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Gardeners are becoming increasingly aware of their impact on the environment — and ways in which they can help the planet. According to the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, a “gardening for the greater good” movement is gaining traction, with gardeners across the globe making small changes that can have big impacts. One facet of this movement is the transition from gas-powered to battery-operated equipment, which HGTV predicts will be one of the top gardening trends of 2024. Battery-powered tools stand to help the environment by reducing pollution and using more renewable energy, but they can also help your wallet by lowering maintenance costs.
The switch from gas to battery in outdoor equipment has been underway for a few years now, but performance issues with battery-powered tools have prevented them from being fully embraced. Battery-powered tools have historically been less powerful than their gas-powered predecessors, but this is starting to change as battery technology marches forward. Batteries are getting smaller, lighter, and more powerful. In 2024, manufacturers are set to launch some new options that could revolutionize outdoor power tools: battery-powered tools that function almost like gas, for example, and portable solar chargers that can rapidly refuel batteries using the sun. With these advancements, now may be the perfect time to invest in these cutting-edge tools.
Why switch from gas to battery?
There’s a reason electric garden tools are one of the top trends of 2024. Gas-powered outdoor equipment (think lawnmowers, chainsaws, and weedwhackers) has been the norm for decades, but time has revealed the drawbacks of these powerful tools. The noise produced by gas-powered tools can cause hearing loss, while the fumes have been linked to various cancers. Gas-powered tools pollute the air and contribute to climate change by burning fossil fuels. They can also be a hassle to maintain — and with the current surge in gas prices, keeping them fueled isn’t cheap.
Many battery-powered alternatives have emerged in recent years, offering benefits to both humans and the environment: no fumes, less noise, and they can be charged with sustainable energy. They’re also easier to maintain, requiring no oil or spark plug changes, no winterizing, and no expensive trips to the gas station. Battery-powered tools may cost more to purchase upfront, but their lower maintenance costs can lead to significant savings in the long run. Consumer Reports found you can save an average of $145 over a five-year period by using a battery-powered lawnmower over gas. With many brands offering interchangeable batteries for their tools, you can save money by purchasing only one or two batteries to use across all your tools.
The best battery-powered tools for your garden
If you want to dip your toe into the world of battery-powered lawn tools, a leaf blower is a great place to start. Not only are conventional blowers loud for you and your neighbors, but studies have shown that half an hour of yard work with a gas-powered leaf blower produces more hydrocarbon pollution than driving a pickup truck across the U.S. The Stihl BGA 57 electric leaf blower is reported to be extremely effective and quiet, and sells for only $200.
In the lawnmower department, the EGO Power+ LM2150SP battery-powered mower ($498 on Amazon) is top-rated. TikTok is obsessed with the more affordable Kobalt Gen4, available at Lowe’s for $349. For smaller areas, the Black + Decker LHT2220B hedge trimmer is very popular, with an average of 4.7 stars over 6,000+ ratings on Amazon, and sells for $109 with battery. The Ryobi Ry40550 chainsaw ($299 at Home Depot) gets excellent reviews and was found to cut as quickly as light-duty gas-powered alternatives. For more detailed work, the Stihl GTA 26 garden pruner kit comes with a powerful handheld pruner, battery, and charger for $180 at Ace.
These highly rated tools are just a few of the options available. Although early battery-powered tools earned a reputation for sub-par performance, today’s stronger offerings come close to the performance of their gas-powered predecessors. With so many choices, it’s easier than ever to embrace this 2024 trend and switch from gas to battery in your garden.
