YETI Tundra Aluminum Large Hard Cooler, 45-Quart
Last updated: August 2, 2022
The ability for this large hard cooler to keep ice for more than a day means that you can often rely on it for weekend-long excursions if you plan properly. The construction is rock-solid as well, so you can toss this chest cooler in the bed of a truck or a boat without fear of damaging it.
We looked at the top Large Hard Coolers and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Large Hard Cooler you should buy.
Product Details
Key Takeaway: This large hard cooler performs at the highest level for people who are serious about keeping things chill.
In our analysis of 142 expert reviews, the YETI Tundra Aluminum Large Hard Cooler, 45-Quart placed 9th when we looked at the top 14 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.From The Manufacturer
YETI HARD COOLERS YETI Tundra coolers are the stuff of legends. They’re built for whatever Mother Nature throws their way, which is surprisingly a long list of incredibly dangerous creatures and weather patterns. But no sweat — these outdoor coolers are more than up for the challenge. From the backcountry to the BBQ get-together, your YETI Tundra is ready for any and every outdoor adventure. YETI Tundra the best cooler in the world Tundra TECHNOLOGY & FEATURES FATWALL DESIGN Extra-thick walls hold up to two inches of insulation for unmatched ice retention. PERMAFROST INSULATION Pressure-injected commercial-grade polyurethane foam in the walls and lid makes sure your ice stays ice. ROTOMOLDED CONSTRUCTION Makes it armored to the core and virtually indestructible. tundra collage Yeti Tundra Family
Expert Reviews
What reviewers liked
Yeti's cooler was the top performer in our tests, with better insulation and ice retention than any competitor we've reviewed. The sturdy design made of rotomolded plastic makes it a good pick for durability, too.
The fastest draining cooler at :40 seconds with no residual water.
The Yeti Tundra 45 is certified bear proof. Yep, slap locks on the two front corners and neither man nor beast stand a chance of getting in.
Excellent insulation, super durable, easy to use, great size
Yeti makes a robust product which serves more than just a cooler. It makes a good foot stool and improvised table, seat, or casting platform. An item of true quality, you will surely enjoy saving countless bags of ice through the summer with its ability to maintain ice for days.
It comes with an internal basket allowing you to separate contents in your cooler and the two large handles it has on either side makes it easy for two people to carry.
Many reviews have tipped the Tundra 45 to retain ice for longer as it has more capacity.
Not only is this cooler strong and durable, but the handles and lid system also impress. The cooler has an interlock lid system, which generates a form-fitting barrier against the heat.
I recently purchased a yeti tundra 45 cooler but when it was sitting in my kitchen and the ice melted there was a puddle of water on my floor and the drain plug was screwed tight
- ABT
Another great feature is that the extra-thick FatWalls of the cooler contain proprietary PermaFrost™ insulation to ensure amazing resistance to outside temperatures.
We've had our Yeti Tundra 45 for a year now and it's been fantastic for keeping food and drinks cold through road and camping trips. The 45 is a limited to about a weekend for 2 people and my only regret was not getting a bigger one. Just ordered a new Haul with the Charcoal rerelease to match so we should be in good shape for a while.
Yeti, however, has taken things in the opposite direction. In fact, they built the Tundra 45 so strong that it can withstand a bear attack. Think about that for a second. They designed this cooler so that a massive apex predator won’t be able to steal your food inside.
Yeti Tundra 45 is a great companion out in the wild as it is bear proof certified. So no matter how big or strong the bear is there is physically no way, unless it opens the lock, it can open or break the cooler.
In addition to impressive insulation and extreme durability, the Yeti Tundra 45 offers some nice extra features that provide added convenience to this cooler. The No Sweat Design keeps the cooler dry on the outside and does not attract moisture in hot environments.
I love the cooler. The design is great, it keeps ice and it will last. I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a cooler for a lifetime or one that can take some serious abuse.
Fill it up with a variety of drinks and ice. For this test I used chocolate milk, Hiball energy drinks, Alta Palla lemonades, and some local microbrews. The Tundra 45 claims a 26-can capacity, we fit 30 cans plus three bags of ice.
You could fit the amount of ice in a cup, but hey, there is still ice in there and it has been 10 days! That is a week, plus 3 days! So the Yeti has done extremely well in this ice test.
Although an interior basket is available, I found a plastic food-storage container that fits inside perfectly and keeps contents dry.
In all seriousness there are unlimited uses for a Yeti cooler that don’t just stop at hunting and fishing. I’ve used this Yeti for tailgating, camping, a day at the lake, as a step stool, and as a seat.
- BassGrab
Having grown-up camping in the Yellowstone and the Idaho wilderness, I’ve always been hyper aware of bear safety. For this reason, I love the fact that the Yeti coolers are bear-proof. Yes! You can use the Yeti as a bear-box.
The double haul handles are very durable, and the drainage system is efficient and easy (though you hardly have to drain it, because the ice stays frozen for so long). You get a small dry goods basket that rests in the top section of the interior, and the lid snaps such securely with rubber t-straps.
It is certified bear resistant, but you shouldn’t expect it to give perfect protection to your goods against a full-sized brown bear or Grizzly. Like all other Tundra models from YETI, this comes together with a dry goods bag so you won’t risk getting your food damp.
The Tundra 45 is the best medium-sized cooler because of its versatility and durability.
This cooler is also bear resistant, up to 1500 lbs of bear abuse can be endured, as long as it’s closed, latched, and locked.
It is certified bear resistant, but you shouldn’t expect it to give perfect protection to your goods against a full-sized brown bear or Grizzly. Like all other Tundra models from YETI, this comes together with a dry goods bag so you won’t risk getting your food damp.
What reviewers didn't like
Yeti's Tundra coolers are surprisingly light on features, and they're smaller than the names suggest, with the "45" model we tested holding just 38 quarts. The roped handles and bulky build also make it a little unwieldy to carry.
A flood of leakage when turned its side, but it didn’t leak when it was laying top (lid) down. When dropped from the truck, the cooler leaked heavily, again while lying on its side, but had only minor abrasions on two corners and the lid.
In all honesty, the $349 price tag is steep for a cooler.
If the price is too intimidating, we feel you.
The biggest complaint with all Yeti coolers is the price. Let’s face it, they aren’t cheap.
Heavy when filled, more expensive
totally disappointed does not retain ice for more than two days and the gasket licks
- ABT
Basket for dry goods takes too much place
Extremely disappointed in this after the money I spent on it. Filled it up with up and drinks, drove 3 hours in my air conditioned car and when I arrived at my location there was nothing but water in the cooler....every piece of ice had melted!!!!
In rare cases, the unit may not insulate much better than other models
The price may be a little steep for individuals that sparingly use coolers.
More expensive than similarly sized coolers
Yeti, they are expensive
My only gripe has been the larger drain and dribbly plug; I would prefer a smaller, generic type to reduce drip.
It is heavy
- BassGrab
When it comes to carrying the Yeti, I can’t do it on my own. Granted, I’m not the strongest gal, but at 23 pounds for the Yeti Tundra 45, I can barely move this thing when it is empty. Fully loaded with ice and food, it takes both my husband and I to lift it into the bed of our truck.
Costly compared to similar-size coolers
View our Large Hard Cooler buying guide for in-depth advice and recommendations.