Recommended Axe Enchantments
Sharpness V
Axe melee hits do more damage than a sword - Sharpness V makes them hit even harder. (Sharpness, Smite and Bane of Arthropods are mutually exclusive.)
Smite V
Alternative to Sharpness: stronger vs undead. Smite V on an axe two-shots most undead mobs.
Efficiency V
Chops wood and breaks blocks dramatically faster.
Unbreaking III
Triples durability - essential for a tool you hit things with.
Mending I
XP from combat and mining repairs the axe automatically.
Fortune III
More drops from crops and leaves. Choose Fortune OR Silk Touch.
Silk Touch I
Alternative to Fortune: harvest blocks intact (melon, bookshelves, glass).
FAQ
What are the best axe enchantments in Minecraft?
Sharpness V (or Smite V), Efficiency V, Unbreaking III, Mending, plus Fortune III or Silk Touch. The combat and tool enchantments all stack on one axe.
Does an axe do more damage than a sword?
In Java Edition, a single axe hit deals more raw damage than a sword - but the axe attacks slower. Enchanting it with Sharpness V amplifies that heavy-hitting playstyle.
Fortune or Silk Touch on an axe?
Fortune III for crops, saplings and leaves; Silk Touch to move melons, bookshelves and glass intact. They are mutually exclusive - most players keep a dedicated Silk Touch axe.
Can I put both Sharpness and Smite on an axe?
No - Sharpness, Smite and Bane of Arthropods are mutually exclusive damage enchantments. Pick one.