{"id":2019127,"date":"2024-07-23T17:13:30","date_gmt":"2024-07-23T22:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=2019127"},"modified":"2025-02-11T17:49:33","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T23:49:33","slug":"yeti-cooler-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/yeti-cooler-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Yeti Cooler Review: The Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler Beat Out 11 Chilly Competitors"},"content":{"rendered":"Despite many coolers claiming they're \"cooler\" than the competition, one option has prevailed in popularity through the years: The Yeti cooler. In fact, not only is the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler<\/a> one of the most popular models on the market, but it's also widely regarded as the very first cooler of its kind. Backed by years of five-star feedback and boasting the best overall design of all the options tested by our expert Product\u00a0 Testing Team, this cooler has both the brawn and the beauty to impress even the most overt outdoorsmen.\n\nAccording to our Test Kitchen, the best coolers<\/a> are rugged, offer reliable insulation and have plenty of room for snacks, drinks and other outdoor essentials. Even casual campers, like Culinary Assistant\u00a0Mark Neufang,<\/a> note that nothing is more disappointing than a cooler that looks like it hauls a lot but doesn't offer much room inside.<\/span> With that in mind, it's easy to see why large, hard-sided rotomolded options like the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler<\/a> are often considered the gold standard.\n\n[SINGLE_AFFILIATE_PRODUCT superlative=\"We Tried It\" product_name=\"Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler\" short_description=\"The Yeti cooler offers unparalleled ice retention and style. Use it as a camping ice chest for up to four folks or pop in drinks for a day on the water.\" image=\"2084406\" image_credit=\"VIA MERCHANT\" pr_name=\"Yeti\" pr_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yeti.com%2Fcoolers%2Fhard-coolers%2Ftundra%2Ftundra-45.html\" pr_display_text=\"Shop on Yeti\" retailers_2_name=\"Amazon\" retailers_2_url=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/YETI-Tundra-45-Cooler-Charcoal\/dp\/B07D1CFJRY?tag=tohmke-20\" retailers_2_display_text=\"Shop on Amazon\" retailers_3_name=\"REI\" retailers_3_url=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com?id=131817X1598243&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fproduct%2F874210%2Fyeti-tundra-45-cooler%3Fsku%3D8742100024\" retailers_3_display_text=\"Shop on REI\" \/]\n

What is the Yeti cooler?<\/h2>\nWhile there are many heavy-duty hard-side coolers on the market these days, the Yeti Tundra 45 Hard Cooler<\/a> is the benchmark model that merits many imitators. Thanks to Roy and Ryan Seiders, Yeti is the brand that introduced heavy-duty coolers to the mainstream in 2006. The brothers created the first Yeti Tundra cooler to combat the intense Texas heat during their summertime outings.\n\nSince then, the company has perfected its coolers' construction, adding 3 inches of PermaFrost insulation, a removable dry-goods basket and a certified bear-resistant shell, among many other upgrades. There's also a bevy of complimentary Yeti gear now available, including iced coffee cups<\/a> and wine tumblers<\/a>, among dozens of other outdoor-friendly designs.\n\nApart from its solid build and incredible ice retention, the Tundra cooler is also eye-catching\u2014something rarely observed when it comes to practical outdoor gear. The cooler comes in five core colors and several seasonal shades, including red, white, navy, charcoal, tan, lilac, orange, teal and blue. Outdoor enthusiasts also have a variety of sizes to choose from. The smallest Yeti cooler comes in at a manageable 35 quarts, while the largest measures a massive 350 quarts. No matter the size of the crew, there's a Yeti cooler that complements any camping trip.\n\nThe Yeti cooler also pioneered \"T-Rex Lid Latches.\" These are the classic rubber pull tabs that clip into place, which many rugged coolers (including the Orca cooler<\/a>) now sport. They're also some of the best, with Yeti T-latches topping our list of all the T-tab coolers we tested. Overall, Yeti is a reliable cooler brand with dozens of dupes\u2014but nothing beats the classic Tundra when it comes to performance!\n

How We Tested\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>the Yeti Cooler<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\nOur Product Testing Team tried 12 popular options from familiar retailers, including\u00a0Lifetime<\/a>\u00a0and BruTank<\/a>, for our piece on the best coolers. The team looked at features, performance and value to thoroughly evaluate each. Over the course of a week, the Product Testing Team:\n