Author: Alex @ TLR

Alex is not a lawn care natural. He had to learn things the hard way. But after stumbling through his first few seasons of lawn care, he learned a lot. Mostly - what not to do. Alex has become one of the country's advocates of battery-powered lawn tools, quoted in the Washington Post among other highly visible publications. Alex started The Lawn Review with his friend Tyler - who you may see in some of the videos on this website - to help normal people like you understand how to take care of their lawn themselves with the best tools possible. Alex has thousands of hours of experience using hundreds of different lawn tools and has found exactly what to look for in each type of tool. He speaks with deep experience not only about the boring technical specifications, but what the tool actually feels like when you are using it, what to look for before you make a purchase, and how the lawn tool measures up when you factor in price.
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5 Surprising Battery Lawn Mowers at Walmart

ego select cut mower

The top battery powered lawn mower at Walmart is the EGO cordless self-propelled mower. This mower at Walmart has an extremely sturdy build, provides a super even cut, and comes in at a great price.

Before we dive into the full ranking of mowers at Walmart, we will break down exactly what you need to look for in a battery-powered mower. Mower reviews are our bread and butter since we have gotten our hands on dozens of mowers, run a landscaping company, and are absolute nerds about this stuff. 

5 Battery Lawn Mowers at Walmart: Ranked

When we walked the aisles at Walmart in preparation to write this post, we weren’t all that impressed. Then we went to Walmart’s website – and man were we impressed. Some SERIOUS selection that’s better than Amazon and rivals Home Depot and Lowe’s. Don’t sleep on Walmart!

Let’s jump right into it. 

Top All-Around Mower at Walmart: EGO Cordless Lawn Mower 21” Self-Propelled

I’ll get right to the point – Walmart sells the EGO mower series on their website and they are one of our favorite all-around battery-powered mowers. EGO is a huge brand and probably the most powerful, gas-like brand on the market. We’ve done a ton of writing on EGO’s Select Cut series and a ton of their other mowers. 

We like EGO’s 21” self-propelled mower for many reasons, although it isn’t perfect. If you’re looking for EGO’s best mower, check out our battery powered mowers list – they have one on there with a steel deck.

EGO has some bangers.

Without the steel deck, this one is still the top dog at Walmart. It feels different than most battery powered mowers because it is flat out strong. The self-propelled function on this is heavy-duty and the overall mower just feels indestructible. 

Plus, EGO has a ton of other lawn tools and only uses one 56V battery series. That means you can save big on other EGO tools.

Use the same battery here, too.

You can grab it from Walmart’s website or even on Amazon.

Best Budget Mower: Hart 40-Volt Cordless 18-inch Push Mower Kit

When you’re looking for a cheap lawn mower, you want something that will get the job done without breaking…or breaking the bank. Luckily you’re at Walmart and surrounded by inexpensive things. 

We picked the Hart 40V 18-inch push mower because it combines the simplicity of battery-powered mowers without the bells and whistles that jack up the price. The crazy thing is – this Hart mower at Walmart is really well done. 

Some of the great features we like about the Hart 40V 18 inch push mower:

  • 40V Hart battery can be used with a ton of other Hart 40V tools, saving you money when you buy the “tool-only” version
  • Super easy to turn on and maintain (just push a button and no maintenance required)
  • The battery can cut up to ⅓ of an acre – not bad!
  • 18 inch width is perfect for smaller yards and actually helps you be more nimble
  • It’s dirt-cheap at just over $200

One downside to this is that it is so light that it can almost be hard to steer. Yes – we’ve used a few similar Ryobi mowers and it is great that they are light, but they get jostled around by bumps or thick grass. 

Lastly – this Hart mower has a great 5 year warranty + a 3 year battery warranty. This isn’t some cheapo crap mower!

Best Exclusive Walmart Mower: Hart 40-Volt 20-inch Brushless Self-Propelled Mower

This is really the best Hart mower as they are the biggest exclusive-only brand at Walmart, meaning you can’t buy Hart mowers anywhere else unless it is second hand. 

Actually pretty sweet.

But the Hart 40-Volt 20-inch brushless self-propelled mower is a dang beast. If it looks familiar, it is basically the Ryobi 40V classic self-propelled mower with a new paint job. And that’s not a bad thing. We love that mower. We own that mower. 

Look familiar?

Here are some reasons we think the Hart 40V 20 Inch Mower is great from Walmart.

It’s got a brushless motor, meaning it produces less friction, has more torque, and a much longer life. Basically, it’s going to have a super durable motor. It can take on a little bit more than the smaller 18 inch one above, letting you get up to ½ an acre on a single charge. One other upgrade that’s noteworthy is the ability to fold down really quickly and store easily.

Oh – and it’s got a self-propelled function that is sweet. This thing has all the good parts of just about every mower. Only thing I would request is a metal deck – otherwise it’s perfect.

Best Mower Combo Kit at Walmart: Greenworks 40V 14” Mower/Blower/Trimmer Kit

If you’re a first time homeowner or just in need of a lawn tool rehaul, you can get a total replacement kit and save a bunch of money. Now I wouldn’t recommend this for the most intense lawn tool obsessors because it isn’t exactly heavy duty, but it is easy on the wallet.

The Greenworks 40V Mower/Blower/String Trimmer kit has the essentials you need to get your lawn started. I recommend this kit for small lawns for a few reasons. Primarily: the tools are small (relatively). 

The 14 inch mower is not going to get you very far if you have anything more than ¼ of an acre. The String trimmer has a 12” cutting swath which is on the low end, and the blower isn’t about to knock anyone over.

Pretty good deal!

Just because they aren’t all the most powerful doesn’t mean that you can’t get the job done. It’s an amazing starting point for most new homeowners. Also, Greenworks has a good reputation for putting out quality tools and their 40V battery lineup can be used with a bunch of other tools – so it’s a great initial investment. 

The total cost of the kit is equal to most individual mowers – so this is an absolute steal. Bundle and save! You can get it from Walmart or on Amazon for a great price as well.

Best Premium Mower: Toro 22 in. 60V Flex Force Battery Self-Propelled Mower

On the total other end of the spectrum, Toro mowers are sold at Walmart online and well – it’s tough to beat them. I put the Toro Flex Force mower in the premium section because it is pricey, but worth it. 

Couldn’t take a better pic if I tried.

Toro’s 60V Flex Force Mower is the biggest mower on this list with a 22 inch steel cutting deck. It has some other great features, too, like:

  • Largest voltage carrying the most power
  • Big old steel cutting deck
  • Little holes in the steel deck that pull air through, causing the grass to stand up for an even cut
  • Self-propelled
  • Brushless motor

This mower has one downside – Toro’s 60V lineup isn’t super developed. With Hart, Greenworks, and others you can reuse the same battery across a bunch of tools to save money. Toro’s just not there yet.

Reviewing the top mowers at Walmart

Never thought I would be recommending a mower from Walmart, but I’m not beneath it. Truth is – they have the same dang mowers as any other place + a few extras. If you’re in the market for a new battery mower, Walmart is as good of a place as any. 

If you’re not looking at Walmart, check out some other great battery powered mowers!

Why we started The Lawn Review

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

Battery mowers are our bread and butter.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

What to look for when buying a battery-powered lawn mower

If you’re looking for a new battery powered mower (which you are), you need to make sure you understand what things matter. You will get hit with a lot of technical specifications and people throwing acronyms at you. If you’re like me, you will tune them out.

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.

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

The Walmart and Hart relationship

If you are looking at mowers at Walmart, you may be wondering where the heck the “Hart” brand came from. Well, it turns out that Hart is an exclusive brand at Walmart manufactured and owned by the same folks that do Ryobi, Milwaukee, and a bunch of others – Techtronic Industries.

Exclusive.

I don’t totally know, but I think Ryobi and others have non-competes with Home Depot, so Techtronic is getting around it by launching a brand that is basically the same, but a different name. 

Should you be concerned or wary? No – not really. It looks like they basically copy and paste their Ryobi models over to Hart. 

Well – you’re in luck because we have reviewed a TON of Ryobi mowers so this should be a breeze.

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Greenworks 24V Portable Power Cleaner Review: 2024

The Greenworks 24V Portable Power Cleaner is a handheld miniature pressure washer that can be super convenient for taking with you on a paddle boarding trip, mountain biking, or even just around the backyard pool.

We got our hands on this nifty little gadget and decided to write up our thoughts. If you want to see it in action, check out our Youtube video review of this power cleaner.

In short, this power cleaner is a really cool tool that I’m sure has tons of uses to wash cars or windows – but isn’t something that I would regularly use. It’s cool and it was fun to play with, but also had a few little things that really annoyed me during our testing. 

Otherwise, jump ahead for our in-depth review of all the claims that this power cleaner makes:

Greenworks 24V Power Cleaner: Breakdown

The Greenworks 24V power cleaner is a product meant to be used on the go. Meaning it doesn’t have all the crazy motor action used by normal pressure washers. It also doesn’t even require a hose. Yep – let’s explain.

Let’s get to work!

The Greenworks power cleaner is convenient

Frankly, usability and convenience are everything when it comes to a power cleaner. If you don’t have those – well then you might as well be chained to a classic pressure washer. 

The first thing I’ll call out about this power cleaner is that it takes a 24V Greenworks battery. No plugs required, allowing you to be ultimately mobile. The 24V battery works in a ton of other light-duty tools from Greenworks ranging from weed eaters to their 24V shop vac

The next great thing about this Greenworks power cleaner is that it can use a variety of water sources. You can plug a hose directly into the power cleaner and get rocking, but it also comes with a 20 foot hose that attaches to it and can draw water from any fresh water source. Simply drop the end of it in a bucket full of water, a hose, a lake, or anything else and get to rocking. Pretty darn cool. 

We put it in a bucket and got to work.

One huge downside to this (and something we recommend for Greenworks to fix ASAP) is that the hose attachment that allows you to suck up fresh water isn’t very long and floats on top of the water. During testing, it frequently would pop out of the water and cut the power cleaner off.

We also used it in the pool!

A bobber or weight or something else that could keep this thing underwater would be super helpful. 

Nozzle tips on the Greenworks power cleaner

The power cleaner has another unique feature – a snap-on nozzle head with five different options for nozzle angles. You simply rotate the nozzle through the different angles to select the one that’s right for you. Normal watering, 0 degrees, 15, 25, and 40 degree angles are all available.

Nozzle tip with 5 options.

In addition to the nozzle tips, there’s this neat little soap dispenser that can pop on as well, allowing you to apply detergent or window cleaner to your exterior windows, car, or anything else before doing a full on wash. 

Greenworks 24V power cleaner: measuring the power

The Greenworks 24V power cleaner claims to have 600 PSI of pressure coming out of the end of the wand. We obviously put it to the test with our handy PSI meter.

During our test, we found it to actually reach a max PSI of 700. Greenworks is selling themselves short here! 

Nice little surprise!

As mentioned earlier, GPM is also an important metric to watch for when buying a power cleaner. Greenworks claims a 0.8 GPM. We tested this one as well, and found that it was slightly below 0.8 GPM – not bad.

When it comes to actual pressure output and the applications you can use this for, the answer is not much. These are great for muddy dirt bikes, stand up paddle boards, car washes, and a few other things. But as far as blasting away dirt from a deck or concrete or really any other pressure washer-type of application, it won’t get you very far. In all honesty, it isn’t much better than most garden hose nozzles.

Battery life and run time on Greenworks 24 power cleaner

This is where the case for the Greenworks power cleaner really breaks down. Up to this point, this was a kind of cool, handy little cleaning tool. But the battery life isn’t great. We tested the run time on this and it lasted for 17 minutes. You might be thinking that 17 minutes isn’t all bad since it will still cover most quick clean-up jobs. 

But man, the charge time for this 4.0 Ah battery is over 3 hours long. I don’t know about you, but 3 hours of charge time for 17 hours of run time seems a little…..whack. 

In addition to the weak run-time, I found the battery really hard to pull out of its waterproof casing. The design isn’t very intuitive, although I appreciate that they protect it.

Convenient waterproofing but hard to access.

Our final review: Greenworks 24V Power Cleaner

The Greenworks 24V Power Cleaner is a great tool for somebody. But I didn’t find that many applications that I would personally use it for that wouldn’t be covered by either a normal garden hose or a regular pressure washer.

If you have neither, this one can be handy. I personally liked using the Worx Hydroshot better.

But if you’re interested in this one and already have a 24V Greenworks battery – then it’s a great option and is available for a competitive price on Amazon.

If you’re looking for an alternative – check out our review of the Kobalt Power Cleaner.

Why we started The Lawn Review

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

We take tool testing seriously.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

GPM and PSI on electric power cleaners

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

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

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

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

.

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5 Lawn Mowers Designed for Bermudagrass: Ranked

The Toro Recycler SmartStow is the best lawn mower for Bermudagrass because it has super adjustable cutting heights that let you cut bermudagrass down to its appropriate low height plus a super wide deck.

Personally, I hate Bermuda grass. I have some nice tall fescue and live in a transitional zone.  My neighbor has Bermuda so that they can be “different”. Okay.

Anyways, I consider Bermuda grass a weed. But my friends just south of me and one of my The Lawn Review colleagues live in Texas – which is home to a lot of Bermuda. And he gave me his list of the best mowers for Bermuda grass.

So, let’s add some background on why this is important and get right to it.

Here are the best lawn mowers for Bermudagrass:

  1. Toro Recycler SmartStow Battery Mower
  2. Milwaukee M18 Fuel Mower
  3. Dewalt 20V Max 21.5 inch Battery Mower
  4. Toro TimeMaster 30 inch Mower
  5. EGO Power+ LM2021 Mower

Honorable mention but a tad pricy: Stihl’s new RMA 510 V electric mower.

5 Lawn Mowers for Bermudagrass

As you can see – with Bermuda grass, you have to be a little bit more selective about what you want in a mower. This is exactly why we spent dozens of hours researching and testing the mowers that are going to be super tailored to Bermuda lawns. Let’s check it out.

Toro Recycler SmartStow 22 inch Battery Powered Mower

We ranked the Toro Recycler SmartStow 22 inch battery powered mower as the best mower for Bermuda grass for a few reasons. First of all, Toro is a well-known name that makes some freakishly popular and powerful mowers. 

This one is flat out sweet – and a good price.

But there are many more reasons than just the fancy name. As we referenced earlier in this article, this one has everything you could want in a mower for bermudagrass. Like these key features:

  • A slightly wider deck at 22 inches (the standard is usually 18-21 for push mowers)
  • Bagging ability (most have this, though)
  • I like that it is battery powered because you won’t have to run to get gas if you are mowing more than once per week.
  • It can cut between 1 to 4 inches, getting you great results for your 1.5 inch bermuda grass
  • Toro created this airflow technology that pulls the air up on grass, allowing it to be more evenly cut – this mower has that.
  • It stores super easily, folding in half and being placed in a tight spot in the garage to get you through the dead season of bermudagrass, which seems to last forever

Toro nailed it with this mower. You know they had bermuda grass folks in mind when they created it – which makes sense given how popular these are in the South. 

You can grab this one from Home Depot for a great price – check the most recent price here.

Check out our top mowers at Home Depot.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Brushless Mower

What can we say? We are obsessed with this mower and have featured it on all of our favorite battery powered mower posts. 

The reason?

It’s a freak of nature. And we also love that it is the only mower that Milwaukee makes. We frequently joke that they just decided to put all their chips on this hand and walked away from the table a winner.

Just an absolute unit.

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel mower is great for Bermuda grass and has a lot of the same features as the Toro one above, but also costs about twice as much. It has bagged discharge capabilities, 1 to 4 inch height adjustment (that is single point, by the way), a wonderful self-propelled function, an extremely efficient brushless motor that accelerates faster than any other mower, and more torque than most gas mowers.

Yes, it is the cream of the crop and the perfect mower for any of you that already own an M18 battery-powered tool. 

This one is quite expensive though. Milwaukee is definitely a premium brand and hands down has the best mower on this list – but the price is steep.

You can check the most recent price at Home Depot, where it is exclusively sold, right here.

Dewalt 20V Max 21.5 inch Battery Mower

The Dewalt 20V Max mower is one that definitely surprised me. I know Dewalt has been in the power tool business for a long, long time, but are relatively new to the lawn tool space. 

The reason this one isn’t higher up on the list is that Dewalt simply doesn’t have a massive line of lawn tools. They have this 20V brand but also have a 60V line. So you don’t get the same efficiency and battery savings that you do with other brands like Ryobi.

My son likes this one.

But there’s still a lot to like about the Dewalt battery-powered lawn mower, like:

  • 21.5 inch deck gives you a little more width for cutting Bermuda grass
  • 10 Ah batteries – which is INSANELY high
  • Self-propelled function
  • 1.5-4 inch cutting heights – so you’ll have to drop it way down for Bermuda
  • Sweet metal cutting deck
  • Reasonable price – even better if you already have a dewalt 20V Max battery

This really is a great mower, with one of the main downsides being that it’s really hard to find replacement blades because of the unique size. If they get dull, you can sharpen your mower blades instead of buying a new one.

This one is also available at Home Depot for a great price – even less if you get the tool-only version.

Toro TimeMaster 30 inch Mower

Some of you are getting super mad right now because I haven’t featured any gas-powered mowers….until now!

The Toro TimeMaster 30 is the Ray Lewis of mowers. It’s absolutely massive and packs a ridiculous punch. Yes – the 30 in TimeMaster 30 is how many inches wide it is. And if you’re thinking that the width is like a riding mower, then you’d be exactly right. It’s extremely wide.

The TimeMaster is a gas-powered masterpiece that’s amazing for Bermuda lawns. The cut height ranges from 1.25 to 4.25 inches and everything in between. This level of detail is unmatched. Here are some other bells and whistles on the TimeMaster that truly set it apart.

  • 223 CC Engine
  • Self-propel function with traction assist
  • Spin-Stop  function that means you can deactivate the blades but keep the engine running. Great if you have to move a rock out of the way without having to stop and restart the mower.
  • Two side-by-side cutting blades
  • A cool deck wash port that allows you to connect your hose to a tube and it will clean out the deck.
Yeah its massive.

The only downside to this mower is the price. It is the Cadillac of push mowers which means it carries a Cadillac price tag. It does occasionally go on sale so you can check the price here at Home Depot.

EGO Power+ LM2021 Mower

I had to put this EGO mower in here in the ranking of great mowers for Bermuda because we just love EGO products. And we recommend this mower the most because it has a steel cutting  deck whereas most other EGO mowers don’t.

We like this EGO mower for bermuda because it is a great battery-powered lawn system that can be used all across your bermuda lawn. From EGO’s weed eaters to their super powerful blowers, you’ll be covered once you get into this system.

EGO steel deck mower.

It’s also got a great run-time and charges quickly, so you can mow a larger area and do it more often without worrying about trips to the gas station. Great for bermuda grass. 

This one is available at Amazon for a super good price relative to most other EGO mowers.

Bottom line on mowers for Bermudagrass

It’s not hard to find a good mower for Bermudagrass – but since you are going to be mowing more often than most folks, want to collect grass clippings, and need a short cut, there are some mowers that are just flat out more suited for you.

Looking for a mower somewhere else? We were surprised to see some of these at Walmart.

Why we started The Lawn Review

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

Reviewing mowers is what we do.

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. 

Why is Bermuda grass different for mowing?

Truth is, you can roll any old mower out there and it will get the job done. But if you want not only good-looking green grass but HEALTHY green Bermuda grass, then you should be careful how you cut it. Here’s what to look for:

Flexibility with cutting heights

Bermuda needs to be cut at a height of 1 to 1.5 inches. That’s short. For example, I cut my fescue lawn at about 3 inches. You’ll want to grab a mower that can cut that low but also has more intervals between 0-2 inches that let you customize it based on your needs. Getting a mower that has wide intervals may not allow you to mow with any real sensitivity.

Bagging capabilities

Most of the time, I don’t recommend bagging your grass while mowing. I let the clippings fall into the yard and provide nutrients to the soil. Bermudagrass grows like a weed (and I consider it one), meaning it grows really quickly. If you aren’t bagging the clippings, you’ll find that fungus will begin to thrive in your lawn. 

A wider deck

Bermuda grass grows really quickly. My neighbor is out there about 1.5x a week mowing his lawn (conveniently when my daughter is trying to take a nap). If you have a small mower, say 16-18 inches, then you are going to be out there making a LOT of passes. Getting a mower with a slightly wider deck will help make you a lot more efficient while mowing.

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Our Ranking of Crazy Powerful Gravely Zero Turn Mowers

Gravely zero turn mowers are some of my favorites for two reasons: they’re made in America and they are freakishly powerful. The best Gravely Zero Turn mower is the Compact Pro 34 Kawasaki because it is the perfect size for homeowners.

Huge.

Gravely has been around for about 100 years and is probably the most dedicated company we’ve looked at to the art of cutting grass. They’re engineer-led, good salt-of-the-earth Midwesterners, and were founded by Ben Franklin (Gravely). 

But boy, do they have a lot of mowers. If you’re a homeowner or a landscaper, you’re probably wondering where to start. Today, we are going to break down which ones are the best zero turn mowers for every type of rider – homeowner, landscaper, and even an electric one. 

The Best Gravely zero turn mowers are:

Gravely Zero Turn Mowers: Ranked

Gravely offers a suite of sweet zero-turns, but some are designed for landscapers and others for homeowners. Let’s break down which ones are designed for who, and which mower is the best for each type of rider.

Gravely Zero Turn for Homeowners: Gravely Compact-Pro 34 Kawasaki

The Gravely Compact-Pro 34 is a great zero turn for homeowners. It has a sweet Kawasaki engine that delivers nearly 16 horsepower. I love when zero-turn mower manufacturers outsource the engine. It means the experts work on their areas of expertise. 

Gravely is a monster and worldwide leader in constructing ridiculously good zero turn mowers and Kawasaki are the kings of small engines. Needless to say, the two combine forces and make a freakish mower.

The perfect team.

Here’s why I like this zero turn mower for homeowners specifically:

  • It can fit through gates as narrow as 36 inches. This is great for me as I have a gated backyard that wasn’t mean for a 54 inch zero-turn. This thing squeaks right in and can mow my backyard without having to take apart the fence every week.
  • It has a toned down engine, but still provides best-in-class horsepower and is pound-for-pound a super strong mower.
  • It has the features that you would expect from a Gravely zero turn still, like nice armrests, a high-back seat, and amazing construction.
  • The warranty on this bad boy is really good. A four year warranty with no hour limit on the first two years, meaning they stand behind their build quality.


While this mower is awesome, it is really heavy. If you truly do have a smaller yard and need to do a lot of maneuvering, the weight of this mower concentrated over a small area can cause some tearing up of the grass. Try spacing out your passes and following any bare spots with a weed eater.

Can your zero turn do this?

All-in-all, this is a great option if you want the power of a zero turn but don’t need the crazy width provided by a bigger boy.

Best Gravely Zero-Turn for Commercial Landscapers: Pro-Turn 152 Kawasaki

I am cracking up looking at the specifications on this mower. It is a freak of nature. I normally review residential landscaping mowers, but man – this thing is a different type of beast.

What immediately struck me about  this mower is the speed. It’s about 50% faster than most residential zero-turn mowers and can get you up to 10 MPH. That reminds me of The Waterboy when the girl tricks out his lawn tractor and he goes super fast in it.

Classic movie.

But there’s a LOT more to like about this mower. It has a 52 inch cutting deck, massive rear wheels, and a heavy-heavy-duty fabricated metal deck with 7 gauge steel deck that comes with a lifetime warranty. If I’m a commercial landscaper who has had a deck crack in half, I’m buying this sucker right now. 

Of course it has a hydrostatic transmission, a 22 or 23 HP Kawasaki engine (depending on which model you buy), and a constant belt tension system. This means you don’t have to adjust the tension on the belt, it does that for you. The coverage hour on it is over 5 acres.

10 inches wider than this massive Toro TimeCutter zero turn.

But my favorite part of this is that they’ve thought about you and me. It isn’t just the machine all day running around – we are on these mowers, too. It comes with a great high back chair with suspension, AND molded armrests. That makes a huge difference when you’ve been outside for 9 hours and working all day. 

With commercial mowers, the warranty is 5 years – freaking crazy. The entire deck and frame has a LIFETIME warranty. Holy crap!

Best Gravely Zero Turn for Residential Landscapers: Pro-Turn Z 48 Pro

The main difference I look for in residential zero-turn mowers compared to commercial zero turn mowers is a little less horsepower, maintenance, size, and money.

Don’t get me wrong – I love some power. But I don’t need a massive 50+ inch cutting deck and crazy horses if all I’m doing is knocking out a couple neighborhoods. You get a deck that’s too big, then you lose some of the agility that helps you move around a garden bed.

It’s always good to pair a residential zero-turn with a nice push mower to help get the nooks and crannies that you won’t get with the big dog.

Wish I took these pics but I can’t do it this well.

Here are a few other things we like about this Gravely Zero Turn:

  • Nearly 4 acres coverage hour
  • Still has freakish construction (10 gauge steel haha)
  • 8 MPH forward speed
  • Ridiculous suspension
  • Extremely high back chair with bulky arm rests

It’s a great combo of having power enough to do big jobs, but not sacrificing comfort and luxury. 

Best Electric Gravely Zero Turn Mower: Pro-Turn EV 48

Today I learned something new. I thought most electric lawn tools had a limit. That idea has been shattered into one trillion pieces after seeing this one. 

This dang electric zero turn goes 11 MPH? That’s enough to make me yell at it to slow down as it drives past my house!

It’s electric!

Unlike many bigger electric riding mowers, the Gravely FusionCore battery system allows you to actually pull out and replace the batteries so that you can get back to work if they die. And believe me – these are the biggest lawn tool batteries I’ve ever seen.

But here are the other things I like about this electric zero turn mower from Gravely:

  • Two brushless motors (one by each rear wheel)
  • No exhaust, less noise
  • Goes 11 (ELEVEN!) MPH forward
  • An LCD display on-board
  • 5.3 Acres of coverage per hour
  • 7 Gauge steel – lighter than usual but still really durable

This is hands down the most intense battery-powered zero turn that I have ever seen. Most battery powered zero turn mowers are all hat and no cattle – big, sleek designs but not the performance to match. 

Gravely, with their All-American muscle, has pulled it off. Frankly, I’m rooting for them. Keep manufacturing and innovation in the good old U.S.A!

Final words about Gravely zero-turn mowers

Gravely’s zero turn mowers are American-made muscle machines. Most folks think zero-turns are a one-size fits all for landscapers and that simply isn’t true. Gravely has dozens of mowers all with unique features that fit different types of work. 

While I wish I could sell one of these to you – you have to reach out to a local dealer to get a chance to buy one.

Why we review zero turn mowers

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. 

Mowers are our bread and butter.

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 some

What we look for in zero-turn mowers

A few things to look for in zero-turn mowers are blade size, transmission, accessory capabilities and cost. 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 – especially if you’re a commercial landscaper.

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Why We Stopped Using Miracle-Gro in 2024

As a gardener, it is natural to constantly look for a way to make your plants grow stronger, taller, healthier, and happier. For a long time, people have used Miracle-Gro as the best way to make the most out of their plants. 

However, as with anything else in life, Miracle-Gro has its ups and downs. If you have been using Miracle-Gro without any sense that it isn’t the best thing for your plants, then this may be an important life lesson.

Composting means focusing on the quality of your soil. You can organically do this without turning to chemical additives as a solution. 

The organic way is always environmentally friendly, cheaper, and can be way easier. But, if you have your heart set on using plant nutrition from the store, make sure you understand its pros and cons.

Jump ahead:

Fertilizers 101 and where Miracle-Gro fits in

You can choose between an organic or chemical fertilizer to use in your garden. There is a difference between the two – just like when you get produce at Whole Paycheck.

Some other types of commercial fertilizers

Organic plant foods are created from manure (yum) or compost – any type of animal or plant source. On the other hand, chemical plant foods undergo a certain process where there is a manufactured formula, and ingredients are added to the soil conditioner you love and buy. Think science dorks in a lab.

There are always some pros and cons whenever we talk about organic or chemical plant additives. 

Pros to organic fertilizers

The organic one is excellent in the long run. It is safe for children and pets, and it does not have a salt buildup. It contributes to the environment and is overall a good choice. Organic fertilizers are focused on the health and longevity of the plant, not so much the immediate results

Organic vs Chemical fertilizers

But organic fertilizers work slowly, so you would need a lot more time to see some results. On the contrary, chemical plant foods act much faster, and they are easy to apply to the soil. They are filled with essential nutrients that your garden needs.

On the other hand, these soil conditioners create salt buildup. The nutrients you add to the soil can diminish very quickly, and you may even end up having some burnt plants on your hands. Also, they are a little more expensive.

So Is Miracle-Gro Bad?

Are you using Miracle-Gro already? Some conditioners have an increased salt rate, and over time, this can result in stripping the soil from essential nutrients, leaving your plants with nothing more than an empty patch of land.

And here’s a note for all those new gardeners – don’t think that more is better! Adding more fertilizer to your soil can lead to some terrible results and can put your plants in grave danger.

My plants after taking Miracle-Gro.

Miracle-Gro is kind of like taking steroids. Looks good but has major side effects to your health.

What to consider before using Miracle-Gro

When it comes to Miracle-Gro, there are a few things you should consider:

  • If you put too much soil conditioner on your plants, you may make your plants sick. This means they will be more prone to cold and hot weather and diseases too.
  • If you apply the fertilizer when the weather is rainy, the rain may wash it away, leaving almost nothing for the plants.
  • Make sure to carefully follow the instructions when you are applying chemical plant food. Once you apply too much of it, it may result in killing or burning your plants.
  • Think about the environment too. It is, after all, a chemical soil amendment, meaning that it can do a lot of damage to the environment. Even though the organic options can’t give some swift results, they may be the better option for your lovely patch of land.

Using Miracle-Gro safely

As we already mentioned, Miracle-Gro can be an excellent fertilizer if you know how to use it in moderation. In these cases, it is bound to help the plants in their growth process and keep them happy and healthy by dumping nitrogen straight into their veins.

Remember these?

However, it is still a very concentrated growth enhancer. This means that you can easily kill a plant while using it if you overdo it. The main issue with this fertilizer is that it contains a lot of nitrogen. This component comes from synthetic materials, which produce chemicals potentially harmful to the soil and the plants that aren’t listed as active ingredients. Fillers, if you will.

This is why there is a general rule that too much of anything is not good. The same applies here. Too much Miracle-Gro can hurt the plants, and it can result in the death of the plant. All you need to do is know how to properly apply this growth enhancer, and you are golden. Your plants will thrive and get the proper, balanced amount of all the right nutrients.

How to know if you’ve overused Miracle-Gro

If you are looking for signs of overfertilization, watch for the following:

  •  Wilted foliage
  • Not enough leaves
  • Smaller leaves
  • Developing leaves in a different color (yellowish)
  • Dead branch tips
Make sure to prune the wilted ones.

Organic alternatives to Miracle-Gro

Think about how you can use something that you already have. If you have been lucky enough to have a large garden filled with trees, then the answer to all your worries is probably staring you in the face.

Wanting to move away from Miracle-Gro and turning to something more organic is a good choice – probably the best one you can make. No need to dwell on it – you can use leaf mulch! The perfect growth enhancer tool! When decomposing, leaves release micronutrients and nutrients not normally found in commercial fertilizers. 

Just drop them in and let it whirl!

Potassium, magnesium, calcium, and other essential nutrients are only the beginning of the list. Considered a true gift to gardeners worldwide, the leaves are a great addition to your landscape. There is a way to use them rather than throwing them away.

All you need to do is take a look at a leaf mulcher, like this mulcher from Worx we reviewed, and see if this is something you could use. We consider it a necessity when it comes to the health of the soil and plants in our gardens.

Final words about Miracle-Gro and plant sustainability

Growing your fruits and vegetables has never been easier than it is today. Opt for the right material that can help you get there. You can choose between the non-organic option that includes products such as Miracle-Gro. You can also opt for an organic option, such as compost or leaf mulch. The decision is yours to make.

Why We Started The Lawn Review

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

We roll up our sleeves and take this seriously!

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.

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Toro vs. John Deere Zero Turn Mower: Battle of the Giants

The Toro TimeCutter is the better mower when compared to the John Deere Z315E. Toro and John Deere’s zero-turn mowers are two of the most popular options on the market. You pull up to any old Home Depot and these bad boys are parked right outside, glistening in the sun. 

When it comes down to the two zero turn mowers, we decided to compare the most popular, readily available ones on the market: the Toro TimeCutter SS4225 and the John Deere Z315E.

So, we decided to take a look at both of them separately. Since the demand for mowers will grow in the next few years, this is the perfect time to look around for the best ones on the market. Read on, as we are giving zero-turn mowers more than just a place to shine here – we are providing them with an incredible spotlight!

Jump ahead:

Toro Timecutter SS4225 vs. John Deere Z315E Zero turn mower: Comparison

As we deepened our research, two names that often came up were Toro Timecutter SS4225 and John Deere Z315E. Having to compare these two models means entering an important battle. There is so much at stake at both ends (mostly your wallet). These two models are considered some of the best zero-turn mowers on the market, and they are constantly in demand.

Power comparison: Toro vs John Deere Zero Turns

Let’s start with the John Deere Z315E zero turn. Considered an entry-level model, this is a zero turn made for the modern homeowner with over an acre of land. The cutting-edge technology and the sleek design are visible right from the start – with the classic John Deere green and yellow just to make sure your neighbors know what’s up. What makes this mower increasingly popular is its power, wrapped up in such compact dimensions. This mower has a 20 HP V-Twin engine manufactured by Briggs & Stratton.

Nice 20HP Briggs and Stratton engine.

When we talk about power, this thing can move at up to 7 mph forward or 3.5 mph in reverse – that’s what I’m talking about baby.

Moving on to the Toro Timecutter SS4225. The Toro TimeCutter SS4225 features a 22.5 HP V-twin engine, slightly more powerful than the John Deere.The engine itself is manufactured by Toro. It has similar speeds as the John Deere and is also the homeowner’s model of Toro mowers.

The TimeCutter is also a beast.

I give the edge in this battle to Toro. I like John Deere’s engine being manufactured by Briggs and Stratton, but Toro has been at this game for a long time. They also have a little over 10% more horsepower than John Deere. 

Winner: Toro TimeCutter SS4225

FeatureJohn Deere Z315EToro Timecutter SS4225
Horsepower20 HP V-Twin22.5 HP V-twin
Engine typeBriggs & StrattonToro
Speed7 FWD, 3.5 REV7 FWD, 4 REV
Transmission TypeHydrostaticHydrostatic

Comfort and Rideability comparison between John Deere and Toro mowers

One of the things that makes the Toro Timecutter SS4225 better than any other type or model is comfort. This is an exceptionally important thing to consider, and the designers of this model have clearly mowed a yard or two. Once you pick up this model, you will realize you are dealing with a high-backed seat and even a cup holder! And let us tell you, right from the start; you could get used to this.

My son loves the TimeCutter.

One thing I love about the TimeCutter is that the seat feels like an old leather recliner. 

This John Deere came with an hour meter (most don’t).

However, John Deere Z315E isn’t too far behind. Slightly more stiff, the John Deere Z315E has a nice little control panel and a few of the same features as the TimeCutter. In fact, it has an adjustable seat, colored controls, and excellent visibility forward and on the sides – making operating comfortable and super easy. 

Winner: It’s a tie!

Cutting experience on both the TimeCutter and the Z315E

The Toro TimeCutter SS4225 has a bunch of features that make it a super smooth ride:

  • Hydrostatic transmission
  • Smart Speed technology – allows you to quickly adjust the speed without the blades being impacted. It’s like the windshield wipers that slow down or speed up when your car does.
  • A step-through front end which makes onboarding really easy
  • Really easy to maintain (like all Toro models)

The John Deere is also pretty sweet though, with some really unique features:

  • Built in TN (Go Vols!)
  • Accel deep deck – pulls air up in the deck causing the grass to stand up for an even cut
  • Easy adjustable deck height with the flick of a toe
  • Automatic parking brake when steering levers aren’t engaged
This deck is a beast on the John Deere.

Both of them don’t have hour meters showing how long you have been cutting. When it comes to the John Deere model, the hour meter is optional. Toro makes you buy a separate one.

SmartSpeed technology.

I picked the Toro here because the SmartSpeed technology is pretty advanced and the maintenance schedule is easier. I also like that it comes with a 300 hour, 3 year warranty compared to John Deere’s 200 hour, 3 year warranty (although neither have an hour meter to keep you honest).

Winner: Toro TimeCutter SS4225

Price comparison: Toro Timecutter vs. John Deere

At the end of the day, when you get different products, naturally, you pay a different amount of money. The John Deere comes in a couple hundred dollars less than the Toro, although both have prices that vary wildly depending on when you buy.

The final ruling: Toro Timecutter SS4225 vs. John Deere Z315E Zero Turn Mower

Both of these powerful mowers incorporate cutting-edge technology that any garden owner would love to have. To be completely honest, making our final ruling here is difficult since we loved both models. Though we have to admit – the cup holder of Toro Timecutter SS4225 may have won us over a little bit.

You can check the price of the Toro TimeCutter (and buy it online actually) at Home Depot.

The John Deere, a slightly cheaper alternative, is also available online for a great price at Home Depot and at Lowe’s.

FeatureJohn Deere Z315EToro Timecutter SS4225
PowerWinner
ComfortTie!Tie!
Cutting ExperienceWinner
PriceWinner

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

We take tool testing seriously.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

What we look for in zero-turn mowers

A few things to look for in zero-turn mowers are blade size, transmission, accessory capabilities and cost. 

Cutting width

Blade size and cutting width are important to keep consistent with the size of your lawn. Obviously longer blades are best for larger lawns, but begin to sacrifice a little bit of the agility afforded by a smaller blade. 

Transmission type

Transmission is also an important consideration for a zero-turn mower. Most zero turn mowers do not have manual transmissions, but have either automatic or hydrostatic transmissions. Automatic works just like an automatic car does with a gas pedal and belts. Hydrostatic transmissions use fluid to transfer their power to the blades and the rest of the engine. I prefer and recommend hydrostatic transmissions because they typically require less maintenance and have a longer life (plus it sounds cooler).

Cost and value

Cost is generally of the utmost importance as well. Zero-turn mowers are expensive. In fact, you can buy an old Honda Civic for less than most zero turn mowers. Expect to spend no less than $3,000 for a zero turn mower. Keep in mind that these will last a long time and save you a ton of weekend time when compared to a riding tractor or push mower. Zero turn mowers are an upfront investment, but reap a huge return over time.

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5 Corded Electric Hedge Trimmers For Pristine Bushes

Corded electric hedge trimmers may seem like antiquated tools with all the new battery powered hedge trimmers. The best corded electric edge trimmer is the Worx 24 inch 4.5A corded hedge trimmer because it has some cool functionality that swaps the blade around.

But there is definitely still a place for corded electric. In fact, for many folks corded hedge trimmers are better tools than battery-powered trimmers. If you have the right tool, the right job, and the right attitude – these things can be sick.

Let me break it down for you today. 

Here’s our ranking of corded hedge trimmers:

  1. Worx 24 in 4.5 Amp corded hedge trimmer
  2. Toro 22 in 4 Amp corded hedge trimmer
  3. Black + Decker 24 in 3.3 Amp corded hedge trimmer
  4. Black + Decker 22 in 4.0 Amp corded hedge trimmer
  5. Black + Decker 20 in 2.8 Amp corded hedge trimmer

Corded Hedge Trimmers: Ranked

Now that we know how to evaluate a corded hedge trimmer, let’s jump into the ranking. All of these are GREAT options, but we ranked them according to our experience with having cords yanked out, getting wrists hurt, and accidentally cutting off shrubs. Basically – we learned the hard way.

Worx 24 inch 4.5 Amp Corded Hedge Trimmer

A total surprise to us, but the best corded electric hedge trimmer is the Worx 24 inch 4.5 Amp hedge trimmer. I say this as a surprise because Worx isn’t the most famous brand in the world. But they have a super niche market that they dominate – corded electric. It’s really between Worx and Black and Decker for the best corded electric lawn tools. 

Worx has a few others we really like, including their standing leaf mulcher – basically a blender on stilts.

But the WORX 24 inch corded hedge trimmer has all the things we like in one of these, plus a few bells and whistles. Let me break it down:

  • Perfect length at 24 inches
  • Dual action blades – this is standard on most hedge trimmers now and basically just means the blades move up and down in both directions, increasing efficiency
  • Extremely light at only seven pounds
  • Has an in-line motor – which basically means the motor is in line with the handle and not off to the side. This makes it basically feel like a big sword instead of a motor with some blades coming out.
  • Rotating cutting head – means you can rotate the entire set of blades sideways on either side, making it easy to handle when doing precision cutting. This is a unique feature to this hedge trimmer and is a big reason why it ranked number one.
Press the button on the side to rotate the hedge trimmer.

So this is basically a flippin’ sweet hedge trimmer with the basics plus all the bells and whistles. And I haven’t even gotten to the best part.

The whole thing is well under $100 and can be bought at Home Depot for an insane price. You can also buy it on Amazon, but it looks to be a little more expensive over there.

Toro 22 in 4 Amp corded hedge trimmer

Toro is also establishing itself in the electric game despite being a household name in just about  every other category. Toro makes some awesome mowers, which we have reviewed extensively.

But they knocked it out of the park with this hedge trimmer as well. When I think of Toro, I usually think of quality. They definitely are consistent with that here as well. 

One thing I like about the Toro 22 inch corded hedge trimmer is that it has a heck of a lot of power. It cuts through branches up to ½ an inch thick, which comes in handy when you’re doing your shrub pruning at the beginning of the year. In my experience with weaker corded hedge trimmers, when you come across a thicker branch it kind of gets stuck on it and is unable to cut it.

Then the bush starts shaking, then the tool, then you. And you have to go grab a big pruner or something to take care of the rest of it. The whole experience sucks. 

This corded electric hedge trimmer also has a cord lock system that ties the extension cord into the tool, so no random unplugging when you reach for the top of a bush. It comes in even lighter than the Worx one above.

Toro’s cool plug holder design.

I ranked this one number two because it is slightly shorter, doesn’t have the cool rotating blades, and is a tad more expensive – but it is still easily one of the best corded hedge trimmers out there.

This one is also available at Home Depot for a really good price or on Amazon, where the price is also extremely low (I would check both to compare as they go on sale often)

Black + Decker 24 in 3.3 Amp corded hedge trimmer

Like I said, Black and Decker has some great hedge trimmers – it is kind of their bread and butter. This one is ranked in third place because it has all of the right characteristics of a good corded hedge trimmer, but is simply more expensive than the others.

At 24 inches and 3.3 Amps of power, there’s nothing wrong! It can even cut branches around ¾ of an inch thick. Additionally, it’s got the inline motor, just like Worx did with theirs. This makes it almost like a wand trimmer, except handheld and lightweight. 

It’s also got a cord retainer, nice soft-grip handles, and comes in at 6.5 lbs. 

Gets the job done!

It’s a great hedge trimmer! But it’s no better than either the Worx or the Toro hedge trimmer, and it costs a little over $100. If the price changes on this, which it often does, then it can easily tie our top corded hedge trimmer.


You can watch the price here on Home Depot grab it for a kind of ridiculously unbelievably low price on Amazon here.

Black + Decker 22 in 4.0 Amp corded hedge trimmer

This Black and Decker HT2200 corded electric hedge trimmer is just like the one above, except it has a slightly smaller cutting length and a tiny bit more power. 

The crazy thing about this one is that it is around $50. People – $50 for a corded electric hedge trimmer is freaking unreal.

If you are a first time homeowner and spent your savings on the down payment and furnishing your house, this is an amazing budget lawn tool that will get you through the first few years (or more) of home ownership. This thing is a freaking DEAL. 

Yes, please

This one is on the list because of how inexpensive it is – it can be bought at Home Depot online and shipped straight to your house in like 2 days. 

Black + Decker 20 in 2.8 Amp corded hedge trimmer

Last but not least is the Black and Decker 20 inch hedge trimmer with saw blade tip. It’s kind of like a swiss army knife lawn tool in that it can cut normal hedges, shrubs, bushes, and small branches – but also has a saw tip that can cut through 1.5 inch thick branches (or more if you are determined).

Yeah that’s gnarly.

If you’ve ever played the game Gears of War, then you may be reminded of the crazy gun that had a chainsaw at the end. This is the modern dad’s version of this and can definitely get your imagination going. Another equivalent is the musket with bayonet. 

Me to my bushes.

This one is cool because it has all the things we love:

  • Nicemotor
  • Wrap around handle
  • 20 inch blades (a little on the small side)
  • A wine bottle opener (just kidding)

It is a really cool tool that comes in at a great price and is the most popular corded electric hedge trimmer bought at Home Depot.

You can check the price of it at Home Depot (it goes on sale a lot), but a good deal is anything under $100.

The Bottom Line on Corded Hedge Trimmers

Some of us aren’t obsessed with battery-powered everything. In fact, it gets annoying when the batteries die and you have to sit and recharge them. The power on corded electric never runs out unless you stop paying the bill (learned from experience).

There are some great ones out there – but we recommend a 24 inch, easy to use (inline motor and rubber grips), and lightweight hedge trimmer. Any on this list will get the job done. 

Why we review lawn tools

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

We take tool testing seriously!

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

What to look for in a corded hedge trimmer

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

This one is older than I am.

Length of hedge trimmer

Corded hedge trimmers come in a variety of lengths, from small handheld models to larger units that can reach up to several feet. Choose the size that is best suited for your needs. I like 24 inch hedge trimmers because they have length and power while still being relatively nimble.

Ease of use

Corded hedge trimmers should be easy to operate, with comfortable handles and simple controls. Look for a model that is lightweight and easy to maneuver. I also keep an eye out for corded hedge trimmers that accommodate the extension cord by having something that keeps it from getting unplugged.

Cost

Corded hedge trimmers often are less expensive than cordless hedge trimmers. They don’t have the battery attached which saves quite a bit of money, but you do need to have a good extension cord.

You can get a very good corded electric hedge trimmer for around $100, often less. Keep that in mind when searching for a new one.

I’ve had this bad boy for…longer than I can remember.

With these factors in mind, you’ll be sure to find the perfect cordless hedge trimmer for your garden.

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Eley Hose Reel Review: 2024 Buyer’s Guide

The Eley hose reel is for anyone who works in a garden and wants to use almost indestructible tools. We share the same opinion. The Eley hose reel is a pretty slick product, and if you are on the fence about buying it, you’ve come to the right place.

Sick of this plastic crap?

Looking at all the reviews of the Eley Hose Reel made us want to check it out ourselves. So, what we can say in the beginning (without spoiling too much) is that it is a very impressive, high-value product. We looked into its durability, the company’s values, and their story.

Bottom Line: The Eley Hose Reel is an absolute tank and built to last for decades. If you have gone through many hose reels (like me), and none lasted, you must still be looking for one. You can grab the Eley Hose Reel here.

Looking for a hose that can last as long as the Eley? I like the FlexZilla garden hose.

Jump ahead:

Eley Hose Reel Review: Features & Benefits

A garden hose reel that will check all the boxes -it’s one of life’s simple pleasures that surprisingly makes a huge difference. I used to have an old plastic one I got from Home Depot, then found the Eley because I cracked off the handle trying to power through the pain with it. I found that the old Rubbermaid hose reels had to be at just the right angle, with both hands helping to pull in the hose and somehow reeling it in as well. A nightmare.

The two-wheeled hose reel.

Here are a few things we loved about the Eley Hose Reel.

You can use the Eley Hose Reel as a lefty

My wife is a lefty. My son is. I’m not. Which means we got the left handed version. Depending on which model you get, you can set it up for either right-hand or left-hand rewinding. All those lefties out there – someone at this company was thinking about you too!

He helps pick out tools as well.

The Eley Hose Reel will last through an atomic bomb

One of the things we love most about this product is that you don’t need to strain yourself to get the job done. The sleekness of the design makes it easy to use yet powerful in its task. It is well-engineered, and it can hold about 125 feet of hose.

The wall-mounted version also slaps.

It is able to make the job so easy because it has two cone-shapes on either side of the reel, which automatically forces the hose to fall into formation (shout-out Beyonce) and smooth itself out. This means all the force you’re applying to reel it in is being maximized for a super easy reel-in.

Winding up the Eley Hose Reel is easy

Being comfortable is another thing that Eley thought about once they started designing this reel hose. Depending on the model you get, you can install it perpendicularly or parallel, so you can use it with ease. The handle has a comfortable grip. There is a braking system too, that helps you set just the right amount of drag.

Just stays in place like it should.

I got the two-wheeled version, which is the most popular, but they also have a wall mount and a wooden pole mount that allow you to put it under your deck or on the side of your house. Very nice!

Durability: Eley Hose Reel’s claim to fame

If you want to claim years of use whenever you buy a certain garden product, then expect nothing less from this one as well! As a garden hose reel, it is created from aluminum alloy construction. This means it will not break, leak, or rust. The stainless steel hardware only adds to the ingeniousness of the design, making it truly unbreakable.

The Eley Hose Reel is a worthwhile investment

Eley is so sure that you are getting a quality product that their dang hose reel comes along with a 10-year no-break warranty. This is how confident they are in the product they’ve created. It is a little bit on the pricier side, but you can’t really beat the warranty. In 9 years from now if Hulk Hogan comes over and wants to reel in your hose and he breaks it, then it will STILL be under warranty (and Hulk will be like 80 years old). 

You can grab the Eley Hose Reel from their website here.

Eley Hose Reel: Final thoughts of wisdom

Taking pride in having the best garden products in your backyard feels amazing! If you want to up your game and ensure you have all the equipment you need, add the Eley hose reel to your collection. At the end of the day, we loved it, so why not give it a try?

We don’t think you will ever have to look for another hose reel after looking into Eley. If you haven’t already bought this product, well now is the perfect time to do that! 

Why we started The Lawn Review

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

We take our tool testing seriously.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something. 

Why buy a hose reel?

If you are a lawn aesthetics lover like us, you must spend a lot of time in your backyard. As it happens, every garden needs constant work (sometimes even every day). Along the way, you will need some tools to elevate your mobility and efficiency around your favorite space. 

Now, we can all agree water is essential. Whether you want to wash away dirt from something, make sure that your plants are watered properly, or need a sip yourself, you need a long hose that can help you achieve that. But, once you start using the hose every day, you will notice that it gets in the way a lot.

One of my favorite memories of my friend’s dad was a time he got super mad that his hose got tangled. He picked up the hose and threw it as hard as he could, and it only went like 2 feet because it was a hose. We died laughing.

This is when you start looking for a hose reel. It is the perfect addition to all those garden enthusiasts out there. It can help you clean up the space and untangle yourself quickly

About Eley’s hose reel products

All of their products are made with an aluminum reel with rust-proof metal construction. This includes stainless steel hardware, powder-coated finishes, and oversized tubular frames. You can even opt for a flat-free model. It is the kind of model you can use for many years without any hassle – and it is affordable too!

Family owned.

They essentially create high quality, indestructible lawn tools that are rhino-guarded in a way. Tough interior, well constructed, and tough exterior. Basically, these things are bulletproof. 

If you want a great hose to go along with this reel, check out the FlexZilla garden hsoe.

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How To Prune Knock Out Roses (5-Leaf Secret)

Pruning roses is not only a metaphor for the many difficulties of life, but also a necessary task to keep those babies coming back every year. Roses are an essential part of every garden and every episode of The Bachelor. 

They have a long-standing tradition of being the centerpiece of every backyard, so naturally, after some time has passed, they are considered an institution. But, there is a trick to keeping them lush and beautiful. It all comes down to how you prune them.

Taking pride in some knockout roses in your garden will make you feel like you are sitting on top of the world. To achieve that, you should know how to properly groom them, and do this every year so you can get the most out of them. Keep on reading and find out how to take care of your roses.

Jump ahead:

How to prune a rose (especially a Knockout rose)

Here are the steps to prune roses:

  1. Look for a wilting rose
  2. Find the first set of 5-leaves from the bloom
  3. Prune at a 45-degree angle an inch above the 5-leaf set
  4. Repeat the process shaping the bush, removing dead stems
  5. Remove other branches to improve airflow 
  6. Don’t remove more than ⅓ of the size of the bush

The basics of rose pruning

The knockout rose bushes are incredible, and they grow very fast! Once you start dealing with them, you should know that they must be pruned yearly. By doing this, you will create some wonderful bushes, and get the best roses that aren’t just visually appealing, but super healthy.

Don’t you just love it?

First, you should know that roses are extremely persistent, even in the coldest of weather. They can thrive even under temperatures below zero. It is the main reason why they are so popular – you can find them in any garden. They can easily adapt, and they look wonderful.

They are also extremely welcomed by spouses – especially if you’re in the dog house.

Best time to prune rose bushes

The best time in the year to prune roses is late winter or early spring. In other words, once you start noticing that your knockout rose has a few new shoots, it is time to start pruning. Make sure that the frost is over, and you are good to go!

As soon as the bush reaches 4 feet in height and 4 feet in width, you can trim it. Think of it as a ritual that you should do every year. Thinking about when to prune your rose bushes? Well, if you are hesitating, think of it this way – you need to measure the bush every once in a while

They bloom several times per year.

Don’t get us wrong, you can trim your rose bushes in the fall too, but if you want the best results, then early spring is the right time. This way, you will get better blooms.

How to prune knockout rose bushes – step by step

There are some specific bits of equipment you need whenever you want to groom your rose bushes. 

Step 1: Gather your tools

First of all, you will need hand pruners, then you will need hedge shears, and of course, gardening gloves so you can protect yourself during the process. Remember that you should disinfect the tools before you cut back the bushes. You can do this with alcohol (probably not beer, though).

These are the things you need!

Once you step into your garden, you might end up being amazed by the view – your knockout rose bush has tripled in size! This is only natural, since these roses grow large and fast.

Step 2: Get rid of the dead branches first

Start the process by removing the cross branches from the bushes. Look carefully. Do you see any weak, extremely thin, or maybe even diseased or dead branches? Start by cutting them right off. What you want to focus on is creating some thick and strong branches on your knockout rose bushes.

Dead branches are easy to spot.

Step 3: Identify the wilted roses

Look for ones that are starting to wilt or completely wilted. Easy targets.

Pull the stem out a bit.

Step 4: Find the first set of five leaves from the flower

Once you have identified a wilted rose, work down the stem and count the leaves. When you have reached a set of five leaves, get your pruners ready.

Five leaves around the stem.

Step 5: Cut about an inch above the first set of five leaves

The first set of five leaves is a great landmark because it highlights a healthy area for the next bloom to sprout from. If you just pull the head of the rose off, it may not grow back because the stem immediately beneath it may be dying as well.

One inch above, at a 45 degree angle.

Step 6: Repeat the process, ensuring proper aeration of the bush as well

Continue to use the first set of five leaves as a landmark for pruning more roses. After you’ve completely pruned the roses and the dead branches, ensure there is proper airflow to the base of the rose bush.

Get the whole thing!

Key tips while pruning a rose bush

To go a little deeper on the last step, always make sure that there is enough air circulating the knockout rose. 

What do we mean by this? 

The inside of the rose bush should be aerated at all times. So, when you start pruning, make sure to create an open space within the bush too. By practicing this, you will help the knockout rose bush avoid some serious diseases.

As soon as you start pruning, don’t be afraid to go all in! Cut back as much as you can! The knockout rose will grow back and look glorious, so don’t be afraid to cut off all extra branches.

Keep your tools sharp and clean

There are several aspects to this. First, by keeping your tools sharp, you will decrease the time you need to prune the bush. It will not take you hours to do that because your tools will work perfectly. Second (and more importantly), when you make a clean cut, it is also better for the rose. Instead of butchering it each time you cut a branch, making a clean cut will help the knockout rose heal faster.

Cut the branches at a 45-degree angle

If you want to promote fast and new growth of your rose bushes, the best way to prune them is to use this technique. Why cut them at this angle? Creating an angled cut will help the water run off the stem and reduce the chance of fungal rot.

How to know where to cut the branches? The ideal spot is located right above the first set of five leaves. If you are uncertain of where to cut the branches and want to avoid cutting here, there, and everywhere, then this is the best advice you can get.

Refrain from fertilizing your rose bush right after pruning.

Give it some time to heal before you add the fertilizer. The specific rose fertilizer has a high potassium level, which is important to keep an eye on so you can give your bushes everything they need to grow tall and strong. You can also keep the bugs away with Bioadvanced solutions.

If you’re looking for something more organic, mulched leaves work really well as an alternative to things like Miracle-Gro!

Why we prune roses: the bottom line

Pruning is a vital step in the process of maintaining a knockout rose bush healthy and strong. It does more than encourage the growth of healthy stems. It makes the plant produce more flowers, and it keeps disease and infections at bay. For successful pruning, all you need to do is follow the tips we have laid out for you. When it is time to prune, review them and get to work!

A final note – even if you over-prune the rose bush, it will grow back strong.

If you have some more questions, we can answer all of them! Take a look at our YouTube channel and get all the info you need!

Why we started The Lawn Review

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site. 

We take tool testing seriously!

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.

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UberFlex vs FlexZilla: Two Solid Pressure Washer Hoses

UberFlex and FlexZilla aren’t just the names of me and my boys when we are looking in the mirror at the gym. They’re the names of two ridiculous pressure washer hoses. I prefer the FlexZilla pressure washer hose because it is simply indestructible.

The world of hoses has always been an incredibly vast one, especially nowadays with Amazon being such a big player. If you got into this, you must have already noticed how overwhelmed the market is with various products. Today we are here for you to narrow down the subject and talk about two super popular hoses: UberFlex and FlexZilla.

When you are using a pressure washer, you want to make sure you have a solid hose that doesn’t kill all your power or become a massive tangled mess.

So, without going too much around it, let’s dive in and see which one would take the lead in 2023!

Jump ahead:

UberFlex vs Flexzilla pressure washer competition

In each of the categories we’ve listed above as important features of a pressure washer, we compare both the UberFlex and Flexzilla to see which one we liked the best. Let’s jump right in.

Storage comparison: Wrapping up FlexZilla and UberFlex hoses

The beautiful thing about pressure washer hoses that you buy aftermarket is that they tend to have way better performance. Most pressure washers use a 25 or 35 foot hose, so 50 is a huge upgrade.

But that means more to wrap up and store. And pressure washer hoses are known for being rigid and difficult to maneuver.

So we took both of these and put them to the test.

They coil nicely!

At first, both of these hoses were extremely rigid, but after a few uses, they tamed down and flattened. One thing I noticed with the UberFlex that I didn’t with the FlexZilla hose is that the UberFlex seemed to get tangled a lot more. I’m not sure if it is the material, or what. It didn’t kink, but seemed to get tied up into a not every time I unraveled it.

Rolling them up – they felt almost identical. I felt like the FlexZilla had a slightly easier time rolling up than the UberFlex did, providing slightly more “give” during the wrapping process.

Winner: FlexZilla pressure washer hose!

Power retention: UberFlex vs Flexzilla

I found that with both of these hoses, the 50 ft versions retained the same power that the stock 25 ft hoses kept. These performed almost identically with my Greenworks electric pressure washer. 

With the FlexZilla’s hybrid polymer construction, I assumed it would retain a lot more power as the material itself seems harder. But the polyester Uberflex hose surprisingly seemed to keep all of the power output.

I wish I had more to say here but at least from an eye-test, the two had similar results. This is a huge benefit to anybody looking to upgrade their pressure washer hose length without sacrificing power.

Made quick work of this deck clean!

Now before any of you nerds tell me about some sort of physics and how the pressure technically has to decrease, I’m here to tell you I don’t care. I didn’t notice any appreciable  difference between FlexZilla or UberFlex. Neither will you.

Winner: It’s a tie!

Durability and leakage in pressure washer hoses

Both the FlexZilla and UberFlex pressure washer hoses claim to not kink. I mean I fall for just about every marketing gimmick out there so I took this at face value, but had some suspicions in the top of my mind.

But holy crap. Neither of them kink, guys. It’s pretty incredible once you’ve used it a couple times to not worry about it folding in half and simply laying flat like a good dog. 

Uberflex opening at 14mm.

Another great thing that both of these have is great connector points. A traditional hose is just not going to cut it and the plastic fittings that come on stock pressure washer hoses are just flat out unreliable.

These two hoses have almost identical fittings and stem sizes and construction. There is no discernable difference between the two and they both do a great job of preventing leakage, making the absolute most of the power from your water source.

Flexzilla can take a beating.

One thing that you can tell a difference in is the build of the FlexZilla. It can take an absolute beating, mostly because it is made of that hybrid polymer instead of the UberFlex’s polyester construction. FlexZilla has a patent pending on the material and construction, telling you what they’ve built is truly unique.

I’ve gotta hand it to the folks at FlexZilla – they are absolute scientists when it comes to pressure washer hose design.

Winner: FlexZilla

Cost Comparison: UberFlex vs FlexZilla pressure washer hoses

At the 50 ft mark (the size we recommend), the FlexZilla comes in at about $58 whereas the UberFlex sits at right about $50. 

One thing we’ve noticed is that the price is always changing (for example, the FlexZilla is on sale for 20% off right now).

You can check the FlexZilla price here on Amazon and the UberFlex price here – one is bound to be on sale.

Our overall winner for best pressure washer hose

While the FlexZilla and UberFlex are nearly identical in every way, I liked the FlexZilla’s inability to get tangled and overall durability slightly more than UberFlex. To me, it is worth the additional $8 to not get the hose into a tangled mess as easily as the UberFlex does.

You can grab the FlexZilla pressure washer hose for a great price on Amazon.

Why we started The Lawn Review

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

We take tool testing seriously!

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

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

What to look for in a pressure washer hose

It’s important when buying a pressure washer hose to make sure it has a few characteristics:

  1. Storage: make sure it’s easy to wind and store, otherwise it will become a tangled mess in your garage or shed.
  2. Power retention: some hoses lack the internal rigidity to keep the pressure at a high enough level for the pressure washers to have any PSI left over.
  3. Leakage protection: if they leak water at either connection point then it’s a huge waste of potential pressure.
  4. Durability: total waste to have a pressure washer hose that cracks or gets punctured super easily.

These are the things we look for when testing pressure washer hoses. If you want to see some great electric pressure washers that we ranked, check out our post!

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