Beds and planting
You are replacing one spade for beds and planting. The 4450DS is the stainless hardwood digging spade in this set. Ignore the printed weight of 181 g, and note that foot treads are not stated.
Shovel spade comparison 2026
The best shovel spades, compared.
Top pick: Roughneck ROU68044 long serrated shovel Best value: Bulldog 5CLAM cable-laying shovel – Best value at about £11.54: value block 10, a forged head, and 4.7 from 316 reviews. Updated October 2026.
A spade cuts soil with a flat, relatively sharp blade. A shovel scoops loose material with a dished blade. On amazon.co.uk those words are often searched as if they were the same, so the first choice is the job: turn a bed, move aggregate, open a narrow trench, or work on your knees. Quality sits in the socket and the steel. A forged, welded, or double-riveted joint, foot treads, and a shaft you can hold matter more than a heavy-duty title. Carbon steel is the usual digging metal and rusts if it stays wet. Stainless wipes clean and is not automatically stronger. Where a title disagrees with its specification, quote the specification. How to choose is set out in the [shovel and spade buying guide](/hub/garden-tools/shovel-spade/sub/shovel-spade-buying-guide).
A spade cuts soil with a flat, relatively sharp blade. A shovel scoops loose material with a dished blade.
42 products checked · 64 hrs invested · +24,800 readers
12 of 12: Best shovel spades compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 12Best overall
Best value
8.5/10
8.8/10
9.4/10
8.8/10
7.4/10
6.3/10
8.2/10
8.2/10
8.3/10
4.9/10
4.7/10
0.1/10
∼ £19
∼ £13
∼ £16
∼ £12
∼ £20
∼ £16
∼ £24
∼ £17
∼ £16
∼ £30
∼ £9
∼ £13
4.8(477)
4.7(2,424)
4.7(2,403)
4.7(316)
4.7(141)
4.7(108)
4.6(1,426)
4.5(627)
4.5(557)
4.1(36)
4.0(16)
–
Personal buying guide
Which shovel or spade fits?
Question 1 of 2
What are you opening?
The best shovel spades in detail
Our view
The Roughneck ROU68044 is a 1,460 mm fibreglass shovel with a serrated carbon-steel blade of 300 × 225 mm, foot treads and a Power Ring socket, listed at £19.34 and 2.3 kg. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.8 from 477 reviews, the highest star figure in this set. Item dimensions print 11.5 × 23 × 146 cm, which agrees with the title length. That length is the long end of this comparison: useful when you want reach, awkward in a tight border or if the grip sits above a comfortable push. Serrations help where roots are the point, and they snag a clean lawn edge. Fibreglass that snaps is rarely re-shafted at home. It is a strong long shovel here, and it is not the top pick, because the review file is smaller than the draining shovel’s and the shaft is too long for many beds.
Pros
- 1,460 mm fibreglass shaft at a listed 2.3 kg
- Serrated edge and foot treads on a 300 × 225 mm blade
- Power Ring socket with a steel-reinforced plug
- 4.8 from 477 reviews
Cons
- Too long for a tight border or a shorter user
- Teeth snag a clean lawn edge
- Fibreglass is rarely re-shafted if it snaps
- £19.34 sits above the mid-set digging spades
Best for: Standing reach on open ground and roots when 1,460 mm suits your height.
Less suitable: Kneeling in a border, cutting a neat lawn edge, or a shorter user.
Specifications
- Model
- Roughneck ROU68044 long serrated shovel
- Brand
- Roughneck
- Price
- ∼£19
- Customer rating
- 4.8/5(477)
- Tool type
- Long shovel
- Blade
- Serrated carbon steel
- Shaft
- Fibreglass
- Grip
- Contoured
- Foot treads
- Yes
- Serrated
- Yes
- Socket
- Power Ring
- Length
- 146 cm
- Weight
- 2.3 kg
Common questions
How long is the ROU68044?
The title states 1,460 mm. Item dimensions print 11.5 x 23 x 146 cm, and the listed weight is 2.3 kg.
Does it have a serrated edge and foot treads?
Yes. The bullets state a sharp serrated edge and foot treads on a heat-treated carbon-steel blade.
What is the shaft made of?
Fibreglass, with a contoured grip. The socket is described as a Power Ring with a steel-reinforced plug.
Our view
The Spear & Jackson MICROROUND is a 700 mm round-mouth micro shovel with a fibreglass shaft and a treaded 210 × 150 mm carbon-steel blade, listed at £12.91 and 1.02 kg. Amazon.co.uk shows 4.7 from 2,424 reviews. The listing points it at confined spaces, excavations and ditches, and reviews also use it in borders and when kneeling. Item dimensions print 68.5 × 15.5 × 6 cm against the 700 mm overall length in the bullets, so treat 700 mm as the length claim and check the parcel. A shaft this short is a kneeling or crouching tool. Used standing up it loads your back, which is the limit that keeps a high star line off the top pick. At this price and review count it is a strong buy when the job is small and low, and it does not replace a full digging spade.
Pros
- 700 mm and 1.02 kg, with a 210 × 150 mm treaded blade
- 4.7 from 2,424 reviews
- £12.91
- Soft-feel hilt on a fibreglass shaft
Cons
- Too short to use standing without stooping
- Not a full bed spade
- Round mouth is a small scoop, not a square builders’ shovel
- The 68.5 cm dimension line and the 700 mm bullet do not match to the millimetre
Best for: Borders, kneeling and tight spaces when you will not stand and dig with it.
Less suitable: Turning a bed from a standing height, or moving a bulk bag.
Specifications
- Model
- Spear & Jackson MICROROUND micro shovel
- Brand
- Spear & Jackson
- Price
- ∼£13
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(2,424)
- Tool type
- Micro shovel
- Blade
- Round carbon steel
- Shaft
- Fibreglass
- Grip
- Soft-feel hilt
- Foot treads
- Yes
- Length
- 70 cm
- Weight
- 1.02 kg
Common questions
How long is the MICROROUND?
The bullets state an overall length of 700 mm. The blade is 210 x 150 mm and the listed weight is 1.02 kg.
Is it meant for tight spaces?
The listing says it is for confined spaces, excavations, and ditches. Reviews also use it in borders and when kneeling.
Does the blade have treads?
Yes. The bullets state a pressed carbon-steel blade with treads and a soft-feel grip.
Our view
The Spear & Jackson 2154HK is a tubular draining shovel with a forged carbon/manganese head, an epoxy coating and a contoured metal shaft, listed at £16.20. On amazon.co.uk the line is 4.7 from 2,403 reviews, one of the two largest samples in this set. The bullets put the handle at 711 mm and the item dimensions at 110.5 × 15 × 12.5 cm, with a listed weight of 2.79 kg, so this is a heavy narrow tool. It is the top pick here because that forged head, the review count and a mid-set price line up, not because it turns a bed. A draining blade is the wrong shape for a clean lawn edge or a square scoop of gravel. Carbon steel still rusts if you put it away wet, and foot treads are not stated.
Pros
- Forged carbon/manganese head with an epoxy coating
- 4.7 from 2,403 amazon.co.uk reviews
- £16.20, with a 110.5 cm item line you can check
- One-piece welded head rather than a bolted shaft
Cons
- Listed at 2.79 kg, heavy for a long session
- Narrow drain shape, not a bed spade or a square scoop
- Foot treads are not stated
- Carbon steel needs wiping if it stays damp
Best for: A drainage slot or a fence-post hole when you want a forged narrow head and a large review file.
Less suitable: Turning a wide bed, shifting a bulk bag of gravel, or anyone who wants a light kneeling tool.
Specifications
- Model
- Spear & Jackson 2154HK draining shovel
- Brand
- Spear & Jackson
- Price
- ∼£16
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(2,403)
- Tool type
- Draining shovel
- Blade
- Forged, epoxy coated
- Shaft
- Metal
- Grip
- Contoured
- Socket
- Welded head
- Length
- 110.5 cm
- Weight
- 2.79 kg
Common questions
Is the 2154HK a draining shovel?
Yes. The listing calls it a tubular draining shovel with a forged carbon/manganese head and an epoxy coating.
How long is the handle?
The bullets state a handle length of 711 mm. The item-dimensions line also prints 110.5 x 15 x 12.5 cm.
Does the listing say it folds?
No. Foldable is set to No.
Our view
The Bulldog 5CLAM is a narrow forged-steel cable-laying shovel with a metal YD grip and a wooden cross dowel, listed at £11.54 and 2 kg. Item dimensions print 12.5 × 10 × 91.9 cm. Amazon.co.uk shows 4.7 from 316 reviews. The blade is slightly dished with a round cutting edge, and the listing includes clay. One review says the handle feels short once a trench is deeper than about 300 mm, which is a reach limit on this shaft, not a burial rule. A forged one-piece head at the lowest price among the well-reviewed full tools here is why it is the best value pick. It is not permission to open a pavement or to design a cable run. At about 92 cm it is also shorter than the 1,070 mm digging spade in this set.
Pros
- Solid-forged narrow head
- £11.54 and 2 kg, at about 91.9 cm
- 4.7 from 316 reviews
- Metal YD grip with a wooden dowel
Cons
- One review says the handle feels short past about 300 mm of trench
- A narrow slot tool, not a bed spade or a square scoop
- About 92 cm is short for a tall user in a deeper slot
- Not an insulated tool for work beside a live cable
Best for: A private-garden slot for a drain or a cable, after services are located, when you want a forged narrow head at £11.54.
Less suitable: A wide bed, a bulk bag, a public highway, or a trench deeper than this short shaft can work.
Specifications
- Model
- Bulldog 5CLAM cable-laying shovel
- Brand
- Bulldog
- Price
- ∼£12
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(316)
- Tool type
- Cable-laying shovel
- Blade
- Narrow, dished
- Shaft
- Metal and wood
- Grip
- YD
- Socket
- Forged head
- Length
- 91.9 cm
- Weight
- 2 kg
Common questions
What is the 5CLAM for?
The listing calls it a cable-laying shovel with a narrow, slightly dished blade and a round cutting edge, including clay.
How long is it?
Item dimensions print 12.5 x 10 x 91.9 cm. Listed weight is 2 kg. One review says the handle is short once a trench is deeper than about 300 mm.
Is the head forged?
Yes. The bullets say the head is solid forged from one piece of steel, with a metal YD grip and a wooden cross dowel.
Our view
The Roughneck ROU68005 is a 690 mm serrated micro shovel with a fibreglass shaft, a soft D-grip, foot treads and a Power Ring socket, listed at £19.99 and 1.04 kg. Amazon.co.uk shows 4.7 from 141 reviews. The title points it at confined spaces, roots and opening bags. Reviewers praise the weight and the edge, and one says the rivets on the handle dig into the hands, which matters on a tool you grip low. At 690 mm it is a kneeling shovel, and it costs more than the MICROROUND, which has a similar length and a much larger review file. Serrations help on roots and they catch a tidy edge. One hundred and forty-one reviews is a moderate sample, not a four-figure one.
Pros
- 690 mm and 1.04 kg, with a serrated edge and treads
- Soft D-grip and a Power Ring socket
- 4.7 from 141 reviews
- Listed for roots and tight spaces
Cons
- One review says the rivets dig into the hands
- £19.99 against the MICROROUND at £12.91
- 141 reviews is a smaller file than the other micro
- Too short for standing work
Best for: Kneeling root work if you can live with proud rivets and the higher micro price.
Less suitable: A standing dig, a clean edge, or the cheaper short shovel in this set.
Specifications
- Model
- Roughneck ROU68005 micro shovel
- Brand
- Roughneck
- Price
- ∼£20
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(141)
- Tool type
- Micro shovel
- Blade
- Serrated carbon steel
- Shaft
- Fibreglass
- Grip
- Soft D-grip
- Foot treads
- Yes
- Serrated
- Yes
- Socket
- Power Ring
- Length
- 69 cm
- Weight
- 1.04 kg
Common questions
Is the ROU68005 a short shovel?
Yes. The title states 690 mm, for confined spaces, roots, and opening bags. Listed weight is 1.04 kg.
Does it have teeth and treads?
Yes. The bullets state a serrated edge and integrated foot treads.
What do reviews say about the handle?
Reviewers praise the weight and the edge. One says the rivets on the handle dig into the hands.
Our view
The KKTECH GSPADE-01 is listed at £15.99 as a one-piece digging spade, 102 cm high and 18 cm wide, with 4.7 from 108 amazon.co.uk reviews. The title and bullets say carbon fibre, while the specification lines say a carbon-steel blade and a plastic handle, and one review also calls the tool carbon steel. No weight is printed. A second size line prints 50 × 180 × 1020 mm, which matches the 102 cm height and 18 cm width if you read the middle figure as the blade. One hundred and eight reviews is a thin sample next to the Spear & Jackson files of more than a thousand. A plastic handle is a different repair from hardwood you can re-shaft. Buy the specification, and skip the listing if you came for carbon fibre.
Pros
- £15.99 with a stated height of 102 cm
- 4.7 from 108 reviews
- One-piece construction claimed, and foldable set to No
- Specification names a carbon-steel blade
Cons
- Title says carbon fibre; specification says carbon steel and a plastic handle
- No listed weight
- 108 reviews is a small sample beside the four-figure files here
Best for: A budget 102 cm digging spade if you will follow the material lines rather than the title.
Less suitable: Anyone who needs the shaft to be carbon fibre, or a proven forged socket.
Specifications
- Model
- KKTECH one-piece digging spade
- Brand
- KKTECH
- Price
- ∼£16
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(108)
- Tool type
- Digging spade
- Blade
- Carbon steel
- Shaft
- Plastic
- Grip
- Ergonomic
- Socket
- One-piece claimed
- Length
- 102 cm
Common questions
Is this spade carbon fibre?
The title and bullets say carbon fibre. The specification lines say a carbon-steel blade and a plastic handle. One review also says the tool is carbon steel.
Does it arrive as one piece?
The listing claims one-piece construction. Foldable is No.
How big is it?
The bullets state height 102 cm and width 18 cm. The dimensions line prints 50 x 180 x 1020 mm. No weight is given.
Our view
The Spear & Jackson 4450DS is a traditional digging spade with a mirror-polished stainless head, a weatherproofed hardwood shaft split into a wishbone, and a double-riveted socket, listed at £24.20. Amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 1,426 reviews. Item dimensions print 102 × 18 × 9.5 cm. The same listing prints a weight of 181 g, which is not a believable mass for this spade, so do not buy it as an ultralight tool. Stainless is sold for low soil adhesion, and it is not a strength grade by itself. Foot treads are not stated. It is the classic bed spade in this set if you want wood you might re-shaft and a head that sheds soil, at the high end of these prices. It is a poor match if you needed a stated weight or foot treads.
Pros
- Mirror-polished stainless head
- Hardwood wishbone and a double-riveted socket
- 4.6 from 1,426 reviews
- 102 cm length line that matches the dimension row
Cons
- £24.20, the second-highest price in this set
- The listed weight of 181 g is not usable
- Foot treads are not stated
Best for: Beds and planting when you want stainless and a hardwood shaft and you will ignore the 181 g line.
Less suitable: A buyer who needs a trustworthy weight, foot treads, or a price under £16.
Specifications
- Model
- Spear & Jackson 4450DS digging spade
- Brand
- Spear & Jackson
- Price
- ∼£24
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(1,426)
- Tool type
- Digging spade
- Blade
- Polished stainless
- Shaft
- Hardwood
- Grip
- Wishbone
- Socket
- Double-riveted
- Length
- 102 cm
- Weight
- Not usable
Common questions
What is the 4450DS made of?
A mirror-polished stainless head and a weatherproofed hardwood shaft, split into a wishbone handle, with a double-riveted socket.
What weight does the listing print?
181 g. That is the figure on the listing. It is not a measured lightness claim, and it is not a believable mass for this spade.
Does the listing mention foot treads?
No. Foot treads are not stated. Foldable is No.
Our view
The Draper 31391 is a square-mouth builders’ shovel with a hardwood YD shaft, an overall length of 940 mm and a blade of 240 × 310 mm, listed at £16.99 and 2.3 kg. Amazon.co.uk shows 4.5 from 627 reviews. One reviewer describes it as a scoop for loose material, with raised sides, rather than a blade that cuts down into soil. Some reviews move sand and gravel without trouble. Others report a slack handle-to-shaft fit, and one says the handle snapped while moving sand. Item dimensions print 98 × 25 × 15 cm against the 940 mm overall length, so quote the bullet for length. It is the scoop in this set. It is the wrong first tool for a lawn edge, and the handle complaints keep it off the top pick.
Pros
- Square mouth with a 240 × 310 mm blade
- Hardwood YD handle, 940 mm, listed at 2.3 kg
- £16.99
- 4.5 from 627 reviews for moving loose material
Cons
- A scoop, not a blade that cuts down into soil
- Reviews report a slack handle-to-shaft fit
- One review says the handle snapped while moving sand
- Foot treads are not stated
Best for: Sand, gravel and compost when you want a square scoop at a mid-set price.
Less suitable: Cutting a lawn edge, or anyone who cannot accept a wooden handle that reviews say can slacken.
Specifications
- Model
- Draper 31391 square-mouth shovel
- Brand
- Draper
- Price
- ∼£17
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(627)
- Tool type
- Square shovel
- Blade
- Square mouth
- Shaft
- Hardwood
- Grip
- YD
- Length
- 94 cm
- Weight
- 2.3 kg
Common questions
What is the Draper 31391 for?
It is a square-mouth builders' shovel. One reviewer describes it as a scoop for loose material, with raised sides, rather than a tool that cuts down into soil.
How long is the shaft?
The bullets state an overall length of 940 mm and a pressed blade of 240 x 310 mm. Listed weight is 2.3 kg.
What do reviews say about the handle?
Some reviews move sand and gravel without trouble. Others report a slack handle-to-shaft fit, and one says the handle snapped while moving sand.
Our view
The Roughneck ROU68224 is a 1,070 mm digging spade with a fibreglass shaft, a soft-grip D-handle, foot treads and a Power Ring socket, listed at £15.59 and 1.9 kg. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.5 from 557 reviews. Item dimensions print 9.5 × 20 × 107 cm, in line with the title. One reviewer says the blade is thin and flexes when pushing up, for example when lifting a large plant, so treads do not make the plate thick. A D-grip is the right shape for pushing the blade down. A fibreglass shaft that fails is a replacement, not a home re-handle. It is a sensible mid-price digging spade for ordinary beds. It is a weaker choice if you lever heavy rootballs or want a polished head that sheds clay.
Pros
- 1,070 mm digging spade at £15.59 and 1.9 kg
- Soft-grip D-handle and foot treads
- Power Ring socket
- 4.5 from 557 reviews
Cons
- One review says the blade flexes when lifting a large plant
- 4.5 sits below the 4.7 files in this set
- Fibreglass is rarely re-shafted if it snaps
Best for: Ordinary beds and planting at a mid-set price if you will not lever on a thin blade.
Less suitable: Lifting large rootballs, or clay you want to slide off a polished stainless head.
Specifications
- Model
- Roughneck ROU68224 digging spade
- Brand
- Roughneck
- Price
- ∼£16
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(557)
- Tool type
- Digging spade
- Blade
- Lacquered carbon steel
- Shaft
- Fibreglass
- Grip
- D-grip
- Foot treads
- Yes
- Socket
- Power Ring
- Length
- 107 cm
- Weight
- 1.9 kg
Common questions
What grip does the ROU68224 use?
A soft-grip D-handle on a fibreglass shaft. The listing also states foot treads and a Power Ring socket.
How long and heavy is it?
The title states 1,070 mm. The listed weight is 1.9 kg.
Do reviews mention the blade flexing?
Yes. One reviewer says the blade is thin and flexes when pushing up, for example when lifting a large plant.
Our view
The Jardineer 5005-2 is a 115 cm serrated root shovel with a V-shaped high-carbon-steel blade listed at 26 cm, a T-handle and a claimed foot platform, at £29.99 and 1.2 kg. Amazon.co.uk shows 4.1 from 36 reviews, and this is the highest price in the set. Reviews say it arrives in three sections held by bolts and locking nuts, with 13 mm and 14 mm spanners in the box, so it is not a one-piece tool. Several reviews report some waggle even when the nuts are tight, and one buyer returned it because the sections felt too weak. Serrations suit roots and they spoil a clean edge. Thirty-six reviews is a small sample for £29.99. A bolted joint is the reason to leave it if you wanted a forged or riveted socket.
Pros
- 115 cm overall, with a 26 cm serrated V-shaped blade
- T-handle and a foot platform claimed
- Reviews say 13 mm and 14 mm spanners come in the box
Cons
- £29.99, the highest price in this set
- Bolted sections, and reviews report play at the joints
- One buyer returned it because the sections felt too weak
- 4.1 from only 36 reviews
Best for: Root cutting if you will check the bolts often and you can accept joint play.
Less suitable: Anyone who wants a one-piece forged or riveted spade, or a price in line with the mid-set digging spades.
Specifications
- Model
- Jardineer 115 cm serrated root shovel
- Brand
- Jardineer
- Price
- ∼£30
- Customer rating
- 4.1/5(36)
- Tool type
- Root shovel
- Blade
- Serrated V-shape
- Shaft
- Steel tube
- Grip
- T-handle
- Foot treads
- Claimed
- Serrated
- Yes
- Socket
- Bolted sections
- Length
- 115 cm
- Weight
- 1.2 kg
Common questions
Does the Jardineer need assembly?
Yes. Reviews say it comes in three sections held by bolts and locking nuts, with 13 mm and 14 mm spanners in the box. It is not tool-free.
Will the joints stay tight?
Several reviews report some waggle even when the nuts are tight. One buyer returned it because the sections felt too weak.
What is the blade for?
The listing describes a serrated, heat-treated V-shaped high-carbon-steel blade for roots and trenches. Blade length is listed as 26 cm and overall length as 115 cm.
Our view
The Armo adjustable shovel is listed at £8.99 and 450 g, with a stainless blade about 21 cm wide and a shaft the bullets set from 51 cm to 125 cm. Amazon.co.uk shows 4.0 from 16 reviews. Reviews mostly describe scraping weeds from paths and slab gaps, which matches a light edger more than a digging spade. One review says the handle is not stable once assembled and could not be used for the intended job, while other reviews call it sturdy. Sixteen reviews is too small a sample to settle that split. Item dimensions also print 45 × 21 × 21 cm, so the 125 cm figure is the extended claim, not the packed size. It is the cheapest row here, and a poor substitute for a trench tool or a bed spade.
Pros
- £8.99 and a listed weight of 450 g
- Adjustable length claimed from 51 cm to 125 cm
- Stainless blade about 21 cm wide
Cons
- Only 16 reviews, at 4.0
- One review says the handle was not stable once assembled
- A 450 g edger, not a digging spade
- Packed dimensions are not the 125 cm claim
Best for: Scraping weeds and moss from paths if you accept a very small review file.
Less suitable: Digging a bed, opening a trench, or any job that needs a stable full-size shaft.
Specifications
- Model
- Armo adjustable edging shovel
- Brand
- Armo Gardening
- Price
- ∼£9
- Customer rating
- 4.0/5(16)
- Tool type
- Edging shovel
- Blade
- Stainless, 21 cm
- Shaft
- Adjustable metal
- Grip
- Adjustable
- Socket
- Adjustable
- Length
- 51–125 cm
- Weight
- 0.45 kg
Common questions
What length does the Armo adjust to?
The bullets state a maximum of 125 cm and a smallest height of 51 cm. Listed weight is 450 g.
Is it a full digging spade?
The listing sells it as a shovel, weed remover, and moss-edging spade with a 21 cm blade. Reviews mostly describe scraping weeds from paths and slab gaps.
Do reviews mention the handle?
One review says the handle is not stable once assembled and could not be used for the intended job. Other reviews call it sturdy. There are 16 reviews.
Our view
The OEBUAFI listing is a 20-tooth alloy-steel root-saw spade at £12.99, with a D-grip and a detachable stainless handle claimed, and a listed weight of 1.6 kg. The listing has no customer-review line, so there is no star rating to lean on. Item dimensions print 45 × 19.5 × 8 cm, which is not a full-length shaft, while the bullets talk about a detachable handle and roots up to 3 cm. That 3 cm figure is a listing claim, not a measurement from this comparison. Twenty teeth are for roots, and they will chew a clean edge. With no reviews and a short dimension line, this row shows an unreviewed saw spade rather than a tool to buy on trust. Check the live page for a real length before you treat £12.99 as a saving.
Pros
- £12.99 with 20 saw teeth stated
- D-grip and a detachable handle claimed
- Listed weight 1.6 kg
Cons
- No customer-review line on the listing
- Item dimensions of 45 × 19.5 × 8 cm do not read as a full shaft
- The 3 cm root claim is untested here
- Teeth are the wrong edge for a tidy lawn
Best for: Only if you have checked a live length and you specifically want a toothed root head.
Less suitable: A first digging spade, or any purchase that needs amazon.co.uk reviews.
Specifications
- Model
- OEBUAFI 20-tooth root saw spade
- Brand
- OEBUAFI
- Price
- ∼£13
- Tool type
- Root-saw spade
- Blade
- 20-tooth alloy
- Shaft
- Stainless steel
- Grip
- D-grip
- Serrated
- Yes
- Socket
- Detachable
- Length
- 45 cm item
- Weight
- 1.6 kg
Common questions
How many teeth does this spade have?
The title and bullets say 20 saw teeth on an alloy-steel head. The bullets claim roots up to 3 cm.
Does the handle come off?
The bullets say the stainless-steel handle is detachable. The listing has no customer reviews.
Is there a star rating?
No. The listing has no customer-review line, so there is no star rating.
How we compared
Scores compare the twelve amazon.co.uk listings kept in this category. Prices, stars, and review counts are the figures in the display rows. There is no laboratory test. None of these listings claims BS 3388. The scores do not name a universal best spade. Each score is out of 100 in four blocks, and the weights below sum to 100.
1
Stars
40%The amazon.co.uk star rating divided by 5, multiplied by 40, and rounded. 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, 10–19 scores 4, 1–9 scores 2, and none scores 0.
3
Fit in this set
25%A forged or socketed tool whose listing describes one job, with length figures that can be read together, scores highest. A classic digging spade, a square shovel with a review weakness, an honest micro, a bolted root shovel, a title that fights the material lines, a 450 g edger, and an unreviewed short saw head score lower, in that order.
4
Value in this set
10%The lowest price among forged tools with 4.5 or more stars and 100 or more reviews scores 10. Higher prices, a thin review file, a material clash, and the dearest rows score less in this block.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Shovel spade buying guide
Choose the blade for the job, then the length against your height, then the socket. A title can disagree with its own specification. Prices below are the amazon.co.uk shelf prices in this set. There is no laboratory test and no BS 3388 claim on these listings.
What is a shovel or a spade?
A spade cuts soil with a flat, relatively sharp blade. A shovel scoops loose material with a dished blade. On amazon.co.uk the two words are still searched as if they were the same, so you start with the job: turn a bed, move aggregate, open a narrow trench, or work on your knees. Quality sits in the socket and the steel. A forged, welded, or double-riveted joint, foot treads, and a shaft you can hold beat a vague heavy-duty title.
Best for
- Gardeners replacing one spade for beds and planting
- A narrow private-garden slot once services are located
- Kneeling work in a border with a short shaft
Not ideal for
- A public highway or a new fixed electrical supply
- Anyone treating a 450 g edger as a trench tool
- A buyer who needs the KKTECH shaft to be carbon fibre
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Buying a scoop to cut an edge
A square mouth moves sand, gravel, and compost. It does not cut a lawn edge. A flat spade is the cutter. Teeth on a serrated blade snag a clean edge.
- 2
Trusting the title over the specification
The KKTECH title says carbon fibre. The specification says a carbon-steel blade and a plastic handle. Quote the specification when the two lines disagree.
- 3
Using a light edger as a trench tool
The Armo is listed at 450 g and is reviewed as a path scraper. Treads do not thicken a blade that flexes when you lever. Do not dig sticky clay, and do not open a public highway with a consumer shovel.
What to weigh up
Blade shape for the job
HighFlat and sharp cuts turf, beds, and edges. Dished and square moves sand, gravel, and compost. Narrow opens a drain or a cable slot. Serrated is for roots, and the teeth snag a clean edge. The 2154HK and the Bulldog 5CLAM are the narrow heads. The Draper 31391 is the square scoop. The 4450DS and the ROU68224 are the digging spades. The MICROROUND is a small round mouth. The ROU68044, the ROU68005, the Jardineer, and the OEBUAFI carry teeth.
Length, socket, and metal
HighToo short a shaft loads the back if you stand to dig. A very long shaft is awkward in a border. A rule of thumb on a council sheet is roughly from the ground to between elbow and chest. This set runs from about 69–70 cm micros to 146 cm on the ROU68044. Forged, welded, or double-riveted joints are the strength claim. The Jardineer arrives as bolted sections, and reviewers report play. The 4450DS listing prints 181 g. Treat that as a catalogue error.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Slots, clay, and bulk
You are opening a drain or cable slot, or moving clay, and the socket and the length matter. The 2154HK is a forged narrow head with a large review file. A square scoop of aggregate is a different blade.
Kneeling or the car boot
You want a short tool for kneeling or the car. The MICROROUND is about 70 cm. Used standing up, that length loads your back.
Common questions about shovel spades
Which shovel or spade is the top pick in this set?
In this set the top pick is the Spear & Jackson 2154HK at about £16.20. It is a forged carbon and manganese draining shovel with an epoxy coating and a metal shaft. amazon.co.uk shows 4.7 from 2,403 reviews, and the score is 94 out of 100. The item line is 110.5 cm and the listed weight is 2.79 kg. It is a narrow drain tool, a poor match for a wide bed or a square scoop. Foot treads are not stated.
Which listing is the best value?
Best value is the Bulldog 5CLAM at about £11.54. Its value block is 10, the highest among the listings that are not the top pick. The head is solid forged, the item length is 91.9 cm, and the listed weight is 2 kg. amazon.co.uk shows 4.7 from 316 reviews. The blade is narrow and slightly dished. One review says the handle feels short once a trench is deeper than about 300 mm. It is not an insulated tool for a live cable.
How much does a shovel or spade cost in this set?
Shelf prices in this twelve-listing set run from about £8.99 to about £29.99. Entry, about £8.99 to £12.99, is the Armo, the Bulldog 5CLAM, the Spear & Jackson micro shovel, and the OEBUAFI. Mid, about £15.59 to £19.99, includes the Roughneck digging spade, the KKTECH, the 2154HK, the Draper, and the longer Roughneck shovels. The 4450DS is about £24.20 and the Jardineer about £29.99. These are the saved amazon.co.uk prices for this set.
What is the difference between a spade and a shovel?
A spade cuts soil with a flat, relatively sharp blade. A shovel scoops loose material with a dished blade. On amazon.co.uk the words are still searched as if they were the same, so choose the blade for the job. Flat and sharp suits turf, beds, and edges. Dished and square suits sand, gravel, and compost. Narrow suits a drain or cable slot. Serrated suits roots, and the teeth snag a clean edge. A heavy-duty title does not settle which of those blades is in the box.
How long should the shaft be?
Match the length to your height and to whether you will stand or kneel. Too short a shaft loads your back if you stand up to dig. A very long shaft is awkward in a border. A rule of thumb on a council sheet is roughly from the ground to between your elbow and your chest. This set runs from about 69–70 cm micros to the Roughneck shovel at 146 cm. A micro near 70 cm is for kneeling, not for standing work.
Do these listings meet BS 3388, and what about cables?
BS 3388:2004 covers materials, construction, and tests for many forks, shovels, and spades. None of these listings claims it, and this page did not test them to it. Locate cables before you dig, then hand-dig beside the line. These listings do not claim a cable-insulation rating. Street-works guidance prefers a spade or shovel to a pick and keeps plant 0.5 m from a service. ESQCR 2002 regulation 14 does not fix one depth for every garden cable. A public highway needs a section 50 licence.
Is the KKTECH carbon fibre, and does the 4450DS weigh 181 g?
Do not buy either claim. The KKTECH title says carbon fibre. The specification lines say a carbon-steel blade and a plastic handle, and one review also calls the tool carbon steel. Follow the specification. The 4450DS listing prints 181 g for a full hardwood digging spade. Treat that figure as a catalogue error, not as an ultralight tool. It is a stainless head on a hardwood wishbone with a double-riveted socket, at about £24.20, with 4.6 from 1,426 reviews.
When should you stop and call someone else?
Do not work clay that sticks to the blade. One spit is about 15–30 cm, with your back upright. Stop if you strike a cable or smell gas. A new fixed electrical supply is an electrician’s design, and a public highway needs street-works consent. Numbness, or a change in bladder or bowel control, is a reason to stop. If a shaft needs re-handling and you cannot do that safely, leave it. A fork is a different comparison: the pitchfork comparison.
Our verdict
In this set the top pick is the Spear & Jackson 2154HK. It scores 94: a forged draining shovel, 4.7 from 2,403 reviews, at about £16.20. It is a narrow drain head, not a bed spade for every border. Best value is the Bulldog 5CLAM at about £11.54, because its value block is 10, the highest among the other listings. The head is solid forged, the item length is 91.9 cm, and amazon.co.uk shows 4.7 from 316 reviews. The MICROROUND ties the Bulldog on total score at 88 and sits one value point lower, at about £12.91.
Best value
View offer
Bulldog 5CLAM cable-laying shovel
Best value at about £11.54: value block 10, a forged head, and 4.7 from 316 reviews.
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 shovel spades
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Shovel and spade buying guideType, length, shaft, and grip, in the order you decide them.Which listing fits which jobWhich of these listings fits a job, and who should skip it.How to digPosture, one spit, and when to stop.Spade or shovelA flat cutter against a dished scoop.Clay and trenchesWorkable clay, narrow shovels, and services in the ground.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK sources used for this comparison. Listing prices, stars, and review counts are the amazon.co.uk figures in this set. We did not run a lab test.
- BSI — BS 3388:2004 Forks, shovels and spades (retrieved October 2026)
- HSE — Excavations and underground services (retrieved October 2026)
- Garden Organic — A26 Digging (retrieved October 2026)
- GOV.UK — Practical Guide to Street Works (retrieved October 2026)
- legislation.gov.uk — ESQCR 2002 regulation 14 (retrieved October 2026)
- East Riding of Yorkshire Council — Apparatus in the public highway (retrieved October 2026)
- RHS — Clay soils (retrieved October 2026)
- NHS — Back pain (retrieved October 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.