If you have a garden or field, you must have at least used a shovel at least once. If you have used more than one type of shovel, you’ll know there is a huge difference in terms of durability, performance, and comfort. This is where the tricky part comes. Choosing the right and the best shovel that suits you and your work is hard because there are thousands of products in the market. They all have different attributes.
Generally, people don’t know whether to buy a long or short shovel, what kind of material, and which shape of blades. If you feel like you have this problem, don’t worry, this article will help you to choose the right one for your garden.
The 6 Best Shovel
- Fiskars 96685935J LNG Hndl Digging Shovel (Our Top Pick)
- Bond LH015 Mini D Handle Shovel
- True Temper 2585900 D-Grip Digging Shovel with Hardwood Handle
- Stanley Garden BDS8088 Mini-D Handle Square Head Shovel
- Bully Tools 82515 14-Gauge Round Point Shovel with Fiberglass Long Handle
- Seymour S710 48-Inch Long Fiberglass Handle Notched Super Shovel Round Point
Our Top Pick for the Best Shovel
Our top pick for the best shovel is the Fiskars 96685935J LNG Hndl Digging Shovel.
Fiskars is known for its high-quality tools at an affordable price, and this one is no different. Its long, durable, steel handle is perfect for heavy-duty work. This shovel will last for a very long time.
Check the price on AmazonChoosing the Right Shovel
First, you need to understand what a shovel is and how it’s different from a spade.
Basically, a shovel is a tool used for digging, lifting, or moving material from one position to the next. It can be helpful with many different materials, but for now, we’re focusing on dirt and soil in your field and backyard.
A spade is a lot different from a shovel, regardless of what people say. Spades are designed with a pointy sharp edge that is used strictly to break rough material, like concrete, that can be lifted later by a shovel. Some people also use spades to move materials, although it may not be as effective as a shovel.
You can see the difference from a glance between a shovel and a spade. The shovel’s blade is angled while the spade’s blade is straight (but sharper).
Long or Short Handle
Do you need a short handle or a long handle shovel? This question is an important one to ask yourself, and the answer lies within the tasks you’re trying to accomplish in your field. Choosing the right length will help you to work efficiently and keep your body safe throughout the whole process. There are a few differences between the short and long handle, the table below shows the advantages and disadvantages of each shovel type:
| Long Handled Shovel | Short Handled Shovel | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Advantages | Disadvantages | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| 1. Leverage 2. More strength | 1. Break easily 2. More expensive | 1. Good for limited workspace 2. Easy to store 3. Cheaper | 1. Holds small amount 2. Back strain |
Other than the length, there are more features that you should look at while trying to purchase a suitable one for you. Remember, there is no such thing as a good or bad shovel, it is all about your needs and how you’re going to use it. Here are different features to look for:
1. Handle Design
There are two of the most common handle types which are the “T” and the “D” grip (and without handles). Like stated earlier, there is no better design but it is all up to you and how you use and lift your shovel. Some people find the “T” grip to be more suitable while others can’t live without the “D” grip. It’s a matter of preference.
Make sure you try both before purchasing. In addition, try to look for one with a round blade as this design helps you to find a place to rest your feet on the shovel while trying to fit it in the ground for the digging process.
2. Durability
Most shovel’s blades are made of forged and the stamped steel blades. It is not a hard decision but the forged steel has proven to be the most durable type for the blades. If the shovel is tempered, that would be a good add-on for the tool, but it will be pricier. Stainless steel is another option for your blade as it will not rust, however, you might not find it worth to trade extra money for the look.
There are other materials for the blade such as plastic and aluminum, but both are mostly used to lift lighter material like sand or snow.
3. Handle Material
Now let us discuss the material of the handle. Handle is where you hold the shovel from, as mentioned previously, there are D and T type of handle. Most handles are made from wood as it is the most commercially appealing to the people and soft to touch. But, it is heavier. The other common type is the fiberglass which is way lighter than wood and definitely stronger and more durable than wood but also more expensive.
4. Overall Size
There is a wide range of sizes from short to long handles to huge gigantic shovels. However, picking the right size relies on two aspects. The first is your own size. If you’re a tall mid-aged guy with a lot of power in you, buying the biggest size is the right thing to do. On the other hand, if you’re an older person or with less strength, then buying a smaller size is more efficient. It shouldn’t be hard finding the right size for you.
The other aspect that affects your decision is the job you intended to do. If you are working with a lot of material to move, you should definitely choose a bigger blade size so you can lift more. But again, don’t ignore your own size and strength.
The Best Shovels – Reviews
1. Fiskars 96685935J LNG Hndl Digging Shovel
This Fiskars Digging Shovel is ideal for digging in tough soil. The handle and blade are welded and made of hardened steel that will ensure a longer lifetime for the tool. Not to mention the guaranteed availability of stock at all times with a lifetime warranty over the product. This one is designed with a long handle that will protect you from getting any back injuries and keeping you safe at all times of use.
Pros
- Long handle
- Steel shaft
- Cheap
- Seems very durable
- Works great for hard soil
Cons
- Heavy
- Blade tip might break easily
2. Bond LH015 Mini D Handle Shovel
The Bond Handle Shovel deserves the title of one of the best short-handled shovels. However, due to its size, it’s only good for infrequent, light-duty tasks in your field. This is a good choice of a shovel that will respect your comfort at all times and always come in handy for you.
Pros
- Compact, easy to store
- Comfortable to use
- Seems hard to break
Cons
- Fairly expensive for what it is
- Short handle meaning its length might be too short
- Not ideal for hard tasks
3. True Temper 2585900 D-Grip Digging Shovel with Hardwood Handle
True Temper Digging Shovel is famous for its great power. As a start, the hardwood handle of this one is D shaped which is the most ideal shape for a handle as it assists you while using it during heavy-duty tasks. The forged steel blade has a perfect balance between a sharpened edge and a large surface area for holding more soil.
Pros
- Very good quality steel
- Good price
- Durable
- Great for heavy-duty tasks
Cons
- Comfort step doesn’t provide sufficient leverage for digging in rocky soil
4. Stanley Garden BDS8088 Mini-D Handle Square Head Shovel
The Stanley Garden Mini-D Handle Square Head Shovel is a great sought after tool for everyday digging, transporting, or groundbreaking tasks. It has a durable and sharp square-shaped steelhead, a sturdy fiberglass shaft, a comfortable non-slip D-shaped handle, and you can easily store it away in a garden shed.
Pros
- Durable and sharp square steelhead
- Sturdy fiberglass handle and comfortable non-slip D-shaped handle
- Easy to store mini design
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty digging in rocky soil
- Smaller size is not ideal for moving large amounts of soil
- Raised edges are not very high
5. Bully Tools 82515 14-Gauge Round Point Shovel with Fiberglass Long Handle
The Bully Tools Shovel with Fiberglass Long Handle is more durable than wood handles. It is the perfect heavy-duty tool for you. Regardless of its high price, this shovel defines the saying “you get what you pay for”. It comes with a sharp blade and a handle that has features of being extended. This product precisely comes with a limited lifetime warranty which you might not even need to use due to its sturdy construction.
Pros
- Durable
- Long, comfortable handle
- Great for tough soil
- Fiberglass handle
Cons
- Blade may need sharpening
- Heavy
- Expensive
6. Seymour S710 48-Inch Long Fiberglass Handle Notched Super Shovel Round Point
The Seymour Long Fiberglass Handle Shovel with Round Point has a different kind of style than all the others. Its blade has cutting teeth at the end that can be used to penetrate any type of hard soil you might have in your field.
Pros
- Makes digging hard soil easy
- Looks unique
- Decent handle length
- Durable
Cons
- Sharp edges might not be safe in storage
- Heavy
- Expensive
- Needs cleaning between teeth
Our Top Pick for the Best Shovel
Our top pick for the best shovel is the Fiskars 96685935J LNG Hndl Digging Shovel.
Fiskars is known for its high-quality tools at an affordable price, and this one is no different. Its long, durable, steel handle is perfect for heavy-duty work. This shovel will last for a very long time.
Check the price on Amazon
