Cordless-electric outdoor power equipment got a bad rap when it was first introduced because some machines didn't measure up. But if you haven't considered cordless equipment for a few years, it's time to take another look. A number of manufacturers—many of them traditional gas-equipment makers—are ramping up their offerings for next year. Here are some details on what Consumer Reports saw at the recent Green Industry and Equipment Expo (GIE+Expo).
Worx 56V MaxLithium
We’ve tested earlier Worx products, both corded and cordless, with mixed results, and the latest cordless line, powered by 56V, lithium-ion batteries, looks promising. It includes:
GreenWorks Pro
We caution that more volts, amps, or cubic centimeters doesn't mean more power in outdoor gear. Still, we’re eager to see how much oomph an 80V, lithium-ion line from Greenworks offers when it ships in December; prices noted may change. Greenworks calls it GreenWorks Pro a commercial line, and it includes:
DeWalt 40V MAX
No stranger to cordless tools, DeWalt announced the 40V MAX line, which includes two string trimmers, a leaf blower, and a hedge trimmer, all of which should be available in March, including:
EGO Power+ System
We’ve already tested the $300 EGO CS1401 chain saw from this line and found it a top performer. The $500 EGO LM2000 push mower, which uses the same 56-volt, lithium-ion battery, was mediocre for cutting but had top-notch handling and is easy to maneuver. Other products in the current line include:
You'll find some cordless models already in stores that are typically suitable for light-duty tasks. And if you’re considering going green with mowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers, or chain saws, you don’t have to look any further for electric gear than our Ratings. Be sure to check our buying guides for these products before heading out to shop.
—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)
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