What to Consider When Choosing the Best Folding Hand Truck(2)

Handle

Taller folding hand trucks help to avoid back pain. Bending down to push, even for a short amount of time, can make your back sore. Taller folding hand trucks can also provide leverage for lifting objects off the ground.

Once you have a folding hand truck that’s tall enough and a handle that’s the right height, you’ll want to consider the type of handle you need for the job.

P-handles or vertical loops stick out the back and give you more room for your hands when the load on the truck is packed to the top. These loops are also centered and make it easier to lift the hand truck using one hand while you steady it using the other hand.

Dual handles give you a firm grasp for simple steering and control.

Horizontal loops offer a large area where you can place your hands.

Pistol grips (single grips) are suitable for stairs, balance, and navigating corners.

When working in colder environments, vinyl grip covers on the handle protect against frigid temps.

Wheels

Folding hand trucks come with different types of wheels. Some have air, some are made of plastic, and others have solid rubber wheels. If you only use the folding hand truck a few times a year, the type of wheels may not be an issue, but if you plan on using the hand truck daily, weekly, or even monthly, plan accordingly for your needs. Keep in mind that the larger the wheels, the easier it is to push the hand truck around.

Pneumatic wheels, which contain air, provide cushioning for the load. This makes maneuvering the truck up stairs and over curves more convenient. But you’ll need to keep filling the tires with air and keep them at the correct pressure. These tires are excellent for uneven ground, like gravel.

Plastic wheels will support the weighted capacity of the folding hand truck, but after a while, the sun and changes in temperature will degrade the quality of the tires.

Mold-on rubber wheels are lightweight and durable and work nicely on the pavement.

Microcellular wheels have no air and will never go flat.

Balloon cushion tires are lightweight and provide shock absorption.

Some folding hand trucks will come with two wheels on the handle to allow both horizontal and vertical positioning of the cart—this is called a convertible hand truck.

Additional Features

Here are some additional features you can look for when purchasing a folding hand truck:

Collapsible hand truck: A hand truck that collapses and folds small enough to fit in the trunk of a car or for easy storage in a garage comes in handy when you need to use it away from home. These hand trucks don’t have a high weight capacity.

Expandable nose plates: Some nose plates/platforms are expandable to provide extra room for larger objects.

Stair climbing kits: Some manufacturers sell kits you can attach to their folding hand trucks to allow you to turn them into a truck that can go up stairs.