The 10 Best Folding Hand Trucks For Moving Anything!

Carrying heavy luggage can drain you and consume much of your time. Worse still; you may develop severe back pains in the long run which may cost you an arm and a leg to seek medical attention. To avoid all these complications, you will require a quality hand truck. These devices offer great benefits and are professionally designed to facilitate smooth movement of heavy luggage easily without positioning your body in an unhealthy angle, reducing your fatigue levels, muscle strains and increased your productivity. While owning one offers great benefits, choosing the best folding hand truck can be at times confusing with the ever-increasing brands in the industry. We understand how a poor quality dolly can be backbreaking and costly. That’s why we have taken time to choose high-quality brands that have been professionally designed to help you manage even the most demanding heavy loads efficiently. Keep reading to identify one for your needs.

Best Pick

After comparing all the other models, this Cosco Shifter Heavy Duty Folding Hand Truck has managed to stand out. The dolly is made from heavy-duty steel for increased strength and durability. Its multi-position design allows you to convert it from the two-wheeled cart into a four-wheel truck without calling for pins or tools to suit your luggage size.

​Budget Pick

Magna Cart Personal Folding Hand Truck is the go-to dolly when you are on a budget. The truck features a sturdy aluminum frame for maximum strength and 5-inch rubber wheels for smooth transportation of items not exceeding 150lbs. The fact that the truck comes already assembled makes it easy for you to get started right away.

Quick Comparison Between The Best Folding Hand Trucks

[table id=150 /]

1. Cosco Shifter Heavy Duty Folding Hand Truck 

Highlighted Features

• Handy
• Made from a durable steel frame for exceptional strength and durability
• Holds up to 300lbs
• Multi-position for more versatility
• Lightweight
• Easy to store
• Durable
• Fits in most car trucks

Cosco is an easy to operate hand truck which can hold up to 300lbs. The dolly features a heavy duty steel frame which provides strong support for your luggage. Its multi-position design allows you to covert the dolly as a two-wheel upright truck or four wheels without using any tool or pins. The size and weight of the truck are well balanced to ensure a natural movement of your luggage. Its lightweight design enables you to perform repeated transportation of your luggage without getting easily drained making the model the best hand truck for heavy duty luggage. Its handle is ergonomically designed to minimize any need for bending, so you do not have to strain your back. And what’s more, the dolly fits most car trucks which give you the freedom to tie it on the car truck whenever you need to trasport it or move your items. Once you are done, you can easily fold your truck for easy storage. Overall, Cosco dolly is a professionally designed dolly which has excellent features designed to help make your luggage transportation easy and manageable.

2. Magna Cart Personal Folding Hand Truck

Highlighted Features

• Holds up to 150lbs
• Built with a quality aluminum base with ball bearing rubber wheels
• Folds 2.5” flat for easy storage or transportation
• Ergonomically designed extendable telescopic handle
• Handy
• Affordable

If you are on a budget, this Magna cart is the perfect hand truck for the money. The dolly features a sturdy 15"aluminum base with 5-inch rubber wheels which delivers smooth operation of your cart on any floor and does not require air. Featuring a foldable lightweight design this dolly provides smooth movement of your luggage of up to 150lbs.Its telescopic handle is ergonomically designed and can extend up to 39-inches for proper positioning of your body when transporting your luggage. For easy storage or transportation, the truck easily folds 2.5-inches flat. The dolly comes in red or black color which allows you to select your preferred color. Overall, this Magna cart is affordable, handy and ergonomically designed for use at home, office or recreation. Though it is affordable, the quality is also good and does not require any assembly.

3. Magna Cart 150 lb Steel Folding Hand Truck

Highlighted Features

• Rugged design for increased strength and durability
• Holds up to 150lbs
• Handle extends 39” to suit different heights
• Retractable wheels for easy storage
• 199mm steel frame
• Weighs 9lbs

Weighing at 9 lbs, this amazing hand truck from Magna can hold up too 150lbs with its rugged 19mm steel frame. Its handle extends 39” to suit different heights preventing any chances of positioning your body in an un-ergonomic position which may injure your back. Its slim size and foldable design make it easy for you to carry it anywhere including airplanes, or peg hook it on your truck, garage or trunk.  Not forgetting its retractable wheels which folds over 2” for easy storage convenience. This dolly is an excellent pick if you are planning to move boxes, luggage, and other items which do not exceed 15lbs.

4. Rock-N-Roller R6RT Folding Multi-Cart

Highlighted Features

• Holds up to 500lbs
• Transforms into eight different shapes easily
• Weighs 22lbs
• Rugged steel construction for maximum support
• Foldable design for easy storage
• Built to last
• 4 by 1-inch front wheels with brakes and eight by 2-inch R-Trac wheels
• Axle size19mm
• 16-inch tubing gauge with 75” main frame tubing

Rock-N-Roller is the hand truck for DJ. The dolly features a heavy-duty steel construction which makes transportation off heavy luggage efficient. One feature which makes this truck stand out from its peers is its unique design which enables you to quickly transform it into eight different shapes to suit your preferences. Its R-Trac wheels provide a smooth ride with excellent traction without calling for maintenance or pneumatic tire repairs. Better still; the wheels can handle most terrains making the movement of your heavy luggage manageable. So regardless of the gear your luggage calls for, the multi-dolly will meet them. Though the cart is professionally designed to handle heavy luggage, it easily folds into a small size for easy storage. Overall, this multi-cart from Rock-n-roller is an excellent pick for professionals, contractors, DJs, technicians and any other professional who needs to transport bulky luggage on about any terrain. The dolly is ergonomically designed with a strike in weight and size balance for unmatched performance.

5. Cosco 3-in-1 Aluminum Hand Truck

Highlighted Features

• Handy
• Strong and durable
• Assisted and two-wheel truck holds up to 800lbs
• Four-wheel hand truck holds up to 1000lbs
• Changes into eight different shapes
• Easy to maneuver
• Ergonomically designed to reduce fatigue, muscle strain, and injury

Transporting oversize objects has never been easy, but with this Cosco 3 in 1 dolly, you can quickly move your luggage within no time. The truck is ergonomically designed to prevent fatigue, injury and muscle strains. All you need is load your items on the dolly and leave the lifting to the truck. Its commercial aluminum frame offers maximum support to your items making their transportation hassle free. With only one hand, the dolly easily transforms into a four-wheeled truck, two-wheeled upright cart or a four-wheel supported cart without using tools or pins. Apart from its versatility, the truck is also easy to maneuver around different terrains making your workload easy to manage. Its grip handles provide a secure and comfortable grip for unmatched user experience. In addition to this, the dolly can easily be folded for storage and easy transportation.

6. Harper Trucks 700 lb Convertible Hand Truck

Highlighted Features

• 10-inch industrial pneumatic wheels
• Glass-filled Nylon plastic frame
• Easy to maneuver
• Telescopic handle with three positions and inbuilt stir glides
• 5 –inch heavy-duty swivel casters
• Two-wheel cart holds up to 600lbs while 4-wheel holds 700lbs

Still looking for the best hand truck for stair? Then why not give this dolly a try. The truck boasts of its ergonomic design for high maneuverability and easy lifting of your items. Usually, weight is one of the features which play a significant part on the user fatigue levels, and Harper Trucks have made this dolly lighter for easy transportation while offering maximum support for your luggage. The dolly boasts of its I-Beam glass filled plastic frame which is resistant to rust, chemical and corrosion and is 30% lighter than steel. Its telescopic handle features a three-position design with inbuilt stair glides for smooth movement up and downstairs. Its 10” heavy duty pneumatic wheel and 5-inch rugged swivel casters offer smooth movement on different terrains. And in seconds, the hand truck can transform from a two-wheel cart into a four-wheel truck which can hold 600lbs and 700lbs respectively. Overall, Harper Truck is a quality dolly designed to make lifting heavy luggage in those hard to maneuver areas like stairs easy. Whether you are looking forward to moving items from your home, hardware or office, this cart comes in handy.

7. ​Vergo S300BT Industrial Folding Hand Truck Dolly 

Highlighted Features

• Does not require any assembly
• Rugged design
• Folds for easy storage
• Holds items up to 275lbs
• Telescopic handle extends 4,25” for easy control over the dolly
• Foldable nose plate
• 7” stable rubber wheels
• Weighs 10lbs

This hand truck from Vergo allows you to easily transport items with a weight capacity of up to 275lbs. Its aluminum plate provides maximum support for your items making it easy to move around. Its lightweight design facilitates easy maneuverability while minimizing your fatigue levels making the process fun. Its telescopic handle extends 4.25” to allow you to adjust to your body height for excellent performance and full control over the dolly. When folding or unfolding the nose plate, the nesting wheels automatically moves in place making the operation simple and easy. When moving your items, the rubbers wheels offer excellent stability and can hold the weight of the luggage provided it is within the recommended capacity. Whether you are planning to move your boxes, paperwork, groceries, heavy luggage, name it, this hand truck will help you achieve that within no time.

8. Wesco 220649 Steel Maxi Mover Folding Truck

Highlighted Features

• Stable wheels and rugged steel frame which can hold up to 275lbs
• Lightweight but strong
• Has elastic straps for keeping your load in place
• 7-inch no marking wheels for easy maneuverability
• Ergonomically designed handle
• Stable rubber wheels
• Handy

Wesco 220649 is a lightweight hand truck which has the strength to hold items of up to 275lbs. The dolly is L-shaped with two handles for better control and smooth movement of your items. Its steel design offers maximum support for your things when moving. With the help of its 7” non-marking wheels, the truck provides great maneuverability on different terrains. Its inbuilt elastic straps keep your load secure when transporting giving you confidence even when delivering delicate items. Overall, this Wesco hand truck is ideal for use on different applications. Its size, handle, wheels and elastic straps are strategically placed for a great balance of the dolly and the load giving you great versatility like no other.

9. Milwaukee Hand Trucks 49180 Convertible Truck

Highlighted Features

• Built to last
• Weighs 36 pounds
• Smooth lifting and transportation
• Stable and strong gusset wheels
• Hold up to 800lbs
• Flow back handle for easy truck operation
• 5” large casters
• Converts from two-wheel vertical dolly into a four-wheel horizontal truck

Milwaukee is one of the popular and well-known brands that have been around for years. The company is known for its expertise in designing high-quality tools that meet the industry standards, and this hand truck has not been left out. The dolly touts of its heavy-duty construction which gives it maximum strength to help you lift and transport your heavy luggage with ease. The convertible heavy duty truck has a powder coated finish for increased durability and can easily convert from a two-wheel vertical cart into a four-wheel horizontal dolly to meet your transport needs. Its 10”pneumatic tires offer optimal support and stability of the load which makes it easy for the truck to roll over uneven ground with ease. The wheel guard prevents any contact with your weight minimizing any friction or chances of damaging the items. Its flow back handle requires one or two hand operation for better control over the truck. At 36 pounds, this hand truck is professionally designed to facilitate smooth movement of your heavy luggage. Its gusset wheels enhance the truck strength and durability making it the perfect hand truck for moving.

10. Magliner GMK81UA4 Convertible Hand Truck

Highlighted Features

• Holds large capacity of up to 500lbs
• Handy
• Minimizes user fatigue
• 10” pneumatic wheels for a stable and smooth movement
• Converts from 2 to 4 wheel truck
• Ergonomically designed to increase your productivity and greater load balance
• Lightweight but strong

This Magniler GMK81UA4 truck is designed to handle large capacity for increased productivity while making lesser trips. Its lightweight but robust design minimizes fatigue levels so you will not get drained quickly. Featuring a modular design, you can rest assured that there are no welds, so you do not have to deal with broken joints. To meet your needs, this 2 in 1 dolly transforms from a two-wheel cart into a four-wheeled truck easily. Its 10” pneumatic wheels are strong and stable enough to withstand your load while delivering smooth navigation on different terrains. Overall, Magniler GMK81UA4 series is designed for everyday use. Its handles are ergonomically designed to offer a secure grip for greater control over the load. Not forgetting its strong and stable 10” wheels which facilitate smooth transportation of your items even on those tight areas making it fun and easy. Its ability to transport large capacity enables you to meet your delivery target faster within no time making it an excellent pick for businesses.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Hand Truck

Lifting heavy items is strenuous and can be back-breaking especially if you do not have the right dolly. Choosing a poor quality truck can make transportation of your items challenging. To make the process easy and fun, here are some of the critical factors to consider when choosing a hand truck.

Load capacity

Every truck has its maximum load capacity it can hold. Before even pulling out your card, you need to factor in the load capacity to determine the one that suits your needs. This will be determined by the type of items you wish to transport. In case you are looking for a cart to move items on your home or office, you may consider going for trucks which can hold a minimum of 150lbs and above. Anything below this will force you to make repeated trips especially when large capacity loads need to be moved. Stronger trucks which can hold 500lbs to 1000lbs or above are a great pick for most demanding jobs which require higher load capacity. Loading your truck with over-weight items than the recommended load capacity can damage your dolly or ruin your items. Worse still; you may also risky causing accidents which may expose you and the people around you at risk.

Truck design

Hand trucks are of three different types, that is the convertible, upright and specialty. Upright trucks are two-wheeled and are ideal for moving items less than 500lbs. However, some models can hold more than this. Convertible hand trucks feature four wheels which give them greater strength to hold more weight as compared to the two-wheeled models. They can quickly transform into a two-wheel model from a four-wheel truck for lighter load capacity and greater control and easy maneuverability.

Truck size

Hand trucks come in different sizes to suit different user needs. However, there is no specific truck size. This size you settle for should be based on the job and what you plan to transport.  

Material

Most of the commonly used materials are fiberglass or Nylon, aluminum, and steel. By nature, Nylon material is lightweight as compared to aluminum and steel. This makes the carts easy to move around. The material is affordable and recommended for moving light items.  In case you are on a budget, you may consider models designed using Fiberglass or Nylon and ensure it is hard, chemical resistant and corrosion free for increased durability. Aluminum hand trucks are lightweight as compared to steel and provide great power for maximum support of your items. In regards to price, aluminum is slightly higher as compared to the fiber-glass Nylon material but stronger. To make aluminum material stronger, some manufacturers bond it with other metals. On the other hand, steel hand trucks are mightier than the other two materials. Though they are slightly heavy, they are ideal for moving heavy luggage. For increased strength, some models are double welded and are suitable for industrial use or in most demanding projects.

Handle design

Moving hand trucks can be strenuous especially if the handles are not ergonomically designed. One of the great features to make sure you minimize your fatigue levels is to check out whether the model you are planning to buy has an extendable handle. This feature allows you to pull the handle to an extended length which makes the load lighter minimizing your fatigue and strain levels altogether. Another notable feature to look for in your dolly is the type of handle. Consider going for brands which have a telescopic handle for easy adjustability for users with different heights.

Type of terrain

Not every dolly wheels will enable you to maneuver easily on every ground. For greater maneuverability ensure that you go for a model which can move smoothly on the recommended terrain you may be planning to use. Most manufacturers include the type of terrain their truck can be used. For greater versatility, consider choosing models which can be used on most grounds.

Available space

Though most modern hand trucks feature a foldable design for easy storage, you will still need enough space to store it. To prevent the truck from overwhelming all the available space, you need to measure the available storage space to determine the right size for you.

Cost

Though spending more than you have planned for may lead to financial runaway, you should ensure the model you go for is durable and robust enough to withstand the test of time. If you cannot afford a high-end hand truck, you can settle for an affordable one but ensure proper care, and load limits have always been kept in check.

Final Verdict

Hand trucks have proved to be one of the must-have tools when lifting and moving heavy loads. So for you to choose the best folding hand truck, you need to highlight your needs. the best brand for you. Never suffer from excessive fatigue or risk developing chronic muscle and back pain by falling for cheap deals. Take advantage of our high-quality dollies and make your heavy luggage transportation a breeze.