Spring lawn care gets easier with these 10 tested tools that deserve a spot in your shed

Spring is here, and your lawn isn’t going to groom itself. Whether you’re chasing the perfect trim with an electric mower, blasting leaves off the driveway with a leaf blower, or giving your garden hoses the upgrade they deserve with top-notch nozzles and reels, the right tools make the work feel effortless. To help you with your spring lawn care routine, the Popular Mechanics gear team has tested, prodded, and powered through the latest lawn equipment so you don’t have to.

In this guide, we highlight the lawn care essentials that stood out in real-world tests, so you can spend less time wrestling with your tools and more time enjoying the results. This is your playbook for a lawn that looks well-maintained without demanding too much sacrifice.

We found and tested solid pieces of gear to make your lawn care routine less of a chore.

$127.78

Though a lawn dethatcher may not be a commonly-known tool, it certainly is helpful. A dethatcher is a lawn care tool that removes the layer of dead grass, roots, and debris (called thatch) that builds up between the soil and healthy grass.

This model is a corded, motorized dethatcher that makes lawn maintenance far easier than manual raking. Its 16-inch, 24-tine head removes thick thatch in a single pass without clogging, and handles small to medium yards with ease at 34 pounds.

$34.97

Most sprinklers fail at the hose connection, which is why the Aqua Joe model stood out in our testing with its durable metal fitting, resisting cracking and stress from handling. Its solid metal base adds extra durability and stability, weighing nearly 2 pounds to stay secure during use. The sprinkler features 20 adjustable nozzles, letting you customize width and range, while a built-in clean-out tool keeps clogs from forming.

$175.00

Make hose clean-up as easy as possible with our favorite retractable hose reel. This one comes with a 130-foot hybrid hose that resists wear and prevent leaks, and it comes with a nozzle offering nine spray patterns and 180-degree rotation. The hose locks at any desired length, and a gentle tug triggers automatic retraction into the base.

$15.21

Every good hose needs a proper nozzle, and this Dramm model is affordable and easy to use. The nozzle delivers an impressive range of features for its price. It offers nine spray settings that can be easily selected by rotating the head and the handle is designed with a comfortable, rubberized grip for better control during extended use.

$55.99

Perfect for the garden, the lawn, and filling up the kiddie pool, this hose from DeWalt is the best one out there according to our testing team. Its durable construction resists scratches and demonstrates excellent kink resistance, even when dragged over gravel or grass, outperforming heavier hoses that often snag.

Strong anodized aluminum couplings feature stress-reducing sleeves to prevent pinching. Additionally, an anti-slip coating provides easy connection and disconnection, even with wet or muddy hands.

$21.99

Quick and affordable lawn clearing comes easily with this rake and leaf scoop set. Despite its low price, this plastic leaf rake is highly functional, featuring an adjustable segmented handle and a 53-gallon collection bag.

The handle screws together to reach 43–57 inches, assembling easily without tools. Its 17-inch head is narrower than some rakes, making it ideal for small yards, tight spaces, and easy storage or transport.

$99.97

For those dead grass spots that need a little extra love, a fertilizer spreader will make a huge difference. The Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard DLX offers precise control over fertilizer and seed distribution, helping you avoid unwanted spills.

Its signature EdgeGuard feature shuts off flow on the right side of the hopper, and the handlebar lever lets you adjust it on the fly—no stopping required like with other spreaders.

$283.95

To clear your yard and save some cash, out best value leaf blower pick has everything you need. Weighing just 8.8 pounds, this Greenworks cordless blower is light, yet powerful enough to rival some gas models. It reached 127 mph in testing, and its tapered nozzle delivers a focused, precise air stream for efficient clearing.

$249.99

For clearing weeds and tall grass, this tool should be your go-to. The Husqvarna 110iL is our best overall string trimmer, due to the way it easily handles grass and light brush, excelling in usability.

Our testers praised it for being lightweight, well-balanced, reasonably quiet, and competitively priced. Its dual trimmer/edger head adds versatility, and the FLXi system allows swapping attachments like a leaf blower, pole saw, or hedge trimmer using the same motor.

$649.00

The first tool most people think of when it comes to lawn care is a lawn mower. This one was chosen as the best overall electric lawn mower on the market by our gear team for its exceptional cut quality, leaving grass looking smooth and uniform, even in mulching mode.

Its X-shaped blade and open deck design help prevent clumping, while its strong bagging performance collects more clippings than most mowers. A rust-proof plastic deck, adjustable handle, and simple height control make it easy to use.