Beth Cranston

Dec 11, 2024 | bobvila.com | Beth Cranston

Outdoor power tools aren’t a small purchase, so you want to have confidence that you picked the right product the first time. To help you make the right decision for your property, we test everything from chipper shredders to string trimmers, basically just about any type of lawn and garden equipment for any size and type of yard. Our testers try these tools out on various property types, from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Plains and beyond.

Dec 11, 2024 | bobvila.com | Beth Cranston

With the right set of power tools, storage, and other DIY helpers, you can cross projects off of your to-do list and complete small tasks a whole lot faster. Each year, we test hundreds of tools, cutting, drilling, carrying, and even dropping them to assess power, speed, durability, functionality, and value. Below are our eight favorite products to build, repair, clean, store, and more. They’re tough, versatile, and practical, and that’s why they’re great.

Dec 11, 2024 | bobvila.com | Beth Cranston

Our lawns and gardens bring us joy, but they also require a little maintenance from time to time. This list offers some of our favorite products to help you create a clean, enjoyable outdoor space, and even couple that help you bring the outdoors into your home. There are times when you need a little more oomph than a garden hose, but don’t want to deal with the unwieldy wand of your pressure washer. That’s where this powerful little pistol can come in handy.

Dec 11, 2024 | bobvila.com | Beth Cranston

A deck, patio, or porch just isn’t as inviting without the right stuff—whether you need to add warmth, cook food, or just keep drinks cold for a crowd. Though we test and review plenty of outdoor power tools, we also like to simply enjoy the outdoors, and these are the best products we’ve tested that can help you enjoy your outdoor space even more. This charming chiminea adds a striking focal point to any outdoor space, along with a cozy bit of warmth and space to cook over an open flame.

Dec 11, 2024 | bobvila.com | Beth Cranston

There are some things that you just can’t live without. Whether it’s a small heater to keep your home office toasty in winter or a power station to take on-the-go for off-grid adventures (or for emergency use), these essentials make life better in so many ways. From space heaters to power stations, we tested more than 100 items that help keep you more comfortable and secure in your home. Of all of those products, these eight stood out from the crowd in our hands-on tests.