These Are the 9 Best Coolers With Wheels—For Beach Days, Picnics, Camping, and More

Travel + Leisure

6 days ago

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.
Credit: Yeti $475 at Amazon View on REI $450 at Backcountry
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) Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: Amazon $260 at Amazon View on Dicks Sporting Goods View on Walmart
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 Credit: Travel + Leisure
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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 Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: Ninja $300 at Amazon $300 at Target View on Ninjakitchen.com
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 Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: RTIC $308 at Amazon View on Rticoutdoors.com
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 Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: Amazon $290 at Amazon $290 at Backcountry View on Walmart
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) Credit: Travel + Leisure
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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 Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: dbest $40 $36 at Amazon $55 at QVC View on Dbest-products.com
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 Credit: Travel + Leisure
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Credit: Coleman $75 at Amazon View on Walmart View on Coleman.com
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 Credit: Travel + Leisure
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