Digging forks and lawnmowers used to work magic in gardens or farms in the earlier days. However, new tools like tillers revolutionized everything. They are currently the go-to tools for farmers and homeowners seeking to create loose fluffy soil in gardens or warehouse for plants to thrive in. There are gas-powered tillers though most consumers prefer electric models that are still powerful, eco-friendly, yet easy to use.
We reviewed over 30 different electric tillers then narrowed down to the eleven best models. Our editor’s best model is the Sun Joe TJ603E with 340 RPM. This machine cuts through surfaces with different levels of hardness. It can dig 3 to 4 inches in bad dirt if your grip is perfect. We reviewed other electric tillers like Goplus 13.5 Amp Corded Electric Tiller, Earthwise TC70001, Toro Tiller Cultivator, and Greenworks 27072, among others.
Our team spent over 200 hours researching the best electric tillers on Amazon. We factored in customers’ concerns and interviewed experts and sellers. The features we based our choice on include motor power, tilling width, tilling depth, tines, weight, and warranty, among others. Electric tillers with high motor power cut hard surfaces with ease. You need a machine with an excellent tilling width to get more work done in less time. Depending on your preferences, you can purchase a tiller with a front-tine, rear-tine, or counter-rotating tines. We prepared a table, in-depth reviews of the best electric tillers, and a buying guide with factors to look into before making your purchase.
Other features: foldable handle, six durable steel angled tines, 3-position wheel adjustment
The Sun Joe TJ603E is a powerful machine with six steel angled tines, three-position wheel adjustment, and foldable handles. It requires zero oil, gas, and tune-ups and starts automatically with the push of a button.
The angled tines foster durability and performance. Sun Joe states its 12-amp motor provides enough power to cultivate up to 16 inches.
The seller recommends it for buyers seeking to control weeds or boost aeration in seedbeds. Experts mention the 340 RPM enables it cut through soil effortlessly. The rear wheels make it easy to maneuver it in gardens or yards.
Several buyers claimed it’s a powerful yet risky machine. Though you can handle it in different areas of your field, it damages plastics PVC pipes or sprinkler heads it comes in contact with. It lacks a variable speed feature, but there is an on/off feature you can press while working,
Experts advise users against using light cords. It causes the machine to draw high current and the voltage drops. The motor will overheat and damage. Don’t use cables below 12 gauge.
Most buyers love how the handles collapse into a compact package. Comprehend how its handles are adjusted to avoid damaging it. Most users say it’s a relatively quiet machine. One user claims you can use it to till up to 3 to 4 inches in bad dirt if you have a good grip. Some users complained its tines entangle in tall grass.
Overall, the Sun Joe TJ603E is sturdy, but remember it can’t compete with gas-powerful tillers used for heavy workloads.
It’s the go-to tool if your garden is small. You will have to put in more effort to get more work done.
Other features: 6 blades, less noise, low consumption, 400rpm speed, double safety system, foldable frame
We chose the Goplus 13.5 Amp Corded Electric Tiller as the Premium Pick, as it packs an impressive punch with the 13.5-amp pure motor. The electric tiller provides a speed up to 400rpm, allowing you to quickly loosen up the hard soil while feeling stable and efficient. It is fitted with high-quality blades for long-lasting work. With the double safety system, you can safely use the machine while taking care of the hard work of gardening.
The Goplus 13.5 Amp Corded Electric Tiller is best suited for those carrying out high-intensity gardening work. The double safety system includes a shield that prevents sand and stone splashes from hurting you and those around you while caring for hard soil. It is also equipped with six high-hardness blades and a wide planting width of 17 inches. It’s perfect for trenching and deep planting, and you should consider it if you’re tilling orchards, vegetable gardens, and greenhouses.
Other features: four durable steel tines, soft ergonomic grip, cord retention hook, rear wheels
The Earthwise TC70001 comes with a powerful 8.5-amp motor that suits flower beds and mid-sized gardens. It’s a versatile machine that can be used as a weed control tool.
The seller states it comes with a lightweight design. It also has soft ergonomic handles. The four durable steel tines cultivate up to 11” inches wide and 8” inches deep. However, it lacks side shields.
Most users state that its lightweight design fosters easy storage and operation. Like several tillers, the Earthwise TC70001 has a safety feature. It turns off if you let go of the single-lever switch. Some elderly users claimed they had no trouble holding its lever.
The manual recommends using 12 gauge cord up to 150 ft, 14 gauge up to 100 ft, and 16 gauge cord up to 50 ft. Don’t use this machine on a graveled surface. It will damage the motor and blades. Experts recommend it for small gardens and flower beds. Check the depth of wires or plastics pipes in your field before tilling.
The Earthwise TC70001 requires 5 minutes to set up if you’re mechanically inclined. The seller confirmed the diameter of the blade is 7 to 8 inches. Some buyers say it can go through small rocks though it stops after hitting huge stones. Overall, it’s robust though its lever needs refinements. It also overheats when used on heavy clay soils.
Other features: 2-in-1 tiller cultivator, adjustable tilling width and height
The Toro Compact Front Tine Tiller is a great all-rounder for making gardening easier. It can be easily converted from a tiller to a cultivator in just seconds, with no tools required. It also has an adjustable tilling width, so you can customize it to your garden’s size. 11-inch is great for small gardens, while the 16-inch width is perfect for medium and 21-inch is for large gardens. Plus, the tilling depth is adjustable up to 11 inches, so you can really customize your garden’s soil preparation.
The robust 99 cc Viper engine has the appropriate quantity of power to turn any soil while yet remaining nimble. It also has a low center of gravity for maximum stability and is light enough to turn on a dime, making it easy to maneuver around your garden. Plus, the toolless removal of side shields and outer tines makes it even easier to use. Whether you’re preparing seed beds for planting or just looking to weed and aerate your soil, the Toro Compact Front Tine Tiller is a great choice.
One buyer stated that it is quite hard to handle even though the drag bar and wheels were adjusted. Still, it does get the job done.
Others mentioned that the tiller is well made and much better than all the other options out there. However, they complained that they had trouble with erratic engine operation, stalling, and fuel spitting from the carburetor if the unit began bouncing during operation. But they managed to fix it all by adjusting the throttle screw to increase rpm slightly
Other features: four 8-inch forward rotating tines, foldable handle, 6-inch wheels
The Greenworks 27072 is another effective yet lightweight tiller that requires zero assembly. Its powerful motor spins the four 8-inch tines.
The seller says you can adjust the tilling width and length from 8.25”-10” and up to 5” respectively. Experts claim its handles are easy to fold, and the compacts design suits users with small storage space.
One user mentioned it’s great for removing dead roots. However, he confirmed it freezes after hitting heavy materials. You can lengthen its life by cleaning the tines regularly.
The Greenworks 27072 works fine in Georgian clay provided you don’t dig in too deep. Get a good gauge first, and you will cover up 2 to 3 inches with every pass. The seller confirmed that it’s rated 120V A/C input.
Remove rocks or roots on your field first. Ensure the soil is neither too dry or wet. The soil is wet if it remains in a tight ball after squeezing it. You can till the soil if it crumbles. You can get new blades from the manufacturer though they rarely wear out, so the demand is less.
The Greenworks 27072 suits tilling small to medium-sized gardens and flower beds. The sellers confirmed it’s tailored to mixing loose dirt while mixing fertilizer or compost.
This machine lacks digging torque. It skims the ground rather than penetrating it. One user claimed it works better in reverse than the forward mode.
Other features: cordless, counter-oscillating tines, adjustable handle, telescoping tube, soft grip handle, 325 square feet per charge
The BLACK+DECKER LGC120 is a cordless electric tiller cultivator with dual tines that break up and aerate the soil for nutrients and water to reach the deep roots of plants. The seller claims it suits controlling weeds, cultivating gardens and flowerbeds.
This machine comes with 20V lithium-ion batteries that deliver enough power to cultivate up to 325 square feet per single charge. It has impressive features like a lightweight handle that lessens hand fatigue and offers maximum comfort. Its telescoping tube and the handles are adjustable.
The BLACK+DECKER LGC120 is recommended for working on landscape beds and prepping dry spots in lawns for seeding. Most users love that its telescoping shafts easily adjust for operating it without bending over.
The seller states its batteries retain charge five times longer than the 18 V Nicad batteries. The energy star qualified charger requires 8 hours to charge the batteries fully. The seller recommends replacing its batteries with LB2X4020-OPE for a higher runtime per charge. One user confirmed the batteries last more than half an hour.
Some buyers claimed it works perfectly on land with smaller rocks, provided you press it down well. Other buyers stated it rotates 180 degrees back and forth.
This machine can remove dandelions and crabgrass. However, experts don’t advocate for using it on soil that has not been worked on. Dig up such areas first then run your cultivator.
One user insists on stopping the machine to clear materials entangled in the tines to boost its efficiency. Several buyers claim it works well on light soils without several weeds.
Some users complained it’s not designed for clay soil.
Other features: 6 adjustable tines, ergonomic handle
The Earthwise TC70016 is a 13.5 amp tilling machine that is one of the most powerful corded electric tillers in the Earthwise product line. It has a wide 16-inch tilling width for convenient soil cultivation in a small to medium sized yard. This tiller is designed to make soil cultivation easy and quick. The machine is lightweight and easy to operate. When you connect to a power source, you can be sure it will start every time without needing to deal with gas, oil or potentially harmful fumes. This also makes the tiller low maintenance, as you don’t need to worry about fueling up, you simply plug it into a power source and you’re ready to go.
The tiller features a powerful 13.5 amp motor that can deliver the levels of power you’d expect from a gas machine without the worries of fueling or fumes. This amount of power will allow you to penetrate even soil that is hard packed and difficult to aerate. The tiller can penetrate to a cultivating depth of 8 inches.
As you’re using the Earthwise tiller, you’ll find it has a comfortable ergonomic grip that can reduce hand and arm strain even if you’re tilling difficult soil. The cushioned grip is non slip, making it easier to cultivate the soil and guide the machine. There is also a cord retention hook mounted on the handle to help avoid getting the cord tangled while you’re working.
Many people are hesitant to use a tiller as they don’t want gas fumes impacting their yard and soil, particularly if they want to produce fruits and vegetables. This tiller provides an ideal compromise. You can enjoy great tilling power without any harmful fumes.
Other features: 6 rust resistant blades, safety locking button, low noise, reduced vibration
LawnMaster TE1318W1 is a powerful 18-inch tiller that has a 13.5 amp motor and steel blades that can handle even the toughest terrain. The tiller has an operating width of 18 inches and the potential to turn up to 9 inches deep. The machine runs at 390 RPM during free spinning and the two-stage gearbox features an anti-block mechanical clutch. This delivers the power you would expect from a gas-powered tiller, yet it provides a clean, green and efficient alternative.
The LawnMaster has rust resistant, stainless steel blades that are capable of tilling 18 inches wide and up to 9 inches deep for effective tilling even if you have compacted soil that needs to be aerated. However, despite this impressive performance, the tiller weighs only 24 pounds. The lightweight nature of this product means that it is labor saving, easy to rotate and easy to control. It can also be folded for easy storage when the tiller is not in use.
This tiller also has a number of safety and convenience features. This includes a safety lock start up sequence. All you need to do is press the safety locking button to start the tiller, then pull the trigger lever up and toward the motor. This makes this tiller simple to operate even for novice tillers. The tiller is also low noise and low vibration, so it is not only easy to use, but should not cause a nuisance to your neighbors if you want to get an early start on your yard work.
Other features: 380rpm, 16 durable steel tines, double safety switches
The Hattomen N1C-5JY-1000 is a versatile tiller that can be used in yards, vegetable gardens, greenhouses or flowerbeds. It features a powerful 8.5 amp motor that offers stable performance and can deliver high torque grinding and efficient operation. The pure copper motor provides up to 380 RPM speeds.
The tiller features 16 durable steel tines that can cultivate up to 14 inches wide and 8 inches deep that allow you to easily mix soil and allow air and water to penetrate for healthier plants and roots. The tines are made of steel for maximum performance and durability. The machine has 8 tines on each side for efficient and fast tilling. This makes it ideal for mixing in soil amendments or weeding.
This electric tiller has a design to facilitate ease of use. The structure is quite simple to reduce winding and jamming. This machine is comfortable and easy to maneuver, so you can till for longer periods, whether you’re doing yard work or landscaping projects. It weighs under 19 pounds, making it easy for even novices to use. Since it is electric powered, there is no gas or oil, or tune ups needed, so it is effortless to start and use. There is a double safety switch system that provides additional protection with a safety button and trigger to start the machine. The discreet safety switch also provides accident prevention protection.
Other features: curvy tines, 3 preset speeds, standard size front tines
The Mantis 7250-00-03 is a compact machine weighing 21 pounds. It comes with a relatively good tilling width for accessing hard to reach places big machines can’t. Like Sun Joe TJ603E, it requires zero tune-ups, gas, and oil.
The sellers state that the Mantis 7250-00-03 operates quietly and starts instantly with the push of a button. Its curvy tines are sharp and till down to 10 inches deep. The seller confirmed it cultivates two to three inches of solid ground.
Experts mention the tines are tailored to disintegrate clumps of soil and maximize plant growth and nutrient uptake. Its three-speed feature is impressive. Use the tines in a tilling position on low or high when breaking sod and refreshing garden beds, respectively.
The Mantis 7250-00-03 has been designed with convenience and ease of use in mind. Its grip is comfy and fosters fatigue-free use.
Experts noted it’s a lightweight yet sturdy machine with tines offering up to 240 RPM. Its transmission components are tough to power through compact soil. The best part is Mantris are reliable, and they test their machines for shallow cultivations and power weeding.
Several users appreciated that its 3-speed 540-Watt motor operates quietly. Other buyers stated it outperforms several gas-powered models.
The manufacturer offers an optional plow attachment for plowing rows. One buyer claims it can dig up narrow areas since it’s compatible with planter or furrower tines.
It’s a corded electric tiller with a solid design. Several buyers stated it was relatively easy to use, and they assembled it in under 30 minutes. It’s super-easy to steer, and experts recommend it for tilling perennial gardens and beds. few users complained its bolts fall out.
Other features: foldable design, safety buttons and brake switches
The DSF TGTL01A is an electric tiller that offers great flexibility. You can adjust the tilling width from six to four tines without needing to reach for your toolbox, reducing the working width from 18 inches to 12.5 inches, depending on your working needs. This is a great feature if your yard is not a regular shape and you have areas that need a narrower tilling width, but you want to quickly till the majority of your yard. The tines can reach a depth of eight inches, which is ideal for loosening and aerating the soil for bed preparation in your vegetable plot, yard or garden.
The tiller features a powerful 13.5 amp motor that generates up to 380 RPM. This is the level of power you would expect with a gas-powered tiller, but you don’t need to bother with fueling up. You can simply plug the tiller into an outlet and get to work.
The DSF TGTL01A has a lightweight, user-friendly design. It weighs just 22 pounds, to make the tiller more mobile, while the anti-vibration system reduces arm fatigue. However, when you’re using this tiller, it should be pulled backwards to reduce bouncing and ensure safety. The ergonomic handlebar ensures user comfort, so you can keep full control of the tiller, even if you have a large area to work. The handle also folds and the overall foldable design of this tiller allows for compact storage. You can fold the tiller without the need for tools for space saving. In fact, when folded, the tiller has a footprint of just 25.2”x 21.7”.
Another nice feature of this machine is the safety buttons and brake switches that offer double protection to avoid accidentally starting the machine.
A tiller is worth purchasing if you cherish cultivating weeds, organizing compost, or starting new beds. They are available in gas-powered, corded, or cordless models depending on your needs or the size of your field.
The fact is heavy gas-powered models are robust and suit rocky lands. Electric tillers under $100 are lightweight and come with excellent features like adjustable handles and motors that cut through different grounds. They work efficiently on farms with little to no rocks.
In this guide, we will focus on the electric tillers we selected. We will look at the definition of an electric tiller, features to consider when purchasing a garden tiller, and the frequently asked questions.
Electric tillers are machines that use batteries, or cords to rotate the motor that powers their tines. Experts refer to it rototillers and claim it’s the perfect gear for preparing gardens beds, mixing compost and fertilizers in gardens.
It’s a compact tool that fits in small garden stores. Unlike heavy duty tillers, electric tillers are adjustable. You can access the hard to reach points in gardens or farms.
The only disadvantage is, some electric tillers are compatible with short cords which limit their movement. They’re also likely to freeze upon colliding with big rocks in gardens.
Overall, electric tillers are easy to control. Chances are you will forgo manual tools like spades once you start using electric tillers.
The best electric garden tillers are compact yet powerful. They have durable designs that withstand semi-hard or hard surfaces in gardens or farms.
The best models provide great aeration favoring the growth of vegetables and seedlings.
Most electric tillers in the market share features like adjustable handles, powerful motors, and tines. It seems daunting to land a great model to serve your garden for ages, right?
Sellers advise users to narrow into key features like the size of your lawn to land the best models. In this section, we will look at the motor power, tines, tilling width, and tilling depth, among others.
The motor power affects the speed of rotation of the tines. Electric tillers are powered by electricity, and they are either corded or cordless.
The motor of gas-powered models and electric tillers differs.
Though the engines of electric tillers operate quietly, they are weak motors compared to gas-powered models.
A great electric tiller should have a motor with an amp power between 7 to 15.
There are several types of tines like bolo, slasher, pick and chisel, counter-rotating, and dual rotating tines. They are designed to handle surfaces with different levels of hardness.
The high-end models in the market, however, have tines you can switch depending on the soil condition.
Electric tillers with bolo tines suit deep tilling on surfaces with fewer roots, rocks, and vegetation. Unlike bolo tines, slasher tines cut through dense vegetation and roots without entangling.
Pick, and chisel tines are tough and disintegrate hard rocky grounds with every passing. Machines with standard rotating tillers like Earthwise TC70001 have tines rotating in the same direction. It breaks hard grounds and distributes fertilizers evenly.
The models with counter-rotating tines like BLACK+DECKER LGC120 have tines moving in the opposite directions. They can be used to prepare gardens before planting seasons.
Tilling width represents the distance tines can cover on across a surface. Most electric tillers have a 10 to 16 adjustable tilling width.
The rear tine tillers and front-tine tillers have a width ranging from 12 to 24 inches and 12 to 36 inches, respectively. Invest in an electric tiller with a good tilling width like Sun Joe TJ601E if you own medium to vast fields.
Machines with small tilling width like Greenworks 27072 and BLACK+DECKER LGC120
work best on medium-sized terrains.
The tiller depth is the furthest level the garden tiller tines can reach in the ground. Top-notch tillers have sturdy tines with a good tiller depth up to 12 inches to remove deep roots.
Tillers with a 4-inch tilling depth like Mantis 7250-00-03 are recommended for working on loose soil. Rear tine tillers have adjustable tiling depth up to 10 inches. It suits large areas with a hard ground. The machines we selected have a tilling depth ranging from 4 to 9 inches. Mantis 7250-00-03 comes with a 9-inch tilling depth while BLACK+DECKER LGC120 has a 4-inch tilling depth.
The design of a tiller is among the first things you should check before purchase. It cuts across everything from the adjustable handles to the wheels.
Remember, the wheels of the rear-tine, front-tine, and counter tine-tillers differ. The wheels of the front-tine tillers and rear-tine tillers are positioned at the front and back of the blades, respectively.
The only shortcoming with front-tine tillers is they compress the soil after you’ve tilled. The best rear-tine tillers are Earthwise TC70001 and Greenworks 27072. Other machines like Sun Joe TJ601E and BLACK+DECKER LGC120 don’t have wheels.
A great tiller has handles with a firm grip for pushing it with ease. The models in the market, like BLACK+DECKER LGC120 and Earthwise TC70001 have adjustable handles.
The Earthwise TC70001 has a soft ergonomic grip. The electric models with foldable handles like Sun Joe TJ601E, Sun Joe TJ603E, and Greenworks 27072 are portable and fit in small garden stores. Check the height of a machine and whether its handlebar can be adjusted according to height.
The size and weight affect maneuverability. Gas-powered tillers are heavy and daunting to move in fields compared to electric tillers. The compactness of electric tiller favors tilling sections large machines can’t reach.
The electric tillers we selected have a weight ranging between 8.1 lbs. to 29.3 lbs. You can purchase the BLACK+DECKER LGC120 weighing 8.1 lbs. or a relatively heavy model weighing 29.3 like Greenworks 27072.
All good sellers offer a warranty. It covers you against the structural defects an electric tiller might come with.
The warranty for the electric tillers we selected range between 2 to 5 years. The Mantis 7250-00-03, Greenworks 27072, and the Sun Joe TJ601E have a 5, 4- and 2-year warranty, respectively.
It’s worth investing in an electric tiller instead of straining your back muscles using rakers or outdated tools. Electric tillers are designed to control weeds in gardens or open up new lands before planting. Most of them have sturdy tines that loosen soils easily with every pass. The best part is they’re budget-friendly and fit in small rooms in homes.
Our first pick is the Sun Joe TJ603E with a 12-amp motor powering its tines to control weed and boosting aeration in flower beds. Experts mention it’s a sturdy machine with good tilling depth and width.
Our second pick is the Goplus 13.5 Amp Corded Electric Tiller, recommended for high-intensity garden work. It is stable and efficient, with ergonomic handles and safety features for keeping you safe while taking care of your garden.
The Earthwise TC70001 is our third pick. Experts recommend it for working on flower beds or mid-sized gardens. It’s powerful though its tines can damage underground pipes or wires in your working area.
