The 6 Best Shopping Carts The Spruce Has Tested

How The Spruce Tested Shopping Carts

Shopping carts on wheels can look similar online, but real life is rude: sidewalk cracks, tight turns, curb cuts that are more
“curb suggestions,” and that one friend who insists on “just grabbing a few things” and returns with 18 items and a pineapple.

That’s why The Spruce’s approach matters. Their team tested more than 20 shopping carts in a controlled environment and in their own
homes over several months, judging each cart on maneuverability, design, durability, and how easily it stores when you’re not using it.

Translation: they didn’t just roll a cart ten feet and call it a day. They used these carts like normal humansloading groceries,
navigating real obstacles, and watching for the small annoyances that become huge after the tenth trip (wobbly wheels, awkward handles,
flimsy frames, or a fold that requires the grip strength of a rock climber).

What to Look for in a Shopping Cart

1) Wheels: Your cart’s “personality” lives here

Big, smooth-rolling wheels are the difference between “pleasant errand” and “why is this cart fighting me?” Multi-wheel designs can
climb curbs and handle bumps better, while swivel wheels make tight turns easier. If you deal with stairs, stair-climbing wheel setups
can be a game-changerbut they sometimes trade a little elegance for brute practicality (which, honestly, is a fair deal).

2) Capacity: Weight limit, volume, and reality are three different things

Brands advertise weight capacities, but the real test is how stable the cart feels when loaded. A tall, narrow cart can tip if you stack
heavy items too high. A wider base, smart wheel placement, and a supportive frame keep everything feeling controlled.

3) Bag vs. basket: Clean-up and weather protection

Fabric totes are great for odd-shaped groceries and often include pockets, flaps, and covers that protect items from rain or wind.
Metal baskets are easy to wipe down and can feel sturdier for heavy, boxy loads. If you shop year-round, look for weather-resistant
materials and a way to close the top.

4) Folding and storage: The cart you can’t store becomes “the cart you stop using”

If your cart folds flat and stands neatly in a closet or trunk, you’ll use it more. If it becomes a hallway obstacle you silently resent,
you’ll eventually “forget” it in a corner until it becomes part of the decor.

5) Handle comfort: Small detail, huge impact

Ergonomic grips, multiple handle positions, and a height that doesn’t force you to hunch are underrated. If you’re pushing a heavier cart,
you’ll want a handle that feels stable and doesn’t wobble.

Quick Comparison: The 6 Winners

1) Best Overall: VersaCart Transit

If you want one cart that handles the most situations without drama, The Spruce’s top overall pick is the VersaCart Transit.
It’s the “does everything pretty well” optionand that’s a compliment.

Why it wins

• Impressively stable wheel design: The multi-wheel layout helps it roll smoothly and stay controlled under a real grocery load.
• Strong capacity without being enormous: It’s rated to carry heavy loads while still folding down for storage.
• Storage-friendly fold: The stroller-like fold makes it easier to tuck into a closet or trunk than rigid-frame carts.

What it’s best for

Weekly grocery trips, farmers’ markets, hauling laundry, or any routine where you want “one trip” instead of “four trips and a backache.”

Minor downside

Like most well-built carts, it costs more than the classic bargain wire “granny cart.” But if you use a cart frequently, durability pays
for itself in fewer headaches (and fewer rattling noises that make you sound like you’re pushing a tambourine down the sidewalk).

2) Best for Big Loads: Hulken Rolling Tote

The Hulken is what happens when a tote bag, a rolling suitcase, and a design-forward friend group all agree to collaborate.
It’s roomy, modern-looking, and surprisingly capableespecially for people who regularly haul heavy or bulky stuff.

Why it stands out

• Huge, open-top tote style: Great for bulky groceries, laundry, or big awkward items that don’t stack neatly.
• Folds flat: Unlike many rigid carts, it collapses down for easier storage.
• Easy to clean: Wipe it down or rinse it out, and it’s ready for the next run.
• Weather protection: A zip top helps protect items from rain, dust, and “mystery sidewalk moisture.”

Capacity note

The Hulken is officially rated for about 66 pounds of carrying capacity. That’s enough for a serious hauljust pack it
thoughtfully so the load stays stable.

Trade-offs

Because the interior is basically one big tote, you won’t get the same built-in organization as carts with pockets and compartments.
If you’re hauling glass bottles, eggs, or anything you love dearly, consider adding a reusable divider or packing cubes.

3) Best Insulated: dbest Ultra Compact Cooler Smart Cart

This pick is for the people who buy frozen foods first (bold) or live far enough from the store that “just a quick trip” turns into a
scenic tour of your neighborhood.

Why it’s special

• Cooler-first design: It functions like an insulated cooler that rollsperfect for cold groceries, beach days, or outdoor events.
• Compact and lightweight: It’s easy to store and easy to grab for smaller, targeted trips.
• Extra pockets: Zipper and mesh storage helps keep smaller items secure.

Realistic expectations

This isn’t your “weekly mega-haul” cart. Think: a smaller grocery run, a picnic setup, or keeping chilled items cold on the way home.
Better Homes & Gardens notes it can hold up to 36 soda cans, which is an oddly specific but extremely helpful mental image.

One usability quirk

Cooler carts can sometimes be easier to pull than push, especially when loaded. If you’ve ever wrestled a rolling suitcase with a
wobbly wheel, you already understand the vibe.

4) Best for Small-Space Living: Costway Folding Utility Shopping Cart

If you live in a small apartment, storage matters. A cart that folds neatly and still carries a practical load is the sweet spot.
The Costway Folding Utility Shopping Cart is The Spruce’s go-to for small-space living.

Why apartment dwellers like it

• Two-compartment setup: Smaller items can sit up front while bigger packages ride in the main section.
• Lightweight feel: Easier to lift into a trunk or carry up a few steps when needed.
• Practical weight limit: The Spruce notes it can hold up to 45 pounds, which covers a “normal human” grocery run.

Best use case

Smaller weekly shops, errands that involve elevators and narrow hallways, and anyone who needs a cart that doesn’t become furniture
when it’s not in use.

Heads-up

Two-compartment designs are great for organization, but don’t treat the front compartment like a junk drawer. Overloading the front can
affect steering and stability.

5) Best Folding: Amazon Basics Foldable Shopping Utility Cart

This is the sturdy, metal-basket workhorse: big capacity, simple design, folds for storage, and built to handle heavier grocery runs
especially on flatter ground.

Why it makes the list

• Metal construction: Easy to wipe clean and feels solid under load.
• Higher capacity for a folding cart: The Spruce highlights a weight capacity around 70 pounds.
• Folds down: Helpful for trunk storage or stashing in a closet.

Who should buy it

If your route is mostly smooth surfacesdriveway, store aisle, parking lot, elevatorthis can be a great “big basket, no fuss” option.

Where it struggles

Metal carts can be louder (hello, echoing apartment hallways) and are generally less friendly on stairs.
If your life includes frequent stair climbing, the next pick is going to feel like a better match.

6) Best for Stairs: dbest Stair Climber Trolley Dolly

Stairs are where most carts go to embarrass themselves. The dbest Stair Climber Trolley Dolly was designed specifically to not do that.
The Spruce and Better Homes & Gardens both point to this cart for stair-heavy routines thanks to its distinctive wheel setup.

Why it’s the stair specialist

• Six-wheel stair-climber design: Helps “step” the cart up curbs and stairs instead of thudding each step like a drum solo.
• Removable bag: You can use it like a dolly when you need to move boxy items.
• Solid capacity: The Spruce notes it can hold up to 110 pounds, which is plenty for heavier errands.

Small but meaningful details

Better Homes & Gardens highlights practical touches like pockets (including one large enough for a bottle) and a foldable structure for storage.
Those little conveniences are the difference between “nice” and “I actually use this thing.”

Who it’s for

City walkers, apartment dwellers without elevators, folks hauling laundry to a laundromat, and anyone whose weekly routine includes stairs,
curbs, or uneven pavement.

Smart Buying Tips (So You Don’t Hate Your Cart Later)

Match the cart to your terrain

If your route is mostly smooth, a folding metal basket cart can be great. If you’re dealing with stairs, curb cuts, or rough sidewalks,
prioritize wheel design and stability over “maximum capacity on paper.”

Measure your storage space first

Check your closet width, trunk opening, or wherever this cart will live. A cart that folds beautifully is still useless if it doesn’t fit
where you need it to fit.

Look for weather protection if you walk to shop

A top flap, cover, or zipper closure is a big deal if you’re caught in rain or wind. It also helps keep lightweight items (or receipts)
from attempting a dramatic escape.

Plan your packing strategy

• Heavy items go low and close to the wheels (think: cans, beverages, detergent).
• Soft or fragile items go last (think: bread, produce, eggs).
• Use side pockets for tall bottles so they don’t roll around like they’re auditioning for a slapstick comedy.

Don’t ignore the “annoyance factor”

A cart can be technically fine and still drive you nuts. Rattly wheels, awkward folding mechanisms, and flimsy handles make you stop using
itmeaning you’re back to carrying bags and muttering to yourself in the parking lot.

Real-Life Experiences: 10 Cart Lessons You’ll Recognize Immediately (Extra)

Here’s the part nobody tells you when you buy a shopping cart: the cart becomes your tiny logistics partner. A good one feels like a
helpful sidekick. A bad one feels like a prank.

1) Sidewalk cracks are the ultimate cart personality test

On a smooth floor, almost any cart behaves. The moment you hit uneven pavement, you learn whether your wheels glide or “complain.”
Bigger wheels and stable designs roll over cracks more confidently. Smaller wheels can snag, wobble, or make you slow down like you’re
crossing lava.

2) Your cart will teach you to shop in a new order

Suddenly you care about load structure. Heavy stuff first, fragile stuff last. Tall bottles get their own safe spot. And you’ll stop
impulsively buying a 12-pack of seltzer unless you’re sure you can keep it from shifting like a rogue boulder.

3) Stairs turn “weight” into “weight + drama”

Carrying a cart up steps is different from rolling it. Stair-climbing designs reduce the drama, but you’ll still develop a strategy:
pause at landings, keep one hand on the handle, and remember that gravity is undefeated. If you have multiple flights, you might split
your load into two smaller tripsbecause the goal is arriving home with groceries, not earning an honorary physical therapy referral.

4) You’ll become weirdly aware of turning radius

Tight grocery aisles, narrow apartment hallways, and crowded sidewalks reveal how maneuverable a cart really is. Swivel wheels help,
but so does a handle that lets you steer without wrestling. If you’ve ever tried to turn a stiff cart in a busy aisle, you know the
feeling: “Excuse me, sorry, just… turning my vehicle here.”

5) The best carts make you buy fewer plastic bagsby accident

When your cart has a secure tote or basket, you can load items directly into it and pack at home. It’s not just convenient; it’s one
less layer of waste. Plus, you can keep your cold items together (especially with insulated options) and protect them from the elements.

6) Rain changes everything

The first time you’re caught in unexpected drizzle, you’ll appreciate a cover flap or zip top. Without it, paper packaging gets soggy,
and anything lightweight tries to fly away like it’s making its big escape in a movie montage.

7) People will comment on your cart (yes, really)

Some carts look utilitarian. Otherslike rolling toteslook sleek enough that strangers ask about them. A funny bonus of having a
well-designed cart is that it can turn an ordinary errand into a “Wait, that’s smart” moment.

8) Your cart becomes a “life cart,” not just a grocery cart

Today it’s groceries. Tomorrow it’s laundry. Next week it’s packages, recycling, a last-minute potluck contribution, or that “small”
houseplant that is definitely not small. A cart that folds easily is especially helpful because you can keep it in your car and use it
for surprise hauling situations (which happen more often than we like to admit).

9) You’ll learn the joy of “one trip”

A good cart changes the math. Instead of three trips from car to door, you do one. Instead of carrying bags that cut into your hands,
you roll everything. It’s a small quality-of-life upgrade that feels bigger over time.

10) The best shopping cart is the one that matches your routine

If you have stairs: prioritize stair-climbing wheels. If you have limited storage: prioritize a compact fold. If you care about keeping
items cold: prioritize insulation. And if you just want an all-around winner: choose the cart that’s proven stable, durable, and easy
to maneuverbecause “easy” is the whole point.

Conclusion

The Spruce’s testing makes one thing clear: the “best shopping cart” isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s the cart that fits your terrain,
your storage space, and the way you actually shop.

If you want the safest all-around bet, the VersaCart Transit is the steady, durable choice that handles everyday hauls with confidence.
If you carry big loads and want something sleek, the Hulken Rolling Tote is a modern take on the classic “granny cart” idea. If cold
groceries (or outdoor days) are your priority, an insulated cooler cart can be surprisingly useful. And if stairs are part of your
weekly reality, a stair-climbing trolley is worth its weight in… well, not carrying weight.

Whichever cart you choose, you’re buying comfort: fewer strained shoulders, fewer ripped bags, and fewer trips that end with you
negotiating with gravity in the hallway.

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