A robust, high-quality garden tiller is a vital power tool for preparing the soil. A tiller can help break up compacted ground, loosen earth, and mix in compost to your flower bed or vegetable patch. Using Garden tillers eliminates the back-breaking task of digging up and turning over soil.
Professional gardeners recommend tilling gardens twice a year — once in spring to prepare the soil for planting and once in the fall to add compost and other amendments.
If you don’t have a tiller, the task of using a shovel to prepare your garden may seem too much. This could result in poor soil quality and reduced crop yield.
Choosing the right garden tiller can be challenging. Although all types of tillers — front-tine and rear-tine tillers — do a similar job, there are differences between the various models.
For example, your yard’s size, soil type, and storage space can affect your choice of garden tiller. Then, you must decide if you want a corded tiller, cordless tiller, or tiller with a gas engine.
This article reviews the top nine garden tillers currently for sale online. For each model, you will learn the pros and cons to help you make an informed choice. At the end of the article, you will learn about the best ways to use a garden tiller.
The Top 9 Garden Tillers
1. Sun Joe TJ603E 16-Inch 12-Amp Electric Tiller and Cultivator
The Sun Joe TJ603E is one of the best corded garden tillers you can buy. The model features a powerful 12-amp motor that turns six steel angled tines. The cultivating area is 16 inches wide and 8 inches deep, meaning you can prepare the soil in less time. Thanks to the motor that performs at 340 RPM, the angled tines quickly cut through tough weeds and roots.
Other features of the Sun Joe TH306E are instant start, 3-position wheel adjustment, and a collapsible handle for easy storage.
Pros:
- Powerful 12-amp motor producing 340 RPM
- Easy to operate and store
- Makes light work of demanding garden tasks
- Two-year warranty
Cons:
- Only has one speed setting
- No extension cord lock to prevent accidental unplugging
2. Earthwise TC70001 Corded Electric Tiller and Cultivator
The Earthwise electric tiller is a lightweight and easy-to-maneuver tiller that is ideal for medium-sized gardens. The garden tiller features four tines that give a cultivation width of 11 inches and a depth of 8 inches. Additionally, the soft-grip, ergonomic handle makes it easy to use and reduces muscle tension. This corded tiller provides unlimited runtime and is easy to start.
The electric tiller features a powerful 8.5-amp motor that is powerful enough for tilling moderately compacted soil and cutting up tough weeds.
Pros:
- Lightweight design and compact size
- Easy-start technology and easy maneuverability
- Tilling capabilities of 11 inches wide and 8 inches deep
- Good value for money
Cons:
- The small tiller isn’t great for cultivating extensive gardens
3. Greenworks 27072 8 Amp 10-Inch Corded Tiller
Greenworks has a reputation for quality, Eco-friendly garden tools, and their electric corded tiller doesn’t disappoint. The 10-inch electric tiller is ideal for cultivating small flower beds or raised vegetable patches. The 8-amp motor has enough power for mowing down weeds, amending soil, and improving its quality. Additionally, the foldable handle makes it easy to store if you have limited space.
Other features of the Greenworks 27072 corded tiller include instant start, adjustable height and width, and low noise.
Pros:
- Four 8-inch rotating tines
- Durable 8-amp electric motor
- Adjustable tiling width suitable for small gardens
Cons:
- The tilling depth is 5 inches which may not suit everyone’s needs
- Tine quality could be better
4. BLACK+DECKER 20V Cordless Garden Tiller
The Black & Decker handheld battery-powered tiller helps break up the soil in small vegetable patches and flower beds. The high-capacity lithium-ion battery holds a charge well, allowing you to cultivate up to 325 sq. ft. on a single charge. In addition, the dual tines are counter-oscillating, preventing weeds from tangling.
This tiller isn’t designed for creating long vegetable rows or turning over large areas of ground. However, for tilling small areas, the compact tiller does an impressive job.
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Tangle-free tine design
- Ideal for small jobs in compact gardens
- Two ergonomic handles to ease muscle strain
Cons:
- A runtime of 20 minutes on a full charge
5. KIMO Cordless Tiller Battery Powered Cultivator
The KIMO battery-powered tiller is a compact, lightweight cordless garden tool useful for tilling small gardens. The dual handle design and the telescopic pole allow you to cultivate the ground with ease. The tilling capacity is just under 8 inches wide and 5 inches deep. The 20V lithium-ion battery provides up to 35 minutes of continuous runtime.
If you are looking to buy a cordless tiller, then the KIMO is worthy of consideration. The four tines plow through medium to light soil to break it up, mix in compost, or slice weeds.
Pros:
- Four steel angled tines
- No restriction due to extension cord length
- Soft grip to make tilling easier
- Extendable handle
- Double safety switch and full-length trigger
Cons:
- Not suitable for compacted, clay soil
6. Earthwise TC70020 20-Volt 7.5-Inch Cordless Tiller
One of the best cordless garden tillers is the Earthwise TC70020. This high-quality battery-operated tiller has four durable steel tines. It provides a cutting width of 7.5 inches and a depth of 6 inches. The high-capacity 20V, 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery charges fast and holds its charge well. Despite only weighing 9 lbs., the cordless tiller rivals some electric corded tillers in terms of cutting up heavy soil.
Other features of the Earthwise TV70020 are a dual handle, wide cutting width, four high-quality steel blades, and a fast battery charger.
Pros:
- Up to 45 minutes runtime on a single charge
- Tilling width is 7.5 inches and depth 6 inches
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Full grip trigger to reduce tension
Cons:
- Not powerful enough to break up big clods
7. Earthquake 31452 MAC Tiller 33cc 2-Cycle Viper Engine
The Earthquake 31452 is a versatile gas tiller ideal for weeding, aerating, and mixing soil. The handlebar grips allow for easy maneuverability and readily absorb vibrations and sudden jerks from hitting stones. The powerful 33cc, 2-cycle engine powering sharp steel tines easily cut through compacted soil, weeds, and roots.
The gas-powered tiller doesn’t have wheels, which some people prefer. This allows you to have a better view of the ground and control where the tines go.
Pros:
- Durable 33cc, 2-cycle gasoline engine
- Easy to store thanks to the foldable handles
- U-Turn handlebar to reduce vibration
- Five-year warranty
Cons:
- The wheel-less unit means it is harder to move around
8. GardenTrax Mini Gasoline-Powered Tiller
One of the best gas-powered tillers for a small to medium-sized garden is the GardenTrax tiller. The Powerful 38cc, 4-cycle engine delivers super-fast tiling at 250 RPM and can break up the toughest soil. The wheels and tines are adjustable, allowing you to control the depth of tilling. In addition, the rugged handles allow for precise control in all types of soil.
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- 33cc engine displacement
- Durable steel tines
- 250 RPM
Cons:
- It can be tricky to start
9. SuperHandy Mini Tiller 3HP 50cc 2 Stroke Gas-Powered Engine
The SuperHandy tiller is a superb gas-powered machine with a 50cc, 2-stroke engine that delivers an impressive 3 hp. The powerful tiller features four tines that rotate forward and backward to make tilling effortless. Thanks to the excellent design, the tiller can break up tough soil up to 10” wide and 10” deep. What’s more, it has adjustable depth to make the model suitable for most types of gardens.
Other excellent features of the SuperHandy tiller are anti-skid wheels, ergonomic handle, mud shield protector, and stable performance.
Pros:
- Powerful 50cc, 2-cycle engine
- 230 RPM
- Four alloy steel tines
- Ideal for small to medium-sized gardens
- Excellent value for money
Cons:
- Some users complain that it’s hard to start and quality could be better
FAQs About Using Garden Tillers
What’s the Best Choice – A Front-Tine or Rear-Tine Tiller?
The choice of buying a front-tine or rear-tine tiller depends on the type of garden you have, budget, and storage space. Front-tine tillers are ideal for small gardens as they are easier to maneuver, take up less space, and are cheaper.
When to Use a Rear Tine Tiller?
A rear-tine tiller is the ideal gardening tool for tilling large areas of ground that have compacted, rocky soil. Rear-tine tillers are best for professional use in extensive gardens or small farms.
Will a Tiller Break Up Clay Soil?
A garden tiller is better than a cultivator for breaking up heavy clay soil. Tilling clay soil helps improve its condition and allows you to amend the soil with sand to improve drainage and let plant roots absorb more nutrients.
Can You Break Ground with a Tiller?
Tillers are the best garden power tools to break up the ground. But it’s good to know that a rear-tine tiller is for heavy-duty work and will help break ground faster, especially if it’s clay and compacted. However, for most homeowners, a front-tine tiller is suitable for most tasks.