How Good Are Battery Powered Lawn Mowers

Bosch Citymower 1: The Best Cordless Mower For Small Gardens

Price: £177 solo/£280 with 18V battery and charger | Buy now from Argos

Boschs mower for smaller gardens is a cracker much smaller than the mighty UniversalRotak 36-550, but also much cheaper and lighter. Whats more, you still get Ergoflex handles for good steering and a comfortable push, plus easy cutting-height adjustments and twin power triggers on the grips. Its one easy mower to work with, and it runs from a single 18V 4Ah battery, which charges to full in 1hr 35mins and lasts for a little over half an hour. You can either buy it complete with 18V 4Ah battery and charger, or solo if youve already got compatible Power For All products.

Your neighbours will definitely love this mower, as it makes so little noise we actually had to check the grass box to make sure it was cutting properly because it was so quiet. In fact, the cut is brilliant, with great results on flat areas, and a close cut next to walls and edges. The small-ish wheels and compact size mean its not the best mower on a rough or sloping lawn, while the minimum cutting height of 3cm wont be low enough for those who want the astroturf look. Yet the CityMower 18 can handle small areas of long, wet grass that youd expect to choke it up in seconds. With some of Boschs top technology in a cheaper, smaller mower, it all adds up to the best option for a smaller plot.

Price: £252 | Buy now from Argos

Price: £389 |

Price: £519 | Buy now from ToolsToday

Price: £319 |

Makita Xml06pt1 Self Propelled Lawn Mower

Best Dollar-to-Value Match for a Battery Powered Lawn Mower

Step up your battery powered lawn mower game by getting one of the best-developed push mowers in its category. With an ample 18-inch cutting deck made with some of the highest grade steel in the industry, you can mow around 2/5 of an acre in one single charge. It runs on two 18-volt LXT lithium ion 5.0 Ah batteries. Switch between the higher-powered setting to a Quiet Mode when your lawn only needs a touch-up.

You shell out a bit more cash for this Makita but you dont have to worry about sourcing the batteries and charger. Youre all set and ready to go for a clean, nature-friendly mowing experience.

Ryobi Ry40100 16 In Cordless Lawn Mower

Weight: 40 lbs. Height range: 3/4 to 2-3/4 in. Battery: 40V, 2.4 Ah lithium ion

Ryobi offers a great combination of features at a reasonable price with this battery powered mower. Its perfect for a small to medium-size lawn, and especially attractive if you plan to buy other tools that can use the 40-volt lithium ion battery. We liked the easy-to-fold handle and the fact that two batteries are included. We gave this cordless electric mower our Editors Choice award for best compact mower because in addition to the other features, its also small and light enough to easily fit on a shelf.

Read Also: How To Find Commercial Lawn Care Bids

Don’t Miss: Trugreen Costs

Ego Power+ 56v Cordless Self

This 56-volt, 21-inch mower from EGO Power+ is another great choice if youre looking for a self-propelled option. It has variable speed settings up to 3 miles per hour, suited for any flat or sloped land. The lithium-ion battery runs for up to an hour on a single charge, which gives you plenty of time to mow most residential lawns.

EGO built this mower to withstand any conditions, with weather-resistant construction so the parts wont rust in high humidity or frequent rain. There are even LED headlights so you can mow at night or in the early morning if your schedule demands it. This is the only mower of all our picks that offers this feature.

The EGO Power+ self-propelled mower also has the versatile features you expect of a top-quality lawn mower of this day and age. It has an adjustable cutting deck with six height options ranging from 1.5 inches to 4 inches so you can mow to different lengths as needed.

You also can discharge, bag, or mulch your grass clippings without any additional attachments.

Specifications:

Put In The Shopping Legwork

Keep in mind that while your new mower may save you steps, shopping for one may take a bit more legwork this season. COVID-related supply-chain holdups, combined with increased demand, are reducing supply, says Courtney Pennicooke, the CR product analyst who covers lawn mowers. Supplies are more limited, and models may be on back order, he says.

You also might need to check out a variety of retailers. Some mower brands are associated only with Home Depot or Lowes, while others are sold only through independent dealers. And some brands may sell certain models at a big home-improvement chain and others through dealers.

Shop around more than usual, checking a few different stores, Pennicooke says.

Check our comprehensive lawn mower ratings for even more good choices, including over 30 push models from brands such as Atlas, Craftsman, Cub Cadet, DeWalt, DR, Ego, Hart, Honda, Kobalt, Masport, Ryobi, Stihl, Toro, and Troy-Bilt.

Also Check: Controlling Foxtail In Pasture

Greenworks Pro 60v 25

In our testing, the Greenworks Commercial 25-inch mower earned our pick as the best battery-powered lawn mower for large lawns. Currently, no one else comes close to its 25-inch cutting width in a walk-behind. With the pair of 4.0Ah batteries in the kit, we were able to cut for over an hour, easily covering a 1/2-acre+. With a $599.00 price tag when you buy direct from Greenworks, its an excellent value, too!

Once you get close to 3/4 of an acre, you might want to consider a battery-powered riding mower.

Price: $599.00

Residential Or Commercial Quality

On the surface, theres not a huge difference between commercial quality and residential quality walk-behind battery lawn mowers.

At the high end, power doesnt seem to vary much. In fact, the most powerful weve testedEGOs Peak Poweris technically a residential model.

What commercial battery mowers have going for them is a design and feature set thats much more tuned in to what professionals ask for. Some of that is merely the difference between what homeowners and professional crews prefer on a mower. But there are differences in the quality of the components that brands choose for their separate lines. That said, the best residential models rival commercial quality from what weve seen.

Greenworks Commercial and Stihl rely exclusively on their dealer networks. You get additional support during and after the sale that you wont find at big-box retailers.

Electric riding mowers are a completely different ballgame. With those, youll find a much greater difference in design and performance, along with a massive gap in cost.

Read Also: Leaf Vacuum Rental Lowes

Who This Is For

If you want to be able to stand the sight of your yard this summer, youre going to need a lawn mower. Anything larger than a half-acre gets into riding-mower territory, but a self-propelled push mower is perfect for a half-acre or less. Going at a pace of about 3 mph , it will take about an hour to cut this amount of grass.

If you already own a gas mower thats less than a decade old, you will probably not notice a tremendous difference by upgrading to a newer gas mower. Upgrading to a cordless model is a more noticeable change you could immediately appreciate.

The Original Cordless Mower

• After 30 hours researching and testing reel mowers, we think the Scotts 2000-20 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower is the best pick for manual lawncare.

Make Sure Your Lawn Is In Tip

• Pin
• Email

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Lawn mowers are a key tool in most homeowners arsenalsthey make it quick and easy to keep grass at the proper height and your yard looking neat all season long. Lawn mowers come in a variety of different sizes and styles, including ride-on and walk-behind models, and the best one for your needs will depend mostly on the size and terrain of your lawn.

When shopping for a lawn mower, youll need to decide between gas, battery or electric models, as well as a wide range of deck sizesthe larger the cutting deck, the faster youll be able to mow large areas. Of course, youll also need to balance this with your budget, as ride-on models are significantly more expensive than walk-behind styles.

The following are the best lawn mowers you can use to tend your grass.

Cutting Width: 21 inches | Power Type: Gas | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 1/41/2 acres

• Self-propelled design is easy to move

• Adapts mowing speed to match pace

• 3-in-1 cutting system

• Heavy weight can be hard to turn

• Discharge chute prone to clogging

Read Also: Core Aerator Rental Home Depot

Electric Mowers Are Quieter To Operate Than Gas Mowers

If you live in a neighborhood with noise zoning rules that prohibit operating a gas engine mower during certain hours, an electric mower could be just the thing.

These mowers are significantly quieter. Though they are not purely silent, they come nowhere close to the noise pollution of a gas-powered lawn mower.

One caveat to this: if you are planning to mow in the mornings when there is still dew on the ground, invest in a mower with a more powerful battery. Damp grass clippings can really burden a motor. When that motor is running off of a battery, the strain can quickly deplete it.

What Are The Benefits Of A Cordless Lawn Mower

There are a variety of benefits to buying a cordless lawn mower in comparison to the more traditional petrol or electric models.

These benefits include:

• Easy to manoeuvre: Without a cord, cordless lawn mowers are typically easy to manoeuvre. Most cordless mowers are lightweight, too, because there are fewer moving parts compared to a petrol mower.
• Quiet: Cordless lawn mowers are powered by a lithium-ion battery making them much quieter than petrol-engine mowers.
• No emissions: The lack of an engine means cordless lawn mowers do not emit emissions.
• Minimal maintenance: Cordless lawn mowers do not need regular servicing like petrol mowers do.

Donât Miss: How Often Should I Fertilize My Lawn In Florida

Also Check: Lowes Raptor Mower

Ryobi Mowers And Personal Experiences

As I have mentioned several times in this post, I do personally own two RYOBI mowers and that is why when I am asked if RYOBI lawn mowers are any good I can quantifiably say yes. Yes, they are good durable mowers that can stand up to rigorous mowing conditions.

At my current home, I cut between 2.5 2.75 acres of grass. I have a mix of Bermuda sod and some type of fescue weed mix. Bermuda or as I call it the good grass is around my home and backyard. I have what is left of a pecan orchard and a small grass field surrounding my house. That grass is a mix of Bermuda, fescue, clover, and weeds, or what I refer to as the bad grass. I use my mowers three seasons out of the year, either cutting grass or mulching leaves. My mowers get a lot of use and I use them, and only have a couple of months downtime, generally January and February.

I will now go over briefly my personal experiences using these two RYOBI mowers and why I think RYOBI makes a good battery powered lawn mower.

Whether You Get The Lm2012sp Or Splurge On The Lm2135sp You Wont Miss Gas With A 56

Besides the benefits mentioned earlier, switching from gasoline to an electric lawn mower also lowers your maintenance requirements. But some might worry that a battery-powered mower isnt strong enough to handle yard duty. However, to paraphrase CNET, thats not a problem for the 56-volt EGO Power+ line. And if you want the best, look no further than the self-propelled 21 LM2012SP and LM2135SP Select Cut.

At $700, the EGO Power+ 21 Select Cut LM2135SP might be overkill for some yard aficionados. However, its also Consumer Reports highest-rated battery-powered push lawn mower. And it arguably justifies that price tag with features like Touch Drive and the Select Cut Multi-Blade System.

With the former, you can activate the self-propelling function literally by touch and adjust the speed with a dial. And the latter gives you three additional interchangeable blades: Mulching, High Lift Bagging, and Extended Runtime. Speaking of running time, EGO claims the LM2135SP lasts up to 60 minutes on a charge. CR, though, found the electric lawn mowers 7.5-Ah is only good for about 50 minutes. But on the plus side, its very quiet and its weather-resistant deck has integrated LEDs.

Plus, like the LM2135SP, the LM2012SP has integrated LEDs and a weather-resistant deck, and it folds up for easier storage. And it has the same 7.5-Ah battery thats compatible with other EGO Power+ devices.

Read Also: Peat Moss Or Compost For Lawn

Watch Out For Dodgy Models

If you see a cordless mower selling at a ridiculously cheap price, chances are youre going to be better off avoiding it. These will often be poorly-made models that wont do a very good job in your back garden.

Even worse, if you forget to check the small print before purchasing, you could end up receiving the main body of the mower without a battery or charger. The price of individual batteries varies from one model to the next, so be careful you dont end up with a nasty surprise.

Its also unlikely that a cheap cordless mower will have a very long runtime, meaning youll probably find yourself stopping and starting more than youd like if youve got a large lawn. This will also wear your battery life down much quicker.

For more information on the most reliable lawn mower brands, take a look at our guide on which lawn mower brand to buy in 2021.

Best Electric: Greenworks Pro 25 In 60

Cutting Width: 25 inches | Power Type: Battery | Cutting Options: Bag or mulch | Size of Yard: 1/21 acres

• Large deck for a push mower

• Bogs down in thick or wet grass

• Slight delay before self-propelling will disengage

Many people enjoy the low-maintenance design of electric lawn mowers, and the Greenworks Pro Self-Propelled Mower has a large 25-inch deck and 60-minute battery life that make it a great choice for small- to medium-size lawns. The electric mower comes with two batteries, and when the first depletes, the unit automatically switches to the second one, delivering uninterrupted runtime.

This mower has seven cutting heights and folding handles for compact storage. Its smart cut technology automatically increases the blade speed when going through thick grass, and the advanced brushless motor delivers maximum torque and power with virtually no maintenance.

Also Check: Craftsman Riding Mower Parts Lookup

Best For Small Yards: Kobalt 13

Cutting Width: 21 inches | Power Type: Electric | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side and rear discharge | Size of Yard: Up to 1/4 acre

• Cord retention system to prevent disconnecting

• Both rear and side discharge

• Large back wheels for improved traction

• Doesn’t perform well in thick grass

• Not all clippings are collected in bag

You can maintain a yard up to ¼ of an acre with the Kobalt Electric Lawn Mower. This affordable pick runs on electricity, but it has to be connected to an extension cord during operation, which is why its best for small yards. It does have a cord retention system to prevent disconnecting while you mow.

The Kobalt mower has a 21-inch deck with seven cutting heights, and it offers rear and side discharge, as well as mulching and bagging abilities. The mower has 10-inch rear wheels for improved maneuvering, and its padded handle reduces wrist strain during operation.

Can A Battery Powered Mower Replace My Gas Mower

You could be wondering if a battery powered mower could work for you. The answer really depends on what your situation is. How big is your yard and how much time do you want to spend mowing it.

Most modern battery powered push mowers will run between 30 minutes to an hour and cut a 1/4 to 1/2 acre on a single charge. They also generally come with a single lithium battery. Some of the newer mowers actually have room for multiple batteries, and if those batteries are a lithium-ion, they could run considerably longer.

Having an extra lithium battery or two around the house could help extend your run times. I have no problem with my current RYOBI mower cutting around my pool and trimming around my house, and never use more than 1/2 of the 40v battery charge.

Is your lawn large and have you cut it recently?

Larger yards could be broken up into separate cutting sessions. If you need extra runtime you could get some extra batteries to use. You should have no issue cutting medium sized average suburban lawns with any battery powered lawn mower.

If you have a larger lawn, bigger than 1 acre, you would have to go with the larger battery powered riding mowers that can cut up to 3 acres of lawn depending on the size of the mower.

Don’t Miss: Are Lawn Mowers Street Legal

Best Budget: Sun Joe Mj400e 12

Cutting Width: 13 inches | Power Type: Electric | Cutting Options: Bag | Size of Yard: 1/41/2 acres

• Lightweight design is easy to push

• Limited height adjustments

• No option for side discharge

Dont want to break the bank buying a lawn mower? This electric model from Sun Joe is a compact and extremely budget-friendly choice, and its corded design is ideal for those with small lawns. The mower has a 12-amp motor and a 13-inch deck, and the whole unit weighs just 22 pounds, making it easy for anyone to handle. There are three cutting heights to choose from, and it even comes with a rear collection bag to catch grass clippings as you mow. It might not be the fanciest lawn mower out there, but it will get the job done for an extremely low price.