What are the best coolers like Yeti? So, you love Yeti coolers — Yeti being a renowned brand name in the world of coolers, perhaps the biggest. That said, if for whatever reason you don’t like this brand name, whether it’s the price, style, availability, or anything in between, there are other coolers that are just as good.
Today we have put together a list of the best coolers like Yeti in 2022, so let’s get right to it.
Best Coolers like Yeti Reviews
RTIC 20 Cooler
This is a nice little cooler that’s more than ideal for personal use, whether you want to take your lunch to the jobsite or a few cold ones to the beach.
It might not be the cheapest option of all coolers out there, but if you’re looking for a cooler like a Yeti, one for a lower cost but with the same level of quality, this RTIC 20 Cooler is a great option.
One of the standout features of this particular cooler is the roto-molded construction, which is something that automatically makes this an extremely durable cooler.
The special construction, as well as the heavy-duty T-latches, combined with the integrated locking system make the RTIC 20 Cooler bear-proof.
That’s right, this is one of those coolers that you can take camping in the woods, and you don’t have to worry about animals getting into it. Another standout feature of the RTIC 20 Cooler is that it comes with 3-inch insulated walls combined with a freezer grade gasket.
Thick walls and strong gaskets also make it durable, but at the same time, you can be sure that anything put inside of it will stay cold for at least 12 hours, if not longer.
Speaking of what you can put inside of it, the RTIC 20 Cooler can fit up to 24 cans along with some ice, so it’s more than large enough for most basic purposes.
Now, the RTIC 20 Cooler might not be the largest of all coolers out there, but then again, the compact size also helps maintain a certain level of portability.
This is also true thanks to the molded side handles, as well as the lift-top handle. What’s also nice about this particular model is that it comes with a no-sweat exterior, so condensation won’t build up on the exterior and cause a mess.
To make sure that it stays in place, the RTIC 20 Cooler also features non slip feet.
Related article: Review of Yeti Tumbler, always have a drink on-the-go!
RTIC 20 Cooler Pros and Cons
The good part about the RTIC 20 Cooler is how it is the perfect size for most single-person needs. It’s the kind of cooler that’s ideal for a trip to the beach, the park, for bringing lunch to the jobsite, or just for keeping some beers cold for your backyard BBQ.
It’s small enough to be portable, yet large enough to fit a decent amount of food and drinks.
One thing that needs to be noted about the RTIC 20 Cooler is that the non-slip rubber feet tend to just fall off, which is true of the side handles as well.
- Ideal size for most needs
- Durable shell
- Bear proof
- Very portable
- Decent amount of space
- Some issues with the rubber feet
- Side handles lack longevity
Orca Hard Sided Classic Cooler
If it’s a very large cooler you are after, something that can fit enough beers to last you and the gang, the Orca Hard Sided Classic Cooler is a great option to keep in mind.
It may be big and heavy, a bit low on the portability side of things, but it’s also tough as nails and has a heck of a lot of interior space.
One of the biggest highlights here is that the Orca Hard Sided Classic Cooler is a 58-quart cooler, with dimensions of 14” deep, 13.5” wide, and 19.5” long; in other words, yes, it is quite sizeable.
It has more than enough interior space to fit around 50 beers plus ice, if not more. Due to its large size, this is the kind of cooler you might use for a large family BBQ, a full day at the beach, or for a weekend camping and fishing trip.
That said, it’s not something you would use to take your lunch to work. Now, what is definitely worth noting about the Orca Hard Sided Classic Cooler, is that it is a very tough cooler. The roto-construction and the hard shell makes for a tough customer no doubt.
It also comes with secure T-latches. It’s a kind of cooler you can bang around without fear of denting or breaking it. Unlike the model reviewed above, this particular model is not advertised as being bear-proof or bear-resistant, so just be aware of that.
However, what we can say about the Orca Hard Sided Classic Cooler is that it does an exceptional job of keeping everything on the inside about as cool as can be. People have reported that their cooler still has ice in it after more than a full week. The super thick and well-insulated walls, as well as the sealing lid gasket are to thank for this.
Orca Hard Sided Classic Cooler Pros and Cons
Okay, so the great part about the Orca Hard Sided Classic Cooler is that it can fit a lot of food and drinks, and it can keep them super cold for days on end.
In terms of performance and doing its intended job, this is absolutely one the best coolers out there and an excellent alternative to the Yeti brand name coolers.
Something which is not too great about the Orca Hard Sided Classic Cooler is that it is really big and heavy, well over 30 pounds, and it doesn’t even come with any wheels or carrying handles.
For the price, which is huge by the way, not having a handle seems a bit ridiculous. For such an expensive cooler, it lacks portability, which for many people might be a deal-breaker.
- Fits a lot
- Keeps contents cool for days
- Very durable
- Made in the US
- Heavy
- Not very portable
- Very expensive
Pelican Products Progear Elite Cooler
When it comes to coolers like Yetis, one of the best alternatives is the Pelican Products Progear Elite Cooler. Now, this is a pricey cooler, and while there is no hiding the fact that it is quite expensive, it also has plenty of awesome features that make it well worth the investment.
It keeps contents cool for days, it’s super durable, and it’s portable to boot. First off, the Pelican Products Progear Elite Cooler is a 45-quart cooler, so it is somewhere between the first two we reviewed, in terms of size.
This cooler can fit ice plus at least 30 beers, probably even a few more yet. It’s not the largest cooler in the world, but more than large enough to take some brews on a day-long fishing trip or for a night of camping.
It’s a good cooler for a few people and a few dozen beers, or whatever else you plan on putting inside it.
Although it’s not huge, the Pelican Products Progear Elite Cooler is on the other hand very portable. It’s not overly heavy and it comes with high-quality side handles for easy carrying.
It’s also worth noting that this model comes with an easy push water drain system in the bottom so you can quickly and easily drain off melted ice.
Perhaps one of the most impressive features of the Pelican Products Progear Elite Cooler is that it can keep ice frozen for up to 10 days. This is thanks to the thick and well-insulated walls, as well as the marine-grade lid gasket for a 100% solid seal.
The latches are solid too, and they even lock to ensure that the cooler stays closed at all times.
Let’s not forget that the exterior of the Pelican Products Progear Elite Cooler is about as tough and durable as it gets. This particular model is actually regarded as one of the toughest coolers out on the market at this time. Now, it’s not rated as being bear-proof, but unless a hungry grizzly is involved, this cooler should stand up to some rough treatment.
Pelican Products Progear Elite Cooler Pros and Cons
The good part about the Pelican Products Progear Elite Cooler is, well mostly everything as far as we are concerned. It’s one of the best coolers like Yeti. This cooler is large enough to fit a substantial amount of contents, yet is still compact and lightweight enough to be portable, thanks to the integrated handles.
Let’s not forget just how tough this cooler is, plus it can keep your beers frosty for 10 days.
Something we don’t appreciate when it comes to the Pelican Products Progear Elite Cooler is the price tag. When all is said and done, you’ll spend over $400 on this cooler.
- Keeps contents cold for up to 10 days
- Extremely durable
- Quite portable
- Easy to drain
- Marine-grade gasket
- Very big price tag
Igloo Yukon Cold Locker Cooler
This cooler is so far the largest cooler on our list. It’s absolutely massive, it’s made tough, and it’s designed to keep contents frozen for days.
Considering how large and high quality this cooler is, it’s quite surprising that it doesn’t have a higher price tag, especially when compared with the other models reviewed.
When it comes to highlights, one of the big ones here is that this cooler features a whopping 70-quart interior. It also comes in a 50-quart model.
The 70-quart model is huge, and it’s got enough room to fit a couple dozen pounds of ice and somewhere around 75 beers.
Now, what’s interesting to note is that the lid comes with a fish size scale on it, which implies that this cooler is designed for fisherman who need to keep their fresh catches cool and fresh.
Whatever your preferred use for it might be, one thing that you can rest assured of is that this unit has tons of interior space.
What is also worth noting is that the Igloo Yukon Cold Locker Cooler is made of very durable polyurethane. It’s fairly durable, although maybe not quite as tough as some of the others we have looked at so far.
The Igloo Yukon cooler features a 360 degree freezer grade lid gasket, complete with its own insulation, 3-inch thick heavily insulated walls, and a special tech known as Cool Riser Tech, which helps cool air flow under the contents.
All in all, you can expect this cooler to keep contents cold for around a full week.
The T-latch lid locks ensure that the lid only opens when you want it to, and this unit even comes complete with 2 spaces for padlocks, so you can lock it shut, although we would not qualify this as being bear-proof.
Igloo Yukon Cold Locker Cooler Pros and Cons
The great part about the Igloo Yukon Cold Locker Cooler is that it’s the kind of cooler that works well for big occasions. Whether for a large family gathering, a weekend fishing trip, or a week-long camping trip, this cooler has the space you need to fit a lot of food and drinks, and the ability to keep everything cool for a long time.
Let’s not forget that the price tag isn’t even that high, all things considered. What needs to be said is that it’s very large and heavy, both things which definitely limit portability.
Another important issue is the drain is not the best and has been known to leak at times.
- Tons of space
- Keeps contents cool for up to 1 week
- Carrying handles
- Quite durable
- Comparatively affordable
- Some drainage/leakage issues
- Limited portability
ENGEL ENG65 High Performance Cooler
Here we have what is by far the most expensive cooler on the list, around $500.
That said, in terms of ice retention and keeping the contents cold, you can expect about two weeks out of this cooler, which in this regard makes it one of the very best out there, plus it has some other nice features worth mentioning as well.
One of the things worth mentioning right off the bat is that the ENGEL ENG65 High Performance Cooler is certified bear-proof.
This unit has been rotationally molded with 2 inches of high-density polyurethane insulation, and an outer shell that is about as tough as it gets.
It comes with solid dual latches, and it can be locked shut with 2 locks as well. All in all, when it comes to dealing with hungry animals, the ENGEL ENG65 High Performance Cooler is your best bet at keeping them away from your food.
This cooler also features marine-grade adjustable compression latches and a totally airtight silicone gasket, both of which work towards keeping the contents as cool for as long as possible.
It comes with carrying handles, and surprisingly enough, considering its size and capacity, it’s not all that heavy. We also appreciate the non-marking and non-slip rubber feet. Not only is this cooler super tough and nearly indestructible, but it is also one of the best in its class for overall ice retention. Thanks to the special closed-cell construction, you can expect ice to stay completely frozen for up to 10 or even 14 days.
In terms of size, this is a 58-quart cooler, so it can fit quite a bit, up to 90 cans of beer plus more than enough ice. It’s too large to make it a lunch cooler for work, but it comes in at the perfect size for a full day beach or fishing trip, or even for camping too.
ENGEL ENG65 High Performance Cooler Pros and Cons
Without a shadow of a doubt, when it comes to quality and functionality, the ENGEL ENG65 High Performance Cooler is by far one the best options your money can buy. It’s a cooler worth comparing to Yeti coolers.
Being fully certified bear-proof and being able to keep contents cool for nearly two weeks are its standout features. What could definitely use some improvement here is the price. Let’s face it, $500+ is a lot to pay for a cooler. Other than the steep price, there’s really nothing critical we can say about the ENGEL ENG65 High Performance Cooler.
- Awesome ice retention
- Incredible durability
- Bear proof
- Very nice feet
- Adjustable pressure latches
- Very expensive
Cooler Buyer’s Guide
Before you buy any old cooler you can get your hands on, there are a few important aspects to keep in mind. Here’s what to look for in a cooler:
Insulation and Wall Thickness
One of the most important features to look for with any cooler is what the insulation is like. Most high-quality coolers are often made with high-density polyurethane insulation, or something similar, which is what you should be looking for.
Here, you also want to make sure that the walls are at least 2 inches thick, if not 3 inches. The thicker the walls and the higher quality the insulation, the longer the contents will stay cool.
Cooler Outer Shell
Another important component of any cooler is the outer shell, which is going to provide the durability. All of the coolers we reviewed today are made out of high-quality polyethylene or something similar, and they all feature a roto-molded construction.
If you want a cooler that will stay in one piece for years, this is what you should look for.
Handles, Weight, and Portability
The weight, the type of handles, and whether or not the cooler in question comes with wheels are all aspects to pay attention to as well. Simply put, if you are in the market for something smaller and highly portable, make sure to get a lightweight option, possibly with wheels.
However, keep in mind that high-capacity coolers with top-notch insulation are often going to be quite hefty.
Cooler Capacity
Another important factor to look out for is how much the cooler in question can fit. If you need something to bring lunch to work, a 15- or 20-quart model should do.
For a full day trip to the beach, maybe a 40-quart model would be ideal. If you need something for a week-long camping trip, you will probably want to look for something that can hold 60 quarts or more.
Sealing, Locking, and Bear Proofing
An important aspect to look for is that the cooler in question comes with a high-grade gasket that seals the lid 100%, thus making it airtight and allowing for maximum ice retention.
On that same note, you should also look for something that has locking latches, even locking and adjustable pressure latches combined with holes for padlocks — anything and everything possible to ensure that the unit is sealed.
The best models will be labeled as bear-proof, which you want if you plan on camping in the woods.
Drainage
On a side note, a cooler with a drain in the bottom is always ideal. You need to drain melted ice, and the easiest way to do this is a with a handy drain located at the bottom of the cooler.
Price and Warranty
Finally, pay attention to your budget, because as you can see, some of these coolers can cost as much as $500 or more.
Also, if you spend that much on a cooler, ensure that it has a good warranty. Some of the cooler models like Yeti have warranties that last as long as 10 years.
What are the Best Coolers Like Yeti
When all is said and done, it’s hard for us to make an exact recommendation here. Which cooler you choose to go with is going to depend on the capacity you require. In terms of ice retention, all the models reviewed today will retain ice for 8 or 10 days at the least, and they’re all quite durable too.
What is going to be the deciding factor for you is how large of a cooler you require to meet your needs. You’ll also need to consider portability and if having a bear-proof cooler is important.
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