12 Cheaper YETI Cooler Alternatives You May Not Know About
Advertiser Disclosure: At Slickdeals, we work hard to find the best deals. Some products in our articles are from partners who may provide us with compensation, but this doesn’t change our opinions.
Staying cool is expensive — or at least it seems that way when you’re shopping for high-end coolers. Topping many lists for the best (and most expensive) cooler is YETI, but finding a top-tier YETI cooler alternative is easier than you may think.
It’s hard to argue with the fact that YETI essentially set the standard in cooler tech and quality when the company launched in 2006. Since then, many other brands have risen to the challenge, offering comparable products, often at more affordable prices.
We’ve gathered a list of a few YETI cooler alternatives that offer similar performance at a lower overall cost. If you’re ready to start shopping for knock-off Yeti cooler deals, read on.
How Much Do YETI Coolers Cost Normally?
For a YETI cooler, don’t expect to spend less than $150 — and really, that would be a steal. One of its more popular offerings, the YETI Roadie 24 (a replacement for the now-discontinued Roadie 20) regularly costs $199.99. Larger YETI ice chests, like the YETI Tundra 45, will generally run you a cool $299.99.
Convinced bigger is better? Be prepared to put down some serious cash for the YETI Tundra 75, which goes for a whopping $449.98 on Amazon.
In the past, the Slickdeals community has spotted a few worthy deals for cheap YETI coolers (cheap being a relative term), such as the Roadie 24 for $149.99 at DICK’S Sporting Goods and the Tundra 45 for $224.89 at REI. The pickings, though, seem pretty slim when it comes to buying affordable YETI coolers. So let’s take a closer look at YETI cooler alternatives.
The Best (Affordable) YETI Cooler Alternatives
RTIC Coolers
RTIC Coolers have certainly caused some fretting over at YETI corporate since the company first took off (which even resulted in a now-settled lawsuit). These coolers intentionally market themselves as knock-off YETI coolers at a much better price. In fact, most tests show that RTIC performs about the same or better than YETI when comparing how long each cooler keeps ice frozen.
YETI coolers do tend to be a bit lighter and made with higher-quality latches and handle. But with RTIC coolers offered at much lower prices, they’re definitely worth a look.
In March 2020, Slickdealer inkee spotted a pretty major RTIC sale featuring 25% to 45% off coolers sitewide. The company also gave shoppers a coupon for 10% off sitewide this past December. That brought the price of a 45-quart RTIC cooler down to $179.99 (reg. $199.99) and a 65-quart model to $215.99 (reg. $239.99).
Even without a deal, RTIC coolers are roughly half the price of YETI coolers, which can save you a ton of cool cash. These coolers are also known to hold more ice (the RTIC 65, for example, holds 13 pounds more ice than the YETI Tundra 65 according to one comparison), and they come with a one-year warranty.
Igloo BMX with Cool Riser Technology
When it comes to affordable coolers like YETI, the Igloo BMX with Cool Riser Technology is another stellar option.
This YETI-like cooler boasts excellent reviews thanks to its heavy-duty construction and lightweight build. It also features UV inhibitors that protect the cooler against sun damage and can keep drinks icy cold for up to five days at 90°F. Plus, its molded base keeps the cooler elevated from hot surfaces, therefore boosting its cooling performance.
Regularly $109, the 25-quart Igloo BMX is currently on sale for $94.63 at Amazon. Or go big and opt for the BMX 72-quart cooler at just $129
Grizzly Coolers
Widely considered the hunter’s cooler of choice, Grizzly Coolers are made in America and come with limited lifetime warranties and larger overall dimensions. Plus, the brand’s normal prices are already more affordable than YETI ice chest alternatives, with 15-quart Grizzly coolers starting at $149.99.
We’ve seen Grizzly coolers discounted on Amazon, but you can currently score big savings on select models at Northern Tool + Equipment. For example, the 75-gallon Grizzly cooler is on sale for just $339.99 shipped (reg. $399.99).
Pelican Elite Coolers
Of all the YETI alternative coolers on the market today, most people would probably agree that the Pelican Elite line is one of the closest.
This cooler strives to be a higher-quality product than YETI, which, admittedly, doesn’t always lend itself to a lower price. But many reviewers actually report that the Pelican Elite keeps ice cooler for longer periods of time than YETI models — with some claiming their ice stayed cold for an impressive nine days. These coolers are a bit heavy and bulky, but they come with a lifetime warranty that makes them even more enticing.
Additionally, there are deals to be found if you decide to go with a Pelican Elite. Slickdealer crbphd spotted the Pelican 50-Quart Elite Cooler on sale at Home Depot for just $166.39 (reg. $299.99) around the Fourth of July. Plus, the Pelican store discounted its coolers for Black Friday, which brought the price of the 20-quart Elite Cooler down to $130 (reg. $149.95).
ORCA Coolers
Similar to the Pelican Elite line, ORCA Coolers compete readily with YETI’s quality and warranty. That does mean, unfortunately, that you won’t see the wickedly slashed prices that YETI cooler alternatives like RTIC offer.
Regardless, ORCA coolers are an excellent YETI cooler alternative, not only because we’ve seen more impressive prices from them, but also because they’ve committed themselves to manufacturing only in the U.S. YETI, on the other hand, does not make that guarantee. ORCA coolers also come with a lifetime guarantee and cargo nets for extra storage space. Plus, these coolers can keep ice from melting for up to 10 days.
Right now, ORCA has select 40-quart coolers on sale for $249.99 (reg. 289.99) and 20-quart models priced at only $169.99 (reg. $199.99). Plus, Amazon is matching those prices by offering 15% off coupons.
Canyon Coolers
Perhaps not as well-known as ORCA, Pelican or Grizzly (or as cheap as RTIC), Canyon Coolers nonetheless make this list for their superb reviews and cheaper-than-YETI prices.
Though mostly absent from the Slickdeals archives, Canyon Coolers are a plausible YETI cooler alternative that can keep ice cool for up to eight days. Plus, the company backs its coolers with hassle-free lifetime warranties.
Smaller models start at $99.99, while a 75-gallon cooler will generally set you back $299.99. We’ve even seen those large models for as low as $269.99 on Amazon, whereas the YETI Tundra 75 Hard Cooler costs around $449.99 in comparison.
KONG Coolers
KONG Coolers are American-made and assembled right here in the USA. Furthermore, their quality is on par with YETI at lower price points. The best discount we’ve seen on Kong Coolers is around 15% off, with 25-quart coolers going for $186.15 and 70-quarts on sale for $262.65.
Coleman 50-Quart Xtreme Heavy-Duty Cooler with Wheels
This budget-friendly YETI cooler alternative can’t provide the superior insulation of a YETI, but its affordable price makes it worth considering. In fact, this particular 50-quart model is currently on sale at Walmart for just $26.83 (reg. $38.33). And while our community collectively agrees that it falls short of its claim to retain ice for up to five days even in hot temperatures, it can handle up to a few days just fine. For the price point, that makes it a decent option for the occasional camping getaway or road trip.
Hydro Flask Soft Coolers
While still relatively pricey at $175, the Hydro Flask 18-Liter Unbound Series Soft Cooler Tote is almost half the price of the similarly sized $298.99 YETI Hooper Flip 18 Soft Cooler. Even better, it just so happens to be on sale right now for only $104.97.
OtterBox Coolers
OtterBox also makes comparable coolers (even though they’re considered “the nice coolers with the bad handle design,” as Slickdealer itsarectangle points out). You can currently take 50% off these high-quality designs at A4C, making the OtterBox Venture Series 25 Quart Cooler $114.98 (reg. $229.99) and the larger OtterBox Trooper LT Cooler 30 Quart Cooler $149.98 (reg. $299.95). Just enter code OTTER50 at checkout.
REI Co-op Cool Haul 12 Soft Cooler
REI’s Cool Haul 12 Soft Cooler has a modest size that’s more appropriate for a weekend road trip, chilling up to 12 cans and eight pounds of ice for up to 65 hours. At $99.95, it’s also a more reasonable YETI cooler alternative for shorter getaways.
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Premium Ice Chest
At $150, this YETI cooler alternative ice chest is a solid choice thanks to its Microban antimicrobial protection, which prevents the build-up of bacterial odors and stains (and makes the cooler easier to clean).
*****
Be sure to browse the Slickdeals Sporting Goods category to uncover excellent deals on YETI cooler alternatives. And be sure to set a Deal Alert for coolers to get first dibs on the best markdowns.
Images courtesy of YETI, RTIC, Igloo, Grizzly Coolers, Pelican, ORCA Coolers, and Canyon Coolers.
Our editors strive to ensure that the information in this article is accurate as of the date published, but please keep in mind that offers can change. We encourage you to verify all terms and conditions of any product before you apply.
