Best match
YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Soft Cooler
$275vs $325Save $50 (15%)
Why it's a good swap Same YETI build in a smaller backpack.
You give up: Holds about 20 cans instead of 36.
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Prices checked October 2026Not tested in handNo paid rankingsHow we pick
You give up: Holds about 20 cans instead of 36.
Short answer: The closest cheaper alternative to the YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler is the YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Soft Cooler, about $275 instead of $325 (save 15%). What you give up: Holds about 20 cans instead of 36. The cheapest is the Maelstrom Backpack Cooler 35 Can at about $38. Prices checked October 2026.
Why it's a good swap Same YETI build in a smaller backpack.
You give up: Holds about 20 cans instead of 36.
Why it's a good swap Light backpack that holds 35 cans.
You give up: Thin insulation, so ice melts much sooner.
Why it's a good swap Simple backpack cooler from a known brand.
You give up: Keeps things cold for about 12 hours.
Typical US prices, checked October 2026. Not live prices; check the listing before you buy.
Looking for a cheaper alternative to the YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler? It usually sells for about $325. Here are 3 cheaper swaps from $38: the YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Soft Cooler is a cheaper option from YETI and the Maelstrom Backpack Cooler 35 Can is the cheapest at about $38. Each one says what you give up for the lower price.
Worth it if you need ice to last into the next day while carrying it on your back: OutdoorGearLab gave it its Best Insulation award. Treeline Review found the magnetic MagShield closure leakproof and the DryHide shell tough and easy to clean.
The YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Soft Cooler ($275) has the same build if you need less room. For day trips, the Coleman Chiller 28-Can Soft Backpack Cooler ($40) is a simple backpack cooler at a fraction of the price.
| Option | Type | Typical price | You save | What you give up | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YETI Hopper M20 Backpack Soft Cooler | The original | $325 | – | – | View ↗ |
| Maelstrom Backpack Cooler 35 Can | Budget pick | $38 | $287 (88%) | Thin insulation, so ice melts much sooner. | View ↗ |
| Coleman Chiller 28-Can Soft Backpack Cooler | Budget pick | $40 | $285 (88%) | Keeps things cold for about 12 hours. | View ↗ |
| YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Soft Cooler | Same brand, cheaper | $275 | $50 (15%) | Holds about 20 cans instead of 36. | View ↗ |
Typical US prices from retailer listings and price trackers, checked October 2026. They are not live Amazon prices and may have changed, so check the listing before you buy.
The Maelstrom Backpack Cooler 35 Can, at about $38 (88% less). Light backpack that holds 35 cans. The catch: Thin insulation, so ice melts much sooner.
Yes. The YETI Hopper M12 Backpack Soft Cooler, at about $275 (15% less). Same YETI build in a smaller backpack. The catch: Holds about 20 cans instead of 36.
YETI's 36-can figure is without ice. Treeline Review fit 15 to 18 cans with ice at the 2:1 ice-to-contents ratio YETI recommends.
OutdoorGearLab measured food below 40°F for 3.6 days and drinks below 50°F for 4.0 days. Treeline Review found it the best backpack cooler it tested, though hard coolers lasted much longer.
Usually, yes: in OutdoorGearLab's test a much cheaper Sparter backpack kept food cold for about 1.5 days versus 3.6 for the M20. The Coleman Chiller 28-Can Soft Backpack Cooler ($40) keeps things cold for about 12 hours, which suits a day trip.
Each swap links to amazon.com. Prices are typical US prices checked October 2026 and change often, so check the listing before you buy.
Every swap is a product sold in the US that does the main job of the original. Close match is another brand with similar features, Same brand, cheaper is an older, smaller or renewed model from the same maker, and Budget pick is the cheapest thing that still does the job. On each page, Closest match is the close match nearest the original in price, and Lowest price is the cheapest swap. We compare published specs, retailer listings and reviews; we don't test products ourselves.
A cheaper product is cheaper for a reason. Each swap says what you give up, like weaker noise cancelling, a smaller screen or a shorter warranty, so you can decide if the savings are worth it.
Prices are typical US prices from retailer listings and price trackers, last checked October 2026. They are not live Amazon prices, which change often. When a price couldn't be confirmed, the page says “Check price on Amazon” instead of showing a number.
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