The Best Folding Hand Trucks of 2024, Tested
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Folding Hand Trucks of 2024, Tested and hope the blog can help you.
Moving heavy items is easier and more comfortable with a hand truck. Find out how the top folding models fared in our tests.
Capable of moving items that weigh several hundred pounds, hand trucks are indispensable— and folding hand trucks that you can stow away are even better. We researched more than 30 folding hand trucks before selecting the top seven models for hands-on testing.
While all the models on this list excelled in our tests, our favorite is the Harper Trucks 700-lb. Capacity Convertible Hand Truck. We loved its smooth-rolling wheels and the ability to haul heavy items upright or horizontally. Plus, being made from glass-infused nylon, it’s lightweight, resilient, and dependable.
Keep reading to learn what to look for when shopping for a collapsible-type hand truck and discover how the following options earned a spot in this guide of the best folding hand trucks.
- BEST OVERALL: Harper Trucks 700-lb. Capacity Convertible Hand Truck
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Vevor 375-lb. Capacity Stair-Climbing Hand Truck
↓ Jump to Review - PERFORMANCE PICK: Vergo Industrial 400-lb. Capacity Folding Hand Truck
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FURNITURE DOLLY: Cosco 4-in-1 Flat-Free Wheels Folding Hand Truck
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PLATFORM: Wellmax 660-lb. Capacity Foldable Push Cart Dolly
↓ Jump to Review - BEST TOOL MOVER: Milwaukee 2-Wheel Packout Utility Cart
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: Harper Trucks Appliance Truck With Belt Tightener
↓ Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Folding Hand Trucks
We started by researching more than 30 folding hand trucks, looking for quality materials, ergonomic design, and excellent customer ratings. We considered the brand to an extent—after all, Harper Trucks has a top-notch reputation for manufacturing high-quality dollies, carts, and hand trucks. We then tested eight models we felt represented a range of moving needs, and seven of them ultimately earned a spot in this guide of the best folding hand trucks available today.
For our hands-on testing, we loaded up the hand trucks to see if they held heavy items without warping or damage to the wheels or frame. We pulled and pushed the trucks on flat concrete, gravel, and grass. Depending on the style, we also took them up and down steps. We awarded points to each hand truck for how well it performed on the tests using a rubric: The better the performance, the more points we gave. After testing, we averaged the points to determine our top performer and assign the other models an appropriate category.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 8 |
| Hours/Weeks/Time spent testing | 4 |
| Tests performed | 3 |
| Price range | $85 to $280 |
Our Top Picks
Our top picks for the best folding hand trucks on the market today vary in cost, load capacity, and best use, but each one pulled its weight in our tests. One is sure to be the right choice for your moving projects.
Best Overall
Harper Trucks 700-lb. Capacity Convertible Hand Truck
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ergonomics 5/5; Maneuverability 4.8/5; Functionality 5/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 4.8/5
Product Specs
- Load capacity: 600 pounds (2-wheel dolly), 700 pounds (4-wheel cart)
- Frame material: Glass-filled nylon
- Weight: 26 pounds
Pros
- Made from high-tensile glass-filled nylon for high-load capacity
- Handles a max 600-pound load upright and 700 pounds in cart mode
- Rolls smoothly on pavement and fairly well on gravel
- Easily converts from upright to horizontal mode for versatile hauling
Cons
- Does not roll as well in dense grass—for that purpose, a cart with 4 large wheels may be necessary
This lightweight (26-pound) Harper Trucks hand truck offers an optimal combination of strength, durability, and versatility, making it our Best Overall pick for a foldable hand truck. This was the first glass-filled nylon hand truck we’d used, and we were skeptical that it would hold up to hauling a heavy load. We were wrong.
The hand truck is designed to handle a maximum load of 600 pounds in upright mode and 700 pounds in cart mode. We didn’t put that much weight on it, but we did load up approximately 400 pounds without any sagging or wheel drag. This hand truck moved smoothly over pavement, and we could still maneuver it over gravel. Pushing it over dense grass was more challenging, but that’s to be expected. Overall, we were very impressed with its performance.
Converting to a horizontal dolly cart was simple and required removing the yellow handle, laying the unit down, and reinserting the handle on the top side. The large wheels are solid rubber, and the two caster wheels are nylon, allowing the hand truck to roll smoothly in both configurations. This is an excellent folding hand truck and dolly for someone who wants to move heavy items and needs both a cart and an upright configuration at times.
Read our full review: Harper Trucks 700-lb. Capacity Convertible Hand Truck
Get the Harper Trucks 700-pound-capacity folding hand truck at Amazon or Staples.
Best Bang for the Buck
Vevor 375-lb. Capacity Stair-Climbing Hand Truck
Photo: homedepot.com
Our Ratings: Ergonomics 4/5; Maneuverability 4.5/5; Functionality 4/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Load capacity: 220 pounds (stairs), 375 pounds (flat surfaces)
- Frame material: Steel
- Weight: 21.2 pounds
Pros
- Includes 10 wheels: 6 wheels in rotating assembly, 2 wheels for load support, and 2 spare wheels
- Platform folds upward and the support bar folds in for compact storage
- Handle height adjusts to accommodate users of various heights
- Rotating wheel assembly makes it easier to navigate steps and stairs
Cons
- Despite the name, this small hand truck doesn’t climb—users must pull it
If you live in any home other than a patio-type residence, you’ll inevitably have to move items up and down steps—at least a few. It can be challenging to navigate steps and stairs with standard two-wheel hand trucks because you may have to physically lift the truck to keep it from scraping the edge of the step, depending on the step style. The Vevor stair-climbing hand truck is designed to eliminate that concern. Best of all, it comes at a very reasonable price.
Despite the somewhat confusing name of this model—since it doesn’t actually climb steps—we found it a lot easier to pull heavy loads up the steps with this hand truck compared to other options. We loaded the Vevor hand truck with about 175 pounds of weight and headed for the stairs. As we pulled it behind us, the rotating three-wheel assembly on both sides rolled smoothly up the steps.
This stair-climbing hand truck comes with 10 wheels. Six of those serve as rotating wheels; two wheels are located on a support bar that helps stabilize the load, and there are two spare wheels. The platform folds upward to take up less room in storage, and the handle height is adjustable. This model isn’t designed to handle super-heavy loads (375 pounds for level loads and 220 pounds on steps), but we found it very helpful for moving heavy items up and down steps.
Get the Vevor folding hand truck at The Home Depot.
Performance Pick
Vergo Industrial 400-lb. Capacity Folding Hand Truck
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ergonomics 4.5/5; Maneuverability 4.3/5; Functionality 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.8/5
Product Specs
- Load capacity: 400 pounds
- Frame material: Aluminum
- Weight: 26 pounds
Pros
- Oversize toe plate provides ample space for hauling bulky items
- Solid rubber tires offer optimal traction and never need to be pumped with air
- Extendable handle proves versatile for users of different heights
- Relatively lightweight and easier to lift when needed
Cons
- Tires are not large enough to handle steps without scraping
There’s a lot to like about the Vergo industrial hand truck, which features an oversize toe plate (23 inches long by 15.5 inches wide), solid rubber tires, an extendable handle, and a load capacity of 400 pounds. Yet, it weighs just 26 pounds, and we had no problem lifting it to load in the back of our truck or carrying it down the basement stairs to store.
While this Vergo model doesn’t convert to a dolly cart, we could load large items without worrying that they’d fall off thanks to the oversize toe plate. The handles on this hand truck are well designed and include a horizontal loop handle and pistol-grip handles that are more comfortable when hauling heavy loads.
We liked this hand truck but would have preferred it to have 10-inch tires rather than 8-inch tires. We had a bit of trouble with the unit scraping on the steps as we went up and down, but larger tires would likely solve that problem.
One thing that surprised and pleased us was that—despite the large footprint—the Vergo hand truck folds to just 3 inches wide for convenient storage.
Get the Vergo folding hand truck at Amazon.
Best Furniture Dolly
Cosco 4-in-1 Flat-Free Wheels Folding Hand Truck
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ergonomics 4.5/5; Maneuverability 4.3/5; Functionality 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.3/5
Product Specs
- Load capacity: 800 pounds (2-wheel hand truck); 1,000 pounds (4-wheel cart)
- Frame material: Steel
- Weight: 29.25 pounds
Pros
- High load capacity
- Offers 4 configurations for hauling a variety of items
- User-friendly; converts quickly between different configurations
- Large solid rubber tires allow for the navigation of steps without scraping
Cons
- Slightly pricier than competitive models; might not be worth the expense for users who don’t move heavy items
For users who have several different types of items to move regularly, the versatility of the Cosco 4-in-1 hand truck will be welcome. It functions as a standard upright hand truck for use with or without a rolling assist arm that stabilizes heavy loads.
This model quickly converts to a rolling cart with the simple push of a button for moving bulkier items. If need be, the toe plate folds flat against the cart, making it a platform cart that can carry items longer than the length of the cart itself.
It’s designed to move up to 800 pounds in upright mode and up to 1,000 pounds in cart mode. We tested the hand truck with about 450 pounds, and it rolled easily as a hand cart. We reduced the weight to take the hand truck up and down the steps, and it performed well there, too. The 10-inch solid rubber wheels kept the underside from scraping.
The Cosco hand truck is built to last. It features a durable aluminum frame and an ergonomically designed handle—ready to assist in moving virtually anything you put on it.
Get the Cosco folding hand truck at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Platform
Wellmax 660-lb. Capacity Foldable Push Cart Dolly
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ergonomics 4.5/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Functionality 5/5; Durability 4.5/5; Value 4.8/5
Product Specs
- Load capacity: 660 pounds
- Frame material: Alloy steel
- Weight: 27.9 pounds
Pros
- Platform-type portable hand truck securely accommodates large bulky items
- Nonslip platform surface grips items to prevent them from sliding
- Bumpers protect the hand truck (and items you run into) from damage
- Folds nearly flat for convenient storage in small areas
Cons
- Not suitable for pulling on dense grass and gravel or for navigating steps
The Wellmax platform hand truck is simple in design but serves as a valuable hauler for bulky items on flat surfaces. We loaded about 450 pounds on the platform, and it still rolled easily across the driveway and on sidewalks.
This model will not serve as a garden cart since it doesn’t function as well on dense grass or gravel and is also not for use on steps (we tried and failed). However, the Wellmax hand truck is well suited to moving large-format items—such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators—across paved surfaces. The large base measures 28.7 inches long by 18.7 inches wide and has a nonslip surface to help prevent items from sliding.
We liked the bumpers along the edges, especially when faced with the challenge of maneuvering heavy loads. Another excellent feature of the Wellmax hand truck is that it folds nearly flat for compact storage.
Get the Wellmax folding hand truck at Amazon.
Best Tool Mover
Milwaukee 2-Wheel Packout Utility Cart
Photo: homedepot.com