After packing the car with every last umbrella, towel and tent that you’ll use at the beach, only one tedious task remains: hauling all that gear from the parking lot to the sand. Sure, you could recruit family and friends to help you carry the beach chairs, bottles of sunscreen and a cumbersome cooler. Or you could simply invest in one of the best beach wagons designed to save you from taking multiple trips or relying upon an extra set of hands.

Haul your essentials across the sand with one of the best beach wagons.

While beach wagons tend to look similar from one model to the next, they’re hardly all the same, and the wagon that’s right for you depends on your needs. For instance, the amount of gear you’re hauling, the terrain you’re traversing and even the ability to carry family members (dogs included) will dictate which beach wagon is right for you. After examining reviews, evaluating expert suggestions and relying on some personal experience, we’ve identified seven models that are worth the investment. The options are seemingly endless, but this easy-to-shop list will help you find the one that’s right for you.

Materials: Plastic, steel | Dimensions: 24.6 x 36.2 x 21.4 inches | Weight Capacity: 150 pounds | Weight: 24.5 pounds

Complete with durable 600-denier fabric and a sturdy steel frame, Mac Sports’ heavy-duty wagon will haul every last piece of equipment from the parking lot to the sand. Unlike some utility carts that feature thin, flimsy wheels, the oversized wheels on this model make it easier to navigate soft, uneven surfaces (like sand). The telescoping, locking handle reduces strain when you’re pulling large amounts of weight, a detail you’ll appreciate once you realize this wagon can haul up to 150 pounds. And the fabric is both mildew- and UV-resistant.

Beyond the obvious features, this do-it-all hauler sports two cupholders for drinks (because you’re bound to work up a thirst along the way), and the design folds up when it’s not in use to save a little space.

Materials: Rubber, steel and canvas | Dimensions: 28 x 16.9 x 10.5 inches | Weight Capacity: 120 pounds | Weight: 18.6 pounds

When you need a reliable beach wagon but can’t justify spending over $100, this collapsible one should do the trick. It still holds up to 120 pounds and comes in a variety of colors and patterns to help you stand out in the sand. The rubberized wheels add a little grip over wet surfaces and, much like a shopping cart, they swivel 360 degrees to improve maneuverability in tight spaces.

While beach wagons are designed to endure bumps, bangs and rough terrain, this one comes with a one-year warranty that’ll protect it for a couple seasons by the water.

Materials: Rubber, steel and recycled fabric | Dimensions: 47.2 x 41.3 x 24.4 inches | Weight Capacity: 150 pounds | Weight: 32 pounds

If you’re traveling to the beach with the family in tow, you might as well invest in a beach wagon that can pull double duty. Featuring a three-in-one design that functions as a traditional wagon, bench seat or two-person hauler, Radio Flyer’s compact wagon is designed to adapt to your changing needs. Its extra-wide tires and linked steering provide a smooth ride over sand, and the profile folds flat when it’s not in use.

Of course, you’ll want to minimize any occupant’s exposure to the sun, which is why this wagon features a built-in, UV-blocking canopy. When it’s not in use, the poles retract into the base and the sunshade stores in a dedicated pocket, so it’s always available at a moment’s notice. The interior also contains two seatbelts to keep the little ones secure, as well as dual cupholders to keep them hydrated. And if they happen to make a mess from the parking lot to the beach, never fear—the recycled fabric can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

Materials: Steel, oxford fabric | Dimensions: 44 x 22 x 43 inches | Weight Capacity: 200 pounds | Weight: 28 pounds

Sure, you’ve installed an umbrella or two to prevent yourself from frying in the sun, but can you say the same about your gear? Whether you’re hauling a cooler full of drinks or a few beach chairs, a canopied beach wagon will prevent your essentials from getting too hot or losing color after hours of UV exposure. And a canopied model worth investing in, the Aukar Canopy Wagon, features a removable canopy that covers the entire load to keep equipment cool no matter how hot it gets out there.

Made from a lightweight alloy steel and oxford fabric, the fold-up utility wagon excels whether you’re hauling drinks, chairs or beach games for all to enjoy. The frame supports a weight capacity of 200 pounds, making it possible to haul even a burly insulated cooler (or the kids when they inevitably complain), and the two separate handles (a telescoping pull handle and an adjustable push handle) give you more movability options when the time comes to haul heavy equipment. Like other capable beach wagons on this list, the Aukar folds up when it’s not in use and transports like a traditional rolling luggage bag.

Materials: Steel, synthetic fabric | Dimensions: 52.7 x 20.1 x 120 inches | Weight Capacity: 150 pounds | Weight: 25 pounds

If your trips to the beach embrace every last piece of equipment but the kitchen sink, you’ll need a roomy beach wagon to haul it all from A to B. To that end, we recommend investing in the MacSports XL Extended Wagon, a hauler that features nearly 30 percent more storage space than a traditional cart. The steel frame supports up to 150 pounds, and the design stores away in the included carrying bag when it’s not in use.

Keep in mind, this wagon is well-suited to carry more beach supplies, but the added weight can reduce mobility, especially over soft surfaces. With that said, this cart would be ideal if your preferred beach implements a boardwalk, paved footpath or other hard surface that makes it easier to bring supplies to the waterfront. Its large, locking wheels will also deliver a little more control under added weight.

Materials: Wood, steel and rubber | Dimensions: 41 x 18 x 20 inches | Weight Capacity: 400 pounds | Weight: 47 pounds

If you’re in the market for a beach wagon that can do it all, consider looking beyond the fabrics and folding mechanisms of traditional carts in exchange for something a little more rugged. Capable of carrying up to 400 pounds, this garden wagon is technically built to meet the needs of a landscaper, but its large tires and overbuilt frame can just as easily haul blankets, beach towels and other waterfront-worthy equipment. The corrosion-resistant frame features removable sides if you’re carrying larger objects, and the height is perfectly positioned to limit fatigue whether you’re adding or removing gear.

While most beach wagons are designed specifically for the beach, this wagon can also be used around the home whether you’re sprucing up the flower beds or putting a fence in the backyard. For all tasks that require a capable cart, this is as good as it gets.

Materials: Steel, plastic | Dimensions: ‎38.7 x 20 x 19.5 inches| Weight Capacity: 600 pounds | Weight: 32 pounds

Gorilla Carts manufactures a number of capable carts, many of which are designed for the garden but transition seamlessly to the beach. Case in point: The GOR4PS Dump Cart features grippy inflatable wheels, a padded pulling handle and a staggering weight capacity of over 600 pounds. Sure, you won’t be able to conjure up enough gear to even remotely exceed that limit, but you can surely pack this wagon with every last piece of equipment knowing it’ll handle the load.

The other detail worth discussing here is the wagon’s patented dump feature that quickly unloads the entire payload in one fell swoop. While it’s unlikely that you’ll use the feature to dump your equipment into the sand, the kids will find it useful when they borrow the wagon to build sand castles and bury each other alive.

Beach wagons come in all shapes and sizes, as evidenced by the extra large MacSports wagon ranked above, but it’s important to consider which size will meet your needs. Traveling with the whole family? A larger beach wagon for additional chairs, towels and equipment will serve you well. But if you’re heading to the beach with a friend or partner, a smaller model should do the trick. Think about who your beach wagon is for and how many people it should support to gauge a suitable size.

We can think of weight in two principal ways here. The first form of weight to consider is that of the wagon itself. For instance, a wagon that weighs upwards of 50 pounds will take a lot more effort to haul, and a lighter wagon will take less. And yet, you should also consider how much the wagon can haul in terms of weight capacity as well. Once you’ve assessed your limits and needs, you’ll find a wagon that’s not too heavy but capable of hauling every last piece of gear.

While beach wagons are designed primarily to handle the typical conditions of a beach (sand, boardwalks, parking lots, etc.), it’s important to consider where you intend to use your beach wagon. If your favorite beaches require long, sandy walks to access the water, a beach wagon with large wheels will be easier to push or pull, especially when fully loaded. If your preferred beach has a boardwalk or established walkway, a beach wagon that resembles a cart should do the trick.