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Though only about average in our insulation tests, the RTIC 65 has a rugged and robust design to help even the scale. Like so many coolers, the RTIC touts a familiar design with impressive functionality that makes it both durable and incredibly useful. With two drains, comfortable handles, a large capacity, an easy to use design, the RTIC might be the cooler you've been looking for.
REASONS TO BUY
Very durable
Good insulation
Comfortable handle grips
REASONS TO AVOID
A bit large for one person
No leash for plug
Latches are too stretchy
It Costs How Much??
RTIC's tagline of “overbuilt, not overpriced” is more variable than we expected. While it's commonly sold at online retailers for a significant discount below its list price, it also frequently spikes higher than the competition, making the timing of your purchase more important than usual. If you find a great deal, we think this cooler is worth the money, but the price hasn't been consistent here.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The RTIC 65 is fairly easy to get in and out of thanks to its hassle-free lid and t-shaped latches. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Insulation
As a beefy rotomolded cooler with a freezer-style gasket, it's no surprise that the RTIC performed well during our intensive insulation testing. In our temperature-controlled room, the temperature was maintained at FDA-approved safe food temperatures below 40º F for 5.5 days. The RTIC also kept its contents at a refreshing 50ºF or lower for roughly 6 days.
However impressive these numbers are, the RTIC lost to just a few extremely impressive coolers. It also didn't live up to its claim of 10 days at ice-cold temperatures, though that claim is under far less harsh conditions than the way we torture-tested these coolers. Still, this will get you through a long weekend and any day trip outing.
The RTIC 65 keeps beverages chilly for up to 6 days. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Moving and Lifting
Just like the other coolers of its size and lacking wheels, the RTIC will never be your favorite piece of gear to cart around. Empty, it weighs nearly 35 pounds. Though the indented side handles make it doable for a single person to move an empty RTIC from shelf to shelf in the garage, two people best handle the weight and width of this cooler.
Fortunately, the RTIC double-carry handles are fitted with squishy foam grips to make carrying this fully-loaded beast a bit more doable. These handles were favorites among our testers as being useful and comfortable, easily used with one hand or two, and sweat-wicking for those hot days. Despite its overall size and bulk, the RTIC isn't too bad to carry — as long as you don't have to go too far.
The RTIC has thick grippy foam handles that make transporting it slightly easier. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Packable Space
The lid easily stays open for quick loading and unloading, and we measured the capacity of this icebox as a bit larger than advertised — 67 quarts, rather than 65. This extra volume lets you fit more delicious things in your cooler, and the simple interior shape accommodates a wide range of items.
The RTIC 65 is large enough to hold lots of refreshments, snacks, and even upright wine bottles. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
The RTIC earned one of the highest scores in this metric, as we find it exceptionally easy to use. It has two drain plugs to quickly empty liquid contents. Its flexible rubber latches also set it apart, as they are easier to maneuver than the similar rubber latches of several other models. We asked a four-year-old to open and close every cooler we tested, and the RTIC was one of the few deemed “easy.”
Like many of the other t-shaped latches, these are easy to grasp but are more flexible than the rest. Credit: Abriah Wofford
While we appreciate the efficiency of having two drains, only one of them has a channel to help get every last drop out of the RTIC. Additionally, there's no included dry bin with this cooler, like there is with numerous other models we tested. Overall though, we think the RTIC is a very user-friendly cooler for people of many ages and with a wide variety of stuff in their hands.
The RTIC includes an easy-to-use drain plug. However, it doesn't have a leash so you'll want to keep an eye on it. Credit: Abriah Wofford
The RTIC has several features that we find helpful, including non-skid feet and tie-down slots that still allow you to open the cooler while it's secured. It's also dry ice compatible and has a slightly textured lid, adding a small amount of traction to items placed on top.
The RTIC does not come with a leash for either of the two drain plugs, which makes them easy to lose. At the time of writing, RTIC offers an impressive 5-year warranty against manufacturer defects.
The RTIC is large enough that you might need to grab a friend to help you transport it. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should you buy the RTIC 65?
Though the RTIC is still a few hundred dollars, it's significantly less than other similar models while performing better. Despite its fluctuating list price, it's often sold for much less at other retailers. However, its price seems to change just about every week, ranging from a really good value to a price higher than some better-performing models we tested. But if you can time your RTIC purchase just right, you're in for a high return on investment and a cooler that's built to work well and for a long time.
Digging around for goodies in the RTIC 65. Credit: Abriah Wofford
What other coolers should you consider?
The Rovr RollR 60 is one of the more unique options in our lineup. It has hefty back wheels that can easily roll over sand, gravel, and asphalt. Additionally, it has some of the best features we've seen, including pop-up lid storage. For a budget-friendly option, the RTIC Ultralight 52 is a decent weekend companion. The money saved can be put towards filling it up with all sorts of goodies, and you'll still get excellent insulation performance.
The RTIC 65 is durable and high-performing, yet it doesn't cost nearly as much as some of its competitors. Credit: Abriah Wofford
