The 10 Best Gardening Tools of 2023 | Tested by The Spruce

We’ve researched and tested dozens of gardening tools in our lab and in real-life situations, evaluating effectiveness, ease of use, and overall value. Here are the best tools to keep your garden looking great.

Whether you’re an experienced horticulturist or you just want to make the most of your green thumb, the right gardening tools make tending to your garden a more enjoyable task.

Best Pruners

FELCO F-2 One-Hand Pruning Shear

4.8

 Amazon

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FELCO 2 One-Hand Pruning Shear Review

What We Like

• Replaceable blades

• Sap groove

• Lifetime warranty

What We Don’t Like

• Designed for larger hands

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. We found these pruners were ideal for cutting through branches and shrubbery up to an inch thick in diameter while testing in a backyard garden.

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. We also found the sap groove an amazing feature to prevent the blades from sticking.

Price at time of publish: $74

Dimensions: 9.25 x 4 x 1 inches | Primary Use: Trimming branches | Material: Aluminum

The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk 

Best Garden Knife

Nisaku Hori-Hori Stainless Steel Tomita Weeding Knife

4.2

 Amazon

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Nisaku’s Hori-Hori Tomita Weeding Knife is Hard to Hold

What We Like

• Two edge styles

• Depth markers

• Leather sheath

What We Don’t Like

• Uncomfortable handle

• Expensive

Though there are cheaper garden knives on the market, the Nisaku Japanese Hori Hori Digging Tool is worth the slight splurge because of a durable, 7 1/4-inch stainless steel blade that slices through the soil with ease. We found the Hori Hori to be extraordinarily effective at uprooting even the toughest weeds, thanks to its sharp, edge which easily cuts through roots.

The blade with both a straight and serrated edge also 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 of time and precarious if you’re working in especially stubborn or rocky soil. However, this tool is definitely a worthy investment, if you prefer to use a tool for weeding, rather than pulling them up with your hands.

Price at time of publish: $26

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 All-Pro Heavy-Duty Digging Trowel

4.5

 Amazon

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Wilcox All-Pro Heavy-Duty Digging Trowel Review

What We Like

• Pointed edge

• Depth markings

• Lifetime warranty

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive

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.

Price at time of publish: $23

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

 Amazon

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What We Like

• Extended ferrule

• Reinforced handle

• Lifetime warranty

What We Don’t Like

• May not be best for rocky soil

On top of being a durable and long-handled shovel, the Bully Tools 82515 14-Gauge Round Point Shovel is great for a variety of 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. We recognize this shovel is slightly more expensive than other options on the market, but with a lifetime warranty, you can feel good about purchasing this shovel.

Price at time of publish: $54

Dimensions: 60 x 9.5 x 1.5 inches | Primary Use: Digging | Material: Steel and fiberglass

Best Rain Gauge

Stratus Precision Rain Gauge with Mounting Bracket

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What We Like

• Detachable funnel

• Easy to read

• Easy to install

What We Don’t Like

• May crack if dropped or hit

• Must be installed on a post

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 it 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.

Price at time of publish: $50

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

4.9

The Home Depot

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What We Like

• Comfortable fabric

• Padded palm grips

• Adjustable wrist strap

What We Don’t Like

• Different sizes listed separately online

• Thumb sizing is awkward

We found the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves to be surprisingly comfortable to wear for half-hour periods to tend to a garden during our 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 also touchscreen-compatible, so you can easily answer your phone without having to pull off your glove. The synthetic leather, which is more stretchy compared to traditional leather, makes these 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 that 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.

Price at time of publish: $13

Dimensions: Not listed | Primary Use: Protecting hands | Material: Synthetic leather and mesh

The 10 Best Gardening Gloves of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Garden Hose

Zero-G Lightweight Ultra Flexible Durable Kink-Free Garden Hose

4.7

 Amazon

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What We Like

• Crush-proof couplings

• Inner tube and durable outer jacket

• Easy to maneuver when empty and full

What We Don’t Like

• Only rated for use above 35 degrees Fahrenheit

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 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 when 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.

Price at time of publish: $70

Dimensions: 100 feet in length, 5/8-inch diameter | Primary Use: Watering | Material: Not listed

The 7 Best Garden Hoses of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Hose Nozzle

Dramm Revolution 9-Pattern Spray Gun

4.9

 Amazon

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What We Like

• One-touch thumb throttle

• Durable design

• Easy to switch among nine sprays

What We Don’t Like

• Colored paint may chip over time

The Dramm 14506 Revolution 9-Pattern Spray Gun is a powerful nozzle that easily rinsed mud off our target Adirondack chair during lab testing. It’s available in six colorful options that make it easy to identify among flowering garden beds. Unlike other nozzles that feature 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.

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. We wonder whether the colored exterior may chip over time, but we have no physical evidence of that suspicion at this time. Overall, with a lifetime guarantee, you can’t go wrong considering this nozzle for your garden needs.

Price at time of publish: $22

Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 2.25 inches | Primary Use: Watering plants | Material: Metal

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

The 9 Best Hose Nozzles of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Watering Wand

The Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand

4.7

Amazon

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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, making 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.

Price at time of publish: $26

Dimensions: Not listed | Primary Use: Watering plants | Material: Aluminum and plastic

The Spruce / Dera Burreson

The 9 Best Watering Wands of 2023 to Reach Your Hanging Baskets

Best Hose Reel

Gorilla Mobile Hose Reel

4.8

Amazon

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What We Like

• Includes spigot for easy winding

• Rubber grips on handle and crank

• Stable, wide base

What We Don’t Like

• Non-adjustable handle

• Screws require extra effort during assembly

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 in The Lab 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 our testing team member using this reel found the handle height quite comfortable, but she is 5 foot 2 inches. 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.

Price at time of publish: $149

Dimensions: 18.9 x 23.8 x 16.7 inches | Primary Use: Storing hose | Material: Aluminum and rubber

The 8 Best Hose Reels, Tested and Reviewed