A trip to the beach can involve carrying a lot of gear – which is why you need to find the best beach wagon to make your days out much more fun.
A good beach wagon will allow you to transport everything from sports equipment to beach coolers to towels and sunscreen. The question is – how can you find a good beach wagon that will work on different surfaces?
The bottom line up front: we like the Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Wagon – it’s really durable and should last a long time.
We also like:
- TIMBER RIDGE Folding Double Decker Wagon – this is a huge wagon with tons of space, perfect if you need to carry larger gear
- TMZ All-Terrain Folding Wagon – a good all-rounder with a hefty maximum weight capacity
Keep reading to find out:
- What a beach wagon actually is
- What to look for in a beach wagon
- Our top 5 picks, including their key features, pros, and cons
- Some frequently asked question about beach wagons
- Which ones we like the best and why we like them so much
Table of Contents
- The Best Beach Wagons Compared
- What is a Beach Wagon?
- What to Look for in a Beach Wagon
- Top 5 Best Beach Wagons
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Final Thoughts – Which Beach Wagon is the Best?
Let’s start by comparing their main features.
The Best Beach Wagons Compared
What is a Beach Wagon?
A beach wagon (also known as a beach cart) is a collapsible, fold-out wagon with a handle that you can wheel onto the grass or beach. You can use it to easily move your gear around, saving you from taking multiple trips to your car and back again. They’re usually made from heavy-duty fabric and a stainless steel frame.
They’re not just for the beach, either. You can use a wagon to pull your groceries home, to transport heavy gardening items – they can be used to transport anything as long as you don’t go over the maximum weight capacity!
You can read more about beach wagons in the Understanding Beach Carts article by Swim Outlet.
What to Look for in a Beach Wagon
Here are the main features you should look out for in a beach wagon:
Durability
Looking at the materials used can give you an idea of how durable your wagon will be. Look for fabric like coated polyester, which will allow your wagon to get wet without becoming moldy.
Most wagons are made from some form of stainless steel, making them strong and durable without being too heavy to move around.
Look for strong components too, like the handle – if you’re constantly using a telescoping handle, it could snap if it isn’t strong enough.
Capacity
How much do you need to carry? If you’re just carrying around sunscreen, beach towels, and water shoes, you won’t need a huge wagon to carry everything (you might be able to take a backpack instead. But if you want to lug around larger items like parasols and sports equipment, you may want something a bit bigger.
This is especially true if you want to use your beach wagon to do gardening – a bigger weight capacity will allow you to lug around some heavy-duty items. (Garden Gate Magazine has a guide on Ways to Haul Stuff if you want more ideas.)
You may even want to take your kids for a ride in there, too! In that case, it’s definitely worth looking for something with a larger weight capacity, so you can squeeze in your children as well as your gear without overloading it.
Some wagons have a double-decker construction, allowing you to organize the contents easily. The great thing about a wagon with a large capacity is that it allows you to bring everything you need to have a safe day out. Read this article by Healthline on Beach Safety Tips for more ideas on what to bring with you.
Wheels
In order to be used on different terrains, you’ll need to look for tough, durable wheels. Some wagons have wheels that are fixed, which makes them more difficult to maneuver. If you want something that is really easy to pull around, you can look for rotating wheels, which give you a bit more flexibility.
Handle
Look out for a telescoping handle. This allows you to adjust it depending on your height, making it easier to move around.
Size Folded
The appeal of beach wagons is that they can be collapsed, which means you can throw them in the trunk of your car easily. Look for the size folded to see if it will work for you – you want something that is small enough to be stored at home with no problems.
It should be really easy to fold up your beach wagon after use, too.
Extra Features
Some wagons have extra features. For example, you can find wagons with storage pockets, which are ideal for storing your valuables or water bottles. Some wagons come with fold-out tables, making them a great choice if you want to keep food out of the way on a beach trip.
Top 5 Best Beach Wagons
Now let’s take a look at our top 5 best beach wagons. We’ll look at their key features, pros, and cons, so you can find the best wagon for your needs!
MacSports Collapsible Outdoor Folding Wagon – Most Versatile
Key Features
- Color: Red and White Striped
- Dimensions: 9.64 x 21.4 x 31.48 inches (24.48 x 54.35 x 79.95 centimeters)
- Dimensions Folded: 10 x 10 inches (25.4 x 25.4 centimeters)
- Materials: Polyester, stainless steel
- Weight Capacity: 150 pounds (86 kilograms)
The MacSports Collapsible Outdoor Folding Wagon includes a folding side table, making it a versatile choice for beach trips. It has a decent capacity and can hold up to 150 pounds (86 kilograms), so you should be able to fit a lot of gear inside.
The wheels work well on sand and gravel, so if you want to use the wagon for gardening equipment, you can do that too. The wheels are locked in place, which is the one downside – it may be slightly trickier to maneuver than a wagon with rotating wheels.
It’s durable and can withstand getting wet as the polyester is coated in waterproofing material. The telescoping handle can be adjusted, so if you’re very tall or short, you can still use it comfortably.
It has a handy side table, as well as 2 cup holders and a mobile phone holder. It folds down in seconds, making it easy to put away again afterward.
Pros
- Good maximum weight capacity
- Includes side table, cup holders, and mobile phone holder
- Collapses easily
- Durable
Cons
- Wheels don’t rotate
VIVOSUN Folding Collapsible Wagon Utility Beach Cart – Best Wheels
Key Features
- Color: Blue
- Dimensions: 6.22 x 21.65 x 14.96 inches (15.79 x 54.99 x 37.99 centimeters)
- Dimensions Folded: 11.42 x 9.06 x 24.41 inches (29 x 23 x 62 centimeters)
- Materials: Oxford cloth and PVC, stainless steel
- Weight Capacity: 175 pounds (80 kilograms)
The VIVOSUN Folding Collapsible Wagon Utility Beach Cart has great wheels, so if you want something easy to maneuver, it’s a good choice. It has a slightly smaller capacity than some of the others on this list, with a max weight capacity of 175 pounds (80 kilograms), but it’s still big enough to keep your beach essentials.
The front wheels rotate, allowing you to pivot the wagon and move it easily. The wheels are durable, and they work on different surfaces, making it a versatile wagon. You can use it in your garden as well as on the beach.
Generally speaking, it’s a durable wagon and can withstand getting a bit wet with no issues. The handle is adjustable, so you can find the right height for you.
It has two storage pockets for drinks or valuables, but that’s about it in terms of extra features. It folds down easily and is pretty compact.
Pros
- Easy to maneuver
- Durable
- Compact when folded
Cons
- Doesn’t have any extras like side tables or large storage pockets
Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Wagon – Most Durable
Key Features
- Color: Black
- Dimensions: 31.5 x 21.4 x 9.6 inches (80.1 x 54.35 x 24.48 centimeters)
- Dimensions Folded: 10 x 10 inches (25.4 x 25.4 centimeters)
- Materials: Polyester, stainless steel
- Weight Capacity: 150 pounds (68.83 kilograms)
The Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Wagon is a tough, durable wagon. It has a good capacity at a maximum of 150 pounds (68.83 kilograms), or 50 pounds (22.67 kilograms) in deep sand (this may be because the fuller it is, the harder it is to pull through softer sand).
It has smooth glide wheels that rotate, and they can cope with different surfaces. It’s easy to use on sand, even deep or very soft sand. However, it struggles a bit with very steep inclines, so you will need to make sure the contents are easily balanced to stop it from tipping over.
It’s durable, with tough components. The telescoping handle works well and can withstand a lot of use. It has anti-mildew fabric, so it shouldn’t get moldy in storage.
It has two storage pockets for water bottles or valuables but otherwise lacks extra features.
Pros
- Works well on deep or soft sand
- Good capacity
- Durable
Cons
- May struggle a little at full capacity in very soft sand
TIMBER RIDGE Folding Double Decker Wagon – Best for Storage
Key Features
- Color: Brown
- Dimensions: 54.13 x 34.65 x 18.9 inches (137.49 x 88.01 x 48 centimeters)
- Dimensions Folded: 7.09 x 14.96 x 35.43 inches (18 x 37.99 x 89.99 centimeters)
- Materials: Polyester, stainless steel
- Weight Capacity: 225 pounds (102 kilograms)
The TIMBER RIDGE Folding Double Decker Wagon is ideal if you have a lot of stuff you want to carry. It has a great capacity with a double-decker design (one layer on top of another), so you can keep the contents organized. You can even extend the lower shelf, so if you have large items (like a parasol for the beach), you can put it at the bottom, with smaller items in the top layer.
It has rotating front wheels, so it’s fairly easy to move around, although it does get a bit more difficult to move if you fill it to the top. You’ll have to be careful about loading it up, as it can tip over if it gets too heavy on one side.
It’s pretty durable, and the polyester fabric can get wet with no issues. The handle is tough, and it has a curved design to make it more comfortable to pull.
While it’s quite easy to keep the contents organized due to the double-decker construction, it doesn’t have any extra features like pockets or tables.
Pros
- Lots of storage space
- Easy to move around
- Durable and comfortable to pull around
Cons
- Can tip over if overfilled on the top layer
TMZ All Terrain Folding Wagon – Good All-Rounder
Key Features
- Color: Blue and Black
- Dimensions: 25.59 x 41.33 x 31.49 inches (64.99 x 104.97 x 79.98 centimeters)
- Dimensions Folded: 10.6 x 10.6 inches (26.92 x 26.92 centimeters)
- Materials: Polyester, stainless steel
- Weight Capacity: 265 pounds (120 kilograms)
The TMZ All-Terrain Folding Wagon is a great all-rounder that works well for the beach, gardening, and more. It has a pretty hefty capacity at 265 pounds (120 kilograms), so you can carry a lot around with you.
The front wheels steer with the handle, giving you quite a lot of control. However, the wheels are on the smaller side. This is fine on most surfaces, but very fine, fluffy sand may cause issues, and you may find it difficult to wheel it over soft sand.
It’s durable with strong fabric and a stainless steel frame. The handle is adjustable for different heights, and it has a rear brake to stop it from rolling away if you’re on an incline.
It has two small storage pockets, just the right size for drinks or valuables. It folds down small and is very easy to transport.
Pros
- Large maximum weight capacity
- Easy to fold up
- Has an adjustable pull handle
- Strong and durable
- Has rear brake to stop it from rolling away
Cons
- May be difficult to move through softer sand due to the smaller wheels
Frequently Asked Questions
Now, let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about beach wagons:
What should I take on my beach trip?
There are several things you could take on a beach trip to make your day more fun. As well as the usual sports equipment and beach towels, the most important thing to remember is sun safety, so you’ll want to take plenty of sunscreens. The FDA has a guide on how to stay safe in the sun which will give you more ideas.
You’ll also want to stay hydrated. You could even take a water jug cooler, which will allow you to serve cold drinks all day.
You can also take along a canopy tent for the beach. This is perfect as it will help you to stay out of the sun, and it won’t take up too much room in your wagon.
Can a beach wagon hold a cooler?
In theory, yes, but it depends on the weight of your cooler and the maximum capacity of your wagon. It should easily hold a soft-sided cooler for example, but a hard-sided rotomolded cooler may be too heavy when combined with the rest of your gear.
If you do put a cooler in your beach wagon, try to place enough items on the other side to make it evenly weighted. If you put too many heavy things on one side, you might find it tips over.
Can I clip items onto my beach wagon?
That depends on the wagon you have, but generally speaking, beach wagons don’t tend to have loops to hang things on – they’re designed to put things inside them rather than items hanging from them.
Our Final Thoughts – Which Beach Wagon is the Best?
We like the Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Wagon. If you want something that is going to last for multiple beach trips, this is the one to go for. It’s strong enough to carry a lot of equipment, which means it would be a great wagon for gardening too.
However, if you want something with a large capacity, check out the TIMBER RIDGE Folding Double Decker Wagon. The TIMBER RIDGE a big one and can fit a ton of equipment in it with no problems.
It’s also worth checking out the TMZ All-Terrain Folding Wagon. This wagon is a good all-rounder and it has a great maximum weight capacity.
Has this article helped you to find the best beach wagon for you? Feel free to share it with your friends. Plus, feel free to leave us a comment if you have a good recommendation for beach gear!
