14 Cheaper YETI Cooler Alternatives You May Not Know About

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Keeping food and beverages cool when you’re fishing, camping, or tailgating is expensive — or at least it seems that way when you’re shopping for high-end coolers. Topping many wish lists is the high-quality and very expensive YETI brand. Fortunately, it’s easy to find many of the best YETI alternatives that are similar in their features but way more affordable. In fact, finding a top-tier YETI cooler alternative that is cheaper is easier than you may think. 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. Here’s the price breakdown by yeti cooler model:

• YETI Roadie 24 – One of the more popular offerings from this cult-favorite brand, the YETI Roadie 24 (a replacement for the now-discontinued Roadie 20) regularly costs $250.
• YETI Tundra 45 – Larger YETI ice chests, like the YETI Tundra 45, will generally run you a cool $325.
• YETI Tundra 75 – Convinced bigger is better? Be prepared to put down some serious cash for the YETI Tundra 75, which goes for a whopping $450 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 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

1. RTIC Coolers
2. Igloo BMX with Cool Riser Technology
3. Grizzly Coolers
4. Pelican Elite Coolers
5. ORCA Coolers
6. Canyon Coolers
7. KONG Coolers 
8. Coleman 50-Quart Xtreme Heavy-Duty Cooler with Wheels
9. Hydro Flask Soft Coolers
10. REI Co-op Cool Haul 12 Soft Cooler
11. Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Premium Ice Chest
12. Camp-Zero Coolers
13. Dometic Coolers

1. 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 a YETI knockoff cooler at a much better price. In fact, most tests show that RTIC performs about the same or better than YETI when comparing the ice life of each cooler.

Though YETI coolers tend to be a bit lighter and feature higher-quality latch and handle construction, RTIC offers a similar style of rotomolded cooler offered at a much lower price. Gaskets, lid seals and other parts from YETI are often cross-compatible with RTIC.

The company usually offers a handful of cooler deals during the holiday shopping season. When RTIC advertised a 10% off sitewide sale in December 2022, shoppers scored a 45-quart RTIC cooler for $197.99 (reg. $219.99) and the 65-quart model for just $224.99 (reg. $249.99). According to RLY18‘s deal thread from May 2023, RTIC brought this modest 10% discount back for its Memorial Day sale, which also included free shipping on orders over $35.

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.

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2. 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, which can be carried with ease using its flex-grip handles. Powerful T-latches ensure long-term ice retention, plus this YETI alternative features UV inhibitors in the lid and walls that protect the cooler against sun damage and can keep drinks icy cold for up to five days at 90°F. Its molded base elevates the cooler from hot surfaces, boosting its cooling performance.

Igloo quietly lowered the retail price for several popular BMX coolers in early 2023. You can get a 25-quart Igloo BMX for $89.99 (previously $99.99) or go big and opt for the BMX 72-quart cooler at just $169.99 (previously $199.99).

3. Grizzly Coolers

Widely considered the hunter’s cooler brand of choice, Grizzly Coolers are made in America and come with limited lifetime warranties and larger overall dimensions. Even regular-price Grizzly coolers are more affordable than their YETI counterparts. Originally $159.99, the 15-quart Grizzly personal cooler dropped to $149.99 in mid-2023.

Stick to shopping on the Grizzly website if you’re after a specific color, but you might find a lower price on the brand’s official Amazon store.

4. 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.

Pelican aims to deliver a higher-quality product than YETI, so you probably won’t save much money if you opt for a Pelican Elite cooler. The entire Elite line saw a major price increase in early 2023 — the 20-quart Elite Cooler is now $199.95 at regular price, a $50 markup. We haven’t seen many Pelican cooler sales since the price change, aside from a few one-off deals at Adorama.

Still, 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 Pelican coolers are a bit heavy and bulky, but it’s a small price to pay for a high-end freezer-grade gasket. This YETI alternative comes with a lifetime warranty that makes them even more enticing.

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5. 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 typical of YETI cooler alternatives like you might on an RTIC 20 or other coolers from RTIC, Engel Coolers and other YETI alternative coolers.

Regardless, ORCA coolers are an excellent YETI cooler alternative. On top of its competitive prices, ORCA has committed to only manufacturing 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. These air-tight coolers are excellent at trapping cold air and can keep ice from melting for up to 10 days.

You can score a 20-quart ORCA cooler for $235 at full price, but you might find one for under $200 at Walmart. Plus, Amazon also has some great deals with comparable pricing to ORCA.

6. 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 serviceable YETI cooler alternative that can keep ice cool for up to eight days. Plus, the company backs its coolers with a hassle-free lifetime warranty.

Smaller models start at $125, but you can usually find some discounts that will bring it down to $100. A 75-gallon cooler will generally set you back $365. We’ve even seen those large models for as low as $269.99 on Amazon, whereas the YETI Tundra 75 Hard Cooler costs around $450 in comparison.

If you don’t mind a few cosmetic flaws, you can save 15% to 25% by opting for an open-box Canyon Cooler from the B-Stock Boneyard section over a brand-new model. These customer returns and retired floor models are sold as-is and are not eligible for a return, but they are still backed by a limited warranty. Check back for new B-Stock products often, as Canyon regularly adds new scratch-and-dent coolers.

7. 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. 

8. Coleman 50-Quart Xtreme Heavy-Duty Cooler with Wheels

This budget-friendly YETI cooler alternative probably won’t provide the superior insulation of a YETI, but its affordable price is hard to beat. The hefty 52-quart Coleman 316 Series hovers between $30 and $50 on Amazon, but you can get this highly-rated 50-quart model for $64.99 anytime. While our community collectively agrees that the latter cooler falls short of its claim to retain ice for up to five days even in hot temperatures, it can handle a weekend getaway or camping trip just fine. For the price point, that makes it a decent option for the occasional beach weekend or road trip.

9. Hydro Flask Soft Coolers

If a hard-sided case and latched lid aren’t priorities in your search for the perfect insulated cooler, you might like Hydro Flask’s updated Carry Out Soft Cooler. At $89.95, the new-and-improved 20-Liter Carry Out bag is shockingly cheap compared to the 18-Liter Unbound Series tote, its now-discontinued predecessor which sold for $197.

The YETI Hooper Flip 18 Soft Cooler and the Carry Out Soft Cooler are virtually the same in terms of form factor and carrying capacity, so why spend $300 on a smaller cooler when there’s viable alternative for less than a third of the price?

10. 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. This soft-sided cooler comes with a bottle opener and impressive insulation, 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.

11. 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). This rotomolded cooler is ultra-durable even compared to similar hard-sided coolers. The Arctic Freeze Titan Deep Freeze Premium Ice Chest is certified bear-proof and features corrosion-resistant latches that keep your ice cold and insulated with the added benefit of peace of mind.

12. Camp-Zero Coolers

Camp-Zero coolers are a solid and affordable alternative to YETI coolers, especially when you’re looking at smaller models. 10-quart coolers start at $125, but springing for a 20-quart model will only cost you an extra $25. The larger models are definitely a little pricier, though. The 80-quart model starts at $429.99, which is comparable in price to similarly-sized YETI coolers.

Keep an eye out for coolers with a “CERTIFIED” label as you browse the Camp-Zero site. The company doesn’t indicate why these “CERTIFIED” products sell for $20 to $50 less than their “UNCERTIFIED” counterparts, but they appear to have the same quality assurance and five-year limited warranty.

13. Dometic Coolers

Dometic specializes in making quality products for mobile living, and they offer lots of choices for coolers. While most of their offerings are for pricey electric coolers, they do carry traditional ice chests that don’t require a power supply. Their smallest model, the Dometic Patrol 20, starts at $169.99, while the Patrol 35 will cost you $229.99.

Be sure to browse the Slickdeals Sporting Goods category to uncover excellent deals on YETI cooler alternatives. Even if you’re brand loyal and dead-set on a YETI Hopper, YETI Rambler, Tundra or another high-end ice chest, don’t let the price tag scare you from trying to find a great deal. Be sure to set a Deal Alert for portable coolers to get first dibs on the best markdowns.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What brand of cooler is best? 

  Any of the cooler brands mentioned in this article are definitely among the best. While YETI has earned a well-deserved reputation for its outstanding coolers, several cheaper alternatives are far more budget-friendly.

• Which cooler keeps ice the longest? 

  The RTIC coolers perform exceptionally well at ice retention. Ice kept in the RTIC cooler was found to last for a full nine days.

• What makes a great cooler? 

  Features like outstanding insulation and solid handles for easy transport make a great cooler. Also, coolers that come with a strong warranty policy means they’re more durable and likely to last you a long time, as the company will stand behind their product’s longevity.

• How do I choose a camping cooler? 

  In general, a 25-quart cooler will work if you’re camping solo for a weekend. A medium cooler of up to 45 quarts is great for a camping trip lasting up to four days, and a large cooler up to 70 quarts will be great if you’re camping for a week. Of course, if you have other people joining you, adjust the size accordingly.