RTIC
RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler
$239Cheaper
Best Hard Coolers · head-to-head
RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler vs Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler is cheaper at $239. Every spec and price links to its source.
Pelican
Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler
$310.95
Which is better: the RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler or Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler?
The Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler is the cheaper at $239. Get the Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler for the stronger spec sheet, the RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler to spend less.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler | Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $239 MSRP per rticoutdoors.com | $310.95 |
| Brand | RTIC | Pelican |
| Released | — | — |
| Capacity qt | 45 | 50 |
| Can capacity | 60 | 38 |
| Ice retention days | 5 | 8 |
| Rotomolded | Yes | Yes |
| Empty weight (lb) | 29.5 | 26.39 |
| Bear resistant certified | No | Yes |
| Drain plug | Yes | Yes |
Sources — RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler: rticoutdoors.com (verified 2026-06-20). Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler: pelican.com (verified 2026-06-20).
What's the difference between the RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler and Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Capacity qt: RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler 45 vs Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler 50
- Can capacity: RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler 60 vs Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler 38
- Ice retention days: RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler 5 vs Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler 8
- Empty weight (lb): RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler 29.5 vs Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler 26.39
- Bear resistant certified: RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler false vs Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler true
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
RTIC 45 QT Ultra-Tough Hard Cooler
No sourced tester review yet.
Pelican Elite 50QT Hard Cooler
Only one whitelisted tester—Reviewed (USA Today)—lab-tested this exact Pelican 50QT Elite model. Reviewed measured 135 hours of cold retention (interior to exceed 40°F, filled halfway with ice in a 72°F / 50% RH lab) and praised the feature set and sturdy build, but flagged the cooler as heavy (26.4 lb empty), bulky to move for its capacity, and relatively expensive. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Strong cold/temperature retention (135 hours to exceed 40°F in controlled lab); Feature-rich: ruler on top, cupholders, bottle opener, one-hand press-and-pull latches, skid-resistant feet, easy sloped drain; Beefy, sturdy heavy-duty build.
Flagged: Heavy (26.4 lb empty) and bulky to move for its capacity; Relatively expensive / high price point.