Must-Have Outdoor Power Tools

One of the most common yard tools, a mower is essential for basic lawn maintenance. Gas-powered mowers are popular, but electric and cordless models are also available. Modern lawnmowers can feature everything from smart technology to cruise control.

Choose from riding mowers, walk-behinds, self-propelled options, zero turn models and robots. Pick the type of mower that best fits your yard size and needs:

• Riding mowers make quick work of overgrown lawns and are ideal for more than a 1/2 acre.
• A zero-turn mower is perfect for curved, tree-filled landscapes of less than an acre.
• Use push lawn mowers for small yards. Consider a manual push mower if the area is particularly small and easy to maintain.
• Flat yards of less than an acre are perfect for robotic lawn mowers.

Keeping hedges and small bushes nice and neat can be a lot of work. Save time and fatigue by using a power hedge trimmer. Two flat blades provide more power than a single blade. Corded models are more powerful than battery-powered hedge trimmers. Battery-powered hedge trimmers do allow more freedom but require more upfront investment.

An edger keeps the areas near your curb and between walkways free of grass. You can maintain a manicured look with an electric, gas or battery-powered edger. Battery-powered edgers give you more freedom and vibrate less than gas or electric models. They are perfect for small yards. Gas-powered edgers can handle bigger yards with ease, but they tend to vibrate.

A string trimmer or weed trimmer cuts grass with a fast-moving string. It is one of the most versatile of outdoor power tools. There are gas-powered models and ones that run on batteries. Both make quick work of overgrown grass in driveways, around trees, near retaining walls and more. However, cordless trimmers are lightweight and budget friendly.

Gas-powered string trimmers can go more places, but they also require more investment and maintenance. Choose a trimmer that has good weight distribution and a curved shaft. Both make using the machine less of a strain on your arms and back.

Chainsaws are must-have yard tools if you have trees. They come in handy during fall pruning and after a storm. Noisy and powerful, gas chainsaws can zip through thick fallen limbs. They also require more upfront investment and maintenance.

Electric chainsaws are quieter, but the cord can be difficult to work around. However, both electric and cordless chainsaws are lightweight and easier to control. Battery-powered chainsaws are best for small branches and require repeated recharges.

Raking fall leaves can be back-breaking work. A leaf blower makes this yard chore much easier and more efficient. Gas blowers are powerful enough to blow even wet leaves and other hard-to-move debris. Loud and heavy, they do require a bigger upfront investment.

Electric or cordless blowers are lightweight and quieter. You can choose a handheld model or the popular backpack type. Backpack leaf blowers work well if you have a lot of ground to cover.

Garden power tools like cultivators and tillers make planting easier. Either can be gasoline-powered, cordless or electric. A cultivator is small enough to turn soil around plants, trees and shrubs. It helps you prepare soft soil between plantings or seasons, tear out weeds, mix fertilizer into the soil and more.

If you’re putting in a vegetable or flower garden from scratch, consider renting a tiller. If you have a large, hard-to-work area, a rear-tine tiller is powerful enough to break up a lot of soil. A front-tine tiller works best in soft soil and smaller spaces.

An aerator breaks up hard soil so grass roots can grow. Aerating your yard at least twice a year is fundamental to a healthy lawn. You can get a gas-powered or electric-powered machine. Gas-powered aerators are more powerful machines and heavier than electric models. The more weight an aerator has, the better its spikes can penetrate the soil. Choose hollow spikes over solid ones since they may compact the soil even more.

Handle cleaning all your windows and walkways with the right power or pressure washer. Pressure washers provide a deep clean for outdoor furniture, patios and decks. Electric pressure washers usually have more than enough power for most jobs. Gas models offer more power and require more upkeep. Pressure washers that have 1,300 to 1,800 PSI work well for light duty jobs such as car washing. For heavy-duty projects, such as sidewalks or hardscapes, choose a unit with 2,000 to 3,000 PSI.

A good lopper or pole saw is ideal for pruning trees and shrub branches. Manual models are best for limbs that are an inch or less, but power loppers can handle limbs of up to four inches. A power lopper can also hold the branch while cutting. For higher branches, few things make pruning jobs easier than a lightweight, powered pole saw. For thicker branches, make sure the pole saw's bar is at least six inches long.

If you have several trees or hedges on your property, invest in a chipper or shredder. Choose a chipper based on its capacity, horsepower and reduction ratio. The greater a chipper’s reduction ratio, the more efficient it is at reducing waste. The higher its horsepower, the more power a chipper has. Many models have different-sized screens that determine the shredding capacity. A versatile chipper can make fast work of turning twigs and small branches into mulch. Or it can easily turn dry leaves and clippings into compost.

Shoveling snow can be tiresome and time-consuming. If you live in an area that gets a fair amount of accumulation, a better solution is a snow blower. Most snow blowers are budget-friendly and easy to use.

A gas snow blower has the power to deal with heavy, wet snow. An electric or cordless model is powerful enough for clearing a small amount of snow a few times a year. For small outdoor areas, consider a lighter weight, single-stage snow blower.

A portable generator can come in handy, especially if you have electrical power tools. Choose a size that has the right wattage for your tools. There are two types of wattage numbers to consider: the running watts and the starting watts. Running watts are needed to keep a tool running. Starting watts are the maximum amount of wattage a generator can produce. Make sure your starting wattage is adequate for the job according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

• Wear safety glasses, gloves and non-slip shoes whenever operating a power tool.
• Always carry tools properly. Avoid carrying any tool by its cord.
• Unplug corded tools correctly.
• Turn off tools before changing parts or adding accessories.
• Keep cutting tools properly sharpened. Dull blades can cause accidents.
• Make sure all power tools have working safety guards and switches.
• Follow manufacturer’s cleaning and storage instructions.