Best Electric Lawn Mower of 2023. Cheap self propelled lawn mower

Best Electric Lawn Mower of 2023

Electric lawn mowers are a great tool to have for your lawn maintenance. Our experts tested the best electric mowers to find the perfect option to keep your lawn healthy.

Macy Meyer is a N.C. native who graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2021 with a B.A. in English and Journalism. She currently resides in Charlotte, N.C., where she has been working as an Editor I, covering a variety of topics across CNET’s Home and Wellness teams, including home security, fitness and nutrition, Smart home tech and more. Prior to her time at CNET, Macy was featured in The News Observer, The Charlotte Observer, INDY Week, and other state and national publications. In each article, Macy helps readers get the most out of their home and wellness. When Macy isn’t writing, she’s volunteering, exploring the town or watching sports.

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The Best Lawn Mowers of 2023

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

Hart HLPM061US

Cons

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

Until just a few short years ago, gas lawn mowers were king. As more consumers are seeking eco-friendly cars, homes, and, yes, power equipment, advanced battery technology answers the call.

Today, consumers can drive an electric car, thrive in a solar-powered home and maintain their property with battery-powered equipment. But are the new electric push lawn mowers as good as the old internal combustion mowers? We decided to find out.

We tested gasoline, electric-corded, and battery-powered lawn mowers from the leading brands. We were eager to see if the battery-powered mowers could handle a large yard as well as the tried-and-true gasoline models. We weren’t disappointed. The Honda HRX217VKA (available at Amazon) came out on top as Best Overall, edging out its predecessor and our previous winner, the Honda HRN216VKA.

For the non-gasoline mowers, the Ego Power LM2135SP (available at Walmart) is our choice for Best Electric Lawn Mower. This mower set-up was quick, and it handled our testing well. The Ego Power also includes features not found on similar electric models.

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

The Honda HRX217VKA was a pleasure to use.

Quiet and powerful, the Honda HRX217VKA 21-inch NeXite lawn mower is the one to have for larger spaces. It is not designed for small yards, and you won’t be darting in and out of flower beds and shrubbery.

It is a pleasure to use. We had tested Honda mowers before and were familiar with their operation and overall product quality. The HRX217VKA did not disappoint. Easy to assemble and set up right out of the box, it started on the first pull of the cord.

Right away you can feel the heft of this mower with its innovative NeXite deck and powerful motor. It’s heavier than most mowers, but it feels planted on the lawn and tracks perfectly. It’s a mower for large lawns, and it makes the most difficult cuts a breeze.

With its 200cc motor and Select Drive Control, this mower easily cuts, bags and mulches the heaviest grass with ease. The Select Drive Control is almost intuitive as it lets you adjust the walking speed with a variety of settings.

The controls on the mower are large and easy to use. You can set the mower to bag or mulch or anywhere in between. Its user-friendly platform is clearly marked. You will use this lawn mower for years and years to come.

Cons

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

The Ego Power LM2135SP is the best electric lawn mower we’ve tested.

Until a few years ago, those who preferred not to buy an internal combustion mower had little choice. But advanced battery technology has finally arrived and the benefits can readily be seen in the Ego Power LM2135SP, a 21-inch self-propelled electric mower. This cordless mower with a cutting width of 21 inches utilizes a 56-volt lithium ion battery to power through up to 60 minutes of lawn cutting.

The Ego Power is powerful, comfortable, and a joy to use. Even though the battery only lasted about an hour, the mower performed extremely well mulching and driving itself uphill. It has plenty of torque and is capable of doing anything a gasoline-powered mower can do. It is clean, easy to use, and efficient.

The set-up on this mower was the easiest of the bunch. The handle slides and folds across the mower with ease, making storage a snap. Adjusting it to a personal height takes seconds.

A quick 50-minute charge on the battery and you’re ready to go. The battery charger even has a cooling fan that improves charging times and keeps the battery cool.

Like some of our other mowers, the Ego Power has twin blades that improve mulching and keep the trips to empty the rear bag to a minimum. Cutting height is achieved with one easy-to-access lever.

Operation is straightforward, and the composite deck makes the mower light and easy to maneuver around yard obstacles. Simply depress the power button, pull the green handle and the blades begin to spin. Dual buttons on the handle make engaging the self-propel feature safe and comfortable.

The Ego Power comes with LED headlights for convenience, and it was the only mower we tested that could propel itself when the blades were not spinning. This was a nice feature that eliminated pushing the mower back to the garage.

Other Lawn Mowers We Tested

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

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

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

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

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

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

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

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

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

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

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

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.

The Tests

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

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

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

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?

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

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.

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best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

TJ is the Director of Content Development at Reviewed. He is a Massachusetts native and has covered electronics, cameras, TVs, smartphones, parenting, and more for Reviewed. He is from the self-styled “Cranberry Capitol of the World,” which is, in fact, a real thing.

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.

WHY CHOOSE AMERICA’S #1 WALK MOWER BRAND

With roots dating back to 1914, Toro was built on a tradition of quality, long lasting products and innovative features to make your mowing experience and caring for your lawn easier. Toro’s line of walk-behind mowers offer battery powered self-propelled mowers, mulching mowers that fertilize as you cut, and 30″ wide-cut mowers to help you finish your lawn faster. Discover the POWER OF EASY with features designed to fit your unique mowing needs.

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

Super Charged Clippings

Vortex Technology provides more airflow to supercharge your grass cutting. The ultra-fine clippings created by our Recycler Mulching System become Lawn Vitamins nourishing your grass and cultivating a greener, more lush lawn. (Select models only)

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

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Pick Your Pace

Self propel mowers that adjust to you. No knobs, no levers, no messing around. Grab the easy-to-steer handle and go with Personal Pace Auto-Drive. (Select models only)

best, electric, lawn, mower, 2023

Recycler Cutting System

Don’t just cut your grass — nourish it with Toro’s Recycler Technology. Slice and dice those grass clippings into tiny pieces and return that nutrition back to your lawn. With a Recycler, a healthy, green, lawn has never been easier. (Select models only)

  • 60V battery cuts up to 1/3 of acre in 40 minutes on a full charge
  • Reduce mower storage by up to 70% with SmartStow storage
  • Convenient. Interchange battery with over 75 Flex Force products

Recycler Series

  • Mow more in less time with an extra long 22” blade
  • Hassle-Free Maintenance. No oil change – ever!
  • Feed your lawn with ultra-fine clippings created by our Recycler Cutting System

Super Recycler Series

  • Durable rust-proof, cast-aluminum deck engineered for superior performance
  • Fertilize your lawn while you mow with Toro’s Super Recycler Cutting System
  • Glide over holes and bumps with ease with Toro’s FLEX Handle suspension

TimeMaster Series

  • Reduce mowing time by up to 40% with dual-blade 30” deck
  • Tackle tall grass and rough terrain with powerful Briggs Stratton 223cc OHV engine
  • Save space with the Quick Stow fold-up handle

Run time varies based on usage conditions. Max run time specs based on light conditions and/or lowest speed settings. Time savings via wider cutting path and enhanced speed of TimeMaster vs. 21” Toro mower, and will vary due to mowing conditions. The gross torque of this engine was laboratory rated at 2800 rpm per SAE J1940 by the engine manufacturer. As configured to meet safety, emission and operating requirements, the actual engine torque on this class of mower will be significantly lower.

TORO TAKES THE WORK OUT OF YARD WORK.

Discover the Legendary Performance of Toro Lawn Mowers

Toro walk-behind mowers make caring for your lawn easier than ever before. Whether you choose a manual push lawn mower or self-propelled lawn mower, every Toro model starts fast, moves at your speed and stows away nice and neatly when done.

Riding Mowers

Toro riding lawn mowers give homeowners exceptional durability and control while riding on a swift, comfortable machine.

Yard Tools

Explore leaf blower vacs, trimmers, saws, and more for the finishing touches.

Snow Blowers

Shop the full range of snow blowers and snow shovels for when your yard cools off.

Customer Reviews

Would buy another Toro in a heartbeat! Turns over on every pull and I love they way it feels. Heavy duty but super easy to operate.

Gilbert, AZ, USAI love the AWD for my lawn

MrC74. North CarolinaGreat Mower Great Value

This Toro is great. Just one time pull start and the self propelled pace to your speed is awesome. Makes operations easy and simple. Love the easy stowing for limited space.

KenM58. Plano, TX, USAGreat Mower

SANDY53. YOUNGSTOWN, OHIOThis Lawnmower Has Great Features

Find the Right Walk Behind Lawn Mower for You

You know you’re ready for a new lawn mower, but how do you know which one is right for you, your yard, and your budget? We’re here to help.

Let’s take a closer look at what to look for when choosing your next lawn mower.

To Mulch, or Not to Mulch?

How much work do you want to do? A mower with a mulching blade, like a Recycler, cuts grass into tiny pieces that break down and decompose easily — putting important nutrients back to your yard. For supercharged mulching performance, look for a model with an intake system that fuels the cutting chamber with additional airflow.

Bagging your grass clippings could make your yard look cleaner, but takes more effort to bag or rake up and dispose. You’ll want to see if your city even picks up yard waste, or if you’ll need to bring it to a compost center.

We know what we’d do, but hey, it’s your yard.

Mower Model Options: 3-in-1. 2-in-1. What-in-the-What?

Mowing isn’t really a numbers game, it just thinks it is. A 3-in-1 mower lets you mow, mulch, and bag in one machine. 2-in-1 mowers either mulch and bag, or mulch and side discharge.

Most mowers let you quickly and easily switch between ways. If you want to bag your grass clippings, look at a rear-bagging model. It holds more than those with side-discharge bags.

Wheel Size: Do Low or High Wheels Matter?

Low-wheel lawn mowers have the same size wheels in the front and back. These are fine for your typical flat yard.

High wheels are best for bumpy or difficult terrain. With large wheels in the back, you can go over any terrain with ease. A high-wheeled model might cost a little more, but it’s worth it if needed. Typically, the cost difference is very minimal anyway.

Engine Options: What’s the Difference Between a 2-Cycle and 4-Cycle Engine?

Two cycles, of course. But seriously, two-cycle engines require mixing oil and gas. This is probably that old beast you have hidden in your garden shed. It’s loud, dirty, and outdated. If this is your lawn mower, it’s time to move on. Four-cycle engines are more powerful, quieter, and efficient.

What About Electric Lawn Mowers?

Instead of gas engines, electric lawn mowers feature powerful lithium-ion batteries. They’re just as powerful as gas lawn mowers, but you do gain the benefit of less sound. You’ll never worry about buying gas, replacing oil, or making your neighbors angry during their family barbecue. Like gas-powered models, some are even self-propelled.

If you buy a Toro electric mower, you get the benefit of the 60V Flex-Force Power System in which the lithium-ion lawn mowers use interchangeable batteries that you can use with the other tools like snow blowers, leaf blowers, and other yard tools, too!

When it comes to purchasing your next walk behind lawn mower, there are a lot of options for you to choose — from gas-powered to battery powered, push to self-propelled. When you know what to look for, and understand what’s needed for your yard, you’ll soon know how to pick a lawn mower that works for you. For an even more detailed description of this process, check out the full article on our Yardcare blog.