RovR RollR 45 Wheeled Cooler Review

Although RovR is a relative newcomer to the cooler market, they've grown to quick popularity thanks to their expertly built RollR series. Available in 45, 60, and 80-quart capacities, we recently put the smallest version to the test on a multi-day canoe trip in British Columbia. In sum, we found the RollR's build quality and cooling capabilities to be on par with premium competitors like Yeti, and we love RovR's extensive selection of fun add-ons and accessories. Below we outline our experiences with the RollR 45. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our articles on the best wheeled coolers and best coolers, the latter of which includes both wheeled and non-wheeled options.
 

Table of Contents

• Weight and Portability
• Ice Retention and Cooling Capabilities
• Capacity
• Build Quality and Durability
• Accessories and Add-ons
• Other Versions of the RovR RollR
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Weight and Portability

Portability is the name of the game for wheeled coolers, and the RovR RollR 45 is built to handle challenging, off-trail travel better than most. Its burly, 9-inch wheels feature aggressive tread reminiscent of all-terrain tires, allowing them to cruise over rocks and roots, through mud puddles and gravel, and up curbs. If the going gets particularly rough, the tires can be deflated slightly to smoothen out the ride. For the most part, I had little issue hauling the RollR from the river up to camp each night during our canoe trip. And for those who anticipate using their cooler mostly at the beach, RovR sells dedicated Beach Wheels, which are wider and smoother for better float over loose sand and dirt.
 

That said, I do think RovR could have improved the design in a couple areas. First is the handle: Unlike the larger RollR 60 and RollR 80, the RollR 45 features a telescoping design that's noticeably flimsier at the joints. Considering the cooler is 37 pounds empty, I've found the handle isn't strong enough to save it from tipping over when knocked off balance. The handle is also susceptible to debris like sand and gravel creeping in at the adjustment points, which doesn't bode well for long-term durability. My second gripe is that the RollR 45 is tricky to lift by hand. Granted, it's meant to be wheeled, but in circumstances where carrying by hand is required—like out of a canoe or car—it's not a particularly easy process. With just one built-in handle opposite the telescoping handle, I've found it takes two people to comfortably lift the cooler (and even then, it's still awkward to carry, especially when weighed down with ice, food, and drinks). 
 

Ice Retention and Cooling Capabilities

With a thick outer shell, high-density foam insulation, a freezer-style gasket, and heavy-duty latches, the RollR 45 comes well equipped for sealing in cold. In testing, I did find the latches somewhat difficult to operate—they require a lot of force to pull into place—but the advantage is a reliable and leak-free seal. The wheeled design also minimizes the cooler's contact with the ground and keeps it from absorbing heat from the hot ground below. To optimize cooling capabilities, RovR suggests adding a bag of ice to pre-chill the cooler before packing, then draining and re-filling it with fresh ice before loading it with food and drinks (RovR has more helpful tips here). Following these guidelines, the RollR 45 kept our food and drinks cold for a full three days during our canoe trip, with plenty of ice remaining at the end that we could have stayed out longer.
 

I tested the RollR 45 alongside Yeti's Roadie 24 (which I reviewed last summer) and found that the RollR stayed colder for just a hair longer. Part of this was likely due to the fact that our Roadie is darker than the RollR and therefore more readily absorbs heat. Further, our test wasn't exactly scientific, and while I tried to create an identical ice-to-food ratio, the difference in size between the coolers made it somewhat difficult. In other words, there wasn't a clear winner, but the RollR's ability to keep up with Yeti's class-leading cold retention is impressive nonetheless.
 

Capacity

RovR states the RollR 45 can fit 22 cans and 10 pounds of ice with the included dry goods bin on one side, or 54 cans and 10 pounds of ice without the bin. For reference, the interior measures 14.6 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 14.1 inches at its deepest (the wheels eat into usable space a bit, resulting in a depth of 11.1 inches right above). In practice, the cooler easily accommodated enough food and drinks for two people during our three-day river trip: With two bags of ice, I was still able to fit a bottle of wine (which fits upright in the deeper section), a liter of soda, an assortment of cans, and plenty of fresh cheeses, meats, fruits, and vegetables. The included DeepFreeze Dry Bin does take up a good chunk of space, but it's removable and functional overall—I found it very handy for separating fresh food from melting ice.
 

Build Quality and Durability

In short, the RovR RollR is built to last with hardwearing materials and components throughout. The first indication is the cooler's rotomolded construction, which is notably tougher than what you get with an injection-molded design (rotomolded coolers are made with a continuous piece of plastic, while injection-molded coolers use multiple). In testing, the RollR handily withstood the rigors of our river trip, including being haphazardly dragged in and out of the canoe frequently, with virtually no signs of wear to show for it. It's also certified as bear-resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) when secured with a bear-proof lock (RovR sells one for $20). 
 

Another highlight is RovR's clear attention to detail. Take the drain system, for example: Unlike most designs, which feature a flat bottom, the RollR's interior is tiered, which allows water from melted ice to pool in the lowest part of the cooler (below the dry goods bin, if you're using it). As a result, the cooler requires very little tipping in order to drain, which means food and drinks stay mostly in place. As I mentioned, the telescoping handle doesn't inspire a ton of confidence compared to fixed designs, but RovR does offer a relatively generous warranty to back everything up (5 years for the body of the cooler and 12 months for all other components). 
 

Accessories and Add-ons

Customization is arguably the RollR's biggest strong suit and a key reason why many folks opt for a RovR in the first place. As we mentioned above, you can purchase wider and smoother Beach Wheels for navigating through sand, and RovR also sells attachments like a dual cup holder and Stash Bag for storing utensils and other kitchen accessories. Both of these items are included in the $80 Essentials Pack, along with a handy prep board that can be used for cutting or as a makeshift table. While I would normally use the top of the cooler to prepare food, I appreciate how the board allows for easy access to the RollR's contents.
 

I also used the LandR Bin, which is a soft-sided, foldable tote that attaches to the lid of the RollR and is helpful for stashing dry goods and extras like towels and jackets. Uniquely, RovR also sells a bike attachment kit for pulling the cooler behind a bike. Keep in mind that all of these add-ons come at an additional cost, and the cooler itself is already a pricey purchase at $349 for the 45-quart capacity. In other words, you'll want to consider how you intend to use your cooler before making the added investment. The good news is the accessories are of similar quality to the cooler itself, which means they should have a long and healthy lifespan.
 

Other Versions of the RovR RollR

We tested the RollR 45 for this review, which is the smallest option in the RollR collection. RovR also sells the larger RollR 60 and RollR 80, which retail for $399 and $499 respectively. In terms of capacity, the RollR 60 can fit 60 cans and 10 pounds of ice without the included dry goods bin, while the 80 can accommodate 120 cans and 20 pounds of ice. All versions share a similar overall design and feature set, although the larger RollRs trade the 45's telescoping handle for a fixed design that lays flush against the side of the cooler when not in use. In the end, a final decision will likely come down to your intended use(s) and camping preferences. If you often get out in a larger group, it's likely worth spending up for one of the bigger models. 
 

What We Like

• Beefy tires roll smoothly over most surfaces—even challenging terrain like rocks, roots, and mud. 
• Ice retention is competitive with the likes of Yeti, which is very high praise.
• Notably well built and durable with a tough rotomolded construction, thick outer shell, and high-quality components that hold up well to frequent use.
• Tiered interior makes draining melted ice a breeze (no need to aggressively tip the cooler to one side).
• Compatible with a ton of fun add-ons and accessories, from kitchen basics like cup holders and a prep board to a unique attachment kit for towing behind a bike.

What We Don’t

• Telescoping handle is relatively flimsy and susceptible to debris making its way inside the joints.
• Single built-in handle makes it difficult to lift and carry the cooler by hand, even over short distances (the 37-lb. dry weight doesn't help).
• Latches are notably stiff and require considerable force—and sometimes even two hands—to operate.
• Doesn't come cheap at $349 for the 45-quart capacity, and tacking on accessories will only add to that cost.
   

Comparison Table

*Editor's note: This number represents manufacturer-claimed ice retention. In real-world use and depending on the specific circumstances, we've found these times to be quite a bit lower.

The Competition

RovR's RollR 45 is an undeniably well-built and high-performing wheeled cooler, but there are plenty of capable designs to have on your radar. Yeti is arguably the biggest name in coolers and considered the gold standard when it comes to ice retention. From their competitive lineup, the Roadie 48 gives the RollR 45 a run for its money across the board. In addition to boasting a sturdier and more functional telescoping handle, the Roadie features easier-to-operate latches and a taller build that allows for more efficient packing (you can fit a lot of food and drinks below the dry goods basket). On the flip side, the RollR will save you around $50 while stacking up similarly in cold retention and overall durability, has beefier tires that are a better match for truly challenging terrain, and boasts a tiered bottom that makes draining melted ice a bit easier. But it's hard to compete with the Yeti name, and we certainly understand being willing to spend up for the Roadie's well-earned reputation and class-leading ice retention. 
 

Next up is a more budget-friendly—but still entirely capable—design to consider: RTIC's 52 QT Ultra-Light. As its name suggests, the RTIC is notably lighter than most competitors at 30 pounds empty, which is a significant 7 pounds less than the smaller RollR 45. Combined with the dual carry handles, the Ultra-Light is much easier to lift and carry by hand when needed. The rest of the feature set is equally well sorted, including heavy-duty wheels that do a good job absorbing impacts, a handy silicone cargo net underneath the lid for stashing foods like fruit or deli meat, a sturdy aluminum handle with grips for easy towing, and even a built-in bottle opener at one corner. The only notable downsides are that RTIC sells direct to consumer, meaning you won't get the luxury of seeing the cooler in person before buying, and its injection-molded build is a step down in durability from the RovR's premium rotomolded construction. But for most folks, the RTIC will offer plenty of performance at a much more palatable price point.

If looks aren't a big concern for you, Pelican's utilitarian 45QW Elite Wheeled Cooler has a lot to offer. Although it's injection-molded like the RTIC above, the Pelican is impressively well built and hardwearing (it's even certified as bear-resistant with the addition of a bear-proof lock). You also get burly wheels for navigating tricky terrain, two integrated handles for shuttling by hand, corrosion-resistant stainless steel hardware (including a built-in bottle opener), and even a scale on the lid for measuring the size of a fish. However, the RollR offers better customizability and more well-rounded performance for around $100 less, earning it our vote over the Pelican for most uses.
 

Last but not least is Coleman's 50-quart Xtreme, which is the cheapest option here at just $65. Right away, we'll note that this basic cooler is a far cry from the modern options above, but overall functionality is decent for the price. The simple plastic wheels and telescoping tow handle make transporting the cooler over smooth surfaces relatively easy, the hard-sided build provides modest insulation for day or short overnight getaways, and the integrated cup holders built into the lid are convenient for storing drinks. However, spending up for the RollR will get you sizable upgrades in all-around performance, durability, and cold retention. In other words, while the Coleman will meet the needs of casual users without breaking the bank, the RovR is the better long-term investment for committed outdoor-goers who plan to use their cooler frequently.