Whether you’re a new gardener looking to start your first garden or an experienced horticulturalist wanting to revive an old piece of land, a garden tiller is an essential tool to prepare your chosen patch of earth for planting.
Garden tillers break up hard ground, cut through tough weeds and roots, and loosen the soil to help aeration. Read on to discover the 6 best garden tillers to help kickstart your garden!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Mantis 7940
Best Manually-Powered
EARTHQUAKE 37037 Pioneer Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller
Budget Option
Sun Joe TJ604E
Gas-Powered Light Duty
Best Overall
Mantis 7940
The Mantis 7940 is the #1 best garden tiller because it has the best of everything. This Honda engine gas-powered garden tiller has a quiet start and can power through the toughest earth at an astounding depth of 10 inches. The Mantis 7940 also doesn’t require fuel mixing, and features patented reversible serpentine tines, that churn up even rocky soil.
Pros:
- Powerful
- Reversible serpentine tines
- Weighs just 24 pounds
- Two-year warranty
Cons:
- Gas-powered engine is not great for the environment
Budget Option
Earthquake 31635 MC33
The Earthquake MC33 is a small but inexpensive and powerful garden tiller that gets the job done. Though gas-powered, the machine is relatively light and avoids the frustration of charging a battery or staying close to a power source. Plus, its removable tines can dig six or ten inches down into tough soil.
Pros:
- Not expensive
- Lightweight
- Five-year warranty
Cons:
- Gas-powered
- Recoil starting system
- Need to mix gas and oil to power engine
Gas-Powered Heavy Duty
Best Overall
EARTHQUAKE 37037 Pioneer Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller
The Pioneer is a versatile garden tiller featuring dual-direction tines and an easy-to-use lever for switching tilling modes. It’s equipped with a 99cc Viper™ engine, designed for powerful, efficient tilling without soil compaction.
Pros
- Counter-rotating and standard modes
- 99cc Viper™ engine for tough soils
- Lightweight, one-hand operation.
- Low profile tines prevent soil compaction.
- Airless with aggressive lugs.
- Easy backward maneuvering.
Cons
- May struggle in extremely tough conditions
- One-hand operation might not suit all users
Budget Option
Earthquake 20015 Versa Front Tine Tiller
The Earthquake VERSA is a versatile 2-in-1 garden tool, functioning as both a cultivator and a tiller. It features a 99cc Viper engine and an adjustable tilling width, making it suitable for a variety of soil types and garden tasks.
Pros
- Works as both a cultivator and tiller
- 99cc Viper engine for effective tilling
- Options of 21″, 16″, or 11″ for various garden needs
- Lightweight and easy to control
- Low center of gravity for steady operation
- Smooth pull recoil mechanism
- Comes with a 5-Year Limited warranty
Cons
- Might be less effective on extremely hard or rocky soil
- While adjustable, the maximum 21″ width may not suffice for larger projects
Electric Tillers
Best Electric
Sun Joe TJ604E
It’s no wonder that electric tillers have made two of the top three best garden tillers-this Sun Joe TJ603E is a fan favorite. Like the Earthwise TC70016, the electric power allows for easy maintenance and maneuverability (the height of the rear wheel can be adjusted), and this machine, in particular, demonstrates reasonable force for an electric garden tiller down to a depth of eight inches.
Pros:
- Electric
- Adjustable rear wheel
- Powerful
- Collapsible handles for easy storage
Cons:
- Corded
- Lack of a metal frame
Runner-up Electric
Earthwise TC70016
The Earthwise TC70016 comes in a close second place on this list of best garden tillers because it works amazingly well in all types of soil, loosening it at a depth of nine inches. The fact that its electric is a winning point for many, because of how light and maneuverable it is despite its corded feature.
Pros:
- Electric
- Works well in different types of soils
- Not expensive
Cons:
- Corded
- Weighs 29 pounds-more than the Mantis 7940
How to Choose the Best Garden Tiller for Your Garden
Of course, there are also differences between garden tillers. The trick is finding the best garden tiller to fit your needs! The three factors you should consider are the size of your garden, the type of soil you’ll be working with, and what budget you allow yourself. Some garden tillers work widely, others deeply, and still others have different ranges of power and longevity.
The types of garden tillers you can choose from include battery-powered electric tillers, corded electric tillers, and gas tillers, which can have front tine tillers, rear tine tillers, or vertical tillers.
Different Types of Garden Tillers
- Electric Garden Tillers:
- Ideal for smaller, lower-duty gardens.
- Less powerful but quieter and eco-friendly.
- Varieties include corded (continuous power, risk of tangling) and battery-powered (portable, limited battery life).
- Gas Garden Tillers:
- More powerful, suitable for larger, tougher terrains.
- Heavier and require more maintenance.
- Types:
- Two-cycle engines (oil and gasoline, less expensive).
- Four-cycle engines (gasoline only, more eco-friendly).
- Styles:
- Front tine tillers (forward rotating tines, easier maneuvering, for less compact soil).
- Rear tine tillers (deeper soil penetration, suited for compact terrain).
- Vertical tine tillers (efficient soil churning, often requiring only one pass).
- Manual Garden Tillers:
- Most affordable.
- Best for very small gardens to avoid physical strain.
Wrapping Up the Top 6 Garden Tillers
All in all, the Mantis remains the #1 best garden tiller because of its performance, reach, ease of use, and durability. Hopefully, though, this list of the 6 best garden tillers has given you a few extra options as well.
Tillers are only the start of useful tools to make all your garden tasks easier (and fun). Shopping for your garden can get overwhelming, fast. So if you’re looking for advice on garden tools and garden supplies, then you’re in the right place!