Echo has recently announced a new eForce 56V cordless outdoor power tool system.
News channels have reported that the new Echo eForce 56V system will be replacing Echo’s existing 58V lineup, although they have been telling customers that “56v is just a new line of products that we’ll be offering; the 58v line will still be available.”
Advertisement
However, that seems doubtful, as Echo’s website seems to have the 56V lineup indeed superseding their 58V tools. I’m told that an adapter will not be available. It looks that Echo is indeed completely replacing their 58V lineup with the new 56V system.
Echo says that the new eForce 56V cordless outdoor power tool system will launch in 2022 with 10 different tools, 2 battery sizes, and 2 chargers.
They say their target audience includes “high-end homeowners, professional landscapers, and arborists.”
Here are all of the new Echo eForce 56V tools that have been announce so far:
-
- Chainsaws:
- 12″ Top-Handle Chainsaw (DCS-2500T): $500
- 18″ Rear-Handle Chainsaw (DCS-5000): $300
- String Trimmers:
- 16″ String Trimmer (DSRM-2100): $200
- 17″ String Trimmer (DSRM-2600): $400
- 21″ Self-Propelled 3-in-1 Lawn Mower (DLM-2100SP): $500
- 549 CFM Handheld Blower (DPB-2500): $200
- 22” Hedge Trimmer (DHC-2300): $250
- 17″ Brushcutter (DSRM-2600U): $450
- Pro Attachment Series (PAS) Trimmers:
- 16” (DPAS-2100SB): $250
- 17” (DPAS-2600SB): $420
- Chainsaws:
- eForce 56V Batteries:
- 2.5Ah
- 5.0Ah
- Chargers:
- Standard Charger
- Rapid Charger
What’s interesting is that many of the new eForce tools are priced well under similar 58V versions.
Advertisement
The new Echo eForce mower (21″), for instance, is priced at $500 while the 58V version (also 21″) is priced at $550 on Echo’s website. The new eForce 56V hedge trimmer is a 22″ model priced at $250, compared to the 24″ 58V model that’s priced at $320. The new 56V 18″ chainsaw (rear-handle) is priced at $300, compared to $340 for the 58V 16″ chainsaw (also rear-handle).
Some of the other product details also seem to suggest Echo was value and price-conscious with the new line. The new $500 eForce 56V 21″ mower (self-propelled), for example, is said to be bundled with a 2.5Ah battery. EGO’s $570 56V 21″ mower (push-style) is bundled with a 5.0Ah battery and rapid charger. EGO’s self-propelled mower is considerably pricier and is kitted with a 10.0Ah battery.
Echo’s eForce 56V battery charging rate seem weak – according to their product listings, the new 2.5Ah battery requires 75 minutes for a full charge. There are no published charging specs for Echo’s 5.0Ah battery or rapid charger.
For comparison, EGO’s 56V standard charger recharges their 2.5Ah battery in 50 minutes, and their rapid charger recharges a 5.0Ah battery in 75 minutes.
The warranty is listed as 5 years for consumers and 1 year for commercial use.
Echo doesn’t say much about what the new lineup offers users, only saying:
As battery powered growth continues to soar, we wanted to give customers a superior option.
The 56V e-Force platform delivers the performance that users have come to expect from the ECHO brand.
It’ll be interesting to see how the new Echo system compares against popular battery-powered systems by EGO, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi, and others, which have been grabbing market share from the gas-engine tool industry for several years now.
Advertisement
Jared
Echo, while a well-known OPE industry player, was already a bit of a niche choice for a battery lineup. Dumping their current battery platform and adopting a new one seems like an odd move that is bound to attract heaps of criticism.
I presume there must be something about the new battery line that allows them to sell at a lower pricepoint.
Stuart, can you explain how the 56v vs 58v works? Is this just a name change like 18v vs. 20v max – or is there a different type or arrangement of cells at play?
Stuart
My understanding is that 56V = 14 cells (each 4.0V max).
Teardowns show that Echo’s 58V contained 14 (with 14 more presumably for higher capacity configurations). I don’t know what kind of math they used to get this – 4.15V per cell?
Jared
Ha. Thanks!
Lance
Videos like this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANVL2aFDVqw&t=1s&ab_channel=superspeeder
Funny marketing move on Echo’s part, and I’m sure it’s going to upset all the current Echo 58V tool owners to learn that their expensive battery tools are now obsolete, and likely to be unsupported soon.
Echo 58V User
That would be me. Once I figured out they dumped support for my equipment (6 tools), I’ve begun searching for companies that stick with a standard and stay with it… Stihl, Husq, Ego. Anybody but Echo. I had convinced my parents to do the same as me in the past. They will be inheriting my working batteries and tools until they feel like bailing too.
Nick
Same here. I have the Chainsaw, Hedge Trimmer, and the flex-shaft with String Trimmer and Edger attachments. Two batteries. I’m really irritated by this. That’s over $800 or so invested in tools and batteries that will likely be useless once my two current batteries have run through their lifecycles.
I LOVE them and never once regretted going electric until now. That’s the one benefit of gas – gas is always available I guess.
cordless fan
I am in the same boat now. My 58v batteries are starting flake out and I figured I should look at getting another pair. Finding out that they are being ditched does not settle well. Looking for a brand that has stuck to their standard and go with them.
I have loved my echo line of cordless lawn tools for the past 5+ years. They have always worked well and often times seem to outdo their gas-powered counterparts. It makes me sad in a nostalgic kind of way that I will be looking for a new lineup of cordless yard tools.
Trell
What a waste of money! I have the 58v weed eater and blower and it only lasted one year totally sucks!!!!
Leo B.
Interesting move- I wonder if this’ll leave a lot of users out in the cold, or if they’ll support it for a while like DeWalt’s 18v system. I’m curious why they’re moving in this direction, but I guess they must have their reasons.
PETE
What about dewalts 40v platform as well?
Leo B.
That’s certainly a legitimate example- I guess DeWalt is both a good and bad example of supporting legacy platforms. 18v support was likely due mainly to some industrial use that demanded the same batteries and tools for certain procedures, even long after they were relevant. As an OPE platform, 40v likely had no such help. It is interesting to see the parallel of 40v being abandoned semi-recently and Ego now doing the same with their 58v platform. Hopefully something emerges that justifies the changes.
Lance
DeWalt and Milwaukee both dumped their original LiIon tool lineups shortly after launching them. Of the “big three”, Makita is the only one who has stuck with their original design from (I think) 2005/6.
DeWalt dropping the 40V line of OPE was obvious from the second they launched their FlexVolt line.
Most consumers have short memories it seems, and these big companies know that.
Stuart
Some brands know that consumers have very long memories, such as Ryobi. Ryobi has avoided a platform shift since their userbase tends to hold onto cordless power tools for a very long time.
Lance
Good point, Stuart! Yes, Ryobi should be applauded for sticking with their old “top-post” battery style, especially since they upgraded it to the “HP” designation for new higher-powered tools without sacrificing compatibility with older tools.
I think that’s a really smart move for a brand that’s mainly aimed at the homeowner market. Businesses who rely on tools every day to complete their work are much more likely to see tools as an on-going cost of doing business and just write those expenses off.
The homeowner, who may not buy tools too often, would be miffed if a few years after buying some tools found out their platform is no longer supported.
Frank D
Makita shifted from 12v stem pack to 18v slide after I bought my first powertool bundle in 2005 iirc. Got burned by that.
Then I got the Ridgid 24v bundle. Also abandoned within a couple years. Burned again. My initial warranty claim was denied … during some CS system swap BS where they lost all records and could not locate my file. Years later got approved.
All tools that worked 100% fine but ended up without batteries.
Of the mainstream US brands, RYOBI is the only one I believe that has not burned customers on the battery format front.
Jorhay
A self-propelled mower with only a 2.5 ah battery? That’s way too small for almost any SECTION of lawn on my 0.25 acre property. I get about 4000 sq ft out of a 5 ah Craftsman 60 volt with a push mower. I cycle between 2-3 5ah batteries to do the whole property at once.
Koko The Talking Ape
Well, there’s probably nothing keeping you from using the 5.0 Ah battery with it. Also, we don’t know how many batteries the mower will take.
Jim
I get about 40 minutes of runtime per 4ah battery on my 21″ 58v echo mower, and it hold two batteries so I get almost 1.5 hours of mowing from it. It is so light weight that self propel wouldn’t be worth it imo. I got it for its light weight to hang it over our deep ditch and mow the bank.
I got it 2 years ago and the replacement mower blades have not been available at any time since I got it, so I’m guessing they planned on abandoning the 58v system and everyone who had them. If i get another system I’ll be getting dewalt, at least they don’t hang their customers out to dry.
Big Richard
Their old CCS-58V 16″ chainsaw was nice when it came out, especially since the likes of Stihl and Husqvarna only had smaller battery saws at the time. They’ve since passed the Echo in performance with their latest 16″ models, but they’re also double the price. So to see this new 18″ model at the same price point as it’s predecessor is pretty cool. I like the addition of metal bucking spikes, too. For $300, I’ll be getting one to at least sample/review it.
Stacey Jones
Junk. I feel good about never even considering this stuff.
Kyle Jacobs
Echo has made huge strides towards appealing to professional tool users in recent years.
I run two echo chainsaws and a shindaiwa (just a rebranded echo) every day and am never let down. Stihl lost me with the carburators that have to be tuned with a proprietary machine and never idle properly.
All I’m saying is that this “junk” is probably worth more in the trenches than whatever you run.
Frederik
I bought into their 58V system when it first launched. There were promises of a large selection of tools at some point. Echo did not bother update their lineup for a while. I got the 58V mower, string trimmer and hedge trimmer and all still work fine 6 years later. I did have to send a battery in for warranty. However, I am kind of bummed about investing in a battery system that was just left to die.
Lesson learned: only buy into the system that already has the tools you need.
Dominic S
I did the same — I needed a new string trimmer and Milwaukee hadn’t released theirs yet. So now I’m stuck with one crappy 58V Echo tool and a battery that doesnt match any of my other gear.
Frank D
Offering no compatillity between old and new is not going to net them any goodwill from existing customers. I am still running gas on a few brands of OPE, due to the power and runtime needs, and dabble a bit with Ryobi outdoor stuff for the small things. I don’t see value yet in battery powered OPE. And, an OPE brand swithing battery format just makes me twitch, like when Ridgid left users stranded on the 24v line. Ugh.
Brian Ash
Amazing how all the other tool companies have had multiple versions and lines of OPE that include a push mower before that laggard Milwaukee has even come out with one…..
Stuart
https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-cordless-mower/
Brian A
Yeah but it is not out yet, plus no details, and until it’s in stock nothing is confirmed, wouldnt be the first launch delayed a year. Actually with global issues who knows if it will be available for spring and if so whats the price premium on it because of the 10x price increase in Asia to USA shipping costs.
Lane
Does anyone know if the echo 56 v battery is interchangable with the shindiawa 56 v batteries. They look identical
Travis
Yes in my experience Echo 56v batteries seem to work fine with Shindaiwa 56v products and vice versa. The Echo 56v batteries seem to be a newer, more energy dense battery update of Shindaiwa 56 volt batteries. Hope this heips.
JD
I strongly considered the 58V system a few years ago. All the tools felt like they were really high quality. Basically, just as well built as Echo’s gas tools. With obvious battery limitations. Compared to Stihl’s battery platform, the cost of entry was WAY lower.
If I had to guess, this is targeted at a home user. I wouldn’t be surprised if they introduce something else up-market for pros that is in the Stihl price range with backpack battery options for all-day run-time.
scott taylor
I saw these 58v echo on clearance at the local Home Depot. And I mean clearance, like 80% or 90% off. The blower with 2Ahr battery and charger was $46. I was almost willing to pull the trigger but I don’t have a big yard and I have the Ryobi 18v stuff, not much power but all I need.
Jared
I’d buy that!
Todd
Echo 58V was good when it first came out. It was on parity with Ego at the time. String trimmer could swap attachments with standard Echo attachments even though this Echo was build by TTi. Mower had a lot of power and, in retrospect, a weird battery arrangement. It held two batteries but you could use only 1 at a time. Mostly so they could claim some high runtime like Ego w/ big battery but in reality, it just saved you running back to the garage for a fresh battery when one ran out of power. Two smaller batteries worked good too since the 4Ah charged in an hour.
TTi left the Echo cordless line to wither on the vine while everyone else was updating their products left and right.
I don’t see how, today, anyone could look at these brands that change battery platforms and think that it’s a worthwhile investment to make when you can buy an Ego or whatever who isn’t screwing with the batteries.
Nathan
they more or less stopped supporting the 58V series a few years ago. when I tried to warranty the hedge trimmer I got It was a fiasco.
I now need a new battery so that will be fun – which has me looking at ditching it.
funny thing is the orginal 58V string trimmer has the detach middle and takes PAS attachments. While they claimed it wouldn’t run one – it does fantastically. I own the edge attachment which it runs very well and I’ve used the sweeper attachment which it also ran fine.
Lots of power. On that battery voltage yes they rated them with different battery voltage. which is a bit odd. Also the Echo 58V stuff was made by OPI according to the label which is a TTI company and supposedly makes the milwaukee stuff.
I find the new slide pack setup interesting and also these tools will see at ECHO stores – where the 58 volt didn’t initially.
I’ll probably pass on them completely at this point but I do like the idea of the PAS setup trimmer. And would potentially get one but I’ll probably go with Dewalt Flexvolt if I buy something new.
X Lu
I get abandoning your installed base for a quantum improvement in performance and value in use. Heck the customer gets that too. Most of these changes a la deWalt, Mikita and this one defy logic. Heck Ryobi has it right- yeah the battery is the size of a small tank but they stick with the form factor-lessons learned. The number one rule is protect the base. A good analogy is to Sonos audio equipment. They have tried on several occasions to abandon their base claiming they are a tech company and you should toss perfectly functional expensive equipment. The base pushed back hard and they ran to momma with tail between their legs. But their early adopters are going elsewhere as they damaged trust.
If you make substantially better product, people will see the benefits and begin the transition. This one is just silly 58 or 56 or us it 57.49776
Hon Cho
Since Techtronics (TTI, parent of Milwaukee, Ryobi and manufacturer of Ridgid cordless tools) was the manufacturer of the 58V line, I suspect that has a lot to do with the revision to Echo’s cordless tool strategy. I don’t know whether Echo had licensed their name to TTI for cordless OPE or if they had just contracted with TTI to produce their tools. Abandoning a platform hurts for existing customers but since it seems the 58v line didn’t gain a lot of traction, the cost in lost goodwill is probably insignificant to the benefits they perceive from pursuing a different direction with the 56v line. Remember folks, however you may feel about a brand or manufacturer, you’re just a very small fraction of some number on a bean counter’s spreadsheet and financial performance is judged on current and future prospects. The past is, for the most part, a sunk cost.
Nathan
is there any inkling of who is making this for them? or is it assumed to be TTI because the batteries look like ridgid tool batteries only larger?
if I hadn’t had the 58V system and was going at this new I’d look really really hard at the new 56v stuff but would only buy the PAS trimmer. also for my over 1 acre lot the 58V 4AH battery worked out really well but is a bit heavy. so I would probably want the 5AH battery as my first battery. just FYI.
As I probably put before the lack of echo support on the 58V system left quite a bad taste and I’m more than likely going to pass on any of this. but we will see.
I would strongly suggest someone cross shop this with greenworks pro line. or even just the greenworks 60 and 80 v like. but the greenworks pro has solid attachments.
Davis
got one pic of the new 56V mower, it should be from Greenworks. handle, wheels cover are all the same
Hon Cho
OEM for Greenworks is, I believe, Globe. A quick Google search on Globe revealed that Stihl made a substantial investment in Globe in 2016. If Globe is Echo’s cordless manufacturing partner in 2021 then it won’t be surprising to see internal similarities with Stihl and Greenworks gear. Not that they’ll be the same because OEMs do produce many variants. Interesting bedfellows!
West Short
I invested heavily in Echo’s 58v lineup, including a mower, 2 blowers, trimmer, pole saw, chainsaw, and hedge trimmer. Even though it is still under warranty, the mower has been in the shop since November and cannot be repaired because Echo isn’t supplying the parts, so I have had to buy a new mower (a Ryobi) just to trim my lawn. All because Echo decided to orphan people like me who trusted in the brand and bought their 58v products, which are no so much JUNK without the ability to buy parts and batteries. I have been a die hard Echo user for 25 years and I will NEVER purchase another Echo product after this outrage.
Nathan Gant
The early Echo cordless tools were set up for 58v, the newer ones are 56v, which means a new charger and all new tool set. I had poor results from the early 58v Echo 21in mower, which died sooner than expected, consistently was having poor electrical cabling and power connections. I’ll still use the 58v for the other tools.
The positive side is the new 56v batteries come in higher 5.0 amp-hours, which is an improvement over the older 4.0 aH, 58v one. That’s a better deal for commercial use when you’re outside all day with a mower and other equipment. Voltage x amp-hours equals more watts (power) with the new batteries. 280 watts vrs. 232 watts. The new 56v, 5 aH batteries are only 1/4 oz. heavier than the older 58v, 4aH battery, based on my scale.
Also it’s important to not mix up Ego 56v charger and batteries with the newer Echo 56v product line. They don’t interchange with each other. Too bad, I think it would be nice to at least be able to use the 56v chargers for both brands of batteries.
Mike
The “56v” 5ah is a 252wh pack… it’s still 14 cell just like their “58v” system. Both are nominally 50.4v
Kevin
Just learned that ECHO is completely abandoning their 58V cordless line. They even seem to have completely wiped the 58V tools from their current website.
All I can say is a sarcastic WOW. As a consumer heavily invested in their 58V ecosystem, this is a kick in the gut. What a load of BS. As a ‘higher end’ line, I would have thought ECHO would have put more thought into supporting their customers.
At the very least they should have offered us some sort of ‘trade up’ program to allow us to trade up to the 56V line at a reasonable cost.
BTW – I have contacted ECHO customer service to see what they say….not expecting much. Looks like they just lost a customer…for life.
West
I had to double-check that I hadn’t written this post because it sounds so much like my experience. My 58v mower is still at the ECHO service center a solid 6 months later even though it is under warranty. Agree – they have lost a customer for life.
Kevin
I saw your prior comment. 6 months in the repair center so far?! To say I’d be fuming is an understatement.
I still stand by my comment that ECHO should have offered a “trade up” program of some sort. They obviously completely botched the rollout to the 56V line.
I mean…if this was a cheap “throwaway” brand…then I could live with it. However, since ECHO is a higher end brand, I expect much more from them…and form the comments here, it is clear that others do as well.
Kevin
West, hopefully you see this.
I wrote a complaint to the Better Business Bureau and heard back from ECHO the next day. Just awesome customer support…they are replacing ALL of my 58V equipment/batteries with 56V equipment/batteries. Note that I had simply requested a 58V battery exchange in the BBB complaint because my batteries are starting to die and I was having a hard time finding reasonably priced replacements. They went over and above my expectations and I must say…ECHO just may have retained me as a customer.
Their offer leads me to believe that ECHO realizes they completely screwed up the rollout of the 56V line. It also signals to me that they don’t have any 58V batteries left to exchange. Very interesting.
So get that BBB complaint in…especially since your mower has been in the repair center for 6+ months! Remember to write a *complaint* on the BBB site…not a review.
West
Thanks so much for the input – that is encouraging that Echo might do the right thing. I had reached out to Echo directly through their website. Someone responded and asked for the Serial Number of the mower that had been at an authorized repair center since November of last year, but then I never heard another word after providing the serial number. I will try a BBB complaint and see if that gets anyone’s attention.
Kevin
Hi West…did your BBB complaint get attention?
West
Hey Kevin thanks for following up – I haven’t taken the time to make the complaint yet. I gathered up all the serial numbers so that’s the next step.
Scot
Great Info you shared, Kevin. My father purchased two straight shaft gas Ekco trimmers that lasted twenty years. I purchased an Ekco gas chainsaw thirty years ago. It’s still running great. When compared to newer ones, it’s easy to see how material changes have sent from metal /cast aluminum, I believe, to plastic,
Yeah, lighter weight but for sure not as durable. I’m still and Ekco fan and your testimonial teaches what needs to be done…advocate. Thanks!
Mario
So I can’t find a replacement for my 58v Chainsaw, or a chain. I won’t be buying another Echo product because of this. This chainsaw just isn’t old enough to have support just stop. I suspect they have a problem with the chain overheating and then becoming too wide to stay in the thin rails of the bar. That’s just my suspicion. Not even a rebate. I’m getting tired of supporting companies that stop supporting me.
Even the poor folks at Home Depot have no idea how to help someone with this issue. I drove to 3 stores today, a good 25 miles apart, looking for a bar and chain. Employees tell me, this should work. We’ll, I can’t deal with should work. Why not carry replacements or tell folks the items are discontinued?
MM
I suspect the problem you’re running into is the fact that many employees of big-box stores don’t really understand what they are selling. I doubt the bar or the chain on your Echo saw is proprietary. Someone who actually knows about chainsaws ought to be able to look at it and find a quick replacement. I suggest you try small engine shops in your area, or post on a forum for arborists or loggers, wherever it is the guys that hod-rod chainsaws hang out. I’ll bet that you can get bars from Cannon and Oregon. This is a bit outside my expertise but I’d go look at a Cannon C1 , Oregon A041/K041, or Stihl 3005.
Kevin
Hi guys…take a look at my comments above.
File a BBB complaint. I did…and they basically admitted they F’ed up.
They replaced *all* my equipment and batteries with the new tools/batteries…and they were very quick to respond to the BBB complaint as well. I didn’t even need to send the old stuff in!
Hope this helps!
Big Richard
Mario, MM is right. Their is nothing special about the bar or chain on that saw. Home Depot employees cannot know every spec of every single product they sell, especially since the 58v is discontinued. Echo does not make their own bars/chains, they just use Oregon bars/chains.
You can use ANY 3/8″lp, .043 gauge, 56 link chain (Oregon AdvanceCut R56 for example). As for the bar, it also needs to be 3/8″lp and .043 gauge, 16 inches, and the same tail mount (most likely an A041). They are both very common sizes for cordless saws (Milwaukee, DeWalt, etc.)
Buy an Oregon 16A041R56-21 bar/chain combo and you are set.
Travis
No one here seems to realize that Echo owns Shindaiwa. Shindaiwa recently discontnued their line of 56v battery products(search DH2000 or EB6000) Echo’s tools are different but the voltage and battery design is identical to the Shindaiwa design. They realized it was superior and are using it from here forward.
btw I have and use Shindaiwa 56v battery powered tools. It will be interesting to try Echos 56v battery in my tools.
Kevin
The issue is that they changed the battery format ( and tools ) out from their customers….many who had invested substantial sums of $$$ on the previous tool line. It got to the point where the old batteries became scarce and expensive. Echo admitted to me that they ceased production of the old battery line even though they ‘promised’ to continue to provide them. Not a good PR move…at all.
By the way, notice how Ryobi has continued to use exactly the same battery format due to this very issue…business 101. I will say that the battery format issue is a problem unique to the cordless tool manufacturers. And as we have seen…not all manufacturers have handled the situation well at all. I also think some consumers have realized this and are going back to corded tools ( i.e. – no batteries to wear out and possibly change format ).
With that said, I own the old line and issued a BBB complaint. Echo treated me *very* well after I filed a the complaint. They ended up replacing my *entire* line of batteries and tools due to the battery format issue. If any of you reading this own the old tool line and are considering moving away from Echo, my advice is to please contact them first…or file a BBB complaint.
Scott
I have the Echo 58V strimmer trimmer with the motor at the head and the 58V blower. Love both but not happy about them dropping the 58V lineup. As far as mower, I’ve had a Honda self propelled since 2012 and love it. Have had to replace wear items, and even the carb but prives are cheap, even the carb. Next mower will also be Honda. If my 58V batteries die I’ll probably go Honda string trimmer.