Skip to Content

The 6 Best Garden Carts in 2023

The garden cart is an essential piece of equipment for any hobbyist, gardener, home landscaper, or landscaping professional. Sometimes called yard carts, garden carts are designed to haul heavy items like dirt, mulch, rocks, roots, potted plants, and other gardening equipment.

The best garden carts are designed with various features to serve multiple uses, ensuring you get more bang for your buck.

With so many options on the market, how can you be sure you’re choosing the best garden cart for your needs? This handy guide will help you narrow down your options. Read on to learn more!

A green garden cart with basket of apples.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:
Yardsam Utility Steel Lawn Wagon Cart

Budget Garden Cart:
Seina Heavy-Duty Compact Folding Outdoor Utility Cart

Best Handheld Garden Cart:
AMES Rolling Lawn & Garden Storage Cart


Best Overall

Yardsam Utility Steel Lawn Wagon Cart

Yardsam Utility Steel Garden Carts and Wagons, Lawn Wagon Cart Heavy Duty, 400lb Weight Capacity, Removable Sides, Long Handle, 10 Inch Wheels and 600D Polyester with PVC Coated Liner (Green)

The heavy-duty wagon cart from Yardsom is an indispensable workhorse capable of hauling up to 400 pounds.

One of the best garden carts on the market, this utility steel lawn wagon cart boasts a long handle, removable sides, and a PVC-coated liner that keeps dirt and debris from falling out. Best of all, it turns into a flatbed in minutes!

Pros:

  • Convertible design transforms from a cart to a flatbed
  • Removable liner
  • High weight capacity
  • Constructed from steel mesh and powder coated for weather-resistance
  • One-year Yardsam warranty

Cons:

  • The snap-on canvas piece isn’t as effective as using a traditional tarp when transporting dirt or mulch

Budget Garden Cart

Seina Heavy-Duty Compact Folding Outdoor Utility Cart

Seina Heavy Duty Compact Folding 150 Pound Capacity Outdoor Utility Cart, Green

One of the best garden carts for users on a budget is the Seina Heavy-Duty Compact Folding Outdoor Utility Cart. Despite its compact size, this utility cart can hold up to 150 pounds thanks to its heavy-duty steel frame and durable polyester fabric lining. It also folds away for easy storage.

When you’re not using it for backyard projects, use it at sporting events, the beach, or the park.

Pros:

  • Multipurpose (can use it to haul in groceries or transport lightweight gardening equipment and potted plants)

Cons:

  • Not meant for heavy-duty gardening jobs or transporting dirt or mulch

Best Handheld Garden Cart

AMES Rolling Lawn & Garden Storage Cart

AMES 20213200 Rolling Lawn & Garden Storage Cart

When you need a convenient, handheld garden caddy that doubles as a garden stool, look no further than the AMES Rolling Lawn & Garden Storage Cart.

This small but mighty garden cart is perfect for storing and transporting garden hand tools, gloves, seed packets, and other small items. You can even scoot it along as you pull weeds while sitting on it!

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Compact
  • Doubles as a stool
  • Affordable

Cons:

  • Much smaller than a traditional garden cart
  • Not designed for hauling large loads or equipment

Best Two-Wheel Garden Cart

WROX Aerocart 8-in-1 Yard Cart

WORX WG050 Aerocart 8-in-1 Yard Cart / Wheelbarrow / Dolly

In your search for the best garden carts, consider an upright, two-wheeled option like the WROX Aerocart 8-in-1 Yard Cart.

This innovative design ensures that 200-pound loads feel less than 20 pounds. Its 8-in-1 design means this yard cart can transform into a dolly, extended dolly, bag holder, rock mover, cylinder carrier, trailer tote, and lightweight wheelbarrow, giving you every kind of cart you could need in one!

Pros:

  • Flat-free tires never need inflating
  • Easy to maneuver
  • Lightweight, ergonomic design

Cons:

  • Smaller than most traditional garden carts

Best Collapsible Garden Cart

Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon

Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon Heavy Duty Folding Garden Portable Hand Cart with Universal Wheels, Adjustable Handle & Drink Holders

With its 360-degree rotating front wheels, the Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon moves wherever you need with ease.

It’s an all-terrain outdoor garden cart with an internal pull rope that allows you to fold it for storage within seconds. You’ll also love the convenient handle and integrated beverage holders!

Pros:

  • Durable, waterproof insert won’t tear with use
  • Easy to fold and store
  • Multiple uses beyond gardening

Cons:

  • No brake to keep it parked in place

Best Electric Garden Cart

SuperHandy Wheelbarrow Utility Cart

SuperHandy Wheelbarrow Utility Cart Electric 24V DC 330lbs Max Load Barrel Dump Material Debris Hauler (Amazon Exclusive)

Serious gardeners need a serious garden cart. The motorized SuperHandy Wheelbarrow Utility Cart boasts a 24V electric motor and 330-pound max load to create a durable, eco-friendly machine that never quits.

Best of all, its rubber-covered handle, ergonomic lever switch, and all-terrain tires let you work in all weather conditions.

Pros:

  • 24V electric motor
  • 13″ pneumatic all-terrain wheels
  • Fast charge time
  • Spill-proof design

Cons:

  • More expensive than manual garden carts
  • Requires some assembly

Best Garden Carts Buyer’s Guide

So, now that you know our recommendations for the best garden carts in 2022, how can you choose the one that meets your needs? Well, there are a few factors to consider.

A row of garden carts.

Intended Use

How will you actually use your garden cart? Do you plan on transporting firewood, mulch, or heavy bags of potting soil? What about gardening equipment? Would you prefer a multi-purpose cart for toting groceries from the car to the kitchen?

In most cases, serious gardeners and landscapers will need a traditional wheelbarrow- or dolly-style garden cart, while hobbyists can often benefit from a compact, convertible model.

A traditional wheelbarrow cart.

Load and Weight Capacity

The maximum load and weight capacity are often deciding factors when narrowing down the best garden carts. Since these carts are designed to assist with pretty much any type of gardening or yard work, their max loads vary widely. In fact, you can find some heavy-duty options capable of hauling up to 1,400 pounds!

There’s a trade-off, however. Carts that can haul several hundred pounds tend to lack maneuverability, which means you can’t get them into tight spaces. They’re also heavier and take more effort to transport.

Tire Size and Type

Understanding the differences in tire size and type can help you narrow down the best garden carts. Smaller yard carts tend to have tires made from solid rubber. These tires require little to no maintenance and rarely wear out because they never need to be inflated.

Larger garden carts are usually designed with air-filled or pneumatic tires that require maintenance. On the plus side, pneumatic tires roll easier than solid rubber tires, making the cart easier to handle.

Another factor to consider is the tread pattern. If you frequently work on the sloped ground or in wet conditions, you’ll want a garden cart with tires designed for maximum grip and traction, so look for a ribbed or knotty all-weather tread.

Closeup of a wheelbarrow or garden cart wheel.

Construction Materials

If you’re comparing the best garden carts on the market, you’re making an investment. As such, it’s important to buy a quality garden cart that’s constructed with well-made materials and built to last.

Garden carts are made with a variety of materials, including high-density polyethylene, wood, and steel. Some mesh carts are even lined with polyester sheeting, which is a material that stands up to sharp rocks, dirt, and other debris.

Steel is the go-to option for most avid gardeners and landscapers because it’s the most durable. Galvanized steel is even better, but it’s the most expensive. If you’re on a tighter budget, consider powder-coated steel as a durable alternative.

Handheld vs. Quad

Be sure to ask yourself how you intend to transport your garden cart. Handheld options are compact and lightweight, allowing you to carry or maneuver them just about anywhere, but they don’t have the load-bearing capacity of a quad garden cart.

If you’re in the market for a heavy-duty quad cart, do you need one with a tractor attachment? Or does an ergonomic handle suit your needs? The best garden carts will be easy to transport regardless.

A canvas folding utility cart at a plant market.

Manual vs. Powered

While most garden carts are manual, an electric or gas-powered option may suit your needs better. Electric motorized carts typically feature a manual mode for freewheel operation.

Gas-powered carts are top-of-the-line pieces of equipment, meaning they’re the most expensive. Electric models will cost at least a few hundred bucks but are priced lower than their gas-powered counterparts.

Brakes

When narrowing down the best garden carts, consider the brake design. Having a model with a solid braking system or brake bar is a must if you’ll be using the cart on an incline or uneven terrain.

Once you’ve determined your needs regarding your gardening habits and anticipated equipment use, you can focus on suitable options and start comparing prices.


Why You Need a Garden Cart

Garden carts feature two or more wheels and straight sides, making it easier to wheel around heavy loads. Unlike wheelbarrows, garden carts are designed for maximum stability and load capacity. Although you can easily maneuver a wheelbarrow around tight spaces, a wheelbarrow isn’t meant to replace a heavy-duty garden cart.

A large plastic utility cart filled with yard debris.

There are several reasons for investing in a garden cart, and with so many options available, you’re sure to find one best suited to your hauling needs. A garden cart will:

  • Save your back and knees
  • Allow you to garden longer without pain
  • Help you accomplish more in less time, with less effort
  • Help keep you and your clothes clean

Moreover, certain garden carts are designed for purposes beyond gardening, such as hauling in groceries. With so many benefits on offer, why wouldn’t you want a garden cart in your tool arsenal?


Different Types of Garden Carts

When comparing the best garden carts available, it’s important to note the different types you’ll encounter.

A red metal garden cart at a plant nursery.

Utility Carts/Wagons

Utility wagons are heavy-duty, general-purpose garden carts. They’re designed to serve a wide variety of functions, including hauling stone, bricks, firewood, soil, mulch, garden debris, and tools.

Dump Carts

Dump carts are similar to wheelbarrows in that they allow you to transport loads and dump them, but they can be pulled manually or behind a riding lawnmower. Motorized models also typically have a dump feature.

Foldable Carts

Some of the best garden carts feature foldable sides, transforming your utility wagon into a flatbed in seconds. Collapsible designs are also great when your storage space is limited.

A folding gray canvas garden utility cart.

Flatbed Carts

A flatbed garden cart is essentially a utility wagon without the sides. These are great for hauling long branches and other large items that may not otherwise fit in a sided cart.


How to Care for Your Garden Cart

You’ve invested much time and money in researching the best garden carts and determining which suits your needs. The last thing you want is for your purchase to wear out or break down before its anticipated life expectancy is up.

When it comes to garden cart maintenance, you can do a few things to ensure your investment remains functional for years to come.

  • Only use the cart for its intended purpose
  • Don’t overload the cart
  • Check the tires regularly (and inflate them, if necessary)
  • Make repairs as needed
  • Don’t exceed the cart’s speed limit
  • Store it properly
  • Keep it clean
  • Refer to the cart manual for specific maintenance instructions

Choosing the Best Garden Cart

Now that you know everything there is to know about the best garden carts and their many uses, you can make an informed decision when it’s time to buy your own.

Before purchasing, remember to note the cart’s overall construction, materials, tires, functionality, maximum load capacity, and other design aspects.

With options ranging from handheld totes to motorized utility wagons, the perfect garden cart comes down to your budget and personal preference.

Ready to learn more about which garden tools we recommend for every backyard gardener and home landscaper? Shopping for your garden can get overwhelming fast. So if you’re looking for advice on tools and supplies, then you’re in the right place!