Our expert team has spent days and months to research, interview experts, and test nearly 30 top lawn herbicides available in the market. We finally found these six picks of the most effective weed killers for lawns to buy – no matter your needs and budget.
Here are the most effective weed killers for lawns you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Zoysia Grass: Roundup For Lawns Ready to Use-All-in-One Weed Killer
- Best For Kentucky Bluegrass: Compare-N-Save 2-4-D Broadleaf Killer
- Best For Woody Weed Prevention: Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D WEED KILLER
- Best For Tough Weed Prevention: Gordon’s SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer
- Best For Broadleaf Weed Prevention: PBI/GORDON Trimec Lawn Weed Killer
- Fast Working: Ortho Weed B Gon Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer
| 6 Most Effective Weed Killers For Lawns | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Zoysia Grass | Roundup For Lawns Ready to Use-All-in-One Weed Killer | |
Best For Kentucky Bluegrass | Compare-N-Save 2-4-D Broadleaf Killer | |
Best For Woody Weed Prevention | Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D WEED KILLER | |
Best For Tough Weed Prevention | Gordon’s SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer | |
Best For Broadleaf Weed Prevention | PBI/GORDON Trimec Lawn Weed Killer | |
Fast Working | Ortho Weed B Gon Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer | |
Best For Zoysia Grass: Roundup For Lawns Ready to Use-All-in-One Weed Killer
- Easy to use - No measuring or mixing required
- Very effective - killing more than 250 different varieties of weed
- Farther coverage – the upgraded 2’ extendable reach wand
- It has strong smell
- Not prevent regrowth
This post-emergent liquid herbicide from Roundup uses a combination of three unique ingredients to bring instant and exceptionally great results on your Zoysia lawn. No measuring or mixing required!
It is listed to kill more than 250 different varieties of weed, including grassy weeds and hard-to-kill crabgrass. Designed for cool weather, the herbicide is best to apply during early spring or late autumn.
In this latest upgraded version, the reach wand is extendable up to 2' for farther coverage.
| Roundup For Lawns Ready to Use-All-in-One Weed Killer Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 1.33 gal. |
Coverage | 1,330 sq. ft. |
Ingredients | MCPA, Quinclorac, Dicamba, etc. |
Highlight Features | No measuring or mixing required killing more than 250 different varieties of weed the upgraded 2’ extendable reach wand |
To control weeds in your Zoysia grass lawn, be sure to check out the Roundup For Lawns Ready to Use - All-in-One Weed Killer
Best For Kentucky Bluegrass: Compare-N-Save 2-4-D Broadleaf Killer
- Great control of a variety of broadleaf weeds - 2-4-D amine salt
- Ideal for large lawn owners - up to 43,280 square feet of coverage
- Requiring measuring and diluting
The major ingredient of this herbicide is 2-4-D amine salt - a substance known for great control of broadleaf weeds. The way it works is to cause the weed cells to divide and uncontrollably grow, then at the end of the day, die of hyper growth.
Because 2-4-D amine salt only impacts broadleaf weeds, it doesn't affect those lawn grass varieties like Kentucky Bluegrass.
The product takes around 5 days to see the results and up to 2 weeks for the weeds to completely disappear.
According to the recommended dose, each bottle of this herbicide is used for a very long time.
| Compare-N-Save 2-4-D Broadleaf Killer Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 32 Fluid Ounces |
Coverage | up to 43,280 sq. ft. |
Ingredients | 2-4-D amine salt and other ingredients |
Highlight Features | 2-4-D amine salt up to 43,280 square feet of coverage |
If you own a Kentucky Bluegrass lawn that is invalided by many varieties of weeds, then we don’t feel there is any better herbicide you could buy than the Compare-N-Save 2-4-D Broadleaf Killer to control them.
Best For Woody Weed Prevention: Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D WEED KILLER
- Effective on killing woody plants - 2-4-D amine salt
- More affordable than other chemicals
- The requirement of diluting with water
The Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D WEED KILLER is dedicatedly formulated for killing broadleaf weeds and woody plants. Therefore, it is safe for spot-spraying on parks, cemeteries, golf courses, and lawns.
Compared to other counterparts, this herbicide has a higher percentage of chemical to bring faster results - which is usually 2-15 days after applying depending on the weed variety.
On average, Atrazine herbicides take up to 4 weeks for visible results and are more expensive.
| Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D WEED KILLER Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 32 Ounces |
Ingredients | 2-4-D amine salt and other ingredients |
Highlight Features | 2-4-D amine salt |
The Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D WEED KILLER is the most effective herbicide in woody weed prevention that we have tested.
Best For Tough Weed Prevention: Gordon’s SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer
- Able to kill weeds with resistance to other herbicide agents - 1.71% Dicamba
- Long-lasting effects - 0.62% Carfentrazone-ethyl
- Not work if applied during summer months
This herbicide from Gordon’s effectively stops more than 75 lawn weeds, including the tough established weeds. It doesn't purely rely on 2-4-D amine salt or Mecoprop-P like most other herbicides.
Its formular includes 1.71% Dicamba - an exceptional herbicide active ingredient that can control even those tough weeds which have developed resistance to other herbicide agents like Glyphosate.
It also contains 0.62% Carfentrazone-ethyl to prolong the effects of the product on your lawn up to 14 days.
With established weeds, this herbicide works well, too.
| Gordon’s SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 20 Ounces |
Coverage | 14,000 to 18,000 square feet |
Ingredients | Mecoprop-P 5.88% Dicamba 1.71% Carfentrazone-ethyl 0.62% Active Ingredient 2,4-D, 2-ethylhexyl ester 28.57% |
Highlight Features | 1.71% Dicamba 0.62% Carfentrazone-ethyl |
Look no further than the Gordon’s SpeedZone Lawn Weed Killer if you are looking for the best solution for tough weed prevention
Best For Broadleaf Weed Prevention: PBI/GORDON Trimec Lawn Weed Killer
- Able to kill 250+ broadleaf weeds – combination of Mecoprop-p & 2,4-D
- Giving prolonged effects - 0.84% Dicamba dimethylamine salt
- No built-in measuring cap
The PBI/GORDON Trimec Lawn Weed Killer is very safe to be used on fescues, perennial ryes, Bermuda grass, and Kentucky Bluegrass because it's mainly for broadleaf weed control.
This is a highly concentrated herbicide (one gallon is enough for covering 32,000 to 64,000 square feet) that can kill more than 250 broadleaf weeds, including the hard-to-control varieties.
It is 3x more effective than other broadleaf weed killers that we have tested - which only impact on around 50-80 weed varieties.
That's a big thank you to the ingredient combination of Dicamba dimethylamine salt, Dicamba dimethylamine salt, and 2,4-D dimethylamine salt. That small difference makes this product long-lasting and ultra-effective.
| PBI/GORDON Trimec Lawn Weed Killer Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 1 gallon |
Coverage | 32,000 to 64,000 square feet |
Ingredients | 0.84% Dicamba dimethylamine salt 1.83% Mecoprop-p dimethylamine salt 7.59% 2,4-D dimethylamine salt 89.74% other ingredients |
Highlight Features | combination of Mecoprop-p & 2,4-D 0.84% Dicamba dimethylamine salt |
The PBI/GORDON Trimec Lawn Weed Killer is the best option for broadleaf weed prevention
Fast Working: Ortho Weed B Gon Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer
- Fast-working – high content of Dicamba
- Able to be applied during early summer months - the 6-hour rainproof property
- Flexible - two application ways
- A bit expensive
- Not kill as many weed varieties as other counterparts
With high content of Dicamba, this herbicide from Ortho gives instant results only within 24 hours. It is dedicated for controlling wild violet, creeping charlie, and other tough weed varieties without harming your lawn.
While the product is recommended to apply in early spring or late fall, you can use it early summer months due to the 6-hour rainproof property.
This herbicide offers the two application ways, making it flexible to use.
| Ortho Weed B Gon Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 32 Ounces |
Coverage | 6,400 sq. ft. |
Ingredients | 2,4-D, MCPP (mecoprop), Dicamba* or Triclopyr |
Highlight Features | high content of Dicamba the 6-hour rainproof property two application ways |
If you prefer to apply a fast-working herbicide on your lawn to kill wild violet, the Ortho Weed B Gon Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer will not disappoint.
How To Choose The Most Effective Weed Killer For Lawns?
Kind Of Applications
Weed killers for lawns are classified as either selective or non-selective:
Specifications | Best for | |
Selective herbicides | Able to kill certain weed species or types | Lawn owners who can identify the weed species to deal with in their property Able to be applied to the whole lawn |
Non-selective herbicides | Kill any vegetation and plant they come into contact with. | Lawn owners who don’t know exactly the types of weed in their property Spot treatment |
Kind Of Herbicide
There are two primary kinds of lawn herbicides in the market: Liquid-concentrated and granular.
Granular herbicides are used as a lawn fertilizer and require no mixing. But to optimize the product performance, you’ll need to water the lawn before applying it.
Meanwhile, liquid-concentrated herbicides require to be diluted with water in the recommended dosage before use, which is a bit messy and hassle. But they give faster and more effective results on weed-killing.
Post-Emergent Or Pre-Emergent?
Pre-emergent herbicides don't control existing weeds. Instead, they prevent the root development of weeds in your lawn during germination by inhibiting certain enzymes that stimulate root development.
They mostly are used to control annual weeds, both broadleaf weeds and grass weeds
Post-emergent herbicides come into place when you already see weeds in your lawn. But take note that they can't inhibit the root development of weeds, so either weeds could re-grow after a while or you'll have to reapply the herbicide many times to keep up the effects.
Post-emergent herbicides are available in granular form or spray form.
The time to apply these types of herbicide is different, so please follow the manufacturer's guide.
Which Brands Make The Most Effective Weed Killer For Lawns?
Scotts Miracle-Gro
Scotts Miracle-Gro has the world's largest R&D team of more than 100 scientists representing disciplines ranging from molecular biology to soil science. They own many popular pest and weed control brands like Ortho, Roundup, and Tomcat.
Southern Ag
Southern Agricultural Insecticides, Inc. was founded 1943 in the US as a company dedicated to providing crop dusting for feed stores and vegetable farms. They have expanded into supplying pesticides and fertilizer products since the 1980's.
Gordon’s
PBI-Gordon Corporation prides itself as an American brand specializing in providing the most reliable and economic lawn care products to property owners.
FAQs
Is vinegar better than Roundup?
No, it is not. Although vinegar does kill weeds, the acetic acid content in it is more toxic than Roundup. If you’re looking for a good alternative to Roundup, try herbicidal soap.
Is weed killer safe for pets?
It depends on the type of weed killers that you use. According to a study from the University of Maryland, glyphosate is tested to be pet-safe if used appropriately.
Can the most effective weed killers kill weeds permanently?
Yes, it can. Roundup and other non-selective weed killers are great choices for killing weeds permanently.
When to apply weed killer to lawns?
The best time to apply weed killers for lawns is during Spring and Fall.
Should I water the lawn after applying weed killer?
It is recommended only watering your lawn grass when the weed killer has dried – which can be 2-24 hours after applying.
Conclusion
Our team understands that to find the most effective weed killer for lawns, it is never easy to sort through all the options out there. That’s why we have taken the time to research, evaluate, and test to find the right one for you. So, just relax and have fun figuring out your nest lawn herbicide.
Eugene WilliamsHi, my name is Eugene, the ultimate home enthusiast! I write buying guides and ideas on how to create a warm and welcoming home. Join me on my journey to make everyday in your house a staycation in the comfort of your own space!
