For your information, YETI is an Austin, Texas-based outdoor and lifestyle products manufacturer. So, if anything is wrong with your cooler, you will be able to get free services from either of these brands within 5 years. If you are picky about colors, then you should go with the YETI coolers. In our opinion, when it comes to the design, the choice between these two brands will depend on the personal preference of the user. We also see that booth the Ozark Trail and YETI feature anti-skid rubber feet on most of their top-of-the-line coolers. Due to that, you can place these coolers on any type of surface without any issues.
The lower-end can models take a very traditional approach in styling. Also, there aren’t a lot of colors to choose from (3 is the maximum we have found for a particular model). The tote and cooler backpack look much more progressive but are limited to just one color choice.
And the premium cooler backpack and cooler tote take this up a notch by having an EVA compression molded base. While the Ozark Trail Hard-Sided Coolers are mostly designed to compete with the premium coolers of the industry, their soft-sided coolers are more balanced. Ozark Trail’s lineup of soft coolers tries to adhere to their “affordability first” approach. This includes simple lunch boxes and tiers up to premium totes and cooler backpacks. Specifically, you will find 6-can, 12-can, 24-can, 36-can, 42-can, totes, and cooler backpacks.
Various wholesalers offer a variety of AC units suitable for all customer needs. Outside of the premium models (with their thicker insulated shell), these coolers aren’t designed to keep ice for long periods. Rather, they are a good companion for a lunch outing or small picnic. Specifically, the smaller models will have ice life that starts at just a couple of hours and creeps up to around half a day. The more capable premium models should keep ice for up to a day and a half. Their low-cost, soft-sided cooler options don’t have a lot of storage volume or insulation to help them out.
Several models I’ve tested from Cabela’s, Orca, Rovr, Magellan Outdoors and Yeti all make the cut. My only qualm — that T-shaped handlebar includes comfy rubber grips on the sides, but not in the middle, the spot you’ll actually want to hold as you lug it around one-handed. The last time I tested coolers for this list, I had Cabela’s 60-quart version of this cooler listed as the best large cooler.
Depending on which model you go with, you will find the appearance of these ice chests to differ quite a bit. The most affordable models, the non-premium soft-sided coolers, come in a very safe, solid color. There may be some subtle grays or white pieces of fabric but, for the most part, the primary color will dominate. The hard-sided coolers are designed to try to compete with the top-tier of the premium cooler world.
A cooler’s construction also plays a significant role in how effectively it keeps food and beverages cold. We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that’s designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections. It doesn’t have a drain plug so emptying it of water can be a hassle.
But the best value doesn’t have to mean the least amount of money. It gave the lowest temperatures in the midsize cooler category, and low enough to play ball with the largest ozark trail cooler of coolers we tested. CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.