Wheelbarrows for Home and Garden Use
Best Wheelbarrow Picks and How to Choose the Best Wheelbarrow
Whether you’re a home gardener, farmer or contractor, you need the best wheelbarrow to complete a job efficiently. It can be a big time saves (and back saver) for many types of work. There are many wheelbarrows on the market today and it can seem quite daunting trying to figure out which wheelbarrow is the best wheelbarrow to suits your needs. Choosing the best wheelbarrow can also depend on your special needs, if you have back problems, for instance. There are some key features that you should look for when finding the best wheelbarrow. Always consider these important factors before making your purchase. Let’s get right to it.
Features of the Best Wheelbarrows
1. Wheelbarrow Capacity
The size of your wheelbarrow largely depends on the application. However, a mid-large size recommended is generally recommended. Most wheelbarrow basins range from 2-6 cubic feet. The typical gardener requires a basin of 3 cubic feet, while the standard contractor size is 6 cubic feet. Another factor to consider is your strength. Some larger sized, heavy duty wheelbarrows can be quite heavy. You don’t want to be overburdened with something too cumbersome when you don’t need to be.
2. Wheelbarrow Build Materials
Sturdy, heavy duty materials are key to the longevity of a wheelbarrow. Wheelbarrows built with metal components will outlast those made with plastic composites. Steel handles are more reliable than wooden ones. You should note that if you are purchasing a wheelbarrow with wooden handles, you’ll need to treat them with something like linseed oil to keep them from breaking.
Also, keep an eye out for wheelbarrows made with polyurethane basins. Steel basin wheelbarrows will have more longevity than those made of polyurethane. Polyurethane basins are prone to cracking and will eventually need to be replaced. The upside to polyurethane basins is that they’re lightweight.
3. Wheelbarrow Wheels
If you are buying a traditional wheelbarrow, look out for one with a large size wheel. A bigger wheel equals higher ground clearance and easier use. If you prefer something a bit more stable, perhaps go with a garden cart or wheelbarrow with more than one wheel. Another thing to look out for with wheels is if they are flat-free wheels. Flat-free wheels are reliable in that they are solid, but they can also be quite hard and heavy.
4. Wheelbarrow Design
The last thing to keep in mind is the design of the wheelbarrow. The simpler, traditionally designed wheelbarrows have more practical uses. This ancient design is still around for a good reason. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! However, specialty or multi-use designed wheelbarrows can be very beneficial for specific tasks.
7 Best Wheelbarrows
1. True Temper Steel Wheelbarrow with Steel Handles and Flat Free Tire
Pros:
- Quality Materials: The True Temper is one of the few wheelbarrows that is made with a rugged steel basin. The handles are also made of quality steel with nice rubber grips, another rarity when it comes to wheelbarrows. The paint is also heigh quality and thick so it won’t wear as quickly as most other wheelbarrows.
- Great Design: This wheelbarrow is your traditional wheelbarrow. It is ranked number one because of its durability and practicality. It can be used by both home gardeners and professionals alike.
- Good Technology: The wheelbarrow comes with a flat-free tire. You will never have to replace the wheel of this wheelbarrow for its entire life.
- Easy Dumping: The slope design of the basin and the wheelbarrow itself allows for easy dumping. This is perhaps one of the most important aspects when using a wheelbarrow.
Cons:
- Large Size: At 6 cu feet capacity, this could be too large or heavy for some home gardeners.
- Assembly Required: This wheelbarrow does need to be assembled before use, however, it’s a small price to pay for such a high quality wheelbarrow.
2. Gorilla Carts Poly Garden Dump Cart with Steel Frame
Pros:
- Good Materials: Equipped with padded, pivotable steel handle.
- Special Features: Patented quick-release dump feature makes unloading quick and easy
- Great Design: This wheelbarrow is a dump cart designed for multiple uses. You can carry up to 600 lbs.
- Low Price: Reasonably priced for a cart of this size and quality.
Cons:
- Maintenance: Its four wheel design will eventually require replacement. Keep that in mind if you’re not looking to use a wheelbarrow that might require maintenance.
- Large Size: Quite large in size and may be too big to cart around for most casual users.
3. Best Choice Products Dual Wheel Home Wheelbarrow Yard Garden Cart
Pros:
- Low Price: This cart is extremely affordable
- Good Size: The basin holds 330 lbs or 5 cubic feet. It’s the perfect size for a home gardener.
- Steel Parts: This wheelbarrow will last a long time with high quality steel parts.
Cons:
- Dumping Issue: The front of basket may hit the ground when dumping.
- Basin Strength: Polyurethane basin could crack if used heavily or if you plan to cart around a bunch of rocks and sharp objects.
4. Aerocart 8-in-1 All-Purpose Wheelbarrow, Yard Cart and Dolly
Pros:
- 8-in-1 Design: This device includes an extended dolly, flower pot mover, trailer mover, bag holder, cylinder carrier, wheelbarrow, yard cart, and more.
- Flat-Free Tires: You do not have to worry about the added cost that comes with replacing tires periodically as these tires are flat free.
- Light Weight: Cart is heavy duty in materials but also very light and easy to move around.
- Perfect Size: This wheelbarrow is the perfect size, not too large and not too small. Perfect for the casual user.
- Basin Size: This capacity is perfect for a home gardening or tons of other activities around the house.
Cons:
- Price: The price is a little bit higher than other wheelbarrows of the same size on the market, however, it offers a lot more functionality than other wheelbarrows.
5. Gorilla Carts Heavy-Duty Garden Poly Dump Cart with 2-In-1 Convertible Handle
Pros:
- Heavy Duty: This is the most heavy duty wheelbarrow on the list. Its 13-inch tires will tackle any terrain and padded convertible handle can be pulled by hand or hooked-up behind a lawn tractor or ATV. This is perfect for those with a lot of property such as contractors or farmers.
- Good Size: This is definitely the largest cart on the list. It’s basin measures 40-inch by 25-inch.
- Large Carrying Capacity: This hoss can hold up to 1200 pounds.
- Special Feature: It has a patented quick-release dump feature to make unloading fast and easy.
Cons:
- Professional Design: This is more of a dump cart than a wheelbarrow. This type of cart may be too cumbersome for most simple household needs. It’s best suited for professionals or those looking to carry large loads routinely.
6. Marathon Dual-Wheel Residential Yard Rover Wheelbarrow and Yard Cart
Pros:
- Low Price: The price of this wheelbarrow is low for its high quality construction.
- Good Size: The basin is 5 cubic feet and has a 300 lb loading capacity. It’s perfect for home gardeners.
- Light Weight: The cart is the lightest cart on the list coming in at only 29 lbs. It is perfect for both elderly and young gardeners alike.
Cons:
- Limited Use: This wheelbarrow is not designed for commercial or other routine heavy duty work.
7. Polar Trailer Heavy Duty Cub Cart and Hauling Cart
Pros:
- Heavy Duty: Made of high quality materials and can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
- Large Size: Holds 400 lbs or 7 cubic feet.
- Light Weight: This wheelbarrow only weighs 35 lbs.
- Large Wheels: The wheels are large in size and good for pulling loads over rugged terrain.
Cons:
- Height: If you’re tall or have trouble bending over, the cart itself sits pretty low to the ground. This is a pro for those who are looking for a cart they can use a shovel with but bad for those who are carting things they need to pick up by hand.
Best Wheelbarrow Buying Guide
There are many factors in buying an efficient wheelbarrow. You should be concerned with the application of your wheelbarrow first and foremost. What project will you be using this for? Will you need a single use wheelbarrow or a multi-use wheelbarrow?
Next, you should consider the price compared to the quality and size. If you’re willing to shell out over $150 for a wheelbarrow, it should be built with heavy duty materials, such as steel for the basin and handles. Is it for your business or your backyard garden? Size will also impact the price. If you need something commercial grade, a wheelbarrow in the $100+ range is more suitable than something in the $50-75 range.
Lastly, look into the materials used. A quality wheelbarrow or cart made with steel will last you the longest. However, you might not want something too heavy as it is cumbersome to push around. A coated polyurethane or plastic basin will be much lighter and easier to push. The materials all depend on your personal preference and what you plan on using the wheelbarrow for.
