About Top Yard Tools — Who We Are & How We Test
Top Yard Tools is a small team of homeowners, weekend landscapers, and outdoor power equipment obsessives who got tired of vague reviews written by people who'd never pulled a starter cord. Every guide we publish starts with hands-on testing — engine in gear, grass in the bag, sawdust on our boots.
When a mower or chainsaw lands in our garage, it goes straight to work. We run gas-powered equipment through full tank cycles, check CC ratings against advertised cut performance, and note real deck clogging on wet grass — not just specs off a box. Battery tools get timed discharge tests at load, not idle.
Our comparison tables are built from side-by-side use, not manufacturer datasheets. We photograph tools in-use — on a striped lawn, on a cluttered workbench, next to a worn leather glove for scale — because that's what actually helps you decide.
We cover the brands homeowners actually buy: STIHL, Husqvarna, Greenworks, EGO, Honda, and Ryobi. If a tool earns a recommendation, it's because it survived our testing — not because of who makes it.
Do you test every product you recommend?
We test directly whenever possible. When a product is outside our current test rotation, we source verified owner data, long-term forum feedback, and spec analysis — and we say so clearly in the review.
How often do you update your guides?
Major guides are reviewed every three to six months. Every page carries a visible 'Updated' date so you know exactly how fresh the information is.
What equipment do you use to test?
We test on real residential properties — mostly 1/4 to 2 acre suburban lots with mixed terrain. We use standard two-stroke oil, bar oil, and off-the-shelf extension cords — the same setup most homeowners actually have.
Top Yard Tools earns a commission when you buy through our links — at no extra cost to you. That revenue is what keeps the lights on, the mowers running, and the guides updated. It does not change which tools we recommend.
We don't accept payment for positive reviews, and we don't hide negative findings to protect a brand relationship. If a chainsaw throws its bar oil onto the garage floor after three uses, that's in the review.
Are you paid to recommend specific brands?
No. We are not paid by STIHL, Husqvarna, Greenworks, or any other brand to feature their products. Affiliate commissions are transaction-based, not editorial agreements.
What if a product I bought through your link doesn't work out?
Contact the retailer directly for returns — Amazon, Home Depot, and most major sellers have solid return windows. We're also happy to help you find an alternative; use the contact form below.
Have a specific yard situation — weird lot shape, overgrown edge work, a mower that won't start in the cold? Send it over. We publish reader questions in our guides when they're useful to other homeowners, and we respond to every message we receive.