Hand tillers aren’t a particularly dangerous item aside from their sharp edges, but their motorized counterparts can be if proper safety precautions aren’t observed.
Always ensure the area you’re about to till doesn’t have any gas lines or wires buried below, and wear proper safety gear including closed-toed shoes, hearing and eye protection and gloves. Do not wear loose-fitting clothing when operating a motorized tiller.
Children should never operate a power tiller, and should be supervised when using hand tillers. Do not leave a tiller unattended, and use caution when operating near fences and other obstacles. Familiarize yourself with your tiller’s controls and do not attempt to make adjustments while in operation. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for operation, cleaning, and storage.
With the above information in mind, in no particular order here are 50 of the tillers that we consider best, based on available features and average customer ratings and reviews.
Hand Tillers
1. Yard Butler TNT-4 Garden Twist and Tiller
This hand tiller boats extra long handles that help to reduce the effort required when twisting and mixing soil. The integrated step on plate uses the force of your body weight to dig the claws into the ground.
Key features:
- Ideal for hard-to-reach areas
- Sharp, angled claws
- Lifetime warranty
Available in a consumer and professional version, this hand tiller allows gardeners to cultivate, loosen, aerate, and weed their gardens with ease. It’s suitable for use in any soil conditions and is even suitable for use as a compost mixer.
Key features:
- Comes fully assembled
- Comfort grip handles
- Easy to hang for storage
If you are interested in composting, see our list of The Best Composters for Kitchen Scraps & Yard Waste.
3. Fiskars 40 Inch Long Handle Steel Tiller
This hand tiller boats tines that are arrow-tipped to help pierce soil more easily and with less effort. The integrated step on plate uses the force of your body weight to dig the claws into the ground.
Key features:
- Durable welded steel construction
- 40-inches in length
- Padded handles
4. DeWit 5-Tine Cultivator with Short Handle
Available in a choice of either 3 tines or 5 tines, and in a wide variety of handle styles, there’s sure to be a hand tiller in this set to suit any home gardener’s needs. It has been made to the highest standards in Holland.
Key features:
- FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified ash handle
- Abrasion-resistant boron steel head
- Lifetime warranty
5. Yard Butler IRC-3 Rotary Cultivator
This handheld cultivator allows home gardeners to quickly cultivate, loosen, aerate, and weed their gardens with ease. It comes complete with removable teeth that allow you to custom configure the tool for precision cultivating.
Key features:
- Adjustable handle
- Optional frustration-free packaging
- Lifetime warranty
6. Flexrake 4430 Hula-Ho Pro Three-Prong Cultivator
This three-pronged hand tiller boasts a durable, extra long 60-inch stainless steel handle and comes complete with a heat treated blade for years of reliable use.
Key features:
- Cushioned hand grips
- Professional grade
- Made in the USA
7. H.B. Smith Tools Garden Gopher Rotary Cultivator
This handheld cultivator allows home gardeners to quickly cultivate, loosen, aerate, and weed their gardens with ease. It comes complete with removable and customizable tine heads that allow for precision use in the garden.
Key features:
- Comfort grip handle
- Integrated hanging hook
- Lifetime warranty
8. True Temper 4-Tine Cultivator
This hand tiller boasts a durable steel blade that has been designed for years of dependable use and features curved tines that dig into the soil more easily.
Key features:
- Lightweight design
- 15 year warranty
- Made in the USA
9. Bond LH011 5 Tine Cultivator With Telescopic Handle & Non-Slip Grip
This five-pronged cultivator boasts a telescopic handle with cushioned, non-slip grip that makes it ideal for gardeners of varying heights. It features a rust-resistant powder coated finish to provide years of dependable use.
Key features:
- Integrated hanging hook
- Heat treated heads
- Lightweight design
10. Earthway 6500W High Wheel Garden Cultivator
This classic tiller boasts a heavy duty design that is ideal for completing a number of different jobs around the garden including plowing, furrowing, and cultivating. The tool depth is easily adjustable and the handle can be adjusted to three positions.
Key features:
- Solid oak handles
- Durable plated tubular steel frame
- Made in the USA
11. Groundbreakers 862-03 Mini Tiller
This miniature hand tiller is great for getting into all those hard-to-reach places one-handed and features a unique design with a dual purpose head that is suitable for clearing weeds, shallow digging, and even chopping through small roots.
Key features:
- Comfort grip handle
- Durable ductile iron construction
- Helps minimize hand and arm fatigue
12. Truper 30030 Tru Pro 4-Tine Forged Cultivator
Available in a choice of three different handle materials as well as three different handle lengths, this hand tiller is easily customizable to suit any home gardener’s preferences. The fiberglass handle is professional grade and boasts a soft cushion grip.
Key features:
- Professional quality
- 4 tines
- Lifetime warranty
13. Corona GT 3070 Extendable Handle Cultivator
Available as part of a matching garden tool set, this hand cultivator boasts a durable telescopic aluminum handle that easily adjusts from 18 to 32 inches. It features a chip-resistant carbon dioxide coating that works to eliminate corrosion and rust.
Key features:
- Lightweight design
- Comfort grip
- Lifetime warranty
14. Bond LH005 4-Tine Cultivator
This hand tiller boats extra long handles that help to reduce the effort required when mixing soil. The sharpened blade edge helps to reduce the effort required for digging through even the toughest ground.
Key features:
- Suitable for use in all soils
- Durable tempered heat treated steel construction
- 5 year warranty
15. Tiller Rolling Garden Det Blad
This handheld tiller allows home gardeners to quickly and easily cultivate, loosen, aerate, and weed their gardens with ease. It comes complete with removable and customizable tine heads that allow for precision use in the garden.
Key features:
- Detachable handle
- Durable zinc die cast construction
- Seed drill included
16. WOLF-Garten 1616004 Soil Crumbler
This hand tiller boasts a unique two-in-one design that quickly and easily breaks up soil for sowing grasses or planting seeds. It’s also ideal for mixing peat and fertilizers into soil and boasts an easy-to-use push-pull action.
Key features:
- Tool remains at constant depth
- Snap-lock handle connection
- Handle sold separately
17. Truper 32739 14-Inch Rapid Tiller
This miniature hand tiller is great for getting into all those hard-to-reach places one-handed and features a unique design with a dual purpose head that is suitable for clearing weeds, shallow digging, and even chopping through small roots.
Key features:
- Non-slip handle
- Helps minimize hand and arm fatigue
- Durable injected fiberglass handle
18. Cultivator Hand Rake with Ergonomic Handle
This hand tiller boasts a rust-resistant, one-piece design and is ideal for getting into those hard-to-reach areas of your garden. It features a comfortable, ergonomic handle with integrated rubber palm rest and contoured finger grip for increased operator comfort.
Key features:
- Helps reduce hand and wrist fatigue
- Burlap tote bag included
- Lifetime warranty
19. Bully Tools 4-Tine Cultivating Fork with American Ash Handle
This hand cultivator is ideal for tilling and aerating soil and boasts a durable steel head that allows you to quickly and easily crumble soil. The narrow head makes it suitable for working even between tight rows.
Key features:
- Durable American ash handle
- Made in the USA
- Lifetime warranty
20. WOLF-Garten Classic Soil Cultivator
This handheld cultivator allows home gardeners to cultivate, loosen, aerate, and weed their gardens up to three times faster than using a common hoe. The unique arrowhead prongs loosen and lift soil quickly and easily and features a long lasting, rust-proof design.
Key features:
- Durable hardened cold-rolled steel construction
- Snap-lock handle connection
- Handle sold separately
21. Truper 30033 Tru Pro 4-Tine Forged Cultivator
Available in a choice of three different handle materials as well as three different handle lengths, this hand tiller is easily customizable to suit any home gardener’s preferences. The ash handle on this unit is professional grade and provides the optimum ratio of resistance and flexibility.
Key features:
- Professional quality
- 4 tines
- Lifetime warranty
22. Seymour MG-2 Garden Cutter Mattock Hickory Handle
This garden cutter mattock boasts a classic design that provides a dual-headed design that allows home gardeners to quickly and easily chop and dig through even the toughest soils, including hard dirt or clay. The cutter blade is suitable for digging and removing loose soil.
Key features:
- Lightweight design
- Shock-absorbent handle
- Turned style handle for better gripping
23. Vb Groundbreakers 857-01 Tc Trencher Cultivator Pick Wood Handle
This trencher and cultivator boasts a two-in-one design that allows home gardeners to quickly and easily prepare their soil for planting of grasses and seeds. It boasts a 3-inch-wide mattock blade on one side and three 7-inch-long tines on the other.
Key features:
- Durable ductile iron construction
- American hickory handle
- Corrosion-resistant
24. Gardena 3195 Combisystem 5.5-Inch 4-Star Tiller/Cultivator Head With Weeding Knife
This hand tiller is suitable for breaking up soil and preparing the dirt for your garden. The four starred wheels create an especially fine crumble of soil which is essential for spreading seeds.
Key features:
- Made in Germany
- 25 year warranty
- Handle sold separately
25. Ames True Temper HDP31 Stand Up Tiller
This hand tiller allows gardeners to cultivate, loosen, aerate, and weed their gardens with ease. It’s suitable for use in any soil conditions and is even suitable for use as a compost mixer.
Key features:
- Cushioned handles
- Comes fully assembled
- Lifetime warranty
Power Tillers
26. Sun Joe TJ603E 16-Inch 12-Amp Electric Tiller and Cultivator
This electric-powered tiller and cultivator boasts a 16-inch width and an 8-inch tilling depth that makes light work of soil preparation. It produces zero harmful emissions and features a collapsible handle for convenient storage.
Key features:
- Maintenance-free design
- Wheel adjusts to 3 positions
- 2 year warranty
27. Earthwise TC70001 11-Inch 8-1/2 Amp Electric Tiller/Cultivator
This electric-powered tiller and cultivator boasts an 11-inch width and an 8.5-inch cutting depth that makes light work of soil preparation. It produces zero harmful emissions and features durable dual four blade steel tines.
Key features:
- Shuts off when handle is released
- Easy push button start
- 2 year warranty
28. Earthquake MC43 Mini Cultivator with 43cc 2-Cycle Viper Engine
This gas-powered tiller boasts an adjustable tilling width of 6- or 10-inches and an adjustable 8-inch tilling depth to quickly and easily prepare your garden beds. It boasts variable speed, throttle and clutch control.
Key features:
- Lightweight, compact design
- High performance engine
- Easy to assemble
29. GreenWorks 27072 8-Amp Corded Tiller
This electric-powered tiller allows gardeners to quickly cultivate, loosen, aerate, and weed their gardens with ease. It’s suitable for use in any soil conditions and boasts a 10-inch tilling width and tilling depth of up to 5-inches.
Key features:
- Handle folds for convenient storage
- UL and CSA listed
- 4 year warranty
30. Mantis 7940 4-Cycle Plus Tiller with Kickstand
This gas-powered tiller boasts a long lasting and powerful Honda engine and features durable heavy duty cast transmission housing for years of reliable use. Its 9-inch tilling width is ideal for use in tight spaces and it features a palm-controlled safety switch for added safety.
Key features:
- Lightweight design
- Ergonomic handles
- Made in the USA
31. VonHaus 12.5 Inch 7 Amp Electric Garden Tiller & Cultivator
This electric-powered tiller and cultivator boasts a 12.5-inch width and a 8.6-inch cutting depth that makes light work of soil preparation. It produces zero harmful emissions and features an integrated safety cut out protection switch.
Key features:
- Lightweight design
- Double-handled for increased maneuverability
- Ideal for compacted soil
32. Husqvarna FT900-CA Adjustable Width Front Tine Tiller
This gas-powered tiller allows users to quickly cultivate, loosen, aerate, and weed their gardens with ease. It boasts a powerful and long lasting Briggs & Stratton engine and features adjustable tilling widths of 12-, 24- and 26-inches.
Key features:
- Drag bar and counterweight included
- Made in the USA
- CARB compliant
33. Black and Decker LGC120 20-Volt Lithium Ion Cordless Garden Cultivator/Tiller
Available with or without the battery, this battery-powered cordless tiller can cultivate up to 325 square feet on a single charge, and produces zero harmful emissions. The telescopic tube and comfort grip handle help to reduce operator fatigue.
Key features:
- Energy Star rated charger included
- Lightweight design
- 2 year warranty
34. Troy-Bilt TB146 EC 29cc 4-Cycle Cultivator with JumpStart Technology
This gas-powered tiller boasts an adjustable 6-inch tilling width and adjustable 5-inch tilling depth to quickly and easily prepare your garden beds. The engine requires no special mixing of oil and gas and there’s no hassle-filled pull cord necessary for starting.
Key features:
- Handle folds for convenient storage
- Variable-speed throttle
- Durable, heavy duty gearbox
35. Sun Joe TJ601E Tiller Joe 9-Amp Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator
Available in a choice of two different sizes to suit any home gardener’s needs, this corded electric-powered tiller boasts an impressive 18-inch cultivating width and up to 7-inch cultivating depth that makes quick work of garden preparations.
Key features:
- Handle folds for convenient storage
- ETL listed
- 2 year warranty
36. Sun Joe TJ600E Tiller Joe Garden 14-Inch 6.5 amp Electric Tiller/Cultivator
Available in a choice of two different sizes to suit any home gardener’s needs, this corded electric-powered tiller boasts a 14-inch cultivating width and up to 7-inch cultivating depth that makes quick work of garden preparations.
Key features:
- Handle folds for convenient storage
- Lightweight design
- 2 year warranty
37. Southland SRTT196E Rear Tine Tiller with 196cc, 4 Cycle, OHV Engine
This gas-powered tiller boasts an 11-inch cultivating width and up to 10-inch cultivating depth that makes quick work of garden preparations. The self-sharpening tines eliminate the need for removal to sharpen, helping reduce overall maintenance.
Key features:
- Heavy duty pneumatic tires
- Manual recoil start
- Easy to assemble
38. GardenTrax 4 Cycle Mini Cultivator
This miniature gas-powered garden tiller boasts a compact design that doesn’t sacrifice on power or performance. It features a smooth top handle that allows for precision control when using between rows.
Key features:
- Easy to assemble
- Durable forged steel tines
- Tool-free adjustments
39. Earthquake 12802 MC440 Mini Cultivator with 40cc 4-Cycle Viper Engine
This miniature gas-powered garden tiller boasts a compact design that doesn’t sacrifice on power or performance. Removable, reversible tines provide both cultivating and digging power, and the variable speed control makes it suitable for use in all soil conditions.
Key features:
- Handle design minimizes bouncing
- CARB compliant
- 1 year warranty
40. Mantis 2-Cycle Gas/Oil Mix Tiller
This gas-powered tiller features a slim design that is ideal for getting between rows and into hard-to-reach places. It boasts a 9-inch tilling width and 10-inch digging depth and features an ergonomic design to help reduce operator fatigue.
Key features:
- Folds for convenient storage
- Lightweight design
- Comfortable Sure-Grip handles
41. Dirty Hand Tools 100983 Rear Tine Tiller
This gas-powered tiller boasts an impressive 16-inch cultivating width and up to 10-inch cultivating depth that makes quick work of garden preparations. The counter rotating tines bring up fresh soil and the treaded wheels help provide stability.
Key features:
- Integrated safety lever
- Adjustable depth regulator
- Side-mounted safety shields
42. Mantis 7250-00-02 3-Speed Electric Tiller/Cultivator
This electric-powered tiller is incredibly easy to start and produces zero harmful emissions while providing the same performance as gas-powered models. It boasts a compact design that is suitable for use in hard-to-reach places and between garden rows.
Key features:
- Double-handled for increased maneuverability
- Lightweight design
- Made in the USA
43. Black and Decker LGC120B Bare Max Lithium Ion Garden Cultivator/Tiller
Available with or without the battery, this cordless tiller can cultivate up to 325 square feet on a single charge (battery sold separately), and produces zero harmful emissions. The telescopic tube and comfort grip handle help to reduce operator fatigue.
Key features:
- Energy Star rated
- Lightweight design
- 2 year warranty
44. Dirty Hand Tools 101571 Front Tine Tiller
This gas-powered tiller boasts an impressive 15-inch tilling width and 10-inch digging depth that helps make light work of your garden bed preparations. The counter rotating tines bring up fresh soil and the treaded wheels help provide stability.
Key features:
- Integrated safety lever
- Adjustable depth regulator
- Side-mounted safety shields
45. Southland SFTT140 Front Tine Tiller
This gas-powered tiller boasts adjustable tilling widths of 11-, 16-, and 21-inches and features an easy start system. The self-sharpening tines eliminate the need for removal to sharpen, helping reduce overall maintenance.
Key features:
- Tilling depth up to 11-inches
- 2 year warranty
- EPA certified and CARB compliant
46. Remington RM151C Prairie 5.5 Amp Electric Garden Cultivator
This electric-powered tiller and cultivator boasts an adjustable tilling width of 6- to 9-inches and an adjustable 5-inch tilling depth that makes light work of soil preparation. It produces zero harmful emissions and features an ergonomic design to help reduce operator fatigue.
Key features:
- Durable, heavy duty gearbox
- Integrated transport wheels
- 2 year warranty
47. Earthquake 20908 Badger Full-Size Front Tine Rototiller
This gas-powered tiller boasts adjustable tilling widths of 11-, 16- and 21-inches and an 11-inch digging depth that makes fast work of garden bed preparation. The durable Kohler engine has been built for years of dependable usage.
Key features:
- Integrated transport wheels
- Front bumper included
- EPA approved and CARB compliant
48. Troy-Bilt Vertical Tine Tiller – 208cc MTD Engine, Model# 21A-70M8766
This gas-powered tiller allows gardeners to quickly cultivate, loosen, aerate, and weed their gardens with ease. It boasts a 16-inch tilling width and 7-inch digging depth and is suitable for use in all types of soil.
Key features:
- Durable, cast iron drive
- Integrated tine shield
- 13-inch pneumatic tires
49. LawnMaster TE1016M 10-Amp Deluxe Tiller
This corded electric-powered tiller boasts an adjustable tilling width of up to 16-inches and adjustable digging depth of up to 9-inches. It is suitable for use in all types of soil and features ergonomically-designed handles to help reduce operator fatigue.
Key features:
- Rust-resistant blades
- UL certified and ETL listed
- 2 year warranty
50. ATV Tiller with 205cc Briggs and Stratton (ATV-3665)
This tow-behind tiller easily connects to an ATV, UTV, or lawn tractor to complete your tilling jobs in less time. It boasts a powerful and long lasting Briggs & Stratton engine and covers a 36-inch wide tilling path and 10-inch digging depth.
Key features:
- Easily adjusts from comfort of your seat
- 15-inch pneumatic tires
- 1 year warranty
