Best buys · The grill and the backyard

The best cooler worth buying

Our pick is the YETI Tundra 45. Below: why, what actually matters when buying one, what to get for less, the step up, and whether today's price is a good one.

The cooler

YETI Tundra 45

Expensive, and the reason is that ice lasts days rather than an afternoon. If you camp, fish or tailgate more than a few times a year, it is the cooler you do not replace.

Buy it for
Weekends away, boats, anyone who has thrown out warm food.
Skip it if
It goes to the beach once a summer. A cheaper cooler does that job.

The price we have recorded

Lowest price per day across the stores and feeds we track, 2026-10-07 to 2026-10-09 (3 days). Not a store's "was" price: what it actually cost.

Low $244High $244

Full price history →

What actually matters when buying a cooler

  1. Wall thickness and a proper gasket. Ice retention comes from insulation and a seal, not from the brand.
  2. A drain plug, so you can empty meltwater without tipping it.
  3. Size for how you use it. A 45 is a weekend for two; it is heavy when full, so think about carrying it.
  4. Pre-chilling. Any cooler keeps ice far longer if it starts cold.

Either side of the pick

Spend less

Coleman Xtreme

Much cheaper, lighter, and keeps ice for days rather than a week. The honest choice for occasional use.

Check the price at Amazon ↗