DeWALT introduces new outdoor battery-powered products
New products include a chainsaw, pruner, rear wheel drive mower and electric pressure washer.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – DeWALT will preview a range of new outdoor power tools at the 2021 Green Industry and Equipment Expo (GIEEXPO). Designed to tackle tough landscaping and maintenance jobs, new DeWALT outdoor products include the 60V MAX 20-In. Chainsaw (DCCS677Z1), 20V MAX Pruner (DCPR320), 2x20V MAX Rear Wheel Drive Mower (DCMWSP255U2) and an Electric Jobsite Pressure Washer (DWPW2100).
“The landscaping and outdoor industry is rapidly changing, with more robust and innovative technologies powering equipment,” said Christine Potter, VP, Outdoor Product Development for Stanley Black Decker. “We are doubling down on our electrification technology to continuously transform outdoor solutions to battery power while delivering the quality and performance professional users expect from DeWALT. All of our new products were designed with the pro in mind and are tough enough to tackle the most challenging outdoor projects.”
Made for professional landscape use, the 60V MAX 20-In. Chainsaw (DCCS677Z1) delivers 20% more peak power and more than 2X the max torque than a 50.2 cc gas chainsaw. Capable of cutting through 17-In. white oak logs as fast as 15 seconds using a DCB615 battery, the chainsaw features robust chain tensioning for reliable chain retention, auto-oiling for longevity of use, a chain brake and an onboard wrench for quick chain adjustments. The unit will be demonstrated at the DeWALT booth (#7068) throughout the show and comes kitted with a FLEXVOLT battery (DCB615), charger, bar sheath, rugged carrying case, sharpening file and tension tool.
The 20V MAX Pruner (DCPR320) joins the 250 products in the DeWALT 20V MAX System and requires 16X less effort on average to make cuts than a manual pruner. Weighing just 3 lbs. (tool only), this lightweight tool was designed to cut unwanted branches, trim bushes and clip flowers throughout the day. It delivers up to 1,100 cuts per charge ∆ with a 1-1/2-In. cut capacity for thick stems and shrubs and features an on-board LED work light for improved visibility. The pruner makes smooth and swift cuts with its non-stick coating and easy to switch blades and comes equipped with a tool for blade changes.
2x20V MAX Rear Wheel Drive Self-Propelled 21.5-In. Mower Kit
In addition, DeWALT will be displaying the new 2x20V MAX Rear Wheel Drive Self-Propelled 21.5-In. Mower Kit (DCMWSP255U2). Designed to quickly mow large yards, the rear wheel drive mower cuts grass from 1-1/2-In. to 4-In. tall with auto-sensing technology that helps maintain high revolutions per minute (RPM) when tackling demanding yardwork. With 3-IN-1 functionality, the mower can mulch, bag, or discharge clippings and features a fold-over handle for convenient and trouble-free transport when the job is done. The unit is sold with two 20V MAX batteries (DCB210), two chargers, a side discharge attachment and a grass collection bag.
2100 MAX PSI Ω 1.2 GPM † 13 Amp Electric Jobsite Pressure Washer
Power through outdoor cleaning jobs with ease using the 2100 MAX PSI Ω 1.2 GPM † 13 Amp Electric Jobsite Pressure Washer (DWPW2100). Designed with internal storage capability to seamlessly stow and retrieve the included wand and nozzles, the unit has a durable frame for stacking ‡ and is 3X smaller when stored in the closed position β. Weighing just 24 lbs. (tool only), its compact design allows the unit to be stored vertically or horizontally and includes multiple grab points for loading and unloading, wheels for ease of movement and a retractable handle for hassle-free mobility. Accessories include a 25- Ft. high pressure hose, turbo nozzle for up to 2.4X cleaning width §. 15-degree nozzle, 40-degree nozzle, a soap nozzle, wand with nozzle storage and a built-in removable soap tank for projects that require detergent for a full clean. In addition, the pressure washer is Cleaning Equipment Trade Association (CETA) certified adhering to the CPC100 performance standard.
Also debuting at GIEEXPO is the DeWALT 60V MAX 18-In. Chainsaw (DCCS672), 60V MAX 26-In. Hedge Trimmer (DCHT870) and 20V MAX Edger (DCED400). All of these new outdoor power tools will be available where DeWALT products are sold beginning in Spring 2022. details on both kitted and bare units are below. For more information on DeWALT tools, visit www.DeWALT.com.
DeWALT 20V Cordless Lawn Mower | Gen2 with 10Ah Batteries
Next-generation DeWALT 20V Cordless Lawn Mower models are coming. Like any next-gen model, the lineup shows some marked improvements in several key areas. In this case, DeWALT has tweaked the old design for more power, as well as some multifunctionality in how you manage your clippings. Both the DeWALT DCMWSP244U2 self-propelled lawnmower and the DCMWP233U2 push mower look like huge improvements from where we stand.
10-Second Summary
DeWALT Gen 2 Mower Key Features
The DeWALT 20V Max Cordless Lawn Mower models operate on the brand’s 20V Max battery platform, utilizing a dual battery system. This time, however, they come kitted with two 10Ah batteries. That should “math out” to packs with 180 Watt-hours each. These packs also look like they use the newest battery cells that generate 5Ah per layer. In theory, that could lead to 20V packs as large as 15Ah in the future, provided they can cool them sufficiently.
These next-gen cordless mowers use DeWALT’s auto-sensing technology. This lets the mower run the blade at higher RPM when needed. When performing a maintenance cut, the RPMs run lower, extending your runtime.
DeWALT 20V Self-Propelled Mower Run-Time
Speaking of runtime, what can we expect here? The original DeWALT DCMW220P2 2x20V lawnmower lacked in the runtime department. DeWALT claims that the new Gen 2 2x20V self-propelled mower can cut for up to 60 minutes on two 10Ah batteries. Meanwhile, the 2x20V Max Push Mower delivers up to 75 minutes of runtime per charge.
Those numbers actually come qualified. DeWALT specifies them when cutting 1/3 of the grass height on height setting 6. Translated into area, DeWALT estimates either model can tackle up to half an acre before having to recharge the batteries.
Steel Cutting Deck with Side-Discharge
Both DeWALT 20V Max Cordless Lawn Mower models feature 21-1/2″ steel cutting decks that you can adjust via the dual lever cut height adjustments. We like how one lever comes positioned on a front wheel and the other in the rear. It looks to balance some of the potential for flexing. You have six height positions, and they adjust between 1.5 to 3.75-inches.
All battery-powered lawn mowers we’ve reviewed to-date include the option to bag grass clippings. Most mowers also include mulching. Not all, however, include side discharge.
One of the improvements DeWALT made in their Gen 2 20V Cordless Lawn Mowers is they include the option to mulch, bag, or use a side discharge chute for grass clippings. We like that they added back in that third option.
Folding Handle for Storage
When you finish up mowing, the handle on the DeWALT 20V Cordless Lawn Mower folds over for easy storage or transport. In our experience, these tool-free folding handles make these mowers easy to pick up and put in a truck or store vertically in a shed or garage.
Editor’s Note: Keep an eye on this page for the full review of the DeWALT 20V Max Cordless Lawn Mower. We expect to enter into testing soon, with an update to this article soon to follow.
Pricing and Availability
These 2nd-generation DeWALT 2 x 20V Max Cordless Lawn Mowers hit stores in Q1 2021. Each comes kitted with two 20V Max 10Ah batteries and two DCB107 1.25A chargers. The DeWALT DCMWSP244U2 self-propelled mower retails for 549. The DCMWP233U2 push mower out at 399. Both options include DeWALT’s 3-year warranty, 1-year free service agreement, and 90-day money-back guarantee.
Considering the size of the batteries, and what they’d typically go for all by themselves, the here feel downright reasonable. For DeWALT users, this also seems like a good opportunity to score some high capacity batteries while getting into the joys of battery-powered mowing. For folks not yet on DeWALT’s 20V platform, this might be a cost-effective way to get started.
DeWALT lawn mower 60v
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DeWALT lawn mower 60v
The best lawn mower
The self-propelled Ego LM2135SP’s battery runs for an hour and easily mows down overgrown grass—and it spares you the noise, emissions, and maintenance of a typical gas mower.
Buying Options
With Ace Rewards membership (free to join)
For the lawn perfectionist
This reliable Honda gas mower’s dual blades manicure a lawn with precision, and its unique system can dial in the ratio of grass you’re bagging and mulching.
Buying Options
At the time of publishing, the price was 699.
The research
Over the past nine mowing seasons, we’ve spent more than 120 hours researching nearly 250 mowers, interviewing experts, and extensively testing some of our top picks.
An invaluable source has been Roy Berendsohn, a Popular Mechanics lawn mower guru who has more than 20 years of experience testing and writing about mowers. If Berendsohn isn’t writing about mowers, he’s often being interviewed about them (see here and here).
We’ve interviewed landscapers, including Chad Crosby of West Michigan Lawn Services and Paul Koehler of Koehler Landscape Construction Services. We’ve called people at lawn mower retail/service outlets, like Nick Ortiz at Kellam Lawn Mower in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, and Boston Lawnmower Company’s David (who asked that his last name be withheld). We’ve talked to product managers at Honda, Toro, Troy-Bilt, Ego, Cub Cadet, and other manufacturers.
Personally, I maintain a rural property in New Hampshire that is far too large for a push mower to cover but that does provide ample room to test our recommendations. This guide’s editor, Harry Sawyers, assists with testing mowers on his LA property and draws from his previous experience as a professional landscaper.
Who this is for
If you want to be able to stand the sight of your yard this summer, you’re going to need a lawn mower. Anything larger than a half-acre gets into riding-mower territory, but a self-propelled push mower is perfect for a half-acre or less. Going at a pace of about 3 mph (roughly average walking speed), it will take about an hour to cut this amount of grass. (If you have a particularly small lawn, a reel mower is an option—but it’s quite hard work.)
If you already own a gas mower that’s less than a decade old, you will probably not notice a tremendous difference by upgrading to a newer gas mower. Upgrading to a cordless model is a more noticeable change you could immediately appreciate.
The Best Reel Mower for Your (Small) Lawn
After 30 hours researching and testing reel mowers, we think the Scotts 2000-20 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower is the best pick for manual lawncare.
How we picked and tested
As a result of our years of lawn mower evaluation, we’re sure that most people will be happiest with a self-propelled, electric cordless option. Honestly, it all comes down to convenience. Every single element of a gas mower that is considered a nuisance—from the fiddly start-up to the annual maintenance schedule—is gone. Cordless mowers start with the push of a button, are easier to maneuver, and don’t need oil changes, gas, spark plugs, or air filters. They’re much quieter, they don’t smell, they don’t produce emissions, and they’re easier to store in the off-season. The run time has limitations, and charge times can be slow, but the latest models close the performance gaps between cordless and gas.
All that said, there are many capable—and several excellent—gas mowers available. Whatever type of mower you need, here are the criteria we feel matter most in making a selection:
Rear-Wheel Self-propulsion: Self-propelled mowers make life easier. With the mower moving itself across the lawn, all you have to do is throttle and steer, rather than forcing the mower’s full weight up every incline and over every bump. Self-propelled cordless mowers are all rear-wheel drive (RWD), which is preferred over front-wheel drive (FWD), because the mower’s traction improves as the grass bag fills and adds weight over the rear wheels. A self-propulsion feature adds to a mower’s price, but it’s a feature we feel is well worth it, and this requirement doesn’t narrow the field by a whole lot. It does, however, weed out the most bare-bones machines.
Performance as a mower: We researched which mowers could perform the best from a lawn-care perspective—which could make cleaner cuts in grass or promote turf health. We’ve measured this performance firsthand over years of long-term testing and in tests of new contenders against our established recommendations.
User interface and features: In years of tests, we’ve found most midrange mowers perform at a comparable level; most can cut the grass just fine. That led us to place an emphasis on user interface features—how difficult is it to adjust the push-bar height, or to raise and lower the mowing deck? Can you intuitively control and adjust the self-propulsion? Is the bag a pain to put on and take off? Are there other design details that make startup smoother, reduce engine maintenance, or make storage easier?
Cost: We looked at cost in terms of long-term value. Gas mowers are cheaper up-front, generally, but they carry long-term costs that cordless mowers avoid. Those include supplies (like gas, oil, stabilizers, air filters, and spark plugs) and the time and labor of caring for one: getting gas, changing the oil, and emptying the tank at the end of the season. With cordless mowers, a large percentage of the price tag is the battery. Most companies offer a series of outdoor tools (leaf blowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, etc.), all compatible with the same battery. And they cost less if you buy them without a battery. So for a high cost up-front, a cordless investment may open the door for an affordable expansion into that manufacturer’s other tools.
Charge time and run time: For cordless candidates, we looked at these two primary factors, which determine whether a battery will be adequate or frustrating. Because these two elements are so important, we looked only at mowers that used at least a 40-volt battery.
and reputation: The best mowers out there have proved satisfying for the most number of people for the longest amount of time. That led us to closely consider the differences among a smaller group of about 50 established, well-regarded models from major brands, often covered by comparable warranties of about three to five years.
Best overall lawn mower
The best lawn mower
The self-propelled Ego LM2135SP’s battery runs for an hour and easily mows down overgrown grass—and it spares you the noise, emissions, and maintenance of a typical gas mower.
Buying Options
With Ace Rewards membership (free to join)
For the best in convenience, battery run time, cut quality, and value, we recommend the Ego Power Select Cut Mower LM2135SP. Compared with a gas mower, it’s quieter, doesn’t create exhaust, and requires almost no maintenance. Among other cordless models, the Ego LM2135SP has among the longest run time and shortest charge time. This Ego has a redesigned control interface that allows you to control the propulsion with either hand. It also cuts with two blades, making for a finer cut and better mulching. Rounding out the features are two forward-facing LED lights, an easy-to-use cutting-height adjustment, and a battery port that faces the battery gauge toward the operator. The battery, which is good for a solid hour of mowing, is compatible with Ego’s other lawn tools, such as the company’s leaf blower, chainsaw, and string trimmer.
Most people report getting roughly 60 minutes of run time from a full charge of the Ego’s 56-volt, 7.5 Ah battery, which is included with the purchase. We confirmed the run-time figures in tests of this pick and our runner-up in March 2019 and in 2020. In several hour-long sessions of strenuous cutting on tough grass in Los Angeles, running this mower across hills (some of which were steeper than its recommended 15-degree max), the battery never died before we expected it to. If anything, it exceeded the hour-long window by about 10 to 15 minutes. An added bonus: Once the battery was too low to power the mower blades, it still had enough juice to operate the self-propulsion function, letting us drive the mower back to the charger. Compared to older Ego batteries, this one has a ring of lights that give you an approximate gauge of the remaining charge (the previous generation communicated with a red light only when the battery got critically low). The battery regularly recharges in 60 minutes or less. (Recharge time is another advantage for Ego, as competitors’ charge times range from an hour and a half up to almost five and a half hours.)
In the mowing tests, the two-bladed Ego showed a superior cut-quality compared with our runner-up, and this is the primary reason we’d choose this model over the older version. We’ve put the mowers on some rough tufts of knotty crabgrass, knee-height rye grass, and thick purple stalks of weeds, and although the runner-up never bogged down, the LM2135SP did a better job of lifting overgrown grasses as it cut, mincing up fine mulch and effectively cutting through tall growth without pushing the grass flat. This second blade elevates the Ego into some territory that was formerly exclusive to mowers like the highly regarded Honda HRX series, making the case for cordless that much stronger.
A new-for-2020 speed-control system can be operated with your thumbs on either hand—a more versatile setup than the single, oversize, right-handed trigger on the 2019 version. Photo: Rozette Rago
With its onboard indicators displaying battery life and other troubleshooting diagnostics, the Ego is quite intuitive for anyone new to cordless mowers. Photo: Rozette Rago
A new-for-2020 speed-control system can be operated with your thumbs on either hand—a more versatile setup than the single, oversize, right-handed trigger on the 2019 version. Photo: Rozette Rago
Controlling the Ego is easy and intuitive. As with many mowers, the Ego has a metal bar (called a bail) that’s held against the handle to activate the blades. To activate the RWD self-propulsion, you press one of two buttons in the upper corners of the handle, and a central dial controls the mower’s speed. A couple of subtle changes set this mower apart from other models: The speed-control system can be operated with your thumbs on either hand—a more versatile setup than the single, oversize, right-handed trigger on the runner-up. Second, although the mower can move at a brisk pace if you want it to, the slowest speed setting available is unusually slow. This is quite handy if you’re backing in and out under a tree or in another tricky area, if you’re mowing across a hill and taking care not to let the mower slide or roll away, or if you just need to take it slow to make sure you’re not about to mow over an obstruction.
Random aside: Without the stink of gas engine exhaust in your face, the smell of mowing the grass while using Ego is entirely different and much more pleasant; unfortunately, the allergens are exactly the same.
The Ego has a number of other convenience features. The headlight, something not found on gas mowers, gives some illumination as the day starts to end. The single-adjust height control, a rarity on gas mowers, allows you to set the cutting height with a single lever. On most gas mowers, cutting height has to be adjusted at each individual wheel. The Ego has seven cutting heights, between 1½ to 4 inches—a wider range than on most cordless mowers, which top out at around 3½ to 3¾ inches.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Although the two-handed self-propulsion control is a more convenient setup than the one-handed paddle design seen on competitors, it does make accidentally engaging the self-propulsion a little too easy. Usually this isn’t an issue, but often the moments when you’re grasping to get a better grip on the handle are the times you least want to engage the self-propulsion. For example, if you are mowing across a hill, there’s a brief moment during a turnaround when the mower is pointing up or down the hill. When adjusting your grip to make those turns, you may inadvertently tap the throttle, destabilizing your stance or your grip on the mower. If anyone from Ego’s reading this, they’ll probably say we’re mowing on too steep a hill, but hey, sometimes life throws a steep hill at you.
We think that the hour or so of run time is going to be enough for anyone keeping to about a half-acre, but if that’s not enough, additional batteries are available to extend run time infinitely. But batteries are costly. Depending on the Ah, they currently range in price from about 140 (2.5 Ah) to about 250 (5.0 Ah), and up to about 450 for a 7.5 Ah battery. They all fit, and with a second one on the charger while one is on the mower, you can really minimize or eliminate downtime.
Because the Ego is cordless and loaded with electrical components, the company does not recommend using a hose to wash out the underside of the mowing dome. Instead, the mower needs to be put on its side and the dome wiped off or scraped clean, using a plastic scraper. Because there is no gas or oil to leak out, this process is much easier than with a gas mower.
Finally, Wirecutter writer Kit Dillon, who loves his Ego mower, uncovered an issue with an older version of our pick, where the wires for the self-propulsion function run up the handle to the operating switch. “The wiring is super thin and where the arm bends over itself over time this wire breaks,” he explained. “The annoying thing is the wire is so thin it will sometimes break inside the sheath, which makes it difficult to diagnose or even find what section to repair.” Because of the large number of YouTube videos devoted to the problem, it’s clear that this isn’t an isolated incident. We’re not sure if this problem happens with this current version of the mower, but looking through the customer feedback at Lowe’s, we found a number of people saying that their mower won’t start, which makes us think the issue persists in newer models.