Best shovel

Here's a roundup of the best shovels for your home garden.

best shovel
(Image credit: gryffyn m via Unsplash)

A shovel is a great tool to have on hand in any household. This outdoor must-have is great for gardening, landscaping, and more, making digging and burying easy. Whether you're looking to remove dirt to plant a garden or clear snow, I've dug up a list of the best options.

Staff pick

best shovel

(Image credit: Snow Joe)

Snow Joe SJ-SHLV01 Shovelution strain-reducing snow shovel

Heavy snow mounds don't stand a chance

This shovel is great for use in the snow; with two handles, it makes easy work of fluffy precipitation.

Pros:

  • Made of durable materials
  • Impact-resistant blade
  • Ergonomic design
  • 18-inch blade

Cons:

  • Metal band can detach with use
  • Handle may be too short for people 6-feet tall

This ergonomic shovel is designed to move snow effortlessly. It's made from strong materials, this shovel won't bend or break easily. The shovel withstands the heavy white stuff, supporting heavy slush with the weight-distributing dual-handle design. The wide, 18-inch blade also has an impact-resistant metal blade that can be used to break ice while shoveling driveways or pathways. 

Best for camping

best shovel

(Image credit: Amazon)

SOG Specialty Knives folding survival shovel

Rugged and outdoorsy

This shovel features a saw edge that is great for chopping wood.

Pros:

  • Three-way folding design
  • 18.25-inches long
  • Great for outdoor adventures
  • Blade has a saw edge
  • Made from high-carbon steel

Cons:

  • Folding joint can become loose with use
  • Shovel can bend with use

If you're looking for the perfect shovel for camping or other outdoor adventures, this one is a terrific option. It is compact, evidenced by a three-way folding design. When opened, this shovel measures a substantial 18.25-inches long for convenient use on the go. The shovel is made from high-carbon steel and features a saw edge that can be used to chop firewood while camping.

Best for garden

Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer shovel

(Image credit: Radius Garden)

Radius Garden 22011 Root Slayer shovel

Unearth with the best of them

This shovel is specifically designed for digging in flowerbeds and more

Pros:

  • Great for gardening
  • Made from carbon steel
  • Sharp teeth for cutting roots
  • Circular handle to prevent fatigue
  • V-shaped blade

Cons:

  • Handle is made from plastic
  • Shovel can be quite heavy

Designed specifically for gardening, this shovel features a v-shaped blade. The blade's edges are serrated with teeth that are strong enough to cut through tough soil and roots. This shovel is made from strong carbon steel to withstand heavy usage. Its circular handle is also easy to hold and prevents fatigue. 

Best portable

best shovel

(Image credit: Amazon)

REDCAMP military folding camping shovel

Easily packs away into a backpack or duffle

This shovel folds as small as 9.4 inches and comes with a carrying pouch.

Pros:

  • Carrying pouch included
  • Measures 9.4-inches when folded
  • 22.8-inches long when open
  • Made from high-carbon steel
  • Can be used to dig, saw, cut, hammer, and shovel

Cons:

  • Can be hard to unfold
  • Screw to lock shovel in place can become loose with use

This portable shovel measures 9.4-inches when folded, so it's super easy to transport. It even comes with a carry pouch for portability. When open, the high-carbon steel tool measures 22.8-inches long. The best part is that it's multi-use; it saws, cuts, hammers, digs, and more. 

Best general

best shovel

(Image credit: Bully Tools, Inc.)

Bully Tools 82515 14-gauge round point shovel

Standard design

This commercial-grade shovel is great for many tasks around your garden.

Pros:

  • 60-inches long
  • Commercial-grade
  • 14-gauge steel blade
  • Welded construction

Cons:

  • Handle grip can slide off with use
  • Blade can bend in hard ground

Measuring 60-inches long and 9-inches wide, this shovel is great for the garden. Its commercial-grade design has a 14-gauge steel head and a welded one-piece construction to withstand basic landscaping. This spade is a convenient tool to have on hand in your shed. 

The bottom line

Why you can trust Gardeningetc Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

The best shovel allows you to dig, landscape, and more with ease. The Snow Joe SJ-SHLV01 Shovelution strain-reducing snow shovel is a great choice for anyone who lives in a cool climate. Built with a metal strip across its wide blade, this durable shovel can break ice while clearing driveways. 

The SOG Specialty Knives folding survival shovel is the Swiss army knife of shovels. It can be folded into a compact size, making transport easy. When in use, this shovel locks into place and features a saw edge that can be used to cut wood.

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.

Camille Sanghera is a UX writer and copywriter for global brands as well as an author of self-help books. Although she has lived and traveled internationally, Camille is originally from British Columbia, Canada. She merges over 10 years of writing experience with a love of words to bring authenticity and human connection to every project. When not writing, Camille can be found exploring nature with her dog, sketching to music, or laughing with loved ones.

You can chat with Camille on Instagram at @projectpvo.