Weeds are pesky plants that you might see growing around your lawn or garden. The problem with most home remedies is that they only kill the living weeds and not the seeds left behind. Those seeds can sprout and lead to new weeds growing. Not only do weeds take nutrients away from your plants and flowers, but they can eventually take over your lawn and kill the surrounding vegetation. When it comes to weed killers, you generally have two options: contact weed killers and systematic weed killers. Contact weed killers must come into direct contact with the weeds to kill them, while systematic weed killers only require contact with the roots. It spreads from the roots to other parts of the weeds to kill the whole system.
Before looking at the best weed killer or best lawn weed killer, you should consider some of the factors that make one product the best, including:
- Does it work on all types of weeds or only certain varieties, including chickweed and poison ivy?
- Will it kill weeds before they emerge or only as they grow?
- Can the killer keep the weeds from growing back in the future?
- Is the product safe to use in your lawn and garden?
By the time you reach the end of this guide, you’ll have no problem selecting the best weed killer for your garden and lawn.
Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer
Using a concentrated formula is a great choice for those who want to save money because it lets you change the concentration to use the exact amount of weed killer to tackle your problem areas. Compare-N-Save offers this one-gallon jug that can make up to 85 gallons of weed-killing liquid. You can pour the liquid in an ordinary garden sprayer before heading to your garden. It kills weeds as it comes into contact with living plants and can work on the roots too. An even coating of the product added to your lawn or garden allows the weeds to absorb the liquid and carry it through their root systems.
This formula has a 41% ratio of glyphosate that is one of the best weed killing products on the market. It can cover a space of up to 25,000 square feet and provide results that you see in as little as two days. Compare-N-Save is also rainproof after only two hours, which means that you can apply it early in the morning even if the forecast calls for rain later. It will not wash away in the rain the way that other products can.
Pros
- Works on large spaces
- Rainproof in two hours
- Kills the root system
Cons
- Some concentrations can kill healthy plants
Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer
Gardening blogs love to talk about how distilled white vinegar can kill weeds, but if you tried that remedy in the past, you probably found that it didn’t work. Green Gobbler offers an alternative product that uses vinegar with other ingredients to create a powerful weed killing combo. It features a 20% ratio of acetic acid that kills on contact. Though it works well on weeds, it can also handle other invasive species, including white clover, clover weeds, crabgrass and dandelions.
As it already comes mixed, you can apply the product with a sprayer or pour it right onto the weeds. It is safe to use where people walk and kids or pets play, including sidewalks, driveways and patios. The one-gallon jug comes with a built-in sprayer for ease of use. You can apply it before or after a rainstorm and still see the results that you desire. Most customers found that it worked in only 24 hours. Green Gobbler created a formula that is four times stronger than ordinary vinegar.
Pros
- Safe to use around all areas
- Shows results in one day
- Kills weeds on contact
Cons
- May not be strong enough for all weeds
Preen Extended Control Weed Preventer
When it comes to weeds, you may miss out on the warning signs that those species invaded your yard. No matter how hard you work on your grass, you can still see a few telltale signs of weeds later. Preen makes this product for those who want to prevent the growth and spread of weeds. You can use it before you see any warning signs and enjoy good results for months. Just one application will protect your lawn and garden for up to six months. You can safely use it around perennials and other plants without killing or damaging them too.
One bucket comes with nearly 14 pounds of the weed killer, which covers up to 2,245 square feet. You cannot purchase this product if you live in New York, and you should not use it on any plants that produce fruit or vegetables that you eat. The top of the bucket has a plastic piece that you peel away to remove the lid. If you have any product leftover, you can replace the lid and use the weed killer later.
Pros
- Comes with more than 13 pounds of weed killer
- Works on invasive weeds
- Easy to use and store
Cons
- Not safe to use on edible plants
Roundup Max Control 365 Ready-to-Use Comfort Wand Sprayer
Designed specifically for long-term use, this sprayer from Roundup offers the max control that your lawn and garden needs. The product includes a sprayer wand that attaches to one side and a lid that you can unscrew quickly. This sprayer inserts into the opening and has a comfortable design to help you stay comfortable as you spray. Even those with limited mobility or arthritis can use the sprayer without any discomfort. It comes with 1.33 gallons of a liquid that works on most forms of weeds.
Guaranteed to kill weeds down to their roots, this formula provides results for up to 12 full months after the initial application. It is safe to use on concrete surfaces such as your driveway and patio and can work on the sidewalk and walkway through a garden. The spray begins working so quickly that you can see results within 12 hours of the first application. It is also rainproof after only 30 minutes, which makes it a convenient product to use in rainy areas.
Doctor Kirchner Natural Weed Killer
You may want to avoid using chemical products in places where your kids and animals play, which is why you might prefer this natural weed killer. It lacks the chemicals found in other products and is safe to use on most surfaces. This is a good killer for using on farms too because it won’t contaminate water sources when spilled on the ground. The bottle comes with 2.5 gallons of a liquid killer that requires no mixing, though you will need to use a separate sprayer or applicator to use it on your lawn. Not suitable for use on hardscapes, the liquid dries quickly and lets you plant other vegetation in the area without killing it. The liquid acts quickly with some users seeing strong results one night after applying it.
Pros
- Safe to use around pets and kids
- Does not leave behind any stains
- Requires no mixing
Cons
- Does not come with a sprayer or applicator
RM43 43-Percent Glyphosate Plus Weed Preventer Total Vegetation Control
Whether you have a farm overrun with weeds or just want to kill those you see sprouting, this weed killer not only kills weeds but also prevents them from coming back. With a glyphosate concentration of above 40 percent, it works quickly and is efficient on the toughest of weeds. It offers both killing and prevention power for up to one full year and only takes one application to work. You can use the liquid product on bare grounds where there is no vegetation and in spots where you don’t want to see weeds. It is safe to use on all surfaces and farmland.
Pros
- Suitable for use on bare and dry ground
- Treats spaces of more than 40,000 square feet
- Continues working for up to one year after applying
Cons
- Can kill other plants and flowers
Spectracide Weed and Grass Killer
Spectracide offers a weed killer that works on most common forms of weeds and grasses. It comes pre-mixed and in a one-gallon jug with a sprayer attached to the top. That sprayer easily slides into the top when you remove the lid. You can use the handle to carry the weed killer around the lawn to spray the pests that you see. As it is rainproof after only 15 minutes, you can use it right before the rain starts or water your plants after applying it. After spraying your lawn or garden, you should see some noticeable results within a few hours. Those results will only improve over time. This lets you eliminate the weeds from your garden and plant new flowers and shrubs within a few days. If you have a large lawn, you can buy a bundle that comes with four jugs of the same size too.
Pros
- Works on most forms of weeds and wild grasses
- Shows visible results in a few hours
- Rainproof in just 15 minutes
Cons
- The cheap plastic sprayer can break easily
Roundup Extended Control Weed and Grass Killer Plus Preventer II
With this Roundup product, you get the killing power that you need right away but can also protect your lawn and garden over time. It works for up to four months and not only kills the weeds that touch the liquid but moves through the soil to kill the weeds growing below the surface of the ground. It becomes rainproof after 10 minutes in the sun and is resistant to other forms of moisture. The comfort wand attaches to the side of the bottle and has a specially designed handle that reduces discomfort as you spray. This weed killer is safe to use everywhere around your lawn too, including on decorative rock and gravel spaces as well as concrete.
Pros
- Includes a comfort want for added comfort
- Works for up to four months after a single application
- Safe to use on rock, gravel, grass and vegetation
Cons
- May require multiple applications before you see any results
Green Gobbler Weed Killer Booster
Green Gobbler makes another appearance on our list of the best weed killers with this booster product, which can improve the efficiency of other products. Designed to enhance the weed killers that you already use, you can mix the booster with distilled white vinegar or a chemical product. You can apply the mixture to the weeds with brushes and other products or use a sprayer filled with the solution. The one-gallon of liquid included in the bottle can work with dozens of gallons of your favorite weed killing remedies.
One way in which the product works is the way it attacks the weeds. Most weeds have a waxy layer over their weeds that blocks out pests as well as pesticides. When used with vinegar and other products, this boost will eat through the waxy surface to leave the roots exposed. That helps the liquid penetrate deep into the roots and climb through the system. It also helps pesticides and herbicides spread over a large portion of your lawn to kill more weeds with each application.
Pros
*Includes one gallon of a liquid booster
*Works with ordinary vinegar and chemical products
*Easy to mix
Cons
*Only works when mixed with another product
Ortho Weed B Gone MAX Weed Killer for Lawns
Crabgrass is a highly invasive type of weed that can seem almost impossible to remove once it takes hold of your lawn. Ortho makes this Weed B Gone killer specifically for crabgrass and other weeds. You can spray it directly on all the weeds that you see without worrying about killing your lawn. The special formula targets pesky vegetation but won’t damage most forms of grass and plants. This one-gallon jug is easy to use because it comes with an attached sprayer. Once you remove the seal from the top, you can screw on the sprayer and work on your lawn. It also allows you to store any leftover product for future use.
Designed to work on 90 different types of weeds, the MAX weed killer is rainproof after just one hour. It is an effective form of weed control because it comes into contact with leaves and stems and kills them but will also penetrate deep into your lawn to continue killing those weeds over time. The weeds absorb the product through their roots and carry it through the entire system. You might notice results just 24 hours after spraying the product.
Pros
- Begins working within 24 hours
- Works on more than 90 different weeds
- Become rainproof within 60 minutes
Cons
- Can kill nearby plants