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Picking The Best Hand Shovels

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Last updated: 21 Sep 2021

Gardening is not all about sowing the seeds and watering them. It consists of various things like digging the soil, changing fertilizer, shifting plants, and more. Though gardening is a difficult task, the end results are pretty good. If you are interested in starting a garden of your own, then first, you need to get a nice hand shovel. It is designed for doing all kinds of garden chores like weeding, transplanting, etc., and helps prevent the onset of wrist pain and bruises. These shovels are compact and easy to use, due to which they are perfect for beginners and professionals alike.

However, you need to have a reliable trowel for doing the chores because if it breaks midway, then it can put a halt to all your gardening sessions. That's why we surfed through lots of trowels and reviewed the best hand shovels in 2021, which will help you to find a suitable tool for your gardening needs.

Best Hand Shovels Buying Guide

Purchasing a hand shovel is not an easy task as there are various things to keep in mind. The material used, type of construction, and durability are just a few things to remember. By knowing all the important factors, it becomes easier to hunt for the best hand shovel for your garden.

What Are The Essential Factors You Should Look For In A Hand Shovel?

Types Of Blade

While looking for a hand shovel, it is extremely important to know the various types of blades available on the market. There are traditional blades, transplanting blades, dixter, and ladle blades. Each of these blades is designed for a specific gardening duty, and you should know about them before making a purchase.

A traditional blade is large, has curved edges, and is designed for all kinds of gardening chores
The transplanting blade has a pointed tip and is quite efficient for removing seeds and weeds from the garden
Dixter blade is the one with long and round ends that are perfect for shifting small plants to new pots
Ladle blades are small and have round edges, designed for digging and scooping soil

Design Of Shovel

The design of the shovel determines the lifespan of the tool. If the trowel has a one-piece design, then it will last for a long time. However, a shovel with a separate blade and a handle joined using screws has higher chances of breaking and bending under pressure. Hence, it is better to go for trowels that have a one-piece design.

Material

When it comes to buying a gardening tool, the material plays a crucial role. In the case of a hand shovel, the blade must either be made of aluminum or carbon steel. However, most manufacturers use stainless steel for the construction and add an extra rust-proof coating that makes the tool more reliable.

Grip

Nobody likes to get bruises and wrist aches while doing any kind of gardening duty. To prevent fatigue and wrist aches, you should get a shovel that has a good grip. Most trowels have an ergonomic gel grip with finger grooves that provide a comfortable hold and make it easier to do heavy chores.

Weight

If you are getting a hand shovel that weighs more than 500 grams, then it would be difficult to use as the tool will strain your hand. Make sure to check the weight of the trowel before you purchase it. Otherwise, you may end up buying a heavy hand shovel that would be of no use.

Price

Nobody likes to go out of budget, and the same applies while buying a hand shovel. Though there are expensive products, you can always find valuable tools at a much affordable price. While searching for a hand shovel, make sure to fix your budget and limit yourself so that you don't end up spending too much on a shovel that you could have bought at a much lower price.

A good hand shovel would be the best companion for starting a new garden. They are compact, light, and easy to use. Moreover, these shovels do not need much maintenance and last for a long time. We hope that the hand shovels we have reviewed would be helpful in your search for the perfect gardening tool.

Our Picks Of The Best Hand Shovel in 2021

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THE SCOOP

The Garden Guru trowel is a multi-purpose garden tool that can help you in weeding, transplanting, digging, and more. It has a blade made of stainless steel with an extra rust-proof coating that increases the strength and durability of the tool.

Moreover, this trowel has a grip constructed with soft rubber that has finger grooves to give you a nice hold. It also has a handle hole so that you can store the trowel anywhere. As the blade has a concave design with a length of 5.5 inches, it becomes easier for deep digging and transplanting. Additionally, you get a lifetime warranty with this tool so that you can claim a refund or replacement if the product is not satisfactory.

Pros

The blade is engineered with stainless steel and has a rust-resistant coating
It has an ergonomic grip made of soft rubber that makes it comfortable to hold
The handle has a hole for easy storage
The length of the blade is 5.5 inches which makes it suitable for deep digging

Cons

The blade can bend under high pressure

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THE SCOOP

If you are a professional gardener, then this shovel would be your best companion. The CFCT shovel is made of aluminum that makes it stronger and lighter for easy handling. On top of that, it is a one-piece shovel that does not contain any screws or collar, which prevents it from bending and breaking.

Due to its excellent construction, this shovel comes in handy while doing every kind of gardening chores. You can use it for both indoor as well as outdoor gardens. It has a soft handle made of rubber that is non-slip and contains finger grooves for better grip. Though the price might be a bit on the higher side, the quality of the trowel is impeccable.

Pros

It is a one-piece trowel with no screws or collar to prevent bending
It is constructed with aluminum that gives it extra strength and durability
The trowel is light in weight and easy to use
The tool has a large radian blade that works as a scooper and transplanter

Cons

Some people might find it too expensive

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THE SCOOP

If you are willing to learn gardening skills and need a tool for practicing, then this hand shovel from Edward Tools would be a perfect choice. It is made of heavy-duty carbon steel material that makes the trowel strong and durable. Moreover, its price is affordable and will not burn a hole in your pocket.

The best thing about this trowel is that it has gradation marks on the blade, due to which you can know the depth while digging, scooping fertilizer, and more. Additionally, the blade is covered with a rust-proof coating that prevents it from getting damaged. This trowel also has a comfortable Ergo grip that offers better leverage while handling rocks and gravel.

Pros

The blade is made of heavy-duty carbon steel that increases its strength
The Ergo grip handle makes it easier to work with heavy rocks and gravel
It has gradation marks on the blade for the appropriate measurement
This hand shovel is affordable and perfect for beginners

Cons

The blade is not designed for handling high pressure work

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THE SCOOP

This hand shovel from Mr. Pen is not only sturdy and durable but also pocket-friendly. It is made of stainless steel with a rust-resistant covering to protect it from damage. Besides, the handle is constructed with well-textured rubber to give you a comfortable and pain-free grip.

It is designed for doing all kinds of gardening chores like weeding, transplanting, scooping, and more. The concave design of the blade will help you in deep digging and scooping, which will further relieve you from the hard work. Though this tool is not strong as compared to other shovels, it is a good choice for learning gardening skills.

Pros

The blade has a concave design for deep digging and better scooping
The shovel is constructed with stainless steel that makes it robust
It is affordable and perfect for starting a garden
It has a good handle made of textured rubber

Cons

Some people might find its durability a bit questionable

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THE SCOOP

The Homes Garden shovel is designed for people who are passionate about gardening. It is made of aluminum that enhances the strength and performance of the hand shovel. Additionally, the weight of this trowel is only 0.3lbs, which makes it possible to handle it without getting any wrist pain or pressure.

The best thing about this gardening tool is that it has an amazing gel handle, which is soft and comfortable to hold. Moreover, this hand shovel has a perfectly engineered rust-proof blade that can work through tight spaces. As the trowel has a one-piece design, it won't break or bend under pressure and will last longer.

Pros

This shovel has a one-piece design which improves its durability
It is constructed with aluminum that makes this tool robust
It has a gel handle designed to provide maximum comfort and prevent wrist pain
The blade has a pointed design with sharp edges to work through tight spaces

Cons

This hand shovel is tough to find as the stock doesn't last long

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THE SCOOP

The SXBBSMC garden trowel is designed for handling heavy-duty gardening chores. It is made of high-quality aluminum alloy, due to which it offers great strength and durability. On top of that, the blade is rust-resistant and has sharp edges, which makes it easier to dig through hard stones and gravel.

The handle is engineered with soft TPR rubber that makes for an excellent ergonomic grip. It reduces fatigue and prevents wrist pain so that you can do all gardening chores without breaking any sweat. Moreover, you get a good warranty period along with this tool that allows you to claim a refund or replacement if the product doesn't live up to your expectations.

Pros

This trowel is made of aluminum alloy due to which it offers good strength and durability
The unique design of the blade makes it easier to cut through stones without breaking
It has a comfortable non-slip grip that prevents fatigue and wrist ache
It only weighs 0.33 pounds, making it possible to handle the trowel easily

Cons

The edges are extremely sharp and not safe for kids

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THE SCOOP

The Annymall mini hand shovels come in a pack of four plastic trowels that are designed for kids. They are perfect for teaching the art of gardening and help kids to hone their skills. Besides, the colorful shovels will make gardening a fun activity.

The plastic used for the construction of these trowels is safe and non-toxic. Moreover, they are strong enough to do scooping, digging, and loosening the soil. It is an excellent tool for indoor gardening and will help you maintain those small succulents and bonsai plants too. Since these trowels are made in one-piece designs, they won't bend easily. However, these garden transplanters are not made for heavy gardening chores as they don't have a very solid build quality.

Pros

These shovels are made with safe and non-toxic plastic
They are perfect for indoor gardening
These trowels are designed to do light gardening chores like loosening the soil, scooping, and more
They come in a pack of four shovels at an affordable price

Cons

They are not made for heavy gardening chores

Hand Shovel FAQ

Q: Should I buy a one-piece or a collar-type hand shovel?

A: It is better to buy a one-piece shovel as they last longer as compared to collar types. As one-piece shovels do not have any connecting screws or collars, they do not bend or break, which increases their durability.

Q: What kind of gardening chores can I do with a trowel?

A: You can do digging, scooping, weeding, transplanting, and more. A hand shovel is perfect for all kinds of gardens and suitable for all light gardening chores.

Q: Is it safe to use a trowel with a wooden handle?

A: If the wooden handle has a lamination covering, then it is safe to use. Since wood can rot due to water and bruise your hands, it is better to look for one with a protective covering.

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The Garden Gate Review Team's product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best products for a beautiful and bountiful garden and backyard. The content is created by The Garden Gate Review Team. Garden Gate's editorial staff is not involved. Garden Gate is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.