3 Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers of 2026

FAMILY HANDYMAN

Best Wide-Deck

Toro TimeMaster 30-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

$1599 at Ace Hardware

Shop on Tractor Supply Co.

$1649 at Acme Tools

$1649 at Lowe's

Pros:

• Extra-cutting deck
• Personal pace self-propelled feature
• Easy to store
• Push button start

Cons:

• Expensive
• Requires yearly maintenance

The Toro TimeMaster 30-inch self-propelled mower is an absolute workhorse. At 30 inches wide, the TimeMaster provides a highly efficient cutting experience for those of us with big yards. Considering that most riding mowers have cutting decks starting at 32 inches and above, the TimeMaster 30 is an anomaly with a cutting deck eight inches wider than most of its self-propelled peers.

Ethan O’Donnell, a senior editor at Family Handyman, also tested this mower. He noted that it cut his “mowing time from 90 to 49 minutes” due to the wide cutting deck and the personal pace self-propelled system.

The mower’s design backed up Ethan’s experience. Jens Hoffmann, a senior marketing Manager at Toro, said, “The cutting capacity of the wider deck 30-inch deck reduces your mowing time by up to 40 percent while allowing it to still fit through gates that wider riding mowers can’t fit through, along with the maneuverability of a walk power mower.”

Not only is the TimeMaster self-propelled mower super wide and powerful, but it also comes with some of the best bells and whistles in the lawn mower space. The personal pace function constantly monitors and adjusts the self-propelled function to match your walking speed. The mower also has two blades side-by-side underneath it, which more closely resembles the cutting deck of a zero-turn mower.

An excellent spin stop system on the TimeMaster allows you to step away from the mower to move sticks, adjust, or grab some water without completely turning off the engine. The spin stop system simply disengages the blades and allows the mower to run safely in place without requiring you to restart it.

Weight: 140 pounds | Warranty: 3 years | Maximum Cutting Height: 4.25 inches | Type: Self-propelled lawn mower

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Best Splurge

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless Lawn Mower

Shop on Ace Hardware

Shop at The Home Depot

Shop on Amazon

Pros:

• Powerful
• Sleek metal deck design
• Can use the same batteries as Milwaukee M18 hand tools

Cons:

• Expensive

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless self-propelled mower may be the best electric mower on the market–but it comes with a hefty price tag. This mower can be an excellent investment for Milwaukee Tool loyalists (of which there are many). The M18 battery system on this mower uses the same M18 batteries as the hand tools, so if you buy the tool-only version, you can save big bucks.

Regardless of cost, the M18 has the best cutting experience of any electric mower (or gas mower). From the super smooth metal cutting deck with a unique and sleek design to the satisfying “thump” you get from closing the battery connection unit, this mower is unreal. It also has an extremely long runtime of just over an hour, a powerful self-propelled function and an extraordinarily clean cut.

If you have the dough and some M18 batteries lying around, you have to experience this mower.

Weight: 80.6 pounds | Warranty: 3 years | Maximum Cutting Height: 4 inches | Type: Self-propelled lawn mower

TYLER K FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN

Best Rear-Wheel Drive Cordless

Toro Recycler Smartstow Cordless Lawn Mower

Shop on Ace Hardware

$669 at Lowe's

Pros:

• Vortex technology creates even cut
• Personal pace rear-wheel drive self-propelled system
• Wide range of cutting heights
• Metal cutting deck

Cons:

• Slightly pricier than peers
• Limited battery system

The more I have used my Toro Recycler SmartStow mower, the more I have liked it. In almost every sense, Toro has made what I consider the first “classic” electric mower. From the first use, the electric Recycler felt like a gas-powered mower. It has a solid self-propelled function that is tamed using the personal pace system, the same one that TimeMaster listed above uses. It also has a clean cutting deck, powerful cut and Vortex technology. The Vortex technology on this mower pulls air up through the deck and makes your grass blades stick straight up. Once they are up, it chops them for a supremely even cut across your lawn. This feature nearly guarantees you a lush yard.

Another classic is the rear-wheel drive self-propelled function. In almost every way, this Recycler is reminiscent of the gas-powered Recycler. I think they just swapped out the gas engine for the electric motor.

Weight: 95 pounds | Warranty: 2 years | Maximum Cutting Height: 4 inches | Type: Self-propelled lawn mower with a push-button start

What to Consider When Buying a Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Lawn mowers come in many shapes and sizes, but there are a few critical considerations for self-propelled mowers:

• Speed control: Look for a self-propelled function with variable speed control. This allows you to set the mower’s self-propelled speed at the pace you are most comfortable with instead of a set pace that is too fast or too slow.
• Wheel drive: Self-propelled mowers have front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive has the best function but is also the most exhausting on your fuel source. Front-wheel drive is better for going up hills but can spin in place if you don’t help push the mower a bit. Rear-wheel drive is a great option for general self-propelled functions at a better price than all-wheel drive.
• Fuel source impact: if you own a battery-powered mower, you’ll notice that the self-propelled function will burn through the battery more quickly. Either purchase an additional battery or be aware that you may have to stop for a recharge break. For those of us with gas mowers, keep an eye on your fuel level, as the engine will be working a little harder to get this mower moving.

I Tested More Than 25 Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers

To say that I have used more self-propelled mowers than the average person would be an understatement. Over the past 15 years, I have tested dozens of self-propelled mowers. Gas, electric, corded, reel, zero-turn, riding—every type of mower under the sun has come under the intense scrutiny of my backyard (and my mother-in-law’s).

Whenever I test out a new mower, I put it through the gauntlet. I start in the backyard with something I call the cut check–it involves spray painting my lawn with white paint, waiting a week, and then cutting it to see if the mower misses any blades. The second test is the bog-down showdown. In this test, I gradually lower the cutting deck in an area of thick brush until the mower completely chokes out. The longer it lasts in dense brush, the more powerful the cut. The next test is the mower mile—my least favorite. I walk the mower with full fuel (battery or gas) until it dies. Yes, it is ridiculous. Yes, I have lost 20 pounds doing it. The last is a cost comparison. I find the best deal on each mower and compare the costs plus the five-year costs of maintaining the mower.

FAQ

Can you just push a self-propelled mower?

Yes! Self-propelled mowers can benefit from a light push during mowing. Additionally, if you need to preserve fuel time, you can turn off the function and push the entire way.

What are the disadvantages of a self-propelled lawn mower?

Self-propelled lawn mowers have two disadvantages: they are more expensive than push mowers and will burn through batteries or gas more quickly than push mowers.

Is it worth getting a self-propelled mower?

If you have a larger yard, are older, or just want a more effortless mowing experience, then self-propelled mowers are an excellent investment. While you may pay a bit of a premium for the self-propelled function, you will reap the benefits of having an enjoyable mowing experience for years.

Why You Should Trust Us

As someone who used to mow lawns professionally, I have mowed thousands of lawns in my life. Over the past few years, I have explored battery-powered tools and electric lawn tools and believe these are the future of lawn care. Since then, I have tested just about every battery-powered, gas-powered or self-propelled lawn tool with a focus on trying to find the best mowers available.

We also leaned on the expertise of Tyler Graham of The Lawn Review website and YouTube, who currently owns nearly 20 mowers and has tested dozens more. His expertise helped us complete thorough tests that tested these mowers to the limit, including using the self-propelled function to walk seven different gas and electric mowers until they ran out of fuel.

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Stop Putting These Gas-Guzzling Accessories on Your Car

Since the 1970s, I have only owned station wagons or SUVs, and I don’t mess with the looks of my cars.

However, I am guilty of adding factory accessories that negatively affect fuel mileage, such as roof rack cross rails, mud flaps, running boards, wind deflectors, and towing packages. All these accessories alter aerodynamics, weight, rolling resistance and load-lessening MPG. But adding a little pizzazz to my cars—sort of like jewelry, giving them a polished look. And I’m not the only one.

According to  Specialty the Equipment Market Association (SEMA), in 2024 “U.S. consumers spent over $52 billion dollars accessorizing and modifying their vehicles.” In addition, Research and Markets forecast the Car Modification Market will grow to over $80 billion dollars by 2034.

Custom car enthusiasts want to build something that reflects their style and taste. People customize their cars to express personality, increase performance, driving pleasure, or sometimes even to solve problems.

Unfortunately, adding accessories, even original equipment manufacturers (OEM) approved, and dealer-installed add-ons destroy gas mileage. Here, experts explain how common accessories quietly diminish MPG.

How Car Accessories Affect Fuel Economy

Manufacturers design and build cars to squeeze every mile out of a drop of gasoline to achieve maximum fuel economy. Everything from the headlights, hood, windshield angle, door handles, to the antenna is mounted in such a way to increase cars’ aerodynamics.

Anything that adds drag or forces the engine to work harder eats away at MPG.  “Body kits and rear wings that state your car will become more aerodynamic, so you get better MPG,” says Auto expert Chris Pyle. “They actually grab more wind because anything that sticks out into the airflow increases drag, forcing you to apply more throttle, and making the engine work harder just to maintain the same speed as without these add-ons.”

Even glue on hood scopes causes turbulence that affects MPG.

“Mounted equipment can hinder vehicles from having a streamlined airflow over the vehicle cabin,” said Eliot Vancil at Fuel Logic LLC. Even small items such as window deflectors to deter wind buffeting or light bars affect fuel economy.

“While the effect of most add-ons is usually small, adding multiple accessories can quickly lower MPG,” said Vancil.

The Impact of Roof Racks

Because it sits in the cleanest, highest‑pressure airflow [area] on the vehicle, “even when not carrying cargo, car roof racks cause aerodynamic drag and reduce your gas mileage,” said Vancil. Even though I am a fan of roof racks, the increased head-on mass creates turbulence over the roof, forcing the engine to work harder to maintain speed, especially above 55 MPH.

To enhance my 1978 Pontiac LeMans station wagon, I added a factory rear wind deflector, even though I knew it would cut the fuel economy by one MPG. “Roof racks can reduce fuel economy up to five MPG,” added Vancil. He suggests removing the crossbars when you are not using them. Always observe the roof rack’s weight limits and properly tie down the load.

Lift Kits and Vehicle Modifications

By raising the suspension, lift kits expose the body’s undercarriage, which creates more underbody turbulence. “If the vehicle frame geometry is changed due to a modification, the altered suspension angles increase rolling resistance and rotational mass,” said Vancil. Why do you think racing cars are so low to the ground? Being lower reduces air flow under the car, lowering turbulence and drag while increasing stability at high speed.

Even a small, two-inch lift can result in one to three MPG loss. An aggressive off‑road modification [that includes heavier tires and added components] can result in a 20 percent MPG loss. Driving with the tailgate down doesn’t help improve fuel mileage either.

Heavy Aftermarket Accessories

Although they add visual appeal, as well as functionality, a custom truck bed storage system can weigh between 200 and 250 pounds, empty. Other weighty items, such as steel (chrome) bumpers, winches, skid plates, rock sliders, rollbars, cab covers, bull bars or cargo organizers increase a vehicle’s weight.

Adding significant weight hurts fuel economy, particularly during city stop‑and‑go driving. “Every extra 100 pounds will lower MPG by one to two percent, or more,” said Pyle. He added, a full coverage package that protects the engine, transmission, transfer case and fuel tank of “off‑road armor easily can add 200 to 400 pounds [additional weight] before you even load gear.”

The added weight forces your engine to work harder, which means you’ll need to push the throttle harder [using more gas] to reach and hold the same speed you’d get without the added accessories. Like racing cars, less weight equals more speed with better fuel economy.

FAQ

Are larger tires always worse for fuel economy?

It depends. Yes, heavier wheels coupled with larger tires are almost always worse for fuel economy. Larger tires increase rotational mass, rolling resistance, and often have more aggressive tread, which reduces MPG. The biggest MPG losses come from wider, heavier, or off-road pattern tires. “A wider tread requires a greater amount of power to keep it moving at highway speed, potentially increasing fuel usage 10 percent,” said Vanci.

Although some factory wheels may lack visual appeal, OEM wheel designs are made to help achieve greater efficiency and safety. On the other hand, if tires with an overall larger diameter made from low rolling resistance compounds and are fitted correctly (called tire fitment—a tricky set of calculations that do not affect the delicate balance between tire performance and safety), this can increase MPG.

Is a hitch-mounted cargo carrier more efficient than a roof box?

Although a hitch-mounted cargo carrier may lower MPG up to two percent, a hitch-mounted cargo carrier is practically always more efficient than a roof box. Depending on the speed, size and shape of the roof box, expect to see a 10 to 25 percent MPG drop. Even modern aerodynamic rooftop cargo shells can cause five MPG loss. A hitch carrier sits in the vehicle’s aerodynamic slipstream, causing minimal drag.

Again, as in car racing, called “drafting,” drivers often “sit” on the rear bumper of the car in front of them—the same place a hitch-mounted cargo carrier would sit—because there is less turbulence. “A roof box is a large, blunt obstruction that just grab more wind, causing resistance,” said Pyle. He added, “Mounted equipment hampers vehicles from maintaining a smooth, streamlined airflow over the vehicle.”

About the Experts

Chris “Moose” Pyle is a master-certified technician with 20-plus years of automotive experience. He has also worked as an expert for JustAnswer since 2006, where he answered hundreds of car maintenance and repair questions a day. (Electronic communications June 16, 2026)

Eliot Vancil is CEO of Fuel Logic LLC, a Dallas, Texas-based company specializing in comprehensive fuel management solutions, including delivery of various diesel types and gasoline nationwide. His diverse professional path includes roles CEO of Network Logic, where he oversaw IT support and services for Texas businesses. (Electronic communications June 16, 2026)

Resources

Steve Haney, Corporate Technical Trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket (June 16, 2026)

Jim DeLeo, Northeast Division Manager at Hunter Engineering Company (June 17, 2026)

Bodyshop Business: “SEMA Releases New Market Report on Consumer Trends in Aftermarket” (Published July 1, 2025)

Car and Driver: “Decked Drawers Pickup Truck Bed Storage System” (Aug 2024)

Research and Markets: “Car Modification Market Outlook 2025-2034: Market Share, and Growth Analysis By Type (Overall Modification, Local Modification), By Category (Performance, Cosmetic), By Vehicle, By Sales Channel Type” (Published Aug 2025)

U.S. Department of Energy: “Find and Compare Cars Fuel Information” (May 13, 2025)

U.S. Department of Energy: “Many Factors Affect MPG” (June 17, 2026)

RELATED:

• Do You Know What That Little Button on Your Seat Belt Is For?
• What Those Lines on Your Backup Camera Really Tell You
• Here’s What The Small Panel On Your Car’s Front Bumper Is For

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Lee Buchanan’s Murphy Bed Build Shows Big Ideas Can Fit into Small Spaces

A few years ago, I got a call from clients who had bought an original Sea Ranch condominium designed by renowned architect Charles Moore. They asked me to rebuild a twin Murphy bed closet to fit a full-size bed—without changing the footprint or straying from Moore’s original design.

I demoed the closet’s original 2×4 framing and replaced the sides with 3/4-in. plywood, but I was worried about structural integrity, so I came up with a few methods of reinforcement. I installed a 3/4-in. plywood floor, toe-kick, 2×4 bracing and a small header box to conceal lighting.

Black powder–coated aluminum L-brackets along the bottom of the cabinet strengthened the sides. Adding felt feet on the doors allowed the floor to support their weight, alleviating stress on the left wall. I also glued solid wood edging on the doors and closet sides to provide a strong connection for the brass screws that hold the piano hinges.

Given the room’s high sun exposure, I rubbed Osmo UV-Protection Oil on all the panels before installation. The warm, natural finish matched the rest of the Douglas fir millwork in the house.

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Check Out the 75-Year-Old Family Handyman Project That Inspired Our Plywood Challenge

When we published our first issue in 1951, a postwar suburban boom was reshaping American homeownership. Home centers as we know them didn’t exist, online tutorials and home improvement networks were still decades away, and the very idea of a DIY magazine was new. As our first editor, Paul de Fur, wrote in his inaugural letter to readers, “Here, for the first time, is a magazine devoted exclusively to do-it-yourself home repair, maintenance and improvement.”

Seventy-five years later, a lot has changed. Materials cost more, tools are smarter, houses are larger and inspiration is constantly at our fingertips. But savvy homeowners still turn to DIY to save money, learn new skills, become more self-sufficient and enjoy the satisfaction of building or fixing something themselves. They still need the same advice that filled Family Handyman’s early pages, from plumbing tips to tool recommendations and rewarding weekend builds.

One project from that first issue still feels surprisingly modern: a compact storage console built from a single sheet of plywood. It checked all the boxes of a great DIY shop project: affordable materials, manageable scope, practical function and a finished piece you could feel proud of. The single-sheet constraint also encouraged the kind of creative problem-solving that builds lifelong shop skills. That console got us thinking: What could today’s builders create under the same conditions? So, in celebration of our 75th anniversary, we issued the One-Sheet Plywood Challenge to our editors and our audience.

Plywood has stayed popular among DIYers for good reason. Made by layering thin sheets of wood veneer with alternating grain directions, it’s strong, stable and resistant to warping, shrinking and splitting. It holds screws well, comes in a wide range of thicknesses and grades, and is available at virtually every home center. A standard 4 x 8-ft. sheet can become furniture, shelving, cabinetry, decor or countless other projects. That versatility made plywood a DIY staple in the ’50s, and it’s why we think it still deserves a place in the shop spotlight today.

Getting the most out of a single sheet starts with careful planning. Sketch your design on graph paper, or use a 3D modeling program such as SketchUp or a cut-optimizer app to nest pieces efficiently. When you lay out cuts, you have to account for the blade kerf— the roughly 1/8 in. of material the saw blade removes. Cut the largest pieces first, and properly support the sheet while you cut to prevent flexing, binding and splintering. If you need a thicker or stronger panel, layer and glue portions of the sheet together.

Don’t toss offcuts, either. Even small scraps find new life as edge banding, cleats, shims, push sticks, garden-bed edging and drawer dividers. One sheet goes a lot further than you think—here’s the proof!

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Tool Trials: How Much Faster Is An Electric Screwdriver, Really?

Here on Tool Trials, we’re always looking for the latest and greatest tools so we can put them to the test.  I’ve tried electric screwdrivers before— in my experience, they’re usually flimsy tools that are more of a novelty than a necessity. So when I saw that Bosch offers a premium electric screwdriver with plenty of features and a hefty price tag, I knew it was the perfect candidate for some further testing.

The appeal of an electric screwdriver is easy to understand- the power of a drill in the palm of your hand. Sure, you’re never going to assemble a deck with one, but for small, quick household applications, a hand tool like the Bosch Go electric screwdriver could quickly become a go-to. At the same time, though, traditional screwdrivers are a classic for a reason, which begs the question: Do you really need an automatic version of a tool you probably already have three too many of?

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Tool Trials

Bosch GO 3 Professional

A compact cordless screwdriver with adjustable torque and push-and-go operation for fast, precise screwdriving in wood, metal, and plastic.

Shop on Amazon

The Tool On Trial

So what’s so special about the Bosch GO 3? Well, as I mentioned above, I’ve tried out a few electric screwdrivers in my life. Most of the time, they’ve felt cheap and haven’t held up to repeated use.

That is not a problem for this electric screwdriver from Bosch. It’s a quality tool with a sturdy build that feels good in your hand. It comes in a simple case with a small selection of screwdriver tips, an extender bit and a USB-C cord for charging. Basically, it’s an 8-in-1 screwdriver and comes with everything you’d get buying one of those.

The difference, of course, is that this screwdriver comes with a motor. It’s got seven torque settings, so you can theoretically use it in a wide range of applications without worrying about stripping out a screw.

The Trial: How I Tested It

But here’s the question: do all those features actually make this electric screwdriver better than the standard version? To answer, I decided to put two tools to a head-to-head test so I could see just how much of an advantage this $80 screwdriver could give.

Here’s what I did. First, I needed to find something with a lot of screws in it. I had an old TV lying around that I’d been meaning to take apart and recycle. And this thing was covered in screws, making it perfect for my purposes.

So, I laid the TV down on my coffee table and set up the test. I’d use a normal screwdriver on one side of the TV, and the BOSCH electric screwdriver on the other. By comparing how much time it took to remove each set of screws, I’d have a direct comparison point between the two tools… and a clear look at whether or not electric is actually worth it.

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The Verdict

The results were clear. While the traditional screwdriver held up fine and did its job, the electric screwdriver clearly offers an advantage. I was able to remove the screws from that side of the TV in a fraction of the time it took me to do it manually— just over 10 seconds compared to 20 seconds with the traditional tool.

It wasn’t just about the lack of elbow grease required, though. The entire operation was smoother: you just press the drill bit into the screw and it does all the work for you, and the magnetic tip makes it easy to pick up screws as you remove them.

So it’s clearly just flat-out faster than the standard screwdriver. But what about the convenience factor? Well, I spent some time using the tool outside of the TV test, and I can attest that the BOSCH 3 is everything you want in a screwdriver. It’s small enough that you can carry it around without any issues. It fits in a tool bag better than a drill while handling many of the same applications. I recently moved, and having this tool on hand made disassembling and reassembling furniture way easier than it had any right to be.

The only cons I ran into are the need to charge the battery, which can be hard to monitor. Also, the included USB-C cable is a bit small, making it a little inconvenient to use. Other than those small gripes, I’ve had a great experience testing this BOSCH GO 3 screwdriver and definitely give it the  Tool Trials stamp of approval.

 Where to Buy the Bosch GO 3 Professional

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Tool Trials

Bosch GO 3 Professional

A compact cordless screwdriver with adjustable torque and push-and-go operation for fast, precise screwdriving in wood, metal, and plastic.

Shop on Amazon

The BOSCH GO 3 Professional Screwdriver costs around $80-90 and can be purchased through Amazon or wherever BOSCH tools are sold.

Tool Trials

Bosch GO 3 Professional

A compact cordless screwdriver with adjustable torque and push-and-go operation for fast, precise screwdriving in wood, metal, and plastic.

Shop on Amazon

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Extreme Heat Can Damage More Than Your Car— Clear Out These Items First

A blistering heat wave can quickly turn a parked car, even one in shade, into your own personal sauna in minutes. A vehicle can reach temperatures 40°F warmer than outside, with cabin temperatures often exceeding 140°F or higher during a heat wave. Also, surfaces like the dashboard can reach 185°F.

Many drivers know not to leave children or pets in their cars, but the list doesn’t stop there. During extreme heat temperatures, a quick tidy and scan of your vehicle before exiting can prevent expensive replacements and even stop potential dangers.

Learn which items should always be removed from your car during a heat wave, why those items pose a risk, and other ways to keep you and your vehicle safe.

Medications

It’s never a good idea to leave medication unattended in a car due to the risks of theft, accidental access by children or pets, invasion of medical privacy, etc. However, that risk is even more severe in a hot vehicle for long periods.

Many prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, insulin and other temperature-sensitive medications, and even medical devices require storage at controlled room temperatures as excessive heat can affect their effectiveness. Your prescriptions should note storage instructions, or you can confirm with a medical professional.

Electronics And Battery-Powered Devices

Electronic devices like phones, computers, tablets, digital cameras, power banks, hand-held gaming consoles, rechargeable tools, and other battery-powered devices are vulnerable to extreme temperatures like the inside of a vehicle during a heat wave.

These extreme temperatures can shorten battery life, damage internal components, reduce the device’s life expectancy, and cause unexpected shutdowns or performance issues. Lithium-ion batteries, in particular, are at risk of swelling, leaking, or malfunctioning in extreme conditions.

Even outside of a heat wave, if these devices are left in an unattended vehicle, they should be stored in a secure, non-visible location to help reduce the risk of theft or damage.

Aerosol Cans

Common aerosol products like deodorant, hairspray, spray paint, sunscreens, and air fresheners should not be left in a hot vehicle. Increased heat will impact the pressure of the sealed aerosol can, posing a safety hazard.

Check cans for printed temperature limits. But to be safe, remove any items that could potentially pose a risk. Extreme heat can cause leaks, ruptures, damaged containers, and even explosions.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is an important part of personal protection during the summer. But it’s important you protect it, too.

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can break down sunscreen, impacting potency and potentially causing leaks and other damage to the bottle.

Eyeglasses And Sunglasses

Another summertime staple is your sturdy pair of sunglasses.

Eyewear can be warped or damaged if left in extreme temperatures for too long. Plastic frames and lens coatings are particularly vulnerable to damage, and metal frames can become too hot to touch, potentially causing burns.

Glasses and sunglasses should be left in their protective cases, not on a dashboard or elsewhere in the car, and ideally removed when you leave the vehicle.

Plastic Water and Soda Bottles

Plastic bottles, when exposed to extreme temperatures like a hot vehicle, can experience a change in water quality and taste. Clear plastic bottles with concentrated sunlight can also pose a fire hazard. Reusable bottles hold up better during hot weather, however the liquid inside can still reach dangerous temperatures to drink.

Food, Groceries and Other Perishables

Groceries and other perishable items spoil rapidly in extreme temperatures. Items like chocolate, ice cream, and frozen foods can become a huge mess. Consider using insulated coolers for temperature-sensitive items if you’re planning on making additional stops after your grocery run.

Sources

Ready.gov, “Extreme Heat Safety Social Media Toolkit”
Kids and Car Safety, “Hot Car Resources”
CDC, “Heat and Medications”

RELATED:

• Do You Know What That Little Button on Your Seat Belt Is For?
• What Those Lines on Your Backup Camera Really Tell You
• Here’s What The Small Panel On Your Car’s Front Bumper Is For

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We Used a Vacuum Sealer To Save Thousands on Groceries. Here’s How

The first time I remember having sticker shock at a grocery store was just after we’d gotten back from a weeks-long trip out of the country. My partner had been dreaming of a ribeye steak, but once he saw the price — $4 more a pound than before we left — he put it back on the shelf.

A few months later, after discovering it on sale for half the price, he bought a 13-pound slab of it to cut into steaks. He also found a solution for how to preserve it without fear of freezer burn: enter the vacuum sealer.

Previously, a vacuum sealer was an appliance we’d only vaguely heard of. Now, it’s one of our most cherished tools. Thanks to it, we not only save money through buying items in bulk, but also through reducing food waste, since we can seal leftovers and unused ingredients.

We also save time by batch cooking meals to thaw out on nights when time is tight — a strategy which also helps us eat healthier by avoiding fast food.

How a Vacuum Sealer Works

Vacuum sealers suck the air out of specialized bags, jars and other containers, then create an airtight seal to keep it out. With the oxygen gone, the food lasts an estimated five times longer, being protected from freezer burn and bacterial growth.

Good food candidates for vacuum sealing include:

• Dry goods, like flour, sugar and pantry snacks.
• Anything freezable, like meats, soups, cooked meals, berries, peaches, blanched/cooked vegetables and even wine.
• Refrigerated goods that you want to last longer without freezing.
• Foods that don’t take well to vacuum sealing:
• Fruits like bananas, avocados and whole apples.
• Veggies like mushrooms, raw onions, potatoes, cucumbers and uncooked leafy greens.
• Soft cheeses.

How Much Money Our Vacuum Sealer Has Saved Us

We used to waste the typical amount of food for an American household, roughly $1,500 a year. Now, that number is probably closer to $300. We almost never have spoiled food, partly because we vac seal it, but also because the appliance helped us become more aware of our eating habits. Now we’re better about gobbling up what needs to be eaten and not overbuying at the grocery store. On top of that, we save at least another $500 a year by buying meat on sale, plus items in bulk.

Subtract from that the money we’ve spent on vac sealers and bags during that time, which is about $230 on machines and $130 for bags, and the total amount we’ve saved since we bought our first vacuum sealer in 2019 comes to more than $9,600.

That doesn’t even include the environmental benefits of not wasting food, which are pretty significant when you factor in the water used to grow crops and feed animals, ecosystem contamination from fertilizers and pesticides, and greenhouse gas emissions, which are created from land cleared for farming and grazing, plastics in packaging, pollution from transportation and the creation of methane as food decomposes in landfills.

A Few More Benefits of Vac Sealers

• Save space. We also vac seal meals for camping, where we have limited cooler space.
• Speed up marinating meats and veggies.
• Seal household items to keep dust and moisture out, like decorations and first-aid supplies.
• Seal items to keep them from getting lost, like small parts and hardware.

What We Don’t Love About Our Vacuum Sealer

The obvious downside is an overload of plastic, which is likely adding microplastics and chemicals to our food, plus certainly contributing to land, air and water pollution. We at least try to buy BPA-free bags.

Also, keep in mind that vac-sealed food can still spoil, and the bacteria that cause botulism can still live within the anaerobic conditions created in a vac-sealed environment.

Vacuum Sealers We Recommend

We started out with a hand-held model, which just didn’t have enough oomph for most of our applications. Next, we tried the smallest-size edge sealer, which was okay, but still lacking for our needs.

We finally settled on this one by Potane, which has been a workhorse for years. Granted, we have had to do a few repairs to it, but they were simple to figure out and DIY. If that one finally wears out, we’re considering this one by Fresko.

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