The 14 Best Beach Wagons of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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We love beach wagons that can move on all kinds of surfaces and store everything we need for a great day out.
Travel + Leisure / Kaya Abrahamson
Don’t get us wrong: trendy beach bags are fashionable and convenient choices for when you have a handful of essentials to take with you to the beach. But if you’ve got your entire family in tow, or if you’re lugging a beach umbrella and a couple of lounge chairs down to the water, you’ll need something a little bigger and easier to take along. Beach wagons were created for exactly that exact purpose — they’re spacious, easy to wheel across the sand and parking lot, and usually pretty sturdy. Some are even equipped with seats for the kids or pets. But with so many seemingly similar options on the market, it can be difficult to pinpoint the one that best meets your needs.
After personally testing more than a dozen beach wagons, we landed on Beau Jardin’s Folding Beach Wagon as our favorite, thanks to its easy setup and expert navigation over everything from soft sand to gravel pathways. If you’re looking for something more compact, kid-friendly, or capable of carrying larger loads, keep reading. Our list includes the perfect pick for every type of beach-goer.
Best Overall: Beau Jardin Folding Beach Wagon
Why We Love It
It’s easy to set up and break down, and its wheels easily navigate any terrain.
What to Consider
The metal bars may eventually chip.
While every beach wagon on our list will efficiently get the job done, the Beau Jardin Folding Beach Wagon stood out in our testing. The wagon is both spacious and collapsible, which means you’ll be able to fit all your beach essentials, but you can also easily fold it down at the end of the day and store it in your car.
Perhaps the most convenient feature on the wagon is the wheel structure. At 4 inches wide and 7 inches in diameter, the oversized wheels are rugged enough to traverse everything from ultra-fine sand to cobblestone walkways without hesitation. Other perks include a telescoping handle, two cup holders, a weight capacity of 300 pounds, and removable fabric that makes the wagon even easier to fold and clean. It is even available in five colors ranging from black to teal.
We were impressed not only by the ease of transport and added features, but also by the wagon’s versatility and simplicity on every front. If you're looking for a straightforward contraption to carry and hold your things on a beach or camping trip, this is your best option. It requires no assembly, is light to carry, and simply folds open and closed.
Price at time of publish: $163
Details: 34.3 x 20 x 26.4 inches | 28.9 pounds | Polyester, alloy steel
Best Overall, Runner-up: Sekey Collapsible Cart with Brake
Why We Love It
It cuts through terrains of all types and is built to last.
What to Consider
It’s a bit heavier than it looks.
We highly recommend the Sekey Folding Wagon Cart, a near-perfect beach wagon, thanks to its steel frame that is capable of hauling up to 265 pounds, brakes that work on terrains of all types, and extra-wide wheels with excellent traction. Those wheels are uniquely designed to not crash into each other, despite their thickness and close proximity, and they feature eight bearings, including two low-noise bearings that provide a quiet and smooth ride, no matter the terrain or load weight.
Our favorite thing about the Sekey, however, is its ease of use and obvious stability that’s not likely to diminish with wear. We recommend this cart to anyone who needs a cart that can handle multiple kinds of terrain and pack away nicely when not in use.
Price at time of publish: $140
Details: 23.23 x 17.72 x 17.72 inches | 25.3 pounds | Alloy steel
Best for Uneven Terrain: Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Beach Wagon
Why We Love It
Its wheels are essentially unstoppable, and it fits plenty of gear.
What to Consider
Because the wheels are so big, it’s slightly harder to store than other wagons on our list.
If you’re looking for something you can take everywhere from grassy parks to sandy beaches to gravel walking paths, consider this heavy-duty option from Mac Sports. Its ultra-rugged wheels are 4 inches thick and 10 inches in diameter, so virtually no rock, stick, or mud puddle can stop it from smoothly gliding along behind you. It holds up to 150 pounds and features a long, telescoping handle, yet it folds up to a fraction of its size for relatively easy storage. The fabric part slides right off the metal frame for cleaning purposes, and two mesh bottle holders make beach day hydration a breeze.
We were blown away by all of the wagon’s features and found its ability to fit a family’s worth of accessories to be especially memorable.
Price at time of publish: $159
Details: 36.2 x 24.6 x 21.4 inches | 24.5 pounds | Plastic
Related: We Tested the Best Backpack Coolers to Keep Refreshments Frosty
Best Convertible: Mac Sports Beach Day Foldable Chaise Lounge Chair with Integrated Wagon Pull Cart
Why We Love It
When you’re not using it as a wagon, you can use it as a beach chair.
What to Consider
Transforming the wagon into a chair and back takes some practice.
This two-in-one wagon from Mac Sports can help you cut down on how much gear you’re toting to the beach. Fill up the wagon’s deep body with towels, toys, coolers, and more to wheel it down to the water. Once you get there, simply unfold it into one of four different lounge chair positions, all great for sunbathing. Two rugged wheels and a telescoping handle make the wagon easy to tilt on its side and pull behind you. In wagon position, it carries up to 100 pounds, while in chair position, the weight limit is 200 pounds.
We found the wagon to be one of the most unique and interesting options we tried. The already reasonable price is made even more appealing by the wagon’s two-in-one feature.
Price at time of publish: $118
Details: 60.63 x 30.3 x 23.62 inches (chair), 40.9 x 33.9 x 30.3 inches (cart) | 20.9 pounds | Polyester, aluminum, plastic
Best for Carrying Kids: Veer Cruiser Stroller Wagon
Why We Love It
It feels luxurious and is packed with features typical of strollers.
What to Consider
It’s the most expensive wagon on our list.
Sometimes, a beach trip involves toting more than just towels and snacks—if you’ve got kids, a wagon that’s strong enough to hold them, too, is ideal. That’s why we’re so fond of the Veer Cruiser. Despite its compact and lightweight construction, the wagon is sturdy and comfortable enough to haul up to 55 pounds on each of its two seats and 350 pounds altogether. It also features large, durable wheels, water-resistant hardware, two cup holders, and a snack tray. Its genius design even makes it easy to push, pull, or carry alongside you like luggage.
We loved the luxe, reliable feel that this wagon provided, but families without small children likely won’t find use for all of its features. The materials were sturdy, the wheels were large and rugged, and it felt like it would last a long time.
Price at time of publish: $699
Details: 37 x 25 x 23 inches | 32.5 pounds | Aluminum
Best for Carrying Pets: Radio Flyer Off-Road EZ Fold All-Terrain Wagon with Canopy
Why We Love It
It is easy to fold down and has a UV-blocking canopy.
What to Consider
There is a small amount of assembly that can be confusing the first time around.
Thinking of taking the pups to the beach? Go for the Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Folding Cart. While it’s another great option for toting kids, it’s even better for pets, thanks to its high walls, UV-blocking canopy, and lightweight build. The most interesting thing about this wagon, though, is that it can be ridden in three ways: hauling, two-rider seating, and bench seating. It holds up to 150 pounds and folds down for easy storage. It even has two cup holders and a rear storage pouch, which holds the canopy when you’re not using it.
The fact that this wagon has a canopy made an impression on us, and its easy breakdown made it especially practical.
Price at time of publish: $141
Details: 39 x 32.7 x 18.5 inches | 23 pounds | Plastic
Related: The Best Beach Chairs for All-day Comfort
Easiest to Set Up: Whitsunday Collapsible Folding Cart
Why We Love It
It’s affordable and super-simple to use.
What to Consider
The wheels drag slightly in the sand.
If your main objective when going to the beach is getting from your car or hotel to the shore as quickly as possible, you may be interested in the Whitsunday Collapsible Folding Cart. The wagon earned our pick for easiest setup because there really is no setup at all. Simply unfold it in one swift motion to open it, and fold it back down essentially the same way. Once open, it holds up to 120 pounds and boasts a 360-degree swivel telescopic handle that can be adjusted length-wise. The wheels also rotate 360 degrees, and shoppers can choose from 12 different colors and prints.
Based on the wagon’s simplicity and reasonable price point, we believe it would make the perfect addition to any beach gear collection. It’s worth noting that while the simplicity of this wagon impressed us, it wasn’t the easiest to actually push on the sand.
Price at time of publish: $86
Details: 28 x 16.9 x 10.5 inches | 18.6 pounds | Rubber, canvas
Best Vertical: Rio Brands Beach Wonder Wheeler Deluxe Beach Wagon
Why We Love It
It’s incredibly sturdy and glides smoothly on sand.
What to Consider
Assembly and folding may be confusing on the first use.
Looking for something a little different? Try Rio Brands’ Deluxe Wonder Wheeler Beach Wagon. Instead of a traditional wagon structure, this one sits upright, similar to a wheeled laundry basket or stroller. Its deep storage area accommodates everything from coolers to folding beach chairs to towels, and thanks to its elongated shape, even beach umbrellas fit with ease. The durable wagon can carry up to 100 pounds and expertly traverses sand, grass, and other uneven surfaces. It also includes a tote bag with a shoulder strap that you can remove and take with you, separate from the wagon.
The best features on this vertical wagon are the heavy-duty wheels and all-around rugged, reliable build; we were particularly impressed with how well it rolled over a variety of surfaces.
Price at time of publish: $116
Details: 32.1 x 20.28 x 5.12 inches | 18 pounds | Aluminum
Best for Carrying Large Loads: My Beach Cart Foldable Beach Cart
Why We Love It
It’s fantastic on sand and helpful for carrying large objects.
What to Consider
It’s a bit bulky and can take up to 30 minutes to assemble.
Toting large, heavy items has never been so easy. With My Beach Cart’s Foldable Beach Cart, you can move oversized gear for business or pleasure from your car down to the water with minimal effort. The wagon includes two 12-inch quick-release balloon tires that smoothly roll over sand, as well as a tire pump and inflation tool. Secure your items under two snapped straps on the anti-slip cargo deck or toss them in a zippered cargo bag on the front.
We also found this wagon to be one of the easiest to use on sand. The tires allow for the wagon to sit on top of the sand rather than being dragged through it.
Price at time of publish: $299
Details: 42.8 x 29.53 x 28 inches | 18 pounds | Aluminum, polyurethane
Related: The 18 Best Beach Bags and Totes of 2023
Most Versatile: Navatiee Collapsible Folding Wagon
Why We Love It
It’s extra-spacious and can be used beyond the beach.
What to Consider
The back wheels don’t swivel.
The Navatiee Collapsible Folding Wagon is heavy-duty yet easy to store. We love how sturdy and smooth the wagon felt over multiple terrains and were especially impressed by its ability to safely carry things beyond typical beach items, such as groceries or gardening tools—one even mentioned that it worked well for toting photography equipment. It’s composed of a corrosion-resistant and anti-oxidation metal frame, so you can rest assured that this nearly indestructible wagon won’t soon rust or fade. It also features an internal volume that's 40 percent larger than other similar wagons, meaning you can fit everything you need in it and then some.
The Navatiee dazzled our team for a number of reasons, including the easy fold-down process and the sheer volume of cargo it can carry.
Price at time of publish: $140
Details: 35.5 x 19.7 x 13 inches | Details: 23. 1 pounds | Details: Iron
Most Pockets: Timber Ridge Folding Collapsible Wagon
Why We Love It
It has a space for everything, and there’s no setup required.
What to Consider
The wheels can get stuck in fine sand.
If you find yourself carrying lots of small, miscellaneous items like water bottles, keys, or glasses cases to the beach, a pocket-packed wagon like this one from Timber Ride is sure to make beach days easier. The wagon features three mesh storage side pockets, a side zipper bag, two cup holders, and a foldable pad to use for compartmentalizing purposes. It also boasts two front wheels that swivel 360 degrees, an extendable handle, and a sturdy frame that's capable of hauling up to 150 pounds.
Perhaps our favorite thing about the Timber Ridge Folding Double Decker wagon, though, was its nonexistent setup time. The wagon is ready to go right out of the box, you just expand it, and you're ready to fill it up and get moving.
Price at time of publish: $147
Details: 39 x 35.5 x 18.4 inches| 24 pounds | Alloy steel
Most Spacious: Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon
Why We Love It
It’s roomy, extra-sturdy, and waterproof.
What to Consider
It doesn’t glide over sand as easily as some other options on our list.
The Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon has the largest interior compartment of all the picks on our list. However, it’s still capable of folding down enough to easily stow it away in your car or home. The wagon is built with 3.9-inch thick wheels that roll right over sand, rocks, and twigs, as well as a steel frame that can carry up to 220 pounds. A telescoping handle and two mesh cup holders on the front up the convenience factor while a removable lining makes cleaning a breeze. To top it all off, the wagon is waterproof.
This is best for anyone that needs to carry a lot of stuff to the beach and doesn't want a lot of fuss. It was easy to pull through sand and gravel and the handle made it easy to navigate.
Price at time of publish: $130
Details: 36.6 x 22.4 x 15.3 inches | 30.7 pounds | Alloy steel
Best for Fine Sand: Portal Collapsible Utility Wagon
Why We Love It
You’ll never have to worry about the wheels getting stuck or sinking in the sand.
What to Consider
It’s a bit bulky.
When you’ve had it with wagons that sink into the sand instead of rolling over it, take a look at the Portal Collapsible Wagon. Like many of the wagons on our list, it’s equipped with useful features like a telescoping handle and two cup holders on the front. But unlike several of them, its rugged, swiveling wheels actually cut through sand, making it the ultimate beach wagon for those who prefer the sandy beaches of the southeast and California. The wagon also boasts a foldable frame, a washable lining, and a 225-pound weight capacity, so it’s perfect for activities like gardening and laundry, as well.
We thoroughly enjoyed the strength of the wagon and how easy it was to pull. We were also able to pack large items like chairs into the wagon without affecting the smooth roll.
Price at time of publish: $130
Details: 35.4 x 22.4 x 19 inches | 22.5 pounds | Steel, rubber
Best All-terrain: Bob Gear Renegade Wagon
Why We Love It
It can fit up to three children.
What to Consider
It takes some added effort to pull over soft sand.
Larger families, or heavy packers, will love this large capacity wagon that can handle pretty much any terrain. It's very easy to set up with clear assembly instructions and can be folded down quickly for easy storage. Even when full, the wagon rolls well over gravel, packed sand, and most other terrains. This is a great option for keeping kids safe and comfortable on long walks or outings as it comes with a snack tray, cupholders, and a retractable canopy. There are also enough safety buckles for up to three children, making this a great option for families with multiple kids.
After our weeks of tests, we love that the wagon is extremely sturdy and well-built. The quality is so high that it makes this wagon well worth the price and will last long enough for many little ones to enjoy for years to come.
Price at time of publish: $650
Details: 49.62 x 28.61 x 27.83 inches | 40 pounds | Aluminum, polyurethane foam
Other Beach Wagons We Liked
Mac Sports Double Decker Wagon: We enjoyed this wagon’s easy setup and substantial storage space, but felt that it would be better as a park wagon, as the wheels got stuck easily in sand and gravel, and the handle often got stuck in the locked position.
Seina Compact Collapsible Wagon: While this wagon impressed us with a sturdy build and compact size when folded down, its tiny wheels simply could not traverse sand or rocks.
Gorilla Carts Steel Garden Cart: This wagon is durable and works as it should, but we disliked that it took 20 minutes to set up. While you could set it up once and leave it that way forever, it’s huge, so it would only work for someone who has a large trunk on their vehicle.
Our Testing Process
To review each beach wagon in this roundup accurately, we sent a few wagons to several regular beachgoers to personally “test drive.” Our testers wheeled them over fine sand and various other terrains to experience the wagons the same way a shopper would. To get a true feel for the beach wagons, they actually used the wagons during real, day-long beach trips.
Tips for Buying a Beach Wagon
Think about the terrain you’ll use it on
Will you be pulling your wagon at the beach? The park? Your backyard garden? Not all wagons are created equal, and not all are made for gliding over soft, grainy surfaces. If you plan on using your wagon as a true beach wagon, be sure to choose one with large, thick tires that swivel and rotate—otherwise, you may end up dragging your wagon through sand or gravel rather than smoothly rolling it across.
Consider what (or whom) you’ll be carrying
It’s unwise to assume that a beach wagon made for carrying gear and equipment is also a good choice for toting kids or pets around and vice versa. Your wagon may effortlessly hold beach chairs and coolers, but a much heavier child or animal that moves around likely won’t be as easy to pull—in fact, your wagon may sink too far into the sand to move, or break altogether. It’s also worth noting that many wagons made for children and pets may not be fit for toting gear, as built-in seats take up ample space and make the wagon unnecessarily heavy. Look closely at the tires and the weight capacity to suit your needs.
Know that some take up more space than others
Some beach wagons fold down nearly flat, which is incredibly convenient for many reasons. Many fold down partially, which is also quite helpful. Still, some wagons don’t shrink in any way. Before you buy, think about how you’ll be storing and transporting your wagon, and opt for one that re-sizes accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I put in my beach wagon?
Beach wagons are meant to carry everything from towels and a change of clothes to beach chairs, umbrellas, and coolers. It’s also a good idea to keep items like water bottles, sunscreen, and even a first aid kit in your wagon’s pockets. Feel free to also load your wagon with yard tools, laundry, or lightweight gear for various hobbies when you’re not using it at the beach. You should avoid putting your kids or pets in your wagon unless it is specifically made to carry them.
How and where should I store it?
When it comes to transportation, most wagons fold down small enough to fit in car trunks, and some are even compact enough to stow in your vehicle’s backseat. For a more permanent, year-round storage spot, fold your wagon down as small as it gets, and place it on a closet floor or a garage or attic if you have the room. Flatter wagons can even fit under your bed.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure editors have done it all, from beach vacations to remote mountain getaways—our team knows their stuff when it comes to traveling. So when we tested more than a dozen beach wagons for this story, we knew exactly which features would be helpful to beach-goers and which would only make things more difficult. Editor Hillary Maglin listed only the best beach wagons our team decided on, and she categorized them to take the hard part out of your shopping experience.
Related: From Spacious Towels to Sturdy Umbrellas, These Are the Best Beach Accessories
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