Power Tools


Yard Force Electric Pressure Washer (YF1800LR): Product Review


This is one of the best non-commercial pressure washers I’ve tested to date. From its easy to understand and follow instructions to the ergonomic design, from the self-contained reels that hold the power cord and high pressure hose to the great cleaning performance, and from the power to weight ratio to the small details like the nozzle cleaning needle and the included turbo nozzle, every part of this power washer works flawlessly. As the company’s Continue Reading


Sun Joe Lithium-Ion 40-volt 12-inch Cordless Tiller + Cultivator: Product Review


Don't be fooled by its toy-like looks - the Sun Joe tiller + cultivator is a real workhorse! Lightweight, maneuverable, and compact, it's ideal for anyone with a smaller garden or limited storage space (the fold-down handles are a plus!). It's extremely quiet (making it great for those living with neighbors nearby or with strict noise pollution standards), incredibly easy to use, and the sharp blades and power easily turn hard soil into something your Continue Reading


Redback 40V Lithium Ion Cordless Pole Chainsaw (106070): Product Review


This is a decent pole chainsaw that cuts aggressively but can stop unexpectedly. I had stopping problems with the first saw I tested but Redback Customer Service quickly sent me a replacement that didn’t have the same issues. It’s well balanced, easy to use with the included shoulder strap and will run for about 25 minutes when fully charged. The instruction manual needs a major revamp and the bar and chain oiler cap has the Continue Reading


Redback 40V 12” Li-Ion Cordless Chainsaw (106068): Product Review


The Redback 40V 4.0 Li-Ion Chainsaw (106068) has all the necessary power to cut through anything from small brush to 10.5” logs, making it comparable to a consumer-grade, gasoline-powered chainsaw. It’s lightweight, easy to use, has a plethora of built-in safety features and is sturdy enough to tackle just about anything. I recommend it without any reservations – it’s simply the best cordless chainsaw I’ve tested to date. Continue Reading


Black & Decker Cordless Pruner (#BD1168): Product Review


This cordless, rechargeable pruner promises to make pruning easier for those with limited grip strength or arthritis, and those who do a lot of pruning. However, we found that those with larger hands thought it was comfortable to use, but gardeners with smaller hands and those with arthritis or little grip strength had trouble with it. It has limited utility as it won’t cut through anything thicker than ½ inch (and that’s only in softer Continue Reading


Redback (E522D) 40V Cordless Lithium-Ion Hedge Trimmer: Product Review


If you’re ready to cut the cord on your electric trimmer or want to upgrade your underpowered 20V rechargeable hedge trimmer, get the Redback E522D. It’s priced right between the least and most expensive trimmers in its category, and this sturdy tool feels built to last for many seasons. It easily cut through everything I threw at it, is easy to maneuver, has good battery life and doesn’t feel any heavier than a corded model. Continue Reading


Greenworks G-MAX 40V Lithium-Ion Cordless 8” Pole Saw (20672): Product Review


The Greenworks G-MAX 40V Lithium-Ion Cordless 8” Pole Saw (model 20672) is a generally well made product that makes clean cuts through smaller material (under 4” in diameter) but has battery overheating problems when cutting larger branches. There’s no shoulder strap included in the saw package (a definite miss) and the owner’s manual really needs some revisions. Overall, it’s a respectable mid-grade 40V saw but wouldn’t be a good replacement for a gas-powered pole chainsaw. Continue Reading