As the name implies, a trenching shovel is necessary for digging trenches. With a sharp and pointed tip, this tool is also perfectly designed to clear trenches, lay irrigation pipes, and remove deep-rooted plants like asparagus, pumpkins, or parsnips.
Now, which is the best trenching shovel? I’ve done careful research and picked the 07 best models to share with you in this review. They come in different shapes and sizes, with various features to meet your diverse needs.
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Top 7 Best Trenching Shovels on the Market 2022
In-depth 7 Top Rated Trenching Shovel Reviews
#1 Nupla 72213 TS-6-E Ergo Power 6” Trenching Shovel
Specs
- Handle length: 48 inches
- Shape of blade: curved shape
- Weight: ~4 pounds
Made with simplicity and effectiveness in mind, this Nupla trench shovel comes with a curved blade, so scooping up damp soil and snow is a breeze. Thanks to a great angle, it keeps you from post-working back pain while being a versatile tool for multiple jobs on the farm.
Besides, this 6’’ trenching shovel features a classic Nuplaglas handle, which means it’s super solid for an extended lifespan. More importantly, this tool is resistant to corrosion, so no more concerns that it will suffer from rust even when leaving outside for days.
As the name suggests, this Ergo Power trenching shovel is a perfect combination of ergonomic design and sturdiness. So it’s comfortable to use for intensive trenching tasks.
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#2 AMES Companies 47025 5” Trenching Shovel
Specs
- Handle length: 54 inches
- Shape of blade: V-shaped
- Weight: 4.18 pounds
This 5’’ AMES trenching tool is the best shovel for digging a trench. It’s a brilliantly crafted shovel with a firm wooden handle for comfortable digging. The sharp V-shaped tip makes it easy to get rid of weeds and deeply rooted plants.
On top of that, the 180° foot pedal makes grabbing soil much more manageable. That said, pushing it down when trenching is effortless, which means the shovel significantly saves your time and energy.
There is a small dip in the handle, where your hands usually are when working with this shovel. Though this is just a small detail, it’s a significant added-on feature for optimal users’ convenience. You can also tell that AMES does know gardening. The company engineers and designers have taken into consideration usability in their product design process.
This unit might weigh a little heavier than other models, but its performance is unsurpassed. When working during summer days, it’s best to wear gloves to keep yourself from getting blisters as the handle doesn’t come with a cushion grip.
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#3 Truper 33436 Tru Pro California – Best 4-inch trenching shovel
- Handle length: 48 inches
- Shape of blade: V-shaped
- Weight: 3.33 pounds
This Truper trenching shovel comes with a 48-inch fiberglass handle that ensures no slippery when digging deeper into the ground. Moreover, the handle can put up with 400 lbs of pressure, so you can be assured that it digs in the soil solidly in every go you make.
Its blade is made from 14 gauge steel for maximum durability. The tool can quickly pull up roots or small rocks while giving you evenly trenched areas on softer soil.
The welds on its blade are also precisely made, giving it the robustness that all farmers need. Last but not least, this shovel is a solid unit thanks to the perfectly connected shovel neck and handle. A worth-to-invest tool for effective gardening jobs.
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#4 Bully Tools 82510 14-Gauge Round Point 4” Shovel
Specs
- Weight: 4.5 pounds
- Shape of blade: round point
- Handle: D-grip Fiberglass
This Bully Tools shovel comes with an extra-wide D-shape handle, which means it can easily accommodate gloved hands. With a long neck, the tool provides stronger support for the handle while its strong rivets ensure a better connection for the whole unit.
Made from 14-gauge steel, its blade can withstand tough conditions while digging through hard soils with little effort. This 4” shovel is a heavy-duty tool for daily jobs around the backyard – an ideal choice for homeowners looking for a well-made tool for gardening and landscaping.
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#5 Nupla 72310 TS-V3-E Ergo Power – best 3-inch trenching shovel
Specs
- Handle length: 48 inches
- Shape of blade: V-shaped
- Weight: 3.5 pounds
My list of best trenching shovels won’t be complete without this compact and lightweight 3-inch shovel from Nupla. While a 2-inch trenching shovel might be too small to even clear out trenches, a 3-inch model seems to be a perfect companion for farmers and gardeners on a wide range of trenching and digging tasks.
With impressive build quality, it makes short work of digging trenches and laying irrigation pipes in your farm. Made by one of the best brands in the industry, its ergonomic design deserves to be rated as the best shovel for trenching in the market.
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#6 WORX WG896 12 Amp 7.5″ Electric Lawn Edger & Trencher
- Handle length: adjustable
- Weight: 14 pounds
Trimming and manicuring your yard perimeter is a piece of cake thanks to this light electric lawn edger. It comes with a powerful 12amp motor, providing a sharp and crisp look for the edges of your sidewalks, curbs, driveways, and garden beds.
With three guide wheels (two in the rear and one in the front), it ensures stability when moving forward. In addition, the tool features an extendable shaft, allowing quick adjustment to fit in with your height. Better yet, the pivoting handle adds more to usability.
This edger is also equipped with a cutting line indicator, helping users to edge more precisely. You can stay on straight and narrow lines as it tells you where the blade is when cutting.
With a narrow design, it not only trims edges but also digs small trenches without shredding the grass in the process. The tool leaves clean and crisp edges, making it a perfect conduit trenching shovel to install or bury wires and pipes.
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#7 SOG Folding Shovel – Best folding trenching shovel
Specs
- Shape of blade: round point
- Weight: ~1.5 pounds (24.5 ounces)
This mini trenching shovel is not designed for heavy-duty farm work but small garden projects or light shoveling. The shovel head is made from tempered steel while featuring saw teeth on its side to rip through wood or other tough materials.
Forming a hoe is straightforward. Simply rotate the shovelhead 90 degrees downward. Folding and unfolding the handle is also a snap, as it only requires you to loosen the latch a bit.
As the tool is foldable, it can be neatly packed into a pouch for camping trips. The shovel’s sturdy build, together with its unwavering performance, makes this a versatile tool for all outdoor enthusiasts.
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FAQs about Trenching Shovel
1. What is a trenching shovel for?
A trenching shovel is an efficient tool to clean or dig up a trench thanks to its pointed or round tip, and squared design. Aside from that, it can also be used to shape up trenches, lay down PVC pipes and remove roots.
2. What is the difference between a normal shovel and a trenching shovel?
What sets a trenching shovel apart from a normal one lies heavily on their designs. While the latter is designed to dig deep into the soil, the former has a small blade, making it hard to break through the soil.
That is why trenching shovels can only be used on shallow trenches, and work best if the soil is pre-softened/loosen.
3. What is the easiest way to dig a trench?
There are several ways to dig a trench, but the following method is the simplest yet effective one.
- First, break or soften the soil for easy penetration later. You can use a pickaxe to handle this job with less effort.
- Picture the trench’s shape before digging it. You can use the shovel tip to draw 2 lines of the trench.
- To take the dirt out from the bottom, using the hoe will be faster and easier, instead of the shovel.
- Make easy access to the trench by repositioning all the soil you have just dug out.
4. How deep can you dig with a trenching shovel?
The answer to this question is “it depends on your height and your strength”. In other words, you can dig it as long as the shovel can still break/penetrate into the soil.
My top pick
The best trenching shovel, in my opinion, is the 6” Nupla 72213. With a simple yet effective design, it’s easy to use while minimizing back pain for users, even after working for extended hours on the farm.
Still, the most suitable model depends on your personal preferences, using habits, and budget. All of the above seven shovels are well-made but do not burn a hole in your pocket.