Soft Coolers / The rankings
Soft coolers like Yeti but cheaper: more measured ice for less, and the term you give up
The Hopper Flip 18 is $300 and measured 2.4 days. Three of the coolers below measured longer for less. What none of them match is Yeti's 3-year term, except the one with a lifetime term.
By Mike M.Updated Sourced · units tested by us: 0
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Quick picks
The rankings at a glance
| # | Product | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Engel HD30 Waterproof Soft-Sided Cooler OutdoorGearLab's Editors' Choice soft cooler: 3.0 measured days, 63 cans, 4.5 lb, $200. The most ice per dollar in the soft class. Engel gives its HD soft coolers 1 year. | More ice than any Hopper1-yr warranty | 6.5 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 2 | Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless Cooler OutdoorGearLab's Best Buy soft cooler: 2.1 measured days, 3.6 lb, $70, a zipperless flip lid, and Arctic Zone's limited lifetime warranty on its soft goods. On this site's rubric it scores first among soft coolers because of that term. | Longer term than any HopperLifetime warranty | 6.8 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 3 | RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler Pro 30 Can Switchback Travel's top soft cooler: welded seams, RTIC's EZ Waterproof Zipper, a press lid, and it floats. No measured ice number on record; 1-year term. | Closest build to a Hopper1-yr warranty | 5.4 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 4 | AO Coolers Canvas Series 24 Pack A 30-year-old design: 600D canvas, 3/4-inch foam, an RF-welded TPU liner, 2.8 lb, 2.3 measured days, $95. AO's warranty page was not fetchable, so the term is unverified. | Best under $100Warranty: unverified | 5.1 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 5 |  RTIC Ultra-Tough Backpack Cooler 24 Can RTIC's answer to the M20: welded seams, waterproof zipper, press lid, 24 cans, 5 lb. Unmeasured, 1-year term, well under YETI's price. | Closest to the M201-yr warranty | 5.2 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 6 | RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 30 Can The Hopper look-alike at $129: leakproof design, 4 lb, 1.8 measured days. It undercuts YETI on price and on warranty, which is 1 year. | Cheapest Hopper look-alike1-yr warranty | 4.7 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
#ad · Prices are set by Amazon and change often, so we don't print them. Scores are ours, built from published specs, quoted warranty terms and cited third-party ice-retention tests, not our own measurements. Photos are illustrative stock. Tap a row for the full write-up.
What the Hopper is
A welded, leakproof body with a waterproof zipper (Flip) or a magnetic closure (M20), and a 3-year warranty, which is triple what RTIC, Engel and Igloo give a soft cooler. In OutdoorGearLab's September 2026 table the Hopper Flip 12 measured 1.6 days, the Flip 18 2.4, and the M20 backpack 3.6. The M20 is the best soft cooler in that table and has no cheap equal; the Flips are mid-table and have several. This page is about the Flips. Hopper vs RTIC Soft Pack is the head-to-head; best backpack coolers covers the M20's field.
Hopper vs the field
| Evidence | Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless Cooler | RTIC Ultra-Tough Backpack Cooler 24 Can | RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 30 Can |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 30 cans / 19.4 L measured (OutdoorGearLab) | 24 cans · 14 lb of ice (maker) | 30 cans (maker); 18.0 L measured (OutdoorGearLab) |
| Ice retention (reported) | 2.1 days below 40°F, 2.3 days below 50°F (OutdoorGearLab, Best Buy) | Unverified: no third-party test found as of 2026-09-21 | 1.8 days below 40°F, 2.0 days below 50°F (OutdoorGearLab) |
| Construction | — | Leakproof design; RTIC EZ Waterproof Zipper; Cold Lock Press Lid | Leakproof design (maker) |
| Weight | 3.6 lb (measured) | 5 lb empty (maker) | 4 lb empty (maker); 3.7 lb measured |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime (Arctic Zone soft products; rotomolded hard coolers are 5 years) | 1-year (RTIC backpack coolers) | 1-year (RTIC Soft Sided Coolers) |
| Score | 6.8/10 | 5.2/10 | 4.7/10 |
What each gives up
The consistent trade is the warranty term. On a product with no replaceable parts, that term is the repair plan, and a Hopper's zipper that fails in year two is a claim while an RTIC's is a new cooler. The RTIC warranty explained reads what 1 year means; the comparison quotes every term.
In detail
The picks, in full
Rank 1
Stock photoMore ice than any Hopper
Engel HD30 Waterproof Soft-Sided Cooler
OutdoorGearLab's Editors' Choice soft cooler: 3.0 measured days, 63 cans, 4.5 lb, $200. The most ice per dollar in the soft class. Engel gives its HD soft coolers 1 year.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Soft cooler |
|---|---|
| Warranty (quoted) | 1-year limited (Engel HD Soft-Sided Coolers) |
| Wear parts | Not listed for separate sale on Engel's accessories page. |
| Capacity | 63 cans / 41.8 L measured (OutdoorGearLab) |
| Ice retention (reported) | 3.0 days below 40°F, 3.3 days below 50°F (OutdoorGearLab, Editors' Choice) |
| Exterior | 20 × 9.5 × 17 in (measured) |
| Weight | 4.5 lb (measured) |
How the 6.5 score breaks down
- Ice retention (reported) (30%)
- 9
- Warranty term (20%)
- 3
- Repairability (15%)
- 4
- Capacity per dollar (15%)
- 7
- Build & carry (10%)
- 8
- Fit for the buy-once buyer (10%)
- 7
What the spec sheet supports
- 3.0 measured days; only the M20 backpack held longer in the same table
- 63-can capacity, the largest soft cooler here
- $200 with the best ice-per-dollar in the class
Where it falls short
- 1-year warranty, a third of the Hopper's
- Duffel shape: a shoulder strap, not a backpack
- No listed replacement parts
Skip this if…
…the warranty term matters more than the measured hours; YETI's Hopper line is 3 years.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Engel HD30 Waterproof Soft-Sided Cooler
Rank 2
Stock photoLonger term than any Hopper
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless Cooler
OutdoorGearLab's Best Buy soft cooler: 2.1 measured days, 3.6 lb, $70, a zipperless flip lid, and Arctic Zone's limited lifetime warranty on its soft goods. On this site's rubric it scores first among soft coolers because of that term.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Soft cooler |
|---|---|
| Warranty (quoted) | Limited lifetime (Arctic Zone soft products; rotomolded hard coolers are 5 years) |
| Wear parts | Not listed for separate sale. |
| Capacity | 30 cans / 19.4 L measured (OutdoorGearLab) |
| Ice retention (reported) | 2.1 days below 40°F, 2.3 days below 50°F (OutdoorGearLab, Best Buy) |
| Exterior | 15.1 × 11.3 × 12.1 in (measured) |
| Weight | 3.6 lb (measured) |
How the 6.8 score breaks down
- Ice retention (reported) (30%)
- 6
- Warranty term (20%)
- 10
- Repairability (15%)
- 3
- Capacity per dollar (15%)
- 9
- Build & carry (10%)
- 6
- Fit for the buy-once buyer (10%)
- 6
What the spec sheet supports
- Lifetime term on a $70 soft cooler; nothing else in this class comes close on paper
- Zipperless flip lid removes the most common failure point
- 2.1 measured days beats the RTIC Soft Pack and Hopper Flip 12
Where it falls short
- Normal wear, warping and discoloration are excluded, and the term covers defects, not abuse
- Not leakproof; a flip lid is not a welded seal
- Lightweight shell; the lifetime term is the argument, not the build
Skip this if…
…you need a leakproof cooler that rides on its side; this is a picnic and worksite cooler.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 30 Can Zipperless Cooler
Rank 3
Stock photoClosest build to a Hopper
RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler Pro 30 Can
Switchback Travel's top soft cooler: welded seams, RTIC's EZ Waterproof Zipper, a press lid, and it floats. No measured ice number on record; 1-year term.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Soft cooler |
|---|---|
| Warranty (quoted) | 1-year (RTIC Soft Sided Coolers) |
| Wear parts | Not listed for separate sale. |
| Capacity | 30 cans · 18 lb of ice (maker) |
| Ice retention (reported) | Unverified: no measured third-party test found; Switchback Travel names it a top pick without a protocol |
| Construction | Welded seams; RTIC EZ Waterproof Zipper; Cold Lock Press Lid; exterior waterproof box pocket |
| Exterior | 15.75 × 12.49 × 14.02 in |
| Interior | 12.99 × 8.27 × 10.63 in |
| Weight | 5 lb empty (maker) |
How the 5.4 score breaks down
- Ice retention (reported) (30%)
- 6
- Warranty term (20%)
- 3
- Repairability (15%)
- 3
- Capacity per dollar (15%)
- 8
- Build & carry (10%)
- 7
- Fit for the buy-once buyer (10%)
- 6
What the spec sheet supports
- Welded, air- and watertight body that floats
- Press-style lid instead of a full zipper for quick access
- Switchback Travel's #1 soft cooler at $129 list in their table
Where it falls short
- No measured ice figure we could cite
- 5 lb empty, heaviest 30-can soft cooler here
- 1-year term
Skip this if…
…you want a number, not a feature list; the Engel HD30 and Hopper M20 have measured days.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler Pro 30 Can
Rank 4
Stock photoBest under $100
AO Coolers Canvas Series 24 Pack
A 30-year-old design: 600D canvas, 3/4-inch foam, an RF-welded TPU liner, 2.8 lb, 2.3 measured days, $95. AO's warranty page was not fetchable, so the term is unverified.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Soft cooler |
|---|---|
| Warranty (quoted) | Unverified: AO's warranty page returned 404 on 2026-09-21; the product page links to a claim form |
| Wear parts | The liner is removable for cleaning per AO's FAQ; separate liner sales were not verified. |
| Capacity | 24 cans plus 14 lb of ice (maker); 36 cans / 23.4 L measured (OutdoorGearLab) |
| Ice retention (reported) | 2.3 days below 40°F, 2.5 days below 50°F (OutdoorGearLab) |
| Ice retention (maker claim) | 'up to 24 hours in 100°F heat' |
| Insulation | 3/4 in high-density closed-cell polyurethane foam |
| Material | 600 denier polyester canvas, Scotchguard topcoat; RF-welded TPU liner |
| Exterior | 17 × 10 × 12 in; internal 15.5 × 8.5 × 10.5 in |
| Weight | 2.8 lb (measured, OutdoorGearLab) |
How the 5.1 score breaks down
- Ice retention (reported) (30%)
- 6
- Warranty term (20%)
- 2
- Repairability (15%)
- 3
- Capacity per dollar (15%)
- 8
- Build & carry (10%)
- 6
- Fit for the buy-once buyer (10%)
- 6
What the spec sheet supports
- Out-held both YETI Hopper Flips in the same table at $95
- 2.8 lb empty
- Welded liner, not glued; removable for cleaning
Where it falls short
- AO states the top zipper 'may leak if the cooler is turned upside down'
- No dry ice: AO says it can crack the liner
- Warranty term not verified
Skip this if…
…it will ride on its side in a kayak or truck; AO says so itself.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to AO Coolers Canvas Series 24 Pack
Rank 5
Stock photoClosest to the M20
RTIC Ultra-Tough Backpack Cooler 24 Can
RTIC's answer to the M20: welded seams, waterproof zipper, press lid, 24 cans, 5 lb. Unmeasured, 1-year term, well under YETI's price.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Backpack cooler |
|---|---|
| Warranty (quoted) | 1-year (RTIC backpack coolers) |
| Wear parts | Not listed for separate sale. |
| Capacity | 24 cans · 14 lb of ice (maker) |
| Ice retention (reported) | Unverified: no third-party test found as of 2026-09-21 |
| Construction | Leakproof design; RTIC EZ Waterproof Zipper; Cold Lock Press Lid |
| Exterior | 13.78 × 12.6 × 16.14 in |
| Interior | 9.65 × 7.48 × 12.99 in |
| Weight | 5 lb empty (maker) |
How the 5.2 score breaks down
- Ice retention (reported) (30%)
- 6
- Warranty term (20%)
- 3
- Repairability (15%)
- 3
- Capacity per dollar (15%)
- 7
- Build & carry (10%)
- 7
- Fit for the buy-once buyer (10%)
- 6
What the spec sheet supports
- Waterproof zipper and welded seams at a fraction of the M20's price
- 48-can version for the same design
- Press lid for one-hand access
Where it falls short
- No measured ice figure
- 1-year term versus the Hopper's 3
- 5 lb empty before ice
Skip this if…
…you want the measured longest-holding backpack; that is the M20 by the numbers we have.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to RTIC Ultra-Tough Backpack Cooler 24 Can
Rank 6
Stock photoCheapest Hopper look-alike
RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 30 Can
The Hopper look-alike at $129: leakproof design, 4 lb, 1.8 measured days. It undercuts YETI on price and on warranty, which is 1 year.
Spec sheetSourced · not tested by us
| Category | Soft cooler |
|---|---|
| Warranty (quoted) | 1-year (RTIC Soft Sided Coolers) |
| Wear parts | Not listed for separate sale on RTIC's accessories pages. |
| Capacity | 30 cans (maker); 18.0 L measured (OutdoorGearLab) |
| Ice retention (reported) | 1.8 days below 40°F, 2.0 days below 50°F (OutdoorGearLab) |
| Construction | Leakproof design (maker) |
| Exterior | 15.5 × 12.75 × 11.5 in (30 can) |
| Weight | 4 lb empty (maker); 3.7 lb measured |
How the 4.7 score breaks down
- Ice retention (reported) (30%)
- 5
- Warranty term (20%)
- 3
- Repairability (15%)
- 3
- Capacity per dollar (15%)
- 7
- Build & carry (10%)
- 6
- Fit for the buy-once buyer (10%)
- 5
What the spec sheet supports
- Out-held the Hopper Flip 12 in the same table at half the price
- Comes in 12, 20, 30 and 50-can sizes
- Leakproof design
Where it falls short
- 1-year warranty against YETI's 3
- 1.8 days is the low end of the soft coolers ranked here
- No parts sold
Skip this if…
…you keep coolers for years; the term says one, and the zipper is the part that goes.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 30 Can
Buyer's guide: cheaper without the regret
Match the closure to the use
Kayak or truck bed on its side: welded and waterproof-zippered (RTIC Ultra-Tough) or magnetic (Hopper M20). Picnic table: anything with a welded liner.
Price the term
Yeti's 3 years costs about $100–$170 over the RTIC or Engel equivalent. Decide whether a warranty claim in year two is worth that to you.
Lubricate the zipper
Every waterproof zipper, Yeti's included, needs it. Dry zipper, dead zipper.
Check the liner is welded
AO, RTIC Ultra-Tough, Engel HD and Yeti publish it. Glued liners are not on this page.
Then read the ice numbers side by side
How we scored this
Units we claim to have tested: 0
Plenty of sites say they filled every cooler on this list with ice and watched it for a week. We don't say that, and we say so on every page. What we do instead: read the maker's published capacity, insulation, dimensions and weight; quote the warranty term from the maker's own warranty page with the date we read it; check whether the latches, gaskets, plugs, lids and straws are sold as parts; and cite the third-party ice-retention tests (OutdoorGearLab, Outdoor Life, Treeline, Outside, Gear Patrol) as their measurements, never ours. Every figure links to where it came from.
Scores are editorial judgments from that documented research, not lab results. Commissions never set a score or decide a pick. The rubric and its weights are published.
Corrections & updates
- First published.
Questions
Frequently asked
What soft cooler is comparable to a Yeti Hopper?
The RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler Pro (welded, waterproof zipper, press lid, floats, $129) is the closest build; the Engel HD30 measured more ice (3.0 vs 2.4 days). Both carry 1-year terms to the Hopper's 3.
Is the RTIC Soft Pack as good as the Yeti Hopper?
On measured ice the Soft Pack 30 (1.8 days) beat the Hopper Flip 12 (1.6) and trailed the Flip 18 (2.4). On warranty, no: 1 year vs 3.
Which cheap soft cooler holds ice the longest?
The Engel HD30 at 3.0 measured days for $200, then the AO Canvas 24 at 2.3 days for $95, in OutdoorGearLab's September 2026 table.
Is there a soft cooler with a better warranty than Yeti?
Arctic Zone puts a limited lifetime term on its soft products, including the Titan Deep Freeze 30. Everyone else is 1 year or 90 days.
Did you test these?
No. Units we claim to have tested: 0. Ice figures are OutdoorGearLab's; terms are quoted from the makers.
Keep reading
Related on Chill & Chest
Receipts
Sources
- OutdoorGearLab — "Best Soft Cooler", updated September 15, 2026, comparison table (read 2026-09-21)
- Switchback Travel — "Best Soft Coolers of 2026", updated June 25, 2026 (read 2026-09-21)
- RTIC — Soft Pack Cooler product page (read 2026-09-21)
- RTIC — Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler Pro product page (read 2026-09-21)
- RTIC — Ultra-Tough Backpack Cooler product page (read 2026-09-21)
- AO Coolers — Canvas Series 24 Pack product page (read 2026-09-21)
- Arctic Zone / Titan — Warranty page (read 2026-09-21)
- Engel — Warranty page (read 2026-09-21)
- RTIC — Warranty page (read 2026-09-21)
- YETI — Warranty Information (YETI's warranty page as republished by Acme Tools, an authorized YETI dealer; read 2026-09-21)
We don't claim to have tested these coolers or tumblers and we don't pretend to. Units we claim to have tested: 0. Specs come from the maker's own product pages (linked on every product), warranty terms from the maker's warranty page with the date we read it, and ice-retention measurements are attributed to whoever made them. Amazon prices change often, so we don't print them. Where a figure isn't published, we say so. Read the full method.