5 Best Drywall Trowel Reviews [2023 Top Picks]

If you could only have one drywall trowel, which would it be? Choices will vary amongst users.

But, we can all agree that the ultimate drywall trowel must help feather mud to cover the joints and seams between sheets of drywall professionally.

The design, construction, flexibility, and ergonomics of a drywall trowel determine the type of finish it will help you produce.

Taking account of these factors, here is a comprehensive, highly-researched buying guide of the 5 best drywall trowels in 2023.

Our 5 Best Drywall Trowel Picks:

Here are the detailed reviews on the drywall trowels that you can use for finishing drywall seams and corners with ease-

1. LEVEL5 12" Drywall Trowel

To kick off this review is the LEVEL5 12" drywall trowel. This trowel is one of the most authentic drywall trowels to smoothen & finish drywall compounds, coats of gypsum & stucco plasters, or exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS).

Built with a high-grade 0.5mm flat golden stainless steel blade that has been hardened three times, this trowel possesses high-strength and flexibility. The blade edges and corners are precision-ground and pre-broke, having subtle and uniform concave bends to prevent it from leaving behind any line after plastering.

This drywall trowel has a 0.5 precision flex to reduce wrist and hand fatigue. And to increase direct sensitivity for laying down mud with accuracy to provide a better, professional finish. It comes with a handle made from heavy-duty but lightweight powder-coated aluminum, covered with brushed leather for a comfortable grip.

The blade is robotically welded to the handle with sturdy stainless-steel surface-mounted rivets for durability and longevity.

Furthermore, the handle is specifically designed to adapt to your hand over time to provide you with premium comfort. And its height provides enough clearance from the blade. For this reason, you won’t experience any discomfort while working with this trowel.

The LEVEL5 12" drywall trowel weighs 1.09lb, which is very light compared to other trowels in its category. It also comes with a one-year warranty.

Pros

• 1-year warranty
• It is lightweight, weighing only 1.9lb
• Sturdy ergonomic handle
• Precision flex to reduce hand and wrist fatigue
• Durable
• Heavy-duty stainless steel blade
• Sturdy surface-mounted rivets
• It provides an accurate and professional drywall finish

Cons

• None
  

2. Marshalltown 4681DFDL Drywall & Plastering DuraFlex Trowel

The Marshalltown DuraFlex drywall and plastering trowel is a cheaper alternative to the LEVLE5 drywall trowel. It has a heat-treated 13” X 5” flat golden blade made from durable, industrial-grade stainless-steel that helps you apply mud more precisely to deliver professional quality finishes in any plastering, stucco, and EIFS application.

The blade is flawlessly shaped and mounted with sturdy stainless steel rivets to withstand all the hustle and bustle that comes with hard troweling.

Marshalltown used their PermaShape® technology on the blade, which guarantees it won’t lose its original flat shape for years. This feature makes it extra durable, producing consistent finishes all year long.

Further, this drywall & plastering trowel comes with the patented soft-grip DuraSoft® curved wooden handle that provides a comfortable and secure grip.

The Marshalltown DuraFlex drywall and plastering trowel weighs 0.6lb. Its edges and corners have a slight curl to prevent it from leaving lines after plastering.

Pros

• Cheap
• Heavy-duty construction
• It comes with a soft-grip DuraSoft® curved wooden handle that provides a comfortable grip all day long
• It comes with sturdy stainless steel rivets fastener
• Curl edges to prevent leaving lines on walls after plastering
• Extremely lightweight

Cons

• None
  

3. Hyde Tools 9960 Drywall/Masonry Trowel

The Hyde Tools model 9960 drywall and masonry trowel is perfect for all DIY projects involving plaster, cement, and drywall finishing. It is very affordable, costing below $20.

This trowel has a 4” x 12” flat blade constructed from single-piece premium-quality carbon steel that has been tempered, hardened, and precision-ground to deliver the best results. Plus, it is lightweight, weighing only 1lb.

Carbon steel blades are sturdy, flexible, and lightweight. However, they tend to rust quickly. So, for this reason, the Hyde Tools model 9960 drywall and masonry trowel is ideal for DIYers who would use it once or twice, but not perfect for professionals who will use it often.

That said, this drywall trowel comes with an ergonomically curved steel handle with a rubber covering that offers a comfortable and secure grip. The handle has enough clearance from the blade to accommodate people with big hands. It is attached to the blade with rivets to ensure it lasts long.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Lightweight
• Ergonomic handle with excellent clearance from the blade
• Well-built

Cons

• Made of carbon steel, which is prone to rust
  

4. Goldblatt G05511 11” Drywall Trowel

The Goldblatt G05511 plaster & drywall trowel will help you give a professional finish to any plastering, stucco, and EIFS job. It has a professional-grade 11” x 4.5” steel blade that has gone through heat treatment and tempering to increase its strength, thereby increasing the trowel’s durability.

The blade is flat (not curved like it’s advertised) and has been cross ground from the factory to ensure it delivers the perfect drywall finish.

This good trowel has an aluminum alloy mounting for premium strength and stability. It comes with a soft-grip ergonomic handle that offers comfortable handling and reduced user fatigue.

Furthermore, it is very cheap and offers excellent value for money. With its weight of 12.8 ounces, you won’t have any issue using the Goldblatt G05511 plaster & drywall trowel.

Pros

• High-quality trowel offers smooth finish
• Soft-grip ergonomic handle
• Cheap and offers excellent value for money
• It weighs 12.8 ounces

Cons

• Not as advertised; the trowel is flat and doesn't come with curved blade
  

5. Marshalltown 12SD Drywall & Plastering Finishing Trowel

To round up is the Marshalltown 12SD drywall & plastering finishing trowel. This trowel is quite similar to the Marshalltown 4681DFDL trowel earlier reviewed in terms of construction, but they are different in terms of materials.

Also, it is cheaper and a good alternative if you want a budget-friendly Marshalltown drywall trowel.

The Marshalltown 12SD drywall & plastering finishing trowel has an 11” x 4½” blade with a slight concave bow to leave a perfect finish on drywalls. The blade is made from industrial-grade carbon steel. It is tempered, polished, ground, and attached to an aluminum alloy Xtralite® mounting with heavy-duty steel rivets.

Its ergonomically curved DuraSoft® handle provides a secure and firm grip. Plus, the handle has a diamond shank design that prevents it from twisting.

This drywall trowel weighs just 14.4 ounces, making it user-friendly and perfect for prolonged use.

Pros

• Works great for skim coating
• Ergonomic curved DuraSoft® handle
• Lightweight and user-friendly
• Affordable yet provides smooth finish
• Sturdy construction ensures more control

Cons

• None

Best Drywall Trowel Buying Guide

Drywall trowels are one of the most important tools in any drywaller's toolbox. They are used to apply joint compound (or mud) and smooth it out evenly onto a wall or ceiling. There is an art to using the right amount of pressure, so be sure not to press too hard! This guide will help you choose the best trowel for your needs and budget.

Trowel Size

The size of the trowel is one of the most important aspects to consider when buying one. Drywall trowels come in a variety of sizes, from smaller ones that are great for precision works up to large trowels that can spread huge amounts quickly. If you're going to be working on very large areas like ceiling or wall finishes, you'll want a drywall trowel that's capable of applying large amounts of drywall compounds.

Build Materials

Another important factor to consider is the material. There are three common types of materials used in the making of drywall trowels: Plastic, aluminum, and steel.

Each type has its pros and cons- plastic can be lightweight but doesn't hold up as well as steel, aluminum is tough but has a tendency to bend and steel lasts for years.

Be careful to avoid trowels that come with insufficient strength.

Drywall Trowel Price

The cost of drywall trowels also varies widely depending on the size, material, and quality you're looking for. The cheapest plastic drywall trowel may be around $15 while an expensive steel one can run upwards of $100.

Weight

The weight of the trowel is another important factor to consider. Pick one according to your hand strength. Plastic trowels are so lightweight that they can be a little difficult to use- especially on the edges of sheets where you need some heft to make sure it's well embedded in the drywall.

Steel trowels are on the heavier side and thick steel trowels can be difficult to work with for a longer period due to arm fatigue. So, make sure you get one that has a good balance between sturdiness and lightweight.

Handle Length

The length of the handle on a drywall trowel can vary from about 5 inches up to 12 inches depending on what you're looking for in terms of how much leverage (or arm fatigue) it provides.

For larger hand, you should consider going with a large handle trowel while smaller hand requires smaller one to apply joint compound.

Ergonomics

How well you can hold the trowel is also a determining factor. A thick handle can be difficult to grip for someone with shorter fingers, so make sure you get one that has a good ergonomic curve.

The angle of the blade is also something else worth considering- as it will change how much force it takes to embed the trowel in drywall. The angle should be such that the blade is in a straight line with your arm while you're pushing it into the drywall board.

Final Thoughts

Drywall trowels are available in different sizes, materials, and designs. The wider the trowel, the more area it covers. However, the material a trowel is made from determines its weight, flexibility, and durability.

There are three primary materials used in constructing drywall trowel blades. They are carbon steel, stainless steel, and golden stainless steel.

Carbon steel is flexible and lightweight, but it is prone to rust if not properly cleaned after use. Stainless steel is a bit heavy and less flexible but won’t rust. However, the best material for a drywall trowel is golden stainless steel. It possesses all stainless steel properties and has undergone a tempering process to reduce weight and increase flexibility. But, trowels made from golden stainless steel are a bit expensive.

To conclude, we have reviewed each of the best drywall trowel on our list in detail. Hopefully, you have found the best one for your needs and budget.

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