Alex is not a lawn care natural. He had to learn things the hard way. But after stumbling through his first few seasons of lawn care, he learned a lot. Mostly - what not to do.
Alex has become one of the country's advocates of battery-powered lawn tools, quoted in the Washington Post among other highly visible publications. Alex started The Lawn Review with his friend Tyler - who you may see in some of the videos on this website - to help normal people like you understand how to take care of their lawn themselves with the best tools possible.
Alex has thousands of hours of experience using hundreds of different lawn tools and has found exactly what to look for in each type of tool. He speaks with deep experience not only about the boring technical specifications, but what the tool actually feels like when you are using it, what to look for before you make a purchase, and how the lawn tool measures up when you factor in price.
I tested the all-new ENHULK 58V String Trimmer this weekend. I loved it. From its smooth and lightweight carbon fiber shaft to the raw power and versatility, I can now say that I am an ENHULK fanboy.
I tested out the 58V ENHULK leaf blower last year with low expectations. It came in the mail from a brand I had never heard of before. But after I assembled it and cranked it all the way up, my mind was blown. I had historically thought the EGO 56V leaf blower was the most powerful on the market, but the ENHULK is noticeably more powerful.
The string trimmer came in a slick box. Assembly was a breeze – I simply opened up the box and straightened out the shaft. It assembles easily where you can just straighten it, tighten a bolt, and you’re good to go. The last few pieces of assembly came with the addition of the handle – something that required no tools – and the guard. The guard is straightforward assembly with a quick screw and Allen wrench.
Popping the battery in is also like any other battery-powered tool. Simply slide it in the back. Mine came fully charged and ready-to-go with a nice charger handy.
First impressions
After having extensive, almost daily experience with the ENHULK 58V blower, I was excited to get my hands on the string trimmer. Something that struck me almost immediately was how lighweight the trimmer was – even with the battery. I suspect the carbon fiber shaft makes it way lighter than others. My Ryobi string trimmer that I’ve had for about 7 years feels nearly twice as heavy and unbalanced as the ENHULK.
This trimmer is powerful
Holy cow. I fired this up quickly after getting out of the box and it was dang powerful. It comes with a few different speed levels: eco, high, and turbo. I put it on turbo to do some trimming around a sign in my front yard and it was overkill. I put it on low and did some surgical-precision edging around my yard and found that to be the perfect speed. I didn’t try it on super thick brush yet, but think the turbo mode will be more than enough to crush the kudzu growing on the other side of my backyard.
The battery lasts quite a while
I’ve used the ENHULK 58V trimmer a few times now around my front and backyards and put it through the ringer. Combined, I’ve spent nearly an hour using the string trimmer. Right now, it still has ¼ battery left on a 2.5 Ah battery.
Both 2.5Ah and 5.0Ah ENHULK batteries can be used across their range, including chainsaws, blowers, and trimmers. After using the string trimmer, you can switch to the leaf blower to clear the trimmed grass, making cleanup easier and saving time.
The beautiful thing about this battery is that it doesn’t just work on the string trimmer. The 5.0 Ah battery that comes with the blower can also work on this trimmer, just like the 2.5 Ah battery can work on the blower. The 5.0 Ah battery is a bit heavier and can throw off the balance, so I use it for backup just in case the trimmer runs out of battery and I need to do more trimming.
The downside
This ENHULK string trimmer is almost perfect. The stock weed eater string that came with it was straight up weak. It is a .095” twisted, thin red line that was hard to see and didn’t last very long. I found myself chewing through it relatively quickly.
Fortunately, this is a super easy and cost-effective fix. You can simply go buy a new, tough weed eater string like the GrassKicker weed eater string. I did this with mine and it turned it into a next-level beast.
The bottom line
The ENHULK 58V string trimmer is an absolute beast – probably my favorite string trimmer that I’ve ever used. This will be my go-to string trimmer for the foreseeable future. After the quick swap out of the weed eater string, this became the most powerful weed eater on the market.
Every year before Easter I make sure to get my lawn prepped and ready to go for the Spring and Summer heat. By nailing this routine, I’m able to get green grass quickly that stays green throughout the year. I’ve missed this window of opportunity before and ended up with more weeds than grass.
My 5-step pre-Easter lawn care checklist:
Complete a soil test kit: soil test kits are the easiest way to get a diagnostic on your yard to determine exactly what it needs. Go ahead and send it in ASAP and complete the next steps while you wait.
Clean the canvas: Get all the sticks, leaves, debris, and anything else off of your lawn that has been sitting there for the past few months.
Put down pre-emergent:Pre-emergent is the best way to protect your lawn from invasive grasses and weeds that love to pop-up and choke out your grass.
Use the results from your soil test kit: After a week or so, your soil test kit results should be in and a fertilizer recommendation should have been made. Follow these instructions to make sure your lawn is getting the right nutrients.
Put down mulch:Mulch is a great way to make your lawn stand out and contrast against your perfectly green grass.
EGO’s new aluminum deck mower might be my new favorite mower of all time. One of my major hesitations with EGO in the past has been that they almost always use plastic cutting decks on their mowers. Well – this year they decided to make a big change.
Bottom Line: The new aluminum deck mower from EGO is one of the best electric mowers on the market and has all the bells and whistles you could possibly want. You can check out the price here on Amazon.
Let’s jump right into my experience with this new EGO LM2200SP mower.
The new aluminum metal deck on the EGO mower
Obviously the most striking part of the new EGO mower is the aluminum cutting deck. If you’ve read any of my old posts about EGO mowers, you’ll know my main criticism of EGO was their plastic cutting decks.
Well they shut me up. Not only did EGO make a solid metal cutting deck for their new mower, but they made it an inch wider than their other mowers. Metal cutting decks are superior to plastic cutting decks for two reasons:
Metal cutting decks provide more weight which help stabilize the electric mower and help it mow in a straight line.
Metal cutting decks are more durable and resistant to cracks and scratches.
EGO’s Touch Drive and Select Cut function
Not only does the new EGO LM2200SP have the sweet metal cutting deck, but it also has all the bells and whistles that you would expect from a high-end EGO mower. I wrote a post where I helped break down all the unique language that EGO uses to describe their mowers, but I’ll distill down the two main terms that apply here.
EGO Touch Drive explained – Touch drive is the slick roller feature on the handle of the mower that allows you to control the speed of the self-propelled function of the mower.
EGO Select Cut – Select Cut means that the EGO mower has two blades at the bottom that allow for a super clean cut.
The new LMS2200SP comes with both Touch Drive and Select Cut. These two features combined allow for a super easy-to-use experience with an extremely clean cut. I’m not sure why this mower wasn’t considered a Select Cut XP – which is just the higher torque version of the Select Cut – since the torque on this mower is so high at 11.1 lbs.
Other nice features on the EGO aluminum deck mower
Some small features on the EGO mower that make it have a “premium” feel are the blade speed adjustment and the nice little headlights. The blade speed adjustment allows for an Eco mode that can help extend the battery run-time, but also a turbo mode for thicker brush.
The LM2200SP also features dual height adjustment on the front and back wheels so you can completely control the height of the cutting deck. It also comes with a brushless motor, just like all other EGO mowers, which makes it highly durable and able to last for well over a decade.
Lastly – this mower comes with a massive 10 Ah battery which allows for a ridiculous 70-minute run-time. This is enough power to do any normal job you would do with a push mower.
The look and feel of the EGO aluminum deck mower
Using this new mower is striking. Firing it up and starting to push it felt instantly like one of the most high quality mowers I’ve ever used. I’ve historically thought of the Milwaukee M18 as one of the most solid and powerful electric mowers on the market, but my mind has been changed.
From the solid weight to the nice self-propelled function – this mower is very premium and great to use.
I know it sounds like I am sponsored by EGO – but I’m not. I’m just glad to see them change their ways from their classic plastic deck mowers.
EGO LM2200SP vs EGO LM2156SP mower
I own both the EGO LM2200SP (the aluminum deck mower) and the LM2156SP (the EGO Select Cut XP I’ve reviewed here). Side-by-side, the new aluminum deck mower is noticeably better looking than the boxier, older looking EGO Select Cut XP.
Both have two blades at the bottom, touch-drive functionality, and take the classic EGO 56V battery – but the 10 Ah battery that comes with the new EGO LM2200SP takes the cake here.
I obviously like the aluminum deck mower a bit more than the Select Cut XP because it has just as much torque (if not more), a better cutting deck, a bigger battery, and all the same functionality.
My final review: EGO Aluminum Deck Mower
The EGO aluminum deck mower may just be the best electric mower on the market (which means I need to re-do my ranking list of best electric mowers). The new, wider 22-inch aluminum deck, the Touch Drive function, dual cutting blades, and bells and whistles make the EGO LM2200SP an absolute dream.
If you haven’t heard, Toro released a new 60V electric TimeCutter – a modern twist on their classic gas-powered Toro TimeCutter SS4225.
Bottom Line: While the gas-powered Toro TimeCutter is better for commercial use or very large yards, the new 60V electric TimeCutter is better overall – providing a quieter, easier ride and even moving a bit faster.
Luckily, I got my hands on both mowers for a nice side-by-side comparison of both gas and electric Toro TimeCutters. While they look nearly identical, they have some stark differences that you should be aware of before you pull the trigger. Let’s dive in:
But the electric TimeCutter, the 60V eTimeCutter, felt just as strong. I tested both of these in my backyard and my neighbors backyard and cut grass, wet grass, went over sticks, and even mulched leaves. The eTimeCutter did a bang up job.
While I think that on the upper end of power the gas version is probably more powerful, you wouldn’t notice a difference in power between the two mowers on a day-to-day basis. Basically, if you’re a normal homeowner and use the electric version of the TimeCutter, you’ll be fine.
One important note – my friend and I did a drag race comparison of the two mowers and the electric one is faster by about 1.5 MPH. It has some serious zip and acceleration that blew my hat off my head (not kidding).
The gas Toro TimeCutter is more comfortable
As much as I wanted the electric TimeCutter to be more comfortable – it just wasn’t. The gas TimeCutter SS4225 comes with armrests and a crazy suspension system called MyRIDE. The MyRIDE suspension system connects the footplate and the chair in one unit. The unit is connected to a core suspension spring that is pretty bouncy – but in a good way. Basically it has the seated component of the mower separated from the rest of the mower in a way that I’ve never seen before.
It only makes sense when you’ve stepped onto the mower. Once you’re on it, you can really appreciate the MyRIDE suspension system’s ability to make the bumps and turbulence basically nothing. If you’ve ever been in a car with a great suspension system, like a Ford Raptor or similar, you will get the same feeling.
What about the eTimeCutter?
The eTimeCutter surprisingly doesn’t have much of a suspension system at all and doesn’t have arm rests. Boo! It looks like the eTimeCutter was built on the body of last year’s gas-powered TimeCutter – the same frame and suspension system they’ve used for the past few years. Not bad, but not the upgrade that the gas version got.
The battery system on the new eTimeCutter is great
The eTimeCutter comes with 4 60V 10 Ah batteries, which is a ton. These are huge and come with cool handles that allow you to pull it out of the back of the mower with ease. It takes a lot of battery to run a zero-turn, so I’m not surprised to see the massive batteries on this one.
You can get around two acres of cut time with the batteries fully charged. Obviously if you compare this to gas, the gas mower reigns supreme as you can just quickly fill it up with more gas.
But when it comes to run-time, it doesn’t matter as much as you would think. If you have a 42 inch zero turn mower, then you probably aren’t mowing more than two acres at a time. For example, if you have a three acre property, I wouldn’t use anything less than a 52 inch zero turn like the Ariens IKON XD 52.
So – if you have between 1-2 acres, I recommend the electric version just because it is easier to maintain.
My overall recommendation: Gas or electric TimeCutter zero-turn?
The recommendation is dynamic: if you are a normal homeowner, the eTimeCutter is supreme because it requires no maintenance and is just as good for under two acres. If you have more than two acres or are a professional landscaper, then the gas version is better.
But if you are meeting the requirements to get a gas mower, why wouldn’t you go with a bigger one from someone like John Deere or Husqvarna?
What we look for in zero-turn mowers
A few things to look for in zero-turn mowers are blade size, transmission, accessory capabilities and cost.
Cutting width
Blade size and cutting width are important to keep consistent with the size of your lawn. Obviously longer blades are best for larger lawns, but begin to sacrifice a little bit of the agility afforded by a smaller blade.
Transmission type
Transmission is also an important consideration for a zero-turn mower. Most zero turn mowers do not have manual transmissions, but have either automatic or hydrostatic transmissions. Automatic works just like an automatic car does with a gas pedal and belts. Hydrostatic transmissions use fluid to transfer their power to the blades and the rest of the engine. I prefer and recommend hydrostatic transmissions because they typically require less maintenance and have a longer life (plus it sounds cooler).
Cost and value
Cost is generally of the utmost importance as well. Zero-turn mowers are expensive. In fact, you can buy an old Honda Civic for less than most zero turn mowers. Expect to spend no less than $3,000 for a zero turn mower. Keep in mind that these will last a long time and save you a ton of weekend time when compared to a riding tractor or push mower. Zero turn mowers are an upfront investment, but reap a huge return over time.
I tested out the new Toro 60V eTimeCutter zero-turn mower and it was a mind-boggling experience. Compared to gas-powered zero-turn mowers like the original gas TimeCutter SS4225, the brand new Toro 60V eTimeCutter was an insanely fast, quiet, easy-to-use ride.
I highly recommend you try it sometime.
Anyways, this was one of the most interesting and invigorating reviews we’ve done. I really liked a LOT about this electric zero turn mower, but think it is only good for a specific audience.
Pros of the Toro electric zero turn mower:
Extremely easy to use and turn on
No maintenance
Quiet
Super fast
Super clean cut
Cons of the Toro eTimeCutter:
Limited battery run time
Long battery charge time
Testing the Toro 60V eTimeCutter zero-turn mower: My Review
I was super excited to test out the new Toro 60V eTimeCutter because I had the identical Toro TimeCutter SS4225 gas zero-turn mower right next to it to compare. This made it super fun to not only try out a brand new electric zero-turn, but gave me a better understanding of how and why Toro designed this new mower. Here’s my experience:
The Toro 60V eTimeCutter is easy to use
The first thing I noticed when I got the Toro 60V eTimeCutter was how easy everything is to use. It came with a bunch of batteries (more on that later) that I simply pop in, turn the key to the ignition, and start moving.
I’m not saying that normal zero turn mowers are difficult to use, but the normal thoughts of fluid levels, maintenance schedules, or even the noise that the mower was about to make didn’t enter my mind. I simply turned it on and backed it out of my garage.
When you are actually running this electric zero turn full speed it feels just like any other zero-turn mower – extremely responsive steering bars, all of the same features and functionality – but just electric. After using the original Toro TimeCutter, the experience is way better. I can use this zero-turn with headphones and don’t smell like gas after.
The electric Toro TimeCutter has decent battery life
Toro isn’t known for their battery lineup, but they have slowly made a transition to electric tools through their 60V lineup. I’ve also reviewed their Toro SmartStow Recycler mower as well – one of their battery powered push mowers.
The Toro 60V eTimeCutter comes with 4 (!) 10 Ah batteries but room for up to six. These 10 Ah 60V Toro batteries are massive and come with really convenient handles that let you pull them in and out of the charging port of the eTimeCutter – which is on the back of the mower where the engine would normally be on a zero turn mower.
I ran this in my yard and my neighbors yard which is a combined 1.2 acres or so of land. The battery did totally fine. After I mowed, my friend and I actually raced the gas and the electric Toro TimeCutters and the electric won!
All that to say – the eTimeCutter’s battery run time is advertised to cut around 1.3 acres. This varies wildly depending on several things like grass type, yard shape, weight of the operator, and moisture. I easily got 1.2 acres out of it plus a race without even thinking about the batteries. I think the batteries can go even longer than advertised, especially if you buy a few more and get all six battery ports in the mower filled up.
The charge time is a different story for the Toro 60V eTimeCutter batteries. The batteries take almost four hours to completely charge. This charge time is totally okay if you are just mowing your yard and can charge them overnight, but if you mow multiple lawns – this isn’t the mower for you.
The Toro 60V eTimeCutter provided a great cut
The cut quality on the electric Toro TimeCutter is top notch. I honestly expected the electric version to be a little bit weaker (not sure why), but the cut was perfect. I went through my lawn after I cut it with the zero turn just to see if I missed any spots. The lines were perfectly smooth and even which was an amazing surprise
One thing that struck me as absolutely wild about this mower is that it was extremely fast. My friend and I did a little drag race comparison with the classic gas-powered Toro TimeCutter and the electric one pulled away pretty quickly. It gets up to 7 mph compared to 5.5 on the gas version.
Which is better: Gas or electric Toro TimeCutter?
Honestly, I liked the electric version of the TimeCutter better. It provided a quieter cut, there were no emissions, and it was faster. If you’re a homeowner and willing to shell out the money, the electric version is a whole lot more fun, quiet, and easier to maintain than the gas version.
The gas version of the Toro TimeCutter is more comfortable – it has a nice suspension system and arm rests (which are super underrated). The gas version is also a bit cheaper, too.
How much does the new electric Toro Zero Turn cost?
The 60V Toro TimeMaster will come in at around $6,500 once it hits the market this Spring.
We asked Toro for their thoughts on this mower
We reached out to the experts over at Toro and they are super excited about the new 60V Toro TimeCutter.
Sean Stebar, a Product Manager at Toro, let me know that they are super excited about the battery lineup coming out of Toro. The zero turn has “removable battery packs that can be shared from one piece of Toro battery-powered equipment to another, giving a user power to do big jobs 365 days a year regardless if it’s cutting grass, trimming hedges, or even throwing snow.”.
While batteries are a relatively new concept to Toro, I’ll be excited to see what they can pull off in this space.
My final opinion on the new 60V TimeCutter from Toro
While Toro’s electric zero turn is a bit expensive, it is the first step towards their electric future and makes me extremely excited to see what’s next. I particularly liked the handles on the battery system, the quiet operation, and the speed and control this mower had.
While it is a bit pricey, I think it will last a long time with its brushless motor and classic TimeCutter frame.
My recommendation: If you have the money, it is well spent on this mower.
The Greenworks 40V Cordless Dethatcher is an incredible tool for clearing out the top layer of your lawn and letting it fully breathe again. I got this new cordless dethatcher from Greenworks and was blown away with not only how well this worked on my lawn and how satisfying it was.
Bottom Line: I recommend grabbing a cordless dethatcher from Greenworks for a great price over on Amazon. If it is out of your price range, you can grab the corded electric version for a way cheaper price here.
Since I have used these so many times, I have a nice pattern I do in my yard that helps me evaluate the performance of each of these. This was my first time using a cordless dethatcher, so it felt refreshingly different and more convenient than when I used the corded versions.
One thing I noticed during this testing process was the lack of an extension cord made me walk a lot faster. I had to slow down multiple times to make sure I was getting a thorough dethatching.
Using the Greenworks Cordless Dethatcher In My Yard
Here’s how the Greenworks 40V cordless dethatcher did in my lawn.
The Greenworks Cordless Dethatcher is incredibly easy to use
Getting started with the Greenworks dethatcher is a breeze. Once I assembled it, I simply squeezed the handlebars together and pressed the button on the side of the handlebars to get it started. That’s it.
Once you have it started, you can simply adjust the deck height to make sure you aren’t digging too deep or not deep enough into your lawn to get the right amount of thatch off of your lawn.
How to use the Greenworks cordless dethatcher
My simple instructions for using the Greenworks dethatcher are below:
Place the 40V battery inside the battery port
Squeeze the top handlebar and press the “start” button on the side
Start walking slowly through your lawn
Adjust the deck height as needed – raise it if you start pulling up dirt and lower it if you aren’t getting much thatch
You should be replacing the collection bag pretty frequently if you have the deck height set on the correct setting
Walking slowly is absolutely critical
Using the scarifier attachment on the Greenworks Cordless Dethatcher
The scarifier attachment is something you will want to pop on before you dethatch your lawn. A scarifier basically cuts up the thatch that is sitting on top of your soil and makes it much easier to dethatch.
Scarifiers work almost like little blenders, rotating blades vertically around to dig into the soil and chop up layers of dead grass sitting on top. I didn’t notice any thatch being collected at this point – it just preps the surface for a powerful dethatching.
Swapping out the dethatcher tines and scarifier attachment is pretty easy on the Greenworks dethatcher. There’s a little screw next to the attachments that you can hand-twist and open to place the new attachments. No tools needed!
Lastly, storing the Greenworks dethatcher is super easy. It folds in half really well at the handlebars. I only use a dethatcher once or twice per year so being able to store it in a tight spot makes it way better.
The Greenworks Cordless Dethatcher performed well
Taking the scarifier blade through my lawn followed by a nice slow-paced dethatching had my lawn looking crazy. I dethatch my lawn every year but have never pulled up so much thatch. Going cordless made the work more enjoyable because I didn’t have to lug around my extension cord or think about it at all.
The cordless dethatcher is also quiet enough that I could walk around my lawn with headphones on and listen to an audiobook while I used it.
Good performance, good experience, pretty sweet machine.
Corded vs Cordless Greenworks dethatcher
The corded and cordless Greenworks dethatchers operate nearly 100% identically. Both do a really good job of clearing out the thatch from your lawn. The main difference between the two is power source and price.
The corded electric Greenworks dethatcher is much cheaper and can run for…forever (as long as you pay your electric bill). To operate the corded version, you will need to buy a separate extension cord that can run the length of your lawn. You’ll also need to lug it around with you the entire time which can be super annoying.
The cordless Greenworks dethatcher is a bit more expensive and runs with the Greenworks 40V battery. The battery life on the cordless dethatcher is decent – about 30 minutes of runtime.
Is the Greenworks Cordless Dethatcher worth it?
The cordless dethatcher is definitely the better purchase if you already own the Greenworks 40V battery. If this is the case, you can buy the TOOL ONLY VERSION.
If you buy the tool-only version, the corded and cordless version are about the same price.
My final review of the Greenworks Cordless Dethatcher
I have used both the cordless and corded electric Greenworks dethatcher. Getting a dethatcher is one of the cheapest ways I’ve transformed my lawn – and the most satisfying. I say yes to getting a dethatcher and that the Greenworks cordless version is a really, really convenient way to get the job done.
Why we started The Lawn Review
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
The best pre-emergent for your lawn is The Anderson’s Barricade pre-emergent because it is the highest quality, purest, and safest pre-emergent. I’ve been using Barricade for the past few seasons and have had amazing results – but there are other good options, too.
Upgrading to a nice pre-emergent made a huge difference in my lawn. I had historically used a generic all-in-one pre-emergent and fertilizer combo like Scotts Turf Builder. This worked okay until I started noticing new weeds that I had never had in my lawn. Scotts just wasn’t high quality enough and didn’t seem to care as much as we did about our lawn.
We made the switch over to The Andersons and have started using a ton of their products. My first recommendation to you is to grab their Yard Star spreader. It is a bit expensive but absolutely worth it when compared to other broadcast spreaders.
Pre-emergents are herbicides used to prevent weeds from sprouting in your lawn. I apply granular pre-emergent to my lawn in the Spring using a broadcast spreader before it starts to get too warm.
Pre-emergents work by selectively preventing weeds and invasive grasses from growing at the same time as your grass. Weeds love the spring because fools like me will stand outside and do everything to create an amazing environment for my grass to grow. Meanwhile, weeds are feeding off of the same fertilizers, water, and sunshine as grass.
Nipping weeds in the bud (literally) with pre-emergents is the best way to get year-round green grass without a ton of weeds mixed in.
When do I put down pre-emergent?
The best time to apply pre-emergent is in the Spring as the soil begins to warm up. I live in Tennessee, so I put pre-emergent down usually around the first week of March – depending on what the weather is doing that year.
Later in the year, I put down pre-emergent again in the Fall prior to aerating and overseeding my lawn. This helps the other opportunistic weeds from enjoying my Fall lawn routine just like my grass does.
For folks that live further North, pre-emergent may be put down in late April once all the snow has melted and your lawn is thawed out.
How much pre-emergent do I need?
It depends on the type of pre-emergent you need. The Andersons Barricade has 18 lbs of pre-emergent to cover 5,800 sq. ft.
If you need to know how many square feet your lawn is, simply go to myyardsize.com and follow the instructions. This is super helpful because I know how big my lot is WITH my house, but not the actual lawn size that I would apply the pre-emergent.
What are the best pre-emergents?
I’ve used quite a few pre-emergents and have had varying results. Here are the three best pre-emergents I’ve used in my lawn.
The Andersons Barricade pre-emergent
The Andersons Barricade is what I used in my lawn last year and what I will be using again this year. Barricade is super high quality and absolutely pinned down any weeds that I would have normally gotten. It also comes in a nice granular form and was easy to put down in my spreader.
The next best pre-emergent is Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy weed preventer. This is a cheaper pre-emergent than The Andersons Barricade, but is a bit of a decrease in quality. At about half the price, Scotts Halts Crabgrass & Grassy Weed Preventer is still a great option that will provide broad coverage against weeds and invasive grasses.
The Andersons Crabgrass Preventer is a great all-around pre-emergent AND fertilizer mixture. This pre-emergent is better suited for the Fall when growth is more active than in the early Spring when growth hasn’t started yet. The combination of pre-emergent and fertilizer allows you to keep the new growth weeds at bay while providing solid nutrition for your lawn.
Stihl and EGO both make great battery powered mowers. I own both the Stihl RMA 510 V and the EGO Select Cut mower with Touch Drive – two of the most popular electric mowers in the game right now.
After using both mowers extensively, I like the EGO Select Cut mower better because it provided a better cut and has a more extensive battery series.
Comparing EGO Select Cut to the Stihl RMA 510 V electric mower
I took both of these mowers into my backyard for a little side-by-side comparison. Here’s what I found.
The EGO Select Cut mower is more powerful than the Stihl battery mower
It is always difficult to quantify the power output of an electric mower. Gas mowers are easy to compare because they have horsepower or ccs or other metrics. One metric that EGO advertises is torque.
EGO claims that their Select Cut mower puts out about 8.9 ft. lbs of torque. I am not quite sure that that means but it is a claim EGO uses to show that this mower is more powerful than gas mowers. After using the EGO Select Cut I can tell you that it feels more powerful than gas.
The Stihl RMA 510 V mower doesn’t have an advertised torque amount, but it felt like a pretty standard mower on par with gas.
Side-by-side the EGO mower is definitely the more powerful mower of the two. It’s hard to describe the feeling but it really feels solid, doesn’t miss a cut, and pulls you forward when you use it.
The winner: EGO Select Cut Battery Powered Mower
EGO Select Cut is cheaper than the Stihl RMA 510 V mower
Let’s get straight to the point – which one is a better price, the EGO Select Cut or the Stihl RMA 10 V?
The Stihl RMA 510 V is about $800 and can be found on Acme Tools website (no affiliation).
It is clear that the EGO Select Cut is the less expensive option here.
The winner: EGO Select Cut Battery Powered Mower with Touch Drive
The Stihl RMA 510 V has a more durable build than EGO
Stihl’s RMA 510 V mower comes with a great metal cutting deck that is 21 inches wide. Metal cutting decks are great for a few reasons. For starters, metal cutting decks are more durable than plastic cutting decks (regardless of how thick they are).
Metal cutting decks also provide more weight to the mower. Weight on a walk-behind mower like the Stihl RMA 510 V is not always a bad thing. The additional weight helps keep electric mowers grounded and stabilized.
The EGO Select Cut has a thick, plastic cutting deck. While this is still pretty durable, I prefer the classic metal decks for appearance, durability, and added stability.
With EGO’s 56V battery lineup, you can use the same battery to power the Select Cut mower that you would to power your blower, edger, and dozens of other tools. If you grab a something like their attachment system that can swap out a ton of different tools, you can literally use the one battery and power head for like 8 different tools.
Stihls AP 300 battery system is still relatively new – just like Stihl’s presence in the electric and battery powered lawn tool game. You don’t quite get the breadth and variety of tools with Stihl that you would with EGO.
The winner: EGO Select Cut battery powered mower
The EGO feels easier to use than the Stihl mower
While the Stihl mower is a perfectly fine mower, I noticed a huge difference when I switched back and forth between the two. The EGO feels much more powerful, likely from its construction feeling really “solid”. It is a hard thing to put into words, but the EGO feels like it is just really well built.
One other noticeable difference is the self-propelled function on the EGO Select Cut. The self-propelled function is so hardcore that it literally pulled me forward when I started it. This allows you to mow your lawn really quickly and reliably compared to the slower, weaker feeling Stihl RMA 510 V.
Overall Review: EGO Select Cut vs Stihl RMA 510 V mower
The EGO Select Cut battery mower is better than the Stihl RMA 510 V battery mower because it is less expensive, more powerful, and has a bigger battery system. The Stihl has a more durable metal cutting deck and is a fine mower – but still isn’t quite up to par with EGO.
I tested out the EGO Select Cut mower and the Stihl RMA 510 V in my backyard. I put both through thick grass while lowering the cutting deck, ran them until they died, took them over sticks and rocks, and cranked the self-propelled function all the way up.
The reason we started The Lawn Review in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
What to look for in an electric mower
If you’re looking for a new battery powered mower, you need to make sure you understand what things matter on the mower. You will get hit with a lot of technical specifications and people throwing acronyms at you.
Below are my main criteria when buying a mower.
Battery-powered mower brand quality
Quality is going to be super important here. Just about everyone is in the electric mower game these days and there are a ton of junky mowers out there. Avoid anything from a weird brand on Amazon that takes 9 years to ship. It is probably being 3D printed in a Laotian bathroom. Go for brands that have consistent quality and focus on the details, not just flashy colors.
Some brands I trust off the top of my head are: Greenworks, Milwaukee, Makita, Toro, EGO, and Kobalt. SOME Ryobi mowers, although myself and others have had some problems with reliability. Brand quality matters, but it’s also important to look at the specs on each.
Luckily, Greenworks is on this list so we are in good shape!
Metal where it matters: the deck
Most electric mowers are plastic-y. Probably to reduce the weight of the mower so that the battery can get you further, but it feels cheap. Make sure to get metal where it matters – namely the deck. The deck is the part that covers the blades. Don’t get plastic here – a rock can rip through it.
Battery interoperability.
A ten dollar word used here, but really just make sure to buy a mower with a battery that is compatible with other electric tools. You’ll see a bunch of these brands that have battery lines that work with a ton of tools. Milwaukee, Makita, and Dewalt are all great options because you can use them for all lawn tools AND power tools – saving you a ton of money on extra batteries.
Self-propelled mowers are lawn mowers that slowly crawl forward when mowing the lawn. They propel forward the mower, taking off a lot of the “pushing power” required by traditional push mowers.
Self-propelled mowers are ALWAYS more expensive because they have the additional power and functionality that makes life easier. They have their place, but because of the cost can often seem not totally worth it
The Stihl RMA 510 V is a battery powered mower recently dropped onto the market by Stihl. The RMA 510V is a good battery powered mower and checks many boxes – but comes in at a premium price point. I don’t recommend it.
If you are wondering why the Stihl electric mower is a big deal, it is mostly because Stihl has historically not made any mowers. Stihl also has not been a major player in the electric space. The investment Stihl has made in their RMA 510 V electric mower signals a huge move.
Here are the pros and cons of the Stilh RMA 510 V after I tested it extensively in my backyard and even tested it against my EGO mower:
Pros:
A nice steel cutting deck
Brushless motor
Great self-propelled function
Super easy to use
Cons:
Expensive
Cannot use battery with many other tools
You can grab the Stihl electric mower at Acme Tools or Northern Tools (I’m NOT an affiliate of either and am providing a 100% honest review).
I tested the all-new Stihl RMA 510 V battery powered mower
Stihl’s RMA 510 V electric mower got shipped to my house the other day. After I got it unboxed and tested it in my backyard, here were my thoughts. As always, I am going to give you the brutally honest review only The Lawn Review provides.
The Stihl RMA 510 V mower has a durable steel cutting deck
Stihl is known for making high quality, durable products so I wasn’t surprised to see they went with a steel cutting deck on their new RMA 510 V electric mower. I liked the metal cutting deck on the Stihl mower because it provides two things.
First, the Stilh RMA 510 V’s metal cutting deck adds additional weight that improves control of the mower. Second, the metal cutting deck is highly durable when compared to competitor’s plastic cutting decks.
Stihl’s RMA 510 V battery mower has a nice self-propelled function
The self-propelled function on the Stihl RMA 510 V battery mower is super easy to activate. It’s located conveniently on the left side of the handlebars where you can quickly toggle the speed. Many self-propelled lawn mowers have a simple “on” or “off” feature instead of giving you total control of the speed.
The Stihl RMA 510 V has a nice “goldilocks” effect of letting me put it at right about ¾ full speed so I can hustle without getting too sweaty.
The Stihl mower has all the basics
I like that this mower has a seven-setting height adjustment that makes mowing your lawn in bermudagrass or tall fescue a breeze. Many folks overlook this point, but it is truly versatile all across the great United States.
The RMA 510 V is easy to use, easy to assemble, great for storage, and highly durable.
The Stihl RMA 510 V has a brushless motor – which is important.
Overall – I can’t complain about this mower. If I was handed it for free and got to take it for a spin, I would love it. But the price point is simply too high for me to take the leap when there are other more trusted brands with experience in the battery lawn mower game.
The Stihl RMA 510 V battery system is not expansive
One downside of the Stihl RMA 510 V mower is that the AP 300 S Stihl battery is simply not widely used. With mowers like the Milwaukee M18 mower or the EGO Select Cut XP – you get to use the same battery across hundreds of tools.
When you go with a battery system like Stihl’s RMA 510 V and AP 300 S, you take up charging space in your garage or shed. Not good!
Stihl’s battery mower is expensive
If you buy the full mower kit, the Stihl RMA 510 V battery mower costs you nearly $800. That is too high, in my opinion.
My final review after testing: Stihl RMA 510 V electric mower
I don’t recommend the Stihl RMA 510 V. It has some great features and a solid build, but Stihl has just recently entered the lawn mower game and the battery and electric tool game and I don’t want to be their guinea pig.
How I tested the Stihl RMA 510 V electric mower
I tested the mower the same way I test all of the battery powered mowers I test – by ruthlessly running this mower into the ground. I lowered the deck all the way and put it into some tall fescue, ran it over some sticks, and mowed until the battery died.
The Stihl mower was crying for help by the time I was done – but it had to be truly put to the test to see how it stood up. Overall, I was impressed with how it performed, just not the price point that it is listed for.
FAQ
Here are some common questions I get about Stihl’s RMA 510 V electric mower.
What’s the difference between the Stihl RMA 510 V and the Stihl RMA 510 electric mowers?
The Stihl RMA 510 V has a variable speed self-propelled function whereas the RMA 510 does not.
Is the Stihl RMA 510 V mower worth it?
The Stihl RMA 510 V is expensive for what you get – I don’t think it is worth it.
Does the Stihl RMA 510 V have a brushless motor?
Yes, most of Stilh’s electric tools have brushless motors.
Trust me – it isn’t advertised and I’ve been corrected before!
Why you can trust The Lawn Review
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
What to look for in an electric mower brand
When looking to purchase an electric lawn mower, you need to make sure you understand what things matter. You will get hit with a lot of technical specifications and marketing tactics. Totally forget them and focus on the things that impact you. Below are my recommendations:
Battery powered mower brand quality
Quality is going to be super important here. Just about everyone is in the electric mower game these days and there are a ton of junky mowers out there. Avoid anything from a weird brand on Amazon that takes 9 years to ship. It is probably being 3D printed in a Laotian bathroom. Go for brands that have consistent quality and focus on the details, not just flashy colors.
Some brands I trust off the top of my head are: Greenworks, Milwaukee, Makita, Toro, EGO, and Kobalt. SOME Ryobi mowers, although myself and others have had some problems with reliability. Brand quality matters, but it’s also important to look at the specs on each. For example, Greenworks sells like 60 mowers, only a handful of them would I ever consider for this list. EGO also sells a bunch of mowers, and only a few are within an acceptable price range to be on this list.
Metal where it matters: the deck
Most electric mowers are plastic-y. Probably to reduce the weight of the mower so that the battery can get you further, but it feels cheap. Make sure to get metal where it matters – namely the deck. The deck is the part that covers the blades. Don’t get plastic here – a rock can rip through it.
Battery interoperability.
A ten dollar word used here, but really just make sure to buy a mower with a battery that is compatible with other electric tools. You’ll see a bunch of these brands that have battery lines that work with a ton of tools. Milwaukee, Makita, and Dewalt are all great options because you can use them for all lawn tools AND power tools – saving you a ton of money on extra batteries.
If you have more questions, check out our guide to electric lawn mowers, where we break this down into a lot more detail.
Self-propelled or not
Self-propelled mowers are lawn mowers that slowly crawl forward when mowing the lawn. They propel forward the mower, taking off a lot of the “pushing power” required by traditional push mowers.
Self-propelled mowers are ALWAYS more expensive because they have the additional power and functionality that makes life easier. They have their place, but because of the cost can often seem not totally worth it
A mulching blade on a lawn mower is a blade designed to finely cut grass clippings, leaves, or other debris. Mulching blades are great for fall weather or yards with mixed grass types or are significantly overgrown.
Bottom Line:For most homeowners, mulching blades should not be used for regular lawn mowing. A good analogy for mulching blades on mowers is like using a chainsaw to slice a cake. Mulching blades are overkill and will shred your grass and give it an uneven cut.
Mulching blades on Lawn Mowers: Explained
Most mulching blades on lawn mowers have a curvature that creates airflow and circulates and repeatedly cuts the same grass until it is finely shredded. Other mulching blades have teeth on the end that can cut up smaller pieces of debris and shred through leaves with no problem.
Some mulching blades have both teeth AND a curvature. All mulching blades have a longer cutting edge that allows for enhanced cutting.
Different types of mulching blades on lawn mowers
The two main types of mulching blades include curved blades and then mulching blades with teeth. Let’s take a look at both.
Curved mulching blades on mowers
Curved mulching blades are typically referred to as 3-in-1 mulching blades and sometimes come standard with lower-end lawn mowers. Curved mulching blades are heavier than normal blades and have a longer cutting blade (meaning the sharpened part is extended down towards the center of the blade).
My recommendation when it comes to curved mulching blades is to buy them separately from the rest of the mower. I would use the curved blade as an attachment during the Fall when your grass is super thick and leaves are piling up on your lawn.
High lift lawn mowing blades
High lift lawn mowing blades are the standard, thinner blades that are typically used with side discharge mowers. They are able to spin with more precision and provide a cleaner cut. The blade length is smaller so that the mower is able to chop-and-go without tossing around a ton of clippings.
My recommendation with high lift blades is to use them for the majority of the Spring and Summer before leaves start hitting the ground. High lift mowing blades will provide your lawn a clean, even cut.
What are Gator blades on a lawn mower?
Gator blades are mulching blades with specifically designed features including patented teeth and other designs that intensify mulching. Gator blades are made by Oregon products – a brand that makes chainsaw chains and other cutting tools.
Gator blades are great for highly intense mulching needs and are super aggressive.
Do I need mulching blades on a zero-turn mower?
In my opinion, mulching blades are not necessary for most zero-turn mowers. Zero-turn mowers provide so much power and cutting force that altering the blade is not necessary.
There is a time and a place for mulching blades on zero-turn mowers if the goal is to bag the clippings or leaves. A mulching blade may help cut the grass into finer pieces to make bagging more efficient. Otherwise – you can skip it.
Best mulching blades for lawn mowers: 2024 Edition
Here are some of the highest quality mulching blades you can add to your mower.
MTD Genuine Parts Mulching Blade with Adapter
The MTD mulching blade and adapter kit is great for 21 inch lawn mowers, both push and self-propelled. I like this mulching blade because it is inexpensive, fits just about every mower, and comes with an adapter to make sure it fits well on your mower.
Photo cred: MTD Genuine Parts
If you look closely, you will notice that this is a curved-blade mower blade that creates a vacuum effect that finely chops your grass for you. If you have a classic Troy Bilt mower or really any 21 inch mower – battery powered or gas – this one is a great, cheap option.
Oregon is the original creator of the Gator Blade. If you want an intense, aggressive mulching blade, then this is the one for you. The G5 Gator Blade has:
Ability to fit most 21 inch mowers
Sharp teeth on both ends of the blade
Tungsten-reinforced blades for extreme durability
Extended cutting length on the blade
Photo cred: Gator.
Basically, the G5 Gator Blade will absolutely shred the living daylights out of any mulching job you need done.
You should put mulching blades on your mower if you want to finely chop up some leaves or are about to mow a super thick, out-of-control lawn.
Which is better, mulching or high-lift blades?
Mulching blades are better for finely cutting leaves and grass and high-lift blades are better for even, smooth lawn mowing.
Is it better to use a mulching mower?
There aren’t really mulching mowers, just mulching blades. I prefer using regular blades on any kind of mower and then adding the mulching blade on as needed.
