We Tested 18 Wheelbarrows—These 8 Can Handle Any Terrain or Outdoor Project (2024)

What We Tested

We tested 18 wheelbarrows and evaluated them based on design, capacity, maneuverability, and ease of use. For more information on how we tested wheelbarrows in our test garden, check out our testing process below.

This well-priced model from Garden Star was our top choice because of its reliable output in all of the tests, comfortable handles, and successful execution of its duties without creating noticeable strain on the user. It easily fit two bags of mulch that we were able to dump on the ground in a forward motion without having to significantly lift the wheelbarrow.

The two wheels provided sufficient and sturdy balance, and we never felt like there was a risk of the wheelbarrow losing control or tipping over. Additionally, the wheelbarrow moved as easily to the side, around corners, and backward as it did forwards, and there were no significant difficulties when riding over gravel, branches, or smooth surfaces.

While adding the bags of mulch naturally required more strength than navigating the wheelbarrow while empty, adding weight did not make it less efficient on different terrains or around turns. The single bar handle was also comfortable to hold and easy to steer.

The Garden Star wheelbarrow safely and securely holds two bags of mulch—a reasonable size for a home gardener or someone doing small tasks around the yard, but could be too small for someone doing large scale projects. Additionally, polyurethane can sometimes lose its weather-resistance when exposed to heavy sunlight, so be sure to keep it in a garage.

How it Performed After Six Months

We took the Garden Star wheelbarrow home and used it in our personal yard for six months. It continued to be an ideal option for carting items around the yard and the materials held up well with consistent use. We didn't love it for dumping heavy items, as it's fairly light and the bucket would bend a bit with the strain.

Product Details: Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Volume Capacity: 5 cubic feet | Wheelbarrow Weight: 29 pounds | Material: Polyurethane | Wheel Type: Air-filled

This small wheelbarrow comes fully assembled—a bonus for those who want to get right to work. And despite the price and smaller size, it’s still one of the best wheelbarrows we tried. It’s easy to use and maneuver; in fact, this is its strongest asset.

We had no problem moving it, even backward, and it did quite well across different types of terrain, although it’s not the smoothest of rides, as it becomes slightly wobbly and tends to lean towards one side whether it’s empty or it’s full.

Still, it wasn’t particularly difficult to guide it where it needed to go during testing, and it dumped the mulch bags easily and without strain. Another positive is its sturdy construction: we never once questioned its ability to hold the weight we added to it, and the one wheel felt sturdy and strong throughout use. However, it’s not the best choice for heavy-duty work, because it only fits a few bags of mulch at a time.

Perhaps most importantly, we found the wheelbarrow handles uncomfortable to hold, with the wooden material proving an easy way to get blisters on the hands. This, of course, is easily solved by wearing gloves, but you’re not likely to want to proceed with projects without a pair. It’s also on the heavy side considering that it’s fairly small.

How it Performed After Six Months

This wheelbarrow was extremely useful for moving leaves and other lightweight debris around the yard. As noted above, it's a bit too light and flexible to handle very heavy loads, so we found that we needed to take more trips when we moved heavier items such as bricks.

Product Details: Weight Capacity: Not listed | Volume Capacity: 4 cubic feet | Wheelbarrow Weight: 28.3 pounds | Material: Plastic | Wheel Type: Air-filled

This wheelbarrow from Kobalt is a sturdy steel option that holds an incredible amount of weight. Furthermore, the two front wheels are close together to provide balance and security, as well as an easy way to move around flower beds or other areas you don’t want to collide into. The wheels are filled with foam, so they’ll never need to be pumped with air and still perform as well as their air-filled counterparts.

The Kobalt also never tipped when the wheelbarrow was filled with mulch during testing, and it was steady and easy to control when pushed backward or moved on gravel or grass. Plus, the steel construction will certainly prove to be durable over the years. This one is also incredibly comfortable to use as well—its rubber handles function similarly to bicycle handles, as they keep the user comfortable throughout the entirety of a project.

If you do heavy work in the garden or backyard on a more frequent basis, it’s a great find. However, you’ll also have to be fairly strong; it’s over 50 pounds and made of steel, after all, so pushing this around for long periods of time proves to be laborious. It’s also pricey, so if you lack arm strength and don’t foresee lugging heavy objects inside it often, you’ll likely be better off with a cheaper model.

How it Performed After Six Months

The Kobalt wheelbarrow saved us significant time on gardening and landscaping projects; we used it to move sticks, river rocks, mulch, and even ice for an ice plunge. It proved to be very sturdy with stable wheels so we didn't worry about it tipping.

Product Details: Weight Capacity: Not Listed | Volume Capacity: 7 cubic feet | Wheelbarrow Weight: 52.85 pounds | Material: Steel | Wheel Type: Not air-filled

Our favorite thing about the Best Choice Products wheelbarrow is its handle—instead of one bar on each side, it’s one long bar (similar to the safety bar that gets pulled down across the body on a roller coaster) surrounded by rubber padding. It makes this wheelbarrow comfortable to maneuver and even functions as a stand when the wheelbarrow is not in use, which is certainly an added bonus, as it’s often awkward to place wheelbarrows down when idle.

As for the other features, they’re solid. The wheelbarrow managed to feel lightweight even when filled with bags of mulch. We also found it especially adept around tree lines and corners, and it even went in circles easily. It was almost easier to pull than it was to push, which doesn’t have much of an effect on use but is worth noting. While it required some arm strength to get through more difficult terrain, it was still used without much strain.

We had a bit of trouble getting the mulch out by dipping the wheelbarrow at a downward angle and ultimately had to push the bags out with our hands. The only other notes are minor: after only one use, the polyurethane bin did seem to take on some minor scuffs and scratches, which could build up with more use. And, if you’re less inclined to set it up yourself, it took us a little over 30 minutes to put together.

How it Performed After Six Months

We found this continued to be a great option, especially for the price. It's pretty durable—we left it outside and exposed to the elements and it's held up very well—and we found it reliable for all types of yard work. Our one complaint is that the basin feels a bit shallow.

Product Details: Weight Capacity: 330 pounds | Volume Capacity: 5 cubic feet | Wheelbarrow Weight: 26 pounds | Material: Polyurethane | Wheel Type: Air-filled

We were very impressed by how easily the Gorilla Cart can dump its contents. Just push the lever located in the front, then tip the cart slightly to assist. This means it requires significantly less effort and strain than other models. It’s also fairly low to the ground—the height of this cart is just under 20 inches, with other models on this list landing around 30 inches in height. This means if you have a hard time lifting heavier objects, this could be the best wheelbarrow for you.

In addition, the four wheels make it easy to navigate in straight lines, around obstacles, and move cleanly and smoothly across all different types of terrain. However, the one handle does provide some significant strain on the hand you choose to use it with. If used for prolonged periods of time, it will likely lead to some soreness on that side of the body as well.

That won’t be an issue, however, if you just want a secure wheelbarrow to move heavier objects every so often, or to transport items without having to lift them up. Still, there are some other details to note. The tires lost quite a bit of air after the first use during testing, which might prove inconvenient over time, and the set-up time was over an hour.

How it Performed After Six Months

This handy little cart held up great after six months of periodically using it to do all sorts of tasks, transporting plants, wood, rocks, and items in the garage. We love it for dumping chips in the garden as well.

Product Details: Weight Capacity: 600 pounds | Volume Capacity: 4 cubic feet | Wheelbarrow Weight: 32 pounds | Material: Polyurethane | Wheel Type: Air-filled

With a large volume capacity and a durable plastic bin, this Rubbermaid wheelbarrow is great for landscaping, farm work, or other dirty jobs. The wheels on either side provide a stable surface that won’t tip over to one side and also prove to be easy to maneuver.

We found that it was easier to move the garden cart around when compared with a traditional wheelbarrow, thanks to its weight being distributed on two wheels rather than one. It’s also easier to dump the contents out of the cart, as the wide handle is molded directly onto the bin and makes it easy to tip over. It looks similar in construction to a large, commercial garbage can.

However, it did prove difficult to roll over certain surfaces. Specifically, it had a lot of trouble getting over a metal lip during testing, which is important to note if your work area has a similar barrier surrounding it. Still, if you’re working with a lot of loose detritus and want a sturdy option that won’t scratch or scuff or start to smell over time, this is a great pick.

How it Performed After Six Months

We were impressed by the huge capacity of this wheelbarrow; it allowed us to move bigger items such as piles of firewood that we would not previously have used a wheelbarrow for. The two wheels give the wheelbarrow more stability when traveling up and down hills.

Product Details: Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Volume Capacity: 8.75 cubic feet | Wheelbarrow Weight: 45 pounds | Material: Plastic | Wheel Type: Foam-filled

Why buy a heavy-duty wheelbarrow when you don’t need one? This rolling utility cart is great for weeding, light landscaping, re-potting flowers, and other small tasks around the yard that require using both hands. We found it easy to use and roll around, and only had difficulty around tight corners. It has four wheels that provide a sturdy, flat surface when moving, and it won’t wobble or tip.

Because it’s lightweight at under 11 pounds and fairly small in size, it’s a versatile wheelbarrow that you might use for lots of other things. Place drinks and snacks in it when hosting a backyard party, move groceries or other purchases from the car to your home, or use it as a place to store vegetables you’re picking from your garden or errant weeds you remove from your lawn. “A clean wheelbarrow lined with a large contractor's garbage bag is useful at a BBQ as an extra ice cooler/drink holder,” Cozzolino adds.

Of course, you don’t want to use this for heavy-duty projects, although we will say that it didn’t become harder to use once we added mulch to the bin. But it’s a great item for most homeowners to keep in a basem*nt or garage. One noticeable flaw is its handle—it’s not immediately uncomfortable, but its lack of cushioning makes long-term use slightly unpleasant.

How it Performed After Six Months

We continued to use this cart for light, simple gardening tasks. It isn't the most useful for dumping, so we viewed it as more of a cart than a wheelbarrow. But for basic work around the yard, it's fantastic, and it has held up very well.

Product Details: Weight Capacity: Not listed | Volume Capacity: 2 cubic feet | Wheelbarrow Weight: 10.8 pounds | Material: Plastic | Wheel Type: Not air-filled

While this isn't the most ideal wheelbarrow for heavy-duty jobs, it performs quite well considering it's a lightweight, foldable model. It moved as easily with the mulch inside as it did without it during testing, smoothly maneuvering both forward and backward. We didn’t struggle with it on any particular terrain, either—it worked as well on gravel as it did on grass.

Its largest draw is also its greatest hindrance: the fact that it’s a compact, foldable wheelbarrow with a fabric bin. That’s great if you have little room or need to take it up and down your basem*nt stairs, for instance. At 11 pounds, it’s also perfect to throw in your trunk to help load your car if you’re purchasing or transporting heavier items.

Although it’s not necessarily flimsier than other models, it’s certainly not as durable. It will likely stain over time, and you’ll need to wipe it down after each use so it will stay in good shape for as long as possible. It's also one of the more expensive models on this list.

How it Performed Long Term

This wheelbarrow performed even better than we expected based on the lab results. It's very lightweight, easy (and a little bit fun) to maneuver, and foldable for simple storage. After six months it continued to work as well as it did the first day we tried it.

Product Details: Weight Capacity: 150 pounds | Volume Capacity: 3 cubic feet | Wheelbarrow Weight: 11.02 pounds | Material: Fabric | Wheel Type: Air-filled