Yard & Outdoors

ZDNET is here to help take the guesswork out of lawn care and outdoor chores with suggestions for lawn mowers, string trimmers, and more.

Product Research

Deep-dive, compare, decide

How-to Guides

Practical tips, tricks, and advice for getting things done

Latest

The best indoor gardens: Smart grow rigs with built-in tech and sensors
March 17, 2023 by Sherin Shibu
Top electric scooters compared: GoTrax, Razor, Segway, and more
March 7, 2023 by Lena Borrelli
Can this 'SUV of bikes' replace your car? You might be surprised
March 5, 2023 by Greg Nichols
The best video doorbells: How Ring, Nest, Arlo, Logitech, and Eufy compare
February 27, 2023 by Jason Cipriani
How to save $200 on the GoPro Hero 11 action camera
February 19, 2023 by Rebecca Isaacs

The best solar lanterns: Price, lumens, and waterproofing compared

When you're sleeping in the wilderness, you need a powerful light source. Ditch heavy, toxic batteries for the best innovative solar lanterns. ZDNET's top choice for lighting up your night is Mpowerd's Luci Pro Outdoor 2.0.

The best solar chargers that keep your devices charged on the go

Solar chargers can keep your devices alive when winter weather knocks out power. As exceptional adventure companions, the best solar chargers include compasses, flashlights, and quick charging speeds.

January 13, 2023 by Lena Borrelli in Mobile Accessories

What are the best outdoor security floodlights and are solar ones any good?

This holiday season, give yourself the gift of peace of mind with the best outdoor security floodlights. The ones we chose include motion detection, waterproofing, and adjustable brightness, giving your home another layer of security.

January 13, 2023 by Maria Diaz in Smart Lighting

Scared of the dark? You won't be if you get one of our favorite flashlights

You forget about flashlights until you desperately need one. Stay prepared for anything--including Halloween activities--with the best flashlights on the market. ZDNET also explains why lumens and power matter.

January 13, 2023 by Lena Borrelli in Energy

Beat the blizzard: Save $1000 on portable power stations and generators

Power stations are the perfect off-grid or blackout power source. Pick up amazing holiday deals on backup power stations from top brands like EcoFlow, Jackery, and more.

January 10, 2023 by Taylor Clemons in Energy

New John Deere agreement is a win for the 'right to repair' movement

John Deere has signed an agreement that allows farmers to fix their equipment closer to home. It's a win for supporters of the right-to-repair movement, but there are still loopholes in the current rules.

January 9, 2023 by Jada Jones in Government

The best robot mowers: Smart hands-free lawn care

Our pick for the best robot mower is the Worx Landroid L with its multi-tool battery system, rain delay sensor, and built-in anti-theft system. Robot mowers are some of the newest lawn care tech, allowing you to cut grass without lifting a finger. But here's how all the top robot mowers compare in terms of price as well as features like cutting width.

January 5, 2023 by Taylor Clemons in Yard & Outdoors

CES 2023 Day 2: The biggest reveals

Day 2 of CES saw some major announcements from major companies like Asus and AMD. Catch the TL;DR below.

January 4, 2023 by Rebecca Isaacs in Home & Office

This new smart bird feeder can capture close-up images of hummingbirds

Capture automatic photos of birds -- hummingbirds included -- starting later this year.

January 4, 2023 by Rebecca Isaacs in Yard & Outdoors

The best above-ground pools

If you're looking to save money, above-ground pool prices drop in the winter, enabling you to enjoy a break from the heat, or plan for next year at a lower cost. The top options include corrosion-resistant frames, fast set up, and generous sizes.

January 3, 2023 by Kacie Goff in Yard & Outdoors

Prepare for spring: Here our picks for the best lawn mowers of the year

Finding the right mower for your yard can be tricky. There are different types and subcategories, and then you have to think about features, deck widths, and power sources. It can be overwhelming. To help you, ZDNET chose five of the best, but our top choice is the Husqvarna YTH18542. With it, you can make short work of yard work.

January 3, 2023 by Taylor Clemons in Yard & Outdoors

The best zero-turn mowers: are they worth the money?

Zero-turn mowers are great for both larger properties as well as yards with lots of obstacles. And they're growing in popularity thanks to their generous cutting width, ergonomic design, and electric options.

January 3, 2023 by Taylor Clemons in Yard & Outdoors

The 5 best electric mowers: Top alternatives to gas-powered

What is the best electric mower? Our pick is the Ego Power+ LM2101 with its push button start, allowing you to start your mower easily. By using either a rechargeable battery or extension cord, you can ditch the gas can for a greener way to care for your lawn.

January 3, 2023 by Taylor Clemons in Yard & Outdoors

Save time mowing your lawn with these riding mowers

Looking to save time mowing your lawn? The best riding lawn mowers help you achieve this. They also have nifty features like narrow turn radius, generous deck sizes, and they're fun to ride.

January 3, 2023 by Taylor Clemons in Yard & Outdoors

The best hot tubs: Bring the spa home

ZDNET chose the Aquarest DayDream 6-Person Hot Tub. There are many options for hot tubs these days, but these are the five best hot tubs to deliver that R&R you have been needing.

January 1, 2023 by Lena Borrelli in Home & Office

Today only: GE Cync's smart lights, switches, and more are up to 61% off

The sale runs across a plethora of GE's signature Cync smart home lighting options.

December 5, 2022 by Rebecca Isaacs in Smart Lighting