![]() Those no-slip feet, for instance, are also non-marring, which means that while your cooler is sure not to budge in your truck bed or atop your boat, the feet also won’t leave a mark for you to rub out later. Courtney Thompson/CNN UnderscoredĮach Yeti cooler component is impressive. While the Yeti (left) and RTIC (right) look nearly identical from this view, only the RTIC has another drain on the opposite side. My 6’2 husband was able to haul both fully-packed coolers from our backyard to the driveway solo, but he definitely broke a sweat doing so. While RTIC says the 45 QT is small enough to carry alone, I was not able to lug either brand’s cooler around - that said, I’m 5’4 and on the smaller side. For instance, if you’re on the hunt for the best beach cooler, which would require transporting it from the parking lot to your surfside spot on the sand, you’ll probably want a cooler with wheels - especially considering that the two we’re comparing are not light, and both are relatively cumbersome to carry when packed to the gills.Ĭase in point: The Tundra 45 is 24.6 pounds when empty, and it can accommodate 37 pounds of ice, with a total weight of roughly 62 pounds the RTIC 45 is 29 pounds when empty, and it can accommodate 40 pounds of ice, nearing almost 70 pounds. It’s important to note that neither of these coolers are wheeled, and if you’re considering buying one, you should be cognizant of how and where you’ll be using it. The Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler and the RTIC 45 QT Hard Cooler are both rotomolded hard coolers packed with roughly three inches of foam-insulated walls meant to keep outside temperatures at bay, while locking in just-packed temperatures. Which big beefy cooler is worth the investment? To figure that out, I put them in a side-by-side test over the course of a few weeks this spring in New Jersey. The brand bills itself as being small enough to carry alone (more on that below), and multipurpose in that it can be used as a bench, stepping stool or cutting board. Also rotomolded with three-inch foam-insulated walls, the RTIC 45 offers the same perks: no-slip feet, rubber latches and a tight-fitting lid, rope handles and impressive ice retention. Yes, you get what you pay for, but unfortunately, you’re paying a whopping $325.Ĭoming in at 32-percent cheaper is the RTIC 45 QT Hard Cooler, which is priced at $220, and looks very, very similar to the Tundra (in case you missed it: RTIC got sued by YETI for patent infringement and settled in 2017, agreeing to redesign most of its product line, which too-closely resembled Yeti’s). Ultimately, the main Tundra 45 downside is that sky high price tag. Yeti customers are big fans, too, giving the cooler a 4.8-star rating and nearly 5,000 positive reviews. Small details also sold us, like the Tundra’s tacky no-slip feet, the extra-thick and stretchy rubber latches and the heavy-duty rope handles that evenly disperse carrying weight. Like all Yeti products, the Tundra 45 is built to last forever and beautiful to boot, thanks to that sleek rotomolded silhouette, which is also responsible for the cooler’s long-lasting temperature retention. We’ve tested a lot of coolers over here at Underscored and the Yeti Tundra 45 topped our list, earning the best hard cooler spot. Because nothing will slow you down like leaks, cracks or - dare we even say it - warm beverages and spoiled food. ![]() Whether you’re an avid camper, a boatsman or just someone who loves keeping the beach party stocked all summer long, one thing is clear: Investing in a quality cooler is going to be worth your while. This article is part of our series Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money. ![]() Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account ![]()
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