Best Yard Carts

Buying guide for best yard carts

Written by Bob Beacham

Updated April 2023

A good yard cart will serve you well, but with such an enormous range available, it's hard to wade through the offerings to find the best one for your needs. Size, load capacity, construction materials, durability, number and type of wheels ... indeed, there’s a lot to consider.

At BestReviews, it’s our mission to help you find the best product for your particular situation. You can trust our recommendations because we don’t accept free manufacturer samples; we strive for complete impartiality with every product we review.

So which is the best yard cart? The options in our product list, above, cover a broad range of of styles. Each represents the top choice in its group. For a detailed explanation of yard cart styles, load capacities, and more, read on.

Choose your yard cart based on what you’ll be using it for. Will you be carting around a few garden tools and some plants, or will you be lugging around stacks of firewood and loads of cement? Fortunately, there's a yard cart to suit every need.

Yard cart construction materials

When you're trying to choose the best yard cart, you'll come across a variety of different materials. Here’s a look at the most popular ones.

HDPE or resin

HDPE is high-density polyethylene. Resin is a common name for polypropylene composite. Both are relatively lightweight and, given sufficient thickness, can be very tough.

The danger with cheap yard carts is that the material can be too thin, which can lead to cracking. We advocate for yard cards with thicker HDPE and resin tubs. A terrific benefit: they require no maintenance and are easy to clean.

Wood

Wooden yard carts look great, but the finish requires maintenance. Without proper care, the paint or varnish will eventually crack, moisture will invade, and rot will start.

Steel

You’ll often find a steel frame underpinning a cart of HDPE, resin, steel mesh, or wood. For strength and durability, steel is tough to beat. But you’ll pay a weight penalty, particularly if the cart is large.

The most important aspect of a steel yard cart is its finish.

• Galvanized steel is the absolute best, but it’s expensive, and you won’t usually see it on a yard cart frame. (A cart with mesh sides might sport galvanized steel, however.)
• Powder coating is a sensible, durable alternative to galvanized steel.
• Painted steel is the cheapest option, and it’s a reasonable one. But chips and scratches could usher in rust, so you would want to keep an eye on that.

Polyester sheeting

Some yard carts with mesh sides are lined with polyester sheeting. This material can help prevent dirt and debris from falling out. It’s light, easy to clean, and surprisingly tough. For maximum durability, we recommend you opt for a thickness of 600D or above.

Polyester sheets don’t tear easily, and their overall integrity stays strong. However, sharp tools and rocks could puncture the material.

Yard cart load capacity

Wheelbarrows are all about the same size, and due to that size, they can be difficult for people with limited strength to maneuver. Yard carts vary in size, from quite small to exceedingly large. Some consumers see this as a significant advantage.

Here’s a look at five yard cart types that might interest you. Each offers its own load capacity and other specific advantages.

Small lawn cart

If you want something light and maneuverable, consider a small lawn cart with a tub made of resin or HDPE. These carts weigh as little as 10 or 12 pounds and are ideal for toting bits and pieces around the garden. Common capacities range from 15 to 20 gallons. (A gallon of water weighs eight pounds, so you have a theoretical maximum of 120 to 160 pounds. However, 50 to 70 pounds is a more practical limit for these smaller carts.)

Pros: Small lawn carts are lightwieght, low in cost, and easy to clean. They're ideal for consumers with reduced strength or mobility.

Cons: These carts have a smaller capacity, and cheap models may have durability issues. If you're carrying a long tool (like a rake), the cart could tip over. What's more, the hard plastic wheels could dig into soft terrain. In most cases, however, you wouldn’t be carrying enough weight for this to happen.

Wheelbarrow-size yard cart

If you want something a bit more stable and versatile than a wheelbarrow, consider a yard cart about the size of a wheelbarrow. A yard cart of this size offers greater stability than a wheelbarrow because it has two wheels. These models often sport a moulded, one-piece construction (save the axle and wheels) and are made of HDPE or resin. A weight of 10 to 15 pounds makes them easy to maneuver, and a load of 100 pounds should pose no problem. Some manufacturers claim a load of 200 pounds, but these figures are optimistic.

Pros: These carts are lightweight, low in cost, and fairly easy to clean, though the corners can be tricky. The best in this category are quite durable.

Cons: Cheap carts are prone to cracking, and the small, hard plastic wheels may dig into soft terrain.

Folding garden cart

If you need to move about 150 pounds, consider a folding garden cart, also called a utility wagon. These carts consume very little space when not in use. A jointed steel frame is wrapped in a polyester sheet, yielding an all-up weight (when empty) of 20 to 25 pounds. Note: polyester sheeting is fairly rugged, but sharp tools and rocks could still pierce it.

Pros: These carts are easy to store. The polyester material holds in items that would fall through a mesh cart. Four wheels offer increased stability, and there are lots of colors available. Some of these carts even have cup holders.

Cons: The fabric cannot usually be detached, and the hinges require periodic oiling. The solid rubber tires are better than hard plastic tires, but they could theoretically still dig into soft terrain. Some people may have trouble rolling the cart when it's folded.

Medium-size yard cart

If you're looking for a medium-size yard cart, you’ve got plenty of choices. These carts typically stand on four wheels and sport a steel frame, but the top container could be a poly tub, a plastic tray, or a steel mesh frame. These larger carts tend to weigh at least 30 pounds, but you'll be rewarded with a load capacity of 350 pounds or more.

Pros: These carts tend to have a tough, durable frame. The big tub or basket is capable of carrying heavy, mixed loads. Steel mesh sides can usually be removed, leaving a flat bed.

Cons: Assembly may be required, and the cart may be heavy. Painted frames offer less durability than frames of coated steel.

Large yard cart

The largest yard carts are, in essence, big versions of the medium-size ones discussed above. They’re available in the same range of materials and offer most of the same pros and cons. The difference lies in size and load capacity.

The bed of a large yard cart is usually several feet wide (at minimum) and three or more feet long. These models weigh upwards of 60 pounds. As a result, you get yard carts capable of carrying 1,000 pounds or more. To cope with heavier loads, handles are usually dual purpose: they can be pulled by a person but can also be attached to an ATV, riding mower, or powered lawn mower.

A note about attachments

When attaching your yard cart to the hitch of a mower or ATV, assess the situation carefully. Make sure your connections are strong and the method in which you load the trailer is carefully thought out. Consult both instruction manuals to put safety first, and take extra caution around slopes and turns.

How much does a yard cart cost?

So what should you expect to pay for a good yard cart? That depends on the style and size you choose.

• Small, two-wheeled poly carts range in price from $25 to $40. These carts are convenient for all kinds of jobs around the garden in which a larger cart or wheelbarrow is unnecessary.
• Larger moulded carts like those we mentioned above sell for $40 to $70. These models compete with wheelbarrows in terms of both size and carrying ability, but they provide greater stability. We recommend buying from a recognized brand, as the cheapest yard carts are prone to cracking.
• Folding yard carts cost $80 to $100 or more. Portability is one of their greatest advantages. People use them for unloading groceries, going to the beach, and so on. Heavy-duty versions (in which the frame is more sturdy, but the sheeting is the same) range from $120 to $140.
• Heavy-duty steel and steel/poly yard carts capable of carrying 300 pounds or more begin around $100 and range to $200+. You’ll find plenty of options in this price bracket, including carts that can carry 1,000 pounds or more.

One consideration to make is the type of tyre you want for your yard cart — solid tube, inner tube, spoke wheel, etc. This choice depends on your requirements. Don't be afraid to seek the help of a salesperson for this.

Yard cart tips

Wheelbarrows have a lot going for them, but you can't beat the versatility, flexibility, and flat out load-carrying ability of a good yard cart. You also have a much greater variety to choose from: everything from small hand carts to large models designed for ATVs or riding mowers use fall under the yard cart umbrella.

• With all yard carts, it's vital to check the dimensions before you buy. Pictures can be misleading, as can capacities. For example, a cart that's two feet long and 18 inches wide might be capable of supporting a 300-pound load. But if you want to move straw bales, it won’t be very practical!
• If you’re looking for a yard cart you can use on sand or soft soil, pay particular attention to tire size. Large tires of good quality make all the difference when moving heavy loads on these types of surfaces.
• It’s tempting to allow children to ride in yard carts, trailers, ATVs, and riding lawn mowers. But there are hidden safety risks, and it’s likely not a safe bet. Please check with both manufacturer and local and federal laws prior to letting kids “climb on.”