These are the other coolers we tested with our new testing procedure, detailed below. They didn’t make it to the main roster, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s anything wrong with them and you might still prefer them, depending on your situation.
Target zero high 50/high 80
The Alta 50 is an effective electric cooler, but the other two options we recommend will do a better job.
the Target Zero Alta 50 It was the last electric cooler I tested. There’s nothing particularly wrong with that, but the other two electric coolers I recommend fit into the niche better. The Goal Zero is very large – it holds the most soda cans at 77. It also has the sturdiest construction of all the options. It is stainless steel, and the handles are solid and spring-loaded. When you release them, they retreat decisively.
Likewise, the lid is tight and well built. The latches are metal and very secure. I feel like this cooler would serve as a good second refrigerator or freezer in the garage if you buy a lot of food and need more in an emergency.
There are two downsides though. The first is that the stainless steel body looks beautiful until it isn’t. The unit I tested actually had some scratches. The second is on the control panel you use to adjust the temperature. It is located at the bottom of the cooler, so it is not convenient to reach or even see it. These two factors ultimately keep it off our main list, but if you need a second refrigerator, this is a good option.
Magellan Outdoors Pro Discover IceBox
The Magellan cooler offers another portable option, although it’s not a backpack.
the Magellan Outdoors Pro Discover IceBox It is a smaller carry cooler, but it is not a backpack. You can carry the cooler with the included shoulder strap or with the belt handles on either side. This is a hard sided cooler with a solid surface and covered in soft fabric. Like its larger counterpart above, when you open and close this lid, you’ll feel a good seal and a whisper of air escaping when you push it closed.
This cooler also comes with a stylish bottle opener attached to the cooler and tucked into a convenient pocket for this purpose. The cooler also has a series of loops on the front of it that you can use to attach other items, like tools and utensils, to the front to help with carrying. Overall, I like the cooler, but I like the shape of the backpack a little better, which keeps it from taking first place.
RTIC 45 Gallon Whitty Tundra 45
45 gallon RTIC cooler
These two coolers are remarkably similar, despite belonging to different brands. Both have the same basic plastic construction, rope handles and rubber latches. Their ice retention test numbers are similar, although at the end of the test, the RTIC held up a little longer.
The Yeti Tundra 45 is grizzly bear resistant, unlike the RTIC.
They have some differences, though. It is worth noting that RTIC cooler It’s less expensive at $239 versus $325, however Yeti Tundra The cooler comes with certification from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. This basically means that if you also get a bear-proof lock, you can keep your food safe from grizzly bears. If you’re camping in bear country, it might be worth the extra money, but it’s a pretty decent use case otherwise.
Yeti Tundra Hole
The Yeti Tundra Haul is another bear-proof cooler with wheels and a large capacity.
Similar to the Yeti Tundra above, the Yeti Tundra Hole It also comes with bear resistance certification, which is always a nice bonus for campers. This is also a cooler on wheels, which means it has a larger capacity and is easier to maneuver. The wheels are also made of durable plastic. Meanwhile, the handle is solid and looks like stainless steel – arguably the sturdiest handle among rotary coolers.
Like the 45-gallon Yeti Tundra cooler, there’s not much to this cooler except good ice retention, which is arguably its most important feature. However, many coolers today have additional features that make them more desirable, and this simply does not. It’s a great cooler for getting back to basics, but if you want something with more bells and whistles, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
RTIC Ultra Strength Backpack 24 Pack
Another backpack cooler, there are many unique features that can be found in this RTIC cooler.
the RTIC Ultra Powerful Backpack Cooler It has many nice features. It starts with an additional storage bag in the front. It’s about the size of a purse or handbag, and is probably good for holding a phone or small tablet. Unlike the dry storage cellar found in the Ninja Cooler above, this front bag doesn’t get cold from the ice in the cooler – I specifically tested that.
There is also a network of bungee cords on top which is good for securing something small, like a pillow or rolled up blanket. There are elastic cup holders on each side and a few fabric loops on the front if you need to secure anything else. The top of the cooler is thick and slots nicely into the opening to seal in the cold without pulling the zipper, which is a nice bonus.