Top Tools for Efficient Weeding and Handheld Options
Updated: Mar. 18, 2024
These best weeding tool options make yard work go quickly, so you can get on with your weekend.
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If you spend a lot of time doing yard work, you know it’s important to get a grip on (and get rid of) weeds quickly so they don’t take over your lawn. A good weeding tool is not only effective, but also an organic solution to prevent their spread—no need to treat your garden with toxic weed killers.
As for the type of weeding tools you need, it depends on where you’ll be using them. Flower beds, vegetable patches, lawns and ponds attract different types of weeds, and need a weeding tool to match. Get ready to dig, claw, cut and twist your way to a neat and tidy yard.
Best Overall Weeding Tool
CobraHead Original Weeder & Cultivator Garden Hand Tool
To tackle the toughest weeds, this multi-purpose weeder tool is the top contender for its revolutionary arched blade. Designed to cut through any type of soil, it makes short work of pulling weeds. Reaching easily around weed-infested vegetables without disrupting or damaging the “good” roots, it not only does a number on unwanted sprouts, but it’s ergonomically designed to help you dig, cultivate, plant and edge as well. It will become the most-used and best garden weeder tool you’ll have in the shed.
Pros
- Forged, tempered steel blade
- Developed by seasoned gardeners
- Recycled plastic handle
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Not suitable for hard-packed earth
Best Budget Weeding Tool
Edward Tools Weeding Tool
Experienced gardeners know that the best way to remove dandelions from lawns is by loosening the soil first, then gently pulling them out with your hand. Remarkably balanced, this simple weeding tool has a bulbous metal base that uses a leverage action to “pop” dandelions up and out of the ground effortlessly. It works wonders on dandelions and other hard-to-pull weeds.
Pros
- Affordable
- Well-crafted of rust-proof stainless steel
- Has a cushioned solid wood handle
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- The rubber on the handle can slide off
Pro Tip: Proper gardening tools sharpening, such as pruning shears and hedge clippers, makes your work easier. Here’s how to sharpen garden tools.
Best Weeding Tool for Thick-Stem Weeds
MerceHygea Japanese Weeding Sickle
If you’re facing the prospect of clearing thick, overgrown brush, this sharp sickle-like one is made for you. The design—originally invented in Japan—has a half-moon-shaped blade forged of high-carbon steel. Its forward weight and extremely sharp edge makes it easy to whack down stubborn stalks, like bamboo and ivy, in minutes instead of hours.
Pros
- Blade is about 5 inches wide
- Has a solid wood handle
- Made in Japan
Cons
- May be awkward for lefties
Best Weeding Tool for Deep Roots
Power Planter DIY Guru Auger
This is a quality weeding tool for deep roots, rocky or clay soil, says Katie Dubow, gardening expert and president of Garden Media Group. The solid steel auger attachment for your drill (three-eighths-inch or larger) does most of the work for you.
“In the twisting process, it loosens any type of soil, making it a breeze to remove weeds,” Dubow says. “It also pulverizes any remaining roots, reducing the chance of future weeds.”
Pros
- Lets a power tool do the hard work for you
- Balanced design for fewer hand vibrations
- Made of American-made alloy steel
- Comes with a lifetime warranty on craftsmanship and materials
Cons
- Must be used with a cordless electric drill
Psst! The CobraHead Weeder is another excellent tool for removing weeds with ease.
Best Weeding Tool for Lakes and Ponds
Jenlis Weed Razer Pro
Clear the shoreline around docks and beach areas for boaters and swimmers to enjoy with the easy-to-use Jenlis Weed Razer Pro. Toss it into the water and reel it back—it’s light enough to throw easily, yet heavy enough to sink to the bottom of the lake or pond. The V-shaped head and rust-proof stainless steel blades slice through aquatic vegetation and weeds, including milfoil, cattails, lily pads and grasses.
Pros
- Manages the algae and muck in ponds
- Clears a path 30 to 62 inches wide
- Blade sharpener, handle and 25-foot rope included
- Comes fully assembled
Cons
- Pricey
- Weighs 9 pounds
Best Claw-Style Weeding Tool
Grampa’s Weeder
Billed as the original stand-up weed puller, this classic weeder is one your grandparents might have used. Pluck pesky weeds out of the ground without bending over and hurting your back and knees. This time-tested weeding tool is ideal for extracting crabgrass, thistles and other rooting invaders from your lawn. Just center the tool over the weed, press the forked end into the ground and tilt the handle, closing the claw. It grabs tightly onto the root and with a lift, out it comes! Want to know more? Our in-depth review will have you tapping add-to-cart immediately.
Pros
- Has a 45-inch-long bamboo handle
- Features a four-claw steel design
- On the market since 1913
Cons
- Must remove weeds manually from claw
Psst! See how the CobraHead and Grampa’s Weeder compare.
Best Weeding Tool for Kids
G&F JustForKids Garden Tool Set
Little ones are more likely to get down in the weeds and dirt with mom and dad when they have their very own child-sized equipment. This kid-friendly garden tool set includes a trio of tiny garden tools—a hand rake, shovel and trowel—along with a cheery striped canvas tote with handles to carry them around. Apart from their scaled-down size and rounded corners, the tools look and work just like grown-up ones.
Pros
- Promotes kids’ understanding and love of nature
- Made of real metal and solid wood
- In bright, happy colors of red, blue and green
Cons
- Adult supervision is recommended for ages 5 and up
What to Consider When Buying a Weeding Tool
Choose a weeding tool based on the type of weeds and soil in your garden. A hand weeder, hoe, cultivator or power tool might be great for one job, but not the best for others. Consider the size and weight, as you’ll want the tool to be comfortable and well-suited to your physical abilities. Ergonomic handles will provide a comfortable grip and reduce strain on your hands.
Opt for a weeding tool that’s constructed from durable materials, such as carbon or stainless steel, that can withstand heavy use. A solidly built tool should be able to last you several seasons, not just one. A weeding tool needs to be properly cleaned and maintained for longevity, so check if it requires special storage or care to keep it in tip-top shape.
Types of Weeding Tools
Different types of weeding tools are designed for particular types of weeds and their locations.
- Handheld extractors: Also called “kneeling” tools, they have short handles to get into tight spots. These require you to work close to the soil.
- Long-handled weeders: These implements are driven into the ground standing up. They often have foot pedals in order to apply more force.
How We Found the Best Weeding Tool
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
What are the tools used for weeding?
Hand tools commonly used include cultivators, trowels, spades, garden knives or sickles, as well as Cape Cod, fork-tipped and paving weeders. Popular standup weeding tools include hoes, claw-style weeders, spades, digging forks and rakes.
How do you pull weeds fast?
First, be sure to grab weeds at the base of the root and not by the leaves on the surface. To pull weeds fast, lift up on the plants, twisting a little as you remove them. This helps prevent weeds from breaking off the plant and leaving the roots in the soil, only to sprout again.
How do professionals pull weeds?
Pros recommend dealing with weeds when they’re young and roots are weaker. Also, turning the soil periodically will keep weeds from establishing themselves. Spreading mulch over an area is another way to cut down on weed growth.
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Originally Published: July 08, 2021
