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Get the Scoop With the Best Spades

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By Garden Gate Review Team
Last updated: 2 Jun 2022

If you have a job to do in the garden and you know you need a spade, you have come to the right place. Several types of spades are made with specific jobs in mind. To get the best spade, you must choose the right type for the job. For example, you can use a spade to dig or loosen dirt, move plants from one area to another, and define borders around the edge of your garden.

Other than that, there are many factors to consider, like the size and the materials used. With so many spades on the market, choosing the right one might seem like a daunting task. Later in this article, we will give examples of features and factors to consider when choosing the right spade. But, first, you might like to check out our list of the top spades in 2022.

Best Overall
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Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade
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Runner Up
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Spear Head Spade Gardening Shovel
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Honorable Mention
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Roamwild Multi-Digger Garden Spade
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Contender
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Fiskars Steel D-Handle Square Garden Spade
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Also Consider
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LavoHome Super Duty Multi-Purpose Garden Spade
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Show contents
Comparing the Leading Spades of 2022 in Detail
  • 1 Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade
  • 2 Spear Head Spade Gardening Shovel
  • 3 Roamwild Multi-Digger Garden Spade
  • 4 Fiskars Steel D-Handle Square Garden Spade
  • 5 LavoHome Super Duty Multi-Purpose Garden Spade

A Buyer's Guide to a High-Quality Spade

Things To Consider When Buying a Top-Rated Spade

Spades come in all shapes and sizes are different types are more or less suitable for different jobs. Choosing the right spade can seem tricky, but we are sure you’ll walk away with the best product available if you take the following factors and features into consideration.

Type

Decide whether you need a digging, border, pointed, or transplanting spade. Digging spades are wider than a border spade. They are ideal for slicing through roots. They are used to lift and turn the earth so that you can move larger amounts of soil at a time. Digging spades are the best spade for skimming weeds and edging borders.

Border spades are made to dig straight down into the soil. It has a fatter and smaller blade than a digging spade. It is a good option for small spaces where ease of maneuverability is important. Border spades also allow you to work for longer periods because they are lighter in weight.

Pointed spades have a pointed end and a curved blade. They are used for scooping up soil when digging a large hole.

Transplanting spades are made to dig around a plant’s roots and then pivot them upwards and out of the ground to plant it elsewhere or simply remove it.

Weight

Choosing the right weight for your spade is important. Some people prefer heavy digging spades because they utilize the weight of the blade to cut through the soil more easily. Others prefer a lighter spade because it allows them to work for longer periods without becoming overly tired. It is important to get a lighter spade if you have back problems. If this is the case for you, we suggest choosing a spade made from a light material like aluminum. 

Length

The longer the shaft of the spade, the less bending over you will need to do. Get a spade that is long enough not to strain your back with an angled shaft. An angled shaft will take a little getting used to, but it is worth not straining your back for. 

Blade material

Decide whether you want a stainless steel or carbon steel blade.

Stainless steel blades are heavier than carbon steel, so they should be avoided if you do not have much upper body strength. However, they are strong and will cut through the soil easily. These are a good option if you have a lot of clay in your soil. They do not rust and are easy to clean. The downfall is that they are often welded onto a socket that attaches to the shaft. This can come loose with repeated use.

Carbon steel blades are lighter and tougher but will rust. However, with regular maintenance, your spade should last you a lifetime. You will need to use more of your own strength to cut through the mud with this spade because you will not have the help of gravity and the weight of the spade to help you. The blade and the socket are made from one continuous piece to not come loose like a stainless steel blade often does.

Shaft material

Spade shafts can be made from plastic, wood, fiberglass, or metal. 

Plastic and fiberglass have the same pros and cons. They are light in comparison to some of the other materials on this list. They absorb shock well and can handle being left outside for a few days if forgotten about. However, if a plastic or fiberglass shaft snaps, it is difficult to replace. You will find that a plastic shaft is prone to snapping after long, heavy-duty use. However, fiberglass is much more durable.

Wood is the most traditional shaft material. It is tough and normally won’t snap. However, it can swell if left in the rain or splinter. If you opt for a wooden shaft, choose an FSC hardwood as it is one of the strongest available. 

Metal shafts are strong and durable. However, they are terrible shock absorbers and can feel hot to the touch when used in the summer.

Handles

You will most often see a YD design handle on a spade. They offer good grip but can be small for large hands. If you are working in your garden for most of the day, you need to make sure your hands don’t feel cramped. Try using a T-grip. They take a little getting used to, but you can spread your hands out as much as you need to. Handles are made from plastic or wood. If you buy a spade with a plastic handle, make sure it has a good grip, so it is not too slippery in wet weather.

Sockets

The longer the socket, the more secure it is. Opt for a spade with a long socket and screws and rivets that don’t stick out at all.

Dual grip handle

A dual grip handle has two points from which you can hold the spade from. This allows you to find more ways of comfortable holding your spade throughout a variety of jobs. In addition, it allows you to use the spade at slightly varying angles. It is a feature worth looking for.

Serrated edge

You might like to look for a spade with a serrated edge. A serrated edge can be useful for cutting through difficult roots.

Hybrid

You can buy a spade/shovel hybrid to save you time swapping between tools when shoveling the dirt. This is a great space saver, but we have found that hybrids will still either do the job of a spade better or the job of a shovel better.

Lifetime warranty

If you are buying a spade on the expensive side, find one with a long warranty, or if you can, a lifetime warranty.

How We Chose the Best Spades

To choose the best spades, we compared the materials used and how durable the spade would be. In addition, it noted how comfortable it was to use each spade in terms of shock absorption, handle grip, and pressure on the back. Most importantly, we judged how easily the spade could cut through mud and roots. 

Spade Price Range

A spade can cost anything from $7 to $400. Any spade that is $250 or more should come with a long warranty.

If you're spending big bucks on a high-quality spade, make sure you know how to best use it.


Comparing the Leading Spades of 2022 in Detail

1

Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade

– Best Overall
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THE SCOOP

The Gerber E-Tool Folding Spade is a great spade for those who don’t have much space for storage as it will fold down to the size of the powder-coated steel blade. It is also perfect to use as a portable spade if you volunteer in a park or are helping neighbors spruce up their garden. It has a lightweight nylon, glass-filled handle to make it even more portable. The aluminum shaft is lightweight and tough. Its lightweight allows you to work for longer. Its serrated blade helps you tackle difficult roots and break up clay-laden mud. This spade is a bit of an all-rounder, meaning it was not made for one specific job, but can do several equally as well. This is a great spade for someone who wants only to buy one.

Pros
  • Foldable
  • Lightweight
  • Serrated edges
Cons
  • The serrated edge is not very sharp
2

Spear Head Spade Gardening Shovel

– Runner Up
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THE SCOOP

The Spear Head Spade Gardening Shovel is a hybrid tool that allows you to digs like a spade and remove large amounts of dirt like a shovel. This will save storage space and will also save you swapping between tools. Dig, then scoop and remove the dirt in one motion to save you time and energy! 

Independent BESTREVIEWS awarded this tool the”BEST of the BEST” in 2018, 2019, and 2020. This spade is especially suited to tackling clay and rocky soil but can be used for a variety of other tasks too. The steel-reinforced pultruded fiberglass handle is solid and built with a soft cushioned D-grip; it is extremely comfortable and easy to maneuver.

Pros
  • Winner of BESTREVIEWS award
  • Hybrid – use as a spade and a shovel
  • Strong fiberglass
Cons
  • It works as a better spade than a shovel.
3

Roamwild Multi-Digger Garden Spade

– Honorable Mention
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THE SCOOP

The Roamwild Multi-Digger Garden Spade is a lightweight reinforced fiberglass spade. –It is made for digging and cutting roots with ease. The handle is extremely light, so you don’t need to get tired simply using it -the whole spade is only 4.5lbs! Its ergonomic design means applying power directly to the ground, reducing digging efforts by up to 80%. This shovel has a dual grip handle, allowing you to use it in various positions comfortably to get various jobs done with one tool. The grip is also extra-large, so you don’t need to worry about compressed fingers when you work. The arrow-shaped head makes digging a breeze, and the large footplates reduce unnecessary pressure on your feet. With this amazing spade, you will cut through roots and clay as if it’s not there. If you are not happy with this product, you will receive your money back in full!

Pros
  • Serrated root cutting edge
  • Large footplates
  • Double handle
Cons
  • It is not clearly advertised that this is a mini spade.
4

Fiskars Steel D-Handle Square Garden Spade

– Contender
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THE SCOOP

The Fiskars Steel D-Handle Garden Spade is available in 46 inches or 51 inches. It boasts a strong all-steel construction with an ergonomic handle. The wide foot plates at the top of the blade allow for easy digging, engaging your lower body strength and your upper body strength. The sharpened blade also creates an easy digging experience. The extra-large D-Handle makes digging comfortable and easy to grip for even the largest hands. The 14-gauge steel blade and 18-gauge steel shaft ensure durability and strength. This product will not break or bend, which is why this company is happy to offer a lifetime warranty.

Pros
  • Available in two sizes
  • Heavy-duty steel shaft and blade
  • Lifetime warranty
Cons
  • The handle does not match the durability of the rest of this tool. However, Fiskars has a good reputation for replacing the handle when needed.
5

LavoHome Super Duty Multi-Purpose Garden Spade

– Also Consider
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Check On Amazon
THE SCOOP

The LavaHome Super Duty Multi-Purpose Garden Spade has a forward-turned step so you can use your lower body strength to make easy work of cutting through roots and sod. It is a spade/shovel hybrid allowing you to get a variety of jobs done with 1 tool. Its blade is made from durable steel that is almost 14-gauge. It is 42” in length and has a D grip handle. The shaft and handle are made from solid oak wood, giving this spade great shock absorbency and durability. Sawtooth prongs on the side of the blade mean you won’t need to wrestle to get your spade back out of the dirt.

Pros
  • Multi-use hybrid spade/shovel
  • Large comfortable forward turned step
  • Padded grip for comfortable use
Cons
  • You need to sharpen this spade yourself, but you will have a durable and effective digging spade once you do.

People Also Asked

Q: Why are spades used in a deck of cards?v

A: Some historians believe that suits in a deck of cards were used to represent the four classes of Medieval society. What started as swords became spades and represented the military or nobility.  Chalices and cups later became the heart's suit. They may have represented the clergy. Coins later became diamonds and represented merchants. Finally, batons became the suit of clubs and represented peasants.

Q: What gardening jobs can be completed with a spade?

A: The number of jobs you could complete with a spade is extensive. Some of them include dividing plants, planting trees or plants, creating a garden bed, tidying up the soil, and digging post holes.

Q: What are some essential gardening tools for beginners?

A: There are many gardening tools you might like to buy eventually. There is no need to buy all of these items straight away. Instead, you can buy them gradually depending on the job at hand. Some tools you might like to buy to get started include gardening gloves, a garden hand trowel, a wheelbarrow, a digging shovel, a bow rake, a digging spade, a garden knife, a digging fork, and a garden hose.

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By Garden Gate Review Team
The Garden Gate Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you choose the best products for a beautiful and bountiful garden and backyard. The content is created by The Garden Gate Review Team. Garden Gate’s editorial staff is not involved. Garden Gate is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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