Best Yeti Coolers Reviewed & Compared

In a Hurry? Editors choice:
Hopper
Test Winner: Hopper
Amazon Link
Many coolers out on the market are designed for simple trips, such as picnics, going to the beach, outings with your friends and family, etc. But when you are really planning on roughing it out, you need something that can withstand harsh weather and environments, while protecting your food and beverages. Since food and water are such vital necessities, the task of protecting them can only be left to the best, Yeti Coolers. The company, founded by the Seiders brother, started in their father’s garage in Dripping Springs (Texas), in 2006. A few years later, YETI’s fan base and diehard outdoor lovers have grown so much that you find its name pretty much everywhere. Below are the 5 YETI models, (including handheld) reviewed and compared for their durability, insulation, size, style, and value.

Standout Picks

YETI Roadie
If you’re in search of a long-lasting cooler, made with the best materials, then this YETI Roadie is sure to please you. Now part of the Tundra series, the Roadie is a smaller model that still looks pretty imposing and that is perfect for single-person trips – the cooler can still hold up to 14 cans. Because of its metal handle, the Roadie is excellent for its portability capacity, and its durability is impressive in every aspect.
YETI Hopper
This soft-sided cooler is sure to please those who want something on the smaller size, but with efficient insulation and excellent longevity. The second version of the Hopper (Hopper 2) comes in a few sizes: 20-liter, 30-liter, and 40-liter, which means that this cooler is sure to please everyone and their diverse needs. Because of its HydroLock Zipper, thick Coldcell insulation, lightweight (when empty…), your food and drinks can stay cold up to 3 or 4 days.
Amazon Link
$499.99
YETI Tundra
This is YETI’s ‘baby’ as it’s their original model. It comes in numerous sizes (35, 45, 50, 65, 75, 105, 110, 125, 160 and finally 201-quart) and it comes in four color options (white, baby blue, tan and desert tan). Like the rest of its brother coolers, the Tundra is made of plastic, polyester and premium metals to keep the foods and drinks as cool as possible for as long as possible. This model is also roto-molded, with PermaFrost insulation, ColdLock Gasket latches, NeverFail hinges and T-Rex Lid latches, bringing the cool during warm sunny days in the wild.
Amazon Link
$425.00
YETI Hopper M30
When it comes to purchasing a YETI that fits your needs you want to look through all the features and put a comprehensive guide in your mind of what you truly need. If space and portability are at the top of your list the YETI Hopper M30 is the way to go. Though it is smaller in size it is quite mighty.
YETI Daytrip Packable
Built for convenience the YETI Daytrip Packable is quite an exceptional product. While we all know YETI takes pride in creating coolers that get the job done, they don’t exactly make items that are easy to carry around regularly. While their tumblers are portable sometimes you want and need something big and with more command. That is where this one coming into play. This YETI lunch bag is the perfect addition to any working or school essentials bag. It's light, airy and comes with a ton of features.
Amazon Link
$80.00

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Durability

If you're getting a Yeti cooler, that means you are looking for the best on the market. These were meant for the real outdoor enthusiasts and hunters that really like to rough it out. Yeti uses the best materials available and always tests their products for durability. It was hard to rate these coolers in this category since they produce some of the toughest coolers available. We looked at customer reviews and the overall quality of material when rating each item. We also looked at how well it can withstand the environment as some were designed better than others.

Size

Large Coolers
These larger capacity coolers are practical for taking on the long road trip or holiday when you may be living with basic amenities. The offer of having coolers when you go on that hunting trip, or fishing trip and the quality required to ensure your kit can withstand the surroundings in which you will be using it in – is a bonus because it gives you longer freedom outdoors and makes it far more enjoyable with a cool drink. Yeti has worked hard to make the kit they produce be up to any job you want to use it in, and in a number of different guises.

Small Coolers
Of course, you may not have the need for a full-sized cooler, you may not have the requirement to keep food and drink for a long period. If you are simply going out for a shorter while, or know you will have the amenities to re-stock and cool, a smaller, more practical cooler will be best suited to you. Yeti makes a good selection of handheld coolers that have different qualities and are tough enough and durably designed to be used in demanding activities.

Insulation

Insulation is important of course because it's what ensures that the contents of the cooler stay cold. Poor insulation will lead to poor temperature control and your ice will melt quicker. It can also lead to your food spoiling, which can be a bad deal if that's all you have when outdoors. Yeti uses a state-of-the-art process to provide incredible insulation that will keep temp for longer than most cooler on the market. However, due to some design differences, there were some models that did provide better insulation than others. We rated on how long each item was able to keep ice frozen and how quickly it was able to get the temperature down to an acceptable degree.

Style

When you’ve decided you are going out on a trip when you will need cool drinks and food, you need to best decide where you are going, for how long and what types of cooler you will need. There are varying types and sizes of coolers, and sometimes a large and heavy cooler is just not portable enough to take on your day trip within your trip. Of course, practicality will define your choice of coolers, and often a handheld cooler will be more useful to you. A larger cooler is, of course, ideal for the long trip, and for providing cool foodstuffs and drink for greater numbers.

There are many Yeti Coolers on the market and they vary in many aspects, from the outward design to the interior design, to the size and ways of cooling. Hard-sided coolers are specifically designed to hold larger capacities to take on road trips and camping holidays where there are limited amenities. These come by design, and one such cooler is the Tundra, Tank and Roadie Ranges, these are hard-sided coolers and come in a variety of sizes so you are sure to be able to find one that best suits your individual needs. The Roadie is roto-molded and offers a no sweat interior, the Tank and Tundra range offer a great variety in capacity. Sizes start from a 21 can capacity right up to a whopping 259 can capacity.

The range doesn’t stop there, and Yeti also offers a soft-sided option in the Hopper. This cooler is designed to be fully practical for providing the much-needed cooling capability you want when you’re on a hike or a boat trip. They are available in varying capacities ranging from an 8 can size up to a 34 can. They are portable, have a versatile carrying strap system and a backpack strap system so you can free up your hands and still take your cooler with you any journey.

For a totally portable experience on your trip and for that well-earned downtime, is the Rambler range of cooler drink-ware. The cooling you need is available in handy sizes that are able to keep your individual drinks either cool or warm whatever your choice of refreshment is. The versatility of these makes them doubly useful and practical on your trips because you can use them for keeping drinks cold – and for keeping drinks warm.

Value

The cooler you choose should be reflective of where you are going, how you will maintain the cooler, and of course the standard of cooling and the quality of the cooler itself. Yeti has been making coolers since 2006 and the products they offer, are tested, tried and come highly recommended. They provide larger coolers for the main storage of your food and drinks, all with different qualities, and they also offer a great range of handheld coolers for those in-between trips. They are also extremely practical for taking on outdoor activities to help you remain cool and hydrated, for instance when you’re off on a run, or another exerting exercise when you need cooling refreshment.

I have to say that YETI is one of the premium brands out there (I’d even go forward and say that, in my opinion, these coolers are the best on the market). Whether you want a soft-side cooler – that can still hold ice for more than an hour or two – or a hard-shell cooler with an ice-retention that can last for days, or a lighter handheld cooler, YETI has them all. You just have to expect to pay a little more than what you’d see for lower-range coolers, but this is a long-term investment, and with their 5-year warranty, then you know that you’re in for a long time!

Top 10 Picks

1. Roadie

Where to buy
YETI Roadie
YETI Roadie
Amazon Link

If you’re in search of a long-lasting cooler, made with the best materials, then this YETI Roadie is sure to please you. Now part of the Tundra series, the Roadie is a smaller model that still looks pretty imposing and that is perfect for single-person trips – the cooler can still hold up to 14 cans. Because of its metal handle, the Roadie is excellent for its portability capacity, and its durability is impressive in every aspect.

Insulation System
Are you planning on having a road trip with friends or going on a fishing journey solo? Perhaps the YETI Roadie is what you need. The InterLock lid system that YETI has put on this cooler creates a shield between the interior of the cooler and the external elements. Not only that, but the T-Rex lid fasteners make sure that the lid is firmly closed to keep your drinks and food cold. To keep the cold temperatures in the cooler for a longer period of time, the YETI Roadie has ColdLock Gasket latches. Cool enough, the Roadie is one of the very few coolers that are compatible with dry ice, meaning that you could extend your ice retention period.

General Built
Like all of the other YETI coolers, the Roadie is roto-molded to improve the general insulation of the interior of the cooler. As it is made from military-grade hardware, this cooler might seem a bit bulky, but this means that it will last you a very long time, even if you man-handle it or scratch it. Thankfully, this model comes in 4 color options. The Roadie has an overhead rust-proof metal handle that is durable and that is meant to last years. If you want to put your cooler on your ATV or motorbike, then you’ll be pleased to know that the YETI Roadie comes with Bearfoot (a non-marking rubber that acts as an anti-slip system).

Cost and Value
YETI is renowned for its quality products that can last you years, so the price is to match what you’re purchasing. This is still on the medium range-scale, as YETI coolers can go up to $1,000.00 depending on the models. You have to think of this model as a long-term purchase, and the fact that it’s guaranteed 5 years with the company might just want to make you change your mind and get it.

2. Hopper

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$499.99
YETI Hopper
YETI Hopper
Amazon Link

This soft-sided cooler is sure to please those who want something on the smaller size, but with efficient insulation and excellent longevity. The second version of the Hopper (Hopper 2) comes in a few sizes: 20-liter, 30-liter, and 40-liter, which means that this cooler is sure to please everyone and their diverse needs. Because of its HydroLock Zipper, thick Coldcell insulation, lightweight (when empty…), your food and drinks can stay cold up to 3 or 4 days.

Insulation
The one negative point there is about soft-sided coolers is their minimal insulation. So why buy the Hopper cooler? Because this isn’t just a regular cooler, of course (or it wouldn’t be in 2nd place)! The Hopper is puncture-resistant, leakproof and is resilient to mildew. Not only that, but the Coldcell insulation (1.5’’ thick!) system in place in this cooler, as well as the HydroLock Zipper (the kind of zipper that you’d put on a hazmat suit) really keep the cold in. The first way air comes out of a soft-sided cooler is by the zipper, so YETI put most of their attention on this tiny, but very important, detail.

Durability and Visual Appeal
YETI’s are ‘built for the wild’, so it’s no surprise that this soft-side cooler is one of the toughest of the bunch. They used materials that can literally be found in ‘HazMat suits and whitewater rafts’ (taken from their description of the Hopper on the Yeti website!). There are two ways that you can carry it: like a satchel, with a padded support, or like women’s purses with two handles on each side of the bag. Obviously, when full, the bag can be a little on the heavy side, but not enough to make you stop every 5 minutes to take your breath. The fact that you can vary the way you wear it makes the experience easier on the human body. Although there are no external pouches, the side handles do offer extra latches where you could clip a few things (empty Lifestraw bottle, keys, snacks, etc.).

Cost and Value
Most of YETI’s coolers are at the top range of premium coolers price-wise, but as YETI says, their coolers are ‘built for the wild’. This really is an investment, and it’s probably the last cooler you’ll be buying (if you don’t thrash it), but some reviewers found that the price of the cooler, for its size, cost a lot.

Amazon Link
$499.99

3. Tundra

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$425.00
YETI Tundra
YETI Tundra
Amazon Link

This is YETI’s ‘baby’ as it’s their original model. It comes in numerous sizes (35, 45, 50, 65, 75, 105, 110, 125, 160 and finally 201-quart) and it comes in four color options (white, baby blue, tan and desert tan). Like the rest of its brother coolers, the Tundra is made of plastic, polyester and premium metals to keep the foods and drinks as cool as possible for as long as possible. This model is also roto-molded, with PermaFrost insulation, ColdLock Gasket latches, NeverFail hinges and T-Rex Lid latches, bringing the cool during warm sunny days in the wild.

Insulation
When buying a cooler, insulation is probably the top priority a buyer has on its list. The PermaFrost insulation is made of polyurethane foam and is inserted in the cooler’s walls to expand and fill every inch of the space. This explains the 2’’ insulation walls that lead to the ice-retention that YETI is renowned for. Not only that, but the ColdLock Gasket latches in the lid keep the warmer temperature from entering the cooler.

Build Quality
The Tundra has so many qualities to it that I just had to put them all in one place for you to gaze upon. The T-Rex lid latches are made of heavy-duty rubber so that you’ll never have to experience the disappointment from another kaput latch. The DoubleHaul handles are made from military-grade polyester, adding to their durability. You want to bring your Tundra on your boat, trailer or truck bed? No problem! The AnchorPoint tie-down slots will do the job perfectly without any ‘ugh’ and ‘argh’ coming out of your mouth. If you’re in a hurry and need to empty the cooler, simply use the Vortex drain system – leakproof and rugged – to facilitate everything. If you’re like me, and you’re rather on the short side, and if you happen to be alone to carry this cooler, then the DoubleHaul handles might end up being too high for you (you don’t want the cooler to knock your knees every step of the way). Yeti came out with LipGrip handles so that your foods, drinks or catches become less of a burden and more of a conquest.

Cost and Value
The YETI Tundra is probably the most expensive cooler the company sells, but as I’ve said previously, these coolers are made to tough a lifetime. This really becomes an investment. You could end up spending more money buying much cheaper (price and build) coolers over a lifetime. So if you want something that has excellent insulation and closes to perfect durability, and if you don’t mind spending more than a few bucks, then you should consider this model, especially with all of its sizes and color options.

Amazon Link
$425.00

4. Hopper M30

Where to buy
YETI Hopper M30
YETI Hopper M30
Amazon Link

When it comes to purchasing a YETI that fits your needs you want to look through all the features and put a comprehensive guide in your mind of what you truly need. If space and portability are at the top of your list the YETI Hopper M30 is the way to go. Though it is smaller in size it is quite mighty.

Hydroshield Closure
Many coolers have one issue in common- difficulty closing. YETI has finally heard their customers and created the Hydroshield Closure. A closing mechanism that uses powerful magnetic forces to create a leak- resistance closure. What this means is no matter what you place inside and how much you move around or shake it there will be no leaking. Furthermore, the featured wide mouth opening makes opening and closing your YETI a breeze, it also helps with keeping your items safe and concealed.

Well-built Exterior
To provide the best of the very best, this YETI comes with an exceptional exterior. Taking waterproof to the next level, this cooler’s exterior is also resistant to mildew, will not get punctured by sharp objects and UV rays will not create a faded appearance. It's built to last even if you have it sitting in the hot sun for hours at a time. Furthermore, when you take a look at the inside you will notice it is a bit different from others on our guide, that is because this one comes with a leakproof liner. By eliminating the stitching and adding a leakproof liner the brand was able to create an overall well-rounded product.

Cost and Value
If you have ever looked for a YETI cooler before than you know quite well that they are not cheap. With these coolers, you are getting what you pay for and this one is no exception. Coming at a higher price point this YETI is price, but you are are getting an excellent quality product with all the bells and whistles but let's not forget you can travel with it.

5. Daytrip Packable

Where to buy
Amazon Link
$80.00
YETI Daytrip Packable
YETI Daytrip Packable
Amazon Link

Built for convenience the YETI Daytrip Packable is quite an exceptional product. While we all know YETI takes pride in creating coolers that get the job done, they don’t exactly make items that are easy to carry around regularly. While their tumblers are portable sometimes you want and need something big and with more command. That is where this one coming into play. This YETI lunch bag is the perfect addition to any working or school essentials bag. It's light, airy and comes with a ton of features.

Versatility
One of the reasons why most of us prefer to buy food outside is because its the temperature you want and need at the moment. If you want a salad it's still crisp and cold while if you want a soup it will be hot and ready, with this cooler you will have the same effect. Created to adjust to the temperature of your food you can say goodbye to melted sandwiches and cold soups. And the best part is it is completely food safe. This is mainly due to its new form of insulation that ensures extra-long retention once the YETI is closed.

Thermosnap Closure
As stated above there is a new insulation mechanism incorporated into this cooler and that's the Thermosnap closure. The closure is magnetic giving you a more secure form of keeping your food in the place. Furthermore, it also adds to the cooler's ability to keep your food as warm or cold as you first placed it in.

Cost and Value
Contrary to what you might think this cooler lunch bag is not expensive. Though its not the cheapest one on the market for what you are getting the product is priced quite well. You could almost say you are getting a bargain with this one. Its a great product from a reputable brand and it keeps your food as hot or cold as you would like all day long.

Amazon Link
$80.00

Sources

  1. Max Mutter , Outdoor Gear Lab, Outdoor Site