The 10 Best Weed Killers of 2024

Best Overall

Spectracide Weed and Grass Killer

$30 At Amazon $30 At Home Depot $42 At Walmart

We love this highly effective weed killer from Spectracide; you'll start to see targeted weeds and grasses wilting and dying within a mere 3 hours of application. This is a non-selective weed killer, so it's not suited for use on lawns, but works wonders when sprayed on weeds and unwanted grasses by sidewalks, along fences, and poking up out of driveways.

It kills most weeds, including poison ivy, dandelion, clover, and grass that's sprouting in spots where it's unwanted. And you can be sure that the treated weed is dead all the way down to the root, so no worries it will grow back again.

The weed killer comes in a concentrated form that needs to be mixed with water and applied using a tank sprayer or other spray container. If applying it near flowers or other greenery that you don't want to kill, be sure to use a piece of cardboard or plastic to protect them from the spray. Do not use this product near food crops, such as vegetables or fruits, and do not spray it on weeds in your lawn, as it will kill the lawn grass along with the weeds.

For best results, spray when the air temperature is above 60 degrees; the warmer the weather, the faster the results. Within 15 minutes of application, the weed killer will be absorbed well enough that rain won't wash it away, and if you want to plant new flowers or greenery in the treated area, you only need to wait 24 hours before it's safe to do so. However, do not let your pets or children near treated areas for at least 24 hours, and do not mow, cut, or otherwise disturb treated vegetation for a week after application.

_{Application Type: Spray︱Targeted Plants: Broad-leaf weeds and grasses︱Rain Resistance Within: 15 minutes︱Results Within: 3 hours︱Primary Active Ingredient: Diquat Dibromide︱Volume: 64 ounces}

Best Budget

Ortho Weed B Gon Chickweed, Clover & Oxalis Killer for Lawns

$20 At Amazon $15 At Home Depot $15 At Lowe's

This reasonably priced herbicide comes as a concentrate that must be mixed with water—one 16-ounce bottle will treat up to 3,200 square feet of lawn. Note that this is a selective herbicide, so you can safely kill weeds growing in the lawn without fear of damaging common lawn grasses. It's safe for use on buffalo grass, all types of fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, ryegrass, and zoysiagrass. However, do not use it on Bermuda grass, St. Augustine, or centipede grass.

When mixed and applied with a hose sprayer or tank sprayer, it will effectively kill most common lawn weeds, including dandelions, clover, chickweed, oxalis, and spurge. Once applied, this herbicide is resistant to rain within an hour, but be aware that it is not especially fast-acting, so it could be a week or more before you notice that the weeds are turning brown and dying. Still, it gets the job done and kills the weeds down to the roots, so regrowth shouldn't be a problem.

For best results, spray on a windless day when the temperature is between 50 and 90 degrees, and keep your kids and pets off the treated lawn for at least 24 hours. Do not mow the grass for 2 days before and after applying the herbicide.

_{Application Type: Spray︱Targeted Plants: Broad-leaf lawn weeds ︱Rain Resistance Within: 6 hours︱Results Within: 2-3 weeks︱Primary Active Ingredient: 8% Triclopyr, Triethylamine Salt︱Volume: 16 ounces}

Best for Gravel

Ortho GroundClear

$50 At Amazon $30 At Home Depot $30 At Walmart

If you've been battling weeds popping up through your gravel walkways or driveway or are tired of trying to pull weeds and grasses out of other hardscape, then you'll love how effectively this non-selective herbicide kills weeds right down to the root. Like our best overall pick, you'll start to see results in just 3 hours.

Unlike many formulas intended for hardscapes, it contains no harmful glyphosate. Because it is pre-emergent and post-emergent, this product kills existing greenery and stops seeds from sprouting for up to one year. Use it exclusively in areas where you do not intend to grow any type of plant.

Follow the package directions to mix the concentrate with water and apply with a sprayer on a windless day when the temperature is above 60 degrees. It will be rain-resistant within an hour, but be sure to keep pets and kids away from the treated area for at least 24 hours.

Use a piece of cardboard or plastic to protect any nearby plants or lawn. GroundClear will kill most broad-leaf plants, including common weeds, grasses, including lawn grass, and ornamental plants, such as ivy.

_{Application Type: Spray︱Targeted Plants: Broad-leaf weeds, plants, and grasses ︱Rain Resistance Within: 1 hour ︱Results Within: 3 hours︱Primary Active Ingredient: Imazapyr, isopropylamine salt: 0.47%, Pelargonic Acid and arelated fatty acids: 5.00%︱Volume: 32 ounces}

Best for Lawns

Southern Ag Amine 2,4-D

$23 At Amazon

This powerful weed killer from Southern Ag is selective, meaning it only targets broad-leafed weeds but is safe for most common types of lawn grass, with the exception of St. Augustine. It quickly kills all sorts of tough weeds, including thistle, dandelion, ivy, clover, and spurge; you'll start to see results in 48 hours (the longest on our list).

Mix the concentrate with water following the manufacturer's directions, and apply with a tank or hand sprayer, taking care to avoid any overspray or drift onto nearby ornamental or food crops, as the herbicide can burn or even kill desirable plants easily if spray settles onto them. For best results, spray on a warm, still day in spring or summer when weeds are actively growing. If there are new or persistent weeds, you can reapply the herbicide 30 days later, but do not use it more than twice a year.

After 48 hours, the weed killer is rain-resistant. Do not allow children or pets to walk on the treated grass for at least 24 hours. You can also use this highly potent weed killer for spot-treating weeds or to clear out weeds from ditches, along fences, or other non-grassy areas.

_{Application Type: Spray︱Targeted Plants: Broad-leaf weeds ︱Rain Resistance Within: 48 hours︱Results Within: 48 hours︱Primary Active Ingredient: DMA Salt of 2,4-dichlorphenoxy acetic acid︱Volume: 32 ounces}

Best Natural

Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed Killer

$30 At Amazon $22 At Home Depot $48 At Walmart

To eliminate weeds and grasses without harming the environment, utilize Green Gobbler Vinegar Weed and Grass Killer. We tested this weed killer and found that this solution works well on a variety of surfaces, including concrete, mulch, flower beds, roadways, and sidewalks. Furthermore, we found that weeds did not come back even after a few weeks had passed since application. It should be noted, though, that in order to make sure the weeds didn't return after being killed, we had to pull them out by hand.

This product is created without synthetic substances and is glyphosate-free, in contrast to many other weed killers that include harsh chemicals. This herbicide is highly effective against a wide variety of weeds, including crabgrass, dandelion, clover weed, white clover, mildew, and many more.

You can expect noticeable results in less than 24 hours. Keep in mind that this product's vinegar basis makes it non-weed specific and potentially harmful to all plants and grass. So, be careful not to apply it to plants you intend to maintain; rather, use it exclusively in weedy areas. If you're seeking for a green and efficient weed killer, we think this product is a fantastic pick.

_{Application Type: Spray︱Targeted Plants: Crabgrass, dandelions, and other listed weeds︱Rain Resistance Within: Not listed︱Results Within: 24 hours︱Primary Active Ingredient: Acetic acid︱Volume: 1 gallon}

Best for Flower Beds

Roundup Weed and Grass Killer

$30 At Home Depot $45 At Walmart $30 At Lowe's

If bothersome weeds are sprouting up in your flower beds or in other areas where desirable plants are in close proximity, then we recommend this highly effective weed killer from Roundup. This weed killer is a ready-to-use product with a unique "Sure Shot" wand that makes it easy to accurately target only the weed that you want to kill while protecting nearby greenery from overspray or drift.

The wand extends to 2 feet, so you don't even have to crouch down to spray the offending weed. And no bother with mixing or measuring; just pick up the container and go. It's most effective when used on days with temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees.

This non-selective herbicide quickly kills most broad-leaf weeds and grasses, and you'll see results in as little as 3 hours. The spray is also rain-resistant in a mere 10 minutes. However, be sure to keep your pets and children out of treated areas for at least a day to be sure the herbicide is entirely dry. You can also use this potent spray to kill weeds along driveways, around mulched trees, or popping up through gravel. Wherever you use it, you'll soon see the weeds dead right down to the roots.

_{Application Type: Spray︱Targeted Plants: Broad-leaf weeds and grasses ︱Rain Resistance Within: 10 minutes︱Results Within: 3 hours︱Primary Active Ingredient: Glyphosate︱Volume: 1.33 gallons}

Best for Driveways

Roundup Extended Control Weed and Grass Killer

View On Amazon $33 At Home Depot

Eradicate weeds and keep them from coming back for up to four months with this potent weed killer. Like our best for gravel pick, it combines pre- and post-emergent ingredients to prevent weed seeds from sprouting and kill existing weeds all the way down to the root.

There is no need to mix, measure, or get out your sprayer. Like the product we recommend for flower beds, it has a "Comfort Wand" applicator that makes it easier to spray without bending over. All it takes is a pull of the trigger to start spraying again.

Note that this herbicide is not for use in garden beds or on lawns. It's formulated for use on driveways, walkways, patios, and other hardscaped areas. It can also be used on gravel or decorative walk areas, as well as along curbs, fences, and retaining walls.

Wherever you use it, you'll see results in as little as 3 hours. It effectively kills the most common weeds, including poison ivy, oak, spurge weed, dandelion, thistle, and clover. It's rain-resistant in as little as 10 minutes, but keep pets and people away from treated areas until they're completely dry, and avoid letting the spray contact your lawn or desirable plants.

_{Application Type: Spray︱Targeted Plants: Broad-leaf weeds and grasses ︱Rain Resistance Within: 10 minutes︱Results Within: 3 hours︱Primary Active Ingredient: Glyphosate, pelargonic acid︱Volume: 1.33 gallons}

Best for Gardens

Natural Armor All-Natural Weed and Grass Killer

$30 At Amazon

This organic weed killer is ideal for use throughout your garden, including flower beds, vegetable gardens, around mulched trees and shrubs, and along hardscaped areas. Keep in mind that you shouldn't use this product on grass.

This product's all-natural ingredients include salt, vinegar, and citrus oil. It's ready to use, as well, and comes with a non-clog trigger top. If you have a tank sprayer, you may also pour it into that. Either way, the product handily kills just about any broad-leaf weed or grass within 24 hours.

When using it in your garden beds, be sure to protect nearby plants with a piece of cardboard or plastic to prevent accidental contact. For best results, spray on a day without wind or rain in the forecast and with temperatures above 65 degrees.

Once sprayed, it will be rain-resistant within 24 hours. You might notice an odor of vinegar, but it will fade quickly. Although this is made without harmful ingredients, as with any potent product, keeping people and pets out of treated areas until completely dry is best.

_{Application Type: Spray︱Targeted Plants: Broad-leaf weeds and grasses ︱Rain Resistance Within: 24 hours︱Results Within: 24 hours︱Primary Active Ingredient: vinegar, citrus oil, salts︱Volume: 1 gallon}

Best Pre-Emergent

Preen Garden Weed Preventer

View On Amazon $38 At Home Depot $33 At Walmart

Most weed killers are post-emergent only, meaning that they kill only those weeds that are already growing above the soil but leave the weed seeds unscathed and ready to sprout. But this product from Preen is not pre-emergent; it does not kill weeds, as you can see, but effectively prevents their seeds from sprouting. That means that after removing weeds prior to applying the granular herbicide, you'll be freed from the tedious task of weeding for up to 3 months.

Note that Preen should not be applied on lawns, but it is excellent for use in flower beds, vegetable gardens, around trees, and underneath shrubs. Preen is effective against most common broad-leaf weeds and grasses, including purslane, foxtails, and crabgrass.

Applying it is easy. First, you'll need to remove any obvious weeds from the area. Then, sprinkle Preen across the soil evenly, following package directions for coverage. Next, gently rake the Preen into the soil, and then water it immediately to start activating its ingredients. Keep pets and kids out of the treated area until completely dry.

Rain won't wash it away once you've watered it into the soil. For best results, apply it when there is no dew or rain on your flowers or other desirable greenery to prevent the Preen granules from sticking to their leaves. You can sprinkle Preen right over mulch. If any of the granules drop onto concrete or other paving materials, sweep them up right away to prevent staining.

_{Application Type: Granules︱Targeted Plants: Broad-leaf weeds and grasses ︱Rain Resistance Within: Immediately︱Results Within: Not applicable︱Primary Active Ingredient: Trifluralin︱Volume: 5 pounds}

Best for Vegetable Gardens

Bonide Captain Jack’s Deadweed Brew

$30 At Amazon $30 At Home Depot

The majority of herbicides are unsafe to use near food crops like fruits and vegetables. However, this Bonide organic product changes all of that. It employs caprylic acid, an extract of coconut oil, to eliminate the majority of grasses, weeds, algae, and moss. 

Put it to use in your flower and vegetable gardens, around your trees and shrubs, and even on your hardscape, including patios and walks. But you shouldn't apply it on your grass. To use this concentrate, first combine it with water. Then, spray it straight into the weeds you want to kill, as this prevents the overspray or drift from damaging surrounding attractive vegetation.

Treated weeds will begin to noticeably die off in anywhere from 2 hours to a couple of days. It's rain-resistant within 3 hours, and you can let your pets or children into the treated areas once it's completely dry. For best results, spray on a clear, still day when temperatures are at least 40 degrees and preferably quite a bit warmer. You might notice a bit of an unpleasant odor until the spray dries, but it will dissipate after that.

_{Application Type: Spray︱Targeted Plants: Broad-leaf weeds, grasses, algae, moss ︱Rain Resistance Within: 3 hours︱Results Within: 2 to 48 hours︱Primary Active Ingredient: Caprylic acid︱Volume: 32 ounces}