Look for tools with padded handles, ergonomic grips, shock absorption technology, or other features that make them comfortable in your hands for long periods. We love the options on this list, not only for their performance but also because they feel comfortable and fatigue-free while gardening. It's important to find tools that combine effective performance, high-quality materials, and comfortability.
Everything on this list, from trowels to weeding tools , is made from aluminum, steel, or high-quality plastic to withstand direct sunlight and other weather conditions. They should also be able to withstand drops and impact. Aluminum and steel will resist rust over time and feel heavier and higher quality in your hands, while plastic is more lightweight and easy to maneuver, but may be less weather-resistant.
We've researched and tested dozens of gardening tools in our lab and our own backyard gardens , evaluating effectiveness, ease of use, and overall value . While all gardening tools serve a different purpose, we found that the material and comfort of the tool were most important in our purchasing decision.
Whether you're an experienced horticulturist or a beginner gardener, the right gardening tools make tending to your garden more enjoyable.
Best Pruners
Felco F-2 One-Hand Pruning Shear
PHOTO:
Amazon
$59 At Amazon
$70 At Home Depot
$59 At Walmart
What We Like
Replaceable blades
Sap groove
Lifetime warranty
What We Don't Like
Don't let the price tag on the Felco F-2 Classic Manual Hand Pruners scare you away. While they were certainly a large upfront investment, these hand pruners are backed by a lifetime warranty and last just about as long. During testing, we found these pruners ideal for cutting through branches and shrubbery up to an inch thick in diameter in a backyard garden. We also found the sap groove an amazing feature to prevent the blades from sticking.
The Felco F-2 has hardened steel blades, a forged aluminum handle, and an adjustable alignment. The rubberized handle has shock-absorbing pads to keep gardeners comfortable. We did find that the F-2 pruners are designed for larger hands, but other Felco models are available for smaller hands, like the F-6. Users with joint problems may appreciate the rotating and ergonomic handles of the F-7 and F-8 pruners. They also sell a left-handed version for leftie gardeners, so there's a pruner option that's comfortable and effective for everyone.
Dimensions: 9.25 x 4 x 1 inches | Primary Use: Trimming branches | Material: Aluminum
The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
Best Garden Knife
Nisaku Hori-Hori Tomita Weeding Knife
PHOTO:
Amazon
$20 At Amazon
$26 At Home Depot
View On Kmart.com
What We Like
Two edge styles
Depth markers
Leather sheath
What We Don't Like
Though there are cheaper garden knives on the market, the Nisaku Japanese Hori Hori Digging Tool is worth the slight splurge because of its durable, 7 1/4-inch stainless steel blade that slices through the soil with ease. We found the Hori Hori extraordinarily effective at uprooting even the toughest weeds, thanks to its sharp edge that easily cuts through roots.
The blade's straight and serrated edge makes it useful for light planting, dividing flowers, and transferring small plants. The depth markings on the blade also make it an effective planting tool when it's time to plant spring and summer bulbs.
While overall we were impressed with this knife and understand why it's priced higher than other options on the market, we were disappointed by its handle. It's essentially square, making gripping it uncomfortable for long periods and precarious if you're working in especially stubborn or rocky soil. However, this tool is a worthy investment if you prefer to use a tool for weeding rather than pulling them up with your hands.
Dimensions: 13 x 2.8 x 1.5 inches | Primary Use: Removing weeds | Material: Stainless steel and wood
The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
Best Trowel
Wilcox 14-Inch Digging Trowel
PHOTO:
Amazon
$27 At Amazon
$40 At Walmart
View On Lehmans.com
What We Like
Pointed edge
Depth markings
Lifetime warranty
What We Don't Like
The Wilcox All-Pro Heavy-Duty Digging Trowel impressed us with its soil-slicing ability and long blade. While its design could be less than exciting to some, we think the lack of metal seams or brackets makes it less likely to rust or wear in the long run. Although we tested the 14-inch version, the manufacturer also offers trowels ranging in size from 9 up to 18 inches long. The design is backed by a lifetime warranty, which helps justify the surprising initial cost.
Beyond being durable, this trowel is very effective and can even be used in place of a soil knife while retaining its skill at more digging-intensive jobs. We also really enjoyed the depth markings located on the edge of the blade, which can be a useful feature for planting bulbs and seedlings.
We noticed that dirt can become lodged in the handle of this trowel since the blade does not fill the entire circumference of the handle. While not a total hindrance to its performance, we recommend clearing out this nook with a dry cloth or paper towel rather than rinsing the blade to prevent extensive exposure to water. All in all, we found this trowel comfortable to grip and appreciated its length, which enhances its overall digging capability compared to shorter trowels.
Dimensions: 14 x 3 x 0.2 inches | Primary Use: Planting | Material: Stainless steel
The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
Best Shovel
Bully Tools 82515 14-Gauge Round Point Shovel
PHOTO:
Amazon
$54 At Amazon
$54 At Home Depot
$54 At Walmart
What We Like
Extended handle
Reinforced handle
Lifetime warranty
What We Don't Like
On top of being a durable and long-handled shovel, the Bully Tools 82515 14-Gauge Round Point Shovel is great for various gardening and lawn-care needs. We have not had the opportunity to test this shovel, but we appreciate that the handle is reinforced with fiberglass, making it stronger than wooden and plastic options.
The steel blade is more rounded than other options, which might not make it best for piercing through incredibly rocky soil, but its extended ferrule (the shaft that connects the handle and the blade) offers additional durability for especially difficult tasks.
Dimensions: 60 x 9.5 x 1.5 inches | Primary Use: Digging | Material: Steel and fiberglass
Best Rain Gauge
Stratus Precision Rain Gauge
PHOTO:
Amazon
$38 At Amazon
$73 At Walmart
What We Like
Detachable funnel
Easy to read
Easy to install
What We Don't Like
The Stratus RG202 Long-Term Professional Rain Gauge is built to standards specified by the US Weather Bureau and is a reliable instrument for both home and professional use. Made from weather-resistant polycarbonate (plastic), it can withstand cold and heat and won't rust like other metal models.
This gauge has a 1-inch inner measuring tube and an overflow cylinder that allows the collection of up to 11 inches of rain. You can also remove the collection funnel and tube to measure snow, hail, or sleet. It comes with a bracket that allows easy attachment and removal on a post, but we wish there were an alternative in-ground installation option.
We also wonder whether the plastic would crack if dropped on pavement or hit with a hard object, but this is just speculation as we have not had the opportunity to test it. Despite a few hesitancies, we think this rain gauge is a great, easy-to-read option for avid gardeners who want to monitor their plants' needs closely.
Dimensions: 14.6 x 5 x 4.9 inches | Primary Use: Measuring rain | Material: UV-resistant plastic
Best Gardening Gloves
Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves
PHOTO:
The Home Depot
$20 At Amazon
$13 At Home Depot
Our Ratings
-
Quality
5
/5
-
Comfort
4.5
/5
-
Design
5
/5
-
Durability
5
/5
-
Value
5
/5
What We Like
Comfortable fabric
Padded palm grips
Adjustable wrist strap
What We Don't Like
We found the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves surprisingly comfortable while tending to a garden during our half-hour testing period. These gloves are not only durable but also thoughtfully designed with terry cloth thumbs to easily wipe a damp forehead. Plus, the fingertips are touchscreen-compatible, so you can easily answer your phone without pulling off your glove. The synthetic leather, which is more stretchy compared to traditional leather, makes these gardening gloves great for holding shovels or trowels for longer periods without developing blisters.
The thumbs, pointer fingers, and palms also have extra padding to make gripping garden tools even more comfortable. An adjustable wrist strap also ensures these gloves stay snug on your hands. The thumb on this pair of gloves was about an inch too long when we were testing them, but this awkward sizing didn't impact our mobility too much. These gloves are available in larger sizes, but all of the sizes are listed separately on some retailers' websites.
If you're looking for men's-sized gloves, we recommend checking out the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves in Large. Overall, we think these gloves are a great option for gardening enthusiasts who are looking for maximum dexterity and appropriate protection.
Dimensions: Not listed | Primary Use: Protecting hands | Material: Synthetic leather and mesh
The Spruce / Eric Brockob
Best Garden Hose
Zero-G Ultra Flexible Durable Garden Hose
PHOTO:
Amazon
$65 At Amazon
$68 At Wayfair
$68 At Wayfair
Our Ratings
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Although not initially a front-runner, the Zero-G Lightweight Ultra Flexible Garden Hose won us over with its easy-to-maneuver design and crush-proof couplings. No need to worry about accidentally rolling over this garden hose with a car since the couplings are crush-proof up to 900 pounds. This hose connected very easily to a spigot, and we found it easy to maneuver both when empty and full of water.
We were really impressed by the actual hose design, which includes an inner tube and a durable outer jacket that resists snags from thorny bushes and rocky terrain. While this hose is only rated for use above 35 degrees, we still think it's a great option to leave out year-round in milder climates, or you could pack it away if you experience colder temps during the winter. Plus, with extended long-term use, we've found that this watering tool still lives up to its initial lightweight and durable ratings.
Dimensions: 100 feet in length, 5/8-inch diameter | Primary Use: Watering | Material: Not listed
-
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Hose Nozzle
Dramm Revolution Spray Gun
PHOTO:
Amazon
$19 At Amazon
$35 At Walmart
$19 At Ace Hardware
Our Ratings
-
Ease of Use
4.5
/5
-
Features
5
/5
-
Effectiveness
5
/5
-
Durability
5
/5
-
Value
5
/5
What We Like
What We Don't Like
The Dramm 14506 Revolution 9-Pattern Spray Gun is a powerful nozzle that easily rinsed mud off our target Adirondack chair during lab testing. Unlike other nozzles with a squeeze throttle that must be continuously depressed, this nozzle has a one-touch thumb throttle. We found this not only much more comfortable to use, compared to other designs but it was also easy to operate and adjust the water pressure to what we needed. It's also available in six colorful options that make it easy to identify among flowering garden beds.
The nine different spray settings were also easy to switch among, and they were all well-labeled. Despite being thrown down a flight of stairs during our durability test, this nozzle showed no scratches and was still in perfect working condition. Overall, with a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong considering this nozzle for your garden needs.
Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 2.25 inches | Primary Use: Watering plants | Material: Metal
-
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Watering Wand
The Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand
PHOTO:
Amazon
$25 At Amazon
Our Ratings
-
Ease of Use
4.5
/5
-
Features
4
/5
-
Effectiveness
5
/5
-
Durability
4
/5
-
Value
5
/5
What We Like
Thumb throttle
Padded handle
Eight spray patterns
What We Don't Like
Scuffs when dropped
No free-rotation adapter
The Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand stood out to us during testing, thanks to its eight-pattern spray and comfortable thumb throttle, which make watering high-hanging baskets less of a hassle. We were surprised by the impressive distance this wand had on its high setting, with a spray out to 27 feet. While maneuvering with this wand wasn't particularly challenging, we think the addition of a free-rotation adapter would make weaving between flower beds and around furniture even easier.
The padded handle also felt comfortable to grip during our testing period. This wand scratched when dropped on the pavement, but that is a common failure of plastic watering wands and nozzles. Overall, the drop did not impact the wand's functions. While this may not be the longest watering wand at just under 16 inches long, we think it is still ideal for urban gardens and smaller backyard gardens with hanging planters.
Dimensions: Not listed | Primary Use: Watering plants | Material: Aluminum and plastic
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Hose Reel
Gorilla Mobile Hose Reel
PHOTO:
Amazon
$114 At Amazon
$149 At Home Depot
$139 At Walmart
Our Ratings
-
Setup
3.5
/5
-
Design
5
/5
-
Ease of Use
4.5
/5
-
Portability
5
/5
-
Durability
5
/5
What We Like
What We Don't Like
If you're looking for a hose reel that can not only store your hose but also transport it around your yard and garden, we recommend Gorilla Aluminum Zero Rust Premium Mobile Hose Reel. We tested the 200-foot capacity reel and found it to be one of the most stable options of the 26 models tested. The shorter legs with wide padded grips make it easy to kick up and roll to a new location, and the molded wheels easily roll over any terrain.
While we had to put in some extra effort while adding the screws during assembly, we didn't find the process overly difficult. We will note that while using this hose reel, we found the handle height quite comfortable, but a taller user may have to stoop down to pull this reel behind them, which may be a drawback for some.
However, winding the hose around this reel was a breeze, thanks to the attached spigot and a loop on the side that guided the hose. With a rust-resistant frame and overall impressively durable materials, we think this reel is a great option for any size garden.
Dimensions: 18.9 x 23.8 x 16.7 inches | Primary Use: Storing hose | Material: Aluminum and rubber
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The Spruce / Rachel Marek
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Kneeling Pad
Red Home Club Thick Kneeling Pad
PHOTO:
Amazon
$15 At Amazon
What We Like
What We Don't Like
A kneeling pad is an affordable tool to make long days in the garden more comfortable. During testing, we loved that you couldn't feel the ground when using this pad, thanks to the thick foam. It's thick and large, so there's plenty of room for one or both knees. It's available in two sizes to accommodate any garden and body.
There's also an ergonomic handle that molds to your hand for easy transporting to and from your backyard. Plus, it weighs less than a pound. This kneeling pad has a textured side so you don't slide around your garden. But we're a bit worried about the thin sides becoming damaged over time. Still, for $25, this kneeling pad is essential for feeling comfortable after hours in the garden.
Dimensions: 18 x 11 x 1.5, 24 x 14 x1.5 inches | Primary Use: Gardening | Material: Foam
The Spruce / Eric Brockob
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