The best garden spades in 2024

From beginners to seasoned gardeners, a reliable spade is an essential tool, often among the first acquisitions for those venturing into gardening. These dependable implements are indispensable, serving a multitude of purposes in the garden. While digging spades, characterized by their flat blades, are the typical choice for novices due to their versatility in moving and turning soil, there are various other spade styles tailored for specific tasks.

In our comprehensive evaluation, we examined four prevalent types: digging, border, pointed, and transplanting spades. Digging spades, equipped with flat blades, excel at soil movement, while border spades, smaller and lighter, offer similar functionality on a smaller scale. Pointed spades feature curved blades with a sharp tip, while transplanting spades boast sharp, jagged edges for specific tasks. Our testing provides valuable insights into each spade type, enabling you to compare and select the one that aligns with your gardening needs. Additionally, we offer essential information on safe digging practices to prevent injuries and tips to maximize the longevity of your spade.

Best garden spades

Kent and Stowe Stainless Steel Digging Spade

Our rating: 4.8/5

RRP: £37.99

Pros:

• Balanced weight
• Good length shaft
• Smooth socket
• Feels robust
• Sturdy foot treads

Cons:

• Feels heavy in use

Crafted with exquisite artisanship, this spade stands out as a testament to meticulous handiwork. Boasting a stainless steel blade seamlessly integrated with an FSC ash shaft and a Y handle, it exudes both elegance and functionality. The long, double-riveted socket and wide foot treads further enhance its durability and stability.

Recognized with the prestigious BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy badge, this spade not only showcases superior design but also offers an exceptionally comfortable user experience. Its thoughtful construction ensures ease of use, making it a reliable and favored choice for gardening enthusiasts. With a blend of aesthetic appeal and ergonomic design, this handmade spade elevates the gardening experience to new heights.

DeWit Solid Socket Spade

Our rating: 4.8/5

RRP: £59.99

Pros:

• Comfortable design
• Solid forged carbon blade
• Long socket
• Feels robust and built to last
• Sturdy T grip handle

Cons:

• No treads

Skillfully crafted in the Netherlands, this handcrafted spade exemplifies precision and craftsmanship. Its solid forged carbon steel blade and socket, paired with an oiled hardwood ash handle and shaft, showcase a commitment to quality materials and construction. The sturdy, T-shaped handle, coupled with a long socket and a solid forged blade, ensures robustness and reliability in every use.

Designed to offer a high-quality gardening experience, this spade stands out as a great value tool. Its meticulous construction, featuring a perfect balance between durability and functionality, makes it a dependable companion for various gardening tasks. With this Dutch-made spade, you can trust in its excellence and enjoy the satisfaction of a premium tool that combines quality and value seamlessly.

Greenman Half Brite Border Spade

Our rating: 4.75/5

RRP: £38.95

Pros:

• Strong and hard wearing
• Long socket for strength
• Comfortable and well balanced

Cons:

• Rivets catch on hands
• Small for taller gardens

For those in search of an excellent border spade, our top recommendation for Best Buy is an exceptional choice. Its elongated shaft is designed to mitigate back strain, prioritizing user comfort during extended use. The robust feel of the long socket adds to the overall durability of the spade.

Crafted with a carbon-steel blade, the lower section remains uncoated, allowing for convenient sharpening and ensuring a long-lasting tool. As a testament to its quality, this border spade comes with a lifetime guarantee, instilling confidence in its reliability.

It’s worth noting a minor consideration: the presence of rivets, which, although providing strength, may pose a slight inconvenience by catching on hands during work. Despite this, the overall merits, including the ergonomic design and lifetime guarantee, make this border spade our top pick for Best Buy, offering both functionality and peace of mind.

Sneeboer Pointed Spade with Steps

Our rating: 4.75/5

RRP: £115.60

Pros:

• Strong, wide treads
• Long handle
• Sharp, sturdy blade
• Easy to use

Cons:

• T-grip unusual
• Expensive

Embodying a classic design, this traditional-style spade proves to be a standout choice for clearing ground, earning it the prestigious Best Buy recognition from our testers. The short, wide stainless steel blade, expertly sharpened to a point, effortlessly tackles robust roots, making light work of challenging tasks. The wide, flat treads not only provide strength but also offer excellent traction, ensuring stability during use.

Designed with user comfort in mind, the long wooden shaft plays a crucial role in easing back strain and absorbing shock, enhancing the overall experience of using this spade. With its winning combination of efficient design and practical features, this traditional-style spade proves to be a reliable companion for clearing ground, meeting the approval of our discerning testers.

Wilkinson Sword Ultralight Pointed Digging Spade

Our rating: 4.75/5

RRP: £34.99

Pros:

• Substantial but light
• Comfortable to use
• Good for the less able
• Cuts through soil and root easily

Cons:

• Only as strong as the rivets

This spade stands out as an ergonomic marvel, earning its well-deserved Best Buy recognition from our testers. The stainless-steel blade, featuring a serrated edge, effortlessly cuts through the soil with ease, streamlining the digging process. Its lightweight construction adds to the overall user-friendliness, ensuring an easy and comfortable experience in the garden.

The ergonomic shaft, thoughtfully designed with a rubber covering, minimizes strain during use. The D handle, equipped with a grip insert, further enhances control and comfort. Backing its quality, this spade comes with a 10-year guarantee, offering peace of mind to users.

For those seeking an ergonomic spade that combines cutting-edge design with practical features, this lightweight and efficient tool proves to be a top choice, as attested by our testers.

DeWit Shark Tine Spade

Our rating: 4.75/5

RRP: £59.99

Pros:

• Razor-sharp zigzag blade
• Hand forged
• Cuts through soils easily
• Comfortable to handle
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Bolts catch on hands
• No treads
• T-grip unusual

This transplanting spade is a standout choice, earning the esteemed title of Best Buy for its exceptional features. The zigzag blade, meticulously hand-forged from razor-sharp carbon steel, demonstrates cutting-edge design, making it adept at maneuvering around plants with ease. This feature is especially valuable for precision work during transplanting.

The sturdy T grip handle and shaft, complemented by a long socket, contribute to a comfortable and robust feel, particularly beneficial during prolonged digging tasks. As a testament to its quality, this spade comes with a lifetime guarantee, underscoring its durability and reliability.

For those prioritizing quality and efficiency in a transplanting spade, this tool offers excellent value, combining the benefits of a razor-sharp zigzag blade, ergonomic design, and a lifetime guarantee—making it the top choice for discerning gardeners.

Wilkinson Sword Carbon Steel Border Spade

Our rating: 4.5 /5

RRP: £24.99

Pros:

• Strong and robust
• Wide treads
• Good value

Cons:

• Rivets on shaft snag hands
• Heavy

The Wilkinson Sword Carbon Steel Border Spade stands out with its thoughtful design and durability features. The long socket is a preventive measure against snapping, enhancing the spade’s overall longevity. The rustproof coating ensures resistance to corrosion, while the weatherproofed shaft and handle enhance their durability in various weather conditions.

Designed with user comfort in mind, the handle provides a comfortable grip during use. The wide treads not only prevent slipping, ensuring stability during operation, but they also serve the additional function of protecting boot soles from splitting on the blade.

With a combination of durability, weather resistance, and user comfort, the Wilkinson Sword Carbon Steel Border Spade proves to be a reliable and practical choice for gardeners tackling border-related tasks.

Burgon and Ball RHS Endorsed Border Spade with Steps

Our rating: 4.5/5

RRP: £42.99

Pros:

• Easy clean blade
• Light and comfortable
• Handles well
• Long strapped socket

Cons:

• Rivets snag hands

This border spade strikes a good balance, offering reliable performance and handling. Crafted with a shaft and YD handle made from FSC hardwood, it demonstrates a commitment to sustainability. However, there are occasional inconveniences reported with the strapped socket and rivets, which may catch on the handle during lifting of plants or soil. Despite this, the overall sturdiness of the spade remains intact.

The stainless steel blade and socket, resistant to rust, add to the durability of the tool, ensuring longevity and reliability. While there may be minor drawbacks, the solid construction and rust-resistant features make this border spade a dependable choice for gardeners seeking a balanced and durable tool for their tasks.

Wolf Garten Straight Spade (ASD)

Our rating: 4.5/5

RRP: £69.99

Pros:

• Balanced weight
• Robust
• Non-slip handle and tread

Cons:

• Not for short users
• Ergonomics take some getting used to

This spade earns high praise for its overall performance, comfort, and hard-working nature. The sturdy treads contribute to easing hard digging tasks, while the spacious and comfortable handle enhances the user experience. The simple non-slip sleeve on the shaft adds to the grip and control during use.

However, a potential drawback is noted for shorter gardeners who may find the length and design challenging. This highlights the importance of considering the ergonomic aspects of a tool to ensure it suits the user’s height and preferences.

In summary, this spade is lauded for its comfort and functionality, making it a great choice for those who can accommodate its length and design features.

Burgon and Ball RHS Endorsed Digging Spade

Our rating: 4.3/5

RRP: £42.99

Pros:

• Good leverage
• Comfortable to use
• Feels robust

Cons:

• Socket snags on hands
• Narrow foot tread

This well-designed spade earns praise for its balanced feel, sharp digging capability, and a comfortable handle with an appropriately sized shaft. However, there are notable considerations. The strapped socket and raised rivets on the shaft may pose a challenge, as they have the potential to snag on hands during the lifting and turning of earth, potentially causing inconvenience.

Testers also express concerns about the treads being too narrow, which could lead to slipping, particularly in wet and muddy conditions. These factors should be taken into account, as they impact the overall usability and user experience.

In summary, while this spade boasts positive attributes in terms of design and functionality, the concerns about potential snags and slipping should be considered by users, especially in specific working conditions.

Pedigree Stainless Steel Treaded Border Spade

Our rating: 4.3/5

RRP: £49.99

Pros:

• Digs well
• Comfortable and light
• Well made

Cons:

• Rivets and strap snag
• Handle rivets catch on gloves

The Pedigree border spade showcases a thoughtful design, prioritizing durability and user comfort. Its rust-proof stainless steel blade and long, strapped socket contribute to the prevention of snapping, ensuring longevity and reliability. The ash shaft and handle, crafted from a single continuous piece of wood, add to the spade’s robust construction.

A noteworthy feature is the YD handle, capped with stainless steel for added strength. Testers have positively highlighted the comfort, lightness, and suitability of this spade for those working in raised beds and confined spaces.

In summary, the Pedigree border spade impresses with its durability, comfort, and suitability for specific gardening needs, making it a reliable choice for those seeking a versatile and well-designed tool.

Bulldog Tools Premier Border Spade

Our rating: 4.3/5

RRP: £46.30

Pros:

• Substantial and strong
• Performs well
• Well made
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Heavy
• No tread
• Expensive

Crafted by an English family firm, this border spade boasts a solid-forged carbon steel blade coated with resin for additional protection. While it lacks treads, testers found it to be comfortable to use, emphasizing the ergonomic design. The smooth rivets in the socket contribute to a seamless user experience.

Specifically designed for working in small spaces, this border spade stands out for its precision and durability. Its solid construction and attention to comfort make it a reliable choice for gardeners seeking a tool tailored for detailed work in confined areas.

What’s the difference between a digging spade and a border spade

Border spades are smaller and lighter than a digging spade. The blade is the same shape on both, but a border spade’s blade is smaller and flatter to dig straight down into the soil.

A border spade is ideal for working in any small space where ease and manoeuvrability is key, such as in raised beds or among plants in borders. It can also be a good option for anyone who wants to work for longer than a heavy digging spade would allow or for those who simply
prefer to work with a shorter, lighter tool.

In comparison, a digging spade is wider than a border spade and designed to move and turn the earth and slice through soil and roots. It’s also a good tool for edging lawns and skimming off weeds.

Choosing the best garden spade

Choosing the best garden spade for you and your garden will depend on the tasks you are looking to tackle. We have put to the test four types of spades – digging, border, pointed and transplanting – and each is designed with a specific set of jobs in mind.

Other considerations will include value for money, along with the weight, length, shaft and the materials the garden spade is made from. These variants will affect the garden spades handling, strength and durability.

Choosing the right weight and length for your garden spade

Heavy digging spades are favoured by some because their weight helps the blade cut through the soil more easily. However if you have back problems or can only dig for short periods, you should consider looking for a spade made from lighter materials like aluminium or that’s more ergonomically designed.

Longer and angled shafts help you bend less and will take the strain off of your back but it can take a while to adjust to the unusual digging angle. You should also ensure that the garden spade is tall enough. Too short a shaft for your height will put extra strain on the back.

Choosing the right material for your garden spade

Made from stainless steel or carbon, the right blade depends on your soil type and the job you are undertaking.

Stainless steel blades are shiny and cut cleanly through soil, in particular clay, so these are a good option if you are digging over heavy ground. Stainless steel garden spades are also easy to clean and won’t rust.

However, they are heavy so they’re not ideal for the less-able gardener. Stainless steel blades are also always welded onto the socket, which creates a weak spot vulnerable to breaking under pressure.

Carbon steel blades are a little lighter, tougher and can be solid forged – where the blade and socket are made from one continuous piece of metal – so there is less chance of snapping. A carbon steel blade can start to rust after a while so will need maintenance, but if looked after, it should last forever.

Choosing the right garden spade shaft

Spade shafts can be wooden, plastic, metal or fibreglass. Traditional wood is strong, heavy and absorbs shock and vibrations but it does not like the wet unless weatherproofed. It can splinter but it’s usually easy to replace. Look for FSC hardwoods and as, which is stronger than oak or beech.

Metal shafts are strong but they don’t absorb shock well and can be uncomfortable in hot weather. In comparison, fibreglass and plastic are light, durable and absorb vibrations well. However, they can snap under pressure and are hard to replace.

When it comes to handles, the YD design offers good grip and versatility but can be uncomfortable for small or larger hands. The T-grip is suitable for all hand sizes and is good for applying force to the spade but if you’re not used to the shape, they can feel flimsy.

Traditional wooden handles are comfortable but plastic is also popular. If you’re interested in buying a plastic-handled spade, look for one with added grip to make them less slippery in wet weather.

The final consideration is the socket, which is where the handle attaches to the blade. Longer sockets are stronger and offer better flex than shorter ones. They are often attached to the shaft with rivets. Make sure these rivets are sunk or flush with the handle so that they don’t snag on your hands when turning the soil.

How to prevent back injuries when digging

To prevent back injury, it’s important to dig with the correct technique. The spade should be held close to your body for control and to limit the amount you have to lean towards it to dig.

One foot should be positioned on the spade before digging so that your weight levers it into the ground. To lift the soil, bend deeply with your knees, so that they take the weight rather than your back. Don’t fill the spade too heavily to ensure you always have control over the load.

Be aware of the weight you’re lifting when replanting. Plants with their root balls still intact can be heavy if the soil is wet so lift slowly and carefully, keeping the spade close to your body.

Finally, don’t twist and turn your body at the hips. Instead, use your feet and move your whole body. For a visual demonstration of this technique, watch our experts in the Digging Spades Buyer’s Guide video above.

Looking after your garden spade

If you want to look after your spade and ensure you don’t have to come back to this guide you’ll have to look after it well. By taking a few precautionary measures you can ensure your spade lasts a long time and save you money in the long run.

After each use, clean soil off the blade and handle as it can cause carbon steel to rust and wood to rot. This should be done first with a stiff brush, followed by warm, soapy water. Don’t worry if you don’t do this every time but make sure that if you’re storing the spade for a long period of time (over a week) you give it a clean.

At the end of the gardening season give the blade a sharpen with a sharpening stone. When the season is over it’s also worth checking the wooden handle and shaft for any rough patches and smoothing these down with sandpaper.

Before hanging up your spade for winter, oil the blade, along with any wooden elements, wiping off excess oil with a cloth. Finally, make sure the spade is kept away in a cool, dark place, and most importantly, make sure it stays dry,

How we tested garden spades

The BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine reviews team tested different spades across a range of garden situations – lifting plants, digging over borders and planting. The following criteria were used to calculate the scores, with equal weight given to each:

• Handling and Performance: Assessed how comfortable the spade was, its weight, shaft length and handle shape, plus how well it dug over different soil types.
• Blade and shaft: Looked at the materials these were made of and how they were put together
• Strength: Focussed on how well-built and robust the spade was, the strength of the shaft and blade, socket length and overall sturdiness.
• Value for money: Considered all of the above, plus quality and design, the RRP and the length of warranty.