As a recent suburban transplant from NYC, it didn’t take long for me to realize that my years of city living had not prepared me for the realities of homeownership – more specifically, lawn care.
No longer could I rely on my superintendent to keep the grounds neat and tidy; instead, I found myself facing nearly an acre of unruly grass that demanded constant attention. In my search for a simple solution, I found myself gravitating towards a mower of the riding type. On top of that, I didn’t want the hassle of dealing with gas cans and spark plugs and oil changes – I have enough of that on the car I also had to acquire with this move.
That’s when I landed on the Craftsman 56V MAX 42-Inch Battery-Powered Brushless Riding Mower, and I must say, it has been a game-changer.
OK, full disclosure, I have been a loyal Craftsman man for as long as I can remember. I have memories of my dad getting the Craftsman tools he needed from Sears and commenting he wouldn’t go with any other brand due to their incredible warranty and, well, craftsmanship.
Do I currently have my grandfather’s steel Craftsman toolbox housing the various sets of Craftsman tools my father passed down to me nestled by my tool bench in the garage? Why, yes, yes, I do.
How to choose an electric lawn mower
Craftsman 56V MAX Battery-Powered Brushless Riding Mower, $4,899
When choosing an electric mower, it’s important to consider factors such as the size of your lawn, the power of the motor, the length of the battery life, and the ease of maintenance. The Craftsman 56V MAX battery-powered brushless riding mower ticks all these boxes for me, making it an attractive option for those who want a reliable and efficient lawn mower for an average-sized lawn.
Depending on where you live, the average lawn size in America ranges from .25 acres to .75 acres, with Angi highlighting data from the U.S. Census Bureau that states the average lot size for a new single-family was at a record low of 13,896 square feet in 2020. If you are on the higher end of the range, maybe an electric lawnmower isn’t the best lawnmower for you quite yet.
First, decide whether you want a corded or cordless model. Corded mowers require an electrical outlet and may limit your range of motion, while cordless models offer greater flexibility but may have shorter battery life.
Next, consider the size of your yard and choose a mower with an appropriate cutting width and battery capacity. Residential lawnmowers cutting widths typically range from as short as 21 inches to as large as 54 inches, with the average falling between 30 inches and 42 inches.
Finally, look for features that are important to you, such as adjustable cutting height, bagging or mulching capabilities, and ease of maneuverability. Personally, I was less concerned with bagging while looking because I don’t need to bag grass clippings. However, I soon realized how convenient having that option would be when I want to mow some overgrown areas or during the fall for leaf collection.
How much is an electric lawn mower?
The price of an electric lawn mower varies depending on the model and features. Corded models are generally less expensive, with prices starting as low as $100 up to $300. Cordless models can range from $200 to $500 or more, depending on battery capacity and other features. Premium models, like the Craftsman 56V MAX battery-powered brushless riding mower, may cost upwards of $3,000. Professional models can run you well over $10,000.
How long does an electric lawn mower charge last?
The battery life of an electric lawn mower depends on the capacity of the battery and the demands of the cutting job. The Craftsman 56V MAX battery-powered brushless riding mower boasts a 5.0 Ah battery that can last up to 90 minutes on a single charge. This is plenty of time to mow my entire .75-acre yard, with enough juice left over for some light trimming.
The size and density of your yard play a key role in the efficiency of your battery. If your yard is full of dense, long grass, or it has lots of areas requiring maneuvering, the battery will run on the shorter side of the range advertised. If your lawn is flat and relatively easy on your mower, your battery will likely make it to the maximum shown.
The higher the voltage, the longer the battery life. It’s fairly obvious the Craftsman 56V MAX battery-powered brushless riding mower boasts a 56-volt battery, which falls well within the standard range.
How to clean an electric lawn mower
To clean an electric lawn mower, first, make sure it is turned off, and the battery is removed if possible. The Craftsman 56V MAX battery-powered brushless riding mower battery does not come out. Then, use a brush and/or air compressor to remove any clippings or debris from the underside of the deck. Next, wipe down the mower with a damp cloth, being careful not to get any electrical components wet. Finally, if you took it out, replace the battery and store the mower in a dry, protected area.
Our review
I have been using the Craftsman 56V MAX battery-powered brushless riding mower for several months now, and I must say, it has exceeded my expectations. The mower cuts well at every setting, from the lowest height of 1 inch for a clean, golf course-style lawn to the highest height of 4 inches for more lush terrain.
The length settings are set in quarter-inch increments and can be adjusted quickly and easily with the lever located directly beside the seat on the right side of the body of the mower. This makes customizing the length for different parts of my lawn quite easy. So far, this sounds like any other riding lawnmower, right?
Well, it’s what it sounds like that really sets it apart – or, I should say, the lack thereof. When this Craftsman 56V MAX battery-powered brushless riding mower isn’t in mow mode, it’s silent.
No, no, I don’t mean quiet, I mean zero sound. One of the starkest differences is its complete lack of sound when powered on. Sometimes I don’t know if I turned it on or not. If I miss the two beeps indicating it’s on, I might never know.
To turn it on, the break must be depressed, which is easy to forget, given the aforementioned silence upon ignition. However, it doesn’t stay silent forever. Once those blades get going, we’re up and running, and I would say the cutting force feels comparable to that of a gas-powered motor.
That said, the noise level is less than that of its gassed-up counterparts. Don’t get me wrong, it’s loud, but not like you expect a lawnmower to be. My decibel levels are more than fine with my noise-canceling AirPods at mid-volume.
The battery life is impressive, lasting for the entirety of my .75-acre yard with power to spare. And because it’s cordless, I have the freedom to roam without worrying about getting tangled up or limited by cord length.
However, I must mention that in areas of dense, weedy grass, the mower can slow down or even shut off, requiring some extra maneuvering to get through. Additionally, the propel pedal (it’s not a “gas” pedal) and the reverse pedal are very sensitive, so it’s easy to take off pretty quickly if you press a little too hard too fast.
The blades cut the lawn just like I would expect. Rarely did I have to visit a spot twice, and those few times were when I had let the grass get exceedingly long for the purposes of this review. On my normal weekly mowing schedule, I never saw rouge rough spots in need of another run.
Craftsman 56V MAX Battery-Powered Brushless Riding Mower Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Eco-friendly
- Easy to use and maintain
- Widely adjustable cutting height
- Blade width is generous
- Tight turning radius
- Battery life up to 90 minutes
- Fast charging time of 2 hours
- Price comparable to gas mowers the same size
- Suitable for average suburban-sized lawns
Cons:
- Somewhat tight legroom across the knees
- Not a zero turn
- Motor can slow down mowing tall, dense, weedy areas
- Very sensitive acceleration and deceleration until one gets comfortable with it
Our Verdict
Craftsman 56V MAX Battery-Powered Brushless Riding Mower, $4,899
All in all, the Craftsman 56V MAX battery-powered brushless riding mower is an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their lawn care while lessening their carbon footprint. If that’s not your language, another way to look at it is most gas-powered mowers you can compare this to are going to be similarly priced but will require gasoline, oil changes, and engine maintenance; this won’t. Plus, those mowers still need a battery too.
The fact of the matter is that this is the way of the future. Gone are the days of weak batteries being the only option when it comes to large-scale equipment like lawnmowers. Gas prices are always on an upward trajectory, and battery technology is only going to keep getting better.
While it may have some minor drawbacks, such as the tight legroom and occasional slow-down in dense grass, overall, it is a reliable and efficient choice for anyone with a yard up to an acre in size.
So, if you’re in the market for a riding lawn mower, make it electric. Better yet, make it the Craftsman 56V MAX battery-powered brushless riding mower. Its quality construction, versatile features, and eco-friendly power source make it a standout option in a crowded market. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a hassle-free way to keep their lawn looking its best.
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