Best Lightweight Gardening Shovels of 2026

Steven Taylor Avatar
Steven Taylor
Last Updated: Jan 17, 2026

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Lightweight gardening shovels are a must-have tool for any gardener. They are designed to be easy to handle, making them ideal for digging, planting, and moving soil. These shovels are made from durable materials and feature a comfortable grip, allowing gardeners to work for extended periods without feeling fatigued. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes, making them versatile enough for any gardening task. Whether you are a professional landscaper or a hobbyist gardener, a lightweight gardening shovel is an essential tool that will make your work easier and more efficient.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

MECHEER Garden Shovel Trowel Set Cover #TOP 1
MECHEER Garden Shovel Trowel Set
ftb score rating icon 9.8
VNIMTI Round Shovel Cover #TOP 2
VNIMTI Round Shovel
ftb score rating icon 9.7
ABtool Small Heavy Duty Garden Shovel Cover #TOP 3
ABtool Small Heavy Duty Garden Shovel
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 8 Lightweight Gardening Shovels

#TOP 1

MECHEER Garden Shovel Trowel Set

GSS-1
Orange
MECHEER Garden Shovel Trowel Set Cover
Garden Shovel Trowel Garden Tool Set, 2 Pack Heavy Duty Gardening Tools Set Include Wide Garden Trowel, Hand Shovel with Measurement Mark, Small Shovels for Gardening Digging Planting Transplanting

The MECHEER Garden Tool Set includes two uniquely designed trowels that enhance your gardening experience. One trowel features clear measurement markings, allowing you to dig at the perfect depth for planting. The other has a smooth surface, ideal for transplanting delicate plants. Made from durable aluminum alloy, these tools resist rust and withstand tough soil conditions, ensuring longevity. The ergonomic handle, designed for comfort, reduces hand strain, making gardening less tiring. Light and compact, these tools are easy to store and carry, making your gardening tasks more enjoyable.

What We Like
Good quality materials
Easy grip handles
Durable aluminum construction
Lightweight design
Affordable set of 2

VNIMTI Round Shovel

Wood
41 inches
VNIMTI Round Shovel Cover
Shovel for Digging,Round Shovel, Garden Tool with D-Handle, 41 Inches in Overall Length, Wooden Handel Garden Shovel,Beach Shovel, Car Snow Shovel

The VNIMTI Round Shovel is a versatile garden tool with a D-handle and 41 inches in overall length. Made of cold-rolled steel and a wooden handle, it is strong and durable. It can be used for a variety of tasks such as digging, shoveling, and transferring. It is lightweight and easy to use, making it perfect for spring and summer gardening, as well as autumn and winter snow shoveling. Customers have praised its sturdiness and ergonomic design.

What We Like
Ideal for short people
Lightweight and sturdy
Comfortable handle design
Good quality materials
#TOP 3

ABtool Small Heavy Duty Garden Shovel

Orange Digging Shovel
Orange
ABtool Small Heavy Duty Garden Shovel Cover
Small Shovels for Digging, Garden Spade Shovel Beach Shovels with 43.3in Handle,Heavy Duty Portable Metal Shovel for Gardening Camping Trenching Digging Landscaping,Off-Road Use, Orange

The ABtool Compact Garden Shovel is designed to make your outdoor tasks easier and more efficient. Its sturdy metal blade is sharp, allowing you to dig through tough soil quickly without much effort. The handle is made of durable stainless steel with an ergonomic, non-slip grip, so it won’t break or bend even during heavy use, giving you confidence in its strength. This shovel is perfect for various gardening jobs like digging holes, turning soil, and transplanting plants, helping your garden thrive. Plus, it’s useful all year round for tasks like clearing weeds, removing snow, or beach digging, offering great versatility for your needs.

What We Like
Durable stainless steel handle
Sharp blade for easy digging
Ergonomic non-slip grip
Multi-season usability
Lightweight yet sturdy design
#TOP 4

Mimeile Plastic Garden Shovel 3 Pack

Multicolor
Small
Mimeile Plastic Garden Shovel 3 Pack Cover
Plastic Garden Shovel Plant Hand Trowels 3 Pack Soil Planting Digging Transplanting Multi-Function Beach Sand Pet's Food Scoop Garden Tools

The Mimeile Garden Shovel Set includes three colorful shovels, giving you plenty of tools for different gardening tasks. Made from durable yet lightweight plastic, these shovels are built to last without tiring your hand. Each shovel has a non-slip handle designed for a comfortable grip, making digging and planting easier. Plus, the handy centimeter markings help you plant seeds and bulbs at the right depth for better growth. These thoughtful features make the set practical and enjoyable for everyday gardening.

What We Like
Durable lightweight plastic
Non-slip comfortable handle
Centimeter depth markings
Three colorful shovels included
#TOP 5

Pragmatist Small Durable Metal Shovel 43.3 Inch

SMALL SHOVEL
Orange
Pragmatist Small Durable Metal Shovel 43.3 Inch Cover
Small Shovel 43.3Inch Durable Metal Shovel for Digging Small Spade Shovel Garden Shovel for Gardening Digging Camping Farming and Outdoors, Orange

The Pragmatist Compact Garden Shovel is built with a strong metal handle designed to last through tough digging jobs, giving you a reliable tool for various outdoor tasks. Its versatility goes beyond just gardening—you can use it for camping, light farming, and trench digging, making it a handy tool for many situations. The shovel’s ergonomic handle offers a comfortable grip, helping reduce hand and arm fatigue during longer use so you can work more efficiently. Plus, its lightweight and compact design makes it easy to carry wherever you go, perfect for both planned and spontaneous outdoor projects.

What We Like
Heavy-duty metal handle
Multi-purpose use
Ergonomic grip
Lightweight and portable

AMES Poly Scoop with Hardwood Handle and D-Grip

2682700
Multicolor
46-Inch
AMES Poly Scoop with Hardwood Handle and D-Grip Cover
AMES 46-Inch Poly Scoop with Hardwood Handle and Ergonomic D-Grip, Ideal for Garden Care, Landscaping, Moving Shavings or Grain, Farming Tasks, and Heavy-Duty Yard Work

The AMES Poly Scoop with Hardwood Handle and D-Grip, 46-Inch, features a large poly D-grip that offers leverage and control, allowing you to lift and transfer stone, soil, and grain with ease. The hardwood handle is strong and durable, while also providing a comfortable grip. This scoop is well-suited for lawn and garden tasks, as well as farm and agricultural uses.

What We Like
Lightweight design
Sturdy construction
Versatile usage
Safe for delicate surfaces
Wide shovel opening
#TOP 7

Spear Head Spade Gardening Shovel

YurDoca
Yellow
Spear Head Spade Gardening Shovel Cover
Spear Head Spade SHFD3 40" Yellow Garden Spade Shovel - Gardening Shovel with a 9" x 11" Beveled Blade, Steel-Reinforced Fiberglass Long Handle & Cushioned D-Grip - Digging Spade for Planting

The Spear Head Spade Gardening Shovel is a multi-purpose shovel designed to reduce digging effort in the toughest soil conditions. It features a steel reinforced pultruded fiberglass handle that is 60% stronger than EN-3388 shovel/spade standards, and a large soft cushioned D-grip for comfort and better leverage. It was awarded "Best of the Best" in garden shovels in 2018, 2019, and 2020 by independent test lab BESTREVIEWS. Customers have praised its lightweight design, sturdiness, and ability to penetrate the ground easily.

What We Like
Lightweight
Sturdy
Efficient digging
Adjustable handle
Can chip away ice and snow

Radius Garden 23311 Root Slayer Perennial Shovel

Root Slayer
23311
Original Red
Radius Garden 23311 Root Slayer Perennial Shovel Cover
Root Slayer 23311, Perennial Shovel, Red

The Radius Garden Root Slayer Shovel is a versatile gardening tool that makes digging through tough sod and roots a breeze. With its unique "Inverted V" cutting blade tip and root-cutting rip saw teeth, this shovel eliminates the need for other tools like saws, hatchets, and pry-bars. The patented ergonomic O-Handle grip provides four times the gripping surface of traditional D-handle tools, offering additional leverage while reducing hand and wrist stress. The blade of the shovel is 70% of the size of the original Root Slayer, ensuring lightweight usability without compromising sharpness or strength. With its pultruded fiberglass shaft, heavy-duty carbon steel blade, and extra wide raised forward step, this shovel provides better leverage and comfort. The Radius Garden Root Slayer Shovel is a durable and efficient tool that will make your gardening tasks easier and more enjoyable.

What We Like
Versatile
Ergonomic Grip
Lightweight yet strong
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our lightweight gardening shovel research, we found 24 lightweight gardening shovel products and shortlisted 8 quality products. We collected and analyzed 45,467 customer reviews through our big data system to write the lightweight gardening shovels list. We found that most customers choose lightweight gardening shovels with an average price of $28.83.

The lightweight gardening shovels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of lightweight gardening shovels, including MECHEER, VNIMTI, ABtool, Mimeile, Pragmatist. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,479 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Steven Taylor Avatar

Steven Taylor grew up in a small town called Beaufort in South Carolina and his passion for building and woodworking has led him to master the latest garden gadgets. He always holds every chance to patch up or sand down his beloved garden. There are various novel technologies in his articles.