Best Coolers of 2023

Saryn Chorney, a sustainable lifestyle and eco-travel writer, did extensive research and pulled from her own experience with transporting refreshments to curate this list of coolers with wheels. Another popular accessory is a cooler basket, which allows many food and drink products to be compartmentalized while retaining precious cooler volume. Similarly, cooler dividers help to divide up storage and allow for the creation of compartments so the ice is more evenly distributed. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions.

igloo cooler with wheels

Well, it’s not too bad as you will still be able to sup on up to 72 cans of beer on your trip. As for how long this cooler will keep those cans dry, you’re talking a good couple of days up to a heat of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. These coolers are equipped with sturdy wheels and handles, allowing you to easily transport them to your destination. Whether you’re heading to the beach or a picnic, a wheeled igloo ice chest cooler from Igloo ensures that you can bring along all the refreshments you need. In addition to their practicality, Igloo’s wheeled cool boxes are also stylish and come in a range of sizes and colours to suit your personal choice. Most major brands have their own designs that work well in their coolers, and the best part is that you can use them repeatedly without ever having to drain melted ice.

We have cooled hundreds of beers for the purposes of these tests and of course, drunk them all at various times in order to surmise how good each cooler is. We have put ourselves through every step of this testing to find which cooler cooled best, which cooler rolled best and which cooler we think you should be buying to make that ultimate “too cool for school” statement. It was a difficult job but we are always more than willing to put in the hard yards in order to help you make the right decision on any product. Comparison shopping aside, the Igloo MaxCold represents some truly exceptional value at its sub-$50 price tag. It isn’t much to look at, but it’s a powerful performer that’ll keep your drinks cold longer than other cheap coolers, and longer than some coolers that cost a lot more, too.

And with its heavy duty insulation, tight locking lid, and perfectly integrated bottle opener, those brewskis will be cool and drinkable for up to a week. The rotomolded outer is filled with pressure-injected polyurethane to keep things icy while remaining uncrushable. The solid build that the RovR possesses means that it is about as close to beer-proof as you’re likely to get with a cooler. When you consider that alongside the days of ice retention that this thing can provide and the additional features that it has, you can be sure that you have yourself a quality cooler for all kinds of occasions.

BJ’s Wholesale Club has been providing well-made products, delicious food, and superior gasoline to our members at unbelievable prices for over three decades. When you shop online for Igloo ice chests, you can rest assured you’re taking home an unparalleled value. Whether you’re shopping for yourself, your family, or choosing a gift for a lucky friend, you know you’ll be getting the best in affordability and quality with items from this line. You’ll likely take a seat on your cooler at some point, so you might as well maximize the comfort! They can run on the expensive side, though, and there are various considerations (e.g., mold-resistance, webbing for fishing gear) in relation to the water-resistant ones you’ll want for marine use.

Finally, helpful extras like a stow-away butler tray, self-draining cup holders, and a fish ruler on the lid enhance the cooler’s overall usefulness. If you plan on covering any kind of distance from your vehicle—whether it be to your campsite, a spot along the river, or the beach—wheels can make transport a whole lot easier. This Boulder-based wheeled-cooler specialist offers its signature RollR in four capacities ranging from 45 to 85 quarts. On all models, you get big and burly wheels that truly work over a variety of terrain, a long pull handle, and you can even attach this cooler to the back of a bike (BikR Kit attachment sold separately for $70). Throw in a premium rotomolded build with excellent ice retention and a variety of fun features like optional cup holders and a side prepping board, and this cooler is as fun and functional as anything on the market.

Leakproof with extra pockets for various goods or personal items, it’s also perfect for a trip to the grocery store or even as a large lunchbox. We like the Moroccan blue tile design, and it also comes in black and bright red. Another example came up last year during a power outage, as one of our staff members was able to store most of the contents of a fridge in a 70-quart cooler, along with the necessary ice to keep it cold. By measuring meltwater, we can produce data that illustrates the relative performance of insulation between coolers over time.

Further, you get a handy basket for dry goods, secure closures, and multiple tie-down slots to easily secure it on a boat or truck bed. What’s more, the Tundra is certified as bear-resistant (locks are sold separately for $30), which is great for those who plan to spend time in bear country. This Coleman cooler is proof you don’t need to spend a lot on a quality cooler. The lid has a smooth texture that wipes dirt and debris easily, even after spills at a tailgate or outdoor party. Plus, the lid supports up to 250 pounds if you want to take a seat (one less folding chair to carry) and features four molded cup holders to keep your drinks within reach at all times.

The Igloo MaxCold (teal) managed to outperform coolers that cost more, including some rotomolded models like the Bison Gen 2 (red) and the Rovr Rollr 60 (orange). Our tester appreciated the “excellent” turn radius and “secure seal” provided by the latches which kept the contents “really cold even after 24 hours,” with minimal melted ice or temperature change. If you are feeling tired, take a seat on the cooler or use it as a table at your tailgate if you’re running low on room.

Far more than an insulated plastic box, the RollR coolers come in a forty-five, sixty or eighty-quart capacity and have a ton of features that seriously put the “cool” in cooler. A built-in Wagon Bin on top pops up to hold whatever else you’re bringing to the party and the six anchor points let you add accessories like the optional cutting board and dual cup holders. We’ve dug up premium, ten-day, bear-proof rolling coolers, as well as a few ice chests that won’t sack your wallet.