A hula hoe, or a stirrup hoe, is handy for removing weeds in tight spaces between rows of vegetables or flowers. Since the hula hoe cuts weeds under the soil where the roots are, the weeds have less of a chance of growing back. This will save you time and energy in the long run.
So, which hula hoe is the best? I’ve listed the top seven for you. Keep reading to find out more about this unique garden tool!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Hoss Stirrup Hoe
Best for Sandy Soil:
Flexrake 1000L Hula-Ho Weeder
Best Miniature Hula Hoe:
Flexrake 500W Hula-Ho Mini Flexrake
Best Overall
Hoss Stirrup Hoe
My top pick is the Hoss Stirrup Hoe for its durability. When you move it back and forth, the powder-coated steel blade oscillates 20 degrees in both directions.
The ash hardwood handle is a generous 60 inches long, which is great for taller gardeners. It’s one of the most expensive hula-style hoes on the market, but it comes with a one-year warranty and easy access to replacement parts through their website.
Pros:
- It’s made in the U.S.A. from durable materials.
- The large, heavy-duty blade cuts larger weeds easily.
- It has a long handle.
Cons:
- It’s more expensive than other hula hoes.
Best for Sandy Soil
Flexrake 1000L Hula-Ho Weeder
The Flexrake stand-up hula hoe has a 54-inch wood handle with a heat-treated and self-sharpening blade. This hula hoe is lightweight while maintaining its ability to uproot weeds easily.
Pros:
- It’s lightweight and easy to use.
- The blade is self-sharpening.
- Flexrake has replacement blades you can purchase.
Cons:
- The handle is not long enough for some users.
Best Miniature Hula Hoe
Flexrake 500W Hula-Ho Mini Flexrake
The Flexrake miniature hula hoe is similar in build and materials to its big brother. The blade is only about 3.75-inches wide, which is great for the smallest of spaces. It’s best used on small to medium weeds in sandy or loamy soil.
Pros:
- Small blade allows weeding in tight spots.
- It’s lightweight.
- It’s made in the U.S.A.
Cons:
- It doesn’t work well in heavy soil.
AMES 1985450 Mini Action Hoe
This miniature hula hoe has a 14-inch wooden handle with a comfortable grip attached. The cushioned grip works well for stabilizing the hoe and relieving your hands of any potential blisters. It has a 3.625-inch blade that’s perfect for weeding in small gardens and raised beds.
Pros:
- It has a cushioned grip.
- The wood handle is durable and lightweight.
- It works well for raised beds.
Cons:
- It doesn’t work well on large weeds or in heavy soil.
AMES 2825800 Action Hoe
The AMES stand-up hula hoe has a 54-inch wooden handle attached to a 6-inch double-blade head. This hula hoe stands out because of the shape of the head, which is more triangular than any other brand. The triangular shape encourages precision when weeding.
Pros:
- It has a comfortable grip.
- The triangular head helps make precise movements.
- The double-edged blade cuts down weeding time.
Cons:
- The wooden handle was rough for some users.
Bond Manufacturing LH022 Stirrup Hoe
The Bond Manufacturing hula hoe is a great cost-friendly option. The fiberglass handle cuts the usual price for hula hoes in half, while still being durable with a good steel-blade head. It has a three-year warranty, so you can rest assured in purchasing.
Pros:
- It’s budget-friendly.
- It’s lightweight and easy to use.
- It comes with a warranty.
Cons
- The handle-grip is not very durable and may need replacement after repeated use.
True Temper 2866300 Looped Action Hoe Cultivator
The True Temper hula hoe has a 54-inch hardwood handle with a cushioned grip that works great for short to medium-height gardeners. The looped steel blade is heavy-duty enough to cut through large weeds, while still being lightweight.
Pros:
- It’s built in the U.S.A.
- It has a comfortable cushioned grip.
- The steel blade is durable.
Cons:
- It doesn’t work well for some taller gardeners.
What Is a Hula Hoe?
A hula hoe is similar to a regular hoe with a long handle, but the blade is shaped like a stirrup. It gets the name “hula” from its motion under the soil, wiggling back and forth. This motion simultaneously cuts weeds at the root and cultivates the soil.
Now we’ll present our selections for the seven best hula, or stirrup, hoes you can buy for your garden space.
How to Choose a Hula Hoe
Blade Size
Hula hoes come in varying sizes of blade heads. To decide which one you need, take a look at your garden. How large are the areas between your rows and around your plants? For a compact garden or raised bed, a smaller blade head would a great choice.
Handle Length
The hula hoe comes in a stand-up version and a miniature version. The stand-up versions have handles similar to a normal hoe, measuring 50 to 60 inches.
Miniature versions have small handles around 12 inches long, allowing you to weed while kneeling in your garden. The miniature hoe is handy for weeding small areas while tending to or harvesting from your garden.
Handle Materials
You can find the hula hoe with a handle made from wood, aluminum, or steel. Wood and steel handles typically cost more than aluminum but will likely last more growing seasons. Aluminum or fiberglass handles are great for beginner gardeners just looking to test out this kind of hoe.
How to Use a Hula Hoe
To use a hula hoe effectively, place the hoe where the weeds are and move it back and forth. The stirrup-shaped head will wiggle as you do this. You don’t have to lift the hoe from the soil. Just keep it at surface level when moving it, and the weeds should come right up.
Take extra precautions if you have drip irrigation installed below the surface, as this tool could easily damage it on accident.
When to Use a Hula Hoe
It’s a good idea to use the hula every week during the growing season. This will eliminate any weeds trying to grow around your vegetables. If weeds get too large, their root systems will compete with other vegetable plants, stealing their space and nutrition from the soil.
How to Maintain Your Hula Hoe
Always clean your hula hoe after use to avoid spreading any kind of plant disease. You can clean it using a brush or spray hose. If you get the blade wet, make sure to dry it completely to avoid rust.
It’s also important to keep your hoe blade sharp so that it’s the most effective at cutting weeds. Some models are self-sharpening, while some will need to be manually sharpened with a file.
Try Out a Hula Hoe in Your Garden This Year!
If your garden has been overtaken by weeds, purchasing a hula hoe is a great route. You can easily (and quickly!) remove unwanted weeds around your vegetables or flowers.
Hula hoes are just one kind of tool that makes gardening tasks easier. To learn more, we invite you to visit our Digging Tools page for ideas that will inspire you to add a few new tools to your garden collection!