How to Buy the Best Electric Tiller (A Buyer’s Guide and Top Choices for 2018)

Do you love gardening but have limited time to till your yard? Over the past few decades, people have shifted toward gardening. It has slowly turned from a tiring task to an enjoyable hobby. Many people have turned from store-purchased produce to producing their vegetables and fruits.

With the best electric tiller, you can manage and prepare a large yard that has all that you require. With this machine, you can say goodbye to the back-straining chore of tilling the soil for planting.

The best machine comes with attachments for different tasks like tilling, so you don’t need to hassle. What is even amazing is that an electric tiller will help you to not only till or cultivate your land but also weed and aerate your garden. It is the easiest way to improve your gardening abilities.

But how do you ensure that you get only the best from the clouded market of electric tillers?

 

Types of Electric Tillers

There are at least six types of electric tillers. They are:

• Cordless electric tillers – These use a battery to operate.
• Corded electric tillers – These need to be plugged into a socket or power source to work.
• Solar powered electric tillers – They use the sun to operate and are perfect for environmentally conscious people.
• Electric front – These tillers have their tines attached beneath and in front of wheels.
• Electric rear – Their tines are attached behind the wheels. They are the most powerful and hence suitable for demanding chores.
• Electric mid – Their tines are attached between the wheels. They are the most balanced electric tillers and easiest to control.

Benefits of an Electric Tiller

The main benefits of electric tillers include:

1. Limited storage – Storing an electric tiller is easy because it doesn’t require a huge space. You can fold it and the fact that it is electrical means that it doesn’t have a tank.
2. Easy to maintain – Since an electric tiller doesn’t use gasoline, it doesn’t experience gas leaks. Also, you don’t need to fix damaged tanks or even buy fuel. An electric model is also quite clean when you compare it with gas models.
3. A corded electric model – This model continues work to as long as the power is on. It is able to work up to a distance of 200M from your power source and performs big tasks effectively. You can even add the cord to reach further.
4. Cordless electric model – This model doesn’t damage your crop since it doesn’t drag a cord in your garden. It is also very light and easy to maneuver.
5. Efficiency – An electric tiller is faster than a gasoline one. It tills soil deeper and makes it softer than other models. This model is also very easy to control and requires less money to operate.

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Electric Tiller

There are some factors that you should consider when buying your electric tiller. Read them below:

Use

As you might be aware, you require a different type of tiller to start a new garden and another one for cultivating an established garden. If you want a tiller for your home use and you only require that surface-breaking level of power just once, it is probably more economical to rent a rear-tine and buy a more applicable one for your future use.

If it is for commercial purposes, it would make lots of sense to get a powerful one since it will make your work easier.

Soil Type

Where your garden is located has everything to do with how difficult your tilling will be. If your soil is loose and soft, you won’t need an electric tiller with much power since it will penetrate the ground easily. Clay soil is harder and requires a tiller that has more power. Again, consider things such as rock and roots.

Garden Size

The majority of backyard gardens are very small and simple and buying a large tiller would mean overkill. However, you should get a large tiller if you have a large garden.

Power Source

Smaller tillers are mostly powered by electricity. They are often easier to use and lighter and requires minimal maintenance. They come in either cordless or corded tillers, with corded ones requiring a power source which limits their movement.

Tine Rotation

With rear-tine, you can choose one of these options:

• Standard rotating tines (SRT) – till about 5 inches deep and moves in the same direction as the wheel.
• Counter-rotating tines (CRT) – perfect for breaking tough surfaces and moves in the opposite direction of the wheels.
• Dual rotating tines (DRT) – offers both SRT and CRT.
• Vertical dual rotating tines (VDRT) – points downward and are quiet and more powerful than the rest.

Cost

The cost of an electric tiller will be determined by the power it produces. Front-tine tillers might go for as little as $100 to as high as $400 while rear-tine and vertical tillers might go for between $500-$3,000.

Other factors might also affect the cost, such as the brand, quality, durability, and the number of tines in a tiller.

Other Factors

Other factors that you should consider when buying an electric tiller include the size of the tiller (this will affect storage and how long it will take to complete a project), storage facility, ease of use, safety, and maintenance.

Also, consider extras such as:

• Adjustable control handle – The one that enables you to move the tines up and down and side to side.
• Electric starter – Saves you the hassle of starting.
• Reverse and forward speeds – These options gives you more freedom when cultivating.

Reviews of the Top 6 Electric Tillers

Here is a review of the top 6 electric tillers on the market today:

1. Sun Joe TJ603E 16-Inch 12-Amp Electric Tiller Cultivator

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The unit’s 6 amps motor does not lag and is capable of cultivating up to 40.6 cm (16 inches) wide and 20.3 cm (8 inches) deep. If you have never used tillers before, that is an awesome range that makes this tiller to work efficiently and faster.

Additionally, the manufacturers have included the optimum numbers of tines you can ever get from a tiller. The product also features 6 long-lasting steel angled tines. Durability and performance are both enhanced as a result. This tiller is one great product to own.

Its rotation speed is pretty good too. Its motor is able to power this tool to a maximum of 340 RPMs. The back wheels on the tiller make it easy to use and store away when your job is done. The best part, it comes with collapsible handles that make it require a smaller storage area.

Lastly, this electric tiller is 100% ETL approved and it comes with a 2 years warranty.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 55 x 43 x 17 inches.
• Weight: 27.1 pounds.

Pros

• Foldable handles that make it easier to store.
• 2 years warranty.
• Rear wheels for better maneuverability.

Con

• No variable speed motor.

2. Earthwise TC70025 7.5-Inch 2.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator

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This is a superb electric tiller that offers value for money. It is a real workaholic that surpasses the performance of other brands in its class and yet is still more affordable. It offers fast fine speed that bust via tuff grounds, completing your task in no time.

In short, this tiller is amazing. You might be amazed by the power it produces to churn out big rocks. In addition, it chews via the roots and grass clumps with ease.  You might stop once or twice to remove debris from its fine, but it is very easy and will take seconds.

The other great feature of this product is that it’s lightweight; enabling you to carry it with you anywhere you go. It is also very easy to assemble and use.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 10 x 54 x 7.5 inches.
• Weight: 8.8 pounds.

Pros

• Very affordable.
• Simple to use.
• Well-constructed.

Con

• Narrow width.

3. Earthwise TC70001 11-Inch 8.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator

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The Earthwise TC70001 11-Inch is a garden tiller that assists you to renew your soil for the next season. It is suitable for small vegetable or flower gardens. If you are using this tiller to prepare a new garden, you will need to loosen the soil with another tool like a shovel or pick before you till it since this unit isn’t effective in breaking up compact surfaces.

Like most other tillers, this model also requires some simple assembly. It is a very simple process; you don’t require any special tool to do this. You simply attach and tighten a few nuts using your hand. If you follow the assembling guide, the process will take you just 5 minutes.

Keep in mind that you will require a long cord to operate this machine, which you can easily wrap in the cord retainers – a handy feature indeed. This keeps the cord a bay of the rotating tines so you cannot slice it into pieces.

To start the machine, all you need to do is to hold the trigger lever and then press the green starting button. Using this tiller is very easy and it comes with an 8.5-amp motor as well as rear wheels that enable you to push it around like a lawnmower.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 1 x 1 x 1 inches.
• Weight: 2.2 pounds.

Pros

• Very easy to start.
• Easy to store.
• Takes you about 5 minutes to assemble.

Con

• Not perfect for grass in clay.

4. Earthwise TC70016 16-Inch 13.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator

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The Earthwise TC70016 has also made it to our review of the top electric tillers on the money today due to its ease of use and lightweight. The product comes with 6 tines which are easy to adjust, an 8 inches working depth, as well as an adjustable width that ranges between 11-16 inches.

This model also features an ergonomic handle and the electric tiller also requires to be assembled. This is a very easy task. As long as the battery has power, the product will operate effectively. Sadly, this is not the best product for commercial users, but it is a superb tiller for people who own large gardens with limited power sources.

Quite in operation, it is very easy to start this tiller and doesn’t require much attention when it comes to maintenance. The tiller is also lightweight making it easy to store and operate as you can easily hang it on a wall.  The best thing, it comes with a 2 years warranty.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 17 x 20 x 14.6 inches.
• Weight 29 pounds.

Pros

• Easy to maneuver.
• Lightweight product.
• Comes with a 2 years warranty.

Con

• The battery doesn’t last long.

5. Sun Joe TJ599E-RED Aardvark 2.5 Amp Electric Garden Cultivator, Red

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If you are searching for a lightweight garden electric tiller that is perfect for clay soil, then Sun Joe TJ599E-Red is a perfect choice for you. It’s is electric, so you do not need to worry about the hassle of mixing oil and gas. In addition, it features an easy to start push button, so you do not need to pull a cord and waste too much energy.

Although Aardvark isn’t as powerful as the other Sun Joe tillers, the unit has its unique superb features. For one, it has lightweight and slim frames that offer it the best portability.  You can even carry it and take it with you around.

The tiller also features 4 steel blade tines and runs on a powerful 2.5 amp motor to give you maximum power. The product is able to dig up to 6 inches and comes in an ergonomic handle that provides comfort when cultivating.

Also, this product doesn’t take much space when storing it. This is especially made possible due to the foldable handle. The best thing, it doesn’t pollute the air since it uses electricity.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 49.2 x 9.8 x 7.9 inches.
• Weight: 9.9 pounds.

Pros

• Easy to maneuver.
• No mixing of oil or gas.
• Has some safety features.

Con

• Tines get clogged easily.

6. Sun Joe TJ604E 16-Inch 13.5 Amp Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator

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For its price, this tiller is well-designed and well-constructed to offer you a high-quality product. It features 6 steel tines that break through any root or soil that it comes across. You can easily angle these tines in various directions so that they can penetrate the soil from different sides.

Its handles are foldable, enabling you to transport and store this tiller easily. This solid tiller is easy to use. It starts with a simple push of a button; you don’t need to pull energy-draining strings. The unit offers an exceptionally large 16” x 8” deep tilling part, allowing you to a lot of work done within minutes.

You should, however, note that due to its lightweight, it often hops when tilling. This isn’t a big issue but it will make it harder to maneuver. The product comes with a 13.5 amps motor that gives it enough power to break the earth’s surface with minimal effort. This allows it to work effectively and quickly. Its tilling ability is above average.

Specifications

• Dimensions 55 x 43 x 17 inches.
• Weight: 27.1 pounds.

Pros

• Offers lots of power.
• Has a 2 years warranty.
• Easy to carry and store.

Con

• Only operates at a single speed.

Our Top Pick

What qualifies as the best tiller for one individual might not be the best for another. With that said, we would recommend the Sun Joe TJ603E 16-Inch 12-Amp Electric Tiller Cultivator as being a great beast for most cultivating jobs. We have recommended this tiller because of its wide dimensions of 55 x 43 x 17 inches, lightweight of 27.1 pounds, foldable handles, 2 years warranty, and rear wheels that make it easier to maneuver.

The Need for an Electric Tiller

Environmental pollution is a big issue for many gardeners. Those who care about the planet are trying to avoid gas-emitting devices like gas tillers. But beside the benefit of avoiding poisonous gas and the mess of cleaning gas or oil, electric tillers are also quieter than the other models.

Furthermore, an electric tiller is very easy to start, which means you will be in business within minutes. These tools are also pretty light; you can carry them anywhere you want.

FAQs About Electric Tillers

Q: What are tines?

A: Tines are blades that churn the surface when your tiller rotates.

Q: What is the best way to use my tiller?

A: The right way to use your tiller involves familiarizing yourself with the machine and going through the manufacturer manual about how you should use your tiller.

Q: Does an electric tiller need maintenance?

A: Yes. You should clean your tiller after every use to remove dirt that might result in the blades rusting.

Ready to Start Shopping

It is not hard to answer the question of, “What is the best electric tiller on the market today?” With tillers that come at varying prices, the six units reviewed in this post are known to do a great job and perform well. Choosing one will surely be worth your money.