OutdoorGearLab

If you're a bargain hunter, we think you'll love the excellent value of the Igloo Reactor 30. This cooler has the look, feel, and nearly the performance of the high-end soft coolers we've tested yet costs significantly less. It outcompeted most others in this lineup in our rigorous insulation testing with thick walls and a leakproof zipper, which lends extra confidence to an already waterproof interior and exterior. An extra tough layer around the bottom and wrapping up the sides adds abrasion resistance where you need it most. Fitting 30 cans &#40;without any ice&#41;, the Reactor maximizes internal capacity. Rounded corners and edges help maintain a fairly comfortable carrying experience while the top handle is very handy—a feature we love to see on coolers of this shape and size. 
The only knock against the Reactor's straightforward, easy-to-use design is that its waterproof zipper is exceptionally difficult to operate. It eases up some with the application of zipper lubricant, which doesn't come with this cooler. While we appreciate the simplicity of this model, its lack of external pockets can be a downside. And though it doesn't seem to pose a usability issue, the D-rings on either end of the shoulder strap flip sideways readily, a minor annoyance. Still, the issues we have with the Reactor are minor, and we found the pros far outweigh the cons &mdash; especially for this relatively low price.

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bazaarvoice

Year after year, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 continues to impress us. This tried and true model boasts impressive insulation for a small cooler. Its shape and size are convenient and easy to use with a simple design that simply works. Yeti products are known to be strong and primed to tackle all your wild adventures, and this one is no exception. The latest rendition of this crowd favorite includes a top handle &#40;in addition to the two side handles from previous iterations&#41; to make grabbing and going even more effortless. Yeti also includes a tube of zipper lubricant and helpful directions for caring for and making the most out of your investment.
The Flip doesn't come with any additional pockets or features, while many other coolers do. Those extras, well, cost extra on top of an already expensive cooler. Though this latest version costs marginally less than its predecessor, it's still among the more expensive coolers out there. But if you want a personal cooler that just won't quit, the Flip should be on your shortlist.

Year after year, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 continues to impress us. This tried and true model boasts impressive insulation for a small cooler. Its shape and size are convenient and easy to use with a simple design that simply works. Yeti products are known to be strong and primed to tackle all your wild adventures, and this one is no exception. The latest rendition of this crowd favorite includes a top handle &#40;in addition to the two side handles from previous iterations&#41; to make grabbing and going even more effortless. Yeti also includes a tube of zipper lubricant and helpful directions for caring for and making the most out of your investment.
The Flip 12 doesn't come with any additional pockets or features, while many other coolers do. Those extras, well, cost extra on top of an already expensive cooler. Though this latest version costs marginally less than its predecessor, it's still among the more expensive coolers out there. But if you want a personal cooler that just won't quit, the Flip should be on your shortlist.
Read more: Yeti Hopper Flip 12 review

Upgrade Pick

expert-review

Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Review: Is This the Best Outdoor Cooler?

Review: The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Keeps Your Beers Chilled, But It'll Cost You

Wirecutter

This cooler is lightweight, sturdy, and easy to pack. With enough ice, it will keep contents cold for more than 24 hours without leaking or sweating. Its details, including stitching and superior insulating foam, set it apart from its competitors.

This cooler is lightweight, sturdy, and easy to pack. With enough ice, it kept contents cold for more than 24 hours without leaking or sweating. Details such as its stitching and superior insulating foam set it apart from its competitors.

This cooler is lightweight, sturdy, and easy to pack. With enough ice, it kept contents cold for more than 24 hours without leaking or sweating. Such details as its stitching and superior insulating foam set it apart from its competitors.

Budget Pick

shopify

Although this cooler performed on a par with the best in our tests—its 0.75-inch insulation kept food and drinks cold for more than 24 hours without leaking or sweating—it didn’t hold as much as the Polar Bear did.

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America's Test Kitchen

We were impressed with the performance of this cooler; it kept ice frozen for three days. It was also light, spacious, and less unwieldy than some of the more square coolers due to its slightly slim shape. The tab zipper was easy to pull, and the cooler was easy to fill and use once we figured out how to prop open the top by unbuckling the side clips.

yotpo

Light, simple to carry, difficult to overpack, and insulated enough for a full day’s worth of activities, the Polar Bear Original might be the perfect backpack cooler.

Soft Cooler Comparison