The best golf carts can assist in improving your game. No, they can’t help you get up and down off a hardpan lie or hit a stinging tee shot that cheats the wind and ends up in the prime spot on the fairway. But they can ensure that you save some energy across a round. If you enjoy walking but notice that your fitness levels and your concentration can wane over the last few holes then a golf cart could be a sound investment.
So you’re thinking about swapping the carry bag for a cart but your budget is somewhat limited. While many of the best golf carts have price tags that can hit four digits, fortunately there are plenty of far more affordable options.
At Golf Monthly we’ve tested a considerable number of trolleys and have selected our favorite best push carts and best electric golf trolleys that we deem affordable. Here you still get plenty of features and a reliable performance but without stretching your budget to breaking point.
The Quick List
The MGI ZIP Navigator is a well-rounded remote electric trolley. It is well-built, responsive and stable, with the main standout being how compact it is when folded.
Lightweight, compact and with plenty of storage, the Bag Boy Nitron is one of the best push carts we've tested thanks to it nailing the basics.
The latest Sun Mountain Speed Cart V1R release is exceptionally stable, highly functional, and easy to maneuver around the course. A top performer.
The Motocaddy Cube push cart is quick and easy to unfold and makes getting around the golf course a breeze. It is also very compact and lightweight.
The Eze is lightweight, which makes pushing uphills a breeze, but has also proven to be robust and reliable. Plenty of storage options on the handle too.
Best Affordable Golf Carts
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Best electric
If you’re after a remote electric trolley but have assumed they are out of your price range, then the Zip Navigator from MGI will cause you to think again.
It delivers all the benefits you’d expect from an electric cart but offered at a really competitive price point. That means plenty of stability, even when navigating undulating turf, thanks in part to the additional rear wheel that we found came in handy on steeper parts on the course.
The remote aspect is easy to use and during our testing it worked without issue. We particularly liked the downhill speed control, which combined with the aforementioned fourth wheel, inspired plenty of confidence that our cart would arrive next to our ball no matter the terrain. The remote also boasts a lock button that’s a really handy addition, especially if you’re carrying it in your pocket and want to avoid the equivalent of an accidental dial on a mobile phone.
Other noteworthy details include the ability to invert the wheels when the cart is folded down; we found this really helped with both storage at home and when we were packing the car before heading to the golf course. All told, this is a solid electric option that’s more affordable than many of its competitors.
- Read our full MGI Zip Navigator Remote Electric Trolley Review
Best push
For a push cart on a budget we think the Nitron from Bag Boy is tough to beat.
During our testing it ticked all the boxes. The sensible design makes it straightforward - and quick - to fold and unfold, leaving you more time to warm up before a round. The compact size also means it’s a smart choice if you’re stretched for space at home.
But despite its size and the ease with which it comes together it delivers an impressively stable performance out on the course that belies its lightweight credentials. That weight though does make it easy to load and unload as well as to maneuver regardless of the terrain. And the functionality doesn’t stop there.
Your chosen bag is held securely in place by the adjustable straps, while the hand-mounted brake provides additional security both out on the course and in the parking lot. If you like to carry plenty of gear during a round, the Nitron has you covered too. There’s a built-in drinks holder, another for your mobile phone plus plenty of storage for balls, tees and other essentials. Put it all together and it’s no surprise that this cart featured in our Editor's Choice Awards .
- Read our full Bag Boy Nitron Push Cart Review
Best storage
Even if you’ve only been playing the game for a short while it’s likely you’ll have heard of Sun Mountain and its Speed Cart franchise. Now in its third decade of production it remains one of the best-selling carts. And with good reason.
The latest model, the VR1, aptly demonstrates the long-running appeal of the Speed Cart design. While it benefits from a sturdy build that delivers bags of stability, it still feels like a much lighter cart when in use. It’s easy to maneuver and we found that it really glides over the turf. Likewise, it folds and unfolds quickly and efficiently. Perhaps the only drawback is that when folded it’s not as compact as some of its rivals.
Where it really excels is in the sheer volume and range of storage it offers. If you find yourself lacking the storage you need with your current bag and cart set-up, a move to the V1R should solve the problem. You get a generous storage tray and a mesh basket to take care of essentials like spare balls and scorecards as well as a phone, watch and wallet. And that’s not all. There are also holders for your drinks bottle and your umbrella.
- Read our full Sun Mountain 2022 Speed Cart V1R Push Cart Review
Most compact
The best golf push trolleys should be easy to use. That means light enough to carry to and from the car, straightforward to put together, comfortable to steer out on the course and nice and compact when not in use. The Cube is all these things.
During testing we appreciated the simplicity of its two-step folding design. It really is a breeze to assemble. The streamlined design means it’s also easy to lift, aided by the well-placed carry handle. Out on the course the cart’s low weight means it’s pretty agile even over testing ground. A drawback here though is that it is susceptible to falling over if it's left on uneven ground or during particularly windy conditions. If you play a lot of links golf, you might need to look for something a little more sturdy.
Other noteworthy features include adjustable trolly clips to hold your bag in place, plenty of storage for your essentials and your valuables and a footbrake for some additional security. The Cube is available in three colors.
- Read our full Motocaddy Cube Push Cart Review
Best value
Balancing functionality, build quality and price is no easy task. But the EzeGlide Smart Fold Push cart manages it in style.
Why does it get our nod for best value? Simply because it delivers across a number of areas while still being really affordable. To start it boasts a lightweight design that translates into a cart that’s easy to carry. Fairly compact when folded away it packs comfortably into the trunk of your car but is still simple to put together. Unfolded and out on the course its low weight and three-wheel design means it steers confidently no matter the terrain.
It scores highly too for just how well it holds your bag in place - no matter the style of bag you use. This is achieved thanks to the well-designed adjustable brackets that really lock the bag in. During our testing we enjoyed a rattle-free experience.
And last, but not least, is the impressive array of storage options. These include a neat dry space for valuables such as a phone or watch alongside holders for an umbrella and your scorecard.
- Read our full Longridge Eze Glide Smart Fold Push Trolley review
How we test golf carts
At Golf Monthly we take our testing seriously. This means that products, including these carts, are evaluated over many rounds, not just one, and across a range of playing conditions. This allows us to formulate a balanced opinion as well as assess how a product will stand up to seasonal changes in weather.
Our team of reviewers have a range of handicaps but all have plenty of experience. This means we’re well-placed to compare and contrast equipment to see how different products stack up against the competition.
Vitally, brands cannot buy a good review. All that you’ve read here, and across our reviews and buyers guides, are derived from time spent with the products and nothing else. This means you're getting an honest and unbiased opinion, from golfer to another.
How to choose the best push cart
Selecting the right affordable golf cart for you requires a little thought. Certainly looking at the trolleys used by your playing partners is a good place to start, but to narrow it down it’s worth evaluating a few key factors. Here’s our advice on which area to focus on.
Electric/Push
Obviously the first thing you want to think about is whether you want an electric model, or a push cart. Electric designs are obviously more expensive but come with a lot more features and require less effort to maneuver. Push carts are cheaper, usually lighter and very easy to use.
Features
As we mentioned above lots of different models come with a wide range of features, and some look to simply perform as a trolley. For example some electric models come with GPS functionality, remote controls, shot-tracking and large LCD screens. Push carts also come with features like storage compartments, drinks holder, adjustable handle and so on. Therefore you should think about what extra features would be important to you when using a golf cart.
Ease of use
The whole point of a golf cart is to make life easier on the golf course when moving from shot to shot, so a cart that isn't easy to use is pointless. They have to be easy to maneuver on the course and getting it out of the car, and most designs fold away too so this foldable process has to be simple to put up and fold away as well.
Storage
Us golfers accumulate a lot of stuff whether it be accessories, tees, balls, scorecard, phone, wallet and so on and so forth. Sure it is easy to store this in the golf bag on the cart but for ease of access it is good to store things in the trolley too. As a result pretty much all trolleys come with storage compartments these days with some being larger than others.
Durability
A golf cart can be a large investment so it has to be able to last a long time, as well as deal with the rain, mud, and whatever general use gets thrown at it on the golf course. As such we recommend looking at models that are made from strong materials like aluminum.
Price
With so many brands making golf carts these days there is a model for everyone at every price point. If you want to go for the cheapest option which will just act as a cart, you can. Or if you want all the bells and whistles on an electric design, you can do that too. It is all a question of how much you want to spend.
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.
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