Are Any Soft Sided Coolers Comparable To Yeti? Absolutely! While Yeti has set a high bar in the cooler market, COMPARE.EDU.VN has found several soft-sided coolers that offer comparable performance, durability, and features at various price points. You can find options that deliver excellent ice retention, rugged construction, and convenient portability, making them worthy alternatives to Yeti. Explore durable materials, leak-proof designs, and user-friendly features to find the perfect cold storage and portable cooler.
Table of Contents
-
Our Team’s Soft Cooler Picks
-
Best Overall Soft Cooler
-
Best Budget Soft Cooler
-
Best Premium Soft Cooler with Excellent Ice Retention
-
Best Insulated Tote
-
Best Backpack Cooler
-
Best Light and Packable Soft Cooler
-
Best Waterproof Soft Cooler
-
Best of the Rest
-
Soft Cooler Comparison Table
-
About Our Testing Process
-
Soft Cooler Buying Advice
- Our Take on Soft Coolers: Utility and Best Uses
- Soft Cooler Sizes (Capacities)
- Ice Retention and Cooling Capabilities
- Weight and Portability
- Construction and Durability
- Waterproof Soft Coolers
- Price: Budget vs. Premium Soft Coolers
- Opening Styles and Closure Systems
- Carrying Straps and Handles
- Backpack Coolers
- Additional Soft Cooler Features
- Soft Cooler Accessories
- Ice Types: Packs, Blocks, or Crushed
- Soft Cooler Warranties
- Soft Cooler Care and Maintenance
- Soft-Sided vs. Hard-Sided Coolers
-
FAQ Section
1. Our Team’s Soft Cooler Picks
Our team at COMPARE.EDU.VN has rigorously tested a variety of soft coolers to bring you the best options available in 2024. We considered factors like ice retention, durability, portability, and price to provide a comprehensive list for every need and budget.
2. Best Overall Soft Cooler
What is the best overall soft cooler that combines value, durability, and performance? The RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 30 Can stands out as the best overall soft cooler. It offers a combination of robust construction, excellent insulation, and a reasonable price, making it a top choice for various activities. RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 30 Can is perfect for those who need a reliable cooler for day trips, weekend getaways, or water sports.
RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 30 Can ($119)
The RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 30 Can offers excellent insulation thanks to its 1.5 inches of closed-cell foam, encased in a durable, heavy-duty nylon shell. This cooler can keep your contents cold for day adventures or weekend road trips. Its floating design makes it perfect for water activities. Although it has a robust, leak-resistant zipper, it can be difficult to open, and its organizational layout is simplistic, with only a single front pocket. Available exclusively online, it combines great value and impressive performance.
- Capacity: 30 cans (with ice)
- Weight: 4 lb.
- Other sizes: 12, 20, 40 cans
- What we like: A well-built and durable soft cooler at a great price point.
- What we don’t: Only sold online; not the most feature-rich design.
3. Best Budget Soft Cooler
Looking for an affordable soft cooler that doesn’t compromise on performance for day trips? The AO Coolers Canvas Series 24 Pack is the best budget soft cooler. Priced affordably, it provides reliable cooling for short trips, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget. The AO Coolers Canvas Series 24 Pack is ideal for beach trips, park visits, or any short outing where you need to keep drinks and snacks cold.
AO Coolers Canvas Series 24 Pack ($86)
The AO Coolers Canvas Series 24 Pack features a compact and portable design. For around $86, this cooler includes a functional zipper closure and a generous exterior pocket. The interior liner can be easily removed and washed, preventing mustiness. While it offers a 24-hour maximum ice retention and fits up to 24 cans, its canvas build is less durable and water-resistant compared to higher-end models. The shoulder strap is basic, lacking padding for longer distances, and it lacks additional features like daisy chain webbing.
- Capacity: 24 cans (with ice)
- Weight: 3 lb.
- Other sizes: 12, 36, 48 cans
- What we like: Compact, simple design that performs well for day trips.
- What we don’t: Canvas build is less durable and water-resistant than many of the picks here.
4. Best Premium Soft Cooler with Excellent Ice Retention
Which soft cooler offers premium features and exceptional ice retention? The Yeti Hopper M30 is the best premium soft cooler with excellent ice retention. Known for its robust design, impressive ice retention, and sleek aesthetics, it’s a top-tier choice for those who demand the best. The Yeti Hopper M30 is perfect for committed day trippers and weekenders looking to maximize portability, durability, and cold retention, despite its higher price.
Yeti Hopper M30 ($350)
The Yeti Hopper M30 combines thick, closed-cell foam insulation with a hardwearing shell that is highly resistant to snags and tears. It features a robust magnetic closure with quick-release buckles. The accessory-ready exterior allows for easy connection of add-ons. However, it is expensive, retailing for $75 more than the similarly sized Tundra 35, and it falls short in ice retention compared to hard-sided models. The rigid opening makes loading and cleaning difficult, and it is bulky even when empty.
- Capacity: 42 (without ice)
- Weight: 6 lb. 12.8 oz.
- Other size: 32 cans
- What we like: Impressive ice retention for a soft cooler and excellent attention to detail.
- What we don’t: Very expensive and overkill for most.
5. Best Insulated Tote
What is the best insulated tote for day trips and grocery runs? The OtterBox Tote Cooler is the best insulated tote, offering a minimalist design with ample storage. It is ideal for keeping lunch and beverages cold for the day. The OtterBox Tote Cooler is perfect for road trips, grocery runs, farmers market visits, and short outings to the park or beach.
OtterBox Tote Cooler ($90)
The OtterBox Tote Cooler features dual mesh water bottle pockets, a zippered side pocket, and a drop-in pocket with a bottle opener. It includes an ice pack and has a smooth, water-resistant zipper, a removable shoulder strap, and an easy-to-clean interior. With ice retention listed at two days, it falls short of higher-end alternatives like the Yeti Hopper M15. The narrow opening can make it harder to fit bulky items and see all contents.
- Capacity: 24 cans (without ice)
- Weight: 3 lb. 4.8 oz.
- Other sizes: None
- What we like: A well-built and nicely appointed option for day trips and grocery runs.
- What we don’t: Limited utility outside of day-to-day activities.
6. Best Backpack Cooler
What backpack cooler offers the best portability and comfort for longer distances? The Hydro Flask 20 L Day Escape is the best backpack cooler, providing a sleek design and comfortable carry. Its well-padded shoulder straps make it ideal for transporting your goods with ease. The Hydro Flask 20 L Day Escape is suited for picnics, fishing trips, and other adventures where you need to carry your cooler comfortably over some distance.
Hydro Flask 20 L Day Escape ($200)
The Hydro Flask 20 L Day Escape features padded shoulder straps and handles for easy carrying. It has a waterproof exterior and outer lash points for strapping to a kayak or boat. The smooth-operating zipper provides a reliable seal. However, the opening is small, making it difficult to stuff bulkier items, and it lacks zippered storage and a hipbelt.
- Capacity: 36 cans (without ice)
- Weight: 2 lb. 10.1 oz.
- Other sizes: None
- What we like: A sleek and well-built backpack cooler that’s comfortable to carry over longer distances.
- What we don’t: Small opening and limited exterior storage.
7. Best Light and Packable Soft Cooler
Which soft cooler is the most packable and lightweight for easy storage? The REI Co-op Pack-Away 24 Soft Cooler is the best light and packable soft cooler. It collapses nearly flat, making it easy to store when not in use. REI Co-op Pack-Away 24 Soft Cooler is an ideal choice for those who need a cooler that won’t take up valuable space in their garage or car when not in use.
REI Co-op Pack-Away 24 Soft Cooler ($55)
The REI Co-op Pack-Away 24 Soft Cooler folds down nearly flat for storage and weighs only 1 lb. 12 oz. It features functional clips for compressing and alternating between shapes, a wide-mouth opening, an easy-to-clean liner, and a recycled polyester and nylon shell. However, it lacks the durability of more premium designs, offers middling ice retention (listed at 32 hours, but closer to a day), and is prone to condensation buildup.
- Capacity: 24 cans (with ice)
- Weight: 1 lb. 12 oz.
- Other sizes: 6, 12 cans
- What we like: Very affordable and packs down nearly flat for storage.
- What we don’t: Middling ice retention and prone to condensation buildup.
8. Best Waterproof Soft Cooler
Looking for a soft cooler that can handle days on the water without leaking? The Icemule Classic Medium 15L is the best waterproof soft cooler. This cooler is perfect for paddle boarders, kayakers, and anyone who enjoys spending time on the water.
Icemule Classic Medium 15L ($85)
The Icemule Classic is a fully waterproof soft cooler designed for water sports enthusiasts. It includes a strong, well-cushioned strap for crossbody carry and a robust, dry bag-like build. The roll-top closure creates a tight seal and allows for compression, while the integrated air valve adds buoyancy. However, the collapsible design lacks structure, and the 15L model is on the smaller end.
- Capacity: 16 cans (with ice)
- Weight: 2 lb.
- Other sizes: 10 (9L), 12 (10L), 20 cans (20L)
- What we like: Very durable and fully waterproof—a great option for days on the water.
- What we don’t: Collapsible design lacks structure.
9. Best of the Rest
Orca Walker Tote ($225)
The Orca Walker Tote offers a balance of size, durability, and accessibility. Its portability is enhanced by a cushioned shoulder strap and a thick handle with magnets. The insulated interior keeps contents cold all day, and the exterior is sleek and durable with a wide zippered opening. The main drawback is its relatively basic feature set, with only one front pocket.
- Capacity: 18 cans (with ice)
- Weight: 3 lb. 9.6 oz.
- Other sizes: None
- What we like: Easy to access, highly durable, and versatile size.
- What we don’t: Relatively limited feature set.
Engel HD30 ($240)
The Engel HD30 is a premium soft cooler offering massive capacity and durability. With a 48-can capacity, it’s the largest on our list. It features a welded construction, an 840-denier shell, and a TPU film for reinforcement. The integrated bottle opener is a thoughtful addition. However, it has a stiff zipper that requires lubrication and only kept ice frozen for around 48 hours in testing, despite Engel’s claim of three to four days.
- Capacity: 48 cans (with ice)
- Weight: 5 lb. 4 oz.
- Other size: 24 cans
- What we like: Massive capacity and one of the toughest designs on the market.
- What we don’t: Expensive and overbuilt for most uses.
Yeti Hopper Flip 12 ($250)
The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 offers a lighter and more accessible alternative to the M30. It features a DryHide shell, thick closed-cell foam insulation, and a HitchPoint grid for accessories. The zipper-equipped opening is leakproof and provides easy access. However, it is expensive and has limited capacity compared to other options.
- Capacity: 24 cans (without ice)
- Weight: 3 lb.
- Other sizes: 11, 30 cans
- What we like: A lighter and more approachable alternative to the M30 above.
- What we don’t: Limited capacity and still very pricey.
Hydro Flask 20 L Carry Out ($90)
The Hydro Flask 20 L Carry Out offers a balance of price and performance. It has a 38-can capacity, a wraparound zipper for easy access, and is rated to keep ice frozen for up to 24 hours. It features a durable 600D exterior and welded seams. However, it lacks standout styling and features.
- Capacity: 38 cans (without ice)
- Weight: 2 lb. 8.3 oz.
- Other sizes: 20 cans (12L)
- What we like: A nice middle ground in terms of price and overall performance.
- What we don’t: Doesn’t stand out in styling or features.
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can ($63)
The Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze combines a generous 30-can capacity with unique features like a zipperless lid, a plastic shelf, and a stretchy bungee system. However, the zipperless design doesn’t seal in cold as well as others, and the build quality is not a standout.
- Capacity: 30 cans (without ice)
- Weight: 3 lb. 10.2 oz.
- Other sizes: 9, 12, 16, 24, 48 cans
- What we like: Cheaper and more features than the AO Coolers 24 Pack above.
- What we don’t: Not a standout in build quality or cold retention.
REI Co-op Cool Haul 24 ($139)
The REI Co-op Cool Haul 24 balances performance and affordability. It has a low-profile design, great portability, and a durable nylon shell. The inner insulated box is separable for easy cleaning. However, it doesn’t stand out in any major way in a competitive market.
- Capacity: 24 cans (with ice)
- Weight: 4 lb. 7.5 oz.
- Other sizes: 12, 18 cans
- What we like: Respectable performance and features for the price.
- What we don’t: Doesn’t stand out in any major way.
Cotopaxi Hielo 12L Cooler Bag ($105)
The Cotopaxi Hielo 12L stands out with its vibrant designs and sustainable construction. It features a zippered roll-top closure and is made partially from repurposed materials. However, it is not a great value compared to others, offering less capacity and fewer features than competitors like the OtterBox Tote Cooler.
- Capacity: 12 cans (without ice)
- Weight: 1 lb. 9 oz.
- Other sizes: None
- What we like: Great packability and fun styling in a sustainably built package.
- What we don’t: A little pricey for what you get.
Coleman Chiller 16-Can ($33)
The Coleman Chiller 16-Can is the most budget-friendly option on our list. It will keep your food and beverages adequately cold for the day. It falls short of other budget options in overall performance and build quality but remains a practical choice if you’re looking to save money.
- Capacity: 16 cans
- Weight: 2 lb. 1.6 oz.
- Other sizes: 9, 30 cans
- What we like: The cheapest cooler on our list.
- What we don’t: Also the least performance-ready.
10. Soft Cooler Comparison Table
| Cooler | Price | Capacity | Weight | Other Sizes | Ice* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTIC Soft Pack Cooler | $119 | 30 cans (with ice) | 4 lb. | 12, 20, 40 cans | 48 hours |
| AO Coolers Canvas 24 Pack | $86 | 24 cans (with ice) | 3 lb. | 12, 36, 48 cans | 24 hours |
| Yeti Hopper M30 | $350 | 42 cans (without ice) | 6 lb. 12.8 oz. | 32 cans | Unavail. |
| OtterBox Tote Cooler | $90 | 24 cans (without ice) | 3 lb. 4.8 oz. | None | 48 hours |
| Hydro Flask 20 L Day Escape | $200 | 36 cans (without ice) | 2 lb. 10.1 oz. | None | 36 hours |
| REI Pack-Away 24 | $55 | 24 cans (with ice) | 1 lb. 12 oz. | 6, 12 cans | 32 hours |
| Icemule Classic Medium | $85 | 16 cans (with ice) | 2 lb. | 10, 12, 20 cans | 24 hours |
| Orca Walker Tote | $225 | 18 cans (with ice) | 3 lb. 9.6 oz. | None | 24 hours |
| Engel HD30 | $240 | 48 cans (with ice) | 5 lb. 4 oz. | 24 cans | 72-96 hours |
| Yeti Hopper Flip 12 | $250 | 24 cans (without ice) | 3 lb. | 11, 30 cans | Unavail. |
| Hydro Flask 20 L Carry Out | $90 | 38 cans (without ice) | 2 lb. 8.3 oz. | 20 cans | 24 hours |
| Arctic Zone Titan | $63 | 30 cans (without ice) | 3 lb. 10.2 oz. | 9, 12, 16, 24, 48 cans | 3 days |
| REI Co-op Cool Haul 24 | $139 | 24 cans (with ice) | 4 lb. 7.5 oz. | 12, 18 cans | 65 hours |
| Cotopaxi Hielo 12L | $105 | 12 cans (without ice) | 1 lb. 9 oz. | None | Unavail. |
| Coleman Chiller 16-Can | $33 | 16 cans | 2 lb. 1.6 oz. | 9, 30 cans | 12 hours |
Editor’s note: This number represents claimed ice retention. In real-world use and depending on the specific circumstances, we’ve found these times to be quite a bit lower. More in our “Ice Retention and Cooling Capabilities” section below.*
11. About Our Testing Process
The compare.edu.vn team is dedicated to providing reliable and thorough reviews. Our editors assess how well soft coolers keep ice frozen, evaluating them in various environments from hot cars to shaded campgrounds. We test portability by fully loading the coolers and carrying them into camp. We also examine features such as zipper operation, shoulder strap padding, and overall design integration. Our goal is to keep our recommendations current by continuously testing new and noteworthy designs as they become available.
12. Soft Cooler Buying Advice
Our Take on Soft Coolers: Utility and Best Uses
Soft coolers offer inherent compromises compared to hard-sided models. They are not designed for extended cold retention, typically lasting a few days at most, and are generally smaller. Therefore, they are best suited for day trips, weekend getaways, picnics, tailgates, and grocery runs. They can also supplement larger hard-sided coolers by providing additional space for food and beverages when camping with larger groups.
There is a distinction between collapsible and rigid soft coolers. Collapsible models, like the OtterBox Tote Cooler, are more versatile and functional than rigid options like the Engel HD30. Rigid designs often lack drainage ports, do not compress for storage, and do not retain ice as long as hard-sided models.
Soft Cooler Sizes (Capacities)
Cooler capacities are measured differently
