Luke Cuenco 07.11.24
YETI cooler dupes are a summertime must for those of us who don’t have the budget to blow on the real thing. It’s been one hot summer already and that means a lot of long days spent on the lake, at the beach, or just out in the yard enjoying a few cold drinks.
Plain styrofoam gas station coolers won’t keep those drinks cold for long. You need a solid, thermally efficient cooler that can keep your drinks cold all day, or even for a few days.
The undisputed current king of durable, hard-sided coolers is YETI, but that crown commands a high asking price.
Here are three YETI cooler dupes that you can pick up for much less, and get about the same performance as you’d get from the legendary YETI Tundra cooler and its siblings.
Why Are YETI Coolers So Good?
Before we get into alternatives, let’s look at what makes YETI Coolers so good.
YETI its roots in fishing sports. It was founded in Boca Grande, FL by Ryan and Roy Seiders. They were tired of cheap, inefficient coolers that often broke, and didn’t have the proper insulation to keep ice cold enough for a haul of fish (and probably a few beers).
YETI coolers are known primarily for two (maybe three) things. First, YETI coolers are tough. The primary reason for the toughness of the YETI cooler is its uniform, thick, and solid one-piece body made from a high-temperature, low-pressure plastic forming process known as rotational molding or “rotomolding,” which ensures that the walls of each YETI Tundra cooler have a consistent wall thickness, strong outside corners, and of course unmatched durability with virtually no “weak points” throughout each of the bodies and lids.
YETI coolers are extremely efficient, thanks to up to 3 inches of internal polyurethane foam insulation sprayed into the thick polyethylene shell, giving it uniform insulation.
In addition to the dense insulation, YETI Tundra coolers come with a freezer-style sealing gasket that keeps cold air in and hot air out. I’ve had YETI coolers keep ice in ideal conditions for over a week.
But again, that performance comes with a cost: even the least-expensive hard YETI coolers start at $200, which is way more than most of us can justify for a cooler. Let’s look at three suitable “dupes” that will keep more change in your pocket for beer and bait.
Best YETI Dupe: RTIC Ultra-Tough
RTIC in my opinion should just be the default “budget YETI” pick for several reasons. While the sizes of their coolers are never the same (RTIC uses a 65 quart vs the YETI’s 75 quart), RTIC coolers almost perfectly match the look, performance, and even the manufacturing and material selections that the YETI Tundra series provides users. The only major difference between the two is the price.
RTIC Ultra-Tough coolers like their YETI counterparts are constructed using rotomolded polyethylene, are filled with polyurethane insulation, and feature a rubber freezer-style gasket that keeps the interior nice and cold. RTIC is so confident in its less-expensive offering that it claims that one of its ultra-light coolers can keep ice for up to 7 days. RTIC Coolers have been quite popular as of late if my most recent trip to the lake is any indication of what people are buying.
For the largest single-person (as in can be carried by one person) RTIC cooler —- the 65 quart —- you can expect to pay about $250. There are no fancy integrated bottle openers, fish scalers, or cup holders, but there is a gigantic flat space on top which is always a good surface for setting down a couple of drinks or preparing a meal.
RTIC does sell a few aftermarket accessories for their coolers, including cushions for the top of the cooler so it can be used as a seat, and internal dividers for keeping the interior of your cooler organized.
Everything I just listed above is why I think the RTIC Ultra-Tough series is the true “discount-YETI” brand. The Ultra Tough coolers from RTIC are a near-perfect YETI dupe. virtually identical,
Budget YETI Alternative: Igloo BMX
Igloo is famous for its coolers. When I was a kid, the name Igloo was synonymous with camping thanks to our family’s old, cheap, plastic bright red Igloo cooler. Following YETI’s popularity, Igloo has moved into the ultra-tough, insulated cooler market with its BMX line of coolers.
The BMX line’s main draw is that they are immensely less expensive than any comparable-sized YETI Tundra cooler. Just as an example, the Igloo BMX 72-quart cooler is sold for $170 while the comparable Tundra (75 qt) from YETI will set you back a whopping $450
Igloo claims that the BMX can hold ice for up to 5 days, presumably in ideal conditions. In my experience, the modern Igloo BMX series coolers do a perfectly serviceable job of keeping ice cold.
The Igloo feels a bit less durable than the Tundra, and that’s likely because it’s blow-molded rather than rotomolded. In addition, the BMX series doesn’t use any sort of rubber sealing gasket and instead relies on the mating of the lid and main cooler body to provide a uniform but likely leaky seal that leads to decreased efficiency in more extreme weather situations.
The Igloo BMX series of coolers would be my first pick if you’re on a budget and need a decently durable and efficient cooler.
YETI Dupe with the Most Bells and Whistles: Pelican Elite
Probably better known for their rifle and gear cases, Pelican’s Elite series of durable coolers have become a favorite of those who already love the Pelican brand—including myself. The body of the Elite series is made from a polypropylene shell and filled with polyurethane foam, which is why it’s the most expensive alternative in this list.
It’s also the tallest of the three, which Pelican claims makes it more ergonomic. The extra height allows for rigid integrated handles, unlike the fragile hinged or flexible handles of other coolers.
You can expect to pay about $350 for a 70-quart Elite cooler from Pelican. Each Elite series cooler comes with a lifetime guarantee. Some other neat features worth noting are:
- Integrated cup holders
- A tethered and sloped drain
- Optional integrated hasp and bottle opener (these are accessories that must be purchased for a YETI).
The Pelican Elite is my middle-of-the-road recommendation for those who aren’t married to the particular aesthetic of the YETI Tundra series.
Final Thoughts
I don’t do a whole lot of fishing, that’s something that fellow writer Eugene Lee probably has vastly more experience with than I do. However, I am a displaced weekend camping warrior who has tested all of the coolers listed here.
In short, here are my picks:
- The RTIC is my top recommendation due to the combination of similarities to the YETI Tundra, in addition to its extremely low asking price.
- For those looking for a boat, or RV cooler, the Igloo BMX is a solid multi-functional choice that comes in at an unbeatable price.
- Finally, the Pelican Elite series is probably more durable than even the Tundra, but also comes complete with a ton of extra features, and an asking price that won’t hurt your wallet.
