I've used a Ryobi 18v trimmer for 8-10yrs. Trimming takes me 15-20 minutes (excluding). Used to be able to do all trimming at once, now have to split it front/rear for a recharge. String winder/head does not work great anymore, but for the $ return on investment has been very good.

I'll be replacing this year; if Metabo (Hitatchi) has one available; I'll probably go that way (Since I have some of their tools already) If not; will probably go Milwaukee.

I am leaning towards whatever brand is super-popular so there is interchangeability with other tools/batteries/chargers etc.... Often I see 'tool only' model of whatever is actually very affordable... this only works when you already have a baseline charger and battery... (I have a terrible personal history of choosing the wrong brand/line; i.e. Hitachi [now Metabo) their cordless drill and impacts are awesome, love it... But, looks like no longer supported by the big chains.... Thus I am leaning Milwaukee. i

40v Kobalt trimmer, edger, blower and pole saw, they are awesome

My gas mower won't die, I will buy an electric when it does. I have about 3/4 of an acre

I have the Skil mower, trimmer and blower. The mower is OK and is used for my small patches in the backyard I can’t get the lawn tractor to. The blower and trimmer are excellent. Tons of power, long lasting and no fuss. I prefer the electric trimmer to my Stihl gas one. The blower is good for most things but I still need the Stihl backpack blower for the big stuff.

On a side note. My wife almost never would use the gas tools but she breaks out the electric stuff all the time.

Another Ego self-propelled mower owner here. I very much like not having to bother with gas, oil and spark plugs. I especially lilke that it makes it easier for my wife, who is a lawn-mowing fanatic (what other woman would come to you and ask for a particular make and model of mower for HER birthday - lucky me.)

I also have the Ego chain saw. works well for what I have to cut.

My only experience is with an Echo 56v chainsaw. I use it mainly for limbing and smaller stuff, but it has been great. It certainly is more convenient than hauling out the gas saw.

I appreciate the feedback. I am going to go look at stuff today at Home Depot.

Cords are a major pain, especially if you have a large and/or complex yard and/or not many outdoor outlets with GFCI protection. We've bought our last tethered yard equipment.

Went Ego cordless a couple years ago, and love them. We now have their leaf blower, chainsaw and polesaw.

I have a cordless Milwaukee chainsaw which I really like. I'm presently looking at the new Ryobi zero turn riding mower as a replacement for my gas Cub Cadet.

I've got a Makita 18v x 2 chainsaw that I'm pretty happy with. It cuts great and uses the same batteries as my Makita power tools.
It serves my limited needs perfectly.

40V Ryobi here, blower and straight shaft string trimmer. Also have the garden tiller attachment for tilling my raised bed which has loose soil. Three of the larger AH batteries (not sure of size as I am laid up and can't get into garage). All work well but it is nice to have extra batteries for the tiller, as it is a power hog as was expected for this type of use. I would buy it again.

Have two (corded) chain saws. One is a mini that's for a pole saw. I went electric for those given how rare I use them. If they were gas, I'd have to clean the carb each time I needed to start them. Larger one is an old Craftsman and it works great. If I used them on a regular basis, I'd have gone gas powered though.

Have a corded and a cordless blower. No way the MUCH better half could use a gas version. Mostly use the cordless to clean off the back porch. Older Ryobi and the battery has seen better days. Also have a corded leaf vac. I rarely use that as it will work you to death especially when the bag is over half full.

Have a cordless and corded weed whacker. The cordless uses the same battery as my cordless drill. We've had the corded one for a long time and it works like a champ. But if I want to work quickly, especially when mowing the back yard, not having to roll out, more, and roll up the cord saves me a half hour on the job.

If I could give any advice would be to pick one brand and stick with it. That way you have battery and charger commonality. Down to only two chargers now. Had 3 until a few months back and my old cordless drill died. Having one charger, and multiples of the same battery helps a lot.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
I've been very happy with my Ryobi brushless string trimmer and blower. Way, way more convenient than my older two stroke gas models, and just as capable. Plus I have a bunch of other Ryobi power tools that share batteries.

Do you have their 18V system or 40V system? I'm guessing 18V.

My Dad has the 18V and seems happy.

I have those two in 18V for light yard cleanup. I got the Ryobi as a package with extra batteries.
Between these and my drill and saw, I have three 1.5Ah and two 4.0Ah batteries.

A free extra I picked up that turned out more useful than expected was the battery powder tire gauge/infiltrator. Digital readout and air pump to top off the tires...and what not

I've been satisfied w/ my Kobalt 80v mower. It was more powerful than I expected it to be. The downside of any cordless electric tools is the batteries. A 2.0-2.5Ah battery will only get me 15-20 min run time on my mower. A 6.0Ah one will run over an hour. They are expensive! A 4.0-6.0Ah battery costs more than the bare mower. E.g., if you paid $500 for a mower, about $200 went to the mower, while $300 went to the battery & charger.

For a home user mowing less than 2/3 an acre, Ego's 56v line is probably the best.

Greenworks, Kobalt, Craftsman, Snapper, Stihl, & a probably few other's I'm forgetting are all made by Globe Tools Group. They are like comparing Chevy to GMC. When you compare similar models side by side, they look same aside from colors and minor feature differences. The main difference among them are their battery ports. The batteries are the same except for their charging ports. This keeps the brands from being intercompatible.

If you think you'll expand your tools beyond a mower, then think about which brand has the tools you like (string trimmer, blower, hedge trimmer, etc) if you want to keep batteries intercompatible. It's similar to committing to a gun platform and having intercompatible mags, holsters, ammo, & small parts.

quote:

Originally posted by joel9507:
Cords are a major pain, especially if you have a large and/or complex yard and/or not many outdoor outlets with GFCI protection. We've bought our last tethered yard equipment.

Went Ego cordless a couple years ago, and love them. We now have their leaf blower, chainsaw and polesaw.

I am looking at cordless.

Ryobi is the line Home Depot has the biggest selection of. They have a self-propelled model for $399, which is about the same price as a gas mower. They also have a combo pack of a blower and a weed eater for $399. Going to think about it.

I have the Ryobi 40v non self propelled mower, now starting its 4th year. No issues with it on my roughly 1/3 acre lot. The 5ah battery will mow and also edge with the Ryobi powerhead setup.

Considering a 40v blower. I have a backpack gas Echo leaf blower that is handy for the fall cleanup, not so handy for just blowing off the deck.

I have the 18v X2 (36V) Makita line and am very happy with it.

Trimmer
Edger
Hedge Trimmer
Blower
Pole Saw

They are commercial spec for sure. All the attachments are meant for a gas powerhead, I just have the electric powerhead.

Bought an Ego self-propelled, two or three years ago, 10% Veteran discount at Home Depot, paid about $450 plus tax for the mower, with 56V 7.5AH battery, and fast charger.

Single charge easily mows the moderately small front yard.

Battery will take me more than half way through the larger back yard; by then my 85 year-old body is ready for a re-charge. A twenty minute break in the air conditioned house, sipping a Gatorade while the battery is on the charger, and we're ready to finish the back yard.

Compared to the gas mower that we used to have, Ego wins by any means of comparison. Easily as powerful, user friendly, almost zero maintenance, no gas to buy and store, lighter, more maneuverable, quieter. I see absolutely no reason for me to ever own another gas-powered mower, or any other yard maintenance equipment.

I have an old Black & Decker 40V set that's still kicking with a trimmer, hedge trimmer, and blower and a 24V Kobalt blower and hedge trimmer. Much better than using gas or cabled versions. Still gas on the mower.

I bought a Stihl battery trimmer. The battery lasts exactly as long as I (at 76) do. Takes three charges to do the whole lawn............but that was the 1st time and will be easier next.