5 Costco Lawn Mowers And Landscaping Tools That Are Worth Every Penny
Earlier this year, Costco announced that the company had grown to over 73 million members. On average, each member makes 30 trips each year to one of the over 600 locations in the United States. "The thing that is uniquely different about us is we want to find the best items out there and sell it to you at the fair price," Costco's Senior Vice President Bob Nelson told CNBC in an interview about turning the company's customers into fanatics.
"Part of our secret sauce is our buyers are good at going out there and pre-selecting the best items." That's exactly what Costco did after becoming a retailer for Greenworks, an eco-friendly outdoor power tool manufacturer. From a brushless blower to an electric pressure washer kit, customers consistently purchase these five Costco lawnmowers and landscaping tools that are worth every penny.
Whether you need a simple string trimmer or you're finally ready to make a major investment in zero-turn equipment since mowing your lawn really does have a big benefit, you can find highly-rated products at Costco that fit the bill. While researching every outdoor power tool sold by Costco with a four-star rating or higher, we quickly noticed that Greenworks products dominated a list that also included Husqvarna, Boss, and others. An added bonus? Most of our Greenworks picks run on rechargeable batteries instead of gas, offering more convenience and quieter performance.
This zero-turn lawn mower cuts up to three acres on a single charge
How often you should mow your lawn varies, but there's little debate that regular maintenance helps you grow thick, lush, green turf. The chore can be a hassle, especially if you have a large lawn that takes hours to mow. If you do, a riding mower will be less labor-intensive and likely faster than a standard push mower. The Greenworks 80V 42" Crossover Zero Turn Mower With Bagger, sold at Costco for $6,500, is powered by 4AH batteries that are recharged in 60 minutes or less with the included dual-port rapid chargers. The batteries pack a punch that Greenworks says is more powerful than gas, propelling this Costco lawn mower up to eight miles per hour.
High-speed cutting, which equates to mowing over three acres on a single charge, isn't the only feature users enjoy. Although there is some learning curve, the zero-turn controls and comfortable adjustable seats get high marks from satisfied customers. The Greenworks lawn mower also comes equipped with LED headlights and a large LED screen that lets you monitor battery life, along with controls to adjust blade speed. Some reviewers experienced delivery issues that took time to resolve, but even in those events, they appreciated the quiet performance and simple overwintering process that the electric lawn mower's batteries provide. Delivery and assembly are included in the purchase price, but it's important to note that a few users were unhappy with receiving improperly assembled machines and missing instruction manuals.
Costco customers say this battery-powered chainsaw is as good as gas
As extreme weather events become more frequent, it is more likely than ever you may suddenly find fallen trees or limbs in your yard. There are plenty of ways to get rid of the debris. You can dedicate a small area in your backyard as a woodlot or even use tree branches as home decor. But no matter which disposal method you choose, having the right landscaping tool makes all the difference.
The Greenworks 80V 18" Gen 2.5 Chainsaw has over 100 five-star reviews from Costco customers who are thrilled with its quiet performance, which many say is as good as gas-powered. Because it's battery-powered, the device is also lighter than many comparable gas chainsaws, weighing just under 10 pounds. The product is sold as a standalone chainsaw for $280 or in a kit complete with a Greenworks 80V battery, charger, and carrying case for $420. The company's 80V battery is compatible with over 75 other landscaping tools, including various trimmers and blowers.
Along with automatic chain lubrication, heat-treated steel bucking spikes, and a wrap-around handle, the product comes with both semi-chisel and full chisel chains. Some reviewers said they were too thin, with one opting to simply replace them with Stihl chains. Only a few users were dissatisfied with the power and battery life.
Hundreds of Costco customers love this lightweight leaf blower
Now that fall has arrived, lawns across the country are covered with leaves. Some organizations, like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, advise leaving those leaves on the ground to protect root systems, preserve moisture, and provide necessary nutrients throughout the winter. But at other times, you may want to remove leaves, either for aesthetic reasons or because of homeowner's association requirements. You can even use a leaf blower for some rain gutter maintenance this fall.
Using a tool like the Greenworks 80V Gen 3 800CFM Brushless Blower can simplify these tedious fall chores. This blower offers up to 60 minutes of runtime without the noise or expense of gas, lowering slightly if you use the variable speed trigger or turbo button when more power is required to remove wet leaves. An included rapid battery charger will get you back on the job in just over an hour. This leaf blower doesn't require any cranking or pulling, making it an ideal choice for users who want to expend less energy on getting their tool started and more on the task at hand.
Over 300 Costco customers have given the Greenworks leaf blower a five-star rating. The adjustable strap harness gets high marks for reducing strain on arms and wrists. Others, like the on-switch, can be locked into position, reducing finger fatigue. Reviewers also consistently love the productivity they get out of this device, using words like "excellent," "amazing," and "a winner," to describe the overall power it generates.
This electric pressure washer gets the job done without the hassle of gas
If you neglect leaves or other debris on your patio or concrete walkways for too long, they may cause discoloration or algae growth. Cleaning these spaces is a simple way to create a cozy patio for entertaining this fall. One of the easiest ways to do that is with outdoor power equipment like the Greenworks 3000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer Combo Kit, which is among the most popular landscaping tools sold at Costco. Over 700 customers give this device a five-star rating, thanks to a TruBrushless Motor that generates extremely high water flow that can reach higher areas and provide quick rinsing on a variety of surfaces.
The pressure washer is equipped with a 25-foot steel braided hose that attaches to the four quick-connecting nozzles that come included. Among them are a soap dispensing nozzle, a 40-degree angle spray nozzle ideal for cleaning windows and siding, and a turbo nozzle for tough stains. The kit also contains a 15-inch surface cleaner and a 12-inch wand extension. Designed to be plug-and-play, the device turns on with the touch of a button, eliminating the mess and hassle of gas and all that goes with it. One user was thrilled to no longer deal with clogged filters, dirty carburetors, and spark plug replacements required by his retired gas-powered pressure washer. At $350, many users were also very happy with the price compared to big box stores.
Users say it's easy to reload this string trimmer in under a minute
The Greenworks 80V Gen, 3 17" Brushless String Trimmer with 2.0Ah Battery and Charger may be last on our list, but it certainly isn't the least. From making your driveway picture-perfect before holiday guests arrive to controlling weeds to ensure your yard thrives during the colder months, a string trimmer is a must-have landscaping tool that's worth the investment. The Greenworks model is another battery-operated brushless device that provides as much power as a gas equivalent. This kit comes with an adjustable strap and 15 spools of precut line that fit on the device's "Load N' Go Trimmer Head." Designed to reload in 60 seconds or less, reviewers say the process is quick and easy.
The included battery is capable of cutting over a mile on a single charge, and several users were very satisfied with both the runtime and recharging downtime, which they reported lasted between 30 and 40 minutes. Some said the weight of this device, which comes with a scratch-resistant aluminum shaft, was on the heavy side and necessitated the use of the included strap, while others felt it was well-balanced and much lighter than a gas-powered trimmer.
Another advantage of using this battery-operated tool, which was also mentioned by reviewers of other devices on our list, was that along with quieter performance that didn't wake the neighbors, they appreciated not smelling like gas fumes after work was done for the day.