Best Overall
Radius Garden Pro Stainless Spade
- The extra-wide forward step on this spade optimizes leverage, stability, and performance.
The extra-wide forward step on this spade optimizes leverage, stability, and performance.
- The unusual round handle grip may feel awkward to some users and take some getting used to.
The unusual round handle grip may feel awkward to some users and take some getting used to.
Our overall pick for the best garden spade is the PRO Stainless Spade from Radius Garden. Both new and veteran gardeners alike will appreciate this all-purpose digging spade inspired by a tried-and-true 120-year-old nursery spade.
The large stainless steel blade and polypropylene-encased carbon steel shaft make this spade a weighty and versatile powerhouse that transitions from tough chores such as cutting deep, clean holes to less demanding ones such as skimming weeds. The super-sharp blade is durable enough to plow through hard-packed or rocky soil as well as work through stubborn roots.
The elevated forward step design gives users extra stability and support and helps complete jobs with less effort. The thermoplastic elastomer grip minimizes slippage when working, but consider testing out the spade’s circular grip before purchasing to make sure it’s comfortable in your hands.
Product Details: Blade Material: Stainless steel | Shaft Material: Carbon steel | Length: 43 inches | Blade Type: Digger | Weight: 5.5 pounds
Key Terms to Know
- D-Grip: A type of ergonomic handle that's shaped like the letter D. It allows you to have greater control of your garden spade so you'll be able to be more precise while you use it.
- T-Grip: This type of handle is shaped like the letter T and makes it easy to rotate the spade while you dig.
Best Budget
Fiskars 46-Inch Garden Spade Shovel
- It has an ergonomic grip and a large foot platform, and the handle is welded to the blade for extra durability.
It has an ergonomic grip and a large foot platform, and the handle is welded to the blade for extra durability.
- At 5 pounds, the weight may be too heavy for some.
At 5 pounds, the weight may be too heavy for some.
For those looking for a budget-friendly option, the Fiskars 46-Inch Garden Spade is the best option for you. Made with alloy steel, this affordable spade comes with a lifetime warranty.
Featuring an ergonomic D-grip handle, the comfortable handle is designed to help reduce fatigue by contouring to your natural grip. The garden spade is 46 inches long and has a sharp, precise blade that is perfect for landscaping. With a large foot platform, this spade makes it easy to dig into compacted soil.
The long handle is welded to the blade for extra stability and durability, ensuring that it lasts for years. Thanks to its powder-coated steel design, the spade is resistant to rust and easy to clean.
It’s not the heaviest spade on our list, but it is heavier than spades like the DeWit Short Perennial Spade and the Spear and Jackson Traditional Stainless Border Spade, which both weigh less than 3.5 pounds. If you think you may have trouble with the 5-pound spade, a lighter option may be a better choice.
Product Details: Blade Material: Alloy steel | Shaft Material: Alloy steel | Overall Length: 47 inches | Weight: 5 pounds
Best Splurge
Leonard Classic Full Strap Spade
- The full steel strap reinforces and strengthens the hardwood shaft and protects it from splintering.
The full steel strap reinforces and strengthens the hardwood shaft and protects it from splintering.
- This weighty spade may be a little heavy for some users and rivets on the steel strap can catch on hands or garden gloves.
This weighty spade may be a little heavy for some users and rivets on the steel strap can catch on hands or garden gloves.
With proper maintenance, garden spades can last a lifetime, so a quality tool such as the Leonard Full-Strap Diamond-Point Spade may be well worth the investment.
This spade features a high-carbon, heat-treated steel blade that tapers to a pointed, beveled cutting edge to slice through dirt and roots with ease. For extra secure footing and comfort during prolonged use, you can attach the included rubber foot pad to the extra-wide turned step on either side of the blade.
A 2-inch lift angle makes this spade ideal for digging straight down to prune roots, transplant, or edge and the hardwood and metal D-grip handle increases leverage. The shock-absorbing hardwood shaft reduces stress and fatigue during use and is reinforced by an impressive full steel strap.
Riveted securely in place, the strap strengthens stress points on the shaft to extend the life of the spade, but the rivets can catch on hands or garden gloves. The steel strap may also make this spade too heavy for some users, however, so keep that in mind.
Product Details: Blade Material: Carbon steel | Shaft Material: Hardwood ash with steel strap | Length: 40 inches | Blade Type: Pointed digger | Weight: 6.5 pounds
Best Compact
DeWit Short Perennial Spade
- This small spade is nice for taking on the go and is expertly handcrafted.
This small spade is nice for taking on the go and is expertly handcrafted.
- The small T-handle may seem awkward or too small for some users.
The small T-handle may seem awkward or too small for some users.
The DeWit Perennial Spade is a smart choice when you need something larger than a garden trowel but smaller than a full-size spade. Lightweight yet durable, this small tool is ideal for general garden work such as planting bulbs and perennials, or for traveling to and from a community garden or other worksite.
The short shaft and handle are lightweight, shock-absorbing, and easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The small T-shape handle offers considerable control to navigate confined areas and reduces strain on wrists and hands, but the shape may seem awkward or too small for some users. The boron steel blade is rust-resistant and curved to help minimize soil disturbance and damage to surrounding plants.
At just 2 pounds and 22 inches, this compact option is more lightweight than other picks. Plus, it comes with a lifetime guarantee and stores easily without taking up too much precious space in a garden shed.
Product Details: Blade Material: Boron steel | Shaft Material: Ash hardwood | Length: 22 inches | Blade Type: Perennial | Weight: 2 pounds
Best Ergonomic
Roamwild Multi-Digger Spade
- The clever dual-grip handle helps reduce user effort and fatigue. Plus, taller users will love that this spade comes in a longer version.
The clever dual-grip handle helps reduce user effort and fatigue. Plus, taller users will love that this spade comes in a longer version.
- It may be hard to clean between the various joints and grips, and the handle grip may be too large for smaller hands.
It may be hard to clean between the various joints and grips, and the handle grip may be too large for smaller hands.
It’s hard to overlook the ergonomic features of the Roamwild Multi-Digger Spade. The spade is designed to transfer power directly to the tip of the blade where it matters most, which reduces user effort and means less fatigue and back strain.
The durable coated blade features an arrowhead shape to penetrate rocky, compacted soil and clay. Cutting through roots to separate even the toughest perennials is made easier with the blade’s serrated edge and large foot plates.
This well-balanced hybrid garden spade sports convenient no-slip grip sections on the reinforced fiberglass shaft. Air-cut holes lighten the ergonomic handle, which has two separate no-slip grip areas to accommodate different working techniques and minimize strain on hands and wrists.
The large handle, however, may not be comfortable for smaller hands even when wearing garden gloves, and with various joints and grip sections this spade may be challenging to clean.
While this option is 40 inches long, taller users will be glad to know this multi-digger spade comes in a 49-inch length as well.
Product Details: Blade Material: Not listed | Shaft Material: Fiberglass | Length: 40 inches | Blade Type: Pointed digger | Weight: 4.5 pounds
Best Lightweight
Spear and Jackson Traditional Stainless Border Spade
- The high-performing stainless steel blade is rust-resistant and minimizes soil adhesion.
The high-performing stainless steel blade is rust-resistant and minimizes soil adhesion.
- Tall users may find this spade too short for comfortable use.
Tall users may find this spade too short for comfortable use.
This Spear and Jackson pick is the best lightweight option for your collection. With its small head size, shorter length, and weight of just under 3.5 pounds, this spade is ideal for digging and cultivation in borders and between plantings in garden beds where space is restricted.
The spade’s mirror-polished stainless steel blade resists rust and soil adhesion, which helps the blade slip easily into the ground and clean up easily. The one-piece weatherproofed hardwood handle offers a smooth line from where the shaft attaches to the long, double-riveted socket to where it splits to form a comfortable handle.
This timeless spade is strong and durable and appeals to users who prefer a traditional look and feel, though at 37.8 inches long, it may not be comfortable for taller users.
Product Details: Blade Material: Stainless steel | Shaft Material: Stainless steel and hardwood | Length: 37.8 inches | Blade Type: Border | Weight: 3.34 pounds
Best for Roots
Root Asasain Garden Shovel Saw
- Sharp serrated edges on both sides of the blade are designed to dig, cut, and pull out debris all at once.
Sharp serrated edges on both sides of the blade are designed to dig, cut, and pull out debris all at once.
- The atypical, pointed blade limits scooping potential.
The atypical, pointed blade limits scooping potential.
We found the Root Assassin Garden Shovel Saw to be the best garden spade for slaying stubborn roots and other underground obstructions. The spade’s carbon steel blade is overlayed with a sleek, silver powder coating and features forward turn steps for secure foot placement.
Its long, pointed shape and curved tip allow this tool to dig deeper than most, but the shape does limit the blade’s surface area for moving soil.
harp serrated edges on both sides of the blade give this spade great sawing capabilities, though the atypical, pointed blade limits scooping potential. Overall, it’s designed to cut, dig, and pull roots out all at once so gardening tasks are completed faster.
The long, steel shaft is designed for optimal balance and digging leverage. The metal D-shape handle is resistant to chipping and rusting and features a red rubber-coated non-slip grip which is easy to spot when set down on a lawn.
Product Details: Blade Material: Carbon steel | Shaft Material: Carbon steel | Length: 48 inches | Blade Type: Pointed digger | Weight: 4 pounds