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If you’re looking for an easier way to move anything from heavy construction materials to compost, our team is here to help. We researched the best wheelbarrows on the market and created a buyer’s guide to help you make an informed purchase.
Here are our top recommendations.
Top 5 Wheelbarrows
- Highest Weight Capacity: Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart
- Most Portable: Gorilla Carts Poly Yard Cart
- Most Versatile: WORX Aerocart 8-in-1 Wheelbarrow
- Best Wheels: Garden Star Marathon Yard Rover
- Best Electric Wheelbarrow: SuperHandy Electric-Powered Utility Cart
Compare Top Wheelbarrows
Product | Dimensions | Weight | Tires | Load Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart | 38.7 by 20 by 19.5 inches | 32 pounds | Four 10-inch pnuematic tires | 600 pounds |
Gorilla Carts Poly Yard Cart | 47.2 by 25.3 by 28.4 inches | 26.8 pounds | Two 10-inch pneumatic tires | 300 pounds |
WORX Aerocart Wheelbarrow | 57 by 15.5 by 12 inches | 49 pounds | Two never-flat tires | 300 pounds |
Garden Star Marathon Yard Rover | 53.5 by 25.5 by 25.6 inches | 25 pounds | Two 14.5-inch pneumatic tires | 300 pounds |
SuperHandy Electric-Powered Utility Cart | 42 by 27 by 17 inches | 107 pounds | Two 13-inch pneumatic tires | 330 pounds |
Product | Dimensions | Weight | Tires | Load Capacity |
Highest Weight Capacity
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a quick-release dump feature to make unloading easy
✔ Has four 10-inch pneumatic wheels for easy mobility
✔ Has padding on its handle to make movements more comfortable
✘ Some customers needed help from a second person to complete assembly
✘ Assembling the cart requires uncommon screwdriver sizes
Key Features
- 38.7 by 20 by 19.5 inches
- 32 pounds
- Four 10-inch pneumatic tires
- 600-pound load capacity
- One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers praised this wheelbarrow’s patented dumping mechanism, which allowed the cart to be loaded and unloaded quickly and easily. This mechanism also made the wheelbarrow easy for people with limited mobility and strength. Reviewers who weren’t satisfied with the product complained that the screws provided with the cart became loose after only a few uses.
Most Portable
Pros and Cons
✔ Features a low center of gravity for easy movement with minimal effort
✔ Comes at an affordable price point
✔ Has an impact-resistant poly bed
✘ Includes a smaller-than-average four-cubic-foot barrel
✘ Doesn’t mention a warranty like the other Gorilla Carts model in this review
Key Features
- 47.2 by 25.3 by 28.4 inches
- 26.8 pounds
- Two 10-inch pneumatic tires
- 300-pound load capacity
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked the low-to-the-ground design of this wheelbarrow’s body, which made it easy to lift items into the cart. However, multiple customers didn’t receive all the pieces required for assembly. They said that getting the replacement parts from the manufacturer was a hassle.
Most Versatile
Pros and Cons
✔ Gives you the option to add expert assembly from Amazon for an additional cost
✔ Makes 200 pounds of material feel like 17 pounds when it’s lifted
✔ Can tackle medium tasks with its 300-pound weight capacity
✘ Has a sharp sloping interior that limits heaping capacity
✘ Assembling it can be a pain because of how many pieces it has
Key Features
- 57 by 15.5 by 12 inches
- 49 pounds
- Two never-flat tires
- 300-pound load capacity
- Three-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who loved this wheelbarrow praised its easy assembly process, especially considering how many pieces it came with. Customers who were unsatisfied with this product criticized the bowl of the wheelbarrow, saying that it was too small to carry its 300-pound maximum load practically.
Best Wheels
Pros and Cons
✔ Requires only a crescent wrench and flathead screwdriver to assemble
✔ Includes a loop handle that makes the wheelbarrow easier to move
✔ Can be stored upright in a tool shed or garage
✘ Has a poorly constructed body, according to some reviewers
✘ The tires may deflate over time
Key Features
- 53.5 by 25.5 by 25.6 inches
- 25 pounds
- Two 14.5-inch pneumatic tires
- 300-pound load capacity
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked how easy to maneuver this wheelbarrow was, with many claiming that its construction and shape were ideal for everyday use. However, multiple customers who rated the product poorly claimed that the holes in the wheelbarrow weren’t lined up, making the product difficult to assemble.
Best Electric Wheelbarrow
Pros and Cons
✔ Offers several speeds
✔ Features a spill-proof barrel design
✔ Can travel up to 3.1 miles per hour
✘ The motor makes it more expensive
✘ The motor has to be recharged every two to five hours
Key Features
- 42 by 27 by 17 inches
- 107 pounds
- Two 13-inch pneumatic tires
- 330-pound load capacity
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who loved this wheelbarrow praised its durability. Many customers also reported that the wheelbarrow’s parts were shipped thoughtfully with a lot of padding to prevent damage during the mailing process. Customers who weren’t happy with this wheelbarrow complained about its short battery life.
Buying Guide to Wheelbarrows
Before purchasing a wheelbarrow, it’s important to understand how its design and specifications impact its user experience and performance. Here are four factors to consider before buying a wheelbarrow.
Material
Most wheelbarrows are made of either plastic or metal. Most non-metal models, including the Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart, are made with polyethylene or polypropylene—thick and durable plastics that create an affordable and long-lasting wheelbarrow. While more affordable, plastic wheelbarrows are typically less durable than their metal counterparts. For example, the SuperHandy Electric-Powered Utility Cart has a powder-coated steel frame that holds up to 330 pounds.
Weight Capacity
A wheelbarrow’s weight capacity refers to how many pounds it can safely transport. Typically, plastic wheelbarrows have lower weight capacities than their steel counterparts. For example, the plastic Garden Star Marathon Yard Rover holds up to 300 pounds, 30 pounds less than the metal SuperHandy Electric-Powered Utility Cart. However, some heavy-duty plastic models, such as the Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart, have 600-pound capacities.
Movement
Wheelbarrows come in manual and automatic models. Manual wheelbarrows, such as the Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart, include one or two handles that help you push or pull the cart. Automatic models, including the SuperHandy Electric-Powered Utility Cart, have wheels powered by batteries to transport heavy loads.
Additional Features
Many wheelbarrows have additional features that help you complete various DIY tasks. For example, the WORX Aerocart Wheelbarrow has an eight-in-one design that transforms it into a yard cart, bag holder, dolly, and other tools.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wheelbarrows
Can I store my wheelbarrow outside?
It depends. Some plastic wheelbarrows have a weather-resistant design that can withstand light rain and inclement weather. However, metal wheelbarrows should be stored in a shelter or shed to prevent corrosion.
How much weight can a wheelbarrow carry?
While the weight capacity of a wheelbarrow varies based on the model, most can hold around 300 pounds.
What are wheelbarrows used for?
Wheelbarrows can be used for various DIY projects, including moving rock, transporting mulch, and disposing of debris.
How We Selected the Best Wheelbarrows
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of wheelbarrows with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published countless reviews of garden, lawn, and outdoor products—from fertilizer and garden hoses to patio furniture and snow blowers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
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