Best Garden Tillers for 2026: Sun Joe Electric, Earthquake Versa, and Mantis Compared

Garden tillers range from light electric cultivators to heavy rear-tine machines. The first four on this page are smaller tillers for home gardens; the last two are rear-tine machines for breaking new ground. The main differences are power source (cord or gas), how wide and deep they work, and weight.

The Picks at a Glance

Figures are the manufacturers' ratings. Actual depth depends on your soil.

The Picks

Sun Joe TJ603E - Our Electric Pick

Per Sun Joe, the TJ603E has a 12-amp motor, six steel tilling blades, a 16-inch tilling width, and a maximum depth of 8 inches. It has 3-position height-adjustable rear wheels, a folding 3-section handle, and a 2-year warranty. Being corded, it needs no gas or oil, but you'll need an outdoor extension cord: Sun Joe lists 14-gauge for 50 feet and 12-gauge for 100 feet, with 100 feet as the maximum length. On Amazon it was sold by Spreetail, a third-party seller.

Sun Joe TJ604E - More Motor

The TJ604E matches the TJ603E's 16-inch width, 8-inch depth, six steel blades, 3-position wheels, and 2-year warranty, per Sun Joe, but steps up to a 13.5-amp motor. Sun Joe lists it at 26.5 pounds. The same extension cord guidance applies. On Amazon it was also sold by Spreetail.

Earthquake Versa 20015 - Our Gas Pick

Per Earthquake, the Versa has a 99cc 4-cycle Viper engine with automatic compression release, heavy-duty forged steel tines, and a transmission with bronze gears. You can set the tilling width to 11, 16, or 21 inches without tools by removing the outer tines and side shields, which also turns it into a cultivator for narrow rows. An adjustable drag stake sets depth, up to 11 inches, and controls speed. It has transport wheels and adjustable handlebar height, and Earthquake backs it with a 5-year limited warranty. Earthquake describes its standard-rotating tines as best for previously worked or lighter soils. It is sold by Amazon. Earthquake's own store says it can't ship this model to California, so California buyers should check the listing.

Mantis 7940 - Compact Gas

Per Mantis and the listing, the 7940 runs on a Honda 25cc 4-cycle engine, so there's no oil-and-gas mixing. It tills 9 inches wide and up to 10 inches deep, weighs 24 pounds, and has a finger throttle for variable speed, fold-down handles, and a kickstand. Mantis says you can reverse the curved tines to use it as a cultivator and weeder, and it is made in the USA with a 2-year warranty. Mantis now sells this model as the 7940A; the Amazon listing is for the 7940, sold by the Mantis brand store.

Earthquake Victory - Rear-Tine Pick

Front-tine tillers like the Versa pull themselves along with the tines up front, which works well in ground that has been tilled before. Rear-tine tillers put the tines behind the wheels, so the machine's weight sits over the work, and that is what you want for new ground. Per the listing, the Victory's tines counter-rotate (they turn the opposite direction of the wheels) to break up tough clay, compacted soil and new ground. It has a 209cc 4-cycle engine, a cast-iron transmission with bronze gears, an Instant Reverse handle for turning near fences, a 3-position handlebar, side tine shields and a rear leveling shield, and tills 16 inches wide and up to 10 inches deep. Earthquake backs it with a 5-year limited warranty. It was sold by Amazon when we checked.

YARDMAX 18-Inch - Wider Rear-Tine

The YARDMAX works an 18-inch path, 2 inches wider than the Victory, with dual-rotating tines; the listing says the engine is 209cc or 212cc depending on production run. It is sold by the YARDMAX brand store, and stock was low when we checked, so confirm availability and the warranty terms on the listing before you buy.

How to Choose

Corded or gas: the Sun Joe models need an outlet and cord but no fuel or engine upkeep. The Versa and Mantis go anywhere but need gas and routine engine care. Width: a wider path covers more ground per pass; a narrow one fits between rows and in raised beds. The Versa adjusts from 11 to 21 inches; the Mantis is 9 inches. Weight: the Sun Joe and Mantis models are all in the mid-20-pound range per their makers, which makes them easier to lift into raised beds. Big jobs: for larger plots or ground that has never been worked, a rear-tine machine like the Earthquake Victory or YARDMAX above is the usual choice.

Tilling Tips

Check moisture first. Colorado State University Extension suggests squeezing a handful of soil into a ball: if it crumbles, it's dry enough to work; if it only reshapes when pressed, it's too wet. CSU says tilling wet clay soil destroys soil structure and can leave clods that last for years.

Don't till more than you need. CSU Extension recommends avoiding cultivation of clay soils except to mix in organic matter and fertilizer or prepare a seedbed, and using mulch to help manage weeds.

Read the manual. Follow the maker's instructions for depth settings, extension cords, fueling, and safety gear.

Common Questions

Can an electric tiller break new ground?

Sun Joe markets the TJ603E for new beds and compacted soil, but it tops out at 8 inches deep. For large areas of sod or hard ground, a heavier gas tiller is the more common tool.

Is the Mantis 7940 2-cycle or 4-cycle?

4-cycle. Per Mantis, it uses a Honda 25cc 4-cycle engine and runs on straight gas. Mantis's 7920 and 7924 are its 2-cycle models.

What about post holes and planting trees?

A tiller isn't built for that. See our post hole digger guide.

Bottom Line

The Sun Joe TJ603E for corded bed prep, the TJ604E if you want the bigger motor, the Earthquake Versa for gas power with adjustable width and a 5-year warranty, and the Mantis 7940 for a light gas tiller that fits tight rows.