The best axe enchantments in Minecraft are Efficiency V, Sharpness V (or Smite V for undead), Unbreaking III, and Mending. This combination gives you the fastest wood chopping speed, excellent combat damage, extended durability, and the ability to repair your axe indefinitely using experience orbs.
Unlike pickaxes, axes serve a dual purpose in Minecraft—they're both a tool for chopping wood and a powerful weapon for combat, especially in Java Edition.
Why Axes Matter for Combat
Before diving into enchantments, it's important to understand that axes function differently between game versions:
Java Edition
- Axes deal more damage than swords (9 damage for diamond axe vs 7 for diamond sword)
- Longer attack cooldown (slower swing speed)
- Can disable shields temporarily
- Preferred weapon for many PvP situations
Bedrock Edition
- Axes deal less damage than swords
- No attack cooldown mechanics
- Cannot disable shields
- Primarily used as tools, not weapons
This guide covers both uses, but the combat enchantments are especially valuable for Java Edition players.
The Essential Axe Enchantments
1. Efficiency V
What it does: Dramatically increases chopping speed for wood-based blocks
Why it's essential: Efficiency V makes harvesting wood, stripping logs, and breaking wooden blocks significantly faster.
Max Level: V (5)
Speed Increase:
- Efficiency I: +30% speed
- Efficiency II: +60% speed
- Efficiency III: +90% speed
- Efficiency IV: +120% speed
- Efficiency V: +150% speed
With Efficiency V on a diamond or Netherite axe, you'll break logs almost instantly, making wood gathering far less tedious.
Works On:
- All wood types (oak, birch, spruce, etc.)
- Wooden planks
- Wooden tools and items
- Note blocks
- Bookshelves
- Crafting tables
2. Sharpness V / Smite V / Bane of Arthropods V
Axes can have one of three combat enchantments. You can't have multiple on the same axe.
Sharpness V (Most Versatile)
What it does: Increases damage against all mobs and players
Max Level: V (5)
Damage Increase: +3 damage at level V (total of 12 damage with diamond axe in Java Edition)
Best For: General combat, PvP, and situations where you face various enemy types
Smite V (Best for Undead)
What it does: Massive damage increase against undead mobs only
Max Level: V (5)
Damage Increase: +12.5 damage at level V against undead mobs
Works Against:
- Zombies (all variants)
- Skeletons (all variants)
- Zombie Villagers
- Drowned
- Phantoms
- Wither Skeletons
- The Wither boss
- Zoglins
Best For: Fighting in areas with lots of undead (like fortresses, dungeons, or during night raids)
Bane of Arthropods V (Niche Use)
What it does: Massive damage increase against arthropod mobs only
Max Level: V (5)
Damage Increase: +12.5 damage at level V against arthropods
Works Against:
- Spiders
- Cave Spiders
- Silverfish
- Endermites
- Bees
Best For: Strongholds with silverfish, spider-heavy areas, or specific challenges. Generally the least useful of the three.
3. Unbreaking III
What it does: Extends the durability of your axe by reducing the chance it takes damage when used
Why it's essential: Unbreaking III makes your axe last approximately 4x longer, drastically reducing repair costs and material consumption.
Max Level: III (3)
Durability Multiplier:
- Unbreaking I: ~2x durability
- Unbreaking II: ~3x durability
- Unbreaking III: ~4x durability
Combined with Mending, this makes your axe practically indestructible.
4. Mending
What it does: Repairs your axe using experience orbs you collect
Why it's essential: Mending makes your axe last forever. As long as you're gaining XP from mining, fighting, or smelting, your axe repairs itself automatically.
Max Level: I (1)
How to Get It: Mending is a treasure enchantment that cannot be obtained from an enchanting table. You must find it through:
- Trading with librarian villagers (best and most reliable method)
- Fishing with Luck of the Sea
- Dungeon, temple, and fortress chests
- Ancient city chests
With Mending and Unbreaking III, you'll never need to craft another axe once you have your perfect one.
Perfect Axe Enchantment Setups
All-Purpose Axe (Best for Most Players)
- Efficiency V - Fast wood chopping
- Sharpness V - Good damage against everything
- Unbreaking III - Extended durability
- Mending - Infinite repairs
Use For: General gameplay, resource gathering, combat versatility
Undead Killer Axe
- Efficiency V - Fast wood chopping
- Smite V - Maximum damage against zombies and skeletons
- Unbreaking III - Extended durability
- Mending - Infinite repairs
Use For: Nether fortresses, zombie raids, fighting the Wither, nighttime combat
PvP Combat Axe (Java Edition)
- Sharpness V - Maximum damage against players
- Unbreaking III - Extended durability
- Mending - Infinite repairs
Note: Skip Efficiency for pure PvP axes if you never use them for chopping
Sharpness vs Smite vs Bane: Which Should You Choose?
| Enchantment | Best Use Case | Damage Bonus | Versatility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpness V | General combat, PvP, mixed mobs | +3 damage | High - works on everything |
| Smite V | Nether, night raids, Wither boss | +12.5 vs undead | Medium - only undead |
| Bane of Arthropods V | Strongholds, spider nests | +12.5 vs arthropods | Low - very specific enemies |
Most players should choose Sharpness V for their main axe because it works in all situations.
Get Smite V if you:
- Frequently explore Nether fortresses
- Fight the Wither often
- Participate in zombie raids
- Spend lots of time fighting undead mobs
Get Bane of Arthropods V if you:
- Are specifically tackling a stronghold
- Have a spider farm that needs clearing
- Want a specialized tool for a very specific use case
For most gameplay, the versatility of Sharpness beats the specialized damage of Smite or Bane.
Enchantment Priority Order
If you're on a budget or just starting out, add enchantments in this order:
Priority 1: Efficiency V - The speed boost for chopping wood is immediately valuable and saves massive amounts of time
Priority 2: Unbreaking III - Makes your expensive axe last much longer
Priority 3: Mending - Once you have this, your axe becomes permanent
Priority 4: Sharpness V (or Smite V) - Adds combat versatility to your tool
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best enchantments for an axe in Minecraft?
The best axe enchantments are Efficiency V (for chopping speed), Sharpness V (for combat damage), Unbreaking III (for durability), and Mending (for automatic repairs). This combination works for both tool use and combat.
Does Fortune work on axes?
No, Fortune does not work on axes. It won't increase drops from wood, leaves, melons, or any blocks axes are used on. Fortune only works on pickaxes, shovels, and hoes.
Should I use Sharpness or Smite on my axe?
Sharpness V is better for most players because it works on all mobs and players. Smite V is better if you frequently fight undead mobs like zombies, skeletons, or the Wither boss. For general use, choose Sharpness.
Is an axe better than a sword in Minecraft?
In Java Edition, axes deal more damage per hit than swords but have a longer cooldown. They're excellent for critical hits and PvP. In Bedrock Edition, swords are better for combat since axes deal less damage and have no special advantages.
Can you put Silk Touch on an axe?
Yes, but it has limited uses. Silk Touch on an axe lets you harvest beehives with bees inside and collect certain blocks in their original form. Most players don't find this useful enough to dedicate an axe to it.
What does Efficiency do on an axe?
Efficiency increases how fast your axe breaks wood-based blocks. At Efficiency V, you'll break logs almost instantly, making wood gathering much faster. It's the most important enchantment for axes as tools.
Can you have Sharpness and Smite on the same axe?
No, Sharpness, Smite, and Bane of Arthropods are mutually exclusive. You can only have one of these three enchantments on an axe at a time.
Does Unbreaking work with Mending on axes?
Yes, and they work perfectly together. Unbreaking III makes your axe take damage less often, while Mending repairs it when you gain XP. Combined, they make your axe last essentially forever.
