Sun Joe or Greenworks Tillers? Which Is Better for Small Gardens?

For most small gardens, Greenworks is the better choice if you want cordless convenience and already use Greenworks 40V batteries. Its 40V cultivator has an adjustable 8.25- to 10-inch working width, up to 5 inches of depth, and up to 40 minutes of runtime. Sun Joe is the stronger pick for harder soil and larger garden beds, especially its corded 12-amp, 16-inch model, which reaches up to 8 inches deep.

The short answer

If your garden is genuinely small—such as a raised bed, narrow vegetable plot, or a few flower beds—the choice comes down less to brand and more to how much soil you need to break up and whether you want a power cord.

Factor	Sun Joe	Greenworks
Best fit	Small to medium garden beds	Small gardens and established beds
Power options	Strong corded electric models; cordless options also available	Strong cordless 40V option
Example working width	Up to 16 inches on the 12-amp model	8.25–10 inches on the 40V model
Maximum depth	Up to 8 inches on the 12-amp model	Up to 5 inches
Cordless convenience	Depends on model	Excellent with 40V system
Battery ecosystem	Depends on model	40V battery works with many Greenworks tools
Best reason to buy	More power and wider coverage	Easier movement without a cord
Best for very small beds	Good, but some models may be more machine than needed	Very good

The comparison is not completely model-to-model because both brands sell different tillers. That matters. A 16-inch corded Sun Joe and a 10-inch Greenworks cordless cultivator are aimed at somewhat different jobs.

Sun Joe vs. Greenworks for a Small Garden

For a small garden, Greenworks has the edge in convenience, while Sun Joe has the edge in raw tilling capability.

The current Greenworks 40V 10-inch cultivator is designed around maneuverability. Its width can be adjusted between 8.25 and 10 inches, and its depth can reach 5 inches. Greenworks also lists up to 40 minutes of runtime with a 4.0Ah battery and a 3-year tool warranty.

The Sun Joe 12-amp 16-inch corded cultivator takes a different approach. It has a 16-inch maximum working width and up to 8 inches of tilling depth. Independent testing by Bob Vila rated it highly for performance and value, while noting that managing the extension cord is its main drawback.

So, if your garden is small but the soil is difficult, don’t automatically assume the smaller cordless machine is better.

Choose Greenworks If You Want Cordless Convenience

The Greenworks 40V 10-inch Cordless Cultivator makes the most sense when convenience and mobility matter.

Greenworks 40V 10-Inch Cordless Cultivator

It uses four forward-rotating steel tines and allows the working width and depth to be adjusted. Greenworks lists a maximum 10-inch path, up to 5 inches of depth, and up to 1,000 square feet of tilling coverage.

That makes it a practical match for:

• Small vegetable gardens
• Raised beds
• Flower beds
• Narrow garden rows
• Previously worked soil
• Gardeners who don’t want an extension cord

Another major advantage is the 40V battery platform. The same removable battery can power many other Greenworks 40V tools, so the cultivator becomes more attractive if you already own compatible equipment.

The main Greenworks limitation

The biggest limitation is tilling depth.

At up to 5 inches, the Greenworks 40V cultivator is better suited to cultivating and loosening existing garden soil than doing serious deep soil preparation.

If you are trying to turn a hard, neglected patch of ground into a new garden bed, you may want more capability.

Choose Sun Joe If Soil-Breaking Power Matters More

Sun Joe has several tiller/cultivator models, so the exact model matters. Its 12-amp 16-inch corded cultivator is the more relevant comparison for gardeners who want substantial soil-breaking ability.

It provides:

• 12-amp electric power
• Up to 16 inches of tilling width
• Up to 8 inches of tilling depth
• Six angled steel tines
• Forward rotation
• Push-button starting
• Foldable storage design

Bob Vila’s 2026 testing selected this Sun Joe model as its best corded electric tiller and found that its 12-amp motor handled tough soil well.

That extra width can also make a difference. A 16-inch path covers substantially more ground per pass than a 10-inch cultivator.

The main Sun Joe limitation

The cord.

For a small garden close to an outdoor electrical outlet, this may not bother you much. But if you have to move around trees, raised beds, fences, or several garden sections, managing an extension cord can become annoying.

Bob Vila specifically identified cord management as one of the main drawbacks of the Sun Joe.

Which One Is Better for Raised Beds?

Greenworks is usually the better fit for small raised beds, especially when the soil is already loose.

Its narrower adjustable working width gives you more control, while the cordless design makes it easier to move between beds.

However, there is an important catch: a rotating tiller can damage or disturb established plants if you get too close. For beds that already contain vegetables, herbs, or flowers, a small hand cultivator may give you better control around plant roots.

If you’re preparing an empty raised bed before planting, either brand can work well.

Which One Is Better for Hard or Compacted Soil?

Sun Joe has the advantage when comparing the larger corded models.

Its 12-amp motor and 8-inch maximum tilling depth give it more capacity for demanding soil preparation than the Greenworks 40V 10-inch cultivator’s 5-inch maximum depth.

But don’t expect either lightweight electric cultivator to behave like a heavy gas-powered rear-tine tiller.

Very hard, rocky, or completely untouched ground can be difficult for compact electric machines. In those conditions, working in several shallow passes is often more realistic than trying to force the machine deep into the soil on the first pass.

Corded vs. Cordless: The Decision That Matters Most

For many small-garden owners, the power-source decision may matter more than the brand.

Corded electric

A corded Sun Joe gives you continuous power. You don’t have to stop and recharge a battery, and the motor can provide strong performance for garden preparation.

The trade-off is mobility.

You’ll need a suitable outdoor-rated extension cord and must manage it carefully while working.

Cordless electric

A cordless Greenworks cultivator eliminates that cord.

That’s especially useful when your garden is away from the house or has several separate beds. You also don’t have to worry about accidentally running a tiller over its own power cord.

The trade-off is runtime and charging. Greenworks lists up to 40 minutes of runtime for the 40V model with a 4.0Ah battery, although actual runtime varies with soil conditions and how hard the machine is working.

Two Small-Garden Scenarios

Scenario 1: A 200-square-foot vegetable garden

Suppose you have a small backyard vegetable garden that has been cultivated for several seasons and the soil is reasonably loose.

In this situation, the Greenworks 40V makes a lot of sense. Its 10-inch maximum working width is manageable, and cordless operation makes it easy to move around a compact garden.

If you already own other Greenworks 40V tools, the choice becomes even easier because you may already have the battery and charger.

Scenario 2: A small garden being created from hard ground

Now imagine you’re turning an unused section of your yard into a garden.

Here, the Sun Joe 12-amp 16-inch model is the more capable option. Its greater tilling depth and wider path are useful when the primary job is breaking up and preparing soil rather than simply maintaining an existing bed.

The important point is that garden size alone should not determine your choice. Soil condition matters just as much.

Sun Joe or Greenworks: Which Offers Better Value?

Value depends heavily on what you already own.

If you already have a Greenworks 40V battery, the Greenworks cultivator can be an attractive choice because the battery platform can be shared across compatible Greenworks tools.

If you don’t own a battery system and want strong performance without dealing with charging, a corded Sun Joe can make more sense.

Current pricing also changes by model, seller, battery configuration, and promotions, so it’s better to compare the complete setup you need rather than comparing tool-only prices.

For example, a cordless tool sold without a battery may look cheaper until you add the battery and charger.

What About an Older Greenworks 8-Amp Corded Tiller?

You may also come across the Greenworks 27072, an older 8-amp corded tiller/cultivator.

Previous comparisons list it with an adjustable 8.25- to 10-inch tilling width and up to 5 inches of depth.

If you’re comparing that model with a larger Sun Joe, the Sun Joe generally has the advantage in power, width, and maximum depth.

But availability matters. Older models can be harder to find, so check the exact model number and current manufacturer information before buying.

What Should You Buy?

The simplest way to decide is to match the machine to your garden rather than choosing based only on the brand name.

Pick Greenworks if:

• Your garden is small.
• You want cordless operation.
• You already own Greenworks 40V batteries.
• You mainly work in established garden beds.
• You value maneuverability.
• You don’t need more than about 5 inches of tilling depth.

Pick Sun Joe if:

• You want stronger soil-breaking performance.
• You need deeper tilling.
• You want a wider working path.
• You’re preparing new or more demanding garden areas.
• You don’t mind using an extension cord.
• You want strong performance from a corded electric machine.

For a typical small backyard garden with already-worked soil, Greenworks is the easier choice. For a small garden that needs serious soil preparation, Sun Joe is the more capable choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Greenworks better than Sun Joe for a small vegetable garden?

Greenworks is a strong choice when the garden is small and the soil is already workable, especially if you prefer cordless operation. Its 40V cultivator has an adjustable 8.25- to 10-inch width and up to 5 inches of depth.

Can a Sun Joe tiller handle hard soil?

The larger Sun Joe corded models are better suited to demanding soil than small cultivators. The 12-amp 16-inch model reaches up to 8 inches deep and has received strong performance ratings in independent testing, although very hard or rocky ground can still require several passes.

Is a cordless tiller worth it for a small garden?

Yes, particularly when convenience and mobility are priorities. A cordless model such as the Greenworks 40V avoids extension-cord management and can be especially useful when the garden is separated from the house.

The Bottom Line

For most small, established gardens, I’d lean toward Greenworks because its cordless 40V cultivator is easy to move, has an adjustable narrow working width, and fits well with smaller garden jobs.

Choose Sun Joe instead when your small garden has tougher soil and you care more about tilling power, depth, and coverage than cordless convenience. Its 12-amp 16-inch model is a better match for heavier garden preparation.