Pelican vs Yeti, Which Coolers are better? – The Final Debate

Which cooler should take the job of keeping your groceries fresh while you are on your outdoor adventure?

Yeti vs Pelican are the two most popular brands in this category, and each claims that it’s the best. I used both of them, and today I will help you realize their advantages and disadvantages.

Yeti coolers are more popular and more expensive option; both are certified bear proof and offer different warranties.

With the Yeti coolers you will get a five-year warranty, while with the Pelican ones, the warranty is a lifetime.

Check the complete short comparison check out the Pelican VS Yeti coolers table below:

When put to several tests, the ice retention test, in particular, Pelican cooler proved to be better. Even after five days which is Yeti’s max, Pelican managed to have much more ice then Yeti.

Pelican advertises the ten-day ice retention, and after being put to the test, it proved the claims true.

The same results were noted even in the middle of the summer in humid conditions, so it’s safe to say that the Pelican coolers do have better ice retention than Yeti.

Now, let’s take a bit closer look at each brand.

Originating from 1976, it was developed by a scuba diving enthusiast who wanted to make durable products.

The original idea was to make the products that can keep the items dry in humid conditions.

Pelican coolers are known for their large capacity, quick drainage and the ease of use.

Naturally, they are more expensive than average coolers, but they are incomparably more durable, and they can retain ice in a high-temperature environment for extended periods of time.

Pelican coolers also have large handles which can be pulled up so it can be carried easily. It’s particularly easier to carry the cooler with the gloves on.

The company is so confident in their cooler that they offer a lifetime warranty on most of their coolers.

It means if you manage to break the cooler in some way, they will replace it with a new one. Lifetime warranties are always a good confidence boost when you want to buy anything.

The best in their series are Elite ProGear coolers. Their 35 Quart Elite Marine cooler has the interior volume of 39 liters. It weighs around 32 pounds.

It comes in different sizes, and it can come with or without the wheels attached.

It can retain ice from seven to ten days at high temperatures with ease. It has 2-inch thick insulators and a freezer grade gasket. It’s very easy to transport with its dual handles.

Pelican uses the company’s unique latch system which was the only one that prevented the grizzly bear from getting in.

It also features the non-skid raised plates to protect it from scratching due to rough handlings. Those plates also prevent the cooler from sliding on different slippery surfaces.

As for the ice melting, the drainage won’t be the problem because it’s solved with its own drainage system that doesn’t require the tilting of the cooler just to get the water out.

Pelican Pros and Cons

The pros of the Pelican is that it’s very durable due to the high-end materials used to build it. It can withstand bumps on any surface without damage to it. It looks robust, and that is one more reason for its high durability.

The dual handles are also a great addition which makes the Pelican stand out. The handle design is great for carrying by yourself or with one more person.

The insulation is out of this world, as mentioned above the ice retention at high temperatures is just ridiculous.

The cons for some people are the size and the weight of the cooler. It is much beefier than any other cooler, and the ratio of outside dimensions and internal capacity is not the best one out there.

Also, it’s much more expensive than any conventional cooler on the market, but it is less expensive than other high-end ones.

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Yeti Coolers

The Yeti brand is present from 2006. Compared to Pelican, a much younger company, but giving the lack of the experience compared to Pelican, the Yeti brand proved that it’s a serious company for serious outdoor people.

It gained its popularity quite quickly, and most people compare other coolers to Yeti when they want to determine its quality.

Yeti coolers feature lid latches, permafrost insulation, and bear-proof certification. Having all of these things in mind, they are just slightly above the price range of the Pelican coolers.

The ice retention of Yeti coolers is great but not as great as Pelicans. It will, however, retain the ice in extreme conditions up to five days.

As the Pelican, Yeti is pretty easy to drain and to carry.

The bestselling models of the Yeti are their Tundra coolers. The Tundra coolers are resistant to heat, ultraviolet rays, and rough environments.

The biggest concern of people who are looking for a cooler is the high price of the Yeti.

The Yeti coolers come in different color variants, and some people were wondering does the color affect the retention time of the ice, and the answer is – no.

You can choose whatever color you like, and it won’t affect the performance of the cooler in any way.

Yeti Tundra comes in wide range of sizes; the most popular is the Model 35 which is the most practical size to use.

The cooler resists the damage on the outer surface due to the heavy duty materials which it is made from, so you won’t have to worry about leaks.

There are also various attachments and accessories that you can get for the Tundra. Like tie-down kit or the SeaDek traction pad which adds a bit more slip resistance.

You can also convert the cooler to a seat if you get the Cooler Cushion accessory for it.

Yeti Pros and Cons

The pros of Yeti Tundra cooler is that it can be used anywhere for various kinds of trips.

It can be great for fishing since it can be used as a seat as well. It’s durable, and it can retain the ice for quite some time.

It can hold up to 28 pounds of ice for up to seven days.

Yeti is very easy to drain by using the drain plug, and it has no plastic odor, so it makes a great choice for keeping the food fresh.

The cons are not numerous, and it mostly revolves around its price. To be real, they are not cheap.

Every Yeti cooler is a pricey one, and a lot of people are fine with that considering the quality they are getting for the price.

Overall Summary of the Battle: Pelican vs Yeti

The size and the weight difference is not drastic between the two brands; the Yeti is lighter than the Pelican, however.

There are other differences, including the steel hardware in Pelican opposed to aluminum hardware in Yeti. The Yeti uses press & pull latches while Yeti uses rubber ones.

Both brands offer great insulation inside the coolers. Both coolers will hold the ice for five days even in the hottest weather conditions.

Although the Pelican proved to last longer. But, the Yeti is much lighter and smaller making it a more practical choice.

If you want something reliable and less expensive then go for the Pelican, if you want something lightweight and you don’t mind the bigger price, then Yeti is a clear choice.