Best Home Garden Tiller: 8 Top Picks to Suit All Needs
Taking care of your garden begins with taking care of its foundation; the soil. If the soil isn’t plant-worthy, lots of your efforts to beautify the garden will go in vain.
That’s why you need a reliable garden tiller to stir up your soil and make it ready to go green!
In this article, we’ll show you eight of the best home garden tillers, along with all of their specs, pros, and cons so you can make the best possible informed decision.
Our Top Selection
- Greenworks 40V 10-Inch Cordless Tiller and Cultivator – Best Overall Option
- Mantis 7940 4-Cycle Gas-Powered Cultivator – Best Size-Power Ratio
- Earthquake 31635 MC33 Mini Tiller Cultivator – Best Bang for Buck
- Sun Joe TJ604E 16-Inch 13.5 AMP Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator – Best Electric Tiller
- BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Tiller (LGC120) – Best for Small Gardens
- Tazz 35310 2-in-1 Front Tine Tiller/Cultivator – Best Gas Tiller
- Yard Butler Twist Tiller – Best Manual Tiller
- Earthquake 37037 Pioneer Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller – The PowerHouse
Now let’s have a look at them one by one:
1. Greenworks 40V 10-Inch Cordless Tiller and Cultivator (Best Overall Option)
Product Specs
- Power Source: Electric battery (40V)
- Tine Position: Front tine tiller
- Weight: 21 pounds
Product Description
The Greenworks cordless tiller and cultivator gives you the best of both worlds. You get the soil-softening function of a garden tiller and the soil-mixing function of a cultivator.
The tiller is also fairly lightweight at only 21 pounds, and, despite being battery charged, can last up to 45 minutes with a fully charged battery. The battery also charges within just two hours, making it one of the fastest-charging electric tillers out there.
Both the battery and the charger are also included in your purchase, so you don’t have to worry about hidden costs. You also have the option of purchasing the tool only to reduce the cost (useful if you already have a compatible battery)
You can reach as deep as five inches with the Greenworks electric tiller. Further, the tilling width can be adjusted between 8.25-10 inches.
Since there’s no oil or gas required, the maintenance is reduced to the minimum. You’re also not producing any emissions that could harm the environment.
Last but not least, you have a push button start for ease of use, and a cut-off switch to stop accidental startups.
Pros
- Quick to charge (only two hours for a full charge)
- Green (literally) and won’t harm the environment
- Easy to start and has the safety of a cut-off button
Cons
- The tilling depth, despite being convenient, isn’t as deep as other tillers on the list
- People with bigger gardens may find the constant recharging annoying
2. Mantis 7940 4-Cycle Gas-Powered Cultivator (Best Size-Power Ratio)
Product Specs
- Power Source: Gas-powered engine
- Tine Position: Front tine tiller
- Weight: 24 pounds
Product Description
Much like the Greenworks tiller, the Mantis 7940 is another cordless, lightweight tiller that you can easily carry around and store, making it perfect for those who need to haul their tillers around their houses.
The four-cycle engine powers up four steel blades that have a minimum tilling depth of three inches and a maximum of 10 inches. That’s double the Greenworks’ tiller maximum depth.
There’s also no need to finish your work within a limited time before your battery runs out. However, the engine does run on gas, which means you’ll have to refill it when it’s empty. The emissions aren’t exactly environmentally friendly either.
The engine also lacks a convenient push-button start. You’ll have to rely on the conventional recoil start.
Back to the good news, the Mantis 7940 has a 2-year warranty, so you can rest assured that you have a quality product.
Pros
- Good maximum tilling depth of 10 inches
- Easy to carry and store because of its light weight
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
Cons
- You’ll constantly have to keep your eyes on the tiller fluids to keep it working
- There’s no push-button start
3. Earthquake 31635 MC33 Mini Tiller Cultivator (Best Bang for Buck)
Product Specs
- Power Source: Gas-powered engine
- Tine Position: Front tine tiller
- Weight: 29 pounds
Product Description
The Earthquake 31635 is a juvenile version of the Mantis 7940. Its engine has two cycles (compared to the four cycles of the Mantis), which makes it less likely to be used in harder soils. It’s also a little heavier than the Mantis at around 30 pounds
However, with half the engine power comes half the price. The Earthquake’s price tag is around $200 cheaper than the Mantis, while still having a maximum tilling depth of 10 inches. Unfortunately, the tilling width is a humble six inches.
The engine still has the recoil starting system and also requires regular oil changes, which can make the durability questionable for those who aren’t keen on maintaining their machines.
However, the tiller comes with a 5-year warranty, making it one of the best-rated front tine tillers on Amazon.
Also, did we forget to mention that it can be used as a cultivator?
Pros
- A budget-friendly option with a decent amount of power and versatility
- Can be used both as a tiller and a cultivator
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
Cons
- The engine power is humble
- The tilling width is a bit underwhelming (one of the lowest on our list)
4. Sun Joe TJ604E 16-Inch 13.5 AMP Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator (Best Electric Tiller)
Product Specs
- Power Source: Electric engine
- Tine Position: Front tine tiller
- Weight: 27 pounds
Product Description
If you like to go green and save the planet but don’t find the constant need to charge batteries convenient, the Sun Joe TJ604E is arguably one of the best corded electric tillers.
Weighing only 27 pounds, this tiller can be hauled around your garden easily as long as you have a power source nearby. The small size also makes storing it a breeze.
The six steel blades have a great tilling width of 16 inches, which is as wide as other high-end tillers. However, the maximum depth is a relatively low eight inches.
Besides being environmentally friendly, the Sun Joe brings back the push-button start that we’ve been missing for a while.
The low price tag, combined with all the capabilities of this tiller, and the ability to use it as a cultivator as well, made it one of the all-time best sellers on Amazon.
However, there are two issues with using this tiller, especially if your garden is larger than usual. For one, you’ll need a power source or an extension cord around you at all times. Second, there’s always a risk of running over the cord when in use.
Pros
- Powerful electric engine that doesn’t require batteries
- A great tilling width of 16 inches
- Easy to use, start, operate, and store
Cons
- You need a power source around you at all times
- There’s the risk of running over the power cord
5. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Tiller (LGC120) (Best for Small Gardens)
Product Specs
- Power Source: Electric battery (20V)
- Tine Position: N/A
- Weight: 11 pounds
Product Description
If your house isn’t surrounded by too much green, and you need a lightweight, inexpensive tool that can quickly get the work done, The BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Tiller is an optimum choice.
This battery-powered tiller can till 325 square meters with only one full charge. It’s also cordless, convenient, and easy to use, with an adjustable telescopic pole to suit most heights.
The BLACK+DECKER tiller is best used for small gardens that require a minimum amount of work. That’s because the maximum tilling depth is only four inches (the lowest on our list so far), and it can only do its job on softer soil.
Still, the price tag is fair, there’s a 2-year warranty, and the product has overwhelmingly positive reviews on Amazon. So, if your garden meets the requirements, go for it without hesitation.
Pros
- Cordless, battery-powered tiller/cultivator that’s environmentally friendly
- Easy to carry, store, and use with an adjustable handle
- The most affordable tiller on our list so far
Cons
- It’s not suitable for bigger gardens, rocky soil, or compacted soil
- Limited tilling depth of only four inches
6. Tazz 35310 2-in-1 Front Tine Tiller/Cultivator (Best Gas Tiller)
Product Specs
- Power Source: Gas-powered engine
- Tine Position: Front tine tiller
- Weight: 85.8 pounds
Product Description
If you’re looking for a gas-powered tiller that’s powerful enough to handle medium to large gardens, the Tazz 35310 is one of the best gas tillers around.
The tiller comes with a 79cc engine that’s strong enough to handle tough soil with ease. The steel blades have a maximum tilling depth of 11 inches, and 21 inches of tilling width (the best on the list), allowing you to cover large areas of your garden efficiently.
The handlebar has four height positions, allowing for comfortable use among people of different heights.
However, the tiller is 85.5 pounds heavy, which makes it difficult to carry around. Yet, due to its low center of gravity, you can use the wheels to move the tiller around easily.
The tiller tines can be adjusted as well. On removing the side shields and the outer tiller tines, you transform the Tazz 35310 from a tiller to a cultivator to provide maximum efficiency.
Because of the strong engine, you may pay quite a bit to fill up the engine. That may be inconvenient to some people since the tiller itself isn’t cheap.
Pros
- One of the best gas garden tillers around
- Can quickly be transformed into a cultivator
- It can be smoothly used despite its weight
Cons
- It’s not cheap to buy or maintain
- Requires constant monitoring of gas and oil
7. Yard Butler Twist Tiller (Best Manual Tiller)
Product Specs
- Power Source: N/A
- Tine Position: N/A
- Weight: 4.6 pounds
Product Description
If you’re not into powered tillers and prefer the good-old manual garden tilling, the Yard Butler Twist Tiller is the best of the best.
For less than $50, you get a reliable tiller with a lifetime guarantee that can carry its weight in many garden beds.
Not only can it be used for tilling your soil, but you can also use it to mix fertilizer and other amendments into the soil as deep as six inches. It also facilitates water movement into the soil by creating small tunnels.
It also weighs less than five pounds, making it the lightest tiller on our list. You can carry it all day without breaking a sweat.
Of course, we have to point out that manual tillers are nowhere near as efficient as gas and electric garden tillers. However, there’s no maintenance cost, no fuel cost, and the injury risk is much less. No wonder it has over 2,500 reviews on Amazon.
Pros
- The cheapest option on our list
- It has a lifetime warranty
- Can also be used to mix soil amendments
Cons
- It’s the least efficient tiller on our list
- It’s not suitable for rocky soil
8. Earthquake 37037 Pioneer Dual-Direction Rear Tine Tiller (The PowerHouse)
Product Specs
- Power Source: Gas powered-engine
- Tine Position: Rear tine tiller
- Weight: 160 pounds
Product Description
They say it’s better to save the best for last, and that’s certainly the case with the Earthquake 37037 Pioneer. With a 99cc 4-cycle engine, the Pioneer is one of the best rear tine tillers money can buy.
For starters, there’s no soil that this tiller will fail to work with. The dual-direction design allows you to use the Pioneer both as a tiller and a cultivator. The counter-rotating tines will work the hard soil, while the standard-rotating ones will mix it up.
The Pioneer has a maximum tilling depth of 11.25 inches and a maximum tilling width of 17 inches. It doesn’t only have the deepest tilling depth on the list, it also has enough power to effortlessly work through your garden like no other.
The tires are also airless, so you’ll never have to worry about them going flat.
Unfortunately, all this power comes at a cost. The Earthquake Pioneer costs well over $1,000.
It also weighs a marvelous 160 pounds. Yes, its design is ergonomic enough to ensure a smooth ride, but if you have to carry it around for any reason, you’ll suffer.
Pros
- A powerful 97cc engine to till any soil type
- It’ll till and cultivate your soil at the same time
- The tires are airless and won’t puncture
Cons
- The most expensive tiller on our list
- It weighs a hefty 160 pounds
Comparison Section
The table below shows an overview of our eight selections so you can better decide over which tiller you would need.
| Point of Comparison | Tilling Depth | Tilling Width | Tine Position | Weight | Power Source |
| Greenworks | 5 inches | 10 inches | Front | 21 pounds | Electric |
| Mantis | 10 inches | 9 inches | Front | 24 pounds | Gas |
| Earthquake 31635 | 10 inches | 6 inches | Front | 29 pounds | Gas |
| Sun Joe | 8 inches | 16 inches | Front | 27 pounds | Electric |
| BLACK+DECKER | 4 inches | 7.8 inches | N/A | 11 pounds | Electric |
| Tazz 35310 | 11 inches | 21 inches | Front | 85.8 pounds | Gas |
| Yard Butler | 6 inches | 6 inches | N/A | 4.6 pounds | Manual |
| Earthquake 37037 | 11.25 inches | 17 inches | Rear | 160 pounds | Gas |
While exploring the top options for home garden tillers, don’t miss out on other essential garden tools that can make your gardening venture even more fruitful. Discover the top picks in our guide, where we delve into the nuances of selecting the perfect manual post-hole digger.
What Should You Look for When You Buy a Garden Tiller?
Here’s the list of things you should look for when buying a garden tiller:
Power Source
It usually comes down to personal preference.
Some people prefer reliability and longevity over using batteries or power cords, while others prefer to go green even if there are some limitations. Some even prefer to go manual without worrying about the hassle of getting a power source at all.
Tine Position
Rear-tine tillers usually have more power than their front-tine counterparts. However, they’re also often heavier and more expensive.
This usually comes down to how deep you want to till your soil, as rear-tine tillers often till deeper without reliability issues.
Storage and Portability
Do you have one garden that you need to take care of, or do you have to haul the tiller over a lot of green areas to get your work done?
The size and weight of your tiller will greatly affect how exhausting it will be to move it around, so keep that in mind.
Price
The cost is always a factor. Most people would have gone for the strongest tillers around if it weren’t for their price.
That’s why you should find out what your needs are, how big/small your garden is, and how deep you want to till to find the one that gives you the best value for money.
Conclusion
There you have it, eight of the best home garden tillers you can buy to suit the needs of most (if not all) gardens.
All the tillers mentioned have fantastic reviews on Amazon, so we strongly recommend following the links we provided to check the products for yourselves.
