Believe it or not, a good golf cart can actually help your game. No, it won't get you out of a tricky lie or shape a perfect tee shot into the breeze, but it will help you conserve energy throughout your round. If you prefer walking the course but find your stamina or focus fading over the final few holes, then a golf cart is well worth considering.
Of course, cost plays a role. Many of the best golf carts out there are pricier than your average carry bag, but don’t worry, there are still plenty of great value options available.
At Golf Monthly, we’ve tested a wide range of trolleys and hand-picked our favorite best push carts and best electric golf trolleys. These models offer great performance and useful features, often at a great price.
The Quick List
The MGI ZIP Navigator is a sturdy, responsive, and stable remote-controlled electric trolley. It’s also a bit more budget-friendly than some of its competitors and folds down to a surprisingly compact size for easy storage.
Simple, lightweight, and reliable, the impressive Bag Boy Nitron Cart undoubtedly stands out as one of the best push carts we've tested. It gets all the fundamentals right and offers ample storage to boot.
Read more below
Sun Mountain’s latest release delivers excellent stability, functionality, and smooth handling across a variety of terrains. Overall, it’s a dependable and well-rounded performer.
The Motocaddy Cube push cart is light, compact, and unfolds in seconds, making it a hassle-free choice for getting around the course.
The Eze is lightweight, making uphill pushes effortless, yet it's also proven to be sturdy and dependable. The handle offers plenty of convenient storage options as well.
Best Affordable Golf Carts
Best electric
For many golfers, a remote electric trolley might feel like an unnecessary luxury, but in our view the MGI Zip Navigator could easily change your mind.
It delivers all the key benefits of an electric cart but without the premium price tag. So, what does that include? For starters, impressive stability, even over tricky terrain. This is thanks to its additional rear wheel, which in testing really proved its worth on steeper parts of the course.
We also found the remote control to be intuitive and responsive, with no glitches or lag. One standout feature we loved was the downhill speed control. Paired with that fourth wheel it gave us real confidence that the cart would reach our ball safely, no matter the slope. The remote also includes a well-placed lock button to prevent any unwanted activation when it’s in your pocket.
We also appreciated the smart design touches, like the wheels that invert for more compact storage, making it ideal for keeping at home or in your car boot. All things considered, the Zip Navigator is a top-tier electric option that’s much more affordable than many of its high-end rivals.
- Read our full MGI Zip Navigator Remote Electric Trolley Review
Best push
On the hunt for a budget-friendly push cart? Well the Bag Boy Nitron is hard to beat in this category. Its design is clean, efficient, and built for speed. It folds and unfolds in seconds so you can focus on your warm-up rather than your gear. Thanks to its compact size it’s also a great choice for golfers who may be short on storage space at home.
But this cart isn’t just easy to store, it delivers on the course too. During testing we found the Nitron incredibly simple to load, unload, and steer across a variety of terrain.
There’s more to love. Adjustable straps keep your bag firmly in place while the hand-operated brake adds welcome stability whether you're on a hill or in the car park. And if you’re a golfer who likes to come prepared, the Nitron has plenty of built-in storage, including holders for your phone, drink, balls, tees, and other essentials.
With features like these, it’s no surprise the Nitron earned a spot in our Editor's Choice Awards .
- Read our full Bag Boy Nitron Push Cart Review
Best storage
Sun Mountain’s Speed Cart line is a familiar name even to newer golfers, and with over 30 years of production behind it, it’s easy to see why it remains a best-seller.
The latest model, the V1R, is a perfect example of what has kept this range so popular. It’s solid and stable on the course yet feels surprisingly lightweight when in motion. In our testing, the V1R handled beautifully, rolling smoothly across the turf. It also folds and unfolds with minimal fuss. If we had to nitpick, it doesn’t fold down quite as compactly as some of its rivals, but that’s a small trade-off in the big picture.
Where the V1R really stands out is storage. It offers an impressive amount of space, with a large storage tray and mesh basket ideal for stashing balls, scorecards, your phone, wallet and more. You’ll also find dedicated holders for a drinks bottle and umbrella, making it perfect for those who like to come prepared.
So if your current cart is struggling to keep up with your kit the V1R could be the upgrade you need.
- Read our full Sun Mountain 2022 Speed Cart V1R Push Cart Review
Most compact
The best golf push trolleys should be easy to assemble, smooth to steer and be compact and light enough to transport with ease. The Motocaddy Cube certainly ticks all those boxes and passed our testing with flying colors.
During that testing we were especially impressed by its simple two-step folding mechanism, which made setup effortless. The thoughtful design includes a well-positioned carry handle that makes it easy to lift and load, while its lightweight build ensured excellent manoeuvrability even over uneven terrain. That said, the lighter frame does come with a trade-off as it’s more prone to tipping on windy days or bumpy ground. If you regularly play on exposed links courses, you may want to consider a more robust option.
Still, the Cube packs in plenty of practical features, including adjustable trolley straps to keep your bag secure, a valuables compartment, and a foot brake for added stability. It’s also available in three different colours so there’s a style to suit every golfer.
- Read our full Motocaddy Cube Push Cart Review
Best value
Striking the right balance between functionality, build quality, and price isn’t easy but we would say that the EzeGlide Smart Fold Push Cart pulls it off brilliantly.
Why do we rate it as the best value option? Because it delivers on multiple fronts while keeping the price tag refreshingly low. For starters, its lightweight frame makes it easy to carry and handle. It folds down to a compact size that fits neatly into the boot of your car and is quick and straightforward to assemble when you’re ready to play.
Out on the course, the three-wheel design and low weight provide smooth, confident handling across all kinds of terrain. One of the standout features is how securely it holds your bag (regardless of style or size) thanks to its well engineered adjustable brackets. In testing, this meant a rock solid, rattle-free experience throughout the round.
Storage is another area where the Smart Fold shines. You’ll find a dedicated dry compartment for valuables like your phone or watch, along with holders for your scorecard and umbrella, rounding out an impressive list of practical touches.
- Read our full Longridge Eze Glide Smart Fold Push Trolley review
How we test golf carts
At Golf Monthly we take product testing seriously. Our reviews are based on multiple rounds played in a variety of conditions so we can give you a well-rounded view of how a product performs throughout the season. Using a cart for one round doesn't give you the full picture, which is why we will take it out on multiple occasions.
Our team includes golfers with a wide range of handicaps, but who all bring plenty of experience and enthusiasm to the table. This puts us in a strong position to compare gear fairly and highlight how different models - in this case carts - stack up against each other.
Importantly, brands can’t buy positive reviews. Everything you read in our guides and reviews comes from genuine time spent using the products. It’s all about giving you honest, unbiased insights from one golfer to another.
How to choose the best push cart
Choosing the right affordable golf cart takes a bit of consideration. Sure, checking out what your playing partners use is a good starting point but narrowing down the best option for you means weighing up a few key factors. Here’s our advice on what to focus on:
Electric or Push
First up, decide whether you want an electric cart or a push model. Electric trolleys tend to be pricier but offer more features and require minimal effort to move around the course. Push carts are generally more affordable, lighter, and very user-friendly, which is ideal if you prefer a simpler setup.
Features
Golf carts vary widely when it comes to features. Some electric models offer built-in GPS, remote controls, shot-tracking, and LCD screens. Push carts can come with practical touches like storage compartments, drinks holders, and adjustable handles. Think about which features will actually benefit you during a round and look for models that match those needs.
Ease of Use
A golf cart is meant to make life easier, not harder. It should be simple to steer, quick to unfold and pack away, and easy to lift in and out of your car. Poorly designed mechanisms or awkward handling can quickly become frustrating, so ease of use should be near the top of your checklist.
Storage
Let’s face it, golfers carry a lot of gear! Many of it is not needed, but we like to have it anyway, just in case. While your bag holds most of it, extra storage on the trolley itself can make a big difference. Nearly all modern trolleys come with compartments but their size and layout vary. Look for options that provide quick access to essentials like your phone, wallet, balls, and scorecard.
Durability
A golf cart is an investment and you won't want to replace it too often, so you’ll want something that can stand up to regular use, variable weather and rough terrain. Look for models made from tough materials like aluminium, which strike a good balance between strength and weight.
Price
With so many brands in the game, there’s a cart for every budget. Whether you’re after a no-frills push model or a top of the line electric cart loaded with features, it all comes down to how much you’re willing to spend. Rest assured though, there are solid options at every price point.
FAQs
Should I use a push cart or electric cart?
An electric cart is considerably more expensive than a push cart but if you have the money then an electric trolley would be the one we would go for. This is because an electric trolley requires you to just walk, unlike a push trolley which requires you to move it to go forward.
What should I look for when buying a trolley?
There are a number of factors that need to be considered when purchasing a trolley. One major factor is the size and weight, this also means how easy is it to travel with to and from the golf course. Another point is cost, a push cart is going to be considerably cheaper than an electric cart, but an electric cart is going to be more beneficial to your game as it requires less effort to move.
