The best plastering trowels of 2025

Whether you’re a plastering novice or a complete veteran, having the right tools for the job is a must – it can be the difference between a seamless, smooth finish and a sloppy skim that needs more work to fix.

For a plasterer, there’s probably no more important tool than your plastering trowel. You’re using it all day every day, so choosing the best tool for the job is essential. But with so many on the market and so many recent innovations in shape, design and material, finding that perfect trowel can be tough.

Today we’re going to break down exactly what you might look for in a plastering trowel and run through the best plastering trowels of 2025 depending on the job and your need. By the end of this blog, you’ll know exactly what plastering trowel you need. Ready? Let’s dive in.

What to look for in a plastering trowel

When you’re looking for your next plastering trowel, there are a few key elements you’ll want to consider – and what you’ll want from each will depend on your preference and the job at hand.

• Blade material: blade materials can be made from stainless steel, carbon steel and plastic, which vary in durability, flexibility and purpose.
• Handle material: handles come in all shapes, sizes and materials, such as cork, rubber, plastic or wood. You’ll be holding your trowel for a while, so it’s important to get it right.
• Flexibility and rigidity: trowels all vary in flexibility and rigidity, and what you want depends on the job at hand. Rigid trowels are often used to apply the plaster to the wall with more flexible trowels being used to achieve a smooth finish after application.
• Size and weight: plastering trowels come in different sizes, weights and balances – the perfect one for you should feel comfortable and offer control on the job.
• Shape: finally, and maybe one of the most important, is shape. Finishing trowels, corner trowels and more – all have their purpose depending on the job.

Best all-round plastering trowel

Top of our list is the best all-round plastering trowel of 2025 – and there was a tonne of contenders for this spot. Our choice has to be the Refina Superflex 3.

Available in 14, 16 and 18 inches, this range of plastering trowels can do it all and is ideally suited to both laying-on and finishing. Its ergonomic design means it’s comfortable to use and lends itself to almost any task.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced plasterer, this is a great trowel.

Best plastering trowel for beginners or DIYers

Beginners and DIYers, don’t panic – we have just the plastering trowel for you. The Nela MediFLEX Premium Plastering Trowel tops our list of tools for budding plasterers.

Made of high-quality, lightweight stainless steel, the MediFLEX is built for durability and usability. Its balance between flexibility and rigidity makes it easier for a beginner to achieve a smooth finish. The MediFLEX also comes in a variety of sizes, from 8 to 18 inches, great for almost any job.

While it may not be the cheapest option, it’s also not going to break the bank – and if you’re just getting started on your plastering journey, then it’s worth investing in, right?

Best trowel for the professionals

As a pro, you’ll be handling your trowel all day, so often your choice comes down to feel. When it comes to the best professional trowels, we’d make a few suggestions.

If you’re after the perfect soft grip, Refina definitely has something for you. Prefer cork? Nela offers an excellent collection. And if you’re looking for a rigid option, Marshalltown produces some of the best examples.

But if you really pushed us for the perfect professional plastering trowel, we’d have to recommend the Marshalltown Permashape range – an excellent, durable all-rounder and a true industry premium.

Best budget plastering trowel

Sometimes the price tag is the only thing standing between you and getting the job done – in that case, you need an affordable option that will still give you the smooth finish you’re after. For that, we recommend the Amtech G1600 11" Plasterers Trowel.

Coming in at just £7.19, this is the perfect option for anyone looking to save money but still get a functional and robust tool. But don’t let the price tag fool you – its hardened, tempered carbon steel 11-inch blade and solid wooden handle mean the G1600 is perfectly capable of doing the job.

Best specialist trowels

With so many specialist plastering trowels on the market, it’s a tough ask to rank them all – but we’ve put together a few of our favourites that could help fill the gap in your toolbox.

• Bucket trowel: if you need a bucket trowel, look no further than the Nela Black Edition Bucket Trowel – available in three sizes and made from quality stainless steel.
• Inside corner trowel: Refina’s Three-Sided Corner Trowel offers complete control over your inside cornering – plus, it’s a great affordable option.
• Outside corner trowel: Refina has done it again with its stainless-steel External Corner Trowel, offering a distinctly durable and usable tool for those tricky edges.

Of course, there are plenty more we could have mentioned – but with these specialist trowels, you can’t really go wrong. Need to see more? Just check out our full specialist plastering trowels here.

Have you found the perfect plastering trowel for you?

Whether it’s the pro or budget option, a pointing or bucket trowel, hopefully you now have a good idea of some of the best plastering trowels out there right now. And while you still may not have found the perfect tool for the job, you at least know what to look for in one.

If you have questions about any of our tools – from full plastering kits to power tools – or if you’re struggling to find the right tool for that tricky DIY job, we’re always happy to help. Just get in touch today.