When gardening season arrives, a reliable wheelbarrow becomes an indispensable tool for transporting plants, mulch, and unwanted weeds around your yard. Its efficiency in moving materials from one spot to another is unmatched. However, with various types of yards and specific needs, it’s crucial to take the time to select the most suitable wheelbarrow for your particular project or hobby.
Consider factors such as soil type, terrain, and desired outcome to ensure you’re getting a wheelbarrow that will meet your requirements.
The 6 Best Wheelbarrow Reviews
When it comes to selecting the best yard cart, several options are available in the market. Some of the top picks include the Gorilla Carts GOR6PS Heavy-Duty Poly Yard Dump Cart with its 2-In-1 Convertible Handle, the Marathon Yard Rover-2 Tire Wheelbarrow Garden Cart, and the Ames Companies, Inc M6T22KB Wheelbarrow with a capacity of 6-Cubic Foot. The Polar Trailer 8449 Heavy-Duty Cub Cart is another popular choice, offering durability and reliability.
For those looking for an all-purpose solution, the WORX WG050 Aerocart, which converts into eight different tools, including a wheelbarrow and yard cart, might be the perfect fit. Finally, the Ames CP6PS Poly Wheelbarrow provides a reliable and efficient way to transport heavy loads around the yard.
Our Top Pick for the Best Wheelbarrow
We’ve selected The Ames Companies, Inc’s M6T22KB Wheelbarrow as our top choice for its exceptional durability and user-friendly design. The stainless steel construction ensures a rugged and long-lasting experience, even when hauling heavier loads. While it may require a bit more effort to maneuver, each component is meticulously crafted to withstand the rigors of garden use, far outpacing other tools on the market. You can check the current price on Amazon for this top-notch wheelbarrow.
Choosing the Right Wheelbarrow
When selecting a wheelbarrow, consider the intended use case first. This will help determine the ideal size and weight of the wheelbarrow, which in turn will influence its shape. For instance, a smaller garden requires a smaller wheelbarrow, while larger gardens demand more substantial ones. The array of available options is vast, with sizes and shapes varying significantly. Notably, wheelbarrows can be crafted from either plastic or steel, each material offering distinct advantages.
Steel, for instance, is often the preferred choice for transporting heavy loads, but it does have a drawback – rusting over time when exposed to the elements. To mitigate this issue, store steel wheelbarrows in a garage or protected area. On the other hand, plastic wheelbarrows are better suited for lighter loads, yet they can be prone to cracking under extreme temperatures or from heavier objects.
By considering these factors, you’ll be able to make an informed decision when choosing the perfect wheelbarrow for your specific needs.
What Makes a Good Wheelbarrow
When evaluating the quality of a wheelbarrow, it’s essential to focus on its functional needs rather than its material composition. A practical approach is to consider how well the product suits your individual requirements. When purchasing a wheelbarrow, prioritize user-friendliness and ergonomics by opting for one that fits comfortably against your back. Additionally, take into account any physical limitations you may have, such as being petite or recovering from an injury.
In these cases, it’s crucial to select a wheelbarrow with evenly distributed weight to simplify the transportation of goods.
What to Look For in a Wheelbarrow
When selecting a wheelbarrow, there are several key characteristics to consider. Firstly, look for one with sufficient ground clearance to navigate uneven terrain. If you have a sloping yard or property with varying elevations, a wheelbarrow with ample clearance between the tray and the ground is essential. Beyond ground clearance, another crucial factor is pivot distance. A longer pivoting distance is beneficial for smaller gardens that require more agile turns.
The handle, typically made of wood or metal, can cause discomfort and blisters if not designed ergonomically. To mitigate this issue, seek out a wheelbarrow with a grip made from rubber, which will provide a secure hold and reduce fatigue. When evaluating the value of a wheelbarrow, don’t be afraid to shop around and find the one that best meets your specific needs.
Best Wheelbarrow – Reviews
Gorilla Carts GOR6PS Heavy-Duty Poly Yard Dump Cart with 2-In-1 Convertible Handle
The Gorilla Carts Wheelbarrow was designed to revolutionize the way you load and unload gardening materials. Its robust padded handle, measuring 2-1-in in diameter, provides superior maneuverability and a smooth pulling experience. The wheelbarrow’s innovative design ensures that the dumping process is effortless, leaving no residue behind.
Perfect for gardeners with medium to large-sized plots, this product boasts a heavy-duty rust-proof polypropylene bed, a sturdy frame, and four 13-inch pneumatic wheels capable of supporting up to 1,200 pounds of material such as wood, metal, and garden waste. Notable advantages include the ability to pull up to 1,200 pounds, ease of use on flat terrain, and a comfortable padded grip.
However, some users may prefer the older handle model for its added sturdiness, and caution is advised against overloading the wheelbarrow to maintain balance.
Marathon Yard Rover – 2 Tire Wheelbarrow Garden Cart
The Marathon Yard Rover Wheelbarrow stands out for its lightweight design, making it a breeze to maneuver in small gardens. The cushioned loop handle ensures comfortable grip, eliminating the risk of blisters and hand sores even after extended yard work sessions. The air-filled tires, shaped into two tubes, provide an evenly distributed load, optimal balance, and effortless lifting.
With a durable capacity of 300lbs, this wheelbarrow is geared towards residential users, ideal for lighter loads like mulch and plants. However, it’s not suitable for heavier loads such as tiles, rocks, or large amounts of wood. While the tires have garnered mixed reviews for their size and ease of maneuverability, they also require more frequent replacements due to deflation issues.
On balance, the Marathon Yard Rover Wheelbarrow boasts pros like lightness, durability, ease of movement, and a well-balanced design. Its cons include shallow capacity and tire maintenance needs. Check out the price on Amazon for further evaluation.
The Ames Companies, Inc M6T22KB Wheelbarrow, 6-Cubic Foot
The Ames Companies’ steel wheelbarrow is a popular choice for heavier-duty tasks. Its high-quality components and easy assembly make it an attractive option for residential use, capable of handling substantial loads. While its wooden frame may not be as sturdy as some users might prefer, the overall structure remains robust enough to support sizeable hauls. Although the instructions can be somewhat unclear, the wheelbarrow itself is relatively simple to put together.
Its durability stems from the strong materials used, ensuring a long lifespan provided it’s kept out of harsh environmental conditions. This product is best suited for larger gardens with numerous tools and heavy objects to move around. It’s not recommended for use in construction settings. The pros of this wheelbarrow include its extreme durability, ease of movement, and large tires.
However, some users may find it prone to denting, the grip can be uncomfortable, and the instructions challenging to decipher. To purchase this product, check the current price on Amazon.
Polar Trailer 8449 Heavy-Duty Cub Cart
The Polar Trailer 8449 Heavy-Duty Cub Cart is a versatile wheelbarrow that combines lightness with heavy-duty capabilities. Weighing in at just 35 pounds, it’s perfect for residential projects where space and maneuverability are key. The cart can tow up to 400lbs of loose material, making it ideal for hauling gravel or other heavy loads. One notable feature is its large pivoting distance, allowing it to fit into tight spaces with ease.
While the quality of the wheelbarrow is high, the assembly process may require two people due to the complexity of the design. On the plus side, the cart’s well-balanced design makes it easy to haul materials without worrying about tip-overs. The steel frame and metal handle provide a sturdy foundation for the load, but some users have reported issues with grip after extended use. Overall, the pros outweigh the cons for this reliable and efficient wheelbarrow.
WORX WG050 Aerocart 8-in-1 All-Purpose Wheelbarrow/Yard Cart/Dolly
The WORX Wheelbarrow boasts a robust yet lightweight steel frame, capable of holding up to 300 pounds. This allows you to effortlessly move garden waste, small rocks, or potted plants with ease. The two flat-free tires ensure a smooth ride, while the dual handles with padded grips provide comfort and control when dumping large loads over the side.
What sets this wheelbarrow apart is its innovative 8-1 cart design, which also enables it to function as a garden refuse bag holder, furniture dolly, gas cylinder carrier, rock/plant mover, or trailer mover. The strong bottom flap provides added support when leaning the cart back and navigating uphill. While it excels in many areas, the wheelbarrow’s small interior may not accommodate larger items.
Additionally, it may struggle on very rocky terrain and require more effort to push when fully loaded.
“Ames” CP6PS Poly Wheelbarrow
The Ames Wheelbarrow is an ideal choice for customers seeking a reliable and accurate dumping wheelbarrow. Its pour spout design allows for precise pouring, making it particularly well-suited for tasks such as pouring cement or other loose materials into a residential garden. While this product may not prioritize comfort or quick maneuverability, its corrosion-proof, well-balanced design has won over many customers.
However, the wooden handle can be somewhat uncomfortable, which may deter those planning to work for extended periods. Nonetheless, this wheelbarrow excels in tasks involving pouring, distributing mulch, or other loose materials. It’s essential to note that it’s not recommended for carrying heavy loads like metal, rocks, or stones. Some notable pros include the spout design, ease of spinning, and perfect dumping capabilities.
On the downside, assembly can be challenging, the handle is uncomfortable, and its versatility in gardening chores is limited.
Our Top Pick for the Best Wheelbarrow
When it comes to selecting the ultimate wheelbarrow for your gardening needs, our top recommendation is The Ames Companies, Inc M6T22KB Wheelbarrow, boasting a generous 6-cubic foot capacity. What sets this wheelbarrow apart from others is its durable stainless steel construction, designed to withstand the rigors of frequent use while remaining easy to maneuver.
While it may require a bit more effort to haul larger loads, the exceptional quality and longevity of each component make it an excellent investment for any gardener.
