Sun Joe TJ604E Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator

Best garden tiller review: Sun Joe Tj604e Cultivator

Product Name: Sun Joe TJ604E Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator

Product Description: Sun Joe TJ604E Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator is powered by a 13.5-amp motor. Unlike some other tillers or cultivators, it has six steel tines for more power and wider tilling width. It is designed to work on medium to large garden areas.

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Summary

The  Sun Joe TJ604E Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator has features that can make it an easy candidate for being the best tiller among power tillers. With 3 different tine angle configurations, this electric cultivator can help you even out hilly surfaces. It offers sharp and strong build, adjustable rear wheels, foldable handles, ease of operation, and many more. It is a 13.5-amp corded tiller which is beneficial and convenient for those who have large garden areas, but they are not for those who don’t like watching out often for a dangling cord.

Pros

  • 3 different tine angle configurations for smooth soil output
  • Foldable handles for convenient storage
  • Wide tilling width for greater tilling efficiency
  • Powerful 13.5-amp motor

Cons

  • Tends to buck a bit
  • No adjustment for running speed

Gardening is much more like a cycle than a singular task running from one starting point to one finish line. Once you’ve started tilling again, you would have realized how a season or two has already gone by. In my case, I’d be glad to keep the best tiller and the other tools that can stay tough throughout the years. I might as well stick to the Sun Joe Tj604e Cultivator. It could easily become the best garden tiller to use with heavy-duty soil preparation and garden maintenance tasks.

If you’ve been eyeing on this product for some time now, first check out this full review.

1. Things to Consider Before Buying An Electric Tiller

Tillers are meant to prepare the soil for planting time. For your seeds to have their best chance at survival, you must put the necessary ingredients in place. For first-time ground preparation, you need to accomplish the following using the best garden tiller.

  • Break up hard ground.
  • Pulverize the soil.
  • Aerate the soil.
  • Turn over a grass-filled lawn.
  • Beat hard rocks.

To accomplish these gardening feats, you would need a power tiller. A conventional type is a gas-powered machine, with its baggage of operational difficulties, especially to the amateur gardener.

A relatively newer type of tiller is an electric tiller, and it has two kinds: corded and cordless.

Corded Electric Tillers

Corded electric tillers are typically presented in terms of their “amperage,” which gives you a measurement of the power it can deliver. It can range from 2.5 amps to 13.5 amps.

One practical benefit of corded tillers is that they are essentially plug-and-play tools. As long as you have a power outlet nearby or a dependable extension cord, it has got a virtually unlimited power supply. You may also pair it up with a generator if you want to experience greater portability, or if your garden is really that wide.

In this review, we are focusing on apparently one of the best tiller/cultivator in the market. It is branded as both a tiller and a cultivator, which means you can also use it for garden maintenance tasks such as weeding and regular soil cultivation.

Also, note that while 13.5-amp corded tillers can be the most convenient for those who have large garden areas, they are not for those who don’t like watching out for a dangling cord ever so often. If that’s you, you may want to check out a cordless, battery-operated tiller/cultivator instead.

2. Sun Joe TJ604E Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator

This Tiller/Cultivator is an amped-up version of the company’s TJ603E model. Powered by a 13.5-amp motor, the 604E can do more than the 12-amp 603E. Both are corded tillers/cultivators, and they are designed to work on medium to large garden areas.

ProsCons
  • 3 different tine angle configurations for smooth soil output
  • Foldable handles for convenient storage
  • Wide tilling width for greater tilling efficiency
  • Powerful 13.5-amp motor
  • Tends to buck a bit
  • No adjustment for running speed

Sun Joe TJ604E Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator

3. Features & Benefits

This tiller has features that can make it an easy candidate for being the best tiller among power tillers.

6 Steel Tines

Six steel tines are honestly, a lot. So the Sun Joe TJ604E has, indeed, a lot of potential for power. Some tiller-cultivators only have 4 tines. With 6, you can finish more tilling jobs given the same amount of time with other tillers.

Also, having six tines makes it easy to see how the TJ604E tiller can have a tilling width as wide as 16 inches.

This means that if you’ve got a wide area to prepare for planting, this electric cultivator may become your time-saving buddy.

3 Different Tine Angles

Not only does the Sun Joe’s Tj604e raise the bar for power using its wide tilling capacity, but it also has uniquely angled tines.

With 3 different tine angle configurations, this electric cultivator can help you even out hilly surfaces.

Consecutive Fins In Opposite Directions

One little “secret” of Sun Joe Tj604e cultivator’s tilling power and smoothness is its well-designed blades. Consecutive “fins” in the tines face opposing directions so that when they turn, they work on different parts of the soil. That makes the tilling job more efficient.

13.5 Amp Motor and 370 RPM

The TJ604E is powered by a high-capacity 13.5-amp motor. Electric corded tillers typically have motors powered from 2.5 amps to 13.5 amps. So, this Sun Joe Tiller is quite a king at the higher end of the category.

With this capacity, the 604E motor can enable 370 blade rotations per minute. That’s a lot of speed, making hardened soil quite easy to break up. Even a grass-covered lawn can be turned to a pulverized soil within minutes.

Caption: Demonstrating the use of the Sun Joe Tj604e Cultivator Electric Garden Tiller. Credits: Arnold Solof/YouTube

Foldable Handles

Sun Joe’s 13.5 Amp Cultivator has handles designed for convenient storage. Most heavy-duty tillers are also huge in size, taking up a lot of room from your storage space. The TJ604E, however, can make its handles fold, so you could essentially reduce its storage height to about half.

Ease of Operation

With this electric tiller, you essentially have a plug-and-play tool. Simply plug its cord to your outlet or to an extension cord. With a push on its button, you can immediately start the tiller and guide it to the soil you want to aerate.

Lightweight

Weighing at 27.1 lbs, you may consider this as lightweight for its range of power. One benefit is that it’s relatively easy to carry around—not to mention it has rear wheels.

On the other hand, you may still experience a bit of difficulty when it comes to maneuvering this product for the first time. It might take a bit of getting-used-to to the tiller’s “hopping” responses while it does its work on your soil.

Sharp and Strong

The Sun Joe 604E Electric Tiller+Cultivator can powerfully cut through the hardened earth. With a tilling depth of up to 8 inches, it may do well for first-time garden soil preparation.

Adjustable Rear Wheels

The Sun Joe TJ604E Electric Garden Tiller has rear wheels that can be adjusted to 3 different positions for easy handling. Changing the position also changes the tilling depth a bit. As a result, you may till even deeper into your soil.

Less Maintenance and 2-Year Warranty

If there’s one thing you need to clean-up after using this electric corded tiller, it’s the blades. Other than that, the Sun Joe Tj604e  would require virtually no maintenance. Well, just be sure it’s got no dirt left on every part.

As a fail-safe, the company also offers a 2-year warranty for its TJ604E tiller. That at least ensures me assistance and even a product replacement in case I got a defective unit.

Sun Joe Tj604e Cultivator Demo Video

Credits: SnowJoe+SunJoe/YouTube

4. What Users Say About the Sun Joe’s TJ604E

Because it’s always better to seek a second opinion, we’re taking a look at the opinions of the other users.

Here’s what they think about this power tiller.

Better Than A Gas-Powered Tiller

electric garden tiller

It’s better because, as this user was trying to say, it’s so easy to use and it still got the power to pull off a huge gardening task.

Powerful and Versatile

electric garden cultivator

This user apparently confirms the capacity this electric garden tiller has. Aside from preparing raised garden beds, you may also weed out and revamp a lawn with the use of the Sun Joe tiller.

Value for Money

best electric garden tiller

Do you have a problem with roots left in your soil after taking out old plants and weeds? The Sun Joe 604E seems to offer the solution you need, at least according to this user. Plus, you may say the product is also reasonably priced. With such a value for money, this tool can easily claim the spot for the best cultivator on the market.

Can Beat Rocks

electric tiller cultivator

Rocks can’t be too tough on this tiller, too, says this user. While it’s always safe to put away rocks first, you may not need to worry a lot in case you’ve left some stones buried beneath your compacted soil.

5. Alternatives to the Sun Joe TJ604E Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator

I must assume you are a smart buyer, hence the desire to see the alternatives first before deciding to buy anything.

For that matter, I’ve listed three product alternatives to the Sun Joe 13.5-Amp Tiller/Cultivator to help you decide on your purchase.

Greenworks 27072 8-Amp 10-Inch Corded Electric Tiller

Greenworks 27072 8-Amp 10-Inch Corded Electric Tiller

The Greenworks 27072 is an entry-level electric corded tiller meant for small yards. In case you only wish to maintain a small-sized garden and you want to save on garden tools, you may want to buy this Greenworks 8-Amp Corded Tiller instead. One additional perk of this power tiller is the warranty offer of 4 years—as with most if not all of Greenworks products—which is twice the industry standard.

Greenworks 27072 8-Amp 10-Inch Corded Electric TillerSun Joe TJ604E 16-Inch 13.5 Amp Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator
Power TypeElectric Corded, 8-Amp MotorElectric Corded, 13.5-Amp Motor, 370 RPM
Tines4 steel tines6 angled steel tines
Tilling WidthAdjustable, 8.25” to 10”16”
Tilling Depth5”8”
HandlesErgonomic, Cushioned, Part of the Main Body, Foldable for Easy StorageErgonomic, Separate for Each Hand, Foldable for Convenient Storage
Warranty4-year limited warranty2-year warranty
PriceCheck price hereCheck price here

Interested? Check out the Greenworks 8-Amp 10-Inch Corded Electric Tiller here.

Or, see our full review of the product. 

You can also check our other related product: Greenworks 10-Inch 40V Cordless Cultivator

Earthwise TC70016 16-Inch 13.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator

Earthwise TC70016 16-Inch 13.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator

The Earthwise TC70016 is probably one of the most sought-after tiller-cultivators, side by side with Sun Joe’s TJ604E. The two have very similar specs, as you would see from the table below. One notable difference is the adjustable tilling/cultivating width found in the Earthwise 13.5-Amp Corded Tiller. This becomes helpful especially when you want to work in narrower areas between your rows of veggies.

Earthwise TC70016 16-Inch 13.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller/CultivatorSun Joe TJ604E 16-Inch 13.5 Amp Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator
Power TypeElectric Corded, 13.5-Amp Motor, 360 RPMElectric Corded, 13.5-Amp Motor, 370 RPM
Tines6 adjustable steel tines6 angled steel tines
Tilling WidthAdjustable, 11”-16”16”
Tilling Depth8”8”
HandlesErgonomic, Cushioned, Part of the Main BodyErgonomic, Separate for Each Hand, Foldable for Convenient Storage
Warranty2-year warranty2-year warranty
PriceCheck price hereCheck price here

Interested? Check out the Earthwise TC70016 16-Inch 13.5-Amp Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator here.

Or, see our full review of the product.

Earthwise TC70040 40V 4ah Cordless Electric Tiller/Cultivator

Earthwise TC70040 40V 4ah Cordless Electric Tiller/Cultivator

The Earthwise TC70040 is a cordless, battery-powered electric tiller/cultivator. Its main advantage is portability, which means you can carry it around without getting limited by the length of your power cord. Of course, the limitation is just shifted to another form: you may have to work on your tilling or cultivating tasks in one-hour shifts. With battery-powered cultivators, you had to be wise enough to recharge your battery between shifts or when not in use or simply purchase backup batteries for more continuous tilling work.

Earthwise TC70040 Cordless Electric Tiller/CultivatorSun Joe TJ604E 16-Inch 13.5 Amp Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator
Power TypeElectric Cordless, 40V-Max, 4Ah Electric Corded, 13.5-Amp Motor, 370 RPM
Tines4 steel tines6 angled steel tines
Tilling WidthAdjustable, 7”-11”16”
Tilling Depth8”8”
HandlesErgonomic, Cushioned, Part of the Main BodyErgonomic, Separate for Each Hand, Foldable for Convenient Storage
Warranty2-year limited warranty2-year warranty
PriceCheck price hereCheck price here

Interested? Check out the Earthwise TC70040 Cordless Electric Tiller/Cultivator here or see first our full review of this product.

If you’re looking for other tools like pruning shears, we got you covered. See our review for Gonicc GPPS-1002 Bypass Pruning Shears.

Conclusion: The Sun Joe TJ604E Cultivator Electric Garden Tiller Is A Powerful Gardening Buddy

Healthy soil is an essential ingredient for successful gardening. To ensure you’re ready for the next big gardening project, it’s better to provide yourself with the best tiller you can possibly purchase given a certain budget.

For a powerful 13.5-amp motor, efficient tine configuration, and solid build, this power tiller is already a great bargain. Check out this robust gardening buddy today and get ready for your next tilling job.
Sun Joe TJ604E Cultivator Electric Garden Tiller

Check our other reviews: DeWit 5-Tine Hand Cultivator with Short Handle