5 Best Wheelbarrows (2025 Guide) - This Old House

If you’re looking for an easier way to move anything from heavy construction materials to compost, our team is here to help. We researched the best wheelbarrows on the market and created a buyer’s guide to help you make an informed purchase.

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Here are our top recommendations.

Advertisement The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products. Highest Weight Capacity Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart 4.7 /5 Check Price Most Portable Gorilla Carts Poly Yard Cart 4.7 /5 Check Price Most Versatile WORX Aerocart 8-in-1 Wheelbarrow 4.5 /5 Check Price

Top 5 Wheelbarrows

• Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart: Highest Weight Capacity
• Gorilla Carts Poly Yard Cart: Most Portable
• WORX Aerocart 8-in-1 Wheelbarrow: Most Versatile
• Garden Star Marathon Yard Rover: Best Wheels
• SuperHandy Electric-Powered Utility Cart: Best Electric Wheelbarrow

Compare Top Wheelbarrows

Ad Disclaimer The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products. Product Image Dimensions Weight Tires Load Capacity Gorilla Carts Garden Dump CartCheck Price38.7 by 20 by 19.5 inches32 poundsFour 10-inch pnuematic tires600 pounds Gorilla Carts Poly Yard CartCheck Price47.2 by 25.3 by 28.4 inches26.8 poundsTwo 10-inch pneumatic tires300 pounds WORX Aerocart 8-in-1 WheelbarrowCheck Price57 by 15.5 by 12 inches49 poundsTwo never-flat tires300 pounds Garden Star Marathon Yard RoverCheck Price53.5 by 25.5 by 25.6 inches25 poundsTwo 14.5-inch pneumatic tires300 pounds SuperHandy Electric-Powered Utility CartCheck Price42 by 27 by 17 inches107 poundsTwo 13-inch pneumatic tires330 pounds Ad Disclaimer The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products.

Highest Weight Capacity

Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart

Courtesy Amazon

This plastic wheelbarrow has a durable, rustproof plastic bed and four 10-inch pneumatic tires to help you complete various DIY projects. It can handle up to 600 pounds, which makes it ideal for moving rocks or any other job that requires heavy lifting.

Courtesy Amazon $125.35 At Amazon Prices taken at time of publishing.

Pros and Cons of Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart

Pros

• Has a quick-release dump feature to make unloading easy
• Has four 10-inch pneumatic wheels for easy mobility
• Has padding on its handle to make movements more comfortable

Cons

• Some customers needed help from a second person to complete assembly
• Assembling the cart requires uncommon screwdriver sizes

Key Features

• 38.7 by 20 by 19.5 inches
• 32 pounds
• Four 10-inch pneumatic tires
• 600-pound load capacity
• One-year warranty

What People Are Saying About The Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart

Customers praised this wheelbarrow’s patented dumping mechanism, which allowed the cart to be loaded and unloaded quickly and easily. This mechanism also made the wheelbarrow easy for people with limited mobility and strength. Reviewers who weren’t satisfied with the product complained that the screws provided with the cart became loose after only a few uses.

Ad Disclaimer The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products.

Most Portable

Gorilla Carts Poly Yard Cart

Courtesy Amazon

This wheelbarrow has multi-terrain pneumatic tires and a heavy-duty plastic bed that helps homeowners complete yard maintenance tasks. Because of its 27-pound frame, foldable handle, and four-cubic-foot bed, this wheelbarrow is easy to move around your yard and store in a garden shed or garage.

Courtesy Amazon $89.98 At Amazon Prices taken at time of publishing.

Pros and Cons of Gorilla Carts Poly Yard Cart

Pros

• Features a low center of gravity for easy movement with minimal effort
• Comes at an affordable price point
• Has an impact-resistant poly bed

Cons

• Includes a smaller-than-average four-cubic-foot barrel
• Doesn’t mention a warranty like the other Gorilla Carts model in this review

Key Features

• 47.2 by 25.3 by 28.4 inches
• 26.8 pounds
• Two 10-inch pneumatic tires
• 300-pound load capacity

What People Are Saying About The Gorilla Carts Poly Yard Cart

Customers liked the low-to-the-ground design of this wheelbarrow’s body, which made it easy to lift items into the cart. However, multiple customers didn’t receive all the pieces required for assembly. They said that getting the replacement parts from the manufacturer was a hassle.

Ad Disclaimer The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products.

Most Versatile

WORX Aerocart 8-in-1 Wheelbarrow

Courtesy Amazon

This versatile wheelbarrow design gives DIYers access to a dolly, bag holder, trailer tote, and other convenient tools with one heavy-duty frame. The design of this wheelbarrow also features foldable extension arms that make supporting heavy loads more manageable by preventing spills and slips.

Courtesy Amazon $169 At Amazon Prices taken at time of publishing.

Pros and Cons of WORX Aerocart 8-in-1 Wheelbarrow

Pros

• Gives you the option to add expert assembly from Amazon for an additional cost
• Makes 200 pounds of material feel like 17 pounds when it’s lifted
• Can tackle medium tasks with its 300-pound weight capacity

Cons

• Has a sharp sloping interior that limits heaping capacity
• Assembling it can be a pain because of how many pieces it has

Key Features

• 57 by 15.5 by 12 inches
• 49 pounds
• Two never-flat tires
• 300-pound load capacity
• Three-year warranty

What People Are Saying About The WORX Aerocart 8-in-1 Wheelbarrow

Customers who loved this wheelbarrow praised its easy assembly process, especially considering how many pieces it came with. Customers who were unsatisfied with this product criticized the bowl of the wheelbarrow, saying that it was too small to carry its 300-pound maximum load practically.

Ad Disclaimer The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products.

Best Wheels

Garden Star Marathon Yard Rover

Courtesy Amazon

This plastic wheelbarrow has a lightweight design that makes transportation easy and a rustproof plastic tray that supports up to 300-pound loads. Attached to its metal frame are two 14.5-inch pneumatic wheels that can tackle grassy hills, gravel driveways, and other terrains.

Courtesy Amazon $79 At Amazon Prices taken at time of publishing.

Pros and Cons of Garden Star Marathon Yard Rover

Pros

• Requires only a crescent wrench and flathead screwdriver to assemble
• Includes a loop handle that makes the wheelbarrow easier to move
• Can be stored upright in a tool shed or garage

Cons

• Has a poorly constructed body, according to some reviewers
• The tires may deflate over time

Key Features

• 53.5 by 25.5 by 25.6 inches
• 25 pounds
• Two 14.5-inch pneumatic tires
• 300-pound load capacity

What People Are Saying About The Garden Star Marathon Yard Rover

Customers liked how easy to maneuver this wheelbarrow was, with many claiming that its construction and shape were ideal for everyday use. However, multiple customers who rated the product poorly claimed that the holes in the wheelbarrow weren’t lined up, making the product difficult to assemble.

Ad Disclaimer The listings that appear are from companies from which this website receives compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. This listing does not include all companies or all available offers and products.

Best Electric Wheelbarrow

SuperHandy Electric-Powered Utility Cart

Courtesy Amazon

This electric wheelbarrow helps homeowners push heavy loads with its motorized wheels that can move across various terrains. Because the motor does most of the work, it’s a solid option for older individuals or individuals with limited strength who can’t haul a traditional wheelbarrow independently.

Courtesy Amazon $689.99 At Amazon Prices taken at time of publishing.

Pros and Cons of SuperHandy Electric-Powered Utility Cart

Pros

• Offers several speeds
• Features a spill-proof barrel design
• Can travel up to 3.1 miles per hour

Cons

• The motor makes it more expensive
• The motor has to be recharged every two to five hours

Key Features

• 42 by 27 by 17 inches
• 107 pounds
• Two 13-inch pneumatic tires
• 330-pound load capacity

What People Are Saying About The SuperHandy Electric-Powered Utility Cart

Customers who loved this wheelbarrow praised its durability. Many customers also reported that the wheelbarrow’s parts were shipped thoughtfully with a lot of padding to prevent damage during the mailing process. Customers who weren’t happy with this wheelbarrow complained about its short battery life.

Buying Guide to Wheelbarrows

Before purchasing a wheelbarrow, it’s important to understand how its design and specifications impact its user experience and performance. Here are four factors to consider before buying a wheelbarrow.

Material

Most wheelbarrows are made of either plastic or metal. Most non-metal models, including the Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart, are made with polyethylene or polypropylene—thick and durable plastics that create an affordable and long-lasting wheelbarrow. While more affordable, plastic wheelbarrows are typically less durable than their metal counterparts. For example, the SuperHandy Electric-Powered Utility Cart has a powder-coated steel frame that holds up to 330 pounds.

Weight Capacity

A wheelbarrow’s weight capacity refers to how many pounds it can safely transport. Typically, plastic wheelbarrows have lower weight capacities than their steel counterparts. For example, the plastic Garden Star Marathon Yard Rover holds up to 300 pounds, 30 pounds less than the metal SuperHandy Electric-Powered Utility Cart. However, some heavy-duty plastic models, such as the Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart, have 600-pound capacities.

Movement

Wheelbarrows come in manual and automatic models. Manual wheelbarrows, such as the Gorilla Carts Garden Dump Cart, include one or two handles that help you push or pull the cart. Automatic models, including the SuperHandy Electric-Powered Utility Cart, have wheels powered by batteries to transport heavy loads.

Additional Features

Many wheelbarrows have additional features that help you complete various DIY tasks. For example, the WORX Aerocart Wheelbarrow has an eight-in-one design that transforms it into a yard cart, bag holder, dolly, and other tools.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wheelbarrows

Can I store my wheelbarrow outside?

It depends. Some plastic wheelbarrows have a weather-resistant design that can withstand light rain and inclement weather. However, metal wheelbarrows should be stored in a shelter or shed to prevent corrosion.

How much weight can a wheelbarrow carry?

While the weight capacity of a wheelbarrow varies based on the model, most can hold around 300 pounds.

What are wheelbarrows used for?

Wheelbarrows can be used for various DIY projects, including moving rock, transporting mulch, and disposing of debris.

How We Selected the Best Wheelbarrows

To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of wheelbarrows with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why You Can Trust Us

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published countless reviews of garden, lawn, and outdoor products—from fertilizer and garden hoses to patio furniture and snow blowers.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

The company is the world’s best Wheelbarrow Manufacturer supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

I’m in the midst of digging a koi pond by hand. In total, I’ve moved about 5 yards of dirt already, and have about 5 more to go. (I know there are more efficient ways to move this much dirt around, but it’s good exercise.) The dirt is actually mostly clay and pretty heavy because the ground here never fully dries out

The problem I’m having is that my wheelbarrow isn’t handling that kind of weight well. I have a model almost identical to this one. It’s a pretty low-end 6 cu-ft model and is perfect for my usual needs (which is mostly just carrying bark around a couple of times a year).

Specifically, the metal rim of the wheel bends under the weight, which lets the wheel wobble side to side, which then breaks the nylon bearing. Before I buy a third wheel, I thought I’d re-evaluate my options.

Am I better off buying a heavier-duty wheelbarrow? Any recommendations on model or brands?

Or could I modify what I have now with a heavier-duty wheel?

I see a conversion kit if I wanted to go to a 2-wheeled mode, but I prefer the 1 wheel for maneuverability. (Plus, I’d spend $70 on the kit and new wheel, when I could get a whole new wheelbarrow for less.)

Or… should I just accept that I can’t fill a wheelbarrow to capacity with heavy dirt? Are there listings of specific weight limits?

also the more you put a heavy load in the harder it is to control and move. i think the most strain on your body in moving dirt is moving an overfilled wheelbarrow.

another device to move dirt, in certain situations, is a plastic sled. you need smooth grass to make the moving easy. you don’t have to raise the shovel as high to load though you do have to shovel it twice to unload. if some ground is rutty then it can be easier than moving a wheelbarrow over it.

It’s likely not a great quality wheelbarrow, so as the others say, don’t fill it so high. If you get a new one, check around, maybe try a masonry supply to ask for a recommendation. The one’s at the big box stores are light duty, not meant to last. A friend of mine just found an old mason’s wheelbarrow probably decades old. The wheel fork has two heavy iron diagonal braces keeping it aligned and in place. I need a new wheel barrow, but I haven’t picked anything up yet because I’m looking for something made to those old school standards.

I’ve mostly been gauging the weight to put in the wheelbarrow by what’s comfortable for me to control. Obviously, I can handle more dirt than it can. Maybe it’s just my manly physique :dubious:

The sled would be a cool idea, but definitely not workable in this setup. I have to cross a foot bridge and go between two trees before I get back to my dumping spot in the back.

I’ve been helping a friend remove dirt from below his house. He’s been expanding his basement. A couple of times we have rented a dirt conveyor like this and set it up on an angle through an exterior hole in the wall. It runs up to the back of his pickup truck.
I about 6 hours with just two guys and two shovels we removed 6 pickup truck loads of dirt. It took longer to drive the dirst to the dumpsite than it did to fill it.

Is the bucket body OK? Are the handles OK? The only problem you stated is that the rims are bent. Is it a steel/aluminum/plastic wheel?

Why are the rims bending? Are you allowing the tire pressure to get to low? Maybe you have a slow leak? Check the tire pressure daily.

Are the bearings of poor quality? Does it have bearings or does it use bushings? Have the bearings/bushings failed or out of round?

Buy a better wheel and maybe a tire. You should be fine.

p.s. And maybe a new axle and axle brackets if they’re loose.

The bucket and the handles are in great shape - no cracks, dents, splinters or obvious weathering. After the first wheel went out, I even double-checked all of the nuts to be sure that every component of the frame was fully tightened.

The wheel I’m talking about is this model: http://www.amestruetemper.com/products/detail.aspx?ProductId=875&SubFamilyId=33&FamilyId=32&LineId=31

It’s a little hard to see how components connect in the picture there, but at the very center of the wheel (with the little holes running around the hole for axle) you can see what the manufacturer calls a “nylon bearing.” The bearing is surrounded by the black metal of the rest of the wheel. The part of the metal that bends is there, directly around the center nylon bearing. The metal basically flares outward so that it’s no longer fully in contact with the bearing… at that point, the wheel starts to wobble and eventually the nylon bearing breaks completely free from the rest of the wheel and I’m totally out of luck at that point.

The part that bends is not the rims, and I had been checking the tire pressure. (The old tire would always need topping off if it’d been a few weeks since I last used it, so I’m used to checking on that.)

I do think a better wheel should help, but I’m not sure about the best replacement.

I move a lot of dirt and clay and rocks and other detritus around here at my little part of heaven and I strongly recommend that anyone who wishes to actually do this on a regular basis choose a wheelbarrow with two solid rubber wheels. One of the hidden stresses that occurs when a human lifts weight with a single pivot point is the amount of lateral stress it puts on the human’s back. Two wheels allow the body to more easily carry large weights with less stress. Solid wheels are more expensive but they pay off in the long run.

http://www.lowes.com/Lawn-Care-Landscaping/Wheelbarrows-Carts/_/N-1z11p6l/pl#!

I use a wheelbarrow quite frequently for very short distances, anyway, but have wised up some for the longer distances I had to go with it. Nowadays, I use my riding lawn mower that has the el-cheapo trailer that rides behind it. I only paid $20.00 for it used. I can put the same amount of load in it as the wheelbarrow, and take it where it needs to go, which is often hundreds of feet away. Trailer not nearly as strong of steel construction as some wheelbarrows, but it does the job just fine.

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