Everything you need to know before investing in cordless garden tools.
Buying your first cordless garden tool is an important decision — not just because of the tool itself, but because you're often choosing a battery platform you'll stick with for years. This guide covers everything from voltage ratings to brand ecosystems, helping you make an informed choice.
Battery voltage is roughly equivalent to engine size in petrol tools. Higher voltage generally means more power, but also more weight and cost. Here's what each tier means in practice:
| Voltage | Best For | Typical Runtime | Brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V / 20V* | Small gardens, light tasks | 20-40 mins | Makita LXT, Ryobi ONE+, Bosch Home |
| 36V / 40V | Medium gardens, regular use | 30-60 mins | Bosch Pro 36V, Stihl AK, Greenworks 40V |
| 56V / 58V | Large gardens, heavy-duty | 40-75 mins | EGO 56V, Husqvarna |
| 80V | Professional / commercial | 60-90 mins | Greenworks Pro 80V |
*Note: 18V and 20V are technically the same thing — 20V is the maximum (unloaded) voltage whilst 18V is the nominal voltage. It's a marketing difference, not a performance one.
The smartest approach to cordless garden tools is to pick one battery platform and build your collection around it. Here are the major ecosystems available in the UK:
Over 200 tools share the same battery — from drills to lawn mowers to pressure washers. Affordable, widely available at B&Q, and batteries are backward-compatible to tools from 20 years ago. The entry point for most UK gardeners.
Over 300 tools in the 18V LXT ecosystem, including a full garden tool range. Professional-grade build quality at reasonable prices. Twin 18V (36V total) models offer extra power without buying new batteries. Widely stocked at Screwfix, Toolstation and Tool Station.
Bosch separates their range into green (home) and blue (professional). The green "Power for All Alliance" 18V system covers a solid range of garden tools with excellent build quality and clever features.
The premium choice. EGO's 56V ARC Lithium batteries deliver performance that rivals petrol across their entire range. More expensive upfront, but the runtime and power are genuinely impressive. Available from garden machinery dealers and online.
The world's leading chainsaw manufacturer makes exceptional cordless garden tools. The AK system (36V) covers home garden tools, while the AP system targets professional users. Only available from authorised Stihl dealers — not sold online.
Most manufacturers sell tools as "bare" (tool only, no battery) and "kit" (with battery and charger). If you already own batteries in the same platform, always buy bare tools — you'll save £50-150 per tool. If this is your first tool in a platform, buy the kit to get a battery and charger included.