The Best Trowels for All-Purpose Gardening

Best Overall

Edward Tools Garden Trowel

4.8

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This sturdy, thoughtfully designed garden trowel from Edward Tools is an excellent choice for everyday gardening tasks. The heavy-duty carbon steel blade measures nearly 4 inches wide, which means it shouldn't bend or break in rocky soil. Its curved shape and pointed tip neatly dig and transfer soil. The blade also features depth markers for easy measuring and more consistent planting. An ergonomic rubber handle provides a comfortable grip and better leverage in heavier soils. Weighing 9.6 ounces, this trowel is lightweight and easy to maneuver.

Although this trowel is advertised as bend-proof, we found some reports of bending and breakage over time. The good news is that it’s backed by a lifetime guarantee, so be sure to request a replacement if you encounter any damage or defects.

Price at time of publish: $9

_{Handle length: Not listed︱Blade length: Not listed︱Blade material: Carbon steel︱Handle Material: Rubber︱Weight: 9.6 ounces}

Best Budget

Expert Gardener Steel Trowel

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Despite its incredibly low price tag, this steel garden trowel from Expert Gardener is surprisingly high quality. Lightweight and easy to maneuver, this tool is ideal for basic gardening tasks, including digging, shoveling, turning, and scooping. With a working width of 3.3 inches, it’s perfect for digging deep holes and scooping generous amounts of soil. The curved rubber handle gives a more comfortable grip, and its bright yellow color makes it easy to find when you've set it down. .

We couldn't find any information regarding a warranty, though we did find a few reports saying the trowel broke after several uses. Still, the Expert Gardener Steel Trowel is an effective and affordable gardening tool—even if it’s not quite as sturdy as its counterparts.

Price at time of publish: $5

_{Handle length: Not listed︱Blade length: Not listed︱Blade material: Steel︱Handle Material: Rubber︱Weight: 0.55 pounds}

Best Ergonomic

Radius Garden Ergonomic Hand Trowel

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This ergonomic trowel from Radius Garden is specifically designed for users with limited hand strength, arthritis, or carpal tunnel syndrome. Its curved, thermoplastic handle is comfortable to hold for extended periods. By providing extra leverage, it minimizes stress on hands and wrists when digging. With an overall weight of 7 ounces, this garden trowel is ultra-light and easy to maneuver. 

The blade is made of aluminum—a fairly strong material—but it is lighter than stainless steel and carbon steel options. While this trowel is well suited for light-duty tasks, such as potting, it may struggle or break in rocky soil. On a positive note, this product is backed by a lifetime warranty to ensure customer satisfaction.

Price at time of publish: $14

_{Handle length: Not listed︱Blade length: Not listed︱Blade Material: Aluminum︱Handle Material: Thermoplastic︱Weight: 7.04 ounces}

Best in a Set

ESOW Garden Tool Set

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This trio of gardening tools, which includes a hand rake, transplanter, and trowel, is ideal for handling a variety of gardening tasks. You can use the hand rake to loosen and aerate the soil. The transplanting trowel is ideal for relocating smaller plants and flowers, and it features depth markers for easy measuring. The oversized hand trowel allows you to move larger amounts of soil faster. Each tool features an ergonomic soft-grip handle that reduces stress and fatigue while working.

Made of heavy-duty cast aluminum, these tools are extremely sturdy and resist rust. Another convenient feature is the hole at the top of each handle, making them easy to store when not in use. This set is available in three color choices: cherry red, cactus print, and grass green. Since tools come nicely packaged in a box, they make a great gift for gardening enthusiasts. While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, we did find some reports of the tools breaking after several uses. However, this set is backed by a one-year warranty for added peace of mind.

Price at time of publish: $31

_{Handle Length: Not listed︱Blade Length: Not listed︱Blade Material: Cast aluminum︱Handle Material: Rubber︱Weight: 1.6 to 1.28 pounds}

Best for Weeds

Wilcox 13" All-Pro Stainless Weeder

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"A flick with the long side or the pointed end of a trowel wipes out tiny weeds," says Veronica Lorson Fowler, author of several garden books, whom we consulted for this roundup. This 13-inch weeder from Wilcox All-Pro features sharp, V-shaped cutting edges and an extra-long handle for additional leverage. Made of heavy-duty 16-gauge stainless steel, this tool can tackle tough weeds such as Queen Anne’s lace, thistle, and burdock. Featuring a non-slip plastic handle with ribs and grooves, this tool is comfortable to hold while working. It has a hanging loop at one end, so you can store it on a wall or hang it on a belt buckle.

While most other garden trowels tend to struggle, bend or break in rocky ground, this weeder seems indestructible. What’s more, all Wilcox All-Pro tools come with a lifetime warranty and are made in the United States. Note that the blade is very sharp and doesn’t come with a protective sheath. Please use caution when carrying it.

Price at time of publish: $24

_{Handle Length: Not listed︱Blade Length: Not listed︱Overall Length: 13 inches︱Blade Material: Stainless steel︱Handle Material: Plastic︱Weight: 8.8 ounces}

Best Sturdy

CFCT Bend-Proof Garden Trowel

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Thanks to its one-piece design, this garden trowel from CFCT shouldn't bend or break at the neck when digging in rocky soil. The blade is sharp enough to cut through grader soil, and its curved shape makes it ideal for scooping and transplanting. It also features depth markers for quick reference when measuring. The handle is ergonomically designed to reduce stress on the hand and wrist. It has a thumb rest for additional leverage, as well as a non-slip comfortable grip.

With a low overall weight of just over 6 ounces, this garden trowel is extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver. Compared with our other picks, the blade is fairly narrow—just 2.5 inches wide—making it best suited for small garden jobs rather than extensive digging. Made of aluminum, this trowel should resist rust and last for years if you properly care for it. We found very few reports of breakage, which further attests to its durability. Thanks to a hole in the handle, this trowel is easy to store.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Handle Length: Not listed︱Blade Length: Not listed︱Blade Material: Aluminum︱Handle Material: Not listed︱Weight: 6.4 ounces}

Best Oversized

Edward Tools Bend-Proof Garden Trowel

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Measuring 3.6 inches at its widest point and featuring wide concave edges, this oversized garden trowel from Edward Tools allows you to scoop soil more efficiently. The manufacturer claims this is the most heavy-duty trowel on the market and backs it with a bend-proof promise and a lifetime warranty. Its strong stainless steel blade can dig in rocky and heavy clay soil without bending or breaking. The ergonomic handle is equipped with contoured finger grips and palm rest, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. A hole at the end of the handle facilitates easy storage.

Despite the manufacturer’s claims, we found some instances of the trowel bending and breaking after several uses. Additionally, some may find it a bit on the heavy side and slightly awkward to maneuver. Although the trowel weighs less than half a pound, heavy or compacted soil certainly can add to its heft.

Price at time of publish: $8

_{Handle Length: Not listed︱Blade Length: Not listed︱Blade Material: Stainless steel︱Handle Material: Rubber︱Weight: 7 ounces}