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Garden hoes are indispensable tools for pulling weeds, boasting a sharp blade on the end that easily slices through roots and breaks up heavy dirt clods in no time. To see how today’s most popular models performed, we field-tested 12 garden hoes in real landscaping situations.
The Rogue Prohoe 5.75″ Disc Garden Hoe took the best overall spot for its heavy-duty head that’s handmade and sharpened on three sides. It busted up large clumps of dirt and made light work of chopping through weed roots. Seven other high-performing hoes also made our list of recommendations.Keep reading to learn about key features to consider in one of these essential gardening tools. Then find out the results of our hands-on tests and why the following models are among the best garden hoes for a variety of gardening and lawn care tasks.
- BEST OVERALL: Rogue Prohoe 5.75″ Disc Garden Hoe
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Truper 3002 Warren Hoe
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DUTCH HOE: Berry & Bird 63-Inch Dutch Hoe
↓ Jump to Review - BEST HANDHELD: Edward Tools Carbon Steel Hand Hoe
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR HEAVY-DUTY WORK: Rogue 7-Inch Field Hoe
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR RAISED BEDS: Corona GT Extended Reach Hoe
↓ Jump to Review - BEST STIRRUP HOE: Ames Wood Handle Action Hoe
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DRAW HOE: Bully Tools 12-Gauge Fiberglass Handle Garden Hoe
↓ Jump to Review
Garden Hoes Product Comparison Chart
| Product | Type | Handle Length | Weight |
| Rogue Prohoe 5.75″ Disc Garden Hoe | Draw | 60 inches | 2 pounds |
| Truper 3002 Warren Hoe | Warren | 54 inches | 1.5 pounds |
| Berry & Bird 63-Inch Dutch Hoe | Dutch | 63 inches | 3.88 pounds |
| Edward Tools Carbon Steel Hand Hoe | Draw | 13.5 inches | 16 ounces |
| Rogue 7-Inch Field Hoe | Draw | 54 inches | 3.7 pounds |
| Corona GT Extended Reach Hoe | Combination draw/cultivator | 36 inches | 2.16 pounds |
| Ames Wood Handle Action Hoe | Stirrup | 54 inches | 2.58 pounds |
| Bully Tools 12-Gauge Fiberglass Handle Garden Hoe | Draw | 52.75 inches | 3.4 pounds |
Our Top Picks
To qualify as a top pick, a gardening hoe needs to have a strong, durable blade and a smooth handle that is easy to grip. Just ahead, learn more about some of the best garden hoes on the market, and find out how they performed in our hands-on backyard test plot.
Best Overall
Rogue Prohoe 5.75" Disc Garden Hoe
What We Like
- Head made from recycled agricultural steel
- Precision sharpened on three sides
- 60-inch ash handle for maneuverability
- Outstanding balance
What We Don’t Like
- Handle will be long for some people
Specs
- Type: Draw
- Handle length: 60 inches
- Weight: 2 pounds
Our Ratings: Functionality 5/5; Ergonomics 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
If there’s only room in the shed for one garden hoe, we suggest choosing the Rogue Prohoe 5.75″ Disc. The heavy-duty head is made from incredibly rugged recycled steel agricultural discs, which are the implements pulled behind a tractor to break up soil clods and work in crop residues. They are handmade and sharpened on three sides, allowing them to work from any angle. The shallow, half-moon-shaped head balances extremely well on the long, 60-inch ash wood handle. Both tall and short gardeners should find it comfortable for extended use and most hoeing tasks.
During bed preparation, the heavy clay soil was no match for the thick steel, super-sharp blade. The broad, relatively thin blade design and its corresponding angle to the handle gave it really good balance regardless of how we gripped the handle. This hoe was a pleasure to use.
What our tester says: “In my garden, I found this to be a very capable hoe. It offers plenty of reach to work 3-foot beds from either side.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Rogue Prohoe 5.75″ garden hoe on Amazon.
Best Bang for the Buck
Truper 3002 Warren Hoe
What We Like
- Offers a great value for the price
- Pointed head chops through dense weeds
- Handy for digging holes in the garden
What We Don’t Like
- No comfort grips
Specs
- Type: Warren
- Handle length: 54 inches
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
Our Ratings: Functionality 4/5; Ergonomics 4/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4/5
This Warren hoe from Truper features a blade that comes to a point, making it ideal for whacking through dense weeds while offering enough precision to work around garden plants. Though its 54-inch wooden handle lacks comfort grips, it’s still comfortable enough to use for an extended period. Its lightweight body also aids in maneuverability.
We tested the Truper Warren hoe at the start of the gardening season to break up clumps of dirt in our garden beds and to slice through weed roots and grass clumps. It handled these tasks and more with ease, and we appreciated that the pointed tip allowed us to weed close to desirable plants without accidentally harming them.
The Truper Warren hoe feels well-built, especially for its competitive price. While we think most gardeners would enjoy using this hoe, it’s an especially great option for those looking to try a quality Warren hoe without breaking the bank.
Get the Truper garden hoe at Amazon.
Best Dutch Hoe
Berry & Bird 63-Inch Dutch Hoe
What We Like
- Long handle suits taller users
- Ideal for removing weeds
- High quality with an ash hardwood handle
- Features a polished stainless steel tapered tip
What We Don’t Like
- Not as versatile as some other hoes
Specs
- Type: Dutch
- Handle length: 63 inches
- Weight: 3.88 pounds
Our Ratings: Functionality 4/5; Ergonomics 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 3.5/5
We don’t often find a garden tool useful and beautiful, but this one takes the cake. The Berry & Bird Dutch hoe handle is crafted from ash hardwood derived from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests. The wooden handle tapers down to the head of the hoe, which has a polished stainless steel tapered tip, and the end product is as attractive as it is functional.
Dutch hoes are handy for easily removing weeds; this one was no exception. Rather than chopping at the weeds, we inserted the head of the hoe into the soil in front of the targeted weed and pulled back on the handle to break through the weed’s roots and dislodge it from the soil. Thanks to the longer handle, we had a lot of leverage and could remain in a standing position. We didn’t have to use the chopping motion required to weed with most garden hoes, which was a real back-saver.
This Dutch gardening hoe is an excellent choice for cutting through weed roots, but doesn’t have the versatility that many other styles offer. If you need to break up large dirt clods or make garden rows, you’ll need a separate tool to aid you.
Get the Berry & Bird garden hoe at Amazon.
Best Handheld
Edward Tools Carbon Steel Hand Hoe
What We Like
- Perfect for tending to raised beds
- Lightweight and comfortable to use
- Competitively priced hand hoe
What We Don’t Like
- Not suitable for heavy gardening work
Specs
- Type: Draw
- Handle length: 13.5 inches
- Weight: 16 ounces
Our Ratings: Functionality 4.3/5; Ergonomics 5/5; Durability 4/5; Value 5/5
Handheld hoes make light work of weeding and raking through raised garden beds. They’re also convenient for gardeners who like to get on their hands and knees when tending to garden plants. This one from Edward Tools was a pleasure to work with. It was lightweight and comfortable in hand and chopped, raked, and dug through our raised garden beds with ease.
This handheld hoe is made from carbon steel from the handle to the blade and features a rubber hand grip for added comfort. At only 13.5 inches long, it’s a very small hoe unsuitable for heavy garden work. It was able to chop through weeds in the soft dirt of our raised beds and freshly tilled garden soil, but it may not be able to handle the demands of harder soil.
What our tester says: “This is an excellent little hoe for light gardening work. I used it for tending to my raised beds and garden, and found the quality to be great, especially for the price.”—Katie Barton, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Edward Tools garden hoe at Amazon.
Best for Heavy-Duty Work
Rogue 7-Inch Field Hoe
What We Like
- Sturdy steel blade
- Long-lasting sharp edges
- Wide blade edge for more coverage
- Natural ash wood handle
What We Don’t Like
- Some users report poor handle durability or longevity
Specs
- Type: Draw
- Handle length: 54 inches
- Weight: 3.7 pounds
Our Ratings: Functionality 4.7/5; Ergonomics 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Hard soil and heavy weeds may be no match for the Rogue Field Hoe’s sharpened 7-inch-wide, heavy-duty steel blade. The Rogue hoe will tackle tough gardening tasks, such as breaking out sod or loosening hard-packed soil. The 54-inch-long option provided a smooth ash handle for durability and impact reduction, and its wide blade sliced through the ground with ease. This garden hoe isn’t for the weakhearted—but for those who have heavy-duty weeding or cultivating to do, this tool can be a wise investment.
We really like that Rogue Hoe makes its tool heads from recycled steel agricultural discs. It’s precisely the right material for the job, from a more sustainable source. Plus, the tool arrived perfectly sharpened and ready to work right out of the box. The 7-inch Field Hoe was heavy but fairly articulate for the size and very aggressive. The heavy weight, sharp edges, and long handle allowed it to easily chop through overgrown raspberry canes and 1-inch-thick tree roots encroaching on our garden area. When it comes to combining strength, durability, functionality, and user comfort, the Rogue heavy-duty garden hoe consistently gets it right.
Get the Rogue field hoe at Amazon or Prohoe.
Best for Raised Beds
Corona GT Extended Reach Hoe
What We Like
- Strong but lightweight construction
- Compact, convenient size
- Longer reach than other “mini” tools
- Combination hoe and cultivator
What We Don’t Like
- Not suitable for extensive gardening tasks
Specs
- Type: Combination draw hoe/cultivator
- Handle length: 36 inches
- Weight: 2.16 pounds
Our Ratings: Functionality 4.3/5; Ergonomics 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
For general cultivation, soil aeration, and weeding, consider the Corona GT Extended Reach Hoe, which features a rust-resistant blade on one side and a three-pronged fork on the other. This hoe’s metal handle with ComfortGEL grip offers ergonomic comfort while gardening and a degree of impact reduction. The hoe’s handle is just 36 inches in length, making it slightly shorter than average and just right for chopping and hoeing by a petite gardener or even a tall gardener who wants to hoe an elevated garden bed. The versatile two-in-one blade and fork can enable users to properly cultivate and aerate their crops using the same tool.
Corona’s GT Extended Reach Hoe is a half-size tool that’s just the right size for working in smaller garden beds and raised planters. We liked the dual-action head, which works as both a hoe and a cultivator for soil preparation and gardening. It was comfortable to use one-handed, but still offered a good amount of chopping and digging power. The head fits easily between growing garden plants to reach sprouting weed seedlings. It makes a nice complement to your garden trowel for those times when you need a bit more leverage.
Get the Corona garden hoe on Amazon, Ace Hardware, and The Home Depot.
Best Stirrup Hoe
Ames Wood Handle Action Hoe
What We Like
- User-friendly two-way shallow weeding action
- Works from a more upright position
- Great for working among garden seedlings
- Does not disturb developing plant roots
What We Don’t Like
- Handle may be uncomfortably short for taller users
Specs
- Type: Stirrup
- Handle length: 54 inches
- Weight: 2.58 pounds
Our Ratings: Functionality 4.3/5; Ergonomics 5/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4.5/5
The Ames Wood Handle Action Hoe is constructed with a lightweight steel blade and durable hardwood handle for a long life of efficient weeding. The stirrup design allows it to cultivate only the upper half-inch of soil, eliminating emerging weeds while protecting developing plant roots. The head is attached to the handle at a precise angle that keeps the blade nearly flat against the ground while the operator uses a push-pull motion to “erase” weed seedlings.
We loved the ease of weeding with this stirrup hoe. The blade moved almost effortlessly through the soil surface, even through crusted-over clay. In our garden, the two-way weeding ability allowed us to cover a lot of ground quickly and easily adjust our hoeing style to meet the demand without changing our grip. Our tallest user noted that a longer handle could make it more comfortable to work with, but users who were under 6 feet tall loved it as is. The Ames Action Hoe makes an outstanding early-season weed control tool for veggie gardening.
Get the Ames garden hoe at The Home Depot or Walmart.
Best Draw Hoe
Bully Tools 12-Gauge Fiberglass Handle Garden Hoe
What We Like
- Wide cutting blade for heavy-duty or large projects
- Heavy-duty construction will last for years to come
- 100-percent American-made design
What We Don’t Like
- Heavier than other comparable hoes
- Edge is not factory-sharpened
Specs
- Type: Draw
- Handle length: 52.75 inches
- Weight: 3.4 pounds
Our Ratings: Functionality 4.7/5; Ergonomics 3/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4/5
For those looking for a standard draw hoe, the Bully Tools garden hoe may be the right choice. With its thick 12-gauge steel blade and lightweight fiberglass handle, the Bully Tools hoe can withstand powerful chopping and pulling action. The blade is 6.5 inches wide and nearly 6 inches long, including the steel shaft that connects to the handle. The hoe blade and handle total 58 inches in length, making this hoe well-suited for average to tall gardeners looking for a hardworking and durable garden tool.
Right out of the box, the Bully Tools 12-Gauge Fiberglass Handle Garden Hoe leaves the impression of rugged durability. The heavy-gauge steel head and thick fiberglass handle feel as if they could last a lifetime. However, the blade has no factory-sharpened edge. We therefore spent about 15 minutes grinding one, a task that would have taken half an hour or more had we not used a bench grinder. In the garden, it did a great job working through coarse weeds and heavy soil clods, but was limited in its ability to finesse weeding around garden plants. It’s a rock-solid choice for garden bed preparation for those who don’t mind finishing the blade.
Get the Bully Tools fiberglass handle garden hoe on Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Garden Hoes
| Products tested | 12 |
| Time spent testing | 2 weeks |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $10 to $120 |
Few other hand tools encompass the sheer diversity of designs and applications as garden hoes. Gardeners of all body types use hoes for minor tillage and soil preparation in all kinds of soil, and for weeding all kinds of weeds. With that in mind, we decided to select and test a variety of garden hoe types, each designed for a unique purpose. Our backyard garden made an ideal test plot, with a variety of plants at different stages, areas of weed infestation, and heavy clay-based soil.
We tested each hoe according to its design and pushed its capabilities to the limit. For instance, we only used the two stirrup hoes for weeding since they are not designed for soil preparation. We tested them for their ability to slice through different types and sizes of weeds, among densely planted garden seedlings, and in wide-open areas. Similarly, we tested the traditional garden hoe, warren hoe, and field hoe for their abilities as generalists, including chopping coarse weeds, breaking up hardened dirt clods, and preparing planting furrows. In order to be included here, each hoe had to comfortably perform according to its intended purpose, without leading us to believe it was on the brink of failure.
What to Consider When Choosing a Garden Hoe
After selecting the best type of garden hoe for the job, consider additional factors that make the hoe more comfortable to use or more durable.
Types of Garden Hoes
Sometimes called “cultivators,” all hoes have the same purpose—to cut through soil, loosen it, and remove weeds. Not all hoes are identical, though, and their differences make them better suited to various gardening tasks and individual users. Some hoes work well only in soft, loose soil, while certain designs will work better for some gardeners than others.
Draw Hoe
When most people think of a garden hoe, the first thing that comes to mind is usually a draw hoe with a steel blade that sits at about a 45-degree angle to the handle. Called a draw hoe because the gardener chops and then draws the hoe inward, this tool offers an effective way to loosen soil and dig up weeds.
Using a draw hoe can be a real workout if the ground is hard and the roots are deep, but it’s a time-honored tool found in most gardeners’ sheds.
Dutch Hoe
Rather than chopping and pulling, the Dutch hoe is designed for pushing. It features a steel loop brace and a narrow horizontal blade. The gardener rests the blade on top of the ground and then pushes it forward, causing the blade to slip just beneath the soil and sever the weeds from their roots.
As long as the soil is relatively soft, a Dutch hoe (also called a “loop” hoe) is an easy-to-use weeding tool. When using this type of hoe, the user is not required to bend forward as much, making it easier on the back.
Stirrup Hoe
A stirrup hoe, so called because it resembles an equestrian saddle stirrup, is used with a push-and-pull motion and features a flat or rounded bottom blade that’s sharp on both sides. The user pushes it back and forth to sever weed roots and to create straight lines in the soil for sowing seed.
These weeding tools work well in soft to medium soils, but are challenging to use in heavy or hard soil.
Heart-Shaped Hoe
A heart-shaped hoe features a blade that’s wide at the top and narrows to a point at the tip, much like a stylized heart. This type of blade is commonly found on both draw hoes, Warren hoes, and push hoes.
The point of a heart-shaped blade concentrates soil-cutting pressure, so it’s physically easier to use. This makes it well-suited for elderly gardeners or anyone who finds it challenging to hoe a garden. However, it might take slightly longer to complete the hoeing task because the tip is narrower than a flat hoe blade.
Spike Blade Hoe
For precision weeding in tight spots where a wide-blade garden hoe doesn’t fit, consider a spike blade hoe. This tool that pulls weeds has a knifelike blade (similar to a garden fork) that allows the gardener to cut through deep, invasive roots using powerful chops. However, it is also precise enough to use with light chops when removing weeds from narrow areas, such as between plantings and the edge of a raised bed.
Handles
Even the best gardening tools are only as good as their handles, and the three most common types of handles each have their pros and cons. Handle length, measured from the connection point with the tool head to the tip, is the best indication of the user’s posture while working. Handles range in length from an average of 4 to 6 feet to fit individual gardeners’ various heights and physical abilities.
- Wood: Soft and slightly vibration-absorbent, wood is a common material used in hoe handles. Made from a single rod of hardwood, often hickory, wood handles are comfortable and smooth. Note that they should not be left out in the weather, as moisture can cause the wood grain to swell and become weak and splintery.
- Metal: Lightweight aluminum is the metal of choice for hoe handles. This durable material is both water-resistant and corrosion-resistant. Aluminum is also very rigid and does not absorb any vibration, so hoeing hard ground that requires repeated chops might result in hand, wrist, and elbow fatigue.
- Fiberglass: The relatively new kid on the block, fiberglass hoe handles are smooth, lightweight, rust-resistant, moisture-resistant, and absorb some shock, making the material well-suited for hoe handles.
- Cushioned grips: Made from padded rubber, silicone, or water-resistant neoprene, cushioned grips on many garden hoe handles go a long way toward making hoeing tasks more enjoyable. Wearing a pair of gardening gloves can increase user comfort when working with hoes that lack cushioned grips.
Blades
Steel of one type or another is a mainstay of hoe blades, but different types of steel and various blade construction methods result in blades of varying quality.
- Stainless steel: This type of steel is very rust- and corrosion-resistant. Hoe blades made from stainless steel are usually molded in a single piece rather than welded. Stainless steel is not quite as strong as other types of steel, however, and it can’t be sharpened, so stainless steel blades are best suited to light hoeing tasks.
- Tempered: A hoe blade made from tempered steel is stronger than one made of stainless steel, and it can be sharpened if it dulls. It’s not as weather resistant, however, and is more likely to corrode. Tempered-steel blades can be thin or thick, and heavy-duty hoe blades often feature thick tempered steel.
- Welded: Inexpensive hoe blades can come with several welded sections. This is a cost-effective way of making a hoe suitable for weeding soft soil, but a welded joint is a point of weakness, so a welded blade is not always the best option for hoeing hard-packed soil. That said, some heavy-duty garden hoes do come with welded blades, but those feature heavier-gauge steel to withstand intense use.
Maintenance
A high-quality hoe helps a gardener dig and weed for many years, as long as it’s maintained with at least the basics of garden tool care. The type and features of the hoe might affect how much maintenance it requires, but there are a few universal maintenance tasks that apply to all hoes.
- Keep it clean. Hoeing often leaves mud and dirt caked on the blade, which increases the risk of rust and corrosion. Scrape away packed-on soil with a putty knife or use a steel brush to remove it before storing the hoe.
- Store it in a shed or garage. This is especially important if the hoe has a wood handle or a tempered-steel blade, but it’s best to store all garden tools, weed removal tools, and even expandable garden hoses out of the elements. Over time, harsh UV rays from the sun can also damage fiberglass handles.
- Keep it sharp. If the hoe has a tempered or welded blade, sharpen it if it’s not cutting through the soil and weed roots as well as it once did.
FAQs
Hoeing is an essential part of keeping a flower or vegetable garden weed-free and can help you tend to and till the garden soil. If this is the first time you’ve shopped for a garden hoe, you are likely to have some questions. Below are answers to some of the most popular questions about garden hoes.
Weeding is a task that requires much less time and effort if done frequently. New weeds are supple and easy to remove, so walk through your garden at least every other day and spend a few minutes weeding with a hoe or other weed-pulling tool.
You can replace a wooden handle on a hoe if it breaks or becomes splintery. Simply remove the screws or nuts and bolts that secure the handle in place, remove the old handle, insert the new one, and use new screws to secure it. If you have a bench vise to hold the hoe head steady as you work, it will simplify the process.
Clean dirt and mud from the hoe blade after use, and store the hoe in a garage or storage shed to prolong its useful life.
While a garden hose doesn’t need to be razor sharp, its blade does need to be sharp enough to sever weed roots and break up clumps of dirt.
Hoeing can effectively remove weeds from gardens and flower beds. It also disturbs the top layer of soil, making it less likely for weed seeds to germinate.
Meet the Tester
Over a decade of landscaping and gardening experience has given Katie Barton insight into what to look for in a garden hoe. She extensively tests products and only recommends the best.
Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with more than 20 years’ experience in the nursery and landscaping industry. He reviews the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn care products, and other outdoor-living goods.
Additional research provided by Glenda Taylor.
