The 8 Best Garden Carts of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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Say goodbye to lugging heavy gardening supplies
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Fact checked by Shereen Jegtvig
A garden cart is an invaluable tool, to transport items around your yard with ease. Smaller, lightweight models, easily pushed or pulled by hand, work well for moving basic gardening supplies. Heavy-duty options, including electric carts, can help make handling hefty loads like rocks, bricks, and firewood, almost effortless.
"There are many garden carts available to make gardening tasks more efficient and perhaps safer for growers of all ages and experience levels, “ says Ashlie Thomas, a gardener and author of “How to Become a Gardener: Find Empowerment in Creating your own Food Security.” Thomas adds, “Choosing the right cart for your needs may be based on a number of factors, however there are four things that I recommend considering when shopping around: the cart’s durability, stability, maneuverability, and the type of material.”
We researched the best garden carts in a variety of styles and sizes. and put several to the test in The Lab in Des Moines Iowa and across the country on sand, dirt, concrete, and other terrain. We evaluated all products on set up, design, ease of use, capacity, maneuverability, durability, and value, to help you find the best option for your gardening needs.
Best Overall: Ames Lawn Buddy 2 Cubic-Foot Rolling Garden Cart
Ames Lawn Buddy Rolling Garden Cart is a solid choice for light gardening tasks.
What We Like
Lightweight and easy to maneuver
Comes fully assembled
Holds a full bag of mulch
Versatile design
What We Don't Like
Handle isn't the most comfortable
Tighter turns are harder to make when full
The Ames Lawn Buddy Rolling Garden Cart is our favorite garden cart tested in our lab because it is versatile, durable, reasonably priced, and perfect for light-duty gardening tasks. With a 2-cubic foot capacity, it’s ideal for transporting plants, a few bags of soil, and gardening tools. We love that this cart came fully assembled, so we could get right to work. We tested its capacity with a large bag of mulch which fit perfectly and was easy to dump out onto the ground. While testing its maneuverability, we pulled this cart through an obstacle course and were impressed by how stable it felt, and how easy it was to turn. However, we did find it a little difficult to make tight turns, especially when filled with mulch when we went through the course the second time.
While it's not the best option for hauling larger, heavier loads, we love all of the features this lightweight cart provides. It features a removable tray that’s ideal for storing all of your gardening equipment as well as molded clips on the stand to accommodate long-handled tools. The handle folds down, transforming this cart into a comfortable seat, so you can take a break, or work in the garden without having to bend or crouch down—we feel like it's even durable enough to use as a footrest if you want to lounge on a chair in your garden and put your feet up. Plus, there are two beverage holders on the top so you can keep drinks handy on hot days. The handle isn't padded, so it might not be that comfortable to haul when at capacity for longer periods of time, but it's comfortable enough to move around your garden or yard.
Price at time of publish: $93
Dimensions: 26.5 x 15 x 14 inches | Material: Plastic︱Weight Capacity: 200 pounds
Best Dump Cart: Gorilla Carts GOR4PS 4 Cubic-Foot Garden Dump Cart
What We Like
Quick-release dumping system
High weight capacity
Very easy to maneuver
Padded handle
What We Don't Like
Long assembly time
During testing, we found plenty of things to love about the Gorilla Carts 4 Cubic-Foot Dump Cart, but what impressed us the most was its quick-release dumping system. While it takes effort to pull or push the wagon, especially when full, we found dumping the contents out to be a breeze. We just had to pull a level on the front of the frame which did the heavy work of propelling the tub backward and ejecting the contents of the tub. Aside from being a great dump cart, we love how well it maneuvers almost any type of terrain you will encounter in your backyard. We had no trouble maneuvering it over mulch, gravel, pavement, and landscape edging in our obstacle course. It also has a large weight capacity of 600 pounds and is large enough to hold 2 large bags of mulch.
While we love the design, we do want to point out that we spent over an hour assembling the cart, so we recommend having a friend to help, and power tools if you have them. We did find the instructions to be easy to follow though, with step-by-step illustrations. Also, the tires deflated a bit during use but didn't seem to affect the durability or performance. We recommend filling them with air after lapses in use.
Price at time of publish: $105
Dimensions: 38.7 x 20 x 19.5 inches | Material: Alloy steel and plastic︱Weight Capacity: 600 pounds
Best Collapsible: Sekey Collapsible Cart with Brake
What We Like
Multipurpose
220-pound weight capacity
Compact design
Durable fabric and frame
What We Don't Like
A bit heavy to carry
We fell in love with the Sekey Collapsible Cart with Brake while testing folding wagons and think it's also a great option for your yard and garden needs. We tested this wagon for weeks and brought it to the beach to see how it maneuvered over sand, filled to the brim with beach supplies. We were impressed by how smoothly and quietly this cart operates and found it to be very spacious with a 220-pound weight capacity. We also liked how the wheels rotated 360 degrees, so we could maneuver the cart easily around obstacles. While we didn't test it in a garden setting, the polyester fabric is durable, so it should be able to hold up to whatever tools or gardening supplies you tote (we noticed no wear or tear while toting our beach umbrella and other supplies).
We found the cart to be very easy to open or collapse, and you can even push in the handle to save even more space. The frame itself folds flat to about 8 inches, so you can easily pack it into your trunk or a small outdoor shed. At 25.3 pounds, this cart can be a bit heavy to carry, but luckily you can even roll it when folded so it shouldn't be an issue. Plus, no assembly is required so you can start using it for gardening, beach trips, or even for transporting groceries from your car to your home right away.
Price at time of publish: $130
Dimensions: 38.58 x 23.23 x 42.13 inches | Material: Alloy metal, Oxford fabric, PVC plastic wheels with rubber tread | Weight capacity: 220 pounds
Best Electric: SuperHandy Utility Service Cart
This electric cart from SuperHandy is ideal for transporting heavy-duty loads.
What We Like
Electric, self-propelled technology
Moves heavy loads with minimal effort
Long battery life
Dump feature for easy unloading
What We Don't Like
Expensive
Instructions are lacking
We love this electric garden cart from SuperHandy because it makes it easy to transport heavy loads, and requires minimal physical effort. It can haul up to 1,000 pounds and hold up to 500 pounds in its bed. If you remove the side panels, this cart can be used as a flatbed. All of the controls, including the power switch and accelerator, are located within easy reach at the base of the handles. Plus, this cart has the ability to go forward or in reverse. The brushless motor system is powered by one or two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which can last anywhere from two to five hours on a single charge. Unlike gasoline-powered models, this electric cart is quieter and doesn’t produce any exhaust.
The extra-large, pneumatic tires provide a smooth ride on all types of terrain—just note that they have a tendency to lose air pretty quickly and will need to be refilled. Another convenient feature is the dump function, which allows you to easily tilt the bed and empty its contents. Considering its advanced technology and convenient operation, it's no big surprise that the SuperHandy is significantly pricier than other options, but it can be worth the cost if you find yourself hauling heavy garden supplies around your yard. The only other major complaint is that the instructions are lacking, which can make the assembly process a bit challenging.
Price at time of publish: $1,199
Dimensions: 58 x 23 x 13 inches︱Material: Alloy steel︱Weight Capacity: 500 pounds (1,000 pounds when hauling)
Best Budget: Suncast Resin 15.5 Gallon Multi-Purpose Cart with Wheels
What We Like
Lightweight and easy to maneuver
Durable construction
Rolls easily on smooth, flat terrain
Collapsible handle for compact storage
What We Don't Like
Limited to light-duty use
Handle is too short for some
A favorite among consumers for transporting groceries, this compact rolling cart from Suncast is also ideal for moving small loads around the garden. With a 15.5-gallon capacity, it’s ideal for transporting dirt, mulch, and other lighter items. At 10 pounds, this cart is extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver. Like any light-duty garden cart with plastic wheels, it rolls smoothly on paved surfaces and flat lawns, but will likely struggle on uneven terrain. Constructed from heavy-duty resin, this cart is durable and both water- and UV-resistant.
One potential downside to the simple design is that once extended, the handle only works in one position–and might be too short for some users. On a positive note, the handle collapses for compact storage in a garage or shed. Plus, the assembly process is very simple; all you need to do is attach the handle.
Price at time of publish: $40
Dimensions: 22.5 x 20.75 x 34.75 inches︱Material: Plastic︱Weight Capacity: 15.5 gallons
Best Foldable: Allsop WheelEasy 3 Cubic-Foot Foldable Garden Cart
What We Like
Folds for easy storage
Lies flat for loading
Lightweight
What We Don't Like
Expensive
Confusing instructions
The Allsop WheelEasy Foldable Garden Cart is an excellent option if your outdoor storage space is limited. This foldable garden cart is lightweight at only 15 pounds when empty, and can easily be stored in a small outdoor storage bench or other small area. While testing, we were impressed by how easy it was to maneuver both empty and full over every type of terrain in our testing area. Thanks to the soft, padded handles, it was also easy to dump, and we especially loved that it lies flat on the ground, so you can rake leaves or other debris right into it. We found the fabric to also be very durable, and even when we filled it with mulch and other supplies, it didn't make dents, scratches, or notable marks.
However, putting together this cart was quite a struggle, and we found the instructions to be very confusing. Although the 30-minute assembly time was not our longest during testing, it seemed longer, as there were a lot of parts to assemble, and the instructions were geared towards a larger model and had small illustrations. Our first attempt actually resulted in a defective product, but we were able to get a new one from the manufacturer and the new cart was assembled and used without any other issues. We also want to point out that this is a pricey product, especially considering how small it is. However, we love it for its compact, foldable design, and think it's a great option for those with limited storage space.
Price at time of publish: $154
Dimensions: 66 x 48 x 18 inches︱Material: Nylon Canvas︱Weight Capacity: 150 pounds
Best Tow Behind: Brinly-Hardy Tow-Behind Poly Utility Cart
Attaching to just about any conveyance, this powerful machine can haul just about anything and deposit it quickly.
What We Like
Ideal for hauling hefty loads
Extremely durable
Universal hitch
Hands-free dumping release via foot pedal
What We Don't Like
Limited to tow-use only
Equipped with a universal hitch pin, Brinly’s tow-behind utility cart can be attached to a lawn tractor, ATV, or UTV. It can hold up to 650 pounds of weight, so it’s ideal for hauling heavy items such as rocks, firewood, and topsoil. To ensure years of reliable use, this cart features a rust-proof, heavy-duty polypropylene bed, along with a powder-coated steel frame. The bed is incredibly spacious and can hold up to 10 cubic feet of material. Note that this cart doesn’t come with a handle, and it is not intended for manual operation.
We love that the oversized pneumatic tires provide excellent traction and stability, even on rugged terrain. The dumping bed tilts to a 56-degree angle and it’s operated by a quick-release foot pedal. Once the contents have been emptied, the bed locks back into trailering position. And while some assembly is required, the process is easy thanks to clear instructions.
Price at time of publish: $424
Dimensions: 67 x 38 x 27.25 inches︱Material: Plastic bed/steel frame︱Weight Capacity: 650 pounds
Best with Seat: Best Choice Products 4-Wheel Garden Cart Mobile Rolling Work Seat
This seated cart is durable and very easy to maneuver.
What We Like
Heavy-duty, all-terrain design
Built-in storage basket and tray
Adjustable swivel seat
Easy steering
What We Don't Like
Limited storage space
This versatile cart from Best Choice Products has a built-in seat, eliminating the need for you to crouch down or bend over while gardening. The adjustable seat swivels 360 degrees, so you can access tight spots with ease. It also has a front turn bar that swings 90 degrees, allowing you to push, pull, or steer the cart around your yard with minimal effort.
Equipped with a built-in tray and basket, this cart provides ample space to store all of your gardening tools but keep in mind that it is not designed for carrying bags of mulch or other large items. The seat is made of heavy-duty metal and it sits atop a sturdy, powder-coated steel frame. 10-inch rubber wheels provide a smooth ride on all types of terrain. Note that this cart is a bit heavy at 33 pounds so it isn't the easiest to transport, and does require assembly.
Price at time of publish: $100
Dimensions: 17.5 x 33 x 23 inches︱Material: Alloy steel︱Weight Capacity: 300 pounds
Final Verdict
After testing the Ames Lawn Buddy Rolling Garden Cart, we think it's a great cart for basic gardening tasks like transporting smaller plants, small bags of soil, a bag of mulch, or gardening tools. Plus, we love that is affordably priced and can also be used as a seat, when you need a break between gardening tasks. If you are looking for something to transport soil and mulch, we also love the Gorilla Carts 4 Cubic-Foot Dump Cart because it maneuvers well on different types of terrain, has a larger capacity, and has an effortless, quick-release dumping design.
How We Tested The Garden Carts
We tested 18 wheelbarrows, including several garden carts on an obstacle course that we built at The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa. To see how they maneuver over all types of real-world terrain, we put the carts through the test twice—once empty and once fully loaded—over grass, gravel, pavement, fallen branches, and mulch, as well as rolling them over landscaping edging. We also pulled and pushed them around several trees in our course that required tight turns to pass through. We timed our assembly, noted if the tires required filling, and evaluated the handles, dumping capabilities, and any other design features. We also evaluated their capacity (if it could hold as much as the manufacturer claimed), durability during the test, and finally, their overall value. Our best collapsible pick, the Sekey Collapsible Cart with Brake was part of a real-world test of folding wagons, where it won best overall. For this test, we tested 18 different wagons over three weeks at different beaches across the country. Similar to the wheelbarrow test, we evaluated them on several factors and pulled them across various terrain including gravel and sand to see how they performed.
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
What to Look for in a Garden Cart
Type
A utility wagon may have a fixed bed with side panels or a dump bed that can be tilted to empty its contents. On certain models, the side panels are removable, allowing you to use the wagon as a flatbed. Thanks to their heavy-duty construction, a utility wagon can be used to haul everything from tools and plants to bricks and bags of soil. Some are operated manually, while others feature an electric motor or attach to a riding lawn mower allowing you to move hefty loads with ease.
Dump carts are four-wheel carts with hinged beds that tilt forward to empty the contents. These types of carts come in handy if you’re unloading large quantities of bulk materials such as leaves, soil, and mulch. Our favorite dump cart is the Gorilla Carts 4 Cubic-Foot Dump Cart because it has a quick-release dumping system that makes it almost effortless to use.
A hand trolley, also known as a hand truck, is an upright two-wheel cart that is operated manually. Since the wheels take the brunt of the weight and mitigate it, you can move heavy loads with minimal effort. Hand trolleys are also useful for moving large trees and landscape boulders to a precise location.
Electric carts are equipped with a motor that runs on rechargeable batteries. Due to their self-propelled design, users can move hefty loads with very little physical effort. “If you have a physical disability or find that you could use extra support while transporting heavy materials, then an electric cart may be perfect for you,” says McKenzy Winkler, a master gardener and herb farmer. Our favorite electric cart is the SuperHandy Utility Service Cart.
Collapsible garden carts fold to a compact size for easy storing and transporting. For that reason, they’re a great choice if you have limited storage space. Since most folding carts have canvas beds, they are best suited for light-duty gardening tasks. Our top choice in this category, the Sekey Collapsible Cart with Brake is easy to open and close and folds up to just 8 inches so it's easy to transport or store.
Material
Light-duty garden carts are usually made entirely of plastic or a combination of plastic and metal. They’re best suited for carrying loads up to 200 pounds on relatively smooth terrain. Since plastic is more prone to cracking and warping in extreme temperatures and sun exposure, this type of cart should be stored in a garage or shed when not in use. It’s worth noting that a high-density plastic, such as polypropylene, will fare better in the elements.
Heavy-duty garden carts feature solid steel frames and rubber tires, providing superior durability and optimal performance on difficult terrain. That said, one disadvantage to steel is that it can rust, which is why you should wipe it clean after every use. A steel frame with a powder coating will be more resistant to rust and corrosion. Our top choice for a heavy-duty garden cart, the Brinly-Hardy Tow-Behind Poly Utility Cart, features a powder-coated steel frame and heavy-duty polypropylene bed, making it highly resistant to dents, rust, and UV rays.
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Capacity
Light-duty garden carts usually have a weight capacity of 200 pounds or less, making them well-suited for standard gardening tasks (transporting plants, soil, gardening tools, etc.). If you're hauling rocks, bricks, or bags of concrete, a heavy-duty garden cart with a weight capacity of 350 to 500 pounds is an ideal choice. When you exceed a certain weight capacity, you may find it difficult to maneuver a garden cart by hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a garden cart used for?
Garden carts come in handy for moving all sorts of gardening equipment, including plants, tools, soil, and other supplies. They also create a convenient mobile workstation, allowing you to keep essential items on hand as you perform various tasks around the yard.
What is the difference between a garden cart and a wheelbarrow?
There are many differences between garden carts and wheelbarrows. “Garden carts will typically have flat bottoms, straight sides, and larger (and up to 4) wheels — resulting in greater stability for hauling larger loads,” says Thomas. “Alternatively, wheelbarrows have a sloped tray, often 1-2 front wheels, and may be pushed.” Thomas adds that the stability of wheelbarrows is dependent upon the number and size of the front wheels, as well as the weight of the materials that you’re transporting.
Can you leave a garden cart outside?
Thomas recommends storing your garden cart in a sheltered environment when it is not in use. “The reason for this is to simply protect them from damage caused by animals, environmental elements, such as storms, hail, corrosion, and sun damage,” she says. “Most garden carts are pretty heavy duty, so an occasional incident of leaving them outdoors may not cause irreparable damage; however consistently storing them indoors prolongs their quality and usability.”
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Sage McHugh, a writer for The Spruce who specializes in the home and garden sector. When selecting the best garden carts for this roundup, she considered dozens of products, carefully evaluating their material, weight capacity, maneuverability, overall performance, and assembly requirements. McHugh also took hundreds of customer reviews, as well as write-ups from third-party websites into consideration. For expert insight, she interviewed Ashlie Thomas, a gardener and author of “How to Become a Gardener: Find Empowerment in Creating your own Food Security.”
Jenica Currie, a commerce editor for The Spruce updated this article with tested products and insights from our wheelbarrow testing (which included several garden carts) at our lab in Des Moines Iowa, and folding wagon testing, which took place at beaches, parks, and other locations all around the country.
What Is The Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure that we fully stand behind every product we recommend and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all of these products ourselves, though occasionally, we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut.
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