The 9 Best Beach Wagons of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Beach days are an amazing part of summer. But to truly enjoy a day on the sand, you need a lot of stuff. Chairs, umbrellas, quality sunscreen, books, drinks, snacks — it can all be way too much to carry. 

Luckily, that’s why beach wagons were invented. A good, sturdy beach wagon will transport everything you need from your car to your seaside spot, wheel easily over sand and rocky terrain, and fold up for convenient storage in your car when you’re not using it. (Jason and Kylie Kelce's daughter even caught a nap in their beach wagon.)

There are a lot of beach wagons out there, so to help you choose the one that will make your beach day the absolute best, PEOPLE tested 18 beach wagons to find the ones that are easy to set up, pull, and use. We also considered each wagon's size, weight, wheel size, and ease of folding.

Here are the best beach wagons for your upcoming adventures, recommended by PEOPLE Tested.

Best Overall

Sekey Collapsible Cart with Brake

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Performance

  5/5

• Quality

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

• This wagon is pre-assembled and requires no setup, so it’s easy to use right from the day you get it.

• Due to its collapsible design, this wagon is easy to fold and store.

• The wagon's tear-resistant and waterproof fabric makes us think that this one will last us for years.

If you’re looking for something easy to use, look no further than this beach wagon. The simple setup of this pre-assembled wagon, which allows you to simply unfold it and go, makes it ideal for pretty much anyone. This wagon got top marks across the board, actually: It was easy to open and close, pulled well across the parking lot and sand, felt sturdy, held all our stuff, and didn’t seem exorbitantly expensive for what you get. In fact, this is a beach wagon that didn’t get dinged any points during testing.

The two cupholders and deep storage basket were great for toting all our essentials. It rolled well even when chock-full of stuff, and was all-around the perfect beach wagon to bring on our adventures, from the shoreline to the sidewalk. Plus, its extra-strength water- and tear-resistant material combined with its aluminum alloy frames make this sturdy enough to last you several summers of well-deserved vacation.

While we didn’t have any complaints about this wagon, the standout feature is how compact and easy to fold it is. The straightforward collapsible design makes it simple to fold and store. We think this model could work for anyone, but it would work especially well for people needing to optimize their wagon space — you can fit far more than you’d expect in this basket, which is major when trying to make the most of your fun day in the sun.

Weight: 25.35 pounds | Dimensions: 31.5 x 17.7 x 10.2 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 220 pounds | Assembly Required: No

Best Budget

Seina Compact Collapsible Wagon

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Performance

  3/5

• Quality

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

• It's the lightest weight of any of the wagons we tested, so it's easy to maneuver in and out of the trunk.

• Despite its slightly smaller build, the storage basket can hold a lot.

• Due to its heavy-duty polyester fabric and steel frame, this wagon feels very durable.

OK, let’s start with the big con: this is a wagon, not a beach wagon. The tires are very small, so because of this, they didn’t roll through the sand well. While this may seem like a big drawback, we do think this option is one of your best if you’re looking to save a couple of bucks. The tires handled much better on hard surfaces like pavement. The polyester material and steel frame were high-quality and felt durable, especially for the price, and the wagon was super easy to set up — opening and closing easily, with no assembly required. 

So, what would we use it for? Carrying loads to and from your car, like groceries, sporting equipment, and other big shopping hauls would be great tasks for this type of wagon because it can hold a lot. It doesn’t take up a lot of room in the trunk, which is another big plus. It’s also super lightweight (less than half of what our overall winner weighs), which adds to its versatility. No budget pick is ever perfect, but if you’re looking for more of an all-purpose wagon (or you’re just super strong and don’t mind pulling tiny wheels over sand), this is still a solid option. 

Weight: 12.1 pounds | Dimensions: 29.50 x 17.90 x 18.50 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 150 pounds | Assembly Required: No

• 

  People / Jamie Griffin

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  People / Jamie Griffin

Best for Families

Moon Lence Collapsible Outdoor Utility Wagon

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Performance

  5/5

• Quality

  4/5

• Value

  5/5

• From the frame to the fabric, this wagon felt incredibly sturdy.

• It has a large storage basket that can hold a considerable amount of equipment.

• The wheels glide effortlessly over sand, gravel, and several other terrains.

We know that when you’re traveling with your people, there’s a lot of equipment that comes with each person. Whether you’re lugging toys, extra beach or camping chairs, or an excess of towels, the Moon Lence Utility Wagon is a great choice for beach-bound families who want to keep everything in one place, making it easy to transport your load from the car to that perfect sandy spot.

Though the storage basket itself was similar in construction to several others we tested, we found that we were able to easily fit a few more items into this wagon (which we can attribute to its slightly larger dimensions). This means that you don’t have to decide between that toy or the other one; they’re both fair game now. And it's easy to transport all of your gear wherever you're going because the wheels on this wagon glide effortlessly over sand, gravel, and other terrain.

Due to its larger dimensions and storage space, this wagon weighs a little more than the others we tried (though not by much — just a little over 30 pounds total when it’s empty). This could also be attributed to its rip-resistant 600D Oxford fabric (that’s really strong polyester) and PVC material, further strengthened by an alloy steel frame, which consequently ends in a heavier final product. But the extra storage space and durability are worth it when you can store all of your family’s necessities in one spot, taking on all of the sandy beaches and rocky terrains to come.

Weight: 30.7 pounds | Dimensions: 36.6 x 22.4 x 15.3 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 220 pounds | Assembly Required: No

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  People / Lindsay Boyers

• 

  People / Lindsay Boyers

Best for Small Loads

Whitsunday Collapsible Folding Cart

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Performance

  4/5

• Quality

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

• It's lightweight, so it's easy to lift in and out of your vehicle.

• The slightly more petite size of this wagon saves space in your trunk and garage.

• As one of our more affordable options, the value of this wagon is much higher than the price would indicate.

Whether you’re injured, are toting children around behind you, or simply have a smaller load to bear, your beach essentials don’t have to go in a bag — you can make life easier and throw them in a small wagon. We loved the WhitSunday model for its more compact size compared to the others we tried, yet its high-quality design and durability. Its tear-resistant fabric and metal frames were sturdy enough to hold our towels, coolers, umbrellas, and more while also being able to shrink down to a slender size when the day was done. Plus, this model is super lightweight, meaning you can easily lift it in and out of your vehicle and maneuver it around whether it is or isn’t packed with your beach day essentials. 

Overall, this smaller cart was a breeze to use. It came ready to go out of the box, has surprisingly high quality for its lower price (it’s the second-lowest, aside from our best budget pick), and is great for someone wanting a wagon that’s quick to load and unload from. Our only qualm was that it was a bit hard to maneuver through sand, as the wheels tended to drag instead of rolling on top, but it still got the job done (and performed fabulously on other terrains, too). Because it’s small, it can only support up to 120 pounds, but this shouldn’t be too daunting for small loads. For the value, we wouldn’t think twice about this one. 

Weight: 18.36 pounds | Dimensions: 28 x 16.9 x 10.5 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 120 pounds | Assembly Required: No

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  People / Izzy Seely

• 

  People / Izzy Seely

Best Design

Navatiee Collapsible Folding Wagon

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  4.5/5

• Performance

  4/5

• Quality

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

• The entire body and frame of this wagon feel sturdy and long-lasting.

• There are plenty of extra sleeves on the outside of the basket for added storage.

• The wheels are reinforced with shock-absorbing and wear-proof PVC for longevity.

We thought we’d seen it all when it comes to beach wagons, but the Navatiee wagon impressed us in more ways than we expected. From its ultra-dense fabric and waterproof PVC coating to its iron frame, this wagon is clearly in it for the long haul — making this price well worth the slight splurge. We appreciated how many side pockets and holders it had for water bottles and other essentials, providing even more real estate on the outside of the basket before you even make it in. Within the main compartment, we were able to store all of our beach belongings with ease, but make no mistake — this isn’t just for the beach. We also found this wagon to be an excellent way to tote around photography equipment from site to site — making this one well-rounded wagon if you ask us. At the end of the day, it was easy to fold up the frame and slip this model into the trunk, especially because of its light 20-pound weight. 

We were also impressed by the design of the wagon’s wheels (cue Darius Rucker), as they go a step further than the others in terms of functionality. The wheels are made from waterproof PVC and stand up strongly against abrasive terrains like rocks and gravel, absorbing shock and preventing visible wear despite the many outdoor adventures you’ll have together. We did run into a few instances where the back wheels had trouble rotating as we pulled the wagon along, but a quick re-adjustment set us straight. In terms of features, storage, and functionality, we thought this wagon had an incredibly versatile design.

Weight: 19.84 pounds | Dimensions: 32.7 x 18.1 x 20.9 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 220 pounds | Assembly Required: Minimal

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  People / Izzy Seely

• 

  People / Izzy Seely

Best Durable

Portal Collapsible Utility Wagon

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Performance

  5/5

• Quality

  4/5

• Value

  5/5

• The 600D Oxford fabric makes the storage bin super strong.

• It has a powder-coated steel frame that can support up to 225 pounds, which is the highest weight capacity on this list.

• We were able to fit a surprising amount of beach essentials in this wagon without hindering its performance.

If you’re looking for a beach wagon that’s in it for the long haul (literally), then this one could be your next best friend. What really stood out about this wagon was its undeniable durability — with 600D Oxford fabric, reinforced steel frame, and 360-degree rotating wheels, we could tell that this one was going to impress us. And impress it did when we ran our tests, loading up more than we could have imagined (think several beach chairs, toys, and more) in its sizable storage bin. It then proceeded to glide effortlessly through the sand while we trekked across the beach. This wagon also has the highest weight capacity of the wagons we tested — 225 pounds.

We can be tough critics, so usually we find something to gripe about when we test out new products. But we had no complaints when it came to the Portal Collapsible, scoring high marks for its ease of transportation, setup and takedown, and overall durability throughout our testing period. We definitely can see this one sticking around for a few years — and we’re interested to see how it holds up over time.

Weight: 25.8 pounds | Dimensions: 35.4 x 19 x 22.4 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 225 pounds | Assembly Required: No

• 

  People / Lindsay Boyers

• 

  People / Lindsay Boyers

Best All-Terrain

Gorilla Carts Folding Wagon

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Performance

  4/5

• Quality

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

• Down to every last design aspect, this wagon is super high quality.

• This was one of the only ones we tested that included a brake feature for the wheels.

• The sports material is both sleek and durable.

We really liked how smartly designed this wagon was: from the tactical, yet versatile sport material that lends itself to many different terrains to the brakes on the tires (a standout feature we didn’t encounter often). In fact, this wagon can even work in transporting sports equipment, portable charcoal grills, tools, and other miscellaneous things you may need when weekend plans or odd jobs pop up. 

We did take off one point for the way the wheels moved through the sand — while not impossible, they do drag more than roll, which makes maneuvering a bit more challenging. Still, for all the other terrains this wagon handled well, including grass and pavement, it’s a solid choice. It folds and unfolds easily. It didn’t require much setup, but does need slightly more assembly than the other wagons we gave top marks to because you have to unwrap the wagon cushion and then place it in the wagon once you’ve unfolded it. However, it takes very little time to do this, so we can’t complain. 

Weight: 13.5 pounds | Dimensions: 21 x 25 x 15 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 150 pounds | Assembly Required: Minimal

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  People / Izzy Seely

• 

  People / Izzy Seely

Best with Side Pockets

Timber Ridge Folding Collapsible Wagon

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Performance

  5/5

• Quality

  4/5

• Value

  5/5

• It's ready to go right out of the box, which makes setup a breeze.

• Thanks to its telescoping handle and large wheels, this one can easily handle any terrain.

• It has plenty of room for all of your beach essentials.

Pretty much any type of beachgoer would be happy with the Timber Ridge wagon, which was not only decked with storage space but very versatile. The wheels handled every type of terrain that we tried — gravel, sand, pavement — and the cargo area was roomy enough for everything we needed. The telescoping handle made pulling it around a breeze. But the big selling feature is the oversized pockets on either panel of the wagon, as well as the drink holders on the front and back. These easy-access storage panels make getting to your essentials a cinch, not to mention the amount of valuable real estate that it frees up in the main body of the wagon to tote all your other stuff. 

The wagon was ready to go right out of the box and felt like it was made from great quality materials, on both the fabric and the wheels, that would hold up for a long time. It does have a lighter load-bearing capacity than some of the others we tried, but if that isn't a deal-breaker for you, this one is worth a look. While this was one of the more expensive ones we tried, it definitely was worth it. A standout option, to say the least.

Weight: 24 pounds | Dimensions: 35.5 x 18.4 x 12 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 150 pounds | Assembly Required: No

Best with Big Wheels

Mac Sports Heavy Duty Collapsible Beach Wagon

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use

  4/5

• Performance

  5/5

• Quality

  4/5

• Value

  5/5

• It's made with durable materials and feels super high quality.

• It handles sand extremely well.

• It's easy to open and close.

To put it plainly, this wagon is awesome. It holds a cooler, toys, a beach bag, and extras, and rolls great from concrete to sand. It also looked perfectly brand new after being tested, which is a nice perk. We were most impressed by the material, which seemed strong enough to last for the many beach escapades ahead. For families who consistently lug a lot of things to and from the beach, this wagon is a truly excellent choice. 

But there is one big tradeoff: In order to have wheels that roll beautifully in sand, they have to be big. And big wheels are bulky. And a bulky wagon is hard to lift, carry, and store. This obviously isn’t a deal breaker — it’s too good a wagon to dismiss just because it’s heavy. And despite the weight, it actually is very simple to open and close. However, it’s still something to be aware of, especially if you’re a parent who ever travels to the beach solo with your kid(s) and could get weighed down (pun intended) by one more heavy thing to carry.

Weight: 24.5 pounds | Dimensions: 24.6 x 36.2 x 21.4 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 150 pounds | Assembly Required: No

• 

  People / Monica Aguinaga

• 

  People / Monica Aguinaga

Things to Consider Before Buying a Beach Wagon

Size

Something to take into consideration before buying a beach wagon is your usual equipment load. What do you usually pack for the beach? Will you be bringing a cooler? Make sure yours will fit in the wagon’s interior, then factor in sand toys, beach towels, and even folding chairs and umbrellas if it would make your life easier to bring those along in the wagon. Our best option for families, the Moon Lence Utility Wagon, has the largest dimensions of the group, thus holding the most equipment for the beach adventures ahead. 

Storage

When not in use, you want a beach wagon that’s simple to fold and store. It was important to us that all of our beach wagons could fold and unfold easily, so this was a function that we tested tirelessly. Our best overall, Sekey Collapsible Cart, and best budget, Seina Compact Collapsible Wagon, are both easy to unfold and collapse. If it didn’t fold easily, it didn’t make the list — so you’re safe to take your pick from the group above.

Weight

If the beach wagon itself is heavy, that may make using it more cumbersome. Look for one you can easily manage on your own. The Gorilla Carts wagon, which scored as our best all-terrain option, is easily the lightest of the bunch — weighing only 13.5 pounds without extra equipment inside. On the other hand, the Moon Lence Wagon weighs the most at 30.7 pounds, but this is attributed to its larger body and heavier metal frames. While heavier options may be more durable in the long run, no one wagon on our list is too heavy for one person to operate. 

Wheel Size

To get a good roll on sand, you’ll need a beach wagon with larger wheels. But if you plan to mostly use your beach wagon on other terrains, you can get away with smaller wheels. You should also note whether the wheels can rotate or are fixed in place: that will inform how easy it is to push/pull. Our pick with the largest wheels, the Mac Sports wagon, crushed it across all terrains — sand, gravel, pavement, you name it.

When To Buy

Summer products (like beach wagons) often go on sale in the off-season, so look for deals as peak beach season nears a close. We’d suggest you buy your beach wagon as soon as you start to think about it (so, about now). But if you really want to wait for a sale, you can look forward to midsummer Amazon Prime Day deals to score some savings on these somewhat pricier beach accessories. 

How We Tested

Our PEOPLE Tested team tried out 18 beach wagons to see which ones were the best for taking our stuff to the sand. After researching the very best (and most popular) on the market, we got these wagons out to our testers so they could start bringing them along on their beach adventures. 

• Setup: We began by assembling the beach wagons (if they needed to be assembled at all), and took note of how easily, or not, that process was. They were loaded up with towels, umbrellas, coolers, sand toys, drinks, and other essentials. Throughout this process, testers recorded if it was difficult or not to load up, while watching the weight and making sure they stayed within the listed capacity limits. 
• Transport: We made sure to push the beach wagons over both paved surfaces and a stretch of sand, evaluating the maneuverability as well as the quality of the material. But don’t worry, we didn’t just do one test and call it quits — our testers brought it on several visits over a few weeks, watching how it continued to hold up over multiple beach trips. 
• Value: From there, we then rated each beach wagon on a scale of one to five (one being the lowest-performing and five being the highest) on the parameters of assembly ease, performance on the sand, design, and whether it was a good value. 

We compiled our findings and research, comparing and contrasting our testers’ insights to see which beach wagons stood out as winners. From there, we chose these top picks — selected by our writers, but tested by real beachgoers.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What can you use a beach wagon for?

  Beach wagons can be used to carry, as in the name, all of your essentials for the beach — think umbrellas, beach canopies, folding chairs, towels, toys, and more. But you can also use beach wagons for other purposes, like transporting groceries, moving photography equipment from location to location, and so much more.

• Can my kids ride in the beach wagon?

  While none of our PEOPLE Tested beach wagon winners have seats for kids, as long as your cargo is under the weight limit for the wagon and your kid fits, consider it a wagon-slash-stroller. (Although we advise you to do so safely.)

• What type of beach wagon wheels are best for sand?

  While all of our beach wagon winners worked pretty well in the sand, it almost goes without saying that the larger the wheel is, the easier it will be to take it down to the shoreline. Rubber wheels are typically better at rolling across sand than plastic ones due to a higher level of grip, studied by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Program at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 2016. The WhitSunday Collapsible Folding Cart is just one that includes rubber wheels, but most of our beach wagon picks utilize all-terrain wheels, which are excellent for taking on sandy grounds.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Alyssa Brascia is a commerce writer for PEOPLE with a background in lifestyle writing — spanning everything from beauty to home. She has previously contributed to Real Simple, where she researched and wrote home content, and she currently covers household items for PEOPLE over a wide variety of products. 

For this piece, she analyzed the insights given by our testers as they tried several beach wagons at their respective shorelines over the course of a month. She also researched the effects of different materials on sand to better understand the science behind wheel grip, citing a study by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

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