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.
The Husqvarna 395 XP is an absolute beast of a chainsaw. As one of the more powerful gas chainsaws on the market, you will see both commercial and residential people using this hoss. This animal will chew up and spit out just about anything you throw it’s way.
Brought to you by some of the best to ever do it, this Husqvarna lives up to the brand hype. Specifically designed for heavy duty jobs, this machine might be a little more than most people need but heck, if you can afford it, why not?
Looks kinda scary.
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’ve got some experience.
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.
About Husqvarna
Husqvarna is one of the most respected names in lawn care. Not only are they producers of great, high quality lawn care tools for residential property owners, but they also create really great machinery for commercial use in parks, golf courses, and all over construction sites.
Husqvarna’s bread and butter is the heavier, commercial machinery for sure. For example, they don’t have a huge presence in the push mower space, but have some absolute units in the zero-turn mower space. Likewise, they produce big boy commercial lawn mowers and chainsaws that you will see clearing forests – which falls more in line with what we’ll be reviewing today, The Husqvarna 395 XP.
Yeah they also make these bad boys…..
Let’s dive in….
Chainsaws vs Axe vs Handsaws
When purchasing a chainsaw, it’s important to understand if you actually NEED a chainsaw. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a lil vroom vroom but when it hurts my cha ching cha ching, it makes me wonder… Is this the right tool?
All three virtually do the same thing, which is make big pieces of wood smaller. However, each one is targeted for different tasks and frequencies. If you’re cutting down a small tree, clearing some brush or splitting some logs an ax is probably all you’ll ever need.
If, however, you’ve got A LOT of small trees to take down, or some big branches to remove then a chainsaw is probably better for you. A handsaw is somewhere between, usually like a branch that is 2 to 3” in diameter that you want a clean cut for, like removing a branch close to the trunk of a tree.
There are also battery powered chainsaws and even plug-in electric chainsaws, but neither of those are in the same atmosphere as this one.
What to look for in a chainsaw
A solid chainsaw is one of the most important tools a homeowner can have. Buying the right one is absolutely essential to your kids thinking you’re a cool man or woman. Chainsaws come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, type and models. Most are either gas or electric powered. Depending on your application of course, most people can get away with a 14” bar and chain. Unless you’re cutting up massive trees you probably don’t need anything bigger than that.
A Stihl competitor.
In addition to that, most people nowadays can probably get away with an electric model vs a more powerful, smoother cutting gas powered model. But it’s all personal preference. However, honestly I tend to always go with the bigger more powerful engines because I think they’ll last longer. So far that’s proven to be true, but I could just be wasting money.
Just make sure your chainsaw at least has a kickback reduction feature. This prevents you from losing one of your precious fingers! You only have 10 of them ya know! Kickback reductions can be in the form of the chain or bar itself. Basically these just prevent you from cutting too aggressively which prevents your saw from bouncing back on you. Or a chain brake which causes the chain to stop when it hits something hard or moves too abruptly
Other features that are nice to have are more comfort-centric. These include tool-less tensioners, mufflers, anti-vibration, automatic chain oilers, etc.
Husqvarna 395 XP Chainsaw Functionality
For most homeowners, this Husqvarna is the absolute definition of bringing a gun to a knife-fight. This is honestly probably more than 95% of users need in a chainsaw. But for those of you who would rather be overloaded than under loaded, this saw has more than a few bells and whistles that make it topnotch.
Usability of the Husqvarna 395 XP
When you’re powering through tons of logs and time is of the essence, a low vibration level and comfortable ergonomics is key. The Husqvarna 395 XP uses the patented LowVib® technology, basically reducing vibration, which SUCKS when you’re using a piece of machinery for a long time. Also, it comes with a 7 degree offset on the handle, further reducing fatigue.
The magnesium crankcase in the Husqvarna 395xp makes it super easy to use and start.
Another couple other features I like about this saw is the air injection and quick release air filter. The air injection prevents large particulates and other crap from even entering the air filter. And the quick release air filter makes it super fast to change when time is of the essence.
This saw also comes in 20in, 24in, 28in, 32in and 36in varieties depending on your need.
Dependability
The Husqvarna 395 XP also comes with a magnesium crankcase and a three-piece crankshaft. The magnesium holds up super well with those higher RPMs and high temperatures. The three-piece crankshaft provides serious durability for the commercial or heavy residential usage. Basically this thing won’t quit before you do. And in the off chance it does, Husqvarna offers a 5 year extended warranty on this guy. All you have to do to get the extended warranty is to buy the Husqvarna oil and register it online. Easy enough.
From a maintenance perspective, the great thing about this chainsaw is that it has easily accessible filters.
The quick release air filters on the 395 XP.
Power
If you’ve made it this far you’ve heard me say this before but let me reiterate my point, THIS BAD BOY IS AN ABSOLUTE UNIT. Legend says one of these Husqvarna 395 XP chainsaws could clear half the Amazon. 94 cc’s on a chainsaw. If you changed the saw to helicopter blades this could easily take you to the moon. The power output is 6.6 hp (4900 W). That’s a lot. Compared, to the 4 HP offered on the electric Dewalt 60V Chainsaw this will be a massive uptick in power. Understandably so, as this is targeted to professional loggers not your everyday homeowner.
The Official Review of the Husqvarna 395 XP Chainsaw
Do you need this? Almost certainly, no. Do you want this? Almost certainly, yes. As mentioned several times in this review, the intended use of this chainsaw is commercial tree servicing companies and professional loggers. 99% of homeowners do not need this. BUT if you find yourself in one of the aforementioned categories then you will absolutely not be disappointed in this.
This thing will cut a small forest down like butter. At an average cost of $1,319.99 this is a very expensive model. But you’re buying a Cadillac, not a Kia. Sorry Kia.
The Husqvarna Z242f is one of the more affordable residential zero-turn mowers on the market. One thing we know about Husqvarna is their consistent power output and reliability. Let’s review the critical components of what you need to know before considering the Husqvarna Z242f for a purchase.
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.
The face test.
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. Always feel free to leave a comment or request a review using the form you see at the top of this page.
About Husqvarna
Husqvarna is one of the most respected names in lawn care. Not only are they producers of great, high quality lawn care tools for residential property owners, but they also create really great machinery for commercial use in parks, golf courses, and all over construction sites.
Really what they’re known for.
Husqvarna’s bread and butter is the heavier, commercial machinery for sure. For example, they don’t have a huge presence in the push mower space, but have some absolute units in the zero-turn mower space. Likewise, they produce big boy commercial lawn mowers and chainsaws that you will see clearing forests.
That being said, you can see how all of Husqvarna’s industry experience could lead to them making the best zero-turn mowers for homeowners.
Zero-turn mowers
A few things to look for in zero-turn mowers are blade size, transmission, accessory capabilities and cost. Blade size is important to keep consistent with the size of your lawn. Obviously longer blades are best for larger lawns, but begin to sacrifice a little bit of the agility afforded by a smaller blade.
Transmission is also an important consideration for a zero-turn mower. Most zero turn mowers do not have manual transmissions, but have either automatic or hydrostatic transmissions. Automatic works just like an automatic car does with a gas pedal and belts. Hydrostatic transmissions use fluid to transfer their power to the blades and the rest of the engine. I prefer and recommend hydrostatic transmissions because they typically require less maintenance and have a longer life (plus it sounds cooler).
Cost is generally of the utmost importance as well. Zero-turn mowers are expensive. In fact, you can buy an old Honda Civic for less than most zero turn mowers. Expect to spend no less than $3,000 for a zero turn mower. Keep in mind that these will last a long time and save you a ton of weekend time when compared to a riding tractor or push mower. Zero turn mowers are an upfront investment, but reap a huge return over time.
Husqvarna Z242f: Feature review
Alright, now that we have wrapped our heads around ZT mowers and Husqvarna, let’s check out this specific mower from the Z200 series of Husqvarna.
The Z242f in all its glory.
Power
The Husqvarna Z242f packs a punch, no doubt. This mower has an 18hp Kawasaki engine from their FR series (which is where I think the “f” in Z242f) comes from. The Kawaski engine runs up to almost 7 miles per hour and can cover 2.2 acres in an hour. I don’t know about you, but that acre/hour statistic is pretty compelling, especially if you are looking to save time on the weekends (who isn’t?).
Just about everything you would need for a residential property is covered by this engine. No complaints from a power perspective – this is going to be more than enough to cover a multi-acre parcel of land.
One consideration for this mower, and for the Z200 series as a whole, is what size cutting deck do you need? The Z242f has a 42 inch cutting deck (the 42 in Z242f) that will leave three and a half feet of cut grass behind you. As you think through your land, consider a few things:
How many obstacles do I have to navigate?
The more obstacles you have, the more nimble you will want to be. If you have a ton of trees, flower beds, or other structures, going any higher than a 42 inch deck will require some serious agility.
How much open land do I have?
If you have acres of open land and are making straight pass over straight pass, consider a larger deck than a 42 inch deck. If you go up to a 60 inch deck, you will cut an additional foot and a half with each pass. This foot and a half will add up tremendously after a handful of passes, saving you time. And time is money.
You can see the 42 inch cutting deck clearly labeled on this mower.
Usability
Okay, all the power in the world is totally worthless if it is difficult to use. We have reviewed quite a few Husqvarna zero-turn mowers here at The Lawn Review, but absolutely love the features that come with the Husqvarna Z242f.
First of all, Husqvarna has a sick automatic park brake system. After you find out what it is, you will wonder why all zero-turn mowers do not have this feature. The park brake system is activated when the steering levers fall to the side (as they naturally do when you let go of them). Yep – it is that simple. No crank you have to crank or anything else that you could forget, and then end up chasing your several thousand dollar mower down the street.
Photo cred: Tractor Supply Co.
Another great feature of the Husqvarna Z242f is the nice little ergonomic control panel. This has things like an hour meter, choke, speed control, and ignition all in one spot. You would not believe how many manufacturers leave out something simple like an hour meter!
Husqvarna has also addressed a few of the finer things in life, like a comfortable seat. Yes, a comfortable seat. This does have a downside of no arm rests BUT comes with a cup holder – a total game changer. Armrests are optional and are best suited for those of us with arms.
Maintenance and durability
The Z242f comes with a hydrostatic transmission, which is an absolute must-have if you own a zero-turn mower. These will help keep your tranny (…) in good shape and tend to last longer than other transmission styles.
From a maintenance perspective, you will have to do your regular oil changes and air filter changes, both of which are pretty standard and straight forward. Again, this is when the hour meter comes in handy so that you can freaking track when this needs to get done. Even better, it already has programmed service intervals that will remind you when this stuff needs to get done.
To top it off, as with most of their products Husqvarna offers a three year warranty for residential users. See below for reviews from their website:
People like it!
Price and value
Almost spit out my coffee when I checked the price on this bad boy. The Husqvarna Z242f comes in right at $3,000, otherwise known as three racks.
This is a great price for a residential zero-turn mower. Shoot, there are some lawn tractors we have reviewed that cost this much and those things are not nearly as powerful.
The official review: Husqvarna Z242f zero turn mower
The Stihl BR350 backpack blower is a mid-sized backpack blower that pumps out some serious air. While probably not the most practical tool for a homeowner in a close neighborhood, the Stihl BR350 can get the job done at farms, ranches, and large properties. In fact, most of the commercial landscapers you see will have one of these Stihl backpack blowers on the job.
The big brother!
Backpack blowers are an absolute necessity in the landscaping game. If you don’t have one, you might as well rely on the wind to get your job done. Before you go buy any old backpack blower on Amazon, make sure to know what you are getting yourself into.
When it comes to backpack blowers, there are only a few things you need to take into consideration. The first is power, then comfort and usability, durability and maintenance, then of course price and value. Let’s get started below.
Stihl BR350 backpack blower looking NICE.
Power
If you are checking out a backpack blower, then you probably need something pretty powerful. The Stihl BR350 backpack blower puts out air at over 200 mph. Holy cow.
The air volume at the nozzle is 436 CFM (cubic feet per minute). What this means is that the blower has a slightly more narrow nozzle, making for a targeted, high speed air stream. For example, there are other blowers that have a higher CFM, but a lower air speed. These are ones with big, wide blower nozzles that send a broader air path, but not as quickly.
For comparison’s sake, the BR600 boasts almost 700 CFM, but only blows air slightly faster than the BR350. This is due to the wider nozzle on the BR600.
The BR600 is even MORE powerful.
My preference is always having a slightly narrow opening to be able to have focused power. Broad openings are great for folks who are pushing a bunch of air across their backyard indiscriminately.
You can see the relatively narrow tip on the BR350.
This engine also boasts 2.8 bhp of power output, which is pretty impressive.
Usability of the Stihl BR350 backpack blower
Usability is probably the most important feature of any lawn tool. Sure, the blower can have a ton of power, but if it is difficult to use, how on earth are you supposed to get your job done?
I like things that make life easier. The BR350 makes blowing pretty easy. For starters, it only weighs 22 lbs, which is about the weight of a watermelon. Not bad!
Another thing I love about the Stihl BR350 backpack blower is the backpack feel. Some other backpack blowers like the Husqvarna series have something that looks like a switchboard on the back with each component nailed in. The Stihl BR350 has a super intuitive casing that makes the entire device more compact and easier to wear and store.
Another thing I love about this blower is the slightly offset handle. If you look closely, you can see this right-handed handle is slightly tilted outwards. This helps offset the kick from the blower, making it easy to walk around and get the job done without having to “fight” against it like a firehose or shotgun.
You can see the offset handle in this picture, making it more natural to hold.
Of course, the Stihl BR350 backpack blower has an anti-vibration system and a multi-function control handle, which is relatively commonplace for backpack blowers.
Maintenance and durability
Not much maintenance is required on these bad boys! You will want to make sure to use a 50:1 oil to gas mixture but otherwise will only have to do the occasional filter and spark plug change.
With proper maintenance, the BR350 should last you a few years.
Stihl BR350 price
The Stihl BR350 backpack blower comes in at anywhere between $350 and $400. It sounds like a lot, but the money you will keep in your pocket after a couple years makes all the difference.
Not to mention, this blower will make you feel like a total badass. It’s truly what is used most often by the pros for a reason. I’d say it’s the F150 of the blower world.
Check out the summary table below for our review of the Stihl BR 350.
Feature
Stihl BR350
Comparable blowers
Difficulty to use
Easier to use due to offset handle
Average usability
Durability
Avg. durability
Avg. durability
Maintenance
Average maintenance
Average maintenance
Value
Moderate value
Moderate value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft
Less recommended
Less recommended
For lots <1 acre
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
For lots >1 acre
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
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.
How we spend our time now.
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.
Leaf blowers: Electric vs. gas
Obviously you have two options when selecting a leaf blower: electric or gas.They are worlds apart in just about every aspect. Electric leaf blowers tend to be cheaper, weaker, and only last a few seasons. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I used to have a Ryobi leaf blower attachment that came on their 3-in-1 tool kit. I have now gone through two of the leaf blower heads in which they start making a high pitch scraping noise when I am using it.
A powerful battery blower.
Gas blowers are superior in almost every way. They are super strong, last many seasons, and quickly get the job done. The reason you see every professional lawn care person using a backpack blower is because they work extremely well. Let’s dig into that more below.
Stihl’s reputation
Stihl is an industry leader when it comes to yard products, but is probably most known for chainsaws and backpack blowers. The BR350 backpack blower is one of their best selling products because it is something they have completely mastered.
Super well made!
The Stihl family moved to Virginia in the 1970s and opened up their first factory dedicated to a single chainsaw. They have continued to grow and pioneer the lawn care space, most notably with backpack blowers.
Stihl has a great reputation that many commercial landscapers rely on each day. Many residential owners will be more than pleased with their products.
Mulch at Lowes can be an overwhelming sight. Heck, they’ve got more options than Wall Street on their racks. Seriously, my wife and I went a few weekends ago and I was shocked at the amount of choices they had.
Lowes Mulch Sale Dates in 2024 (5 for $10)
The Lowes mulch sale is when bags of mulch go on sale, usually 5 bags of mulch for $10. This is your time to buy a ton of mulch online, pull your car up, and have someone load all the mulch you need this year for a well discounted price.
The Lowe’s Mulch sale should start on March 31st,2024 which is Easter weekend. For the past three years, the Lowe’s Mulch 5 for $10 sale has started on Easter weekend.
Lowe’s also has a 5 for $10 sale every year again during Memorial Day weekend (May 27th, 2024), then July 4th and Labor Day.
In its most basic form, mulch is just anything you spread over the top of soil. It can be organic or synthetic matter, both can serve the same and different purposes. Some of the main reasons for applying is to spruce up the landscape, retain soil moisture, maintain and improve soil health and reduce weeds. There’s not much better than a freshly mulched landscape in my opinion.
As mentioned earlier it can be organic or synthetic, though most people tend to go the organic route. Organic material usually comes in the form of shredded hardwood of some sort along with some manure, compost blend, and grass clippings. Inorganic can be rubber, plastic or some other weird thing the scientists have come up with this year.
For the purposes of this article, I’m not going to go over every possible mulch composition but will stick to the heavy hitters found at most of your local Lowe’s.
We don’t know, but people who hate mulching every year love it. Is it good for the environment? Probably not. Is it good for your Sundays? Probably.
NuScape Rubber Mulch Nuggets
As the name suggests, NuScape Brown Rubber Mulch Nuggets are shredded or chopped 100% recycled rubber. This is great for commercial landscaping, playgrounds or schools that don’t want to have to deal with the mess and hassle of remulching every year.
According to NuScape, this product is fade resistant for up to 12 years (with a warranty!). Reviews on Lowe’s website vary on the validity of that but somewhere in the 8 to 12 range is a safe bet. Another “pro” of this mulch is that it won’t attract bugs that can be damaging to existing landscapes.
A major con to rubber mulch is that it won’t provide the soil enriching properties that organic mulch provides. If you don’t care about that then this is a great product and comes highly recommended on Amazon and Lowes.
At $6.98 per 0.8 cubic feet bag ($8.73/cu ft) this is way more expensive than regular mulch in the short term but provides savings in about 2 years due to not having to re-mulch.
Gotta give the rubber bag a smack!
Up close and personal with the smaller bag of mulch.
Preen Mulch at Lowes
Preen mulch offers a variety of colors and is one of the higher-end mulches available. Check out their mulch with weed preventer below.
Preen Mulch with Extended Control Weed Preventer
Preen is one of my favorite products to apply to my garden/landscape. It saves me hours (perhaps days) of weeding time come spring and summer. That stuff works. It won’t kill existing weeds but it does prevent seeds from germinating so it takes a few years for it really to start kicking in.
When I saw Preen made a mulch with herbicide included, I was so pumped. Had I known this product existed when I mulched this past year I would’ve definitely used it. (Maybe not red though.) It comes in russet red, chestnut brown and midnight black. All the colors come with a 12 month guarantee.
I prefer chestnut brown around my house, but often see folks with Midnight Black as their color of choice in their garden. Russet red is typically used more with commercial properties like schools and restaurants.
This product will run you about $4.98 per 2 cubic feet ($2.49/cu ft) so it’s pricey but the convenience of it being in bags and with Preen included makes this very enticing.
Russet Red sounds sophisticated, but I prefer chestnut brown.
I wonder if they have enough mulch.
JET BLACK mulch
The JET BLACK mulch really wants you to know what color it is. Let’s review what there is to like (or dislike…) about this mulch at Lowe’s
JET BLACK Black Hardwood Mulch
A bang for your buck offering from Jet Black, this black hardwood mulch is what it is. Not super high quality stuff but it’ll get the job done (at least in the short term). If you’re looking for a quick spruce up of the landscape for a party or something, then this mulch is for you.
However, most reviews I’ve seen of this product say it will be extremely washed out after about a week or so. This is dyed mulch that doesn’t appear to last very long. A washed out mulch bed is almost as bad as no mulch bed at all in my opinion. This mulch offers no sort of warranty or guarantee and there’s a reason why. They’d run themselves out of business.
I purchased this for the front of my house a few years ago, and it did start to grey pretty quickly. I would be prepared to re-mulch often if this is the mulch you go with.
At $3.78 per 1.5 cubic foot ($2.52/cu ft), this mulch isn’t really that affordable. I’m honestly really struggling to find why you’d give this stuff a try.
Hard to miss the Jet Black mulch bags at Lowe’sCheck out how many bags of mulch you will need using our calculator below.
Premium 2-cu ft Black & Red Hardwood mulch at Lowe’s
If you want a laugh go read the reviews of this stuff on another site. Several people said there is literally nothing premium about this stuff other than the price. Just based on the reviews and pictures I’ve seen online of this, it looks like booty (in a bad way). No thank you. Some poor guy bought 140 bags of this and said it completely ruined his landscaping.
Astoundingly, it actually comes with a 1 year color warranty. I’m not sure how they gauge whether or not the color lasted a year or not but that’s up to them I suppose. I honestly wouldn’t want the red to last in my landscaping that long anyways.
At $3.68 per 2 cubic feet per bag ($1.84/cu ft), this stuff actually isn’t super expensive. So if you do not care what your yard looks like, or want to do something affordably, you certainly can try a few bags of this. But I’d personally try it in the backyard first and see what you think.
If it passes the test, go pick up some more. What you do NOT want to do is order over 100 bags and then try to return it. That would not be fun.
The borderline offensive bag.
What you will see when you walk into Lowe’s.
Grab a bag if you feel so inclined.
The Evergreen Mulch collection at Lowe’s
The Evergreen Mulch at Lowe’s comes in a ton of different forms and is a high-value natural mulch. Check out their different products below, then use our calculator to figure out how much to buy.
Evergreen 3-cu ft Natural Brown Pine Bark Nuggets
An option slightly different than the ones previously discussed, pine bark nuggets. No, I’m not talking about Chick-Fil-A nuggets. Pine bark nuggets come packed with nutrients just like shredded hardwood does and because of its larger surface area, lasts for years and years. This stuff is absolutely fantastic for walk paths and playgrounds that get a lot of wear and tear. If you don’t use rubber mulch for that stuff then I’d highly recommend you go this route.
This mulch doesn’t come with a guarantee though. However, from the reviews I’ve seen it doesn’t appear that you’ll really need one. Aside from a few reviews complaining about bugs in the bag, everything else has looked great.
The Natural Brown Pine Bark Nuggets from Lowe’s will run you $4.58 per 3 cubic feet ($1.52/cu ft), so much more affordable than the shredded hardwoods we’ve reviewed earlier.
Pine bark nuggets – make sure to get the nuggets!The distinctive orange stripes on the nugget version.
Evergreen 3-cu ft Natural Dark Brown Pine Bark Mulch at Lowes
A more traditional mulch offering from Evergreen the natural dark brown pine bark MULCH. Important to note, this is different from the Evergreen Natural Brown Pine Bark Nuggets reviewed above, this will be more fine, like a traditional mulch. However, not quite as fine as shredded hardwood mulch so this will have longer usage similar to the nugget variety discussed earlier. The reviews look favorable to this as well.
Evergreen also doesn’t offer a warranty on this pine bark mulch either. However, the reviews look favorable to this as well so I wouldn’t worry about that. Honestly, this stuff looks really good. Based on my test at Lowe’s and the reviews online, I like this stuff. It functions similarly to other mulches and is MEGA affordable.
This bag is priced the same as the nugget variety so it’s a matter of personal preference here. At $4.58 per 3 cubic feet per bag ($1.52/cu ft) this isn’t going to break the bank. But it might break your neighbors hopes and dreams of having the best lawn in the neighborhood (Suck it, Jerry!).
Evergreen MULCH, not nuggets
Brown bag at Lowe’s is the mulch, not the orange.
Evergreen 3-cu ft Natural Brown Hardwood Bark Mulch
The Hardwood Bark Mulch product from Evergreen has me confused. Some bags appear to be great while others look awful. It must be the way Evergreen processes their mulch. Some reviews look like this is straight sawdust while others look like super high quality stuff. So buyer beware. If you can, spot check a few of these bags before you bring them home.
The bags are opaque so you’ll have to rip open a few to see what they look like but worse things happen in transit for these things so I wouldn’t worry about it. If you can get a few good bags of this I’d recommend this because when it’s good it’s GOOD.
Again, no warranty/guarantee here but if you can handpick your bags then you should be in good shape.
This variety is a bit more affordable than the other options from Evergreen. This bag is $4.28 per 3 cubic feet ($1.42/cu ft).
The elusive green bag.
The good stuff!
Evergreen 3-cu ft Brown Cypress Bark Mulch
Similar to other mulches, cypress mulch offers weed preventing, moisture retention properties and nutrients to the soil and plants in your landscaping. Cypress is unique in that it doesn’t spread apart like other mulches though. It kind of sticks together and doesn’t run out in big gully washers (I love that word) – basically heavy rains – like other mulches do. Also, the cypress tree population has been decimated over recent years so if you’re environmentally conscious, I’d look elsewhere.
Yet again, no warranty from Evergreen. Similar to the other options, check the bags periodically before you take them home. If not, you may be stuck with an undesirable product.
Priced the same as the Evergreen pine bark options, $4.58 per 3 cubic feet per bag ($1.52/cu ft) this is another affordable option. I’d give this a shot if you experience heavy downpours or are worried about washouts. This mulch might give you a better hold than other options.
The fashionable purple cypress mulch blend.
The Cypress Mulch blend fat stack.
Oldcastle Premium 2-cu ft All Natural Cedar Mulch at Lowes
Ah the smell of cedar. Brings me back to bonfires by the lake at my buddies house. One of the greatest smells of all time in my opinion. So this mulch really caught my eye. I’d love to have my landscaping smell and look wonderful. However… The reviews for this product go in many different directions. Some people love this, some people claim this has completely ruined their landscaping. So another buyer beware!
No warranty or guarantee here and apparently Oldcastle’s product quality varies greatly between batches so make sure you take a peek inside before you take these home.
The aromatic cedar option will run you $4.58 per 2 cubic feet ($2.29/cu ft). This is a little more expensive than the Evergreen options but not quite as much as the Preen. I’d go with the Preen for a slightly more effective product in my option.
The Aromatic Cedar mulch at Lowe’s naturally repels insects.
Scotts Nature Scapes Color Enhanced 2-cu ft Deep Forest Brown & Classic Black Mulch
If you know anything about lawn care then the name Scotts should ring a bell for you. This is the top of the top of mulch at Lowes. Looks like they’ve ventured into the mulch space as well. Scotts touts this mulch as using regionally sourced trees so you’ll be supporting local by using this product! Every tree used in this mulch comes from a maximum of 150 miles away. So this product should be giving your plants and soil something that they’re used to. At least I think that’s what the logic is.
The customer reviews appear to be similar to other mulches in that consistency is something that is a bit of a challenge here. Make sure you inspect your bags before you bring them home. If you get a good bag or run then you’re in good shape for a high quality product.
Scotts does offer a 1 year color warranty so if you’re not happy with the color after 9 months, you can pick it up and return it or maybe get your money back. I’m sure after 9 months, if you’re like most people, you’ll either apply a new bag or it’ll be winter and you don’t care anyways.
Scotts Nature Scapes mulch comes in at $3.98 per 2 cubic feet ($1.99/cu ft). This is a relatively affordable option for a brand name product like Scotts.
The brown Scotts Nature Scapes mulch at Lowe’s
The Best Mulch from Scotts Nature Scapes.
Lowes Mulch Sale: Cost per bag summary
Mulch at Lowe’s
Price Per Cubic Foot
Cubic feet per bag
Cost per bag
Color Warranty?
NuScape Rubber Mulch Nuggets
$8.73
0.8
$6.98
Yes
Preen Mulch with Extended Control Weed Preventer
$2.49
2
$4.98
Yes
JET BLACK 1.5-cu ft Black Hardwood Mulch
$2.52
1.5
$3.78
No
Premium 2-cu ft Black & Red Hardwood
$1.84
2
$3.68
Yes
Evergreen 3-cu ft Natural Brown Pine Bark Nuggets
$1.52
3
$4.56
No
Evergreen 3-cu ft Natural Dark Brown Pine Bark Mulch
$1.52
3
$4.56
No
Evergreen 3-cu ft Natural Brown Hardwood Bark Mulch
$1.42
3
$4.26
No
Evergreen 3-cu ft Brown Cypress Bark Mulch
$1.52
3
$4.56
No
Oldcastle Premium 2-cu ft All Natural Cedar Mulch
$2.29
2
$4.58
No
Scotts Nature Scapes Color Enhanced 2-cu ft Deep Forest Brown & Classic Black Mulch
Lowes is having a 4th of July mulch sale in 2024 where you can grab three bags of mulch for $10. Not as great of a deal as it normally is during the beginning of the year, but not bad!
We will keep an eye out for any other Mulch sales around the holidays, but things really start to slow down in the gardening space in the Fall.
Many people seeking to understand various lawn tools need a frame of reference for cost and power comparisons across types of lawn equipment. In this post, we will reference all types of residential lawn equipment to gather a reference resource for all savvy shoppers. Let’s get started!
When it comes to push mowers, there are really three main types of power sources:
Battery-powered push mowers: These mowers are powered by a battery and can be easily re-charged and stored. Battery-powered mowers are typically less expensive, easier to store and maintain, and better suited for small yards.
Gas-powered push mowers: These mowers are gasoline-powered and rely on refills, just like a car. Gas-powered push mowers tend to last much longer than electric mowers, but require yearly maintenance.
Corded electric push mowers: Corded push mowers tend to be very similar to battery-powered mowers, except require a long extension cord for power. Be careful not to run it over with the blade!
The average cost of push mowers in 2022
Push mowers range in cost depending on how they are powered, the size of their engine, and the width of their cutting deck. Push mowers are one of the most popular types of mowers because most folks have relatively small yards.
As the rise of townhomes have grown, the small little yards associated with them can be easily taken care of with a small electric mower. Sun Joe offers a ton of these, but also has competition with Greenworks, Ryobi, and a handful of others.
Battery powered mower cost 2022
The average cost of a battery-powered push mower in 2022 is about $300, but can range from $75 – $550 depending on size and features.
Some of the battery powered push mowers we have reviewed are:
The Troy Bilt TB160 was my first mower and still runs like new.
Average cost of an electric mower in 2022
The average cost of a corded electric push mower in 2022 is about $150, but can range from $70 to $200.
The average cost of a riding mower in 2022 (Lawn Tractor + Zero-Turn)
Riding mowers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The two you will recognize the most are lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers.
Lawn tractors vs. zero-turn mowers
Lawn tractors tend to have a steering wheel where the engine sits between your legs. Zero-turn mowers have levers that help steer the mower.
Lawn tractors are best for yards that are between ½ of an acre and 1.5 acres. Zero-turn mowers are great for those with 1.5 acres and above.
Lawn tractor costs in 2022
The average cost of a lawn tractor in 2022 is about $2,300, but can range between $2,000 and $4,200.
Most lawn tractors sit right around the $2,000 to $3,000 range, but some newer electric lawn tractors can cost over $4,000.
Lawn tractors vary in price depending on their engine horsepower and their cutting width. As you would expect, larger engines and larger cutting decks increase the price of the lawn tractor.
Some of the lawn tractors that we have reviewed are:
The average cost of a zero-turn mower in 2022 is about $4,500, but can range from $2,900 to $5,300. Zero-turn mowers range in price depending on the features and the size of the mower.
Commercial zero-turn mowers can run as high as $10,000 in 2022.
Some popular zero-turn mowers that we have reviewed include
The average cost of a lawn mowing service in 2022 is about $60 for lots < 10,000 sq. ft.
The average cost of a lawn mowing service for yards between 10,000 sq. ft and ½ acre is about $100 in 2022.
The average cost of a lawn mowing service for an acre is $150-200 in 2022.
As a reminder, lawn service usually comes every week or every other week during peak season. These costs can add up extremely quickly, making do-it-yourself lawn mowing easily the most affordable option.
Leaf blowers: A 2022 guide to cost and choice
Leaf blowers come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from some that seem to have the power of a hair blower to others that can send a sailboat across the Atlantic. When it comes to leaf blowers, there are three main types: handheld electric, handheld gasoline, and backpack blowers.
Handheld electric blowers are slightly more expensive than gas blowers and are often the least powerful. There are a few exceptions, but these hold true.
Who should buy an electric blower?
Electric blowers are great for those looking for quick, small jobs around the yard. This would include blowing out the garage, blowing off the driveway or back deck, or collecting leaves for a smaller yard.
Electric blowers have a huge upside in that they are very easy to start and maintain, only requiring a charged battery to begin the work
Average cost of an electric leaf blower in 2022
The average cost of an electric leaf blower in 2022 is $175, but can range from $70 to $350 depending on the quality.
Some of our favorite electric leaf blowers include:
Handheld gasoline blowers provide a step up in power, but often require air filter changes and other minorly inconvenient maintenance. Gas blowers are great for people who have up to an acre or so of land and feel comfortable walking around and using the blower.
Likewise, gas blowers are great for folks who receive a significant amount of leaves, regardless of lawn size. Gas blowers can help move leaves off of your yard much more quickly and will leave less wet leaves stuck behind.
Average cost of a gas leaf blower in 2022
Gas blowers cost about $150, but range from $100 – $250 depending on size and power.
One of our favorite handheld gas blowers that we have reviewed is the Husqvarna 125B. This blower has an attachment on the end that can provide a super concentrated stream of air, with the ability to blow anything away.
Backpack blowers are the most powerful, expensive, and loudest blowers on the market. These are made popular by commercial landscapers, but anyone with an acre or above could majorly benefit from these.
Backpack blowers provide very high amounts of power and come with the added comfort of straps, advanced features, and an easy to use handle.
Average cost of a backpack blower in 2022
Backpack blowers will run you about $350 in 2022, but can range from $250 to $750 depending on the size and power.
Some of our favorite backpack blower reviews include:
The Stihl BR600 is a beast and you look like a teenage mutant ninja turtle when you wear it.
Trimmers or Weed Eaters costs in 2022
Trimmers, lovingly known as weed eaters, are tools used to cut grass precisely. These are often used in harder to reach areas, to clear brush, or to fine tune the edges of a property.
Trimmers come in both gas and electric powered forms, with electric becoming more popular. Electric trimmers are very easy to use, but can be less powerful. A plus side to electric trimmers is that they often come with multiple interchangeable heads, allowing for edger, blower, and hedge trimmer attachments to all fit the same body.
Gas trimmers provide relentless, reliable power and are often used by those with bigger yards and of course, commercial landscapers.
Average cost of an electric trimmer in 2022
The average cost of an electric trimmer in 2022 is about $170, but can range from $25 to $650 Some of the more popular brands include Ryobi, Black + Decker, and Sun Joe.
Some of our electric trimmer reviews can be found here:
Pressure washers come in two major forms: gas and electric. Electric pressure washers tend to have less power and lower reliability. Gas pressure washers are more powerful and can get extremely pricey.
Who should buy an electric pressure washer?
Electric pressure washers are great for people who are doing lighter jobs. The perfect person to buy an electric pressure washer is someone looking to clean their windows, their car or boat, or garage door.
Electric pressure washers are less expensive and relatively easy to use. If you are looking to blast away all of the grime from your long driveway, electric pressure washers will not be the best choice for you.
Average cost of an electric pressure washer in 2022
The average cost of an electric pressure washer is about $190, but ranges from $60 to $300 depending on power and size.
Some of our favorite electric pressure washers include:
The Sun Joe SPX3000 is one of the hottest pressure washers on Amazon.
Who should buy a gas pressure washer?
Gas pressure washers are great for all of the same reasons as an electric pressure washer, but can also remove paint, blast dirt and grime off of old surfaces, and more.
Gas pressure washers have serious power, but are also pretty loud. They will be more reliable, but also require a little bit of maintenance.
Average cost of a gas pressure washer in 2022
The average cost of a gas pressure washer in 2022 is about $400, but can range from $250 to $1,000 depending on power.
Some of our favorite gas pressure washers include:
The Dewalt 3400 PSI pressure washer provides intense power.
Dethatcher costs in 2022
Dethatchers are lawn tools that pull up thatch, or dead grass, from the bottom of your yard. Thatch forms over time and can suffocate your soil, leaving poor conditions for your healthy grass to grow.
Many people dethatch their lawns before they aerate and seed in the fall. Dethatchers have grown in popularity. They are often electric, corded devices that replace the traditional dethatching rakes.
Dethatchers typically come corded, meaning you need a long extension cord to operate them in your yard. They are not a danger to your cord like a normal mower, but actually have small metal tines. The tines stick out (kind of like the metal springs in a chip bag clip), and kick up the thatch from the soil.
Average cost of a dethatcher in 2022
The average dethatcher will cost about $150, but ranges from $130 to $200 depending on the width of the machine.
The Dewalt 3400 PSI pressure washer packs quite the punch. For those of us completing residential jobs (driveways, windows, cars, etc.), the Dewalt 3400 PSI packs just the right amount of power.
Let’s check out all of the features of the pressure washer, then see if there are any negatives to watch out for.
Bottom line: The Dewalt 3400 PSI is a super strong pressure washer that can be used at home or for commercial applications. It goes on sale occasionally at Home Depot.
Before you blow a fat stack on a pressure washer, you want to make sure that it can stand up to the job. There are a few things that need to undergo intense scrutiny, and I will review them below.
3400 PSI is a lot of power for a pressure washer
When it comes to buying a pressure washer, you need power. That’s where the term “pressure” comes from in “pressure washer” (did I just blow your mind?). You see pressure comes from the latin “presto”, which translates roughly to “Pretzel”. I sounded smart for a second there.
There’s a reason you aren’t buying a garden hose and sticking your thumb on it. You need power. And if you want to do anything above washing the tires on your car and the windows on your house, you need 3000 PSI or above. The Dewalt 3400 PSI obviously comes in above the 3000 mark, so you should be good for most jobs here.
Compare the 3400 PSI to 3000 on this electric one.
Now, if you are really wanting to remove some graffiti of vulgar things about your mom on the side of the arcade, you will probably want to get a pressure washer, put it in a box, put it in a truck, and move out of town because you have bigger problems.
But if you want to stick around, make sure to get a heavy duty pressure washer with at least 4000 PSI, or a really tight nozzle plus some free time with the Dewalt 3400 PSI pressure washer.
Dewalt must have gotten some bad feedback at some point because they pulled out all the stops with this pressure washer. For starters (ha), the starter on this machine is electric. It does have a battery that needs to be charged, but can save you some back pain as a deviation from the old pull-string.
Another cool feature here is that they made this idiot proof. For those of us that are inclined to ignore routine maintenance, Dewalt made our lives a whole lot easier. The first feature they created is a low oil shutdown feature. If the engine oil gets low, then it will shut down until you replace or put in more. No more burning the engine.
Looks sorta depressed in this picture 🙁
Another measure put into place is the water sensing device. This machine will not burn the motor up if water is not actively flowing into it. In fact, it will turn off if water is not detected inside the pump.
A downside here is that the hose that comes with this machine is only 25 feet long. This is simply not long enough for jobs that require more than 30 minutes of work or cover a larger area.
The little cousin – my Dewalt 3300 PSI pressure washer.
As a positive (and maybe negative, but we will get to that later), this machine comes with QuickConnect nozzles that allow for easy changing of the five different nozzles and even the sprayer arm. This makes it pretty easy to switch between certain nozzle heads and can save you time on the job.
Maintaining a gas powered pressure washer like the Dewalt 3400
As mentioned before, this will require new oil every now and then. The pressure washer comes with a big bag (no idea why it is in a bag) of oil for you to get started with, then the rest is on you. You will know when to change the oil because it will simply stop working (as mentioned previously).
Now let’s get down to durability. For most folks, this item seems to be totally fine. There are, however, a ton of negative reviews about the QuickConnect nozzles. It seems like there is a plastic connector from the metal nozzle to the spraying wand, which busts frequently. I have not personally experienced this, but a ton of other people have. Needless to say, this might not be the most durable item out there.
An aside: it really is hilarious the adjectives used to describe some of these products. Looking at the product guide now, there is a nice little call-out for the tires on this. The tires are pneumatic (!!!!) – which basically means they have air in them. And they are ten inches and allow for easy maneuverability across various terrain. Yep, you can take these to go mudding and then climb the side of a mountain with them and then even take them to Antarctica. I think they have a dartboard of adjectives they use and this one landed on the “just describe it like a Jeep” portion.
This thing is on the expensive side, but with great power comes great cost. In all reality, I would give this pressure washer a C. For CSatisfactory. It is a good pressure washer and does have a lot of power, but it seems 50/50 on whether or not it will break down on you.
The official review: Dewalt 3400 PSI pressure washer
Feature
Dewalt 3400 PSI pressure washer
Comparable gas powered pressure washer
Difficulty to use
Less difficult to use (electric start)
More difficult to start
Durability
Not very durable
Very durable
Maintenance
Slightly easier to maintain
Less easy to maintain
Value
Medium to low value
Medium value
Small jobs
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
Medium jobs
Recommended
Highly recommended
Heavy jobs
Not recommended
Less recommended (need more PSI)
Why we review pressure washers
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.
How we spend our time.
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.
Things to consider before buying a pressure washer
Some common considerations for those looking for a pressure washer include the following:
Ability to add soap to the hose instead of schlepping around a bucket with soap
Multiple nozzle types for whichever job you need
Length of pole (if cleaning exterior of house, not having one of these could limit how high you can reach)
Storage capability and maintenance requirements
PSI level for either commercial or residential use
What to look for in a pressure washer
When looking for a pressure washer, you want to have a good understanding of the jobs you want to get done. Most people use pressure washers to deep clean their patio, porch, driveways, windows, or other external surfaces around the house. Most pressure washers are good for these jobs as they are relatively light work and do not require excessive force.
For those of us cleaning the spray paint off of our cars from our crazy ex-girlfriends, you might want one that has a little more “umph” behind it.
Luckily for you, the Dewalt 3400 PSI pressure washer can handle both.
About Dewalt
Dewalt is absolutely a household name in basically anything tool-related. Best known for their drills, they also have blowers, electric lawn mowers, chainsaws, and more. They are really trying to bring universal battery coverage to many of their tools. That’s why they have a huge line of 20V products.
Dewalt is known for a ton of different tools.
While known for their diversity of products, they aren’t necessarily known for being power or durability driven. That’s why you see commercial HVAC folks and contractors using Makita and Milwaukee tools mostly.
The Greenworks 2000 PSI pressure washer is a super popular pressure washer made by the folks over at Greenworks.
The unmistakable color scheme on the Greenworks pressure washer.
Bottom line: The 2000 PSI pressure washer from Greenworks is great for light duty jobs like siding on your house, windows, or cars. You can grab it here on Amazon.
Many folks have asked us to review this product because they have a huge presence on Amazon with a ton of reviews. Let’s roll up our sleeves and figure out whether or not this pressure washer is right for you.
The Greenworks 2000 PSI pressure washer has a lot to like, but also has some quirks and nuances that make it different from its competitors. Let’s get started.
Power expectations at 2000 PSI
Okay – as I mentioned earlier, power is something that is as important as you need it to be. For those of us just washing windows, cars, garage doors, siding or other lighter-duty jobs, you frankly do not need much power.
The Greenworks 2000 PSI pressure washer has…..2000 PSI. To put this in perspective, this is on the lower end of the spectrum when evaluating pressure washers AKA not that much power.
If you are looking to blast away all the dirt and grime from your driveway or sidewalk, the Greenworks pressure washer will simply not be sufficient (unless you want to take 40 hours to do this). You see, pressure can be modified by the size of the nozzle head. Smaller nozzles = higher amounts of power.
Putting the nozzles on is a snap, literally!
By simple math (or something), smaller nozzles deliver higher power with the tradeoff that you can cover less area. The purpose of this demonstration was to highlight that nozzle modification will only get you so far. If you don’t have the power of a higher PSI engine, typically delivered by a gas-powered engine, you won’t ever be able to get to a high power level.
Alright, now that we understand the power limitations (which is not necessarily a bad thing), let’s talk about the usability of this machine. When I say usability, I mean operator experience. What is it like to actually use this product? What should the ideal product feel like?
Well, this product is easy to use. Frankly, any electric pressure washer is going to be easy to use because it has fewer moving parts and requires less tinkering to get started.
We love how this has a quick-on switch.
The Greenworks 2000 PSI pressure washer comes with a soap dispensing kit as well as a soap nozzle. These are ideal for providing a soapy base before washing off all of the dirt and grime for whatever is on the other end of the pressure washer. Most pressure washers have some sort of functionality like this that makes the job super easy.
You can see the electric cord and the blue 25 foot hose.
Now here comes the downside. The Greenworks pressure washer only has a 25 foot hose. While this is fine, many of its competitors have longer hoses – closer to 35 or 40 feet. This means you have to stop what you are doing and move the base. Not the worst thing in the world, but I guarantee there will be times you will have to stop and move the base around, left wishing that your hose was a few feet longer.
Durability of the Greenworks 2000 PSI pressure washer
Now that we have a good understanding of what kind of power and usability quirks the Greenworks 2000 PSI pressure washer has, let’s review the durability. It is difficult to define what good durability is for a pressure washer. Most folks do not use their pressure washer more than a few times per year.
If I am being totally honest, I’ve read a ton of other user reviews and there are a lot of good ones, but also a lot of bad ones. Most of the bad ones talk about some sort of leak in the pressure box. That being said, the whole dang machine is made of plastic – there are going to be some that get manufactured and break.
I also don’t think this has a brushless motor which is super surprising for a Greenworks pressure washer.
Its so durable that you can use it on top of rocks!
Price and value: Greenworks 2000 PSI pressure washer
I have left you on pins and needles for the past few seconds. Is this a good value?
The Greenworks 2000 PSI pressure washer is a great value. The price is constantly changing, but you can check it here on Amazon. You get about what you pay for. This is a good deal on ANY pressure washer, but if you can get it on sale, this becomes a good value.
The official review: Greenworks 2000 PSI pressure washer
Feature
Greenworks 2000 PSI pressure washer
Gas powered pressure washer
Difficulty to use
Less difficult to use
More difficult to start
Durability
Somewhat durable
Very durable
Maintenance
Easiest to maintain
Less easy to maintain
Value
Medium value
Medium value
Small jobs
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
Medium jobs
Recommended
Highly recommended
Heavy jobs
Not recommended
Highly recommended
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.
How we review tools.
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.
About Greenworks
Greenworks is not necessarily a household name…..yet. They make battery powered yard tools such as robotic lawn mowers, power tools, snow blowers, leaf blowers, and lawn mowers.
Greenworks is known for having a green and black color scheme on all of their products – not to be confused with the NEON green and black of Ryobi. Let me clarify one thing – nobody in the commercial lawn care or tool world is using Greenworks. Their products are specifically tailored for lighter use situations that can thrive off of a battery.
Logo!
Frankly, most BIG jobs require more reliable power sources that can pack more power. That is not to say that Greenworks products do not have any power, but they simply will not be able to handle the same body of work that gas powered devices can when you get to really big jobs.
What to look for in a pressure washer
When looking for a pressure washer, you want to have a good understanding of the jobs you want to get done. Most people use pressure washers to deep clean their patio, porch, driveways, windows, or other external surfaces around the house. Most pressure washers are good for these jobs as they are relatively light work and do not require excessive force.
Nice big wheels and a sturdy base.
For those of us cleaning the spray paint off of our cars from our crazy ex-girlfriends, you might want one that has a little more “umph” behind it.
Things to consider before buying a pressure washer
Some common considerations for those looking for a pressure washer include the following:
Ability to add soap to the hose instead of schlepping around a bucket with soap
Multiple nozzle types for whichever job you need
Length of pole (if cleaning exterior of house, not having one of these could limit how high you can reach)
Storage capability and maintenance requirements
PSI level for either commercial or residential use
The Husqvarna 125B is a light, easy-to-use leaf blower offered by the folks at Husqvarna and I highly recommend it. In fact, my nextdoor neighbor owns this blower and absolutely crushes his front yard with it.
While Husqvarna is known for their mega-powerful backpack blowers, zero-turn mowers, and trimmers – the 125B is showing off their softer side.
The sleek in-line design of the Husqvarna 125B
Handheld blowers are not for plots of land with a ton of acres. They are for normal residential folks like you and me who want to clean off their back porch or driveway. While seemingly unassuming, the 125B still packs a punch and comes with all of the great features you would expect in a Husqvarna blower.
There are a lot of things to like about the Husqvarna 125B – let’s get started by reviewing the most important things to keep an eye out for when picking a blower that is right for you.
Power output on the Husqvarna 125B Blower
Alright, I know I started this review by knocking handheld blowers a little bit and letting you know that they did not have a ton of power. This lack of power is only in comparison to the big backpack blowers.
The Husqvarna 125B still packs a punch. This blower moves air at about 425 cubic feet per minute, or 170 mph with a flat nozzle. Nozzle shape totally impacts the speed at which air leaves the nozzle. For higher-powered, focused streams, you will want to use something like a flat nozzle attachment. If you are wanting to push a bigger pile and are not as focused, using a round, open nozzle will be better for you.
For comparison sake, most electric blowers put out around 125 mph of air, so the 125B will still provide more “umph” than you would get otherwise. The narrow nozzle for this blower will be super helpful for knocking away wet leaves and even clearing snow off of your car.
The flat-tip nozzle attachment for the 125B
How many cc is a Husqvarna 125B?
The Husqvarna 125B has 28 cubic centimeters of cylinder displacement, or 1.1 horsepower.
Using the blower
Obviously there are a lot of things to like about the Husqvarna 125B, but let’s break each of those down. For starters, the thing weighs 9.4 lbs – which is extremely light for a blower. You don’t have to add on a huge 4 lb battery either, which is a plus.
Next, the handle has a few key components that make operating this blower easy. The auto return stop switch makes re-starting the blower super easy after you cut it off. There are countless times when I am blowing that I have to cut power and move something out of the way. What traditionally would have re-started the multiple pull-string attempts has been squashed by the auto return stop switch, allowing for a quick pull and being ready to get back to work.
This blower also features a trigger handle with air speed cruise control. Simply dial the lever to lock in a speed, saving you some finger ache. The tube also has an adjustable length to help get underneath tables and decks, or to back up and cover a wider area.
The trigger handle with cruise control on the 125B.
One often overlooked component in a blower is which direction the airflow comes from. Many blowers have an offset airflow, meaning the direction of the air flow is not in line with where the handle is. This makes for an uncomfortable holding position that has the operator using unnecessary force to keep the blower straight. The inline design on the 125B prevents that from happening.
Durability and maintaining a gas blower
The one thing I love and hate about gas blowers as opposed to electric blowers is the durability and maintenance. They go together – less maintenance, less durability – more maintenance, more durability.
The 125B does not require an oil change, but does take a mixture of fuel. Otherwise, this blower requires the occasional filter change and that’s about it.
Husqvarna 125B blower fuel mixture
The fuel mixture required on a Husqvarna 125B is 1 gallon of gasoline to 2.5 ounce of two-stroke oil, or 2% (1:50).
Husqvarna 125B price and value
The Husqvarna 125B leaf blower costs about $170 on Amazon. I think this is a very high value. In fact, this is less expensive than most electric blowers but provides more power, will last longer, and has the trusted guarantee of a Husqvarna product.
The official review: Husqvarna 125B
Feature
Husqvarna 125B
Electric blower
Difficulty to use
More difficult to start and store
Easier to start
Durability
Much more durable
Avg. durability
Maintenance
Average maintenance
No maintenance
Value
High value
Low to medium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ft
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
For lots <1 acre
Highly recommended
Less recommended
For lots >1 acre
Not recommended
Less recommended
Why we review leaf blowers
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.
How we test products.
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.
About Husqvarna products
Husqvarna manufactures chainsaws, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, trimmers, snow blowers, edgers, pressure washers – basically any outdoor tool you could imagine. They stand out with their bright-orange color scheme. The chances that you have seen a ton of their products when you are out for a drive are extremely high.
They are most known for these bad boys.
Husqvarna is one of the leading product suppliers for commercial lawn care companies including government and public agencies. Ever wonder how a vast open area at a park gets trimmed? It is likely a Husqvarna product.
If you are wondering how to pronounce Husqvarna, you have come to the wrong place. But this company’s 330 year history started in Sweden by manufacturing muskets. In 1919, they began engineering their first lawnmower engines. Since then, they have become a dominant force in all outdoor equipment.
Handheld leaf blowers: electric vs. gas
The Husqvarna 125B is a handheld blower powered by gas. Most handheld blowers have electric power sources, whether they are corded or battery-powered. There are a few main pros and cons when looking at a gas handheld blower:
Pros and cons of handheld gas blower:
PRO: They tend to be more powerful (170 mph)
PRO: They tend to have a longer run-time
PRO: Handheld gas blowers will last many years
PRO: You don’t have to worry about charging it
CON: Maintenance and blending oil/gas
CON: Noise levels are higher
CON: Starting takes longer
Pros and cons of electric blowers:
PRO: Super easy to operate, no maintenance
PRO: Generally lighter
PRO: Battery can often be used in other tools
CON: Battery life can run short
CON: Less powerful on average
CON: Corded blowers require long extension cords
Comparing a gas and an electric blower.
As you can see, there is not really a “better” option, simply whatever you prefer and what your jobs require.
The Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel is a 24-volt 10-inch product that makes shoveling snow a walk in the park. We all know when that first snow of the year comes, we dread the idea of getting bundled up first thing in the morning and shoveling snow.
Have you ever seen anything like it?
The cordless snow shovel takes that task and speeds it up by about 10x. Let’s figure out what the heck this thing does:
When evaluating the snow joe cordless snow shovel, you have to think through which aspects are important to you. Things to consider when picking ANY outdoor tool are power, usability, and price. Let’s get started below.
Surprising power on the Snow Joe Snow Shovel
If you are wondering what the heck this thing does, imagine a vacuum. Now, picture it doing the opposite of what a vacuum does. Got something in mind? This is what you should be picturing: a vacuum looking instrument that pushes whatever is front of it into the air.
Is this what you were picturing?
Yep, it is kind of a weird image, but you get the idea. The Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel is not the most powerful snow tool on the planet, but it can get most minor-to-moderate jobs done. The 24V battery will allow for over 1,600 lbs of snow to be moved during a single charge.
The Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel can handle up to six inches deep of snow with a clearing path of about 10 inches wide. This is ideal for sidewalks, decks, and patios. For larger things like your entire driveway, this is going to take a while. If you have a long driveway, then I would probably suggest a snow blower like the PowerSmart Snow Blower (click here to check out our review).
Needless to say, for most small jobs you will be fine. If you are expecting more than six inches of snow, you may have to get out there and start working while it is still snowing to allow for several passes. The snow launches about 15-20 feet in front of you and is enough to get it off of a decent sized back porch.
Using a snow shovel comparted to a snow blower
What the Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel lacks in raw power, it makes up in usability. The heavy duty 2-blade paddle auger is relentless as it digs through the powder and launches it into the air in a single motion (snow thrower).
I love that this is a battery-powered item as well. In the winter, the last thing you want to be doing is tinkering in the garage trying to get a gas powered engine started while wearing a huge jacket and thick gloves. The string-pull system can be pretty painful on the hands when it is cold outside. Walking into the garage and pulling this sucker off the wall is going to be way better than going out to the shed and lugging around some 100+ lb snow blower.
I also love how easy this thing is to push around. It comes with a handle in the front that usually accompanies things like weed eaters. This limits the need to bend over like a normal shovel and allows for good traction to the surface and easier retraction to make more passes. This also has a scraper on the bottom to make sure you are not just skimming snow off of the top of the sidewalk, but truly scraping it down to the surface.
Convenient.
The battery takes almost two hours to charge for a decent turnaround time if you have to make multiple passes. One of the most important things to note is that this machine weighs less than 10 lbs. Yep, that’s comparable to a lot of metal snow shovels, except it is machine powered and works for you.
Price and value of the Snow Joe Snow Shovel
The Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel comes in at around $150-$175 (depending on which battery size you get). You can also get the tool-only version for $100 if you have a compatible Snow or Sun Joe battery already.
Let’s be very clear. This is a machine built for convenience and for quick jobs. This is not a mega-powerful two-stage snow blower. With that in mind, I think this is a great price. When it comes to clearing off snow in the winter, time is of the absolute essence. From soup to nuts, this machine is going to save you the most time.
Looks like it is on sale right now on Amazon – check out the options for batteries or tool-only by clicking below. I recommend this if you want something quick before the snow starts coming in.
A deeper dive on the Snow Joe Snow Shovel
Think about it – when going to clear snow you want to spend the least amount of time out in the cold as possible. This saves you time in so many ways – from the start up and storage to the quick push job enabled by the speedy blades and light weight, to the charging and putting back up.
The Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel is a great value and you will be so glad you have it when that first (or fifth) snow hits.
The official review: Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel
The Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel is an absolute bomb. Powerful, light, easy to use, and inexpensive. I recommend it for places that receive up to six inches of snow at a time and for smaller areas. To check out the Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel on Amazon, check out this link.
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.
How we review tools.
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.
About Cordless Snow Shovels
Alright, I will be the first to admit that when I first saw this thing I had no friggin idea what it did. It looks like something you would use to pick up dog poop or something. But after doing some more digging (ha), this thing is actually pretty cool.
Another snow shovel.
It is a battery powered, handheld device that will help propel the snow way out in front of you, requiring you to never schlep a big pile of snow in the air and throw out your back. It is a snow thrower, not a snow blower and below is the difference.
Snow thrower vs. snow blower
Many people ask what the difference is between a snow blower and a snow thrower. Let me tell you right now, both are far superior to a standard manual snow shovel. While snow blowers and snow throwers build significantly less character for young men, they are much easier to use and more effective for clearing out large amounts of snow.
THIS is a big ole snow blower.
In short, snow throwers launch snow 10-15 feet away and are generally more narrow. Snow blowers launch snow 25-30 feet away and are wider. Snow blowers are heavier duty and can also handle many, many inches of snow. At the end of the day, it will be much more fun to launch the snow into the neighbor’s yard instead of just the edge of your own yard.
The PowerSmart Snow Blower is an absolute unit in the snow blowing space. If you live in a place that gets serious snow, then this snow blower is a must-have, according to our expert, Tyler the Lawn Review guy.
I have spent most of my life in the South, but have definitely spent small bouts of my life in snow-heavy areas. What I wish I would have had at the time is a snow blower that got the job done and saved my back.
I think there is some statistic out there about a shockingly high number of people who die each year while shoveling snow. Something to do with a heart attack, whatever, the point is that getting a snow blower could save your life. Let’s check out the topics of the review today:
There is a lot to like about the PowerSmart Snow Blower. When the first snowfall comes, you will be glad that you got your hands on one of these machines and are not left out in the cold (ha).
Truly, these machines are lifesavers especially for those that commute for work or in case you need to quickly leave your home. Let’s check out some of the features that make the PowerSmart snow blower a top-tier snow blower.
The tires on the PowerSmart snow blower are awesome.
Power of the PowerSmart Snow Blower
When it comes to a snow blower, power is everything. The last thing you need is to be pushing a heavy snow blower with all your might and doing the same job as a simple snow shovel. The PowerSmart snow blower can work in temperatures of to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Heaven forbid you live in an area where this can happen, but if you do, you are all set.
The PowerSmart has “Power” in the name highlights just how powerful this blower is. This is a two-stage blower, meaning that it has separate functions to pick up the snow and then launch it. Two-stage blowers can handle a LOT more snow than one-stage snow blowers, who max out at 6-7 inches of snow.
The PowerSmart two-stage blower can launch snow 30 to 40 feet away. This is a safe distance to your least favorite neighbor’s yard and makes it his problem. The snow blower can also handle about 20 inches deep of snow and 24 inches wide. This is a huge pathway to erase any snow on your lawn.
PowerSmart has thought of everything in this snow blower. It truly is an incredible gift for those that live in snow-heavy environments. Firstly, the PowerSmart snow blower has an auger control handle and a drive control handle. These handles allow for maximum control over the machine. One will engage the auger and the other will start moving the wheels.
The handles on the PowerSmart snow blower.
To top it off, there are also eight speeds – two reverse speeds and six forward speeds. This allows you to decide how quickly you want to complete your job (hopefully ASAP as possible). As a reminder, make sure to never try to change the speed when the blower is in motion.
A couple other things I love about this blower: the LED light that helps you clear snow in the early morning and the push button electric start. Both of these are small details that can make your life much better.
A push button start is low key one of the best parts of this whole machine.
Me
The most difficult thing about getting the blower out and started is the old pull-string process. Nothing is more difficult than having gloves and a heavy, thick coat on while trying to dramatically pull a string.
The last thing I will say in the usability department is the perfection of the large, 13 inch tires. These are big, spiky, and have deep treads. Treads help prevent the machine from rolling down the driveway but also help push into the snow and move forward.
Okay I lied, another incredible feature of this is the heated handle. I mean what an incredible little detail to add to this machine to make the experience even better.
The PowerSmart snow blower does use oil and requires regular oil changes. It also comes with a two year limited warranty, which is great assurance that it will last.
Maintaining equipment like this isn’t all that difficult. Most folks don’t use their snow blowers but 5-6 times per year. Oil changes don’t need to happen super frequently.
PowerSmart snow blower price: Cost and value
The PowerSmart snow blower comes in at around $600-$800 depending on which model you get. I have found that purchasing it directly from the PowerSmart website can save a significant amount of money versus a Home Depot or Lowe’s.
The fierce auger of the PowerSmart snow blower.
I think this is a great value. This blower will last for several years and can save you a ton of time, back pain, and heart health. The PowerSmart snow blower is truly the cadillac of snow blowers. The heated handles really put it over the top for me.
The official review
The PowerSmart snow blower is a high-value product that will save you tons of time and pain. We recommend it highly here at 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.
How we test out tools.
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.
Snow blowers vs snow throwers
Many people ask what the difference is between a snow blower and a snow thrower. Let me tell you right now, both are far superior to a snow shovel. While snow blowers and snow throwers build significantly less character for young men, they are much easier to use and more effective for clearing out large amounts of snow.
In short, snow throwers launch snow 10-15 feet away and are generally more narrow. Snow blowers launch snow 25-30 feet away and are wider. Snow blowers are heavier duty and can also handle many, many inches of snow. At the end of the day, it will be much more fun to launch the snow into the neighbor’s yard instead of just the edge of your own yard.
1-stage vs 2-stage blowers
Snow throwers tend to be the name for one-stage blowers. One-stage means that the action of launching the snow happens in one step: it gets scooped up and shot through a tube in one motion. Two-stage blowers are more powerful, and actually what is inside of the PowerSmart snow blower.
Snow shovels like this EGO one act as one-stage snow blowers.
Blowers with two stages have one action that scoops up the snow and another that launches it. This allows for a much stronger “launching” capacity, sending snow to the moon.
About PowerSmart
PowerSmart is a brand of heavier lawn and commercial machinery. The reason you may not have heard of them before is that their scope is relatively small. PowerSmart really focuses all of their attention and effort on lawn mowers, snow blowers, snow throwers, pressure washers, and woodchippers. Notice a similarity? These tools all focus on taking in an item and then powerfully launching them into another galaxy.
They make mowers!
PowerSmart has field-leading expertise in this area and makes some solid products. While you may not have a shed fool of PowerSmart equipment, you will surely come across some of their products over time.
