In the average garden, there’s never a shortage of things to haul, including plants, soil, compost, and rocks, so it’s not a job you want to attempt on your own.
With that in mind, the wheelbarrow and garden cart have proven themselves to be invaluable tools that make the job easier, but finding the right fit can be tough.
The debate over garden carts versus wheelbarrows has been a long one, but when it comes to your gardening style, there’s usually a standout that will suit you best. A quick look at all the types and models available can be overwhelming though, and you want to be sure you’re choosing the best fit.
So, what is the best garden cart or wheelbarrow to use?
These tools are designed to help you move things around the garden with ease, and they differ in size and shape, and so do their wheels, with unique materials, sizes, and number all being different as well.
The best garden cart wheelbarrow variety for you depends on your needs, but it should be durable, easy to maneuver, and capable of carrying a heavy load.
With all of these requirements in mind, we’ve come up with a list of the best wheelbarrow and garden cart models, and a little more about what they offer and how they differ from the rest.
You’ll be assured to find one that suits you and have a guarantee of no more heavy lifting and hauling as long as it’s by your side.
There’s a lot of heavy lifting that goes on in a garden, and no matter what your weekend yard work schedule is, you can guarantee it’ll be made easier with a little help. We’ve got the best wheelbarrow reviews and the best garden carts around, so you can see how they stack up and which one is right for you.
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Best Garden Carts And Wheelbarrows – Reviews & Buying guide for 2021
Best Garden Cart: Gorilla Carts Poly Garden Cart
- Weight: 32lbs
- Type: Garden cart
- Tire Type: Pneumatic
Gorilla Carts is always at the top of the list when you look at the best garden cart reviews, and it’s easy to see why. These carts are tough as nails and the only companion you’d want by your side with its durable pneumatic wheels are towing capacity of up to 600lbs.
They’re constructed with a tough poly material that won’t rust or fade and can be easily pulled around filled up with rocks, pavers, soil, compost, and leaves.
The thing that sets this garden utility cart apart from the rest by miles is its weight capacity, being able to hold a massive 600 pounds. When you stack this up against the rest, it’s clear that Gorilla Carts know how to fill a hole in the market.
If you plan on carrying heavy loads and want something reliable, there’s really no better choice. The overall size isn’t the biggest, but it manages to carry heavier items with ease, and there’s no chance of it buckling under pressure.
However, according to some customers, they replaced the hardware before putting it together as these carts had a bad reputation in this regard.
You don’t have to follow their warnings, but some might want to, depending on how much you plan on using it and whether you’ve had an experience in the past of Gorilla Carts not being the best with their hardware.
The dimensions of the Gorilla Cart are 38.7 x 20 x 19.5 inches and it weighs only 32lbs, which can be deceptive when you consider how much it can carry. It’s made with a rustproof poly bed that can even be left out in the weather without being damaged, although it’s recommended to do your best to take care of it.
Pulling it around the garden is easy thanks to the padded pull handle, so even if you have a full load of 600lbs, you won’t develop blisters nor will you get the usual strain.
It has a quick-release dump feature that allows you to empty the contents, as easily as you would with a wheelbarrow, which earned it some points compared to the best 2-wheel wheelbarrow reviews.
To get your hands on the famous Gorilla Cart Poly Garden Cart and see what all the fuss is about, head to Amazon for the best price online. This is a heavy-duty garden cart for those with serious needs, and worth the investment if you know you can put it to good use.
Runner Up: Vivosun Folding Wagon
- Weight: 24.4lbs
- Type: Garden cart
- Tire Type: Plastic
When you need a high capacity wagon that has a lot of interior space, the Vivosun Folding Wagon is the best bet. When unfolded, this wagon measures 36.22 x 21.65 x 14.96 so it’s got ample space for large piles of leaves, soil, compost, mulch, and tree clippings.
With around 175lbs of weight capacity, it does pretty well in this regard as well, and you might be able to carry around some of the heavier things that other durable materials are capable of.
The coolest feature of the Vivosun Folding Wagon is its wheels, as not only are they durable, but easily maneuverable as well.
Customers found that thanks to the 360-degree rotation of them, they could move in and out of wherever they wanted to go, so even with a full load, they were able to maintain perfect control.
Because they’re made of hardened plastic, they won’t get punctured, but might not be the best when it comes to shock absorption.
If you’re choosing the Vivosun Folding Wagon, be careful where you keep it parked while you’re gardening, as you might find that it tries to escape you.
According to reviewers, they wanted future models of this wagon to feature a brake or some sort of lock that keeps it in place, otherwise, it will get away easily, and that’s not something you want to happen when it’s full of soil or garden rocks.
The Vivosun Folding Wagon is a high capacity wagon and is made with a heavy-duty metal frame.
Around the frame is 600D Oxford fabric and PVC that come together to create a durable and sturdy bed, but as it’s still a softer material, you need to be careful putting anything abrasive or sharp in there because it can easily poke through.
Included on this wagon is a pull handle that adjusts to suit your physical requirements, and locks in place where you need it to, as well as two drink holders, to keep cool in the garden.
When you’re not using your Vivosun wagon, it folds down with ease and takes up only 11.42 x 9.06 x 24.41 inches in space so it can go just about anywhere.
There’s no word on a warranty from the brand, which is disappointing, but Amazon offers free shipping and free returns within 30 days of your purchase. If you prefer a fabric wagon and don’t mind giving up a few of the extras with it, the Vivosun Folding Wagon is the best garden cart review on a budget.
Alternative: Macsports Collapsible Folding Wagon
- Weight: 28lbs
- Type: Wagon
- Tire Type: Plastic
When you want a little more from a cart than just being a gardening accessory, something like the Macsports Collapsible Folding Wagon might be more your style.
Although a great gardening tool, this 600D polyester fabric wagon can also be used for camping, carting sports equipment, and taking to the beach. It sits atop four plastic wheels and has a comfortable pull handle, keeping it balanced and steady wherever it goes.
According to customers, the Macsports Folding Wagon is so easy to pull around, and it worked just as well on all terrains. Because of the durable plastic wheels, it doesn’t feel as if it’ll get bogged anywhere, and it’s got good shock absorption that you usually only find with inflatable tires.
If your garden has some rocky or sandy landscapes and you want to be sure you have the cart for the job, this is the way to go.
This isn’t the best garden cart wheelbarrow for heavy loads though, and it’s not the most capable when compared to others we’ve reviewed with a maximum capacity of 150lbs.
You’re better off using the Macsports Collapsible Wagon for lighting gardening materials like tree trimmings, leaves, and mulch, otherwise heavier and rougher things like rocks and pavers could not only tear its fabric but also fall straight through.
The Macsports Collapsible Folding Wagon is capable of holding up to 150lbs of contents inside, but you have to be careful what you load it with.
Although made with a 600D polyester fabric, it’s still susceptible to tears, but it has interior dimensions of 36.2 x 21.4 x 24.59 inches so there’s more than enough room to fit most of your gardening supplies and trimmings in there.
The Macsports Collapsible Folding Wagon has an adjustable handle that telescopes down to the size you need, and the entire wagon folds down to just 10 inches of thickness so it can be carried anywhere you go.
If you plan on taking it on a picnic or to the beach, you’ll use the built-in cup holders and cell phone pocket, or you can even use them in your backyard to make gardening a bit more refreshing.
Although expensive, there’s plenty you can do with it, but there’s no official word on a warranty from the manufacturer. The Macsports Folding Collapsible Wagon is more than just a garden cart, and if you want versatility in the products you choose, this is one of the best.
Best Garden Wheelbarrow: Worx Aerocart
- Weight: 49lbs
- Type: Wheelbarrow
- Tire Type: Plastic
The Worx Aerocart is a special type of wheelbarrow and one that would make any gardener proud to use. Within this one device, you’ll get a bag holder, dolly, yard cart, plant mover, cylinder carrier, and trailer tote, plus more.
It’s capable of carrying up to 300lbs which makes it a serious workhorse and with most than enough weight capacity for most gardeners to enjoy.
Customers were thrilled to find how light everything felt when it made its way into the Worx Aerocart, and this is all thanks to their Turbo Lift design.
With this innovation, you’ll be able to carry 200lbs of material and it feels only like 17lbs, so if you’ve got a load full of rocks or pavers that you’re dreading carrying around, it’s the best two wheel wheelbarrow to use.
On the downside though, this isn’t the best option for someone who wants a wheelbarrow for construction or commercial use, as it’s more intended to be a home accessory.
Like a 2 wheel garden cart, this is for transporting things like mulch and soil and is quite narrow. You won’t find it helpful on a construction site where a much wider wheelbarrow is needed and you’ll find that you’re also limited in what you can carry, so some felt let down in this area.
The Worx Aerocart measures around 42 x 12 x 18 inches making it a unique shape and design, but one that gets the job done.
Included with the wheelbarrow are a few parts like bag holder, plant mover strap, and rock mover mesh, so it’s a comprehensive gardening tool that truly can do everything Worx promised it could.
With flat-free tires made of heavy duty plastic, there’s no need to worry about ever-inflating them. The Aerocart features a two-wheel placement that helps you shift the center of gravity as needed, depending on the job you’re doing, and it’s what makes it such a great multipurpose machine.
The total weight of the cart is less than 50lbs and it’s made even easier to carry thanks to the Turbo Lift design.
Although expensive, it comes with the trusted Worx name and a sturdy three-year warranty, which is more than we’ve found with other carts. This is a multipurpose device that’s capable of many things, and as long as you’re only using it in your garden, you’ll find that it never lets you down.
Runner Up: Polar Trailer Cub Cart
- Weight: 36lbs
- Type: Wheelbarrow
- Tire Type: Rubber
The Polar Trailer Cub Cart is a great choice of a wheelbarrow for people with more to carry, and those who don’t want to worry about damaging the delicate fabric of a cart.
This wheelbarrow weighs around 36lbs itself but can carry 600lbs, and you can put just about anything inside of it thanks to its durable and high-impact polyethylene tub.
Where this wheelbarrow stands out is its load capacity, and it’s one of the strongest of the carts and wheelbarrows we’ve reviewed. The Polar Trailer is capable of carrying loads up to 600lbs without breaking a sweat and you’ll always feel as though the load is steady and easy to maneuver.
The tires were a point of contention with some users, and they wished that there had been pneumatic or plastic tires installed instead.
There were issues with tires deflating or being busted before they even used it, and found that the instructions given with the Polar Trailer were less than sufficient. Considering the price, this is something that needs upgrading before the next model is released.
The overall dimensions of the Cub Cart are 50 x 28 x 29 inches so it’s pretty hefty, and not ideal if you’re low on storage space.
However, it makes gardening a whole lot easier and no matter what you’re carrying, you’ll get good control of it thanks to the wide handle and optimal load balance they’ve made sure to include in its design.
Although the tires had some issues with inflation, when they’re up and in good condition, they do a good job of keeping the cart steady and they’re wide enough to ensure balance.
The tub can fit seven cubic feet inside, which isn’t as large as others we’ve found, but should be enough for the average gardener to load up with ease. The tub measures 37″ x 27″ x 16″ so it’s fairly deep compared to other wheelbarrows, which could be a good or bad thing depending on what you’re hauling.
If you want a wheelbarrow that has a high weight capacity and don’t mind ironing out some of the smaller issues, the Cub Cart from Polar Trailer is the way to go. It comes with a one year warranty from the manufacturer.
However, if heavier loads are your goal, you’ll be happy to pay for it and be grateful you had something like this to help you out in the garden.
Alternative: Bosmere Folding Wheelbarrow
- Weight: 9.5lbs
- Type: Wheelbarrow
- Tire Type: Plastic
If your needs for the garden are only minimal and you want something lightweight to help you haul stuff to and fro, a simple option like the Bosmere Folding Wheelbarrow might be the way to go.
This is a compact design that measures 32 x 20 x 29 inches when it’s unfolded and ready for action, and it comes with three storage pouches on its body so you can keep your tools and supplies close by.
The best thing about this wheelbarrow is its small size, and if you’ve shopped around before for wheelbarrows and carts and found they were all too bulky, this will impress you as well.
You can fit into tight spaces and maneuver it around awkward garden paths, even slotting it away neatly somewhere when it’s no longer needed.
On the downside, this narrow shape is also a negative, and particularly if you were buying it to do more than just haul some weeds and trimmings around.
It’s also made of fabric which makes it feel less flimsy than others, so you need to be careful about what you’re putting inside, and don’t push it past what it was intended to do, unlike some of the other reviewers had.
The Bosmere Folding Wheelbarrow requires some assembly when it arrives, but nothing too tricky. When you’re done using it, it folds away easily to a size of around 45 x 13 inches so it can be out of sight and out of mind.
Because it weighs less than 10lbs in total, it’s easily the lightest wheelbarrow we’ve ever found, and perfect for people who don’t have the strength or need for anything too bulky.
The wheels on the Bosmere Folding Wheelbarrow are made of durable plastic and they seem as if they’ll last longer than the wheelbarrow body itself, but only time will tell.
The bag is made with a PVC backed polyester material that’s tougher than it looks and easy to keep clean, with a simple wipe down being all you need to remove stains, and the possibility to wash it out with your garden hose.
If you only require a lightweight wheelbarrow and want one with the size and price to match, the Bosmere Folding Wheelbarrow is your gardening dream. Not all wheelbarrows have to be heavy to make gardening easier, and the Bosmere has proven that.
Garden Carts and Wheelbarrows FAQ
Before you equip yourself with a wheelbarrow or garden cart, you need to know the ins and outs of what these vessels offer. Today’s wheelbarrow looks nothing like the models of years ago, and they’ve certainly changed for the better.
We’ve answered the important questions about both tools to try and give you a clearer understanding of which one best suits your gardening habits.
A garden cart or wheelbarrow should be purchased based on your needs, so it should be maneuverable, have enough volume to carry its intended contents, and with stable wheels to keep it balanced and give you control.
First, you should establish what you plan on using it for, and then you’ll be able to find one that matches those needs.
The capacity of a garden cart or wheelbarrow is usually measured in cubic feet, but what it’s capable of carrying will depend on its constructions and the wheels supporting it.
The load that these tools can carry is measured in lbs, so if you plan on carrying heavier items like rocks and pavers, choose something with the strength to do it.
Provided you don’t overfill a garden cart or wheelbarrow, they should be easy enough to push or pull around even when they’re full.
A wheelbarrow is better suited for getting into narrow spaces and tipping the load over as you get greater control, whereas a garden cart can be pulled behind you but doesn’t have as much maneuverability.
Natural or synthetic rubber wheels are the most common types in garden carts and wheelbarrows because they’re durable and capable of carrying heavy loads, and inflatable rubber tires can offer better shock absorption.
However, plastic tires are generally considered a cheaper option that is lightweight and easy to maintain, but not as strong.
Your Best Friend in the Garden
Regardless of whether you choose the wheelbarrow or garden cart, you’ll have a new best friend in the garden that you’ll never want to live without.
There’s no shortage of ways you can put it to use, whether it’s loading up compost to spread over the garden or storing all of the clippings you’ve made while pruning the hedges.
We’ve found the best rated wheelbarrow and garden cart in every category, with something special to suit your gardening needs and physical requirements.
With any of these picks, you’ll have a trusted companion that takes the usual backache out of gardening, and a tool that will last for many seasons of yard work in your future.