Lawn Mower Consumer Reports
Lowe’s Mower 12.5/38 with Briggs and Stratton Engine My great uncle actually bought this tractor in nineteen ninety three, from a Lowe’s store in Lynchburg, Virginia for about nine hundred and seventeen …
Bolens 4.5 HP 22 Cut Mulching mower After years and years of renting we finally bought our first house. It was a beautiful home on a great street, but it was also on a corner lot. that …
Bolens Push Lawn Mower 11A-414A I got a Bolens Gas powered push mower Model 11A-414A to manage my unkempt lawn, since gardening was my longtime passion, as a surprise birthday gift from …
Weed Eater model My lawn mower is a Weed Eater brand, and the model number is 961340001. I bought this mower new from Wal-Mart about two years ago. I am quite pleased with …
Yardworks Reel Lawn Mower This year, in an effort to become environmentally friendly while still maintaining a beautiful lawn, I purchased a Yardworks Reel Lawn Mower from Canadian …
Neuton CE 5.2 Mower For a superb battery mower, check out the 14″ Neuton CE 5.2. This little green machine is ideal for all types of small lawns! Achieve a beautiful lawn …
Scotts Classic 20 Inch Push Reel Lawn Mower Despite everyone I talked to thinking this would be a silly idea, buying a Scotts Classic 20 Inch Push Reel Lawn Mower was the best 100 I have spent in …
Scotts Turf-Vac3 6.5 HP Self propelled lawnmower This lawnmower is great! I bought it a couple years ago after my first lawnmower broke down and I’ve been very pleased with it. My favorite feature …
Scotts 815-18S 18-Inch Deluxe Push Reel Lawn Mower I am using it from the pat 8 months. It is very easy to push across the lawn, this is the main advantage of this. It might be a bit costly ,but is worth …
Husqvarna. Rider 155 If you’re looking for a zero turn riding mower but don’t want the hassles and maintenance expense of a hydraulic system then this mower could fill the …
Weedeater 300 series 20″ lawnmower Let me first say that the engine always started on the first pull. I bought my now defunct mower 25 months ago at WalMart. 1 month after the 2 year …
Husqvarna 7021RS The Husqvarna 7021RS is a reliable unit. It has one the stronger motors in the industry, a seven hundred series Briggs Stratton (roughly equivalent …
Husqvarna 5521CM push mower When I first bought my house I didn’t have a mower, someone gave me a cheap lawn mower that worked for a while but after it kicked the bucket I needed …
Great States Push Reel Mower We bought the Great States Push Reel Mower last month and have been happy with this purchase ever since. In a time when most people are trying to be more …
Weedeater 22″ (Model 06) When our original, cheap lawnmower, a “Yard Man,” died without hope of recovery, we purchased another inexpensive lawnmower, also from Wal-Mart. It’s …
Task Force 20 in. 12A Lawn Mower model #25043 The Task Force is an electric mower with many different options. You can choose to mulch the grass- which just mulches the grass as you go instead of …
Task Force Reel Mower Model #26053 I purchased my Task Force Reel Mower from Lowes on May 20, 2007. When i got it home and open the box it had no screws in it at all, so i had to go back …
Task Force Cordless 20″, 24 volt 3 in 1 Mower I purchased this mower two weeks ago after talking with folks at Lowes regarding battery life and asking if there were returns on the item due to disappointment. …
Task Force 20″ Reel Mower, model 289835 We got our mower last year. It was purchased at a Lowe’s Home Improvement store. I think it maybe cost us around 130. We had just moved into our …
Weed Eater 300 Series Lawn Mower I recently bought this mower at Wal-mart on fall clearance. Man what a deal. It was under 100 bucks, and it came with oil. It was real easy to get it ready …
Remington PowerMower MPS6017A electric mower This cordless lawn mower saved my husbands back, my sanity and most importantly our over grown backyard. We have a fairly large back yard that has been …
American Lawn Mower Earthwise Corded Electric Mower This lawn mower is outright amazing! It is much stronger and faster at cutting than one would expect from an electric powered lawn mower – but just as …
Weed Eater 500 Series Push Lawn Mower In March 2008, after buying my first home, I decided it was time to own a lawnmower. Since we only have roughly 1/4 acre of grass, it was decided that …
Weedeater side discharge mower 20 inch I purchased my lawn mower at WalMart. It was under two hundred dollars. It was very inexpensive,and the first I had owned. Mechanically it proved to be …
Earthwise 20 Inch Electric 3-in-1 Lawn Mower (12 Amp) With plenty of experience working with lawnmowers for over three decades (I run a small lawnmowing outfit), I knew that the Earthwise mower would be a …
Homelite 18 In. Homelite Corded Electric Mower This lawn mower has it’s ups and downs, but the ups most definitely outweighs the downs. It is a very durable lawn mower that does the job that I need …
12 amp Task Force 3 in 1 electric lawnmower The 12 amp Task Force 3 in 1 electric lawnmower is a good buy. Costing less than 200, it is economical upfront and it uses no gasoline like other lawnmowers …
Snapper, model #37122 Last month I bought a much needed new lawnmower for my husband. It was to be his Father’s Day gift. Although this is not really what he wanted but what …
Homelite 20″ cordless electric lawn mower UT13122 The Homelite 20” cordless electric mower is a great lawn mower. The 20” steel cutting deck is small enough to handle any trimming job, yet large enough …
Weedeater When we were looking at lawnmowers this summer, we wanted one that was of good quality and a low price. This is when we found the weedeater. It was only …
Husqvarna 21 inch push mower 9613300302 Honda GCV 160 engine Husqvarna push mower with Honda engine a solid buy If you are looking for a quality mower that gives reliable service, I feel the Husqvarna 21 inch …
Our top picks:
Honda NeXite Self-Propelled Mower
Greenworks 40V Cordless Lawn Mower
Toro SmartStow Personal Walk-Behind Lawn Mower
Ryobi 40V Cordless Battery Walk Behind Mower
Toro Super Recycler 60-Volt Walk Behind Mower
Troy-Bilt Gas Walk Behind Push Lawn Mower
Ryobi Electric Riding Mower
Husqvarna Automower 430X Robotic Lawn Mower
Once you’ve perused our picks, read on for more advice on what to consider when purchasing a lawn mower. And check out our reviews of other outdoor power equipment, including leaf blowers, pressure washers and snow blowers.
Honda NeXite Self-Propelled Mower
This Honda shows off many of the innovations in the latest gas lawn mowers. For starters, our experts like the self-propelled engine for the obvious reason that it makes mowing the lawn so much easier, especially for yards with hills. This gas-powered Honda adds additional convenience features our pros look for, like Select Drive (an intuitive variable speed dial) and Versamow systems which allow you to mulch, bag, discharge and shred leaves without any additional tools.
“The powerful 200 cubic capacity engine and rear-wheel drive should make things easier on high grass and hilly land,” says Dan DiClerico, Good Housekeeping’s Director of the Home Improvement Outdoor Lab. The machine also allows for an even cutting experience at seven levels, though you have to individually adjust the lever on each wheel. Its large capacity discharge bag is well-positioned, meaning less frequent emptying. Bonus: A full spec review by our engineers found the Honda’s limited five-year warranty to be impressive given the typical two to three-year industry standard.
Greenworks 40V Cordless Lawn Mower
Our experts say that the large 10-inch rear wheels and 7-inch front wheels make this Greenworks mower easy to control and maneuver over small to mid-size yards (up to 1/3 acre). A little smaller than other options but nicely designed with a steel deck, this cordless electric mower has many features you usually only see in a higher-end model, including the three-in-one feature which offers mulching, side discharge and rear bagging.
An easy push-button start gets you going without breaking a sweat, and a single spring-loaded lift mechanism provides seven cutting height positions. Our experts also like that the mower comes with a 2Ah and 4Ah battery both with battery life indicators and a three-year warranty.
Toro SmartStow Personal Walk-Behind Lawn Mower
The Toro SmartStow is another top-rated mower that our experts like for homeowners who are short on space in their garage or shed because it folds down for vertical storage. It’s extremely versatile, too: the self-propelled engine lets you customize its speed to match your pace, plus the mower has nine cutting height options and 10-inch rear wheels that make it easy to maneuver over all lawn types. Thanks to its flex handle suspension, physical fatigue is reduced when mowing larger or sloped lawns. It also features a robust Briggs and Stratton engine for easy riding and powerful mowing — and easy maintenance with no oil changes required. The all-terrain workhorse allows for versatility with its three-in-one cutting offerings — rear bagging collection, side discharge or recycler mulching.
Ryobi 40V Cordless Battery Walk Behind Mower
Now let’s talk electrics. Ryobi is a leader among manufacturers of battery-powered tools, from cordless drills to pressure washers. With its 40-volt walk-behind electric mower, it’s extending that prowess into lawn care. Our testers were impressed by the mowing and mulching capabilities of the mower, and for homeowners who still like to collect clippings, the bag went on and off without a hitch. The expanded set of features further impressed, especially the vertical storage which is a great space-saver in the garage or shed, and the LED headlights, great when the sun is going down but you still have a few rows left to mow. One tester noted that the extra weight of the battery pack made the Ryobi a tad difficult to maneuver on hills and through tight turns. But once she adapted to the self-propelled feature, she was satisfied with the handling and navigation.
Toro Super Recycler 60-Volt Walk Behind Mower
Because battery-powered lawn mowers are so quiet, it’s easy to think they lack oomph. But after a few minutes of steering this 60-volt Toro through thick turf grass, our experts were impressed by the combination of speed and power. “It’s an adjustment because you don’t have that whir of the engine, but honestly, this battery-powered mower cut as well as any gas models in our tests,” says Dan DiClerico, Director of the Home Improvement Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. The mower was also exceptionally easy to set up and, as with all battery-powered mowers, maintenance is minimal since you don’t have to worry about oil changes, fuel stabilizer and the like. You are paying more for the Toro, but our testers agree it’s worth the investment, especially given Toro’s reputation for reliability.
Troy-Bilt Gas Walk Behind Push Lawn Mower
If you have to cover a lot of rugged terrain like a property filled with rocks and tree roots, you need a mower that’s up to the task. This no-nonsense machine from Troy-Bilt is powered by a 140 cubic capacity Briggs Stratton engine, a brand known for its dependable, long-lasting small engines. “The mower took a bit longer to assemble than other models, but once we had it out on the open field, it felt incredibly solid with very little vibration,” says DiClerico. The Troy-Bilt started up easily every time and excelled at cutting, mulching and side-discharging. Its beefy, 11-inch wheels helped maneuver over rough spots in the lawn, and on open runs, the lightweight machine moved effortlessly. It’s also very easy to adjust the deck height — nice if it’s been a while between mowings and you need to take a little more off the top.
Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mower Buying Guide
As you’re deciding on the best battery lawn mower for you in 2023, consider how far these outdoor tools have come. Today’s battery-powered lawn mowers provide longer run-time, better cutting performance, and vastly improved features and ergonomics over the first models we started seeing back in 2014.
What’s Your Budget?
While you can buy a battery lawn mower for under 300, plan to spend at least 500 if you want something that comes from a reputable manufacturer and has features like a self-propelled mechanism. If you want premium features, expect that price to hit or exceed 700 (and Pro models can go even higher).
Looking back at gas lawnmowers, this may give you pause. After all, you can typically find a gas mower for a lot less money. You might even get something that has more power and additional features. The best battery-powered lawn mowers are more about what you don’t get: Noise, emissions, and yearly winterization hassles and costs.
Are Battery Riding Mowers Viable?
Several zero-turn and riding mowers exist in both the consumer and professional markets. Professional landscaping crews have options such as the Greenworks Lithium Z zero turn (they also have a battery-powered UTV). You can also look got brands like Green Machine.
Homeowners have many more choices. Brands like EGO, Ryobi, Greenworks, Cub Cadet, and others crowd the field—giving you lots of great choices. That wasn’t the case just several years ago.
We’ve reviewed many of these battery-powered zero-turn mowers. The downside comes in the form of potential increased up-front costs compared to similar gas ZTs. A second potential issue comes with charge times. One of the fastest charge times to date comes from Greenworks. Their ZTs use external dual battery chargers to top off batteries in just 90 minutes. For many other ZTs you might have to wait several hours to recharge all of the packs. That’s far longer than refilling a gas zero-turn lawn mower!
A third factor to consider involves longevity. Battery-powered zero-turn mowers are fairly new-to-market. That means we don’t yet fully understand the long-term maintenance or repair issues and required to keep these tools running for extended periods of time. Users of gas-powered ZTs can keep their tools running for 10 years or more with regular maintenance. With a fully-electric power plant, we simply don’t know what kind of service life to expect—even with proper maintenance routines.
Residential or Commercial Quality?
On the surface, there’s not a huge difference between commercial quality and residential quality walk-behind battery lawn mowers.
High-end battery-powered mowers match or exceed the power of comparable gas-powered mowers. The Milwaukee M18 FUEL lawn mower notably demonstrated more power than a popular commercial gas mower in recent testing. The EGO Select Cut XP —technically a residential model—also bests many gas models in our testing.
Commercial battery mowers add design and features that meet the needs of professional landscapers. Steel and aluminum decks come to mind as do more rigid methods of adjusting deck height. Pros also demand the best cut quality and excellent bagging performance. Lastly, mowers designed for landscaping professionals must be ready to operate for longer periods of time—and for multiple days of the week.
Brands such as STIHL, Makita, and Husqvarna—to name a few—rely on their dealer networks rather than big box stores. You get additional support during and after the sale that you won’t find at other retailers.
Battery-powered riding mowers are a completely different ballgame. With those, you’ll find a much greater difference in Pro-vs-residential design and performance, along with a massive gap in cost.
Self-Propelled or Push Mower?
Self-propelled drives don’t subtract much from overall runtime. If you can afford this feature, we recommend getting it. Rather than simply on or off controls, look for variable speed that lets you dial in a top speed and then vary your pace within that range. EGO, Milwaukee Tool, Ryobi, and others offer this feature. You may also want to try out the controls in the store or dealership before buying it. We can typically get a good feel for the ergonomics of a mower after playing with it for a few minutes.
Look for a mower that disengages its drive easily when you want to pull the mower back. Some systems have a hard time disengaging the self-propelled motor. These mowers require you to drag the drive wheels rather than letting them roll.
Classic push mowers also have their place—especially if you’re on a budget. These mowers typically drop 100 off the price of a comparable self-propelled mower and they cut just as well and with slightly higher runtime.
Bag, Mulch, or Side Discharge?
No matter if you tend to mulch or bag, we recommend getting a mower that has all three modes (including side discharge). There are times when you can use each throughout the year to your advantage.
The Ryobi AWD mower has an interesting integrated lever/gate system for switching between bagging and mulching modes. We love not having to remember where we placed the mulching plug! Nearly all push mowers include a bagging option—so figuring out rear or side discharge remains about the only decision here.
Deck and Blade Size
All of the best battery-powered lawn mowers use 21-inch blades for the most part. A couple have 20-inch blades and some vary in how they take that measurement. We appreciate brands that list the actual blade diameter (like Makita) as opposed to simply stating the deck diameter. The latter has no bearing on the cutting swatch.
Smaller push mowers work really well for tiny lawns or gardens. We know a gentleman who preferred a small 16-inch mower because he had to carry it up and down the stairs to mow his tiny backyard!
Why Buy a Battery-Powered Lawn Mower?
The best battery-powered lawn mower for you should get your lawn cut on one charge. No matter which model that is, they all share some common characteristics. There are no gas emissions and no gas engine to maintain. You still need to clean it off when you’re done, but the maintenance is much easier and takes less time.
They’re also quieter. The early bird gets the worm and if you want to start mowing at 7:00 on Saturday morning, your neighbors can probably sleep through it. of a night owl? Many battery-powered mowers have headlights, and you’re unlikely to disturb your neighbor’s Lord of the Rings marathon at 10:00 PM.
Those are some of the more obvious reasons, but one of our favorites is the ability to put the battery in and mow. There’s no cranking, no choke, and no fuel cut-off valve. As long as you have enough batteries to get the entire lawn cut, it’s an easier system to work with than gas.
Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mower Overall
Pro Pick: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
The Milwaukee lawn mower simply prioritizes power above all. With a full 10 ft-lbs of torque (roughly exceeding a 200cc gas engine), the M18 Fuel self-propelled lawn mower can start up while nearly buried in grass. It is the strongest battery-powered walk-behind we’ve had our hands on for testing to date. It runs off a pair of 12.0Ah batteries, running as much as 60 minutes in light conditions. We clocked over 40 minutes when doing some major grass-cutting (removing 4 – 6 inches of growth).
With that said, the mower doesn’t come without some glitches. The drive bar introduces some thumb fatigue, for example. In the end, we found we could adjust our natural grip to overcome most of the strain when mowing for extended periods of time.
Milwaukee Tool designed this mower to handle professional use while offering the convenience of single-point height adjustments and vertical storage.
Price: 999 for the kit with two 12.0Ah batteries and a dual-port Rapid charger
Residential Pick: EGO 56V Select Cut XP 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
The EGO Select Cut XP Mower built upon the original EGO Select Cut mower—an instant favorite of ours with its stacked-blade system and solid performance level to go with its excellent cut quality. EGO stepped it up with the release of the Select Cut XP, taking everything we already loved and stepping up the torque to 8.3 ft-lbs. It can still use some help on the side/rear discharge, but if you bag or mulch like most people, it’s tough to find a better mower to maintain your lawn.
Price: 549 bare, 799 with a 10.0Ah battery and Rapid charger
Best Self-Propelled Battery-Powered Lawn Mower
As self-propelled models, our recommendations from Milwaukee and EGO top the charts in this category, too. Here are two more outstanding options for you.
Pro Pick: Makita ConnectX 21-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
One of the biggest challenges with any battery-powered lawn mower is runtime. Makita put that problem squarely in its crosshairs and developed the ConnectX system. Unlike other designs, the 1200Wh power supply attaches directly to the top of the mower, offering more than 3x the capacity of most cordless mowers and running up to 3 hours continuously.
Similar to the 18V X2 (36V) XML08, the mower tops out at 2800 RPM with a 2300 RPM Quiet Mode and has a true 21-inch steel deck.
Price: 999.00 bare, ~1399.00 power supply (2348.00 for both)
Residential Pick: Ryobi 40V HP Brushless CrossCut 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Ryobi crushed it with the development of the 40V HP Brushless CrossCut self-propelled lawn mower, making huge strides over its previous generation of mowers. Matching up very well against EGO’s Select Cut XP, it’s a stacked blade design that offers excellent power and cut quality. Where it has a clear advantage over its competitors is on the side discharge. This mower distributes clippings far better than other battery-powered lawn mowers we’ve tested. Plus, Ryobi builds this mower in the US using global materials, and the kit is typically priced less than the EGO Select Cut XP mower.
Price: 749 with two 6.0Ah batteries and a Rapid charger
Best Battery-Powered Commercial Lawn Mower
Milwaukee and Makita both earned our recommendations as the top overall battery-powered lawn mowers on the commercial side. Greenworks Commercial is another brand worth considering thanks to improvements in its 25-inch model heading into the year.
Greenworks Commercial 82V 25-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
The big deal for Greenworks Commercial is an improvement in power. The 25-inch mower now has the performance equivalent to a 160cc gas engine. Aside from that and a change in the color scheme, it’s still very similar to the previous version with side-by-side blades that overlap to cover a larger area without losing a ton of battery efficiency.
The entire Greenworks Commercial line got an overhaul coming into this year with tools that are lighter and higher performing, making it one of the emerging systems to keep an eye on as more areas of the country shift to battery power.
Consumer Reports Eliminates the Guess Work for the Best Battery Powered Push Mowers
Spring is here, and it’s time to start thinking about lawn care again. With so many lawn mowers on the market, it is hard to decide which one is right for you. Battery-powered push mowers are a good option for someone who doesn’t have a lot of grass to cut and is concerned about noise pollution.
Consumer Reports has compiled a list of the best battery-powered push mowers available, helping you eliminate the guesswork in finding the best option for the job.
The importance of having the right lawn mower for your yard
The first thing to consider when buying a new lawn mower is the size of your yard. According to Consumer Reports, battery-powered push mowers are suitable for homeowners with a quarter-acre or less.
The independent reviewer’s test engineer, Misha Kollontai, explained battery powered push mowers “tend to be more reliable in the long run and require less maintenance.” She said, “The average new battery-powered unit can handle close to a quarter-acre on one charge, with a few approaching a half-acre.”
Battery-powered push mowers typically take about 30 to 60 minutes to cut one-third of an acre. The included batteries should last long enough to finish the task, but anything longer than that will most likely require a battery recharge.
For yards between a quarter acre and a half acre, Kollontai recommends a gas walk-behind mower. If you prefer to stick with a battery-powered model, you will need to invest in additional batteries to get the job done.
With two large batteries powering the lawn mower, there is no gas or oil to contend with, and maintenance is quick and easy. A push-button start eliminates the need for troublesome pull cords. Most models fold down for convenient storage, and with no whir of a gas engine, noise is kept to a minimum, keeping neighbors happy.
Having a quality mower for your lawn care needs will make cutting grass a welcome chore instead of a stressful experience.
Top picks according to Consumer Reports for best battery powered push mowers
Buying a new lawn mower is an investment that requires research as to what is the best option to suit your particular needs. Consumer Reports makes it easy to choose a battery-powered push mower by identifying the best 2022 models on the market today.
The top picks, according to Consumer Reports, include:
Greenworks M090L421: While one of the most expensive mowers on the list at 750, the best-in-class mower offers one of the longest run times, with its batteries lasting about one and a quarter hours. Consumer Reports claims the “performance is exemplary for mulching, cut evenness, handling, and noise.”
Ego LM 2135: This model received very good scores for reliability and an excellent rating for owner satisfaction. Priced between 699 and 748, not only is the Ego LM 2135 very quiet, but it also offers superior side-discharging and bagging capabilities. The run time is approximately 50 minutes, and the battery takes about an hour to recharge.
Ryobi RY401210US: The Ryobi self-propelled battery-powered mower is easy to handle and offers impressive mulching and bagging capabilities. Consumer Reports could not find any “discernible flaws in its performance.” The MSRP is 799 for this model and includes a 5-year mower warranty and a 3-year battery warranty.
The Kobalt (Lowe’s) KSPM 1040A-03 received Best Buy recognition from Consumer Reports with an affordable 400 price and an overall decent score.
The Sun Joe MJ401C-XR, which retails for less than 249.99, received the lowest rating. Poor cutting performance, a 25-minute battery run time, and lack of mulching mode contributed to the dismal score.
How Consumer Reports chooses the best mowers
Consumer Report’s experts cut 500,000 square feet of grass to find the best lawn mowers. They planted 1,800 pounds of grass seed on land in Florida that is annually maintained to achieve maximum dense growth. They cut using mulching, bagging, and side-discharging modes, collecting over 3,000 pounds of clippings.
Every mower tested was exposed to level terrain, slopes, and ditches to get an accurate feel for the handling capabilities and performance. The Consumer Report overall score combines the extensive field testing data with owner satisfaction and predicted reliability ratings collected from annual member surveys.
Cub Cadet Lawn Mowers Rated By Consumer Reports Consumer Reports does not endorse products or services.
450,499.00
Electric Lawn Mower Reviews
You probably are ready to say goodbye to checking the oil, yanking the start chain, monitoring the gas, and enduring the noise of your gas mower. You can’t even listen to a podcast with that thing on! Still, the best reason to buy an electric lawn mower is that it’s one step closer to a carbon-neutral existence. Do your little part to halt climate change—if you need a mower, buy electric.
Hands down, the best electric lawn mower is the Ego Power Plus Mower. We’re basing this on reviews, reliability, and the fact that we believe in the company.
EGO isn’t a traditional mower company with an electric line. They aren’t an electric tool company that also makes mowers. EGO focuses on electric lawn products, and that FOCUS shows in their products.
What we like about the EGO is the obvious thought that went into the design.
- The EGO folds up into a rectangular shape that’s not only easy to get home from the store, but takes up less space in your garage.
- The EGO has a ridiculously simple height adjustment system that’s as easy as shifting an automatic car from park to drive.
- The EGO has lights, so you can mow in the dark. (Remember, electric mowers are practically silent; your neighbors won’t mind.)
- The EGO’s powerful lithium-ion battery charges in just 30 minutes, and mows for 45. Plus, the battery fits their other tools…if you have a little charge left over, use it to blow away some leaves.
Are Electric Lawnmowers Any Good?
Yes, electric mowers are good. If your lawn is in decent condition, gets dry enough to mow, and isn’t subject to infestation by excessive amounts of falling twigs or pinecones, and isn’t serving as the putting surface for The Masters, an electric mower will do just fine.
The main thing that should excite you about an electric mower is energy efficiency. You can use the same electric power that powers your hair clippers—power which in many states is increasingly generated with renewable resources. You’ll save money by using an electric mower, and you’ll also be doing your part to save the Earth.
Electric mowers will provide the quietest lawn care experience of your life. One of the worst aspects of mowing the gas-powered way is that, unlike with other outdoor work like weeding, raking, fence post digging—you can’t listen to music or the ballgame while you do it…even through headphones. With your largely quiet electric mower, noise pollution’s at a minimum. You can enjoy your favorite form of aural entertainment, and your neighbors will have peace and quiet.
Electric Mower Durability
Like any mechanical product, electric mowers are prone to the occasional breakdown. Most mowers carry a warranty that protect you against product defects. Any mower will need blade sharpening at some point. The known durability issue with electric mowers is that—if you choose a cordless one—the battery will eventually lose power. Most companies also offer a warranty on the battery as well, but the fact is that, like your car battery, it will need to be replaced every few years, depending on how much you use it.
A cordless mower simply needs its battery charged to run properly. Mower batteries vary in how long they take to charge. How long they will run depends on the terrain of your yard and how long your grass is. The longest-running cordless mower on the market, the EGO, runs about 45 minutes.
If you buy a corded electric mower, you can mow for as long as you like, but you must use a high-rated extension cord. Extension cords are rated by the size of the wires within, or wire gauge. The sizing isn’t very intuitive: the lower the number, the thicker the wire, and thus the more power can run through the cord. The size you’ll need will depend on the mower you buy, and how far away from your outlet you plan to mow. Consult the owner’s manual before you mow to avoid blowing a fuse.
Electric Lawn Mowers vs. Gas Lawn Mowers
This is the fun part. Let’s count the reasons you should choose electric mowers over gas ones.
Top-of-the-line electric mowers cost about the same as self-propelled gas mowers. Given that electric mowers are much lighter, and require very little exertion to push, you’re basically getting the same product without the hassle of using gas. On the low-end, electric mowers are cheaper than gas ones. You’ll have a tough time finding a gas mower for less than 150, while you many choices at that price point with electric mowers. The least-expensive electric mower we were able to find you can get for less than 100.
Electric Lawn Mower Performance
Gas has electric beat on pure mowing performance. The engines of gas mowers are more powerful, so they are going to do better with tough mowing tasks like high grass, wet grass, and debris. If you deal with these situations—you’re either going to stick with gas or buy a very high-end electric mower. The EGO runs at 3300 RPM, which is comparable to gas mowers. But the average person, with a relatively basic lawn, doesn’t notice any difference in performance between a gas and electric mower.
Using a corded electric lawn mower won’t save you much in energy costs—Consumer Reports estimates that you’ll save around 15/year. But you will be using cleaner energy—instead of polluting the air around your home with gas fumes, you’ll drop your emissions to zero.
Electric Lawn Mower Batteries
Most cordless electric lawn mowers now come with lithium-ion batteries, replacing the lead-acid batteries that most had used. Lithium ion batteries are longer-lasting and lighter than lead-acid batteries; on the other hand, they aren’t as powerful and cost more. Some models, like the Black Decker CM1936ZA 36V Cordless Lawn Mower, still use lead-acid batteries to generate a little more power. However, it’s 90 lbs; some cordless mowers weigh as little as 30 lbs.
Because your mower is creating torque with electric power rather than through internal combustion, it’s much quieter. Most make hardly any noise at all. The power of the motor depends on the voltage of the battery—the higher the voltage, the more powerful the motor. You’ll spend more for a more powerful mower.
Electric Mulching Lawn Mowers
Most electric mowers on the market have some sort of mulching capability, with a bag to capture the mulch or by shooting the clippings out the side of the mower. Don’t expect an electric mower to shred twigs, pinecones or other debris the way a heavy-duty gas mower might.
Most electric mowers on Amazon are available used on their site as well, usually at a 10-25% discount. You’ll find a pretty good selection on Craiglist as well. Just about everyone has a mower, and if they move or trade up they’ll sell theirs for a decent price. You do need to be careful, though, if you buy a used cordless electric mower.
The batteries of cordless models wear down over time, taking longer to charge and not holding as much of a charge. If you are buying a used cordless mower, you might ask for a test drive to see just how much battery power is left.
Going electric isn’t just about ease of use. It’s also about doing the right thing for the Earth. Along with choices like avoiding unhealthy chemical fertilizers, mowing your lawn with electric power will reduce your footprint on the only world we have.
Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 stars It’s just okay- would use for small yards, or perhaps larger yard w/o any obsticles.
I bought one of these in November 2011 to replace a problematic 6 HP Briggs and Scrap-iron gas mower that finally would not start. I am writing this after using it today, September 2014.This electric one is certainly weaker, but that is okay in my yard as the lot is small.Pros: I love all the advantages of no pollution, less noise, no gas to buy and store, no oil, no spark plugs, no air filter, no yanking on the cord to get it started. Unit is pretty light.Cons: the extension cord is a pain- all my other yard tools are AC electric so I would have the cord out already- it’s the dance I must do to avoid running over the cord. I have a lot of obstacles that the cord gets caught up on. If the yard was just a big open square, it would be easy, but most people have trees and corners to turn. The motor could be a little stronger, say 15 amps instead of 12. Twelve amps at 120-volt comes out to be a little under 2 HP. The back guard is coming apart because it gets hit sometimes if you go backwards with the blade moving. The bagger sucks- it will not push more than a cubic foot of leaves or grass into the bag. Mulch action is just okay. Anyone who has a lot of experience with electric tools can tell when a motor is being over loaded, so I have no problems knowing when to slow my speed or cut a narrower lane when the grass gets really thick or high. I have loaded it before, causing the RPMs to dip to probably 25%, but doing so for only 5 or so seconds at a time, the motor is still working just fine.
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I bought one of these in November 2011 to replace a problematic 6 HP Briggs and Scrap-iron gas mower that finally would not start. I am writing this after using it today, September 2014.This electric one is certainly weaker, but that is okay in my yard as the lot is small.Pros: I love all the advantages of no pollution, less noise, no gas to buy and store, no oil, no spark plugs, no air filter, no yanking on the cord to get it started. Unit is pretty light.Cons: the extension cord is a pain- all my other yard tools are AC electric so I would have the cord out already- it’s the dance I must do to avoid running over the cord. I have a lot of obstacles that the cord gets caught up on. If the yard was just a big open square, it would be easy, but most people have trees and corners to turn. The motor could be a little stronger, say 15 amps instead of 12. Twelve amps at 120-volt comes out to be a little under 2 HP. The back guard is coming apart because it gets hit sometimes if you go backwards with the blade moving. The bagger sucks- it will not push more than a cubic foot of leaves or grass into the bag. Mulch action is just okay. Anyone who has a lot of experience with electric tools can tell when a motor is being over loaded, so I have no problems knowing when to slow my speed or cut a narrower lane when the grass gets really thick or high. I have loaded it before, causing the RPMs to dip to probably 25%, but doing so for only 5 or so seconds at a time, the motor is still working just fine.
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If I could give more than five stars I would. I treat this poor little guy like an abused bastard son and there’s nothing I can do that it can’t handle. It’s a workhorse.
To begin with, I found it on the curb of my neighbor’s house. He’d thrown it out after god knows how many years of flogging it bi-weekly on his perfect lawn. I suspect he hoped I’d take it because I’m not the type to waste life manicuring a lawn and he wanted me to start. It’s just going to grow back.
So I crept over in the middle of the night, snatched it from the trash pile, and the next day was pleasantly surprised to learn he’d tossed it because he was sick of running over extension cords.
Note: If you can’t avoid a bright orange cord in front of your lawnmower, buy a gas one like he did and enjoy a life of filling gas cans and stinking like gas every time you mow the lawn. Me, I’ll stick with electricity.
On to the mower:I believe what this comes down to is that there are two types of people. Those who do things, and those who do things right. I find myself in the category of those who do things when it comes to lawn care because honestly I don’t care. As long as there are no venomous snakes or alligators in the grass I don’t care how it looks. The only reason I ever mow it is when I get sick of the doorbell ringing with someone trying to take my money to mow it. They usually give me some song and dance about lowering my property value, but I couldn’t care less about my property value right now because I’m not selling, but I digress.
By the time I mow my lawn it looks like the photos I attached. I don’t clear fallen branches, I don’t bother moving anything. I just go at it and this little guy eats it all.
Every single time I use it I think there’s no way it can make it through another day of grinding down logs, bashing into bricks, and being pushed to the limit of what I think it can take without putting myself in extreme harm’s way.
Buy it. Use it properly for 8 years. Then when the body has rusted through put it on the curb for someone to resurrect with JB weld and abuse for several more seasons.
If I could give more than five stars I would. I treat this poor little guy like an abused bastard son and there’s nothing I can do that it can’t handle. It’s a workhorse.
To begin with, I found it on the curb of my neighbor’s house. He’d thrown it out after god knows how many years of flogging it bi-weekly on his perfect lawn. I suspect he hoped I’d take it because I’m not the type to waste life manicuring a lawn and he wanted me to start. It’s just going to grow back.
So I crept over in the middle of the night, snatched it from the trash pile, and the next day was pleasantly surprised to learn he’d tossed it because he was sick of running over extension cords.
Note: If you can’t avoid a bright orange cord in front of your lawnmower, buy a gas one like he did and enjoy a life of filling gas cans and stinking like gas every time you mow the lawn. Me, I’ll stick with electricity.
On to the mower:I believe what this comes down to is that there are two types of people. Those who do things, and those who do things right. I find myself in the category of those who do things when it comes to lawn care because honestly I don’t care. As long as there are no venomous snakes or alligators in the grass I don’t care how it looks. The only reason I ever mow it is when I get sick of the doorbell ringing with someone trying to take my money to mow it. They usually give me some song and dance about lowering my property value, but I couldn’t care less about my property value right now because I’m not selling, but I digress.
By the time I mow my lawn it looks like the photos I attached. I don’t clear fallen branches, I don’t bother moving anything. I just go at it and this little guy eats it all.
Every single time I use it I think there’s no way it can make it through another day of grinding down logs, bashing into bricks, and being pushed to the limit of what I think it can take without putting myself in extreme harm’s way.
Buy it. Use it properly for 8 years. Then when the body has rusted through put it on the curb for someone to resurrect with JB weld and abuse for several more seasons.
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Okay. I bought this mower first, then read the reviews and feel inclined to write a good one. I live in Miami Beach and wanted an electric mower to keep gas cans and smell away from my small son. This mower is absolutely worth every penny. You just need to make sure not to overcharge it! I overcharged it for the first 8 months, and ended up getting a replacement battery under warranty. Remove the battery from the mower and charge the battery for 12 hours, once the light shows ready. unplug it. Also, make sure to charge it the same evening after you finish your cut. I mow a backyard, side area and front yard, during the fall/winter with one single charge. During the heavy summer season/rainy season, I either have to cut the lawn every week, or cut the lawn every two weeks using a one full charge, plus an extra 1.5 hours of charge. So, during the high season I cut the front and sides, remove the battery and charge for 1.5 hours while I take a break. Then I complet the final 1000 sq.ft after that 1.5 hour charge.What I like about this mower. it is quiet. And it is safe. So if you have small kids or just people or even animals unexpectedly getting close to your mower, just release the handle and the thing shuts down in seconds. You cant get that quick of a safety stop and resume operation with a gas mower. As the battery runs down, it gets quieter which is cool. I had a neighbor walk up to me becuase he thought I had gone crazy and was pushing a mower around that was off!Here are some tips on how to be successful with a battery operated mower:1) Do not overcharge!2) Charge the evening or at a time soonest after use (dont leave the battery laying around discharged)3) Cutting and mulching will be accomplished with this mower, but dont waste your time sharpening the blade. just buy a new one every year or so at Depot for 12 bucks.4) spray some WD-40 lightly on the metal parts, height shifter, and axles to keep everything rust free and moving well5) after you are done cutting. turn the mower on it’s side, take a broom and sweep out any dry grass, etc. underneath6) Using the bag will cause slightly faster battery run down since the grass builds up and slows down the flow, therefore making the blade work harder against the resistance. Empty the bag frequently.7) After your 1 year battery warranty is up.no worries. If you need replacements, just open the battery case with a screw driver and replace the two scooter type batteries for 70 bucks. I havent done that yet, but when my battery was replaced under warranty, the local shop told me about it.9) Dont buy a battery operated mower to save gas. Buy one for convenience and to save yourself the time to run to the gas pump and for safety/gas storage elimination.10) if you got a really big yard. like 7,000 sqft. plus, then invest in an extra battery or a ride on mower.
Fun, great exercise, and convenient. Just learn how to use the mower and it will serve you well for years.