Last Updated on February 6, 2022

The Tundra coolers line is among the most known coolers around. Known for their steep price, sleek looks and rugged construction, they sell hot like iPhones.

Are they overpriced? Read why yeti coolers are so expensive.

So you are in the market to get a staple Yeti cooler. You require something portable; not giant and not small.

The perfect product we recommend is between the Tundra 35 & 40.

Trust me, I understand your dilemma. You want to choose between the Yeti Tundra 35 Vs Yeti Tundra 45 which is a close call. They are relatively portable and pricing is within the same range.

The similarities of both models make it absolutely hard to make a decision. Your decision before buying any product should depend on the type of occasion, people, nature of the trip, number of users and it goes on and on.

In this review, we’ll compare these chests against each other and as always allow you to make the final decision.

Yeti Tundra 35 Vs Yeti Tundra 45 – Comparison Table

YETI Tundra 35 Cooler, Desert Tan
Editor's Choice
YETI Tundra 45 Cooler, White
Model
Yeti Tundra 35
Yeti Tundra 45
Construction
Rotomolded
Rotomolded
Capacity (Quarts)
28 quarts / 20 can capacity
37.6 quarts / 26 can capacity
Weight
23lbs
26lbs
Pros
Extremely durable, rugged construction, great insulation, can keep drinks upright
Very durable construction, great insulation, sturdy construction
Cons
less space compared to the Tundra 45
Heavy when filled, more expensive
Rating
YETI Tundra 35 Cooler, Desert Tan
Model
Yeti Tundra 35
Construction
Rotomolded
Capacity (Quarts)
28 quarts / 20 can capacity
Weight
23lbs
Pros
Extremely durable, rugged construction, great insulation, can keep drinks upright
Cons
less space compared to the Tundra 45
Rating
Editor's Choice
YETI Tundra 45 Cooler, White
Model
Yeti Tundra 45
Construction
Rotomolded
Capacity (Quarts)
37.6 quarts / 26 can capacity
Weight
26lbs
Pros
Very durable construction, great insulation, sturdy construction
Cons
Heavy when filled, more expensive
Rating

Design

Yeti tundra 35

Tundra 35 & 45 feature a conventional Yeti shape that spreads to other models. In many ways, they share the same features such as the T-rex latches, vortex drain, non-skid feet and many more.

The Tundra 35 comes in ample color options; Reef blue, white, seafoam, pink, LE coral, Ice blue, & Desert Tan. While the Tundra although limited comes in five different colors; Ice blue, desert tan, white, LE coral, & reef blue.

Yeti tundra 45

Talking about looks, the Tundra 35 appears compact like a cube and spreads wide while the 45 is bigger and taller.

Some common Features

T-rex latches; T-rex latches are trademark to yeti. If you are tired of busted latches, the T-rex e is made to handle all the beating.

Vortex Drain; For quick and easy draining, the vortex drain is fitted on the lower side of the Yeti. This allows for quick drains.

Doublehaul handles & Lipgrip handles; The double haul handles made of polyurethane allows transport for two people especially when the chest is filled. It is quite easy on the hands and you’d move considerable distance without getting sore.

Lipgrip handles are molded just underneath the lid, they are firm, rigid and provides balance for easy transport for a single person.

Fatwall Design & Permafrost Insulation; The extra-thick walls and permafrost insulation injected into the walls of the coolers ensures you ice stay for long periods. In addition, it adds to the bulkiness and strength of the cooler.

Rotomolded construction; This method of cooler production revolutionized how ice chests are made; Tough, bulky, rugged and longer ice retention.

Tiedown slots & Non-slip feet; Tiedowns allows you to tie cooler to boats and back of your truck. Non0-slip feat keeps the cooler in a stable position.

Coldlock gasket; Yeti compares its gasket to that of a fridge. And it holds true as the gasket blocks all the heat.

Neverfial Hinge; Featuring two unbreakable hinge pins you’ll be able to open your cooler as frequently as ever.

Size/Capacity/weight

YETI Tundra 35 Cooler, White
  • The YETI Tundra 35 is portable enough for one person to haul while still having an impressive carrying capacity of up to 20 cans with a recommended 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio
  • Ice stays ice thanks to up to 3 inches of PermaFrost Insulation and an extra thick FatWall design is certified Bear-Resistant
  • The Rotomolded Construction makes the Tundra armored to the core and virtually indestructible so wherever you decide to take it, this portable cooler’s sturdy construction will stand up to the rigors of the journey
  • All Tundra coolers feature T-Rex Lid Latches constructed of heavy-duty rubber so you’ll never see another busted latch and has patented keeper technology
  • The Tundra 35 dimensions are 20 in long x 16 1/8 in wide x 15 1/4 in high with an empty weight of 20 lbs NOTE: All Tundra models come standard with one dry goods basket
YETI Tundra 45 Cooler, White
  • The YETI Tundra 45 combines versatility with durability with a capacity of up to 26 cans with a recommended 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio
  • Ice stays ice thanks to up to 3 inches of PermaFrost Insulation and an extra thick FatWall design is certified Bear-Resistant
  • The Rotomolded Construction makes the Tundra armored to the core and virtually indestructible so wherever you decide to take it, this portable cooler’s sturdy construction will stand up to the rigors of the journey
  • All Tundra coolers feature T-Rex Lid Latches constructed of heavy-duty rubber so you’ll never see another busted latch and has patented keeper technology
  • The Tundra 45 dimensions are 25 3/4 in long x 16 1/8 in wide x 15 3/8 in high with an empty weight of 23 lbs NOTE: All Tundra models come standard with one dry goods basket.

I’ll reveal a truth Yeti likely doesn’t want you to know;

Contrary to conventional cooler sizes where the model number represent the quart. Yeti takes a different approach which sees Yeti models numbers like the 35, 45, 50, 60, considerably lower in actual quarts.

In simple words “Yeti doesn’t reveal their actual sizes to potential customers.” But the coolers come with information of the actual size. Here you can check all Yeti actual sizes and capacities.

The good thing is we will reveal the actual size of the Tundra 35 and Tundra 45.

As promised:

The capacity of the Tundra 35 is 28 quarts 28lbs ice, and the capacity in gallon is 7.2. On the other hand, the tundra 45 has slightly higher quarts at 37.6 quarts 35lbs ice and 9.4-gallon capacity.

The Yeti 35 is portable enough for one person to carry as it weighs just 23lbs when empty. Tundra 45, on the other hand, is quite heavier at 26lbs.

Coming to the number of can storage, Yeti 35 can hold up to 20 cans which is less than the Yeti 45 with 26 can capacity.

Overall, the Tundra 35 is perfect for day use especially if you want a portable cooler you can haul around. While the Tundra 45 accommodates more, it is a sweet spot for people trying to find a middle ground for medium sized coolers. For a day outing and few friends, the 45 will suffice.

Alone? then this cooler perfect for a two-three days trip.

Dimension

The dimensions for the Yeti 35:
21-inch width
16 length
15.5 High

For the Yeti 45:
24.5-inch width
18 length
18.8 High

From the dimensions, you’ll notice the 45 is bigger in terms of width, length, and height. As the 45 is spacious, you have the liberty of packing more items. The 35 is higher walled making it easy to stand bottles upright.

Construction & Build

The Yeti utilized a special type of patented technology to create the toughest ice retaining coolers the world has ever seen. Thanks to the process called rotomolding.

The Tundra 35 and 45 have up to two inches of wall insulation and inside the walls has permafrost insulation which extends ice life. In addition, rotomolding makes the coolers tougher than cheap ice chest you can get in stores. As they are rotomolded, you’d find them relatively heavier than conventional cooler types.

Ice Retention

Thanks to the construction, tight latching mechanism, freezer grade gasket, interlock lid system and thick walls, you can get up to an average 4 days of ice. However, with proper packing and less opening of the chest, some users have reported up to 7 days of ice.

Many reviews have tipped the Tundra 45 to retain ice for longer as it has more capacity. This is a rule of thumb and ice retention depends on many factors with a few I’ve mentioned above. Based on the performance I’d say they are pretty much on the same level.
On an average expect 5-days of ice with either of the Tundra 35 & Tundra 45. We’ve written an article about how to pack your cooler like a stone rocking genius.

Some Accessories You Should Buy For Your Tundra Cooler

Yeti Tundra ice chests come with a dry basket. But we all know we need more than just a dry basket to ensure we pack all our items correctly to have an organized cooler. You’ll need some handy ice chest accessories to arrange your cooler.

Tundra Dividers

Organizing your cooler can save your food from getting crushed and prevent your drinks from catching the whiff of foods like meat, fish, etc. The use of dividers is a sure way to achieve a well-arranged cooler. Yeti dividers come in two types; the vertical and the horizontal. This will help you structure your chest in a way that accessing your items will be a breeze.

Tundra Seat Cushion

After a long time of hauling your coolers under the scorching sun, you’ll need to rest on the lid of your cooler. Well, you can’t sit at least not on a lid that’s as strong as a pellet of wood. Tired as I guess you are? You’ll need the Tundra seat cushion.

According to a user, the cushion is a nice spot to sit on and savor your drinks or food.

Rod Holster

This piece of gear is important for fishing. If you don’t want your lines lying carelessly on the boat floor or sticking out of the boat to the waters, the rod holster is a savvy way to keep rod and lines cast in a position. Simply slide to the anchor point of the tundra and you are good to start exploring the rough waters.

Ice packs

The quality of ice packs and how well you pack your cooler greatly impacts how long your cooler is going to retain ice. Ice packs are better than physical ice as they don’t leave a pool of water after melting. Also, most ice packs are re-freezable meaning you can use them more than once. You’ll need to purchase the best available ice packs on the market.

Yeti Tundra 35 vs Yeti Tundra 45 – Which One Should You Buy?

The major difference between these two models is primarily the shape and size. The Yeti 45 has more can capacity at 26 can, 35lb ice capacity compared to the Yeti tundra 35 which holds just 30 cans and 35lb capacity. Ice retention is closely the same, however, the 45 is slightly better.

The Tundra 45 is a preferable option for users that want the little extra space for longer trips or have company when outing.

In terms of weight, the Tundra 35 is 23lbs while the Tundra 45 is slightly heavier at 26lbs. This makes hauling the 35 easier. The 35 is cubed shaped with higher walls which make for keeping bottles and cans in an upright position a breeze. The 45 is rectangular shaped, the walls aren’t as high as the 35 which means you can’t conveniently pack bottles in a standing position.

Overall, another difference worth mentioning is the price difference. While there isn’t as much difference between the two. Some consumers label Yeti coolers as overpriced, however, some still believe the Yeti is really worth the money. Here’s an article about why yeti coolers are worth it.

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