Category: Comparison Guides

The place to compare lawn tools side-by-side

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5 Best Makita Lawn Mowers: Researched & Ranked

makita lxt mower reviews

Makita electric mowers are bursting onto the scene. Makita, a trusted power tool manufacturer, has decided to bring its quality into the lawn tool space.

It’s about time. 

You may have seen these mowers plastered all over your Home Depot or Lowe’s. They are here to compete.

Let’s check out the best electric Makita mowers on the market + our favorite.

**SPOILER**

Best electric Makita mower for small yards: Makita XML05Z lawn mower

Best electric Makita mower all-around: Makita XML03Z 36V cordless lawn mower

The Best Makita Electric Mowers

Makita has a handful of mowers that use 18V batteries either by themselves or two at a time, making it a 36V. Some even take 4 18V batteries, making the math too difficult for me to even say.

Makita XML03CM1 and XML03Z 36V cordless lawn mower

The Makita XML03CM1 and XML03Z are two of the same mowers. The difference between the XML03CM1 and XML03Z is that the CM1 comes with four batteries, whereas the XML03Z comes without batteries (for people that already have them). 

Big sturdy metal deck!

The features on this Makita electric mower

The Makita XML03 series are 18 inch lawn mowers powered by two 18V batteries, making it a 36V mower. 

Much bigger than I thought up close.

It has a steel alloy cutting deck surrounding the blades. This mower can cut over ⅓ of an acre in 43 minutes. 

The XML03 boasts a brushless motor that spins the blades at 3,300 rotations per minute. Brushless motors are great because they are durable, long-lasting, and quiet. 

These mowers also come with a “quiet mode” that allows for a reduced rotations per minute (2,500) that outputs less noise.

The benefits of this Makita electric mower

A lot to like in this Makita lawn mower. Let’s start with the 18 inch steel deck. 18 inches is perfect for small to medium sized yards (no larger than ⅓ acre). The steel metal deck is a huge plus as compared to other electric mowers. Most have a plastic deck, leaving it vulnerable to cracks and chips. Metal decks prevent this.

I also like the brushless motor that will be a much longer-lasting, quieter, and durable motor than non-brushless. The quiet mode is a nice perk as well, which your neighbors will enjoy. 

Potential downsides

These Makita mowers are great for most homeowners, but if you have a very large yard (> 1 acre), this might not be enough mower for you.  

Otherwise this mower has all the goods!

How to buy

One of the best places to frequently check the price and compare features is also the most obvious – Amazon. Click here to go directly to these Makita mowers to see if they are still on sale. 

Makita XML05Z 36V and XML05PT1 36V electric mowers

The Makita XML05Z and XML05PT1 mowers are 36V mowers that are a bargain. Reminiscent of both Greenworks and Ryobi mowers in design, let’s see how they stack up in comparison.

Compact, plastic deck design.

The features

The XML05 series comes with a 18 inch deck with a compact shape (instead of round). This deck is made of plastic and has a 17 inch cutting width. 

The motor here spins the blades at about 3,600 rotations per minute. The mower itself is coated in something called XPT, which is a proprietary protective seal that wards off any debris from getting inside the mechanical components of the motor. 

The benefits

The Makita XML05 series is definitely built for smaller yards. Looking at the size of the deck plus the compact design, this is really made for small yards and will do great around a lot of obstacles like garden beds.

Another thing I like about this mower is the price. This one is definitely on the affordable side of the spectrum for Makita products. You can get the quality and brand reputation of Makita without having to get bells and whistles that you won’t use.

Potential downsides

This mower is not going to do as well with medium to large sized yards. Typically, larger yards will require a 21 inch deck or larger.

Another thing I don’t love about this deck is the plastic material. These are prone to cracks, breaks, and degradation – meaning it might not last as long as you would like. 

The last potential downside I will call out is the lack of a brushless motor. Again, this is something that signifies a shorter lifespan in electric mowers.

How to buy

The Makita XML05 series is available on Amazon – you can grab the tool-only version for the lowest possible price by following this link.

Makita XML10CT1 36V electric mower kit

The XML10CT1 36V Lawn Mower Kit is a supercharged version of the XML05. Let me break down some of the unique benefits to this electric upgrade.

Big plastic body can handle large jobs.

The features

With a 21 inch cutting deck that still  manages to be compact, this is definitely on the larger end of the spectrum for ANY electric mower. 

The XML10CT1 can run for about 50 minutes on a single charge and is made of lightweight material. It also comes with a 2 bushel capacity grass collector that can be strapped on to the back.

This Makita mower also has the added feature of being able to fold in half.

Folds like a dang lawn chair!

The benefits

The XML10CT1 means business. At 21 inches wide, this mower can fit just about any normal residential yard. 

I really love that this mower can fold in half as well. My gas mower does not, so it takes up a ton of room in our garage and I’m always worried I am going to hit it with my truck. 

Reminds me a lot of some Greenworks mowers.

This mower also takes regular Makita 18V batteries, meaning you can repurpose the 18V batteries on any of your other Makita tools to run it. 

Potential downsides

Similarly to the XML05 series, the XML10CT1 comes with a plastic deck. This allows for it to be lightweight, but also opens up the opportunity for cracking, degradation, etc.. 

While this is a relatively large mower, it comes in at a whopping 82 lbs. It is definitely as lightweight as humanly possible, but it still is going to feel like a mower. 

How to buy

If you are wanting to upgrade your existing gas mower to an electric mower, it’s hard to beat the quality of Makita. This one is definitely able to replace a gas push mower of any size and can be found on Amazon – with the 4 batteries and a charger – for a darn good deal. Click here to go directly to the sale. 

Our recommendation: Best Makita Mower

After reviewing each series of these Makita mowers, we have to recommend the XML03 series, including the XML03CM1 and XML03Z mowers. 

We picked these because of the brushless motor, the steel decking, and the two battery requirements (versus four).

The XML03 series will be the longest lasting, highest quality Makita mowers you can get.

Find yours today on Amazon for a great price.

Why we review lawn tools

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

We test our products in an usual way.

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.

Makita is making lawn equipment?

Yep, Makita has been around since 1915 and started making power tools back in 1958. They are best known for their pneumatic tools, their drills, and other construction site tools. 

They’ve always had great corded and cordless tools, so I am honestly surprised it has taken them this long to make a push into the cordless lawn tool space. 

But not that they’re here, they aren’t going anywhere. With competitors pouring into the space like Dewalt and Milwaukee, it only makes sense to take what they do best (battery powered tools) and put them in mowers, blowers, and more. 

Check out our other Makita reviews by following this link to check out some of our top Makita blowers breakdown or this one to our best Makita weed eater comparison.

But why is Makita making lawn equipment NOW?

Good question. One thing I can tell you is that it is currently March of 2022 and Makita has a relatively small presence and market share in the lawn tool space.

Please bookmark this page and see where they are in 2023. We have it on good authority that they are making a massive push into this space. 

So – sit back and watch them take over. 

What to look for in an electric lawn mower 

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

  • Brand quality
    • Quality is going to be super important here. Everyone is in the electric mower game these days and there are a ton of junky mowers out there. Avoid anything from a weird brand on Amazon that takes 9 years to ship. It is probably being 3D printed in a Laotian bathroom. Go for brands that have consistent quality and focus on the details, not just flashy colors.
  • Metal where it matters. 
    • Most electric mowers are plastic-y. Probably to reduce the weight of the mower so that the battery can get you further, but it feels cheap. Make sure to get metal where it matters – namely the deck. The deck is the part that covers the blades. Don’t get plastic here – a rock can rip through it.
  • Battery interoperability.
    •  A ten dollar word used here, but really just make sure to buy a mower with a battery that is compatible with other electric tools. Ryobi has this, so does Dewalt, and so do some of the Greenworks products. This will save you garage clutter and plug space.
  • Self-propelled or not. 
    • I actually don’t like the self-propelled feature. It doesn’t help you that much and it drains battery – I would pass here. This is a marketing gimmick in my opinion.

You can read more about what I recommend you looking for in an electric mower here.

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7 Makita String Trimmers That Make Your Lawn Pop

The best Makita weed eater is the XRU02Z for smaller yards or the XRU15PT for larger yards. Both Makita string trimmers have solid brushless motors, high RPMs, and decent cutting swaths. As a part of the Makita battery system, they also have batteries that can be used with tons of other tools.

You can read more or jump on over to Amazon to buy the top two below:

Best Makita weed eater for large yards: Makita XRU15PT cordless weed eater

Best all-around Makita weed eater: Makita XRU02Z Cordless Weed Eater

The Best Makita Weed Eaters: Ranked

Today we are going to review a list of weed eaters available from Makita. The names are not the most intuitive and can definitely be confusing. They also have letters at the end that signify whether or not they come with batteries. 

If you can fight through it, just focus on each individual review. If the names confuse you, just click the link we provide to get more detail.

Let’s get started!

Makita XRU15PT and XRU15PT1 cordless weed eaters

Great one to start with! These are two of the higher end weed eaters offered by Makita and they pack a punch. Let’s dig deeper.

Just taking a quick break next to this tree.

The specifications of this Makita weed eater

The XRU15PT and XRU15PT1 both come with a brushless motor. These produce less friction so last longer and are more durable. This Makita cordless weed eater comes with three speed options ranging from 3,500 rotations per minute up to 6,500 for maximum power.

Additionally, these cordless Makita weed eaters come with a 15 inch cutting swath, which is definitely large. The end also has a “bump action” heading that allows for more string to be released while using. 

The benefits

A few things I pointed out in the specifications are huge benefits.

The XRU15PT and XRU15PT1 Makita weed eaters are powerhouses. Durable, long-lasting motors, high speeds, large cutting swath, and two 18V batteries.

These Makita weed eaters can tackle any job. I’m not kidding. 

Potential downsides

I honestly don’t see any downsides to these weed eaters. Maybe if you are looking for a smaller job or live in a townhome, these are going to be overkill. They are also slightly pricier than other weed eaters, but you get what you pay for.

Makita XRU15PT vs XRU15PT1 string trimmers

These are identical weed eaters,  but the XRU15PT1 comes with four batteries instead of two. It is more expensive for the additional batteries, but you really don’t need them unless you are in the commercial landscaping space. 

How to buy 

We recommend purchasing these weed eaters on Amazon. They occasionally run pretty steep sales, so you can click here to check the price. If you don’t like Amazon, you can also grab it at Home Depot for a reasonable price.

Makita XUX01ZM5 36V (18V X2) LXT Brushless Weed Eater

The Makita XUX01ZM5 is a cordless weed eater that offers multiple attachments. Many brands have similar attachments and I think they are a great value. Let’s break this one down.

Attachable, detachable, unmatchable.

The specifications

The Makita XUX01ZM5 has a brushless motor with three speeds, ranging from 4,200 RPM all the way up to 7,100 RPM. It also has a variable speed trigger that gives you ultimate power over the cutting speed. 

The number of attachments that work with this weed eater seems to be growing every day, with tools like pole saws, different weed eater styles, and garden tillers.

The benefits of this Makita string trimmer

The benefits to this Makita cordless weed eater with attachments (which are super convenient) are much more than I expected. It is truly one of the most powerful one made by Makita and I think I know why.

This thing needs to have maximum power delivery if it can also be compatible with pole saws and garden tillers.

It’s tied down, but the trigger is super easy to use.

I also love the squeeze handle on this one, as it gives you more options with how to activate the power system. This Makita trimmer doesn’t have the standard “trigger” that can only be pulled from one angle. 

Potential downsides

This weed eater is on the heavier side at about 10 lbs. While this is fine,your shoulder may become more tired over time.

You also are buying a full system, not just a weed eater. This means you might be sacrificing a little bit of comfort with each tool in exchange for the convenience of one single tool.

How to buy Makita cordless weed eater

The Makita XUX01ZM5 is available on Amazon and seems to go on sale quite a bit. We recommend checking the price by following this link. 

Home Depot also sells this weed eater and has a great return policy.

Makita XRU23SM1 and XRU23Z 18V Weed Eater

The Makita XRU23 series of weed eaters is an 18V battery-powered tool. The XRU23SM1 and XRU23Z are the same weed eater, but the Z does not come with a battery.

Let’s break down this tool.

Sleek, practical.

The specifications

The XRU23SM1 and XRU23Z Makita weed eaters come with a brushless motor that gives out up to 6,000 RPMs of power at a 13 inch cutting width.

This thing is a beast.

The 18V battery will give you about an hour of runtime before requiring another charge. It weighs about 12.38 lbs.

The benefits of a bigger Makita weed eater

The brushless motor on this Makita weed eater means you are getting durability and a long-lasting piece of electric equipment. I’m a big fan of this only requiring one 18V battery instead of two, saving you money and charging space.

HAVE to love the brushless motor.

Another thing I like about this Makita weed eater is the price. The price on this weed eater is the lowest of all of the ones we have reviewed thus far. This is a high quality mid-range weed eater.

Potential downsides

If you have a really large yard, this might not be the best weed eater for you. For starters, its cutting width is not the largest for Makita weed eaters. The weed eater only supporting one 18V battery means you are limited to about one hour.

Otherwise, this is a great weed eater for the average residential homeowner.

How to buy

We recommend checking the price on Amazon and comparing it to the price at Home Depot. Both change a LOT and are always neck-and-neck.

Makita XRU02Z and XRU02SM1 cordless weed eaters

The Makita XRU02Z 18V weed eater is one of the most popular weed eaters. Not just Makita, but everywhere. It has a ton of reviews on Amazon and is averaging 4.5 stars. Not bad.

Let’s check out why.

Small but mighty.

The specifications of this smaller Makita weed eater

The Makita XRU02Z and XRU02SM1 comes in at about 7lbs, making it one of the lightest and smallest weed eaters.

But don’t be fooled. This one surprisingly has the highest rotation speeds, with about 7,800 rotations per minute. Wow.

The cutting diameter is a little smaller at just over 10 inches. 

The benefits

Where do I even start? This is the most powerful weed eater Makita offers, yet it is also the smallest and most affordable. 

This weed eater offers 45 minutes of run time and it lonely takes 30 minutes to charge.

If you are a homeowner with a small to medium yard, you simply cannot find a better all-around cordless weed eater.

Potential downsides

The Makita XRU02Z and XRU02SM1 are definitely designed for the modern homeowner, so don’t use this if you are a professional landscaper.

Otherwise, I cannot think of any meaningful downsides. 

How to buy

The Makita XRU02Z and XRU02SM1 are available for darn good prices on Amazon. The tool only version (without a battery) is currently under $100 and its not even on sale.

My recommendation: click here to check for a sale on Amazon, then find out if it is on sale at Home Depot – both are great options.

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.

Our recommendation for the best Makita Weed Eater

With these Makita cordless weed eaters, it’s hard to go wrong. But we have to pick a winner.

And we have to go with the XRU02Z and XRU02SM1 weed eaters. They are simply powerful, inexpensive, and easy to use. 

Grab yours for a great price on Amazon or check out the price at your local Home Depot.

Why we review lawn tools

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

How we spend our time.

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.

Makita is making lawn equipment?

Yep, Makita has been around since 1915 and started making power tools back in 1958. They are best known for their pneumatic tools, their drills, and other construction site tools. 

They’ve always had great corded and cordless tools, so I am honestly surprised it has taken them this long to make a push into the cordless lawn tool space. 

But not that they’re here, they aren’t going anywhere. With competitors pouring into the space like Dewalt and Milwaukee, it only makes sense to take what they do best (battery powered tools) and put them in mowers, blowers, and more. 

But why is Makita making lawn equipment NOW?

Good question. One thing I can tell you is that it is currently March of 2023 and Makita has a relatively small presence and market share in the lawn tool space.

Please bookmark this page and see where they are in 2024. We have it on good authority that they are making a massive push into this space. 

So – sit back and watch them take over. 

We recently reviewed Makita’s Cordless Blower series as well, check it out here. We also did a dive on the Makita’s crazy quiet cordless lawn mowers.

What to look for in a cordless weed eater

Cordless weed eaters AKA string trimmers (whatever you call it) 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. Bad.
  • Motor – brushless motors are king here. They are longer lasting and more durable.
  • 18V vs 36V batteries – 36V Makita batteries are going to last you a lot longer than 18V. Good for those with bigger yards.
  • Curved vs Straight shaft – I always, always, always prefer straight shafts. They are so much easier to use and control.

Otherwise, make sure to get a full kit  if you don’t have any Makita batteries. If you do already have some 18V batteries, grab the tool-only version to save a good chunk of change.

If you’re looking to upgrade the weed eater string, check out our size guide.

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7 Best Makita Cordless Blowers & Lowest Prices

Makita cordless blowers are making moves in the lawn care world. And for good reason. The best Makita blower is the Makita XBU03Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Blower because it is super powerful, reliable, and part of a great battery system.

Makita has done really well with their battery-powered tools. So why not use those same batteries in cordless blowers?

That’s exactly what you should be asking yourself if you have a Makita battery already.

If not, hold onto your seat because Makita is about to become a household name in leaf blowers. 

Spoilers*******:

If you don’t like getting them from Amazon – Home Depot also has a TON of Makita blowers on great deals.

Best Makita 18V Cordless Blowers

The majority of Makita cordless blowers come from their 18V battery line, so that is what I am going to break down today for us.

Let’s check out the benefits and potential downsides of each of these blowera + our favorite.

Let’s get started.

Makita XBU03Z  and XBU03SM1 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Blower

The Makita XBU03Z and XBU03SM1 18V blower is one of the most popular blowers Makita makes. 

As you can see in the title, this Makita blower has a brushless motor. Big plus. Brushless motors are significantly longer lasting and more efficient than normal electric motors. 

I love the color scheme here.

The specifications

This blower boasts a 459 CFM, 116 MPH motor and air delivery system. This is a relatively high CFM and a relatively low MPH. This means that this blower has a decently wide nozzle, which is great for covering large areas of dry leaves, grass, or other materials. 

This is where the magic happens.

The benefits of this Makita Cordless Blower

The benefits of the Makita XBU03Z 18V blower are that it can cover large areas pretty well. If you have a big backyard covered with leaves, I am taking this blower every time. 

I also love the brushless motor and the 18V battery that can be used with just about every other Makita tool under the sun. 

Park that battery right back here.

It also has a nice speed lock and variable speed trigger, giving you more control over how much air you want to push out. Also, it only weighs 6.5 lbs without the battery, meaning you won’t tire out your shoulder carrying it around.

The variable speed trigger control!

Potential downsides

You should not buy this blower if you are wanting to provide a high-speed air stream to get rid of wet grass or leaves. This mower is not really built for that given that it has a lower MPH than others. You can always buy a speed tip or flat end that can clip on to produce higher speeds.

Where to buy this Makita blower

You can grab this Makita blower at any big box store, or have it directly shipped to your house using Amazon.

We have found Amazon has the best deals when these products have a sale. Click here to see if it is currently on sale.

The difference between the Makita XBU03Z and Makita XBU03SM1 blowers

You may see both of these listed for sale on different websites. 

The Makita XBU03Z is the tool-only version of this blower, meaning that it does not come with a battery or charger. This is perfect for those of us that already own Makita batteries for other tools.

The Makita XBU03SM1 is the same blower, but comes with an 18V battery and charger. This blower set is great if you are a first time homeowner or are wanting to make the jump to Makita products. 

If you need the full kit, check the price on Amazon by using this link.

Makita XBU05Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Blower

The Makita XBU05Z 18V is somehow the exact opposite of the one above. It is a much smaller blower that is handheld and has a limited reach. 

This blower is also a part of the 18V series, so can be used with most Makita tools. 

A little pocket shooter.

The specifications on this blower

The CFMs aren’t even listed on this bad boy, but it does hit a speed of almost  220 MPH. That’s super powerful. The reason CFMs aren’t listed is that they are likely really low. Meaning this tool has a super narrow tip that can provide a super high speed stream of pressure. 

The benefits of the XBU05Z Makita blower

This blower is light and great for around-the-house blowing. Its super portable, lightweight, and powerful. I love that it can take the 18V battery just like the other Makita tools. 

The Makita XBU05Z also has a rubber grip handle that looks just like a power drill handle. This handle will make it really easy to use and comfortable. 

Potential downsides

This blower is not really a backyard blower. Other than the front and back porch, I would probably not take this blower out into the yard.

It is like a swiss army knife and is more suited for little jobs here and there, not the big show of the backyard. 

Where to buy the XBU05Z Makita blower

This one can be found at Ace Hardware, some Home Depots and Lowe’s, but definitely on Amazon (which usually has a sale). Follow this link to see if it is currently on sale at Amazon.

Makita XBU02PT 36V (18V X2) LXT Brushless Blower Kit (5.0Ah)

You may remember me saying that I was specifically  reviewing 18V products. Well, this is a Makita 36V blower, but it actually just take two 18V batteries. So it is still an 18V product (at least for the purposes of today’s review.

I love the brushless blower on this and with double the battery power, you know this product means business.

The Makita 36V blower has two 18V batteries.

The specifications

This blower has a 473 CFM, 120 MPH air flow system. This is great, but also very similar to the two XBU03 blowers reviewed in the first section.

Basically, these blowers are powerful as all get out, but are best suited for large spaces and dry leaves and grass. 

One thing listed in this product and not others is the noise level. This is one of, if not the quietest blower on the market. Nice! Your neighbors won’t hate you.

The benefits on the XBU02PT Makita cordless blower

Obviously this Makita 36V blower has twice the battery power of the 18V blowers, meaning it should last twice as long. 

I also love the brushless motor with the higher air velocity of the XBU03 blowers. Overall, this is going to be a great blower for most folks doing leaf clean up inthe fall. 

Potential downsides

The downsides of this blower are similar to the XBU03. Namely, this blower is not going to be wonderful if you are looking for a powerful, narrow air stream that could take care of wet leaves and grass. 

Otherwise, this one will require an extra battery, which could mean an extra cost. It also requires a charger that can hold two batteries.

This isn’t an issue if you buy the full kit with the blower, batteries, and dual charger.

Where to grab the XBU02PT

You can grab this smaller handheld blower at most major retailers. We are an affiliate of Amazon, so get a small commission if you grab the blower from there. They usually have a decent sale, so its at least worth checking.

Follow this link to grab the XBU02PT blower on Amazon.

Makita XBU04ZV 36V (18V X2) LXT® Brushless Blower with Vacuum Attachment Kit

So this one is totally different. The Makita XBU04ZV is another 36V (really just two 18V batteries) that is a blower, mulcher, and a vacuum all in one. Pretty sweet. 

It has a 10:1 mulch ratio, meaning you can reduce 10 bags of leaves down to 1 with the mulching kit. Pretty sweet and reminds me of our favorite tool, the WORX leaf mulcher. 

Three in one! Good stuff here.

The specifications

The blower function of this bad boy is super similar to the last one. A 473 CFM, 120 MPH air system. Meaning it is great for the large, wide, dry areas. 

The 10:1 mulching ratio for the vacuum/mulching section is pretty sweet as well. 

The benefits of the XBU04Z

Picture this: you have a backyard covered in dry leaves. You take this blower out and get all the leaves in a pile by the fence in the backyard. You then suck them all up, mulch them into tiny shreds, and get all of the leaves in one or two bags. 

Whoa. That’s the power of the Makita XBU04ZV 36V blower and vacuum kit. 

Potential downsides

Same as the rest – not a super sharp air stream and not great for wet leaves and grass. 

How to buy this blower

This 3-in-1 can be bought either tool only or with the batteries and charger from Amazon.

Follow this link to check the price for both the tool only and the full kit.

Makita DUB182Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Blower

Ever heard that alligators can run super quickly for really short periods of time? That’s basically how this blower is. Let’s check it out.

Small but mighty!

The specifications

The Makita DUB182Z 18V LXT blower has a maximum of 179 miles per hour when it comes to air speed. This is pretty powerful and from the looks of it, has a pretty direct and narrow airstream. 

It also weighs about 3 lbs which is great for keeping in the car, hallway closet, or anywhere else around the house. 

The benefits of the DUB182Z Cordless Blower

This blower is going to be great for blowing off the front porch or back deck, awesome for things like saw dust, and perfect for tight spaces. I love that it has a pretty high velocity and is only 20 inches long, making the Makita DUB182Z a great around-the-house blower.

Potential downsides

This blower is very similar to the XBU05Z listed above, but slightly weaker. If I am choosing between the two, I am going to take the XBU05Z and not this one. 

How to buy

If you get the DUB, then you’re getting a W.

Check the price of this one on Amazon before buying.

Makita XBU01Z 36V (18V X2) LXT® Cordless Blower

Remember how I said a lot of these blowers aren’t great for blowing off wet leaves and grass? Well the Makita XBU01Z is the antidote. Let me explain.

Revenge body.

The specifications

The Makita XBU01Z comes in at a low 155 CFM but a very high 208 MPH. This is a great example of a blower with a super narrow nozzle. It has a wide-tip nozzle that is flat, providing a crazy powerful stream of air that can lift about anything off the ground. 

The benefits of the XBU01Z Makita cordless blower

Obviously the air velocity is unrivaled. The Makita XBU01Z also has a long run-time, an hour and a half of battery life before giving out. 

I would just about guarantee that you will finish the job before this blower runs out of juice. We’ve put many of these to the test and really loved the run time on this one

Potential downsides

While this blower is pure power – like a pressure washer – there are definitely times when you want to just move leaves. This blower is not going to be great for forming big piles of leaves. 

How to start eviscerating wet leaves

Step 1: Check the price of this blower on Amazon.

Step 2: Purchase it.

Step 3: Tell those wet leaves to meet their maker.

Our favorite Makita cordless blower

I am a big fan of the Makita XBU03Z for a few reasons.

For one, this blower has a nice brushless motor. It is going to be long lasting and durable.

I also love the 18V battery, meaning you don’t need two to make a 36V and don’t need to buy anything else. 

This blower is also tool-only, meaning you are getting the best value possible. 

Grab it on Amazon today for a great price.

Why we review lawn tools

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

We’ve tested a lot of blowers….

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.

Makita is making lawn equipment?

Yep, Makita has been around since 1915 and started making power tools back in 1958. They are best known for their pneumatic tools, their drills, and other construction site tools. 

They’ve always had great corded and cordless tools, so I am honestly surprised it has taken them this long to make a push into the cordless lawn tool space. 

But not that they’re here, they aren’t going anywhere. With competitors pouring into the space like Dewalt and Milwaukee, it only makes sense to take what they do best (battery powered tools) and put them in mowers, blowers, and more. 

But why is Makita making lawn equipment NOW?

Good question. One thing I can tell you is that it is currently March of 2022 and Makita has a relatively small presence and market share in the lawn tool space.

Please bookmark this page and see where they are in 2023. We have it on good authority that they are making a massive push into this space. 

So – sit back and watch them take over. 

Check out our review of the best Makita weed eaters as well.

We also reviewed the a ton of different Makita mowers and ranked them, which have an awesome “quiet feature”.

What to look for in a cordless blower

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

  • Brushless – a type of engine that does not rely on friction for generating power. This engine type uses magnets for a longer lasting, more efficient power generation. 
  • CFM – Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.
  • Tool-only – the blower by itself, no battery or charger or anything else. This is great if you already have a compatible battery from another tool. 

These are two things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications. Another important thing is to look at the battery and see if it can be used with other tools. In Makita’s case, their batteries can be used across hundreds of tools. 

This can allow you to buy the tool-only version for significantly cheaper.

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5 Best Sun Joe Garden Tillers (+ My Favorite)

The best Sun Joe Garden Tiller is the TJ604E because of the extremely ergonomic handles and the wide tilling area. Sun Joe makes some really great corded electric garden tillers. One thing I love about Sun Joe is that they are extremely affordable and provide pretty good power.

I’m serious – this thing has some serious power that I was not expecting, especially for an electric tool. 

Bottom Line: Our pick is the Sun Joe TJ604E Garden Tiller, but you can’t go wrong with any of these.

(P.S. You are going to need a good extension cord, we recommend this one)

What we will cover:

Best Sun Joe Electric Garden Tiller and Cultivators: Features

Here are our rankings of the five best Sun Joe Garden Tillers – most of which can be found on Amazon. Sun Joe has five models of Garden Tillers (all in their Sun Joe TJ600 line). I’ll actually rank these in order of ease of use for you.

5. Sun Joe TJ602E Garden Tiller

This is the middle-weight of the group. The middle child, if you will, because it seeks attention. It has a handle that differs from the other Sun Joe Garden Tillers. 

This is unfortunately what ranks it at the bottom. The handlebars on this Tiller are horizontal, and not parallel to the motor. This makes handling it and digging the garden tiller into the ground very difficult. 

C’mon middle child!

4.  Sun Joe TJ600E Garden Tiller

This garden tiller barely made it past the last spot, but ultimately jumped the TJ602E. Their base model, the weakest, smallest and cheapest, does not have a wheel. 

The other tillers all have a wheel in the middle to help guide it. The Sun Joe TJ600E does not, so any depth you want to reach needs to be done by your gut instinct. Same with steering in a straight line. 

Just make sure not to have any drinks before you start. 

Better, but still weak.

3. Sun Joe TJ601E Garden Tiller

The second smallest in the Sun Joe Garden Tiller line, it actually has decent wheel adjustments, with 7 positions. Might not be needed, but wow. 

This one is also relatively weak, albeit a step up from both the TJ600E and the TJ602E when it comes to usability. It also has 6 blades, beating out the others as well. It cannot hold a candle to the other two, though.

I can work with that

2. Sun Joe TJ603E Garden Tiller and Cultivator

Now we are talking. This one has great handle width, in line with where you would have the most force applied directly downwards. It also has the most power, which makes steering actually easier once it digs into the dirt.

It also has six steel tilling blades and a 16 inch cultivating width. This thing means business.

Now we’re talking.

Top Pick: Sun Joe TJ604E Garden Tiller

I can’t not pick this one. It has all of the things you are looking for, and appears identical to the one above. It does have a slightly more powerful motor, which allows for more direction when digging. 

The best.

One caveat is that ALL of these products have Instant Start capability (aka push-to-start) as long as they are plugged in. 

They also all come with a folding handle, making storage much more simple. 

Comparing Power Among Sun Joe Tillers

When it comes to power, there are three things that are important to look at. The Amps of the motor and the cultivating width and depth.

Obviously more Amps mean more power output from the electric motor. cultivating width means how wide of a lane you are tilling and cultivating depth means how deep you can go when tilling. 

That being said, I’m going to break it down real easy for you in the table below. Again, ranked from least powerful to most powerful. 

CategorySun Joe TJ600ESun Joe TJ602ESun Joe TJ601ESun Joe TJ603ESun Joe TJ604E
Amps6.5 A9 A8 A12 A13.5 A
Cultivating width14 in.18 in.12 in.16 in.16 in.
Cultivating Depth7 in7 in8 in 8 in8 in
Power Ranking54321

As you can see from the table, cultivating depth is pretty consistent among tillers. Cultivating width varies widely (pun intended yet again). Power output also can range by over 2x. 

Cost comparison: Sun Joe Electric Garden Tillers

If none of those numbers in the power table made sense to you, don’t fret. I know something that will definitely make cents (I am on fire with puns today). 

Of course, I am talking dollars. These tend to speak the loudest. So I will qualitatively rank these by power and ease of use, while providing a link to the current cost on Amazon – which changes all the time.

We receive affiliate income from Amazon, so if you make a purchase after clicking the link, we make a small amount of commission (consider it a tip!). 

Let’s go:

CategorySun Joe TJ600ESun Joe TJ602ESun Joe TJ601ESun Joe TJ603ESun Joe TJ604E
PowerLeast powerfulPretty powerfulNot very powerfulSecond most powerfulMost powerful
Ease of UseDifficultVery easyEasySecond easiest.Easiest
CostCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck priceCheck price

So which Sun Joe Electric Garden Tiller would you get for your garden?

Honestly, I am a sucker for power. The price on all of these is actually not bad at all either, even for the biggest and baddest.

If I am going to till my garden, I want to do it the right way, do it quickly, and move on to the next task.

For that reason, we at The Lawn Review would have to pick the Sun Joe TJ604E Garden Tiller. 

The belle of the ball.

Right now it is 20% off on Amazon, but can also be found in person at Home Depot and Lowes.

Check to see if the sale is still going on by following this link.

Why we review lawn tools

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

Our unusual testing methods.

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. 

Sun Joe product reputation

Sun Joe produces electric lawn and home care equipment. They are popular for their Sun Joe dethatcher (you wouldn’t believe how satisfying it is), and of course their pressure washer. You may have also seen their pressure washer, the SPX3000, on Amazon as well.

Their famous pressure washer.

Sun Joe absolutely dominates Amazon. They have found their market niche and it is in not-overly-powerful-electric lawn tools. Pretty narrow niche, but it is realllllly working for them. 

Sun Joe is the summer version of Snow Joe, the original company founded for electric snow removal equipment (like this Cordless Snow Shovel).

What to look for in a garden tiller

Listen, we all know why we till a garden. We want to turn the soil over and get ready for planting szn. 

But what makes a good garden tiller? What makes a good ELECTRIC garden tiller? Should I get a gas or electric garden tiller?

Questions that have been asked since the dawn of man (or woman).

Really it comes down to two things:

  1. Ease of use
    • Obviously you need something that is easy to use. It doesn’t need bells and whistles, it just needs to be able to move in a straight line without breaking your back. It is also important to make sure it is not spinning out and jostling up and down uncontrollably. Garden tillers need to be powerful, yet easily controlled. Otherwise you are just slinging dirt around.
  2. Power
    • A no brainer. There are very few, if any, things worse on God’s green earth than having a weak garden tool. You want the product to actually turn over God’s green earth, not just freeze at the surface and not get anything done. 

That’s it. Anything else is a nice-to-have, but these two things are the absolute requirements. So let’s see how the Sun Joe Garden Tiller(s) stack up.

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5 Lawn Mowers fit for Townhouses and Tiny Homes

The best lawn mowers for townhouses are the ones that are easy to use, lightweight, and relatively low cost. The best mower for townhouses is the Black and Decker 3-in-1 mower, edger and trimmer because it is super light, cheap, and easy to store.

My small electric mower I tested as part of this review.

I wrote this post after doing HOURS of research for my parents. They recently downsized to a townhouse and got rid of everything (and I mean everything) when they made the move. This purge also included their lawn tractor and all their big gas-powered lawn tools.

Little did they know, they still had a small 20×20 yard in the back that needed to be mowed. Much to their (and my) dismay, they entered the lawn tool market once again.

I’ll summarize what we found:

The Top 5 Lawn Mowers for Townhouses

Now I know what you’re thinking – can’t you just do it all with a string trimmer? Well, maybe, but it will look like my 2-year old when he tried to cut his own hair. 

If you want it to look nice and respectable, then check out our list below:

5. Worx WG779 14 inch 40V Cordless Push Mower

I become a bigger and bigger Worx fan with each passing day. The Worx WG779 40V cordless mower is great for small yards. 14 inch mowers are almost perfect for townhouse backyards. I think this mower is a tad overkill for most townhouse yards, but a little too much is better than a little too little.

This mower has the bells and whistles you would expect from a normal lawn mower, with height adjustments, an intellicut torque system, a bag, and an onboard battery meter. 

This mower comes in at about 29 lbs, so not too heavy but also not the lightest. It is also super quiet and easy to use.

The mower comes in at anywhere between $200 and $300 and is often on sale on Amazon. We recommend checking the price to see if you are getting a good deal, which is anywhere under $275.  

Doesn’t look like a normal battery powered mower with its traditional black color.

4. Greenworks 10A 16-inch corded mower

The Greenworks 10A 16-inch corded mower is even larger than the Worx mower listed above and has a lot of the bells and whistles.

This mower also has a height adjustment, a bag, and easy storage options with foldable handles. This mower is definitely one of the bigger corded mowers on the market, with a 16-inch deck. The Greenworks 10A 16 inch mower is also slightly heavier and less “toy-like”. This is a great larger option for those looking to just use a traditional corded mower. 

I am a big fan of Greenworks’ products. They continually provide high quality tools and equipment that are just as powerful as their gas-powered counterparts. 

You can grab this mower on Amazon, where it is listed for less than it is on Greenworks’ own website. It is listed for a pretty ridiculous price right now – only $133. You get a lot of mower for not much money by grabbing this one today on Amazon.

Big and bad.

3. Sun Joe MJ401E Electric Lawn Mower

One thing I love about Amazon is that it has a renewed/refurbished store. If you are one of those who returns about 50% of your purchases to Amazon and wonder, “what happens to it?”, then here is your answer. It gets cleaned up and sold for a discount. 

That’s what is happening here with the MJ401E-RM. It is usually a little over our price point of $100, but can be purchased on the cheap if it is refurbished.

Although it has the appearance of a large tortoise, this is a nice electric mower that will be able to tackle a decent-sized job. Sun Joe is a great brand and this is a wonderful all-around mower. 

Things to love about the Sun Joe MJ401E-RM

Positives:

  • Easier to push than a manual mower
  • Comes with a nice little bag
  • Lightweight, easy storage
  • No gas fumes
  • Easy to start

Negatives:

  • Corded, so requires an extension cord
  • Plastic decking which is less durable

This is honestly a great, great deal and can be found on Amazon for super cheap right now.

Looks turtle-y.

Looks like a turtle but totally rocks.  

2. Greenworks RM1400 Reel Lawn Mower

The next best (in my opinion) manual mower is the Greenworks 14-inch Reel Lawn Mower RM1400.

Nice little nostalgic mower!

Some things I like about the Greenworks RM1400:

Positives:

  • Great company
  • Removable grass catching bag
  • Adjustable cutting height
  • Environmentally friendly

Negatives:

  • Plastic wheels
  • Not super sturdy handles
  • Narrower
  • Slightly more expensive than Sun Joe

Greenworks is a great brand and very well-trusted in this space. If you want to boogie outdoors and use this mower, you can find it on Amazon for a great price. 

1. Black + Decker 3-in-1 Corded Lawn mower, trimmer and edger (12-inch)

This has it all. I love the Black and Decker 3-in-1 because it just makes so much sense for townhouse owners. It was a total no-brainer when I showed it to my parents. 

The Black and Decker 3-in-1 has a 12-inch cutting deck, but behaves more like a trimmer than it does a mower. It has a string at the bottom, just like a trimmer, that is held flat to provide a consistent and clean cut, like a mower.

It is a weird hybrid that can easily convert to a nice string trimmer with edging capabilities.

Nice, easy tool for any sized townhouse.

This one checked the boxes for my parents. Super easy to store, lightweight (less than 10 lbs), has multiple functions, is the perfect size, requires only an extension cord and…..

I haven’t even mentioned the price. 

The Black and Decker 3-in-1 tool can be purchased on Amazon for a whopping $79. That is an insane deal considering what you are getting.

I recommend this product to anyone living in a townhouse with any sized yard. 

How we picked the perfect lawn mower for their townhouse

Well, we looked at a ton of lawn mowers. Most of them were too big, couldn’t be stored, and required gas. How are you supposed to transport a big ‘ole mower through your kitchen if you want to mow the backyard? 

We used the below criteria to find a good townhouse mower.

  1. Size
    • A few things we asked ourselves as we considered the appropriate size for a townhouse lawn mower. Is it light enough to carry? Is it narrow enough to allow for a close cut to the corners of our yard? Can it easily be stored in our garage, or better yet, our closet? Can we transport it home in our small car? 
    • All of these questions helped us narrow our focus and view it more as another household tool, like a vacuum. 
  2. Power source
    • We almost immediately crossed gas powered mowers off of our list and here is why. A gas can in the garage was another thing that needed storage. My parents’ townhouse also did not have backyard access from the road. So anything that  needs to go back there has to go through their kitchen. Did they really want gas to spill into their kitchen?
    • This left us with battery-powered and electric corded mowers. Two considerations for storage here as well. One requires an extension cord and the other requires a place to keep and charge the batteries. This is total personal preference, but an extension cord can also be used for other things that aren’t lawn-related.
  3. Cost
    • My parents were bummed enough to have to buy lawn equipment again, so cost was a big component to them. They wanted an inexpensive but reliable piece of equipment. 

Once I helped them walk through each of these components, we narrowed our list down to these five mowers.

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. 

Unusual testing methods.

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

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7 Best Cordless Trimmer and Blower Combo Kits

The best cordless trimmer and blower combinations are the ones that work together like MJ and Pippen. My favorite is the Greenworks 40V string trimmer and blower combo because it has a great battery system, brushless motor, and is very inexpensive.

Here’s a scenario. You just mow your lawn with one of our top-ranked electric mowers. You pop the battery off, and get to trimming around your driveway and garden beds with the trimmer, then quickly pop the battery onto your blower and finish the job.

You can grab the best string trimmer and blower combo on Amazon for a great price.

This is the dream scenario – efficient, seamless, emission free, and easy. While many of these tools can be bought directly from the manufacturer, Home Depot, or Lowes – we have found Amazon has them bundled into easy to assemble and low-cost kits. The trimmer and blower combinations listed below are going to get you there. 

The top 7 trimmer and blower combinations

7. Craftsman V20 String Trimmer and Blower Combo Kit, Cordless (CMCK297M1)

Craftsman provides some great household tools, from air pressurizers to vacuums. Craftsman does a great job in their V20 series by providing a pair of tools that help roll-up your garage into a convenient and easy-to-use kit.

Let’s start with the Craftsman V20 string trimmer. The string trimmer has an automatic line advancement, meaning you won’t have to constantly stop to lengthen the string in the trimmer when it runs low. The trimmer can also function as an edging tool, providing even more versatility to the overall combo kit.

The blower is also perfect for homeowners doing smaller jobs. A 350 CFM, 100 MPH blower has variable speed controlled by a trigger to match the size of the job. While this isn’t the most powerful blower on the market, it is definitely enough power to clear out your garage, patio, deck, or driveway. 

This product comes in at a great price and is actually listed as “Amazon’s Choice” for string trimmer and blower combo kits. You can find it on Amazon for a DEAL. Grab it today to take on any job around your home.

Sleek Craftsman design looks great in the garage.

6. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* POWERCONNECT 10 in. 2in1 Cordless String Trimmer/Edger + Sweeper Combo Kit (LCC222)

This one is super popular – and for good reason. The price on this blower combo kit is nearly impossible to beat.

One thing I love about both of these tools is that it takes Black and Decker’s super popular 20V max battery. For example, I have this battery and use it on my power drill. I could easily take it off of that and pop it onto the blower or trimmer.

While the trimmer here is pretty basic, it is going to be just fine for small yards. If you live in a townhome or otherwise have a tiny yard, this is all you will need.

The blower will leave a lot to be desired from a power perspective. It is super small and has an even smaller opening. BUT – this  may be all you need if you have a small yard. And as a positive, it is super quiet. Like eerily quiet.

You can buy this for right a super low price on Amazon, where it has almost 7,500 reviews (averaging 4.5 stars).

The low power, high value trimmer and blower kit.

5. Dewalt String Trimmer, DCST925 and DCBL720 Combo Kit (DCKO975M1)

While Dewalt isn’t recognized as much as some of the others for breadth of lawn equipment, they definitely have a solid core product line. We have reviewed their battery-powered mower in addition to the blower featured in this combo kit.

To summarize, the blower is pretty good but not great. It has a wide opening, which allows for a large jet stream of air, but the speed of the air isn’t as high as I would like. We review the whole thing in this blower review.

The string trimmer looks really sweet. In particular, we really like the squeeze handles at the top. Many manufacturers have normal triggers, but the squeeze triggers are so much easier to use and don’t cramp up your hands. 

This kit is great, but is a little on the pricier side. You can grab this kit on Amazon for cheap or so, depending on where you grab it. Check it out on Amazon to see where the best deal is today.

Dewalt has the great handle on the trimmer.

4. WORX WG928 GT 3.0 Grass Turbine 2 20V Batt/Charger Included String Trimmer Blower Combo Kit, Black and Orange

Well, that’s a mouthful but I wanted to make sure you knew which one I was talking about if you are perusing the online stores.

Here’s the thing I love about WORX. They have some great trimmers that double as edgers (see our GT Revolution review here). The trimmer listed here looks like it could double as an edger as well, has an intuitive, adjustable handle, and (my favorite) a battery that goes underneath the handle. The GT 3.0 trimmer is great trimmer aside from this combination kit.

The blower is okay. Probably on the lower end as far as speed goes. But that’s alright – you don’t need a ton of power unless you have a large yard or are working with wet leaves/grass. Remember to mow while it is dry and you will be fine.

Buy this trimmer and blower combination set on Amazon (currently on sale). This is a good deal – and people love this combo set. It has almost 17,000 reviews – by far the most of any of the combo kits out there.

The awesome trimmer and blower in the Worx combo kit.

3. EGO Power+ ST1502LB 15-Inch String Trimmer & 530CFM Blower Combo Kit with 2.5Ah Battery and Charger Included, Blower & Trimmer, Black

Why can’t they just name these products something simple? Like “EGO Combo kit” or something?

Anyways, this is one of the more impressive combo kits on the market. EGO has great stuff, but they tend to be pretty expensive. This combo kit is no exception. 

The blower is a beast at 530 CFMs, which means it is probably blowing air well north of 100mph (not listed in the specs). It also has a brushless motor, which means it is built to last. You can’t get much higher quality than this EGO blower. 

The trimmer looks pretty standard – it is definitely bigger than most of the other trimmers on this list at 15 inches. Both of these products take a 56V battery – which can be used with a bunch of their other products.

As far as combos go, this one can handle much more than small yards. I think this would work for medium to large yards as well (if  that suits you).

You can find it on Amazon for a good price today. I definitely recommend for larger yards.

EGO has the coolest looking lawn tools.

2. Ryobi One ONE+ 18-Volt Lithium-Ion String Trimmer/Edger and Blower Combo Kit 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger Included

While I am not a huge fan of Ryobi’s ONE+ series, I have to give it to them – this battery can do just about anything. I generally prefer the tools in their 40V battery line because they are heavier duty than the 18V battery in the ONE+ series. 

The main thing you are getting with this purchase is convenience. This is a relatively small Ryobi trimmer that can double as an edger (sorta). It is 10 inches, making it one of the smaller trimmers on here.

The blower will be great for things like a garage or patio, but honestly won’t get you very far in a bigger yard. The reason I ranked this set so highly is because Ryobi’s 18V battery in the ONE+ series can be used in a ton of other tools. That takes this product from a 2-tool kit, to about a 100-tool kit if you have the battery. 

The price is pretty dang good as well, selling for a good deal on Amazon right now, including the battery. Go grab it on Amazon and start building out your tool collection today.

Ryobi ONE+ blower and trimmer are super convenient.

1. Greenworks 40V Cordless String Trimmer and Leaf Blower Combo Kit, 2.0Ah Battery and Charger Included

Greenworks is hands down one of my favorite lawn tool brands on the market – especially in the battery-powered world. They differentiate themselves on one thing: quality. The 40V combo kit here is no exception.

The trimmer is relatively basic, but also comes with a nice edging guard that helps you edge the yard as well. It is 12 inches, putting it right in the sweet spot for edgers here. It also has the automatic line advancement, meaning you won’t have to take any breaks to readjust the trimming  line.

The  blower is great as well. It has over 390 CFM of power at 110 mph speeds. This is perfect for small jobs around the yard as well as patio, deck, garage, or any other hard surface. 

You will get 45 minutes of run time with these, which is more than enough for even medium sized yards. The 40V battery also works with 60+ other lawn tools from Greenworks including mowers, chainsaws, and anything else you could ever need if you move to a larger yard.

You can grab this bad boy on Amazon today for a ridiculously low price. There is a reason over 7,000 people have rated this combo kit 4.5 stars.

My favorite – Greenworks high quality blower and trimmer kit – for cheap.

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 tests 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.

The benefits of a battery-powered trimmer

There are a few reasons to check out an electric weed eater when picking out your next lawn and garden tool kit. As compared to gas-powered weed eaters, electric weed eaters tend to be easier to use and maintain. At the end of a long winter season, you may have to refuel your gas powered weed eater and crank it a few times before you can get it to start. With electric weed eaters, you simply place the battery and you are ready to go. 

Another benefit to electric trimmers is maintenance. You will not have to do anything to maintain an electric trimmer other than change out the line. No oil change, no filter change, and no messy gasoline spills. Just the normal string change and you are good to go.

Benefits of battery-powered blowers

Obviously you have two options when selecting a leaf blower: electric or gas.They are worlds apart in just about every aspect. Electric leaf blowers tend to be cheaper, less powerful, but easier to maintain. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I used to have a Ryobi leaf blower attachment that came on their 3-in-1 tool kit. I have now gone through two of the leaf blower heads in which they start making a high pitch scraping noise when I am using it. 

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

Gas blowers are superior from a power and durability standpoint. They are super strong, last many seasons, and quickly get the job done. They do require maintenance, gas, and crank-starts, which are a little more difficult for most people. I always recommend an electric blower for smaller yards, whereas larger yards are better served with gas blowers.

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3 Best Ryobi Leaf Blowers: Side-by-Side Comparison

The best Ryobi 40V blower is the Brushless Whisper series blower that is ultra powerful, quiet, and comes with a huge battery.

Ryobi 40V blowers come in many shapes, sizes, and strengths. Today, we are going to check out the Brushless Whisper series, the 110 MPH 525 CFM Jet-fan blower, and the RYOBI 40V 155 MPH 300 CFM Cordless Battery Jet Fan.

To be frank, I have not been a huge fan of Ryobi’s battery powered line. I have their 3-in-1 ExpandIt Ryobi 40V weed eater. This has a blower attachment and it has broken twice. Yep, twice. I have attached it, turned it on, and it has made a high pitched screaming noise and then lost about half of its power. That’s a 40V blower, these are 40V blowers – needless to say it is going to take a lot to impress me. 

Let’s check out what we will review today:

The Ryobi 40V blowers: Feature reviews

Let’s check out some of the features and break down what they really mean for us at home…staring at a wet leaf stuck to our driveway….and eventually walking up and scraping it off with the tip of the blower (not that this has ever happened to me). 

Power

Power surprisingly varies quite a bit between these: let’s investigate.

Brushless Whisper Series

The Ryobi 40V Brushless Whisper blower is the industry’s most powerful cordless (electric) handheld (not backpack) blower. It comes with a “Speed Tip” that allows it to reach up to 190 MPH. Most handheld electric blowers come in at around 90 to 125 miles per hour, so this is actually a pretty significant boost. 

The brushless motor has a big part of how this blower is so powerful. The ability to not crush itself with heat and friction allows it to retain energy for actually doing its job instead of just getting hot for no reason. 

The Ryobi 40V blower from the “Brushless Whisper Series” is a powerful cordless blower. Despite the name sounding like a candle from the Bath and Bodyworks, this blower means business. 

Ryobi Brushless motors on leaf blowers

Although this sounds like an ASMR experience, it’s actually a powerful facet of a motor. A brushed motor means that there are blocks of carbon connected to a spring. These spin and change the magnetic polarity inside of a motor. Sadly, these can wear out overtime and otherwise cause significant heat while operating.

The Ryobi 40V Brushless Whisper blower in all its glory.

Brushless motors include a computer chip that charges magnets and does not have any of this friction happening. The runtime is increased by about 50% when compared to brush motors. This also allows the motor to be much quieter, which is where the “Whisper” portion of the name comes in. 

110 MPH 525 CFM Variable-Speed Jet Fan

This blower is more recognizable because it is one of the more affordable battery powered blowers offered by Ryobi. It looks similar to the Brushless Whisper blower above, except has a wider opening.

To be honest, not a huge fan of the power of this blower. While the CFM is high, indicating a higher power output, the nozzle of this blower is really wide. So it is not a focused stream, but more of a wall of air that doesn’t do all that much good. This is good for very light work such as dry leaves or saw dust, but not for bigger jobs that require a faster air stream.

See how it has a really wide opening – almost a straight tube?

I would compare the power of this to the Dewalt blower we reviewed.

RYOBI 40V 155 MPH 300 CFM Cordless Battery Jet Fan

The 155 MPH 300 CFM Jet Fan is a mouthful, but also one of the lighter, easy to use blowers offered by Ryobi. I recently purchased this item and when it came, I had my doubts.

Now, I didn’t expect for it to be as strong as a backpack blower, but I was shocked at how good of a job it did, especially compared to my old 40V attachment. This thing did a pretty good job, especially compared to the one above. I took it out to my back deck and was able to blow most leaves off, with the exception of some that were stuck between boards or wedged up against the side of the railing. Not bad!

Ryobi 40V blowers: Durability

If you read the opening paragraphs of this review, you would know that I have gone through two Ryobi 40V blowers in the past few years. They keep breaking and grinding and squealing. One difference between the one that I own and this one is that this is a dedicated blower. My Ryobi 40V blower is an attachment and a total joke.

Brushless Whisper Series

The key differentiator is again the brushless motor. Without all of the friction inside of the motor, the brushless motors last way longer. Ryobi knows that and has backed it with a five year warranty. 

Frankly, the five year warranty is the longest I have seen on the market. That’s exceptional, especially for a battery-powered product. To top things off, the battery has a three year warranty. 

110 MPH 525 CFM Variable-Speed Jet Fan

I can’t knock this blower too much because it really is a standard electric blower. It does not have a brushless motor meaning that at some point, it is going to burn out. Whether or not that happens after 2 years or 3 years, it won’t last as long as the Brushless Whisper.

RYOBI 40V 155 MPH 300 CFM Cordless Battery Jet Fan

The 155 MPH 300 CFM blower is similar to the above. Probably a similar piece of equipment, but has less CFMs, meaning the engine isn’t moving as fast. This might make it last a tad longer. It still will not stack up to the Brushless Whisper series blower.

Battery Life on Ryobi 40V blowers

Let’s talk more about the battery on these blowers. The Ryobi 40V Brushless Whisper blower has two 4.0 Ah batteries with a 40V rapid charger. This charger will juice the batteries up four times faster than a standard charger. Basically it can charge a battery from empty to full within about 40 minutes. 

While this does require the two batteries, it really can last for quite a while. I would say blowing leaves across a few acres would be easily doable with this battery life. These are the same batteries that power their mower, if that tells you anything. It mentions a 2 hour runtime, which is quite impressive. I have not used it for that long.

The other ones just require one 40V battery, which is great for charging purposes, but is going to run for about half as long. I imagine again that you will never fully run through the battery just blowing leaves.

Something great about these batteries is that they can be used with over 50 other Ryobi products. This really helps if you do have the mower or trimmer or any of their other products. Basically it can save you some money by purchasing the tool-only option that comes without the battery. 

Experience

It is all about the experience. What it sounds like and feels like. Let’s jump in.

Brushless Whisper Series

The whisper series name cracked me up, but after doing some more research on decibel levels I am shocked. This blower comes in at about 57 dB. That means absolutely nothing to me, so let me compare it to something else you may know. An electric toothbrush weighs in at about 55 dB of noise. The Ryobi 40V blower is stunningly quiet. 

One thing I cannot stand about my neighbors is the lawn care company they hire. They come in with these massive backpack blowers that are insanely loud. For some reason, they blow the entire street with absolutely no regard for human life. Truly, I cannot understand for the life of me why someone would want to use one of those blowers when you have one of these available and have a smaller job.

An older model of the 40V Ryobi Blower that is frankly pretty weak.

110 MPH 525 CFM Variable-Speed Jet Fan

Nothing sexy about this one. As I mentioned before, this is a very “stock” battery powered lawn mower. I don’t give this one a great experience score because it is going to be louder than the Brushless Whisper series AND the one below, with actually doing a worse job of blowing. You hate to see it!

RYOBI 40V 155 MPH 300 CFM Cordless Battery Jet Fan

This blower was slightly louder than I would have liked considering the lower CFM. But overall, this is a really light blower. Super easy to use and hangs down low to the ground, which is great for a tall freak like me. This was fun to use and I recommend it for lighter jobs, like your deck, garage, or patio. I got mine off of Amazon for a great price.

Usability

Usability is one of THE most important elements of a blower. It has to be comfortable and easy to use.

Brushless Whisper Series

Another great feature on the Ryobi 40V blower is the speed controller trigger and cruise control. This allows you to not have to squeeze and pass, but to simply adjust the cruise control and let your hands relax a little bit. 

Up close view of the trigger and cruise control of the Ryobi 40V blower.

This also includes a “turbo” button as though it is straight out of Fast N’ Furious, which increases the power. A potential situation here is that you are blowing dry leaves at a medium speed and realize that a wet leaf is stuck to the pavement at the bottom. You can press the turbo button and it will maximize the output of the blower for as long as its pressed, then will return back to the speed you had set previously.

110 MPH 525 CFM Variable-Speed Jet Fan

As mentioned in the name of the blower, this one has a nice variable speed trigger. This lets you pull the trigger up from a slight blow to all the way maxed out.

Scratching my head at who would want a blower to do a “soft blow”, but it is there if you want it. Another cool part about this one is that it can lock a speed in place. Not my cup of tea because I always max out, but some people might like it.

RYOBI 40V 155 MPH 300 CFM Cordless Battery Jet Fan

This one had the simplest functionality. Just a squeeze trigger and that’s about it. For me, I hold the trigger down the whole time on full blast, so it didn’t make that much of a difference.

As I mentioned earlier, it is super light and easy to use. Even with it hanging down lower, I did not feel much of a shoulder strain after about 20 minutes.

Assembly of the Ryobi 40V blower series

Okay – making some assumptions here, but I recently unpacked the 155 MPH 300 CFM blower and set it up. The others look to be even easier to assemble, but this one required about 20 seconds of assembly.

I bought the tool-only version because I have a 40V battery ready. This saved me about $40-50 which was huge!

I’ll frame out the step by step below:

It came shipped in this box! Not even a normal cardboard box could contain it!
When I unboxed it, it came like this. Just the long end of the blower and the main piece of equipment.
I immediately tossed out the instructions because I am a man suffering from toxic masculinity.
I simply snapped in the longer end of the blower to the main blower piece.
This shows how to assemble the whole thing – not sped up at all.

Ryobi 40V Blower prices

Let’s dig into the prices!

Brushless Whisper Series

Okay – I have spoken pretty glowingly about this blower so far, but one setback is the price. You can get some Ryobi blowers for less than $100 and this one will cost you over $300 for the tool + batteries. It is a great deal in that it reduces your time out in the yard. You can check the most recent price on Home Depot’s website.

Here is why I think it is worth it:

  • Five year tool warranty and three year battery warranty
  • Interchangeable battery with other Ryobi products
  • Strongest electric blower on the market
  • Easy to use and quiet

Folks, I have seen enough. I am officially recommending this blower. 

Curious at how the price of this one stacks up? Check out our lawn equipment cost guide.

110 MPH 525 CFM Variable-Speed Jet Fan

This one has been given an official “meh”. It comes in around $130 for the tool-only version. It is fine, but won’t last you very long and will keep you out in the yard for a while.

Don’t just take my word for it – check out the reviews and price on Home Depot – a lot of people love it (including me).

RYOBI 40V 155 MPH 300 CFM Cordless Battery Jet Fan

This one is better! Not as nice as the Brushless Whisper blower, but definitely gets the job done efficiently. I bought the tool only version at Home Depot and have loved it so far.

The official review: Ryobi 40V blowers breakdown

FeatureBrushless Whisper110 MPH 525 CFM Variable-Speed Jet Fan RYOBI 40V 155 MPH 300 CFM Cordless Battery Jet Fan
Difficulty to useEasier to use cruise control functionAverage usabilityAverage usability
DurabilityVery durable and backed by warrantyNot that durableAverage durability
MaintenanceEasiest to maintain Easiest to maintain Easiest to maintain
ValueHighest valueLowest valueMedium value
For lots <10,000 sq. ftHighly recommendedRecommendedHighly recommended
For lots <1 acreHighly recommendedNot recommendedRecommended
For lots >1 acreHighly recommendedNot recommendedNot recommended

Why we review lawn tools

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

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.

Ryobi 40V products

The Ryobi 40V series of products is supposed to be the convenient, all-in-one way to use one battery for hundreds of pieces of equipment. It is kind of weird how this builds brand loyalty and works to an extent. 

Step back and think about it – a battery takes up 8 inches of space in the garage, but having hundreds of big, interchangeable electric tools is supposed to be convenient? Isn’t that backwards? Shouldn’t they be making more compact tools or innovating in some other way? 

Enough of my soapbox. I’ve reviewed a few of their other products like the infamous Ryobi brushless lawn mower that I secretly love and similar products like Dewalt’s self-propelled lawn mower and 20V hedge trimmer that I did a full YouTube review about in my early days (and even a nice 60V chainsaw). Ryobi is about the same, but if you like neon green then go for it. 

If you want to see the Ryobi 40V vs the super powerful EGO 56V blower, check this out!

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7 Best Black and Decker Electric Hedge Trimmers

The best Black and Decker Hedge Trimmers is the Black & Decker 20V MAX 22 inch hedge trimmer because it is cordless, has decent length, and a strong battery system that works with other tools.

Let’s walk through our favorite black and decker hedge trimmers for everyone’s budget.

Top Black + Decker hedge trimmers:

Best Black and Decker Hedge Trimmers: Ranked in 2024

Let’s hop right in and rank these bad boys! It was tough to rank all of them, but I think we NAILED IT.

7. Black + Decker 40V Max Lithium Ion 22-inch Cordless Trimmer

  • What to love: This trimmer comes in at 22-inches long, putting it at the longer end of Black and Decker trimmers. It also has a wrap-around handle, meaning you aren’t having to torque your wrists at weird angles to get a good cut. 
  • What to not love: This trimmer has a 40V battery, which (in my experience) is less common among Black+Decker products. Also, this thing costs around $100, which is more expensive than most other hedge trimmers, but it is currently on sale on Amazon.

Look, it’s last on the list but it’s competing with 45 other trimmers. It is a great trimmer, especially if you are shorter and have a 40V battery already. 

Sadly, I have neither of those things. 

For those of you that are looking to get a premium hedge trimmer and could use the 40V battery with other tools, buy the 40V Max Lithium Ion 22-inch Trimmer on Amazon for a great price.

This bad boy is long!

6. Black and Decker 18-Inch Electric Hedge Trimmer (BEHT200)

The Black +Decker 18-inch Electric Hedge Trimmer is pretty basic – and that’s why I love it. First of all, it requires an extension cord. This can be a positive or a negative depending on your perspective. Sure, there’s no battery, but you also have to schlep around a cord and worry about chopping it in half. 

The 18-incher from Black and Decker is the perfect size, is super light-weight, and the same wrap around handle as the last trimmer. It also has a full-length handle, meaning your index finger won’t feel all the pressure (literally).

  • What to love: No battery running out, super lightweight, extremely inexpensive.
  • What to not love: Cord can drag you down. 

Right now, this puppy is selling on Amazon for less than $50. Yep. It is an incredible deal and will take care of pretty much any job you have. If you’re fine with an extension cord, then this will allow you to get going in your yard without any problem at all.

Grab it on Amazon today for astonishingly cheap.

The handle on this is really nice and out of the way of the cord.

5. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Hedge Trimmer with Power Command Powercut, 22-Inch (LHT321FF)

Well, if it sounds like it means business, it probably does. This thing has the bells and whistles. Let’s check it out:

  • What to love: This is one of the longest hedge trimmers offered by Black and Decker at 22 inches. It also comes with a PowerCut button that provides additional power to cut through thicker branches. I also love the 20V battery, as this is what fits my current Black + Decker power drill.
  • What to not love: This trimmer has a higher price tag than most, but is honestly worth the money if you do a lot of trimming.

I gotta say, this is currently “Amazon’s Choice” for cordless trimmers. If you want to get the job done quickly, this thing will get you there. Grab it on Amazon (it’s currently on sale), and get started on those bushes today.

The extra power button is mindblowing.

4. Black + Decker Electric Hedge Trimmer, 16-inch (BEHT100)

The 16-inch BEHT100 from Black and Decker is a hedge trimmer that is simply….simple. It is the most basic, barebones trimmer offered by them. This means it is one of the smallest and lightest machines they sell.

  • What to love: The price. This thing currently costs $29 on Amazon. Unreal. It also is super lightweight (4 lbs). If you just want something inexpensive to get the job done, this is going to be just fine. 
  • What to not love: If you are looking for heavy duty action, it simply isn’t here. This is a corded trimmer, it isn’t very long, and its handle is more of a knob. It is basic – but you get what you pay for. 

If I’m a new homeowner and my house isn’t furnished yet because I just spent my life savings, then heck yeah I am grabbing this one. It truly is perfectly fine despite the lack of bells and whistles. 

Grab it for a super low price today on Amazon (like 6,000 others have) and go take care of those dang bushes.

Simple, yet elegant.

3. Black + Decker 40V Max Cordless Hedge Trimmer, 24-inch

Okay earlier when I said that number 7 was the biggest and baddest – I lied. This one has a 24-inch blade, or two feet of blades to reach the top of the bushes. It can also handle up to 6000 sq/ft of hedges before it needs to be charged. That’s insane.

  • Here’s what I love: The length is great, and as tall as I am I still cannot reach the tops of some of these even taller bushes. It has a nice wrap-around handle as well. 
  • Here’s what I don’t love: It is one of the heavier trimmers, at almost 7 lbs. It is also the most expensive. But again, you get what you pay for – and this is a lot of trimmer.

If you don’t mess around, grab this on Amazon for the best price I’ve seen. If you already have the battery, you can actually get it in Amazon for half-price if you get the tool-only version.

Looks sort of like one of those sharks.

2. BLACK+DECKER Electric Hedge Trimmer, 17-Inch (BEHT150)

So, this is basically the same as number four. Except an inch longer and basically the same price – why not go for it?

  • What to love: The price. This thing currently costs $32 on Amazon. Unreal. It also is super lightweight (4 lbs). If you just want something inexpensive to get the job done, this is going to be just fine. 
  • What to not love: If you are looking for heavy duty action, it simply isn’t here. This is a corded trimmer, it isn’t very long, and its handle is more of a knob. It is basic – but you get what you pay for. 

This one is perfect for new homeowners or people that are doing some relatively light work. This makes the most sense when you are shelling out a bunch of money for new lawn equipment. 

And it is precisely why I would just go grab it on Amazon for super cheap – an amazing price right now.

1. BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Hedge Trimmer, 22-Inch (LHT2220)

The best. I mean all the great things I have pointed out in the other trimmers – this one has. Not only is it 22inches, 20V battery powered (the more common battery type among Black and Decker products), has an amazing squeeze trigger, and a full-grip handle – it is also an amazing price. 

Currently it is available on Amazon for $89 – which is unheard of. It is super easy to use, comfortable to handle, super powerful, and light. 

If I’m grabbing a new hedge trimmer, hands-down I am getting this one. If you already have the battery like me, then you can get it on Amazon for super cheap of course – an absolute steal.

Just a beast. A no brainer.

Why we review lawn tools

We review lawn tools for the same reason you visited our site today. It is darn near impossible to figure out what to get for your yard. There are so many technical terms, online weirdos, and oddly named tools that make it difficult to really know what you are buying.

Our unusual testing methods.


Well, we at The Lawn Review got fed up with it and decided to translate this into English. Less focus on the technical specifications and more focus on how the tool works and whether or not you need it. 

So let’s get started!

What to look for in a Black + Decker Hedge Trimmer

When I’m looking for a Black + Decker Hedge Trimmer, I honestly don’t care that much about the specifications. It is something I am going to be holding up, sometimes over my head, with sharp blades. So I want to know what it feels like to use. These things can take your finger off (or worse) if you aren’t careful. 

That’s why I look at these few things:

  1. Weight – I don’t want something that is super heavy or hard to maneuver
  2. Power source – I either want to go battery-powered for full freedom, or get a hedge trimmer that can hold on to the dang cord and not easily unplug
  3. Handle and comfort – The handle needs to be intuitive, easy to use, and hopefully anti-vibration
  4. Blade length – I’m super tall, so I don’t have an issue with shorter blades, but longer ones obviously get you further.

With these things in mind, let’s rank the best available Black + Decker trimmers. Most of these are corded and a few even make our list of the best corded hedge trimmers.

Looking for cordless? Check out our best cordless hedge trimmers ranking.

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11 Popular Greenworks Lawn Mowers: Reviewed & Ranked

The best Greenworks electric lawn mower is the Greenworks 80V 21 inch mower – which I bought last year and still use as my primary lawn mower. This mower has a super durable motor and cutting deck, a great price tag, and looks pretty darn cool as well. Greenworks makes super high-quality mowers and have slowly started taking up the battery-powered mower space.

If you found this article, you probably saw Greenworks mowers on Amazon, where they absolutely dominate and have super low prices. They can also be found at Costco, or directly on Greeenworks’ website.

Let’s sum up our findings from today:

The Ultimate Greenworks Electric Mower Ranking

I broke down the complete list of the best Greenworks electric mowers and ranked these suckers from worst to best (although all are pretty good).

11. Greenworks 18-inch 12 Amp Corded Electric lawn mower

The Greenworks 18-inch 12 Amp Corded electric lawn mower is basic. In fact, some might call it boring. But boring can be beautiful sometimes. If you look at the picture below, you might think “that is extremely simple”. 

The thing is that this mower is not going to be complex and not have all these weird functions and stuff you have to modify. It is straightforward. And that’s nice.

I have it at the bottom of the list not because it is simple, but because it is on the smaller side of mowers and still requires an extension cord. This doesn’t have the bells and whistles, but does still have a metal deck – meaning it will last a while.

You really can’t go wrong with this one. And it is for sale for a pretty dang good price on Amazon.

Simple, classy, elegant.

10. Greenworks G-Max 40V 20-inch cordless 3-in-1 lawn mower

The Greenworks G-Max 40V 20-inch mower comes across as extremely aggressive. In fact, it’s the opposite of the one above. It has ALL the bells and whistles. 

A 20 inch steel deck means it is going to be durable and allows for mulching, bag collection, or side discharge. This gives you some flexibility in how you groom your grass. The mower also detects when it is getting kickback from dense grass and will increase the blade speed to push through the job.

It takes two batteries and can cut the majority of home’s grass in a single charge. 

If you are looking for a heavy (it weighs 60 lbs) duty electric mower, you truly cannot go wrong with the G-Max 40V 20-inch mower. You can buy it today on Amazon for just under $400.

Probably the best looking Greenworks mower.

9. Greenworks 48V 20” Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower

I love this dang mower. It comes with a few great things, chief of which is the brushless motor. Brushless motors last longer, require less energy, and don’t overheat the electrical unit. To me, they are non-negotiable when buying electronic equipment.

This mower also has a 20 inch steel deck and LED headlights, for all those times you mow in the middle of the night. There is also a “turbo” button which appears to speed up the blades just like in the previous mower. 

It truly is an amazing, long-lasting mower that can be purchased on Amazon today for right at $399.

This one is pretty neat – one of the only 48V mowers.

8.Greenworks 21-inch 40V Self propelled cordless lawn mower

The 21 inch deck on this mower makes it one of the larger mowers that Greenworks makes. As I mentioned previously, I’m not the biggest fan of self-propelled mowers – BUT – a LOT of people are. Their muscles simply aren’t as large as mine. 

It is definitely a sleek looking mower with the majority of the body being black. This is the perfect mower for someone with a larger yard who gets tired pushing for a long time. 

At a slightly higher price point, this mower is currently available on Amazon. 

This mower is pretty slick!

7. Greenworks 25302 20 inch 40V Twin Force Cordless mower

The Greenworks 25302 is one of the earlier models made by Greenworks. It doesn’t have a steel cutting deck, but it is one of the lighter mowers for its 20-inch size. 

It has a 40V battery that can be used in a ton of different Greenworks products and will run for about an hour. There is also an opportunity to add a second battery to it for it to go even longer. 

This mower is great, not intimidating, and has wonderful reviews on Amazon by older women. If this sounds like you, then buy it on Amazon and join the club.

6. Greenworks 10 Amp 16-inch corded mower 25142

The Greenworks 10 Amp 16-inch corded mower is a plug-in, mostly plastic mower. So why did I rank it so high?

THE PRICE! It is an amazing price on Amazon if you’re interested in buying.

This mower is a simple design and basically all you will need for a thorough cut. It is one of the premium corded (requiring an extension cord) mower on the market. A great thing about this mower is that its super light, easy to start, and easy to store. 

This one is perfect for first time homebuyers with a smaller yard. Buy it now on Amazon for about half of the price of the other mowers.

5. Greenworks 40V 21 inch cordless brushless push mower

This is one of the better looking mowers offered by Greenworks, IMO. It is almost pure black, has a big ole steel cutting deck, and looks like any other gas mower on the market. 

It comes with a nice mulching bag, but can also do mulching or side discharge (this is what I do). One thing I love about this mower is of course the BRUSHLESS MOTOR. It will last you for a long time.

Greenworks also does a great job of making easy-to-store mowers that can fit into a tight space in your garage or shed. If you want one of the better looking electric mowers on the market, buy this mower on Amazon (lowest price I could find).

Mean looking and ready to get pushed.

4. Greenworks 48V 17” Cordless lawn mower

Okay, so it may not make a ton of sense that this one ranks so highly but I will explain why. It is a 48V mower that is 17 inches wide, making it great for small yards. The beauty in this mower is that it can be purchased in a combination set.

Yep, you can get it with a blower, a trimmer, or both. It will also come with a dual battery charger, which is super convenient for all of the different tools. 

I recommend going with this one if you are looking for an all-in-one solution. This set is great for those that are new homeowners, wanting to make the switch to electric, or have a smaller yard. 

You can get the full set on Amazon for a decent price and save a ton of money on battery costs. Grab it today to grab all the lawn tools you will ever need at the same time.

Best mower for getting a combo kit.

3. Greenworks 12amp 20-inch 3-in-1 electric corded lawn mower

Not gonna lie, this thing is pretty sweet. While it is a corded mower, I ranked it so highly because of its simplicity. Yes, you will need an extension cord, but this thing is built to last. It has a 20 inch steel deck which is amazing for longevity.

Another thing I love about this mower is the PRICE. To my knowledge, this is one of the least expensive 20 inch mowers on the planet. Right now, it is on sale on Amazon for about a 10% discount.

There is a reason it has almost 10k reviews on Amazon – its really popular, light, easy to use, and will last a long time. The Greenworks 12A 20 inch corded mower has all the perks of the big battery-powered mowers, but technically has unlimited run time. 

Go ahead and treat yourself to this mower on Amazon because it is as simple as hooking up a vacuum – and actually way less expensive.

2. Greenworks 40V Push Lawn Mower, 16 inch electric lawn mower

Okay so I had absolutely no choice but to rank this one higher than the mower above because it has some similar attributes. Both are at an incredible price point in their category and both are wildly popular.

This mower runs off of a 40V battery that can be used with a ton of other Greenworks tools. This bad boy is simple to use, small enough to tackle tight spaces, lightweight, and easy to store.

And did I mention the price? It is running about $50 under its list price right now on Amazon. It also has the option to add compatible tools like chainsaw, blower vac, trimmer, and leaf blower that all use the same battery. BRB going to go buy it on Amazon….

This is currently 20% off on Amazon, so I’d give it a look as the least expensive.

Popular, inexpensive, light.

1. Greenworks Pro 80V 21-inch Brushless self-propelled mower

How can I not but make this the number one Greenworks mower in 2022? This mower is the biggest, baddest Greenworks mower on the market. Coming in at 21 inches with a nice steel deck, this mower is ready for any size job. In fact, it’s larger than my current gas push mower.

Benefits of the top Greenworks mower

It is also self-propelled, meaning it can help move along the job for you. Not to mention the brushless motor. The Greenworks Pro 80V mower is simply the Cadillac of electric mowers. 

Another thing I love about this product is that the 80V battery can also be used with a ton of other tools that Greenworks offers, and they are all the most powerful and longest lasting. 

You can grab the mower alone, or with an edger, trimmer, or blower. If you already have the 80V battery, you can buy just the mower alone and save a ton of money (like $200 of savings).

This mower is on sale right now and Amazon says it is a “Limited Time Deal”, so if you are in the market – I would grab this one today.

Pretty dang sweet mower

Conclusion: Best Greenworks electric lawn mowers

When it comes to Greenworks mowers, you really can’t go wrong. It is important to find a mower that fits all of your needs, including price point, size, storage, power, and battery compatibility.

We are huge fans of Greenworks because they make top of the line battery-powered equipment. 

Why we review lawn mowers

We started The Lawn Review out of frustration. Looking for lawn tools was like trying to read the assembly instructions on a Swedish bookshelf from Ikea. A bunch of words that don’t really mean anything and don’t tell me how the experience of owning the lawn tool.

How we spend our time.

We want to be different. While we are experts in the field, we almost NEVER use technical jargon and are much more focused on the usability, experience, and value of each product.

Greenworks brand and reputation

Greenworks sells lawn tools like blowers, pressure washers, trimmers, and just about anything else you can think of. They are not often found in the big box stores, but have an amazing online presence, particularly at Amazon. 

We love their blower!

I love Greenworks products and have reviewed quite a few. One thing about their products consistently stands out: they make some powerful stuff. This means they are not just getting cheap parts and calling themselves a mower company – they take the time to truly develop high quality tools that can pack a punch.

A great example of this is their 80V blower, which made our list of top blowers. 

What to look for in a battery-powered lawn mower

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

  • Brand quality. Quality is going to be super important here. Everyone is in the electric mower game these days and there are a ton of junky mowers out there. Avoid anything from a weird brand on Amazon that takes 9 years to ship. It is probably being 3D printed in a Laotian bathroom. Go for brands that have consistent quality and focus on the details, not just flashy colors.
  • Metal where it matters. Most electric mowers are plastic-y. Probably to reduce the weight of the mower so that the battery can get you further, but it feels cheap. Make sure to get metal where it matters – namely the deck. The deck is the part that covers the blades. Don’t get plastic here – a rock can rip through it.
  • Battery interoperability. A ten dollar word used here, but really just make sure to buy a mower with a battery that is compatible with other electric tools. Ryobi has this, so does Dewalt, and so do some of the Greenworks products. This will save you garage clutter and plug space.
  • Self-propelled or not. I actually don’t like the self-propelled feature. It doesn’t help you that much and it drains battery – I would pass here. This is a marketing gimmick in my opinion.

You can read a more in-depth guide to making your first purchase in an electric lawn mower here.

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7 Ryobi Lawn Mowers We Absolutely Love

Ryobi battery-powered lawn mowers have burst onto the scene and are now one of the leaders in the electric mower world. The best Ryobi battery-powered mower is the Ryobi 40V Brushless SmartTrek mower because it is the most affordable while still maintaining really high quality.

I first got my hands on my Ryobi mower back in 2022 when my friend let me borrow his for one of my YouTube video reviews. I loved that I could quickly pop off the 40V battery and put it in my Whisper series blower.

Here are my choices for best Ryobi lawn mowers in 2024 after testing:

How I tested these Ryobi mowers

As I mentioned earlier, I got the Ryobi 40V mower from a friend last year and fell in love – so started trying out a bunch of different ones that I could grab from my local Home Depot. I’ve spent a lot of money buying lawn mowers and testing them, documenting it all on Youtube.

When I am testing these mowers, I am looking for a few things: power, ease of use, battery-run time, and the right technical specifications, which I try to break down in plain English.

7. Ryobi 38 inch 100 Ah Battery Electric Rear Engine Lawn Mower (RY48111)

The Ryobi 38 inch riding mower is extremely unique. In fact, I didn’t even know it existed before I did all of this research. This is not your typical riding lawn mower. The unique design on the 48V Brushless 38 in riding mower allows for a nice clean cut for much larger lawns. 

I know what you’re thinking – how does this thing run on batteries? Well, it is much different than other battery-powered mowers in that it plugs in like a dang Tesla. And it can run for up to 2.5 hours on a single charge. 

The more I read up on it, the more I love it. When I first sat on this one outside of Home Depot (they let me ride it around), I was shocked at how comfortable it was and how intuitive it was to use – just like my truck. I actually think this is one of the better (if not best) electric riding mowers I’ve seen. Good job Ryobi!

The absolute beast of an electric riding mower – the Ryobi Ry48110.

This one is available at Home Depot for a surprisingly good price. 

6. Ryobi 13 in ONE+ 18V Cordless Battery Walk Behind Push Mower

Sorry y’all – I am a little biased here. I am not the biggest fan of the 18V ONE+ series and am a much bigger fan of the Ryobi 40V series. 

The 13in mowing deck on this mower is simply tiny. When thinking about mowing your lawn, think about how wide of a path you need and the number of those paths to complete your yard. At just over a foot wide, this will leave you outside in the sun for longer than you may like. 

My neighbor let me borrow this one for testing since he has Ryobi’s super lightweight weed eater – the 18V ONE+. This uses the same battery and was equally lightweight for a mower.

A little too small! (Photo Cred: Home Depot)

If you have a small yard however, this may fit you really well – just like it did for my neighbor. But for the price, I think you can do better. Check out our guide to mowers for small lawns – you may find a better one over there.

This one is for sale from Home Depot.

5. Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless 16in. Cordless Battery Walk Behind Push Mower

This one is similar to the one above, but a few inches wider. If you have a <10,000 sq.ft plot of land, then this is actually a great mower. It is small enough to navigate nooks and crannies, but wide enough to knock out a few more passes in the yard. 

The one positive I will say about the 18V ONE+ series is that the battery can easily be popped back into the other indoor tools you may already own. While I like the longer battery life of the 40V, I can see the appeal of the 18V series for folks with smaller yards/projects. 

Okay! I can work with this.

If I’m picking a mower in the ONE+ HP 18V series, I’m going with this one. Go buy it online and pick it up at Home Depot.

4. Ryobi RY40180 40V Brushless Lithium-Ion Cordless mower kit

Okay, now we are talking! My Ryobi 40V Brushless Lithium-Ion mower (why are the names so dang long?) is a great mower. The cutting deck is a nice 20 inches, meaning you can cover much more ground than the mowers in the ONE+ series. 

This mower is really light, and folds in-half for a super compact storage design. This would fit underneath some stairs in your garage, or in a shed or even a closet. It also comes with a nice bag for collecting grass clippings.

And the best part – you can pop off the 40V battery and stick it right onto your Ryobi trimmer or blower.

Watch out! It’s got headlights!

3. Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21 in. Mower

Another mouthful of a mower, but it is pretty sweet. This is far and away the heaviest duty push mower that Ryobi offers. It has dual blade technology, similar to the rival EGO 56V mower. It is actually probably a direct response to the competition from EGO, since it has almost all of the same exact features, including the higher price.

Me with this mower

The beautiful things about this mower:

  • 21 inch cutting deck
  • 40 V battery that can be used with a ton of other Ryobi tools
  • Incredibly quiet
  • Self-propelled
  • Comes with two batteries
  • Dual blade technology adds some more power.

You can’t go wrong with this one if you are looking for a high end mower and are a Ryobi loyalist. It isn’t available on Amazon from what I can tell, but I have seen it at Home Depot for a reasonable price.

2. Ryobi Lawn Mower 20in 40V Lithium-Ion Brushless mower

This is similar in voltage and size to the mower above, but comes in at a way lower price point. It is essentially a barebones Ryobi mower, with still some of the features we love. It doesn’t have a self-propelled function, but it does have a brushless motor.

It doesn’t sacrifice quality for price, but it does sacrifice bells and whistles. It’s a great, quality mower that is on the lower end of the price range.

Brushless engines on Ryobi’s lawn mowers are manufactured to be quieter, use less energy, and last longer than standard electric motors. When it comes to electric mowers, you want something that will last you for a long time – just like gas mowers do. 

So quiet it just snuck up on you.

With the Ryobi 20in 40V brushless mower, you get a battery-powered mower that is an absolute unit. We recommend grabbing it from Amazon for a great price (compared to >$500 for other brands) or buy it online from Home Depot.

They’ve recently updated this one for 2024 and made it look a little bit cooler, with a darker tint over the battery and a boxier look. It is honestly the same exact thing but costs $100 more! Don’t fall for it. See how this one stacks up against the Greenworks 48V mower.

1. Ryobi 20in 40-Volt Brushless Smart Trek Self-Propelled Walk Behind Mower

Yep – it is official. Love at first sight is real. This Ryobi 40V mower which I wrote extensively about here is very similar to the mower above (both have brushless engines, 20 inch cutting decks, and 40V batteries), but has a few key differences.

The first difference – it is black! And looks way cooler than the other ones (in my opinion). 

Yup, we own it ourselves.


The second difference – the Smart Trek self-propelled feature. For those that have never used a self-propelled mower, they are awesome. Basically, they move for you – only light pushing and steering required. I ranked this number one because it has the most luxurious experience, best motor, and great interchangeable battery. When I was testing it, I loved how light it felt and how surprisingly well it did with my tall fescue.

As compared to other mowers like the EGO 56V mower, this one is lighter and easier to control. We did a full YouTube video review of this one if you want to check it out.

The Ryobi 20in 40V Self-propelled Mower from Home Depot, where it is almost exclusively sold!

Why I started The Lawn Review

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

We take tool testing seriously.

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

Ryobi tool batteries used for mowers

You may have found this page because you already have a bunch of Ryobi tools and have the batteries. If you didn’t know, you can buy the tool-only version of Ryobi mowers and save a ton of money. 

The 40V battery with my string trimmer.

Tool-only versions come without any batteries and can accept ones you have from other tools. They are way less expensive and allow you to pop your battery off another tool right into your mower (and vice versa).

Another benefit of tool-only products is that you won’t take up another plug on the wall in your garage. Avoid the mess!

Make sure you know exactly what to look for in an electric lawn mower by checking out our guide.

Are Ryobi Lawn Mowers any good?

In short, yes they are great lawn mowers but differ widely in their style and application. You also get what you pay for with Ryobi lawn mowers – if you are expecting to spend under $300 – you will get a budget mower (albeit a good one).

Ryobi makes great products in general and if you go with the 40V battery line, you can build out your entire shed with the a single battery, saving you tons of money.

Conclusion: My Experience with Ryobi Mowers

My Ryobi mowers actually rock! They are quiet, hold their charge, and tend to last longer (if you get Brushless). We highly recommend getting one of these mowers if you are looking for a nice mower to complement your Ryobi collection.

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