Digging and soil tools
Compare garden hand tools and powered equipment by task, garden size, maintenance, storage and ease of use.
Explore this topic →International practical guide
Garden Tool Matchups
Choose practical tools for routine garden work. Compare garden hand tools and powered equipment by task, garden size, maintenance, storage and ease of use.
Written by Simon R. Greenford. Product availability, rules and specifications vary by country and can change; verify current details before buying or acting.
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Pruning and cutting tools
Compare garden hand tools and powered equipment by task, garden size, maintenance, storage and ease of use.
Explore this topic →Watering and cleanup
Compare garden hand tools and powered equipment by task, garden size, maintenance, storage and ease of use.
Explore this topic →Powered tools, storage and buying decisions
Compare garden hand tools and powered equipment by task, garden size, maintenance, storage and ease of use.
Explore this topic →Popular decisions
Practical comparisons and guides
Spade vs shovel: different digging jobs
Plain-language guidance focused on real-world tradeoffs rather than a one-size-fits-all ranking.
Read guide →Garden fork vs digging fork
Plain-language guidance focused on real-world tradeoffs rather than a one-size-fits-all ranking.
Read guide →Hoe types: draw, stirrup and collinear styles
Plain-language guidance focused on real-world tradeoffs rather than a one-size-fits-all ranking.
Read guide →Hand trowel vs hori-hori style garden knife
Plain-language guidance focused on real-world tradeoffs rather than a one-size-fits-all ranking.
Read guide →Bypass vs anvil pruners
Plain-language guidance focused on real-world tradeoffs rather than a one-size-fits-all ranking.
Read guide →Pruners vs loppers
Plain-language guidance focused on real-world tradeoffs rather than a one-size-fits-all ranking.
Read guide →Hedge shears vs powered hedge trimmer
Plain-language guidance focused on real-world tradeoffs rather than a one-size-fits-all ranking.
Read guide →Manual edger vs powered edger
Plain-language guidance focused on real-world tradeoffs rather than a one-size-fits-all ranking.
Read guide →Why this site is different
This publication is organized around broad, practical guides that make assumptions and tradeoffs clear while avoiding unnecessary repetition.
We do not sell the products discussed here. Advertising may appear, but editorial topics and conclusions are developed independently. See our editorial standards and advertising disclosure.