Yard Tools

Compacted soil is the reason most lawns look mediocre despite regular watering and fertilizing. The roots can’t breathe, water runs off instead of soaking in, and the grass stays thin while weeds thrive. Aeration punches holes into the soil, relieving compaction and letting air, water, and nutrients reach the root zone. Manual aerators work for small lawns but wear your arms out fast. Rolling aerators cover ground quickly but store like a piece of farm equipment. Tow-behind models need a riding mower or ATV. Core aerators pull actual plugs of soil — the most effective method — but cost more. ...

A rake looks like the simplest tool in the shed. A long handle and a fan of tines. What could go wrong? Plenty, as it turns out. A flimsy rake bends the first time you hit a wet pile of leaves. A cheap rake snaps the handle at the ferrule halfway through the season. A heavy rake makes your arms ache before you finish the front yard. We tested seven rakes across four categories, leaf rakes for clearing debris, bow rakes for soil work and gravel, thatching rakes for dethatching lawns, and lawn rakes for fine debris. We raked leaves, spread mulch, thatched patches of overgrown grass, and leveled soil beds. Here is what we found. ...

Gas mowers are loud, smelly, and require constant maintenance. Corded mowers tether you to an outlet. The modern battery-powered lawn mower delivers gas-like cutting power, push-button starts, near-silent operation, and zero direct emissions. For most homeowners, that makes it the smartest choice. We tested 8 of the best electric lawn mowers to help you find the right one. How We Evaluated We scored every mower on the criteria that matter to real homeowners: ...

Leaf blowers have come a long way. A few years ago, “cordless leaf blower” meant a barely-useful breeze that couldn’t move wet leaves. Today’s battery-powered blowers rival gas models in power, without the noise, fumes, or pull-cord frustration. But with dozens of options from brands like EGO, Greenworks, Ryobi, and DeWalt, picking the right one isn’t easy. We tested 7 of the best cordless leaf blowers to help you decide. ...