Are you a fisherman, or an outdoor person? Would you like to explore and not have to worry that your food and drinks are going to spoil? This Orca 20 qt Cooler review will give you all you need to help you decide whether this incredibly popular cooler will do the job for you. We will also do an Orca Coolers vs Yeti comparison if you are really stuck in deciding between these two manufacturers.
Below is a quick comparison table between the Orca 20 qt Cooler, a similar offering from Yeti, the Yeti Roadie 20 Cooler, and some alternative coolers which have been rated as the best of the year.
BEST SOFT COOLERS 2018 VS ORCA 20 QT COOLER AND YETI ROADIE 20
| Product | Size/Type | Key Features | Check Price | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  Orca 20qt Cooler (EDITOR's CHOICE) | 14-15 cans / Hard cooler | -Long lasting "roto-molded" build -Stainless steel flexi grip handle for easy carrying -Tight seal on lid ensuring ice lasts up to 7 days! -Life time warranty -Cargo net for additional storage | Check Price Now! | Orca 20 Qt Cooler Review |
  Yeti Roadie 20 | 14-15 cans / Hard cooler | -3 inch insulation and "FatWall" design makes this cooler essentially bear-resistance -"Roto-molded" construction for even further durablility -Rust resistant latches -Keeps ice for up to 5 days -5 year warranty | Check Price Now! | Yeti Roadie 20 Review |
  MOJECTO Large Cooler Bag (EDITOR's CHOICE) | 15x9x12 in. / Carry bag cooler | -Two zippered mesh pockets: perfect for drinks! -Long handles -Adjustable and removable shoulder straps -High density thick insulation – keeps things warm/cold for a long time. | Check Price Now! | MOJECTO Large Cooler Bag Review |
  Coleman 30 Can Soft Cooler | 30cans / Soft cooler with hard liner | -Large capacity: perfect for family trips -Removable hard liner, making the cooler even more compact -Anti-microbial coating prevents mould -Great value for money | Check Price Now! | Coleman 30 Can Soft Cooler Review |
  Ozark Trail 30-Can Zipperless Cooler | 30 cans / Soft cooler with hard liner | -Shelf for better organizing of items -Zipper-less -High-quality insulation -Water-resistant -Stain-resistant -Insulated exterior pocket | Check Price Now! | Ozark Trail 30-Can Zipperless Cooler Review |
  Engel Cooler Backpack | 24 cans / Backpack cooler | -Many compartments for separating various items -Anti-microbial protection -Removable inner lining for easy cleaning and storage -Fantastic design! | Check Price Now! | Engel Cooler Backpack Review |
  Arctic Zone Pro 30 | 30 cans / Soft cooler with hard liner | -Removable shelf for better organization of items -“SuperFoam”insulation -Zipper-less lid -Several compartments prevents food from being damaged -Shoulder and handles, allowing for easy carrying | Check Price Now! | Arctic Zone Pro 30 Review |
Here are also come customer reviews of the Orca Cooler so you can read what actual owners of them think:
>> Click Here to See Owner Reviews on Amazon <<
Let’s get on with the review then.
We all know coolers keep food and beverages frosty or warm in any weather. But various people have different questions about which type of cooler is the best, which cooler retains ice the longest, how many cans will a 26-quart cooler hold (click to see answer), is there any real difference between Orca coolers vs Yeti?
Without a question, Orca coolers are among the best and most impressive on the market, and have kept this stellar reputation over several years now! In particular, customers are very pleased with how long they are able to keep ice frozen – up to a reported 7 days.
But apart from retention of ice, customers have rated it to be the best because of the lifetime warranty that all of Orca’s coolers are given. Other comments indicate that the Orca Cooler company is also honest to its customers and does not try evade having to live up to their impressive warranty. If that’s not enough, the company also gives donations to local community programs, local community groups, breast cancer research etc.
But that’s not why you’re reading this. So, let’s address one of the more pressing issues of people interested in the Orca 20 qt cooler:
Orca Coolers vs Yeti – Comparison
Orca and Yeti are both well-established ice chest brands in America. The two companies try their utmost to bring new designs of the highest quality possible to the market, and both adopt the latest technologies to make their products the best they can be.
The Yeti Roadie 20 is very similar to the Orca 20 qt cooler
For the most part, you really can’t go wrong with either, but below are some differences between the coolers from the two companies for you to consider.
Sizes Offered
Demands of customers vary; some may want larger sizes others smaller sizes. Orca Coolers have six different sizes beginning with as small as 20 quarts all the way up to 140 quarts. On the other hand, Yeti coolers have 13 different sizes beginning with as small as 22-quartz up to a gigantic 330 quart model (the Yeti Tundra 350)!
The Yeti Tundra 350 can hold a massive 330 quarts!
Ability to Retain Ice
No doubt, ice retention is an important aspect to consider when buying a cooler. Despite this, most regular coolers are known for keeping ice for just a single day. As mentioned above, Orca Coolers can retain ice for about seven days in a warmer environment, and can even exceed this in a cooler climate. Yeti coolers also have fantastic insulation, and can reportedly keep ice for about five days.
So in this area, Orca Coolers seems to have the upper hand.
Insulation
Insulation is obviously the major reason behind the retention ability in Orca and Yeti coolers. The Orca 20 qt cooler and its larger siblings have a 3-inch-thick wall and 3-inch-thick lid, whereas the Yeti Roadie 20 has a 2-inch-thick wall and 3-inch-thick lid. The extra inch in the lid of the Orca coolers might be what causes the improved ice retention.
Color Variations
Orca coolers offer four standard colors: white, pink, tan and green. However, if you buy from Amazon, you will get other colors like Orange, Burnt Orange or purple. Yeti comes in three various colors: white, desert tan and ice blue.
Warranty Offered
Orca is the only cooler company that offers a lifetime warranty on their products. In the event of any problems, whether on the rubber latch or feet or any other part, Orca will repair or replace the unit with a new one.
Yeti, on the other hand, offers a warranty of 5 years. Still excellent but if warranties are a real concern of yours, Orca is the company you’ll be wanting to go for!
Availability
Yeti coolers are somewhat more easy to find than Orca coolers (although both are easily available on Amazon!). The best place recommended is online as discounts are usually offered.
Manufacturing Locations
As of writing this review, Orca coolers are made exclusively in the USA using components made in the USA. Yeti coolers are manufactured in the Philippines.
Orca 20 Qt Cooler Review – UPDATED 2018
The comparison above already gave you quite a good idea about the type of cooler you’ll be getting should you decide on the Orca 20 qt. So here we will build on what has already been mentioned.
- Starting with the handle, the Orca 20 qt cooler has a single flex grip stainless steel handle, while the larger sizes in the range have two rubber handles. The handles in either case are very comfortable and will not hurt the person carrying the cooler.
- The 20-quart storage capacity is great for about 15 standard 12oz cans with room for ice, and about 24 cans with no ice. It has ideal for short camping trips, fishing, travelling, picnics, beach outings, and so on.
- It features integrated insulation that ensures maximum retention and freshness for about seven days.
- The lid gasket guarantees proper sealing. This ensures that the items stay cold in the cooler environment and that nothing will get in or out unintentionally.
- It also has a durable, roto-moulded construction.
- It weighs about 17 pounds. So quite heavy compared to soft coolers but not excessive. Check out our Ozark trail soft cooler review if you’re looking for something lighter. We also review several soft coolers with hard liners which have a sturdy structure similar to hard coolers.
Soft coolers are inherently lighter than hard coolers like the Orca 20 qt. The Ozark Trail 30 can for example would be a great soft sided cooler alternative to the Orca.
- It has a cargo net for additional storage and an easy flow spout which makes emptying of ice very easy. The spout is however located only on one side. If you want to keep sunscreen or bags of shells, then the cargo area is available.
Pros and Cons of the Orca Cooler
Pros
- Roto-moulded walls help in extending ice life and cooler toughness.
- The hinge beam is thick and made of stainless steel. Hence it does not rust.
- The latches are made of thick rubber and can handle various cycles without any tearing.
- Exceptionally high quality.
- Good security for your treats inside.
Cons
- The 20qt cooler is quite small but that is a matter of your preference.
- Due to the design and insulation, it is heavier some of the other Orca coolers.
Verdict
I hope this Orca 20 qt cooler review instilled you with some real confidence in the Orca name. You certainly won’t be making a mistake getting yourself one. The alternatives from Yeti are also fantastic, but the improved ice retention and lifetime warranty offered from Orca really set this cooler apart. Go ahead and check the Orca out on Amazon to buy yourself one today:
Check Out the Orca 20 Qt Cooler (Amazon Product Page)
Oh and I almost forgot:
How Many Cans Will A 26 Quart Cooler Hold?
This depends, with ice it should hold about 20 cans (12oz or 355ml) fairly comfortably. Without ice, 36 cans should fit snugly into the cooler!