There is probably nothing more important for an awesome day at the beach than having a beach cooler with wheels.
With all that sun, sea and sand you need a great cooler to keep your food cool and your drinks COLD!
There are lots of cooler designs, some you carry and some you have wheels that you can tow behind you. But if you need to walk any distance from your vehicle to get to the beach then you need the best beach cooler with wheels.
To help you I have looked through all the options and will show you what features to look for and what the best coolers are at different price points.
THE TRUTH ABOUT BEACH COOLERS WITH WHEELS
- Most people don’t spend 8 hrs at the beach without visiting a store so do you REALLY need a cooler to keep ice for a weekend? So please don’t overlook a some of the best budget coolers for the beach.
- If you want a beach cooler with wheels then make sure you get one with decent wheels suitable for sand.
- Cooler manufactures measure Ice retention under ideal conditions – if you want some real world advice on how to keep your icel longer then read this: 8 Tips for Keeping Ice Longer
COOLER BRANDS
There are only a few brands of cooler which I would recommend so I am only going to consider the following makes:
- Coleman
- Yeti
- Rtic
- Igloo
BEST COLEMAN BEACH COOLER WITH WHEELS
The Brand
Everyone knows the name Coleman, they have been designing outdoor products since their gas-powered lantern in 1900. After 120 years their gear is worldwide and for many people camping = coleman.
They make a wide range of both hard shell and soft shell coolers. with and without wheels.
Coleman Coolers with Wheels
Coleman have a number of different “series” of coolers with wheels.
- 316 Series Coolers
- Xtreme Coolers
- Performance Coolers
Coleman 316 Series Coolers
Coleman has 2 different sized coolers with wheels in the 316 series, a 62 Quart model and a larger 100 Quart model.
Coleman 316 Series 62-Quart Beach Cooler with Wheels
- 62 Quart
- Keeps ice up to 5 days
- Heavy duty 6″ wheels
- Tow handle and rear swing-up handle
- Holds up to 101 cans
- No-tilt draining
This 62-Quart cooler is the smaller of the two 316 Series Coleman coolers with wheels.
Capacity
Although it is smaller than its 100 Quart “big brother” it is still a LARGE cooler and holds a whooping 101 cans. With a 62 Quart capacity it is perfect for a family day out at the beach. Based upon quality and price the 316 Series coolers may be the ultimate Beach Cooler with Wheels.
Wheels
This cooler has heavy duty wheels which are 6″ in diameter so it should be fine rolling on hard ground or compacted sand. However, no cooler is likely to roll well in soft and deep sand. This is a high quality cooler and the wheels are bigger than most of the coolers other than the Igloo Trailmate.
Cooling & Ice Retention
The Coleman 316 series cooler has a fully insulated lid and body which the Coleman site says will keep ice up to 5 days.
Extra Features
To allow for easy transport of this cooler there is a durable tow handle. There is also a swing up handle on the opposite end of the cooler to allow for easy lifting into a SUV or truck bed.
The insulated cooler lid incorporates 4 molded recesses to allow you to safely set beverages on the lid without them falling. The lid also doubles as a seat supporting up to 250 lbs.
To help with cleaning there is a stain resistant liner and a no-tilt draining plug. This is really useful to drain melted ice without having to lift and tilt a heavy cooler.
What people like
- “Excellent cooler for the price“
- “Love this! Is great quality easy to pull around and is very beautiful I’m proud to own this!!“
- Very easy to roll and not too heavy so easy to transport.
- “Light and compact ice chest that kept the drinks cold and ice lasted about 3 days.”
What people don’t like
- There were VERY few negative reviews or concerns with this Coleman cooler the only slight negative was that Ice does not last as long as a Yeti. But most people said it was perfect for a beach trip or a camping weekend.
Coleman 316 Series 100-Quart Beach Cooler with Wheels
- 100 Quart
- Keeps ice up to 5 days
- Heavy duty 6″ wheels
- Tow handle and rear swing-up handle
- Holds up to 160 cans
- No-tilt draining
The 100-Quart cooler is the larger of the two 316 Series Coleman coolers with wheels.
Capacity
This is a monster 100 Quart cooler and holds 160 cans. With a 100 Quart capacity it is perfect for a large group trip to the beach. But it is probably too large for just a single family day trip. However if you need this size then this is a great cooler at a decent price and may be your choice of beach cooler with wheels.
Wheels
The cooler has heavy duty wheels which are 6″ in diameter so it should be fine rolling on hard ground or compacted sand. However, no cooler is likely to roll well in soft and deep sand.
Cooling & Ice Retention
This Coleman cooler has a fully insulated lid and body which the Coleman site says will keep ice up to 5 days. This is in perfect test conditions so in the real world you are unlikely to achieve this.
Extra Features
The 100 quart Coleman has all the same quality features of the smaller 62 quart cooler.
To allow for easy transport of this cooler there is a durable tow handle. There is also a swing up handle on the opposite end of the cooler to allow for easy lifting into a SUV or truck bed.
The insulated cooler lid incorporates 4 molded recesses to allow you to safely set beverages on the lid without them falling. The lid also doubles as a seat supporting up to 250 lbs.
To help with cleaning there is a stain resistant liner and a no-tilt draining plug. This is really useful to drain melted ice without having to lift and tilt a heavy cooler.
What people like
- “It’s not like a Yeti with the thick insulated walls that end up leaving you with minimal room inside. This cooler is like an empty box inside! Lot’s of room and sturdy. Cup holders on top are nice and fit the Yeti insulated type cups.”
- “For 2 nights and 3 days, the ice did not melt, it was cool, big and very satisfying.”
- “This thing is huge and sturdy very good product.“
- “Nice large wheels, strong tow handle sturdy and doubles as a seat for the kids to sit around the campfire. Great buy!“
What people don’t like
- There are not many complaints about this cooler. However, a few owners have complained that the lid on their cooler did not fit and seal correctly. So please check your cooler when it arrives and return if there is any problem
Coleman Xtreme5 Range of Hard Coolers with Wheels
The Coleman range of Xtreme 5 coolers includes 3 different sized hard shell models with wheels. The Xtreme5 technology uses an insulated lid and extra insulation in the walls for longer ice retention. They are named as Xtreme5 as Coleman claims that they will keep ice for up to 5 days. The Xtreme5 range is below the 316 Series in terms of build quality and price. They are a great functional cooler but do not have the high quality look and attention to detail as the more expensive 316 series.
- Xtreme5 100 Quart
- Xtreme5 62 Quart
- Xtreme5 50 Quart
Coleman 100 Quart Xtreme5 Wheeled Cooler
- 100 Quart
- Keeps ice up to 5 days
- Heavy duty wheels
- Tow handle and rear swing-up handle
- Holds up to 160 cans
- No-tilt draining
- Made in the USA
Coleman 62 Quart Xtreme5 Wheeled Cooler
- 62 Quart
- Keeps ice up to 5 days
- Heavy duty wheels
- Tow handle and rear swing-up handle
- Holds up to 95 cans
- No-tilt draining
- Made in the USA
Coleman 50 Quart Xtreme5 Wheeled Cooler
- 50 Quart
- Keeps ice up to 5 days
- Heavy duty wheels
- Telescoping handle for easy pulling and compact storage
- Holds up to 84 cans
- Assembled in the USA
Capacity
All of the Coleman Xtreme5 range of wheeled coolers can be classified as LARGE COOLERS as they are all 50 quart or larger. The 50 quart cooler is at the lower end of the large range but is still large enough for a family day on the beach and will hold up to 84 cans. The larger coolers in the range are a 62 quart model, which holds up to 95 cans and a much larger 100 Quart cooler which holds 160 cans.
Obviously not every family is created equally but for a family of 4 would suggest that a 50 quart cooler is large enough for a day at the beach. If you have a family of more than 4 or just eat and drink a lot then maybe the larger sizes would be better for you. The 100 Quart capacity really is MASSIVE but this may be perfect for a multi family or large group trip to the beach.
Wheels
All of the Xtreme5 range coolers have heavy duty wheels which should be fine rolling on hard ground or compacted sand. However, no cooler is likely to roll well in soft and deep sand. All these coolers have carry handles if required. If you want a budget price and don’t have to walk too far over soft sand then this may be a good beach cooler with wheels for your family.
Cooling & Ice Retention
This Coleman cooler has a fully insulated lid and body which the Coleman site says will keep ice up to 5 days.
Extra Features
The 100 and 62 quart Coleman both have the same features, one is just smaller than the other.
However the 50 quart cooler is a different design due to the smaller size.
The 100 and 62 quart models have two swing-up handles on either end of the cooler. One handle is a larger tow handle and the swing up handle on the opposite end of the cooler allows for easy lifting into a SUV or truck bed, or for carrying over soft or rough ground.
The 50 quart model has a telescoping handle for easy pulling and also has two molded in handles on either side of the cooler to allow for carrying.
The insulated cooler lid on all three coolers incorporates 4 molded recesses to allow you to safely set beverages on the lid without them falling. The lid also doubles as a seat supporting up to 250 lbs.
To help with cleaning there is a stain resistant liner and a no-tilt draining plug. This is really useful to drain melted ice without having to lift and tilt a heavy cooler. The smaller 50 quart cooler does not have a drain plug, but you only need them on larger coolers.
What people like
- “GREAT cooler! Packed it up for camping Friday morning and it still had about half of the ice was still there when we unpacked it Monday night. ” 62 Quart Cooler
- “Nice cooler; huge! Kept things Icy on a three day weekend. Temperatures range from 90 during the day to 40 at night. Ordered two one of them had a bent crushed drain plug. Instead of sending back i bent back into shape and it seem to hold water without leaking. Cooler seems sturdy enough the wheels leave a little to be desired but for a short pull From the back of a pick up to a tent camping site they’re more than adequate.” 100 Quart Cooler
What people don’t like
- “The side handles are too fragile to lift the cooler by when it is loaded down with drinks and ice. It is required that you use the pull handle on one side for moving, this is very cumbersome when moving up and down porch steps or loading this cooler on the boat.“
Coleman Performance Range of Beach Coolers with Wheels
The Performance range is a budget range of hard shelled coolers with wheels from Coleman and is below the 316 Series and the Xtreme5 in terms of build quality and price.
This range includes some MEDIUM sized coolers, whereas the Xtreme5 and 316 series are all classed as LARGE coolers.
They are a great functional cooler but do not have the high quality look and ice retention to as the more expensive Xtreme5 and 316 series. Coleman claims that they will keep ice for between 3 and 4 days.
This range includes 3 different sized hard shell models with wheels.
- Performance 60 Quart
- Performance 40 Quart
- Performance 28 Quart – the wheels on this cooler are too small so I have not included it in the review
Coleman 60 Quart Performance Wheeled Cooler
- 60 Quart
- Keeps ice up to 4 days
- Heavy duty wheels
- Telescoping handle for easy pulling and compact storage
- Holds up to 94 cans
Coleman 40 Quart Performance Wheeled Cooler
- 40 Quart
- Keeps ice up to 4 days
- Heavy duty wheels
- Swing out towing handle
- Holds up to 59 cans
- Drain plug
- Made in the USA
Capacity
The Coleman Performance range of wheeled coolers covers the size range from medium through large, but there is no extra large 100 quart cooler in this range.
The larger coolers in the range are a 40 quart model, which holds up to 59 cans and a larger 60 Quart cooler which holds 160 cans.
Wheels
All of the Performance range coolers have wheels which should be fine rolling on hard ground. However, no cooler is likely to roll well in soft and deep sand unless it has oversize wheels like the Igloo Trailmate (see review below). All these coolers have carry handles if required.
Cooling & Ice Retention
These Coleman coolers have an insulated lid and body which the Coleman says will keep ice up to 3-4 days. So not as long as the Xtreme5 or the 316 Series coolers, but at a lower price point.
Extra Features
The 60 quart Coleman has a telescoping handle for easy pulling and compact storage. It also has molded handles on either side of the cooler to allow for lifting or carrying.
The insulated cooler lid on both the 60 and 40 quart coolers incorporates 4 molded recesses to allow you to safely set beverages on the lid without them falling. There is no weight capacity stated for the lid so don’t assume that it can be used a seat like the Xtreme5 and 316 series coolers.
The 40 quart cooler is a slightly different design with a single towable handle on one end of the cooler along with a drain plug for easy water removal and cleaning.
What people like
- “I purchased the 60 quart cooler for long camping trips. Recently used it to store food for my 5 day trip to Colorado Rocky mountains. I am impressed. Even after 5 days of my trip, half of ice was there and the food was frozen. I would definitely recommend it.“
- “When did spending 100’s of dollars on a cooler become acceptable??? This 60 quart cooler is a nice, big, affordable cooler with wheels. Works great.“
- “Ice lasts all day summer fishing.”
What people don’t like
- There are not many complaints about this cooler. However the main complaints were that these coolers would not hold ice for the 3-4 days advertised. But this is not really a problem for a day at the beach.
- Another complaint was that the wheels are too small to roll on beach sand.
BEST YETI BEACH COOLER WITH WHEELS
There is just one wheeled cooler currently in the the Yeti range and that is the Tundra Haul.
The Brand
Yeti Coolers was founded in 2006 with the mission “Build the cooler you’d use every day if it existed“
They wanted to build a cooler for the serious outdoor enthusiast rather than for the mass-discount retailers.
In terms of toughness and ice retention the Yeti is without doubt the Best Beach Cooler with Wheels.
But there are other brands like Igloo who have larger wheels which would make them better for the sand.
Tundra Haul Hard Beach Cooler with Wheels
- Keeps ice up to 5 days
- Heavy duty wheels
- Aluminium tow handle
- Holds up to 45 cans (2:1 ice-to-can ratio)
- Holds 55 lbs of ice (only)
- Drain plug
Capacity
The internal quart capacity of Yeti coolers will be slightly lower than other brands with the same external dimensions. This is due to the thickness of the walls and amount of insulation.
The Tundra Haul cooler will hold up to 45 cans with an ice-to-can ratio of 2:1 (i.e. twice as much ice as cans)
Wheels
All of the Yeti coolers have “neverflat” wheels which should be fine rolling on hard ground or compact sand. However, no cooler is likely to roll well in sand, especially if heavy.
Cooling & Ice Retention
Yeti are world renowned for their levels of insulation and ice retention. They are very guarded about quoting ice retention times because there are just so many variables that can affect this in the real world. But you can be sure that these coolers will keep your drinks and food cold well after the sun has gone down on your day at the beach.
There is a freezer-quality gasket which circles the length of the lid to block out the heat and lock in the cold.
Extra Features
All Yeti coolers come with heavy-duty rubber “T-Rex” lid latches. These are guaranteed to keep the lid secured.
What people like
- “It’s a yeti. You’ll pay a ton and get the absolute best cooler on the market. From the cut outs on the lid so it stays strapped in the truck; to the fact it keeps ice for 8 days, what more could you want? Its sturdy, doesn’t move around in a truck bed (without straps), holds 2 20 lbs bags of ice – best purchase this year.“
- “This thing is a workhorse!! Of course I was hesitant to purchase because of the price tag but after years of buying what I thought to be decent coolers and having to replace them within a year or two, I thought, why not?! Well, I’ve been using the cooler pretty much nonstop since Memorial Day weekend and it has exceeded my expectations.“
What people don’t like
- The price!
BEST RTIC BEACH COOLER WITH WHEELS
Sadly RTIC does not currently make ANY coolers with wheels!
But you can check out their other coolers by clicking on the button below.
BEST IGLOO BEACH COOLER WITH WHEELS
The Brand
Igloo Wheeled Coolers
Igloo has two different model ranges of hardshell coolers with wheels.
- Trailmate Range
- Ecocool Range
Igloo Trailmate Coolers with Wheels
The Igloo Trailmate coolers are designed to be rugged, go anywhere, all-terrain cooler. They look tough and are built tough with large 10″ wheels and other well designed features.
When you check out the specs of these coolers it is very clear that Igloo has tried to make these coolers specifically for the adventurous outdoor type. They should be quite at home on any beach filled with your favorite food and beverages!
Trailmate Journey 70 Quart Beach Cooler with Wheels
- Keeps ice up to 4 days
- 10″ Heavy duty wheels
- Aluminium tow handle
- Holds 112 cans
- Drain plug
Capacity
With a 70 Quart capacity this is a large cooler and perfect for a family day out at the beach.
Wheels
The cooler is by far the BEST BEACH COOLER WITH WHEELS. The heavy duty wheels are 10″ in diameter, that is nearly twice the diameter of the other coolers.
It is hard to over emphasize just how much better these larger wheels will roll over rough or soft ground compared to coolers with smaller wheels.
Without a doubt this cooler, with its oversized wheels and ground clearance, will be the best beach cooler with wheels for rolling over sand.
Cooling & Ice Retention
Igloo quotes a 4 day ice retention for this cooler so it will be more than suitable for a beach trip.
Extra Features
The Igloo Trialmate Coolers are packed with extra features which some people will love while other people just like the no frills performance of a Yeti. The main additional features of the Igloo Trailmate are:
Bottle Opener
Built-in stainless bottle opener on both sides of the cooler.
Storage Basket
Plastic storage basket on front of cooler.Store shades, sunscreen or your favorite book
Butler Tray
There is a removal plastic Butler Tray stored under the lid which you can clip onto the tow handle. This is great as an additional drink holder or even as a cutting board or just as more flat storage.
Tow Handle
The Igloo Trailmate Cooler has one of the BEST telescopic tow handles available at this price point. It is aluminium with a very comfortable hand grip. The handle is lockable in both the storage and the fully extended position. Another benefit is the long length of this handle is ideal if you are tall, as it is not as short as those plastic swing handles found on cheaper models. This tow handle along with the oversize wheels are all features you need if you want the best beach cooler with wheels
Dry Storage
Store items you need to keep dry like iphones, car keys etc. in this sealed storage area.
Rod / Accessory Holders
This cooler comes with a pair of removable accessory holders which can be used for fishing rods or beach umbrella.
The insulated cooler lid incorporates 4 molded recesses to allow you to safely set beverages on the lid without them falling. There are also tie down loops to allow you to strap items to the cooler lid. In addition there is even a molded channel that can be used to support your mobile device for easy viewing.
To help with cleaning there is a stain resistant liner and a draining plug. You will have to tilt the cooler slightly to completely empty any water from the cooler but this is very easy using the sturdy tow handle.
What people like
- “Excellent cooler for the price“
- “Love this! Is great quality easy to pull around and is very beautiful I’m proud to own this!!“
- Very easy to roll and not too heavy so easy to transport.
- “Light and compact ice chest that kept the drinks cold and ice lasted about 3 days.”
What people don’t like
- There were VERY few negative reviews or concerns with this Coleman cooler the only slight negative was that Ice does not last as long as a Yeti. But most people said it was perfect for a beach trip or a camping weekend.
- There is no latch to keep the lid closed on this cooler, so you are relying on the friction fit of the lid to keep it closed and the inside cool. This is not as good as a latch and is the only feature which lets this cooler down.
- Another “watch out” with this cooler is its height. Those oversize wheels make this cooler TALL, some people complained that it was too tall to fit under the hard cover in a pick up truck bed. So PLEASE check the height if you intend to carry it in a truck bed with a cover.
Igloo ECOCOOL Latitude Coolers with Wheels
The Igloo Ecocool is a first of its kind cooler as it is made with post consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. So it should both you and the planet happy!
There are decent sized wheels on the Ecocool but we must be clear that this cooler DOES NOT have the 10″ diameter oversized wheels that the Igloo Trailmate cooler has, so don’t expect it to be a top performer rolling over sand.
ECOCOOL Latitude 90 Quart Beach Cooler with Wheels
- Keeps ice up to 5 days
- 10″ Heavy duty wheels
- Flip-up plastic tow handle
- Rear swing up lifting handle
- Holds 137 cans
- Tethered drain plug
- Made in USA
Capacity
With a 90 Quart capacity this is a large cooler and perfect for a family day out at the beach. It is a very budget friendly beach cooler with wheels which will perform well.
Wheels
The oversize wheels on this cooler are larger than the majority of coolers but are not as large as those on the Igloo Trailmate.
This cooler rolls really well on hard ground and grass, but will struggle if loaded on soft sand.
Cooling & Ice Retention
Igloo uses it’s MaxCold foam-insulated wall and lid on this cooler which is reported to give 5 day ice retention. This cooler will be more than adequate for a beach trip, at a reasonable price.
A great feature of this cooler compared to the Trailmate is that Igloo has incorporated latches with a stainless steel hinge. This should keep the lid closed more securely.
Tow Handle
The Ecocool Cooler has a regular swing out plastic tow handle, but it is robust so should allow you to pull this cooler easily.
Extra Features
The Ecocool has a number of additional features but not as many as those found on the Trailmate.
The insulated cooler lid incorporates 4 molded recesses to allow you to safely set beverages on the lid without them falling. There are also tie down loops to allow you to strap items to the cooler lid.
A molded-in fish ruler allows you to measure the true length of your catch, no over estimation!
To help with cleaning there is a stain resistant liner and a draining plug. The tethered drain plug is on the side of this cooler which is very unusual for this size of cooler. You will have to tilt the cooler slightly to completely empty any water from the cooler which may be more difficult with the side draining feature.
What people like
- “Just spent the afternoon at the CO River at 110 degrees F. Cooler was strapped to a hitch cargo carrier and kept my energy drinks ice cold all afternoon. Big wheels pull well over rocks.”
What people don’t like
- There were a few complaints about the ice retention of this cooler.In the real world how you pack and use your cooler have a dramatic effect upon how long it retains ice. It could be 5 days or 5 hours.
