With springtime finally upon us, many of us are getting out gardening gloves out for the first time this year. Whether you’re a regular green thumb, gardening novice or are simply looking to make some changes to your own personal Eden, chances are you’ll need to make use of a good old wheelbarrow at some point in your horticultural journey.
Believe it or not, there are a fair few factors to consider when purchasing a wheelbarrow, even if it is just for personal, small-scale use. Though the process of buying one of the most common gardening tools at first seems relatively straightforward, there’s more to it than meets the eye.
What should I look for in a wheelbarrow?
Size and purpose
First and foremost, consider the capacity you’ll need. Will you be using the wheelbarrow for heavy loads such as bags of soil? Or do you simply need a vehicle to move those dead leaves during the autumn?
Equally as important is the consideration of how much you can comfortably lift. Don’t set your expectations for yourself too high and risk injury. Sometimes it is best to stick with a mid-level capacity wheelbarrow and a few more trips between the garden and the shed.
Portability and storage
Some of us struggle with mobility and dexterity, and therefore require a non-traditional wheelbarrow that can be manoeuvred with ease. Additionally, storage space can become a problem for many – no matter the size of your garden.
Think about whether you’d prefer a model which is collapsible and easy to store, or whether the size requirements for your wheelbarrow outweigh the need to portability and storage.
Material
Wheelbarrows come in a variety of materials. Let us break down the pros and cons of each:
Steel
- One of the most common materials used for wheelbarrows due to its unbeatable strength. The one downside to metal, however, is that it will rust. It can also react with substances found in animal waste, so won’t be effective for use in farms and stable yards. Enter…
Galvanised steel
- Galvanised steel has been treated with a protective zinc coating to prevent rusting. This slows down the rusting process but does not prevent it entirely.
Plastic
- Strong and stable, but liable to splitting, plastic is another alternative material for your wheelbarrow. It is lighter than metal and therefore easier to push and lift. Plastic wheelbarrows work best for moving compost, weds, grass and prunings.
Wooden cart or trolley
- In a similar manner to metal, wood will rot if left out in the rain. Though another very strong alternative material, we’d only recommend picking up a wooden trolley if you have somewhere dry to store it.
Wheels
A standard wheelbarrow usually has a singular wheel at the tip of the tub with a U-shaped bend in the metal or plastic bar at the back end, towards the handles, so that it can rest upright when not in use.
However, some wheelbarrows have up two four wheels for greater balance and manoeuvrability. Two-wheeled models don’t tip as well as one-wheeled tubs, but they do provide more stability. Similarly, four-wheeled wheelbarrows allow you to transport far greater loads without the hassle – but you’ll still need to work double time when it comes to loading and unloading the goods.
Tyres
Solid rubber and plastic wheels are puncture-proof and strong, but they don’t move as smoothly as pneumatic tyres, especially when it comes to rougher turf. Pneumatic tyres can puncture, but just like a bike – if you take good care of the wheels by keeping them well inflated, your wheelbarrow will have a far smoother ride over bumps and even the most uneven ground.
Rounded or flat-nose
Picking the right shape wheelbarrow depends on the job that you’re using it for. Rounded wheelbarrows can be tipped at any angle, whereas flat-nose wheelbarrows can only be tipped forward.
Best wheelbarrows at a glance:
- Best for lightweight wheelbarrow with a large capacity: COSTWAY 2-Wheeled Wheelbarrow, Heavy Duty Garden Cart - £84.95, Amazon
- Best for value for money: Arboria Wheelbarrow - £33.99, Amazon
- Best for manoeuvrability: Galvanised Ball Wheelbarrow - £119.94, Amazon
- Best for heavy-duty gardening: Greenworks G40GC Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Garden Cart - £483.07, Amazon
- Best for robust plastic tub: Gardebruk Heavy Duty Garden Wheelbarrow - £90.99, Amazon
- Best for extra-large: The Handy 350kg Large Garden Trolley - £185.99, City Plumbing
- Best for collapsible storage: Unibos Fold Up Wheel Barrow Garden - £34.90, Amazon
Shop below.
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Costway 2-Wheeled Wheelbarrow, Heavy Duty Garden Cart
Best for: lightweight wheelbarrow with a large capacity
Capacity: 100L
This two-wheeled wheelbarrow is the perfect companion for every level and scale of garden work. With 33cm pneumatic tyres designed for bouncy, smooth and easy gliding – you’ll be hard pressed to find a terrain that will topple this wheelbarrow (that is, unless you overfill it). The rubber-grip handle provides excellent manoeuvrability, while the heavy-duty steel frame helps the entire structure to remain stable.
Though this wheelbarrow has a whopping capacity of 100L, the tub is made from plastic. We therefore do not recommend moving heavier items such as decorative stones or rocks – even with the extra strength provided by two wheels. Best stick to hay and manure.
Buy now £84.95, Amazon
Arboria Wheelbarrow
Best for: value for money
Capacity: 65L
If it ain’t broke…this classic wheelbarrow design is certainly fit for purpose. Made from alloyed and galvanised steel for extra strength and rust-proofing, this standard single-wheeled and flat-tipped wheelbarrow will provide ample assistance on your gardening projects. With a durable pneumatic tyre to help balance the weight of your load, the Arboria wheelbarrow moves easily and evenly.
As it is on the slightly lower end of the spectrum when it comes to capacity, we’d recommend this wheelbarrow to the casual at-home gardener rather than the commercial, heavy-duty type.
Buy now £33.99, Amazon
Galvanised Ball Wheelbarrow
Best for: manoeuvrability
Capacity: 85L
This strange-looking wheelbarrow will help you to complete those odd jobs around the garden with the utmost ease. Rather than using traditional wheels, this model makes use of a highly manoeuvrable and stable Duraball. The Duraball is puncture proof, runs smooth as silk and remains stable on all surfaces.
The wheelbarrow pan is made from galvanised steel with a fully welded tubular frame. The edges of the pan are also double rolled for extra strength. Reviews from trusted buyers at Toolstation declare that this wheelbarrow is incredibly easy to assemble and makes heavy-duty gardening a breeze.
Buy now £119.94, Amazon
Greenworks G40GC Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Garden Cart
Best for: heavy-duty gardening
Capacity: 100L
Rated highly by heavy-duty gardeners across the country, the Greenworks G40GC takes all the huffing and puffing out of pushing and tipping. This electric garden cart will save oodles of time, as well as your spine, with its adjustable speed settings, reverse function and hydraulic assist unloading feature.
The Greenworks G40GC is entirely self-propelled, meaning you’ll be able to move loads without pushing. All you need to do is press a button and hold the soft grip handles to gently guide the well-balanced cart. With three robust, diamond-tread wheels and a flat-tipped tub for easy front-tipping, this cart will make large garden project feel small. Plus, the handy security key will prevent accidental start-ups.
This cart works with any Greenworks 40V tool battery, so if you already own something from the brand, you’re in luck. If not, this package is sadly ‘tool only’ – so you’ll have to purchase your battery and charging station separately.
Buy now £483.07, Amazon
Gardebruk Heavy Duty Garden Wheelbarrow
Best for: robust plastic tub
Capacity: 100L
Fashioned in an attractive forest green colour, this wheelbarrow is made from highly durable polypropylene. Due to the large, 40cm pneumatic tyres which are mounted with ball bearings, heavy loads are more evenly distributed across the wheelbarrow’s structure – meaning that the plastic tub is far less likely to split and is capable of carrying more.
The powder coated steel frame is protected against accelerated corrosion, while the easily ergonomic handles make for painless manoeuvring.
Buy now £90.99, Amazon
The Handy 350kg Large Garden Trolley
Best for: extra-large
Capacity: 300L
An extra-strong, extra-large gardening trolley that is virtually indestructible? Sign us up. This steel trolley can be pushed, pulled or tractor towed for the heaviest loads. With four hinged drop-down sides for easy unloading, this trolley works for both domestic and commercial use. It is particularly useful for those who are transporting large amounts of firewood or fertiliser on a regular basis.
The four, balanced and substantial 30cm tyres also have ball-bearing mounts for smooth movement and the foam grip handle will prevent against uncomfortable chafing.
Buy now £185.99, City Plumbing
Unibos Fold Up Wheel Barrow Garden
Best for: collapsible storage
Capacity: 50L
For domestic gardeners with limited shed space, this hardy collapsible wheelbarrow will be your saving grace all year round. The single tyre is solid rubber rather than pneumatic, which means you won’t have to worry about punctures or pressure checks. What’s more, the water-resistant polyester tub features three pockets for storing all your gardening tools.
Alternatively, pile this handy collapsible wheelbarrow into your car boot during festival season and race your peers to the best possible pitch spot for your weekend-long party.
Buy now £34.90, Amazon
