The 5 Best Soft Coolers, According to Our Editor After Months of Testing

MARY HENN/FAMILY HANDYMAN

Shop at Yeti

Best Soft Cooler Overall

Yeti M15 Tote Soft Cooler

Shop at Yeti

Pros:

• Unbeatable ice retention
• Durable outer shell
• Magnetic open and close
• Side pockets and grid make it easy to store and attach small items
• Tall enough to hold wine bottles
• Keeps ice frozen for 24+ hours
• Leakproof and waterproof
• 3-year warranty

Cons:

• Premium price
• Buckles can be difficult to fasten when cooler is full

If youre a long-time Yeti fan, its probably no surprise that this Yeti soft cooler ranks at the top of my list. To cut to the chase, Yetis ice retention is unbeatable. Couple that with Yetis sleek cooler designs, quality materials and endless cooler accessories, and its no surprise why Yeti is the best overall.

If youre wondering why Ive listed the M15 Tote over the Hopper Flip, it boils down to personal preference. I prefer the look and feel of a tote-shaped cooler over a box-shaped one. However, theyre virtually the same cooler regarding ice retention and construction materials.

The Yeti soft coolers keep things cold the longest (Ive tested a few, including Yeti hard coolers; the M12 Backpack made this list, too). The ice stayed intact after 24 hours with no noticeable melting, and after 40 hours, the contents were still cold. Typically, soft coolers cannot keep contents cold as long as hard coolers, but Yeti soft coolers make it well past the 24-hour mark.

The M15 Tote is the newest addition to Yetis Hopper Soft Cooler line, and its made with MagShield, which means magnets sit at the opening and make the cooler easy to open and close. The heavy-duty magnets lock in the cold and roll down so the whole cooler buckles shut for an added layer of protection. Additionally, the coolers fabric is incredibly durable and UV-resistant. The M15 can fit 32 12-ounce cans (without ice), while the larger M30 can hold 42 cans (without ice).