Name: Greenworks 40V Chainsaw
Brand: Greenworks
Rating: 9 (1 reviews)

May 9, 2022April 27, 2024

Can A Cordless Chainsaw Compete with Gas? Let’s find out

Greenworks 40V chainsaws are top tier chainsaws that are perfect for use around your home and neighborhood.

If you’ve read any of our stuff before, you know that we are kind of obsessed with Greenworks. They did not pay us for this post and haven’t paid us for anything – we are being honest.

They are probably our favorite all-around electric lawn tool provider.

As self-proclaimed chainsaw experts who have reviewed a handful of Stihl gas-powered chainsaws and a couple electric chainsaws as well, we decided to give the Greenworks 40V chainsaw a spin.

You can save the planet with a battery-powered chainsaw as you chop down trees!

Jump ahead:

What to look for in a chainsaw
Greenworks 40V chainsaw power
G-max series usability and feel
Maintenance and battery life
Greenworks 16 inch vs 12 inch

Greenworks G-MAX 40V 16 inch cordless chainsaw: Benefits and features

Let’s check out all of the features available in the Greenworks G-MAX 40V 16 inch mower. Many of these comparisons will be against a gas chainsaw, which are the most commonly used chainsaws. We also do some comparisons to other electric chainsaws.

Greenworks electric chainsaw Power

The first thing I will say that I love about the Greenworks cordless chainsaw is that it comes with a brushless motor.

For those of you who haven’t heard of brushless motors, they use magnets instead of friction to generate power. This comes with a few benefits:

Longer run-time
Significantly quieter and less “whiny”
More durable motor life
Double the torque

These things take a battery powered chainsaw from good to great. Oh, and the motor here is equivalent to a 35cc gas chainsaw. Woah.

Don’t believe us? Check this video out that we made comparing it to a Stihl.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8Zk4zotT3XQ

Speaking of torque and power, this chainsaw can cut through a 15 inch piece of lumber pretty reliably. This is perfect for any homeowner who is trying to cut up a fallen tree after a storm.

Usability and feel of the Greenworks battery chainsaw

Another great thing about cordless chainsaws is the decrease in noise. While this isn’t absolutely quiet, it is significantly more quiet than a gas chainsaw.

The lack of fumes is also pleasing, meaning I can stay focused on a single cut without choking through the fumes.

The Greenworks 40V 16 inch chainsaw has some pretty slick anti-vibration technology. Compared to a gas chainsaw, and even some of the electric chainsaws out there, we loved the feel this one had. It was extremely “tight” feeling in that you knew it was delivering some serious linear power, but it didn’t make your hands go numb with vibration like some of the others.

Also, coming in at just over 10lbs makes it maneuverable and easy to use. The whole experience is pretty pleasant.

Maintenance, safety and battery life

Unlike most gas chainsaws, the Greenworks 16 inch 40V G-MAX chainsaw doesn’t require any gas or oil mixtures. The battery is a 40V 4 Ah lithium ion battery that can make it through about 140 cuts of smaller lumber – mostly the size of smaller branches (around 4 inches).

Still, this battery life puts it in the top tier of battery powered chainsaws.

The Greenworks cordless chainsaw has a chain brake and a low kickback chain that helps prevent accidental kickbacks.

The tool-less tension adjustment on the body of the chainsaw allow for quick adjustments to chain tension and easy loosening to maintain the chain.

The last-piece here which is important is the auto-oiling function. Candidly, a lot of chainsaws have this function, but it is always good to see it in the Greenworks one. Make sure to store this flat instead of hanging, otherwise the oil will drip down the blades and onto whatever surface is below.

Greenworks 40V 16 inch chainsaw vs 12 inch chainsaw

The 16 inch chainsaw is super popular, but so is the 12 inch chainsaw.

A few key differences include the brushless motor on the 16 inch chainsaw vs the traditional brushed motor on the 12 inch. The 12 inch chainsaw is obviously shorter as well, not giving you the same cutting depth as is possible with the 16 inch chainsaw. Lastly, the 12 inch chainsaw comes with a 2 Ah battery instead of a 4 Ah battery, meaning it will not be able to make as many cuts.

All in all, the 12 inch is great for residential folks as well, but is going to limit you with larger trees and branches. Totally fine if that isn’t what you’re looking for.

The 12 inch can still do a lot of jobs, but falls short in power.

From a price perspective, the 16 inch chainsaw is only slightly more expensive. To me, it makes the most sense to go with the 16 inch to get a stronger battery, better tool, for only a little bit more money.

Final review: Greenworks GMAX 40V 16 inch cordless chainsaw

This is a top tier cordless chainsaw, on par with some of the gas chainsaws available on the market. In comparison to some of our other cordless chainsaws, this one is not only more powerful and longer lasting, but more durable as well.

You can grab it directly from the Greenworks website, or on Amazon for a big sale. For some reason, this one is much cheaper on Amazon than it is on the Greenworks website.

Why we review lawn tools

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

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

What to look for in a chainsaw

A solid chainsaw is one of the most important tools a homeowner can have. Buying the right one is absolutely essential to your kids thinking you’re a cool man or woman. Chainsaws come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, types and models. Most are either gas or electric powered. Depending on your application of course, most people can get away with a 14” bar and chain. Unless you’re cutting up massive trees you probably don’t need anything bigger than that.

In addition to that, most people nowadays can probably get away with an electric model vs a more powerful, smoother cutting gas powered model. But it’s all personal preference. However, honestly I tend to always go with the bigger more powerful engines because I think they’ll last longer. So far that’s proven to be true, but I could just be wasting money.

Must-have chainsaw features

Just make sure your chainsaw at least has a kickback reduction feature. This prevents you from losing one of your precious fingers! You only have 10 of them ya know! Kickback reductions can be in the form of the chain or bar itself. Basically these just prevent you from cutting too aggressively which prevents your saw from bouncing back on you. Or a chain brake which causes the chain to stop when it hits something hard or moves too abruptly

Other features that are nice to have are more comfort-centric. These include tool-less tensioners, mufflers, anti-vibration, automatic chain oilers, etc.

May 6, 2022April 30, 2024

5 Trimmer and Edger Combos For Clean Lawn Edges

Trimmer and edger combos are must-haves for anyone who likes a manicured front yard (back doesn’t matter). The best trimmer and edger combo kit is the EGO Power+ MHC 1502 Multi-Combo kit because it has the most power and best attachments.

A nice lil’ edger attachment on the EGO MHC1502 Multi Head.

But to get those crisp, clean lines, these two have to do a little shake and bake team action. Trimmers handle a significant portion of the grass work, but edgers separate the nice lawns from the “stop and take a picture” lawns.

The best trimmer/edger combos, ranked:

EGO Power+ MHC1502 Multi Combo Kit
Greenworks 40V 13″ Cordless String Trimmer and Edger
PowerSmart String Trimmer and Edger
Worx WG170 GT Revolution 20V 12 Inch Grass Trimmer and Edger
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX POWERCONNECT

5 Best Trimmer and Edger Combos

Let’s get into it. Most of these are pretty dang affordable and have a range of power, so I will be descriptive in my recommendations of which trimmer and edger combos are the best.

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

The Black + Decker 20V MAX string trimmer and edger AND sweeper combo is just an insane value. This trimmer and edger combo not only comes in at a comically low price, but also includes a little handheld blower.

While this is probably the least powerful combo on this list, it will certainly get the bare minimum job done for the bare minimum price. I recommend this Black and Decker string trimmer and edger combo to new homeowners or those with a really small yard.

The trimmer and edger are basically the same thing on this one, with the only difference being a swiveling head. Sadly, this means your edges will not be very deep. Your pockets will, however.

Again – this has awesome reviews on Amazon and is dirt cheap. This is the one I have convinced my parents (who live in a townhome) to grab. This is a lightweight electric option that is great if you are new to electric lawn tools.

You can get it shipped directly to your house from Amazon and that’s about it.

4. Worx WG170 GT Revolution 20V 12 Inch Grass Trimmer and Edger

A slight step up from the Black + Decker trimmer and edger combo, the Worx WG170 Revolution is another good one.

Can do both trimming and some light edging.

The Worx WG170 has a slightly more sophisticated edging system that has been really well built out. Specifically, they have some wheels that allow you to turn it on its side, and roll it in a straight line with the trimmer function instead of a traditional bladed edger.

This is pretty dang cool and innovative. Worx has a great reputation for spinning stuff up like this. I also like battery positioning being more balanced on the WG170 trimmer and edger combo, plus the adjustable handle.

All around – this one is a more complete trimmer and edger combo, a great price, and a great company.

You can grab this trimmer and edger combo on Amazon as well, or from Worx’ website.

3. PowerSmart String Trimmer and Edger, 4 Stroke Weed Wacker with Straight Shaft

Stepping up the power game now and going with a gas one! The PowerSmart string trimmer and edger combo is a freaking beast.

A full on 4-stroke, 31 cc weed eater with a 13-inch cutting width, you will get some serious power out of the PowerSmart. Not only does the trimmer head deliver serious power (enough for commercial use), it also comes with a metal blade attachment to be used for edging.

Since it is mounted on the normal trimmer head, the edging attachment can also be used on super thick brush to chop it away and level it out or as a brushcutter attachment.

The only gas-powered trimmer and edger combo on my list, I had to include it because of the great price. Most string trimmers alone come in at $250+ – not to mention a separate edger.

You can grab this one for a crazy good price from Home Depot.

2. Greenworks 40V 13″ Cordless String Trimmer and Edger

I love Greenworks. They have consistently well-built products, which is why I ranked this one number two. To me, this Greenworks 40V trimmer and edger combo is the best value out of all of these.

Never been used in this picture, but it can do a great job.

Greenworks reliability and craft perfection generally put them at the top of most of my lists.

Coming in at 5.6 lbs and *way* less than $100 – the Greenworks 40V trimmer and edger combo flat out rocks. I like the 40V battery on this that can be used on their blower and a few of their other tools as well.

Similar to the WORX trimmer and edger combo, this one has a wheel on the side that allows you to roll it over and precisely and cleanly edge with the string from the trimmer. While this won’t be the highest-power trimmer on the market, it will get the job done.

You can grab this one on Amazon today or level up by adding the blower with it as well.

1.EGO Power+ MHC1502 Multi Combo Kit: 15 String Trimmer, 8-Inch Edger & Power Head

EGO is a brand known for making rock solid battery powered products that compete with their gas counterparts. And yep, this one does. The EGO Power+ MHC1502 trimmer as a part of the attachment system and edger combo kit is going to provide best-in-class power.

The neat thing about this trimmer and edger combo kit is that the multi-tool head can also attach brushes, hedge trimmers, pole saws, blowers, and more. All of the tools you need from a single battery-powered head.

The EGO trimmer and edger head also uses the standard EGO 56V battery, which can be used with basically all EGO products – saving you a ton of money and space in your garage.

With a super powerful trimmer head and full-scale metal blade edger, this one is the most direct competition to its gas counterparts. I have to say, I think it is just as good as the gas ones.

You can grab this one today off of Amazon, at Lowe’s, or on the EGO website.

We also did a full video review of this trimmer and edger combo here.

Why we review trimmer and edger combos

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.

You can do some edging with a weed eater if you have the right weed eater string. We developed GrassKicker weed eater string to make battery powered weed eaters work better and more powerful.

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.

You can get close with just a string trimmer.

Do you need a trimmer if you have an edger?

If you have an edger, I would definitely still recommend getting a trimmer. Not just for perfectly clean grass lines before edging, but also for any stray grass growing in other places around the yard – particularly around beds of mulch or other borders in the yard.

I use a trimmer after every time I mow. This helps clean up the stray grass I may have missed, or tough spots like around our mailbox.

An edger creates a nice gap between the surface and the grass.

Is it worth buying an edger?

In my opinion, absolutely. Most trimmers now come with detachable heads that allow for an edger to pop right on. Edgers are what take your yard from good to great.

Can you edge with a trimmer? Can you trim with an edger?

If you are an absolute pro and have a high-powered trimmer, you can do some mild edging with a trimmer.

You still will not be able to dig way down deep to cause the best separation from surfaces, but it will give a similar appearance for a shorter amount of time.

You cannot trim with an edger unfortunately. The blade is just too big to finely cut small fragments of grass.

May 4, 2022April 2, 2024

7 Inexpensive Sun Joe Pressure Washers (+ My Favorite)

The best Sun Joe pressure washer is the Sun Joe SPX3500 electric pressure washer. This Sun Joe pressure washer has improved the faulty points found in their famous SPX3000, including a metal hose connector and a new brushless motor.

SPOILER*** Our top choice is the Sun Joe SPX3500 – the best combination of durability and power from Sun Joe.

Check out our full comparison of the Sun Joe SPX3000 to the slightly upgraded SPX3001 post here if you are deciding between other Sun Joe pressure washers.

Looking at other pressure washers? Greenworks has a great selection of electric pressure washers as well.

The 7 Best Sun Joe SPX–series pressure washers

Let’s get started with Sun Joe’s best pressure washers!

7. Sun Joe SPX1000 1450 PSI 1.45 GPM 11.5-Amp Electric Pressure Washer, Green

What can only be assumed to be the first Sun Joe pressure washer (hence 1000), this pressure washer has a lot to like.

While it is smaller and less powerful than many of its counterparts, it is also nearly pocket sized. At less than two feet tall and a foot wide, this machine is not meant to blast away dirt.

The SPX1000 1450 PSI pressure washer was designed for light cleaning. Think cars, windows, siding, and other surfaces that won’t get clean from a garden hose alone.

Some folks even use this for produce! It has a 21 ft long hose and will shred dirt at 1450 PSI.

The lightest pressure washer of the bunch, don’t expect to be clearing driveways. But if you are looking for light-duty pressure washing – this is your best bet.

You can grab this pressure washer from Sun Joe’s website or from Amazon, which should be a comparable price.

6. Sun Joe SPX4000-PRO 2030 Max PSI 1.76 GPM 14.5-Amp Electric Pressure Washer, w/Turbo Head Spray Nozzle

The Sun Joe SPX4000 is a huge step up from the SPX1000 in terms of power.

Consider this – you can still do the same amount of pressure that the SPX1000 does, or you can increase it by 50%. Talk about some serious versatility.

The SPX4000 has a few bells and whistles that make it pretty sophisticated. The first is that this bad boy has a 54 fluid ounce tank that allows you to add detergent (bleach and water or soap) to the spray. These are great for cars (soap) or super dirty things (bleach).

The SPX4000 pressure washer also has a quick-connect turbo head spray nozzle that cleans 40% faster than a standard nozzle. That’s a lot of percentages!

This one also has 4 other quick connect spray tips to solve a variety of problems. The ultimate showman, the SPX4000 can be a lover or a fighter – you choose.

The last comment I will make about this pressure washer is that it is dang sturdy. It comes with some legs so will not topple over like some of the others (more on that later).

If you want versatility and sturdiness, this pressure washer can be yours from the Sun Joe website or from Amazon for a great price.

5. Sun Joe SPX3200 GO ANYWHERE Electric Pressure Washer, 14.5-Amp, 1.76 GPM 2030 PSI (Max)

The Sun Joe SPX3200 is impressive. Consider all the things I said were great in a pressure washer. It is mind-boggling how all of those can fit into one small, odd looking box.

But it does in the SPX3200. The dang pressure washer has wheels and you can pull it around.

Oh, and the power is on par with much larger pressure washers. This is the ideal pressure washer for anything you would clean on your driveway.

Having an on-the-go pressure washer takes all the hassle out of pressure washing and constantly having to readjust, get more slack, and move the washer. Simply pull on the hose and get this thing to move over a couple of feet to keep going.

A smaller detergent tank but still the 5 nozzle system found across Sun Joe’s pressure washers, this one has it all.

And it’s on sale for a heck of a good price right now on Amazon.

4. Sun Joe SPX4600 3000 PSI MAX 1.30 GPM High Performance Electric Pressure Washer

The Sun Joe SPX4600 does not play around. This pressure washer is one of the highest performing pressure washers that Sun Joe has.

We are talking insane PSI levels – up to 3000 PSI. This is on par with many gas-powered pressure washers. With a 34-inch extension wand, 20 ft long hose, and a 35 ft power cord – this thing is meant for serious jobs.

Whereas some of the other Sun Joe pressure washers are for light-duty activities like windows or produce, this one could absolutely clean the grime off of your driveway with ease.

This one also has a large detergent tank sitting right up front with the quick connect spray tips that accompany all Sun Joe pressure washers.

The thing I love about this pressure washer is that it is extremely sturdy and bottom heavy, but still has wheels. It won’t topple over with some tension, but it also has a ton of maneuverability for easy relocation. We compared the SPX4600 to the Greenworks 2300 PSI pressure washer as well.

The Sun Joe SPX 4600 is a beast and should be treated as such. It’s currently on sale at Amazon, but can also be purchased from Sun Joe’s website.

3. Sun Joe SPX3001 2030 PSI 1.76 GPM 14.5 AMP Electric Pressure Washer with Hose Reel, Green

The big brother to the SPX3000, the Sun Joe SPX3001 has a hose reel on the top that differentiates it from its little brother.

While it has all the same specifications as the SPX3000, it has this convenient hose reel at the top that can bring the hose back in for you instead of schlepping it all together yourself.

The hose reel is a double edged sword in my opinion. It is super convenient for clean up and makes storage easy, but it also makes the SPX3001 top-heavy compared to the other Sun Joe pressure washers.

Yikes!

I also wish some of these earlier SPX3000 series pressure washers had brushless motors, but sadly they do not.

The SPX3001 is a big step up from some of the others and is definitely a great choice, but the top heaviness kicked it back to number 3 for me.

You can grab the SPX3001 for sale on Amazon or you can grab it from Sun Joe directly.

2. Sun Joe SPX3000 2030 Max PSI 1.76 GPM 14.5-Amp Electric High Pressure Washer

I know everyone thought that this would be #1, but it is not. Close, though.

The SPX3000 has an absolutely insane amount of positive reviews on Amazon and is the top selling pressure washer of all time. Convincing.

Here are the positives:

Decent pressure
5 quick connect spray nozzles including a soap nozzle
Nice detergent tank
Lightweight
Inexpensive

There are a few things that ding the SPX3000 – namely the hose connection point. It seems totally hit or miss on if this happens, but some seem to have connection problems where the hose is plugged in. This area is plastic and seems to either break or not completely seal the hose off, causing leakage.

This one is great and likely won’t break on you, but I think the SPX3500 has the necessary upgrades to prevent these.

We do a deep dive into the SPX3000 in this in-depth review and accompanying YouTube review.

You can join the 45k other Sun Joe SPX3000 lovers by grabbing this one on Amazon or at the Sun Joe website.

1. Sun Joe SPX3500 2300 Max Psi 1.48 GPM Brushless Induction Electric Pressure Washer

Alright, y’all – we are here! This one is easily the coolest looking Sun Joe Pressure washer, but that is not why I ranked it #1.

The Sun Joe SPX3500 2300 Max PSI pressure washer is a powerful pressure washer that is a slightly souped up version of the other SPX3000s. It has more power, a brushless motor, and a nice big detergent tank.

The brushless motor is why I ranked this Sun Joe Pressure washer number one for home use. Brushless motors last significantly longer and outperform traditional motors.

Another huge differentiator in the SPX3500 is the brass hose connector. After hearing feedback from thousands of people on the SPX3000, Sun Joe realized having a plastic hose connector simply would not cut it. There were complaints of leakage around the fitting, which is not great for an electric pressure washer.

The SPX3500 pressure washer from Sun Joe is the best one they have – hands down. An evolution of the SPX3000 – it fixes all the issues and complaints with one of the hottest selling pressure washers ever.

You can have one shipped to your home today for a great price from Amazon or you can check it out on Sun Joe’s site.

Why we review lawn tools

What to look for in a pressure washer

You gotta know what to look for on these Mr Joe’s bad boys! Each one looks basically the same, has a complex acronym name, and comes in a similar color.

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.

Soap tank

Additionally, you may want to consider a soap tank – equipped pressure washer. Some of these pressure washers have “foam cannons” where you can simply add some soap and it will mix it in with the water. Pretty cool.

I recommend a soap tank for cars and windows.

Wheels on pressure washers

Despite these seemingly minor features, they can have a big impact, especially with larger units. No sense in lugging around one of these in your yard and tripping all over the place.

Hose types

There’s a big difference between how easy or difficult it is to use a pressure washer based on the kind of hose that comes with it. Stiff, rigid hoses make it extremely difficult to have any maneuverability without messing up the job or knocking over the base.

Portability

Even if this has the drawback of making the unit less powerful, a portable, smaller pressure washer will be a better choice if you have to move around or carry the unit with you. Most of us do this, especially if you are doing the exterior of your house.

Totally depends on the job you are trying to do.

Pressure washers: Gas vs. Electric

Gas pressure washers have been around forever and probably aren’t going anywhere – but electric pressure washers are on the up and up like all the other lawn tools.

Electricity and water! What can go wrong?

The maintenance and cost of gas pressure washers are greater, including things like air filter changes, spark plugs, and more. Gas pressures are also insanely loud. However, electric washers simply have a power source and a button and are far quieter.

I like buttons.

May 1, 2022April 27, 2024

Ryobi’s Classic 40V Mower is Low Priced and Looks Nice

The Ryobi 40V 20 inch brushless, cordless, self-propelled lawn mower is a great, inexpensive, lightweight option for the thrifty homeowner.

One of, if not THE most popular electric lawn mowers is back. And sleek. And sexy.

Electric lawn mower? Sexy? Yes – it’s the Tesla of mowers. And we have loved using it.

Despite what people say, these mowers actually have some decent power.

But I don’t want to spoil it yet.

Electric mowers 101
Benefit review: Ryobi 20 in 40V mower
The official review: Ryobi mower
Our list of top Ryobi mowers

Ryobi RY40190 cordless electric lawn mower: Benefits

Now that we have the basics out of the way, let’s check out the things that make this Ryobi cordless mower special.

Brushless Ryobi Motor makes it super durable and efficient

The Brushless Ryobi Motor is going to allow for a few things. First, the brushless motor is going to cause less friction and heat inside of the engine. Instead of relying on friction to transfer electrons from the battery to the motor, brushless motors use magnets.

Less friction and less heat in this Ryobi 40V mower mean that the motor will last you much longer than other electric mowers. Brushless motors are also quieter – often included in Ryobi’s “Whisper” series.

Ryobi 40V battery fits a ton of other tools

The 40V Battery on the Ryobi RY40190 cordless 20 inch mower can be used with a TON of other Ryobi products.

I also own a Ryobi 40V blower as well as a their 3-in-1 trimmer and edger. I can pop the battery onto each of these tools. Heck yeah. This saves a ton of time and most importantly – precious wall outlet space in your garage.

The battery is great and can generally last for about 45 minutes or so – but may decrease when the self-propelled function is active. I have a smaller yard so can quickly mow, blow and trim in under 45 minutes. If I add on something like the occasional edging, then it usually requires a recharge.

Ryobi 20 in 40v Mower’s Self-propelled function

I know I have been on the record as a big critic of the self-propelled function. I don’t like it mainly because it can drain the battery more quickly than without and because I don’t mind pushing.

But not everyone shares this feeling. Definitely more elderly folks, people with larger yards, and smaller-framed people can benefit from a self-propelled function. It can tremendously offload a portion of the pushing.

Self-propelled mowers are also great for those of us with hills, a slanted yard, or lots of small holes or divots.

The self-propelled function on the Ryobi 20 inch 40 Volt brushless mower is front-wheel drive, pulling the mower over grass and uneven textures.

One complaint: The plastic deck

The only real complaint I have with this mower is that it has a plastic underbelly. Most heavy duty mowers have a metal deck that protects from extreme temperatures, rocks and sticks that could fly into the blades, and deterioration.

Didn’t even make the newer version metal.

I generally recommend looking for a mower that has a metal deck. These plastic decks are not going to snap in half or anything, I just always like knowing that the steel decks are more durable.

Ryobi 20 in. 40V mower cost and value

The price has a huge range from what I can tell on Amazon.

Anywhere from $450 to $600 seems like a decent deal – just verify that you are getting the tool only version if you already have the battery, and the battery + charger if you don’t.

This price range is about average. I do think the Ryobi series makes some good products and I doubt you will have any regrets – we didn’t!

We also reviewed another Ryobi mower that is slighty larger here.

The official review: Ryobi 40V 20 in. 6 Ah lithium-ion brushless cordless battery

Pretty good! Has just about everything you would want in an electric mower, other than a steel deck.

But this Ryobi mower has all the bells and whistles. Grab yours today for a great price at Home Depot where it is exclusively sold.

Why we review lawn tools

What to look for in an electric lawn mower

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

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

We do a thorough dive into each of these topics in our electric lawn mower buying guide.

April 29, 2022April 2, 2024

5 Kobalt Mowers With Serious Power

Cordless Kobalt Lawn Mowers are super popular – especially at Lowe’s.

But let’s be honest. They have way too many models – which can be extremely confusing.

Lucky for you, I actually sat and tried to figure out the differences between each one and what it means for you. Then I wrote down my five favorite and listed them below.

Yes, this took about 19 hours to do. But it’s worth it (I tell myself). Because I wish someone would have done this for me.

So let’s get to it:

5 Best Cordless Kobalt Lawn Mowers

Here we go: these are meticulously ranked mowers that hit on all of the best things to look for in an electric mower (see above).

We were recently quoted in the Washington Post as experts on the topic – so you can trust us!

Check out how these mowers stack up against EGO’s 56V mower.

5. Kobalt 40V Max Brushless 19-inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower

The Kobalt 40V Max Brushless 19-inch cordless electric mower is perfect for small yards. Actually may be one of the better mowers for small yards. This is a mower that will last you for a long time, is extremely efficient, and easy to store.

Its not the size of the boat, its the motion of the ocean.

Here is what I like:

Brushless mower: Brushless mowers last much longer, are more durable, and much more efficient.
Can run for 30 minutes on a single 40V charge, which can cover ¼ acre.
A metal deck! This is so important but an absolute must for a mower
Seven different positions for cutting the grass.
A 5 year warranty.
A decent price (Can get the tool only for under $250).

Here is what I don’t like:

Not much to dislike about this mower unless you have a larger yard.
Not many buying options outside of Lowe’s.

All-around, this is one of the best mowers I have seen for a small yard. In fact, it has almost everything I would look for. My only gripe is that there aren’t a ton of places to buy this. If you are a Lowe’s loyalist or already have the Kobalt 40V battery – then this is a perfect purchase if you have a smaller yard.

This one is for sale at Lowe’s but I couldn’t find a better price anywhere else.

4. Kobalt 24-Volt Brushless 20-inch cordless electric lawn mower

The Kobalt 24-Volt Brushless 20-inch cordless lawn mower has 2 24V batteries, which really make it a 48V beast. This mower runs for 60 minutes on a single charge, has a slightly wider steel deck, and also comes with a little self-propelled function (not bad!).

I ranked this one slightly higher for a few reasons:

Self-propelled is a nice plus if you use it
20 inch deck means it gets the job done quicker and is more versatile
Brushless – which is our favorite, longest-lasting, and most durable motor type for electric mowers
One-handed folding handle for great storage capabilities

Things that concern me:

The 24V batteries from Kobalt are not as common for their lawn tools
The price is pretty high ($499 at Lowe’s right now)

This mower is great! I don’t have hardly any complaints with it and it has just about everything you would want in a smaller-to-medium sized yard.

I do get nervous about the 24V batteries because this is one of the only mowers Kobalt offers that battery voltage. If you already have these batteries, then this is a great mower. If not, I’d probably try to find one in their 40V series.

This is also a decently high price for a mower of this size, but its also really high quality. My suggestion here is that you get what you pay for!

The 24-volt brushless mower from Kobalt is only for sale at Lowe’s as far as I can tell.

3. Kobalt Gen4 40V 20 inch self-propelled cordless electric lawn mower

The Kobalt Gen4 40V 20 inch cordless electric lawn mower is sweet. While it isn’t a part of the 40V MAX series, it still uses some of the legacy 40V batteries. If you have had a Kobalt tool in the past with a 40V battery, you are still good to use this mower.

Here are some of my favorite things:

20 inch deck is great for small to medium yards
3-in-1 mulching and bagging system gives you versatility (we prefer letting the grass clippings fall onto the grass and not the bag)
A brushless motor just like the rest of the cordless mowers from Kobalt
Self-propelled if you’re into that
A great price

Here are some things I don’t love:

Not a part of the 40V MAX series

Basically, this is one of the highest value mowers in the Kobalt series. Huge fans over here.

This is another one that is sadly only for sale at Lowe’s.

2. Kobalt 40V MAX Brushless 20-inch cordless electric lawn mower

A slightly newer, sexier version of the Gen4 model, the Kobalt 40V MAX Brushless 20-inch cordless electric mower is my personal top choice. This is exactly what I would look for in an electric mower, but taken to the MAX.

The newer, cooler version of the 40V mower.

Seriously, most people like self-propelled mowers so I am the weird one, but this one has all the things that fit my checklist. You may like self-propelled, but I think it drains too much battery and don’t mind pushing (I’m jacked).

The things I look for in an electric mower that this mower has:

The Steel Deck: durable, going to last you a long time
The 40V battery: this 40V MAX battery can be used with the huge line of Kobalt 40V MAX batteries
No self-propelled function: longer lasting battery
A high quality brand
Oh, and an insane price. Lowe’s is practically giving this thing away.

This puppy can mow up to ½ an acre. With a self-propelled function, it would probably get cut in half.

It also comes with a powerful 5 Ah battery and all the other bells and whistles that customize this mower to your grass style.

You can get this one at Lowe’s where we saw the best price (no affiliation).

1. Kobalt 80V 21 inch Brushless mower 6 Ah and 5 Ah (Tool only and regular)

The Mac-daddy Kobalt 80V 21 inch brushless mower is the king of them all. By far the biggest and baddest, it has all the bells and whistles.

The last thing you see before I steal your girl.

The Kobalt 80V 21 inch brushless mower series comes in both a 6 Ah and 5 Ah power battery set – which is why it looks like there are 10 of the same mower on any of the websites. They also come in tool-only or regular. Tool only is the version without the battery, assuming you already own them – this is a much better price.

If you are looking for serious power, the 6 Ah set is going to take you the furthest.

Here’s what I love about the 80V series and why I ranked it number one:

The 80V batteries give you an hour of run-time
The 21 inch deck is the largest in class and also the standard for most gas mowers, so it can easily replace your gas mower
Self propelled with speed control. Whew. That is serious business
It can adjust its motor depending on grass conditions, great for those with mixed-grass yards (heathens)
A little dashboard on the handle that shows you remaining battery life
A dang 5 year warranty.

The Kobalt 80V MAX brushless self-propelled mower is quite literally a beast.

You can grab it a number of places including Lowe’s, but the best price I have found is actually at Amazon, where it is $50 cheaper.

Our recommendation

Despite the 80V series being ranked #1, I actually like the #2 choice – the Kobalt 40V MAX 20 inch mower. It is just as durable, covers almost as much ground, is less expensive, and is a part of the 40V MAX series, which is what most of the new Kobalt products are working with.

Grab it at Lowe’s or Amazon – however I think Lowe’s currently has a lower price!

*We do not have an affiliate program with Lowe’s

Why we review lawn tools

What to look for in an electric lawn mower

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

April 25, 2022March 15, 2024

Ultimate Electric Lawn Mower Buying Guide: 2024 Update

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

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

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

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

Let’s get started:

Best electric mower brands
Metal decks on electric mowers are important
The importance of interchangeable batteries
Self-propelled electric mowers
FAQs

What to look for in an electric lawn mower

Best electric mower brands

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

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

Here are some of my favorite brands:

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

Get a metal cutting deck on your electric mower

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

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

Greenworks 80V has an awesome metal deck.

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

Batteries are critical on electric mowers

A ten dollar word used here, but really just make sure to buy a mower with a battery that is compatible with other electric tools. Ryobi has this, so does Dewalt, and so do some of the Greenworks products. This will save you garage clutter and plug space.

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

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

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

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

Self-propelled electric mowers use batteries faster

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

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

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

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

Frequently asked questions about electric lawn mowers

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

Are electric mowers powerful enough?

For the majority of homeowners, absolutely yes.

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

How long will an electric mower last?

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

What is a brushless electric lawn mower?

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

Are brushless lawn mowers better?

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

How big of an electric lawn mower do I need?

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

Is it worth getting a battery-powered lawn mower?

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

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

Do electric lawn mowers need oil?

Nope!

Are electric mowers powerful?

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

Which is better – gas or electric lawn mower?

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

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

Are electric mowers lighter than gas mowers?

Yep! Basically no exceptions here.

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

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

Why we review lawn tools

March 15, 2022March 15, 2024

5 Best Sun Joe Garden Tillers (+ My Favorite)

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

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

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

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

What we will cover:

Power comparison
Our recommendation
Sun Joe 101
What to look for in a garden tiller

Best Sun Joe Electric Garden Tiller and Cultivators: Features

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

5. Sun Joe TJ602E Garden Tiller

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

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

4. Sun Joe TJ600E Garden Tiller

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

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

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

3. Sun Joe TJ601E Garden Tiller

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

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

2. Sun Joe TJ603E Garden Tiller and Cultivator

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

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

Top Pick: Sun Joe TJ604E Garden Tiller

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

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

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

Comparing Power Among Sun Joe Tillers

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

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

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

Category	Sun Joe TJ600E	Sun Joe TJ602E	Sun Joe TJ601E	Sun Joe TJ603E	Sun Joe TJ604E
Amps	6.5 A	9 A	8 A	12 A	13.5 A
Cultivating width	14 in.	18 in.	12 in.	16 in.	16 in.
Cultivating Depth	7 in	7 in	8 in	8 in	8 in
Power Ranking	5	4	3	2	1

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

Cost comparison: Sun Joe Electric Garden Tillers

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

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

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

Let’s go:

Category	Sun Joe TJ600E	Sun Joe TJ602E	Sun Joe TJ601E	Sun Joe TJ603E	Sun Joe TJ604E
Power	Least powerful	Pretty powerful	Not very powerful	Second most powerful	Most powerful
Ease of Use	Difficult	Very easy	Easy	Second easiest.	Easiest
Cost	Check price	Check price	Check price	Check price	Check price

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why we review lawn tools

Sun Joe product reputation

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

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

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

What to look for in a garden tiller

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

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

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

Really it comes down to two things:

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

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

March 10, 2022April 21, 2024

I Keep The Kimo Cordless Blower In My Coat Closet: Here’s Why

The KIMO Cordless Blower is perhaps the greatest blower on the market for less than $80. The Kimo blower is super easy to use, can be stored just about anywhere, and is surprisingly powerful.

The KIMO 20V cordless blower might look miniature but trust me, it packs a serious punch. This is a tool I promise you won’t be disappointed. Let me tell you why.

Every time we have friends over, just after I get out of the shower and get dressed up, right before people begin to arrive… My wife asks me to blow off our front and back porch.

Seriously, it’s like clockwork.

She has some sixth sense for when I’m clean. Then she asks me to fire up a gas blower just to clean off a few leaves. I then go through the whole evening smelling like gasoline.

Well, this mighty mouse has been an absolute godsend! Guess what… 10,136 reviews with an average of 4.3 stars on Amazon… Looks like quite a few other people agree with me too.

Let’s dive in to what makes the KIMO 20V blower something I simply cannot do without.

KIMO Overview: Who are they?
KIMO cordless blower features and benefits
Official Review
How to buy (and where the sale is)

KIMO Cordless Blower: Features

The KIMO 20V leaf blower has a lot to like, and leaves little to be desired. PUN INTENDED. One of the most important items you need in your arsenal for keeping a top notch lawn, the leaf blower is an essential. Let’s check out some of the features in this interesting blower and vacuum combo kit.

Benefit #1: Weight

At a measly 1.76 lbs, this blower is the absolute epitome of the word light. Seriously, it’s insanely light. But it’s weird, it doesn’t really feel super cheap to me like I’d expect with something of this size.

It’s a solid, well built plastic in my opinion. This makes my wife’s last minute chores much less likely to cause me to break into a disgusting sweat! Add that to the list of things I like about this product.

Benefit #2: Power

Again, at such a small size, you’d expect this thing to generate only a soft gentle breeze. THINK AGAIN. No joke. Because the opening on this guy is so narrow, you actually get a super strong, concentrated blast of air. Don’t get me wrong, you’re not going to be able to clean up your fall leaves with this guy but it does what it’s supposed to do!

The picture below is to illustrate the variability in power based on how hard you pull the trigger. So if you only need a little bit of air and don’t want to ruin your mulch beds or something then just pull the trigger a little bit. If you need a little more juice then pull it all the way. The KIMO 20V blower will generate upwards of 150 CFM.

Benefit #3: Durability & Warranty

Like I said earlier this blower feels extremely durable for a plastic blower. It doesn’t feel like that cheap plastic crap you can get from other brands. This product feels like it’s built to last in my opinion. The parts feel well made in opinion.

In fact, KIMO touts their battery as being able to be charged 1000 charge cycles. That’s a considerably high number of charges if you think about it. I mean I probably charge once a week? Maybe… So that’s 1000 weeks.. Minimum. Like a bunch of years!

The KIMO 20V blower actually also has a high efficiency, 20,000 RPM copper motor, that not only helps with the power output, it also ensures that it will last you a long time. Honestly, you can rest easily knowing this has a good motor in it.

In the event that something does go wrong, KIMO offers a 24 month warranty on all their products. So if something does go wrong, just email kimo-support@kimotools.com and they say they’ll reply and ship you a new one in 12 hours. Pretty unreal customer service in this day and age.

Benefit #4: Cost

Honestly, this is where this product is in a league of it’s own for me. It blows 150 mph. It has a 24 month warranty, it doubles as a vacuum, it’s insanely light and easy to store AND it’s under $100 dollars?! Once I saw that price on Amazon I new I had to give it a shot.

At the time of this posting it’s actually on sale too for 20% off. So it’ll run you about $79 + tax. In my opinion, this is a steal.

I realize I’m extremely excited and love this product but honestly you guys need to give this one a try. There’s no way you will be disappointed with this.

The Official Review: KIMO 20V 2-IN-1 Cordless Blower

Yes.

This one is a SOLID yes for me. I laughed when I opened the box. I thought, “there’s no way.”

This guy did not disappoint.

Did I mention you get a vacuum attachment with it too?

Don’t miss out on the 20% off deal on Amazon for the KIMO 20V 2-IN-1 Cordless Blower

Why we review lawn tools

KIMO 20V Products

I’ll be the first to admit. Honestly, I’d never even heard of this brand before my mom surprised me one spring afternoon and ordered me one off Amazon. But honestly after checking out there product offerings, I was pretty impressed!

They definitely specialize more in the handheld DIY type products but they also have some cool landscaping products too! They even have this absolutely sick looking 6 inch cordless chainsaw that has 736 positive reviews!

Another benefit of this brand is their stuff is super affordable compared to the competition. A $67.99 blower?! I mean come on. I’d spend that every day and twice on Sunday not to have to reshower after my wife sees a few leaves next to the front door.

March 3, 2022April 2, 2024

5 Lawn Mowers fit for Townhouses and Tiny Homes

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

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

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

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

I’ll summarize what we found:

Best all-around: Black + Decker 3-in-1 Corded Mower, Trimmer, Edger
Best reel mower: Greenworks RM1400 Reel mower
Best battery-powered mower: Worx WG779 14-inch cordless mower
Honorable mention: Wild Badger 40V mower

The Top 5 Lawn Mowers for Townhouses

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

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

5. Worx WG779 14 inch 40V Cordless Push Mower

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

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

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

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

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

4. Greenworks 10A 16-inch corded mower

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

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

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

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

3. Sun Joe MJ401E Electric Lawn Mower

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

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

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

Things to love about the Sun Joe MJ401E-RM

Positives:

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

Negatives:

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

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

Looks like a turtle but totally rocks.

2. Greenworks RM1400 Reel Lawn Mower

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

Some things I like about the Greenworks RM1400:

Positives:

Great company
Removable grass catching bag
Adjustable cutting height
Environmentally friendly

Negatives:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nice, easy tool for any sized townhouse.

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

I haven’t even mentioned the price.

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

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

How we picked the perfect lawn mower for their townhouse

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

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

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

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

Why we review lawn tools

February 23, 2022April 21, 2024

The Worx Landroid is a Great Budget Robot Mower for Small Lawns

The Worx PowerShare Landroid Robotic Lawn Mower has just been gifted to us from the future. The Jettson’s lawn mower has finally made an arrival and we are here for it. If you have a Roomba or Shark robotic vacuum, then you get the idea. A mower that does your lawn for you.

Thought we would have flying cars and world peace by 2024? Even better – we have autonomous lawn mowers.

Bottom Line: The WORX robotic mower is not my cup of tea, but is a great option for those with small yards. A similar and better robotic mower is the Husqvarna Automower which you can check out here.

Who should buy a robotic lawn mower?
Work WR165 Feature Review
Worx Landroid model and costs
The official review

WORX WR165 Landroid S 1/8 Acre Robotic Lawn Mower: Feature review

Alright, these things are immensely complex and technical, so we are going to do our best to simplify it for you.

How does the Worx WR165 Landroid lawn mower work?

Similar to robotic vacuums, the Landroid requires connectivity to Wifi to operate and can be controlled from your smartphone. Again, if you have ever used a Roomba, this is super similar. The Landroid will map your yard and work on a set schedule, feeding you real-time information about the mowing job it is doing.

What really sets the Work WR165 landroid mower apart is that it takes into account weather data in addition to your personal preferences to find the best schedule to mow your lawn. Another super interesting thing is that the mower does not mow in straight lines. Weird, right?

An interesting device that is more powerful than it looks.

Well if you have used a robotic vacuum, you know why it does this. It goes in zig-zags that ensure it doesn’t miss any spots in your yard. Yes, you might lose those precious stripes in your yard – BUT – the landroid cuts super evenly, so you end up with a smooth finish.

One thing to know is that the Landroid will require you to lay down a wired perimeter (think electric fence for a dog) to keep the Landroid out of your neighbor’s yard. This part is really important. It isn’t simply a self-mapping set-it-and-forget-it lawn tool. It requires a bit of preparation and planning to ensure you are giving it the proper boundaries.

Power

Power and cutting width are important for traditional mowers because they are ways of communicating one important thing: your time!

Conventional wisdom goes out the window when evaluating the Worx Landroid because time matters WAY LESS. You just turn it on, go watch the game, and let the robot do its thing.

The Worx Landroid WR165 S ⅛ acre has a 7 inch cutting deck. Which is small. But again, who cares? You don’t need a massive steel cutting deck that can clear your whole lawn in a few passes. This robotic mower requires you to operate it for ZERO passes.

Performance

The Worx Landroid comes with a floating blade disc that automatically lifts when encountering rough terrain. This means you won’t end up with big bald spots in your yard if you let this mower do its thing. Many riding mowers have the same feature on a much larger scale.

The Worx Landroid also comes with a brushless motor, which are longer lasting, more efficient motors in battery-powered equipment. Interestingly, the Worx landroid comes equipped with intelligent navigation, meaning it can quickly navigate narrow paths (instead of getting stuck).

The full installation kit, see video below.

The last neat tidbit I will give you on this is that it takes the same batteries as any of your other 20V battery Worx tools. This is huge.

What about the bag on the Worx landroid?

What about it? It doesn’t come with one and quite frankly, doesn’t need one. Before you bag-lovers have a conniption, let me explain.

The Worx Landroid does not come with a bag, but cuts the grass into fine pieces – which is actually better for your grass’ nutrition. Many lawn experts actually recommend not using a bag ever because of the nutritional benefit of recycling the clippings.

How long does the Landroid take to mow my lawn?

Well, it depends and also doesn’t really matter. Just like robotic vacuums, it gets to cutting your yard when it gets to it. Basically, it will make sure your lawn is cut over the course of a week to ensure that it is evenly mowed.

That is a super weird concept to me, but it makes a lot of sense if you think about it.

The battery life depends on the density of grass and terrain, but generally can go for about two hours.

Can the Worx Landroid mulch leaves in the Fall?

Again, it depends. It can definitely chop up leaves as it moves through your yard, but will probably have a tough time with big leaf piles. Too much density will kill the battery.

WORX Landroid models and costs

The WORX Landroid comes in quite a few sizes and variations that impact the cost. See our guide below:

Category	Worx Landroid WR165	Worx Landroid WR140	Worx Landroid WR143	Worx Landroid WR153	Worx Landroid WR155
Cutting width	7 in.	7 in.	7 in.	9 in.	8 in.
Cutting Capacity	⅛ acre	¼ acre	¼ acre	½ acre	½ acre
GPS locating if stolen	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Work Landroid Cost	$912	$814	$1,189	N/A	$1,385
Best deal	Amazon	Amazon	Amazon	N/A	Amazon

The official review: Worx Landroid WR165

As you can see above, the WR165 is the best bang for the buck for smaller yards. This is a weekend-changing product that can save you a ton of time, provide a quality cut, and make all your neighbors jealous.

**At the time of this post the WR165 went on a MAJOR sale (down almost $300). Make sure to check the below link to Amazon to check the price. If its not on sale, I recommend the WR140, which covers more yardage for a better price.**

We recommend grabbing it on Amazon while it is still on sale. You can grab it today and start cutting ASAP by following this link directly to the Amazon deal.

Why we review lawn tools

Worx brand reputation

Something that many of you may be scratching your head around is….what is Worx? It isn’t quite the household name that Dewalt, John Deere, or some of the other big name brands. Worx has quietly been creeping into the marketplace and has found a niche in electric lawn tools.

They also sell this crazy ergonomic wheelbarrow.

And also sell this cool standing leaf blender.

They offer low price, medium-to-high quality products that….work. Worx is super popular on places like Amazon, but also have a presence in some of the big box stores. Worx started off in lawn equipment and took off like a rocket, but are now transitioning into new products. One hallmark of Worx’ brand is that of innovation. And let me tell you – the autonomous lawn mower is innovation.

Who should buy a robotic lawn mower?

This is a question we get a ton from our visitors. Robotic lawn mowers are good for a few people:

You have a lot of money and don’t want to spend time mowing
- How much do you make per hour? How much are you willing to pay to not have to get in the yard? Most lawn care companies cost around $40-50/week to come mow your grass. The robotic lawn mower can cost around $1,000 or less. You do the math!
You are older and don’t want to schlep around a mower
- Perfect population here. If you are older and don’t want to push a mower over your dense grass, just set the robot mower down and let it do its thing. No worries about falling or staining your shoes or any of the other pains associated with mowing.
You are a tech nerd/early adopter/lawn tool enthusiast
- I mean, it’s pretty cool. You don’t even need to be a nerd to appreciate how cool this is. Has anyone started a business where they buy a bunch of these and go set them in people’s yards and charge them for lawn care? You could mow several yards at once. Did I just give away a billion dollar idea?