A garden cart has to be able to withstand frequent use, bulky loads, and sometimes rough terrain. There are several factors to consider when buying a garden cart such as wheel type, load capacity, and durability. Finding the right cart for you involves finding the correct balance of these features for the loads and uses that you need.
The 5 Best Garden Carts
- Gorilla Carts Poly Yard Dump Cart (Our Top Pick)
- WORX Aerocart Wheelbarrow/Yard Cart /Dolly
- Rubbermaid Commercial Big Wheel Cart
- Polar Trailer 8376 Utility Cart
- Suncast 2-Wheel Resin Multi-Purpose Cart
Our Top Pick for the Best Garden Card
Our top pick for the best garden cart is the Gorilla Carts Poly Yard Dump Cart.
It has a high load capacity with sturdy construction that will stand up to heavy use. The padded handle and easy-rolling wheels make it easy to pull, yet you still have the option of attaching it to an ATV or lawn tractor.
Even with its heavyweight, it rolls smoothly over rough terrain. The quick-release dump feature makes unloading the heavy loads easier, taking the strain off the user. This cart also comes in different sizes and capacities giving you a greater range of choices. You can buy the cart that is right for you and still have the same durability.
Check the price on AmazonChoosing the Right Garden Cart
1. Types of Garden Carts
– Utility Wagon/Cart
A utility wagon/cart looks like a wagon and usually has 4 metal sides. The sides are usually open and/or removable for easy cleaning. They are pulled with a long handle. This type of cart is best for hauling plants, fertilizer, wood chips, and dirt. Removable sides give you greater versatility of use as you’ll be able to move bulky, awkward-sized loads.
– Dump Cart
A dump cart can look like a utility wagon or wheelbarrow but the distinguishing feature is the bed’s ability to dump. Depending on the load capacity, a dump cart can be used for hauling grass, fertilizer, soil, or firewood. Having a cart with a dump feature gives you added versatility and can save you some back strain.
Dump carts come in a 4-wheel wagon design or a 2-wheel design that looks like a wheelbarrow.
– Flatbed
A flatbed garden cart doesn’t come with sides. They are best for hauling large or non-standard sized objects. They function similarly to a utility wagon.
– Foldable
Foldable garden carts have fabric sides with an accordion metal frame that allows them to be collapsed when not in use. The sides are not removable and the load capacity is significantly less than a metal framed garden cart.
2. Load Capacity
How big are the loads you want to move and how far do you typically need to move them? There is a big difference in construction and price between a cart that is intended to hold 600 pounds or less and a cart that can handle 1200 pounds. You will need a heavy-duty cart with a large load capacity if you regularly carry loads over 650 pounds.
These carts will have larger tires and thicker body construction making them heavier than their smaller load capacity counterparts. Look for a model with removable sides if the loads you carry come in unusual shapes. Some of the larger garden carts can be attached to a lawn tractor or ATV.
For loads less than 650 pounds, you want a bed that is wide and deep enough to accommodate your average load type and size. High sides are also important to keep your load contained. If you aren’t planning on pulling the cart behind a vehicle, be sure the load is weighted to make it easy to transport and dump.
3. Tires
Lightweight garden carts come with plastic tires, some have tread and some don’t. If you only plan to use the cart in your yard on the grass with a small load, plastic tires are probably going to be sufficient. The benefit of plastic tires is that they cannot get punctured on sharp rocks or hardware that may be in the driveway or yard.
For those looking to haul heavy loads over gravel or rocky terrain, you are going to need large pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires are made of reinforced rubber and are filled with air which allows them to absorb some of the shocks of moving over rougher terrain.
4. Bed Construction
Steel bed construction makes for the strongest and most durable garden carts. This type of cart will be able to withstand heavy use without being damaged. However, they are the heaviest, pose a risk of rusting, and may be damaged by acidic loads such as animal waste (bed construction).
Polyethylene beds are scratch and dent resistant. They are also able to stand up better in inclement weather.
Plastic beds are lighter than steel so they are easier to pull. However, they are smaller and pose a risk of cracking over time.
Learn more about bed construction on this page.
5. User Strength
You may want and need a heavy-duty cart but if you do not have the strength to pull it when loaded, the cart loses its value. Check the weight of the cart itself and then determine your average load size. Is this a weight you can handle even over rough terrain?
If you have a tractor or quad, you can find garden carts that can be pulled eliminating the limits placed by human strength. However, without that aid, if strength is an issue, a lightweight cart would be the best choice.
5 Best Garden Cart – Reviews
1. Gorilla Carts Poly Yard Dump Cart
The Gorilla Carts Poly Yard Dump Cart has a 1,200-pound load capacity with a quick-release dump feature. When dumped, the bed is completely vertical which can help when emptying the load. A convertible handle allows it to be attached to an ATV for greater portability. It has pneumatic tires that help navigate rough terrain.
This cart has a 40-inch x 25-inch rust-proof bed with 13-inch tires weighing 58.6 pounds and 6-cubic-feet capacity.
A steel frame supports the tough polyethylene bed. This type of bed is weatherproof and can withstand many corrosive materials. The Gorilla Dump Cart comes with a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Vertical dump
- Easy attach convertible handle
- Wheels move easily
- High load capacity with high sides
Cons
- Complicated assembly
- Bad customer service
- No brakes
2. WORX Aerocart Wheelbarrow/Yard Cart/Dolly
The WORX Aerocart Wheelbarrow/Yard Cart /Dolly provides a versatility not commonly found in a garden cart. The basic model is moved like a wheelbarrow except that it has 2 front wheels.
The same basic model can be used as a dolly or you can purchase it with a wagon kit allowing it to be pulled by a handle. You can use this cart in the garden, in the home to move heavy furniture, or outside in the yard.
With a 300-pound load capacity, you won’t be able to move huge loads but for around the house or a small hobby farm, you should have an adequate carrying capacity. Two extension arms fold out allowing you to carry a tall bulky load like a potted plant. The frame and bed are made of stainless steel.
Pros
- Versatile uses
- Comes with 4 accessories including mesh rock lifter, potted plant mover, cylinder holder, bag holder
- Load control
- Easy conversion and assembly
Cons
- Small load capacity
- Narrow, shallow bed
3. Rubbermaid Commercial Big Wheel Cart
With large plastic wheels, the preassembled Rubbermaid Commercial Big Wheel Cart rolls well over most terrain with no risk of puncturing the tires. The solid 2-wheel design adds stability over a regular wheelbarrow and lets you easily move a load around the yard with less chance of tipping it over.
With a load capacity of 200 pounds, the garden cart can handle small loads around the home such as carrying bricks or pavers. The sturdy built-in handle makes it easier to dump wherever you need to and the high-density polyethylene cart can handle tough outdoor conditions.
Pros
- Good stability
- Large plastic wheels
- Solid 2-wheel design
- Sturdy built-in handle
- Easy to push
Cons
- Small load capacity
- Can be hard to maneuver over very rocky ground or down a steep slope
4. Polar Trailer 8376 Utility Cart
The Polar Trailer 8376 Utility Cart has a polyethylene tub that won’t scratch or dent with most use. The 20-inch spoked pneumatic tires allow it to go over the roughest terrain, making it suitable for everything from leaves to hauling game off of a mountain.
At 49 pounds, it is lightweight enough to make it easy to push and maneuver. It can hold 10-cubic feet of material for a 400-pound load capacity. The wide handle is easy to hold onto and gives more room to adjust hands for the right grip.
Pros
- Maneuverability
- Smooth over rough terrain
- Long front lip makes it easy to dump forward
- Fast, simple assembly
- Easy to push and dump
Cons
- Wheel quality
- Customer service
5. Suncast 2-Wheel Resin Multi-Purpose Cart
The Suncast 2-Wheel Resin Multi-Purpose Cart is a 2-wheel cart with a deep bed that can hold 15.5-gallons. Weighing in at only 6.94 pounds, it is easy to move around even when loaded to capacity. This is a nice garden cart for the elderly or those with limited strength.
A telescoping handle can be collapsed when in storage. The hard plastic wheels can handle the terrain in the yard or over concrete without problems. This is the kind of cart that works well for general use around the house. It can hold grass clippings, leaves, and yard debris. It can also be used for hauling groceries to the house.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy-rolling wheels
- Sturdy
- Easy assembly
- Cheap
Cons
- Load capacity
- When empty, it can tip backward
Our Top Pick for the Best Garden Card
Our top pick for the best garden cart is the Gorilla Carts Poly Yard Dump Cart.
It has a high load capacity with sturdy construction that will stand up to heavy use. The padded handle and easy-rolling wheels make it easy to pull, yet you still have the option of attaching it to an ATV or lawn tractor.
Even with its heavyweight, it rolls smoothly over rough terrain. The quick-release dump feature makes unloading the heavy loads easier, taking the strain off the user. This cart also comes in different sizes and capacities giving you a greater range of choices. You can buy the cart that is right for you and still have the same durability.
Check the price on Amazon
