The best soft coolers of 2025 according to recent reviews are:
- Yeti Hopper Flip: Best overall soft cooler with excellent ice retention, durability, and ease of use. It comes in sizes fitting 8, 12, or 18 cans, is very durable, leakproof, and portable but is expensive.
- Yeti Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler: Best backpack cooler, highly durable with superb insulation, fitting 12 or 20 cans, and priced around $325.
- RTIC Soft Pack 30: Best for road trips with waterproof construction, watertight zipper, and good insulation. It fits 30 cans but has a bulky shape.
- AO Coolers 24 Pack Canvas Cooler: Known for exceptional insulation, lightweight compared to others, and leakproof liner.
- Engel HD30: Highly durable with waterproof zipper, great insulation for ice retention up to 3 days.
- Orca Pod: Offers longest-lasting insulation (up to 3 full days), rigid soft cooler design with a large capacity.
Other notable mentions include the Coleman 16-Can Soft Cooler with antimicrobial liner, Polar Bear Coolers (up to 3 days ice retention), Tourit 30 Can with semi-rigid body, and OtterBox Trooper for superior waterproofing. These coolers combine portability, durability, and cooling performance tailored for various activities like hunting, fishing, road trips, and outdoor adventures with ice retention capacities ranging mostly from 12 to 48 cans depending on size.
If a hands-free cooler is preferred, Yeti Hopper M20 Backpack stands out. For best overall performance on all fronts, Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is highly recommended. For longer ice retention and rugged use, Orca Pod and Engel HD30 excel. RTIC Soft Pack is strong on value and road trip usability. Each cooler offers distinct features such as waterproof or leakproof designs, multiple carrying options, durable materials, and high insulation effectiveness. Pricing varies from budget-friendly to premium levels.