Best Small Coolers: Pelican vs Yeti vs RTIC Complete Buying Guide for Travel & Outdoor Adventures in 2025

Discover the best small coolers for travel, camping, and outdoor adventures in 2025! In this comprehensive 40-minute guide, we dive deep into the top small cooler brands including Pelican, Yeti, RTIC, Coleman, Igloo, and Hydro Flask.

🔥 Featured Focus: Pelican 8-quart, 14-quart, and 20-quart coolers - why they're revolutionizing portable cooling with innovative 3-compartment design and military-grade construction.

What You'll Learn:

✅ Complete buyer's guide for coolers 8-25 quarts 

✅ Ice retention testing results and real-world performance 

✅ Budget vs premium cooler comparison (Coleman vs Yeti)

 ✅ Best coolers for different travel scenarios

 ✅ Pelican's game-changing features vs competitors

 ✅ Which small cooler offers the best value in 2025

Perfect for travelers, campers, tailgaters, and anyone who needs reliable portable cooling. Whether you're road tripping, flying with gear, or planning outdoor adventures, this episode helps you choose the perfect small cooler for your needs and budget.

🎯 Brands Covered: Pelican, Yeti, RTIC, Coleman, Igloo, Hydro Flask, IceMule, ORCA, and more!

#SmallCoolers #TravelGear #Camping #Coolers2025 #PelicanCoolers #YetiCoolers #OutdoorGear #TravelPrep

Transcript

Hey everyone, and welcome back to another episode of TravelPrep: On The Road and In the Air Travelers Guide. I'm your host Colin, and today we're diving deep into the world of small coolers – those compact, portable cooling solutions that have become absolutely essential for day trips, tailgating, beach outings, and so much more.

Now, when I say "small coolers," I'm talking about roughly anything from 8 quarts up to about 25 quarts. These aren't your massive camping coolers that require two people to lift when loaded – these are the grab-and-go options that one person can easily handle while still keeping your drinks ice-cold and your food fresh.

The small cooler market has absolutely exploded in recent years. We've gone from basic plastic lunch boxes to sophisticated, engineered cooling machines with advanced insulation, military-grade latches, and features that would make your grandfather's ice chest jealous. And let me tell you, after spending weeks researching and testing various models, I've got some strong opinions about what works and what doesn't.

Today, I'm going to walk you through the small cooler landscape, but I want to start right off the bat with the brand that's really impressed me the most: Pelican. Their 8-quart, 14-quart, and 20-quart models represent what I think is the pinnacle of small cooler engineering right now. Then we'll explore how they stack up against all the other major players – from budget champions like Coleman and Igloo to premium options like Yeti and emerging brands like RTIC.

So grab a cold drink – hopefully from a quality cooler – and let's get started with why Pelican is changing the game.

Let me start with a bold statement: after extensive testing, I believe Pelican is making the best small coolers on the market right now. Not the most expensive, not the most hyped, but the best overall package of features, performance, and genuine innovation.

Now, Pelican isn't new to the protection game. They've been making indestructible cases for photographers, military equipment, and scientific instruments since 1976. When they decided to enter the cooler market, they brought that same engineering obsession with them – and it shows in every detail.

Let me start with the Pelican 8-quart Personal Cooler, because it perfectly illustrates what makes Pelican different from every other cooler company out there. This isn't just a small lunch box – it's a completely rethought approach to personal cooling.

First, let's talk construction. Pelican uses what they call "dual-compound insulation" – essentially, they've built a cooler case around an insulated core. The result is a cooler that looks and feels more like a piece of technical equipment than a lunch box. The Press & Pull latches are borrowed directly from their protective case technology – the same latches that secure million-dollar camera equipment in war zones are now protecting your sandwich. They're secure, easy to use with one hand, and virtually indestructible.

But here's where it gets really interesting: the 8-quart isn't just one big hollow box like most small coolers. It features three separate storage zones, and this is where Pelican's engineering background really shines.

There's a dry box built into the lid for items you want to keep completely separate from ice and moisture. I'm talking about your phone, wallet, keys, maybe some crackers or chips – things that absolutely cannot get wet. This compartment even has a built-in easel slot for your phone or tablet, so you can prop it up hands-free.

Then there's a removable inner tray for non-perishables that need to stay cool but dry. This is perfect for sandwiches, fruit, chocolate bars – anything that benefits from staying cold but would be ruined by sitting in ice water. The tray sits above the main compartment, keeping contents cold through conduction but bone dry.

Finally, there's the main ice compartment for drinks and items that can handle getting wet. This is where you put your bottles, cans, and anything that needs maximum cooling. The compartment is sized to accommodate the included reusable ice pack, or you can add regular ice.

The dimensions are perfectly thought out: 13.4 by 9.45 by 10.5 inches externally, with interior dimensions of 10.8 inches of usable space. It holds exactly 8 standard drink cans when placed vertically, with room for ice. The whole unit weighs just 6.5 pounds empty, so it's substantial enough to feel quality but not so heavy that it becomes a burden.

The ice retention is genuinely impressive for such a small cooler. Pelican claims all-day performance, and in my real-world testing, I consistently got 12-16 hours of solid ice retention even in 85-degree weather. That's using just the included ice pack. Add some additional ice, and you can easily stretch that to a full day and well into the next morning.

Now, the 14-quart Personal Cooler takes everything brilliant about the 8-quart and scales it up intelligently. If I had to recommend just one small cooler for most families, this would be it.

The same three-compartment design is here, but with more thoughtful proportions. The dry box is large enough for tablets, larger snacks, or even small tools if you're using this for work. The removable tray can handle full-sized sandwiches, multiple food containers, or items you're defrosting for dinner. And the main compartment can hold a six-pack plus ice, or accommodate up to two of Pelican's 1-pound ice blocks.

What really impresses me about the 14-quart is how much thought went into the ergonomics. At 8.3 pounds empty, it's substantial but not burdensome. The handle locks upright when you're carrying it and folds down flat when you're not, so it never gets in the way when you're trying to access the contents.

But here's a detail that shows Pelican's engineering background: they designed a concave cutout on the back of the cooler that creates a smooth surface against your leg while walking. If you've ever carried a traditional rectangular cooler any distance, you know how the corners dig into your leg with every step. Pelican solved that problem completely.

The feature set on the 14-quart is impressive. You get a stainless steel bottle opener with a magnetic cap catcher built right into the lid. There are molded-in cup holders that actually hold cups securely. The dry storage area includes that phone/tablet easel I mentioned. These aren't gimmicky add-ons – they're thoughtful features that enhance the real-world user experience.

The construction uses commercial-grade, 1.5-inch thick polyurethane walls throughout, with a freezer-grade gasket seal that creates a 360-degree seal when closed. The Press & Pull latches are the same indestructible design as the 8-quart, just scaled appropriately.

Ice retention steps up significantly with the larger thermal mass. We're talking 2-3 days of solid ice retention in good conditions, which puts this cooler in the same performance league as much larger and more expensive premium coolers. I've had ice last nearly four days in moderate weather conditions.

The interior dimensions are 12.75 by 7.25 by 8.75 inches, which translates to genuine versatility. You can fit wine bottles upright, 2-liter bottles, or arrange food containers in multiple configurations. The capacity works perfectly for weekend camping trips for two people or day trips for a family of four.

The 20-quart Elite represents Pelican's move into the traditional premium cooler space, competing directly with Yeti and other high-end brands. But this isn't just Pelican slapping their name on a generic rotomolded cooler – it's their unique approach to what a premium small cooler should be.

The construction immediately sets it apart. This is a rotomolded cooler, meaning the entire body is formed from a single piece of plastic that's heated and molded around a foam core. The result is seamless, incredibly robust, and optimized for thermal performance. But Pelican adds their signature touches that you won't find elsewhere.

The latches, for instance, aren't the T-style latches you see on most premium coolers. Instead, Pelican uses their proprietary latch system that's borrowed from cases that protect equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. These latches are easier to operate, more secure, and far more durable than anything else in the cooler market.

The capacity is generous: 15 cans plus ice, or enough food and drinks for a serious weekend camping trip for two people. The interior height accommodates wine bottles or 2-liter bottles standing upright. The interior dimensions of 12 by 6.7 by 14.1 inches are well-optimized to minimize wasted space.

But the real story is ice retention. In controlled testing, this cooler kept contents below 40 degrees for over four days. In my real-world use, I've had ice last nearly a week in moderate spring conditions. That's performance that rivals coolers twice the size and price.

The attention to detail is everywhere. The hardware is all stainless steel. The drain plug is properly sized for quick drainage and tethered so you can't lose it. The non-slip feet are made from high-quality rubber that actually grips surfaces effectively. The tie-down slots are reinforced and positioned for practical use.

After using these three Pelican coolers extensively, several things set them apart from every other brand I've tested.

First is the modular thinking. Instead of just making insulated boxes, Pelican thought about how people actually use small coolers in real life. The three-compartment system in the personal coolers solves actual problems that every cooler user faces – where to put your phone, how to keep sandwiches dry, how to organize different types of items.

Second is the build quality that comes from their protective case heritage. These coolers are built to the same standards as equipment that protects critical gear in combat zones, scientific expeditions, and professional film sets. The latches, the gaskets, the overall construction – it's all genuinely overbuilt in the best possible way.

Third is the warranty and support. Pelican offers a lifetime guarantee on their Elite coolers and a three-year warranty on the personal coolers. That's not marketing – that's confidence in their engineering and manufacturing.

Fourth is the thoughtful feature integration. Every feature serves a real purpose and is executed at a high level. The bottle opener isn't just stuck on as an afterthought – it's integrated into the design and built to last. The cup holders actually hold cups. The phone easel is positioned where you'd actually want to use it.

Let me be completely honest about where Pelican falls short, because no product is perfect.

First is price. These are not budget coolers. The 8-quart runs around $130, the 14-quart about $150, and the 20-quart Elite around $200. That puts them in direct competition with Yeti and other premium brands on price.

Second is weight. The robust construction and thick insulation add weight compared to basic plastic coolers or even some other premium options. The 20-quart Elite weighs 12.5 pounds empty, which is substantial.

Third is availability. You won't find Pelican coolers in every sporting goods store. They're primarily sold online or through specialized outdoor retailers, which means you can't always see them in person before buying.

Fourth is that they're almost too well-built for some users. If you just need something to keep drinks cold for a few hours at a picnic, Pelican's engineering excellence might be overkill.

After extensive testing, here's how I'd recommend choosing between the three Pelican models:

Choose the 8-quart if you're primarily using it as a personal lunch cooler or for solo adventures. It's perfect for work, individual day trips, or situations where you need organized storage in a compact package.

Choose the 14-quart if you want one cooler that can handle most situations. This is the sweet spot for families, couples, or anyone who wants maximum versatility. It's large enough for substantial outings but still portable enough for one person to carry comfortably.

Choose the 20-quart Elite if ice retention is your top priority or if you need the absolute best performance for longer trips. This is the option for serious outdoor enthusiasts who demand premium performance.

But honestly, if you use a small cooler regularly and you appreciate well-engineered gear, any of these three Pelican models will serve you better than almost anything else on the market. They represent the best combination of innovation, performance, and real-world usability I've found in the small cooler category.

Now that we've established the benchmark with Pelican, let's talk about the other end of the spectrum – the budget-friendly options that most people think of first when they hear "cooler."

Coleman and Igloo are the brands that have been in American garages for decades, and they're still relevant in the small cooler space, especially if you're watching your budget or only need occasional cooling performance.

Coleman has been making coolers since the 1950s, and their approach to small coolers is straightforward: decent performance at rock-bottom prices. Their Classic Series and Xtreme lines offer small coolers in the 16 to 28-quart range, typically running $30 to $60. The construction is basic injection-molded plastic with foam insulation, but it's leagues better than the ultra-cheap no-name brands.

What I like about Coleman: They're everywhere, they're cheap, and they work well enough for casual use. If you need a cooler for occasional picnics, your kid's Little League games, or keeping drinks cold during a day at the lake, Coleman delivers solid basic performance. They usually include useful features like cup holders, easy-carry handles, and drain plugs.

What I don't love compared to Pelican: Ice retention is pretty mediocre. We're talking 8-12 hours on a hot day, versus the multi-day performance you get from premium options. The latches and hinges feel flimsy after extended use. And the single-compartment design means everything sits in ice water together.

Igloo is the other old-school heavyweight, and they've actually been more innovative than Coleman in recent years. Their BMX series deserves special mention – the BMX 25 is a 25-quart cooler that punches above its weight class. At around $50-70, it features more robust construction than typical budget coolers, with better insulation and a more secure lid system.

But when you compare even the best budget coolers to something like the Pelican 14-quart, the differences are stark. You're giving up the organized storage, the premium construction, the superior ice retention, and the thoughtful features that make daily use more pleasant.

Let's talk about the brands that have shaken up the cooler world by offering premium performance at more reasonable prices than the ultra-high-end options.

RTIC – "Ready To Ice Challenge" – is a Texas-based company that built its reputation on delivering Yeti-level performance at lower prices. Their RTIC Ultra-Light 22 is a 22-quart rotomolded cooler that offers impressive ice retention and solid construction for about half the price of comparable premium options.

What makes RTIC interesting is their focus on core performance without some of the premium features. You get excellent insulation, rubber gasket seals, and heavy-duty latches, but you might not get the organized storage or thoughtful details that distinguish Pelican.

RTIC also makes compelling backpack coolers. Their Backpack Cooler is fully waterproof with 48-hour ice retention, representing excellent value for active users.

Hydro Flask entered the cooler game bringing their insulation expertise. Their Day Escape series offers soft-sided backpack coolers with impressive performance and comfort features. The waterproof construction and ergonomic design show real thought about active use cases.

Both RTIC and Hydro Flask represent good middle-ground options – better performance than budget coolers, but without the premium features and construction you get from brands like Pelican or Yeti.

I can't discuss premium small coolers without addressing Yeti, the brand that fundamentally changed what people expected from coolers.

Their Roadie series defines the luxury small cooler category. The Roadie 24 runs around $250 – yes, more than many people's entire camping budget – but it delivers genuinely impressive performance. The rotomolded construction, rubber gasket seals, and heavy-duty latches all speak to serious engineering.

Yeti consistently delivers on ice retention promises. In testing, their coolers often outlast the competition in pure thermal performance. The build quality is genuinely impressive, with attention to detail that justifies the premium pricing for users who need maximum performance.

However, when I compare Yeti to Pelican, I find myself preferring Pelican's approach. While Yeti focuses on maximum ice retention and robust construction, Pelican adds the organized storage, innovative features, and practical usability improvements that make daily use more pleasant. Both are premium products, but Pelican feels more thoughtfully designed for real-world use.

The small cooler market includes some interesting specialized options worth mentioning.

IceMule makes backpack coolers designed like dry bags that can be completely submerged while remaining watertight. The IceMule Pro represents the extreme end of portable cooling for serious outdoor activities.

The Kula 5 takes a completely different approach with its cylindrical steel construction. It looks more like modern art than a cooler but offers surprisingly good performance and incredible durability.

ORCA makes American-manufactured coolers that compete directly with Yeti, often at lower prices with lifetime warranties. Their attention to detail and build quality rivals anyone in the premium space.

For electric cooling, Dometic's CFX series offers ice-free operation that can actually freeze items, though they require power sources and cost significantly more.

Keep an eye on emerging brands like Canyon Outfitter, which are delivering premium performance at more accessible price points.

After all this analysis, what should you actually buy? Let me break down my recommendations based on different use cases.

For Basic, Occasional Use: Go with the Igloo BMX 25 or a Coleman Xtreme model. You'll spend $40-70 and get perfectly adequate performance for casual outings.

For Regular Use on a Budget: The RTIC Ultra-Light 22 offers solid premium performance for about half the price of top-tier options.

For Active Lifestyles: Hydro Flask Day Escape backpack coolers excel if you need to carry your cooler while hiking, biking, or engaging in water sports.

For Maximum Ice Retention: If pure thermal performance is your only concern, Yeti still sets the standard, though you'll pay dearly for it.

For the Best Overall Package: This is where I keep coming back to Pelican. The 14-quart Personal Cooler offers the best combination of features, performance, and thoughtful design in the small cooler category. The organized storage, excellent ice retention, premium construction, and practical features make it worth the investment for anyone who uses their cooler regularly.

If you need something more compact, the Pelican 8-quart is the best personal cooler I've tested. If you need maximum performance, the 20-quart Elite competes with anything available while offering unique advantages in features and usability.

The small cooler market has evolved dramatically, with genuine innovation happening at every price point. Whether you're spending $40 or $400, you can get performance that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.

My biggest piece of advice? Think honestly about how you'll actually use your cooler. For occasional use, don't overspend. But if you're someone who's always heading out for adventures, packing lunches regularly, or just appreciating well-designed gear, investing in a quality small cooler pays dividends for years.

The Pelican coolers I've focused on today represent what I consider the sweet spot in this market – serious performance and innovative features without the absolute premium pricing of some luxury brands. Their engineering background shows in every detail, from the three-compartment organization to the indestructible latches to the thoughtful ergonomics.

Thanks for listening to today's deep dive into small coolers, with our focus on why Pelican is leading the innovation in this space. I'd love to hear about your experiences with any of these brands or models.