REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Lightweight
Includes a drain plug
REASONS TO AVOID
Subpar insulation
Awkward to carry
RTIC 20 Review
Portability is the biggest perk of this cooler, though its subpar insulation left us underwhelmed
Credit: RTIC
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Our Verdict
The RTIC 20 is a simple cooler that is lightweight and straightforward to use. It's the perfect size for a quick trip, though we wouldn't recommend taking it along a week-long journey. Its insulation performance was lackluster, and we weren't too impressed with its uncomfortable handle. Unlike many smaller models, it is lock-compatible and includes a drain plug. It also doubles as a chair or stool thanks to its four non-slip rubber feet. Though it's not our best cooler, it's still a decent option that won't break the bank.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
RTIC 20 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Wheeled Cooler on a Budget | Best Traditional Cooler on a Budget | Best Cooler for the Tightest Budgets | ||
| Price | $149 List $134.10 at Amazon | $227 List $239.95 at Amazon | $230 List $229.95 at Amazon | $65 List $64.99 at Amazon | $50 List $47.79 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A personal-sized option that won’t break the bank but performs much like a soft cooler | A durable but heavy wheeled cooler with high-end build quality and convenient features | With reliable performance, this cooler is a great shape, easy to use, and a good value | A capable, no-frills wheeled cooler with mediocre insulation performance and a great price | A decent budget-friendly option for quick trips, but its insulation performance doesn’t hold up after a few days |
| Rating Categories | RTIC 20 | Xspec 45 Towable | Xspec 60qt | Coleman Portable Ro... | Coleman 316 Series 52 |
| Insulation (50%) | |||||
| Durability (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
| Portability (10%) | |||||
| Additional Features (5%) | |||||
| Specs | RTIC 20 | Xspec 45 Towable | Xspec 60qt | Coleman Portable Ro... | Coleman 316 Series 52 |
| Shelf Life of Food (Measured Days Below 40ºF) | 3.3 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 4.1 | 4.0 |
| Days of Cold Beverages (Measured Days Below 50º F) | 3.6 | 6.4 | 6.7 | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Measured Weight | 18.2 Ibs | 34.9 lbs | 30.3 Ibs | 12.5 Ibs | 9.4 Ibs |
| Measured Capacity in Cans | 30 | 69 | 90 | 90 | 74 |
| Measured Capacity | 15 qt | 48.7 qt | 57 qt | 52 qt | 44 qt |
| Advertised Capacity | 20 qt | 45 qt | 60 qt | 50 qt | 52 qt |
| Measured Internal Maximum Body Height | 10.8" | 16.1" | 13.0" | 14.0" | 13.0" |
| Does it Fit a Wine or 2L Bottle Standing Upright? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Measured Exterior Dimensions (L x W x H) | 21.5" x 13.5" x 15.0" | 23.2" x 19.2" W x 21.0" | 29.5" x 17.0" x 18.0" | 22.8" x 17.8" D x 17.6" | 26.0" x 14.5" x 17.7" |
| Drain Plugs | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Outer Construction | Rotomolded | Rotomolded | Rotomolded | Blow-molded Plastic (non-rotomolded) | Blow-molded Plastic (non-rotomolded) |
| Inner Construction | Pressure-injected polyurethane | Manufacturer lists '3" roto-molded insulation' |
Manufacturer lists 'Integrated insulation' | Xtreme® technology | Pressure-injected polyurethane |
| Warranty | 5 Years | 30 Day Return Policy Only | 1 Year - Limited | 1 Year | 5 Years |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The RTIC 20 measures in at 15 quarts, the ideal size for up to two people. It's rotomolded and includes a padded metal handle that swings over the top of the lid. It weighs in at 18 pounds, making it one of the lightest options in our lineup. However, its awkward handle makes it a bit challenging to tow around.
Performance Comparison
The RTIC 20 can be awkward to carry.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Insulation
The RTIC 20 didn't necessarily impress us with its insulation performance. It lasted 3.3 days under 40º F and 3.6 under 50º F. The FDA recommends keeping food under 40º F for optimum freshness and safety, so we used this as one of our key values. Likewise, 50º F represents the ideal refreshment temperature. Due to its small size, you likely won't be packing up for a week-long journey. With that in mind, the mediocre insulation performance might not matter all that much. Should you simply need something for the day or overnight, the RTIC 20 will do just fine.
The RTIC 20 is the perfect size to fit the day's refreshments or snacks.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Durability
The small RTIC 20 has four rubber gripper feet that help keep it from sliding around. Thanks to this, it can be used as a stool or chair, albeit a small chair, but a place to sit nonetheless. The model is not watertight and is prone to leaks and splashes after the ice has melted, which makes transporting it around a bit tedious. In addition, we read reports of the plug being faulty. However, we didn't experience any issues with this.
The 20 has well-made latches. However, should they break, more can be purchased through RTIC.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The RTIC was one of the few models we tested that was actually larger than advertised. The cooler claims to hold 24 cans. When in reality, we were able to sneak 30 cans into this 15-quart model. Opening the ice chest is fairly straightforward. Like many others, it has rubber t-shaped handles that keep the lid snugly shut. The lid stays open on its own beyond a 90º angle, so you won't need to worry about it closing on your hand while reaching for a snack. However, the handle must be in its down-facing position for this to work. Though it's not too tedious, moving it out of the way is just one extra step you must take before opening the cooler.
The 20 has the classic t-shaped latch rubber handles that are fairly straightforward to use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Many smaller coolers don't include drain plugs since they can easily be lifted and shaken to empty. However, the RTIC is one of the few that includes one. We appreciate this extra feature as it makes letting out excess water a breeze. If you want to add more ice, you won't need to empty the contents prior to pouring out the water. Instead, you can simply open the valve and let it do the work for you.
The RTIC 20 includes a drain plug. Keep an eye on it, though! It doesn't have a leash to keep it attached.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Portability
The RTIC is one of the lightest coolers in our lineup, weighing in at roughly 18 pounds. For it's small size, it feels a bit heavy and awkward. We found it easiest to carry it with our arms extended and the cooler resting against our legs. It has a padded metal handle that swings over the top of the lid to make the grip a bit more manageable. However, we wish it had more than one option to carry it. It doesn't have any extra handles, and the metal bar is too short to carry over your forearms. All things considered, its small size makes it easier to move around.
The best way to carry the RTIC 20 is by letting it rest on your leg while walking. Still not the most comfortable, but it worked.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Additional Features
This model is fairly straightforward. It doesn't include the bells and whistles that its larger competitors have. However, it is lock-compatible and includes a drain plug, which many of its sizes do not include. It is also available in four colors. Should you need it, RTIC backs the 20 with a one-year warranty. Plus, additional parts can be purchased in case of broken parts or a lost drain plug.
The RTIC 20 opens beyond a 90-degree angle, so you won't need to worry about it closing on your hand when reaching for a snack.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy The RTIC 20?
The RTIC 20 is a great option for 1-2 people that's fairly inexpensive. It is among the lightest in our lineup and is fairly easy to transport. Though it's a smaller model, it still includes some of the great features that most larger models have, like a drain plug and lock compatibility. This is a great quick trip option, though we wouldn't recommend taking it out for more than a few days.
The RTIC 20 is a decent 1-2 person option, though it likely won't fit enough for an entire week-long road trip.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
What Other Coolers Should You Consider?
It's hard to beat the price of the Coleman 316. This cooler performs similarly to the RTIC 20 but has a slightly longer insulation performance. On the other hand, if you're searching for a premium option, the Rovr RollR is worth taking a peek at. This unique option can be towed behind a bike as it has two large burly wheels.
The RTIC 20 is wide enough to double as a stool or chair, but it's still small enough to make it easily portable.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
—
Genaveve Bradshaw and Rebecca Glades
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