Table of Contents
- What are Rotomolded coolers?
- What is the benefit of purchasing a rotomolded cooler?
- What are the best Roto molded coolers?
- Why are Rotomolded coolers so expensive?
- Is rotomolded cooler worth the money?
- Who makes the best Rotomolded cooler?
- Which is the smallest roto molded cooler?
- Which is the best rotomolded cooler for the money?
What are Rotomolded coolers?
In simple words, the plastic structure of a rotomolded cooler is formed using a rotational Mold in a 450 degrees Celsius hot oven. This method is used in the manufacturing of hollow plastic structures like coolers and kayaks.
For Instance, You might have heard about injection molding before (which is cheaper than roto molding), rotational molding is another type of molding which molds a plastic structure that is more heavier but uniform throughout its design but highly durable than the injection molded products.
Moreover, Rotomolding process takes time to complete, it takes time to melt the plastic and form uniform layers with each rotation, which makes it a little bit of an expensive method and increases the price of coolers. In Conclusion, the list that we have prepared below is of Best and Cheapest rotomolded coolers that are worth the money in 2022.
List of Best and CheApest rotomolded coolers of 2022
| Brand | Image | Model | Capacity | Made in | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Orca |
  |
Orca 20 |
20 Quart |
|
|
|
Orca |
  |
Orca 26 |
26 Quart |
|
|
|
Orca |
  |
Orca 40 |
40 Quart |
|
|
|
Orca |
  |
Orca 58 |
58 Quart |
|
|
|
Orca |
  |
Orca 75 |
75 Quart |
|
|
|
Orca |
  |
Orca 140 |
140 Quart |
|
|
|
Yeti |
  |
Roadie 24 |
18 Cans |
|
|
|
Yeti |
  |
Tundra 35 |
21 to 30 Cans |
|
|
|
Yeti |
  |
Tundra 45 |
28 to 36 Cans |
|
|
|
Yeti |
  |
Tundra 65 |
42 to 50 Cans |
|
|
|
Yeti |
|
48 to 56 Cans |
|
||
|
Yeti |
|
Tundra 75 |
57 to 70 Cans |
|
|
|
RTIC |
|
RTIC 20 |
22 Quarts |
|
|
|
RTIC |
|
RTIC 45 |
45 Quarts |
|
|
|
RTIC |
|
RTIC 65 |
65 Quarts |
|
|
|
RTIC |
|
RTIC 110 |
110 Quarts |
|
USA
$199-220 >Check Price
PH and Aus
China
Details about Rotomolding process-
If you have watched those commercials of coolers surviving the wrath of a Grizzly bear trying to open a cooler left unattended at the camping sites; a 500 pound person jumping on the cooler, you must have wondered how could a plastic made cooler be this tough. And the answer for your curiosity is a Rotomolded cooler.
This is the reason, coolers of these days can last decades and this might be your first and last cooler of a lifetime. Additionally, this is also the reason you will find our best picks be expensive than Cheapest as claimed. To get the cheapest Rotomolded coolers you will have to buy coolers that are made in China which we will leave it to your preference.
Since the plastic is molded in a mold that is rotating, plastic forms an even layer on top of the previous one, making it uniform and solid, free of porosity or uneven structures leaving weak spots. Uniformity of the structure adds a good insulation property to the cooler.
This technology is being used in many products like slides in the play areas, Water storage, plastic barriers used by traffic authorities, storage containers and so on.
It is a 4 step process:
- Fill up mold with the Plastic granules- Mold is attached to the rotating robotic arm.
- Put the rotating mold in a hot oven.
- After a certain time, move out and cool the mold.
- Remove the Product from the mold.
Roto molded vs Injection molded coolers
Deciding between a rotomolded and injection molded cooler can be tough. Both have their pros and cons, so it really depends on what you’re looking for in a cooler. In general, rotomolded coolers are more durable and have better ice retention, while injection molded coolers are lighter and more affordable. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the differences:
Rotomolded coolers are made from adding a plastic into a rotating mold which creates a single and uniform piece of plastic, which makes them extremely durable. They’re also better at retaining ice, so they’re ideal for long camping trips or days spent at the beach. However, they’re often heavier than injection molded coolers and can be more expensive.
Injection molded coolers are made by injecting plastic into a mold. This makes them lighter than rotomolded coolers, which is ideal if you’re looking for something to take on short hikes or picnics. They’re also more affordable, but they don’t retain ice as well and aren’t as durable.
Ultimately, the decision between a rotomolded and injection molded cooler comes down to your needs. If you’re looking for something tough and long-lasting, go with a rotomolded cooler. If you want something light and affordable, go with an injection molded cooler.
What is the benefit of purchasing a rotomolded cooler?
Though heavier and expensive, it is the strongest cooler that you can have.
Coolers made using a rotomolded process are durable and can last decades.
It may not be cheapest but its overall structure is solid and can withstand any kind of abuse.
However, Insulation capability of the plastic structure is improved and best in the group, More strength and more Insulation capacity add up to make the best cooler which lasts long and retains Ice for longer.
What are the best Roto molded coolers?
Yeti, Orca, RTIC and Grizzly are the major brands that are manufacturing best rotomolded coolers and also known for great quality.
Cheapest Rotomolded coolers are from RTIC since those are manufactured in China.
Pelican is one of the bigger names in the cooler industry but we have not found any lead that their coolers are manufactured using roto mold technology. They have a roto molding machinery used to produce other pelican products, like heavy built suitcase but we are not sure if they are also rotomolding the coolers.
If you are interested in Pelican Coolers, it is worth noting that those are not cheapest, rather those are as expensive as Yeti coolers.
Apart from that, we stick to Yeti, Orca, RTIC and Grizzly brand coolers to share our top picks in the list of rotomolded coolers. We have prepared a summary table which is given below, it will give you the perfect idea based on your needs and also redirect you to their web pages where you can make a purchase.
Why are Rotomolded coolers so expensive?
Rotomolded coolers are expensive, for good reasons
- It is a slow process than injection molding, Igloo and Coleman coolers are injection molded coolers which helps them make good and cheapest coolers in the industry.
- Though it is slow, rotomolded coolers are more durable and built to last, that makes them valuable over other cheaper coolers that are injection molded.
- Manufacturing location – if a rotomolding factory is located in a country that has expensive labour rates like the USA and Europe, coolers will be expensive. This is the reason not many major brands manufacture rotomolded coolers in the USA. Asian countries like China have cheapest labor cost, no wonder RTIC has a manufacturing unit in China.
- Roto molded coolers help to insulate temperature better than other types of coolers, that makes it valuable.
Overall, the value that roto molded cooler adds, justifies how expensive those coolers are.
Is rotomolded cooler worth the money?
Yes, if you are looking for a cooler that will last decades, you need to buy a rotomolded cooler.
It is built to last lifetimes, and these are the best coolers that anyone can buy. Roto molded coolers are heavier but strong, expensive but will pay off the money over the period of time.
Rotomolded cooler is the real cooler that gives you better ice retention times and high durability.
Who makes the best Rotomolded cooler?
Yeti, Orca, Grizzly, RTIC.
These are the brands that are well known for high quality and best rotomolded coolers.
When it comes to build quality of a rotomolded cooler, we are refraining ourselves of calling any single brand the best among the list, because, technology that is making these coolers is same and decision comes down to the design and accessories that are offered by these brands.
As far as durability is concerned, nobody has really done the strength testing of these coolers but if you buy a rotomolded cooler made from one of these brands, be assured that you will not need another rotomolded cooler in your lifetime.
Amazon has also jumped into the competition of rotomolded coolers with their “Amazoncommercial” branding on a previously known Super Handy cooler. We have not tested this cooler yet and we would ask you guys to provide your inputs and comments if you have already used it.
If you want to find which is the best, you already have an answer to this question in the “rotomolded cooler comparison” table. The best cooler is the one that fits your needs.
Which is the smallest roto molded cooler?
Orca 20 Quarts and RTIC 20 are the best smallest Roto molded coolers in the market. The capacity of both the coolers is not the same, Orca 20 quarts can fit 18 cans whereas RTIC 20 can hold 24 cans as advertised by the manufacturers. Even the price difference is considerable, Orca 20 quarts costs around $199 whereas, RTIC 20 costs somewhere around $129. (Prices may increase in Summer time).
Which is the best rotomolded cooler for the money?
It is the battle between RTIC, ORCA, Grizzly and YETI. Since all 4 of the manufacturers use rotomolding technology, durability and build quality of all coolers will be pretty much the same. 
Among these 3 brands, RTIC is cheaper and gives more value for the money. But if you are purchasing a cooler in the mid of a summer, get ready for an unexpected price hike.
It is not just about the price, we have considered other parameters like size of the cooler and which brand has made the best design without compromising (or with less compromisation) on the ice retention capabilities.
RTIC can accommodate a few more cans compared to Orca and Yeti because of the smaller wall thickness of the cooler walls.
Does it make any difference?
RTIC may have a lesser ice retention than ORCA and Yeti, but that doesn’t make RTIC inferior to any other coolers on the market.
If you need rotomolded coolers that can hold ice for more than 6 days, you should go for Yeti or Pelican coolers, and if you are good with ice retention of close to 4-5 days, RTIC will give you the best value for the money you spend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are rotomolded coolers better than other Hard coolers?
Rotomolded coolers are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why. Rotomolded coolers perform better than the Injection molded coolers for Below reasons –
1. Rotomolded coolers are molded to form a single and consistent piece of material, so there are no weak spots or seams that can leak or break.
2. They offer superior durability and performance compared to traditional hard coolers. This makes them much more resistant to wear and tear, and they’re also better at insulating your food and drinks.
3. In addition, rotomolded coolers typically have thicker walls than injection molded hard coolers, providing even better insulation.
4. And because they’re made in a mold, rotomolded coolers can have complex shapes that provide more space for storage.
Whether you’re looking for a rugged cooler for camping or a sleek option for tailgating, rotomolded coolers are the way to go.
Are all Rotomolded coolers the same?
In the world of coolers, there are many different types and brands to choose from. When it comes to rotomolded coolers, however, are all of them the same? In short, the answer is no. While rotomolded coolers share some similarities, there are also key differences that set them apart.
Rotomolded coolers often have thicker walls and the best gaskets, and it boils down to individual design and quality of materials to make a unique product. As a result, rotomolded coolers tend to be more expensive than other types of coolers.
Tip – Check the Weight per Quarts of the cooler. It will give you a rough Idea on the amount of material gone into making this cooler. Higher the number is, Higher the Ice retention will be. Obviously, design plays the bigger role but if you are considering the top brands then design will not be an issue.
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