Having a small-sized soft cooler has always been a necessity when fishing and partying. But it is not easy to look for the right one among thousands of options in the market these days.
Here is a small waterproof cooler list that will suit your needs no matter what you drink. From beer pong to post-workout beverages, this will help you through them all.
There are dozens of soft coolers on the market. Some big, some small, others expensive, and some cheap. Now throw in some high-quality vs. low-quality, and you have a ton of mix to sort through. What cooler do you choose?
How We Search For The Best Choice
We've looked at many different coolers over the years, and we've found that there are two main types of coolers: those that keep things cold and those that don't.
It's not hard to find backpack coolers that keep things cold. Most of them do it pretty well, but if you're looking for something with a little more style and durability, you'll want to check out our list of the best small coolers on the market today. Here are some tips for finding the best small cooler for your needs:
Size
The first thing we looked at was size. Obviously, we wanted something that would fit in our small car and not take up too much space in our apartment. But we also wanted something that could fit enough food and drinks for an overnight trip or a long day on the beach.
Durability
Next, we looked at durability. You don't want your cooler to break after just a few uses. It should be able to stand up to being dropped or knocked around without any issues. You also want it to be waterproof so that all your food and drinks stay dry inside if it gets wet.
Consider Your Budget
Coolers come in all shapes and sizes (and price ranges), so consider how much money you want to spend before choosing one. If price is no object, then plenty of high-end options are available today.
Aesthetics
Finally, aesthetics are important! You want something that looks good while still doing its job well — which means no ugly colors or designs!
Our Top Picks
Of all the hundreds of different coolers we researched for this article, these are our five top choices:
Our Top Five-Start Choice
Carhartt Deluxe Dual Compartment Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag
Why It’s A Five-Star Choice
This bag is quite durable, sturdy, and reliable. It's also long-lasting, and these features make this Carhartt Cooler Bag a very practical choice for everyday use in your home or office. The bag offers a 5.3-liter capacity to store two bottles and a bottle opener for wine or other beverages you want to keep cool during travel.
It has an easy-to-clean interior lining made up of 600 denier polyester material, so you don't have to worry about mold growth inside this cooler bag when it gets wet from condensation after being used extensively outdoors during hot summer days where temperatures hit over 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius).
You can also use this bag as an insulated lunch box or even a food container at picnics because its water-resistant design means that spills won't spill out onto surfaces below them! This makes for a great companion on road trips too!
Things That Are Good To Know
This is a good choice for anyone who wants to keep their food and drinks cool while they’re away from home. It is made of heavy-duty 100% synthetic material with Rain Defender and has an insulated main compartment that keeps food and drinks cool. This bag has two smaller compartments to store snacks, utensils, or other items. It has a top handle and shoulder strap, so it’s easy to carry around wherever you go!
The dimensions are 10 x 9 x 7 inches; this size fits easily into most backpacks when not in use, making it great for camping trips too! Weighing only 0.7 lbs., this cooler can take up space without adding much weight onto your shoulders when full because it's made from solid materials like nylon mesh instead of plastic ones, which tend to crack under pressure over time (like those cheap grocery store bags).
Fun Story From A Product User
A delighted user wrote:
"I purchased the Carhartt Lunch Cooler Bag in the navy color and have been really happy with it. The bag is the perfect size for my lunch, and I love that it has two compartments to separate my food.
It's made of durable material and has held up well in the few weeks I've been using it. I also appreciate that it's not too bulky, so it fits easily into my backpack.
The only downside is that it doesn't seem leak-proof, as I've had a few spills when the bag was tipped over. Overall, I would definitely recommend this lunch bag to others. It's a great value for the price and has held up well so far."
Why It’s A Five-Star Choice
This lunch cooler is a great option for those looking to buy a small cooler or who need something lightweight and easy to carry. It is made with insulated material to keep your food cold for hours. The lid has an elastic strap to help keep it closed, making it easy to open when you need something quickly. The top handle allows you to carry this lunchbox around easily while keeping your hands free!
The material used in this product is durable and robust enough that it can be used while hiking or camping without worrying about breaking down as well as being able to withstand the normal wear-and-tear associated with day-to-day usage such as dropping items onto hard surfaces (such as concrete) without damaging anything inside of them! This may be a good choice if you’re looking for something simple yet effective!
Things That Are Good To Know
The FlowFly small insulated lunch box is a great choice for anyone looking for a simple, portable cooler. This lunch bag has an aluminum foil lining that will keep your food fresh, and it comes with extra thick 5mm PE foam padding to keep it safe from bumps and bruises. The interior is spacious enough to fit one normal-sized meal box.
The FlowFly small insulated lunch box comes in an array of bright colors like blue and red, so you can match it with whatever outfit you're wearing—or even as part of your school's spirit week! It has soft grip handles that make carrying easy while ensuring everything stays inside the bag. This product is also very durable, thanks to its premium fabric construction. You won't have any problems taking care of this item either; just hand wash it after use!
Fun Story From A Product User
A happy customer wrote:
"I've used this product for a week, and it's been great. I've used it to take my lunch to work, keeping my food nice and cold. The top lock is easy to use, and the velcro is strong enough to hold my lunch bag closed up tight.
Flow fly has also been great with customer service. They quickly answered all my questions before I bought this product, and they responded quickly when I asked them about sizing issues with their other products.
I would recommend this lunch box (or any of the other Flowfly products) if you want something that will keep your food cold without breaking the bank!"
Why It’s A Five-Star Choice
This is an excellent choice for the eco-conscious consumer, as it's made from recycled plastic bottles and features an interior lining of 100% polyester. With a capacity of 536 Cubic Inches, this bag is suitable for carrying up to 5 cans of soda or beer and your lunch items.
It also has removable shoulder straps that allow you to carry your cooler bag hands-free, making it ideal for road trips or hikes. The last thing you want when you're on vacation with friends is an ice chest that doesn't keep things cold enough!
Things That Are Good To Know
The Venture Pal Insulated Lunch Bag is a reusable lunch bag made of high-quality polyester fabric with an SBS double zipper. The high-quality reinforced stitching and the long-lasting construction of this bag make it a great choice for anyone looking to pack their lunch on the go.
The Thermal Insulated feature of this bag helps keep your food cool or warm, but you can also use it as an insulated cooler if needed. Padded with 4mm EPE cell foam and water-proof aluminum liner, the wide opening allows easy access to contents inside the bag.
This insulated cooler features a detachable padded shoulder strap for easy carrying in hand or over the shoulder, which makes it perfect for any occasion, whether you are at school/work or out camping!
Fun Story From A Product User
A satisfied buyer said:
"It keeps your food cold or warms all day long, and it even has a separate compartment for an ice pack. The bag is very well made and designed to last a long time. It also comes in several different sizes, so you can buy one that fits your needs.
I love how much room there is inside this bag. I can pack up my lunch, snacks, work clothes, and everything else I need for the day without worrying about space being an issue.
I've used this product for over a year now and have found that it does exactly what I need: keep my food fresh and cool all day long!"
Why It’s A Five-Star Choice
The Icemule is the perfect small cooler bag for your next outdoor adventure. This plastic insulator layer helps keep everything nice & cold inside, even after hours in hot conditions where there may not be enough room outside.
The whole thing is made from durable material that will last a long time, even when exposed to harsh elements like water or snow! It comes equipped with an IM AirValve system which allows airflow within itself, ensuring everything stays cold longer than other hard-sided coolers might be able to do themselves!
Things That Are Good To Know
It's rugged, versatile, and holds 24+ hours of cooling power to ensure that your food and drink stay fresh as long as possible.
The interior plus Polar Layer Insulation ensures strength and superior ice retention in all conditions. The backpack-style cooler comes with ventilated sling straps, so it's comfortable to carry around whether you're heading out for a day trip or going on an overnight adventure.
It can hold 9 liters or six cans but collapses into the perfect size when empty - making it perfect for carrying around town!
Fun Story From A Product User
A delighted user wrote:
"I've used this product for the past month, and I am very pleased with it. The ice doesn't melt quickly, as with other coolers I've used. It's also very durable and well-made. There are no loose parts that could get damaged or break apart. You can use it on your bike or motorcycle or even walk with it if you need to.
The straps are comfortable and sturdy so you don't have to worry about them breaking if you're carrying a lot of weight inside the cooler. Overall, I would highly recommend this product to anyone looking for an affordable, yet high-quality cooler!"
Why It’s A Five-Star Choice
The PackIt Freezable Classic Lunch Box is perfect for all your work, school, and road trip needs. The lunch bag is insulated to keep your food cool from morning until noon. It's easy to clean and has a zippered top so you can keep your snacks safe as you move through the day.
The lunch box folds down flat, so it won't take up much space in your backpack or bag while you're on the go. It also comes with a handy carrying strap that makes carrying it easier when you don't have much room left in your bag!
The best part about this soft sided cooler? You can freeze it overnight before putting anything inside of it! That means ice-cold pizza will stay fresh until lunchtime—no matter how hot or humid outside might be!
Things That Are Good To Know
This lunch bag is a great option for anyone looking to take their lunch on the go. This product has a large zip opening, buckle handle, and exterior zip pocket. The interior wipes and spot-clean the exterior of your bag easily.
The Freezable Classic Lunch Box will keep your food and drinks cool for up-to-8 hours in hot weather or 4 hours on a mild day. This lunch box can be used for any meal, including sandwiches, fruits, snacks, or salads!
It's made from BPA-free, PVC-free material, so you don't have to worry about chemicals leeching into the foods inside.
Fun Story From A Product User
A delighted customer said:
"I purchased the PackIt Freezable Classic Lunch Box in the Spaceman design for my son's school lunches and have been overall happy with it. The biggest pro is definitely the built-in freeze pack, which keeps his food cold all day without taking up any extra space in the lunch box. The material is also good quality, and the zipper is sturdy.
However, I wish the lunch box was a bit bigger as it can fit perfectly everything my son wants for lunch. I also had an issue with the zipper getting caught in the corner, similar to what one of the other reviewers mentioned. Despite these minor drawbacks, I would still recommend the PackIt lunch box as it has been a reliable choice for my son's lunches."
Small Cooler FAQ
Do you have questions about small coolers? We have answers! Read below to learn more about small coolers and the best way to use them.
How do I choose a small cooler?
When it comes to choosing small and hard coolers, there are many things to consider. You need to consider the size of your cooler, how often you will use it, and what food you will store in it. Some people use their coolers for drinks, while others use them for everything from hot dogs to cold cuts.
Coolers come in all shapes and sizes. They can be large enough to hold everything you need for an entire day at the beach or small enough to fit into your pocket.
If you plan on using your cooler every day or if you plan on taking it with you when you go camping or hiking, then a larger size is probably best for you. A smaller size may be more practical if you only use your cooler once or twice yearly.
When choosing your cooler, remember that larger coolers take up more space when transporting them than smaller ones. If space is limited in your car trunk or backseat, this could be an essential factor when choosing a small cooler.
If space isn't an issue, then consider what kind of food items your family eats most often when choosing a small
What are the benefits of using a small cooler?
The benefits of using a small cooler are many. There are several reasons why you should use one instead of just relying on ice or other forms of cold storage:
Convenience
You can take one with you without worrying about carrying heavy coolers that may be difficult to carry when complete. They're also much easier to store and don't take up as much space as larger ones.
Portability
Small coolers can be moved more easily than larger ones; they're also lighter and easier to handle while carrying them around. This makes them great for camping trips, picnics, fishing trips, or any other outdoor activity where you need to keep things cold but doesn't have electricity or power outlets.
Cost savings
They tend to cost less than large models because they have less insulation material and therefore require less energy during operation (which translates into lower electricity bills).
How do I find the perfect size small cooler for me?
Choosing the right size cooler is an important part of the buying process. Small coolers can hold up to 12 cans, while large ones can hold 30 cans and more. If you're looking for a small cooler, you'll want to consider how many drinks you need to keep cold and how much space you have in your vehicle or camping area.
If you're planning a day at the beach, a small cooler will be ideal for keeping your drinks cold while you enjoy the water and sand. If you're hosting an evening party at home or the campsite, a medium-sized cooler will help keep everyone's favorite beverages cold until it's time to call it a night.
What type of small cooler should I buy?
A small cooler is an essential piece of gear for any outdoor enthusiast. Whether hiking, camping, or fishing, having a portable cooler to keep your food and drinks cold can make all the difference between a good trip and a great one.
We've covered you if you're looking for the perfect companion on your next adventure. We've tested dozens of coolers to find the best ones for every outdoor activity — from hiking and camping to boating and fishing — so we can help you find the best small cooler for your needs.
No matter what outdoor activity you're into, there's a small cooler for you. And if you haven't found it yet, this guide will help point you in the right direction.
What are the best features of a small cooler?
Here are some of the best features of a small cooler:
Size
Smaller coolers tend to be about half the size of large ones. This makes them easy to store when not in use, and it also makes them easier to carry around when filled with food or drinks as well as ice.
Capacity
Smaller coolers generally have less storage space inside them than larger models, but there are still plenty of options that can hold a good amount of food or drinks for one person or small group (up to 4-6 people). Some models even have multiple compartments, so you can store different items separately within the cooler if needed.
Durability
Most small coolers are made from durable plastic materials that will last for years without breaking down or cracking open like some low-quality models made from thin plastic materials do after only having been used a few times by an inexperienced user who didn't know how to properly care for their product before using it for its intended purpose.
What Is The Best Small Cooler For You?
Small coolers are offered in many shapes and sizes, allowing customers to choose a cooler that best fits their needs. Whether you have an outdoor adventure planned or want to keep your lunch cold at the office, there is a cooler that will fit your lifestyle.
We hope the information above has been helpful in your search for the ideal small cooler. These coolers may not be as large as their larger counterparts, but they can certainly hold a significant amount of food and beverages.
