Who Makes the Better Cooler?

As temperatures rise, so too does the need for a good cooler. Whether your summertime plans involve backyard parties, long weekends at the beach, or a few camping excursions with friends, there’s nothing quite like having a sturdy cooler to reach into for an ice-cold beverage as the sun soars overhead. 

When it comes to coolers, there are two brand names that make a regular appearance: YETI and RTIC. While the former is something of a cult favorite for its aesthetic and long-lasting insulation, the latter is known for its affordable durability. During the comparison process, it can be tough to know whether you’re looking at paying more for a good reason — or if you’re just shelling out for a name. 

After having tested several products from both YETI and RTIC, we think we’re in a good position to offer some real insights on which brand is better. Let’s get into it.

Key Specs

• More Durable: It’s a draw.
• More Affordable: RTIC
• Better Colorways: YETI
• Better Cooling Properties: YETI, by a nose.
• More Product Variety: YETI

What We Love About Each Brand

YETI began in 2006, and while the brand has an expansive product line today — encompassing everything from luggage to camping chairs to t-shirts — it started as a cooler company. And the coolers really work, keeping ice solid for well over 24 hours and with long-lasting durability meant to withstand years of outdoor adventures. 

As we’ve tested YETI products, our notes are scribbled with phrases like “virtually indestructible” and “leakproof” and “makes a comfortable seat.” In short? We like that YETI makes products that are designed to be used. 

Meanwhile, the RTIC ethos is that everyone deserves to enjoy the outdoors with reliable, affordable gear. [We’ll make a disclaimer here and acknowledge that affordability is subjective. While we do factor pricing into all of our product assessments, we are more interested in overall performance and quality.] RTIC may not carry the brand recognition of YETI, but this company knows how to make a good cooler.

We’ve enjoyed testing RTIC products, reporting on the “incredible cooling ability” to keep ice for more than a day and “super rugged exterior” that earns them a rightful place on our best-of lists time and time again. 

Who Makes the Better Hard Cooler?

In our recent tests of nearly 50 coolers, both brands ended up on our list of the top 7 best coolers. We named the RTIC 52-quart ultra-light cooler as our pick for best overall, while the YETI Tundra 65 was deemed best splurge. 

Throughout our tests, the RTIC 52-quart proved to be the ideal size for beach days and beyond, with terrific insulation that maintained an interior temperature of 32°F even on a hot day. The ice inside barely melted, and all canned drinks were still nice and cold 24 hours later. Similarly, the big YETI Tundra 65 stood up to a hot day out, with the interior temperature only increasing by 2.2 degrees in 24 hours. 

Capacity: 49.2 liters | Weight: 40.12 pounds | Can capacity, with ice: 78

Capacity: 65 liters | Weight: 29 pounds | Can capacity, with ice: 17

The Verdict: Which Brand is Better?

Clearly, both brands make a fantastic hard cooler — but we’ll tip our hat to RTIC for this one. Both offer incredible insulation and durability, but you’re getting nearly the same amount of quality for almost half the price. That said, if you’re a fan of the YETI brand and are willing to pay more, this YETI wouldn’t be a bad addition to your summer backyard parties.

How We Tested Hard Coolers

Our hard cooler tests simulated the way you might use an ice cooler in day-to-day life. We measured each cooler’s ability to cool with ice and cans, taking temperatures at regular intervals. We lifted coolers, both empty and full of ice and cans, to see how heavy they were, we tipped them over to see if the lids would stay closed (and if they leaked), and we even knocked them off raised surfaces to assess durability. We also looked at size, how much each cooler could fit, and whether the insulation took up a lot of space.

Who Makes the Better Small Cooler?

Big coolers are, well, pretty cool; but the smaller ones are often the most practical. Small coolers are ideal for picnics, road trips, or transporting essentials to your friend’s house for a Saturday afternoon grill party. When we named our six favorite small coolers, it probably won’t come as a surprise to learn that both RTIC and YETI topped our list once again.

The RTIC 20-quart cooler took the best overall spot for its ultra-rugged exterior — perfect for camping and beach days alike — and superior insulation. We also appreciate details like a drainage spout and corners that can be secured with a padlock to make the RTIC cooler bear-proof. 

YETI took the best splurge honors here as well for the Hopper Flip portable soft cooler. Lightweight and roomy, the Hopper Flip is a soft-sided cooler made of high-density fabric that is leakproof and stands up to abrasions. We like the versatility of a soft cooler as it’s easier for one person to carry and can be more effectively nestled among other items than a rigid cooler.

Capacity: 24 cans (plus ice) | Weight: 19 pounds | Dimensions: 20 x 15 x 11.75 inches

Capacity: 12 cans (plus ice) | Weight: 3.1 pounds | Dimensions: 14 x 14 x 11 inches

The Verdict: Which Brand is Better?

Once again, both brands are more than worth your money, and in this case, it comes down to whether you prefer a hard- or soft-sided small cooler. We’ll give the win to RTIC for its generous capacity and lockable versatility. That said, some prefer a soft shell, so if that’s the case, we recommend the YETI.

How We Tested Small Coolers

Just as with the larger coolers, we prioritized cooling capability while also factoring in usability. Small coolers should be especially durable as they’re likely to see frequent use and be subjected to transport. 

Who Makes the Better Cooler with Wheels?

Coolers with wheels strike the balance between capacity and portability. We tested 18 wheeled coolers, and this time, YETI took the best overall spot with the Roadie 60 wheeled cooler. This cooler is incredibly durable and a suitcase-like telescoping handle makes it easy to maneuver even when it’s full of ice and drinks. Plus, there was still lots of ice inside after 24 hours, and when it came time to clean out the Roadie, the drain spout made it an easy task. 

RTIC’s 52-quart wheeled cooler also made the list as our “best for the beach” recommendation. We liked the rugged, oversized wheels that made it easy to pull over sand and dirt, and while we had kind of a love/hate relationship with the automatically retracting handle, this cooler is definitely road-ready. 

Capacity: 50 cans | Dimensions: 23.7 x 20 x 20.6 inches | Weight: 30.6 pounds

Capacity: 78 cans | Dimensions: 29 × 18.25 × 18.75 inches | Weight: 30 pounds

The Verdict: Which Brand is Better?

You guessed it: Both YETI and RTIC rock, but this round goes to YETI. Despite filling it to the brim with drinks, food, and ice, the puncture-resistant wheels and well-designed handles make it easy to travel with, and when it comes to a heavy cooler, we couldn’t appreciate this feature more.

How We Tested Coolers with Wheels

We picked around wheeled coolers to test outside of our lab, from park picnics to road trips to camping excursions. We filled each cooler with food, drinks, and ice and took note of how easily we could load and wheel them on various terrains while full. We also monitored ice retention — how much ice melted (or didn’t) over time — and how cold drinks felt after 24 hours in each model. We emptied and cleaned the coolers to gauge their maintenance. Lastly, we noted if the coolers got damaged after regular use. During testing, the YETI and TRIC were standouts.

More Products We Love

Whether they went head-to-head or not, we have tested and appreciated other products from YETI and RTIC, including: 

YETI Tundra Haul Portable Wheeled Cooler: This cooler ended up as our pick for “most durable” in the wheeled cooler tests thanks to its impact resistance, puncture-resistant tires, and aluminum handle. You can also make it bear-proof with a padlock, and the Tundra Haul holds an incredibly generous 82 cans. 

RTIC Soft Cooler Backpack: Backpack coolers may not win you any style points, but they are super practical for beach days and picnics. We tested 23 backpack coolers and liked this one from RTIC, which comes in two sizes for either 20 or 30 cans and is both floatable and waterproof. 

YETI 35 Camino Carryall Tote Bag: Our editors love this tote for everything from grocery runs to afternoons spent on a boat. It’s a durable tote with functional details, like dividers for keeping wine bottles separated, and a zippered pocket for securing small items. Plus, it’s structured — which means the tote won’t flop over whenever you put it down. 

RTIC 30-Can Floating Cooler: This is a soft cooler that floats, so you can bring it into the pool or river if you’re so inclined. In either case, you won’t have to worry about splashing or rogue waves soaking your soft-sided cooler — RTIC knows how to build them for the outdoors.

YETI Rambler 20oz Vacuum Insulated Tumbler: The popular YETI Rambler was our pick for best overall when we tested travel coffee mugs, and we even put it up against the viral Stanley tumbler — only to learn both cups hold their own and it really just comes down to personal preference. 

Our Expertise

This article was written by Summer Rylander, a food and travel journalist who has written about food, beverage, and cooking products for Food & Wine, Allrecipes, Serious Eats, and The Kitchn. She compiled these results based on market knowledge and data from hands-on testing of products from both YETI and RTIC by the Food & Wine team.