Category: Lawn Tool Tips

Tips for taking care of and selecting lawn tools for your yard.

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Ultimate Electric Weed Eater Buying Guide: 2024 Update

electric weed eater held up by myself after personally using, testing, and providing my review

Electric weed eaters are the future. In fact, we are so confident in that that we’ve purchased probably ten of them here at The Lawn Review and used a dozen more. And yes, we’ve done some crazy stuff in our extensive testing – including cutting through a foam pool noodle to test it out. 

Needless to say, we are experts in all things electric and battery-powered weed eaters. We are oddly obsessed with them, so decided to put the findings of all of our rigorous tests into writing. 

Today, I’d like to walk you through exactly what I look for when looking for an electric weed eater to make it easier for you to buy when scrolling through the options. 

Bottom Line: One of my favorite electric weed eaters is the Milwaukee M18 weed eater. It has a strong motor, great battery system, and is really easy to use.

What we look for in an electric weed eater

After owning probably ten of these and testing out another 10-15, we’ve developed some strong opinions on what to look for in a weed eater. So, I am going to speak mostly from personal experience here, but will tell you how I would make one if I had a lab to make all this. 

Getting the right battery line in an electric weed eater

The very first question I ask when someone asks me what kind of weed eater to get is: “do you already own a battery-powered lawn tool?”. If so, my first recommendation is to start your search with the brand you already own. If you have a Ryobi 40V leaf blower, then I say start looking at Ryobi 40V weed eaters (I own both).

My Ryobi battery works with my blower and mower.

The reason I say this is because you can buy many lawn tools as “tool-only”, meaning you can buy it without the battery and save anywhere between $60-$100. It’s a no brainer to narrow the search to those right away. 

If this is their first foray into battery-powered tools – then I recommend brands I’ve had the most success with personally. The one weed eater I’ve been most impressed with and has the most gas-like power is my EGO 56V string trimmer. If they are looking for something on the lighter side, there are a number of smaller weed eaters from Black and Decker or others that are good alternatives.

Understanding power on weed eaters

Battery weed eaters have power measurements in a couple of ways: rotations per minute (RPMs), battery voltage, cutting swath, and string size. None of them are absolute in their measurement. For example, Milwaukee makes an 18V weed eater that I absolutely shred with and is powerful as all get out. Worx has a 20V weed eater that is small and relatively weak feeling. 

My EGO string trimmer has a decent cutting swath.

What I look for in power is mainly the cutting swath of the weed eater. This is the best indicator of power to me because even at lower RPMs, the greater the length of the string, the faster the tips are moving (its science). 

Gas powered weed eaters typically have 15 to 19 inch cutting swaths. Electrics range from 10 to 17 inches. Again, my EGO weed eaters are at the 15 inch range and even a couple of the Dewalt ones I’ve tried get up there.

Luckily, this isn’t something you need to overcomplicate. Look for about a 15 inch cutting swath and the required battery voltage to make it spin will follow. 

Feel and comfort is important when using a weed eater

An underrated quality in a weed eater, it is absolutely imperative that you find one that is comfortable to you. My neighbor has a super small, lightweight Ryobi weed eater that has basically no functionality. He has back pain and is about twice my age. 

I prefer a much longer, more powerful weed eater that I can use with a variety of attachments. I am well over six feet tall and younger. 

There is a huge element to personal preference in the feel and comfort category, but I can tell you what I do when I’m looking for a weed eater. I first check to see whether or not the weed eater has a D-loop handle. D-loop handles make it easier for me to grab and hold at multiple angles. Compare that to some weed eaters that have a foldable handle that isn’t adjustable and forces you to hold the trimmer a single way.

This is a D-loop handle, which comes on many weed eaters.

The other things I am checking for:

  • Whether or not there’s a variable speed trigger that gives me control of the speed
  • Molded grips that make holding on easier on the hands
  • Where the battery connects to see how weight will be distributed
  • How easy it is to change out the weed eater string / string trimmer line

All of these have an impact on my experience as someone using this tool. 

Attachment capabilities make weed eaters amazing tools

Please, please do not skip this section. Having a weed eater with attachment capabilities is an absolute game changer. It can turn your weed eater into a Swiss Army knife. Let me go further.

My EGO Multi Head string trimmer.

One of the first battery powered weed eaters I owned was the Ryobi 40V Expand-It. I still use it every now and then, but it has the ability to have a weed eater, blower, edger, and more attachments. Basically you can take them off and change them out without having to buy a full tool and battery system each time, saving me hundreds of dollars. 

My SKIL PWR CORE attachment system.

Some tools we’ve used in this lineup are my Ryobi but also the EGO multi-head we spent a lot of time testing and the SKIL PWR CORE weed eater system that I was not super impressed with when using.

My attachment capable weed eater system.

Motor types on electric weed eaters

Electric motors are different from gas-powered and definitely more simple. There are two main types: brushed and brushless. Brushed motors are the traditional electric tool motor and are fine, but most electric tool motors are being made with brushless motors now.

Compared to brushed motors, they provide more torque, run at a lower temperature, and are more durable. There’s a ton of science that goes into them, but when you see it advertised on a weed eater or really any other lawn tool – I recommend taking it seriously. They are legit.

Corded vs cordless weed eaters

Corded and cordless weed eaters are great alternatives to gas-powered string trimmers when it comes to residential use. The order of power is usually gas > battery > electric. The order of convenience is battery > electric > gas. Make sense?

My corded Black + Decker weed eater.

I’ve used a few corded weed eaters but generally try to avoid them because I don’t like being limited by an extension cord and always yank it around like I’m vacuuming. That being said, one major benefit to my corded weed eater is that I don’t have to charge a battery or anything. 

Cordless is definitely my preference and has tons of great options. If you’re going for an electric weed eater, I recommend using a battery-powered system that you can build your battery lawn tool set around. 

Gas vs electric weed eaters

When it comes to picking a weed eater, the first decision you’ll come across is whether or not to buy a gas-powered weed eater. They’re the incumbent – and ran the string trimmer world for decades. And just like cars, they still reign supreme for a lot of applications.

And I still have a gas-powered string trimmer.

Gas powered weed eaters have a few benefits when compared to electric weed eaters:

  • They generally have a larger cutting swath
  • Most gas weed eaters can fit thicker weed eater string
  • Gas string trimmers are easier to run for longer periods of time and don’t require charging
  • They often have a higher power output
  • When well-maintained, gas string trimmers can last many years

But battery-powered weed eaters have some advantages to gas:

  • No maintenance
  • No fumes
  • Way quieter
  • Super easy to start

In short, it comes down to your application. I would almost never recommend an electric weed eater to a professional landscaper. For my neighbors who often ask me which is better, I recommend them trying my battery-powered weed eater to see how satisfied they are with the performance.

Bottom Line: Our experience testing electric weed eaters

If you came up to me on the street and asked me what electric weed eater you should get, I would say it needs to fit these criteria: 15 inch cutting swath, brushless motor, D-loop handle, battery line with significant voltage and Amp-hours, and attachment capability. There are tons of those out there, but we really loved our experience with EGO. We don’t have an affiliation with them or anything – but have been so impressed by their multi-head system.

Common questions about electric weed eaters

Are electric weed eaters worth it?

Electric weed eaters are great tools for homeowners and with the right one, can last a long time. They are definitely worth it for home use.

What is the best electric weed eater you can buy?

In my experience, the best electric weed eater is the attachment capable EGO Multi-Tool.

Do electric weed eaters work well?

Electric weed eaters work very well for home use but are limited in commercial use.

What size electric weed eater do I need?

The perfect size electric weed eater for home use is anywhere between 14-16 inches of cutting swath.

How long do battery powered weed eaters last?

Battery powered weed eaters can last about 35-50 minutes depending on intensity of use.

How much does a battery weed eater cost?

Battery weed eaters can cost anywhere from $125 to $400 depending on the size, voltage, and quality of construction.

Why we started reviewing weed eaters

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. 

We test lawn tools – for real.

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

How to instantly improve your weed eater

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

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

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

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Self-propelled vs Push Mowers: Which is better? (2024 Guide)

Self propelled and push mowers are the two most common mowers for homeowners. I prefer using a self-propelled mower because it makes cutting much easier, but have always used a classic push mower.

Or at least that’s how it started for me. It was kind of mind boggling. But self propelled mowers and push mowers are pretty different. My opinion has always been that self-propelled mowers are a waste of money.

But recently, that opinion has changed in some circumstances and I’ll break down why. 

Jump ahead:

What does self-propelled mean on a mower?

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

An EGO Select Cut mower with self-propelled functionality.

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

Pros and cons self-propelled mowers

Self-propelled mowers have both pros and cons, especially when compared to push mowers. Let’s break down some things you may not have immediately thought about when comparing the two.

Pros of self-propelled mowers

I think most of the pros are obvious for self-propelled mowers – they simply move the dang machine. But here we are:

  • Self-propelled mowers can take a huge load off for elderly lawn care enthusiasts
  • They can reduce the load significantly for steep banks and hills
  • The lawn can be mowed more quickly
  • Great for smaller yards

Cons of self-propelled mowers

Self-propelled mowers are no doubt a luxury item for lawn lovers, but have some downsides that need to be considered:

  • They are more expensive, by a good amount (at least $100)
  • Self-propelled battery-powered mowers significantly reduce battery life
  • Self-propelled gas-powered mowers burn through gas more quickly
  • Can tear up grass if you aren’t careful
  • Don’t perform well in wet conditions

On this last point, I am speaking specifically about the wheels simply churning in your yard. I walked by my neighbor the other week who was mowing his lawn with a self propelled mower. Like a truck stuck in mud, the mower’s rear wheels just kind of spun in place as he pushed it forward.

Yikes. As he was moving forward, the wheels spun and started shredding spots in his grass. If it wasn’t totally emasculating for him, I would have jumped in and helped him. 

How long do self-propelled mowers last?

Self-propelled mowers that are battery-powered will typically see a 30-40% reduction in run time. So if you have a 60 minute run time with your battery-powered mower, you can expect to shave off at least 20 minutes.

The self-propelled function will help you get the job done more quickly, but burn battery in the process. I recommend self-propelled mowers for smaller yards (up to ⅓ acre) that don’t take too long to cut. This helps you get inside faster, use less force, and get the job done on a single charge.

If you have a gas-powered self-propelled mower, like the Toro TimeMaster 30  then you don’t have to worry about how long it will last. You just need to continue to top off the gas as needed. You’ll notice a decrease in fuel efficiency, but it might be worth it for you. 

Are self-propelled mowers hard to push?

In normal, dry conditions self-propelled mowers are not hard to push. In fact, they’re super easy and convenient.

If it is the slightest bit wet outside, then self-propelled mowers can be just as hard (if not harder) to push than traditional push mowers.

My trusty old push mower!

Most self-propelled mowers have a variable speed selector that lets you pick how quickly the mower moves forward. This can be toggled to help save battery life or address suboptimal, wetter conditions. 

Ryobi self-propelled vs push mower

I’m calling this section out for Ryobi specifically because I have experience using both their self-propelled and push mowers. If you’re comparing the two and noticing the $100 price difference, you may be wondering – what’s the difference?

The self-propelled version is nice, but unnecessary.

I have a strong opinion here – you should go with the push mower (the non-self-propelled one). Save the money. Here’s why: the Ryobi mowers are EXTREMELY light. So light that the self-propelled function isn’t needed at all. 

The Ryobi self-propelled mower seemed to make the mower almost tilt-back in response to the acceleration and made it harder to control. Since it is already so light, you almost want to apply some downward pressure to keep it on a straight path. 

3 Best Self-Propelled Battery-Powered Electric Lawn Mowers

The best self-propelled lawn mowers are the cream of the crop – the absolute premium lawn mowers manufactured today. This means that they are not great mowers only because they are self-propelled but great all-around mowers that happen to be self-propelled. Let’s dig in:

Greenworks 80V 21” Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

I’ve written about the Greenworks 80V self-propelled mower several times, mostly because it absolutely slaps. Here’s what I love about this mower:

  • Thick, steel deck that’s the perfect 21 inch size
  • Comes with a 5.0 Ah battery for up to a one hour runtime (without self-propelled)
  • Brushless motor (lasts way longer and provides way more torque)
  • 4 year warranty
GOAT.

It really has the perfect combination of power, durability, and ease of use. Lastly, it is definitely one of the most price competitive premium mowers on the market. If you already have the 80V battery, you can get the mower tool-only on Amazon for an absolutely jaw-dropping price.

Toro Recycler SmartStow 60V Battery Self-propelled Mower

This one probably isn’t at the top of most people’s lists, but I’m not most people. The Toro SmartStow battery mower is a self-propelled mower with some really cool features. 

One of my favorite features on the Toro self-propelled 60V mower is the vortex technology. It sounds fancy because it is. It is a ventilation system above the blades that pulls air in as you mow and causes the grass to stand up. It’s like the hair on the back of your neck sticking up when you do the first mow of the season. 

See those little air holes below the motor?

This is actually a really cool feature that allows you to get a more even, level cut. Toro makes some crazy good mowers and they took a lot of the same features and slapped a battery on there. This one is available at Home Depot for a great price.

EGO Power+ 56V Select Cut XP Self-propelled Mower

EGO’s Select Cut XP series is one heck of a mower. The Select Cut XP function means that it has two blades and the highest possible torque for any EGO mower. Here’s what I like about this mower:

This exact one!
  • Super easy to use Touch Drive technology that allows you to quickly adjust the self-propelled function while still mowing
  • 10 Ah batteries = 75 minute run time – this is best in class
  • Brushless motor of course
  • Over 3 MPH of self-propelled speed. It might run away from you
  • 5 year warranty

As I’ve referred to it in the past, this is the Cadillac of electric mowers. And just like a Cadillac, it’s pretty dang pricey (around $800-900).

Yeah, it’s definitely a premium product. 

So which is better, self-propelled or push mowers?

Self propelled mowers are better when it comes to convenience and ease of use. Push mowers are better priced and extend the run time of your mower.

I like self-propelled mowers for smaller yards that aren’t impacted by the decrease in run time, typically less than ⅓ of an acre. 

Most of this comes down to personal preference. The good thing about self-propelled mowers is that the functionality can be toggled on and off. You get the best of both worlds – as long as you’re willing to pay for it.

Why we review lawn tools

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

We take tool testing seriously!

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

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Why You Should Rent A Pressure Washer Instead of Buying: 2024

Renting a pressure washer can make a world of difference for your home or business – without having to buy it, maintain it, or store it. Using a pressure washer is a safe and effective way to remove slime and grime without causing damage to the surface.

Pressure washing ultimately increases the value of a property by boosting its curb appeal – it’s also one of the most satisfying things on the planet. It is also a form of preventative maintenance and can therefore save you time and money in the long run. 

The benefits of a pressure washer are evident, but a good pressure washer can set you back more than $1,000. 

Fortunately, numerous home-improvement stores rent pressure washers at a reasonable price for short periods of time. Whether you’re in South Florida or Montana, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a pressure washer rental to give your home or business a deep cleaning. 

If you’re not ready to invest in a pressure washer, here is a list of places that rent them in 2023.

Where You Can Rent a Power Washer in 2024

There are a few places near you that rent pressure washers – check out which one is most convenient for you.

Renting a pressure washer from Home Depot

Home Depot is inarguably one of the nation’s most well-known home improvement stores. With over 1,900 locations in the United States, finding a Home Depot near you shouldn’t be difficult. Home Deposit has a generous selection of electric and gas pressure washers available for rent. You can also rent accessories such as extension wands, compact driveway, and surface cleaners.

Electric pressure washers can be great for smaller jobs.

The advantage of renting at Home Depot is that you can rent for weeks at a time and save significantly. Additionally, Home Depot’s website makes it easy to check the availability of rentals to ensure they’re in stock at locations near you. Home Depot’s selection of pressure washers includes:

Electric Pressure Washer Rental Cost at Home Depot

Cost:

  • $33 for four hours
  • $47 per day
  • $188 per week
  • $564 for four weeks

The Top Features

  • Features a 1.5 hp fan-cooled motor
  • Comers with detergent quick connect nozzles
  • It has a 3/8″ hose and trigger 
  • Ideal for small projects

Gas Pressure Washer Rental Cost at Home Depot

Cost: 

  • $61 for four hours
  • $87 per day
  • $348 per week
  • $1,044 for four weeks

Why This Pressure Washer Stands Out

  • It boasts a 196cc Honda OHV engine
  • Features a triple-piston AR pump
  • Includes detergent quick connect nozzles
  • Perfect for medium-duty projects
Back at work.

Driveway and Surface Cleaners Rental Cost at Home Depot

Cost: 

  • $48 for four hours
  • $68 per day
  • $272 per week
  • $816 for four weeks

What Stands Out

  • Easy to use with a simple on-off feature
  • 25x more effective than other products on the market
  • It doesn’t produce streaks
  • Comes with a folding handle, making it easy to store and take in your truck or SUV
Gas pressure washer.

You can rent a pressure washer from Home Depot by following this link.

United Rentals Pressure Washers

United Rentals has locations across the United States, and their pressure washers are more expensive than big-box home improvement stores. However, United Rental’s equipment is great for large projects or commercial work. You can rent United Rental’s equipment at daily, weekly, and monthly rates.

United Rental, aside from renting the physical washers, also rents accessories like washer hoses and a pressure washer spray wand. Keep in mind that the prices will vary depending on your location. Some of the pressure washers available at United Rentals include:

Pressure Washer, 3,000-3,500 PSI, Towable, Diesel Powered

Cost: $264 daily, $532 weekly, and $1,474 monthly

The Top Features

  • Uses hot water
  • Features tubed, pneumatic tires
  • Washes large areas efficiently
  • 4.7 gallons per minute flow

Pressure Washer, 3,500 PSI, Gas Powered

Cost: $83 daily, $304 weekly, and $651 monthly

What Stands Out

  • Boasts quick-connect nozzles
  • Features an insulated trigger gun
  • Suitable for medium- to heavy-duty work
  • Designed with 1.25″ tube handles

Pressure Washer, 3,500 PSI, Towable, Gas Powered

Cost: $87 daily, $326 weekly, and $691 monthly

What I Like About this Pressure Washer

  • Comes with dual rubber isolators
  • Features an overhead valve (OHV) engine
  • Works well with medium- to heavy-duty projects
  • Manufactured with quick-connect nozzles
Towable pressure washers are crazy.

Pressure Washer 5,000 PSI, Gas Powered

Cost: $143 daily, $427 weekly, and $1,277 monthly

The Top Features

  • Comes with a safety-lock off trigger fun
  • Suitable for heavy-duty work with 5,000 PSI
  • Features 1.25′ tube handles
  • The trigger gun is insulted

Menards Pressure Washer Rental

If you live in the Midwest or the Great Plains, you can rent a power washer at Menards. The home-improvement superstore currently offers a Rug Doctor 2000 PSI Pressure Washer for rent. You can pair your rental with an Xtreme Garage Multipurpose Utility Air Mover or Rug Doctor Carpet Blower.

Rug Doctor 2000 PSI Pressure Washer

Cost: $34.99 for the first 24 hours and $34.99 for each additional day

The Highlights:

  • Easy to transport
  • Features a one-gallon detergent tank
  • The low-profile design prevents tipping
  • Has a convenient aluminum handle

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to learn more about renting a power washer in 2023? Here are my answers to the most frequently asked questions.

How much PSI do I need to clean concrete?

Generally, you should look for a pressure washer with at least 3,000 PSI to clean concrete. Although you can use a pressure washer with less PSI, its cleaning will take longer.

What is the difference between a power washer and a pressure washer?

The main difference is that a power washer uses hot water while a pressure washer uses unheated water. Individuals often find that power washers clean rust better than pressure washers. 

Is it better to rent or buy a pressure washer?

Deciding between renting or buying a pressure washer depends on how often you use it. If you own a business and need a pressure washer daily, it makes sense to buy one instead of renting. Residential homeowners needing a pressure washer annually can save money by renting a pressure washer since buying one starts at $500 and upwards. 

Is Renting a Pressure Washer Right for You?

Pressure washing is a great way to give your home or business a well-deserved facelift. You can rent a pressure washer for as little as $35, or if you want a higher-end model, you’ll need to shell out a couple hundred. If you only need a pressure washer a few times per year (or less), renting one is the cost-effective option.  

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. 

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.
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Ultimate Robotic Lawn Mower Buying Guide

Robotic lawn mowers still seem like a crazy concept, but just about every major mower manufacturer is moving in this direction. If you’ve ever used a robotic vacuum, you can understand what is appealing about a robotic lawn mower. 

You set it and forget it. You can leave for work and come home to a clean floor, or in this case, a mowed lawn. 

So we spent weeks scouring the internet, talking to manufacturers, and reviewing trends to compile the ultimate buying guide for robotic lawn mowers. We will also take a look at some of the robotic lawn mowers from all of the major brands. 

Bottom Line: Robotic lawn mowers are here to stay and will only improve in technology. My favorite robotic lawn mower that I have tested is the Husqvarna Automower because it is super durable, efficient, and hassle-free. You can grab it for a great price on Amazon.

Ready? Let’s get started.

What to look for in a robotic lawn mower

Robotic lawn mowers are becoming more common and look and sound the same, except they have drastic variations in price. Yikes. So how do you know what to look for when comparing? I’ll say a big part of this comes down to convenience and the associated bells and whistles, but here are definitely some non-negotiables. 

Cutting height and width

Please don’t buy a robotic lawn mower that can’t cut your grass. Sadly, there are some options out there that max out at 2.5 inches of grass length. If you have fescue or other transitional grasses that are supposed to stay at least 2.5 inches long, you will be in steep trouble.

Cutting height and width of robotic mowers is extremely important for assessing how the machine will be able to cut your lawn. The bigger cutting height, the taller the grass it can take. Measure twice, buy once. 

Width is also a consideration. The average push mower width is about 21 inches. Most of these robotic mowers are less than a foot wide, often boasting cutting widths of 9 inches or so. Take this  into account if you have tighter nooks and crannies or a wide open yard. The larger the cutting width, the more efficient the mower will operate.

Run-time and maximum yard size

Robotic mowers operate using a rechargeable battery. They can’t run all day without having to charge. If you have a larger yard, there may be times when the mower has to stop mid-way through a cut to recharge for over an hour. Not the best time to have visitors over with a half-mowed lawn! 

Most robotic lawn mowers have the recommended yard size displayed, so make sure it vibes with your yard size. 

Ease of use

This is a super broad category, but how easy is this to use. The number one reason people buy these is because they want to take mowing their lawn off of their plate. If the robotic mower is adding a bunch of set-up time, moving around, re-calibrating, etc. it may be more trouble than it’s worth. 

The set-up process is generally laborious for every one of these. Many also come with an app that notifies you of the job progress. Make sure these are seamless to use and make your life easier, not more complex.

Safety features

Obviously super important to have a safe robotic lawn mower. The last thing you need is a puppy puree after a horrific robotic mower incident. Each of these have safety features but make sure they are thoughtful about your specific needs: kids, animals, gardens or anything else of importance. See if there’s a way to have a remote kill-switch to make it stop on command. 

Needs to be safe for these little guys!

Advantages of robotic lawn mowers

Robotic lawn mowers can be EXTREMELY convenient. Once they’re some of the coolest tools on the planet, with a few exceptions. If everything is humming along nicely, you can get your yard mowed to the exact specifications without lifting a finger – and it can even mow in the rain. 

Here are some advantages to robotic lawn mowers:

  • Able to cut lawn to exact length
  • Quiet and can mow at night
  • Connect to your smartphone or even Alexa
  • Self-charging feature available
  • Able to mow in the rain
  • Can connect to other apps to sync up with watering schedule
  • Tons of safety features

Disadvantages of Robotic Lawn Mowers

Robotic lawn mowers are really cool tools, but with every rose comes a thorn (or more). Let’s check out some of the downsides to owning a robotic lawn mower:

  • Expensive, much more than traditional mowers (5-10x)
  • Difficult to install
  • Can’t bag your grass well
  • Can’t stripe your lawn (runs in random patterns)
  • Unknown durability
  • Unable to perform most maintenance yourself

Robotic mowers essentially take away the control you have over your yard. Similar to robotic vacuums, they often run in random patterns, which means your grass will get cut but not appear in neat rows. This also doesn’t replace trimming and edging your yard, which are the final steps of making a decent looking lawn. 

The Future of Robotic Lawn Mowers

Despite some of the negatives associated with robotic lawn mowers, their future is promising. Just about every lawn tool brand we’ve spoken with (including Greenworks, Husqvarna, Worx and more) are investing heavily in autonomous lawn mowers. Worx even recently announced an upgrade to their top-seller Landroid model that includes a neural network. And these are not just for homeowners.

Massive dollars are flowing into commercial, robotic mowers that simply require landscapers to drop them off in certain locations and pick them up when the yard is done. A future landscaping company might simply be setting robotic mowers in various properties, then picking them up at the end of the day. 

Thanks to the folks at Custom Market Insights!

Robotic lawn mowers as a percent of the total lawn mower market are expected to dominate, growing from a sliver of the market today to around a quarter. The overall market growth is extremely impressive as people look to save money on lawn care by ditching landscapers and going robotic.

There also may be new lawn tool entrants from companies like Shark or iRobot who already have the technology to create a safe, smart sensor that could create a safer robotic mower. 

4 Best Robotic Lawn Mowers: 2024 Edition

Now that we have a good picture of what you’re going to get with a robotic mower, let’s break down some of the best residential robotic mowers on the market. Obviously quality is important here, but I want to make sure it’s balanced by still being relatively affordable. 

1. Husqvarna Automower 115H

While this robotic lawn mower isn’t the fanciest one on the market, it has all of the bare minimum basics at an extremely affordable price. When I think of Husqvarna products, I automatically assume high quality but also higher price. 

But man, the Automower is changing the game. For reference, Husqvarna has some robotic mowers that go for about 10x the price of the 115H. While it is designed for smaller yards less than half an acre, it can handle tall fescue and other grasses up to 3.5 inches tall. This is going to be great for those of us that live in transitional or cool season grass zones.

Grass zones to help explain robotic mower length.

Here are a few other features we liked about the Husqvarna Automower 115H:

  • Automatically makes its way back to the charger
  • Super quiet
  • Onboard display lets you set the schedule directly on the mower
  • The price
  • Theft protection
  • Control from any app-capable device
  • The price…again

So for a robotic mower, this is a really good price. For a Husqvarna robotic mower, this price is ludicrous. If you are wanting a low-risk way to dip your toe into the water, this is the easiest and most affordable way to get quality. 

You can grab this straight from Husqvarna or get it on Amazon for a really good price.

2. Worx Landroid L Series Robotic Mower

Worx is the biggest surprise of the bunch. The tool company known best for making products that are affordable and light-duty randomly came out with a really, really nice robotic mower. What I love about Worx’ Landroid L model is that it uses rechargeable batteries that can also be used with their other lawn tools. Not only does this help it run for a long time (up to ½ acre), but can be popped off when you need to use a Worx weed eater or other Worx tools.

Landroid is popular!

Worx was way ahead of the game when they started working on robotic mowers, and many thought they were crazy. But their Landroid series is one of the most popular (if not the most popular) robotic mowers on the market. They have several different models as a part of their Worx Landroid S series as well, which we’ve reviewed and compared extensively.

The main downside to the Landroid is the same common downside to a lot of robotic mowers – you have to lay a wire to help it way-find around the yard and back to the charger. Newer, auto-sensing robotic mowers will become the wave of the future.

Either way, the Worx Landroid robotic mower is a great starting point and can be found on Amazon for a really competitive price.

3. Stihl iMow RMI 422 PC-L Robotic Mower

I love Stihl’s line of products outside of their recent battery-powered line. But it looks like they’ve actually put quite a bit of thought into their new iMow Robotic mower. It is definitely one of the more tech-enabled robotic mowers on the market, giving you a peek into the future of this technology.

The Stihl iMow is unique in that it has cellular connection that lets you control it from just about anywhere – including your phone. You can program it to have certain active times where it can quietly mow your lawn. This is a great feature for the middle of the night to ensure your lawn gets mowed without worrying about kids or animals being in the yard.

Love that they come install it.

Stihl will come install this in your yard (for a price), which makes the most painful part about robotic mowers totally gone. 

One major downside to the Stihl iMow is that it will be best for warm season grasses that stay shorter but thrive in the summer. If you have a taller grass like fescue, this will not maintain it at the appropriate length. 

4. Greenworks optimow 50H Robotic Lawn Mower

Greenworks is one of our favorite brands for traditional battery-powered lawn tools so we were not surprised to see their optimow robotic mower in our top five. One thing that I consistently love about Greenworks’ products is their commitment to quality on the essentials.

Really high quality motor.

The Greenworks optimow robotic mower has an intelligent TruBrushless mower, which is at it’s core the best motor for battery-powered tools. My other favorite part about this mower is that it is designed for transitional and cool season grasses, so it can easily maintain tall fescue and others that Stilh’s iMow cannot handle. It gets more intense:

  • 32 height options (somehow)
  • Can navigate as narrow as 2 feet
  • Blades that self-pivot away from hard objects
  • App connectivity and GPS (in case of theft)

This thing is sweet and if I know the guys at Greenworks (I do), then I know that they are going to be jumping to the number one spot VERY soon across all robotic landscaping equipment. 

You can grab their mower from their website (we have no affiliation) for a great price.

Common questions about robotic mowers

As experts in the field of all things outdoor power equipment and battery-powered lawn tools, we are often asked by journalists and industry specialists about robotic mowers. We’ve started compiling a list of the most common questions that we will continue to expand upon over time. 

How do robotic lawn mowers work?

Most robotic lawn mowers use guidewires that set the perimeter that they can mow and guide them back to the charging station. 

They then mow random patterns within the perimeter until the job is complete, taking several hours each day over the course of a week to complete. They are essentially always running on the schedule you set to maintain the height of the grass.

Newer technology from companies like iRobot will allow for sensing the area without the use of guidewires, which will be a huge step up in future models.

How much does a robotic lawn mower cost?

Robotic lawn mowers start at a little over $500 and up to $5,000 (or more).

Each company has several different models where cutting width, run-time, and programmability all impact the cost of the robotic mower. 

What are the safety features for robotic lawn mowers?

Most robotic mowers have safety features that will stop the blades when the mower is lifted or otherwise disturbed.

These mowers also have self-protective mechanisms that prevent them from taking on water damage. To keep them in a specific area, the use of guidewires as boundaries ensure they don’t wander off and cause damage.

How do the sensors work on robotic lawn mowers?

Many robotic mowers still don’t have great sensors for determining the boundary of the yard, but do use underground guidewires that serve as an “invisible fence”. Some robotic mowers have sensors that can indicate moisture and predict rain. There are even other sensors that help stop the blades when the mower is picked up.

Are robotic lawn mowers worth buying?

Robotic mowers are worth buying if you are a tech nerd who prefers to not spend time mowing their lawn.

It totally depends on how you view your yard work. I prefer to mow my lawn myself because I’m obsessed with the aesthetic of having a striped lawn. But for those that can’t stand spending their weekends doing yard work, then robotic mowers can be a great option.

How long do robotic lawn mowers last?

Robotic lawn mowers have not been around very long, so it’s hard to say. The first thing to go will likely be communication issues with the ground wires and the sensing technology, especially if the robot has a brushless motor. 

In my experience, the network connection can be spotty and less reliable – which I believe will be the least reliable function of robotic mowers in the long run, until new technology is readily available.

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. 

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Ryobi Brushless vs. Brushed Motors: Difference Explained (2024)

Ryobi brushless and brushed tools are big names in the lawn tool space. Brushless motors are superior technology that allows for cooler running motors, better durability, and more efficient torque.

Although it may be hard to figure out from the box or product description, there’s actually a huge difference. Today, I’ll walk through what the difference is and make some product recommendations from Ryobi for their brushless motor line of tools. 

My goal is to make this not overly technical, but just give you the quick and dirty explanation that can help you decide whether or not to spend more money.

In short, YES – it is worth it to spend the extra money for brushless lawn tools. If you want to know why, keep reading or skip ahead using the below links:

Brushless vs brushed Ryobi tools

I’m trying to avoid getting too technical here, so let me break down what brushed vs brushless motors do and how this impacts Ryobi tools.

Brushed motors (Regular) from Ryobi

Brushed Ryobi motors have an internal, stationary magnet surrounded by a mobile rotor. The brushes make physical contact with the rotor to transfer the electricity from the battery to the rotor. It essentially causes the rotor to move by changing which side of the motor is magnetic.

It sounds complicated, but here’s what you need to know:

  • The brushes making physical contact with the rotor means that there is increased friction
  • With increased friction, you get heat
  • Heat is going to generally wear down things like plastic and other parts inside of lawn tools
  • This leads to a reduction in lifespan and durability of the product
  • It’s also less efficient than brushless because you are losing energy to heat instead of to power

On a positive note, up until a few years ago (and still to this day), most products are brushed. It’s been the standard for a long time. I have a hedge trimmer from the 90s that’s brushed and still works fine because I barely use it.

But in general, these aren’t as reliable and will get bent out of shape over time and ultimately stop working. 

Ryobi’s Brushless motors

Brushless motors flip the engineering of brushed motors on their head. Basically instead of having the mechanical action of the brushes, a different type of current is used to cause a magnetic field that rotates and moves the magnet. 

It’s almost like an invisible motor, totally driven by an electric current and magnets instead of manual transferral of voltage. 

For those that aren’t nerds, here are some of the impacts:

  • More torque due to no heat loss 
  • Cooler running motor
  • Longer life

Which is better – brushed or brushless Ryobi tools?

It’s pretty clear that Ryobi’s brushless tools are better than their old brushed motors. If you aren’t convinced by the increased power of their new brushless lineup, you should be convinced by the durability. 

Brushless motors are akin to the lithium-ion battery instead of the old nickel hydride batteries. They last a lot longer and perform way better. 

Our favorite Ryobi Brushless Lawn Tools

We’ve written a ton of reviews about some of Ryobi’s best brushless tools. Let me save you some time and give you the best from each category.

Best Ryobi Brushless Blower

Ryobi came out with a new 40V Brushless Whisper series blower and it is sweet. We put it in a head-to-head challenge we called the Ryobi vs EGO blower battle. 

Ain’t it a beaut?

Here’s what we love about the Ryobi 730 CFM 40V Brushless Whisper blower:

  • It’s quiet – well, kind of. It makes a different noise which definitely isn’t loud but also isn’t the best sound in the world.
  • This Ryobi brushless blower has a really cool handle that allows you to control the speed and set a cruise control with your thumb
  • It also has a turbo button that takes it all the way up to 730 CFMs or 190 MPH. That’s pretty dang fast.
  • The Ryobi 40V comes with two 4.5 Ah batteries and a charger.
  • Total time to charge the leaf blower from completely dead to fully charged was 53 minutes. Not bad!

It’s easily the most powerful handheld cordless blower that Ryobi offers. You can grab it from your local Home Depot or grab it on Amazon for a great price.

Best Ryobi Brushless Mower

We did a full ranking of the best Ryobi lawn mowers and found the Ryobi 20 inch 40V Brushless Smart Trek Self-Propelled mower was the best. They have a few mowers that look just like this one and even have a newer model, but I really like this one from 2022 because of its simplicity and price.

Coolest looking one.

Here are a few things I liked about this one:

  • Brushless motor (duh)
  • I like that it is black and not neon yellow
  • The self propelled function works really well
  • It is extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver
  • This Ryobi mower has some really easy-to-use tools
  • You can use the 40V battery with everything

This one is also available on Amazon for a really good price, but can also be bought at Home Depot if you want the newer model.

You can also see how this Ryobi 40V mower compares to the Greenworks 48V mower.

Best Ryobi Brushless Weed Eater

When it comes to Ryobi Weed Eaters, we loved the Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V brushless 13 inch weed eater. This brushless weed eater from Ryobi comes as a part of their 18V ONE+ series of tools, which is a great collection for the homeowner with a small to medium sized yard. 

This is the one.

Here’s why we picked it over a bunch of Ryobi weed eaters:

  • It has a decent sized cutting width at 13 inches. Many of the smaller ones are at 10-11 inches  which is frankly too small to do any kind of edging work. 
  • It’s one of the only Ryobi weed eaters with a brushless motor
  • It’s super easy to handle with it’s large D-shaped handle
  • This one is well-balanced which means you won’t torque your shoulder when carrying it around

This one is a no-brainer if you’re looking for a brushless Ryobi weed eater. I got mine at Home Depot when I first moved into my house, but you can also get it on Amazon for a great price.

Best Ryobi Brushless Pressure Washer

I probably go a little over the top with my recommendation here, but I am blown away by this Brushless Ryobi Pressure Washer. 

Pure power.

The Ryobi 3000 PSI 1.1 GPM electric pressure washer won both our best Ryobi pressure washer AND best electric pressure washer rankings. It’s a beast. Here’s why I am obsessed with it:

  • Best-in-class pressure for an electric pressure washer at 3000 PSI
  • Large soap tank
  • Nozzles built into the tip that allows you to just rotate the tip to change the angle
  • Big never flat wheels

It’s truly top-of-the-line when it comes to electric pressure washers. The fact that it has a brushless motor and will last longer than the others is a huge bonus.

This one is a legend and can be bought online at any local Home Depot for a great price. 

Final words: Ryobi’s brushless vs brushed motors

Like I said at the beginning, brushless motors make a difference and I highly recommend going with them if you are a DIYer. 

If this is your first time buying a lawn tool and know you won’t use it often, you can get away with it being brushed and probably be fine. I would buy cheap and have low expectations, however.

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. 

This is our job.

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

About Ryobi

I’m sure you already know a ton about Ryobi or at least own a few of their tools. They are HUGE in Home Depot. We love Ryobi products and have written extensively about dozens of their tools. Here are a few of our favorite Ryobi products:

Ryobi tools are fan favorites mostly because they are good-enough quality, are relatively low cost, and make just about every tool under the sun, which allows you to reuse their batteries and save a ton of money. 

Some of their awesome tools – the backpack sprayer.
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Drop Spreaders vs. Broadcast Spreaders: 2024 Comparison

Drop spreaders and broadcast spreaders are the two most popular ways to get fertilizer or other soil amendments across your lawn. Most folks go straight to broadcast spreaders, but drop spreaders are the dark horse in this battle.

They’re both great solutions, but I would consider one to be for “Type A”  people and the other more for “Type B”. Let’s figure out which one you are.

Drop Spreaders

Drop spreaders, also known as granular spreaders or fertilizer spreaders, are used to evenly distribute granular materials like fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides to your lawn.. They do this by releasing the material through holes or slots in the bottom of the spreader as it’s pushed forward. 

It looks almost like a paper shredder except with seeds sliding down and dropping out in a neat little fashion.

Drop spreaders have a small opening where fertilizer drops out.

These are less common than broadcast spreaders and often used for things like golf courses or other commercial projects. They make some of these for homeowners and residential use and they’re great for those of us that are “Type A”. For example, my wife would absolutely love one of these.

Know which grass types you have.

Benefits of drop spreaders

One of the main perks of using a drop spreader is the precise and even application it gives. The substance goes straight to the ground and isn’t as affected by wind or other factors. This makes drop spreaders especially useful for applying materials that need a specific application rate, like fertilizers and pesticides.

Additionally, drop spreaders typically waste less fertilizer and/or seed than broadcast spreaders. Broadcast spreaders use a spinning mechanism to throw the material out in a wide arc, which can lead to lots of waste if the spreader isn’t calibrated properly. With drop spreaders, there is less chance of waste because the material is only released when the spreader is moving.

Downsides to drop spreaders

Although drop spreaders have a lot of benefits, they do have some downsides compared to broadcast spreaders. One major limitation is their coverage area. Because the material is released through holes or slots, it can only cover a small area at a time. This means it might take longer to treat a larger area with a drop spreader than a broadcast spreader. 

Drop spreaders may also not work well with all types of materials, like large seeds or pelletized fertilizers that may not fit through the holes or slots.

Pros and cons of drop spreaders summarized

When you’re going for a drop spreader, it’s important to understand that you’ll be more accurate, but spend more time outside (not a bad thing!).

Pros of drop spreaders:

  • Precise application
  • Less waste
  • Easier to understand settings

Cons of drop spreaders:

  • Smaller coverage area
  • Not compatible with all fertilizer types

Overall, drop spreaders are great for getting a precise and even application of granular materials. They offer more even distribution and less risk of waste than broadcast spreaders. 

Best Drop Spreaders For Lawns

Below are our two favorite drop spreaders. We picked them because of their price and ease of use. They are two of the only residential drop spreaders I’ve seen available online. I’d go into a deep explanation of both, but honestly they’re very similar and have pretty basic functionality.

  1. Scotts 76565 Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader (cheaper)
  2. Yardworks 75lb Drop Spreader (more expensive but a bit nicer)

Broadcast Spreaders: An Overview

Broadcast spreaders, also known as rotary spreaders, are used to distribute granular materials such as fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides over your lawn or garden. These spreaders work by using a spinning mechanism to fling the material out in a wide arc, covering your large lawn more quickly.

The bottom of a classic broadcast spreader.

Benefits of broadcast spreaders

One of the main benefits of using a broadcast spreader is the ability to cover a large area in a short amount of time. Because the material is flung out in a wide arc, a single pass with a broadcast spreader can cover a significant amount of ground. This makes broadcast spreaders a convenient choice for treating large lawns or gardens.

My spread pattern.

Another advantage of broadcast spreaders is their versatility. Many models are capable of handling a wide range of materials, including large seeds and pelletized fertilizers, which may not be suitable for drop spreaders. This makes broadcast spreaders a good choice for those who need to apply a variety of substances to their lawn or garden.

Drawbacks of broadcast spreaders

Despite their many benefits, broadcast spreaders do have some drawbacks compared to drop spreaders. One of the main limitations of broadcast spreaders is the risk of waste. Because the material is flung out in a wide arc, it is more susceptible to being affected by wind and other external factors, which can result in an uneven application and a significant amount of waste.

Another potential drawback of broadcast spreaders is their lack of precision. Because the material is released in a wide arc, it is more difficult to achieve a precise and even application compared to a drop spreader. This can be a problem for those who need to apply materials at a specific rate, such as fertilizers and pesticides.

Pros and cons of broadcast spreaders

Broadcast spreaders can help get the job done quickly, but you may miss a spot.

Pros of broadcast spreaders:

  • Cover a large area
  • Very customizable
  • Can take just about any pellet size

Cons of broadcast spreaders:

  • Hard to tell exactly where you’ve sprayed
  • May cause you to put too much down or waste fertilizer

Overall, broadcast spreaders are a useful tool for quickly covering a large area with granular materials. They offer many benefits over drop spreaders, including a larger coverage area and versatility with different types of materials.

Best Broadcast spreaders

Scotts definitely owns the market when it comes to broadcast spreaders. They had one that was popular for a long time, but got feedback (we experienced it first hand) that the design was forcing a lot of the granules to go right into the wheels of the spreader. So they re-designed the spreader and got the new Elite spreader.

They re-engineered the seed distributor to be above the wheels.

You can grab the Scott’s Elite Spreader right on Amazon for the best price.

Another slightly more expensive option is The Andersons Yard Star – which is a bigger, badder version of the Scotts Broadcast Spreader.

Choosing The Right Spreader: Broadcast vs Drop 

Choosing the best spreader for your lawn can be confusing, but luckily the stakes aren’t very high. To make the right choice, it is important to consider the size and shape of your lawn, the type of material you will be spreading, and your budget and frequency of use.

Yard Size and shape

One of the first things to consider when choosing a spreader is the size and shape of your lawn. If you have a large, flat lawn, a broadcast spreader may be the choice that allows you to move the fastest. Because they operate with such imprecision, they ensure that you at least get some fertilizer or seed over most of your yard

On the other hand, if you have a small or irregularly shaped lawn, a drop spreader may be a better choice. This is great for “Type A” people who want to make sure everything is Even Steven when covering their yard in an expensive fertilizer.

These are great for the overseeding time of year.

Material size

Another important factor to consider is the type of material you will be spreading. If you plan to spread large seeds or pelletized fertilizers, you will need to choose a spreader that is capable of handling these types of materials. Some broadcast spreaders are equipped with a larger hopper and more powerful motors, making them suitable for handling these types of materials. Drop spreaders, on the other hand, may not be able to handle large seeds or pelletized fertilizers, as they may not fit through the holes or slots in the bottom of the spreader.

Cost implications

In addition to the size and shape of your lawn and the type of material you will be spreading, you should also consider your budget and frequency of use when choosing a spreader. If you only plan to use the spreader a few times a year, a lower-priced model may be fine. However, if you plan to use the spreader more frequently or if you have a large lawn, it may be worth investing in a higher-quality spreader that is built to last, like the Andersons Yard Star.

Final wrap up: Drop vs Broadcast Spreaders

In summary, drop spreaders and broadcast spreaders are both distribute your fertilizer or seed across your lawn. Drop spreaders are more precise, but have a limited coverage area and may not be suitable for all types of materials. Broadcast spreaders are able to cover a large area quickly and are versatile enough to handle a wide range of materials, but have a higher risk of waste,

Why we started this site

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

How we spend our time doing scientific tests.

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

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

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What Is A Lawn Edger? (+ Best Edgers in 2024)

Lawn edgers are some of the most satisfying tools on the planet because they create a perfect, crisp border around your lawn. You can mow your lawn and remove leaves, but the job isn’t complete without an edger. 

Using a lawn edger is what caused my neighbor to go from “you have really nice grass” to “you have the best lawn in the neighborhood” (true story). Many people try to use weed eaters as lawn edgers, but honestly they can’t quite make the yard look as nice.

Today I’ll walk through exactly what an edger is, how it compares with trimming, then some of the best lawn edgers we’ve used.

Let’s do it.

So…what exactly is a lawn edger?

As the name suggests, a lawn edger is a tool that trims the edges of your lawn’s boundaries. For example, you can use an edger to trim the grass that borders your driveway or mailbox. A freshly-edged yard leaves your property uniform and square. 

Edgers can also be used around garden beds, separating mulch from the grass and creating a distinct garden bed that “pops”.

You wouldn’t go to the barber and only cut the hair on the top of your head without trimming the sides. The same applies to your yard – an edger finishes the job while boosting your home’s curb appeal.

Edging doesn’t take a professional; anyone who can operate a mower can also master the art of edging. If you already use a landscaping company to service your lawn, they should use an edger after mowing. But if you mow your property yourself and don’t have an edger yet, you’re in luck. A quality edger will only set you back a couple of hundred dollars (and trust me, they’re worth the investment).

If you’re looking for an extra crispy lawn, make sure to read our guide on how to sharpen mower blades.

What’s the difference between trimming and edging?

Let’s set the record straight here. Edging and trimming are two very different things that are often mixed up. 

Edging utilizes a motorized blade that digs into the dirt between a hard surface (street, driveway, sidewalk) and your yard. Edgers push up dirt and dig a small little trench that cleanly separates the yard and surface. Edgers can do a little bit of trimming if grass is growing over the surface, but are not designed for full-scale grass shredding.

What it looks like to edge with a trimmer.

Trimmers are used to cut stray grass not reached or not accessible by mowing. Trimmers can also be used to cut the grass between hard surfaces and the yard, but don’t quite have the capability to edge as well as an edger does.

Upgrade your weed eating game with the ultimate GrassKicker Weed Eater String! While a lawn edger is a great tool, 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.

The Best Lawn Edgers for 2024

What better way to start 2024 than with a new lawn edger? If you’re looking for a new edger, you have a lot to choose from – how do you weed out the duds? You’re in luck – we did the hard work for you already. Check out our article on the five best battery lawn edgers for 2024. 

After comparing dozens of lawn edgers, the below options made the top of our list:

  1. Greenworks Pro 80V 8-Inch Brushless Edger
  2. Greenworks 40V 8-Inch Brushless Edger
  3. EGO Power+ ME0800 8-Inch Edger Attachment and Power Head

These battery-powered lawn edgers are affordable and offer long-lasting quality and durability (the best of both worlds). 

We used this EGO edger attachment and loved it.

You can also purchase a trimmer and an edger combo to get the most out of your money. While a trimmer does most of the heavy lifting, an edger will make your neighbors stop and stare. 

Another angle of what these bad boys look like.

If you’re a new homeowner or want to spruce up your lawn, a trimmer and edger combo is a great thing to have in your arsenal. 

How to use a weed eater to edge your lawn

You can do some moderate edging of your lawn with a weed eater. The trick is to have the right weed eater string.

When I was using the stock weed eater string that came with my Ryobi 40V weed eater, I thought it was doing a good job. Then after doing a ton of research and developing the 

Manual vs. Motorized Edgers: What’s the Difference?

Lawn edgers come in all shapes and sizes. They also come as manual or motorized. Manual edgers are handheld tools not powered by an engine or battery. Many of these edgers resemble shovels with an inverted cutting tip that penetrates the soil and shapes the grass. It looks like a shovel without any type of curvature. Manual edgers are much cheaper to purchase (and operate) compared to motorized edgers.

In fact, we reviewed the cost of manual edgers on Amazon and home improvement stores and found that the average prices range from $30 to $60. 

Although the price of a manual edger might seem tempting, remember that they require a lot more work. Not only that, but customer reviews are mixed. Many reviewers say the blades break or bend easily. Therefore, you may have better luck with a motorized edger if you don’t mind spending the extra money.

A battery or engine powers a motorized edger. Using a motorized edger is much less labor-intensive compared to a manual edger. However, a motorized edger will set you back at least $100 for a high-quality product. A motorized edger is usually the best route unless you have a very small yard.

The Two Types of Electric Lawn Edgers

Out of all the lawn edgers available on the market, electric edgers are becoming the most prevalent. Consumers have two options when purchasing an electric edger: Corded or cordless.

If you buy a corded lawn edger, you’ll have to keep it plugged in as you use it which can restrict the distance you travel. On a positive note, you won’t have to worry about losing battery life.

A corded Worx edger.

On the other hand, a cordless lawn edger can be operated without plugging it into a power outlet. But despite the cordless option, you’ll still need to charge the battery from time to time using a cord provided with the edger.

The price difference between cordless and corded isn’t significant. As a result, many homeowners prefer a cordless edger because they don’t want to worry about tripping over a cord (can you blame them?). They also don’t need to purchase an extension cord to reach all corners of their lawn.

Edgers often come as attachments for attachment-capable multi-tools. These can easily be swapped out to save money on tools and batteries (not to mention storage space).

Frequently Asked Questions

If my guide on lawn edgers has sparked your curiosity, you’re in for a treat. I put together a list of the most common questions we get from our community on Youtube.

What is the difference between a lawn trimmer and an edger?

The main difference between trimmers and edgers is the depth at which they cut. Trimmers are used for all purpose lawn trimming and have a more shallow cut. Edgers go deeper to form a border around your lawn or garden bed.

What is an edger used for?

You don’t necessarily need a lawn edger, but they’re definitely a must-have if you want a clean and squared lawn. Not to mention, you can get one for around one hundred dollars or less.

How much does professional edging cost?

Most lawn care companies offer to edge as part of their services. That is, they’ll mow your lawn first and edge it after. If you just want a company to edge your yard (and not mow it), you can expect to pay less than two hundred dollars.

Lawn Edgers at a glance

A well-manicured law requires an edger – a tool that trims the areas of the lawn that the standard lawnmower can’t reach. Professional lawn care companies will edge your lawn after cutting it, but you can also do it yourself. Lawn edgers are cheap, easy to operate, and boast advanced features like depth and speed control.

If you want a long-lasting and easy-to-use lawn edger, be sure to check out the four products I’ve hand selected as the best lawn edgers for 2023. You should also consider a trimmer and an edger combo if you want to pamper your lawn and save your hard-earned money. I’m certain that no matter which edger or edger and trimmer combo you use, the results will leave you more than satisfied. 

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 these days reviewing lawn tools.

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

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What Size Weed Eater String Should You Use? (2024)

The best weed eater string you can use is a .095″ string trimmer line that is designed to be highly visible, durable, and powerful. Fortunately, we went to the lab and created this perfect weed eater string.

Bottom line: Get the weed eater string that fits your weed eater. We created our own that fits most weed eaters and combines all the best features to be extremely strong and reliable. You can grab it on Amazon here.

There are a million options available on the market. Some won’t even fit your string trimmer. Some are expensive and absolute garbage (we’ve tried dozens). And we are on a quest to find the best string trimmer line ever made. 

That’s right. We’re trying to find the weed eater string out there that can turn a wimpy battery-powered string trimmer into a commercially-powered beast. 

So let’s jump in:

Weed Eater String Sizes Explained

When it comes to string trimmer lines, size is all about thickness of the string. Think back to geometry in high school and how things were measured using diameter, or the distance from one end to another. The true width of the weed eater string.

Us Americans use the correct way of measuring things and it is in inches. There are some who will measure weed eater string in millimeters and they are not to be trusted. 

But here are the common weed eater string sizes and what they mean.

Let me explain what I mean further here:

.060 inch Weed Eater String

.060 inch weed eater string is great for smaller weed eaters. If you have a Black and Decker string trimmer or WORX weed eater that is relatively small, you can get away with using this string. 

This is the smallest string trimmer line on the market and is also one of the most popular for normal homeowners. In my opinion, homeowners leave a lot on the table by just buying the “stock” weed eater string for their Ryobi, WORX or Black and Decker weed eaters. 

.060 is really light and pretty cheap, but sacrifices durability and cutting power. More on that later. 

Pros of .060 inch weed eater string:

  • Relatively inexpensive
  • Super lightweight, allowing your weed eater to reach maximum RPMs
  • Fits most weed eaters

Cons of .060 inch weed eater string:

  • Less durable
  • Mostly only capable of being bought in “round” shapes, which are inferior to other designs

.080 inch Weed Eater String Size

 .080 inch weed eater string is a great alternative to .060. 

It has more thickness than .060 weed eater string but isn’t so thick that it slows you down. It adds more durability to each cut and is still extremely easy to load into basically ANY weed eater, even ones that normally take .060. 

This one was a great color, but it broke easily.

The added benefit of the .080 inch weed eater string is that there is more room to create patterns or different shapes in the string that allow for added cutting surfaces that absolutely melts grass. 

Pros of .080 inch weed eater string:

  • More durable than .060 inch
  • Ability to add patterns
  • Fits most weed eaters

Cons of .080 inch string trimmer line:

  • May be too weak for bigger weed eaters

.095 inch Weed Eater String Size

If I were to apply the scientific “Goldilocks” method, I would say that .095 inch string trimmer is just right. Here’s why.

Once you start using a .095 inch weed eater string, there’s a noticeable difference. I put it in my Ryobi Expand-It (cheap) weed eater and it freaking rocked.

For starters, the .095 inch weed eater string is heavier. In some tests we ran with an EGO string trimmer, it absolutely dominated the grass. It was truly the Mike Tyson of weed eater string.

This weed eater string is when you’ll start to notice more tension when winding it. This makes it a little tougher to load, but adds a ridiculous amount of cutting power.

Really a great size.

We think .095 weed eater string is the best thickness of all the weed eater string we’ve tested – which is a LOT.

Most weed eaters that take .095 inch weed eater string make it so that you can’t tell. For example if you are using an ECHO SRM 225 or comparable battery-powered weed eaters, this thing will load like a breeze.

Pros of .095 inch trimmer line:

  • Much more durable
  • Much more weight behind it
  • Able to have crazy patterns due to so much room


Cons of .095 inch trimmer line

  • May not fit into tiny weed eaters

.0105 inch and above Weed Eater String

.0105 inch and above string trimmer is really going to be commercial applications. Think dudes that are doing commercial landscaping jobs around schools, libraries and office buildings. They’re also used in walk behind string trimmers that have great use as pseudo-lawn mowers for dense brush or wild land. 

This stuff is not going to be great for the average homeowner or even most residential landscapers and is far less common. But it still has its place as an absolute beast in all types of trimming for big, professional jobs.

Pros:

  • Thicker than a bowl of oatmeal
  • Hearty, durable
  • Able to be used on dense brush for a long time

Cons:

  • Heavier
  • More expensive
  • Not suitable for the average homeowner

Know your Weed Eater String Colors 

Many people think weed eater string colors correlate to thickness or patterns or something else. That’s not true – there is no correlation between color and thickness across all the different providers of string trimmer line.

The truth of colors when it comes to string trimmer line is simply preference. But there are important things to note with color.

Clear? It actually wasn’t the worst.

Most notably, the color of the weed eater string is there to help you visualize the string better. There are dozens of different colored strings out there, but what you’re really looking for is how the string looks when it’s spinning a few thousand rotations per minute. 

We have tested just about every color and our favorite was surprisingly bright green, followed by orange. 

Green wins!

Bright green and orange gave the best contrast to the grass when cutting it. Visibility is really important when using a weed eater, especially around delicate surfaces like a shed, a deck, or even prized flowers and plants. You can accidentally seriously damage many things around your yard if you don’t know exactly where you are cutting. 

We were least impressed by the red, black, gray, and clear string trimmer lines. They simply disappeared or were hard to see when up and spinning.

Weed Eater String Shapes make a difference

You may notice if you’ve spent any time shopping for string trimmer line that it comes in a bunch of different shapes. This isn’t just a marketing gimmick (okay it seems like some of it is), but has some serious utility. Let me break down what we have seen and tested over the past few weeks.

The different shapes

These things look like you walked into the space bar in Star Wars. Creatures from every end of the earth. Some of the most common weed eater string shapes are:

  • Round
  • Square
  • Cross-shaped
  • Braided
  • Hexagonal
  • Twisted

We learned a lot when we tested all of these suckers. I’m going to group these into round, pointed, and braided / twisted.

Round weed eater string

Round weed eater string is probably the most common. It is the “stock” weed eater string because it is super easy to manufacture, isn’t complex, and is easy to wind and fit into every string trimmer. 

We expected this one to be the worst in our tests for all the above reasons. It surprised us.

This one was a total dump! It broke really quickly.

It still wasn’t the best, but it was much more durable than we expected. You would think it would be the easiest to break because it isn’t as “hardcore” as the pointed and patterned ones, but it was pretty structurally sound. 

Round weed eater string had average performance when it came to cutting performance. Nothing special, but not poor by any stretch. 

Pointed weed eater string

For weed eater string that had several sides, like a square or hexagon, we actually found the string to be more brittle. We did not expect this. It definitely has more razor-like qualities that help cut grass more, but it also exposes much more structural breakdown opportunities when compared to round weed eater string. 

You can see the points, which open it up to structural breakdown.

There was one in particular that was star-shaped that we tried and it truly seemed to break down every 10 seconds or so.

The best weed eater string shape we found was a triangular shape. It had fewer points, but still had the razor-like quality that shredded grass. We found it to have the most structural integrity while providing the best cutting power. 

Braided and twisted weed eater string

The cool things about braided and twisted weed eater string is that it has a meaningful impact on the sound of the string trimmer. It is much quieter spinning, which is great. But in reality, the spinning string is not really the loudest part of most weed eaters – it’s the motor. 

So while the braided and twisted lines are quieter, they still hardly make a dent on the overall noise level of the weed eater.

Yeah this stuff looks pretty rad.

Spiral and braided string trimmer also have more durability than non-twisted pointed weed eater string. Obviously they don’t make a twisted, round weed eater string (it would just be round) so it really just applies to patterned ones.  

Overall these are more durable but only apply to less durable string trimmer lines with patterns. So they are good benefits in the end but also come at an extra cost. I’ve also found the twisted ones have more built-in torque, making them harder to load into your weed eater.

How to replace weed eater string

Here are the steps to replace weed eater string on most weed eaters:

  1. Cut about 10 feet of weed eater string from the spool
  2. Align the arrows on the head of the weed eater with the arrows on the twisty knob
  3. You should be able to see light from one side of the string to the other
  4. Insert string into one end and pull through to the other side
  5. Keep pulling until the string is about 5 feet on each side
  6. Twist the knob clockwise and spin until there are about 6 inches of string on each side
  7. If one side is longer than the other, simply cut it down to match the shorter side

We’ve included a super short YouTube short we made below:

Common questions about weed eater string we get

Yep, over the years we have compiled dozens of questions about weed eater string that we get over and over. Let’s get started:

Can I use a thicker trimmer line?

To a point, yes. For most residential weed eaters, you can use up to .095 before things start to get hairy. Many gas trimmers can go higher, up to .105 or .110 but not much higher than that.

How do I know what size weed eater string to use?

Conventional wisdom says that for most residential weed eaters, .095 or .080 are the most common sizes that fit your weed eater and maximize performance.

What size weed eater string is best for Stihl weed eaters?

We have had luck using a .095 weed eater string for Stihl’s weed eater lineup. It fits their gas powered weed eaters like the Stihl FS 56 RC and should fit most of their battery-powered ones as well. 

What size weed eater string is best for ECHO weed eaters?

Echo weed eaters like the SRM 225 can handle .095 or .105 thickness to get the job done.

What size weed eater string is best for Ryobi weed eaters?

There’s a huge variety of weed eaters offered by Ryobi, but my Ryobi weed eater absolutely crushes with .095 weed eater string. It came with .060 but I upgraded and it took it from a dinky tool to a freaking machine.

What’s the best weed eater string for Husqvarna weed eaters?

If you have a gas-powered Husqvarna weed eater like the Husqvarna 128LD, you’ll be safe with a .095 weed eater string.

Why we started this site

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

How we spend our time now.

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

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

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Lawn Care Trends and Costs: 2023 Annual Report

Lawn care trends and costs have changed DRAMATICALLY over the past few years.

With a market size of $128.8 billion, the lawn care industry isn’t just booming – it’s exploding. After all, millions of homeowners across the United States require frequent mowing, weed control, and fertilization services. 

These things are becoming extinct!

While expanding industries often experience growing pains, that’s not the case with lawn care services. Lawn care companies are becoming more efficient with a wider selection of innovative tools that makes their work easier and more cost-effective. At the same time, consumer sentiment is shifting toward natural lawn care products and electric lawnmowers and trimmers, among other types of equipment.

The growth of the lawn care industry is mind-blowing, but don’t just take our word for it. The numbers don’t lie. Let’s look at some statistics from 2023.

Why we started The Lawn Review

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

How we spend our time now.

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

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

The Top Lawn care Statistics for 2023

  • The landscaping services market size in the United States recently reached $128.8 billion
  • There are over 1.2 million Americans that work in the landscaping industry
  • Employment in the lawn care industry is expected to grow by 10% between 2019 and 2029 
  • The global demand for power lawn and garden equipment is roughly $24.2 billion 
  • There are over 604,000 landscaping businesses in the United States
  • The average American consumer spends around $500 on gardening and lawn care services annually 
  • Landscape workers in the United States make an average of $35,000 annually
  • California is the state with the highest number of landscaping workers

The Best Lawn Care Products In 2023

Are you looking for a new lawn care product for your home or business? Check out our recommendations for some of the best lawn care products in 2023.

Battery powered push mowers in 2023

Starter homes and townhouses with small lawns are rising, and homeowners are choosing battery-powered push mowers. These mowers are great for small yards because they can do the job without recharging. The average cost of a battery-powered push mower is about $300, but they can range from $75 – $550. 

The prices are really dependent on build quality, but you can expect to pay more for premium features like metal decking, self-propelled functions, and dashboard displays.

Ryobi’s 40V mower!

We had the pleasure of testing out a ton of mowers last year and had a few stand out as really easy to use. These are some of the best battery-powered push motors in 2023.

Lawn tractor costs in 2023

A lawn tractor might be calling your name if you have a big yard or own a lawn care company. On average, a lawn tractor will set you back $2,000 to $3,000. However, some of the newer electric models go for $4,000. 

Lawn tractors, also known as riding mowers, are great residential lawn tools for folks with larger yards. In lawn tractors, I’m generally looking for a mix of power and durability, but also really emphasize comfort as you spend a super long time sitting on these.

Cub Cadet makes a MEAN lawn tractor.

We have reviewed a handful of 2023 lawn tractors, including:

There are also some really nice electric lawn tractors that we’ve ranked.

Leaf Blowers

One of our favorite cordless Kobalt blowers

Autumn brings beautiful fall colors, but it also brings heaping piles of leaves. Thankfully, leaf blowers have your back.

And sometimes, your back has leaf blowers.

There are various types of leaf blowers on the market, including backpacks, handheld gasoline, and electric blowers. When it comes to leaf blowers, you have two options: gas and electric. An electric leaf blower ranges from $70 to $350, depending on the brand. On the other hand, gas-powered leaf blowers cost around $250 on average.

Here are the top leaf blowers in 2023:

Electric Trimmers / Weed Eaters / Weed Wackers

Whatever you call them – they are one of the more common electric tools on the market.

Do you want to ditch gasoline altogether? If so, you can’t go wrong with an electric trimmer. You can expect to pay around $170 for an electric trimmer in 2023. Some of the more expensive brands can cost upwards of $650, but tend to be more suited to commercial applications, like professional landscaping.

Some downside to electric trimmers is that they are only as good for as long as the batteries can run. With limited time, make sure to buy a lawn tool with battery that can last for as long as the job you need.

EGO has some great string trimmers, like this attachment for their Multi Head tool.

The top electric trimmers in 2023 include:

Gas Trimmer

The Husqvarna 128LD is one you will see strapped to landscaping trailers.

If you’re not ready to ditch gasoline yet, there’s still a great selection of gas trimmers on the market. A gas trimmer in 2023 will set you back around $180 but depending on the quality; you could spend up to $430.

Gas trimmers are generally the tool of choice for landscapers or homeowners with larger yards. Landscapers love them because they are super powerful and reliable but also can run all day as long as you keep fueling them.

For homeowners, I tend to recommend gas trimmers way less than I do battery trimmers. This is mostly because gas trimmers are louder, require more maintenance, and can take much longer to start.

These are the best gas trimmers in 2023:

Electric Pressure Washers

A good pressure washer can make things look brand-spanking new. There are two types of pressure washers: gas and electric. Electric pressure washers are a smart choice for environmentally-conscious consumers with small-to-medium-sized jobs.

An electric pressure washer is one of those tools that is extremely satisfying to use, especially when it comes to cleaning off a car, deck or driveway.

You can expect to pay around $190 for an electric pressure washer. I think this is totally worth the satisfying use alone. For smaller electric pressure washers, you can easily pay under $100 and have a quality tool.

Sun Joe has some great ones!

Check out the best electric pressure washers in 2023:

Gas Pressure Washers

Although electric pressure washers are becoming more popular, gas pressure washers aren’t going away anytime soon. Gas pressure washers are more reliable and cost around $400.

I don’t enjoy using gas pressure washers because they are EXTREMELY loud. No pressure washing job takes under an hour, so be prepared to wear ear protection when using these.

These are the best gas pressure washers in 2023:

2023 Lawn care Trends That You Can’t Overlook

From robotic lawnmowers to landscape design software, one can’t deny that 2023 has brought immense change. Whether you’re a homeowner or a lawn care company owner, it’s important to stay in the loop, so you don’t miss out on some of the hottest trends of 2023.

These are the top lawn care trends you can’t overlook in 2023:

Battery-Powered Equipment Takes the Stage

We here at The Lawn Review have always been big proponents of electric lawn tools – especially for the average homeowner. Consumers have shifted from gas-powered vehicles to electric cars in the last decade. It’s no surprise that lawn care businesses are following suit to meet consumer demand.

Instead of using gas-powered equipment, companies now use electric mowers, blowers, trimmers, and other rechargeable equipment. Homeowners that don’t hire lawn companies also prefer all-electric equipment because it’s environmentally friendly. Also, everyone hates going to the gas station to refuel, especially when gas prices rise. 

We’re no strangers to electric lawn care equipment. We have reviewed some of the hottest battery-powered equipment of 2023:

In addition to our stand-alone product reviews, we also put together an all-encompassing guide to the best electric mowers.

While we can’t predict the future, we believe many manufacturers will ditch gas-powered products for electric equipment as consumer sentiment evolves.

The Advancement of Artificial Intelligence

When you hear “artificial intelligence,” you generally don’t think of lawn care. Nevertheless, a few lawn care companies with an artificial intelligence focus have already commenced operations. One of these companies is Deep Lawn, a startup based out of Texas.

Deep Lawn is designed for lawn care and pest control companies wanting to streamline operations. Deep Lawn is an all-encompassing tool that provides automated lawn measurement and an easy-to-use customer portal checkout system. Some of the various data elements that Deep Lawn compiles includes lawn square footage, driveway square footage, and house perimeter.

Me looking at my new electric mower. (Photo cred I, Robot, not really me)

Deep Lawn isn’t the only company with a piece of the artificial intelligence pie. Lawntap is also in on the game. This company provides a sensor that lawn care providers can put in their customers’ yards. Once the grass reaches a certain height, the lawn care company receives a notification.

The device also connects to sprinklers and a voice system. Moreover, the AI-powered device can estimate when a yard will need the next service and create a custom quote. HOAs can leverage Lawntap to maintain communities and reduce lawn care costs. 

I still think we are at the very beginning of companies and technology like this taking over our lawns. We will keep a close on eye on trends that are impacting the space and keep you updated!

Robotic Lawnmowers are Becoming More Popular

Artificial intelligence has also caused a surge of robotic lawnmowers to hit the marketplace. With one of these ingenious devices, you’ll never have to whip out your push mower on a scorching-hot summer day. And although robotic lawnmowers sound great in theory, it’s always good to be skeptical before you hit the ground running and shell out one-thousand dollars on one of them. 

This thing is a mower!

You probably have a few questions running through your head. How does the robot know where my property lines are? Is the robot powered by gas or electricity?

Almost all robotic lawnmowers are battery-powered (similar to a Roomba vacuum). The device functions like clockwork. It cuts your grass, and when it runs out of battery, it goes to a charging station, recharges, and then returns to cutting. The mowers typically have a control panel that allows you to program the mowing frequency. Defining your yard’s boundaries is another story. You can’t program your property boundaries within the control panel.

Most robotic lawnmowers require you to put an invisible wire boundary around your yard’s perimeter. The wire keeps the lawnmower from leaving your property and entering your neighbor’s yard.

 If you want to get your hands on one of these futuristic devices, check out our review of the WORX WR165 Landroid S 1/8 Acre.

Consumers Want Natural Products

Consumers are shifting away from toxic lawn care products to be more environmentally conscious. These products are not only harmful to pets, but they can also negatively impact the local environment.

Therefore, companies traditionally using run-of-the-mill fertilizers and pesticides should consider using natural and environmentally-friendly products as we head into 2023. And while natural lawn products might be costlier to procure, most U.S. consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products. This sustainable mindset doesn’t just apply to grass treatment products; it also applies to lawn care equipment (i.e., electric mowers instead of gas-powered ones). 

What could happen if a lawn care company doesn’t offer natural products? First and foremost, local competitors could nab a larger percentage of the local market share. Additionally, jurisdictions could impose stricter rules on lawn chemicals, leaving businesses with no choice but to adhere.

Companies like Sunday have cornered the market on sustainable, easy-to-use lawn care products.

Landscape Design Software Is Evolving

Designers have been using software to design homes, commercial buildings, and machinery for the last few decades. There’s also a wide range of innovative software designed specifically for landscapes. While the average lawn care company may not benefit from these programs, they’re valuable for contractors and exterior designers.

One of the most popular design tools on the market is Pro Landscape. This tool quite literally has it all (and then some). Designers take a photo of their client’s home and then upload it to Pro Landscape. After importing the image, they can use 18,000 built-in pictures of plants, grass, mulch, and hardscapes to create virtual landscapes. A computer-aided design (CAD) feature lets users draw scaled landscape plans using a library of pavers, mulch, grass, and more. After creating the perfect design, you can also put together a professional proposal. 

There are other things like smart sprinklers that are cool as well.

Pro Landscape has unique tools, including drag-and-drop lighting design and 3D rendering. Various other companies offer similar software, and there’s no doubt that the features will continue to advance, giving designers and lawn care entrepreneurs a powerful suite of tools.

The Most Commonly Asked Questions of 2023

Do you want to learn more about the general topic of lawn care in 2023? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions of 2023:

How much does lawn care service cost?

Most homeowners can expect to pay between $30 – $75 per week for lawn service.

Lawn maintenance, which includes weed removal and watering, can cost $100 – $400 per visit. Before picking a lawn care service provider, we recommend getting a few quotes to ensure you get the best deal.

The United States has seen high inflation over the last few years; therefore, the cost of lawn care services is slowly increasing. However, the exact price depends on a few factors, including the size of your lawn, the scope of the services, and your location.

What does lawn care service include?

Basic lawn care service includes mowing and trimming. However, there are various other services for lawn care at an additional cost. These services include:

  • Debris removal
  • Weed removal
  • Watering
  • Hedge trimming
  • Fertilization
  • Irrigation system maintenance

Do lawn care services require a contract?

Not all lawn care services require a contract – it depends on the provider. If you want long-term, monthly services from a lawn care company, you will generally need to enter an agreement.

How often should a lawn be maintained?

Most lawn care companies recommend mowing your lawn once per week. The frequency of other services varies:

  • Weed removal: Every one to two weeks to stay on top of it.
  • Fertilization: Depends on where you live, but a few times per year.
  • Irrigation system maintenance: Once per year
  • Hedge trimming: Twice per year, particularly when growth is rapid.

Note: The frequency of these services depends on where you live. For example, if you live in a dry environment that doesn’t get much rain, you may only need to mow your lawn twice per month. 

How long is a healthy lawn?

Most experts say you should keep your lawn between 2 ½ and 3 inches. Having a longer, luscious lawn keeps weeds from proliferating.

If you cut your grass too short, it can be damaged by excessive sunlight and lose precious real estate to weeds and other seedlings (holler if you’ve ever tried to get rid of a crape myrtle). If your grass is too long, on the other hand, it won’t stand up properly and can begin to experience some rotting or fungus down near the roots.

Do I need to use fertilizer?

While fertilizer promotes healthy grass growth, it isn’t always necessary. But if you want to pamper your grass with extra nutrients, Milorganite fertilizer is one of the best products on the market (seriously, you can’t go wrong with it).  

How much does leaf removal cost?

Leaf removal can cost as little as $40 for small yards. However, most homeowners pay between $90 to $470, depending on the size of their property. If you want to tackle leaf removal on your own, check out some of the best budget-friendly cordless leaf blowers.

How much does tree trimming cost?

Trimming a tree generally costs between $300 to $750 per tree. The exact price depends on the size of the tree. For example, an oak tree will cost significantly more than a Japanese maple. In fact, tree trimming can cost as little as $90 to trim a small tree.

How much do yard cleanups cost?

The average cost of a yard cleanup ranges from $160 to $380, depending on the size of your yard and the services performed. Most cleanup services include tree and bush trimming, weed removal, and debris removal, among other services. You can save money by having one landscaping company complete the entire job

A Final Glance: The Changing Landscape of Lawn Care

Twenty years ago, who would have guessed we would have mini robots mowing our lawns? Who would have imagined we could use artificial intelligence to monitor the length of our grass? It’s safe to say most of us didn’t expect this level of innovation! Nevertheless, lawn care is a continuous need; therefore, we can expect constant innovation. There’s a lot in store for consumers and lawn care services in the future. New technology will continue to make lawn care cost-efficient, and consumers will have access to more natural, toxin-free products. It’s safe to say that we’re only at the beginning of an ever-changing industry. 

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Lawn Aerator vs Dethatcher vs Scarifier: Guide To Using Each

Lawn aerators, lawn dethatchers, and lawn scarifiers are all tools that can be used to help your yard thrive.

But these are all too commonly confused with each other. Some folks only aerate, others only dethatch, and hardly anyone only scarifies.

In reality, these are a holy trinity that when used together can absolutely amplify your lawn care results and get you the greenest grass in the Fall.

Curious? Let’s dig in.

Why we started this site

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

We take this stuff seriously!

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

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

Lawn Aerators Explained

A vital part of taking care of your lawn is that it needs air and other nutrients to help it thrive. Over time, soil can become dense and nutritionally dead. Water can no longer reach it and neither can sun or other vital nutrients.

Aeration is the process of bringing air and soil turnover to your lawn. Most aerators are core aerators, which pull plugs of compact, older soil to the surface of your lawn. Removing these plugs (which look like dog turds) allows for water and other nutrients to reach deep down into your soil, bringing vitality and health to your entire yard.

A core aerator we rented from Home Depot

Lawn aerators tend to make your yard look like crap for a few weeks, but are often done in combination with some of the other tools we discuss today. Once these are used together with overseeding your lawn, you will start to see your lawn completely rejuvenate itself.

Not dog turds

You can rent a lawn aerator from Home Depot for a pretty cheap price, among a ton of other things you can rent from Home Depot.

When to aerate your lawn

Most folks should aerate their lawn in the fall. If you have a cool or transition season grass, this is the perfect time to reset your lawn and allow for new growth. We recommend aerating after you have already scarfied and dethatched your lawn.

If you have warm season grass, spring is actually the best time to aerate – so for those in Florida and Texas, Spring is the time.

For a full guide, we wrote a longer document that highlights the best time to aerate and overseed your lawn.

Lawn Dethatchers Explained

Lawn dethatchers are some of the most satisfying lawn tools on the planet. It’s basically like  peeling the plastic off of a new appliance, but for your whole yard. 

Lawn dethatchers, particularly electric lawn dethatchers, work by using metal tines that pick up dead, old grass in your yard.

Thatch is the compilation of dead grass, roots, and weeds in your yard that forms a little blanket over your soil. It can be good for a few things, like keeping nutrients and retaining moisture, but if it gets to be too much it can totally choke your yard. 

This is thatch.

Lawn dethatchers differ from lawn aerators in that they don’t actually interact with the soil. Whereas core aerators pick up big chunks of dirt and put them on top of your grass, dethatchers simply pull up dead thatch and bring it to the surface. 

A Sun Joe dethatcher we used.

We recommend using a dethatcher before a core aerator. Dethatching will give you a better aeration and allow for more nutrients and seed to get down into your soil.

Electric dethatcher recommendations

You can also dethatch your lawn with a manual dethatcher, but it is a back breaking process that will crush your hopes and dreams. 

Electric dethatchers are amazing and there are some great options. We have reviewed the Greenworks dethatcher and the Sun Joe dethatcher and even compared the two in the same post. 

Scarifiers explained

Scarifiers can be thought of as an extension to your dethatcher. Scarifiers use little blades to cut vertical lines just at the surface of your soil. Why would you want that?

Well, you may want to help cut up some of the thatch before using the dethatcher and aerating. Scarifiers are not as necessary as dethatchers and aerators, but can definitely give you better results when you dethatch. 

The scarifier blades that help shred thatch.

If you have never used a dethatcher and think your lawn is completely covered in thatch, then it’s worthwhile to use a scarifier to make sure the thatch is nice and loose. Otherwise, the dethatcher may only be able to get a small percentage of the thatch.

The scarifier is a good tool in combo with the aerator and dethatcher.

Scarifier product recommendations

While I’m sure you could buy an electric scarifier, most electric dethatchers have a scarifier attachment that you can quickly run over the yard before dethatching.

The Sun Joe dethatcher we used in one of our videos had a nice scarifier attachment that easily popped on.

The Best Time to use a scarifier, dethatcher, and aerator

As mentioned previously, the best time to use a scarifier, a dethatcher, and an aerator is in combination with overseeding your lawn.

The actual order of events is:

  • Use a scarifier if needed to break up all the thatch in your lawn
  • Use a dethatcher to pull all the dead thatch out of your lawn
  • Then use an aerator to pull up compacted soil

Once you have done these three things, your lawn will be ready to overseed. For most folks, the best time to do this is around mid-September to early October. This gives the appropriate time for the cool season grass seeds to germinate and grow before the winter freeze comes.

For those with warm season grass, the best time to aerate and overseed is in March, following the exact same process.

The importance of overseeding your lawn

Overseeding your lawn is important for the health and vitality of your lawn, but is going to be a fruitless (or grassless) effort if you don’t dethatch and aerate your lawn. 

Overseeding your lawn is the best way to get luscious grass but also helps choke out weeds and other invasive grass types that can quickly overtake your yard.

Following overseeding, you want to be sure to be very consistent with a watering schedule. We recommend at least twice a week for 50 minutes in each area and preferably in the morning.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Dethatcher vs Aerator?

A dethatcher is used to take the top layer of dead grass, or thatch, off of the top of your yard. This prepares it well for further aeration, receiving more seeds and nutrients, and easier watering.

We made a cool Google Web Story highlighting the difference between aerators and dethatchers!

An aerator pulls little plugs of compact soil out of your lawn, allowing air to flow into the soil and restoring the vitality of the soil. Aeration is a necessary yearly investment in your lawn to help keep it lively and green.

What is the difference between a dethatcher vs a scarifier?

Dethatchers and scarifiers commonly go hand-in-hand and complement each other well. Scarifiers are used to cut up thatch, loosening it for the dethatching process.

Dethatchers are used to collect thatch from the top layer of your yard. Their performance is enhanced by scarifiers, especially if you haven’t dethatched in a long time.

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