Sun Joe vs Greenworks Tiller: Which Is Better? (November 2026)

On this page (9 sections)

1. Sun Joe vs Greenworks tiller: which should you choose?
2. How does the Sun Joe vs Greenworks tiller fit a small bed?
3. How much width and depth do you really need?
4. Which power setup is easier to use?
5. What should you do before the first pass?
6. What care helps an electric tiller last?
7. Which common tiller mistakes should you avoid?
8. Who should buy each tiller, and who should skip it?
9. What is the clear decision for Sun Joe vs Greenworks tiller shoppers?

Choose the Sun Joe TJ604E for wider, deeper corded tilling, or the Greenworks 40V for cordless work in a narrower garden bed. In this Sun Joe vs Greenworks tiller comparison, bed size and power access are the first things to settle.

The TJ604E cuts up to 16 inches wide and 8 inches deep. Greenworks adjusts from 8.25 to 10 inches wide, while the cordless Sun Joe 24V-X2-TLR14 reaches up to 14 inches wide and 7 inches deep.

The choice comes down to how you work: do you want a wider pass with continuous corded power, a compact battery-powered pass with a stated runtime, or a wider cordless option whose runtime isn't specified? Each can suit a different bed and work routine.

Sun Joe vs Greenworks tiller: which should you choose?

Choose the TJ604E for a wide bed near an outlet, Greenworks for narrow cordless work, or the cordless Sun Joe for a wider pass without a cord. Think about where the tiller will work, how much ground you need to cover, and how long you expect to work at a time.

The TJ604E has a 13.5-amp motor, six angled steel tines and a folding handle. Three wheel positions let you adjust depth and control as you work.

Greenworks has a 40V battery, six-inch rear wheels and an adjustable width. It weighs 21 pounds and has a stated runtime of up to 45 minutes per full charge.

The cordless Sun Joe weighs 33 pounds and reaches wider than Greenworks. Its included batteries and charger make it a complete cordless kit, but runtime isn't specified.

Don't decide by width alone. A wider tool may mean fewer passes in an open bed, while a narrow row or planted area calls for more careful steering and space around the tines.

How does the Sun Joe vs Greenworks tiller fit a small bed?

Greenworks is the more natural fit for narrow beds and close maneuvering; the TJ604E fits small gardens when you want a wider pass and have room to guide it. Consider the distance between rows, nearby plants, and the space available at each end of the bed.

Greenworks' adjustable 8.25-to-10-inch path can help when you need to work in narrower strips. Its battery avoids routing an extension cord around plants, and rear wheels help you move it around the garden.

A small garden can still benefit from the TJ604E's wider cut if the bed has open space and you want to finish in fewer passes. Its folding handle can make storage easier, but the cord needs a safe route from the outlet to the work area.

For a bed with established plants, leave enough clearance to steer and turn without striking stems or edging. If the path is too tight for the tiller, loosen the soil by hand in those spots rather than forcing the tool through.

The model-specific Sun Joe TJ604E review and Greenworks 40V tiller review provide more detail on each pick. Use them if one model already looks like the better match.

How much width and depth do you really need?

Choose a tilling width that fits the bed, then use only as much depth as the job needs. Maximum reach can reduce passes in open soil, but it isn't automatically the best setting near plants or in a narrow row.

The TJ604E's maximum width is 16 inches, and its stated depth reaches 8 inches. That combination favors preparing open sections of soil where you can make steady passes.

Greenworks' width adjusts from 8.25 to 10 inches, which can suit a more confined path. Its narrower range means more passes across a wide bed, so consider how much area you have to prepare.

The cordless Sun Joe sits between those options in width at up to 14 inches and reaches up to 7 inches deep. It may fit a gardener who wants a cordless tool but doesn't want Greenworks' narrower path.

Measure the bed and mark edges, irrigation lines and plant rows before tilling. Start with a shallow pass, check the result, then use the wheel adjustment or your next pass to work deeper if the soil and task call for it.

For help matching width, tines and power to a garden, see our garden tiller guide. If you're deciding whether an electric tool suits the job, our gas vs electric tiller comparison covers the broader trade-offs.

Which power setup is easier to use?

Corded power suits work within reach of an outlet; battery power suits beds where moving freely matters more. The right setup is the one you can use safely across the whole work area.

The TJ604E runs while connected, so you don't have to schedule work around charging. Before starting, plan where the cord will travel, keep it behind you, and turn in a way that keeps it clear of the tines.

Greenworks includes a 4.0Ah battery and charger. A full charge takes 120 minutes, and the stated runtime is up to 45 minutes, so charge it ahead of the session and plan a pause if you have more ground than that window allows.

The Sun Joe 24V-X2-TLR14 also includes batteries and a charger, but no runtime is specified. That makes it harder to plan a long session around a known time limit, so it fits best when cordless movement matters and the work area is manageable in stages.

Battery runtime varies with the soil and how the tool is used. Treat the stated maximum as a planning reference, not a promise that every garden can be completed in one charge.

What should you do before the first pass?

Set up the work area before switching on any tiller. Clear the bed, check the tool instructions, and make sure the chosen power setup can reach the entire section safely.

Remove loose debris and mark anything that could be hidden below the surface, such as irrigation tubing or plant supports. Keep children, pets and bystanders away from the work area while the tines are moving.

For the corded TJ604E, use a suitable outdoor outlet and a cord arranged behind your path. Keep the cord visible as you work, and stop before changing direction if it could cross in front of the tool.

For a battery model, charge the battery before the session and attach it as described in the manual. Confirm that the tines and wheels are assembled and secure before use.

Adjust the wheels or working width according to the instructions for your model. Start with a shallow pass in a small section so you can judge how the soil breaks up before moving across the whole bed.

What care helps an electric tiller last?

Clean soil from the tines after use, then store the tiller dry and safely disconnected. Removing packed dirt makes the next setup easier and lets you spot damage before another session.

Switch off and unplug a corded tiller before cleaning or checking around the tines. Remove the battery from a cordless tiller before handling its cutting area, and follow the manual for safe cleaning and storage.

Brush away soil and plant material without reaching into sharp tine edges. Check for loose parts or damage, and stop using the tool if a tine or other part needs attention.

Keep batteries and chargers dry, and follow the charging and storage directions for the exact model. Fold the TJ604E handle for storage when useful, and leave enough room around any tiller so it won't fall onto the tines.

Greenworks and the cordless Sun Joe avoid gas and oil, but that doesn't mean every part is maintenance-free. Clean the tool, inspect it and store it as directed after each session.

Which common tiller mistakes should you avoid?

Avoid forcing a tiller through a bed that is too tight, too deep or poorly cleared. A slow, controlled pass gives you more opportunity to steer around plants and spot buried obstacles.

One mistake is choosing a maximum-width tool for a narrow row. A wider pass can be efficient in an open bed, but it leaves less room to steer near borders and established plants.

Another is expecting the maximum depth on the first pass. Work gradually, use the adjustment provided for your model, and check the soil before making a deeper pass.

Don't assume cordless means unlimited work time. Greenworks has a stated runtime of up to 45 minutes, while the Sun Joe cordless model's runtime isn't specified, so plan the session and have the battery instructions on hand.

Finally, don't walk the corded TJ604E into a cord path you can no longer see. A little route planning before you start can prevent the cord from crossing the work area.

Who should buy each tiller, and who should skip it?

Buy the TJ604E for open beds with outlet access, Greenworks for narrow beds where cordless steering matters, and the cordless Sun Joe when you want more width without a cord. Skip each one when its power setup, size or runtime doesn't fit your actual work area.

The TJ604E suits gardeners preparing broader beds who value a wide, deep stated cut and continuous corded power. Skip it if you can't safely route a cord to the bed or if its 16-inch path is awkward in your planting rows.

Greenworks suits gardeners who want a lightweight cordless tiller for narrower passes and prefer a stated runtime for planning. Skip it if you need a wider cut to cover a large open bed quickly, or if a 45-minute maximum runtime doesn't fit your session.

The cordless Sun Joe suits gardeners who need cordless movement and want a wider pass than Greenworks offers. Skip it if you need a known runtime for a long session or prefer a lighter tool, since it weighs more than the other two models.

If none fits your garden, compare other cordless tillers for garden beds before choosing a power source or working width.

What is the clear decision for Sun Joe vs Greenworks tiller shoppers?

Pick the TJ604E for maximum stated width and depth near an outlet, Greenworks for the lightest cordless option with a stated runtime, or the cordless Sun Joe for a wider pass away from an outlet. Let the layout of your garden decide which trade-off works for you.

For a small, narrow bed, Greenworks is the easiest starting point. For an open bed and predictable cord access, the TJ604E gives you the widest stated path and continuous power.

Choose the cordless Sun Joe if you want cordless operation and a 14-inch stated width. Its runtime isn't specified, so keep the job size and charging plan in mind.

For Sun Joe vs Greenworks tiller shoppers, the simple rule is Sun Joe for width, Greenworks for lighter cordless work with a stated runtime. If you're still choosing a tiller type, start with our garden tiller guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sun Joe or Greenworks better for a small garden?

Greenworks can fit a narrow garden bed because its tilling width adjusts from 8.25 to 10 inches and it runs on a battery. The Sun Joe TJ604E suits a small bed when you want fewer passes and have room to guide a wider tiller, with an outlet within reach.

Which tiller is wider, Sun Joe or Greenworks?

The Sun Joe TJ604E has the widest stated range, up to 16 inches, compared with Greenworks' adjustable 8.25 to 10 inches. The cordless Sun Joe 24V-X2-TLR14 reaches up to 14 inches, so it also covers more width than Greenworks.

Does the Greenworks tiller come with a battery?

Yes, the Greenworks 40V tiller includes a 4.0Ah battery and charger. It can run for up to 45 minutes on a fully charged battery, which takes 120 minutes to charge.

Can a corded tiller work in a large garden?

It can if the work area stays within reach of a suitable outlet and you can manage the cord as you move. The Sun Joe TJ604E provides continuous power while connected, but a battery tiller may be easier to move around beds far from an outlet.

Should I choose a tiller by width or power source?

Start with bed size and power access together. A wider tiller can reduce the number of passes in an open area, while a narrower cordless model can be easier to guide in tight beds or places without a nearby outlet.