8 Best Wheelbarrows of 2022
These budget-friendly picks will fit your specific yard-care needs
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Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a newbie to the wonderful world of yard maintenance, a wheelbarrow is a garden must-haves for those interested in DIY planting, growing and maintaining their outdoor space. To the lesser-practiced botanist, all wheelbarrows might seem the same. But not so fast – there are lots of options on the market to suit your needs whether you’re trimming and cutting a large farm plot or a small backyard garden.
The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute regularly test and review home-improvement and gardening products of all kinds, from gardening tool sets to lawnmowers. To find the best wheelbarrows, we looked to reliable brands we've often tested, and considered ease of use, functionality, storage and capacity among other features. You can find more tips on how to pick the best model for you at the end of this article, but first, here are our picks for the best wheelbarrows to buy:
- Best Overall Wheelbarrow: Craftsman 6 Cubic Ft. Wheelbarrow
- Best Value Wheelbarrow: True Temper 4 Cubic Ft. Poly Wheelbarrow
- Best Heavy Duty Wheelbarrow: Worx Aerocart 8-in-1 Wheelbarrow
- Best Lightweight Wheelbarrow: Allsop Home and Garden Folding Yard Cart
- Best Cart-Style Wheelbarrow: Gorilla Carts Heavy Duty 7 Cu. Dump Cart
- Best Motorized Wheelbarrow: Landworks Wheelbarrow Utility Cart
- Best Two-Wheel Wheelbarrow: Best Choice Products Dual-Wheel Utility Cart
- Best Large Wheelbarrow for Landscaping: Rubbermaid Commercial Big-Wheel Cart
Craftsman Steel Tray Wheelbarrow
With a sturdy steel tray able to hold about 6 cubic feet, this classic model is not too big or too small, and will get almost any job done for under $100. Built to last for years, this wheelbarrow also features pneumatic tires, so you're less likely to get a flat. Comfort grips on the steel handles also make this model easy for most to maneuver.
Pros
- Low cost
- Lightweight
Cons
- Poly tray isn't as durable as metal
If you just need something for basic minor maintenance, this wheelbarrow won’t break your budget. Measuring at only 4 cubic feet, this is smaller than most typical wheelbarrows. It also features a poly tray instead of metal, which helps make it lighter. It has over 700 five-star reviews, and it’s designed to resist corrosion so you don’t have to worry as much if left outdoors.
WORX WG050 Aerocart 2-Wheel Wheelbarrow
Pros
- Multi-use for different jobs
- Can hold up to 300 pounds
Cons
- Takes up more storage space
- Very heavy
This cart can carry up to a whopping 300 pounds! While the wheelbarrow itself is heavy at 200 pounds, its ergonomically clever design makes it pretty easy to maneuver. Another great feature about this model is that it’s multi-use. The Aerocart can quickly transform from a wheelbarrow into a yard cart, a dolly, a cylinder carrier and more.
Allsop Home and Garden WheelEasy Folding Yard Cart
Pros
- Collapsible and easy to store
- 350-pound capacity
Cons
- For smaller jobs only
Despite this folding canvas wheelbarrow only weighing a little over 22 pounds, it still has the capacity to carry up to 350 pounds! The collapsible design makes it easy to use for ground level loading – you can rake or shovel debris right into the canvas barrel. Online reviewers love that this wheelbarrow is easy to transport and store.
Gorilla Carts Heavy-Duty Poly Dump Cart
Pros
- Four wheels offsets the load
- Ergonomically designed
Cons
- Large design is more difficult to store
If you’re physically limited or just don’t have the strength to push heavy loads in a wheelbarrow, a four-wheeled cart might work best for you. Gorilla Carts make the most popular cart-style wheelbarrows, and they work very well for gardening. This particular model offers strength, stability, and zero-turn steering. The bed is designed to tilt into a completely upended position, making it super easy to dump out whatever you’re hauling.
Pros
- Helps lighten heavy loads
- Rechargeable battery
Cons
- Very expensive
Hauling heavy loads of mulch and fertilizer around your yard can be a strenuous job. But fortunately there's a solution for that: Motorized wheelbarrows can help you move super heavy loads of yard waste or even gravel or stone and help you get the job done. This particular model boasts pneumatic wheels and a rechargeable battery-powered motor.
Best Choice Products Dual-Wheel Utility Cart
Pros
- Easy to maneuver
- Easy to store
Cons
- Plastic may not be as sturdy as metal versions
A two-wheel design can be easier to maneuver than one wheel on various terrains. Weighing under 30 pounds, this wheelbarrow is not too heavy to lift, but still has the capacity to haul roughly 330 pounds. The padded handlebar doubles as a stand and it's also easy to store, as it can be hung up on a garage wall or stood upright on its end.
Rubbermaid Commercial Products Big Wheel Cart
Pros
- Large capacity for big projects
- Holds up to 700 pounds
Cons
- More difficult to maneuver
For a huge job, you might need a huge cart. This model comes in various capacities, but this version, the largest, holds up to 700 pounds! It's constructed from high-density polyurethane to help resist cracking and leaking, and solid rubber tires help avoid punctures and holes. Given that this cart is so big, some may find it more difficult to maneuver or push.
How to find the best wheelbarrow for you
Your best wheelbarrow will depend on the type of projects you need it for as well as how much space you have to store. Here are the most important factors to consider:
- Material: Wheelbarrows are usually made out of metal or plastic. To pick which is best for you, consider what you'll be hauling. A metal wheelbarrow can carry heavier loads than a plastic version, but also may not hold up to the elements or being left outside as well. A plastic or poly wheelbarrow may be ideal for someone doing lighter gardening, and some foldable canvas or fabric wheelbarrows are good for this purpose too.
- Configuration: While most people envision pushing a wheelbarrow with two handles, it can actually be more difficult for people with less strength or narrower shoulders. Wheelbarrows are available with single-bar or handle models as well, which are ergonomically easier for most people to handle.
- Wheels: The standard “tripod” wheel configuration (two handles to push with and a small wheel in front) is most traditional for wheelbarrows, but while this makes dumping and pushing easy, some gardeners may prefer to consider a version with two wheels up front, which offers more stability. As for the wheels themselves, you’ll also have to decide whether pneumatic (meaning they need to be pumped like a bicycle’s tires) or non-pneumatic (solid rubber, no pumping required) works better for your purposes. There are also some with semi-pneumatic tires, which is a rubber tire with air pockets built in for shock absorption, and no pump required.
- Other features: Most people envision a wheelbarrow as just a simple contraption, but in some cases you might want a motorized wheelbarrow (for heavier loads), a multi-use wheelbarrow (can be used as a dolly, a cart, etc), or one that is level with the ground for raking.
Ingrid Meilan is a Los Angeles, California based writer and reporter. She hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and a cardigan back in 2007 and has been loving life in Southern California ever since. Wife, mom to a wild little boy, amateur crafter, proud Disneyland Annual Passholder.
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