Packing for a Weekend? camping trip, a backyard barbecue, or a long day at the beach, a cooler with wheels can make your life a lot easier compared to one you have to pick up and lug—especially when it’s full of heavy ice, drinks, and food. I’ve been experimenting for years with coolers on wheels to take camping. beach days, and parties in my own backyard, I’ve learned that not all wheeled models deliver on their promises—these do.
Each cooler in this list was tested for performance, durability and maneuverability on road trips throughout the country. The best models kept their contents cool for more than 24 hours and rolled easily across grass and gravel. They also had thoughtful features such as dry storage compartments and built-in drainage, along with sturdy handles. Consider these models if you are looking for a cooler on wheels that has a good balance between capacity and portability. They also have solid insulation and are easy to clean and store.
This cooler is a beast—in the best way. Even when filled with drinks at room temperature, the ice remained intact for about 24 hours during indoor testing. It stayed cold with minimal melting of ice for hours after the interior temperature reached a certain point. The lid opens wide and automatically stands up. This makes it easy to clean and pack. The dry storage basket keeps things like snacks or hot dog rolls out of the ice. And, with its sturdy drain plug, it’s easy to clean.
At 35 pounds empty, this is a big cooler—best suited for people who have storage space and use it often. The rugged wheels and telescoping handles make it easy to move even when fully loaded. It’s important to remember that the wheels are not swivel-able when trying to get it into tight places, like pushing against a brick wall. This cooler is still worth it for those who camp regularly, tailgate, or host outdoor events. It’s sturdy enough to last for years—and might be the last cooler you ever need to buy.
The Details 98 can capacity | 98-can capacity | 30.6 pounds | High density polyethylene (HDPE)
Why We Love it
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The large capacity and rugged wheels of this cooler, along with the extra features such as bottle openers and cup holders, make it ideal for outdoor activities, camping and long-term events.
This 70-quart cooler is a great choice for cooling large groups all day long. We used it at kids’ sporting tournaments and races in the Alabama heat, loading it with up to six bags of ice and enough drinks to hydrate entire teams—and it never ran out of cold storage. The rugged design has large wheels to easily handle rough, wooded surfaces and even steps. It also features integrated cup holders, bottle openers and a slot for your phone.
The exterior net basket and dry storage compartment were also very useful. Although it is not as well-insulated compared to other hard coolers that perform at their best, it retains plenty of ice and keeps everything cold for long days under the sun. The lid is not secure, which can lead to spills when the cooler is tipped. And, plastic wheels are in need of an upgrade. Overall, the cooler is great for camping trips, game days and other off-grid gatherings.
Details:36 x 24.75 x 20.25 inches | 70 quarts | 34.7 pounds | Plastic
I was drawn to this cooler for the cool retro-inspired color scheme in turquoise and pink—so appealing for use at a party. The built-in bottle open, removable trays and large interior capacity make this cooler a great choice. It kept drinks cool for 48 hours during testing. There was still plenty of ice left after the first day. The latches on the lid are smooth and secure. And the divider system allows you to easily separate food items like sandwiches and snacks from the ice. The lid has a flat surface for stacking and the sides are flat. It also comes with a drainage spout to make cleanup easy.
That said, this cooler is very heavy—enough to make it impractical for more mobile uses. In fact, I had to scrap plans to take it to the beach for my kids’ school beach day after realizing I couldn’t maneuver it alone—even before loading it up fully. Wheels are smooth, but they do not swivel and cannot offset the weight of the cooler when it is fully loaded. Still, if you want a cooler that looks great and keeps things cold all weekend long—without ever leaving your yard—this checks all the boxes.
Details: 16 x 16.75 inch 45 quarts | 45 quarts | 30 pounds | Hard plastic and steel
Why We Love it
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It is easy to move the cooler, thanks to its large, sturdy wheels and comfortable, durable handle, regardless of terrain or height.
If you are planning a picnic in the park or a trip to the beach, it is important that you pack appropriately. full-day beach hangThis high-capacity cooler on wheels makes it easy to transport cold drinks and food. We tested it during a summer outing in Rancho Bernardo, California, and were impressed by how smoothly it rolled over grass and curbs—even when fully loaded with ice and 15-plus cans. The large wheels and telescoping handle allowed for easy maneuvering, while the main compartment was spacious enough to keep everything cold for several hours. The separate “Dry Zone”, lower drawer kept the lunch meat cool and dry even when the top compartment slowly lost ice. The unit is durable, easy to maintain, and clearly made to last.
Details: 28.58 x 17.36 x 18.89 inches | 45 quarts | 30.2 pounds | Plastic
This rugged cooler was tested over a 2-night period. biking trip In Missouri, it delivered. It kept drinks cold and deli foods cool for more than 48 hours even when the ice was slowly melting.
The attached lid net kept cheese and other meat slices cool, but above the ice. We also loved the locking lid, which doubles as an opener for bottles. The wide handle, as well as the oversized wheels made it easy to maneuver despite its sturdy construction and large size. It’s heavy, yes. The cooler performs just as well as the high-end models at a much more affordable price.
The Details 20.5 x 23 x 20.75 inches | 45 quart | 37 pounds | Plastic
This sleek, squared-off cooler performed great during testing over a full weekend of activities—an overnight camping trip in near-freezing temps, a sunny picnic, a party, and casual porch use—and it consistently kept everything from canned drinks to cream cheese cold for more than 24 hours. The drinks remained cold for 48 hours despite the fact that all the ice had melted. It has a clean, modern look and is easy to pack in a car due to its space-saving, boxy shape. It is durable (you can even sit on it), and its easy-to-clean exterior is an upgrade to older textured coolers. The wheels could be bigger but the cooler is stylish and highly functional.
Details: 18 x 17 x18 inches | 28 liters | 26 pounds | Polyethylene (PE)
This cooler came with us everywhere—from a rainy camping trip in Big Bear to a sunny picnic and hike through a muddy botanic garden—and it consistently outperformed expectations. It kept food and drinks ice cold for over 24 hours, even in direct sunlight, thanks to the rugged all-terrain tires.
Its smart design impressed us: The square interior made packing easy and the telescoping hand was adjustable to various heights. The cooler remained stable, even with its contents fully loaded. The lid can be used as a chair, and the drink dispenser is built into the cooler. It is a sturdy, easy-to clean, impressively well-insulated, and surprising sleek bag.
Details: 22 x 21 x 19 inches | 35 quarts | 27.5 pounds | Polyurethane foam
This soft-sided rolling cool is the perfect choice if you are looking for an affordable cooler that’s ideal for picnics or short adventures. We used it to haul around a mix of drinks—from water and soda to kombucha and sports drinks—during several mild-weather outings, and it consistently kept everything cold for a full day. It can fit up to two dozen drinks, with ice. And we liked how quickly it packed and cleaned.
Its collapsible design is its most impressive feature. Unlike bulky coolers with hard sides, it can be folded down and stored easily when not in usage. road trips Storage in small apartments. The exterior pockets can be used to store sunscreen, snacks or even books. It’s a good value, even though the insulation wasn’t made for multi-day cooling. Small wheels are better on smooth surfaces.
Details: 10 x 12 x 35.5 inches | 4 gallons | 5 pounds | Polyester
We tested this wheeled hard cooler on a six-day road trip where temps ranged from the 50s to the 70s—and it impressed us with how well it kept food cold. Even when the car was warm, contents such as meat, drinks, and dairy products stayed cold for more than 24 hours. The sled was easy to move across carpet, gravel and concrete. It also worked well as a temporary seat.
The cupholders had drainage holes and the drain plug was sturdy. The lid does not stay open by itself, making loading and unloading a bit awkward. Overall, the cooler is an excellent choice for campers, roadtrippers, and tailgaters looking for reliable insulation, smooth portability, and a low price.
The Details 15 x 28 x 18 inches | 62 quarts | 15.7 pounds | Plastic
Some Other Products We Like
While some coolers worked great in some situations, we found some flaws.
Coleman Pro 55-quart Wheeled Hard Cooler: The generous capacity of this cooler and its ability to retain ice all day long during multiple barbeques and beach days impressed us. The lid is self-opening, which makes it easier to quickly pack and grab items. When full, the bag is heavy and hard to drag through sand.
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RTIC 52 QT Ultra-light Wheeled Cooler: The cooler was able to keep our drinks cool for two days on a long weekend trip even though it had been sitting in a warm vehicle. The integrated mesh pocket helped keep food dry. Its sturdy handle and wheels also made transportation easy. It’s bulky, though—and heavy even before loading.
Travel + Leisure
Pelican 65QW Elite Wheeled Cooler: The ultra-durable, heavy-duty cooler kept drinks cool for up to 24 hours. It was also surprisingly easy-to-roll even when it was full. This cooler is perfect for outdoor use or camping. Note that it is bulky, and its fixed wheels can make tight turning a bit difficult.
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Test Process
To find the best coolers with wheels, we tested each model across a variety of everyday scenarios—including road trips, backyard barbecues, beach days, hotel stays, and outdoor excursions like biking and camping. The coolers were filled with a mixture of food and drinks, ice and then evaluated on their insulation, durability and transportability.
We also checked whether the drinks and perishables were still cold to touch after 2, 8, and 24-hours. Each cooler was also evaluated for its ease of use, both in terms of opening and packing. Each model was cleaned, drained and then stored after use to give us an idea of how easy they were to maintain.
Since maneuverability is key with wheeled coolers, we rolled each one over grass, gravel, concrete, and sand—as well as up and down stairs and inclines—to assess wheel performance and balance. We tested the ease with which each handle extended or retracted. We also checked how well they could be lifted and carried. We evaluated each cooler based on its insulation, maneuverability capacity, design and durability.
Travel + Leisure
How to Buy a Cooler with Wheels
Ice retention is a concern
When it comes to the ability of a cooler to keep its contents cool for a long time, not all are created equal. If you plan to use the coolers for a multi-day trip or in extreme heat, look for ones with thick insulation and tightly fitting lids. High-end coolers claim to have ice retention for many days, but the performance depends on external temperatures and the frequency with which you open the lid. Ice retention is a must-have if you plan to spend long days outdoors, whether it’s camping, tailgating or just spending time outside.
Prioritize maneuverability
Wheels are a game-changer for transporting heavy coolers—but they only help so much if the handle is awkward or the cooler itself is too heavy to lift. Large, rugged wheels should roll smoothly over a variety of surfaces like gravel, grass or sand. Pulling is made easier with a sturdy telescoping hand, especially if the handle locks securely and feels good in your hands. Remember to weigh the cooler both full and empty. Larger models can be hard to lift alone.
Consider your capacity
There are many sizes of coolers, ranging from the compact 20-quart models to the massive 100-quart powerhouses. Think about how you’ll use yours—for weekend getaways, picnics, team sports events, or big gatherings at home. Check that the cooler is large enough to hold drinks, food and ice. Also, look for useful features such as bottle openers, cup holders or dry storage bins. Some coolers have compartments that can be used for organization or taps to drain melted ice. Bigger isn’t always better—you’ll want a size that balances capacity with ease of transport and storage.
FAQs
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Which cooler is better, hard or soft?
The best cooler for you will depend on what you intend to do with it. Hard coolers, which are more durable, have better insulation and are perfect for long trips, camping or storing drinks and food for a large group. These coolers are also more likely than soft ones to maintain ice over a period of several days. Soft coolers on the other hand are smaller, lighter and easier to transport or store. Soft coolers are ideal for day trips, beach excursions, and bringing home cold items from the store. Soft coolers can be folded flat when they are not being used, making them ideal for those with limited space.
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Can you take a wheeled cool on an airplane?
Most airlines allow you to check in a wheeled cooler as luggage, provided it meets the size and weight requirements. Pack perishables or frozen goods in the cooler with dry ice, ice packs, or both (check first with your airline, as dry-ice has its own restrictions). The majority of airlines do not allow coolers as luggage. carry-ons If they do not meet the size restrictions of the airline and contain no prohibited items, then they are allowed. The best way to answer any packing question is to contact your airline ahead of time to confirm the cooler and ice policy.
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What size cooler will you need?
A cooler of between 20 and 35 quarts can be used for day trips or picnics with a smaller group. A cooler with a capacity of 40 to 60 quarts is ideal for weekend camping or family beach days. You can pack more food, drinks and ice. Larger coolers (70 quarts and up) are ideal for group events, multi-day use, or sports teams—but they can be heavy, so wheels are a must. You should consider how many people are going to be in your group, the length of time you will need to keep things cold, and if you have access to ice.
Travel + Leisure: Why Choose Us?
The following story will be told. Alesandra DubinA seasoned Travel + Leisure Contributor and travel gear expert, based on actual testing, evaluated and researched the best coolers that have wheels. She knows from experience what makes a wheeled cooler easy to use, durable and worth the investment. She tested all the coolers in this list. With years of writing experience about travel gear and accessory, she understands small design details which make a difference on the move.
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