The 5 Best Grocery Shopping Carts, According to Our Tests

Other Shopping Carts We Tested

Strong Contenders

dbest products Stair Climber Trolley Dolly ($89 at Amazon) 

Built with a similar wheel design to our other stair-climbing favorite, this lightweight, more affordable version performed well in our tests, with no damage to our grocery haul. However, this is on the compact side, so depending on what your typical grocery needs are, this may be too small for larger shopping runs. 

dbest products Cruiser Cart with Bag Bundle Shopping Cover ($46 at Amazon) 

We really liked the wide, cushioned handlebar and overall maneuverability of this cart. It’s also lightweight and folds up easily for storage. The simple bag design doesn’t feature any additional pockets or straps, but if you’re looking for a straightforward shopping cart that just gets the job done, this is a solid option.

Costway Folding Shopping Cart ($55 at Walmart) 

This cart is almost identical to our Best Metal pick, with slightly different wheels. We found it to be sturdy and very spacious, and very easy to maneuver even when making tight turns. Since it lacks an inner lining, whatever you’re hauling needs to be already bagged or boxed so items don’t slip through the spacing of the cart’s sides and bottom. But it’s a workhorse, handling up to 88 pounds, and at a price that can’t be beaten. 

What Didn’t Make the List

While we liked the large capacity of the Hulken Shopping Cart ($115 at Hulken), we found it challenging to control when rolling it through our testing course. The Honshine Foldable Cart with Stair Climbing Wheels ($89 at Amazon) is a lightweight cart with a telescoping handle and wheels to aid in climbing stairs, but we are a bit wary of its overall durability. The Handy Sandy Travel Wagon Deluxe ($75 at Handy Sandy) folds flat for storage and has a zip-top closure to keep contents secure. Yet, we thought the handle height made it feel too short for anyone over 5’4”, and its sensitive spinner wheels made it difficult to keep the cart under control.

The Tests

We picked 13 top-rated shopping carts and tested them side by side to see how they handled hauling groceries: bags of produce, wine, soda, a loaf of bread, and eggs. We assessed each cart’s maneuverability by pushing and pulling it through an obstacle course of sorts that involved tight turns and stairs, noting any comfort issues. For models that could function as dollies, we repeated the test to carry a 5-gallon water jug through the same course. Lastly, we folded the carts, when applicable, and noted how easy they were to store.

Factors to Consider

Design

When selecting a shopping cart, design plays an important factor in how it will perform. Models that fold flat for storage are convenient when you’re limited on space; those with a square basket shape are easier to pack than those that are round. Some carts feature bags or baskets that have a zip, drawstring, or flap closure to keep contents secure. You can also find certain models with an external pocket for personal items.

Material  

Many of the options on this list feature a metal frame, which is typically the most sturdy. You’ll also want to consider the material of the basket or bag/liner: heavy-duty polyester and coated canvas are excellent for keeping groceries contained. Be sure to pick an option that is easy to clean, as you’ll want to be able to handle any accidental spills or spots without too much hassle. 

Capacity

Look for a model that’s sized appropriately for your typical grocery shopping load: too large and your items will have room to shift around; too small and you’ll run out of room. Also, be sure to double-check the load capacity of your cart. Even if a cart has enough physical space to carry a lot of cargo, you’ll want to ensure the cart can carry its weight.

Maneuverability

Handle height and grip contribute a lot to the maneuverability of a shopping cart. You may prefer an adjustable, telescoping handle versus one with a fixed height. Wheel design is also essential, as certain wheels make it easy to navigate tight turns, while others are designed to assist in going up and down stairs but have a larger turning radius. Note that while a cart may be easy to move when it’s empty, adding weight can change that, so consider doing a test run at home before fully loading it at the grocery store.

Our Expertise

Bernadette Machard de Gramont is an LA-based freelance writer specializing in food, wine, cookware, and other kitchen and home products. After a two-year stint at Williams Sonoma headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight.