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Yeti Tundra 65 Review

This simple yet effective model is a classic when it comes to rotomolded coolers
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yeti tundra 65 cooler review
We think the Tundra is a great cooler for just about every vehicle-access adventure.
Credit: Andrew Schurr
Price:  $350 List
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Manufacturer:   Yeti
By Genaveve Bradshaw, Maggie Nichols, and Rebecca Glades  ⋅  Oct 9, 2023
68
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#7 of 14
  • Insulation - 50% 5.8
  • Durability - 20% 8.7
  • Ease of Use - 15% 7.0
  • Portability - 10% 7.0
  • Additional Features - 5% 9.0

Our Verdict

Yeti has long been a big name in the cooler world, and they continue to prove themselves worthy of the hype with the Tundra 65. This cooler proved itself with almost every test we threw at it. It has some of the best features in the game and is intensely durable. It does everything you want from a chest cooler and more. With an included dry bin for sensitive items, handles that are comfortable and easy to use (even with sweaty palms), and the right combination of size and shape for all your picnic necessities, the Tundra is likely the last cooler you'll ever need. However, it might not be the best option to take on longer trips due to its subpar insulation performance. To compare it to the competition, check out our article on the best coolers.
REASONS TO BUY
Super durable
Easy to use
Great size
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
No leash for plug
Smaller than claimed

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yeti tundra 65 cooler review
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Yeti Tundra 65
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award  Best Buy Award 
Price $350.00 at REI
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$360 List
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Bottom Line For the toughest and excellent all-around cooler; the Tundra is where it’s atTop-notch insulation in a long-lasting, compact design that will last for years to comeWheels that work and features you didn’t know you couldn’t live withoutWith reliable performance, this cooler is a great shape, easy to use, and a good valueA budget-friendly rotomolded option that includes great features and is available in many colors
Rating Categories Yeti Tundra 65 ORCA 58 Quart RovR RollR 60 Xspec 60qt RTIC Ultralight 52
Insulation (50%)
5.8
8.0
7.5
7.5
7.3
Durability (20%)
8.7
8.0
7.4
7.6
5.6
Ease of Use (15%)
7.0
7.8
8.0
7.4
7.4
Portability (10%)
7.0
5.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
Additional Features (5%)
9.0
7.9
9.0
7.2
5.9
Specs Yeti Tundra 65 ORCA 58 Quart RovR RollR 60 Xspec 60qt RTIC Ultralight 52
Shelf Life of Food (Measured Days Below 40ºF) 4.8 6.7 6 6.1 5.8
Days of Cold Beverages (Measured Days Below 50º F) 5.3 7.3 6.6 6.7 6.3
Measured Weight 29.6 Ibs 30.5 Ibs 39.0 Ibs 30.3 Ibs 21.6 Ibs
Measured Capacity in Cans 74 82 78 90 61
Measured Capacity 56 qt 56 qt 42 qt 57 qt 49 qt
Advertised Capacity 65 qt 58 qt 60 qt 60 qt 52 qt
Internal Maximum Body Height 10.5" 13.0" 14.1" 13.0" 12.0"
Does it Fit a Wine or 2L Bottle Standing Upright? No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Measured Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) 30.8" x 17.5" x 16.0" 26.6" x 20.0" x 19.4" 27.2" x 20.5" x 20.5" 29.5" x 17.0" x 18.0" 27.3" x 18.5" x 17.5"
Construction Rotomolded Rotomolded Rotomolded Rotomolded Rotomolded

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Tundra is a rotomolded cooler with dual handles and an internal height of 10.5 inches that doesn't allow for an average-sized 2L soda or bottle of wine to stand upright inside. It features tie-downs, lock points, and anti-slip feet.

Performance Comparison


The handles on the Yeti make it much easier to carry and stow away.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Insulation


Though Yeti has been long-acclaimed as one of the best cooler companies out there, the Tundra didn't hold up to the hype when considering its insulation performance. However, it didn't do poorly either. It held temperatures below 40 degrees F for 115 hours — about five days. Additionally, it held temps below 50 degrees for 5.3 days, which is the ideal beer drinking temperature. Though this is below average when compared to the rest of the lineup, it's still more than enough to get you through the weekend. Unlike many of the other visually similar models, the Tundra is low and long without being too wide for one person to comfortably carry and large enough to keep everything you want without being so big it loses cold air through a large surface area.

yeti tundra 65 cooler review - insulation results for large-capacity coolers. the tundra lands...
Insulation results for large-capacity coolers. The Tundra lands among the average of the pack.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

Yeti no longer makes specific claims of ice retention, as they admit that this number will vary greatly depending on what you do to prep your Tundra and what you decide to put in it. Considering we did not pre-cool these models to prep them during testing and made no effort to baby them with frozen contents, the roughly five days this cooler kept its contents at USDA-approved temperatures is even more impressive.

Loading up the Tundra 65 is a breeze with its lid that stays propped open at a 90 degree angle.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Durability


One of several coolers in our review certified for use in grizzly bear country by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, the Tundra shares the limelight with a growing number of other rotomolded (and some non-rotomolded) coolers. This impressively durable cooler has more tricks up its proverbial sleeves. It's intensely sturdy and even features a textured lid that makes it more comfortable to sit on when you're hot and sticky, as well as a more friction-friendly stepladder in a pinch. The integrated hinge has no problems overextending without breaking — though it does make some interesting noises. The often imitated rubber latches are the Goldilocks of thickness and flexibility, lending both durability and peace of mind that they aren't going to break when your toddler yanks on them.


Though most coolers we tested have a rubber gasket around the lid, the Tundra seals in the contents and leaks no air or liquid — we wish we could say the same for any of the rolling coolers we tested. It also has a rubber gasket around the drain to prevent leaking — and don't worry, if you lose the plug, you can purchase a replacement piece from Yeti. To torture these coolers, we yanked, dragged, and jumped on them. We had no concerns for this model to handle a beating or tumble. Though the lid of the Yeti bowed slightly during the warmest parts of the day, it quickly and easily returned to normal as the sun rays became less intense. While we didn't do any of the crazy things from Yeti's YouTube channel, our durability testing demonstrates the fantastic longevity of this cooler.

yeti tundra 65 cooler review - the tundra features all around burly construction, including the...
The Tundra features all around burly construction, including the hinges.
Credit: Max Mutter

Ease of Use


Though it may take a few bouts of practice, the Tundra can be quickly opened with one hand when your other hand is full of things to stuff inside. It's also a simple, easy shape to facilitate loading and unloading. The lid stays open when you need it, yet closes easily with just the suggestion of a push. And unlike every other cooler we tested, it stays open without actually overextending the angle of the hinge - an important feature when your cooler is backed up against the railing on the patio or the side of the boat. It, like many others we tested, has two sets of handles: one set is hidden as indents under the lid, while the other set is an easily grabbed rope with moveable grips in the middle. This dual handle set makes it easy for one or two people to carry the Tundra, without adding extra bulk to the overall shape of the cooler.

yeti tundra 65 cooler review - the tundra includes a handy but simple dry storage basket.
The Tundra includes a handy but simple dry storage basket.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

The Tundra comes with a dry item (or small item) basket that we find incredibly handy and can be easily removed and left behind when you do not need it. Our only real complaint with the usability of this cooler is that it's advertised to hold 65 quarts when in reality, it contains just 56. Though that's a big difference, we do think the size of the Tundra is more convenient than most models that are actually 65 liters.

yeti tundra 65 cooler review - often replicated, we greatly enjoy the usability of these simple...
Often replicated, we greatly enjoy the usability of these simple rubber T-grips.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

We also purchased the Yeti bear locks along with our cooler to give those a spin. These locks are made by Master Lock to specifications laid out by Yeti (this makes them a very specific shape that's compatible with the Tundra cooler). The locks are a bit heavy, of course, but work quite seamlessly. Once locked in place, they don't move, making it a bit challenging to fit the key in from the bottom without looking.

Just because you have bear locks doesn't mean you won't get a ticket!
Depending on what public land you're recreating on, having an IGBC certified cooler with bear locks may not be enough. Many parks require you to use the bear lockers they provide, regardless of what kind of equipment you may be using. Be sure to check regulations before you go!

yeti tundra 65 cooler review - the yeti bear locks work well, even if they're a little difficult to...
The Yeti bear locks work well, even if they're a little difficult to access with the key. However, be sure to check regulations before you head out into bear country, as many parks - including Yosemite, pictured here - require use of a bear box regardless of what cooler or bear-resistant equipment you're using.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Portability


As a fairly large cooler without wheels, portability is not this cooler's strong suit. At nearly 32 pounds when empty, we strongly recommend enlisting help to move this fully-loaded cooler. A couple of other coolers we tested are lighter, though, for the Tundra's durability and size, it's not even close to the heaviest we tested. The Tundra does have a great combination of a low profile without being too wide that helps it not bash against your legs too much if you are carrying it solo. To help your partner and you co-carry this cooler, the Tundra comes with rope handles outfitted with special grips. These grips feel rigid like plastic while having that almost sticky, friction-like feel of rubber. Along with longitudinal grooves and adjustable placement, the Tundra's handles make carrying this full cooler less of a pain than it could be. All in all, it's a pretty decent system.

yeti tundra 65 cooler review - thick, easy grip handles help you cart around this ice chest with...
Thick, easy grip handles help you cart around this ice chest with the help of a generous friend.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Additional Features


At first glance, the Tundra looks super basic, but upon further inspection, it includes a lot of handy features. Non-slip feet help keep it from being bumped off the edge of the deck or scootched overboard. Tie-down points on either end can be used to secure it in the back of your pick-up truck for long hauls on 4 x 4 roads — and you can still open the cooler while it's tied down. You can also easily remove the rope handles if you're semi-permanently installing it and reverse the T-grips to slim down the cooler's profile. The one feature we wish the Tundra had is a leash for the drain plug, but alas. At the time of writing, Yeti backs their Tundra with a 5-year warranty, which is a helpful safety net, just in case. You can also purchase a bunch of different accessories to customize your cooler.

We wish the plug on the Yeti came with a tether, as they are small and can be easy to lose.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Yeti Tundra 65?


The Tundra is not a cheap cooler. It will set you back several hundred dollars. However, for the seriously impressive performance, sheer usability, and simplicity this cooler brings to the table, we think it's well worth the investment. If you can't quite bring yourself to spend that much, you might consider a few of the less expensive models we tested.

What Other Coolers Should You Consider?


Coolers come in all shapes and sizes. If you're set on the Yeti brand but want something smaller, take a peek at the Yeti Roadie 24. This personal-sized cooler has a small footprint but keeps the same functionality as the Tundra. The RTIC Ultralight 52 is a great budget-friendly option with a large capacity. See our review of coolers for more comparison.

yeti tundra 65 cooler review - carrying the yeti tundra 65 to camp
Carrying the Yeti Tundra 65 to camp
Credit: Gena Bradshaw

Genaveve Bradshaw, Maggie Nichols, and Rebecca Glades