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These five tillers stood out for their value and power.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Tillers turn and break the top layer of soil, effectively loosening andadding air into the soil.
It also makes it easy forweed removal.
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Tilling Width and Depth
The ideal tilling depth depends on your goals.
Credit: Lowe’s
Most tillers will have a maximum depth of 8 to 10 inches, and most are adjustable.
However, if you want to remove weeds down to the root, youll need to till deeper.
The best tilling width depends on the size of your garden or planting area.
This tiller removed weeds in a 25-year-old overgrown garden with ease.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
When selecting a tiller, a good way to gauge its power is by looking at the engine displacement.
“A tiller with six tines per flange will require more horsepower than one with four.
Tine Position
Tillers are either front tine or rear tine tillers.
Most tillers advertised to home gardeners are front tine tillers, which are smaller and lighter.
On the other hand, a rear-tine tiller has tines located behind the wheel.
These tillers can dig deeply into the soil and make a big job feel easy, Kiser says.
However, they may be overly powerful for the average home garden.
But if you have an expansive garden, they may be worth the extra cost.
To learn more about how we tested tillers, check outour testing processbelow.
This tiller was difficult to maneuver for 90-degree turns and was challenging to start.
However, when making 90-degree turns, we often had to stop completely to make the turn.
The other struggle we had with this machine was turning it on.
You may need to frequently move the extension cord while working.
TheSun Joe tillerwas extremely easy to set up and use.
Using the tiller was easy and intuitive.
The handles even fold for better storage.
During testing, this tiller was used on two large gardens with good results.
It broke up the soil very well, approximately 2 to 3 inches deep.
We were impressed by how powerful it was, despite being a lightweight electric model.
The 12-amp motor quickly pulverized surface soil and readied the ground for planting.
The set up instructions on how to attach the tines were unclear.
While testing, the Greenworks tiller efficiently churned through the weeds and soil in the garden.
Testers experienced one rock jam, but it was easy to remove the rock and continue on.
This tiller has 2,000 strikes per minute and quickly shreds the soil.
Using the tiller was straightforward.
The tiller is lightweight and the 6-inch wheels make it a cinch to maneuver.
However, our testers biggest issue with this tiller was the instructions.
The instructional pictures were so small it was hard to determine what the pieces were.
And while most of the setup was intuitive, the double tines were difficult to assemble.
If youre low on storage space, thisBlack+Decker tilleris incredibly compact.
Credit: Amazon
This was slightly inconvenient and we didnt like that operating this tiller required more physical strength than other models.
The wheels must be removed for operation.
ThisHonda tillerwas tested in soil that contained heavy clay as we prepared new flowerbeds.
Despite the tiller being lightweight, it still powerfully tilled hard soil.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
It was ready to work out of the box with no assembly required; just add oil and gas.
The four-stroke GX engine started easily and the controls were simple to use.
We also wanted to include all power types, including battery, gas, corded, and manual tillers.
Once we decided which tillers to test, we brought them into our own gardens and lawns.
We also noted whether it took up a large amount of storage space in our sheds and garages.
For corded models, we noted if an extension cord was required.
After testing, we evaluated whether the price was fair for the performance and features of each tiller.
Your Questions, Answered
Whats the difference between a tiller and a cultivator?
Whiletillers and cultivatorsare both used to prepare soil, there is a difference between the two.
Cultivators are used to help keep the ground free of weeds.
Tillers are generally used for heavy digging.
They can prepare new garden beds or dig up old ones.
How deep should tillers go?
Tillers typically reach 8 to 10 inches down into the soil.
Is tilling bad for soil?
To till or not to tilltilling can be a divisive concept among gardeners.
When should you use a tiller?
You dont want to till wet soil, as doing so will hurt the soil structure.
If you squeeze it and water comes out, its too wet.
If it crumbles, it should be dry enough to till.
Who We Are
This article was written byBetter Homes & GardenswriterRachel Ahrnsen.
She is a certified master gardener who covers gardening, outdoor tools, and lawn care.
Rachel spent hours researching tillers for this story and relied on at-home trials done by our testing team.
Rachel also spoke withKris Kiser, president and CEO of the nonprofit Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.
Credit: Lowe’s
Kiser gave her expert advice on the advantages of different types of tillers and how they work.
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
This battery-operated tiller was lightweight enough to lift into a raised garden bed.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Credit: Amazon
At 12.1 pounds, this is the lightest tiller on our list.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit: Lowe’s
The gas-powered tiller was easy to start and no assembly was required.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
