Stones in a border
You want about 10–12 mm and a frame you can knock clean. The RIDDLE is a fixed 10 mm plate with the largest UK review count here. It is the wrong opening for a thin cover over small seed.
Garden sieve comparison 2026
The best garden sieves, compared.
Top pick: Solkraes 2-piece soil sieve Best value: Flatro stainless sieve, 5 meshes – Best value at about £14.95: five stainless openings from 3 mm to 12 mm, and the highest value block among the other listings. Updated October 2026.
A garden sieve, also called a garden riddle, lets fine soil, compost, or sand fall through while stones, roots, and clods stay on top. You are choosing a millimetre opening, a diameter you can read, and a mesh that stays in the frame when you tip it. The words fine and large do not help until those figures are printed. Nothing here was load-tested, and a rust-resistant bullet is not a corrosion test. About 10–12 mm suits stones and coarse compost. About 3–5 mm is a thin cover over small seed. How a fixed plate differs from a drop-in disc is in the [garden sieve buying guide](/hub/garden-tools/garden-sieve/sub/garden-sieve-buying-guide). On amazon.co.uk you are choosing a mesh opening and a frame you can still lift, not a brand story. Chrome plate, galvanising, powder coat, stainless steel, and plastic are different claims.
A garden sieve, also called a garden riddle, lets fine soil, compost, or sand fall through while stones, roots, and clods stay on top.
42 products checked · 64 hrs invested · +22,800 readers
12 of 12: Best garden sieves compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 12Best overall
Best value
4.4/10
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∼ £21
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5.0(3)
4.8(9)
4.6(1,806)
4.6(331)
4.6(28)
4.5(388)
4.5(40)
4.3(25)
4.1(6)
3.6(4)
3.4(109)
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Personal buying guide
Which garden sieve fits?
Question 1 of 2
What are you sieving?
The best garden sieves in detail
Our view
The Solkraes set is two handled metal sieves, one at 3 mm and one at 6 mm, at about £20.89. amazon.co.uk shows 5.0 from 3 reviews, which is too small a sample to treat as a verdict. A reviewer said the two openings feel close enough to be interchangeable on ordinary soil, so the second sieve may not buy you a different job. Another review said soil passed more evenly, with less clogging, when the material was moderately dry. There is no wet-clay result in the UK reviews. The table prints 2.54 × 2.54 × 2.54 cm at 1.02 kg, which is not a credible diameter, and neither the bullets nor the three reviews measure one. Each sieve has a handle, so this is a pair of scoops rather than a rim that sits on a bucket. It is only a candidate if you want two fixed meshes and you will measure the frame yourself when it arrives.
Pros
- One 3 mm sieve and one 6 mm sieve, mesh fixed in each
- A handle on each sieve
- Listed uses include soil, compost, sand and stones
- Shelf price about £20.89
Cons
- 5.0 from only 3 reviews
- The only size line is a 2.54 cm cube, which is not a diameter
- A reviewer found 3 mm and 6 mm close enough to feel interchangeable
- No wet-clay result in the UK reviews
Best for: You want two handled scoops and you will ignore the 2.54 cm table until you have measured the sieves.
Less suitable: You are choosing from the star average, or you need a stated diameter before you buy.
Specifications
- Model
- Solkraes 2-piece soil sieve
- Brand
- Solkraes
- Price
- ∼£21
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(3)
- Mesh openings
- 3 mm, 6 mm
- Meshes
- 2
- Sieve type
- Handled scoops
- Material
- Metal
- Mesh held
- Fixed
- Listed size
- 2.54 × 2.54 × 2.54 cm
- Weight
- 1020 g
- Handle
- Yes
Common questions
How do the two meshes compare?
The set is one 3 mm sieve and one 6 mm sieve. A reviewer said they are close enough to feel interchangeable on ordinary soil.
Will it work with damp soil?
One review says soil passed evenly, with less clogging, when the material was moderately dry. There is no wet-clay result in the UK reviews.
What size is printed?
The table says 2.54 × 2.54 × 2.54 cm and 1.02 kg. The bullets do not give a diameter, and the three reviews do not measure one.
Our view
The Cimown set is two stainless steel scoops with a handle on each, one at 3.8 mm and one at 5 mm, listed at 27 × 10 × 6.5 cm, 220 g and about £9.99. amazon.co.uk shows 4.8 from 9 reviews. UK reviews used them for small stones, a flower bed and lawn seed, not for a coarse 10 mm stone job. The mesh is fixed in each scoop, so you are not dropping a disc into one rim. The bullets also name compost, sand, sandpits, wood chips and cat litter. Nine reviews is a thin sample beside the large riddle listings, even though the star average looks high. At 220 g the pair is light for a handful of potting mix. The 5 mm opening is still too fine if you are knocking stones out of a border, and there is no 10 mm or 12 mm sieve in the box.
Pros
- Two fixed meshes, 3.8 mm and 5 mm, each with a handle
- Stainless steel, listed at 220 g and about £9.99
- Dimensions printed as 27 × 10 × 6.5 cm
- UK reviews mention small stones, a flower bed and lawn seed
Cons
- 4.8 from only 9 reviews
- No coarse opening for a stony border
- A handled scoop, not a rim that sits on a bucket
- 220 g is a light tool for a heap
Best for: You are sieving a pot, a seed tray or a small bed and you want two fine openings with handles.
Less suitable: You are taking stones out of a border or a barrow of soil.
Specifications
- Model
- Cimown handled sieve, 2 pieces
- Brand
- Cimown
- Price
- ∼£10
- Customer rating
- 4.8/5(9)
- Mesh openings
- 3.8 mm, 5 mm
- Meshes
- 2
- Sieve type
- Handled scoops
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Mesh held
- Fixed
- Listed size
- 27 × 10 × 6.5 cm
- Weight
- 220 g
- Handle
- Yes
Common questions
Can you use it for compost?
The bullets name compost, soil, sand, sandpits, wood chips and cat litter.
Does it have a handle?
Yes. The title and bullets both say each sieve has a handle.
What are the holes?
3.8 mm and 5 mm. UK reviews used them for small stones, a flower bed and lawn seed, not for a coarse 10 mm job.
Our view
The Spear & Jackson RIDDLE is a round chrome-plated steel frame with a fixed 10 mm square plate, listed at 586 g and about £14.95. The bullets say 315 mm across and the table says 31.5 × 31.5 × 7 cm, which is the same measurement printed twice, while the manufacturer page states 330 mm, so both figures stay. amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 1,806 reviews, the largest sample in this set, and UK reviews describe sieving soil, stones and compost. The plate is fixed, so it cannot drop out when you tip the frame. The holes are 10 mm, so a thin cover over small seed is not what this riddle is listed for, and UK reviews still see small stones pass. Some reviewers call the metal stainless or galvanised; the listing says chrome-plated steel. One review says dry clods skate on the flat plate and that the base is sharp enough to want gloves. It is the top pick here if you want stones and coarse lumps out of soil or finished compost and you can live with a single 10 mm opening.
Pros
- Fixed 10 mm square plate that cannot fall out of the frame
- Chrome-plated steel, 586 g, listed at about £14.95
- 315 mm in the bullets and 31.5 cm in the table agree with each other
- 4.6 from 1,806 amazon.co.uk reviews, the largest sample in this set
- UK reviews describe soil, stones and compost
Cons
- One opening only, so it is not a 3 mm seed cover
- Manufacturer page states 330 mm beside the listing's 315 mm
- Small stones still pass a 10 mm hole, which UK reviews note on compost
- One review says dry clods skate on the flat plate and the base is sharp
Best for: You want stones and coarse lumps out of soil or compost, and you want the opening and the review count printed in one place.
Less suitable: You need about 3–5 mm over small seed, or more than one opening in the same frame.
Specifications
- Model
- Spear & Jackson steel riddle
- Brand
- Spear & Jackson
- Price
- ∼£15
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(1,806)
- Mesh openings
- 10 mm square
- Meshes
- 1
- Sieve type
- Fixed plate
- Material
- Chrome-plated steel
- Mesh held
- Fixed plate
- Listed size
- 31.5 × 31.5 × 7 cm
- Weight
- 586 g
Common questions
Can you use it for compost?
The bullets name soil and stones. UK reviews also describe sieving compost. Holes are 10 mm, so finer seed work is not what the plate is listed for.
What is the frame?
Chrome-plated steel, alloy steel in the material line, 586 g. Some reviews call it stainless or galvanised. The listing does not.
Does it have a handle?
The bullets do not say yes. It is a round frame with a fixed 10 mm plate.
Our view
The johgee is a metal sieve with screens listed at 3, 6, 9 and 12 mm, a 30 cm diameter in the bullets, plus a shovel and a dual-purpose hoe, at about £27.44 and a package weight of 1.05 kg. amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 331 reviews. The title and one bullet list four screens, and another bullet says three sizes, so the mesh count is not settled on the page. Reviews describe compost, including about 15 bags in one case, while the bullets name rocks, weeds and stones rather than a compost method. The screens are removable. Reviews say the included shovel and hoe bend if you dig or lever with them, so they are not a substitute for a border spade. The package line is 32.2 × 30.9 × 10.6 cm rather than a separate rim-depth figure. It is the row to open if you want several stated millimetre openings and a 30 cm bullet, and you will treat the tools as light scrapers.
Pros
- Screens listed at 3, 6, 9 and 12 mm
- 30 cm diameter in the bullets
- 4.6 from 331 amazon.co.uk reviews
- UK reviews describe compost as well as stones
- Shovel and dual-purpose hoe are in the box
Cons
- One bullet says three sizes while the title lists four
- Reviews say the shovel and hoe bend if you dig or lever with them
- About £27.44 is the dearest hand sieve in this set
- Screens are removable, so they are not a fixed plate
Best for: You want several millimetre openings on a 30 cm rim and you will not use the included tools as a crowbar.
Less suitable: You want one fixed plate, or you need the mesh count to be the same in every bullet.
Specifications
- Model
- johgee garden sieve with tools
- Brand
- johgee
- Price
- ∼£27
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(331)
- Mesh openings
- 3, 6, 9, 12 mm
- Meshes
- 4
- Sieve type
- Drop-in screens
- Material
- Metal
- Mesh held
- Removable
- Listed size
- 32.2 × 30.9 × 10.6 cm
- Weight
- 1050 g
- Handle
- On the tools
Common questions
Does it come with a shovel?
Yes. The bullets include one shovel and one dual-purpose hoe. Reviews say those tools bend if you dig or lever with them.
How many meshes are there?
The title and one bullet list 3, 6, 9 and 12 mm, and four screens. Another bullet says three sizes.
Can it filter compost?
Reviews describe compost, including about 15 bags in one case. The bullets name rocks, weeds and stones rather than a compost method.
Our view
The Flatro is a stainless steel frame with inserts at 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 mm, a table size of 29.5 × 29.5 × 7.5 cm and 655 g, at about £14.95. amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 28 reviews, a much smaller sample than the 1,806 reviews on the fixed 10 mm plate at the same shelf price. The title and bullets name chunky compost, fine soil, stones and roots. The bullets also say rust-resistant and weatherproof, including rain, which is a listing claim rather than a corrosion test. The listing says the frame will not bend under heavy soil, and one reviewer still called it a bit delicate for rough work and keeps galvanised sieves for that. A review names ridges that locate the inserts. The table diameter agrees with itself, which several other rows in this set do not manage. It is the best value here if you want five millimetre openings in stainless at about £14.95 and you will not ask 28 reviews to outrank the fixed plate.
Pros
- Five stainless inserts: 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 mm
- Table size 29.5 × 29.5 × 7.5 cm at 655 g
- About £14.95, the same shelf price as the fixed 10 mm plate
- 4.6 from 28 amazon.co.uk reviews
- A review names ridges that locate the inserts
Cons
- 28 reviews is a thin sample next to 1,806
- One reviewer called it delicate for rough work
- Rust-resistant and weatherproof are listing claims, not a corrosion test
- Inserts are not a fixed plate
Best for: You want 3 mm through to 12 mm in one stainless frame and about £14.95 is the budget.
Less suitable: You are riddling rough, stony soil and want the mesh that the largest UK review sample describes.
Specifications
- Model
- Flatro stainless sieve, 5 meshes
- Brand
- Flatro
- Price
- ∼£15
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(28)
- Mesh openings
- 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 mm
- Meshes
- 5
- Sieve type
- Drop-in inserts
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Mesh held
- Drop-in
- Listed size
- 29.5 × 29.5 × 7.5 cm
- Weight
- 655 g
Common questions
Can you use it for compost?
The title and bullets name chunky compost as well as fine soil, stones and roots.
What is the frame made of?
Stainless steel. The bullets also say rust-resistant and weatherproof, including rain. That is a listing claim.
Is it for heavy garden work?
The listing says the frame will not bend under heavy soil. One reviewer called it a bit delicate for rough work and keeps galvanised sieves for that.
Our view
The KOOLPUG is a metal frame with three drop-in meshes at 3, 6 and 12 mm. The bullets say 30 cm across, the table says 30 × 30 × 6 cm, and the shelf price is about £24.99. amazon.co.uk shows 4.5 from 388 reviews. The listing says two crossing steel rods lock the mesh, and several UK reviews still say an insert falls out when the sieve is tipped. The dimension line prints 740 g while the display weight is 550 g, so the page does not give you one weight. Bullets name 6 mm for compost screening and 3 mm for seedbeds, and UK reviews describe fine seed compost made over a bucket. The 12 mm disc is the stone mesh in the set. It suits a small volume if you seat the rim and lift the disc out to empty it, and it is a poor match if you need a plate that cannot leave the frame.
Pros
- Three meshes in one frame: 3, 6 and 12 mm
- 30 cm across in the bullets, table 30 × 30 × 6 cm
- 4.5 from 388 amazon.co.uk reviews
- UK reviews describe seed compost sieved over a bucket
- Listing claims two steel cross rods under the mesh
Cons
- Several UK reviews say an insert falls out when the sieve is tipped
- 740 g on the dimension line and 550 g as the display weight
- About £24.99 for three meshes, above the about £14.95 five-mesh rows
- A drop-in disc, not a fixed plate
Best for: You want 3, 6 and 12 mm on a 30 cm rim and you will empty it by lifting the disc, not by tipping the frame.
Less suitable: You tip the sieve to dump stones, or you need one agreed weight on the listing.
Specifications
- Model
- KOOLPUG 3-in-1 garden sieve
- Brand
- KOOLPUG
- Price
- ∼£25
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(388)
- Mesh openings
- 3, 6, 12 mm
- Meshes
- 3
- Sieve type
- Drop-in discs
- Material
- Metal
- Mesh held
- Drop-in
- Listed size
- 30 × 30 × 6 cm
- Weight
- 550 / 740 g
Common questions
Can you use it on compost?
The bullets name 6 mm for compost screening and 3 mm for seedbeds. UK reviews also describe fine seed compost made on a bucket.
What size is the frame?
The bullets say 30 cm across. The table says 30 × 30 × 6 cm, with 740 g on that line and a display weight of 550 g.
Do the meshes stay in?
The listing says two crossing steel rods lock the mesh. Several UK reviews say an insert falls out when the sieve is tipped.
Our view
The ADEPTNA ADSI150 lists five stainless meshes at 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 mm, a 29.5 cm diameter in the bullets, and a table of 29.5 × 5 × 5 cm at 890 g, priced at about £14.95. amazon.co.uk shows 4.5 from 40 reviews. Reviews mention restoring potting compost and old soil from pots, and one review says the size is right to sit over a bucket. One UK review measured 5, 8, 10, 12 and 15 mm and said wires had buckled, which does not match a set that is supposed to start at 3 mm. The 5 cm height on the table does not read as the depth of a 29.5 cm rim, so the size lines do not describe one object. The manufacturer line is ALAYASH LTD and the model is ADSI150. It is a five-mesh stainless set only if you check the inserts against the printed millimetres when they arrive, and the same about £14.95 buys the Flatro row with a table that agrees with itself.
Pros
- Five openings printed: 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 mm
- Stainless steel at about £14.95
- 4.5 from 40 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Reviews mention potting compost and old soil from pots
Cons
- Table says 29.5 × 5 × 5 cm beside a 29.5 cm diameter bullet
- One UK review measured 5, 8, 10, 12 and 15 mm and reported buckled wires
- 40 reviews, and that mesh check is a single report
- Inserts, not a fixed plate
Best for: You want the same five millimetre steps and you will measure the inserts against the listing before you rely on the 3 mm disc.
Less suitable: You need the diameter and the height on the same listing to describe one frame.
Specifications
- Model
- ADEPTNA stainless sieve, 5 meshes
- Brand
- ADEPTNA
- Price
- ∼£15
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(40)
- Mesh openings
- 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 mm
- Meshes
- 5
- Sieve type
- Drop-in inserts
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Mesh held
- Drop-in
- Listed size
- 29.5 × 5 × 5 cm
- Weight
- 890 g
Common questions
Can it sift compost?
The title names compost. Reviews mention restoring potting compost and old soil from pots.
Are the meshes the stated sizes?
The listing says 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 mm. One UK review measured 5, 8, 10, 12 and 15 mm and said wires had buckled.
Does it fit a bucket?
One review says the size is right to fit over a bucket. The table prints 29.5 × 5 × 5 cm beside the 29.5 cm diameter bullet.
Our view
The ADEPTNA AD-SI is a powder-coated steel riddle with three removable screens at 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch, at about £14.95. amazon.co.uk shows 4.3 from 25 reviews. The table says 40 × 30 × 20 cm and prints neither a weight nor a diameter, so you cannot read a 30 cm rim off this page. The bullets call the coating rust-resistant, which is the listing word rather than a corrosion test. The screens are meant to come out for cleaning, and several UK reviews say the disc slips or falls out because the rim is slightly larger than the mesh. Reviews describe dry-soil sifting more than a measured stone. The openings stay in inches on the listing, so a millimetre job has to be matched by you, not by a printed 6 mm line. It is a three-screen riddle if you keep a hand on the disc, and a poor match if the mesh has to stay put when you tip.
Pros
- Three screens: 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch
- Powder-coated steel at about £14.95
- Screens are meant to come out for cleaning
- 4.3 from 25 amazon.co.uk reviews
Cons
- Several UK reviews say the disc slips or falls out
- No diameter and no weight on the table
- Openings are in inches, with no millimetre line beside them
- Rust-resistant is a listing claim, not a corrosion test
Best for: You want three inch-sized screens in powder-coated steel and you will hold the disc while you empty it.
Less suitable: You tip the frame to dump overs, or you need the holes printed in millimetres.
Specifications
- Model
- ADEPTNA 3-in-1 steel riddle
- Brand
- ADEPTNA
- Price
- ∼£15
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(25)
- Mesh openings
- 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 in
- Meshes
- 3
- Sieve type
- Drop-in screens
- Material
- Powder-coated steel
- Mesh held
- Removable
- Listed size
- 40 × 30 × 20 cm
Common questions
Is it metal?
Yes. The bullets say powder-coated steel and call it rust-resistant.
Can it remove stones?
The bullets say it separates stones, roots and weeds. Reviews describe dry-soil sifting more than a measured stone size.
Does the mesh stay in?
Screens are meant to come out for cleaning. Several UK reviews say the disc slips or falls out because the rim is slightly larger.
Our view
The Jokapy is a stainless set with drop-in meshes at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 mm plus a small spade, listed at 28 × 28 × 9.5 cm, 950 g and about £12.99. amazon.co.uk shows 4.1 from 6 reviews. Compost, weeds and cat litter are in the title, and the reviews talk about mesh choice and edges more than a heap. Reviews describe sharp bits on the meshes and on the trowel, and a review says the inserts shift. The 1 mm mesh is a dust screen, not a barrow riddle, and it will clog if you put a damp heap on it. Six reviews cannot carry a ranking against rows with hundreds of reviews. The handle is on the spade, not on the sieve. It is a multi-mesh stainless set if you will ease the sharp edges and hold the inserts while you empty them, and the 12 mm disc is the only opening in the box that belongs on stones.
Pros
- Five stainless meshes: 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 mm
- 28 × 28 × 9.5 cm, 950 g, about £12.99
- A small spade is included
- 1 mm is there if you actually want a dust mesh
Cons
- 4.1 from only 6 reviews
- Reviews describe sharp edges on meshes and on the trowel
- A review says the drop-in inserts shift
- 1 mm is the wrong opening for a compost heap
Best for: You want a stainless set that includes a dust mesh and a 12 mm disc, and you will check the edges before you use the spade.
Less suitable: You are sieving a damp heap, or you need a review sample larger than six.
Specifications
- Model
- Jokapy sieve set with spade
- Brand
- Jokapy
- Price
- ∼£13
- Customer rating
- 4.1/5(6)
- Mesh openings
- 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 mm
- Meshes
- 5
- Sieve type
- Drop-in inserts
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Mesh held
- Drop-in
- Listed size
- 28 × 28 × 9.5 cm
- Weight
- 950 g
- Handle
- On the spade
Common questions
Can it filter compost?
Compost is in the title, with weeds and cat litter. The reviews talk about mesh choice and edges more than a heap.
What is it made of?
The listing says stainless steel. Reviews describe sharp bits on meshes and on the trowel.
Does it come with a shovel?
Yes, a small spade. Two UK reviews say the trowel edges are sharp.
Our view
The BTBHIHO is a single galvanised steel sieve with a 6 mm mesh, at about £9.99. amazon.co.uk shows 3.6 from 4 reviews. The title says 30 cm, and the table says 26 × 10 × 6 cm and 590 g, so the page disagrees with itself. One UK reviewer measured about 30 cm across, about 6 cm deep and about 430 g, which sits nearer the title than the table. The listing says the mesh is integrated and will not detach, and a reviewer describes a thick wire grid with 6 mm square holes and a smooth edge. The bullets name soil, stones, compost, sand, sawdust and earthworm castings. Four reviews is not a sample you can set beside 1,806. It is a single 6 mm galvanised sieve if that opening is the job, and you should not treat the title and the table as one agreed size.
Pros
- Single 6 mm mesh in galvanised steel
- Listing says the mesh is integrated and will not detach
- About £9.99
- One reviewer describes 6 mm square holes and a smooth edge
Cons
- 3.6 from only 4 reviews
- Title says 30 cm and the table says 26 × 10 × 6 cm
- Reviewer weight about 430 g beside a table weight of 590 g
- One opening, so there is no 3 mm or 12 mm disc
Best for: You want one galvanised 6 mm mesh and you will measure the rim, because the title and the table do not match.
Less suitable: You need either a 3 mm seed cover or a 10–12 mm stone riddle, or a size line that agrees with itself.
Specifications
- Model
- BTBHIHO 6 mm garden sieve
- Brand
- BTBHIHO
- Price
- ∼£10
- Customer rating
- 3.6/5(4)
- Mesh openings
- 6 mm
- Meshes
- 1
- Sieve type
- Fixed mesh
- Material
- Galvanised steel
- Mesh held
- Fixed
- Listed size
- 26 × 10 × 6 cm
- Weight
- 590 g
Common questions
Can it filter compost?
The bullets name compost, sand, sawdust and earthworm castings as well as soil and stones.
What is it made of?
The listing says galvanised steel. A reviewer describes a thick wire grid with 6 mm square holes and a smooth edge.
How big is it?
The title says 30 cm. The table says 26 × 10 × 6 cm and 590 g. One reviewer measured about 30 cm across, 6 cm deep and about 430 g.
Our view
The Armo is a plastic sieve at about £6.99. The title says 20 cm and calls it large, the table says 20 × 20 × 1 cm and 180 g, and the mesh opening is not stated. amazon.co.uk shows 3.4 from 109 reviews, which is a real sample and a low average. Many UK reviews say the large wording, or a 30 cm figure in the description, did not match the sieve they received, and reviewers call it saucepan-sized. One reviewer said the holes were too small, which you cannot check against a printed millimetre. Compost is in the title, the reviews mostly discuss size rather than a heap, and an ergonomic handle is only a listing claim. It is still a soil sieve, and it is the cheapest row here, but the reviews are largely a size complaint. It suits a very small volume if 20 cm is what you meant to order.
Pros
- About £6.99, the lowest shelf price in this set
- Plastic, 180 g on the table
- Title states 20 cm, and the table is 20 × 20 × 1 cm
- 109 amazon.co.uk reviews, so the size complaint is not a single note
Cons
- 3.4 from 109 reviews
- Mesh opening is not stated
- Many UK reviews say large, or 30 cm in the description, did not match a 20 cm sieve
- 20 cm is a small frame for a compost heap
Best for: You want a light plastic sieve for a pot or a bucket and you have read 20 cm as the size.
Less suitable: You believed a large or 30 cm description, or you are sieving a barrow of soil.
Specifications
- Model
- Armo plastic garden sieve
- Brand
- Armo
- Price
- ∼£7
- Customer rating
- 3.4/5(109)
- Meshes
- 1
- Sieve type
- Plastic sieve
- Material
- Plastic
- Listed size
- 20 × 20 × 1 cm
- Weight
- 180 g
- Handle
- Ergonomic
Common questions
Is it a large sieve?
The title says large and 20 cm. The table says 20 × 20 × 1 cm. Many UK reviews say large or 30 cm in the description did not match the sieve they received.
What are the holes?
The listing does not state a mesh opening. One reviewer said the holes were too small.
Can you use it for compost?
Compost is in the title. Reviews mostly discuss size, not a compost method.
Our view
The LeQi is a steel rotary sieve with a 13 inch drum, replaceable meshes at 3, 6, 9 and 12 mm, listed dimensions of 29.21 × 15.75 × 29.21 cm, a weight of 3.81 kg and a price of about £51.99. The listing has no customer-review line, so there is no star average to treat as a verdict. The first-available date is 29 July 2026. The bullets say a modular snap fit, screws you can tighten by hand, and that you should not pour more than about two-thirds of the drum. They also claim reinforced welding, and none of that has a buyer report on the listing. The handle is a rocker arm with no spring, and the meshes are held by screwed pins. It is a different machine from a hand riddle, at the top of this set's prices, and you would be buying the specification alone. A hand sieve at about £14.95 already has a review sample; this one does not.
Pros
- Rotary drum with meshes at 3, 6, 9 and 12 mm
- 13 inch drum in the bullets, listed weight 3.81 kg
- Screws the listing says you can tighten by hand
- A stated fill limit of about two-thirds of the drum
Cons
- No customer-review line on amazon.co.uk
- About £51.99, the highest shelf price in this set
- The two-thirds fill line and the welding claim have no buyer report here
- 3.81 kg is a different lift from a 586 g hand riddle
Best for: You specifically want a cranked drum with four stated meshes and you accept that the listing has no customer reviews.
Less suitable: You want a hand riddle with a UK review sample, or any evidence beyond the bullet points.
Specifications
- Model
- LeQi rotary garden sieve
- Brand
- LeQi
- Price
- ∼£52
- Mesh openings
- 3, 6, 9, 12 mm
- Meshes
- 4
- Sieve type
- Rotary drum
- Material
- Steel
- Mesh held
- Screwed pins
- Listed size
- 29.21 × 15.75 × 29.21 cm
- Weight
- 3810 g
- Handle
- Rocker arm
Common questions
How does assembly work?
The bullets say a modular snap fit and screws you tighten by hand, with no tools. There is no buyer report.
Is it for heavy soil?
The listing claims reinforced welding and says not to pour more than about two-thirds of the drum. No review checks that.
Which mesh should you use?
The set prints 3, 6, 9 and 12 mm. The listing has no customer review of which one was used.
How we compared
Scores compare the twelve amazon.co.uk listings kept in this category. Prices, stars, and review counts are the figures on those listings. There is no laboratory test, and the scores do not name the best garden sieve in Britain. Each score is out of 100 in four blocks. The weights below sum to 100. A size or weight clash, a disc that UK reviews say falls out, bent tools or sharp edges in reviews, and one review that measured different holes, are deducted once each.
1
Stars
40%The amazon.co.uk star rating divided by 5, multiplied by 40, and rounded. A listing with no star line scores 0.
2
Sample
25%Review-count bands out of 25: 500 or more scores 25, 100–499 scores 18, 20–49 scores 8, 1–9 scores 2, and no review line scores 0.
3
Fit as a garden sieve
25%A fixed 10 mm plate whose listing diameter figures agree scores higher than a plastic sieve with no opening, a 2.54 cm cube as the only size line, or a rotary drum with no review line. A mesh-count bullet that disagrees with the title is already inside this block.
4
Value in this set
10%Five meshes at about £14.95, on a listing that is not the largest review sample, scores 10. A rotary drum at about £51.99 with no review line scores 2. The highest value block that is not the top pick is best value.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Garden sieve buying guide
Choose the opening first, then how the mesh is held, then a diameter the listing actually prints. The millimetre steps are set out in [garden sieve mesh size](/hub/garden-tools/garden-sieve/sub/garden-sieve-mesh-size). Prices below are the amazon.co.uk shelf prices in this set.
What is a garden sieve?
A garden sieve, also called a garden riddle, is a framed mesh. Fine soil, compost, sand, or gravel falls through. Stones, roots, twigs, and clods stay on top. On amazon.co.uk you are choosing a mesh opening and a frame you can still lift, not a brand story. A readable listing shows a millimetre opening, a diameter in centimetres, and a mesh that stays in the frame when you tip it. Chrome plate, galvanising, powder coat, stainless steel, and plastic are different claims.
Best for
- A stony border or a new-build lawn, if the opening is about 10–12 mm
- Seed trays and pots, if the opening is about 3–5 mm and the volume is small
Not ideal for
- Anyone treating a 20 cm plastic sieve as a barrow riddle
- Builder's rubble, buried services, or a volume in tonnes when your back already limits you
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Buying on fine or large
Fine and large mean nothing until the listing prints millimetres and centimetres. A title that says large beside a 20 cm table is a description conflict, not a bigger sieve.
- 2
Tipping a loose disc
UK reviews of drop-in sieves in this set say the disc falls out, slips, or shifts when the frame is tipped. Empty a loose disc by lifting it. A fixed plate cannot leave the frame.
- 3
Reading 1,806 reviews as a seed sieve
The Spear & Jackson sample is the largest here, and the plate is 10 mm. That is stones and coarse compost. It is not evidence for a 3–5 mm cover over small seed. A 5.0 from three reviews, or a rotary with no review line, is not a verdict either.
What to weigh up
Mesh opening
HighThe opening decides the job, and the split is a rule of thumb, not a British Standard. About 10–12 mm, or 3/8 to 1/2 inch, takes stones and coarse lumps out of soil or finished compost. About 6 mm is a more even potting crumb. About 3–5 mm is a thin cover over small seed. About 1 mm is a dust mesh and will clog on a damp heap. The RHS describes crumbling peat-free compost and sieving a thin layer over small seed, and passing loam through a 5 mm sieve before any home sterilising.
How the mesh is held, and the diameter
HighA fixed perforated plate cannot fall out. A drop-in disc is how one rim carries several openings, and UK reviews in this set often say that disc drops, slips, or shifts when you tip the sieve. KOOLPUG reviews say an insert falls out. ADEPTNA AD-SI reviews say the disc slips because the rim is slightly larger. A Jokapy review says the inserts shift. Two handled scoops, Cimown and Solkraes, are not a rim that sits on a bucket. A stated 30 cm rim is the usual hand riddle.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Five openings, one price
You want 3 mm through to 12 mm in one stainless frame at about £14.95. amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 28 reviews, and one reviewer called the frame delicate for rough work.
Seed trays and pots
You are sieving a pot, a seed tray, or a small bed and you want two fine openings, 3.8 mm and 5 mm, each with a handle. It is the wrong tool for stones in a border.
Common questions about garden sieves
Which garden sieve is the top pick in this set?
In this set the top pick is the Spear & Jackson RIDDLE at about £14.95. It is chrome-plated steel with a fixed 10 mm square plate. The bullets say 315 mm and the table says 31.5 cm. The manufacturer page states 330 mm, so both figures stay. amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 1,806 reviews, the largest sample here. The score is 92 out of 100. It is not a 3 mm seed cover, and the plate cannot fall out when you tip the frame.
Which listing is the best value?
Best value is the Flatro stainless set at about £14.95, the same shelf price as the fixed 10 mm plate. Inserts are listed at 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 mm. amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 28 reviews. Its value block is 10 out of 10, the highest among the listings that are not the top pick. One reviewer called the frame delicate for rough work. A rust-resistant bullet is not a corrosion test.
What mesh opening should you choose?
About 10–12 mm, or 3/8 to 1/2 inch, is the rule of thumb for stones and coarse compost. About 6 mm is for a more even potting crumb. About 3–5 mm is a thin cover over small seed. About 1 mm is a dust mesh, not a sieve for a barrow of soil. Fine and large mean nothing until millimetres are printed. This split is not a British Standard. The RHS describes a thin sieved layer over small seed. Sieving does not sterilise the mix.
Should you buy a fixed plate or a drop-in disc?
A fixed perforated plate cannot fall out. The Spear & Jackson RIDDLE is that tool: one 10 mm plate. A drop-in disc gives several openings in one rim, and UK reviews in this set often say the disc drops, slips, or shifts when you tip it. KOOLPUG, ADEPTNA AD-SI, and Jokapy reviews describe that. Handled scoops, such as Cimown and Solkraes, are not a rim on a bucket. Choose the fixed plate if you empty the sieve by tipping it.
How much does a garden sieve cost?
In this set the shelf prices run from about £6.99 to £51.99. About £7–£10 covers the Armo, the BTBHIHO 6 mm sieve, and the Cimown pair. About £13–£15 covers Jokapy, the Spear & Jackson RIDDLE, Flatro, and both ADEPTNA listings. About £21–£28 covers Solkraes, KOOLPUG, and johgee. The LeQi rotary is about £51.99. A wider search on 20 October 2026 is only a rule of thumb, and it was not a second check of these ASINs.
Does sieving make compost safe for seed?
No. Sieving changes the crumb. It does not sterilise soil or compost. The RHS says unsterilised soil can carry weeds, pests, and diseases, and not to pot soil that contains oxalis, horsetail, or ground elder. Loam for a John Innes-style mix goes through a 5 mm sieve before any home sterilising, and that method has a limit. A thin sieved layer over small seed is a cover, not a safety treatment. Overs from a heap go back on the bin.
What if the sieve is not the size described?
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires goods to be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. The notes on the Act describe short-term rejection, then repair or replacement. A missing mesh, or a size that contradicts the description, can be that kind of problem. A sieve that is honestly 20 cm, which you then find too small, is a choice. Many UK reviews of the Armo say the large wording did not match a 20 × 20 × 1 cm sieve.
When is a hand sieve the wrong size for the job?
A stated 30 cm rim is the usual hand riddle. A 20 cm plastic sieve suits a pot or a bucket, not a compost heap. BBC Gardeners' World describes a homemade frame slightly larger than the barrow, with about 1 cm mesh. Moving that soil is a different purchase. The separate wheelbarrow comparison covers the barrow, not the opening. Call a professional for rubble, buried services, or tonnes of soil if your back already limits you.
Our verdict
In this set the top pick is the Spear & Jackson RIDDLE. It scores 92: a fixed 10 mm chrome-plated plate, listing figures of 315 mm and 31.5 cm that agree with each other, 4.6 from 1,806 reviews, and about £14.95. The manufacturer page states 330 mm, so both size figures stay. One opening means it is not a 3 mm seed cover. Best value is the Flatro stainless set at about £14.95, because its value block is 10, the highest among the rest, with five openings from 3 mm to 12 mm and 4.6 from 28 reviews. One reviewer called it delicate for rough work. The LeQi rotary scores 12 and takes no badge: there is no star line, and the shelf price is about £51.99.
Best value
View offer
Flatro stainless sieve, 5 meshes
Best value at about £14.95: five stainless openings from 3 mm to 12 mm, and the highest value block among the other listings.
Editorial
Editor
DIY & toolsGarden toolsamazon.co.uk listings
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to garden sieves
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Garden sieve buying guideOpening, diameter, and fixed plate versus drop-in, without the twelve product cards.Which listing fits which jobA conditional pick inside these twelve listings, not a national best.How to use a garden sieveLoad, shake or rock, clear, and store, once you already own a sieve.Garden sieve mesh size3 mm, 6 mm, and 10–12 mm as different jobs.Sieving compostA heap, the overs back on the bin, and the limit for seed compost.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK sources used for this comparison. Listing prices, stars, and review counts are the amazon.co.uk lines in the product rows. A 20 October 2026 search snapshot is a price-band rule of thumb only, not a second check of these ASINs. We did not run a lab test.
- RHS — How to make your own potting mix (retrieved 20.10.2026)
- RHS — Four steps to perfect compost (retrieved 20.10.2026)
- RHS — John Innes potting compost (retrieved 20.10.2026)
- RHS — Sowing in pots (retrieved 20.10.2026)
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine — How to make a soil sieve (retrieved 20.10.2026)
- Spear & Jackson — Garden riddle (retrieved 20.10.2026)
- HSE — Good handling technique (retrieved 20.10.2026)
- Consumer Rights Act 2015 — notes on goods remedies (retrieved 20.10.2026)
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars, and review counts are the UK listing lines. We did not run a lab test.