The choice is really one of personal preference and price. Look for lightweight tools that fit your hands and the job to be done. For example, pruning shears that open wider than the width of your hand are hard to use. They not only tire you faster but can be annoying and frustrating. A trowel will be in constant use, especially in the spring, for those many digging jobs that can't be done with full-sized tools.
Trowels are perfect for setting out bedding plants and bulbs or digging shallow-rooted weeds.
Other small hand tools such as a 12-inch hoe and fork are equally valuable if you garden mainly in raised beds or containers. A garden shovel with a pointed, dish-shaped blade is lighter and smaller than construction shovels. It's designed for general-purpose digging, lifting and moving. A spade has a flat blade and is de-signed for cutting rather than moving soil. Spades are excellent for shaping straight-sided trenches and edging beds.