About The Author

Michael Williams

Associate Editor/Web Producer

With over twenty years of experience as a journalist, editor, and researcher, Mike is driven by an insatiable appetite for life’s many fascinations. He loves lawn maintenance, landscaping, and anything related to outdoor power equipment. Having cut his teeth as a hard-news reporter and features writer, he also writes for major national magazines on a number of topics, such as the Civil War, World War II, true crime, and firearms.

As associate editor and Web producer at Pro Tool Reviews, he helps keep the gears turning in the content machine: everything from Best lists and how-to guides to product tours, gear reviews, local, state, and federal legislation coverage, and breaking industry news.

He loves all manner of outdoor power equipment and pays close attention to the long-running War of the Fuels: Gas vs. Battery. He also enjoys collaborating with the product management and design teams at industry-leading brands like Milwaukee, Ryobi, Stihl, EGO, ECHO, Greenworks, Kobalt, John Deere, Husqvarna, and the list goes on. Being a part of the editorial staff is a constant learning process that involves attending major conventions like Equip Expo, along with media summits and facility tours at company HQs across the country. When he's not busy as a dad and editor, Mike is an avid classic rock historian, collector, and audiophile. He's currently working on a compendium of Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 North American tour, curating an incredible library of unreleased live recordings. He lives in northern Maryland with his 11-year-old son and 5-year-old daughters, both of whom look eerily similar …. Yes, they’re identical twins.

Hand Tool Reviews January 26, 2024 0

EGO 56V Wet Dry Vac (WDV0904)

No doubt, EGO has become a leader in the rapidly expanding world of cordless outdoor power equipment. But this doesn’t just include mowers, blowers, trimmers, and saws. There’s also the trusted wet dry vac, and EGO has added one to its line of 56V gear. Here’s a look at what the WDV0904 has and what […]

Leaf Blower Reviews January 22, 2024 0

Milwaukee Dual Battery Backpack Blower 3009

With good reason, Milwaukee is one of what many regard as the three best power tool manufacturers–a triumvirate aptly named the Big 3. And they’ve been in the game for quite a while. Indeed, 2024 is their 100th year in business. Making this all the more exciting is their expansion of the company’s OPE fleet, […]

Chainsaw Reviews and Pole Saws January 19, 2024 0

Ryobi 6 Inch Pruning Chainsaw PCLCW01

The world of outdoor power equipment revolves around the seasons. In most parts of the country, there’s not much year-round use for zero-turns and string trimmers. However, certain tools have a myriad of applications and stay up and running in the winter, spring, summer, and fall. Chainsaws are perhaps the best examples, particularly if your […]

Pressure Washer Reviews January 15, 2024 0

EGO Cordless Pressure Washer HPW3204-2

Wherever you live, the elements can muck up your home’s exterior. When it comes to keeping things clean, a pressure washer is indispensable. And there are plenty of brands vying for consumer acceptance. Actually, the list of competitors is growing, most recently with the release of EGO’s debut pressure washer, the cordless 56V HPW3204-2. If […]

Chainsaw Reviews and Pole Saws January 8, 2024 0

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Pole Saw (Model 3013) Review

At OPE, we’ve covered our fair share of Milwaukee’s M18 battery-powered outdoor fleet. To put it another way, we’re fans. In this case, the brand’s Quik-Lok system has been the only pole saw working on this setup. That is, until recently because Milwaukee announced the release of its new M18 Fuel Pole Saw, the Model […]

Buying Guides January 5, 2024 0

Best Time to Buy Lawn Care Tools

Just about all of us need outdoor power equipment for our lawn care obligations. And, whether we like it or not, eventually you’ll need to either upgrade to better tools or replace broken ones. Knowing the best time to buy lawn care tools can be a real money saver. Here are some good times to […]

Chainsaw Reviews and Pole Saws January 4, 2024 0

Craftsman 20 Inch Chainsaw (S205) Review

Battery-powered outdoor equipment is growing faster than we ever thought it would, and it’s not slowing down. That said, gas isn’t going anywhere (save for those locations where state and local legislation isn’t forcing it out). This is particularly the case with tools like chainsaws, which generally demonstrate solid capability when they have fuel tanks […]

difference between perennials annuals and biennials

Gardening December 5, 2023 0

Difference Between Annual, Perennial, and Biennial Plants

Many gardeners choose annuals for their quick color, but balancing your plantings with perennials and biennials for a garden that evolves and matures over time is important. Learn the difference between annual, biennial, and perennial plants, and discover how to incorporate each type into your landscape. What Are Annual Plants? Flowers, herbs, and vegetables that […]