Top-tier garden digging tools of 2025 unveiled
The unparalleled trowel, a gardener's faithful companion, excels in various tasks like planting, weeding, and gardening chores in tight spaces. Our gurus meticulously test countless tools, evaluating their performance, comfort, and quality to help you find the best. Here, we've rounded up the cream of the crop including top picks like garden spades, hoes, spray guns, well-loved secateurs, and versatile garden kneelers.
Witness our comprehensive reviews of the best gardening shoes and wellies to cushion your stride while making your gardening escapades more pleasant.
Trowel Components
The blade, or the head, is the trowel's most crucial part, available in carbon, stainless steel, or plastic. Sharp and sturdy, it's the area used for cutting through soil, roots, and compost. Geometric shapes vary, ranging from serrated edges to depth gauges – think about your intended use while making the purchase.
Handles differ in construction, mostly wood, metal, or plastic, with varying comfort levels. We suggest visiting a garden center to check out a few models before buying.
The tang, a rounded bar linking the blade to the handle, is essential for avoiding hand scrapes while working on the ground.
The Finest Trowels
- Versatility Champion: Kent and Stowe Capability Trowel
- Quality & Value Leader: DeWit Planting Trowel
- Premium Performance: Niwaki Moku Trowel
- All-Rounder: Wilkinson Sword Stainless Steel Hand Trowel
Insight: Our Expertise
We put different trowel models to the test, assessing them in real-life garden situations: planting, weeding, and transporting seedlings. We worked in diverse spots, including under trees, raised beds, and vegetable patches. Each trowel features a detailed pro-con list and has been rated based on comfort, performance, materials, and cost-effectiveness. Every reviewed trowel scored a minimum of 4 out of 5 stars, so rest assured – your purchase will be a wise choice.
In-depth Reviews
Kent and Stowe Capability Trowel
Priced at £14.99, boasting 4.8 out of 5 stars and available from Marshalls Garden, this exceptional instrument offers top-notch versatility and luminary performance. It boasts two sharpened and serrated edges to swiftly slice through roots, soil, and compost bags, a depth gauge for accurate planting, and even a "hammer" for stakes and small posts. Constructed from breathable ash, it's ergonomic in design and effortlessly handles compacted, dry soil. This model excels in maintaining minimal residual soil on the blade, proving its mettle.
(YouTube Review Video Link)
DeWit Professional Planting Trowel
Priced at £20.99 and earning 4.5 out of 5 stars, the DeWit Professional Planting Trowel can be purchased from Waitrose. Known for excellence in craftsmanship, it features a tempered carbon-steel head, bevelled edges, a sharp, pointed tip, and offers impressive durability. Our testers heaped praise on this model, awarding it Best Buy status for quality and value.
Niwaki Moku Trowel
Prices at £59.00, available from Niwaki, and acclaimed as the best premium performing trowel, the Niwaki Moku Trowel showcases stunning craftsmanship and carbon-steel construction. Boasting a beech handle for added comfort, this model demonstrates exceptional quality, earning BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy recognition.
Wilkinson Sword Stainless Steel Hand Trowel
Priced at £12.99 and available from Wilkinson Sword and amazon, the Wilkinson Sword Stainless Steel Hand Trowel has been selected as the best all-round-use trowel, earning BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy status. Featuring an ash handle for optimum comfort and a weather-resistant design for longevity, this tool is suitable for a range of gardening tasks, including potting and planting. It boasts a 10-year warranty.
Further Recommendations
While some trowels missed the mark for a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy award, they're still worth considering for their distinguishing features:
Gardena Ecoline Trowel
Prices at £13.99 and available on Amazon, this eco-friendly trowel prides itself on its 25% recycled coated steel blade, 85% recycled plastic handle, and FSC wood handle tip. Additionally, it comes with a remarkable 25-year warranty. Although it feels somewhat sturdy, there's a little ridge on the back of the handle that's uncomfortable during use. It's been rated at 4.25 out of 5 stars.
Gardena Comfort Hand Trowel
Priced at £9.99 and available at B&Q, this light and comfortable trowel excels in planting tasks. Its corrosion-resistant steel head is long and wide, ideal for planting, but it may prove awkward for tasks like weeding, particularly for smaller hands. It boasts a 25-year guarantee.
Spear and Jackson Kew Gardens Collection Never Bend Carbon Hand Trowel
Priced at £14.99 and available on Amazon and Screwfix, this gardening trowel features good leverage and performs well for both digging and planting tasks. Although it's somewhat heavy, its carbon-steel head feels sturdy, and the FSC-certified ash handle is weatherproofed for increased durability and a 15-year guarantee.
Choosing the Right Hand Trowel
With a myriad of trowel options on the market, selecting the perfect one can be overwhelming. Here are some factors to consider:
- Task Focus: The shape and size of a trowel's head determine its ideal application, so consider the tasks you'll perform most often: weeding, planting, or transplantation. Long, narrow heads are designed for working among plants, ideal for congested spaces or deep-rooted plants such as sweet peas. Wider heads are better for digging or planting, while deep heads are optimal for scooping large quantities of compost or soil.
- Comfort: Hold the trowel to gauge its size and weight, as the handle length might affect comfort. Wooden handles often provide a better fit than plastic ones, while non-slip features ensure a firmer grip.
- Material Preference: Trowels come with handles made from various materials, each offering different advantages: wood for shock resistance, plastic for comfort, and stainless steel for its weight and ease of cleaning.
- Cost: Hand trowels range greatly in price, from a few pounds to significant investments. While it's tempting to opt for the most affordable options, investing in a durable model can lead to substantial long-term savings.
Our Testing Methodology
We conducted an array of tests evaluating each trowel based on its handle and blade, comfort, performance, and value for money. For more information about our testing methodology, see How We Review.
This review was last updated in March 2025. We apologize if any changes may have occurred in terms of pricing or availability.
In the realm of home-and-garden upgrades tailored to your lifestyle, raised beds are an excellent addition for successful gardening endeavors. The best trowels, such as the Versatility Champion Kent and Stowe Capability Trowel and the Quality & Value Leader DeWit Planting Trowel, prove indispensable tools when cultivating your raised beds with ease and precision. Explore our comprehensive reviews to find the perfect trowel that suits your gardening needs and enhances your home-and-garden setup.
