Best Electric Start Lawn Mowers | Gas and Electric
One of the most remarkable things about an electric start lawn mower is its instant starting feature.
I really don’t miss cranking the machine using a manual pull cord. Switching on the motor by pushing a button is less stressful and overall makes life much easier. Still, only the best electric start mowers, gas or electric, can deliver the cutting efficiency and runtime you need to work your lawn.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll guide your search by taking you through the most reliable quick-start mowers on the market right now. My rankings are based on my own hand on experience with these machines, alongside in-depth research, and some feedback from my fellow groundsman.
So don’t worry if you’re not sure know where to start, this review will gear you up to make an informed decision.
Best Electric Start Lawn Mower
Buying an electric start mower is a great way to go, and in this article, I will take you through all the important factors to consider when choosing the best machine.
But…if you’re in a hurry and just need to know my top recommendations then here are my 3 best electric start lawnmowers.
EGO Power Select Cut 21-in 56 V Electric Start Lawn Mower
Excellent performance, lightweight, and 70 mins run time on a single charge. Also quieter than a gas mower!
Honda 21-In Nexite Deck Self Propelled Gas 4-in-1 Versamow
Very versatile and super easy to start. Featuring the GCV 200 engine and Nexite deck it’s built to last.
Toro Personal Pace TimeMaster 30″ Electric Start Gas Mower
A huge 30-inch self-propelled mower has to feature. Built to Toro’s excellent standards as you would expect.
Choosing an Electric Start Mower
Your electric start mower should last for the longest time possible, but not all mowers have the build quality, or capabilities to stand the test of time. There’s a lot to consider, but always have the following critical factors in mind:
Lawn Size and Terrain
The first consideration should be your lawn’s size and the type of terrain.
Generally, a small-sized battery-powered can efficiently mow up to half an acre. Anything half an acre up would benefit from a self-propelled wheel drive mower.
Once you get past an acre and a half then a riding mower can become a sensible option. Riding mowers are different animals altogether, so if you want to know more about the best riding mowers then check this article out here…Best Small Riding Lawnmowers.
Uneven or hilly yards require more effort to clear, requiring greater engine capacity. Whilst there is a large range of mower engines on the market, most electric start mowers range between 140cc to 190cc in engine size.
Finally, wheel size and adjustable deck height will also need some consideration. For example, you may have Stoney areas in your yard, or maybe edging stones. You will want to travel over these low-lying obstacles uninterrupted, and without damaging your mower blade or cutting deck.
Electric Start Vs. Pull Start
The manual crank pull cord mower is slightly cheaper than an electric start. But it’s less convenient and definitely less reliable. The ignition section alone has more maintenance requirements.
A self-actuated electric starter doesn’t use a starter or carburetor fluid or a primer pump; hence it’s more convenient and straightforward to get started especially in cold or damp weather.
But when all is said and done…, the electric start mowers remove the hassle of pulling the manual crank cord. Instead, you simply turn on the mower’s engine or motor with the flip of a switch.
Gas Powered Vs. Battery Electric Start Mowers
An electric start mower doesn’t necessarily have to run on electric power, it can also be gas-powered. Here’s how the two technologies differ:
Gas Powered
When it comes to pure power, gasoline engines have a modest advantage over electric motors. This is especially true of the larger-sized riding mowers. However, with a push mower, the difference nowadays is negligible.
The main advantage of today’s gasoline engines is simply the ability to refuel as you work. Means you can work all day, or as long as your fuel supply lasts. Whereas battery-powered mowers require their battery cells to recharge, which typically means a period of downtime of a few hours. Unless you have extra batteries. But still, two sets of batteries will last half a day at best.
Gas machines do tend to be cheaper to purchase on a dollar-to-power ratio, meaning you will get more power per dollar you spend on gas mowers.
Battery Powered
In my opinion, the modern battery-powered mower has a few significant advantages over a gasoline product. They are easy to start, require zero servicing or engine maintenance and they are significantly quieter and cleaner. Meaning they do not have petrol fumes and emissions.
In a residential setting, I would generally try to go for an electric battery-powered mower nowadays for any residential lawn up to around 2 acres.
Hopefully, with these thoughts in mind, you may already know what’s right for you!
Engine Power (HP) Vs. Motor (V)
As I have mentioned previously electric and gas-powered mowers do have a modest power output disparity.
However, I did want to discuss a comparison of Engine Horsepower (HP) and Motow Power Volts (V). Well…the truth is they are not directly comparable. For example, a 150cc Engine is directly not comparable to a 50V Motor. There are so many variables in how the motor power is used that affect how it translates into actual operating power output.
For the purposes of buying a lawnmower, my experience has shown anything on the list of more than powerful enough to get the job done effectively. For example, a 20V motor can be an excellent tool for lighter work running right through to 50V or more than will swallow up the work with ease on any residential lawn that’s reasonably well maintained.
Put it like this if it wasn’t powerful enough, it would not be on my list of recommended products.
So I will leave it at that, as, erm well…, I am not an engineer. However, if you do want a bit more info on it you may find this article useful.
Lithium Battery Run Time (Ah)
The battery’s amp-hour (Ah) is essentially the amount of charge that can sustain a one-ampere current flow for one hour. So if your battery reads 2 Ah, it can allow 1 Amp to flow for about two hours.
Generally, a higher Amp Hour battery reading means more runtime. If your lawn measures a quarter of an acre a, 5.0-Ah lithium batteries should be just fine. But if you own a larger yard, go for higher or perhaps two or three battery cells.
So the bigger your lawn and the more battery power you need to exert to get it done, you will require a higher Ah battery storage. Thick, long grass or hilly terrain will draw more battery power than well-maintained grass on flat terrain.
2 or 3 Function: Bag, Mulch, and Discharge
Electric start mowers can mulch, collect, or discharge grass clippings onto the backyard. This isn’t just about choosing the most effortless process or one that leaves the perfect finish. It actually affects the health of your lawn grass as well. Here’s how:
Mulching – Mulching mowers feature specially-designed blades and cutting decks that chop clippings into tiny pieces. They nourish your lawn by returning the moisture and nutrients in the clippings to the ground.
Bagging – These mowers collect the clippings instead of leaving them for raking, but unless you intend to compost the clippings, the approach disposes of valuable nutrients as landfill waste. Bagging is only practical if part of your lawn has a disease.
Discharging – Though it’s the least preferred, this approach is practical if you want to tackle an overgrown yard with excellent cut quality.
Best Electric Start Lawn Mower Reviews
With all of these considerations in mind, it’s time to explore the best electric start lawnmowers on the market. Here are my top picks and their most notable features:
Best Overall Electric Start Mower
- Type: Self Propelled
- Power: Electric 56V
- Run Time: Battery10.0Ah (75mins)
- Deck Size: 21-Inch
- Cutting Height: 1.5” – 4.5”
- Wheel Drive: Rear-wheel drive
- Discharge: Mulch, Side, Bag
- Weight: 68lbs
Pros
- 75 minutes of run-time off a single charge
- Very smooth and easy-to-use deck height adjustment lever
- Quick charging time, just 60 minutes to charge a 10Ah battery
- Touch Drive self-propulsion is a please to use, this machine is easy to control and performs exceptionally well
- 3-in-1 mulching capability, side discharge or bagging included
Cons
- Deck material is composite plastic. While it makes for a lightweight machine, it may not suit heavy or commercial use.
BBT Self Propelled 21″ 196cc Petrol Electric Start 4 Speed Lawn Mower
If you are looking for a quality Self Propelled Lawn Mower this season, look no further. BBT has you covered with their new 2023 Model 21″ Self Propelled 4 Speed Lawn Mower now with Electric Start.
Choose your preferred speed. With 4 speeds to choose from, you will be in complete control!
This BBT Self Propelled Lawn Mower also features a genuine BBT 196cc 4 Stroke engine with 1 Year Engine Warranty, as well as 8 height adjustments from 20mm up to 55mm, rear discharge, side discharge, mulch with mulcher plug included, and of course rear catch, just to mention a few features.
What makes the BBT Mower even more impressive is the Extras you get included with your purchase.
Features
You will be the envy of everyone on your street with this genuine BBT Self Propelled Mower.
Warranties do not cover accidents, misuse, neglect, natural disaster or act of God or other external causes, or damage caused by operating the equipment in a manner that is not described in the instructions.
Warranties do not cover consumable parts/spare parts. Consumable parts are defined as any part that can be used up or worn out during normal use. The example of the consumable parts are; Bars, Chains, Blades, Teeth, Tynes, Brush cutter heads, Brush cutter line, Recoil Pull start, Pawls, Wheels. Tyres, Tubes, Filters, Spark plugs, Inner shafts, Bearings, Belts, Oil, Seals, Wedges, Mulcher screens, Generator brushes, BBQ plates, BBQ grills…
For deliveries within Australia of items up to 20kg and within 1m long, we use Australia Post’s eParcel service. For Larger items we use a courier service; please note couriers are unable to deliver to PO Boxes so please ensure you provide a valid day time delivery address. To ensure your orders are delivered safe and sound you will need to sign to accept delivery. You must be home to receipt delivery of courier delivered items. Re-delivery charges apply.
You should also include a daytime phone number with your shipping details should we need to contact you if there are any problems with your delivery.
Visit our Owner’s Manual Page to easily locate the manual you need.
We always keep our spare parts available to ensure that you can always find what you need. Simply visit our Spare Parts page and place an order for the parts you require. Please note we only supply parts for Machines we stock
RM220 Pathfinder /h2>
- Easy, push button electric start
- 21″ 3-in-1 cutting deck
- Self-propelled front wheel drive
- Innovative SureCut blade
- Powerful 159cc OHV POWERMORE engine
- 11″ all-terrain rear wheels
- Dual, 6-position height adjustment
POWERFUL 159CC ENGINE
This 159cc POWERMORE OHV engine will power through the toughest mowing jobs with ease.
21″ 3-IN-1 CUTTING DECK
Ability to mulch, rear bagger and side discharge.
FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
Dual lever, variable speed drive control for pinpoint control and comfort.
Mowing your lawn just doesn’t get any easier. The RM220 Trail Blazer features an electric start, which means no cord pulling – just turn the key. Once the lawn mower is running, the self-propelled, front wheel drive is powered by a 159cc OHV POWERMORE engine. And our innovative SureCut blade lifts, circulates and cuts clippings more times to mulch, bag and discharge with no grass clumps to clean up.
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So quiet and light
Absolutely love it. Easy to maneuver, self-propelled, easy to use, very quiet and cuts grass well. Uses 3/4 charge to mow my city lot. Recharges by the time I have cleaned the mower and put the grass away. No more gas or oil! Even my wife loves it. Perfect for an old retired coupleKenrad
Great mower!
The mower has lots of power. Push-button start is faultless. Much quieter than a gas mower. Mower height is easily adjustable. Easy to clean the underside after use with no worry about gas spillage. I highly recommend this mower and would never want to go back to gas poweredLoon
Excellent!
I found this equipment easy to understand, handle and operate. The self-propelled option is outstanding, both in convenience and quick accessibility. This product was recommended to me by my son-in-law, who is an electrical engineer and has a 3 year old model of your productNone10000000
Love love love
Which charger can I use with my batteries?
All EGO chargers charge all EGO batteries. The Rapid charger will charge any EGO battery faster than the standard charger but all chargers work interchangeably.
What is the warranty on this tool?
All EGO tools carry a 5-year limited warranty purchased from authorized EGO retailers. There is a 3-year limited warranty on EGO Power System battery packs and chargers purchased from authorized EGO retailers. Please contact EGO Customer Service Toll-Free at 1-855-EGO-5656 any time you have questions or warranty claims. The warranty period for any EGO product, battery pack and charger used for industrial, professional or commercial purpose is one year. The warranty period for reconditioned or refurbished products used for residential purpose is 1 year, for industrial, professional or commercial purpose is 90 days. The warranty period for routine maintenance parts, such as, but not limited to, blades, trimmer heads, chain bars, saw chains, belts, scraper bars, blower nozzles, and all other EGO accessories is 90 days for residential purpose, 30 days for industrial, professional or commercial purpose.
Can I spray the underside of this mower with a hose to clean it?
We do not suggest spraying the underside of the mower with a hose. First remove the safety key and the battery. Wipe the upper surfaces with a cloth, if needed. Tip the mower on its side and clean the underside of the deck with a bristle brush and/or cloth. Do not use a wire brush. Do not spray the underside of your EGO Power mower with water. If grass has built up over time, you may find that a curved plastic scraper, such as those used in the kitchen, is useful to help remove dried, built up grass.
Is the handle adjustable?
Yes, the handle has different height levels for ease of use. Check the owner’s manual for complete instructions.
Self Propelled Mowers
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All About Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers
Buying a self-propelled mower, as opposed to a push mower, requires more than a few bucks to cover the added propulsion power. Although self-propelled mowers are more expensive, they shine at navigating tough terrain. The best part is it takes very little effort on your part to power them uphill. These mowers may also include added features, like variable speeds, push-button start and a choice of wheel drive.
Front-wheel drive self-propelled mowers are generally the least expensive option. These machines perform well on flat surfaces and turn easier than their rear-wheel drive counterparts. Rear-wheel drive self-propelled mowers are a bit harder to turn around obstacles, but they excel at climbing hills. A rear-wheel drive option is the recommended choice if you have a hilly property, and helps to balance the load if you like to bag your clippings.
Several manufacturers, like Ryobi and Toro, offer all-wheel drive self-propelled mowers with the option of switching to rear-wheel drive mode boosting the traction to match the terrain.
If you’re worried about the extra weight of a self-propelled mower being a burden, the battery-powered options are significantly lighter than the gas-powered ones. Going in reverse and making tight turns will be easier with a lighter model. For large properties that need ultimate power with minimal effort, a riding lawn mower is worth considering.
Pros
- Less effort to operate
- Work with uneven terrain
- Easy uphill operation
- Available in front-wheel, rear-wheel and all-wheel drive
- Capable of cutting tall grass and weeds
- Gas-powered or battery-powered options