The 10 Best Shopping Carts
This wiki has been updated 37 times since it was first published in April of 2015. If you are lucky enough to live within walking distance of a grocery store or a farmer's market, the only thing that may stop you from saving the environment and some gas money is the difficulty of getting all your shopping back home without a car. Consider the problem solved with our wide selection of folding carts that offer tremendous utility and convenience. Many are even quite stylish. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Salesmaker Clax
2. Goplus Jumbo
3. Versacart Transit Utility
Editor's Notes
October 26, 2020:
Because of the wide-ranging uses to which you can put it, we still think it's hard to top the Salesmaker Clax. But, if you want a more traditional upright rolling cart to get you to and from the grocery store comfortably, the Versacart Transit Utility and the Dbest Trolley Dolly also remain top choices. All of these models roll well enough, although it's worth noting that some tall users find that they have to stoop a little with the Dbest model.
Those who have a lot to tote might instead look to the Mac Sports Wagon, a folding wagon that's made for the long haul. Offered in a wide range of colors, it's more stylish than many bland utility wagons, and it can support up to 150 pounds but is not too heavy at just over 20 pounds. We've added the Goplus Jumbo, as well, which takes the place of the Narita Trading Jumbo. The Goplus cart has swiveling front wheels, which the Narita model does not; this means the Goplus cart is easier to maneuver and is thus the better choice for most users.
Finally, we kept a couple of stair-climbing carts, including the Dbest Trolley Dolly Stair Climber. Its fabric may not be as sturdy as the fabric you'll find on some models, but on the plus side, it has big wheels and comes in a veritable rainbow of colors.
November 07, 2019:
We know that no one wants to lug heavy groceries, so we've kept options that will help lessen your burdens with flexibility and usability. And when it comes to usability, it remains tough to beat the Salesmaker Clax. This sturdy model isn't just a rolling tote; it's a push cart, dolly, and trolley all rolled into one. Unlike some, it doesn't have any flimsy fabric that can tear, and the style is subdued but still attractive. It must be said, though, that it's on the more expensive side. For those who simply don't want to invest a lot of cash, we still like the Versacart Transit Utility and the Dbest Trolley Dolly. They'll go with you to the grocery store or farmer's market, or help you carry heavy water bottles and cases of beer.
We also considered style, so for those who are fashion-conscious, we selected the Olympia Fashion Tote. The offered range of fabrics is large, with choices both bright and subdued. And, finally, we opted to add an additional stair-climbing unit, the Beebeerun Climbing. We especially like that you can pop the liner out and use it just like any other reusable grocery bag. It's smaller than many, though, so it may not be great for large families or bulk shoppers.
Special Honors
Carts4U Retail 2-Tier If you're starting your own small business and want to encourage customers to buy more than they can carry, the Carts4U Retail 2-Tier should fit the bill. You can even select the handle color you'd like and add your own personalized text — for a fee, of course. carts4u.com
Mainly Baskets Tall French Country Market Cart If you like to stand out, and don't want the same plain, wire cart as everyone else, consider the Mainly Baskets Tall French Country Market Cart. Made by hand, it is an eye-catching choice with a natural, rustic aesthetic. A small version is also available for those light loads. mainlybaskets.com
Amigo SmartShopper Not everyone has the mobility necessary to push or pull a shopping cart, a problem addressed by the Amigo SmartShopper, a motorized cart with a basket built right in. For safety, it has a switch that ensures it can't move unless the user is seated, and for convenience, you'll find that it is offered with your choice of three basket sizes. myamigo.com
4. Mac Sports Wagon
5. Dbest Trolley Dolly
6. Playmarket We Go
7. Dbest Trolley Dolly Stair Climber
8. Olympia Fashion Tote
9. Dbest Cooler Trolley Dolly
10. Beebeerun Climbing
Ideas For Easy City Dwelling Life
When you live in the downtown portion of a city, some aspects of your life are easier and more convenient than they would be in the suburbs or in a rural setting.
When you live in the downtown portion of a city, some aspects of your life are easier and more convenient than they would be in the suburbs or in a rural setting. In most populous cities, it's never hard to find a good restaurant or bar where you can spend a pleasant evening, and the chances are good that you can walk to the theater, to plenty of shopping locations, and even to a park or a museum.
But urban living also makes some aspects of everyday life harder to complete. This is certainly true when you don't keep a car in the city yet you need to travel farther than a local transit system can carry you. It's also true when the city gets snarled by rush hour traffic, construction, or bad weather even when you do have a car but can hardly drive it on the busy streets.
And while it's usually easier to dine out (or order food in) when you live downtown, it can be much harder to complete those grocery shopping trips. The simple act of getting to the grocery store can be a frustration if your preferred market isn't near your home, and while suburban or rural dwellers with cars can load up on groceries and other goods and simply put them into a vehicle, urban residents often need to consider what they can carry in one trip as opposed to what they actually want to buy.
The time tested solution for all your urban grocery, hardware, and general shopping needs is to get yourself a good shopping cart. A vertically oriented shopping cart doesn't take up much room on the sidewalk, the subway, or the bus, but it offers you plenty of room for several bags of goods.
Choosing The Best Shopping Cart
If you live quite close to your preferred grocery store and simply need a bit of extra help toting your foods back from the market to your downtown apartment, then almost any standard wire frame shopping cart with wheels will serve you just fine. Go with an inexpensive model and don't worry about the bells and whistles offered by other units, as long as the sidewalks near your home are in relatively good shape and the weather where you live tends to stay decent for most of the year.
These are great options for dealing with inclement weather, but keep in mind that such carts can usually tote less.
If, on the other hand, you live far from your chosen supermarket, retail spots, or any other store you frequent, or if the streets and sidewalks near your home are less than smooth and well-maintained, and/or if you live in an area prone to bad weather, you might want to consider a heavier duty shopping cart, and perhaps one ready for rain and snow.
There are many shopping carts available that are designed with thick, robust rubber wheels ready for the cracks, cobblestones, roots, and ruts that are so common in many cities. Many of these carts have a larger weight carrying capacity than their slimmed down counterparts, but remember too that many rugged carts weigh more, so know your own strength and endurance limits.
Many shopping carts can be sealed using either a zippered cover or even a solid plastic lid. These are great options for dealing with inclement weather, but keep in mind that such carts can usually tote less. There is often some small sacrifice to be made when choosing a shopping cart, but if you opt for smaller storage capacity and don't end up with soggy, potentially ruined goods, then you made the right choice.
Also consider any special uses for which you might employ your shopping cart, such as carrying documents or sensitive gear like a camera or lenses. Carts with wire frames aren't ideal for carrying papers or for anything that could be damaged by even a small splash of water or dust.
Clever Ideas For Shopping Cart Use
In smaller homes, storage space can come at a real premium. Even a collapsible shopping cart still takes up some space, and it can be hard to decide on the best place for its storage. One idea is to mount hooks on the door of your home or the wall behind the door and store the cart right there by the entrance. That way it's always ready when it's time to go shopping, and it also doesn't take up any space in a closet or under the bed.
That way it's always ready when it's time to go shopping, and it also doesn't take up any space in a closet or under the bed.
If you live in a building without a garbage chute, then you know how annoying it can be to carry bags of heavy (and pungent) garbage down to the street or trash room. It's enough work already if you have to use an elevator, but if you live in a walk-up apartment, carrying your garbage downstairs is beyond an annoyance.
Fortunately, most wire frame style shopping carts can easily accommodate even a rather full garbage bag. Put those wheels to work carrying unwanted goods out of your home just the same as you use them to carry the good stuff inside. Lining a shopping cart with a heavy duty plastic garbage bag can also make it a waterproof vehicle for transporting goods when it's raining or snowing.
A shopping cart with thicker wheels is a great choice for bringing food, beverages, toys, towels, and more for those trips to the beach or the park. Just don't overload your cart, as even a cart with larger wheels will bog down in soft sand if it's too heavy.
Melissa Harr is a language-obsessed writer from Chicagoland who holds both a bachelor of arts and master of arts in English. Although she began as a TEFL teacher, earning several teaching certificates and working in both Russia and Vietnam, she moved into freelance writing to satisfy her passion for the written word. She has published full-length courses and books in the realm of arts & crafts and DIY; in fact, most of her non-working time is spent knitting, cleaning, or committing acts of home improvement. Along with an extensive knowledge of tools, home goods, and crafts and organizational supplies, she has ample experience (okay, an obsession) with travel gear, luggage, and the electronics that make modern life more convenient.