Updated Sep. 05, 2024
In our tests of 12 coolers, the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler came out on top. Here's why our expert Testing Team rates it the best all-around option.
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Rotomolded coolers are the current fad among outdoor enthusiasts, and it’s easy to see why. According to our Test Kitchen, the best coolers are rugged, offer reliable insulation and have plenty of room for snacks, drinks and other outdoor essentials. Even casual campers, like Culinary Assistant Mark Neufang, note that nothing is more disappointing than a cooler that looks like it hauls a lot but doesn’t offer much room inside. With that in mind, it’s easy to see why large, hard-sided rotomolded options are often considered the gold standard.
Despite many coolers claiming they’re “cooler” than the competition, one option has prevailed in popularity through the years: The Yeti cooler. In fact, not only is the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler one of the most popular models on the market, but it’s also widely regarded as the very first cooler of its kind. Backed by years of five-star feedback and boasting the best overall design of all the options tested by our expert Product Testing Team, this cooler has both the brawn and the beauty to impress even the most overt outdoorsmen.
While there are many heavy-duty hard-side coolers on the market these days, the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler is the benchmark model that merits many imitators. Thanks to Roy and Ryan Seiders, Yeti is the brand that introduced heavy-duty coolers to the mainstream in 2006. The brothers created the first Yeti Tundra cooler to combat the intense Texas heat during their summertime outings.
Since then, the company has perfected its coolers’ construction, adding three inches of PermaFrost insulation, a removable dry-goods basket and a certified bear-resistant shell, among many other upgrades. There’s also a bevy of complimentary Yeti gear now available, including iced coffee cups and wine tumblers, among dozens of other outdoor-friendly designs.
Apart from its solid build and incredible ice retention, the Tundra cooler is also eye-catching—something rarely observed when it comes to practical outdoor gear. The cooler comes in five core colors and several seasonal shades, including red, white, navy, charcoal, tan, lilac, orange, teal and blue. Outdoor enthusiasts also have a variety of sizes to choose from. The smallest Yeti cooler comes in at a manageable 35 quarts, while the largest measures a massive 350 quarts. No matter the size of the crew, there’s a Yeti cooler that compliments any camping trip.
The Yeti cooler also pioneered “T-Rex Lid Latches.” These are the classic rubber pull tabs that clip into place, which many rugged coolers (including the Orca cooler) now sport. They’re also some of the best, with Yeti T-latches topping our list of all the T-tab coolers we tested. Overall, Yeti is a reliable cooler brand with dozens of dupes—but nothing beats the classic Tundra when it comes to performance!
VIA MERCHANT
The Yeti cooler offers unparalleled ice retention and style. Use it as a camping ice chest for up to four folks or pop in drinks for a day on the water.
Our Product Testing Team tried 12 popular options from familiar retailers, including Lifetime and BruTank, for our piece on the best coolers. The team looked at features, performance, and value to thoroughly evaluate each. Over the course of a week, the Product Testing Team:
Our Testing Team taped thermometers to the inside of each cooler and tracked ambient temperature/percentages of remaining ice after 24 hours, 72 hours, and 96 hours. We kept the coolers outdoors in a van during the year’s hottest weekend. Temperatures maxed out around 95 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning the temperature inside the van was well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit—a seriously unrelenting stress test. We also considered weight, leakage, drainage, capacity, insulation, maneuverability and accessories.
We verified that the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler fits 54 cans without ice, making it big enough for a day at the beach or a two-person camping trip. Being rather small, it also easily slips into a Sedan trunk—something the other coolers we tested could never dream of doing. It makes sense, though, since this option only weighs in at 24.45 pounds.
Additionally, it’s also incredibly easy for able-bodied adults to haul it around using its rope handles with rubber grips. Dylan Fischer, our Product Tester, notes that the grips offer comfort and better ergonomics while maneuvering the cooler from trunk to campsite. He also mentions that these rope handles have just the right amount of slack, unlike some competitors’ rope handles, which feel too long.
In terms of its insulation, the YETI impresses yet again. Some of the competitors had actual streams of water coming from the backside of the lid when we tipped the closed cooler. This one leaks sporadic droplets but otherwise offers a pretty decent seal. Nowhere is this more apparent than the cooler’s ice retention.
By day four of our stress test in a hot car boasting temperatures above 100ºF, there was still around 20% of the original ice remaining. While the ice was fully melted by the fifth day, the temperature still measured at a reasonable 54°F. Out of all the coolers we tested, this one was a top performer.
“Abominable snowman? More like an indomitable snowman! (Ba-dum-tss!) The Yeti wowed us in just about every way. There’s a color option for everyone, its handles and latches were easy to use, and the ice retention was incomparably impressive,” says Product Tester Annamarie Higley.
While not inherently flawed, the drainage process leaves room for improvement. There are two methods for draining the cooler. Draining it with the cap still inserted provides two holes for water to flow through. This process takes longer than fully removing the cap to drain. On the other hand, leaving the cap in makes the water stop short of fully draining.
Additionally, according to the testing team, the cap readily pops out, making it easy to lose. Many of the other coolers we tested had drain caps connected via wires or plastic straps. Regardless, that doesn’t impact how the cooler drains.
One area where Yeti shines is its additional features. When coupled with the brand’s bear-proof locks, Yeti coolers meet the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) standards for bear-resistant containers. Numerous other Yeti cooler accessories (sold separately) further enhance the outdoor experience. Accessories range from practical options like ice packs, rod holsters, and lid seats to party people picks like a set of steer horns to practice roping techniques.
The Yeti cooler also comes with a convenient dry-goods basket. While helpful for keeping picnic and camping food from becoming soggy, it juts into the ice basin quite a bit, limiting the amount of room for drinks. That said, it’s totally optional, and removing it is perfectly fine for those who require more space.
Those looking for a customizable option won’t be disappointed with a Yeti cooler. Their custom shop offers tons of sports teams and other popular emblems. Each cooler, including the custom options, comes protected by a five-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Considering the cost, Yeti’s warranty provides additional peace of mind for those willing to splurge on this luxe option.
The Product Testing Team has a combined decade of experience testing and evaluating products. We use fair and honest testing practices under controlled conditions for each test. Our team has thoroughly evaluated everything from food processors to ceramic cookware in our dedicated Testing Lab. We also put every product through a thorough testing process that ensures accurate, quality results.
According to our tests, the Yeti cooler keeps ice intact for around four days in temperatures over 100ºF. By the fifth day, the ice had melted, but the temperature was still only around 54ºF. We expect ice to stay intact even longer in lower temperatures—we purposefully left the cooler in a hot car as an intense stress test. It performed incredibly well!
According to the Yeti website, the Yeti Tundra cooler is available in 35-, 45-, 65-, 75-, 105-, 110-,125,- 160-, 210-, 250- and 350-quart sizes. For our tests, we tried the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler, which fits exactly 54 cans without ice.
Cleaning a Yeti cooler is as simple as draining it, wiping it with soap and water and giving it a good rinse. One thing to note is that the drain cap pops out super easily, so be careful not to lose it while draining and rinsing your cooler!
The Yeti cooler retails for around $300 and is available on the Yeti website. You can also snag it from most outdoor retailers, including Amazon, REIÂ and Backcountry. While pricey, this high-quality cooler is well worth the cost if you want an ice chest that lasts through years of outdoor use. After all, the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler is the original rugged option for outdoor enthusiasts!
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The Yeti cooler offers unparalleled ice retention and style. Use it as a camping ice chest for up to four folks or pop in drinks for a day on the water.
Originally Published: July 23, 2024
