Best Wheeled Coolers | Top 5 Rolling Ice Chests

Getting away from it all can be hard enough.

"the boat show" flickr photo by egarc2 https://flickr.com/photos/egarc2/473893888 shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license

Add on all those extra provisions and somewhere to store them, a peaceful trip away can soon become an arduous task.

One of the best ways to ease your burden is to invest in a wheeled cooler.

That way you can save your back muscles but can still enjoy a cold beer or a fresh sandwich at your getaway destination.

I'm going to look at some of the best wheeled coolers online, all the while considering the cost, design, and other crucial quality features.

There's no reason a heavy ice chest should keep you from a cool beverage when you in the great outdoors.

After all, where there's a wheel there's a way.

Top 5 ​Rolling Coolers On The Market

1. Pelican 
Products 
ProGear Elite

First on my list is the Pelican Products ProGear Elite Wheeled Cooler.

Pelican is one of the most reputable cooler manufacturers in the world and one of our top 2 coolers brands and has over forty years of experience. 

The ProGear Elite does not buck their trend of rolling out yet another great ice chest.

Tough and UV resistant, this cooler will definitely be a great outdoor companion for a long time.

The chunky press and pull latches are excellent for use with gloves, while the non-skid feet will make sure the cooler doesn't go anywhere you don't want it to.

Want your food and drinks to stay cool for days without buying more ice? This cooler boast ten days of ice retention.

Lastly, the heavy duty wheels round out a great design.  At a premium price, the ProGear Elite is on the expensive side.

But with Pelican offering a guarantee for life, this is a sound investment and a winner of our “Top Choice” in the search for the best cooler with wheels.

Still not sure Pelican can withstand whatever you throw at it?  Check out there quick 30 second video below...​

2. Dometic White
 Avalanche Ultimate Cooler

The Dometic Avalanche Ultimate Wheeled Cooler is an absolute beast of a cooler and yet still has enough design finesse to be placed second on our wheeled coolers review list.

All-weather “T” latches, heavy duty all-terrain wheels, and a rugged construction makes this one of the best rolling coolers when it comes to durability.

The retractable handle is a nice touch, as you can easily tow your chilled-goods behind you, while the mold-in side handles are convenient for lifting.

The drain is well placed and very easy to clean, and you don't need to worry about losing the cap out in the wilderness because it's on a chain.

If you are looking for a nice mid-range rolling cooler, we recommend you check out this Dometic Avalanche.

3. Igloo Glide PRO Cooler 

The next best wheeled cooler on my list at a modest price is the Igloo Glide PRO Cooler.

Built with a tough frame, the Igloo Glide is constructed from polyethylene, and has virtually indestructible zinc-plated metal hinges.

This ice chest has a sleeker design than some of the others, but don't let that fool you: it's still as rugged as the terrain you'll be towing it to.

And with the over-sized sport rally wheels, rough ground won't be a problem.

This is a well-sealed, decent piece of kit, with ice retention of up to five days.  The handle is also conveniently placed for pulling.

4. Rubbermaid 60-Quart Ice Chest/Cooler

At a very affordable price, the Rubbermaid Ice Chest 60-quart is the first of my budget options.

This cooler comes in a nice range of sizes from 10 quarts to 60 quarts, with a fresh blue or hard-to-misplace red outer.

The easy to clean liner is also stain and odor resistant, while the thermal retention is good enough to keep food and drink chilled for a short trip.

The walls are thinner than some of the other models I've looked at, which is great for towing and moving, but not so great for longer trips.

So consider your needs when making this budget purchase.

5. Igloo 45069 Island Breeze Cooler

The most affordable of them all is the Igloo Island Breeze Cooler.

As the second Igloo on my list it is priced substantially lower than the rest of the pack.

For some trips, a larger ice chest will be more trouble than it's worth, so it's good to have a smaller cooler with some of the same impressive attributes as the ones listed above.

This little weekender has a telescoping handle, soft ride sport rally wheels and side scoop handles for ease of moving it around off the ground.

Decent ice-retention and plenty of room for provisions for a shorter trip, make this is a great small size choice.

We certainly wouldn’t recommend it for those looking for a long lasting durable option, but for those that are on a budget and don’t require a high quality cooler than we believe this Island Breeze might do the trick.

Conclusion

I've looked a range of wheeled coolers from large to small, suitable for short trips and long excursions.

It's important to think carefully about how long you plan to store your perishables for and what sort of terrain or outings you'll be using your ice chest on.

The usual size of your party will also be reflected in your needs, with solo travellers opting for a smaller, lighter cooler.

There are a lot of coolers to choose from, and this list is a fraction of the products available online.

From my top choice of the Pelican to the cheaper Igloo model, there's something out there for everyone.