One essential that you cannot forget on a camping trip is a good, durable cooler. Fortunately, there are several to pick from.
After detailed research and testing, we came across Yeti, a brand known for manufacturing some of the most reliable and comfortable coolers on the market. Most customers seem drawn towards two models – the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 and 18. However, which one is better for your needs?
That’s what we are here to help you figure out. Take a look at our detailed comparison between the stellar models – Yeti Hopper Flip 12 vs 18.
YETI Hopper Flip 12 Review
If you are looking for a compact but durable two-person cooler for a camping trip, you cannot go wrong with the Yeti Hopper Flip 12. This soft cooler is entirely water and leak-proof, yet, it is as hard as nails and will not let you down.
With an ice-to-can ratio of 2:1, this cooler can easily accommodate 13 cans without any issue. Of course, you can use it to store any other cold beverage you wish to carry on a camping trip.
The only thing you should remember about this compact cooler is that it will not keep anything cold for more than a day since it is a soft cooler. This makes it the ideal companion for one or two-day camping trips, but not more than that.
Another excellent feature of the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is its wide mouth and easy access. No more struggling with annoying zippers and velcros – you can easily add or remove whatever is required.
YETI Hopper Flip 18 Review
If you are looking for the ideal cooler for two-day camping trips for a slightly larger group of people, the Yeti Hopper Flip 18 fits the bill perfectly. This compact soft cooler is exactly what you need for two-day camping trips to keep your food and drinks cool.
Moreover, it is advertised to have a capacity to hold 18 cans, but in reality, after testing it several times, users came to find that it can actually hold up to 20 cans. As such, all your food and drink needs will be taken care of without any hassle.
Since it comes with a larger storage capacity, this cooler can be slightly heavy to carry for one person. Fortunately, the brand has considered this issue and designed the product with two handles so the load can be divided among two people.
Although this brand is well known for its hard coolers, these soft coolers are some of the most popular products that customers love. Lastly, the product comes in a range of exciting colors if you are someone who likes to color coordinate their camping accessories.
YETI Hopper Flip 12 Vs 18, The Difference
Capacity
Weighing just 3.1 lbs, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 has a capacity of 13 cans. As such, it is incredibly lightweight and convenient to carry on all your day-long camping trips. Moreover, it features multiple handles that make it extremely easy to carry in whichever way is more comfortable.
Coming to the Yeti Hopper Flip 18, this cooler weighs 5.1 lbs, so it is only slightly heavier than its smaller counterpart. It comes with a carrying capacity of 18 to 20 cans and also features multiple handles for portability.
Although the Yeti Hopper Flip 18 might become slightly heavy to carry when it is completely filled, it is still one of the lightest and most portable coolers you will find on the market.
It is evident that the Flip 18 is the clear winner here, as it comes with a larger carrying capacity without being that much heavier or larger than the 12. Of course, if you don’t need that much storage space, then the Flip 12 might just be the right option for you.
Size
The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 features an outside dimension of 10” × 11.5” × 12-⅝ ” and an inside measurement of 8” × 9” × 11”. Although compact and lightweight, it is extremely rugged and can withstand most types of wear and tear that you might typically face on a camping trip.
Moving on to the Yeti Hopper Flip 18, this cooler comes with an outside dimension of 10.75” × 13” × 16.25” and internal dimensions of 8.5 ” × 10.25 ” × 14.25”. It is just slightly larger than the Flip 12, but has a much larger capacity of at least 20 cans.
As such, it is a convenient and reliable cooler to carry on two-day long camping trips for two to four campers. Between the two, there can really be no clear winner, as each of them has its unique advantages.
While the Flip 12 is excellent in terms of portability and storage, the Flip 18 definitely offers more space at an affordable price. But keep in mind that this cooler can be slightly heavy to carry for one person, and you may require another set of hands to help you.
Ice Retention Capacity
The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 has an excellent ice retention capacity of 16 pounds and can keep all food and beverages cool for about 30 hours. However, since it is a soft cooler, it is best to consume the items inside the cooler within a day or two.
As for the Yeti Hopper Flip 18, it comes with a remarkable ice retention capacity of 24 pounds and can efficiently keep your items cool for 40 hours! These two coolers do a fantastic job of keeping items cool for camping trips without hassle, making them two of the most popular cooler models on the market.
If you must compare the two, then the Yeti Hopper Flip 18 wins this round hands down due to its massive ice retention capacity. That said, the compact Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is an ideal fit for those going on shorter day-long camping trips and who don’t need to keep their drinks cooler for more than a day.
YETI Hopper Flip 12 And 18, The Similarities
Durability
A stellar aspect of the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 and Flip 18 is that both are immensely durable and rugged. Their outer Dryhide shell contributes to their durability. This outer shell is immensely tough, UV-resistant, puncture-proof, and resistant to mold. The high-density fabric is almost entirely resistant to wear and tear and other forms of damage.
Furthermore, they feature an 840D double-side thermoplastic foam or urethane surface and insulated or EVA bottom. This layer keeps all your food and drinks chilled, no matter what the temperature is like outside.
Zipper & Waterproofing
An interesting fact to know about these coolers is that although they provide excellent insulation and cooling and ensure that there are no leaks, there is one slight challenge. The Hydrolok Zipper can be slightly tight, making it tough to zip and unzip.
That being said, with a bit of oiling and use, the zippers should be easier to use over time.
Design
When it comes to the design of these two coolers, they look almost identical, barring their sizes. The only noticeable difference is that the Flip 18 is slightly larger and has more capacity than the 12.
Both these products feature multiple tie-down loops on the front, back, and sides. This makes them easier to attach to your vehicles when required. This design feature is known as the Hitchpoint Grids. Note that the Flip 12 comes with three loops on each line while the Flip 18 comes with four – mainly due to their size and weight-bearing capacity differences.
Furthermore, they come with multiple handles on all sides. These handles are of different sizes and are designed in a way to allow easy portability – whether one person is carrying them or two.
Insulation
Both the Yeti Hopper Flip models provide excellent insulation for all your food and drinks. While the Flip 12 can keep all your beverages cool for 30 hours, the 18 provides an astonishing 40 hours of insulation, making them both excellent choices for camping trips.
Final Thoughts
Sure, you will come across multiple brands of coolers on the market, but Yeti is a brand that customers have come to love and trust. Although this brand was most well known for its hard coolers, the soft coolers have slowly but surely taken over the market.
The lightweight design, astounding insulation, and storage capacity of both coolers make them an ideal option for one or two-day camping trips. Depending on your specific requirements, you can choose between the Flip 12 and Flip 18 models.
As for the Yeti Hopper Flip 12, this model is ideal for one or two campers going on a day-long camping trip. However, the Flip 18 model is more suited for two-day camping trips with two to four campers.
So, which Yeti Hopper Flip model is better suited for your needs? Let us know in the comments below!
