: Both of these factors contribute to a faster warmup once ice begins to melt. It’s a fair compromise if you prioritize portability and ease of use, but less so if you’re paying for top-tier cold retention.

Designed for Your Lifestyle

It’s not super common to find a lot of bells and whistles on a traditional cooler. After all, they really only have one job. But BOTE flipped that narrative on its head by designing a feature-rich cooler that keeps food chilled — while doing a bunch of other things, too.

For example, we know that everyone sits on their coolers. BOTE took that and made the Kula 5 an intentional seat by adding an EVA foam pad on the lid. It’s not a lot, but it’s just enough to add some comfort so your bony butt doesn’t feel like it’s resting on a slab of wood.

The cooler also sports four rubber “feet” on the bottom so that it doesn’t slip-slide around on surfaces. During one day of testing, I even used the cooler as a step-stool so I could reach into the cargo rack on the roof of my car. It’s always a questionable choice, but the Kula 5 felt solid beneath my weight. And, it never slipped an inch.

The centered drain is another standout feature. We’ve all experienced coolers that have the drain situated a bit too high for water to flow outward. You end up doing that awkward tilt to get every last drop of moisture out. But the BOTE Kula 5 puts the drain smack in the middle of the floor. Once you remove the cap, the water pours out effortlessly, requiring no jostling or tilting.

Of course, there is a tradeoff: with a full cooler, you have to lift the weight of it to reach the drain underneath. But since this is only a 5-gallon size, I can’t imagine the heft is too troublesome for most folks.

The built-in bottle opener and integrated rod holder nod to BOTE’s waterborne roots but feel just as handy on land. The cooler also has a small magnetic disc embedded in the lid — its namesake, the Magnepod — to lock compatible drinkware onto the lid so you’ll avoid accidental spills.

Space for What Matters

At 5 gallons (or 20 quarts), the Kula 5 is on the smaller size. Clearly, it’s not meant for long-haul adventures anyway. According to the brand, the Kula 5 can fit up to 25 cans. In theory, it is possible. I was able to make it work if I really packed them in there vertically, all standing on top of each other. There was some room for ice, albeit not as much as I’d prefer to take along for a day trip.

For me, the sweet spot was closer to 12-15 cans. This meant I wasn’t playing a crazy game of Tetris to get the cans inside. And I could add at least 6 pounds of ice to keep everything chilled. But really, it depends on your use case. If you need to cart along 24 cans for 2 dozen of your closest friends, the Kula 5 can make magic happen.

Keep in mind that the interior is basic. You won’t find any shelves or storage compartments in there. Instead, it’s just one simple, round space. I’m not sure those features are truly necessary on a round cooler of this size. But, it is worth noting — especially at this price point.

Room for Improvement

At $299, the Kula 5 is undeniably premium. I tested this at the same time as the YETI 24 Roadie, another small-sized cooler. Not only is the Roadie slightly larger (by 5 quarts), but it also costs about $50 less and performs better during the ice retention test. However, the Kula 5 has way more included features and could be nice for anglers or paddlers who like those specific design tweaks.

I also struggled a bit with portability. The handle is sturdy and comfortable to use. But the whole setup is slightly awkward to carry as it would often bang into my legs. I’m only 5’5″, so my height may have been a factor here, but it’s worth noting.

BOTE Kula 5: Final Thoughts

The BOTE Kula 5 isn’t trying to compete with expedition coolers that promise a week of ice. However, it does deliver a feature-rich, well-built, and genuinely fun piece of gear that fits seamlessly into a day of adventure. From the padded EVA lid that doubles as a seat to the integrated rod holder, sticky rubber feet, and built-in bottle opener, it’s clear that BOTE thought about how people actually use its coolers — and what they wish for when they do.

If you’re after a cooler that works as well on a boat deck or SUP as it does in the back of a 4×4, the Kula 5 nails that niche. It’s not the coldest cooler in the lineup, but it might be one of the most fun to use.