A folding garden cart is the tool you did not know you needed. It collapses flat for storage. It weighs less than 25 pounds. You can throw it in the trunk for a nursery trip. And for light garden work, it is more convenient than a wheelbarrow.
I have used folding wagons for years. Hauling plants from the car. Moving bags of potting soil. Carrying tools around the garden. Collecting harvest from the vegetable patch. Here are the 5 best folding garden carts I have tested.
Quick Comparison
| Rank | Cart | Capacity | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mac Sports WTC-111 | 150 lbs | 22 lbs | ~$75 |
| 2 | Wakeman Outdoors Wagon | 150 lbs | 20 lbs | ~$55 |
| 3 | Mac Sports WTCZ-120 | 150 lbs | 24 lbs | ~$100 |
| 4 | Best Choice Wagon | 150 lbs | 19 lbs | ~$50 |
| 5 | Gorilla Carts GCG-7 | 150 lbs | 25 lbs | ~$80 |
1. Mac Sports WTC-111 – Best Overall Folding Wagon
This is the folding wagon I see everywhere – at garden centers, farmers markets, campgrounds, and kids’ soccer games. There is a reason for its popularity. It folds and unfolds in about 5 seconds. The fabric is 600-denier polyester that resists tearing. The steel frame is sturdy. The wheels are 7-inch with decent bearings.
I have used my Mac Sports wagon for 3 years. It has hauled hundreds of loads of plants, soil bags, tools, and produce. The fabric shows some fading but no tears. The frame has some scratches but no bends. The wheels still roll smoothly. For light garden work, this wagon is nearly perfect.
What I like: Folds incredibly fast and flat. Durable 600D fabric. Smooth-rolling wheels. Good handle length. Fits in a car trunk. The inside dimensions handle standard nursery trays.
What I don’t: The wheels are small and struggle in mud or sand. The handle is not height-adjustable. The fabric can mildew if stored wet. Not for heavy materials like rocks or concrete.
2. Wakeman Outdoors Folding Wagon – Best Value
The Wakeman wagon delivers about 90% of the Mac Sports experience for about $20 less. Same 150-pound capacity. Same folding mechanism. The fabric is slightly thinner (300-denier vs 600-denier on the Mac Sports) but handles garden loads fine. The frame is a touch lighter but still sturdy.
For occasional use – a few times per month during the growing season – the Wakeman is a better value than the Mac Sports. The durability difference only matters with frequent, heavy use.
What I like: Great price. Fast folding. Decent build quality for the money. Comes in fun colors. Lightweight.
What I don’t: Fabric is thinner and less durable. Wheels are basic. The frame flexes more under load. Not for heavy, frequent use.
3. Mac Sports WTCZ-120 – Best Heavy-Duty Folding Wagon
This is the upgraded Mac Sports wagon. The biggest difference: the wheels. Instead of 7-inch plastic wheels, you get 10-inch all-terrain wheels that actually handle grass, gravel, and uneven ground. The frame is reinforced. The fabric is heavier. The handle adjusts for different heights.
If you use a folding wagon frequently or on rough terrain, the WTCZ-120 is worth the extra $25 over the standard WTC-111. The larger wheels alone justify the price difference.
What I like: 10-inch wheels handle real terrain. Reinforced frame. Adjustable handle. Same quick-fold mechanism. Higher weight limit (listed at 150 lbs but feels sturdier).
What I don’t: Heavier and bulkier when folded. More expensive. Still not a substitute for a heavy-duty cart for serious loads.
4. Best Choice Products Folding Wagon – Best Budget
For about $50, the Best Choice wagon gets you into the folding cart game. It holds 150 pounds. It folds flat. It has cup holders. The build quality is a step down from Mac Sports but for light, occasional use it works fine.
I recommend this wagon for people who are not sure how much they will use a folding cart. Buy the cheap one first. If you use it constantly, upgrade to the Mac Sports later. If you only use it a few times per year, the Best Choice is all you need.
What I like: Lowest price for a functional folding wagon. Lightweight. Folds easily. Cup holders are actually useful for holding small garden tools.
What I don’t: Fabric is noticeably thinner. Frame feels less substantial. Wheels are basic plastic. Not for frequent use.
5. Gorilla Carts GCG-7 – Best Hybrid Folding Cart
Gorilla Carts entered the folding wagon market with the GCG-7. It combines the Gorilla poly-bed concept with a folding frame. Unlike fabric wagons, this one has a hard plastic bed that handles sharp or heavy items better. The bed does not absorb water or mud. It folds flat like other folding wagons.
The hard bed is the differentiating feature. If you haul rocks, potted plants with sharp edges, or anything that might tear fabric, the GCG-7 handles it. The tradeoff is weight – it is heavier than fabric wagons.
What I like: Hard poly bed handles rough items. Folds flat. Gorilla build quality. No fabric to tear or mildew. Easy to clean.
What I don’t: Heavier than fabric wagons. The folding mechanism is stiffer. More expensive. The poly bed has less interior room than fabric-sided wagons.
What Folding Carts Are NOT Good For
Let me be clear about limitations. Folding wagons are for light loads. The 150-pound weight limit is real and you should respect it. Overloading a folding wagon bends the frame and tears the fabric. Been there, done that.
They are not for rough terrain unless you get a model with large all-terrain wheels (like the Mac Sports WTCZ-120). Standard 7-inch wheels get stuck in mud, sand, and deep grass.
They are not a replacement for a wheelbarrow or heavy-duty cart. You cannot dump them. You cannot haul wet concrete or a half-yard of gravel. They are a supplemental tool for light, frequent loads.
For what they are designed for – hauling plants, tools, soil bags, and harvest – they excel. Just do not ask them to do the job of a Gorilla Carts dump cart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can folding wagons be used as garden carts?
Yes, for light loads. They are great for moving potted plants, bags of soil, hand tools, and harvested vegetables. They are not for heavy materials like bulk gravel, concrete, or wet soil. Think of a folding wagon as a garden accessory, not a primary material hauler.
How do I clean a fabric folding wagon?
Hose it off and let it dry completely before folding and storing. Mildew grows if the fabric is stored damp. For stubborn dirt, use a mild soap and a scrub brush. Do not machine wash the fabric – it is attached to the frame.
Are folding wagons waterproof?
The fabric is water-resistant but not waterproof. It sheds light rain and damp soil but standing water will soak through. The Mac Sports 600D fabric is more water-resistant than cheaper 300D fabric.
Can I replace the wheels on a folding wagon?
Most folding wagons use proprietary wheel assemblies that are not standard sizes. Some brands (Mac Sports) sell replacement wheels. Cheaper brands typically do not. If a wheel fails on a budget wagon, the whole wagon usually needs replacing.
How long does a folding wagon last?
A quality folding wagon (Mac Sports) used weekly during the growing season should last 3 to 5 years. Budget wagons typically last 1 to 2 years with regular use. The fabric is usually the first thing to fail (tearing at stress points), followed by the wheels.
