I received an email newsletter from EGO today, a ToolGuyd sponsor, advertising that they have “the gifts that Dad REALLY wants.”
Yep.
EGO says that the latest EGO innovations make the ultimate Father’s Day gift, and I am inclined to agree.
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Here are the latest EGO tools:
EGO 21″ Select Cut Mower with Touch Drive (LM2135SP) – featuring a Select Cut multi-blade system and “exceeds the power of gas.” $599 at Lowe’s for the 7.5Ah kit.
EGO 765 CFM Blower (LB7654) – The industry’s most powerful blower, with up to 200 mph air speed. $329 at Lowe’s for the 5Ah kit.
EGO 16″ PowerLoad String Trimmer with Line IQ (ST1623T) – Automatically maintains a 16″ cutting swath; “work faster without bumping.” $299 at Lowe’s for the 4.0Ah kit (or $199 tool-only).
EGO 18″ Misting Fan (FN1800) – Delivers 5,000 CFM; stay cooler in the summer heat this year. $279 at Lowe’s (tool-only).
EGO Portable Area Light (LT1000) – 4 LED light panels deliver up to 10,000 lumens of light. $149 at Lowe’s (tool-only).
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Acme Tools has several EGO tools on sale right now.
EGO is always a solid recommendation.
My friends and family can all be described in one of two ways. First, there are the ones that ask me what kinds of cordless outdoor power equipment they should get.
“I want a cordless mower.”
“Which battery-powered snow blower should I get?”
“Who makes the best cordless string trimmer?”
“I need a powerful leaf blower.”
The answer every time is EGO.
I love EGO leaf blowers, string trimmers, their snow blowers – every EGO tool I’ve used has been great so far. EGO tools perform well, and I trust the brand.
I did have a problem once – the scraper bar of my single stage snow blower sample broke at the corner after a few seasons of heavy use. It was easy for me to find, buy, and install a replacement scraper bar.
As far as I’m concerned, EGO is a fantastic “you don’t have to think about it” brand.
Then there are my friends and family who know that EGO occasionally sends me review samples. Usually when the latest blower or string trimmer lands in my hands, I pass along an older model to someone I know for further use and testing. I never would have guessed how in-demand these tools would be.
Every year, without fail – “so, do you have any EGO tools you’re done testing?” I will usually list off the other brands of cordless outdoor equipment I’m done with, but nothing comes close to EGO.
I don’t use EGO tools exclusively – I use cordless outdoor power tools by several brands – but that’s also because I have access to many brands’ battery systems and cordless platforms.
EGO tools are powered by their 56V Li-ion battery, which is why they tend to perform so much better than most consumer brands’ lower voltage cordless OPE systems.
So, for friends and family looking for recommendations, EGO has been my top choice for quite a few years now. And then there are my friends and family that ask for EGO by name, usually after they purchased their first EGO tools based on my recommendation.
What have your experiences with EGO been like?
Aaron s
I’ve been considering switching to ego ever since the discussion of their battery tech (and 2 80v kobalt batteries failing on me)
I’m still tempted by ryobi 40v because of the breadth of the line, but I don’t want to keep adding platforms.
I think my main oddball OPE need is an auger, possibly a tiller. Otherwise ego seems right for snowblower and other core OPE and I want that power station
IJK
Ryobi 40V would be perfect for you, then. They have a 40V auger (https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/46396035424), 40V rear tine tiller (https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/46396039439), Front tine Tiller (https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/46396039422), and both single and 2 stage snowblowers. They even have an equivalent power station.
I would still rate EGO as better performing tool-to-tool, but the current ryobi 40V brushless/whisper line is more than adequate and has a ton of depth to the line that EGO does not. Personally, I have EGO, but that was started when there was minimal competition to it, especially for attachment capable trimmers/power heads, and just kept going with it since.
Eugene
FYI, for a battery powered auger if you’re on the dewalt 20v/60v line they have their flexvolt mud mixer 1/2″ drill that actually doubles as a great auger and Power Planter actually sells a kit designed just for that drill.
https://powerplanter.com/drills-and-augers/heavy-duty-augers/60v-dewalt-dcd130t1-drill-plus-professional-auger-starter-bundle/
Hope that helps. Milwaukee has their own mud mixer but the handles don’t seem as robust as the metal extension on the dewalt drill and I haven’t seen anything specifically use it.
MM
I’ve used my DCD460 Flexvolt stud-and-joist drill to set fenceposts with an 8″ auger, so I imagine that any of several heavy-duty drills may be worth considering.
Corey Moore
I’ve used that same drill with a 21″ SDS max bit to pilot ground rods in a pinch before lol That thing is a monster
Julian Tracy
I know at least 3-4 clients that have at least three OPE brands in their garages. Silliest damn thing ever. Pick a battery platform and just buy what they carry. These folks have 2-3 of the hulking 40+ V batteries plus the bulky chargers lined up on their workbench.
Jammer
It’s not silly to have multiple brands. Then you can choose the best for each tool type without being locked in. It is silly to have all the chargers sitting on a workbench, however. They can easily be mounted out of the way on a wall.
Bonnie
Naw, don’t be hamstrung/limited by a battery platform. Use the tools that work best, across the brands. Especially for home/DIY users that don’t lose anything by swapping batteries back onto the charger
I use Makita as my main tool brand, DeWalt for outdoor tools (I tried Ryobi and Makita and was dissappointed by their string trimmers), and a Rybobi brad nailer (after the ryobi batteries died I added a DeWalt-to-Ryobi adapter).
rob
These brands don’t sell bare tools so what’s the difference?
MM
Which brands? I’m quite sure I’ve seen Ego chainsaws and trimmers sold as bare-tool-only at Lowe’s. And I know for a fact that you can buy Milwaukee, Dewalt, Stihl, Ryobi, Makita, and Echo OPE as either bare tools or as kits.
Mike (the other one)
As long as you have chargers for each battery type, it doesn’t matter how many brands you go with.
The only advantage to going with one platform is interchangeable batteries.
Brian
Thanks for your take. Ego is interesting for OPE. For a snowblower, not sure if I trust myself to have no service center support or if Toro might be a better battery powered option.
JoeM
I think my Dad would’ve found this insulting, to be totally honest. First off: Celebrating Dad by reminding him of chores? No. Second: Dunno about everyone else’s Father, but mine had a policy of having disadvantaged kids do things like yard work, so he could pay them and teach the value of having money. If one of us kids, His Kids, even touched a lawn mower, or string trimmer, it was to repair or replace disposable items, or clean them up. He insisted on our chores being in the house, and not to disrupt his work with the neighbourhood kids. He was an ex-Cop, so… I think he wanted to continue his community outreach after leaving the force.
One of my Father’s favourite gifts I ever gave him was a formal braided belt from Sears. My Grandmother insisted I buy something, rather than make something… and that gift was his favourite… Until later in his life, when my Grandmother replaced his Fouton for a proper Couch with Recliners on the end… Then I turned the wood from the Fouton into a Coffee Table for him. That was his new favourite thing. But in between those, it was Barbeque time. He loved my cooking, so I cooked for him. Dads want things from the heart, not things their wives want them to work on.
Scott M
I’m a dad, I love my Ego snowblower and trimmer, and I’d love another Ego product for father’s Day. They work so well it saves me time & energy on chores so I can spend it playing with my family.
I labor indoors and out, 7 days a week for my wife and kids. I do it out of love and when my family recognizes Father’s Day, I love tools or homemade stuff. Handprint toddler cards. Crayon scribbles. Little carpentry projects together. Ultimately the most important gift I get is time with my kids – maybe your dad hired out for yardwork to get more time with his family too.
JoeM
He certainly did, yes. He just happened to have this other plan, seeing local families struggle. It’s not like he was trying to teach His Kids to make other people do the work for us, we certainly did our own share. Just… he saw so many kids in our neighbourhood that he wanted to help… He was one of “Those” kinds of Dads. He was like a Neighbourhood Dad? He might not have known every kid’s name, but he’d randomly walk over to the park across the road from our house, and make sure everyone was hydrated with lemonade/iced tea/water/whatever.
I’m really just thinking of my own Dad at this point. It has been 5 years, and I just want to think about the question posed by the title of the article, nothing more. It’s not a judgement on every case, we’re just talking My Father in this case. Since I’m not a Father, it’s the only reference I have to answer the question. And to him? No… Ego Tools for Chores would not be Father’s Day… To Him anyways. He always had other plans.
Mc703
🙄
JoeM
Trust me, I share that sentiment. Dad made me make that face frequently. I feel the annoyance, just as you do.
Kilroy
Fair point about the appropriateness of yard tools as father’s day gifts.
In a somewhat similar vein, my father once bought my mother a new vacuum cleaner for Mother’s Day (wish I were kidding, but I’m not). Not a smart idea.
Rog
I dunno tho, as a Dad, power tools are always a welcomed gift in my house!
JoeM
Really only speaking from a perspective of my Late Father… That’s his thinking, not mine. I’m not a Father by any stretch of the imagination. So I have no opinion. I no one’s “Dad” so… How can I answer the question from the article? The Gifts that Dad REALLY Wants? My Dad? No. He had so many other ideas of what Father’s Day was. he was really weird as a person as well. So… take the experience with a grain of salt.
Stuart
These aren’t ties, etc that someone would go to the mall for and impulse buy as a gift.
I imagine that 1) most cordless OPE are requested as Father’s Day gifts, and 2) brands and retailers wouldn’t continue to market tools in this manner if it wasn’t effective.
How many people receive tools and related as holiday or Father’s Day gifts unexpectedly, vs. how many buy it for themselves, or put it on a wishlist?
JoeM
This isn’t my opinion here, Stuart. I just have my late Father as an example to answer your question. I can’t answer, and wouldn’t have an opinion on the subject. I’m not a Father in any way.
And yeah… My Father was incredibly odd as human beings go. Father’s Day is hard since he passed, so… while I’ve got all these memories of him being dragged out by ads and posts everywhere… I might as well honour him by using him as the answers… I’m sorry if it’s inappropriate… it’s all I got on these subjects.
MT
I think your dad would be in the minority with that. Most guys I know actually enjoy getting out in the sunshine and fresh air and making their homes and yards look better.
I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it. But I do know it needs to be done and if someone gives me the tools to make it easier, that’s okay by me.
JoeM
My Dad was very weird. On most things. You’re not wrong about the sunshine and such, but, Dad had ulterior motives for the having neighbourhood kids do those chores for him. Dad was all about community, and trying to help others, and back, when he actually was the head of the household (my parents split when I was 9-ish), we lived in a really strange mixed neighbourhood. Families had high incomes, and Families had low incomes… Dad just wanted to help the kids grow up to help their families… he had trouble keeping his nose where it didn’t belong, when it came to kids. He was everybody’s “Dad” in that sense. He wanted it that way.
Once he was living separately, I assure you, I was pushing that lawn mower, maintaining the string trimmer, and shoveling the driveway. It didn’t bother me, except for the pain in my back. But, I’m not a Father in any way. I don’t have an answer to the question posed by the Article. All I got is a reference from remembering my Dad. He liked things from the heart. My Grandmother, his Mother, didn’t understand that. She genuinely wanted everything done by people you paid. I couldn’t make him a new belt, I had to buy him one. I couldn’t cook dinner, we had to go out to dinner. But when she had no control over the situation, Dad preferred things I built, and things I cooked. He was far less common than most people I’ve met in my lifetime. He was very odd, and weird. He doesn’t make a good case for Fathers in modern times.
I’m sorry for the confusion… I just… have no other examples to answer the question with.
Jeff Anderson
Totally agree. My own dad taught me long ago to never buy someone a gift that was chore-related. He claimed that even if they asked for it, it was just a bad idea.
I think there’s a definite gray area with outdoor tools. Some people genuinely do enjoy these tasks. And a lot of people enjoy the tools that make the task a bit easier, or more enjoyable.
I’d just be really careful to make sure that you’re buying for someone that loves the actual task, and not someone that just enjoys the tools that make the chore easier.
Holidays are for celebrating the person and that includes what they love to do. If that really is yard work, then go for it. Otherwise, I feel like there are probably other things the person might truly enjoy having or might not otherwise get for themselves.
My wife likes having nicer tools and supplies to clean with, but I’m not nearly dumb enough to buy them as gifts. Same goes for cooking. She truly loves baking though, so that’s fair game.
Nathan
I mean I see both sides of it. I don’t mind the tools but honestly I don’t really want anything for father’s day.
Robert
So is EGO a buy once keep forever brand?
Derek
I have many EGO tools, all works great, no issues. My oldest is my mower, bought it 5-6 years ago, haven’t had to do the thing to it, love that.
Hon Cho
Stuart, while you clearly stated that Ego is a site sponsor this post was nothing more than a paid promotion for Ego. I feel those kind of posts should be marked as paid promotion. Regardless of how good Ego products may be, it taints my perception of your objectivity when discussing products. You may as well start accepting regular advertising if you’re going to do this type of advertorial post.
Stuart
I’m sorry you feel that way. I’ve been wanting to mention my overall stance towards EGO for a while.
An “I keep recommending EGO to everyone” post would be fine for editorial, but seemed wrong given that EGO is a sponsor.
I also didn’t want to do a full gift guide (yet?), and so it seemed fitting to mash everything together.
Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to mash different topics together, but everything is accurate.
Additionally, I haven’t talked to EGO about this post at all. I add sponsor disclosures for any/all content during active campaigns. (Most media and influencers these days do not disclose at all.)
Aaron S
This post seems like it falls well into a category you’ve established: They don’t pay you to have an opinion, you already have an opinion on their products. They pay you to spend a bit more time on that opinion than you might otherwise.
A post that might be warranted as a response to concerns about sponsorship while actually delivering on what the sponsor is interested in might be a “Why Ego OPE is a sponsorship we chose for Toolguyd” I think I’ve seen those in the past occasionally, but slanting it to discuss the factors related to your decision around tool quality and support.
I also think a post comparing battery tech would be a good thing to revisit for 2022. As I mentioned in my previous post my OPE from another brand killed some batteries and I see that as a key differentiator in future purchases.
Stuart
With Chervon – EGO, Skil, Flex, the answer is simple – they make great products and they are constantly pushing boundaries in terms of performance and user-friendly features. Now they’re pushing power and performance boundaries as well.
One thing I really like about EGO is that the batteries are designed for cordless OPE applications. These aren’t power tool batteries that you can also use for outdoor tools, they are designed for all-season lawn and garden tool use. The batteries (at least the ones I have) self-drain after extended disuse – I believe it’s one month, after which they drop to ~40% storage charge. This helps prevent them from being stored for long periods at full charge, which could impact longevity.
MM
I think that the battery design can be either a good thing or a bad thing depending on your perspective.
If you have serious “prosumer” needs from your OPE then I think Ego is the obvious choice for reasons including the OPE-specific battery design.
On the other hand, if your cordless OPE needs aren’t up to that level it might make sense to buy tools whose batteries interchange with your other cordless tools. For example, I recently purchased a Dewalt cordless 21″ mower, it was roughly the same price as the Ego you mentioned. I’m sure the Ego is a much better mower. In a pure standalone comparison it seems like a lot better value for money than the Dewalt. However, the Ego wouldn’t have given me a nice pair of batteries which I can use in my main line of cordless power tools. I only use that mower for a handful of tiny areas where my big Scag won’t fit, I doubt I run it more than 10 minutes at a time, so going with a “power tool battery” platform made sense for me. For someone who doesn’t need top-tier performance the flexibility of OPE on an existing cordless power tool platform can be attractive.
Franco
I know that Ryobi has quite a catalog of tools for their 40v platform and growing.
Interestingly, both EGO and Ryobi are the only main brands that I know of that make a backpack blower.
For anyone that has experience with the 2 brands, speaking of the more common tools, does anyone find a clear winner between the 2 brands? Or some tools 1 wins and for other tools, the other wins?
The little extra features one brand or the other may have on certain tools are definitely nice to have, but what I care about is mainly how good either brands tools hold up as a gas tool replacement.
IJK
Have used both. Realistically, depends on what you want and expect out of the tools. Have EGO attachment power head w/edger, trimmer, modified trimmer, pole saw, cultivator, and hedge trimmer attachments. Also have ego single stage metal auger snow blower, 18″ chainsaw, 2nd gen hedge trimmer.
Raw power for the power head, with the 5ah or bigger batteries, is insane. With added weight, was able to effectively till compacted rocky clay with the cultivator. Modified trimmer has a 10″ saw blade type brush cutter on it. Have cut down 4-5″ diameter trees with it. Hedge trimmer attachment makes an effective brush cutter. I can honestly say, even the newest ryobi attachment capable trimmer doesn’t have that kind of raw power. Haven’t messed with the ryobi snowblowers, but the ego single stage snowblower handled 18″ drifts with minimal complaint. Limit was my ability to push it thru the snow. Flung it plenty far.
Whereas for ryobi, I would say they’ve reached the point that they’re more refined. Better electronics and motors. Slightly weaker, sure, but uses the power more effectively. Definitely lighter weight. The ego with a hedgetrimmer attachment was a helluva workout, and that was sweeping it across the groun vice overhead.
Overall, tool for tool, i would say ego is definitely better if you’re not willing to sacrifice raw performance. But for the average homeowner, the *newest* generation of ryobi 40V OPE is more than adequate and probably a slightly better experience. Cost wise, it’s almost the same at this point. Ryobi’s biggest advantage is the sheer depth of their lineup. But, again, this all holds true only for their most recent generation. Go back a generation on ryobi, and maybe if the price is right it’s worth the tradeoff. More than that? EGO, hands down. Not worth cheapening out.
IJK
Since i can’t edit, i forgot to mention. The single stage ego snowblower replaced and outperformed an older 2 stage gas snowblower that i had. Just in case you needed a direct comparison of battery vs gas.
Charlie
Wish they made a vacuum.
Bill
I assume you are talking about a yard vacuum. I don’t know of anyone making a true, full size, battery powered yard vacuum. In my recent search for the same, I came across a compromise that works well for my needs.
For about $200 I got the Ryobi leaf vacuum/mulcher. It’s a 40v unit that come with a 5ah battery and charger. It works great for small areas with a small amounts of leaves and debris. I use it around the pool deck as well as flower and herb gardens.
I should also mention that I have five EGO OPE tools and I’m very happy with all of them and the service I get from EGO.
Charlie
I would like a yard vacuum but actually I meant any kind of portable vacuum. Seems a great use for the huge, higher voltage batteries we have sitting around.
TonyT
Ryobi has a 40V 10 gal wet/dry vac.
The Vac Attack has mixed reviews. It’s currently on sale for <$100 at DirectToolsOutlet
Collin
Ego needs more “lifestyle” “tools”.
Ego is on the right path, with their massive 56 volt 18″ misting fan, and their 10k lumen folding 4 panel LED light.
Ryobi similarly needs more “lifestyle tools” in their 40v line. Where’s my Ryobi 40v air cannon, etc? Where’s the Ryobi 40v LED light?
Also, it’s worth mentioning that the Ryobi battery generator gets horrible reviews while the ego battery generator gets mostly positive feedback.
MI Dad
All capacities of the ego 56v batteries are out of stock. Not sure if I should read into that as supply chain related or lack of long term commitment to the platform but that and the plastic mower deck make me leery.
Collin
I doubt it’s a lack of commitment to the platform…Ego literally put battery lawn equipment on the map back in like 2013 or 2014.
Gary R
Have you checked Ace Hardware? They seem to have most sizes available.
MI Dad
Thanks! Between my local store and a few nearby 4 sixes are available for pick up today. Literally nothing from lowes. Idk I am still torn btwn this brushless, the green works or toro
Charles_A
Forget the yard tools – Dad wants a BBQ and a nice brisket.
MFC
No.
Bob Adkins
EGO is worth considering, if you’re rich and can afford another (very spendy) battery platform. They always acquit themselves well in head-to-head tests.
I’m not a brand snob at all. My shop is only 12×16, and I had 4 battery platforms. I said ENOUGH ALREADY and researched to find the most complete line of tools and battery platform that was semi-affordable. I then threw or gave away every cordless tool, battery, and charger and started over. I’m glad I did, batteries haven’t been a concern since. “Tool only” deals are usually very economical.