Category: Comparison Guides

The place to compare lawn tools side-by-side

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

Toro Timecutter zero turn cutting deck

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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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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5 Best Battery Powered Mowers That Rival Gas

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

The EGO Select Cut is prettttttty good!

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

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

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

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

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

How I tested these battery powered mowers

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

This is me comparing the EGO and Ryobi mowers.

Ranking the best battery powered mowers of 2024

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

1. Milwaukee M18 FUEL Battery powered Mower

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

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

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

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

It’s just a dang beast – but expensive.

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

2. EGO Power+ LM2021 Battery powered mower

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

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

Steel deck is unbeatable.

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

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

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

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

3. Greenworks PRO 80V 21 inch Battery powered mower

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Battery powered mower

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

The first one I used

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

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

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

The cooler new guy.

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

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

5. Toro 60V Max Super Recycler Battery powered mower

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

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

Gotta love the air intake system.

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

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

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

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

What to look for when buying a battery powered lawn mower

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

Battery powered mower brand quality

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

One I trust (no affiliation)

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

Metal where it matters: the deck 

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

Battery interoperability.

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

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

Self-propelled or not

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

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

Have bermuda? Check out our mower ranking for bermudagrass.

Battery powered mower vs gas mower

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

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

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

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

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

How long do battery mowers last?

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

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

Is it worth getting a battery powered mower?

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

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

What are some disadvantages to battery powered mowers?

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

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

Why we started The Lawn Review

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

We take tool testing very seriously.

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

The Bottom Line: Best battery powered mowers of 2024

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

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

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5 Cordless Hedge Trimmers For Amazing Curb Appeal

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

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

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

Here is our list of the best cordless hedge trimmers:

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

Top Cordless Battery Hedge Trimmers

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

1.) Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hedge Trimmer

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

The best.

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

Here are a few specs that made it stand out:

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

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

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

2.) Makita XHU07Z Brushless Cordless Hedge Trimmer

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

Not bad!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EGO has some sweet (but heavy) tools.

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

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

4.) Greenworks 40V 24 inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer

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

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

60V version is also great.

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

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

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

5.) Dewalt DCHT820B Cordless Hedge Trimmer

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

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

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

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

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

Final thoughts: Best Cordless Hedge Trimmers

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

Why we review lawn tools

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

We take tool testing seriously!

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

What to look for in a cordless hedge trimmer

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

Hedge Trimmer Length:

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

Ease of use:

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

Battery life:

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

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

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Greenworks vs Ryobi Electric Pressure Washer Comparison

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

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

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

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

Jump ahead:

SPOILER: Winner is the Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer.

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

Greenworks vs Ryobi Pressure Washer Comparison

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

Power comparison: Greenworks vs Ryobi electric pressure washers

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

I love the big wheels on the Ryobi.

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

Sneaky, sneaky.

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

Sweet picture after using on my deck.

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

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

Durability of the Greenworks and Ryobi pressure washers

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

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

Brushless motors are the best.

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

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

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

Winner: Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer

Bells and whistles

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

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

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

Greenworks 3000 PSI pressure washer has these bells and whistles:

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

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

Winner: Ryobi 3000 PSI pressure washer

Comparing the cost of Greenworks pressure washers to Ryobi pressure washers

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

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

Greenworks looking good!

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

Final Review: Greenworks vs Ryobi pressure washer

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

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

Winner!

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

Why we review lawn tools

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

We take tool testing seriously.

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

What features to look for in a pressure washer

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

Nozzles Matter

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

Soap tank availability

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

Wheels on pressure washers

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

Hose types

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

GPM and PSI on electric pressure washers

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

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

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

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

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

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Ryobi 40V vs Milwaukee M18 Lawn Mower Comparison

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

Me with the Ryobi 40V brushless mower.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Milwaukee M18 vs Ryobi 40V HP Mower: Features breakdown

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

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

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

Up close on their battery enclosure.

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

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

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

Easily the best looking Ryobi mowers.

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

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

Both Milwaukee and Ryobi have super easy to use mowers

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

The M18 Milwaukee mower has some great features:

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

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

This mower is an absolute unit.

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

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

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

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

Winner: Milwaukee M18 FUEL Mower

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

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

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

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

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

Milwaukee has a great steel deck.

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

Winner: Milwaukee M18 FUEL Lawn Mower

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

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

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

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

Plastic deck is NOT great.

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

Final Review: Ryobi vs Milwaukee mower

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

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

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

Why you can trust The Lawn Review

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

We take testing tools seriously.

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

What I look for in a battery-powered lawn mower

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

Ryobi and Milwaukee brand quality

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

Recognizable for quality.

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

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

Metal where it matters: the deck 

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

Battery interoperability.

 A ten dollar word used here, but really just make sure to buy a mower with a battery that is compatible with other electric tools. Luckily with Ryobi and Milwaukee, they have batteries that can be used across a TON of their products – both indoor and outdoor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jump ahead:

Comparing the Ryobi 40V vs 18V String Trimmers

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

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

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

Def. has a little more power.

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

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

Winner: Ryobi 40V String Trimmer

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

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

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

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

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

New one has a brushless motor.

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

Winner: Ryobi ONE+ 18V String Trimmer

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

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

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

The battery system is great.

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

The ONE+ series is better for light duty handling.

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

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

Winner: It’s a tie!

Which Ryobi Trimmer is the better investment?

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

A great ONE+ battery tool.

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

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

Final ranking: Ryobi 40V vs 18V String Trimmer

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

The 40V is still a great option.

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

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

Why we review lawn tools

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

We take our testing seriously.

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

What to look for in a weed eater

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

Feel

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

Motor type: Brushless vs brushed

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

Curved vs Straight shaft

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

How to instantly improve your weed eater

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

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

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

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4 Electric Riding Mowers That Made Me Rethink Everything

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

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

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

Best Electric Riding Mowers, Ranked:

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

The Best Electric Riding Lawn Mowers: 2023 Ranking

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

1.) Greenworks CrossoverT Electric Riding Lawn Mower

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

Holy smokes, those are some great numbers. 

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

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

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

It is truly a beast.

Why this mower made our list:

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

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

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

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

Pretty sophisticated control panel.

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

Looks pretty dang sweet.

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

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

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

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

3.) Cub Cadet XT1 LT42E Electric Riding Lawn Mower

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

More expensive but really snazzy.

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

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

The highlights:

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

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

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

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

4.) Ryobi 100 AH Electric Riding Mower

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

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

Minimalistic but still great!

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

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

Summary of why we liked this mower:

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

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

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

The Bottom Line on electric riding mowers

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

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

Why we review lawn tools

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

Our testing methods are…unique.

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

What We Look for in Electric Riding Lawn Mowers

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

Battery life on electric riding mowers

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

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

Comfort

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

Easy to use and control

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

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

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Sun Joe vs Greenworks Electric Pressure Washers

Sun Joe vs Greenworks pressure washers is like comparing Toyota and Honda. Both brands of pressure washers are known for being extremely popular, easy to use, and affordable. I like the Greenworks pressure washer because it is slightly higher quality.

If you haven’t read some of our other posts about Sun Joe Pressure Washers, you may know that the best selling Sun Joe pressure washer of all time is their SPX3000. But it actually isn’t their best one. The SPX 4600 is actually their most powerful and expensive pressure washer, which is a great comparison to the Greenworks PRO 2300 PSI Brushless pressure washer.

Bottom Line: You can grab the Greenworks 2300 PSI pressure washer from Greenworks website directly or from Amazon for a great price.

Jump ahead:

Sun Joe vs Greenworks: Best Electric Pressure Washer Comparison

I think by now we understand a few things: Sun Joe and Greenworks make great products, but have a significant range of power and cost. That’s why we need to compare their top dogs and evaluate their power, durability, and extra features. There’s a reason these two are top sellers – they are the best analog to gas-powered pressure washers.

Let’s start with power!

The Greenworks pressure washer provides more power than Sun Joe

When it comes to looking at power on a pressure washer, there are two main components I look at: PSI and GPM. PSI stands for pounds per square inch and is a measure of the pressure. It sounds simple, but it gets more complex because GPM is also in the mix. GPM stands for gallons per minute, and measures how much water is coming out, or how wide the stream is. The nozzle tip then can pare that down to zero degrees, forty degrees, or anywhere in between to help focus the stream to accomplish your job.

It looks really nice.

It’s similar to blowers that have MPH (speed) and CFM (area). You ideally want a combination of both PSI and GPM to have an efficient tool.

The Greenworks 2300 PSI pressure washer puts out 2,300 PSI of pressure at 2.3 GPM. This is not only pretty powerful, but also a much larger GPM than most other pressure washers. On the other hand, the Sun Joe SPX4600 puts out 3000 PSI at 1.3 GPM. 

That’s a big difference.

What’s more is that Greenworks is rating their PSI at the consistent running pressure of the tool. Sun Joe is rating theirs at the initial pull of the trigger, when the PSI build up is the highest. In reality, the Sun Joe pressure washer rates at 2,300 PSI as well. Is that false advertising? Maybe.

The 3000 PSI pressure washer has even MORE power.

So when it comes to power, the Greenworks pressure washer and the Sun Joe pressure washer actually put out the exact same PSI when they’re fully running. The main differentiator is that the Greenworks pressure washer has an additional 1.0 GPM of flow, making it the far more effective and efficient pressure washer.

Don’t be fooled – the winner of this competition is the Greenworks 2300 PSI pressure washer.

Want to see how Greenworks and Ryobi pressure washers compare?

The Greenworks is a more durable pressure washer

Durability in pressure washers is more than just the motor. While motors are important, it’s also necessary to look at fittings, hose types, and overall construction. One of the most popular pressure washers, the Sun Joe SPX3000 has a plastic fitting for the output hose, which is known to crack and has likely cost the company millions in returns. 

The nozzle that people hate on the SPX3000.

Starting with motors, the most important thing to have is a brushless motor. To be clear, both the Sun Joe and Greenworks pressure washers have brushless motors. Brushless motors are cooler running, provide more torque, and overall are more durable. So this is a great start.

One differentiator on the Greenworks pressure washer when compared to the Sun Joe is the fact that its brushless motor, coined “TruBrushless” comes with a 10 year warranty. Folks, that is EXTREMELY compelling. You basically won’t have to worry about the motor….EVER. The Sun Joe only has a 2 year warranty.

Otherwise, both have metal fittings for hose output connection and both have sturdy metal bases that allow for them to not tip over when the hose gets pulled (believe me, it’s common). 

Sturdy construction helps this one.

The last thing I will say about this Greenworks 2300 PSI pressure washer is that it is PWMA certified, which means the Pressure Washer Manufacturer Association has taken it apart and certified all of its specifications as legit. Sadly, Sun Joe’s SPX4600 may not pass that test.

Winner: Greenworks 2300 PSI pressure washer.

Both pressure washers have similar usability features

Once you’ve checked the boxes on both power and durability, the last part is checking out what kind of “nice-to-haves” each of these pressure washers have. 

Has a lot to like!

Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the SPX4600’s features:

  • Onboard detergent tank for soap, up to a full gallon
  • Total stop system that preserves energy
  • 34 inch wand, 20 foot hose, 35 foot power cord
  • 5 nozzles (including a soap nozzle)

Let’s compare that to the Greenworks 2300 PSI:

  • Onboard detergent tank
  • 25 foot hose, 35 foot power cord
  • 5 nozzles, including a soap and a turbo nozzle

They both have on board nozzle holder that allows you to store them and they both have big big back wheels that make transporting it easy.

Winner: It’s a tie!

The Greenworks pressure washer is less expensive

The Sun Joe SPX4600 comes in at $359 (when not on sale) whereas the Greenworks 2300 PSI comes in at $329 when not on sale.

Currently you can get the Greenworks on Amazon or on the Greenworks website. It tends to go on sale frequently, so make sure to keep checking the price.

The Sun Joe SPX4600 is also available on Amazon for an ever-changing price, but can be found on Sun Joe’s website as well.

It’s tough to compare the two when their prices swing wildly, but at its MSRP the Greenworks is the more affordable of the two.

Winner: Greenworks 2300 PSI pressure washer

Greenworks vs Sun Joe Pressure Washer: Winner

This one was not what we expected when we started doing our research. At first glance, the Sun Joe pressure washer appears to be the better option. But after applying some of the knowledge we’ve gained over the past few years and looking closer, the true winner is the Greenworks 2300 PSI TruBrushless Pressure Washer. 

It has more power, an insane warranty, and a better price with all the same bells and whistles. You can grab it today on Amazon and keep it going under warranty for the next 10 years.

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 test our products.

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

What features to look for in a pressure washer

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

Nozzles Matter

  • When choosing a pressure washer, you should pay attention to the nozzles included in the package. Two types of spray nozzles are available, adjustable spray nozzles that can be controlled and quick-connect nozzles with predefined spray patterns.  
  • The predefined spray patterns typically come in different angles, allowing for you to quickly switch between a broad, lower pressure spray or a narrow, higher pressure stream.
  • Quick connect nozzles are super convenient, but they’re almost like airpods – you can lose them!
The bare wand without nozzles attached.

Soap tank availability

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

Wheels on pressure washers

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

Hose types

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