A trusty wheelbarrow is an essential for a huge variety of different outdoor jobs, from transporting heavy bags of compost or gardening tools and just general garden tidying such as deadheading. Handy for use both in allotments and larger gardens, it’s a versatile piece of kit and makes quick work of otherwise difficult tasks.
Jump ahead to our guide on how to choose a wheelbarrow, or watch our handy video:
The best wheelbarrows for your garden or allotment
County Compact Clipper Wheelbarrow, 90L
Buy from Two Wests (£109.99), Amazon (£168.59)
- Tray material: plastic
- Capacity: 90L
- Weight: 10kg
- Self-assembly
Made from a mixture of polypropylene and rust-resistant zinc-plating, and fitted with a pneumatic tube for quick puncture repairs, the Clipper Wheelbarrow is a practical choice. Lightweight and fairly compact in size, it's ideal for everyday gardening tasks.
Pros: lightweight, selection of colours available
Cons: not as durable as metal versions
Chillington County Galvanised Wheelbarrow, 120L
Buy from Wickes (£73.00), Homebase (£85.00)
- Tray material: galvanised steel
- Capacity: 120L / 200kg
- Weight: 14kg
- Pre-assembled
If you’re after a reliable option at a great price, this is one of the best wheelbarrows to choose. Whether you need to transport heavy building materials or just take cuttings to the compost heap, its galvanised steel tray and pneumatic, puncture-resistant tyres should be up to the job. Easy-grip handles lend added comfort.
Pros: steel tray, puncture-resistant tyres, handles heavy loads, pre-assembled, inexpensive
Cons: on the heavier side
VonHaus Wheelbarrow, 78L
- Tray material: plastic
- Capacity: 78L / 100kg
- Weight: 12kg
- Self-assembly
For smart design, try this compact wheelbarrow from Vonhaus. The frame is made from steel and the 78L plastic tray has enough space to transport medium-sized loads. Plus, the two wheels give it extra stability; ideal for sloped gardens or rough terrain.
Pros: two wheels for stability, lightweight, smart look
Cons: limited capacity, plastic tray
Outsunny Heavy Duty 4 Wheel Trolley
- Tray material: plastic
- Capacity: 75L / 200kg or 125L / 200kg
- Weight: 17.2kg / 27kg
- Self-assembly
This option is one of the best wheelbarrows for anyone who has trouble lifting things or just wants to take the hassle out of their gardening projects. Its four wheels, powder-coated steel frame and pneumatic, steel-rimmed tyres make it a sturdy piece of kit, unlikely to tip to the side and drop the load in transit.
When you need to empty the wheelbarrow, you can set the tub to tip by 75 degrees.
Pros: four wheels for stability, handles heavy loads, tipping mechanism
Cons: fairly heavy despite plastic tray
Sherpa Tools Power Barrow, 170L
- Tray material: powder-coated steel
- Capacity: 170L / 150kg
- Weight: 12.4kg
- Self-assembly
Far from your average garden wheelbarrow, this unusual model is battery powered and moves heavy loads for you. Just squeeze the trigger to control the speed and use the brake lever to stop. When you’re ready to empty out the contents, you can use the tipping mechanism to upturn the powder-coated steel tray without having to lift the frame.
Plus, topping up the power is simple, thanks to the removable 24v battery pack, which you can take indoors to charge.
Pros: self-propelled, tipping mechanism, high capacity, lightweight for an electric and steel design
Cons: More expensive than standard designs
Bucketbarrow Wheelbarrow Kit, 88L/130L
- Tray material: plastic
- Capacity: 88L / 150kg or 130L / 200kg
- Weight: 17kg / 26.5kg
- Self-assembly
For maximum convenience, try this ‘bucketbarrow’ with individual compartments to help you separate different materials. In the smaller, green design, you get four 15L containers, each with handy litre markings on the inside and outside, and a metal-edged scoop pan. Lift the buckets out to tip waste into the wheelie bin.
If you don’t want to use a combination of the buckets, you can remove them completely to make full use of the 88L tray underneath.
There’s also a bigger version of the Bucketbarrow available; perfect for large gardens.
Pros: multifunctional design, great for organising, comes in two sizes
Cons: plastic tray might be less durable than metal versions
Handy Large Garden Trolley THLGT
- Tray material: steel
- Capacity: 582L / 350kg
- Weight: 32.8kg
- Self-assembly
While not strictly a wheelbarrow, this trolley-style carrier is a great alternative if you have large quantities to move. The tray has 119cm x 58cm of space inside, but all four walls are removable, making it easy to transport awkwardly-shaped loads.
With steel construction and puncture-proof tyres, it’s able to carry up to 350kg in weight, while the ball bearing wheels and turntable steering boost its manoeuvrability.
Pros: huge capacity, handles heavy loads, durable metal design, removable walls, four wheels for stability
Cons: heavy
Take a look at our list of the best water butts for more garden equipment.
Walsall Barrow In A Box Galvanised Duraball Wheelbarrow, 85L
- Tray material: galvanised steel
- Capacity: 85L / 150kg
- Weight: 13.5kg
- Self-assembly
One of the more unusual garden wheelbarrows, this alternative product swaps wheels for a single puncture-proof ball, designed to boost manoeuvrability in confined spaces. According to existing users, it’s more suited to transporting lighter loads than heavier materials like gravel and stone, but copes well on tricky surfaces.
Pros: ball design for manoeuvrability, galvanised steel tray
Cons: better suited to light loads
Walsall Metal Heavy Duty Wheelbarrow, 85L
- Tray material: galvanised steel
- Capacity: 85L / 150kg
- Weight: 11.3kg
- Self-assembly
If you need to transport fairly heavy loads or have a big gardening project coming up, this heavy-duty wheelbarrow should meet your needs. Plus, it comes with a puncture-resistant wheel for added durability and peace of mind.
Pros: steel tray, fairly lightweight, available with puncture-proof wheel
Cons: lower load capacity than alternatives
Walsall Multi-Purpose Wheelbarrow, 90L
- Tray material: plastic
- Capacity: 90L / 125kg
- Weight: 10kg
- Self-assembly
If you’re bored of investing in dark-coloured products for your outdoor tasks, why not jazz up your space with this lilac number? It’s a great everyday option for those who want to inject a sense of fun into their jobs.
And if lilac’s not your colour of choice, don’t worry - this wheelbarrow comes in a range of fun choices. For extra durability, opt for the version with a puncture-proof wheel.
Pros: lightweight, colourful finish, inexpensive
Cons: plastic tray
Folding Wheelbarrow
- Tray material: polyester fabric
- Capacity: 20kg
- Weight: 5.8kg
- Self-assembly
If you’ve got a small outdoor area or need a carrier to take between different sites, this collapsible garden wheelbarrow could be just what you need. Thanks to its easy-to-use design, you can fold it up and pop it in the car boot.
Pros: lightweight, easy to transport and store, in-built pockets
Cons: can't handle big or heavy loads
Short on space? You can find the best kit for small gardens in our dedicated article.
Wheelbarrow booster
- Material: plastic
- Capacity: increases wheelbarrow capacity by up to 300%
- Weight: 491g
If you've already got a wheelbarrow or you want to maximise space in your new one, why not buy a clever 'booster' which increases capacity by up to 300%? It's ideal for loose materials like grass clippings, leaves and compost, and should attach to most wheelbarrows. Just stretch the elasticated section over the rim of your tray to set it in place.
Pros: you can use with existing wheelbarrows, inexpensive, removable
Cons: plastic, may not fit all wheelbarrows
If you're looking for a way to carry more delicate or lightweight garden wares around, such as fresh produce or bulbs, why not take a look out our roundup of the best garden trugs?
How to choose your wheelbarrow
While we’re probably all familiar with the standard steel wheelbarrow you can find in most garden centres, there’s actually a huge variety of options out there. With so many different models on offer, you’re sure to find one to suit your needs.
A single-wheel pushcart will have a good level of manoeuvrability, ideal for small spaces, but less stability with heavy loads or on uneven ground than an option with two or three. You’ll also find garden wheelbarrows with a closed handlebar, as opposed to two straight handles, which makes pulling heavy loads much easier.
Choosing the material of the tray is probably the most significant decision you’ll need to make. Most of the best wheelbarrows are constructed from steel, for heavy-duty jobs, or plastic, for light work and easy transportation. But these days there are a few eco-friendly options around too.
Then, of course, there are your own personal requirements to consider: any mobility problems you have, where you’ll store your wheelbarrow and how much you value aesthetics. We’ve selected a range of options to tick all the different boxes.
What should you consider when buying a wheelbarrow
Size and capacity
The size and capacity of a wheelbarrow are crucial factors to consider. The size of the wheelbarrow determines how much load it can carry, and the capacity indicates how much weight it can hold. Wheelbarrows come in different sizes, ranging from 2 cubic feet to 10 cubic feet.
If you're short on shed storage, make sure to opt for a smaller size, whereas if you have a large garden or allotment, a bigger wheelbarrow with a higher capacity would be more suitable.
Wheels
The type of wheels on the wheelbarrow is another important factor to consider. Most wheelbarrows have either one or two wheels.
Single-wheel wheelbarrows are more manoeuvrable, but they may not be as stable as two-wheel wheelbarrows. Two-wheel wheelbarrows are more stable and can carry heavier loads, but they are not as manoeuvrable as single-wheel wheelbarrows.
Wheel types
There are different types of wheels used in wheelbarrows, such as pneumatic, semi-pneumatic and solid. Pneumatic wheels are air-filled and provide better shock absorption, making them ideal for rough terrain.
Semi-pneumatic wheels have some air, but they are mostly solid and are more puncture-resistant than pneumatic wheels. Solid wheels are entirely made of solid rubber and are best suited for use on flat surfaces.
Choose a wheel type based on the type of terrain you will be using the wheelbarrow on. Check that you can easily buy a spare tyre for your chosen wheelbarrow model if needed.
How robust is the barrow material
The material of the wheelbarrow is an important factor to consider, as it determines the durability of the wheelbarrow. Wheelbarrows are typically made of steel, plastic, or wood.
Steel wheelbarrows are the most durable and are suitable for heavy-duty use. Plastic wheelbarrows are lightweight and easier to manoeuvre, but they may not be as durable as steel wheelbarrows. Wooden wheelbarrows are aesthetically pleasing but are not as durable as steel or plastic wheelbarrows.
How well does the barrow handle
The handle of the wheelbarrow is an important factor to consider, as it determines how well you can manoeuvre the wheelbarrow. The handle should be comfortable to grip and should be at the right height. Some wheelbarrows come with padded handles for added comfort.
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