Why do you need a beach cart?

Picture this: it’s a gorgeously sunny, bright, and beautifully warm day. You don’t have to go to work. Perhaps the kids don’t have to be in school. You’ve got nothing to do except head to the beach to enjoy some downtime, some fun as a family, perhaps even some exercise (whatever you like to do best – the beach is perfect for all of this and much more besides). 

That all sounds great, but there is a problem; you have to pack a lot of ‘stuff’ to take with you. That stuff includes chairs, blankets, a beach umbrella, changes of clothes, snacks and drinks (maybe even an entire cooler), a barbecue, books, sunscreen, toys and inflatables, and perhaps your dog is coming too. 

That’s a lot to pack. It’s a lot to drag from the car to your perfect spot on the sand. What’s worse is that it’s a lot to re-pack when you’re done and lug back to the car to go home. It could even be such a hassle that you decide it’s not worth it and stay home instead. Which is fine, but it’s not as fun as being at the beach, is it? 

There is a solution, and it’s a supremely simple one that, once you know about it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without; you buy a beach cart. This handy accessory will carry all your ‘stuff’ from house to car to beach and back again with no problems. The challenge is to find the best beach cart for you. 

Important Features & Specs

To determine the best beach cart for you, there are some specific features and specs you’ll need to consider. These include:

• The size – how much do you need to carry?
• Durability – how long will it last? 
• Design – what does it look like?
• Wheels – what terrains can it be used on? 
• Storage – how easy is it to store? 
• Cost – how pocket-friendly is the cart? 

The Best Beach Carts for Each Need

• Best Overall Beach Cart – Strolee Beach Cart
• Best Budget Beach Cart – Seina Compact Folding Wagon 
• Best Family Beach Cart – The Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon with Canopy
• Best Folding Beach Cart – Timber Ridge Collapsible Wagon
• Most Durable Beach Cart – Sekey Classic Folding Wagon
• Best Multi-Purpose Beach Cart – Gorilla GCSW-7P Collapsible Folding Wagon
• Best For Large Loads – My Beach Cart Foldable Beach Cart
• Best On Sand – Mac Sports Collapsible
• Best For Storage – Portal Collapsible Utility Wagon
• Most Pockets – Gorilla Carts Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon
• Best Heavy Duty – Mac Sports Wagon Classic
• Best Small Storage Size – Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon

Strolee Beach Cart – Best Overall Beach Cart 

The Strolee Beach Cart wins hands down every time when it comes to the best beach cart overall. The large diameters of the front and rear wheels make it possible to roll steadily and easily over sand and other rough surfaces. Front locking wheels and parking brakes keep your Strolee in place as you load up for a day at the beach and when you unload your belongings at the end of your day of fun. Plus, the rust-proof aluminum frame means the Strolee is durable and long-lasting – you can keep using it for years without any problems, making it highly cost-effective, especially when compared to other brands. 

Something that stands out about the Strolee is the design. It is made for people like you, people who want to go to the beach and not have to worry about leaving important things behind. For example, there is a specially designed platform to keep a cooler on, and a space for your sandals. There is even a folding chair holder, not to mention the copious storage capacity that even includes pockets for security. 

And it’s convenient. Easy to fold, store, and use, the Strolee is impossible to beat, and comes in as our number one in the best beach carts you can find. 

Pros:

• Created by a family with 4 kids and designed in USA for families & beachgoers that are on the go!
• Large, proprietary rear wheels that are great on soft sand and quiet when on cement.
• Stunning design
• Large storage area
• Easy to fold and store
• Durable and long-lasting

Cons:

• Cannot be overloaded – pay attention to the maximum load capacity of 75 pounds

Seina Compact Folding Wagon – Best Budget Beach Cart 

If you want to find a great beach cart and your budget is somewhat limited, don’t worry – there are some excellent choices available. One example is the Seina Compact Folding Wagon. 

It may be a budget item, but it won’t feel that way when you start loading it up. Far from being flimsy and unreliable, the Seina Compact Folding Wagon gives the impression that it can take a large load as far as you would want it to go, offering you peace of mind and no stress when loading and unloading. 

One of the biggest selling points for the Seina Compact Folding Wagon is that it can glide across sand as easily as it can be pulled along the sidewalk – you won’t notice the transition a lot of the time, even on a soft beach. This means anyone, young or old, can use this cart without any issues, making it a budget-friendly and useful item to have folded and ready to be used at a moment’s notice. 

The downside to the Seina Compact Folding Wagon is that it is cheap. Not to look at, perhaps, but it is definitely not as robust as some of the other best beach carts, and it will wear out more quickly. Over time, the great price you paid may not seem so great as you’ll have to replace it more often than a more expensive cart. 

Pros: 

• Can be used on all surfaces – even soft sand
• Budget-friendly 
• Easy to fold and carry 

Cons:

• Not a strong design
• Will wear out quickly 

The Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon with Canopy – Best Family Beach Cart 

When you have a family to think of, you’ll need the best beach cart to ensure you can accommodate everyone’s needs. The Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Fold Beach Wagon with Canopy is the perfect solution. 

Almost universally recognized as a standard in children’s toys, the Radio Flyer brand features a wide variety of carts for various needs. The 3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon with Canopy is the one that works best for families, and the reason for that is simple; you can put your kids in it. However, this is not just some glorified children’s toy or stroller – it’s much more than either of those things. Not only is there space for two (admittedly young) children, but there is also room for all your other items that you would want to pack into your beach cart, such as chairs, towels, bags, and coolers. This means that transporting children to the beach (or other places, such as a park, zoo, or theme park) becomes extraordinarily easy. 

Don’t worry about safety either; there are seatbelts to keep the little ones secure, and a bench that can be used for snacking or playing. The Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon with Canopy is an adaptable cart that can carry heavy loads and safely transport kids. 

Pros for the Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon with Canopy include an easy folding mechanism, good and comfortable seating, large wheels (ideal for beaches), and good UV protection thanks to the sunshade. Downsides include the fact that the shade can be hard to remove and there are no brakes – so be aware. 

Pros: 

• Seatbelts for children’s safety
• Plenty of storage space
• Quality name 
• Can carry heavy loads
• Easy to fold
• Large wheels
• UV protection 

Cons:

• No brakes
• Difficult to take down

Timber Ridge Collapsible Wagon – Best Folding Beach Cart 

Something that all the best beach carts should do is fold well, and that’s where the Timber Ridge Collapsible Wagon excels. It’s true that most, if not all, beach carts will fold, some are easier to handle than others, and it’s the Timber Ridge Folding Collapsible Wagon that stands out in this department. This is down to the excellent design; the wagon is made from 600D polyester on an aluminum frame, making it exceptionally lightweight and that, in turn, makes it easy to hold, fold, and handle. It’s even possible to do so with one hand which could be ideal when you have small children or pets running around and need to take care of them. 

To make the wagon even easier to move around, it has a telescope handle and big wheels that plow through sand like nothing at all. 

Another benefit to this particular beach cart is that it doesn’t need any setting up. Take it out of the box and you can use it right away; unfolding it is intuitive, and there is no need for any tools or even any time. The cargo area is large and deep, and there are pockets for smaller items, such as bottles. 

There are issues with the wagon, however. Some people have found that the wheels aren’t strong enough to carry the weight they need, and they can break fairly easily. Replacements are available, but it would be better not to have to worry about this, especially if you use the beach cart on a regular basis. 

Pros: 

• Easy to fold
• Lightweight aluminum frame
• Telescopic handle 
• Large wheels
• No need for set up
• Deep storage area

Cons: 

• Weak wheels 
• Can break easily 

Sekey Classic Folding Wagon – Most Durable Beach Cart 

Durability is definitely a must when it comes to finding the best beach cart. The Sekey Classic Folding Wagon stands out in this department for all the right reasons. Durability generally signals good value for money, and the Sekey Classic Folding Wagon certainly ticks that box thanks to its incredibly sturdy construction. This item must have gone through a wide range of tests to ensure it is up to the job of transporting relatively heavy loads across rough terrain. But unlike other beach carts, this sturdiness does not translate into ugly looks – it’s a smart-looking piece of kit, and even when it is used a lot, it will stay looking good. 

The Sekey Classic Folding Wagon works incredibly well on most terrains, so you can take it almost anywhere you want to. We say almost because there is an issue with this wagon; it doesn’t work particularly well on fine, dry sand. This is potentially a big issue because in order to get to the wetter sand where it will work well, you’ll need to traverse the finer, dryer sand first. The beach cart can be pulled across this kind of sand, but it’s pretty hard work. 

Pros:

• Durable 
• Value for money 
• Sturdy construction 
• Attractive design

Cons:

• Not good on fine sand 

Gorilla GCSW-7P Collapsible Folding Wagon – Best Multi-Purpose Beach Cart 

You might only need a beach cart for what it appears to be made for; the beach. Or maybe it’s just for grocery shopping. Perhaps it’s so you can take your kids or dog to the park more easily. Whatever the reason, you might only have to use the cart for one thing. In that case, you won’t necessarily need a multi-purpose beach cart. 

However, there will be many people, and many occasions, where the wagon you choose will need to be used in lots of different situations and places. The last thing you want is to have to buy different styles of carts for each different place you go and terrain you have to cover, which is why the Gorilla GCSW-7P Collapsible Folding Wagon is a great choice; it is a truly multi-purpose beach cart. 

One of the reasons why this cart can be used for so many different things is that it has exceptional steering and – very important – braking. This means that you have great control at all times, and it doesn’t matter whether you have a light load or a heavy one, you’re on flat ground on an incline, or anything else for that matter; you’ll always have that same control. 

Perhaps surprisingly given that it has a multitude of uses and is a robust piece of equipment, the Gorilla GCSW-7P Collapsible Folding Wagon is super easy to store. It folds up very small, and it’s lightweight enough to move around as you need to. 

Although it sounds like this could be the ideal beach cart, that’s where its biggest problem lies. As great as it is in many other areas, the Gorilla GSCW-7P Collapsible Folding Wagon just can’t seem to perform on sand. 

Pros:

• Great steering
• Good brakes
• Can be used in multiple settings and terrains 
• Easy to store and fold

Cons: 

• Does not perform well on fine sand 

My Beach Cart Foldable Beach Cart – Best For Large Loads 

You won’t always have a lot to take with you to the beach. Sometimes, especially if it’s just you and no one else, you’ll only have a few items, and a smaller beach cart will be fine. However, if you have a lot of items to take and there are many of you all wanting to make use of the best beach cart you can find, you’ll need something designed for large loads, and that could very well be the My Beach Cart Foldable Beach Cart. 

Although the My Beach Cart Foldable Beach Cart is, as we’ve said, designed to carry some very large loads, maneuvering the wagon won’t feel like you’re carrying a lot. That’s because of the well designed 12-inch quick-release balloon tires. These tires don’t sink into sand like some smaller ones will, and that makes pulling (as opposed to dragging) the wagon a lot easier. To make things even more convenient, the cart comes with a pump, so even if there is an issue, you can inflate the tires to give you more load capacity. 

There is plenty of room too, so you’re not going to have to load everything on top of each other. There is a zippered cargo bag located right at the front of this beach cart, as well as an anti-slip cargo deck complete with strong snap-close straps to keep everything in place. 

There are some problems with the My Beach Cart Foldable Beach Cart that not everyone is going to be able to get past, however. To begin with, it’s a bulky unit. That might be expected since it can take such large loads, but when it comes to storage, it’s not as helpful as other beach carts can be. However, this is only a minor issue compared to the main one which is that it can take upwards of 30 minutes to put together. When you just want to take it for a quick trip to the beach or store, spending half an hour trying to make sure it’s set up correctly seems a little over the top. 

Pros: 

• Can carry large loads
• Zippered pockets
• Anti-slip cargo area

Cons: 

• Bulky when folded
• Takes upwards of 30 minutes to set up

Mac Sports Collapsible – Best On Sand 

If you solely want the best beach cart to use only at the beach, you’ll want the one that works best on the sand, and that would be the Mac Sports Collapsible. Although there are many positive points to this wagon, it’s the large wheels that make it such a great option for sand. And that includes all kinds of sand, from the fine, dry type to the claggy wet type and every variation in between. 

Since it can also haul up to 100 pounds, you can be sure that most, if not all, of your belongings will fit neatly and happily inside. You won’t be able to add children to the mix, however, as the cart is not large enough or strong enough for that. However, if that isn’t something you are concerned about, it’s not going to detract from the usefulness of the Mac Sports Collapsible. 

Something that’s fun about the Mac Sports Collapsible is that it has a table that can be pulled out when needed to turn the beach cart into a mini lunch table. Or it could be used by kids to color, read, or use devices away from the sand. It’s a handy little extra that not many other beach carts have, and which is what makes the Mac Sports Collapsible such a great pick. 

Sadly, you do need to be careful with this beach cart. You need to be careful when you’re loading it, and you need to be careful when you’re pulling it. That’s because the front wheels have been placed relatively close together, so trying to turn a corner can mean that the entire cart tips over. This is more likely to happen with a larger load, but it is a danger to watch out for if you choose this option. 

Pros: 

• Great on sand 
• Can carry up to 100 pounds 
• Includes a mini lunch table

Cons: 

• Children can’t be carried in the cart
• Can easily flip over

Portal Collapsible Utility Wagon – Best For Lots Of Storage 

The Portal Collapsible Utility Wagon is a fantastic option if you’re looking for the best beach carts that offer exceptional storage. It has a very large area to store your items in, and because it is designed with storage in mind, it is made to be strong and sturdy to ensure that you don’t have a problem pulling the wagon when the storage area is full. 

The Portal Collapsible Utility Wagon has big, bulky tires and wheels which also help when it comes to its storage capabilities. However, that’s not the only reason it has them; those wheels also mean that the beach cart can be used in places other than the beach, and on all manner of terrains. It’s a good all-round cart to take with you anywhere. Plus, it hardly takes any time to set up and essentially comes ready to go right out the box. 

Back to those wheels for the cons of the wagon, though. For some people, the fact that the wheels fully circulate is a problem. Although this does mean that the wagon is easy to maneuver, it also means that it can be too easy to maneuver. In other words, it can spin too far at times (depending on the terrain) and be a handful to handle. 

Pros: 

• Large storage area
• Strong design
• Large tires
• Good on all terrains
• Easy to set up

Cons:

• Fully circulating wheels – lack of control
• Difficult to handle 

Gorilla Carts Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon – Most Pockets 

Some beach carts have one large storage area which, although certainly nothing to complain about, isn’t always ideal when you have smaller items you want to keep safe and separate from the larger, bulkier, heavier ones. 

That’s why choosing the best beach cart with the most pockets could be a good choice for you. If you want pockets to keep things safe in, why not take a look at the Gorilla Carts Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon? 

Keys, water bottles, books, eReaders, phones, earphones, sunglasses, hats… there are a plethora of small items that often have to be brought to the beach, and it could well be that, in the past, you’ve lost some of these things in the sand or maybe decided not to bring them – even though you actually want to have them – because you don’t want to run the risk of leaving them behind or finding they get covered with sand. With the Gorilla Carts Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon, you don’t have to worry about any of that; there are enough pockets to keep everything safe and sand-free (as far as it’s possible at the beach, anyway), and there is also a zippered area for more precious belongings. You even get two cup holders, so everything is covered. 

Another benefit of using the Gorilla Carts Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon is that it comes with a foldable pad that can be used to make smaller compartments in the larger storage area. This might not sound like such a benefit, but if you need to keep chilled food or drinks separate, for example, or if you need a space for sandy or wet items far away from clean ones, this could work well. 

With no setup needed to get started, there is a lot going for this when it comes to finding the best beach carts, especially when you consider it can carry up to 150 pounds on its robust frame.

Issues… yes, there is one big one. Once again, as with other beach carts we’ve talked about, the wheels which are so useful in most situations, get quickly bogged down and stuck in fine sand. Once that happens, hauling 150 pounds becomes a lot harder. 

Pros:

• Pockets for more fragile items 
• No set up required
• Load capacity of 150 pounds 

Cons:

• Wheels don’t work well on sand
• Difficult to maneuver
• Shallow cup holders

Mac Sports Wagon Classic – Best Heavy Duty 

The Mac Sports Wagon Classic is a bestseller for a reason; it’s affordable, it’s easy to use, it looks great, and it’s got plenty of features. Plus, if you’re looking for something that can offer some heavy duty strength to proceedings, this is the option you should at least consider, and perhaps even choose.  

The Mac Sports Wagon Classic is what might be termed any everyday beach cart. That’s because it can be used every day with any problems – for many years, in fact, all being well – and because it is versatile and can be used for a great many different things. And value for money, this one is certainly up there. It might not be as cost-effective as some of the other items on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad – it just means it’s not the best, at least in that category. 

Those are the good things about the Mac Sports Classic Wagon, and now it’s time to learn about some of the bad things. Sadly, there are a number of them. Firstly, although it is made to carry a lot, it doesn’t look like it could. This can make some people nervous about over-loading it, and therefore they might not use it to its full potential – this negates the reason for buying it in many cases. Next, the wheels, while strong and sturdy, are too narrow for softer sand. Plus, when it is folded up, it can’t stand unaided (it has to lean against something). And, if you’re looking for a heavy duty cart that will fit the kids in, this is not the option for you. 

Pros: 

• Affordable
• Attractive design
• Robust frame

Cons:

• Looks unstable 
• Narrow wheels don’t work well on sand
• No room for children
• Difficult to store

Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon – Best Small Storage Size 

Sometimes it’s less about the beach cart itself and more about where you’re going to keep it when you’re not using it. If you have limited storage space in your car, van, or home, you’re going to need a beach cart that folds up small and is easy to stash away in a cupboard, in a trunk, or under a bed, for example. Some of the best beach carts just don’t have this facility – they’re big and they stay big (and heavy) even when folded down. 

This is why we like the Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon. It can carry a lot – it’s rated up to 220 pounds, which is one of the highest capacities when it comes to beach carts – but it folds up very small, and for all that robustness, it’s relatively lightweight when it does so. That makes it extremely easy to store no matter what kind of space you might have to spare. 

The wide wheels are another bonus that make this an ideal choice when you want the best beach cart. They mean this wagon truly is all-terrain, and it doesn’t struggle over the sand. Neither does it have problems in (shallow) water, going up steep inclines, or on bumpy roads. Take it where you want to and it shouldn’t have any problems. 

Again, though, as good as they are, those wheels could be better. Compared to the size of the storage area of the Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon, the wheels seem quite small. They do the job admirably, but they don’t look the part, and this can be a concern. 

Pros:

• Load capacity of up to 220 pounds
• Easy to fold and store
• Good on most terrains 

Cons: 

• Small wheels

Conclusion 

Carry a beach cart to your next beach trip no matter what else you bring. It’s a great option for transporting the essentials you’ll need for a day at the beach because of the many pockets and the ease with which everything can be stored. These carts are not limited to the beach and may be used for many different excursions; even to the store. Use your cart at your next picnic or outdoor event. You can do anything on the beach knowing that you have everything you need in your beach cart.

Of course, you’ll need to choose the best beach cart to really make the most of what you have. As you will have seen above, there are so many different things to take into consideration that it can be hard – almost overwhelming – deciding on what’s best. 

If you want a cart that will do all you need and more, looks stylish, is easy to transport, and offers great value for money, it has to be the extraordinary Strolee Beach Cart. Try it out and you’re sure to love what it can do. 

FAQs