All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.
The gardening experience is incomplete without a wheelbarrow. But with so many types on the market, getting your money’s worth is not easy.
But how do you find a wheelbarrow that meets your needs? It’s not as simple as getting the most expensive one. From the material to the capacity and number of wheels, there are several factors that you need to consider before making a final purchase.
Luckily, we’ve conducted thorough research on the top wheelbarrows in the market. Now, all you have to do is pick from the best of the best according to your needs.
Best Buy Wheelbarrows
Dive into reviews, explore technical specifications, and weigh the pros and cons to find the perfect solution for efficient and effortless transport of materials. Elevate your gardening and construction projects with the best wheelbarrow, ensuring durability and ease.
Gorilla Carts offers a 4-cu ft Poly Yard Cart, ensuring excellence in functionality and durability.
Oypla presents a Heavy Duty Garden Wheelbarrow, providing exceptional value and reliability.
Walsall Endurance introduces a Black Steel Heavy Duty Wheelbarrow, ideal for gardening tasks.
Makita presents the XUC01X1 Brushless Power-Assisted Wheelbarrow, ensuring strength and power.
Worx WG050 Aerocart offers an 8-in-1 Yard Cart, excelling in versatility for various tasks.
How to Use a Wheelbarrow
No one expects a set of instructions with wheelbarrows. But believe it or not, incorrect use of these simple machines can cause short or long-term musculoskeletal pain.
Here is a simple set of instructions to use wheelbarrows safely:
- Wheelbarrows with pneumatic wheels should be checked for air before loading.
- Grease the tyres every once in a while for smooth movement.
- Before loading, position the wheelbarrow where you'll be moving it. This way, you won't have to put in additional effort manoeuvring the loaded wheelbarrow.
- Load wheelbarrows evenly to keep them balanced. If not possible, maximise the weight over the wheel.
- Don't overload! Even sturdy wheelbarrows can tip over if filled beyond capacity.
- Bend down from your knees rather than your waist while handling wheelbarrows.
Register for our latest in-depth reviews and product round-ups from the experts.
Enter your email address below to receive our monthly review emails.
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Top 5 Wheelbarrows in 2024
Here are our top picks in 2024. Stick around as we go through the pros, cons, specs, and give our detailed reviews.
01
Best Overall
Gorilla Carts 4-cu ft Poly Yard Cart
Reasons to Buy
- Two 10-inch pneumatic wheels
- Low centre of gravity for easy push and pull
- Wide flat poly bed
- Affordable
- Easy to store and set up
Reasons to Avoid
- Initial assembly can be time-consuming
- Tipovers are not easy
The Gorilla Carts 4-cu ft Poly Yard Cart is not your traditional one-wheeler barrow. The support at the back might make it look like a wheelbarrow, but the two wheels, low centre of gravity, and wide stability mean the hauling is perfectly balanced – just right for garden work.
The best part? The 10-inch pneumatic wheels and impact-resistant poly material can handle heavy loads and the toughest working conditions. Plus, the flat bottom bed provides an even and durable surface for carrying pots and bricks without risking toppling over.
Lastly, the foldable handle makes storage easy and compact. And the one-year warranty is proof that you’re investing in the right garden cart.
One thing we did note was the time it took to assemble it initially. You may need to drill in a few extra holes to secure the rods in place. Plus, the flatbed and two wheels aren’t ideal for easy soil tip-overs in the garden. This range is best for carrying garden pots and materials from one place to another.
Why do we recommend the Gorilla Carts 4-cu ft Poly Yard Cart?
We love the Gorilla Carts 4-cu ft Poly Yard Cart for its wide, flat bed and impressive pneumatic wheels. Its 4-cu-ft, 300-lb capacity and low centre of gravity allow easy manoeuvrability – perfect for garden work, but the best part is the affordable price.
This mid-range garden cart can be stored conveniently and has a one-year warranty.
- Material: Poly
- Capacity: 4-cu ft and 300 lbs
- Number of Wheels: 2
- Features: Wide flatbed and 10″ pneumatic wheels
Ideal for small families for easily carrying pots and even heavy groceries.
02
Best Value
Oypla Heavy Duty Garden Wheelbarrow
Reasons to Buy
- Two wheels for easy manoeuvrability
- Soft grip handle for easy push and pull
- Good capacity
- Affordable
- Easy to assemble
- Rust-proof, durable material
Reasons to Avoid
- Takes up a lot of space
- Need to check tyre inflation before each use
The Oypla Heavy Duty is the best value from our list of garden carts and wheelbarrows. Capping out at 65D x 65W x 140H centimetres and 150 kg capacity, it’s one of the biggest wheelbarrows on our list.
What’s truly impressive about tOypla Heavy Duty is its incredible build. Made from alloy steel and plastic, it’s definitely built to last and is remarkably easy to manoeuvre.
Unlike other plastic wheelbarrows, its wheels and handle allow you to dump it over exactly where you aim. Plus, all this comes at an affordable price.
Luckily, its assembly is fairly straightforward. With just a crescent wrench and a flat-head screwdriver, you can assemble this within 20 minutes.
The only downfall? It takes up a lot of space.
Why do we recommend the Oypla Heavy Duty Garden Wheelbarrow?
Oypla Heavy Duty Garden Wheelbarrow is more than just an affordable choice; it’s also one of the most spacious and durable plastic wheelbarrows on our list. Plus, the soft grip handle allows easy manoeuvrability, while the air-filled wheels are ideal for precise dumping.
- Material: Plastic and allow steel.
- Capacity: 150 kg
- Number of Wheels: 2
- Features: 2-wheels, single long handle, and huge capacity
Avid gardeners and small families
03
Best for Gardening
Walsall Endurance Black Steel Heavy Duty Wheelbarrow
Reasons to Buy
- Robust steel alloy build
- 120kg capacity
- Easy to assemble
- Pneumatic wheel
Reasons to Avoid
- Susceptible to rusting
From Walsall’s extensive range of wheelbarrows comes this heavy-duty alloy steel barrow – ideal for gardening. For starters, the assembly is swift and easy.
The pneumatic wheel is another feature that makes this top the good wheelbarrow list. It’s puncture-proof, so you don’t need to check it for air now and then.
Luckily, it doesn’t skimp out on the capacity either, allowing you to use it for heavy work.
As far as aesthetics go, this wheelbarrow has a beautiful black steel build. It looks quite elegant, but you’ll have to keep it indoors and safe from water so it doesn’t rust.
Why do we recommend the Walsall Endurance Black Steel Heavy Duty Wheelbarrow?
The Walsall Endurance Black Steel Heavy Duty Wheelbarrow is the perfect partner for avid gardeners. Its robust build and 120 kg capacity make it ideal for carrying heavy loads, while the puncture-proof wheel allows you to easily manoeuvre heavy loads.
- Material: Alloy steel
- Capacity: 120 kg
- Number of Wheels: 1
- Features: Puncture-proof, pneumatic wheels
Families looking for a sturdy gardening wheelbarrow.
04
Best Heavy-Duty
Makita XUC01X1 Brushless Power-Assisted Wheelbarrow
Reasons to Buy
- Sleek, robust build
- 130kg capacity
- Easy to assemble
- Multiple adjustability levels
- Mechanisation technology
Reasons to Avoid
- Doesn't come with a battery
- High price
- No weatherproofing
Makita is one of the market leaders in wheelbarrow manufacturing. Its extensive range includes sack trucks and power-assisted wheelbarrows. The versatile Makita XUC01X1 can be used both as a wheelbarrow and a sack truck.
For example, the handle can be adjusted to one of three levels. The sidebars can also be removed for large loads. Plus, you can easily adjust the rear wheels and even replace them with standing legs to convert it to a typical wheelbarrow.
The best part is its mechanisation, which makes it perfect for construction and big gardening projects. With the LED job light strategically placed at the bottom, you can work in low-light conditions too.
We’d also rank it a 10/10 for aesthetics because of its electric blue and black colour and polished look.
For a unit without a battery, the price is quite high. But believe the mechanisation technology comes at a high price. Plus, with the battery, we saw the barrow run 8+ hours. We tested 30 yards uphill with a 100 lbs load, and the battery was still at 70% – so the price is justified.
Why do we recommend the Makita XUC01X1 Brushless Power-Assisted Wheelbarrow?
The Makita XUC01X1 Brushless Power-Assisted Wheelbarrow is amongst our favourites because of its sleek design and mechanisation. The adjustability levels make the wheelbarrow fit for every kind of use.
- Material: Alloy steel
- Capacity: 130 kg
- Number of Wheels: 1 or 3
- Features: Adjustable handles, wheels, and cart
Small construction sites and farms.
05
Best Versatile
Worx WG050 Aerocart 8-in-1
Reasons to Buy
- Robust material
- 300 lbs capacity
- Versatile use
- Rugged, puncture-proof wheels
Reasons to Avoid
- Not suitable for objects big in size
- Hard wheels don't work well on rocky terrain
The Worx WG050 Aerocart 8-in-1 might be the last on our list, but it delivers everything the UK gardeners need. From a lightweight barrow, it can turn into a yard cart, dolly, bag holder, rock mover, etc.
An impressive 300lb load capacity makes it perfect for carrying everything heavy. The wheel placement makes it feel like you’re only carrying a few pounds.
Its rugged tyres are one of the notable features that allow you to use it for big projects – but since they are all-rubber, they don’t give good manoeuvrability on rough terrains.
Why do we recommend the Worx WG050 Aerocart 8-in-1 Yard Cart?
The Worx WG050 Aerocart 8-in-1 is on our list because of its versatile use. Its robust alloy steel body and 300 lbs capacity make it ideal for carrying heavy loads. The rugged, puncture-proof wheels make it very low maintenance.
- Material: Alloy steel
- Capacity: 300 lbs
- Number of Wheels: 2
- Features: Multiuse cart
It is ideal for carrying pots and soil for small to mid-size gardens. It can also be used to carry groceries.
Buyer’s Guide
This buying guide contains all the information you need when choosing the best wheelbarrow.
Size
The capacity of the wheelbarrow tells you how big a load it can carry. It can be given in cubic ft. and kilogrammes or pounds.
Before you pick, consider your intended use and the dimensions of your garden and storage. Choosing a big wheelbarrow might be handy for garden work, but you will find it challenging to store. Similarly, a smaller barrow can be easy to store but may require more hard work in the garden.
So, choose the size that best fits your requirements and storage space.
Wheels
The typical wheelbarrow has a single wheel and a support in place of the back wheels. But modern ones can even have two, three, and even four wheels.
While the one-wheeled barrows are easy to manoeuvre and tip over, two-wheeled barrows are well-balanced and less likely to topple when loaded up to capacity. If your job requires you to unload it often, a two-wheeled barrow might not be the ideal choice.
Wheel Material
Wheels can be pneumatic or air-filled. While solid rubber wheels are puncture-proof, they don’t give a smooth ride. Air-filled wheels, on the other hand, are smoother but can be hard to manoeuvre on rocky terrain and might require regular pumping up.
Look for wheelbarrows that have rugged wheels. If the wheels are pneumatic, they should be air-filled for you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Tray Material
Wheelbarrow trays are typically made up of two materials – plastic (poly) or alloy steel. While steel wheelbarrows are sturdy and durable, a lightweight plastic wheelbarrow is perfect for carrying loads without straining your body.
Another drawback to steel barrows – they are susceptible to rusting. Even if they’re coated with rust-resistant paint, you must store them properly for longevity. Plastic trays are cheaper and do not require much care, but they can bend and split if overloaded.
Handles
Wheelbarrows typically have two handles. Look for long handles and rubber grips. These features will make it easy for you to push and pull the load.
How We Tested The Products
To compile our list of the top 5 wheelbarrows, we tested different ones throughout 2023. We filled them to capacity and tested how they fared in uphill tasks. All the wheelbarrows were tested and scored on the following criteria:
- Ease of Use. We looked at assembly, material, and handles under this criteria. We also ranked them on manoeuvrability, stability, and balance.
- Comfort. The length of the handles, grips, and wheel type helped assess the comfort of use for each wheelbarrow.
- Performance. We targeted robustness, weight limit, and rust resistance to measure performance.
- Value for Money. For this, we compared the price of the barrow with the features it has to offer.
FAQs
Consider factors like capacity, wheel type, and material. For heavy loads, opt for durable materials and a sturdy frame.
Yes, many wheelbarrows are versatile enough to handle various tasks. Look for models with features suitable for your specific needs.
Regularly clean the wheelbarrow, lubricate moving parts, and store it in a dry area. Avoid overloading to prevent excessive wear and tear.
