Best gardening tools

Be prepared to tackle all your outdoor tasks with essential gardening tools. The sets we’ve picked have all you need.

Gardening tools in black and white
(Image credit: John Bogna on Unsplash)

Every gardener needs hand tools they can rely on. With them, you can plant seeds, bulbs, and pot-grown annuals in flowerbeds. They’ll also help you get rid of weeds. Some sets even offer handy extras, such as pruning shears, protective gloves, and tote bags to store everything. Check out our selection.

Best overall

Scuddles Garden Tools Set

(Image credit: Scuddles)

Scuddles garden tool set

Gloves included

This eight-piece set includes all the essential digging and weeding tools, a pair of gloves, and a spray bottle packed in a tote bag that’s easy to transport throughout the yard. The tote has plenty of deep pockets and a center compartment to carry additional gardening supplies. The tools are made with coated steel and have comfortable wooden handles.

Pros:

  • Eight-piece set
  • Deep pockets on tote
  • Tote is machine washable

Cons:

  • Tote is prone to tipping

The Scuddles gardening toolset is high quality, so you can expect both the tools and the washable tote to last a few seasons before needing to be replaced. You do need to ensure that the tools are placed in a way that balances the weight in and around the tote, otherwise, it is prone to tipping over.

Another good pick

UKOKE Garden Tool Set

(Image credit: UKOKE)

UKOKE garden tool set

Prune, plant, and weed

With this tool kit, you can wear your tools as you move from job to job. It comes with an apron featuring organizer pockets for the several tools, gloves, and spray bottles included. A kneeling pad is in the kit to make your work comfortable, and pruning shears to help cover plenty of your gardening tasks.

Pros:

  • Apron carrier
  • Kneeling pad included

Cons:

  • Bulky
  • Can get in the way of some tasks

The shears, weeder, rake, spade, trowel, and other tools that come in this set are made from an aluminum alloy, so they won’t rust. The handles are comfortable with non-grip materials and an ergonomic design to reduce strain. The apron will get heavy when all the essentials are packed into it, and it’s a little too bulky to wear while full and performing some tasks, especially chores requiring you to kneel or bend over.

Best value

AOKIWO 40 PCS Garden Tools Set

(Image credit: AOKIWO)

AOKIWO garden tool set

No-slip grips

This tool kit is huge with 83 different pieces. You get plant rope, tags, a seeder, sprayer, gloves, and stakes along with the essential digging, pruning, and weeding tools. The entire collection is stowed in the included bag with both decently sized pockets and elastic loops to hold everything in place.

Pros:

  • Large tool set
  • Elastic security loops
  • Rust and corrosion-resistant

Cons:

  • Not as strong as steel tools

The tools of this gardening kit are made from aluminum alloy, which keeps them from rusting and cuts down on corrosion, too. However, these aren’t as strong or long-lasting as steel tools. The handles have an ergonomic design and non-slip covers that are comfortable to grip.

Best basic design

ZUZUAN Garden Tool Set

(Image credit: ZUZUAN)

ZUZUAN garden tool set

Simply tools

These three pieces will see you through plenty of garden tasks and won’t break the bank. You’ll get a hand trowel, transplant trowel with a depth scale, and a cultivator hand rake. They’re made from aluminum alloy with comfortable rubber handles that have holes for hanging.

Pros:

  • Three handy tools

Cons:

  • No carrying tote

This garden tool set won’t rust and are sturdy enough for digging without breaking. The edges are smooth so there’s no worry about snagging or hurting yourself as you work, and these are lightweight enough for kids to use, too. This gardening tool set doesn’t come with a carrying tote, so you’ll need to be extra vigilant in keeping track of them.

Most stylish

Jardineer Garden Tools Set

(Image credit: Jardineer)

Jardineer garden tool set

Many tools, handy tote

These gardening tools look as good as your yard. Both the bad and instruments are attractive in gray with a pop of yellow. This kit has a trowel, transplanter, weeder, cultivator, and hand rake, plus pruning shears and gardening gloves.

Pros:

  • Rust-resistant
  • Deep pockets
  • Beautiful design

Cons:

  • Handles can break

The tools are rust-resistant because they are made from aluminum alloy. This also protects them from corroding over time. The handles feature a non-grip ergonomic design with a designated thumb grip so you’re always in control. The handles will become hard and break if they are under the sun for too long. The pockets and center compartment are deep so things won't spill out.

Our verdict

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However small your outdoor space, you’ll need a gardening tool set for planting and weeding. Our top pick is the Scuddles garden tool set. There are eight pieces that come in a tote bag you can wash. Made from coated steel with wooden handles, the tools have classic good looks.

Go for the UKOKE garden tool set, and you can take essentials around the garden with you in its special carrying apron. You’ll also get a kneeling pad to make tending beds a more comfortable experience.

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Sarah Warwick
Freelance writer

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor writing for websites, national newspapers, and magazines. She’s spent most of her journalistic career specialising in homes and gardens and loves investigating the benefits, costs and practicalities of home improvement. It's no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house revamper.