The best garden pruners make it easier to achieve clean, precise cuts without damaging plants or leaving your hands aching. However, different tools suit different pruning jobs, so the right choice will depend on what you are cutting, how much power you need, and what feels comfortable to use.

For this guide, I tested six of the most popular pruners available, using them for tasks ranging from deadheading and trimming soft stems to cutting back thicker growth on fruit trees. I compared their cutting performance, comfort, build quality, versatility and value to find the best options for different gardeners and to cover all the pruning basics.

The Felco F6 Bypass Pruning Shears, available on Amazon, were my highest-rated pruners overall. They made consistently clean cuts, felt comfortable and well balanced in the hand, and handled both delicate stems and tougher growth with ease. Their combination of cutting performance, thoughtful design, and durability put them ahead of every other model I tested.

They will not be the best types of pruners for everyone, however. Bypass pruners are generally ideal for making clean cuts through live growth, while anvil models can provide more power when tackling tough, dry, or dead wood. You may also need a lightweight design for smaller hands, a more affordable option for occasional use, or a more powerful tool for thicker branches. This guide will help you choose the right pruner for your plants, hands, and budget.

The Quick List

The Best Pruners: Expert Reviews

Here’s your at-a-glance intro to our best pruners round-up. Scroll further down to read my findings from testing each product hands-on. You can also use the navigation links to jump to the pruners that interest you the most.

The Best Pruners Overall

Founded in 1945, Felco is one of the world’s best-regarded makers of pruning shears. The Swiss company came out with its iconic Felco 2 secateurs in 1948 – and the Felco 6 pruning shears share much of that iconic tool’s design DNA. Intended for all-round pruning, the Felco 6 can cut through all sorts of stems and branches up to a thickness of 0.79 inches. These pruners are compact, comfortable, and built to last.

Design: Felco pruners are nothing short of a design masterpiece. The handles are ergonomically molded to suit various hand shapes and sizes – although the tool is recommended especially for users with medium-sized hands. The cutting blades are slightly angled, which helps you prune efficiently. For long-term use, you can use the adjustment key to disassemble the shears for routine maintenance.

Performance: I found the Felco 6 incredibly easy to use around the yard. Perfectly tensioned, the hardened steel bypass blades are able to cut even the toughest plant matter. Closing the shears by hand is remarkably easy, enabling convenient cutting over long-term use.

Versatility: There’s not much that these shears can’t cut. Even tough, woody branches soon gave way to the Felco 6’s sharp, precise blades during testing, and there won’t be many plants in your yard that these shears can’t prune. However, if you intend to cut branches thicker than 0.79 inches, use pruners with a greater cutting width or perhaps a mini chainsaw or lopper.

Price: Priced at over $70 by most retailers, the Felco 6 is one expensive pair of pruning shears. Are they worth it? That comes down to how much you enjoy gardening and the joy you take in your yard tools. On the plus side, the Felco 6 pruners are lower in price than most electric alternatives. And, if you take care of them, you could use these pruning shears for a lifetime.

Read more: Felco 6 Bypass Pruners review

Buy Them If…

✅ Gardening is your passion: The Felco 6 is a luxurious, truly top-quality pruning shears model. You will appreciate this exquisite tool if you love working in the yard.
✅ You think long-term: The user can replace all key components of the Felco 6 at home, including the blades, springs, and fixings.
✅ There are many plants to prune in your yard: These shears cut tender stems effortlessly, and the handles are very comfortable to hold.

Don't Buy Them If…

❌ You don’t like taking tools apart: To keep the Felco 6 performing at its best, you’ll need to use their adjustment key to disassemble the shears now and then for cleaning, sharpening, or replacement of parts.
❌ You’re left-handed: Felco makes many excellent left-handed pruners, but the Felco 6 ain’t one of them due to its righty-focused ergonomics.
❌ There are many thick branches to prune in your yard: These shears are designed to cut up to a branch diameter of 0.79 inches – and no wider.

The Best Pruners for Larger Hands

I’ll show you just one more pair of Felco pruners before I move on to some other brands. There’s good reason to highlight this particular manufacturer: its pruning shears are incredible. The Felco 8 is an ergonomic redesign of the classic Felco 2. It works beautifully, features high-quality construction, and includes an adjustment key for convenient maintenance. This model is a little longer than the Felco 6 and, therefore, better suited to users with larger hands. It also has a slightly greater cutting width.

Design: You’ll notice the difference between these Felco pruners and smaller models like the Felco 6 when you squeeze the handles. Closing the blades takes more effort but produces more leverage and a wider cut. Whether or not that’s a good thing depends on the size of your hands. If I were being critical, I’d say the Felco style loses some of its elegance in this larger iteration – but the pruners are still more beautiful than almost any other you’re likely to encounter.

Performance: These pruners cut cleanly through every size-appropriate (under one inch) branch or stem I tested them on. You’ll only encounter difficulties with the Felco 8 if you try to use them for pruning large branches over an inch in thickness. For all intended pruning applications, these shears work perfectly. Remember that the handles are ergonomically designed for a large hand. The size of your hands will affect performance.

Versatility: The Felco 8 gives you greater versatility than smaller Felco models, such as the Felco 6, owing to its greater cutting capacity: approximately one inch. This expands the range of tree branches that can comfortably be pruned using the pruner’s blades. The excellent sharpness and tensioning of the blades mean that the Felco 8 can very cleanly cut fleshy plant stems without any messy ‘chewing.’

Price: Usually costing more than $60, the Felco 8 pruners are expensive compared to the average manual pruners. However, given the quality of the Felco 8's construction and the availability of replacement parts, the price you pay could be a wise long-term investment. Users who only prune occasionally might prefer to buy a more affordable option.

Buy Them If…

✅ You have lots of pruning to do: The Felco 8 is suitable for long-duration pruning sessions. It offers exceptional cutting performance and comfortable handles.
✅ Sustainability matters to you: Not only are these shears great quality, but you can also replace all the key parts over time. The Felco 8 could be your trusty pruning companion for decades.
✅ Your hands are large: This pruner's ergonomic design is intended especially for larger hands. If you have smaller hands, try the Felco 6 instead.

Don't Buy Them If…

❌ There are more important things to spend your money on: You can find highly effective pruning shears for a much lower price – although they might not be as special as the Felco 8.
❌ You’ll be pruning branches over one inch thick: If so, you’ll probably need a lopper or a mini chainsaw instead. Using shears on an excessively thick branch is bad for the blades.
❌ You don’t have large hands: We, the manually mediocre, are better off using a smaller pruner, such as the Felco 6, with an ergonomic design that suits us.

The Best Affordable Pruners

What you need to know: Finnish toolmaker Fiskars has a history dating back to the 1600s. Relatively recently – in 1967 – the brand produced the world’s first plastic-handled scissors. Today, effective, affordable cutting tools remain a Fiskars specialty, and the SmartFit Bypass Pruners are a great example. These shears suit various pruning tasks, from deadheading to cutting small branches.

Design: A study in simplicity, the shears are robust, minimalistic, and functional. It may not be luxurious, but this tool is perfectly suited for convenient pruning, with curved, ergonomic handles that will be especially comfortable for users with small or medium-sized hands.

Performance: The SmartFit Bypass Pruners are great at pruning slender tree branches up to their maximum cutting width. It takes a bit of effort to cut through the thickest branches within that range – but the sharp blades will manage it, and can also handle relatively delicate stems. These pruner are an affordable option, so it should come as no surprise that some components – especially the spring and locking mechanism – are slightly flimsy.

Versatility: The SmartFit Bypass Pruners offer a fairly good range of cutting capabilities. While these shears will struggle with cutting thicker tree branches, they can tackle most branches and stems up to just under ⅝ inch. If you keep the blades sufficiently sharp, the shears should prove capable of cutting thin, fleshy stems without too much chewing. For delicate pruning tasks, you might prefer to use a smaller pruner, such as the Fiskars Solid Snip Pruning Micro-Tip SP13, or a sharper-bladed model, such as the Felco 6.

Price: The SmartFit Bypass Pruners are a reasonably priced choice, particularly for gardeners who will benefit from the adjustable blade opening and handle span. They do not offer the refinement, precision or long-term serviceability of a premium pair, but they handle routine deadheading, stem cutting and light branch pruning capably.

Read more: Fiskars SmartFit Bypass Pruners review

Buy Them If…

✅ All-round pruning functionality is your focus: These shears are strong enough to cut fairly thick woody branches and sharp and precise enough for delicate tasks such as deadheading.
✅ You’re new to pruning: This Fiskars pruner has a simple, beginner-friendly design and versatile cutting capabilities.
✅ You value long-term, low-maintenance performance. Thanks to their rust-resistant, hardened steel blades, these shears can sustain high-performance cutting over long-term use.

Don't Buy Them If…

❌ Very delicate pruning is required: A different Fiskars pruner, the Solid Snip Pruning Micro-Tip SP13, is better suited to this type of work.
❌ You like a traditional aesthetic: These bypass pruners' no-frills, utilitarian design will appeal to many users, but for those who appreciate a more traditional look, a Felco pruner would be a better choice.
❌ There are thick branches to prune on your trees: An anvil pruner or lopper may perform better in this specific use case. (Which specific model is best will depend on the thickness of the branches.)

The Best Adjustable Pruners

Made by the historic French toolmaker Opinel – a brand that’s world-famous for its wooden-handled cutting tools – these Hand Pruning Shears are a superb choice for effective cutting and elegant aesthetics. This tool’s bypass cutting action and sharp, stainless steel blades equip it for a variety of pruning tasks, including cutting back plants and shrubs, and pruning thin tree branches. It is made with a high-quality combination of materials, including stainless steel, beechwood, and molded plastic.

Design: I loved these pruners for their eye-catching, functional design, with one handle made of beechwood and the other of molded plastic. A special feature that’s worth noting is the adjustable cutting width – you can choose between two settings using the unmissable, bright orange selector near the blades. The only design downside to these shears is that the wider cutting setting makes for higher-effort use.

Performance: The Opinel Hand Pruning Shears performed very well in my testing, easily producing clean cuts when used to prune plants like roses and foxgloves. Very delicate pruning was made easier by the curved bottom blade of the shears, which helped me to isolate narrow stems among dense growth. Regular cleaning is required to maintain a smooth cutting action, as these shears are strongly affected by buildup of sap.

Versatility: If you’re only going to buy one pair of pruning shears, this model would be an excellent choice. It can cover a wider range of pruning tasks than most other shears I’ve tested, from deadheading flowering plants and pruning shrubs to cutting tree limbs (up to 0.78″). Basically, it’s good for everything except heavier tree pruning, which is usually a task for loppers or a chainsaw.

Price: One reason why you might not choose the Opinel Hand Pruning Shears is their price, which tends to exceed $70. That puts them in the same price bracket as the Felco 6, so that's some high-quality competition. I believe the pricing of Opinel’s pruner is justified by its unique, beautiful design and excellent performance – but you might want to wait around for a seasonal sale.

Buy Them If…

✅ You have an eye for classic tool design: Few pruners are as beautiful as the Opinel Hand Pruning Shears, with their mixed materials design, colorful accents and pleasingly curved blades.

✅ Adjustable cutting width will make pruning easier: This is a particularly good choice of pruner for users who find pruning hard work, as the lower cutting width requires a smaller effort with each cut.

✅ Most of your plants have moderately thick stems: While very thin stems and thick tree branches are a little outside of this pruner's comfort zone, it cuts fairly thick stems and thin branches very effectively.

Don't Buy Them If…

❌ Pruning trees is your priority: Some tree branches can be pruned effectively with this Opinel pruner, but branches thicker than 0.78″ will require a tool with greater cutting capacity.

❌ Your budget is limited: This is one of the most expensive manual pruner models included in this guide. Its premium design merits a premium price, but you could get a functional pruner at a lower cost.

❌ You have small hands: Using this pruner's two-step cutting width adjustment will give you some control over the required grip, but you'd need relatively large hands to comfortably use the wider option.

The Best Pruning Snips

The most delicate pruning tasks should be approached with care and precision. The Fiskars Solid Snip Pruning Micro-Tip SP13 brilliantly meets these needs with its streamlined, lightweight design and sharp, elongated blades. Bundled in with the snips is a protective sheath, which should be put on the blades whenever the snips are not being used.

Design: The SP13 is a well-designed pair of snips with slightly rough-around-the-edges construction. Using the snips is generally simple and low-effort – although I sometimes had difficulty closing the locking mechanism during testing. The snips’ blades are sharp along their full length, all the way to the tip. As an old-school scissors-maker might say, they cut “right from pinch to point.”

Performance: The Fiskars snips are sharp, efficient, and effective at cutting tender stems. They’re designed especially for pruning tender stems and deadheading, so it is no surprise that the snips are incapable of cutting tree branches – even very thin ones. When I used the snips as intended, they cut delicate stems and flower heads with great precision. The handles spring back open quite forcefully after each cut.

Versatility: These snips can perform a fairly wide range of tasks – but only at the more delicate end of the pruning spectrum. They will do the job well if you need to precisely prune narrow stems, remove dead flowerheads, or cut stems for indoor display. However, a more powerful tool, such as a bypass pruner, will provide a better range of cutting capability for general outdoor pruning. If you have any tree pruning to do, this pruner will not help you do it.

Price: You can’t argue with the pricing of the Fiskars Solid Snip Pruning Micro-Tip SP13. With that said, you should factor in this tool’s specialized cutting capabilities before you buy. You will likely need to purchase an additional tool for pruning thicker, woodier stems. Of course, the build quality of the snips is also reflected in their price.

Read more: Fiskars Solid Snip Pruning Micro-Tip SP13 review

Buy Them If…

✅ You need a precise tool for pruning dense plants: The SP13 may be small, but those long, keen blades are great at finding their target in overgrown areas. For careful pruning, look no further.
✅ A lightweight tool suits you: Weighing about one-and-a-half oz, you’ll barely feel these snips while you work. This could make a big difference during a long pruning session.
✅ You’re into flower arranging: These snips are perfect for cutting flowers for indoor display. Remember to cut stems diagonally to maximize a cut plant’s water uptake for long-lasting freshness.

Don't Buy Them If…

❌ Powerful pruning is required: These delicate snips are not intended for cutting thick stems or woody branches. If that’s the work you’ll be doing, consider buying a bypass or anvil pruner instead.
❌ You’re uncomfortable having sharp tools in the yard: As the SP13 snips are sharp and pointy, they definitely shouldn’t be left where they might endanger children or pets.
❌ You need to extend your reach: The SP13 snips are in their element at close quarters. If you aim to prune, high-up or hard-to-reach stems, you’d be better off using a longer-reach tool such as a pole lopper.

6. The Best Anvil Pruners

Some plants with thick stems or lots of tough branches can’t be cut using bypass pruners. This is where anvil pruners like the RSEN can help. Anvil pruners have a sharp top blade and a wide, flat bottom blade – a design that provides enhanced cutting power for heavy-duty pruning. Wolf-Garten’s Anvil Pruner RSEN is an excellent example, with robust construction and a 10-year guarantee. Unlike some anvil pruners, which are made solely for cutting tree branches, the RSEN is sold as a general-purpose anvil pruner, meaning it can be used for cutting soft plants, too.

Design: Wolf-Garten has a knack for making smart, timeless-looking garden tools – and the RSEN anvil pruners are no exception. The design is effective and attractive, with some nicely implemented features, including a metal locking button. The blades have a non-stick coating, which will help to keep the pruners clean – especially if you’re going to use them to cut sappy branches. Of course, the star of the show is the RSEN's anvil-style pruning blades, perfect for pruning tough branches. Weighing in at just 8 oz, these pruners are impressively lightweight relative to the cutting force generated. The shears have an ambidextrous design, allowing optimal usage, whether you're right- or left-handed.

Performance: During my hands-on testing, the RSEN chomped through tough tree branches better than any other manual pruner could, requiring limited extra effort to sever the wood. The flat bottom blade holds the branch steady while you cut. The RSEN anvil pruners were capable of cutting tree branches with a wide range of thicknesses, right up towards the higher end of their cutting capacity. The cuts produced were clean and regular, which is good for tree health. I was also pleasantly surprised with the RSEN’s performance when cutting tender stems, which was neater than the average anvil pruners.

Versatility: Anvil pruners are unsuitable for delicate work, such as deadheading flowering plants. Although the Wolf-Garten Anvil Pruners RSEN are more precise than many competing anvil pruners, they're better at cutting thicker, tougher stems. They do their main job – heavy-duty work – very well but also have the versatility to do some lighter tasks to an acceptable level. All things considered, we rate the RSEN as good general-purpose pruners with excellent capabilities for cutting slender tree branches.

Price: You can pick up RSEN anvil pruners from stockists such as Amazon for around $55. We wouldn’t necessarily recommend buying the RSEN as your only pruners. However, if you have the budget for two pairs – these plus a pair of bypass pruners – then you could keep both pairs working optimally for longer by using the RSEN only for heavy-duty pruning while reserving the bypass pruner for delicate tasks. This pruner offered exceptionally good build quality and performance at a reasonable price.

Buy Them If…

✅ You need a manual pruner to cut tough stems: These anvil pruners combine a sharp top blade with a wide bottom blade to tackle tough tree branches or sinuous stems up to ¾-inch thick.
✅ Long-term use matters to you: German toolmaker Wolf-Garten offers a 10-year guarantee on these well-built pruning shears (subject to warranty conditions).
✅ You already have a bypass pruner for pruning delicate plants: While the RSEN can cut soft stems, it’s not the ideal tool for gentle work. This anvil pruner is a heavy-duty alternative, not an all-round solution.

Don't Buy Them If…

❌ You have lots of delicate plants to prune: Like other anvil pruners, the RSEN could do a lot of damage to the softest and most tender plants. Of course, the RSEN's aggressive action is better suited to branch-cutting.
❌ Pruning tires out your hands: If there are many plants in your yard, pruning can be a big, time-consuming task. With this in mind, it’s worth noting that using the RSEN for pruning plants (but not cutting branches) requires a little more elbow grease than cutting with some of the other manual pruners we’ve tested.
❌ You’re in a big hurry: It may take a couple of weeks for your Wolf-Garten pruners to arrive, as the shears are often sent to the US from overseas.

How to Choose the Best Pruners for You

When considering how to choose pruning shears, there are a few things that will need to be factored into your thought process.

All-round pruning capability: A bypass pruner will likely be your best choice if you're buying just one pruner to cover most pruning tasks around your yard and home. Named for their blade action, with one blade passing by the other, these traditional pruners are usually suitable for a range of pruning tasks, including deadheading, cutting tender stems, and sometimes pruning narrow tree branches.

Specialized pruning: Other pruners are available to suit particular pruning types that may not be catered for with a bypass pruner. Mini chainsaws can prune larger branches, while pole loppers are used to cut well above head height. Snips enable delicate cutting of the smallest stems and flowers at the smaller end of the scale. Meanwhile, anvil pruners are great at cutting tough sinew or woody branches.

Quality: Just how good do you need your pruners to be? A wide range of price points is available, and the same is true of the level of quality in pruner design and construction. For a luxurious, long-term solution, premium brands such as Felco can provide the required standards. Or, if affordability is the focus, a reasonably priced make such as Fiskars could be your best bet.

What Type of Pruner is Best for You?

As reflected in the wide range of tools featured in this guide, there are various pruners. Each variety has been created for specific purposes, so it's worth considering which option will best suit your yard's needs.

Bypass pruners are a classic style of manual pruning shears with sharp blades that cut materials when they pass against each other. They have great all-round pruning capabilities, from light pruning tasks such as deadheading and removing dead flower heads to slightly heavier work, including cutting thin, woody branches.

Anvil pruners are similar to bypass pruners, but they have a flat bottom blade that crushes plant matter while the top blade slices through it. This type of pruner is especially well-suited to cutting fairly thick tree branches or slicing through sinuous stems.

Pruning snips are a smaller style of manual pruning shears with sharp, accurate blades ideal for making neat cuts. They are not suitable for cutting tree branches or tough stems.

Mini chainsaws are a high-powered option for pruning tree branches. Like a full-size chainsaw, this tool cuts plant matter using a rapidly revolving metal chain. You would not want a mini chainsaw to prune soft or juicy plants.

Pole loppers help the user prune high-up tree branches. Their clever design incorporates trigger-activated, electric pruning jaws and a long pole to increase reach.

How We Tested These Pruners

I received a sample unit of each pruner featured in this guide and used each tool to carry out an appropriate range of tasks in my yard.

The tests included cutting tree branches of varying widths (up to the advertised cutting capacity), deadheading flowers, and cutting through juicy plant stems.

In addition to assessing their cutting performance, I compared the pruners based on other criteria including how much effort was required to use them, how comfortable they were to hold, and the effectiveness of extra features such as opening width selectors and lock buttons.

Some of the pruners have specialized functions. In these cases, my testing was focused mainly on these tools' special intended use cases.

I then consolidated all of my tests and scored each pruning shear out of 5 (5 being the highest). This new scoring system ensures more accuracy and consistency across our testing criteria. It's then over to you to decide which is the best pruner for you based on my first-hand experience.

Pruners FAQs

A lopper like the Felco 211-60 could be an even better option than the best pruners for some gardeners. This is especially true for folks who have lots of trees to keep in perfect shape.

If you know how to prune a tree, you’ll be aware that some branches are too thick or too tough to cut with an ordinary pair of pruning shears. With their larger blades and two-handed operation, loppers can provide that extra cutting power, when you need it. They are on the pricier side, but you can sometimes find Felco 211-60 loppers on sale at Amazon.

The Felco 211-60 is a top-notch model of lopper made by Swiss brand Felco, which has been manufacturing gardening shears of various types since 1945. Measuring 23.6in, the 211-60 tool gives you a lot of leverage – as well as extended reach – to cut through fairly thick tree branches. It promises 40% greater cutting power, compared to the Felco 200 and 210 series loppers.

Bundled in with the Felco 211-60 comes one small, but very important, accessory: an adjustment key. This key can be used to take the lopper apart, or put its parts back together again. With the 211-60 (and many other Felco cutting tools), it’s recommended to dismantle the tool frequently for cleaning, sharpening of the blades, and replacing worn out parts. You can buy replacements for almost all of the 211-60’s components, so you can keep the lopper in great condition for many years, without ever needing to send it for repairs.

Do bear in mind that this is a lopper, which means the tool is designed mainly for cutting thick tree branches. A smaller (and sometimes sharper) type of pruning tool such as a pair of pruning shears will usually be more appropriate for delicate pruning tasks – especially pruning soft plant stems. If you’re in need of a high-quality, specialized tool for tree pruning, the 211-60 could be a perfect solution.

To find out how the 211-60 compared to rival pruners and loppers, we put the tool through its paces in a hands-on testing process at our reviewer’s home. Read on to find out whether the Felco 211-60 really is the top of the loppers.

Felco 211-60 Lopper: At a Glance

Swiss tool-maker Felco is legendary, in green-thumbed circles, for its finely crafted cutting tools. Pruning shears, in particular, are Felco’s specialty – but the brand makes some very good loppers, too.

The Felco 211-60 is a 23.6in pair of loppers which takes part of its name from its length, this being a European tool measuring 60cm. With a 1.4in cutting capacity, the 211-60 can cut larger branches than any one-handed pruner we’ve tested, while its two-handed operation, sharp blades and long handles generate a high level of cutting force.

You can purchase the Felco 211-60 online from retailers such as Amazon, at prices in the region of $70-100. That may seem like a big spend, but when you consider this tool’s ease of maintenance (and the availability of spare parts), the Felco 211-60 starts to look like a good-value long-term purchase.

Felco 211-60 Lopper: Key Specs

Felco 211-60 Lopper: Performance

During our hands-on testing, the Felco 211-60 never failed to cut through the branches of our reviewer’s trees (which are a mix of hard-wooded crabapple and pear trees). The blades made their way through the wood within a few seconds or less, even when we were dealing with branches over 1-inch thick.

This being a lopper, not a pruner, a big part of its appeal is in the two-handed design, which should enable powerful, user-friendly cutting. On this front, the 211-60 delivers. The handles are comfortable and lightweight, thanks respectively to their ergonomic grips and aluminum construction. However, cutting large branches with the 211-60 did prove to be more strenuous than cutting similar branches with super-sharp Felco pruning shears, such as the Felco 6 Bypass Pruner.

We really appreciated the shock absorbers on the insides of the 211-60’s handles. Located just below the cutting blades of the loppers, this feature reduces the level of vibration that reaches your hands and arms, which can make a big difference during extensive pruning.

To preserve the 211-60’s optimum performance, it’s recommended to oil the blades frequently. It’s also advised to take the tool apart and sharpen the blades from time-to-time. We were sure to carefully clean the blades after each use, to preserve the their good condition. Thanks to the bundled-in adjustment key, it was simple to disassemble and then reassemble the lopper. With that said, some users who don’t feel confident in taking it apart may feel reluctant to carry out this chore.

Felco 211-60 Lopper: Should You Buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How Does It Compare?

For cutting fairly thick tree branches, with a diameter somewhere around 1in to 1.4in, you’re unlikely to find a more effective lopper than the Felco 211-60. However, some of our other top-rated pruning tools might be a better fit for certain users.

Costing a fraction of the price of the 211-60, and featuring a simple, one-handed design, the Wolf-Garten Anvil Pruner RSEN from Amazon is an easy-going option that gives you much of the wood-pruning power of the 211-60 – although it doesn’t offer anything like the same reach or leverage.

If you have lots of thick tree limbs to cut, with diameters greater than the 211-60’s 1.4" limit, then you might want to consider using a different type of tool, known as a pruning saw. One very good example is the Greenworks 24V 6" Pruning Saw from Amazon, which is essentially a mini chainsaw that’s purpose-made for tree surgery.

How We Tested the Felco 211-60 Lopper

We tested the Felco 211-60 Lopper by using the tool to prune a variety of tree branches in our reviewer’s yard – from spindly twigs to tough branches over 1in thick. The trees used in testing were a mixture of pear trees and crabapple trees, both of which have hard wood that proves difficult to prune for some cutting tools. We also tested the 211-60’s ease-of-maintenance, by disassembling it and cleaning the blades.

The Fiskars Solid Snip Pruning Micro-Tip SP13 is not your average pruner. This tool belongs to a category known as pruning snips. These tools are smaller than most bypass pruners or anvil pruners, and they have a specialized design that’s ideal for accurate, delicate work. For careful pruning tasks, the SP13 is one of the best pruning tools you can buy.

These snips are best described as pruning scissors, because of their symmetrical design. The blades are narrow, sharply pointed, and have a cutting edge along their entire length. This design equips the snips to cut soft plants cleanly and precisely. Although the snips are small, they have relatively long blades, which is useful when you’re pruning among dense or tangled stems and leaves.

Their size (and especially the size of the blade) makes this pruning tool ideal for reaching into dense plant clusters and slicing in an efficient, tidy manner. It's also great for comfort, allowing for accurate positioning without straining the fingers.

Let's get this out of the way quickly, though. Pruning snips like the SP13 are not suitable for cutting tree branches. Even narrow twigs are a challenge for this type of pruning tool. This Fiskars model can work well as a go-to tool for the delicate cutting tasks. But using it to prune woody stems or branches will only result in failure (and likely degradation of the blades). For that work, you are better using a good pair of bypass shears.

What the SP13 can do well is cut tender plant parts. Because these snips cut so cleanly, they’re an ideal choice for pruning soft plant stems. The sort of clean cuts you can make with the SP13 tend to heal well. With plant-friendly cutting in mind, the SP13 is a great choice not only for pruning tasks like deadheading, but also for taking cuttings for propagation.

Overview

Finnish brand Fiskars is a leading name for affordable cutting tools. Founded in 1649, the company has a long history of designing scissors and shears for a range of tasks. For repetitive garden-based work like pruning, Fiskars has earned a solid reputation for thoughtful ergonomic designs. In this regard, the SP13 is no exception.

This snipping tool is designed to bridge the gap between heavy-duty yard tools (like PowerGear loppers and bypass pruners) and utility scissors. Its beauty lies in its size and control in narrow reaches and its comfortable spring action. You can find Fiskars Solid Snip SP13 online at Amazon for $21.44, as well as via the main Fiskars store, in their Snips & Scissors section.

If shopping at Walmart or hardware stores like The Home Depot or Lowe’s, you might see it listed as the Fiskars 6-inch Stainless Steel Micro-Tip Pruning Snips. You can currently buy the Titanium model of SP13 from Home Depot for $13.98.

Key Specs

Performance

Since these snips are purpose-built for cutting tender stems, I focused on delicate types of pruning work. I started by using the SP13 to cut the stems of tender bedding plants. The snips did a great job of cleanly pruning stems, without chewing the plant or leaving messy cuts. The SP13 turned out to be ideal for deadheading, too. Using the snips, I was able to remove dead flower heads accurately and with minimal effort.

After testing, strong winds knocked over a row of dahlias in my yard. The SP13 snips turned out to be the best and most convenient pruner for cutting the broken stems down to size, so the dahlia flowers could be displayed in a vase indoors.

During testing, the plastic locking button on the review sample of the SP13 snapped off after getting jammed. Thankfully, I experienced no such problem with the replacement sample I received from Fiskars. The SP13 is generally reviewed very well by customers. Just bear in mind that this is a budget-priced pruner. Don't expect stellar construction.

Should You Buy?

Buy It If...

Don't Buy It If...

How Does It Compare?

The precision pruning market is competitive, which is good news if you are looking for a reasonably priced set of pruning tools. But depending on your pruning needs, the density of your plants, and the thickness of your stems, you need a different blade style, length, or ergonomic tension system. These picks offer unique advantages for food-safe hygiene, adjustable handle spans, or professional-grade bypass power. Here is how they stack up against the Fiskars Solid Snip Micro-Tip SP13 when it comes to precision cutting, price points, and everyday garden reliability.

How We Tested

Our reviewer tested the Fiskars Solid Snip Pruning Micro-Tip SP13 by using the snips to carry out light pruning tasks around the yard. He focused testing on slicing soft plant stems, deadheading flowering plants, and snipping stems to specific sizes for preparing cuttings and cutting flower arrangements.

First reviewed September 2023

The Fiskars SmartFit Steel Bypass Pruner P68 is a classic, lightweight model of one-handed pruning shears, designed to perform a wide range of pruning tasks toward the easier-going end of the pruning spectrum.

These shears can delicately prune soft plants, remove dead flower heads, cut woody shrub branches, and – with a bit of effort – cut relatively thin tree branches. Do bear in mind that the P68 has a maximum cutting width of 5/8", which will limit your options when it comes to pruning trees.

One of the key reasons to choose this pruner, rather than another pair of bypass pruning shears, is affordability. The P68 costs far less than high-performing alternative models such as the Felco No. 6 pruners, which we also reviewed here.

Despite their reasonable price, Fiskars pruners have some great design features that earned the brand a place on the list of the best pruners experts recommend. The blades on this particular pair of Fiskars pruners are made with hardened steel – ideal for long-term performance with minimal upkeep required. Meanwhile, the handles are made with a combination of durable, lightweight aluminum and soft-surfaced plastic, ensuring easy, comfortable usage.

We assessed this pruner by using it to perform a variety of pruning tasks around the yard. In keeping with the tool’s advertised capabilities, our test activities included deadheading, cutting soft plant stems, and pruning slender tree branches.

The UK equivalent to the P68 is the Fiskars Solid Bypass Pruner P121. The two models are similar in most respects, although UK readers should note that the P121 does not feature the "SmartFit" lever used to adjust the width of handle opening on the P68. A Fiskars P121 is shown in the testing photographs.

Overview

Finnish brand Fiskars is one of the biggest-names in affordable cutting tools for the home and garden. Founded in 1649, the company has a remarkably long history of designing and making useful, accessible products – especially scissors and shears.

The SmartFit Bypass Pruner P68 continues Fiskars’ fine tradition, offering a great combination of effective design and economical manufacture. A good pair of bypass shears is one of the 3 types of pruners every gardener should have and these are a good beginner model.

It’s usually possible to get hold of a Fiskars P68 for less than $20, from big box retailers such as Lowe's and Walmart. Readers in the UK who are seeking a similar option that’s available in their region can turn to the Fiskars Solid Bypass Pruner P121 on Amazon, for example..

Key Specs

Performance

The Fiskars P68 is designed for all-purpose pruning, from delicate tasks like deadheading to cutting relatively thin tree branches and twigs. So, our reviewer tested the shears by using them to perform a variety of tasks around the yard.

We started with the relatively tough task of cutting tree branches. The P68 proved capable of doing this type of work, although we had to put in a little more effort than was necessary when doing similar tasks with higher-spec bypass pruners. Nonetheless, the P68 cut a variety of tree branches effectively.

The P68 also proved capable of carrying out lighter pruning work, such as deadheading and cutting the stems of tender plants. We were satisfied with the clean, hygienic cuts the P68 made across the stems.

All things considered, the P68 is by no means the right pruner for every pruning task. However, this tool is a good option to cover most of the bases, from precision plant pruning to light tree pruning tasks.

This is an affordable model of pruner and you will usually get what you pay for, when it comes to product quality. The P68 won’t last you a lifetime, but based on our hands-on testing, these shears could indeed give you effective pruning in the short-to-medium term.

Should You Buy?

Buy It If...

Don't Buy It If...

How Does It Compare?

While we would gladly recommend the Fiskars P68 to users who value affordability and versatility, some other readers will be better served with an alternative model.

How We Tested

Our reviewer tested the Fiskars SmartFit Steel Bypass Pruner P68 by using it to prune various plants around the yard. He tested the shears on a wide range of plants, from marigolds with juicy stems to half-inch-thick crabapple tree branches.

With an 8-inch bar, the DeWalt 20V MAX 8 in Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw is your go-to for smaller jobs around the yard, whether it be pruning small branches or splitting firewood to a better size. Just because it’s small doesn’t mean this DeWalt chainsaw has less power or capabilities. In fact, its power output impressed me (just as every other DeWalt tool does!), and its cutting capabilities were superb.

Although it’s compact and lightweight, I don’t think you can use this chainsaw with one hand. At least I couldn't, and I felt safe and secure. And if I were left-handed, I don’t think I could use this chainsaw comfortably.

I tested all the different features of this chainsaw on the trees in my own backyard and shared my findings below. Keep reading to see who this mini chainsaw ideally suits and why it’s one of the best chainsaws to have on hand.

DeWalt DCCS623B: Key specs

DeWalt DCCS623B: Price & availability

Although this is a pretty small chainsaw, don’t expect it to come cheap. The DeWalt 20V MAX 8 in Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw is sold for about $229 with the battery and charger included, but you can buy it without the battery for $144. Oil is not included with the purchase of this chainsaw.

It’s not sold on the DeWalt site, but if you click “Buy Now,” you can see that this tool is sold through reseller sites such as Amazon and Home Depot.

The price tag on this tool doesn’t surprise me. DeWalt is a little pricier than most brands, but that's because the quality of the tools they produce.

Score: 8 out of 10

DeWalt DCCS623B: Setup

Upon removing the DeWalt 20V MAX 8 in Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw from its cardboard box, I thought it was quite compact. It came fully assembled with a sheath over the 8-inch bar.

At first, I thought the chainsaw could be used one-handed, but when I picked it up, I realized that due to the positioning of the triggers and the weight, I could not safely use it with one hand. Maybe someone with a larger hand and stronger than me could, but that's still pushing it.

The chainsaw came with a 20V battery and charger. The battery took about three hours to charge fully. No oil was provided, so I used some oil that I had on hand to fill the small oil container.

I also noticed right away that the chainsaw didn’t have a kickback brake but, rather, was outfitted with a tip guard. This was the first chainsaw I would be testing with a tip guard.

Score: 7 out of 10

DeWalt DCCS623B: Design

While the DeWalt 20V MAX 8 in Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw is compact and lightweight, it’s not light enough to comfortably hold it with only one hand. That being said, the hand grip is comfortable and has a trigger. There is a button on the left side, above the trigger. The button and the trigger must be pushed and pulled simultaneously to start the machine. Unfortunately, because the button is on the left side, it is unlikely that a left-handed person could use this tool (unless they're willing to hold it like a right-handed person).

Another handle is placed right on top of the main handle. It’s like an extension of the main handle, only a bit thinner. I wish it were perpendicular to the main handle so I could better place both my hands for a more comfortable and secure grip.

The oil cap is on the left side of the tool's body. There is an opaque viewfinder on the oil chamber, but it’s not clear enough to tell the oil level easily. Not to mention, the oil cap is easy to screw off, but it takes a little bit of finesse to screw it back on.

The battery is placed at the back of the chainsaw. An eight-inch bar extends out the front. There are some plastic built-in ridges on the front of the chainsaw. They’re a version of bumper spikes.

This chainsaw comes with a sheath that clips together over the bar. Built into the sheath is a spot that holds a tension tool that can be used to adjust the tension of the chain. The DeWalt mini chainsaw doesn’t have a kickback brake. Instead, there is a removable metal tip guard on the front. DeWalt says it’s designed to “provide stability during upcuts.” They can also reduce kickbacks. A lot of people don’t like them because they can get in the way of cutting if you're not used to them.

Score: 8 out of 10

DeWalt DCCS623B: Performance

I was hoping that I could use this mini chainsaw with just one hand. It’s only 8.4 lbs., but I could tell right away that using only one hand would be a bad idea.

After fitting the battery to the chainsaw, I took it into my backyard and found a variety of limbs, branches, and logs that ranged from 1.5 to 7 inches in diameter. The chainsaw didn’t vibrate that much in my hand, and it had an 84-decibel output, which is about what I expect from battery-powered chainsaws.

I started by cutting some trees between 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in width and was amazed by the quality. Every time I use a DeWalt product, they’ve been consistent in great power output. This mini chainsaw was no different. It sliced through trees with ease and little effort on my part. I only had to guide the chainsaw, and it did all the work for me. This surprised me a bit because the chainsaw only uses a 20V battery. That goes to show that you don’t always need a 40V or 60V battery to get good performance.

The chainsaw also did well with logs and larger branches, as long as they were less than 8 inches, of course. For smaller branches, I had to use the chainsaw on the part of the limb closest to the trunk.

Like I said, I wish I could have used this chainsaw with one hand, but I found it a lot more comfortable to use two hands because I had more control. There is a second handle above the main one, but it didn’t feel comfortable to put my left hand there for control, so I put it on the main handle. Perhaps if that second handle were perpendicular to the main handle, it would have made for a better design.

The plastic bumper spikes were really not noticeable. I don’t think they make much difference in my control of the chainsaw. The tip guard didn’t get in my way when cutting, perhaps because I was mindful of it. If I had cut anything that was exactly 8 inches, it might have been a slight issue, but I mostly cut things that were 7 inches or smaller.

If you’re looking for a small chainsaw to do quick jobs around the yard, this DeWalt mini chainsaw is a great choice. The battery lasts a long time, and the tool itself cuts quickly and smoothly. Once again, I’m impressed with DeWalt.

Score: 8 out of 10

Should you buy the DeWalt DCCS623B?

 Buy it if… 

 Don’t buy it if…  

How does the DeWalt DCCS623B compare?

If you want a small chainsaw but one that can tackle small to medium jobs, go for the DeWalt 20V Max XR DCCS620P1 12 in Battery Chainsaw, available on Amazon. The 12-inch bar means you can handle larger tree limbs. Plus, it has a kickback brake and is only $30 more.

The Zeeksaw 8-inch Cordless Mini Chainsaw, available on Amazon, also has an eight-inch bar, but it’s designed to be held with one hand. It doesn’t hurt that the chainsaw has a built-in tension tool and is way cheaper, to boot.

Let’s say you don’t necessarily need an 8-inch bar. If you have small jobs, go for the Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hatchet on Amazon. The lightweight chainsaw has a built-in tensioner and can cut tree limbs less than 6 inches in diameter. Unfortunately, it’s a bit expensive for such a small chainsaw.

How I tested the DeWalt DCCS623B

I tested the DeWalt 20V MAX 8in Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw in my backyard a few times. It’s the fifth chainsaw I’ve tested and the smallest one. I made sure to test it on trees and pre-cut logs that were less than 8 inches in diameter. Every element of the chainsaw was tested to provide a full review.

• First reviewed: January 2024

Decent garden storage doesn’t just make it easy to keep your outside space tidy, it means you can find your gardening tools when you want them. I like to think that spending on good outdoor storage actually saves me money because then I don't have to re-buy tools lost in all the shed clutter – and honestly, you don't have to spend much if you take advantage of the July 4th deals currently on. I don’t know if this heatwave has caused some kind of craziness at Target, because there are some cracking better-than-half-price deals on all sorts of affordable outdoor storage options.

From storage boxes to sheds, backyard cabinets to potting benches, there are so many stylish solutions to organize garden tools and accessories. I’ve only included great deals that offer a 50% or higher reduction, so you can get maximum outdoor storage for your money. I’ve also looked at different types of garden storage so there’s something so suit every backyard. Think about how you can customize whatever you choose to further fit your needs, too, because there are plenty of clever DIY ways to upgrade your garden storage.

If you’d love a garden with a place for everything and everything in its place, but don’t want to bust your budget getting it, here are Target’s very best deals on garden storage.

1. Waterproof Storage Trunks

An outdoor storage trunk is the best option to store patio cushions and throws, and pool toys. Available in a range of smart finishes, it’s an unobtrusive addition to a patio and makes that ‘Oh heck, it’s starting to rain’ garden dash to save non-waterproof cushions a breeze, and the large capacity means you can store most pool toys without deflating them first.

A backyard storage box also provides a handy surface for drinks and nibbles when you’re entertaining in your outdoor space. Do go for a sturdy option as someone – you included! – will inevitably use it as a bench at some point.

2. Potting Benches With In-Built Storage

We all dream of having a potting bench in the garden so we can potter happily with our plants! Choosing a bench with built-in storage brings the best of both worlds, giving you a sturdy work surface as well as a spot to store your most-used hand tools and garden knick-knacks.

3. Vertical Mini-Sheds

If you don’t already have a vertical mini-shed, you won’t know how useful they are to store those everyday tools and garden bits and bobs. Compact and cute enough to stand right outside your back door, a microshed means your kitchen countertop won’t forever be cluttered with a pair of hand pruners and a ball of twine!

Most vertical sheds have a combination of shelves and a full-height compartment to store garden tools, and are typically raised on short legs to protect the stored goods from ground moisture. Those made of wood mean it’s a simple DIY task to add hooks or customize shelving but will need retreating periodically, while metal microsheds are maintenance-free.

4. Benches With Built-In Storage

If you’re pushed for space, then a multi-tasking bench with built-in storage is a smart option. Great for storing throws, pool toys and other outdoor living bits and bobs, this brings plentiful storage without compromising on style. Armrests double as carrying handles, making a storage bench easy to move so you can position it by the pool through summer, then shift it to a sundowner spot for fall.

5. Squeeze-it-in Sheds

Sheds are necessary but ugly structures that take up a lot of space in your garden, right? Wrong! There are plenty of smaller, smarter shed designs that mean you can squeeze in this essential storage without it being a garden eyesore. Of course, finally getting around to decluttering your shed will help, and you can get creative to switch up your garden shed from drab to fab.

6. Temporary Storage Solutions

It’s really useful to be able to temporarily increase the storage capacity of your garden when you need to, without wasting garden space on permanent fixtures you won’t need for most of the year.

7. Stylish Garden Cabinets

There’s been a huge trend in stylish garden cabinets this year, and no wonder – we’re happy to give them pride of place on the patio, rather than trying to squirrel our outdoor storage away, out of sight. Cabinets are as practical as they are pretty, too, as the double front-opening doors make for good access.

Tall cabinets with shallow shelving let you organise hand tools and garden clutter where you can see it at a glance; unshelved cabinets with plenty of hanging space make it easy to wheel in a lawnmower, stack foldable garden furniture, or store pool hoses and long-handled tools.

There are a few things to consider when it comes to outdoor gardening tools. From budget and battery life to additional features and power, choosing a cordless electric lawnmower can be a minefield. If you're trying to choose between Greenworks and EGO, you might be struggling because both brands have many pros and cons.

Brand names can influence our buying choices, and both Greenworks and EGO are well respected within the power tool industry.

But how do Greenworks and EGO hold up regarding price, availability, battery life, and performance? We've done the hard work of comparing the brands for you with the help of some experts. Read on to find out more.

Greenworks and EGO are both heavyweight brands, but how do they differ? According to gardening expert Morris Hankinson, Greenwork offers a wide variety of tools, particularly for those with smaller gardens or those on a budget.

"EGO offers high-performance batteries, making them more suitable for professional gardeners or those with larger gardens."

He told us, "Greenworks has a universal battery system that can be used with different tools (lawn mower, trimmer, blower, or chainsaw, for example), making it very convenient for users looking to build an all-in-one setup with fewer battery swaps.

"EGOs are highly efficient, and their batteries are known for their long-lasting power, but they are specific to their platform."

Greenworks vs EGO: Price and availability

Greenworks and EGO offer a wide array of gardening tools, including mowers, hedge trimmers, blowers, pruners, and pressure washers.

The price of your gardening tool depends on its features.

"As a general rule, EGO tends to be more expensive and is known for its high performance and robust quality, which is used by homeowners and the professional market," says gardening specialist Matt Davies from Garden Lawncare Guy.

"Greenworks often comes in the more affordable range of tools without high-end performance."

Greenworks tools, such as an 80V 2ah battery, cost $175, and a top-of-the-line product like the 80V 21" lawn mower runs around $456.

Hankinson says that EGO products tend to be more expensive than Greenworks, but they have a better reputation.

He says, "Greenworks tends to be more affordable and widely available through popular retailers, offering value for those on a budget. EGO has a high price point, but that's justified by durability and efficiency."

You can buy Greenworks tools directly from its website or from trusted retailers such as Amazon, Lowe's, Best Buy, and Walmart. EGO is available from its website, Amazon, Lowe's, and approved EGO stockists.

Expect to pay around $179 for the EGO Power+ cordless leaf blower, $399 for the 56V 6.0Ah Battery cordless lawn mower, and $900 for the 42" ride-on mower.

• Verdict: Greenworks has the most affordable options, hands down. EGO is known for making high-quality tools but at a premium price. Greenworks are well-made, reliable, and durable but also more budget-friendly.

Greenworks vs EGO: Battery performance

Greenworks makes battery-powered cordless outdoor power tools in every voltage range, from 24V to commercial-grade 82V.

Hankinson says: "Greenworks models typically offer 80V max, while EGO runs up to 56V, but they are better for battery longevity and reliability."

Greenworks batteries are not only powerful but also extremely durable. Thanks to integrated deep discharge protection, battery life is significantly extended, and there is no risk of memory effect. This means you can charge the battery at any time, regardless of the current charge level.

Ideally, leave the charger unplugged and the battery disconnected unless it needs charging. It's recommended that the battery be stored at full charge. If it is stored for a long time when you don't plan to use it, check on the charge every few months.

Greenworks' drawback is that the batteries are not interchangeable. So, a 60V battery cannot be used in a 40V tool and vice versa.

EGO has an incredibly impressive battery selection and lifespan. The batteries are interchangeable across the entire cordless range, and as the batteries increase in size, so do the power capacity and run time.

An EGO Power+ 2.5Ah 56V ARC Lithium battery will run a cordless blower for up to 10 minutes on boost, up to 22 minutes on boost, and up to 75 minutes on low. Meanwhile, a 4.0Ah battery will power a cordless blower for up to 35 minutes on high, and a 5.0Ah battery powers a cordless blower for up to 44 minutes on high.

Most people want a clear winner regarding battery life; however, the truth is, it depends, says Davies.

“Battery life really depends on the application of the tool - some outdoor jobs simply require more power than others, but in general, EGO batteries are known to be better suited to larger properties that need extra run-time, especially when using the high amp-hour versions of their batteries."

To maintain the lifespan of your EGO battery, it is recommended that you keep it in a climate-controlled area that is dry, ventilated, and between 50°F-80°F all year round. Fully charge the battery pack every six months after storing it. Additionally, it is wise to ensure the battery is off the charger and the charger is left unplugged when storing it.

Due to their high capacity, EGO batteries can be stored unattended for ten years without damaging capacity and cycle performance. After 30 days batteries discharge to 30% capacity (ensuring longevity).

• Verdict: EGO wins with its impressive battery life. You won't want to charge your batteries if you have a big yard or are far from your house. This is where EGO wins over Greenworks, as it will last longer.

Greenworks vs EGO: Additional features

The complete Greenworks range is massive, selling both corded and cordless products. The brand produces a wide range of batteries from 24V to 80V, and it's certainly one of the most popular brands for budget-friendly DIY tools.

Six out of 21 Greenworks tools use DigiPro brushless motor technology. This means more power, longer runtime, higher speeds, increased efficiency, and less noise.

The EGO Power+ range is extensive and includes grass trimmers and brush cutters with different cutting swathes and speeds suitable for smaller yards. It also includes pro and standard models with user-friendly features. Its cordless power tools include the world's first self-winding grass trimmer.

• Verdict: The EGO system is far superior to Greenworks, with more features to make your life easier, and the batteries are designed to last for years, but it is expensive.

Greenworks vs EGO: which is better?

Ultimately, the decision on which brand you choose - Greenworks vs. EGO - depends on the size of your garden, frequency of use, and budget. Hankinson says both brands deliver eco-friendly, reliable tools suitable for users with different needs, and both have pros and cons.

"Greenworks is very budget-friendly, with a wide range of tools, a universal battery system, and easy to maintain. However, it's not as durable as EGO, uses more plastic parts, and has a lower run time," he says.

"EGO, on the other hand, is very durable, has excellent battery life, and has advanced features like LED lights and super quick charging. But it's expensive, takes longer to charge larger batteries, and is harder to find in discount stores."

Davies said "The most critical thing when deciding on a brand is not the performance of an individual tool or battery but the entire ecosystem of tools.

"Nobody wants multiple garden tools with different batteries and chargers, and that's not the ideal solution for the environment. It is also costly to research which other tools the brand manufactures before committing to a brand or tool. Consider whether these suit your needs and if any deals are available. Start with the end in mind when buying battery tools. Even if you don't want multiple tools right now, keep the doors open for future purchases."

The question of Greenworks vs Ryobi lawn mowers is an essential one for anybody looking to pick up a powerful, reliable lawn mower for their garden this summer. Though both brands have some serious influence in the gardening world, with plenty of different products, we’re breaking down exactly which mowers specifically will be best to opt for.

As summer reaches its peak, there are plenty of mowers on the market if you need a way to instantly neaten your lawn. Greenworks and Ryobi are titans when it comes to top-rated electric lawn mowers, including those designed to rival the sheer cutting power and performance of the best gas lawn mowers.

In our Greenworks vs Ryobi comparison, we look at both brands in terms of prices, the range of products on offer, and any noteworthy design innovations. Hopefully, this will help you narrow down the best choice for your backyard.

Greenworks vs Ryobi Lawn Mowers: Prices and Range

Greenworks mowers have plenty of variation when it comes to product range, with a whole selection of models to choose from. Whether you’re after an inexpensive corded walk-behind or a snazzy brushless battery-powered bad boy, Greenworks has you covered.

Prices range anywhere from $849.99 to $229.99, so no matter how much you’d like to spend, Greenworks is sure to offer you something you’ll like. On the price front, it’s also pretty helpful that Greenworks batteries are compatible with over 50 other products too, so you’re making an investment for your whole collection when you buy a new model.

What’s more, Greenworks also tends to benefit from much better sale prices, with its models frequently discounted on Amazon.

• Greenworks Pro 60V Self-Propelled Mower 2531502 (MRSP $849.99)
• Greenworks 40V Cordless Lawn Mower 2508302 (MRSP $379.99)
• Greenworks 12 AMP Corded Lawn Mower 25022 (MRSP $229.99)
• Greenworks Pro 60V Cordless Lawn Mower 2531902T (MRSP $499.99)
• Greenworks Pro 80V Brushless Lawn Mower 2501202 (MRSP $599.99)

On the other side of the Greenworks vs Ryobi debate, Ryobi offers less of a wide product range than its competitors, for generally a little higher price. It has walk behind, push, and cordless mowers to choose from, as well as a range of voltages and cutting paths.

Ryobi mowers all handily have a three-year warranty, which will allow you to feel secure in your purchase if you do opt for one. And as with Greenworks, all of the batteries from the brand are compatible with a number of other tools in its range, leaving you with less to buy in the long run.

• Ryobi 18V ONE+ Cordless Lawn Mower P1190 (MRSP $319.00)
• Ryobi 18V ONE+ Lithium Mower P1111 (MRSP $328.97)
• Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Cordless Self-Propelled Mower PBLLM05K2 (MRSP $479.00)

Winner: For us, Greenworks wins out when it comes to prices and products, thanks to the wide range it has of both, especially with the likelihood of discounts thrown in.

It’ll be easier for you to find the exact type of mower you want if you opt for Greenworks here, whether that’s something a little more affordable or a more specialist mower for your lawn.

Greenworks vs Ryobi Lawn Mowers: Design  

The first thing to note when it comes to a distinction in design with Greenworks vs Ryobi lawn mowers is the difference in power. Ryobi has a range of popular 40V Lithium mowers, which are designed to provide gas-like power, thanks to the engineering of brushless motors.

Plus, Ryobi mowers also tend to have an easy single-point adjustment system to allow for choosing your cutting position conveniently. On the models with 40V batteries, you can expect up to half an acre’s worth of cutting time, making these mowers a solid choice for small gardens.

Ryobi also stresses that the design of its engines means that you’ll have full power until the end of the charge, rather than a faltering performance. Though there are 40V models available from Ryobi, there are also lots of models with only single battery systems, which pack less of a punch.

Greenworks mowers have a similar overall design going on, with its 48V Lithium models for example, which promise to give up to a third of an acre’s mowing time. This is a little less than Ryobi’s batteries of the same type, though, with these Greenworks mowers capable of delivering 45 minutes of run time, there should still be enough time for you to work with. Greenworks batteries are also designed to deliver ‘fade-free power’, with the brand saying they have no memory loss after charging.

Winner: Greenworks and Ryobi both use extremely similar systems as part of their designs, with lithium batteries which essentially operate the same. For that reason, it’s difficult to pick a standout winner when it comes to design.

Greenworks vs Ryobi Lawn Mowers: Features  

When it comes to breaking down the features of these mowers, one important thing is how easy they are to operate. Ryobi prioritizes push-button starts with lots of its mowers, which will enable you to get going quicker with your gardening tasks, while Greenworks have the same system, sometimes accompanied by pulling a safety key.

There’s a range of both Greenworks and Ryboi lawn mowers which also have features to make packing them away nice and easy. Greenworks models often have foldable handles for compact storage, while Ryobi also has clipping bags that are convenient to pull away, so you can clean up after mowing faster.

Greenworks batteries can be used to charge up more than just your mower too, with a USB port so that you can get some juice on your iPhone or iPad, like a portable charger. Lots of Ryobi models also have LED headlights, so that you can mow at dawn or dusk, and fit more hours into your gardening day.

Winner: Greenworks take the crown when it comes to features with its battery system and foldable traits, but Ryobi is just at its heels.

Greenworks vs Ryobi Lawn Mowers: User reviews

Greenworks, thanks to the vast number of products it has, has a lot of reviews that allow you to get an idea of the buying experience from the brand. For example, the most popular Greenworks model, the 40V 21-Inch Brushless Mower MO40L02, has a 4.4-star rating out of 5 on Amazon, gathered from 700 user reviews.

Generally, based on these reviews, when it comes to service, Greenworks is the subject of mixed opinions. While some were prepared to hold out for the manufacturer to get to a resolution: “be prepared to be on hold for ~60 minutes, but once we got customer service they were very helpful”, others were unimpressed with their entire experience. One user commented “Good product - nonexistent customer support”, explaining that their “lawnmower was missing a single bolt”, and they were “#60 in line one day” when they called and “#44 a second day”.

On the other hand, despite the somewhat lackluster reviews on service, even those with complaints were quick to comment on their favorable opinion of Greenworks mowers and their outstanding performance. One reviewer commented that the MO40L02 was a “remarkable” mower, saying they had “nothing but praise for the ease of use, maneuverability, the effectiveness of mulching, and evenness of cut”.

And of course, as with Ryobi, one of the crowning achievements of Greeenworks mowers is its sustainable edge thanks to battery power. As well as being the intelligent choice for the planet, many reviewers prefer these mowers thanks to their lack of maintenance, with one reviewer commenting: “In summary, this is SO much better than a gas-powered walk-behind mower--so quiet, smooth-running, virtually no maintenance and no fumes to breathe”.

Ryobi, as with its product range, has less to analyze when it comes to reviews. The 13-inch 11 Amp Electric Mower only has 49 reviews on Amazon, though still scores an impressive 4.2 stars out of five. Over on Home Depot, however, the same model has a 4.2-star rating out of five gathered from 4,751 reviews.

Reviewers on Home Depot’s website seemed overall to be pretty satisfied with the customer service they received after buying their mowers from Ryobi. One simply commented “awesome service”, with another saying “I am 89 and deaf. I received outstanding service and could not be more pleased. Mower got here sooner than I expected. It does a good job for me. I am 100% satisfied”. Another pointed out that even when they were unimpressed with its warranty services, Ryobi impressed when it came to customer service, saying “Although I was disappointed the mower needed service after one year, the customer support Alex and Ryan showed cemented my recommendation of this product”.

Another model, the Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Battery-powered mower, also gained positive reviews from a number of customers on the Home Depot website due to its great gardening performance. One user summed up the benefits of this mower, saying “If you have a small lawn area or want a mower that is easy to use and light-weight, this mower is for you”. They also added that the mower was ultra-quiet and easy to store away,

Winner: Though there are plenty more of them, Greenworks user reviews tend to be more of a mixed bag when it comes to customer service, more so on Amazon than on Home Depot. This may be a difference in the service that’s provided seller to seller, so watch out and perhaps head over to Home Depot if this is really important to you. Ultimately, Ryobi take the crown for its all-around performance with user reviews.

Greenworks vs Ryobi Lawn Mowers: Which Should You Buy?

If you’re hunting for an excellent quality lawn mower deal this summer, then there’s little doubt that a Greenworks mower will be your best option, with much more of a likelihood of finding a money-off deal.

But if you’re looking for a gardening investment and don’t mind bumping up your budget, then Ryobi is an equally good choice, with very similar models to its Greenworks counterpart, especially on factors like design and features. Greenworks is the brand to go for if you need more choice, but Ryobi mowers will still provide a great mowing experience if one of its models draws you in more, with the benefit of excellent customer service too according to reviews.

Having a garden that's low maintenance as well as lovely isn't just about choosing the right plants that thrive on neglect – you need to get smart with a few time-saving gardening tools, too. The best gadgets are those that not only help you get a job done more quickly, but make it more fun, too: a nifty ergonomic blade that slices satisfyingly through weed roots or a hose that never kinks can turn a garden chore into a garden joy.

Now, I won’t be the first to say that plenty of gardening gadgets don’t deliver on the time- and stress-savings they promise. But some really do. As a self-confessed lazy gardener who's also a gardening editor, I rely on a few tried-and-tested tools that actually make a difference. Because yes, while I love gardening, I also love sitting on the patio, glass in hand, gazing at all the easy-going plants bringing maximum reward for minimal effort.

So in the name of low-maintance gardening, let's save time and cut straight to the good bit, shall we? These are my ride-or-die garden tools and accessories that make the biggest difference in my backyard.

1. Expandable Hose for Easy Watering

Does your hose continually kink and interrupt the water supply, and resist your efforts to wrestle it back into a tidy pile after every use? Because you seriously need to trade it for an expandable garden hose. These stretchy hoses grow with water pressure, then shrink back to a tiny size once you turn the tap off. They're really lightweight and don't kink, too, so are so much easier to use. But the best bit? These super-flexible hoses can simply be dumped in a bucket to store, though many come with a bag and hook for storage.

You do have to be careful not to over-stretch expandable hoses, so it's important to get one that's plenty big enough for your garden. They're available in all sorts of lengths from 25 to 100 feet so, whatever the size of your backyard, there's one that'll easily reach the far corners.

2. Japanese Hoe for Fast Weeding

If you don't have a Japanese hoe then it's about time you did. I find it makes short work of weeding my raised beds, both those full of perennial flowers and in my veggie patch. The blade is big enough to work quickly but small enough to safely manoeuvre around plants, and its angle lets you slice through roots below the soil surface. For annual weeds, a quick pull through the soil is all it takes and, for more persistent, deeper-rooted perennial weeds, the pointed tip is a pretty effective digging tool.

I pack far too many plants into my raised beds, paying zero heed to planting distances, so I find a handheld hoe is so useful to get rid of the weeds without disturbing the soil – and so the roots of the plants I want to keep – too much. Second only to my trusty Japanese hand pruners, which I love to bits, my Japanese weeding hoe is my favorite gardening tool.

3. Garden Scissors for Efficient Deadheading

I'm a big fan of Fiskars' gardening tools, and these pruning scissors make deadheading so quick and easy, compare to using a regular pair of hand pruners. They’re only 6 inches long with ergonomic, soft-grip handles so they fit very comfortably in my hand, and the spring design makes snipping off faded flowers almost effortless – and no-one likes wrist fatigue. But the clincher is the resin-resistant, non-stick stainless steel blades that mean you can keep snipping without stopping to unclog.

My garden is a tangle of cottage-garden blooms that require endless deadheading, and I usually head out into the garden with my scissors and a strong coffee for a 10-minute snip every morning before I start work. And while garden scissors are best for slim-stemmed plants such as cosmos and bachelor’s buttons, these beauties also happen to be the plants that need the most deadheading.

Why do you need two pairs, I hear you ask? Well, gardening law dictates that you will put one pair down somewhere in a border and it will miraculously disappear, only to magically reappear when you somehow lose the second pair!

4. Auger Drill Bit for Planting Bulbs

I love bulbs, but I absolutely hate planting them – or at least, I did until I discovered auger drill bits. Bulbs are an essential part of any low maintenance garden so, if you fancy adding a drift of daffodils to your front yard or a sweep of alliums across a border, then you need to know that an auger drill bit will save you hours of digging and backache too.

There are various sizes of spiral auger to suit different bulbs, that fit a standard drill with an adjustable chuck. Water compacted soil before you drill to make the job even faster, and do wear gloves and safety glasses.

5. Mini Chainsaw For Effortless Pruning

A mini chainsaw may be small but believe you me, a 4-inch blade can still power through those bigger branches that are a struggle to cut with loppers. So, if you’ve got trees or shrubs in your garden that need regular pruning, a mini cordless chainsaw will do all the hard work for you. I use mine for chopping up logs for the fire pit, and all sorts of DIY projects, as well.

While it still gets the job done without any fuss, a mini chainsaw is so much easier to use than a full-size model, too. Designed for one-handed use, it's pretty light and mine weighs a fraction over a kilogram, and that's with the battery fitted. You don’t need any strength to operate it as the chain is designed to cut through wood without any pressure applied. It's true that the battery time isn't as long-lasting as that on a bigger model, but the recharge time isn't as lengthy either.

Out of all the pruning mistakes to avoid, I reckon not having a mini chainsaw to tackle bigger stems should rank pretty highly!

6. Velcro Plant Ties That Are Endlessly Reusable

Whether you’re staking tomatoes or tying a climbing vine to a trellis, Velcro plant ties are so quick and easy to use. Just cut the roll to whatever length you want to make reusable, adjustable plant ties that are soft for stems yet strong enough to stay firm, whatever the weather throws at them.

Made from 65% recycled plastic and durable to re-use time and time again, these are a sustainable alternative to standard plant ties. I find I make lots more small adjustments as the plant grows when I use them in place of regular ties, too, which means I now avoid those heartbreaking calamities such as when an entire tomato plant keels over under the weight of its fruit.

For climbers that you regularly chop back, such as passion flower and most clematis, these touch-and-fasten ties also make the chore of re-tying new growth far less tedious. I use it for all sorts of garden tasks from temporary fence-mends to securing bundles of bamboo canes for storage, too. If you're a fan of easy gardening, you'll be a fan of these ties.

7. Crop-Boosting Automator Trays

If you’re raising tomatoes outdoors and want to keep plants producing all summer, then an automator tray is a really simple yet effective way to boost your harvest by as much as 40%. There’s no magic here, just good ol’ common sense. A tray fits around the stem of a plant and holds water whenever you irrigate, the holes directing moisture to the roots. The more consistent soil moisture level this creates helps to reduce splitting and cracking and, if you're using soluble plant feed, makes sure the nutrients reach the roots rather than being washed away.

You can buy automator trays in all sorts of sizes, from simple stem rings to larger moats. The larger trays are particularly useful in zones with extremes of temperatures. In cooler climates they will warm the soil early in the season and, in hotter climes, reduce evaporation. They help to suppress weeds, too.

8. Watering Spikes to Keep Potted Plants Hydrated

I have no idea why I find it easy to remember to water all the plants outside but am forever forgetting that my houseplants might like a drink, too. And as I adore the luscious fronds of ferns indoors, they need regular irrigation to stay lush. Watering spikes are my solution, and they couldn't be easier to use. You simply pop a spike over the neck of an old wine or beer bottle filled with water, then push into the potting soil, and you have yourself a drip-irrigation system to keep plants hydrated. As an easy way to halve the time you spend watering, it's a winner.

I prefer terracotta watering spikes as the porous clay releases water really slowly, so a litre bottle of water lasts for around 7–10 days. As well as using them for houseplants, they're useful for keeping patio pots watered while you're on holiday, too.

9. Cordless Foliage Trimmer for Shaping Shrubs

As a kid, I used to give my Barbie dolls some pretty barbaric haircuts, and I get just the same joy using a pair of cordless trimmers in the garden now. Hopefully, the result is a little more presentable. With the grass cutter blades fitted, I tidy up the lawn edges alongside the raised beds where the lawnmower blades never quite reach, however hard I try. And while the shrubbery trimmer blade isn’t big enough for any serious hedge action, it does a good job of shaping finer foliage such as buxus and hebe.

A cordless trimmer also makes short work of clearing dead stems and clumps of ornamental grass and perennials after winter, so it's one of the best gardening gadgets money can buy.

10. Stand-Up Lawn Weed Puller

I always skip the weeding when I do my spring lawncare routine to leave a few dandelions in the lawn to provide nectar for early-flying bees when there's not much else blooming. But boy, do I pay for it! I'm not terribly efficient at removing the spent dandelion heads and each one produces around 150 seeds, which keeps me busy weeding the lawn for the rest of the summer.

Since I bought a stand-up weed puller, though, I don't mind this chore at all. It takes all the sweat out removing unwanted plants – even pernicious perennial weeds with long tap roots like dandelions – because you don't need to kneel down to use it. Just step on the foot platform to push the four serrated stainless steel claws over the weed, then tilt to pull the plant out, no bending down necessary.

I do hope you find some of these gardening tools and gadges make life a little easier in the garden for you, so you have time to sit down and enjoy the paradise you've created.

Maintaining your yard will be easier than ever with one of the best string trimmers. Designed to trim the long grass and weeds at the edge of your patio, fence, or sidewalks, these handy tools provide an easy way to tidy your yard without worrying about back pain or chemical damage.

There are three main types of string trimmers: gas-powered, corded electric, and battery-powered. While gas-powered models are the most powerful, they are also the most expensive. Battery-powered models offer you the freedom to trim without a nearby power socket, although they have a limited runtime. Meanwhile, corded electric models often strike a good balance between power and expense, although they’re best kept for small or medium-sized yards.

Armed with the right string trimmer you’re all set for a tidy yard. Just remember that it’s best to leave the larger patches of grass to the best gas lawn mowers or the best electric lawn mowers, which our team of experts have also reviewed.

The Quick List

Below, we’ve provided an overview of the important details you need to know about each product immediately so you can buy quickly if you're in a hurry. If something catches your eye, use the links to delve deeper into the analysis provided for each product further down the page.

The Best String Trimmers We Recommend in 2026

Gardening Know How is on a mission to review everything we feature in our buyer's guides. Still, while we work hard to make this a reality, some of our guides still feature rankings based on our team's considerable expertise and research.

While we haven't been able to test all of the units in this guide in person, we've honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best features to help you make the right decision for your garden, all for the best price.

The Best String Trimmer Overall

Buy It If...

✅ You’re cutting mainly grass and soft weeds: With a 20V battery and a 12-inch cut, the BLACK+DECKER LSTE525 is best at trimming and edging small and medium-sized lawns with grass and soft weeds.
✅ You want to go cordless: You won’t have to worry about finding a power source close to the door or tripping over the power cord, as this battery-powered can be moved freely around your yard.
✅ You’re looking for convenience: The LSTE525 is lightweight and easy to use. The adaptable design has two speeds and heights, making it good for various tasks.

Don't Buy It If...

❌ You have a large lawn: The LSTE525 is best suited to small and medium-sized yard work due to its limited runtime and smaller cutting width.
❌ You don’t like time restraints: It took our expert, Pete, four hours to fully charge the 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery. If you’re busy tending to yard tasks and your battery runs out, you’ll have a significant wait before you can resume activities.
❌ You want to cut thick weeds: A heavy-duty line is ideal for cutting through thick weeds. However, the BLACK+DECKER LSTE525 doesn’t offer this feature, meaning you’ll have to get another tool for thick weed maintenance.

The Bottom Line

🔎 The BLACK+DECKER LSTE525 easily ranks as the best string timer overall, with its intuitive yet powerful cordless design. It has two heights, speed settings, and an auxiliary handle, making it a versatile tool for trimming and edging small to medium-sized lawns ★★★★

In our thorough testing, the BLACK+DECKER LSTE525 consistently came out on top. It's powerful at cutting grass and soft weeds while being user-friendly.

Design: One of our trusted garden experts, Pete Wise, tested the BLACK+DECKER LSTE525. He found it lightweight, intuitive, and easy to store and maintain. With two speeds and two orientations, it's easy to adapt to the task at hand. The auxiliary handle and edging wheel are also useful when cutting grass horizontally.

Despite the cordless design, Pete found the 18V lithium-ion battery took four hours to charge. He also pointed out a couple of design limitations. Firstly, it doesn't have a heavy-duty line (HDL) to cut thick weeds, so it's best for trimming grass and soft weeds only. In addition, a larger 18V BLACK+DECKER battery can be purchased separately (it's included if you're in the US).

Performance: Weighing just 8.8 lbs, the BLACK+DECKER LSTE525's compact cutting head made it easy to reach hard-to-reach parts of the yard. The handle and trigger were soft, if a little rubbery.

Pete cut 5 x 5 meters in just a few minutes, even though the 12-inch cutting width isn't ideal (other models have 16+ inches). There was no excessive noise, similar to traffic noise, and it cut most weeds pretty easily unless they were thick, but it worked best on large areas of long grass. The trimmer's guard kept it looking neat.

The Best String Trimmer on a Budget

Buy It If...

✅ You’re on a budget: The BLACK+DECKER GH3000 can be added to your tool shed for less than $100, a very attractive price for a good set of basic features.
✅ You want an adaptable tool: The GH3000 is good at various tasks, including trimming horizontally or vertically, as it has an adjustable auxiliary handle and an adjustable shaft for trimming and edging.
✅ You have tough weeds to cut: The model has a standard trimming line for cutting grass, but if you’re dealing with tougher weeds, you can easily switch to the HDL to get a more powerful cut.

Don't Buy It If...

❌ You have a large yard: The GH300 has a 10-metre electrical cord, so you won’t be able to reach the far corners in a large yard.
❌ You’re looking for the best of the best: Aside from an HDL line, this BLACK+DECKER string trimmer has basic features. If you’re trying to get the best, you may want to pay a little extra for a more premium product.
❌ You’re worried about tripping over the cord: Although the cord is bright orange, accidents still happen. Make sure that the cord is kept well out of your path, and if you’re still concerned, buy a cordless string trimmer.

The Bottom Line

🔎 The BLACK+DECKER GH3000 costs less than $100. It’s well-made and comes with all the basic features, including an adjustable telescopic pole and a heavy-duty line for cutting through tougher weeds and vines ★★★★

If you're looking for a string trimmer that's affordable, check out the BLACK+DECKER GH3000. It can handle a medium-sized lawn for just $99 and has two trimming lines: a regular line and a heavy-duty line for tougher tasks.

Design: Our expert, Pete Wise, tested the GH3000. As with any corded product, you'll need a power source nearby since the powerful 700-watt motor runs on electricity. The bright orange power cable helps prevent accidents, but since it has just a 10-metre cord and a 14-inch cutting path, it's good for smaller lawns.

A simple clasp mechanism lets our expert trim high and low using the telescoping shaft's angle and length.

Performance: Setting up the string trimmer took Pete about 15-30 minutes. After that, he cut a patch of weeds, using the guard to guide him. Pete found that the standard spool and line work great for regular lawn trimming. The HDL cap came in handy when he wanted to cut weeds (four HDL line attachments are included, but you might need extras because they wear out fast).

It rotates at 7,000 RPM, so it's pretty powerful, even though there's just one speed. Ultimately, he had trimmed a neat, tidy edge around his yard and used the HDL attachments to trim weeds around a patch of daisies. He found the tool quiet, recording 89 dB, the same as a blender.

The Best Gas-Powered String Trimmer

Buy It If...

✅ You want a professional-grade string trimmer: This is one of the very few string trimmers that our experts consider to be professional grade, so it’s more than capable of handling any home task.
✅ You don’t want to run out of battery: Unlike battery-powered models, the Troy-Bilt TB25CB Curved Shaft String Trimmer is powered by gas. As long as you have the correct gas supply, you can keep using the tool until you have finished the task.
✅ You want to cut thick weeds and vines: With a powerful 25 cc, 2-cycle engine, this string trimmer is cut out for heavy-duty tasks, even when it concerns heather and vines.

Don't Buy It If...

❌ You don’t like noise: The Troy-Bilt TB25CB can get quite noisy during use. You may need a good pair of noise-canceling headphones or earplugs.
❌ You’re only trimming grass: If you only need a simple tool to cut through long grass or trim the edges of your lawn, it’ll cost you less to get a quieter, less powerful electric string trimmer.
❌ You don’t like the smell of gas: When using any gas-powered string trimmer, you can expect some exhaust fumes. However, the odor quickly dissipates when the machine is powered off.

The Bottom Line

🔎 The Troy-Bilt TB25CB Curved Shaft String Trimmer is a powerful gas-powered string trimmer that easily slices through long grass, vines, weeds, and heather. With a 16-inch cut, a curved shaft, and a 25cc, 2-cycle engine, it’s a steal for under $150 ★★★★

Generally, gas-powered string trimmers are more powerful than electric or battery-powered string trimmers. While Troy-Bilt's TB25CB curved shaft string trimmer is a bit loud, its professional-grade system handled every challenge we threw at it.

Design: It's lightweight, has a curved shaft that reaches tight spaces, and has a powerful 25cc, 2-cycle engine in a small case at the top. Our expert, Mike Larson, tested the Troy-Bilt TB25CB. I liked the ergonomic handles and minimal vibrations. It weighs just 13 pounds, so it's super light.

With a generous 16-inch cutting path and dual line bump head, you don't have to worry about batteries or cords, so you can focus on what you're doing. Mike says the engine needs a mix of oil and gas to prepare.

Performance: Besides trimming grass, heather, weeds, and vines on chain link fences, Mike found the string trimmer good. If he had to pick one downfall, it would be the noise level. A noise-blocking headset can't fix anything, and he could smell gas burning, as you would expect with a gas-powered tool. Once the engine was turned off, the odor quickly dissipated.

The trimmer needs maintenance, mostly cleaning it with a hose, preparing the right gas, and storing it upright to prevent fuel leaks.

The Best String Trimmer for Limited Storage Space

Buy It If...

✅ You have limited storage space: The ENHULK 58V 16” String Trimmer easily fits into a small shed, as the shaft folds in half.
✅ You want something lightweight: This string trimmer weighs just under 10 lbs, making it incredibly easy to move around your yard and a breeze to store on a top shelf.
✅ You want a variety of trimming speeds: This model has three different speed settings, including the standard mode, a turbo mode to target thicker weeds, and an eco mode for light grass. The latter helps conserve energy.

Don't Buy It If...

❌ You’re on a budget: Costing over $250, the ENHULK 58V 16” String Trimmer is expensive for a battery-powered string trimmer, although the 58V battery is fairly generous.
❌ You want to trim for more than 45 minutes: The battery lasts around 45 minutes when placed on the eco speed setting, which means that if you have a job that takes longer than this, you’ll have to twiddle your thumbs while it recharges.
❌ You are short: The shaft is over 5.5 feet long, so it might be difficult to hold and handle if you're short. For optimum comfort, look for a product with a shorter shaft.

The Bottom Line

🔎 The ENHULK 58V 16” String Trimmer has a foldable shaft, so when you're done trimming, you can fold it in half and tuck it out of sight. With three different speed settings and a weight of just 9.8 lbs, it’s very easy to use too ★★★★

In addition to being lightweight, the ENHULK 58V 16" String Trimmer also features a foldable shaft, which makes it perfect for tight storage spaces. Weighing just under 10 lbs, it also features three speeds.

Design: Our gardening expert, Alex Temblador, tested the ENHULK 58V 16" String Trimmer in her half-acre yard. The battery was surprising. However, the most impressive feature is the foldable shaft, which makes storage super easy. Besides locking the shaft into place with a screw lever and attaching the handle, it came pretty much assembled.

Overall, she found the design pretty simple. The 58V battery fits neatly on the back of the trimmer. There's a trigger and safety lever, so it's pretty family-friendly. Switching between eco, high, and turbo modes with the control panel is easy. You might have difficulty handling it if you're short because it's over 5.5 feet long.

Performance: The ENHULK 58V string trimmer was easy to use, cutting through thick grass and weeds. Because it's so lightweight, it's easy on her arms. The turbo mode helped her cut through thick vines without getting louder than 72 dB. On thin grass, the eco mode worked well.

It lasted about 30 to 40 minutes at a time, which isn't that great. Even though the double string line was sturdy, Alex found that the handle moved a little when she trimmed it, which can be annoying if you're new to using these things. The tool requires little maintenance for beginners besides cleaning the grass and adding extra string.

The Best String Trimmer for Cutting Width

Buy It If...

✅ You want a model that’s easy to set up. Our reviewer had the DeWALT 60V MAX set up in no time. The simple cordless model has only a few different parts, including the shaft, attachments, handle, guard, and battery.
✅ You have no time to waste: The string trimmer is quick to set up and doesn’t need to be plugged into an electric socket. Switching between the brush cutter and string trimmer attachments takes seconds.
✅ You don’t want to be held back by a cord: Many corded models restrict how far you can reach into the yard, so if you have a bigger yard, this model will help you reach harder-to-reach corners.

Don't Buy It If...

❌ You don’t want the hassle of charging batteries: If you plan a long yard maintenance day, you must factor in breaks to charge the battery.
❌ You need to cut a brush over an inch thick: Our expert found this product worked best on a brush under an inch in width. Anything over 1.25 inches was too thick for the brush cutter attachment.
❌ You want the attachments to feel secure: During testing, we found that the brush cutter attachment spun in the shaft when attempting heavy-duty tasks.

The Bottom Line

🔎 The DeWALT 60V MAX 17in Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit and Brush Cutter Attachment is just the tool for heavy-duty yard tasks, with a brush cutter attachment that can slice through brush that's under an inch in width. As a cordless electric model, it’s also suitable for edging larger yards ★★★★

There's nothing better than the DeWALT 60V MAX 17in Brushless Attachment String Trimmer Kit and Brush Cutter Attachment for heavy-duty use. It's powerful enough to cut through a brush over an inch thick but still lighter than most gas string trimmers.

Design: Using the string trimmer on her half-acre property, Dallas-based garden expert Alex Temblador was impressed with its lightweight. Even though it's heavy for an electric model, it's lighter than most gas-powered models, so it's easy to carry. An eight-inch brush cutter blade and a bump head make it easy to work with thick vegetation. It has a 60V battery that lasts for a long time.

Performance: She found the product easy to assemble and could switch between the string trimmer and brush cutter attachments in just a few seconds. However, the brush cutter attachment has a bit of an issue. It spun into a different position a few times when she tried to cut a branch over one inch thick, which could be a safety hazard.

She found the string trimmer attachment worked well when cutting through thick weeds, tall grass and small vines, even if it threw pebbles around at full throttle. It wasn't powerful enough to cut small growths at the bottom of trees. The brush cutter attachment was more powerful and cut small trees up to 1.25 inches in diameter, shrubs, and thick vines with thorns.

The Best String Trimmer for Battery Life

Buy It If...

✅ You don't like cords: While gas-powered string trimmers may be more powerful, the cord can restrict how far you can move around your yard. With the Sun Joe 24V-ST14, you’re free from any cord limitations.
✅ You want plenty of battery life: This string trimmer lasted an impressive one hour and 26 minutes without a break.
✅ You want flexible trimming techniques: The model has an adjustable telescopic pole and a head, which allows you to attack grass and weeds from several different angles.

Don't Buy It If...

❌ You want to trim brush and tall weeds: This model doesn't have a heavy-duty line; it only has 250 watts of power, so it’s not cut out for trimming tall weeds or thicker brush.
❌ You’re on a budget: Many comparable models can be found for under $100, whereas the Sun Joe 24V-ST14 will set you back by nearly $159.
❌ You don’t like fiddly accessories: Because the wheels and flower guard limit how low to the ground you can get, you may need to remove them. The Sun Joe 24V-ST14 can also be a bit fiddly to put together.

The Bottom Line

🔎 The Sun Joe 24V-ST14 Cordless String Trimmer runs nonstop for an hour and 26 minutes, making it a brilliant addition to your toolshed to attack long grass and soft weeds at the far end of your yard. While it’s not as powerful as some corded models, it’s useful for light yard work and comes with an adjustable pole and head ★★★★

Jonathan Knoder, one of our gardening experts, found the Sun Joe 24V-ST14 Cordless String Trimmer to be the best string trimmer for battery life.

Design: Our expert, Jonathan, was happy to find the telescopic pole and rotating head. These features allow you to change the weight distribution and length of the pole. The wheel edger is also great for large yards since you can roll it along sidewalks, and it only weighs 9 lbs.

To start the machine, you have to press a safety button.

Performance: Other customers said they had trouble attaching the handle during set-up. The wheels prevented him from getting low enough to the grass when he tried to edge the yard, so he had to remove them, along with the metal flower guard, which was also getting in the way.

Once they were removed, he had more precision and control. He just pressed a tab to rotate the head and picked the angle he wanted, which was useful for trimming between two things. The motor isn't as powerful as a corded trimmer so that it couldn't cut through thicker weeds or brush.

The best part about this is the 24V lithium-ion battery, which you can check during use. It took an hour and 46 minutes to charge, and it ran for an impressive hour and 26 minutes at full speed, which is way more than some of the other battery-powered string trimmers we tested.

Read more: Sun Joe 24V-ST14 Cordless String Trimmer review

How to Choose the Best String Trimmer for You

If you have decided that a string trimmer is for you, it is time to figure out how to choose a string trimmer that is the perfect one to match your needs. Knowing whether you want a corded or battery-powered string trimmer is important.

If you have a large yard, we recommend a battery-powered weed eater, as it gives you complete freedom of movement while getting the job done. Battery-powered weed eaters can cost more, so if your yard is smaller or full of tough weeds, we recommend a corded machine to get the job done.

Size is another factor to consider when buying a new electric string trimmer. If you have a lot of weeds to remove and a lot of ground to cover, a string trimmer with a large head is ideal – the larger the head, the more time you have to spend on other tasks.

The speed of the head is also important, the higher the RPM (revolutions per minute) the faster the head spins, giving a more powerful cut. Some faster models may be limited by the thickness and strength of their plastic cords. However, if necessary, you can often change the cord to a thicker one. Some models will also let you remove the cord and add a bladed cutter, which can tackle thick brush rather than regular weeds, but this is often for professional use.

If you have your heart set on a corded model, we always recommend going for the longest cable possible. You can opt for a shorter cable, but it would be wise to buy an extension cord in case you need the extra range. With battery models, you may need a larger battery if you have a big yard to tend to – you can also buy extra batteries and swap them out as you cut.

String Trimmer FAQs

There are so many different types of pruners available for a variety of gardening tasks. But when it comes to small pruning jobs like deadheading or cutting suckers off of tomato plants, you don’t always need a pair of fancy pruners. I recently discovered a handy little pruning tool known as a thumb knife that’s perfect for exactly these types of tasks.

Depending on the type of pruners you need, you can spend anywhere from around $10 to $100. If you’re a frugal gardener like me, you try to stay on the low side of that range, especially if you only have minimal pruning needs. Maybe all you grow is a container of tomatoes on your patio or just a few flowers in your front garden beds, so you don’t need the same pruners that gardening experts use. You just need something that will help you quickly clean up your plants.

That’s where this thumb knife from Amazon comes in. Thumb knives are affordable, easy to find online, and help you snip off faded flowers or unwanted suckers in just a few seconds. Plus, they’re pretty fun to use! Here’s everything you need to know about using thumb knives and where to find them.

What Is a Thumb Knife?

Thumb knives are a clever and handy pruning tool that you can use to easily cut off suckers from tomatoes or to deadhead flowers that are done blooming. You can also use them to cut fresh flowers from your cutting garden to create a bouquet or arrangement.

A thumb knife is like a tiny glove for your thumb, typically made of silicone, with a small blade attached. There are thumb knives that have the blade attached to the tip of the thumb like a fingernail or there are other types, like these thumb knives from Amazon, that have the blade coming out of the underside of the thumb at a 90° angle. Both kinds serve the same purpose and are easy to use for small pruning jobs.

Thumb knives also come with a protective sheath for your index finger. This protects your finger from the blade as you use it to prune away any unwanted stems or faded blossoms. The protective sheath is sometimes made from silicone or a thick fabric that resists the blade and keeps your finger safe.

How to Use a Thumb Knife

Pruning plants with a thumb knife is quick, easy, and – honestly – fun to do! Simply slip the silicone knife over your thumb and the protective sheath over your index finger. Then pinch the faded flower, sucker, or whatever stem you want to prune in between the thumb knife and your index finger with the protective covering. The process is very similar to pinching plants, which can encourage more blooms and help plants form a denser, stronger shape.

Never use a thumb knife without the protective sheath for your index finger. The blade can easily cut your finger. It’s also best to use a thumb knife only on soft stems. A thumb knife is ideal for pruning suckers off of tomato plants or for deadheading soft-stemmed flowers like zinnias.

This is not the right tool for woody plants. You will have to use too much force to get through a woody stem and this puts you at risk of accidentally cutting your index finger. So when it comes to pruning your hydrangeas or even deadheading rose bushes, opt for a more traditional pruner like these Felco pruning shears from Amazon with a cult following. Or these affordable pruners from Fiskars are a favorite of our team of gardening experts and readers.

Explore More Pruning Tools

If you’re looking for other types of pruners for small jobs, there are a few different options that are similar to the thumb knife. These small pruners below are also perfect for quick deadheading and little pruning jobs in a patio garden or for windowsill plants.

Deadheading is dead easy with the Felco 6 One-Hand Pruning Shears. A classic style of pruning shears – Europeans would call them secateurs – is realized here with exceptional class.

These shears are designed specifically for light pruning tasks. Any stem or slender branch up to about ⅔″ is within the Felco 6’s cutting scope, from the juicy stems of tender plants to woody shrubs and even small tree branches. Typically, you would use pruning shears for deadheading, removing unwanted branches, and other pruning tasks around the yard. And if you like to create arrangements of your yard-grown flowers in a vase indoors, you can use these pruners to cut those stems down to size, too.

The Felco 6 belongs to a category of pruning shears known as ‘bypass pruners.’ This means the cutting action happens when the two blades pass against each other – as is the case with most household scissors or shears. With this type of shear, the two blades must be nicely in tension to contact each other closely along their entire cutting length. Proper tension makes for a smooth cut.

With this in mind, the Felco 6 gives you some control over tensioning the blades, which may lose their straight-out-of-the-workshop tension through normal, repeated use. Tension adjustment is done using a Felco 2/30 Adjustment Key (included), which you can use to tighten or loosen the nuts on the tool. You’ll sometimes need this tool for dismantling the Felco 6, ready for cleaning or blade replacement.

We tested the Felco 6 using the pruner to cut various plant stems and thin tree branches in our reviewer's yard. The results were so impressive that we ranked the Felco 6 first in our roundup of the best pruners you can buy.

Felco 6 Bypass Pruner: At a Glance

The Felco name will probably be familiar to our plant-loving readers. Since the 1960s, this Swiss manufacturer has reliably made some of the finest pruning shears you can buy.

Deriving much of its design DNA from the classic ‘Felco 2’ model, the Felco 6 is a bypass pruner with ergonomically molded handles and sharp, exquisitely tensioned cutting blades. The shears are intended for various pruning applications, from high-precision tasks such as deadheading and cutting tender plant stems to cutting through tree branches up to 0.79″ thick. You can pick up a pair of these premium shears for around $60 from online retailers such as Amazon.

Felco 6 Bypass Pruner: Key Specs

Felco 6 Bypass Pruner: Performance

The Felco 6’s first test in our reviewer’s yard was to prune tender plant stems and remove dead flower heads. It did this with great ease and precision and at the expense of practically zero effort from the user.

Cutting tree branches was a little tougher, especially towards the upper end of the pruner’s cutting width capacity. However, after a few seconds, the shears effectively made their way through the wood.

Pruning is truly a pleasure with these sensational shears. The spring mechanism gives the pruner a lovely, light, and easy action, and you won’t need to put in much effort to cut through plant matter (just so long as the shears are well-maintained).

The more closely you consider the details of these shears, the more you’ll appreciate them. We were particularly impressed with the soft stoppers above the spring mechanism on the insides of the shanks, which allow for quiet, peaceful pruning. The brushed finish on the hardened steel blades is another nice touch.

Felco is a sustainability-focused brand, so it’s natural that they’ve made the Felco 6 easy to maintain long-term. A bundled-in adjustment key lets you take the shears apart, ready to sharpen the blades or replace parts. The Felco 6 can be your trusty pruning helper for a lifetime with proper care. Felco also makes a great carbide blade sharpener that can be found on Amazon and will keep your pruners in peak performance.

Felco 6 Bypass Pruner: Should You Buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

How Does it Compare?

It’s worth considering a few alternative models of bypass pruner before you go ahead and buy the Felco 6.

Another option with a similar design, but designed for users with larger hands, is the Felco 8. This slightly larger pruner also has a greater cutting capacity, meaning you can cut thicker branches. However, the Felco 6 will feel more comfortable in most users’ hands.

At the lower end of the price spectrum, the Fiskars Bypass Pruning Shears provide respectable pruning capabilities at an unbeatable price of around $10-20 (depending on the retailer). The Fiskars pruner is nowhere near as special as the Felco 6, but it’s an effective choice for most pruning work.

How We Tested the Felco 6 Bypass Pruner

Our reviewer tested the Felco 6 Bypass Pruner by using it to prune various plants around the yard. He tested the shears on a wide range of plants, from marigolds with juicy stems to half-inch-thick crabapple tree branches. He also tested the bundled-in Felco 2/30 Adjustment Key by using it to loosen and tighten the nuts on the pruners.

I’ll admit it, I am a sucker for yard work. My wife makes fun of me when I moan about having to go out and mow the lawn. She’ll say, “Don’t act like you don’t like it.” Honestly, she’s right. If I do have a complaint, it isn't in the work, but in some of my tools. My current tools, like my trimmer and leaf blower, are corded. I've learned what a relief it is to use a battery-powered leaf blower compared to a corded one. I wondered if it would be the same testing out the Sun Joe 24V-ST14 Cordless String Trimmer.

I tested the Sun Joe Cordless Trimmer by edging and weed-eating my lawn. I have a big front lawn with a perimeter that measures close to 200 feet (60 m). To edge my entire front and back yard, this aspect of lawn care usually takes me 20 minutes. My front porch, admittedly, has some unsightly thick weeds. After trimming the yard's perimeter, I used the Sun Joe Trimmer to cut down those weeds. I also used the trimmer to trim down tall grass around the fence line in my backyard. So how does it compare to the best string trimmers? Read on to find out.

First Impressions

The first thing that caught my eye when I unboxed the Sun Joe 24V-ST14 String Trimmer was the telescopic pole and rotating head. By being able to adjust the length of the pole, you also manipulate the weight distribution, making the job feel easier when you’re holding the weed whacker for long periods of time. The rotating head also looked like it would come in handy when trying to get between specific areas around my house, like my spigot and front porch. My current string trimmer hasn’t got adjustable anything, so these were two major features for first impressions.

The prospect of not having to unwind a lengthy cable, move it around, and wind it back up after the job is finished, thanks to a battery-powered unit, was desirable. One thing I was curious about with a battery-powered unit, though, is whether it would have enough power to cut through some of the thicker weeds around my home.

I was also curious how well the wheel edger feature would work out. Again, my current trimmer does not have wheels to roll along the sidewalk to conveniently edge the yard. I wondered how well it would work, and if it would make trimming the perimeter of my yard a much easier task.

Pricing & Availability

You can buy the Sun Joe 24V-ST14 kit from Amazon for $139.99 with the battery and charger included. However, if you don’t need the battery and charger, you can get the Sun Joe 24V-ST14-CT from Amazon for just $79.97. At the time of writing, stock was flagging up as limited. Another option for those who already own a Sun Joe battery system is to buy the Sun Joe 24V-ST14-CT (Tool-Only) version from Target, also $79.97.

Alternatively, you can head over to ShopJoe.com, which stocks the Sun Joe 24V-ST14 Trimmer + 4.0-Ah Battery + Charger for $139.99. This is the full kit version, but you can also select from a dropdown on the product menu to get just the trimmer without the extras if you prefer.

Score: 3 out of 5

Design

The adjustment features and the operation of the design were well thought out. As mentioned, the length of the trimmer can be adjusted to suit your size, strength, and preferences. I prefer the trimmer to be a little closer to me to provide more control. With this in mind, I really enjoyed having the telescoping pole length feature.

I had a little difficulty getting the handle attached to the telescoping pole during the installation. The instructions say the handle should slide onto the corresponding tabs: it did not. I needed a rubber mallet to "slide" the handle in. After checking customer reviews, I’m not the only one who had this issue. Once the handle is attached, though, there will never be a reason to remove it. It's just something to consider when installing.

Another design feature I thought was smart was the safety button’s disengagement ability on either side of the handle. To start the machine, you must press the safety button before pulling the lever to start the motor. As you hold the handle, with your middle, ring, and pinky finger on the lever, you can use either your thumb to push the safety button inward or your index finger on the other side of the handle to push it outward. Either way, this activates the ability to pull the lever and start the motor. It’s a small thing, but I thought it was very convenient.

The head also has the ability to rotate. You can quickly press down on the tab near the head and rotate the head to your desired angle. I found this useful when trying to trim between two objects, like the spigot in my front yard and my porch.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Key Specifications

Performance

After unboxing the trimmer, I immediately powered up the battery. Once it was powered, the first test I performed was the battery test. I taped the trigger down and ran the motor at full speed until the battery was fully drained. The battery lasted for an impressive one hour and 26 minutes of non-stop use. Next, I tested how long it would take to recharge the dead battery. It took one hour and 46 minutes to fully recharge.

Once the battery test was complete, I took the trimmer to the yard. One of the first things I tested was the edging feature, and adjusting the head so I could roll the wheels along the cement to the edge of my yard. I'm not sure if my lawn is tall enough compared to the sidewalk, but edging my yard this way didn’t do anything. The line never got low enough to edge my yard, and there wasn’t any way to adjust the height of the wheels. So, a feature I was excited about turned out to be a bust. I also removed the metal flower guard on the front, which I found got in the way while trimming.

With both the wheels and the flower guard removed, it was time to edge the lawn. I was delighted by how much precision the telescoping pole and rotating head provided as I edged my lawn. With my corded trimmer, I usually have to trim sections, moving back and forth as I go, but with the Sun Joe 24V-ST14, I could mostly walk in one direction and trim exactly where I wanted. For anyone who has issues mowing tricky spots, this trimming tool offers a lot of control.

Another thing that sped up the trimming process was not worrying about a cable. A battery-powered motor free of a cable provides a great deal of mobility and freedom that helps make quick work of trimming and edging. Speaking of the battery, there is a button on the battery that, when pressed, displays how much battery life is left. This is convenient if you’re unsure if the battery has enough life to finish the task.

I noticed that the motor wasn’t as powerful as my corded trimmer, which was to be expected. When trimming the thick weeds around my porch (don’t judge me), I could feel the motor really working to cut through. Now, the weeds I was cutting through weren’t necessarily that thick, not comparable to brush or anything. The Sun Joe 24V-ST14 could still trim the weeds but took a few passes over an area short enough. Regardless, it could do a decent job of lawn weed control, but I wouldn’t trust it to attack a field full of tall brush.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Should You Buy Sun Joe 24V-ST14?

 Buy it if…  

 Don’t buy it if….

Editor's Note: The official Sun Joe 24V-ST14 spec features a dual-line auto-feed spool design. However, because of how the spool is wound, it can feel like handling a single-line trimmer. If raw, heavy-duty dual-line clearing is your top priority, you might prefer a premium brushless upgrade.

How Does the Sun Joe 24V-ST14 Cordless String Trimmer Compare?

The cordless string trimmer market is competitive, but there are some decent 24V and 20V battery-powered options worthy of consideration. This curated trio of options all have easy, gas-free handling, but each offers a unique advantage, whether that is an accessible entry price for a full kit, specialized inline wheels for sidewalk maneuvering, or a terrific battery ecosystem for seamless tool expansion. Here is how they stack up against the Sun Joe 24V-ST14 for power, pricing, and everyday backyard reliability.

How I Tested the Sun Joe 24V-ST14 Trimmer

I tested the Sun Joe battery by tapping the trigger and running the motor at full speed until the battery died. I also timed how long it took to fully charge the depleted battery. I tested the Sun Joe 24V-ST14's ability to edge and trim by using it for the full landscaping duties around my yard. I tested the weight distribution and accuracy. I also tested the ability to maneuver around tight areas around my yard and house. Finally, I tested the power of the motor cutting thick weeds around my front porch. From extensive testing, I was able to write this in-depth review for potential buyers.

• First reviewed: October 2023

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Chainsaw are really useful tools for the gardener and handyperson. They can make light work of tough cutting tasks, but to keep them in good order and working smoothly and safely it’s essential to keep on top of chainsaw maintenance.

Safety is key when working with this kind of gardening tool – they have a lot of power under the hood and can be dangerous if not handled properly. One of the main issues is that many of us only use our chainsaws intermittently. So if you just pulled yours out of the shed or garage after a few months, it’s even more important that you follow this chainsaw maintenance checklist to ensure everything is working as it should before you start.

Chainsaws with ineffective fuel, blocked filters, and other maintenance issues can work erratically and be unsafe. So always follow this checklist to keep safe. Some chainsaw maintenance tasks should be done every day, while others should be carried out weekly and monthly. Here's what to check before you fire up your chainsaw.

Chainsaw Maintenance Checklist

Having a checklist of gardening tool maintenance tasks will help you stay on top of keeping your chainsaw in good condition. Peter Drow at NC Cuttingtools suggests the following daily checklist to keep your chainsaw running smoothly, safely, and effectively:

1. Check the throttle: Make sure the throttle trigger operates smoothly. Before using the saw again, take it to your dealer if any binding happens or if the engine won't restart. Make sure that the throttle trigger lockout can be depressed before the trigger can be pulled.
2. Clean the chain brake: According to the instructions, clean the chain brake and assess its performance.
3. Take a look at the chain catcher: Verify that the chain catcher is in good condition. If not, replace it right away.
4. Clean the air filter: If necessary, clean or swap out the air filter. Look for any holes or damage in the existing filter.
5. Inspect the bar: For more even wear, the bar must be rotated every day. Make sure the bar's lubricating hole is not blocked by inspecting it. If the bar does have a sprocket tip, it should be lubricated after cleaning the bar groove.

He also suggests the following checks are carried out regularly:

• Verify the oiler's operation to ensure that the bar and chain are properly lubricated.
• Check the chain's tension and condition after sharpening it. Look for wear on the drive sprocket. Replace as required.
• Look for damage or wear on the starter and starter cord.
• On the starter housing, clean all air intake slots.
• Retighten screws and nuts as necessary after checking for any loose ones.
• Make sure the stop switch turns the engine off by testing it.
• Examine the saw's cooling system if it has a catalytic converter.

Along with following Peter’s checklist, checking the fuel and related parts is also essential:

• Clean the outside of the chainsaw’s carburetor and check that there are no fuel leaks.
• Ensure the fuel hose is not damaged or crack. If it is, replace it.
• If dust has accumulated around the fuel filler, empty the gas tank and clean inside.
• If the oil tank has debris or dust inside, clean it out before refilling.
• Empty the fuel tank and clean the inside if dust accumulated, especially around the filler area. Clean the filler filter.
• Empty the oil tank and, if you feel dust or debris inside, clean the inside by flushing it with mineral spirits, which you can get on Amazon.

Finally, Lindsay Hyland, gardening expert and creator or Urban Organic Yield, says, “Make sure to clean the chainsaw after each use to prevent any build-up of sap or debris.’’

Chainsaw Maintenance Tools

As with all garden and DIY jobs, having the right tools for chainsaw maintenance is essential.

Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love, says, “Good sharpening maintenance is done with a sharpening file. It's tedious to sharpen every individual tooth, but it's very necessary. Lubrication is done with oil. To test if your blade is oiled enough, hold it near concrete or put a piece of wood in front of it and turn it on. Some droplets of oil should splash onto the surface.’’

Lindsey Hyland, at Urban Organic Yield, adds the following to the tool list, “A screwdriver and wrench. A screwdriver is used to tighten or loosen screws on the chainsaw. A wrench is used to tighten or loosen bolts on the chainsaw.’’

When choosing the best electric lawn mower, there are a few important factors to consider. These include the size of your lawn area, your budget, and whether you want to collect the cuttings.

Corded electric lawn mowers are easy to use and usually more affordable. You simply plug them in, and you're ready to go. They are also more environmentally friendly than gasoline-powered mowers. However, the cord may limit your movement, especially for medium-sized yards. On the other hand, the best cordless lawn mowers are powered by batteries, offering greater mobility without the hassle of cords, although you need electricity to recharge them.

The team reviews various electric lawn mower makes and models to help you maintain a healthy lawn throughout the summer. Our reviews focus on cutting width, performance, and other useful features. We conduct tests for at least one month (four weeks) to thoroughly assess setup, performance, and maintenance.

Keep reading to find out the details of our electric lawn mower round-up.

The Best Electric Lawn Mowers We Recommend

Gardening Know How is on a mission to review everything we feature in our buyer's guides. Still, while we work hard to make this a reality—or where this isn't possible—some of our guides still feature rankings based on our team's considerable expertise and research.

While we haven't been able to test any of the units in this guide in person, we've instead honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best features to help you make the right decision for your home, all for the best price.

The Best Electric Lawn Mower Overall

Buy it if...

✅ You need to mow around obstacles: This electric mower is designed to help you navigate around trees, plant pots and complicated areas around the lawn such as edging.
✅ You have a medium-sized lawn: it has the power and cutting width to efficiently mow lawns up to one-eighth of an acre. For smaller lawns, we'd recommend a more compact mower.
✅ Reasonable pricing is priority: for it's decent mowing performance, this corded mower has an affordable price tag of $169.99 and is available from Amazon or Home Depot.

Don't buy it if...

❌ Your lawn is super-sized: anyone with a lawn larger than one-eight of an acre should consider another model with wider cutting deck.
❌ Storage space is limited: even with it's handle folded away, this is a large lawn mower relative to its weight. Some users may prefer something that is more compact for tighter storage.

The bottom line:

The Black + Decker BEMW472BH offers efficient mowing with innovative upright handles, which are ideal for navigating obstacles. It is reasonably priced for medium-sized lawns but unsuitable for large areas due to the corded design. It is not recommended for those who dislike handling cables or have limited storage space. ★★★★

The BLACK+DECKER BEMW472BH provides impressive mowing performance for its price. Our reviewer, Pete, found that its unique upright handles allowed easy maneuvering around tight corners. It also offers convenient features like quick cutting height adjustment and easy assembly.

Setup: This electric mower arrived well-packaged in recyclable materials, except for a few small pieces. Some assembly is required, but Pete found it manageable without tools. Thanks to clear instructions, setting up took around 20 minutes. The mower is lightweight and can be moved by two people or one strong person, although the box lacks handles.

Design: This mower features durable plastic construction with metallic components in the handle assembly and mowing blade, making it lightweight at 35 lbs. Its sleek design in BLACK+DECKER's signature colors includes an EasySteer handle for effortless maneuvering around obstacles. While the upright handles aid in navigating obstacles, they may hinder movement in tight spaces.

This mower is not meant for outdoor storage but is relatively rust-resistant due to its low metal content. To save space, Pete recommends folding the handle assembly for indoor storage. The EasySteer feature is useful, especially for those struggling with traditional mower handles.

Performance: On test, Pete found that the BLACK+DECKER BEMW472BH's 1,600W motor offered ample power to efficiently mow the grass and cut through tough weeds like dandelions. This mower is suitable for lawns up to 1⁄8 acre in size, with a cutting width of 15" (38 cm). It offers some help with cable management, featuring a bright orange power cable and handle-mounted cable clips.

The 45-liter grass collection box effectively gathers cuttings, although some were dropped during testing. Adjusting the mowing height was simple, and different settings produced varying cutting results. As a corded electric mower, avoiding using it in wet conditions is important due to the risk of electrocution. Also, it operates at noise levels similar to a noisy restaurant, measuring around 79-81 dB.

Value: This is one of the key incentives for the BLACK+DECKER BEMW472BH. It retails for $199.00, at the time of writing our review via Amazon and The Home Depot. Official replacement blades are available from Black + Decker and resellers.

Read more: Black + Decker 15 in. 10 AMP Corded Electric Walk Behind Push Lawn Mower review

The Best Multi-Functional Electric Lawn Mower

Buy it if...

✅ You have multiple grass cutting tasks: the BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM is a 3-in-1 corded lawn mower, strimmer and edger
✅ You're on a budget: a $79.99 MSRP is hard to beat, especially with three main functionalities.
✅ You need a mower that's easy to store: the compact design is space-saving, and can be hung up or put on a shelf in the garage when not in use.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You have a large yard: you'll be forever mowing your grass if you have more than 1/8 acre and opt for this tool.
❌ You have uneven ground: the cutting height cannot be adjusted so if you have uneven ground, the BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM best be avoided (unless you want to mainly use it as a trimmer and edger).

The bottom line:

The BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM is a fantastic budget option if you need a mower and/or strimmer to get by the next few months. It's incredibly versatile and will handle all the lawn care duties. It's not great for uneven ground, though; the grass cuttings won't get collected. ★★★★

The BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM isn't like any other lawn mower or string trimmers featured in this guide. I have owned this lawn mower for years—and it's still going strong. It's a great option for cutting, trimming, and edging the lawn.

Setup: It has been a long time since I opened the box to the BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM, so memory is hazy, and the packaging may have changed now. However, the setup is memorable and straightforward.

The string must be attached to the trimmer to set up. The BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM is essentially a trimmer that can be used with four wheels in lawn mower mode, so as long as it works as a strimmer, it'll also work as a lawn mower and an edger.

Design: This lawn mower turned strimmer and edger boasts a 3-in-1 design, which became more useful than I had ever imagined. It was easy to clip the strimmer/edger into the set of four wheels when using it as a mower.

The BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM can then be turned on with a trigger. The shaft on the trimmer/edger is height adjustable, but mind that this doesn't get too stiff and become non-adjusting over time.

Performance: The lawn mower and trimmer mode are the most used of the BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM in my yard. It cuts the grass well, although fatigue in the handset is due to the vibrations and constant holding down the trigger when used. There isn't a collection bag, so grass cuttings will lay in place; the more often you mow, the fewer clippings there will be.

When used as a trimmer, it did an equally good job cutting back the areas of the lawn that the lawn mower deck couldn't reach.

The power cord is 15.3 inches long, so you may need to use an extension cable, as I did, to reach all the areas of your small yard.

Value: With a $79.00 MSRP, the BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM is good value for money. I found it useful for all grass-cutting duties and firmly believe it should be added to your arsenal if you need a strimmer or lawn mower. It can be bought directly from BLACK+DECKER or resellers such as Amazon.

The Best Electric Lawn Mower for the Smallest Lawns

Buy it if...

✅ You have a small yard: with it's 18in deck and 150in cable length, you be able to quickly mow around the small front or back yard.
✅ You need something lightweight: weighing just 46lbs this lightweight, compact lawn mower is easy to push around and use with minimal effort.

✅ You need a mower that's easy to store: the handle folds down making it easy to store in small spaces.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You have a large yard: you'll need an extension cable (or two) which could become an issue with the trailing cable.

❌ You want / need a robust mower: being small and lightweight this mower isn't exactly built like a tank.

The bottom line:

The Greenworks 18" Corded Electric 12 Amp Push Lawn Mower is a budget-friendly, lightweight lawn mower suitable for small yards. Customers are impressed by the cutting performance, and love that it is so easy to store. ★★★★

If you're looking for the best electric lawn mower for small yards, then the Greenworks 18" Corded Electric 12 Amp Push Lawn Mower is the best. While the 150ft cable may hinder your purchase decision, we've read that customers have roped in the help of an extension cable if they need a little more length.

Setup: Arriving in a cardboard box with plastic wrapped around some parts, there doesn't seem to be much assembly required for this mower. Looking at the customer pictures on Walmart, the handle will need attaching, and the cutting height must be selected to suit your yard.

Design: the Greenworks 18" Corded Electric 12 Amp Push Lawn Mower measures 28.35 x 21.65 x 13.78 inches and weighs 45.75 lbs. Customers have shared comment that it is compact and some have gone on to say that it is lightweight, although others have said that it's heavy to lift.

It has a steel, 18in cutting deck with every other component plastic. There's a seven height-adjusting lever which ranges between 1 5/8 - 3 1/8 inches and, something that is somewhat a stand-out feature to this mower, is that it has mulching capabilities that'll give the lawn back any lost nutrients. This Greenworks mower has a side discharge, too.

Performance: customer reviews rave at how good the cutting performance is of the Greenworks 18" Corded Electric 12 Amp Push Lawn Mower. Thanks to the adjustable cutting height, it can handle uneven ground, and it's lightweight to push around the small lawn.

To start it, just push the button and pull the bail to start mowing. It'll mulch automatically, which users say is "OK." Then, once you've finished the job, the handle folds back to make it easy to store.

Being electric it is quieter than a gas mower and there's no swapping batteries or recharging them, which is another benefit that users enjoyed.

Value: With an MSRP of $154.03 this electric mower is a fantastic option for those with tight budgets. We've also regularly seen it on sale, so you could get it for even less. It's listed with resellers, including Walmart.

The Best Electric Lawn Mower for Tight Spaces

Buy it if...

✅ You have a super small yard: this Sun Joe mower has a cutting deck of 14in making it ideal for the smaller yard.
✅ You need something lightweight: weighing under 30lbs the Sun Joe MJ24C-14-XR is a good option if you want a mower made from steel, but need the weight of plastic.
✅ You want to collect grass cuttings: the ultimate in convenience, this push mower will cut and collect the cuttings in a 10.6 gal bag.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You have a large yard: the battery only has a 45-minute maximum runtime. Charging takes 2.2 hours if you need to stop mowing and recharge.
❌ You want a mower made from metal: aside from the steel blade, the Sun Joe MJ24C-14-XR is made entirely from plastic so if you want something more heavy-duty you best look elsewhere.

The bottom line:

The Sun Joe MJ24C-14-XR is a hard-working electric push mower that'll either collect your grass cuttings, or discharge through a side chute for taller grass. It has a collapsible handle for easy storage and takes up little space even when fully assembled. ★★★★

Have a tight space? The Sun Joe MJ24C-14-XR is what you need. It's powerful yet compact and lightweight, ideal for yards up to 1/4 acre.

Setup: From reading the reviews, it is clear to us that the assembly of this electric lawn mower is easy. It's a popular choice for those aged 50+ years who are overjoyed at how simple it is to assemble and how clear the instructions are to follow. I can not say what packaging was used, but from our experience reviewing Sun Joe and Snow Joe products, I can say that they would be delivered in a branded cardboard box, at the very least.

Design: The Sun Joe MJ24C-14-XR packs a 14-inch blade into a 16-inch body, meaning it is one of the lightest models in our guide to the best electric lawn mowers. The mower is less than 30 lbs, less than 50 inches long, and just over 40 inches tall.

Performance: Although the Sun Joe MJ24C-14-XR will not win any awards for mowing large lawns, its size means it handles hilly areas easily. It also handles garden edges much better than more unwieldy mowers.

Customers have noted that the 10.6 gal bag for grass cuttings fills up quickly, so either be prepared to empty it regularly or remove it entirely.

Value: Priced at $209.00, the Sun Joe MJ24C-14-XR is great if you are a novice gardener on a budget or are looking for a cheap but effective electric mower for a small garden. You can find it listed on Sun Joe or resellers such as Lowe's.

The Best Cheap Electric Lawn Mower

Buy it if...

✅ You have a small yard: the LawnMaster MEB1114K has a cutting deck of 15in making it best suited to smaller yards.
✅ You need something lightweight: weighing just 28lbs the LawnMaster MEB1114K is one of the lightest lawn mower in this guide.
✅ You want to collect grass cuttings: helping you to tidy up after a mow is a handy 7 gal collection bag.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You have a large yard: you'll need an extension cable regardless with this mower, so multiple extension cables could get you in a tangle.
❌ You want a mower made of steel: aside from the steel blade, the LawnMaster MEB1114K is made from plastic to keep it lightweight, but you may prefer something more robust.

The bottom line:

The LawnMaster MEB1114K is a cheap electric lawn mower which is ideal for smaller yards. It has a collector bag and is easy to assemble and store. You will need an extension cable with it though, which is something to be mindful of ★★★★

The affordable LawnMaster MEB1114K lawn mower is an 11 AMP 15-inch electric mower that’s easy to push around a smaller yard of 1/8 acre. It’s cord-powered, but you will need an extension cable because it's short (I could not get the exact cable length). And at 27 lb, this is one of the lighter mowers on our list. That makes it ideal if you’re struggling with an injury or don’t want to push a hefty weight around.

Set up: Reading through the customer reviews, assembly of the LawnMaster MEB1114K is easy. All you'll need to do is attach the lower and upper handle to the main unit, then the collector bag, and you're all set.

Design: The main design feature of the LawnMaster MEB1114K is the 15-inch cutting deck, which is rust-resistant. There are five cutting positions to opt for, from 1.4" - 3", which can be adjusted with a lever.

The handle length is also adjustable, so you can find the perfect height to help make the mow easier. Made of two parts, an upper and lower handle, the upper handle can fold over the lower to make storage easier. And being just 27lbs, it can be easily maneuvered into a space for safe-keeping.

To the rear of this electric lawn mower is a 7-gallon collector bag, which will make it easier to tidy up the clipping after a mow, although this isn't the biggest I have heard of.

Performance: the key to the success of this lawn mower is how light it is. It means it's a good choice for those aged 50+ years, which will help maneuver it around the yard - and put it into storage afterward.

Customers have shared that it is easy to use and adjust. It's also great for challenging tall weeds and grasses. There is no side discharge chute, so you'll have to use it with the collection bag - just be prepared to empty it often, even in a super small yard.

Value: With a $129.99 MSRP, this is the cheapest electric lawn mower I could find. It gets even cheaper now and then, too. You can find it listed on reseller sites such as Amazon.

How We Tested the Best Electric Lawn Mowers for This Guide

We love to test products here at Gardening Know How, and that's how I know they will be the best for you and your home or yard.

Of those corded mowers that have been tested, the BLACK+DECKER BEMW472BH and BLACK+DECKER BESTA512CM have been used in our backyards for a minimum of 4 weeks. We've set them up, cut the lawn, adjusted heights (if possible), and emptied the grass collector (if a feature). Sometimes, we can continue to use the lawn mowers that have been loaned to us for a longer period, or we are gifted them, which means that they'll continue to be used, giving them the greatest test of all: longevity.

Sometimes, we cannot test all of the products you see featured in our buyer's guide. When this happens, we check out the specs and features of well-known brands and read the customer reviews to see what they have to say about them.

How to Choose the Best Electric Lawn Mower

While deciding on a lawn mower with a cord might seem the most obvious way to keep your spending low, I recommend avoiding corded models unless you’re on a tight budget. Why? Well, it boils down to the running times: nowadays, cordless models can run strong for 45 minutes to an hour, which should be enough time to deal with a moderate or large lawn.

With a corded model, you’ll always need to stay close to an electric socket. It’s also easy to get frustrated by tripping on your cord or shoving it out of your path. Cordless models take away that hassle, and it’s likely the job won’t take as long once you remove all the cord maneuvering.

While an electric lawn mower is more environmentally friendly than a gas lawn mower, you may need one if you’re dealing with a particularly large lawn. Gas is a more powerful energy source, and the mowers also run longer without a refill. Even so, most electric lawn mowers only take 40 minutes to recharge, so if you run out of battery mid-mowing session, that’s enough time for a snack break.

Cutting modes and features should also be on your mind when you choose an electric lawn mower. While not essential, self-propelling models can make your life far easier.

I asked Brian Fullerton, founder of Brian's Lawn Maintenance, and Martin Stewart, National Trainer and FME Supervisor at Techtronic Industries (TTI)—the parent company of Ryobi—for their advice on shopping for the best electric lawn mower for their yard.

“Selecting the right-sized mower and cutting deck is fundamental,” Brian told us. "A small push mower would be great for someone with less than a quarter acre lawn. A lawn tractor or zero-turn mower would be more appropriate at the other end of the scale if you have an acre or more.

“You should aim to buy a brand that your local dealer or store sells," he added. "The mower can be serviced and repaired quickly when breakdowns inevitably happen."

Martin said, "If you're dealing with hilly terrain, consider a self-propelled mower for less pushing and easier maneuverability. For flat terrain, almost any type of mower can be used."

Frequently Asked Questions

With a half an acre yard, a riding lawn mower is a necessary tool to get my lawn cut in a decent amount of time and without overly exerting myself. That said, I’ve only ever used a zero-turn lawn mower, so when I was given the opportunity to test the EGO TR4204 POWER+ 42” T6 Lawn Tractor, I was happy to give it a go.

I’ve had my eye on EGO and their battery-powered riding lawn mowers for a while. Among lawn mower brands, they seem to be excelling considerably on this front and I couldn’t wait to tackle my yard with the EGO TR4204 POWER+ 42” T6 Lawn Tractor. Over the course of a few cutting sessions, I learned how to drive a lawn tractor, especially one with an 18-inch (46 cm) turning capacity in an area with lots of trees. With a maximum 6 mph speed, I was able to quickly mow the open spaces of my yard and even set the cruise control to make cutting easier.

While it took me some time to figure out all the buttons and features of this riding lawn tractor, once I did, I found it easy enough to use. It didn't hurt that the EGO cut my yard with precision and quality. Sure, the turn radius took some getting used to, but I was glad to see that I still had over 40% of battery left by the time I was done mowing. Keep reading to see my full take on this lawn tractor.

Price & Availability

Riding lawn mowers are not cheap by any means, but the EGO TR4204 POWER+ 42” T6 Lawn Tractor sits in the middle range. While Amazon has the mower priced at $4,754.99, it’s available for $4,399 from Lowe’s and Ace Hardware.

Considering how big the lawn mower is and the amount of features that come with it, the price tag is exceptionally fair and matches up with the product quality.

Score: 5 out of 5

Setup

I was very curious how the EGO TR4204 POWER+ 42” T6 Lawn Tractor would be dropped off at my house. It is an exceptionally large product after all. In the end, UPS gave me a call and set up a day and time for the mower to be delivered. When the truck arrived, a man removed the EGO TR4204 POWER+ 42” T6 Lawn Tractor and brought it into my garage.

I'm glad that I had cleaned out my garage so I could place the mower in the very center as I needed a lot of space to set it up. The EGO TR4204 POWER+ 42” T6 Lawn Tractor arrived in a large metal cage that was covered on all sides by cardboard and plastic. I had to remove the cage by hand. Thankfully, EGO provided all the tools needed to undertake this task, which I thought was a nice touch. This task took me a few hours to complete, but I managed it just fine all on my own.

The tractor comes practically put together, except for the seat and the steering wheel. Once I removed the cage, I pushed the tractor out and got to work putting the seat and the steering wheel onto the lawn mower.

From there, I aired up the front tires a bit and put the batteries into the mower so I could charge them. While I tried to set up the EGO tractor in the app, I did not see this particular product as an option in the app, and thus, couldn’t connect it.

Take note that the mower comes with an attachment rack, but not with any attachments. It’s something you can hold onto in case you want to buy attachments in the future and need to attach it to the tractor.

Design

The EGO TR4204 POWER+ 42” T6 Lawn Tractor is, as the name implies, a lawn tractor, which is a type of riding lawn mower with a mid-mounted cutting deck. It has rear wheel drive which provides the mower with better traction on slopes and inclines. Not all riding lawn mowers can be used on hills, but you can use this tractor to cut grass on a hill that is less than 15°.

This is a battery-powered lawn mower with six batteries that are placed in the front of the tractor. To charge the batteries, you keep them in the mower and use the provided charger to plug into the EGO’s charging port.

Even though it has a 42-inch (107 cm) deck with a side discharge chute, the tractor is as compact as a riding lawn mower of this size can be. The deck is adjustable with 12 different cutting height positions from 1.5 to 4.5 inches (3.8-11.4 cm) and a lever along the back side of the machine to control the mowing height. Anti-scalp wheels prevent the deck from scalping the lawn when the tractor goes over a tall spot.

The steering wheel will feel familiar to those who know how to drive, as will the accelerator foot lever on the right side of the machine. The parking break pedal is on the left side. It works in conjunction with the parking break lock lever that’s on the left side of the steering wheel. You release the parking break by pushing on the lever with your foot. To set the parking brake in place, you need to lift the brake lock lever up and then push the parking break pedal down with your foot until you feel it catch. This was a bit tricky for me to figure out.

I’m of the mind that gardening tools should be as simple to use as possible, and while this EGO tractor is easy to use, it did take some time to figure out all the levers, buttons, and LCD screen icons. There are quite a lot.

I had to ride around with the instruction manual in the storage compartment the first few times so I could have something to reference. There were way too many things to remember otherwise.

Next to the wheel is the direction control lever. Push the lever forward and the tractor will go forward. Push it down and the tractor will go in reverse. On the opposite side of the direction control lever is the PTO switch which must be pulled to start the blades.

The LCD has a number of buttons and icons. Let’s start with the buttons. The right side has a blade speed adjustment button, a Mowing in Reverse Button, and the Start/Stop button. On the left side is the driving speed adjustment button, the LED light and Bluetooth button, and the Cruise Control System button.

As for the LCD screen, it has 18 different icons noting everything from the battery power to which battery compartments are occupied or vacant. You’ll also see whether the Mowing in Reverse button, the Cruise Control System button, or the parking pedal are engaged or not. It also notifies you when the LED lights and the Bluetooth is on. An alert and temperature icon will light up if there are any issues. It even notes when you’re driving forward or in reverse with “D” and “R” icons. You can also see which blade speed or driving speed setting you’re on. You have three options for each.

Other notable features of this tractor are the LED headlights in the front, the double cup holder, a front storage compartment, and a USB port under the wheel where you can charge your phone. The seat can be adjusted forward or backwards to your liking.

Score: 4 out of 5

Key Specifications

Performance

Starting the EGO TR4204 POWER+ 42” T6 Lawn Tractor is easy enough. The tractor comes with two keys, but only one needs to be placed in the key port for it to start up. (I store the other key in the storage compartment of the EGO so I never lose it.)

After charging the batteries and placing the key in the port, I disengage the parking brake and press the start/stop button for three seconds until the LCD lights up. A green light shines at the top of the LCD screen. I adjust the direction control lever to D or R, depending if I need to go forward or backwards.

To move the tractor, I pushed the accelerator pedal with my foot and moved the steering wheel as I would do in my car. The pedals and steering wheel are very responsive. When my foot comes off the pedal, the lawn mower takes a second or two to stop. I usually tap the parking break if I need to stop quickly.

As I mentioned, there are quite a number of buttons, levers, and icons on the LCD screen to figure out. I constantly forgot what buttons were related to the different settings. Some tractors require users to shift gears to increase speed. EGO gets around that with a button that you can switch between three speed settings: low, standard, and max. All I had to do was push the button one to three times to set the speed.

When I tested this EGO, I usually set the drive speed and the blade speed on the medium setting, and always set the mower to cut in reverse. I don’t know why you would not want to mow in reverse, but at least you have the option. Usually, I set the deck height to two inches. I only lowered the deck when I was on grass. To start the blades, I pulled the PTO switch.

When the blades are off, and the EGO is at a standstill, it doesn’t emit any noise. It's only when I move the EGO that it emits a 67 dB rating. Even when the blades are on, this tractor is considerably quiet compared to gas-powered riding lawn mowers emitting about 87-91 decibels. The noise is louder the faster the speed setting of the blades of which there are three: eco, standard, and heavy duty.

As I said, it’s very easy to drive this tractor forward or in reverse. Where I had some trouble or frustration was when I was mowing the part of my yard that is full of lots of obstacles. I have trees, a swing, and sharp corners around flower beds. Since I’d never used a tractor before, I wasn’t sure how to move quickly through an area with lots of obstacles. I found myself having to stop and switch to reverse quite a bit, which slowed my progress.

An 18-inch (46 cm) turn radius, which isn’t uncommon among riding tractors, was still cumbersome to deal with when mowing this part of my yard. Even in my front yard, which is empty of obstacles, there was a learning curve. I couldn't really mow in stripes like I usually do with a zero-turn mower, because the 18-inch (46 cm) turning radius doesn't allow for sharp enough turns.

I ended up mowing in a perimeter pattern for the entire yard. The second time I mowed, I tried to play around with the mowing pattern, but ultimately reverted to a perimeter cut. It was admittedly easier to cut the front yard which lacks any obstacles. I’m still not a fan of the 18-inch (46 cm) turn, but with each use, I’m sure I'll get more comfortable using the “D” and “R” levers and figuring out how to maximize the turn radius to my benefit. It’ll just take some practice.

All that said, I did like that the tires didn’t ruin my yard when I turned. They have high-quality traction which made me feel very secure throughout the mowing period.

The EGO has a maximum speed of 6 mph, which felt really fast. You can really cut quickly once you’ve gotten a handle on how this lawn mower works. I did use the cruise control, though I only turn it on when I'm mowing the part of my yard that has little obstacles, and only when the drive speed is on low or standard.

I do have slopes in my yard, but they’re much steeper than 15 degrees, so I didn’t feel comfortable mowing them with this tractor. Per the instructions, you should only use this tractor on slopes that are less than 15 degrees.

I liked that if I stood up or moved away from the chair while mowing, the mower would shut off. That’s a nice safety feature in case an issue occurs, and I need to jump off the tractor.

While mowing, I did charge my phone with the USB port. There is a little woven storage area below the port to place your phone in.

The batteries handled my half an acre yard with no problem. I had about 44 percent of charge left after the first testing experience, and 46 percent the second time around. I thought that the EGO TR4204 POWER+ 42” T6 Lawn Tractor did a great job cutting at my preferred height.

Charging the lawn mower was easy. I’m glad that I didn’t have to remove the batteries and charge them one by one. They remain in the tractor and all I had to do was plug the charger into an extension cord and then the charger into the charging port on the side of the tractor. I usually mowed in the afternoons, so typically, the mower would be fully charged before I went to sleep.

All in all, I think this is a quality tractor and I can see why users love it so much. As someone coming from a zero-turn mower to a lawn tractor, it was a bit of a learning curve for me, but I think overtime, I’ll handle it with the same dexterity and skill as I do my car and I’ll cut my yard faster and faster in no time.

Score: 4 out of 5

Maintenance

As a battery-powered lawn mower, there is a lot less maintenance required than if it were gas-powered like this Troy-Bilt self-propelled mower I also reviewed. That said, you’ll have to do some maintenance. Before you use the tractor, you should visually inspect the tires. If they seem deflated, give them some air. Otherwise, you don’t have to air them up except after every 25 hours of use.

Whenever you're done mowing, you should use a blower to remove debris and utilize the wash port to clean the deck. Before storing your lawn mower for winter, remove the batteries and the safety key and store them in a place where the temperature is above 45 degrees. It’s also not a bad idea to check that all the lug nuts are fastened and that the tire pressure is good. Once a year, lubricate the shaft sleeves of the front wheels.

Other types of maintenance, like leveling the deck or replacing and balancing your lawn mower blades, are tasks you’ll need to do if you notice that the cut isn’t as good as it was before or it looks uneven.

User Reviews

This EGO lawn tractor has over 100 reviews with an average star rating of 4.3 stars on Amazon. Customers rave about the power capabilities of this battery-powered lawn mower. Some claim it’s on par with their old gas-powered mowers and is able to cut through tall weeds and various grasses.

Others like being able to charge all the batteries at the same time, driving it on hills, and how quiet it is. The only complaints seem to be that that the lawn mower cannot be set up in the app still.

Should You Buy the EGO TR4204 POWER+ 42” T6 Lawn Tractor?

Buy It If...

Don’t Buy It If…

How Does the EGO TR4204 POWER+ 42” T6 Lawn Tractor Compare?

How I Tested the EGO TR4204 POWER+ 42” T6 Lawn Tractor

I tested the EGO TR4204 POWER+ 42” T6 Lawn Tractor by mowing my half-acre yard with it a few times. Since I’ve never used a lawn tractor before, there was a bit of a learning curve. However, eventually I managed to figure out the different blade settings, how to drive and turn the mower, and the best method for cutting my grass. From extensive testing, I was able to write this in-depth review for potential buyers.

• First reviewed: April 2024

I have always wanted a garden shed that’s pretty as well as practical. You know the type – like the ones you see on Instagram where there are rows of hand-thrown antique flowerpots, balls of rustic garden twine and dainty details such as vintage seed packets on display. Of course, in reality, my shed was a dumping ground for old plastic plant pots, half-used sacks of potting soil and ugly bits of lawnmower. Yes, it was useful for garden storage but, accessorized with dead spiders and mouse poop, my shed was far more drab than fab.

It was time for a big makeover on a small budget, with cheap and easy DIY projects to upgrade my garden storage.

I started by emptying out all the tools (and the mouse poop) and getting rid of anything I didn’t want or need, taking a load of stuff to the dump. It was a surprisingly therapeutic process and forced me to finally edit my shed hoard. Next, I vacuumed up all the debris and replaced a broken window pane before I set to work transforming my boring garden storage into a vintage retreat with some DIY shed ideas.

1. Paint Exterior Walls

I wanted my shed to blend into the garden, so I painted the exterior in a smart, understated dark gray colour: Evening Coat from Valspar. This instantly transformed the shed, turning a nondescript timber structure into something much more elegant. I used FrogTape, available from Ace Hardware, to get neat edges around the windows and gave the walls two coats of paint for a rich, deep color.

2. Paint Interior Walls

I’m not going to lie, painting the inside of a shed is a labour of love. It takes ages and it’s fiddly because the wood isn’t smooth like a plastered wall is. But, even though it took me days, I have no regrets because my formerly dark and gloomy shed is now airy and bright. In fact, I wish I’d taken the time to treat the knots in the pine boards with knotting solution first because there are a few unsightly yellow patches here and there.

I used Pure Brilliant White Weather Shield exterior wood and metal paint in quick dry satin finish from Dulux. It took a few coats to get a good finish, but the result is a much lighter space that looks and feels much bigger than before. The white walls also provide a nice backdrop for my collection of vintage gardening tools and backyard tat.

3. Clean Up The Floorboards

I considered painting the floorboards white to match the walls, but I knew that with muddy boots traipsing in and out, it wasn’t a practical option. Instead, I decided to simply clean the floorboards using water and a scrubbing brush. They looked so much better once a layer of grime had been removed. Once the floorboards were dry, I put down a doormat to protect them from mud and leaves.

4. Sort Storage

I moved two simple potting benches into my shed to work as countertops. I had previously constructed these from wooden lengths as greenhouse staging, and they were straightforward to put together. Timber potting tables aren't cheap but if you do want to buy rather than DIY, there are budget potting benches to be found if you're prepared to hunt around.

For storing gardening tools, I fitted a long narrow timber ledge the full length of the shed wall and screwed hooks into it, so my tools are easy to grab when I need them. Flowerpots can be stored on the ledge above, too. As DIY garden storage goes, this was so quick to do but it created so much space.

I found this vintage metal French cooking utensil wall holder in a thrift store and couldn't resist it. Although it was originally intended for hanging spoons and ladles in a kitchen setting, with a few metal S hooks such as these from Amazon, it’s perfect for storing hand tools such as forks and trowels, garden twine and scissors.

I wanted a rustic but sturdy shelf, so I used a piece of reclaimed scaffold plank to fashion a design, supported on two metal shelf brackets I found in a skip. Sometimes the simplest shed ideas are the best.

For storing seeds and smaller items, I used some apothecary-style drawers I already had, and pinned some favorite seed packets to the wall.

5. Finishing Touches

Details matter, so I used clear waterslide decal paper, available from A-SUB, an inkjet printer and a blank wooden key fob rather like these from Walmart, to make a stylish 'Potting Shed' label for the door key. Granted, it sounds a bit more grand than the reality, but fake it until you make it and all that!

As a final flourish for my chic shed upgrade, I picked up a cheap oil painting of some red poppies in a thrift store. It wasn’t in good condition but that means I’m not precious about it living outside and it brightens up the shed interior.

Now my shed is such a homely space – a cosy place to sow seeds, pot up plants and simply hide with a hot drink on a rainy day. I even take my laptop in there sometimes to co-work with the spiders! With a comfy counter-height barstool (similar to this at Target), a jar of fresh flowers and my favourite vintage gardening books to hand, my chic shed has become one of my favorite garden spots to hang out.

Yes, it would have been quicker and easier to buy a swish new IKEA garden storage cabinet, but was it more satisfying to do a budget shed makeover and transform my garden storage myself? You bet!

Time for some lawn mower maintenance? If your machine hasn’t been running reliably, you might need to figure out where is the carburetor on a lawn mower to see if it needs cleaning.

A dirty carburetor can cause a variety of problems – like issues starting the mower or the engine stalling when in use. So if cutting the grass has become even more of a chore thanks to a faulty lawn mower, checking the carburetor is a good place to start.

Learning how to maintain and repair your garden equipment is a great way to save money, as you won’t have to buy replacements as often. The best lawn mowers can last many years with regular maintenance, which also helps reduce the number of machines that go to waste when all they need is a simple repair.

Whether you use a riding or a walk-behind mower to look after your lawn, this guide explains how to find, clean, and safely maintain the carburetor on a lawn mower so your machine always runs like a dream.

What Is a Carburetor? 

The carburetor is an essential component of a gas-powered lawn mower engine. In simple terms, it ensures that the correct balance of fuel and air enters the engine cylinder, where it is ignited by the spark plug, combusts, and makes the engine work.

The carburetor is an essential component of any lawn mower engine, as Tom Monson, CEO of Monson Lawn & Landscaping, explains, “The carburetor on a lawn mower mixes air and fuel in the proper ratio for the engine to run efficiently and effectively.”

As you mow your lawn, the carburetor adjusts the combination of fuel and air depending on how long the engine has been running, your speed, and the type of terrain. This ensures that you get the best performance out of your mower.

A clean carburetor that’s in good condition will keep your lawn mower running reliably and efficiently, which is why carburetor maintenance is an essential part of taking care of your mower. The most important thing is to keep the carburetor clean because, even if the engine is running, a dirty carburetor can still cause problems.

Where Is the Carburetor on a Lawn Mower?

On a push mower or walk-behind mower, the carburetor is usually located on the side or top of the engine just behind the air filter and above the base of the mower. You’re looking for a silver and black component, made mostly of metal.

It’s likely the carburetor will be hidden by the air filter to which it is connected. To find the air filter, look for a square or round plastic filter cover. This opens to allow access to the air filter, which sits in a plastic housing. You’ll need to remove the filter, then unbolt the housing to reveal the carburetor.

On a riding mower, the carburetor is generally found on the side or top of the engine. Like on a push mower, it will typically be behind the air filter. You’ll have to remove the air filter and filter housing to access the carburetor, which is connected by a fuel line to the gas tank.

If in doubt, one of the best ways to find where the carburetor is on a lawn mower is to check the owner’s manual. The location of the carburetor can vary depending on the model or manufacturer, so look up your exact mower's specifications.

Signs of a Carburetor Problem

Because the carburetor on a lawn mower is usually hidden behind the air filter, you might not notice if it’s dirty. However, if you experience any of the following issues when cutting your grass, it could be a sign that the carburetor needs a clean:

• Difficulty starting the engine. You may have to pull the starter rope multiple times to get the engine running on your push mower or turn the ignition more than once on your riding mower.
• Engine stalling. Once the mower is running, you might find that the engine stalls. This may happen either immediately after starting or while you are mowing the lawn.
• Spluttering and shaking. A dirty carburetor might cause the engine to sputter or shake while it’s running, making it more difficult to maneuver your lawn mower.
• Increased fuel consumption. Despite mowing the lawn the way you normally do, you might notice that your mower is using more fuel. This is a common sign that the engine isn’t running as efficiently, which could indicate an issue with the carburetor.

How to Clean & Maintain a Carburetor

To get the most out of your lawn mower, you should clean the carburetor once a year. Once you’ve figured out where the carburetor is on a lawn mower like the one you have, you can remove it for cleaning. Follow these steps to do it yourself at home, keeping the owner’s manual for your mower nearby for reference:

1. Clean the machine. Clean the outside of the engine first to remove any dirt that could contaminate your newly-cleaned carburetor. Make sure you have a clear, clean work area so you don’t lose any small parts.
2. Remove the air filter. Open or remove the air filter cover, then remove the air filter and the air filter housing.
3. Turn off the fuel valve. Where possible, turn off the fuel valve. Alternatively, crimp the fuel line using a clamp like this from Amazon or crimping tool to prevent fuel leaking while you work. Some fuel will still spill out, so keep a cloth or rag handy.
4. Unfasten the carburetor. Remove the carburetor by unfastening the bolts that hold it to the engine and disconnecting the throttle and choke linkage cables.
5. Pay attention to the details. Make a note of where cables and bolts are positioned so you can replace them later. Keep any fasteners or small parts in a safes pot so you don't lose them.
6. Remove the carburetor. Remove the carburetor from the mounting studs, noting its position so you don’t reinstall it the wrong way.

7. Start to disassemble. Carefully disassemble the carburetor, using a carburetor cleaner spray or WD-40, which you can get on Amazon, to clean as you go. Ryan Farley, CEO of LawnStarter, recommends using a cleaner designed for small engines. “These are formulated to remove dirt, debris, and built-up varnish and gum deposits from the carburetor without damaging any delicate parts”. You can find carburetor cleaner from Amazon as well.
8. Get rid of rust. Remove any signs of rust using sandpaper.
9. Allow it to air dry. Allow the carburetor to dry before putting it back together.
10. Reattach the carburetor. Replace the carburetor on the mounting studs, reconnect the linkage cables, and reinstall the air filter, cover, and housing.

Safety Tips

Keep these tips in mind to safely maintain the carburetor on your lawn mower:

• Although it’s possible to remove and clean a carburetor yourself, it’s a dirty, finicky job that you might want to leave to the professionals. Your local small engine repair shop should be able to help.
• If you do decide to clean your own carburetor, always wear gloves and cover your work area to protect it from damage or debris, including fuel spillages.
• After cleaning your carburetor, you might find that your mower still doesn’t work reliably, which may mean that the carburetor or another part needs replacing or it's time to balance your lawn mower blades. Again, it’s possible to fix a carburetor yourself, but you may want to get some advice from a repair shop first.
• If you’re up for trying a DIY lawn mower repair, replacing the entire carburetor is usually simpler and more cost-effective than replacing individual gaskets or small parts.

Lawn Mower Care Essentials

Since I moved into a house with a back patio, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect potting bench to add to my outdoor space. I’ve always dreamt of having a tidy table dedicated purely to planting seeds, repotting, and concocting my own soil mix.

In the past, I’ve always squatted in the yard or at the edge of the porch to keep my mess to a minimum. But I’m an adult now with a house – and burgeoning knee pain – so I figure it’s time to buy myself a potting bench and stop crouching down to do tasks that would be much easier on a tabletop. Plus, I need more storage for my growing collection of gardening tools.

With rising costs on just about everything, though, I don’t want to spend unnecessarily on a product that’s going to be covered in dirt from day one. So I’ve scoured the internet to hunt down the best potting benches for around $100 – and I found the perfect one for my back patio, plus tons of other great outdoor bench options that will fit into any landscape or budget.

Best Budget Potting Benches

A potting bench doesn’t have to be a luxury buy. There are tons of great choices out there that will last you many seasons, look great with your outdoor decor, and serve all your gardening needs. I’ve rounded up some of the best potting benches for close to $100 or less.

It’s one of those universal rules that however much garden storage you’ve got, it won’t be enough. But no matter the size of your shed, a little organisation seriously helps to make the most of whatever you’ve got, and store gardening tools efficiently. So if you don’t want to splash the cash on a new garden storage solution, get clever. All these upcycling projects make use of items you probably already have or are super-cheap to pick up from the hardware store or find on a local online marketplace.

A rack to hold forks and rakes and stop that awful tangling of tines and spokes. A trough that keeps trowels handy and removes any rusting at the same time. Wall-hung string dispensers so it’s always easy to snip a length of twine to tie an errant clematis stem in place. A seed trug that shows you exactly what needs to be sown each month. It all sounds like the stuff of dreams, yet you could make it all this weekend!

Now the outdoor sofa cushions aren’t filling your shed to the roof, it’s time to turn your shed into a haven of happy tools and zero clutter. Which of these DIY garden storage ideas will you try first?

1. Tall Tool Rack

This DIY rack is so simple yet creates very efficient storage for long-handled garden tools such as forks, spades, rakes and hoes. A wooden frame strengthened with angled braces at the base has open slats running along the top so tools can quickly be slotted in. None of the struts are very long, and I’m guessing you have a few wood offcuts stashed away ‘just in case’ that would be perfect for this job!

Position the rack just inside your shed door and all your tools will be within easy reach. For extra strength, you could fix it to the shed wall with a couple of metal brackets.

2. Under-Shelf Jars

Wide-mouthed jars are so useful for keeping garden bits and bobs in, and if you have a shelf in your shed, it’s an easy job to screw the lids to the underneath. That way you can see exactly what’s in each jar at a glance, and unscrew the one you need to remove it and access the contents.

3. Hand-Tool Trough

A container of dry sand isn’t simply a useful way to store hand tools, but the abrasive sand will help to remove any rust each time you plunge a trusty trowel in. Clever, huh? Stir in a dollop of mineral oil such as this from Amazon into the sand and it will lightly coat the metal to prevent further rust – even better!

4. Seed Organiser

Yes, we all have great intentions of succession sowing for a long season of flowers or veggies. And yes, we do all instantly forget about the half-empty packet of seeds after the first sowing, as soon as it’s tucked into a shed drawer. But this handy organiser will take care of all that. It’s made from a cutlery trug, but any box or tin would do the job too.

Simply cut dividers from cardboard – personally, I’d prefer to separate my seeds by month rather than seasons – and slot inside. You can organise all your seeds in spring then, when you’ve finished your first sowing, pop the packet into the next section.

5. Seed Ribbons

If you like your shed to be pretty as well as practical, you might prefer this way to organise your seed packets. Nail up a ribbon for every month you’ll be sowing and label them. Then all that’s left to do is peg the seed packets to the right ribbon. You get to enjoy the seed-packet artwork and be excited about all the plants you’re growing, as well as having a handy reminder of what to sow, when.

6. Fence-Panel Hanging Rack

This slatted fence panel has been painted and screwed to the outside of a shed to create storage and a spot to hang plants, but you can see how you could use the idea to make the most of wall space inside. Just add some rafter hooks such as these from Amazon and it'll be so useful for hanging hand tools and watering cans. You could also use wire to attach shallow jars to hold bits and bobs such as plant ties.

7. Twine Dispensers

I seem to buy a ball of twine every time I go to the garden center, yet still I’m forever hunting around the shed to find some string when I need to do a quick repair. These clever twine dispensers made from funnels would save me so much time and money!

If you’ve already got a funnel, great. If not, you don’t need a fancy food-grade one – a cheap plastic funnel from a hardware store such as this from Ace Hardware would do the job fine, and is easy to nail to your shed wall. Or why not cut a half-gallon milk jug in half and thread the twine through its mouth?

8. Rake-Head Hooks

Does anyone’s shed not have the head of an old rake whose handle snapped at least a decade ago? Fix it to your shed wall and hey presto, you have a handy row of hooks to hang hand tools from. And if you need to, it’s a simple task to drill holes through their wooden handles to thread a cord loop.

9. Pallet Shelving

An old pallet can quickly be turned into an outdoors storage rack with shelves as well as hooks. You can see how short horizontal sections have been removed from this pallet, then re-attached beneath the struts below to create shelves. The great thing about this idea is that you can tailor the number and height of the shelves and hook placement to suit whatever you need to store.

Look for ceiling screw hooks such as these from Amazon, which have a vinyl coating for a smart, durable finish.

10. Trellis Hanging Space

If you’ve got a section of trellis that’s seen better days, put it to good use with some S-shaped hooks to create some hanging space. Wooden trellis is usually thin enough to be easily cut to size, so you could attach a panel to the back of your shed door.

Look for S-shaped hooks that are a snug fit on the trellis, such as these from Amazon, and everything will stay put when you open and shut the door.

More Quick & Easy Storage Solutions

I adore my pollinator garden, but boy do I hate weeding it. In my front yard, I removed all the grass and have slowly been planting native plants and perennials that benefit pollinators. After a few years of hard work, it is filling in nicely but there are still some bare areas that I have to weed.

Weeding by hand is always an option, but just thinking about that makes me not want to step foot in the garden. I am a very relaxed gardener and really prefer for my garden beds to take care of themselves. That being said, there are still patches that need to be managed. If you’re like me, this is when I change your life by introducing you to the best weeding tool on the market: the stirrup hoe.

A stirrup hoe, or action hoe, is a quick and efficient weeding tool. Action hoes, like this one from Craftsman, can be found at Lowe's or your local garden center. (You might even find one in a garage sale or the thrift store!) The long handle means you don’t have to bend over and give yourself an aching back or hurt your knees to do the job. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of this wonderful stand-up weeding tool.

Benefits of Using a Stirrup Hoe

I have seen stirrup hoes in hardware stores my whole life but never really paid any attention to them. Like with many other handy tools, unless you see someone use one or talk about it, you might just completely overlook it.

As a child of the ‘90s, I grew up being bombarded with advertisements for all the latest and greatest chemical weed killers. A stirrup hoe might as well have been an artifact in a farm museum! I was quickly disabused of that notion when I saw how fast and efficient weed control could be with the help of a stirrup hoe.

Stirrup hoes, also called action hoes, scuffle hoes or loop hoes, work by cutting out weeds at the root, below the top layer of soil. A long handle, like on this 54-inch Craftsman stirrup hoe from Lowe’s, means you can stand up to do all your weeding. The steel loop is sturdy and long-lasting, and the cushioned grip keeps your hand from fatiguing.

Picking ergonomic gardening tools is a great way to prevent injury in the garden and means less time on your hands and knees hand weeding.

How to Use a Stirrup Hoe

Stirrup hoes are made up of a long handle and a metal loop at the business end. Push and pull the loop along your weedy garden bed and it removes weeds from the soil as easily as shaving hair from a leg. These standup weeders are an amazing gardening tool to add to your collection, and they make weeding kind of fun!

Stirrup hoes work best on smaller weeds covering large areas of soil. Weeds are always easier to pull when they are young and in their early stage of growth. Unfortunately, stirrup hoes don’t work on weeds with a taproot like dandelions, but a standup weeder like Grampa’s Weeder from Amazon is an editors’ favorite for dealing with those.

I can’t wait to get started on my weeding now. I am even going to use my new stirrup hoe to remove little black-eyed Susan sprouts that have self-seeded, so I have space for another native plant or two. Happy weeding!

Getting your hands in the dirt is a great mood booster, but it can be tough on your skin. Start hauling rocks and pruning thorny rose bushes, and you're in real trouble. Getting yourself a good pair of garden gloves is a must.

But finding the perfect pair of gloves isn't easy. You need something with enough dexterity to sow seeds (or check your phone), but enough protection to keep your hands safe. And on top of it all, they ought to look good.

Here's a roundup of garden gloves that check all those boxes, from heavy-duty gauntlets to breathable knits. Let's dive in!

Beautifully Floral

These gloves are for the gardener who wants to mix beauty and function. You're gardening, after all. Why not lean into the floral majesty of it all?

Super Durable

For all the heavy lifting in your garden. Whether you're clearing brush, moving rocks, or tackling overgrown brambles, you need need thick hides and reinforced palms.

Barely There

Sometimes you need to really feel the soil, you know? Even if you want to keep your hands clean and protected. These gloves flex and move with you.

A Little Weird

Want something a little off the beaten path? A glove that's a bit funky looking, but still does the trick? These three are for you – slightly strange, but great at what they do.

Every spring, I grab my pruners and dread the chore of pruning my very mature, woody panicle hydrangeas. If you’ve ever struggled with thick branches using traditional hand pruners, you know how exhausting it can be. Hours of bending and struggling to get through thick branches with a measly pair of hand pruners left my hands sore and my back aching.

That all changed when I spotted a pair of electric pruning shears at my local hardware store on a deal I couldn’t pass up. I had always wanted to try them, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. From the first cut, I knew these pruners were a game-changer. They take the strain off my hands and arms, make quick, clean, and precise cuts, and practically do the work for me. Even my 12-year-old son, who rarely leaves his room, now asks to help prune!

Deadheading and pruning my hydrangeas, roses, and other woody plants, including overgrown trees, is now faster and far less strenuous. And it’s not just about ease, proper pruning also improves plant health, strengthens structure, and encourages bigger, more abundant blooms. What used to feel like a dreaded chore has now become one of the most satisfying parts of my spring gardening routine.

How Electric Pruners Work

The basic mechanics of these cordless power pruners are simple: motorized blades are driven by a brushless motor and powered by rechargeable batteries. With a single press of the button, these tools can trim thick branches in seconds — no more struggling with hand shears or loppers. They are also very portable and lightweight (many weigh less than two pounds), and their cordless design lets you reach tricky spots without straining your body.

Electric pruners will especially save you time if you:

• Have lots of woody shrubs or trees if your garden
• Prefer ergonomic tools due to hand, wrist, or joint pain, including arthritis in the hands
• Just want to save time and effort!

What to Know Before You Buy

You can save money by snagging these affordable Workpro pruners on Amazon, or choose a power pruner from your favorite tool brand, such as Ryobi, DeWalt, or Craftsman, so you can reuse your batteries across your tool collection. While I love my entire Ryobi tool lineup, this particular unit was an off-brand item at a price I couldn’t resist.

If you’re worried about weight, these pruners are very light — many models weigh less than two pounds. Blade lengths vary between 1.8 and 2.4 inches depending on the brand, and many models include a built-in safety switch for peace of mind, plus an automatic sleep mode to conserve battery life.

There will come a time when a branch is too thick for these pruners, and for that, my other favorite go-to tool is a mini chainsaw, which is often available in a combo with the pruner, like this one from Amazon. It’s lightweight, easy to handle, and powerful enough to tackle old, woody, thick branches with ease. In fact, I often prefer this little tool over my larger gas or battery-powered chainsaws.

Why They're Perfect for Hydrangeas

I use my new electric pruning shears for just about everything, even cleaning up old flower stems in my perennial garden, but I mainly wanted them for my hydrangeas. From the woody stems of mature panicle types (think Limelight, Vanilla Strawberry, etc.) to the thick branches of oakleaf hydrangeas, and even deadheading my mopheads, these electric pruners make quick work of a task I never used to look forward to.

I also have three smooth hydrangeas, and even though their stems are much thinner, I can breeze through that task as well. Not only does this tool speed up my seasonal pruning, but some of these hydrangeas actually benefit from it, encouraging better branching and more abundant blooms.

If you’ve been relying on traditional hand pruners for thicker, woodier branches — especially hydrangeas — consider upgrading to a cordless electric model. Once you experience the speed and ease, you may wonder how you ever pruned without them!

Get the Most From Your Power Pruners

If there's one thing you should know about me as a gardener, it's that I already have a bad back and famously bad knees. We've all been there: you spend a glorious Saturday afternoon pulling weeds and pruning shrubs, only to wake up on Sunday with an aching back and sore knees. For a long time, I just accepted that physical discomfort was the price you had to pay for a beautiful yard.

But here’s the secret I’ve learned after years of trial and error: gardening doesn't have to hurt. In fact, if you're still bending over to pull every single weed or kneeling directly on the hard dirt, you are working way harder than you need to be.

By making a few ergonomic swaps to your toolkit, you can completely take the strain off your joints. From my favorite garden kneeler to the power pruners that my colleagues swear by, here are the five comfort tools that will save your joints this spring.

1. A Foldable Garden Kneeler

If you only buy one comfort item this season, make it a garden kneeler. Instead of bruising your knees on the hard ground, this clever tool gives you a thick, cushioned pad to rest on. Even better, the sturdy side arms give you the perfect leverage to push yourself back up without straining your back, and you can store your tools in the side pockets. When you need a break, simply flip it over, and it instantly becomes a comfortable garden seat. Plus, it's foldable design allows you to easily tuck it away when you're not using it.

2. A Stand Up Weed Puller

Stop bending over to pull weeds! This long-handled weeder is an absolute game-changer for your lower back, and it's actually a massive favorite among our entire editorial team. You simply center the tool over the weed, step on the foot platform to push the claws into the soil, and lean the handle back. It pulls the weed out — roots and all — while you get to remain standing completely upright. Trust me, once you try this, you'll never go back to crawling around in the dirt.

3. Power Pruners

Hand cramps and sore knuckles are quick ways to ruin a weekend pruning session, especially if you have sensitive wrists or arthritis. Gardening Know How's Digital Manager Amy Draiss absolutely LOVES her power pruners. Instead of relying purely on your own grip strength to snap through thick, stubborn branches, the battery-powered mechanism slices through them like butter. It requires a fraction of the effort of traditional shears, dramatically reducing wrist fatigue and saving your hands from aching the next day.

4. Durable Gardening Gloves

Comfort isn't just about saving your back and knees; protecting your hands is just as important. And with the Pacific Northwest blackberry season approaching, I can useall the protection I can get. Long, thornproof gloves are critical in preventing scrapes and bruises on your hands and arms while you prune or, in my case, pull out invasive blackberry bushes. They also give you an incredible grip, preventing those awful hand cramps you get when you're forced to hold your tools too tightly.

5. A Yard Clean-Up Caddy

There's nothing I dread more in the yard than dragging a heavy, awkward bag full of wet leaves, heavy branches, and old soil across the lawn. If you're doing any serious spring cleaning or heavy pruning, a yard bag caddy is an absolute must-have. You simply place your standard yard bag into the frame, and the sturdy wheels let you effortlessly roll your debris with you as you move around the garden. It completely eliminates the constant bending, dragging, and awkward lifting that inevitably leads to next-day soreness, leaving you with way more energy to actually enjoy your newly cleaned yard!

Shop More Comfort Garden Tools

I got my first pair of Japanese hand pruners as a present from a dear friend who, on her 88th birthday, had reluctantly agreed to let someone else take over the heavy work in her garden. Mary’s best hand pruners were so dear to her that she couldn’t entertain the idea of them lying unused in her shed, and so she passed them on to me, a ribbon carefully tied around their handles by her ancient, arthritic hands.

Now I’ll be honest: although I was very appreciative of Mary’s kind gesture, I fully intended to leave her precious pruners lying unused in my own shed. Until I tried them, that is.

Because they were easily the best pruning shears I’d ever used, hands down.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of using a pair of Japanese pruning shears then, I promise you, you’re missing out. Although Mary’s pruners were at least two decades old, they still cut tough, woody stems well, momentarily hitting the resistance of the outer ring of bark then swiftly gliding through the centre. You know the slight pressure you need to break through the sugary crust of a lemon drizzle cake, before the momentum carries the knife through the moist cake with zero additional effort? Just like that. Pruning with these shears was as satisfying as eating a syrupy slice of lemon loaf, too: they were a joy to use.

Why Are Japanese Hand Pruners the Best?

The joy of using Japanese pruning shears isn’t just because they stay super-sharp. Though they absolutely do, as they’re typically made from carbon steel which is hard and fine-grained so holds an edge far longer than stainless steel. Or because their blades are beautifully aligned to give positive, precise cuts. Though they absolutely are, as the handle and blade are often forged from a single piece of metal.

And it’s not that these snips are so well balanced that they almost become part of your hand, either, nor that the simple spring action gently bounces the blades back open each and every time, making them almost effortless to use.

No. What makes using Japanese hand pruners so utterly gratifying is that they make you feel like a fabulously good gardener. You can snip-snip faded flowers from a full border in a trice, and slice stems in exactly the spot you want when pruning, at just the desired angle. And I swear they know the three Ds rule of pruning themselves! Shaping shrubs has become a breeze, and my Hebe and lavenders – even the bay trees – have all mysteriously morphed into aesthetically pleasing spheres almost without me trying. Most importantly, my plants always spring into life post-prune, as their cleanly-cut stems heal so swiftly.

How Are Japanese Hand Pruners Designed?

If you’ve ever visited a Japanese-style garden, you’ll already understand the ethos behind the design of these pruning shears. Nihon teien, as Japanese gardens are more properly called, are a blend of art and science; a tranquil, minimalist landscape where every element is carefully considered and thoughtfully positioned. They’re well-balanced and purposeful, simple yet exquisite. Japanese hand pruners are the same: everything that should be there, is; anything that doesn't need to be there, isn’t.

Take the simple handle-end hook that locks the blades together. I’ve closed Mary’s pruners so many times by briefly brushing the hook past my hip that it’s almost a reflex action; sliding a clunky button on a western pair of secateurs feels so cumbersome in comparison. That literature documents over a thousand years of Japanese gardening, yet a modern-day pair of hand pruners are locked by a mechanism that has existed for just as long, tells me that it works.

Obsessed, I figured that if an old pair of Japanese hand pruners felt this good to use, then a new pair would be nothing short of great. And so I treated myself to some Kakuri Japanese Pruning Shears from Amazon. Though a mid-priced product, I found these hand-forged shears were super quality, a cinch to sharpen, with a razor-edge that easily lasted many full afternoons of pruning. I soon learnt not to leave them outside, however, as the carbon steel blades quickly spotted with rust. The oxidation rubbed off just as speedily with vinegar, and I found an occasional rub with camellia oil, available from Amazon and happily smelling of toasted hazelnuts, protected as well as lubricated the blades.

I couldn’t have been happier with my buy.

Three Brands Worth Knowing

How Many Pairs of Pruners Do You Need?

I know, I know, I really shouldn’t have bought yet another pair of Japanese hand pruners at a summer flower show last summer. A lightweight Niwaki design, I only picked them up to see how heavy they were – but as soon as they were in my hands, I knew they were mine. Slightly slimmer than a regular pair of hand pruners, with slender blades and weighing a scant 188g, they’re divine. The cutting action is sumptuously smooth, their curves perfectly contoured for a woman’s hand. And I can easily justify their cost: I pick these pruners up so often – for shortening cut flowers and foraging as well as in the garden – that on a cost-per-use basis they’re an absolute bargain.

Now I use my Kakuri snips for all the tough donkey work of pruning woody plants, so my latest buy will – I hope – last my lifetime. And my very first pair? I still pick them up when I want to remember my dear friend Mary, now cloud-pruning in the sky, and thank her for introducing me to the joy of Japanese pruning shears.

One tool doesn't fit every plant—and most gardeners are quietly fighting harder than they need to. Matching the right pruning tool to the job means cleaner cuts, far less hand strain, and plants that bounce back the way they should.

Most gardeners own one pair of hand pruners and use them for everything. That works fine, until it doesn't. When pruning feels like a fight, when cuts come out mangled, when the hand cramps up after twenty minutes of squeezing. The usual read is that the plant is the problem or the blade just needs sharpening. Most of the time, though, it's actually something simpler: it's the wrong pruning tools.

Getting the right pruning tools matched to the right situation is one of the key basics of pruning. Understanding what each individual tool was genuinely built to do will save you time and money. The right match makes the whole thing feel easy.

Tender Stems: Bypass Pruning Shears

Tender stems on most flowering plants, perennials, roses, herbs, and most flowering shrubs are in bypass pruner territory. The two blades slide past each other like scissors, making a precise cut that doesn't compress the stem on one side. That clean edge matters more than people usually give it credit for. A crushed stem heals slower, sometimes rots back from the cut, sometimes just stays a little stunted through the growing season.

It’s worth putting real money into a good pair here, because these see the most use by a long stretch. The Fiskars bypass pruners, available on Amazon, are the standard for a reason—replaceable blades, replaceable spring, fits most hand sizes, and precise enough for detailed work on perennials. Smaller hands do better with the Felco 6, also from Amazon, which runs a bit narrower and lighter and is worth comparing directly.

Woody Stems: Ratchet Pruner or Lopper

When the pruners have to be squeezed hard, when the cut looks torn or splintered rather than clean, or when hand fatigue sets in after just a few cuts, that's a thick woody perennial telling you it needs a different tool. Branches in the 3/4-inch to 1.5-inch (2–4cm) range—mature shrub branches, older rose canes, established hydrangea stems—are past what hand pruners handle well. Forcing it damages the plant and the tool.

Loppers are the straightforward answer here, giving leverage that hand pruners simply can't match. For anyone dealing with grip fatigue or hand strength issues, ratcheting pruners are worth knowing about—they cut in stages rather than requiring one sustained squeeze, which makes a real difference on tough stems. The EZ Kut Heavy Duty Pruning Shears is a solid option on Amazon. And for loppers, the Fiskars PowerGear Loppers handle up to 2-inch (5 cm) branches with considerably less effort than standard models.

Hedges: Hedge Shears or Powered Trimmers

Shaping a hedge or trimming a formal shrub with hand pruners is technically possible and practically miserable. Making hundreds of small cuts one at a time to achieve an even line takes forever and rarely produces a consistent result. The tool for this work is purpose-built for it: hedge shears for hand trimming, or powered hedge trimmers for any run longer than a few feet.

For small, precise hedge work—topiaries, low formal hedges, compact boxwood shapes—a good pair of hand hedge shears like the Fiskars Power-Lever shears on Amazon give control that electric tools can't match.

For longer runs, the DEWALT 22-inch hedge trimmer, also available from Amazon, handles most residential hedges quickly without the bulk of larger gas-powered options. Either way, the geometry of the tool does the leveling work that hand pruners simply can't replicate cut by cut.

Large Branches: Pruning Saw or Chainsaw

When the pruner won't fully close around a branch, or closing it requires twisting the tool to snap the wood rather than cut it cleanly, that's the branch saying it needs a saw. Bark that tears rather than cuts cleanly, stems that the loppers compress instead of slice—these are signs the diameter has crossed into saw territory, generally anything above 1.5 inches (4cm) and certainly above 2 inches (5cm).

The Silky PocketBoy folding saw, available on Amazon, folds safely, cuts on the pull stroke, and handles branches that would genuinely stall a standard saw. Bigger jobs—storm cleanup, mature limbs, large shrubs being cut back to the ground—need a longer blade. The Husqvarna 120 Mark III chainsaw from Amazon moves through thick wood considerably faster.

Anyone doing heavy removal work with any regularity should also look seriously at a compact battery-powered chainsaw like this Seesii Mini Chainsaw from Amazon.

Dead Stems: Anvil Pruners

Anvil pruners cut differently than bypass: the blade closes down onto a flat plate rather than passing another blade. That's genuinely useful for dead wood, where the compression doesn't matter because there's no live tissue to protect. On live stems, though, anvil pruners crush the cell structure on one side of the cut, which slows healing and can invite disease into the wound. The practical rule: use them for dead, dry wood—and bypass pruners for everything still growing.

Good to have for deadwood, frost-damaged stems, and dry brittle material that just flexes and skips under bypass blades instead of cutting cleanly. The Fiskars anvil pruner on Amazon uses a gear mechanism that multiplies cutting force considerably—a real difference when the material is hard and dry and the squeezing gets tedious fast.

When It's Worth Going Electric

Electric pruning tools—battery-powered hand pruners, electric loppers, cordless chainsaws—make the most sense when the volume is high, when arthritis or grip strength makes repeated squeezing genuinely difficult, or when the plants are mature enough that manual tools wear you out well before the job's done. A full orchard, a property ringed with established hedges, anyone managing real hand fatigue—these are the situations where going electric pays for itself fast. There's also a cleaner energy case for it: battery-powered tools cut out the gas and oil altogether, which is a real upside for anyone trying to reduce fossil fuel use in the garden without giving up performance.

This DeWalt cordless pruner from Amazon can handle branches up to 1.5 inches (3.6cm) on a simple trigger squeeze, which takes most of the strain out of high-volume cutting. For larger properties or grip issues, moving to electric for the bulk of the work and keeping manual tools for detailed precision cuts is a practical split that makes the whole job genuinely easier. The best pruning tool is always the one that makes the cut feel like it's doing the work—not you.

Shop Maintenance Essentials

Your pruning tools are only as good as their maintenance. Taking care to sterilize, clean, and sharpen tools is important to their effectiveness and longevity.

Spring is on its way and that means it’s almost time for the first mow of the season. But before you fire up your lawn mower, there’s one key bit of upkeep that can make all the difference for your lawn and mower.

Learning how to balance lawn mower blades is vital to the health of both your mower and your grass. Luckily, the tool you need to do this task only costs around $10 and it’s an easy job to check off your spring gardening list.

I’ll reveal why balancing your lawn mower blades is an important part of growing a lush, healthy lawn. Then I’ll walk you through exactly how to do it and what you’ll need to make sure your lawn mower is in tip-top shape for the season ahead.

Do My Lawn Mower Blades Need Balancing?

The beginning of the spring season is the ideal time to do important maintenance on your essential gardening tools. And one of the most used pieces of equipment for many gardeners and homeowners is the lawn mower.

Each spring, ensure that your lawn mower blades are balanced and sharp before making that first cut of the season. This prevents problems with your lawn mower itself and helps you grow a healthier lawn as well.

Sharp and even blades make cleaner cuts that look better and prevent common lawn diseases. Ragged and uneven cutting caused by dull or unbalanced blades leaves your lawn looking patchy and leaves grass vulnerable to infection as well.

How to Tell If Blades Are Unbalanced

You can tell if your lawn mower blades are unbalanced if you notice rattling or difficulty turning your mower. You may also feel a lot of vibration and even discomfort while mowing the lawn.

You’ll also notice the effects of an unbalanced lawn mower blade in your lawn itself. You will see patchy, uneven cuts and certain areas with grass that's longer than in other spots. If you want to grow a perfectly uniform lawn, a balanced blade is a must.

Balanced blades are necessary not only for aesthetics and ease of mowing, but they also keep your mower in peak condition. Unbalanced blades can wear on the motor, bearings, and other parts of your mower. Balancing blades helps extend the life of your lawn mower by ensuring that it is in proper working order.

The easiest way to tell if your blades are imbalanced, though, is by looking at them. If one side of the blade has more visible wear and tear or is shaped differently, then your blade is probably imbalanced.

What You Will Need

How to Use a Lawn Mower Blade Balancer

First, remove and clean your blade of any grass clippings, dirt, or debris. Next, place your blade on top of the blade balancer. The blade will tip to one side or the other if it is imbalanced. One side will be lighter because it is more worn down, thus causing the imbalance.

To fix the imbalance you need to file down the heavier side. Take the side of the blade that tilted down on the balancer and file that side with a file from Home Depot, a blade sharpener from Amazon, or a blade balancing kit like this one from Amazon that includes both a balancer and a drill attachment for sharpening.

Use a vice to hold your blade steady and then use your tool of choice to sharpen the blade’s cutting edge. Do a couple rounds of sharpening, then check the blade again on the balancer. Continue the process until the blade sits evenly on the balancer and doesn’t tilt to either side.

Now your blade is balanced, sharpened, and ready for the first mow of the season!

Spend a few hours weeding or transplanting, and your hands will know it. That deep ache along the base of the thumb, stiffness that carries into the next morning, a tendon that feels oddly tight when you flex – this is gardener's thumb, a repetitive strain condition that builds quietly over seasons.

Most standard tool handles run thin and hard, designed to be cheap to produce rather than comfortable to use. Gripping them tightly – especially during twisting or pulling motions – puts serious stress on the tendons and muscles that control the thumb, and over time, that stress accumulates.

You don't have to replace your gardening tools to fix the problem. A few layers of pipe foam and some grip tape can transform the feel of what's already in the shed without spending much. The goal is a wider, cushioned handle diameter – something in the range of 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5cm) – which lets the hand relax into a more natural grip rather than clenching hard around a skinny shaft.

It sounds minor. Over a long season, however, the difference is huge.

What is Gardener's Thumb?

Gardener's thumb is an informal term for several repetitive strain injuries targeting the thumb, wrist, and palm. It can refer to De Quervain's tenosynovitis, trigger finger, or general tendinitis along the thumb tendons. What these conditions have in common is the cause: repetitive gripping, pinching, or twisting of pruners that inflames the tendon sheath over time. Symptoms tend to start subtle – a little stiffness after a long session, some soreness along the wrist – then build into something harder to ignore if the root cause isn't addressed.

The handle shape is often the main driver. A thin handle forces the hand into a tighter grip, which means the thumb tendons work overtime whenever the tool is used. Wider handles distribute that pressure across the whole hand. That's the basic biomechanics of it, and it's why ergonomic tool handles are thicker by design. You can buy ergonomic tools, of course, buy modifying the handles of your current tools gets to the same result for a fraction of the price.

How to Modify Your Handles

It only takes a few minutes to make your tool handles wider, softer, and easier to use.

Materials

The materials are easy to find and cost almost nothing.

• Pipe insulation foam – the tubular kind sold at hardware stores for wrapping water pipes – works well because it's already shaped right, slightly compressible, and easy to cut to length. This foam from Amazon is a great choice.
• Grip tape goes over the top to secure everything and add texture.
• A pair of scissors and some electrical tape to anchor the foam underneath is about all else needed.

For hand tools like trowels or weeders, a single foam layer wrapped and taped before the grip tape is usually plenty. For longer handles – hoes, cultivators, rakes – the foam can be cut to cover just the grip zone, roughly the top 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25cm) where the hands actually sit during use. There's no need to wrap the whole handle. Focus the modification where it matters and it'll hold up a lot better too.

Step-By-Step

1. Start by cleaning the handle – grip tape won't stick well to dusty or oily surfaces. If there's old rubber coating that's peeling, pull it back the rest of the way first.
2. Then slide the foam tube over the handle or wrap a foam sheet around it, securing the seam with a strip of electrical tape. The goal is a snug fit, not an overly bulky one. One solid layer is typically enough to bump the handle diameter up into a more comfortable range.
3. Once the foam is secure, wrap the grip tape tightly from the bottom of the grip zone upward, overlapping each pass by about half the tape width. Grip tape like this from Amazon holds up well to weather and repeated handling, which matters for tools that get grabbed with damp or dirty hands.
4. Pull it firm – but not so tight the foam compresses completely underneath. A little cushion is the whole point.
5. Some gardeners add a second pass at the top and bottom edges to keep things from unraveling with repeated use.

Which Tools Benefit Most?

Hand tools are the obvious starting point. Trowels, cultivators, weeders, and pruners are held in a tight grip for most of their use, making them the biggest contributors to thumb strain over a session. If only one tool gets modified first, make it whichever one gets the most time in the hand – for most gardeners that's a trowel or hand fork, since those are picked up in nearly every session.

Long-handled tools matter too. Hoes, rakes, and cultivating forks are usually gripped near the top of the handle during use, and if that zone is thin and smooth, the hands slide and clench to compensate. Widening just the upper 10 inches (25cm) of a hoe handle can reduce fatigue noticeably over a long session. It's worth doing for any tool used for extended stretches – not just the obvious culprits that cause soreness right away.

Keep Your Tools in Good Shape

Grip tape wears eventually, especially on tools that get heavy use or sit in damp conditions through the season. Checking the wraps at the start of each year takes about five minutes and catches any sections lifting or losing adhesion before they become a problem. Replacing a worn wrap is faster than the first application – the foam underneath usually stays intact, so it's just a matter of peeling off the old tape and rewrapping.

Modified handles that are maintained reasonably well can last several seasons without needing more than a quick rewrap at the top, where wear tends to show up first. And the payoff accumulates in the same quiet way the strain used to – less hand fatigue after a long morning, fewer mornings where the thumb aches before the day even starts. A little foam and some tape is a small thing, but for hands that spend a lot of time in the garden, it adds up.

The idea behind the tin foil trick is that, by repeatedly cutting a piece of folded aluminum foil, you can sharpen hand pruners. But does it actually work? After pruning a heap of roses and other shrubs, I had a pretty blunt pair of pruners to test it out. Here’s how my pruners looked before I started.

To get a guide, I snipped a ⅝ inch butterfly bush stem. I chose buddleja because it has a soft, squashable core surrounded by a thick, woody outer, so it would be a good test to reveal any difference in blade sharpness. I graded my pruners’ pre-sharpening performance as fair-to-fairly-poor.

So on to the tin foil trick! I used a standard roll of aluminum foil from my local grocery store, and tore a section around 14 inches long. I folded this in half four times to get a 3 inch by 4 inch rectangle of foil, 16 layers thick. I then snipped, slowly and carefully, through the oblong of tin foil 15 times, being sure to use the full length of the blades.

Were My Pruners Any Sharper?

I then chopped that same buddleja stem. There was a minor improvement: the blades seemed to slip through the woody stem a little more easily. However, I’m sure this was purely down to the blades being cleaner rather than actually sharper. After lots of late-winter pruning, the blades were plastered in sticky sap which had in turn attracted a film of dirt and dust – and the tin foil trick certainly did a good job of removing all this gunk. Here’s how my hand pruners looked post-tin foil.

The soft aluminium of the tin foil did act as a very mild abrasive, and cleaned up the blades to make my cuts feel a little smoother, raising their performance a tiny notch higher. However, once I returned to pruning proper, the blades quickly got dirty and their performance returned to a dismal fair-to-fairly-poor rating.

Frustrated, I dug out a sharpening tool from the shed, similar to this one on Amazon, and gave the blade 20-or-so strokes. The blade now visibly had a better edge, so it was no surprise that when I snipped the same buddleja stem, my pruners cut through it like putty. I was surprised what a difference a two-minute rub with a sharpening tool had made and, even after another half-hour of pruning, the blades felt just as sharp.

What Did I Learn?

The tin foil trick is an effective way to clean surface grime from blades, and perhaps smooth out microscopic burrs, but it doesn’t sharpen pruners. However, the bigger lesson I learned from my garden test had nothing at all to do with tin foil: I realised I should sharpen my pruners properly far more often. I only bother once or twice a year at best, when it’s raining too hard to garden and I’ve run out of cozy jobs to do in the greenhouse.

Experts advise sharpening pruning shears every 4–6 weeks or after every significant snipping session. Sharp blades make clean cuts that heal fast, putting less stress on the plant and reducing the risk of disease as well as the strain on your hands. And I hadn’t realised what a difference that made, or how important it was.

This is why I was shocked: here's the cut end of the buddleja stem before I sharpened my pruner blades. That torn edge, the crushed center, that bark peeling away – they’re all potential entry points for disease.

And here's the cut I made after sharpening the blades.

Lesson learned. If you have a pair of hand pruners, don’t bother with the tin foil trick – but do your plants a favor and sharpen your blades properly with a purpose-made tool.

Which Sharpening Tool To Use

I've wasted far too much money on gardening tools over the past three decades. Trowels, forks, shovels and hand pruners: you name it, I've bought it. When I first started out, I presumed a higher price meant I'd get a premium product, and boy, was I mistaken. As my gardening skills improved, so did my shopping sense, and I worked out what was worth spending more on, and where I could safely save money.

As a gardening editor, I've tested hundreds of garden tools, too. I kept the ones I liked, and gifted those I didn't because I realised that, even if swish gardening tools arrive on your doorstep for free, if you don't enjoy using them, then they're not worth a dime.

Want to avoid all the mistakes I made and get the very best value when you buy garden tools? Here are the five to splurge on, and the five to safely scrimp on.

Splurge on a Trowel

Save on a Garden Fork

Splurge on a Shovel

Save on Gardening Gloves

Splurge on Hand Pruners

Save on Loppers

Splurge on a Weed Puller

Save on a Dibble

Splurge on a Bulb Planter

Save on Garden Scissors

With snow piling up across the country, homeowners are looking for faster and easier ways to keep walkways, decks, and driveways clear. And instead of reaching for a shovel or snow blower, many are turning to an unexpected gardening tool usually reserved for fall cleanup. Leaf blowers, it turns out, can be surprisingly effective for snow removal — but only under the right conditions.

When a Leaf Blower Can Help With Snow

It turns out that leaf blowers can be surprisingly effective for clearing snow, as long as the conditions are right. The key? Light, dry, powdery snow. When snow is fresh and fluffy, a powerful leaf blower can push it off of most surfaces in seconds — no bending, lifting, or scraping required.

This method works especially well to clear snow from:

• Walkways and garden paths
• Decks, patios, and stairs
• Driveways with a light dusting
• Car roofs, hoods, and windshields

Why the Type of Leaf Blower Matters

The key is to use a high-powered blower that produces strong airflow, like this 680CFM electric cordless option on Amazon. On smooth surfaces like composite decking, concrete, or asphalt, the snow lifts easily and blows away cleanly. They’re especially useful for early-morning dustings or quick touch-ups before snow gets packed down.

That said, this method has its limits. Once snow becomes wet, heavy, compacted, or deep, a leaf blower simply won’t cut it. In those cases, you’ll need something with more muscle.

When You’ll Need a More Powerful Tool

For heavier snowfall without investing in a full-size snow blower, a cordless snow shovel is a great compromise. It’s more affordable than a traditional snow blower, much easier on your body than a manual shovel, and perfect for clearing driveways, sidewalks, and decks quickly. Think of it as the step up when a leaf blower isn’t enough — but a full machine feels like overkill.

The bottom line is, using a leaf blower to clear snow isn’t a gimmick — but it does depend on timing and conditions. If you already own a leaf blower, it’s worth trying for light snowfall before reaching for a shovel. Just be ready to switch tools to something like a cordless electric snow shovel when winter weather gets more serious.

If you've ever bought an expensive set of kitchen knives, you will have no doubt discovered that there are always a couple that rarely get used. Indeed, most chefs will tell you that there are only three essential blades (though, of course, that didn't stop me getting a block of 6 – and I make a point of using all of them). It's much the same situation with garden pruners.

While there are a few bonus pruning tools you can invest in if you really think you'll use them, most gardeners will mainly just use two or three pairs – and only one of those will be relied upon regularly. While that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy that telescopic pole pruner you've had your eye on if you have a lot of tall trees, you should think twice about where to invest extra in the best-quality tools, and where you can save on occasional-use products.

Here are my recommendations for which types of pruners every gardener needs, plus my top picks of models to buy. Happy snipping!

1. Bypass Pruners

If you only buy one pair of pruners, let it be these. Bypass pruners have a scissor-like cutting action, with a sharp, curved blade that slides past a lower, thicker blade. They’re your everyday workhorse, used for cutting flower and vegetable stems, soft to semi-woody growth, and small branches (usually up to ¾ inch in diameter, but some pairs can cope with an inch).

I’d say bypass pruners are the ones you’ll reach for to tackle over 80% of garden jobs. But don’t get too cocky and use them on thick, woody stems, as you’ll blunt them and possibly damage the blades.

Because they’re your most used pair, this is where to invest in the best quality. Look for:

• Hardened blades – high-carbon steel or Japanese steel for clean cuts.
• True bypass action – blades should pass cleanly like scissors, not crush stems.
• Ergonomic handles – soft grip to reduce hand and wrist fatigue
• Smooth, reliable spring – easy opening without stiffness. Some premium models have dual springs for balanced action.
• Secure one-handed lock – safe and convenient when not in use
• Tension adjustment screw – lets you fine-tune blade tightness.
• Easy to clean and disassemble – for maintenance

Bypass Pruner Picks

2. Anvil Pruners

You may wonder why you need anvil pruners, as at first glance they don’t look that different to bypass pruners. But rather than a scissor-like action, they are designed with a single, sharp blade that closes onto a flat, solid metal base. This gives them more cutting power with less hand strain, making them perfect for dead or woody stems, dry branches, and tough shrubs. They’re also great for gardeners with weaker grip strength. Used correctly, anvil pruners can extend the life of your bypass blades.

However, as the cutting action crushes rather than slices, it can be damaging to soft live plant tissue, so use your bypass pruners for most trimming. Anvils typically handle diameters between 0.6–1 inch.

Alternatively, ratchet pruners are similar to anvil pruners but use a mechanism to cut in stages, making them ideal for gardeners with arthritis or for cutting very thick branches in smaller, manageable steps. You won't need both anvil and ratchet pruners, though.

When buying anvil pruners, look for the following:

• Strong blade and anvil – thick, high-carbon or heat-treated steel cutting edge meets a sturdy flat surface
• Comfortable grips – with soft, non-slip coating is essential to reduce fatigue
• Good cut capacity – aim for ¾ inch to an inch to tackle dead branches
• Smooth spring action – supportive rebound without stiff resistance
• Reliable locking mechanism

Anvil Pruner Picks

3. Loppers

These long-handled pruners are your go-to when cutting thick branches (up to 1½ inches to 2 inches in diameter) and when you need an extended reach. Some loppers even have telescopic handles to extend further. As they require two hands, they enable you to apply greater force than with handheld pruners. They’re perfect for pruning small trees and shrubs, and tackling thicker, older growth.

When buying loppers, look for these qualities:

• Cutting capacity – choose loppers rated for the branch size you typically tackle (commonly 1–2 inches)
• Bypass vs anvil blades – bypass for cleaner cuts on live wood, anvil for dead/dry wood
• Strong, durable blades – heat-treated or high-carbon steel for lasting sharpness
• Long or telescopic handles – for more leverage
• Comfortable grips – ergonomic, non-slip handles reduce fatigue on big jobs
• Lightweight but sturdy frame – aluminum or composite shafts keep weight down without sacrificing strength
• Smooth pivot and spring action – easy cutting with minimal effort

Lopper Picks

Other Pruning Tools You May Need

Sometimes you may need other types of pruning tools in addition to your core pruners. Whether you need to invest depends mainly on whether you're tackling trees and hedges yourself.

• If you need to trim taller trees, it’s a good idea to invest in a telescopic pole tool, like the Fiskars 2-in-1 Extendable Tree Pruner and Pole Saw, which extends 7.9–12 feet.
• For hedges, an electric trimmer makes life a lot easier. However, you may also want to pick up some hedge shears, like these Gonicc Professional Adjustable 33"+ 13" Hedge Shears. 
• A pruning saw – like this Corona Tools saw – is useful for thick branches that are too large for loppers, using a sharp, narrow blade to cut through woody growth cleanly with minimal effort.
• Snips are handy for precise, delicate jobs, making it easy to deadhead flowers, trim herbs, and cut thin stems cleanly without reaching for full-size pruners. Try these Felco F322 Pruning Snips.

Fun fact: the best gardening tools aren’t always the flashiest or most expensive. After all, gardening trends may change from year to year, but the tools you rely on every week remain constant.

This means the smartest investment isn’t in novelty gadgets, but in well-made essentials that perform reliably across different climates, soil types and USDA Planting Zones.

Oh sure, the challenges will vary. The fundamentals, however, stay the same, and sharp blades, comfortable handles and durable materials won’t just make all the difference when you’re planting, pruning or maintaining raised beds. They’ll also make gardening more enjoyable all year-round... if you pick well.

Trust me, I’ve been there, done that, bought the blunt pruners, flimsy gloves and clunky spades. A poor purchase, though, can turn even simple tasks into blister-inducing chores.

Tools designed with real gardeners in mind, though? Well, they allow you to work more efficiently. And they don’t have to come with a premium price tag, either...

The 9 Best Gardening Tools for 2026

Oh yes, we've scoured the net to bring you nine tools that'll form a strong foundation for you and your garden, whether you’re upgrading tired equipment, setting up a new shed, or simply planning for a more productive, less frustrating gardening year ahead.

Happy shopping...

1. Hori Hori Knife

2. Wolf-Garten Multi Tool

3. Showa Garden Gloves

4. Fiskars Bypass Pruning Shears

5. Black Trug

6. Fiskars Loppers

7. VELCRO Plant Ties

8. Qilebi Watering Can with Rose

9. Fiskars Spade

Think of these as investment basics: not bargain-bin prices, but accessible, good-quality tools that punch well above their weight.

We bet they’ll support your garden (and your back, knees, and other achey parts!) for a wonderfully long time.

January is when winter really settles in, and with it often comes a blanket of snow across the yard and garden – and, more inconveniently, over driveways, walkways, and paths you still need to use. While the garden may be resting for the season, snow removal quickly becomes part of winter garden care, especially when access points need to stay clear and safe.

Shoveling snow by hand is, quite frankly, a lot of work. And snow blowers can be loud, expensive, and flat-out intimidating. Enter the electric, cordless snow shovel – a perfect middle ground between manual shovels and blowers, providing all of the benefits of a blower in a compact, quiet, and maneuverable gadget.

Electric snow shovels are designed to take the strain out of snow removal without the hassle of maintaining a full-size machine. They’re especially appealing for homeowners who want something more powerful (and less time-consuming) than a traditional shovel, but simpler and less overwhelming than a gas or electric snow blower.

Our Top Cordless Snow Shovel Picks

If you’re curious about trying one for yourself, several cordless electric snow shovels stand out for their power, ease of use, and overall value. Below, we’ve rounded up our top picks – including models that offer impressive performance, thoughtful and ergonomic design, and strong reviews from homeowners who’ve already made the switch.

Why Cordless Models Make the Most Sense

Electric snow shovels are not exactly a new concept – corded ones have been around for years, designed to toss snow away from your path or driveway. But who wants to hassle with long cords on cold, snowy days, when dragging an extension cord through snow and ice can feel like a hazard in itself?

Like traditional blowers, cordless snow shovels are powerful enough to sweep up snow and throw it 20 feet away or more, but that’s where the similarities end. Many cordless snow shovels are quiet enough to use early in the morning or late at night without disturbing neighbors, and they store easily in a garage or shed when not in use.

A Smarter Middle Ground for Winter Cleanup

For many homeowners, cordless electric snow shovels hit the sweet spot. They’re powerful enough to throw snow several feet away, yet simple enough that there’s no learning curve, no fuel to store, and no complicated setup.

They’re particularly well-suited for:

• Sidewalks, paths, and entryways
• Decks, patios, and stairs
• Smaller driveways or touch-up jobs
• Anyone looking to reduce strain on their back and shoulders

Whether you’re looking to retire your manual shovel or want a simpler alternative to a snow blower, a cordless electric snow shovel can make winter cleanup faster, quieter, and far less exhausting.

Gas leaf blowers and other gas-powered lawn care equipment are seemingly everywhere these days. They are incredibly powerful and even a small tank of gasoline can get a lot of work done throughout the year. However, gas-powered leaf blowers and landscaping tools create a lot of pollution and noise. For those reasons, many state and local municipalities are beginning to place limits on these machines.

More than 200 localities across 27 states in the U.S. have some type of regulation that restricts gasoline lawn equipment in some way. This could be an outright ban on the usage of these gardening tools, restrictions on usage during certain times of the year, phasing out the sale of the machines, or offering incentives to replace gas-powered tools with electric ones.

Let’s dive into which regulations for gas leaf blowers and lawn care equipment might affect you and your lawn care needs.

Why Are Gas Lawn Tools Being Restricted?

Gasoline-powered lawn tools like leaf blowers, chainsaws, and weed whackers have two-stroke engines which offer a lot of power in a lightweight form. Unfortunately, these little engines burn both gasoline and oil and they have no emission control systems. The exhaust they put out contains large amounts of nitrogen oxide, benzene, formaldehyde, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These byproducts are very harmful to human health and negatively impact the environment.

The California Air Resources Board estimates that 1 hour of gasoline-powered leaf blower use produces emissions equivalent to driving a car 1,100 miles (1770 km).

In addition to unhealthy exhaust, gas leaf blowers are very loud. Backpack leaf blowers can reach 80-100 dB. According to the National Council on Aging, noises above 85 dB can damage your hearing. Operators must wear ear protection for their own safety, but these tools also contribute to noise pollution in our neighborhoods. (There is someone in my neighborhood using a loud leaf blower as I write this. They could be a half mile away, but their leaf blower noise has made it into my office for the last 2 hours.) For this reason, some municipalities have restrictions on decibel level for lawn equipment, including electric tools.

Greenworks is a favorite brand of our editors here at Gardening Know How and they have a full range of electric lawn equipment that will keep you, your neighbors, and the environment happier and healthier. In particular, the Greenworks backpack leaf blower, which is available from Amazon, is strong but also quiet at just 64 dB. And it won’t add pollutants to the air which will help your family and community breathe easy.

Where are Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Banned?

Beginning in 2024, California state law prohibits the sale of gas-powered lawn equipment and many municipalities along the California coast have usage bans on gas-powered leaf blowers. All lawn tools sold must be zero-emission. Interestingly, the first leaf blower ban went into effect in 1975 in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA just a few years after gas leaf blowers were introduced to the U.S. market.

In 2018, Washington, D.C. passed the Leaf Blower Regulation Amendment Act that prohibits the sale and use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers within the District of Columbia. Many other major cities are moving towards bans on gasoline leaf blowers over the next few years.

Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) has a helpful interactive map that will show you if there are any regulations or restrictions you need to be aware of in your locality.

Areas With Usage Restrictions on Leaf Blowers

Some locations in California like San Clemente Portola Valley, and Palos Verdes Estates have restrictions on the decibel levels of electric leaf blowers in addition to the ban of gas-powered versions.

In communities surrounding Chicago, IL, cities in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, gas-powered leaf blowers are only permitted during spring and fall. Colorado also follows this model for usage of gasoline tools on public and government property. During summer months, heat, humidity, and sunlight accelerate chemical reactions that lead to more smog and pollution hangs around longer in the stagnant air.

Areas Phasing Out Gas Leaf Blowers

In Maryland, Montgomery County has prohibited the use of gas-powered leaf blowers from July 1, 2025 onward and is also restricting sale and use of any leaf blower exceeding 70 decibels. In Baltimore, the use of gas leaf blowers will be prohibited at the end of 2026.

In Massachusetts, the cities of Lexington, Concord, Acton, Cambridge, Arlington, Dedham, and Belmont are all phasing out the use of gas-powered leaf blowers as early as 2026 and going to 2030.

Luckily, in many of these locations, there are grants and funding available for homeowners and landscaping companies to help defray the cost of replacing gasoline-powered tools with new electric ones.

Make the Switch to Electric

Ready to make the switch? These lawncare brands can help you get started.

Every gardener has their favorite garden tool. My personal favorite is my trusty soil knife. It lives on my belt through spring, summer, and fall as I dig, chop, divide, weed, and plant. It gets quite the workout in my pollinator garden and raised vegetable beds. But even the sturdiest tools need a little TLC after being put through their paces in the garden.

Cleaning gardening tools is important so they last a lifetime. In particular, rust can ruin a tool that otherwise could be passed down to the next generation. Rust spreads quickly and can destroy your precious pruners, trowels, and loppers.

Luckily, not all might be lost. You can clean rusty garden tools and get them back in tiptop shape with a little effort. Then you just need to be sure to take care of your basic tool maintenance going forward. Here’s how to restore your rusty tools so they are ready for many more years of use.

Clean Your Tools

First, it is important to clean rusty garden tools and assess their condition. Lay out a tarp or take your tools outside for a preliminary cleaning. Use a stiff brush to knock off any old dirt that is clinging to blades and handles. A grout cleaner brush, like this one from Amazon, has a v-shaped bristle edge that allows you to get in the nooks and crannies of your pruners or loppers. A larger plastic scrub brush, also available from Amazon, will easily clean larger tools like shovels.

Once your tools are free of dirt and debris, assess the condition of your tools. Have rust spots gone all the way through the metal? If so, those tools are done and no longer safe to use. Check with your municipality to find out how you can recycle them.

If your tools have some rust but are in stable condition, you can move on to treating the rust.

Treat Rust on Tools

A simple and effective way to take the rust off your gardening tools is an overnight soak in vinegar. The acetic acid in vinegar will break down the rust and make it easier to scrub away.

Place the rusted metal parts of your tools in a bucket and fill with vinegar. Submerge the rusty part of the tools completely in the vinegar, but be sure to not soak any plastic or wood handles. Alternatively, you can soak a rag in vinegar and wrap the rag around the rusted metal and let it sit overnight.

After soaking the rusty tools overnight, use steel wool or a good scouring pad to remove any remaining rust. Rinse your tools well with water to ensure that the vinegar is neutralized and doesn’t corrode the good metal on the tools. Dry your newly cleaned tools thoroughly.

Prevent Future Rust

After restoring your rusty garden tools, it is time to prevent any future rust from forming. A good multipurpose oil like 3-in-ONE can be found on Amazon or from your local hardware store. It will protect the metal from moisture that will lead to corrosion. This will extend the life of your tools. It’s also great at lubricating any moving parts on pruners or loppers. Store your tools in a dry environment and they will be ready to use for the next season’s gardening jobs!

My Rusty Tool Restoration Essentials

Don’t let rust get in the way of your gardening ever again. Some cleaning, simple rust removal, and a little preventive maintenance will keep your garden tools rust free for years to come.

Wow the gardener on your gift list with a watering can from this heritage British brand. Haws watering cans are known the world over for their unmatched quality, ease of use, and aesthetic excellence. That makes them the perfect gift for anyone who’s serious about plants.

I remember the first time I saw Monty Don, British gardening guru and my personal gardening icon, use a Haws watering can on his television show Gardener’s World. I always keep an eye on the tools Monty Don uses because I know that he only invests in the highest-quality and longest-lasting tools.

Since that day, a Haws watering can has been at the top of my wishlist. They are investment pieces (with price tags to match) that will last an entire lifetime or more. If that sounds like the ideal gift for the gardener in your life, I’ll share my top picks from the Haws brand, which are available in the US at Anthropologie and Goodee. However, if you love the look, but aren’t ready to break the bank on one of these luxury watering cans, I’ll share the best dupes available.

Why Haws Watering Cans?

Haws watering cans are synonymous with quality. These gorgeous metal watering cans are only for the most serious gardeners who plan to grow plants for many decades. They are pieces that can be passed down from one generation to the next because they’re so durable – and timelessly beautiful.

This trusted brand goes back a long time, too. Haws is the world’s oldest manufacturer of watering cans. They began in 1886 when John Haws designed a well-balanced “watering pot” as a better alternative to the unwieldy models available at the time.

Almost 140 years later, the design and manufacturing methods are practically unchanged. These traditional steel and brass watering cans are handmade in England by expert craftspeople. The Haws website says it best, “Our products are as enduring as our reputation.”

The body of each Haws watering can is crafted from durable galvanized steel and powder-coated in a variety of colors, including the classic Haws green. These watering cans come with a variety of different brass heads, or what Haws calls “roses” – for everything from a fine misting to a heavy flow for thirsty plants. Haws even offers a brass watering lance, which you can find at Anthropologie, to get the same spectacular watering experience with your hose.

Haws also offers a wide range of different size and shape cans for every garden’s different watering needs. For a larger garden, the Warley Fall 2-gallon watering can from Goodee is the ideal fit. But if you have a smaller plot of land or just a few plants in a patio garden, then the Fazely Flow 2-pint watering can, also available from Goodee, is just what you need. Plus, it’s under $100!

The Classic Haws Watering Can

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Buying gifts for someone who gardens for a living is surprisingly tricky. When it’s not just a hobby but a profession, they’ve usually seen it all (right down to every last novelty mug) and they’re quick to spot anything that feels gimmicky or impractical.

That’s why I was genuinely taken aback last Christmas when my husband, a professional gardener, unwrapped his gift and immediately announced that it was the best he'd ever been given.

It wasn’t an expensive gadget or some overdesigned tool. It wasn't even one of those unique gardening gifts that takes weeks of brainstorming. It was – drum roll, please! – a humble hori hori knife – which, conveniently, is available on Amazon.

What is a Hori Hori?

But what even is a hori hori, I hear you ask from across the internet? It’s a Japanese gardening knife with a thick, sturdy blade, one straight edge and one serrated edge, usually finished with measurement markings running up the center.

In practice, it works as a trowel, knife, saw, and edging tool all in one – essentially the Swiss Army knife of the gardening world. And my husband’s one takes things up a notch, thanks to its solid wooden handle and protective sheath.

Practical, unflashy, and built to last? No wonder it went down a storm.

Why Professionals Love It

According to my husband, this nifty multi-purpose tool replaces several others he’d normally keep on hand. He uses it for planting bulbs, dividing perennials, cutting roots, removing stubborn weeds, opening compost bags, trimming twine, and tidying edges.

Because it’s sharp and slightly weighted, it moves through soil with ease. The serrated edge handles tougher jobs, while the straight edge allows for clean, precise cuts. And the measurement markings also make planting more accurate – something professionals especially appreciate when consistency matters.

Basically, it’s always within reach (he actually keeps it on his belt at all times) and, since getting it, he reaches for it almost automatically: the true hallmark of a well-designed gardening tool.

I love that, because it makes this gift feel genuinely thoughtful. It feels like physical proof of the fact that you understand how someone actually works in the garden, rather than just what they like in theory. Or, in my case, that you've been listening when they come home full of stories about their day at work.

For my husband, this is the gardening gift that is and will seemingly forever be in constant rotation. It’s traveled between jobs, attended show gardens, survived heavy use, and only improved with age. And, in a season full of fast purchases, giving something that becomes part of someone’s daily routine feels especially meaningful.

While the hori hori knife isn’t flashy, you can gift it safe in the knowledge that it's the kind of tool that quietly elevates everyday work. So much so, in fact, that I promise you this: whether you're giving it to someone who gardens professionally or passionately (or both!), it’s one of those rare presents that continues to feel special long after the wrapping paper has been cleared away.

Guess you'd better write another letter to Santa, while there's still time...

Quality tools can make or break how much you enjoy gardening, especially a tool with so many uses like a pair of pruners. Good pruners can mean the difference between leaving your garden perfectly pruned and well-harvested versus uneven cuts that can actually cause harm to plants.

I've talked to a lot of gardeners over the years for advice when it comes to the essential gardening tools, and one thing I've learned from them all is how much they swear by their favorites. Once they find the perfect tool, no other compares. They'll always keep their trusty faves by their side, especially a good set of garden pruners.

Ahead of next spring, I decided to chat to gardening and flower pros to discover their top pruner recommendations. And there was one particular pair that won by a landslide. Find out which pruners pros love and also discover some other durable options that will leave your hands feeling comfortable and ensure a job well done.

3rd Place: Corona Clippers or Bahco Pruners

In joint third place, with one recommendation each are the Corona Clippers and the Bahco Pruners, both of which are available on Amazon.

Amy McCord, master florist, avid gardener, and CEO at Flower Moxie swears by the Corona Clippers for achieving precise cuts and loves how easy they are to keep clean.

"Corona clippers are nonnegotiable," says Amy. "These clippers protect my wrist and hand, but still power through woody, thick branches like butter and do not dull quickly. They’re not flashy, but they’re workhorses.

"I wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol at the end of each use and occasionally rub a drop of mineral oil at the hinge to keep them gliding smoothly. If they start to dull, I will lightly sand them with fine sandpaper to sharpen them." The wine cork hack is another trick our team of plant experts loves for keeping pruners sharp and rust-free.

Meanwhile Scott Seargeant of Seargeant Landscape & Arboriculture can't live without his Bahco pruners. He finds they fit in his hand better than others out there, plus they cut super quietly.

"Bahco pruners are ergonomic and have a better fit in my hand than other pruners," says Scott. "I recommend the Bahco pruners with the swivel handle as there is far less wear on your hand and it is easier to cut limbs.

"They're easy to take apart to clean and sharpen although they do not need to be taken apart to do quick in-field sharpening."

2nd Place: Fiskars Pruners

Coming in at second place are the Fiskars Pruning Snips available on Amazon and the Fiskars Bypass Pruning Shears. With around 75,000 glowing reviews combined, Fiskars have become a reliable brand in the gardening space, loved for their durability and good value.

Homesteader and avid gardener Lindsey Chastain of The Waddle and Cluck is a fan of both of these products and has been using them for years.

"I have long been a fan of the Fiskars pruners. They just do the job well and don't cost a fortune," says Lindsey. "I've been using both for about 6 years now and they have held up perfectly well.

"I have them sharpened professionally once a year in the winter and keep a sharpening stone on hand to keep them sharpened throughout the gardening season. Pro tip: to keep your pruners nice, keep them clean and dry. Regularly oil any moving parts."

It's always smart to give your pruners a good cleaning, sharpening, and oiling before storing tools for winter. That way they're ready to use right away for late winter pruning.

1st Place: Felco Pruning Shears

Last but not least, first place goes to the beloved Felco Pruning Shears. Three gardeners I reached out to had glowing reviews of these cult favorite pruners the pros swear by. Many others I've met during my time gardening have had amazing things to say about Felco pruners as well.

Jenny Rose Carey, author and avid gardener, recommends Felco pruners if you're looking for something reliable as well as easy to maintain.

"Each gardener has their favorite pruning shears but I like my Felcos," says Jenny. "I like the weight of them and I've had the same ones for years. It helps that the blades are replaceable, too, for longevity. Always my go-to for pruning."

Steve Corcoran, CEO of Lawn Love and a big-time gardener, feels the same way. "Felcos are the perfect handheld small bypass pruners. They make it easy to get in tight spaces and make precise cuts, and at the same time they can cut through some pretty tough branches because they are strong."

Tabar Gifford of American Meadows loves how versatile Felco pruners are, and says they would be the one tool she'd bring with her to a desert island garden.

"If I had to pick one tool to take to a deserted island garden, it would be my Felco #2 pruners. They never leave my side pocket during the growing season. I use them for trimming perennials, harvesting bouquets, and even cutting twine when I’ve forgotten my scissors (again). They fit my hand perfectly and give me a clean, confident cut every time. I've had mine for years."

If you're looking for the best of the best, then the Felco Pruning Shears are the clear winner. Below, you'll find the pros' other top picks if you're not ready to splurge on this cult favorite.

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Of all the tools in my shed, my hand pruners work the hardest. After a long season of pruning, deadheading, and shaping, culminating in an epic fall cleanup operation, they are ready for some well-earned TLC. At this stage, they are gummy with sap and blackened with grime; the blades are dull and stick together, and have lost that smooth spring-back. All this buildup affects their performance and makes pruning harder than it has to be.

I’ll admit I’m not the most diligent when it comes to tool maintenance, but I do relish the winter ritual of cleaning and sharpening my pruners. I’ve tried every method – from specialty stones to the wine cork hack – and over the years, I have settled on a consistent routine that needs just a few basic supplies.

In case you're wondering, my go-to pruners are the Felco 2 pruning shears, available on Amazon, though several of my colleagues swear by these budget-friendly Fiskars bypass pruners. If you put in a bit of effort to keep them sharp, they’ll serve you well for many years to come. Here’s how to give pruners a winter spruce-up – and this method also works wonders on garden knives, loppers, and snips.

Step 1: Clean Your Pruners

Start by cleaning your pruners to get rid of any grime and rust. I use two methods for this – outlined below – depending on the level of dirt.

Note that it is not necessary to disassemble pruners for a light clean, but for a deep clean or restoration, it can be beneficial. For higher quality brands, disassembly is usually easy and intended, whereas cheaper pruners might not reassemble smoothly. If you want to take that extra step, read the manufacturer’s instructions before proceeding. The advice below assumes assembled pruners but applies either way:

1. Open the pruners fully so that as much of the blade and pivot area is as exposed as possible.
2. Brush off any loose dirt with a wire brush or toothbrush and apply a light penetrating oil, such as WD-40, available on Amazon, on both sides of the blades and the pivot area. Let it sit for a few minutes.
3. For light grime, a nylon pot scourer works well. For heavier buildup, switch to fine steel wool, like this (wear gloves when using steel wool).
4. Open and close the pruners repeatedly while you work the steel wool around the pivot – this helps loosen hidden rust and compacted debris.
5. Wipe away the dirty oil with a rag.

If your pruners are really neglected or heavily stained, Bar Keepers Friend (I like the powder cleanser for this job) can give them a deeper, restoration-level clean. It’s mildly abrasive and contains oxalic acid, which helps lift rust and discoloration without being too harsh. Here’s how to use it on pruners:

1. Slightly dampen the blades with water. Sprinkle a small amount of powder onto the metal (or onto a damp cloth or sponge).
2. Rub gently over the blades and metal parts, focusing on rusted or stained areas.
3. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry completely before moving on to sharpening and oiling.

Pro Tip: My favorite discovery this year has been using a wine cork to clean pruners. It makes a surprisingly brilliant firm “sponge” or applicator for cleaning and oiling blades. Cork is firm but slightly cushioned and rounded, so it conforms to the curve of the blade. It has enough grip to hold onto oil and cleanser and provides light abrasion. It’s also great for using during the sharpening stage (more below)

Step 2: Sharpen the Blades

For quick on-the-go sharpening, a multi-functional tungsten carbide sharpening tool, like the Spear & Jackson Razorsharp 6-in-1 Sharpener on Amazon, is great for keeping pruners and other tools in tip-top condition – just drag the blades along the groove. However, for a more involved sharpening session, I recommend the DMT DiaSharp Diamond Mini-Hone Sharpening Kit, which contains coarse, fine, and extra-fine grit sharpeners.

Start with the coarsest grit if the blade is very dull, matching the existing edge angle. Sharpen in smooth, single-direction strokes, never sawing back and forth. Progress to finer grits for a polished edge.

To remove any burs and give your pruners a final polish, rub a wine cork back and forth along both the flat and edge of the blade. Wipe with a dry cloth to remove any remaining dust or grit.

Step 3: Finish with Protective Oil

After cleaning and polishing, it’s important to finish with a light coat of protective oil on the blades and pivot to prevent rust. 3-IN-ONE Multi-Purpose Oil on Amazon works well, or camellia oil, a traditional Japanese blade oil.

Give the pruners a good coverage and apply some oil into the pivot point. pen and close the pruners several times to work it in, then wipe away excess. Store your tools somewhere dry, and they’ll be ready to glide through early-spring pruning.

Last Christmas, my brother got me a surprisingly great gardening gift. He knows that I love to garden and that I write about plants everyday for my job, but that’s where his gardening knowledge ends.

That’s why I was shocked when he got me such a useful gift for working in my garden. He bought me a Home & Garden Trends Garden Kneeler and Seat from Amazon. Even though he doesn’t personally know the pain of bending and squatting from tending to your garden for hours, he knew this gift was just what I needed.

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the gardener in your life, but not exactly sure where to start, then this garden kneeler and seat may be just the thing! It certainly was for me.

Why I Love This Gift

I’ve been thinking about adding a bench to my garden for the past couple years, but haven’t wanted to commit to a potentially high-priced purchase like that. But I still need a place to sit in my garden and take a break after weeding or planting. That’s why this kneeler/seat is exactly what I needed.

It not only gives me a place to rest for a few minutes before digging in again, but it also makes digging easier, too. The foam kneeling pad is comfortable on my knees and it’s low enough to the ground that I don’t have to bend far to reach the soil.

I normally squat when I’m planting, weeding, or spreading mulch, so being able to kneel saves me a lot of knee and back pain from gardening. I’m young and flexible now, but I know as I get older and keep gardening, this kneeler will become an even bigger help.

I’m also looking forward to using this kneeler and seat with my new raised garden beds. Raised beds are more accessible for many gardeners anyways because they’re higher off the ground and don’t require as much bending and squatting.

But this portable bench will make tending to plants in raised beds even easier. If I’m tired, I can place my seat next to my raised beds and tend to my plants from a comfortable seated position.

What to Know Before Buying

There are a lot of garden kneelers and kneeler/seat combinations out there. But this particular garden kneeler and seat from Home & Garden Trends on Amazon stands out above the others.

It comes with a handy canvas tool holder that slips over the side of the kneeler. Easily tote all your essential gardening tools like pruners, spades, seed packets, twine, and whatever else you need in the two spacious pockets.

This kneeler and seat is also easy to fold up and carry around the garden. It weighs less than 6lbs (2.7kg), so it’s light enough for almost anyone to use. Plus, you can fold it flat for easy storage. It will slip neatly into your garden shed or garage without wasting much space.

One issue with a lot of other kneelers is that they’re not wide enough for many gardeners’ knees. As someone with thicker thighs, I can attest that this kneeler has plenty of room for plus-sized gardeners. Of course, you can always measure your legs to make sure before buying. But for my size 14 body, this kneeler is just right. And don't worry about this kneeler collapsing – it can hold up to 330lbs (150kg).

A factor to consider before buying any garden kneeler and seat is stability. This kneeler is very sturdy and stable in the kneeler position, but a little less so when you use it as a seat. This is an issue with any product of this type, so just be aware that a portable garden seat is not as stable as a regular bench. However, I feel safe sitting on it as long as I’m on flat, solid ground.

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Nine years ago, my dad bought my mom the best Christmas gift she had ever received – and has ever received since. No, it wasn’t an expensive piece of jewelry or a new car. It was a backpack leaf blower.

It’s become a running joke in our family about how much our mom loves blowing the leaves since she got this best-ever Christmas gift. She can’t wait for fall and the opportunity to break out her Husqvarna 350BT backpack blower. On a crisp autumn afternoon, there’s nothing she wants to do more than clear leaves off the driveway and front yard.

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your wife, mother, husband, or whomever, then consider getting them a high-quality landscaping tool this holiday season. It may just end up being their favorite present ever.

Why My Mom Loves This Leaf Blower

Almost a decade after receiving her Husqvarna 350BT backpack leaf blower, my mom still says it is the best Christmas present she’s ever gotten. And the fact that it’s still going strong after nine years is a powerful testament to this product's quality and durability.

My mom says, “The power and the ease of use are the main things I like about it.” She used to have a corded handheld leaf blower that fell short in both areas. “With the handheld type of leaf blower, I get tired holding it with one arm and then the other. It used to make my back hurt from having to lean over and then my back would cramp up.

“The backpack blower seems more efficient and it’s definitely a lot more powerful. My old leaf blower also used to have a cord. This one is gas-powered so I can go all over the yard with it without having to wrestle a cord or find somewhere to plug it in.”

What You Need to Know Before Buying

At $429.99 from Amazon, this leaf blower is a higher-priced gift item. So it’s ideal for a close loved one whom you know enjoys working in the garden. My mom had mentioned wanting a backpack style leaf blower before my dad purchased this present for her.

There are also a few things to be aware of before committing to this particular leaf blower. My mom admits, “It is hard to start the leaf blower. I have to have my husband or daughter pull the starter cord for me because you have to pull it pretty fast and hard – often a few times – to get the engine to start.

"It generally restarts easily, though, if I turn it off and take a break and then come back to keep cleaning up leaves.”

She also mentioned that being a gas-powered leaf blower, it does have one quirk when it comes to refueling. “You have to add oil to the gas tank when you fill it up, but most hardware stores carry the oil you need. So, pretty easy.”

My dad chimed in with a maintenance issue as well. He said, “The only problem I’ve had with it is that the spark arrester screen on the exhaust gets clogged with soot. I used to take it off and clean it, but there’s no particularly good way to clean it. I have to clean it about once or twice a year.”

But despite these minor drawbacks, my mom still loves her Husqvarna 350BT backpack blower after almost a decade of use and would never go back to a handheld blower again.

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