Author: Alex @ TLR

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.
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5 Best Battery Powered Mowers That Rival Gas

greenworks 80v mower

The best battery powered mower is the Milwaukee M18 Fuel electric mower. This battery powered mower is extremely powerful, has an amazing cutting deck, and is part of an enormous battery system. And believe me, I have tested DOZENS of these bad boys and have only been impressed by a few.

The EGO Select Cut is prettttttty good!

Whether or not you agree with, battery powered mowers are taking over the lawn care space. When I walk into any Home Depot or Lowe’s I see electric mowers prominently displayed in flashy colors all over the place.

But some of these new electric mowers are straight up plastic-y and cheap – and they’ve failed our rigorous testing. And if you’re used to using an OG gas push mower like we were, well then you’ve got some high standards.

We weren’t looking for the Rolls Royce of mowers when we made this list – I am looking for the best value, most durability, and most gas-like power I can find. Which is why I kept the list shorter than others.

Here are the best battery powered mowers I’ve tested:

  1.  Milwaukee M18 FUEL Battery powered mower
  2. EGO Power+ LM2021 Electric Mower
  3. Greenworks PRO 80V Battery Mower
  4. Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Electric Mower
  5. Toro 60V Max Super Recycler Battery Powered Mower 

How I tested these battery powered mowers

I tested these mowers over the course of a few years. For starters, I bought the Milwaukee M18 battery mower for over $1,000 a few weeks ago (you can see our YouTube video here). I have a few other videos that include the EGO mower and the Greenworks mower below. For the Toro battery mower, we went to Home Depot and tested it out. And lastly, the Ryobi mower I borrowed from my friend Drew for the comparison video we made against the EGO battery powered mower. All undergo an extensive testing protocol that includes assembly, mowing my 1/2 acre lawn, and battery run time tests.

This is me comparing the EGO and Ryobi mowers.

Ranking the best battery powered mowers of 2024

This was actually a pretty easy list to put together. I do this all day – what did you expect? Let me break down the best electric mowers and why I ranked them where I did.

1. Milwaukee M18 FUEL Battery powered Mower

The funny thing about Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL lawn mower is that it is the only mower they make. It’s like they got a team together, thought about how to make the perfect mower, then just….did it. Then they decided to never try again.

Either way, the Milwaukee M18 FUEL is the best battery powered mower offered in 2023. We like this mower for a few reasons:

  • It has as much power as a 200cc lawn mower (more than your classic Honda push mower)
  • A heavy, strong, steel metal deck as opposed to plastic ones found on the market
  • Goes to full throttle in less than a second
  • Brushless motor (requirement to be on this list)
  • The two 18V batteries work with any of the other 200+ M18 tools from Milwaukee

The only downside is that it is probably one of the more expensive push mowers I’ve seen. It retails at Home Depot for over $1,000. If you are a Milwaukee enthusiast or are truly looking for peak battery powered mower performance, then this one is the right one for you. 

It’s just a dang beast – but expensive.

If you’re looking for a side-by-side comparison, check out how the M18 stacks up against the Ryobi 40V HP (which also made this list).

2. EGO Power+ LM2021 Battery powered mower

We are never popular for saying that this EGO mower is our favorite EGO mower, but we don’t care about being popular.

It is not the EGO mower with all the bells and whistles, but it does have most of the EGO features plus a steel cutting deck. It is the only EGO mower with a steel cutting deck, making it the most durable one they offer and also one of the heaviest. 

Steel deck is unbeatable.

Why do I like heavy electric mowers? Because they feel more like a gas powered mower and are actually easier to control and keep in a straight line.

I love that this EGO mower still runs for an hour, still folds like the other EGO mowers, and has a brushless motor.

When it comes to EGO, it is easy to just jump after the prettiest one for sale at Lowe’s or wherever else you buy it – but this is legitimately the one that will make you the happiest (in my opinion).

You can grab this one at your local Lowe’s – or check it out on Amazon (it’s usually cheaper there but good to compare).

3. Greenworks PRO 80V 21 inch Battery powered mower

We’ve been big fans of the Greenworks 80V mower because it is darn near perfect. I have it as number five not because it has the best specifications of any battery powered mower, but because it has the a great combination of quality and price.

If you haven’t heard of Greenworks, they are an up-and-coming battery powered lawn tool brand that puts out some high quality stuff. They have a real attention to detail and offer great warranties on their brushless motors, this one with a four year warranty. My other neighbor has this mower and is obsessed.

I got my hands on this mower (my photography skills below) and had a confusing experience. I mostly loved using the mower and was super impressed by the power, but when I tested it on my yard it seemed to fall apart. The self-propelled function jammed up whenever I made a turn and I also experienced the mower just randomly cutting off.

It’s made the top of many of our lists.

There’s a lot to like about this mower, but we will just point out a few of our favorites:

  • Can mow up to 1 acre on a single charge
  • Works with a bunch of the other 80V Greenworks tools
  • A nice steel metal deck
  • Super easy to fold and store
  • The price
  • Self-propelled function

The best thing about this mower though is hands down the price. It’s similar (maybe even better) quality than just about every mower on this list, but comes in at ½ to ¼ of the price. 

Yes, you can grab this one on Amazon for an insane price, especially if you already own the batteries. It is also one that is starting to show up in Costco, which is another great place to buy it.

4. Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Battery powered mower

My Ryobi 40V HP Brushless battery powered mower used to be my number one favorite electric mower. Because it was the first one I’ve ever used. Since then, I’ve matured a bit in my taste and become much pickier.

The first one I used

Nevertheless, it still made this list. It was a little bit too light for my liking, getting moved off-track whenever a tuft of thick grass or a stick got in the way.

But I can’t deny just how great it is to use my same Ryobi 40V battery with a ton of my other different tools. I have used it with my 40V weed eater, my 40V Whisper Series blower, and even my backpack sprayer. 

It’s super convenient. Oh, and the mower’s not bad either. It has a brushless motor, some serious 6 Ah batteries, great functionality, and self-propelled function – really all the bells and whistles you could ask for.

The cooler new guy.

The Ryobi 40V is an amazing mower and should still be highly considered despite being second to last on this list – it’s super exclusive.

This mower is available at Home Depot for a great price, check it here.

5. Toro 60V Max Super Recycler Battery powered mower

Toro’s battery powered mowers are a beauty. But they’re a bit expensive. If you’re used to seeing these bright red mowers in your garage and all around your neighborhood, you aren’t alone. 

Toro makes some of the most popular mowers on the planet and for some reason – they last for many years. But Toro definitely overcompensated for being late to the battery party by creating the 60V Super Recycler mower.

Gotta love the air intake system.

Here are some cool features that I liked about their new battery powered mower:

  • The power output is similar to my Honda gas mower
  • It has a shiny red metal deck that’s more durable than the plastic ones
  • Recycler cutting system finely shredded my grass – that’s good for your yard
  • It has this cool air intake valve at the top that pulls air in and causes grass to stand up tall, creating a really even cut in the lawn

Toro nailed this one and the price isn’t honestly all that bad. The reason it isn’t higher is that Toro doesn’t have a ton of other battery powered tools, so you won’t get the same efficiency that you would from a Milwaukee or EGO mower..

You can still grab this one (currently $80 off) from Home Depot online or in-store.

What to look for when buying a battery powered lawn mower

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.

One I trust (no affiliation)

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

Have bermuda? Check out our mower ranking for bermudagrass.

Battery powered mower vs gas mower

This is an age-old debate. Which is better, battery powered or gas? It’s not that simple and I’ll explain why.

Gas powered mowers have always been the dominant force because they are reliable, run as long as there’s gas in them, and tend to be more powerful.

But that’s changing. Yes, the runtime will always be better as long as you have gas, but battery powered mowers are becoming increasingly reliable and in many cases just as strong  (if not stronger) than their gas-powered counterparts.

Embarrassingly, I was mowing my damp lawn back in the Fall with my Troy Bilt TB160 gas mower when my neighbor, who owns an EGO Select Cut XP mower saw me struggling and asked if I wanted to borrow his mower.

The other huge benefit to battery powered mowers is virtually ZERO maintenance. No pull cords, no spark plugs, no oil changes. It’s super convenient. Except when your (expensive) batteries die.

How long do battery mowers last?

It depends on the Amp-hours of the battery and the specific mower, but most last up to 1 acre or around 45-60 minutes on a single charge.

Using the self-propelled function on a battery powered mower can decrease this, as can super long grass.

Is it worth getting a battery powered mower?

If you have less than an acre of land, then yes – these are great investments.

The real money savings from battery-powered mowers comes from the ability to use one battery system across several tools, saving money on batteries with each tool. 

What are some disadvantages to battery powered mowers?

Battery powered mowers tend to be limited by their battery life, making it difficult for those with larger yards to get it all done in a single charge.

They also take a long time to charge, burning precious daylight. And while they are easier to maintain than gas-powered mowers, they aren’t as reliable and have a lot of electronic parts.

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. 

We take tool testing very seriously.

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 reviews that mean something..

The Bottom Line: Best battery powered mowers of 2024

When I am picking a battery powered mower, it’s important to consider the comparison to gas-powered mowers, the size of your yard, and how much you’re willing to spend. The ones I’ve included on this list are all premium – if you are looking for a more affordable one (less than $400 or so), check out the electric mowers for small yards.

One thing we were surprised by in 2023 – the mower selection at Walmart – check out our ranking.

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Best Fertilizer For Every Grass Type (2024 Guide)

The best fertilizer for your yard varies on where you live, but a nice balanced fertilizer like a 4-1-2 is great for most yards.

In order for your lawn to have a thick, lush green look naturally, you’ll need to provide it with some TLC. Fertilization is a significant aspect of this and probably the most important one. 

Like all plants, grass needs certain nutrients to promote healthy and strong growth, and these are provided with the help of fertilizers. However, you should be aware that not every fertilizer is suitable for all grass types.

Believe it or not, this was news to me at one point.

For first-time gardeners, we understand that this can be tricky but we’ve broken it down by each type of grass. Don’t know your grass type? Keep scrolling…

Jump ahead to your specific grass type:

Lawn Fertilizer: NPK Ratio Explained

Additionally, all fertilizers contain a specific N-P-K (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) ratio, with each number specifying the richness of the nutrient. Furthermore, fertilizers typically come in a liquid or granular form – the former provides results usually in 2-3 days, while the latter is slow-releasing. 

This can help you identify your grass.

For that reason, if you’re starting up a lawn, you should pick out a grass fertilizer rich in phosphorus to establish healthy roots. In contrast, you’ll find that most fertilizers are rich in nitrogen since all of us are aiming toward a flourishing lawn. Nonetheless, you should pick one with a ratio that best suits your grass type – which we’ll get into later.

Best time to fertilize your lawn

Finally, you should be aware of the ideal fertilization time. Keep in mind that the time varies whether you’re starting up your lawn or nurturing your existing one, as well as the grass type. With that said, early spring is ideal for using starter fertilizer which is heavy in phosphorus. In addition, cool-season grass, like Fescue grass, benefits from fertilization during this time, including early fall. 

On the other hand, warm-season grass, such as Bermuda and Zoysia, is best to be fertilized during the summer months, when their growth is very much in effect. Almost all grass types benefit from late summer to early fall fertilization – including in May, June, September, and October.

Identify your zone!

Oh – and make sure to water your lawn consistently after application. Follow that link for our watering schedule that we use.

Best Fertilizers for Every Grass Type: 2024 Update

Now that we’ve covered the basic grounds of a grass fertilizer, the next step is finding the ideal one for your specific grass type. Below you’ll find an in-depth look into the best fertilizer for various kinds of grass. 

Best Fertilizer For St. Augustine Grass 

St. Augustine grass requires a balanced N-P-K ratio fertilizer, typically 3-1-2 or 4-1-2. Remember that the ratio can vary depending on the soil conditions, climate, and other factors that are specific to your area. Additionally, it is best to use a slow-release fertilizer in contrast to a liquid one to help maintain a consistent level of nutrients in your soil and prevent excessive growth, pests, and diseases. However, if your St. Augustine grass is already established, a quick and regular spray of liquid fertilizer rich in nitrogen will give your lawn a lush, green look.

In terms of fertilization time, use a grass fertilizer in the early spring when the grass starts to green up or late summer when it goes dormant.

A great fertilizer for St. Augustine Grass is Andersons 16-4-8 (which follows the 4-1-2 guideline). You can grab it from Amazon for a good price as well.

This one is a great all-around fertilizer and will fit many grasses.

Best Fertilizer For Centipede Grass

Compared to other grass types, Centipede grass generally prefers a lower nutrient level in order to thrive. For that reason, you should use a grass fertilizer with a lower nitrogen count and a higher potassium content. The ratio you need to look for is typically 1-0-1 or 2-0-1. Since this type of grass benefits from lower nitrogen levels, you should avoid using liquid-based fertilizers. Instead, go for slow-release formulas that will provide long-lasting nutrition.

The best time to fertilize your Centipede grass is in the early spring and once again in the early fall for optimal results. Be careful not to overuse it, though, since it can lead to thatch buildup – which will cause you to bust out the dethatcher.

You can grab a nice 16-0-8 fertilizer from Andersons for a really good price straight from their website.

This one is great for Centipede.

Best Fertilizer For Zoysia Grass

If there is one thing you should know about Zoysia grass, it is that it definitely loves its nutrients! That said, you should pick out a grass fertilizer that’s very rich in nitrogen and has moderate phosphorus and potassium levels. Aim for those who have a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 N-P-K ratio, similar to the fertilizers for St. Augustine grass. 

While Zoysia can benefit from a quick-release formula for instant greenery, it’s recommended that you use slow-release grained fertilizer to prevent overgrowth. Additionally, make sure to test out your soil before you fertilize, since this type of grass prefers acidic soil. Therefore, you may need to include an amendment like sulfur to lower its pH level.

Like most grass types, Zoysia grass mainly benefits from fertilization in the early spring and late summer. 

Zoysia fertilizer can be found in the appropriate ratio using Andersons PGF complete – which you can buy on Amazon if that’s more convenient.

Best Fertilizer For Fescue Grass

Like St. Augustine and Zoysia grass, Fescue grass typically grows in the same conditions; hence it benefits from the same formula of fertilizers. With that in mind, you should pick out a fertilizer with high levels of all the essential nutrients, typically with a 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 ratio. Furthermore, if you’re establishing a lawn with Fescue grass, you may want to pick up a grass fertilizer that’s amped up with potassium and phosphorus to ensure a healthy root system. We highly recommend using a slow-release formula to provide a steady supply of nutrients over time.

To prevent Fescue grass from weeds and overgrowth, fertilize it during the spring months, generally every three to four months. Make sure to give your lawn plenty of water at least once a week!

I’ve got fescue in my front yard.

Usually around early March and late September (after aerating, dethatching, and overseeding), I’ll bust out some Andersons fertilizer and use that to get my lawn started. I get mine off on Amazon for a great price.

Best Fertilizer for Bermuda Grass

As with its other counterparts, Bermuda grass thrives in lots of nitrogen which it uses to form its thick, green blades. Therefore, you need to pick out a fertilizer rich in this specific nutrient and potassium. The optimal ratio for this specific grass type is 3-1-2; however, if there’s no chance of frost, you can use fertilizers with higher nitrogen levels.

The timing of fertilization for Bermuda grass is of utmost importance. Generally, it’s recommended to fertilize it every 4 to 6 weeks while growing during late spring until early fall. But, you should stop about 6 weeks before the expected fall frost, in order to prevent growth that can be damaging during the winter.

Some people love it, some people hate it.

For Bermuda Grass, the best fertilizer to use is Andersons PGF complete – which is available straight from Amazon.

Wrapping it up: Finding the right lawn fertilizer

I hope that this guide will serve you in picking out the ideal grass fertilizer for your lush lawn. If you want to read more articles related to taking care of your yard, check out some other posts, like how to get rid of invasive grasses in your lawn.

Or if you’re looking to find a nice spreader to evenly distribute the fertilizer, check out our post about broadcast spreaders vs drop spreaders.

Why we started The Lawn Review

We started The Lawn Review out of frustration. We couldn’t find clarity around what type of products were actually good and reliable. All the fertilizers we tried didn’t work. We ended up with a dying lawn, wasted time, and wasted money.

We take our tool testing seriously!

So we started buying and reviewing lawn tools and figuring out which ones were the best. And now we’ve moved onto actually keeping that lawn looking nice all year around. 

We’ve spent thousands of hours building this content for people just like you and me – normal people.

Essentials of lawn fertilizer

As we stated earlier, all plants require nutrients to thrive, with the three essentials being nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Each of these essentials plays its own vital role – nitrogen is responsible for the outside look or the greenery of your lawn; phosphorus promotes healthy root growth, while potassium provides an all round-coverage. 

In terms of lawn care, you’ll mostly want to look for a nitrogen-rich grass fertilizer in order to achieve vigorous, lush green growth. On the other hand, phosphorus and potassium can be already found in your soil (depending on your region), and overfertilization in these nutrients can do more harm than good.

With that in mind, it’s best to find out your type of soil beforehand to choose the best fertilizer. Lawn fertilizer is different from fertilizer used for plants, like rose bushes.

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Greenworks 3000 PSI Pressure Washer Reviews: 2024

My Greenworks 3000 PSI electric pressure washer boasts a big game. 3000 PSI at 2.0 GPM (as claimed on the box) puts it in the same category as many gas-powered pressure washers. 

We spent a ton of time putting this to the test as seen in our YouTube video reviewing the Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer.

Bottom Line: We love Greenworks and we loved their 3000 PSI electric pressure washer, but we found that the claims weren’t totally what you would expect. This is still probably the best electric pressure washer we’ve ever used, so don’t get it twisted.

Here’s how we analyzed this pressure washer (jump ahead):

Testing out the Greenworks 3000 PSI Pressure Washer: Our Experience

We put the electric Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer to the test with some serious tools, including a pressure gauge to test all of their claims. The results were….interesting. Check it out.

Power test: GPM and PSI on Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer

When we got the Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer, we were shocked at its claims. 3000 PSI and 2.0 GPM. That’s a killer combination found only on gas pressure washers. But looking at the fine print, we saw this:

Okay. So not really 2.0 GPM at full blast. Not exactly what we thought but not necessarily false advertising. Anyways, we put it to the test.

So most folks (and many people that have commented on our YouTube video) have pointed out that pressure washer PSI is measured at the exit point of the motor, where the hose connects. This is true, but doesn’t necessarily tell you how much PSI will actually come out of the pressure washer wand, which is what matters.

So we tested it. 

PSI test: electric pressure washers

The Greenworks pressure washer claims 3000 PSI. This measurement is supposed to be made at the hose connection point, but we tested it at the end of the wand to see how much is actually being delivered.

Testing the PSI!

We found it to be somewhere between 2500-2700 PSI, which is surprisingly good. 

GPM test

Greenworks also claimed this electric pressure washer had 2.0 GPM, which is really only true if it’s barely running. The real measurement is around 1.1 GPM when it is fully operating. But we had to test that as well. We measured how long it took to fill up a 5 gallon bucket of water.

GPM test!

It ended up being right at 5 minutes – equating to 1.0 GPM. Close enough!

Durability of the Greenworks electric pressure washer

One thing we loved about the construction of the Greenworks 3000 PSI electric pressure washer was the steel frame that is super easy to pick up and drag. It also has 10 inch never-flat tires, which make it really easy to lug around a job site (or your yard) without worrying about running over nails or having low air in the tires.

We love the construction and storage on this one.

This pressure washer also has a 14 Amp brushless motor. Brushless motors provide more torque, a cooler run time, and overall last a lot longer. The crazy thing about Greenworks is that they backed up this brushless motor with a 10 year warranty! That is insane but also gives me a ton of confidence in this tool lasting a long time.

We love this pressure washer for home use.

Performance and usability: Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer

The Greenworks PRO 3000 PSI electric pressure washer comes with a few bells and whistles that make it easier to use than some of its competitors. 

The first is the on-deck nozzle holder that keeps the five nozzles snug on top of the machine. They stay there even when you take the pressure washer vertical for storage. 

Lots of nozzles!

Another cool feature of this pressure washer is the inline GFCI box that allows you to plug it in virtually anywhere. Most other heavy duty electric tools have the GFCI as a part of the plug, limiting where you can plug it in. 

It also has a one-gallon soap tank attached to the unit that allows you to use the pressure washer on things like cars, windows, and houses to remove old dirt and grime. Nice!

Performance-wise, this thing really blew us away. It is one of the strongest electric pressure washers on the market, probably the strongest in the residential space. It went toe-to-toe with our Honda pressure washer in regards to PSI.

Performs pretty well!

But honestly, we were very shocked with how well this performed. All the confusing claims and issues around PSI and GPM shrunk away after actually using the tool and realizing how powerful it was.

Cost and value

The Greenworks 3000 PSI electric pressure washer is cheaper than others in the space, like the Ryobi 3000 PSI pressure washer.

A good investment.

Right now, it is for sale on Greenworks website for just under $400. We think this is a great value because it is in a very affordable range, but also has a 10 year motor warranty. It’s actually kind of a steal, especially if you’re considering renting a pressure washer.

Official review: Greenworks 3000 PSI electric pressure washer

When we first got this pressure washer and reviewed the claims, we were tempted to slam it and say that the marketing is misleading.

And then we tried it.

And it was pretty dang powerful. So as much as it pains us, we are eating crow on this one. This is probably the best electric pressure washer on the market. There are other really good ones as well, but man – did our minds change after using this pressure washer. 

You can grab it on Amazon where it frequently goes on sale, or from your local Lowe’s (maybe even Costco!).

Why we review lawn tools

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. 

We take tool testing seriously!

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 features to look for in a pressure washer

Greenworks electric pressure washers make it relatively easy to knock off one of the biggest must-haves on your list: a reliable and powerful engine. But there are a few other things we recommend truly making sure are available when searching for a new pressure washer.

Nozzles Matter

  • When choosing a pressure washer, you should pay attention to the nozzles included in the package. Two types of spray nozzles are available, adjustable spray nozzles that can be controlled and quick-connect nozzles with predefined spray patterns.  
  • The predefined spray patterns typically come in different angles, allowing for you to quickly switch between a broad, lower pressure spray or a narrow, higher pressure stream.
  • Quick connect nozzles are super convenient, but they’re almost like airpods – you can lose them!

Soap tank availability

  • Additionally, you may want to consider a soap tank-equipped pressure washer. Some of these pressure washers have “foam cannons” where you can simply add some soap and it will mix it in with the water. Pretty cool.
  • I recommend a soap tank for cars and windows.
Soap Canisters on Sun Joe’s pressure washer.

Wheels on pressure washers

  • Despite these seemingly minor features, they can have a big impact, especially with larger units. No sense in lugging around one of these in your yard and tripping all over the place.
  • Some pressure washers have a tendency to flip over and be top heavy, so make sure the base is sturdy.
  • If you’re on the job site, keep an eye out for never-flat tires that will protect the wheels in case there are spare nails laying around.

Hose types

  • There’s a big difference between how easy or difficult it is to use a pressure washer based on the kind of hose that comes with it. Stiff, rigid hoses make it extremely difficult to have any maneuverability without messing up the job or knocking over the base.
  • Length is also important for pressure washer hoses as you can end up in a tight spot, literally, if you don’t have enough reach.

GPM and PSI on electric pressure washers

GPM stands for gallons per minute. GPM measures how quickly water is leaving the end of the electric pressure washer. PSI stands for pounds per square inch and is a measure of pressure that is being applied out of the electric pressure washer.

If this is confusing to you, you’re not alone. In reality, if you are looking for power, you want both. They work hand-in-hand to deliver water from the machine at a high rate and effective and efficient volume.

We were satisfied with the PSI on this one.

For reference, a pressure washer can have a high PSI but a low GPM, meaning it is able to have a high pressure but generally not over a large area. Having both a high PSI and high GPM means that it’s coming out fast and it’s producing a more effective stream.

Likewise, you can also have a low PSI and higher GPM. This is a good ratio for cleaning cars because you get a lot of water at a safer pressure.

Looking for something lighter? Check out the Greenworks 24V Power Cleaner.

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Self-propelled vs Push Mowers: Which is better? (2024 Guide)

Self propelled and push mowers are the two most common mowers for homeowners. I prefer using a self-propelled mower because it makes cutting much easier, but have always used a classic push mower.

Or at least that’s how it started for me. It was kind of mind boggling. But self propelled mowers and push mowers are pretty different. My opinion has always been that self-propelled mowers are a waste of money.

But recently, that opinion has changed in some circumstances and I’ll break down why. 

Jump ahead:

What does self-propelled mean on a mower?

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.

An EGO Select Cut mower with self-propelled functionality.

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. Let’s break down some of the pros and cons.

Pros and cons self-propelled mowers

Self-propelled mowers have both pros and cons, especially when compared to push mowers. Let’s break down some things you may not have immediately thought about when comparing the two.

Pros of self-propelled mowers

I think most of the pros are obvious for self-propelled mowers – they simply move the dang machine. But here we are:

  • Self-propelled mowers can take a huge load off for elderly lawn care enthusiasts
  • They can reduce the load significantly for steep banks and hills
  • The lawn can be mowed more quickly
  • Great for smaller yards

Cons of self-propelled mowers

Self-propelled mowers are no doubt a luxury item for lawn lovers, but have some downsides that need to be considered:

  • They are more expensive, by a good amount (at least $100)
  • Self-propelled battery-powered mowers significantly reduce battery life
  • Self-propelled gas-powered mowers burn through gas more quickly
  • Can tear up grass if you aren’t careful
  • Don’t perform well in wet conditions

On this last point, I am speaking specifically about the wheels simply churning in your yard. I walked by my neighbor the other week who was mowing his lawn with a self propelled mower. Like a truck stuck in mud, the mower’s rear wheels just kind of spun in place as he pushed it forward.

Yikes. As he was moving forward, the wheels spun and started shredding spots in his grass. If it wasn’t totally emasculating for him, I would have jumped in and helped him. 

How long do self-propelled mowers last?

Self-propelled mowers that are battery-powered will typically see a 30-40% reduction in run time. So if you have a 60 minute run time with your battery-powered mower, you can expect to shave off at least 20 minutes.

The self-propelled function will help you get the job done more quickly, but burn battery in the process. I recommend self-propelled mowers for smaller yards (up to ⅓ acre) that don’t take too long to cut. This helps you get inside faster, use less force, and get the job done on a single charge.

If you have a gas-powered self-propelled mower, like the Toro TimeMaster 30  then you don’t have to worry about how long it will last. You just need to continue to top off the gas as needed. You’ll notice a decrease in fuel efficiency, but it might be worth it for you. 

Are self-propelled mowers hard to push?

In normal, dry conditions self-propelled mowers are not hard to push. In fact, they’re super easy and convenient.

If it is the slightest bit wet outside, then self-propelled mowers can be just as hard (if not harder) to push than traditional push mowers.

My trusty old push mower!

Most self-propelled mowers have a variable speed selector that lets you pick how quickly the mower moves forward. This can be toggled to help save battery life or address suboptimal, wetter conditions. 

Ryobi self-propelled vs push mower

I’m calling this section out for Ryobi specifically because I have experience using both their self-propelled and push mowers. If you’re comparing the two and noticing the $100 price difference, you may be wondering – what’s the difference?

The self-propelled version is nice, but unnecessary.

I have a strong opinion here – you should go with the push mower (the non-self-propelled one). Save the money. Here’s why: the Ryobi mowers are EXTREMELY light. So light that the self-propelled function isn’t needed at all. 

The Ryobi self-propelled mower seemed to make the mower almost tilt-back in response to the acceleration and made it harder to control. Since it is already so light, you almost want to apply some downward pressure to keep it on a straight path. 

3 Best Self-Propelled Battery-Powered Electric Lawn Mowers

The best self-propelled lawn mowers are the cream of the crop – the absolute premium lawn mowers manufactured today. This means that they are not great mowers only because they are self-propelled but great all-around mowers that happen to be self-propelled. Let’s dig in:

Greenworks 80V 21” Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

I’ve written about the Greenworks 80V self-propelled mower several times, mostly because it absolutely slaps. Here’s what I love about this mower:

  • Thick, steel deck that’s the perfect 21 inch size
  • Comes with a 5.0 Ah battery for up to a one hour runtime (without self-propelled)
  • Brushless motor (lasts way longer and provides way more torque)
  • 4 year warranty
GOAT.

It really has the perfect combination of power, durability, and ease of use. Lastly, it is definitely one of the most price competitive premium mowers on the market. If you already have the 80V battery, you can get the mower tool-only on Amazon for an absolutely jaw-dropping price.

Toro Recycler SmartStow 60V Battery Self-propelled Mower

This one probably isn’t at the top of most people’s lists, but I’m not most people. The Toro SmartStow battery mower is a self-propelled mower with some really cool features. 

One of my favorite features on the Toro self-propelled 60V mower is the vortex technology. It sounds fancy because it is. It is a ventilation system above the blades that pulls air in as you mow and causes the grass to stand up. It’s like the hair on the back of your neck sticking up when you do the first mow of the season. 

See those little air holes below the motor?

This is actually a really cool feature that allows you to get a more even, level cut. Toro makes some crazy good mowers and they took a lot of the same features and slapped a battery on there. This one is available at Home Depot for a great price.

EGO Power+ 56V Select Cut XP Self-propelled Mower

EGO’s Select Cut XP series is one heck of a mower. The Select Cut XP function means that it has two blades and the highest possible torque for any EGO mower. Here’s what I like about this mower:

This exact one!
  • Super easy to use Touch Drive technology that allows you to quickly adjust the self-propelled function while still mowing
  • 10 Ah batteries = 75 minute run time – this is best in class
  • Brushless motor of course
  • Over 3 MPH of self-propelled speed. It might run away from you
  • 5 year warranty

As I’ve referred to it in the past, this is the Cadillac of electric mowers. And just like a Cadillac, it’s pretty dang pricey (around $800-900).

Yeah, it’s definitely a premium product. 

So which is better, self-propelled or push mowers?

Self propelled mowers are better when it comes to convenience and ease of use. Push mowers are better priced and extend the run time of your mower.

I like self-propelled mowers for smaller yards that aren’t impacted by the decrease in run time, typically less than ⅓ of an acre. 

Most of this comes down to personal preference. The good thing about self-propelled mowers is that the functionality can be toggled on and off. You get the best of both worlds – as long as you’re willing to pay for it.

Why we review lawn tools

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. 

We take tool testing seriously!

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. 

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5 Cordless Hedge Trimmers For Amazing Curb Appeal

The best cordless hedge trimmer is the Milwaukee M18 Fuel hedge trimmer because it is long, extremely durable, and has a great battery system. Cordless hedge trimmers are amazing tools – especially if you’ve ever been frustrated by tangled cords or had a hedge trimmer continually unplug. With almost all lawn care moving to battery-powered and cordless, hedge trimmers are at the top of the list for being the best cordless tool. 

We’ve had the pleasure of using some mighty fine hedge trimmers in our day – ones that have serious juice that allow us to mold beautiful bushes in the front yard.

Today, we are going to cover what to look for in a cordless hedge trimmer then rank the 5 best cordless hedge trimmers on the market.

Here is our list of the best cordless hedge trimmers:

  1. Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hedge Trimmer
  2. Makita XHU07Z Brushless Hedge Trimmer
  3. EGO Power+ HT2410 Brushless Hedge Trimmer
  4. Greenworks 40V 24” Hedge Trimmer
  5. DEWALT DCHT820B Hedge Trimmer

Top Cordless Battery Hedge Trimmers

Now it’s time to get down to business. We’ve reviewed just about every one of these hedge trimmers at length and finally get the chance to rank them and explain exactly why they are ranked where they are. Let’s save everyone a bunch of time and start with number one.

1.) Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hedge Trimmer

Milwaukee makes a bunch of tools in their M18 line, like their notorious Milwaukee M18 mower or their M18 FUEL Weed Eater. As a part of this line, they don’t have a TON of different types of mowers, weed eaters, blowers, or even hedge trimmers. They put out one or two options that are really well made and stand behind it. I like that.

The best.

The M18 FUEL hedge trimmer from Milwaukee is about 24 inches long, which is the perfect length. It’s extremely well built and can’t be described any better than just saying it is SOLID. 

Here are a few specs that made it stand out:

  • Super low vibration and smooth handling
  • 3,400 movements per minutes (it moves quickly)
  • A brushless motor 
  • The REDLINK plus system that improves performance between the battery and motor

All-in-all, Milwaukee has done it again. Can’t tell if it is cocky or just plain confident that they only put out one of each tool, but this one is top tier.

Oh, and it comes in at a great price. You can grab it from Home Depot for under $200 without the battery.

2.) Makita XHU07Z Brushless Cordless Hedge Trimmer

The Makita XHU07Z hedge trimmer is a freaking sweet hedge trimmer that has crazy power. Makita went absolutely nuts when they created this. It has the same 24 inch length as the Milwaukee M18 hedge trimmer, even more cuts per minute, and of course a brushless motor.

Not bad!

This Makita Cordless Hedge Trimmer also has some sick anti-vibration technology so that you don’t finish the job and feel like you just used a jack hammer. This is probably the most premium cordless hedge trimmer on the market, but it’s expensive and tough to find. You can grab it in-store at several places, like Home Depot or online and go pick it up.

Its MSRP value is over $500, but you can get it for much less if you grab the tool-only version. If you want a top-of-the-line cordless hedge trimmer – this is your best bet.

3.) EGO POWER+ HT2411 or HT2410 Brushless Cordless Hedge Trimmer

EGO is known for making really high quality tools that all revolve around their 56V battery series. They’ve got super strong EGO weed eaters, EGO mowers, and much more. They’re definitely on the more premium side of lawn tools, making the most powerful ones on the planet, like their EGO 765 CFM blower.

Their hedge trimmer is no different. It’s a beast. Here are some of our favorite features of the EGO Brushless Hedge Trimmer:

  • Can cut up to one-inch thick (this is crazy for a hedge trimmer)
  • It of course has a brushless motor
  • Easily removed blades for quick sharpening (many don’t allow you to take off and sharpen blades)
  • Reasonable power at 3,000 RPM (not the highest, not the lowest)
The hedge trimmer attachment was our favorite.

We did a full review of EGO’s Power Head attachment system and actually really liked the hedge trimmer attachment wand that can be purchased with it. Basically, EGO makes great hedge trimmers of all kinds and you can’t really go wrong.

EGO has some sweet (but heavy) tools.

One downside to EGO’s system is that the 56V battery is probably too much power for a hedge trimmer. It is great that the EGO cordless hedge trimmer can tackle up to an inch thick branches, but is it worth the additional weight of the 56V battery? You tell me!

You can grab this EGO cordless hedge trimmer from Amazon for a great price.

4.) Greenworks 40V 24 inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer

We are big fans of Greenworks at The Lawn Review. They make some really high quality products and have tons (maybe too many) options. We’ve been really impressed with some of their Greenworks mowers and their 80V blower.

They nailed the hedge trimmer. It comes with a G-Max 40V battery which can be used across a ton of their tools, which all fall in their middle range of power. The Greenworks is by far one of the most comfortable cordless hedge trimmers we have used. It has this really nice cushioned grip that’s easy to hold onto. 

60V version is also great.

Another beauty about this cordless hedge trimmer is that it has up to 50 minutes of run time. Not only can you finish your entire project in that time, but you can probably also bring it inside to carve up some turkey. 

One downside to this Greenworks hedge trimmer is that it doesn’t have a brushless motor. Come on! Greenworks is making us look bad here because we talked about their quality, but this is sadly not a very durable or long-lasting hedge trimmer. Sad!

To make up for not having a brushless motor, it does have a really good price (the two are related). This 40V hedge trimmer can be bought off of Amazon WITHOUT the charger and battery for a really, really good price. Like insanely good. 

5.) Dewalt DCHT820B Cordless Hedge Trimmer

The Dewalt 20V cordless hedge trimmer is sneaky good. It’s at the bottom of this list because these are heavy hitters, but it still made our list. I’ll start by saying that this hedge trimmer has a great battery system that works with a TON of Dewalt tools, but not many Dewalt lawn tools. That’s why it is at the bottom here – Dewalt just doesn’t have a humongous set of lawn tools to use this with.

But this one still has a lot of the bells and whistles that the others do, including the ability to cut  through ¾ inch of wood and the other below features:

  • Super comfortable grip
  • 22 inch length
  • 2800 movements per minute
  • 8 lbs

While it is on the lower end of the power spectrum and smaller in length than the others, it’s still a great option for many of us. If you already own a Dewalt 20V product like one of their power drills, the DCHT820B can be purchased without the battery and save you a pretty penny. You can grab this one on Amazon for a really good price by getting the tool-only version.

If you’re looking for something with much more power that fits all your other battery powered lawn tools, I’d scroll back up to the top.

Final thoughts: Best Cordless Hedge Trimmers

The best cordless hedge trimmers are a great balance of maneuverability, power, high quality components, and price. The hedge trimmers we listed here today are all top-tier and totally subjective (except for number one), but take into account our personal experience trimming hedges and using hundreds of battery-powered lawn tools.

Why we review lawn tools

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. 

We take tool testing seriously!

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 a cordless hedge trimmer

Cordless hedge trimmers are a great addition to any gardener’s toolkit. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but they also offer a number of advantages over their gas-powered counterparts. However, with so many different models on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Here are a few things to look for when choosing a cordless hedge trimmer:

Hedge Trimmer Length:

Cordless hedge trimmers come in a variety of lengths, from small handheld models to larger units that can reach up to several feet. Choose the size that is best suited for your needs.

Ease of use:

Cordless hedge trimmers should be easy to operate, with comfortable handles and simple controls. Look for a model that is lightweight and easy to maneuver.

Battery life:

Corded hedge trimmers need to be plugged into an outlet, which can be inconvenient and restrict your range of motion. Cordless models run on batteries, which will need to be recharged after a certain amount of use. Choose a model with a long battery life so that you can work uninterrupted. If you already own a line of battery-powered products, check out the hedge trimmer from that line as a starting point.

With these factors in mind, you’ll be sure to find the perfect cordless hedge trimmer for your garden. If you are old fashioned, check out our list of the corded hedge trimmers.

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SKIL’s 40V PWRCORE Power Head System: I Tested It

SKIL’s 40V PWRCORE Power Head System is brand new to the market. SKIL has been around for quite some time, but is just now getting into the Power Head System game.

Nice power comes from the top.

We’ve had the chance to review a few weed eaters with attachments that are all a part of a power head system, and SKIL has just made our list.

Today, we will deep dive into a bunch of features that make the SKIL PWRCORE 40 pretty nice. We also have a corresponding Youtube video that shows it in action.

Bottom line: The SKIL PWRCORE 40 multi-head system is a shockingly good system if you have SKIL tools and can save money on the batteries. You can grab this one at Lowe’s or on Amazon for a great price.

Jump ahead:

SKIL PWRCORE 40V Attachment Capable Power Head: Features

The SKIL PWRCORE 40V power head system that we got came with both weed eater and edger attachments, although more are likely to come soon. I expect a pole saw, cultivator, and snow blower attachment at least to be added in the next few months.

Overall really easy to use.

Let’s take a dive into our experience with the weed eater and edger attachments on the SKIL PWRCORE 40V system.

Using the SKIL PWR CORE 40 is easy

The SKIL Power Head comes with a nice molded rubber grip that feels super comfortable to use, almost like a pistol grip. One thing that I immediately noticed and liked was the safety feature. While I wouldn’t normally want a safety feature on my Power Head, it has the ability to move left and right to accommodate the primary hand of any user. 

The D-loop handle is pretty common on most premium power head systems, but I like that this one is slightly more adjustable to accommodate differences in height and hand position. 

Moves left and right.

Connecting the attachments into the power head is a breeze. You simply pop it into the head (there’s an arrow that shows you how to use it), then tighten it. Assembling the power head with each attachment was super simple as well.

This system has some serious power

The SKIL PWR CORE also comes with a variable speed trigger that lets you have complete control over the speed of the motor. On top of that variable speed trigger, there is a power switch that lets you move between levels 1 and 2 to have even further control over the speed and power of this unit.

One huge callout for this weed eater attachment is that it has a 16 inch cutting swath, which is comparable to some commercial weed eaters and definitely puts it in the higher range of residential weed eaters.

One thing that struck me immediately was how small the weed eater string was that came with this tool. It honestly looked like dental floss. We replaced it immediately, but found that .095” (the best size) string didn’t fit – so we had to settle for .080” string.

Big cutting swath!

Once the string was replaced, this thing had some decent power. The weed eater performed nicely, but so did the edger attachment. Fortunately, the edger attachment is a universal one and can fit any power head system. At a 9” radius, this edger attachment is pretty heavy-duty. 

The edger attachment can easily get down to 3 inches underground to help trench up the borders of your yard. It is easy to change the height on for anyone looking for a more shallow edging.

PWR Jump battery feature

One thing I like about this SKIL PWRCORE Power Head System is that it comes with a Power Jump charger. It supercharges your battery for the first 15 minutes of the charge, meaning it does 30% battery capacity upfront. And when you connect it, you’ll notice that it goes into overdrive and even makes noise trying to get the battery some instant juice.

This thing actually sweet.

The overall runtime claim is about 50 minutes on a fully charged battery. We put that to the test. Our classic zip-tie system on the trigger and safety (it was hard to do) held them down so that we could see how this thing does on full blast of the lower power setting 1. The SKIL PWRCORE 40 lasted for about 28 minutes before giving out.

After fully charging it again, we set it up on level 2 and ran it at full blast, where it lasted for about 23 minutes. Not bad, as we anticipated much more battery drain on the level two power setting.

Not bad!

Once the battery was totally dead, we timed how long it took to fully recharge – took about an hour and a half despite the advertised hour. 

The SKIL PWR CORE 40 is inexpensive

The PWRCORE Power Head System from SKIL comes in at right around $200 and comes with the weed eater head. Fortunately, it comes with a two year battery warranty and five year tool warranty.

One thing I like about this power head and describe it as a “high value” tool is that it comes with a brushless motor. This is how SKIL is able to put such a good warranty on this system.

Final Review: SKIL PWRCORE 40 Power Head System

This new power head system from SKIL has a lot to like. The brushless motor, large cutting swath, and universal attachment system at a relatively low cost make it a high value tool.

But they also made some claims about run time and battery charge time that were just plain false. And while this power head system has the capability of becoming really powerful, the fact that we couldn’t fit a higher, more appropriate-sized weed eater string made us feel like it couldn’t reach its full potential.

This is a MUST BUY if you already own the SKIL 40V battery and/or have a bunch of universal attachments as you can save a lot of money.

EGO’s is a bit nicer.

But if you are in the market for a new power head system and want to start from scratch, I’d research another like this EGO Multi-Head Power System.

What to look for in a battery-powered attachment system

If I would have read this article a few years ago, I would have made a different decision and likely saved hundreds of dollars. But I learned the hard way and want to make sure you don’t have to.

Here are the things I look for in a battery-powered attachment system:

A brushless motor

The first time around, I bought a brushed motor and I deeply regretted it a few months later. The main difference between brushed and brushless motors is how electricity is transferred from the battery to the motor. Brushed motors have a process that relies on friction. I quickly realized this when the palm of my hand was getting extremely hot while using the attachment system.

Brushless motors run cooler, more efficiently, provide more torque, and last longer. They are quickly becoming the gold standard in battery-powered lawn tools – but not everyone has caught up.

Universal attachments

Some of these weed eater attachment systems have the ability to take on any attachments. That’s a benefit to those of us that are looking to save money or have an existing attachment system that’s broken but the attachments work just fine. You can find attachments on Facebook marketplace or other second-hand stores for a way cheaper price. 

A high performing weed eater

Don’t just buy a weed eater with attachments because it is attachment capable. Buy a battery-powered weed eater that freaking dominates and also has the ability to add attachments. 

Good attachments

If I don’t mention this, I will get an email from one of you saying “you didn’t say to buy one with good attachments” so here you go. Obviously you want an attachment system that can accommodate high performing attachments that you will actually use. Avoid bundles that give you attachments that aren’t as good as the individual tools. The goal is to replace your other tools, not supplement them with an additional cost. 

A snow shovel attachment from EGO.

Why we review lawn tools

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. 

We take tool testing seriously.

As guys 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.

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Greenworks vs Ryobi Electric Pressure Washer Comparison

Greenworks vs Ryobi pressure washer: two of the best selling electric pressure washers on the planet. Both make some bold claims about power and efficiency. I like the Greenworks pressure washer better because it has an extremely long warranty and durable build.

But as we all know, electricity and water don’t mix. One of these pressure washers is clearly better than the other and it isn’t immediately obvious. Both have good marketing departments, but with all the specifications thrown at  you, it’s tough to tell who is telling the truth.

That’s where we come in. We’ve used both of these pressure washers (and dozens more) and put their claims to the test. Buckle up – it’s about to get brutally honest here.

Today we are going to put the Ryobi 3000 PSI pressure washer against the Greenworks 3000 PSI Pressure washer.

Jump ahead:

SPOILER: Winner is the Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer.

Want to read more? Check out the ultimate electric pressure washer buying guide.

Greenworks vs Ryobi Pressure Washer Comparison

The Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer and Ryobi 3000 PSI pressure washer must be the exact same thing, right? WRONG! They have similar PSIs, but we will soon learn how they are dramatically different. Here we go!

Power comparison: Greenworks vs Ryobi electric pressure washers

So as we mentioned earlier, pressure washer power has two metrics: gallons per minute (GPM) and pounds per square inch (PSI). GPM measures the volume of water and PSI measures the pressure. You ideally want both to be high to maximize both pressure and stream thickness.

I love the big wheels on the Ryobi.

The Ryobi 3000 PSI pressure washer advertises 3000 PSI, but also has 1.1 GPM. 3000 PSI is a great pressure and is competitive with even many gas-powered pressure washers, like some of  these Honda pressure washers. At 1.1 GPM, you’ll find that the stream is extremely concentrated and pin-like. At higher GPM’s, the same PSI will be a thicker stream, even when a turbo nozzle or zero-degree nozzle is attached. 

Sneaky, sneaky.

The Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer obviously also has 3000 PSI, but advertises 2.0 GPM. Upon further examination, the 2.0 GPM is when the pressure washer is only applying 100 PSI. So basically, when your hose is running. This is entirely unhelpful and honestly feels like a bit of fraudulent advertising. When it is operating fully at 3000 PSI, it has 1.1 GPM. Exactly like the Ryobi pressure washer.

Sweet picture after using on my deck.

There’s simply no way to distinguish the two when it comes to pure power – they perform at the  exact same levels, despite the tricky advertising by Greenworks. 

Winner: It’s a tie between Ryobi and Greenworks!

Durability of the Greenworks and Ryobi pressure washers

A lot of folks don’t expect much from electric pressure washers, but they should. These things have evolved and grown in popularity because they are so much easier to use than gas-powered pressure washers. For starters (pun intended), they’re extremely easy to start. No cord pulling or oil mixing required. They’re way quieter and easy to maintain. 

But I think a lot of people are still worried about mixing electricity and water. Fortunately, new premium electric pressure washers are made with brushless motors. Brushless motors provide much more torque, a cooler running motor, and a longer life than their brushed counterparts.

Brushless motors are the best.

And you’re in luck if you’re choosing between the Ryobi and Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washers as BOTH have brushless motors. 

The cool thing about Greenworks’ brushless motor is that it has a patented TRUBRUSHLESS system that adjusts pressure and flow from the pressure washer to match the specific nozzle that is being used. Not sure how that works, but it’s a thoughtful approach that helps optimize the machine. 

One other thing I like about the Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer is that it has a 10 year brushless motor warranty. That is INSANE! It’s also certified by the Pressure Washer Manufacturer’s association. Because they went way above and beyond to certify the life of this motor, I’ve got to go with Greenworks.

Winner: Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer

Bells and whistles

People buy electric pressure washers for a TON of different reasons. So they should come with a TON of different options. You don’t want to use the same nozzle on your driveway that you do on your car. Let’s see what Ryobi and Greenworks pulled together to make sure that this is a flexible machine.

Ryobi’s 3000 PSI pressure washer has the following extras:

  • 5-in-1 nozzle + a turbo nozzle for ultimate flexibility
  • Accessory storage built into the  machine  (nice)
  • 35 foot hose so you can go further than others without moving the machine
  • Soap tank (great for cars)
  • 12 inch flat-free wheels that make it easy to move around

Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer has these bells and whistles:

  • 5 nozzles (including a turbo like Ryobi)
  • 25 foot hose (10 shorter than Ryobi)
  • 35 foot power cord with inline GFCI (this is really cool because it helps you plug it in basically anywhere)
  • 10 inch wheels
  • Soap tank
Greenworks stores well.

Both of these are great systems, but I really like the longer hose on Ryobi’s pressure washer as well as their 5-in-1 nozzle. Greenworks has a really cool power cord that doesn’t make plugging it in a bulky, annoying exercise.

Winner: Ryobi 3000 PSI pressure washer

Comparing the cost of Greenworks pressure washers to Ryobi pressure washers

Now that we’ve assessed all the different features of the pressure washers, let’s compare the cost. The Ryobi 3000 PSI pressure washer is available at Home Depot for about $450. Not bad.

The Greenworks one is available from their website for about $450, but is currently on sale for $399.

Greenworks looking good!

We don’t have an affiliation with either brand or store, so go wherever you like to buy pressure washers the best!

Final Review: Greenworks vs Ryobi pressure washer

Honestly, this one was a close race – neck and neck the whole way. Both brands have some premium equipment and both thoughtfully crafted their own pressure washer.

I like Ryobi’s bells and whistles as well as their honest advertising about power. With Greenworks, I like the sale price and the insane warranty on their brushless motor.

Winner!

If I had to pick today, I would go with the Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer from Amazon. They have a good return policy, so if I didn’t like it I could take it right back.

Why we review lawn tools

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. 

We take tool testing seriously.

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 features to look for in a pressure washer

Both Greenworks and Ryobi electric pressure washers make it relatively easy to knock off one of the biggest must-haves on your list: a reliable and powerful engine. But there are a few other things we recommend truly making sure are available when searching for a new pressure washer – especially for home use.

Nozzles Matter

  • When choosing a pressure washer, you should pay attention to the nozzles included in the package. Two types of spray nozzles are available, adjustable spray nozzles that can be controlled and quick-connect nozzles with predefined spray patterns.  
  • The predefined spray patterns typically come in different angles, allowing for you to quickly switch between a broad, lower pressure spray or a narrow, higher pressure stream.
  • Quick connect nozzles are super convenient, but they’re almost like airpods – you can lose them!

Soap tank availability

  • Additionally, you may want to consider a soap tank-equipped pressure washer. Some of these pressure washers have “foam cannons” where you can simply add some soap and it will mix it in with the water. Pretty cool.
  • I recommend a soap tank for cars and windows.
Dual soaps on the Sun Joe!

Wheels on pressure washers

  • Despite these seemingly minor features, they can have a big impact, especially with larger units. No sense in lugging around one of these in your yard and tripping all over the place.
  • Some pressure washers have a tendency to flip over and be top heavy, so make sure the base is sturdy.
  • If you’re on the job site, keep an eye out for never-flat tires that will protect the wheels in case there are spare nails laying around.

Hose types

  • There’s a big difference between how easy or difficult it is to use a pressure washer based on the kind of hose that comes with it. Stiff, rigid hoses make it extremely difficult to have any maneuverability without messing up the job or knocking over the base.
  • Length is also important for pressure washer hoses as you can end up in a tight spot, literally, if you don’t have enough reach.
  • If you want a better pressure washer hose, check out our comparison of the top two pressure washer hoses, UberFlex and FlexZilla

GPM and PSI on electric pressure washers

GPM stands for gallons per minute. GPM measures how quickly water is leaving the end of the electric pressure washer. PSI stands for pounds per square inch and is a measure of pressure that is being applied out of the electric pressure washer.

If this is confusing to you, you’re not alone. In reality, if you are looking for power, you want both. They work hand-in-hand to deliver water from the machine at a high rate and effective and efficient volume.

For reference, a pressure washer can have a high PSI but a low GPM, meaning it is able to have a high pressure but generally not over a large area. Having both a high PSI and high GPM means that it’s coming out fast and it’s producing a more effective stream.

Likewise, you can also have a low PSI and higher GPM. This is a good ratio for cleaning cars because you get a lot of water at a safer pressure.

If you want a lighter duty pressure washer and need low PSI – check out a power cleaner we reviewed.

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Ryobi 40V vs Milwaukee M18 Lawn Mower Comparison

Ryobi vs Milwaukee mowers are two premium electric mowers found side-by-side at Home Depot. Ryobi has a TON of mowers they sell and have been in the game for a long time. Milwaukee, well, they just have ONE mower. And it’s a beast.

Me with the Ryobi 40V brushless mower.

Bottom Line: Ryobi’s mower is cheaper, but the Milwaukee M18 is probably the best electric mower I have ever used. You can check the price of the Milwaukee online at Home Depot here.

We’ve been lucky enough to get our hands on both and have some opinions. So let’s walk through what we like (and dislike) about both.

Oh yeah, and BOTH the final listing of our favorite electric mowers.

I bought and tested the Ryobi 40V and Milwaukee M18 mowers

I saw these two side-by-side at Home Depot and they were both extremely expensive. Needless to say, my wife was not happy when I came home with two more lawn mowers and $2,000 spent.

But it had to be done. I put these through my normal gauntlet, which includes testing it on my tall fescue grass, checking out the self-propelled functions, evaluating the battery run time, and finally comparing it to my gas mower.

Things got interesting. And I’m still in the dog house.

Milwaukee M18 vs Ryobi 40V HP Mower: Features breakdown

When I’m looking at both the Milwaukee and Ryobi mowers, I’m asking myself – why the price difference? Before we get there, let’s do a deep dive into the power, ease of use, durability, and value of each of these mowers. If you want to go deeper, we’ve done a full review of the new Milwaukee M18 mower and ranked the some of our favorite Ryobi lawn mowers.

The Milwaukee M18 mower is more powerful than the Ryobi 40V mower

Comparing power on electric motors is difficult because they don’t have ccs or horsepower definitions that you find from the classic gas-powered mowers. Instead, metrics like torque are used to compare to traditional mowers. 

Up close on their battery enclosure.

Let’s break down the specifications on the Milwaukee mower first. It has a large 21 inch deck with a variable speed self-propelled function. 21 inch decks are standard cutting widths on push mowers, so we can check that box. One thing that Milwaukee boasts is their POWERSTATE brushless motor, which gives more torque than a 200c gas mower. 

That is really impressive. Honda makes some great mowers, but even their old classic and my personal favorite Honda GCV190 mower doesn’t have that kind of power. 

The Ryobi 40V HP mower also has a 21 inch deck with SMART TREK adaptive variable speed self-propelled functionality, just like the Milwaukee mower. One differentiator is that it has multiple blades that help cut faster and more evenly than single blade mowers. Their HP brushless motor and HP battery work together to deliver higher performance (HP) to the mower.

Easily the best looking Ryobi mowers.

It’s interesting assessing the power between these two just using the specifications, but the Milwaukee mower feels more powerful. Maybe it is the metal deck or maybe it is truly the motor design, but it feels just as powerful as my gas-powered mower. 

The winner of this power battle is the Milwaukee M18 Mower.

Both Milwaukee and Ryobi have super easy to use mowers

Evaluating how easy it is to use a lawn mower means checking out all the features that make it convenient, including bells and whistles. I’ll break out each element of both mowers in easy-to-understand ways that help you know what you’re buying. 

The M18 Milwaukee mower has some great features:

  • REDLINK PLUS – a battery and mower chip system that helps maximize the communication between the two to optimize performance (Ryobi has this, too)
  • High Lift Mode – pulls air through the bottom of the mower and lifts up the grass, making it easier to cut
  • Front and side LED lights (cool for at night use)
  • The M18 battery works with over 200 Milwaukee tools
  • Single point height adjuster means you don’t have to change the height settings on both wheels
  • 12 Amp-hour batteries for serious power and capacity (up to ¾ acre or 60 minutes)
  • Over 80 lbs

The last point is a contentious one but I actually like heavier push mowers. They hold a straight line much better and make mowing easier. 

This mower is an absolute unit.

Milwaukee nailed it with this one, but let’s check out some of the specs on the Ryobi 40V HP brushless mower:

  • LED headlights
  • Cross cut multi-blade system
  • 70 minutes of run-time (compared to Milwaukee’s 60)
  • HP battery system and chip that give you better performance (like Milwaukee’s REDLINK)
  • Ability to use with Ryobi’s 40V HP 50 other tools

These both have a ton of bells and whistles, but I actually like Milwaukee’s better. They have clearly put a lot of thought into making this a premium mower and don’t even sell another kind. It is designed to be near perfect, especially for someone who takes a lot of pride in their yard. Specifically, I like their high lift mode that pulls air up for easier cutting. Toro’s SmartStow mower (the new battery-powered version of the Recycler) has this one as well. 

I also appreciate that Milwaukee has the same M18 battery across all their tools. You can save some serious money on batteries by using this mower if you already own Milwaukee M18 tools. Ryobi is still building out their 40V HP series, so it isn’t quite as expansive. I also think Milwaukee overall is a more “premium” brand than Ryobi.

Winner: Milwaukee M18 FUEL Mower

The Milwaukee M18 mower is more durable than Ryobi 40V mower

If I’m going to drop darn near a grand on a battery-powered mower, the thing better last until I can pass it down to my unborn children. So durability matters big time. 

The most important thing in anticipating the longevity of a mower is the motor. Brushless motors (as mentioned at the beginning of this article) are the new wave in electric tools and should be mandatory. They provide more torque, a cooler running engine, and a longer life.

Fortunately, both the Ryobi 40V and Milwaukee M18 mower provide a brushless motor – a huge benefit when compared to brushed. Check that box.

The next thing I look for is the construction of the deck. Metal matters here – it is much more durable and provides additional weight that is extremely helpful in keeping the mower straight. The M18 mower is forged with a steel deck whereas the Ryobi 40V HP mower has a plastic deck. It is still made from tough material and comes with a lifetime warranty, but it isn’t as nice as metal.

Milwaukee has a great steel deck.

Using the Ryobi mower, it felt like the mower was almost too light. I blame the plastic deck for this, but it popped around when I hit tufts of grass and felt like it got out of control.

Winner: Milwaukee M18 FUEL Lawn Mower

Milwaukee’s mower is more expensive than Ryobi’s 40V mower

Okay it seems unfair that Milwaukee’s M18 mower has one every competition so far with Ryobi’s 40V HP mower, but it comes with a price. A big one.

Milwaukee’s M18 mower comes in at over $1,000. Is it worth it? It depends. If you have Milwaukee batteries already and/or want a PREMIUM walk-behind mower, then yes. You can grab it at Home Depot.

The Ryobi 40V HP mower costs about $750 from Home Depot (only place you can buy). So 75% cheaper than Milwaukee.

Plastic deck is NOT great.

Here’s my advice: the Ryobi 40V HP mower is still a premium mower that’s better than 75% of mowers on the market. But if I don’t already own Ryobi 40V HP batteries, I’m going to go with a cheaper mower of similar quality with a metal deck, like the Greenworks 80V Pro electric mower from Costco.

Final Review: Ryobi vs Milwaukee mower

Now that we’ve considered power, usability, durability, and cost we have a pretty good understanding of which mower is better. It’s clearly the Milwaukee M18 FUEL mower winning the competition against the Ryobi 40V HP mower.

Is the cost worth it? Maybe. But if you’re going with a premium mower, it is definitely the cream of the crop. 

Lastly, if you want to check out some other mowers out there for a fair comparison, check out how we rank these against EGO mowers.

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. 

We take testing tools seriously.

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 I look for in a battery-powered lawn mower

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:

Ryobi and Milwaukee 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.

Recognizable for quality.

Ryobi and Milwaukee both have TONS of different tools. Milwaukee puts a ton of thought and research into developing a new product and then BAM – it’s a hit.. Extremely well designed and durable, easy to use, and powerful. Ryobi also has a ton of products across several different industries and seems to be more focused on quantity than quality. 

But that doesn’t mean Ryobi doesn’t have some bangers. There are some great Ryobi weed eaters and Ryobi pressure washers that include gas and electric version, but there are also amazing Milwaukee string trimmers in that same 18V FUEL lineup.

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. Luckily with Ryobi and Milwaukee, they have batteries that can be used across a TON of their products – both indoor and outdoor.

Milwaukee has some great products like their hedge trimmer in the same FUEL lineup called M18 and even some great Milwaukee blowers from that same lineup.

If you have more questions, check out our list of exactly how we pick our favorite mowers.

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Ryobi 40V vs 18V Electric String Trimmer: Comparison Guide

Ryobi’s 40V and 18V battery lines mirror each other – but I like the Ryobi 40V trimmer better because it has more power and runtime. They have a ton of the same products in both 18V ONE+ configurations and 40V – including string trimmers. We got the opportunity to try both and do a side-by-side comparison. 

To make it fair, we had to take one of the more powerful 18V weed eaters from Ryobi and compare it to the Ryobi 40V Expand-It series weed eater. 

We were pleasantly surprised with the performance of both, but had to pick a winner between the two. If you’re in the market for a new string trimmer and are confused as to why Ryobi has two different battery offerings, you’re in the right place. Because before this article, we had the same question.

Jump ahead:

Comparing the Ryobi 40V vs 18V String Trimmers

Ryobi makes great power tools and I want to kick off this comparison with a piece of advice. If you ALREADY OWN either the 18V ONE+ battery or the Ryobi 40V battery – you should go with the trimmer that corresponds with it. You can buy the tool-only version of either trimmer and save a ton of money. Now let’s jump in.

Power comparison: Ryobi ONE+ 18V vs 40V weed eater

When evaluating a string trimmer to see how powerful it is, the easiest thing to note is the difference in voltage. Yes, 40Vs are bigger than 18Vs – so right away you can infer that the 40V is the more powerful of the two assuming all else is the same. 

Def. has a little more power.

But it’s also worthwhile to note that cutting swaths are a huge factor in evaluating both of these as well. The larger the cutting swath, the more power you’re able to get. For example, most commercial string trimmers have 17-19” cutting swaths. The 18V ONE+ Brushless String Trimmer has a 13 inch cutting swath. Compare that to the Ryobi 40V weed eater’s 15 inch cutting swath.

It’s clear that the 40V is the winner of this battle, but it was designed to be the winner. The ONE+ series of tools is mostly designed for lighter duty jobs, smaller yards, etc. But that doesn’t mean that it still can’t be the right string trimmer for you. Let’s keep going deeper.

Winner: Ryobi 40V String Trimmer

Durability of Ryobi’s 18V and 40V weed eaters

When it comes to durability in weed eaters, there are really two things that matter:

  1. The type of motor
  2. The type of weed eater string

When it comes to motors, brushless motors are the far superior choice to brushed. We did a full write up of Ryobi’s brushless motors and compared them to the old brushed-style of motors, but it really comes down to how the motor spins. Brushless motors use magnets to spin the motor and generate the transfer of power from the battery. This is opposed to brush motors that use friction, generate heat, and ultimately burn out.

Brushless motors are the way to go. Fortunately, the Ryobi ONE+ weed eater has a brushless motor, but sadly the 40V Expand-It series that can hold attachments does not. I can feel the Expand-It getting hot when I use it, sometimes overheating on my warm when I am using the trimmer. They’ve recently upgraded this one to a brushless motor, so if you can find that one then it is definitely the winner.

New one has a brushless motor.

Other than the motor build, these two are very similar in the durability category. The first thing I would do with BOTH of these weed eaters is change out the weed eater string to a more durable one. I had the stock weed eater string on this and it was so lame. Changing it out made a MASSIVE impact. We developed our own weed eater string and tested it in the Ryobi 40V. It was life changing. 

Winner: Ryobi ONE+ 18V String Trimmer

The Ryobi 40V series is a bit heavier but has more power

String trimmers need to not only be powerful and durable, but easy to use. A few things I take into account when comparing weed eaters is the weight, balance, and handling. 

The last thing you want when walking around your yard trying to do precision work is to have a clunky, difficult, shoulder-crushing tool. The ONE+ 18V Ryobi string trimmer comes in at 7.3 lbs whereas the 40V string trimmer is 11.3 lbs. Those 4 pounds are definitely going to be felt after you’ve been carrying this around for a few minutes.

The battery system is great.

Another thing I look at in these string trimmers is length. Short weed eaters are more difficult to use and require you to lean way down to the ground to get a good cut. Both of these are right around 5.5 feet long, making them a great length. It’s a tie here.

The ONE+ series is better for light duty handling.

Lastly, I look at how they handle – the Ryobi 40V has an adjustable D-loop handle that’s also found on the 18V weed eater. They will handle almost identically given their similar build. The one thing that gives the 40V a competitive edge (pun intended) here is that it has the ability to take on a ton of other weed eater attachments. This can save you big money in the long run.

So the 18V string trimmer is lighter, but the Ryobi 40V has more functions due to the attachments. 

Winner: It’s a tie!

Which Ryobi Trimmer is the better investment?

Cost is important! One thing that both of these weed eaters share is a battery system that works with a TON of other tools. The 18V ONE+ battery series has a ton of tools, all of which tend to be lighter-duty like their slightly smaller 18V backpack sprayer. The 40V battery system also works with a lot of heavier duty tools like the blowers and mowers.

A great ONE+ battery tool.

You can grab the 40V Expand-It weed eater for around $180 from Home Depot or grab the tool-only version on Amazon for about $125.

The 18V ONE+ weed eater can be found on Amazon for an ever-changing price, but a good one is around $150. They’re also for sale at Home Depot.

Final ranking: Ryobi 40V vs 18V String Trimmer

This is a tough one. My first piece of advice is to go with whichever one you already have the battery for. This allows you to grab the tool-only version and save a ton of money.

The 40V is still a great option.

If you own neither Ryobi batteries already, I think the 18V string trimmer is the best bang for the buck. It has a brushless motor, a great price, and has all the bells and whistles you want out of a weed eater. My only advice is to change out the weed eater string.

The 40V is also a good option if you want to add on a blower or mower at some point in the future and can grab the brushless edition.

Why we review lawn tools

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. 

We take our testing seriously.

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 a weed eater

Weed eaters AKA string trimmers come in all shapes and sizes. They aren’t highly complicated pieces of equipment, but they do have a few nuances. Here is how I see it:

Feel

Obviously this is subjective, but feel is everything to me. I have had weed eaters in the past where the handle is off to the side, making me torque my shoulders and back. If you can, get as many adjustable pieces as possible to make this customizable. It doesn’t seem like you use a weed eater for a long time, but the work is precision work that requires a steady hand and focus.

Motor type: Brushless vs brushed

Brushless motors are a non-negotiable when it comes to battery powered weed eaters. Without a doubt,  they are the best option to ensure you have maximum torque, more durability, and a longer life. These things are top notch performance and will be the only option when others start to catch on.

Curved vs Straight shaft

 I always, always, always prefer straight shafts. They are so much easier to use and control and are much longer than curved shafts. Curved shafts are good for clearing out a small piece of land unable to be mowed. But if you want to actually do some good trimming and edging, a straight shaft is much better. Curved shafts are difficult to maneuver and to create a straight line for edging. 

How to instantly improve your weed eater

Upgrade your weed eating game with the ultimate GrassKicker Weed Eater String! While weed eaters and lawn edgers are great tools, it’s not complete without the right string. Our specially crafted line is designed to enhance your weed eater’s performance and give you flawless edges around your yard and garden.

Don’t settle for subpar string that breaks easily and leaves ragged edges. Our team has scoured the market and combined the best colors, shapes, thicknesses, and materials to create a superior line that cuts more cleanly and lasts longer.

With GrassKicker, you can take pride in your perfectly manicured lawn and make a lasting impression on your friends and family. And who knows, your envious neighbors might just start dropping by more often! Don’t wait, elevate your weed eating game with GrassKicker Weed Eater String today! Click the link now to buy.

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4 Electric Riding Mowers That Made Me Rethink Everything

Electric riding lawn mowers are an excellent way to stay on top of yard work without having to pay for gasoline. You’ll also love not dealing with the headache-inducing maintenance that some gas-powered lawn mowers require. 

As the shift to all things electric grows, so does the supply of electric riding lawn mowers on the market. If you’re dead set on buying an electric lawn mower or even still on the fence, read on to see the best electric riding lawn mowers – I bet we can do some convincing.

We tried our best to stick with just pure electric lawn tractors, but couldn’t resist throwing in a zero-turn in our top picks.

Best Electric Riding Mowers, Ranked:

  1. Greenworks CrossoverT Riding Lawn Mower
  2. EGO Power+ Zero-Turn Lawn Mower
  3. Club Cadet XT1 LT42E Electric Riding Lawn Mower
  4. Ryobi 100 AH Electric Riding Mower

The Best Electric Riding Lawn Mowers: 2023 Ranking

Finding the best electric riding mowers wasn’t too tall of an order. A few of these we’ve used personally and frankly, the market still isn’t very large. The bold companies that have put these out there are making a big bet on the future – and I think they’ll be right.

1.) Greenworks CrossoverT Electric Riding Lawn Mower

Greenworks dubs itself the “final evolution of lawnmowers.” When you see the specs and features of the CrossoverT Riding Lawn Mower, you’ll see why. My favorite thing about this mower is that it cuts up to 2.5 acres on a single charge and only takes 90 minutes to recharge. 

Holy smokes, those are some great numbers. 

Not only that, but this electric riding mower comes with six 8.0 Ah batteries and three dual-port turbochargers. Again, you can use these same batteries on any of your Greenworks 60V products. 

Aside from its quick recharge time, the CrossoverT is super comfortable, with padded seats, foldable armrests, and advanced back support. Moreover, you won’t waste any energy thanks to innovative microchips that monitor the grass quality in real time. The mower boasts high-torque rear-wheel drive that lets you climb 15-degree inclines – basically better than my car. 

I also love that there’s built-in theft protection – the perfect way to protect your precious investment. To add the cherry on top, the CrossoverT requires absolutely no maintenance other than recharging and sharpening the blades as needed.

It is truly a beast.

Why this mower made our list:

  • Runs for up to 60 minutes with the included 8.0Ah batteries
  • 90 min charge time (!)
  • Cut like a professional with SmartCut Technology that auto-adjusts and senses grass thickness
  • Features a high-padded seat and armrests
  • Designed with an integrated cargo bed that can hold up to 200 lbs. of yard supplies, like big bags of mulch

The folks at Greenworks absolutely crushed it with this riding mower. While it isn’t a zero-turn, it’s a great, affordable electric lawn tractor that absolutely slaps. They sell these at Tractor Supply Co (we have no affiliation) for $4,500 MSRP. 

2.) EGO Power+ Electric Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

Delivering all-electric power comparable to a 22 HP engine (like the one on this Toro zero-turn mower), the EGO Power + Zero-Turn Lawn Mower never fails to deliver. Compared to other electric mowers on the market, this EGO product stands out because it holds six batteries – four of which are included. It also has swanky features like premium LED lights, a USB charging port, and Bluetooth technology. Not bad.

Pretty sophisticated control panel.

It still delivers some serious cutting width, up to 42 inches (about twice the average push mower). This is on the lower end of zero-turn mowers and about average for regular riding mowers. 

Looks pretty dang sweet.

With an adjustable hydraulic seat (WITH ARMRESTS!), you can rest assured knowing you’ll stay comfortable as you accelerate up 7 MPH (or 8 MPH in travel mode). The EGO zero-turn mower can cover up to two acres on a single charge, and recharging only takes a few hours. Given its premium features and three driving modes (Control, Standard, and Sport), some might call this product the Bugatti of electric mowers, and rightfully so. 

Summarizing what we loved about the EGO Power+ Zero-Turn Mower:

  • Supports up to six batteries for longer run time
  • It boasts the electric equivalent of a gas-powered engine with 22 HP
  • Can cut up to two acres of lawn without a recharge
  • Comes with three different driving modes: Sport, Standard, and Control 
  • Features a premium LED interface that gives you complete control over the mower
  • It has a separate charging cord that allows you to charge all the batteries at once
  • You can pop a battery off and straight into your EGO blower or EGO weed eater

These things are absolutely sick, but they come at a cost. If you’re dedicated to electric riding mowers, then you’re going to have to show it at the cash register. You can grab this one from Lowe’s (we have no affiliation) for $5,500. This is on the higher end for a zero-turn mower, especially one with limited run-time, but it’s still great for a homeowner with less than 2 acres.

3.) Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E Electric Riding Lawn Mower

You may have seen the LT42E posted up outside of Home Depot next to its gas counterpart, the Cub Cadet XT1 LT42. The Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E might not seem like the most innovative electric mower, but it provides great bang for your buck. This all-electric mower can mow two acres (roughly 1 ½ hours) on a single charge. It also doesn’t fade as the battery power starts to decline, meaning you won’t have to re-mow areas of grass – most lithium Ion batteries operate this way. 

More expensive but really snazzy.

Recharging the battery takes around four hours, so it’s not as fast as the Greenworks CrossoverT, but still reasonable. When it comes time to recharging the battery, you can use a standard 110-volt outlet. 

There are two brushless motors that fuel the mower’s steel direct drive and twin-blade cutting deck. And since the mower is completely electric, you’ll never need to shift between gears – just push a button and get ready to rumble. You’ll also enjoy a comfortable ride with a premium adjustable cut-and-sew seat. Since this mower isn’t the cheapest product on the market, you’ll be glad to know you get a three-year limited residential and four-year limited battery warranty.

The highlights:

  • Mow up to two acres without recharging the 3000Wh lithium-ion battery
  • Comes with a (somewhat) fast charger that only takes four hours to recharge the battery
  • Features four-gauge wheels for anti-scalping and a 1” – 4” cutting range
  • Forward speed of 5.5 MPH and reverse speed of 3 MPH
  • Comes with a three-year limited residential warranty and a four-year warranty on the battery

This mower is great for a mid-size homeowner’s lawn. I wouldn’t let it do anything super heavy duty, but it is definitely well constructed. 

One downside of this mower is that Cub Cadet doesn’t have a ton of battery-powered items, so you won’t gain any economies of scale with this battery.

You can check out the price of this one exclusively at Home Depot – where they seem to be selling a lot of them.

4.) Ryobi 100 AH Electric Riding Mower

Ryobi turns it up a notch with its 100 AH Electric Riding Mower. This low-maintenance mower has no filters, spark plugs, or belts. It can run up to 2 ½ hours per charge (approximately 2 ½ acres). It has a sleek black and yellow design paired with a comfortable, well-adjusted seat. 

This one made our list of the crazy Ryobi mowers, coming in at #7 and being the only riding mower.

Minimalistic but still great!

If you want to mow at seven in the morning without waking up your kids, this Ryobi mower will do the trick with its quiet cutting and cruise control. The mower features three cutting options – bagging, side discharge, and mulching. It comes with a three-year warranty, and if you ever run into issues, you can take the mower to one of 300+ service centers nationwide. 

This is definitely the lightest-duty mower on this list, only able to boast a 38 inch cutting deck, but still with an impressive run time. It also is  the lowest price, so is actually one of pound-for-pound strongest electric riding mowers on the market.

Summary of why we liked this mower:

  • Get up to 2 ½ hours (2 ½ acres) per charge despite having a smaller cutting deck
  • Quiet cutting keeps you from waking up your neighbors (this is a negative if you don’t like them)
  • 12-position manual deck adjustment – wish this was electric but still nice
  • Get the job done quickly with a maximum speed of 7 MPH
  • Comes with a three-year limited warranty for extra protection

All-in-all, this one is a really good value if you are more price sensitive. It isn’t quite as comfortable as the others, but will definitely get the job done. 

This one is available for just over $3,000 at Home Depot , which is a crazy good value.

The Bottom Line on electric riding mowers

If you’re considering investing in an electric riding lawn mower in 2023, you can’t go wrong with the EGO, Greenworks, Cub Cadet, and Ryobi brands. These companies offer some of the most inventive electric riding lawn mowers that make mowing fun – not a chore.

And that’s what it’s all about, right?

Why we review lawn tools

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. 

Our testing methods are…unique.

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 We Look for in Electric Riding Lawn Mowers

There are various things we consider when looking at electric lawn mowers that make or break their performance. Before pulling the trigger on one of these, make sure you’ve done your research (or just keep reading our recommendations).

Battery life on electric riding mowers

The ideal electric lawn mower should have a good runtime (ideally two hours or more). It shouldn’t take more than four hours to recharge the battery. If an electric mower has a low runtime and high recharge time, cutting your lawn will become a much more difficult feat.

Further, you should be able to pop off one of the batteries and use it with a blower, trimmer, or other lawn tool. This is how you can save some serious money – buying the tool-only version of other tools in the same battery line.

Comfort

Additionally, an electric riding lawn mower should have a comfortable and adjustable seat. After all, you’ll ride it for at least an hour a week – you don’t want dreaded back pain. It sounds ridiculous to make this a sticking point, but it HAS to be comfortable if you are sitting on this bad boy for a while.

Easy to use and control

Moreover, we look at the different cutting options the lawn mower offers. The electric riding lawn mowers we hand-selected have multiple cutting options – bagging, side discharge, and mulching. Lastly, the riding mower should be easy-to-use and relatively maintenance-free.

It’s also really cool that riding mowers can double as little ATVs that pull trailers around your yard.

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