Coolers Like YETI but Cheaper (13 Great Alternatives)

YETI sure makes an amazing cooler, but boy, does it come with a big price tag! Here are coolers like YETI but at a more affordable price...

YETI makes a great cooler, but the brand sells some of the most expensive coolers on the market. Instead of paying an arm and a leg for a cooler, you can consider high-end coolers that make excellent, affordable alternatives.

Cheaper options can still do a great job keeping your items cold for long periods of time.

The following is my list of excellent coolers, but for a smaller price point than YETI and what to look for when picking out your cooler.

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We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases at no added cost to you. Thank you for your support. You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

What to Look for in a Good Cooler

There are certain features that you should pay attention to when shopping for a quality cooler. Sometimes it's the little things that make all the difference!

Cooling Capability

When it comes to ice chests, the most important thing to think about is ice retention. In other words, how long does it keep things cold?

If you're shopping for coolers like YETI, then you're definitely looking for something with maximum cooling capability. In some cases, YETI coolers can keep things cold for days, and so can some YETI alternatives!

Bottle Opener

Some coolers come complete with bottle openers, which can come in handy when you are camping. It makes sense since your cooler is likely going to be holding drinks! It is also one of those overlooked items people forget to pack.

Waterproof Zipper

If you opt for a soft cooler, then look for one that has a waterproof zipper. That way it won't leak if it accidentally topples over. It can also help to maintain the internal temperature of the cooler more efficiently.

Shoulder Strap vs. Handles vs. Wheels

Many coolers come with a shoulder strap, rope handles, or metal handles. You may think a handle is a handle until you're lugging a fully loaded cooler around. So, be sure to consider which handles you think will be most comfortable.

Larger coolers often come with wheels, but you can look for that feature in smaller carriers, too. Even a small cooler loaded up can be quite heavy. So, wheels are always a nice option.

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Size

Coolers, of course, come in many different sizes, but don't stop at looking at the exterior! If you've ever opened a YETI, you'd be surprised at how much smaller the inside is than the outside. That's because they have a thick layer of insulation.

So, be sure to look at the interior size of a cooler.

Also, be sure to consider the weight. YETIs and coolers like YETI tend to be heavy! Again, it's because of the extra insulation. You'll have to decide if the extra cooling capacity is worth the heft of the cooler (in many cases, it is).

Price

I imagine that finding a lower-priced cooler is why you are looking for a YETI alternative. There are many affordable alternatives to choose from. And an affordable price does not mean good quality!

Cup Holders

Cup holders are a nice feature that can come in handy. I'm sure it's pretty obvious why, so I'll leave it at that!

Drain Plug

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to drain your ice chest without a drain plug. You have to try and tip the ice chest on its side to let out the water without disturbing the ice and food. It is always a good idea to look for a cooler that comes with a drain plug.

Why Are YETI Coolers So Expensive?

Before we jump into the YETI alternatives, we thought it'd be helpful to first answer the big question, “Why are YETI coolers so expensive?”

YETI coolers are so expensive for two reasons: they live up to their promise and have great marketing. YETI coolers really are great at keeping things cold for a looong time and the company successfully marketed their improved technology.

Their smart marketing and effective technology have convinced people to invest in their brand. And, it is arguably a good investment. You do get a premium cooler that will last many years (if not decades).

However, you can also argue that you can get comparable quality in less popular brands for much less money. We're going to list those brands out for you now.

15 Coolers Like YETI But Cheaper!

The following is a list of excellent cooler brands to look at when trying to find an affordable alternative to YETI brand coolers. I start with two of the best and then proceed in no particular order.

To make it easier to compare, we've included Amazon link boxes that show the current pricing for each brand's cooler that is closest to 40 quarts. (You can always click on the link to look at other sizes, too.)

Here's an Amazon link box for a 45 qt YETI cooler to compare the rest to:

1. Cordova Coolers

This is considered one of the best YETI alternatives you can find.

No longer using rope handles, this incredible cooler offers durable, metal ones. They have a sleek design and are easy to carry!

It is made from high-density foam enclosed in a hard-cell structure, almost three inches thick. The foam is also eco-friendly.

Not only are they made right here in the USA, but you can purchase them for about $5.41 per quart (at present time). YETI, on the other hand, costs about $7.55 per quart. That is a savings of about 20%!

They also come with a lifetime warranty.

2. RTIC Coolers

RTIC has been YETI's biggest competition since the beginning. They even like to claim that they are half the price, and hold more ice!

These coolers are well-known for their excellent ice retention, which is measured in days. You can expect ice to last for over one week for their medium coolers, and 10 days for their larger coolers!

RTIC uses over 2′ of insulation made of polyurethane foam which gets pressure-injected inside the hard mold of the body of the cooler. The result is dense insulation that can prevent ice from melting for more than a week.

RTIC also has a lightweight model that is 30% lighter than rotomolded coolers. If you've ever lifted a rotomolded cooler, you'll appreciate this lightweight alternative!

Quick List of More YETI Alternatives

However, being the most comparable to YETI, Cordova and RTIC coolers are still quite expensive. So, you might still want to consider more alternatives.

The following options basically have the same features that appeal to people looking for a long-cooling cooler. They are thickly insulated with a high cooling capacity that can last up to days. Their coolers also come in several sizes, colors, and styles.

Since the descriptions would mostly be the same, we'll simply provide quick descriptions with notable features from this point on…

3. Grizzly Coolers

Grizzly Coolers is a brand that stands out for delivering high-performance coolers designed to withstand the toughest outdoor conditions. They are equipped with Ecomate polyurethane foam with no global warming or ozone depletion potential.

They are made without VOCs and are IGBC Certified Bear-Resistant. Plus, they have a lifetime warranty.

4. Orca Coolers

The most notable ORCA feature that differs from other brands is the cargo net for extra storage space. It is also certified bear proof and has a convenient drain spout.

It comes in several sizes, from 20 quart to 140 quart. It's pricing can be as expensive as YETI, depending on the cooler you get.

5. Pelican Coolers

Pelican coolers do not have a 40-quart carried option (only a 30 or 50 qt). For the purposes of comparison, we've linked to the 30-quart below.

However, Pelican also has a line of coolers on wheels. That line includes a 45-quart wheeled cooler that's, of course, a bit pricier for its convenience.

6. ENGEL Coolers

ENGEL Coolers have more traditional latches compared to YETI. And, if you've every pinched your hand latching a YETI, you'll be grateful for that.

Like several on this list, ENGEL hard coolers are IGBC Certified Bear Resistant. It also boasts up to 10 days ice retention.

7. Coleman

Coleman is one of the most well-known brands in the cooler industry. They mostly specialize in affordable options and easily made our list of the best coolers for camping.

They offer a couple of insulated coolers that can keep ice for up to 5 days, including the large 316 Series (62+ qt) and the Xtreme 50 qt.

They're one of the cheapest you'll find, which means you should carefully consider how flexible *up to* 5 days is. But hey, the price makes it worth considering.

8. Canyon Coolers

The Canyon Cooler is a small business brand that boasts 6-18 days of retention for its rotomolded coolers. It has a recessed cam latch and no-lose drain plug.

It comes with a lifetime warranty and is also IGBC Grizzly Resistant Certified.

9. K2 Coolers

The K2 Cooler has excellent reviews as a YETI alternative. Its main features include an ICE vault lid gasket and POSITRAC latches.

Its warranty isn't as good as other brands that offer lifetime, but it does have a 7-year warranty.

10. Siberian Cooler

Depending on which cooler you get, Siberian coolers can be as expensive as YETI. However, they're worth considering for their nifty accessories.

This Alpha Pro Series 45 qt, for instance, comes with a divider, cup holder, and wire basket. Plus, reversible E/Z slide or non-slip rubber feet.

11. Igloo

Igloo is certainly one of the most well-known cooler brands, with a huge range of coolers. That range includes IMX injection-molded coolers.

There is a 24 Qt option, but we decided to list the 70 Qt option. Why? Because it's half-again the size of our comparison YETI and still cheaper!

The Ultratherm insulation provides up to 7 days of ice retention and weighs 40% less than coolers with similar performance.

12. Hydro Flask

We're going to stray from the hard coolers with this one. We wanted to provide a unique alternative that can still stay cold up to 36 hours.

This Hydro Flask 20 liter soft cooler backpack does just that. And, instead of awkwardly lugging around a hard cooler, you can comfortably carry this on your back.

Granted, it's not as big or can stay as cold as long as the other options. But we thought it's worth including for its convenience and smart, effective design.

13. A Used YETI Cooler

If you are not convinced about getting an alternative brand, you could always get a used YETI. There are usually plenty listed on Facebook Marketplace and eBay.

But you can also check out my other list of the Best Coolers for Camping. It lists 5 great coolers that serve different purposes and budgets.

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Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API