If you love camping, fishing, hunting, or any other outdoor activity, a high-quality cooler is a must-have gear. A good cooler will keep your food and drinks cold for days, saving you from having to make multiple inconvenient ice runs.
Two cooler brands that consistently top best-of lists are Engel and RTIC. But which one is better?
In this in-depth comparison, we’ll go over the key factors that make a cooler great and see how Engel and RTIC models stack up. We’ll compare insulation capability, ice retention, durability, weight, sizes available, ease of use, features, warranties, and price.
By the end, you’ll know which brand is the right choice for your needs.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Cooler | Engel | RTIC |
| Insulation | 10-14 days ice | Up to 10 days |
| Durability | Extremely durable, bear-resistant | Comparable durability, bear-resistant |
| Weight | Quite heavy, 36 lbs for 45 quart | Lighter weight, 23 lbs for 45 quart |
| Sizes | 10 quarts – 320 quarts | 23 quarts – 145 quarts |
| Ease of Use | Simple intuitive latches, rope handles, tie-downs, drain plug | Same great features, plus front-open hatch option |
| Key Features | Vacuum-sealed insulation, padlock attachments, marine-grade design | Upgraded foam insulation, integrated locking, split lid |
| Warranty | 10 years cooler, 3 years insulation | 10 years cooler, 1 year insulation |
| Price | Expensive, $350+ for mid-range size | Great value, $225 for mid-range size |
Overview of Engel and RTIC
First, let’s get an overview of these two cooler companies.
Engel is the older, more established brand. Founded in 1962, Engel claims to be the inventor of the first portable fridge/freezer. They’ve been making roto-molded coolers since the 1990s. Engel is manufactured in the USA and known for making bear-proof, durable coolers built to last.
RTIC (short for RotoMolded Technology In Coolers) is the newcomer. Founded in 2014 in Cypress, Texas, RTIC aimed to produce roto-molded coolers that offered the same quality as high-end brands like Yeti at a fraction of the price. RTIC was an instant hit for delivering on this promise.
Key Differences Between Engel And RTIC Coolers
Now let’s see how specific cooler models from these brands compare.
- Insulation and Ice Retention
The most important feature for any cooler is insulation. Better insulation means longer ice retention.
All rotomolded coolers use plastic walls filled with foam insulation, but some do it better than others.
Engel claims its coolers keep ice for 10-14 days in ideal conditions.
RTIC states its coolers provide up to 10 days of ice retention.
Independent ice test results suggest both can hit their marks, with Engel having a slight edge in some models.
In an 80 quart capacity, the Engel DeepBlue kept ice for 12.5 days while the equivalent RTIC 65 kept ice for 10.5 days.
But results vary based on conditions. Overall, both offer excellent insulation and ice retention, among the best in the industry. For multi-day camping trips, you can rely on either to keep things cold.
- Durability
To protect your gear and food on rugged adventures, you need a nearly indestructible cooler. Engel and RTIC both make bear-resistant coolers, but which is tougher?
Engel DeepBlues boast strong, 10″ thick plastic walls. The lid has a 3″ gasket for an air-tight seal. A T-latch system locks the lid down tight. Users confirm Engel’s bear-resistant claim, with many sharing stories of failed bear attacks.
RTIC matches Engel’s durability in most ways. They have similar plastic wall thickness, rubber gaskets, and T-latches. RTIC also uses hinges with added steel reinforcement to prevent the lid being ripped off. Many customers vouch for RTIC coolers surviving bear maulings.
Both brands offer rugged, durable coolers able to handle outdoor abuse and determined wildlife. For maximum toughness, Engel’s bear-resistant certification gives them a slight edge. But RTIC likely meets the same stringent standards.
- Weight
One downside of the most durable coolers is increased weight. Heavy, bulky coolers are a hassle to transport and occupy valuable space.
RTIC clearly beats Engel when it comes to lightweight design. For example, the RTIC 45 quart weighs 23 lbs while the Engel 45 quart DeepBlue weighs 36 lbs. Even compared to the lighter Engel HD30, the equivalently-sized RTIC 32 still weighs several pounds less.
RTIC manages to be significantly lighter while maintaining thickness and insulation quality. If easy portability is important, RTIC has a clear weight advantage.
- Size Range
Having options for different capacities is key.
You don’t want to lug around an oversized cooler for just a few drinks and sandwiches.
And a smaller cooler won’t fit enough food for a lengthy camping trip.
Engel offers an excellent range of sizes from 10 quart up to 320 quart models.
RTIC’s size selection is more limited but still varied, spanning 23 quart to 145 quart.
RTIC’s largest coolers top out at 145 quarts, while Engel goes up to 320 quarts.
For massive storage needs, Engel has you covered. But both provide a useful range of sizes depending on your needs.
- Ease of Use
Convenience features determine how user-friendly these coolers are in the field. Engel and RTIC add handy extras while keeping operation simple.
All Engel DeepBlues have rope handles and molded-in tie-down points for secure transport. Convenience options like bottle openers and accessories integrate seamlessly. The simple, intuitive latches provide quick access. Drain plugs make it easy to empty excess water.
RTIC matches Engel for convenience. An integrated bottle opener, molded tie-down slots, rope handles, and drain spout equip RTIC for real-world use. Matching Engel’s simplicity, opening and closing RTIC’s straightforward latch system is hassle-free.
Nothing beats the convenience of being able to access your cooler without standing up. For easy access from your seat, many RTIC models offer optional gasket systems to create a front-open hatch while keeping the rest sealed. This unique feature gives RTIC an edge in usability.
- Features and Extras
Cooler brands try to stand out from the competition by offering unique extras. What special features come with each of these coolers?
Engel sets itself apart through vacuum-sealed insulation. During manufacturing, the insulation iscompressed to eliminate air pockets before sealing the plastic walls. This vacuum insulation allows remarkable ice retention from thin walls.
Though RTIC doesn’t vacuum-seal the insulation, they match Engel’s ice retention with upgraded insulation material. Closed-cell foam and added wall thickness optimize RTIC’s insulation performance.
Engel also stands out for security. Their padlock attachments allow you to lock the cooler shut, protecting your belongings. And the special marine-grade molding makes these coolers fully waterproof when closed.
Integrated locks are RTIC’s security feature, using a locked mechanism built into the latch. An optional locking gasket takes convenience a step further, letting you lock just the front hatch.
If versatility matters, RTIC has the upper hand. Some RTIC models feature a split interior design. This allows you to separately open either the upper or lower compartment while keeping the rest closed. You can access just drinks without letting cold air escape from the food below.
- Warranties
A long warranty provides peace of mind for your investment. Engel and RTIC both provide strong coverage.
Every Engel DeepBlue comes with a 10 year limited warranty covering defects. RTIC matches that with a 10 year warranty against manufacturing issues for the cooler shell and hardware.
The key difference is Engel offers 3 years of coverage for the insulation foam as well. RTIC’s insulation warranty is just 1 year. For a little extra security on the insulation itself, Engel wins. But both warranties provide excellent protection overall.
- Pricing and Value
With great quality comes high prices.
But some brands deliver features and performance at a more reasonable cost.
How do Engel and RTIC compare on price?
There’s no getting around it – Engel DeepBlues are expensive. A mid-range Engel 55 quart will run you around $350.
Larger models over $500 are common. The superior construction comes at a premium.
RTIC delivers huge value in contrast. An equivalent RTIC 55 quart costs just $225.
Even huge 145 quart RTIC models can be under $500. You get virtually the same quality and performance for often hundreds less.
RTIC proves you don’t have to break the bank for an excellent cooler. While Engel’s construction might be slightly more heavy-duty, RTIC gets you close for a much lower investment. For price-conscious buyers, RTIC is the value winner.
Also Read: Comparison of Coleman Xtreme and Igloo MaxCold Coolers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, Engel makes some of the highest-performing coolers on the market. Their DeepBlue series offers incredible ice retention thanks to features like vacuum-sealed insulation. Engel coolers are also extremely durable and bear-resistant. The main drawback is the premium pricing.
For all practical purposes, yes. RTIC delivers nearly equivalent performance to YETI at a significantly lower price point. They use similar thick, roto-molded plastic construction with commercial grade foam insulation. RTIC matches YETI and Engel’s ice retention capabilities while costing hundreds less.
Yes, RTIC was sued by YETI shortly after launching in 2014 for allegedly copying YETI’s cooler designs and trademarks. After a legal battle, RTIC was allowed to continue selling their coolers but had to alter the designs and branding to distinguish them from YETI.
YETI accused RTIC of stealing their roto-molded cooler designs and confusingly similar branding/logos to take advantage of YETI’s reputation. RTIC argued their coolers were substantially different despite similarities. After lawsuits from YETI, RTIC agreed to change their cooler designs and branding to settle. RTIC was still allowed to sell their cheaper alternative coolers.
The Bottom Line
For keeping food and drinks cold for days on end, you can’t go wrong with either Engel or RTIC coolers. Both offer excellent ice retention from quality construction. Engel is more heavy duty while RTIC wins on weight and integrated features.
Ultimately RTIC gives you close to Engel’s level of performance for much less money. For most buyers, RTIC’s balance of durability, features, and value makes them the best choice in the cooler market.
But diehard Engel fans happily pay a premium for their “Rolls Royce of coolers”. Choose whichever fits your budget and needs.
