The 5 best garden kneelers in 2026 - as tested by our team of experts

Planting, weeding and seed sowing are all enjoyable jobs, but they can be the cause of sore knees and stiff joints, even after short periods. Thankfully, garden kneelers come to the rescue. With a thick foam core and plenty of padding, a kneeler or strap-on knee pads allow you to garden in comfort, and help keep your knees in good shape and your clothes clean. From simple rubber blocks to carefully shaped pads you wear as you work, there are three main types of kneeler to choose from:

Kneeling mats: Simple, cushioned pads you carry around the garden with you and put down before kneeling. Usually oval, rectangular or kidney-shaped to accommodate the knees. Some fold in half, making them easier to carry and store.

Knee pads: Great for busy gardeners, these are strapped over each knee and worn around the garden, whether kneeling or not, so manoeuvrability is important. The best designs are easy to get on and off, with enough flexibility to move and walk in comfort.

Kneeler stools: Although we didn’t include these in our review this time, they're ideal for gardeners who need support for a wider range of gardening tasks. A padded cushion on a metal frame with legs, they can be used both as a seat for pruning, or planting and weeding in containers, or flipped over and used as a kneeler when the seat legs double up as a handle to help you get up and down. Many also have handy pockets for carrying tools and folding legs for storage.

Best Buy kneelers at a glance

• Best kneeler for comfort: Spear and Jackson The Kew Gardens Collection Kneeler
• Best kneeler for size: Burgon & Ball Kneelo Kneeler
• Best kneeler for ease of use: Town and Country Memory Foam Folding Kneeler
• Best kneeler for durability: Senua Garden Kneeling Pad
• Best knee pads: Burgon & Ball Kneelo Knee Pads

Jump to:

• Best kneelers and knee pads
• Best of the rest
• How to choose a garden kneeler?
• Parts of a kneeler or knee pad
• How we tested garden kneelers

Best kneelers and knee pads

Spear and Jackson The Kew Gardens Collection Kneeler

Price: £19.99

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Pros

• Comfortable
• Supportive
• Generously proportioned

Cons

• Can’t remove cover

Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for comfort, this kneeler is made using five layers of memory foam and ordinary foam, which means it’s squishy and moulds to the shape of your knees. It also provides some rigidity to support your body, which is helpful if you have stiff joints. Kidney-shaped, it’s generously proportioned too, measuring 48cm in length, which makes it one of the longest kneelers on test. It's 25cm wide at its narrowest point and 5cm deep.

The neoprene cover is water-resistant and quick to dry if it gets wet, but it can’t be removed and washed separately, so it needs to be wiped clean with a cloth. There’s also an integrated handle, so it’s easy to carry around the garden and hang up to store. Made to last, we like that the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew receive a donation for every kneeler sold.

Buy the Spear and Jackson The Kew Gardens Collection Kneeler from Amazon

Burgon & Ball Kneelo

Price: £17.49

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from B&Q

Pros

• Longest kneeler on test
• Comfortable
• Supportive with shock-absorbing foam centre
• Available in lots of colours
• One-year warranty

Cons

• Can’t remove cover

Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for size, this is the latest version of Burgon & Ball Kneelo. With more memory foam than the original, it’s extremely comfortable to use. It also features a shock-absorbing foam centre that provides the necessary rigidity to support your knees, which is helpful if you suffer with stiff joints. As with most kneelers on test, the cover can’t be removed, but as it’s neoprene, it’s quick-drying and durable.

At a generous 52cm in length, this is the longest kneeler on test, offering plenty of room to kneel comfortably while you work. The integrated handle is nice to hold when you’re moving about the garden, and also means you can hang it up for storage.

Unlike many of the kneelers on test, this comes with a one-year warranty. Available in 12 different colours, we think this kneeler makes a super gift for the garden lover in your life.

Buy the Burgon & Ball Kneelo Kneeler from Amazon, B&Q and Tesco

Town and Country memory foam extra-wide folding kneeler

Price: £19.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from My Tool Shed

Pros

• Large and spacious
• Thick and durable
• Handles and folds for easy carrying and storage

Cons

• Size can be unwieldy
• Can't remove cover

Winner of a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for ease of use, this rectangular, folding kneeler is large and thick and offers excellent support and comfort. With a soft, non-slip neoprene cover and a memory foam core that provides extra cushioning, it's tough and water-resistant, and great for use on all surfaces. There's plenty of room to both kneel or sit on the open. It has double pads, and it's light and easy to carry around the garden. The carry handles stopper together for easy carrying and storage.

It's only available in green, and the cover doesn't come off for cleaning, but it's easy to wash and wipe down.

Buy the Town and Country foam extra-wide folding kneeler from My Tool Shed and Tooled Up

Senua Garden Kneeling Pad

Price: £12.50

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Pros

• Comfortable
• Supportive
• Generously proportioned
• Hard-wearing

Cons

• Might be too firm for some users

Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for durability, this kneeler is a simple design made from a single piece of rectangular foam. However, it has several features that make it a good choice if you’re looking for a basic, hard-wearing, easy-to-clean kneeler. Generously proportioned at 4cm deep, it is, however, much more rigid, without the softness of the memory foam kneelers.

Though it’s still comfortable to use, some gardeners might find it too firm for their knees. As it isn’t covered with fabric, there aren’t any rough seams that can cause discomfort, and the coating on the front and back means it’s water resistant and very durable, so it doesn’t tear or catch on jagged stones. It also has an integrated handle so it’s easy to carry around the garden and hang up to store.

Buy the Senua Kneeler from Amazon

Burgon & Ball Kneelo knee pads

Price: £17.49

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from B&Q

Pros

• Comfortable and flexible
• Easy to put on
• Integrated handle

Cons

• Not waterproof
• Can’t remove cover

Winners of a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy, these comfy knee pads fit easily over the knees with plenty of room to suit most knee sizes and simple adjustable straps that make it easy to get them on and off. They don’t dig in or slip, and the pads have plenty of room to keep your knees protected and supported. Each pad has a shock-absorbing EVA and memory foam core with a soft neoprene and nylon cover, and they're water-resistant rather than waterproof. Although the cover doesn't come off, they're easy to clean and quick to dry.

Integrated handles are roomy for easy carrying and hanging up in storage. They’re also available as one-size-fits-all, with a maximum leg circumference of 45cm. There’s a choice of 13 colours, and they come with a one-year warranty.

Buy the Burgon & Ball Kneelo knee pads from Amazon, B&Q and Tesco

Best of the rest

Although some models didn’t quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest on test:

Niwaki Garden Kneeler

Price: £32

Our rating: 4.25 out of 5

Available from Niwaki

Pros

• Thickest kneeler on test
• Comfortable
• Supportive
• Removable cover

Cons

• Expensive

Simple but stylish, this rectangular foam kneeler from Niwaki, makers of Japanese-inspired garden products, is generously-proportioned, measuring 49cm long and 29cm wide. It features a 5.5cm thick foam inner - the thickest on test - and feels sturdy and comfortable. Most notably, it also features a hard-wearing, waterproof canvas cover, which is the only one on test that can be removed and machine washed after muddy days in the garden or allotment.

It comes with a woven fabric handle, so it’s easy to carry it around the garden and hang it up to store. One of the most expensive kneelers on test, we feel the removable cover goes some way to justify the price, but if you won’t be doing much dirty work, others on test offer better value.

Buy from Niwaki Garden Kneeler from John Lewis and Niwaki

Treadstone ClipGlove Folding Garden Kneeler

Price: £21.99

Our rating: 4.25 out of 5

Available from Treadstone

Pros

• Large kneeling surface
• Light and compact
• Handles and folds for carrying and storage

Cons

• Feels a little flimsy
• Excessive handles
• Can’t remove cover

This folding kneeler has an oval shape with carry handles and the handy ClipGlove carabiner. It has a multi-layer and memory foam core and a wipe clean, water-resistant polyester cover. It's also light and easy to carry and use. It offers good support on most surfaces, but does feel a little flimsy compared to some of the other kneelers in our test. It comes in a choice of two colour schemes.

Buy the Treadstone ClipGlove folding garden kneeler from Treadstone

Agriframes luxury garden kneeler

Price: £20

Our rating: 4.25 out of 5

Available from Agriframes

Pros

• Roomy
• Comfortable but firm
• Handle for carrying and storage

Cons

• Flattens over time
• Can’t remove cover

A kidney shaped kneeler pad with a simple integrated handle, this has a memory foam core covered with waterproof canvas on the bottom and neoprene on the top side that you kneel on. It's a good size with plenty of room to kneel on and feels comfortable but firm, but after a while the foam becomes flatter and the kneeler quite thin. However, on most surfaces it's still soft and able to protect the knees from the mud and wet. The canvas cover is water resistant and easy to wipe down and doesn't take long to dry. The kneelers come in a choice of three bright colours.

Buy the Agriframes Luxury garden kneeler from Agriframes

Spear and Jackson The Kew Gardens Collection Knee Pads

Price: £19.99

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Pros

• Comfortable and flexible
• Water-resistant
• Adjustable strap

Cons

• Slip off the knee
• Flatten over time
• Can't remove covers

At 4cm thick, these garden knee pads are very comfortable. With three layers of EVA memory foam, they swell back to shape as you move around the garden, so you’re always comfortable when you next kneel down. While Spear and Jackson say this is water-resistant and not waterproof, we found that no water goes through these kneelers even after working on wet surfaces. The straps are tough and secure comfortably around your leg.

However, a big drawback with these pads is that no matter how tightly you attach them, they gradually start to slip to the outside of the knee when you move from kneeling to standing, and it can be a little frustrating to keep adjusting this. They also aren’t fantastic if you’re kneeling in one place for a while. Though always very comfortable when you first sit down, the foam flattens after a while, so they slowly become less comfortable. That said, these are hard to beat if you’ll be up and down a lot. They’re available in green and navy, and like the kneeler above, every sale gives a donation to the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.

Buy the Spear and Jackson The Kew Gardens Collection Knee Pads from Amazon and Tooled Up

Garden Trading Kneeler

Price: £30

Our rating: 3.75 out of 5

Available from Garden Trading

Pros

• Comfortable
• Supportive

Cons

• Expensive
• Can’t remove cover

While the combination of canvas and faux suede is the last word in style, this kneeler is smaller than others on test, measuring just 40cm in length and 26cm wide but, at 4.5cm deep, it’s one of the thicker kneelers in our review. Unlike the equally chic but slightly more expensive version from Niwaki, the cover on this kneeler can’t be removed and must be wiped clean with a cloth. But it comes with a faux suede handle, so it’s easy to carry when you’re in the garden and hang up to store. There are other accessories in this range, like a garden apron and bag, which makes it a lovely idea for a gift too.

Buy the Garden Trading Kneeler from Garden Trading

Bosmere Gardening Kneeling Mat

Price: £5.99

Our rating: 3.5 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Pros

• Comfortable
• Cheap

Cons

• Small
• Tears and marks easily

This lightweight, kidney-shaped kneeler is made from expanded polyethene. It's surprisingly comfortable, despite measuring just 2.5cm thick. However, at slightly less than 40cm in length and 28cm at its narrowest point, it’s one of the smallest on test. The foam isn’t coated, and it tears and marks very easily, so this won’t last long if used on sharp stones. On the other hand, it doesn’t compress, even after a few months of use. It features an integrated hole to make carrying and storage a breeze.

Though a few pounds cheaper than the Senua kneeler, it isn’t as big and doesn’t offer the same durability. If you’re after something compact that won’t get too much wear and tear on grass or paving, this is a good, inexpensive option. It’s available in four colours: green, pink, purple and blue.

Buy the Bosmere Garden Kneeler from Amazon

Our expert testers have reviewed a range of tools and accessories that might come in handy when you’re using your kneeler, so check out our reviews of the best bulb planters, the best garden hand trowels and the best secateurs. Need to tidy up discarded prunings? We also have round ups of our pick of practical garden accessories, including garden waste bags and garden trugs.

How to choose a garden kneeler?

All types of garden kneelers offer some form of protection and cushioning, but depending on your mobility, budget, and taste, you may prefer one style over another. Read on to find out which garden kneeler best matches your needs:

• Is it comfortable? Check the length and width of the kneeler to ensure it’s got enough room for you to work comfortably. If it’s too small, you’ll feel cramped and constricted, which can lead to stiff, aching knees. Knee pads must be generous enough to cover your knees, so it’s often a good idea to try them on before buying. The best designs are also easy to put on, as well as providing enough flexibility to move and walk in comfort. Avoid narrow seats on kneeler stools, which can be uncomfortable, as well as hard edges near the cushion padding, which can rub or cause bruises. Folding legs are a great feature and particularly helpful if storage is an issue
• Is it thick enough? Kneelers come in a range of thicknesses, and some padding compresses, particularly over time, so you can feel the ground beneath you. If you’re working on gravel or stony ground, a thick, rigid core will protect your knees the best and prevent you from feeling sharp stones through the kneeler. Memory foam provides an extra, soft, squishy layer, so you can still garden in comfort
• Is it waterproof? If you often work on wet grass or in muddy beds, you’ll need a kneeler that can at least repel water, but if you tend to garden for long periods, a waterproof cover will stop the damp seeping through to your knees and will be easier to wash and keep clean. A canvas underside will not only help keep out the damp, but also help the kneeler grip and prevent slipping if you’re gardening on a slope
• Will it last? Although neoprene is soft, warm and quick drying, it’s also thin and could catch on sharp stones and tear. Polyester and canvas are tough fabrics, but check that seams are secure and that they can be wiped clean or removed and washed, to help keep your kneeler in good condition for longer

Parts of a kneeler or knee pad

Kneeler

Cover: usually neoprene, polyester or canvas, this should be soft on the knees but tough enough to resist tearing. A waterproof or quick-drying water-resistant fabric will allow you to work in wet, muddy conditions without getting damp, and will help to keep it cleaner.

Carry strap: useful for carrying your kneeler around the garden and for hanging it up in storage. Check that it’s wide enough to use while wearing gardening gloves.

Inner core: made of several layers of cushioning foam, it should ideally be at least 2.5cm thick. Most kneelers also have a memory-foam top layer for extra comfort.

Knee pads

Cover: this should be made of equally durable and water-resistant material as a kneeler, but with enough give to allow you to move with ease.

Adjustable straps: these should ideally be easy to secure and undo, and long enough to fit around the knee snugly without slipping. Hook-and-loop tape is commonly used, so they easily fit any knee size.

Pad: this needs to be large enough to cover the knee, but not too big to make walking difficult.

How we tested garden kneelers

Our experts trialled each kneeler throughout the gardening year across a range of gardening tasks from bulb planting to weeding, and for varying lengths of time. Once the test was complete, each product was rated out of five and the gardening kneelers that really impressed our experts were awarded Best Buy status. The kneelers were assessed according to the following criteria, with equal marks attributed to each:

• Comfort and support. Looked at how comfortable they were. Were they supportive? Did they use memory foam or have a shock-absorbent layer of foam? Was there a handle for carrying and storage?
• Materials. Focused on the quality of the inner foam and the material used to cover the kneeler. Was it water-resistant?
• Durability. Assessed how sturdy and strong the kneelers were, and if they would cope on gravel or muddy ground. Could they get wet or be washed?
• Value for money. Considered all of the above, as well as any special features, overall design, quality and style, and the RRP

For more information on our testing process, see How we review

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, freelance powered tools tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, freelance garden writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com, and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, ‘Things to do with Plants’.

This review was last updated in January 2026, and we apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.