Why make shopping harder?
Why force your customers to jump back and forth between pages just to see their cart? Why make them click, reload, and wait? Shopping online should feel smooth. Easy. Quick. Yet too many WooCommerce stores still use the old “cart page” approach. It’s clunky. It breaks the flow.
Enter floating cart drawers. A sleek panel that slides in from the side of the screen. No reloads. No interruptions. Shoppers stay on the same page, keep browsing, and check out faster. It’s modern. It’s stylish. And let’s be honest it’s what your store needs.
But here’s the real question: which plugins actually do it right? In this article, we’ll explore the best plugins to add a floating cart drawer in WooCommerce. We’ll cover features, pros, and why each one might be the right fit for your store.
What Exactly is a Floating Cart Drawer?
Picture this. A customer adds an item to the cart. Instead of being sent to another page, a sleek drawer slides out from the side. Inside, they see their product. The subtotal. Buttons for checkout or continue shopping. Maybe even product suggestions.
That’s a floating cart drawer. It stays there. Visible. Interactive. Buyers can update quantities, remove products, or apply coupons—all without leaving the page. It’s powered by Ajax, so every action happens instantly.
In short: it’s the upgrade your WooCommerce cart experience has been begging for.
Why Floating Carts Boost Conversions
Shopping is about flow. Break the flow, lose the sale. Simple as that.
- Instant Updates: No reloads. Cart updates in real time.
- Stay Engaged: Customers keep browsing instead of leaving the page.
- Upsell Opportunities: Suggested items appear right in the drawer.
- Mobile Friendly: Works great on small screens.
- Reduce Abandonment: Faster checkout = fewer lost sales.
If you’re serious about conversions, a floating cart drawer isn’t just nice to have. It’s a must-have.
Top 7 Plugins for Floating Cart Drawers in WooCommerce
1. CartPops
CartPops is one of the most popular options. And for good reason. It gives WooCommerce stores a modern cart drawer with style and flexibility.
Key Features:
- Ajax-powered drawer with smooth animations.
- Product upsell and cross-sell support.
- Coupon code input directly in the drawer.
- Progress bars to encourage higher spending (e.g., “Spend $20 more for free shipping”).
- Analytics dashboard to track performance.
Why Choose It?
CartPops isn’t just a drawer—it’s a conversion machine. It pushes upsells, rewards higher orders, and gives shoppers a reason to add more.
2. Side Cart WooCommerce (by XootiX)
Clean. Lightweight. Straightforward. That’s Side Cart WooCommerce. If you want a no-fuss cart drawer, this one works beautifully.
Key Features:
- Instant Ajax add-to-cart updates.
- Mini floating cart icon.
- Remove or update quantities from the drawer.
- Customizable colors and text.
- Works on mobile perfectly.
Why Choose It?
Sometimes, less is more. Side Cart WooCommerce is simple, doesn’t slow down your site, and gets the job done. Perfect for small to medium stores.
3. Floating Cart for WooCommerce
This one goes heavy on customization. You can design your cart drawer exactly how you want it.
Key Features:
- Floating cart drawer or side cart option.
- Drag-and-drop customization for layout.
- Ajax add-to-cart, remove, and update.
- Suggested product carousel inside the drawer.
- Style options for fonts, colors, and buttons.
Why Choose It?
If design matters to you, this is the plugin. You can make the cart drawer match your brand style down to the smallest detail.
4. WooCommerce Cart All In One (by VillaTheme)
This plugin combines multiple cart options into one. You get popup carts, side carts, and sticky add-to-cart bars.
Key Features:
- Floating cart drawer with Ajax support.
- Sticky add-to-cart bar on product pages.
- Mini floating cart icon with counter.
- Coupon field inside the drawer.
- Mobile-responsive design.
Why Choose It?
It’s versatile. If you want more than just a drawer—like sticky bars or popup carts—this plugin covers all the bases.
This plugin focuses on speed and simplicity. Customers add products, and the popup cart shows everything instantly. While designed primarily as a popup, it also works beautifully as a drawer option.
Key Features:
- Ajax add/remove with no reloads.
- Quick view option for products.
- Suggested product carousel.
- Customizable colors, fonts, and buttons.
- Mobile-friendly.
Why Choose It?
If you want a smooth, lightweight cart experience with upsell potential, this is a solid choice. Especially handy for stores looking to boost average order value.
6. Mini Cart Drawer for WooCommerce
Don’t let the name fool you. This plugin packs a punch. It offers a floating drawer that’s simple yet effective.
Key Features:
- Ajax-powered cart drawer.
- Multiple drawer styles to choose from.
- Coupon code field inside the drawer.
- Customizable layouts.
- Subtotal and cart preview always visible.
Why Choose It?
It’s perfect if you want flexibility. You can switch styles, tweak layouts, and make the drawer feel unique.
7. Fly Cart for WooCommerce (by WooCommerce)
One of the official-style solutions, Fly Cart is reliable and straightforward.
Key Features:
- Floating cart drawer with clean design.
- Ajax updates for add/remove items.
- Fully customizable buttons.
- Works with variable products.
- Responsive on mobile devices.
Why Choose It?
It feels “native” to WooCommerce. If you want something lightweight that doesn’t feel like a heavy add-on, Fly Cart is a good pick.
How to Choose the Right Plugin
So which one is best? Depends on your needs.
- Want upsells and smart promotions? Go with CartPops.
- Want something simple and fast? Side Cart WooCommerce.
- Want full design control? Floating Cart for WooCommerce.
- Want multiple cart options? WooCommerce Cart All In One.
- Want popups + drawers? WooCommerce Popup Cart.
- Want variety in drawer styles? Mini Cart Drawer.
- Want native feel? Fly Cart for WooCommerce.
Think about your store’s size. Your audience. Your design styles. That’s how you pick the right fit.
Best Practices for Floating Cart Drawers
A drawer can help. Or it can hurt. Depends on how you use it.
- Keep It Clean – Don’t overload with info. Show products, totals, and clear buttons.
- Use Bold CTAs – Make “Checkout” button stand out.
- Limit Suggestions – Don’t flood the drawer with 10 products. 2–3 is enough.
- Match Branding – Colors, fonts, icons—make it feel like part of your store.
- Test on Mobile – Shoppers are on phones. Big buttons. Easy clicks.
Good design makes buyers stay. Bad design makes them leave.
Psychology Behind Floating Carts
Here’s the secret. Floating carts aren’t just about design. They’re psychology.
- Visibility: Buyers always see their cart. Subconsciously, it reminds them to finish checkout.
- Instant Gratification: Add an item and see it appear right away. Feels satisfying.
- Control: Update quantities, remove items, apply coupons—all without hassle. Buyers feel in charge.
- Urgency: Some plugins let you add countdowns or progress bars. Pushes buyers to act now.
It’s subtle. But it works.
Future of Cart Drawers in WooCommerce
Where is this going? Shopping experiences are becoming faster, smarter, and more personalized.
Expect cart drawers with:
- AI-driven product recommendations.
- Real-time discounts shown in the drawer.
- Integrated chat support.
- One-click checkout inside the drawer.
The future cart drawer won’t just be a tool. It’ll be the heart of the shopping journey.
Conclusion
Clunky cart pages belong to the past. Today’s shoppers want instant. They want smooth. They want shopping that feels modern.
Floating cart drawers give you that edge. They reduce abandonment. They boost sales. They make your store look professional. And with so many powerful plugins available, there’s no excuse not to add one.
From CartPops to WooCommerce Popup Cart, the choices are plenty. Each has strengths. Each fit different need. Pick the one that matches your store’s style, test it, and watch conversions climb.
Because here’s the truth: the cart is the last step before the sale. Make it smooth. Make it stylish. Make it effortless. Your customers will thank you—with their wallets.
