Buying guide for best beach carts
When you’re taking a trip to the beach, it can be quite a trek from car to shore. A beach cart, also known as a beach wagon, will haul all your beach supplies, and sometimes a dog or child, so you can make one haul across the sand. Most beach cart wheels are designed to roll over loose and soft sand as well as rocky terrain.
The best beach carts are sturdy and big enough to hold all your belongings, including cumbersome coolers and beach chairs, while being easy to maneuver with one hand. A beach wagon frees up an arm for lugging other objects, making your trip to the shoreline easy-breezy.
After researching a range of beach carts, our top pick is the Mac Sports Heavy-Duty Collapsible Beach Wagon. It’s durable and won’t take up much precious real estate in your trunk on your drive to and from the beach.
Our list: The best beach carts
This rugged cart with big, chunky wheels can hold up to 150 pounds and is great for hauling heavy loads. The wheels roll beautifully on the sand, and the sturdy wagon will see you through many summers. The fabric resists both mildew and UV damage.
Two mesh pockets on the outside help prevent drinks from spilling during a bumpy ride. The cart folds up neatly and includes a carry bag for storage. The big wheels, however, do make it heavy. But their performance makes the wagon hands-down the best beach cart for soft sand.
This budget buy features a vertical design with a detachable cooler tote. For its upright design, it holds quite a lot of beach gear. You can stack up to four beach chairs over its stroller-style handle. It has a bottom rack that can hold a 48-quart cooler as well as a side umbrella holder.
The mesh sides allow you to see your stacked belongings inside. You do need to tip the cart to roll it, but the big wheels cut through soft sand. The weight capacity is lower than other carts at 100 pounds, but it’s a good choice for solo beach-goers and small households.
Beau Jardin’s popular beach wagon easily folds flat for storage, and we love that it comes already assembled. With a weight capacity of 176 pounds, it rolls well, even when loaded with all your stuff (and then some).
It features an adjustable push handle plus an ergonomic pull handle for when a big haul is a two-person job. The double brakes on the wheels make this a stable cart. Plus, you can repurpose it as a gardening cart or take it on family outings such as Little League games.
Larger and stronger than most, this wagon holds up to 220 pounds of beach gear. It comes with all the features you could ask for, including two cup holders, an internal mesh pocket and all-terrain wheels with brakes. It folds up easily, and no assembly is required. Its waterproof fabric is removable for easy cleaning.
You’ll be surprised by how much fits into this cart: cooler, beach chairs, bags, towels and sand toys fit in one haul. The wide tires roll brilliantly on loose sand as well as gravel and grass. The adjustable handle is easy to pull.
This oversized beach cart has a storage capacity roughly twice as large as most wagons. Expandable side slots fit even more stuff, such as long beach umbrellas or noodles. It has cup holders on all four corners, which can also prop up your phone or a mini speaker.
The deep bed has a capacity of 7 cubic feet and collapses for surprisingly compact storage. Not everyone needs this much room in a beach cart. If loaded to capacity (it has a 150-pound weight limit), it may have trouble on deeper or softer sand. However, it’s a solid choice for rolling over grass, gravel and compact sand.
This red wagon offers a few different functions. You can pop on the canopy and put two kids inside for shaded transport to the beach. It also converts into bench seating for them. And, of course, it serves as a traditional wagon to cart your beach gear. As a three-in-one model, the price is appealing, especially for a classic name brand.
We love that the zipped side panels allow kids to climb in and out on their own. The two-seater features seat belts, though when toting kids, there’s not much room inside for anything else. The bench seating is a nice feature for activities not involving sand, such as watching a parade or fireworks.
One of the lowest-priced carts on our list, this utilitarian choice is a superb value. You can use it to lug your stuff at the beach or to the park for a picnic. The wheels swivel for maneuverability, and it carries up to 120 pounds. However, the wheels are not as rugged as other picks, so we recommend this only for hard-packed sand, pavement or grass.
It comes in a wide selection of colors and patterns and folds compactly. You’ll find it useful all year round for a plethora of purposes, such as transporting groceries, senior dogs and gardening supplies. Two convenient mesh bottle holders are included.
For beach-goers who like to keep organized, this double-decker design features a top compartment and a bottom shelf. If you’re lugging boogie boards to the shore or any tube-shaped objects, such as an umbrella or yoga mat, this beach cart features a sturdy lower shelf where you can stash them.
The heavy-duty frame folds up small. The wheels are rugged but not as wide as some other choices, and the top compartment is shallower than what some people are looking for. However, it’s a great cart if you bring beach chairs or boards to the beach. It comes in attractive color choices and is well-made.
For easily transporting babies and toddlers, this hybrid beach wagon is as safe as it is stylish. You can push it like a stroller (fits two) and pull it like a traditional wagon. It features an adapter to attach an infant car seat. It’s durable and easy to fold, and its all-terrain wheels can handle sand and mud without complaint.
This high-end cart features a canopy that you can fold down or flip up. It also has a snack tray for passengers and cup holders for caregivers. For outdoor excursions with small children, the lightweight yet sturdy design is an excellent choice that’s built to last.
Who needs a beach cart?
If you travel to the beach by yourself or with one or two other people, a beach cart may not be needed. But if you have children or a large household, it can be a lifesaver because you can carry everyone’s belongings from your car in one trip. Beach carts are typically designed to be lightweight and easy to maneuver. Many fold or collapse for storage.
A beach cart isn’t just for the beach, either. You can use it to transport everything you need to picnics, barbecues, festivals, concerts and other outdoor events where you’ll be spending a large part of the day. Beach carts are ideal for carrying towels, blankets, beach chairs, umbrellas, beach toys, volleyballs or other game equipment as well as coolers with food and beverages.
Beach cart features
Size and capacity
Beach carts come in a variety of sizes, so you want to be sure you choose one with enough room for all your belongings. You should be able to comfortably fit the items inside the cart without having to jam or squeeze them in. A generously sized interior measures around 36 inches by 21 inches by 24 inches. This is large enough to carry plenty of gear for a party of four to six. Some models have buckle straps to secure your load.
Pay attention to the beach cart’s weight capacity, too. Most people appreciate a capacity of between 100 pounds and 150 pounds, which makes it easier to transport heavy items, like a cooler full of ice and drinks.
Materials
Beach carts are typically made of lightweight materials that keep the overall weight down. At the same time, these carts are durable enough to withstand the elements. We recommend beach carts consisting of a washable, removable material. Many can be easily cleaned with a hose and soap. Also, look for tear-resistant, mildew-resistant and UV-resistant materials.
Foldable/collapsible
You’ll be traveling with your cart to the beach or other outdoor areas, so it should be as portable and convenient as possible. That means choosing a beach cart that’s foldable or collapsible to be more compact for storage in the back of your car as well as in your garage or shed when it’s not in use. Most beach carts are foldable, but be sure to select an option that collapses easily and isn’t difficult to unfold when it’s time to fill it up.
Handle
To make sure that a beach cart is easy to push or pull, look for one with an adjustable handle. That means you can extend the handle if you’re taller or keep it shorter if you’re average height. You might also appreciate a handle with a molded or padded grip for comfort as you move across the sand.
Wheels
The wheels on a beach cart are an important feature because they must travel well over sand and other rough terrain. Beach carts with large, wide wheels tend to move smoothly over sand, as their larger surface area holds up well on bumpy terrain.
Consider choosing a beach cart with wheels that are reinforced with thick rubber or polyurethane treads to prevent the cart from sinking into the sand as you pull it across the beach.
Cooler area/cup holders
If you’re spending time at the beach or another outdoor location in warm weather, you will probably want to bring cold beverages and snacks along. Some beach carts are equipped with a dedicated cooler area designed to minimize jostling during transport. Others have cup holders that allow you to place your iced coffee or iced tea securely in the cart as you travel.
Tips
- When you’re packing a beach cart, add the heaviest items first to create a solid base. This will help prevent the cart from tipping over when you push or pull it.
- If your beach cart has interior zippered or mesh pockets, place smaller items that you may need to grab quickly in them, such as your sunscreen or sunglasses.
- An exterior pocket or compartment is a good spot to put a beach umbrella. That way, it doesn’t take up any interior space in the cart.
- The easiest way to clean a beach cart is usually with a garden hose. If there are stains, you can scrub the spots with mild dish soap.
FAQ
Q. How much does a beach cart cost?
A. A small beach cart with a capacity of 50 pounds or less and an open structure usually ranges in price from $22 to $50, while a mid-size beach cart with a capacity of approximately 50 to 100 pounds and a durable enclosed frame usually costs $50 to $100. A large beach cart with a capacity of more than 100 pounds and a durable enclosed frame costs about $100 to $165. High-end hybrid beach stroller wagons can cost up to $800.
Q. What type of frame is best for a beach cart?
A. If you want a beach cart that lasts a long time, avoid models with plastic frames. Plastic is prone to cracking and splitting, particularly if you overload the cart. A metal frame, on the other hand, offers greater durability and holds up better under heavy weight. In particular, look for a beach cart with a steel or aluminum composite frame.
Q. What features should I look for in the wheels to make sure a beach cart is stable?
A. In addition to looking for a beach cart with large, wide wheels, it’s a good idea to choose one with fixed back wheels. With this type of beach cart, the front wheels can rotate 360 degrees, but the back wheels are locked to make sure the cart can make it over rough terrain like sand or gravel. Look for wheels with deep treads to provide better traction, too.
Q. What extra features can make a beach cart even more functional?
A. Some beach carts have a folding table you can use to hold beverages and snacks. Others have a pull-out beach chair holder that keeps your chairs organized so they don’t take up too much space inside the cart. You can also find beach carts with detachable tote bags. If you’re running to the changing room or bathroom, you can easily bring just the items you need in the tote bag.
