Best Wheelbarrows

The wheelbarrow has an extensive history, being in use since the advent of human civilization. It emerged as a purposeful invention during the nascent stages of agriculture and trade, serving as a practical vehicle for conveying heavy goods. In the present day, there are innumerable versions of the wheelbarrow designed to cater to various requirements. Whether it is for shifting manure, sand, garbage, or simply for transporting things around household premises, this tool remains a necessity.

So, what makes a functional wheelbarrow? For starters, you need to select wheels that suit your activities and terrain. Secondly, you need to choose the material of construction that will handle your tasks efficiently. The most common are plastic and steel. There are other factors that you can consider, but we have discussed in detail below. But first, let’s have a look at some of the best wheelbarrows in the market today.

Best Wheelbarrow Reviews

1. WORX WG050 Aerocart Wheelbarrow

Key Features

• It features a three cubic feet bowl and weighs about 50 pounds.
• It can handle a weight of up to 300 pounds.
• The tub is made of steel for durability.
• It easily converts to 8 other tools.
• It is dual-wheeled, featuring two 10-inch airless wheels.

If you’re looking for a multipurpose carrying tool, this one’s a good choice. Besides doing farm work, it also converts to 7 other carrying machines such as a dolly, extended dolly, bag holder, plant mover, trailer mover, and plant and rock mover. It’s dual-wheeled, giving you enough balance.

Why we like it

• The steel build is very sturdy.
• The dual wheels make it stable even for physically limited people.
• It can convert to a dolly and seven other carrying tools.
• The airless wheels are sturdy, and they don’t flat.
• It has a larger weight capacity.

What we don’t like

• It has a smaller bowl, which makes it unsuitable for transporting bulky items.
• The stain tub is colored, and it gets scratched over time.
• It’s also quite short; taller people may have a problem using it.

Our Verdict

We recommend this model for people with smaller gardens since the bowl is quite small. It’s also great for people looking for a multipurpose carrying tool within the house since it easily fits in standard doors.

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2. Jackson MT622 Wheelbarrow

Key Features

• It features a six cubic foot steel bowl.
• The handles are made of wood.
• The COG is towards the wheels, making it easy to dump.
• It also has a tipping crossbar. The wheelbarrow can rest on this bar as you offload, preventing any potential injuries.
• It features a 16-inch pneumatic wheel.

For a heavy-duty, durable, and affordable garden transport tool, this one’s an ideal choice. It features a single pneumatic wheel that’s easy to maneuver in tight places. The tub is also made of steel for durability.

Why we like it

• It has a larger bowl (6 cubic feet), making it suitable for bulky goods).
• One-wheeled wheelbarrows are the best in maneuverability.
• The pneumatic tires also make it easy to transport heavy loads on uneven grounds.
• The tipping bar makes it safe and convenient for dumping cumbersome goods without injuring yourself.
• The steel body is also durable, even during winter.

What we don’t like

• The steel body may be durable, but it’s also prone to rust and scratching.

Our Verdict

This model is great for construction work, or any other heavy-duty transport tool within your farm. We recommend it for it can be used in all terrains, can carry bulky goods, and it features a durable steel body. Steel can withstand cold temperatures, unlike plastics, which may crack when it’s too cold.

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3. Marathon Yard Rover Wheelbarrow

Key Features

• It weighs 29 pounds.
• It has a five cubic feet bowl (36 inches by 27.5 inches).
• It has a capacity of 300 pounds.
• It is dual-wheeled and features 14.5-inch pneumatic wheels.
• The bowl is made of sturdy plastic materials.

This is a dual-wheeled tool that’s best suited for maneuvering in your garden when carrying large loads. It has a wider-bowl, pneumatic tires, and a 300 pounds capacity. It’s sturdy enough to move items such as soil, rocks, and manure in small amounts.

Why we like it

• It’s very light, even when carrying relatively large loads.
• It’s easy to store by hanging it on the wall.
• Pneumatic wheels are great for rough terrains such areas with gravel, and when climbing the stairs.
• It’s possible to interchange the tires with flat-free tires, but at an extra cost.

What we don’t like

• Pneumatic tires are prone to punctures.
• The plastic body is not very dependable for heavy-duty tasks.

Our Verdict

It is an excellent transport tool for general light garden tasks. Due to the polymer build and lightweight, it’s not a good idea to use it for strenuous tasks.

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4. Gorilla Carts GOR866D Yard Cart

Key Features

• It has a 1200 pounds carrying capacity.
• It’s 4-wheeled, featuring 13-inch pneumatic tires.
• It has a dumping mechanism.
• The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty.
• The tub is made of durable polymer.

This one’s more of a garden cart, than a wheelbarrow, but they all function the same way. It has a larger carrying capacity, high stability, and it’s great for people with back problems, or physically limited in any way.

Why we like it

• It can carry relatively heavy items with little effort on your part.
• The quick-release offloading system is safe and more comfortable than dumping manually.
• It features pneumatic tires that are suited for any type of terrain.
• The polymer build is rust-resistant and makes this tool relatively light.
• You can easily pull it or attach it to a tractor.

What we don’t like

• It’s large and four-wheeled, making it difficult to make sharp corners.

Our Verdict

If you have cumbersome items that may be hard to carry on a regular wheelbarrow, this cart is a great option. It’s also an ideal choice for people with huge farms, for they can easily attach it to their tractor or ATV and transport the items to various parts on the farm.

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5. Polar Trailer 8449 Wheelbarrow

Key Features

• It features a seven cubic feet bowl.
• Item’s weight – 35 pounds.
• The bowl is made of high-quality PVC.
• It has two 16-inch pneumatic wheels.

This model offers a higher weight capacity, a larger width, and a sturdier construction at an affordable price. Featuring a seven cubic feet bowl, you can carry up to 400 pounds. It’s also dual-wheeled for stability.

Why we like it

• It has a larger bowl and a higher weight capacity.
• The dual wheels offer high stability regardless of the load.
• The frame supporting the bowl is made of steel, making it dependable in extreme weather conditions.
• The wheel bearings are also shielded, protecting them from contaminants and making them more efficient in enabling the wheels to gain traction.

What we don’t like

• The bearings have a plastic shield that may break easily. However, you can replace them with metallic ones.
• The assembly is also quite complicated, especially for new users.

Our Verdict

This tool is durable enough for transporting all types of loads on your farm, even the bulky loads. However, due to the plastic build, and relatively fragile wheels, it may not be the best for demanding commercial applications.

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6. Polar Trailer 8376 Lawn Cart

Key Features

• It features 20-inch airless rubber wheels.
• It has a carrying weight capacity of 400 to 500 pounds.
• It also features a ten cubic feet bowl.
• The tub is made of high-quality polyethylene.
• The front part is longer to act as a tipping feature as you offload.

This cart features a ten cubic feet bowl with a 400 pounds weight capacity. It also features large airless wheels; you don’t have to refill air or worry about getting a flat.

Why we like it

• It’s very light (49 pounds), making it easy to maneuver.
• It has a huge carrying capacity.
• It’s excellent for carrying bulky goods.
• It’s easy to assemble.
• The dual wheels are stable enough for flat grounds.

What we don’t like

• The airless wheels aren’t sound shock absorbers; you will often feel the rut in your body as you push it through rocky grounds.
• The wheels also get damaged easily.

Our Verdict

Despite having an extra-large carrying area, it’s not suited for transporting heavy goods. But it works great if you have flat ground, such as a driveway. The extra space is great for carrying bulky but light items like hay, leaves, and dirt.

7. Mac Sports Collapsible Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon

Key Features

• It has a highly durable fabric bag.
• It features a folding mechanism that makes it easy to store and to transport it to the working area.
• It has an adjustable handle to suit people of different heights.
• It can handle a maximum weight of up to 150 pounds.
• It also has some additional features such as two cup holders for holding your beverages as you work.
• The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty.

If you’re looking for a portable option that could be used by kids, this one’s for you. It’s collapsible for secure storage. It also features a fabric bag tub with a smaller carrying.

Why we like it

• It’s a foldable garden transport tool that’s easy to use.
• It doesn’t require any assembly. Just unfold it and get to work in no time.
• It is four-wheeled, making it stable and easy to push, even for children.
• The fabric bag is light; it doesn’t add a lot of extra weight to the load you’re transporting.
• It also features a telescoping handle.

What we don’t like

• The 150 pounds capacity is quite limited for most gardening tasks.

Our Verdict

With 150 pounds capacity, we believe several items weigh this much that you can transport on your lawn, in the field, or within the house. It’s also easy, even for kids to push around. The wheels are also strong enough to travel on gravel and dirt paths.

8. True Temper Wheelbarrow

Key Features

• It has one wheel for maneuverability.
• It features a flat-less tire.
• It’s shipped in parts for you to assemble.
• The tub is made of steel, and it has a capacity of 6 cubic feet.
• The handles are also made of steel.

This model is a lightweight yet very durable yard transport tool. It features a six cubic feet tub that’s made of steel. It also features a flat-less tire that saves you the hassles of having to fix a puncture or having to refill with air.

Why we like it

• It’s easy to assemble with regular home tools such as a socket and a wrench.
• It’s easy to maneuver thanks to the one-wheel mechanism.
• The steel tub and handles last very long.
• The flat-less tires are also very convenient and easy to maintain.
• It features a six cubic feet capacity which is large enough for home and commercial applications.

What we don’t like

• The steel body rusts over time.
• The wheel also warps with time. It’s hard to use it in that state, and a new wheel is quite expensive.

Our Verdict

If you’re looking for a sturdy wheelbarrow for your yard, commercial landscaping activities, or construction activities, this one’s worth consideration. The steel body is strong enough, and the one-wheel structure makes it light and easy to maneuver even with heavy loads.

Buying Guide

Wheelbarrows are a must-have garden tool. But you need to ensure you choose one that fits your garden and one that is favorable to your back too. Below are some of the factors to consider when making your purchase:

• Terrain – You need to consider the type of ground, and the number of barriers. A path with numerous obstacles is the best for one wheel.
• Capacity – This depends on the type of activities you want to carry out in your garden. If it involves carrying bulky loads, it needs to have a larger tub area capacity. It should also have mechanisms that reduce the weight of the load. For instance, the COG (Center of Gravity) can be towards the wheel. This mechanism saves your back from straining as you lift and as you push the load. You should also check the bulkiness of your goods. For bulky but light items, you need a higher tub capacity, even though the weight capacity is low.
• User’s physical conditions – If you’re physically limited in any way, the three-wheeled, dual-wheeled, and four-wheeled wheelbarrows are more favorable.
• Dumping – You need to ensure that you get a wheelbarrow with favorable means of offloading. A sound dumping system could be as simple as the tipping crossbar, or as advanced as the quick release lever system in the multiple wheeled wheelbarrows.
• Tub’s material of construction – Tubs can either be made of metal or polymer. Metal, especially steel, is more durable, but with improved technologies, you’ll find very durable plastics too. So, this comes down to the type of activities you need the wheelbarrow for. The plastic models are light and are the best for carrying lighter materials such as refuse, leaves, or any other light materials on your garden. For heavy-duty applications such as construction, carrying soil and manure, the metal bodies are better.
• Types of wheels – A wheel is one of the essential parts of this garden tool. Therefore, spend more time checking the nature of your terrain, and researching on the best type of wheel. There are three types;
  • Pneumatic tires – Pneumatic means that they have air in them. They have an outer tire and an inner tube, just like in bicycle tires. They are the best for rough terrains. However, they are prone to punctures.
  • Semi-pneumatic tires – These are flat-free tires that don’t require air-refilling. They are rare and more expensive.
  • Airless tires – Unlike the semi-pneumatic tires, these tires lack air pores, they feature a sealed rubber structure that doesn’t go flat. They are easier to maintain, but they are not the best shock absorbers.
• The number of tires – One-wheeled wheelbarrows are the most common. They are the easiest to maneuver, and you can easily carry large loads on uneven terrain. The more wheels a wheelbarrow has, the more stable it becomes, at the expense of maneuverability. Two, three, and four-wheeled wheelbarrows are favorable for physically limited people, for they are easier to push.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Wheelbarrow Wheels Universal?

A standard wheelbarrow wheel is usually 14.5 inches, but you can replace them with 13 inches or 16 inches. There are also several models of universal wheels in the market today.

Do Wheelbarrows Come Assembled?

It depends on who you buy from. But most wheelbarrows are shipped in parts for you to assemble. However, make sure you have the necessary tools to join them.

Are Plastic Wheelbarrows Worth It?

The latest polymers are sturdy enough and are resistant to rust and corrosives. Plastic wheelbarrows are an excellent option if you don’t transport heavy items on your farm.

Final Thoughts

We vouch for the Jackson MT622 as the best all-purpose wheelbarrow. As much as dual-wheeled, three-wheeled, and four-wheeled may seem to be better options, we believe you can achieve more with this simple tool. One wheel is easier to maneuver. Also, it features a 6-cubic foot tub that’s large enough for medium to heavy-duty tasks. The handles are made of very durable hardwood.

It also features a pneumatic wheel. Despite being prone to going flat, pneumatic wheels can traverse rough terrains better, without transferring the rut to your hands. To protect you from injuries when offloading, it features a tipping crossbar in front of the wheel. Steel may be prone to rust, but these tools are known to last for many years. Having to replace them after serving you for more than ten years sounds cost-effective.