Best Tiller – Manual Hand, Gas Powered and Electric Tillers for Your Garden and Yard

A tiller is a must when it comes to garden care. If you are sick of doing all the digging yourself, getting dirty, and spending too many hours in the garden, then spare yourself of all these frustrations. We’ve picked 5 great tillers from some of the best tiller brands out there to bring innovation and performance to your yard.

Now when we did our research, we’ll be honest, it was hard to choose just 5 brands. So, if you don’t find what you need, we recommend taking a look at Honda gas garden tillers, Black and Decker handheld electric tillers and Tacklife’s folding electric garden tillers. Additionally, if want to turn existing garden tools into double-duty equipment, then the Ryobi Expand-It Universal Cultivator Attachment for string trimmers or the Husqvarna Heavy Duty Tiller and Cultivator Attachment may be perfect.

And finally, if you were looking for a manual hand tiller, not a powered one, we went ahead and found some of those for you too!

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Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Color

Power

Tiling Width

Tiling Depth

Size

Our Top Choice

Mantis Gas Garden Tiller & Cultivator

Mantis is the first choice for more than 2 million people in the world when it comes to buying a high-performance tiller.

It provides a safe grip with the palm control safety and it folds for easy storage.

It doesn’t come with a stand.

Red

2 or 4 cycle gas

9”

10”

48x17x38”

Best Value

Sun Joe Electric Tiller & Cultivator

Whether it’s snowy or sunny, Snow Joe and Sun Joe will keep your garden in perfect condition the entire year. The two brands specialize in producing garden equipment.

The tiller’s handle can be easily folded for convenient storage and has 6 steel tines which provide maximum durability and performance.

One complaint is that it doesn’t have speed control.

Green

Electric - corded

16”

8”

55x43x17”

Greenworks GMAX Cordless Tiller

Greenworks wants to make its customers forget about the annoying traditional gardening tools by providing them innovative and high performing new ones.

Tiller and cultivator. It’s lightweight, easy to handle and it produces very little noise.

One complaint is that the handle angle is not adjustable.

Green

Battery

Adjustable from 8.25" to 10”

5”

48x14x42”

Earthquake Versa Front Line Gas Tiller

Earthquake is a leading provider of earthmoving equipment designed to make work easier and save time when tilling the land.

Powerful engine. User friendly. Easy to start. 5-year warranty.

Small oil container. Regular maintenance.

Red

Gas

Adjustable to 11’’,16’’ or 21’’

11’’

51.2x35.5x24”

Earthwise Electric Garden Tiller

The Earthwise TC70016 Electric Tiller comes with 6 adjustable tines and a powerful 13.5 Amp motor that will get the work done quickly.

Electric tiller and cultivator. Cord retention hook. Adjustable width. 6 adjustable tines. 6 rear wheels. Lightweight.

Excludes cord. Hard start button.

Grey

Electric - corded

Adjustable from 11’’ to 16’’

8’’

17x20.5x14.6”

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What Is the Best Garden Tiller? Read Our Tiller Reviews to Find the Right One for You!

When buying a tiller, you have to make sure that it fits your gardening requests. It depends what kind of jobs you have to do, such as planting, plowing, aerating etc. The engine and the type of power supply they feature are also different from a tiller to another so you have to know your needs for sure. And if our featured brands don't have what you need, we went ahead and showcased a few more of our top pick garden tillers below.

Related: How to Make a Compost Bin – 3 Easy DIY Compost Bins for Making Your Own Garden Mulch and Compost

Our Top Choice

The Mantis 2-Cycle Tiller/Cultivator is the lightest tiller on the market and is available in 2 styles. It also comes with a clever design which makes it foldable for easy storage. If you have many tight spaces in your garden, the Mantis Speed Electric Tiller & Cultivator has a compact design that can get into those narrow spots. It’s also incredibly lightweight which makes it easy to carry and maneuver.

Mantis 7920 2-Cycle Ultra-Lightweight and Compact Gas Garden Tiller and Cultivator - Sure-Grip Handles, Also Available in 4 Cycle

Features

For almost 40 years, Mantis tillers have become the first choice for more than 2 million gardens worldwide. Tillers manufactured by Mantis are durable, have lightweight and compact designs, and come with a generous 5 year warranty. The Mantis tillers are multifunctional and with some optional attachments you’ll be able to plant, plow, edge, aerate and dethatch your garden. With the Mantis 2-Cycle Tiller/Cultivator you can now get the garden you have always dreamed of. You can dig, till, power-weed or cultivate. It generates a lot of power with less weight and turns all clumps of dirt into ideal planting soil. Check out its features:

Available in 2 styles: Regular Handles and Sure-grip handles
10” digging depth
9” tilling width
Palm control safety
Folds so you can store it easily
Uses gas/oil mix

If you were thinking about something else for your garden, check out the other tillers from Mantis.

Best Value

The Sun Joe Electric Tiller/Cultivator makes dirty work easier and has a full 2-year warranty. This tool has steel blades which will make cultivating a piece of cake. If your wife loves flowers then the Sun Joe 9 Amp Garden Tiller & Cultivator will be a great gift for her. It’s ideal for flower beds, it’s easy to maintain, and doesn’t need any gas or oil.

Sun Joe TJ603E 16-Inch 12-Amp Electric Garden Tiller and Cultivator - 2 Year Warranty and 3 Position Wheel Adjustment

Features

Snow Joe and Sun Joe are two brands of the same company specializing in producing outdoor tools meant to keep your garden good looking throughout the year, regardless of snow or sun. They produce lawn mowers, trimmers, tillers, snow blowers to help simplify your outdoor work. The Sun Joe Electric Tiller/Cultivator is called “The dirty little secret of great gardens”. It gets the job done with a lot more comfort and a lot less strain. Moreover, it comes with a full 2 year warranty. See its other features:

16” digging width
8” tilling depth
6 tines made of steel
The handle can be folded

If this tiller didn’t totally convince you, we recommend that you to try finding another one among the other Sun Joe tillers.

The Greenworks GMAX Cordless Tiller/Cultivator is an innovative and high-performance gardening tool which exceeds customers’ expectations. For a tiller with a more compact design, take a look at the Greenworks Corded Tiller. It has an easy electric started with no need of gas or oil. The tilling depth and width are adjustable and the handle can be folded down for easy storage.

Greenworks 27062A GMAX 40V 10-Inch Cordless Electric Tiller and Cultivator - Available with or without Battery Pack

Features

Greenworks is a leader in innovation and changing the way people take care of their lawns. The company wants to provide them with tools that eliminate the frustration that comes with the traditional equipment. It designs and manufactures its own original products which are improved by cutting-edge technology. The Greenworks Cordless Tiller/Cultivator is the alternative to gas powered tillers. With it, you won’t have to worry about spilling gas on the ground or about the extension cords anymore. It’s a powerful and reliable cultivator which provides maximum performance. Check out its other features:

Available in 2 different versions: 40V 4Ah Battery and Charger or Battery and Charger not Included
Features 4 adjustable tines for high digging performance
Adjustable tilling width from 8.25 inches to 10 inches
Starts instantly
Lightweight and easy to use
Provides very less noise

Still thinking if this is the right choice? You can take a look at the other tillers Greenworks has available and decide afterwards!

The Earthquake Versa Front Line Tiller comes with a 99cc 4-cycle engine with a smooth pull coil for a quick start. Is this engine too big? The Earthquake 12802 MC440 Mini Cultivator 40cc is a great alternative.

Earthquake 20015 Versa Front Tine Garden Tiller with 99cc 4-Cycle Viper Engine - Quickly Turns from a Tiller into a Cultivator

Features

As a leading designer and manufacturer of power equipment for land, Earthquake has created a reputation for high-quality machines. Its mission is to provide highly functional drilling and tilling equipment for residential and rural dwellers. Their products are genuine, user friendly, durable and powerful making them a great choice for their clients. One such product is the Earthquake Versa Front Line Tiller which will cultivate your land in a fast and efficient way. This gas-powered tiller is designed to transform into a cultivator through the fast removal of the outer tines without using any tools. Here are some more features that you can look forward to:

99cc 4-cycle powerful viper engine
User friendly design with great maneuverability
Increased stability due to a very low centre of gravity
Easy pull coil for a quick and quiet start
Comes with a 5 year warranty

Prefer a 2-cycle tiller? The Earthquake 31635 MC33 Mini Tiller is amazing!

Take a look at more rototillers and cultivators from Earthquake if this one is not exactly what you need.

With an ergonomic handle and lightweight design, the Earthwise TC70016 Electric Tiller is just what you need for your land. Not feeling this corded version? How about you go for the Earthwise TC70040 Cordless Electric Tiller.

Earthwise TC70016 16-Inch 13.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller and Cultivator - Adjustable 11" To 16" Width

Features

Earthwise has more than 120 years of history and has participated in the past century’s industrial revolution in America. It was founded in 1895 and since day one it’s tried to provide Americans a cleaner, greener, and more efficient solution for maintaining their lawns. The products don’t do any damage to the environment and provide the quality that you need at an affordable price. The Earthwise TC70016 Electric Tiller is exactly what you need to prepare your farm for planting. It features an adjustable tilling width of between 11 and 16 inches with a tilling depth of up to 8 inches. Here are some more fantastic features of Earthwise electric tiller:

6 steel tines that can be adjusted to fit even a medium-sized farm
Has retention hook to secure the cord when not in use
6 flip down wheels at the back for easy and smooth movement
A lightweight design for easy maneuverability and storage
No regular maintenance using oil or gas since it’s electric

Not what you had in mind? Explore Amazon for more Earthwise tillers!

Best Tiller Guide - How to Decide Between Gas, Electric or Manual Tillers for Garden and Yard Work

It’s always a joy to grow your own crops in your backyard and watch them flourish to maturity. You’ll feel even more satisfied when your lawn is green with flowers adorning your property. However, before you can celebrate your success, there’s a lot of work to be done. Firstly, you’ll need to prepare by tilling the ground and loosening the earth. Instead of using a hoe, you can opt for a tiller that gets the work done faster and better.

Tillers come in different types, designs, and sizes, but can be broadly classified according to their power source. These include gas, electric or battery powered tillers. Each type of machine comes with unique benefits that makes them unique in terms of performance and efficiency. All in all, tillers make your work much faster and easier than relying entirely on manual labor.

Once you’ve finished tilling, you’ll also need to level the ground and remove any twigs or grass that makes your garden plot untidy. The best tool for this is a garden rake. Depending on what you want to plant, you can either use a bulb planter or a seed spreader. Next, you need to water your plants and watch them grow. You may also want to consider using a mulcher to convert fallen leaves into mulch that reduces your garden’s moisture loss.

Video: To Till or Not to Till

Why Till Land? | Courtesy of Urban Farmer Curtis Stone

Price

The price of a tilling machine depends on its type, size, and design features. A lightweight electric tiller with a 2.5 amp motor and 7.5-inch tilling width usually costs around $8, while a cultivator powered by a 200cc gas engine with gear transmission and variable tilling widths can sell for $1000. The more features you get out of a tilling machine, the more you pay.

There are cheap tillers on the market, but they’re likely made with poor quality materials and may not offer superior performance. This will leave you a disappointed customer because your needs won’t be met, nor will your expectations.

Features

When preparing your yard or greenhouse for planting, you need a tiller that is reliable and efficient. Consider the features of the available cultivators to identify the one that suits your needs.

Here are important features to look for in a tiller:

Type – electric, gas or battery powered
Dimensions and weight
Tilling width and depth
Tire design
Maneuverability
Care and maintenance procedures
Number of tines and their design

Construction and Design

The design features of a tiller affect its performance as well as how you take care of it. Electric tillers have fewer parts that require cleaning and oiling than their gas engine powered counterparts. Generally, tillers have metallic frames. The other major parts of this machine include the engine/motor, tilling tines, handle, wheels, and controls.

The engine is the nerve center of a tiller. It provides the rotating motion that moves the tines that cut through the earth. The power rating of the engine determines how fast the tines cut through the ground. It also determines the size and number of tines that can be attached to the power source. Consequently, the size of the tines controls how deep you can till.

Some cultivators come with fixed cultivating width wheels, while others allow you to adjust the tilling width as needed. It’s also common for cultivators to have wheels, which can be pneumatic or non-pneumatic. Although not all models have wheels, they play a critical role when transporting the tiller.

Video: How To Use a Tiller

Basic Things When Using a Tiller. | Courtesy of Helpful DIY

Performance and Ease of Use

Just like any other work tool, a good tiller is one that’s built to serve you reliably for the long haul. Cultivators made of steel are sure to give you years of service even when put under heavy use, ensuring that you get value for money. Coated steel is also protected from corrosion, which keeps your tiller attractive and strong for longer.

When it comes to efficiency, tillers with counter rotating tine sets are unmatched. This is because they dig into the ground from opposite directions and better mix the soil. At this point, it’s important to mention that tine sets with adjustable tilling widths also allow you the flexibility to plow areas with limited space.

To increase your output, you need a machine that’s comfortable to use. Look for a tiller with ergonomic handles. A tiller with soft handles and well laid out controls is easy to operate without pain or frustration. Keep this information in mind as you go through the principal features of our selected products from trusted brands.

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Get the Best Tiller of 2023!

We appreciate that you have taken time to read through our review, and we hope that you’ve found a product that suits you. If you’re still searching for more options, feel free to click the links included in this review.

Our Top Choice

Mantis Gas Garden Tiller & Cultivator

Best Value

Sun Joe Electric Tiller & Cultivator

Greenworks GMAX Cordless Tiller

Earthquake Versa Front Line Gas Tiller

Earthwise Electric Garden Tiller

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