It doesn’t matter whether you’re cooling down at the beach, adventuring at camp, or just having a party in the backyard, having a big cooler is handy for the sheer amount of refreshments you can pack in to keep the fun times going. Problem is, big coolers are heavy and awkward to move around. At best, you need to carry them with two hands. At worst, they’re so heavy, you need two people just to move them from one spot to the next.
That’s why we’re big fans of rolling coolers, with their large wheels allowing you to easily tow the heaviest cooler across paved grounds, sandy beaches, and grassy yards alike. No need to tire your arms, shoulders, and back trying to manage the weight of those heavy ice boxes – these wheeled ice boxes keep the load on the ground, so you only need to expend minimal effort.
These are the best rolling coolers to make managing your stash of refreshments an easier affair.
Coleman Xtreme 50-Quart
We’re big fans of the taller, narrower profile of this rolling cooler, along with the locking telescoping handle that pops out in the back, making it feel like you’re towing a short and chunky piece of luggage. The wheels work well enough to glide across backyards, parks, and even beaches, while the tipped-over towing orientation actually makes the weight feel just a little lighter. It has enough room inside for 84 cans, keeps ice for up to five days, and has four cup holders on top for serving as a makeshift table for your drinks. While we probably won’t rely on this affordable cooler for extended hunting trips, the price and function make it perfect for day trips and parties.
- Xtreme technology uses an insulated lid & extra wall insulation for longer ice retention
Igloo Sunset Glide 110QT (Sportsman)
Need a big wheeled cooler at an affordable price? Igloo’s got your covered with this 110-quart model, which has enough room inside to accommodate up to 168 cans. It has soft-ride rubber wheels that should let you drag it through all but the roughest terrains, while the horizontal telescoping handle is long and wide enough to make towing all that weight reasonably easy. While Igloo coolers aren’t known to be as hardwearing as models from more expensive brands, this is solidly built, so it should hold up through many parties and outdoor adventures just fine. Features include the ability to hold ice for up to five days, cushioned grip, UV protection, and stainless steel hardware.
- UV inhibitors and infrared technology protect cooler against sun damage.
Igloo 70QT Premium Trailmate
Sand is a sticking point for many rolling coolers. Somehow, those “all-terrain” wheels just struggle with soft sand that can leave you having to tug with a little more effort. This model from Igloo is designed specifically to address that, making it an ideal beach cooler. It uses the same locking and telescoping horizontal handle as the Sportsman above, although it’s paired with 10-inch oversized wheels that have been specifically configured to handle sandy terrain with ease, all while being burly enough to handle most camp sites and backyards with equal aplomb. The compartment has enough room to fit 112 cans, so it’s pretty spacious, with a number of helpful features, including a removable butler tray with two cup holders, a lockable storage section, and a food basket. The lack of latches, though, cause it to open on occasion when it’s suddenly dropped or moved, so best handle the cooler gently to avoid that.
- Oversized Wheels — Tackle sand and other challenging terrain with the superior traction and ground...
Yeti Tundra Haul Hard Cooler
The outfit’s original wheeled cooler continues to be among the best in the category, as it combines the outfit’s legendary indestructible cooler design with a pair of solid single-piece tires that are resistant to both impact and punctures. The tires are non-marring, too, so you can roll the cooler indoors without leaving marks on the floor. Two inches of pressure-injected polyurethane foam insulation in the walls and lid allow ice to stay solid for days at a time, all while having enough room inside to fit up to 82 cans (less, of course, when you dump ice, too). What makes this particular cooler stand out in the category is the welded curved aluminum arm, as it performs just as durably as the rest of the ice box’s rotomolded body, ensuring it won’t give out on you the same way the handle breaks down on so many rolling coolers. It measures 28.2 x 18.6 x 19.5 inches,
- The Haul is the first-ever YETI cooler on wheels. Perfect for taking the Tundra's legendary...
RovR Rollr 80
This might be the best rolling cooler as far as traversing difficult terrain is concerned. Those thick and wide all-terrain wheels just roll smoothly with little effort, no matter where we take it. Granted, it uses inflated tires, which makes flats a potential hazard, but if you plan to take a cooler through really rough places, this is the best way to go if you want to have the easiest time towing. We also love the broad handle with rubber grips on either end, along with the hardwearing rotomolded build and 10 days of ice retention. The 80-quart model is large enough to fit 120 cans (with nothing else), although they also have smaller models if that’s too much for your needs. We particularly appreciate the functional details here, from the hefty latches and corner holes for adding padlocks to the removable dry bin (useful for food items) and the dry storage box you can attach on top.
Yeti Roadie 60
Most rolling coolers have a long profile that puts the wheels at the rear end of its length. It works well enough. This model does things a bit differently by taking on a taller but narrower profile (23.7 x 19.9 x 20.5 inches, width x depth x height), while putting the wheels in front of the ice box when you’re towing. The result is a wheeled cooler that tows with a similar feel to rolling luggage, which is surprisingly comfortable. So comfortable, in fact, you might prefer it to the more traditional designs (we do). It’s large enough to fit 53 cans, along with ice in a 2:1 ice-to-can ratio, all while keeping ice for days. Features include a sturdy metal telescoping handle, puncture-resistant tires, non-slip feet, latches that can be opened with one hand, and even an included Dry Goods Basket for chilling your food away from the icy water.
- A massive cooler built to easily wheel wine, watermelon, and wild game
Pelican RC 45Q Elite Wheeled Cooler
Pelican’s rolling cooler has heavy-duty large-diameter wheels that should allow it to move conveniently across campgrounds, backyards, and sandy beaches, while the built-in trolley handle allows you to drag it anywhere you want to go. While the thick handles are solid, we would have appreciated a longer profile and a tougher metal construction. So far, though, it seems hardwearing and sturdy enough to hold up for more than one or two seasons of recreational use (fingers crossed), although it’s not as comfortable to use as that on the Yeti Tundra Haul. The rest of the cooler is pretty good, too, with excellent insulation (keeps ice for a week easy, much longer in non-temperate conditions), wide easy-to-use latches, molded tie-downs, and stainless steel hardware.
- Volume: true 45 quart internal volume; Molded-In handles with built in trolley handle