Coolers are essential for keeping food and drinks cold during adventures, camping trips, and tailgates. Two of the biggest names in coolers are Moosejaw and YETI. Both brands make high-quality rotomolded coolers with excellent ice retention. But which one is better?
In this article, we’ll compare Moosejaw and YETI coolers across several categories to help you decide which is the right choice for your needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | YETI | Moosejaw |
| Ice Retention | 5-10 days | 5-7 days |
| Durability | Virtually indestructible | Very durable |
| Size Options | Extensive range | Good variety |
| Design | More color choices | Basic colors |
| Ease of Use | Very good | Very good |
| Bear Resistance | IGBC Certified | Not certified |
| Cost | Expensive $$$ | Good value $$ |
| Warranty | 5 years | 3 years |
| Accessories | Huge selection | Decent selection |
Key Differences Between Moosejaw And YETI
- Ice Retention
The main job of any cooler is keeping things cold. So ice retention is one of the most important metrics when comparing coolers.
YETI is well known for its excellent ice retention capabilities. The thick rotomolded construction and PermaFrost insulation helps YETI coolers retain ice for 5-10 days on average. Even in very hot conditions, YETI coolers can keep ice frozen for several days.
Moosejaw coolers also use rotomolded construction and thick insulation in their walls. They advertise up to 10 days of ice retention. In real-world testing, Moosejaw performs very well, with ice lasting 5-7 days on average.
Both YETI and Moosejaw outperform average coolers in terms of keeping ice frozen for extended periods. Under normal usage, their ice retention is quite comparable. YETI may have a slight edge overall, but not by much.
- Durability
Coolers take a lot of abuse during outdoor adventures. They get dropped, rained on, left in the sun, and bounced around during transport. A durable build is essential.
YETI has set the standard for cooler durability with their rugged rotomolded construction. The thick plastic shells and steel-reinforced corners can handle just about anything. YETI coolers have proven their toughness time and time again in the wild.
Moosejaw uses very similar construction to YETI, with roto-molded shells and tough rubber latches. They don’t quite have the same long-term track record for durability as YETI. But user reviews indicate good resilience against cracks and damage, even with rough treatment.
Overall, both YETI and Moosejaw build exceptionally durable coolers. YETI may be slightly more tried-and-true, but Moosejaw appears nearly as rugged.
Also Read: Comparison Between Frost Buddy And BrüMate
- Design & Size Options
YETI offers an extensive range of cooler models and sizes, from personal lunch-sized Roadies up to massive 350-quart Giants. Popular sizes like the 45-quart Tundra are available, as well as less common mid-range volumes.
Moosejaw has a decent variety as well, but not quite the extensive range of YETI. The most common sizes are represented, but there aren’t as many unique in-between sizes.
In terms of aesthetics, it’s a matter of personal preference. Both feature mainly utilitarian designs focused on performance rather than flashy colors or patterns. YETI coolers come in more color options if you want something other than white.
Overall, YETI wins out in the design category due to their vast range of sizes and extra color choices. But Moosejaw still provides good standard size options.
- Ease of Use
Both brands emphasize usability in their cooler designs. Simple operation and convenient accessibility are essential for a versatile outdoor cooler.
YETI Tundra coolers have two heavy-duty rubber latches on each side that keep the lid securely closed. The latches are easy to open and close with one hand. The lid has a tapered design so it won’t pinch your fingers when closing.
Moosejaw uses similar durable rubber latches. But they add helpful leather pull tabs to make unlatching even easier. The latch operation is smooth and secure. The lid also closes gently without finger pinching risk.
For drainage, YETI includes a Vortex drain system with a screw plug that makes it easy to empty melted ice water without tilting the whole cooler. Moosejaw instead opts for a basic spigot drain, which works fine but isn’t quite as convenient.
Overall, both offer excellent usability. Moosejaw’s leather pull tabs provide a bit better grip for opening the lid. But YETI’s vortex drain system is more convenient for drainage. It’s very close between the two brands for ease of use.
- Ice Retention Technology
YETI’s excellent and well-proven ice retention depends on several key technologies:
- PermaFrost Insulation – Pressure-injected commercial grade polyurethane foam offers superior insulation.
- FatWall Design – Walls are up to 3 inches thick to retain cold and minimize melting.
- ColdLock Gasket – The freezer-quality gasket seals out heat and prevents cool air leakage.
Moosejaw uses similar technology:
- Rotomolded Polyethylene – Durable plastic shell is molded as a single piece for optimal structural integrity.
- Polyurethane Foam Insulation – Injected high density foammaximizes cold retention.
- Freezer Style Gasket – Closed-cell rubber gasket seals the lid air tight.
Both brands clearly utilize very similar construction methods focused on maximizing insulation and minimizing air leaks. YETI’s PermaFrost foam may have slightly better thermally efficiency. But Moosejaw also produces excellent insulation results.
- Bear Resistance
One important feature of many high-end coolers is certification for bear resistance. When camping or hiking in bear country, having a certified bear-resistant cooler prevents unwanted animal intrusions.
YETI Tundra coolers are certified as Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) bear resistant when padlocked through reinforced steel tie-down points. This gives confidence when storing food in bear habitat.
Unfortunately, Moosejaw coolers are not IGBC certified or marketed as bear resistant. So that gives YETI the clear advantage if you need proven protection against bears accessing your cooler contents.
- Cost
YETI coolers carry premium price tags, often 2X the cost of average coolers. The superior performance commands high prices. A mid-sized 65 quart Tundra model costs around $350. Larger volumes approach $500+.
Moosejaw coolers also demand premium pricing, but generally run 10-20% cheaper than comparable YETI models. A 65 quart Moosejaw model would cost around $250 based on current listings.
If your budget is flexible, YETI provides best-in-class performance to match the high prices. But for cost-conscious buyers, Moosejaw delivers excellent quality at more affordable pricing.
So Moosejaw wins out in terms of value, but YETI still commands the highest prices for maximum performance.
Watch This Review Video:
- Warranty
A good warranty provides peace of mind in case a cooler defect occurs down the road.
YETI offers a superb 5-year warranty that covers any manufacturing defects. Only blatant misuse or abuse voids the coverage. This sets the standard for confidence in your investment.
Moosejaw includes a more modest 3-year warranty. That still provides decent protection against premature failure. But the shorter timeline and less comprehensive coverage doesn’t match YETI’s exceptional policy.
For warranty and long-term reliability, YETI clearly leads over Moosejaw.
- Accessories
Both YETI and Moosejaw sell a variety of compatible cooler accessories:
- Dividers & Baskets – Organize contents and simplify packing & unpacking.
- Tie-Down Kits – Secure the cooler in a vehicle or boat for transportation.
- Seats & Tables – Convert the cooler lid into comfortable seating area or table surface.
- Bottle Openers – Mounted stainless steel openers crack bottles easily.
- Locks – Deter theft and strengthen bear resistance.
YETI has a much more extensive accessory selection, but Moosejaw offers all the most essential add-ons. For the core accessories, either brand has you covered. But YETI pulls ahead with their diverse product ecosystem.
Also Read: Comparison Between Hooked Coolers And YETI
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
YETI is widely considered the premium cooler brand due to:
Proven ice retention up to 10 days, Nearly indestructible rotomolded construction, More extensive size range with unique options, IGBC bear resistance certification, 5-year warranty.
Moosejaw coolers are manufactured in China, like many cooler brands. YETI also produces most models in China nowadays.
YETI has earned a following among outdoorsmen/women for:
Keeping ice frozen 5-10+ days in all conditions, Durable builds that withstand years of abuse, Quality construction & materials, Made in USA reputation (some models), Status symbol among enthusiasts.
A few niche brands offer similar or marginally better performance than YETI at higher prices. For example:
Engel – 10-day ice retention, tough HDPE plastic shells, Pelican – Virtually indestructible, lifetime guarantee, Orion – Leading ice retention up to 12 days, But for the balance of performance, build quality, brand reputation, and reasonable pricing, YETI remains on top overall for most cooler buyers.
Also Read: Comparison Between RTIC and Arctic Zone
The Verdict
When comparing YETI and Moosejaw coolers, YETI comes out slightly ahead overall:
- YETI has a edge on ice retention and proven durability
- More size and color options from YETI
- YETI certified as bear resistant
- Longer 5-year warranty coverage
- More accessories available for YETI
However, Moosejaw is still an excellent cooler choice at 10-20% lower prices. Unless every facet of performance is critical, Moosejaw provides tremendous value.
YETI undoubtedly holds the overall premium cooler crown. But for shoppers prioritizing value, Moosejaw gets you close to YETI-level performance at a more palatable price point. Ultimately you can’t go wrong with either brand.