If you enjoy gardening you may benefit from having a power tiller to make gardening tasks easier. These tillers are designed to make it easier to plant vegetables, flowers, shrubs, or other plants around your home.
These yard machines come in several different sizes so you can choose one based on the area in which you plan to plant. Some even have variable widths so you can adjust the tilling width based on your needs. The depth of the tiller can be an important consideration when choosing the right one.
Power tillers are designed to break up tough ground so you can plant decorative plants or fruits and vegetables in your garden. If you have extremely tough ground with lots of rocks and debris you may want to consider a heavy duty tiller to ensure that it’s able to do the required work. For those with an average ground type, a smaller tiller with less power will probably do the job. The following is a list of the 10 best power tillers based on reviews by consumer report.
Top 12 Tiller
- POWERFUL: 13.5-amp motor cultivates up to 16 in. wide x 8 in. deep
- DURABLE: 6 steel angled tines for maximum durability and performance
- 6 adjustable tines
- Adjustable 11" To 16" Width/ 8" Working depth
- Powerful: 12-amp motor cultivates up to 16 in. (40. 6 cm) wide x 8 in. (20. 3 cm) deep
- Durable: 6 Steel angled tines for maximum durability and performance
- Powerful 6.5 HP 196cc Kohler SH265 EPA/CARB Approved Engine
- Neutral (Disengaged) and Forward (Engaged) Transmission
- ERGONOMIC DESIGN 38" tall with a step plate that centers you over the tool, a solid ½" powder coated...
- LOOSENS, TURNS, TILLS AND AERATES soil promoting the free flow of water, air, and fertilizer for a...
- VERSATILE - Weeding, mixing and aerating
- CONVENIENT - On-board wheels adjust for transport and depth control.
- VERSATILE - Tool-less removal of outer tines and shields quickly turns Versa from a tiller into a...
- EASY-TO-USE - Easy maneuverability - Light enough to turn on a dime with effortless control
- EASY-TO-USE: Lightweight design, variable speed throttle, comfortable v-grip handle, and removable...
- FOUR-PATENTED STEEL TINES: Four 3-way Steel tines mix in nutrients, cut through roots, and dig deep for...
- Powerful Honda 4-cycle (gas only, no fuel mix required) 25cc engine spins the tines twice as fast as...
- Weighs just 24 pounds. Tine speed up to 240 rpm
- Honda GX25 25 cc 4-stroke engine designed for powerful performance
- Front engine guard for added protection
- Powerful transmission with dual tines break up soil to allow water and nutrients to reach plant roots
- Powered by 20-volt MAX lithium-ion battery, with longer lifespan and charge retention than NiCad...
- Ideal for breaking up tough soil when tilling
- Welded, hardened steel tines and 19-gauge steel shaft provide durability that far outlasts wood-handled...
Rating Metrics
There are several factors one should consider when shopping for their next tiller or cultivator. We break down each metric that we consider and how it weighs into the overall rating.
Performance
This is a pretty broad term but refers to how well the units of a given manufacturer perform overall. This is due to a few key components that include (but aren’t limited to) engine size/power, tine configuration, tilling depth, various features, and more. Essentially, a unit that performs better means that it makes your given task easier and takes less time. Obviously, we can’t directly compare a small cultivator to an industrial-sized tiller so we rather try to compare each product to similar products in the industry.
Selection
There can be a pretty wide range of sizes to choose from when it comes to tillers and cultivators, so we appreciate companies that offer multiple examples so that they hit a larger target audience. And the selection isn’t just limited to size. There are various types of power sources (gas, gas/oil, electric, and even propane) and we also like to see brands that try out a few different ones. Finally, there can even be different configurations of the tines such as front, mid, and rear tines that each have their own unique pros and cons.
Cost
The price range between entry-level cultivators and premium industrial-sized tillers is massive. We understand that just about everybody has some sort of budget, so asking price plays an important role in our overall rating metrics. We try to compare a given product to other similar performing products on the market to get an accurate feel for how it compares to its competition. Just remember (particularly when it comes to tillers) that you get what you pay for and the units with higher asking prices oftentimes last longer and perform much better!
Appearance
Looks might not be a big deal to some, seeing how these are going to be getting quite dirty when in use. However, we still do like a product that has an attractive look and that more importantly gives off a vibe of being tough and durable. We understand that looks are also quite subjective so this rating metric doesn’t play a huge role in the overall rating.
Durability
Seeing how expensive tillers and some cultivators can be, we want products that are designed to last. This is accomplished through many methods including the use of premium metal materials, optimal and well-engineering construction, efficient design that hides or protects weak points, and products that are backed with good warranties. We consider high-dollar items such as these to be investments so you should always want to put your hard-earned money in an investment that will last and that the manufacturer will back up if something does go wrong.
Ease of Use
This metric deals with how user-friendly a particular cultivator or tiller is. Larger products can be quite bulky and heavy so we appreciate features and accessories that make them much easier to use. These include things such as ergonomic control panels, self-driving gears, large tires with great grip and turning radius, and power sources that require little in regards to maintenance or repair.
Overall Rating
As the title says, this is basically an overview of how well a product does after considering all of the individual metrics discussed above. We look for tillers that do well across the board. For those that have wider budgets, you may be able to ignore the cost metric somewhat. Similarly, for those who only have small personal gardens, you may not be as concerned about high-dollar products that put out impressive power and have huge tilling areas. That being said, any of our top choices should be great options for most people.
