Travel Products Activity + Adventure Beach + Water Activities The 12 Best Beach Wagons of 2024, Tested and Reviewed These picks can store everything we need for a great day out. By Hillary Maglin Hillary Maglin Hillary Maglin is an associate commerce editor at Travel + Leisure who’s been covering travel products since 2018. Her work has also been featured in publications such as People, InStyle, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 8, 2024 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Others We Liked Our Testing Process Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / Kaya Abrahamson Don’t get us wrong: trendy beach bags are fashionable and convenient choices for when you have a handful of essentials to take with you to the beach. But if you’ve got your entire family in tow, or if you’re lugging a beach umbrella and a couple of lounge chairs down to the water, you’ll need something a little bigger and easier to take along. Beach wagons were created for that exact purpose — they’re spacious, easy to wheel across the sand and parking lot, and usually pretty sturdy. Some are even equipped with seats for the kids or pets. But with so many seemingly similar options on the market, it can be difficult to pinpoint the one that best meets your needs. After personally testing all of the top beach wagons on the market, we landed on these 12 as our favorites thanks to their ease of setup, sturdy construction, and smooth navigation over beachy surfaces. So whether you’re looking for something compact, kid-friendly, or capable of carrying larger loads, keep reading. Our list includes the perfect pick for every type of beachgoer. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Beau Jardin Folding Beach Wagon at Amazon ($110) Jump to Review Best Overall, Runner-up: Sekey Collapsible Cart with Brake at Amazon ($120) Jump to Review Best for Uneven Terrain: Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Beach Wagon at Walmart ($135) Jump to Review Best for Carrying Kids: Veer Cruiser Stroller Wagon at Amazon ($699) Jump to Review Best for Carrying Pets: Radio Flyer All-TerrainWagon with Canopy at Amazon ($120) Jump to Review Easiest to Set Up: Whitsunday Collapsible Folding Cart at Amazon ($80) Jump to Review Best Vertical: Rio Brands Rio Brands Beach Wonder Wheeler Deluxe Beach at Amazon ($99) Jump to Review Best for Carrying Large Loads: My Beach Cart My Beach Cart Foldable Beach Cart at Amazon ($325) Jump to Review Most Versatile: Navatiee Collapsible Folding Wagon at Amazon ($80) Jump to Review Most Spacious: Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon at Amazon ($130) Jump to Review Best Overall Beau Jardin Folding Beach Wagon Amazon View On Amazon $110 View On Walmart $110 View On Wayfair $130 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance 5/5 Quality 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It’s easy to set up and break down, and its wheels easily navigate any terrain. What to Consider The metal bars may eventually chip. While every beach wagon on our list will efficiently get the job done, the Beau Jardin Folding Beach Wagon stood out in our testing. The wagon is both spacious and collapsible, which means you’ll be able to fit all your beach essentials, but you can also easily fold it down at the end of the day and store it in your car. Perhaps the most convenient feature on the wagon is the wheel structure. At 4 inches wide and 7 inches in diameter, the oversized wheels are rugged enough to traverse everything from ultra-fine sand to cobblestone walkways without hesitation. Other perks include a telescoping handle, two cup holders, a weight capacity of 300 pounds, and removable fabric that makes the wagon even easier to fold and clean. It is even available in five colors ranging from black to teal. We were impressed not only by the ease of transport and added features, but also by the wagon’s versatility and simplicity on every front. If you're looking for a straightforward contraption to carry and hold your things on a beach or camping trip, this is your best option. It requires no assembly, is light to carry, and simply folds open and closed. Details: 34.3 x 20 x 26.4 inches | 28.9 pounds | Polyester, alloy steel Travel + Leisure / Kaya Abrahamson Travel + Leisure / Kaya Abrahamson Travel + Leisure / Kaya Abrahamson Travel + Leisure / Kaya Abrahamson Travel + Leisure / Kaya Abrahamson Best Overall, Runner-up Sekey Collapsible Cart with Brake Amazon View On Amazon $120 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance 5/5 Quality 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It cuts through terrains of all types and is built to last. What to Consider It’s a bit heavier than it looks. We highly recommend the Sekey Folding Wagon Cart, a near-perfect beach wagon, thanks to its steel frame that is capable of hauling up to 265 pounds, brakes that work on terrains of all types, and extra-wide wheels with excellent traction. Those wheels are uniquely designed to not crash into each other, despite their thickness and close proximity, and they feature eight bearings, including two low-noise bearings that provide a quiet and smooth ride, no matter the terrain or load weight. Our favorite thing about the Sekey, however, is its ease of use and obvious stability that’s not likely to diminish with wear. We recommend this cart to anyone who needs a cart that can handle multiple kinds of terrain and pack away nicely when not in use. Details: 23.23 x 17.72 x 17.72 inches | 25.3 pounds | Alloy steel Travel + Leisure / Jamie Griffin Travel + Leisure / Jamie Griffin Travel + Leisure / Jamie Griffin Travel + Leisure / Jamie Griffin Best for Uneven Terrain Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Beach Wagon Amazon View On Walmart $135 View On Wayfair $142 View On Swimoutlet.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4/5 Performance 5/5 Quality 4/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It Its wheels are essentially unstoppable, and it fits plenty of gear. What to Consider Because the wheels are so big, it’s slightly harder to store than other wagons on our list. If you’re looking for something you can take everywhere from grassy parks to sandy beaches to gravel walking paths, consider this heavy-duty option from Mac Sports. Its ultra-rugged wheels are 4 inches thick and 10 inches in diameter, so virtually no rock, stick, or mud puddle can stop it from smoothly gliding along behind you. It holds up to 150 pounds and features a long, telescoping handle, yet it folds up to a fraction of its size for relatively easy storage. The fabric part slides right off the metal frame for cleaning purposes, and two mesh bottle holders make beach day hydration a breeze. We were blown away by all of the wagon’s features and found its ability to fit a family’s worth of accessories to be especially memorable. Details: 36.2 x 24.6 x 21.4 inches | 24.5 pounds | Plastic Travel + Leisure / Monica Aguinaga Travel + Leisure / Monica Aguinaga We Tested the Best Backpack Coolers to Keep Refreshments Frosty Best for Carrying Kids Veer Cruiser Stroller Wagon Amazon View On Amazon $699 View On REI $699 View On Nordstrom $699 Our Ratings Assembly 4.7/5 Design 4.3/5 Portability 4/5 Maneuverability 3/5 Value 3/5 Why We Love It It feels luxurious and is packed with features typical of strollers. What to Consider It’s the most expensive wagon on our list. Sometimes, a beach trip involves toting more than just towels and snacks — if you’ve got kids, a wagon that’s strong enough to hold them, too, is ideal. That’s why we’re so fond of the Veer Cruiser. Despite its compact and lightweight construction, the wagon is sturdy and comfortable enough to haul up to 55 pounds on each of its two seats and 350 pounds altogether. It also features large, durable wheels, water-resistant hardware, two cup holders, and a snack tray. Its genius design even makes it easy to push, pull, or carry alongside you like luggage. We loved the luxe, reliable feel that this wagon provided, but families without small children likely won’t find use for all of its features. The materials were sturdy, the wheels were large and rugged, and it felt like it would last a long time. Details: 37 x 25 x 23 inches | 32.5 pounds | Aluminum Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Best for Carrying Pets Radio Flyer All-TerrainWagon with Canopy Amazon View On Amazon $120 View On Target $106 View On Walmart $159 Our Ratings Ease of Use 4/5 Performance 4/5 Quality 4/5 Value 4/5 Why We Love It It is easy to fold down and has a UV-blocking canopy. What to Consider There is a small amount of assembly that can be confusing the first time around. Thinking of taking the pups to the beach? Go for the Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Folding Cart. While it’s another great option for toting kids, it’s even better for pets, thanks to its high walls, UV-blocking canopy, and lightweight build. The most interesting thing about this wagon, though, is that it can be used in three ways: hauling, two-rider seating, and bench seating. It holds up to 150 pounds and folds down for easy storage. It even has two cup holders and a rear storage pouch, which holds the canopy when you’re not using it. The fact that this wagon has a canopy made an impression on us, and its easy breakdown made it especially practical. Details: 39 x 32.7 x 18.5 inches | 23 pounds | Plastic Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Easiest to Set Up Whitsunday Collapsible Folding Cart Amazon View On Amazon $80 View On Whitsundayshop.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance 4/5 Quality 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It’s affordable and super-simple to use. What to Consider The wheels drag slightly in the sand. If your main objective when going to the beach is getting from your car or hotel to the shore as quickly as possible, you may be interested in the Whitsunday Collapsible Folding Cart. The wagon earned our pick for easiest setup because there really is no setup at all. Simply unfold it in one swift motion to open it, and fold it back down the same way. Once open, it holds up to 120 pounds and boasts a 360 degree swivel telescopic handle that can be adjusted lengthwise. The wheels also rotate 360 degrees, and shoppers can choose from 12 different colors and prints. Based on the wagon’s simplicity and reasonable price point, we believe it would make the perfect addition to any beach gear collection. It’s worth noting that while the simplicity of this wagon impressed us, it wasn’t the easiest to actually push on the sand. Details: 28 x 16.9 x 10.5 inches | 18.6 pounds | Rubber, canvas Travel + Leisure / Izzy Seely Travel + Leisure / Izzy Seely The 18 Best Beach Bags and Totes of 2024 Best Vertical Rio Brands Rio Brands Beach Wonder Wheeler Deluxe Beach Amazon View On Amazon $99 Our Ratings Ease of Use 3/5 Performance 4/5 Quality 4/5 Value 4/5 Why We Love It It’s incredibly sturdy and glides smoothly on sand. What to Consider Assembly and folding may be confusing on the first use. Looking for something a little different? Try Rio Brands’ Deluxe Wonder Wheeler Beach Wagon. Instead of a traditional wagon structure, this one sits upright, similar to a wheeled laundry basket or stroller. Its deep storage area accommodates everything from coolers and folding beach chairs to towels. Thanks to its elongated shape, even beach umbrellas fit with ease. The durable wagon can carry up to 100 pounds and expertly traverses sand, grass, and other uneven surfaces. It also includes a tote bag with a shoulder strap that you can remove and take with you, separate from the wagon. The best features on this vertical wagon are the heavy-duty wheels and all-around rugged, reliable build; we were particularly impressed with how well it rolled over a variety of surfaces. Details: 32.1 x 20.28 x 5.12 inches | 18 pounds | Aluminum Travel + Leisure / Izzy Seely Travel + Leisure / Izzy Seely Best for Carrying Large Loads My Beach Cart My Beach Cart Foldable Beach Cart Amazon View On Amazon $325 View On Wayfair $299 Our Ratings Ease of Use 4/5 Performance 4/5 Quality 4/5 Value 4/5 Why We Love It It’s fantastic on sand and helpful for carrying large objects. What to Consider It’s a bit bulky and can take up to 30 minutes to assemble. Toting large, heavy items has never been so easy. With the My Beach Cart Foldable Beach Cart, you can move oversized gear for business or pleasure, and from your car down to the water with minimal effort. The wagon includes two 12-inch quick-release balloon tires that smoothly roll over sand, as well as a tire pump and inflation tool. Secure your items under two snapped straps on the anti-slip cargo deck or toss them in a zippered cargo bag on the front. We also found this wagon to be one of the easiest to use on sand. The tires allow for the wagon to sit on top of the sand rather than being dragged through it. Details: 42.8 x 29.53 x 28 inches | 18 pounds | Aluminum, polyurethane Travel + Leisure / Izzy Seely Travel + Leisure / Izzy Seely Most Versatile Navatiee Collapsible Folding Wagon Amazon View On Amazon $80 Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Performance 4/5 Quality 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It’s extra-spacious and can be used beyond the beach. What to Consider The back wheels don’t swivel. The Navatiee Collapsible Folding Wagon is heavy-duty yet easy to store. We love how sturdy and smooth the wagon felt over multiple terrains, and we're especially impressed by its ability to safely carry things beyond typical beach items like groceries or gardening tools. We even noticed that it worked well for toting photography equipment. It’s composed of a corrosion-resistant and anti-oxidation metal frame, so you can rest assured that this nearly indestructible wagon won’t soon rust or fade. It also features an internal volume that's 40 percent larger than other similar wagons, meaning it can fit everything you need and then some. The Navatiee dazzled us for a number of reasons, including the easy fold-down process and the sheer volume of cargo it can carry. Details: 35.5 x 19.7 x 13 inches | 23. 1 pounds | Alloy steel, metal Travel + Leisure / Izzy Seely Travel + Leisure / Izzy Seely Most Spacious Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon Amazon View On Amazon $130 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance 5/5 Quality 4/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It’s roomy, extra-sturdy, and waterproof. What to Consider It doesn’t glide over sand as easily as some other options on our list. The Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon has the largest interior compartment of all the picks on our list. However, it’s still capable of folding down enough to easily stow it away in your car or home. The wagon is built with 3.9-inch thick wheels that roll right over sand, rocks, and twigs, as well as a steel frame that can carry up to 220 pounds. A telescoping handle and two mesh cup holders on the front up the convenience factor while a removable lining makes cleaning a breeze. To top it all off, the wagon is waterproof. This is best for anyone that needs to carry a lot of stuff to the beach and doesn't want a lot of fuss. It was easy to pull through sand and gravel and the handle made it easy to navigate. Details: 36.6 x 22.4 x 15.3 inches | 30.7 pounds | Alloy steel Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Travel and_leisure/Lindsay Boyers Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Best for Fine Sand Portal Collapsible Utility Wagon Amazon View On Amazon $120 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Performance 5/5 Quality 4/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It You’ll never have to worry about the wheels getting stuck or sinking in the sand. What to Consider It’s a bit bulky. When you’ve had it with wagons that sink into the sand instead of rolling over it, take a look at the Portal Collapsible Wagon. Like many of the wagons on our list, it’s equipped with useful features like a telescoping handle and two cup holders on the front. But unlike several of them, its rugged, swiveling wheels actually cut through sand, making it the ultimate beach wagon for those who prefer the sandy beaches of the southeast and California. The wagon also boasts a foldable frame, a washable lining, and a 225-pound weight capacity, so it’s perfect for activities like gardening and laundry as well. We thoroughly enjoyed the strength of the wagon and how easy it was to pull. We were also able to pack large items like chairs into the wagon without affecting the smooth roll. Details: 35.4 x 22.4 x 19 inches | 22.5 pounds | Steel, rubber Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Travel + Leisure / Lindsay Boyers Best All-terrain Bob Gear Renegade Wagon Bob Gear View On Amazon $398 View On Nordstrom $650 View On Bobgear.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Performance 4/5 Quality 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Love It It rolls like a dream over gravel, sand, and everything in between — plus, it's safe for kids to ride in. What to Consider It takes some added effort to pull over soft sand. Larger families, or heavy packers, will love this large capacity wagon that can handle pretty much any terrain. It's very easy to set up with clear assembly instructions and can be folded down quickly for easy storage. Even when full, the wagon rolls well over gravel, packed sand, and most other terrains. This is a great option for keeping kids safe and comfortable on long walks or outings as it comes with a snack tray, cupholders, and a retractable canopy. There are also enough safety buckles for up to three children, making this a great option for families with multiple kids. After our weeks of tests, we love that the wagon is extremely sturdy and well-built. The quality is so high that it makes this wagon well worth the price and will last long enough for many little ones to enjoy for years to come. Details: 49.62 x 28.61 x 27.83 inches | 40 pounds | Aluminum, polyurethane foam Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples Other Beach Wagons We Liked Mac Sports Double Decker Wagon: We enjoyed this wagon’s easy setup and substantial storage space, but felt that it would be better as a park wagon, as the wheels got stuck easily in sand and gravel, and the handle often got stuck in the locked position. Seina Compact Collapsible Wagon: While this wagon impressed us with a sturdy build and compact size when folded down, its tiny wheels simply could not traverse sand or rocks. Gorilla Carts Steel Garden Cart: This wagon is durable and works as it should, but we disliked that it took 20 minutes to set up. While you could set it up once and leave it that way forever, it’s huge, so it would only work for someone who has a large trunk on their vehicle. Our Testing Process To review each beach wagon in this roundup accurately, we took them to the beach to personally “test drive.” We wheeled them over fine sand and various other terrains to experience the wagons the same way a shopper would. To get a true feel for the beach wagons, we actually used the wagons during real, day-long beach trips. The 7 Best Beach Shades, Put to the Test Tips for Buying a Beach Wagon Think about the terrain you’ll use it on Will you be pulling your wagon at the beach? The park? Your backyard garden? Not all wagons are created equal, and not all are made for gliding over soft, grainy surfaces. If you plan on using your wagon as a true beach wagon, be sure to choose one with large, thick tires that swivel and rotate—otherwise, you may end up dragging your wagon through sand or gravel rather than smoothly rolling it across. Consider what (or whom) you’ll be carrying It’s unwise to assume that a beach wagon made for carrying gear and equipment is also a good choice for toting kids or pets around and vice versa. Your wagon may effortlessly hold beach chairs and coolers, but a much heavier child or animal that moves around likely won’t be as easy to pull — in fact, your wagon may sink too far into the sand to move, or break altogether. It’s also worth noting that many wagons made for children and pets may not be fit for toting gear, as built-in seats take up ample space and make the wagon unnecessarily heavy. Look closely at the tires and the weight capacity to suit your needs. Know that some take up more space than others Some beach wagons fold down nearly flat, which is incredibly convenient for many reasons. Many fold down partially, which is also quite helpful. Still, some wagons don’t fold in any way. Before you buy, think about how you’ll be storing and transporting your wagon, and opt for one that re-sizes accordingly. Frequently Asked Questions What should I put in my beach wagon? Beach wagons are meant to carry everything from towels and a change of clothes to beach chairs, umbrellas, and coolers. It’s also a good idea to keep items like water bottles, sunscreen, and even a first aid kit in your wagon’s pockets. Feel free to also load your wagon with yard tools, laundry, or lightweight gear for various hobbies when you’re not using it at the beach. You should avoid putting your kids or pets in your wagon unless it is specifically made to carry them. How and where should I store it? When it comes to transportation, most wagons fold down small enough to fit in car trunks, and some are even compact enough to stow in your vehicle’s backseat. For a more permanent, year-round storage spot, fold your wagon down as small as it gets, and place it on a closet floor or a garage or attic if you have the room. Flatter wagons can even fit under your bed. Why Trust Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure editors have done it all, from beach vacations to remote mountain getaways — we know our stuff when it comes to traveling. So when we tested more than a dozen beach wagons for this story, we knew exactly which features would be helpful to beachgoers and which would only make things more difficult. Editor Hillary Maglin listed only the best beach wagons we decided on, and she categorized them to take the hard part out of your shopping experience. The Best Beach Accessories and Gear For Your Next Summer Getaway Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Updated by Taylor Fox Taylor Fox Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years. learn more Edited by Jasmine Grant Jasmine Grant Jasmine is a senior commerce editor at Travel + Leisure, specializing in luggage and travel accessories. Jasmine has over a decade of experience as a writer and editor in lifestyle and travel media. In her spare time, she's probably planning her next voyage to a nearby Caribbean island. learn more Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit