Kitchen Carts That Instantly Upgrade Your Cooking HQ with More Prep Space *and* More Storage

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Kitchen carts are incredibly functional: In small kitchens, you have an instant floating island for prep work and storage. In larger kitchens, you can take your prep work with you, or even have some prized stove-side seating. In any case, kitchen carts create additional storage space and puts frequently used items such as cutting boards or pots and pans within easy reach.

The Best Kitchen Carts

• Best Overall: Andover Mills Raabe Kitchen Cart

• Best Fruit Basket: HOYRR Rotating Storage Kitchen Rack

• Best for Large Kitchens: Three Posts Hardiman Kitchen Island with Locking Wheels

• Best Removable Top: Dotted Line Enos Kitchen Cart

• Best Stainless Steel Top: Birch Lane Dobbs Kitchen Cart

What to Consider

When buying a kitchen cart (also called a kitchen trolley or kitchen island), think about the following:

Purpose

When you do a bit of advance planning, a kitchen cart can be one of the most functional items in your kitchen. Will you mainly be using it to create additional counter space for culinary prep work? Do you need more storage space to house pots and pans or kitchen appliances? Or, are you looking for more of a design-forward display piece for glassware and garnishes when hosting your famous brunches? Not all kitchen islands are created equal, and some are best left stationary, so if you can plan out your use in advance, you can find a cart that best fits your needs.

Mobility

Speaking of, you can choose to go wheeled, or non-wheeled. If you opt for mobile, high-quality locking wheels are absolutely critical. The last thing you want is your prep work (or even sharp kitchen tools) to move unexpectedly if the cart slips on a patch of uneven hardwood, or gets stuck in tile grout.

Extras

If you’re looking for a surface that can be used as a cutting board, search for a kitchen cart with a removable top. Remember that solid wood tops require some extra maintenance (namely, a good coat of a neutral oil every month like coconut oil, and a sealing wax – also, don’t forget to sanitize it regularly!) Stainless steel tops are easier to clean, but the finish may not align with all kitchen styles.

Lastly, it may seem like a small thing, but we love a kitchen cart with a bar to hang dish towels (or two!), since frequent spills and messes in the kitchen make having these on hand a must. Like most things, kitchen carts can span a wide price range. Typically, more features equals a higher price tag.

How We Selected

We used a combination of our own experience with a range of kitchen carts along with an analysis of online reviews and specs to put together a reputable list. With countless hours spent in the kitchen testing all kinds of gear, we turn to a cart somewhat often for general needs and to support everything else we’re testing. Online reviews help us fill in the gaps and learn from others who have spent time with different carts and in a range of use cases.

Ready to check out our favorites? Here are the best carts that help us keep (and stay!) organized while we do our thing in the kitchen.

Raabe Kitchen Cart

With more than 2,500 five-star ratings, you can trust that this practical and attractive kitchen cart is among the best of the bunch.

After personal testing, we love the thick, wooden butcher block top that you can use as either a prep station if you’re low on countertop real estate or for displaying fruit bowls, a vase with flowers, a watering can for your houseplants, and the like.

We appreciate the two shelves below the handsome wooden countertop for storage, and the stainless steel push handle is also great for holding tea towels.

As a bonus, the wood top is made with rubberwood, sourced from discarded rubber trees to help reduce landfill waste.

Pro tip: Some customers say the wheels make it a “tad wobbly,” so you may want to skip installing the removable wheels if you’re not planning on maneuvering your cart around the kitchen much or at all.

More: 10 Best French Fry Cutters

Rotating Storage Kitchen Rack

This wheeled, rotating storage rack includes four wire baskets and a banana stand, so you can keep fruit and other fresh produce front and center in your kitchen.

The Lazy Susan design makes it so it’s easy to grab what you need, and you can use the top shelf above the baskets for additional storage.

If you prefer, you can use the mesh baskets as standalone items on your countertop, and in lieu of fresh fruits and veggies, some may opt to use this product as a spice and condiment rack.

Hardiman Kitchen Island with Locking Wheels

Nearly 4,000 five-star reviews should give you confidence that you’re in for a solid buy with this attractive kitchen cart that comes in indigo, charcoal, cherry wood, red, gray, and white.

Whether you pull up bar stools and let this kitchen cart double as a breakfast table or happy hour hub, the three roomy drawers and a storage cabinet with two doors give you plenty of space to stash away kitchen essentials.

The engineered wood kitchen cart also has a drop-down leaf for extra surface space should you need it for meal prep or to hold more items.

The towel rack on one end is a convenient feature, as are the removable wheels, two of which can be locked into place. If you’re using this piece as a kitchen island, it’s also nice that the material is finished on both sides, so it looks great from any angle.

Enos Kitchen Cart

Bamboo prep station? Yes, please. Pair that with the stainless steel support of this high-quality kitchen cart and a no-fuss design, and you’re in business.

This cart includes a basket for storage, a shelf on the bottom, a towel rod, and three included hooks for your oven mitts, tea towels, etc. For fast cleaning, remove the wooden top and wash it at your sink. This is a cart for those who prioritize function first and foremost.

Dobbs Kitchen Cart

We’re swooning for both off-white and black in this chic kitchen cart that’s made with a base material of solid and engineered wood and features a stainless steel countertop.

For those who prefer a stainless steel countertop for easy cleanup (unlike wood, you don’t have to sweat worrying about spilled beverages, moisture, or food leaving a mark), it’s hard to find a more stylish option than this one.

Four locking wheels are included if you prefer going that route for mobility.

Slim Storage Rolling Cart

Looking to get organized in a narrow kitchen? This one’s for you. Choose from a three-tiered (dimensions listed) or four-tiered storage cart (the height increases to 40 inches, while the other measurements remain the same) in black or white. This is also a great choice for general storage in small spaces, such as a dorm or hall closet.

The cart comes with four storage hooks which you can use for hanging tea towels or potholders, and the snap-together assembly makes it a breeze to set up this wheeled cart.

At less than $25, you may want to buy an extra one to use in your laundry room or bathroom, too.

Mid-Century Kitchen Bar Cart

Yes, this is technically a “bar cart,” but we wouldn’t blame you if you used it for kitchen supplies since it’s just too great of a design to stick to the bar area.

The brass casters are a nice touch, but it would also be just fine to leave this cart in one spot, and make it the focal point of a layout. It’s a nice, open design with easy access on all sides to reach whatever you need.

Whether a bottle of your favorite whiskey, or that special occasion sea salt, this is a more-than-acceptable way to display and use your kitchen’s best.

Morgan Wide Kitchen Island

With a solid wood base and pull-out wooden table, you can also choose from either a reclaimed wood, concrete, or stainless steel prep table surface on this elegant kitchen island.

The piece features stainless steel handles on three drawers and three shelves for storage. The hidden table also fits neatly into the built-in pocket when not in use to help you maximize space in your kitchen.

If you’re looking for a kitchen island that — as one reviewer calls it — is “the centerpiece of the kitchen” for years to come, make this your design-forward splurge.

Gourmet Kitchen Cart Block with Casters

We see this high-end kitchen island as an ideal choice for a luxury condo kitchen. The thick maple slab on top is beautiful and will assure years and years (possibly decades) as long as some simple wood care is observed.

The single shelf below would be a great space for a couple of big pans that you can never seem to fit in the cabinets. The big plus is the well-built casters, which lock in place and make this cart very easy to move wherever it’s needed.

This cart definitely has that classic, timeless kitchen look that’s sure to elevate any kitchen HQ.

53'' Wide Rolling Kitchen Cart with Solid Wood Top

Looking for a wide kitchen cart? This one fits the bill and fits that classic farmhouse style to boot, thanks to beautiful rubberwood with a light sheen, great hardware and strong wheels.Some standout features include the easy-to-clean wooden top and shelves, which will almost certainly add to this island’s longevity.

This movable prep table comes with strong functionality on each side, including a towel bar and spice rack. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to complete a country-style look or to have a non-permanent focal point of a rustic-chic kitchen space.

Augustin Prep Table

Looking for a wide kitchen cart? This one fits the bill and is stylish to boot, thanks to beautiful engineered wood with dark spotted knots, grain color variation, and a stainless steel frame.

Some standout features include the waterproof, stain-resistant wooden top and shelves, which will almost certainly add to this island’s longevity. This prep table comes with optional side hooks and customers rave about the easy assembly, always a win in our books. It’s an excellent choice for those looking for something stationary to build around.

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