The Best Hand Trucks

Cosco Multi-Position Hand Truck

Give it a hand

Capable of working as both a hand truck and a dolly and sporting a foldable, easy-storage design, this hand truck has an all-purpose design.

Best Overall

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Cosco has created a multi-position, heavy-duty hand truck to move oversized items of all shapes around the home or office. Its flexible design transforms into a two-wheel, upright hand truck or a four-wheel cart without the use of tools or pins. Simply pull the center handle to convert it from one mode to the other in seconds. When you’re finished, just fold up this versatile workhorse for easy transport and storage. It even fits in the trunk of most cars. Capable of carrying 300 pounds, its sturdy steel frame weighs less than 15 pounds. Additionally, the wheels are large, easy-pivoting plastic casters, so they’ll never go flat.

Pros:

• Available in various colorways
• Perfect for shopping trips
• Only 14 inches wide when folded flat

Cons:

• Casters wear easily (but are replaceable)
• Can pinch fingers when folding up

Harper Trucks Convertible Hand Truck

Muscle truck

Let this hardcore hand truck do the heavy lifting so that you don't have to.

Most Heavy-Duty

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Harper Trucks is a brand name that is known and respected in the moving industry. Harper’s exclusive I-beam glass-filled nylon plastic frame is 30% lighter than steel, yet it’s designed for maximum strength. The frame is also chemical-, corrosion-, and rust-resistant for a longer lifespan. Attached to this rugged frame are heavy-duty pneumatic wheels and reinforced swivel casters. The truck converts in seconds from a two-wheel hand truck to a four-wheel cart with a maximum carrying capacity of 700 pounds. There’s also a three-position telescoping handle, as well as built-in stair glides for easy moving up or down stairs and curbs.

Pros:

• Frame arrives factory-assembled
• Front wheels are inflatable rubber
• Available with added shipping/moving supplies

Cons:

• Bottom plate is not industry standard size
• Wobbles (but holds) at higher weights

Welcom Magna Cart Personal Hand Truck

For truck's sake

Weighing less than eight pounds but capable of carrying many multiples of that, this hand truck is small but mighty.

Most Lightweight

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The Magna Cart personal hand truck is engineered for people who need a lightweight solution to a heavyweight problem. Made of rust-proof aluminum, the truck is hard to bend or break and resists rust and corrosion. At only seven pounds, the cart folds up to a compact size. Fully open, it extends to 39″ tall. Sturdy enough to hold up to 150 pounds, it’s the ideal hand truck for travel, as it can hold up to three 50-pound suitcases and still fold up to fit in the overhead compartment. Five-inch rubber wheels allow you to glide through airports — or your chores — with ease.

Pros:

• Opens and closes in seconds
• No assembly required
• Wheels fold in when not in use

Cons:

• Not optimal for taller items
• The handle is short

Milwaukee’s D-Handle Hand Truck

Truck it all

For professional movers, or anyone who carries the heaviest loads, the ten-inch pneumatic tires on this workhorse help to make your job easier.

Best Weight Load

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This D-handle hand truck from Milwaukee’s is built with 10-inch pneumatic tires, some of the largest used on a hand truck. That makes carrying its 800-pound maximum load easier on your back and arms, and it creates a smoother rolling experience overall. Constructed from 1-inch tubular steel and featuring a D-shaped handle style, this dolly is perfect for any job, large or small. We especially like the extra-wide 8″ x 14″ toe plate, which makes stacking and loading even easier.

Pros:

• Ergonomic grip handle
• Great for taller people
• Sturdy axle

Cons:

• No cotter pins holding the wheel to the axle

DBest Products Stair Climber Trolley

Step right up

Getting up the stairs with a hand truck used to be a clunky process at best, but that's not the case with this high-tech wonder.

Best For Stairs

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This stair-climbing trolley from DBest Products balances lightweight capability with ease of use on stairs. Its unique six-wheel design glides up and down stairs without the bumping and dropping that usually occurs. Both collapsible and portable, it easily folds down in half for compact storage when not in use. Your purchase includes a black nylon carrying bag that helps this hand truck function as a shopping cart, too, with its seven different compartments for storage. Remove the bag to turn it into a lightweight hand truck capable of carrying up to 110 pounds.

Pros:

• Great for people who live in condos or apartments
• Available in four different colors
• Won’t scratch wood floors

Cons:

• Only 40-pound capacity on stairs
• Wheels are not replaceable

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between a hand truck and a dolly?

Though the two terms are mostly thought of as interchangeable, there is a difference. A dolly is a platform with two axles and four wheels that can be used to transport heavy items. Hand trucks are only two-wheeled and feature a small platform that can slide under an item on the ground. Items have to be lifted onto a dolly to transport them.

How much should I inflate the tires on my hand truck?

Depending on the manufacturer, you should keep the pressure between 22 and 30 psi. Some people like to keep their tires between 18 and 20 psi regardless because it makes it easier for the tires to go over bumps. However, a really heavy load on tires with this psi will be harder to push or pull.

Is it better to pull a hand truck or push it?

According to OSHA (who actually researched this very question), it is better to avoid pulling whenever possible. Pushing generally takes less effort than pulling because your body weight is used to assist the exertion. In addition, pulling a load can cause carts to run into the shins or ankles. And, wow, does that hurt.