Why Pickaxe Enchantments Matter
Let’s face it—Minecraft is all about the grind. Whether you’re deep in a diamond strip mine or clearing space for a mega build, your pickaxe is your trusty sidekick. But to really supercharge your mining, you’ll want to dive into the world of pickaxe enchantments Minecraft offers. The right enchantments can save you tons of time, boost your loot, and even make your tools last forever (yes, seriously!).
In this guide, we’re breaking down the best enchantments for pickaxe tools in Minecraft, how to combine them, and why each one matters.
All Pickaxe Enchantments: The Full List
Before we dive into the best pickaxe enchantments, here’s a quick rundown of every enchantment you can slap on a pickaxe:
•Efficiency (I–V) – Speeds up block-breaking.
•Fortune (I–III) – Increases loot drops.
•Silk Touch (I) – Lets you collect blocks in their original form.
•Unbreaking (I–III) – Extends durability.
•Mending (I) – Uses XP to repair the pickaxe.
•Curse of Vanishing (I) – Makes your pickaxe disappear on death (uh, no thanks).
The Top 5 Best Pickaxe Enchantments
Let’s cut to the chase. If you’re aiming for the best pickaxe Minecraft can offer, these are the enchantments you NEED:
1. Efficiency V
What it does:
Increases mining speed by up to 45%. Whether you’re farming obsidian or just clearing stone, Efficiency V is a total game-changer.
Why it’s great:
Faster mining = less time wasted. Pair it with a Haste beacon and you’ll be zooming through blocks.
2. Fortune III
What it does:
Boosts drop rates for ores like diamond, emerald, and lapis lazuli—up to 4x the normal amount.
Why it’s great:
Want more diamonds from every block? Fortune III is the answer. It’s hands-down one of the best Minecraft pickaxe enchantments if your goal is to stack riches fast.
3. Unbreaking III
What it does:
Reduces the chance your pickaxe loses durability, extending its lifespan by up to 300%.
Why it’s great:
There’s nothing worse than your prized pickaxe breaking mid-adventure. Unbreaking III keeps your tool around for way longer.
4. Mending I
What it does:
Automatically repairs your pickaxe when you collect XP orbs.
Why it’s great:
With Mending, your pickaxe can literally last forever, as long as you keep gathering XP. Combine it with Unbreaking for the ultimate durability setup.
5. Silk Touch I (Optional)
What it does:
Lets you mine full blocks instead of their usual drops—like grabbing diamond ore instead of diamonds.
Why it’s great:
Perfect for builders or anyone wanting to transport delicate blocks like glass or ice. It’s also essential for grabbing certain items like Ender chests or bee nests.
How Many Enchantments Can a Pickaxe Have?
In survival Minecraft, a pickaxe can hold up to 5 enchantments—but there’s a catch. Fortune and Silk Touch are mutually exclusive, meaning you can’t have both on the same pickaxe. That’s why many players keep two top-tier pickaxes:
•One with Efficiency V, Fortune III, Unbreaking III, and Mending I.
•Another with Efficiency V, Silk Touch I, Unbreaking III, and Mending I.
This way, you’ve got all bases covered!
Best Diamond Pickaxe Enchantments: The Ultimate Combo
If you’re aiming to craft the best diamond pickaxe enchantments setup, here’s your recipe:
For mining maximum loot:
- Efficiency V
- Fortune III
- Unbreaking III
- Mending I
For building/precision mining:
- Efficiency V
- Silk Touch I
- Unbreaking III
- Mending I
Diamond pickaxes are still a top choice thanks to their strength and utility. Once you get Netherite, you can upgrade your enchanted diamond pickaxe for even more power.
Fortune vs. Silk Touch: Which One’s Better?
Here’s the deal:
•Fortune III is unbeatable for resource gathering. You’ll want this when strip-mining diamonds, redstone, and lapis lazuli.
•Silk Touch I is more niche. It shines when you need to pick up fragile or special blocks intact.
Our advice? Craft both if you can. Having one of each in your hotbar makes you unstoppable in any mining mission.
How to Get the Best Minecraft Pickaxe Enchantments
There are a few ways to enchant your pickaxe:
•Enchanting Table: Combine lapis lazuli + XP + pickaxe to roll for enchantments.
•Anvil + Enchanted Books: Use books you’ve found or created to add specific enchantments.
•Villager Trades: Librarians can offer top-tier enchanted books.
Pro tip: To reach those sweet Efficiency V and Fortune III levels, you’ll need at least 30 XP levels at the enchanting table—and sometimes combine lower-level enchantments via an anvil. We recently wrote a blog about how many bookshelves for level 30 enchantments if you're interested!
What Is the Best Pickaxe in Minecraft With Enchantments?
The best pickaxe Minecraft has to offer is one that’s:
•Efficient (for speed),
•Durable (Unbreaking + Mending combo),
•Loot-boosted (Fortune III),
•And customized to your playstyle (with a Silk Touch backup!).
By combining these best pickaxe enchantments Minecraft allows, you’re setting yourself up for success—whether you’re deep in the mines or working on your next big build.
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