However, the plastic exterior and interior of the Coleman is much thinner than that of the Yeti making it more prone to breaking. The Coleman Xtreme can hold ice for more than ten days, as shown in my ice test. However, this is only possible in ideal conditions. These coolers, despite their updated slim design, are a bit heavier than most budget coolers. This is likely due to the improved levels of insulation which we think are worth it. Reinforced lids and steel hardware have also been used, meaning that they can take a pretty good beating and you can even put up to 250 pounds on top of them without an issue. They also come with the specialized UV coating that protects the cooler from harsh conditions from the sun as well as stainless steel hardware that combats rust. Yeti also has slots for tie down straps if you are going on a more extreme or bumpy ride or need to guarantee your cooler won't move around during the trip. Branding and Feeling Coleman coolers are cheaper, but there are some issues you should consider before buying one. Not watertight

The Yeti Tundra is stronger than the Coleman, and the Coleman would be just as resilient. The Coleman Xtreme is made of thinner plastic which makes it easier to break. They are still decently built and UV-resistant. The Yeti on the other hand is a status symbol. My Yeti is beautiful and I love it and I am proud to own my Yeti. When driving in my van I have the Coleman next to me and the lid serves as extra cup holders for when I am driving. The hinges and handles on the Coleman feel cheap. The hinges especially are thin, flimsy pieces of plastic that I can see easily breaking with consistent use and sun exposure. Nothing enhances a hot summer day like an ice-cold beverage or some refreshing food like chopped fruit. If you find yourself outside in areas where there isn’t electricity or the availability of a refrigerator, you will need an insulated cooler that can keep these cold treats cold during a hot day.Other great features include a leak-resistant drain that helps you to remove melted water. This is more common on larger-sized coolers as smaller ones are much easier to tilt over yourself. During everyday use I found that the Coleman did not hold ice as long as the Yeti. Or if the cooler wasn't completely filled with ice then ice retention suffered substantially. The Yeti was a great choice for my family and me. The Coleman is more than enough for the job. We don’t use the campervan much during school holidays and aren’t off-grid. Made in the USA People are eager to get outside as soon as spring arrives. Picnics are a great way for people to spend a long time outside in the fresh air. You will find that the Coleman Xtreme Cooler lineup is very reasonably priced. There will be a slight up-charge for the Marine line but even it is still much cheaper than many of the other options out there. This more affordable asking price does result in slightly lower ice life and fewer features than much of the premium competition. Also, the coolers themselves won’t be quite as tough. However, it is a good compromise.

Being more expensive and better quality the Yeti has many benefits over the Coleman. But here are what I consider to be the key benefits. Build Quality and Strength For short trips in my van I often find myself taking the Coleman over the Yeti because it is just easier to move around. That being said, they will eat into some of the storage volume of the cooler, hence why the storage volume of the wheeled coolers is a bit less than other similar-sized Coleman Xtreme Coolers without wheels. Coleman Xtreme Cooler Aesthetics As for color options, they are a bit limited. Depending on which size and model you go with, you will be able to choose between the traditional Coleman blue and white color scheme, the brown and white option, or the attractive and eye-popping gray and orange accent color option. The Coleman Xtreme Cooler Series is comprised of both generic as well as marine coolers. Within these groups are a variety of coolers that vary in size, features, and price points. Let’s go over each below.It is frustrating because I don’t want to spend on four bags of ice for my cooler when I only need a few things. Hinges and Handles Likely To Break

There have also been some updates to the styling of certain sizes. The conservative and “bubbly” curves not are much sharper and give off a level of modernity that the older style doesn’t possess. But it is still a work in progress and we would like to see an increase in color choices. Cost – Coleman coolers offer this huge advantage. Coleman coolers are lighter than Yeti coolers and so easier to transport.

Our Verdict

What picnic is complete without an outdoor cooler? We decided to compare the two most well-known coolers with the ultimate Yeti cooler and Coleman cooler. The Yeti does not have the best latches available. While they are of good quality and do a decent job, you will find better alternatives. Yeti’s latches can keep the lid closed tight with rubber pull-down models. Yeti ice retention when used normally is more around the 5-7 day mark and performs much better when conditions aren't optimal (eg. In warm weather). Apparently, the reason why the Coleman coolers are so good is because they inject the polyurethene foam into the cooler casing so there are literally no gaps. This method is not used by most other manufacturers who just use polystyrene, which isn't as efficient and leaves gaps which allow heat exchange. Coleman also did a lot of research into what shapes stay cooler for longer, and it's actually a circular sphere shape that stays cool the longest (least surface area). Obviously for practicality this doesn’t work for boxes whichis why they made the edges curved and elevated the bottom slightly off the floor – all small ways in which their coolers perform a lot better than others.