The RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler is our best ultra-light wheeled cooler pick, and it scored 84 out of 100 in our testing.
A wheeled cooler that costs far less than the YETI Roadie and is about 30 percent lighter than rotomolded, though its cold hold is a touch shorter.
An ultra light wheeled 52 quart with a stainless axle and smooth bearings that pulls easily and undercuts the wheeled YETI on price.
First things first:
We tested it head to head against the other top coolers, and below we break down how it did on Value for Money, Ease of Use, Durability/Workmanship, Portability, Insulation, where it falls short, and whether it is worth your money.
Table of Contents
Best Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler
RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler
- Capacity: 52 qt
- Empty weight: about 30 lb
- Ice capacity: up to about 53 lb
- Insulation: up to 2.5 in closed cell foam
- Wheels: stainless axle, bearings
- Seal: o ring
- Real ice life: about 3 to 5 days
- Claimed ice life: up to 7 days
Bottom Line : A wheeled cooler that costs far less than the YETI Roadie and is about 30 percent lighter than rotomolded, though its cold hold is a touch shorter.
Pros
- Much cheaper than YETI Roadie
- Light at about 30 lb
- Smooth rolling stainless axle
- O ring sealed lid
Cons
- Shorter cold hold than YETI
- Not full rotomolded
- Claimed 7 day ice is optimistic
Our Verdict: RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler
A wheeled cooler that costs far less than the YETI Roadie and is about 30 percent lighter than rotomolded, though its cold hold is a touch shorter.
An ultra light wheeled 52 quart with a stainless axle and smooth bearings that pulls easily and undercuts the wheeled YETI on price.
What's the bottom line?
Much cheaper than the YETI Roadie 48 while offering wheels and long cold hold, a strong value pick.
You get a real rolling cooler without paying the premium wheeled cooler price.
It pulled across the campground with barely any effort and cost a fraction of the wheeled YETI. Ice was mostly gone by day four in the heat, so it is more of a weekender than a week long cooler.
Annie, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Much cheaper than YETI Roadie
- Light at about 30 lb
- Smooth rolling stainless axle
- O ring sealed lid
Reasons to avoid:
- Shorter cold hold than YETI
- Not full rotomolded
- Claimed 7 day ice is optimistic
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler scored 84 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on value for money and weakest on insulation.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Value for Money
Much cheaper than the YETI Roadie 48 while offering wheels and long cold hold, a strong value pick.
You get a real rolling cooler without paying the premium wheeled cooler price.
Best choice if you want portability on a budget rather than the last word in cold hold.
| Value for Money | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler | 9/10 |
| Category average | 7.8/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Ease of Use
O ring seal and rubber latches close the lid tight and are easy to operate.
Built in bottle opener and tie down slots, with a smooth pulling handle for towing.
Here's what that means:
Lighter base weight makes loading and repositioning easier than a rotomolded wheeled box.
| Ease of Use | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler | 9/10 |
| Category average | 8.6/10 |
| Worst in test | 8/10 |
Durability/Workmanship
Patented chassis, premium wheel bearings and a rugged stainless steel axle give a smooth durable roll.
The ultra light shell is not full rotomolded, so it trades some brute toughness for the lower weight.
Owner reviews report reliable everyday use and easy rolling over rough terrain.
| Durability/Workmanship | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler | 8/10 |
| Category average | 8.5/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Portability
Empty weight is about 30 lb, up to 30 percent lighter than competing wheeled rotomolded coolers.
Wheels roll easily over rough ground and the low weight helps when you must lift over a curb or step.
A practical mix of light weight and wheels for moving cargo around camp.
| Portability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler | 9/10 |
| Category average | 7.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Insulation
Uses up to 2.5 in of closed cell foam with an o ring seal.
Rated up to seven days ice retention, though real tests run shorter with lid opening.
A backyard test held ice about four days in 85 degree heat with normal use.
Plan on three to five days of usable ice on a hot camping trip.
| Insulation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler | 8/10 |
| Category average | 8.7/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Should You Buy the RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler?
A wheeled cooler that costs far less than the YETI Roadie and is about 30 percent lighter than rotomolded, though its cold hold is a touch shorter.
It is best suited to budget minded campers who want a light rolling cooler.
Want to know the best part?
The big win: Much cheaper than YETI Roadie.
The main compromise: Shorter cold hold than YETI.
We scored it 84 out of 100.
What Other Coolers Should You Consider?
Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.
The YETI Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler is our best wheeled cooler for remote camping. Rolls easily over rough ground and holds ice for a week or more, but the tall shape and high price are the trade offs.
The ENGEL 60 QT Ultra-Light Cooler is our best lightweight cooler for long trips. Injection molded so it is far lighter than rotomolded rivals while still holding ice most of a week, a smart pick for longer carries.
The RTIC 65 QT Ultra-Tough Cooler is our best value cooler for camping. Roughly 90 percent of a YETI Tundra for a lot less money, but it is heavier and its latches feel a step down.
Specifications
| Capacity | 52 qt |
| Empty weight | about 30 lb |
| Ice capacity | up to about 53 lb |
| Insulation | up to 2.5 in closed cell foam |
| Wheels | stainless axle, bearings |
| Seal | o ring |
| Real ice life | about 3 to 5 days |
| Claimed ice life | up to 7 days |
Conclusion: RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler
After testing it against the other top coolers, the RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler earns its place as our best ultra-light wheeled cooler pick.
Its standout strength: Much cheaper than YETI Roadie.
So:
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Shorter cold hold than YETI.
If you want budget minded campers who want a light rolling cooler, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the RTIC 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Coolers For Camping guide.
