Topic: The Best Yeti Coolers of 2023 (Read 38 times)
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Key Features
Pros
Cons
One of the biggest drags of any high quality cooler is having to move it around. No matter how advanced your technique (lift from the legs, not from the back), it’s still awkward and unco*fortable. The YETI Wheeled Roadie at first glance looks more like a roller-bag than a typical cooler, and fortunately for you, it’s maneuverability is much more akin to the former. A telescopic handle pops up from the top of the cooler and lifts up to an impressive 3.5 feet—high enough for even the tallest campers to grab co*fortably. Shorter users have the option to adjust the height down to a more co*fortable level. One upgrade here is that the wheels on the YETI Roadie are (thankfully) significantly larger and more durable than those on your suitcase. While checking ice retention, leaks and functionality, this was one of the few coolers that this 5-foot 5-inch tester didn’t dread having to maneuver around.
This was also one of the few coolers in my test to survive two nights of the ice retention test (and would have obviously lasted a lot longer if I had filled it to the brim with ice). Also notable was its simple snap-latch design, which was significantly easier to use than the rubber latches I tested on the other coolers. The drainage port is also waterproof and requires very little torque to operate.
The YETI co*es with a basket that sits up top (for your butter, cheese, and other goods that are prone to waterlogging), but can acco*modate a second one as well as a divider—useful for storing food at different temperatures. YETI also has a helpful guide on how to pack your ice chest for peak efficiency. If your number one priority in your camping cooler is ease of use, then this is the choice for you.
I’ve been testing this cooler for over a year now, and I’ve co*e to appreciate its unique shape. Whereas more traditional coolers take up a dedicated amount of space in the back of my Toyota 4 runner, I can slot the mid-sized version of the Roadie in the backseat, between my kid’s car seat and the door (she appreciates the handy table for her books).
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Despite its less iconic appearance, the Yeti Hopper ended up being Thess’ favorite Yeti option. She tested the 12 flip and was impressed by how much it held: either a whole 24 pack or lunch and eight beers. It’s much more spacious than you would expect for something that only weighs three pounds. And that light weight coupled with a wide, padded co*fortable strap means it’s easy to take just about anywhere.
Its co*paratively petite size meant it could head out on more adventures than a traditional cooler, including on a kayak or paddleboard. There, Ashley was able to test the waterproof zipper, which impressed by keeping water out in both directions. Snow is similarly a fan of the Yeti Hopper, but noted that to keep the zipper working for the long haul, it’s important to grease it periodically—he reco*mends Carmex or Vaseline if you lose the greasing agent it co*es with.
In our testing of the best small coolers, one thing was clear: hardshell coolers have much better ice retention than softshell coolers. If your number one priority is keeping your food or drinks cold for as long as possible, go with either the Yeti Tundra or the Yeti Roadie. However, the Hopper still provides an impressive amount of insulation while taking up less space in your rig and weighing significantly less.
The larger your cooler, the more it will hold. However, the larger your cooler is, the harder it will be to move and the more it will cost. Consider the upper limits of your needs before making a final purchase. Bigger, in this case, is not necessarily better.
Yeti makes some impressively sized coolers: their biggest cooler is over five feet wide. Be sure to measure your car and wherever you plan to store your new Yeti cooler in your home before making a final purchase.
While the Roadie and Hopper collections can be moved around by almost anyone, the larger sizes of the Tundra are so large that you’ll need two people to move them, even when empty.
In our test of the best camping coolers, it took 35 hours for a bag of ice to fully melt in the Yeti Roadie.
The Yeti Tundra 45 will fit 54 cans, without ice, while the Yeti Roadie 48 will fit 76 cans.
Yeti coolers have insulation. The Yeti Tundra has polyurethane foam insulation.
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Yeti has beco*e an iconic cooler brand for a reason: everything they make is high quality and backed by a solid warranty. If you’ve been thinking of upgrading to a new cooler, any of the models we’ve reco*mended above will keep your food fresh and drinks cold whether you’re in the frontcountry or backcountry.
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