These are the other coolers we've tested using our new testing procedure, detailed below. They didn't make the main list, but that doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with them and you might still prefer them, depending on your situation.
Target Zero High 50/High 80
The Alta 50 is an efficient electric refrigerator, but the other two options we recommend will do the job better.
Target Zero Alta 50 was the last electric cooler I tested. There's nothing particularly wrong with this, but the other two electric coolers I recommend fit a better niche. The Goal Zero is extremely large, holding the most soda cans at 77. It also has the most durable construction of any option. It is made of stainless steel and the handles are durable and spring loaded. When you let them go, they bounce back decisively.
Likewise, the lid is tight and well-built. The latches are metal and very reliable. I think this would make a good second fridge or freezer in the garage if you've bought too much food and need an extra fridge.
However, there are two drawbacks. First of all, stainless steel construction looks good until it doesn't. The device I tested already has a couple of dents. The second is on the control panel, which you use to set the temperature. It's located at the bottom of the cooler, so it's not very easy to reach or even see. These two factors ultimately eliminate it from our top list, but if you need a second refrigerator, it's a good option.
Magellan Outdoors Pro Explore IceBox
The Magellan refrigerator offers another portable option, but it's not a backpack.
Magellan Outdoors Pro Explore IceBox It's a small cooler bag, but it's not a backpack. You can carry the cooler using the included shoulder strap or by the handles on both sides. This is a hard top refrigerator covered in soft fabric. Like its larger counterpart above, when you open and close this lid you feel a nice seal and a whisper of air escaping as you close it.
This refrigerator also comes with a nifty bottle opener attached to the refrigerator and tucked away in a convenient pocket for this purpose. The front of the refrigerator also has a series of loops that can be used to attach other items, such as tools and utensils, to the front for easy portability. Overall, I like the cooler, but I like the shape of the backpack a little more, which keeps it from taking the top spot.
RTIC 45 gal and Yeti Tundra 45
45 Gallon RTIC Refrigerator
These two coolers are surprisingly similar, despite being from different brands. They both have the same basic molded plastic design, rope handles, and rubberized latches. Their ice retention test results are similar, although the RTIC lasted a little longer at the end of the test.
Unlike the RTIC, the Yeti Tundra 45 is grizzly bear resistant.
However, they have some differences. It is noteworthy that RTIC cooler cheaper – $239 versus $325, but Yeti Tundra Cooler is Interagency Grizzly Bear Certified. Essentially, this means that if you also have a bear-proof lock, you can protect your food from grizzly bears. If you're camping in bear country, it might cost extra money, but otherwise it's a fairly niche use case.
Yeti Tundra Catch
The Yeti Tundra Haul is another bear-proof cooler with wheels and a large capacity.
Like Yeti Tundra above, Yeti Tundra Catch It also has a bear-proof certificate, which is always a nice bonus for vacationers. It is also a wheeled refrigerator, which means it has a larger capacity and is easier to maneuver. The wheels are also made of durable plastic. Meanwhile, the handle is durable and feels like stainless steel—possibly the most durable-feeling handle on any roller cooler.
Like the Yeti Tundra 45-Gallon Cooler, there's nothing special about this cooler other than good ice retention, which is perhaps the most important quality. However, many coolers today have additional features that make them more desirable, and this one simply doesn't have them. This is a great back-to-basics refrigerator, but if you want something with more bells and whistles, you'll want to look elsewhere.
RTIC Ultra-Tough 24 Can Backpack
Another cooler backpack. This RTIC refrigerator has several unique features.
RTIC Ultra-Tough Backpack Cooler has several nice features. It all starts with an extra storage pocket on the front. It's about the size of a handbag or clutch and can be used to carry a phone or small tablet. Unlike the dry storage on the Ninja refrigerator above, this front cover does not get cold from the ice in the refrigerator – I specifically tested this.
There's also a web of elastic cords on top that can be used to secure something small, like a pillow or folded blanket. There are elastic cup holders on each side and some canvas loops on the front if you need to secure anything else. The top of the cooler is thick and fits well into the opening, providing a seal in the cold without having to zip up, which is a nice bonus.
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