Do you always find yourself on the go, even in the brutal sun? If so, getting a portable cooler to keep drinks cool is something that might have crossed your mind. The good news is that there are plenty of soft coolers on the market that you could buy. Whether you like to go camping, hunting or partying in the woods, temperatures could go up and a cold drink is something you could use. We’ve analyzed dozens of top-rated soft-sided coolers and handpicked the best. Before listing Best Soft Coolers, below are some of the factors that you should always keep in mind when choosing the right soft cooler that suits your needs.
Best Pick – Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Cooler
Highly Efficient, Dependable & Affordable.
A lot goes into making a soft cooler efficient and that is exactly what Arctic Zone have done with their state of the art cooler. It comes with an attractive design that you are sure to love. Under the awe-inspiring design, ingenious craftsmanship and technology that involves heavy-duty insulation ensure that the soft cooler is dependable and keeps drinks and beverages hot or cold for a long time. One would be made to believe that this soft cooler is pricey, but it is actually one of the cheapest options one can get.
Best Soft Coolers 2022 for The Money
Here are the best soft coolers that have stood the ice-melt test and demonstrated excellent performance among dozens in the market.
9. BISON COOLERS Soft Sided Insulated
Price: Modestly priced.
Capacity: 12 cans.
Special features: Heavy duty vinyl shell, UV protection.
The Bison soft coolers is a high-quality cooler that comes with a high level of insulation to keep drinks and beverages at their desired temperatures. It has a simple design that features carrying straps and a removable shoulder strap. The use of a 1000 denier vinyl shell ensures that the bag is both durable yet still lightweight and easy to carry.
The insulation used in these soft coolers is efficient to keep both ice and cold water cold for a long time. The soft cooler has the capacity to carry up to 12 cans making it a perfect cooler for people travelling on day trips or spending time outdoors.
Pros and Cons
- It is made with sturdy and durable materials.
- Lightweight and convenient.
- The stitching could be better.
8. RTIC 20 Soft Pack
Price: Fairly priced.
Capacity: up to 20 cans.
Special features: antimicrobial liner, No-Leak zipper.
The RTIC 20 soft pack is an excellent 20 can personal cooler that is designed to offer good performance while also being 100% leakproof and puncture-resistant. It has 2-inch thick foam insulation to keep the drinks and beverages cold without exterior sweating. An antimicrobial liner has also been used to help resist mildew. Most users have experienced between 2 to 4 days of ice with this soft cooler, which is impressive.
Good insulation, quality design, and good capacity are some of the things that better describes this RTIC soft cooler. This cooler lives up to its advertised purpose and will appeal to any outdoor enthusiast.
Pros and Cons
- The soft cooler offers good value for the price.
- It has a quality build and its performance is top-notch.
- There tends to be an issue with the zipper and needs improvement.
7. TOURIT Cooler Backpack
Price: Low price tag.
Capacity: 30 cans.
Special features: Leak-proof design, Side mesh pockets.
Talk of convenience and the TOURIST cooler backpack will give you more. It has been constructed with tough materials with high-density insulation and leak-proof properties that make is ideal for any outdoor occasion. The backpack comes with multiple pockets that give one enough space to store any items and small accessories.
Wearing the backpack on your shoulder feels comfortable, thanks to the comfortable straps it has. Whether you are going for a hike, picnic, camping in the woods or taking a trip, this is a bag that will come in handy if you want to carry some drinks and keep them cold for long.
Pros and Cons
- Can be used on any occasion.
- The backpack is light and very durable.
- Leaking concerns have been raised by people using it to carry ice.
6. Polar Bear Coolers Nylon Line
Price: Low price tag.
Capacity: Variant choices between 12, 24 and 48 pack.
Special features: Antimicrobial liner, double-coated nylon outer shell, side zipper pocket.
There are lots of Polar bear coolers in the market and this is one of their best selling. Besides being from a respected brand, this cooler is loved for its incredible performance and quality build. The high-density insulation system used keeps drinks frozen for up to 24 hours. And if it helps, the liner is also bullet-proof. The interior is made of an FDA approved antimicrobial double-coated nylon liner to boost performance.
The outer shell is made of high-quality double-hemmed nylon to make it more durable and puncture-proof. Its zipper is a heavy-duty YKK rustproof and weatherized making it easy to use on the cooler without ripping it apart. Overall its a quality cooler that is worth investing in.
Pros and Cons
- The cooler is made of heavy duty material and built for durability.
- It comes at an affordable price.
- Some users feel that the insulation is overstated and could be much better.
5. eBags Crew Cooler II
Price: Low price tag.
Capacity: Crew size capacity.
Special features: dry and cold compartments.
The eBags crew cooler is a high capacity soft cooler that can be used to carry lots of drinks and foodstuff. It is made of a high quality 840D twisted poly and was originally designed to meet the needs of flight attendants and pilots. It has two different compartments that one can use to separate dry and cold drinks and food. There is also an additional zippered mesh storage pocket to keep small items like napkins.
Performance-wise, this cooler is excellent and keeps things cold for a long time. This is a cooler bag that is perfect for family picnics, outdoor crew parties and for anyone that desires a large capacity soft side cooler at an affordable price.
Pros and Cons
- It is very large and has space for carrying plenty of drinks and foodstuff.
- The cooler has an impressive customer satisfaction rating.
- Some users feel that improvement could be made on the zipper.
4. Coleman 16-Can Soft Cooler Hard Liner
Price: Very affordable.
Capacity: 16 cans.
Special features: removable plastic liner, zippered pocket, meshed pockets, PEVA liner.
Ranking high among all other soft coolers in the market is this Coleman 16-can cooler that comes with adjustable shoulder straps. It is compactly designed for easy portability even when fully loaded. With heat-welded seams, users can forget about leaking and ice sweating on the outside. It also has multiple pockets which users can stash dry items.
The interior has a germ-resistant liner that is treated with antimicrobial to avoid any mildew, mould formation and bad odor. Whatever outdoor retreat you intend to get a soft cooler for, this is one that is guaranteed to perform.
Pros and Cons
- It has an amazingly high customer satisfaction rate than any other soft-sided cooler in the market.
- The cooler is among the most affordable in the market, yet boasts high performance.
- Insulation could be improved for prolonged cooling.
3. ICEMULE Classic Insulated Backpack Cooler Bag
Price: Low price tag.
Capacity: varies between 10, 15 and 20 litres.
Special features: collapsible, backpack-style, IM air valve.
This ICEMULE soft cooler is a backpack-style cooler that makes it easy to carry even when it is heavy. It is fully collapsible and easy to store when it is not in use, thanks to its design that make sit roll easily. With the options of choosing between 10, 15 and 20 litres, users can easily get an ideal soft cooler that suits their intended use.
The cooler uses polar-layer insulation foam to keep the drinks and beverages frosty. It has an IM air valve which is a unique feature that lets in air to increase insulation. If you need a hands-free cooler that isn’t bulky yet has good performance, then you can’t go wrong with the ICEMULE soft-sided cooler.
Pros and Cons
- The soft cooler has an outstanding customer satisfaction rate.
- It comes at an affordable price.
- Some users have complained of leaking in the soft cooler.
2. AO Coolers Canvas Soft Cooler
Price: Low price tag.
Capacity: 12 to 48 can choices.
Special features: side pocket, Leak-proof liner, soft canvas.
The AO canvas soft cooler is a lightweight cooler designed with heavy duty canvas and an interior design that offers nothing short of excellence. Its exterior design is designed with a soft finish to avoid it from scratching or tearing any upholstery. Users have the option of choosing from either, 12, 24, 36 or 48 pack cooler. The side pocket is meant to offer users an extra space for storing dry items.
The insulation and technology are designed to hold ice-cold temperatures for 24 hours under 120-degree continuous heat. It is a cooler designed to suit anyone that loves boating, fishing, sporting events, and adventures.
Pros and Cons
- The cooler is designed with one of the best convenience.
- It is very affordable considering what you are getting.
- Some users have has leaking and sweating issues on the outside.
1. Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Zipperless Cooler
Price: Low price tag.
Capacity: Choice of 9, 16, 30 and 48 cans.
Special features: Deepfreeze insulation, leak-proof lining, zipperless system.
The Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Cooler is an affordable, high-performance soft cooler that has earned itself a spot as one of the best selling coolers in the market. It prides itself on its unique, patented zipperless technology that sets it apart from many in the market. The interior is made of an FDA compliant hard-body liner and its deep-freeze insulation technology has shown incredible performance in maintaining freezing temperatures even under high heat.
Another feature that makes it stand out is the padded back saver shoulder strap which makes the user feel comfortable carrying the bag cooler even when it is heavy.
Pros and Cons
- It is very easy to carry this cooler, thanks to the back saver technology.
- The cooler is one of the cheapest in the market.
- It is not the cooler you’d want to use for cooling beyond 24 hours.
Choosing the Best Soft Sided Cooler
These are the crucial pointers to keep in mind when choosing the perfect sided cooler for your needs.
Size and Capacity
Do you need a large cooler that you can pack and load in your car or a small one that you can easily carry with your hands? This is a crucial factor that can make a big difference on the soft cooler that you decide to buy. You should also get a cooler based on how many drinks or stuff you intend to be cooling. You could get a cooler that holds 10 cans or one that can hold 50 cans, all based on your preference and expectations.
Design and Build Quality
Soft-sided coolers are built differently with various materials. This simply means that some are tougher than others and their durability will also vary. Some materials also make a soft cooler heavy to carry and this is something that you should always consider. You’d want to get a good soft cooler that is built to last yet gives you quality service without being too heavy and hard to carry with you.
Ease of Portability
Soft coolers are designed for portability but they are designed differently based on the use. Depending on the intended use, there are different soft-sided coolers that are designed to be used on various occasions. If you are a hiker, there is a good soft cooler that will appeal to you better than if you were taking the family camping. For instance, a family camping would need a cooler that they can fit in their car, but a hiker would need something that they can hang on their shoulder or easily carry with their hands. Such instances where portability comes to play must always be considered.
Cost
Another buying consideration that you must watch out for is the cost. There are lots of coolers that come at affordable prices, but not all of them will give you the quality and performance that you need. Neither does it mean that the pricier ones will give you the best performance. Besides the cost, you need to be sure that whatever you are getting is a good investment for your money.
Final Verdict
The choice of soft-sided cooler you choose all depends on you and your own preferences. Listed above are the best selling soft coolers the market has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a soft cooler?
A: Soft coolers are specialized types of coolers that are made using softer materials as compared to hard coolers. These coolers have gone through rotor-moulding and are mostly RF materials that have been welded together. They are well insulated to ensure good insulation and a longer cooling time.
Q: How do soft coolers work?
A: Soft coolers take different shapes and designs. Some have been modelled to be carried as backpacks and other types of bags. However, they are all well insulated to ensure that they can keep drinks and food cold or hot.
Q: Do I need a soft cooler or a hard cooler?
A: Soft coolers are light in nature as compared to hard coolers. The main difference between soft and hard coolers are the materials used to make them. Although hard coolers are heavy duty and durable, sometimes you just need to keep your drinks cold for a few hours, and not have to carry all the weight that comes with hard coolers. That is where the soft coolers come to play.
Q: Can you keep ice in a soft cooler?
A: Although hard coolers seem to be the only option to keep ice cold for a long time, major advancement and improvisation have also seen a lot of improvements with the use of soft coolers. There are some good soft coolers that can keep ice cold for a long time.
