The 8 Best Wheelbarrows for Yard Work and DIY Projects

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Whether you’re an avid gardener or have landscaping around your home to manage, a wheelbarrow is an essential tool when it’s time to start working on your yard and garden each spring. Without it, you’d have a hard time spreading mulch over flower beds, adding compost to your garden, or filling up those raised beds with fresh soil.

Though plenty of us still use the iconic one-wheeled metal tub, modern wheelbarrows come in a few different shapes, including two-wheeled tubs and four-wheel push carts that drop their dirt like a dump truck. Some are made from plastic, others from metal–their size, heft, and price scale for different types of people with different types of work, from your typical gardener to heavy-duty models for construction. With so many varieties to choose from, finding the right wheelbarrow for your needs can be a challenge. Not to worry, we’ve used many wheelbarrows and can help you choose the right one for your needs.

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Best Wheelbarrows

• Best Overall: Jackson Heavy Gauge Seamless Steel Wheelbarrow

• Best Value: True Temper Poly Wheelbarrow

• Best For Heavy Loads: Gorilla Carts Heavy-Duty Poly Yard Dump Cart

• Best Plastic: Husky Poly Wheelbarrow

• Best Four-Wheeled Garden Cart: Gorilla Carts GOR4PS Poly Garden Dump Cart

What to Consider When Selecting a Wheelbarrow

Material

Most wheelbarrow tubs are made from metal or plastic, both of which have distinct advantages and disadvantages. Steel tubs are stronger than plastic ones, making them the ideal choice for carrying heavy loads such as cement and stone. However, steel wheelbarrows are also heavier and therefore harder to maneuver than plastic ones. They will also rust over time if you leave them out in the rain.

Wheelbarrows with plastic tubs may not be the most durable, but they’re lighter, won’t rust, and are more than strong enough to carry lighter materials such as top soil, mulch, and yard waste. We recommend a plastic tub option for most homes, especially if you’re using your wheelbarrow primarily for gardening and yard work.

Tub Size and Capacity

Most wheelbarrows come with tubs that can hold between 4 and 6 cubic feet of material. A smaller wheelbarrow should be fine for gardening supplies, mulch, compost, and waste. If you need a wheelbarrow to mix concrete or move stone and brick, you should opt for a larger model.

There’s also a positive correlation between tub size and the wheelbarrow’s maximum weight capacity, or the amount it can safely carry without breaking. Most 4 cubic foot wheelbarrows can handle loads up to approximately 150 pounds. Large wheelbarrows for work sites can hold 600 pounds or more, which is important for construction crews.

Wheelbarrow Weight

The weight of the wheelbarrow itself is also worth looking into. While any empty wheelbarrow may be easy to move, the wheelbarrow’s weight contributes to the overall load you’ll need to lift and push when the wheelbarrow’s full. Smaller 4-cubic-foot models with plastic tubs usually weigh around 30 pounds. Large, steel wheelbarrows get closer to 55 pounds.

Wheels

While the classic wheelbarrow features a single wheel, there are also cart-style wheelbarrows that sit on two or four wheels. Single-wheel options are easy to maneuver and dump out, but are more prone to tipping in transit, especially with a full load. Two-wheel and four-wheel models offer greater stability and can handle more weight, but aren't as easy to turn.

The number of wheels also affects the wheelbarrow’s ability to drop or dump its contents. Single and two-wheel wheelbarrows allow you to lift the tub so it’s vertical to the ground, making it easy to dump a load of soil, mulch or gravel on the ground. Four-wheel carts may have a mechanism that raises one side of the bed, but they rarely have a mechanism that allows you to dump out their contents, so you’ll have to unload them by hand.

Tires

While looking at wheelbarrow wheels, make sure to inspect the tires. Wheelbarrows usually come with either air-filled pneumatic or hard plastic tires. Pneumatic tires offer more shock absorption, making the wheelbarrow easier to roll through uneven terrain without upsetting the load. That said, like car tires, you’ll need to inflate them periodically and change out the inner tube if they puncture. Solid plastic or rubber tires don’t require any maintenance, but may not provide as much cushion.

Handles

While the classic wheelbarrow has two straight wood or steel handles, there are models with more ergonomic options. Some handles feature a bend, which makes it easier to lift and steer the wheelbarrow, but a bit more challenging to dump. Others have grips on the ends, providing distinct handling for lifting, steering, or dumping.

Two-wheeled wheelbarrows typically have a single cart-style handlebar, and four-wheel carts typically have loop handles that allow you to push or pull the cart.

How We Selected The Best Wheelbarrows

I selected the wheelbarrows from this list based on hands-on experience and a long history of using wheelbarrows year-round to haul everything from mulch and topsoil to firewood and building materials. In addition, I compared the specs and customer reviews for more than two dozen different wheelbarrows to make sure all of my selections feature the best materials and performance offered today.

In finalizing the lineup, I made a point of suggesting a wide range of options, including different sizes and designs, from the classic one-wheeled wheelbarrow to four-wheeled pull carts. If you’re shopping for a new wheelbarrow, the right one for you is on this list.

Heavy Gauge Seamless Steel Wheelbarrow

If you’re going to be hauling stone or mixing cement, you need a wheelbarrow that’s up for the job. This single-wheel model from Jackson is large and sturdy, with a 6-cubic-foot heavy gauge steel tub that can handle heavy-duty hauling. The tub gets extra support from a reinforced frame with metal supports in the undercarriage.

That reinforced design makes it comparatively heavy–it weighs in at about 57 pounds. You won’t have to worry about it warping under heavy loads or succumbing to stones, bricks, or sharp metal shovels, however. The flat-free tire features a knobby tread that provides additional traction for stability.

There are cart-style wheelbarrows that can hold more weight, but this one has a strong blend of both sturdy design and the dumping capability you can only get with a single-wheeler.

Poly Wheelbarrow

If you’re only using a wheelbarrow a few times a year to carry smaller loads of soil, mulch, and plants, then there’s really no reason to spend hundreds of dollars on an expensive heavy-duty wheelbarrow. This model from True Temper should meet most basic household needs and costs less than most of our other picks.

Its sturdy 4-cubic-foot poly tub sits on a steel frame with hardwood handles. A large pneumatic tire provides ample shock absorption over uneven terrain, and the sloped shape of the tub makes it easy to dump loads. At just 28 pounds, this wheelbarrow is also easier to lift and maneuver than larger steel models.

Heavy-Duty Poly Yard Dump Cart

Wheelbarrows with plastic tubs typically have a lower maximum weight capacity than their steel-bodied counterparts, but this four-wheeler bucks the trends with an impressive 1,200-pound weight limit.

The quick-release dumping mechanism, controlled via a lever near the base of the handle, lets you empty loads easily. For really heavy jobs, the convertible handle gives you the ability to hook it up to a tractor or ATV for a tow. This is the heaviest of heavy-duty options.

Poly Wheelbarrow

A unique two-wheel design and lightweight plastic tub make this wheelbarrow from Husky an appealing option for gardening and other household jobs. It has a large, 6-cubic-foot tub and comes equipped with two wheels, which makes it more stable than single-wheel options when full.

At the same time, it’s more nimble than the average two-wheeler, since its wheels are set close together and positioned toward the front of the tub, rather than bolted onto the sides. Its steel handles feel strong and durable, and the rubber grips on the ends make for comfortable handling.

Low-maintenance flat free tires keep it rolling season after season. This is a perfect wheelbarrow for moving gardening tools, topsoil, and flats of seedlings, or to collect yard waste.

GOR4PS Poly Garden Dump Cart

The Gorilla GOR4PS combines the high weight capacity and stability of a four-wheeled garden cart with a wheelbarrow-like “quick-dumping” bed to create a best-of-both-worlds solution.

With a max weight of around 600 pounds and a capacity of 6 cubic feet, it can haul loads on par with that of a contractor-grade wheelbarrow. But since it sits on four 10-inch pneumatic wheels, you won’t have to lift that weight to push or pull it.

Gorilla equips this cart with a solid poly plastic bed, as opposed to the steel mesh bed found on most traditional garden carts, so it’s capable of holding stone, sand, mulch, and soil. It’s also easier to dump than a standard garden cart thanks to a wheelbarrow-like sloped bed that lifts upright almost 90 degrees to empty the cart's contents.

Unlike other garden carts that force you to remove a pin to dump the bed, Gorilla’s cart has a quick-release handle that allows you to release the bed with a quick pull, speeding up the dumping process.

Steel Contractor Wheelbarrow

There’s a lot to like about Ace Hardware’s contractor wheelbarrow. Its two large 16-inch pneumatic tires glide over rough gravel or dirt, and bump over curbs without too much rattle. It’s also tough, thanks to a heavy gauge steel frame and stabilizers on the legs that keep the large 6-cubic foot tub from tipping over under heavy loads. I’m also a fan of its rubberized grips, which allow you to keep a good hold on the handles as you’re wheeling it around.

While there are other contractor grade dual-wheeled options out there, Ace’s house brand wheelbarrow costs less with similar capacity and build quality. Sure, the steel tub makes it more prone to scratches and rust, but it’s a fair compromise when you’re getting such a large and sturdy tool for its price.

7-Cubic Foot Evolution Poly Yard Cart

The ergonomic design makes this two-wheeler from Gorilla one of the easier wheelbarrows to maneuver around your yard. It features a low center of gravity, which makes it easy to pick up and haul heavy loads. And you’ll need it, given that this beast can hold up to 7 cubic feet. It can handle the load, though: its rustproof poly bed is bolstered by a sturdy steel frame, so it won’t bend under heavy strain.

As with all two-wheel designs, you get a more stable cart that you can move quickly without having to worry about tipping over. It isn’t quite as maneuverable as a single-wheel model, but it is definitely easy to handle. It also helps that it has ergonomic grips that feel comfortable while wheeling the cart around and lifting the back to dump it out.

One thing to keep in mind: The Evolution has never-flat tires, which minimize maintenance, but don’t absorb shocks well, so you will feel the bumps in the lawn through your grips.

DXTB0573 10-Cubic Foot Swivel Cart

This multi-talented piece of heavy duty equipment can serve as both a handheld wheelbarrow and a towable yard cart that you can hook up to an ATV or riding lawn mower. Adding or removing the towable hitch is quick and easy, so you can tow a load to a location behind your lawn tractor, then maneuver it to the dump zone.

Unsurprisingly, given its hybrid handheld-towable construction, the DXTB0573 is a massive wheelbarrow. It can hold a whopping 10 cubic feet, or up to 800 pounds of material. To handle all that, it features a rustproof poly tub with a reinforced steel frame, over 16-inch pneumatic tires.

A handy latch system with a foot-operated pedal allows you to tip the cart up to 110 degrees and release the tub for dumping, which is especially helpful for heavier loads. If you have a lot of material to move and a lawn tractor or ATV to tow it behind, this versatile wheelbarrow is a great choice.

How to Prolong the Life of Your Wheelbarrow and Other Great Tips from Expert Tony Carrick

How do you maintain a wheelbarrow?

While a wheelbarrow doesn’t require much maintenance to stay in good working order, there are a few things you can do to make sure it lasts a long time. Before the start of each season, give the tub a good scouring and lubricate the wheel axle with a squirt of grease. Wipe any dirt out of the wheelbarrow tub after each use.

Most importantly, though, make sure to put your wheelbarrow away in a shed or garage between uses. Leaving it out to face the elements will eventually cause its steel parts to rust and plastic parts to dry out and turn brittle, accelerating its demise.

What are some alternate uses for a wheelbarrow?

There are lots of creative ways you can repurpose an old wheelbarrow that’s still in working order. Fill the wheelbarrow with potting soil and consider using it as a decorative planter. You can convert an old steel wheelbarrow into a homemade fire pit. If you host a lot of backyard barbecues, fill it with ice and use it as a mobile cooler.

We’re just scratching the surface here, so get creative and don’t let that old wheelbarrow go to waste.

Is it called a wheelbarrow or wheelbarrel?

It’s “wheelbarrow,” not “wheelbarrel.” The term “wheelbarrow” dates back to the 14th century. The word “barrow” evolved out of the old English word, “bearwe,” or a basket for two or more people to store and carry things. Craftsmen started adding wheels to their baskets, and “bearwes” became wheelbarrows.

The phrase “wheelbarrel” is a common mispronunciation.

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