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Find the Best Weed Killer to Achieve Your Lawn Goals This Spring

Lush green lawn
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The products featured here are independently selected based on thorough research from our editorial team. If you buy something through links on our site, we may receive a commission.

Stubborn weeds can halt progress in your garden and ruin your lawn’s appeal. Fortunately, using the best weed killer can rid your yard of intrusive plants. Learn about the best weed killers of 2022 for your specific lawn needs.

Whether you’re a gardener, a pet owner, or need to treat a whole yard, there are many products designed to address different lawn weed control situations. These products meet the needs that are as unique as your yard. Here are the best weed killers for lawns.

The best weed killers to use in 2022

After careful research, these are the top six weed killers of 2022.

  • Best overall: Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer
  • Best for lawns: Southern Ag Amine 24-D Weed Killer
  • Best for gardens: Preen Garden Weed Preventer
  • Best all-natural weed killer: Natural Armor Weed & Grass Killer
  • Best for pets: Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer
  • Best preventative weed killer: Roundup Concentrate Extended Control

Research methodology: To discover the best weed and grass killer, we considered the different weed control needs of homeowners. Therefore, we pursued specific categories, such as finding the most highly rated natural weed killer for individuals who don’t want to use synthetic chemicals. 

Also, we kept in mind the interests of gardeners and people with large lawns. While the best products for gardeners are preventative and selective killers, homeowners with large lawns need products that only target troublesome weed species. As such, several “best” categories emerged.

Best overall: Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer 

Pros

  • Only two hours to rainproof
  • Results in two to four days
  • Covers over 25,000 square feet

Cons

  • More expensive
  • Kills grass in addition to weeds

Compare-N-Save Concentrate Grass and Weed Killer takes the title of best weed killer because of its affordable cost of $22 for a 1-gallon container and its excellent performance. Its main ingredient is glyphosate, which kills both grass and weeds. You can use this grass and weed killer on driveways and in yards and gardens, as well as a plot prep product and even for stump regrowth management.

The contents are highly concentrated and can dilute into several gallons of weed killer. Glyphosate inhibits particular plant enzymes and kills the weeds at the source.

Best for lawns: Southern Ag Amine 24-D Weed Killer

Pros

  • Safe to use on all grass types
  • Eliminates stubborn weeds
  • Works in three days

Cons

  • Toxic to people and pets
  • Only kills broadleaf weeds

Southern Ag Amine 24-D Weed Killer is the best weed killer for lawns. It targets broad-leafed plants so it won’t kill your grass. You can safely spray this over your lawn without worrying about killing your lush green grass. This concentrated solution goes a long way. For an average yard, dilute 1 tablespoon of the product into a gallon of water to kill common weeds. It costs around $16 for 1 quart of the product.

Since this weed killer doesn’t act on soil, it’s safe to plant crops just days after spraying. It’s common for use in places where even turf is essential, like golf courses and pastures. Once sprayed, the weeds start to wither in hours and are dead in just three days.

Best for gardens: Preen Garden Weed Preventer

Pros

  • Easy application
  • Not affected by rain
  • Can be used around edible plants

Cons

  • Only covers 5,000 square feet
  • Doesn’t kill existing weeds

Preen Garden Weed Preventer is a preventative herbicide that comes in granule form. Put it in the ground after tilling it to prevent nuisance weeds from emerging. This leaves room for desired plants and flowers to grow without invasive weeds popping up. Rain doesn’t affect how this herbicide performs and each application lasts up to three months. A 31.3-pound bag of the product can cover up to 5,000 square feet. This product doesn’t kill any existing plants but only prevents new weeds from emerging. Plants and edible vegetation don’t absorb this product either.

Best all-natural weed killer: Natural Armor Weed & Grass Killer

Pros

  • All natural formula
  • Safe for people and pets
  • Spray nozzle included

Cons

  • Produces vinegar smell
  • Squeeze handle can be difficult to use

If you’re asking what kills weeds permanently without the use of synthetic chemicals, then Natural Armor Weed & Grass Killer is the product for you. This spray kills 250 types of weeds without the use of poisons and synthetic chemicals. It’s safe around pets and children because there are no toxic ingredients.

Natural Armor Weed & Grass Killer is also a fast-acting product and produces results in just hours. Pet owners who use this product have the peace of mind that they’re not putting any poisons in the same yard where their fur babies roam.

Best for pets: Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer

Pros

  • All natural formula
  • Safe for people and pets
  • No dilution required

Cons

  • Produces vinegar smell
  • Only available in one size
  • Can harm all grass and plants

Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer uses only natural ingredients like vinegar to remove weeds, so pet owners don’t have to worry about the health of their four-legged friends. It can wither weeds in just 24 hours after application without using any toxic chemicals.

You can use this non-toxic weed killer practically anywhere in your yard, garden, or lawn. Pet owners and parents of small children especially prefer this product because it only uses vinegar, a natural weed killer, which is not harmful if ingested. It’s also convenient since it’s ready to use. All you need to do is attach your garden hose to the product and spray the solution over your yard.

Best preventative weed killer: Roundup Concentrate Extended Control

Pros

  • Prevents new weeds for four months
  • Rainproof in 30 minutes
  • Highly concentrated formula

Cons

  • Toxic to people and pets
  • Sprayer sold separately

When you want to prevent growth, Roundup Concentrate Extended Control can stop new weeds from growing for up to four months. This is also a dual-acting formula that kills weeds at the same time. Each 1.33-gallon container can cover around 400 square feet, but could potentially cover more square feet if the weed infestation isn’t severe.

Since this powerful spray can kill both weeds and desirable plants, apply it with caution. It’s a popular choice for walkways, driveways, foundations, and lawn and patio edges.

Things to consider when shopping for the best weed killer spray 

When shopping for the best weed killer spray, it’s important to consider a few factors during the buying process. Many shoppers have different preferences regarding the chemical makeup of the weed killer. They also have different needs regarding which weeds to kill. Overall, you must consider four main factors:

  • Speed – Decide how quickly you need the herbicide to work. Check to find out if the product gives you the results you need in your desired timeline
  • Selectivity – There are products that kill all plant life or just broad-leaved weeds. Figure out if you need a preventative killer or a spray that just kills existing weeds
  • Chemical components – Different weed killers can use either organic, natural ingredients or synthetic chemicals
  • Location you’re using the product – Garden herbicide is specially made to treat soil after it’s been tilled. Its granules prevent new weed growth while leaving live plants alone

Frequently asked questions

  • Many products can kill weeds permanently, including store-bought weed-killing sprays and natural products like vinegar and salt. The most effective weed killers are dual-acting products. This means they kill weeds and prevent new ones from forming in the soil.

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