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11 Tools I Swapped Out That Made Yard Work Easier and More Fun

Yard work can sometimes feel like a chore, but the right tools can make a noticeable difference. If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated or worn out from working in your yard, swapping out a few key tools might help.

By upgrading or changing just a handful of tools, you can make your yard work easier and less time-consuming. This article walks through 11 tools I switched that improved my experience and might do the same for you.

Switched from a manual rake to a Leaf Blower for faster cleanup

A person using a leaf blower near the edge of a lawn, adjacent to a garden with colorful autumn foliage, maintaining a tidy outdoor space
Image Credit: Adobe Stock.

You’ll notice a big time-saver when swapping a rake for a leaf blower. Instead of bending over and pulling leaves by hand, you just point and blow them into piles.

A blower works especially well on large, open lawns. It’s less precise than a rake, but you get the job done way quicker. For tight corners or delicate spots, you might still need a rake though. Using a gas backpack blower can make the task even easier if you’ve got a lot of ground to cover, like some users share here.

Replaced old hand pruners with Corona Bypass Pruners

A pair of bypass pruning shears with red handles, featuring a curved, sharp metal blade and a spring mechanism for easy cutting, labeled "CORONA BP3160," designed for precise trimming and pruning in gardening
Image Credit: Walmart.com.

You’ll notice a big difference switching to Corona Bypass Pruners. They’re designed to cut cleanly without crushing stems, which makes pruning easier.

The grips feel comfortable, and the blades stay sharp longer. It’s also simple to adjust and maintain them, so you won’t struggle with rust or dull parts. Check out these reliable Corona Bypass Pruners if you want a straightforward upgrade for your garden.

Traded a standard lawn mower for a Worx Robotic Lawn Mower

A close-up of an orange robotic lawn mower with controls, buttons, and a "CUT TO EDGE" label, featuring a sleek design, large wheels, and a battery compartment
Image Credit: Walmart.com.

You don’t have to push or guide this mower around. Just set up the charging base and boundary wire, and it works on its own.

The Worx Landroid adjusts its blade height automatically to handle uneven lawns. It saves time and effort, especially if you have a busy schedule.

It’s great for small to medium yards, cutting up to a quarter acre without much input from you. Check out more details on the Worx Landroid robotic mower.

Upgraded from a regular shovel to a lightweight aluminum shovel

A black Stubai shovel with a metal scoop and a T-shaped handle, labeled "STUBAI" and "ALPINI TIP," resting on a flat surface, designed for outdoor or construction use
Image Credit: Bergtirola, Public domain / Wikimedia Commons.

You’ll notice your arms don’t get as tired when you switch to a lightweight aluminum shovel. It’s easier to lift and maneuver compared to a traditional steel one.

The aluminum design still feels sturdy but takes less effort, especially for longer tasks. If you’re moving a lot of soil or digging, this swap makes the work go smoother.

Swapped out traditional garden gloves for Atlas gloves with better grip

A set of four colorful garden gloves in purple, green, and pink, with a white rubberized grip on the fingers, each labeled "SHOWA 370-6/S," designed for gardening or manual tasks, featuring a comfortable fit and durable material
Image Credit: Walmart.com.

You’ll notice right away that Atlas gloves have a textured palm and fingers. This helps you hold tools and plants more securely, especially when things get damp or muddy.

They’re also flexible, so your hands don’t feel restricted during detailed work. If you’ve struggled with slippery gloves before, trying Atlas gloves could make a real difference.

You can find options like the small-sized Atlas Garden Grip Gloves, which are hard to find in stores but valuable for precise tasks. For more info, check out this page on Atlas gloves with better grip.

Exchanged a basic trowel for a high-quality hand trowel with ergonomic handle

Two hand trowels with yellow and green handles, one with a worn, rusty metal surface and the other cleaner, lying on a paved surface, tools for gardening or digging
Image Credit: Chandapiwa Malema / Wikimedia Commons.

You’ll notice how much easier digging and planting feels with a sturdy hand trowel designed for comfort. An ergonomic handle reduces wrist strain, letting you work longer without discomfort.

Switching to a durable, rust-resistant trowel also means the tool won’t bend or break when tackling tough soil. Your gardening tasks become smoother with the right tool in hand.

Check out options like the ergonomic trowel with natural grip for a simple upgrade that really helps.

Moved from a string trimmer to a battery-powered string trimmer for less noise

A person using a string trimmer to cut grass, with flying grass clippings visible in the air, wearing orange safety gear and sturdy boots, engaged in lawn maintenance, trimming the edges of a grassy area
Image Credit: Pascal Küffer / Pexels.

You’ll notice right away that a battery-powered string trimmer runs much quieter than a gas one. This means less noise disruption for you and your neighbors.

Battery trimmers also start up instantly—no need to pull a cord multiple times. Plus, they’re lighter and easier to handle, making your yard work feel less like a chore.

If you want a quieter, fuss-free trimmer, switching to a battery-powered one makes sense. See more on their benefits at Consumer Reports.

Replaced a bulky hedge cutter with an Extendable Hedge Trimmer

A man using a hedge trimmer to shape a green bush, focused on trimming the foliage, wearing a blue t-shirt, with a well-maintained garden in the background
Image Credit: Aleksander Dumała / Pexels.

You’ll notice how much easier it is to reach tall or wide hedges without a ladder. The extendable pole lets you trim safely from the ground.

It also folds up for compact storage, saving space in your shed or garage. You don’t have to carry around a heavy, awkward cutter anymore.

If you want something versatile, check out a telescoping model like the one on this Amazon listing. It’s a simple swap that helps you get the job done faster.

Ditching a conventional spreader for a standalone seed and fertilizer spreader

A person holding a green and beige hand-held spreader labeled "WIZZ," with a dial on the side for adjusting settings, used for spreading seeds or fertilizer on a lawn, with the background showing green grass
Image Credit: Walmart.com.

Switching to a standalone seed and fertilizer spreader simplifies your yard work. You get better control over what and how much you’re spreading, which helps avoid waste.

These spreaders are usually lightweight and easy to handle, perfect for small to medium garden areas. Plus, many models let you cover different materials like seed, fertilizer, salt, or even snow (more on handheld spreaders).

Switched from a classic rake to an Aerator rake to improve soil health

A close-up of a garden fork in the soil, surrounded by fine dirt and small green plant shoots, indicating gardening or farming activity, with a few leaves scattered around, soil being loosened for planting or cultivation
Image Credit: Zmu’az4Z, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons.

You might think a classic rake is enough, but an aerator rake actually does more for your lawn. It loosens compacted soil, which helps air, water, and nutrients reach grass roots better.

Using an aerator rake also helps reduce thatch buildup without being too harsh on your yard. It’s a simple swap that can boost your lawn’s overall health. Check out more on this tool here.

Traded my weed puller for The Weed Hound to speed up weed removal

weeding tool lifting a plant with roots, green grass in background, tool focused on root section
Image Credit: VVVproduct/ Shutterstock.

You’ll notice a real difference when you switch to The Weed Hound. It has a sturdy claw design that grips the weed roots well.

You don’t have to bend as much, which makes the whole process less tiring. It pulls weeds faster without you needing extra effort. If you want a simple tool that makes weeding quicker, this one’s worth trying. Check out more about The Weed Hound here.

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