The 7 Best Beach Wagons for Summer 2024, Tested by Real Parents
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
We dragged 18 beach wagons across the sand and gravel to find the best of the best
People / Monica Aguinaga
Beach days are an amazing part of summer. But to truly enjoy a day on the sand, you need a lot of stuff. Chairs, umbrellas, quality sunscreen, books, drinks, snacks — it can all be way too much to carry.
Luckily, that’s why beach wagons were invented. A good, sturdy beach wagon will transport everything you need from your car to your seaside spot, wheel easily over sand and rocky terrain, and fold up for convenient storage in your car when you’re not using it.
There are a lot of beach wagons out there, so to help you choose the one that will make your beach day the absolute best, PEOPLE dragged 18 beach wagons across the sand to find the ones that are easy to set up, pull, and use.
Best Overall: Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon
Star Qualities
Incredibly sturdy frame and fabric
Large capacity can hold all your beach essentials
Wheels glide effortlessly over sand, gravel, and other terrains
Red Flags
Heavier than others we tried at 31 pounds
Whether you’re lugging toys, extra beach or camping chairs, an excess of towels, or an outdoor blanket, the Moon Lence Utility Wagon is a great choice for beach-bound families who want to keep everything in one place.
The larger storage basket means you don’t have to decide between that toy or the other one; they’re both fair game now. And it's easy to transport all of your gear wherever you're going because the wheels on this wagon glide effortlessly over sand, gravel, and other terrain. Due to its larger dimensions and storage space, this wagon weighs a little more than the others we tried (though not by much). The wagon has rip-resistant 600D Oxford fabric, PVC material, and an alloy steel frame, so it’s durable enough to stick around for the long haul.
Weight: 30.7 pounds | Dimensions: 36.6 x 22.4 x 15.3 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 220 pounds | Assembly Required: No
Best Overall, Cheaper: Amazon Basics Collapsible Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon
Star Qualities
Maneuvers easily across different terrains
Sturdy construction
Easily collapses and opens
Red Flags
Mixed reviews on sand maneuverability
With an even larger weight capacity than the Moon Lence wagon, this budget pick is sturdy enough to carry all your beach chairs, groceries, and sports equipment. Reviewers love how easily the wagon collapses for storage, as well as the large capacity that makes heavy trips a breeze. We haven’t had the chance to try it for ourselves, but we were impressed by its 8,000 five-star ratings. It’s important to note that some, but not all, reviewers found it a bit difficult to roll through sand.
Weight: 18.26 | Dimensions: 27.6 x 40.9 x 20 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 265 pounds | Assembly Required: Yes
Best for Small Loads: Whitsunday Collapsible Folding Cart
Star Qualities
Lightweight, so it's easy to lift in and out of your vehicle
Petite size saves space in your trunk and garage
Great value for an affordable price
Red Flags
Wheels were slightly hard to roll through the sand
We loved the Whitsunday model for its compact size, high-quality design, and durability. Its tear-resistant fabric and metal frames were sturdy enough to hold our towels, coolers, umbrellas, and more while still folding to a slender size when the day was done. Plus, this model is super lightweight, meaning you can easily lift it in and out of your vehicle and maneuver it around. Our only qualm was that it was a bit hard to maneuver through sand, as the wheels tended to drag instead of rolling on top, but it still got the job done (and performed fabulously on other terrains, too).
Weight: 18.36 pounds | Dimensions: 28 x 16.9 x 10.5 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 120 pounds | Assembly Required: No
People / Izzy Seely
Best Design: Navatiee Collapsible Folding Wagon
Star Qualities
Body and frame feel sturdy and long-lasting
Extra outside pockets provide added storage
Wheels are reinforced with shock-absorbing and wear-proof PVC for longevity
Red Flags
Back tires struggled to rotate at times (but could be easily readjusted)
From its ultra-dense fabric and waterproof PVC coating to its iron frame, this wagon is clearly in it for the long haul — making this price well worth the slight splurge. We appreciated the extra real estate on the outside of the basket, with side pockets and holders for water bottles and other essentials. At the end of the day, it was easy to fold up the frame and slip this model into the trunk, especially because of its light 20-pound weight. The wheels are made from waterproof PVC and stand up strongly against abrasive terrains like rocks and gravel, absorbing shock and preventing visible wear. We did run into a few instances where the back wheels had trouble rotating, but a quick re-adjustment set us straight.
Weight: 19.84 pounds | Dimensions: 32.7 x 18.1 x 20.9 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 220 pounds | Assembly Required: Minimal
Best Durable: Portal Collapsible Utility Wagon
Star Qualities
600D Oxford fabric makes the storage bin super strong
High weight capacity at 225 pounds
Fits a surprising amount of beach essentials without hindering performance
Red Flags
We couldn’t find any
This wagon’s durability stood out, with 600D Oxford fabric, a steel frame, and 360-degree rotating wheels. We loaded up more than we could have imagined (think several beach chairs, toys, and more) in its sizable storage bin. It then proceeded to glide effortlessly through the sand while we trekked across the beach. We can be tough critics, so usually we find something to gripe about when we test out new products. But we had no complaints when it came to the Portal wagon, which scored high marks for its ease of transportation, setup and takedown, and overall durability throughout our testing period.
Weight: 25.8 pounds | Dimensions: 35.4 x 19 x 22.4 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 225 pounds | Assembly Required: No
Best All-Terrain: Gorilla Carts Collapsible Folding Wagon
Star Qualities
Super high quality
Brake feature for the wheels
Sports material is both sleek and durable
Red Flags
Wheels tend to drag through the sand rather than move on top of it
This wagon boasts a super smart design, from the brakes on the tires to the easy collapsibility to the tactical, yet versatile sport material that lends itself to many different terrains. We did take off one point for the way the wheels moved through the sand — they drag more than roll, which makes maneuvering a bit more challenging. Still, for all the other terrains this wagon handled well, including grass and pavement, it’s a solid choice. It didn’t require much setup, but does need slightly more assembly than some of the other wagons.
Weight: 13.5 pounds | Dimensions: 21 x 25 x 15 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 150 pounds | Assembly Required: Minimal
Best with Big Wheels: Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Beach Wagon
Star Qualities
Durable materials feel very high-quality
Handles sand extremely well
Easy to open and close
Red Flags
Bulkier than some other options, which makes it harder to store
We were most impressed by the material of this wagon, which seemed strong enough to last for the many beach escapades ahead. The big wheels roll beautifully in sand, though they are also bulkier (making it harder to lift, carry, and store). Despite the weight, it’s also very simple to open and close this wagon, so this wagon earned top scores for ease of use.
Weight: 24.5 pounds | Dimensions: 24.6 x 36.2 x 21.4 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 150 pounds | Assembly Required: No
People / Monica Aguinaga
Add to Cart
What’s a beach wagon without summer essentials to fill it? We’ve tested all the beach must-haves, and the below products earned their spot in our summer favorites.
Decomen Microfiber Beach Towel
Amazon
We tested nearly 60 beach towels, and this inexpensive pick came out on top. It’s super absorbent, dries quickly, and resists sticky sand (so you won’t bring the beach home with you).
Clarks Breeze Sea Flip Flops
Amazon
Gone are the days of super-flat, uncomfortable flip flops. This durable pair from Clarks has a supportive footbed that only gets better with time. We tested over 20 pairs of flip flops, and decided these are a must-have.
Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spray
Amazon
Our editor who lives in Hawai'i tested 54 sunscreens and decided this spray was the best for the beach. It sprays evenly, comes in SPF 30 and 50, and is free of chemicals that harm coral reefs and marine life.
What to Know About Beach Wagons
Size
Something to take into consideration before buying a beach wagon is your usual equipment load. What do you usually pack for the beach? Will you be bringing a cooler? Make sure yours will fit in the wagon’s interior, then factor in sand toys, beach canopies, and even folding chairs and umbrellas if it would make your life easier to bring those along in the wagon.
Our best overall pick, the Moon Lence Utility Wagon, has the largest dimensions of the group, thus holding the most equipment for the beach adventures ahead.
Storage
When not in use, you want a beach wagon that’s simple to fold and store. It was important to us that all of our beach wagons could fold and unfold easily, so this was a function that we tested tirelessly. If it didn’t fold easily, it didn’t make the list — so you’re safe to take your pick from the group above.
Weight
If the beach wagon itself is heavy, that may make using it more cumbersome. Look for one you can easily manage on your own. The Gorilla Carts wagon, which scored as our best all-terrain option, is easily the lightest of the bunch — weighing only 13.5 pounds without extra equipment inside. On the other hand, the Moon Lence Wagon weighs the most at 30.7 pounds, but this is attributed to its larger body and heavier metal frames. The heavier options may be more durable in the long run, and no wagon on our list is too heavy for one person to operate.
Wheel Size
To get a good roll on sand, you’ll need a beach wagon with larger wheels. But if you plan to mostly use your beach wagon on other terrains, you can get away with smaller wheels. You should also note whether the wheels can rotate or are fixed in place: that will inform how easy it is to push/pull. Our pick with the largest wheels, the Mac Sports wagon, crushed it across all terrains — sand, gravel, pavement, you name it.
When To Buy
Summer products (like beach wagons) often go on sale in the off-season, so look for deals as peak beach season nears a close. We’d suggest you buy your beach wagon as soon as you start to think about it (so, about now). But if you really want to wait for a sale, you can look forward to midsummer Amazon Prime Day deals to score some savings on these somewhat pricier beach accessories.
People / Izzy Seely
Behind the Scenes
Our PEOPLE Tested team tried out 18 beach wagons to see which ones were the best for taking our stuff to the sand. After researching the very best (and most popular) on the market, we got these wagons out to our testers so they could start bringing them along on their beach adventures.
Setup: We began by assembling the beach wagons (if they needed to be assembled at all), and took note of how easy, or not, that process was. They were loaded up with towels, umbrellas, coolers, sand toys, drinks, and other essentials. Throughout this process, testers recorded if it was difficult or not to load up, while watching the weight and making sure they stayed within the listed capacity limits.
Transport: We made sure to push the beach wagons over both paved surfaces and a stretch of sand, evaluating the maneuverability as well as the quality of the material. But don’t worry, we didn’t just do one test and call it quits — our testers brought it on several visits over a few weeks, watching how it continued to hold up over multiple beach trips.
Value: From there, we then rated each beach wagon on a scale of one to five (one being the lowest-performing and five being the highest) on assembly ease, performance on sand, design, and overall value.
We compiled our findings and research, comparing and contrasting our testers’ insights to see which beach wagons stood out as winners. From there, we chose these top picks — selected by our writers, but tested by real beachgoers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can you use a beach wagon for?
Beach wagons can be used to carry, as in the name, all of your essentials for the beach — think umbrellas, beach canopies, folding chairs, towels, toys, and more. But you can also use beach wagons for other purposes, like transporting groceries, moving equipment from location to location, and so much more.
Can my kids ride in the beach wagon?
While none of our PEOPLE Tested beach wagon winners have seats for kids, as long as your cargo is under the weight limit for the wagon and your kid fits, consider it a wagon-slash-stroller. (Although we advise you to do so safely.)
What type of beach wagon wheels are best for sand?
While all of our beach wagon winners worked pretty well in the sand, it almost goes without saying that the larger the wheel is, the easier it will be to take it down to the shoreline. Rubber wheels are typically better at rolling across sand than plastic ones due to a higher level of grip, studied by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Program at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 2016. The WhitSunday Collapsible Folding Cart is just one that includes rubber wheels, but most of our beach wagon picks utilize all-terrain wheels, which are excellent for taking on sandy grounds.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Alyssa Brascia is a commerce writer for PEOPLE with a background in lifestyle writing — spanning everything from beauty to home. She has previously contributed to Real Simple, where she researched and wrote home content, and she currently covers household items for PEOPLE over a wide variety of products.
For this piece, she analyzed the insights given by our testers as they tried several beach wagons at their respective shorelines over the course of a month. She also researched the effects of different materials on sand to better understand the science behind wheel grip, citing a study by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
