Whether you are a college student who loves throwing parties or someone who is often going camping, if there is one thing common between the two, it is the need for a cooler. No party or camping trip is complete without cold and chilled drinks.
Last update on 2024-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
However, even if you know the top two models of coolers that are YETI Tundra 45 and Tundra 50, picking a single model of cooler is not as easy as it may seem.
There are a couple of things that you need to consider before you can spend your money on any one cooler. To make that decision easy for you, I am listing all the specifications and features of both models in this article. This way, it will be easier for you to decide between Tundra 45 vs 50.
Differences Between Tunda 45 & 50
YETI Tundra 45
The YETI Tundra 45 is one of the niftiest creations that come with the name YETI. This cooler has everything from top-notch construction to an amazing design. The unparalleled performance of this cooler is one of the major reasons why it ranks top on the list of the best coolers. First of all, this cooler is quite small in size as compared to other models, and it weighs 26.5 lbs.
Secondly, the manufacturers have added a thick 3 inches wide layer of insulation to the walls of this cooler. This thick wall alone is enough to convince anyone to spend their bucks on this model. You can forget all about your drinks getting warm, as this cooler has remarkable temperature retention, thanks to its FATWALL design.
The cherry on top of that is the PermaFrost insulation that further enhances the temperature retention of this model. This feature brings PU foam to the walls and the lid of the cooler.
My favorite perk is the addition of a ColdLock gasket to the design of this cooler; the addition of this feature on the lid of the cooler keeps the cold trapped on the inside. It also keeps the warmth and the heat of the outer temperature on the outside.
So, whether you want to take it to the beach or to a mountain, this robust cooler can handle everything. It will keep your beverages cold for a long period of time. In addition to that, the manufacturers have utilized a roto-molded method of construction in this cooler, which makes it highly durable and strong.
Furthermore, similar to the body, the manufacturers also took care of even the smallest details, such as the hinges and the locks of this cooler. It comes with sturdy and durable hinges, so even if you push the lid all the way backward, it will not get damaged.
Moreover, the locks of this model are quite nifty. It comes with rubber latches that will give you many years of use without getting damaged or requiring to be replaced. The T-grip design of the latches makes it easier to shut them. Once shut tight, these latches hold the lid of the cooler in its place.
Furthermore, this model comes with rope handles on both sides of the body. These two rope handles make portability a piece of cake. You can easily lift the cooler with the handles and take it from one place to another without any fatigue.
The internal space of this cooler is 10.25 inches high. So, you can easily fit two cans of beverages on top of each other. In addition to that, portability has been made easier by adding sturdy nylon rope handles on both sides of the cooler. Last but not least, this cooler also allows you to stash some dry ice on the inside as the design is compatible with dry ice.
YETI Tundra 50
The YETI Tundra 50 does justice to the noble name of YETI. This cooler comes with the durability and the sturdiness that YETI coolers are known for. First of all, the body of the cooler is 25 ¼ inches long, 15.5 inches high, 13 ⅜ inches wide from the bottom, and 16 inches wide from the top. If we peek at the inside, this model is also quite spacious from the inside. It is 18 ⅜ inches long, 9 ⅞ inches high, and 9.5 inches wide on the inside.
This model has space for approximately 32 cans. The best part is that the package includes dry racks, so if you want to keep your food cold without soaking it in the ice, you can use those racks.
They can hold upto 25 lbs of weight. Not just cold, you can also put dry ice in this cooler; it is compatible with both. Basically, it has more than enough space for you to stash food for the entire family while going on a picnic.
Aside from being spacious, this model also comes with some other nifty features that make it a good investment. It has been constructed with roto-molded polyethylene. This construction brings high strength, sturdiness, and durability to the design of the cooler.
Along with these features, the construction also bears some other nifty benefits, which include UV resistance and saltwater resistance. This means you can store your food in it without any worry, no matter where you are.
In addition to that, the manufacturers have added strong feet at the bottom of the body of the cooler. The addition of feet is quite thoughtful as they are resistant to slipping, so they will keep the cooler in its place. The feature that I love about this cooler is that it comes with tie-down slots.
These slots make it possible for you to tie the cooler to a spot or place of your liking to prevent it from slipping.
Furthermore, this model comes with T-Rex latches that allow you to tightly shut the lid of the cooler and keep it secure in its place.
Another feature of this model that I love is that it comes with self-stopping hinges. So, if you open the lid partially, you do not have to hold it to keep the lid open; you can simply pull the lid up and leave it there.
The real game-changer is the addition of PermaFrost insulation technology to this cooler. This insulation technology features 2 inches of PU foam in the walls and the lid of the cooler, which really helps in keeping the temperature on the inside of the cooler stable.
Moreover, this cooler also comes with a gasket added to the lid of the cooler, which further enhances the temperature retention of this cooler by keeping the inner temperature cold.
Comparison
Construction
The first feature that helps you differentiate between Tundra 45 vs 50 is the construction of both models. Both of these models come with similar methods of construction. They are both manufactured with roto-molded polyethylene construction, which makes them durable, sturdy, and UV resistant. The YETI Tundra 45 is just as robust and strong as the YETI Tundra 50 as they both have similar construction.
Insulation
The real game-changer factor of a cooler is the insulation, as it keeps the beverages cold and the food fresh. However, that is only possible if the cooler comes with top-notch and amazing insulating technologies. YETI has added PermaFrost insulation to the Tundra 45 as well as Tundra 50.
This insulation technology comes with PU foam injected inside the walls and the lid of the coolers. This way, it keeps the temperature on the inside stable. However, the Tundra 45 also features a FATWALL design, along with 3 inches thick walls. On the other hand, the Tundra 50 has 2 inches thick walls.
Inner Capacity
When we talk about the inner capacity of a cooler, whether it is Tundra 45 or Tundra 50, it means how much food or drinks can be stashed inside. The Tundra 45 has more capacity as compared to the Tundra 50.
Tundra 45 is 10.25 inches high on the inside, while the Tundra 50 is 9 ⅞ inches high on the inside. The Tundra 45 has the inner capacity for upto 38 cans, while the Tundra 50 has the capacity for 32 cans.
Portability
YETI has added easy portability to both models of coolers. Both the Tundra 45 and the Tundra 50 come with rope handles on both sides of their bodies. This way, the coolers can be lifted and carried from one place to another with ease.
However, the tundra 50 is comparatively heavier in terms of weight, so carrying this model from one place to another does give a hard time to users. Moreover, it requires to be carried by two people, while the Tundra 45 can easily be held by a single person.
Latching System
The latching system of a cooler is a highly critical part as it keeps the lid securely in its place. Keeping this in mind, YETI has added sturdy and robust latching systems to both of their coolers.
The YETI Tundra 45 comes with T-grip design rubber latches that keep the lid secured in its place. These latches are easy to open, and once they have been shut, they keep the items present on the inside of the cooler secure.
Similarly, the Tundra 50 also comes with a sturdy and solid latching system. The manufacturers have added T-Rex latches to this cooler that can be opened and shut with ease. Apart from a highly easy to operate design, once closed, these latches keep the lid secure and tight in its place, which is basically the real job of a latching system.
Hinges
Hinges may not seem like a big deal, but they attach the lid of the cooler to the rest of its body. If the hinges of a cooler are of low quality, opening and shutting the lid will be a nightmare. This is why the manufacturers have added durable hinges to the Tundra 45 as well as Tundra 50. They are both made from solid material and are sturdy.
The only difference between the two is that the hinges on Tundra 50 have a self-stopping design. This may not seem like a big deal, but this factor alone brings a lot of convenience to the user of the cooler.
It eliminates the need to hold the lid of the cooler when you open it. You just have to push it open and then let it go; the hinges will keep the lid in whichever angle you have opened it. The Tundra 45 does not have self-stopping hinges.
Tie-Down Slot
The tie-down slot is a minor factor, but it does bring comfort and ease to the life of users, which is why we can not ignore it. The Tundra 50 comes with a tie-down slot, which allows users to tie the cooler to any object to keep it secure in its spot. This small detail will enable users to keep their cooler secure in a place. However, this tie-down slot is absent in the Tundra 45.
FAQs
Is the Yeti Tundra 45 big enough?
The Yeti Tundra 45 is big enough to hold up to 38 cans of beer. This cooler by YETI is medium-sized; it is neither too big and heavy to carry, nor is it too small. The size of this cooler makes it perfect for small family picnics, as well as for hiking trips with friends.
How many cans does a yeti 50 hold?
The YETI Tundra 50 is capable of holding up to 32 cans of beer. This model of the cooler has enough inner capacity to hold food for an entire family, and it also has a smaller and compact size. Moreover, rope handles on both sides make it easier to carry the cooler.
Conclusion
Choosing the right cooler is very important. Whether you want to have a barbecue in the backyard or go on a camping trip in a big family tent, it is essential. This is why I have shared a detailed analysis of the YETI Tundra 45 vs 50. Now that you know the similarities and the difference between both, you can pick one for yourself.