Best Weed Killers – Insider Goods Store

Compare-N-Save Concentrate

BOTTOM LINE

Roundup guarantees that you’ll see results in just three hours after using this product on your lawn. One application will kill weeds right down to the roots and resist rain. Though it does come with a power wand, that wand doesn’t work as effectively as some might wish.

PROS

Compare-N-Save comes in a concentrate that you can mix with water to use on your weeds. One bottle makes up to 85 gallons of weed killer, which is enough to cover 25,000 square feet.

CONS

You may need to mix the concentrate with less of the water recommended by the manufacturer to get the results you want. It can take up to four days before you see any results.

Roundup Weed and Grass Killer III

BOTTOM LINE

You can get up to 85 full gallons of weed killing power with one gallon of this Compare-N-Save Concentrate. It can cover more than 20,000 square feet of outdoor space and works on all types of weeds. The only downside is that it takes longer to work than other products do.

PROS

This convenient product comes already mixed and ready for use on your lawn and weeds. It resists rain just 10 minutes after you apply it, and this weed killer works in a few hours.

CONS

The power wand that comes with this weed killer doesn’t work as well as some would like. It may also develop clogs that keep the liquid from coming out.

Spectracide Weed Stop Concentrate

BOTTOM LINE

Kill weeds right down to the roots with Spectracide Weed Stop Concentrate, which can kill weeds in a lawn measuring up to 16,000 square feet in size. It works on more than 200 different types of weeds but may lead to some yellow spots forming on your lawn.

PROS

With one bottle of this concentrate, you can treat a lawn or outdoor space up to 16,000 square feet in size. It works on more than 200 types of weeds and will attack the roots to keep the weeds from growing back.

CONS

This product can turn your lawn and grass yellow. It also may not work on all the weeds growing on your lawn.

EcoSMART Organic Weed and Grass Killer

BOTTOM LINE

EcoSMART uses clove oil in its Organic Weed and Grass Killer, which leaves behind a nice scent. As one of the only products safe to use around kids and pets, this weed killer is safe to use around water sources too. Some customers did find that they needed multiple applications on some types of weeds though.

PROS

The top weed killer that will not harm the environment is this EcoSMART product. It will not contaminate groundwater, and it’s safe to use around your pets. It leaves behind a nice scent too.

CONS

You many need multiple applications of this product to completely eliminate weeds in your lawn. Some customers found that it didn’t work effectively on weeds growing in their driveways or sidewalks.

Ortho Weed B Gon

BOTTOM LINE

Get rid of all the weeds and grass growing around your home with Ortho Weed B Gon, which comes with a comfort wand for fast and easy spraying. Designed to work on more than 200 types of weeds, this killer works on ground coverings and invasive plants too. When you follow the recommended guidelines, it won’t damage your lawn.

PROS

Kill more than 200 types of weeds without damaging your grass with this weed killer. It works on ground covers like clover too and begins working in just a few hours. Ortho guarantees that this product will not kill your lawn when used as directed.

CONS

You may need to apply this product several times to treat sturdier types of weeds and grass like crab grass. The spray nozzle can clog on you too.

Shopping Guide for Weed Killers

Invasive plant species can take over your lawn and keep it from looking as green and nice as you want. Crabgrass is a common type of plant that thrives in most conditions, but you also need to worry about plants such as kudzu. Kudzu started as an ornamental grass that landscapers brought over from other countries. They didn’t realize how quickly it would grow and spread or that it could climb buildings. If you drive through the south today, you’ll find this bright green plant growing on the side of the road and covering abandoned buildings. Other types of plants are just as pesky.

The main problem with weeds and dangerous plants is that they invite animals into your yard. Not only do cats, squirrels and other types of wildlife use your yard as their play place, but they also use it as a bathroom. Some animals will eat your healthy grass and attack your decorative plants too. That is why we created a list of the best weed killers that you can use on your lawn. Our list includes concentrates that you can mix with water to create the perfect mixture and others that you can spray as-is. Find the best weed killers on our list of the best of the best.

Expert Tip

Wearing gloves on your hands and a mask over your nose and mouth will keep you safe when spraying or applying a weed killer.

Selection Criteria

You can now choose between hundreds of different products to kill and treat your weeds, including products that are safe for the environment and those that will work within hours of applying. To find the best products, we looked at what past customers said about their purchases. Not only did we look at the highest and lowest ratings, but we also looked at the average ratings to see if customers were on the fence about the products they bought.

We then took our top choices out in the field for some testing. Our testers tried these sprays and products on different types of weeds and checked to see how long it took for the products to work. They also looked at whether the products did any damage to grass and other plants nearby and how effectively each one worked on the weeds growing in between cracks in driveways and sidewalks.

As you read through our list of the best weed killers for 2023, you’ll also find out more about how much comes in each package and how many applications you can get out of each one. Use all the details and information we provided to find a product suitable for your weeds.

Types of Weed Killers

Residual Weed Killers
One product that you can buy is a residual weed killer. Also known as a soil-acting killer, it attacks weeds through the soil. When you apply the liquid, it will penetrate the ground and kill the soil and anything that comes into contact with the dirt. Instead of just killing those weeds when you apply it, it will keep working due to the residual traces of liquid left behind. This is the best type to use around garden pathways, sidewalks and driveways. You should not use it around large areas of vegetation as it will kill the neighboring plants on top of the weeds.

Contact Weed Killers
If you notice an invasive weed taking over your lawn, reach for a contact weed killer. We cannot recommend this type for gardens or on plants that you eat or touch because it remains in the environment for months or longer. Contact killers work faster than any other type of weed killer and can eliminate some plants in as little as 24 hours. There are selective types of contact weed killers you can buy that work on certain types of plants but not on others. When you want one that works on all the weeds in your lawn, you should look for a non-selective product.

Systematic Weed Killers
When you find yourself struggling with weeds that won’t stop growing, consider using a systematic weed killer. It’s designed to kill weeds from the inside out. The way it works is quite simple. You’ll spray or apply the substance on the leaves and any other spots that you can see. The leaves will then transport the liquid through the branches and into the roots, which will then carry it to all other parts of the plant. One of the issues of using a systematic killer is that it can spread to other plants.

Organic Weed Killers
Organic weed killers are helpful for those who have kids and pets. No matter how close of an eye you keep on your kids, they can pick a leaf up off the ground and put it in their mouth before you have a chance to act. Organic weed killers use natural ingredients and are safe to use around all types of plants. You don’t need to worry about your pets chewing on the grass or your kids eating leaves because the substances are safe. They’re usually safe to use on vegetable plants and fruit trees and bushes too.

What to Do in Case of Weed Killer Ingestion

Reduce the risk of accidental ingestion with signs that you put up when you spray a weed killer
Check the packaging for the number of poison control and call that number or 911
Follow the given instructions
Keep family and pets away from the person to prevent them from touching or ingesting the weed killer

Most Convenient Weed Killer: Roundup Weed and Grass Killer III

When you want to save time and money as you kill weeds, you need a product that comes ready to use like the Weed and Grass Killer III from Roundup. Within 10 minutes of applying this product to your lawn, it becomes rain-proof and will not wash away as the rain falls. It also works quickly and lets you see results in just three hours after your first application. As it comes already mixed, you can use it right away to fight weeds.

This is also an easy to use weed killer because the concentrated formula comes with a comfort wand sprayer. The sprayer extends your reach and allows you to treat weeds without bending over or standing on your lawn. You can keep one hand on the handle located on the top of the product and use your other hand to control the sprayer. Roundup designed this handle to feel comfortable in your hand and to reduce fatigue as you spray. The Weed and Grass Killer III works effectively on most types of weeds. You can use it on concrete surfaces like your patio or driveway to kill weeds growing up through cracks, but you can apply it right to your lawn too.

Expert Tip

Look for antimicrobial cleaning products when you need to clean your humidifier. These Products kill and remove microbes and bacteria inside your machine.

Best Product for the Money: Compare-N-Save Concentrate

When you want an affordable product that will work on most types of weeds, you need a concentrated option like the Compare-N-Save Concentrate. It comes in a one-gallon jug that you can use to make up to 85 gallons of spray. Though you will need your own sprayer, you can use this product to make a more concentrated or diluted spray based on the weeds growing on your lawn. When used as directed, this concentrated liquid can kill weeds growing on a lawn up to 25,000 square feet in size.

Unlike other affordable products that simply kill the weeds you see, this product reaches deep into the ground to kill the roots of those weeds. This prevents the weeds from returning. Though it may take several applications to treat your entire lawn, you get more uses out of this product, which helps you save some money. Compare-N-Save Concentrate kills weeds but will not affect your groundwater or lawn.

Did you know?

Compare-N-Save Concentrate contains 41% Glyphosate, which is one of the top weed killing ingredients.

Top Budget Product: Weed Stop Concentrate

Save even more with Weed Stop, a concentrated weed killer from Spectracide. This small bottle provides multiple applications and works on more than 200 types of common weeds. Designed to work overnight, this product is easy to use too. You can mix up the right ratio of weed killer to water, spray your lawn with the solution and wake up to find that it worked as you slept. Weed Stop becomes rain-proof in around three hours and will go after the root systems of weeds to kill all traces of those pesky plants.

This is the top product for those on a budget because it’s a concentrated liquid that you can mix with more or less water based on the type of weeds you want to fight. Even when mixed with a small amount of water, the formula will target weeds and other pests without killing your lawn. It works on clovers, dandelions and other types of weeds.

You can also purchase a ready to use spray that comes already mixed with water. As Weed Stop gives you six bottles of the concentrated formula in each package, you get enough weed killer to treat your lawn all spring and summer and into the following year. You just need to make sure that you check the expiration date listed on the bottle and that you store the weed killer in a safe place away from children and pets.

Expert Tip

Only use weed killer when the temperature outside is below 85 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid damaging your lawn.

Best for the Environment: EcoSMART Organic Weed and Grass Killer

One of the most effective weed killers on the market that will not harm the environment is the Organic Weed and Grass Killer from EcoSMART. This product is 100% organic and uses only natural ingredients that will protect your lawn and plants while targeting all the weeds on your lawn. It uses clove oil, which is the same oil that you can use to reduce pain associated with a toothache. The clove oil leaves behind a pleasant and slightly spicy fragrance as the product dries.

This is also a good product to use if you have kids and animals running around. The organic formula is safe for kids to touch and for animals to ingest. Even if your kids want to play outside and you need to let the dog out while you spray, you can let them safely use your lawn. EcoSMART guarantees that its Organic Weed and Grass Killer will not contaminate groundwater sources either.

You should have your kids wash their hands after coming into contact with the weed killer. Though it will not harm them, it can affect their taste buds if they touch it and then touch their mouths.

Best All-Around Weed Killer: Ortho Weed B Gon

Weed B Gon is the best all-around weed killer because it is easy to use and costs less than some of its competitors. The one-gallon size comes with an included applicator that you can use when applying the liquid to your lawn. A comfort wand feels comfortable in your hand as you spray every square foot of your lawn. This handle directs the spray exactly where you need it to go and reduces the fatigue that you felt when using a weed killer in the past.

This is also a good choice for most homes because Weed B Gon will work on more than 250 different types of pests and invasive plants, including clover, dandelions and other ground covers. It kills the weeds that you see and the roots that you cannot see growing underground. You’ll see results in around five hours or less.

You should keep in mind that this weed killer is not sold in Texas. If you live in Texas, you’ll need to buy a different product.