All Personal Size Coolers
Last Updated by Brandon F. on January 6, 2022
This is a listing of all personal-size coolers we have reviewed.  We define “personal size” as being any cooler that has 16 quarts or below of storage volume.  These are intended for a single individual’s needs and are typically quite small and mobile.  This mobility usually comes at the price of having a relatively short ice life. Â
Standard uses of this size include lunches, small picnics, and short beach excursions. Â Due to the light size, you shouldn’t have to worry about carrying significant weight, so having reinforced or more aggressive handles or wheels isn’t that important.
While size constraints can limit available features and performance, there are still clear-cut superior choices, and it is important to find the best cooling solution for your needs, even if it is only for a few hours. Keep in mind that just because a product has a set storage size, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all of that storage volume is insulated. Â
While that might not make as big of a difference on a larger cooler, for these smaller coolers that can be very significant. Â As such, it is important to make sure that you have ample storage room for your items that need to stay cold.
Below is a table that lists the best personal coolers that we have tested. If you want to see the full list of personal-sized coolers that we have reviewed simply scroll down below it!
Best Personal Sized Coolers
Igloo Ice Cube
Our Rating:
 
This is a great, simple cooler that does what it needs to do while remaining very affordable. For its size and price, the ice life is quite good. It is also very easy to use and transport. Also, there are many different attractive color options. This is a solid choice for those who don’t want to spend the high dollars on a premium cooler.
Pros: Easy to transport, very durable, wheeled options available, many different color choices, great price
Cons: Not quite as long of a cooling time as advertised, the handle is somewhat prone to break
Polar Bear
Our Rating:
We are impressed with the large and diverse selection of Polar Bear Soft Coolers. These models are extremely durable and have very good ice life (particularly in the Eclipse and H2O series). The features are acceptable and the asking price, while not the cheapest, is more than fair considering what you get for it.
Pros: Huge model selection, Great ice retention, Very tough construction, Customization options
Cons: Styling may not appeal to some, Can be a little pricey
GrizzlyÂ
Our Rating:
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This cooler has an incredibly long ice life, even when compared to other worthy premium coolers available. This is thanks to extra-thick walls, optimal construction, and a simple and proven approach. Plus it looks the part as well. Just be expected to pay well into the upper price range to enjoy one.
Pros: Some of the best ice life on the market, incredibly durable, aggressive look, easy to carry considering the size
Cons: Very expensive, heavy
Igloo Marine Ultra Soft Cooler Bag
Our Rating:Â
This soft cooler bag has a very good ice life for a semi-affordable soft top. Also, there is plenty of storage and helpful features such as the top-access lid and padded shoulder strap. Our only minor complaint lies with the somewhat weak zippers and sometimes questionable stitching near the shoulder area.
Pros: Incredibly good insulation for a soft-side, multiple carrying methods, easy-access top, looks awesome
Cons:Â A bit bulky and heavy, weak zippers and shoulder strap
Bison SoftPak Cooler Bag
A proven soft-sided cooler bag, the BIson SoftPak utilizes an extremely tough outer shell and thick insulation to give it a bump in performance. It won’t have quite the ice life of the top cooler bags but the asking price is much more reasonable.
Pros: Very tough outer fabric, Thick Insulation, Proven Looks
Cons: Somewhat limited ice life for a premium cooler bag
Grizzly Drifter
Our Rating:
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The Drifter is a small but potent lineup recently released by Grizzly. These coolers don’t have the longest ice life but are adequate for the size and, outside of some loose stitching, are plenty tough. Also, they are at a competitive price point.
Pros: Plenty of additional storage areas, Attractive styling
Cons: Threads can unravel easily, Limited size options
Techni Ice Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
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A viable all-around bag, the Techni Ice Cooler Bag enjoys the extremely thick walls that we have come to enjoy from Techni Ice. This results in good ice performance and toughness while maintaining a reasonable asking price.
 Pros: Good ice retention, Fair price, Good craftsmanship
Cons:Â Lack of colors, Not as many features as other soft-sided coolers
C & H Lunch Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
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A simple and low-cost solution, the C & H Lunch Cooler Bag tries to meet the needs of those on a tight budget and after a short-term cooling product for their lunch needs. There aren’t a lot of features but the performance is good.
 Pros: Extremely affordable, Lightweight, Good performance for a lunch cooler bag
Cons:Â Limited in sizes and color choices, Few additional features
Igloo Backpack
Our Rating:
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The Igloo Backpack Cooler has undergone some changes that have improved its looks and ice performance. The result is a series of mobile coolers that we enjoy. Ice life will vary but can reach up to a half-day. And the features that are in place make this a very portable and reliable product.
Pros: Very reasonably-priced, Nice features, Good build quality, Plenty of choices
Cons: Limited colors, No extreme long-term ice solution
Icemule
Our Rating:
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With a unique design, Icemule Coolers lead the way in terms of mobility and portability. Their ice life is acceptable and the build quality is plenty resilient. But this simple approach does come at come costs: lack of features and not a lot of options for storing items outside of the insulated main area. But these coolers have their place among our readers.
Pros: Very simple to use, Extremely tough, Acceptable ice life
Cons: Limited additional pockets, Very short warranty, Can be pricey
Orca Podster
Our Rating:
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The Orca Podster is the smaller of the two popular backpack coolers. It finds a happy medium between storage capacity and ice retention. Plus, the build quality is rock-solid. But there aren’t a ton of features and the asking price is quite high to have a chance to enjoy this special cooler.
Pros: Very tough, Good ice life, Mobile
Cons: Expensive, Limited color choices, Questionable styling
Mammoth Cruiser
Our Rating:
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The Mammoth Cruiser is the smaller sibling of the new Mammoth lineup. It attempts to find a happy medium between ice life and mobility and, for the most part, succeeds. But the overall feature choices are a little lacking and you won’t find as many colors to choose from as you may like.
Pros: Great build quality, Lifetime warranty, Very mobile
Cons: Limited in features, Expensive for the size
Yeti Hopper
Our Rating:
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A very impressive soft-sided cooler across the board, the Hopper was one of the original premium soft-sided coolers to hit the market. You will find the ice life and toughness among the best there is and there are a few different colors to choose from as well. But it does come with a high asking price and somewhat limited storage locations
Pros: Some of the best cooling on the market for a soft-sided cooler, Great size for its intentions, Very tough
Cons: Lack of additional pockets, Few color options, Very expensive for the storage size
Pelican Soft
Our Rating:
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The Pelican Soft Cooler is a tough competitor thanks to its high-quality components and American build quality. The ice life is quite good as well. But there aren’t a lot of features and currently only one color option. Also, it is quite expensive. But if you are willing to pay for it, you will enjoy an excellent soft cooler.
Pros: Great ice life, Extremely tough, Good warranty
Cons: Expensive, Lack of features, Only one color
Indago8 Backpack Cooler
Our Rating:
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While it won’t break any ice retention records, the Indago8 Backpack Cooler delivers acceptable ice life and quality considering its very reasonable asking price. You will also enjoy quite a bit of storage volume.
Pros: Very affordable, Plenty of storage space
Cons: Only one color option, Potential issue with stitching on straps
Homitt
Our Rating:
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Homitt delivers good performance and nice build quality at a very competitive asking price. This is a great cooler for those who want their money to go further. However, we do have issues with their lack of color choices and warranty information.
Pros: Good performance, Nice construction, very reasonably priced
Cons: Very limited color options, Unsure about specific of warranty
Simple Modern
Our Rating:
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Simple Modern Soft Coolers are limited in color choices and size selection but what is available offers up a good performance and build quality for a reasonable price.
Pros: Good ice life, Nice build quality, Good value
Cons: Limited size and color choices, Questions about warranty
Dometic Patrol
Our Rating:
While Dometic may be known more for their powered coolers, their recent Patrol hard-sided coolers are no slouches, either. They have the great build quality and their ice life will compete with the very best. However, they are a bit Spartan when it comes to features. And we wouldn’t mind a few more color choices.
Pros: Good ice retention, Built sturdy
Cons: Not a lot of features, Only one color choice
Calcutta Soft
Our Rating:
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Calcutta’s soft coolers offer good ice performance and nice build quality. They also have the features that we like to see. But you will be limited in color choices, the warranty coverage is questionable, and they are expensive.
Pros: Good build quality, Acceptable ice retention, A few clever features
Cons: Can be expensive, Questions about warranty, Limited color choices
Kula
Our Rating:
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Kula has one of the most unique styles of any cooler that we have tested. The round cooler offers up a nice list of features and is built quite well. However, the ice life and high asking price might turn some people off.
Pros: Great build quality, Attractive, Nice warranty
Cons: Uncomfortable to carry, So-so ice life, Expensive
Dewalt
Our Rating:
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Dewalt is known for its power tools. But their new lineup of hard-sided coolers isn’t shabby, either. They offer good quality and performance at an acceptable price. However, you will be stuck with their bright yellow color.
Pros: Reputable brand name, Great construction, Good ice retention
Cons: Few features than other brands, Only one color option (bright yellow), Unsure of warranty
Port & Company 6 Pack
Our Rating:
 
We were surprised by how good this bag was at keeping cold and also how well it was made. This results in a product that will last for several years and is even waterproof. However, you will be limited on the storage volume.
Pros: Great cold retention, waterproof, very mobile, premium feel to the design
Cons: Limited storage size
Igloo Legend
Our Rating:Â
It doesn’t get much simpler than this. The ice life, for the price, is not bad at all and we like the mobility of it. Also, the lid can convert to a helpful tray. The handle is a bit on the weak side and the aesthetics are sort of bland but for those on a tight budget and after something basic, this can work.
Pros: Quite good cooling ability, very mobile, lid converts to tray and cup holder, great price
Cons: Handle can be a little weak, very boring styling
Coleman Soft
Our Rating:
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These simple soft-sided coolers are surprisingly resilient and should last for a few years without major issues. There is also plenty of storage area for the size. Prices may vary so be sure to shop around.  The major issues include water easily leaking out and a challenge in storing as many cans as Coleman states that it can.
Pros: Look great, a lot of places to store items, plenty of sizes to choose from
Cons: Air easily escapes, exaggeration on how much you can store
Engel Cooler/Dry Box
Our Rating:
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A very clever approach but for those who aren’t after the specific needs that this cooler addresses, you will end up paying more for a product that doesn’t have as long of ice life as a more traditional premium cooler. The unique design also results in rather limited storage space. But we certainly can’t deny its quality components and for people after an “all-in-one” cooler, this can’t be beaten.
Pros: Can retain both hot and cold items, the cooler can be submerged underwater without issue, quality hardware
Cons:Â Not the best cooling performance, a bit limited in storage volume, expensive for the size
Coleman Backpack
Our Rating:
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A very user-friendly and cheap backpack that retains most of the mobility of a traditional backpack. It has an adequate amount of storage space for a small excursion but don’t expect this to hold ice for very long. In addition, the quality is surprisingly good given the price point.
Pros: Very affordable, Extremely mobile, Multiple storage areas
Cons: May not be enough space, very limited ice life
Kysek Dry Bag
Our Rating:Â
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These dry bags are assembled with great construction methods and have a similarly tough outer shell that we have become used to from Kysek. Â However, you are giving up a significant ability to keep items chilled for very long and are still having to pay a premium for this high-performance bag.
Pros: Quality construction, Super resilient outside fabric, Attractive looks
Cons: Aren’t designed to store cold items, Expensive considering they aren’t coolers, Not as many features
Igloo MaxCold Workmans Meal to Go Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
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This is a very attractive cooler bag that is quite durable thanks to quality materials and decent construction. It is also easy to use thanks to the multiple access points. And we like the overall styling of it. But the ice life is a little lackluster and the zipper design could be improved upon.
Pros: Multiple access points to stored items, tough outer material, very attractive styling, comfortable padded carrying handle
Cons:Â Insulation performance could be a lot better, can be difficult to get to zipper while carrying
Read Our Review of Igloo MaxCold Workmans Meal to Go Cooler Bag
Igloo MaxCold Hard Top Gripper
Our Rating:
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Another portable solution, the Hard Top Gripper is extremely mobile for those who can make do with the small storage space. Being small does mean that it is very easy to carry and store and the ice performance, despite being little, isn’t too bad. However, the zipper can be a bit stubborn at times and it needs some additional features to be a real home run choice for us.
Pros: Acceptable job at keeping items cool, easy to carry, modern styling
Cons:Â Zipper can get stuck easily and there is only one of them, not enough additional features
Igloo Playmate
Our Rating:
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The Playmate is one of the best-selling Igloo coolers and this is thanks to its simple design, easy mobility, and great asking price. But it does suffer from short ice life and has very few features that other modern coolers are bringing to the table.
Pros: Body is strong enough, classic design, affordable
Cons:Â Short ice life, flimsy lid, not very many features
Stanley Heritage
Our Rating:
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A fun little cooler that comes with its own Stanley bottle, the Heritage Series attempts to stand out from the crowd thanks to its mobility and convenience. While the ice life is nothing amazing, it is more than serviceable. And the compartmentalized interior is a nice touch. But you won’t have much in terms of color or size choices.
Pros: Great feature that allows thermos to be attached, Looks quite classy, Decent cool life
Cons: Relatively limited storage space, Wish there was metal hardware used, Only one size
RubbermaidÂ
Our Rating:
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One of the most popular Rubbermaid coolers out there, this product takes a very simple and cost-effective approach. For the size, you will enjoy nice ice retention and the lid (a common weak point on budget coolers) is quite robust. But the design is very bland and there simply aren’t enough features to get us excited. Plus, the common weak handle problem that plagues some other Rubbermaid models exists here as well. But for the asking price, we can’t be too picky.
 Pros: Good ice life for the size, strong lid, decent price
Cons: Weak handles, pretty plain design
Stanley Adventure
Our Rating:
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Although somewhat lacking in size options, the Adventure Cooler is a tough little ice chest. It has enough ice performance to meet most people’s needs and the ability to be able to secure a Stanley bottle on the top is cool. It is also very mobile. But the lid can be a little finicky and the asking price, while not crazy high, is still in the premium price sector.
Pros: Nice ice life considering its size, Very easy to transport, Great implementation of bungee cord
Cons: We would prefer metal hardware over plastic, The lid can sometimes be stubborn, Pretty expensive
Ozark Trail Soft
Our Rating:
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This is a solid competitor that finds a happy medium between cost and performance. We encourage you to try to stick to the premium models as they have a nice bump up in ice life and overall build quality. But the (more affordable) entry-level can coolers will work for short-term solutions as well.
Pros: Very attractive price, Acceptable performance, Plenty of sizes to choose from
Cons: A little lacking in colors, A few quality issues
Ao Carbon
Our Rating:
 
This is a very classy-looking cooler that does an alright job of ice retention and the build quality and materials are good enough, albeit it is a bit on the large side for a given size. Also, the price is somewhat high so we wouldn’t mind if its performance was bumped up a notch or two. It’s still not a terrible choice, however.
Pros: Waterproof, multiple carrying options, strong fabric, very attractive
Cons: A bit large for what it carries, not many external features, a bit expensive
Ao Vinyl
 
Our Rating:
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A tough product that has a good ice life for being a soft-sided cooler, while adhering to some of the benefits that those types of coolers bring. It does fall a bit short on the looks category, though. However, for someone looking for a rugged but still somewhat mobile cooling solution, this should do the trick.
Pros: Great cooling ability, two carrying choices, strong material
Cons: Still prone to scratches, not many external features, looks are questionable
Coleman Fliplid
 
Our Rating:
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This is one of the smallest hard-sided plastic coolers you can purchase so mobility is quite good. But the mobility and lightweight attributes do come at a price: very limited ice life. If you only need a few hours of ice performance it can work. Plus we love the internal cup holders.
Pros: Extremely mobile, great implementation of cup holders, affordable
Cons: Short ice life, very limited carrying space, not a lot of color choices
Coleman Excursion
Our Rating:
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The semi-recent update to the design resulted in a more attractive styling and subtle ice life improvements. That being said, the available sizes are on the small side. It can be an adequate personal cooler for an afternoon outing but may struggle beyond that.
Pros: Lid seals pretty well, rather tough, more progressive styling than predecessor
Cons: Still a little expensive, limited sizes, might be too small for many
Dalix Cooler and Lunch Bag
Our Rating:
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For a simple and low-cost lunch bag, this will suffice. While it does have thin walls, the cooling life isn’t that bad considering the price. There are also quite a few places to store additional items. But there are some quality issues and don’t store anything fragile in the top compartment: it can be easily crushed.
Pros: Good cooling performance for the price, multiple storage areas, affordable
Cons: Quite large for a lunch bag, the strap is somewhat weak, items in the top compartment can crush ones in the bottom compartment
Igloo Hard Liner
Our Rating:
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This product has good cooling performance and we recommend using ice packs instead of ice for it. The size is at a happy medium that allows for adequate storage space while still being very mobile and easy to store. In addition, there are plenty of color choices. Our only issues are that it is a little too thin and we wish that they would update the carrying method.
Pros: Acceptable ice life (especially with ice pack usage), easy to store and transport, a lot of choices in color
Cons:Â No handle for carrying, a little too flimsy
Igloo Hard Liner
Our Rating:
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This product has good cooling performance and we recommend using ice packs instead of ice for it. The size is at a happy medium that allows for adequate storage space while still being very mobile and easy to store. In addition, there are plenty of color choices. Our only issues are that it is a little too thin and we wish that they would update the carrying method.
Pros: Acceptable ice life (especially with ice pack usage), easy to store and transport, a lot of choices in color
Cons:Â No handle for carrying, a little too flimsy
eBags Lunch
Our Rating:
 
In terms of simply being a lunch cooler, it does the job well enough. You can expect your items to stay cool for a few hours but not much more than that. The build quality is quite good and we like the material choices. But you will be limited in storage volume and, for the size, the asking price is up there.
Pros: Will fill its purpose in regards to keeping items cool until lunch, high-quality materials, strong strap
Cons: Very limited in storage size, expensive for how much space you are getting, very plain styling
Everest Cooler Lunch Bag
 
Our Rating:
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This is a rather boring lunch bag that doesn’t do anything to make it stand out from the crowd. While the cooling life is acceptable for a lunch bag and it is easy to carry, the limited size and somewhat pricey cost (given the size) make it only a decent choice, in our opinion.
Pros: Decent cool life, lightweight, and easy to carry
Cons: Expensive for the size, very limited size, boring appearance
eBags Crew Cooler Jr.
Our Rating:
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This is a smaller version of the popular Crew Cooler. It is certainly more mobile but it may be too small for some as the storage size was trimmed down. However, the build quality is nice and it looks attractive as well. The price point just needs to come down some to make it a stronger buy for us.
Pros: Very mobile, decent build quality, a lot of additional storage pocket, looks nice
Cons: Expensive for the size, very limited in insulated storage volume
Igloo Gripper
Our Rating:
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Igloo’s old design, the Gripper needs a facelift both in terms of performance and looks. What it does have going for it is being extremely mobile and being assembled with high-quality components. There are also plenty of colors to choose from. Where it lacks is in its overall ice life, very limited storage space, and simply being too pricey for what you are getting.
Pros: Very mobile, decent construction, wide color selection
Cons: Won’t keep items cool for very long, storage volume might be an issue, somewhat expensive for the size
EasyLunchboxes Insulated Lunch Box Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
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This is an extremely lightweight and mobile product and the build quality isn’t all that bad. But the tiny size and very thin walls mean that you won’t be able to store much and what you do store won’t stay cool for long. Also, it could use a bit of a facelift in the design department.
Pros: Very light, decent build quality
Cons: Poor cooling ability, too small of storage volume, boring design
Read Our Review of EasyLunchboxes Insulated Lunch Box Cooler Bag
Dalix Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
 
The best thing that this Cooler Bag has going for it is its multiple places to carry items. Also, it doesn’t have too big of a sticker shock. However, the construction quality is sub-par (particularly around the strap) and the cooling ability isn’t great.
Pros: Multiple carrying options, additional front storage pockets, decent price
Cons: Cooling ability could be better, the strap is very weak, only two color choices
