Garden work can be very rewarding but is often tiring. Here at Modern Gardens, we're all about investing in tech that saves you effort in the garden. The best garden tools offer just that, and cordless versions build on their usefulness with the convenience of cutting the power cords and going cable-free. Power tool manufacturers have developed entire cordless battery tool systems in which many, in some cases hundreds, of power tools all work using one single battery design.
There's a lot to love about cordless power tools. They are more environmentally friendly than petrol-powered tools as there are no emissions. In addition, they are considerably lighter and less noisy. Unlike standard electric power tools, there are no cables to worry about, trip over or, worse, run over or cut through. They also save space by using a single charger, which is often wall-mountable and offers a tidy storage solution. You just get to enjoy portable convenience and, with a shared battery system, the ability to swap power cells from one tool to another.
The best cordless garden tool systems at a glance:
From smaller handheld power tools like electric secateurs to large lawn mowers capable of cutting lawns of up to 400 square metres from a single charge, these shared battery systems power a wide range of tools suitable for use in the garden, the home, and even for craft projects. Buying into one of these systems will save you money in the long run, as any future tool you buy can be purchased as a 'bare tool' to be powered by the batteries you already own. If you've yet to decide which manufacturer's system to invest in, read on for our comprehensive guide to the top choices.
Best cordless power tool systems
Einhell Power X-Change
Buying into Einhell's "Power X-Change" system will offer you access to a wide range of tools for hobby gardeners, DIY enthusiasts, and professionals. The system family already includes over 300 tools, and Einhell promises this number will continue to grow.
The garden-related range currently includes lawn mowers, grass trimmers, brush cutters, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, pole saws, leaf blowers, and vacuums. The most popular products have racked up thousands of positive Amazon reviews, with customers happy with the battery life and general performance.
One highlight is the Einhell Power X-Change 18/30 Cordless Lawn Mower. A relatively compact and budget mower, it can tackle lawns of up to 150 square metres once loaded with two Power X-Change batteries.
Einhell's Power X-Change 18V Cordless Strimmer has a very respectable 4.4-star Amazon rating from over 11,000 reviewers. Ideal for backyard use, it requires just one battery, and if you opt for a 4.0 Ah option, you can expect two hours of operating time.
If you're a fan of multitasking tools, you might be tempted by the Einhell Power X-Change 18V Cordless Multifunctional Garden Tool. This space-saving power tool has two interchangeable heads: a mini chainsaw and a hedge trimmer.
Einhell Einhell describes this set as the perfect starter kit to get you into the Power X-Change system. It's comprised of two 18V 4.0 Ah batteries and the necessary charger.
These cells are latest generation, high-performance Li-Ion options that offer Einhell's "Active Battery Management System," smart microprocessor-controlled electronics battery tech that monitors the battery's parameters for maximum safety, optimal performance, and maximum running time.
These batteries take 75 minutes of charge time to be ready for use, although leaving them to juice up for longer will get you up to 100% capacity. The battery has a handy three-stage LED display so you can see, at a glance, how much power you have remaining.
Pros
- A fast 75-minute charge time
- Three-stage LED display to show power level
Cons
- No wall bracket included
Ryobi ONE+
Ryobi's 18V ONE+ system batteries are compatible with over 200 garden and power tools. The batteries come in five different energy capacities, from 2.0 Ah to a huge 9.0 Ah. The smaller-capacity batteries are suitable for handheld tools, while the 9.0 Ah whopper will power more heavy-duty equipment for longer.
ONE+ batteries can be used singularly or simultaneously to power Ryobi's lawn mowers, grass strimmers, hedge trimmers, tree-cutting and pruning tools, leaf blowers and vacuums, patio cleaners, and weed sprayers.
A single 4.0 Ah ONE+ battery will power the Ryobi OBL1820S ONE+ Cordless Blower. This is highly rated for all kinds of hard surface sweeping, and despite being battery-powered, it can produce an airflow of 245km/H.
The Ryobi RY18PCA-0 ONE+ Patio Cleaner has earned an Amazon "Best Seller" award in the outdoor power tools category. Its wire brush easily clears weeds and grass from between bricks, paving slabs, and more.
Another garden tool from Ryobi's range that's worth mentioning is the RYOBI ONE+ 18V OPP1820 Cordless Pole Pruner. This popular power tool has a 20cm Oregon chain bar and a reach of four metres. Reviewers report that it's lightweight but still packs a punch.
Ryobi uk.ryobitools.eu
Ryobi's ONE+ system features high-powered Lithium+ cells, "IntelliCell" monitoring, and durable construction. IntelliCell technology monitors and balances individual cells to maximise run times, storage life, and overall safety.
The Dual Port Charger allows you to charge both batteries at the same time, which takes 120 minutes. If you just need one battery juiced up, you can do it in 60 minutes. This features a four-stage "fuel gauge" that displays the remaining power at levels from 25% to 100%.
One thing we really like about Ryobi's ONE+ system is that the batteries are compatible with ONE+ tools dating back 25 years, so you can upgrade older tools with fresh, new batteries for a new lease of life.
Pros
- Backwards compatible with older tools
- Quick charge option for just one battery
Cons
- Charger has a large footprint
Worx PowerShare
Worx keeps its PowerShare system simple, describing it as easy as combining bricks in construction toys. This is because the PowerShare batteries are only available in one capacity - 20V. One 20V battery will power compact and lightweight hand tools, two will juice up larger garden tools, and when ultimate power and runtime are needed, you can quadruple the batteries to get 80V.
As far as gardening goes, the PowerShare range currently encompasses pressure washers, grass and hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, leaf blowers and vacuums, cutting tools, and more. The PowerShare family also includes a wide range of DIY tools.
The WORX Hydroshot WG620E Portable Power Washer, a popular model with a 4.3-star Amazon rating, requires one PowerShare cell and is completely portable. It can draw water from any source, even a bucket, making it a great choice for everyday pressure washing tasks, such as car washing and hosing down the patio.
The WORX WG384E Dual Battery Cordless Brushless Chainsaw needs two PowerShare batteries to provide the required power. Although battery-powered, it offers all you'd expect from a full-size chainsaw, including an automatic tensioning system, a brushless motor, automatic lubrication, and crucial safety features such as a chain brake and safety start.
It's worth noting that WORX offers a fast charger for its 20V battery range. The WORX WA3880 20V Lithium Fast Charger can charge a 2.0Ah PowerShare battery in just 60 minutes, which is great if you need to tackle a job at the last minute.
WorxThanks to the PowerShare electronic battery management system, the batteries deliver exactly the power required by the tool at the time of use. This is because the state of the charge status, the temperature, and voltage fluctuations are monitored during use.
The battery's cells are thermally insulated to prevent overheating, which means you can expect safe operation in a temperature range of -10 to 45 degrees.
These batteries are built to last. Each cell is encapsulated to provide IPX5 protection from moisture, shocks, and vibrations.
Pros
- Battery management system for improved efficiency
- Real-time battery power indicator
Cons
- Batteries are only available in 20V capacities
Makita XGT
Makita's XGT System is its next-generation cordless battery system comprised of high-powered 40V batteries. These batteries can power most of the range's cordless garden tools, including smaller cordless lawn mowers. For more power-heavy tools, you can double up the batteries to get 80V of power, which Makita states rivals corded and petrol-powered options.
The XGT range is growing constantly and offers an extensive line of power tools, lawn mowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, line trimmers, leaf blowers and vacuums, pruning saws, pruning shears, and more.
It should be noted that the XGT system is a more powerful alternative to Makita's existing LXT range of cordless tools. XGT is not backwards compatible with LXT tools, although you can buy the Makita 191C10-7 ADP10 40V Max Li-ion XGT Interchangeable Adapter Set, which enables you to charge LXT batteries on an XGT charger.
The Makita UB001GZ 40V Max Li-ion XGT Brushless Blower is a great example of how XGT battery-powered tools can be lightweight and manageable alternatives to traditional options. It can hit 23,000 rpm in boost mode but weighs just over two kilograms, enabling single-handed operation.
One XGT-powered machine you might not expect to see in the range is the Makita MW001GZ 40V Max XGT Microwave. Powered by one XGT battery, this completely portable microwave would be a great way to heat up a warming mug of soup on a cold day at the allotment.
Makita Compatible with the Makita Interchangeable Adapter ADP10, the Makita DC40RA is a fast charger for XGT batteries. It can juice up a 2.5Ah battery in approximately 28 minutes, while a 4.0Ah battery will take approximately 45.
The XGT batteries have built-in microchips in both XGT-compatible tools and the battery itself for real-time digital communication, actively monitoring heat, overload, and over-discharge. They are water and dust-resistant so you can be confident using your XGT-powered tool outdoors.
This charger has a large charging indicator status light for a visible indication of the battery's status and two cooling fans - one for the battery and one for the charging circuit. This means you can charge batteries consecutively without worrying about the unit overheating.
Pros
- Works with the ADP10 Interchangeable Adapter
- Built-in microchips for digital communication
Cons
- Wall mounting fixing kit not included
Bosch Power For All Alliance
Bosch has signed up to the Power For All Alliance, which offers one 18V battery that can be used across 10 brands' products, and in hundreds of tools. Other notable garden brands committed to the Alliance are Flymo, Gardena, and Husqvarna. As well as garden-related tools, the hundreds of products available also encompass DIY power tools.
In Bosch's garden range are lawn mowers, grass trimmers, hedge cutters and shears, saw tools, a leaf blower, and what Bosch calls an outdoor cleaner - basically, a pressure washer.
The Bosch Cordless Hedge Cutter EasyHedgeCut is powered by one 18V Power For All battery and is popular for its lightweight and well-balanced design, which helps take the strain out of trimming shrubs, hedges, and bushes.
If you're looking to prune and cut rather than just trim, the Bosch Home and Garden Cordless Reciprocating Saw can help. This small-scale saw is powered by one 18V battery and can easily slice through branches of up to 10cm in diameter.
It's impressive that a lawn mower can run off one 18V battery, but that is just the case with Bosch's Cordless Lawnmower CityMower. While it's obviously only designed for small gardens, it's a convenient choice for those with more modest lawns, covering up to 300 square metres from a single charge.
BoschThis battery has protection against overloading and overheating with tech that will kick in and lock the battery, should it happen, so you can leave the battery on charge with complete peace of mind.
On the opposite end of the power scale, the batteries also have protection against deep discharge, which can damage batteries. They won't self-discharge, meaning once they are charged, they will always be ready for use.
Reviewers have rated this charger and battery system highly, with it currently having a 4.5-star Amazon score. Reviewers state that the batteries hold their charge well and are reliable in use, with one happy customer revealing they have had no failures in nearly 4 years.
Pros
- 10-strong cross-brand battery system
- Protection against overloading and overheating
Cons
- Charger power cord isn't very long
Greenworks POWERALL
The garden tools in Greenworks' wide cordless range are powered by high-quality lithium-ion batteries. The brand offers series with different voltages; 24V, 40V, and 60V, each suitable for different requirements.
The 24V POWERALL battery system is designed for home gardening and DIY needs, with the system powering a wide range of tools for small to medium-sized gardens and home projects, from drills and saws to lawnmowers.
Delivering more power, the 40V range is available in 2Ah, 4Ah, and 5Ah battery variations that work with all 40V tools. The powerful 60V series includes garden tools that are designed to be replacements for petrol-powered models.
One ever-popular garden tool in the cordless Greenworks range is the Greenworks 40V Cordless Lawn Mower. This is currently available bundled with the two 40V batteries you need to power it and is an ideal way to buy into the range.
If you're an allotment owner or vegetable patch enthusiast, the Greenworks G40TL Cordless Cultivator requires just one 40V battery, so you can easily swap one out from the lawn mower when it's not in use to get your soil nicely turned and ready for planting.
Anyone who often moves heavy loads around their outside space should check out the Greenworks G40GC Self-Propelled Cordless Electric Garden Cart. This can move along at a comfortable walking pace and then, thanks to hydraulic tech, the smooth, heavy-duty piston lets you empty the cart quickly and safely.
Greenworks These 24V Greenworks batteries are precision engineered with advanced lithium technology for what Greenworks states is outstanding power, lifespan, and performance. The dual slot charger lets you charge both batteries simultaneously.
The 24V batteries should fully recharge in 60 minutes. To keep you informed of the charging progress, each battery has a bright LED display to show its current power level.
You can use these batteries with all of Greenworks' 24V tools, and some 40V garden tools that have slots built in to accommodate doubling up on battery power. The charger has a quick release mechanism, so as soon as the batteries are juiced you can grab them and go.
Pros
- Bright LED display to clearly show charging progress
- Dual slots to charge two batteries at once
Cons
- Only offers a two ampere-hour capacity
Webb Eco
Webb's take on the cordless garden power tool marketplace is a relatively recent launch, hitting retailers in 2024. The Webb Eco system will eventually comprise of a cutting-edge range of lawnmowers, line trimmers, hedge trimmers, pruners, tillers, and garden blowers.
All tools within the range have been designed to be used with the same, easily interchangeable 20V battery, which Webb states means valuable savings can be achieved in terms of long-term running costs.
The Webb Eco range is made up of lithium-ion batteries which hold their charge and don't degrade in storage, which is an important consideration when choosing garden tools which may not be used on a daily basis.
One option you'll likely use on a weekly basis during the summer months is the Webb Eco 20V Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower, which is a great choice for smaller gardens. It has a 33cm cutting width, five cutting heights, and a runtime of 35 minutes from one 20V battery.
If you have a larger garden and need a more powerful option, consider the Webb Eco 40V Cordless Rotary Lawn Mower. It uses two 20V batteries, has a 43cm cutting width, a generous 50-litre collection bag, and can keep cutting for up to an hour.
Once you've mowed your lawn - and recharged the battery - you can use the same 20V power cell in the Webb Eco 20V Cordless 30cm Grass Trimmer & Edger. This lightweight cordless tool is comfortable to use thanks to its telescopic handle. You can expect nearly half an hour's worth of power from one fully charged 20V Webb Eco battery.
Webb This simple battery forms the basis of Webb's entire Eco range. It's a 20V lithium-ion battery that, like others we've featured, delivers power without the hassle and harmful emissions of petrol, ensuring a cleaner user experience.
Webb states that this eco-friendly option delivers power and performance on par with traditional garden tools, be that petrol-powered or corded electric.
The battery simply snaps into its companion charger and, as it's juicing up, shows you what power level it has reached on the power indicator LEDs on the end of the battery.
Pros
- Performance is comparable to petrol tools
- Simple snap-in charging action
Cons
- Power indicator is on the side, not the top
How we chose the best cordless garden tool systems
All of these cordless garden tool systems have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the power levels, charging times, and number of compatible garden tools in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching all types of battery-powered tools to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
Frequently asked questions about cordless garden tool systems
Is it worth investing in a shared battery cordless garden tool system?
If you regularly use two or more cordless garden power tools, such as a pressure washer and a strimmer, it's worth considering. If you often use more tools than that, then it's a no-brainer. The freedom to chop and change batteries between tools is a game-changer, especially as it means you don't have to search around for 17 different chargers when you want to get some garden work done.
Are all cordless batteries interchangeable?
No. Most of the systems we're featuring are proprietary, meaning the brand's batteries can only be used in the brand's tools. If you're uncomfortable with the idea of tying yourself down to one garden tool manufacturer, consider the Power For All Cordless Battery System Alliance. These batteries can be used in a number of tools from different brands including Bosch, Flymo, Gardena, and Husqvarna.
What do 'V' and 'Ah' stand for?
V means voltage and it measures the battery's energy. The higher the voltage, the more power it delivers to the tool. Ah, or amp-hour, describes how long a battery will hold a charge. A higher Ah rating means longer usage and less charging.
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Amy-Mae Turner is a Commerce Content Writer for Modern Gardens, Yours, Take A Break Pets, and A Modern Kitchen. When she's not pottering in the garden or mucking around in the kitchen, she can be found having doggy cuddles with her two beloved cockapoochis.