The Igloo Trailmaster – See our review below!
When you’re hitting the beach bringing snacks and beverages is pretty high on the priority list. But what kind of cooler do you need? It’s not a ton of fun dragging a cumbersome cooler out to the car then down the beach. That’s exactly why we came up with a list of the best beach coolers with wheels.
Sand poses the ultimate challenge for a wheeled cooler. A heavily loaded cooler is going to dig into the sand and be a real hassle. There are, however, some features that will make certain beach coolers better than others.
What To Look For
When you’re looking for the best beach coolers with wheels there are several factors that come into play. Insulation, size, portability and function all matter when you’re kicking back. In our list of the Best Beach Cooler with Wheels we covered everything from the economy class to first class to the boutique.
Insulation
Insulation of a cooler matters a lot when it’s sitting in the hot sun on the beach for a couple hours. The whole point of cooler is keeping stuff, well, cool. When we looked at insulation values we looked at cooler thickness and ice retention.
Size
The size of the best beach cooler also play a role. When you want to keep stuff cold it’s all about efficiency.
If you’re just going out with a small squad then you’re not going to want to bring out the 60 quart, with all that empty space the ice is going to have work a lot harder to keep it colder and end up melting quicker.
Conversely, if you’re rolling deep not having enough food and drinks will leave you disappointed and you’ll need a big cooler to pack everything you’ll need.
Portability
It’s why you’re here. Having a cooler that you can wheel around keeps the party moving. Instead of having to lug your cooler out of your rig and carry it over the sand, one with wheels will make the trip super easy let you get set up quicker.
But not just any wheel set up is going to work the best. Small changes like how big they are, where the handle is, and others can really make a difference. If a wheel is too small then it’s going to dig into the sand be pretty worthless unless you’re on hard pack.
Function
It’s not just box that keeps stuff cold, at least not anymore. Today’s coolers can be anything from bomb-proof cold storage to party starters in cooler form. When we looked at the function of a cooler we went deeper than cooling potential and went for the other features that set them apart from the crowd. Wheel size and form was an obvious place to start when we were looking at the best coolers for the sand.
Best Beach Coolers with Wheels
Let’s dive in and check out some of the best wheeled coolers for the beach!
Best Beach Coolers with Wheels – Boutique Class
If you’re here then you’re looking for the absolute best beach coolers. The other coolers on the list are great and a big cooler for around $30 (the Coleman 50 below) is good too but if you want the best beach cooler with wheels then this is the one you want.
This cooler not only handle the sand with ease it also has some of the additional bells and whistles you didn’t even know you needed. Let’s take a look at our Boutique Class winner in our Best Beach Coolers with Wheels shootout.
Igloo Trailmate Journey Cooler – Boutique Class Winner
Igloo, a name well known in the cooler world, have come up with a beast of a cooler that’s absolutely purpose built for the sand. The Igloo Trailmate Journey is hands down the best cooler for the sand out there.
It’s not cheap at $270 but it’s not built cheap either. The 10 inch wheels are wide, flat and designed to get you from your rig to the water front with superior ease. We really like that you can dock your electronics to it for a quick charge so that you can have some tunes while you’re relaxing.
The Trailmate is loaded with features that you’re not going to find on any other cooler in this price range.
- Glide Handle
- Water-Resistant Secure Storage
- Media Docking Station
- Suspended Food Basket Inside
- Cup Holders
- Gear Tie-Down Loops
- Accessory Holders and Mounts
- Stainless Steel Hardware
- Threaded Drain Plug
- Over-sized Wheels
- Cool Riser Technology
- Incorporated Bottle Openers
- Exterior Storage Pocket
- Aluminum Rails
- Butler Tray
Igloo Trailmate Journey Cooler Highlights
- Oversized never-flat wheels tackle sand and other difficult terrain with the superior traction and ground clearance of 10 inches
- 70 quart capacity holds 112 cold ones and is insulated with Igloo Ultratherm
- The insulated body and lid provide 4 day ice retention performance
- Water resistant storage keeps small essentials safe and dry
- Butler tray utilizes the telescoping handle for serving snacks and drinks and the integrated cup holders keep your cold ones close
- Tie-down loops utilize the cooler to haul your towels, chairs, and more
- Bottle openers available on both sides
Now that we’ve covered our absolute favorite let’s take a look at some other coolers that made the list.
Best Beach Coolers with Wheels – First Class
Next on our list of the best beach coolers with wheels list is our first class selection. These coolers have a bigger price tag but they’ve also got the features to justify the added dollars. Let’s take a look at our two winners for the Best Beach Coolers with Wheels in the First Class Division
Coleman Rugged 55 A/T Wheeled Cooler
– First Class Winner
This is a beach cruising, take anywhere, sand tackling machine. The Coleman 
The wide, flat 8 inch wheels are spaced well away from the cooler body and provide great support over tough terrain like sand, gravel, grass or whatever else stands in your way. With 75% more clearance than the Coleman 50 up above it’s a serious step up in terms of beach capability.
The pull is from the broad side of the cooler which gives even more steadiness while pulling to and from your setup. The latching lid provides another level of security, making sure that when the lid’s closed it stays closed.
One feature that we really like was the bungee system that’s integrated on top of the cooler lid. This allows you to bring chairs, umbrellas, towels or any of your other beach goods while letting you keep your hands free.
Coleman Rugged 55 A/T Highlights
- 75% more ground clearance than a Coleman cooler with 6-in. Wheels
- Keeps the ice! – 5-day ice retention at temperatures up to 90 Degree F. Holds 84 cans
- Integrated bungee tie-down system lets you secure extra gear to the lid
- Leak-resistant drain lets you remove water without turning the cooler upside down
- Low Co2 insulation for reduced Carbon emissions from foam manufacturing
Rubbermaid DuraChill 50 – First Class Runner Up
The split lid is nice for easy entrance. If someone’s got a drink in one of the incorporated cup holders then it’s no problem to still get in. We also liked that it doesn’t let all of the cold air out. Saving that extra cold means you’ll have longer ice range.
The wheels are spaced well and provide good over-the-sand capabilities. The front facing drain is nice so that all you have to is push the handle forward, no more awkward tipping from the side to drain.
Rubbermaid DuraChill 50 Highlights
- Extra thick insulation keeps ice up to 5 or 6 days at 90° F
- Pivoting side handles with ergonomic grip make for easy carrying
- Durable extended tow handle and drain for easy cleaning
- Hinged, split lid creates easy access to cooler contents without letting all the cold air out.
- Flat wheels for easy maneuvering over multiple surfaces
- Easy cleaning liner features Microban antimicrobial protection
- Built-in cup holders fit 12 ounce cans and 20 ounce bottles
Best Beach Coolers with Wheels – Economy Class
These coolers are meant for two things: Keeping your stuff cold and saving your budget. These price point rigs are inexpensive, tough and easy to move. Let’s look at our Economy Class winners a little more in depth.
Coleman – 50 qt. Wheeled Cooler – Economy Class Winner
Coleman is synonymous with coolers and it’s no surprise that one found it’s way onto our list. Coming in under $32 the Coleman 50 qt. is almost too good to pass up. This is a big cooler designed for a big crew or for a few days. This is the best beach cooler if you’re looking to take lots of snacks and drinks.
It’s the cooler that you remember from your childhood. Simple design, rugged construction, and tons of room for all of the stuff you need for a day at the beach. The flat wheels give it good support on sand and over varied terrain.
The one thing we didn’t love about this cooler is that there aren’t any latches on the lid. So if you do tip it you might lose your stuff. But have no fear, aftermarket latches are available on Amazon so you can keep the lid secure. Coleman does claim it uses a “Stay-put” lid system that should limit the chances of mishap.
Coleman 50 Qt Cooler Highlights
- Holds 60 cans plus ice
- Durable seven-inch wheels for all-terrain handling
- Stay-put hinged lid
- Rust-proof, leak-resistant drain
- Product dimensions: 16.5 inches x 26 inches x 14 inches
Pros
- Great size for a big crew for a day on the water, can hold 60 cans plus ice
- Great ice retention. Ice was still there after more than 2 days with 80° F temps
- Has solid molded wheels that run true even on tough terrain types
- Has molded in handles that are part of the cooler body.
- Fits almost every trunk size, even including compact vehicles.
- Has a drain for cleaning and draining ease
- Good swing handle for wheeling the cooler
Cons
- Wheeled action is from the narrow side and can tend to be unstable on really rough terrains. If you’re mostly using it for the beach and want to get it to and from the car, it will do the job just fine.
- Lid cannot be secured when closed so very easy for kids to open even if you don’t want them to. Also no lock for overnight beach excursions
Coleman 16-Quart Personal Wheeled Cooler – Economy Class Runner Up
The bigger radius wheels will perform well on the sand and the handle extends up high so moving it is a breeze. Plus, the handle is on the long side of the cooler so even on rougher terrain you won’t have to worry as much about the cooler tipping.
Again, like the Coleman cooler review up above, we didn’t like that there were no latches on this model either. With its smaller size and stability though the latching may prove to be less of problem. The wheels aren’t great for the sand because they’re rounded but for a $20 cooler it performs pretty well.
Coleman 16 Qt. Cooler Highlights
- Made in USA
- Internal Dims : 10.75 x 3.0 x 11.75
- External Dims : 16.125 x 11.0 x 14.0
- Weight (lbs) : 5.6
- ICE retention (days) : 1.75
Pros
- Perfect size for a small group or beach picnic for two, can hold 22 cans.
- All day cooling, people report having used it in 100° F all day and still having cold items
- Great sized wheels for use in the sand and over bumpy terrain
- Has molded handles and great telescoping pull handle for easy transport
- Compact size means it can go anywhere you’re headed
- Tall enough to hold a 2-liter bottle upright
- Great priced cooler at under $20
Cons
- Size limits amount you can bring if your plans change
- Lid latch, but it’s not too big of an issue on a 16 quart cooler
There you have it, 5 of the best beach coolers with wheels that will get you on your way to beach in no time flat. These coolers will keep your food and drinks cold and move you over the sand quickly and efficiently. We hope you got some great ideas!
We’ll see you out there!
