Gardening is a peaceful and interesting hobby to take up. From growing beautiful flowers in a multitude of shades to feasting on veggies you grew yourself, gardening is also extremely rewarding.
However, gardening will require some specific tools, some of which can be quite heavy and can be somewhat hard on your hands, back, and joints.
The addition of a garden cart to your gardening tool arsenal is a terrific way to take some of the stress and pressure off your body. You will be able to carry everything you need in your cart, saving your back, hands, and the rest of you feeling less stressed.
Selecting the Best Garden Carts in December, 2018
| Product | Dimensions | Weight | Brand | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla Carts GOR866D (Editor’s Choice) | 45.2 x 25.6 x 25.2 inches | 68 pounds | Gorilla Carts | Check Price |
| Polar Trailer 8376 Utility Cart | 60 x 27 x 32 inches | 40 pounds | Polar Trailer | Check Price |
| Greenworks 40V Cordless Garden Cart (Editor’s Choice) | 52.6 x 24.8 x 42.1 inches | 75.8 pounds | Greenworks | Check Price |
| Worx Aerocart Multifunction 2-Wheeled Yard Cart | 42 x 12 x 18 inches | 49 pounds | Worx | Check Price |
| Gorilla Carts GOR1400-COM | 62.8 x 34.5 x 29.8 inches | 108 pounds | Gorilla Carts | Check Price |
| Sandusky Lee GC5332 | 52.5 x 21.25 x 31.50 inches | 59.5 pounds | Sandusky | Check Price |
| Gorilla Carts GOR200B | 38.7 x 20 x 19.5 inches | 32 pounds | Gorilla Carts | Check Price |
| Timber Ridge Camping Wagon Folding Garden Cart | 30.5 x 12.3 x 8.5 inches | 24.2 pounds | Timber Ridge | Check Price |
| Mac Sports Collapsible Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon | 35.5 x 20.2 x 22.5 inches | 22.5 pounds | MAC S P O R T S | Check Price |
| Gorilla Carts GOR4PS | 38.7 x 20 x 19.5 inches | 32 pounds | Gorilla Carts | Check Price |
1. Gorilla Carts Heavy Duty Garden Poly Dump Cart GOR866D : Best All-Around Garden Cart
The Gorilla Carts Heavy Duty Garden Poly Dump Cart has been designed with a patented fast release dumping feature. This specification allows you to unload faster and easier than other similar models.
With 13-inch all-terrain tires and a handle that is both padded and convertible, you’ll be ready to tackle any landscaping environment.
The Gorilla Carts Heavy Duty Dump Cart blew our testing team away with its ability to haul up to 1,200 pounds.
- Super heavy-duty choice
- Padded handle makes you comfortable
- 1,200-pound haul capacity
- All-terrain wheels
- If you are using this version on any areas with an inline or a slope, you may need to use a block or brick as it does have a tendency to start rolling away
2. Polar Trailer 8376 Utility Cart : Most Aesthetically Pleasing Garden Cart
The Polar Trailer 8376 Utility Cart earned high marks from our testing team thanks to its beauty, its performance, and its assembly process. This cart has a streamlined black wheelbarrow and an attractive set of silver spoked wheels.
One member of our team planted flowers inside of the cart and left it in her garden permanently.
The Polar Trailer 8376 Utility Cart is also extremely easy to set up. The cart is very lightweight making it a lovely option for aging adults or anyone with mobility concerns.
- Lightweight and great for mobility concerns
- Hauls up to 400 pounds at once
- Attractive option
- Very sturdy and durable
- The cart will not tip forward far enough to completely dump out your hauling contents so you may need to also use your hands or perhaps a shovel
3. Greenworks 40V Cordless Garden Cart : Best High-Tech Version
The Greenworks 40V Cordless Garden Cart is a self-propelling garden cart. It runs on a 40-volt lithium-ion battery and includes the necessary charger as well.
The battery can be recharged in just two hours.
This offering from Greenworks offers a hauling weight capacity of 200 pounds, making it a smart choice for lighter work-loads.
DOCUMENTATION
- Self-propelling garden cart
- 10-inch wheels
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- 200-pound capacity
- The cart will only run around 40 minutes on a full charge
4. Worx Aerocart Multifunction 2-Wheeled Yard Cart : Most Versatile Garden Cart Option
The Worx Aerocart Multifunction 2-Wheeled Yard Cart is the most versatile garden cart we have ever had the pleasure of testing.
Our team flipped over how many different applications there are for this cart.
The Worx Aerocart easily transitions between a garden cart, a dolly for moving heavy items like a refrigerator, and a wheelbarrow so essentially you are receiving three items in one.
DOCUMENTATION
- Hybrid version that can be a wheelbarrow, a dolly, or a garden cart
- Extremely durable with a 300-pound hauling capacity
- Awesome accessories
- Tires won’t need to be refilled with air, ever
- We love this cart for home gardening, but it is not as well suited to heavier duty landscaping or hauling large bags of cement, for example
5. Gorilla Carts GOR1400-COM : Best Heavy-Duty Choice for Farms or Larger Properties
The Gorilla Carts GOR1400-COM is the perfect solution for folks with larger properties or farms with livestock. The cart features removable sides to quickly transition from a cart to a flatbed trailer.
Our testing team used it for everything from carrying hay bales to ample supplies, to carting our kids around the neighborhood.
This offering from Gorilla Carts has been designed with an oversized steel mesh bed and pneumatic turf tires measuring at 15 inches.
DOCUMENTATION
- Removable sides to go from cart to flatbed
- Can be pulled by hand or towed
- 1,400-pound capacity
- Extremely well made and durable
- This option is pretty heavy, so it may not be appropriate for those individuals with mobility concerns
6. Sandusky Lee Galvanized Edging Garden Cart GC5332 : Great for Hauling Dirt, Mulch, and Other Small Particulates
The Sandusky Lee Galvanized Edging Garden Cart GC5332 is a great option for hauling leaves, yard debris, and more. The cart has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds.
The bed of this option from Sandusky has been crafted from wood and features a galvanized steel edging for added strength and durability.
The Sandusky Lee Galvanized Edging Garden Cart has pneumatic wheels that measure 20 inches. We were able to use the cart on a wide range of surfaces and liked the wooden box since it kept dirt in as opposed to other versions.
- Wooden box design hauls dirt and small items with ease
- Works well on a variety of surfaces
- 300-pound capacity
- Terrific price point
- Can be difficult to assemble
7. Gorilla Carts GOR200B Poly Garden Dump Cart : Best Garden Cart for Home Use
The Gorilla Carts GOR200B Poly Garden Dump Cart makes transporting supplies up to 600 pounds a breeze. The cart is created from a high-strength poly to increase durability while cutting down on unnecessary weight.
Our testing team loved how easy to maintain and clean this cart is compared to similar versions.
This offering from Gorilla Carts is an amazing option for homeowners needing some extra help with hauling items.
- Amazing price point
- Lightweight but extremely durable
- Great for homes or commercial use
- Hauls up to 600 pounds
- The cart was a tad bit difficult to assemble for our less experienced team members
8. Timber Ridge Camping Wagon Folding Garden Cart : Best for Shopping
The Timber Ridge Camping Wagon Folding Garden Cart is a terrific, lightweight choice for lighter gardening duties or to use to transport your groceries. One member of our team started using it to carry heavy items from shopping trips up her steep driveway.
The cart has a 26-inch adjustable telescoping handle with a locking system to make hauling easy and effortless.
The Timber Ridge Camping Wagon Folding Cart has a weight capacity of 150 pounds, making it perfect for carting around lighter items, for use while camping, trips to the beach, or perhaps for your college-bound kids.
- Lovely lightweight selection
- Inexpensive
- Collapsible and holds 150 pounds
- Great for trips, shopping, and more
- Polyester fabric gets dirty easily, but is fairly easy to clean
9. Mac Sports Collapsible Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon : Most Colorful Lightweight Cart
The Mac Sports Collapsible Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon is available in a wide range of colors from blue to pink.
The cart is durable and sturdy while weighing less than most other options. The cart is capable of hauling up to 150 pounds in its 600-denier fabric holding area.
The Mac Sports Collapsible Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon requires no assembly whatsoever.
- Terrific lightweight choice available in many colors
- Easy to pull and move
- Inexpensive
- Easy to clean and maintain
- This cart is more for shopping or carting small items around and is not crafted to haul heavy gardening supplies
10. Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart GOR4PS : Best Budget Garden Cart
The Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart GOR4PS is our top budget garden cart pick. It can haul loads of up to 600 pounds making it perfect for home use.
This cart features a specialized fast release dumping handle to take the strain off of you.
The Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart GOR4PS is straightforward to maneuver around your property.
- Hauls up to 600 pounds and has four all-terrain tires
- Budget price point
- Rust resistant
- Weighs 30 pounds
- Assembly instruction are a bit confusing
Best Garden Cart – Buyer’s Guide
A garden cart makes moving heavy or cumbersome items easier. They have a multitude of uses from gardening to shopping. In recent years, carts have become much more affordable making them a feasible option for homeowners as well as professional landscaping artists.
There are currently thousands of garden carts available. With so many choices, sifting through them all can be a huge hassle. As a result, we have created this shopping guide to help demystify the purchasing process while giving you the necessary insight to find the best garden cart for your needs. Let’s get started!
Do I Really Need a Garden Cart?
Garden carts have come a long way from the old school wheelbarrows our grandparents and parents used. They are a terrific help when moving heavy items such bags of fertilizer, mulch, heavy tools, and much more. In recent years they have been streamlined and adapted to fit a much wider variety of needs and purposes.
Garden carts have become common to use when camping or heading to the beach. Lightweight versions crafted with nylon or other fabrics are perfect for hauling your groceries into your apartment or home. They can also be fun for kids to be carted around in at amusement parks or for a trip around the block.
The Different Styles of Garden Carts
There are a few different styles or versions of garden carts. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and shortcomings of each style.
Dump Carts
Dump style garden carts may be designed as a wheelbarrow or a utility wagon. Dump carts can have two or four wheels. This version is different thanks to its ability to dump the bed’s contents out.
A dump cart is an excellent choice for moving and pouring out dirt, mulch, fertilizer, leaves, and much more. They are also great for firewood and gardening tools. If you are planning on some big projects requiring you to move large quantities of these items, a heavy-duty dump cart may be best. They can be quite heavy and sometimes difficult to maneuver, however.
Utility Wagons
Utility wagon garden carts have four vertical sides. This feature helps to keep the contents safely stowed inside the cart as you move from one area to another. Utility carts are useful when hauling soil, compost, cuttings, or odd shaped loads of bags or large plants.
Some versions have removable sides which can be helpful in accessing items or when cleaning up the garden cart after use. You can also remove one or two sides to accommodate awkward loads. The versatility afforded by a utility cart is a great reason to select one, but they can be difficult to move when heavily loaded.
Flatbed Carts
Just as the name suggests, a flatbed cart is a garden cart without sides. This version is beneficial when moving large bags of soil or fertilizer, bulky items like wood or tree stumps, or even heavy machinery.
If you have children approaching high school and college, a flatbed cart can be instrumental in creating homecoming floats if they are wide and long. They are also wonderful when moving. You do need to exercise extra caution during use to ensure none of your load falls out or is damaged.
Foldable Carts
If you need a cart that can be easily stored, look no further than a foldable garden cart. They are typically crafted with a metal frame and a fabric basket. The frame collapses similarly to an accordion allowing you to fold it up when it is not being used.
Foldable carts do not usually have removable sides and are meant to carry lighter items. This version is great for use while traveling or shopping but may not be strong enough for heavy gardening supplies. If you require help moving smaller, lighter tools and such a foldable cart is an excellent choice.
Key Considerations in Selecting the Best Garden Cart for Your Needs
Carrying Capacity
When you are looking for the right garden cart, its crucial to consider what you will be hauling and at what distances. There is a wide range of garden cart carrying capacities. Some are meant for lighter loads up to 150 pounds while heavier duty models can haul well over 1,500 pounds.
As their capacity for carrying increases, so does the weight and bulk of the cart. Versions meant to hold over 1,000 pounds will have tires that are thicker and larger. The frame will also be made from stronger, more solid materials. As a result, they will be somewhat more challenging to move around.
If you will require a smaller garden cart, select an option with a deep and wide bed. This will assist you in maximizing your space. You may also want a cart with removable sides to accommodate bulky, strangely shaped loads.
Tires
Depending on their intended load capacity and purpose, your cart can be made with many different tire options. Lighter weight models may have plastic tires that may or may not include a tread. A plastic tire will be lighter and are perfect for traveling over smooth surfaces such as sidewalks or concrete.
Plastic tires are also great because you will have less maintenance to complete. The tires will not deflate or pop, extending their lifespan. On the downside, they are not made for gravely or rocky terrain.
If you will be hauling heavier items or traveling across rocky surfaces, selecting a garden cart with large pneumatic tires is your best bet. Pneumatic tires are created from reinforced rubber. The tires are filled with air which will allow them to absorb greater levels of shock related to uneven surfaces.
Pneumatic tires will accommodate much heavier loads than their plastic counterparts. These tires will require more maintenance such as refilling the air and checking for any leaks or damage prior to each use. You will also need to be careful to avoid running over sharp items to prevent punctures or tears.
Construction of the Garden Cart
The materials that your new garden cart is made from s another crucial consideration. You want to find an option that is durable and sturdy, so it will last and not need to be replaced anytime soon. There is a wide range of materials used in the manufacturing of a cart, so be sure to read descriptions carefully.
While frames crafted from heavy-duty steel or other metals are longer lasting, they can also add a lot of weight to what is a potentially already hefty load. The metal may also rust and begin to degrade in certain climates.
The bed of the cart must also be made from a sturdy and lasting component. Steel beds are extremely durable and are resistant to damage. You can also find many excellent options made out of poly-based materials.
Garden cart beds made from polyethylene are dent and scratch resistant, plus they are also much lighter and easier to maneuver around your property. They will not be as susceptible to damage from substances that are acidic including compost. The plastic can, however, be damaged by UV rays result in cracking or fading and will not have as long of a lifespan as metal beds.
Your Strength
Keep your strength level in mind while shopping for a new garden cart. If you lack upper body strength or have mobility concerns, you should select a lighter version. If you will be moving across rough or rocky terrain, that will also increase the need for user strength. Be sure to contemplate not only the carrying capacity weight of the cart but the cart’s weight as well to ensure it will not be too heavy or difficult to work with.
Finding the best garden cart for your needs can be a long and difficult process. With so many versions for sale, finding the right model is frustrating. Understanding your needs while knowing your personal preferences and limits will make the purchasing process a breeze.
Our primary goal is to help educate our readers while creating an enjoyable set of reviews and shopping guides. Please let us know how we did today. Drop us a quick comment down below with your favorite garden carts and any tips or tricks you have for hauling heavy gardening supplies.
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Anthony P. says
I recommend The Greenworks 40V Cordless Garden Cart to all my friends as the best self-propelling option, I really think so. I didn’t have many carts, but this one is my favorite.