Tested: The Best Wheeled Coolers for Every Outing

In general, when spending time off of the grid, one’s loadout is limited to the gear that they can carry on their person. And while heading into the wilderness usually means having to forgo a great many of the creature comforts and amenities that we enjoy at home, wheeled coolers allow users to enjoy the benefits and utility of a refrigerator from practically anywhere on the planet. Due to the game-changing nature of these items, rolling hard coolers have become increasingly popular with outdoor enthusiasts over the last few years. Now, we’ve gotten hands-on with our favorites to bring you a guide on the best wheeled coolers around.

How We Tested

This influx in popularity has ultimately given way to dozens of new rolling icebox models, and while this affords buyers more options to choose from than ever before, it has also made it increasingly difficult to sort through the sea of available offerings in order to hone in on the standout models that rise above the rest. So, with this in mind, we’ve hand-selected this curated guide to the best coolers with wheels for outdoor adventures, delivering our picks for the latest and greatest rolling models on the market, along with what factors to consider when shopping. And to do so, we combined our knowledge of the space with exhaustive research to create a shortlist of candidates, surveying the available options and looking at criteria such as brand reputation, construction, weight and size, wheel build, and capacity.

From there, we procured units for testing, taking these coolers out into the field and taking a look at their basic function, extra features, and how they felt when rolling them around on surfaces. We also tested how well they held their ice over a 24-hour period. These results and more are listed below.

What To Consider

Just like with soft-sided coolers or backpack-style items, there are several factors that can hugely impact the overall quality and performance of a rolling cooler. Below, we’ll briefly touch on the most pivotal areas to take into account before buying a new wheeled hard cooler.

Materials: Not unlike practically any other piece of outdoor gear, the overall quality of a cooler will largely boil down to the materials used to make it. Special plastics and composites are the most commonly-utilized constructions, though there are also outliers such as coolers made from recycled materials.

Construction: Just as important as the materials that a cooler is made from, is how the cooler was pieced together — i.e. the construction technique(s) used to craft it. While hard coolers can be produced in a myriad of different ways, rotomolded — or “rotational molding” — coolers have increasingly become the standard in recent years.

Insulation & Thermal Retention: While a cooler’s strength and durability are primarily owed to its shell material and the construction method(s) used to create it, its performance capabilities — AKA how long it can keep its contents cold — mainly boils down to the type of insulation used to line its walls. Another factor that will play a major role in a cooler’s thermal retention is its closure/closing system, as well as its gasket.

Physical Dimensions & Storage Space: Rolling coolers are obviously available in a wide range of sizes, though some boast markedly thinner walls while still affording stellar thermal retention. The best way to get a read on this area is to review the external dimensions of a cooler, and then compare these figures to the internal space.

Hardware & Components: Though its exterior construction and the insulation it’s lined with will play the biggest role in a cooler’s overall quality, there are some smaller elements that are still worth exploring. Areas such as the constructions used for latches, attachment points, handles, wheels, and axles, can all make a surprising difference when it comes to the overall user experience.

Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 60

Best Budget Cooler: Despite what you might assume, not every wheeled cooler has to be hard-sided. A soft-sided cooler is great for people who don’t want to lug around a 20- or 30-pound (or more) ice chest every time they go to the beach or the park. As the only soft-sided cooler on this list, the Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze isn’t just your ordinary 60-can ice box. Rolling in all-terrain wheels, the collapsible unit features two separate compartments (a 50-can and a 10-can), some extra compartments, and an attached bottle opener. Capable of holding up to 100lbs, the cooler can be used without the wheels too, carried by the equipped shoulder strap. Lined with Ultra Safe leakproof material and insulated with triple-layer ColdBlock, it boasts superior ice retention as well.

The Titan Deep Freez isn’t hard-walled but it performs very well nonetheless. Ice melted at a slightly quicker rate than the heavy-duty hard coolers we tested but it was still really impressive, keeping its ice for at least 24 hours, although it was rather sloshy. But considering the smaller size, most won’t need this to keep food for days at a time. Perfect for road trips where you can restock the ice every couple of days, the cooler can also join you on your coastal stops or if you’re having a little ad-hoc picnic. Pockets are at no premium with this one, and we loved how spacious and insulated they were. There are two large pockets in front, plus a mesh pouch on either side, which serves as a big net for tossing in any extra stuff that doesn’t need to be refrigerated, like utensils or napkins.

Unlike many soft-sided coolers, the large main compartment has thick insulation that helps it achieve its ice retention. This main compartment can be accessed by the main zipper on top, but there’s also a smaller lid within the lid, held shut by sticky Velcro. On top of this, there’s a bungee pouch for any extras, like a picnic blanket or water bottle. There are also side handles and a shoulder strap for multiple carrying options if you don’t want the roller base. One issue I had with the cooler is that it kept slipping off the roller base below when it got heavy. However, I found that the base just kept collapsing upward in transit, so make sure it’s fully unfolded before putting ice or food inside. This isn’t terribly difficult to fix, and it only happens when upright (i.e., not when being rolled), but also, I’m not sure why they don’t put an additional strap around the base. The telescopic handle is very easy to use, with no button required –– but this could also mean that it’s easier for it to give out down the road after years of use (or less). Despite the fabric being successfully leakproof, the lid is not. I tilted this over with melted ice inside and it spilled out completely.

Verdict: If wheels are your top priority, then this Titan Deep Freeze from Arctic Zone is a superb option. Collapsible for saving space when not in use, it’s not hard-shelled and won’t hold as much as some other picks but it’s great for transporting your ice chest with ease and without adding much extra weight.

Igloo 70QT Trailmate Journey Cooler

Best Beach-Ready: Another affordable American-made cooler that offers five days of thermal retention, Igloo’s 70-quart Trailmate Journey model sees the brand once again pushing the boundaries of ice chest design. The largest on this list, the cooler’s plastic shell boasts Igloo’s THERMECOOL foam that further bolsters thermal retention in both the body and lid. Riser bars opposite the wheels allow for extra ground clearance and serve to lift the cooler away from the hot ground. There are built-in cupholders in the lid, plus a unique telescopic handle design makes it even easier to pull your load. If that’s not all, a built-in butler tray can be removed from the inside of the lid and placed on the handle as an extra tabletop. Other features include an external pocket, an interior basket, and two holders for umbrella poles or fishing rods.

The first thing you’ll notice about this ice chest is the side-opening lid, as opposed to the front-opening lids of your typical cooler. This may not be favorable for everyone but may be optimal for certain packing methods. Unlike the other coolers on this list, the Igloo Trailmate Journey doesn’t have latches on its lid, which makes opening and closing very easy but also makes this not as good of an option for camping. On the other hand, I loved the four cupholders on the lid, which are each equipped with drains for spills and leaks. Speaking of which, the drain on the inside is really functional despite what it looks like; at first glance, I thought it wouldn’t drain well. Perfect for fruits and vegetables that you might not want touching the ice, the included basket on the inside could be a bit deeper but the bottom isn’t too porous that things would fall through.

The inside of the cooler could be optimized a bit better, with some space taken up not just by the wheel well but by the rail system too. I’m a fan of the telescopic handle but wish there were multiple positions. However, it only fully extends or fully closes. Also, unlike the multiple-day ice retention quotes of these other coolers we tested, the Igloo only had about half of its ice after 24 hours, likely due to the lid design and lack of latches. In terms of external features, I like the compartment behind the handle, which feels sturdy and clasps shut to keep your gadgets dry, such as your phone or speakers. It’s also removable, letting you put taller items in the holed plastic basket underneath, which is already pretty deep in its own right. Not to mention, the highlight of this cooler for some people will be the butler tray, which is built into the lid and props on top of the handle for extra play space.

Verdict: Well-priced and not as heavy as you’d expect, Igloo’s Trailmate Journey is a large 70-quart unit with some awesome features, including draining cupholders on the lid, a couple of external compartments, a butler tray, and significant ground clearance. While the lack of latches makes this poor for camping, you’ll love bringing this along to your beach outings, making the less-than-ideal ice retention not matter as much.

BrüMate BrüTank 55-Quart Rolling Cooler

Best for Picnics: While the BrüMate BrüTank may resemble your average roto-molded cooler, this 55-quart item conceals a separate, patented removable tank that allows users to serve 2.8 gallons of their favorite beverage straight from a keg-style tap. Protected by a five-year warranty, the BrüTank also features a built-in bottle opener, puncture-resistant all-terrain wheels, and a lid that’s capped off with an EVA foam bench top. Armed with seven days of ice retention, this cooler can also accommodate 48 cans (or a dozen bottles of wine or liquor). There’s also a smaller 35-quart option available. Plus, BrüMate also sells a wide array of accessories for the BrüTank, as well as a myriad of accompanying travel mugs, bottles, and tumblers.

Of all the coolers on this list, the BrüTank is the most fun to use. The built-in “keg” is an awesome touch I wish were on other coolers, even though the tap is a bit low to the ground for many cups or mugs. Likewise, this unit is too heavy to lift onto a table to make pouring easier. I didn’t experience this personally, but some users reported some leakage from the tap in transport, so perhaps fill the reservoir once you’re at your destination if possible. Also, it’s shocking how few ice chests omit interior compartments. On the other hand, the BrüTank features a basket for items like fruit and vegetables, or just anything you don’t want touching the ice. Some may have issues with the width of the holes at the bottom, while others may wish this basket were a bit deeper. Holding its ice well with almost no leakage after 24 hours, the main compartment utilizes its space really well, with minimal wheel well intrusion. Also, the wheels themselves were the grippiest of any we tested, moving really well on rougher terrain.

Quite a bit heavier than others we tested, at nearly 50lbs(!), the BrüTank still rolled fairly easily on its wheels on softer surfaces. I would have liked a different handle design, however. This one is wider than the cooler itself (sans wheels) and thus creates an unnecessary tripping hazard on either side –– something I kept almost doing when walking around it. On the same note, the handle doesn’t stay propped up easily, but also doesn’t fall all the way flush when you let go; it stays at a medium height, which is also not great for preventing tripping. We do have to mention the foam bench top lid, which is definitely useful for coaster-like anti-slippage for your drinks but also gives you a more comfortable surface for sitting down.

Verdict: With perhaps the best wheel construction on this list, BrüMate’s BrüTank is incredibly fun to use with its built-in reservoir and keg-like spout. Although it’s incredibly heavy, it boasts some other nice features like the interior basket and a lid designed for sitting on with an EVA foam top. We’d love a slight redesign on the handle due to the tripping hazard it creates but this is a meticulously-designed ice chest that showcases the brand’s dedication to innovate even in spaces you think have reached their limits.

YETI Tundra Haul Hard Cooler

Best for Camping: Representing YETI’s first-ever rolling cooler model, the Tundra Haul is a cutting-edge wheeled icebox that boasts a rugged roto-molded shell set of pressure-injected polyethylene insulation. On top of being produced in a trio of color choices, the Tundra series cooler is also available in 35, 45, 65, 75, 105, 110, 125, and 160-quart sizes (although the “Haul” size is right between the 65- and 75-quart options). Like BrüMate above, YETI also sells a myriad of optional accessories for this cooler including icepack inserts and a fishing rod holster, as well as a plethora of replacement parts, should you manage to somehow damage this cooler — after its generous half-decade warranty has ended, that is.

You can always count on YETI for their streamlined, borderline-minimalist aesthetic, and this Tundra Haul is no different. Perhaps the most ubiquitous of any in this guide, you’ll find these out and about more often than others (with the exception of some lower-end Igloo options perhaps). I personally dig the orange colorway (part of YETI’s new “King Crab” line), which is perfect for the beach or campground, but there are plenty of other color options for your tastes. Despite being easy to take on and off, the clamps on the outside are still bear-resistant (DISCLAIMER: We did not test this with bears). For rolling the cooler, I loved the soft handle grips and how smooth the wheels felt. While the ~53-quart cooler is on the heavier side at 37.5lbs, it’s not terribly difficult to roll. Likewise, the handle itself tucks away when not used but doesn’t drop down right away every time you release it. This is preferred when you’re finding the right spot to place your cooler but don’t want to keep bending over to pick up the handle. However, when you’re done, you just give it a love tap and it falls all the way back down.

I will say that I was surprised when I opened the cooler to notice the interior seemed less capacious than I expected. The thick outer wall eliminates some room on all four sides, plus the wheel wells indent a larger portion of the bottom than other coolers. However, the cooler held its ice exceptionally well, as to be expected with YETI. Like all of the coolers we’ve tested from the brand, the Tundra Haul held its ice almost entirely after just 24 hours, although I do wish it had options for dividers. Another thing I noticed was how loudly the lid closed, which isn’t too big of a deal except for when you’re trying to get your midnight snack when everyone else is sleeping.

Verdict: Sporting YETI’s signature design language, the Tundra Haul is a big-enough wheeled cooler that just happens to be one of the size options from the brand. With superb ice retention, the ice chest is easy to open and close despite being bear-resistant and rolls really smoothly with the bulky wheels. Minor quibbles aside regarding the interior space and lid noise, this is the best camping cooler you can get for the price.

Pelican 45QW Elite Wheeled Cooler

Most Rugged: Considering that Pelican produces what are unequivocally the world’s most rugged hard cases for cameras and other outdoor gear, it’s frankly unsurprising that the California-based company happens to make an equally top-notch line of hard coolers, with the wheeled 45-quart Elite series model being far from an exception. Made in America and backed by a lifetime guarantee, this cooler offers 10 full days of ice retention, thanks to its freezer-grade gasket and two inches of polyurethane insulation. Other highlights on this Pelican model include glove-friendly press-and-pull latches, heavy-duty wheels, molded-in tie-down points and grab handles, an integrated bottle-opener, non-marking non-skid feet, a molded-in lock hasp, stainless steel plate, a tethered, garden hose-compatible drain plug, and corrosion-resistant stainless steel hardware. There is an 80-quart version but we got hands-on with the 45-quart model.

The first thing you’ll notice on the cooler will likely be the measuring scale on the lid, which shows centimeters on one side and inches on the other. This can be handy for measuring meat or fish or even wood. My favorite part of the cooler is the unique hatch design, which places a push-button within the latch. It makes it almost impossible to accidentally pop open but also doesn’t make it difficult to operate if you have opposable thumbs (i.e., not bears or raccoons), making it great for the campsite. There’s also a wide padlock hole for good measure. Each of the four corners sports a hidden hole that’s good for add-ons or anchoring options. Likewise, the handle for rolling tucks away but doesn’t fall automatically every time you let go.

Inside the cooler could be more spacious for how large it is. However, space is maximized with its minimal wheel well bulge, which allows you to pack things inside more flush to the walls than on other coolers. As for the wheels, they feel more heavy-duty than most and, because the weight of the cooler seems to be kept off the wheels, they don’t sink into softer terrain as easily. For as rugged as this is, you would expect it to be much heavier. 20lbs (when empty) isn’t too bad for a tough cooler like this. In terms of ice retention, you’re getting outstanding performance here as well. After 24 hours, almost no ice had melted at all. When it did melt, however, the water drained out thoroughly thanks to the small yet meticulously-mapped drain channels. Also, the lid on the outside drain was tethered to the spout so you won’t accidentally misplace it.

Verdict: Incredibly tough thanks to Pelican’s signature construction and material methods, the 45QW Elite Wheeled Cooler held its ice entirely after 24 hours and featured helpful balance that didn’t sink the wheels into softer terrain. Not necessarily spacious for as large as it is, the interior capacity is still optimized well with little space given up for things like the wheel wells or drain channels. Also, the hatch design was our favorite of the ones we tested. Despite the higher price tag, this is still a great camping cooler and your best option for more treacherous adventures.

ORCA 65-Quart Wheeled Cooler

Most Versatile: Rugged, spacious, and highly performative, Orca’s 65-Quart Wheeled Cooler does everything well and throws in some nice features and construction to boot. Known for its durability, the roto-molded cooler has 8 days of ice retention while offering a bit more room inside without the walls being too thick. It rolls on all-terrain tires with large slots to help sand and other objects pass through easily. Using ergonomic flex-grip handles to help you move it around, the ice chest sports an additional cargo net on the outside for storing any extras. Recent updates have added a nifty molded drain channel on the inside to expedite drainage. Plus, it’s made right here in the USA with a lifetime warranty.

It’s no secret that Orca’s flagship cooler is one of the best around. Everything it does, it does so really well. Often compared to the YETI Tundra Haul, this 65-quart ice chest excels in many ways, including interior design, which features a nice drain channel, grooves in the center for dividers, and better-utilized space. The cooler is also compatible with Orca’s 40-quart interior basket for extra storage options. However, like the YETI, the wheel wells stick out a bit farther than desired, taking up some extra space. The ice chest is narrower on the inside and outside than others, which might be preferred for you since it takes up less room in terms of width –– although it’s a bit long too. Not to mention, there was a ton of ice left after our 24-hour test.

Among the heavier coolers we tested, the Orca has the same latch design as the YETI above but these were significantly more difficult to open, which is no secret for those who have used them before. This shouldn’t be much of an issue for most people, but those who are traveling with younger kids or frail adults should expect them to need help opening the lid. Despite the utilitarian shape of the wheels, some have noticed the wheels sunk a bit in softer surfaces like sand, but I didn’t notice this during testing. However, the cooler does sit a bit closer to the wheels below, which could cause this issue. I also didn’t love the handle design on this one. It never stays raised when you let go. Instead, it slams down against the wall, making a really loud noise.

Verdict: Doing a lot of different things really well, Orca’s 65-Quart Wheeled Cooler is a heavy-duty (and heavy) ice chest along the lines of the YETI Haul, but with some improvement in terms of drainage and optimizing space, with slots for dividers. We didn’t love the handle design or the latches, which were difficult to open, but its superb ice retention made this a great high-end option.

Wheeled Coolers Comparison Chart

Benefits of Hard-Sided Coolers

While initially unappealing for their bulkiness and hefty weight, hard-sided coolers have some benefits over their soft-side brethren. For one, they typically have longer ice and temperature retention due to their thicker walls and encased insulation. Also, hard coolers are stackable, which is great for packing, and crush-proof for the off chance that they tumble out the back of your trunk (it’s happened to the best of us). If that’s not enough, hard coolers also serve as makeshift seats when you run out of chairs at the beach or campsite.

Honorable Mentions

While it’s only 30qts, the H-E-B’s KODI AT30 Wheeled Cooler seems tailor-made for kayaking and fishing. Claiming its roto-molded plastic is “whitewater kayak grade” and features a clever air pressure release button, the ice chest is unique compared to others we tested but we just couldn’t get hands-on with one for testing.

Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel(ed cooler), the Cobalt 55QT Roto-Molded Super Cooler represents a fairly spartan and minimalistic icebox that epitomizes built-to-last construction. Another great camping option, it boasts bear-proof latches and 10 days of ice retention.

RTIC is a great outdoor drinkware brand and its 52 QT Ultra-Light Wheeled Cooler deserves a mention as well, especially for the price. It has all-terrain tires and claims to be “30% lighter than competing wheeled coolers.”

If you’re looking for another soft-shelled, budget-friendly option, consider the Coleman Chiller Series rolling cooler, which weighs less than 7lbs. A popular choice for a reason, this ice chest is similar to the Arctic Zone we tested in both price and construction but we felt the latter offered more unique features.

Sold in multiple vibrant color options and backed by a five-year warranty, Rovr Products’ RollR 60 is a certified bear-resistant roto-molded cooler that affords ten days of ice retention. An attractive option in its own right, it doesn’t have enough unique features to justify picking it over many of the coolers we tested, plus it’s not 100% air-tight.

Used by Army Special Forces, Navy EOD, and Air Force Pararescue Jumpers, the Speedbox Endurance-40 is an insanely rugged mil-spec cooler inspired by the modular container systems for palletized cargo which are widely used by America’s armed forces. This rugged cooler is rad but it weighs 51lbs, putting its practicality into question unless it’s a permanent fixture in, say, your overlanding vehicle.

Tested: The Best Soft Coolers

If wheeled coolers are too big and bulky for you, head over to our guide to the best soft-sided coolers where we tested out our favorites.