Brandwave

Engel vs RTIC:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, RTIC had more branded searches than Engel among cooler box brands worldwide. RTIC had about 220,000 branded searches, while Engel had 150,000. RTIC made up 13.7% of all cooler box brand searches we track, and Engel accounted for 9.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cooler box brands, RTIC appeared in all five answers and Engel in three. RTIC was mentioned before Engel in every answer.

Among cooler box brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

RTIC, about 47% more searches than Engel

RTIC 220K searchesEngel 150K searches

Who does AI mention more?

RTIC, mentioned in every answer we collected

RTIC in 5 of 5Engel in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

RTIC, named ahead of Engel in every answer

RTIC first in 5Engel never first

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Top cooler box brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, RTIC appeared in all five answers. Engel was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. RTIC was listed before Engel in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. RTIC1st
  2. Coleman2nd
  3. YETI3rd
  4. Igloo4th
  5. Engel5th
  6. Pelican6th
  7. Esky–
  8. Dometic–
  9. Icey-Tek–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • RTIC5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Coleman5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Igloo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • YETI3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Engel3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Pelican1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Esky0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Dometic0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Icey-Tek0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about cooler box brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is Engel or RTIC more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Engel and RTIC by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine cooler box brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Engel and RTIC among cooler box brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for RTIC, Engel. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthEskyYETIRTICColemanEngelIglooDometicPelicanIcey-Tek
Oct 202529.2%16.1%13%16%10.8%6.4%7.5%0.8%0.23%
Nov 202526.9%18.1%16.4%14.7%12.1%4.8%5.9%0.9%0.25%
Dec 202525.5%21%15.6%13.9%13.7%4.6%4.6%0.7%0.29%
Jan 202636%13.3%9.7%16.1%13.2%4.4%6.5%0.66%0.28%
Feb 202638.7%14.4%10.4%14.2%9.9%4.7%6.7%0.71%0.25%
Mar 202632.4%17.8%11.8%14.5%8.5%7.2%6.8%0.89%0.2%
Apr 202626.1%18%13.1%14.3%8.3%12.3%6.7%1.1%0.2%
May 202622.2%22.8%16.6%12.1%7.3%10.7%7%1.1%0.25%
Jun 202620.4%25%18.6%11.1%6.9%10%6.5%1.3%0.19%
Jul 202624.3%24.4%16.2%10.9%6.2%9.9%6.6%1.2%0.23%
Aug 202626.8%22%14.6%12%7.5%8.9%6.9%1.1%0.26%
Sep 202628%18.8%13.7%12.5%9.3%9.1%7.2%1.1%0.22%

How has the Engel and RTIC comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Engel took it in January 2026, RTIC took it in February 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Engel’s share of searches among cooler box brands worldwide moved from 10.8% to 9.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 166K to 150K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, RTIC’s share of searches among cooler box brands worldwide moved from 13% to 13.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 201K to 220K.

How did search popularity change for cooler box brands worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Engel overtook Igloo to rank 5th among cooler box brands worldwide, with 9.3% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, RTIC lost share of searches among cooler box brands worldwide, from 14.6% to 13.7%.

How are branded searches counted?

6 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Engel’s and RTIC’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Engel

4 branded search terms

  • engel
  • engel cooler
  • engel esky
  • engel fridge

RTIC

2 branded search terms

  • rtic
  • rtic cooler

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among cooler box brands

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