Garden Tillers Review (Best Garden Tiller Top 7 of 2021)

Want to create a garden patch for your yard? You’ll want a garden tool that works quickly and efficiently! You’ve probably realized that trowels, shovels, and post-diggers can only take you so far. You need a long-term solution instead of a short-term fix.

Garden tillers are a great tool for new and established gardens. If you’re unsure which one is the best garden tiller for you, we’ve found the best ones out there in our garden tillers review! 

Top 7 Best Garden Tillers Review

1. Best Electric Garden Tiller: Sun Joe TJ603E 16-Inch 12-Amp Electric Tiller and Cultivator
2. Best 4-Cycle Tiller: Mantis 7940 4- Cycle Gas-Powered Cultivator
3. Best Heavy-Duty Garden Tiller: Tazz 35310 2-in-1 Front Tine Tiller/Cultivator
4. Tacklife Advanced Tiller 18″ 13.5-Amp Electric Garden Tiller
5. Earthwise TC70016 16-Inch 13.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator
6. Mantis 3550 9-amp Electric Tiller/Cultivator
7. Earthquake 31635 MC33 (33cc) Mini Tiller Cultivator

1. Sun Joe TJ603E 16″ 12-amp Electric Tiller and Cultivator

You can safely call this one of the best garden tillers out there. The Sun Joe TJ603E has a powerful 12 amp motor that runs at 340 RPM. This tiller will quickly cut into the dirt with its 6 steel angled tines. This tiller’s range is 16 inches wide and as much as 8 inches deep within seconds. 

If you don’t like any hassles filling up machines with gas or oil, you will love this tiller. The TJ603E starts instantly with the push of a button. No additional rocket science necessary.

Its collapsible handles make it easy to store this tiller. Weighing just 27.1 pounds, this tiller gives you no problems carrying it around. The only knock against the TJ603E is that it runs at only one speed. Unless you value tillers that can go at variable speeds, you will appreciate having this tiller.

• Power: 12 amp motor
• Tines: 6 steel tilling blades
• Weight: 27.1 pounds
• Tilling Width: 16 inches
• Tilling Depth: 8 inches

Pros of the Sun Joe Tiller

Cons of the Sun Joe Tiller

• Runs at only one speed so it can’t perform at variable speeds
• The extension cord tends to disconnect easily during use

2. Mantis 7940 4-Cycle Gas Powered Cultivator

The Mantis XP Tiller has a gas-powered engine that is positioned directly over the tines for immense tilling and digging power.

This tiller is very lightweight at only 24 pounds, but it has a great tine speed of 240 RPM. One part of the Mantis XP Tiller’s highlight reel is that it has a finger-controlled throttle that enables infinite speed control and overall ease of operation. This means you can run this tiller at any speed you want.

Isn’t it great to know that you have more than one option with a gardening tool?

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If you prefer to have tight spaces for your garden, this is the go-to tiller for you. Its tines till down 10 inches deep and has a compact cultivating width of 9 inches. This tiller has handles that fold down for easier storage and transportation. This tiller basically promises less stress and more progress!

• Power: Honda 4-Cycle 25cc engine
• Tines: 4 steel tilling blades
• Weight: 24 pounds
• Tilling Width: 9 inches
• Tilling Depth: 10 inches

Pros of the Mantis Tiller

• Finger-controlled throttle enables infinite speed control
• Handles fold down for easy storage
• Engine only takes gas, no fuel mixtures
• Impressive tine speed of 240 RPM

Cons of the Mantis Tiller

• This tiller will be a bucking bronco if you till virgin grass-covered soil, roots, or rocks
• Creeping grass and roots can easily wound up around the tines

3. Tazz 35310 2-in-1 Front Tine Tiller/Cultivator

Gas-powered tillers that can perform heavy-duty yard tasks give you reassurance, especially when they don’t need too much gas.

The Tazz 35310 2-in-1 Front Tine Tiller has an impressive 79cc Viper engine that is fuel-efficient and starts up easily with a smooth pull recoil. Long story short, you are not dealing with a gas guzzler here.

The components that make up this Tazz tiller are built for long-term durability. The forged steel tines and the bronze gear transmission are the shining stars for components.

Don’t let its heavy weight of 83.8 pounds scare you.

Because of this weight, this tiller is balanced and maneuverable. You can effortlessly turn this tiller without having to worry about it kicking off the ground. A major plus of this tiller’s design is its adjustable tilling widths. Its maximum width of 21 inches gives this tiller a valid Most Valuable Player argument.

• Power: 79cc 4-Cycle Viper engine
• Tines: 4 steel tilling blades
• Weight: 83.8 pounds
• Tilling Width: 11 to 21 inches
• Tilling Depth: 8 to 11 inches

Pros of the Tazz Front Tine Tiller

• Fuel-efficient engine starts up easily
• No tools are required for tine removal
• Steel handlebar has 4 different height positions
• Tazz offers a solid 3-year warranty for this tiller

Cons of the Tazz Front Tine Tiller

• Its weight of 83.8 pounds makes it challenging to carry around
• It takes at least 2 hours to assemble, even if you are mechanically inclined

4. TACKLIFE Advanced Tiller

Adjustable gardening tools are ultra-reliable. Classify this tiller as adjustable in spades. The TACKLIFE Advanced Tiller gives you many options in how wide you want to create a garden patch. This tiller’s working width is adjustable from 12.5 to 18 inches.

This is possible because you can remove 2 of the 6 tines to work with only 4 tines. Incredibly lightweight at 22 pounds, this tiller’s ergonomic folding handle has an anti-vibration system that is merciful on your arms. What a relief!

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What makes the TACKLIFE Advanced Tiller one of the best tillers is its 13.5 amp copper motor which runs at a speed of up to 380 RPM. If you want a vegetable plot, this highly efficient motor can easily loosen the soil. The one-two punch in power and efficiency is found in this tiller. It also has safety buttons and brake switches that prevent random, accidental starts. 

• Power: 13.5 amp copper motor
• Tines: 6 steel tilling blades
• Weight: 22 pounds
• Tilling Width: 12.5 to 18 inches
• Tilling Depth: 8 inches

Pros of the Tacklife Advanced Tiller

• Easily adjustable by removing 2 blades
• Anti-vibration system means less stress for your arm
• Safety buttons and brake switches help you start the engine with ease
• Its folding design provides more convenient storage space

Cons of the Tacklife Advanced Tiller

• It doesn’t have a plow to push the tines into the dirt
• Plastic clamps that assist in assembling the handlebars are too flimsy and break easily

5. Earthwise TC70016 16-Inch 13.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator

While gas-powered tillers perform well, they send out harmful fumes that can affect your health. You don’t need to worry about that with the Earthwise TC70016 Tiller because it is completely electric-powered.

This tiller is easy to start with a single lever that you grab and hold down. Remember the old push lawn mowers with levers you had to hold down? Apply that same kind of use here. Although I don’t have fond memories of push lawn mowers, this lever mechanic is very convenient. 

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Along with a powerful 13.5 amp motor, this tiller has 6 adjustable tines that have a maximum tilling width of 16 inches. These features make it ideal to create medium-sized gardens or vegetable plots.

The wheels located behind the tines enable a more comfortable tilling experience. Not all tillers have wheels attached. The wheels could remind you of an old push lawnmower!

• Power: 13.5 amp motor
• Tines: 6 steel tilling blades
• Weight: 29 pounds
• Tilling Width: 11 to 16 inches
• Tilling Depth: 8 inches

Pros of the Earthwise Garden Tiller

• Completely electric-powered, so no hassles with gas
• Soft ergonomic grip gives you more maneuverability 
• Easy to start with a single lever switch
• The wheels fold up if more depth is needed while tilling

Cons of the Earthwise Garden Tiller

• The motor runs at a single high speed that doesn’t vary
• Its overload circuit can be easily popped by wound up grass

6. Mantis 3550 Electric Tiller/Cultivator

 At first glance, you could comment on how cute this little tiller looks, and you would be right. However,  the Mantis 3550 Electric Tiller gives you more options than some larger tillers.

Though it only has a 9-amp motor, this tiller gives you the freedom to switch between two different speeds. This means you can run this tiller at high speed to till, and then at low speed to cultivate. It is easy to start this tiller after plugging it in because it requires no gas whatsoever.

The wheels behind the tines are retractable and can be moved into multiple positions. If you want to control the depth of your tilling, these wheels will help your cause. One big thing that makes this little tiller amazing is the assembly time. It takes less than 15 minutes to attach the cable and handles. You won’t break a sweat!

• Power: 9 amp motor
• Tines: 4 steel tilling blades
• Weight: 24.4 pounds
• Tilling Width: 12 inches
• Tilling Depth: 10 inches

Pros of the Mantis 3550 Electric Tiller

• This tiller can run at two alternating speeds
• Completely electric, so no messing around with gas
• Lightweight and easy to carry around
• Its compact design performs well in narrow spaces

Cons of the Mantis 3550 Electric Tiller

7. Earthquake 31635 MC33 Mini Tiller Cultivator

Not all gas-powered tillers are bad. In fact, these tillers have their own unique qualities to cherish!

While it doesn’t have the strongest gas engine on this list, the Earthquake 31635 MC33 Mini Tiller Cultivator has a great combination of versatility, convenience, and control.

What more could you ask for?

Perhaps an odor-eliminating mechanism, but cut Earthquake some slack!

This tiller’s 33cc 2-Cycle Viper engine requires a mix of gas and 2-cycle oil. You can’t avoid messy oil mixing but this tiller is easy to control once you start using it. You have overhand control of this tiller, meaning the possibility of bouncing or jumping is reduced.

The wheels are height adjustable for better transport and for more depth control. For a gas-engine tiller, it is very lightweight at 33 pounds, so you can carry it around. Plus, you gotta appreciate that 5-year warranty Earthquake offers!

• Power: 33cc 2-Cycle Viper engine
• Tines: 4 steel tilling blades
• Weight: 33 pounds
• Tilling Width: 10 inches
• Tilling Depth: 8 inches

Pros of the Earthquake Mini Tiller

• Ideal overhand control enables less bouncing and jumping
• Height adjustable wheels promote transport and depth control
• Easy to assemble, no tools required
• Earthquake offers a 5-year warranty for this tiller

Cons of the Earthquake Mini Tiller

• There is a concern that it may not be powerful enough for clay dirt
• Questionable fuel lines along with gas leak concerns

Best Garden Tillers Buyer’s Guide

Now, if you are new to tillers, you probably have more questions to ask. This Buyer’s Guide has got you covered. 

Common Garden Tiller Questions

1. What is a Garden Tiller?

A garden tiller is a machine that mechanically turns over soil, including dirt that is heavy and compact. Picture your garden as a miniature farm, and a farm plow reduced to the size of an old push lawnmower.

A tiller’s tines will always cut through soil much faster than what you can do with your hands. 

2. What is a Good Garden Tiller?

• A good garden tiller will typically adjust to your needs, no matter how light or heavy it is.
• While you should aim to have a powerful tiller, that tiller won’t help you if it isn’t mechanically sound.
• It also depends on how much land you have. If you plan on having a small garden bed, electric tillers give you the best chance of creating a garden fast.
• Don’t be concerned about extra accessories if you just want to till in a compact area.

3. What is the Best Tiller for Hard Soil?

• Soil that is rich in organic material and is free of most weeds only requires cheaper tillers. Electric tillers like the Sun Joe are perfect for this soil.
• Heavy, clay-based soil that contains rocks and gravel needs more powerful tillers. The best garden tiller needs to have a high torque engine like the Tazz or the Mantis so that it doesn’t die or lose revs once its tines bite into the clay. Most gas tillers have the characteristics of a high torque engine. Only a select few electric tillers have these characteristics.

How to use a Garden Tiller

Tilling a garden takes 6 simple steps.

1. First, prepare your gardening area by removing any existing grass or plants. Any obstructions that could harm your tiller must be removed as well. These include large rocks and thick tree roots.
2. Secondly, prepare yourself by wearing personal safety gear. Safety glasses, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and strong shoes (not necessarily boots) make up this gear.
3. Next, set your desired depth for tilling. I recommend not going too deep on your first go with the tiller. I tried going deeper than I should have early in my tilling experience and that was a comedy sitcom!
4. After this, get a good understanding of how your tiller works. Study its mechanics. Electric tillers and gas tillers work differently, as I will explain in a moment.
5. Once you get a good feel for your tiller, steps five and six involve tilling the soil and then turning the tiller off when you’re done. Keep your tiller tipped forward as you cut into the ground, and keep this tilling pressure consistent while walking through your gardening area.

Electric vs Gas Garden Tillers

Either having a great debate or a cheerful discussion, you want to know which kind of tiller is best to use.

Electric tillers require you working near a power outlet or having a long extension cord. Often being less powerful than gas-powered tillers, electric tillers give you relief when it comes to maintenance. You’re more likely to see buttons that allow electric tillers to instantly start, which saves you time and stress.

If you own large areas of land, then gas tillers are the devices to have. More powerful than electric tillers, you will plow through weeds and rocks better with gas tillers. However, expect a higher rate of maintenance with these guys, and you will get more of a physical workout pushing these tillers around.

How Much Dirt Will You Till?

Choosing the best garden tiller for you depends on how you envision your garden. How much dirt do you want to cut? Do you want a large majestic garden out front? Or do you want a small cute garden patch out back?

The yard is your canvas, and you are the artist. Do you like to use electric tillers or gas tillers? What are your tips on how to use garden tillers? Let us know down in the comment section below.

Last update on 2021-01-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API