We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping The 7 Best Shovels for Your Next Outdoor Project Complete any outdoor project with these functional shovels. By L. Daniela Alvarez L. Daniela Alvarez L. Daniela Alvarez is a contributing writer for Better Homes & Gardens with three years of experience specifically writing lifestyle content and product reviews for a variety of publications. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Brandi Fuller Brandi Fuller Brandi Fuller has been a shopping editor for Better Homes & Gardens since 2022. She specializes in gardening and outdoor products, pest control, linens, and small appliances. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on June 26, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews The Bottom Line What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Photo: Better Homes & Gardens / David Hattan Whether you’re gardening, farming, camping, or doing construction, a shovel is key in starting and completing any outdoor project. A high-quality shovel is not only durable but can make the job you’re working on easier, more comfortable, and more efficient. “When shopping for a shovel, it's important to take into account the different uses and types since each one is made with specific materials and lengths for optimal performance and for certain purposes,” says Lindsey Hyland, gardening expert and founder of Urban Organic Yield. What We Researched To find the best shovels, we researched top-rated products while considering a variety of factors including intended purpose and type, blade material, handle material, and length. We also consulted Hylan for expert insight on what to look for when shopping for a shovel. Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Bully Tools 82515 14-Gauge Round Point Shovel at Amazon $66 $54 Jump to Review Best Budget: Fiskars Square Garden Spade Shovel at Amazon $37 Jump to Review Best Splurge: Corona All-Steel Round Point Shovel at Amazon $169 Jump to Review Best Lightweight: Hooyman Digging Shovel at Amazon $26 Jump to Review Best Handheld: Mr. Pen Garden Trowel at Amazon $6 Jump to Review Best Foldable: Badland Foldable Utility Shovel at Harborfreight.com Jump to Review Best Ergonomic: Fiskars Ergo D-handle Steel Shovel at Amazon $57 Jump to Review Best Overall Bully Tools 82515 14-Gauge Round Point Shovel PHOTO: Amazon $66 $54 at Amazon $69 at Walmart $56 at Lowes Why You Should Get It It has a D-shaped handle that reduces fatigue, and there are two footsteps on the top of the blade. Keep in Mind The handle length is shorter than most of the shovels on our list. Our top pick for the best overall shovel is the Bully Tools 14-Gauge Steel Round Point Shovel. We appreciate its D-handle design, which offers steady control and helps reduce fatigue while you work. The handle’s fiberglass construction offers a durable design that helps prevent splintering or breakage during tough jobs. This shovel has footsteps on the left and right side to help you dig into hard ground. The handle length is 35.5 inches, and it weighs 4.65 pounds so it isn’t too heavy to use while gardening or landscaping. It’s also corrosion resistant and has a limited lifetime warranty. Product Details: Type: Round | Blade Material: Steel | Handle Material: Fiberglass | Length: 46.75 inches | Weight: 4.65 pounds Best Budget Fiskars Square Garden Spade Shovel $37 at Amazon $37 at Home Depot Why You Should Get It It has a sturdy steel construction that’ll last for years to come. Keep in Mind The square shape may not be suitable for every outdoor project. If you like our choice for the best overall shovel but would prefer something less expensive, we recommend the Fiskars Square Garden Spade Shovel. This shovel has every feature that our top choice has however, it has a more square-shaped blade which is great for lifting sod or cutting through hardened ground such as clay. The shovel is made with powder-coated steel to prevent rust so your shovel can look and function in excellent condition. While the square shape may not be suitable for every type of job, it’s still a durable and effective option at a budget-friendly price. Product Details: Type: Spade | Blade Material: Powder-coated steel | Handle Material: Steel | Length: 47 inches | Weight: 4.8 pounds Best Splurge Corona All-Steel Round Point Shovel PHOTO: Amazon $169 $150 at Amazon Why You Should Get It It’s made out of alloy steel and has an adjustable footpad. Keep In Mind It’s the heaviest shovel on our list at 7.98 pounds. If you’re willing to splurge on a high-quality shovel, the Corona AS90300 All-Steel Round Point Shovel is the best choice. The blade and handle are made out of alloy steel and are welded together, ensuring a durable design. If you have hard or compact soil, having a footpad on a shovel can help you use your body weight to push the shovel deeper into the ground. This round shovel features a footpad that can be easily moved from to the left or right side of the shovel, depending on your project or personal preference. With a handle length of 48 inches, it’s comparable in length to the Fiskars Square Garden Spade Shovel. However, because it’s made of alloy steel, this is the heaviest shovel on our list at just under 8 pounds. Product Details: Type: Round | Blade Material: Alloy steel | Handle Material: Alloy steel | Length: 48 inches | Weight: 7.98 pounds Best Lightweight Hooyman Digging Shovel PHOTO: Amazon $26 at Amazon Why You Should Get It It weighs only 2.2 pounds, and the handle turns tacky when it comes in contact with water. Keep in Mind It may not be the best shovel for heavy duty jobs. Our pick for the best lightweight shovel is the Hooyman Digging Shovel. The shovel weighs just 2.2 pounds, and it’s made of carbon steel, so you can comfortably carry it around without straining your back and arms. In addition to being ergonomic, the shovel handle turns tacky when it gets wet to help prevent slipping when you’re digging. The carbon steel blade features serrations on either side to help loosen compact soil, and there are also footsteps to help you push it down further. Since this shovel is lightweight, it may not be the best shovel for heavy duty jobs. However, it’s a great option for smaller-scale gardening projects. Product Details: Type: Round | Blade Material: Carbon steel | Handle Material: Carbon steel | Length: 60.25 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds Best Handheld Mr. Pen Garden Trowel $6 at Amazon $6 at Walmart Why You Should Get It It’s lightweight and has a large head, so you can move more soil. Keep in Mind It’s not ideal for larger outdoor projects. For smaller gardening projects, the best handheld shovel is the Mr. Pen Heavy Duty Trowel. We appreciate this pick for its non-slip handle and comfortable ergonomic grip. Plus, it has a larger head that’ll make it easy to move more soil. It’s made of stainless steel, which makes it durable and sturdy when working with clay or hard, rocky soil. The ergonomic shape of the handle helps prevent hand fatigue so you can keep shoveling without any discomfort. This handheld shovel is ideal for those who want a compact yet efficient tool for low-key gardening projects. Product Details: Type: Round | Blade Material: Stainless steel | Handle Material: Not listed | Length: 13 inches | Weight: 0.59 pounds Best Foldable Badland Foldable Utility Shovel View on Harborfreight.com Why You Should Get It It’s foldable and comes with a canvas bag for easy storage and portability. Keep in Mind It’s plastic, so it may not be as durable as some other options. We love the Badland Foldable Utility Shovel since it folds up for easy storage, but the two-position head can also convert from a shovel to a hoe and has double-serrated edges for easy digging and cutting. Whether you’re leveling out the ground for your tent, digging a fire pit, or need to free your car’s tires from some mud, this is the best foldable shovel to take on any camping trip. As a bonus, it comes with a canvas bag for the ultimate portability. Since this plastic foldable shovel is best for occasional camping, off-roading, or rare emergencies, it may not be as durable as full-length shovels. However, the price makes it worth buying again if needed since it’s so lightweight and efficient. If you’re looking for a foldable shovel to take on a couple of camping trips this year, this one is your best bet. Product Details: Type: Round | Blade Material: Steel | Handle Material: Plastic | Length: 22.8 inches | Weight: 2.7 pounds Best Ergonomic Fiskars Ergo D-handle Steel Shovel $57 at Amazon View on Fiskars.com Why You Should Get It The D-shaped handle helps keep your wrist in a comfortable position. Keep in Mind It’s longer than some other options, so it may not be comfortable to use depending on a person’s height. An ergonomic shovel gives you a better grip and helps you with a more comfortable stance, which is why we recommend Fiskars Ergo D-handle Steel Shovel as one of the best to consider. The shovel has several features that make for comfortable use, so you’ll be able to work on outdoor projects easily. It has an angled, D-shaped handle to keep your wrist in a neutral position, reduce strain, and maintain a comfortable grip. Plus, a teardrop-shaped shaft helps with control and stability and there’s a foot platform to maximize force when driving through tough soil. This is one of the longer shovels on our list, so it may not be ideal for all heights. However, we think its ergonomic design and overall functionality make it one of the best shovels on the market. Product Details: Type: Round | Blade Material: Alloy steel | Handle Material: Not listed | Length: 51.5 inches | Weight: 4.1 pounds The Bottom Line Overall, the Bully Tools 14-Gauge Steel Round Point Shovel is the best shovel for its comfortable D-shaped handle, footsteps, and fiberglass construction. What to Know About Shovels Before Shopping Intended Purpose and Type It may seem like all shovels were made for digging, but their intended purpose depends on factors such as blade material and shape, shaft length, and handle. Shovels can be used for cutting ground and lifting sod, as well as shoveling snow, sand, and gravel, so you’ll need to assess your needs. Blade Material Most shovel blades are made of aluminum, steel, hard plastic, wood, or fiberglass. If you’re digging or cutting into tough soil, gardening, or farming, Hylan recommends steel or aluminum blades. Aluminum or plastic blades are usually best for snow shoveling. Shovel blades can also come in a variety of sizes including round, square, taper, edging, and mini or handheld. Handle Material A comfortable shovel handle can make or break your shoveling experience. Hylan says that most shovels match the blade material to the material and shape of the handle depending on its intended purpose. “You'll need an aluminum blade with [a] rubber handle to prevent slipping when shoveling snow,” she says. “If you're looking for a digging shovel that will be used mainly on dirt or rocky terrain, then you should look for a model made from forged steel with a wooden handle and long enough to provide you leverage while using it.” Length According to Hylan, the length of a shovel has the most relevance to its leverage, balance, and comfort when using it. If it’s too short, you will be bending frequently, causing strain and exhaustion. If a shovel is too long, your upper body won’t have enough stability. Additionally, longer shovels are heavier, which can cause extra strain. Your Questions, Answered How long does a shovel last? Hylan says that your shovel’s lifespan mostly depends on the type, how often you use it, and what you’re using it for. “A good quality metal shovel can last for many years if cared for properly, while a cheaper plastic or wooden shovel may need to be replaced after just a few uses,” she says. “If used frequently, a metal shovel should be checked regularly for wear and tear that may occur with normal use and replaced as needed," Hylan says. "Proper storage is also important to extend the life of the tool.” How much does a shovel cost? A basic garden shovel can cost anywhere between $10 and $30, whereas higher-quality shovels may cost up to $100 or more. Most, however, have an average cost between $40 and $60. Hylan says that special features, designs, or types (like an ergonomic handle or snow shovel) can also increase your overall cost. Are round or square shovels better? The most popular shovel blade shape is round, but square and taper shovels have their benefits. Hylan says that neither is necessarily better, rather it depends on the job or project you’re working on. “Round shovels are good for scooping and moving loose materials such as soil, mulch, gravel, or sand. They're also great for digging post holes,” she says. “Square shovels have a larger blade and work well when moving heavier items like clay or sod. They're also better suited for leveling out areas that need grading or trenching because of their flat edges.” Who We Are This article was written by L. Daniela Alvarez, a contributing writer for Better Homes & Gardens with three years of experience specifically writing lifestyle content and product reviews for a variety of publications. For this article, Daniela spent several hours researching the best shovels and reading customer reviews. She also consulted Lindsey Hylan, a gardening expert and founder of Urban Organic Yield. This article was updated by Brandi Fuller, who has been an editor for Better Homes & Gardens since 2022. 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