Back away from the YETI. Yes, the coolers are pretty legit, but how can you justify throwing several hundred dollars at the things? Avoid sticker shock and check out these cheaper alternatives.
RetailMeNot combed through the reviews and ice-retention testings to nail down 10 coolers that function just as well—if not better—than the YETI Tundra and YETI Hopper but for way less. Bonus: Many of them come with longer warranties than YETI’s three- or five-year promise, too!
Find Yeti Alternatives
Best Yeti Alternatives on Sale Now
Before delving into our best overall picks, check out these options, which are marked down right now (helping you save even more on what you’d normally shell out on a YETI cooler). Note that prices are subject to change.
SYCEES 24/30 Cans Portable Insulated Soft Cooler Bag ($79.99 $69.99) at Amazon.
This cooler keeps things frosty for 48 to 72 hours and holds at least 24 cans. It also has bottle opener and is designed to be easy to clean. It also sports a 4.5-star review on Amazon, and reviewers tout its durability and its effectiveness for day trips as well as camping.
REYLEO 52-Quart Portable Rotomolded Cooler ($179.97 $169.97 at Amazon)
This cooler promises to keep ice for up to five days (when you load it up at a 2:1 ratio, ice to contents). It’s also a rough-rider, with impact resistance up to 700 pounds and sports some handy features like a bottle holder and even a ruler. It has a 4.5-star review on Amazon, and one happy reviewer says, “If you are considering Yeti but have more sense than dollars, this cooler will do the trick.”
Hard Coolers
![Our 10 Favorite Affordable YETI Cooler Alternatives 10 YETI alternatives – Polar Cap, Orca, RTIC](https://i0.wp.com/daniellashops.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1-RMN-coolers-960x500.jpg-1533326005.jpg?w=1020&ssl=1)
1. Cabela’s Polar Cap Equalizer Cooler 25-Quart ($199.99) at Cabela’s
This ice chest won Field & Stream’s ice-chest throwdown. “The Polar Cap kept ice longer than any other cooler and didn’t hit our warm-beer threshold of 42 degrees until eight days, 20 hours. Its molded-in handles were a tester favorite, and the single-pin hinge was near bulletproof. The drain, too, was excellent and attached with a metal wire lanyard,” Field & Stream writes. The rope handles even glow in the dark!
2. Orca 20-Quart Ice-Retention Hard Cooler ($199.98) at Amazon
Orca coolers are 100 percent made in the USA and come with a lifetime guarantee. They also come with a cargo net for extra storage. Now, it appears that in order to get the bearproof feature, you’ll have to invest in a special lock that Orca sells, but if ice retention is your main need, the Orca is capable of keeping ice from melting for up to 10 days. We’re also loving that there’s a pink option.
3. RTIC 20 cooler ($138) at Amazon
Long story short: With the RTIC, you’re getting very close to the same quality as the YETI but for half the price. So if you’re not an avid hunter or fisherman and just need an amazing cooler for the river or tailgating, this is your pick. RTIC has a larger storage size than YETI, so you’ll be able to hold more ice anyway, and people say RTIC keeps ice longer. And, it has a one-year warranty!
![Our 10 Favorite Affordable YETI Cooler Alternatives 11 YETI alternatives – Pelican, Engel, Coleman, Canyon](https://i0.wp.com/daniellashops.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2-RMN-coolers-960x500.jpg-1533326008.jpg?w=1020&ssl=1)
4. Pelican Elite Cooler, Tan/Orange, 30 qt. ($229.95) at Amazon
Coming in at a price just under the competitor’s comparable model, this YETI alternative Pelican cooler is adored for its ruggedness, size and ability to hold ice just as long—if not longer—than a YETI cooler. In fact, reviewers say the Pelican managed to keep ice from melting for nine (!) days. Also, most who own this cooler do admit it’s super heavy, but with that weight comes incredible durability that outperforms the YETI. Bonus: Pelican coolers rock a lifetime warranty.
5. Engel Cooler High Performance, Tan ($199.99) at Amazon
The Engel can retain ice for 10 days, ships for free and is certified bear-resistant. The brand, which has been around more than 50 years and claims to be the originator of high-performance coolers, has diehard fans who have no problem telling YETI to go take a hike. You’ll get two inches of insulation in the cooler and an airtight seal. And it might be worthy to note that EMS and fire rescue personnel use Engel.
6. Coleman Xtreme 70-Quart Cooler ($83.03) at Amazon
The Coleman Xtreme certainly doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the others, but if you really don’t have crazy needs for a cooler and just want something simple that will hold ice for a couple days, you can’t go wrong here. Plus, it doubles as extra seating in a pinch: The easy-to-clean seat lid has four cup holders.
7. Canyon Coolers Outfitter 22-Quart ($104.99 $99.99 ) at Amazon
Canyon is a great buy for the money. In a five-day ice challenge, Canyon proved that it can definitely hang with the YETI and Pelican coolers of the world. Plus, the shoulder strap makes the Canyon ideal to “carry to the river bank with your fly rod in the other hand.” Very nice mental image.
Soft Coolers
![Our 10 Favorite Affordable YETI Cooler Alternatives 12 YETI alternatives – Magellan, OtterBox, F40C4TMP](https://i0.wp.com/daniellashops.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/3-RMN-coolers-960x500.jpg-1533326011.jpg?w=1020&ssl=1)
8. Magellan Outdoors Frosty Vault 36-Can Soft Cooler ($79.99) at Academy
With a name like Frosty Vault, how can you go wrong? This backpack-style YETI alternative is very similar in style to YETI’s Hopper, but at a fraction of the cost. Reviewers say the cooler is awesome at keeping its contents cold all day and is extra roomy—it fits 36 cans or 24 with ice. The Frosty Vault also floats—making it ideal for trips to the lake (or neighborhood pool!).
9. OtterBox 30-Qt. Trooper Cooler ($299.99) at Amazon
Comparable in price to the YETI Hopper, the Trooper Cooler has such good reviews we couldn’t ignore it. This soft cooler has a wide mouth for loading and unloading, and reviewers say it can be easily opened with one hand—a nice feature when your other hand is holding a six-pack. The padded strap can be converted from shoulder carry to a backpack, plus there are exterior pockets with water-resistant zippers, great for storing utensils, lighters or other food prep equipment. Best of all, food stays cold up to three days.
10. F40C4TMP Soft Sided Cooler 32 Can ($63.12) at Amazon
The F40C4TMP doesn’t exactly have a name that rolls off the tongue, but customers love it because it’s lightweight, durable and well-made. Features like leak-proof zippers, a stainless bottle opener, padded shoulder strap and even a molded-in ruler (for measuring fish!) make this a standout YETI alternative pick.
The post Our 10 Favorite Affordable YETI Cooler Alternatives appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
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