Yeti Hopper soft sided coolers are some of the best soft-sided coolers out there. They are extremely durable, backed by a 3-year warranty and can hold ice for 2-3+ days. However, Yeti coolers are extremely expensive and not everyone wants to spend that much money.
Luckily there are a lot of great soft coolers like Yeti that sell for a cheaper price. Some of these coolers are actually better than Yeti, having more features or holding ice even longer than Yeti Hopper coolers.
If you're looking for some high-quality alternatives to the Yeti Hopper coolers then I've got you've covered.
I've personally done full reviews on all of the coolers listed here. This is not a quickly crafted article where I've just thrown in any coolers that are similar to Yeti. I've reviewed the coolers and this is my personal ranking from best to worst of coolers that I would be happy to recommend to my friends and my family.
In this post I'll talk about each cooler, what I like about it as well as be honest with any shortcomings the cooler may have. If you want to read more I'll link up to my full reviews or head-to-head comparisons or to see the latest prices I'll provide affiliate links to the products on Amazon.
What Makes Yeti Hopper Such a Good Cooler?
Before we dive into the best alternatives to the Yeti Hopper I first what to highlight what makes the Yeti Hopper coolers so good so you know what these coolers are competing against.
See the latest price of the Yeti Hopper soft coolers at Amazon
2-3+ Days Ice Retention
Yeti Hopper coolers are packed with roughly 0.75 inches of closed cell insulation in the walls and 1.5 inches of insulation in the lids.
This combined with their watertight/airtight zipper helps to lock in the cold and allows Yeti soft coolers to hold ice for up to 3 days and sometimes even longer.
This is extremely good for a soft cooler. Compare that to a traditional lunch bag style cooler that might only keep ice for a few hours and you can see why Yeti coolers are rated so highly.
Heavy Duty Durability
Yeti soft coolers are super durable. They are made from a heavy-duty 840 denier nylon that is TPU laminated and uses RF welding instead of stitching for extra strength. This makes the fabric durable, waterproof and puncture and tear resistant. Basically Yeti Hopper coolers are made from super strong fabric that will last years of wear and tear without giving up.
Add to this a reinforced base for extra durability plus high quality and heavy duty shoulder straps, handles and other attachments. It's really hard to beat the attention to detail and quality of cooler that Yeti puts out.
Completely Water Proof
Yeti coolers have a waterproof exterior as well as a leak proof inner lining plus a 100% waterproof zipper that when closed doesn't let any water in or out. The Yeti Hopper M30 is the only Hopper cooler not to us a zipper and this uses strong magnets plus a clip to hold the water in.
These coolers are so waterproof you can throw them in the river or ocean and they will float and not let any water in.
Portability
Yeti Hopper coolers are lightweight and portable. Featuring detachable shoulder straps (or backpack straps for the Yeti BackFlip) as well as multiple handle options. Top handles for single hand carrying plus side handles for dual hand carrying or carrying with a friend.
These soft coolers are much more portable than hard sided coolers, which is part of what makes them so popular.
On-Point Design and Branding
Apart from performance and build quality is the design and branding of these coolers. Yeti coolers have a beautiful and elegant design that is pretty simplistic in it's approach.
But what really sets Yeti apart is it's branding. Yeti is now arguably the most known cooler brand in the world (worth billions) and Yeti is now a lifestyle brand like Nike and Apple. You're not just buying the cooler, you're buying the lifestyle and the feeling the brand represents. This allows them to charge higher prices than competitors and people are willing and happy to pay it.
See the latest prices of Yeti Hopper soft coolers at Amazon
The 14 Best Soft Sided Coolers Like Yeti But Cheaper
Despite making great coolers that I would be happy to recommend (I even personally own a Yeti and love it). I do recognize that Yeti coolers are extremely expensive. They are on of, if not THE, most expensive soft sided coolers on the market.
Not everyone can afford a Yeti Hopper soft cooler and not everyone wants to pay that much for a cooler. If you're looking for something that is similar to Yeti in terms of performance and quality, but something that will save you a bit of money then you're going to love the below list of coolers.
All of these coolers are cheaper than Yeti Hopper coolers, some by a large margin and all of these coolers offer good value for money.
Some perform better than Yeti and some have more and better features. Others aren't quite as good as Yeti but offer a significant saving and great value for money.
You should be able to find high quality cooler that suits you and your needs and that saves you a bit of money.
Here are the 12 best soft coolers like Yeti Hopper but cheaper:
1. Engel HD30: Better Performance, Better Features, Cheaper Price
The Engel HD30 is, in my humble option, the best performance cooler on the market.
It has everything you would consider important in a soft sided cooler and beats Yeti in almost every category making it my #1 pick for the best cooler that is like Yeti but cheaper.
The Best Ice Retention of Any Soft Sided Cooler
When it comes to ice retention no cooler can quite compete with the Engel HD30. It outperforms every other soft sided cooler on the market and with 4.5+ days of ice retention it can even hold its own and outlast hard sided coolers of a similar size.
Honestly, no soft sided cooler should be able to hold ice this long but the Engel HD30 manages to do it. Click here to see how the Engel HD30 compares to the Yeti in ice retention and other factors.
Thick insulation plus a patent-pending vacuum seal technology creates a super insulating soft sided cooler that will hold ice for days at a time with ease.
Highest Quality Durability
Not only does it have top of the line ice retention but the build quality of this cooler is top of the line as well.
It uses the same materials as Yeti coolers making it one of the toughest and most durable coolers on the market.
The exterior is made with 840-denier nylon that is TPU laminated. This makes it waterproof as well as abrasion and puncture resistant. Engel also uses RF welding instead of stitching to make the cooler stronger at the seams and longer lasting.
It also has a heavy-duty waterproof zipper and a wide mouth opening, making it completely leak proof inside and out yet easy to load and access.
It only comes with a 1-year warranty (Yeti has a 3 year warranty) but it should last you much longer than 1 year.
Extra Features Yeti Doesn't Have
The Engel comes with all the feature you would expect in a high-end cooler like Yeti:
- Waterproof zipper
- Padded shoulder strap
- Multiple carry handles
- Food safe lining
- Reinforced base
- Tie down points
But then it also has an external pocket as well as a built in bottle opener – both of which Yeti lacks
Only One Size Option and Not The Greatest Design of All Time
One of the downsides of the Engel HD30 is that is only comes in one size and this is quite a large soft sided cooler. It also only comes in the one form factor – the tote – and doesn't have any other options available.
If you are after a smaller soft sided cooler then you would need to consider another brand.
The design, while decent, also doesn't look quite as nice as the Yeti coolers. But that comes down to personal preference. Some people love the HD30 while I personally prefer the Yeti.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder after all.
About $100 Cheaper Than Yeti
The good news is that this cooler, while better in performance, is actually a fair bit cheaper than Yeti coolers.
You can save yourself about $100 for choosing the Engel HD30 over the Yeti M30 soft cooler.
The Engel isn't a “cheap cooler” and still costs a bit of money, but it definitely offers great value for money and a good saving compared to Yeti.
To see the latest price of the Engel HD30 click my affiliate link below to see it on Amazon:
See the latest price of the Engel HD30 at Amazon
2. Grizzly Drifter: Value For Money Pick
There are a lot of great coolers on this list that are significantly cheaper than Yeti but in my opinion none of them are quite as good as the Grizzly Drifter soft coolers.
The Grizzly is my #1 pick for value for money. It sells for under $100, saving you a huge chunk of cash and it has similar performance and durability to Yeti coolers with the only major downside being that the zipper isn't waterproof.
Similar Ice Retention To Yeti: Maybe Even a Little Better
When put head-to-head against Yeti Hopper coolers in ice test challenges the Grizzly Drifter performed just as good as similar sized Yeti coolers, and maybe even kept ice a couple of hours longer.
Now this isn't the crazy ice retention of the Engel HD30 above which can keep ice a full 1+ days longer than the Yeti. But for the price of the Grizzly, the fact that it can keep up with Yeti at all is amazing.
This is probably because Grizzly coolers have up to 1.5 inches of EVA insulation in the walls, base and lid of the cooler.
You can expected 2-3 days of ice retention out of this soft sided cooler.
Great Durability and Build Quality
Grizzly Drifter coolers are made from a ballistic polyester that is heavy duty and built to last.
It's not quite as tough and durable as the Yeti Hopper coolers which are made out of a tougher nylon, but it's still a really good quality cooler especially for the price.
Click here to read about the differences between Grizzly Drifter and Yeti Hopper soft coolers
Multiple External Pockets + Bottle Opener
The exterior of the Grizzly Drifter has multiple external pockets which make it more practical that Yeti as you can carry extra items with you.
It has expandable from pouches, a spot for a water bottle as well as a side zipper pocket and a back zipper pocket.
It also has a stretchy lid canopy for holding extra items like towel, hats, picnic rugs etc.
This makes Grizzly an extremely practical soft cooler for carrying your gear on your next adventure.
The Zipper Isn't Waterproof
Grizzly coolers use a heavy-duty zipper that is buttery smooth to open and close and will last you years, however unlike Yeti and a lot of the coolers on this list the zipper is NOT waterproof.
If your cooler tips on the side then water will leak out of it. This is probably the major compromise you'll need to make if you buy a Grizzly cooler.
One of The Most Affordable High-End Soft Sided Coolers
When looking for value-for-money you want something that is affordable, but also something that is high quality and will last you a while.
Grizzly Drifter coolers strikes a really healthy balance between the two. It's less than half the cost of a Yeti – you can buy 2 Grizzly's for the cost of 1 Yeti cooler and still have money left over.
If you're on a budget but you still want an extremely high quality cooler then you can't go wrong with this one.
Click my affiliate link below to see just how affordable these coolers are at Amazon:
See how affordable Grizzly Drifter coolers are at Amazon
3. Pelican Soft Coolers: Similar Performance and Price, More Features
Pelican soft coolers are extremely similar to the Yeti Hopper coolers in shape, design, performance and even price. Apart from the backpack version which is quite different these coolers are the most similar to Yeti coolers of any cooler on this list.
What I really like about Pelican coolers is that this is a company known for their quality and these coolers are made to be ultra durable and are extremely high quality. They also offer some features that Yeti Hopper coolers don't have and they still manage to sell for a slight discount compared to Yeti.
Extremely High Quality
Pelican coolers are made out of the same high-density 840-denier nylon that Yeti coolers are made out of. Pelican coolers are also TPU laminated and us RF welding to make their coolers as tough and durable as possible.
Pelican are known for making extremely high-quality products and this cooler is no exception to that rule.
The Yeti, Engel and Pelican are the 3 toughest and most durable soft sided coolers on the market. If durability and longevity is your priority then get one of these three brands.
Similar Ice Retention to Yeti
Pelican coolers have similar insulation to Yeti coolers and thus keep ice for a similar amount of time.
This video from Rizknows compared the ice retention of the Pelican with the Yeti Hopper and showed that both coolers kept ice similar to one another.
You can expect 2-3+ days ice retention out of your Pelican cooler.
Extra Features Yeti Doesn't Have
Pelican coolers have packed in a few important features that Yeti coolers don't have. This makes it overall a slightly more practical cooler than Yeti and definitely better value for money.
The three main extra features Pelican has that Yeti doesn't are:
Lid Buckles – You can clip down the lid instead of zipping it down for easier access into your cooler.
Front Pocket – The Pelican has a small front pocket for storing items you want to keep dry.
Bottle Opener – Pelican coolers come with stainless steel tie down points that are designed in such a way that they double as bottle openers.
Click here to see a full Pelican vs Yeti Hopper soft cooler comparison
A Bit Cheaper Than Yeti
Pelican coolers sell for a bit cheaper than Yeti, saving you around $50 or so compared to Yeti coolers of a similar size.
Given the high-quality of these coolers and the fact that they are made in the USA I wouldn't expect much more of a discount than this anyway.
So you can get a cooler that is basically the same as Yeti, just as durable and that has extra features. All for a cheaper price. Makes sense to me.
To see the latest prices of Pelican soft coolers, plus read more reviews click my affiliate link below:
See the latest price of Pelican soft coolers at Amazon
4. Polar Bear Deluxe: Better Performance, Questionable Design
Polar Bear Deluxe coolers have the best ice retention of any cooler other than the Engel HD30. They easily outperform Yeti coolers and can hold ice up to a full day longer. This is extremely impressive for their price.
They are made from a heavy-duty waterproof tarpaulin and have a weatherproof zipper.
Amazing Ice Retention, Better Than Yeti
When I wrote my full review on Polar Bear soft coolers I was absolutely shocked when I saw how long they could hold ice for.
3-4 days for a cooler of this price?! That's a full day longer than a Yeti Hopper cooler of a similar size and that's almost as good as the Engel HD30 which can hold ice for 4.5+ days.
This is likely because Polar Bear coolers have 1 inch of insulation compared to Yeti who has just 0.25 inches of insulation. Read my full Polar Bear vs Yeti soft cooler comparison.
Amazing ice retention and the second best soft sided cooler at keeping ice.
Heavy Duty Tarpaulin Exterior + Waterproof Zipper
The exterior of the Polar Bear Deluxe coolers are made from a heavy-duty waterproof tarpaulin fabric that is tough and durable and tear resistant.
The top of the cooler features as weatherproof YKK #10 zipper which feels easier to pen than the Yeti but still makes the cooler leak proof.
The zipper also overhangs the cooler allowing the top of the cooler to open wide for easy loading and accessing of the cooler.
Questionable Design Patterns
This is where my love for Polar Bear starts to fall apart. Their original coolers have a basic color design which is nice, but these don't hold ice as long.
Their Deluxe coolers (the ones I am talking about in this post) have great performance but their design features the words “Polar Bear” in writing so big it gets cut off by the seams.
I'm personally not a giant fan of this look, but some people might not mind it.
About Half The Price of Yeti
Polar Bear Deluxe coolers are a little more than half the price of a Yeti cooler. Offering you a significant saving over a Yeti Hopper cooler of a similar size.
Polar Bear coolers also come in larger sizes than the Yeti, so if you want a big soft sided cooler then this is a good brand to look at.
If you're interested in this cooler then click my affiliate link below to see the latest prices of Polar Bear coolers at Amazon:
See the latest price of Polar Bear Deluxe coolers at Amazon
5. RTIC Soft Pack: Great Performance and Amazing Price, Not as Durable
RTIC Coolers are one of Yeti's biggest competitors when it comes to hard coolers and the same is true for soft sided coolers. RTIC coolers feature more insulation than Yeti in the walls and lid and thus can keep ice longer.
They have a couple extra features to Yeti and they sell for a massive discount. These are one of the cheapest high-end coolers on the market that I'm happy to recommend, even cheaper than Grizzly.
Where RTIC Soft Pak coolers are not quite as good as Yeti is in their durability and build quality. They are still good, just not as good.
Better Ice Retention Than Yeti
RTIC coolers actually outperform Yeti coolers in ice retention tests. They have more insulation in both the walls and the lid which is what allows them to keep ice longer. See just how much extra insulation they have compared to Yeti in this RTIC vs Yeti soft cooler comparison.
RTIC coolers have 2-4 days of ice retention whereas Yeti coolers have about 2-3 days worth of ice retention.
RTIC Coolers Have an External Pocket
RTIC Soft Pak coolers feature an external pocket on the front of the cooler for storing items you want to keep dry. Yeti doesn't have this feature.
The pocket isn't huge and can only store something small like your mobile phone. But it's better than no pocket at all.
Not Quite As Durable
When it comes to durability Yeti has the edge over RTIC.
Yeti coolers are made from a strong and more durable fabric whereas RTIC soft coolers are made from a strong and waterproof vinyl instead of nylon like the Yeti.
Very Cheap For The Quality You Get
For the quality you get in this cooler the price is ridiculously cheap.
It can hold ice longer than a Yeti plus has some extra features. While the durability isn't AS good, it's still really good and this cooler should last you a few years.
To see just how cheap and affordable these RTIC coolers are compared to Yeti click my affiliate link below to see the latest prices at Amazon:
See just how cheap RTIC Soft Pak coolers are at Amazon
6. HydroFlask Unbound: Colorful and Fun
HydroFlask coolers are one of the few coolers on this list that are really close to Yeti in terms of pricing. Sometimes they are even more expensive than Yeti, but more often than not there are sales and so they sell for cheaper than Yeti a lot of the time.
HydroFlask have less insulation and aren't as good as Yeti at keeping ice. They also aren't quite as durable as Yeti cooler either.
Where these coolers shine is in their design. They have a fun brand and bright bold designs that I can see some people absolutely falling in love with.
1-2 Days Ice Retention
HydroFlask coolers don't have as much insulation as Yeti coolers and thus can only hold ice for 1-2 days whereas Yeti coolers of a similar size can hold ice for 2-3 days.
If you're after maximum ice retention these aren't the coolers for you. But if you're ok with a bit more than a full day's ice retention then these coolers are super fun
Not Quite as Durable, But With a Better Warranty
The exterior of Hydro Flask coolers are made from a heavy-duty nylon that is TPU laminated for extra strength and water proofing. The nylon is not quite as tough as durable as Yeti coolers but it still should last you years.
Hydro Flask coolers also have a 5-year warranty which is 2 years longer than Yeti's 3-year warranty. See the full Hydro Flask vs Yeti soft cooler comparison.
Fun, Bold Design
This is what I absolutely love about these coolers and I can 100% understand why people would want to buy these over a Yeti.
They come in bold fun colors and their rounded oval shape design also feels light hearted. I can see these coolers really appealing to young people and people who don't fit the mould.
Comes with External Pockets
The Hydro Flask coolers come with very useful external pockets.
Small Zipper Pockets – Both the tote and backpack versions come with small zipper pockets large enough to fit your phone or other smaller items.
Water bottle holder – The backpack has a stretchy water bottle holder which easily fits a hydro flask bottle.
External lid pocket – The backpack cooler features a large pocket in the lid of the cooler. This gives you a good amount of room to store food snacks, clothing or other items you want to carry with you.
Similar Price To Yeti, But Often on Sale
Hydro Flask coolers are a similar price to Yeti coolers. In fact their RRP can actually be higher than Yeti coolers of the same size.
However, Hydro Flask coolers go one sale way more than Yeti coolers and thus most of the time offer a decent saving.
To see the current sale prices of Hydro Flask coolers click my affiliate link below:
See the latest prices of Hydro Flask coolers at Amazon
7. AO Coolers: The Budget Pick
AO Coolers have been making soft sided coolers for over 25 years and they make affordable budget coolers that are durable and can hold ice for 1-2 days.
Lifetime Guarantee
One thing that set's AO Coolers apart from other coolers on this list is the fact that they offer a lifetime guarantee on the inner lining and the zipper of their coolers.
These coolers are completely leak proof when standing up and the zipper is a YKK #10 zipper which is ultra durable.
However, the zipper is NOT waterproof like Yeti's zipper so that's something to be aware of. Click here to read my full AO Cooler review to see what other features this cooler has.
Durable Build Quality and 1-2 Days Ice Retention
AO Coolers are made from a thick canvas material that can withstand a lot of abuse. The exterior isn't TPU laminated and waterproof like Yeti, but it is tough.
It is also packed with enough insulation to keep ice over a full day in 100 degree heat. When fully loaded it can actually even keep ice up for 2 days or even a little bit longer.
It also features a wide external pocket for storing items you want to keep dry.
Much Much Cheaper Than Yeti
These coolers start at a little over $50 and the larger 48-can size is generally sold for under $100 so these coolers are really competitively priced and won't break the bank.
You can get a durable large soft sided cooler with good ice retention for under $100?
In my opinion, this is the best budget soft sided cooler available. To see the latest prices of AO Coolers or to grab one for yourself click my affiliate link below to see them on Amazon.
See the super affordable prices of AO Coolers at Amazon
8. Tourit Soft Coolers: High Performance From an Unknown Brand
Tourit coolers are a high-performance cooler that can keep ice even longer than Yeti Hopper coolers and sell for about half the price.
Tourit coolers have more insulation than Yeti with 2 inches of insulation in the lid and 1.2 inches of insulation in the walls. Compare this to Yeti which only has 1.5 inches of insulation in the lid and 0.75 inches in the walls and you can see why Tourit coolers hold ice longer. Click here to see the full Tourit vs Yeti Hopper soft cooler comparison article.
An Amazon Brand
Tourit coolers aren't really seen in local stores and you'll only really find it on Amazon.
I did a little digging and discovered that they are likely made by a company from China called “Diamond Star Industrial US” and they just import products into the US to sell over Amazon.
In saying that, Yeti Hopper coolers are also made in China so this doesn't necessarily reflect poorly on the quality.
These are good coolers for a good price. They are very similar in design and quality as the RTIC coolers.
See the latest price of Tourit Coolers at Amazon
9. IceMule Coolers: Affordable, Lightweight and Durable
IceMule coolers are a fun waterproof lightweight cooler bag that can hold ice for 1-1.5 days. They aren't as durable as Yeti coolers and the roll-down top is a bit more cumbersome to use, but they sell for a tiny fraction of the price of Yeti coolers.
Roll Down Design
IceMule coolers use a roll-down top design, just like a dry bag, to make their coolers leak proof.
This is more durable than a zipper and less likely to fail, but most people find it more difficult to use. It takes longer and when unrolled it makes the cooler quite deep.
Click here to see my thoughts on zipper vs roll down in my IceMule vs Yeti cooler review.
Best Lightweight and Easily Portable Cooler
Something that makes these coolers so good is just how lightweight they are. They weigh a lot less than Yeti coolers and they can be rolled down completely for easy storage or packing.
This makes IceMule a great cooler to take away travelling as you can roll it up and pack it in your suitcase when not it use and get it out when you need it.
So Much Cheaper Than Yeti
One of the big reasons to consider IceMule over Yeti (or any other brand on this list) is just how cheap they are.
The small 9L version starts at around $50 and even the IceMule Pro versions sell for less than half the price of a Yeti.
If you're looking for a high-quality soft-sided backpack cooler or sling cooler then IceMule is a great affordable option.
To see the latest prices of IceMule Classic (sling) and IceMule Pro (backpack) coolers click my affiliate links below:
See the latest price of IceMule Classic coolers at IceMule.com
(or compare to the latest price of IceMule Classic coolers at Amazon)
See the latest prices of IceMule Pro coolers at IceMule.com
(or compare to the latest price of IceMule Pro coolers at Amazon)
10. Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze: Super Cheap Option
Arctic Zone's Titan Deep Freeze cooler is on here as the “super cheap option”.
They start at around $25 for the smaller sizes and sell for around $50-$60 for the larger sizes. These coolers will not break the bank at all and are great for people on a budget. See my full Titan Deep Freeze cooler review.
Zipperless Opening
One of the big features of this cooler is it's zipperless opening. The lid is held on with velcro and friction and it makes it much easier to open and close the cooler compared to using a zipper.
It is not a waterproof lid however and if tipped over water will spill out.
Not The Best Ice Retention
As expected for a cooler of this price it doesn't have the best ice retention. It has thin insulation and an internal plastic container to keep ice cold, but you'll likely get a maximum of 6-12 hours of ice retention in this cooler during warmer weather.
Lots of Features
However, for the price it offers lots of features.
- Two external pockets
- Shoulder strap
- Detachable bottle opener
- Bungee chord
- Zipperless opening
- Side handles
- Side mesh pockets
- Reinforced base
- Inner dry shelf
It's not a high performance cooler, but if you're after a cheap cooler for a picnic or a few hours at the beach then this cooler will do the trick.
To see just how cheap it is click my affiliate link below:
See just how cheap Titan Deep Freeze coolers are at Amazon…wow
11. Otterbox Trooper: Half Soft Half Hard
The Otterbox Trooper coolers are a unique alternative to the Yeti Hopper coolers as they are partially hard and partially soft. They have a soft body but a hard lid.
Slightly Better Ice Retention Than Yeti
When compared side-by-side Otterbox coolers have very similar ice retention to Yeti, maybe outlasting Yeti by just a couple of hours. Not a huge difference. You can read my full Otterbox Trooper vs Yeti Hopper soft cooler comparison here.
You can expect the Otterbox Tropper coolers to keep ice for 2-3 days.
Just as Durable
Otterbox are known for making extremely high-quality products and they have taken that idea across to their line of coolers.
Their coolers are made with heavy-duty nylon that is TPU laminated and RF welded for waterproofing and strength.
The base is also reinforced to handle the wear and regular usage.
This is a high-quality durable cooler that is actually backed by a MASSIVE limited lifetime warranty.
Similar Price To Yeti
One of these reasons they are placed this far down on the list is that they sell for a very similar price to the Yeti Hopper coolers and don't offer a huge saving.
I'm also not 100% sold on the half hard/half soft combination that they have gone with. But I'm sure it will suit some people.
To see the latest prices of these coolers click my affiliate link below to see them on Amazon:
See the latest prices of Otterbox Trooper coolers at Amazon
12. Bison SoftPak Coolers: Made In The USA
Bison SoftPak coolers are durable soft sided coolers that are one of the very few coolers made in the USA. See the best soft coolers made in the USA.
The ice retention in these coolers isn't as good as that in Yeti coolers but they can hold ice for over 24 hours in 120 degree heat. Read more about how long they can hold ice plus their other features in my full Bison SoftPak cooler review.
The feature an external pocket as well as a heavy-duty vinyl exterior that is rated as tear resistant up to 375 pounds. It's also UV resistant so it won't fade in the sunlight.
The zipper isn't waterproof like Yeti's and overall this cooler isn't quite as good, but it sell for a fraction of the price of Yeti so you can get a good saving plus get a cooler made in the USA.
To see how affordable Bison USA-made coolers are click my affiliate link below to see the latest prices on Amazon:
See the latest prices of Bison Softpak Coolers at Amazon
13. Hommit Soft Coolers
Hommit soft coolers are another “Amazon brand” of cooler. Not that Amazon own this cooler but that they are only really found on Amazon and not really anywhere else.
Strangely for this cooler there are a lot of reviews on Amazon where people have done full video reviews of this product. This is unusual so I'm not sure if the company sent people free products in exchange for reviews.
What makes this cooler stand out is that it can hold ice for 3+ days and even up to 4 days in good conditions.
This is better performance than the Yeti and it's also significantly cheaper than Yeti coolers of a similar size.
To see the latest price of this cooler and to see the video reviews click my affiliate link below:
See the latest price of Hommit soft coolers at Amazon
14. Ozark Trail (Walmart’s Brand): Super Cheap but Hit-and-Miss Quality
I left Ozark Trail coolers to last because the quality of these coolers just seems to be hit and miss.
There are too many poor reviews and too many customers saying how great the cooler is except that it breaks really easily. Reports of broken zippers and even broken inner linings are common. Read more about this in my full Ozark Trail soft cooler review.
The cooler has really impressive specs for it's price. It's incredible cheap but has similar specs to Yeti coolers with waterproof zippers, thick insulation and detachable shoulder straps.
It sounds too good to be true and for a lot of people this is the case.
Some people get lucky and their Ozark Trail cooler lasts them years without issues. Others only get a few weeks or a couple of months before it breaks and is rendered useless.
I love this cooler IF the quality was more consistent but if you want a cheap cooler with similar specs to the Yeti and are happy to gamble on the quality then they are worth checking out.
To see just how cheap they are at Walmart.com (it's actually insane how cheap they are) click my affiliate link below:
See the latest prices of Ozark Trail coolers at Walmart – they are super cheap
Which Soft Cooler Like Yeti Will You Get?
There you have my full list of the best soft sided coolers like Yeti but cheaper. Now all that is left is for you to decide which of these coolers suits you needs best.
I've individually reviewed all of these coolers as well as compared each of them to Yeti Hopper to get to the nitty gritty of which coolers are the best and what you can expect from each cooler.
All of these coolers are good in their own right and each has their pros and cons. Decide on the cooler that best suits your needs and your budget and I'm sure you'll be happy with your purchase.
If you're after a hard sided cooler then check out my full list of the hard coolers like Yeti but cheaper to see which hard coolers I most recommend.
