From small yards to spacious lawns, choosing the right equipment for your property is more important than you might think. The best lawn mower for a small yard won’t necessarily work for over an acre of terrain, and vice versa. The same goes for your leaf blower, string trimmer, hedge trimmer, and even chainsaws or pole saws!
To help you get the job done efficiently, we’ve broken down the best tools to use for each lawn size so you can purchase the power you need without wasting time, money, or energy.
Small Yards (Under ¼ Acre)
If your lawn is about the size of a city lot, you don’t need heavy-duty equipment. Compact, lightweight tools that are easy to store will serve you best.
Lawn Mower
Electric push mowers are ideal here—especially cordless models with 14" to 20" cutting decks. They’re quiet, maneuverable, and don’t take up much space.
However, even if your yard is on the smaller side (but hilly or difficult to mow), a riding mower might still make sense. Check out the Greenworks 80V 42” Cordless CrossoverT Riding Mower to see if this easy-ride option is right for your small yard.
String Trimmer
Go for a cordless electric string trimmer with a lightweight design. Models with adjustable shafts are great for tight corners and edging. At Greenworks, we offer multiple options to suit your needs. For a small yard, a handheld string trimmer is ideal. You’ll love our bestselling 60V 16” Cordless Battery String Trimmer with a runtime of up to 40 minutes!
Leaf Blower
A compact electric leaf blower with lower CFM (around 200–400) is perfect for patios, sidewalks, and minimal fall cleanup.
Hedge Trimmer
Look for a battery-powered hedge trimmer with an 18–22" blade—lightweight but powerful enough for most residential shrubs.
Chainsaw or Pole Saw
If you’re working with a small yard, you probably don’t need a full chainsaw. A mini electric chainsaw or battery-powered pole saw is more than enough for light pruning or the occasional fallen branch.
Medium Yards (¼ to ½ Acre)
If you’re in the suburbs, you probably fall in the medium-yard category. You’ll need more battery life and power while maintaining convenience and maneuverability.
Lawn Mower
A self-propelled electric mower (21"–22" deck) is ideal for medium-sized lawns. Look for dual-battery systems to avoid mid-mow charging.
String Trimmer
Choose a brushless motor string trimmer with variable speed and line feed options. These provide longer runtime and better durability.
Leaf Blower
For medium-sized yards, upgrade to a blower with at least 450–600 CFM, especially if you have trees or heavy debris. Backpack-style battery blowers are a great gas-free option!
Hedge Trimmer
Go for a high-output cordless hedge trimmer with a dual-action blade and ¾” cutting capacity.
Chainsaw / Pole Saw
A 14"–16" cordless chainsaw or an extendable pole saw will handle thicker branches and more frequent trimming.
Large Yards (½ Acre or More)
With big yards comes big responsibility—and a need for tools with serious stamina and cutting power!
Lawn Mower
If you're mowing a ½ acre or more regularly, a riding mower saves time and energy. Greenworks customers highly rate the 42” Electric CrossoverZ Zero Turn Mower with Dual Port Turbo Chargers to mow up to 2.5 acres with effortless precision.
If you prefer walk-behind mowers, look for high-capacity self-propelled electric mowers such as the Greenworks Cordless Battery 4-in-1 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower w/5.0 Ah Battery & Rapid Charger.
String Trimmer
A high-voltage electric string trimmer (60V–80V) may be necessary for long fence lines, thick weeds, or overgrown zones. Wheeled string trimmers (also known as “trimmer mowers”) are also a great option for large yards or yards with challenging terrain. These are designed to provide more power, reduce operator fatigue, and cut through dense vegetation like a breeze. Want to learn more? Check out the Pro 60V Cordless Battery Brushless Wheeled String Trimmer on Greenworks.com.
Leaf Blower
Opt for a high-powered backpack blower (700+ CFM) if you're dealing with lots of debris. Battery-powered backpack models are now powerful enough to rival gas!
Hedge Trimmer
For large properties, you may want extended-reach hedge trimmers or attachments compatible with multi-head power bases.
Chainsaw/Pole Saw
A 16"–18" battery-powered chainsaw is suitable for regular cutting, while a long-reach pole saw can help with trimming tall trees or orchard work. If you want even more power for your large yard, Greenworks offers a 82V 20” Cordless Battery Chainsaw that utilizes high-torque systems to cut faster than gas-powered chainsaws—providing 13,000 RPM max speed through load!
Choosing the Right Battery System
If you're going electric, consider sticking with one brand. Many systems use interchangeable batteries across lawn mowers, blowers, trimmers, and more (saving you $$ in the long run).
Popular platforms include:
- Greenworks 60V/80V
- EGO Power+
- Ryobi 40V
- DeWalt FLEXVOLT
- Milwaukee M18/M12 systems
Let Your Lawn Size Guide You
When it comes to outdoor power tools, bigger isn’t always better—especially if you’re working with a small or medium-sized yard. The key is to match the power and size of your tools to the needs of your property. By choosing the right equipment, you’ll save time, reduce frustration, and enjoy a more efficient lawn care routine. Check out more ways Greenworks can optimize your lawn care on our blog! More topics include:
Great Gift Ideas for Gardeners
Backpack Leaf Blowers vs. Handheld Leaf Blowers
…and many more!
Written by The Green Team, a creative arm within Greenworks Tools.
Our team of writers, designers and content creators bring a breadth of experience and a touch of fun to all things tools. With an assist from the Greenworks product teams and technology experts, we’re here to provide helpful and engaging content to make your yard (and life!) beautiful.
