Best Beach Wagon
by Chris Riley Updated on November 10, 2022. In Reviews
A day at the beach should be simple enough, right? You head to the shore, stick your toes in the water, and relax.
The sad reality is that a trip to the beach often requires a lot of stuff. From all your snacks to your beach tent, your towels, and camping chair, there is all kinds of gear you will need to cart around with you. And if you have kids, your list of things you need to bring is even longer.
How are you going to haul all of your gear to the shore this summer?
The simple solution – invest in the best beach cart to get started.
If you aren’t sure what to look for, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place.
Creative Outdoor Push Pull Collapsible Folding Wagon Stroller Cart for Kids
Want a beach wagon on wheels that can double as a stroller for your kids? This push-pull folding wagon is the way to go.
Built with a durable steel frame, it can hold up to 150 lbs, so you don’t have to choose between toting your kids around or carting all your gear. It has a removable canopy that provides ample shade and wheels with a generous 360-degree swivel.
You can take this cart on all kinds of terrain, from dirt to grass, sad to pavement. It’s portable and is easy to fold up and store in the trunk of your car.
It’s available in several colors, too, including navy, pink, aqua, and black.
Pros
- Maximum 150 lb weight capacity
- Comes with a removable canopy
- Wheels can swivel in any direction
Cons
- Can be heavy to push
YAXuan Utility Pull Wagon
Another one of the best beach wagons/carts for people with young tots in tow is this pull wagon by YAXuan. It comes in several colors, like navy, red, green, and orange, making this one of the most customizable carts for the beach, too.
It comes with a detachable awning so that you can enjoy the shade from direct sunlight. It also has a generous storage capacity and can stash gear as heavy as 150 lbs.
Foldable and versatile, this wagon can be compressed down into a more portable, manageable size so you can take it where you need to go. It has an adjustable center handle that allows you to tilt and pivot the wagon a full 360 degrees.
Its tires are sturdy and ultra-wide, equipped with extra traction to handle any kind of rough terrain. Its Oxford fabric is breathable, waterproof, and lightweight.
Pros
- Easy to fold and unfold
- Can hold up to 150 lbs
- Favorable dimensions
Cons
- Quite pricey
Gorilla Carts GORMP-12 Steel Dump Cart
This beach cart by Gorilla Carts might not be the beach wagon you’re expecting, and truth be told, it’s designed primarily for use in a garden or agricultural setting.
That being said, we still think it’s one of the best beach wagons out there. It is made out of durable powder-coated steel with a mesh bed that can contain anything you need to keep stashed. It has a whopping 1200 pound capacity along with 13-inch tires that can handle any kind of terrain.
Not only that, but this multi-use garden cart comes with a unique quick-release dump feature that will make unloading all of your gear fast, easy, and convenient. The sides are removable, too, for added versatility.
This beach wagon comes with a one-year limited warranty and ist truly one of the best you will find.
Pros
- Large 13 inch tires
- Comes with a quick-release dump features
- Steel is thick and durable
Cons
- May be too heavy for many beach excursions
YSC Wagon Garden Folding Utility Shopping Cart
This folding shopping cart by YSC is, again, not designed specifically for the beach. However, it offers all the versatility and durability you need for a successful, stress-free day by the water.
Available in several sizes and colors, this wagon folds to eight inches thick. To assemble, all you have to do is unfold it and go. It is equipped with high-strength 600D polyester fabric, which is easy to keep clean.
Not only that, but this wagon comes with an adjustable handle that makes transporting all your gear simple and efficient. It also has two mesh cup holders and cell phone pockets, too.
Although you won’t want to use this cart to haul your kids, you can use it for any kind of gear on any terrain. It has extra-large all-terrain beach wheels, in fact.
Pros
- High weight capacity of 150 lbs
- All terrain wheel
- Zero assembly required
Cons
- Seams can split after extended use
Radio Flyer 3-In-1 Ez Folding Wagon with Canopy For Kids & Cargo
This folding beach wagon by Radio Flyer is a great option if you are looking for a classic beach cart for the kids. It is three wagons in one, since it can offer bench seating, two-rider seating, and of course, hauling functions.
It is easy to transform with the zippers that are installed on the side of the wagon. It folds down with one hand for easy, convenient storage, so you can take it anywhere you want to go.
With seat belts to keep your little ones safe, the wagon even has a UV protection canopy so you don’t have to worry about a sunburn. It can haul up to 150 lbs – kids or cargo, whatever you choose!
Pros
- Has thick, comfortable seats
- Collapsible mechanisms makes it easy to pack up
- Comes with two bonus cup holders
Cons
- Not the best for sandy terrain
Rio Beach Brands Deluxe Ultra Wonder Wheeler
If you are looking for a different kind of design when it comes to your beach cart, look no further than the Ultra Wonder Wheeler by Rio Beach. This wagon is made out of steel and comes in a charming blue hibiscus color. Like many of the beach wagons we’ve reviewed, it can also hold up to 150 lbs.
It is loaded with all kinds of bonus features to make your day at the beach that much more enjoyable. For example, it can hold a 48 quart cooler along with six separate beach chairs. It also comes with an insulated cooler bag and a side umbrella holder, along with a large mesh storage pouch, a utility tray with mesh cup holders, and holders for all your devices, too (like tablets and phones).
This wagon can hold up to 100 lbs, so while it’s not the most heavy-duty beach wagon you find, it’s sure to be one that can haul the heaviest of your gear.
Pros
- Equipped With an extra large mesh storage pocket
- Lightweight and requires zero effort to fold
- Can be used on rough and light terrain
Cons
- Has odd smelling materials
How to Find the Perfect Beach Wagon: A Quick Buying Guide
Wagon vs. Cart
Before you go any further in your shopping, it’s essential that you evaluate whether a wagon or cart is best for you.
But wait – aren’t they one and the same? Not quite.
Although they all serve the same essential purpose, there are several differences between beach carts and beach wagons. Beach carts only have two wheels and stand upright. A cart will have a small design and footprint with a handle and hanging bars that sit tall. These tend to work great for moving beach chairs.
Beach wagons, on the other hand, are equipped with four wheels. They can often store more gear and are easier to use, but it can be tricky to store large items like umbrellas and chairs with one of these carts.
Materials
Consider the materials out of which your beach cart is constructed. A steel frame is best, as it will hold weight well and can often support up to 150 lbs. If you’re worried about the durability of this kind of material, don’t be – many companies now use a powder coating on the frames to help prevent saltwater damage.
You’ll also want to consider the fabric quality of your tent. Look for one made out of durable, high-quality polyester. This material is perfect for the main storage box, as it’s both tear-resistant, tough, and easy to clean.
For maximum durability, shop for a beach wagon that has high-denier fabric rated 600D or more.
Storage Space
You’re probably buying a beach wagon for convenience, right? So why would you want to skimp on your purchase and buy a beach wagon with minimal storage space/ Make sure it has a large main storage compartment and enough volume to stash all your gear.
Easy to Clean
Look for a beach cart that’s easy to clean and maintain. After all, you will be using it near water and sand, so you’ll want something made out of quick-drying fabric that is breathable and can be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Extra Compartments and Storage Pockets
Even if you have a large main storage compartment, it can never hurt to have a few extra pockets and compartments, too. That way, you’ll be able to stash your gear and get it organized to perfection.
Terrain
Carefully consider where you will be using your beach cart. If you’re just headed to the beach, you will want a cart with “balloon wheels,” which are pretty basic and found on most beach carts. However, if you plan on hauling your wagon over rough or bumpy terrain, you’ll want a beach cart with rubberized pneumatic wheels. This will make your life a lot easier!
Portability
How easy is your beach wagon to use? If the answer is, “not very,” then you’re probably not going to get as much use out of your cart as you could. You’re going to want a unit that you can move when it is fully loaded. And remember, many people forget how heavy these carts can be once all the equipment is inside! You’ll want to look for one that is lightweight when it’s empty.
The ideal weight for a beach wagon is around 15 lbs, which won’t be too heavy for you to carry but will also balance out the weight of all the gear you need to carry.
Check the quality of the wheels, too. These should be big enough so that they don’t sink down into soft sand. Look for ones that are at least four inches wide and anywhere between 8-10 inches in diameter.
Assembly
Look for a beach wagon that is simple enough in design that it won’t take an engineering degree to figure out how to put it together. Assembling a beach cart is as simple as attaching wheels and perhaps a handle. Anything that is more complicated than that is probably not worth your time.
Don’t overlook how easy it will be to fold up and pack away, too. Look for one that can be folded to six or ten inches thick, ideally by pulling a tab or doing something equally as simple.
Bonus Features
As the market continues to evolve, more companies are coming up with ways to improve the design of their products and attract their customers. Two of the most popular features are hanging bears for your chairs and side pockets to stash your beach umbrella.
But the list of options doesn’t end there! Some companies now offer insulated coolers, while others have features like cupholders, utility trays, cell phone holders, and more.
Which of These is the Best Beach Wagon/Cart?
There’s nothing quite as relaxing as a day of surf, sand, and sun. However, hauling your gear back to the car at the end of such a long, fun day can be a major pain – especially if you’re toting tired kids or contending with a bit of a sunburn that no pair of sunglasses can hide.
Look for a beach wagon to lighten your load.
Which one of these beach wagon/carts is the best? Although the right cat for you will vary depending on your needs, preferences, and budgets, we think the Creative Outdoor Folding Storage Wagon is a great choice. It’s the best beach wagon/cart if you’re looking for versatility, comfort,and convenience. Plus, you can use it to cart your kids around when they don’t want to walk after a fun-filled (but exhausting!) day at the beach.
Now get shopping – the waves are waiting for you.
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