The 6 Very Best Wheeled Coolers

Whatwe’relookingfor

Ice retention:Multiple day |Capacity:48 cans (without ice) |Extra features:Fun colorways, removable drink tank, puncture-resistant wheels

I first heard about this cooler from Carla Ruben, president ofCreative Edge Parties. Ruben especially emphasized its huge capacity and clever compartmental design, which includes a built-in cold-drink tank.She and her team use its handy spigot to keep batches of ice-cold cocktails on tap in tropical Miami, where “coolers are always a big conversation.”The insulation holds up in warm weather as does the exterior during the rigors of events catering: “The handle is really solid and doesn’t break or bend — and we’re throwing them on trucks all the time.”

I do not own a catering business, but as a New Yorker who is schlepping to the park and beach without a car, anything on wheels appeals.When I tried out the cooler for myself, I could see why it is so popular and also why the brand styles it as a “tank.” This thing issolid.Two people can sit on top of it side by side, no problem. The wheels are chunky enough to handle sand and are rubberized for extra traction. And the handle (made from metal, not plastic) makes the cooler maneuverable in any direction. Also, the swirly pink colorway makes it easy to spot your picnic site or beach setup from afar.

Ice retention:Multiple day |Capacity:84 cans (without ice) |Extra features:Cupholders, side handles

Kimmons is a professional picnic planner, and she’s no-nonsense about why her business uses Coleman coolers: “That Yeti price tag.” Fair enough; there’s certainly nothing wrong with a Coleman, especially if you take extra care in packing it. I have always used Coleman coolers myself, and the brand’s insulated-cooler camping chair is currently ranked as ourbest in class.You won’t get the same ice retention as the Brumate, above (and certainly not the Yeti, below), but for day or weekend trips, this is a solid and much more affordable choice. I also like the deep side handles, which means you can pick this cooler up rather easily to load into your trunk.

Ice retention:Up to a week |Capacity:82 cans (without ice) |Extra features:Drainage spigot, freezer-style seal, tie-down points

While I’d love to tell you that Yeti’s infamously expensive coolers are overpriced, many experts I spoke with admitted otherwise. Webb says the brand’s pressure-injected polyurethane insulation is its main draw, because this is simply a much more advanced insulator than you’ll find in cheaper coolers. Cookbook author Dan Pelosi says he’s tried other brands but continues to be blown away by how Yeti’s seamless, one-piece roto-molded construction enhances ice retention. “As a cook and entertainer, you keep a Yeti in your garage, so if you’re having a big party you can use it as your refrigerator for the weekend,” he says. “They’re really great for keeping food cold if you don’t have food in your refrigerator.” LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, owner of the restaurant and wine barFour Horsemenin Williamsburg, is also a Yeti fan. “Nothing ever gets warm in there,” he says. “It’s bonkers.” This, the wheeled version of the legendary Yeti Tundra, features the same bearproof roto-molded design, strong seal, and thick insulation that can keep ice solid for four to five days — and even longer if you’re smart about how you pack it. The brand also sells optional baskets and dividers for the Tundra Haul, but just note that they’re not the same as those compatible with the original Tundra.

Ice retention:Up to a week |Capacity:78 cans (without ice) |Extra features:Drainage spigot, freezer-style seal, tie-down points

As you can see simply by comparing the product photos, RTIC’s coolers are similar enough to Yeti’s that there have been, uh,lawsuits. While this hard-sided wheeled cooler isn’t exactly cheap, it’s about $100 less than the very obvious competitor above. It even offers a few extra design features that Yeti doesn’t, like the fun addition of a bottle opener. RTIC’s cooler is also only three quarts lower in capacity, yet eight pounds lighter than a Yeti Tundra Haul. But do note that this might indicate a difference in durability: Yeti coolers have a five-year warranty, compared to one year on RTICs.

Ice retention:Multiple day |Capacity:40 cans (without ice) |Extra features:Stackable design, bottle opener, cup holders, bungee straps

OutdoorswomanBrittany Alexandria Parkspurchased one of Canyon’s stackable, boxy coolers for primitive car camping, because they’re nice to look at and easier to pack into a trunk than coolers with rounded edges. This cube-shaped wheeled cooler has a similar seamless construction to the Yeti and RTIC options, above, but is a little more compact, being designed specifically for cars. The colors are appealing, as is this thing’s insulating power: “It’s perfect for long weekends at campsites with no facilities — ice lasts two to four days with no issue, if you’re responsible and don’t leave it in the sun or a hot car.” While she hasn’t had to take advantage of it, Parks also likes the cooler’s lifetime warranty, which is an even better guarantee than Yeti offers. “From what I’ve read, they’ll replace it with no questions asked,” she says. For a cooler that costs in the hundreds of dollars, “that’s the warranty I want.”

Ice retention:Weekend |Capacity:23 cans (without ice) |Extra features:Tall height, cup holders, drainage spigot

We’ve been recommending Igloo’s economical coolers for years, and this vintage-style one’s an aesthetically pleasing option if the Canyon, above, is out of your budget. A little taller than it is wide, this boxy cooler accommodates taller bottles and other unwieldy items, and its exterior is made (in the U.S.) from recycled plastic. Being only 16 quarts, it’s best for a small crew, but the brand also makes a similarly compact 60-quart version for larger families. The company promises several days of ice retention, but again, that all depends on how you pack it.

While it’s worth investing in a Yeti cooler if you can, there’s no need to throw away money on expensive ice packs from big-name brands. Seddington likes lining her coolers with these affordable and reusable ones. She also recommends investing in some simple black insulated grocery bags, which can be used on their own or to wrap food before placing it within a larger cooler.

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