Gardening is among the most enjoyable and productive hobbies to engage in, but only if you have the right tools at your disposal.
And the most basic requirement in this regard is a means of carrying all the essentials around the garden. After all, you would never want to get exhausted by dragging along a bag full of tools all the time or using an unstable wheelbarrow.
However, there’s a great solution to this problem that I discovered some years ago- a garden cart. And from what I have seen, the good-quality models offer the right combination of stability and maneuverability.
But choosing the right one is difficult, given the availability of tons of options out there. And that’s why I'm here to help you out.
Hi! I’m Stacy Smith, and today I’ll be reviewing the top 5 options to help you pick the best garden cart. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
5 Best Garden Carts
1. Gorilla Carts GOR1400-COM
This Gorilla Carts model can be your ideal gardening companion as it can handle the most tedious hauling jobs quite comfortably. It helped both my husband and me to get through all the yard work with minimal effort.
Product Highlights
First things first, this cart consists of a heavy-duty bed made from high-quality steel mesh that measures 52 x 34 inches. With such a huge bed, I can load enough material at once to transport all the required items within a short while. This also ensured I could devote more time to the primary gardening tasks. Its pneumatic tires are designed to handle all regular transportation related to gardening and yard maintenance or remodeling.
In addition, this cart comes in a new and improved frame design that allows for quicker and easier assembly. It even provides better rigidity, ground clearance power, and maneuverability to users, thereby facilitating excellent performance.
Furthermore, the sides of the bed are removable so that the cart can be transformed into a durable and large flatbed within minutes.
What's There To Like About It?
The user convenience on offer is quite commendable, thanks to its 2-in-1 convertible handle that eases the job of hauling heavy loads throughout lawns, farms, and gardens. It gives the cart the ability to hold as much as 1,400 lbs of material at once.
For transportation, all you have to do is pull the locking pin and then turn the handle to hook it up with an ATV or lawn tractor. I have carried out major lawn remodeling work many times using this feature and I got perfect results every time!
What's There Not To Like About It?
I wished the warranty period offered by the brand was longer since it's only up to 1 year. Also, it’s a limited warranty, so you only get a repair or replacement free of cost for some of the parts. But owing to the advanced features of this cart, it’s most likely that you won’t need such a service anytime soon.
Pros and Cons of Gorilla Carts GOR1400-COM
Pros
Cons
- VERSATILE TOWING HANDLE: The patented 2-in-1 convertible handle can comfortably be pulled by hand and also allows for easy towing behind a lawn tractor or ATV, allowing you to haul heavier loads
- EASY TO MANEUVER: The 15-inch pneumatic tires, tight-turning steering, and sturdy 4-wheel design let you tackle any terrain with stability and ease
- 1400 POUND CAPACITY: Tow all your essentials with this heavy-duty garden cart's 1400-pound capacity and 52" x 34" bed
2. Amazon Garden Utility Wagon JC162
This garden cart from Amazon Basics is a pro in carrying gardening tools across yards, lawns, and gardens with ease. Though I was skeptical about how efficient it would turn out to be, I was glad that it exceeded my expectations.
Product Highlights
The durable and attractive canvas material used to make the carriage space of this wagon sets it apart from other models. It's also relatively more lightweight, which is why I found it much easier to drag along while carrying out the routine gardening tasks.
Moreover, the large weight capacity of 264 lbs makes it perfectly capable of holding heavier gardening tools. You can even use it for quite a few other purposes, such as distributing supplies, pulling around pets who have mobility issues, and during outings. I found it indeed helpful in stowing the luggage at one place during one such trip.
Plus, there’s a sturdy extendable steel tube fixed at the front of the cart, which has a premium-quality plastic handle. These two fixtures together enable easy maneuvering and a comfortable grip.
What's There To Like About It?
The single biggest advantage of this model is its collapsible design, which facilitates easy folding and unfolding. This way, I could fold it down to put it into the bag included in the package, which saved me lots of storage space.
I also liked the two small pockets at the front as they let me keep the smaller and more frequently used tools within close reach. And during the trips, I could store bottles, medicines, and other useful stuff there.
What's There Not To Like About It?
You might find it a bit difficult to install the wheels, which can also take longer than the other models. I’d suggest using a larger screwdriver for this purpose. Nonetheless, I didn’t face any issues with the performance of this unit as it did the job quite well.
Pros and Cons of Amazon Garden Utility Wagon JC162
Pros
Cons
- Outdoor utility wagon in Blue for family outings, sporting events, camping, gardening, or pulling around a pet with mobility issues
- 265 pound weight capacity
- Sturdy steel frame and extendable handle for easy maneuverability
3. Gorilla Carts GOR5-COM
Next up is yet another high-quality model from Gorilla Carts that I found much more long-lasting than the majority of garden carts available currently. In fact, my neighbor, who often spotted me working with this one in my yard and was all praise for it.
Product Highlights
Featuring a new eye-catching design, the frame of this garden cart is built to provide much greater strength and durability than average models. The design also reduces the assembly time and offers considerably smooth maneuverability. Believe it or not, I was able to complete the installation within just 10 minutes.
What’s more, like the Gorilla Carts GOR1400-COM, it consists of a 2-in-1 handle that can be towed or pulled as per your needs. This provided me with greater flexibility for the various gardening and yard jobs round the year and also offered an exceptional capacity of 800 lbs.
Moreover, the 38 x 20 inches rust-proof bed is built to provide a consistent performance for the years to come. Its 10-inch pneumatic tires add to the strength and facilitate quicker movement.
What's There To Like About It?
What I liked the most about this model was the quick-release technology used for dumping the transported material. Thanks to this patented technology, the unloading action is made much easier and quicker. As such, I could utilize various materials for all my lawn and gardening jobs very easily.
Added to this is a tighter turn radius that further improves the maneuverability of the model. I also found it easy to operate for both amateurs and experienced gardeners and landscapers.
What's There Not To Like About It?
This model might sometimes arrive with a few parts missing in the package, which implies you won’t be able to complete the assembly. Thus, you should always check the package carefully to ensure all the items are included. I’ve faced this myself as I discovered the missing parts while assembling the product and had to wait for a long time for them to arrive.
Pros and Cons of Gorilla Carts GOR5-COM
Pros
Cons
- Heavy Duty Wheelbarrow: Heavy-duty poly yard utility cart wagon with 800-pound capacity for maneuvering heavy objects around yards, gardens, or farms; Overall cart height of 20.3 inches
- Durable Steel Frame: Lawn cart is made with tough durable steel frame and 10-inch pneumatic tires ensure durability and usability on different terrains; Huge heavy-duty and rust-resistant poly bed
- Efficient Dumping System: Yard cart features a patented, quick-release dumping system that allows you to unload the items inside the cart easily and efficiently
4. VIVOSUN Heavy Duty Collapsible Folding Wagon
If you have a larger garden or lawn to maintain, this VIVOSUN folding wagon would be the perfect choice. I’ve used it for nearly two years and I strongly feel that it’s among the best models I’ve come across till now.
Product Highlights
To begin with, it uses superior-grade Oxford fabric material, which is further enhanced by a durable PVC coating to ensure minimal wear and tear due to regular use. Not only that, but it’s also waterproof and very lightweight, so I could put all my gardening stuff into it without any worries and drag it all around pretty easily.
Apart from that, the heavy-duty metal structure gives it a maximum weight capacity of around 176 lbs. This let me carry all heavier tools or materials comfortably, unlike average carts that were affected due to the pressure.
Beyond that, the two bottle-holders at the front ensured my gardening sessions were always hydrating. The collapsible design also allows for compact storage anywhere around the home. Lastly, the brand offers a prompt and effective customer support facility.
What's There To Like About It?
Maneuvering the cart is really made convenient by the sturdy adjustable handle fixed at the front. It can be rotated smoothly and can also be locked in place with the help of a joint so that it never drops. The wagon never went out of control while I used it in my garden and yard, all thanks to this feature.
Furthermore, the front wheels are rotatable by 360 degrees so that the cart can be moved without any difficulty over different terrains. This made sure I could wheel it around the garden with minimal effort.
What's There Not To Like About It?
This model is slightly taller than the others, due to which shorter people might find it a bit difficult to handle. Hence, if you’re sensing that you might face this issue, it’s better to go for a shorter model like my previous pick. Apart from that, I was quite satisfied with how it performed.
Pros and Cons of VIVOSUN Heavy Duty Collapsible Folding Wagon
Pros
Cons
- Large Capacity & Durable: Dimensions unfolded: 36.2"×22"×41.7"; Dimensions folded: 9.4"×8.7"×25.6"; The heavy-duty metal frame supports up to 350 lbs/159 kg; Made of 600D Oxford fabric with PVC coating that is waterproof, and tear-resistant
- Side Pockets & Cup Holders: Featuring a zipper side pocket and mesh pocket for valuables and small items; Two cup holders provide added convenience for cups and drinks
- Adjustable Handle: The wagon boasts a smoothly rotating, 90° adjustable handle for easy pushing and pulling; The handle locks securely in place, eliminating concerns about an uncontrollable wagon
5. Suncast LC1250D
Towards the end of my list, I’ve included this Suncast garden cart, which is both functional and versatile. Another advantage is that it comes at a more budget-friendly price than other high-performing models.
Product Highlights
With a capacity of 15.5 gallon, this cart can be used to carry a lot of material at all times. As a result, I could complete the transportation work for different gardening purposes much faster than when using the standard models.
I also appreciate the wheels of this cart, which measures 20 x 22 x 34 inches to enable efficient rolling around gardens and lawns. Plus, they are sturdy enough to ensure a smooth rolling action for the years to come.
As I’ve mentioned earlier, the versatility on offer is also praiseworthy. In fact, This ensured I could use it for many other purposes such as moving laundry upstairs to the terrace and moving in all the groceries from my car. Coupled with the lightweight design, it facilitates easy movement for all users.
What's There To Like About It?
The best thing about this model is its superior-grade resin plastic material, which makes it suitable for heavy-duty purposes. I liked the resultant durability on offer as the cart remained in the right shape throughout all the years that I used it for.
Added to this, its extendable telescopic handle offers comfort as well as compatibility, ensuring that both taller and shorter users can operate it without straining their muscles.
What's There Not To Like About It?
Make sure you check the cart thoroughly just after it arrives as some of its parts may be damaged. This might be due to the poor packaging, which makes it more prone to damage during delivery. In my case, the wheels were slightly damaged, so I requested a replacement and I was glad that they were sent within the next couple of days.
Pros and Cons of Suncast LC1250D
Pros
Cons
- LIGHTWEIGHT & EASY TO MANEUVER. At just 10 lbs, this resin plastic utility cart on wheels is perfect for adults or seniors needing a small wheelbarrow for gardening and easy hauling indoors or outside, or kids helping with yard tasks and chores.
- VERSATILE USE FOR ANY SEASON: Haul firewood, groceries, laundry, mulch, or plants, this small cart with wheels handles daily chores with ease, indoors and outdoors and even works as a kids' wheelbarrow for light yard help or fun outdoor play.
- COMPACT YET SPACIOUS: This resin plastic, multipurpose small wheeled cart functions as a rolling garden cart or trolley with 15.5-gallon capacity, roomy enough for yard tasks but compact enough to store in closets, sheds, or garages when not in use.
Buyers Guide
Figuring out the most suitable garden cart is not a problem if you keep in mind certain key characteristic features that enhance both productivity and durability. Overlooking these features would not only result in wastage of money as it may lead you to make the wrong choice that wouldn’t be of much help.
On that note, I’ve listed some factors to take into account before making a choice.
1. Capacity
Considering the required capacity is crucial while choosing the right garden cart. After all, it should be sufficient for carrying all necessary tools as well as the materials needed for your gardening and lawn maintenance work. You will find models with various capacities on the market ranging from 150 lbs to 1200 lbs or even more. So, keep in mind the materials that you’ll tow using the cart for determining the required capacity.
Here, you should also note that many users tend to go for a slightly larger model than what they actually need, which can make it heavier and larger. And although it’s a good idea to make room for sudden requirements it may make the cart difficult to maneuver and store, especially in compact spaces.
2. Tires
Garden carts aren’t of any use without their wheels, which makes it absolutely essential to take into account the wheels of each model. Notably, solid plastic wheels are quite popular since they are very lightweight and don’t produce any popping sound. But they are prone to cracking and may also develop scratches due to regular use, which makes them unsuitable for rugged terrains.
In comparison, pneumatic tires are much better as they’re built with reinforced rubber material and have a better shock-absorbing capacity than plastic. This makes them ideal for rocky terrains, but a downside of going for this type is that it may pop or deflate more often.
3. Style
Carts are available in different styles; as such you need to figure out the style that will be more suitable for your needs. The various options out there include foldable carts, dump carts, utility carts, and scooter carts.
As for dump carts, they can be applied for both carrying and dumping materials and hence do the job of both a wheelbarrow and a wagon. Featuring curved edges, this type comes with two wheels instead of four, similar to a wheelbarrow. So, do consider whether you’ll need a model that can dump and tote different materials before going for this variety.
Utility carts, on the other hand, resemble a wagon as they feature four wheels and four solid sides. Such a cart becomes useful for carrying a range of materials, including mulch bags, compost, tools, and dirt. However, due to its design, dumping the contents becomes a bit difficult, so a shovel must be used for the job.
A utility cart that can be folded for compact storage is usually referred to as a foldable cart and is another popular category on the market. While the bin of such carts is made from fabric, their frame is constructed of a metal, generally steel. For users who don’t want the cart to occupy a lot of storage space, a foldable cart is an ideal choice.
4. Materials
The material used to manufacture the cart is another crucial consideration, as it determines the durability of the model and its capacity to deliver a consistent performance. Also, it affects the overall carrying capacity, so you must be careful about this while making a choice.
Garden carts can be built of various materials, including polycarbonate, heavy-duty steel, wood, and polyester. To be sure about the durability, make sure you check the customer reviews for each of the models you consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most of the models available nowadays have wheels that can function properly on sand. However, the movement of a cart on sand will still depend on many other factors like the weight it’s carrying and the type of sand.
A cart made from material that is rust-proof can be kept outdoors without any worries. For example, if the cart is made from steel or a galvanized metal, it can be comfortably stored outside.
Remember that the durability of a cart would depend on how well it is maintained. Before storing the cart, make sure you wash all its tires as well as the canvas, polyester, steel surface of the bin as they are exposed to debris and dirt. Also, you should store it in a safe place to ensure that it doesn’t suffer any damage.
Yes, you will need two wrenches, one smaller and the other slightly larger, a few bolts, and a plier for the installation. If you don’t have one or more of these tools, make sure you purchase them beforehand.
My Final Recommendation
Now that you’ve known all about garden carts and the best models out there, I hope the doubts in your mind have been cleared.Â
However, if you’re still unable to choose the best garden cart, I’d suggest reading through the buyer’s guide once again. This would help you have a clear idea about the important factors that affect the performance of any model.Â
But before wrapping up, here’s a quick recap of my top favorites. The Amazon Garden Utility Wagon JC162 is the best budget buy in my opinion, while the Gorilla Carts GOR5-COM is a great choice for those looking for an efficient dump cart.Â
That’s all for today. See you soon, take care!