The best gardening tools, tested and expert-approved
Forget that rusty old trowel — these are the must-have pieces for gardeners at every level.
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Spring is a great time to sort through your garage or potting shed to take stock of your gardening gear. If all you have is a rusty pile of shovels and trowels (no judgment), it might be time to replenish your tool collection so you'll be ready to tend your garden like a pro. We've been testing gardening tools for the past year, and after hundreds of hours of digging, weeding, mowing and watering, we've unearthed some truly stellar finds. But we haven't gotten to every category yet, so we also asked professional gardeners to weigh in on their essentials.
In this story
These are the best gardening tools for every level, whether you've got a bona fide green thumb or you're investing in your very first pair of pruners. Keep them on hand, and you'll be ready to tackle any task.
Best gardening tools of 2026
For planting and weeding
You might think you need a spade for digging, but it depends on the kind of soil you have in your garden. "If it's really hard clay soil, you're probably going to need a fork. You might want something bigger and stronger than a spade," says Diane Blazek, executive director of the National Garden Bureau . That's where a CobraHead tool can come in handy: Its sharp steel blade can cut through any kind of soil, even clay.
"CobraHead tools are very ergonomic," adds Blazek. The slender recycled composite handle is easy to hold, making it useful for long weeding sessions and breaking up soil for planting. Unsurprisingly, this gardening tool gets a near-perfect 4.8 stars from more than 2,000 Amazon shoppers.
- Tackles many tasks including digging, weeding and cultivating
- Tempered steel blade is very sharp
- Handle is made with recycled materials
- On the pricey side
After testing a dozen pairs of gardening gloves , this pick quickly soared to the top of the list. Between their sturdiness, comfort and grippiness, they offer exceptional value for everyday tasks.
We first heard about these stretchy, machine-washable nylon gloves from Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer at Monrovia . Because she goes through gloves quickly, she looks for something inexpensive yet durable. "I used to buy gloves for the look. Now I go for gloves that have a good grip and are the right size," she says. This pair is indeed grippy, with a nitrile palm and fingertips. We didn't expect them to work as well as they did because the coating is smooth, not textured like it is on similar gloves. But even after rubbing it with sandpaper, it resisted abrasion.
The nylon felt cool and breathable, and the gloves kept our hands clean when they reached into a big bag of potting soil. The material also offers decent protection against brambles and thorns, despite being a thin knit. But what's coolest is that once this pair reaches the end of its life, it's designed to biodegrade in a fraction of the time it takes traditional gloves. Watson uses a proprietary additive called Reclaim that attracts microbes when the gloves enter a landfill. This helps them break down in as little as five years.
- Affordable
- Machine-washable
- Resists abrasions
- Touchscreen-compatible
- Does not repel water
- Runs slightly large
"A lot of people will work with potting soil with their hands, but I like to use a scoop," says Dave Whitinger, executive director of the National Gardening Association . Its depth lets you lift more soil than you can with a standard spade, and you can also use it to transfer mulch or gravel from the bag into your yard. (Unsurprisingly, Whitinger, who co-owns Victory Seed Company , calls this gardening tool a "seed scoop" and uses his version for seeds as well. "It's just great for moving soil," he adds.)
This pick, from Corona, features a stainless steel body, just like Whitinger recommends, alongside an exceptionally comfortable handle. A finger guard protects your hands, while gel pads help ensure a tight grip and reduce fatigue.
- Stainless steel scoop with extra-wide tang for durability
- Ergonomic handle with gel pads
- 10-year warranty
- Some shoppers complain about its bulk
Part shovel, part knife, a hori hori is "a good, versatile general-purpose garden tool for cutting through roots and digging through soil," says Christopher Martinovic, a landscape designer at Hargreaves Jones Landscape Architecture in New York City. Blazek agrees that it's essential for most gardeners, simply because you can do so much with one. "You can dig with it. You can cut with it. You can flip soil around, even harvest," she says.
Heather Shouse, founder and creative director of Bottle & Branch , a Chicago-based horticultural design and landscaping company, says of this Perwin knife, "It does everything from slicing through plants like hostas when dividing in spring to making weeding a breeze," she says. "It even has inch markings on the blade, so you have an exact depth measurement if using it to bury bulbs."
- Extremely versatile
- Measurement markings on the blade
- Comes with a sheath
- Some shoppers don't think the blade is sharp enough
For planting larger things like trees and shrubs, you'll want to have a sturdy pointed shovel on hand, preferably one with a sharpened blade and a "kickplate" or step. "Every homeowner needs to own a shovel, and you should get the nicest one that you can afford," says Whitinger, who has used the same steel shovel for 20 years.
Avoid wood handles, which can crack or even snap over time. Instead, look for a fully steel shovel like Whitinger's, or consider one with a lightweight fiberglass handle, such as this pick from Vnimti. The high-carbon steel blade should resist rust and corrosion, and at less than $40, it provides serious value. More than 1,000 have been bought in the last month alone!
- Long, lightweight handle
- Handle pads become sticky when wet, ensuring a good grip no matter the conditions
- High-carbon steel blade resists rust
- Not suited for extremely heavy-duty work
"A kneeler can really help save your knees when weeding or adding new plants or seeds to your garden," says Shouse. "Don't bother with the fancy foldable seats with detachable pouches because they're too bulky and just get in the way; plus, gardening from a sitting position is actually harder on your back. A good pad is light and flexible and easy to nudge into tight spots."
Martinovic says his dad uses this affordable pad from Husky, aka the brand behind our best-tested hose nozzle (read about it below). "It will definitely last more than one season," he says.
- Lightweight and durable
- Built-in carrying handle
- 1.5-inch-thick foam provides plenty of cushioning
- Only comes in black, which can get hot in the sun
For watering
The name says it all with this burst-proof, kink-proof and knot-proof hose from a company that claims its products are "virtually indestructible." Gardening and home chores don't typically call for commercial-grade products, but this garden hose — the best one we tried — provides more than enough toughness and ease of use for any task, says tester and professional gardener Daryl Beyers .
The snakelike stainless-steel scales help this hose coil much more smoothly than other options. While the diameter is relatively small, that's because the stainless steel doesn't need to be as thick as typical polymer hoses. As for durability, it was impossible to puncture this "bionic" beast in testing. That combination of toughness and ease of use makes it the obvious winner.
Beyers found that you can use this hose for hot water applications, but keep it out of the sun on a hot summer's day, as the steel heats up quickly. That said, we don't imagine anyone will leave it lying around because it's so easy to coil and stow. Putting it away is a snap.
- Extremely durable
- Easy to coil and stow
- Affordable
- Comes in seven lengths, from 3 to 150 feet
- Steel can get hot in the sun
Toughness and versatility don't often come in the same package, but this brings both, making it not just the best hose nozzle we tested overall, but perhaps the only nozzle you'll ever need. With five distinct, clearly labeled spray patterns (jet, rinse, full, shower and mist), this nozzle lets you wash your car and rinse your driveway, then water a few flowerbeds before finishing with a cool mist to your face.
Constructed of aluminum and rubber, both in all the right places, this nozzle felt comfortable yet solid in Beyer's hand, he says. Should it slip free, it will bounce harmlessly off the pavement (in our testing, a little cap covering the lever screw popped off, but it was inconsequential). The thumb flow control is a little stiff, but once set, it stays put. Those with larger hands will be able to adjust it on the fly. All this, and you also get a lifetime warranty for a very modest price.
- Spray patterns are clearly marked
- No leaks, even when switching sprays
- Comfortable rubberized grip
- Jet pressure is extremely strong
- Thumb control is a little stiff at first
- Lighter spray patterns don't spread far
"Hands down, this tool is the best way to find out if your lawn needs water," says Beyers. The grass itself may feel moist up top, but a moisture meter reveals if the soil around the roots is dry. Just a few spot checks across your lawn will tell you if it's time to turn on the sprinklers.
With about 50,000 five-star ratings, this Xlux gadget is a popular, affordable alternative to a more complicated moisture meter that hooks up to your hose or irrigation system. Many of its fans find it refreshingly low-tech: "The Xlux moisture meter is easy to use and gives quick, reliable readings that make watering plants much less of a guessing game. Just stick it in the soil, and the dial clearly shows whether it's dry, moist or wet. It doesn't need batteries, feels sturdy and works well for both indoor and outdoor plants. A super handy tool for keeping plants healthy and avoiding overwatering," raved one shopper .
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- No batteries needed
- Manual, so you'll have to poke it in various spots on your lawn
Bloem Living makes simple, affordable watering cans you've probably seen at your local hardware or grocery store. The Aqua Rite (available in 56- and 144-ounce capacities ) makes it easy to water multiple houseplants without spending much. This plastic can is as light as a feather and practically bounced off the hard surface our tester, Home Optimization Editor Elizabeth Berry , dropped it onto during testing.
Its curved, long spout easily navigated twisted stems and bushier house plants and held plenty of water for a large monstera and a medium ZZ plant. Both of these plants are quite tall with lots of stems and leaves, but this can was able to water them effectively. A small but convenient design detail Berry loved: the sectioned handle, which allowed her to rest her pointer finger while watering. It's a minor adjustment, but it really made a difference — she says this was the most comfortable watering can to hold in her testing pool.
- Budget-friendly
- Lightweight
- Curved spout easily navigates leafy plants
- Handle slightly blocks opening on the top, making the can difficult to fill under a faucet
For cutting and pruning
Nearly every pro gardener we spoke to said a general-purpose cutting tool is a must. In fact, Kate Herlihy and Callyn Owen, who co-manage the Nursery at Mount Si , in North Bend, Wash., said bypass pruners (aka secateurs) were their favorite tool out of everything they own. "Bypass shears tend to be able to cut things that are fairly thick, but they're also not a huge tool, which makes them a good first purchase for gardeners," explains Martinovic.
Fiskars, the brand behind those iconic orange-handled scissors, makes sturdy, affordable hand pruners that are an Amazon No. 1 bestseller. Lead Home and Garden Editor, Jessica Dodell-Feder , has owned a pair for nearly a decade and found that the coated steel blades are as sharp as they were on day one. They can effectively cut through thick stems and woody plants up to about 5/8 inches in diameter. Better yet, they come with a lifetime warranty, so you don't need to worry about everyday wear and tear.
- Affordable
- Lifetime warranty
- Grippy handles
- Comfortable to hold
- May not be sharp enough for tough stems
- Some shoppers say the locking mechanism sticks
Felco pruning shears are iconic, but they're expensive at about $70. For a more affordable (and equally useful option), consider the brand's garden snips, which are essential for pruning delicate plants, cutting flowers and deadheading, say Herlihy and Owen. A bit smaller than standard pruners, garden snips are lightweight and easy to wield. They also tend to be sturdier and longer-lasting than kitchen shears.
"I have lots of opinions on garden snips, and I really like Felco. Time and time again, it's the best brand," says Whitinger. "I use the little ones more than anything else because they're great for trimming tomatoes and other small tasks."
- Lightweight
- Thin blades let you accomplish delicate tasks
- Shock-absorbing handle
- Durable, high-carbon steel blades
- Some shoppers say the blade lock at the end of the handles gets in the way
For thicker branches, Herlihy and Owen recommend keeping a handsaw on, well … hand. Herlihy notes that folding handsaws can be especially helpful because they're easy to store and carry. This type of saw can also be used for a range of other home projects, so it's useful for more than just garden work.
An Amazon bestseller, the Rexbeti comes in three sizes, from 8 to 14 inches, and features a steel blade with staggered teeth that effortlessly bite into tree branches and large shrubs. "At first I wasn't sure about this saw, but it worked perfectly! Being 71 years old, it's difficult to do most things anymore, but I cut through a 3" branch in less than a minute," reported one sharp shopper . Other fans rave about how lightweight it is and agree it's best for lighter work and not tasks you'd use a standard hand saw for.
- Folds down compactly
- Blades are very sharp
- Lightweight and easy to hold
- Not as heavy-duty as a standard hand saw
For lawn care
Whether you're mowing, mulching, bagging or discharging the clippings, this electric Ryobi has a lot going for it: helpful self-propel, smart-sensing power modes, a long runtime and a quality cut at every mowing height. The machine is sturdy on its feet, with a wide wheelbase that provides confidence on slopes, while its lightweight construction makes it easy to maneuver in tight spots. Add to that a class-leading five-year warranty, and it's no surprise that it was the best lawn mower we tried in our most recent round of testing.
Beyers reports that he had it out of the box and ready in 15 minutes. The trickiest part was partially assembling the amply sized clippings bag. The power mode and speed-setting controls are intuitive, easy to read and easy to adjust. And this mower is one of the quietest Beyers has ever used, even when it kicks into high power mode.
If you like to mow fast, especially on steep slopes, know that the Ryobi is equipped with a tilt sensor that cuts power if the deck tilts past 45 degrees. That, and the safety key inserted into the battery compartment, make this the smart and safe choice if you are entering the electric lawn mower market.
- Option to use two batteries means a longer runtime than most
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Automatically adjusts the blade speed based on mowing conditions
- Bright headlights
- Total charging time for both batteries is long compared to other brands
- Expensive
If you're mulching your leaves, you may not need a rake at all. But if you're gathering foliage up for compost, a smaller rake with metal tines will prove an essential gardening tool. Smaller equals easier to use, says Beyers, giving this Bully Tools option a serious edge over the plastic behemoths you see at big-box stores.
The rake's high-carbon steel tines are slim and flexible, making it easy to nudge it under dense shrubs and break up thatch. The fiberglass handle is durable, though it's worth mentioning that some shoppers think it's heavy (the rake weighs less than 4 pounds). "Wow! The Bully Tools 92312 is like no rake I have ever seen. The head is heavy-gauge steel and can take a beating. The handle is fiberglass, and I couldn't break it if I tried," raved a fan (who also happens to be a wildland firefighter).
- Durable fiberglass handle
- Steel tines easily dethatch
- Shoppers say it's unbreakable
- May be too heavy for long raking jobs
- On the pricey side
How we chose these gardening tools
We've spent the last year testing outdoor gear, including lawn mowers, hoses and gardening gloves, so we compiled our top picks in those categories. But because we haven't tested every type of gardening tool quite yet, we also relied on the expertise of several pros, including nursery owners and landscapers. We researched each of their recommendations, looking at real-life shopper reviews and ratings to ensure every item is worth the money.
Meet our experts
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Daryl Beyers, professional gardener and author, The New Garden Designer's Handbook
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Diane Blazek, executive director of the National Garden Bureau
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Kate Herlihy and Callyn Owen, co-managers, Nursery at Mount Si ,
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Christopher Martinovic, landscape designer, Hargreaves Jones Landscape Architecture
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Heather Shouse, founder and creative director, Bottle & Branch
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Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer, Monrovia
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Dave Whitinger, executive director, National Gardening Association
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
