YETI Hopper Flip 18: the best travel cooler
The Flip 18 handles travel better than any other soft cooler we compared. The DryHide exterior survived being stored beneath seats, stuffed into overhead bins, and set on hotel bathroom floors without showing wear. The magnetic HydroLok zipper does not accidentally open during jostling through airport crowds. Ice packs kept food cold through a five-hour flight.
Check price on Amazon →We compared coolers across airports, hotels, and vacation destinations to find the ones that handle the bumps of travel while keeping food and drinks cold.
How we picked
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
Top picks compared
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| YETI Hopper Flip 18: the best travel cooler | Check price |
Our picks up close
YETI Hopper Flip 18: the best travel cooler
The Flip 18 handles travel better than any other soft cooler we compared. The DryHide exterior survived being stored beneath seats, stuffed into overhead bins, and set on hotel bathroom floors without showing wear. The magnetic HydroLok zipper does not accidentally open during jostling through airport crowds. Ice packs kept food cold through a five-hour flight.
Before you buy
Carry-on compatible dimensions
Verify your cooler fits within your airline's carry-on size limits. Soft coolers generally compress to fit where hard coolers cannot.
Security-friendly
TSA requires ice packs to be frozen solid at screening. Liquid gel packs can be confiscated. Use hard frozen packs at departure.
Waterproof material
Travel exposes coolers to rain, wet hotel floors, and airport bathroom splashes. Waterproof exterior materials protect the cooler and contents.
Weight
Carry-on weight limits matter. A soft cooler at 3 to 4 pounds empty leaves meaningful weight allowance for food and ice packs.
Versatility
The best travel coolers also serve as beach bags, day-trip coolers, and hotel room supplemental refrigerators. Flexible multi-use designs give you more value from a single purchase.
Quick answers
Yes. Soft coolers generally pass TSA screening as carry-on or personal items. Hard coolers may be checked baggage. Ice packs in gel form are allowed if frozen solid at screening.
A compact soft cooler that fits in the hotel mini-fridge shelf or can be stored under the desk. The YETI Flip 18 and similar 18 to 20-can soft coolers are ideally sized.
Dry ice is permitted on planes in limited quantities (5.5 lbs) but requires ventilation. Most travel cooler use cases are better served by reusable gel ice packs.
Pack with frozen gel ice packs before the flight. A well-insulated soft cooler keeps food cold through most domestic flights. For flights over six hours, supplement with ice purchased after security.