Photo: Debbie Wolfe
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If you spend a good amount of time gardening or landscaping, a dependable and capable wheelbarrow can help lessen your load. While these humble helpers may look pretty similar to one another, they’re not all designed to accomplish the same tasks.
The best wheelbarrow for hauling relatively lightweight twigs and fallen leaves may not stand up to the strain of concrete-mixing in its tub. We chatted with some lawn and gardening experts to see what they had to say about this invaluable tool. Then, we put these carts through the paces during 2 days of yard work to see just how worthy they are. Our favorite was the poly yard cart from Gorilla thanks to its flat basin, level surface, and single-handed operation. If you’re in the market for one, read on to learn what to look for when shopping, and find out how these wheelbarrows performed for real yard and garden tasks.
BEST OVERALL: Gorilla Carts 4 cu. ft. Poly Yard Cart
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Best Choice Products Dual-Wheel Wheelbarrow
MOST VERSATILE: Worx WG050 Aerocart 8-in-1 Yard Cart
BEST FOR GARDENING: Rubbermaid Commercial Products Yard Cart
BEST FOR HEAVY LOADS: Gorilla Carts 7 cu. ft. Poly Yard Dump Cart
Product | Number of Wheels | Volume | Weight Capacity |
4 | 4 cubic feet | 600 pounds | |
2 | 5 cubic feet | 330 pounds | |
2 | 3 cubic feet | 300 pounds | |
2 | 7.5 cubic feet | 300 pounds | |
4 | 7 cubic feet | 1,200 pounds |
The following wheelbarrow picks are some of our top recommendations for the best wheelbarrows for a yard or garden. These recommendations were selected because of their quality construction, capacity, ease of use, and other helpful features.
We field-tested eight wheelbarrows and garden carts with some of the best online reviews to see how they would perform in action. Whether you’re looking for a plastic or metal model, or you’re shopping for an electric version to speed up landscaping tasks, there’s sure to be a good solution here to help with most every gardening need.
Volume and capacity similar to conventional wheelbarrow
Flat basin and level surface makes this extremely stable
Single-hand operation makes it easier for busy yard work
Convenient height for loading, dump bed for unloading
Heavy loads may require partial hand-unloading
Poly material flexes somewhat with heavier/harder materials
Bed not shaped well for mixing concrete, etc.
Number of wheels: 4
Volume: 4 cubic feet
Weight capacity: 600 pounds
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
A combination of high weight capacity, easy one-handed operation, and excellent stability set the Gorilla Carts 4-cubic-foot poly yard cart apart from the competition. Loaded with mulch or concrete blocks, its wide wheelbase and pneumatic tires rolled through our terrain test with ease. The articulating front wheels and bent shaft handle made it easy to accomplish a 90-degree turn without coming to a complete stop. And the tall frame offered ample ground clearance without losing stability.
We also liked the simple, effective dump-bed feature. It was not too heavy to control with a full load of mulch, thanks to a well-balanced pivot point. The spring-loaded bed latch worked smoothly by simply lifting up on the handle. Another exceptional point is that the bed height was just right for sitting when we placed a board across the top.
Because of the structural ridges in the base and vertical sides of the poly bed, thoroughly mixing a batch of potting soil or concrete would be difficult. And if you’re trying to navigate a narrow garden path, the wide wheel base might be a bit too much. But for most yard and garden tasks, this cart excels.
Read our full review: Gorilla Carts 4 cu. ft. Garden Dumping Cart
Get the Gorilla Carts 4-cubic-foot wheelbarrow at The Home Depot or Lowe’s.
Lightweight design is easy to tote around the garden
Low profile design makes it easy to load and dump
Surprisingly capable, with a comfortable foam grip on handle
Looks and feels weaker than it actually is
Assembly was harder than necessary
Hollow steel axle may weaken over time; not ideal for frequent heavy duty work
Number of wheels: 2
Volume: 5 cubic feet
Weight capacity: 330
At a glance, this Best Choice Products dual-wheel wheelbarrow appears almost puny. It has a lightweight plastic bed and a tubular steel frame that belies the actual ability of the wheelbarrow. In reality, this wheelbarrow admirably held its own through our terrain test, including the hill portions. We pushed it and pulled it up and down a 30-degree slope while loaded to capacity with soil and stone and had zero complaints. The large pneumatic tires and long loop handle are the keys to its successful design.
We also liked the low, squatty shape of the cart. It makes for easy loading and dumping. Plus, the traditional wheelbarrow-shaped bed would be easy for mixing up a batch of concrete or home-recipe potting soil. The foam-cushioned grip made for more comfortable, less slippery work.
The listed weight capacity of 330 pounds seems a bit exaggerated due to the thin-gauge steel frame and plastic bed, but to be fair, our tests didn’t uncover a weakness. Assembly could have been easier; the tires did not come preinflated, and the bolts had wide slotted screw heads instead of hex heads, which would have been easier to grip.
In general this is a pretty versatile cart capable of working harder than it appears.
Get the Best Choice Products wheelbarrow at Amazon.
Space-saving design is compact and easy to store
Compact but strong steel frame and bin is built to last
Numerous practical attachments for common household tasks
Hard wheels do not absorb impact well; not ideal for rough terrain
Volume is smaller than most wheelbarrows
Lots of moving parts and adapters to store
Number of wheels: 2
Volume: 3 cubic feet
Weight capacity: 300 pounds
Admittedly, our wheelbarrow-testing regimen only scratched the surface of what the Aerocart can do, so we decided to take it a bit further. On the regular test, the Worx product performed well. We easily pushed it uphill, downhill, and across numerous surfaces while loaded with soil and concrete blocks.
The volume is smaller than average, which made up for the fact that the solid rubber dolly-type wheels would otherwise have dug into the sand. As a wheelbarrow, it is mostly limited to smaller, but not necessarily light duty, jobs. It feels well built, with a steel frame and bin, and assembly was the easiest of all that we tested.
What sets this cart apart is the number of peripheral jobs it accommodates. We moved the wheels into the hand-truck configuration to try out other features. The hand truck would be super helpful around the house or garage. We used it with the included propane cylinder mover, leaf bag holder, potted plant mover, and boulder mover (which moved a stump for us). It worked as well or better than a conventional wheelbarrow or hand truck for each of those tasks.
Get the Worx wheelbarrow at Amazon.
Preassembled; ready to use straight out of the box
Balanced for easy push or pull operation while full
Large, solid wheels roll easily over uneven terrain
Largest volume of all carts we tested
Bigger size requires a large storage space
Wheels do not absorb shock or ruts like inflatable tires
Too large and heavy for small routine tasks
Number of wheels: 2
Volume: 7.5 cubic feet
Weight capacity: 300 pounds
Just looking at this wheelbarrow, we could see it is built for transporting bulk material. It holds more than a quarter of a cubic yard, so filling it up with a shovel took some time. When it was fully loaded, we rolled it through our obstacle course, and it performed well, although it was heavy on the uphill. The hard wheels only bogged down slightly in the sand.
The shape is perfect for dumping. Loading and unloading blocks was cumbersome due to the depth of the bin and the slopes of the front and rear walls.
We felt like this would be an excellent choice for anyone who hauls lots of loose material such as compost, mulch, weeds, or sticks. It also would be suitable for mixing a batch of potting soil or concrete because of the smooth tub base and sloped ends. However, the large volume and thin wheels could lead to problems with overloading if you don’t monitor weight.
Get the Rubbermaid wheelbarrow at Ace Hardware, Amazon, or The Home Depot.
Converts to a trailer for towing behind a riding mower
Large inflatable tires roll easily over rough ground
Wide, stable design suitable for most yard work
One-handed control dump bed takes strain off the user
Difficult to steer in reverse while towing
High bed is more difficult to load with a shovel
Large size requires large storage space
Number of wheels: 4
Volume: 7 cubic feet
Weight capacity: 1,200 pounds
The Gorilla Cart GCG-7 was the best for hauling concrete blocks of all the carts we tested. It performed well in all phases of our obstacle course, which we ran twice, the first time using the padded grip handle to pull it through.
The second time, we removed the handle and attached it to the tow hitch on the riding mower. The cart demonstrated excellent stability throughout. A heavy load of mulch was easy to dump thanks to the well-placed bed pivot point.
This could be an excellent choice for larger properties, even if you need to haul more than just garden supplies. The rigid, flat-bottomed poly bed and heavy-duty steel frame could easily carry firewood, a generator, or building supplies.
Get the Gorilla Carts 7-cubic-foot wheelbarrow at Lowe’s, Ace Hardware or The Home Depot.
Before putting our wheelbarrows to the test, we interviewed Bryan Clayton, CEO of GreenPal, a nationwide lawn care company, who provided us with some expert advice on what shoppers will want to keep in mind when selecting one. He suggests opting for a lightweight and durable polyethylene material over heavier metal constructions: “Steel is tough, sure, but it’s also heavy. And when you’re hauling concrete, mulch, or gravel all day, every pound matters. Plastic strikes a good balance between durability and weight, making it perfect for most landscaping materials.”
Keeping this in mind, and to provide a useful review, we put the wheelbarrows through their paces. After loading them to capacity with mulch or soil, we pushed and pulled each wheelbarrow through an obstacle course consisting of varying terrain and a 90-degree turn in each direction. Obstacles included grass, sand, and gravel surfaces; loose branches; and sloped ground. Then we dumped the first load, stacked concrete blocks on the cart, and took it through the course again.
After considering the cart’s overall size, empty weight, volume, and weight capacity, we rated each according to its ability to navigate the course. We noted ease of loading and dumping, traveling stability, performance over difficult terrain, and maneuverability on turns.
Though it’s easy to assume that all wheelbarrows perform similarly, a number of factors affect their functionality. The best wheelbarrows are easy to maneuver while having a sturdy enough build to maintain the desired load capacities of soil or rocks needed to get jobs done. Keep reading to learn about some of the most important qualities to consider when shopping for the best wheelbarrow.
There are several different styles of wheelbarrows. Each has its benefits, and some types will work better for specific garden tasks than others.
Traditional: The traditional wheelbarrow design has a single wheel in the front and two steel legs in the rear to balance the tool. This design works well for maneuvering and dumping lightweight loads, but it can be prone to tipping over under heavier loads.
Two-wheel: Wheelbarrows with a two-wheel design—one on either side of the front of the tub—offer additional tip resistance. However, these models are more difficult to pivot sharply, like when pushing the wheelbarrow down a winding path or backing up and going in a different direction.
Motorized: Motorized wheelbarrows use either gas or electric power to reduce the effort required to push them. They typically feature multiple wheels and speed functions.
Collapsible: Collapsible wheelbarrows feature a fabric trough—rather than a plastic or steel tub—making them lightweight and easy to push. They fold up for compact storage and some can even be hung in a garage or garden shed.
The best wheelbarrow won’t be worth much in a yard if it can’t tote a load, so one of the first considerations may be the tub capacity, measured in cubic feet. Though tubs can have anywhere from 2.5 to 10 cubic feet of space, most gardeners need only about 4 to 6 cubic feet to haul compost, soil, or garden supplies.
Larger tubs make it possible to haul bigger loads, but they’re usually heavier and harder to push, so it’s best to get the size that accommodates the expected needs. One notable exception: If planning to mix a bag of concrete, at least a 7-cubic-foot capacity is needed to keep the concrete from sloshing out while preparing it.
Plastic wheelbarrows with steel frames can weigh as little as 15 pounds, while empty all-steel models can tip the scales at 65 pounds. An empty weight of around 20 to 40 pounds usually offers a maximum weight load ranging from 90 to 150 pounds, which is more than enough for most common yard tasks, such as hauling mulch and soil or moving multiple cans of paint.
Weight capacities also vary widely depending on the type of wheelbarrow chosen. For example, compact folding wheelbarrows may be capable of carrying only 50 pounds of weight, while electric wheelbarrows have weight capacities as high as 600 pounds. Also at the heavier end, contractor-type and heavy-duty wheelbarrows are suited to carrying heavy loads up to 300 pounds. Some of the lighter-weight versions can only haul about 60 pounds.
The tubs on today’s wheelbarrows are made of either thick molded plastic (polyethylene) or steel, and the structural frame is usually made from steel. Steel tubs are stronger than plastic and can handle hauling heavy loads such as bricks and rocks, but they cost more than similar-size models with molded plastic tubs. A steel frame is also heavier than plastic, and the added weight can make a fully loaded wheelbarrow harder to push.
Let the intended usage be the guide. If it’s only needed to move lightweight loads, a molded plastic tub may be sufficient. If there are heavy materials to move or mixing concrete is on the to-do list, consider a steel wheelbarrow, as plastic ones are more likely to crack under heavy weight.
Tires can make a difference in how a wheelbarrow performs, especially after it’s loaded or when crossing rough terrain. Wheelbarrow tires are either solid, made of rubber or plastic, or inflatable—much like those on a car or bicycle.
Inflatable tires—also known as pneumatic tires—offer a bit of cushion. This cushion can keep the wheelbarrow from bouncing around, but if one goes flat, it will need air (with a bicycle pump) or a repair with a patch kit. If the desire is to have a maintenance-free model, solid rubber tires are a more fitting choice.
Two straight handles, often made from steel or hardwood, are standard on the majority of wheelbarrows, and they’re great for most hauling tasks. But lacking ample arm strength, it can be difficult to push a fully loaded wheelbarrow with basic handles.
As an alternative, consider bent-arm handles ergonomically designed to allow lifting and steering with less strain. There are also single-arm bar handles (think shopping cart) that allow users to pull a two-wheel model as well as push it. Some versions include cushioned grips that cut down on blisters and hand fatigue as well.
Some wheelbarrows may come equipped with additional features that offer increased maneuverability, comfort, and convenience.
A beverage holder allows for keeping a water bottle handy to help the user stay hydrated while working.
A cell phone holder provides a place to keep a phone close at hand.
A tray provides a handy spot to keep gardening tools.
Fold-down dolly shelves let the wheelbarrow do double duty for transporting boxes or even appliances.
Elevated tires are useful for navigating rough or uneven terrain.
LED lights may be included on motorized wheelbarrows and help illuminate a work area.
Q. How heavy is an empty wheelbarrow?
Wheelbarrow weights vary widely depending on the type, ranging from 10 to 350 pounds.
Q. What size wheelbarrow do I need?
When shopping for a wheelbarrow, consider its tub capacity. A capacity of 4 to 6 cubic feet is usually sufficient for most home gardeners.
Q. Which is better, a plastic or metal wheelbarrow?
Plastic and metal wheelbarrows both have their advantages. Metal models are typically more durable and can carry heavier loads, but they’re usually heavier. Plastic models are lightweight, making them easier to maneuver.
Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with a background in the nursery and landscaping industry. For more than 20 years he mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn care products, and other outdoor-living goods.
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