Best Gardening Spades of 2025

Toby Butcher Avatar
Toby Butcher
Last Updated: 9 Feb 2025

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Gardening spades are essential tools for any gardening enthusiast. These hand-held tools are designed to assist in digging, lifting and moving soil, plants, and other materials around the garden. They come in various sizes and shapes, each suited for specific gardening tasks. Gardening spades are made of durable materials such as stainless steel or carbon steel, ensuring they can withstand the rigours of heavy use while maintaining their sharp edges. Investing in a high-quality gardening spade can make a significant difference in the ease and efficiency of your gardening work.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Roughneck ROU68224 42" Digging Spade Cover #TOP 1
Roughneck ROU68224 42" Digging Spade
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Garden Border Digging Spade - Strong Carbon Steel Cover #TOP 2
Garden Border Digging Spade - Strong Carbon Steel
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Spear & Jackson 4450DS Traditional Digging Spade Cover #TOP 3
Spear & Jackson 4450DS Traditional Digging Spade
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Gardening Spades

Roughneck ROU68224 42" Digging Spade

ROU68224
Yellow & Black
Roughneck ROU68224 42" Digging Spade Cover
Roughneck ROU68224 Digging Spade 1070mm/42"

The Roughneck 42" Digging Spade is perfect for a range of gardening, landscaping, and building tasks. Its heat-treated, heavy-duty carbon steel construction ensures durability and resistance to corrosion, making it a reliable tool for outdoor projects. The foot treads enhance safety by reducing the risk of slippage, allowing you to work confidently. Additionally, the power ring socket with a steel-reinforced plug provides a strong connection between the blade and handle, ensuring efficient digging and cutting through tough soil.

What We Like
Durable carbon steel construction
Safety foot treads
Strong blade connection
Comfortable soft grip handle
#TOP 2

Garden Border Digging Spade - Strong Carbon Steel

Multicolor
Garden Border Digging Spade - Strong Carbon Steel Cover
Garden Border Digging Spade - Made From Strong Carbon Steel | Ideal Hand Tool For Weeding, Snow Cleaning & Gardening | Long Life - Strong, Durable, Long Lasting & Rust Resistant

The BARGAINS-GALORE Digging Spade is an essential tool for gardening enthusiasts. Its steel handle and solid design ensure strength and durability, making it ideal for various gardening tasks. The lightweight construction features a flat rectangular blade, allowing you to dig and weed without straining your back. With its comfortable D-shaped grip, you can enjoy exceptional comfort during use, helping to prevent muscle strains. This spade is versatile enough to assist with mixing, planting, and even snow cleaning, providing great convenience for all your outdoor needs.

What We Like
Durable carbon steel construction
Lightweight for easy handling
Comfortable D-shaped grip
Versatile for multiple uses
Supports back-friendly posture
#TOP 3

Spear & Jackson 4450DS Traditional Digging Spade

4450DS
Multicolor
1 - Pack
Spear & Jackson 4450DS Traditional Digging Spade Cover
Spear & Jackson 4450DS Traditional Stainless Digging Spade

The Spear & Jackson Digging Spade is a traditional English style tool, perfect for general digging and soil cultivation. Its mirror polished stainless steel head ensures rust resistance and minimal soil adhesion, making your gardening tasks easier. The weatherproofed hardwood shaft adds durability, allowing you to rely on this spade for various digging jobs. With its one-piece design and wishbone handle, you will enjoy a comfortable grip, enhancing your gardening experience.

What We Like
Rust resistant stainless steel head
Durable hardwood shaft
Comfortable wishbone handle
Ideal for digging and cultivation
#TOP 4

Unibos Carbon Steel Garden Border Spade

AL-Border Spade
Green and Black
Unibos Carbon Steel Garden Border Spade Cover
Unibos Garden Border Digging Spade - Made From Strong Carbon Steel Ideal Hand Tool For Weeding Snow Cleaning & Gardening Long Life Strong Durable Long Lasting & Rust Resistant

The Unibos Border Spade is an essential gardening tool designed for digging and breaking up compacted soil. Its carbon steel construction ensures durability, making it perfect for preparing flower beds and cultivating various soil types. The ergonomic PVC grip allows for a comfortable hold, preventing slips while you work. Additionally, its lightweight design with a flat rectangular blade helps reduce strain on your back, enabling you to complete gardening tasks effortlessly, whether planting or clearing away snow.

What We Like
Durable carbon steel construction
Ergonomic and comfortable grip
Lightweight and easy to use
Versatile for various gardening tasks
Ideal for snow cleaning
#TOP 5

Maxland Carbon Steel Garden Border Spade

Maxland
MaxlandBS
Green
Maxland Carbon Steel Garden Border Spade Cover
Garden Border Digging Spade - Made From Strong Carbon Steel Strong, Durable, Long Lasting & Rust Resistant Ideal Hand Tool For Allotment Weeding, Snow Cleaning & Gardening Long Life

The Maxland Digging Spade is a versatile garden tool designed for various tasks such as mixing, planting, and shifting soil, sand, or cement. When winter arrives, you can also use it to clear snow, making it an all-season essential. Its lightweight design features a flat rectangular blade, ensuring a comfortable posture while you work. This spade is equipped with a sturdy steel handle that provides solid support, allowing you to tackle your gardening demands with ease and efficiency.

What We Like
Durable carbon steel construction
Lightweight for easy handling
Versatile for multiple uses
Comfortable posture design
Sturdy steel handle
#TOP 6

Spear & Jackson 4650PS Traditional Stainless Steel Spade

4650PS
Brown
Spear & Jackson 4650PS Traditional Stainless Steel Spade Cover
Spear & Jackson 4650PS Traditional Stainless Planting Spade, Brown

The Spear & Jackson Spade features a mirror-polished stainless steel blade, which resists rust and reduces soil adhesion, making it easier for you to clean after use. Its weather-proofed hardwood handle ensures durability, allowing you to tackle various gardening tasks with confidence. The double riveted socket provides extra strength, so you can rely on it for heavy-duty work. Additionally, the pointed blade design facilitates easier penetration into the ground, helping you dig deeper with less effort.

What We Like
Rust-resistant stainless steel blade
Durable hardwood handle
Extra strength socket
Pointed blade for easy digging
#TOP 7

Draper Carbon Steel Y-Dee Handle Spade

88792
Green and Black
1 - Pack
Draper Carbon Steel Y-Dee Handle Spade Cover
Draper Carbon Steel Border Spade | Plastic Coated Steel Cored Shaft | Epoxy Coated Gardening Hand Tool | Y-Dee Handle | 88792

The Draper Border Spade is designed for durability and comfort. Made from epoxy coated carbon steel, it resists the elements, ensuring longevity. The Y-Dee handle provides enhanced grip, making it easier for you to work efficiently without straining your hands. Additionally, the fully hardened and tempered blade maximises your work efficiency, allowing you to tackle gardening tasks with ease. Whether you're digging or edging, this spade is a reliable companion in your gardening endeavours.

What We Like
Durable epoxy coated steel
Comfortable Y-Dee handle
Efficient blade design
Weather resistant
#TOP 8

Spear & Jackson Stainless Steel Border Spade

4454BS
1 - Pack
Spear & Jackson Stainless Steel Border Spade Cover
Spear & Jackson Traditional Stainless Steel Border Spade with 712mm Wooden Handle

The Spear & Jackson Border Spade is designed for traditional gardening tasks. Its mirror polished stainless steel head not only looks great but also resists rust, ensuring long-lasting use. You will appreciate the minimal soil adhesion, making it easier to work without clumps sticking to the spade. The weatherproofed hardwood shaft adds durability, allowing you to tackle various gardening projects with confidence. Additionally, the one-piece design with a wishbone handle provides excellent grip and comfort while digging or edging in your garden.

What We Like
Rust resistant stainless steel head
Durable hardwood shaft
Minimal soil adhesion
Comfortable wishbone handle
#TOP 9

Spear & Jackson Carbon Treaded Digging Spade

4190NB
Brown
Spear & Jackson Carbon Treaded Digging Spade Cover
Spear & Jackson 4190NB Elements Carbon Treaded Digging Spade

The Spear & Jackson Digging Spade features a heat-treated carbon steel head, ensuring strength and durability for all your gardening needs. The hammer finish epoxy coating protects against rust, scratches, and moisture, making it perfect for use in various soil conditions. Its weatherproofed ashwood shaft enhances durability, allowing you to dig confidently. With an integral ergonomic forward tilted handle, you can enjoy comfortable use at the ideal digging angle, reducing strain during your gardening tasks.

What We Like
Durable carbon steel head
Rust and scratch resistant
Weatherproofed ashwood shaft
Ergonomic handle design
#TOP 10

Roughneck ROU68046 Serrated Edge Shovel 42"

ROU68046
Black - Yellow
Roughneck ROU68046 Serrated Edge Shovel 42" Cover
Roughneck ROU68046 Serrated Edge Shovel 1070mm/42"

The Roughneck Serrated Edge Shovel is designed for efficiency in tough gardening tasks. Its sharp serrated edge allows you to dig effortlessly in compacted soil, slice through stubborn roots, and easily open bulk bags, making it a versatile tool for any gardener. Constructed from heat-treated carbon steel, the shovel offers durability and a corrosion-resistant finish, ensuring it stands the test of time. The fibreglass handle is lightweight and resistant to corrosion, enhancing your comfort while working in the garden.

What We Like
Sharp serrated edge
Durable carbon steel construction
Lightweight fibreglass handle
Comfortable soft grip
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our gardening spade research, we found 224 gardening spade products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 25,880 customer reviews through our big data system to write the gardening spades list. We found that most customers choose gardening spades with an average price of £18.54.

The gardening spades are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of gardening spades, including Roughneck, BARGAINS-GALORE, Spear & Jackson, Unibos, Maxland.

Written by
Toby Butcher Avatar

Toby Butcher is a Horticulturist, and he earned his title as a Master Gardener in 2016. Toby has acquired a 25-year experience as a home gardener planting, designing, grooming vegetables and flowers. He is the leader of a plant group in Durham. Toby owns a blog where he publishes articles on growing and growing your flowers at home, in a vase, or in a garden.