Best garden gear and tools
The secret to a lush, vibrant garden isn’t just technique and skill. It’s also about having the best tools at your disposal. This includes everything from trowels, composters and rakes to hoses and watering cans. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or this is your first time, start off your garden this year the right way with the most essential tools, accessories and equipment.
Price range of garden essentials
Depending on the tool or equipment you’re using, expect it to cost anywhere from $10-$150. A mid-range composter, for example, could cost roughly $100. A garden rake, however, may only cost $15-$30. Most of the products in this article are under $100.
Best garden hoes
Best of the best garden hoes
Rogue Garden Hoe: available at Amazon.
Our take: A well-balanced, precision tool that comes with a lifetime guarantee.
What we like: The wide edge allows it to pull up stubborn weeds and roots well. It’s also perfect for all terrains, including rocks, gravel, sand and dirt.
What we dislike: Some hoes have a rough finish on the handle and need to be sanded.
Best bang for your buck garden hoe
True Temper Garden Hoe: available at Amazon
Our take: This is a high-quality hoe that’s perfect for even the toughest weeds.
What we like: Heavy-duty with a strong looped blade, cushioned grip and long handle.
What we dislike: It’s very long and heavy. Some users mention the blade clogs easily.
Best garden gloves
Best of the best garden gloves
Magic Gardening Gloves: available at Amazon
Our take: A comfortable, solid pair of women’s gardening gloves that are great for planting, weeding, trimming back bushes and more.
What we like: These gloves are durable with extra durability against thorns and other punctures. They’re also long, which provides more forearm protection.
What we dislike: The fit doesn’t work for everyone.
Best bang for your buck garden gloves
Garden Genie Claw Gardening Gloves: available at Amazon
Our take: Useful gloves with an innovative concept perfect for easy gardening.
What we like: Durable gloves with breathable technology making them perfect for digging up gravel, rock and repotting plants.
What we dislike: They can be inconvenient for non-digging tasks.
Best pruning shears
Best of the best pruning shears
Garden Elite Pruning Shears: available at Amazon
Our take: These shears provide clean, sharp cuts and a comfortable grip for extended use. They also come with a lifetime warranty.
What we like: Made of high-quality steel with nonstick Teflon coating to prevent rust, these shears are durable and long-lasting.
What we dislike: They require extra pressure to properly open and close. They’re also a more expensive option.
Best bang for your buck pruning shears
Gonicc Pruning Shears: available at Amazon
Our take: Professional-grade pruning shears perfect for trimming back shrubs, plants, flowers and gardens.
What we like: These 8-inch pruning shears have a high carbon steel blade, non-slip handles, and grooves to prevent them from sticking.
What we dislike: The locking mechanism is located in an area where it sometimes flips and jams the shears.
Best garden composters
Best of the best garden composter
FCMP Outdoor IM4000 Tumbling Composter: available at Amazon
Our take: Tumbling composters provide better mixing and aeration than its standard counterparts. This composter is perfect for experienced gardeners and beginners.
What we like: A durable composter with a galvanized steel frame makes it resistant to corrosion and degradation. It has two chambers for composting.
What we dislike: The sliding door may freeze shut in the winter. Some customers find the individual chambers too small for their composting needs.
Best bang for your buck garden composter
Algreen Soil Saver Composter: available at Amazon
Our take: This composter is made of sustainable materials and has ample space for composting.
What we like: A large composter with a locking lid to keep out animals, a self-watering mechanism and well-ventilated system. It produces quality compost for the garden.
What we dislike: It’s been known to stain concrete, so it’s not great for patio use. The plastic bolts it comes with could be better quality.
Best raised plant beds
Best of the best raised plant bed
Greene’s Original Cedar Elevated Garden Bed: available at Home Depot
Our take: The elevated design of this garden bed makes it easy to use without having to bend down. It’s perfect for growing flowers, plants, herbs and vegetables on patios, decks and porches.
What we like: Made of cedar, this product is naturally insect- and rot-resistant. It’s also chemical-free and easy to assemble without special tools. Plus, it’s large enough for plants that need deep soil.
What we dislike: The wood may split or warp easily.
Best bang for your buck raised plant bed
Best Choice Products Mobile Raised Garden Bed: available at Amazon
Our take: A great choice for new gardeners due to its easy maneuverability and assembly.
What we like: A mobile, convenient, elevated garden planter with an extra shelf for storing garden tools. It also has drainage holes that prevent roots from rotting or drowning.
What we dislike: The drainage holes are on the sides, so there’s a higher chance of rot root in the center of the planter. Also, the drainage holes are a little large, so soil may fall through.
Best garden rakes
Best of the best rake
EZ Travel Collection Adjustable Foldable Garden Rake: available at Amazon
Our take: A multi-functional rake perfect for tight and large areas, including flower beds and hedges.
What we like: Durable with a great locking switch, this all-purpose rake is lightweight and easy to use. It’s also extendable (from 32 to 62 inches) and comes with an adjustable head.
What we dislike: The sliding lever can be difficult to use. For heavy use, the rake may not feel stable enough.
Best bang for your buck rake
Corona GT 3070 Extendable Cultivator: available at Amazon
Our take: Great option for general yard work and large gardens.
What we like: This lightweight rake has a comfortable grip and an extendable handle, which makes it great for cultivating the garden and yard without having to bend over. The rake is designed to prevent rusting and dulling.
What we dislike: Some customers have difficulty twisting the handle for proper extension.
Best garden trowels
Best of the best trowel
Wilcox All-Pro Stainless Steel Garden Trowel: available at Amazon
Our take: This trowel is built to last and can handle anything from breaking up tightly packed dirt to planting bulbs deep into the ground.
What we like: Stainless steel, unbendable and highly durable. It’s also resistant to rust and pitting.
What we dislike: The handle may collect packed dirt with heavy use, so it’s necessary to clean it out sometimes. Also, the blade is sharp and could be dangerous if your grip on the handle slips.
Best bang for your buck trowel
TACKLIFE Garden Tool Set: available at Amazon
Our take: This three-piece set comes with a trowel, transplant trowel and cultivator. All three are heavy-duty and designed to minimize stress on the hands and wrist.
What we like: Rust-resistant and durable, these stainless steel products are uniquely designed to break up clumped dirt and loosen soil. They also have convenient holes for easy storage.
What we dislike: It’s possible to bend these tools, but only with a great deal of force.
Best garden hoses
Best of the best garden hose
Flexi Garden Hose: available at Amazon
Our take: A solid garden hose that delivers on versatility, convenience and overall durability.
What we like: It’s expandable, able to withstand tears and punctures and it’s lightweight. Plus, it comes with an adjustable attachment.
What we dislike: Although durable, it may not hold up in direct heat. It’s also pricier than alternatives.
Best bang for your buck garden hose
Cesun Garden Hose: available at Amazon
Our take: An affordable, convenient garden hose designed for nearly any garden task.
What we like: This lightweight hose is made of durable material and is designed to fit most spray attachments.
What we dislike: It can be difficult to properly store it without it kinking. Sometimes customers have experienced leaks.
Best hand weeders
Best of the best hand weeder
CobraHead Original Weeder & Cultivator Garden Hand Tool: available at Amazon
Our take: A versatile hand weeder with a classic design made for getting out thick tangles of roots with ease.
What we like: Its curved blade can get through any soil and pull up tough weeds. The blade is steel-forged and durable, and the handle provides a solid grip. This is a highly dependable product.
What we dislike: The shape of the blade’s tip makes it difficult to grab onto single roots.
Best bang for your buck hand weeder
Edwards Tools Weeding Tool: available at Amazon
Our take: The curved metal base makes it perfect for pulling up the most stubborn of weeds from the root.
What we like: This hand weeder comes with a lifetime warranty and is durable. It’s made of stainless steel and has a solid wood, cushioned handle to prevent strain on the wrist or hand.
What we dislike: It breaks through more fragile roots, rather than pulling them out. Some users find the blade too big for precision weeding.
Best watering cans
Best of the best watering can
Behrens Steel Watering Can: available at Amazon
Our take: Made with high-quality metal, this is a long-lasting watering can perfect for gardening.
What we like: This classic-looking watering can is rust-resistant, rodent-proof and durable. It also has a strong spray.
What we dislike: The head isn’t removable, which could be a problem if you need something more versatile.
Best bang for your buck watering can
Bloem JW41-908 Watering Can: available at Amazon
Our take: This watering can is created to last with a durable, plastic exterior, but it’s best for small gardens or houseplants.
What we like: An inexpensive watering can with a sleek design, solid reach and good balance. This product can hold 144 ounces of water at a time.
What we dislike: It doesn’t hold enough water for larger gardens. The spout may be too narrow for faster watering.
Angela Watson is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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