Yard work tools range from a pair of gloves to a gas log splitter. The best choice comes down to the job size, your soil and how often you do it.
These guides compare tillers for clay, splitters and chippers by log and branch size, carts by load, and the hand tools and comfort gear that make long days easier.
All Yard Work Tools Guides
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Five kitchen compost bins compared by capacity, odor control, cleaning and where the scraps go next, with a household size guide and a liner warning for backyard composters. - Five Best Compost Tumblers, and How to Keep Them from Turning Slimy
Five compost tumblers for backyards compared by capacity, turning effort and build, with a household size chart, a browns-and-greens routine and winter tips by zone. - Best Hedge Trimmers for Thick Branches, Led by EGO
Six hedge trimmers ranked by real cutting capacity for overgrown privet, boxwood and holly, with a branch-size chart, renewal pruning tips and owner-reported mistakes. - Shopping for Tillers for a Small Garden? From Raised Beds to Backyard Plots
Six small-garden tillers matched to raised beds and backyard plots up to about 1,000 square feet, with a size chart, soil readiness test and owner-reported mistakes. - Best Pole Saws for Tree Trimming: Start With Greenworks
Seven pole saws for homeowners compared by true overhead reach, branch capacity and weight at full extension, with a reach chart and safe pruning steps. - Our Favorite Garden Carts for Seniors: Easier on Your Back and Knees
Six garden carts for older gardeners, matched to back, knee, balance and grip concerns, with a cart versus wheelbarrow comparison and owner-reported mistakes. - Best Hori Hori Knives: One Tool for Weeding, Planting and Dividing
Six hori hori garden knives compared by blade length, steel, edges, depth marks and sheath, with a task table and safe care and storage tips. - Best Electric Wood Chippers for Yard Cleanup and Mulch
Six electric wood chippers compared by branch capacity, blades, collection and safety features for small-yard cleanup. - Best Log Splitters: Gas, Electric and Manual
Six gas, electric and manual log splitters compared by tonnage, log capacity, cycle time and portability. - Best Electric Log Splitters for Home Firewood
Seven electric log splitters compared by tonnage, maximum log size, cycle time and portability, from compact 6.5 ton units to 16 ton models. - Best Tillers for Hard Clay Soil
Seven garden tillers for hard and clay soil compared by power, tilling width, depth and tines, with extension tips on when to till clay.
How to Choose
- Match power to the job. Electric tools suit small yards; gas suits big, frequent jobs.
- Know your soil. Clay needs rear-tine or heavier tillers.
- Protect your body. Kneelers, gloves and carts prevent strain on long days.
- Safety first. Wear eye protection with splitters, chippers and saws.
Find your zone on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Read how we choose products.