Mini-tillers
There is an extensive offer of mini-tillers. Some are just handy garden tools, but there are also some more powerful units.
Mini-tillers can be electric machines (corded or cordless) or gasoline-powered.
Small electric Mini-tillers
Some electric mini-tillers are just handy machines, for small jobs. Most cordless mini-tillers are...
Cordless mini-tillers may respond well to the needs of smaller garden spaces, dead spots in lawns or raised garden beds. They are lightweight, manageable and balanced.
In soft soils (and in not too wet or muddy or clay-consistency ones) they can be useful, but otherwise they can get clogged with clay and mud.
The battery life is about 20-30 minutes for average demanding works.
Note: for smaller works, there is always the old way. If you don’t have back problems, shovels, weasels and hoes are cheap and environmental alternatives. That can be part of the pleasure of gardening.
Limitations
Do not expect too much from the most inexpensive electric mini-tillers.
They can be relatively sophisticated (some good models involve 120-volt engines and 3 speeds, or more), but they are designed to respond to smaller backyard and garden jobs. They may dig down 10 inches or more (it varies with models and their efficiency, and with the soil), but they will not respond to larger jobs and heavy soils, or muddy ones…
Electric corded mini-tillers
For those with more than just small tilling needs, who do not want the maintenance required by gas powered tillers, or want to avoid their noise and smell, electric corded mini-tillers are an alternative to consider.
They are lightweight and respond well to intermediate and small jobs, and they may even respond reasonably to rocks and roots in the soil. Their power output is smaller than that of gas mini-tillers, but not very different from them.
Be aware, anyway: things vary a lot from model to model. Since mini-tillers aren’t self-propelled and haven’t the output power or other tillers, they will bounce more (with the corresponding strain on your body…) and will not dig down so far as you may want... And they may clog, or not respond adequately on heavy, muddy or clay-based soils…
Gas powered mini-tillers
Many mini-tillers are gas powered, and are in direct competition with the most powerful electric (corded) mini-tillers.
They also are light-weight, besides being a little more powerful than their electric competitors. But they demand more maintenance, and are noisier, besides sharing the same limitations of electric corded mini-tillers: they are designed for relatively small or average garden works, and aren’t self-propelled, and may not dig down deep enough.
If buying a gas-powered mini-tiller, prefer a 4-stroke gas-powered unit. It will cost a little more (around $100 more) but it deserves the difference: these tillers are more energy efficient, much quieter and will demand less maintenance (no mixing of oil and gasoline).
Mini-Tillers Prices
The prices of the most inexpensive electric mini-tillers are in the range $200-$300. One year warranties are common for these tillers.
Good electric-corded mini-tillers and two-stroke gas-powered mini-tillers will cost a little more ($300-$400). Good 4-stroke gas powered tillers (from Honda or Mantis) are priced around $450...
At least two manufacturers back their models with a 5-year warranty.
Manufacturers
Black & Decker, Honda, Craftsman, Mantis, Yard Machines and Troy-Bilt are top manufacturers. But there are others.
See also: