For most people, coolers with wheels are a must-have for camping trips, and are the backbone of most camp kitchens. When you don’t have electricity and the nearest refrigerator is back at home, a cooler is the only way to keep drinks cold and food fresh. The first coolers were invented in the 1950s (though they were called “portable ice chests” at the time) and Coleman popularized them when they developed a galvanized ice chest in 1954.
Today coolers have come a long way and you can find one in nearly any size and to fit any budget. The newest coolers on the market are roto-molded which means that they’re made with a process called rotational molding. This manufacturing process insures that the insulation of the cooler is completely uniform without an gaps or imperfections. The end result is an incredibly durable cooler.
When shopping for a cooler, it’s important to consider three main factors: durability, insulation, and portability. (In our experience, the most portable coolers have rugged wheels and a sturdy handle.) With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best coolers with wheels that deliver on all three. These are the prefect way to make sure that your camping food and favorite ice cold beverages make it to your campsite safe and sound.
IN A HURRY? HERE’S OUR TOP PICKS…
YETI Tundra Haul
Outdoor brand Yeti first made its name designing high-end coolers for serious outdoor enthusiasts—particularly hunters and anglers like the company’s founders. Today its line has expanded to many categories of outdoor gear but their roto-molded coolers are still in a class by themselves. For this model, YETI has taken its popular Tundra cooler and added wheels—the first wheeled cooler the company has ever made.
- Rotomolded Construction makes it armored to the core and virtually indestructible
- The Haul is the first-ever YETI cooler on wheels. Perfect for taking the Tundra's legendary toughness and unmatched insulation power the extra mile
- Never Flat Wheels – A solid, single-piece tire construction that is impact- and puncture-resistant
- Strong Arm Handle – A durable welded aluminum arm with comfortable grips. The curved design tracks left or right for heel-friendly towing
- Rotomolded Construction - Makes it armored to the core and virtually indestructible
Igloo Trailmate Journey
Igloo coolers have been around since 1947. (You can see a visual evolution of their products here.) Today they offer a wide range of cooler styles from insulated lunch bags to rugged trail-ready models. Igloo’s Trailmate Journey model is a tough cooler with oversized wheels that are designed to handle varied terrain from beach sand to rocky trails. More importantly, Igloos claims its insulation will keep ice from melting for up to 4 days.
- Ultratherm insulated body and lid provide 4-day ice retention performance
- Butler tray utilizes the telescoping handle for serving snacks and drinks, and it stores under the lid when not in use
- Two bottle openers are at your fingertips when you're ready to enjoy another refreshment
- Oversized 10 inch never-flat wheels tackle Sand and other challenging terrain with superior traction and ease. Ultratherm — Fully insulated for advanced cooling performance
- Exterior Dimensions ( L x W x H )- 34.59 x 19.7 x 23.61 inches. Weight-34.7 pounds. Self-draining cup holders keep your cold ones in arm's reach
Igloo Ice Cube Roller Cooler
This Igloo model is less rugged than the Trailmate but is the perfect model for car camping or day at the lake. First, it’s budget-friendly and gets high marks from reviewers. And second, it offers helpful features like a telescoping handle and soft wheels that cushion the impact as you roll it along. Its 60-quart capacity also gives you a plenty of room for your weekend necessities.
- Ultratherm insulated body keeps cold for a long time
- Push button and locking telescopic handle
- Durable wheels and reinforced tow handle make transporting a full cooler easy
- Molded side scoop handles for ease of loading and unloading
- 60 quart capacity. Exterior Dimensions ( L x W x H )-20 x 18.5 x 20.69 inches. Interior Dimensions ( L x W x H )-Top - 16.75 x 14.5 x 17.25 inches, Bottom - 15.25 x 12 x 17.25 inches
For shorter trips or when you’re tight on space, this 28-quart Igloo model has most of the Ice Cube’s features in a smaller size.
Coleman Xtreme Wheeled Cooler
Coleman is another outdoor brand with some history. (It got its start around the turn of the 20th century with their TK the Coleman Lantern.) But today the company produces everything from camp stoves to dog toys. The Coleman Xtreme Wheeled Cooler is from its larger class of coolers with a 50-quart capacity and guaranteed ice retention of up to five days. Not to be overlooked is the fact that it comes with a leak-proof drain hole, a particularly important feature for coolers of this size.
- EXTENDED ICE RETENTION: Using Xtreme technology, this ice chest cooler with wheels helps maintain ice longer, acting as an efficient beer cooler for up to 5 days, even at 90°F
- LARGE CAPACITY: Acting as both a large cooler with wheels and an insulted can cooler, this portable cooler holds up to 84 cans, perfect for beach or camping coolers
- EASE OF TRANSPORT: With its durable wheels, this cooler on wheels can easily navigate any terrain, making it the perfect choice for a beach cooler with wheels or a travel cooler for car
- IMPROVED DRAIN SYSTEM: This camping cooler features a leak-proof drain for easy water removal, enhancing the functionality of ice chests and coolers by eliminating the need to turn upside down
- ROBUST LID: With a weight capacity of 250 lbs, the hard shell cooler lid doubles as a seating area, giving an added benefit to this rolling cooler, perfect for outdoor adventures
Coleman Soft Cooler With Wheels
If you prefer a soft style to save on weight and space, Coleman’s Soft Cooler with wheels is another highly rated model. Its upright style and telescoping handle make it feel more like a suitcase than a clunky cooler. It also comes with a removable—and sturdy—liner that prevents the contents from being crushed. The dry storage pocket and exterior bungees provide storage options for dry goods or utensils.
- Treated with antimicrobials to resist odor, mold, mildew, and fungus from forming on removable liner that offers packing flexibility and easy cleaning
- Holds 42 cans
- Zippered main compartment keeps contents cold; use hard plastic liner if packing with ice, no need for liner with ice substitutes
- Heat-welded seams prevent leaks
- Telescoping handle and durable wheels for easy transport; side handles for more carrying control
Coleman Personal Wheeled Cooler
Most of the coolers with wheels on our list are large-capacity but sometimes, you don’t need to bring your whole refrigerator with you. This 16-quart model from Coleman has a retractable handle, recessed wheels, and the assurance that your food and drinks can be kept cold for two days.
- Made of the highest quality materials
- Camping coolers
- Another quality Coleman product
Pelican ProGear Elite Wheeled Cooler
Pelican was founded in 1976 by a scuba diver who saw a need for durable cases that wouldn’t leak. Today the company still specializes in cases including insulated coolers and phone cases. Its ProGear Elite cooler comes in 45-quart and 80-quart sizes.
- Interior: 19" x 12" x 12" (48.2 x 30.5 x 30.5 cm)
- Exterior: 29.66" x 20" x 19.25" (75.3 x 50.8 x 48.9 cm)
- Up to 10 days ice retention, freezer grade gasket, 2" polyurethane insulation
- Built in trolley handle with molded-in handles
- Press & Pull Latches (Wide for Gloved Use)
Milee Wheeled Cooler
It’s hard to find details about this cryptic brand yet its products—including this particular model—are highly rated. Its features seem comparable to Yeti and other heavy-duty coolers of this class: rotomolded construction, T-latches, heavy-duty wheels. Some reviewers even report that it’s sturdy enough to stand on but we’ll just take their word for it.
- Useful Accessories:Including FREE USEFUL basket, Cup holder and divider£¨Save you $50.00).
- Technique And Material: Indestructible Rotomolded Thermoplastic Construction with commercial grade insulation provides a longer ice retention time.We use Certifiedapproved material.
- Heavy Duty Wheels:Heavy duty 7'' wheels make it easy to carry around
- More Nice Features:Built-in Bottle openers,Freezer Style gasket,Military-grade nylon handles,Molded Tie-Down Slots,TPE T-Latch,No-Leak Drain Plug etc.
- TIPs:Always use high density ice for better performance. Ice from ice maker is low density.Prechill before use.
Evolution Outdoor Design Rolling Cooler
“Sleek” isn’t usually a word you’d use to describe a cooler, but with Evolution’s Rolling Cooler, it seems to fit. This 50-quart model may have a minimalist look compared to its competitors, but it comes with all-terrain wheels, a welded retractable handle, and a waterproof zipper closure.
