Our top pick and the best hand truck is the Cosco Shifter Hand Truck. This features one of the best designs we’ve seen, as it is able to switch between extra-durable hand truck and dolly states while still providing top-notch support for the heaviest items.
If you need to move a lot of weight easily, then you need the best hand trucks and dollies you can find. Our reviews allowed us to pin down the most durable models and the best designs for versatile management of heavy appliances, equipment, and supplies. Each of our top picks have heavy-duty tires, solid construction, and even some convertible designs for all kinds of different projects. Be sure to check out our full selection of picks for everything from warehouses to landscaping businesses.
Top 6 Best Hand Trucks and Dollies
#1 Cosco Shifter Hand Truck
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This convertible hand truck can change into a dolly with just a few steps, and has an incredible steel design that can handle all sorts of objects. It’s perfect for hauling heavier supplies, moving house appliances, and much more.
- Great consumer weight
- Durable frame and guard design
- Consumer-friendly compact form
- Not the best tires we’ve seen
- Smaller design may struggle with larger objects
Cosco’s extra durable model offers a 300 pound capacity with top-quality powder-coated steel. It also has a very simple but very effective conversion option that can change it from a hand truck to a dolly whenever you want, no extra skills required. In both states, the truck is excellent at fitting small-to-medium objects.
We also love the fold-down design of the truck, which allows you to switch it into a more compact version that shouldn’t be any trouble fitting into your trunk or backseat. Portability is very important in a consumer-friendly hand truck like this, so it’s great to see Cosco’s model shines as a portable hand truck. Now that you can transfer your materials, you can make more use of your best workbench.
#2 Harper Trucks Hand Truck and Dolly
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This surprisingly lightweight truck is built to handle an incredible amount of weight, up to 700 lb, and convert to a dolly form when necessary. It’s a particularly good choice for those who want maximum leverage for what they’re moving.
- Best heavy duty
- Rated for up to 700 pounds
- Telescoping handle with three positions
- Materials not as durable as steel
A couple of things make this Harper truck a unique and ideal option. First, it’s created with a glass filled nylon plastic framework. This frame can still handle plenty of weight, but isn’t nearly as heavy as solid steel, which makes this truck much easier to lift and store without worrying about weight – which is really the whole purpose with these products.
Second, despite that lightweight design, this convertible hand truck is rated up to 600 to 700 pounds depending on the form, one of the best ratings on our list and perfect for handling larger loads. The heavy-duty rubber tires also help with this, especially in hand truck mode, and the telescoping handle provides plenty of options based on your terrain. However, in our review it’s difficult to say if the nylon plastic frame will be as durable as steel as the years pass – the lifetime of the truck may be affected by the lightweight design. If you know someone that loves DIY, a toolbox with the best toolbox liner could make a great gift.
#3 Wellmax Push Cart Dolly
Award: LARGEST SURFACE AREA
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you need a serious dolly for frequent hauling, this model is your best bet. It has an excellent handle and grip, a non-stick surface, and perfect wheel design.
- Compact, flat design can be stowed away when not in use
- 330 lb capacity
- 360-degree wheels
- No convertible options
While hand trucks are great for navigating more complex environments and dealing with taller packages, if you have a level space and need to handle as much weight as you can safely, dollies are often more useful, and this is the best dolly model we’ve seen! It’s able to deal with up to 330 pounds, and has a great handle with solid gripping.
The dolly platform itself is made from a durable, non-slip surface, so you won’t have to worry about objects falling off on the way (this also makes it easier to stack objects if you need to). We also really like the wheels, which are 360-swivel models that make positioning and navigating particularly easy. If you’ve got a larger load to carry, you might want to look at our review of the best car dolly instead.
#4 Orange Tech Folding Hand Truck
Award: BEST LIGHTWEIGHT AND SMALL
WHY WE LIKE IT: This adaptable hand truck comes with a broad base plate and straps to secure items. That makes it perfect for everything from handling luggage to dealing with your latest big shopping trip.
- Extendable base plate
- Large telescoping handle
- Durable back wheels
- Lower carrying weight than some picks
Convertible hand trucks are nice, but most of them are still designed to be used for carrying extra-heavy or large supplies, and not much else. This folding hand cart takes things in a different direction: It’s a hybrid between truck and dolly with a collapsible handle that can be adjusted at several different heights.
This, plus the included strap, means that the truck can be used for a luggage carry just as easily as hauling in a heavy appliance. It also has larger, wear-resistant back wheels for dealing with larger loads. Just be careful that you don’t exceed the capacity of 150 pounds. If you prefer to use your truck for transfer, you’ll want one of the best truck bed liner mats for protection. Or you could just get some of the best truck bed liner.
#5 Magliner Gemini Convertible Hand Truck
Award: BEST TIRES
WHY WE LIKE IT: A heavy-duty convertible truck made for the long haul, with extra-large tires to help carry the largest loads. It’s a perfect fit for warehouses or more complex storage needs.
- Handles large objects easily
- 500-pound capacity
- Strong no-weld design
- Not as easy to store as other picks
Need a heavy-duty convertible truck that’s excellent at dealing with the largest objects? This remarkably designed Magliner hand truck converts to an expanded dolly with more room than any of our picks, allowing you to stack packages or handle especially large supplies, up to 500 pounds. That makes the truck a great pick for warehouses and other professional purposes.
We love the tires on this model, too, 10-inch wheels stuffed with microcellular foam to make sure that you can navigate easily without worrying too much about jostling what you’re carrying. Also, the no-weld design is particularly long-lasting even under tough use. Just be aware that it’s not as easy to store as some of our other picks. This multicart will make transfer so easy, you’ll be adding it to your best truck equipment.
#6 Rock-N-Roller R2RT Multi-Cart
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: The brilliant design of this multi-cart can turn it into any type of dolly you need while still keeping an extra-strong framework. Perfect for places where you and your team could be hauling just about anything.
- Multiple conversion options
- Large, durable dolly wheels
- Strong powder-coated steel frame
- No hand truck options
- Learning all conversion options takes time
Rock-N-Roller proudly boasts that its cart is featured in engineering textbooks, and it’s easy to see why. It can convert into eight different potential designs, each one a different kind of dolly for different types of jobs. Some versions are made for two people, some are made for extra-wide products, some focus on pushing power, etc.
In addition to this amazing design, the cart itself is made from high-quality R-Trac tires that are some of the largest and best we’ve seen on any dolly and guaranteed to be non-slip. The frame is made of textured, powder-coated steel for extra durability and more anti-slip functions. It’s rated for up to 350 pounds overall.
How We Decided
Overall construction and design are easily the most important factors when looking at the very best hand trucks and dollies. We looked for models with powder-coated steel construction and durable designs that can easily handle large loads in rough conditions without failing. While dollies can generally carry more than hand truck designs, we liked to see carry weight ratings at 300 pounds or more if possible.
As you take a look through our picks, you’ll notice that we also put a lot of value on convertibility. We chose models that can switch between hand truck and dolly as needed, or that can collapse for easy storage. There are a lot of really innovative convertible designs out there, and we put more emphasis on models that let you have the best of both worlds. Easy construction and assembly were also a plus.
Finally, we paid close attention to tires, as these are one of the most susceptible parts for wear and tear, and need to be very high-quality to facilitate easy movement. Large, tough tires got extra points on our list, and multiple sets of tires for more thorough conversion were also really nice to see.
Best Hand Trucks and Dollies Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Weight Capacity
No matter what hand truck you end up buying, always make a note of the carrying capacity so you know that it will be able to handle your moving project. Dollies are good for carrying around 300 pounds (and some of our picks can handle much more) while hand trucks are suited for considerably less. - Convertible Features
Convertibility sacrifices some durability for an option to switch to different types of hand trucks and dollies for different projects. This feature is particularly useful in warehouses and other areas where people have to move a lot of varied objects of different shapes and sizes. However, it’s important to practice converting the truck safely before starting to use it. - Materials and Durability
Look for durable steel construction with powder coatings. There are also aluminum models, but the corrosion resistance may not be worth the loss of strength for a heavy-duty hand truck. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a particularly lightweight option that’s easy to carry around, look for a glass-filled nylon plastic frame like the one found with our second pick. - Overall Size and Setup
Do you need a hand truck that can collapse to fit inside a car trunk, or is size not that important to you? This is an important factor that will affect the type of hand truck that you can get, so look for measurements and see how compact the hand truck can become before you buy. - Tires
There’s a surprising amount of variance in tires for hand trucks and dollies. Generally, larger wheels made from tough rubber are more important for hand trucks, and smaller wheels that can swivel are more important for dollies. For convertible models, there’s a little give and take here, but good convertible models should still be able to accommodate both styles.
Hand Trucks and Dollies FAQs
What is the Difference Between a Hand Truck and a Dolly?
The key difference is all in the construction. So, a hand truck typically rests on two wheels and is partially guided by hand with a grip or handles toward the top. A dolly is usually a flat platform perched on a set of four wheels, with a push handle behind. You’ll notice that many of our top picks are convertible models that can switch between the different designs based on what you’re moving. Dollies can typically carry a lot more weight and are good for moving the heaviest objects. However, hand trucks are better at maneuvering and controlling more awkwardly-shaped objects. They both have their uses.
When Is It Better to Rent a Hand Truck?
If you only need to use a hand truck once, then a hand truck rental is fine. A classic example would be moving new furniture into an apartment: You only do this once, and if you aren’t constantly moving then getting your own hand truck wouldn’t make much sense. However, if you manage a lot of large supplies or frequently move items out of warehouses or storage, then buying your own hand truck may be better.
Do They Make Hand Trucks for Stairs?
They do! They’re usually called “stair climber” models. These use a rotating set of smaller wheels that are designed to rotate from wheel to wheel as they are pushed up steps. The best hand trucks for stairs are primarily designed for the standard, simple stairways that you would find in the average home or the low steps you often find in commercial buildings.
What Is the Best Hand Truck?
This will ultimately depend on how you will be using it. Someone moving all kinds of objects for a business may prefer a model that’s highly convertible. Someone moving only one kind of very heavy object over and over again would probably prefer a simple but durable dolly. Our top pick, however, is a very strong Costco convertible model that’s designed to do some of both.
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