Garden knee pads are one of the most underrated gardening tools with so many gardeners thinking they’ll be fine without them, only later discovering they’ve bruised themselves, scraped their knees or just utterly damaged their cartilage.
You know Tennis Elbow? Well Gardener’s Knee should probably be on your list of illnesses to watch out for too, given that almost all lifelong gardeners report bad knees as a result of their hobby, leading to weakened joints and often serious illnesses including arthritis over time, but commonly causing short term bursitis too.
To help you avoid knee problems of your own, we’ve pulled together a full guide to gardening knee protection below, with links through to our favourite kneelers and knee pads to buy online.
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Top Garden Knee Pads
Best Garden Knee Pads for 2025
Product | Our Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Burgon & Ball Memory Foam Kneelo® Garden Kneeler Pads |  | | |
2. Miracle-Gro 4-in-1 Garden Storage Stool |  | ||
3. Abco Garden Kneeler and Seat |  | ||
4. RED Home Club heavy duty kneeling pad |  | ||
5. Spear & Jackson Kew 5 Layer Garden Kneeler |  | ||
6. Ohuhu Premium Thick Kneeling Pad |  |
Why Do I Need Garden Knee Pads?
Garden kneelers protect you from developing long term conditions like chronic bursitis, but even without the worry of injury, they’re useful tools to keep you clean in the garden and stop you rolling around in the dirt.
For most gardeners, 8 hour days in the garden are a rare joy, so convenient tools like keeling pads make those quick trips into the garden more enjoyable and keep your trousers clean so you can get out of the house without needing to change.
Depending on what garden kneeler you’re after though, you can even save your back from long-term pain too, with kneeling stools and reversible kneelers having adaptable heights so you can even sit down and move your kneeler around the garden with you to slow down fatigue.
What is a Gardener's Knee?
Gardener’s Knee is a common form of bursitis caused by friction and repetitive impact from kneeling. It’s a fluid build up on top of the knee cap that causes a pillow of fluid.
I regularly get it when I’m doing education sessions and kneeling down at tables to talk to students, and I used to get it all the time after gardening, so my doctor suggested I buy some knee pads to help limit the cause.
It’s amazing how effective a simple bit of foam can be to prevent impact damage and fluid build up on the knee, but if you do ever find yourself suffering from gardener’s knee, the best way to treat it is with anti-inflammatories, with ibuprofen being effective for most cases.
While the swelling is at its worst it can be incredibly uncomfortable and very painful to move your knee, so cold compresses are really useful to have in the freezer.
When the swelling has gone down, and you feel confident to return to the garden make sure you have proper protection like knee pads, kneeling pads or kneeling stools to protect your joints.
Different Types of Garden Kneelers
Wearable Garden Kneelers
Wearable garden kneelers, or garden knee pads, are generally made from soft foams and covered in washable fabric. They differ from most knee pads which are usually made from hard plastics and designed to limit impact, either in sports or construction environments.
Knee pads usually strap around the leg, but you can buy trousers with kneepads already stitched into the fabric.
Garden Kneeling Stools
Garden kneeling stools come in all shapes and sizes, but the best garden kneelers ones are reversible so you can use them as kneelers for weeding or stools for pruning. They are designed to prevent back and knee injuries from repetitive strain.
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Garden Kneeling Pads
Garden kneeling pads are the budget option, but are probably the most familiar to most gardeners. Garden kneeling pads are usually made from basic foam, and while you can buy some really beautiful ones from garden centres and online, they all serve the same purpose.
One reason to spend a little bit more than the basic models though is actually quite practical; if you’ve got a beautiful garden kneeler, you won’t hide it away in the garage, you’ll be happy to hang it up by the garden door, which means you’ll use it more often and not just forget to use it.
Mobile Gardening Stools
Garden storage stools are super handy garden tools, which double up as tool boxes. While they aren’t usually padded, they are the perfect height to support you while you’re bending down in the garden, and have the added benefit of carting your tools around the garden, so you’ve always got your basic garden kit to hand.
More on garden tool storage: Garden Tool Storage Racks and Organisers
Best Garden Kneeler Reviews
1. Burgon & Ball Memory Foam Kneelo® Garden Kneeler Pads
By far the best garden knee pads on the market. They’re available in garden centres and Bunnings garden kneeler sections, but Burgon & Bal is nearly always cheaper online.
These super thick knee pads are breathable, and built from memory foam and fully washable fabric, with great quality stitching.
I only bring these out for special occasions, but if you know you’re going to be spending the day up and down around the garden, they’re far more convenient than garden kneelers that you need to carry with you.
PS. Don’t make a fool of yourself when you first put them on like I did. I wore them upside down for a week without realising. The hole matches your knee cap, and the pads sit underneath, so you kneel on the pad, not the hole.
Pros
Cons
2. Miracle-Gro 4-in-1 Garden Storage Stool
While I swear by the folding garden kneelers at the allotment, I keep this closer to home. I can’t bear the thought of this lying around forgotten at the back of my allotment shed, so we keep it in the kitchen and it gets rolled around the garden with me every time I’m pruning.
The detachable kneeler and stool gives basic support and some comfort for long weeding jobs, but this garden kneeler is all about the storage.
Miracle-Gro are best known for their fertiliser range but they have an amazing product line full of garden accessories too. This rolling tool box with added kneeler and stool is a genuine must have.
Pros
Cons
3. Abco Garden Kneeler and Seat
Abco’s simple garden kneeler, which works as a stool, has a fairly narrow seat, and a simple but handy tool bag so all you need to carry around is this lightweight kneeler.
The fact it basically doubles up as a garden tool box, should be reason enough to splash out on this simple kneeler, so the free gloves are definitely a bonus (if you’ve never used gardening claw gloves, you’ve never lived).
This durable, comfortable, simple, garden kneeler has one or two design flaws, like its slightly-too-narrow seat, and the flailing tool bag, but other than that, it’s a really good buy and makes a wonderful gift for any passionate gardener.
Pros
Cons
4. RED Home Club Heavy Duty Kneeling Pad
Knee pads do not need to be groundbreaking, they just need to be padded. RED Home Club manufactures simple, effective home aids that make life that little bit simpler without costing a fortune.
This heavy-duty kneeling pad is perfect for anyone who just wants a good quality, practical, supportive kneeling cushion to protect themselves from hard surfaces and reduce impact damage to sensitive knees.
It is not quite as useful as some of the larger kneelers, with supports to help you stand back up after kneeling, but if your main problem is knee inflammation, this is as much as you’ll ever need for a fraction of the price.
Pros
Cons
5. Spear & Jackson Kew 5 Layer Garden Kneeler
I have two of these – one at home, and one at the allotment. What drew me to them was their weight more than anything. I slung a carabiner around the handle of each so it clips to my belt and whenever I go out and about in the garden, I have got it with me for quick jobs.
The riser pads and kneeling stools are incredibly effective, but for a quick and practical bit of knee protection, you cannot go wrong with this foam-padded, wipe-clean kneeler from Spear & Jackson (who just so happen to be one of the best garden tool brands there is).
Pros
Cons
6. Ohuhu Premium Thick Kneeling Pad
It might be as basic as they come, but that also means it is the cheapest garden kneeler you will find online. This simple black garden knee pad has a basic handle, is easy to clean and offers 1.5” of firm foam padding.
It is not memory foam, or anything fancy like that, it is just good old-fashioned padding and if you are on a budget, it is all you need to protect your knees.
Like most budget garden tools on Amazon, there is a basic return window, but no warranty, and it is made by a brand you have never heard of. But you know what? It is as effective as it needs to be, and a good price to boot.
Pros
Cons
Our Top Pick - Best Garden Knee Pads Australia
Best Garden Knee Pads for 2025
Quality? Tick. Comfort? Tick. Support? Tick. Price? Tick. Burgon & Ball Memory Foam Garden Kneelo® Knee Pads are the perfect garden knee pads, manufactured by one of the most trusted gardening brands in the world, and somehow still affordable.
Burgon & Ball are not known for their value, and are usually pretty pricey, but for a good price tag, you can get your hands on these amazing knee pads, which will give full protection for your knees without having to drag an awkward garden kneeler around the garden with you.
Garden Knee Pads Frequently Asked Questions
Are garden knee pads worth it?
Yes, garden knee pads are 100% worth every penny you spend on them. They will protect from short term and long term problems with your knees and back.
With the best models giving you multiple options for use, meaning you can sit or kneel depending on the job and with a stand that helps you get up from the ground without putting too much pressure on your knees.
How do you use a garden kneeler?
Most garden kneelers come as fold out stools which can be turned upside down to kneel on the ground, and flipped over for use as a stool.
They also come with tool pouches that can either be kept attached to the kneeler, or detached and strapped to your belt for easy access tools.
What are garden knee pads made of?
Garden knee pads are almost invariably made from foam, and finished in waterproof fabrics to prolong their life and keep your knees dry in the garden.
More expensive garden knee pads include memory foam, which will add to your comfort and add to stability while you kneel in the garden.
For on garden wearables, be sure to check our guide on gardening clothes for 2025.
Protect Your Knees By Using the Best Garden Knee Pads
I’ve had pins in my knees since I was teenager thanks to an injury when I was 16, so I have to be more careful than most with my knees, but knee injury is a much higher risk for gardeners than most other hobbies.
However often you spend in the garden buying the best kneeling pad, whether it’s your back or your knees you need to protect, is really important.
Have a look back through the reviews above before you decide what to buy though, as they are all tried and tested styles by everyone at Aussie Green Thumb, myself included. Good luck choosing your new garden knee pads.
Published on December 21, 2023 by Gary Clarke
Last Updated on December 23, 2024
