Best Medium Cooler Picks – Not Too Big, Not Too Small, For Every Budget

Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler

YETI is the Apple of the cooler industry – their coolers certainly aren’t pocket-friendly, but they boast some features and benefits that you will not find anywhere else.

With that in mind, if you are ready to pay for top-notch durability and quality, then look no further than YETI Tundra 45.

The highlights of Tundra 45 are its nearly 3-inch PermaFrost polyurethane insulation, freezer-grade gasket, and interlocking lid designed to keep your food and beverages cold.

YETI doesn’t specify for how many days this thing can store ice but expect it to be around the 7-10 day mark (depends on the outside conditions and many other factors). 

In fact, when we've been testing a bit larger Tundra Haul, which by the way is an excellent wheeled cooler, we were able to enjoy ice after a week (our full review here). We used a mix of cube ice and block ice and had about 70% of the latter left on DAY 7. 

This alone should tell you, that Tundra is capable of keeping ice for a week (or longer), especially if you use at least some of our tips for maximizing ice retention.

Continuing, YETI boasts about the heavy-duty rotomolded construction of the Tundra 45 cooler, which makes the cooler “armored to the core”, “virtually indestructible”, and resistant to UV rays.

Remarkably, the thick walls of the Tundra (suitably called FatWall) are IGBC-certified to be bear-resistant. The latches are also constructed of durable rubber to ensure a tight seal and no heat leaks, while the military-grade handle ropes should never wear down.

We also like that this cooler is available in 9 colors.

The “brand factor” is strong with YETI as well – as a reputable brand, its products are trusted and have been field-tested by thousands of users. Not only that, but Tundra coolers have been on the market for years and have seen many iterations – each better than the previous.

But of course, nothing is perfect. The steep price of Tundra 45 is the first downside to catch the eye. This cooler’s benefits are nice, but not everybody will be able to afford them.

Next, despite what the product name suggests, the actual capacity of this cooler is around 38 quarts. This isn’t a huge problem because YETI doesn’t claim anywhere that Tundra 45 is indeed sized at 45 quarts. But this is still important to know because the naming is likely to confuse and mislead many buyers.

Some of the YETI coolers are made overseas as well, which will be a downside for those who prefer US-made products or want to support the US economy.

But this isn’t a problem quality-wise. In fact, there is a way to order the Tundra that's made in the US. To learn how, refer to our post about the USA made coolers.

Why we like YETI Tundra 45

YETI Tundra 45 offers top-notch craftsmanship and premium features to keep your beverages and food safe & cool. We feel that Tundra 45 is going to be an excellent option for those who travel or camp very often throughout the year. And yes, it just feels good to own a YETI cooler. 

Check it in YETI's official store >>

Igloo BMX 52-Quart Cooler

Igloo is also a trusted brand, but it’s not considered as premium as YETI. Igloo still produces good coolers though, so if you want high quality at a reasonable cost, there are some options to consider.

This brand makes its coolers in the US as well, which will be a big advantage for some people.

We chose to feature the inexpensive Igloo BMX 52 cooler for variety. It is a nice option if you have a limited budget or need a medium ice chest for occasional use.

Priced 3 times cheaper than YETI Tundra 45, BMX 52 probably won’t be nearly as heavy-duty.

With that said, BMX 52 is much larger than Tundra 45. With 52 quarts of space, this cooler is a better option if you are intending to carry more food items with you.

Although BMX 52 could be bought for camping or partying, it may be a particularly good choice for fishing thanks to its integrated fish ruler. Anglers probably have their own means to measure fish, but BMX 52 may make this just a little bit easier for you.

We also like the design of BMX 52. Its colors and shape are more futuristic-looking, making for a frankly more visually appealing cooler than Tundra 45.

Unfortunately, however, since we've reviewed it some time ago, nothing changed in terms of available color options which means that this cooler is still only available in one color scheme.

Build-wise, Igloo BMX 52 is solid for the price. At the base of this cooler is blow-molded construction that should take quite a beating but won’t be as sturdy as the rotomolded Tundra 45.

The cooler housing also is reinforced by stainless steel & diamond inserts and oversized hinges.

However, the durability of BMX 52 isn’t there – this cooler isn’t bear-resistant, and it also has a few questionable design choices that undermine its longevity. The biggest of such choices is the plastic handle holders – these are very loosely set in place so the handles may one day just fall out. 

When it comes to insulation, BMX 52 is pretty decent but not nearly as heatproof as Tundra 45. The foam walls are advertised to keep ice cold for up to 5 days, but most people seem to be getting about 3-4 days out of this cooler. Thereby, this cooler probably isn’t for week-long trips.

Why we like Igloo BMX 52

Igloo BMX 52 isn’t as reliable as the YETI Tundra 45 cooler, and won't keep ice for a week, but it’s not as pricey either. It offers very good value for the money. We feel that BMX 52 is going to be a much better choice for only occasional weekend-long trips.

Check The 52-qt BMX cooler in Igloo's official store >>

Cordova Adventurer 50 Medium Cooler

CORDOVA’s 50 medium cooler is a middle-ground option between the YETI and Igloo. And like Igloo coolers, CORDOVA coolers are 100% US-made!

The CORDOVA 50 cooler has many of the Tundra 45’s benefits while being about a 1/3 cheaper than the YETI.

To start with, this medium-size cooler has a rotomolded construction, which is a major step forward comparing to the above reviewed Igloo BMX. 

The unique handle construction in the CORDOVA cooler is better than in BMX 52. The handles are fixed in place by screws, as well as are durable thanks to their aluminum build.

Interestingly, the handles have integrated bottle openers – a nice feature given that coolers are often used to carry beverages.

The insulation in CORDOVA 50 is great as well. This cooler features an airtight gasket and a grommet system to keep heat out and store ice for up to 5 days.

In terms of capacity, CORDOVA 50 is again between the YETI and Igloo coolers – 48 quarts – though it’s closer to the latter. Again, don’t get confused by the product name – this cooler isn’t 50-quart.

Notably, this ice chest boasts a few features for added convenience and safety as well. Its latches are facing up, which should allow you to open the cooler without getting it out of your car or tilting it.

The safe lid-locking system is also designed to stay open and prevent accidental closure. We talked about it in our full Cordova cooler review here.

At the top of the cooler is also a raised tray that may be used to keep your fishing tackle or beverages close-by. And last but not least for many readers, the CORDOVA 50 medium cooler is available in 7 colors.

Why we like Cordova 50 Medium Cooler

The CORDOVA 50 medium ice chest is an excellent ice chests that is not as outrageously expensive as YETI Tundra 45 but has many of the Tundra benefits. The Cordova brand may not be as known as the YETI, but their medium-size cooler offers a great set of features for the money.

Check it at Amazon here >>

RovR 45-Quart Wheeled Cooler

This 45-quart cooler from RovR is arguably the most interesting medium size cooler on our list. However, we didn’t include it in our Top 3 because we think that it is a more narrow-purpose cooler due to its features and steep price.

The first thing to catch the eye in this mid-size cooler is the integrated 9″ puncture-resistant wheels.

Although this cooler isn’t much larger or heavier than other options on our roundup, the wheels will make its transportation much easier.

And if you get the optional bike attachment, you’ll even be able to haul the RovR medium cooler! This is an excellent feature if you are intending to travel with the cooler.

Next, RovR includes attachments galore with this 45-quart camping cooler. More precisely, you are getting a deep freeze storage bin to keep food cold, as well as a pop-up wagon bin to help you transport gear.

For added convenience, the RovR cooler is also compatible with dual cup holders and a prepping board, but these are sold separately.

The ice retention of the RovR cooler is also remarkable – this unit is claimed to store ice for around 8 days! The durability should be no worse thanks to the rotomolded construction and the rust-resistant wheel hubs.

All this beauty costs quite a lot though – in fact, this is the priciest medium cooler on our list. However, with its US-made quality and versatility, it is worth the money if its features match your needs. Check out our full RovR review for more details.

Why we like RovR wheeled cooler

The RovR 45-quart cooler is a very unique one. Not everybody needs its benefits, but we appreciate the versatility and convenience offered by this medium ice chest – especially when it comes to transportation. 

The guys behind this kick-started cooler were able to combine the best-in-class technology with much needed features, creating an ultimate mid-sized cooler you can take anywhere with you.

Check out the RovR cooler here  >> 

Check out all the cool features the RovR has:

RTIC 45-Quart Cooler

This 45-quart cooler from RTIC is a Tundra 45-like option for not as much money.

RTIC is also YETI’s main competitor and a similarly popular and field-tested brand, so there’s a lot to look forward to with it.

Feature-wise, the RTIC 45-quart cooler is similar to Tundra 45 and offers nothing new or unique. It's just another YETI-like option. For the lower price though, we can’t really complain.

The RTIC cooler offers a comparable rotomolded build and marine-grade rope handles that should serve you for the years to come even with heavy use. The construction in this medium-size cooler is claimed to be bear-resistant as well, so your food and beverages (and also you) should be safe.

For insulation, the RTIC cooler has 2 to 3-inch walls that are advertised to keep ice-cold for up to 10 days. With that said, 10 days probably won’t be easy to actually achieve with this size of the cooler – 10 days is likely advertised for big, 100+ quart ice chests. This one, however, will be able to store ice frozen for 5-6 days, up to a maximum of 8 days (with all possible ice retention maximization)

Notably, the lid in the RTIC cooler is slip-resistant and can be used as support for casting, which may be a handy thing to have while fishing.

One thing to keep in mind with this medium cooler is that it is made in China. This is the reason why RTIC has been able to offer pretty much the same value for about a third less money. They've sold tons of these coolers over the years, so they're field-tested (just look how many reviews they've got)

Interestingly though, for the same price you can get the before mentioned Cordova 50 which is 100% US made. 

Why we like the RTIC 45qt cooler

The RTIC 45-quart cooler is a pretty reasonably-priced alternative to YETI Tundra 45. It is as dependable as Tundra 45, you are also getting pretty comparable features and it does cost 1/3rd less than the same-sized YETI. 

Frosted Frog 45QT Cooler

Finally, on our roundup of the best mid-size coolers, we have the 45-quart cooler from Frosted Frog.

It’s a relatively inexpensive option from a young brand that looks promising. Time will show how the brand will hold up, but so far, their lineup looks pretty interesting.

Despite its pocket-friendliness, the 45QT cooler features a solid-quality rotomolded build that should easily withstand the hardships of travel.

The exterior UV protection should prevent fading and material degradation, while the rubber latches will keep the cooler securely locked and insulated.

Speaking of insulation, the Frosted Frog medium cooler has familiar 2-inch (up to 3-inch) commercial-grade insulation along with a freezer-style gasket to store ice for several days.

Frosted Frog doesn’t state the max ice storage duration for this cooler, but when we've been testing it as a part of our own Frosted Frog cooler review, there was still some ice left on Day 5. Not bad. 

To conclude on the ice retention part, we'd say 4 to 5 days is what you can realistically expect, depending on the outside temperature, the type of ice used, and so on.

Moving forward, Frosted Frog 45QT has a pressure-release valve to make opening the cooler easier. This is a helpful feature because sealed coolers are sometimes difficult to open.

Some people will also like the 2 integrated bottle openers, which makes 45QT a good option for camping or partying.

When it comes to less techy features, there are 13 color options to choose from, which is aplenty. The color options include some pretty wild colors, like the 7 camo variations. Not everyone is going to like them, but one must admit that they do look quite unique.

Why we like the Frosted Frog 45QT

Frosted Frog 45QT offers a solid set of features for its price. Although it doesn’t have anything special or unique, it's a solid, rotomolded cooler that does the job done. Sure, it isn't bear-certified, isn't made in the US but instead it's incredibly affordable. For occasional travel or backyard parties, it should be more than enough.

Check the available colors at Amazon >>