A garden cart may just be one of the most useful pieces of equipment in your shed. It takes the hard work out of moving heavy items like plants or pots. And it allows you to transport weeds or rubbish without breaking a sweat.
But if you’re thinking of investing in one, you may find yourself bewildered by the sheer choice on offer. The good news is, we’re here to help!
Read on for our reviews of ten of the best garden carts out there right now. Find out about their pros and cons, then check our buying guide to help you make the perfect choice.
So if you’re ready, let’s get started!
Quick Pick: The Best Garden Cart & Trolley
The Best Garden Cart on UK Market 2023
1. GRANDMA SHARK Heavy Duty Garden Cart
Grandma Shark’s garden cart is great for those looking for an economical purchase. It’s less than half the price of some of the carts on our list.
The container is made of tough and smart Oxford cloth, so it’s sturdy without being heavy. It’s available in a choice of black, red and blue.
A telescopic handle at one end extends to 102 centimetres, and makes it easy to pull back and forth. Mesh pockets on either side provide a convenient place to store tools or a water bottle.
The cart measures 93 centimetres long by 52 centimetres wide and 65.5 centimetres tall to the top of the frame. It’s strong enough to carry up to 70 kilograms of cargo.
When you’ve finished using it, it can be folded down so it’s just 12 centimetres high. It’s compact enough to fit easily into the boot of most cars.
The cloth is attached to the frame with Velcro, but you can leave it in place when you fold it up. When it’s dirty, unfasten it and put it in the washing machine on a cool setting.
You will need to do a bit of assembly with this one. It’s just a case of attaching the wheels and handle, and is easy enough. Note that two wheels are fixed, while the other two will rotate through 360 degrees.
There are just a couple of things to be aware of. There’s no brake, so if you want to park your cart on sloping ground it won’t be the best option. And the construction isn’t quite as sturdy as you’ll get with some models. But this is still a great cart for the money.
Pros:
- Compact size that can still carry up to 70 kilograms
- Folds down for easy storage
- Washable cloth body
Cons:
- Not as sturdy as some more expensive options
- No brake.
2. Draper Garden Tipper Cart
If you’re looking for a garden cart with a hard shell, this one from Draper could be the perfect choice. It’s twice the price of the one from Grandma Shark – but it’s more robust.
It’s 96 centimetres long, 51 centimetres wide, and 22 centimetres high, not including the handle.
The steel frame will carry up to 200 kilograms. Four sturdy pneumatic wheels keep the weight moving smoothly, even over uneven ground. And the handle is made of tubular steel.
The clever design allows you to tip up the bucket to empty it, whilst keeping all four wheels on the ground. It’s a great choice for moving topsoil or gravel.
If you want to move very large and heavy loads though – bigger stones for a rockery, for example – take care. The shell is only plastic, so it can get scratched. And tougher loads might cause it to bend out of shape.
The cart comes in a kit form, so you will need to do some assembly. You’ll require a screwdriver and spanners or a socket set for this, and it’s not entirely straightforward. Be prepared to take your time and do some deep breathing!
Once it’s together, though, this is a sturdy and easily manoeuvrable cart.
Pros:
- Strong steel frame, capable of carrying up to 200 kilograms
- Sturdy pneumatic wheels
- Design allows you to tip out contents easily
Cons:
- Some assembly is required, and the instructions aren’t the easiest to follow
- The shell is plastic, so this isn’t quite as robust as metal versions.
3. AB Tools Large Metal Garden Cart Utility Sack Truck Trolley
If you want an all-metal garden cart, check out this one from AB Tools. It’s a great option for rough and heavy loads, able to carry up to 360 kilograms.
The container is made of wire mesh, so if you want to transport soil or sand you’ll need a liner. But for rocks, plants or equipment, it’s ideal.
13-inch pneumatic wheels keep the cart moving smoothly over rough terrain, even when it’s fully laden. The axle of the two front wheels is attached to the handle, making it easy to steer. The two rear wheels are fixed.
The body measures a generous 115 centimetres long, 61 centimetres wide, and 33 centimetres tall. The whole thing weighs a shade over 26 kilograms when empty.
All four sides fold down with quick release hinges to make it easier to load and unload your cargo. And you can transport items with the sides down, or remove them altogether, to move long and unwieldy loads.
One downside of the generous size, though, is that you’ll need more space to store it. And if you want to move it to another location, you’ll need a very large boot.
This is another cart that requires some assembly, and the instructions aren’t all they could be. Prepare to spend some time putting it together! It’s particularly tricky to get to the valves to inflate the tyres.
Pros:
- Capable of carrying a load of up to 360 kilograms
- Fold down sides for easy loading and unloading
- The sides can be removed if you need to move very large loads
Cons:
- The assembly instructions aren’t particularly easy to follow
- It’s tricky to get to the valves to adjust the tyre pressure.
4. Timber Ridge Garden Trolley
This cart from timber ridge is a great option if you’re looking for something lighter weight and more easily portable. In this case, the body of the cart is made from heavy-duty fabric. And like the Grandma Shark design, it can be folded small enough to fit into most car boots.
The body is 90.1 centimetres long, 46.7 centimetres wide and 33 centimetres high. The handle is adjustable. Choose to keep it as short as 14 centimetres, or extend it up to 78.7 centimetres.
There’s a handy mesh pocket on either side of the handle. Each one is just big enough for a trowel or water bottle. You’ll also get extra storage space in a zipped compartment along one side.
This will take a load of up to 80.25 kilograms. The sturdy wheels have a diameter of 7.9 inches and are 3.3 inches thick. The front pair rotate through 360 degrees, while the rear wheels are fixed.
The cart can be folded down for easier transportation and storage. When folded, it’s a compact 76.2 centimetres long, 41.9 centimetres wide, and 22.4 centimetres deep. It’s pretty lightweight too, weighing just 12 kilograms when empty.
It is rather expensive for a soft-sided cart. You could get two of the Grandma Shark versions for the cost of one of these. But the construction is exceptionally sturdy, staying firm over uneven surfaces even when full to the brim.
Pros:
- Sturdy construction, capable of carrying up to 82.5 kilograms
- Folds down to a neat size for transportation and storage
- Handy pockets for extra storage
Cons:
- The fabric is tough, but it’s not as robust as hard-sided carts
- Expensive for a fabric body – but you’re paying for quality.
5. Topwell Heavy Duty Garden Cart
If you want your garden cart to cut a dash, this design from Topwell could be for you! The fabric body is finished in black with contrasting blue panels and a smart logo on the side.
It measures 117 centimetres long and 49 centimetres wide. From the ground to the top of the body, it stands 48 centimetres tall. A telescopic handle at the front can be set to the length that’s most comfortable for your height.
The wheels are exceptionally sturdy, for easy navigation of tough terrain. The centres are finished in bright blue to complement the body of the cart.
It’s fully foldable, but still strong enough to carry a cargo of up to 80 kilograms. When folded, it measures 81 centimetres by 49 centimetres by 22 centimetres. That’s small enough to fit into the boots of most cars.
This is roughly the same price as the Timber Ridge cart. There are more economical soft-sided options out there – but the build quality here is top notch.
Just don’t use it for transporting harder edged materials. Although the fabric is robust, it can still tear if subjected to sharp rocks bumping around inside.
Pros:
- Very sturdy wheels, great for navigating uneven terrain
- Folds down quickly and easily
- Telescopic handle for comfortable use
Cons:
- The fabric body isn’t the best option for transporting sharp-edged cargo
- Fairly expensive for a cart with a fabric body – although this is very well constructed.
6. Life Carver Folding Garden Cart & Trolley
The Life Carver garden cart is another one with a fabric shell, and it’s the second cheapest on our list.
You get a choice between black, grey, blue or red. Choose the grey version and you’ll get funky orange wheels too.
For a little extra money, you can also get a version with a canopy. If you have anything you want to keep dry if the heavens open, that’s a great option. The canopy is made of fabric too, and coordinates with the body of the cart. Note however, that the canopy version is only available in blue or black.
The fabric is Oxford cloth, so it’s both strong and machine washable. It will resist damage and fading in UV light, and it’s resistant to mildew too.
No assembly is required, and it will handle a cargo of up to 150 kilograms. But note that the wheels are fairly slender at under 2 inches thick, and they’re rigid plastic rather than pneumatic. If you load the cart to its maximum capacity, you may find it a struggle to navigate over uneven ground.
The concertina metal frame allows it to be folded down quickly after use. Once that’s done, it’s just 75 by 50 by 20 centimetres, so it’s easily portable.
One thing to watch out for is that the handle does have a tendency to fall down. Make sure you click it firmly into place if you want it to stay upright.
Pros:
- 150 kilogram capacity – excellent for a soft-sided cart
- Available in different colours, and with the option of a canopy
- Folds down to a compact size
Cons:
- The wheels aren’t the most robust – you may struggle to move it over uneven terrain if it’s fully loaded
- Make sure you click the handle firmly into place or it may fall down.
7. Green Blade Garden Cart
Green Blade’s cart uses a similar design to the one from Draper. Here you get a generous plastic container which can be tipped up easily to unload the contents. And it’s about twenty per cent cheaper than the Draper version too.
That doesn’t mean you need to compromise on performance. It’s rated to carry a maximum load of 250 kilograms. And the plastic container offers 60 litres of storage capacity. When empty, it weighs 13.5 kilograms.
The sprung steel frame is powder coated to resist corrosion. If it’s left out in the rain, though, you’re likely to find that the fixings rust over time.
There are four robust pneumatic wheels to keep the cart moving smoothly over rough or uneven ground. Each one is 10 inches in diameter and 4 inches thick.
The main drawback with this one is the assembly that’s required before you can use it. The instructions leave rather a lot to be desired, so be prepared for the task to take time and patience.
Pros:
- Clever design allows you to tip up the cart to unload the contents, while all four wheels remain on the ground
- Sturdy pneumatic wheels
- Excellent value for money
Cons:
- Assembly is challenging – the instructions are more hindrance than help
- Although the steel frame is powder coated, the fixings will rust over time if this is left out in the rain.
8. Ollie’s Trollies OT1014 Garden Trolley
If you’re looking for a big, strong garden cart, you can’t go wrong with this one from Ollie’s Trollies. It’s constructed entirely from metal, and it will carry a load of up to 450 kilograms. That makes it the strongest cart on our list by quite some way.
It has mesh sides made of extra thick wire. Those sides are nice and deep, so they’ll hold lots of stuff. And if you have tree branches or other large loads to move, they can be removed entirely. It will only take a few seconds to do.
The cart has four heavy duty pneumatic wheels. There’s a handle at the front, and it comes with a towing kit too.
As you might expect from a cart with this kind of capacity, it’s big. The overall length when assembled is 134 centimetres, and it’s 63 centimetres wide. The height with the handle in the upright position is 110 centimetres.
It’s heavy too, weighing 27 kilograms empty. So if you want something you can easily pop into the back of a car, this won’t be it.
You’ll also need fairly deep pockets for this one – it’s the most expensive option on our list. But if strength and resilience are your priorities, it’s a great buy.
Pros:
- Will carry a maximum load of up to 450 kilograms
- Removeable sides
- Comes with an optional towing kit
Cons:
- Big and heavy, even when empty – so not the best option if you want to move between different sites
- Expensive – but you get a lot for your money.
9. TecTake Type 4 garden trolley
Looking for a metal cart but want to be able to transport soil or aggregrates? This one from TecTake could be the perfect solution. It combines a metal mesh container with a fabric lining.
It measures 113 centimetres long, 51 centimetres wide, and 56 centimetres tall. Add in the handle at the front, and the length extends to 187 centimetres.
It’s strong enough to carry a load of up to 350 kilograms. Four 10-inch pneumatic wheels keep it moving over all types of terrain. And there’s a padded handle to make it easier on your hands as you pull it along.
A simple mechanism allows the sides to be dropped down for easier loading and unloading. And when you’ve finished, you can remove the lining and stick it in the washing machine.
One thing to note is that there’s no way of clipping the handle into the upright position. Don’t just let go of it when you come to a stop. if you do, you may damage the padded section or whatever it falls on.
This is another cart that requires some assembly, and it’s a bit fiddly. Expect it to take an hour or so to put it together. But when it’s done, you’ll have a sturdy cart that’s able to carry bulky, heavy loads.
Pros:
- Robust metal cart, capable of carrying up to 350 kilograms
- Sides can be dropped down for easy loading and unloading
- Handy liner allows it to be used for transporting soil or aggregates
Cons:
- Requires some assembly, and it’s rather fiddly
- Take care with the handle, as it can’t be clipped into position.
10. VonHaus 75L Garden Tipping Cart Dump Truck Wheelbarrow Trolley (Our Top Pick)
This cart from VonHaus is another with a hard-shelled plastic container. it can be tipped up in a single movement whilst all four wheels are on the ground. It’s great for transporting sand or topsoil, or for tipping garden waste onto a compost heap.
It has a generous 75-litre capacity, and will carry up to 250 kilograms as a static load. If you want to use the tipping mechanism, that maximum reduces to 180 kilograms.
At the front, there’s a 78-centimetre long handle. This is attached to the front axle for easy steering. There’s an integrated towing hitch too.
Four 10-inch wide wheels carry the cart smoothly over uneven surfaces. And the steel frame is powder-coated to resist corrosion. The whole thing comes with a two-year warranty for peace of mind.
It comes flat-packed, so you’ll need to put it together. It takes a bit of time, but the general experience of doing it is less fraught than many other self-assembly models.
As with other carts of this kind, there are limits to the strength of the plastic container. If you’re transporting very heavy loads – bags of concrete, for example – you may find it bows.
Pros:
- Tips up in a single movement to dump the contents
- Powder-coated steel frame to resist corrosion
- 75-litre capacity and maximum load of 250kg if you’re not using the tipping mechanism
Cons:
- Some assembly required, though it’s not too difficult
- The plastic container can bow under very heavy loads.
Buying guide
Still wondering which is the right garden cart for your needs? Read on for some factors to consider before you make your choice.
How much will it need to carry?
A good place to start is with how much weight you need your cart to carry. The maximum capacities can vary enormously, so check the specifications.
Generally speaking, metal carts will be able to take the heaviest loads. Just remember that if they have mesh sides, you’ll need a liner to keep soil, aggregates or mulch inside.
Take a look at the wheels too. If you’re going to need the cart to carry heavy loads, it will need a good set of wheels. Pneumatic options are particularly good, as you’ll be able to adjust the tyre pressure. Some models also come with towing kits.
How will you load and unload it?
For plants and tools, you may simply be able to lift your cargo into and out of your cart. But if you want to transport topsoil, sand or mulch, tip-up models are much easier to use. These allow you to tip the contents of the container onto the ground whilst the frame f the cart remains upright.
Some models also come with drop-down sides. They can make it much easier to load and unload heavy or bulky items. In some cases, you’ll even be able to remove the sides all together.
Consider assembly
Last but not least, check how much assembly you’ll need to do. Some carts can be used straight out of the box. In other cases, you may need to simply attach the wheels and handle.
But others can be considerably more complicated! Check whether you’ll need specific tools. And take a look at reviews to see how other people have fared. Unclear assembly instructions can require the patience of a saint – so be prepared!
Ready to choose your garden cart?
We hope you’ve enjoyed our round-up of ten of the best garden carts on the market! There are some great options out there at a range of different price points.
Our top pick is the VonHaus. We love the clever tip-up design and solid sides. And although some assembly is needed, the task is much easier than for other similar designs.
But whichever model is right for you, we hope your new garden cart is soon helping take the strain of transporting tools and equipment. Happy shopping!
