Chainsaws have traditionally been one of those power tools best left in the hands of professionals. They used to be large, heavy, noisy, and, quite frankly, very dangerous. They were used by those who worked in forestry and landscaping folks. You know who I’m talking about: lumberjacks.

These days, chainsaws have not only gotten smaller and easier for the average person to handle successfully but they’re more sustainable as well. Electric chainsaws are much lighter and quieter than gas-powered chainsaws without giving up much effective power. Battery-powered chainsaws are portable like gas chainsaws, too.

When used with other electric tools such as lawnmowers, string trimmers, and leaf blowers, electric chainsaws are perfect for keeping your trees trimmed and your yard looking sharp.

Below, find the best electric chainsaws available in 2022:

Splitting kindling can be a tedious and time-consuming task, not to mention potentially dangerous if you don’t have the proper tools and practice safe splitting methods. Our list of the best kindling splitters highlights the top devices for quickly and efficiently processing cordwood into kindling with greater safety than using an axe.

If your woodpile is already processed into burnable logs that don’t require heavy-duty processing, a kindling splitter will prove itself to be an invaluable tool for you.

Processing firewood makes for a hard day’s work. While there are lots of affordable and easy-to-use mechanized wood splitters on the market, a manual log splitter is a great way to efficiently and safely streamline your workload.

These style devices are wonderful for folks who heat their homes with wood but don’t necessarily have the need for an industrial strength/speed splitter. That being said, there are a few innovative man-powered options listed below that offer exceptional splitting force in order to separate BIG rounds without the use of power, so don’t necessarily rule a manual splitter out if you have a heavy-duty job to complete.

We’ve tracked down the best manual log splitters for dealing with large and in charge rounds all the way to halving smaller pieces of kindling, so whatever your processing needs are, there’s something here for you!

Anyone who heats their home with cordwood knows that splitting logs is hard work. An electric log splitter is a brilliant tool for minimizing labor when it comes to stockpiling firewood that’s both safe and easy to operate.

While most electric models may not offer quite as much splitting force as their gas-powered counterparts, they are more portable, simpler to run and maintain, and far less loud during operation. As long as you don’t require an industrial strength unit for splitting especially large diameter/length hardwood rounds, an electric splitter will provide you with more than enough power for processing standard cordwood.

Read on below for some additional information on how to select the right splitter for your needs, and trust us when we say your spine will thank you later!

In need of some effective storage and organization within your garage? A garage storage rack from our top list will make a world of difference when it comes to keeping your space neat and coherent.

We’ve pinned down the best overhead options, wall-mounted shelving, and large and in charge stand-up units so you can pin down just the right storage system for your needs!

If you own a home, you’re gonna need a weed eater. Also known as string trimmers, weed eaters help keep that perfectly manicured lawn and sidewalk at your suburban home looking sharp. Have an alleyway to maintain at your urban home or business? Or do you live out in the country where the weeds grow waist-high? Weed eaters come in handy to handle those clean-up chores, too.

Years ago, weed eaters used to be big, bulky, loud, and difficult to maintain. Modern technology has introduced an entirely new line of energy-efficient, quiet, and even battery-powered string trimmers. Of course, there are still high power gas engine models available. Sometimes these are the only practical ones to get the job done especially if you have a lot of land to cover.

You’ll find the best hard-working weed eater here that partners great with your lawn mower and leaf blower. Whether you need something small and light, big and powerful, or somewhere in the middle, read on to discover a perfect weed eater to suit your needs.

While cordless reciprocating saws are gaining in popularity, saws with cords are still more popular due to their reliable power supply. Browse our list of the best corded reciprocating saws for every application from demolition to collecting paint samples.

Workbenches run the gamut between small, collapsable units that can be compactly stored away when not in use and serious garage project monsters that demand some permanent real estate.

Whatever you need to make your weekend DIY project a pleasure to work on, we’ve got you covered with our list of great workbenches. Any of these 13 options will make an outstanding addition to your garage, basement, and workshop.

Lucky for you, there is a wide array of portable pressure washers out there to help save the day. Portable pressure washers made for simple cleaning are light, inexpensive, and typically run on clean electricity.

They turn deep cleaning chores into easy jobs that you’ll actually look forward to. Having the right tool for the job makes all the difference, like having a great electric chainsaw for trimming trees and a powerful wood chipper for turning the limbs into mulch. We’ve outlined the 13 best portable pressure washers below for you to find the perfect tool to shoulder that heavy cleaning burden in half the time.

Known for quality and performance, DeWalt Tools are known to last years in a workshop. They also boast one of the largest collections (more than 180!) of cordless tools that utilize the same battery platform. ‘Tis the season to bring one (or several) tools home and save some money to boot.

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If you’re a homeowner, you may have found yourself in the position of wanting to cut down trees, clear brush, or cut up some firewood. For all these things and more, gas chainsaws can be a godsend.

Our list of the best gas chainsaws will show you some great options to help spruce up your front and back yard. Then when you’re finished, compliment your hard work by adding a beautiful garden bridge or relax in a new porch swing for top-notch satisfaction. 

If you have trees anywhere on your property, you know that they require an occasional haircut. Regular pruning is necessary to keep trees healthy and looking their best. Chainsaws are useful for pruning but climbing a ladder with a chainsaw to maintain trees isn’t safe at all.

To prune branches that are located anywhere above your head, try a pole saw. A pole saw is essentially a small electric chainsaw mounted to an extendable pole to allow you to cut foliage up high while planting both feet on the ground. Pole saws run clean, cut great, and are a much safer option to get your trees in shape.

When you have a chainsaw for home use and a wood chipper in your yard tool arsenal, you’ll have your trees and shrubs cleaned up in no time.

Whether you’re showing them how to bake bread, handle household chores, or plant a garden, your children also want to learn how to make things and build stuff. And that means using basic hand tools.

Shop classes have seen a rapid decline at schools for years as more importance has been placed on college preparation. That’s a real shame since understanding how to use hand and power tools equip kids with fundamental skills they’ll use throughout their lives. Plus, it can be a lot more fun than book learning.

Knowing how to use tools will also save them money as adults. And there’s really no better feeling than fixing something yourself. So embrace homeschool and build something with your kids!

Our list of 21 Best Tools for Kids includes safety gear, basic hand tools, and some things to keep everything organized. Everything listed here are items your young ones can start using now (with some parental supervision, of course). Learning doesn’t get much more hands-on than this. Watch out: you might just learn something, too.

Standing drill presses aren’t all that portable however they can handle larger perforations in big, bulky pieces of material. They’re more precise than benchtop drill presses (unless bolted down) and handheld drills just can’t compare to the power, accuracy, and reliability that floor drill presses bring to the table.

We reviewed seven great floor drill presses that you can read below. Any of them would make a great fit for your shop or garage. Take a look at our list to find one that will be ideal for anything you need to blast holes through in your projects.

No matter the project, chances are that you’ll need at least a few holes drilled. Why do you need a drill press? For one, they’re incredibly versatile. Secondly, a drill press much more accurate than your average handheld electric drill. If precision is required for what you’re working on (and it should be), then you’ll be very happy to have a drill press in your shop.

Drill presses come in large floor models and units designed to save space by sitting on your work table. We’re going to focus on benchtop drill presses this time around. Large drill presses have their place but benchtop drill presses pack more power than you might think and they fit nicely on your workbench.

There are times that I need to haul things from place to place but my little red wagon from when I was a kid won’t cut it anymore. Instead, I use a heavy-duty utility wagon for lugging stuff around.

Utility wagons come in many varieties but their purpose remains the same: get your things from here to there. They are a must-have piece of hardware for sports equipment, camping gear, items for the beach, tools, firewood, and more.

If you have yard tools like shovels, rakes, or chainsaws, utility wagons are perfect for loading up and transporting things around your property with ease. You could use one to move a larger portable power station around in an emergency. There’s even one on the list that could conceivably move a small engine block.

The items on our list of best utility wagons run the gamut between collapsible wagons that can be thrown in the car and full-sized steel monsters that can move over 1,400 pounds. Take a look below to see which utility wagon fits best for your needs.

If you use firewood to heat your home, you may want to give your ax a rest and consider using an efficient log splitter. Log splitters are machines that force a wedge with immense pressure to efficiently and quickly split logs apart.

Log splitters (also known as wood splitters) come in a variety of sizes based on what your needs are. They can be powered manually or by using electricity or gasoline. If your muscles and joints begin to ache when the leaves start falling, a log splitter might be a great addition to your chainsaw and the rest of your home and yard tool inventory.

Depending on where you live and how much snow you typically get in your neck of the woods, a large two-stage snow blower could be a real timesaver as well as give your back and shoulders a rest. Large snow removal equipment comes in extremely handy with deep snow and if you have any sloping terrain that needs to be cleared.

Smaller electric snow shovels are excellent tools for porches and smaller sidewalks but if you’re looking at a real snowpocalypse to deal with, a two-stage snow blower is what you’re going to have on hand. Get through winter with style with one of the best two-stage snow blowers on our list below.

The LED lights listed below can be configured for any size space and can be used at home or in commercial buildings with equal success. Read on to learn more about the best LED shop lights available for home and professional use.

If you want to take great care of your lawn and keep your grass looking lush and green all year long, you need the right tools for the job.

Lawn maintenance can seem overly complicated, but it does not have to be if you know what your yard truly needs to stay healthy and well maintained. The power rakes for sale in this list can be a great asset to your maintenance routine and save you a lot of work in the long run.

What Is Thatch?

All lawns eventually grow a layer of thatch. Thatch is a layer of intermingled living and dead organic material including shoots, stems, and roots that sits in between the live grass blades and the soil layer. As this layer grows thicker and denser, grass roots begin to grow into the thatch itself instead of the soil.

Thatch can prevent grass from absorbing enough water and fertilizer, resulting in dead spots or a patchy, yellow look to your lawn. Thatch can also trap moisture and humidity, creating an ideal environment for fungi, mold, and bacteria.

Thatch grows thicker faster in over-fertilized lawns or in poorly aerated soil. If your soil cannot drain effectively, you will have a bigger problem with thatch. Using a dethatcher rake and aerating are both important steps to maintaining a healthy lawn year after year.

How To Identify Thatch Issues

Thatch can cause a number of symptoms in your lawn. Knowing what to look for can help you identify whether your lawn needs to be dethatched, power raked, or something else entirely.

• Brown grass is a clear sign of problems. If your grass is not getting enough water due to thick thatch, it will look brown and spotty. The longer this goes untreated, the more the dead area will spread.
• Spongy lawns can be a sign of thatch, too. As mentioned above, thatch holds moisture and this can make your lawn feel spongy and springy. It may look healthy and green, but if you feel sponginess under your feet you may have a thatch issue.
• Take a sample: Using a bulb planter or trowel, slice a core sample of your lawn in a few different locations. Thatch will be clearly visible as a brown or yellow layer in between the green grass and brown dirt.
• Remember that some thatch is OK and normal for a healthy lawn. You have a problem when thatch approaches 1/2 inch in thickness.
• If you do not see a thick layer of thatch, you may want to look into other causes such as over-fertilizing or under-fertilizing, or disease.

Power Raking Vs. Dethatching: What Is The Difference?

Many homeowners have the misconception that dethatchers and power rakes are two names for the same machine. They are indeed similar but are used for different purposes. Dethatching is less aggressive and removes small amounts of thatch from a lawn that is mostly healthy. Power raking is more aggressive and usually reserved for lawns with a large amount of thatch.

Dethatchers are smaller, residential-grade machines that may look like a push mower or may attach to a mower or tiller. Dethatchers use steel spring tines to penetrate and remove a small amount of thatch. They can handle thatch layers less than half an inch thick and are best used for yearly maintenance.

The best dethatcher for sale in 2018 is the Sun Joe Dethatcher Joe, an electric model with a relatively powerful motor, five depth adjustments, and the most spring tines for efficient dethatching.

You can also check out my article on the Top 5 Best Dethatchers to learn more about these helpful tools and choose the best one for your lawn.

Read More From Heavy

7 Best Lawn Dethatchers For Sale: Compare & Save (Updated!)

Power rakes also remove thatch from your lawn, but they are much more heavy-duty and usually reserved for industrial or commercial use. These electric rakes work for large areas of grass or turf. If you have a thatch layer over half an inch thick, or if you have not dethatched in many years, you probably need to power rake. Power rakes can remove up to 4x as much thatch as home dethatchers can.

As I mentioned above, power rakes are usually sold business-to-business to lawn maintenance companies and other commercial or industrial users. However, if you have a serious thatch problem you may want to invest in a power rake for your home. Billy Goat makes a high quality power rake for home use. The model 0S552H Power Rake and Overseeder with Autodrop is the best gas power rake for sale if you have serious lawn maintenance to take care of.

Heavy, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. Our product recommendations are guided solely by our editors. We have no relationship with manufacturers.

Are you looking to replace your expensive, inefficient lighting with LEDs? While LEDs used to be reserved for specialized applications, the technology has improved over the years to make it possible to replace every type of residential and commercial lighting with brighter, more efficient LEDs. Incandescent and fluorescent lights cannot compare to the energy deficiency, brightness, and long life span of LEDs.

LED panel lights are the latest solution that will allow you to replace fluorescent troffers without having to redesign or uninstall the existing drop ceilings in your home or business. LED panels are thinner and more lightweight than fluorescent troffers, and can even be mounted flush with a drywall ceiling or wall if you do not have drop ceilings.

Most LED panel manufacturers produce standard 2’x4’, 2’x2’, and 1’x2’ panels that fit directly inside of a drop ceiling. LED panels come in two models: Edge Lit or Direct Lit. Edge Lit panels are the thinnest at around half an inch, while Direct Lit are closer to 4”, comparable to a fluorescent troffer. Although LEDs are more expensive up front, they will provide savings in the long run due to their energy efficiency. Payback time can vary from one to two years depending on installation costs.

In this article we will go over the best LED panels on the market today. These can be used in homes or in businesses, and they come in multiple different sizes to fit your needs.

1. Hyperikon 2×2 FT LED Troffer Dimmable LED Panel – 4 Pack

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These LED troffers from Hyperikon are an easy replacement for 2×2′ fluorescent lighting. No extra parts or tools are needed to quickly replace existing fluorescent lights for energy savings of up to 80%. These lights are dimmable and come with a five year unlimited warranty, along with 24/7 customer service availability. This light is sold as a four pack or a two pack, making it easy for you to buy the quantity you need for your home or office.

Price: $179.95

Buy the Hyperikon 2×2 FT LED Troffer Dimmable LED Panel here.

Pros:

• Four pack or two pack
• 5 year warranty
• Dimmable

Cons:

• Cannot be flush mounted
• Cannot be purchased one at a time
• Relatively expensive

Find more Hyperikon 2×2 FT LED Troffer Dimmable LED Panel information and reviews here.

2. Hyperikon LED Troffer 1×4 Ft Panel Edge-Lit, Dimmable – Pack of 4

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These lights from Hyperikon come in either 1’x4′ or 2’x4′ sizes in a pack of four. This flexibility allows you to replace whatever fluorescent lights you need, without having to change or adjust your ceiling grid at all. These edge lit panels are thinner than typical troffers and are very light weight. They can be flush mounted if you have a drywall ceiling. These lights are eligible for Design Lights Consortium rebate programs, and are UL certified for safety. They come with a five year warranty and 24/7 customer service as well.

Price: $204.84

Buy the Hyperikon LED Troffer 1×4 Ft Panel here.

Pros:

• Dimmable
• Edge Lit
• 5 year warranty

Cons:

• Somewhat expensive
• Mounting hardware not included
• Cannot purchase individually

Find more Hyperikon LED Troffer 1×4 Ft Panel information and reviews here.

3. ASD LED Panel 2×2 Dimmable Direct-Lit – 4 Pack

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Here is a direct lit pack of four 2’x2′ panels that will fit right in to your existing drop ceiling. Installation is a breeze, and direct-lit LED panels look just like a regular fluorescent light. This can allow you to change out your lights as they burn out, instead of having to spend a fortune on replacing every single light at once. All hardware is included for easy and fast installation, and these lights are fully dimmable. They also come with a five year warranty.

Price: $140

Buy the ASD LED Panel 2×2 Dimmable Direct-Lit here.

Pros:

• Direct lit panels blend in with existing fluorescent lighting
• Relatively inexpensive
• Dimmable

Cons:

• Cannot be flush mounted
• Only one size available
• Cannot be purchased individually

Find more ASD LED Panel 2×2 Dimmable Direct-Lit information and reviews here.

4. Lumimate 2×2 Feet 45w Ultra Thin Edge-Lit Dimmable LED Light Panel Fixture

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This 2’x2′ panel can be purchased either individually or as a four pack. It is dimmable and edge lit, so you can use it in a drop ceiling or mount it directly on a regular ceiling or wall. These lights have a 50,000 hour lifespan so you will not have to replace them any time soon!

Price: $59.99

Buy the Lumimate 2×2 Feet 45w Ultra Thin Edge-Lit Dimmable LED Light Panel Fixture here.

Pros:

• Purchase one or four at a time
• Edge lit
• Dimmable

Cons:

• No warranty
• Relatively expensive
• Requires additional hardware to mount flush with a wall

Find more Lumimate 2×2 Feet 45w Ultra Thin Edge-Lit Dimmable LED Light Panel Fixture information and reviews here.

5. Lemonbest 18 Watt LED Panel Light

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Here is a unique panel light that will fit in smaller areas than the typical 2’x2′ or 2’x4′ ceiling grids. For places like a kitchen or bathroom, you may not need such a large light fixture. This light measures 9″x9″ and is only half an inch deep. It has a lifespan of 100,000 hours and a wide beam angle for very low power consumption. These lights are easy to install either direct to the ceiling or in a smaller grid.

Price: $19.99

Buy the Lemonbest 18 Watt LED Panel Light here.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Unique smaller size
• Extra long life span

Cons:

• Won’t fit in typical drop ceilings
• Flush mount hardware not included
• No warranty

Find more Lemonbest 18 Watt LED Panel Light information and reviews here.

6. Hykolity 2×4 FT 50W Flat LED Troffer Panel Light – 2 Pack

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These edge lit panels from Hykolity can be used in drop ceilings, or with the flush mount kit you can mount them to a regular ceiling or wall. These lights feature a smooth PMMA cover to create uniform light distribution. They are dimmable from 0-10v and also come with a five year warranty. You can also purchase the same light in a 1’x4′ size here.

Price: $159.99

Buy the Hykolity 2×4 FT 50W Flat LED Troffer Panel Light here.

Pros:

• Edge lit
• Dimmable
• Multiple sizes available

Cons:

• Must purchase flush mount kit separately
• Relatively expensive
• Some customers received damaged parts

Find more Hykolity 2×4 FT 50W Flat LED Troffer Panel Light information and reviews here.

7. Hykolity 2×2 FT 40W Flat LED Troffer Panel Light

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Here is another dimmable edge lit light from Hykolity, this time in a smaller 2’x2′ size. This allows you to choose whatever size is already installed in your fluorescent lighting system, and easily replace the lights without having to redesign your ceiling grid. You can also purchase a surface mount kit for this sized light, allowing you to install it directly to a wall or ceiling. These lights are also eligible for rebate programs due to energy savings.

Price: $89.99

Buy the Hykolity 2×2 FT 40W 5000K Flat LED Troffer Panel Light here.

Pros:

• Edge lit
• Dimmable
• 5 year warranty

Cons:

• Relatively expensive
• Mounting hardware sold separately
• Can not be bought individually

Find more Hykolity 2×2 FT 40W 5000K Flat LED Troffer Panel Light information and reviews here.

8. LTMATE 2×2 Ultra thin LED Flat Panel Light – 2 Pack

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These edge lit ceiling panels are everything you need without any hassle. They can be installed directly into anywhere that a 2’x2′ fluorescent troffer is, and because they are edge lit they can also be mounted to a regular ceiling or wall. These lights are dimmable and do not flash or buzz. They can be used anywhere that fluorescents are usually used, whether it is your home, office, garage, or anywhere else. These lights come with a 5 year warranty. For surface mounting, you can purchase a hardware kit here.

Price: $93.99

Buy the LTMATE 2×2 Ultra thin LED Flat Panel Light here.

Pros:

• Edge lit
• Dimmable
• 5 year warranty

Cons:

• Surface mount kit sold separately
• Cannot purchase lights individually
• Only one size available

Find more LTMATE 2×2 Ultra thin LED Flat Panel Light information and reviews here.

9. LTMATE 2×4 Ultra thin LED Flat Panel Light

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If you have 2’x4′ fluorescents that need replacing, these LED panels are perfect. These lights are edge lit and can be mounted in a drop ceiling, flush with a regular ceiling, or hung as a pendant. They come with tee grid clips to make drop ceiling installation a breeze. These lights are also dimmable and come with a five year warranty.

Price: $169.99

Buy the LTMATE 2×4 Ultra thin LED Flat Panel Light here.

Pros:

• Dimmable
• Edge lit
• 5 year warranty

Cons:

• Flush mounting hardware not included
• Relatively expensive
• Only sold as two pack

Find more LTMATE 2×4 Ultra thin LED Flat Panel Light information and reviews here.

10. Allsmartlife 2×2 LED Flat Panel Light – 4 Pack

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Finally, here is a set of lights that will fit just about any application. These 2’x2′ LED panels fit inside of your existing ceiling grid with no hassle. They come in a four pack so you can easily buy in bulk for large installations. These lights are dimmable and are edge lit, so they can also be mounted flush to a ceiling. These LEDs are certified by the Design Lights Consortium and UL, so they are eligible for rebates. They also come with a five year warranty. If you need larger lights you can also purchase these in a 2’x4′ size.

Price: $184.99

Buy the Allsmartlife 2×2 LED Flat Panel Light here.

Pros:

• Edge lit
• Dimmable
• 5 year warranty

Cons:

• Flush mount hardware not included
• Relatively expensive
• Not sold individually

Find more Allsmartlife 2×2 LED Flat Panel Light information and reviews here.

See Also:

• Best G9 LEDs
• Best LED Shop Lights

Heavy, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. Our product recommendations are guided solely by our editors. We have no relationship with manufacturers.

In this article we will go over some of the best G9 LED bulbs available today for any type of home usage.