5 Best Soft Coolers of 2026, Tested and Reviewed
Whether you take it camping, to the beach or the kiddos' soccer games, these soft coolers keep your food and drinks frosty.
Laura Denby
Tested by Laura Denby
If you love a cold drink at the beach but hate lugging a massive, heavy cooler through the sand, a soft cooler is for you. These lightweight alternatives are more convenient and portable than hard coolers, and they do just as good of a job at keeping your drinks cold. Meant to be slung over your shoulder or worn like a backpack, soft coolers don’t have cumbersome handles or wheels that get stuck in the mud. They’re easy, functional and totally efficient.
In search of the best soft cooler available, we put 12 of the leading models through a series of real-world tests. We assessed functionality and convenience while leaving each cooler outside in the direct sun over the course of five extra-hot July days. We assessed each product’s ability to maintain temperature, while keeping in mind convenience and ease of use. Read on for our favorite soft coolers available.
Our Top Soft Cooler Picks
How We Tested
When searching for the best soft cooler available, we aimed to find a cooler that was convenient, portable, functional and easy to use. To start, we assessed the portability of each item by looking at the straps and handles. We tested both standard cooler styles and backpack styles, and wore each product extensively to determine how comfortable each product was to hold.
Laura Denby
Next, we stuffed each cooler with 50 ice pops and closed the lid. We placed them all in direct sun over the course of three hot, summer days, all of which registered temperatures of at least 84 degrees Fahrenheit. We let the coolers sit in the sun for four hours during the hottest part of the day — from 11AM to 2PM — and checked the ice pops every hour. We assessed how many ice pops were frozen, icy or melted at every one hour interval.
Laura Denby
In addition to testing the portability and cold retention of each cooler, we also assessed how easy or difficult each product was to clean. Soft coolers must be cleaned by hand, so we made sure to wipe away any spills and wash the inside and outside of each product.
- Available in 21 colors
- Exceptional temperature retention
- Padded shoulder strap is comfortable to carry
- The zipper is a little stiff and tough to open
Our editors love Yeti products for their exceptional cold retention and functionality, and this soft cooler is no different. The YETI Hopper Flip 12 is convenient and portable, with a comfortable shoulder strap that’s easy to adjust. The lid opens wide via a leak proof zipper that’s thick, sturdy and durable. The waterproof shell is also thick and durable, which means it’s puncture-proof and resistant to rips and tears.
Best of all, this cooler excelled in all of our tests. It kept ice pops frosty and cold throughout the hottest times of the day, and stayed colder than any other cooler we tested. Even when some ice pops melted at the three hour mark, this one kept a large portion of the ice pops completely frozen solid.
- Dimensions 10" x 12.63" x 11.5"
- Capacity 12 qt
- Material Rubber foam
- Weight 3.7 lbs
- Wheels No
- Has large loop handles and a crossbody shoulder strap
- Comes in 7 colors
- It's one of the most affordable coolers on our list
- The shell is thinner and more lightweight than some others, so it might not be as durable
This lightweight cooler is soft and portable, so it’s easy to transport from the car to the beach. We love that it offers both large handles and a removable shoulder strap for added versatility. This cooler excelled at keeping ice pops cold even during the hottest part of the day. The simple design is easy to use and operate, and a large lid opening is secured by a durable zipper. At just $90, this is one of the most affordable coolers on our list, so it offers an incredible value for the price. The simple and streamlined cooler is available in seven colors and can accommodate everything from cans to bottles to small trays of food.
- Capacity 20 liters
- Dimensions 17.05” x 15.15” x 12.5”
- Weight 4.6 lbs
- Available in More Sizes Yes
- Removable Liner No
- Has exterior front, back and side pockets
- Backpack straps are adjustable
- Hinge-top opening makes it easy to pack and unpack
- Small, compact size makes it extra portable
- The shell is thinner and more lightweight than some others, so it’s not as heavy-duty as the Yeti
This petit and compact cooler is particularly portable. We love that it has a top handle and adjustable backpack straps, so you can carry it whichever way feels most comfortable. Available in nine fun colors, this is a fun and funky cooler that’s easily distinguishable on a crowded beach or sports field. The compact size and easy portability make it great for traveling, too. We love that the backpack straps allow you to take it on a hike or camping trip, and the compact size means it can easily stow in the back of a car or under a train or airplane seat. In our tests it managed to keep ice pops icy cold throughout the day, with only a few melting by the end of the test.
- Capacity 20 cans
- Dimensions 11.8” x 7.87” x 16.14”
- Weight 2 lbs
- Available in More Sizes No
- Removable Liner No
- It’s waterproof and buoyant
- Padded straps make it easy to carry
- The collapsible design makes it easy to pack
- It didn’t have the same cold retention as some others
- Soft shell and collapsible design mean it doesn’t offer a ton of protection to the contents inside
This backpack-style cooler is the softest and most portable of all we tested. There’s hardly any structure to the design, which means it’s easy to roll up and pack into a suitcase or duffle bag when you’re not using it. We love how the padded, ventilated straps make it easy to carry — even on a hike — making it a fantastic option for camping or boating. It’s soft and lightweight with a roll-down style closure, so you can easily grab a drink without needing to fuss with tough zippers. Best of all, we love that this cooler is waterproof and buoyant, allowing for added versatility and functionality. Whether you take it on a boat or toss it from tube to tube while floating on a lazy river, this is a fantastic cooler to take on camping trips or outdoor adventures.
- Capacity 6 cans
- Dimensions 14'' H X 7.5'' W X 7'' D
- Weight 1.5 lbs
- Available in More Sizes Yes
- Removable Liner No
- It’s leakproof, waterproof and buoyant
- Large handles and adjustable shoulder strap make it easy to carry
- Extra-thick insulation allows for cold retention and provides protection to what’s inside
- It didn’t have the same cold retention as some others
This small, soft cooler has a firm structure that provides an added layer of protection to the goodies inside. Offering 1.5 inches of closed cell foam, it’s extra insulated with a durable construction. Throughout our tests, this cooler excelled at keeping ice pops cold even in the direct sunlight. Though a few melted over time, the cooler maintained its temperature and stayed cold throughout the day. We love that there are two ways to carry it — large loop handles and an adjustable shoulder strap — so it’s convenient and portable. The compact size makes it easy to bring back and forth to the beach or on a long car trip, too.
- Capacity 20 cans
- Dimensions 13.5” x 9.5” x 13.75”
- Weight 3 lbs
- Available in More Sizes Yes
- Removable Liner No
What to Consider When Buying a Soft Cooler
Portability and Convenience
Portability is a main factor to consider when shopping for a soft cooler. In fact, it’s one of the biggest benefits of choosing a soft cooler over a hard cooler; soft coolers should be more convenient and easier to carry than the clunkier, more stationary hard coolers. While searching for the best soft coolers available, we considered how heavy or lightweight each option was, how easy it is to carry, and how easy it is to transport from a car to the beach or on to a boat. We looked at things like straps, material and weight to determine overall portability and convenience.
Ease of Use
In addition to portability, soft coolers should also be easy to use. We looked for coolers that are easy to fill, easy to empty and easy to clean. Most of these coolers have a zipper closure which should be easy to open and close efficiently. If you struggle with zippers, consider a cooler with a different type of closure, like the YETI Hopper M Series Backpack. It uses a magnet closure that gets secured by two buckles.
Temperature Retention
The most important factor to consider when shopping for a cooler is whether or not it keeps your food and drinks cold. As the name implies, the sole purpose of a cooler is to keep things cold. Throughout our testing we noticed that some coolers were able to keep ice colder for longer, while others melted quickly and easily. Soft foam insulation is responsible for keeping soft coolers cold, so insulation is a major factor to consider when shopping for a cooler.
Durability
Soft coolers are meant to be toted around to the beach, pool or a long car ride, so they should be durable and resistant to wear and tear. While shopping for a soft cooler, be sure to consider what material it’s made from. Soft coolers are often dropped, pulled or dragged across a sandy beach, so they should be made from a durable material that’s resistant to punctures, tears or abrasions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do soft coolers work as well as hard coolers?
In general, hard coolers tend to have better temperature retention when compared to soft coolers. However, soft coolers have a ton of other benefits. They’re easier to use, easier to carry and easier to clean. Soft coolers keep food and drinks cold with more portability than hard coolers.
How do RTIC coolers compare to Yeti coolers?
Throughout our tests the RTIC coolers and Yeti coolers both performed exceptionally well. They’re both easy to use, convenient and portable. However, we found that the Yeti coolers had superior temperature retention when compared to the RTIC coolers.
Which coolers hold ice the longest?
Throughout our tests we found that the Yeti coolers excelled at keeping ice cold for long periods of time. Additionally, we found that coolers with thick foam — like the RTIC Soft Cooler 20 Can — and multiple layers of insulation — like the Stanley Midi Cooler Backpack — were able to maintain cold temperatures the longest.
Why You Should Trust Our Testers
Laura Denby is a freelance food and beverage writer and former professional chef. With a diploma in culinary arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and a degree in journalism from Penn State, Laura uses her professional culinary expertise to review kitchen products. For this test, Laura utilized her professional culinary backgrounds to assess and evaluate each product for overall efficiency, functionality and performance. For this piece she tested 12 coolers over the course of a week in mid-afternoon summer sun.
Why You Should Trust Food Network Shopping Experts
Food Network Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are tested in real home kitchens that reflect real world use cases. Our testers follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing the best products, our testers evaluate all of the testing data and take into consideration many factors including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. The products covered on FoodNetwork.com are chosen completely independently by our editors without any outside influence. Our editors do not accept products in exchange for a positive review or promised coverage.
