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20th May 2022
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A true workhorse of the garden, digging spades are used to prepare beds and borders, to move soil and compost and to plant perennials, shrubs and trees. They can also be useful when removing shrubs and trees, and the blade can slice through roots.
In September 2021, a group of researchers spent a week with experts from the Which? Gardening team testing digging spades from B&Q, Screwfix and Homebase, as well as from big brands such as JCB, Hawksmoor and Fiskars.
We originally tested 10 spades but one has since been discontinued.
We checked for durability, build quality and how comfortable and easy it was to use each spade.
Pricing and availability last checked 7 March 2022.
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Sign up nowOnly logged-in Which? members can view the garden spades test results below. If you're not yet a member, you'll see an alphabetised list of the digging spades we tested.
Join Which? now to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
Only available from B&Q: £11.94.
Weight: 2.07kg
Shaft length: 61cm
Handle width: 11.5cm
Blade: 29 x 17.5cm (HxW)
Total length: 101cm
This digging spade from B&Q is made from polypropylene-coated steel and it's easily the cheapest spade from our selection.
How did it compare with its more expensive rivals in our rigorous tests?
To find out, log into your Which? account now or join Which? today to get instant access to all our reviews across our website.
Cheapest price: £39.99 available from Amazon, also available at Burgon & Ball, B&Q.
Weight: 2.15kg
Shaft length: 62cm
Handle width: 13cm
Blade: 28 x 18cm (HxW)
Total length: 112cm
The handle on this Burgon & Ball spade is made from sustainable FSC-certified hardwood. According to the manufacturer, the longer Y-shaped handle is designed to 'save your back'.
But what did our researchers and Which? Gardening experts think of this RHS-endorsed spade?
To find out, read our full review by logging into your account or joining Which? today.
Only available from B&Q: £35.
Weight: 2.07kg
Shaft length: 72.5cm
Handle width: 14cm
Blade: 29 x 18cm (HxW)
Total length: 110cm
The manufacturer claims this spade is made from FSC-certified ash wood, which means it's been sourced sustainably. It has a stainless steel blade that's double riveted to the shaft.
How did this GoodHome Durum spade compare with the other digging spades in our tests?
Find out by logging into your account or by joining Which? today for instant access to all our reviews.
Only avialbe from Toolstation: £14.98.
Weight: 2.21kg
Shaft length: 61cm
Handle width: 13cm
Blade: 29 x 19cm (HxW)
Total length: 101.5cm
This digging spade from Hawksmoor is described as having a 'forged blade' and 'all-steel construction'.
Apart from the wooden handle, the spade is steel – from the tubular shaft to the cutting edge.
Join Which? or log into your account to see what our Which? Gardening experts and team of researchers thought of it.
Only available from Amazon: £28.99.
Weight: 1.15kg
Shaft length: 50cm
Handle width: 13cm
Blade: 19.5 x 15cm (HxW)
Total length: 91cm
This petite spade from Kent & Stowe is the smallest and lightest digging spade included in our tests.
The socket and blade of this spade are stainless steel, while the handle and shaft are ash wood.
Was this Kent & Stowe digging spade small yet mighty? Check out our full review by logging in or joining Which? to find out.
Cheapest price: £29.99 available from Screwfix, also available from Amazon.
Weight: 2.35kg
Shaft length: 53cm
Handle width: 13cm
Blade: 29 x 18.5cm (HxW)
Total length: 101cm
The blade and socket of this digging spade are made of solid-forged carbon steel.
The manufacturer says the hardwood shaft is weatherproofed and attached to a 'supergrip' handle.
Did the Neverbend garden spade live up to its name? To find out read our full review by logging into your account or joining Which? today.
Only avaialbe from Screwfix: £24.99.
Weight: 2.02kg
Shaft length: 58cm
Handle width: 12.5cm
Blade: 30 x 19cm (HxW)
Total length: 106cm
This spade has a lacquer-coated carbon steel blade and polypropylene (plastic) handle.
The tag line written across the shaft of this spade is 'tough tools for a tough world'.
So is this spade from Roughneck as tough as it claimed? Log into your account or join Which? for instant access to the full review.
Cheapest price: £20 available from Amazon, Homebase.
Weight: 2.37kg
Shaft length: 59cm
Handle width: 13.5cm
Blade: 29x 18cm (HxW)
Total length: 99cm
This spade from Spear & Jackson is the heaviest from our selection, which has its drawbacks and benefits.
The manufacturer claims it's been heat-treated for strength, and the blade is powder coated to resist rust and scratches.
To read the full review of this digging spade and the rest of the spades in our selection, log into your account or join Which? now.
Only available from Wilkinson Sword: £35.99.
Weight: 1.19kg
Shaft length: 62cm
Handle width: 13cm
Blade: 28 x 18cm (HxW)
Total length: 100cm
This spade from Wilkinson Sword is described as 'ultralight', and it's certainly the lightest for its size in our selection. It has a pointed blade with one serrated edge.
It's highly rated by Gardener's World, but what did our researchers and Which? Gardening experts think of it?
To find out, log into your account or join Which? today to get instant full access to all our reviews.
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FSC is a global forest certification system.
The label allows consumers to confidently purchase wood, paper and other products made with materials from well-managed forests.
FSC-certified products are worth looking out for, as it means that these trees were grown as part of a well-managed forest, protecting forest plants and animals.
For more information, visit its website and learn about the FSC certification system.
To find out which is better, we spoke to our Which? Gardening experts, who use gardening tools – including spades – all year round on an almost daily basis.
They said that, while wooden handles can irritate the hands over prolonged use, this can easily be avoided with a good pair of gardening gloves.
It's also worth noting that wood is better able to absorb shock and vibrations.
Plastic handles, on the other hand, often have a textured or rubber grip, but they can become brittle over time, especially if left out in the summer sun.
On balance, our experts feel a wooden handle is better, due to the overall comfort and durability.
When buying a spade, it's important to consider your own height compared with the different lengths of spades.
If you have back problems or can only work for shorter periods, consider a spade with a longer or angled shaft to help you bend less and take the strain off of your back.
Bear in mind if the spade's shaft is too short for your height, this puts extra strain on your back.
We recommend going to buy the spade in person if you can. This way you can get a feel for the length and weight that's right for you.
To check the overall length, hold the spade as you would if you were about to push it into the ground. The handle height is right for you if you're leaning over it slightly.
Then hold the spade as if you were lifting soil. Are the areas you're holding comfortable? And can you reach the base of the shaft easily without stretching?
Our Which? Gardening experts shared these tips to ensure your spade is kept in good condition for the next job in your garden.
Are you a safe gardener? Here are our tips to help prevent injury and back pain while using a garden spade.
If you are concerned about this type of pain, please check out the NHS guide to back pain for further information and advice.
Following feedback from our Which? Gardening members and working closely with the Which? Gardening magazine team we developed tests to put these products through their paces.
To start the testing process, a pair of researchers weighed and measured each of the spades and then examined their build quality.
Our Which? Gardening experts all examined the build quality of each digging spade.
We considered the finish of each spade, including any rivets, edges, ridges and welding or forge marks.
For these two tests, our researchers used each of the spades to dig a hole in a Which? Gardening vegetable patch.
The researchers worked in pairs and recorded their observations and opinions while using each of the spades.
They dug holes as deep and as wide as each spade's blade.
Consideration was given to how comfortable the spade was to use and how easy or difficult the length, weight and design made the digging.
To measure the durability of each spade, we examined them before they were used and then looked at them again after all other tests were completed.
We also checked the strength of each spades' blade, socket and shaft, by trying to use them to move a very large slab of concrete.
To test the strength of the shaft and welds, we placed each spade face down and jumped up and down on it.
Only one spade was damaged during our tests, and this was during its first use when digging a hole.
We considered garden spades (sometimes called digging spades) from a variety of major UK retailers.
To be included, the spades needed to cost £50 or less.
We bought all the spades we tested.