CBS Essentials is created independently from the CBS News staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.
You don't need us to tell you or your wallet: Prices at the U.S. gas pump have soared to all-time highs . For some, the petrol-powered headache begins and ends with their car's gas tank. But that's not the case for those with garages and sheds stocked with gas-guzzling lawn mowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers and more.
So, what's a budget-strapped handyman and handywoman to do? One option: Go electric.
Top products in this article:
Greenworks 48V 17" brushless cordless lawn mower and 24V brushless drill, $345
Sun Joe MJ401C 28-Volt 14-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower, Green, $129 (reduced from $180)
Snapper XD 82V MAX cordless electric 19" push lawn mower, $400
As noted in a report on the lawn-and-garden equipment industry, electric mowers are lighter, quieter and, thanks to the frequently used push-button design, easier to start than their gas-fueled counterparts. Another really great benefit of going electric: Because these mowers and other electric yard tools don't use gas, you're not inhaling carcinogenic exhaust fumes while using them, and you won't smell like gas after you're done.
And, as more laws are introduced to ban the sale of gas-powered lawn tools , big, traditional names like Snapper and Black + Decker now stand in the green space alongside eco-focused brands such as Greenworks and Ego. Many of these mowers include batteries and chargers that are compatible with other power tools, as well.
Below are some of the top-rated and best-selling electric lawn mowers and outdoor power tools that you can buy today at Amazon, Walmart and other retailers.
If you're serious about going green, swap out your gas-powered, ride-on lawnmower with a powerful new electric model. The Greenworks 42" CrossoverZ ride-on lawn mower features zero-turn controls, dual LED headlights, a premium padded seat with arm rests, USB charging ports and even a cupholder. It's designed to mow up to 2 acres with slight rolling hills (up to 15 degrees), with a top speed of 8 MPH and a 200-pound hauling capacity.
This mower includes six 60 V batteries and three turbo battery chargers that can fast charge all the batteries in 90 minutes.
Greenworks 42" CrossoverZ zero-turn, ride-on mower (60 V), $5,000
Don't need the lawn-cutting precision of zero-turn controls? You can save $1,000 by going with Greenworks' 42" CrossoverT, a ride-on lawnmower with steering-wheel controls.
Greenworks 42" CrossoverT ride-on mower (60 V), $4,000
This cordless, battery-powered mower with push-button start and six adjustable cutting heights runs on two 24-volt, lithium-ion, rechargeable batteries. Add it up, and that's 48 volts worth of grass-cutting mojo. Either battery can be swapped into the cordless drill that, along with a dual-port charger, helps complete this package from Greenworks.
On Amazon, this set boasts nearly 5,000 customer reviews -- and a rating of four-and-a-half stars (out of five).
Greenworks 48 V 17" brushless cordless lawn mower and 24 V brushless drill, $345
Rated four stars (out of five) by Walmart shoppers, the Sun Joe MJ401C is a relative deal on the electric-mower scene. And, at last look, it's also a legit deal, having been marked down at Walmart by more than $50, from $180 to $129.
The cordless, key-ignited, Sun Joe model runs on a single, rechargeable, 28-volt, lithium-ion battery. The manufacturer says the mower is best suited for small to medium lawns; at the same time, it says it can mow 10,000 square feet of grass on a single battery charge.
On Amazon, the pro version, which comes with a rear-discharge chute, is also available; it's listed at $172.
Sun Joe MJ401C 28 V, 14" Cordless Lawn Mower, $129 (reduced from $180)
Veteran lawn-mower maker Snapper makes the green scene with the steely, 82-volt Snapper XD Max electric mower. It features a push-button start, and seven adjustable cutting heights. And, yes, it literally boasts a mowing deck made of steel.
This cordless Snapper XD Max is powered by a Briggs & Stratton 82-volt, lithium-ion, rechargeable battery that's capable of delivering up to 45 minutes of lawn-taming action on a full charge. (The mower kit actually comes with two Briggs & Stratton batteries, plus a rapid charger.)
On Amazon, the package is rated four-plus stars on the strength of more than 1,000 user reviews.
Snapper XD 82 V MAX cordless electric 19" push lawn mower, $400
On Amazon, five-star reviews from verified buyers rave about how this Black + Decker electric mower is lightweight and easy to use.
Unlike the other electric mowers featured here, this one isn't cordless. Once plugged in (with the help of a polarized extension cord that you provide), the mower starts with the push of a button.
The mower can be set to trim grass to three different lengths, and comes complete with one collection bag.
Black + Decker 15" electric lawn mower with bike handle (20 V), Corded, $129 (reduced from $140)
On the Walmart site, this cordless Ego Self-Propelled electric mower boasts more than 10,000 customer reviews – and a rating of four-and-a-half-stars. Satisfied verified buyers praise the machine for being "light but impactful," quiet and a breeze to use (right down to the collection bag that's said to be easy to put on, and easy to take off). The LED headlights win shout-outs, too. The mower also features six adjustable cutting heights, and a push-button start.
This Ego model runs on a 56-volt ARC lithium-ion battery that's included. Once fully charged, the battery's said to provide up to 60 minutes of mowing power.
Ego 21" cordless self-propelled lawn mower (LM2102SP), $549
You can get a deal on Amazon right now on this cordless, electric chainsaw from Black + Decker. The 20-volt kit, which includes the 20-volt battery and charger, is marked down from $139 to $130. When fully charged, the power tool – and its 10-inch blade – can deliver up to five hours of cutting action.
Black + Decker Max 10" cordless chainsaw (20 V), $130 (reduced from $139)
Clean your patio or car with this electric-powered pressure washer from Sun Joe that delivers up to 2,030 pounds per square inch (or, PSI) of water pressure. It comes with a 34-inch extension spray wand (for hard-to-reach, hard-to-clean areas), and a 20-foot hose. And, while, nope, it isn't cordless, a 35-foot power cord is included. You can currently get a deal on the Sun Joe SPX3000, where the pressure washer is marked down.
Sun Joe SPX3000 electric pressure washer, 1.76 GPM max, $159 (reduced from $20)
If you think electric outdoor power tools are wimpy, then this three-speed DeWalt blower is here to convince you otherwise. It delivers up to 135 mph of air speed, and, though lightweight, is billed as being worthy of use on job sites. The kit comes complete with a 20-volt, lithium-ion battery and charger.
"This thing is amazing," begins one five-star review from a verified customer on Amazon. "I laughed when I pulled it out of the box because it is tiny and thought it would only be good for the garage and front porch. But I use it every day to blow pine needles off a [75-foot] long driveway!"
DeWalt 20 V MAX blower kit (DCE100M1), $216
First published on March 17, 2022 / 7:00 AM
Hundreds of health care workers rallied outside the courthouse ahead of the decision, warning that criminalizing such mistakes will lead to more deaths in hospitals.
Democrats on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue are publicly tackling the issue, in some cases after their GOP colleagues began demanding more action.
The most recent shooting at a hair salon on Wednesday may have been "hate-motivated," Dallas police said.
Milk banks typically focus on NICU babies. Now they are helping families who can't find baby formula.
Stablecoins have been thrust into national spotlight after being blamed in part for the recent crypto sell-off.
Milk banks typically focus on NICU babies. Now they are helping families who can't find baby formula.
Stablecoins have been thrust into national spotlight after being blamed in part for the recent crypto sell-off.
Here are the do's and don'ts for parents in search of baby formula as the shortage continues.
Tesla founder says his $44 billion deal for the social network is delayed by questions over how much spam and fake accounts are on it.
Tax agency now pays 4% interest on late payments to individual filers, and that could soon rise even more.
Democrats on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue are publicly tackling the issue, in some cases after their GOP colleagues began demanding more action.
The court did not rule on the merits of the investigations, only that lower courts in Texas overstepped by trying to block all cases
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and more appear on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" this Sunday.
Austin urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and emphasized maintaining open lines of communication.
Lawmakers say they want more information about "next generation" delivery vehicles that have raised environmental concerns.
Parents from coast to coast are scrambling to find formula to feed their hungry and helpless babies. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are launching an investigation into how the baby formula shortage happened. Elise Preston reports.
"Never in my 14 years have I felt so helpless," said a Texas ER nurse outside courthouse. "This could be me."
Since its start in 2020, "Faces of COVID" has featured more than 7,000 faces.
"The Modern Loss Handbook" author Rebecca Soffer joins "CBS Mornings" to explain how to cope with personal and communal loss.
Republican Senate Minority Whip John Thune joins "CBS Mornings" for a conversation on potential abortion changes.
The new deaths and cases, which were from Friday, increased total numbers to 27 deaths and 524,440 illnesses amid a rapid spread of fever since late April.
Austin urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and emphasized maintaining open lines of communication.
Moscow has warned that if the Nordic nations are accepted into the alliance, "Russia will be forced to take retaliatory steps."
Scientists warned that extreme events like this are likely to happen again "with even greater intensity."
Biden congratulated the Philippines' newly elected leader, despite a U.S. court order on him, but many expect Bongbong to continue his nation's push toward China anyway.
The decision means he will be extending his hiatus from golf following his incendiary comments he made about a Saudi-funded rival league he supports.
WNBA star Brittney Griner's pre-trial detention has been extended one month after a brief court hearing in Russia. She has been in Russian custody for nearly three months on drug charges.
Ward's cause of death was not released.
Anthony Mason interviews Florence + the Machine frontwoman Florence Welch in London about writing her latest album, "Dance Fever," during the pandemic. Welch told friends she would stop making music after her last tour – but she tells Mason her creativity is a compulsion, and when inspiration strikes she can't help but see it through.
The humorist returns to his fictional Minnesota hometown (made famous by "A Prairie Home Companion"), which is now the setting for the funerals of childhood friends.
The war in Ukraine is the most documented war in history thanks to camera phones and social media. For "60 Minutes," Scott Pelley reports on Bellingcat, a group of online investigators using artificial intelligence to expose alleged Russian war crimes.
Elon Musk says his $44 billion takeover bid for Twitter is "on hold" as he seeks more information on the platform's spam accounts. CBS News tech reporter Dan Patterson has more on that, plus how Musk is also reportedly facing a SEC investigation for late disclosure after buying a substantial stake in the company.
Elon Musk says his deal to buy twitter is on hold. The company's stock plummeted after the announcement. Musk then tweeted that he is still committed to buying twitter. Tech reporter Dan Patterson joined CBS News' Anne-Marie Green and Vladimir Duthiers discuss the latest developments.
Elon Musk announced that his planned $44 billion purchase of Twitter is "temporarily on hold" pending details on spam and fake accounts on the social media platform.
Tesla founder says his $44 billion purchase of the social media giant is being held up by questions over spam and fake accounts.
The eastern monarch butterfly is one step closer to being placed on the endangered species list. CBS News anchors Michelle Miller and Tanya Rivero spoke with Eva Aridjis, co-author of the new book "Monarca: A Novel" which sheds light on the dire fate of these butterflies.
Scientists warned that extreme events like this are likely to happen again "with even greater intensity."
The first-of-its-kind effort was aimed to learn more about the source and potential harm caused by plastics and other pollutants in the iconic lake.
Astronomers have released a colorized image of the black hole at the center of our Milky Way Galaxy, captured by the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration. "CBS News Mornings" takes a look.
Three years after capturing the first image of a supermassive black hole in a galaxy 55 million light years away, astronomers have managed to "photograph" one closer to home.
Hundreds of health care workers rallied outside the courthouse ahead of the decision, warning that criminalizing such mistakes will lead to more deaths in hospitals.
The president of Delaware State University says the historically Black college plans to file a civil rights complaint with the Justice Department after a bus carrying the women's lacrosse team was stopped and searched in Georgia last month.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers are searching for convicted murderer Gonzalo Lopez, who escaped from a prison transport bus after stabbing the driver in Texas. Omar Villafranca has the latest.
WNBA star Brittney Griner's pre-trial detention has been extended one month after a brief court hearing in Russia. She has been in Russian custody for nearly three months on drug charges.
The war in Ukraine is the most documented war in history thanks to camera phones and social media. For "60 Minutes," Scott Pelley reports on Bellingcat, a group of online investigators using artificial intelligence to expose alleged Russian war crimes.
NASA said the discovery paves the way for the possibility of harvesting plants in habitats on the moon in the future.
Three years after capturing the first image of a supermassive black hole in a galaxy 55 million light years away, astronomers have managed to "photograph" one closer to home.
NASA said "this sonification is unlike any other done before."
A spectacular full moon is fast-approaching. Here's everything you need to know to see it.
The first showcase images from the $10 billion telescope will be unveiled in mid July, after instrument checkout is complete.
If it glittered or dazzled, it was likely being worn by a celeb at fashion's biggest party of the year
Looking for something fresh to watch? Here are the top films available on the streaming platform.
One of these shows could be your next binge obsession.
A look at the evidence in "The Dexter Killer" case; plus, newly revealed letters from the man police say wanted to be like fictional serial-killer Dexter Morgan.
Bizarre clues and evidence in the investigation into the Colorado mother's disappearance include a spy pen, plastic needle cap, and a chipmunk alibi.
Is free speech under threat? CBS Reports explores that question with members of Gen Z, many of whom say their right to free expression is eroding.
The Interior Department has canceled planned oil and gas lease sales in Alaska. The decision, which halts the potential to drill oil across one million acres in the Cook Inlet, comes as gas prices reach record highs. Drew Caputo, the vice president of litigation for lands, wildlife and oceans for the environmental advocacy group Earthjustice, joins Lana Zak to discuss.
A husband planted a field of daffodils for his wife, who loved the flowers. Even after her death, he continued to plant them. The field now has roughly 40,000 daffodils. Steve Hartman shares more in "On the Road."
The president of Delaware State University says the historically Black college plans to file a civil rights complaint with the Justice Department after a bus carrying the women's lacrosse team was stopped and searched in Georgia last month.
The high-risk world of cryptocurrency is recently showing little reward for investors after losing about $200 billion in value in just 24 hours. Manuel Bojorquez takes a look.
Copyright ©2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.