Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers for 2023
As we once again approach the mowing season, OPE Reviews wants to offer its recommendations for the best battery-powered lawn mowers in 2023. These mowers have really improved to the point where they work great on large lawns. Of course, anyone with a smaller lawn can also benefit. No matter what your intended use for a battery-powered lawnmower might be, our Pros give their thoughts and tell you which ones they love to use.
If for some reason your favorite mower isn’t listed—tell us why you think it should be included in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below!
Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mower – What We Look For
Power to Cut Grass
With brushless motors, testing lawnmower power becomes more challenging. This is due to the ability of these motors to adjust power to meet the load on the cutting blade. To get a sense of real-world power, we cut an overgrown section of grass to around 4-inches and then see how short we can cut it.
The best battery-powered lawn mowers can cut these curated sections of grass at the lowest cutting positions without stalling out. It really lets us know how much working power the mower has.
Runtime and Cutting Area
Determining runtime on a battery-powered lawn mower combines several different metrics. We need to understand how much area we can cut on a single charge. To do this, we prepare our lawn by cutting it to a standard height. Then, we see how long we can mow on one battery charge as we cut it down to 3 inches.
Once we know that, we calculate the maximum area you should be able to mow without having to stop and change or recharge the batteries.
Quality of Cut
We test three basic things to determine the cut quality of each battery-powered mower. We look at the evenness of the cut, bagging efficiency, and the mower’s mulching efficiency.
To gauge evenness, we look for blades that stick out along a cut line. We also observe areas that may have been cut shorter than intended.
Measuring bagging efficiency looks at how much grass the mower leaves behind compared to how much it collects in the bag. Run three mowers over a similar section of grass, and the bags will likely tell very different stories as to how much grass gets collected.
Mulching efficiency takes in consideration the size of the grass clippings dropped by the mower as it makes a pass. It also looks to see if the lawnmower leaves behind any clumping or trailing along the path.
Noise Level
To understand how much noise each battery-powered lawn mower makes, we use an SPL meter set to slow response, A-weighted. In an open area, we measure the recorded decibels taken from a 5-foot, 8-inch operator’s ear.
Build Quality
We consider the quality of the battery-powered lawn mower by looking at the materials used. We also observe how well the mower is put together and how each major component physically functions. We’re looking for solid parts that will last well beyond the warranty period, rigid construction, and ample protection for any electrical components including the battery pack(s).
Mowing on Hills and Slopes
In Florida, we don’t encounter many slopes, but we do have access to some hilly terrain. We also encounter many lakes—most of which have sloped sides. And, of course, nearly every property out in the county has proximity to drainage ditches. We check both push mowers and self-propelled models to check how well they maintain traction when mowing uphill, downhill, and side-to-side along a pitch.
Features
In addition to any standout features, here’s a list of the standard items we look for:
- Brushless motor
- Drive type and function
- Deck size and material
- Height range and adjustment
- Handle positions
- Rear/side discharge and bagging options
- Battery ports and functionality
Price and Value
Our professional reviewers really appreciate value. To us, value means more than just the price of a product. It combines what you pay against what you get. A more expensive product may present the best battery-powered lawn mower value if it performs far better than the budget brands.
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.
Best Cordless Push Lawn Mower
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless CrossCut 21-Inch Push Lawn Mower
If you don’t want a self-propelled drive system or you’re looking to save a little money, you can get a quality push mower with similar performance and features to the top models we already mentioned. Of those options, Ryobi’s CrossCut is our pick as the best battery-powered push mower. Essentially, it just removes the drive system and keeps the performance, cut quality, and other features, along with its US-built designation.
Price: 599.00 with a 7.5Ah battery and Rapid charger
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Configurations
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Power 21" Select Cut Mower with Touch Drive Self-Propelled Technology
The Select Cut multi-blade cutting system is equipped with two, interchangeable lower blades; the Premium Mulching Blade and the Premium Bagging Blade with Self-Propelled Touch Drive Technology puts complete control in the palm of your hands.
Parts Accessories
EGO 21" Mower Blade
21-inch lawn mower blade, for use with the EGO POWER 21" lawn mowers only.
EGO 21" High Lift Mower Blade
21-inch High Lift Mower Blade is designed specifically for bagging with the EGO 21" Lawn Mowers.
Power 5.0 Amp Hour Battery
The EGO POWER 56-Volt 5.0Ah battery uses industry-leading ARC Lithium technology to deliver Power Beyond Belief and is compatible with all EGO outdoor power equipment.
Power 7.5 Amp Hour Battery
The EGO POWER 56-Volt 7.5Ah battery uses industry-leading ARC Lithium technology to deliver Power Beyond Belief and is compatible with all EGO outdoor power equipment.
Power 56 Volt Charger
The EGO POWER 56V Charger features an intelligent battery control system that monitors each cell’s charge and temperature to deliver maximum battery life.
Power Rapid Charger
The EGO POWER Rapid Charger features an intelligent battery control system that monitors each cell’s charge and temperature to deliver the quickest, most efficient charge.
EGO Mower Cover
Designed to provide year-round protection for all EGO POWER lawn mowers. The mower cover is constructed to protect against dust, dirt and debris.
POWER 21” Mower Striping Kit
The striping kit is compatible with all EGO 21” mowers listed in the manual and easily connects to your mower with or without the bagger attached.
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
Rugged, Reliable and Durable
Every Troy-Bilt mower goes through thousands of hours of testing, so you can be confident that you’ll have a mower built for life.
Dual-Lever Height Adjustment
Dual-Lever Height Adjustment
We’ve made mower adjustment easy with two simple levers that move all four wheels, saving you time when adjusting cutting height.
TriAction Cutting System
TriAction Cutting System
Using a rake guard, symmetrical deck and specialized blade, this cutting system is engineered to give your lawn a clean, even cut every time.
Mulch Kit
Mulch Kit
Every Troy-Bilt push mower comes with a mulch kit that puts nutrients back into your soil for a healthier lawn.
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- 140cc Briggs Stratton ReadyStart ngine is designed for simple no prime, no choke starting.
- 1.9 bushel rear bag collects grass clippings and leaves for easy clean up or composting
- Included mulch kit helps maintain a healthy lawn
- 140cc Briggs Stratton ReadyStart ngine is designed for simple no prime, no choke starting.
- 11" high rear wheels are designed to provide traction and help make it easy to navigate uneven terrain.
- 1.9 bushel rear bag collects grass clippings for easy clean up or composting
- 140cc Briggs Stratton ReadyStart ngine is designed for simple no prime, no choke starting.
- 11" high rear wheels are designed to provide traction and help make it easy to navigate uneven terrain.
- 1.9 bushel rear bag collects grass clippings and leaves for easy clean up or composting.
- 140cc Briggs Stratton engine with Prime N Pull starting system for reliable, easy starting
- Included mulch kit helps maintain a healthy lawn
- TriAction cutting system was engineered to deliver a clean, even cut every time. A rake guard stands grass upright for a clean cut, a higher performance blade creates lift for a finer cut and a symmetrical deck design improves airflow and works with the blade to cut clippings more times, producing a finer mulched cut
- 18" cutting width is ideal for smaller yards of less than ¼ an acre.
- 5-blade design is engineered to finely mulch grass clippings and help add nutrients back into the soil to encourage a healthier lawn
- 1.5-bushel rear bag included to help make removal of grass clippings and leaves easy
- 140cc 4-cycle Troy-Bilt engine delivers reliable power
- 22-inch cutting swath gets the job done quickly
- 14-inch wheels enhance traction and maneuverability
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Engine Disclaimer: The engine horsepower information is provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. See your local servicing retailer for warranty details. Pricing Disclaimer: Posted price is in US Dollars and is the manufacturer's suggested sale price. Available models and pricing may vary by location. Taxes, freight, setup, and delivery not included. Optional equipment, accessories and attachments sold separately. See your retailer for details. Image Disclaimer:Image may not reflect retailer inventory or unit specifications and may include attachments and add-ons which must be purchased separately. Specifications Disclaimer: Specifications and features subject to change without notice. Speed Disclaimer: Actual vehicle speed varies based on load, use and environmental condition. Battery Disclaimer: Battery and battery powered product performance varies with load, use and environmental conditions. Software Disclaimer: Software available on Company websites is provided on an “as is” basis without any warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The download and use of any software is done at the user’s own risk. Operator's Manual Disclaimer: The operator's manual posted is for general information and use. To ensure the download of the operator's manual specific to your unit, we require a model and serial number. Email disclaimer: Sign up to receive communication on services, products and special offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. Please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Best Lightweight
BlackDecker 40V Max 16 inch Cordless Lawn Mower
Why You Should Get It: It’s only 38 pounds and stores away easily. Keep in Mind: It is meant for small yards of up to 0.125 an acre.
We chose the BlackDecker Cordless Lawn Mower because it is affordable, and it is only 38 pounds, which makes it easy to maneuver around your yard. The mower’s technology also makes it simple to use as it determines the height of your grass and adjusts accordingly to increase power and preserve battery life. Because it’s lightweight, it is also a pretty compact model, with handles that fold down to make storage simpler. Additionally, this model has carrying handles that make moving it easy. It’s the best battery-powered lawn mower for people who need a mower that is lightweight and convenient to carry. This battery-powered lawn mower has plenty of practical features as well, and includes six cutting heights that range from 1 inch to 3 inches, and the single lever height adjustment is easy to use. It also has a 9.5 gallon grass bag, which is attached to the back of the mower. The bag is made of soft fabric with a hard top, and it’s simple to check its capacity with a simple tap on the soft fabric. With a 16-inch deck, plus a 30 minute run time, it can mow years up to 0.125 acres big. If you have a yard larger than this, you’ll find yourself either switching out batteries (it does come with two) or stopping to recharge them. Price at time of publish: 330 Product Details: Run Time: 30 minutes | Height Adjustments: Six | Recommended Yard Size: 0.125 acres | Deck Width: 16 inches
Best Self-Propelled
Snapper XD MAX 82-Volt Electric 21 in. Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit
Why You Should Get It: It comes with two batteries, so you can get up to 90 minutes of run time. Keep in Mind: This self-propelled mower does not automatically adjust speed.
Self-propelled mowers are easier to use than push mowers because they rely on the motor to propel the wheels forward rather than your own strength. Our pick for the best self-propelled lawn mower is the Snapper XD Self Propelled Mower. It has up to 45 minutes of run time on one fully charged battery, but if you use the second battery (which is included with the mower) you’ll get 90 minutes of run time. This, plus the self-propelled motor and 21-inch deck help to move your mowing along and give you plenty of time to mow a yard up to 0.5 acres in size. It also has load-sensing technology, which adjusts the power level in order to ensure you’re getting the most efficient experience. You have the choice of seven different height adjustments, which you can control with a single lever as you mow. This mower also has three options for what to do with your clippings as you mow. The Snapper has the option of mulching your clippings, using side discharge, or bagging your clippings. When you’re done, this mower has vertical storage capabilities, so you can fold it up and stow it away in your shed or garage until the next time you need it. While some pricier self-propelled mowers are able to automatically adjust to your speed, this model allows you to control the forward mowing speed with a speed control lever. Price at time of publish: 550 Product Details: Run Time: 90 minutes | Height Adjustments: Seven | Recommended Yard Size: 0.5 acres | Deck Width: 21 inches
Best Push
Kobalt 21-Inch 80-Volt Cordless Electric Lawn Mower
Why You Should Get It: It has a larger battery, which offers up to 60 minutes of run time. Keep in Mind: At 66 pounds, it is not a lightweight model.
Push lawn mowers are operated by the user, so you’ll need to put a little more effort into mowing your lawn compared to self-propelled or ride-on mowers. The Kobalt Push Cordless Lawn Mower is our choice for best push mower because it uses a powerful battery for a 60 minute run time and a 21-inch deck to cover more ground. The Kobalt Push Cordless Lawn Mower uses a powerful, 5.0Ah battery (many mowers use 2.0Ah batteries), so it carries more of a charge for a longer amount of time—you can get 60 minutes of run time using this model. This push mower has an on-board indicator which will let you know how much battery power you have. It also uses auto-sensing technology in order to adjust the motor performance based on changing grass conditions, so it can provide you with greater power or more runtime. Additionally, you can choose from seven separate height adjustments. When it comes time to store it away, this model has a collapsible handle, so you can store it vertically and save some space. While it is not the heaviest battery-powered mower, it does weigh 66 pounds, so is not exactly lightweight. If you’re looking for lightweight, our best lightweight pick is only 38 pounds. As mentioned above, push mowers are operated mostly by the user, so consider this while buying. Price at time of publish: 599 Product Details: Run Time: 60 minutes | Height Adjustments: Seven | Recommended Yard Size: 0.5 to 1 acre | Deck Width: 21 inches
Best Ride-On
RYOBI RY48140 48V 54-Inch Electric Zero-Turn Riding Mower
Why You Should Get It: It can mow up to 3.5 acres on a single charge. Keep in Mind: Ride-on mowers tend to be very expensive, this one is no exception.
If you’re looking to do less manual labor while tending to your lawn, a ride-on mower may be the best battery-powered mower for you, like the Ryobi Electric Ride-On Mower. This model can mow a large yard without recharging and has cruise control, so mowing is a breeze. With a 54-inch deck, this model covers a lot of ground: 3.5 acres to be exact. The Ryobi Electric Ride-On Mower uses a 115Ah battery, so one charge allows 2.5 hours of run time. It has a control panel that allows you to monitor the battery power, as well as turn on the headlights, and use cutting options like slow speed, slow blade, and reverse mow. There is also a USB charging port, two cup holders, and a towing hitch for convenience. This ride-on mower offers 12 different deck adjustments ranging from 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches, plus the option to mulch or side discharge your cuttings. We love that, even though it is powered by five high-powered brushless motors, this lawn mower still manages to be quiet. A big bonus for this mower is that, if you are having problems with it, Ryobi will send someone to repair your mower right at your home, and there are 300 plus service centers you can also utilize. As is the case with most ride-on mowers, comfort and convenience comes at a premium. However, if you have a large yard and are looking to keep it looking good while keeping environmentally friendly, it’s a worthy investment. Price at time of publish: 5,999 Product Details: Run Time: 2.5 hours | Height Adjustments: 12 | Recommended Yard Size: 2-4 acres | Deck Width: 54 inches
Best for Small Yards
Makita 36-Volt Lithium-Ion Push Lawn Mower
Why You Should Get It: It comes with four batteries, so you can easily continue mowing with a quick swap. Keep in Mind: The only option for disposal is bag disposal.
Our pick for best battery-powered lawn mower for small yards is the Makita Brushless Lawn Mower. The Makita comes with four batteries, which power the mower for long enough to cut up to 0.33 acres of land in 43 minutes or less. It runs on two of those batteries at a time. Its brushless motor also allows you to cut grass faster at 2,500 to 3,300 rotations per minute. The batteries are equipped with battery overload, overheat, and over-discharge protection, which help to extend the battery life by shutting it down before damage can occur. Not looking to disturb your neighbors when you get up early to mow the lawn? The Makita Brushless Lawn Mower has a quiet mode that reduces noise by providing constant speed control. With a single-lever, you can adjust the height of the mower to 10 different heights. The deck width of this mower is 19 inches, so it can cut up to 19 inches across of grass per pass of the lawn mower. When it comes to your grass clippings, this lawn mower has a disposal bag that has a 16-gallon capacity—this means there isn’t the option for mulching or side-disposal. Price at time of publish: 399 Product Details: Run Time: 43 minutes | Height Adjustments: 10 | Recommended Yard Size: 0.33 acres | Deck Width: 19 inches
Best for Large Yards
Weibang WB76E E-Rider 30in. 72V Electric Riding Mower
Why You Should Get It: It has a long run time of two hours. Keep in Mind: This mower only offers mulching or side discharge for disposal.
run time and work more efficiently—that’s why we picked the Weibang E-Rider. A ride-on mower makes mowing feel less difficult for those with larger yards because you don’t have to push or pull a heavy machine. It also has an adjustable seat for a more comfortable ride. With a full charge of its 72-volt lithium ion battery, the Weibang E-Rider can last for up to two hours, which is double the run time of most mowers on this list. It has a maximum forward speed of 3.7 miles per hour and a reverse speed of 3.1 miles per hour, making it simple to get your mowing done in a clip. On top of being easy to maneuver around a large yard with its forward, neutral, and reverse mowing options, it also has LED lights mounted on the front bumper, should you want to mow when there isn’t much light. It also has 10 cutting positions from 1 inch to 4 inches, giving you the power to customize your mowing preferences. This mower only has options for mulching or side discharge so if you want to collect your clippings in a bag, this mower isn’t for you. However, if you are new to lawn care, you may not know that grass clippings are beneficial for your lawn. Additionally, this mower has a hefty price tag, which is the cost of not having to push a cumbersome mower around a large yard. Price at time of publish: 6500,999 Product Details: Run Time: 2 hours | Height Adjustments: 10 | Recommended Yard Size: Up to 1 acre | Deck Width: 30 inches
The Bottom Line
Overall, when looking for the best battery-powered lawn mower, you should consider the size of your yard, whether or not you’ll need more than one battery, and whether you want a push, self-propelled, or ride-on mower. We’ve chosen the Ego Power Mower because it has 65 minutes of run time on a single charge, six cutting height adjustments, and the ability to mulch, bag, or side discharge your clippings. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly model, we love the Greenworks Cordless Mower because it’s lightweight and has five height adjustments.
Lawn Size
When shopping for the best battery-powered lawn mower for your home, it’s important to take into consideration the size of your lawn. Typically, the batteries in your mower will last 50 to 60 minutes on one charge, so you’ll want to make sure you can cover the distance of your lawn in that time. Otherwise you’ll have to either change out the battery for a fully charged back-up, or charge your battery. If you have a yard that is more than an acre, it’s not ideal to have a battery-powered mower unless you have one that is made with large yards in mind, like the Weibang E-Rider, which has two hours of run time.
Type
There are a few different types of battery-powered lawn mower to choose from: self-propelled mowers, push mowers, and ride-on mowers. Self-propelled mowers are less work to operate than push mowers, with a design that uses the motor to propel the wheels, which makes it easy for you to simply guide the mower across your lawn. In order to operate a push mower, like the Kobalt Push Mower, you have to push it forward manually. The bad news: You’re the one doing the pushing. The good news: most models are compact and lighter weight (especially when compared to a gas model) so it isn’t too difficult. Ride-on mowers require the least amount of work, but are also the most expensive models. They are a great choice for people with larger lawns, and you can simply sit up top and steer it where you want it to go.
Charge Time
Battery-powered mowers need to be charged before use, and those times will vary. Some, like our pick for best self-propelled mower, the Snapper Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, charges to 100% in just an hour. Others, like our best splurge pick, the Toro Recycler, take 3 hours to reach full charge. If you don’t have time to recharge, consider choosing a mower with an extra battery so you can change them out.
Power
Battery-powered lawn mowers do not require chords to function. Instead, they work using rechargeable batteries that have an output of anywhere from 36 to 120 volts. Run time is largely dependent on the voltage of your battery. The higher the battery, the longer your mower will run. The higher the voltage, the larger the battery, so it may affect your mower’s deck size. The deck is the part of the lawn mower that covers the engine and blades of the mower. It is measured in square inches, and is determined by multiplying the width of the bottom part of your mower (between the wheels) by the length. They are also usually made with durable material so they stand up against debris and the elements. The size of the deck determines how much grass the machine will cut in one pass, as it is generally large enough to cover the blade. Smaller mowers may only have one blade, while larger models have two or three for more efficient cutting. Mowers with larger decks offer less mobility, so it’s beneficial to use a mower with a smaller deck and voltage for a yard with less acreage. The larger your yard, the bigger the deck you’ll require because you’ll need to cover more ground in the same amount of time.
Features
The best battery-powered lawn mowers come with plenty of features to make your lawn-cutting experiences as enjoyable as possible. For example, some come with mulchers that take the grass, chop it up, and leave them behind on the lawn. Others have a grass bag catcher that attaches to the mower on either the side or rear where the clippings drop straight into the bag. Another feature that is important is the ability to adjust the blade height so that you can tailor your mower to your preferences. They usually range from 1 to 4 inches, and keep in mind that you should only remove the top third of the grass blades. Adjustable handles are also important because they allow you to change the height in order to make them easier to mow.
Other Lawn Mowers We Tested
Previously our pick for best lawn mower, the Honda HRN216VKA is a 21-inch self-propelled gas mower that’s a great choice for any yard. Honda has produced superior power equipment for many years, and this mower, which operates with rear-wheel drive, is no exception. It can handle the toughest lawns with ease and won’t take up much room in the garage.
The set-up was easy and the mower started on the first pull. Its smooth engine is quieter than the other gasoline mowers, and it has more than enough power to cut and mulch the grass even while going uphill.
The Honda has a stacked and offset blade design that produces smaller clippings, which allows for better mulching and bagging. This means more efficient cutting and fewer stops to empty the grass bag. The bagging and mulching options can be easily and safely selected, once the mower is off, by using one lever on the mowing deck.
The innovative self-propel system is comfortable on the hands, provides adequate speed control, and can even be adjusted for those who are taller or shorter. Folding the handle for storage can be done quickly. This Honda lawn mower even has a gas shut-off valve for off-season storage.
Cons
The Kobalt 80V 21-inch electric mower is a great choice for anyone that wants an affordable, flexible, compact mower that is easy to maneuver and doesn't require extension cords or gas cans. The mower is strong enough to chop through thick grass, and offers a highly adjustable cutting height.
At 66 pounds it is very easy to operate, with the ability to go bagged or bagless, and you can fold up the push handle for compact storage.
The main draw here is the 80V battery system, which gives you an hour of runtime in our testing, enough to cut about 7,500 square feet on a full charge. It also works in a variety of other Kobalt tools, and spares will run you right around 150. Charging the battery takes around 45 minutes when it's dead, and it just pops into the battery slot and the mower can turn on with a press of a button if the safety key is inserted—much easier than having to use a traditional pull start.
Overall if you need a nice, basic mower to get the job done and want to go cordless, this is an excellent choice. It cuts clean lines, it's easy to use, it can handle most lawns with ease, and the light weight makes it much easier to move up and around slopes and hills.
Especially if you're planning to invest in a range of electric tools, this is a good system to buy into.
Cons
This Hart lawnmower was a pleasant surprise.
After removing it from the box and charging the batteries, we fired it up and took it out to the thick, lush grass.
It performed beautifully; its powerful electric motor cut through the lawn with ease and even increased its revolutions when we cut thicker grass. This mower easily handles a larger lawn.
The Hart mower moved with power and confidence through the lawn, and the simple-to-use speed control was right there at your fingertips. While our winning Honda gas mower has a sophisticated Select Drive System, the Hart’s simple slide bar works as well or better.
This excellent lawnmower has the power and convenience of mowers costing much more.
Cons
The Toro is a worthy competitor to the top-ranking mowers on this list.
This Toro lawn mower has the largest cutting area at 22 inches, and it is powerful and comfortable to use, thanks to its Personal Pace self-propel system.
To engage the self-propel, simply push the lever forward a bit and the mower begins to move forward, push it a little more and the mower moves faster. After a couple of rows of cutting, you will see how easy it is to regulate speed. This system is not as intuitive as some of the others, but it still works quite well.
Another great feature: The Toro has Briggs and Stratton’s check-don’t-change oil system that never requires an oil change.
Storage is also a snap as the handle folds down and the mower can be stored vertically.
Cons
At just 58 pounds, this mower makes cutting small lawns a lot of fun. The rear discharge chute allows you trim close to trees, beds, and shrubbery. I found myself zipping around obstacles using only one hand.
This is a simple machine with one battery in the center. Charging time is quick, and once the battery is in you’re on your way.
This is not a lawn mower for the back 40. With a 20-inch cut and a small electric motor, it is just not capable of handling larger lawns. But for most mid to small yards, this mower can clean up the area in no time.
Light and easy to store, this is the perfect mower to keep a lawn looking great.
Cons
The 21-inch Ryobi RY401150 40-volt brushless mower set up quickly and easily right out of the box. It includes double blades and cuts clean and clear.
This mower comes with two batteries that can be installed in the top of the machine. One notable drawback is that only one battery powers the mower at a time—cut your grass for approximately 30 minutes and when the first battery is depleted, you stop and move a switch to engage the second battery. Ryobi says that the batteries will last for 70 minutes, but stopping to change batteries seems counterproductive.
How We Tested Lawn Mowers
The Testers
We spent the summer mowing a half-acre New England lawn, over and over again.
Kevin Kavanaugh is a retired public school teacher and a product tester for Reviewed. Kevin has been cutting lawns for just about 50 years. He has always been intrigued by all things mechanical, be it watches, power equipment, vintage bicycles, or classic cars.
Ray Lane is a retired supermarket store manager, avid golfer, and product tester for Reviewed. His lawn is the envy of Cumberland, Rhode Island, and he has used several push mowers over the years. At 83 years of age, his input on the mowers was critical, specifically when evaluating ease of starting, maneuverability, and safety.
We tested lawn mowers on both flat land and hills to test maneuverability and power.
After ordering from retailers like Lowe’s and The Home Depot, we assembled each mower and took note of the ease of the set up and how quickly we could adjust the handle to our preference. We then added gasoline, a battery, or an electrical cord to get the mower ready. We evaluated at the ease of setting the cutting height, first testing a high cutting height and then a lower one.
We took each mower on a few passes of an uncut half-acre lawn, measuring approximately 22,000 square feet, noting how it cut at a high height and a lower height while we monitored both the bagging and mulching features. Then we took each mower up and down a grassy hill to see how they performed. Our final test was testing storage capability.
What You Should Know About Lawn Mowers
Self-propelled lawn mowers can take some of the effort out of walk-behind mowing.
There are two basic types of walk-behind mowers: push and self-propelled.
The push type of mower is usually smaller, lighter, and easier to store. They are used primarily for smaller, level lawns. They are perfect for cleaning up areas that larger riding lawn mowers may miss. They can be run by gasoline, cords, or battery.
Self-propelled lawn mowers usually have a larger cutting diameter and can move on their own through operator controls. These mowers can also be powered by gasoline, cords, or battery. Since they take the brunt of the pushing away, self-propelled mowers are perfect for larger lawns up to a half-acre, and they can easily handle hills and sloped lawns. These self-propelled mowers aren’t fully robotic lawn mowers so you still have to do some work guiding them around your yard.
What Is A Self-propelled Lawn Mower?
The first self-propelled lawn mowers started to appear in the late-1960s. As suburbia grew and lawns got larger, pushing a heavy steel mower around on a summer afternoon wasn’t what most people wanted to be doing.
The first self-propelled mowers had primitive front-wheel drive systems that worked well enough, but the mowers often moved along too slowly. Sure, you weren’t pushing but you were caught in a slow-moving lawn-cutting procession. Early mowers either moved too slowly or too fast to match a natural walking speed.
Today’s mowers offer a much better propulsion system. The Honda NeXite Variable Speed 4-in-1 Gas Walk Behind Self-propelled Mower with Select Drive Control, for example, allows a variety of walking speed settings. Owners can literally dial in their preferred walking speed so that they become one with the mower, not being pulled and not having to push.
The Ego Power Select Cut 56-Volt Brushless 21-in Self-propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower even allows the operator to drive out to the lawn without the blades turning. That is a great feature.
Today’s self-propelled mowers reduce operator fatigue and make cutting the grass easier than years ago. Self-propelled mowers make cutting on hills safer and more efficient. And with modern speed options they make a summertime chore a little more enjoyable.
Gasoline, Corded Electric, or Battery—Which Lawn Mower is Right for You?
Battery-powered lawn mowers can be powerful and efficient.
Gasoline
Gasoline-powered lawnmowers have kept lawns manicured for decades. They are powerful, reliable, and affordable, and come with features such as self-propelled movement, mulching features, and self-cleaning availability. They are powerful enough for large lawn care jobs and can tackle any lawn from a quarter- to half-acre acre. Any lawn bigger than that would necessitate a riding mower.
But gas-powered mowers emit dangerous carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, require yearly maintenance, and require the storage of gasoline and oil. This may not be suitable for some consumers.
Corded Electric
Corded electric mowers have been around for years and were historically the choice of consumers who had smaller lawns and didn't need the more powerful gasoline mower. While powerful enough to get most cutting or trimming jobs done, the one obvious drawback to a corded mower is the electrical cord.
For any yard worthy of mowing, a long electrical extension cord is required to power the mower. This can be a minor annoyance, such as having to keep the cord free from getting tangled in trees and bushes, to a major annoyance when you drive over it and cut it into small pieces.
However, corded electric mowers require no gas, oil, or maintenance and, other than a blade sharpening from time to time, can perform reliably for years.
Battery
Battery-powered cars, power equipment, and tools have been around for a long time. The electric motors were strong and reliable enough, but the battery was not. Just a few years ago, an electric car could expect to go only 100 miles on a charge, and power tools and equipment didn't last long either. In the past few years, battery technology has improved by leaps and bounds.
Electric cars can expect hundreds of miles on a charge and power tools and equipment can last a full day. This lithium battery technology found its way to lawnmowers and it has created a viable option for those consumers who don't want gas and don't want a cord. These battery-powered mowers are powerful, efficient, lightweight, and green. Many now use brushless electric motors, which are more efficient, produce more torque, and are longer lasting than the older electric motors with brushes.
How often should I mow my lawn?
Cutting the lawn too often and only cutting it when it gets overgrown are both unhealthy for a lush, beautiful lawn. The rule of thumb in the lawn-care industry is to keep the grass between 3 inches and 3.5 inches in length. This allows the grass to be long enough to thrive in hot, summer weather.
When cutting grass, never take more than a third of the blade at once. In other words, never cut more than an inch or so. Not only does this cause clumping of grass on the lawn or in the mower bag, but it takes too many nutrients and moisture from the grass itself.
After the late winter fertilizer treatments and the often heavy rains, lawns start to come to life. You’ll find that the grass will need cutting every 4 to 5 days in order to remove just enough length. As the summer wanes on and the temperature rises, the grass will grow a bit slower and a once week cutting is adequate.
It is also important to keep the blades of your lawnmower good and sharp. Since the lawnmower blades are often made of steel, they will develop a dull edge after a season of cutting. A dull edge on a blade will tear the grass and not cut it. This may result in browning of the tips of the grass and put more stress on the mower as well.
While you are under the deck checking those blades—and always disconnect the spark plug wire before going under the mower—be sure there is no old clumped up grass clinging to the mower deck.