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While Yeti makes some of the best coolers, they can be very expensive. Because these coolers start at a few hundred dollars a pop and run as high as $1,000, many people seek less-expensive Yeti cooler alternatives.
A Yeti cooler—whether it’s the petite Roadie or the massive Tundra—offers incredible ice retention to keep foods cold. It’s also practically indestructible with its high-quality one-piece construction. Fortunately, there are several options out there that offer similar quality, design, and performance without the premium price tag.
Read on to find the best Yeti cooler alternative that may be a better fit for your needs at a lower cost.
1. Coleman Reunion 54-Quart Steel Belted Cooler
The Coleman Reunion 54-Quart Steel Belted Cooler is the runner-up pick in our best coolers guide. It lives up to its claims, preserving ice for 4 days and keeping water cold for 5 days in our testing at a lower price than most Yetis (and our first-place pick). This steel cooler is a sturdy unit, doubling as a seat to provide extra space at gatherings. With its built-in bottle opener, you’ll be able to open beverages without hunting for a separate opener.
What our tester says: “The painted steel body houses an insulated interior with a 4-day ice retention capability, even when temperatures soar to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. When we put it to our Miami ice challenge, it held up great.”—Jen Karetnick, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Coleman Reunion cooler at Amazon for $239.99.
2. RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Cooler
The RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Cooler is our best value choice, tested in our best coolers guide. It’s durable, with a rotomolded construction and close to 3 inches of closed-cell foam insulation. A silicone cargo net and bottle opener are small extra features that make it great for a beach day or camping trip. With the capacity to hold 60 cans and the ability to stay cold for up to 5 days, it will keep travelers stocked for a long weekend jaunt. We tested this RTIC cooler against a Yeti cooler, and it performed similarly to the Yeti in ice retention, but at a much more economical price.
What our tester says: “[This cooler] performed at the same levels as the Yeti and was barely behind the Arctic Zone Titan. We can see this outdoor cooler being a regular partner for personal rafting trips, as it fits snugly in a raft frame and doubles as a seat.”—Zach Lazzari, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the RTIC Ultra-Tough cooler at Amazon for $239.
3. Igloo Trailmate Journey 70-Quart Wheeled Cooler
In our best wheeled cooler guide, we list the Igloo Trailmate Journey 70-Quart Wheeled Cooler as the best beach cooler, but it’s also excellent for anywhere with uneven ground. The standout feature of this cooler is its oversized wide and tall tires, which roll nicely across sand, rocks, and other challenging terrain. The wheel size and placement offer even more clearance than a comparable Yeti cooler for a fraction of the cost. With other features like a lockable lid, removable butler tray, interior dry food basket, and built-in cupholders and bottle openers, it offers excellent functionality for its price.
What our tester says: “The Trailmate Journey truly proved to be feature rich and the best beach cooler with wheels. We appreciated the padded handle and ground clearance the most, as it can travel over almost anything.”—Tom Scalisi, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Igloo Trailmate cooler at Cabela’s for $259.99.
4. Arctic Zone Titan Deep-Freeze Hardbody Cooler
If you’re searching for a Yeti cooler alternative for daily use, check out the Arctic Zone Titan Deep-Freeze Hardbody Cooler. This small cooler bag features a special radiant heat barrier that deflects heat rather than absorbing it. This means the cooler stays cold for longer, with ice lasting as long as two days. It offers a unique zipperless lid that flips open for easy access. There’s also a padded shoulder strap that makes it comfortable to carry along for camping trips, cookouts, and other activities.
Get the Arctic Zone cooler at Amazon for $42.99.
5. Pelican 30-Quart Elite Cooler
The Pelican 30-Quart Elite Cooler features a rugged design with an overmolded carry handle that’s ready to take on outdoor adventures. With 2 inches of polyurethane insulation and a freezer-grade gasket, it will keep items cold for extended periods. Other notable components include a reinforced lock hasp, self-draining cup holders, nonskid rubber feet, and a stainless steel bottle opener.
Get the Pelican cooler at Amazon for $244.35.
6. EchoSmile Rotomolded Cooler
Retain ice for up to 4 days with the EchoSmile Rotomolded Cooler. It’s made of solid rotomolded construction (the same type of construction as a Yeti cooler and other premium coolers), so it’s built to last. The cooler is available in several sizes, ranging from 25 to 75 quarts in capacity, and it offers a UV-resistant outside, integrated cup holders and bottle openers, a quick-drain plug, and anti-slip rubber feet.
Get the EchoSmile cooler at Amazon starting at $119.
7. Grizzly Cooler
Keep bears out and cold in with the Grizzly 15 Cooler. To keep foods and beverages cold for longer, the sides have been injected with up to 2 inches of Ecomate polyurethane foam. The rotomolded linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) design helps ensure all the walls are even in thickness for optimal cooling and durability. This cooler may be particularly appealing for those who like camping as it’s been certified as bear-resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. Plus, it’s available in several fun colors.
Get the Grizzly cooler at Amazon for $179.99.
8. Igloo Marine Ultra Cooler
The Igloo Marine Ultra Cooler is available in several sizes ranging from 30 to 100 quarts and features UV inhibitors that work to prevent sun damage on the outside, while insulation foam improves ice retention on the inside. Designed for use on the water, it features rust-resistant hardware, nonslip handles, a stain- and odor-resistant liner, and a molded-in fish ruler. It’s significantly less expensive than a Yeti cooler, but it still keeps items frosty.
Get the Igloo Marine cooler at Amazon for $69.99.
9. IceMule Classic Collapsible Backpack Cooler
Those planning to travel might consider this IceMule Classic Collapsible Backpack Cooler. With a special air valve, interior insulation, fabric exterior, and welded seams, the cooler bag can keep food and drinks cold for longer than 24 hours. The ventilated sling strap allows you to easily carry it on your back, keeping hands free. It’s also waterproof and buoyant, making it the ideal companion for kayaking, fishing, and beach trips.
Get the IceMule cooler at Cabela’s for $99.95.
10. Magellan Outdoors 45-Quart Pro Explore Icebox
The Magellan Outdoors 45-Quart Pro Explore Icebox is our top pick for the best wheeled cooler. Our product tester really enjoyed the flexibility of the lid, a feature that sets this cooler apart from the rest. It can be opened from either side and removed entirely for easier access. More importantly, it performed well in our testing and has those extra little features appreciated in a premium cooler, such as an internal divider that doubles as a cutting board, a built-in bottle opener, and a durable steel tow handle.
What our tester says: “The Magellan Outdoors Pro Explore Icebox was quite a surprise during the test. It has as many, if not more, features than brands that cost twice as much. Throughout the test, it held ice very well and recorded an average temperature of 37.5 degrees Fahrenheit.”—Tom Scalisi, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Magellan cooler at Academy Sports + Outdoors for $183.99.
11. Igloo Polar 120 Cooler
The Igloo Polar 120 Cooler comes at a very budget-friendly price for such a large cooler. At 120 quarts, it holds up to 188 cans. It’s a simple oversized cooler with enough insulation to hold ice for up to 5 days. A threaded drain plug allows for optional hose hook-up for continuous draining on long camping or fishing trips.
Get the Igloo Polar cooler at Cabela’s for $99.99.
12. Coleman 50-Quart Xtreme Wheeled Cooler
The Coleman 50-Quart Xtreme Wheeled Cooler is a solid cooler at a bargain price. This unit is wheeled, with heavy-duty tires that make it easy to transport to the campsite or park. However, it didn’t quite live up to the advertised expectations in our testing and only kept loose ice solid for 1 or 2 days, rather than the advertised 5. At a fraction of the price of a Yeti cooler, though, we’d recommend it for day trips and short overnight stays.
Get the Coleman Xtreme cooler at Amazon for $51.99.
13. DeWalt 10-Quart Lunch Box Cooler
With its rotomolded construction, the DeWalt 10-Quart Rotomolded Lunch Box Cooler will keep meals cold all day at work. This boxy lunch cooler is durable and intended to stand up to rough treatment on busy jobsites. Suitable for long days at work, it has a roomy 10-quart capacity, a heavy-duty metal handle, two can holders molded into the lid, and even an integrated bottle opener for cracking open a cold one at the end of the day.
Get the DeWalt cooler at Amazon for $99.99.
14. RTIC Soft Cooler
Another pick that made our best coolers list, the RTIC Soft Cooler is the best Yeti alternative pick for boat trips, hikes by the water, and kayaking adventures. Since it keeps contents cold for up to 2 days, it’s also suitable for overnighters. Along with being durable and fully waterproof, it floats, which means you won’t lose it if it drops in a body of water. It’s also completely leakproof, making it even more appealing and mess-free. In our testing, it didn’t perform very well in direct sunlight, but as long as it’s in a shady spot, it is an excellent cooler.
What our tester says: “We love the fact that this model floats, so we would certainly take it on a kayak or rafting adventure, or even on a forest hike.”—Zach Lazzari, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the RTIC Soft cooler at Amazon for $129.
15. HydroFlask 20 L Day Escape Soft Cooler
When you want to be hands-free, a backpack cooler is the most convenient choice. The HydroFlask 20 L Day Escape Soft Cooler is our favorite one. It’s leak-proof, buoyant, and keeps items cold for up to 36 hours—a claim proven in our testing. The padded straps were comfortable, and the bag is generally well-built, suitable for bigger adventures.
What our tester says: “With laser-cut welded gear attachment loops for dry storage accessories, a side pocket for a water bottle, and a ‘self-healing’ (no teeth) silent zipper that realigns itself, this is one of the most rugged backpack coolers on the market.”—Zach Lazzari, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the HydroFlask cooler at Amazon for $174.16.
16. Igloo MaxCold Latitude 62 Roller Cooler
If you’re looking for a small wheeled cooler for day trips, the Igloo MaxCold Latitude 62 Roller Cooler is a great choice. Its all-terrain wheels handle the path to the pool, beach, or park, and keep the cooler above the ground to help maintain its cool interior (it can retain ice for up to 5 days). Four self-draining drink holders on the lid make it the ideal accompaniment for weekend adventures.
Get the Igloo MaxCold cooler at Cabela’s for $69.99.
17. RollR 60 Wheeled Cooler
The RovR RollR 60 Wheeled Cooler has a price tag comparable to some Yeti coolers, but the bevy of extra features make it more useful. This unit is a large-wheeled cooler, with inflated all-terrain tires (as opposed to the solid wheels of many coolers) for a smoother rolling experience. It also has an offset handle, making it easier to pull without hitting your heels while walking. For longer treks, attach the cooler to a bike with a BikR Kit Attachment (sold separately). It doesn’t skimp on cooling performance, either, and can keep items cold for up to 10 days.
What our tester says: “This rotomolded cooler claims grizzly-proof construction and features ample tie-downs to keep it in place on the road. There’s even a bike arm attachment (not included) that users can hook to their bike for easy transportation.”—Tom Scalisi, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the RollR cooler at Rovr for $299.
18. BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler
The BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler is another rolling cooler that has a similar price point as some Yeti models, but with a few extra features to consider. It will keep things cool, with up to 7 days of ice retention, but the stand-out feature of this cooler is that it has a built-in drink tank with a tap. This means it holds 2.8 gallons of water, homemade drinks, or any other beverage, keeps it cold, and saves on the weight and hassle of carrying cans and bottles in and out of a campsite. It also comes in a variety of stylish colors.
What our tester says: “It has a fun drink-mix chamber and tap for ice-cold drinks all day. For our tests, we added some ice and juice, and it was fun to have cold beverages on demand at camp. The tank uses a vent cap on the cooler lid to control pressure while allowing the tap to function perfectly. Even with the drink tank, the cooler still has plenty of interior space. You will need to take extra steps to clean the tank, but it’s not a big effort.” —Zach Lazzari, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the BrüTank cooler at Brümate for $399.99.
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You don’t have to splurge on a Yeti to find comparable cooling performance.
