Whether You’re a Beginner or a Pro, Here Are 16 Essential Gardening Tools We Love—From $10 (2025)

The right tools can make your gardening chores easier—and maybe faster, too. There are a variety of gardening tools that can help with digging, weeding, planting, and more.

“Every gardener needs a high-quality spade, shovel, rake, hand trowel, pruners, and loppers,” says Tom Hughes, owner of Iowa-based Hughes Nursery and Landscape. “And a hoe is an essential tool for vegetable gardens.”

Of course, the best gardening tools for you might be different than the best gardening tools for your neighbor. When you’re looking for gardening tools, consider how tall you are, how much you can lift, and what chores you do regularly.

If you have limited mobility, you might want to choose one of the many ergonomic tools on the market. If you have trouble bending and kneeling, long-handled tools and a kneeling pad might be good to have on hand.

“Look for tools constructed with the fewest number of parts,” says Lindsay Miller, horticultural writer for Gardener’s Supply Company. “The more individual pieces attached by bolts and collars, the more weak spots there are.”

Gardening Tools We’ve Tested—And Loved

Because of its thoughtful, two-handle design, the Bloem watering can was one of our favorites when we tested over 30 watering cans. The handles make it easy to carry and pour, and the adjustable water spout allows you to switch from a light or heavy stream.

We intentionally dropped the can when it was full of water, and we were impressed that it stayed upright and didn’t tip over. When we dropped it a few more times, both with and without water, it didn’t dent or scratch.

Made with BPA-free plastic, it’s coated with a UV protectant to help prevent fading. It’s only available in one color, but thankfully the black and orange design is fairly neutral.

Product Details: Material: Polypropylene plastic | Size: 2.6 gallons | Weight: 1 pound

We tested these gardening gloves ourselves, we were impressed with how well they held up to messy gardening chores, like mulching a vegetable garden and turning compost in compost bins.

The gloves’ synthetic leather fingertips provide a strong grip when you’re holding gardening tools, and the stretchy spandex between the fingers and on the body of the glove adds breathability and extra comfort on hot summer days.

An adjustable hook and loop wrist strap allows you to customize the fit and make the gloves feel more secure. Reinforced seams at common wear points add durability, and the padded palm enhances comfort, especially during repetitive chores, such as raking leaves and digging.

In addition to offering protection for all types of gardening chores, these gardening gloves offer a few extra features as well. They’re machine washable, so you can just toss them in your washing machine when they get dirty.

Plus, they’re touchscreen compatible, so you don’t have to take your gloves off every time you need to reach for your phone to identify a mystery plant or potential disease. Also, the glove’s thumb features a terry cloth strip to help you wipe away sweat while you’re working.

The gloves are currently only available in one size, so they may not fit especially small or large hands.

Product Details: Material: Synthetic leather, spandex | Size: One size (women’s medium) | Weight: Not listed

After testing almost 40 garden hoses, the Kotto expandable hose was easily the top choice. With garden hoses, kinking is a common issue, but we didn’t experience any kinking with the Kotto hose thanks to its flexible and durable polyester fabric.

We also didn’t experience another common garden hose issue: leaks. It connected securely to the spigot, and all of the water went through the hose instead of spraying out at the connection points.

And because it’s made from a lightweight fabric (rather than heavy rubber), it was incredibly easy to pull around the yard to water various raised garden beds, trees, and shrubs.

We learned a helpful trick while testing this garden hose: when you’re done using it, allow all of the water to drain from the hose before winding it up on your garden hose reel. Once the water is drained, it’s much easier and lighter to wind up.

Product Details: Material: Polyester fabric with latex core: | Size: 25, 50, 75, 100, or 150 feet | Weight: 3.5 pounds

If you’re looking for a hose nozzle to pair with your Kotto expandable hose, the Dramm spray gun is an affordable yet durable choice.

It’s easy to use since it features a one-touch valve that allows you to turn the water on and off using only your thumb.

Because there’s no need to squeeze the handle as other nozzles require, it’s more comfortable to use for long watering sessions and is ideal for people with limited hand mobility.

When we tested the the hose nozzle, it was easy to turn the dial and switch between the various spray patterns.

We found the highest power stream setting to be quite powerful—it easily removed mud from dirty Adirondack chairs.

We also dropped the hose nozzle down a cement stairway as part of the durability testing and saw no signs of damage or any decrease in quality. Even though it proved to be sturdy, we appreciate that it comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Product Details: Material: Metal | Size: 4 x 7 x 2.25 inches | Weight: 13.6 ounces

If you have branches, mulch, or potting soil to move around your lawn or garden, this cart proved to be a true workhorse when we tested wheelbarrows. The 36 x 20-inch bed has a weight capacity of 600 pounds and can hold up to 4 cubic feet of material.

We love that unlike a standard wheelbarrow, it has four wheels—so no more heavy loads that make the cart tip over as you’re trying to move it.

The cart’s 10-inch pneumatic tires are big enough to make it over rough terrain, and the quick-release dumping feature makes it easy to unload and functions similarly to a dump truck. You simply unlatch the bed from the frame and lift up on the bed to release the cart’s contents.

A padded handle provides extra comfort when you’re pulling heavy loads and tight-turn steering helps you pull it exactly where you want to unload. The tub is rustproof so you don’t have to worry about leaving it outside in the elements.

Assembling the cart took just over an hour. Although the instructions were clear and provided helpful illustrations, there were some misaligned plastic holes and the sizing for the nuts wasn’t listed, so we had to try quite a few tools before finding the right size.

Product Details: Material: Steel frame, poly bed | Size: 20 x 19.5 x 38.7 inches | Weight: 31.5 pounds

Other Gardening Tools We Recommend

This soil knife is a multifunctional tool that may soon become your favorite tool in your collection. It features a serrated edge, as well as a slicing edge so you can use it for a variety of tasks around the garden. The serrated edge works especially well for cutting through tough roots.

The 6-inch blade includes a notch to help you cut twine or plant ties, and it features measurement markings to ensure you plant spring bulbs at the correct depth. The blade is made of high-quality stainless steel to ensure it will stand up to the elements as well as all your chores.

We also love that the knife features a bright orange plastic handle to make it easy to spot if you accidentally lay it down in the garden or in grass. The molded grip on the composite handle ensures it’s comfortable to hold for long periods of time.

This sturdy knife promises to last for many years; it comes with a lifetime warranty and the manufacturer says that it withstands more than 300 pounds of pressure. The notch for cutting twine is a handy feature, although you may want to wear gardening gloves to avoid any accidents.

Product Details: Material: Stainless steel | Size: 1.75 x 0.75 x 11.75 inches | Weight: 9.1 ounces

This weeding tool was originally invented in 1913, but it stopped being produced in 1941 so that all available metals could be put to the war effort. Luckily for us, the tool was rediscovered in 1999 and is now being produced and sold again.

To use this simple tool, you just center the fork over the weed, press it into the ground, and then lean on the handle to remove the weed. This system lets you weed without hurting your back or knees, and it’s an easy way to remove dandelions and other weeds, roots and all.

The weeder works in all soil types, but it is easiest to use after a good rain or after watering since you need to be able to push it into the ground. The head was redesigned in 1999 to make it stronger, and the bamboo handle ensures it will be long lasting.

Weighing just 3 pounds, it’s easy for most people to hold and use, but we recommend working the ground after watering or a rainstorm for looser soil. If you want to control weeds without using chemicals, this is a handy tool to have in your toolbox.

Product Details: Material: Bamboo and powder-coated steel | Size: 46 x 8 x 1.5 inches | Weight: 3 pounds

When it comes to these hardworking bypass pruners, Felco seems to have carefully thought through every detail of the design to ensure many years of use, making the pruners worth the price.

With a 1-inch cutting capacity, these pruning shears are great for trimming rose bushes and woody perennials. The Anvil blade features a sap groove to prevent sticking.

The cutting blade with a soft wire cutter is replaceable if needed, ensuring you can keep using these bypass pruners long into the future. The bolt and nut are easily adjustable so you can customize blade alignment if you wish.

Forged aluminum handles are strong but lightweight; they’re covered with a red plastic coating to add comfort and help make sure you don’t lose the pruners in the garden.

A rubber cushion with a shock absorber where the blades come together helps reduce the strain on your wrists as you work.

Product Details: Material: Steel and rubber | Size: 9.25 x 4 x 1 inches | Weight: 8.8 ounces

Made of heavy-duty 16-gauge stainless steel, the Wilcox All-Pro hand trowel is nearly unbreakable and won’t even bend if you hit a strong root. Yet, it’s lightweight, so it’s comfortable to use for long periods of time.

This model is 10 inches long, but a variety of lengths are available, from 9 to 22 inches. The fine point on the 10-inch trowel is more precise than other models in this line and many other trowels on the market, which makes it a good choice when weeding or digging around existing plants.

It works especially well for tending to sedums and sempervivums, both of which have shallow roots and need to be carefully lifted when transplanting.

A depth gauge (listed in both centimeters and inches) is stamped on one side to help you determine the correct depth for planting. The plastic handle includes ribbings and grooves to allow for a more comfortable positioning of the hand.

In addition to gardening, the trowel can also come in handy when camping, hiking, and hunting. Really, it’s hard to find anything to complain about with this garden trowel—as an added bonus, it’s even made in the USA.

Product Details: Material: Stainless steel | Size: 10 x 2.5 inches | Weight: 7.2 ounces

Sometimes it can be hard to decide whether to buy a spade or a shovel. The Spear Head spade garden shovel lets you have the best of both garden tools in one.

It features a design that lets you dig dirt like a shovel and cut through roots or dig a trench like a spade. Keep in mind, though, that the blade on this tool is smaller than a traditional shovel, so you won’t be able to move as much dirt in one scoop.

The blade on this Spear Head shovel is made of durable carbon manganese steel. The tool comes pre-sharpened, and the epoxy powder coating is designed to wear away around the edges first so the sharpened edge will continuously be revealed and grow sharper as it is used.

This shovel/spade features a fiberglass handle that’s both strong and lightweight. The cushioned D-shape grip adds comfort and has UV inhibitors so it will stand up to any kind of weather.

Maybe best of all, the tool is designed to reduce effort when digging into heavy, rocky, or compact soils.

Product Details: Material: Steel and fiberglass | Size: 40.25 x 8.25 x 1.5 inches | Weight: 3.64 pounds

The Edward Tools hand hoe is a great mini-size hoe to help with precise weeding, moving dirt, and planting in small flower beds or raised vegetable gardens.

It’s made of heavy-duty carbon steel so it won’t bend or break, plus the powder-coated finish helps to resist rust. It’s sturdy enough to work well even in hard or rocky soils, although it should be noted that the hoe doesn’t have a sharpened edge so it won’t slice through especially tough roots.

The ergonomic rubber grip and anti-skid handle ensures this tool is safe and comfortable to hold, even if you’ll be working for hours in the garden.

Although it’s not a large enough hoe for big gardens, it’s a very handy tool to have nearby for small-scale gardening since it’s both lightweight and sturdy.

Product Details: Material: Carbon steel, rubber | Size: 13.98 x 4.37 x 2.36 inches | Weight: 9 ounces

Bow rakes are good for loosening or breaking up compacted soil and spreading mulch, compost, and other materials. This rake features super-sharp teeth to dig into any type of soil.

The L-shape design of the blades helps them dig deep into the dirt and cut weeds below the soil, making the rake helpful for weeding as well as spreading mulch. If you don’t have a ton of leaves to rake up, this may be the only rake that you need in your yard and garden.

A protective rubber sleeve on the handle helps prevent splintering and makes the rake more comfortable to hold for long work sessions. A riveted socket helps prevent the head from separating from the handle.

This rake has a 54-inch handle, which works well for most gardeners, and it’s lightweight, weighing only 2.84 pounds.

The handle is made of fiberglass, a material that’s both strong and lightweight, while the blades are made from carbon steel with a chip-resistant coating for strength and durability.

Keep in mind that the handle is smaller in diameter than a traditional rake, which might not be everyone’s preference.

Product Details: Material: Fiberglass and carbon steel | Size: 59.5 x 14 x 3 inches | Weight: 2.84 pounds

A hand cultivator is a great tool for aerating the soil, weeding, and breaking up the ground before planting. And the DeWit tine cultivator is strong enough for your toughest jobs (and any soil type), thanks to thick steel tines with sharpened tips that can easily cut through the soil.

The ergonomic P-grip handle is flexible enough to allow it to bend a little without breaking; its design helps increase leverage and decrease the stress on your hands and wrists. Plus, its design allows you to use it with one hand or two as needed.

It’s made from hardened boron steel that has been heat-treated to add extra strength. The handle is made from ash wood that is harvested from environmentally responsible FSC-certified forests.

And although the handle and tines are very strong, the tool is lightweight, so it’s easy to use for an extended time.

The longer-than-average handle gives you a little extra reach to tackle hard-to-access spots, although that can also make it feel a bit bulky when working in tight spots.

Product Details: Material: Steel and ash wood | Size: 16.5 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches | Weight: 9.6 ounces

If you’re a beginning gardener, you may think you don’t need a kneeling pad, but experienced gardeners know that it’s essential to have nearby for keeping you comfortable while you work.

This 1.5-inch kneeling pad is extra thick to provide maximum comfort while you’re kneeling to weed or plant. It’s made of durable high-density foam that will contour to your knees and won’t break down or compress over time.

At 17.5 x 11 inches (larger than many other kneeling pads available), this model is large enough to give you plenty of room to spread out, so you don’t cramp up while kneeling.

The pad is dirt- and water-resistant, so it can stand up to rocks or gravel and can be used on damp ground. A built-in handle makes it easy to carry it around the yard as you work.

An added bonus: this kneeling pad is available in a wide range of colors, so you can have a little fun and pick your favorite hue.

Product Details: Material: Foam | Size: 17.5 x 11 x 1.5 in | Weight: 0.75 pounds

To help hold all your tools as you work through your garden, we love the Case4Life garden tool pouch. The green canvas waist belt is adjustable and easily clips around your waist so you can have easy access to your commonly used garden tools.

What stands out about this tool belt is the four pockets that are specifically designed for garden tools and accessories such as gardening gloves, seed packets, and pruning shears.

It also has a larger pocket with a zipper to secure items, and it has a loop at the bottom of the bag for a hammer or other tools.

At just 5.3 ounces, it’s lightweight and won’t feel too heavy once you add your tools. It’s durably constructed to last for years, and it even comes with a three-year warranty.

Our only complaint is that we wish there were more color options to complement the bright and cheerful feeling of gardening. At the time of publishing, it’s only available in a forest green hue.

Product Details: Material: Canvas and mesh | Size: 9.06x11.02 inches | Weight: 5.3 ounces

The Grace & August garden apron features a generous pocket for harvesting vegetables and smart features that make it comfortable for a range of people to wear.

Available in purple and blue, this apron is made of cotton canvas with a water-resistant lining. The apron features a top bib pocket that, at 21 inches wide and 14 inches deep, is plenty big enough to hold a trowel or weeding tool.

The large bottom kangaroo-style pocket is designed with clips at the bottom so you can easily open the bottom of the pocket to unload your harvest or dispose of weeds you’ve pulled.

We like the fact that the apron is designed with shoulder straps rather than hanging around your neck. The adjustable crossover back straps help distribute the weight more evenly, and a waist tie helps you get the right fit.

It may not have as many pockets as some gardeners would prefer, but we love the fact that we can wipe the dirt on this apron and then just throw it in the washing machine when we finish our gardening chores.

Product Details: Material: Cotton canvas | Size: 27 x 34 inches | Weight: Not listed

The Bottom Line

The A.M. Leonard soil knife can help you cut roots, twine, and more while gardening, and you can carry it around in a tool pouch, like the Case4Life garden tool pouch. The Grampa’s Weeder is an essential for removing weeds in your lawn and garden, and you can use the Gorilla utility cart to move mulch, bricks, potted plants, and more.

What to Know About Gardening Tools Before Shopping

Material

The best gardening tools are made with durable materials that will stand up to all the hard work you do in your garden.

“Wood handles and steel blades are always a good way to go,” Hughes says. “Wood handles maintain a moderate temperature in heat and cold, making them more comfortable in your hands.”

Garden tool handles can also be made out of fiberglass, which is lightweight but strong, and aluminum, which is lightweight but prone to bending.

Miller recommends staying away from tools with plastic handles. “Plastic breaks down easily, except ironically in landfills, where it will linger for generations, leaching harmful chemicals into our environment,” she says.

Size

The best tools for someone tall may be different than those for someone shorter in stature. Make sure you consider handle length to make sure the tool will work for your height.

Consider purchasing a tool with a telescoping handle if you have people of different heights who will be using the same tool.

In general, short-handled tools work for close-up work and long-handled tools are better for covering a lot of ground in a larger garden. A pair of loppers, for example, allow you to reach higher to trim thick branches.

If you only have a small garden or container garden, short-handled tools may be all you need. But for larger gardens, you’ll likely need both short-handled and long-handled tools.

Weight

Consider your physical abilities and limitations when choosing between tools of different weights. Remember, the best option for you might be different than what’s best for someone else.

In general, you want the gardening tool to have a little heft to it to ensure it’s sturdy and will stand up to heavy-duty use, but lighter is generally better. Remember, the tool will no doubt feel heavier after you have been using it awhile, or when it is scooping up dirt.

“The best thing you can do is pick up and hold garden tools in your hand prior to purchasing,” Miller says. “If you can’t lift the shovel in the store aisle, you definitely won’t be able to lift it loaded with soil.”

Your Questions, Answered

How do you clean gardening tools?

Gardening tools should ideally be cleaned after every use and then given a more thorough cleaning at the end of the gardening season. “First, blast them with a garden hose to pressure wash the dirt off,” Miller says. (You can also use a putty knife to scrape off any stuck-on mud.)

Next, it’s a good idea to disinfect your tools to prevent spreading bacteria and fungi. Dissolve a bleach tablet in a 5-gallon bucket and soak your tools, Miller suggests, or use a gentler, 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water.

Wipe tools dry and use a few drops of WD-40 or food-grade oil on blades and joints to prevent rust.

How do you sharpen gardening tools?

Plan to sharpen gardening tools, such as high-quality spades, trowels, and hoes, at least once a year. Before sharpening any tool, clean it first with a wire brush or steel pad to remove built-up dirt and rust.

Then, lock the tool into a vise or hold it still with a clamp and move a mill file along the edge of the blade to sharpen. You can use sandpaper to remove any rust on the blade and lightly coat the blade with machine oil.

What is the best way to store gardening tools?

Even the best gardening tools need to be stored inside to prolong their life and keep them in good shape. “Store tools in a dry area and ideally in an area with moderate temperatures,” Hughes says.

Plan to keep them in an outdoor shed, garage, or barn for the winter; keep them off the ground and away from rain, snow, and UV exposure from the sun.

Who We Are

Renee Freemon Mulvihill is a writer, specializing in home and garden topics. To write this article, she spent hours online researching various garden tools (and dreaming about what she would like to have for her own garden). She also talked to Tom Hughes, owner of Hughes Nursery and Landscape, and Lindsay Miller, a horticultural writer from Gardener’s Supply Company, to get their tips and advice about choosing and caring for gardening tools.

Brandi Fuller has been a shopping editor for Better Homes & Gardens since September 2022. She specializes in outdoor, pest control, gardening, and wildlife products. She analyzed results and feedback from our outdoor products and garden tools testings to recommend the best gardening tools.