RTIC $185 vs IGLOO $35 Hard Cooler Comparison

[@diywithandrew]

The Rtic Cooler is actually "advanced" Injected Molded and NOT Rotomolded, which I say accidentally in my video.

[@gild484]

I think one of the drains on the RTIC is designed for a garden hose. In case you need to... IDK. I have the Igloo. I taped some reflective insulation bubble wrap stuff on the inside lid and pushed some down on the bottom. It added 2 more days. Fun project with little cost. Cheers

[@diywithandrew]

Wow I never thought of that. And thanks for the idea and comment!

[@FiatIsTheft54]

Thank you for taking this video. I have an Igloo cooler which served its purpose, but we just got hit with a major hurricane, so I realized the value of having a cooler that will retain its ice as long as possible while you don’t have power or access to ice. I also purchasing a second generator.

[@diywithandrew]

Thank you for letting me know it was helpful. I completely agree that having a good cooler and generator is critical. The Rtic is very good for that price. Sorry to hear about the hurricane. I hope you are okay.

[@bmwlane8834]

I've got $600 worth of yeti...so I like quality, but camping and being out and not worring about someone stealing your pricy cooler....the Igloo wins!

[@diywithandrew]

That’s a really good point. Thanks for taking time to watch and comment!

[@sqd8r]

that's what I was wondering, hard to go hiking and leaving that around.

[@CaboWabotv]

Dick's sells a white version like your green 52qt Igloo, but it has a drain plug. I find that the drain is very necessary so I can easily drain water and add fresh ice on longer trips more than 3 days. Also another cool idea, I believe the wire basket from the RTIC will fit in the Igloo

[@diywithandrew]

Thanks for watching and for sharing that info!

[@rapmeister1000]

The two drains on the RTIC are because of the divider. When using the divider, you can drain each side individually.

[@diywithandrew]

Oh cool! Thanks for sharing that.

[@paulcarlin5181]

I love Yeti! I own their chairs, Tank, and lots of cups, Caminos, BUT truth be told performance wise for the AVERAGE consumer, your one to two day ice needs will be served by an Igloo too. The Yeti shines in the durability department. No debate there.

[@diywithandrew]

That is good to hear from a Yeti enthusiast! I think you are correct. Thanks for taking time to comment.

[@LutherBuilds]

I think the key to a good cooler is to have a drain so you can drain the water and replenish the ice, which will make it last longer. Obviously in this case, you get what you pay for. Ironically, I was just looking at these two coolers yesterday at Menards. I didn't end up buying one though. Good comparison between these two. God bless.

[@diywithandrew]

I think you are right! Also I love Menards! I miss that store so much. Thanks for your comment and kind words!

[@Distracted_driving_kills]

Actually a cooler with watered down ice is better/colder than just ice.

[@sherbel2]

never forget... specific heat of water is around double that of ice... meaning, water is good. , for water is 4.187 kJ/kgK, for ice 2.108 kJ/kgK,

[@ryancatellier4295]

Draining the water actually keeps the ice longer. I take mine for a week trip in the summer and the ice lasts the whole time.

[@diywithandrew]

Heck yea! I’ve heard that a few times. That’s awesome to hear man. Hope you are well!

[@jacobeden2083]

That seems silly. I can accept the premise that each individual cube of ice might last longer in a garage test or something. In actual use however, pouring out your thermal mass seems like a bad idea if the goal is to keep your drinks cold all weekend. The increased surface area of having liquid water means you'll cool a can faster, and the increased thermal mass from the liquid water ensures you can cool more cans. Sure, replacing liquid water with ice is an improvement, but replacing liquid water with hot air is a net loss in thermal mass. "But Jacob, ice melts faster in water" no, it reaches equilibrium faster in water. If you're opening your cooler to get a can out and constantly replacing the cold air with hot air, you'll actually be better served by having that water in there than more head space for air. I'm too lazy to do the rest of the math, but if you manage to have a perfectly airtight system, there's some exact number of cooler openings at which dumping water is somehow better than not dumping water, but I have a sneaking suspicion the number is close to or less than one opening over a 5 day trip in 100+ weather.

[@troywilliams8659]

He is correct do not drain the water

[@wes326]

I think a good rule of thumb is to not drain the water unless you refill with ice. I like to use frozen water bottles, at least initially. Would be nice if stores sold frozen water bottles or frozen gallon water jugs.

[@cb3099]

The RTIC light weight is not rotomolded. Injection molded.

[@diywithandrew]

Ahh interesting. Thanks for sharing

[@mikemontgomery3391]

the drain plugs on the Rtic allows for easy draining which in turn allows the cold air to keep the ice longer, I have the Rtic 65 qt model and it will keep block ice for6 days.

[@diywithandrew]

Right on! Thanks for sharing!

[@kylenowak6300]

The ultralight is not a rotomolded cooler.

[@diywithandrew]

Yep. I mistakenly said it was and a commenter corrected me a while back.

[@thejourneysofjgp4737]

I saved the $145. How far down a rabbit hole must you be to be concerned about the "cool factor" when you're talking about a cooler? That Igloo now has a drain plug as well.

[@diywithandrew]

Thanks for sharing that it has a plug now. I didn’t know that.

[@theshuz]

RTIC coolers are not rotomolded. Thats why theyre "ultralight"

[@diywithandrew]

That’s correct about this ultralight cooler. I misspoke in my video.

[@paulcarlin5181]

RTIC does have an Ultra tough line that are rotomolded. Yeti's new Roadies are now injection just like the Rtic "Ultralight" line of coolers.

[@diywithandrew]

@@paulcarlin5181 Ahh that is interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@-ZELTHELD-]

Igloo is here clear winner. Specs are always for a full box, biggest cooled mass that last longest. The igloo beats the RTIC for its front sticker that you so clearly overlooked. I wish Igloo would sell the line here overseas.

[@diywithandrew]

Thanks for the comment. The goal of the video was just to show the performance for us in the field beyond just reading the sticker. I think the igloo wins in some areas and the rtic wins in some areas.

[@-ZELTHELD-]

Yes, but as the world goes down the drain the Igloo uses recycled plastic. Clear winner :)

[@TheRichest88]

Yeti 🔥🥃

[@diywithandrew]

Haha.