Being stuck as a music teacher on a cart is no fun.
I’ve taught in every situation imaginable, from the cafeteria to a portable to on a cart.
One of the things I’ve learned is the value of a good, durable cart option.
When I first went on a cart for music class, I shopped around and tried some out.
Here’s what I found as the best option for music teacher carts.
Of all the options out there, the best is the Honey Can Do 3-Tier cart. It offers a good balance of space, durability, and price. While there may be other options out there with more bells and whistles, your admin may not be willing to pay for them.
Still, there are a few other good ones to check out too.
Read ahead for more details on my favorite four options for all different situations.
You don’t have to sacrifice the quality of music education.
Table of Contents
Music Teacher Carts In This Review
| Products | Picture (If available) | Editor’s Choice Award |
|---|---|---|
| Honey Can Do 3-Tier Cart |   | Best Overall |
| Teacher Taxi Cart | n/a (See link) | Premium Award |
| Kingrack 3-Tier Rolling Cart |   | Budget Option |
| Norwood Utility Cart |   | Most Durable And Functional |
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Honey Can Do 3-Tier Cart
Pros:
- Good amount of space for storage
- Affordable price
- Durable to a point
- Fits in most spaces
Cons:
- Wheels are a bit wobbly
- No AV or power connection
This Honey Can Do cart is the one I settled on when I had to be on a cart (hopefully, I don’t have to go back!).
The steel construction is pretty solid, and it features three levels for plenty of storage.
The fabric side pockets have plenty of space for small things like pencils, papers, and smaller non-pitched percussion instruments.
It comes in at 35″ inches high, 34″ inches wide, and 16″ inches long.
This is perfect for fitting in the small closets and offices we often have to store them in.
The steel body is pretty durable as long as you don’t bang it or travel long distances.
My only major complaint is that wheels may get wobbly over time, especially if it has to navigate a lot of bumps.
Still, for the price, it’s really the best all-around option.
Teacher Taxi Cart
Pros:
- Insanely durable
- Lots of space
- Easy to maneuver
- Several configurations for your situation
Cons:
- High price
This baby is the Cadillac of elementary music teacher carts.
Its price is quite high, but the quality you get from this cart is insane.
Sadly, most of us will never really get to enjoy it because our admin won’t pay for it.
Still, if you can lay the guilt trip on them enough, you may be able to swing for the fences on this awesome product.
The Teacher Taxi cart is every traveling music teacher’s dream.
It features three shelves in a super sturdy steel body.
It’s slanted for easier handling no matter the weight, with hardy wheels for any terrain.
There are several configuration options, including:
- Cart only
- With power strip
- Pull-out shelf and power strip
- Drawer and power strip
This thing has even got a cup holder for your water!
Kingrack 3-Tier Rolling Cart
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Easy to move around
- Fits in a lot of spots
- Pegboard is a nice touch
Cons:
- Not a lot of space for storage
- Wheels break easier
If you don’t have a ton of money to spend, or you don’t have a lot of instruments to use, consider this 3-tier rolling rack.
KingRack’s rolling cart is much smaller, but it also saves a lot of money.
The construction is still durable, but it features smaller baskets instead of wide shelves.
The smaller size is great for getting into tight and crowded spaces too.
Unique peg holes on the side of the cart provide space for hooks to hang more baskets, shelves, and other things.
All in all, it’s nothing to write home about, but if you’re on a tight budget, it’s one of the best options out there.
Norwood Utility Cart
Pros:
- Super durable steel
- Strong yet movable caster wheels
- Power strip for convenient setup
- Taller height
Cons:
- Above average price
- Nothing special to look at
If durability and functionality are your goals, this cart may be for you.
The Norwood Utility cart is tough, works well, and moves easily.
This is what my STEAM teacher uses at my school.
There is less shelf room, but what there is won’t be knocked around easily.
The wheels are hardcore, and it features a power strip on the side.
So if you plug in your speakers or computer, you won’t have to mess around with as many cords.
It’s definitely taller than it is wide, so keep that in mind if bending over hurts too much sometimes.
This may be just for you.
Other Music Teacher-On-A-Cart Resources
If you’re stuck on a cart, not all is lost!
There’s a lot you can do with your kids, but you do sometimes have to get more creative.
If you need some ideas, here are a few things I’ve found are essential.
Speakers
Playing music is a huge part of the music classroom experience.
With a good set of speakers, you’ll be able to get them moving and responding to music in no time.
Sure, you may be able to use the classroom system if they have one, but you’ll need to spend time hooking up and finding the songs.
Check out this JBL speaker I use with great success.
It’s easy to use, has a great battery, and won’t break the budget.
Microphone Necklace; Voice Amplifier For Music Teachers
I spent the first 10 years of my music teaching career hating the idea of using a microphone.
After needing to wear masks, I realized how hard I was on my voice when I didn’t have to be.
Now, I use a microphone whenever I can.
The voice amplifier necklace saves your hands and your voice.
Plus, you can better model light and gentle singing while still being heard.
Non-Pitched Percussion
Non-pitched percussion provides kids the chance to play instruments without the struggle of hefting huge instruments from place to place.
A lot of them fit on the cart, too, with minimal difficulty.
My favorite options include:
- Hand drums
- Rhythm sticks
- Egg shakers
- Tambourines
- Triangles
- Jingle Bells
- Sand blocks
- Maracas
Just be sure to remind them how classroom rules still apply for music time.
White Boards
Personal whiteboards or mini-whiteboards for students are other great options.
I use these even in my classroom right now.
You save on paper and storage, but you still get to assess them right away.
A lot of the time, you won’t need these, though.
Many classrooms already have whiteboards at their desks or quickly within reach.
7 Quick Tips For Teaching Music On A Cart
Here are 7 quick tips to help you get through this tough time (besides picking a good cart).
Use these to give yourself and your students the best chance to have a good musical experience and make the most of a difficult situation.
- Get storage space for your big items. – You don’t have to give up on big stuff, but you need a place to keep it where you can easily get at it.
- Fight for your schedule and passing time or travel time. – This will helps with any instrument or material-switching needs when going from class to class.
- Ask students to help you with the big stuff. – Kids love to help, especially if they know it’s going to help them do something cool.
- Plan for similar materials across all grades. – You don’t want to teach the same concepts from Kindergarten to Fifth, but if you align the materials you’ll use, you’ll save a lot of stress.
- Add a “materials” section to your lesson plan. – When you don’t have everything on hand, you need to be more intentional about what you need when.
- Have backup plans in case Wi-Fi fails. – Technology is great…when it works. If stuff stops working, you don’t have the luxury of having all your materials on hand. Always have a quick backup.
- Be honest with teachers about what you need. – Chances are: your classroom teachers don’t want you there either, and they feel bad for you. Asking for stuff you need, even if it’s little things like having pencils ready or a rug cleared off for movement, goes a long way.
