The 5 Best Kitchen Carts And Islands of 2023
Stephen G. Hein Mar 27, 2023 7:13 PM
A kitchen island cart may benefit various kitchens, whether you desire more storage space, an extra work surface to chop on, or the convenience of having your favorite devices within reach. "Wheel carts are the engine that drives every cook's kitchen," explains Kristen Schultz of Krieglelein Design.
Order is essential for a functioning setting, and kitchen island carts give the ideal amount of storage and working space without seeming crowded. They come in a variety of sizes, forms, and materials, and although most have shelves, some also include pull-out drawers, granite tops, or wine racks.
To assist you in selecting the best kitchen carts and islands for your requirements, BestForHomes (bestforhomes.org) asked two interior designers what features every home chef should look for in a cart. Continue reading to find out which models made our list.

Reviews
Winsome Wood Drop-Leaf Kitchen Cart
Pros:
- Its space-saving cart is loaded with practical features despite its small size, including drop-leaf sides that provide more workspace, a pull-out drawer, and a storage cabinet.
Cons:
- It is a little bit more condensed than some of the other possibilities.
This drop-leaf cart has the ability to extend on either side to give an extra ten inches of workspace, allowing you to make the most efficient use of the area you have available. The huge cupboard located beneath may store larger pieces of equipment, while the pull-out drawer is perfect for storing smaller items such as wine keys.
The body is made of sturdy beechwood, and the hardware has a finish that is similar to that of brushed nickel. To soften the starkness of a white kitchen, a wooden cart is an excellent choice.
"It's a great look if you have marble countertops to bring in a warm element to the design that's also super useful," says Gillian Lefkowitz, Principle Designer of Gillian Design. "It's a great look if you have marble countertops to bring in a warm element to the design that's also super useful," says Gillian Lefkowitz.
Amazon Basics Kitchen Storage Microwave Rack Cart
Pros:
- This cart's detachable hardwood top, adjustable shelves, and various hooks for hanging allow you to tailor it to the specific requirements of your storage needs.
Cons:
- It is difficult to make full use of the hardwood top because of its limited size.
This kitchen island cart is very affordable, and it has two shelves that are movable, allowing you to construct a structure that is tailored to your requirements. It also features four hooks, allowing you to hang goods such as towels or pots and pans.
The top wooden shelf is spacious enough to accommodate a microwave or a little refrigerator, and it also functions well as a work area for completing a variety of straightforward culinary activities. Even after it has been completed, the shelves may be moved up and down in increments of one inch.
This is a great feature for those who aren't very technically inclined since it means they don't need to worry about finding tools to put together the cart. Since everything that is stored on it is exposed to see, this form is also perfect for use as a bar cart.
Origami Folding Kitchen Cart
Pros:
- This versatile cart is easy to carry and fold up, and it can be used both indoors and outside.
Cons:
- In order to either move it or maintain it in one place, you will have to lock and unlock a large number of the wheels.
In addition to providing two shelves, a countertop, and a towel bar, the stainless steel finish is an excellent choice for those who like an industrial style or who just want to add some contrast to the design of their existing kitchen. If you want to use your cart as a preparation station, Schultz recommends installing a butcher block surface above it.
This will create a portable workstation for you as well as increase the amount of useable prep area you have. You may leave this cart in your kitchen permanently, but if you just need it sometimes, you can fold it up, lean it against a wall, or put it away in a closet. Advantage: It already arrives constructed, so you can begin using it right away without any more preparation.
eHemco Kitchen Island Cart
Pros:
- It consists of closed cabinets, an additional shelf, a pull-out drawer, and a durable butcher board made of bamboo.
Cons:
- It is constructed out of engineered wood, which is of a poorer grade than wood that has not been engineered.
The countertop of this kitchen cart is constructed of natural bamboo, which is an eco-friendly, renewable material that does not need the use of pesticides or fertilizers to develop. This worktop may be used as a location to either prepare food items or set up a coffee station, depending on your needs.
One side of the cart has a metal bar that may be used to hang objects such as oven mitts, while the other side has three metal hooks that can hold pots, pans, and other kitchen utensils. It is possible to make the most of a constrained area by installing a shelf immediately on top of the cabinet, which does double duty by providing extra storage space.
Since it is available in three distinct base color choices — black, gray, and white — you will be able to choose the one that works best with the design of your kitchen.
Crosley Furniture Kitchen Island Cart
Pros:
- This strong cart is available in six different wood finishes and five different granite colors, and it comes with a variety of built-in amenities, like a rack for storing spices.
Cons:
- Because of its size, it is not ideal for use in kitchens that are very compact.
This kitchen island cart is an option of a higher end with a price point that is modest, and it has the potential to turn your workstation into one that has a great deal of usefulness. As well as three closed cabinets, each of which has a shelf that can be adjusted, it is equipped with a holder for paper towels, a towel bar, and a spice rack that are all built right in.
In addition, there are two pull-out drawers that may be used to store utensils and many other small appliances. Due to the fact that it is a full 36 inches tall, the height of this cart is suitable for use in conjunction with counter preparations for the typical person. After placing a cutting board on the surface, you will be ready to start preparing meals.
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- BrandWinsome
Amazon Basics Kitchen Storage Microwave Rack Cart on Caster Wheels with Adjustable Shelves, 175-Pound Capacity - Chrome/Wood
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- BrandAmazon Basics
Origami Stainless Steel Cart on Wheels, 3-Tier Foldable Rolling Cart Made of Commercial-Grade Metal - Stainless Steel Design for Chefs Outdoor Food Prep Folding Kitchen Cart
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- BrandOrigami
eHemco Kitchen Island Cart on Wheels with Drawer, Storage Cabinet, Shelf and Natural Bamboo Top Butcher Block, Black Base
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Our experienced team created the BFH Score rating algorithm. Our BestForHomes algorithm automatically scores it from 0 to 10 based on the facts provided. This score is unrelated to or influenced by any manufacturer or sales agency website. Find out more
- BrandeHemco
- SCORE9.4BFP Score
Our experienced team created the BFH Score rating algorithm. Our BestForHomes algorithm automatically scores it from 0 to 10 based on the facts provided. This score is unrelated to or influenced by any manufacturer or sales agency website. Find out more
- BrandCrosley Furniture
Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Size
Kitchen carts differ in size from tiny enough to fit in a small nook to huge enough to serve as a complete island. Pick a size that is appropriate for your kitchen without being too large. Moreover, Schultz recommends that you "ensure that your cart is counter height or somewhat higher, since you want to ensure that it offers a comfortable work area."
Storage
Carts provide storage options such as drawers, shelves, hooks, bars, and racks. Pick a cart that has the functions you want the most and that is large enough to hold the products you want to store. Lefkowitz suggests two shelves, whereas Schultz suggests three.
Style
You may pick a cart to match or enhance your kitchen's decor. Kitchen island carts with granite, marble, stainless steel, or wood countertops may be conventional, contemporary, or industrial.
Is a kitchen cart practical?
Certainly, a kitchen cart is all about functionality. "[It's] a great location to keep everyday culinary basics like onions, shallots, potatoes, garlic, and other non-refrigerated veggies," Schultz explains. "With the addition of cooking oils, a knife block, and often used spices, you have a well-organized sous chef ready to serve on a daily basis."
"As a designer, if I'm working on a project with a tiny kitchen, the island cart is the right answer for more storage and counter space," says Lefkowitz. "There are so many amazing old-school duplexes and flats with little kitchens, and this truly fulfills its function nicely."
What items do you store in your kitchen cart?
A kitchen island cart may hold a broad range of items. "They are excellent for gathering all of the stuff required for a certain job. Do you need baking supplies? Arrange the mixer, canisters, rolling pin, pantry supplies, and baking pans and keep them nearby for easy access "According to Schultz. "You can store such products on carts with wine or spice racks, and if a cart has hooks, you can keep pots or clothes on it." Lefkowitz adores trolleys for keeping cutting boards, as well as a collection of different-sized bowls.
What height should a kitchen island cart have?
A kitchen island cart's normal height is 36 inches. Some smaller carts are a bit shorter, which is great for those who aren't very tall. If you are tall, it should be at least 36 inches tall so you don't damage your back or have to lean over when using it.
The Winsome Wood Drop-Leaf Kitchen Cart is our top pick because of its expanding sides, which provide instant more workspace but can be folded down when not in use. It's made of sturdy beechwood and has brushed metal hardware, as well as a storage cabinet, a pull-out drawer, a shelf, and, of course, a surface.
We sincerely thank you for taking the time to read this far. BestForHomes (bestforhomes.org) hopes this post will help you choose the best kitchen carts and islands for your house.