Cordless tillers are some of the most efficient and effective – and overall energy saving – tillers you will be able to find on the market today.
Read on to learn more about these awesome tools and the many ways they can make your gardening experience better.
Comparison of the Best Cordless Tillers
Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
Greenworks 10-Inch  | Best Overall | |
Snapper XD 82-Volt  | Runner-up | |
Sun Joe 24-Volt  | Best for the Money | |
Earthwise 20-Volt 7.5-Inch  | Best for Gardens | |
Ryobi 10 in. 40-Volt  | Best by Ryobi | |
BLACK+DECKER LGC120  | Best by Black and Decker |
How We Chose These Top Picks
There are a wide variety of cordless tillers available, so what differentiates a good option from a bad one? Here are some of the qualities we kept an eye out for:
Toughness
No matter which way you slice it, cordless tillers tend to have less power than corded tillers.
While there are benefits to working with cordless models that outweigh this issue (see pros and cons list below), you definitely do want to find yourself a cordless option that has a level of toughness to be able to get through hard soil without a lot of power.
Battery Life
The best thing about cordless tillers is that you do not have to worry about refilling the gas tank or having to navigate around an electric cord – and the worst thing about the cordless brands is needing to wait for the battery to recharge. Invest in a machine with a long lasting battery that can hold its charge for a while.
Maneuverability
Again, in talking about that lack of a bulky gas tank or a cord to contend with, one of the best aspects of cordless tillers is their ability to go where no other tiller can. Make the most of this quality by finding yourself a tool that can effectively maneuver around tight spaces and weird angles.
Quick Take | Best Cordless Tillers
Before you move to the our full review of the best cordless tillers, here is a quick take of the top 3 models:
Review of the Best Cordless Tillers
Now that you are more familiar with the best qualities of cordless tillers, let’s check out some actual products:
Best Overall:
Greenworks 10 Inch 40 V Cordless Cultivator
PROS
CONS
The Greenworks 10 Inch 40 V Cordless Cultivator is the premiere option for cordless tillers and the very best option we were able to find! This tool is so powerful, you will likely find yourself checking to see if you have overlooked a gas engine or an electric cord. But it is true – this is all cordless.
It is pure battery power that makes this machine so great at rototilling hard packed roots and soil, and so excellent at mixing in both compost and worm castings. And, users report that no matter what, this tool will not slow down, even when it is working on tilling areas over three hundred square feet! Just know that slow and steady wins the race with this tiller, and you will be very pleased.
Bottom Line
The Greenworks 10 Inch 40 V Cordless Cultivator is the best option for a cordless tiller and packs a powerful punch. Pay attention when setting it up, though, as the included instructions have some wrong information.
Runner-up:
Snapper XD 82 Volt Cordless Tiller
PROS
CONS
The Snapper XD is a phenomenal optionand our runner-up choice for the best overall cordless tiller, second only to the Greenworks 10 Inch 40 V Cordless Cultivator – and that is due to the impressiveness of the Greenworks, not to any issue with the Snapper.
This model can till down to more than five inches deep, and if you need to go even deeper, it is a simple process to remove the outer tines and wheels in order for this tool to be able to reach down farther.
Its battery is plenty powerful and can last up to a half an hour, which users report is more than enough to be able to till a large garden space. Plus, this machine has a five year warranty, with a two year warranty for the battery and charger, so you know you can trust it.
Bottom Line
The Snapper XD is a phenomenal product and our choice for best runner-up. Keep in mind that the handles are long enough to feel pretty awkward, though.
Best for the Money:
Sun Joe 24 Volt Cordless Cultivator
PROS
CONS
If you want to find yourself a cordless tiller that will reliably perform for you on the scale of the most expensive model on the market, but at a price so low you will doubt it can be true…you will find that it absolutely is true with the Sun Joe 24 Volt Cordless Cultivator! This cultivator can do it all for you at a dramatically reduced price, with no compromise on quality.
It is battery powered and can hold a charge for a long time. It is small enough to be able to till successfully around closely packed flower beds as well as shrub beds. If you have kids, rest assured that they will not be able to accidentally activate this machine, as it has a safety feature requiring two different buttons to be pressed in order for it to turn on. This tool is ideal for home gardening use and a great bargain to boot.
Bottom Line
The Sun Joe 24 Volt Cordless Cultivator is an awesome little machine that will get the job done and save you a ton of money. Keep in mind it can only go at one speed, though.
Best for Gardens:
Earthwise 20 Volt 7.5 Inch
PROS
CONS
The Earthwise 20 Volt 7.5 Inch is an amazing little cordless option and our best overall choice if you are looking for a tool that will be super effective in home gardens. This machine is a beast! It is durable enough to last its user for years and years, which is very helpful in a gardening situation where you need to turn over the ground again each year. Its incredibly fast tine rotation speed helps break up any soil efficiently, even hard soil such as clay.
When you use this tool to dig deep, its wheels will flip out of the way, but if you are just turning over the topsoil, the wheels will remain in place as a stabilizing factor. Not bad for a machine! Plus, its handles are ergonomically designed to be as comfortable as possible, no matter what angle you are using to approach.
Bottom Line
The Earthwise 20 Volt 7.5 Inch is a phenomenal little cordless product that works especially well with gardening tasks. Just keep in mind that you will need a steady hand when working with this machine.
Best by Ryobi:
Ryobi 10 in. 40 Volt
PROS
CONS
The Ryobi 10 in. 40 Volt Cordless Cultivator is a wonderful cordless option from the well known and trusted Ryobi brand, and it certainly does not disappoint!
This machine is incredibly efficient. Its battery only takes about an hour to charge, and it will last on a single charge for an extremely long time (plus, the battery itself has over molded edges for impact protection so that it will not be damaged at all while in use).
Its tines are made of heavy duty steel and are excellent at chopping through anything you put in front of it, included packed topsoil or sandy soil. And, it comes with a large shield that will provide protection from any soil debris.
Bottom Line
The Ryobi 10 in. 40 Volt Cordless Cultivator is a fantastic cordless option from Ryobi that will get the job done for you no matter what. But be aware that this machine does require a large amount of effort on the part of the user in order to work efficiently.
Best by BLACK and DECKER:
BLACK + DECKER LGC120
PROS
CONS
The BLACK + DECKER LGC120 is a great little cordless option from the famous and well respected BLACK and DECKER brand. This product certainly lives up to the brand name! It is straightforward and simple to use, with an easily adjustable tool length. It is also easy to carry, thanks to its lighter weight.
It has safety features in that you need to press and hold the on button in order to activate it, so if you have concerns about your kids around garden tools, you will not have to stress. And unlike some of the other competitor brands, this is effective at tilling ground without a lot of additional effort on the part of the user. If you have back problems, this might be the ideal machine for you.
Bottom Line
The BLACK + DECKER LGC120 is a great little cordless option that you can always rely on to get the job done with minimal effort on your part. Be prepared to have to take regular breaks when using it, though, in order to let it cool off.
Pros and Cons of Cordless Tillers
Below are the main pros and cons you can expect to encounter:
Pros
With a cordless tiller, you will not need to fuss around with a gas tank or to avoid an electrical cord. These machines are the most straightforward and easy to operate – just turn them on and go!
Cordless options are much easier to maneuver than other kinds. This is due in large part to their smaller size, which makes it simple to get these tools into awkward angles and weird edges of irregularly shaped gardens.
These are a lot lighter than other kinds. This quality means they are easy to use without the user becoming worn out quickly, and they are also simple and easy to store.
Cons
They are not as powerful as gas powered or even electrically powered models. This makes these products not an ideal option if you are going to be tilling rocky soil or soil you anticipate containing a lot of thick plant roots.
With that, these are battery powered, which means there will come periods where you need to stop working because the battery will need to be charged.
Conclusion
Cordless tillers are a fantastic option if you are looking for a tool that will work well in a smaller space and not require a lot of additional effort on your part. We guarantee that if you choose to go with one of the cordless product models from our list, you absolutely will not regret your decision.