The Best Beach Wagons of 2024

The Timber Ridge Double Decker Wagon ($220) is a beast of a beach wagon. As the name suggests, the Timber Ridge has a double-decker design, meaning it has a top compartment for storing gear as well as a large bottom shelf. Translation? Lots of storage space for gear and an easy solution to keeping it more organized than more standard wagons offer. 

The Double Decker Wagon requires no assembly, so it’s ready to hit the beach as soon as you receive it. The all-terrain 7.5” diameter wheels are wide and capable of handling sand, rocks, dirt, and chunky broken-down coral (we’re speaking from experience on this one). The wheels also have a locking feature, which was helpful once we reached our destination to ensure the cart didn’t roll away on uneven surfaces. 

Since the Timber Ridge wagon has two storage levels, it’s nice that it can support more weight than most of the other wagons we tested. Each level is claimed to be able to hold up to 225 pounds for a total of 450 pounds. Will anyone ever meet that weight capacity? Probably not, but that also means that it’s burly enough to handle it.

The lower level is ideal for bulkier items, and should you be transporting something extra-long like an umbrella, shade canopy, or chairs — which we often are — the lower level folds open so your gear has room to stick out. This makes it much easier to haul chairs or shade structures that are otherwise tough to fit in more traditional wagons.

There are also two bottle/drink holders on the outside of the main compartment, as well as a large mesh pocket on one side to organize smaller items. An added benefit of the double-decker design is that it has a taller loading height, which means you don’t have to bend over as far when transferring your gear from the trunk to the wagon, and vice versa.

The stainless-steel frame is strong yet light, and our female tester had no trouble lifting the wagon once it was folded up for transport. Despite its impressive carrying capacity, the Double Decker folds down small and includes a strap that wraps around it, as well as a bag to store it in.

Our first time using this beach wagon was for an Easter beach day with friends. Our tester and her husband had their two dogs, a camping stove, a cooler, chairs, umbrellas, towels, beach games, and even a hammock stand. Everything fit nicely into the wagon, cutting down what would have been multiple trips into one. Unfortunately, there’s no place specifically created for children to sit, but our small dog enjoyed going for a ride. 

It’s worth mentioning that the Timber Ridge Wagon might be bigger than some people need. That said, having more carrying capacity is always better than having too little. If you’re looking for a serious gear hauler to simplify your life at the beach or anywhere else, the Double Decker is our top recommendation. And, although the $220 retail price is a little more than most, it seems like it almost always sells for a bit less than that.

The Beau Jardin Folding Beach Wagon ($110) was created with large loads in mind. The wagon has a large, deep compartment that can support up to 350 pounds. There are no dividers or extra compartments, except for a small mesh organization pocket, which could be a bummer for some, but we found it was easier to pile in a lot of gear that way.

The wheels on the Beau Jardin are something to write home about. They are 7″ in diameter and 4″ wide with the rear wheels spread out, and the front two are closer together. We found the wheel size and configuration made getting through sand, mud, dirt, and rocks easier. Additionally, the front wheels and handle rotate, which we found especially helpful when steering through trickier terrain.

It is worth mentioning that the wheels are advertised as rotating 360 degrees, but we found they only turned about 180 degrees — which is plenty anyway. The front wheels also have reliable brakes to keep the wagon steady when parked on an incline. 

The Beau Jardin is easy to set up and fold down, but our tester had some troubles before she figured it out. When you go to pull the wagon open, nothing happens. There’s a red latch on the side that you must open first and then it unfolds easily. It didn’t take too long to figure this out, but it was a bit frustrating before we did.

We were really impressed with the 600D Oxford Fabric. Not only is the fabric portion removable for easy cleaning, but it’s also tear-resistant and waterproof. Quality fabric is essential as your beach cart will regularly be exposed to harsh sand and salt water. Likewise, the powder-coated steel frame has a sturdy, durable feel for transporting heavy loads while standing up well to corrosion.

At $110, the Beau Jardin Folding Beach Wagon isn’t the least expensive model we tested, but we feel it is the best value. This tough wagon is well made, easy to handle, and ready to haul your gear whether you’re at the beach or not.

If you’re looking for a no-frills beach wagon with big wheels that can roll over just about everything, look no further than the Mac Sports All-Terrain Beach Wagon ($140). This wagon features a big, wide-open center compartment for stashing and hauling your gear, without any dividers or extra stuff to get in the way. Just drop your gear in and go.

The standout feature of the All-Terrain Beach Wagon is the wheels. The wide, 10-inch-diameter plastic wheels performed incredibly well on rough terrain. Not only did we test out this beach wagon at the beach, but we hauled it over rocks and broken-down coral covering the sand, and it performed like a beast.

It makes sense given that bigger wheels can more easily roll over obstacles, and the difference was very apparent. The back two wheels are spread out, but the front two are close together, which makes it easy to navigate tricky terrain while also allowing them to nest between each other when the wagon is folded for transport. 

We found that the All-Terrain wagon was great for hauling heavy coolers as they easily fit in the large, open storage compartment. We also appreciated the two front cup holders and an exterior mesh pouch for storing drinks and small essentials.

For being a seemingly heavy-duty beach wagon, the 150-pound weight capacity seems a bit on the low side. We’re not often hauling more than 100 pounds of gear around, but if you have a big YETI cooler filled with ice, drinks, and food, it can get heavy quickly. On the plus side, the powder-coated steel frame feels rugged and plenty durable, and the polyester fabric is mildew and UV-resistant to help it stay in tip-top shape.

At the end of the day, the wagon packs down small and includes a bag for organized storage in your vehicle or at home. If your beach adventures involve transporting gear down less-than-perfect paths to the beach, the Mac Sports All-Terrain Beach Wagon might be your new best friend.

The Sekey 220L Collapsible Folding Wagon ($130) is a heavy-duty beach wagon available at a reasonable price. The wagon comes fully assembled, and the quality is immediately apparent. The Sekey features an alloy steel frame, and the 600D Oxford fabric is double-layer, fade-resistant, and has a PVC waterproof coating.

Thanks to its hefty construction, the Sekey can hold up to 330 pounds, so you don’t have to skimp on packing. The wide, open compartment makes it easy to pack in lots of gear, and the taller sides help keep things from falling out while you’re rolling everything down to the beach. There aren’t any extra compartments for storing small items, however, except for two drink holders in the front. 

The Sekey has four wide 7-inch diameter all-terrain plastic wheels. They aren’t as large as some of the other wagons we tested, but they get the job done on a wide range of surfaces and are easier to steer. The coaxial steering made the front wheels easily rotate, which we greatly appreciated for quick turns around rocks and other obstacles. Once you’ve reached your destination, the wheels have brakes, so you can rest easy knowing your wagon isn’t going anywhere.

A standout feature of the Sekey is the handle. It’s collapsible, and it pops back up into an upright position when you aren’t holding it, so it doesn’t lay down in the sand. This wagon also has a little handle in the middle of the storage compartment that you simply pull up on to fold it up.

It packs down relatively small and comes with a storage bag to put over the top. The bag is nice for tidiness, but it’s a little bit of a squeeze to fit it over the wagon. Once you do, however, the wagon is free-standing, making it easy to store. 

If you’re like us and appreciate a well-organized garage space, the Sekey 220L Collapsible Folding Wagon is a great option that’s easy to store and ready in moments when you need it. With a 330-pound weight capacity and all-terrain wheels, it’s ready to haul all of your gear wherever your adventures take you.

If you have young children, you’ll love the Veer All-Terrain Cruiser ($699). If a top-of-the-line stroller and a beach wagon had a baby, it would probably look something like this quality model from Veer. It’s the highest-quality kid-specific beach-capable wagon we’ve seen, and it’s equally useful outside of the beach environment and can just as easily carry your pets or cargo, too.

Where most beach wagons have a compartment made from fabric, the All-Terrain Cruiser incorporates a mix of thick plastic and heavy-duty fabric. The wagon has two seats facing each other, each with a plastic seat and plastic mesh seat back.

Each seat has a three-point harness-style seatbelt to secure children while in transit. It’s rated to carry 55 pounds per seat — 110 pounds of kid cargo — or up to 250 pounds if you’re carrying pets or beach gear.

With the All-Terrain Cruiser, Veer thought of everything. Between the seats is a removable plastic tray for snacks and drinks. Next to each seat are two small plastic holders for small items or snacks. There are also two drink holders in the front for the adults — the cup holders can be moved to the handle if you want even easier access to your beverage. 

The entire wagon is well-made, and the wheels are rugged and heavy-duty. They’re large and the front wheels rotate to make turns easier. When you want to stay in one place, the wheels lock to ensure your wagon and cargo don’t roll away without you.

The adjustable height handle is large and secure, and the grip is lined with rubber so you can comfortably pull it behind you. The handle can be used to pull the wagon behind you, or it can be locked in an upright position so you can push the wagon like a stroller.

The All-Terrain Cruiser does pack down, but you must remove the snack tray and the front cup holders in order to do so. It’s not a huge thing, but it is a little bit of a pain if you’re frequently loading it in and out of the car.

Unlike many wagons that fold like an accordion, the Veer folds down to a slimmer size but stays the same width and length as when it’s open. The wheels can also be removed to make it smaller. And, when you need to clean up after a long day of family fun, the wagon can be hosed off easily.

The All-Terrain Cruiser doesn’t come with any shade for the kiddos, but Veer offers lots of compatible accessories that you can purchase. Accessories include a retractable shade canopy, comfort seats, a car seat adapter, a bug shield, a cargo net, and more. If you’re looking for a high-quality kids’ wagon for the beach, neighborhood, or any other adventure, the Veer All-Terrain Cruiser doesn’t come cheap, but we feel it’s the best around.

The Radio Flyer Beach & Boardwalk Wagon ($170) was designed with kids in mind. Made with 100% recycled fabric, it has high seat backs, a thick padded seat with seatbelts, and a detachable shade structure so your children can comfortably ride in the wagon en route to the beach. Once you arrive, the side of the wagon comes undone so your kids can relax in the shade with their feet dangling over the side. 

If you plan on having kids ride in the wagon, that doesn’t leave a lot of room for gear. Luckily, this wagon has a back storage bar that can hold two to three beach chairs. You can also pack small, soft items like beach towels and blankets between your kids. There are even cup holders so you can easily stash sippy cups or water bottles. 

Our tester and her husband have had a Radio Flyer since their son was young. When he was little, he loved riding and playing inside, but now that he’s a preteen, the Radio Flyer has evolved into a cargo wagon to haul their gear. Whether hauling kids or not, it has a 150-pound weight limit. And that is a limit we’d definitely recommend staying below, given the less robust feel of the materials used in its construction.

Radio Flyer advertises its wheels as all-terrain, but we found that they’re better suited to smooth, even surfaces. They work well on the road, boardwalk, dirt, and hard-packed sand, but pulling it through thick, loose sand proved to be somewhat challenging.

Still, if you have kids, the Radio Flyer Beach & Boardwalk Wagon is a more affordable family-friendly option that can make your beach days more fun. Just be sure to treat it with a little care and don’t overload it to keep in good working order.

The Rio Brands Wonder Wheeler Beach Cart ($99) is unlike any of the other beach wagons on our list. The Wonder Wheeler is more of a cart than a wagon, so its usefulness may vary depending on how you plan to use it. 

The Wonder Wheeler has a vertical design with a large mesh storage compartment and a 100 lbs. weight capacity. This makes it super easy to toss camp-style chairs, balls, and other bulky items into it. But, depending on what you’re carrying we found that some items can get somewhat lost in the abyss.

However, we found that this cart was perfect for sports, especially beach volleyball. We found that the main compartment in the cart was perfect for piling in balls. The cart also has a side attachment for an umbrella and a front tote by the handle for smaller items like books, phones, snacks, etc. 

The umbrella holder is clever and was an easy way to attach an umbrella without taking up extra room in the cart. It works for most umbrellas but if your umbrella is on the wider side, it might not fit. The large all-terrain back wheels are wide and heavy-duty, so they cut well through the sand. The front wheels are small and slim like those found on a stroller — they work fine on even surfaces, but you’ll want to push or pull the cart on its back wheels when you’re going through softer sand. 

Although you can carry beach chairs, towels, and the usuals for a beach day, we felt the Wonder Wheeler was best suited to sports. The steel frame feels durable, the mesh bag is perfectly suited for holding balls, and the tote allows you to pack along any extra items you may have. When you’re finished, it packs up for easy storage and transport, and this lightweight cart is easy to toss in the back of your vehicle.

The iHomey Collapsible Folding Utility Wagon ($79) is a very affordable, simple, and effective wagon for the beach or use around the house. Weighing 21 pounds, it is relatively light, and its small collapsed size makes it easy to load in and out of the car.

Right out of the box, the iHomey Wagon does lose some points as assembly is required. Getting the wheels attached wasn’t terribly difficult, but it was a bit of a pain compared to other models that arrived completely assembled. On the plus side, the wheels are removable if you’re in a situation where you wish to take them off for storing or transporting.

The wide, open storage compartment makes it easy to pack all your gear, and with a claimed weight limit of up to 300 pounds, you don’t have to skimp on what you’re packing. The only downside is that there are no smaller compartments except for two water bottle holders, so it can be tricky to stay organized.

The Utility Wagon’s handle is adjustable and has a clip to keep it upright when not in use. However, our clip was broken upon arrival, so we weren’t able to use this feature. Since the iHomey wagon isn’t specifically designed for the beach, the wheels are slimmer than most of the others we tested, but they do have an all-terrain design. They fared well on most surfaces but didn’t work quite as well in thick, soft sand as wider wheels.

Regardless, the iHomey Collapsible Utility Wagon is a very budget-friendly option for anyone seeking a functional wagon for use at the beach, around the house, or in the garden. It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done without breaking the bank.