Best Wheelbarrows & Garden Carts for DIYers
A wheelbarrow or garden cart hauls soil, mulch, gravel, tools, and debris so you do not break your back. Single-wheel barrows tip and dump easily; multi-wheel carts are more stable for heavy or awkward loads.
What to look for
- ·Single-wheel wheelbarrows maneuver and dump easily; two-wheel and 4-wheel garden carts are more stable for heavy loads and rough ground.
- ·Steel trays handle rocks and heavy debris; poly trays are lighter, rust-proof, and easier to clean.
- ·Pneumatic (air) tires roll smoothly over rough terrain; flat-free tires never go flat but ride a bit harder.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| True Temper 6 cu ft Steel Wheelbarrow | Editor's pick | $120 to $160 | The best all-around wheelbarrow |
| Gorilla PRO Heavy-Duty Steel | Editor's pick | $150 to $220 | Heavy-duty hauling |
| Jackson Contractor Wheelbarrow | Editor's pick | $140 to $200 | Pro-grade durability |
| Gorilla Carts 4 cu ft Poly Yard Cart | Best value | $80 to $130 | Stable value hauling |
| Marathon Yard Rover | Best value | $60 to $100 | Light, easy-maneuver value |
| Rubbermaid Commercial Big Wheel Cart | Best value | $100 to $160 | Rust-free stable hauling |
| True Temper Poly Wheelbarrow | Budget pick | $70 to $110 | Budget everyday hauling |
| Home-Center Poly Wheelbarrow | Budget pick | $55 to $90 | Budget light-duty hauling |
| Store-Brand Garden Cart | Budget pick | $40 to $80 | Lowest-cost light loads |
Editor's pick
True Temper 6 cu ft Steel Wheelbarrow
$120 to $160
Rated best overall, pairing a sturdy steel tray with comfortable handles and smooth rolling, with great control hauling heavy loads up and down slopes. The classic do-everything pick.
Best for: The best all-around wheelbarrow
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Gorilla PRO Heavy-Duty Steel
$150 to $220
An all-steel heavy-duty barrow with an extra-wide base, big 16-inch tire, and extra base handles for easier lifting and dumping. The pick for heavy, demanding hauling.
Best for: Heavy-duty hauling
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Jackson Contractor Wheelbarrow
$140 to $200
A pro-grade steel contractor wheelbarrow built to take abuse on jobsites, with a tough tray and sturdy frame. The pick for serious, frequent heavy use.
Best for: Pro-grade durability
Typically available at Home Depot, Tractor Supply.
Best value
Gorilla Carts 4 cu ft Poly Yard Cart
$80 to $130
A stable 4-wheel poly cart with high capacity, easy one-handed dumping, and pneumatic tires that roll over rough terrain. A strong value for stable hauling.
Best for: Stable value hauling
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon, Tractor Supply.
Marathon Yard Rover
$60 to $100
A light two-wheel barrow at just 25 pounds, easy to maneuver and store for smaller loads. Best value for light hauling without a lot of weight.
Best for: Light, easy-maneuver value
Typically available at Amazon, Walmart.
Rubbermaid Commercial Big Wheel Cart
$100 to $160
A sturdy, rust-free high-density poly tray on big plastic tires that travel well over gravel and sand. A stable, low-maintenance value pick.
Best for: Rust-free stable hauling
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Budget pick
True Temper Poly Wheelbarrow
$70 to $110
A lighter poly-tray wheelbarrow for general yard hauling at a budget price. Rust-proof and easy to clean, a solid affordable pick for everyday use.
Best for: Budget everyday hauling
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Home-Center Poly Wheelbarrow
$55 to $90
An inexpensive poly wheelbarrow for light to moderate yard work. Basic but serviceable for hauling soil, mulch, and leaves on a budget.
Best for: Budget light-duty hauling
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Store-Brand Garden Cart
$40 to $80
A cheap folding or poly garden cart for light loads and easy storage. Limited capacity, but the lowest cost to move plants, bags, and tools.
Best for: Lowest-cost light loads
Typically available at Walmart, Amazon.
Frequently asked
Wheelbarrow or garden cart?+
A single-wheel wheelbarrow tips and dumps easily and squeezes through tight spots, ideal for mixing and pouring. A multi-wheel garden cart is more stable, easier to balance with heavy or awkward loads, and rolls without tipping, better for hauling across a yard. Choose by your terrain and loads.
Steel or poly tray?+
Steel trays are tough for rocks, gravel, and heavy debris but can rust and weigh more. Poly (plastic) trays are lighter, rust-proof, and easy to rinse out, great for soil, mulch, and general yard work. Pick steel for heavy-duty hauling, poly for lighter, easy-clean use.
What size wheelbarrow do I need?+
A 6 cubic foot wheelbarrow is the do-everything standard for most homeowners. Smaller 4 to 5 cubic foot models (or lighter carts) are easier to maneuver for small loads and easier to store, while larger contractor barrows haul more but get heavy when full.
Are flat-free tires worth it?+
Flat-free (solid or foam-filled) tires never go flat, which is convenient and low-maintenance, but they ride a bit harder. Pneumatic (air) tires roll more smoothly over rough ground but can puncture. For most homeowners, flat-free tires save the hassle of flats.
How much weight can a wheelbarrow hold?+
Most homeowner wheelbarrows handle several hundred pounds, and heavy-duty contractor models more. The practical limit is what you can safely lift and balance, not just the tray rating. For very heavy material, take smaller loads or use a multi-wheel cart.