The most important job of a fishing cooler is to keep your fish cold after your big catch. Of course, it’s essential to have a few beverages and snacks in the cooler, but the main job is to move ice from one location to another. The problem, of course, is that moving ice is difficult and heavy. This is where a fishing cooler with wheels comes in.
Fishing coolers with wheels help to ensure that you can get your cooler from point A to point B without ruining your back and still while carrying your extra gear around. The fishing cooler with wheels is an excellent investment because it can be used for several different activities, from a day at the beach to tailgating.
We have put together the five best fishing coolers with wheels. Each of these coolers has something that is positive about it, and as always, we are pretty open about the negatives. Let’s take a look at the top five best fishing coolers with wheels.
Top 5 Best Fishing Coolers With Wheels At A Glance
Although we encourage you to read through the individual reviews of each of these coolers, we get it; you need to get back out on the water. For some quick info about the top ten best, this chart can help.Â
| Cooler Name | Best For | Size | Cost | Rating |
| Igloo Outdoor Sportsman Series | Best Fishing Cooler On Wheels | 39.76 x 18.5 x 19.69 inches | Check Current Cost On Amazon | 9.2/10 |
| Arctic Zone Deep Freeze Collapsible Cooler | Best Collapsible Cooler With Wheels | 13.25 x 12 x 14.75 | Check Current Cost On Amazon | 9/10 |
| Coleman Ice Chest Coleman 316 | Most Affordable Fishing Cooler With Wheels | 37 x 18.5 x 18 inches | Check Current Cost On Amazon | 8/10 |
| Pelican Elite Cooler With Wheels | Best Premium Fishing Cooler With Wheels | 19 x 12 x 12 inches | Check Current Cost On Amazon | 9/10 |
| Evolution Outdoor Cooler | Best Compact Fishing Cooler With Wheels | 19 x 14 x 20 inches | Check Current Cost On Amazon | 8.5/10 |
Best Fishing Cooler With Wheels: Igloo Outdoor Sportsman Series
A fishing cooler with wheels is beneficial for several reasons. For starters, these types of fishing coolers are typically easier to maneuver, they can have greater capacity, and they often provide an extra seat for anglers. Most fishing coolers are larger, and this helps them hold a person trying to take a rest after a long day of fishing.
The best overall fishing cooler with wheels is the Igloo Outdoor Sportsman Series. This is a large capacity cooler with a tremendous amount of space and very easy-to-use features and functionality. You can clean out and put away your Igloo in a matter of minutes. In addition, we had no trouble with any of the wheels, even when going through some rough surfaces.
Overall, Igloo is a strong name in the industry that will stand behind its product for years to come. Don’t let the fair pricing fool you; plenty of engineering goes into a product like this.
Pros
- Comes in a few different sizes
- WIll stay cold for several days
- Cushin grip handle
- Easy to maneuver
Cons
- Will require some storage space in the garage
Best Collapsible Fishing Cooler With Wheels: Arctic Zone Deep Freeze
Typically, when you think about wheeled fishing coolers, you will be looking at something large, heavy, and will take up an entire section of your garage. Luckily, for those working with a bit less space, there are options to have a fishing cooler with wheels without taking up so much space.
The Arctic Zone Deep Freeze Collapsible Cooler is the best overall choice for those that are looking for something that will fold up yet still offer the main functionality found in a great fishing cooler. One of our favorite features of the Arctic Zone Deep Freeze is the ColdBlock technology.
With the ColdBlock, there are three layers of foam that are designed to keep heat far away from your cooler. This means that you can put quite a bit of ice in here and expect it to last for a long time. In addition, the Rhino Tech fabric featured on the Arctic Zone Deep Freeze will not crack and fall apart over time.
If you are done fishing and need to lift the Arctic Zone back into your car, it’s easy to do with the Backsaver Shoulder Strap and Shoulder Pad.
Pros
- Very easy to clean
- Not need to worry about stain or bacteria
- Thick layers to help fish stay cold
- Collapsible
Cons
- Will not have the same capacity as other coolers
Most Affordable Fishing Cooler With Wheels: Coleman Ice Chest 316
We really like fishing coolers with wheels. The functionality and versatility really make it worth it to just get something with the wheels already in place. The problem is that these coolers are typically a bit more expensive than other coolers on the market. This likely has to do with the fact that the wheels are an expense to add, and they can deteriorate over time if they are not of high quality.
The Coleman Ice Chest is fully insulated, and it will keep ice for up to 5 days. This is quite a long time, and it even has the capacity to hold up to 160 cans. In addition, you will have no trouble cleaning out this Coleman cooler with just a hose and a bit of soapy water. The channel drain plug is easy to release and drain the cooler in seconds.
Last but not least, we love the molded lid with cup holders. When you need to store your drink, you will have no trouble finding a spot for your tumbler and ensuring that it doesn’t spill while you reel in the next big one.
Pros
- Molded top with cup holders
- Very large capacity
- Fair pricing
- Stain resistant liner
Cons
- Bigger than most average anglers need
Best Premium Fishing Cooler With Wheels: Pelican Elite Fishing Cooler
A premium fishing cooler with wheels is one that keeps the fisherman in mind throughout the entire design. The Pelican coolers are right up there with the Yeti models and, in our opinion, sometimes a bit better. A Pelican cooler has extreme ice retention, and it will hold ice for up to ten days.
With a Pelican Cooler, the most impressive feature is that you will get a lifetime guarantee with the Pelican. This really says something about the Pelican products and the way they stand behind what they do. For those that are willing to make the extra investment, the Pelican Cooler is well worth it.
Another great feature that people love is the fact that you can get Pelican coolers in a wide range of colors. The cooler is made with Polyethylene material, and it is virtually indestructible. Whether you are saltwater or freshwater fishing, a Pelican has the necessary technology.
Pros
- Leakproof drain plug
- Non skid feet
- Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- One of the more expensive cooler choices on the market
Best Compact Fishing Cooler With Wheels: Evolution Outdoor Leak Resistant Insulated EVO Premium Rolling Cooler with ABS Molded Top
We all know how big that fish is that you caught, but this doesn’t mean you need a massive cooler to lug around outside. For those that are a bit more conservative about their needs, the best compact fishing cooler with wheels is the Evolution Outdoor Leak Resistant Premium Rolling Cooler.
The large 50 quart capacity cooler can hold up to 72 cans, so there is plenty of room in the cooler. However, you will quickly notice that the way it is built makes the cooler seem a bit more compact. We also love the retractable handle and the oversized all terrain wheels.
Regardless of the terrain that you are going to pull your cooler through, you will be able to do it easily with this cooler. With a 2.5 inch lid, the fish and your lunch will stay cold for quite some time. If you need something a bit smaller, the cooler does come in a 25qt option as well.
Pros
- Retractable handle
- All terrain wheels
- Large cooler size
Cons
- Still is a bit heavy
Buyers Guide: How To Choose A Great Fishing Cooler With Wheels
Now that you have the best fishing coolers on the market with wheels, it’s time to break them down a bit and figure out which one will be best for your needs. There are so many great options out there that it helps to know the different features and functionality you will have to choose from. Here are some things to consider when choosing an excellent fishing cooler with wheels.
Cooler Capacity
The cooler capacity needs to be big enough to carry home your big catch. If you are shark fishing, clearly, you need a larger cooler than someone looking to catch a flounder. The great thing about a wheeled cooler is that it is much easier to maneuver than any other cooler on the market. Truthfully, we say go big or go home when it comes to the wheeled cooler. If you are paying for something with wheels, get a big cooler.
Wheel Type
The wheels on all the coolers on our list are durable and long lasting. These wheels are meant to go through some rough terrain, sand, grass, pavement, and even rocks. If you are taking the wheeled cooler on a bit of a trek, make sure you consider the wheel type and the way that will impact the cooler you choose.
Overall Weight
The overall weight of the cooler is still going to make a difference, even when it is on wheels. Having a cooler that has wheels is excellent, but you still don’t want the cooler itself to weigh 30 pounds before you put anything in it. Check the overall weight on the cooler, and remember the fact that sometimes you will still need to load this in and out of your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, you feel as though you are ready to purchase one of our favorite fishing coolers with wheels. Here are a few questions that we are often asked about these coolers and what they have to offer.
What Fishing Cooler With Wheels Is The Best?
The best fishing cooler with wheels is the Igloo Outdoor Sportsman series. Igloo is not always known for being the most high-end cooler, but it is affordable, and it does a great job overall. For those that are looking for a cooler that will work for both saltwater and freshwater fishing, this is the cooler to go with.
What Size Cooler Is Good For Fishing?
The best size cooler for fishing is usually over 30qt. Many will say that the ideal size is 52q, but if you are going to be purchasing a cooler with wheels, you can go even bigger. Just remember that once coolers are loaded down with ice they get incredibly more difficult to lift and maneuver.
Do I Need Wheels On A Fishing Cooler?
Unless you are one of those anglers who like to travel light and just have a little backpack cooler, we would recommend getting a fishing cooler with wheels. On the days that you don’t fish, you may want to enjoy some time at the beach or to your kids soccer game, you can bring this fishing cooler with wheels with you. The wheels make the cooler versatile, and that helps justify whatever cost you may pay.
Conclusion
The best overall fishing cooler with wheels is the Igloo Outdoor Sportsman Series, you can get this cooler in a variety of sizes and it makes a great long term option for any type of event or beach day that you may need it for. Igloo is one of the best names in fishing coolers, and those that invest in these are typically not shopping for coolers for quite some time.
Remember that a fishing cooler with wheels is convenient and easy to use, but it still should be considered how heavy the cooler is. If you cannot lift the cooler before it is even filled with ice, how are you going to get your big catch home? Keep this in mind, and you will end up with a great purchase.
