5 Best Wheelbarrows of 2026, Tested and Reviewed

Tested by Amy Marturana Winderl

When you think about yard tools, chances are a wheelbarrow is one of the first things that comes to mind. The classic design — a large tub, one front wheel and two long handles — makes the wheelbarrow a gardening and landscaping must-have. It really is the most efficient way to haul soil, rocks and similar materials around the yard, and ultimately dump them at their final destination.

Similar to other gardening and landscaping items, there are endless wheelbarrow options out there. If you're shopping for one, it can be difficult to sort through them all and figure out the best model for you and your specific needs. After all, the perfect wheelbarrow will depend on multiple factors, including the size of your yard or garden, the items you plan to transport and where you plan to store it. We tested a dozen options to determine the best of the best for all types of yard work needs.

How We Tested

Before we could start testing, we had to get our hands on some wheelbarrows. So, we did research to scout out the top-rated wheelbarrows we needed to try. We then ordered a variety of different ones across various price points and from multiple large retailers.

When the products arrived, we assembled them — though some did arrive already intact, which was a nice surprise. Most required a few simple steps to get up and running. Once we had our lineup ready to go, we used each wheelbarrow as intended and put them through some specific tests to help us determine the very best models for all our landscaping and gardening needs.

Capacity Test: We loaded up the wheelbarrow with typical garden and landscaping items such as yard tools, rocks, mulch and plants, noting if it was able to hold what we needed for the task at hand.

Maneuverability Test: With the wheelbarrow loaded, we pushed it throughout the yard, in and out of landscaped areas, and around trees. Basically, we used it to move the items inside to where we needed them and paid attention to how easy or difficult it was to do, and whether it was an asset to get the work done or a nuisance.

Terrain Test: As we used each wheelbarrow, we noted how it handled across different terrains, including pavement, grass (both dry and wet), and soil. A good wheelbarrow should be able to function across different terrains and elements.

Durability Test: It's important that a wheelbarrow can withstand the dirty and difficult jobs it's meant to do. To test how each product held up to normal wear and tear, we didn't go easy on them. Instead, we roughly loaded heavy and sharp items such as metal yard tools, cage wire and rocks, and observed any scratches or imperfections that popped up. We also tipped each wheelbarrow over to see if it broke or became dented.

What to Consider When Buying a Wheelbarrow

Material: Wheelbarrows are either made of a plastic (polypropylene) or metal (steel) tub with a metal frame. Metal tends to be more heavy-duty and can withstand more abuse; however, it will rust if you leave it outside in the elements. Plastic, on the other hand, will never rust, but is more likely to crack and break with heavy use. Handles can be made of metal or wood, usually with some sort of rubber or plastic grip on the ends. The tires are often made of rubber, though some less expensive models have plastic wheels.

Type: Typical wheelbarrows have one wheel, two handles, and a large bucket or tub that's often higher in the front than the back so that dirt and other items stay inside when you tilt it forward to move it. However, there are also two-wheeled wheelbarrows (a wheel on either side of the tub, instead of one in the middle at the front) that provide more stability, as the weight is more evenly distributed.

Capacity: Wheelbarrow capacity is measured in cubic feet, which describes the volume that it can hold, though some manufacturers also list a weight capacity. A standard-sized wheelbarrow for residential use can hold six cubic feet, with seven being considered a larger capacity. A more compact option may hold closer to five cubic feet.

Wheel Type: A traditional wheelbarrow has one wheel, but many models on the market now have two. Some, usually referred to as "garden carts," have four. A single wheel makes it easier to turn the wheelbarrow, but with more mobility comes less stability. Two tires provide a more stable base, which is more critical when moving a very heavy load, but can make it a little harder to maneuver. There are also two kinds of wheels: never-flat or flat-free, which are solid and don't require inflating, and pneumatic, which are standard air-filled tires. The former won't ever deflate, and work well on hard surfaces, while the latter do need to be reflated over time, but provide some bounce to help with uneven terrains.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size wheelbarrow do I need?

That depends on the task at hand. If you have a huge yard with tons of landscaping and typically need to move a lot of dirt, rocks or other items, you'll need a larger wheelbarrow — likely a capacity of six or even seven cubic feet. If you have smaller jobs that don't require quite as much heavy lifting, or you just need to transport your yard and garden tools from one place to another, then you can get away with a smaller wheelbarrow or even a garden cart. Don't forget to consider storage space, too: A more compact option may be best if you have minimal space to keep it when you're not using it.

What is the best material for a wheelbarrow?

There are pros and cons to each wheelbarrow material. Plastic options tend to be lighter and are a great choice for moving soft materials like mulch or yard clippings. You also don't need to worry about the plastic rusting over time; however, it is more likely to break with heavy use. Steel wheelbarrows are typically more durable and a better option if you plan to haul heavy and hard things like rocks or wood.

How much weight can a standard wheelbarrow hold?

The weight capacity of a wheelbarrow can vary. Some may only be able to hold 250 pounds, while others boast the ability to haul up to 600 pounds. Realistically, there's only so much you will be able to push, so the right wheelbarrow will be able to hold that and then some, to ensure that it will hold up over years of use. The more common metric for judging a wheelbarrow's capacity is by volume, or cubic feet, which is a standard measurement for soil, gravel and other materials that you'll likely be hauling.

Other Wheelbarrows We Tested

The most inexpensive wheelbarrow we tested was the Smart Garden 5.5 Cu. Ft. Heaped Plastic Garden Cart. It certainly gets the job done, but it didn't feel like a quality product that would hold up with lots of rough use; plus, the plastic tires just didn't cut it for hauling heavy stuff over different terrains. It could be a good option, though, if you're looking to do some lighter work and are okay with replacing it after a year or two.

We wanted to love the Polar Trailer Cub Cart Wagon, because it felt really well-made and durable. But the assembly was a pain (requiring two people), and we couldn't get our air pump to fit onto the tire valves, so we couldn't pump them up fully. (Feels important to note that we didn't have any issues using the same pump on all of the other tires that needed it and the tires of many other products.)

The Husky 6 Cu. Ft. Dual-Wheel Poly Wheelbarrow and True Temper 6 Cu. Ft. Wheelbarrow also performed well, but they didn't feel quite as durable or easy to maneuver as the Gorilla wheelbarrow (our top pick), and they can't haul as much as the Kobalt. The handles also didn't have quite the same level of comfort as the ones we chose. Though we didn't feel that there was a major stand-out feature for either, both are solid picks for a wheelbarrow that will get the job done.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Amy Marturana Winderl has been testing products and writing reviews for editorial publications for over a decade. She's tested everything from makeup and skincare products to fitness apparel, sneakers, gym equipment, hiking and camping equipment, and gardening tools and accessories. She has also tested products and written copy for SELF's beauty and fitness awards and Outside's gear guide. For HGTV, Amy has tested a variety of home and garden products, including garden hoses, hose reels, gardening carts and wagons, pop-up canopy tents and bath mats.

Why You Should Trust HGTV Shopping Experts

HGTV Shopping Experts believe the best method for testing products is based on how our fans are going to use them in the real world. In each of our Tested and Reviewed stories, products are not tested in sterile laboratory settings that don't mimic real life. Instead, we test products in real homes that reflect our readers' real lives, which can also include pets, kids, partners and more. We follow rigorous testing rubrics designed by our expert editors and take copious notes during the testing process. When choosing our top picks, we evaluate all of our testing data and take into consideration many factors, including ease of use, price, product availability and practicality. Our goal is to choose the best products for our readers.