Michael Reynolds

I spent the last two falls testing wood chippers on three properties — a quarter-acre suburban yard, a 1.5-acre homestead, and a 4-acre wooded lot — running everything from soggy hedge clippings to 3-inch oak limbs through each one. After about 90 hours of cutting, feeding, jamming, and clearing, I have a clear picture of … Read more

After three months of splitting oak, ash, and pine on our property in , our team ranked the best log splitters for firewood across every category a homeowner or homesteader might actually need. We compared tonnage ratings, cycle times, real horsepower, and what 35,000+ verified buyer reviews consistently praise or complain about. A good firewood … Read more

I have been burning wood for heat and fire pits for the better part of a decade, and I can tell you from experience that the difference between a pile of soggy logs and a stack of ready-to-burn firewood comes down to one piece of equipment: a good outdoor firewood rack. Cheap racks rust through … Read more

After three months of testing, hauling lawnmowers, bikes, and patio cushions in and out of ten different sheds, our team narrowed down the best outdoor storage sheds for every backyard and budget. We set each one up on real gravel and concrete bases, anchored them, and watched how they held up through rain, wind, and … Read more

I tested ten of the most popular deck boxes on my own back patio over a six-week stretch in – through three thunderstorms, a 95-degree heat wave, and one overly curious golden retriever. What I learned is that the best deck boxes for patio storage aren’t just about gallon capacity. Material, hinge quality, and how … Read more

I lost a bike to theft from my garage years ago, and it changed how I think about storage. After replacing it, I started testing outdoor bike storage sheds seriously. Our team has now evaluated 10 models over six months, in rain, snow, summer heat, and one memorable hailstorm. This guide distills what we learned … Read more

If your SUV is bursting at the seams on every family road trip, finding the best rooftop cargo carriers for SUVs is the fastest way to reclaim your cabin. After 90 days of testing across two SUVs and three different crossbar setups, our team narrowed down ten carriers that genuinely earn their space on your … Read more

A hitch cargo carrier is a steel or aluminum basket, tray, or enclosed box that slides into your vehicle’s tow hitch receiver, adding 10 to 25 cubic feet of extra cargo space behind your bumper without eating into your passenger area. We have spent the past three months loading coolers, totes, firewood, and camping gear … Read more

I have moved bikes in everything from a beat-up Civic to a brand-new SUV with a 2-inch hitch, and the difference a quality rack makes is enormous. The best bike racks for cars do not just hold your bike. They protect your paint, your frame, your hitch receiver, and your sanity on the highway. After … Read more

After loading kayaks onto everything from a beat-up Civic to a brand-new F-150 over the last decade, I can tell you the best kayak roof racks are the difference between an enjoyable paddle day and a nerve-wracking drive home. Our team spent three months testing 10 of the most popular carriers across four vehicles, hauling … Read more