Once the wagon’s transported your load, it folds up into a compact size to pack into the back of a car or a garage without taking up too much space. The dependable Ozark Trail Utility Wagon is great for tailgating, trips to the beach, camping, grocery shopping and more. With 6.7 cubic feet of internal volume, this wagon fits more stuff than any of the other beach wagons we tested—while also clocking in at a middle-of-the-road 24.5 pounds.
It’s also one of the lowest-priced wagons we considered, but it performed as well as or better than wagons that cost twice as much. The similar Mac Sports XL is bulkier than the regular Mac Sports, but also has a higher weight limit and more space for all your tools—or toys. Add further comfort and convenience to your tailgate campout or backyard party with the Ozark Trail Removable Wagon Insert.
But it didn’t turn or pull as smoothly on sand as the Mac Sports beach wagon, and ozark trail wagon its smaller wheels seemed to sink. Personally, I’m a science writer with more than a decade of experience interviewing experts in countless fields, including parenting, environmental science, and child development. I’m also the mom of two school-aged boys whose stuff I have been hauling around in wagons since I began working on this guide five years ago (they’ve occasionally hopped in for a ride, too).
We evaluated the wagons in several scenarios and conditions. For the first round of testing in 2019, I used each wagon on trips to my son’s elementary school, traveling about half a mile each way over sidewalks and city streets during the course of two months. I also took them to the beach, rolling them down the beach path and testing them on the sand. Additionally, I tested each wagon (filled with soccer equipment) on grass and bumpy, broken concrete surfaces, paying attention to how the suspension and wheels performed under different conditions. In spring 2021, I tested four additional beach-friendly wagons during several trips from my home in Santa Monica to the beach (10 blocks away) and back.
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This wasn’t too problematic when the wagon was carrying an average load (beach chairs, towels, drinks, and snacks). But with a kid or two added to the mix, this wagon’s wheels started to drag deeper. We think the Mac Sports wagon is fine for occasional beach use, especially if your gear is more bulky than heavy and you don’t have to travel too far to your spot.
Of all the wagons we tested, the Mac Sports Collapsible Folding Outdoor Utility Wagon best hits the sweet spot of price, versatility, weight, and ease of use. It’s one of the simplest wagons to unfold and use, and it rolls smoothly enough to keep its contents intact over mud, grass, bumps, and curbs. At 22.5 pounds, it’s one of the lighter models we tested and a cinch to lift into cars.