Author: Tyler Graham

Tyler is the heart and soul behind all of our lawn tool tests. One of the leading voices behind the switch to battery-powered lawn tools, Tyler has been quoted in dozens of articles and news stories providing expertise for normal homeowners. Tyler started his own lawn care company when in high school and has consulted hundreds of homeowners on proper lawn maintenance, providing lawn tool recommendations, and explaining extremely complex topics about tool mechanics to the masses. When not testing lawn tools you can check Tyler out over on his Youtube Channel - The Lawn Review. He can also be found on Amazon as an influencer.
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Finding The Best Electric Mower At Home Depot: My Search

toro mower

Electric mowers at Home Depot are a dime a dozen. If you’ve ever been to the store (which I don’t recommend) then you may have noticed there is a whole aisle with electric mowers side-by-side.

Look familiar?

Walking down this aisle is dizzying and extremely unhelpful. It seems like the only things that differentiates the mowers is the price tag and colors.

How on planet Earth are you supposed to pick one? Well – we did the hard work and figured it out by buying basically all of them. Home Depot does have some of the best-selling mower brands.

Here are our favorite electric mowers at Home Depot:

  1. Milwaukee M18 Mower
  2. Ryobi 40V Mower
  3. Toro 60V Recycler Battery Mower
  4. Makita LXT 18V Electric Mower
  5. Dewalt 20V Max 21.5in Mower

My experience buying and testing electric mowers

The reason I started reviewing mowers in the first place is because I was standing in Home Depot, just like you. I was walking the aisles with my wife trying to figure out what kind of mower we needed for our first home (about 5 years ago). 

We had no clue. The only thing that drove us to end up getting a gas-powered mower (my Troy Bilt mower) was because it was so dang cheap. While it wasn’t a total mistake, I wish I would have gone electric at the time.

Since then, I’ve bought and used over a dozen electric mowers. Yes – it has been insane and expensive but it has also been a LOT of fun.

5 Electric Mowers at Home Depot That Absolutely Slap

We took the time to review a bunch of these battery powered mowers from Home Depot. It was NOT cheap but it was pretty fun. Check out our Youtube channel if you want to see more mower reviews, including a ton of them in this article.

1. Milwaukee M18 Battery Powered Mower

Home Depot sells Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL lawn mower – almost exclusively. It is an interesting case because it stands alone as their sole mower offering for now. It’s as if they assembled a dedicated team of dorks and rednecks, brainstormed ideas to create the ultimate mower, and simply went for it without looking back.

Here are some of my favorite features:

  • It boasts serious power comparable to a 200cc lawn mower, surpassing even the classic Honda push mowers.
  • The mower features a robust steel deck, setting it apart from the more common plastic decks in the electric mower market
  • Rapid acceleration allows it to reach full throttle in less than a second – like a Lambo
  • The inclusion of a brushless motor is a must-have for being at the top of this list
  • The utilization of two 18V Milwaukee batteries offers compatibility with over 200 other M18 tools from Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL outperforms many of the others that come in at a lower price point. However, it is worth noting that this superior performance comes with a higher price tag. With a retail price of over $1,000 at Home Depot (if you get it with the batteries), it might be considered one of the more expensive push mowers available. Nevertheless, for Milwaukee enthusiasts or those genuinely seeking peak battery-powered mower performance, this model unquestionably stands out as the best.

For a side-by-side comparison, one may find it insightful to evaluate how the M18 stacks up against the Ryobi 40V HP, another mower that also made it onto this list.

2. Ryobi 40V HP Whisper Series Mower

The Ryobi 40V HP whisper series mower is good for a few reasons. Back in the day, the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless battery-powered mower was my favorite electric mower from Ryobi! Yeah, it was my first-ever try with electric, and I thought it rocked. But you know how it goes, my taste got more sophisticated, and now I’ve become considerably wiser after testing dozens of these things.

Anyway, it still earned a spot on this list, though I gotta say, it’s a bit too lightweight for my liking. One bump into thick grass or a pesky stick, and it goes off-track like, “Whoa, hold up!”. I don’t like how light it is because the weight helps hold it glued to the ground and keeps it even over any rough patch.

But let me tell you about the best part! You can totally use the same Ryobi 40V battery with a bunch of other tools they offer – and they are plentiful. They have a ton of blowers and string trimmers that rock and can use the same system as this mower.

Oh, and don’t sleep on the mower itself. It’s got a brushless motor, sweet 6.0 Ah batteries, its super easy to start and maintain, and even a self-propelled mode. Seriously, it’s got all the fancy stuff that the Milwaukee one above has.

Even though it isn’t number one, the Ryobi 40V is still an absolute beast of a mower! If you’re into Ryobi, which I know a ton of folks are, this is a great option.

Oh, and heads up – you can snag this bad boy for a sweet deal at Home Depot.

3. Toro 60V Recycler Battery Mower

Toro’s battery-powered mowers are a real beauty, no doubt about it. But, being completely honest – they can be a bit pricey. Still, if you’ve been spotting these vibrant red mowers in your neighborhood or garage, you’re definitely not alone. Toro is super popular and has amazing brand recognition. Basically the Kennedy of lawn mowers.

Not Bad!

Toro earned their reputation for making some of the most popular mowers out there, and what’s even more impressive is that these bad boys last for ages. But when they finally joined the battery game, they went all out and created the 60V Recycler mower. This one is built for the modern homeowner that has a small to mid-sized yard. If you want to really amp it up (pun intended), then you should check out their super recycler.

Let me drop some factoids on the cool stuff we liked about this new battery-powered beast:

  • It packs a punch similar to a 175cc gas mower. It  is for really-real.
  • That shiny red metal deck is not only recognizable, but way tougher than those plastic ones you see everywhere else.
  • The Recycler cutting system works magic, shredding the grass into tiny bits that your lawn will thank you for. They call them “Lawn Vitamins” and literally patented the term.
  • And check this out – they added a slick air intake valve on top that sucks in air, making the grass stand tall and giving you the smoothest cut ever. The downside is that when I put it to the test, it didn’t really do anything. Pure fiction!

Toro made a reliable mower that provides a good cut. While I definitely prefer other mowers, this one is not a bad option.

But hey, no worries! You can still grab this bad boy (currently $80 off!) at Home Depot, either online or in-store. Don’t miss out on this gem!

4. Makita LXT 18V Electric Mower

The Makita LXT mower was a bit of a head scratcher for me. Assembly-wise, the Makita LXT mower took a bit longer than I’d like, with a few tools required whereas others kind of just snap in place or have some hand screws. Starting it up was a little complex too, but I can appreciate the safety features required to stop a kid from chopping his hand off.

The real nuance provided by the Makita mower that turned this one into a “luxury mower” is the little dashboard near the handles. It’s got a battery indicator that’s super handy, unlike some others that make you remove the battery to check or go down near the blades and press a button. Plus, there’s a lever for controlling the self-propelled speed, ranging from turtle to rabbit mode. But that “quiet mode” button sticks out, I’m not entirely sold on its purpose. Not sure of many, if any, use cases for having an extra quiet feature on an already quiet electric mower.

Here’s what sets this mower apart – the steel deck. I’m not a fan of plastic decks, so this was a big win for me. The single height adjustment is a game-changer, saving me from the hassle of adjusting each wheel separately. This is low-key a really nice function to have. Oh, and those six-inch wheels are solid and don’t feel flimsy like others I’ve tried.

When it comes to battery power, I put it to the test. With two batteries, I got about 38 minutes and 29 seconds of mowing, enough for my front yard and part of the back. But with four batteries, you can expect a full 80 minutes of mowing.

Now, the charge time was a bit longer than what they claimed – took about an hour and five minutes instead of 45 minutes. C’mon people!

Pricing-wise, it ranges from $689 to $789 depending on the size and batteries included. You can grab it at Home Depot, and they sometimes have sales, so keep an eye out for savings! It looks like it is $200 off right now, which is huge.

5. Dewalt 20V Max 21.5 inch battery powered mower

Dewalt’s 20V Max mower is one I was intrigued by, especially since Dewalt transitioned from 40V to 20V batteries for their outdoor equipment. I’ve tested various 20V Dewalt products, and they usually deliver. So, let’s break down the benefits and features:

  • Longest run-time among battery-powered mowers (75 minutes).
  • Lightweight and easy to use with a push-to-start button and self-propelled function.
  • Durable with a wide steel deck, backed by a three-year warranty and a money-back guarantee.
  • Compatible with other Dewalt tools, offering over 200 products that use the same 20V battery.
  • Made in the USA, supporting American-made products
  • Easy storage with a foldable design that saves space.

Overall, the Dewalt Self-Propelled Mower impressed me a lot, and its compatibility with other Dewalt tools sweetened the deal. 

If you have a smaller yard, it’s highly recommended, but for larger lots, keeping spare batteries around might be necessary. You can find it at Home Depot’s website for online purchase or in-store pickup.

Common questions about electric mowers at Home Depot

Here are some common questions we get from folks who are searching for a new electric mower from Home Depot:

What are the disadvantages of an electric lawn mower?

Electric lawn mowers require recharging the batteries and can often be less powerful than their gas-powered counterparts. But that is quickly evolving and changing.

How long do electric lawn mowers last?

Most electric lawn mowers last for 7–10 years. They can run for around 45-50 minutes on a single charge.

What is the average price for an electric lawn mower?

The average electric lawn mower price is around $400 in 2023.

Do electric mowers cut better than gas?

Electric mowers can often cut just as well as gas mowers for small yards.

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

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

Battery-powered mower brand quality

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

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

Metal where it matters: the deck 

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

Battery interoperability.

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

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

Self-propelled or not

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

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

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Makita 18V LXT 21 inch Mower Review + Video

Makita’s 21 inch 36V LXT brushless mower is a beauty to look at. They make awesome power tools, some really good lawn tools, and amazing mowers….right? I was underwhelmed with this Makita mower.

I got my hands on the new Makita 36V LXT mower and put it to the absolute test. In fact, over on our Youtube channel this mower was the MOST requested mower review we’ve ever done. Tons of folks were leaving comments on our other mower videos asking about this Makita LXT mower because it looks sweet, is a decent price, and is front and center at just about every Home Depot in the country.

Let me give you my honest thoughts on a number of categories.

The Makita 36V (18 x 2) Brushless Electric Mower Review

I went and grabbed the Makita mower from my local Home Depot. Many people think I get these things sent for free. I do not. So you can trust my experience on this one as the old wallet took a big hit.

Set-up and starting the Makita LXT mower

Unlike most electric mowers these days that have a super easy set-up process that doesn’t involve any tools, the Makita LXT had a few tools I had to use to get it all assembled. While it wasn’t overall difficult to assemble, it did take about twice the time as some of the other mowers I assembled. In fact, I did a 5-way head-to-head electric mower challenge and this one was the longest set-up.

Starting the mower is a little bit complex, too. I appreciate the safety aspects, but it was pretty cumbersome to get started. You press down the red button on the right side of the mower, then pull the handle bar down which engages the blade, then pull another bar over to get the self-propelled function. 

Using the Dashboard on the Makita LXT electric mower

One thing I really liked about the Makita mower is that it comes with a little dashboard panel near the handles. It has a battery light indicator that is super helpful compared to others, some of which make you take off the battery to check how much juice is left. It also has a lever that allows you to control how quickly the self-propelled function goes (ranging from turtle to rabbit).

Lastly there’s this little button that acts as a “quiet mode” which really doesn’t serve much of a purpose. It sends the RPMs down to a lower level, which basically makes the mower less effective. I don’t really get it.

The frame and body of the Makita LXT mower

One thing that this mower has that a lot of the competition doesn’t: a steel deck. So many electric mowers have plastic decks which I am not a huge fan of. I like the weight of a steel deck as well to help keep the mower on the straight and narrow.

One huge benefit of this is the single height adjustment. For folks that don’t know, they make mowers now that can be adjusted at one side of the mower to set the height for the whole mower. I only realized how great this was after having a mower that required it to be adjusted at each wheel separately. Such a nightmare. The heights range from 1.25 inches to 4 inches – great for bermuda or tall fescue. 

The wheels on this Makita mower are also a nice, solid six inches and don’t look or feel plastic-y like some other mowers out there. I also like that the battery housing holds four 5 Ah 18V batteries from Makita, which should get you a decent amount of time. When you want to switch between the first set of batteries to the second, you have to stop and switch a knob that indicates which batteries you want to draw from. Not unusual, but still kind of inefficient.

Battery run time and charge time tests on the Makita mower

Makita can claim whatever they want about the run-time of this mower. I am going to put it to the test to see what is real.

With this mower, I ran it in my yard with a timer to see exactly how long I could mow before the batteries died. With the first set of two batteries, I only got basically my front yard and part of my back – with 38 minutes and 29 seconds. With four batteries, you can probably get a full 80 minutes.

When it comes to charge time, it is also important to see how quickly you can reuse the batteries after a mow (or in the middle of it if they die). I popped two of these dead batteries on the charger and found that it took them about an hour and five minutes to charge (not 45 minutes like advertised).

Cost and value comparison for Makita LXT

The cost of the Makita LXT mower varies by size and batteries, but the one I got that came with two batteries and a 21 inch cutting deck cost about $689. Fully loaded with 4 batteries will run you about $789. 

You can grab any of these variations at Home Depot and adjust the price, where it often goes on sale.

Would I recommend the Makita 36V LXT mower?

This is a tough one. On paper, this is a fantastic mower. Steel deck, Makita’s great brand quality at places like Home Depot, a bunch of bells and whistles, and some great batteries.

But man – this thing was a disappointment when I actually used it. Not a great cut, some weird functions that didn’t make sense like the “quiet mode”, and a huge price tag. To be honest, I think you can do better with one of the best battery powered mowers we wrote about.

I WOULD recommend this mower to someone who already has some nice Makita 18V batteries that can save a ton of money by purchasing the tool-only version from Home Depot for a lower price.

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. 

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.

My experience with battery powered mowers

What I’m about to say may be extreme, but I think I may be the most experienced battery-powered mower reviewer (if that is a word) on the planet. I’ve used just about every battery mower on the market and consider myself a snob.

In fact, I own 11 mowers – which my wife of course loves (just kidding). Eight of them are battery powered push mowers and five of them are all 2023 models. It has been a weird year.

Anyways – I saved you the time of having to compare and contrast all the meaningless specifications and thought I could translate it into plain English.

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5 Battery-Powered Blowers That Rival Gas

The best battery powered leaf blower is the EGO 765 CFM blower. Cordless and battery powered leaf blowers are all the rage right now. They are quieter, just as powerful, and easier to maintain than gas-powered blowers – there I said it!

Yeah…pretty sweet.

But there are a LOT out there. I see some awesome trusted brands but I also see some that look like they were 3-D printed in a Laotian bathroom. And that isn’t good.

So I’ve put a ton of these blowers to the test (which I will explain more later). Either way, the ones on this list are absolute winners that I have personally used and tested. You can see a lot of the reviews of each of these on my Youtube channel.

Here is my list of top battery powered leaf blowers:

  1. EGO 765 CFM Battery Powered Blower
  2. Ryobi 40V Whisper Series Blower
  3. Enhulk 58V 930 CFM Battery Powered Blower
  4. Greenworks 80V Blower
  5. EGO 650 CFM Battery Powered Blower
  6. Dewalt 20V Max Leaf Blower
  7. Kobalt 80V Battery Powered Leaf Blower

Powerful Battery Powered Leaf Blowers (Ranked in 2024)

Ranking these battery powered leaf blowers was pretty easy, although it took about 18 months  of getting access to all of them. But after I did, it was a fun process. There’s a clear runaway winner, but after that the playing field is pretty even. Let’s get started.

EGO 765 CFM LB7654 Leaf Blower

The EGO 765 CFM battery powered blower is hands down the best. It is the most powerful handheld battery powered blower on the market and much more powerful than many gas-powered blowers. That statement is what gets me hate mail.

But it is true. I got a lot of comments about that on our Youtube review of this blower, but we compared it side by side to my first blower – a Stihl BG86C. It is an absolute unit. At 765 CFMs, it has serious blowing power. It also has a decent sized nozzle that allows it to still push air at super high speeds – up to 200 MPH. 

I compared them!

That’s an extreme combination of speed and power. When I first used this, it was a powerful blower, then I pushed the turbo button and I had to literally (yes, literally) fight against it because of how powerful it is. It has a brushless motor, is a part of EGO’s extensive 56V battery series, and is durable as heck.

You can grab it from Lowe’s or get it online at Amazon for a great price.

Ryobi 40V Brushless Whisper Blower

I put the Ryobi Brushless Whisper series blower as number two on the list because it is almost as good as the EGO blower, but not quite as nice. One thing it has going for it is that it is quieter, which is why it is called the Whisper series. But it isn’t super quiet, it just makes a different noise – you can see a video where we compare it to the EGO blower here.

But all things considered, this is still a great blower. The best part is that Ryobi has a TON of 40V products. If you already own the batteries, you can buy it tool-only and save a ton of money. If you have a Ryobi 40V battery already then I recommend this one over the EGO.

This one is pretty sweet, too.

The power output on this one is still great for a battery powered blower. 730 CFM and 190 MPH put it just under EGO’s blower and it has all the same bells and whistles: a turbo button, cruise control, and a brushless motor.

Ryobi did a great job with this one and they sell it almost exclusively at Home Depot. Using that link, you can use it with or without batteries to see the cost difference.

ENHULK 58V 930 CFM Electric Leaf Blower

I know this brand is one you haven’t heard of but the Enhulk 930 CFM blower should immediately catch your eye. For starters, this battery powered blower boasts 930 CFMs (its right there in the name). That is an insane amount of air volume.

When I first stared using this blower I was absolutely shocked at how powerful it was. I immediately called up Tyler (the guy in all the pictures) to have him buy it and try it out himself. We were both stunned. Not only does this blower have extreme power but also it has a really cool digital interface for things like cruise control and turbo, a bunch of different nozzles, and a big ole’ battery.

While this is definitely the most powerful blower on the list, I had to move it to number three because the battery can’t really be used with a ton of other tools. Either way, the Enhulk 58V is still worth the money – you can grab it on Amazon for a really low price compared to the others.

Greenworks 80V 730 CFM Leaf Blower

We love Greenworks products and enjoyed this blower as well. It is just as strong as the Ryobi blower, but comes with a much less popular 80V line. Don’t get me wrong, Greenworks has some great 80V products, like their 80V mower, but isn’t quite as built out or popular as Ryobi.

Not bad!

That being said, we got our hands on this one as well and were impressed. It is a great option, especially if you already have a Greenworks 80V battery. But at 730 CFMs, this one is still strong. It of course has a brushless motor as do almost all of Greenworks’ products.

After a few uses we noticed that it started making a higher-pitched noise. It still works totally fine, but is kind of annoying. Otherwise, this blower has been darn near perfect and has some awesome bells and whistles. As a plus, I think it is one of the coolest looking battery powered blowers on the market – all black and really sleek looking.

This one is available on Amazon for a great price.

EGO 650 CFM LB6504 Battery Powered Blower

I’m sad that the EGO 650 CFM blower is so far down this list because it is still a wonderful option for most people. While it doesn’t have the absurd power that the 765 CFM version has, most people don’t need that much power. 

Honestly, this one is almost identical to our number one rated blower but just comes short in the power department. It has the same brushless motor, battery series, cruise control, turbo button, and looks almost identical. 

The main power difference in my experience is that this will be much closer to a standard electric blower. A very high quality blower, but nothing differentiating the power. When I used it, it was just fine, but didn’t lift the stuck wet leaves and grass that the 765 version can lift.

But really – it is a carbon copy of the number one blower but without the insanity. If you are looking for a really high quality blower that doesn’t knock you backwards, then this is a great option.

This one is also available on Amazon for a good bit cheaper than its more powerful counterpart.

(BONUS) Dewalt 20V Max Leaf Blower

Dewalt! What can I say? They are one of the OGs in the battery-powered tool game but somehow got boxed out of the battery-powered lawn tool game.

Don’t underestimate them. They don’t have the market share that Ryobi and EGO do, but they put out some products that absolutely slap – like their nice Dewalt mower and some great weed eaters.. All that to say, they’ve translated their ability to make insane power tools into insane blowers.

The tip is a nice add-on

The Dewalt 20V Max leaf blower is a part of their MAX series of 20V lawn tools, which lets you use this battery across dozens of other tools and even into the garage with some power tools. While Dewalt’s battery powered leaf blower only puts out 450 CFMs and 125 MPH, it comes with a really cool nozzle tip that allows you to supercharge your speed. 

One other thing I really loved about this blower is the handle. Dewalt is consistent with having handles for all of their lawn tools that are super ergonomic and similar to their hand tools. They have a molded rubber grip, are very light, and extremely comfortable to use. 

You can grab one at Home Depot for a really good price.

BONUS: Kobalt 80V Battery Powered Leaf Blower

Last, but not least, is the Kobalt 80V battery powered leaf blower. This one was an enigma to us. For starters, the battery would absolutely not die. We put this one to the test and it had the LONGEST battery run time – it was hilarious. We zip-tied the trigger down and the battery lasted for 3 hours. Yes – 3 hours. 

This one was pretty great, too!

Anyways, this battery powered blower from Kobalt has 630 CFMs and 140 MPH of speed coming through the end of the nozzle. That is some serious power. One thing I don’t love about Kobalt is that they are dang hard to find. They used to be exclusively at Lowe’s and seem to be disappearing from their shelves.

All-in-all, we were impressed with this blower’s run time but it had slightly above average power and average usability. It is a great option, particularly if you already own some other Kobalt 80V products. I don’t think this is the one I would start with if I had other options.

This one can be picked up at Lowe’s or on Amazon here.

What to look for in a battery powered blower

Cordless blowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:

CFM 

Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.

Usability 

What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier.

Motor type

Brushless motors reign supreme. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower.

These are three things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications. 

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 love this stuff.

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. 

How I tested these blowers

I’ve tested these blowers using personal experience with all of them. I’ve written extensive reviews of each of them and put them through the ringer. 

Testing gas vs battery powered blowers.

For starters, I tested out their run times compared to the advertised run time. I did this by zip-tying down the trigger and seeing how long it goes for before dying. I also did some side-by-side comparisons to a handheld gas blower and even a corded electric blower. I also compare the noise levels then the other bells and whistles, like turbo buttons.

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My Experiment with Toro’s New Battery Recycler Mower

The battery powered Toro Recycler SmartStow 60V mower was a bit of a let down. I expected this Toro mower to be perfect – and it was just okay.

I love it!

Toro mowers are one of the best selling gas mowers in the Milky Way galaxy (and beyond). Making the switch to battery is a huge task. Aren’t battery mowers weaker? And plastic? And can it break easily?

We did a full YouTube video review of this mower that you can check out here.

This Toro Recycler Battery mower is durable, solid as a rock, and has the foundations of a great mower. I do think it is a bit overpriced given some of the others on the market, but you can check if the price dropped at Home Depot here.

Read more by clicking the jump links below:

Toro’s Battery Mower: Features and Benefits

Let’s hop into what might become the household staple of the future. The red Toro Lawn Mower that is in just about every garage, except battery-powered. This one even made our list of mowers for bermudagrass.

#1!!

The Toro Recycler Battery Mower is as powerful as gas

Gauging power output on a battery-powered mower is always tough when compared to gas mowers. Gas mowers have cubic centimeter displacement, or ccs, that give you a good idea and are more widely recognized.

Battery mowers have voltage (V), which generally correlates to power. It also has Amp-hours (Ah) which correlates to run-time. The 60V Toro Recycler SmartStow battery mower is an above-average voltage for a walk-behind battery mower.

I would compare the Toro Recycler’s power output to somewhere around 175 cc on a gas mower.

In layman’s terms, this thing can keep up with and even exceed most gas walk-behind mowers. It will sound different, but the cutting power is really the same.

Same, same – but different.

One thing I will mention related to power is the motor type. This comes with a great Brushless motor, meaning more torque, a cooler running motor, and a durable long-lasting tool.

The 60V battery run time

Battery life may be the biggest concern if you are switching to a Toro SmartStow battery mower for the first time. Up above, I mentioned Amp-hours as the measurement of how long the battery will run. You can get the Toro Recycler SmartStow in either a 5 or 6 Ah battery package. I recommend going with the 6 Ah for more run time.

In a normal yard, you will be able to cut for about 45 minutes, which is really pretty great for a battery powered mower. In terms of size, you will be able to cut about ⅓ of an acre with this on a  single charge.

Can be used with a ton of other Toro 60V tools.

The beauty of the 60V battery on the Toro Recycler SmartStow battery mower is that it can be used with the trimmer, blower, and chainsaw. One battery can give you several different tools. That’s why if you go with the Toro 60V, you should make sure to check out other products in the Toro 60V line to save some serious money by purchasing the “tool-only” versions.

Just as a forewarning, running your mower with the self-propelled function on will noticeably burn the battery as compared to just pushing it the old fashioned way.

SmartStow battery mower has zero maintenance

My favorite part about battery mowers in general is that they require basically no maintenance. At all. And they start reliably every time without having to pull a cord a dozen times.

No spilling gas all over your garage, no oil changes or filter changes, and no smelling like gasoline (which I actually like). 

No pull-cord, just push to start.

You can simply press a button and get going. 

As you may have read at the beginning of this article, it’s also really important to have a mower with a metal decking. Thankfully, the Toro Recycler battery mower has a nice 21 inch or 22 inch steel deck, whichever size you buy.

The steel deck means that you get the reliability and durability you would expect from Toro. 

Bells and whistles on the Toro 60V mower

Some other features of the Toro Recycler Battery mower include the rear-drive self-propelled function. I’m a bit picky, but if I get a self-propelled mower, I actually prefer it to have front-wheel drive so that it can help pull the mower over certain spots. 

Oddly, the Toro Recycler has this top air-intake system that is supposed to pull air up through the bottom of the mower and make grass stand taller before it gets cut. This contraption is heavily marketed but doesn’t seem to work at all. In fact, it looks like the vent doesn’t actually connect to the bottom of the mower.

The Toro Recycler SmartStow has a 9-position cutting height range, which is almost excessive but nice that you have this many options. You’;’ll be able to cut all types of grass, from fescue to zoysia. 

The last part is the Recycler Cutting System, which is how this mower gets its name. One of my favorite things about Toro is that they patented the term LawnVitamins, or very finely trimmed grass clippings created from their Recycler series. 

Cost of the Toro mower

The Toro Recycler SmartStow comes in at about $500 depending on the size and the battery that you get. This is a pretty reasonable price considering that it is going to last you for quite some time. 

As is true with all brand-names, you are definitely paying a bit more for the “Toro” logo printed on the side.

Official Review: Toro Recycler SmartStow 60V Battery Mower

From Toro, this is exactly what I would expect. It is high-quality, well-made, durable, and reliable. I believe over the years we will see this mower become the dominant replacement for folks using gas mowers nowadays. 

You can grab yours at Home Depot for a great deal, but click here to see the ever-changing price.

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. 

This is how we spend our days

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

What to look for in an electric lawn mower 

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

  • Brand quality
    • Quality is going to be super important here. 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.
  • Metal where it matters.
    • 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. Ryobi has this, so does Dewalt, and so do some of the Greenworks products. This will save you garage clutter and plug space.
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The Milwaukee M18 Mower Is Expensive. Is it worth it?!

The best (and currently only) Milwaukee lawn mower is their BEASTLY M18 series self-propelled mower. We bought it for over $1,000 and don’t regret it.

What was the result? Well, we went to Home Depot and bought this bad boy – straight up. Then we used it in our yard, my mother-in-laws yard, and my neighbors yard all in one day.

Well, unlike their peers who made 100 different battery-powered mowers, Milwaukee just made one.

For real? They just made one mower? 

Bottom line review of the Milwaukee M18 Mower: The Milwaukee M18 mower is absolutely worth the price. Because when you put in as much thought and focus into a single item, you get amazing results. You can watch our video review of this mower on our YouTube channel here.

So let’s check out the best (and only) Milwaukee lawn mower: the M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless 21 inch walk behind dual battery self-propelled mower. 

Best Milwaukee lawn mower: Milwaukee M18 FUEL self-propelled mower

It’s honestly hilarious because it is the only Milwaukee Lawn Mower. Therefore the best AND the worst. But who wants to read about the worst Milwaukee lawn mower? Not me. Anyways, let’s get started.

Isn’t it a beauty?

The Milwaukee M18 mower is more powerful than my Honda mower

If there’s anything you can be confident about when buying a Milwaukee lawn mower, it is going to be the power. Milwaukee is notorious for making powerful products that deliver without fail. 

So when it comes to lawn mowers, you have to know that the power is there. And it is. It’s always hard to evaluate power without measuring horsepower or cc displacement or whatever can be compared with gas mowers, so let’s get a little more qualitative.

After a few cuts it got some nice grass clippings.

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel mower is going to at least be as powerful as a 200cc lawn mower. For comparison sake, one of the most popular gas mowers, the GCV170 from Honda has 170ccs. So even more powerful.

At the end of the day, you just want to make sure it cuts every blade of grass without being weak. I’m here to tell you that it does.

The Milwaukee M18 mows smoothly and efficiently

Second most important thing in a Milwaukee lawn mower is the feel. If you’re going to be making a bunch of laps in your yard, you don’t want it to be too heavy to the point of becoming super difficult to push. You also don’t want it to be plastic-y and lightweight, unable to keep a straight line.

The M18 Fuel mower has a metal deck, which makes it a little heavier than most electric mowers. Bad thing, right? 

Well, it makes up for it by coming with a nice self-propelled function that helps push it along (if you need it). 

These knobs pull out and help you fold it down.

Whenever I use an electric mower, it still feels weird to me that it isn’t loud. The noise is always a little weird to me – like a blender at a smoothie shop. I’m still getting used to the noise, but am growing to like it because I can listen to music or a podcast while I mow. 

This Milwaukee mower is also extremely easy to maneuver and feels exactly like my first mower did when I made turns. 

Milwaukee built a rugged steel deck and brushless motor that makes the M18 mower super durable

When I consider durability in lawn tools, there are a few things I keep in mind. One of the top considerations is the brand’s quality and reputation. Milwaukee is one of the few brands that does not put out any suspect tools. 

A nice big steel deck and large tires.

A lot of the other brands have lower-power tools that are relatively inexpensive to market to a different segment of customers. Milwaukee doesn’t have time for that. They only put out bangers.

Oneother thing I love about this mower is the steel deck. Steel cutting decks are way more durable than their plastic counterparts, with the ability to keep it together even under potentially harmful scenarios. This means no cracking, no chips, no breaking. The steel deck here is going to last you for a long time (forever).

The mower has some nice bells and whistles

The Milwaukee M18 mower does not try to have all the bells and whistles – it’s just a rock-solid, heavy-duty push mower. 

But it does have some features that have serious utility. The first of which is three cut styles: mulch, bag, and side discharge. Go with what suits you, but I generally mulch my grass and leave it in the yard. This is controversial. Deal with it. 

Another cool thing about this mower is that it goes to full throttle in less than one second. Which means you can just crank it and roll. A nice little touch. 

This mower is worth the hefty price tag

The Milwaukee M18 mower comes in at just over $1,000 for the mower with batteries and a charger. You can get it for a bit less if you get it without batteries in case you already have some. 

Nice battery indicator.

The M18 battery series serves over 200 tools and is an extremely reliable and intelligent battery.

I know what you’re thinking – a whole rack for a mower? Yeah, it is a little steep. But like I said, Milwaukee just has one mower and it is pretty dang good. 

The official review: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 21 inch mower

This Milwaukee mower not only comes with the power that you trust from all Milwaukee tools,  but is also extremely dependable. 

The price is a little steep, but this mower is exactly what you would expect from a Milwaukee product. Durable, consistent, and relentless about getting the job done.

You can grab it from Home Depot – check the price here – and a variety of other places.

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 test a lot of 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. 

We also did a nice review of their weed eater.

What to look for in a battery powered lawn mower

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

  • Brand quality
    • Quality is going to be super important here. 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.
    • Luckily – Milwaukee carries really good brand quality. They’re well known for making durable, powerful, trusted tools
  • Metal where it matters.
    • 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.
    • Again, Milwaukee has you covered ehre.
  • 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. Ryobi has this, so does Dewalt, and so do some of the Greenworks products. This will save you garage clutter and plug space.
  • Self-propelled or not.
    • Some people love it – I am indifferent. It’s a great feature for hills, uneven surfaces, or if you don’t like to push your push mower.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out our electric lawn mower buying guide.

About Milwaukee tools

Milwaukee tools have a long history of being tough and durable. Milwaukee is a brand that has been around for over 100 years, and it has a well-deserved reputation for making high-quality tools. Milwaukee tools are used by professionals all over the world, and they are known for being able to withstand heavy use. 

Milwaukee makes a wide variety of tools, from hand tools to power tools, and they are used in a variety of industries, from construction to automotive. Milwaukee is a brand that is trusted by professionals, and Milwaukee tools are built to last.

Favorite logo.

We noticed that Milwaukee was starting to make a splash in the lawn tool industry, so we have been trying to get our hands on any Milwaukee products that we can.

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How to Get Lawn Stripes: Expert Guide

Lawn stripes: more elusive than Bigfoot. I want them. You want them. Everybody who takes pride in their lawn wants them. I’m going to show you how Lawn Striping your yard is not only possible, but likely easier than you think.

This fella got creative with his lawn stripes – I love it.

I know the Bible says to never envy your neighbor’s house, but they didn’t have grass in that region of the world at that point, so I doubt that applied here (Lord, forgive me for these awful jokes). Those gorgeous contrasting shades of light and dark green that throws me into an envious rage each time I pass ole Jeff’s house at the corner of my street. Clean and professional.

What if I were to tell you it’s not as hard as it looks? I can’t promise your front yard will look like Fenway park in the middle of June, but I can provide you some easy tips to help accentuate those lines and make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood.

Let’s get going:

What causes lawn Stripes?

There are 2 main drivers behind the appearance of lawn stripes – light and direction the grass is laying. When your grass is laying towards you, you see the dark pattern, and the light pattern comes when the grass is laying in the opposite direction of you. It’s actually pretty simple if you think about it. You mow one direction, and the grass lays down in the direction that you are moving the mower. Go back the other way, and you’ve got your contrast.

Achieving the basic lawn stripe pattern is easy. All you have to is mow in opposite directions. Below I’ve provided some simple steps that can help bring those lawn stripes to the next level.

Dreamy!

First thing’s first – Types of Grass

The type of grass that brings out the best contrast between stripes in your lawn is a hotly debated topic. The experts at NASA have concluded that cool-season grass accentuates the lawn stripes the best. What the heck is a cool-season grass? Your fescues, bluegrass, and ryes to name a few. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia have stronger and stiffer blades that stand up more quickly, causing that initial striping that you see after mowing to fade away quickly. One obvious rule of thumb: the flimsier the blade of grass, the more profound the lawn stripes.

This isn’t to say that you can’t get stripes out of warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia, its just a little bit tougher and short-lived.

Brother-in-law has mastered the slanted checkerboard with Tall Fescue!

Sharpen lawn mower blades for best lawn stripes

A common problem we see in lawns is the light haze that can occur a couple days after mowing, causing those stripes to fade more quickly. This is caused by the tear on the grass from the previous mow, and the edge of the blades of grass looking jagged, rather than cleanly sliced. Best way to avoid this common peril is to sharper your mower blades at least 3 times a year. Good rule of thumb for when to sharpen each mowing season? Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

Keep those blades sharp as samurai swords!

Water Helps the grass grow back stronger

One additional hack to help bring out the stripes in your lawn – water directly after you mow. The droplets weight down the grass blades and help emphasize the difference between light and dark in your lawn. The water dies, and the blades stay in their position. Might sound pretty trivial, but it has made a huge difference in my lawn. It’s an easy task that you need to do anyways, so why not knock out 2 birds with one stone?

Ditch the Bagger on your lawn mower

The biggest misconception I hear about when it comes to lawn stripes – bag the excess clippings to increase the appearance of lawn stripes. This has very little to no affect on the appearance of your lawn and deprives it of valuable nutrients that come from the mulching process. The excess clippings break down and create a thatch layer rich in potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus to name a few.  Natural fertilizer!!

The only time it makes sense to use a bagger is if you’ve let your grass grow too high. I know, it happens to the best of us. If you start off without the bagger and are seeing big lumps of grass clippings laying on the surface, then it might be best to use the bag for that one time. But constant bagging, week after week, deprives your lawn of rich nutrients and natural fertilizer that your lawn needs. And its free!!

To get lawn stripes, you need a lawn striping kit

A striping kit is basically a roller that latches onto the back of your mower, that helps push those blades of grass down even further. This is what the major ballparks and sports arena’s use that basically make your lawn look as if it’s been painted in 2 shades of green.

Below, I’ve highlighted some of the best striping kits on the market for the most popular mowers out there. Most of these kits are after-market, and are not produced by the mower manufacturer. Why is that? Because they’re scared to get into the game.

Toro lawn mower striping kit

One of our favorite mower manufacturers, and one of the most popular brands in the market, is Toro. If you’re a fan of TLR, you’ve probably seen our Toro Recycler 22” or Toro TimeMaster 30” reviews. Toro is one of few mower manufacturers who actually sell a string kit that can be easily installed onto your mower. Below I’m listing out some links that can help bring your lawn striping skills to the next level on your Toro walk-behinds.

Check this striping kit out designed for a Toro 21-22” walk-behind

Or this one, for installation on a Toro 3” walk-behind

Big League Lawns:

Unfortunately, most of our favorite mower manufacturers don’t yet offer any lawn striping kits or rollers for their mower products. But do not fret, secondary manufacturers have picked up the slack and provided some great aftermarket alternatives that get the job done. Our favorite? The CheckMate from Big League Lawns. They make striping kits that easily attach to the most popular mowers on the market. Each one of the CheckMate lawn striping kit’s costs around $110 plus shipping, which in my opinion, is well worth it.

Check out any of the striping kits below for your lawn mower of choice:

Checkmate Striping Kit on a Ryobi 40V

How to make your own lawn striping kit

Want to impress your wife? Build it yourself!

I haven’t given this a go yet, but I understand the there are some awesome step-by-step guides out there if you’re looking to go the DIY route to achieve those beautiful lawn stripes. If you’re anything like me, you’d like to try out a home-made version before splurging on a >$100 striping kit.

Check out this guide if you’re interested in making your own striping kit!

Final Thoughts on Lawn Striping

If you’re looking to take your lawn to the next level – lawn striping is the how you can do that. Whether you build your own, or plan to buy from one of the manufacturers I laid out above, it can make a huge difference in the appearance of your lawn and the contrast between stripes.

Start with the easy stuff like sharpening your blades or watering after each mow. If you’re wanting those beautiful candy-cane stripes like you see on the diamond – a striping kit might be your best bet. Take charge of your lawn and get creative with your lawn stripes!

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 testing to extreme measures.

As people who had to learn the hard way – we are here for you.

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The Ultimate Electric Lawn Mower Buying Guide: Expert Picks

Electric lawn mowers are new to the residential lawn care scene and have a lot of buzz. I think electric mowers in many cases are the better option for homeowners than gas mowers – and I have used and tested DOZENS.

But they also cast a lot of doubt. No way they can be as strong as gas mowers? Or do as good of a job?

Well….let’s sort this out once and for all. Here is your definitive guide to purchasing an electric mower.

Why should you trust us? Well, we were quoted in the Washington Post for this exact topic.

Let’s get started:

What to look for in an electric lawn mower 

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

Best electric mower brands

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

One of our favorites from Ryobi (yes, we took this picture)!

Here are some of my favorite brands:

  • Greenworks: Greenworks electric mowers have awesome quality. While they aren’t as popular as some of the other brands, they have some of the absolute highest quality and power of ANY lawn tool company – gas or electric. We compiled a list of the best Greenworks mowers for you.
  • Ryobi: Ryobi electric mowers are also great. While they tend to be “lighter duty”, they are often inexpensive and have batteries that can be used with over 1,000 other Ryobi tools – which is a huge win for storage and wall space. We put together the 7 best Ryobi mowers here.
  • EGO: Another relatively new entrant to the market, EGO has blown up. They are super popular at Lowe’s and thus super popular in half of your neighbors’ garages. We have a YouTube review of the EGO 56V mower that you can check out here.

Get a metal cutting deck on your electric mower

Most electric mowers are plastic-y. Probably to reduce the weight of the mower so that the battery can get you further, but it can also feel fragile.

We at The Lawn Review always recommend a metal deck when possible. Decks are the area that cover the blades where the engine sits. Having a metal deck allows for protection against flying rocks, sticks, and other things that could rip up your mower if they get caught under there.

Greenworks 80V has an awesome metal deck.

While we recommend a metal deck, this may not always be possible for those with smaller mowers. If you have a tiny yard and a small electric mower with a plastic deck, just be sure to clear out your yard before you get started.

Batteries are critical on electric mowers

 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. Ryobi has this, so does Dewalt, and so do some of the Greenworks products. This will save you garage clutter and plug space.

One thing I love about my Ryobi blower is that I can quickly pop off their 40V mower and put it on my trimmer and my edger. This saves me a lot of time and only takes up one plug on the wall.

Dealt has an extensive 20V line.

Worst case scenario: you have 4 different tools with 4 different batteries. Where do you charge them all? Where do you store them all? This requires some sort of stand and then an extension cord and a whole mess. Just simplify your life.

Stick with one brand and one battery type and move across the product line.

Check out our guide to commonly asked battery questions for mowers and other tools.

Self-propelled electric mowers use batteries faster

I used to be a major hater of the self-propelled function. But that was plainly ignorant.

While I still don’t personally love or have a need for a self-propelled mower, there are plenty of people that do. For example, elderly folks, those with arthritis, and those with hilly or slanted yards can majorly benefit from this.

With self-propelled mowers you just have to be aware of a few things.

  • You are going to drain battery at a faster rate. Think about it – the mower is doing the walking! Not you! So it is going to burn through some juice in the battery. If you can help it move along, you can add a few minutes on, but overall you will lose a good chunk (30-40%) of battery by having this feature going. Sadly, this may result in having to stop to charge the batteries. Yikes!
  • You will pay more for self-propelled mowers. Flat out. This feature adds $100-$150 to the cost of a mower. Self-propelled functionality creates a few more bells and whistles needed on the mower that tack on quite a bit of cost.

Frequently asked questions about electric lawn mowers

Had to include a section here for FAQs. I get a text from at least two people each day with one of these questions, so thought I would start compiling them for your benefit!

Are electric mowers powerful enough?

For the majority of homeowners, absolutely yes.

If you are a commercial mower or you have 2+ acres, I would probably stick with gas – for now. Electric mower technology is accelerating rapidly and some of the big dogs are coming out with some insane new battery-powered zero-turn mowers.

How long will an electric mower last?

Electric mowers should last 5-7 years – just as long as gas-powered mowers but with less maintenance.

What is a brushless electric lawn mower?

A brushless motor on an electric mower uses magnets instead of friction to power the motor. This technology makes for a quieter, cooler, more durable motor.

This one is brushless!

Are brushless lawn mowers better?

Yes, they are much better technology that greatly extends the life of your motor.

How big of an electric lawn mower do I need?

The size of the electric mower should be fit to your yard. For most yards under 1/4 acre, under 20 inches is fine. For 1/4 – 1 acre – consider a 22 inch or wider mower.

Is it worth getting a battery-powered lawn mower?

This is a loaded question, but I’ll do my best. If you are the type of person who loves getting their hands dirty and doing oil changes, filter changes, spark plug replacements, and all that (and trust me there are plenty of you!), then you may want to stick with a gas push mower.

If you like a nice-looking yard, but would rather move on to the next project, then an electric mower is perfect for you. Quiet, easy to maintain, no hassle, and no emissions. Plus – almost always easier to store.

Do electric lawn mowers need oil?

Nope!

Are electric mowers powerful?

Yep! Most electric push mowers are equally as powerful as their gas counterparts.

Another one of our favorite from EGO.

Which is better – gas or electric lawn mower?

My common rule of thumb for the average consumer: electric is better for smaller yards and gas is better for bigger yards.

My reasoning for this is mostly related to charge times related to electric mowers. You may have to stop and charge batteries multiple times with an electric mower, but not for a gas mower.

Are electric mowers lighter than gas mowers?

Yep! Basically no exceptions here.

How long does a battery last on a battery powered mower?

You can expect most batteries to last 45 minutes to an hour. Some features may decrease battery life, like self-propelled functions.

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 testing to extreme measures.

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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My Stihl BG86C Is A Reliable, Trusty Handheld Blower

The Stihl BG 86 C blower is a mid-sized handheld blower that is perhaps the single best blower ever created. No joke. This Stihl blower is super powerful yet nimble and light enough to use residentially. It’s the perfect pairing of performance and manageable size. 

Simple, yet elegant design. Love that it can sit on the ground like this – easy to start.

The Bottom line: I have owned the Stihl BG 86 C blower for four years and recommend it in the “gas-powered” category because it is lightweight, easy to start, powerful enough, and comfortable to use.

I did a full length video review of this blower on my YouTube channel.

Jump ahead using the below navigational links:

The Stihl BG 86 C Blower: Feature review

When it comes to a Stihl handheld blower, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. First is power, then comfort, durability and price. Let’s get started below.

Power output

The Stihl BG 86 C puts out a whopping 190 mphs of air flow. If you compare this to most other handheld blowers, it is definitely in the top 25% or so. Most handheld blowers, especially battery-powered blowers, will only reach speeds of 150 MPH unless you really pony up the dough.

Worn and battle tested, but works like a dang charm!

As discussed in the video review above it produces 15 Newtons! No, not fig newtons… A Newton is the force needed to move 1 kg of mass at the rate of 1m/sec2. What does that mean? Not really sure. But it sounds cool. 

In comparison, the heavier duty has-powered backpack blower we’ve reviewed previously, puts out only 5 more N’s. Pretty good for a handheld! 

This engine also boasts 1.07 bhp of power output, which is decent for a blower it’s size.

My experience using this for 4 years

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 BG 86 C makes blowing pretty easy. For starters, it only weighs 9.9 lbs.. Not bad!

Put to the test vs a battery blower!

Another thing I love about the Stihl BG 86 C blower is the anti-vibration technology. For us Tennesseans living in a deciduous rainforest, the Fall can be a problem. There will be several weekends a year where I put in about 10 hours on the blower collecting leaves. I simply cannot imagine holding onto a piece of vibrating machinery without some sort of system to lessen the strain. That’s where this technology really comes in hand (get it?!).

Another thing I love about this blower is the soft grip handle. Again, 10 hours in 2 days can do a number on your beer holders. So the soft grip handle really helps me! 

Of course, the Stihl BG 86 C comes with their Easy2Start technology. The geniuses at Stihl came up with something my little pea brain can’t really comprehend so I’ll let them tell you themselves “This advanced starting system is designed to make starting STIHL products fast and easy. The specific system may vary by model, but in each case, a quick pull overcomes the engine’s compression to minimize the strength and effort required to start. Available on selected products..” – Mr Stihl. 

Maintaining my blower

As with most Stihl products, not much maintenance is required on this dude! 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 adequate maintenance, the BG 86 C should last you a decade of mowing seasons.

Stihl BG 86 C Price

The Stihl BG 86 C blower comes in at anywhere between $250 and $300. That is honestly pretty reasonable for a blower. Especially one of Stihl’s high quality. This thing should, no joke, last you like 10 years. 

If you’re interested, one of the only online places you can buy it is Ace Hardware. You can click this link to go straight to their online store page, buy it online, then go pick it up curbside.

The official review: Stihl BG 86 C Blower

FeatureStihl BG 86 CComparable blowers
Difficulty to useEasier to useAverage usability
DurabilityBetter durabilityAvg. durability
MaintenanceLow maintenanceAverage maintenance
ValueHigher valueModerate value
For lots <10,000 sq. ftHighly recommendedLess recommended
For lots <1 acreHighly recommendedLess recommended
For lots >1 acreLess recommendedLess 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 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.

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. 

Comparing the two.

There are exceptions in the electric leaf blower world. One of those is the Ryobi 40V Brushless whisper series blower. It is quiet, extremely powerful, and built to last. It is, however, one of the most expensive electric blowers you can buy.

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.

These things arae super powerful.

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.

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Cub Cadet ZT1 vs Toro TimeCutter Zero Turn Mower Comparison

The Cub Cadet ZT1 vs Toro TimeCutter SS4225 mower is a true battle of the giants. Think Godzilla vs. King Kong – except much more is at stake. These mowers are two of the hottest zero-turn mowers on the market for homeowners. Today, we are going ringside to battle it out.

Bottom line: Both the Toro TimeCutter and the Cub Cadet ZT1 are great mowers, but I really like the bells and whistles provided by the Cub Cadet ZT1.

Everyone when they see the ZT1 and the TimeCutter.

Check out our review of the new electric 60V Toro TimeCutter zero-turn mower here.

Cub Cadet ZT1 vs Toro TimeCutter: A breakdown

Okay – now that we have done some background information, let’s hop on to brass tacks. These are two beasts that are super popular. Make sure you understand their power, comfort and ridability, and cutting experience before making a purchase. 

Power comparison: Cub Cadet vs Toro TimeCutter

One of the most important components of a zero-turn mower is power (duh). The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 has a 22HP Kohler Engine (if you get the 42 inch version, Kawasaki if you get the 50). Kohler and Kawasaki make great small engines. This one can get your mower up to 8 mph in forward motion, and 4 in reverse, making it a pretty speedy lawn mower.

The Toro TimeCutter SS4225 has a 22.5 HP V-twin engine, manufactured by Toro. In most cases, I like when companies outsource their engines to folks like Kohler, Kawasaki, or Briggs & Stratton. 

FeatureCub Cadet Ultima ZT1Toro TimeCutter SS4225
Horsepower22 HP22.5 HP V-twin
Engine typeKohler, KawasakiToro
Speed8 FWD, 4 REV7 FWD, 4 REV
Transmission TypeHydrostaticHydrostatic

While the TimeCutter has slightly more power output, the ZT1 has a little bit more speed. For this round, I’ve gotta give it to the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1.

Comfort and Rideability comparison: Toro vs Cub Cadet

Comfort isn’t everything, but it is incredibly important. You can have all the power in the world, but want to get back inside in five minutes because you are insanely uncomfortable. When picking a zero-turn, I look for things like a high seat back, arm rests, and a cup holder. It sounds bougie, but it makes a difference if you can have a nicer ride.

Nice little handles.

The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 has details like an anti-vibration floor mat that helps provide a smooth ride. This zero turn mower also has a fully adjustable 18 inch seat back, adjustable arm rests, and ergonomic hand groups that allow for more comfort.

The nice suspension system on the Toro TimeCutter.

The Toro TimeCutter SS4225 also has an 18 inch seat back with arm rests. The TimeCutter (one of my favorite from Toro) also comes with a beer holder and a little storage cubby under the seat for storing other things (like your tired arms). 

This is a super tough call, but I think I’m going to have to call it a tie between the Toro TimeCutter and the Cub Cadet ZT1.

Cutting experience on Cub Cadet ZT1 compared to Toro TimeCutter

Both of these mowers are fantastic cuts. When taking these for a spin, the Toro TimeCutter SS4225 feels slightly cheaper or “stock” compared to the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1, but overall the cut seems exactly the same.

One thing I dislike about both of these machines is that they lack an hour meter. Hour meters are used to measure how long you’ve been riding and help you figure out when you need an oil change. 

I also dislike that the Cub Cadet lacks a fuel meter – you are kind of flying blind. Another thing that bothers me about the TimeCutter SS4225 is that it has a “hand crank” deck height lever. Most of the more advanced zero-turns have a knob or something more sophisticated. 

The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 is like Honey Bee from Transformers.

All-in-all, I can’t complain too much about either of these machines. They are both very reliable, have great warranties, and come from higher-end, trusted brands. 

Price comparison: Toro TimeCutter vs Cub Cadet ZT1

Now that we know these machines are both quality and comfort, let’s see how they stack up on price.

The Toro TimeCutter SS4225 is for sale from some retailers for around $3,000 – about $3,200 at Home Depot right now.

The Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 is for sale for about $3,500 as well, and it sells almost exclusively at Home Depot.

The final ruling: Cub Cadet ZT1 vs Toro TimeCutter SS4225

FeatureCub Cadet ZT1Toro TimeCutter SS4225
Power+++++++
Comfort+++++++
Cutting Experience++++++++
Price++++

This is super, super close. Basically these are identical lawn mowers. To me, it comes down to reliability over the long term and I’m going to have to go with the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1. The engine being from Kohler/Kawasaki just makes me feel more secure going with them. 

To see our full review of the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1, click here.

To see our full review of the Toro TimeCutter SS4225 featured in this post, click here.

We also compared the Toro to a classic John Deere Zero turn mower here.

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. 

Things sometimes get out of hand.

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.

Zero-turn mowers 101

People love zero turn mowers because they are generally faster than your traditional lawn tractor and provide much more agility. Zero turn mowers are especially popular for commercial lawn mowing companies as they provide much more speed and power, have larger gas capacity, and are more nimble than the traditional lawn tractor. 

Iconic.

Zero turn mowers have continued to grow in popularity but are still intimidating to others. While lawn tractors have a steering wheel similar to any other automobile, zero-turn mowers have large handles that stick up and meet in the middle of the mower. To operate the mower, you push forward and use the individual horizontal handles to either push the mower to the right or to the left. 

What to look for in a zero-turn mower

Zero-turn mowers are all about comfort and size. If you are a commercial landscaper, you will likely want a mower with a large deck. The deck houses the blades and the wider the deck, the wider the blade. 

For us residential mowers, we will want to take into account yard-size into our selection process. For those with less than one acre of land, I don’t often recommend zero-turn mowers. They take up too much space for smaller lots and are difficult to store. For those with more than one acre, zero-turn mowers are great. The larger the acreage, the wider the deck you will want. 

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Snow Shovels Are Insane Inventions: Check out Snow Joe’s

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:

The Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel: Features

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. 

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, check out this corded electric option I found on Amazon.

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.

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