10 Best Garden Spades of 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Working in a garden or yard can take a toll on your body. It requires a great deal of effort to dig up holes or break up hard soil. It will be hard to pull that off when you don’t have the right spade for the job in your hands

This is where garden spades come in. However with so many models flooding the market, finding the perfect one for your needs can be a tricky affair.

However, we have labored on your behalf to bring you these reviews of the best garden spades on the market today. We will also tell you what you need to consider before making a purchase and guide you on how to find the right spade for your needs.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Fiskars Steel Square Garden Spade	Lifetime Warranty Extra-large D-handle Steel shaft	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Prudance Tr11 Trowel Shovel Spade	Stainless steel blade Ergonomic handle Lightweight	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Spear Head Spade SHFD3	Lightweight Value for money Steel blade	CHECK PRICE
		Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer Shovel	Unique design Versatile O-handle grip	CHECK PRICE
		ROOT ASSASSIN RA-001 Carbon Steel Shovel	Versatile Lightweight Comfortable handle	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Garden Spades

1. Fiskars Steel Square Garden Spade – Best Overall

The Fiskars Steel Square Garden Spade feels as strong as it looks and features a 14-gauge powder-coated steel blade. Aside from being rust-resistant and easy to clean, the blade will give you service for many years to come owing to its superior craftsmanship.

This spade is perfect for slicing through thick grass, cutting a trench, or digging. The sharpened blade will penetrate the tough soil quickly, allowing you to break up stubborn dirt clods. Moreover, the big step will enable you to exert more pressure on the spade with your foot. This means that you’ll get the job done effectively and in the least amount of time.

The Fiskars Steel Square Garden Spade is also designed to make things easier. With the D-handle design, you can use both hands for a more secure two-handed control. Additionally, the shaft is designed to conform to the shape of your hand. Therefore, you can maintain a sturdy and comfortable grip while increasing your leverage.

The only thing we didn’t like about this shovel is that it doesn’t come sharpened. However, this is a common thing with many brand new shovels. All factors considered, this is easily our pick for the best garden spade.

2. Prudance Tr11 Trowel Shovel Spade – Best Value

The Prudance Tr11 Trowel is a mini shovel with a specially designed head that you can use to dig up weeds or plant seeds with. It’s ideal for working with flower pots and plants. Additionally, you can use the markings on the back head to measure the depth of a hole accurately while planting seeds.

The blade is made of stainless steel, making it durable, rust-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. The handle is ergonomically designed to avoid stressing and straining your wrist as you securely grip the spade. Additionally, a loop at the end of the handle makes it easy for you to hook the tool in the storage area.

The shovel head’s unique design ensures that it penetrates the soil with no problems. It is also lightweight and, therefore, perfect for your small gardening tasks. However, it may not be suited for heavy-duty work and will bend if you apply too much pressure. Nonetheless, The Prudance Tr11 is one of the best garden spades for the money.

3. Spear Head Spade SHFD3 – Premium Choice

The Spear Head Spade SHFD3 features a high carbon manganese steel that performs better than your average shovel. Its spear-head profile allows you to burrow its head into the soil with ease, making those tough digging tasks less stressful.

The extra-strong reinforced fiberglass handle will not wear down with the weather and will absorb shocks and vibrations when you’re battling with dense surfaces. Moreover, the ear-shaped footrest is wider than normal, and you can push it down with your foot with less hassle.

Whether you’re digging in dense clay soil or hard rocky soil, this blade will get the job done. Additionally, it is coated with a unique epoxy powder that reduces friction when penetrating through the soil. This also makes it easier to clean the blade. Interestingly, it also allows your blade to get shaper through continuous use.

This blade may not be cheap, but it is worth its weight in gold. In 2018 and 2019, Independent test lab BESTREVIEWS named it the “BEST OF the BEST” in garden shovels. It would be the perfect gift for anyone who needs extra power, like senior citizens and children.

4. Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer Shovel

The Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer Shovel will handle any digging projects you throw at it. Looking at its unique design, you can tell why the Direct Gardening Association (DGA) gave it the Green Thumb Award for Most Innovative Garden Tool in 2017.

Instead of the traditional pointed tip, the Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer Shovel’s blade features an inverted V design that makes it more versatile while still being as effective. For instance, you can use it as a lever for popping out rocks from the ground.

When you have to dig through difficult terrain with stubborn roots and turf, you will not regret failing to bring your saw along because the blade on the spade is serrated on either side with sharp teeth that can cut through tough roots.

Additionally, it packs extra weight, making it a good substitute for the hammer when you need to drive some stakes into the ground. However, the extra weight can also be a disadvantage-this is unsurprisingly one of the heavier shovels on this list, and it may be too heavy to use for some people.

The O-handle grip is a game-changer when you’re dealing with tough ground. It will give you four times the surface of a standard D-handle. With the extra grip, you can get more leverage while experiencing less fatigue on your hand and wrist.

5. ROOT ASSASSIN RA-001 Carbon Steel Shovel

The RA-001 is constructed and designed to produce the best results regardless of the nature of the task. Thanks to its innovative features, the shovel acts as a multi-purpose tool and will tackle special tasks that a traditional shovel will not handle.

Unlike standard shovels, the RA-001’s carbon steel blade features a curved tip that gives you maximum leverage making it possible to dig deeper and cut through the toughest obstacles. The edges of the blade are serrated with over 16 sharp teeth that can cut through pesky roots, stumps, and weed with ease.

The shovel is also designed to feel comfortable on your hands; it has a grip at the top and middle of the handle. Although the aluminum handle is heavy-duty, it is lightweight and will not wear out or rust like traditional shovels. Moreover, its rubber coating will give you more grip and leverage when dealing with tough gardening tasks.

With the innovative wing design on the blade, you can work more efficiently with the shovel. First, the design lets you carry more soil with a single scoop. Secondly, it will decrease the amount that would normally spill through the sides. Also, it gives more room for your foot as you push the shovel deeper into the ground.

6. Spear & Jackson 4454BS Garden Spade

Spear & Jackson has been selling hand tools since 1970, and their products are manufactured to a high-quality standard. Their Spear & Jackson 4454BS Garden Spade does not disappoint either. It is well built with a fine finish and a ten-year warranty that guarantees it against manufacturing defects.

The head is made from mirror-polished stainless steel that guarantees durability while also being rust-resistant. And the blade allows for minimal soil adhesion, making it easy for you to clean. Additionally, the shaft is made from weatherproofed hardwood that is not only durable but also feels light in your hands.

The lightweight feature enables you to direct your strength where it’s needed most for those tough gardening tasks. It also makes the spade perfect for senior citizens, kids, and ladies who prefer lighter and smaller frames.

The Spear & Jackson 4454BS comes with a smaller blade that makes it easier for you to dig in confined areas. It is less cumbersome than the average digging spade, enabling you to work between plants or closely-planted flowers.

7. Roamwild Multi-Digger Garden Spade

The Roamwild Multi-Digger Garden Spade is uniquely designed to perform various tasks that a standard spade cannot handle. It works as a digging spade, root cutter, and shovel. And its unique design allows you to direct your power into the soil, where it is needed most.

The head is shaped like an arrowhead, making it easier to push the blade into the ground, especially in hard rocky soil, dense clay, or any other tough environment. The blade also features a serrated edge that will allow you to cut through tough roots and sod with ease.

The handle is made from reinforced fiberglass and is designed to give you more power and control when digging. It is also lightweight and ergonomically designed to provide more grip. Additionally, it incorporates two sets of grips that offer you more control and flexibility when doing less demanding tasks such as edging or heavy-duty tasks like digging up stumps.

Overall, the Roamwild Multi-Digger Garden Spade is well built with high-quality materials that guarantee its durability. However, it is not as light as expected and will not fare well in tough soils.

8. Truper 33174 Tru Pro Garden Spade

Truper is a Mexican company that has been manufacturing hand tools for over 40 years. Their Truper 33174 is a contractor-grade garden spade with high-quality features. And they have enough faith in the tool to back it with a lifetime warranty.

The Truper 33174 features good length and solid construction. It is 45 inches long and is one of the longest spades on our list. Therefore, it causes less strain on your back compared to short-handled spades. However, the handle may be too long for some people.

The head is made from 14 gauge steel to provide maximum toughness and durability. Additionally, the handle is made from American Ash for maximum resistance and flexibility and the heavy-duty extended socket is riveted to provide a solid handle connection.

The Truper can handle a wide variety of gardening tasks, from edging your lawn to digging trenches. However, the spade may not handle various tough jobs, and you may need to buy one with a better build. It is best suited for performing lighter duties, especially those that require you to get into some hard-to-reach areas.

9. Union Tools 46173 Garden Spade

The Union Tools 46173 Garden Spade features an open-back blade and will enable you to work on closely-planted flowers, between vegetables, and other confined areas. The blade is made from high-quality tempered steel. This means that it will serve you for long without signs of wear.

However, the handle is made from plastic-coated wood and may not last as long as the blade. But the D-grip will allow a more comfortable hold while offering you more leverage for effective results, whether you’re digging and transplanting perennials, edging beds, or digging out holes.

Although the 7-inch blade may not be sharpened when you first receive it, you can use a metal file or any other appropriate tool to sharpen the edges. Once sharp, the blade will easily cut through grass or tough roots. Overall, the Union Tools 46173 Garden Spade is well-built but does not feel as sturdy as it needs to be. It also lacks in quality and may not give you value for your money.

10. Bulldog Border Spade

Bulldog Tools have been manufacturing gardening tools since 1780, but the Bulldog Border Spade is too small to handle tough gardening tasks. Notwithstanding, it lets you target specific plants or weeds and will let you access spaces where a long-shafted spade may not be able to maneuver.

It has an excellent build quality with a carbon steel blade that will handle your gardening tasks for a long time to come. The blade is also coated with a rust-resistant epoxy powder that prevents the soil from adhering to the surface. However, the material on the handle is not as durable as steel options.

Durability aside, the ash handle grips comfortably. Additionally, the forward angled hilt on the shaft gives you more grip and offers you more leverage when working in confined spaces or when digging between shrubs and other existing plants. It will also reduce stress on your wrist, allowing you to work for extended periods without getting fatigued.

Nevertheless, the shaft is too short and will only work with shorter individuals. With only 28 inches of length, it will not be appropriate for every gardener or most garden conditions. However, it may be well suited for anyone looking for a narrower, shorter alternative to a digging spade, especially those looking for a lighter option.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Garden Spade

If you’re looking for the best garden spade for the job, there are many things you should consider before making a purchase. The following factors will differentiate a good garden spade from a bad one.

Intended Use

For what purpose are you going to use the spade? Your intended use will determine the kind of tool you choose to buy. For example, if you plan to use the spade regularly for digging, planting, or bed preparation, you need to buy a lightweight spade.

Handle Length

Spades with long handles will give you more leverage and require you to bend less, protecting your back from unnecessary strain. They are best suited to handling many garden tasks.

Spades with shorter handles will make you bend more, leading to back fatigue or cramps. As a result, they are not suited for garden tasks such as digging. But they are better when working in confined spaces.

Handle Material

The most common materials for the handle include wood, plastic, fiberglass, and metal. Look for something durable that will fit comfortably in your hand. Wood is strong and comfortable but is heavy and prone to weathering and breaking. However, wood handles are easily replaceable.

Fiberglass is lighter and more durable than wood but is not easily replaceable after breaking. Although plastic is comfortable, it is a cheap option and may not last very long. Metal handles are extremely durable but may not be comfortable during winter or summer. They are also not ideal for absorbing shock.

Head

The head is either made from stainless steel or carbon, which can vary in gauge. A higher gauge means more strength. But the strongest spades usually utilize the same material for the handle and head. Sometimes the blade can be hardened for durability or powder-coated for extra protection.

Weight

The weight of the spade will depend on the materials used for its construction. For example, titanium spades are lighter compared to steel spades. A lighter spade is easier to handle, but a heavy one will have more digging power. It is important to note that less weight does not mean less durable.

Price

Cost is always a vital consideration. It is better to avoid the cheapest options since they tend to compromise on quality. Heavy-duty and durable spades tend to cost a little more, but it is still possible to get good quality at a fair price. If your budget is tight, you can also find a cheap option with a warranty.

Blade Design

The design of the blade affects its functionality. For instance, some spade heads will have a serrated edge that can be used for various functions, including cutting roots or stumps. Others will have inverted V-shaped ends that make it easy to drive the spade deeper into the soil.

A square-pointed blade can be used to scrap debris, grass, leaves, soil, or any other loose material from the ground. Round-pointed blades can be used for digging or moving stone, gravel, or soil.

Warranty

When a manufacturer offers you a lifetime warranty on a spade, it demonstrates their confidence in their product and guarantees quality craftsmanship. A warranty will give you peace of mind and protect you from manufacturing defects.

Shovels vs. Spades

Shovels and spades are designed to perform different functions. Shovels are appropriate for digging and tend to have rounded blades that end in a point. On the other hand, spades are not suited for digging but are perfect for edging your garden or moving loose materials such as gravel and sand. They tend to have flat blades instead of rounded ones.

Conclusion

Spades come in varying sizes, types, and designs. Finding the right one for your needs can cost you a lot of time, and success is not always guaranteed. Luckily, our reviews include some of the best garden spades on the market and can help to narrow down your choice.

For the best garden spade overall, we recommend the Fiskars Steel Square Garden Spade. It is well built and features unique designs that will make digging a lot easier. If you’re looking for a high-quality spade that is also inexpensive, consider the Prudance Tr11 Trowel Shovel. We hope our reviews and recommendations will set you on the right path to finding the best garden spade for your needs.