If you travel with a lot of luggage that you have to manage by yourself or have more non-wheeled luggage than wheeled bags, then you’ve probably struggled quite a bit getting from one place to another with all of it. Even airport transfers can be tough. The best solution is to get yourself the best folding luggage cart that can handle a good amount of weight but is easy to maneuver and light and small enough to stow when not in use.
Some carts are also called hand trucks because they’re good for use around the house and garden or for moving heavy belongings, etc. The base plate is usually made of heavy duty steel to support these extra heavy loads. These should only be used for travel if you’re going to be driving or taking only ground transport because they are quite heavy on their own and weigh at least around 7-10 lbs. For air travel, you’ll need carts that are specifically made for travel.
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How to Choose a Portable Luggage Cart with Wheels
Before you choose a folding luggage trolley cart, it’s a good idea to know what the maximum weight of all your bags is likely to be for any trip. While you can buy the most sturdy and high capacity luggage hand cart to be prepared for really large loads like a tool bag, that’s not very practical for when you’re traveling with light to moderate amounts of luggage. The more capacity a cart can handle, the heavier and larger it likely is, even when it’s folded flat.
If you want a cart that you can pack away in your carry on bag when not in use, then it needs to be as compact and light as possible. However, it should be able to at least carry one large check in size bag that is fully packed or two smaller bags. While some steel frame carts are more durable and sturdy, they’re not practical for packing into your luggage, so unless you intend to also use the cart for transporting things at home or moving heavy boxes of tools or bags of fertilizer, a plastic cart or part plastic, part steel is better.
There are a few other important features to look at before you choose a foldable luggage cart. First are the wheels. Some carts come with 4 wheels, which makes it easier to roll when fully loaded and gives you the ability to let go when not moving if you need your hand to be free, however, the front wheels are often quite small and only meant for steering. The rear wheels should be as large as possible to handle curbs, cobblestones, and maybe even low stairs. They should be set wide apart to keep the cart stable, especially while turning. In order to turn more easily, multi-directional wheels are better.
Folding and unfolding of the cart should be quick and easy and should only need one and a flick of the foot to fold components in and reduce the unit to its smallest package or unfold it to become its expanded version.
The base of the cart needs to be wide enough to not only hold large bags but to also prevent leaning or tipping over when being rolled. There should also be enough support at the base so that unstructured bags like duffels don’t sag and scrape the ground, and small bags don’t fall through or get stuck.
Any luggage carrier on wheels should have an adjustable trolley handle like those of wheeled suitcases. The telescopic handle should push down as far as possible in the folded state for easy storage and packing. In the extended state, it is preferable that the handle can stop at a few different heights so that you can find the ideal position for comfortable rolling.
Best Lightweight Folding Luggage Cart
Samsonite Luggage Compact Folding Cart
With a maximum approved capacity of 70 lbs, the Samsonite Luggage Compact Folding Cart is an ABS & stainless steel cart that measures 15.5″ x 10.5″ x 3.5″ when folded up and weighs just 2 lbs and 12 ozs. It is a two-wheeled cart with rugged and oversized rear wheels set 10 inches apart, and it has a flat base measuring 10.5″ by 11″ that folds up or drops down easily. The telescopic pull handle either retracts fully or extends and locks to a mid position or to its highest position, which is about 37 inches. This is enough for most people.
There is an adjustable strap with hook that stretches to twice its normal size to go over your luggage, boxes, etc. and anchor them so that they stay in place and don’t fall off the platform. However, a very large load will probably need an extra bungee cord and a wide load can make the cart feel unstable.
If you’re flying, you can detach your carry on bag from the cart, fold the cart up and stow it and your luggage separately in an overhead bin or pack the cart in your carry on bag before putting the bag in the bin.
Other than luggage, quite a few customers use it for transporting car seats. It is tall enough to stack two seats vertically but you’ll need a larger bungee to secure them.
This is one of the first functional luggage carts of its kind so we have a detailed and in depth review of the Samsonite Folding Cart from a few years ago.
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Cloudz EZ Roll Luggage Cart
With a slightly higher capacity at 77 lbs, the Cloudz EZ Roll Luggage Cart also provides easy transport of light to moderate luggage using a steel telescopic handle, hard plastic ABS base, and aluminum frame. Its weight by itself is 2.76 lbs and when fully extended the telescopic handle goes upto 38 inches. When retracted, the unit measures 17.5″ x 9″ x 3.25″, which includes 3″ diameter rubber wheels with wheel guards. The platform is slightly smaller at 10.5″ long and 10″ wide, so while taller people will find the Cloudz EZ’s handle better, the Samsonite one will fit better in carry on luggage while still providing a slightly larger base.
A highlight of the Cloudz EZ cart is that when the platform is opened up for use it clicks into place, so when you remove your luggage from it, it won’t automatically flip back up. The bungee cord provided comes with two hooks instead of one, providing an extra secure hold while anchoring your belongings to the cart. While the wheels are durable and smooth rolling, they can make you feel like the cart might tip when turning, especially if carrying a heavy load. The handle feels a bit flimsy compared to the Samsonite and that may be because of the single cross bar instead of two. However, this is also the reason why the handle retracts and extends very smoothly and does not feel like it will get stuck.
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GtIiFmTe Folding Luggage Cart
The GtIiFmTe Folding Luggage Cart with 4 Rotating Wheels is a top contender that combines practicality with ease of use. This lightweight, foldable hand truck is designed to make your travel experience smoother and more convenient.
One of the standout features of this hand truck is its 360° rotating wheels. These 2.74″ removable wheels are quiet, wear-resistant, and provide excellent agility and stability. Whether you’re navigating through a busy airport or maneuvering around tight corners, this cart handles it all with ease. The bottom grid design ensures even weight distribution, keeping the cart stable and secure.
The adjustable height and angle are another big plus. With an ergonomic handle that adjusts from 12.2″ to 38.58″, you can set it to the perfect height for your comfort. The 130° rotating lever makes pulling or pushing the cart effortless, and the handle locks securely in place to stay upright without shaking. This means you can handle your luggage without bending over, reducing strain on your back.
Despite its robust features, this hand truck is impressively lightweight and compact, weighing in at just 4 pounds. When folded, it measures just 12.4″ x 15.75″ x 4.13″, making it easy to carry and store. The anti-skid pads on the board help keep your items stable during transport, and the high-strength base plate can handle loads up to 110 pounds.
To make your life even easier, the cart comes with three bungee cords. These elastic cords with non-slip patterns ensure your cargo is tightly secured and won’t slip off.
This folding hand truck comes with a matching storage bag for easy transport and storage.
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Best Heavy Duty Travel Carts with Wheels
ROYI 75 Kg/165 lbs Folding Hand Truck
If you think you’ll need a much higher capacity cart for your travels, then the ROYI Folding Hand Truck is the best travel luggage cart here. That’s because it is designed to be a hand cart but it’s light and compact enough to be used for travel. Its own weight is 5 lbs but it can handle an impressive 165 lbs in luggage. The telescopic handle is made of thickened steel, while the base plate is made of thickened plastic.
When folded, this hand truck for luggage measures 3.9″ × 11.8″ × 18.9″, so it can easily fit in your carry on backpack or duffel. The handle can be used in one of three extended positions, the highest being 38.2 inches. When the base platform is open it is 19.2″ long from the front edge to the rear wheel.
It also comes with its own drawstring backpack for storage or for carrying separately when not in use. While the cart comes with two attached bungee cords with hooks to secure things to the cart, there is also an extra flat bungee that can be used to strap around multiple pieces of large luggage or boxes to hold them together.
This is a 4-wheeled luggage dolly, so you can wheel it along vertically instead of tipping the handle to roll it behind you on just two wheels. The two front wheels swivel so that it’s easy to turn corners without worrying about tipping the cart over. The rear wheels are extra rugged with larger treads, so you can wheel this cart almost anywhere. If your load is not too heavy you can even manage to wheel it up shallow stairs.
NOTE: This is a review for version 2 heavy-duty folding luggage cart. The cheaper Version 1 has a handle that extends to two different heights with one crossbar for stability instead of two, has a slightly shorter platform base with a lower weight capacity, and the front two wheels don’t swivel.
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KEDSUM Folding Heavy Duty Dolly Cart for Moving, Luggage, Moving and Office Use
Another good heavy duty cart is the KEDSUM Folding Heavy Duty Dolly Cart. This cart is designed to fold up easily in just a few seconds, making it incredibly portable. When folded, it measures 17.7 x 12.2 inches and weighs about 6.2 pounds, making it easy to stash in your car or locker—perfect for moving or traveling.
Built to last, this luggage cart is made of 85% thickened steel, making it far more durable than many plastic alternatives on the market. It can hold up to 290 pounds without wobbling, ensuring your load stays secure. For optimal stability, it’s best to place your items in the center of the base and take it slow on rough terrain.
One of the standout features is the extendable base plate. This extra loading surface (15+4 inches) is perfect for larger items that might not fit on a standard cart, giving you the flexibility to transport bigger boxes or packages with ease.
The high-quality wheels are another highlight. These upgraded wheels are designed for stability and balance, made from durable materials that handle heavy loads smoothly and are more wear-resistant than typical rubber wheels.
To make your life even easier, the cart comes with an attached bungee cord and two detachable cords. This is perfect for securing large boxes, heavy items, and other goods.
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Smallest Folding Luggage Cart
COOCHEER MFT-02 Aluminum Folding Portable Luggage Cart
Coocheer makes other hand truck models for heavy load transporting, but this is their only luggage cart model and is designed to be compact, lightweight and easy to maneuver. The COOCHEER MFT-02 luggage cart is quite similar in design to the Samsonite model but sturdier. It is rated to carry 80 lbs and its own weight is 3.5 Lbs. It measures 11 x 16.1 inches in its folded state and the telescopic handle stops at two heights for pulling and pushing at a maximum height of 36 inches. Its base plate measures 11.8 x 10 inches. This device is probably the most compact luggage cart that you can find and it will even fit into most carry on travel backpacks when not in use.
The inline skate wheels are 3.5” in diameter and work well on sidewalks and carpet. The attached bungee cords work well for securing your luggage to the cart as it has an anchoring point on each corner of the platform. They are easy to replace if they ever break.
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Mount-It! Luggage Cart
The Mount-It Luggage Cart is a satisfactory option in compact folding carts. You can carry a maximum load of 77 pounds on this, which is less than heavy-duty luggage carts, but its weight is just 2.95 pounds which makes it way lighter than the heavy-duty carts.
The cart has two rubber wheels along with a sturdy base that allows you to shift your luggage with utmost ease. This cart measures 17.5” x 9” when folded and can easily fit into your travel bags or suitcases. This cart comes along with two integrated bungee cords that you can use to secure your load while using it. The plastic base is 10.75” wide and is suitable to carry anything from bags to suitcases.
The telescopic handle is the main attraction of this cart. The telescopic handle is height adjustable and has three height settings, they are 17”, 27”, and 38”. You don’t need to buy different carts for other people in your family as this one will work well for everyone. You just need to gently push the telescopic handle while pressing the button and the entire thing collapses and becomes compact enough to fit into your bag.
Furthermore, you get a warranty of 5 years on this cart. It’s time for you to get this adaptable cart that can be used not only for carrying luggage but also for everyday chores.
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