Rtic vs Yeti Cooler: Is RTIC better than Yeti?

With so many good brands out there, choosing the best coolers for your off-the-grid adventure can be difficult. That’s why in this Rtic vs Yeti Cooler blog we will discuss why these 2 cooler brands have almost identical designs. In addition to that, we’ll give you the best features of each and help you choose the best one for your camping your outdoor trip.

Did RTIC get sued by Yeti?

There was once a legal battle between the Rtic company and the Yeti. The reason why is because Yeti found that many of the Rtic cooler models were identical in design to theirs. Once they had settled this matter, Rtic was forced to change the design on most of its similar cooler models.

YETI Tundra 65 Cooler, Desert Tan | artic vs yeti

However, many of the Rtic coolers that were identical to the Yeti are still available for purchase. In fact, many sellers are selling the old Rtic coolers on Amazon. It is worth noting that even though their designs are very similar, there are some key differences that you may want to know about if you’re going to be making a decision as to which you would like to purchase.

For example, a few cooler testers (customers like you and me) tested the Rtic and Yeti coolers side by side. They wanted to know which of these coolers would actually hold ice the longest.

Now, it is worth noting that both Rtic and Yeti are purported to hold ice for up to five days in the summer. So tests were made for up to five days, and the results were interesting.

Need a soft-pack cooler? Check out our Rtic 20 vs 30 Softpack Coolers Review

Rtic vs Yeti Coolers

Preview
RTIC 45
RTIC Hard Cooler, 45 qt, Tan, Ice Chest with Heavy Duty Rubber Latches, 3 Inch Insulated Walls
Yeti Tundra 45
YETI Tundra 45 Cooler, King Crab
Title
RTIC Hard Cooler, 45 qt, Tan, Ice Chest with Heavy Duty Rubber Latches, 3 Inch Insulated Walls
YETI Tundra 45 Cooler, King Crab
Price
Price not available
$ 399.99
Color
Tan
Desert Tan
Weight
29 lbs.
24 lbs
Dimensions
26.5" x 16"x25.25"
25.5" x 16" x 15.5"
Capacity
45 quarts
45 qurarts
Construction
Rotationally Molded Plastic
Rotomolded Construction
Locking System
Yes
Not included
Insulation
Keeps Ice up to 10days
Keeps Ice up to 10days
Features
Traction Lid, Bear resistant, I
Fatwall Design | Permafrost Insulation
More Information
RTIC 45
Preview
RTIC Hard Cooler, 45 qt, Tan, Ice Chest with Heavy Duty Rubber Latches, 3 Inch Insulated Walls
Title
RTIC Hard Cooler, 45 qt, Tan, Ice Chest with Heavy Duty Rubber Latches, 3 Inch Insulated Walls
Price
Price not available
Color
Tan
Weight
29 lbs.
Dimensions
26.5" x 16"x25.25"
Capacity
45 quarts
Construction
Rotationally Molded Plastic
Locking System
Yes
Insulation
Keeps Ice up to 10days
Features
Traction Lid, Bear resistant, I
More Information
Yeti Tundra 45
Preview
YETI Tundra 45 Cooler, King Crab
Title
YETI Tundra 45 Cooler, King Crab
Price
$ 399.99
Color
Desert Tan
Weight
24 lbs
Dimensions
25.5" x 16" x 15.5"
Capacity
45 qurarts
Construction
Rotomolded Construction
Locking System
Not included
Insulation
Keeps Ice up to 10days
Features
Fatwall Design | Permafrost Insulation
More Information

Are RTIC coolers Worth the Money?

People found that the Rtic coolers hold ice for almost one more day than the Yeti cooler. So instead of holding ice for five days, it holds ice for six. Considering the fact that the Rtic coolers are supposed to be replicas of the Yeti versions, it is interesting to note that they actually hold ice for longer.

RTIC Hard Cooler, 45 qt, Tan, | yeti vs rtic coolers

The reason why the Rtic coolers may hold ice longer is that their walls are one inch thicker than the yeti. You definitely have more insulation, and thus will work better for keeping ice intact.

Volume Capacity Considerations

When people are considering the purchase of a cooler, the volume capacity is usually a big factor in deciding which to get. It may make some sense to think that the numbers inside of the model names of these coolers represent the number of quarts so they can hold.

RTIC Cooler (RTIC 45 Tan) | yeti vs arctic

While this is true when it comes to the Rtic, the Yeti is usually smaller in volume capacity than the number in the model name. For example, a Rtic 20 cooler will hold 20 quarts. However, a Yeti 20 will hold less than 20 quarts.

So comparing two models, or any other Rtic or Yeti model with the number and it requires you to take it into consideration the actual volume capacity of both. You would need to research the actual volume capacity of the Yeti to be sure that there is enough room.

Rtic vs Yeti Cooler: Price Comparison

One of the main reasons why people prefer Rtic over Yeti is the price. The Yeti coolers cost almost twice the Rtic coolers. If you would like to find these coolers at the cheapest prices, please see below.

Rtic vs Yeti Cooler: So Which Should I Buy?

As mentioned above, the Rtic coolers are better at holding ice for longer. But there is an upside to the Yeti coolers. It’s a fact that many customers find that they have better sealing under the top lid. Some customers feel that they are made of better quality materials.

Also, Yeti is a better-known brand. Other campers may recognize it, but this would be more of an issue with appearances. The Yeti may also have better resale value, but that is just a guess on our part.

And before we close, we would also like to mention that the yeti has a five-year warranty. We cannot find anything out when it comes to warranties with the Rtic coolers, and we are not sure there is a warranty for that.

Whichever brand you decide to go with, you can rest assured that you’re getting a high-quality cooler that will last you years and years

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