After the Ultimax brand was taken onboard by FBT Audio UK, I was genuinely interested to see which products they would release under the new banner. Ultimax had already built up a strong reputation in the events and pro-audio space for durable, user-focused gear, and with FBT’s reputation behind them, expectations were naturally high. Like many others in the industry, I was intrigued to see whether they’d maintain the same level of quality and innovation that the brand had become known for.

That’s when I came across the Ultimax StageCartPro. A few mates in the industry had already been raving about it, and I trust their judgement. After seeing it in person at my local retailer, I was curious enough to put it to the test myself. Thankfully, the shop had it in stock, and it only took a couple of days to arrive. From that point, I was ready to see if it really lived up to the recommendations.

Once I got it out the box, my first impression was a good one. The cart looked sleek and professional in its all-black finish, with clean welds and a compact, folded design that felt sturdy in the hand. It really did look the part. It folded down smaller than I expected, just 90cm in length, which made me wonder if it could really hold up when loaded with a full rig. But I decided not to jump to conclusions and instead gave it a proper run out at my next event.

That event ended up being the perfect test ground. I was working at a decent-sized venue with a fairly tight load-in through narrow corridors and a few ramps, and I figured if the StageCartPro could handle that, I’d know it was legit. After unloading it from the van, I extended it fully by undoing the bolts underneath, a quick, simple process. The cart uses three separate locking mechanisms to keep everything firmly in place when fully extended, which definitely inspired confidence that it wouldn’t fold back in on itself mid-use. The locks are tight and solid, and you can really feel that they’re built to last.

Once extended, the cart reaches 140cm, which ended up being plenty of space for my setup. I loaded on my full DJ rig – decks, mixer, controller, cables, lights, and then added my FBT speakers and stands, too. The weight stacked up quickly, but the cart didn’t flinch. It has a maximum load capacity of 300kg, which meant I wasn’t even close to pushing its limits. It handled the weight easily, with no bending or sagging at all.

I also noticed how strong the foldable front and back barriers were. These aren’t just cosmetic add-ons – they’re made from solid steel and are clearly designed to handle serious pressure. I had heavy flight cases leaned against them while navigating slopes and uneven ground, and they held firm every time. There wasn’t even a hint of wobble. It was reassuring to see that kind of stability, especially when moving expensive gear around.

But what really stood out was how the cart moved. It’s one thing to build something that holds weight well, but another to make it manoeuvrable and practical on the job. Thankfully, the StageCartPro performs just as well in motion. It’s fitted with two smaller lockable front castor wheels, which rotate smoothly and make tight spaces easy to manage. Whether I was turning through doorways, spinning it round in the back of a van, or positioning it between stacks of gear, it responded effortlessly.

At the rear are two larger wheels, which add a lot of stability when the cart is fully loaded. These wheels are made from solid, puncture-proof material, not inflatable rubber, so there’s no need to worry about flats or slow leaks. What I found particularly clever was that you can rotate the cart and lead with the bigger wheels when moving over rough ground. That setup worked perfectly for getting across gravel and uneven car parks without losing balance or tipping sideways.

The movement of the wheels themselves is surprisingly smooth; they glide rather than drag, and the combination of the wheel sizes gives you excellent control. The handles, formed by the front and back barriers when upright, are at just the right height, which makes it comfortable to pull or push, even when the cart is fully loaded. There's no awkward stooping or overreaching involved.

Another thing worth mentioning is just how quiet it is in operation. Some carts clatter like shopping trolleys the moment you load them up, but this one moves silently. That’s a big plus when you’re working events where noise is an issue, or when you’re loading in during a soundcheck or rehearsal and trying not to disturb anyone.

Since that first event, I’ve taken the StageCartPro out on more than 20 jobs, and the experience has been consistently solid. It’s quickly become one of the most useful bits of gear I own. Before using this, load-ins were a chore: multiple trips, heavy lifting, awkward balances. Now I can get everything inside in one or two runs without needing to call in favours or risk hurting myself. It genuinely saves time, effort and back pain.

What’s great, too, is how it fits into my workflow. At the end of a long night, when the last thing you want to deal with is fiddly gear, the cart collapses back down in seconds. Once folded, it’s just 90cm long, and the barriers fold neatly into the frame. It takes up next to no room in the van and slots right into my storage area at home. There’s no disassembly, no tools needed, just fold, stash and go.

Durability-wise, it’s shown no signs of wear so far. The frame is as straight and strong as the day I unboxed it. The paint finish has held up well, and the wheels are still as smooth as ever.

I’ve rolled this thing over wet grass, dry gravel, stone paths, loading docks, and car park tarmac, and it just gets on with the job without any fuss.In short, the Ultimax StageCartPro has exceeded expectations in pretty much every area. It’s a professional, well-built, thoughtfully engineered cart that feels like it’s designed by people who’ve actually worked in live events and understand the realities of loading in and out with heavy gear. It’s compact when you need it to be, strong when it counts, and smooth when it matters most.

If you're regularly on the road or working in events, live music, AV, or anything similar, this cart is worth every penny. It’s not just another bit of kit, it becomes a proper part of your workflow, something you rely on week after week. There’s a real satisfaction in knowing your gear’s secure and your back’s not going to give out halfway through the load-in.

The Ultimax StageCartPro isn’t flashy or over-engineered. It’s simple, strong and smart, and that’s exactly what makes it such a winner.