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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Kobalt’s 600 PSI Power Cleaner Review: Is It Worth It?

kobalt brushless power cleaner

We tested out the new Kobalt 600 PSI power cleaner. This power cleaner is designed to wash away dirt and grime from surfaces from just about anywhere. The Kobalt 600 PSI power cleaner is battery-powered with Kobalt’s 40V Max battery series.

Bottom Line: The Kobalt 600 PSI Power Cleaner has all the right components and was well-built. I don’t really have a use for it but I have found a ton of people that do. You can grab it on Amazon or Lowe’s for a great price.

Kobalt 600 PSI Power Cleaner Review

The Kobalt 600 PSI power cleaner was fun to use. While I have tested many, many electric pressure washers in the past, I’ve only used a handful of power cleaners. I have also tested the Greenworks power cleaner and the Worx power cleaner which operate nearly the same as this Kobalt power cleaner.

The Kobalt 600 PSI Power Cleaner isn’t very powerful

At 600 PSI, the Kobalt Power Cleaner is not made to be a normal pressure washer. For regular electric pressure washers, anywhere between 2000 and 3000 PSI is a great range. 600 isn’t very much – but it is much stronger than a normal garden hose.

If you are the type of person to use a power cleaner then you will have appreciation for the amount of power. In previous reviews of power cleaners, I use a power cleaner to wash off pollen from patio chairs, clean off a bike, and do a quick car wash. 

I’ve checked out what others use power cleaners for and it is more of the same: cleaning out animal cages, washing paddle boards and kayaks, and on-the go washing. 

Kobalt’s 40V Power Cleaner is easy to use

The 600 PSI power cleaner is super easy to use although it is a bit heavy. You can connect a hose to the bottom of the power cleaner directly, which is what I did to wash off patio furniture. If you don’t have a hose you can use the tube it comes with to draw water from any area. 

If indoors, it is easy to fill a bucket up with water and draw from that to clean things like bathtubs or showers. If you are outdoors, you can draw water safely from any fresh water source like a lake or pond. These are great use cases to take your power cleaner with you when you go paddle boarding or mountain biking. 

The 5-in-1 nozzle tip is also a really nice feature on the Kobalt Power Cleaner. Simply twist the nozzle to change between five different spray patterns. This nozzle tip makes the Kobalt power cleaner even more portable because you don’t have to keep track of different nozzles. 

Is the Kobalt 40V 600 PSI Power Cleaner worth it?

The Kobalt Power Cleaner comes in at under $200 over at Lowe’s. If you already own a 40V battery from Kobalt, then I would definitely give this one a chance. If you are looking for a nice alternative, the Greenworks 24V Power Cleaner is pretty dang good as well.

If you are looking for other Kobalt 40V products, check out some of the reviews we did:

Does Kobalt make a pressure washer?

No, Kobalt has not made a pressure washer. The Kobalt 40V 600 PSI is the closest Kobalt has come to making a pressure washer.

Why we review electric lawn tools

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 this stuff 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 grass nice and healthy all year around. 

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

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Kobalt 24V Cordless Blower Is Very Nice for Home Use

Kobalt’s 24V cordless blower is a really nice blower for the average homeowner. I got my hands on this Kobalt blower for some serious testing and have to say – it is super lightweight.

I’ve tested a few Kobalt products in my day and also own their 80V blower. I am always impressed by the build quality of Kobalt products, but they are a company that truly flies under the radar.

Bottom Line: The Kobalt 24V blower isn’t super powerful but it is powerful enough for most homeowners to clean off their porch or driveway without a problem. You can grab it for a really nice price over on Amazon.

Pros of the Kobalt 24V Blower

  • Turbo button for additional power
  • Really lightweight at just over 5 lbs
  • Part of a great battery series
  • Brushless motor
  • Sleek design and not-too-flashy blue color

Cons of the Kobalt 24V Blower

  • Relatively low CFMs and MPH
  • Not great for large yards

Looking for more power? Check out our video review of the Kobalt 80V Blower here.

My review of the Kobalt 24V Blower

Right after I picked up my Kobalt 24V blower I took it home and put it through the ringer. Here are some of my observations.

The Kobalt 24V blower isn’t that powerful

Don’t get me wrong, the Kobalt 24V is fine from a power perspective, but compared to some others out there it isn’t very powerful. If you don’t know what the crazy acronyms like CFMs and MPH are, read here. 

If you do, the Kobalt 24V blower has up to 500 CFMs and 120 MPH. Mind you, these two specifications are fully maxed out using the Turbo button. Without the turbo button, you’re likely in the 375-400 CFM range and around 100 MPH. This is much more than a light breeze but if you check out some of the more powerful battery powered leaf blowers, you’ll see that there are better options.

The Kobalt 24V blower is perfect for around-the-house activities: blowing off the driveway, back porch, and even moving some smaller piles of leaves. It is not a substitute for a larger backpack blower, however.

Kobalt’s 24V Max Blower is super easy to use

What the Kobalt 24V Max blower lacks in extreme power it makes up for in extreme ease of use. I think this is why Kobalt’s blower is so darn popular – it is super intuitive and can be used by literally anyone with thumbs. 

Once you pop on the 24V Max battery, you simply pull the trigger and you’re ready to blow. No maintenance or prep work is required to use this blower. It also has a nice variable speed trigger so you can have complete control over the speed.

What is not missing from the Kobalt 24V Max blower is the cruise control function. Since I didn’t use this for long and probably wouldn’t use it for a long, intense leaf cleaning – it really doesn’t matter. It is there if you want it.

Lastly, this blower comes in at just over 5 lbs. This makes using the Kobalt 24V blower super easy, from directing it wherever you want with ease, to making your shoulder feel normal again.

The Kobalt 24V Max Blower has a durable brushless motor

One thing I love about Kobalt is that they tend to make a bunch of quality products and hardly skimp on the necessities. The brushless motor on the Kobalt 24V Max blower means that the motor has a longer run-time, a cooler running motor, and will last for years longer than a traditional brushed motor. 

The Kobalt 24V Max battery line

Kobalt’s 24V Max battery line is extensive. In addition to this blower, I’ve also used the their string trimmer in the same 24V lineup which was super powerful and an amazing tool in my arsenal.

And if you haven’t watched my video test of the Kobalt 80V blower yet – you’ll find out that Kobalt has crazy run-times on their products. Like truly absurdly long run times. 

My review: Kobalt 24V Max Blower

While I can’t say the Kobalt 24V leaf blower is right for everyone, it is right for most homeowners. This cordless blower is easy to use, lightweight, and affordable. If you need more power or have a larger yard, I would look elsewhere.

If this sounds like you, check out this blower over on Amazon or at Lowe’s.

How I tested the Kobalt 24V Blower

I tested this Kobalt blower by taking it home, putting it together (took two seconds), and then walking around my yard with the blower on full speed + turbo. I used the Kobalt 24V blower on mulch, grass clippings, leaves, small sticks, and small rocks.

Why we review leaf blowers

Sounds weird, right? But we got burned dozens of times buying crappy lawn tools with impressive sounding specifications. After that happened enough times, I got serious and started to really study electric and battery powered lawn tools. Once I got wise, I started The Lawn Review to help others find lawn tools that are actually good (or bad) and give my honest, unbiased opinion of any tool I come across.

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Ranking the Best Electric Lawn Mower Brands of 2024

The best electric mower brands in 2024 are EGO, Greenworks, and Milwaukee – in that order. I have spent the last three years testing out battery powered and electric mowers, including walking each mower on the street until the battery died (this took hours). 

If you are looking for a new electric mower – make sure you include brand quality in your search. It is so easy to buy a cheap electric mower and think you got a deal, until approximately 3 months later when it just stops working.

But this is why we created The Lawn Review in the first place – to put lawn tools to the test. 

Best Electric Lawn Mower Brands in 2024

If you want to see why I’ve chosen these brands and the testing I have personally put into dozens of electric lawn mowers, check out my YouTube channel. 

EGO is the best electric lawn mower brand

EGO’s electric mowers are the best on the market. I say this as someone who has done extensive testing comparing EGO to every other major lawn tool brand. When I first made a Ryobi vs EGO electric mower video back in 2022, I thought the comparison would be dead even. 

After the first time I turned on the self-propelled function of the EGO electric mower, I knew the battle was over. The noticeable difference in weight, sturdiness, and raw power puts the EGO in a class of its own. We have also heard some major rumblings that EGO is releasing an electric mower with a metal cutting deck.

EGO has many electric mowers that you can use that all have different features. Check out some of the posts below that highlight various comparisons or breakdowns of EGO mowers:

Overall, I love the simplicity that EGO provides by having one battery voltage lineup. It means that you can use your EGO battery with any EGO product without fail, which allows you to buy the tool-only version of lawn tools.

Greenworks is an almost equally amazing electric mower brand

Greenworks is a lesser known but nearly equally great electric mower brand. I’ve had the opportunity to use a TON of different Greenworks tools and really liked their 80V electric mower. When it comes to electric mowers, the Greenworks 80V mower checks all the boxes: a brushless motor, a wide metal cutting deck, a nice battery system, self-propelled functions, and a long run-time. 

I really can’t complain. I put Greenworks as the second best electric mower brand because they sell TOO MANY mowers. For example, right now when I go to their website and search for push lawn mowers I get 56 products. As a consumer, these many choices are overwhelming and it’s part of the reason we created the Lawn Review in the first place.

While most of these mowers are amazing, they range so broadly in application type, voltage, corded and cordless, that it is almost impossible to sort through the noise. I love the simplicity of EGO and Milwaukee keeping a consistent battery line.

Either way, Greenworks is an amazing electric mower brand. Here are a few of my posts related to Greenworks electric mowers:

Milwaukee has the best electric mower but not enough options

Milwaukee made the best electric mower on the market when they made their M18 mower. But then they stopped – exhausting all resources to make this pristine and beautiful beast of an electric mower.

For some reason, Milwaukee just has ONE electric mower across their entire brand. Don’t get me wrong, it is the greatest mower ever, but I’m scratching my head as to why they wouldn’t make one at a lower price point. The Milwaukee M18 is an expensive battery powered mower. 

Something tells me Milwaukee will change this up, although it is unlikely that anything bigger and badder from them is going to be any cheaper. For now, it is tough to call them the best electric mower brand when they really only have one mower – but boy is the Milwaukee M18 a great mower. 

Here are some posts where I talk about my experience with the Milwaukee M18 mower:

What to look for in an electric mower brand

When looking to purchase an electric lawn mower, you need to make sure you understand what things matter. You will get hit with a lot of technical specifications and marketing tactics. Totally forget them and focus on the things that impact you. Below are my recommendations:

Battery powered mower brand quality

Quality is going to be super important here. Just about everyone is in the electric mower game these days and there are a ton of junky mowers out there. Avoid anything from a weird brand on Amazon that takes 9 years to ship. It is probably being 3D printed in a Laotian bathroom. Go for brands that have consistent quality and focus on the details, not just flashy colors.

Some brands I trust off the top of my head are: Greenworks, Milwaukee, Makita, Toro, EGO, and Kobalt. SOME Ryobi mowers, although myself and others have had some problems with reliability. Brand quality matters, but it’s also important to look at the specs on each. For example, Greenworks sells like 60 mowers, only a handful of them would I ever consider for this list. EGO also sells a bunch of mowers, and only a few are within an acceptable price range to be on this list.

Metal where it matters: the deck 

Most electric mowers are plastic-y. Probably to reduce the weight of the mower so that the battery can get you further, but it feels cheap. Make sure to get metal where it matters – namely the deck. The deck is the part that covers the blades. Don’t get plastic here – a rock can rip through it.

Battery interoperability.

 A ten dollar word used here, but really just make sure to buy a mower with a battery that is compatible with other electric tools. You’ll see a bunch of these brands that have battery lines that work with a ton of tools. Milwaukee, Makita, and Dewalt are all great options because you can use them for all lawn tools AND power tools – saving you a ton of money on extra batteries.

If you have more questions, check out our guide to electric lawn mowers, where we break this down into a lot more detail.

Self-propelled or not

Self-propelled mowers are lawn mowers that slowly crawl forward when mowing the lawn. They propel forward the mower, taking off a lot of the “pushing power” required by traditional push mowers.

Self-propelled mowers are ALWAYS more expensive because they have the additional power and functionality that makes life easier. They have their place, but because of the cost can often seem not totally worth it

Have bermuda? Check out our best mower ranking for bermudagrass.

Frequently Asked Questions about electric mower brands

Here are some of the common questions we get about electric mower brands.

Where are EGO electric lawn mowers made?

EGO electric lawn mowers are manufactured in China. EGO is owned by Chervon, which also owns SKIL and FLEX.

Where are Greenworks electric lawn mowers made?

Most Greenworks electric mowers are made in China but recently they opened a manufacturing facility for heavy equipment in Morristown, TN.

Where are Milwaukee electric lawn mowers made?

Most of Milwaukee’s products are made in China, however they do have some operations in Mississippi and other places across the US.

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What Does Tool Only Mean on a Lawn Tool? (2024 Guide)

Tool-only lawn tools are purchased without a battery and charger. While tool-only lawn tools seem like a rip-off they are actually great deals if purchased correctly.

You can get tool-only versions of just about every major battery-powered lawn tool if you know where to look. The cost of additional batteries for lawn tools like lawn mowers, leaf blowers, or string trimmers can add hundreds of dollars to your overall lawn tools.

The benefits of tool-only lawn tools

I like to buy tool-only lawn tools whenever I add a new lawn tool to my arsenal. I buy tool-only when I already own the battery for the tool AND the battery life can last for two tools.

For example, I would buy a tool-only Greenworks 60V hedge trimmer after I already owned their Greenworks 60V string trimmer. Because I already purchased the battery and charger with the string trimmer AND because the string trimmer will have battery power left over after using it,  I am able to maximize the value.

The tool-only Greenworks 60V hedge trimmer.

The conversation becomes more complex if you buy a lawn mower and string trimmer combo kit. These types of combo kits can be amazing for thrifty folks looking to save money on a battery and charger, but you need to purchase carefully.

If you have a big yard and want to use the battery mower and string trimmer in the same afternoon, you may want to go ahead and purchase a separate battery. Most batteries take well over an hour or two to fully charge, so a backup will be super helpful in keeping the job moving.

Where to find tool-only lawn tool deals

Home Depot is known for having a ton of tool-only options (which you can check out here). On many of these lawn tools, you can save up to $60-$75 by getting the tool-only version.

Look for this!

If you are someone that owns a bunch of hand tools from a brand like Makita or Milwaukee, its possible to save hundreds of dollars on a Milwaukee M18 mower or Makita LXT mower that comes with four batteries.

My recommendation for buying lawn tools

One of my top recommendations for folks looking to transition from gas to battery-powered lawn tools is to spend the most time picking the first tool. Once you have a core battery line, then it makes it easier to purchase additional tools in the lineup. You can save money on the next tool and then if you need to buy extra batteries down the road, you have a ton of tools you can use them with.

My favorite lawn tool battery lines

Some of these lawn tool manufacturers have a bunch of different battery lines. I have used probably 20 different lawn tools battery lines and have a few recommendations.

The EGO 56V battery line of lawn tools

EGO’s 56V battery lineup is their ONLY line of battery. EGO is hands down my favorite battery brand because of the simplicity of the singular battery voltage. All batteries work with all tools. Seems simple, right? 

So many other brands focus on getting batteries from 18V, 20V, 40V, 36V, 80V – it seems to never end. EGO stuck with 56V (for some reason) and has continued to pump out powerful product after powerful product.

Here are some of my favorite EGO products that I’ve tested:

Greenworks 80V battery line of lawn tools

Greenworks is lesser known but puts out some absolute banger lawn tools. I’ve had the chance to review a ton of these tools over on my YouTube channel. The 80V lineup from Greenworks has some really slick and powerful tools that can all be supported by different Ah batteries.

While Greenworks has several other battery voltage options, I’ve stuck mostly with their 80V tools because the battery puts out quite a bit of power and you can grab their tools on Amazon or even Costco.

Here are some of my favorite Greenworks 80V tools that I’ve tested:

Why you can trust The Lawn Review

We have tested hundreds of battery powered and electric lawn tools. Our goal is for our readers to understand what it is REALLY like to use each tool that we test. Plain English, no technical jargon – just a couple of folks talking lawn tools. You can find more about us by checking us out on YouTube or on Instagram where we have videos of us using just about every tool on this website + DIY guides.

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The Dewalt 60V Max String Trimmer Has Extreme Power

The Dewalt 60V MAX string trimmer was delivered to my house a few weeks ago. I tested out this weed eater, putting it through the gauntlet, to see if it was truly worth the hype. 

This Dewalt string trimmer review is really part of a broader set of string trimmers that I put to the test to find the best string trimmer on the planet. You can follow along on our YouTube channel, The Lawn Review.

Bottom Line: The Dewalt 60V Max string trimmer was shockingly powerful and felt very “solid”. This one has all the features I recommend in a weed eater. Grab it from Home Depot for a great price.

Dewalt 60V MAX String Trimmer: Testing each feature

I have a process when it comes to reviewing a string trimmer. I always check for power, durability, usability, and battery performance. My methods can be unusual, but I think they give you a good look into what it’s like to use this string trimmer before you buy it.

The Dewalt 60V Max String Trimmer has a powerful cutting swath

Dewalt’s 60V MAX string trimmer has the ability to level up to a 17 inch cutting swath. Folks, the larger the cutting swath, the more powerful a string trimmer is. The normal range for a battery powered weed eater is somewhere around 12-15 inches.

At 17 inches, the Dewalt 60V Max string trimmer is nearly unrivaled. I believe EGO has a string trimmer that can cut this wide but to find that width anywhere else, you would need to check out a gas-powered string trimmer.

One recommendation I have for this Dewalt String Trimmer: replace the string trimmer line right away. I don’t like the rounded, twisty kind that comes with it – I recommend using the GrassKicker weed eater string that we created specifically to replace the stock kind.

Dewalt’s 60V Max string trimmer has a durable brushless motor

One thing I love about the Dewalt products I have reviewed, like the Dewalt 60V blower and Dewalt self-propelled mower, are the fact that they come with brushless motors. Brushless motors are basically newer, higher quality electric motors that use less friction to generate power from the battery.

The Dewalt 60V MAX string trimmer has a brushless motor – meaning it has a longer run time, cooler running motor, and longer life. Dewalt backs this up with a 3 year limited warranty and 90 day money back guarantee. Pretty sweet deal!

The Dewalt 60V trimmer has a ton of convenient features

One of my favorite features of the Dewalt 60V Max string trimmer is that it has universal attachment capabilities. In fact, it is one of my favorite string trimmers with attachments on the market. Universal attachment capabilities mean that you can use any universal attachment from other brands and probably that random one you have sitting in your garage.

Not only does it have attachment capabilities, but this Dewalt 60V string trimmer has a variable speed trigger with two speed settings and a molded rubber grip and D-loop handle. These features make the string trimmer easy to hold for long periods of time. The two different high and low speed setting adjustments can be used to amp up the RPMs on this trimmer, though I would probably never take it off high.

The battery performance is as expected

The 3 Ah battery on this Dewalt 60V Max String Trimmer is pretty good. For a battery-powered tool, you get decent run time – definitely enough to trim a yard that is about a ½ acre on a single charge. 

Battery performance on a string trimmer varies wildly because of  different thicknesses of grass, starting and stopping, and whether or not you use the trimmer to edge. Under normal circumstances, I think you could use this string trimmer for about 40-45 minutes before the battery dies.

Lastly, this 60v Max battery series from Dewalt has a bunch of other tools you can use with it, including their blowers, chainsaws, and lawn mowers. You can save a ton of money buying the tool-only version of their tools and using one battery.

Final review after personal testing: Dewalt 60V String Trimmer

The Dewalt 60V Max string trimmer is a solid, powerful tool that will absolutely crush grass in your yard. Don’t overlook this string trimmer just because Dewalt is mostly known for their hand tools. I have tested dozens of battery powered string trimmers and this one is up at the top of the list.

You can grab it from Home Depot for a great price.

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I Tested A Battery Powered Snow Blower in a TON of Snow

The Wild Badger 40V snow blower is a slick battery powered snow blower that has been collecting dust in my garage for months. I didn’t get that much snow in Nashville – until last week.

The Snowmageddon that has hit Nashville has got the entire city avoiding the outdoors, except for me. I grabbed this Wild Badger snow blower, went outside, and gave it a try.

Bottom line: The Wild Badger 40V snow blower is a lightweight, super easy to use, and surprisingly effective way to clear out snow. You can grab it from Amazon for a great price.

My Wild Badger 40V Battery Snow Blower review

Wild Badger’s 40V snow blower was sent to me a while back when I did a review of the Wild Badger Battery Chainsaw and the Wild Badger mower, which was also pretty sweet. I didn’t have much use for a battery snow blower back in the late Summer but got a surprisingly large amount of snow this winter in Nashville.

The Wild Badger snow blower has some serious power

When I think about an electric snow blower, the first thing that comes to mind is that this snow blower probably isn’t cranking out a ton of power. I was surprised with Wild Badger’s snow blower because it put out some serious clearing power. 

The official specifications say that this snow blower can handle snow up to 10 inches deep and 20 inches wide, which I believe given that it made light work of my 5-6 inches on my driveway. Not only did I have some deep snow, but I took it out in the freezing rain that made the snow even more wet and heavy.

From a power perspective, the Wild Badger had a great deal of force that made clearing my long driveway super easy.

Wild Badger’s battery snow blower is convenient

The 40V Wild Badger snow blower is incredible for those of us that hate the cold. Compared to a gas powered snow blower, battery powered snow blowers are way more convenient. You can walk into your garage, pop in the battery, and simply press a button to get this started. With gas  snow blowers, you have to sit out in the cold and hope that it fires up after you crank the cord. 

I also liked how easy this battery snow blower was for me to toggle the direction of the chute. I could easily change the angle and direction that the snow was being blown by re-directing the chute to my neighbors yard (they have annoying dogs). 

Lastly, pushing this snow blower around was lightweight and easy. The handles are comfortable and intuitive to use and made the process actually kind of fun. 

This battery snow blower is surprisingly durable

The Wild Badger 40V snow blower has a durable brushless motor that makes it run cooler, provide more torque, and last longer. Brushless motors are absolute must-haves when it comes to lawn tools and snow blowers are no exception.

Additionally, this snow blower has some nice, wide rubber augers on the front that won’t crack or get easily jammed up by sticks or other debris. I was surprised how well this snow blower’s augers handled the bigger bumps and clumps in my driveway.

Pros of the Wild Badger snow blower

  • Light
  • Surprisingly powerful
  • Really easy to control and move around
  • Started up with the press of a button

Cons of the Wild Badger battery snow blower

  • The battery life didn’t last as long as it normally might because I used it in quite a bit of snow and I have a really long driveway. It lasted for probably 25 minutes with one battery and could likely go up to 50 with both batteries.
  • Wild Badger isn’t a well known brand and doesn’t have an extensive suite of tools, but has been around a surprisingly long time and is about to release a bunch of other 40 and 60V tools.

Final Review: Wild Badger 40V Battery Snow Blower

All things considered, the Wild Badger snow blower was a clutch tool to have sitting in my garage. I was pleasantly surprised with this snow blower’s ability to clear a wide path, start up easily and reliably, and launch snow pretty dang far. 

I would recommend this Wild Badger snow blower to just about anyone with a smaller yard or driveway as a great, low-cost battery snow blower. You can grab it for a great price over on Amazon.

If you want to learn more about Wild Badger, check out some of their info below.

Wild Badger: Feel the Wild, Harness the Power.

WILD BADGER POWER crafts premium Lawn Care tools, empowers outdoor enthusiasts with innovative, eco-friendly solutions. Our vision is to lead the industry, harmonizing nature, amplifying efficiency, and enriching lives.

What considerations should homeowners make before choosing a gas- or battery-powered snow blower?

According to Jay Thaker, Marketing Manager at Toro, when choosing a snow blower, there are three big questions we advise people to answer to determine if gas or battery would best suit your needs. Current technology has evolved so that many battery-powered units can handle the same workload as their gas counterparts, but there’s still a time and place for gas machines.

So before looking at power options answer the following:

  1. How large is the area you need to clear?
  2. What type of surface do you need to clear?
  3. What kind of slope does your driveway have?

Answering these questions will help homeowners choose between single stage, two stage or a crossover model.

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The Kobalt 24V Max Trimmer is Cheap but not Great

The Kobalt 24V String Trimmer attachment system is not only a super powerful weed eater, but capable of carrying some great attachments like a dethatcher, edger, and tons more. 

Kobalt power head handle looking nice!

I got my hands on this Kobalt 24V string trimmer system and put it to work, testing it around my yard and cranking all the different attachments. 

I’ve tested a bunch of attachment capable string trimmer systems like this Kobalt 24V model and my favorite has been the EGO multi-head. These two both sell at Lowe’s and will be side-by-side if you are making a decision.

Bottom Line: The Kobalt 24V string trimmer attachment system is a surprisingly solid, versatile system that comes in at an unbelievably low price point. If you are looking for a great alternative to some pricier systems, this is the perfect option. You can grab it at Lowe’s for a great price.

Testing the Kobalt 24V Max String Trimmer system

Once I got the Kobalt 24V Max String Trimmer out of the box, assembling it was a breeze. This comes as a split shaft, meaning it is already assembled and folded in the box. You simply snap it into place and put on the debris guard (if you want) and you’re ready to go. Here was my experience using this trimmer.

The Kobalt string trimmer has nice cutting power

The 14 inch cutting swath on the Kobalt 24V Max string trimmer system is what I call the “Goldilocks” zone. This cutting swath isn’t so large that it reaches commercial landscaping territory, demanding a ton of juice from the battery and motor. 

Replace that string!

But at 15 inches, the Kobalt 24V Max trimmer is extremely powerful for any residential job. One thing I always do when I get a new string trimmer is to change out the string from its stock version to the kind I personally made, called GrassKicker. We designed this to be durable, sharp, and highly visible. 

When it comes to weed eaters, cutting swath is synonymous with power. Once I had the new string on here, the full 15 inch length was an absolute monster and a huge upgrade. The Kobalt 24V string trimmer has enough power for just about any homeowner (unless you live in a dense forest or have > 2 acres of land). 

The trimmer is super durable

One thing I love about Kobalt’s 24V Max series string trimmer system is that it comes with a brushless motor. I’ve written extensively about brushless motors on lawn tools and am a strong proponent of making sure you have a brushless motor.

Luckily, the Kobalt 24V Max string trimmer has one of these motors, making it highly durable, giving it more torque, and a long life. And with all battery powered weed eaters, the Kobalt trimmer has no maintenance at all on the motor and will fire right up whenever you simply press the button.

The rest of this string trimmer has a super solid build – something that shocked me given the relatively low price. But the construction on this, especially around where the triggers are, felt solid and reliable and like it could last me for several years. 

The Kobalt string trimmer attachment system is universal

My Kobalt 24V Max string trimmer just came with the multi-head and string trimmer head. Since this string trimmer system is universal, I had a ton of other attachments I could pop on easily from my experience with other attachment capable systems. 

I loved that I could easily pop on an edger attachment and have a beastly battery lawn edger. Then I could grab a hedge trimmer attachment and have an extended hedge trimmer. Attachment capabilities on this trimmer make it a Swiss Army knife tool that not only saves a ton of money, but makes storage way easier. 

One attachment that I got separately because I had never seen it before is the Kobalt Dethatcher attachment. And I got this attachment only because it seemed strange. Usually lawn dethatchers are oriented like push mowers, so imagining using this with one hand across my whole yard just felt…awkward.

Well my imagination was correct. This Kobalt dethatching attachment was definitely awkward haha. I could see this attachment being awesome for small areas but would go crazy if I did this all across my lawn.

The Kobalt 24V MAX system has tons of tools

One thing you need to be careful about before buying this kobalt string trimmer is the difference between 24V and 24V MAX. In many battery lines, these two are surprisingly and unfortunately INCOMPATIBLE. 

On the bright side, Kobalt’s 24V Max system is huge – spanning dozens of lawn tools and even more hand power tools. From an investment perspective – I love only having to buy one or two batteries and one charger. This declutters my garage and keeps costs down when I buy the tool-only version of other tools. 

The Kobalt 24V Max leaf blower is a great addition to their lineup.

Kobalt 24V Max string trimmer system is inexpensive compared to others

This string trimmer sells exclusively at Lowe’s (just like all Kobalt stuff). At under $200 for the system and weed eater attachment plus batteries and charger – you’re getting a steal. If you already have a 24V Max battery, the price drops to well below $150. Holy guacamole. 

Final review: Kobalt 24V MAX string trimmer

I was pleasantly surprised by the Kobalt 24V Max attachment capable string trimmer. Sadly, I judged this string trimmer by its low price. But when I fired the string trimmer up and got to work, I ate my words. 

This string trimmer gets the stamp of approval from TLR.

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Gas vs Battery Powered Backpack Blowers (+ My Choice)

Both gas and battery powered backpack blowers are absolute powerhouses. I’ve had the pleasure of using a few different types of both and have developed some controversial opinions. 

Basically, here are a few of my thoughts (with video evidence to help support it). 

  1. MOST gas powered backpack blowers are more powerful than battery powered blowers
  2. There are a few battery powered backpack blowers that get close
  3. Battery powered backpack blowers are a million times more convenient and easier to use than gas powered backpack blowers
  4. I don’t recommend battery backpack blowers for landscapers or people with massive yards

Read or watch more about my experience with these blowers here:

Comparing the power output

This is easily the most contentious part of this comparison. Battery and gas powered backpack blowers both move a lot of air. The volume of air flow leaving the blower is measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM. The speed of the air coming out is measured in miles per hour, MPH. MPH and CFM are often confused, because higher CFM doesn’t always mean higher MPH and vice versa on leaf blowers.

According to my research, gas powered backpack blowers get up to about 800-900 CFMs and around 200 MPH. Battery powered backpack blowers on the other hand, bring about 600-700 CFMs and 175 MPH. 

Winner: Gas powered backpack blowers

Usability and maintenance on electric and gas powered backpack blowers

The battle between gas and electric backpack blowers swings in the other direction when it comes to usability and maintenance. Like all other electric blowers, the usability is really far and away MUCH better than a gas powered blower. For starters, you can just walk into your garage or shed, grab the blower, pop on a battery, and get started.

Gas powered backpack blowers are different in that they require the right fuel mixture and anywhere between 3-20 pulls of the starting cord. This can be an awkward process with backpack blowers as you have to keep it on the ground with your foot while cranking away at the cord. 

When it comes to maintenance, it is a totally unfair comparison. Battery powered backpack blowers have no maintenance. None. This one is an easy decision.

Winner: Battery powered backpack blowers

Comfort and usability comparison

Both backpack blower types – gas and battery – are worn just like backpacks (duh). They have straps, are made to be worn for a long time, and have a tube that comes around the back and is held in either your left or right hand for blowing.

From a usability perspective, they operate nearly identically once you have them up and running. I will give battery-powered backpack blowers a few points here because they are WAY quieter. And everyone knows the annoying situation where you have a whole loud landscaping crew outside your home or office. Another benefit of battery powered backpack blowers is that they don’t emit any fumes – meaning you have no smell after.

But when it comes to weight, the two are almost the same after you add in the batteries. The average gas powered backpack blower is about 25 lbs with gas. Battery powered backpack blowers are closer to 10 lbs without batteries, but when you add the batteries it gets closer to 20 lbs. Not as nice as I would have expected, but battery powered blowers have a slight edge here.

Winner: Battery powered backpack blowers

Cost comparison

Lastly – comparing the costs between the two, a nice Stihl BR 600 blower will cost about $550. These things are fully loaded and top of the line gas blowers. Battery powered backpack blowers like the Greenworks 80V 610 CFM blower are about $200 less. 

Up close view of the Greenworks backpack blower.

That’s a big price difference, but the difference grows as you start factoring in gas and part replacement. The battery powered blower here wins by a wide margin.

Winner: Battery powered backpack blowers

Final ruling: Gas vs Battery Powered Backpack Blowers

The evidence is clear – for the average homeowner – battery powered backpack blowers are a great choice. For landscapers and folks with massive yards, I would go with a gas powered backpack blower. 

One thing to keep in mind is that in many states, gas-powered blowers are getting outlawed. It might be time to give battery a try.

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7 Easy Tips to Hang Outdoor Christmas Lights (+ 1 Secret)

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought it would be the perfect time to share some of my top tips and tricks for creating a nice-looking outdoor Christmas landscape lighting display. My favorite part: I’ll tell you how to make it easy install AND put away – year after year.

As a serial learner of lessons the hard way, I thought I would save you some time and show you exactly how the pros do it. Here’s a quick summary of the tips. You can click each one to jump down to it.

  1. Plan out what you want the lights to look like on paper
  2. Get high quality lights that you don’t have to throw away each year
  3. Get really good, long extension cords
  4. Test all the lights before putting them up (this was learned the hard way)
  5. Add multiple layers to provide depth
  6. Make sure there isn’t a tripping hazard
  7. Use a timer

I made a Youtube video highlighting exactly what tips I use to set up my Christmas lights.

My Ultimate Outdoor Christmas Light Secrets: Exposed

You know how your mom has that old recipe book with different meatloaf and weird Jell-O casseroles? This is basically the same thing but with old secrets from my experience. Some say that these secrets were originally found with the Declaration of Independence.

Tip #1: Map out the lights

The key to a successful outdoor lighting display is careful planning. Start by taking a stroll around your property and envisioning where you want to place lights. Consider highlighting architectural features like roof lines, trees, and porch columns. Planning ahead will help you determine the quantity and types of lights you need, preventing last-minute trips to the store and ensuring you have everything on hand when you start decorating.

The before!

Tip #2: Get the nice lights

When it comes to outdoor lighting, quality matters. I know it seems like buying more expensive lights is a huge waste of money, but it makes a huge difference in the installation experience.

Invest in durable, weather-resistant lights that can withstand the winter elements. LED lights are an excellent choice for their energy efficiency and long lifespan. They might cost a bit more upfront, but they’ll save you money in the long run and reduce the likelihood of mid-season replacements. Plus, they come in a variety of colors and styles, allowing you to get creative with your display.

Tip #3: Always keep in mind extension cord placement for Christmas lights

Dealing with a web of extension cords can be a headache. To minimize frustration, plan your layout with extension cords in mind. This is arguably the most important component of setting up the lights – matching the male plugs to the female outlets.

This is a sweet plug for outdoor Christmas lights.

Use outdoor-rated extension cords and strategically place them to ensure a clean and organized setup. Consider using cord management tools like stakes or clips to keep everything in place and prevent tripping hazards. A well-thought-out extension cord strategy will save you time and make your display look polished.

Tip #4: Plug the Christmas lights in before hanging them up

There’s nothing worse than spending hours meticulously placing lights, only to discover a section isn’t working. Before you start hanging lights, test each strand to ensure they are functioning correctly.

Super secret – wrap them in a ball like this and they don’t tangle.

This will save you the headache of troubleshooting later on and help you identify any faulty bulbs that need replacing. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in the overall success of your outdoor lighting project.

Nothing worse than getting the lights up, gathering everyone around, and having a strand be completely dead.

Tip #5: Use multiple layers of Christmas lights

To create a visually stunning display that will make your neighbor jealous, think about adding depth through layered lighting. Use a combination of different light types, such as string lights, pathway lights, and spotlights. This will add dimension to your outdoor space and make it more visually appealing. Experiment with different angles and distances to find the perfect balance. Layered lighting not only enhances the overall aesthetics but also adds a touch of swag to your Christmas display.

Tip #6: Please be safe

While the goal is to create a dazzling display, safety should always be a top priority. Secure lights properly to avoid them falling or becoming a tripping hazard. Be cautious when using ladders, especially on uneven ground.

If you’re unsure about the safety of a particular setup, don’t hesitate to ask your jealous neighbor for help. Ensuring a safe decorating environment will allow you to enjoy your Christmas lights without any worry.

Tip #7: Use a timer for your Christmas lights

Save yourself the trouble of manually turning lights on and off every day by using timers. Timers are a game-changer, automating the process and ensuring your display shines bright during the designated hours. Set them to come on just as the sun sets and turn off when you head to bed. Not only does this make your life easier, but it also contributes to energy conservation by avoiding unnecessary use during daylight hours.

Best of luck hanging up Christmas lights!

Wrapping up, I hope these tips help you create a hassle-free and stunning outdoor lighting display this Christmas season. Remember, the key is to plan ahead, invest in quality, and prioritize safety. Stay tuned for more helpful tips, and don’t forget to subscribe for a chance to win exciting giveaways every month. Until next time, happy decorating!

Here’s my secret: You can use Christmas lights on your bushes and cover with a sheet to protect bushes from frost.

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3 Things I’m Doing To Get Green Grass in November

This November, I am shocked to say that my grass looks greener than it does at the beginning of Spring. You read that right – it is about 45 degrees out this morning and my grass is greener than the Grinch’s bottom.

Here are three ways I’m getting extremely green grass this November:

  1. I prepped with a really good dethatching, aerating, and overseeding regiment back in October
  2. Keeping all of the leaves off of my yard (which is a constant battle)
  3. Putting down a winter pre-emergent

If you want to learn more about keeping your grass green this Fall, I’ll go into more detail below!

Step One: Prior preparation prevents poor performance (in your lawn)

If you are a first time reader of The Lawn Review, then you may not know that I am all about preparation. Preparing my cool season grass for seeding in the Fall starts with a good routine. Here’s mine (with links to other posts I’ve written that explain more):

If you don’t want to read all those different articles, check out my Youtube video highlighting exactly what I did to get my lawn prepped for the Fall.

Step two: Get the leaves off of my lawn

It is truly a never ending battle to keep leaves off of your lawn in the Fall. But keeping the leaves off of your lawn is a crucial step in getting your grass to thrive in November.

I have a huge Oak tree out in my backyard that absolutely dumps leaves around early November. If I don’t stay on top of it, then my entire yard will turn into a leaf pile. It is pretty, sure, but it destroys your grass’ chance of success to get fully seeded and grown in in the Fall.

All that work we did for prior preparation to prevent poor performance? Out the window.

It may seem tedious to keep the leaves off your lawn, but using some tools can help. I recently got the worlds most powerful handheld blower and it made the weekly clean up a breeze. Pair that with a standing leaf mulcher or getting a leaf vacuum and mulcher combo? The whole thing is a cake walk.

Step Three: Put down a winter pre-emergent

When I think pre-emergent, I almost always think of the Spring: trying to get the weeds killed before they really start shooting up with the warm weather. But here’s something that will blow your mind:

Weeds still grow in cold weather, just at a slower rate.

Weeds will infiltrate your lawn, start to slowly grow, then the second the soil temperature starts rising – BOOM you have a huge mess on your hands.

Putting down a winter pre-emergent like this one from our friends at The Andersons will give you a huge head start on your Spring routine. Better yet, it will make your lawn stick out compared to your neighbors. Isn’t that what this is all about?

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