If you’re planning a day trip to the beach, you might be interested in buying a good beach cooler with wheels. The question is, how can you find the best one?
A cooler for the beach should have the ability to keep your food and drinks nice and cool, no matter how warm it is outside. It should also be pretty easy to wheel around, as coolers can get heavy once they’re packed full.
We’ve reviewed 5 of the best beach coolers with wheels out there, covering a range of price points, features and sizes. Hopefully, this will point you in the direction of the best beach cooler for you.
The bottom line up front: we like the RovR Wheeled Camping Rolling Cooler with Wheels. It’s really versatile, and the sections inside make it much easier to keep the contents organized.
We also like:
- YETI Tundra Haul Portable Wheeled Cooler – super durable and tough
- Guay Outdoors Trolley Cooler Bag – ideal if you’re looking for a soft-sided cooler
In this article, we will look at:
- The best beach coolers with wheels, compared
- What to look for in a beach cooler with wheels
- Our top 5, including their key features, pros and cons
- Frequently asked questions about beach coolers with wheels
- Our top pick, and why we like it so much
If you want to find out more, keep reading!
Table of Contents
- Best Beach Coolers with Wheels Compared
- What to Look for in a Beach Cooler with Wheels
- Top 5 Best Beach Coolers with Wheels
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Final Thoughts – Which Best Beach Cooler with Wheels is Our Top Pick?
Best Beach Coolers with Wheels Compared
What to Look for in a Beach Cooler with Wheels
Here’s a quick guide on what to look for in a beach cooler with wheels:
Cooling Power
There are several ways that a cooler helps to keep your ice cool. Insulation is a big factor, as this is the main component that will help to keep cold air trapped inside. Insulation tends to be made from foam, which can vary in quality and thickness.
Other features to look for include extra-strong latches to help keep the seal tightly closed, a thick rubber gasket, and thick walls. Hard-sided coolers tend to have a wall thickness of 2-3″ inches (5-7.5cm). Thicker walls can help to increase durability, too, as you’re less likely to see cracks developing.
Ice Retention
Sometimes you’ll see a cooler’s ice retention time advertised. This is the amount of time that ice can stay solid inside the cooler before melting. This isn’t always advertised, and even when it is, these ratings are quite optimistic. For example, if a manufacturer states that the ice retention time of a cooler is 7 days, they’ve probably tested this in ideal conditions, which most people won’t be able to stick to when out and about.
There are a few things you can do to increase the ice retention time of hard-sided coolers – YETI has a guide on how to keep your cooler cold for longer with some advice on this.
Capacity
Hard-sided coolers tend to have their capacity measured in quarts, with 1 quart equivalent to 1.13 liters. Coolers can range hugely in size, with some small enough for one person to carry their lunch, and others being big enough for a family on a camping trip. Soft-sided coolers measure their capacity in cans, with the more cans the bigger.
Cleaning
Coolers can get dirty and grimy, especially if you’ve been out at the beach all day. Look for a cooler that is going to be as easy to clean as possible, with minimal gaps or spaces for dirt to hide. Hard-sided coolers should have a drain, which allows you to dump melted ice super quickly. Soft-sided coolers may have a removable liner, which is much easier in terms of cleaning.
Extra Features
Some coolers may have extra features. Built-in bottle openers are always handy, as well as non-stick feet and UV protection, which is extra useful for long days at the beach. Hard-sided coolers may have water bottle holders in the lid, and sometimes, the lids are designed for you to be able to sit on – which is ideal for beach trips if you don’t want to get covered in sand!
Top 5 Best Beach Coolers with Wheels
Now let’s take a look at our top 5 best beach coolers with wheels. We’ll be looking at their key features, pros, and cons, so you can hopefully find the right one for you.
Coleman Portable Cooler with Wheels – Good All-Rounder
Key Features
- Capacity: 50QT (47L)
- Materials
Outer: Plastic
Insulation: Insulating foam - Wall thickness: Not stated
- Ice retention: 5 days
- Color: Blue and white
- Weight: 12.8lbs (5.80kg)
- Dimensions: 22.44 x 17.32 x 17.32in (57 x 44 x 44cm)
The Coleman Portable Cooler with Wheels is a good all-rounder. A tough and durable cooler, it’s suitable for all kinds of situations, and it has an ice retention time of 5 days, meaning it should easily keep your food and drinks nice and cold for a beach trip. It has great insulation, with an insulated lid. It doesn’t have UV protection, which does let it down slightly, as you may find the color of the outside fades over time.
It’s a larger cooler, with a 50QT (47L) capacity, making it perfect for a family day out. It’s not too heavy before you load it up, and the wheels are nice and tough, so you shouldn’t have any issues wheeling it across the sand. It also has a carry handle, so you can choose to lift it instead.
The outside of the cooler is durable, and it has pretty thick sturdy walls. You shouldn’t have to worry about it cracking or breaking. It has four built-in cup/water bottle holders, which are perfect for keeping your drinks out of the sand. The downside is the handle has to be attached at home which can be a bit tricky, as it requires a bit of force to pop it into place.
Pros
- Good price point
- Durable
- Has built-in cup holders
- Heavy-Duty wheels
Cons
- Handle can be tricky to attach
- No UV coating on the outer shell
YETI Tundra Haul Portable Wheeled Cooler – Most Durable
Key Features
- Capacity: 55QT (52L)
- Materials
Outer: UV-resistant polyethylene
Insulation: Insulating foam - Wall thickness: 3in (7.62cm)
- Ice retention: Not stated
- Color: Blue, tan, white
- Weight: 37lbs (16.7kg)
- Dimensions: 28.25 x 18.63 x 19.5in (72 x 47 x 50cm)
The YETI Tundra Haul Portable Wheeled Cooler is ideal for beach trips, camping, fishing, and hunting trips – a good cooler for all types of situations. The ice retention time isn’t stated (YETI doesn’t state ice retention time as a general rule), but they do have a good reputation as far as cooling power is concerned. This particular cooler has pressure-injected commercial-grade polyurethane foam, a good quality gasket, and an interlocking lid system to keep the cold air trapped inside. It also has UV protection which is perfect for the beach.
It has a large capacity at 55QT, so it’s ideal for a larger group of people, with plenty of room for drinks to keep you cool on hot days. The wheels are tough and durable and can cope with all kinds of terrain.
It’s durable, with heavy-duty latches, military-grade handles, strong hinges, and tough non-slip feet for when you are parking it on smooth surfaces. It doesn’t have many extra features though (for example, it doesn’t have a storage basket, which some other coolers have included, and you can’t use YETI storage baskets in this particular model either).
Pros
- UV protection included
- Durable and tough
- Keeps food and drinks cold for a long time
- Sturdy wheels
Cons
- Doesn’t have any extra features
RovR Wheeled Camping Rolling Cooler with Wheels – Most Versatile
Key Features
- Capacity: 50QT (57L)
- Materials
Outer: Plastic
Insulation: Insulating foam - Wall thickness: Not stated
- Ice retention: 7-10 days
- Color: Grey
- Weight: 45lbs (20.41kg)
- Dimensions: 27 x 22 x 21in (69 x 56 x 53cm)
The RovR Wheeled Camping Rolling Cooler with Wheels is a versatile cooler with a lot of different uses, and it makes a great beach cooler. It has an advertised ice retention time of up to 10 days. The cooler has a rotomolded body, an airtight gasket, and thick insulated walls to help retain cold air. It does lack UV protection, which is a shame.
The cooler has a very large capacity at 50QT (57L), and it also has a removable dry goods basket, which is a really deep storage basket that you can use if you want to. This is perfect for keeping your stuff organized – if you want to keep your food and drinks separate, this is really useful. The wheels are great, and they have puncture-resistant tires.
It’s a good, sturdy cooler, with thick walls and a tough handle. You can attach the cooler to a bike using anchor points, which is useful. You can also buy their dual cup holder and prepping board, which is a useful feature, especially if you’re camping.
Pros
- Good ice retention time
- Tough, durable wheels
- Large capacity with storage basket included
- Has bike attachment points
Cons
- Doesn’t have UV protection
Coleman Quart Xtreme Rolling Cooler – Good for Hot Days
Key Features
- Capacity: 50QT (57L)
- Materials
Outer: Plastic
Insulation: Insulating foam - Wall thickness: Not stated
- Ice retention: 5 days
- Color: Black
- Weight: 13.44lbs (6.1kg)
- Dimensions: 23 x 18 x 18in (58 x 46 x 46cm)
The Coleman Quart Xtreme Rolling Cooler is another great cooler from Coleman designed to cope with hot temperatures – up to 90°F/32°C. This makes it perfect for beach trips, as you won’t have to worry about it warming up too quickly. It has great insulation in the lid and the walls. It doesn’t have UV protection though.
This is another large one at 50QT (57L). It doesn’t have a storage basket included, which is a shame, but it’s large enough to fit a lot of food and drinks. It has strong, heavy-duty wheels, so it can cope with all kinds of terrain.
It’s a sturdy cooler, with a strong telescoping handle. It also has a tough lid that can take up to 250lb (113.39kg), which means you can use it as a seat once you get there. It also has built-in cup holders, which is a nice touch.
Pros
- Can cope with hot temperatures
- Includes a built-in seat and cup holders on the lid
- Tough wheels
- Good capacity
- Lightweight
- Drain spout
Cons
- Lacks UV protection
- Doesn’t have a storage basket or internal compartments
Guay Outdoors Trolley Cooler Bag – Best Soft-Sided Beach Cooler
Key Features
- Capacity: 36 cans
- Materials
Outer: Nylon
Insulation: Insulating padding - Wall thickness: Not applicable
- Ice retention: Not stated
- Color: Red, grey, and black
- Weight: 2lbs (0.90kg)
- Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.5 x 17.4 (27 x 24 x 44cm)
The Guay Outdoors Trolley Cooler Bag is a good option if you want a soft-sided cooler with wheels for the beach. The cooler doesn’t have a stated ice retention time, but you can expect it to be shorter than hard-sided coolers, and will last for a full day at the beach. However it doesn’t have UV protection, so it may fade with time.
The cooler has a smaller capacity, at 36 cans, so it’s not going to be able to store enough food and drinks for a large party of people. The cooler has smaller wheels, but they can cope just fine with sand, and the wheels swivel, which makes it easier to pull.
It’s a durable cooler, with strong nylon fabric and reinforced stitching on the handles to help it last longer. It has a removable liner for easy cleaning, a telescopic handle, and storage pockets on the front and side for your valuables.
Pros
- Tough and durable
- Easy to pull across sand
- Good cooling power
- Removable liner makes it easy to clean
Cons
- Doesn’t have UV protection
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s take a look at some commonly asked questions about beach coolers with wheels.
What should I pack in a cooler for my trip to the beach?
Obviously it depends on your needs, but food and drink should stay nice and cold in your cooler, so you don’t have to worry about food safety (if you follow the correct procedures – the USDA has a guide on How to Pack a Cooler to Prevent Food Poisoning for more information).
You should take plenty of water to drink, as long days on the beach require a lot of hydration, and sun protection is a must (Cancer Research UK has a guide on ways to enjoy the sun safely for more ideas). Also, as an extra tip, take baby powder with you – if you’re covered in sand, you can sprinkle baby powder on top, wait for a moment, and then brush it all off. Saves you taking sand home with you!
Can I pre-chill a cooler?
Yes, it’s a good idea to do this. You can fill it up with ice the night before to help it get nice and cold before you go. There is a guide on how to pack a cooler from Popular Mechanics which goes into this in more detail.
What is the best brand of coolers?
There are tons of brands out there at varying price points, but there are a few very well-known cooler brands. These include:
- ORCA – this is a well-known brand that creates reliable and durable coolers. They have a fairly high price point compared to budget brands, but they’re cheaper than some other premium brands out there. You can read more about it in our ORCA vs YETI comparison.
- Pelican – this is a good brand creating durable coolers that are perfect for camping. You can read more about Pelican in our Pelican vs YETI comparison.
- YETI – this is a premium brand, with price tags to match! They manufacture very tough, durable coolers, with a wide range to choose from. You can read more about YETI in our guide to YETI cooler sizes, our Hydro Flask vs YETI Rambler, and our guide to whether YETI cups are dishwasher safe.
How can I clean my cooler?
Both soft-sided coolers and hard-sided coolers can be cleaned using a soft cloth and soapy water. Clean the inside and the outside and leave it to dry before packing it away. You should avoid putting a soft-sided cooler in the washing machine, as it can damage the insulation. If you want to know more about cleaning soft-sided coolers, you can read the Mier Sports guide on How to Clean Insulated Lunch Cooler Bags.
Our Final Thoughts – Which Best Beach Cooler with Wheels is Our Top Pick?
Our favorite for today is the RovR Wheeled Camping Rolling Cooler with Wheels. We like that you can easily keep your food and drinks organized, it has great cooling power, and it’s nice and durable.
If you want something super-tough and hard-wearing, it’s worth checking out the YETI Tundra Haul Portable Wheeled Cooler. This is a cooler that could last you a long time.
If you’d prefer a soft-sided cooler, it’s worth looking at the Guay Outdoors Trolley Cooler Bag. It’s lightweight but durable, and it has good cooling power for a day out at the beach.
We hope this has helped you to find the best beach cooler with wheels! If you’ve used any of these coolers, or you have a good cooler recommendation, we’d love to hear it. And if you’ve found this article helpful, feel free to share it on social media!