10 Best Soft Coolers 2025 in the United States

The Stanley All Day Julienne Mini Soft Cooler Bag and Lunch Box is a compact and lightweight option for those who need a portable solution for keeping their food and drinks cool. It has a capacity of 7.2 quarts, which fits up to 10 cans, making it suitable for a full day of refreshments. One of its standout features is the insulation, which can keep contents chilled for up to 12 hours, ensuring your food and drinks stay cool throughout the day.

Made from recycled polyester, it is both durable and eco-friendly, and the 'doctor's bag' design with a hinged top allows for easy access to the contents. The cooler also comes with a detachable shoulder strap for easy carrying and a front zip pocket for additional storage, making it versatile for various activities like picnics, beach trips, and hikes.

On the downside, it may not be large enough for those needing to pack more than 10 cans or additional large items. Additionally, while the cooler is leak-proof, it requires hand washing or gentle machine washing, which might be less convenient for some users. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Stanley cooler's durability and lifetime warranty make it a dependable choice for long-term use.

The YETI Hopper Flip 18 Portable Cooler in Big Wave Blue stands out for its impressive cold-holding capacity. It uses ColdCell Insulation, a high-quality closed-cell foam, which ensures that your drinks and food stay cold longer compared to ordinary soft coolers. With a capacity to hold up to 16 cans plus ice, it is quite spacious for its size. The cooler features a 100% leakproof HydroLok Zipper, which is a significant advantage as it prevents spills and leaks, making it highly reliable for outdoor activities.

Its high-density fabric is another plus, offering resistance against punctures and UV rays, ensuring durability even in tough outdoor conditions. Additionally, the DryHide Shell is both waterproof and abrasion-resistant, providing extra protection against various elements in the wild. The cooler is specifically designed for personal use during full days of outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, or boating.

Portability is well-thought-out with this cooler, weighing 5.1 lbs when empty, and its dimensions make it easy to carry and store. It is slightly heavier compared to some other soft coolers, which might be a consideration if you need to carry it over long distances. The design, material, and additional features like its puncture-resistant shell make it a robust choice, but the higher weight could be seen as a drawback for some users.

The YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Sided Cooler is designed for people who want a portable cooler that keeps drinks and food cold while on the move. It holds about 18 cans or 26 pounds of ice, making it a good size for day trips like picnics, fishing, or hiking. Its standout feature is the MagShield Access, which uses magnets to create a strong leak-resistant seal that’s easy to open and close, helping prevent spills. The ColdCell insulation with closed-cell foam does a solid job keeping your items cold for hours, which is important if you’re outdoors for a long time.

The DryHide shell material is tough enough to resist punctures and protect against sun damage, so the cooler should last well in rough environments. A nice touch is the HitchPoint grid, allowing you to attach extra gear like a bottle opener or dry storage, adding convenience. As a backpack cooler, it’s comfortable to carry and keeps your hands free, but at about 3.45 kg (7.6 lbs) empty, it might feel a bit heavy when fully packed.

Excelling in portability and durability, this cooler fits well for active outdoor enthusiasts who want a reliable, easy-to-carry cooler with strong insulation and leak resistance. However, the 6.3-liter capacity may be somewhat small for those needing to carry a large amount of food or drinks.