How We Tested Cordless Lawn Mowers
We tested a range of cordless mowers, which were all push operated and suitable for small or small-to-medium-sized lawns. Each mower was unpacked, assembled, then used to cut grass over a wide area, and wheeled up slopes and in and out of storage to see how they fared. They were assessed according to the following criteria with equal marks attributed to each:
- Setup and storage. Looked at the ease of assembly and clarity of instructions, the battery charge time and how easy the mower is to store.
- Handling. Focused on comfort and ease of use, handle-height adjustment and how to change the height of cut, weight, noise levels and run time.
- Mowing. Assessed cutting width, the range of cutting heights, collection-bag capacity and features such as cutting to the edge or mulching.
- Value for Money. Considered all of the above as well as quality, design, warranty and price, which includes the battery and charger. For example, the Worx WG779E was awarded Best Buy for the range of features it offered at its low price point.
For more information on our testing process see How we Review
This review was last updated in July 2022. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.
The Best Electric Lawn Mowers For All Types Of Use
Achieve the finest lawn on the block while reducing your carbon footprint.
Electric lawnmowers have dramatically increased in use in the past five years. Once thought to be clunky and inept, brands have advanced the technology on electric mowers to ensure simplicity and efficiency.
Just like e-bikes, electric lawn mowers are constantly leveling up every year. Nowadays, the best electric lawnmowers have as much power as old-school gas models, and you won’t have to pay these sky-high gas prices to juice it up. You can also make a case that electric is safer for at-home storage, as gas mowers are prone to leaking oil and gasnot to mention having canisters full of gasoline sitting around isn’t the most ideal situation, either.
- Best Overall
- Best Bang For Your Buck24V iON+ CordlessSun Joe
In general, electric lawnmowers are relatively quieter and require less physical upkeep. Oil changes, cleaning up oil leaks, and adding fuel preservatives in the off-season are all a thing of the past with electric mowers. All you have to do is charge their battery after each mow and replace a spark plug every now and then.
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Corded mowers require a power source close by to use, but the plus side on using a corded electric lawn mower as opposed to cordless ones is the price. Corded mowers are cheaper, plus you get a constant delivery of power, making them great for small yards.
- Has LED lights for 24-hour use
- Cuts wet grass well
- 20″
- Expensive
- 21″
- Expensive
Best For Professionals And Large Yards: Greenworks Pro 80v
With 2 batteries, you can cut with one while the other is rapid charging so you never have to stop mowing, making it a great choice for large lawns or professionals.
Greenworks has a one-battery-fits-all approach to the cordless outdoor equipment, and the 80V batteries fit into 20 other tools. It’s perfect for professionals and yard warriors wanting more power.
This 80v cordless lawn mower features a durable steel deck, large 10-inch rear wheels, and a single-lever height adjustment.
The brushless motor delivers the same amount of cutting performance as a 160cc gas engine, and load sensing technology that sends more power to the blade when it senses the mower is bogging down in long or wet grass.
Get the best price Greenworks PRO 80v Cordless Lawn Mower in Canada from:
Best for Professionals and large yards: Greenworks PRO 80v review details:
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Pro Pick: Makita Connectx 21
One of the biggest challenges with any battery-powered electric lawn mower is runtime. Makita put that problem squarely in its crosshairs and developed the ConnectX system. Unlike other designs, the 1200Wh power supply attaches directly to the top of the mower, offering more than 3x the capacity of most cordless mowers and running up to 3 hours continuously.
Similar to the 18V X2 XML08, the mower tops out at 2800 RPM with a 2300 RPM Quiet Mode and has a true 21-inch steel deck.
Price: $949.00 bare, $1399.00 power supply
Best Powerful Lawn Mowermakita Self
This Makita mower is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a more powerful option as it is similar to a gas-powered mower but without the fumes and maintenance demands.
This model is self-propelled with speeds that reach three miles per hour. Its brushless motor and 18V batteries allow it to mow up to ½ acre. In addition to the mower, the set comes with four batteries and a rapid two-charger base.
One customer with a medium-sized lawn described, This is a professional quality tool that delivers professional quality results… I did my entire front lawnbagged onlyusing one battery bank I love this mower. It gives me all the benefits of a gas mower with none of the negatives.
Specifications
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Cordless Riding Zero Turn Mowers
Recently both Ryobi and Ego have released cordless zero turn mowers. These are large ride-on mowers that have the capability of cutting two or more acres. Ryobi has a number of models available and Ego has one, but looking at the largest and most capable, they come with a price tag between $4000 and $7000.
The Ego ZT4204L 42-inch Z6 Zero Turn Riding Mower uses the same style of battery that is in all of their lawn equipment. The mower comes with four 10.0 Ah batteries, but the machine has ports for six, so there is some scalability, especially if you have additional Ego batteries from other tools. The mower also acts as a charger and, according to Ego, once plugged in, can fill all of the batteries in only two hours. Just using the four included batteries, the Ego can cut about 2 acres.
Ego followed the 42-inch zero turn with a larger ZT5207L 52-inch Z6 Zero Turn Riding Mower, which can cut up to 4 acres, according to the company.
The Ryobi RY48140 Zero Turn Electric Riding Mower has a single internal battery, which can power the mower to cut up to 3½-acres. Like the larger Ego, it has a 54-inch cut and amenities like the USB port and cup holders. The downside of this model is that charging is an overnight process, so you would want to make sure it could handle your lawn in a single mow. They have two 42-inch models as well.
Best Husqvarna Electric Battery
Husqvarna launched a 20-inch commercial-grade 3-in-1 battery-powered self-propelled lawn mower with an aluminum deck and front bar to protect the battery/motor housing. The W520i notably is compatible with a battery backpack. It doesnt fit as cleanly as Makitas ConnectX since you still need to run an adapter into the battery slots, but it does take the weight off of your back and keep you from being tethered. It also has a higher than normal cutting range that tops out at 4.5 inches.
Price: $1199.99 bare
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How We Chose Our Selection Of Cordless Lawn Mowers
Before compiling this list of the best cordless lawnmowers, we took a variety of aspects into consideration like size and performance. However, there are four major things that determined our selection that include
Brand – The top brands we selected are readily available and have earned consumer trust with thousands of positive reviews. These top brands have earned good reputations over years of service. And our favorite of the list, Ryobi is readily available at Home Depots across the United States. That means easy warranty service for those who choose it.
Quality – We looked for mowers that have a reputation for lasting a long time. This means we researched dozens of other articles and learned about brands before starting up the engines on our own testing.
Reviews – As a consumer, you can learn a ton from the opinions of other shoppers. And just like you, we read many, many reviews to make informed choices. We go through the effort to learn about these products just like you would with the goal of saving you time on research. We selected the products that had the most positive reviews as well as those that lived up to the hype.
Price – We realize that price matters. As such, we offer products on our list in a good range of prices that cut across a variety of peoples budgets, while offering value at every price level.
Toro Recycler 21 Inch Smartstow 60v: Best Electric Lawn Mower For Speed
The Toro Recycler 21 inch SmartStow 60-Volt Cordless mower excels when it comes to small, flat lawns. This is all down to its cordless design and self propelled operation. The only drawback is that it takes a while to fully charge, and can only be used for 45 minutes at the time when the battery is finally full.
There is an added bonus when it comes to storage though, as it can be placed upright when it is not in use. You can also choose from three different options when it comes to discharging grass clippings. The warranty on this model is two years, which is average for a mower of this type.
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Corded Vs Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers
Corded Electric mowers need to be connected to a power source to run. They are generally more powerful and will run as long as you need them. It may, however, limit your movements and the cords may get tangled while mowing. The plus side is these mowers may cost less than the cordless ones.
Cordless lawn mowers are battery-operated this means they have a limited time to run. The run time will generally last long enough to complete the task at hand. However, they are a bit heavier than electric corded mowers and are more expensive.
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 isnt an issue, but often the moments when youre 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, theres 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 Egos reading this, theyll probably say were 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 thats 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 to about $250 , 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.
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What Should I Consider Before Buying A Cordless Electric Lawn Mower
Keep in mind the typical conditions of your particular grass at the height of summer. Its no secret that tall, thick grass will lower the size of your mowed area per battery charge significantly.
Ditto that for damp and wet conditions that will clog up your cutting deck quickly and make your machine work much harder. Knowing when to mow the grass is important.
Even if you have a postage-stamp-sized yard, having a second battery on hand is a very good idea so that you can save time, avoid the hassle, and reduce battery wear by using one battery while charging the other.
The size of your yard is the most important factor in determining the best cordless electric lawn mower for your needs. An electric mower is a good choice for yards that are about 10,000 square feet or less. You need to look at what cutting deck size makes sense as well.
The smaller your yard, the smaller the mower can be. A 16-inch mower may be perfect for a small yard, but you will most likely want a 21-inch mower for a larger yard to cut down on mowing time.
Also, consider your age and physical condition when choosing a cordless electric mower. A self-propelled mower may be appropriate for even a very small yard if pushing a lawn mower is challenging for you.
The Ryobi Ry401140us 40v Hp Brushless 21 Is Simple Effective And One Of The Best Battery
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Popular Mechanics and Consumer Reports both recommend several Ryobi battery-powered lawn mowers for a reason. In addition to long-lived batteries, the brand has a variety of electric lawn mowers to fit a variety of yards and budgets. Theres even one with all-wheel drive, the $800 self-propelled Ryobi RY401210 40V HP Brushless 21 Whisper Series mower.
But if you just want a simple, effective electric lawn mower, PM notes, Ryobi has better-suited options. Its a bit louder and has a slightly shorter running time, but the Ryobi RY401140US 40V HP Brushless 21 self-propelled mower is arguably the better buy. And at $500, its significantly more affordable.
However, that doesnt mean this battery-powered lawn mower is cheap. It has a seven-position blade, three discharge settings, integrated LEDs, and a lifetime warranty for its corrosion-resistant polypropylene deck. Also, its made in the U.S.A. In addition, it has dual battery ports, so you can run both its 6-Ah batteries at the same time. Plus, it comes with one-touch-fold aluminum handles and a 40V rapid charger.
Although Ryobi claims the RY4014440US has up to a 70-minute running time, Consumer Reports found that was more like 60 minutes. Also, at 61.5 pounds, its not the lightest battery-powered lawn mower out there. However, that doesnt change the fact that its still one of the best.
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Electric Mowers Are Better Than Gas Mowers
Cordless electric lawn mowers are better than gas mowers for a few reasons:
- Zero emissions, which is much better for the environment
- Electric mowers are much quieter, which means cutting the grass early or late in the day is a possibility
- No gas, oil, air filters, or spark plugs to buy or maintain.
- Little or no maintenance, besides charging batteries and sharpening or replacing mower blades.
- Push button start, no more recoil starters
I actually completely switched to electric powered outdoor lawn equipment recently, and I am happy I made the decision.
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How Cr Tests Lawn Mowers And Tractors
In recent years, CRs ratings have included an increasing number of walk-behind battery mowers, to reflect developments in this rapidly growing category. This year, weve rated 56 walk-behind battery mowers, up from 39 last year.
To get you ratings and reviews of the latest models by early spring, our testers travel to Florida to conduct tests in late winter at grounds we specially prepare each year. We plant 1,800 pounds of grass seed . We cut 500,000 square feet of grass in three modesmulching, side-discharging, and bagging . We mow both level turf and slopes to get a feel for the handling of each and every model. We also review the convenience features on every model we assess.
The Overall Score incorporates all that performance data, along with predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings from our latest member surveys, fielded in the fall of 2019, 2020, and 2021. In all, we collected CR member feedback on nearly 44,000 mowers purchased between 2011 and 2021, reflecting experiences with more than 11,500 battery mowers.Not sure which kind of mower you want? Start with our lawn mower buying guide.
Power Source Motor Type And Battery Life
Power source is pretty self-explanatory and will typically be either gas, electric corded, or electric battery. If youre really eager to be green and energy self-sufficient, you may want to convert your battery-operated mower into a solar-powered electric lawn mower to be totally emissions-free.
Gas mowers are not an eco-friendly choice
According to a technical document published by Michigan State, mowing the average lawn in the United States creates as much air pollution as driving the family car on a 200-mile trip. The document then goes on to outline how to convert your electric mower to a solar powered mower. According to a Swedish study published in 2001, operating a typical four-stroke, four horsepower lawn mower for an hour produced emissions equivalent to driving a car for 150 kilometers .
A note on gas lawn mowers and emissions
The United States Environmental Protection Agency places restrictions on emissions from lawnmowers, but there are no emission-free gas lawn mowers. Gas mowers also become less efficient and pump out ever-greater emissions the older they get.
Most modern gas-powered lawn mowers have a 4-stroke motor instead of the old-style 2-stroke motors. Knowing the difference between these two motors is essential because you could ruin your motor if you use the wrong type of oil. With a 2-stroke engine, you need to use 2-stroke oil, which requires mixing oil and fuel. For a 4-stroke engine, theres no need to pre-mix oil and fuel.
Best Electric Lawn Mowers For Small Yards
- May 21, 2022
If you are looking for an electric lawn mower in 2022, you are not alone.
They are one of the hottest items to buy because they tend to be cheaper, easier to store, and quieter than gas mowers.
First time home buyer? Recently downsized? Live in California? Sick of gas prices? Me too.
While there are a TON of electric mowers out there, some of them are crap and some of them are rip-offs. So, lets cut through the noise as usual.
Weve summed up our findings here:
- BEST Value: Greenworks 40V 20 inch mower