Weeds can quickly become a gardener’s nightmare, threatening the beauty and health of your garden or lawn. When the task of hand-pulling or using a weeding tool is no longer practical, especially for larger areas, a reliable weed killer is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the 9 best weed killers of 2024, tested and reviewed to help you gain the upper hand in the war on weeds.
Understanding Weed Killers
Before diving into the list, it’s important to understand the two main types of weed killers:
- Non-Selective Weed Killers: These are the heavy hitters, designed to kill any plant they come into contact with. They’re best used on driveways, walkways, or areas where you don’t want any vegetation to survive. Noah James, a professional landscaper, describes them as “the sledgehammer of the weed control world.”
- Selective Weed Killers: These are more surgical in their approach, targeting specific weeds while sparing the surrounding desirable plants. They’re ideal for lawns and garden beds where you want to preserve the grass and flowers while eliminating weeds.
Our Testing Process
We rigorously tested these products across various environments, including lawns, garden beds, and walkways, to ensure a thorough evaluation. Our criteria included ease of application, effectiveness over time, safety (especially in homes with kids or pets), and environmental impact.
Now, let’s explore the top picks.
1. Best Overall: Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed Killer
- Price: $30 at Amazon, $45 at Walmart, $22 at Home Depot
- Application Type: Spray
- Targeted Plants: Crabgrass, dandelions, and other common weeds
- Primary Active Ingredient: 20% Vinegar
- Rain Resistance: Not applicable
What We Like:
- No harsh chemicals
- Safe for pets and kids once dry
- No dilution required
- Quick results
What We Don’t Like:
- Trigger can stick between squeezes
- Strong vinegar odor
- Not rain resistant
Overview: Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed Killer stood out as the best overall due to its effectiveness and safety. This OMRI-listed product uses 20% vinegar to quickly dry out and kill a wide range of weeds. It’s especially useful for hardscape areas like pavers and walkways. However, be prepared for a strong vinegar odor and make sure it’s applied on a dry day.
2. Best Value: Ortho Weed B Gon Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer for Lawns
- Price: $15 at Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe’s
- Application Type: Concentrate spray
- Targeted Plants: Oxalis, chickweed, clover, and broadleaf weeds
- Primary Active Ingredient: 8% Triclopyr, Triethylamine Salt
- Rain Resistance: 6 hours
What We Like:
- Affordable
- Kills tough weed species
- Rain-resistant within 6 hours
What We Don’t Like:
- Slow-acting
- Not safe for all turf grasses
Overview: For budget-conscious gardeners, Ortho Weed B Gon offers excellent value. It’s especially effective against stubborn weeds like wild violet and clover, although it takes a few days to see full results. It’s safe for many common grasses but avoid using it on Bermuda, St. Augustine, or centipede grass.
3. Best for Landscaping: Spectracide Weed and Grass Killer
- Price: $30 at Amazon, $39 at Walmart
- Application Type: Concentrated spray
- Targeted Plants: Broadleaf weeds and grasses
- Primary Active Ingredient: Diquat Dibromide
- Rain Resistance: 15 minutes
What We Like:
- Quick results within hours
- Rainproof after 15 minutes
- Safe to replant after 24 hours
What We Don’t Like:
- No measuring cup included
Overview: Spectracide Weed and Grass Killer is a powerhouse for tackling tough landscaping challenges. Whether dealing with invasive species like Japanese knotweed or common nuisances like Creeping Charlie, this non-selective herbicide delivers results fast. Just be cautious during application to avoid harming desirable plants.
4. Best for Gravel: Ortho GroundClear Weed & Grass Killer
- Price: $21 at Amazon, $24 at Home Depot
- Application Type: Spray
- Targeted Plants: Broadleaf weeds and grasses
- Primary Active Ingredient: 5.0% Ammonium Nonanoate
- Rain Resistance: 2 hours
What We Like:
- OMRI listed for organic use
- Battery-powered trigger wand
- Multiple spray patterns
What We Don’t Like:
- Can harm desirable plants
Overview: Ortho GroundClear shines in tough-to-weed areas like gravel paths and driveways. Its battery-powered wand with multiple spray patterns makes targeting weeds easy. This herbicide is fast-acting and OMRI-listed, making it a great choice for organic gardeners, though care must be taken to avoid spraying desired plants.
5. Best for Lawns: Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D
- Price: $21 at Amazon
- Application Type: Concentrate spray
- Targeted Plants: Broadleaf weeds and grasses
- Primary Active Ingredient: Dimethylamine salt of 2,4-D-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid
- Rain Resistance: Not specified
What We Like:
- Effective against hard-to-kill weeds
- Safe for many lawn types
What We Don’t Like:
- Confusing instructions
- Not safe for St. Augustine lawns
Overview: For battling weeds in your lawn, Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D offers a potent solution. It tackles a broad range of weeds, including dandelions and clover, without harming most lawn grasses. However, the instructions are geared towards commercial use, which might be a bit confusing for homeowners.
6. Best for Flower Beds: Roundup Weed and Grass Killer
- Price: $30 at Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s
- Application Type: Spray
- Targeted Plants: Broadleaf weeds and grasses
- Primary Active Ingredient: Glyphosate
- Rain Resistance: 10 minutes
What We Like:
- Protective cover on wand
- Fast results
- Rain-resistant in just 10 minutes
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains Glyphosate
Overview: Roundup Weed and Grass Killer is highly effective in flower beds, delivering quick results with minimal effort. The “Sure Shot” wand and protective cover help to avoid damaging desirable plants, making it a top choice for garden beds, though the inclusion of Glyphosate may be a concern for some users.
7. Best Pre-Emergent: Preen Garden Weed Preventer
- Price: $32 at Amazon and Walmart
- Application Type: Granular
- Targeted Plants: Broadleaf weeds and grasses
- Primary Active Ingredient: Trifluralin
- Rain Resistance: Not applicable
What We Like:
- Prevents weeds from sprouting for up to 3 months
- Easy to apply
- Not affected by rain
What We Don’t Like:
- Can stain hard surfaces
Overview: Preen Garden Weed Preventer is a must-have for preventing weed growth before it starts. Ideal for garden beds, vegetable gardens, and hardscaped areas, it stops weeds in their tracks for up to three months. Just be careful on concrete or hard surfaces to avoid staining.
8. Best Organic: Sunday Weed Warrior
- Price: $27 at Target, $28 at Lowe’s
- Application Type: Spray
- Targeted Plants: Broadleaf weeds and grasses
- Primary Active Ingredient: Herbicidal soap
- Rain Resistance: Not specified
What We Like:
- OMRI listed for organic gardening
- Fast-acting
- Battery-powered wand
What We Don’t Like:
- Not safe for lawns
- Requires frequent reapplications
Overview: For those who prefer a natural approach, Sunday Weed Warrior is a top organic option. This herbicidal soap kills weeds quickly upon contact, making it ideal for walkways and garden beds. However, it’s non-selective and may require frequent reapplications.
9. Best for Crabgrass: Preen Crabgrass Control
- Price: $28 at Walmart
- Application Type: Granular
- Targeted Plants: Crabgrass and other common weeds
- Primary Active Ingredient: Dithiopyr
- Rain Resistance: Not applicable
What We Like:
- Effective against crabgrass
- Easy to apply
- Long-lasting
What We Don’t Like:
- Can be messy to apply
Overview: Preen Crabgrass Control is a specialized pre-emergent that excels in preventing crabgrass and other weeds. Its granular form is easy to apply and offers long-lasting protection, though care is needed to avoid making a mess during application.
Conclusion
Choosing the right weed killer can make all the difference in maintaining a pristine lawn or garden. Whether you’re looking for a natural solution or a heavy-duty herbicide, these top-rated products have been tested to ensure they deliver on their promises. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe and effective use, and choose the product that best fits your specific needs.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for an organic yet highly effective weed killer, Green Gobbler 20-Percent Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer is our top recommendation. In our tests, this product quickly withered and killed weeds, making it a versatile option for various garden areas. However, if your priority is a weed killer that’s safe for use on lawns, we recommend Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D Weed Killer. While it’s not an organic product, it effectively kills a wide range of weed species while being safe for most lawn grasses.
Other Options We Tested
Bonide Captain Jack’s Deadweed Brew: This product uses caprylic acid, derived from coconut oil, as its main active ingredient. However, it is not OMRI listed for organic gardening. Despite this, it effectively killed weeds within a couple of days in our tests. However, it was not effective on grass. This could still be a viable choice if you need a weed killer for use around a vegetable or flower bed or other landscaped areas.
How We Tested the Weed Killers
We tested eight different weed killers in various parts of the country. The products included a mix of pre-emergent and post-emergent options and a range of non-selective and selective weed killers. We ensured to include some organic and pet-friendly options and chose products for various uses, including lawns and hardscapes.
Ease of Use
We assessed how easy it was to understand and follow each product’s instructions. For products that required mixing, we followed the guidelines for the weed killer-to-water ratio. We also noted how easy it was to achieve even coverage and how user-friendly any included accessories, such as triggers or wands, were.
Effectiveness
We tested each weed killer in various areas, including lawns, garden beds, underneath trees and shrubs, along fences, and on weeds growing through pavers. We monitored the treated areas over two weeks, noting the speed and completeness of weed death, any impact on nearby foliage, and any regrowth.
Safety
We followed the manufacturer’s guidelines for recommended protective wear and kept children and pets away from treated areas for the specified time.
Value
We evaluated the pros and cons of each weed killer in relation to its cost, determining the overall value of the product.
What to Look For in a Weed Killer
Active Ingredients
Weed killers contain synthetic chemicals or natural ingredients. Organic herbicides, like vinegar or caprylic acid, work more slowly but are less harsh on the environment. However, synthetic chemicals like glyphosate and 2,4-D amine provide immediate results and are effective against tough weeds.
Weed Targeting Capabilities
Weed killers target either broadleaf or grassy weeds. Selective weed killers target specific types of weeds without harming grass, making them ideal for lawns. Non-selective weed killers, however, kill any greenery they touch, making them better suited for clearing areas entirely.
Pre-Emergent versus Post-Emergent
Pre-emergent weed killers prevent weed seeds from sprouting, while post-emergent weed killers target weeds that have already sprouted. The choice between the two depends on your gardening needs.
Weather Resistance
Pre-emergent weed killers are usually watered into the soil, so they aren’t affected by rain. Post-emergent weed killers, however, need time to cover the weeds’ foliage before rain. Always check the product label for rain resistance and application guidelines.
Results Rate
Some weed killers show results within hours, while others may take days or weeks. Persistent weeds might require additional applications. Full weed death is typically indicated by completely brown and dry foliage.
Application Ease
Weed killers come in various forms, from ready-to-use sprays to concentrates that require mixing. Choose a product that suits your needs, whether targeting small weeds or covering large areas like lawns.
FAQ
When should I apply weed killer?
Pre-emergent weed killers should be applied in early spring, while post-emergent weed killers are best used when weeds are actively growing in mid to late spring or early summer.
How much weed killer will I need?
The amount of weed killer needed depends on the area being treated and the product’s form. Measure your lawn or garden space and buy enough product to cover it, considering that coverage for liquid concentrates is based on the mixed amount.
