A small but unmistakable revolution has taken place on the high street in recent years.
Thanks to the national effort to curb our single-use plastics habit, not to mention government measures obliging customers to pay for plastic bags in shops, there are few among us who haven’t made the switch to a tote bag.
While cloth bags are undeniably handy for small errands and picking up a few bits from the off licence, when it comes to bigger hauls like the supermarket weekly shop, you may want to do your shoulders, spine and hips a favour by upgrading to a shopping trolley on wheels.
Now, we know what you’re thinking: shopping trolleys are 100 per cent OAP territory. Or rather, they used to be.
With the likes of Chanel and Louis Vuitton rolling out their own ultra-luxe versions, the look has done a 180-degree transformation from granny to glamorous.
While it’s far from becoming the IT bag of the season, it’s a smart and eco-friendly way to get your goods from shop A and B and back home again. As well as a trundle along the high street, a wheeled shopping bag is also invaluable for transporting picnic supplies and camping gear on weekend breaks in the great outdoors.
Below you’ll find some of the nicest shopping bags on wheels around; and we promise - there’s not a tartan check in sight.
Best shopping trolleys at a glance
- Best for a wholesome look: Ikea Tolkning Laundry basket with wheels, £70, Ikea
- Best for statement style: RAD Union Soft Rave Shopping Trolley, £150, Not On The Highstreet
- Best for a large capacity: Two Wheel Folding Blue and White Polka Dot Shopping Trolley, £25, Argos
- Best for use on stairs: 6 Wheel Folding Navy Blue Stair Climber Shopping Trolley, £55, Argos
- Best for a playful print: Sabichi Crazy Cats Shopping Trolley, £20, Amazon
- Best for compatability with a shopping trolley: Reisenthel Shopping Trolley Carrycruiser Frame Florist Indigo, £122.60, The Little Green Bag
- Best for a sleek look: Rolser Saquet Trolley, Black, £54.95, John Lewis
- Best for a built in chair: Shopping Trolley with Fold Down Seat, £29.15, Complete Care
- Best for heavy duty wheels: Colombo Dakar Green Aluminium Shopping Cart, £49.13, Amazon
See our favourites below
Ikea Tolkning Laundry basket with wheels, handmade Willow
Best for: a wholesome look
Capacity: 31kg
The sort of thing you’d imagine Little Red Riding Hood shopping for grandma with, this cute wicker trolley is whimsical yet practical all at the same time. The above-average rubber tyres can navigate curbs, steps and bumps in the pavement easily, while inside, the 60kg capacity makes it the ideal shopping companion, whether you’re headed to Waitrose or the local farmer’s market.
Buy now £70.00, Ikea
RAD Union Soft Rave Shopping Trolley
Best for: statement style
Capacity: 35L
Forget one foot in the grave: this trolley is ready to rave. A bright and cheery 35L bag sits on top of a yellow steel frame, patterned with an abstract coral print, and the whole lot folds down to make storage a doddle. A perfect balance of substance and style, helping to move heavy loads with smooth ease. As fun as a shopping trolley gets.
Buy now £150.00, RAD Union
Two Wheel Folding Blue and White Polka Dot Shopping Trolley
Best for: a large capacity
Capacity: 82L
The lure of the polka dot shows no sign of waning. This handy little helper offers massive capacity - a whopping 82 litres - allowing for plenty of room for cans, bottles and packets. It will keep your goods safe come rain or shine with a weatherproof exterior and splash proof bag that closes tight with a drawstring opening. Best of all, the whole thing - frame and bag - folds down flat when you don’t need it.
Buy now £25.00, Argos
6 Wheel Folding Navy Blue Stair Climber Shopping Trolley
Best for: use on stairs
Capacity: 42L
You’ll laugh in the face of the next staircase you encounter if you have this trolley by your side. The clever design uses six wheels to ‘climb’ steps with you, so there’s no need to huff over the handle. The 42L bag is also removable and can fold away, making storing this as easy as pie.
Buy now £55.00, Argos
Sabichi Crazy Cats Shopping Trolley
Best for: a playful print
Capacity: 40L
There’s no reason why you can’t have fun with your new shopping buddy. Covered in a playful kitten print this trolley pulls along easily on two robust wheels and an ergonomic handle. There’s a zipped pocket on the back of the insulated bag, which also folds down to make it easier to store when you don’t need it.
Buy now £20.04, Amazon
Reisenthel Shopping Trolley Carrycruiser Frame Florist Indigo
Best for: compatability with a shopping trolley
Capacity: 40L
We’re into the look of this floral print shopping trolley, which looks more like a cabin bag thanks to the streamlined frame. The telescopic handle adjusts to different heights, the lining is removable and machine washable, and it even features fixtures for attachment to a supermarket trolley - as well as two reusable trolley tokens. Available in many colourways, there’s sure to be one that tickles your fancy.
Buy now £122.60, The Little Green Bag
Rolser Saquet Trolley, Black
Best for: a sleek look
Capacity: 40L
For a minimal monochrome moment, look no further than Rolser’s compact trolley. Featuring a drawstring opening with a flap covering, it’s guaranteed to carry up to 20 kilograms, making it the perfect supermarket-shop-companion. We love the all black, but, if you’re partial to more of a statement, it’s available in a black and white stripe, too.
Buy now £54.95, John Lewis
Shopping Trolley with Fold Down Seat
Best for: a built in chair
Capacity: 30L
This trolley not only packs in the features you’d expect - a large carry area, wipe-clean waterproof fabric, stair-friendly wheels and a handle that’s easy to grip - but there’s also one additional extra that makes it pretty hard to resist. A fold down chair! It’s ideal for long trips or anyone with mobility issues and can bear up to 14st in weight.
Buy now £29.15, Complete Care Shop
Colombo Dakar Green Aluminium Shopping cart
Best for: heavy duty wheels
Capacity: 30kg
If you’re partial to the satchel aesthetic, Colombo’s shopping trolley is the one for you. In an understated khaki with brown leather-look straps, it has a large capacity and sturdy wheels are specifically designed for unbridled shopping - and it looks great, too.
Buy now £49.13, Amazon
With a cottagecore aesthetic we can’t get enough of, we’re sweet on Ikea’s Laundry Basket With Wheels. But if the only thing that matters is size, Argos has the largest capacity yet the smallest price. Sold!
