Top 4 compared
The best wheelbarrows
Mulch, soil, firewood and the occasional load of gravel, moved across the yard in far fewer trips.
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The top 4 at a glance
A wheelbarrow moves the loads that are too heavy or too messy to carry: soil to the beds, stone for a path, a pile of leaves to the compost. The classic kind has a single wheel at the front, which tips the load exactly where you want it, though you balance the weight on the handles. Dual-wheel barrows take the balancing out of it and steer easily around the yard.
The steel barrows here run on flat-free tires that never need air, and steel shrugs off stone and bricks. The plastic tubs won’t rust, weigh less and hose clean, and they ride on air-filled tires that roll softly over grass but need a pump now and then. WORX’s Aerocart also converts into a dolly for bags, rocks and heavy pots.
What matters
- Capacity in cubic feet, and a maximum load the maker states.
- The overall width, if it has to pass through a side gate.
- Cushioned grips on the handles, for long days of hauling.
#1WORX Aerocart 8-in-1 Wheelbarrow and Dolly (WG050)
$150–$200
A steel two-wheeled barrow that also works as a dolly, a bag holder, a cylinder holder and more, with those extras in the box. WORX says its balance makes lifting 200 lb feel like lifting 17 lb, and the flat-free tires never need air.
What owners say: Heavy yard jobs get much easier with it, owners say, older gardeners especially, and it moves big loads with little effort. Value and size split them, and a few had the foam grip fall apart.
Heads up: Its tub holds 3 to 4 cu ft, less than a full-size barrow, so it shines with bags, rocks and pots rather than big loads of mulch.
A closer look: In dolly mode it rolls bags of soil, rocks and heavy pots around without lifting them into a tub, and the bag holder keeps a leaf bag open while you rake. At about 41 lb it’s a heavier lift into a truck bed than a plastic barrow.
- Converts to a dolly
- Bag holder for leaf bags
- Plant strap and rock mesh
- 2-year warranty, 3 if registered
- Cylinder holder included
Best for: Bags, rocks and potted plants
- Capacity
- 3 to 4 cu ft
- Maximum load
- 300 lb
- Tub
- Steel
- Wheels
- 2, flat-free
- Size
- 58 in tall, 20 in wide
#2True Temper 6 Cu. Ft. Steel Wheelbarrow with Never-Flat Tire (R6STFFEC)
$200–$300
The classic single-wheel steel barrow: a seamless 6 cu ft tray with a sloped front for tipping and spreading, steel handles with comfort grips, and a flat-free tire that never needs air. True Temper is part of Ames, which began making shovels in 1774.
What owners say: Owners find it solidly built, quick to put together and fairly priced. A few expected a thicker steel tray, and peeling paint is the other complaint.
A closer look: Load gravel or stone toward the front, over the wheel, so the handles lift easily, and tip from the sloped front to spread mulch along a bed. Hose out the tray after a muddy job and store it upside down or tipped against a wall, so rain can’t pool in the tray and start it rusting.
- Sloped front for tipping
- Seamless steel tray
- Steel handles, comfort grips
- Ships in one box
Best for: Gravel, stone and big loads
- Capacity
- 6 cu ft
- Maximum load
- –
- Tub
- Steel
- Wheels
- 1, flat-free
- Size
- 59 x 26 in
#3Best Choice Products Dual-Wheel Wheelbarrow (5 cu ft)
$75–$100
A deep 5 cu ft plastic tub on a powder-coated steel frame, with two 14 in air-filled wheels that steer easily over rough ground and a padded handlebar that doubles as a stand. It tips up to store upright in a garage or shed.
What owners say: Light, easy to put together and simple to steer one-handed on its two wheels, owners report. Sturdiness and size draw mixed views, with tales of cracked tubs and wobbly wheels, and some found it smaller than they expected.
A closer look: Push it one-handed from the middle of the padded handlebar for light loads, or with both hands spread wide for a full tub of wet soil. Resting on its built-in stand, it stays put while you fill it, and standing on end it takes little floor space in the garage.
- Padded handlebar doubles as stand
- Stores upright on end
- Powder-coated steel frame
- Weighs 21 lb
Best for: Mulch and soil, one-handed
- Capacity
- 5 cu ft
- Maximum load
- 330 lb
- Tub
- Plastic
- Wheels
- 2, air-filled
- Size
- 58 x 27.5 in
#4Garden Star Dual-Wheel Garden Barrow (4 cu ft, 70019)
$75–$100
A compact barrow for gardening rather than construction work: a rust-proof 4 cu ft poly tray, two air-filled wheels that are easier to lift and balance than a single one, and a loop handle for pushing, pulling or tipping. It goes together with just six bolts.
What owners say: Well made, simple to assemble and right for home gardening and smaller yard jobs, owners find, and nimble on its pair of wheels. They disagree on its size and on how sturdy and stable it is, and a few had a wheel come off.
A closer look: At 37 in long it’s much shorter than a full-size barrow, so it steers easily between beds and tucks into a shed corner, but a big pile of mulch will take a few more trips. On a slope, pull it behind you by the loop handle rather than pushing.
- Assembles with 6 bolts
- Loop handle pushes or pulls
- Rust-proof poly tray
- Weighs 19.8 lb
Best for: Small yards and garden beds
- Capacity
- 4 cu ft
- Maximum load
- 300 lb
- Tub
- Plastic
- Wheels
- 2, air-filled
- Size
- 37 x 25.5 in
How they compare
Swipe sideways or rotate device to see all 4.
| Feature | #1WORX Aerocart | #2True Temper 6 cu ft | #3Best Choice Products 2-wheel | #4Garden Star 70019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Biggest capacity | Best budget | ||
| Picked Rating | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.5 | 8.4 |
| Price | $150–$200 | $200–$300 | $75–$100 | $75–$100 |
| Capacity | 3 to 4 cu ft | 6 cu ft | 5 cu ft | 4 cu ft |
| Maximum load | 300 lb | – | 330 lb | 300 lb |
| Tub | Steel | Steel | Plastic | Plastic |
| Wheels | 2, flat-free | 1, flat-free | 2, air-filled | 2, air-filled |
| Size | 58 in tall, 20 in wide | 59 x 26 in | 58 x 27.5 in | 37 x 25.5 in |
| Best for | Bags, rocks and potted plants | Gravel, stone and big loads | Mulch and soil, one-handed | Small yards and garden beds |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
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