The Best Cheap Shovels for Every Budget
Many gardeners find joy in the smell of fresh soil, the weight of a shovel, and the sight of healthy plants waiting to be planted.
A garden shovel is an excellent tool for many outdoor digging tasks. You can use it to dig holes for fencing, shovel down to mend a broken pipe, or trench a new irrigation system. Find out what some of the best garden shovels are by reading on.
What to Think About When Picking the Best Shovel
When looking for a shovel to help you care for your yard and garden, you should consider the shovel’s type, construction, material, length, weight, and grip. Understanding these product factors will make it much easier to determine which shovel is best for planting gardens, trees, or shrubs.
Type
There are many types of shovels. They have different shapes for blades, handles, and purposes. Some examples of shovels are digging shovels, trenching shovels, tree-planting shovels, edging shovels, mini shovels, trowels, spades, scoops, and posthole diggers.
- Digging shovels have a concave blade, which usually has a small flattened platform (collar), allowing the user to rest a foot for extra power when pushing the tool into the ground. Edging, transplanting bushes and perennials, and trenching are tasks you have done with square digging shovels. Breaking up hard-packed soil is more manageable with tools with a pointed tip, while round tips are better for softer soil and transplanting.
- Trenching shovels have long and thin blades with a point at the end. They are designed for digging trenches to install or repair irrigation systems or drains.
- Tree planting shovels have a curved blade and a pointed tip to quickly and easily dig holes to plant trees. They are similar to trenching shovels but have narrower blades so they can dig out circular holes for transplanting trees.
- Edging shovels are not for digging. They have a wide blade in the shape of a half-circle and a straight footplate that you can use to trim the edges of your lawn or garden. The blade cuts the grass or soil away, making a clean border that stops the grass from growing into the garden or onto the path and prevents weeds from sprouting from the garden into the lawn.
- Mini shovels are similar to regular shovels but have shorter shafts and smaller blades. It makes them easier to use in tight spaces. Some mini shovels also fold in half, making them more portable.
- A trowel is a small garden shovel with a narrow, rounded, or pointed blade. It is ideal for digging weeds in the garden without harming the surrounding plants. You can also use it to dig small holes for new plants.
- Spades have a flat-edged blade perfect for cutting through roots or tough soil. The Spades can move small amounts of dirt, garden debris, or soil amendments. The blade usually is somewhat concave, making it easier to move these items. Most spades have a collar that you can use to add more foot power when needed.
- Scoops have large, flat blades that help keep the contents in place. Garden scoops aren’t for digging but perfect for moving large piles of dirt, soil amendments, leaves, and other debris. You can also use them to move gravel and mulch.
- Posthole diggers have a unique appearance that is like two shovels connected. The shovels have long, thin blades that face each other. And lets the posthole digger scoop dirt straight up and out of a narrow hole.
Blade Material and Construction
Almost every blade on a shovel or spade is made of steel. Aluminum is lighter and not as strong as steel. But aluminum is more likely to get dents and bends. It is cheaper and less likely to rust, though. If you want a shovel with steel blades, look for one with a coating that keeps it from rusting.
Low-end shovels have stamped steel blades. It means that the blade and the attachment to the shaft were made with a machine. High-quality shovels have forged blades. The blade started as one piece of heated steel and then was hammered into shape. Developed blade tools are more expensive, but they also last longer.
Shaft Length and Material
The average garden shovel, spade, or scoop has a shaft between 44 and 48 inches long. Most people feel good at this length. There are also shovels and spades with 18 to 24 inches long shafts. Longer shafts provide better leverage and are easier on the user’s back. The short shovel is usually the better choice. when working in a confined area
The most popular shaft materials for shovels are wood, fiberglass, and steel.
- Wood is usually more affordable than metal shovels, but it may not be as tough. Wood can splinter and snap from heavy use or age, and wood is not as weatherproof.
- Steel is the most serious type of shaft and is usually chosen for applications that require a lot of strength.
- Fiberglass is more flexible and lighter than steel or wood. It is also durable and better at resisting rust and extreme temperatures.
Handle and Grip
A shovel’s handle and grip should help you stay safe and keep your hands from getting blisters. The grip is also easy to save for a long time. It is especially important on more extended tools. The grip is made of heavy plastic or rubber and is textured so you can hold it tightly.
There are different types of shovels with varying types of handles. Some shovels grip the shaft, while others have a D-shaped or round handle. Because the handle is shaped, you can use more force to push down on the shovel.
Weight
There are shovels of different sizes. Shovels made of wood or steel weigh the most. The lightest shovels are made of fiberglass or metal.
Think about the weight of a shovel before you buy it. A heavier shovel may be more durable, but it will be harder to use for a long time. The ideal weight for a shovel depends on how strong and long you can work with it.
Our Top Picks
When selecting the best shovels, it is essential to consider the following criteria: material, blade, shaft, handle, grip, weight, kind, and overall quality. Take a look at the following list to see which shovels are suitable for planting a garden in your backyard:
BULLY TOOLS Round Point Shovel
When it is time to dig, use the BULLY TOOLS Round Point Shovel. It has a steel blade and a fiberglass shaft. The shovel is strong and can break through tough soil.
The length of the shovel offered by BULLY TOOLS is 44 inches. It has a polypropylene grip that is fashioned like a D and is located on the handle. This gardening equipment can be used for an extensive range of different uses. Because of its low weight, it is comfortable to use even for extended periods when working in the garden or yard.
Pros
Cons
Nupla Round Point Shovel
This Nupla round-point shovel is a versatile tool that can be used for many purposes in the yard, such as moving dirt. It has a fiberglass shaft that is strong and flexible, making heavy lifting piles of dirt easier.
The shaft and handle have a layer of polypropylene that makes them easy to grip and control. This shovel is suitable for tasks like digging, scooping, and cutting through sod and roots. It has a strong blade made of stainless steel that can do most jobs.
Pros
Cons
Radius Garden Root Slayer Drain Spade
The Radius Garden trenching shovel is perfect for cutting through compacted dirt, clay, and roots. This shovel has a V-shaped blade with serrated edges to help it cut through tough roots and penetrate deep into the soil.
This shovel has a powder-coated carbon steel blade and a durable, resin-encased fiberglass shovel shaft. The shovel is just over 8 pounds and extends to just under 4 feet in length. The top of the shovel has a comfortable nonslip handle that helps users better grip and controls the shovel.
Pros
Cons
Roam wild Multi-Digger Garden Spade
The Roamwild tree-planting shovel is a high-quality product with features that other basic shovels don’t. This shovel is about 5 pounds and has a padded handle with two grips, making it easy to hold and control. The design is meant to drive the user’s power into the ground so that the steel blade can quickly and effectively dig holes perfect for replanting trees.
A set of serrations on one side of the blade facilitate tough cutting roots. The fiberglass shaft is reinforced, and it has two padded grips and simple air holes cut into the handle to make the shovel lighter and easier to use.
Pros
Cons
Z & G D Handle Shovels for Digging
Short-handled shovels help work in tight spots. They are easier to use when it is difficult or impossible to use a longer shovel. This mini shovel is perfect for gardeners who want to dig holes, move dirt, apply compost, or remove weeds easily and without any trouble. It has a strong metal shaft and a steelhead that won’t rust.
This shovel has a flat head and a D-shaped grip to keep your hands from cramping. It also has a sharp edge so breaking up soil is easier. The shovel is just under 30 inches long and weighs 2 pounds.
Pros
Cons
Learn more: How to Sharpen Tools To Their Fine Points
Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Shovel
The shovel blades are generally larger than the blade found on a spade. A spade has a blade that is primarily flat and has straight edges. It is smaller than a shovel, and the blade is usually parallel to the shaft instead of angled forward.
A garden trowel is a gardening shovel that is helpful for people who don’t have gardens. It is a handheld shovel that is used for making small holes.
Trench shovels are also called posthole shovels because they have long, narrow blades that fit well into these holes to help clean them out.
Fiberglass shovel handles are more durable than wooden shovel handles. They don’t rot or weather, and they don’t shrink or expand with humidity. They’re also less likely to break when they’re hit.
The number on a shovel blade doesn’t tell you how much it can hold. The weight of a shovel can vary depending on what it is made from. For example, a plastic snow shovel with a No. 2 blade will weigh less than one with a No.