YETI coolers review: Best models compared

YETI Cooler ReviewsAre you preparing for your upcoming camping trip? If the answer is yes, you’ll definitely want to invest in a good cooler. Otherwise, you’re going to have a terrible time trying to keep your foods and drinks cold.

You need a good cooler that can keep your ice frozen for as long as humanly possible. YETI just happens to be one of the best manufacturers of cooler. Within this article, you’re going to learn a great deal more about the 35, 45 and 50 coolers, so you can find the right one for your individualistic needs.

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Contents

YETI coolers compared

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Similarities of YETI coolers

Since all three of these coolers are manufactured by YETI, you know that they’re going to be similar in many ways. YETI is well known for making rough and rugged coolers. They’re going to be able to withstand anything that Mother Nature throws your way. So, what makes them almost identical? Well, they all have an easy drain system. When your ice melts, it is going to fill your cooler with water. To clean up the mess, you’ll need to tip it over. However, the YETI Tundra coolers have an easy drain system. This makes the process easy and lightning fast.

All three coolers are equipped with 2 types of grips. You can use the rope or firm handles. They’re also going to keep your foods nice and cold thanks to the ColdLock gasket. They all feature a fat wall design and the have Permafrost insulation to ensure that your ice remains cold for as long as possible.

You should also know that YETI is a company that stands behind their products. They believe that their coolers are going to last. This is why they offer a 5 year warranty on all coolers. The warranty protects against defects in material and workmanship. The same warranty is available for three coolers. Any of these coolers would do an exceptional job of keeping your ice and foods cold. Just remember that they’re different too. Below, you’ll learn more about the differences.

Capacity
By taking a quick look at these coolers, you’re going to see immediately that they’re all different sizes. This also means that they’re going to have different capacities. The YETI Tundra 50 has the biggest capacity, while the 35 has the smallest. The 50 is capable of holding 47 pounds of ice. At an ice to beer ratio of 2:1, the 50 will be able to hold 32 cans of beer. The Tundra 45 is a little smaller, but not as small as the 35. This cooler can hole 35 pounds of ice. At a 2:1 ice to contents ratio, it will be able to hold 26 cans.

Finally, the YETI Tundra 35 is the smallest of the bunch. It is capable of holding 28 pounds of ice or 20 cans at a 2:1 ice to contents ratio. All three coolers are great in this category. However, you need to choose the one that suits your needs the best.

See how YETI coolers compare against Ozark coolers in this article.

Hauling Requirements
Are you going to be camping alone? If the answer is yes, you’ll want to make sure that you choose a more compact and lightweight cooler. After all, the bigger coolers can get pretty heavy when you add the ice, food and drinks. If you want a cooler that can be carried by a single individual, you’ll definitely want to stick with the YETI Tundra 35. Buff men might be able to carry by 45 on their own. However, they’re probably not going to be able to lug around the 50 when it has been loaded down with ice, food and drinks.

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Empty Weight
Do you prefer waiting until you arrive at the campground to buy your ice? If so, you’ll want to learn a little more about the weight of each cooler. The good news is that the weight difference isn’t dramatic. Nevertheless, it is nice to know. First and foremost, you should already realize that the YETI Tundra 50 is going to be the heaviest. After all, it is the biggest. This one weighs 26 pounds when it is completely empty. The 45 is the second heaviest. It weighs 23 pounds when it is empty.

Finally, the YETI 35 is the lightest at 20 pounds. If you want a cooler that you can toss around easily, you’ll definitely want to the 35.

The Shape
While it might not seem like a big deal, the actual shapes of the coolers are slightly different. The 35 and 50 are both narrower and taller than the 45. The YETI 35 is somewhat wider and flatter. Why is this such a big deal? Well, you might not be able to fit a taller cooler into your vehicle. Or, you might need one that is narrower. Be sure to take this into consideration when attempting to choose the one that is going to be best for your camping trip!

Color Choices
Color isn’t too big of a deal. Nevertheless, some people are picky and want to ensure that everything is perfect. This is going to be a problem if you’re choosing the 50 cooler. It may not be available in the same colors as the other models. There are at least 2 colors to choose from. The others are available in far more colors. Again, this isn’t a deal breaker. Still, it would be nice to have more options.

Dimensions
The inside dimensions of the YETI Tundra 35 are 10-inch X 14-inch X 9-1/2-inch and outside dimensions are 15-1/4-inch X 21-inch X 16-inch. This is one of the smaller YETI coolers, so be sure to keep this in mind, when contemplating whether or not to invest in the Tundra.

The inside dimensions of the YETI Tundra 45 are 9-7/8-inch X 18-3/8-inch X 9/12-inch and the outside dimensions are 15-1/2-inch X 25-1/2-inch X 16-inch. This is basically a middle-sized YETI cooler.

The inside dimensions of the YETI Tundra 50 are 12-1/8-inch X 16-5.8-inch X 10-5/8-inch and the outside dimensions are 18-1/8-inch X 24-inch X 17-38-inch. This is one of the larger YETI coolers. If you believe more space is required for your frozen and cold foods, this model will work better for you.

See how YETI coolers compare against Orca coolers in this article.

Do YETI coolers live up to the hype?

As a consumer, it is up to you to question the guarantees of all manufacturers. With this said, the YETI brand has earned a reputation of being “the best cooler on the market”. This hype is why many consumers are taking the dive and investing in YETI coolers. However, when you first discover how much these coolers cost, you just have to question whether it is worth it. Well, many YETI customers seem to think so.

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According to some customer reviews, the YETI cooler is capable of keeping about 80 percent of ice frozen after being exposed to 120-degree temperatures inside of a truck. Other customers rave about the workmanship of the coolers, while others claim that they can stand and sit on it without damaging the lid.

Of course, all of these reviews are subjective. So, you really have to make an investment to determine the quality, capabilities and durability of these coolers. YETI has so much faith in their coolers that they are willing to offer their customers a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty with each purchase. So, if the cooler fails to live up to your expectations or becomes damaged, you can return it to the manufacturer for free repairs or a full replacement.

See how YETI coolers compare against Grizzly coolers in this article.

One slight con for all three

When it comes down to it, all three coolers are amazing. They’re very durable and they can keep ice around for much longer than the competition. Plus, they have a removable basket and the handles work exceptionally well. Unfortunately, none of them are flawless. Most users of these coolers will agree that they’re slightly heavier than the alternatives. When they’re empty, these coolers are not that heavy. However, they can get pretty heavy when you add the ice and other items.

You might be able to carry the 35 around on your own. With the other two, it is best to get help. Otherwise, you might end up injuring yourself. It might seem like a con, but the weight does guarantee that these coolers are tough and durable.

Which one is best for you?

At the end of the day, YETI coolers are pretty amazing. They’re expensive and slightly heavy, but they’re better than the rest. So, which one is best for your unique needs? It is really hard to say. And, it really depends on your situation and what you’re after. If you’re going to be traveling in large groups, you’ll definitely need the bigger cooler. Otherwise, you’ll be fine with the 35. You also have to think about your plans. If you intend to move around a lot while traveling, you’re going to be able to get ice and supplies more frequently. Therefore, the 35 would be fine for you.

If you’re going to stay put for a few days, the 45 or 50 would be best. It is also a good idea to consider the size and your vehicle. Which one is going to fit the best? Finally, you’ve got to think about the price tag. Is it really worth it to upgrade to a bigger cooler when you don’t need it? Consider all of these things before making your decision. In the end, there is a pretty good chance that you’ll be satisfied with all of them.

Read our comparison on the YETI 20 vs YETI 35 here.


Further Information

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