As of March 2023, some of the best garden spades on the market include the Friskers Steel Square Garden Spade for overall quality, the Prudence Tr11 Trowel Shovel Spade for its value, and the Spear Head Spade SHFD3 for its premium design. Other top options include the Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer Shovel, the ROOT ASSASSIN RA-001 Carbon Steel Shovel, and the Spear & Jackson 4454BS Garden Spade. When choosing a garden spade, consider factors such as intended use, handle length and material, blade design, weight, and warranty. Additionally, it is important to distinguish between shovels and spades and choose the tool that is best suited for the specific task at hand.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Fiskars Steel Square Garden Spade
Prudance Tr11 Trowel Shovel Spade
Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer Shovel
ROOT ASSASSIN RA-001 Carbon Steel Shovel
The 10 Best Garden Spades
Fiskars Steel Square Garden Spade – Best Overall
PROS
- Made in the USA
- Lifetime Warranty
- Extra-large D-handle
- Steel shaft
The Fiskars Steel Square Garden Spade is a high-quality gardening tool that is designed to provide excellent performance and durability. This spade features a steel blade that is designed to be sharp and durable, making it ideal for digging and cutting through tough soil and roots. The blade is also coated with a rust-resistant material to ensure that it stays sharp and maintains its performance over time. Additionally, the handle of this spade is designed to be comfortable and ergonomic, making it easy to use for extended periods.
Prudance Tr11 Trowel Shovel Spade – Best Value
PROS
- Stainless steel blade
- Ergonomic handle
- Lightweight
- Has measurement markings
The Prudence Tr11 Trowel Shovel Spade is a versatile and affordable gardening tool that offers great value for its price. This spade features a high-quality stainless steel blade that is designed to be sharp and durable, making it ideal for digging, planting, and weeding. The blade is also coated with a rust-resistant material to ensure that it stays sharp and maintains its performance over time. Additionally, the handle of this spade is designed to be comfortable and ergonomic, making it easy to use for extended periods.
Spear Head Spade SHFD3 – Premium Choice
PROS
- Lightweight
- Value for money
- Steel blade
- Versatile
The Spear Head Spade SHFD3 is a premium gardening tool that offers exceptional performance and durability. This spade features a unique blade design that is designed to be sharp and durable, making it ideal for digging and cutting through tough soil and roots. The blade is also coated with a rust-resistant material to ensure that it stays sharp and maintains its performance over time. Additionally, the handle of this spade is designed to be comfortable and ergonomic, making it easy to use for extended periods.
Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer Shovel
PROS
- Unique design
- versatile
- O-handle grip
The Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer Shovel is a high-quality gardening tool that is designed to provide excellent performance and durability. This shovel features a steel blade that is designed to be sharp and durable, making it ideal for digging and cutting through tough soil and roots. The blade is also coated with a rust-resistant material to ensure that it stays sharp and maintains its performance over time. Additionally, the handle of this shovel is designed to be comfortable and ergonomic, making it easy to use for extended periods.
ROOT ASSASSIN RA-001 Carbon Steel Shovel
PROS
- Versatile
- Lightweight
- Comfortable handle
The ROOT ASSASSIN RA-001 Carbon Steel Shovel is a high-quality gardening tool that is designed to provide excellent performance and durability. This shovel features a carbon steel blade that is designed to be sharp and durable, making it ideal for digging and cutting through tough soil and roots. The blade is also coated with a rust-resistant material to ensure that it stays sharp and maintains its performance over time. Additionally, the handle of this shovel is designed to be comfortable and ergonomic, making it easy to use for extended periods.
Spear & Jackson 4454BS Garden Spade
PROS
- Lightweight
- Stainless steel blade
- Comfortable handle
The Spear & Jackson 4454BS Garden Spade is a versatile and affordable gardening tool that offers great value for its price. This spade features a high-quality carbon steel blade that is designed to be sharp and durable, making it ideal for digging, planting, and weeding. The blade is also coated with a rust-resistant material to ensure that it stays sharp and maintains its performance over time. Additionally, the handle of this spade is designed to be comfortable and ergonomic, making it easy to use for extended periods.
Roamwild Multi-Digger Garden Spade
PROS
- Multi-purpose
- Two handles
- Compact design
The Roamwild Multi-Digger Garden Spade is a versatile and innovative gardening tool that offers exceptional performance and durability. This spade features a unique blade design that is designed to be sharp and durable, making it ideal for digging and cutting through tough soil and roots. Additionally, this spade features a pivoting handle that allows
Truper 33174 Tru Pro Garden Spade
PROS
- Riveted handle
- heavy-duty head
- lifetime warranty
The Truper 33174 Tru Pro Garden Spade is a top-quality garden tool that is designed for serious gardeners who need a reliable and durable spade for their gardening tasks. This garden spade is made from high-quality materials, including a durable fiberglass handle and a heavy-duty steel blade that is designed to last.
One of the standout features of the Truper 33174 Tru Pro Garden Spade is its ergonomic design, which makes it comfortable to use for extended periods of time. The fiberglass handle is designed to reduce hand fatigue and is shaped to provide a comfortable grip, while the steel blade is sharp and easy to maneuver.
Overall, the Truper 33174 Tru Pro Garden Spade is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a high-quality garden spade that is built to last.
Union Tools 46173 Garden Spade
PROS
- Steel blade
- D-grip feature
The Union Tools 46173 Garden Spade is a classic garden tool that is designed for a wide range of gardening tasks. This garden spade features a sturdy hardwood handle and a durable steel blade that is sharp and easy to use.
One of the standout features of the Union Tools 46173 Garden Spade is its durability. The hardwood handle is designed to withstand years of use, while the steel blade is strong and can handle even tough digging tasks. Additionally, the spade has a wide foot pad that provides added leverage when digging.
Overall, the Union Tools 46173 Garden Spade is a reliable and sturdy garden tool that is perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners.
Bulldog Border Spade
PROS
- Steel blade
- Ergonomically designed handle
The Bulldog Border Spade is a premium garden tool that is designed for serious gardeners who need a high-quality spade for their gardening tasks. This garden spade is made from high-quality materials, including a sturdy ash wood handle and a heavy-duty steel blade that is designed to last.
One of the standout features of the Bulldog Border Spade is its unique blade design, which makes it ideal for digging in tight spaces. The blade is narrow and pointed, which allows for precision digging and makes it easy to navigate around plants and other obstacles.
Overall, the Bulldog Border Spade is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a premium garden spade that is built to last and designed for precision digging.
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Garden Spade
A garden spade is an essential tool for any gardener or landscaper. It’s used for a variety of tasks, including digging, planting, and moving soil. With so many options available, it can be challenging to choose the best garden spade for your needs. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll discuss the key factors you should consider when selecting a garden spade.
Intended Use
Before buying a garden spade, consider what tasks you will be using it for. Different spades are designed for different purposes, such as digging, edging, or moving soil. Some spades are also better suited for heavy-duty tasks than others. Think about your intended use and choose a spade that can handle the job.
Handle Length
The handle length of a garden spade is an essential factor to consider, as it can impact the efficiency and comfort of using the tool. If you’re tall, you’ll want to choose a spade with a longer handle. Similarly, if you’re shorter, a shorter handle may be more comfortable. A handle length between 48-60 inches is generally suitable for most gardeners.
Handle Material
The material of the spade handle can also impact your comfort and the tool’s durability. Common handle materials include wood, fibreglass, and plastic. Wood handles offer a classic look and are comfortable to grip, but they can break over time. Fibreglass handles are more durable and lightweight, while plastic handles are affordable but less durable.
Head
The head of a garden spade is the metal part that does the digging. Look for a spade with a sturdy head that won’t bend or break under pressure. A flat, squared blade is ideal for digging, while a pointed blade is better for cutting through tough soil. Some spades also have serrated edges, which can be useful for cutting roots.
Weight
The weight of a garden spade is another important consideration. A spade that’s too heavy can be difficult to use, especially for extended periods. On the other hand, a spade that’s too light may not be sturdy enough for heavy-duty tasks. Look for a spade that’s lightweight but sturdy, with a weight between 2-4 pounds.
Price
Garden spades can range in price from around $20 to over $100. While you don’t necessarily need to break the bank, investing in a high-quality spade can save you money in the long run by lasting longer and requiring fewer replacements. Consider your budget and choose the best quality spade you can afford.
Blade Design
Different spade blade designs offer different benefits. A flat, squared blade is ideal for digging and cutting through soil, while a pointed blade is better for cutting through roots and harder soil. A serrated edge can also be useful for cutting through roots or tough plants.
Warranty
Check for warranties when purchasing a garden spade. A good warranty can give you peace of mind and protect your investment. Most reputable spade manufacturers offer warranties that cover defects in materials and workmanship.
Shovels vs. Spades
It’s important to note that shovels and spades are two different tools with different purposes. Shovels are designed for moving soil, while spades are intended for digging and cutting through soil. Consider your needs carefully before choosing between a shovel and a spade.
Conclusion
A garden spade is an essential tool for any gardener or landscaper. When choosing a garden spade, consider your intended use, handle length and material, head design, weight, and price. Look for a spade with a sturdy head, comfortable handle, and lightweight but sturdy design. By following these tips, you can find the best garden spade for your needs and enjoy years of efficient and comfortable gardening.
