9 Benefits of Battery-Powered Backyard Tools

A few years ago, owning a battery-powered backyard tool would have been pretty out there, but today? They’re everywhere, and with good reasons. Battery-powered tools offer a wide range of advantages that have made them the preferred option for many homeowners.

And it’s much more than just a trend. With local jurisdictions across the country banning the sale and use of gas-powered equipment, battery-powered tools are very much here to stay.

Thinking of entering the battery-powered backyard tool market, but still not quite convinced? We’ve put together a list of benefits that might convince you that now’s the perfect time.

They’re Cordless

Have parts of your backyard that are annoyingly far away from a power outlet? Then you need battery-powered backyard tools. Since they’re battery-powered, they contain no cables, which means you’re free to use them wherever they’re needed.

Plus, no cords are inherently safer, especially when working in damp conditions. You’ll be able to use your hedge trimmer outside even if things are a little wet.

They’re Lighter

Think about all the parts that you’ll find in gas-powered tools, and just how heavy those parts are. Even if you’re a strong person, you probably don’t enjoy having to go through a full workout when you want to get your backyard into shape. If you find that your arms are continually tired after the end of a landscaping session, then it’s time to begin exploring battery-powered backyard tools. The best battery-powered leaf blower tools can weigh as little as 3.8 pounds, allowing you to get the job done without feeling like you’re putting your arms through their paces. Having light tools also makes it more likely that you’ll make an effort to keep your backyard in tip-top condition even when you’re a little tired. After all, using these tools is much less strenuous than other types of backyard equipment.

They’re Quieter

Most people assume that working with garden equipment means loud noise, but that’s not always the case. It’s only the case when you use gas-powered equipment, which can be extremely noisy. Battery-powered tools aren’t silent, but they’re significantly quieter — and that’s good for your neighbors, local wildlife, and your own ears.

This can also make it more likely that you’ll invest time into your backyard’s maintenance, since it’ll open up new windows of opportunity. Many homeowners are — rightly — hesitant to use loud tools on weekend mornings because they don’t want to disturb their neighbors. With a battery-powered leaf blower, lawn mower, or chainsaw, you’ll have much fewer concerns about disturbing the peace.

They’re Better For The Environment

You feel the environmental impact of gas-powered tools as you’re using them. They’re loud, they produce fumes, and you can occasionally see spilled fuel on the grass or soil.

You’ll face no such issues when you use battery-powered tools. Since there’s no combustion occurring, there are no fumes. Plus, the batteries in the best battery-powered tools on the market are built to last, so you should get many years of use from the device, further boosting the tool’s environmental credentials.

In fact, they’re so much better for the environment that many manufacturers are moving towards battery-powered equipment as the default, not as an alternative.

They’re Powerful

One of the primary concerns that homeowners have about switching to battery-powered tools is that they won’t be as powerful as gas-powered options.

But make no mistake: battery-powered tools are highly powerful, delivering plenty of torque and power that makes it easy to keep your backyard in shape. The batteries are also long-lasting, especially if you opt for 40v options, which means you should be able to get through all your backyard work on a single charge.

They’re More Compact

As you might expect from tools that are significantly lighter, battery-powered backyard tools have a much smaller footprint than gas-powered options — and that can go a long way toward helping homeowners minimize their equipment storage needs.

Plus, since there’s no fuel tank, it’s usually possible to store battery-powered tools vertically, which can significantly open up storage options. Instead of having to fit everything on the floor, you can hang them up on the walls.

You Can Sometimes Share Batteries Across Tools

The ability to share batteries across different battery-powered tools is often overlooked, but it can make a huge difference in both storage requirements and how much you need to spend on the tools themselves. Many brands allow one battery to be used across a wide range of their products, which often means that you can buy just the tool itself, without the battery included, which brings down the cost. At the same time, you can reduce the need for multiple batteries and charging points, since one battery could power all of your equipment.

They Have Lower Operating Costs

Battery-powered tools often have a higher upfront cost than gas-powered tools, but they also typically have significantly lower operating costs. You won’t need to spend money on gas or replacing all the inner parts that have to be changed from time to time. As such, it’s not unrealistic that the difference between how much you save each year could venture into the $100-250 range. Some expert reports say that many homeowners who invest in battery-powered tools break even around two years after purchase.

They Can Last Longer

Gas-powered tools are powerful, but they also have a lot of internal parts. And ultimately, the more parts a machine has, the more likely things are to go wrong from time to time. Battery-powered tools, on the other hand, have much fewer inner parts. They’re still really powerful, but because most of the power comes from the rechargeable battery, there are fewer components. Plus, this not only means the tools last longer but also makes them more reliable, since there are fewer parts that could fail. If you’re looking for reliability and power in one, then batteries are the way to go.