We Tested Stanley's Mini Soft Cooler in a Hot Car on a 95°F Day—Here's What We Found Out

While Stanley is well-known for its big cups and thermoses, the brand recently launched a soft cooler collection that includes a 10-can option we knew we had to test. It’s half the price of our current Yeti top pick, but could it keep its cool? We put the Stanley through the same rigorous tests from our soft cooler review. 

After putting it through the paces, we found that while it didn’t keep its contents cool long-term, it’s a great option for a day trip to the beach or picnics at the park. Plus, we especially liked its wide opening that pops up for easy loading and unloading.

The Tests

• Capacity Test: Noting the maximum can limit, we filled the All Day Julienne mini cooler with as many 12-ounce cans of seltzer as the cooler could fit, including two ice packs. We also evaluated how easy it was to fill.
• Portability Test: After filling the cooler, we picked it up and walked with it for a few minutes (about the time it might take to walk from the car to the campground or down a path to the beach). We evaluated how comfortable it was to carry and if there were multiple ways to hold it.
• Cold Retention Test: We loaded the cooler with ice and seltzer cans then used an instant-read thermometer to take the temperature of its contents over the course of 40 hours in a controlled environment of 78°F.
• Durability Test: We filled the cooler to capacity with 12-ounce seltzer cans and pushed it off a picnic table five times. We then took note if the cooler or its contents suffered any damage. We also opened and closed the cooler several times to evaluate the ease of zipping.

What We Learned

It Was Lightweight, Easy to Fill, and Easy to Clean

When empty, the All Day Julienne mini cooler is already a light cooler, weighing barely over a pound. This helps keep it light enough to easily transport even when it’s filled with 10 12-ounce cans of seltzer. When walking with it, the handles were comfortable to hold and the included strap made it easy to sling over the shoulder or across the body. 

Loading the cooler is fast work since the unique “doctor’s bag” top stays open on its own. Additionally, the inside of the cooler is made of a water-resistant material that can be quickly wiped if needed. Even when the ice completely melted inside, there was no noticeable leaking (aside from condensation buildup).

It Stayed Cool Enough for a Day Trip

During our cold retention test, the cooler was able to keep contents cold for up to 24 hours but that was its max. After loading the cooler with ice and seltzer cans, the seltzer was 32°F at the 16-hour mark and there was still a significant amount of ice in the cooler. At the 24-hour mark, while the seltzer was at 35°F, the ice was nearly gone. Finally, at 40 hours, all of the ice melted and the seltzer temperature was 59°F. Our winning soft cooler, the Yeti Hopper Flip 18, still had plenty of ice after 24 hours and was at 45°F well past 40 hours.

It Held Up to Everyday Use

We took this cooler on multiple day trips. On one of these, the weather reached 95°F and the cooler kept its contents cool after several hours inside of a hot car. We also pushed the filled cooler off a picnic table and inspected it for any external damage or burst seltzer cans. No cans were injured and aside from dirt scuffs on the cooler’s light-colored exterior, there were no tears.

The Verdict

Stanley All Day Julienne Mini Cooler

At $100, the Stanley All Day Julienne mini cooler is a great day trip option for a sturdy, lightweight, and high-performing cooler that’s also easy on the eyes. While we still highly recommend our tried-and-true Yeti Hopper Flip 18 for many a soft cooler need, the Stanley All Day Julienne cooler is a compact, lightweight option for short jaunts, like going on a picnic or to the beach.

Key Specs

• Dimensions: 9.45 x 7.87 x 9.84 inches
• Weight: 1.19 pounds
• Material: 100% recycled polyester
• Water-proof lining: Yes
• Shoulder strap length: 145.5 centimeters
• Closure type: “Doctor’s bag” snap-lock closure

FAQs

How do I clean the Stanley All Day Julienne mini cooler?

Both the inside and outside of the cooler are easy to wipe down with a dry or damp cloth.

Are ice packs included with the Stanley All Day Julienne mini cooler?

No, ice packs are not included with the cooler.

How much does the Stanley All Day Julienne mini cooler hold?

This cooler can hold up to 10 12-ounce seltzer cans and two flat ice packs.

What type of closure does the cooler have?

The cooler has a zip top with what the company calls a “doctor’s bag” opening. The top pops up and stays open for easy loading and unloading.

Why We’re the Experts

• An Uong is a commerce writer for Serious Eats and Food & Wine.
• An has been testing kitchen equipment for Serious Eats for over a year.
• For this review, An tested the cooler’s capacity, portability, durability, and cold retention. She tracked how well it kept contents cool over time and even took it on several day trips during a heat wave to test its performance in warm weather.