Weeding a garden, whether it’s your flowerbeds or your lawn, can be an interminable chore – and anything that makes the job easier is more than welcome.
By using a tool explicitly designed for removing stubborn weeds, you can take a lot of the effort out of this unpleasant task – and if that sounds like something you might be interested in, here are our picks for best weed puller to help you find the right one for your needs.
The Best Weeding Tool
The Best Weed Puller on UK Market 2023
1. AMOS Steel Weed Puller Claw
For those looking for a simple and effective way to do the weeding without the need to get on their hands and knees to do it manually, this weed puller claw from Amos could be just the thing.
The tool is made of heavy-duty steel, so there are no flimsy plastic parts that are likely to break, and it’s super easy to use too, so anyone will be able to work with it.
We like the way it includes a foot pedal for you to tread on when you drive it into the ground, and it also features an easy-release mechanism that allows you to drop weeds right into the bin after pulling them up.
On the downside, if you use it on your lawn, you will find it leaves little holes where the weeds were before. However, it’s easy enough to fill them in and reseed, so this is a price many people will be happy to pay to rid themselves of weed infestations.
Also, this tool is a bit on the short side, so for taller people, it might be less comfortable to use since you’ll have to bend over to work with it.
This aside, if you need a reliable and effective solution for pulling up weeks that will save you the effort of weeding on all fours – and one that is built to last a long time – this is an option that should be of interest.
Pros
- Made of heavy-duty steel – no plastic parts that will break easily
- Easy to use – will make short work of the weeds in your garden
- Includes effective claw mechanism – grabs weeds firmly
- Foot pedal – to help push it into the ground
- Easy-eject mechanism – to release weeds into the bin
Cons
- Pulls up small holes of earth – although easy to fill again
- A little short – taller people may find they need to bend over to use it
2. Fiskars Xact Weed Puller
This weed puller from Fiskars is an exceptional tool in many ways. First, we like the way it is made of tough materials, meaning it should last you a long time. However, despite this, due to the hollow aluminium shaft, it’s also lightweight and easy to use.
To use it, you push it into the ground above the target – and there’s a footplate for you to tread on to make this part easier. Then, when it’s in the ground, you just lever it up and the weed comes up with the soil, roots and all.
Since it uses a lever action to pull the weed from the ground, it requires little strength to operate. Furthermore, it takes hardly any time to pull a weed up and eject it into the bin, allowing you to move onto the next one quickly.
One of the only minor gripes we have here is that it doesn’t have anything to allow you to hang it up. This makes it a bit awkward to store since all you can really do is lean it against a wall. However, most people will be able to work around this.
Also, it’s less effective when used along fences or walls. You can change the angle, but if that isn’t possible, it needs at least a few centimetres of space or you won’t be able to lever up the weed.
In sum, an excellent product that makes pulling up weeds as easy as you could want. It’s a bit more expensive than some other options, but we still think it’s great value for money, so if you don’t mind paying a bit more for top quality, this is an option you might want to consider.
Pros
- Lever action – requires little strength to use
- Lightweight tool – anybody will be able to weed with it
- Sturdy build – should last a long time
- Pulls weeds out with the root intact – stops them growing back
- Quick action – you can work through lots of weeds in a short time
Cons
- Awkward to store – nothing to hang it by
- Doesn’t work along fences or walls – needs a few centimetres of space to function
3. Spear and Jackson 4854WP Mechanical Weed Puller
If you’re looking for a way of pulling up stubborn weeds from your lawn with a minimum of effort, this is an option that could be worth a look. It features a tough design and is made of strong materials – it isn’t indestructible, but if you treat it well, it should last many years.
Since it’s easy to work with, just about anybody will be able to use it. There’s a footplate on the bottom that you use to drive it into the ground, and you then just lever it up to pull up the weeds.
We like the way it penetrates to a good depth into the ground, meaning it can pull up the whole root system without leaving anything behind to grow back. It’s actually quite enjoyable to use too, and we think many people will have a lot of fun weeding with this tool.
On the downside, this is a slightly heavier option – if you only have light weeding jobs to take care of, it’s fine, but if you need to work for longer periods, you might find your arms start to become fatigued.
Another minor niggle to mention is that it can be a bit difficult to clean if used in clay soils, although this is probably the same with most other models, so it’s perhaps not such a fair criticism.
Overall, this is a tool we liked a lot. It’s well designed and does its job with a minimum of fuss. It’s very reasonably priced too, and if these are the kind of attributes you value, this is a product that should be on your list of possibilities.
Pros
- Tough design – will last a long time if you don’t treat it too roughly
- Includes footplate – makes it easier to push into the ground
- Easy to use simple and effective weed-pulling system
- Reaches a good depth into the ground – to pull weeds up by the root
- Fun to work with – many people will enjoy weeding with this tool
Cons
- Slightly heavy – can be hard work if using for longer periods
- Awkward to clean if used in clay soils – but only a minor issue
4. Weed Puller for Lawn
This weed puller from Tacklife is designed to make pulling all kinds of weeds from the ground a breeze. It features a quick action that allows you to quickly work through all the weeds in your garden in no time, and many people will find it relaxing and even therapeutic to use.
We like the strong build of this tool, including the tough metal prongs that do the actual pulling. It also has a comfortable handle that is designed not to give you sore hands, even after prolonged use.
Another advantage of this model is that, unlike some others, it can be used along walls – as long as you work in the right direction.
There’s a lot to like about this weed puller, and it’s hard to find anything to complain about. One thing we might point out is that it has just three prongs rather than four, so some might say it’s less effective at gripping weeds.
Also, the ejection mechanism can sometimes be a little stiff, although this is hardly a major issue.
In short, this is a great tool if you want something that will make short work of the weeds in your flowerbeds or lawn. It’s among the better weed pullers we’ve seen, making it another recommended pick.
Pros
- Quick action – rapid and efficient way to remove weeds
- Comfortable grip – won’t hurt your hands as you work
- Strong build – made of tough and reliable materials
- Works along walls – as long as you go in the right direction
- Relaxing to use – many people will find it almost therapeutic
Cons
- 3-prong design – 4 prongs are arguably better
- Ejection sometimes a little stiff – but still easy to use
5. ORIENTOOLS Weed Puller
As far as stand-up weed pullers go, this is another option that’s worth checking out. Using this tool takes most of the effort out of pulling up weeds, and you don’t need to worry about getting a stiff back since the generous length of the shaft means you won’t need to stoop over.
We appreciate the rubber grip that lets you hold the tool firmly and securely – it won’t slip out of your hand while you’re working. It’s also made of non-rust material and is resistant to corrosion, so you can look forward to pulling up weeds with it for many years to come.
Something else we like about this model is the small size of the holes it leaves behind. Of course, this also depends on the size of your weeds, but at least with this tool, you won’t end up leaving great craters in your lawn.
There are only a couple of minor negatives to mention. Sometimes this tool can jam in hard soil, making it more difficult to eject weeds, although this shouldn’t happen too often. Also, it doesn’t come with instructions, but it’s easy enough to work out how to use it without them.
All in all, another great option if you’re after an effective weeding solution that makes pulling weeds easy but that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. It’s well made and does its job perfectly, making this another tool to consider.
Pros
- Simple to operate – push in and pull up
- Anti-rust material – not susceptible to corrosion
- Good grip – won’t slip from your hand
- Leaves only a small hole – won’t destroy your lawn in the process
- Good length handle – no need to stoop over
Cons
- Can jam in hard soil – makes it difficult to eject weeds
- No instructions – although simple to work out how to use it
6. Grampa’s Weeder
Grampa’s Weeder is a tool for the kind of person who yearns for the simpler life of bygone times. They say ‘they don’t make ‘em like they used to’, but this tool shows that’s not always true because this one is built like something from back in the day.
As well as being tough and durable and made to last practically forever, it’s also super-simple to use. You just push it into the ground and lever it up and the weeds come up effortlessly. Since it’s a lightweight tool, it’s also suitable for anyone to use, even those lacking in strength.
Perhaps some people might complain that, unlike more modern versions, it doesn’t have an ejection mechanism – but with fewer moving parts, there’s also less chance of it breaking down or getting jammed.
Other than that, perhaps the only issue is the price since it’s a bit expensive for what it is. However, it does the job it’s intended for and is also quite satisfying to use, so most people won’t mind paying a bit more for something that takes all the pain out of pulling up weeds.
Pros
- Super-simple action – couldn’t be easier to use
- Tough and durable – built the way they used to make them
- Lightweight tool – comfortable for anyone to use
- Classic style – timeless design
- Satisfying to use – great fun tearing the weeds from the ground
Cons
- No ejection mechanism – unlike more modern versions
- A little pricey – for such a simple tool
7. FIAMER Dandelion Weeder Gardening Tool
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option for pulling up your weeds and you don’t mind getting down on all fours and coming face to face with your enemy, this gardening tool from Fiamer could be an alternative worth considering.
Rather than being the kind of weed puller you use standing up, with this, you simply dig the weeds up manually, and this tool has the perfect shape for doing it. And as well as being super-simple to use, it’s also incredibly tough and durable, meaning it will last for ages.
By using a tool such as this, you can reduce the strain and pressure on your hands that’s usually associated with using other weeding tools or just pulling up weeds with no tool at all. Thanks to its specific design, it also helps you pull weeds up by the roots.
Another positive is the fact that it has a hole in the top of the handle for hanging it up, and at such an affordable price, you can hardly go wrong.
The main downside is that with this tool, you have to do the weeding manually – it isn’t as effortless as using a stand-up de-weeder. However, some people prefer to do things the old-fashioned way, and if that includes you, this is the kind of tool that will appeal.
Also, note that if you are dealing with larger weeds with more extensive root systems, this tool might prove to be on the short side – in which case you’ll probably want something a bit bigger and more powerful.
That said, for taking care of smaller flowerbeds or lawns, this could be an ideal solution – so if you don’t want to spend any more money on garden tools than is absolutely necessary, you would do well to give it some thought.
Pros
- Rugged and durable – and resistant to corrosion
- Reduces pressure on your hands – makes it easier to pull up weeds
- Hanging hole – easy to store
- Simple to use – just get down and dig them out
- Great low price – excellent budget-friendly choice
Cons
- Need to get on your hands and knees – may give you a sore back
- A little short – may not reach the deepest roots of some weeds
Buyer’s guide
If you’re looking for a weed puller tool, you’re probably wondering about the kind of factors to consider when making up your mind – so let’s have a look at that now.
Length
When it comes to stand-up weed pullers, the main advantage they offer is that you can work without constant bending and stooping, which should help reduce backache.
However, you should make sure the tool is the right size for you, especially if you are a taller person – because if you choose one that’s too short, you will still find yourself stooping to work, which defeats the purpose of using a tool like this in the first place.
Weight
Along with the height of the tool, you should also consider the weight of the thing. Most weed pullers aren’t too heavy, but some weigh more than others – and if you need to work for extended periods, with a heavy tool, you will find you soon become fatigued.
Pulling mechanism and ease of use
A key point to consider is how easy the weed puller is to use, and most of them work in the same way, following the same basic concept.
First, you place the prongs around the weed and push them into the ground. Once pushed down fully, you then use the tool to lever up the weed, and the levering action should cause the prongs to close around the weed like a claw, ensuring you pull the weed up by the roots.
Things to look out for include how easy it is to use, how well the mechanism works and how effective the claw is at pulling up the whole weed without leaving any roots behind. The whole operation should be simple and effortless so even those with limited strength can do it.
Most also include a footplate that you tread on when you push it into the ground, and this is another useful feature to look for.
Soil ejection mechanism
Another feature to look for is the soil ejection mechanism that’s designed to release the soil and weed after you’ve pulled them from the ground. This is important since if your weed puller doesn’t have one, you’ll have to do it by hand each time.
Check to see how effective the mechanism is and how easily it can become blocked if it gets soil stuck around it. It should work efficiently with very little force, allowing you to pull up and eject weeds with a minimum of effort.
Number and length of prongs
The prong of stand-up weed pullers are an important aspect of the tool, so you should look at how long they are and how many of them there are.
Most weed pullers have four prongs, which gives you a good grip on any weeds you need to pull up. Some models only have three prongs, so perhaps they give you less of a grip, but they can also still be useful and functional tools.
The length of the prongs is important because the longer they are, the deeper they can dig and the bigger the roots they can grab hold of. This means longer prongs will be more effective at pulling up the kind of weeds that can regenerate if you leave pieces of root in the ground.
Size of hole in the lawn
If you are looking for a tool to de-weed lawns, you should also pay attention to the size of the hole it leaves behind after pulling up each weed.
You have to accept that there will be some kind of hole because you are pulling up the soil and the roots of the weed together. However, you also don’t want a tool that’s going to leave ugly great pockmarks throughout your beautiful lawn.
Sturdiness
Nowadays, many tools are not particularly well made. They sell at very low prices, but they aren’t made to last, and some weed pullers also fall into this category.
This means if you want a tool that will last, you should look for one that’s tough and sturdy – but you should also be ready to pay a bit more for higher quality.
Plenty of solid options to choose from
As you can see, when it comes to weed pullers, there’s no shortage of models to pick from. And if you’ve decided you’d like to add one to your collection of garden tools but are having trouble choosing, any of the models in our review would be a great place to start your search.
