All Small Size Coolers
Updated by Brandon F. on December 9, 2021
This is a list of all small-size coolers we have reviewed. We define “small size” as any product that has between 17 and 35 quarts of storage volume. This size is the second smallest, putting it in between the personal size and the medium size. Products that fall under this category are typically intended for small group outings or potentially for an individual who needs to pack a couple of meals and some drinks as well. They will oftentimes be a bit too bulky to be used as a conventional lunch container. At this storage volume, you will have a bit more space which means that more features such as external pockets, multiple storage spaces, etc., can be added.
At the same time, they are still mobile enough to be easily carried but a single person, and a convenient carrying handle will usually be all that is required. You will start to see more plastic or “hard-sided” coolers in this category, although there is still a nice variety of soft-sided options as well. If you are looking for a mobile-friendly and convenient product that amps things up a bit in the storage department, then consider checking out this size!
Below we list out some of our top-scoring small coolers. For a full list of all small coolers that we have reviewed, just hop on down to find links to all of them. These links will take you to our full review of each cooler where we put them through various testing.
Best Small Coolers
Engel Soft-Sided
Our Rating:
A truly fantastic product, Engel’s entry into the cooler bag industry impressed us. The ice retention is industry-leading and the build quality is unmatched. There are also some cool features that you won’t find anywhere else. Combine this with great styling and you have one of the top coolers we have ever reviewed.
Pros: Industry-leading ice life, Incredibly tough outer shell, unique vacuum feature, attractive styling
Cons: Limited sizes, Strap adjustment is a bit more work
Kong
Our Rating:
One of the best “bang for your buck” coolers on the market. The Kong Coolers combine impressive ice life, tons of great features, and robust build quality. Plus, they look great! This is one of the best coolers you can buy.
Pros: Great ice retention, Lifetime warranty, Attractive styling, Very durable
Cons: Limited size options
K2 Summit
Our Rating:
K2 offers up one of the top coolers on the market with its Summit series. Ice life can be potentially a week or more (in the largest sizes) and the build quality is top-notch. You may not see quite as many exotic features as you do on other premium coolers but the straightforward approach results in a long-lasting and effective cooler that will make its owner happy for many years to come.
Pros: Incredible ice life, wheeled option for mobility, very sturdy construction, great tough look
Cons: Quite expensive, very bulky
Grizzly
Our Rating:
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
Orion
Our Rating:
When it comes to styling and features, it doesn’t get much better than Orion. Plus, the warranty is among the best in the industry. But it does come at a very high asking price and most of the colors may have a bit too much “pop” for someone who would prefer to blend in.
Pros: Very clever features, Impressive ice performance, Awesome Styling, Long warranty
Cons: Extremely expensive, Not a lot of “safe” color choices
nICE
Our Rating:
A great lineup of small to large coolers that have good ice life and toughness. What brings these over the top is their clever features combined with a relatively competitive asking price.
Pros: Acceptable asking price, good ice life, loaded with features
Cons: Limited size options
Canyon Adventure Series
Our Rating:
A truly fantastic cooler that has some of the longest ice life we have ever come across. There are plenty of features that help to make it tough while easy to use. Consider the reasonable asking price and a lifetime warranty and you have a home run.
Pros: Super long ice life, extremely tough, lifetime warranty
Cons: Not many color choices
Cordova
Our Rating:
This Idaho-based company impressed us with its boat-inspired lineup of hard-sided coolers. The ice life is there but the most notable aspects are their clever features and beautiful aesthetics. And having a lifetime warranty sure doesn’t hurt, either!
Pros: Good ice life, Lifetime warranty, Many clever features, Awesome styling
Cons: Not a ton of sizes, Limited colors, High price tag
Vibe
Our Rating:
Another worthy candidate in the premium cooler market. While it lacks in sizes and colors, it more than makes up for it in features, toughness, ice life, and a fantastic asking price.
Pros: Very affordable for a premium cooler, loaded with features, good ice life
Cons: Limited size options, few color choices
Igloo Sportsman
Our Rating:
This is a great cooler that is designed to compete with the best coolers in the industry. It comes with the premium build quality, tough components, and it is proudly made in the USA. It also is more affordable than a lot of its competition on the market. The only minor issue we have is a lack of color choices.
Pros: Great ice retention, Extremely durable, Cheaper than many other premium coolers
Cons: Somewhat limited features, Lack of color choices
Palm
Our Rating:
Palm’s recently revised V2 Coolers improve on what was already solid design. You will enjoy fantastic ice life and one of the longest warranties in the business. The additional features are welcome as well. Our only minor issue is the lack of color options.
Pros: Great ice retention, Extremely tough, Good value, Wheels on new models
Cons: Only two sizes of new models are available right now, Limited color choices
Techni Ice Signature Series
Our Rating:
This cooler comes with industry-leading ice life and the proven performance that we come to expect from top coolers. There are enough features to make most happy and the asking price is more than fair considering what you get.
Pros: Incredible ice retention, Good Build Quality, Reasonable Price
Cons: Very limited in color choices
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
Cordova Soft
Our Rating:
While somewhat limited in size selection, the current models of Cordova’s Soft Cooler line are quite good. They offer up tons of storage space, great build quality, and impressive ice life. A solid choice for someone who needs to transport a lot of cans for the weekend.
Pros: Tons of storage, Great construction, Attractive styling, Reasonable cost
Cons: May be simply too large for some, Limited color options
Engel Backpack
Our Rating:
If you are after a backpack cooler, look no further. Engel combines extra-thick insulation and a sun-resistant inner shell to produce great ice retention. The quality materials and construction also mean that this product will last for many years. An attractive cooler with multiple color choices, it is the “total package”.
Pros: Awesome ice performance, Extremely resilient outer shell, Attractive styling
Cons: Pricey for a backpack, Not a true backpack, Limited sizes
Pelican Elite
Our Rating:
This cooler will give you an extremely long ice life and it is backed by proven construction and high-quality components. Plus, the aggressive look helps to make it stand out. But it does come at a very high asking price (even with the premium cooler sector).
Pros: Incredible cooling life, Very durable, Rugged look
Cons: Very heavy and difficult to move, Expensive
Siberian
Our Rating:
This cooler lineup impressed us with its diverse selection of helpful features. The ice life is also quite good but for the high asking price, this is to be expected. A solid choice for someone who wants a premium cooler that is easy to use and gets the job done.
Pros: Loaded with unique features, Very attractive styling, Adequate combination of ice life and toughness
Cons: Not the cheapest, Lacking in color choices
Siberian Soft
Our Rating:
While very limited in sizes and color choices, the Siberian Sidekick 32 is a great performer when it comes to ice retention and overall toughness. And there are enough features to make most people content. We hope to see Siberian build upon this platform in the future.
Pros: Good ice retention, Very tough, Awesome warranty
Cons: Limited in colors and sizes, Can be a bit expensive
Bird Dog
Our Rating:
While limited in size choices, Bird Dog makes up for it with good ice life and plenty of features. Plus, there are quite a few colors to pick from. An overall good performer at a reasonable price within the premium price range.
Pros: Many good features, Attractive styling/colors, Good overall performance
Cons: Not many sizes, Questions about warranty
CustomCoolerStore
Our Rating:
The main selling point of this small lineup of coolers is the impressive ability to upload designs to be printed on the cooler. Also, the ice life and asking price aren’t terrible, either.
Pros: Great ability to upload designs, Good ice life
Cons: Limited size selection, Only two base colors, Pretty expensive
Arctic Zone Pro 30
Our Rating:
A nice overall performer, the Pro 30 has an adequate cooling ability and it is very simple to access items inside. It also is much more attractive than most other soft-sided coolers we have reviewed. However, it does have some problems with fabric unraveling early. But for the price and features available, we are overall content.
Pros: Acceptable cool life, very easy to access items inside, looks great Cons: Fabric falls apart too soon, the shoulder strap can be weak
Igloo BMX
Our Rating:
The Igloo BMX is Igloo’s latest attempt to compete in the premium cooler market. The overall performance and ice retention numbers are good. And despite being more expensive than most Igloo Coolers, it is still more affordable than a lot of its competition from other brands.
Pros: Good ice life, Nice build life, Competitively priced
Cons: Limited color and size options
Sacko Insulated Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
A simple bag that performs quite well compared to what else is out there. And when you consider the attractive price, the results are even more impressive. The success comes from the quality insulation used and the optimized design that isn’t too big or too small. We also like notable features such as the quick-access top latch.
Pros: Great price, high-quality insulation, large enough for most applications, quick-access Velcro hatch
Cons: Wish it was a little bit tougher
Lit Cooler
Our Rating:
A very refreshing premium cooler that stands out from the crowd thanks to its solid build quality and attractive and handy LED lighting. Acceptable performance and tons of color choices make this a solid buy despite the high price tag.
Pros: Handy lighted interior, Tons of color choices, Acceptable toughness
Cons: Expensive, Somewhat limited ice life, Not a lot of sizes
Techni Ice Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
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: Lack of colors, Not as many features as other soft-sided coolers
Thermik Cooler
Our Rating:
Another solid competitor in the premium cooler market. It takes a proven approach of offering solid ice life and toughness as well as some helpful accessories such as a pressure release valve. We just wish that there were more colors to choose from.
Pros: Good ice performance, Tons of great features
Cons: More expensive than some similar brands, lack of color options
CoolersbyU Cooler
Our Rating:
This is one of the more unique coolers that we have tested. It is specially designed to be painted on. While its overall ice retention and list of features isn’t anything special, its specialized purpose and the great asking price will still make it successful, in our opinion.
Pros: Able to paint directly on it, Very affordable
Cons: Only one size, Limited ice life, Results will depend on artistic talent
Canyon Outfitter Series
Our Rating:
The “little brother” of the Adventure Series, it sacrifices little for a noticeable price drop. Very good insulation and almost as tough while lightweight and adhering to the great lifetime warranty.
Pros: Good ice life, “cheap” for being premium, plenty durable
Cons: Not many color choices
RovR
Our Rating:
RovR offers up some attractive and extremely well-constructed wheeled coolers in their WHEELR Series. There are also some other clever features to enjoy with these ice chests. However, be prepared to pay a handsome premium to enjoy one.
Pros: Great styling, Really neat features, Well constructed
Cons: Extremely expensive, Limited color choices
Orca
A very straightforward cooler that doesn’t wow you with tons of features but instead with good ice life and toughness. There is also a huge selection of color and pattern choices but they do come at a high cost.
Pros: Plenty tough, Good ice life, Many color options
Cons: Little in the way of features, Rather expensive
Bison SoftPak Cooler Bag
Our Rating:
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
Coleman Marine
Our Rating:
We like the recent upgrades that Coleman has done on their Marine Coolers. This is particularly true in the Offshore Pro Series which cranks up the ice life and toughness. Also, many of the weak hinge issues they suffered from in the past have been corrected. Outside of the somewhat weak handles, these are solid-performing ocean-friendly ice chests that can be had at a reasonable price.
Pros: Has all the features you need to handle water environments, Good ice life in certain models, Relatively lightweight
Cons: Handles can be weak, Lower-end models have so-so ice life, Bland styling
Bison
Our Rating:
A solid competitor with a few intuitive features, Bison coolers stand behind a great warranty and are made in the USA. However, for the price, there are better performers out there.
Pros: Great warranty, Awesome latch design, Made in the USA
Cons: Very expensive, Average ice life
Engel High Performance
Our Rating:
This cooler’s ice life is up to the demands of most people after a premium cooler. However, in the ever-increasing premium cooler market, finding ways to stand out is important and Engel’s simple approach may not wow many people. The tradeoff for this straightforward approach is a more affordable asking price. And you will still enjoy quality construction at this cheaper price point.
Pros: Great insulation ability, very tough, cheaper than many comparable coolers
Cons: Lid doesn’t seal as well as expected, bland styling, still quite expensive
Grizzly Drifter
Our Rating:
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
Kysek Hard Cooler
Our Rating:
This cooler meets all of the needs we like to see including long ice life, plenty of features, and extra tough construction. They are quite expensive but the awesome performance helps to make the sticker shock a little easier to swallow.
Pros: Great ice retention, clever accessories, quality materials, and construction
Cons: Expensive, limited color choices
Igloo Marine Ultra
Our Rating:
This is one of Igloo’s most proven coolers and it is specially designed for boat outings. The selection size is massive so everybody, no matter their storage needs, can likely find a model that works for them. The insulation is adequate (even in the sun) and there are wheeled options for added mobility. That being said, they can be on the bulky side and prices tend to fluctuate quite a bit depending on where you shop.
Pros: Overall good to very good insulation, many wheeled options, stainless steel hardware, looks very professional
Cons: Bland styling, need to shop around to find a good deal
Kysek Soft Cooler
Our Rating:
We like what Kysek brings to the table with this soft cooler. It comes with a relatively good ice life and has most of the features we want to see in a premium soft cooler. We particularly like the extra strong material and quality binding used. However, the design is essentially a copy off of Yeti and it comes at a similarly high price tag.
Pros: Acceptable insulation, All of the expected features, Super tough
Cons: Pricey, Very similar design and approach as Yeti/RTIC
Igloo Backpack
Our Rating:
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
Simple Modern
Our Rating:
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
Mammoth Ranger
Our Rating:
The Mammoth Ranger Cooler is the larger sibling of the newly-updated Mammoth lineup. It offers up extremely thick rotomolded walls and quality hardware. This results in a tough package that can offer a very nice ice life. But it is a bit lacking in features and color choices.
Pros: Impressive ice life, Extremely tough, Lifetime warranty
Cons: Not a lot of features, Lacking in color options, Pretty pricey
Mammoth Cruiser
Our Rating:
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
Orca Pod
Our Rating:
The Orca Pod is the larger of the two Orca backpack coolers. It comes with tons of storage space and ice retention is among the best in the industry. Combine this with extremely high-quality construction and you have the perfect recipe for a premium cooler. But this product is quite large/bulky and the asking price may be more than some people can afford.
Pros: Fantastic ice life, Tons of storage space, Extremely durable
Cons: Quite bulky, Limited features, Expensive
Yeti Roadie
Our Rating:
The smaller version of Yeti’s hard-sided coolers, the Roadie adheres to the thick walls and quality construction but with a much smaller storage volume. For its size, you will enjoy great ice life and the build quality is top-notch. But you are limited in storage volume and the asking price is very high.
Pros: Great cooling ability for the size, Premium materials used for construction, Portable
Cons: Very expensive, Quite heavy for the size
Calcutta Soft
Our Rating:
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 the warranty, Limited color choices
Pelican Soft
Our Rating:
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
Ozark Trail
Our Rating:
You will get to enjoy a quality premium cooler that has around 80% of the performance of other top coolers but for a fraction of their asking price. All of the features and components we like to see are here. The only minor complaints are some lingering quality issues and a lack of color choices. But for those on a tight budget, this cooler is worth looking into.
Pros: Great Value, Plenty of Features, Good Ice Retention
Cons: Some Quality Issues, Few Color Choices
MILEE
Our Rating:
MILEE has a small but proven lineup of hard-sided coolers. They take a very standard approach that we have seen emulated in other cooler brands but it works. Our main issues are with the lack of color choices and a small warranty.
Pros: Good performance for the price, A lot of features
Cons: Limited Size/Color choices, Missing great warranty
Homitt
Our Rating:
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
Icemule
Our Rating:
A unique design, Icemule Coolers leads 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
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
Giantex
Our Rating:
Giantex has managed to capture many of the special qualities of a premium level cooler but at a more intermediate price range. However, it is still a step down from the big boys and also suffers from boring styling and lack of color choices.
Pros: Great price considering performance, Not super heavy
Cons: Lacking in size and color options, Questions about warranty
Lifetime
Our Rating:
This cooler offers up good ice retention and decent build quality for a lot less money than most other premium coolers on the market. However, there are some notable quality issues and the color selection is severely lacking. Still, if you are on a tight budget and looking for a decent ice chest, this isn’t a bad choice.
Pros: Good value, Decent performance, Futuristic styling
Cons: Some design flaws, Very limited color options
Taiga
Our Rating:
Taiga impressed us with their huge selection of customization options and their awesome lifetime warranty. But the cooler is pretty bare when it comes to features and ice performance is average for the premium price tier. But this is still a solid competitor all around.
Pros: Endless customization options, Lifetime warranty, Great build quality
Cons: Limited sizes, Not a ton of features, Quite expensive
Ao Backpack
Our Rating:
A great-performing backpack that has an acceptable cooling ability and is tough enough to hold up to typical wear and tear for quite some time. It is a bit expensive for the amount of storage that it has, but if you are willing to pay the premium price it should meet most of your needs.
Pros: Mostly water-resistant, extremely mobile, uses tough materials, very attractive look
Cons: A bit short on ice life, quite expensive
Yeti Hopper
Our Rating:
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
Dewalt
Our Rating:
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
Kula
Our Rating:
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
Frosty
Our Rating:
One of the most affordable premium-level coolers you can buy, Frosty has a great approach that will sit well with those on a tight budget. However, it has to make some notable sacrifices in features and styling to achieve this.
Pros: Good ice life, Plenty Tough, One of the more affordable premium cooler choices
Cons: Few features, Boring design, Lack of color choices, Disappointing warranty
Igloo Legend
Our Rating:
Overall this is a simple, modular, and relatively effective cooler that can be had for a reasonable price. It won’t win any beauty contests but its effective design and helpful key features make it a buy for anybody looking for a space-saving and simple cooling solution for a small outing.
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
Arctic Zone Titan 16
Our Rating:
Being a smaller size, the ice performance is somewhat lacking here. However, outside of this concern, everything else about the Titan 16 is quite good. The intuitive lid makes accessing items a breeze and we like the styling of it. This is an acceptable choice for a small soft-sided cooler if super long ice life isn’t a big concern.
Pros: Very convenient lid, Smartshelf technology is a nice touch, looks awesome
Cons: Struggles with cooling life
Coleman Chest
Our Rating:
A simple, effective approach that gets the job done. It has long enough ice life for a day’s outing and comes with solid and proven construction. Our only issue is that the lid doesn’t like to stay open but for the attractive price, it is easy to deal with.
Pros: Built tough, strong handles, great price
Cons: Underwhelming ice life, lid won’t stay open, plain design
Engel High Performance
Our Rating:
This cooler’s ice life is up to the demands of most people after a premium cooler. However, in the ever-increasing premium cooler market, finding ways to stand out is important and Engel’s simple approach may not wow many people. The tradeoff for this straightforward approach is a more affordable asking price. And you will still enjoy quality construction at this cheaper price point.
Pros: Great insulation ability, very tough, cheaper than many comparable coolers
Cons: Lid doesn’t seal as well as expected, very heavy, still quite expensive
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze
Our Rating:
While lacking in size and color options, Arctic Zone’s first-ever hard-sided coolers are very well made. In addition, the ice life is what we come to expect from a premium cooler. But we do wish they would expand on colors, sizes, and features in the future. But the price point is reasonable and the lifetime warranty is a nice plus.
Pros: Well-made, Lifetime warranty, Reasonable price
Cons: Few sizes, Few colors, Few features
Kysek Dry Bag
Our Rating:
These dry bags are assembled with great construction methods and have a similarly tough outer shell that we have become used to from Kysek. 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 Contour
Our Rating:
The Contour is a small but potent cooler that can handle ice for a weekend excursion. It is an adequate size to fit most items a small group would need and is designed to take up minimum storage space. This also makes it much easier to carry. Finally, the asking price is very reasonable.
Pros: Very mobile, comfortable to carry, nice grip on handles, affordable
Cons: Cooling ability could be a little better, no cup holders
Thermos Raya Lunch Tote
Our Rating:
This lunch tote is quite large and has enough storage space for an entire group’s afternoon needs. And surprisingly, the semi-insulated walls do an OK job of keeping items cool for a few hours. But beyond that, there isn’t much to it. This includes a lack of external pockets or other helpful features. But it certainly is affordable.
Pros: Affordable, plenty of storage space, good cooling qualities
Cons: Very bare, no external pockets
Igloo MaxCold Tote
Our Rating:
The combination of decent short-term cooling ability, simplicity in use, and competitive asking price makes this a good buy. It is well-constructed and lightweight enough to easily be carried on your shoulder. We do wish that there were some more size options but this is a minor complaint.
Pros: Keeps items cold for a while, very lightweight and mobile, well-priced, nice construction
Cons: No varying size options, not as rigid as most coolers
Coleman Soft
Our Rating:
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
Coleman Xtreme
Our Rating:
You will enjoy a bump up on ice life and toughness with this cooler but it also comes with a bump up in the asking price. Plus, for the size, it is quite mobile thanks to the side handle and attached wheels. The only weak point comes with the handles and hinges potentially coming loose over time. Also, it isn’t going to win any beautify contests.
Pros: Good price for what you are getting, decent insulation, has wheels for easy transport
Cons: Weak handles, hinges can come loose, fairly plain-looking
Coleman Xtreme Marine
Our Rating:
The Xtreme Series has recently undergone some updates and the new look is much more attractive. Also, the thicker insulation and higher quality materials result in quite good ice life for the size and price. That being said, the lid can be a bit stubborn to open and close and screws used on the hinges can also strip prematurely.
Pros: Very good ice life, wheeled options for mobility, relatively tough, higher-quality materials
Cons: Lid can be too tight, quite heavy, screws can strip, pretty expensive
Ozark Trail Soft
Our Rating:
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
Engel Cooler/Dry Box
Our Rating:
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: Not the best cooling performance, a bit limited in storage volume, expensive for the size
Calcutta
Our Rating:
Calcutta Coolers can hang with the best when it comes to ice retention and build quality but outside of their LED drain plug, features are a bit lacking. They are also quite expensive and don’t have many colors to pick some. But when it comes to simply being a cooler, they perform fine.
Pros: Good ice life, Really cool LED drain plug, Nice build quality
Cons: Very expensive, Limited features, Not many color options
Stanley Adventure
Our Rating:
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
Kysek Trekker Backpack
Our Rating:
The Trekker Backpack finds a happy medium between ice retention, performance, and mobility. There is plenty of storage space and, thanks to the comfortable shoulder straps, it is a breeze to carry (even when full of drinks). Ice life won’t be quite as long as in a traditional premium soft-sided cooler but it is good for being a backpack.
Pros: Very mobile, Easy access to stored items, Comfortable to wear, Lots of storage
Cons: Ice life is lower than a traditional soft-sided cooler, pretty expensive
Igloo MaxCold Gripper
Our Rating:
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: Strong fabric, plenty of storage space for being a gripper, good price, easily stored
Cons: Zippers are a little weak, looks a little cheaper than the hard-top version, can have access difficulty during transport
Rubbermaid
Our Rating:
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
Igloo MaxCold Duffel
Our Rating:
While this duffel looks great and is built with high-quality materials, its biggest limitation is its cooling ability and also its storage size. If you can make do with its limited storage space, it is quite mobile and won’t be too big of a hit on your pocketbook.
Pros: Easy to carry around, decent build quality, looks awesome, reasonably-priced
Cons: Limited insulated volume space, intense heat can easily overwhelm it
Ao Vinyl
Our Rating:
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
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
Arctic Zone Ultra 50
Our Rating:
The largest of the Arctic Zone products, the Ultra 50 has the storage space you need but misses the mark in other areas. For the size, the ice life just isn’t that great. That being said, we do like the quick-access lid and comfortable carrying handles.
Pros: Quick-access lid is super handy, tons of storage space, mobile for its size
Cons: Can be quite bulky, not enough color choices
Igloo Island Breeze
Our Rating:
This cooler recently went through an update which resulted in a more modern appearance and slight improvements to build quality. We also like the mobility thanks to the wheels and extending carrying handle. However, it is a bit limited in how well it cools and the lid can be a little finicky.
Pros: Quite durable, wheeled options for mobility, modern look, decent price
Cons: Low cooling ability, the lid can be stubborn
eBags Crew Cooler II
Our Rating:
The Cooler II provides some much-needed updates to this popular cooler bag. There are plenty of places to carry items and the aesthetics are on point as well. However, we do wish that the ice life was bumped up a little higher as the asking price can tend to creep up on this product.
Pros: Plenty of room for a lunch outing, 3 different carrying methods, looks very nice
Cons: Ice life is a bit on the short side, pretty expensive
Igloo Hard Liner
Our Rating:
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. Also, 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: No handle for carrying, a little too flimsy
Driftsun
Our Rating:
All of the premium components and features we look for in high-end coolers but a bit rough around the edges. It comes in at a cheaper price but you will be sacrificing some in regards to ice life and toughness.
Pros: Premium features for a more affordable price, decent size range
Cons: Quality issues, Lid doesn’t hold a great seal, inconsistent insulation walls
OAGear Cooler Sports Pack
Our Rating:
For a low-cost cooler backpack, the cooling performance isn’t half-bad. It is also well designed and allows for plenty of storage space while being quite mobile. There are also some very attractive color designs to choose from. Our main issues are with the shoulder straps (that are prone to tearing) as well as wishing that there were more sizes to choose from.
Pros: Plenty of color schemes, very mobile, multiple storage areas, great price
Cons: Weak shoulder straps, only one size
Picnic at Ascot Cooler Tote
Our Rating:
This is a rather large tote and, as such, can store a lot of items. The build quality is also pretty good. Combine that with the many color options and you have a stylish and functional product. But there is essentially no insulation so don’t expect it to keep items cool for very long. It is also little in the way of additional features.
Pros: Plenty of storage space, decent build quality, many colors and pattern choices, affordable
Cons: Very little insulation, not a lot of external features, can be a bit bulky to carry
Igloo Marine Breeze
Our Rating:
This is a good all-around ice chest that doesn’t have any major flaws. The ice life is acceptable and the construction is, for the most part, up to par. All of this is available for a reasonable asking price as well. Our main issues are with the lid being a bit too tight and a lack of color choices or features that would help to make it stand out.
Pros: Good ice life, well-constructed, good price
Cons: Lid can be pretty tight, not a lot of additional features or color choices
Picnic Time Turismo
Our Rating:
Another attractive offering, the Turismo is designed for someone who needs to keep items cool and look professional while doing it. There are multiple insulated areas and plenty of spots for other items as well. And this is accomplished while being able to stay quite mobile and lightweight. But there are some quality issues, particularly related to the Velcro used and some of the stitching.
Pros: Multiple insulated areas for categorization and increased space, very mobile, professional-looking
Cons: Not waterproof, low-quality water bottle, velcro is weak
Igloo Gripper
Our Rating:
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
Ao Canvas
Our Rating:
A very “average” cooler in just about every sense of the word. It will keep items cool for a long enough period to be useful and the build quality isn’t terrible, but there are several minor complaints that we wish weren’t there for its intermediate price.
Pros: Acceptable cooling ability, multiple carrying options, many color choices
Cons: Fabric is prone to tearing, weak should strap, occasionally has odd folds in the material
Coleman Party Stacker
Our Rating:
The design and convenience of the Party Stacker are fantastic as you can easily stack them on top of each other to take up hardly any space. But for this convenience, you have to deal with poor insulation and a very lackluster ice life. It doesn’t fare well in the sun for very long but it is very reasonably priced.
Pros: Extremely mobile, stackable, good price
Cons: Insulation could be a lot better, hard to get a good grip, not a lot of extra features
Picnic Time Insulated Cooler Picnic Tote
Our Rating:
We love the originality in finding a way to squeeze in just about every picnic-related item you would need. The additional storage space will also come in handy. The main concern lies with how little remaining space there is for your actual chilled items. While the picnic tote does look nice, you will be severely limited in finding room for the edible items you want to bring.
Pros: Has everything you would need for a picnic, multiple carrying options, looks great
Cons: Rather pricey, may run into issues with storage space
Picnic at Ascot Cooler Backpack
Our Rating:
This Backpack is functional. It is very mobile and there are lots of storage pockets for your various items. But its ice life is lacking and the straps, while the handle, are very weak and prone to tearing prematurely.
Pros: Extremely mobile, plenty of pockets for storage, nice design
Cons: Struggles some with keeping items cool, weak straps
Thermos Element 5 Can
Our Rating:
Don’t let the small size fool you: this cooler will store a surprising amount of items. Also, the cooling is good enough for its intentions of carrying some cans for a few hours. But outside of the insulated internal storage, you won’t have much room for storing anything else. Plus, the zipper is weaker than we would like to see.
Pros: Adequate job of cooling, carries quite a bit for the size
Cons: Not a lot of other storage options, the zipper is very weak, flimsy structure, little variance in aesthetics
Picnic Time Zuma Insulated Cooler Backpack
Our Rating:
This is another cooler backpack that doesn’t inspire us because of some notable issues. While it does have pretty thick insulation that does an above-average job of keeping items cool, the available space for these items is severely lacking. There is ample space for other items, however, and they are also easy to access.
Pros: Decent insulation ability, easy to access, plenty of storage areas
Cons: Limited in insulated storage volume, somewhat flimsy, very plain looking
Read Our Review of Picnic Time Zuma Insulated Cooler Backpack
Arctic Zone Eco Blend 45
Our Rating:
The Eco Blend 45 is good for carrying a relatively large amount of items for a short period, but not for much else than that. Issues include leaking walls, boring looks, and too high of an asking price for what you are getting.
Pros: Plenty of storage room, easy carrying with straps
Cons: Very poor insulation ability, easily leaks, very plain appearance
Picnic at Ascot Collapsible Rolling
Our Rating:
We think that this product looks lovely and will serve its function for a short picnic. It will keep items cool for a few hours and there are tons of room for your various picnic supplies. However, it isn’t capable of much more than that and it will cost you more than you would expect.
Pros: One of the few soft-sided coolers on the market with wheels, lightweight, a nice amount of storage volume
Cons: Very little insulation, poor build quality, only one color option, pretty expensive
Read Our Review of Picnic at Ascot Collapsible Rolling Cooler
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
