I've used my fair share of hand trucks, dollies and carts over the years. But it wasn't until recently that I got to try out an electric, foldable wagon from  BougeRV. Given how much time I spend covering micromobility, this $400 wagon didn't feel too far off my usual territory.

What's the difference between the BougeRV and a regular wagon? Simply put, it has a battery-powered motor to do the heavy lifting for you, so instead of pushing or pulling a loaded cart by hand, it gives you a powered assist to move it easily.

The wagon arrives mostly assembled. You just need to pop in the front wheels, connect the power cable and screw on the handle. The setup weighs less than 40 pounds and can carry up to 440 pounds. It's powered by dual brushless 250-watt motors in the rear wheels and the tow handle doubles as an electronic brake when upright, which the company calls a "Posture Sensing Brake." (There's even an electric brake lever.) There are manual wheel locks that I recommend using for extra stability for heavier loads or steeper inclines. Speaking of inclines, it can handle slopes up to 15 degrees, even when fully loaded.

The wagon's dimensions are 39.4 by 24 by 24.8 inches. It features a one-button fold-down tailgate that makes it easy to load bigger items, expanding the capacity to 250 liters versus 180 liters when closed. The only drawback with the tailgate is the support straps. They're strong enough to hold whatever you're hauling but the plastic adjustment clips aren't as durable as the rest of the build. The frame is constructed from carbon steel and lined with an Oxford cloth cover. 

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The large, 7-by-4-inch tank wheels are intended to handle on- and off-road terrain without much trouble. During testing, I used it for almost everything: Costco runs, storage hauls, moving random gear and even towing around boxed electric scooters. At one point, I had my 11-year-old pull my partner around in it just for fun. It's more versatile than I expected.

The handle packs quite a bit of functionality. A small display shows your current speed mode -- 1, 2 or 3 -- along with a battery percentage indicator and two buttons, one for power and the other for switching between speed modes. You have two thumb controls on either side of the handle for forward and reverse, so it can be used left- or right-handed and the electric brake is just below those in the center of the handle. Again, the brake automatically engages when the handle is upright but a physical lever lets you activate it even when it is down.

The three speed settings let you roll at your own pace, from a slow walk to a fast pace. Its travel distance is rated for up to 12 miles on a full charge, depending on how much weight you're hauling, the terrain and how fast you're rolling.

If you don't need any assistance and want to save the battery, especially for inclines, the wagon rolls just fine when it's powered off. The removable 24-volt, 133-watt-hour battery charges via a USB-C cable (not included) and can double as a power bank for charging things like your phone.

For storage, there's a single yellow strap in the center of the wagon. Just pull it up to fold the whole thing closed. It can easily fit into the trunk of a car or stand in a corner of a garage. I appreciate that the wide wheels allow it to easily stand even when folded closed. 

The one drawback is maneuvering it in tight spaces. Because only the front wheels steer, it can be clunky in narrow areas. You'll sometimes need to lift it slightly just to get it rolling straight. That was especially true when exiting a small elevator during testing.

While the BougeRV Wagon might seem unnecessary (and maybe a little lazy), I appreciate powered gear like this and how it helps keep people of all ages moving and maintaining independence. Maybe you don't need the help right now but someday you might. It's not just about convenience; it's also about empowerment.