When packing up for the beach it is often smart to plan on bringing along a cart or wagon to haul your cargo. A good beach cart is critical when transporting your fun, food, and drinks down the boardwalk. A wagon can also make it easier to haul groceries home from the store or take a toddler to the park when the playground is a little too far away or the small fry is just gassed out.
Characteristics of a good beach cart include fat wheels that can take on any kind of terrain without getting stuck. The wide tires help it move over sand, sidewalk cracks, down the boardwalk, and even across heavier terrain like railroad crossings. For most situations, high sides with a long storage bed is preferred. But in some cases, such as when your cart might go to the grocery store more often than the beach, a deep basket with tall sides might be better.
Best Beach Cart
The best beach cart on this list is the Rio Beach Wonder Wheeler. While it will not be terribly useful for hauling tired kids back up the beach to the car, it will be great for moving those folding chairs that made your day so much better. The cart folds up easy for storage and the hamper style bin makes carrying larger loads easy. Heavy items are better off elsewhere, but moving all of your soft goods to the shore is easy with this beach cart.
- FOLDING BEACH CART: Multi-use and versatile...
- EASY MOBILITY: 10" rubber tread wheels make it...
- STORAGE CART CAPACITY: Heavy duty utility cart can...
- PREMIUM BEACH CART: Features a large mesh storage...
- STORAGE ON THE GO: Includes a removable tote with...
Last update on 2025-06-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Runner Up: Best Beach Cart
Our runner up is the incredibly versatile Gorilla Poly Dump Cart. Although, the fold down sides on the SunnyDaze garden cart runs it a close second. Homeowners will have to decide which loading method is going to be best for them. Anyone who has dragged heavy loads home from the beach or done the obligatory double-digging for setting up square-yard gardening, or hand-mixed concrete, knows how attractive that dump feature is.
Last update on 2025-06-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Budget Choice: Beach Cart
This prize absolutely has to go to the Radio Flyer, which is a good all-around mover of stuff in its own right. It is truly difficult to go wrong with a classic design that has weathered the test of time. Radio Flyer has been emblazoned across the sides of “little red wagons” since 1917. That is a lot of tradition to work with and this wagon shows it with quality components top to bottom that can last for generations with proper care.
Last update on 2025-06-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Beach Cart Buyer’s Guide
“Best” is always a relative term, but the best beach cart or wagon is versatile, strong, and capable of moving the stuff you need moved. It can be used to haul your beach chair, umbrella, picnic basket, beach blankets, incidental bag (the one that has the sunscreen, bug repellant, and small first-aid kit), as well as your drinks and your lunch. Or, if it is truly sturdy, you might also use it to transport heavier items like food, drinks, and a portable BBQ. On the weekend, a sturdier wagon can be helpful in the backyard hauling garden tools, lawn clippings, branches, and anything else that needs to be moved from one side of your home to the other.
If it will sometimes double as a stroller, a cargo bed that is long enough for a three- or four-year old child to stretch their legs out is an excellent idea. For situations where you might be using your cart primarily as a yard and garden cart, good support axles that will take the weight of gravel, dirt, or railroad ties might be a primary consideration.
With these things in mind, here is a selection of the best beach carts for shoppers to consider.
Beach Cart Reviews
Patio Watcher Utility Wagon
Key Points at a Glance
- Folds easy with convenient carry bag
- Can fit in trunk of car or a closet
- Powder coated aluminum frame for easy maintenance
- Durable polyester fabric lining
- Rubber tires with 9in diameter and 3.7 inch width
Dimensions and Specs
- Supports 150 pounds
- Big cart measures 42.5″ L x 21″ W x 40″ H
- Heavy duty Aluminum Frame
- Strong Polyester Fabric
The Details
This wagon cart combines durable 600d polyester fabric with a strong aluminum frame to create a sturdy wheeled option for families heading to the beach. The telescoping handle on the cart helps keep it maneuverable over unsteady terrain. An easy folding mechanism helps this wagon store easily in the trunk of any car for travel or in the closet for storage. This wagon also opens up to a big 32 x 16.5 inch storage bed that can transport up to 150 lbs of cargo.
The Bottom Line
This collapsing folding utility wagon from Patio Watcher is a fine choice for days at the lake or a trip to a concert. However, it should be noted that the tires are not quite wide enough to manage a heavy load on a super sandy or wet beach. The smaller, rubber wheels also make this wagon a less comfortable choice for a periodic trip to the grocery store. With that said, it does well over grass, gravel, pavement, boardwalks, or mixed rock and earth situations. The polyester fabric is not stretchy, so users get a firmer fit when packing it tight.
- Large Capacity – Overall size of foldable wagon is 39.2"L x 21.7"W x...
- Heavy Duty Frame – Sturdy black powder coated steel frame is more...
- Durable Fabric – High quality durable strong 600D polyester fabric,...
- Easy Set-Up – You can open and folding the grocery wagon cart in...
- Multi-Use – Patio Watcher folding utility wagon cart is perfect for...
Last update on 2025-06-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Rio Beach Wonder Wheeler Beach Cart
Key Points at a Glance
- Expandable base and rack
- Net cargo holder
- Large rear wheels
- Small front wheels
- Easy umbrella fold
- Removable tote bag
Dimensions and Specs
- Wagon weighs 18 pounds
- Weight capacity: 100 pounds
- 15 cubic ft Storage
- Steel Frame
The Details
The Beach Wonder Wheeler by Rio brands is a classic, foldable beach cart with 15 cubic feet of storage capacity and a 100 pound cargo limit. This cart has plastic wheels in the front and back, with the rear wheels being a bit wider. The handle on this beach cart has a comfortable neoprene grip and is extendable to accommodate users of all sizes. A tote bag on this wagon is removable to increase functionality.
The Bottom Line
At first glance, this cart might seem a tad undersized and look as if it won’t hold enough for a day at the beach. However, the extendable base and hanging rack on this cart make it easy to carry along additional cargo like a set of aluminum folding chairs or several beach bags. The built-in net bag is perfect for all the fun beach items big and small that might otherwise escape out the side of other wagons. Together that makes for a really good beach cart that is perfect for a casual day in the sand or even around the local swap-meet.
- FOLDING BEACH CART: Multi-use and versatile utility cart holds a 48...
- EASY MOBILITY: 10" rubber tread wheels make it easy to pull the cart...
- STORAGE CART CAPACITY: Heavy duty utility cart can hold up to 100 lbs.
- PREMIUM BEACH CART: Features a large mesh storage pouch, perfect for...
- STORAGE ON THE GO: Includes a removable tote with shoulder strap for...
Last update on 2025-06-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sunnydaze Utility Steel Garden Cart
Key Points at a Glance
- Wide air filled tires
- Flat wire mesh hinged sides
- Wire mesh bottom
- Can be pulled by hand or towed behind small garden tractor
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
Dimensions and Specs
- Weight capacity: 400 pounds
- 34 inches long x 18 inches wide x 9 inches deep
- Black, Green, Yellow, or Red Color
- 180 degree turn Handle
The Details
Weighing in at a whopping 40 lbs is this versatile wagon from SunnyDaze. For beach goers in need of extra capacity there is nothing that can rival this wagon. Fill up the cart with a BBQ, drinks, lunch, and dinner with its large 34 x 18 cargo area and 400 lb weight capacity. An easy turn handle and large tires keep this wagon moving over rough terrain no matter its load. Available in black or bright green, red, and yellow colors.
The Bottom Line
Truly more of a garden cart than a beach cart, the SunnyDaze utility garden cart is our heavy-duty champion. The sides fold down to create a flat surface for things that will not fit in the bed and allow for easy loading of heavy objects. The wide, inflatable rubber tires help it roll easily across lawns without digging into the grass. Great for moving all that garden stuff that seems to require several trips, or to haul equipment around the backyard.
Last update on 2025-06-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gorilla Carts Dump Cart
Key Points at a Glance
- Strong molded poly cargo bed
- Tilts for easy dumping
- Wide tires for stability
- Pull by hand, or tow behind a small garden mower/tractor
Dimensions and Specs
- 44” L x 25.7” W x 26.2” H
- Weight 54 lbs
- Capacity: 1200 pounds
The Details
This dump cart from Gorilla is a great high capacity option for hauling big items down to the shore. This wagon boasts a 1200 lbs weight capacity for cargo but weighs a whopping 54 pounds on its own. If you want your cart to live in the trunk of your car then this is not the right choice for you! The cart is not collapsible but it is incredibly sturdy. The quick-release dump feature makes loading and unloading a breeze.
The Bottom Line
If you are heading to the beach with a BBQ or need to move heavy stuff around the house like rocks, concrete, or large trim blocks, this is your wagon. With a capacity of 1200 pounds it will move just about anything you can manage to put in it. Perfect for those grubby, challenging spring, autumn, and even winter jobs that always seem to require a little more muscle than you have on hand.
- Spacious Capacity: Utility pull wagon boasts a generous 6-cubic-foot...
- Heavy Duty Hauling: Features a maximum weight capacity of 1,200 pounds...
- Long-Lasting Durability: Equipped with a solid poly bed that resists...
- Quick and Easy Unloading: All-terrain wagon features a patented...
- Trusted Outdoor Innovation: Gorilla Carts has been revolutionizing...
Last update on 2025-06-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Radio Flyer All-Terrain Wagon
Key Points at a Glance
- Classic high-sided Radio Flyer design
- Pull by hand easily
- Rubber, 10” air filled tires
- Children’s pull cart
Dimensions and Specs
- Capacity: 200 pounds
- 44” L x 20.5” W x 21” H
- Removable side panels
The Details
Take a trip down memory lane with this classically designed wagon. It can be used as a garden cart, a beach cart, for that trip to the grocery store, or to give your kids a ride around the block. It is even classy enough to be used indoors as a moveable toy storage. The wide wheels make it easy to pull over a variety of terrains and the attractive Radio Flyer design will make it a constant conversation piece.
The Bottom Line
This wagon has sold well for generations because of its classic design and timeless quality. This version adds heavy duty tires to keep it rolling over rough terrain and also a more comfortable handle to make steering easy. Steel and wood construction gives parents peace of mind that their child is playing with a solid toy that is built to last. The cargo area on this wagon measures 44 x 20.5 and the weight capacity is 200 lbs.
- 10” ALL-TERRAIN RUBBER AIR TIRES: The rugged all-terrain rubber air...
- CLASSIC WAGON: The All-Terrain Cargo Wagon features our largest wagon...
- GREAT FOR GARDENING: Transport heavy soil or plants with ease! With a...
- SPECIFICATIONS: Assembled dimensions are 44” L x 20.5” W x 21”...
- CERTIFIED B CORP: Radio Flyer meets the highest standards of verified...
Last update on 2025-06-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
All of the carts in our review can help you get your towels, frisbees, beach chairs, and umbrellas down to the shore. To find the best beach cart it is important for shoppers to consider how they will be using it. Are they driving to the beach, parking, and walking from the parking lot? If so they will want a cart that can fold up easily and fit in the trunk. If the wagon is going to serve double duty at the beach and around the house then shoppers might want to prioritize sturdiness instead. Whatever way shoppers plan to use their cart, one of these top options above from our Best Beach Cart list should do the job.
Last update on 2025-06-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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