If you find yourself digging a lot of trenches, the best trenching shovel can be an absolutely invaluable tool. It is specially designed to help you quickly and easily remove the soil that’s left in the bottom of the trench so you get a smooth finish.
There are dozens of different brands, shapes, and size trenching shovels available. This can make it easy to get overwhelmed when you’re looking for a good one. If you’re not sure what you should look for then take a look at our easy buying guide. We’ll highlight the important criteria that come with choosing a good trenching shovel, and our 10 best trenching shovel reviews will give you several different brands, styles, and sizes to compare.
Best Trenching Shovel Buying Guide
When it comes to trenching shovels, taking your time and finding the best shovel for your needs can pay off in the long run. You may spend a little more initially, but it can work out. However, there are a few key things to look for in your new shovel.
Angle
Trenching shovels can come with the blade portion bent at an angle. This can make it easier to get down to the bottom of the trenches and remove any loose dirt, rocks, or debris. It’s especially helpful in slightly deeper trenches where you may have to bend to reach the bottom.
Blade Size
Trenching shovel blades can range in length and width, and you want to ensure that the shovel you choose has a blade size that is comfortable for you. Generally, the larger a person is, the less difficulty they’re going to have with a wider and heavier blade. If you’re planning on digging finer or smaller trenches, a smaller and more narrow blade would be a better option.
Gripping Capability
A lot of trenching shovels have either an O-ring or a D-ring shape at the end of the handle. These wide areas can give you a better place to grip so you can use and maneuver your shovel easier. If you have a straight handle, look for one with a rubber area that lets you hold on to because this will provide an additional comfort layer for your hands.
Handle and Blade Strength
You’ll quickly notice that trenching shovels have several different handle mediums. It’s not uncommon to find handles with steel or other metals, fiberglass, or ash wood. These three mediums are considered to be very strong and long-lasting. You want a handle that isn’t going to give or crack when you use it, so the strength of the materials is very important.
Likewise, the shovel’s blade should be made out of a durable metal like high-quality steel. Another feature to look for is a powder coating because this helps to add another layer of protection to your shovel.
Head Shape
Different trenching shoves have different head shapes. Some are designed to cut through the soil and slice through tree roots while others are flat or feature a more rounded head. You have to think of what type of trenches you’re planning to dig and how the head will handle them.
Warranty
If the trenching shovel is from a reputable brand, it’ll most likely have some sort of warranty. Ideally, you want a shovel with a lifetime warranty. This means that you can quickly and easily replace your shovel in the event that it breaks or succumbs to natural wear and tear. If you can’t find a lifetime warranty, a limited warranty is another viable option to look into.
10 Best Trenching Shovel Reviews
Seymour Fiberglass Handle Trenching Shovel
This trenching shovel has a slightly wider design, and it is made out of heavy-duty 14-gauge steel for durability. The steel head is attached to a durable fiberglass handle, and this handle is designed to last through a variety of uses without a problem.
The handle has a slightly longer design so you won’t bend or flex as much when you use it, and it comes with extra cushioning for a comfortable grip. The handle and head won’t flex when you use them, and this makes handling dirt, clay, and rocks a quick and easy task.
Pros
Features a five-inch wide head
Comes with an extra long handle
Cons
Handle may not have enough padding
Head may need to be sharpened before using it
Bully Tools 14-Gauge 3-Inch Trench Shovel
This trenching shovel comes with the choice of three, four, or five-inch heads so you can customize it to fit your needs. It is made in the USA with commercial-grade materials to ensure the shovel’s durability and longevity.
This shovel features a closed back design that doesn’t allow for debris to build up when you’re using it. It is made out of 14-gauge steel, and this durable material limits how much it flexes. You get a limited lifetime warranty, and the tough fiberglass handle stands up to wear and tear extremely well without cracking.
Pros
Shovel head is a durable 14-gauge steel
Choose from three different head widths
Cons
Shovel material is on the thinner side
Foot plate is very narrow and hard to use
Corona SS 64104 General Purpose Trench Shovel
You’ll get a v-shaped head with this trenching shovel, and it’s bright red design ensures that you’ll be able to find it quickly and easily. It comes with one-inch sides that allow you to pick up more dirt and debris with every scoop.
The 12-gauge steel is attached to a four-foot hardwood ash handle, and this shovel comes with a limited lifetime warranty. The handle is also tapered for better gripping capabilities and greater comfort. The shovel also comes with a 35-degree angle on the head that allows for precision work, and it gives it excellent trench clearing capabilities.
Pros
Shovel head has a 35-degree angle
Comes with a solid four foot tapered ash handle
Cons
Can be difficult to push into harder ground or clay
May be difficult to get a good foot hold
Fiskars Steel D-handle Transplanting Spade
You’ll get a rounded end with this shovel that makes it ideal for digging deep holes, digging up bulbs, or digging trenches. It comes with a welded 14-gauge steel blade and a 16-gauge steel handle for added durability. The handle itself is designed to be extra-large so you can get a secure grip.
The shaft is teardrop shaped, and this helps you get a comfortable grip when you use this shovel. It comes with a lifetime warranty against breaking or wear and tear so you can send it back quickly and easily.
Pros
D-shaped handle is extra-large
Blade and shaft are made out of 14 and 16-gauge steel
Cons
Shovel is only four feet long from the blade to the top
Stress point may be weaker and prone to breaking
Fiskars 46 Inch Steel Square Garden Spade
This sharp trenching shovel is ideal for slicing through thick turf or clay. It has a welded 14-gauge hardened steel blade and a 18-gauge steel shaft that is designed to outlast wooden shovels. You can order between one and five shovels at one time.
The blade comes sharpened and ready to use as soon as you unwrap it, and it’s backed by a lifetime warranty against damage and breakage. The D-handle is extra wide, and this lets you control the shovel with two hands when you use it. It’s very lightweight, and it weighs less than five pounds.
Pros
Features a heavy-duty hardened steel blade and shaft
Product is covered by a lifetime warranty
Cons
Handle may be misaligned with the blade
Welded area is a weak point
Iunio Military Portable Folding Shovel
You can choose from a 17, 31, or 35-inch shovel. It has several optional extensions that you can attach so your shovel is multi-use. The shovel also has an extension option so you can extend or shorten it to a comfortable height when you use it.
The handle and the shovel are made out of high-carbon steel, and it is resistant to wear and damage. The handle comes covered in a durable rubber so you can get a firm but comfortable grip. It folds up so you can easily fit it into a small carrying pouch.
Pros
Folds down to a very compact size
Comes with an optional extension bar for the handle
Cons
Joint that connects the head to the handle is brittle
Shovel may be smaller than expected
SOG Entrenching Tool F08-N – Folding Shovel
This lightweight and compact trenching shovel folds down for easy storage. It features a tri-fold design that makes it easy to take it with you when you go. The shovel’s head and the handle are made out of durable steel, and this stands up to wear and tear very well.
You get a nylon carrying case with this shovel, and it includes gear loops so you can pack everything in one case. It weighs in at just under two pounds, and the D-handle design is wide enough to allow you to get a secure but comfortable grip.
Pros
Folds down to a very compact size
Head and handle are made out of high-quality steel
Cons
Locking mechanism is plastic and prone to breaking
Metal is thin on the shovel’s edges
Truper 33436 Tru Pro California Trenching Shovel
You can choose from a three to a six-inch blade with this trenching shovel, and you get a 14-gauge steel head and a fiberglass handle. The handle is reinforced with resin to withstand up to 400 pounds of pressure without a problem.
It comes with a rivetless crimped steel collar to attach the handle to the shovel head for added durability, and there is a protective sleeve over the handle to save it from damage and wear or tear. It weighs just over three pounds, so it’s easy to use and manipulate.
Pros
Has a rivetless crimped attachment point
Handle comes with reinforced fiberglass and a protective sleeve
Cons
Handle may be too slick to get a good grip
Foot peg is very narrow and small
Root Assassin Shovel
This shovel comes in a 48-inch long design or a 32-inch long design. The shovel head has saw teeth on either side so you can cut through thick turf, weeds, and debris quickly and easily. It’s easy to lift and use due to the fact that it weighs only four pounds.
When you buy this shovel, it comes with a lifetime warranty so you can replace it quickly and easily. It’s made out of solid carbon steel with a grey powder coating, and the handle features a rubber top so you can get a solid grip.
Pros
Shovel head has 16 serrated teeth
Made out of solid carbon steel
Cons
Shovel tip is very thin and prone to bending
May not be strong enough to lift dirt or clay out of a trench
Radius Garden Root Slayer Shovel
This shovel comes in four different size options ranging from a standard size up to extra large. The end of the shovel is fashioned into a sharp inverted v design that cuts through sod and roots quickly and easily.
The edges of the shovel contain small notched saw teeth, and the shovel head gradually gets wider as it gets farther from the tip. The top of the shovel’s head has slightly raised walls to prevent soil build-up. You also get an O-ring handle that gives you more gripping room, and it’s covered by a durable rubber.
Pros
Tip forms a sharp inverted V
O-ring handle gives you more gripping room
Cons
Shovel has a shorter handle
May be difficult to maneuver and it’s a heavier option
Your trenching shovel should be durable enough to stand up to everyday use or wear and tear. It should also be lightweight enough that you can use it without additional strain. No matter what trenching shovel you choose, our buying guide and reviews give you a good place to start your research.
