The Best Rotavators For Breaking Up Garden Soil
Six tillers that save you a weekend of digging over a new bed or allotment.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best rotavator is the Einhell Power X-Change 36V Garden Rotavator, which was easy to set up and use in our testing and is light enough to lift into a raised bed, with no cable or fuel to manage. If you need petrol power for clay or an allotment, The Handy THPMT Tiller packs it into a compact machine that folds down for the car boot.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Einhell Power X-Change 36V Garden Rotavator
Best Cordless
Einhell Power X-Change 36V Garden RotavatorEinhell battery owners digging over beds and borders
- Check price of The Handy THPMT Tiller
- Check price of Hyundai 1500w Electric Garden Tiller
Best Electric
Hyundai 1500w Electric Garden TillerLarger beds and vegetable plots within reach of a socket
- Check price of VonHaus 1050 Electric Rotavator
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Best Quality
Greenworks G40TL Battery-Powered RotavatorGreenworks 40V owners wanting a well-built cordless tiller
- Check price of Einhell GC-MT 3060 Petrol Tiller
Ground that's never been dug, like an old lawn or clay plot, is what separates these machines. It takes the weight and torque of a petrol tiller to bite in, whereas beds turned over every year break up fine under a small electric or battery model. Getting the machine there matters too, as the professional Einhell petrol tiller weighs 37kg, a lot to lift into a car boot or up steps.
Our rentals and Airbnbs have all sorts of gardens, so we've owned several types. The six below run from a budget corded tiller to that professional petrol machine.
How We Tested These Rotavators
Our rentals and Airbnbs come with all sorts of gardens, so when ground needs rotavating we use whichever machine suits it. We own several rotavators, from heavy-duty petrol machines to compact cordless ones.
We judged each machine on how well it broke up the soil, how easy it was to set up and control, how solidly it was built and how much the working width and depth could be adjusted. When a brand releases an improved model, we try to upgrade and put it to the test.
The short video below shows one of our heavy-duty petrol rotavators working through clay soil. It takes a firm grip to hold it steady, but the engine and blades break the clay up well.
Need To Break Up Soil? A ROTAVATOR Is What You Need! Here We Are Rotavating Clay Soil #shorts
If you haven't used one before, our guide on how to use a rotavator takes you through it step by step. Alongside our own use, we weighed up each machine's working width and depth against its warranty and what it costs.
The Best Rotavators We Recommend
The six machines below include cordless, corded and petrol rotavators. We've noted which ones cope with heavy clay.
Best Cordless
Einhell Power X-Change 36V Garden Rotavator
Best for: Einhell battery owners digging over beds and borders
Check Price On AmazonThe Einhell GE-CR 30 Li is a cordless rotavator that runs on two Power X-Change batteries for 36V of power. We found it easy to set up and use in testing, with height-adjustable handles and an ergonomic grip that let you get comfortable before you start.
Its four high-grade blades turn a 30cm strip to a depth of 20cm, which is plenty for an existing bed. Einhell quotes about 21 minutes of running on two 2.5Ah batteries and about 70 minutes on two 8.0Ah batteries. The brand also says it loosens even clay-rich soils, but that's a lot to ask of a battery machine, so we'd keep it for ground that's been dug before.
At 8.45kg it's light enough to lift into a raised bed, and transport wheels help you wheel it from the shed. You'll need two batteries and a charger, which adds a lot to the cost if you don't already own them.
What we like
- Easy to set up and use in our testing
- No cable and no fuel
- Run time of about 21 to 70 minutes depending on battery size according to Einhell
- Light at 8.45kg
- 30cm width and 20cm working depth
- Height-adjustable handles and transport wheels
What to know
- Needs two batteries and a charger, sold separately
Our verdict
Owners of Einhell Power X-Change batteries get the most from the GE-CR 30 Li, as they only need the bare machine. It's a light, tidy machine for turning over beds and borders, with nothing to plug in or fill up. Buying two batteries and a charger from scratch makes it an expensive choice, and heavy clay is better left to the Handy THPMT.
Best Petrol
The Handy THPMT Tiller
Best for: Clay soil and allotments where you need petrol in a compact size
Check Price On AmazonThe Handy THPMT is a compact petrol tiller with the power to break up heavy soil while staying small enough to steer round an allotment or a tight garden. It runs on a 43cc two-stroke engine, which Handy says needs very little maintenance.
It's simple to set up and use, and it folds down with wheels for getting it to the plot or into the boot of a car. Handy says it's designed and made in the UK, and it's good value next to other petrol tillers.
At 15kg it's far lighter than the Einhell GC-MT 3060, though some users will still find it heavy. Being a two-stroke, it runs on petrol mixed with oil.
What we like
- Strong enough for clay soil in a compact size
- Simple to set up and use
- Folds down with wheels for transport
- 43cc engine that needs little maintenance according to Handy
- Good value for a petrol tiller
What to know
- 15kg is heavy for some users
- Two-stroke engine needs oil mixed into the petrol
Our verdict
The Handy THPMT suits an allotment or a garden with clay soil where you want petrol power without a big, heavy machine. If you're breaking up large areas of untouched ground, the Einhell GC-MT 3060 has far more power and width, and for light soil near the house the Hyundai 1500W is quieter and needs no fuel.
Best Electric
Hyundai 1500w Electric Garden Tiller
Best for: Larger beds and vegetable plots within reach of a socket
Check Price On AmazonThe Hyundai 1500W is a powerful corded rotavator with a wide 45cm working width, so it covers a vegetable plot much faster than the narrower machines here. It has the muscle for that width too, with a 1500W copper-wound motor built for a long life turning six angled tines at 400RPM.
It's simple to use, with a two-button start, and big wheels make it easy to move between beds. The handles fold for storage, and the 10 metre cable reaches the end of most gardens.
In our testing, we'd have liked speed control. At a fixed 400RPM, the tines can throw soil about near plants or edging where you'd rather go gently. Hyundai backs it with a three year warranty.
What we like
- Wide 45cm working width
- 1500W copper-wound motor
- Six angled tines
- Two-button start
- Large wheels and folding handles
- 10 metre power cable
- Three year warranty
What to know
- No speed control, which we missed near plants in our testing
Our verdict
Getting through ground quickly is the Hyundai 1500W's strength, with a 45cm cut that gets through a large bed or vegetable plot quickly. The only thing we missed was speed control near plants. The cable limits it to ground within reach of a socket, so for a distant allotment the Handy THPMT makes more sense.
Best Value
VonHaus 1050 Electric Rotavator
Best for: Occasional light to medium digging on a budget
Check Price On AmazonThe VonHaus 1050 is the value pick in this list. It keeps the cost down with a plastic body on a metal frame, and its four blades still turn a 32cm strip to a depth of 22cm at 380RPM.
It needed a little assembly out of the box, which took us around 10 minutes. The handle is comfortable, and the 10 metre cable gives you room to work.
The 1050W motor is aimed at light and medium soil, so it's a good fit for turning over an existing bed in spring. VonHaus sells a more powerful 1450W version if you need extra muscle.
What we like
- Assembled in around 10 minutes in our testing
- 22cm tilling depth and 32cm width
- 380RPM blade speed
- 10 metre cable
- Strong value for occasional use
What to know
- Needs a little assembly before first use
- 1050W motor isn't made for heavy clay
Our verdict
For a couple of sessions a year on soil that's been worked before, the VonHaus 1050 does the basics for little money. It's quick to get going, and the 22cm depth is plenty for an existing bed. Heavy clay is beyond the 1050W motor, so that's a job for the Handy THPMT.
Best Quality
Greenworks G40TL Battery-Powered Rotavator
Best for: Greenworks 40V owners wanting a well-built cordless tiller
The Greenworks G40TL runs on a single 40V battery, rather than the two the Einhell needs. We already owned Greenworks tools, so we didn't need to buy a battery, and that made it a far more reasonable buy for us.
The build quality is excellent, and we liked how well thought-out it was in testing. Greenworks lists a working width of 20 or 25cm and a tilling depth of up to 12.7cm, so it'll squeeze between rows of vegetables. A push button starts the motor, large wheels make it easy to move and it folds away for storage.
It costs more than most rotavators here, and the narrow width means it's slower on a big open plot. Greenworks backs it with a three year warranty.
What we like
- Thoughtfully designed in our testing
- Excellent build quality
- Runs on a single Greenworks 40V battery
- Working width of 20 or 25cm according to Greenworks
- Push button start
- Large wheels and folding handle
- Three year warranty
What to know
- Dearer than most rotavators in this roundup
- Narrow width is slow on a large plot
Our verdict
The Greenworks G40TL makes sense if you already own Greenworks 40V batteries and want a well-made tiller for working between plants. Its width tops out at 25cm, which suits rows of vegetables but slows it down on open ground, where the Einhell GE-CR 30 Li's 30cm cut gets through more.
Best Professional
Einhell GC-MT 3060 Petrol Tiller
Best for: Large plots and heavy clay that's never been dug
Check Price On AmazonThe Einhell GC-MT 3060 is the heavy hitter in this list. It'll break up heavy clay and large plots quickly, with a 139cc four-stroke engine running at 3,600RPM and six stainless steel blades cutting a 60cm strip down to 23cm.
As a four-stroke, it needs no oil mixed into the fuel, unlike the Handy. The 2.2 litre tank lets you keep going for a long session, the handlebar adjusts for height and a swivelling guide wheel at the front helps you steer. That front wheel folds away for storage.
It weighs 37kg, so you'll want a ramp or a second pair of hands to get it into a van or up a step. It's the most expensive rotavator in this roundup.
What we like
- Powerful 139cc four-stroke engine
- 60cm cut with 23cm depth
- Six stainless steel blades
- No fuel mixing needed
- 2.2 litre tank for long sessions
- Swivelling front guide wheel that folds away
What to know
- Most expensive rotavator in this roundup
- Heavy at 37kg
Our verdict
The Einhell GC-MT 3060 suits large plots, new allotments and compacted clay that needs real power to break. It's too much for a single border. For smaller petrol jobs, the Handy THPMT is lighter and cheaper, and the Hyundai 1500W is the easier option on soil that's already been worked.
What To Look For In A Rotavator
A rotavator saves hours of digging, but the wrong one will bounce across hard ground or be far too heavy for a small bed. Matching the machine to the job comes down to a few things.
Petrol, Electric Or Cordless
Petrol rotavators have the most power and suit heavy clay, compacted ground and big plots, especially away from a power supply. They're heavier, noisier and need fuel and servicing. Corded electric tillers are cheaper, lighter and quieter, and they're ideal for beds near the house. Cordless machines are the easiest to handle and need no cable, but runtime and power depend on the batteries, so they suit lighter soil and smaller areas.
Matching The Machine To Your Soil
Soil type matters more than anything else. Light, sandy or regularly dug soil breaks up easily, so a small electric or cordless tiller is enough. Heavy clay sticks to the tines and resists the blades, and ground that has never been dug, such as an old lawn, needs weight and torque to bite in. For those jobs, a petrol machine is the right choice.
If you're turning over an old lawn to make a new one, once the soil is broken up and levelled, our guide on how to lay turf step by step picks up from there.
Working Width And Depth
Width decides how fast you cover ground. A 45cm to 60cm machine makes quick work of an open vegetable plot, while a narrow 20cm to 30cm tiller fits between rows and along borders. Depth tells you how far down the tines reach, and 20cm or more is plenty for most beds. Several passes at increasing depth give a better result than forcing the full depth in one go.
Weight And Handling
A heavier rotavator digs in rather than skipping over the surface, which helps on hard ground, but it's harder to steer and lift. Wheels for moving it around, folding handles for storage and adjustable handlebars all make a real difference. Think about how you'll get it to the plot too, especially if it's going in a car boot or up steps.
After Rotavating
Rake the loosened soil level and pick out stones and roots before planting or sowing. If you're creating a lawn, our guide to the best grass seeds for UK gardens covers the blends we rate, and our comparison of grass seed vs turf helps you choose between the two. For a bed with an old stump in the way, deal with it first using the methods in our guide to removing a tree stump, as roots will jam the tines.
Rotavator Questions From Gardeners
Can a rotavator break up clay soil?
Yes, a rotavator can break up clay soil, but it needs enough power and weight to bite into the ground. A petrol rotavator is the best choice for heavy clay, and our video shows one working through it. Rotavate when the clay is slightly moist rather than wet or baked dry, and make several shallow passes rather than going deep straight away.
Can you rotavate grass?
You can rotavate grass, but it's easier if you remove the turf first or kill the grass off a couple of weeks before. Rotavating live grass chops it into pieces that regrow through the new bed. On an old lawn, strip the turf with a spade or turf cutter, then rotavate the soil underneath to break it up.
When is the best time to rotavate a garden?
Autumn and spring are the best times to rotavate in the UK, when the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Autumn rotavating lets winter frosts break heavy clay down further, ready for spring planting. Avoid rotavating very wet soil, as it compacts and smears, and avoid baked summer ground, which is hard on the machine.
What is the difference between a rotavator and a tiller?
In the UK, rotavator and tiller are used for the same type of machine, a powered tool with rotating tines that break up and turn soil. Some brands call smaller machines cultivators or mini tillers and keep the name rotavator for bigger petrol models, but they all do the same job of preparing ground for planting.
Can the Einhell cordless rotavator cope with clay soil?
Einhell says the GE-CR 30 Li handles heavy, clay-rich soils, but that's a lot to ask of a battery machine. We'd keep it for ground that has been dug before. For clay, the Handy THPMT is the compact petrol choice, and the Einhell GC-MT 3060 suits large plots of untouched clay.
Is the Einhell GE-CR 30 Li worth it if I have to buy two batteries?
Not really, because it needs two Power X-Change batteries and a charger, all sold separately. Starting from scratch makes it an expensive choice. It makes most sense for owners of those batteries who only need the bare machine. The Greenworks G40TL runs on a single 40V battery, which suits anyone already in that range.
Does the missing speed control on the Hyundai 1500W matter?
It matters near plants. The Hyundai 1500W runs at a fixed 400RPM, and in our testing we missed having speed control, as the tines can throw soil about close to plants or edging. On open beds the 45cm width gets through a large vegetable plot quickly, and a three year warranty backs it.
Is the Einhell GC-MT 3060 too much machine for an allotment?
For a single border, yes. The Einhell GC-MT 3060 is the most expensive rotavator in our list and weighs 37kg, so you'll want a ramp or a second pair of hands to move it. It earns its place on large plots and compacted clay. The Handy THPMT at 15kg suits smaller petrol jobs.
The Rotavator We'd Pick
The Einhell Power X-Change 36V Garden Rotavator is the one we'd choose for most gardens, being easy to set up and use, light to move around and free of cables and fuel. The Hyundai 1500W Electric Garden Tiller covers bigger beds faster if you have a socket within reach.
For clay soil and allotments, the Handy THPMT is the compact petrol choice, and the Einhell GC-MT 3060 is the machine for large, untouched ground.
Archie is our gardening specialist. He started out as an apprentice at a gardening firm, built up his own knowledge from there and now writes most of our garden content.