26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35 Review
26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35
Orca Cooler Sizes vs Yeti Cooler Sizes
These two top rated coolers are like Burger King vs McDonalds or Coke vs Pepsi. If you’re on the market for an ultra-durable roto molded cooler, Orcas and Tundras are both great choices. In the second part of our “Orca Cooler Sizes vs Yeti Cooler Sizes Series,” we’ll tackle the 26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler Comparison.
Overview & Navigation
26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35
At Chuggie, our mission is to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision. Because of that, our cooler reviews include important aspects such as:
True Capacity, Weight, and Dimensions
26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35
26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler Comparison
Orca Cooler Sizes vs Yeti Cooler Sizes
Of course, true capacity varies among different brands of high end ice chests. Another key point is that Yeti doesn’t use numbers to claim capacity.
Instead, the numbers represent the “Series Number.”
Since the Orca 26 Quart Cooler and the Yeti Tundra 35 are closest in capacity, they’re a good fit for a side-by-side cooler comparison.
Weight, True Capacity, and Dimensions of the Orca 26 Quart
True Capacity, Weight, and Dimensions of the Yeti Tundra 35
• True Capacity: 26 Quarts
• Exterior Dimensions: L: 23.75″ x W: 17.5″ x H: 14.75″
• Interior Dimensions: L: 16.5″ x W: 12.25″ x H: 10″
• Weight: 19 lbs
True Capacity, Weight, and Dimensions of the Yeti Tundra 35
• True Capacity: 28 Quarts
• Exterior Dimensions: L: 15.25″ x W: 21″ x H: 16″
• Interior Dimensions: L” 10″ x W: 14″ x H: 9.5″
• Weight: 20 lbs
26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35:
Construction
Both of these best rated rotomolded coolers have fantastic construction. But in the 26 Quart Orca Cooler vs Yeti Tundra 35 standoff, how do they compare?
First, we’ll look at Yeti’s construction.
Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler Construction
1. Marine-grade rope handles
2. Rubber handle on rope handles
3. Detachable drain plug
halfway to control the flow
4. Removable dry goods basket included
5. Molded in handles
6. “T-Rex” Rubber Latches
7. Slip-Resistant Feet
8. Rotomolded with integrated insulation
9. Riveted pin system
10. Rubber gasket
Orca Cooler Construction
1. Durable nylon cord handles with a rubber grip point
2. “Whale Tail” rubber latches
3. Dry goods baskets are not included in the price
4. Molded in handles
5. Somewhat slippery feet (solve this with a slip resistant pad)
6. Roto molded with integrated insulation
7. Pin system for hinges
8. Built-in cargo pocket
9. Rubber gasket
10. Detachable drain plug
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3 Differences in Construction to Be Aware Of
As you can see, both of these mighty beasts are constructed in similar ways, with just a few differences.
- Orca Ice Chests have thicker insulation. In fact, their foam insulation is 30% thicker than the Yeti Roadie’s!
- Also, Orca Coolers have an outer mesh pocket for storage.
- Yeti’s drain plugs have a hole in them, while the Orca’s do not.
2 Very Small Differences in Construction
First, their handles are made from slightly different materials.
To be honest?
Basically, they’re the same.
The 4 Ultra-Strong Characteristics of the 26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35
- The plastic that makes up their body and lid, which is called “polyethylene,” is their secret weapon.
- Also, the riveted pin system keeps their hinges right where they belong.
- Finally, rotomolded pieces of equipment are among the strongest in the world.
- Another similarity is that they’re both Certified Grizzly Bear proof.
Video #1: YETI Coolers vs Slingshot
Not to mention the two more videos like this one!
The 26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35
Why They Both Have the Same Level of Usability
There are several similarities in how these coolers are user-friendly…and how they aren’t. First, here are the similarities:
- Their lids *may* snap shut unexpectedly.
- Another shared feature is their long handles; these make two-person carrying easier.
- Another similarity is that they’re both heavy compared to other high end ice coolers on the market.
Now for the differences:
- Although both coolers have screw-on, detachable drain plugs, we prefer the Yeti’s plug.
- Second, Yeti drain plug has a hole on the screw-on part, so you can partially unscrew it to slow down the water flow.
- Thirdly, it’s easier to store small items you want to keep dry in the Orca, since it has a side mesh pocket.
- Lastly, Orca Cooler’s feet can be slippery on wet surfaces, like on a boat.
Overall, the pros and cons of each brand of ice chest weigh each other out. So we’re calling a tie in the 26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35 “usability” section.
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Ice Retention
26 Quart Orca Cooler vs Yeti Tundra 35
On average, the Orca 26 Quart will hold ice for at least two days longer than a Yeti Tundra 35. No matter which cooler you choose to buy, ice retention ultimately depends on many factors. (Such as pre-cooling, ice packs vs ice, ambient temperature, etc.)
Although the “20 Quart Orca vs Yeti Roadie Cooler Comparison Video” below is between different cooler sizes, it does a great job of showing how well Orca Coolers hold ice.
*A key point in this ice test challenge is that the Yeti Roadie had an advantage of being pre-cooled longer. But it still lost the ice chest challenge.
Accessories
26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35
Yeti Tundra 35’s Accessories: The Top 6
Yeti Coolers accessory collection is as wide and varied as Orca Cooler accessories:
- MOLLE Zinger with YETI Bottle Key Opener
- Yeti Trucker Hats
- Yeti Fishing Rod Holster Attachment
- Wall Mounted Bottle Opener
- Drain Plug Hose Connection
Orca 26 Quart’s Accessories
Although each of these high end cooler brands offer fantastic accessories, Orca blows Yeti out of the water with their molle wrap system.
Overall, it’s the Orca Gear Molle System that reigns supreme. This molle system will securely hold:
- Cell phone
- First Aid Kit
- Flashlight Holder
- Pistol Holder
- Hybrid System Solar Panel
- Shot Shell Holder
- Quad Mag Holder
- Mini tac-vest koozie
Dry Ice Compatibility
26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler Comparison
Using Dry Ice in 26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35
Both of these high end rotomolded coolers are 100% dry ice compatible! In fact, they’re two of the best ice chests for using with dry ice.
Using dry ice will keep your contents frozen, which is great for fishing and hunting weekends.
Where Are Yeti and Orca Cooler Made?
26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35
Where are Yeti Coolers made?
It’s a myth that Yeti Coolers are 100% American-made. Sure, their head quarters are in Texas. And Yeti manufactures some of their coolers in Wisconsin and Iowa.
But they also have large factories in the Philippines where most of the manufacturing occurs.
Even so, you can give Yeti a call and request a 100% American-made product. (Contact Yeti Customer Service at 512.394.9384 to request a Yeti made only on USA soil.)
Orca Coolers “are proud to be Americans, where at least they know they’re free…”
In contrast, Orca Ice Chests are made, produced, and manufactured in the good ol’ USA. (Orca Podsters and Orca Chasers are not.)
Price
26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35
Both of these top rated coolers cost about the same.
Usually, you can find an Orca 26 Quart Cooler for a little less than a Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler. However, the differences in price are small.
So, in the “26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler Sizes Review,” this is a tie. In short, these are two of the best high end rotomolded coolers.
They’re both worth an investment of a lifetime.
Warranty
26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35
- Yeti Tundra 35 Warranty: 5 Years
- Orca 26 Quart Warranty: Lifetime
Colors, Patterns, & Collegiate Designs
Orca Cooler Sizes vs Yeti Cooler Sizes
#1. 26 Quart Orca Cooler vs Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler “Classic Colors”
Since both brands offer different categories of colors and designs, we’ll break it down for an easier comparison. First, each brand offers a “classic” color selection.
Yeti Tunda’s 3 Classic Colors
Now the Yeti Tundra 35 comes in 3 classic colors: Desert Tan, White, and Ice Blue.
Orca 26 Quart’s 8 Classic Colors
In contrast, the Orca 26 Quart has 8 colors to choose from: Pink, Green, Navy, Black, Pink, Light Blue, Seafoam, and White.
#2. 26 Quart Orca Cooler vs Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler “Collegiate Coolers”
Orca 26 Quart’s Collegiate Coolers & Tumblers
In Orca’s collection of high end rotomolded coolers, there are 17 Collegiate Coolers. If you visit Orca’s website, you’ll find the entire collection!
Yeti Tundra 35’s Collegiate Coolers & Tumblers
Now it’s Yeti’s time to shine, since they offer a whopping 64 different Collegiate Coolers!
Additionally, they offer their Rambler Tumbler Cups with a selection of 64 college’s symbols on the front side. Unlike the Collegiate Coolers, you’ll need to buy these direction from Yeti’s website.
So, who wins the 26 Quart Orca vs Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler Standoff?
If you’re willing to make an investment, we believe the 26 qt Orca Cooler is the best cooler for the money.
It has the same great features as the Yeti Tundra 35, but also has better qualities:
- Lifetime Warranty
- Better Ice Retention
- Color Availability
- Made 100% in the U.S.
However, we also think you’d be happy purchasing a Yeti Tundra. It isn’t as though you’d buy a Yeti Cooler and find yourself shaking your head thinking, “I sure am disappointed in my Yeti.”
On the other hand, Yeti is the best cooler for the money if:
- If you know your new discount Yeti cooler will take lots of beatings over the years.
- Or, you really want one of the collegiate coolers offered by Yeti.
>>Watch Grizzly Bear Fails against the Orca and Yeti!<<
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