Top 10 Best Kayak Carts On The Market 2023 Reviews

Kayaking can be a great way to relax on the water while getting a bit of exercise. It’s one of those sports that’s enjoyable with friends and loved ones, or completely on your own. However, getting your kayak to the waterfront can be a real pain.

That’s why you need one of the best kayak carts…

These little carts will do all the heavy work for you. We think they make a great addition to your kayaking gear. That’s why we have put together the below list of the best kayak cart reviews, along with a buying guide further down, where we help you prioritize top features.

Let us help you save time researching gear so you can spend more of your time outside enjoying yourself. If you’re like us, that’s a win…

Top 10 Best Kayak Carts In 2023 Reviews

1 Malone Clipper Deluxe Universal Kayak Cart

The first item on our list is made by Malone Clipper. Their model known as the Deluxe Universal Cart is designed to work with both kayaks and canoes. It makes ground transportation effortless.

Whoever thought flat tires would be an issue with kayaking?

Well, it’s not with this kayak cart. Malone Clipper has designed this unit with rugged 10-inch airless tires. These are “Never Go Flat” tires that can handle just about any terrain.

Resists corrosion…

The frame is anodized aluminum, which makes it great at resisting corrosion. We really like the way it disassembles. It is small enough to fit into your kayak, which means you have it with you when you want to exit the water.

Supports up to 200 pounds…

This unit will support up to 200 pounds. It is equipped with a locking kickstand to keep the unit upright and easy to load. There is even oversized padding on key spots of the frame to help protect your boat.

We like the way the tires easily pop off for easy storage, and the included tie-down straps.

2 Bonnlo Kayak Canoe Boat Cart – Best Beach Kayak Cart

Bonnlo makes a cart that can be used with kayaks, canoes, and other small watercraft. This is a great little kayak dolly. For reasons that you will see below, we think this is the best kayak cart for beaches.

Do you like kayaking in the ocean? Get a beach-friendly cart…

If so, this is the best kayak trolly for the price. It has large 12-inch beach balloon tires. These are built for the soft sand, allowing you to keep moving when others would get bogged down.

The tires are also detachable for a more compact storage option. These tires can go flat on you, so we recommend being careful on any trails with sharp, or pointy debris. Luckily, this listing does include a free tire pump.

How much weight will it support?

This kayak trolley will hold up to 165 pounds, making it a great option for almost any kayak. Compared with the kayak reviewed above, you will be a bit more limited in the amount of gear you can pull behind you.

The frame is solid aluminum with foam bumpers on the arms. These protect your canoe or kayak from getting all dinged up. The frame also breaks down easily, with no tools required.

Stability while you load…

This kayak cart comes equipped with a 10 inch high spring-loaded stand. This will keep it stable while you load or unload the kayak. There are also two 12 foot tie-down straps included for securing your watercraft.

3 Suspenz Smart Airless DLX Cart – Best Collapse Kayak Cart

The third entry on our list of the best kayak trolley reviews is made by Suspenz. Their Smart Airless DLX Cart won’t leave you stranded with a flat tire. We really like this option for anyone who regularly navigates overgrown trails to get to the waterfront.

Is your favorite kayak spot easy to access?

For many, that answer to this will be no. This is who the DLX Cart was designed for. The 10 inch tires are constructed from an airless plastic that won’t go flat or rust.

Glass, sticks, and other sharp, or pointy objects can easily puncture a small tire. If you regularly encounter these types of debris in your path to the waterfront, then airless tires are essential.

What is the frame made from?

This unit has a sturdy aluminum frame held together by stainless steel hardware. This means that rusting is not going to be an issue. There are rubber bumpers strategically placed to keep your hull from getting marked up.

This cart collapses for easy storage…

Yes, you can fold this down and slip it in the provided mesh bag. It will measure 27 x 13 x 3 inches only, meaning you can easily take it out in the kayak with you.

It’s also fairly easy to load thanks to the dual-arm kickstand. The unit will remain stable while you load and unload your kayak or canoe. There are also straps and buckles for securing the kayak in place.

Smooth ride…

This unit will provide a fairly smooth ride that is easy to control. We like the arched axle which allows for greater ground clearance. The only complaint we had is that this unit gets stuck rather easily in soft sand. So, it’s not the best kayak cart for the beach.

4 Malone Xpress Scupper-Style Kayak Cart For Sit-On-Top Kayaks – Best Sit On Top Kayak Cart

This next cart on our list of the best kayak carriers is made by Malone. Their Xpress Scupper-Style Kayak Cart only works with sit-on-top kayaks. You will need to have a kayak with scupper holes to use this cart.

Does your kayak have scupper holes?

As long as it does, this kayak cart should work for you. The frame has a variable width locking control. This allows you to adjust things as needed from 6-½ to 16-½ inches.

The frame is powder-coated aluminum and comes with stainless steel hardware. You won’t need to worry about rust with this model. Plus, there are oversized pads to help protect the hull of your kayak.

Lifetime warranty on this one…

This kayak cart will support up to 200 pounds. It runs on 10” airless tires that will “Never Go Flat”, which we appreciate.

We also like the lifetime warranty that Malone puts up for this unit. This brings a level of quality assurance that you feel you can trust. Plus, the whole unit folds almost completely flat for storage.

5 Malone Nomad Standard Universal Kayak Cart – Best Small Kayak Cart

Another option from Malone is their Nomad model. This unit is a bit smaller and can be a bit more difficult to load with larger kayaks. But, if you have a smaller kayak loaded, this is the one for you.

One of the best smaller kayak carts available…

This kayak cart is designed to fit almost any kayak on the marketplace. Having said that, we did find it a bit small for the wider kayaks out there. It will support up to 150 pounds, which covers most options out there.

What style of tires does it use?

This model uses the same 10 inch ‘Never Go Flat’ tires as on the Malone models reviewed above. These will help you get to those hard to access entry points. It also includes a cam buckle load strap to keep your watercraft secure when towing it down a bumpy path.

The frame is constructed from Silver anodized aluminum. It’s collapsible for easy transportation and has stainless steel hardware. This means that rust won’t become an issue over time.

Is there a kickstand for easy loading?

Yes, there is an integrated kickstand. Loading and unloading will be a breeze. It’s also easy to collapse and take with you, so you have it when you exit the water.

The unit is also backed by a limited lifetime warranty…

This is always a bonus. In the times we live in, with so many cheap knock-off products, it’s nice to have some quality assurances.

6 ABN Universal Kayak Carrier – Best Multipurpose Kayak Cart

ABN also makes an entry on our list of the best kayak trolley. This option is a universal kayak carrier, meaning it is designed to fit any and all kayaks. It will also work well with canoes, paddleboards, and more.

Are you looking for something durable?

This kayak carrier is constructed from high-strength anodized steel. This ensures that the cart will stand the test of time. Plus, it only weighs 8 pounds, making it very easy to transport.

It might be light, but it can still support up to 200 pounds. The 9-½ inch knobby tires offer smooth transportation across rough surfaces. They are also easy to inflate.

This multi-purpose cart is generally impressive…

ABN also includes oversized foam bumper pads on the frame. This keeps the steel frame from rubbing against the hull of your kayak or canoe. There is also a 12 foot long tie-down strap for keeping things secure on the go.

We like the spring-loaded kickstand. It makes loading and unloading considerably easier and faster. We also like the way the tires can be removed for compact storage and transportation.

But, there is a catch…

For reasons that we couldn’t put our finger on, this is not the easiest cart to secure a kayak to. The shape of the frame simply does not help to keep things aligned. When on the move, the kayak seems to wiggle around enough to eventually end up on the ground.

7 Seattle Sports Scupper Swift Sit-on-Top Wheeled Kayak Cart Carrier – Most Affordable Kayak Cart

Up next we have another option that works for sit-on-top kayaks only. Made by Seattle Sports, this Scupper Swift Kayak Cart requires a kayak with scupper holes. It will work with most sit-on-top kayaks available.

How heavy is your kayak?

Don’t forget to take into consideration all the gear you’ll be taking out with you. If you’re an angler, you may need more of a load capacity than the 150 pounds this cart is rated for.

It does have a heavy-duty 35mm anodized frame for durability. There are also airless, flat-free urethane tires. These reduce both vibrations, and the likelihood of a flat tire slowing you down.

Adjustable width…

This option has an adjustable width axle. It will accommodate a large variety of boats anywhere from 8.5 to 18 inches. So, as long as you have a sit-on-top style kayak you should be good to go.

What are the downsides of this kayak cart?

For one thing, we aren’t huge fans of kayak carts that won’t work with all types of kayaks, canoes, etc. You never know what you may end up wanting in the future. It’s no good having to purchase a separate kayak cart for your sit-inside kayak or your canoe.

This is one of the best kayak carts for the price. But, only because it’s cheap…

We also had issues with this cart being a bit flimsy. It’s not the easiest to load your kayak onto. Once you get the hang of things you should be ok, but other styles are more user-friendly.

8 Carlisle Canoe and Kayak Portage Cart – Best Top Of The Line Kayak Cart

One of the most expensive options on our list of the best kayak trollies is made by Carlisle. Their Canoe and Kayak Portage Cart is very similar to many of the other options reviewed here.

What makes this option top-of-the-line?

For one thing, this cart is lightweight and easy to transport. It has a rugged anodized aluminum frame that can support 176 pounds. That’s not the largest load rating we looked at, but it is pretty close.

The cart can be collapsed in seconds, making it ideal for taking out with you on the water. It’s compact enough to fit in most kayaks without taking up very much space.

What kind of tires is it fitted out with?

This kayak cart has 3 inch pneumatic tires. They will run great on grass, mud, pavement, and more. We wouldn’t recommend them for sandy beaches, but otherwise, they should serve you well.

There are also two tie-down straps supplied for keeping your watercraft secure.

9 TMS Kayak Canoe Jon Boat Carrier Dolly Trailer Tote Trolley w/Free Cell Phone Bag

TMS also makes a kayak tote that many kayakers will want to have. This unit comes with a free cell phone bag for protection from splashes while kayaking. In this modern-day, this is a necessary accessory.

How much weight will this kayak trolley hold?

The best kayak totes are the ones that will carry your kayak and your gear. This option will hold 150 pounds. That may be plenty extra compared to the weight of your boat, but have you considered all the gear you’ll want to bring?

It has large pneumatic tires that measure 9.5 inches high x 3.5 inches wide. These are great for moving across just about any type of surface.

Super easy load and unload…

This kayak cart also has a sturdy double-leg, spring-loaded kickstand. This makes loading and unloading a dream.

We also like the 12 foot long tie-down strap for securing your kayak in place. Though honestly, this feels like an afterthought. There is no easy attachment point and takes some figuring out.

The unit folds for easy storage, which we also like. But we like the price even more.

10 RAILBLAZA Ctug Kayak or Canoe Trolley Cart – Most Durable Kayak Cart

The final option on our list of the best kayak carts is made by Railblaza. The Ctug kayak trolley is one of the most versatile and durable kayaks available. In fact, in our opinion, this is the best kayak cart for the money.

This may be a different design, but it’s a tough, durable cart…

This includes puncture-free high grip rubber wheels. They will allow you to go anywhere without getting stuck. There is also an adjustable kickstand for easy loading and unloading.

We like the adjustable rubberized pads. These not only keep your boat’s hull from getting damaged, but they also fit almost any watercraft. This is important, as it keeps the cart in use longer if you upgrade kayaks to something different in the future.

Easiest ever assembly…

This is one of the easiest units to put together and breakdown. In fact, you can dismantle it in less than 20 seconds. Then just toss it in your kayak hatch and head out for the day.

We really like that this unit will not rust. It’s made with stainless steel reinforced axles and non-corroding polymers.

Best Kayak Carts Buying Guide

There certainly are a great many options on the market that will assist you in dragging your kayak to the waterfront. Hopefully, the above list has one option that stands out above the rest for you. Before you make your selection, let us help you prioritize the main features.

The best kayak cart is the one you will never need to replace…

There’re a few things to consider when selecting a kayak trolley. First off, how big is your kayak? You should verify the width falls within the guidelines for the cart you choose.

What Weight Capacity Do You Require?

As we mentioned in the reviews a few times above, it’s not just about the weight of the kayak. You also have to consider any gear that you may need. After all, you’re going to load your gear in the kayak that you’re pulling on the kayak cart. Otherwise, you’d have to carry it…

Do You Have A Sit-on-top Or A Sit-inside Kayak?

There are a couple of kayak carts on our list that only work for sit-on-top kayaks. This is due to the way they hold the kayak in place. This style uses scupper holes in your kayak to secure it to the cart.

If your kayak does not have scupper holes, then this style of kayak cart is out of the question. We would also advise that it’s nice to have a kayak cart that will work with any style of kayak you may purchase down the road.

How Compact Does The Cart Fold?

Here’s the scenario. You used the cart and got yourself and the kayak to the waterfront. Now, what do you do with the cart while you’re out paddling around the water?

If it’s collapsible, then you just take it with you in your kayak. If it’s not… Well, then you have to hope it’s still there at the end of the day.

The Wheels Are The Key To It All.

Some types of wheels do very well in grass, mud, and on pavement. These often have flat-free or airless tires. This is a nice feature as it won’t leave you stuck with a flat tire.

On the other hand, these often do not do so well in soft sand. If you like kayaking at the beach you may want to consider wider inflatable tires.

Got All Your Gear?

There are so many brilliant accessories that can improve your kayaking experience. Head on over to our Best Kayak Accessories reviews for more info.

For comprehensive comparisons of specific accessories, do check out our Best Lunch Cooler Reviews, the Best Kayak Seat Reviews, the Best Trolling Motor for Kayaks Reviews, and the Best Trolling Motor Battery Reviews.

Then, if you didn’t find the cart you were looking for, do check out our Best Kayak Trailer reviews for other transporting ideas.

Final Thoughts On The Best Kayak Carts

There are a large number of kayak carts available for purchase. They all have their own selling points, and each one falls down in certain scenarios. Hopefully, all the above information has helped you decide on the best kayak cart for you.

For those still unable to make up their minds we will make one final suggestion. Our favorite option is the:

RAILBLAZA Ctug Kayak or Canoe Trolley Cart

It works with most kayaks and canoes, supports a high weight capacity, and is durable enough to last.

We’re on our way to use ours right now. Nature is calling.

Enjoy your kayaking!