A garden cart is basically a wheelbarrow that does not tip over. Four wheels (or two large wheels) keep it stable. You can load it unevenly. You can park it on a slope. You can let go and it stays put. For anyone who has wrestled with a tipping wheelbarrow, a garden cart feels like cheating.
I tested 7 garden carts over two growing seasons. Hauled mulch. Moved plants. Transported bags of soil. Here are the 5 best garden carts for different needs and budgets.
Quick Comparison
| Rank | Cart | Capacity | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gorilla Carts GOR6PS | 6 cu ft / 600 lbs | Heavy-Duty Dump | ~$130 |
| 2 | Mac Sports WTC-111 | 150 lbs | Folding Wagon | ~$75 |
| 3 | Gorilla Carts GOR4PS | 4 cu ft / 300 lbs | Medium Duty | ~$90 |
| 4 | Vermont Garden Cart | 400 lbs | Best Premium | ~$270 |
| 5 | Best Choice Wagon | 150 lbs | Best Budget Wagon | ~$50 |
1. Gorilla Carts GOR6PS – Best Heavy-Duty Garden Cart
The Gorilla Carts GOR6PS is my go-to cart for big jobs. It holds 6 cubic feet or up to 600 pounds. That is double what most wheelbarrows carry. The poly bed never rusts. The quick-release dump mechanism lets you empty a full load in about 3 seconds without lifting or straining.
I have hauled gravel, firewood, bags of concrete, and wet soil in this cart. The 13-inch pneumatic tires roll over rough ground without getting stuck. The steel frame is beefy and well-painted. The handle has a padded grip that is comfortable for extended use. The cart can be pulled by hand or towed behind a riding mower with the optional hitch pin.
What I like: Massive 600-pound capacity. The dump feature is a back-saver. The 13-inch tires handle rough terrain. Poly bed never rusts. Steel frame is sturdy. Can be towed behind a lawn tractor.
What I don’t: Big and heavy – takes up storage space. Assembly takes about an hour. The dump latch mechanism is plastic and could be a long-term failure point.
2. Mac Sports WTC-111 Collapsible Wagon – Best Folding Cart
Not every hauling job needs a heavy-duty steel cart. The Mac Sports collapsible wagon folds flat in about 5 seconds and fits in a car trunk. It holds 150 pounds. The fabric sides contain loose items like plants, tools, and bags of soil. For light garden work, this wagon is more convenient than a wheelbarrow.
I use this wagon constantly. Hauling plants from the car to the garden. Moving bags of potting soil. Transporting hand tools around the yard. Carrying harvest baskets during vegetable season. It is not for heavy-duty work but for light loads it is perfect.
What I like: Folds completely flat for storage and transport. Lightweight at 22 pounds. The fabric sides contain small items. Smooth-rolling wheels. Great for light garden tasks, farmers markets, and camping.
What I don’t: Limited to 150 pounds. The fabric can tear if overloaded. Not for rough terrain. The wheels are small and struggle in mud.
3. Gorilla Carts GOR4PS – Best Medium-Duty
Covered in the wheelbarrow guide above. The GOR4PS is the 4-cubic-foot, 300-pound version. It is the perfect size for most home gardens. Big enough to haul serious loads. Small enough to maneuver through gates and store in a shed.
4. Vermont Garden Cart – Best Premium
The Vermont Garden Cart is the classic design that has been around for decades. It has large bicycle-style wheels (20 or 26 inches depending on the model) that roll over anything – curbs, roots, rocks, soft soil. The wooden stake sides are beautiful and functional. You can remove the sides to use it as a flatbed.
This cart is expensive ($270+) but it is built to last a lifetime. The steel undercarriage is heavy-gauge. The wheels have real bearings. The wood is sturdy plywood that holds up to weather if you treat it occasionally. If you want one cart that does everything and looks good doing it, this is the one.
What I like: The large wheels roll over anything. Beautiful design. Versatile – sides on for bulk material, sides off for flat items. Very durable. Great for large properties and uneven terrain.
What I don’t: Expensive. The wood requires occasional maintenance (painting or sealing). Heavy and takes up storage space. Overkill for small suburban lots.
5. Best Choice Products Folding Wagon – Best Budget Wagon
If you want a folding wagon but the Mac Sports price pushes your budget, the Best Choice wagon costs about $50. It holds 150 pounds. It folds flat. The fabric sides have cup holders (useful for drinks but also for holding small tools). For light garden tasks, it performs nearly as well as the Mac Sports.
The main difference is build quality. The frame is slightly thinner. The fabric is slightly lighter. The wheels are slightly less smooth. For occasional use, these differences are barely noticeable. For weekly use, spend the extra $25 on the Mac Sports.
What I like: Affordable. Folds flat. Decent capacity for light work. Cup holders are handy.
What I don’t: Build quality is lower than Mac Sports. Wheels are not as smooth. Fabric is thinner. Not for heavy use.
Garden Cart vs Wheelbarrow – Which Should You Get?
Garden carts are more stable, easier to load, and often have higher capacity than wheelbarrows. The dump feature on carts like the Gorilla saves your back. But carts are wider, which makes them harder to navigate through gates and narrow paths. They also take up more storage space.
Wheelbarrows are more maneuverable. You can pour material exactly where you want it by tipping the barrow. You can weave through garden paths that a cart could not fit through. But wheelbarrows require balance and can tip if loaded unevenly.
I have both. I use the garden cart for big jobs – moving yards of mulch, hauling firewood, collecting debris. I use the wheelbarrow for precise work – dumping soil into a specific garden bed, mixing concrete, navigating tight spaces.
If you can only have one, get a 2-wheel garden cart. The stability and ease of use are worth more than maneuverability for most homeowners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can garden carts be towed behind a lawn tractor?
Some can. The Gorilla Carts GOR6PS and many others have a hitch pin hole that connects to a lawn tractor. Check the product description. Towing capacity is usually listed separately from manual hauling capacity. Never exceed the tow rating.
How much weight can a folding wagon hold?
Most folding wagons are rated for 150 pounds. That is about 3 bags of potting soil or 2 bags of mulch. Do not overload them – the fabric can tear and the frame can bend. For heavier loads, use a steel-framed cart.
Are garden carts good for elderly gardeners?
Yes. The stability of a 2-wheel or 4-wheel cart is much better for people with balance issues or reduced strength. The dump feature eliminates the need to lift and tip. A folding wagon with a pull handle is the easiest option for very light loads.
How do I maintain a garden cart?
Keep the tires inflated (for pneumatic tires). Oil the wheel bearings once per year. Clean the poly bed – sap and fertilizer can stain but they wash off. Touch up any rust spots on the steel frame. Store indoors or cover with a tarp if left outside.
What is the difference between a garden cart and a dump cart?
A dump cart has a release mechanism that lets the bed tilt and dump its contents. A standard garden cart requires you to unload manually. Dump carts (like Gorilla Carts) cost a bit more but save significant effort. For frequent use, the dump feature is worth the extra cost.
