The 6 Best Bar Carts of 2025
Top pick
The style is mid-century, but the cart’s plug-in-place, no-tool assembly feels right for the times.
Why it’s great
Putting it together is easy. Instructions promised the Article Cotu Bar Cart could be assembled in “approximately 10 minutes.” We probably took half that. Small metal clasps on the legs help the shelves lock into place, dispensing with the usual need for tools or bitty screws that get lost.
The parts feel stable, and so will your stuff. The shelves are thick, with secure sides — high at the back, tapering lower in the front — to keep contents snug and safe. And the castered wheels rolled ably, if a bit noisily and bumpily, over most surfaces in our tests.
It has Goldilocks energy. Size-wise, this cart has a compact footprint but doesn’t feel cramped. You could stow it in a corner or treat it like a showpiece. The dark wood and brass-finished hardware look traditional but don’t come across as stodgy.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
We have questions about wear. After testing and a cocktail party, the cart already has some minor discoloration on the handle hardware and one ledge, as well as faint scuff marks. While the cart cleaned up easily when subjected to drills of melted ice and soggy cocktail napkins, we’re curious how the finish will hold up over long-term testing.
The handle is a bit low. It helps with pushing — and its placement was okay for my 5-foot-6-ish frame. But it necessitated a bit of hunching over for one 5-foot-8 Wirecutter staffer.
Key specs
Dimensions: 30.5 by 17.5 by 29 inches (HWD)
Finishes: walnut
Materials: solid American black walnut (side panel, legs, crossbars), MDF and wood veneer (shelf panels), brass-finished steel (handles, casters)
Weight capacity: none specified; a rep recommended the cart for “typical household items like dishware or bottles”
White-glove service: yes
Return policy and warranty: return within 30 days of receipt for a full refund; shipping fee applies; manufacturer’s warranty covers defects for one year from delivery
