All yard tools guides
The short version
After the mower, most yards need three more tools:
- A string trimmer for edges, fence lines and the strip a mower or robot can't reach.
- A leaf blower for clippings on paths and driveways, and for fall leaves.
- A spreader for seed and fertilizer, so you put down an even amount instead of stripes.
If the trimmer and blower share a battery with your mower, each extra tool costs less and takes less shelf space. That's the main reason I use one battery platform for my own lawn. The model picks in these guides come from maker specs and long-term owner reports.
Start here
- Choosing a battery brand? Read Best battery yard tool systems first. The platform matters more than any single tool.
- Need edges done? Best cordless string trimmers.
- Leaves and clippings? Best cordless leaf blowers and the EGO leaf blower review.
- Seeding or feeding? Best lawn spreaders.
Pick the battery platform first
A battery yard tool system is a family of tools that share the same batteries and chargers. Buy into one and every new tool can come "tool only," without a battery, which usually costs much less.
What to compare between platforms:
- Range of tools. Does it offer a mower, trimmer, blower, hedge trimmer and chainsaw you'd actually want?
- Battery sizes. Small packs keep handheld tools light. Big packs give mowers and blowers runtime.
- Watt-hours. Multiply voltage by amp-hours. It's the fairest way to compare capacity across brands.
- Warranty terms for tools and batteries, which are often different.
- Where you can buy batteries and parts locally.
The main US mower platforms are compared in EGO vs Ryobi vs Greenworks.
String trimmers
A string trimmer spins nylon line to cut grass where a mower can't go. Things that matter:
- Cutting swath. A wider swath covers more ground per pass but makes the trimmer heavier.
- Line size and feed. Bump feed is common and simple. Thicker line lasts longer on heavy weeds.
- Straight or curved shaft. Straight shafts reach under shrubs and suit taller people.
- Attachment systems. Some trimmers accept edger, pruner or cultivator heads.
- Weight with the battery fitted. It's what your arms will feel.
Picks in Best cordless string trimmers.
Leaf blowers
Blowers are rated by airflow (CFM, the volume of air) and air speed (MPH). CFM moves piles of leaves. MPH lifts wet, stuck leaves. A good blower needs both. Big battery blowers drain packs fast on full power, so runtime at the setting you'll actually use matters more than the maximum figure.
Some US cities and states restrict gas leaf blowers, and in California most new small off-road engines must be zero emission from model year 2024 under Air Resources Board rules. That's one more reason battery blowers have become the default choice.
Picks in Best cordless leaf blowers and a detailed look at one popular line in the EGO leaf blower review.
Spreaders
Broadcast (rotary) spreaders fling product in a wide arc. They're fast on big lawns and the usual choice for most homeowners.
Drop spreaders let product fall straight down between the wheels. They're more precise next to beds and driveways but slower, and missed or overlapping passes show up as stripes.
Handheld spreaders suit small lawns and patch repairs.
Always use the spreader setting from the product label, and measure your lawn first so you buy the right bag size. Picks in Best lawn spreaders. What to spread and when is covered in When to fertilize your lawn and How to overseed a lawn.
A simple yard tool kit
| Yard | Start with |
|---|---|
| Small lawn, few edges | Mower plus a light string trimmer |
| Average suburban yard | Mower, trimmer, blower on one battery platform, broadcast spreader |
| Robot mower owner | Trimmer for the edges the robot leaves, plus a blower |
| Lots of trees | A strong blower with high CFM and a spare battery |
| Beds next to the lawn | A drop spreader or a broadcast spreader with an edge guard |
All yard tool guides
FAQ
Which battery yard tool brand is best?
The one that offers the tools you need at battery sizes that fit your yard. Compare the range, watt-hours and warranty, and stick with one platform once you choose.
Do I need a string trimmer if I have a robot mower?
Usually yes. Most robots leave a strip along walls, fences and beds, and a trimmer finishes it in a few minutes.
What matters more on a leaf blower, CFM or MPH?
Both. CFM moves volume, MPH breaks stuck leaves loose. Look at both numbers, and at runtime on the setting you'll use most.
Broadcast or drop spreader?
Broadcast for most lawns because it's faster and more forgiving. Drop spreaders are more precise near beds but show stripes if you miss a pass.
Are battery tools strong enough for a big yard?
For most suburban yards, yes. On very large properties, plan for spare batteries or a faster charger, and check runtime figures for the battery sizes you'll buy.
Can I use one battery for my mower and blower?
On the same platform, yes. Most brands keep one battery shape across their tools, though large mowers and blowers run best on the bigger packs.