After the frenzy of springtime slows and the heat of summer sets in, we all desperately want to put our tools down, pick up a glass of something ice cold, and enjoy the gardens that we labor over. Unfortunately, a gardener’s job is never truly done and even when summer reaches its peak, there are some chores that just can’t wait until fall. While we can’t give up on our gardens during the hottest months of the year, there are many ways to make these jobs easier.
One option for easing garden maintenance is opting for battery-powered tools whenever it’s appropriate. While power tools in general can save you hours compared to their humble hand tool counterparts, cordless tools take that ease to another level. Rather than rolling out extension cords or filling fuel tanks and replacing oil, you only need to give your batteries a good charge before tackling the next garden task. Additionally, these tools are generally more lightweight than gas-powered options, and will not fill your garden with the smell of fuel. To make your summer chores easier this year, check out the expert-recommended, battery-powered tools below.
Plant dozens of annuals in a snap with this drill and auger combo
Tested by Marti Neely
When planting en masse, I need more power than my favorite trowel or shovel can deliver. To zip through this task, I use my Milwaukee 18-volt cordless compact hammer drill and attach a 24-inch-long, 3-inch-wide auger bit from TCBWFY to it. With this stellar combo, I can plant a flat of 18 annuals in about 15 minutes, or 15 flats in 2½ hours. It’s even more efficient when I’m installing bulbs, as I can easily drill holes in the smallest of spaces and between plants. When using this drill and auger, you must drill deeper than you would dig with a trowel, as the loose soil will fall back as you pull the drill bit out. With compacted soil, you can also use a drill and auger to turn over and fluff the surface of the soil, preparing it for planting. The battery on this drill is powerful and long lasting, but I recommend that you have a second one as a backup in case you run out of power or decide to buy more plants. The drill can be purchased on its own or with two batteries and a charger.
Milwaukee 18-volt cordless compact hammer drill
Milwaukee 4-pole frameless motor: features a robust design combined with rare-earth magnets for longer life, best-in-class 500 in. lbs. of torque and 0-450/0-1,800 RPM
Single sleeve ratcheting chuck: all-metal 1/2 in. chuck optimizes grip strength and reduces slippage
Built-in LED light: illuminates surfaces for faster, more efficient work
525 in. lbs. of peak torque
0-450/0-1,800 RPM
Price: $129.00 at the time of writing
TCBWFY 3×24 Inch Auger Drill Bit for Planting
Build to last: Made of heavy duty steel, with glossy black painted finish. The auger drill bit point on it hits the ground first and keeps it steady when you are digging hard grounds. Our patented design also makes the distance between the digging blade start and the point is the minimal, so auger drill bit will start working on hard ground without having to push down.
Price: $24.99 at the time of writing
A chainsaw for those who don’t like chainsaws
Tested by Susan Calhoun
I have been pruning for a long time and am always looking for ways to make it easier. That’s why I was happy to discover the Stihl GTA 26 garden pruner kit. For years I had used a cordless reciprocating saw to prune big branches and small trees. I needed two hands to use it, and I found that it was not very precise. This small chainsaw from Stihl has replaced my reciprocating saw. It’s battery operated; without a traditional pull start, and with no gas to run out of, it’s amazingly easy to use. The saw cuts sharply and quickly. You only need one hand to use it, so you can hold the branch with one hand while cutting with the other.
Stihl GTA 26 Wood Cutter with AS 2 Battery and Charger AL 1, Battery Operated
Package weight: 3.08 kilograms
Package size: 18.4 L x 39.2 H x 20.0 W (cm)
Colour: orange
Price: $269.98 at the time of writing
Whip out this battery string trimmer for quick, clean lines
Tested by Robin Parsons
While I use hand trimmers for areas that require more finesse, my EGO Power+ ST1511T 56-volt battery string trimmer lets me zip easily through larger-scale lawn cutting. Rotating the edger at 90º provides neat, crisp lines that clearly delineate my beds from lawn edges. It also works great against hardscape, such as driveways and paths, providing clean cuts and precise edges. This trimmer is easily rechargeable, with the charger included in the purchase. Although the version with the 2.5 Ah battery requires more frequent charging, the model with the 4.0 Ah battery lasts almost twice as long. Ergonomically designed with a comfortable handle, this lightweight tool is easy to manage. It’s also much quieter than gas string trimmers.
EGO Power+ ST1511T 56-volt battery string trimmer
POWERLOAD technology; load your line, push a button and go
Get up to 45 minutes of run time on a single charge with the included 56V 2.5Ah ARC Lithium Battery
Telescopic Aluminum Shaft quickly fits your height for ultimate comfort
High-Efficiency Brushless Motor
15 in. Cutting Swath
Professional-grade, dual line spiral-twist 0.095 in. line
Variable speed with 2-Speed Settings
Price: $199.00 at the time of writing
This lightweight trimmer is perfect for smaller tasks
Tested by Stacie Crooks
Scotts cordless grass-shear/shrub-trimmer combo is the best tool I have found in the last few years. With a built-in 7.2-volt lithium-ion battery, this little guy weighs less than 2 lb. (yes, really!) and can zip through all your minor pruning tasks quickly and easily. It puts less stress on my hands than using pruners. The tool comes with two blades: a 7-inch hedge blade and a 4-inch shear blade. While it’s not heavy-duty enough for larger shrubs or hedges, it’s perfect for small shrubs like heather (Calluna vulgaris, Zones 4–7) or subshrubs like lavender (Lavandula spp. and cvs., Zones 4–10). This trimmer can be used for many different tasks; I also use it to deadhead perennials and edge my lawn. I have found that the charge lasts for hours, allowing me to cover my whole garden in one go.
Scotts Outdoor Power Tools Cordless Grass Shear/Shrub Trimmer Combo
Scotts battery-operated grass trimmer that uses a 7.2-Volt 2Ah high-capacity built-in lithium-ion battery; Includes a fast charger
Cordless grass shear that includes a 6.7″ hedge blade and 3.5″ shear blade with tool-less blade change feature
Hand trimmer with a pivoting and adjustable cutting head for effectively trimming hard-to-reach areas
Lightweight and compact cordless grass shears with a comfortable cushioned handle
Planet-friendly cordless weed trimmer with a 2-year manufacturer warranty
Price: $54.49 at the time of writing
These hedge shears work for a variety of chores
Tested by Jason Reeves
Using battery-powered hedge shears is a game changer. I love my Black and Decker 24-inch cordless hedge trimmer. It’s quick and easy to put into operation and is less noisy and lighter in weight than gas-powered hedge trimmers. These shears aren’t just good for hedges and shrubs; I use mine to quickly remove the faded foliage of perennials before new growth starts. They work well on plants like hellebores (Helleborus spp. and cvs., Zones 4–9), epimediums (Epimedium spp. and cvs., Zones 4–9), and evergreen ferns. I have also found that they are perfect for cutting back ornamental grasses in spring. This tool comes with a 40-volt lithium-ion battery and charger.
BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX Hedge Trimmer, Cordless, 24-Inch Blade, Battery and Charger Included (LHT2436)
Powerful 40V Lithium Ion battery of the cordless hedge trimmer delivers power and run-time to complete the toughest jobs. 24 inch dual-action blades of the battery powered hedge trimmer cut branches fast with less vibration. Trimmers for plants have extended reach blades with a 3/4 inch cut capacity trim more in less time. Up to 6000 sq ft of actual hedges trimmed per charge. Wrap-around front handle provides comfort and control in vertical and horizontal trimming application. Full length trigger with soft grip handle provides added comfort during use. State of charge indicator shows battery charge level. Maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 40V. Nominal voltage is 36.
Price: $155.14 at the time of writing
