PSI and GPM are two acronyms to know when it comes to buying a new pressure washer. Both are often used to express the power of the pressure washer, but as I found out the hard way, are very different measurements.
A good pressure washer is an indispensable tool for your home, yard, and property. But, choosing the right machine for your needs can be a little confusing. That’s especially true when you’re faced with terms you may not be familiar with.
For example, every pressure washer you look at will have a GPM and PSI rating. These are specifications that determine your pressure washer’s power and capabilities. Understanding these two specs and how they affect your pressure washer’s performance is a key to success.
What Do GPM and PSI Mean on a Pressure Washer?
Pressure washers are designed to create a strong, steady stream of water for washing and cleaning. Both GPM and PSI are important factors to consider when buying and using one. Here’s a quick rundown of what each is and how they affect your power washer’s performance.
What Is GPM on a pressure washer?
Gallons Per Minute, or GPM is the volume of water that leaves your pressure washer. Generally, GPM ratings will range anywhere from 1.2 gallons per minute to 4 gallons per minute. If you’re a novice, or will only use your pressure washer occasionally for light cleaning, opt for a lower GPM to begin with. Higher GPM is more suitable for heavy-duty cleaning.
The higher the GPM, the more water that flows, meaning your cleaning jobs will go quicker because the water spreads farther. However, a lot of water over a large surface doesn’t have much cleaning power. For that, you need a higher PSI.
PSI, or pound-force per square inch, is the amount of cleaning pressure your machine is capable of producing. It’s the force of the water as it is pushed through the nozzle. You can adjust the PSI to ensure a proper cleaning and to avoid damage. For example, a high PSI but a low GPM, will produce a high amount of pressure over a fairly small area.
Which Is More Important, PSI or GPM on a pressure washer?
PSI and GPM work hand in hand. Having a high PSI means you have a laser beam of power. The range in GPM tells you how wide the laser beam will be. So high PSI and low GPM means a super small beam. High PSI and high GPM means a big freaking cannon of water.
As you can see, both of these are important in order to achieve the maximum cleaning capacity of your pressure washer. Choose a pressure washer with a high enough PSI and GPM to accomplish your cleaning goals. However, stay away from commercial pressure washers with a high PSI. This type of pressure washer will be tougher to operate due to the increased force of the water. An inexperienced user may find it to be very physically demanding, if not impossible to use safely and effectively.
A lot of these you won’t have to worry about accidentally buying because they are so darn expensive. I’d stick with a nice electric pressure washer that is incapable of getting out of hand.
What Are the Best PSI and GPM Settings?
When choosing a new power washer, you’ll want to look for one that provides enough power to achieve your goals. If you have fairly light duty cleaning you want to do occasionally, opt for a lower powered model. Big jobs to tackle? Choose a pressure washer with a higher GPM and PSI rating to get the job done fast and effectively.
No matter what you’re using your pressure washer for, or what its settings are, make sure you work safely. Wear safety goggles and other protective equipment and keep children and pets away from the machine.
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.
What features to look for in a pressure washer
Honda pressure washers make it relatively easy to knock off one of the biggest must-haves on your list: a reliable and powerful engine. But there are a few other things we recommend truly making sure are available when searching for a new pressure washer.
When choosing a pressure washer, you should pay attention to the nozzles included in the package. Two types of spray nozzles are available, adjustable spray nozzles that can be controlled and quick-connect nozzles with predefined spray patterns.
The predefined spray patterns typically come in different angles, allowing for you to quickly switch between a broad, lower pressure spray or a narrow, higher pressure stream.
Quick connect nozzles are super convenient, but they’re almost like airpods – you can lose them!
Soap tank availability
Additionally, you may want to consider a soap tank-equipped pressure washer. Some of these pressure washers have “foam cannons” where you can simply add some soap and it will mix it in with the water. Pretty cool.
I recommend a soap tank for cars and windows.
Wheels on pressure washers
Despite these seemingly minor features, they can have a big impact, especially with larger units. No sense in lugging around one of these in your yard and tripping all over the place.
Some pressure washers have a tendency to flip over and be top heavy, so make sure the base is sturdy.
If you’re on the job site, keep an eye out for never-flat tires that will protect the wheels in case there are spare nails laying around.
Hose types
There’s a big difference between how easy or difficult it is to use a pressure washer based on the kind of hose that comes with it. Stiff, rigid hoses make it extremely difficult to have any maneuverability without messing up the job or knocking over the base.
Length is also important for pressure washer hoses as you can end up in a tight spot, literally, if you don’t have enough reach.
Pressure washer nozzle types vary significantly depending on the type of job you’re doing. They can range from a soft, light mist all the way to an intense, laser-like cannon that crushes paint.
The sun’s out and all that built up dirt and grime on your home, garage, sidewalks, driveway, and vehicles is highly visible. A pressure washer is a fast, effective way to clean all these surfaces, and more. Before you fire up your new DIY tool, there are a few things that you should know about the nozzles that came with it. Otherwise, you may damage your home, car, or you may even injure yourself or someone else.
Pressure Washer Nozzle Type Basics
The nozzles are arguably the most important component of your pressure washer. As the water flows through the restricted opening of the nozzle its velocity increases. The force of the water hitting surfaces forces dirt and debris to be removed.The number of nozzles you’ll have to work with depends on the pressure washer manufacturer. Most of these come in quick-connect formats that allow you to quickly pop on and off different nozzles.
Credit to Ryobi for this great explanation.
You can pop off the nozzles by pulling back on the tip of the spray gun and popping on the new nozzle.
Follow these general guidelines for when to use each type of pressure washer nozzle:
0° Pressure Washer Nozzle (also called Turbo Nozzle)
This nozzle provides the highest pressure your unit can handle. It’s best for areas like concrete driveways, sidewalks, graffiti, or objects that are further away. It’s also the ideal nozzle for cleaning stains from concrete and metal. Beware though, If you hold the nozzle too close for too long, you’ll carve a hole in your surface. This nozzle will also strip paint from wood surfaces and may even damage the wood itself, so use with caution.
The 0 degree nozzle funnels all of the PSI into the smallest area, giving maximum allowable pressure to whatever surface is unlucky enough to be on the receiving end. If you are going to clean a driveway, it may be better to use a pressure washer surface cleaner attachment instead of the 0 degree nozzle.
15° Pressure Washer Nozzle
This is the best nozzle for removing tough stains like mold and mildew on fences and other structures made of PVC. Your 15° nozzle will produce a very strong spray, so don’t hold it in one area for too long. If you’re cleaning your siding, spray from a distance to ensure even coverage across the vinyl. Don’t use this nozzle for painted wood siding or trim unless you’re prepping it for painting because it will strip the paint off.
This nozzle is great for cleaning things like patio pavers. It delivers a ton of power still without taking quite as long as the 0 degree nozzle.
25° Pressure Washer Nozzle
Beginner? The best place to start is with the green 25° nozzle If you’re going to clean your home’s siding, wood decks, concrete sidewalks, or even your driveway, this is the best nozzle for the job. In fact, it’s the right choice for cleaning just about everything around your home and garage including your yard and garden equipment and off-road vehicles.
My sister in law hates to get her hands dirty, but absolutely loves using her pressure washer. It is a mystery. Either way, she uses the 25 degree nozzle to wash off their garage door because it has a decent amount of power, a wider spray pattern, and won’t damage paint.
40° Pressure washer Nozzle
.Got a delicate surface to clean like your home’s windows or your beautiful car? Grab the 40° nozzle. It gives you the widest spray pattern of all your nozzles. The wide spray and low pressure make it perfect for cleaning all your delicate surfaces without fear of damage. It’s also exceptional for rinsing off patio furniture, play equipment, and outdoor toys.
These nozzles are great for windows, too. I always get the window sales people coming to my house because my windows are really old, but boy do they stay clean when I have this thing knocking off all the pollen.
Specialty Nozzles
Your pressure washer may also have come with a variety of special nozzles. These may include a turbo nozzle for edge cleaning, a soap nozzle, or a foam cannon. Each of these nozzles are great “bonus” nozzles for your pressure washer that let you do parts of the job more quickly. Soap cannons and foam cannons are great for washing the car and give you the same substance as driving through the car wash (although less scary).
Time to Start Pressure Washing!
Now that you have an understanding of your power washer nozzles and their uses, it’s time to get busy. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s directions for the safe and proper use of your power washer and choose the appropriate nozzle for each job.
What features to look for in a pressure washer
Honda pressure washers make it relatively easy to knock off one of the biggest must-haves on your list: a reliable and powerful engine. But there are a few other things we recommend truly making sure are available when searching for a new pressure washer.
Nozzles Matter
When choosing a pressure washer, you should pay attention to the nozzles included in the package. Two types of spray nozzles are available, adjustable spray nozzles that can be controlled and quick-connect nozzles with predefined spray patterns.
The predefined spray patterns typically come in different angles, allowing for you to quickly switch between a broad, lower pressure spray or a narrow, higher pressure stream.
Quick connect nozzles are super convenient, but they’re almost like airpods – you can lose them!
Soap tank availability
Additionally, you may want to consider a soap tank-equipped pressure washer. Some of these pressure washers have “foam cannons” where you can simply add some soap and it will mix it in with the water. Pretty cool.
I recommend a soap tank for cars and windows.
Wheels on pressure washers
Despite these seemingly minor features, they can have a big impact, especially with larger units. No sense in lugging around one of these in your yard and tripping all over the place.
Some pressure washers have a tendency to flip over and be top heavy, so make sure the base is sturdy.
If you’re on the job site, keep an eye out for never-flat tires that will protect the wheels in case there are spare nails laying around.
Hose types
There’s a big difference between how easy or difficult it is to use a pressure washer based on the kind of hose that comes with it. Stiff, rigid hoses make it extremely difficult to have any maneuverability without messing up the job or knocking over the base.
Length is also important for pressure washer hoses as you can end up in a tight spot, literally, if you don’t have enough reach.
GPM and PSI on electric pressure washers
GPM stands for gallons per minute. GPM measures how quickly water is leaving the end of the electric pressure washer. PSI stands for pounds per square inch and is a measure of pressure that is being applied out of the electric pressure washer.
If this is confusing to you, you’re not alone. In reality, if you are looking for power, you want both. They work hand-in-hand to deliver water from the machine at a high rate and effective and efficient volume.
For reference, a pressure washer can have a high PSI but a low GPM, meaning it is able to have a high pressure but generally not over a large area. Having both a high PSI and high GPM means that it’s coming out fast and it’s producing a more effective stream.
Likewise, you can also have a low PSI and higher GPM. This is a good ratio for cleaning cars because you get a lot of water at a safer pressure.
Pressure washing your car is the sure fire way to get rid of all of the dirt. But the real value of pressure washing your car comes in around the rims. For a car, the ideal PSI for cleaning with a pressure washer is between 1000-2000 PSI.
I used to drive an old BMW 325i (2004). The brake dust on those bad boys is world-famous for collecting black dirt all around the rims. Doesn’t come off with the spray of a hose – this stuff requires a serious scrubbing. You could drive down to the local car wash to get it cleaned, but somehow, that’s just not good enough.
You’d rather carefully clean it yourself so you know that it’s properly done. Rather than a bucket of soapy water and a garden hose, many people choose to use a pressure washer for this essential task. It’s a great idea, but it’s important that you choose a pressure washer with the appropriate PSI to avoid damaging your vehicle.
What Does PSI Have to Do With Washing My Car?
PSI or pounds per square inch, refers to the amount of force the water coming out of your pressure washer has. The higher the PSI, the more force behind the water.
If you’ve ever washed your vehicle using a garden hose and sprayer, you know that there’s very little force behind the water. It can’t really remove any of the dirt without a great deal of effort and time on your part. The reason is simple, there isn’t enough pressure (PSI) to create the force necessary for a good cleaning.
After reading that last bit, you may think that a high PSI is necessary to get all that dirt and grunge off your car, that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, if you use a machine with too high of a PSI, it can severely damage the paint or break your windows. That’s something you simply do not want, so you need to choose a machine with the appropriate PSI setting.
Can High PSI Really Damage My Vehicle?
Absolutely. If you’re using a heavy-duty pressure washer with a high PSI, it can be difficult to handle. You could easily lose control of the wand and damage your vehicle’s paint job. Hold the nozzle in one place for too long and you could dent the surface, remove the paint, or even blast a hole in one of your windows. You could also put yourself at risk of injury if the PSI is too much for you to handle.
So, What PSI Is Best for Washing My Car?
Clearly, a garden hose has way too little PSI, but a heavy duty pressure washer will produce way too much pressure. There is a happy medium, however. The best PSI rating for car washing with a pressure washer is somewhere between 1200 and 2200 PSI. This kind of force will easily remove caked on mud, road tar, and other dirt and grime from your vehicle, tires, and windows.
Look for a home-use pressure washer that delivers a moderate PSI to keep your vehicle clean and shiny this summer, but don’t stop there. You can also use it to clean your RV, boat, off-road vehicles, and more. Plus, it’ll come in handy for a variety of home cleaning projects that require a more delicate touch.
Best pressure washer for washing cars
My favorite pressure washer for washing cars is the light duty Greenworks 1600 PSI electric pressure washer. Greenworks makes a ton of good pressure washers – a ton of them we have reviewed and I still own a few.
The Greenworks 1600 PSI electric pressure washer is a little on the low end for pressure on a car, but it is definitely safe. One thing I love about this one is the size of the machine. A lot of the other electric pressure washers are tall and some even have hose reels on the top of them.
The bad thing about taller pressure washers is that they can easily be tipped over. Not exactly what you want when you’re up close to your car trying to do some detailed cleaning work. These can easily tip over and scratch your car – something you can’t just wipe off.
The Greenworks 1600 PSI pressure washer also comes with a nice little soap cannon so you can add your own mixture to the outside of the car prior to a nice rinse. The best reason of all to grab this pressure washer is that it is currently on sale for under $100. You can grab it on Amazon where it frequently goes on sale.
What features to look for in a pressure washer
Honda pressure washers make it relatively easy to knock off one of the biggest must-haves on your list: a reliable and powerful engine. But there are a few other things we recommend truly making sure are available when searching for a new pressure washer.
Nozzles Matter
When choosing a pressure washer, you should pay attention to the nozzles included in the package. Two types of spray nozzles are available, adjustable spray nozzles that can be controlled and quick-connect nozzles with predefined spray patterns.
The predefined spray patterns typically come in different angles, allowing for you to quickly switch between a broad, lower pressure spray or a narrow, higher pressure stream.
Quick connect nozzles are super convenient, but they’re almost like airpods – you can lose them!
Soap tank availability
Additionally, you may want to consider a soap tank-equipped pressure washer. Some of these pressure washers have “foam cannons” where you can simply add some soap and it will mix it in with the water. Pretty cool.
I recommend a soap tank for cars and windows.
Wheels on pressure washers
Despite these seemingly minor features, they can have a big impact, especially with larger units. No sense in lugging around one of these in your yard and tripping all over the place.
Some pressure washers have a tendency to flip over and be top heavy, so make sure the base is sturdy.
If you’re on the job site, keep an eye out for never-flat tires that will protect the wheels in case there are spare nails laying around.
Hose types
There’s a big difference between how easy or difficult it is to use a pressure washer based on the kind of hose that comes with it. Stiff, rigid hoses make it extremely difficult to have any maneuverability without messing up the job or knocking over the base.
Length is also important for pressure washer hoses as you can end up in a tight spot, literally, if you don’t have enough reach.
GPM and PSI on electric pressure washers
GPM stands for gallons per minute. GPM measures how quickly water is leaving the end of the electric pressure washer. PSI stands for pounds per square inch and is a measure of pressure that is being applied out of the electric pressure washer.
If this is confusing to you, you’re not alone. In reality, if you are looking for power, you want both. They work hand-in-hand to deliver water from the machine at a high rate and effective and efficient volume.
For reference, a pressure washer can have a high PSI but a low GPM, meaning it is able to have a high pressure but generally not over a large area. Having both a high PSI and high GPM means that it’s coming out fast and it’s producing a more effective stream.
Likewise, you can also have a low PSI and higher GPM. This is a good ratio for cleaning cars because you get a lot of water at a safer pressure.
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.
Pressure washers have serious PSI that let you knock out a huge range of jobs around the house. The best pressure washer PSI range for around the house is 2000-3000 PSI.
Let’s face it: your garden hose and a sprayer just aren’t enough to clean tough stains and dirt. A pressure washer, however, is a much more effective and fast method. Whether you use a gas or electric pressure washer, cleaning your house, concrete surfaces, and even your car is a breeze.
What you may not know is that the PSI of your pressure washer can affect its performance and your results. If you choose a machine with the right PSI, it’ll make your cleaning project go quicker and it’ll turn out better.
What Does PSI Mean on a Pressure Washer?
This measurement is called pounds per square inch, or PSI. Your pressure washer’s cleaning power is measured by the amount of pressure that the machine can produce. The higher the pressure rating, the more powerful the spray. When shopping for a pressure washer, you’ll want to find one that suits your needs. Some things to consider include:
Light Duty Pressure Washers (up to 1899 PSI)
This is the perfect pressure for all those smaller jobs around the home, For example, clearing light debris from the sidewalk, washing the car, and cleaning your house’s windows. Because they’re small and light, they’re also ideal for cleaning patio furniture, grills, and other smaller items.
Really light duty pressure washers can also come as power cleaners: handheld, super easy-to-use tools that can be taken with you wherever you go. We’ve done a major review of Greenworks’ 24V Portable Power Cleaner as well as the Worx Hydroshot.
Medium Duty Pressure Washers (2000 to 3200)
Medium-duty pressure washers are the best choice for typical home and garden use. They are much sturdier and more powerful than the light-duty machine, which makes them ideal for frequent use. Pull out this kind of machine when you’re cleaning your home’s siding, fencing, decks, concrete patios, and other hard to clean surfaces.
When I think of medium duty pressure washers, I always think of a good electric pressure washer. Here are some of my favorite electric pressure washer brands:
Greenworks pressure washers – I have a full Youtube video reviewing a couple of my favorite Greenworks pressure washers
If you have a large-scale cleaning job such as a big driveway, multi-story home, or large building, you may want to employ a heavy duty power washer. This is also a great machine for stripping paint off of wood siding and trim to help prep it for new paint. That said, you’ll want to be careful around painted surfaces you don’t want to strip to avoid having to repaint.
This is the type of power washer professionals use to quickly and effectively clean large surfaces like buildings, parking lots, and other areas. It’s extremely powerful and can be incredibly difficult to operate if you’re unaccustomed to the force it produces. Gas pressure washers fall into this category more than electric by far. For most home users, this is simply too much PSI to handle. Leave this kind of heavy machinery to the pros.
I don’t often (or ever) use commercial duty pressure washers, but when I do I rent them from Home Depot. Just way cheaper that way and I don’t have to maintain them or store them.
What is a cleaning unit on a pressure washer?
A cleaning unit is a measurement that helps you understand the overall power combination by applying the PSI and the GPM together. Multiplying the two can give you the cleaning unit like the below formula:
PSI x GPM = Cleaning units
Having this calculation can help you easily calculate the overall power output of pressure washers and compare them for easy shopping.
How To Choose a Pressure Washer With the Right PSI
Before you invest in a new power washer, carefully consider what you’ll be using it for. Are the majority of your cleaning projects small-scale such as patio furniture and your car? If so, a light-duty machine may be your best option. If you’ve got bigger, tougher cleaning jobs you’ll be taking on frequently, a medium or heavy-duty pressure washer may be the best choice. You’ll also want to take into consideration your ability to operate the machine safely and effectively. It’s always best to err on the side of caution if you’re unsure of yourself.
What features to look for in a pressure washer
Honda pressure washers make it relatively easy to knock off one of the biggest must-haves on your list: a reliable and powerful engine. But there are a few other things we recommend truly making sure are available when searching for a new pressure washer.
Nozzles Matter
When choosing a pressure washer, you should pay attention to the nozzles included in the package. Two types of spray nozzles are available, adjustable spray nozzles that can be controlled and quick-connect nozzles with predefined spray patterns.
The predefined spray patterns typically come in different angles, allowing for you to quickly switch between a broad, lower pressure spray or a narrow, higher pressure stream.
Quick connect nozzles are super convenient, but they’re almost like airpods – you can lose them!
Soap tank availability
Additionally, you may want to consider a soap tank-equipped pressure washer. Some of these pressure washers have “foam cannons” where you can simply add some soap and it will mix it in with the water. Pretty cool.
I recommend a soap tank for cars and windows.
Wheels on pressure washers
Despite these seemingly minor features, they can have a big impact, especially with larger units. No sense in lugging around one of these in your yard and tripping all over the place.
Some pressure washers have a tendency to flip over and be top heavy, so make sure the base is sturdy.
If you’re on the job site, keep an eye out for never-flat tires that will protect the wheels in case there are spare nails laying around.
Hose types
There’s a big difference between how easy or difficult it is to use a pressure washer based on the kind of hose that comes with it. Stiff, rigid hoses make it extremely difficult to have any maneuverability without messing up the job or knocking over the base.
Length is also important for pressure washer hoses as you can end up in a tight spot, literally, if you don’t have enough reach.
GPM and PSI on electric pressure washers
GPM stands for gallons per minute. GPM measures how quickly water is leaving the end of the electric pressure washer. PSI stands for pounds per square inch and is a measure of pressure that is being applied out of the electric pressure washer.
If this is confusing to you, you’re not alone. In reality, if you are looking for power, you want both. They work hand-in-hand to deliver water from the machine at a high rate and effective and efficient volume.
For reference, a pressure washer can have a high PSI but a low GPM, meaning it is able to have a high pressure but generally not over a large area. Having both a high PSI and high GPM means that it’s coming out fast and it’s producing a more effective stream.
Likewise, you can also have a low PSI and higher GPM. This is a good ratio for cleaning cars because you get a lot of water at a safer pressure.
Leaf blower nozzles are game changing add-ons to the tip of your blower that will boost the performance of any blower. Cleaning up the debris and leaves in your yard and garden can be a back breaking task if you do it by hand.
A leaf blower can make this tough task substantially easier. If you use the right nozzle at the right time, you’ll get the job done in record time – which means you get back inside faster and have a better looking yard. But, leaf blowers aren’t just good for the yard. You can also employ your leaf blower to help with other tasks you need to get done, like drying a car. This guide will help you decide which blower nozzle to use for each type of situation you encounter.
Types of Leaf Blower Nozzles and Their Uses
Leaf blowers are among the most useful and versatile tools a homeowner can have. They’re incredibly useful for yard work, but that’s hardly all. By simply changing the nozzle, you can accomplish a wide variety of tasks such as cleaning out your gutters and even drying your car.
Flat Blower Nozzles
During late fall the leaves from your trees pile up. Winter snow and spring rain saturate them, making them extremely difficult to move, especially with a rake or other hand tool. But, you can’t leave them or the grass under it will die. Simply attach the flat nozzle to your leaf blower and you’ll have no trouble getting them cleared up so your lawn can grow.
The flat blower nozzle attachment is basically like a little spatula for your blower. All the stuff that gets stuck and left behind from mowing, or the old wet leaves that seem to have become one with your driveway are easily flipped with a flat blower nozzle.
Big, beautiful shade trees add comfort and curb appeal to your home and yard. But, those huge piles of leaves aren’t always the easiest to deal with. Raking and moving them is physically demanding and time-consuming. Cleanup can be quick and easy with your leaf blower. Just switch to a wide nozzle and you’ll be able to relocate that massive pile of leaves in no time.
Most backpack leaf blowers have really wide nozzles that deliver a huge volume of air that just absolutely pushes piles. While you will notice a decrease in speed using a wide nozzle, you will have much more of a “shotgun” approach to cleaning up the lawn.
Narrow Blower Nozzles
Regular mowing is essential for your lawn’s health. Clearing grass clippings, leaves and other debris from the edges of your sidewalk and driveway adds that finishing touch after mowing and trimming. You’ll also want to clear away the debris from around your house, garage, or other buildings. For these tasks, grab your narrow leaf blower nozzle.
Narrow nozzles are awesome for being really precise with blowing. I use narrow nozzles on my driveway to make sure I get grass clippings and leaves off – each and every one. Narrow blower nozzles produce higher speed streams that blast away debris, but takes much longer with big piles. If the wide-mouthed nozzle is a shotgun, then this is a rifle.
Some blowers, like the Greenworks 60V blower, comes with a nice concentrator nozzle tip you can take on and off.
Pro tip:
Your narrow leaf blower nozzle can also be used to clear debris and leaves from your home’s gutters.This will ensure the water flows properly and doesn’t damage your roof or foundation. If you do use this method of cleaning your gutters take precautions to ensure you’re safe as you climb the ladder and work the blower.
Another essential task that your leaf blower can help with is drying your vehicle after it’s been washed. By attaching the stubby nozzle you can get rid of water spots that dull your car’s finish. Plus, it’s much faster and easier on you to blow the water off rather than wiping it away.
A lot of folks ask me which stubby blower nozzle works the best. The consensus is that the EGO 650 or 765 CFM blower is the best choice for car drying, with a nice stubby nozzle attachment like this one from Amazon.
Put Your Leaf Blower to Work This Spring
As you can see, your leaf blower can help you accomplish more than just moving a few leaves around. It’s actually one of the most useful tools you can own. So, next time you’re heading out to do some yard work, home maintenance, or to wash your car, grab that leaf blower and put it to work.
What to look for in a battery powered blower
Cordless blowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:
CFM
Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.
Usability
What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier.
Motor type
Brushless motors reign supreme. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower.
These are three things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications.
Why we review lawn tools
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
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.
CFMs and MPHs explained
CFM, or cubic feet per minute, is a measurement of the volume of air. This answers the question: how much air is moving through the leaf blower? While that seems like a weird question, it is super important for understanding the power of a blower. More on that in a second.
MPH, or miles per hour, is a measurement of speed. This answers the question: how fast does the air move through the blower?
CFM and MPH are related – generally the higher the CFM, the higher the MPH.
My experience with leaf blower nozzles
I’ve been using leaf blowers for decades. I used to toss the extra nozzles out every time I got a new blower, but have since grown wiser. Now I use my flat nozzle after cutting the grass, stubby nozzle after a nice car wash with my pressure washer, and my wide–mouthed nozzle whenever my trees decide to dump leaves.
Using these nozzles has seriously upped my leaf blowing game. You know what they say: “If you only have a hammer, everything is a nail”. Having a leaf blower nozzle turned my blower into a swiss army knife lawn tool that leaves my lawn looking way better and keeps my mood at all time highs (just ask my wife).
The most powerful electric blower for your large yard is the EGO 765 CFM leaf blower. Electric leaf blowers can be great for large yards. Most folks think you can’t move big leaf piles with an electric blower, but they are simply wrong.
If you have a large yard, you can benefit from no fumes, a quieter blower, and no maintenance – then electric might just be the option. Let me break down why I switch from gas to electric then list out some of my favorite electric blowers I’ve used over the years.
Let’s get started! Here are the best electric blowers for large yards according to our thorough testing:
There are hundreds of electric leaf blowers on the market, both battery-powered and corded electric. A bunch of them absolutely suck. So we’ve decided to give you the ones we know are absolute beasts when it comes to your large yard.
EGO 765 CFM Leaf Blower
Hands down, I have not found a better electric blower for large yards than the EGO 765 CFM blower. It is an absolute cannon in your hand with extreme power and usability that surpassed my experience with a popular handheld gas blower.
At 765 CFMs, this is best-in-class in the battery-powered blower world. This kind of air volume can move massive piles of leaves across large areas – quickly. With unmatched CFMs and a tremendous combination of MPH, this blower is built for large yards.
That’s an extreme combination of speed and power. When I first used this, it was a powerful blower, then I pushed the turbo button and I had to literally (yes, literally) fight against it because of how powerful it is. It has a brushless motor, is a part of EGO’s extensive 56V battery series, and is durable as heck.
If you’re still with me after my gas blower comment, then I might finally lose you here. But yes – this is a corded electric blower – and it costs less than $100.
You don’t need all the flashy cool features and expensive batteries to put out a freakishly solid blower. This corded blower has 700 CFMs and a super wide nozzle, making light work of massive piles of leaves. This one was built for maximizing air volume, making it great for moving piles of leaves across large yards.
The only downside here is that you will be limited in a large yard by the length of the extension cord. But if you have easy electrical access and a great extension cord, this is the most budget friendly option – by a LONG SHOT.
I put Makita’s 40V Max blower on here because it is one of the best ones they have for large yards.
Here’s the simple truth about Makita: their tools are extremely high quality but also pretty expensive. When it comes to Makita tools, they have a bunch of really good power tools and have dominated the electric hand tool space for a long time.
Their 36V blower here is pretty powerful as well
So it was a no brainer when they jumped over to lawn tools. I love their 40V max blower for a few reasons:
A sweet brushless motor
A 40V battery that can span a bunch of their tools
It has more power than a lot of gas blowers
When “turbo” mode is engaged it has 565 CFMs – nice!
Their XGT battery series is supposed to be a “smart” battery that helps with overheating and delivers a better run time
A telescoping nozzle – lets you pick different lengths – pretty cool
The reason this one is lower on the list is that after I tested this one over the course of a few weeks, it started to develop a high-pitched squealing sound. For larger yards, this would result in a spectacular headache and angry neighbors. If you’re looking for power and quality – this blower has it. If you’re looking for a peaceful noise, this one does not.
All-in-all, this was a great blower and we spent a ton of time making a video review for it before the sound got all weird. You can watch the full video review here.
While they aren’t the leaders in electric tools yet, they did put out a really impressive blower that is great for large yards.
This blower has a few really great specifications:
A brushless motor
A whopping 650 CFMs
A wide mouth nozzle which delivers large volume of air at 136 MPH
One downside to this blower is that Husqvarna doesn’t have a huge 40V battery line yet, so you don’t quite get the economies of scale you would get from EGO’s 56V battery line, for example.
One thing I will give it credit for is digital controls for cruise control and a really nice grip that feels just like a power drill. It is well-balanced, futuristic and nice.
I imagine Husqvarna will have many good products to come in the future, but for right now they are still immature.
This is a great blower for those looking for a one-off blower and not a full suite of battery powered products. You can grab it on Amazon for a decent price with the battery.
What to look for in a battery powered blower
Cordless blowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:
CFM
Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.
Usability
What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier.
Motor type
Brushless motors reign supreme. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower.
These are three things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications.
Why we review lawn tools
The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.
reviewing lawn tools – with my face
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
Why I switched from gas to electric blowers
I’ve always been a gas leaf blower fan – and I still own two. I own the Stihl BR 600 backpack blower and the Stihl BG 86 C handheld gas blower. Despite being really powerful and always getting the job done, I got sick of the maintenance schedule and the smell. After I had my first baby, the noise became unbearable as well – trying to use the blower around nap schedules.
All of that stopped when I got a battery-powered blower. My first battery-powered blower was the Ryobi 40V blower, which quickly changed my perspective. The truth is, a lot of these electric blowers are super powerful – even more so compared to handheld gas blowers. I’ll walk you through my favorites below.
How I tested these electric blowers
I’ve tested these electric blowers using personal experience with all of them. I’ve written extensive reviews of each of them and put them through the ringer.
That’s a zip tied trigger!
For starters, I tested out their run times compared to the advertised run time. I did this by zip-tying down the trigger and seeing how long it goes for before dying. I also did some side-by-side comparisons to a handheld gas blower. I also compare the noise levels then the other bells and whistles, like turbo buttons.
CFM and MPH are often used acronyms to describe power on a leaf blower. These often get confused and I’ve seen too many get bamboozled, so I thought I would break it down.
CFMs and MPH tend to vary wildly between types of blowers and even in each category. Today I’ll also break down some of the best blowers in the corded electric blower, battery-powered blower, and gas-powered blower categories.
Let’s jump right in! What is better in a leaf blower: CFM or MPH?
Leaf blower CFMs vs MPH: Explained
CFM, or cubic feet per minute, is a measurement of the volume of air. This answers the question: how much air is moving through the leaf blower? While that seems like a weird question, it is super important for understanding the power of a blower. More on that in a second.
MPH, or miles per hour, is a measurement of speed. This answers the question: how fast does the air move through the blower?
CFM and MPH are related – generally the higher the CFM, the higher the MPH.
Leaf blower nozzle impact on CFM and MPH
I just said CFMs and MPH are related – but their relationship is impacted heavily by how wide the blower nozzle tip is.
The wider the nozzle, the lower the air speed. That’s why you will see some blowers with high CFMs but low MPH (relatively). These blowers have high CFMs but a very wide opening. Blowers with high CFMs and wide openings move a lot of air, but not all that fast. This is a great blower for moving big piles of dry leaves across the yard.
The more narrow the nozzle, the higher the air speed. You will also see blowers with low CFMs but super high MPH. These are really good for smaller projects like cleaning up a woodworking station, cleaning out your garage, or getting wet leaves or grass clippings off of surfaces.
Other times you will see blowers with high CFMs and high MPH – this is common and means it has both volume AND speed. This combination is the sweet spot for power.
What is better in a leaf blower: CFM or MPH?
When it comes to picking out a blower – you’ll see both CFMs and MPH listed at the top. So, which is better?
The short answer is: it depends. If you are moving big piles of leaves, having high CFMs is better. If you are moving wet leaves or grass clippings, high MPH is better.
Leaf blowers with both high CFMs and MPH.
If you want to move big piles of wet leaves and are looking for raw power, having high CFMs and high MPH is better – but it will cost you.
The best leaf blowers in each category
Remember how I said it would cost you to have high CFM and high MPH? Well it can, but you can also get really good combinations of CFM and MPH in backpack leaf blowers, battery-powered leaf blowers, and corded electric leaf blowers. And boy – are you about to be surprised.
Best backpack leaf blowers
Backpack leaf blowers are essentially jet packs of air that are extremely loud, but extremely powerful. They are often used by commercial landscapers – which means they’re built to get the job done quickly and effectively.
Backpack blowers are really good options for those with large yards. I have used quite a few in my time and always come back to my favorite: the Sthil BR 600 backpack blower. I’ve owned the Stihl BR 600 for a few years and it was actually a gift from my mom.
This blower is great because it is the ultimate combination of extreme power and comfort. I see this blower strapped to all of the landscaping trailers that drive around my part of town – meaning it is the preferred option for professional landscapers
It also puts out nearly 700 CFMs and over 230 MPH of air. WOW. We did a full review of the BR600 on our Youtube channel where you can see us do some serious testing.
Anyways, battery leaf blowers have a lot of benefits – including great run times, super high power, and the ability to use the batteries across a bunch of other different tools. They tend to be pretty pricey, but the price can come down a TON if you buy the tool-only version. You can get the tool-only version of any battery-compatible tool from that brand once you already own the battery, which generates HUGE savings.
But our favorite battery-powered leaf blower continues to be EGO’s 765 CFM leaf blower. This is a mega powerful handheld leaf blower that is absolutely absurd. We filmed an awesome video that highlights how this one compares to the Ryobi 40V blower, another great battery powered blower (our #2).
The EGO 765 CFM blower has 765 CFM (obviously), which is higher than the gas-powered backpack blower above. With this kind of air output, you can see speeds well over 200 MPH. For an electric tool, that is some serious leaf blowing.
All-in-all, this leaf blower is a bit on the expensive side, but you get to use the EGO 56V battery with a TON of other tools in the EGO 56V battery line-up, like their EGO mowers.
Don’t sleep on corded electric leaf blowers! I sure did. They seem cheap, old school, and out of touch. But so am I.
Corded blowers to me.
Anyways, my mind was blown when I saw the Toro PowerJet corded leaf blower. This bad boy has 725 CFMs and a decently high MPH. For reference, the EGO blower I referenced above, which is one of the strongest on the planet, has 765 CFMs. Needless to say, this blower kicks some serious butt.
But what sticks out about the Toro corded electric blower is that it is freakishly inexpensive. All the power of the EGO, but just has a cord attached. The thing is absolutely unreal and can be found at Home Depot for a super low price.
What I look for in a leaf blower
Leaf lowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes but there are three basic things you need to understand:
CFM
Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM = more power, but not necessarily more miles per hour. High CFM with a wide nozzle = lower MPH. High CFM with a narrow nozzle = high miles per hour. Ideally, you want both a high CFM with a narrow to medium nozzle for most residential jobs.
Usability
What is the point of having a blower if it is hard to use? Have to get one that is lightweight, easy to start, and has some functions that make your life easier.
Motor type
Brushless motors reign supreme if you are going with electric. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower.
These are three things you need to pay attention to when looking through the specifications.
Why I review lawn tools
The reason we started The Lawn Review 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.
In the same way electric cars are becoming powerful and popular, so are electric lawn tools. Long gone are the days of corded leaf blowers and mowers that can barely move a leaf off the ground.
The new mowers are in town.
The new generation of battery-powered lawn tools by brands like EGO, Greenworks, Ryobi, and Makita are powerful machines. The top brands can often rival gas-powered tools in just about every way, but without the maintenance, noise, or smell. You can also save a ton of money by purchasing the tool-only version of lawn tools.
As a former lawn tool collector with a garage full of gas-powered tools, I can tell you that I have made some bad purchases in the electric lawn tool space. That is why we created this resource guide. You can also check out everything you would want over on our Amazon Storefront, where we’ve consolidated all of the best tools into one place.
Let’s start with the big kahuna. You don’t have yard work or lawn care without a lawn mower. The absolute number one essential lawn tool is the mower. Let’s review exactly what you should look for in a mower, then I’ll make a couple of recommendations that can help you make the perfect purchase.
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:
Go with a high quality brand with a trusted reputation
Quality is going to be super important here. If you are new to the electric lawn mower space, there are definitely some names you will recognize making electric lawn tools, but there are a few others that are top-of-the-line and electric-only.
Avoid anything from a weird brand on Amazon that takes 9 years to ship. It is probably being 3D printed in a Laotian bathroom. Go for brands that have consistent quality and focus on the details, not just flashy colors.
Some brands with a stellar reputation include Greenworks, EGO, and Makita.
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.
A ten dollar word used here, but really just make sure to buy a mower with a battery that is compatible with trimmers, blowers, etc.. Ryobi has this, so does Dewalt, and so do some of the Greenworks products. This will save you garage clutter and plug space.
The last thing anyone wants is seven or eight different plugs on the wall trying to charge batteries. A single line of batteries goes a long way here.
Self-propelled or not.
While I personally don’t use the self-propelled function, a lot of people love it. If you are older, have steep banks or hills, or otherwise just want to move more quickly, self-propelled mowers can be a huge help.
They can also significantly drain the battery of your mower, so be prepared to stop to charge the mower at some point.
Motor Type
While electric motors have historically relied on wound coils of wire to create a magnetic field to utilize the energy in a battery to rotate the “rotor” which has positively and negatively charged ends that spin – creating torque. The coils act like a brush against the internal components of the motor that will wear out over time – the new kid on the block, brushless motors, are different.
Brushless motors have removed the friction and replaced with magnetic force fields – thus removing the wear and tear on the coils.
This adjustment significantly improves motor performance and durability. Less friction makes for easier spinning of motor components. Faster spinning means higher performance – usually. Higher performance makes us happy.
Top Battery-Powered Lawn Mower Recommendations
We have tried, reviewed, and ranked close to 100 battery-powered mowers. A few really stick out to us.
Greenworks 80V Pro Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower 21”
This mower from Greenworks is a masterpiece. Everything we recommend in a mower can be found in this one. A steel deck. A brushless motor. A battery line you can stick with for all of your Greenworks tools. A great brand. This one is top-of-the-line. It can be found on Amazon for a pretty good sale or at your local Costco.
EGO Power+ 56V 21-inch Cordless Electric Select Cut XP Lawn Mower
A close runner-up, this thing has a killer self-propelled function, a long-lasting battery, a pretty sweet design, and a brushless motor. The only downside here is the plastic deck. Otherwise, this is a great mower and part of a great battery series. It can also be found on Amazon and on sale right now or at Lowe’s.
Again, let’s break down what you need to know when picking out a battery-powered weed eater. Then I’ll give some recommendations based on our research and trials.
What to look for in a cordless string trimmer
Cordless weed eaters 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 and usability
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. You are going to be using this often and for a long time, so make sure it is comfortable.
I recommend using trimmers with a molded grip that comes in the shape of a D. This way you can grab the handle at multiple angles for whenever you want to do some edging with it.
Motor type
Brushless motors are king here. They are longer lasting and more durable. Brushless motors also produce more torque and less heat.
This is the same benefit found across all battery-powered lawn tools.
Batteries
Not only do you want a lighter weight battery, but you also want to try to get a battery with your trimmer that also works with a blower.
I always, always, always prefer straight shafts. They are so much easier to use and control. Curved shafts are better for smaller areas that require “mowing” with a string trimmer, whereas straight shafts are better for precision and clean lines.
Longer straight shaft trimmers are also easier to balance and handle as they distribute weight better.
Top Battery-Powered Weed Eater Recommendations
I’ve used dozens of battery-powered weed eaters and review and rank them extensively. Here are some of my favorites.
Makita XRU15PT1 36V Brushless String Trimmer
Okay, this one is an absolute beast and can blow the socks off any commercial gas trimmer. It has a massive cutting swath of 15 inches, a brushless motor, and comes with 4 batteries. Makita does a great job with their products, whether they be hand power tools or their full suite of different weed eaters.
This one is much more affordable. It weighs about six pounds, is super easy to use, has a telescoping arm, and can be plopped on its side for proper edging. Worx makes some really cool products, just like this flexible and simple weed eater called the GT revolution.
Leaf blowers have some of the largest variety in power, with most folks still thinking gas is the most powerful. You would be surprised to see how far some of these blowers have come. Let’s check it out.
What to look for in an electric blower
Cordless blowers come in a bunch of shapes and sizes. There are smaller, lightweight handheld blowers, massive backpack blowers, and everything in between. Regardless of the type of blower, there are three basic things you need to understand before making a purchase.
CFM
Cubic feet per minute. This is a measure of air output on the blower. Higher CFM means more air output, but not necessarily more miles per hour. You may see a lot of blowers that have really high CFMs, but don’t always blow air at the highest miles per hour. This is due to the fact that some blowers have wide nozzles. They can push air out with great force, but since the area of the nozzle is large, the miles per hour isn’t as proportionally high.
High CFM blowers with low MPH are great for moving big piles of leaves across the yard.
Blowers with high MPH might not have as high of CFMs, but have narrower nozzles. These are great for precision blowing or for things like wet grass or wet leaves.
I prefer to have a high MPH blower so that I can get those wet leaves off of my back deck. Most commercial landscapers use backpack blowers with high CFMs so that they can remove leaves from parking lots and other surfaces.
Usability and “Feel”
Leaf blowers come in all shapes, sizes and weights. If you have a large yard, you will want to really pay attention to the weight distribution and handling of a blower, otherwise you may end up at a chiropractor.
For large yards, I generally recommend a backpack blower. It is the most comfortable blower for heavy use because it is wearable and powerful.
For medium and small yards, there are some great lightweight handheld blowers that have just as much power as a backpack blower – see our recommendations.
Another feature you will want to watch out for is cruise control settings and variable speed control. You can quickly tire out your hands if you are holding onto the blower and also trying to keep the trigger on a very specific setting.
Motor Type
Brushless motors reign supreme. Cooler running motors with more torque, a longer run-time, and last many more years. Brushless is a no brainer when picking a blower, especially since these tend to start and stop so much during use. Keep this thing ticking for many years with a brushless motor.
This blower is more powerful than most, if not all, handheld gas blowers. It has 765 CFMs and can blow air at up to 200 MPH. Holy cow.
It also has a variable speed trigger, cruise control, a few different nozzle tips you can attach, and a brushless motor. Basically, it has it all. It even comes with a five year warranty. If you already own EGO batteries, at the time of this writing you can get the tool-only version for just over $200. Not bad. It is also available at Lowe’s.
Me with my EGO blower.
Ryobi 40V Brushless Whisper Blower
A close competitor to the EGO blower, I recommend the Ryobi for anyone with an existing Ryobi battery. This thing is just slightly less powerful than the EGO blower but is MUCH quieter. The 40V series by Ryobi is pretty sweet as well, with a ton of different tools that can use the same exact battery. That’s a big money, space, and time saver.
At the time of this writing you can grab this blower from Home Depot with batteries and charger for a really good price.
Corded electric lawn dethatchers
Lawn dethatchers and aerators are harder to find in folks’ garages, but mostly because folks neglect this process in their lawn. Dethatchers and aerators are great for the overall health of the grass – those two tools are probably the best kept secret in lawncare – and they happen to be the most satisfying tools on the planet.
The Value of a Dethatcher
Dethatchers are a lesser-known lawn tool but that’s because most folks don’t care enough about their yard to use one. If you are reading this post, you are in the elite subgroup of yard enthusiasts who give a darn and are about to be the envy of all of your neighbors.
Dethatchers work by pulling up dead grass that is stuck to your lawn’s soil.
“Wait a second, that stuff is bad?”
Well, maybe not BAD, but it limits the amount of nutrients your soil can take in. We go out and pull weeds in the garden bed because they can overtake our flowers and bushes. The same goes for our grass. The thatch is not going to take over your yard and is dead, but it is still taking up valuable real estate that could help grow more grass.
Weeds and grass when they see your lawn.
When to dethatch your lawn
Dethatching your lawn should take place just prior to aerating and overseeding – so generally in the fall. For those of us that live in the South, this is sometime around mid to early October. If it’s too hot, the seed will dry up and not thrive. If it’s too cold, well, it is too late.
You can also dethatch at the end of a brutal winter to allow your soil to open up and breathe again before it warms up. So many lawns continue to limp into the spring because they are mushy and have a ton of moist thatch just clogging up the yard. Get rid of that.
Electric Dethatchers 101
Okay, let us make our way into the meat of this post. Old-school dethatchers are fine-toothed rakes that require you to physically make your way across the yard and pull up all the dead grass like a caveman. I do not recommend this to anybody that enjoys having a back.
On the flip side, there is a reason that motorized dethatchers are not gas-powered. Dethatchers, even motorized ones, require a slower movement across the yard. And honestly, that is a good thing. There’s no way to go through the process quickly. If you had a gas-powered dethatcher, you would basically till your entire yard and you might as well plant something else if you do that.
Electric dethatchers are perfect because they are super light, easy to use, and simply hover across your yard, pulling up all the dead thatch. We did a full comparison post of the two best dethatchers on the market.
Top Corded Electric Dethatcher Recommendations
The most satisfying tools on the planet, here are our recommendations for electric dethatchers based on personal use and testing.
Greenworks 10A Electric Dethatcher
The Greenworks Dethatcher is a super affordable, easy-to-operate, and powerful lawn tool that can help your yard breath again. We’ve mentioned Greenworks a few times now, but they are a trusted brand that provides amazing products. At the time of this writing, you can grab their dethatcher for about $125 on Amazon.
I got this a few months ago to give a whirl after my lawn looked dead as dead can be. Needless to say, my jaw was on the floor.
Sun Joe AJ798E 12A Electric dethatcher
The Sun Joe is also a great option if you have any brand preference for them. The machines themselves are about neck and neck in all features, with the Sun Joe being slightly smaller and more expensive. I used this one in my YouTube video I made about dethatching my lawn. It was great – not super sturdy, but did the job over my half acre of land.
When it comes to clearing snow from your property, there are two main types of machines to choose from: the snow thrower and the snow blower. Both have their pros and cons, so how do you decide which is the right machine for you?
Snow blowers vs snow throwers
Many people ask what the difference is between a snow blower and a snow thrower. Let me tell you right now, both are far superior to a snow shovel. While snow blowers and snow throwers build significantly less character for young men, they are much easier to use and more effective for clearing out large amounts of snow.
In short, snow throwers launch snow 10-15 feet away and are generally more narrow. Snow blowers launch snow 25-30 feet away and are wider. Snow blowers are heavier duty and can also handle many, many inches of snow. At the end of the day, it will be much more fun to launch the snow into the neighbor’s yard instead of just the edge of your own yard.
1-stage vs 2-stage snow blowers
Snow throwers tend to be the name for one-stage blowers. One-stage means that the action of launching the snow happens in one step: it gets scooped up and shot through a tube in one motion. Two-stage blowers are more powerful. Blowers with two stages have one action that scoops up the snow and another that launches it. This allows for a much stronger “launching” capacity, sending snow to the moon.
Top Battery-Powered Snow Blower Recommendations
While I don’t use snow blowers often, when I do they are a TON of fun.
Greenworks Pro 80V 20-inch Brushless Snow Blower
This Greenworks snow blower thing is a dang beast. It’s 20 inches wide which means you get inside and out of the snow way quicker than with narrower snow blowers. If you’ve read anything from this article, you know that I’m obsessed with brushless motors, which this one has. Greenworks has a great reputation and the 80V battery here can be used with a ton of other great Greenworks tools.
EGO Power+ SNT2110 21-inch Blower
For a little bit more, you can get a little bit more. A nearly identical snow blower, but with an additional inch, this is a great option if you already have other EGO products and have the battery.
A solid chainsaw is one of the most important tools a homeowner can have. Buying the right one is absolutely essential to your kids or neighbors thinking you’re a cool man or woman. Chainsaws come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, types and models. Most are either gas or electric powered. Depending on your application of course, most people can get away with a 14” bar and chain. Unless you’re cutting up massive trees you probably don’t need anything bigger than that.
In addition to that, most people nowadays can probably get away with an electric model vs a more powerful, smoother cutting gas powered model. But it’s all personal preference. However, honestly I tend to always go with the bigger more powerful engines because I think they’ll last longer. So far that’s proven to be true, but I could just be wasting money.
Must-have chainsaw features
Just make sure your chainsaw at least has a kickback reduction feature. This prevents you from losing one of your precious fingers! You only have 10 of them ya know! This also prevents you from cutting your head in half. Kickback reductions can be in the form of the chain or bar itself. Basically these just prevent you from cutting too aggressively which prevents your saw from bouncing back on you. Or a chain brake which causes the chain to stop when it hits something hard or moves too abruptly
Other features that are nice to have are more comfort-centric. These include tool-less tensioners, mufflers, anti-vibration, automatic chain oilers, etc.
Top Battery-Powered Chainsaw Recommendations
Battery powered chainsaws are one of those tools we just didn’t expect to match up to our gas powered chainsaws. When we tested these – we were proven wrong.
Greenworks G-MAX 40V 16-inch chainsaw
The Greenworks G-MAX chainsaw can cut through 15 inches of wood, with the equivalent power of a 35cc gas chainsaw. Also featuring a brushless motor, anti-vibration, and no gas or fumes, this thing is pretty dang sweet and looks really cool as well.
A great option for the average homeowner that needs to break up fallen branches. It’s 16 inches, has a brushless motor, and is a great deal. Not the most powerful in the world, but pretty sweet especially if you already have the battery – which most people do.
Here’s what I look for when picking out a new electric pressure washer.
Nozzles Matter
When choosing a pressure washer, you should pay attention to the nozzles included in the package. Two types of spray nozzles are available usually, adjustable spray nozzles that can be controlled and quick-connect nozzles with predefined spray patterns.
The predefined spray patterns typically come in different angles, allowing for you to quickly switch between a broad, lower pressure spray or a narrow, higher pressure stream.
Soap tank
Additionally, you may want to consider a soap tank – equipped pressure washer. Some of these pressure washers have “foam cannons” where you can simply add some soap and it will mix it in with the water. Pretty cool.
I recommend a soap tank for cars and windows.
Wheels on pressure washers
Despite these seemingly minor features, they can have a big impact, especially with larger units. No sense in lugging around one of these in your yard and tripping all over the place.
The trusty Sun Joe SPX3000.
Hose types
There’s a big difference between how easy or difficult it is to use a pressure washer based on the kind of hose that comes with it. Stiff, rigid hoses make it extremely difficult to have any maneuverability without messing up the job or knocking over the base.
Portability
Even if this has the drawback of making the unit less powerful, a portable, smaller pressure washer will be a better choice if you have to move around or carry the unit with you. Most of us do this, especially if you are doing the exterior of your house.
Totally depends on the job you are trying to do.
Pressure washers: Gas vs. Electric
Gas pressure washers have been around forever and probably aren’t going anywhere – but electric pressure washers are on the up and up like all the other lawn tools.
Electricity and water! What can go wrong?
The maintenance and cost of gas pressure washers are greater, including things like air filter changes, spark plugs, and more. Gas pressures are also insanely loud. However, electric washers simply have a power source and a button and are far quieter.
I like buttons.
Top Electric Pressure Washer Recommendations
Just like some of the others, we’ve tested a TON of electric pressure washers. Here are some of our favorites.
Sun Joe SPX3500 Pressure Washer
The SPX3500 is a souped-up version of the most popular pressure washer on the planet, the Sun Joe SPX3000. It basically fixed all the negative feedback on the SPX3000 and even looks cooler. It’s got a brushless motor, brass fittings, and is easy to store and transport. It even has a tad more power. It is the best Sun Joe pressure washer on the market.
Greenworks PRO 3000 PSI TruBrushless Electric Pressure Washer
This thing is legit. All of its stats have been verified by the Pressure Washer Manufacturers of America, meaning the nerds who designed this really put some love behind it. Believe it or not, that’s rare.
I love how this Greenworks pressure washer boasts the PWMA certification and also distinguishes the Brushless motor as TruBrushless, throwing shade on competitors who exaggerate numbers or don’t actually use brushless motors through and through. This one is higher quality, but also slightly more expensive, right now this one is for sale on Amazon.
Final Wrap-up
Folks, thanks for reading our guide. The tools here are not exhaustive – this is not a static list, in fact the pros over at Greenworks, EGO, and all the other manufacturers are constantly coming out with new products that exceed expectations and advance the electric armory.
Check out our YouTube channel to see us using and testing all these tools – sometimes head-to-head!
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.
Here’s how I spend my time now.
As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.
Weed eaters and brush cutters are similar tools with different purposes. Both tools offer unique advantages and are often confused with each other.
The first time I used a brush cutter, my mind was blown. But the thing is – I don’t use this tool that often. Weed eaters have a ton of advantages and are much more versatile, but can’t do what brushcutters do.
Let me explain the difference between these bad boys.
How I tested out these tools
I’ve been using weed eaters for nearly two decades. I’ve extensively tested gas, battery, and corded weed eaters and written at length about each.
I also have a Youtube channel where I go into much more detail about specific lawn tools I’ve tested. When I am putting a weed eater or brush cutter to the test, I am always looking for a combination of power, usability, run time, and price.
This weed eater kinda sucks though.
I had a lot of fun testing these lawn tools and got carried away with my brush cutter attachment.
Weed eater vs brush cutter: Difference Explained
Weed eaters AKA string trimmers use a weed eater string to cut through tall grass and light brush. Brush cutters are blades fixed to the edge of a weed eater that can cut through thick brush and even small trees and branches.
Brush cutters basically look like circular saws on a stick. Kinda crazy – but also really cool. Weed eaters are extremely versatile and can be used for edging or trimming. Brushcutters are also versatile, but are really used just for thick brush and small trees.
When to use a weed eater
Weed eaters are great tools for cleaning up areas that you can’t reach with your lawn mower. After you’ve done a quick mow of your lawn, there will be some places that you miss – around your gutters, next to your garden beds, close to a fence or deck.
Weed eaters are perfect for cutting down all these missed portions of grass. They can also be used to cut through light brush. For example, I’ve got some growth on the backside of my lawn that has to be cut back every now and then. It is a relatively thin brush, so doesn’t need a brush cutter.
Weed eaters can also be used as light edgers as well. When you turn them on their side, you can use a nice, strong weed eater string to dig a small trench around your yard. I use my weed eater as an edger in between times that I actually use my edger.
My weed eater string is the GOAT.
All-in-all, weed eaters are super versatile tools that can act as miniature mowers or edgers and everything in between. But they can’t do everything.
When to use a brush cutter
Brush cutters are great tools for cutting through thick brush that can’t be reached with a weed eater. Above I mentioned using my weed eater to cut through some light brush at the back of my lawn. If you go a little past that, you run into a thicker area of kudzu and small trees.
The brush cutter is a perfect tool for those. When the kudzu starts to get out of hand and wrap its tentacles around my fence, I hop over with the brush cutter and send it back about 5 years.
Basically me.
Brush cutters can also knock down little trees. Like I mentioned earlier, these things are like circular saws on a stick. Sounds dangerous? Well it probably is if you don’t keep an eye out for kickback.
Best brush cutter attachments
Brush cutter attachments can either be a full on attachment to your weed eater, or can simply be a blade to replace the head on your weed eater. Here are a few I looked at when I was on the market.
Ryobi Expand-It Brush Cutter Attachments
As an owner of the Ryobi Expand-It series, this one was a super easy option. I believe these are universal attachments, so it was almost a no-brainer. Ryobi’s brush cutter attachment is perfect for thick brush but won’t be great for chopping down little trees.
The three-sided blades on this one give it superior cutting power for thick brush, absolutely abusing brush with ridiculous power. It pops right onto the power head of the Ryobi and can be used instantly. This is a huge advantage as compared to the individual blades because they’re so much easier to take on and off.
Pops right on.
Another thing I like about the three-blade system is that it doesn’t dull as quickly as the individual blades that have saw-like features. The main difference is that it isn’t being used on trees which dull it much more quickly than brush does.
The Forester brush cutter blade is a sweet tack on for your weed eater that is a straight up beast. This thing is extremely saw-like and will definitely tackle small trees and make light work of brush.
One thing to consider is that if you dig this into the dirt at all, you will dull the blades – just like a chainsaw. You’ve got to be careful when cutting brush close to the ground, so I recommend sticking with small trees and playing it safe with brush.
It’s a beast.
The Forester brush cutter blade can be found at Amazon for a great price and should fit just about every weed eater.
What to look for in a weed eater
Weed eaters AKA string trimmers come in all shapes and sizes. They aren’t highly complicated pieces of equipment, but they do have a few nuances. Here is how I see it:
Feel
Obviously this is subjective, but feel is everything to me. I have had weed eaters in the past where the handle is off to the side, making me torque my shoulders and back. If you can, get as many adjustable pieces as possible to make this customizable. It doesn’t seem like you use a weed eater for a long time, but the work is precision work that requires a steady hand and focus.
Motor type: Brushless vs brushed
Brushless motors are a non-negotiable when it comes to battery powered weed eaters. Without a doubt, they are the best option to ensure you have maximum torque, more durability, and a longer life. These things are top notch performance and will be the only option when others start to catch on.
Curved vs Straight shaft
I always, always, always prefer straight shafts. They are so much easier to use and control and are much longer than curved shafts. Curved shafts are good for clearing out a small piece of land unable to be mowed. But if you want to actually do some good trimming and edging, a straight shaft is much better. Curved shafts are difficult to maneuver and to create a straight line for edging.
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.
Brushless motors on weed eaters means that it is a motor that operates with less friction, more torque, and a cooler operation. Brushless motors last longer and are great innovations.
Brushless motors are big deals when it comes to weed eaters. Practically every “high-end” weed eater has a big advertisement about brushless motors.
Back in my day, we didn’t have brushless or brushed or anything fancy – we didn’t even really have electric motors. But this new generation of battery-powered weed eaters is different.
They pack a serious punch and have a price that makes you really think twice.
Is brushless worth it? How does it compare to gas? All that and more answered.
Brushless as advertised on a weed eater refers to the motor. Brushless motors are designed differently to leverage frictionless magnets to power a motor.
Weed eaters with brushless motors tend to last longer, be more durable, and provide more torque. When you see brushless listed at the top, you can know that this is a higher quality electric motor than traditional brushed motors. What you also might notice is a higher price point compared to other weed eaters – including some gas-powered weed eaters.
In my opinion, brushless weed eaters are worth the additional cost as they will last significantly longer than others.
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Brushed vs Brushless Weed Eaters
Brushless weed eaters have a frictionless, efficient motor design that leverages magnets instead of the friction electron transfer required from brushed motors.
You may notice that brushed motors get hot, don’t last as long, and are overall found on weaker, smaller lawn tools. Brushless motors provide a cooler running motor, are more durable and efficient, last longer, and provide more torque.
When I was picking out weed eaters, brushless was the first non-negotiable I had on my list. I chose to pay more for brushless because I want a tool that will last longer and won’t get so hot.
Brushed motors are often found on lower-end weed eaters and corded weed eaters (often one in the same).
Are brushless tools better?
Brushless tools are better for those looking to have more efficient lawn tools with a longer life. They are not better for those looking for cheap lawn tools that will simply get the job done. Many first time homebuyers settle for brushed, corded weed eaters just to check the box.
In my opinion, making a minor investment in brushless tools will pay off in the long run. Having to replace the tools entirely in half the time as you would with a brushless tool can quickly cost you way MORE than you would have paid to just buy a brushless weed eater in the first place.
Gas vs Brushless Electric Weed Eaters
When it comes to gas vs electric weed eaters, it’s important to weigh out the pros and cons. Both are great options, but in my opinion – built for different audiences.
Here are some pros to brushless electric weed eaters compared to gas-powered weed eaters:
No fumes
Super easy to start
No maintenance
Can use the batteries to power other tools
Extremely simple
But gas-powered weed eaters have benefits, too. Some of their benefits include a longer run-time and more power.
I think the gap is narrowing in power between the two, but a really nice brushless weed eater with power comparable to gas is pretty expensive. Most can be found for around $200 or $250, but some can be north of $350.
This weed eater was the number one choice of ours on our list of best EGO weed eaters. There are a bunch of reasons why, but mostly because it has an awesome mix of price, power, and ease of use.
It has this cool Powerload technology from EGO that allows you to simply drop some weed eater string in, and it will automatically wind it up for you. Kind of nice.
But what really sticks out is the 16 inch cutting swath. This is technically in the commercial category and will be an absolute freak of nature when it comes to power. This is our favorite.
The Makita XRUP15PT1 weed eater is an equally dominant weed eater but with a slightly smaller cutting swath at 15 inches as compared to the EGO’s 16 above. One big differentiator in Makita’s favor is that it takes the 18V batteries that can be found on so many other Makita tools, including Makita’s mowers.
This weed eater works really well for large yards and is my favorite Makita weed eater that compares to commercial landscaping power. It is definitely on the pricier side, but will truly last a long time. It of course has a sweet brushless motor and is backed up by Makita’s ridiculous power.
Yes, we were extremely surprised, too, when we put together our list of best Dewalt weed eaters. We honestly weren’t expecting much when we tried these out but WOW – they were seriously powerful.
Of course Dewalt is a household name in the power tool space, but they have truly mastered electric tools and translated that into the lawn care space. Similar to the Makita weed eater above, the Dewalt 20V Max weed eater is a really high quality weed eater.
We like Dewalt’s because you can buy the tool-only version if you already have a Dewalt 20V Max battery and save a ton of money.
I’ve used a ton of electric weed eaters and a whole lot of brushless ones. Every time I’ve used a brushless electric weed eater, I’ve felt a difference in torque and sustained power.
They outlast brushed weed eaters, are bigger and more powerful, and don’t get hot when I use them.
I’m super bullish on the future of brushless tools and brushless weed eaters specifically. While I’d like to see the price come down on these tools, I suspect most folks will have these in their garage.
What to look for in a weed eater
Weed eaters AKA string trimmers come in all shapes and sizes. They aren’t highly complicated pieces of equipment, but they do have a few nuances. Here is how we evaluate a weed eater at The Lawn Review.
Feel
Obviously this is subjective, but feel is everything to me. I have had weed eaters in the past where the handle is off to the side, making me torque my shoulders and back. If you can, get as many adjustable pieces as possible to make this customizable. It doesn’t seem like you use a weed eater for a long time, but the work is precision work that requires a steady hand and focus.
Motor
Brushless motors are a non-negotiable when it comes to battery powered weed eaters. Without a doubt, they are the best option to ensure you have maximum torque, more durability, and a longer life. These things are top notch performance and will be the only option when others start to catch on.
Curved vs Straight shaft
I always, always, always prefer straight shafts. They are so much easier to use and control and are much longer than curved shafts. Curved shafts are good for clearing out a small piece of land unable to be mowed. But if you want to actually do some good trimming and edging, a straight shaft is much better. Curved shafts are difficult to maneuver and to create a straight line for edging.
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 jobs.
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.
