REASONS TO BUY
Variety of color options
Highly portable
Convenient size
REASONS TO AVOID
Mediocre insulation
Poor value
RTIC Ultra-Light 22 Review
A great choice for a short trip or a solo traveler, though we think a few tweaks would make this product stand out even more
Credit: Matt Lighthart
By Kolby Anderson ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 1, 2025
Contributions From: Genaveve Bradshaw
RELATED: The Best Coolers of 2026
Our Verdict
For those looking for a highly portable, well-built cooler for individual use or a quick day trip, the RTIC Ultra-Light 22 is a feature-packed cooler that checks many boxes. We feel like those looking for an upgraded lunchbox would love the RTIC. Although it delivered average performance in our insulation testing, it keeps things cool for over three days, which is adequate for many different use cases. The lid features a freezer-grade gasket and a built-in silicone pocket that is convenient for storing small things. The RTIC is pretty expensive for the capacity you get, so if you're on a tight budget, the Ultra-Light 22 may not be the right cooler for you. Review our full review of the best coolers on the market to learn more about the range of choices available today.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
RTIC Ultra-Light 22 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Compact Hard Cooler |  Best Cooler for Everyday Use |  Incredible Portability and Value | Best High-Capacity Cooler | |
| Price | $139 List Check Price at Amazon | $75 List Check Price at Amazon | $75 List Check Price at Amazon | $50 List Check Price at Amazon | $115 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A great choice for a short trip or a solo traveler, though we think a few tweaks would make this product stand out even more | A roomy, easy-rolling cooler that trades rugged refinement for real-world value and usability | This lightweight wheeled cooler gets the job done on a tight budget and offers adequate insulation performance that keeps items cool for just a few days | This lightweight cooler will keep your wallet happy but is prone to leaks and poor insulation performance | This cooler has a more approachable price tag, but durability is a concern |
| Rating Categories | RTIC Ultra-Light 22 | Coleman Classic Seri... | Coleman Xtreme 50 wi... | Coleman Classic Seri... | Igloo Polar 120 |
| Insulation (35%) | |||||
| Moving & Lifting (35%) | |||||
| Packable Space (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | RTIC Ultra-Light 22 | Coleman Classic Seri... | Coleman Xtreme 50 wi... | Coleman Classic Seri... | Igloo Polar 120 |
| Food Safe Days | 3.4 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.6 |
| Cold Drink Days | 3.8 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 5.0 |
| Measured Weight | 11.6 lbs | 13.8 lbs | 12.5 lbs | 9.4 lbs | 18.0 lbs |
| Measured Exterior Dimensions | 19.5” × 11.5” × 16.1” | 22.5" x 16.9" x 21.3" | 22.8" x 17.8" x 17.6" | 26.0" x 14.5" x 17.7" | 38.3" x 17.4" x 18" |
| Measured Can Capacity | 38 | 96 | 90 | 74 | 186 |
| Wheels | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Features | Built-in bottle opener, lockable, tie down slots, internal storage pocket | Closed lid supports up to 250 lb, cup holders with drains, stain-resistant liner | 4 molded-in cup holders in lid | Lid supports up to 250 lbs | Molded ruler on lid, handles can be used as tie-down loops |
| Measured Capacity | 28.0 qt | 62.3 qt | 52.0 qt | 44.0 qt | 118.0 qt |
| Upright Wine Bottle Fit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Measured Internal Height | 12.5" | 19.5" | 14.0" | 13.0" | 13.3" |
| Outer Construction | Polypropylene (PP) | Blow-molded plastic (non-rotomolded) | Blow-molded plastic (non-rotomolded) | Blow-molded plastic (non-rotomolded) | Polyurethane |
| Inner Construction | Up to 2.4’’ of closed-cell foam insulation | TempLock™ FX insulation | Xtreme technology | TempLock™ FX insulation in the lid | Ultratherm® insulation |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The RTIC Ultra-Light 22 features a 2-in-1 adjustable strap that also functions as a handle. The silicone T-latches that secure the lid are rubbery and a little stretchy, making it easy to open and close. It's compatible with many RTIC brand wine bottle holders, baskets, and dividers, allowing you to customize it for your use case. This cooler features a built-in stainless steel bottle opener, which is located right next to where you can lock the cooler. It has tie-down slots to secure it while traveling, and we loved the clever silicone storage pocket on the underside of the lid.
The strap on the RTIC Ultra-Light 22 is quite comfortable for carrying short distances. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Insulation
The manufacturer claims that the RTIC Ultra-Light 22 can last up to six days if you follow their ice retention tips, which is not part of our insulation performance testing but something to keep in mind. The Ultra-Light 22 maintained 40 degrees or lower for just under three and a half days, and within a few hours, 50 degrees came and went too. This performance is below average compared to all the other coolers we tested.
During our insulation performance testing, two iButton sensors are placed inside a mason jar to monitor temperatures inside each cooler. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Moving and Lifting
At 11.6 lbs, the RTIC Ultra-Light lives up to its name, being one of the lightest coolers that we reviewed. Tester Gena Bradshaw said, “I love the shoulder strap! The padding is comfy and eases the impact on my shoulder, and I could carry it comfortably even when wearing a tank top.” The convenient size of this cooler makes it very manageable for just about anyone to haul around. Although the strap is great, we wish it had molded-in handles as an alternative method for carrying it. This cooler seals quite well when latched shut, showing barely any signs of leaking when tilted side to side or lying on its side.
The RTIC Ultra-Light is one of the easiest coolers to lift. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Packable Space
RTIC claims the capacity of the Ultra-Light 22 can fit 30 cans. We had success fitting 38 12-ounce cans total, though this required a bit of Tetris. Its internal height of 12.5 inches can also accommodate a bottle of wine upright inside. It can fit up to eight wine bottles, making this cooler the life of the party. The nifty silicone net pocket on the lid's backside is great for small items.
The Ultra-Light 22 a great party cooler, with enough space to for 38 cans. Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw
Ease of Use
Although the RTIC Ultra-Light 22 doesn't have any handles molded into the cooler's body, there is enough of a lip on it to grab onto if necessary. We like the 2-in-1 carrying strap, which is made of a durable webbing material and features a neoprene handle for comfort. The strap is fully adjustable and can be shortened into a handle.
When the weekend is over and it's time to store the Ultra-Light 22, it keeps things simple with a convenient rectangular shape and small storage footprint.
RTIC claims the can capacity of the Ultra-Light 22 is 30, we were able to fit 38 cans. Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the RTIC Ultra-Light 22?
The RTIC Ultra-Light 22 is a highly portable cooler with some nifty features and solid build quality for a solo-sized lunchbox cooler or a lightweight beverage hauler for your next hangout. The insulation performance is average at best, but if your regular use case is three days or less, the RTIC has you covered. If your outings involve a fair amount of food and drinks, the capacity of the Ultra-Light 22 might not be enough space for you.
The lid of the RTIC 22 features a freezer-grade gasket that does a great job keeping cold air and water inside the cooler. Credit: Matt Lighthart
What Other Coolers Should You Consider?
If you need a lot more space than the RTIC 22 has to offer, we recommend checking out the RTIC Ultralight 52, which offers a large upgrade in capacity without a massive jump in price. If a wheeled cooler is more your speed, you can get the Xspec 45 Towable within that same price range. The Xspec is an excellent cooler that scored well in every metric we tested. Check out our in-depth review of the best coolers on the market so you can feel confident spending your money on the right cooler.
The RTIC has several convenient accessories, including a bottle opener and a tethered drain plug.
—Kolby Anderson and Genaveve Bradshaw
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