Whether you’re 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. Over my years of experimenting with coolers with wheels for camping trips, beach days, and parties in my own backyard, I’ve learned that not all wheeled models deliver on their promises—these do.
We tested each cooler on this list for performance, durability, maneuverability, and ice retention on trips across the country. The best models kept contents cold for over 24 hours, rolled smoothly across grass and gravel, and had thoughtful features like dry storage compartments, built-in drains, and sturdy handles. If you’re shopping for a cooler with wheels, consider one of these options that balances capacity with portability, has solid insulation, and is easy to clean and store.
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This cooler is a beast—in the best way. During indoor testing, it kept ice mostly intact for 24 hours, even when packed with room-temperature drinks. Once the interior reached temperature, it stayed cold for hours on end, with minimal ice melt. It has a wide-opening lid that props itself up, making it incredibly easy to pack and clean, too. The dry storage basket is a smart touch for keeping things like snacks and hot dog buns out of ice, and the sturdy drain plug makes cleanup simple.
At 35 pounds empty, this is a big cooler—best suited for people who have storage space and use it often. But the rugged wheels and telescoping handle make it surprisingly easy to move, even when full. The wheels don’t swivel, so keep that in mind when maneuvering into tight spots, like when it’s pushed against a wall. Still, for anyone who camps regularly, tailgates, or entertains outdoors, this cooler is worth the splurge. It’s sturdy enough to last for years—and might be the last cooler you ever need to buy.
The Details: 20 x 20.5 x 23.7 inches | 98-can capacity | 30.6 pounds | High density polyethylene (HDPE)
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Why We Love It
Huge capacity, rugged wheels, and extra features like cup holders and bottle openers make this cooler ideal for outdoor sports, camping, and all-day events.
When it comes to serious all-day cooling power for large groups, this 70-quart wheeled cooler holds its own. 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 features large wheels that easily tackled rough, wooded terrain and even steps, while integrated cup holders, a phone slot, and side-mounted bottle openers made it surprisingly versatile.
We also appreciated the dry storage compartment and net basket on the exterior. While it’s not quite as well-insulated as other top-performing hard coolers, it still retained plenty of ice over 24 hours and kept everything cold through long days in the sun. The lid doesn’t latch, which made spills a concern when tipped, and the plastic wheels could use an upgrade. But overall, this cooler is a powerhouse for game days, group camping, and off-the-grid gatherings.
The Details: 36 x 24.75 x 20.25 inches | 70 quarts | 34.7 pounds | Plastic
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I was drawn to this cooler for the cool retro-inspired color scheme in turquoise and pink—so appealing for use at a party. Plus, there’s tons of functionality, with a built-in bottle opener, removable trays, and a generous interior capacity. During testing, it kept drinks cold for an impressive 48 hours, with plenty of ice remaining even after the first full day. The latches are smooth and secure, and the divider system makes it easy to separate items (like sandwiches or snacks) from the ice below. It also features a drainage spout for easy cleanup and has flat sides and a flat lid for stacking in storage.
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. The wheels roll smoothly, but don’t swivel, and they don’t do much to offset the cooler’s weight when 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.
The Details: 16.65 x 16.75 inches | 45 quarts | 30 pounds | Hard plastic and steel
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Why We Love It
The cooler’s large, rugged wheels and sturdy, comfortable handle make it incredibly easy to roll, no matter the terrain or your height.
Whether you’re heading to a park picnic or packing for a full-day beach hang, this high-capacity wheeled cooler makes transporting cold drinks and food practically effortless. 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 oversized wheels and sturdy telescoping handle made maneuvering easy, and the spacious main compartment kept everything cold for hours. We especially appreciated the separate lower “Dry Zone” drawer that kept lunch meat safely chilled and dry, even as the top compartment gradually lost ice. It’s rugged, easy to clean, and clearly built to last.
The Details: 28.58 x 17.36 x 18.89 inches | 45 quarts | 30.2 pounds | Plastic
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We tested this rugged wheeled cooler over a two-night biking trip in Missouri, and it more than delivered. It kept drinks and deli snacks cold for over 48 hours, even as the ice slowly melted, and held up beautifully through multiple outings and terrain types, from campfire nights to grass and gravel paths.
We especially loved the attached lid net, which kept cheese and meat slices chilled, but dry above the ice, as well as the locking lid that doubles as a bottle opener. Despite its large size and sturdy build, it was surprisingly easy to maneuver thanks to the wide handle and oversized wheels. It’s heavy, yes. But it performs on par with high-end coolers at a more accessible price point.
The Details: 20.5 x 23 x 20.75 inches | 45 quart | 37 pounds | Plastic
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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. Even after 48 hours, drinks still felt fridge-cold despite the ice being fully melted. We love the clean, modern design and found it incredibly easy to pack into a car thanks to its boxy, space-saving shape. It’s heavy-duty and durable (you can sit on it, no problem), and the easy-to-clean surface is a huge upgrade from older textured coolers. We would prefer it if the wheels were bigger, but overall, it’s a stylish and highly functional cooler.
The Details: 18 x 17 x18 inches | 28 liters | 26 pounds | Polyethylene (PE)
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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 held 24 cans and 10 pounds of ice with ease, kept everything ice-cold for well over 24 hours (even in direct sunlight), and rolled smoothly over dirt, rocks, and pavement thanks to its rugged, all-terrain wheels.
We were particularly impressed by its smart design: the square interior made packing effortless, and the telescoping handle adjusted to multiple heights and felt stable even when the cooler was fully loaded. Bonus: the lid doubles as a seat, and there’s a built-in drink dispenser compartment. It’s sturdy, easy to clean, impressively insulated, and surprisingly sleek.
The Details: 22 x 21 x 19 inches | 35 quarts | 27.5 pounds | Polyurethane foam
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If you’re looking for a compact, budget-friendly cooler for short adventures or park picnics, this soft-sided rolling cooler is a smart pick. 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 fits up to two dozen beverages with ice, and we loved how quick it was to pack and clean it.
The real standout feature is how collapsible it is: unlike bulky hard-sided coolers, this one folds down for easy storage when not in use, making it perfect for road trips or storage in small apartments. The zippered exterior pockets are great for stashing sunscreen, snacks, and even a book or two. While the insulation isn’t built for multi-day cooling and the small wheels are best on smooth surfaces, it’s an excellent value for everyday use.
The Details: 10 x 12 x 35.5 inches | 4 gallons | 5 pounds | Polyester
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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. Whether packed with meat, dairy, or drinks, the contents remained chilled for over 24 hours, even when left in a warm car. It was easy to roll across gravel, concrete, and carpet, and it held up well as a makeshift seat, too.
I also appreciated thoughtful touches like cupholders with drainage and a sturdy drain plug. That said, the lid doesn’t stay open on its own, which makes loading and unloading awkward at times. Overall, this cooler is a great pick for campers, road trippers, and tailgaters who want reliable insulation and smooth portability without splurging.
The Details: 15 x 28 x 18 inches | 62 quarts | 15.7 pounds | Plastic
Others We Liked
We’ve tested dozens of coolers on trips across the country and while some worked well in certain situations, they had some minor flaws we didn’t love.
Coleman Pro 55-quart Wheeled Hard Cooler: This cooler impressed us with its generous capacity and all-day ice retention during multiple barbecues and a beach day. The lid stays open on its own, making it easy to pack and grab items quickly. However, it’s heavy when full and tricky to pull through sand.
Travel + Leisure
RTIC 52 QT Ultra-light Wheeled Cooler: This cooler kept our drinks cold for two full days during a weekend trip, even after sitting in a warm car. The built-in mesh pocket was great for keeping food dry, and the sturdy handle and wheels made transport easy. It’s bulky, though—and heavy even before loading.
Travel + Leisure
Pelican 65QW Elite Wheeled Cooler: This ultra-durable cooler kept drinks ice-cold for over 24 hours and was surprisingly easy to roll, even when full. The bear-proof latches, tight seal, and built-in drainage make it great for camping or backyard use. Just note: it’s bulky, and the fixed wheels make tight turns a bit awkward.
Travel + Leisure
Our Testing 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. We packed coolers with a mix of ice, food, and beverages, then evaluated for insulation performance, durability, and ease of transport.
We tracked how much ice remained at 2, 8, and 24 hours, and assessed whether drinks and perishables stayed cold to the touch throughout. We also considered how intuitive each cooler was to pack and open. Every model was drained, cleaned, and stored post-use, giving us insight into how easy it was 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 examined how smoothly each handle extended and retracted, how easy it was to lift and carry the coolers (when possible), and whether the materials held up to bumps, scuffs, and daily wear. Ultimately, we rated each cooler on insulation, maneuverability, capacity, design, durability, and overall value, with the goal of recommending the best options for a range of needs and travel styles.
Travel + Leisure
Tips for Buying a Cooler With Wheels
Think about ice retention
Not all coolers are created equal when it comes to keeping contents cold over a long period of time. Look for coolers with thick insulation and tight-fitting lids, especially if you’ll be using them for multi-day trips or in high heat. Some high-end models claim they offer many days of ice retention capabilities, but performance can vary depending on factors like external temperatures and how often you open the lid with the ice inside. If you’re planning on camping, tailgating, or spending long days outside, ice retention should be a top priority.
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. Look for large, rugged wheels that roll smoothly on various surfaces, such as gravel, grass, or sand. A sturdy telescoping handle makes pulling easier, especially if it locks securely and feels comfortable in your hand. Don’t forget to take into account the overall weight of the cooler, both empty and full; some larger models can be tough to manage solo.
Consider capacity
Coolers come in a wide range of sizes, from compact 20-quart versions to massive 100-quart powerhouses. Think about how you’ll use yours—for weekend getaways, picnics, team sports events, or big gatherings at home. Make sure the cooler has enough room for drinks, food, and ice, but also look for helpful features like dry storage baskets, built-in cup holders, or bottle openers. Some coolers even have organizational compartments or taps for draining melted ice. Bigger isn’t always better—you’ll want a size that balances capacity with ease of transport and storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hard or soft coolers better?
Whether a hard or soft cooler is best for you depends on how you plan to use it. Hard coolers are generally more durable, better insulated, and ideal for longer trips, camping, or storing food and drinks for a crowd. They’re also more likely to retain ice for multiple days. Soft coolers, on the other hand, are lighter, more compact, and easier to store or carry. That makes them a great choice for short day trips, beach outings, or bringing cold items home from the store. Some soft coolers even collapse flat when not in use, which is ideal if you have limited space.
Can you bring a wheeled cooler on a plane?
You can check a wheeled cooler as luggage on most airlines, but it must meet size and weight restrictions. If you’re using the cooler to transport perishable items or frozen goods, pack them with ice packs or dry ice (check with your airline first, as dry ice has special restrictions). Coolers are not typically allowed as carry-ons unless they meet the airline’s size limits and don’t contain prohibited items. As with all packing questions, the best practice is to always check with your airline in advance to confirm their cooler and ice policies.
What size cooler do you need?
For a day trip or picnic, a cooler with a capacity of 20 to 35 quarts is typically sufficient for a small group. For family beach days or weekend camping trips, a 40- to 60-quart cooler gives you more flexibility to pack drinks, food, 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. Think about how many people you’re packing for, how long you need to keep items cold, and whether you’ll have access to fresh ice along the way.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
For this story, Alesandra Dubin, a seasoned Travel + Leisure contributor and travel gear expert, researched and evaluated the best coolers with wheels based on real-world testing. As someone who has used wheeled coolers for family trips, beach days, and outdoor entertaining, she knows firsthand what makes a cooler easy to use, durable, and worth the investment. She personally helped test the coolers on this list. And with years of experience writing about travel gear and accessories, she understands the small design details that make a big difference on the go.
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