Luke Cuenco 07.11.24
YETI cooler dupes are a summertime should for these of us who don’t have the finances to blow on the true factor. It’s been one scorching summer season already and meaning plenty of lengthy days spent on the lake, on the seaside, or simply out within the yard having fun with a number of chilly drinks.
Plain styrofoam fuel station coolers gained’t hold these drinks chilly for lengthy. You want a stable, thermally environment friendly cooler that may hold your drinks chilly all day, and even for a number of days.
The undisputed present king of sturdy, hard-sided coolers is YETI, however that crown instructions a excessive asking value.
Listed here are three YETI cooler dupes you could decide up for a lot much less, and get about the identical efficiency as you’d get from the legendary YETI Tundra cooler and its siblings.
Why Are YETI Coolers So Good?
Earlier than we get into alternate options, let’s have a look at what makes YETI Coolers so good.
YETI its roots in fishing sports activities. It was founded in Boca Grande, FL by Ryan and Roy Seiders. They had been uninterested in low cost, inefficient coolers that always broke, and didn’t have the correct insulation to maintain ice chilly sufficient for a haul of fish (and doubtless a number of beers).
YETI coolers are identified primarily for 2 (possibly three) issues. First, YETI coolers are powerful. The first purpose for the toughness of the YETI cooler is its uniform, thick, and stable one-piece physique constituted of a high-temperature, low-pressure plastic forming course of generally known as rotational molding or “rotomolding,” which ensures that the partitions of every YETI Tundra cooler have a constant wall thickness, sturdy outdoors corners, and naturally unmatched sturdiness with just about no “weak factors” all through every of the our bodies and lids.
YETI coolers are extraordinarily environment friendly, because of as much as 3 inches of inside polyurethane foam insulation sprayed into the thick polyethylene shell, giving it uniform insulation.
Along with the dense insulation, YETI Tundra coolers include a freezer-style sealing gasket that retains chilly air in and scorching air out. I’ve had YETI coolers hold ice in superb situations for over per week.
However once more, that efficiency comes with a price: even the least-expensive arduous YETI coolers begin at $200, which is far more than most of us can justify for a cooler. Let’s have a look at three appropriate “dupes” that may hold extra change in your pocket for beer and bait.
Greatest YETI Dupe: RTIC Extremely-Powerful
RTIC in my view ought to simply be the default “finances YETI” decide for a number of causes. Whereas the sizes of their coolers are by no means the identical (RTIC makes use of a 65 quart vs the YETI’s 75 quart), RTIC coolers nearly completely match the look, efficiency, and even the manufacturing and materials alternatives that the YETI Tundra collection gives customers. The one main distinction between the 2 is the worth.
RTIC Extremely-Powerful coolers like their YETI counterparts are constructed utilizing rotomolded polyethylene, are stuffed with polyurethane insulation, and have a rubber freezer-style gasket that retains the inside good and chilly. RTIC is so assured in its less-expensive providing that it claims that one in all its ultra-light coolers can hold ice for as much as 7 days. RTIC Coolers have been fairly standard as of late if my most up-to-date journey to the lake is any indication of what persons are shopping for.
For the most important single-person (as in may be carried by one individual) RTIC cooler —- the 65 quart —- you possibly can anticipate to pay about $250. There are not any fancy built-in bottle openers, fish scalers, or cup holders, however there’s a gigantic flat area on prime which is at all times a very good floor for setting down a few drinks or getting ready a meal.
RTIC does promote a number of aftermarket equipment for his or her coolers, together with cushions for the highest of the cooler so it may be used as a seat, and inside dividers for holding the inside of your cooler organized.
The whole lot I simply listed above is why I feel the RTIC Extremely-Powerful collection is the true “discount-YETI” model. The Extremely Powerful coolers from RTIC are a near-perfect YETI dupe. just about equivalent,
Funds YETI Various: Igloo BMX
Igloo is legendary for its coolers. After I was a child, the identify Igloo was synonymous with tenting because of our household’s previous, low cost, plastic vibrant crimson Igloo cooler. Following YETI’s recognition, Igloo has moved into the ultra-tough, insulated cooler market with its BMX line of coolers.
The BMX line’s primary draw is that they’re immensely inexpensive than any comparable-sized YETI Tundra cooler. Simply for instance, the Igloo BMX 72-quart cooler is bought for $170 whereas the comparable Tundra (75 qt) from YETI will set you again a whopping $450
Igloo claims that the BMX can maintain ice for as much as 5 days, presumably in superb situations. In my expertise, the fashionable Igloo BMX collection coolers do a superbly serviceable job of holding ice chilly.
The Igloo feels a bit much less sturdy than the Tundra, and that’s possible as a result of it’s blow-molded reasonably than rotomolded. As well as, the BMX collection doesn’t use any kind of rubber sealing gasket and as a substitute depends on the mating of the lid and primary cooler physique to supply a uniform however possible leaky seal that results in decreased effectivity in additional excessive climate conditions.
The Igloo BMX collection of coolers can be my first decide should you’re on a finances and wish a decently sturdy and environment friendly cooler.
YETI Dupe with the Most Bells and Whistles: Pelican Elite
Most likely higher identified for his or her rifle and equipment circumstances, Pelican’s Elite collection of sturdy coolers have develop into a favourite of those that already love the Pelican model—together with myself. The physique of the Elite collection is constituted of a polypropylene shell and stuffed with polyurethane foam, which is why it’s the most costly different on this record.
It’s additionally the tallest of the three, which Pelican claims makes it extra ergonomic. The additional top permits for inflexible built-in handles, not like the delicate hinged or versatile handles of different coolers.
You’ll be able to anticipate to pay about $350 for a 70-quart Elite cooler from Pelican. Every Elite collection cooler comes with a lifetime assure. Another neat options price noting are:
- Built-in cup holders
- A tethered and sloped drain
- Optionally available built-in hasp and bottle opener (these are equipment that have to be bought for a YETI).
The Pelican Elite is my middle-of-the-road suggestion for individuals who aren’t married to the actual aesthetic of the YETI Tundra collection.
Remaining Ideas
I don’t do an entire lot of fishing, that’s one thing that fellow author Eugene Lee most likely has vastly extra expertise with than I do. Nevertheless, I’m a displaced weekend tenting warrior who has examined the entire coolers listed right here.
Briefly, listed below are my picks:
- The RTIC is my prime suggestion as a result of mixture of similarities to the YETI Tundra, along with its extraordinarily low asking value.
- For these on the lookout for a ship, or RV cooler, the Igloo BMX is a stable multi-functional selection that is available in at an unbeatable value.
- Lastly, the Pelican Elite collection might be extra sturdy than even the Tundra, but additionally comes full with a ton of additional options, and an asking value that gained’t harm your pockets.
