5 Best Beach Carts to Make Your Life OH SO MUCH Easier

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Last Updated on June 25, 2023 by Snorkel Ken

best beach carts blog title with shells and sand

One of the things that we always advise new families to get when they come to Hawaii is one of the best beach carts they can find. It will a long time and save you tons of aggravation.  Here’s out little tid-bit and reviews of our favorites!

So, you’re going to the beach.  Nice!  Got chairs?  Got towels?  Howze’ about a cooler, floats, snorkel gear, music, phone, keys, wallet…???  Those are all fair question.

Here’s a better one:  Are you gonna’ appreciate all the people laughing at you while you try to get all that gear to the beach and then “traipse” around for a “perfect spot”.

Here’s an even better question:  Got kids? If the answer is “yes”, then get ready to be aggravated.  Amiright? (Been there done that.)

Whether you’re on vacation in Hawaii or you live near the coast…a trip to beach is supposed to be fun and relaxing.  Luck for us, we have beach carts and beach wagons to make the journey from transportation to the spot on the sand that you choose.  (If you live close enough to the best you can actually use the beach the whole way.)

Alright.  Let’s get this part started!

Contents


Our Choice of Best Beach Carts

Comparison Chart

What's it look like?NameDimensionsHighlightsMore Information
What's it look like?NameDimensionsHighlightsMore Information
Mac Sports Collapsible Folding Steel Frame Outdoor Garden Utility Wagon Cart30.1 x 8.3 x 21 inches
150 lbs capacity
Strong steel frame construction holds up to 150 pounds   Find Out More!
Seina Collapsible Folding Utility Wagon Garden Cart Shopping Beach Outdoors 32.66" x 19.67" x 20.07
150 lbs capacity
Light Weight, 13.5 lbs ONLY   Find Out More!
Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Folding All Terrain Utility Wagon Beach Cart (Blue/Black with Table)36.2" x 21.4" x 24.59"
150 lbs capacity
2 mesh cup holders by the handle to keep your beverages secure  Find Out More!
Rio Brands Deluxe Wonder Wheeler Wide 15-cubic feet of storage
100 lbs capacity
Extended, stroller-style handle with neoprene grip Find Out More!
Tipke 2100 Marine Fold-It Utility Cart55-by-30-3/4-by-23-inches
350 lbs capacity
Marine-grade aluminum prevents rust and corrosion Find Out More!

Mac Sports Collapsible Folding Steel Frame Outdoor Garden Utility Wagon Cart

Mac Sports makes a bunch of these carts and wagons.  This one is billed as an outdoor garden cart while the one two slots down is a beach car.  Either way, this is one bad ass cart. Lizzy and I have this cart and it has been awesome for us.

We list this cart first because it’s out first choice and the are more than 4K reviews on Amazon, most are overwhelmingly positive.  By far, the best beach cart we have used or done research one.

Not only is this utility cart great for the beach, it works and comes in handy so many other situations.  (We keep it in my Xterra) We use it at the grocery store, the mall and then when we get home from these places.  We carry stuff from the car to the upstairs.  Too easy.  Makes life a lot better.

The frame of this cart is made of a durable, sturdy steel.  Now, It can only carry about 150 lbs and I’ve seen carts that can handle up to 400 lbs so this isn’t THE STRONGEST, but I think most people would find this a strong enough.

Last bits of highlights:

  • 600 Denier Polyester fabric is easy to clean and difficult to tear or rip.
  • Folds easy, stores easy.
  • Simple to maneuver and smooth to pull.
  • It comes in 7 different colors (black, blue, woodland camo, gray, olive drab, pink, & red)

   Find Out More!


Seina Collapsible Folding Utility Wagon Garden Cart Shopping Beach Outdoors 

The Seina model has the same weight capacity as the Mac Sports above along with the following dimensions: Open Dimension: 32.66″ x 19.67″ x 20.07″; Folded Dimension: 29.50″ x 19.67″ x 6.89″ and it also has 7” in wheels which is slightly smaller than the Mac Sport.  However, those slightly smaller dimensions result in a lighter weight.

The thing that we love about the Seina Outdoor and Beach Cart, is the very awesome 13.5 lbs when it’s folded and stored…or just empty while the Mas Sports comes in quite a bit heavier at 25.1 lbs.  The carts can all carry practically the same thing, though.  Size doesn’t matter here!

More highlights of the Seina:

  • Durable High Strength 600D Polyester Fabric
  • Sturdy Black Powder Coated Steel Frame

   Find Out More!


Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Folding All Terrain Utility Wagon Beach Cart (Blue/Black with Table)

This thing is called “heavy duty”…and it is HEAVY DUTY.  Remember how we said the that Mac Sports beach cart above is the best?  Well, it was hard to choose that over this heavy duty model.

The dimensions similar at approx. 36.2″ x 21.4″ x 24.59″ and can still carry up to 150 lbs.  Also, you’ll notice the over-sized, thick tires that are made specifically not to get stuck in the sand and to be able to pulled easily over the deep beach sand.

Last highlights of the Mac Sports Heavy Duty:

  • Folds to only 10″ thick! folded size approx. 31.48″ x 21.4″ x 9.64″ and includes a carry case.
  • Include an adjustable handle for effortless transport
  • 2 mesh cup holders by the handle to keep your beverages secure
  • Fold out table for drinks and food. 

   Find Out More!


Rio Brands Deluxe Wonder Wheeler Wide 

This is a different take on the lower, horizontal beach wagon.  The Rio Brands has gone with the more vertical, stand up version of the beach cart.  While this design is NOT our choice for a great cart, we realize that they do have practical uses and some people would love them.  So, we needed to include it in this review round-up.

How can we see this being the right choice for a beach cart?  Well, it will fit long floats, short boards, paddles, long fins, umbrella, etc.  Actually, the packing of those items might actually be easier in the Rio Brands model of stand-up beach carts.

Other Highlights: 

  • Foldable beach cart with large all-terrain wheels and a sturdy frame
  • 15-cubic feet of storage and a 100-pound weight capacity
  • Wide, all-terrain back wheels; articulating front wheels
  • Extended, stroller-style handle with neoprene grip 

   Find Out More!


Tipke 2100 Marine Fold-It Utility Cart

The Tipke is what we consider to be the “Cadillac of Beach Carts”.  Why?  Well, it’s made specifically for marine environments. The material used all considered for how durable and how well it will hold up in the sand, salt water, rocks, sun, etc.  It’s a weatherized version of a typical beach cart.

The Tipke 2100 can also hold up 330 lbs.  So, right away what do you think?  Yeah, it’s perfect for all of that dive gear, ladies and gents.

Last, great highligts of the Tipke Marine Cart:

  • Sturdy 20-inch pneumatic tires
  • Removable front panel helps you load and unload materials.
  • Lockable, spring-action retractable handles

   Find Out More!


How do carts make the beach better?

Well, none of us like to feel beasts of burden, right?  Beaches are hot with lots of sand. (“Tell me something more obvious, Ken” you’re saying!)

Every once in a while you actually see someone smiling and walking in front of you or passing you with a beach cart and you tell yourself that you’re going to get one.  One the way back, after the day in sun and swimming and you’re dog tired…you’re cussing and telling your oldest kid or spouse to “Get on Amazon and order a damned beach cart.”

LOL…it’s comical because the pain and suck is real.  But then, you forget about it. The pain subsides.  The suck goes away.

Until that next beach trip and the same thing happens.  “Dammit, we need a beach cart”.

What to Look for When Buying a Beach Wagon or Cart

Will it hold all of your gear: 

We always recommend getting a beach cart that is even bigger than the size that you usually need for the gear that you usually take to the beach.  Why more?  Because you never know when the kids pick up a friend to bring homes while there or any other number of additional things that could find its way in to your beach gear load for the day and the coming days.

Wheels:

The fatter the wheel, the easier it is to pull over the sand.  More surface areas of the wheel makes it more difficult to sink into the sand and get stuck. It more “floats” on the sand and you can pull it across with ease. Personally, I’ve never had an issue with this and I prefer the thinner wheels because I don’t like pulling what looks like a kid’s Big Wheel.

Sturdiness:

The frame should not be cheap, i.e. feel flimsy, be over-wobbly, etc. This is actually a pretty important part of the wagon for reasons other then just sturdiness.  If the frame of the beach carts has not been weatherized to withstand the marine elements such as sandy, salty spray then your cart may not last that long.  Most companies that make quality beach carts will coat their frames with a powder coating which makes the materials stand up to the weathering of a marine environment.

Fabric:

If the frame stands up but the fabric doesn’t then we may as well just stop talking at this point, right?  The material should be tear resistant (non-brittle) and very durable.  The type of material that you’re looking for is at least 600D fabric.  This type of fabric is also easy to clean. Also, this type material along with the powder coated frame is great for being hosed off with fresh water when you get home to get rid of sand, stains, crumbs and salty residues.

Weight of the Beach Cart:

Sure, you want your cart to be able to carry a heavy load.  We don’t want to have to carry the cart as a heavy load. It’s the reason we got the cart in the first place, right?  I would say any cart that is under 20 lbs is good, while 15 lbs is what you’re aiming for.  Any heavier and you may need a cart to carry the cart.

Foldable, Obviously:

If love my beach cart because I get to keep tucked neatly away in my truck until I need it.  While folded, it should look like a neat little contraption that makes people say, “What is that?  Oh, hey is that one of those beach cart thingys?  Do you like it?  It looks small!” It’s particularly great if you can unpack the cart and store it in a beach tent.

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