The 11 Best utility shovels (2023 reviews)

The tyger auto utility shovel is capable of outshining several other shovel featured in this list in overall features. This tool is a lot easier to explain away in a court of law than a 1-1/2" wrench that is conveniently missing its 7 other counterpart wrenches, and it does more. It offers a full line of tonneau covers. It is made from high quality, thick cordura with wide, strong zippers. The sturdiness of each individual piece increases the hardiness of the shovels as a whole. It is a fairly solid piece when assembled.

This is OBVIOUSLY a multi-tool and its SOLE PURPOSE is not that of a knife. The features are a little ridiculous for camping use. This style of locking mechanism is better than stronger, more secure and much faster than the screw type locking mechanism.

Why We Like This:

Light weight and very practical especially for a bug out bag
Practical survival and emergency tool, could be much better
Easy to assemble and disassemble and built very well
Well built, sharp edge for light digging, chopping etc

Best For Offroad: Smittybilt utility Shovel

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Next on the list, we've got yet another shovel that manages to win our hearts. It's the smittybilt utility shovel and it's widely considered as shovel that has the most suitable features. This is a sturdy instrument, so spend the extra five bucks. It is made for moving rocks and whatnot, but for basic dirt/sand/mud recovery, it gets the job done, kinda. It is a bit on the flimsy side. It is foldable and so compact yet so sturdy. It comes with a nifty carrying case. It is great for digging small holes and covering camp fires. It is easy to lock into position using the twisting shaft.

This is a "recovery utility tool" meant to take up as little space as possible while still being useful, so it's short enough you probably aren't going to get a whole lot of leverage or dig a quick crater.

Why We Like This:

Folds nicely into a compact pouch
Folds up very small, the size of the shovel blade
Light weight, includes a good cover

Best For Truck: Rhino USA utility Shovel

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The rhino usa utility shovel gives the top-tier shovel a run for their money by offering flagship specs at a much more affordable price. You don't have to use a giant garden shovel to plant smaller plants and this Rhino USA folding survival shovel makes perfect size holes for smaller plants. The Bolt that holds the shovel tight is stout and holds fast. The sticker is cool and the bag looks good too. It feels a solid piece of kit.

The handle is ergonomic and comfortable while shoveling. If something happens and you need to dig a small hole or move some sand or similar, this would be awesome. It can be used as a multi tool. It comes with a durable bag plus looks very well built.

Why We Like This:

Makes it so much easier to break the ice off the asphalt
Very sturdy feeling and the pouch is a great quality as well
Well built and very helpful in the garden

Best For car trunk: Redcamp utility Shovel

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Redcamp makes beautiful and great shovel with classic and smartly choosen materials. This little shovel is fantastic, very easy to put together and adjust between the shovel function or the pick. It's sturdy, lightweight and compact. It works well, securely sets into position. It's super compact when folded up and comes with a sleeve. It's a simple pull and press setup with just one twisting connector to brace the spine of the shovel and make it stiff. There is a large screw on the handle under the head and just turn it to the right.

This folds up very compactly and is easy to store yet when unfolded it's rigid and strong and is ready to do whatever your shoveling task requires. It comes with a pouch that can be attached to a strap or belt.

Why We Like This:

Very sturdy and not lightweight in its capabilities
Great camping tool or even to just have in your car for emergencies
Well made, solid military grade materials and good workmanship

Best For poop: Dartmoor utility Shovel

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It is great shovel for digging at the beach. It has 3 modes and folds up, easy to store. The thickness of steel of the shovel is about half of military grade. It can fit in small spaces and open up to a fairly large shovel. It is used to dig a hole for a bbq fire.

The serated edge comes in real handy to cut through roots. It fits in any medium size or larger. It is perfectly in a small pouch. It is very compact and is more like a real shovel as opposed to a play shovel.

Why We Like This:

Great small shovel, well made and sturdy
Delivers what they promise

Best With pick: gold Armour utility Shovel

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Whether you are embarking on a wilderness adventure or preparing for an emergency situation, this folding camping shovel is a vital necessity to assist you outdoors. The Gold Armour foldable survival shovel is made of High-Carbon Steel which is high strength and wear resistant and durable enough to withstand heavy duty entrenching, digging, shoveling, shoveling, and hammering. It can be used either straight or at a 90 degree angle as a shovel, hoe, pick or saw.

This camping shovel features a folding design and stores inside a compact carrying pouch for easy and convenient storage.

Why We Like This:

Good brand reputation
New and hot release

Best Safety Tool: Mastiff gears utility Shovel

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It's all the shovel you need for camping.Otherwise you will love the shovel. The steel isn't thin like those gimmicky, screw together shovels made of aluminum. The groove in handle might give you blister or cut you if used bare handed!Otherwise you will love the shovel. The cover is also sturdy and made from quality material.

It has been a good safety tool to have around the camp fires. It has an overall length of 58 cm/ 22.8”, the shovel blade is 14 cm * 18 cm, bigger than most portable shovels to improve efficiency. The quality of the shovel does feel like very good quality and it is small but a bit on the heavy side.

Why We Like This:

Good weight and size, keeping in the truck for camping or digging out
Beautiful wood handle, thick gauge steel, very tough and robust
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For chopping ice: Extremus utility Shovel

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Extremus has been making great shovel for years, thanks to a combination of clever design and appropriate materials. This kid has a bunch of useful tools and they can be combined to create sturdy functional tools while camping. It can be used straight for digging or at 90 degrees for trenching. It provides a positive grip on this hardworking tool. It can also be used in the garden at home for planting, cultivating and much more.

It fits easily in a backpack for hiking/fishing. The shovel can be stored in vehicles, camp boxes, backpacks and also includes a belt loop so it can be worn as you work. It needs a way to lock the nut so it doesn't loosen with use.

Why We Like This:

Usefully but slightly flimsy or flexible
Perfect to carry to the beach
Good investment for long term

Best For backpack: Yyjingyou utility Shovel

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When camping or hiking, this shovel could be used to dig a shallow latrine or fire pit, to bury biodegradable garbage, to shovel dirt over a fire to quench it, etc. It is easy to change position and locks into place. The foldable shovel is very compact to carry around, somewhat sturdy for small jobs and has a precise compass in the handle. It has the functions of spade, pickaxe, saw, nail puller, etc. The end of the shovel handle has a compass on it, so this is definitely designed and marketed more for camping or survivalist/prepper use.

This folding shovel / pick combo can be disassembled and packed away in the included pouch, which comes complete with a belt loop so it can be worn if desired.

Why We Like This:

Useful in road trip emergency kit
Sturdy and strong enough for digging small holes on a camping trip
Works to remove ashes from pellet stove

Best For metal detecting enthusiasts: EST gear utility Shovel

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate shovel. The est gear utility shovel is exactly that - it's a simple shovel that hits all the right notes. This tool is not cheaply constructed by any means and will store reliably for your future emergencies and outdoor excursions. It has a military grade aluminum handle that makes it light weight. It includes a knife and saw that are both very heavy duty and a sharp. The other nice thing about the handle sections is that they are all hollow. It also feels incredibly sturdy when assembled.

The bag has several ways to attach it to your gear, belt, or backpack. This can fit in a tiny apartment, little car, small tool box, or wherever. The shovel is sturdy & doesn't feel flimsy yet its not too heavy to carry while searching in the woods.

Why We Like This:

Durable enough for every day care, while working in the northern maine woods
Very cool, sturdy, not super lightweight weight obviously but easy to use
New and hot release

Best Feature: Easy To assemble: Yukon Charlies utility Shovel

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The yukon charlies utility shovel's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. Shovels are a great accessory for motorists and outdoor enthusiasts. The lightweight ( 1.1 lbs ), adjustable travel shovel makes it easy to carry on a winter hike or store in the back of a car.

Why We Like This: