Important features to consider

Small differences in the design of a toilet brush can make a big difference in the cleanliness of your bathroom. We looked for brushes that enable the quickest and most-thorough toilet cleaning, and are long-lasting. We also looked for brushes that are easy to rinse and hide away discreetly when you’re finished with chores.

Shape of the toilet-brush head: Depending on which areas of your toilet get the dirtiest, you’ll want a toilet-brush head that’s shaped to reach under the toilet rim. Look for a design that has a curved head or long bristles, which allow a brush to fit easily into tough-to-reach places.

Bristle type: Most toilet-brush bristles are made of nylon, and we prefer this stiff plastic material for scrubbing. Silicone brushes are less common and a bit more expensive; they’re flexible and easier to clean, but they don’t scrub as well. The way bristles are set in the brush can also affect how long the brush takes to dry, so watch out for dense, criss-crossing bristles that trap moisture and grime.

Handle material and length: A toilet brush’s handle can make the difference between a good and great brush. The handle should be stiff enough to help you scrub, but it also shouldn’t get in your way. Handles that are too long, too short or that bend at odd angles can make the cleaning process harder.

Storage: Most people agree that the toilet-bowl brush shouldn’t be the focal point of a bathroom, so an unobtrusive, easy-to-store brush is key. All of the toilet brushes we tested came with their own storage, so we took their holders into consideration when deciding upon our top picks.

How we tested

We devised a system for testing our selections for cleaning power, durability and overall hygiene.

Cleaning: We cleaned at least two different toilets with each of our brushes and rated the overall experience on a scale from one to four stars, with one for “made cleaning worse” and four for “made cleaning great.” We considered how long it took for us to reach all areas of the toilet bowl, whether we had difficulty with hard-to-reach spots and to account for brush coverage, how much of the toilet-bowl cleaner was left untouched.

Durability: We tested durability by pressing the bristles into the toilet bowl as hard as possible to see if they warped. We approximated what might happen when you’re cleaning a particularly dirty toilet or what might happen to your toilet brush with continued use over time. For disposable brushes, we assessed the ease of changing the disposable pad.

Odor and maintenance: After cleaning, we washed each brush as directed on the package – usually just by rinsing it in the cleaner-filled toilet water – and stored it for 12 hours. We then smelled the brush to determine whether it had a clean odor or smelled of mildew. We also noted if the storage allowed the brush to dry and how much, if any, water was trapped inside the holder.

The post The 9 Best Toilet Brushes appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Table of contents

• How we selected products to test
• Compare the best gym bags
• Important features to consider
• How we tested
• Best overall: Boost
• Runner up: Adidas
• The other finalists we tested
• The bottom line

How we selected products to test

The market for gym bags is filled with great products in wildly varied size and price ranges. To narrow our testing field, we set our budget at 50 dollars and only looked for bags with excellent average review ratings at the usual online retailers.

From there, we checked lists from Men’s Health, Wirecutter and NY Magazine. When we found a bag that was on multiple lists and met both our buyer-rating and budget criteria, we added it to a shortlist for testing.

Finally, we talked to our gym-going colleagues and friends to find out which bags they use and love. Our final list is made up of high-quality, inexpensive, well-loved bags that have the features to make your trips to the gym more productive and maybe even less smelly.

Compare the best gym bags

Important features to consider

Size

We chose gym bags specifically with shoe compartments to test, and that distinction naturally lent itself to at least medium-sized bags. Our goal was to find a bag comfortable enough to carry, but big enough to fit not only our shoes and gym outfits, but also toiletries and cosmetics, a change of clothes, a full water bottle and one specialty equipment item (we chose boxing gloves). If walking to the gym, you may want a smaller bag like the gym-friendly pick in our Laptop Backpack review. If transporting large equipment, you’ll want to check out larger bags.

Weight

Depending on the weight of the equipment you’re carrying and the distance you have to travel with your gym bag, you’ll likely want as lightweight a bag as possible. If you’re opting for a heavier bag for either style or sturdiness, you’ll want to make sure the bag’s straps are adequately padded. All the gym bags we tested are two pounds or fewer, with the exception of the Everest.

Material

We looked for a bag that we were confident could last and remain fresh for a long time. We considered material type (body of the bag and zippers included), which influences how much weight a bag can bear, how susceptible it is to tearing and its breathability.

Generally, gym bags with shoe compartments are made of nylon (often laminated and less breathable), polyester (more breathable), or some combination of the two. The strongest bags in our bunch were blends. In the case of our top pick, different weaves are added to the mix, but a backing is still present to keep out water.

You should also note that breathable fabric also allows water in. Nylon technically gets soggy more than polyester if you let it sit in the rain, but it’s the rubbery backing that keeps your clothes dry inside.

To mitigate the effect a waterproof bag might have on the smells trapped inside, find a bag that includes a vented shoe compartment.

Functionality

Most gym bags with a shoe compartment will do a fairly decent job of holding everything you need. What sets the great apart from the good is a bag’s ability to organize. The amount, size and arrangement of pockets can make a huge difference in how functional a gym bag is. When working out under a time constraint, digging for the items you need can be incredibly frustrating. Check for pocket numbers and layouts that will make your life easier, not harder.

How we tested

Over the course of a week, we tested six different bags  on our commutes and in our gyms. We standardized our packing lists to include sneakers, clothes for working out, a change of street clothes, cosmetics, a water bottle, electronics, keys and a pair of boxing gloves.

Packing and functionality

Our picks ranged from four pockets to nine (with the shoe compartment included), with the Mier – 20 inches Sports Gym bag at the lowest end and the Everest – Gym Bag with Wet Pocket at the highest. The latter became our organizational favorite, but still wasn’t our top pick overall.

As we packed for each of our trips to the gym, we used our standardized packing list to establish a preference for one gym bag over another. We wanted to know which bag was the best organizational help and which felt like a bottomless pit. Packing and using the same gear for our trips gave us a clear indicator which bags we liked to use best.

Comfort

Each gym bag accompanied our team members on their individual commutes, but each bag was also taken for a roughly 2,000 step journey to compare comfort levels. We rated the comfort level of each bag on a star system, where one is “ too uncomfortable to use again,” two is “became very uncomfortable quickly”, three is “pretty comfortable”  and four is “no discomfort at all.”

Because different testers can comfortably carry different weights, potentially influencing this test, we also made a more direct assessment of strap padding.

Durability

We left each bag hanging with 30 pounds inside for one hour to test the strength of straps, buckles and zippers. Next, we applied a scratch test. For the scratch test, we took a key and scraped the outside and the lining of each bag with varying degrees of pressure (first soft, then firm, then as hard as possible) and recorded any tears or permanent scratches.

Breathability and smell

To test how well our bags dealt with moisture and smell, we performed two tests. For the first test, we kept our dirty gym clothes in the bag for a full eight hours, and after taking the clothes out, noted how long the bag retained its dirty smell. We unzipped each bag but did not fully open them, and checked in at the half hour, hour and two hour mark.

For the second, we muddied an old pair of sneakers and put them into the designated shoe compartment. Then, we checked back in an hour to see if the mud was dry. We also checked to see if we could smell the shoes from the outside of the bag from both a foot away and right next to the bag.

Our goal was to find a gym bag that resisted odors entirely, but it became clear that this was unrealistic, so we placed greater emphasis on the second test and the breathability of a bag’s shoe compartment.

Water resistance

We also poured a cup of water directly onto our bags to test claims of water resistance or waterproof-ness. For bags claiming to be only water resistant, we accepted damp clothes as a result, but not wet ones. Waterproof bags needed to keep clothes inside completely dry.

Cleaning test

If you’re carrying specialized equipment that sees a lot of outdoor use, you’ll want a gym bag with a shoe compartment that cleans easily. As a final test, we gave each of our gym bags a thorough cleaning with wipes to compare maintenance effort.

We counted how many wipes it took to clean each bag, checked to see if mud remained in nooks and crannies after a single cleaning pass and gave extra kudos for machine washable bags.

Best overall: Boost

Our tests to find the best gym bag with shoe compartment confirmed our initial intuition; many of these bags are excellent, and this was a tough race. Ultimately, Boost proved itself as our favorite with its attention to detail, overall functionality and affordable price.

The Boost gym bag was near the top of our list for functionality thanks to its structure and layout; it has five total pockets (including the shoe compartment), and one is meant specifically for holding wet clothes or swimsuits. It has no designated place for toiletries, but our team was satisfied storing those in the front pocket. On the side is a mesh bottle pocket we found perfect for holding the full range of sizes we’ve tested in our water bottle review, and the shoe compartment was vented, which helped it perform well in our breathability and smell test.

In terms of comfort, we loved the Boost gym bag for its comfortable straps, and for the way its shape helps it stay easy to carry on long trips. The unique (among this group of bags) textured material – a nylon-blend oxford weave – made the bag feel more luxurious.

Boost - Sports Gym Bag

Our team agrees that this gym bag with shoe compartment is a top notch product, comparable in performance to other well-known fitness brands. Its thoughtful design makes the Boost a great, functional companion for the gym

See Price at Amazon.com

Performing well on our durability test was an absolute must, and the Boost gym bag did not disappoint. We thought its unique fabric texture might rip easily, but no amount of pressure in our scratch test damaged the bag. In the weighted hanging test, we found that the reinforced seams and metal clasps held the load without trouble. The added reinforcement on the bottom of the bag and its water-resistant (though not waterproof) outside ensure this bag will last a long time.

Key takeaways:

• The Boost – Sports Gym Bag excels in combining versatile functionality with subtle style.
• If you need a fully waterproof gym bag, you’ll need to look elsewhere (like the runner-up from Adidas), but this bag can handle a bit of water, and can keep wet clothes separate.
• The relatively low price and high durability of this gym bag make it ideal for long term use without making a big investment.

Runner up: Adidas

The Adidas – Team Issue came highly recommended not only by a number of review websites, but also by some trusted friends and colleagues who swore by its longevity and spaciousness. Our team found that it lived up to its reputation, but fell slightly short in terms of functionality.

The main pro of the Adidas bag is that it combines lightweight comfort with durability. We knew from other tests that this bag would be durable, but from the way the fabric blend (nylon, polyester and elastane) felt in our hands, and considering the bag weighs less than two pounds, we were surprised by how well it stood up to abuse.

In our durability tests, this bag performed extremely well. The straps barely strained holding 30 pounds for an hour, and no amount of scratching (on any of the distinct fabric types) left a lasting mark. It comes with a lifetime guarantee, but we don’t think you’ll need to use it.

It’s the elastane in the fabric mix that gives this bag its stretch and lightweight feel, and the nylon provides a fair degree of water resistance, especially on the reinforced bottom. We found too that the lining of this bag was great at repelling moisture — lugging around wet clothes or swimsuits won’t be an issue, nor would setting this bag down in a puddle on the locker room floor.

Adidas - Team Issue

If you need extra room for specialized sports equipment, the Adidas - Team Issue is a durable and lightweight choice. This bag will serve you well for years and has a lifetime warranty if it fails

See Price at Amazon.com

Our Adidas gym bag was slightly quicker to clean than our top pick and also included a vented shoe compartment, which we liked for our muddy shoes and sweaty clothes. Even with five total pockets, though, its spartan functionality (or lack thereof) knocked it to number two on our list.

Despite a small toiletries section, the main pocket felt way too disorganized. With almost no structure (and no water bottle pocket), we found that our items continued to slide around in transit, knocking our attempts at organization further out of alignment.

Key takeaways:

• The Adidas – Team Issue is a great bag for athletes because of its easy cleanability and cavernous design.
• For a busy, everyday gym-goer, this bag’s lack of structured organization made finding things too difficult.
• The mix of durability and light weight this bag provides makes it a comfortable way to lug your gym gear that will last a long time.

The other finalists we tested

Coreal

The Coreal – Sport Gym Bag is another gym bag that makes great use of its pockets. High functionality combined with a fully waterproof shell almost earned it a top spot.

We found this bag to be spacious yet organized and especially liked the side pockets. A dedicated water bottle pocket seems like it should be a prerequisite for a good gym bag, but not all of our picks had one, so we appreciated Coreal for including theirs. This bag passed our packing functionality test easily.

The most fully waterproof of all our finalists, we felt so confident in this bag’s impenetrability that one of our testers took it into a torrential downpour. It protected the contents inside and proved its worth even further.

A completely waterproof shell does come with one main drawback, however, and that is the Coreal gym bag’s complete lack of breathability. The bag is mainly waterproofed ripstop nylon, and the shoe compartment has no vent. During our testing, we noticed that our muddy shoes were not dry after an hour and that the Coreal bag retained the smell of our sweaty gym clothes overnight.

If you live in an especially wet climate, or favor swimming as your exercise of choice, this orderly, highly waterproof bag is perfect. If, on the other hand, you aren’t keen on at least wiping down your gym bag after every use, more breathable designs on this list may serve you better.

Everest

The Everest was the top of Wirecutter’s list of best gym bags for a while before they reconsidered due to durability issues. Likewise, a number of other sites and friends suggested giving this bag a try, and it performed well until our durability test, where it ultimately failed.

Nine pockets (including shoe compartment) make it very easy to put everything in exactly the right place when using this bag; there is even an extra water bottle pocket, which would be great for bringing coffee or tea during a commute to an early morning workout. The inside compartment of the Everest gym bag is smartly divided and we especially liked that it included both a wet-item pocket and a pocket for toiletries and cosmetics. We felt that this bag could have easily held double our packing list and remained high in our functionality ranks; there really is a place for everything.

This bag may not be waterproof and is barely water resistant – our clothes were definitely damp after we did our water test – but it did a great job at not holding onto odors. While the lining of the main compartment was a little more difficult to clean than others, we had no trouble wiping the shoe compartment of its mud thanks to its more water-resistant material.

Where the Everest gym bag lost our testers was in its durability testing; even before applying full pressure, we were able to tear the polyester canvas on the outside of the bag. During the hanging test, we also saw that the seams were straining and were worried they might pop; our top three gym bags with shoe compartments performed much better.

Our testers also found that the sub-par straps on the Everest bag less comfortable to travel on their shoulder than most other bags on this list. Though Everest provides padding for the long strap, we found it to be insufficient. This gym bag will serve you really well for a while, but if you have to walk far with the bag or expect to have it for a long time, you may want to reconsider.

G4free

A few of our testers prefer backpacks over duffels, so were excited to give the G4Free – 3-Way 40L convertible backpack a try, thinking it would be more comfortable.

While we found this bag to be high on our functionality list – it’s convertible and has lots of organization features – we were disappointed to find that the padding for the duffel strap was much more substantial than the padding for the backpack straps. This makes carrying the G4free less comfortable as a backpack than it should be.

When performing the weighted hanging test with this bag, we did separate tests for the duffel straps and the backpack straps. The duffel straps performed well, but the backpack straps did not. Though it’s likely the backpack straps were made thinner to make sure they tuck into their pocket during conversion, we thought a bit more reinforcement wouldn’t hurt. Our key also made some faint marks during the scratch test portion of our durability investigation.

Pluses of this bag include its lightweight design and its waterproof shell; like the Coreal gym bag, though, the shoe compartment was not vented and made for wet, muddy and smelly sneakers. We appreciated the addition of a toiletries pocket, but missed the water bottle pocket.

Mier

Our testers might have marked the Mier – SPO002 higher if other products on this list hadn’t been so excellent. As a gym bag with shoe compartment, it’s perfectly adequate, but has nothing to set it apart from the rest.

We were excited by the structure in this bag, a factor which usually makes packing easier, but with only four total pockets, we felt like some of our smaller items had nowhere to go where they wouldn’t get lost. This alone doesn’t make this bag our least favorite, but combined with its poor performance during other tests, it didn’t quite live up to expectations. There is almost no padding on the straps (which struggled as a whole throughout testing) to provide comfort and we quite easily put marks in the nylon material of this bag during our scratch test. Other gym bags jumped ahead quickly in the rankings.

The bottom line

During our testing, we looked for a gym bag with excellent features that could be had for under 50 dollars, and the competition was quite close.

Our top pick, the Boost – Sports Gym Bag, earned its number one spot by passing all of our durability tests and particularly wowing our testers in packing functionality and comfort.

We placed Adidas – Team Issue in a very close second place, and it’s a great choice for sports equipment. The high quality of this bag means you may never have to replace it.

Boost - Sports Gym Bag

Stylish, water-resistant and with excellent organization pockets, this bag far out-performed others that cost more. We highly recommend it for keeping your clothes and shoes fresh

See Price at Amazon.com

The post The Best Gym Bags with Shoe Compartments appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Table of contents

• How we selected products to test
• Compare the best weed killers
• Who should buy weed killer?
• Important features to consider
• How we tested
• Best weed killer overall Compare-N-Save
• Best natural weed killerNatural Armor
• Other finalists we tested
• The bottom line

How we selected products to test

A quick Google search for weed killers yields hundreds of results — top brands produce item after item that (even for a seasoned gardener) can seem too similar to distinguish. Some promise to kill weeds in the first two days after application, while others promise to prevent them from growing for an entire season. For our test, we wanted weed killers that produced rapid results.

Products that promised to eradicate stubborn, wild growth in a wooded area weren’t relevant for backyard testing, Instead, we looked for weed killers that promised successful lawn management. If the product description or name didn’t reference lawns, we decided not to test it. Because we wanted weed killers that yielded quick results, we also avoided any that needed to be mixed into the soil directly, which lawn owners are meant to prepare a year in advance.

We turned to Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes and Ace Hardware to see which products were showing up most often in their top-sellers lists. We narrowed our search by choosing weed killers that had at least a 70% approval rating. We supplemented our comparison by watching YouTube reviews of the weed killers we were most interested in testing.

Compare the best weed killers

Conventional weed killers

Natural weed killers

Who should buy weed killer?

It’s safe to say that you shouldn’t wait for a full weed infestation of your yard to justify picking up weed killer. But what about homemade varieties?

Many home gardeners have their own weed-killing recipes consisting mostly of vinegar and other kitchen ingredients. These homemade methods can be effective, especially when compared to other natural or organic store-bought varieties. Clearing dead weeds by hand is usually needed because vinegar-based solutions are less effective at penetrating the roots of weeds with complex root systems, most of which are the weeds in your backyard.

A natural, homemade weed killer is cost effective, but for tackling tough weeds or covering a large area, it’s better to look at bottled options that pack more punch.

Store-bought weed killers might be right for you if:

• You want to remove weeds but are either unable or prefer not to do the manual work that weeding requires
• Your yard has an area where stubborn bunches of weeds that grow back soon after you’ve removed them
• You have a large area to cover and could use a high-coverage sprayer
• You’re looking to start totally fresh growth and want to clear away grass and weeds all at once

Important features to consider

Herbicide percentage and composition

Herbicides are technically the name for the chemicals that comprise a weed killer, but they have become synonymous with the weed-killer mixture that treats them. There are a number of different herbicides, and the general rule is that the higher the herbicide percentage, the stronger the weed killer.

The most common herbicide is glyphosate, which accounts for the power of nearly all commercially produced weed-killing products. Glyphosate has been getting some heat lately for its potentially harmful effects on the environment and the people who use them. As a result, natural weed killers have risen in popularity and effectiveness.

Glyphosate works by limiting the proteins that plants need to generate growth; the National Pesticide Information Center maintains that pure glyphosate is not dangerous, but most commercial weed killers add ingredients like surfactants to help the glyphosate penetrate plants, and those may make it riskier; if a surfactant allows herbicides to penetrate plant skin better, it will also penetrate the skin of humans and pets easier as well.

Many of the weed killers we tested contained glyphosate, so we took precaution by wearing protective gloves, masks and shoes.

Active ingredients: conventional

Active ingredients: natural

Post-emergent vs. pre-emergent treatment

Weed killers or herbicides can be categorized as post-emergent, pre-emergent or a combination of both. Post-emergent treatment kills weeds that are already growing in your yard; pre-emergent treatment prevents new weeds from growing.

Post-emergent treatment should be spread during peak growing season, because it kills ground cover and, with the right product, penetrates the roots to prevent future germination of weeds. Pre-emergent treatment should be spread in advance of peak growing season, usually in the fall when plants begin going dormant. Most reviewers of weed killers cite both treatments as part of their habitual lawn-care routine.

For the purposes of our test, it was important that we visually saw results, so we only tested post-emergent treatments. If we were to test pre-emergent treatments, we’d only be able to estimate how many weeds might be prevented from growing, or we would have to test for several years.

Selective vs. non-selective

A “selective” weed killer is supposed to get rid of only “select” plants, and a “non-selective” weed killer dries out everything it touches. Selective weed killers target certain plans, so you should know what types of weeds are growing in your yard. The most common types of weeds vary by region, but they can be divided into two general categories:

• Broadleaf lawn weeds (annual and perennial)
• Grassy lawn weeds

The differences between the two are germination periods, survival time and plant structure. Dandelions and clover, for example, are broadleaf weeds, and crabgrass and sedge are grassy lawn weeds. A weed killer that may kill broadleaf ground-cover might be ineffective on crabgrass. For the average lawn gardener, it’s helpful to determine which category of weeds are growing in your lawn so you’ll know the complexity of their root structures and how best to kill them.

Selectivity has the potential of weakening a weed killer (though it will save your grass), and as we were trying to determine which weed killer was the best overall, we tested both selective and non-selective weed killers.

Concentrate vs. ready-to-use

We tested concentrates that need to be diluted alongside ready-to-use products. Concentrates should be mixed in a separate application bottle, and, if instructions call for it, a surfactant like dish soap can be added. Many people with large yards use concentrates for making bulk quantities of solution, which is more cost effective than buying many bottles of pre-mixed weed killer. Ready-to-use products are equipped with their own nozzles and sprayer mechanisms, which we found helpful for small yards.

Whether you use concentrate or ready-to-use is entirely your preference (we didn’t notice any effectiveness trends), but carefully note the safety equipment and storage needs for handling concentrated products. The cost savings may not be worth the hassle and risk.

Application nozzle (if applicable)

For ready-to-use weed killers with an applicator, consider the type of spray you’ll be getting from the nozzle. Some have a concentrated spray for targeting specific plants and their roots. Other nozzles cover a wider area, oftentimes like a mist.

Coverage (land area)

Whether the weed killer is in concentrate or ready-to-use form, the amount of its land coverage per container could vastly differ. As a general rule, concentrates are higher-priced but are best for large plots of land. Ready-to-use varieties, which have already been diluted, are better for small yards.

How we tested

Over the course of a week, we tested nine different post-emergent weed killers, five conventional and four natural or organic, in a backyard on broadleaf and grassy weeds. We applied the weed killers on a sunny day when there was no rain in the forecast for at least 48 hours. During preparation, application and observation of the weed killers, these are the main factors we considered:

Preparation

To prepare, we read each booklet of weed killer instructions thoroughly, and noted how clear they were. If we were left with any questions or had to do supplemental research, we counted this against the products.

We also factored in prep time from opening the package to lawn application, as well as whether we needed special equipment to prep the weed killer. Our ready-to-use weed killers needed no preparation before use, while preparing concentrates required funnels, careful measurement and thorough mixing. Handling concentrates also required extra protective equipment like gloves in some cases..

Application

During application of each weed killer, we took notes on how difficult it was to apply the recommended amount of weed killer to plants, and how difficult it was to control or change the field of coverage.

Safety

Use of herbicides on an industrial scale requires training, so it’s equally important to take proper precautions when using them in your backyard.

During testing, we noted which chemicals would be harmful to ingest or touch, especially in households with pets and small children who play in the yard, and checked how long we needed to wait before our yards became safe again. Each weed killer we tested had labels for application, storage and mixing, which we heeded and considered as part of our decision-making process.

Performance

We tested 18 equal sections (four square feet each) of lawn area, two for each weed killer. The majority of weeds in each section were dandelions, broadleaf dock, crabgrass and bluegrass. We sprayed each type of weed killer over one section and left all nine sections alone for four hours. If using a concentrate, we mixed it according to directions and applied it with a direct-spray nozzle to spread the mixture.

After four hours, we returned and recorded our initial visual results. Our primary indicators of effectiveness were: browning, wilting, and yellowing. After 24 hours, we again recorded visual results, and using lawn gloves, brushed away any plants that had been visibly affected by the spray. Here we looked for whether weeds were breaking upon contact, and whether the roots had loosened at all.

We visited twice a day thereafter for a week, which was the maximum time period for the weed killers we selected; if they hadn’t worked by then, we marked it a failure.

Consumer reviews reported that sometimes a product worked well for one user and not for another, or the product had inconsistent results. We decided to test two squares at a time for each product, and with one exception, our results were the same across both testing patches.

As we tested, it became clear that if there were no visible results after two days, the weed killer was unlikely to work at all. There were three main tiers of performance: the weed killer worked completely by killing 100% of the weeds, worked a very small amount or didn’t work at all. When it came to eliminating weeds with herbicides, the process was frequently all or nothing.

Price

A key factor in our selection of best weed killer was price. We bought different quantities of each product for testing, and because some were concentrated and some ready-to-use, we wanted to know how much land, theoretically, each bottle of weed killer could cover for its cost.

We calculated cost per ready-to-use gallon, which equates to just under 1000-square-feet of yard coverage. Our most economical option was the Roundup concentrate, at roughly 80 cents per gallon of mixed weed killer, closely followed by Compare-N-Save at $1.01 per gallon.

Best weed killer overall: Compare-N-Save

Of the weed killers we tested, Compare-N-Save – Conventrate Weed & Grass Killer was the fastest-acting and most effective at loosening roots and wilting plants, and it was also the most cost effective.

Compare-N-Save’s clear drawback is that it contains a high level of glyphosate — 41% — that could be hazardous to small children and pets. It’s one of the most reviewed weed-killing products on Amazon, and during our testing, we understood why: it worked, and the small 16-ounce container yields an impressive 10 gallons of spray. At just over $1 per gallon, Compare-N-Save is also a cost-effective option.

We saw results after four hours: All the plants in the squares had begun to brown and wilt. By the end of the first 24 hours, every plant appeared completely dead, and many were removed without needing to loosen the soil first. By the end of the second day, we easily pulled out any remaining weeds and even managed to remove a few by simply brushing them away. As we expected from a non-selective weed killer, the grass underneath the weeds was also dead.

Compare-N-Save - Weed & Grass Killer

A killer formula if we’ve ever seen one, Compare-N-Save killed our weeds in just one day, and not one grew back. You’ll want to use this product if your goal is a clean slate of a lawn to replant and re-landscape entirely.

See Price at Amazon.com

Other weed killers we tested that claimed to eradicate all weeds killed crabgrass but not dandelions, or vice versa. Compare-N-Save lived up to its claim of killing all weeds entirely, and no other product was as pervasive as the Compare-N-Save.

Other weed killers we tested left behind stubborn leaves or roots, but Compare-N-Save was truly nonselective and killed both weed and grass. If you have a large lawn with lots of different weeds to cover all at once, this is a great choice.

Key takeaways:

• Compare-N-Save – Weed & Grass Killer is effective at drying up both top leaves and roots.
• High glyphosate concentrate necessitates careful use.
• This product will kill lawn grass as well as weeds.
• Out of all the products we tested, this was the fastest and most consistent.

Best natural weed killer: Natural Armor

We had doubts about natural weed killers, since our research indicated they weren’t as effective as popular glyphosate-based products. However, Natural Armor – All-Natural Weed & Grass Killer surprised us by performing comparably with our top pick.

Vinegar is Natural Armor’s active ingredient, and it did the job. Four hours after application, weeds were browned and wilted, and by the next day, their leaves were coming up easily in our hands. By week’s end, we could fully remove the plants and roots, albeit with a bit of effort.

Natural Armor was also easy to use. It’s packaged in a ready-to-use bottle and direct spray nozzle, so we were able to apply it with minimal preparation. The nozzle’s position allowed us to spray directly on top of the weeds and the base of their roots every time.

Natural Armor - All Natural Weed & Grass Killer

Natural Armor is the best natural weed killer currently available. It’s a safer alternative to leading herbicidal brands and just as effective. Natural Armor can kill your weeds within a week and protect the environment at the same time.

See Price at Amazon.com

Perhaps the only downside of Natural Armor is its price point. We purchased a 16-ounce bottle for $12.95. For one gallon of ready-to-use spray we’d pay $29.95, a significant amount more per gallon than our leading conventional weed killers.

If you’re environmentally conscious and don’t mind spending a little extra money, Natural Armor is the best natural weed killer that performs just as well as the leading conventional weed killer.

Key takeaways:

• While Natural Armor took a week to fully kill every weed, we were able to retain our green grass underneath the weeds.
• If you have a larger lawn, you’ll find this product a bit pricier than a conventional weed killer.

Other finalists we tested

Roundup – Extended Control Weed and Grass Killer

Despite RoundUp’s recent bad press, its name is synonymous with weed killer, so we decided to test RoundUp – Extended Control Weed and Grass Killer, a concentrate option that does away with a sprayer that many users find ineffective.

In terms of prep, it wasn’t easy working with this concentrate. The bottle isn’t well-designed for pouring, and it got messy — as did the other concentrates. We were glad to be wearing safety gear.

On the plus side, RoundUp’s initial performance was great. It killed all the weeds in the area where it was sprayed and left most of the grass dead as well. If you want to preserve your lawn, RoundUp isn’t for you, but overall it’s excellent for clearing large areas quickly. The dead weeds required minimal effort to manually pull them in just two days after the application.

The results didn’t last the whole week, however; we noticed new weed sprouts toward the sixth day. That failing, and RoundUp’s increasing notoriety, set this weed killer back in our rankings.

Southern Ag – 2,4-D Amine Weed Killer

Consumer reviews for the Southern Ag – 2,4-D Amine Weed Killer are adamant about its superiority. The 2,4-D acid amine is a strong selective herbicide that is more heavily regulated than glyphosate; it may also have more dangerous byproducts than glyphosate weed killers.

Southern Ag isn’t available in every region of the country, so if you attempt to purchase it on Amazon, you’ll be notified whether or not it can be shipped to your area, as distribution regulations for Southern Ag vary state to state. We were able to purchase Southern Ag, and although it’s more expensive than our top pick, Compare-N-Save, its performance was comparable.

We followed instructions and mixed this concentrate with water and three tablespoons of dish soap as a surfactant. None of the instructions for the other concentrates explicitly recommended adding dish soap, so we decided to use the solution on only one of the two areas dedicated to testing Southern Ag.

Twenty-four hours later, it was clear just by sight that the dish-soap additive worked. By the end of the week, the square with surfactant was 100% clear of weeds and grass, while the square without surfactant was 75% clear.

Considering its strength, potential danger and potential unavailability, Southern Ag isn’t for everyone. But if you have a large variety of stubborn, mixed weeds, you might consider Southern Ag as a viable option.

Spectracide – Weed Stop for Lawns Plus Crabgrass

Spectracide – Weed Stop for Lawns Plus Crabgrass was the only herbicidal weed killer we tested that came pre-mixed and ready-to-use with its own spray attachment.

Performance-wise, Spectracide worked well on both dandelions and crabgrass, but it was less effective with other grassy and broadleaf weeds. Forty-eight hours after application we saw dramatic wilting and browning of the dandelions and crabgrass.

After a full week, other grassy and broadleaf weeds had begun to brown and wilt. Although we applied the recommended amount, we surmised that to kill them completely, we would need to spray another application. On the plus side, Spectracide did not affect our grass.

If you have a large yard you want to spray, at about $40 per gallon, Spectracide could get expensive. But if you have a small yard with primarily dandelions and crabgrass, we think Spectracide is worth it.

Ortho – Weed B Gon

As some Amazon reviewers noted, Ortho – Weed B Gon gave us varying results, despite having followed the same procedure on two sections of lawn.

Twenty-four hours after application, weeds were flourishing and the grass was still green. After 48 hours, weeds in one section wilted, and after 72 hours, weeds in the second section had wilted. By the end of the week, some broadleaf weeds in both sections had shriveled and died, grass in one section was discolored, dandelions were beginning to bounce back to life.

Some people claim they’ve had success with Ortho Weed B Gon when they’ve used it in conjunction with other treatments, fertilization and in-soil weed control. Overall, though, we weren’t impressed by Ortho – Weed B Gon’s performance to recommend it.

Avenger – Organic Weed Killer Concentrate

Since there are so few natural weed killers on the market, we gave Avenger – Organic Weed Killer Concentrate a shot. Although Avenger has some devoted users, its performance was poor. After application we saw little change in the weeds for the entire week of testing; one or two had wilted and browned, but the rest were still green and thriving.

If we were weeding a flower bed or other delicate plants that would be harmed by stronger weed killers, we’d consider using Avenger again. However, we’d recommend mixing the concentrate slightly stronger than recommended and dousing each weed one-by-one. As part of regular lawn care, other products in this category win out.

Green Gobbler – 20% Vinegar Weed Killer

Although Green Gobbler – 20% Vinegar Weed Killer is as pungent as the chemical weed killers, it’s safe to children and pets 24 hours after application.

Green Gobbler is ready to use and comes with a hose and spray applicator. Application was smooth and mess-free, and after only four hours, all the weeds in had turned brown and, in some cases, white. After five days, we could pry the dead weeds from the soil with minimal effort.

Dandelions were a challenge for Green Gobbler, and although it’s a good product, it wasn’t as effective as Natural Armor.

Doctor Kirchner – Natural Weed Killer

Doctor Kirchner – Natural Weed Killer is securely packaged with recyclable materials, and a note is included that thanks the user for committing to environmental friendliness. It’s a nice, personal touch, but unfortunately, Doctor Kirchner was only moderately effective. Half the surface area we sprayed showed no visible signs of application. Though it killed both broadleaf and grassy weeds, results were spotty and inconsistent.

Doctor Kirchner could be used sparingly in flower beds and around other delicate plants, where you have the patience and need for multiple, careful applications.

The bottom line

During our testing, we looked for a weed killer that effectively killed a variety of broadleaf and grassy weeds and was easy to use.

Our top pick, Compare N Save – Concentrate Weed & Grass Killer, was undoubtedly the most powerful weed killer we tested, relatively easy to use, readily available and affordable.

Natural Armor – All-Natural Weed & Grass Killer is our choice for the best natural weed killer. Natural Armor performed almost as well as Compare N Save for a price that completely justifies the extra security of environmental friendliness and safety.

Compare-N-Save - Concentrate Weed & Grass Killer

The most powerful weed killer we tested, Compare-N-Save wiped out weeds in mere days. If you want to clear your lawn of weeds fast, its formula will give great results.

See Price at Amazon.com

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