The 5 Best Furniture-Moving Dollies to Get Heavy Jobs Done
Updated: Jan. 20, 2024
If you've got bulky items to move, one of these best furniture-moving dollies will help.
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Whether you’re moving into a new home or just rearranging heavy furniture and appliances, you’re probably aware of how handy furniture-moving dollies can be to move heavy furniture. There are many different dolly designs, but they all share the same purpose—to move household items too heavy or awkward to carry. A wheeled platform holds the item while wheels and handles allow it to be pushed or pulled much faster and more easily than if it were being carried by hand. If you’ve got some heavy items to move, here are the best furniture-moving dollies to meet your needs.
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Best Overall Furniture-Moving Dolly
Milwaukee Dual-Handle Hand Truck
This handy furniture-moving dolly by Milwaukee is designed to slide a thin, yet strong, metal platform under the furniture being moved, then tilt back on two large wheels, using leverage rather than muscle to hoist the item off the ground.
It can handle loads up to 1,000 pounds and, with considerable care, can even move heavy items up and down stairs. Its 10-inch rubber tires provide smooth and steady rolling, conquering terrains from rough outdoor surfaces to smooth indoor floors with ease. A wheel guard protects cargo from damage during transport, and the compact folding design makes it easy to store when not in use.
Pros
- Versatile design
- Heavy-duty metal frame
- Holds up to 1,000 pounds
- Built-in stair climbers
Cons
- Only has two wheels
Wondering what to do with that old sofa, rocking chair or desk? This collection of options is where to donate furniture.
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Best Budget Furniture-Moving Dolly
Milwaukee Hand Trucks Gleason Carpeted Furniture Dolly
If you need a good moving dolly but probably won’t use it often, this basic four-wheel model makes sense. It’s the simplest, most affordable dolly available, but can still be a huge help when moving heavy items. This well-reviewed dolly has four spinning casters, an 800-pound load capacity and a built-in handle for easy rolling. Measuring 15 inches by 15 inches, it has ample space to transport your valuable furnishings with ease. Both ends of the dolly are carpeted, ensuring your cargo stays scratch-free during transportation.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Simple design
- Carpeted to prevent scratches
Cons
- Can’t be used on stairs
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Best Heavy-Duty Furniture-Moving Dolly
Raymond Original Mighty King Steel Desk Lift
If hand trucks have a weakness, it’s their small platform size. If you need to move furniture with a big footprint, such as a desk or large cabinet, a desk-lift-style dolly can help. A large carrying platform, four spinning casters and adjustable height settings make models like this heavy-duty dolly ideal for sliding under desks or other furniture, then raising them mechanically from below. Like basic four-wheel dollies, these aren’t great on stairs, but they’re still hard to beat for moving big furniture on the same floor.
Pros
- Ideal for moving extra-large pieces
- Ships fully assembled
- Removable handle
- 360-degree free rotating rubber casters
Cons
- Pricey
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Most Versatile Furniture-Moving Dolly
Magliner Gemini Jr Convertible Hand Truck
This dolly from Magliner works like a regular hand truck, but with more versatility due to a second pair of auxiliary wheels. The smaller wheels tuck out of the way when not in use. If moving something too big for the hand truck’s platform, the extra wheels fold down and the entire unit shifts horizontally, becoming a large, strong four-wheel dolly. This best furniture-moving dolly has a 1,000 pound capacity, a 51-inch height capacity in hand truck mode and a 38-inch horizontal bed in the four-wheel configuration.
Pros
- Modular design means all parts are replaceable
- Converts from two to four wheels
- Optional accessories available
- 1,000-pound load capacity
Cons
- Pricey
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Best Furniture-Moving Dolly Set
Wen Two-Pack Hardwood Furniture Moving Dollies
If you’re not worried about buying dollies that are built to last, and need something simple to get a single job done, this two-pack of moving dollies may fit the bill. Each dolly measures 18 inches by 30 inches, and can be used together or separately. When used in tandem, these best furniture-moving dollies can handle large pieces up to 2,000 pounds. Use them solo for lighter pieces, like dressers or moving boxes. Swivel casters make it easy to roll in any direction, and carpeted ends prevent scratches and scuffs.
Pros
- Excellent value with two in a set
- Carpeted edges
- Easy to use
- 2,000-pound load capacity
Cons
- Not well constructed enough for long-term, repeated use
- Can’t be used on stairs
What to Consider When Buying a Furniture-Moving Dolly
When looking for the best furniture dollies, consider the following factors:
- Load capacity: Choose a dolly that can handle more than your heaviest anticipated load. For safety’s sake, it’s always better to have a higher weight capacity than needed—just in case.
- Types of objects: What will you be moving with the dolly? Two-wheeled hand truck dollies are good for large appliances, tall furniture or boxes, but for bulkier or irregularly shaped objects, a four-wheeled platform dolly might be best.
- Wheels: The dolly’s maneuverability and adaptability to different surfaces are determined by the size and materials of the wheels. If you’re moving heavy items across rough terrain or going up and down stairs, look for large, heavy rubber or pneumatic wheels. Hard plastic wheels are cheaper, but not ideal for use on anything besides smooth, flat surfaces.
- Wheel configuration: Two-wheeled dollies, or hand trucks, are suitable for tall, upright loads. Four-wheeled dollies, or platform dollies, offer better stability, but are better suited to shorter, wider cargo.
- Handle design: To make moving easier and more comfortable, look for the best furniture-moving dollies with ergonomically-designed handles and comfortable grips.
- Foldability and storage: A foldable or collapsible dolly is a smart choice for homes and offices with limited storage space.
- Safety features: Look for features that will keep you safe, like non-slip surfaces, straps for securing cargo or wheel locks to keep the dolly from rolling away.
Types of Dollies
Here are some common types you may come across while shopping for the best furniture dollies:
- Hand truck: Also known as a two-wheeler, a hand truck has a small platform, two wheels and a handle. It’s best used for moving boxes, appliances or tall pieces of furniture.
- Platform dolly: These four-wheel dollies feature a flat platform that provides a stable base for transporting larger or heavier items, such as bulky furniture or multiple boxes at once.
- Furniture dolly: As the name implies, these dollies are designed specifically for moving furniture. They have a larger platform with carpeted or padded surfaces that prevent scratching, and may include straps for securing items.
- Appliance dolly: Built to move large appliances like refrigerators, washing machines or stoves, these dollies have straps or belts to secure their cargo, and may have specialized features, such as stair climbers or adjustable lifting arms.
- Convertible dolly: Also known as multi-position or combination dollies, these models can be used as both a hand truck and a platform dolly.
How We Found the Best Furniture-Moving Dollies
Here at Family Handyman, we’re always looking to help readers discover top products, and finding the best furniture-moving dollies is no different. We analyzed the top-selling furniture-moving dollies available from the nations top retailers, comparing them on the basis of materials, features, durability, ease-of-use and in-depth customer reviews. Once we’d narrowed the field to the absolute best of the best, we considered the jobs they were most well-suited for, ensuring you can find the best one for the exact job you’re doing.
FAQ
What is the difference between a dolly and utility dolly?
A dolly, also known as a hand truck, consists of a simple frame with two wheels, a handle and a flat platform. Meanwhile, utility dollies are another name for four-wheeled platform dollies, which are usually on swivel casters for maximum maneuverability.
What makes a good dolly?
A good dolly should be constructed from durable, sturdy materials that are strong enough to handle the weight of the objects being transported. The best furniture-moving dollies are made from high-quality steel, aluminum, hardwood or other robust materials that won’t buckle under pressure.
Originally Published: April 14, 2020
