The 10 best wheelbarrows to buy this summer, tested by a gardener

Telegraph

14-05-2025

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Every gardener needs a wheelbarrow, whether you're collecting grass clippings, spreading garden compost or moving heavier items such as large pots and tubs. Finding the best wheelbarrow depends on the size of your garden, the width of the paths, your physical strength, your height and (of course) your budget.
VonHaus, Haemmerlin and County Clipper are still best known among gardeners, but there are enough brands on the market now that prices can range from just £35 to around £500. I tested 10, including one electric wheelbarrow, to help you find the right choice for you and your garden.
You can find my full reviews below, along with common FAQs, and information on how to choose the best wheelbarrow for you.
And when you've found the right wheelbarrow, we've also found the best garden forks, long-handled weeding tools, secateurs and even lawn mowers to help you get set for the gardening season ahead.
The best wheelbarrows: At a glance
How to choose the best wheelbarrow
The traditional one-wheeled barrow can turn on a sixpence making them manoeuvrable, but the width and depth of the tray varies. They are less stable when loaded, too. Two-wheelers are sturdy and can't be tipped over, so if you have balance problems you may prefer to opt for one of these or a cart. But they are harder to get round corners. Traditional builders' barrows tend to have wide shallow trays positioned close to the ground meaning they can struggle on narrower paths.
Then you have to consider materials. The more expensive wheelbarrows have trays made from light, tough polymers, such as polyethylene, and they're likely to outlast galvanised barrows.
When it comes to choosing tyres, they can vary from resilient metal through to plastic, while those with a traditional pneumatic tyre are generally easier to push than a solid-puncture proof tyre.
Finally, some barrows come ready assembled, but others arrive in large boxes and some are more of a challenge than others, as I found out. And be sure to find a sheltered position in your garden to store your barrow (upended so it doesn't collect water) to extend its life.
How we test wheelbarrows
I have been writing about gardening for longer than I care to remember. I'm out in the garden most days, so my wheelbarrows get daily use. Wheelbarrows are designed to move heavy items with ease, so I tested the steering, manoeuvrability and overall quality of the barrows, alongside the strength of the wheels and how hard each model was to assemble (I found a rubber mallet helped with any resistance in this area).
I steered them down smooth paths, over bumpy ground, and tested their ability to turn easily in a heavily-planted garden, while considering the handle height and overall balance. I used the wheelbarrows to carry large 70L bags of compost and pushed them up a gentle slope to see how well the wheels glided along.
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The best wheelbarrows of 2025
1. Best Buy Wheelbarrow: Country Compact Clipper
I have to admit I've fallen in love with this lightweight blue polypropylene wheelbarrow. It glides along thanks to two sets of ball bearings in the wheels. The large 4-ply pneumatic tyres give you extra traction, but it's still an effortless push when loaded. The galvanised zinc-plated chassis looks clean and bright and it'll get fewer scratches over time.
You do need to assemble it, but there are only four pieces in the box so it is a simple job (just as well as it didn't come with instructions). You'll need a set of Allen keys, an adjustable spanner and possibly a rubber mallet – the handle section is one piece and needed a bit of pushing into place when I assembled mine.
The 90L tray is light but rugged and the square bar at the front end of the barrow balances the load and helps with tipping. Harrod Horticultural's founder, Stephanie Harrod, is a dedicated gardener who runs a blog on the site and has attested to the quality of this barrow, which she also owns.
Key specifications
Weight: 14kg
Dimensions: 143cm x 67cm x 57.5cm (LWH)
Capacity: 90L
Wheel type: 4-ply Pneumatic tyre
2. Best Value Wheelbarrow: Haemmerlin Crusader 120L
You won't lose sight of this day-glo wheelbarrow, with its 120L bright-orange high-density polyethylene tray, which is deep enough to carry large amounts of lighter garden waste, and sturdy enough to move far heavier items (such as paving or sand). Although, Haemmerlin told me the safe maximum limit for any barrow is 75kg.
That's why landscapers and garden designers favour this light and well-made Crusader. Its strength is down to the one-piece frame which has just one welded joint in the centre, and it's so durable it will almost certainly outlast you.
Despite its heavy-duty credentials, it is stable and manoeuvrable, while the tray is narrow enough to get down most garden paths and through gateways. The non-slip, warm-to-the touch handle grips are comfortable to hold even in wintry weather. There are two tyre options, but the pneumatic tyre bounces along much better on weightier loads than the heavier puncture-free solid wheel. When it comes to emptying, the tipping bar, which is part of the ergonomic black metal Alpha frame, and the shape of the tray, allow you to tip your load onto the ground with ease. My one minor criticism is the raised bolts in the tray. All wheelbarrows have them, but I caught these ones on my garden spade.
There are cheaper barrows, but you get what you pay for. This one should last you and is well suited to carrying bigger garden loads.
Key specifications
3. Best Wheelbarrow for Large Gardens: Henchman Two-wheeled Barrow 200L
Henchman is known for its tripod ladders used by amateur and professional gardeners alike. It also sells this pre-assembled, hyper-strong wheelbarrow that's ideal for collecting hedge clippings or large quantities of grass, pruning materials and logs. The large green polyethylene tray can take up to four times as much material as a conventional barrow, without fear of tipping over, because it has two wheels.
It's designed to withstand the British climate and it can be pushed or pulled using the wide handle. You can use one or two hands, depending on preference, so it will save your back, while the light and the galvanised frame and two wheels make it easy to move heavy and cumbersome loads. When tipped the square front sits on the ground. There's a larger 350L and you can opt for puncture-proof foam-filled tyres for an extra cost.
Key specifications
Weight: 25kg
Length: 155cm x 85cm x 60cm (LWH)
Capacity: 200L
Wheels: Pneumatic
4. Best Electric Wheelbarrow: Zipper ZI-EWB500
£437.99
Buy Now
Price at
Zipper
This looks like a conventional barrow, but the 500W electric motor makes it a strong choice for those who can't push a heavy load along the ground or uphill. I think of it as the gardening equivalent of my electric bike: it allows me to get up steep Cotswold hills without stopping.
It has handlebar controls, so you only have to depress the lever on the right-hand side down slightly to get it to move gently along. The maximum speed goes up to 7km per hour, even when full, and the lime-green metal tray feels strong and robust, as is the pneumatic tyre and wheel.
This Zipper doesn't come assembled and needs quite a lot of time and patience to get through the nine steps. Once fully charged, the acid battery lasts for at least eight hours and it takes between four to five hours to recharge. It will also need storing under cover in temperatures that don't get lower than -10°. It is much heavier than most barrows when the power's turned off, but most users will be gliding along.
It's important to that note that there are a couple of versions of this barrow. I also tried the Zipper EWB500Li (which has additional wheels) but found it too jumpy, so be sure to buy the ZI-EWB500.
Key specifications
5. Best Wheelbarrow for Renovations or Landscaping: Haemmerlin 1041 Original Pneumatic 90L
The original 1041 has clearly stood the test of time. It was introduced into the UK nearly three decades ago, yet the design is the same. The dark-green epoxy powder coated tray is strengthened by the added side ribs, meaning that you can move paving slabs or other heavy materials with ease. The double-shifted edges don't snag on your plants, hands or clothing, making it a safe barrow to use around your children and your plants. The low-slung tray may not go down the narrowest paths, but it will go through gateways and doors should you be moving compost or logs.
This barrow has a smart dark-green integral one-piece tubular frame, made out of thick steel, and a tipping bar for easy unloading. The front tray supports help strengthen the design, so it feels robust, but it's easy to handle and the leverage is excellent. You can also opt for large pneumatic or puncture-proof wheels at a good price.
Key specifications
6. Best Wheelbarrow for Small Gardens: VonHaus 78L
The VonHaus 78L comes in a box with clear instructions. You'll need pliers to bend the split pins that attach both wheels, a screwdriver, Allen keys and an adjustable spanner. Be warned that it wasn't the easiest to put together; the nuts face upwards and the split pins need bending into a splayed position. But once assembled, the clever design allows the wheels to slide backwards when the cart is tipped upwards. So despite looking like a cart, it still performs like a tippable barrow. I liked the jaunty combination of orange wheel trims and robust black tray and black metalwork, too.
Having two wheels gives you better traction so you can move gravel, sand and compost without worrying about the load falling over sideways, as it's virtually impossible to tip. The one-piece handle is easy to grip, so if balance is a problem for you this would work well, too. Two wheels are not as manoeuvrable around the garden however, as I proved when I went into a box ball while cornering on a wide path. It's useful in smaller gardens though, because it's compact, and it doubles up as a cart and a barrow. You can also order spare wheels to avoid being halted by the gardener's worst nightmare – a flat tyre.
Key specifications
7. Best Heavy Duty Metal Wheelbarrow: Walsall Premier Plus Metal 120L
This budget barrow, which comes already assembled, cuts across the building and gardening brief. The pan is deep and it tips easily, owing to the tipper nose, and is a popular option for gardeners and DIYers. The galvanised steel pan, which has a double rolled lip, is narrow enough to get through gates and alleyways, it can turn in a tight space and access narrow paths too, though it finds them slightly trickier.
The pan's stamped with a W to indicate that this is made by Walsall Wheelbarrows, the only company still making British-made wheelbarrows – so you'll be flying the flag. The black metal frame is powder-coated and the injection-moulded wheels are strong, while the single-piece frame adds to the strength.
Key specifications
8. Best Stable Tipping Cart: Draper 120L Heavy Duty Tipping Cart
I needed two hours to put this four-wheeled cart together, with help from him indoors, because there are so many bits and pieces to sort out. However, the step-by-step instructions tells you exactly what stage the nuts and bolts are needed for. You'll need a large Phillips screwdriver and an adjustable spanner as you have to tighten as you go along.
The big difference with four-wheel carts is that you have to drag or pull them along using the upright D-shaped handle. The turning circle, when pulling, is surprisingly good, but it doesn't corner well on right-angle bends. However, the cart tips up easily when the release bar is pulled forward, and the curved front allows you to dump materials on the ground in one pile. It's light but tough, with a reinforced light steel frame that's powder-coated to resist erosion. You can carry 200kg in weight with ease because the four metal wheels are fitted with pneumatic tyres, and the foam-covered handle can also be converted to allow the cart to be towed behind a ride-on mower or vehicle.
The cart is a good option if you aren't up to lifting and pushing a traditional wheelbarrow, and also makes a useful tool caddy as you can carry watering cans, tools and compost without them getting shuffled together. There's also a smaller 75L version which is light but still strong.
Key specifications
9. Best Plastic Wheelbarrow: Walsall The Shire 90L
This is a budget option with a green polypropylene pan. Although it says 'easy assembly', I struggled with the handles as there's a specific left and right but they aren't marked, and one handle was not very well powder-coated. It arrives with all the pieces inside the pan, with a cardboard lid, so it was very well-packaged. All you need to put it together is a spanner and star-headed key.
The plastic pan is relatively flimsy, so this isn't suitable for building or landscaping work. It has a one-piece frame that gives it extra strength while the pneumatic wheel means it pushes well and will go over bumpy ground.
Key specifications
Weight: 10kg
Dimensions: 150cm x 62cm x 28cm (LWH)
Capacity: 120L / 125kg
Wheel type: 4 x Pneumatic tyres
10. Best Caddy for Tiny Gardens: Draper Garden Caddy
This light manoeuvrable garden trolly holds 65 litres of garden waste, roughly half a wheelbarrow load, so it's a smart choice for tiny gardens or those with balconies. It will need assembling and there are six simple steps, although some users reported trouble fitting the tool clip for longer handled tools.
The holder could be used for a garden tool, broom or walking stick and can be used to move large bags of compost up to 70L. The small wheels allow it to be bumped down the steps with ease. However, if you're tall, the handle height may be too low.
It's useful for storing hand tools, gardening gloves and string, and its light enough to be lifted and tipped into a large green bin. But don't overfill it or the narrow base and high sides become a perfect storm for it tipping over.
Key specifications
Wheelbarrow FAQs
Which is better, a plastic or metal wheelbarrow?
A good plastic tray will outlast a metal tray and it makes the wheelbarrow lighter to push. For gardeners, plastic is the best option. However, metal barrows are rugged so they are best for moving heavier items like logs.
Is a one or two wheeled wheelbarrow better?
This depends on your body. If you balance well, the one wheeled barrow is the one that can go anywhere and turn on a sixpence. The two wheeled barrow can't tip over and the tray stays level – so they make excellent tool caddies on wheels, but they need space to turn.
What size wheelbarrow do I actually need?
Most wheel barrows are a conventional size and they carry an adequate load of material. They tip up and you can store them outside. However, if you have a large garden with lots of hedges the Henchman barrow carries four times as much material and it won't tip the load over.
What makes a wheelbarrow suitable for heavy duty work versus light gardening?
If you're moving heavier material, the metal barrows cut across the builder and gardener brief. They have a low centre of gravity and a strong frame. The tray is wider and shallower, to make the barrow more stable, so it's less likely to tip. Garden wheelbarrows gave deeper trays – but they are easier to tip up when fully loaded. Mark Swift, who oversees Haemmerlin's marketing, says that while many barrows are tested to higher loads to ensure durability, the maximum safe load is 75kg, because heavier loads are not very stable and may cause accidents.