If you’re looking for a great cooler for all your favorite outdoor activities, Coleman has you covered. These nine coolers all have an average rating value of at least four stars and thousands of glowing customer reviews. With so many options, it’s easy to find the best Coleman cooler for any adventure or excursion.
Take your Coleman cooler on the go
- Best for hunters: Coleman 316 Series 100 Quart Wheeled Ice Chest
- Best for camping trips: Coleman 316 Series 65 Quart Wheeled Ice Chest
- Best for the beach: Coleman 62 Quart Xtreme Wheeled Cooler
- Best tailgating: Coleman 316 Series 62 Quart Wheeled Ice Chest
- Best for kids’ sporting events: Coleman 50 Quart Xtreme Wheeled Cooler
- Best for fishing trips: Coleman Caravan 28 Quart Xtreme Wheeled Cooler
- Best for road trips: Coleman High-Performance Soft-Sided Cooler
- Best for trips to the park: Coleman 42-Can Soft Cooler with Wheels
- Best for lunch on the go: Coleman Soft-Sided Cooler with Built-In Bottle Opener
How to choose a cooler
A good cooler should last you for years to come, so picking one from a reputable brand like Coleman is a great start. Beyond that, you’ll find several types to choose from based on what you will be using your wheeled cooler for.
Purpose
The main goal of using a cooler is to keep food and drinks cold. However, many different scenarios require a cooler. Therefore, some models are more suitable than others depending on what you will be using your cooler for and where you’re going.
For example, beach trips require a cooler that can keep its contents cold no matter how hot the outside temperature climbs. Hunters and fishermen often need oversized coolers to safely store meat for long journeys home. Meanwhile, large hard-sided coolers are overkill for couple’s day trips — a soft-sided model with exterior storage might be a better choice.
Size
Finding the right-sized cooler ultimately depends on how much you need to store. Larger groups typically require bigger coolers to store enough drinks or food to satisfy the entire party. How long your trip is also can influence cooler size. Typically, the longer the trip, the larger the cooler.
It may be tempting to choose an oversized cooler to ensure you’ll have enough space for everything you need, but keep in mind that a partially full cooler warms up faster. Any area not taken up by drinks or food should be filled to the top with bags of ice to keep everything cold as long as possible. So unless you require all the space offered in an oversized 100-qt Coleman cooler, you might want to choose something more modestly sized, like a Coleman 50-qt cooler with wheels.
Wheels
Rolling coolers should have heavy-duty wheels that roll easily on bumpy terrain. Since many destinations that require a wheeled cooler don’t have smooth, paved paths, your cooler wheels can quickly take a beating. A missing wheel can render even the best insulated rolling cooler useless.
Larger wheels are typically sturdier, but the material the wheels are made from also matters. All-terrain wheels are the ideal choice, especially for large, heavy models. Also, consider looking for a cooler with treaded tires for more maneuverability on sand or gravel.
Handle
Wheeled coolers should have two types of handles: carry handles and a handle for rolling the cooler. Although you will likely roll your cooler most of the time, it’s important to have handles that allow you to lift the cooler in and out of the car and over areas where it’s impossible to roll.
The main handle of your rolling cooler should be at a comfortable height for the person pushing it. Many models have adjustable telescoping handles, but others have fixed-height handles, so keep this in mind if you’re particularly tall or short.
Features
There are several bonus features that a wheeled cooler might have. Depending on the style of the cooler, consider looking for these common features:
- Channel drains for releasing excess water
- Cup holders
- Weight-bearing have-a-seat lids
- Bottle openers
- Dry storage pockets
- Easy-to-clean liners
9 wheeled Coleman coolers
From big to small, Coleman has it all! Finding the best cooler has never been easier with these wheeled Coleman coolers for outdoor recreation.
1. Coleman 316 Series 100 Quart Wheeled Ice Chest
- Best for hunters
- Hard-sided cooler
- 36.9 x 17.3 x 18 inches
If you’re a serious hunter or angler, you need a cooler large enough to store your kill or catch for the journey home. This oversized 100-quart cooler from Coleman certainly fits the bill. The Coleman 316 series coolers are fully insulated and can keep ice for up to five days in temperatures of up to 90°F. Durable wheels and a sturdy tow handle make hauling heavy loads much more manageable, and the have-a-seat lid can hold up to 250 pounds. This cooler can also hold up to 160 cans, making it a fantastic option for storing drinks during sports tournaments, company picnics, or any large outdoor event.
2. Coleman 316 Series 65 Quart Wheeled Ice Chest
- Best for camping trips
- Hard-sided cooler
- 22 x 16.6 x 21.3 inches
Family camping trips require a large chest cooler like the 65-quart version of the Coleman 316. This cooler has heavy-duty 6-inch wheels and a convenient telescoping handle. It can hold up to 101 cans or all the food necessary for a long weekend camping trip. In addition, the four cup holders molded into the lid can hold stainless steel tumblers up to 30 ounces in size. The have-a-seat lid supports up to 250 pounds, so it functions as an extra camp chair. The Coleman 316 65 quart ice chest also features a leakproof channel drain plug for easy, no-tilt water drainage.
3. Coleman 62 Quart Xtreme Wheeled Cooler
- Best for the beach
- Hard-sided cooler
- 29.3 x 16.1 x 18.3 inches
The 62-quart Coleman Xtreme with wheels is a classic-style cooler with plenty of room for beach snacks and drinks. This cooler has extra wall insulation and an insulated lid for days-long cold retention even in 90°F weather. Large, durable wheels help beach-goers roll this cooler on sandy paths, and two-way side handles make it easy to lift it in and out of the car and wherever rolling is impossible. The 62-quart Coleman Xtreme also has molded cup holders and an easy-to-use drain.
4. Coleman 316 Series 62 Quart Wheeled Ice Chest
- Best for tailgating
- Hard-sided cooler
- 27.9 x 15.6 x 18 inches
If you’re looking for the ultimate hard cooler for tailgate parties, check out the Coleman 316 Series 62-quart ice chest. This heavy-duty cooler has six-inch wheels and swing-up handles for long hauls. The lid can support up to 250 pounds of weight and features four cup holders with molded channels that drain excess liquid. In addition, this Coleman cooler has a stain-resistant liner for easy cleanup and a convenient no-tilt draining system. With a storage capacity of up to 101 cans, you can easily store all the beers, soft drinks, and barbeque fixings you need for an epic tailgate.
5. Coleman 50 Quart Xtreme Wheeled Cooler
- Best for kids’ sporting events
- Hard-sided cooler
- 22.6 x 17.6 x 17.5 inches
If you need a roller cooler to bring along to kids’ sporting events, check out the Coleman 50-qt cooler with wheels. This medium-sized cooler has an 84-can capacity with plenty of space for drinks and snacks to satisfy mom and dad as well as treats for the kiddos. It has a telescoping handle, durable wheels for easy transportation across sports fields, and a have-a-seat cup holder lid for added convenience. This Coleman Xtreme cooler with wheels is also made from low carbon dioxide insulation for reduced carbon emissions, so it’s an eco-friendly cooler choice.
6. Coleman Caravan 28 Quart Xtreme Wheeled Cooler
- Best for fishing trips
- Hard-sided cooler
- 16.9 x 13.3 x 16.9 inches
Hard-sided Coleman chillers come in all sizes for all purposes. This small marine cooler is ideal for transporting drinks and lunch for weekend fishing outings, boat trips, and picnics. Shaped slim sides help maximize cooling efficiency while taking up less space, and the high-performance foam insulation keeps the contents inside this Coleman Xtreme cooler with wheels cold for up to three days. The Coleman Xtreme 28 quart cooler also features all-terrain wheels and a telescoping handle for transportation over long distances.
7. Coleman High-Performance Soft-Sided Cooler
- Best for road trips
- Soft-sided cooler
- 17.3 x 12.4 x 21 inches
On every road trip, refreshments are essential. This sleek, soft-sided Cooler is available in three styles: wheeled, tote-style, or as a cooler backpack. The wheeled version holds up to 42 cans yet is slim and low-profile, making it perfect for cold drinks on the road. Even better, the wheel mechanism is easily removable so that you can fit it behind the front seat of your car. Storing dry goods is also effortless with side mesh pockets and top bungee straps. There is also a built-in bottle opener on the front, so you always have a handy way to open your drinks.
8. Coleman 42-Can Soft Cooler with Wheels
- Best for trips to the park
- Soft-sided cooler
- 13.3 x 13.3 x 20 inches
Another great portable cooler option is this 42-can Coleman soft cooler with wheels. Perfect for playdates and picnics in the park, this cooler has a 42-can capacity, making it plenty large enough for lunch, snacks, and drinks for the whole family. It also has an interior mesh pocket for storing ice packs or organizing contents and a removable hard plastic liner for easy cleaning. The exterior fabric is made from recycled polyester, and welded seams prevent leaks. Finally, the TempLock insulation keeps food and drinks cold for at least 12 hours.
9. Coleman Soft-Sided Cooler with Built-In Bottle Opener
- Best for lunch on the go
- Soft-sided cooler
- 15 x 10.6 x 19.5 inches
If you’re looking for the best Coleman soft cooler with wheels for lunch anywhere, check out this convenient cooler lunch box. This cooler has a simple two-wheel design that makes it easy to take with you. The zippered main compartment is well insulated for all-day chilling, and an odor-resistant liner helps prevent bad smells. It has side mesh pockets and a front flap pocket for storing dry goods and other small items that don’t need to stay cold. The top hatch makes it even easier to grab a drink quickly, and a built-in bottle opener ensures you have one less thing to pack.
A Coleman cooler for every outdoor adventure
Since 1954, when Coleman coined the term “cooler,” this trusted outdoors brand has been helping keep adventurers fed and hydrated everywhere they go. So whether you’re embarking on an epic family camping trip, enjoying sports & outdoor activities, or having a picnic in the park, there is a Coleman cooler that’s perfect for you. Plus, most Coleman products are protected by their limited warranty.
Should I buy a cooler with wheels?
Wheeled coolers make it easy to transport drinks and snacks for any outdoor activity. If you need to bring more than a few drinks, a cooler with wheels is far more portable than a non-wheeled model.
How do you know what size cooler to buy?
Finding the right size cooler mainly depends on what you’ll be using it for. Larger coolers are ideal for longer trips and large families, while small soft-sided coolers are great for day trips with one or two people.
What makes ice last longer in a cooler?
The best way to keep ice from melting quickly in your cooler is to keep it closed as much as possible. Other ways to keep ice longer are to pack your cooler as full as possible, pre-chill food and drinks before storing, and drain out the water periodically.
Where do you put a cooler when camping?
Camp coolers should be kept in a centrally located place, out of the sun, and away from campfires. Never store your food cooler inside your tent. If you are away from your campsite for a while, consider keeping your cooler in the car.
