Coolers are an essential piece of gear for many outdoor adventures. Whether you’re headed out camping, tailgating, or just spending the day at the beach, a good cooler will keep your food and drinks cold all day long.
Two of the most popular high-end cooler brands on the market are Maluna and Yeti. But which one is better?
In this in-depth comparison, we’ll take a close look at the key differences between Maluna and Yeti coolers. We’ll compare their ice retention, durability, features, sizes and prices. Read on to find out which premium cooler brand is the best choice for your needs and budget.
A Direct Comparison Table
| Feature | Maluna | Yeti |
| Ice Retention | 3-4+ days | 4-5+ days |
| Durability | Extremely rugged Armortex shell | Extremely rugged rotomolded plastic |
| Features | Basic like drainage plugs and bottle openers | More bonuses like ruler markings and accessory mounts |
| Sizes | 12 – 100 quarts | 20 – 350+ quarts |
| Prices | $79 – $249 | $250 – $1,300 |
Key Differences Between Maluna And Yeti Coolers
Ice Retention
The most important job of any cooler is keeping things cold.
So ice retention is a major factor when comparing cooler brands.
Yeti has built a reputation for superior ice retention capabilities.
Their rotomolded coolers feature extra thick insulation in the walls, lid and base.
Many users report Yeti hard coolers keep ice solid for 4-5 days or longer.
Their soft-sided Hopper coolers can hold ice for 2+ days.
Maluna also designs their coolers for maximum ice retention. They use commercial-grade polyurethane foam insulation to limit heat transfer. Feedback from customers indicates Maluna coolers can retain ice for 3-4+ days.
Most users feel Yeti has a slight edge over Maluna when it comes to true long-term ice retention. But Maluna still performs well above cheaper brands. Either cooler will keep drinks chilled over the course of a weekend camping trip or BBQ party.
Also Read: Differences Between Engel And RTIC Coolers.
Durability
Coolers take a lot of wear and tear on adventures. They get tossed in truck beds, dragged over terrain, even sat on. A durable build is essential.
Both Maluna and Yeti boast extremely rugged designs made to handle abuse. They feature rotomolded construction, which involves spinning liquid plastic into molds to form a seamless whole. This creates a hard shell that resists cracks, abrasions and punctures.
Maluna uses a proprietary polymer blend called Armortex for added impact resistance. The material feels slightly rubbery and flexible to the touch. Yeti uses traditional plastic, but reinforces potential stress points with extra thickness.
When it comes to durability, Maluna and Yeti are neck and neck. Either brand’s rotomolded coolers have exceptional strength to endure years of service. Maluna’s flexible Armortex shell may have a slight edge for absorbing impacts. But Yeti also feels plenty stiff and solid.
Features
Good ice retention and tough builds are expected from premium coolers. Extra features help brands stand out. So let’s compare some of the key options offered by Maluna vs Yeti.
Maluna Features:
- Drain plugs for easy water drainage
- Bottle openers molded into the sides
- Tie-down slots to secure the cooler during transport
- Integrated rulers to measure catch
- Cart and carrier accessories sold separately
Yeti Features:
- Permafrost insulation for max ice retention
- FatWall design with extra thick walls
- Interlocking lid for a tighter seal
- Vortex drain system for complete water drainage
- T-Rex lid straps for easy transport
- Accessory mounts and slots for add-ons
- Wide range of custom colors available
When it comes to bonus features, Yeti clearly has the edge.
Their coolers include thoughtful extras like ruler markings and tie-down slots.
And they offer many more accessories from seat cushions to wheel kits. Maluna has a more basic feature set overall.
Also Read: Differences Between Igloo MaxCold And Coleman Xtreme Coolers.
Sizes
Maluna and Yeti produce coolers in a wide range of sizes to meet different needs. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common models:
Maluna Sizes:
- 12 quart cooler
- 25 quart cooler
- 40 quart cooler
- 70 quart cooler
- 100 quart cooler
Yeti Sizes:
- Roadie 20 (20 quart)
- Tundra 35 (35 quart)
- Tundra 45 (45 quart)
- Tundra 65 (65 quart)
- Tundra 105 (105 quart)
- Tundra 160 (160 quart)
- Tundra 210 (210 quart)
- Tundra 250 (250 quart)
- Tundra 350 (350 quart)
Yeti has a much wider selection of sizes, from the portable Roadie for personal use up to giant 350+ quart coolers for big game hauls. Maluna’s range is more limited, topping out at 100 quarts. So Yeti provides more flexibility to choose the ideal capacity.
Prices
With their superior reputation and wide range of sizes, Yeti coolers also demand higher prices. Here’s a look at how Maluna and Yeti costs compare:
Maluna Prices:
- 12 quart: $79
- 25 quart: $99
- 40 quart: $119
- 70 quart: $169
- 100 quart: $249
Yeti Prices:
- Roadie 20: $250
- Tundra 35: $300
- Tundra 45: $350
- Tundra 65: $450
- Tundra 105: $550
- Tundra 160: $600
- Tundra 210: $800
- Tundra 250: $850
- Tundra 350: $1,300
Across the board, Yeti coolers cost 2-3 times more than comparable Maluna models.
The price gap gets especially wide on large capacity coolers. The 100 quart Maluna runs $249 vs $800 for the similar 210 quart Yeti.
So if your budget is tight, Maluna delivers strong performance at a more affordable cost. But Yeti does offer premium features and sizes to potentially justify the steeper prices.
Maluna Or Yeti: Which Is Better For You?
So when considering Maluna vs Yeti, which cooler brand comes out on top? Here are some key questions to help decide:
- How much ice retention do you need? For short overnight trips, Maluna should suffice. For weeklong retention, go with Yeti.
- What sizes are you looking for? Maluna has a decent range, but Yeti offers far more variety.
- What’s your budget? Maluna delivers strong performance for 2-3x less cost. Yeti commands a premium price.
- Which extra features appeal to you? Yeti has more bonus features, but Maluna covers the basics.
- How much ruggedness and abrasion resistance? Both brands are extremely tough thanks to rotomolded construction.
For most users, Maluna coolers offer the best value. They provide 80-90% of the performance of a Yeti at a fraction of the price. Serious outdoor enthusiasts who want maximum ice retention may need to spring for a Yeti. But Maluna works very well for more casual use.
Also Read: Yeti LoadOut GoBox Close Competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Some of the top cooler brands offering a similar premium design to Yeti include Orca, Pelican, Grizzly, Engel, Canyon, Otterbox, RTIC and Maluna. These all use rotomolded construction for ice retention and durability on par with Yeti.
Yeti stands out for its superior ice retention, keeping contents cold 4-5+ days. The extra thick Permafrost insulation and tight sealing lid prevent heat transfer. Yeti is also known for extreme durability thanks to its rugged rotomolded shell. Customization options and accessories add to the appeal.
Independent testing confirms Yeti coolers live up to the manufacturer’s claims. In ice retention challenges, they keep pace with or outperform comparable high-end brands. The build quality is top-notch and able to withstand serious abuse. For serious outdoor enthusiasts, Yeti delivers excellent performance.
RTIC makes direct Yeti “clones” focusing on value pricing. Their ice chests are durable rotomolded and keep ice 2-5 days like Yeti. The main difference is RTIC costs 30-50% less for near-equivalent quality. RTIC is a great budget-friendly alternative to Yeti’s premium pricing. However, Yeti still leads in reputation and offers more size/color options.
The Verdict
When comparing Maluna and Yeti coolers, both brands impress with excellent ice retention and toughness. Yeti excels in maximum cold holding time, sizing options and bonus features.
But you’ll pay a steep premium. For most users, Maluna delivers fantastic performance at a more affordable cost. Their coolers offer the best value for money in the premium category.
So choose Maluna to save money without compromising quality. Go with Yeti if you need the very best ice retention and extras.
