Gardening is a slow process that rewards patience and perseverance, but even the most dedicated gardeners can feel tired after a while. Fatigue can set in due to a variety of factors, but one common pain that many gardeners feel is soreness around the knees. Since plants start growing from the ground up, gardeners often spend their time kneeling, getting as close to the soil as possible without hurting their back. This has consequences, however, as it puts all of the weight on their knees.
By using garden kneelers you can redirect that weight and pressure elsewhere. As a long-term solution to kneeling soreness, garden kneelers are the perfect companion for long days of gardening on the weekends. If you garden often and suffer from sore knees, check out our review of the quality garden kneelers of 2023.
Gardening can be a pain if you don’t have the right equipment to keep you comfortable. This guide will cover what you need to know about garden kneelers.
Gardening often requires you to tend to the small saplings and seeds on the ground, which means you have to kneel down pretty low to work. This kneeling position is quite painful on your knees, especially when done for long periods. Because of this, many gardeners use garden kneelers to keep their knees comfortable.
Garden kneelers are essentially outdoor cushions that you kneel on when gardening. They’re made to withstand the elements and are often easy to carry and use outside.
This is the simpler of the two types of garden kneelers. Garden kneeler pads work by simply placing the pad on the ground and kneeling on it. The pad is made out of a soft, cushion-like material that feels good on the knees. Many garden kneeler pads come with a handle-shaped hole that makes it easy to carry the pad from location to location. This allows you to stand up from where you just kneeled, lift the cushion with one hand and place it down where you want to kneel next.
Garden kneeler stools offer a little more functionality than a garden kneeler pad. While pads can only be used for kneeling, the stools can be used to sit at certain heights. The device features two support legs, one on either side of the kneeler, that you can prop up for sitting on.
Kneeler stools are especially useful when working with bushes. Bushes are taller than shrubs and saplings, which makes kneeling inconvenient, but they’re not tall enough to make you stand. A stool lets you sit at the height of a bush, giving you the space to carefully tend to the plant while staying comfortable.
Garden kneelers can get dirty pretty quickly because they’re in direct contact with the soil. This makes it more difficult to kneel and sit on the kneeler without getting yourself dirty. Take it from us, it’s not a great experience to use a dirty kneeler! We recommend you clean your garden kneeler pad regularly so that it maintains a like-new look.
How often you should clean the kneeler depends on how often you use it. With a bit of maintenance every day, you can get away with a monthly cleaning session. On the other hand, if you use the garden kneeler every day for gardening, you may want to clean it more than once a month.
If you don’t like cleaning the pad as often, consider using a cloth or towel beneath it instead. Place the cloth between the soil and the pad to make sure they don’t come into contact with one another. This way, you only need to clean the cloth instead of the kneeler.
Kneelers are not nearly as effective when used on an uneven surface. Find a flat space or make one with a trowel or some other tool so that you can comfortably kneel on the pad.
The KneelyPad Garden Kneeler provides much-needed comfort and support for your knees. Whether you’re a gardener, mechanic, or just doing household chores, this kneeling pad is a must-have. Thanks to its 2D comfort technology, it offers the perfect balance between firmness and softness, allowing you to kneel for longer and in greater comfort. The memory foam comes with a protective and breathable neoprene cover for added durability and comfort.
The ergonomically designed cushion will help promote proper posture and reduce strain on your back. The KneelyPad is also equipped with a strong but soft handle for any travel needs. From yoga to plumbers and painters, this kneeler foam pad is suitable for any user. And when it’s time to clean up, the neoprene cover is machine washable for easy maintenance. With an excellent design and an affordable price tag, this garden kneelers nabs our No. 1 spot on this list.
The NoCry Garden Kneeler are an excellent choice for anyone facing a long day at work engaging in hard labor. The patented design features an anti-rolling, non-slip hard cap that is both light and durable, with non-slip grooves that keep you stable and supported. The combination of comfortable EVA foam and thick gel cushion provides a soft kneeling cushion that will support your joints all day long.
The adjustable straps allow for a custom fit that is easy to slip on and take off but remains secure during activity. This makes it great for any kind of construction work, carpenter work, mechanic work, repair work, DIY projects, gardening, hunting, or roofing. The raised bottom “lip” on the shell minimizes stress on the ankles while adding extra safety and stability. It even works well on rockier surfaces, such as the side of a mountain when you are out hunting. The kneepads offer premium protection to your knees that stays in place while you’re on the move.
Combining both form and function, the RED Home Club kneeling pad is a great option for all sorts of gardeners. Its unique, suitcase-like design features a handle that you can use to easily grab, place and adjust the pad in a matter of seconds. There are plenty of colors to choose from so you can find one that suits your preferences the best. The comfortable feeling you get when kneeling on this pad persists throughout the day so you won’t have to feel pain in your knees while gardening ever again. Thanks to its comfortable experience and ease of use, we’ve chosen this garden kneeler as our best overall choice.
Kneeling pads are a lot like mattresses — the thicker they are the more comfortable they feel. For kneeling pads, in particular, it’s great to have an especially thick pad due to how deep your knees can push down on the pad. Gorilla Grip is the seller of many high-quality products and its kneeling pad is no exception. Not only is it thick, but it’s also water-resistant, which ensures the pad will stay clean even if you splash water on the pad by accident. The durable material and high-quality build paired with the thick and comfy pad make for a solid product overall.
This next garden kneeler is more than just a kneeling pad. You’ll notice that the pad has two metal supports on either side. This isn’t to give you a decent hold when sitting down or standing up. Rather, it serves as legs for when you turn the pad into a stool. When the situation calls for it, you can transform this pad into a stool that’s comfortable to sit on. Aside from this, this impressive garden kneeler contains a couple of pouches that can fit tools, seeds, and other items, making it a breeze to carry everything you need. It’s considerably more expensive than other kneeling pads, but the extra functionality is well worth the premium!
Much like the previous product, the SONGMICS Garden Kneeler also doubles as a stool when needed. You can transform the stool into a pad and vice versa, giving you just the right height for working on saplings, bushes, and seedlings. It also comes with one deep pouch for carrying all your garden tools. For the best results, you’ll need to set this kneeler on a flat surface, so try to prepare the ground in front of you if it’s not flat already. This garden kneeler is a solid alternative with a multifunctional, versatile design.
This last kneeling pad is a great budget option for those who are looking for a good deal. This garden kneeler is not the thickest kneeling pad or the most comfortable, but it’s definitely better than kneeling in the grass or dirt for hours on end. This lightweight kneeling pad is quite easy to carry and since it’s not too thick you can actually hold the handle with one hand. A one-year warranty protects your purchase, allowing you to get a full refund in the event that the pad comes damaged or with any defects. This garden kneeler also comes in multiple color options, allowing you to choose your preferred hue.
A: Ideally, as often as you can. If you find yourself regularly kneeling while working in your garden, a kneeler will drastically improve your conditions and make the experience a lot more comfortable.
A: This depends on how often you use the kneeler. If you use it weekly, consider cleaning it once every month or so. If you garden daily, consider cleaning it two or three times a month.
A: If you’d rather not get soil directly on the kneeler, you can use a cloth or towel between the kneeler and the ground. This will keep the kneeler dirt-free.
A: A garden kneeler provides a cushion for your knees and reduces leg strain when working close to the ground while gardening.
A: No, some garden knees can also be used in a low sitting position while folded. Others are only for kneeling.