The best garden tool sets
The trowel, the fork and the little extras that make pottering a pleasure. Sets worth giving to any gardener.
A good set of hand tools gets used every week of the growing season, for planting, weeding and potting on. They're the classic gardener's present because everyone needs them and cheap ones bend.
Stainless steel heads are the thing to look for: they don't rust and soil slides off. Bigger sets add secateurs, a kneeler and a bag, which makes them a more complete present.
What matters
- Stainless steel heads that won't rust or bend.
- Comfortable handles: wood or soft rubber.
- A kneeling pad for older knees.
- A bag or box, if it's a present.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Spear & Jackson Neverbend Stainless 3-Piece Gift Set
£10–£20 Price range
The three hand tools every gardener reaches for most, in stainless steel that won't rust and doesn't let soil stick. Spear & Jackson was founded in Sheffield in 1760 and is still based there.
What owners say: Owners find them extremely strong: they dig into the hardest ground without bending, and the handles are comfortable.
A closer look: The narrow transplanting trowel is the one for bulbs and seedlings, and its depth helps plant at the right level. Rinse the soil off and dry them before putting them away and they will last for years.
- Trowel, transplanting trowel and weed fork
- Stainless steel heads
- Weatherproofed hardwood handles
- Gift box
Best for: Tools that last
- Pieces
- 3
- Includes
- Trowel, transplanter, weed fork
- Handles
- Hardwood
- Comes in
- Gift box
#2 of 5
Best gift bag
Grenebo Heavy-Duty Garden Tool Set with Tote Bag (9 pieces)
£20–£30 Price range
Eight stainless tools, gloves and pruning shears included, in a floral tote bag with a pocket for each. Ready to carry round the garden, and ready to give.
What owners say: Owners find it makes a lovely gift and is durable and well made, with a roomy bag that's easy to carry round the garden.
A closer look: Hang the tools up by their handle holes over winter, in a dry shed, rather than leaving them in the bag where damp collects.
- 8 tools including pruning shears and gloves
- Stainless steel heads
- Wooden handles with hanging holes
- Floral tote bag with pockets
Best for: A gift for a keen gardener
- Pieces
- 9
- Includes
- 8 tools incl. shears and gloves
- Handles
- Wood
- Comes in
- Tote bag
#3 of 5
Best for older gardeners
LBSTP 10-Piece Garden Tool Set with Kneeling Pad
£10–£20 Price range
Soft non-slip rubber handles, a thick kneeling pad that doubles as a seat, and depth markings on the transplanter: everything for comfortable pottering in raised beds and borders.
What owners say: Owners find it well made and ideal for lighter garden jobs, and like having everything together in the bag.
A closer look: The depth marks on the transplanting trowel make bulb planting easy: most bulbs go in at two to three times their own height.
- Secateurs, trowel, transplanter, fork, rake and weeder
- Thick kneeling pad
- Spray bottle and gloves
- Non-slip rubber handles
- Oxford storage bag
Best for: Comfort and knees
- Pieces
- 10
- Includes
- 6 tools, kneeler, sprayer, gloves
- Handles
- Rubber
- Comes in
- Oxford bag
#4 of 5
YAUNGEL 10-Piece Gardening Tool Set with Tote Bag
£20–£30 Price range
Mirror-polished stainless steel with ash-wood handles and leather lanyards, a floral tote and a proper gift box. The set looks as good as it works.
What owners say: Owners find it good value and sturdy, with everything for general garden jobs and a nice bag, and a great gift.
A closer look: Wipe the polished heads with an oily rag at the end of the season to keep them shiny, and hang them by the leather loops.
- Pruning shears, trowel, transplanter, weeder, fork and rake
- Kneeling pad, sprayer and gloves
- Ash-wood handles with leather lanyards
- Floral tote bag
- Gift box
Best for: A gift that looks the part
- Pieces
- 10
- Includes
- 6 tools, kneeler, sprayer, gloves
- Handles
- Ash wood
- Comes in
- Tote bag, gift box
#5 of 5
Best budget
Showvigor 3-Piece Aluminium Garden Tool Set
Under £10 Price range
A trowel, a hand rake and a weeding shovel in bright yellow, so they don't vanish in the flowerbed. Cheap enough for a first garden, a new allotment or a stocking.
What owners say: Owners find them durable and excellent value, comfortable to hold and good-looking.
A closer look: Aluminium is light, which makes these easy on the wrist for container gardening and balcony pots. The bright colour is the real win: no more tools lost in the compost.
- Trowel, hand rake and weeding shovel
- Aluminium alloy
- Soft non-slip rubber grips
- Hanging holes
- High-visibility yellow
Best for: Pots and first gardens
- Pieces
- 3
- Includes
- Trowel, rake, weeding shovel
- Handles
- Rubber grip
- Comes in
- None
How they compare
| Feature | #1Spear & Jackson 3-piece | #2Grenebo 9-piece | #3LBSTP 10-piece | #4YAUNGEL 10-piece | #5Showvigor 3-piece |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best gift bag | Best for older gardeners | Best budget | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.5 | 9.3 | 9.1 | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| Price | £10–£20 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | Under £10 Price range |
| Pieces | 3 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 3 |
| Includes | Trowel, transplanter, weed fork | 8 tools incl. shears and gloves | 6 tools, kneeler, sprayer, gloves | 6 tools, kneeler, sprayer, gloves | Trowel, rake, weeding shovel |
| Handles | Hardwood | Wood | Rubber | Ash wood | Rubber grip |
| Comes in | Gift box | Tote bag | Oxford bag | Tote bag, gift box | None |
| Best for | Tools that last | A gift for a keen gardener | Comfort and knees | A gift that looks the part | Pots and first gardens |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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