Yeti Tundra 65 Vs. 75: Which Is Better?

Can’t decide between the Yeti Tundra 65 and 75 coolers? Then you’re definitely in the right place because this detailed comparison will tell you everything you need to know about the two Yeti coolers!

We’ve compared every aspect of the two Tundra coolers, from their dimensions to their performance. One thing we’ll say now is that the two coolers have more similarities than differences, but you’ll have to keep reading if you want to see what those are! 

Yeti 75 vs 65: General Information

The Yeti Tundra line coolers are some of the most popular portable coolers on the market. They are extremely durable and suited for use in rugged outdoor conditions, which is exactly why so many people decide to buy them.

These are hard coolers capable of retaining ice for 3-5 days. That’s absolutely impressive for a portable outdoor cooler, especially one that’s as robust and rugged as the Yeti Tundra. These are some of the best portable coolers money can buy, so you’re definitely looking in the right spot if you want premium quality and performance.

Yeti coolers are expensive and these two Tundra coolers are no exception. That’s why neither of these coolers is a good option for you if you’re looking for a cheap solution. But if you want a cooler that will last you for years, and which will perform equally well after years of use as it did on day one, the Tundra is the best option.

Also, we wouldn’t recommend either of these coolers to people who need something portable for hiking. Both the 65 and 75 are very heavy and bulky, and they just get heavier when filled. It’s unlikely that one person could handle carrying either one of these for more than just a few minutes, but it’s worth noting that Yeti has a series of more portable soft coolers.

Before we get into the details about the quality and performance of these coolers, let’s quickly go through their best and worst features.

Yeti 65 Pros

Great for couples/small groups of people
The more portable option out of the two
Lighter and smaller – easier storage and takes up less space
The more affordable option

Yeti 65 Cons

Not big enough for multi-day excursions for large groups
Quite heavy

Yeti 75 Pros

Great for groups of 4
Fits more ice, food, and drinks
Better for campers who don’t want to restock often

Yeti 75 Cons

Very heavy and bulky – not very portable
More expensive

Yeti 65 vs 75: What They Have in Common

Everything! The two Tundra coolers are practically identical in terms of build quality, durability, and performance. They differ in size and capacity, but everything else about them is exactly the same.

Build Quality

All the Yeti Tundra coolers are manufactured from high-quality materials. They feature a rotomolded cooler construction with T-rex lid latches and Neverfail hinges. All components are manufactured for excellent performance and even better durability, so you can be certain that this cooler will perform great for as long as you need it.

Additionally, the Tundra coolers are also bearproof when used with specific padlocks. If you often camp in the woods and consider bearproofing as an important design feature, either of these coolers is a good option.

Ice Retention Performance

The Yeti Tundra coolers might be impressively well built but that’s nothing compared to how impressive their performance is. Both coolers feature a Fatwall design, which can hold up to three inches of insulation.

All Tundra coolers boast Permafrost insulation, which consists of pressure-injected polyurethane that is capable of retaining temperature in the ice chest for long periods. The Cold lock gasket is freezer-quality and it does an excellent job at blocking out any external heat and retaining the internal temperature.

Drain System

The Vortex drain system is another impressive feature of the Tundra ice cooler. It is designed for quick and easy draining, but at the same time, it is entirely leakproof. This means that when the ice starts to melt, you can just dump that excess water by taking out the drain plug, without having to remove anything from your Tundra coolers.

The identical features mean that these two hard coolers boast the same ice-retention property. Their performance is absolutely identical and it shouldn’t be a factor when deciding between the 65 and the 75.

Portability

The main downside of these coolers is that neither of them is very portable. Sure, they are portable coolers by definition, but do you really consider something that has the potential of weighing 80lbs+ portable?

Both the 65 and 75 are equipped with extremely sturdy handles that make it much easier to carry them. Also, both coolers boast non-slip feet and anchor point tie-down slots, which will prevent the cooler from moving around when it’s being transported in a vehicle.

One of the most significant downsides to these coolers is that there’s no way to make them more portable. You can’t purchase cooler wheels separately and then attach them to the Tundra, but you can consider the Tundra Haul. It’s the wheeled version of this cooler and it’s got a capacity of about 70 quarts, so it’s halfway between the Tundra 65 and 75.

The Differences Between Yeti 65 vs 75

The main difference between the Tundra 65 and 75 is the size. The Tundra 75 is the larger of the two coolers, which means that it’s bigger, heavier, and it has got a larger capacity than the Tundra 65. But there are a couple of other things worth noting, and we’ll tell you all about them in this section!

Size And Capacity

The difference in capacity between the two coolers is approximately 15 cans or 18 lbs of ice. The bigger cooler is about 5 lbs heavier than the smaller one, so there’s not a massive difference in their weight and portability. Neither is a great choice if you need something you can easily carry while hiking, but the smaller option is slightly better if you’re set on a Tundra cooler.

The extra weight is a big deal if you need to carry either of these coolers anywhere. Keep in mind that they weigh 30lbs+ when empty. When full, both of these coolers become ridiculously heavy to the point that you’ll struggle to move it a few inches sideways. The Tundra 65 is more manageable, so it’s definitely the better option if you want a cooler that you can carry places.

The Tundra 75 has the potential to be almost 25 lbs heavier when full, so you can see why it is nowhere near as portable. While the 65 might be barely manageable when full, the 75 practically cannot be moved without at least two pairs of arms.

Price Point

Obviously, the bigger cooler is going to be more expensive than the smaller one. The 75 cooler is about $75 more expensive than the smaller Tundra, so take that into consideration when choosing the best Yeti cooler for you.

It’s worth noting that both of these coolers are expensive, and frankly, so is the rest of the Tundra line. If you need an affordable cooler, you’re better off looking at different cooler brands. The Tundra coolers start at about $275 for the smallest one (35) and go up to about $1,500 for the largest option (350).

Color Variety

The color doesn’t impact the performance of these coolers at all, but it’s still important that you get a cooler you actually like looking at, especially at the prices of these Yeti Tundra coolers. Both coolers are available in white and tan colors, but the Tundra 65 is available in a navy blue color. That’s the only difference in the color variations between the two coolers.

Yeti 65 vs 75: Which Yeti Tundra Cooler Should You Get?

Still haven’t figured out which Tundra cooler you should buy? It’s simple.

If you want the lighter cooler, get the Tundra 65. It’s about 20 lbs lighter when filled to capacity, so it will be significantly easier to carry around.

If you want the cheaper cooler, go with the Tundra 65. It’s about $75 cheaper than the Tundra 75, and that’s a pretty big price difference. Also, you can just put that money towards a more affordable cooler that will make up the difference in capacity between the 65 and 75, and then some.

If you need a big cooler that can support a group of four on multi-day trips, get the Tundra 75. The bigger capacity is ideal for larger groups, but it’s worth noting that just one cooler will likely not be enough for multi-day trips.

If you want to make fewer trips to the town when you’re camping, get the Yeti Tundra 75. Again, the larger capacity means it can hold more provisions, which means you can spend more time at the campsite without having to restock.

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