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We tested 18 wheelbarrows of different types and sizes on an obstacle course atThe Labin Des Moines, Iowa.
The Spruce
We noted each wheelbarrow’s stability, capacity, sturdiness, ergonomics, and ease of handling.
Based on our findings, these are the best wheelbarrows on the market.
We found it very easy to maneuver and very stable.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Henry Wortock
We wish it was a bit deeper, but that would also make it heavier.
And despite being left outside in harsh Iowa weather, it still looks as good as new.
Plus, it is easy to store upright when not in use.
The Best Choice Products 5 Cubic Foot Dual Wheel wheelbarrow was easy to push over all terrain.PHOTO: The Spruce
Material:Polyurethane |Number of Wheels:2|Volume:5 cubic feet |Weight Capacity:330 pounds
What size wheelbarrow do I need?
The ideal-sized wheelbarrow depends mostly on how you plan to use it.
Still, we found it comfortable to push the wheelbarrow, even with a full load.
Overall, it was easy to dump out the supplies, except when fully loaded.
Ideally, assembling this cart should be a two-person task.
Still, they rolled very well over all types of surfaces.
This sturdy garden cart became a much-loved garden assistant during the long-term testing at home.
We used it to tote all sorts of materials, including wood chips, rocks, and plants.
We even used it to move around the contents of the garage for better organization.
Plus, it provided a handy spot to toss pulled weeds before carting them over to the trash.
Plus, they roll very smoothly over all types of terrain.
We loaded this beast with four heavy bags of mulch and headed out to our obstacle course.
We loved that it’s shipped fully assembled and ready to go.
We also liked the comfortable handles, which are covered in a grippy material that adds some extra cushioning.
Despite being a smaller wheelbarrow, we found it difficult to assemble, due to the unclear instructions.
We experienced no difficulties with wobble or tipping, even when going around corners or over rough terrain.
We used it to tote dirt and rocks and also to transport plants.
We used it every time we had yard work to do, including picking up fallen leaves and twigs.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Henry Wortock
And, of course, it takes up little room for storage, which we loved.
Even those with small gardens can find multiple uses for this small but mighty folding wheelbarrow.
We had no trouble wheeling it across pavement, mulch, gravel, grass, or landscaping edging.
The True Temper Poly Wheelbarrow handles aren’t comfortable without gloves, but it pushes easily.PHOTO: The Spruce
While testing for months at.
The course also had several trees that required fairly tight turns to pass through.
If the wheelbarrows tires were air-filled, then we measured the tire pressure at assembly.
If underinflated, then we inflated the tires before beginning the testing session.
Capacity: Next, each wheelbarrow was loaded to its capacity with 2-cubic-feet bags of mulch.
We checked air-filled tires to see if they had lost inflation during the testing sessions.
We then updated our list with the new results.
Capacity
The capacity of a wheelbarrow or garden cart is normally measured in cubic feet.
Our best large-capacity pick, theRubbermaid Commercial Big Wheel Yard Cart, has a whopping 8.75 cubic feet capacity.
Consider how youll use the wheelbarrow before choosing a size.
Our best overall pick, theBest Choice Products Dual-Wheel Wheelbarrow, has a 5 cubic feet capacity.
On the downside, steel is heavy and is prone to rusting.
Plasticwheelbarrows are much lighter than steel, and they dont rust.
These carts usually have a metal frame for extra support but are not designed for the heaviest loads.
We especially like our best compact pick, theAllsop WheelEasy 3 Cubic-Feet Foldable Garden Cart.
The handles of a wheelbarrow or garden cart can be made of steel, wood, or occasionally plastic.
Steel handles are the strongest, and the most common.
Preferably, the handles have some sort of rubbery coating to provide a little extra cushioning and grip.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Each has its own pros and cons.
However, pneumatic tires generally roll well over all types of terrain.
As for size, large wheels generally handle rough terrain better than smaller wheels.
The True Temper 6 Cubic Foot Steel Wheelbarrow is comfortable when pushing over all terrain.PHOTO: The Spruce
Youll also want to consider the number of wheels.
Two-wheeled wheelbarrows provide better stability but are a little less easy to maneuver around corners.
Our best two-wheel pick is theTruper 6 Cubic-Feet Steel Wheelbarrow.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Michelle Ullmanhas been writing for The Spruce since 2020.
PHOTO: The Spruce
The Gorilla Carts Utility Cart is quite easy to pull whether full or empty.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The Rubbermaid Commercial Big Wheel Yard Cart doesn’t wobble and moves smoothly over most terrain.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The Kobalt Steel Wheelbarrow’s two wheel design with with oversized wheels eliminates any wobbling.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce
The Allsop WheelEasy sits flat on the ground, so it’s really easy to load.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce
The Ames Lawn Buddy has a handle/lid that’s very functional but not the most comfortable.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The Truper Steel Wheelbarrow is sturdily-built, with big wheels and comfortable handles.PHOTO: The Spruce
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We tested the wheelbarrows head to head before using them at home for long term insights.The Spruce
We found molded wheels made for harder pushing and pulling, but there’s less upkeep too.The Spruce
We loaded each wheelbarrow up to full capacity when testing maneuverability and steadiness.The Spruce
Flat-free tires remove the concern of punctures from sharp objects in your yard.The Spruce
