Makita lawn mower warranty. Makita vs. Ryobi Brand Comparison | The Saw Guy

Makita vs. Ryobi Brand Comparison | The Saw Guy

When it comes to the inevitable comparison of Makita vs. Ryobi power tools, there’s really only one thing to consider. Is it worth saving the extra money in going with Ryobi, or will it be more beneficial in the long run to spend a few extra bucks and get the quality of Makita?

In terms of performance and quality, Makita hands down makes the better tools. Better construction, more power and efficient, better durability, and longer battery life…. Just better all around.

On the other hand, it’s really hard to ignore the fact that you can typically save a lot of money by going with Ryobi. Which, we might add, is a brand that’s introduced some surprisingly quality tools over the last several years.

In this article, we’ll help you decide which is the better option for your specific DIY intentions. Do you need the quality and professional performance of Makita, or can you “get by” – like thousands of DIY’ers do – with the budget performance of Ryobi.

We’ll be comparing reviews, price points, and key features of each brand’s newest line of power tools, so read on and find out for yourself.

Company Histories

Not surprisingly, a lot of people nowadays end up basing their purchases or loyalty to a specific company on manufacturing policies. and more, it seems, folks are getting fed up with seeing that “Made in China” stamp on the box. They associate it with a general lack in overall quality.

While this is true in a lot of cases, Ryobi is actually one of the “budget” brands that is able to hold its own in terms of performance, construction quality, and even durability. (Unfortunately, we can’t really say the same anymore for brands like Black and Decker, Kobalt, and, sadly nowadays, Craftsman).

Ryobi Company History

Ryobi is a daughter company owned by the massive international conglomerate Techtronic Industries. Yes, most of their stuff is manufactured in China. You can rest assured, though, that in terms of budget power tool options, they’ve been the leaders of the pack ever since Craftsman started going downhill over a decade ago. (And in fact, since Ryobi is owned by the same parent company, a lot of their products come out of the same manufacturing plants as Milwaukee tool. We all know that Milwaukee is some of the finest quality out there).

Makita Company History

The Japanese-based Makita, on the other hand, is entirely their ‘own company’. They don’t fall under the umbrella of any larger corporate ownership. While they definitely take advantage of outsourcing manufacturing to minimize production costs, construction quality has never at all been an issue with them. They’ve always been at the absolute forefront of reliability and performance.

Ryobi and Makita Parent Companies

Techtronic Industries (TTI)

Techtronic Industries is the parent company of Ryobi. They own a wide variety of brands:

• Milwaukee
• AEG
• Ryobi
• Homelite
• Empire
• Imperial Blades
• Stiletto
• Kango
• Hart
• Hoover
• Oreck
• Vax
• Dirt Devil

Makita

Makita is just Makita. It’s one of the few remaining power tool brands that is not owned by a larger company. Makita did acquire the Dolmar brand, increasing its already-impressive line of outdoor power tools.

Product Line Depths

Both Ryobi and Makita sell a wide variety of products. Below, you’ll find what each brands product line consists of.

Ryobi Product Lines

Ryobi sells power tools, outdoor power equipment, lighting, lifestyle and recreation, generators, cleaning storage, hand tools, batteries, and accessories.

Here are some of the specific types of products you can purchase from Ryobi:

• Combo Kits
• Drills
• Impact Drivers
• Ratchets
• Circular Saws
• Miter Saws
• Jig Saws
• Table Saws
• Sanders
• Glue Guns
• Routers
• Nailers
• Paint Supplies
• Mowers
• Seed Spreaders
• Snow Blowers
• Heaters
• Inflators
• Generators
• Wet Vacs
• Modular Storage
• Levels
• Taper Measures

Makita Product Lines

Makita sells corded, cordless, and gas powered products. While they may not sell as many products as Ryobi that doesn’t mean they won’t have what you need. For the average consumer, yhou can find everyhting that you need.

Here are some of the specific types of products you can purchase from Makita:

• Blowers
• Chainsaws
• Hedge Trimmers
• Lawn Mowers
• Pole Saws
• Circular Saws
• Miter Saws
• Metal Cutting Saws
• Hammer Drills
• Impact Wrenches
• Nailers
• Vaccums
• Area Work Lights
• Random Orbit Sanders
• Polishers

Brand Reputation Cost of Tools

Here we’ll go over the reputations and cost of the tools of each brand.

Ryobi Reputation and Tool Affordability

Ryobi tools are considered to be average to above average. The general opinion of its products OS that they’re not high-end in comparison to other brands, but the quality is still quite good.

It is commonly agreed that Ryobi’s tools are more than suitable for small building tasks and light repair work and are a great option for amateur carpenters and craftsmen. Now, some people do not like Ryobi for heavy-duty and professional tasks. However, this is fully going to depend on the individual, industry, and tools in question.

What can for sure be said about Ryobi tools is that people are quite happy with the at that Ryobi sells their products. Don’t get me wrong, they’re definitely not the cheapest option on the planet, but they’re far from being the most expensive. This alone is a big reason why Ryobi tools are such a popular choice among DIY enthusiasts, woodworking hobbyists, craftsmen, etc. In other words, when purchasing Ryobi products, you get tools that are better than average for a reasonable price.

Makita Reputation and Tool Affordability

This company has received some high praise due to the performance and high quality of the tools they make. Makita tools are truly durable, long-lasting, and tough.

Unlike a lot of other brands, Makita uses high-quality raw materials for its products and holds itself to high manufacturing standards as well. You can literally drop these tools on the ground over and over again, and they’d still work like the day you first bought them.

Consumers have found that Makita tools last a long time; the electrical components, motors, and other components can withstand high amounts of heat, friction, and general wear. It’s also noted how Makita tools are usually comfortable to use, functional, and have a variety of features too.

Overall, Makita tools are viewed as some of the best tools you can buy. Makita tools are great for DIY jobs, crafts, home use, and more. However, Makita products are marketed towards tradesmen, professionals, and anyone else who needs reliable, high-quality tools for daily, heavy-duty use.

The quality you get with these tools does come at a cost. Makita is one of the pricier brands. However, you really do get what you pay for.

Makita vs. Ryobi Tool Review

Ok, so this is why we’re here – let’s take a look at some actual tools.

When it comes to power tools, multi-tool combo kits generally represent the best value. This is where budget options like Ryobi can really really save you some money.

If you’re in the market for single tools, though, i.e., only a drill or only a circular saw, there’s often not enough of a price discrepancy to justify the savings you’ll get on a Ryobi compared to the performance and reliability you’ll get with Makita.

Take, for instance, cordless drill combo sets. You can pick up Makita’s brand new 18V sub-compact brushless drill/impact driver combo – two of the best-rated tools on the market behind only Milwaukee’s Fuel- for only slightly more than Ryobi’s new 18V brushless hammer drill.

Have a look at the reviews below to get a better idea of what we’re talking about.

Makita 18V Sub-Compact Brushless Cordless Drill/Impact Driver Combo

Makita’s current sub-compact 18V brushless line of cordless tools is one of the best overall values we’ve seen hit the power tool market in a long, long time.

Performance-wise, the tools are maybe second only to Milwaukee’s cordless Fuel lineup. However, price-wise there’s no comparison whatsoever – the Milwaukee combos are over 30% more expensive.

Since they were introduced several years ago, the Makita sub-compact brushless lineup has pretty much taken over professional job sites all around the country – you’ll see them nowadays more than DeWALT, Bosch, Hitachi, and even more than Milwaukee, given the big price gap between the two.

This two-tool combo easily represents one of the best values available today in the power tool market.

Makita 18V LXT LI-Ion Cordless Drill/Impact Driver Combo

Essentially the same thing as the above combo, but these are the original ‘brushed’ motor instead of the updated, more efficient brushless. (Check out our article here on the functional differences between brushed and brushless electric motors).

For over a decade now, the 18V LXT lineup has been one of the most efficient battery platforms on the market, and combined with Makita’s excellent engineering, construction, and performance, you simply can’t go wrong with any of their power tools, especially at a price point that’s only marginally more than the Ryobi lineup, which we’ll look at below.

Ryobi 18V ONE Brushless Hammer Drill Kit

We haven’t had a chance yet to try out Ryobi’s new brushless hammer drill, but looking simply at the price (it’s barely cheaper than the Makita) and overall performance feedback and customer reviews, we can’t imagine it even coming close to the value of Makita.

Also, Ryobi doesn’t even make a brushless impact driver, and for the price of their hammer drill alone, for a few bucks more you could get a Makita drill/impact combo with the legendary LXT Li-Ion battery platform. For us, that one’s a no-brainer.

Ryobi 18V ONE Cordless Drill/Impact Driver Combo

This is Ryobi’s standard (“brushed”) ½” cordless drill/impact driver combo. A good value, and decent enough tools performance-wise, but for just a little bit more you can get the Makita drill/impact combo with the LXT battery, so like we said earlier, it’s not really worth it in our opinion to save the extra money when you could be getting a much higher quality tool.

The Verdict: For single tools or cordless drill/impact driver combos, Makita is hands down going to be the better value. Yes, Ryobi is slightly cheaper, but not nearly enough to merit walking out on the reliability, reputation, and performance of Makita.

And as far as warranty, both brands have essentially the exact same 3-year limitedguarantee on all power tools – another reason to go with Makita over Ryobi, if you’re only in the market for a single tool or a drill combo.

As you’ll see here in just a second though, the real value/savings of Ryobi comes into play when you start getting into the multi tool combo sets.

Makita vs. Ryobi Reviews: Multi Tool Combo Kits

Like we’ve said a few times now, getting into the four, five, and six-tool combo sets is where you can really save some money by going with Ryobi.

Now keep in mind, these tools are not on the same level performance-wise as one another; Makita is far and away the better tool on all levels. Construction quality, materials, durability/longevity, battery life, power, efficiency – there’s really no comparison.

That’s not to say that Ryobi is garbage, though. In fact, far from it – we know plenty of folks that have gotten by for years and years with Ryobi combo kits, and have had zero problems with them whatsoever.

The only time you’ll really notice the difference in quality between Makita and Ryobi is if you’re either using your tools for really long periods of time (6 hrs or more a day), or if you’re really putting them through the wringer and working with heavy duty material.

For example, if you’re trying to drill a ⅜” hole in a piece of ½” steel with Ryobi’s 18V cordless, you’re going to be left frustrated. Likewise, if you’re trying to use a Ryobi cordless circular saw to rip long pieces of 2×4’s or plywood, you’re going to have a tough time. This is where you’ll want something better quality like Makita. (Although for those kind of jobs, you’d be much better off using corded tools instead of cordless anyway).

So bottom line, if you’re just wanting to get a set of tools to have around the house for basic, light work, you’ll be fine with Ryobi. If you’re gonna be putting in long hours or tackling more heavy duty stuff, though, by all means you ought to spend the extra money and go with Makita.

Makita 18V LXT Li-Ion 6-Piece Cordless Combo Kit

Makita’s rock solid, legendary 18V LXT cordless platform in a 6-tool combo set. What’s to say about this? There’s absolutely no questioning the quality and performance of the tools, it’s honestly just a matter of whether or not you feel you’ll get your money’s worth out of the set.

If you’re looking to buy a cordless set that you plan on using for like, the next ten years (or more), and have a decent garage workspace and know that you’ll get your use out of them, by all means if you can afford it, go with this Makita lineup over Ryobi. If you’re any kind of serious DIY-er, you’ll quickly come to appreciate the comfort, power, and efficiency of the 18V LXT platform.

The 6-piece set comes with a 6 ½” circular saw, a hammer drill, impact driver, 4 ½” angle grinder/cut-off wheel (a really great multi-use tool that you’ll get tons of use out of), reciprocating saw, LED portable work light, and two of the 3.0-amp 18V LXT batteries (with charger).

To put it simply, this is one hell of a combo power tool set.

All the same tools as the 18V LXT kit aboce, but this one has Makita’s new brushless motors, which, to put it simply, absolutely rock.

And by the way, brushless motors are not a marketing gimmick – they really do offer a huge increase in performance, motor efficiency, and battery life (up to 50% more in fact, according to Makita). (Check out our article here on brushless vs. brushed motors).

The only thing that sucks, of course, is that they cost a decent deal more than their older ‘brushed’ cousins – if you want to get in on this absolutely pro-quality set, be ready to drop almost a cool grand.

Oh and one more thing, this kit comes with 5.0-amp batteries instead of 3.0-amp – you’ll literally be using the tools for days on end before needing a re-charge.

Our TOP Value Pick: Ryobi 18V ONE 4-tool Cordless Combo Set

If you’re not a hardcore DIY’er and you don’t really plan on doing a ton of work and/or using and abusing the heck out of your tools, you cannot beat the value of this 4-piece cordless set.

It comes with your standard ½” drill, a 6 ½” circular saw, a reciprocating saw, portable LED work light, and two 18V batteries with the charger – everything you’ll ever need for basic, light work in the home and garage, at a price that still drops our jaws to this day.

And don’t get us wrong – these are not junk tools by any stretch of the imagination. My father has been using the Ryobi 18V ONE platform for probably going on a decade, and has never had an issue with the tools. And that’s saying quite a lot, because he definitely puts his time in out in the garage.

Ryobi 18V ONE 6-piece Cordless Combo

All the same tools as the 4-piece combo, but with an ultra-handy multi tool and ¼” impact driver added on – two very useful tools that you’ll definitely get your use out of.

Comes with the same two 18V battery platform and charger.

The Verdict: We’ll go ahead and reiterate what we’ve already said a couple times now: Unless you plan on getting TONS of use out of your cordless tools, or if you really plan on putting them to the test with a massive renovation project and/or using them for six or more hours a day, it’s very hard to ignore the incredible price of the Ryobi combos. And not to mention, they’re actually decent quality tools that offer the same warranty as Makita.

Warranty Comparison

Here is a quick overview of both Ryobi’s and Makita’s product warranty.

Ryobi Warranty

Ryobi offers pretty good warranties. All Ryobi power tools are covered by a two- or three-year manufacturer’s warranty. Additionally, the majority of Ryobi’s hand tools have limited lifetime warranties, and most of the outdoor equipment features a five-year warranty. Considering that the price of Ryobi products which are reasonable, these warranties are actually quite thorough.

Makita Warranty

Makita offers really good warranties on its products. They have a 30-day replacement guarantee on all of their products. Additionally, all tools have at least a one-year general product warranty for defects. Also, all gas=powered tools have a two-year warranty, and all lithium-ion tools come with a three-year limited warranty.

The Bottom Line – Makita vs. Ryobi

Okie-dokie then, so what’s the final say?

If you’re only looking to pick up a cordless drill, or a drill/impact driver combo, for us there’s not enough of a price discrepancy between Ryobi and Makita to skip out on the performance that you’ll get with Makita – spend the couple extra dollars and get yourself the nicer drill. (Preferably, the new sub-compact brushless combo).

On the other hand, we can’t emphasize enough the insane value that you can get with a Ryobi four or six-tool combo. If you have realistic expectations of what the tools are built for (light, standard DIY work), you can save yourself a chunk of change by going with them over Makita.

Oh and one final thing that we didn’t mention earlier, you do have a couple more options in terms of combo tool kits if you’re not looking to get one of the full-blown four or six-piece sets.

For example, Ryobi has its cordless drill/circular saw combo with a battery and charger – the two most used/most common power tools on earth – that you can pick up for next to nothing.

Also, Makita’s best-value (cheapest) combo set is available as a 3-piece kit, where you can get a cordless drill, impact driver, and reciprocating saw with the rock solid 18V LXT battery platform.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are Ryobi and Makita the Same Company?

No Ryobi and Makita are not the same company. Ryobi is owned by Techtronic industries, which is the parent company. They own a wide variety of brands. Makita is a stand alone copmpany.

Is Ryobi Good Quality?

Yes, Ryobi is considered one of the best brands on the market.

Is Makita Good Quality

Yes, just like Ryobi, Makita is considered one of the best brands on the market.

Do Ryobi Batteries Fit Makita Tools?

Although Ryobi and Makita are in the same market space, they each have their own accessories, including batteries, to fit their accessories. This is how companies ensure customer loyalty.

About Russ Thompson

Hey I’m Russ and I have been a contractor for over 20 years. I know what the cost of having the right tools and materials for the job. My passion for woodworking and helping others by workshops in my wood shop. I have beginner classes all the way up expert trade classes. Check out my bio for more.

Milwaukee vs. Makita – Which Power Tool Brand is Better?

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Makita XML05 36V 17-inch Lawnmower

Makita has taken their mower game up a notch recently with Pro-focused 36V lawnmowers that feature rock-solid build quality and plenty of power. The XML05 Makita 17-inch Lawn Mower carries on that FOCUS with a compact model designed for detail landscaping.

10-Second Summary

• Model: Makita XML05
• 18″ cutting deck; 17″ cutting width
• Brushless motor delivers up to 3,600 rpm
• Plastic deck reduces weight, requires reduced force to push
• Mulching and bagging options
• Single lever cut height adjustment between 13/16″ to 3″
• Soft start
• Extreme Protection Technology
• Warranty: 3 years
• Kit Price: 489.99

Detail Work

As you’d expect, the 36V Makita XML05 mower runs off of two 18V LXT batteries. Unlike some of the other newer Makita lawnmowers, the XML05 only supports two batteries—not four. The compact design overrode the need for adding additional weight and runtime.

The Makita-built brushless motor delivers up to 3,600 RPM to cut quickly and neatly. Overall, you seem to get a nimble mower that lacks none of the power you need for residential cutting in hard-to-reach spaces.

Cut Quality and Options

The Makita XML05Z 17-inch lawn mower features an ergonomic plastic deck that keeps the weight under 40 lbs.—even loaded with both batteries. Less weight means that pushing and turning the mower requires less effort. It also loads on and off the truck, van, or tailer more easily.

Though a side discharge isn’t an option here, the Makita XML05 can mulch or bag clippings for a cleaner finished lawn.

It features a single-point cut height adjustment lever that lets you select between 13/16″ and 3″. A soft start extends the gear life. Also, the wheels feature ball bearings for a smoother drive, and the rubberized handle should provide a soft, comfortable grip while mowing.

Finally, because Pro landscapers sometimes need to work in adverse weather and moisture conditions, the Makita XML05 includes the brand’s Extreme Protection Technology. This series of seals will channel dust and water away from important internal components, extending the life of the mower.

Pricing

The Makita XML05 17-Inch Mower can be purchased as a bare tool or as a kit. The bare tool option retails for 369. The kit, which includes a couple of 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger, will run you 489.99. Both options include Makita’s 3-year warranty.

Makita 36V Lawnmower Specs

• Model: Makita XML05
• Cutting Width: 17 in.
• Deck Width: 18 in.
• Cutting Height Range: 13/16 – 3 in.
• Bag Capacity: 1.4 bushels
• Max Speed: 3,600 RPM
• Dimensions: 58-3/4 x 18-1/8 x 41-1/4 in.
• Net Weight: 37.5 lbs (with batteries)
• Kit includes: Two 18V LXT 5.0Ah batteries, 18V dual-port charger, 17 in. mower blade, grass catcher bag
• Warranty: 3 years
• Kit price: 489.99

The 8 Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Sage McHugh has written for Dotdash Meredith since 2019. With over a decade of experience in consumer-oriented content, Sage has a passion for products and how they enhance our everyday lives.

Andrew Hughes is a certified arborist, member of the International Society of Arborists specializing in tree heal care, and reviews tree content on The Spruce’s Gardening Review Board. He founded and runs Urban Loggers, LLC, a company offering residential tree services in the Midwest and Connecticut.

Jenica Currie is an expert content manager, producer, writer, and editor with over a decade of experience cultivating online communities.

Cordless and environmentally friendly, a battery-powered lawn mower is generally easier to maintain and operate than a gas-powered model, and it is especially suited for small to medium-sized lawns. “The best battery-powered lawn mower for your yard is one that suits your specific needs,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). He suggests asking yourself the following before selecting a mower: “What is the size of the property and job? What features are needed for the job? What is your ability to handle the machine?”

We researched and tested a variety of lawn mowers in our own yards including corded, cordless, gas, electric, push, riding, and self-propelled options. For this list of the best battery-powered lawn mowers, we evaluated products based on their setup, design, performance, usability, safety, and value and included the best options we’ve tested. Throughout our testing process, we carefully observed the mowers’ ability to navigate around obstacles, inclines, and tall grass with ease. Additionally, we conducted a thorough evaluation of the lawn’s appearance to ensure a consistently trimmed finish. As we compiled this list, we also considered the mowers’ runtime, cutting options, charging time, and cutting width.

Best Overall

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower

• Powerful performance
• Long run time and fast charging
• Lightweight, foldable, and compact
• Easy to set up and start
• Quiet operation

The RYOBI 40V HP Brushless 21 Inch Cordless Self-Propelled Mower is the best battery-powered lawn mower we tested because it is just as powerful as some gas models, lasts for up to 70 minutes on a single charge, and is very easy to operate and maintain. We were surprised by how quiet this mower was (almost like weight noise) and lightweight (almost delicate), and easy to start (push-button compared to pulling a cord) compared to gas mowers we’ve used in the past. However, once we got it started and found the right height for an uneven lawn, thanks to the self-propelled technology, it was very powerful and easy to maneuver around, even over hills. By moving a slider from high to low, we could easily adjust the mower’s speed that we needed, depending on the terrain. Finding the right speed takes a bit of getting used to at first, especially on straight, flat rows where the mower was going almost too fast. But overall, we appreciated the power and found it really made mowing much easier, especially on hilly terrain.

This mower has an impressive 70-minute run time, and comes with two 40V batteries. Only one battery is needed at a time, and you can charge the other one with the included Rapid charger and switch them out when needed. We mowed for 45 minutes to an hour each time and had no issues with the mower running out of batteries. However, we will point out a few small issues we came across with the bag. This mower allows you to mulch, bag, or side discharge. The first time we used the mower for the season, the grass was pretty high and the bag filled up very quickly (after mowing about 25-30 feet with taller grass). However, the next few times we used it when the grass wasn’t as overgrown, we did not have that issue. Removing the bag to empty is simple, but when it was full, we did find that it spilled easily. Also, we did notice occasionally that grass would come out of the bag when it was full (just a few blades at a time). While in the mulching mode, we also noted that it did not seem to break up older leaves very well, but we did appreciate overall how well it cut the grass, and we appreciated the seven adjustable cutting heights (1.5 to 4 inches).

We also loved how compact and easy this mower is to store. We had no issues pulling the lever to fold the mower for vertical, space-saving storage. The safety features are also a big plus. The mower has a key, so even though it’s easy to start with just a press of a button, the key does need to be inserted in the mower behind a flap, so you can remove the key when you don’t want someone else using it. You also need to grip the lever when you start or use the mower, or it will not work. The LED headlights also provide extra light should you need it. Overall, if you are looking to switch from a gas to a battery-powered mower or want an easy-to-use mower for your lawn (ideally up to 3/4 of an acre), we found this to be a great choice.

How It Performed Long-Term

After three months of use, we’ve found the self-propelled feature to be especially helpful when mowing on hills and uneven terrain. We were able to use it up to four times on a single charge, which is quite remarkable. Although it may struggle with heavier weeds, it does an excellent job of cutting grass and collecting clippings

Price at time of publish: 799

Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 75 pounds | Run Time: 70 minutes | Charge Time: 1 hour | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge

Best Self-Propelled

EGO Power Select Cut 56-Volt 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower

• Self-propelled feature is easy to use
• Lightweight and easy to maneuver
• Foldable and compact for vertical storage
• 60-minute runtime

A self-propelled lawn mower can make mowing your lawn an easier task because the mower does most of the work for you—you simply guide it over your terrain while you walk at a comfortable pace that you set on your mower. After testing the EGO POWER Self-Propelled Mower, we selected it as our best self-propelled pick because it was easy to turn the feature on and off when you needed it, and it made mowing the lawn feel less of a pain (especially on our backs!) compared to using a heavy gas mower. If you are new to self-propelled mowers, this will take a little getting used to (including this mower), but we think it will be well worth the initial time spent. In fact, when we first started using this mower, we thought the mower might run away (even on the lowest setting) because we were only used to a gas push mower. Once we figured out how to run the mower without the self-propelled feature, it allowed us to get used to the mower itself and all of its features. We found that the lowest setting was all we needed for parts of our lawn, even small hills, and when we felt like that feature wasn’t necessary (navigating around obstacles), it was easy to switch it off at the top of the handle.

Aside from the self-propelled option, this mower offers many great features, making it a great choice for your lawn. We found it easy to adjust both the handle’s height (two options) and angle (three options) with just one hand. Adjusting the cutting height was also a simple and easy task with six settings available, ranging from 1.5 to 4 inches. This mower comes with one EGO 56V ARC Lithium battery that has a 60-minute runtime and takes about the same amount of time to charge. It took us 50 minutes to mow our lawn, and we did not run out of batteries. We also like that you can choose from the bag, mulching, and side-discharge option for your grass clippings and use the LED headlights when mowing early in the morning or later at dusk. The handle can easily be folded, and the mower can be stored vertically in your garage or shed. And like most battery-powered mowers, you’ll get the advantage of a quick, push-button start with no cord and no fumes.

The only downside we reported was the learning curve with using a self-propelled mower. But once we figured out how to navigate the feature and the power it provides, we found it to make mowing the lawn an easier task. If you have a small, flat lawn with a lot of obstacles, this might not be the best option for you. Also, note that we found this lawn worked great on dry and damp grass, but we did experience one time where the mower would not start (the light blinked orange to indicate an issue), but when we moved it to a less wet area, it worked fine. While this mower has many of the same features as our best overall, it has slightly less of a runtime, is heavier, and only comes with one battery. However, it is a bit more budget-friendly, so if you don’t need as much power or as long of a runtime, this could be the better option, especially if you have other EGO tools with compatible batteries.

How It Performed Long-Term

We’ve been using our lawn mower for about three months now and we’re very pleased with its performance. One of the standout features is the battery life. we can mow the lawn three times before needing to recharge. What’s more, it handles thick and tall grass like a champ. we even let the lawn go for 10 days once, and it had no trouble at all. It’s also very effective at dealing with damp grass and leaves.

Price at time of publish: 549

Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 93.61 pounds | Run Time: 60 minutes | Charge Time: 1 hour | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge

The best cordless lawn mowers in 2023

Looking for the best cordless mower? Browse our experts’ pick, from budget to premium models.

A lawn mower may be one of the first purchases we make when getting a garden of our own, but that doesn’t mean finding a good quality one is easy. There are so many models and brands on the market to choose from, including corded electric and petrol, but as their range increases and fall, cordless, battery-powered models are an increasingly popular option.

Light and compact compared with traditional petrol models, cordless mowers are simple to use, easy to manoeuvre around the garden, and have none of the maintenance and servicing needs or costs of petrol lawnmowers. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which charges up quickly and won’t lose power in storage, they’re also quiet and emission free.

To compare these cordless mowers against other types of mower, we’ve reviewed the best lawn mowers, robotic lawn mowers, electric lawn mowers and push mowers, too. And if your lawn needs a bit of attention, our experts have tested a range of the best manual and powered aerators and scarifiers.Keep edges looking neat with our pick of the best strimmers, the best garden shears and the best lawn edging, and if you’re thinking about somewhere to store your new mower, our comprehensive guide to choosing the best garden shed will be helpful.

For your next DIY project, have a look at the best cordless drills.

The best cordless mowers to buy at a glance

Cordless mowers. Buyer’s Guide video

Many thanks to Rosie Yeomans and Sparsholt College for their help in making this video.

Getting the best cordless lawn mower for you means ensuring it has the correct cutting width, range of cutting heights, and weight plus a battery run time that matches the size of your lawn. We’ve tested a range of cordless push mowers, putting them through their paces across a range of grass and terrains, to help you find the right one for your garden.

Each mower has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to set up and storage, handling, mowing and value for money. Every mower in our round up below has scored a minimum of four out of five stars, so you can buy with confidence.

In every review we award outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best cordless lawn mowers, below.

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Best Buy cordless mowers

Husqvarna Aspire LC34-P4A

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

• Quiet
• Cuts even long grass with ease
• Battery level visible while mowing
• Small and compact for easy storage
• Part of the POWER FOR ALL cordless range

Part of the new Husqvarna Aspire cordless range, which includes a hedge trimmer, pruner and leaf blower, this 34cm mower is powered by an 18V POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE battery and charger. These are interchangeable with tools in other leading brands such as Flymo, Gardena and Bosch so if you also invest in tools in these ranges, you’ll only need to buy the bare tool and won’t have different batteries and chargers taking up space in the shed.Great for small gardens the mower comes ready to go, there’s no assembly or handles to attach, and it folds down to a compact size when you’re finished, with a telescopic handle that folds completely flat over the body of the mower. It can then be stood up against a wall or hung up, and even comes with a handy hook. The 30l grass bag also flattens down to take up very little room and can be hung on the mower. The Aspire is light, with a carry handle so that lifting it up steps or into other areas is easy and it has an adjustable handle to suit different height users. It’s comfortable and easy to manoeuvre around the garden and has just four cutting heights to choose from, ranging from 25-65mm and changed easily with a single lever on the body of the mower. It cuts grass quietly and smoothly and has an automatic boost that increases blade speed when you’re mowing in tougher, longer areas that works well. You can hear it kick in when you push the mower into longer grass and unlike other cordless mowers that can cut out, just carries on cutting the grass. While you mow the battery charge level is always clearly visible so you know how much battery you have left and when it needs charging. It comes with a two year warranty and we awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2023 for ease of use.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 95 mins; run time. 500sqm. Cutting: width. 34cm; height. 25-65mm. Grass box. 30 litre.

Buy the Husqvarna Aspire C34-P4A cordless mower from Husqvarna and Sam Turner

Greenworks GDG24LM33

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

• Easy to assemble and use
• Comfortable padded handle
• Choice of mulching or collecting clippings
• Interchangeable battery with Greenworks 24V family

Ideal for smaller gardens this sturdy, great value cordless mower is easy to put together, well thought out and simple to use. Thanks to a padded handle it’s comfortable to push, although it did feel a little short for our taller tester, and it’s light and easy to manoeuvre around trees and beds and borders. There are five cutting heights to choose from, adjusted with the simple lift of a lever and it offers the choice of collecting clippings in the 30 litre fabric grass bag or inserting the mulching plug and leaving them on the lawn to break down and feed the grass. It mows well but doesn’t like very long grass, with the battery cutting out occasionally but its long lasting brushless motor offers a a decent run time of 46 minutes and it charges in two hours. Plus, as part of the Greenworks 24V family, both the battery and charger are interchangeable with all the other tools in the range, saving you money if you invest in more in the future. We awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best budget cordless mower in 2023.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 120 mins; run time. 46mins. Cutting: width. 33cm; height. 25-70mm. Grass box. 30 litre.

Yard Force LMG37A 40v 37cm

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

• Rear roller
• Double folding handle for easy storage
• Quickest charge time
• Part of the Yardforce GR40 cordless range

This sturdy mower has a 37cm cutting width and useful features including a rear roller for those much desired stripes. Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2022 for small to medium lawns, clippings are collected in the large 40 litre fabric grass bag. It offers a wide choice of seven cutting heights, from 25-75mm, and is easy to fold away at the end of the day. The 40V battery is quick to charge, taking just 50 minutes and when full it has the capacity to cut a 400m2 lawn.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 50 mins; run time. 400sqm. Cutting: width. 37cm; height. 25-75mm. Grass box. 40 litre.

Buy the Yard Force LMG37A 40V 37cm cordless mower from Yard Force, Amazon and Wickes