Battery Mowers Come Into Their Own
Battery mowers are a good choice for lawns of less than 12 acre, which now make up the bulk of newly developed residential properties. Because theyre electric, battery mowers also are more eco-friendly than gas machines. And Consumer Reports tests show theyre quieter.
Battery self-propelled models draw energy from the motor to power the wheels, which makes them easier to maneuver on a larger or sloped lot. Battery push mowers are generally less expensive, with fewer features than self-propelled typesideal if you have less than 14 acre of grass to cut.
Performance-wise, both types are making gains. In Consumer Reports lawn mower ratings, the top battery self-propelled mower, made by Greenworks, scores just a couple of points lower than the top-rated gas model, a Honda statistically, theyre even. Several other self-propelled battery mowers just below the Greenworks mower in the ratings perform comparably to their highly rated, self-propelled gas counterparts.
And two battery push mowersfrom Ego and Ryobireceive significantly higher overall scores than the top-rated gas push mower, also a Honda.
Differences Between The Ego Lm2142sp And 2102sp Models
One other major difference between these two Ego mowers is that the 7.5 Ah model has a polymer composite cutting deck, while the 5 Ah model has a steel cutting deck. Both seem to perform extremely well across all kinds of grass, but the steel is, arguably, the more sustainable material.
The rear wheels on the 2 x 5 Ah model are also an inch bigger in diameter , which may help with maneuverability in some situations and be better for sloping lawns. The 7.5 Ah model also weighs a dash more at 78.8 lbs compared to 75 lbs or the 2 x 5 Ah model.
The major difference between the two, though, is simply the run time. The 7.5 Ah gives you around 60 minutes of run time before youll need to charge the battery. And, of course, while youre charging the battery, you dont have a spare to use as a backup. With the dual battery model, you can use one 5 Ah battery for 45 minutes while charging the other battery, then switch them out to carry on mowing without having to take a break. This way, you could pretty much mow all day and, thanks to the LED headlights, all night if you wanted!
Both of these Egos have one easy-to-use shifter style handle that adjusts the height of all four wheels at the same time, which is much more convenient than having to adjust each one individually. Both models fold up easily for storage, and both have weather-resistant construction and a 21-inch deck size, with 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, side discharge options.
Best Corded: Black+decker Mm2000 20 In13
Amazon
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Winged blades for better grass collection
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Most components are plastic
For a corded mower thats larger and more powerful, this model from BLACK+DECKER is a top contender. Its powered by a 13-amp motor that can handle tall grass, and it has a 20-inch mower deck that lets you cut wider paths on each pass. Plus, it has a six-setting height adjustment thats controlled by a single lever.
This corded mower can side-discharge, mulch, or bag grass clippings, and its unique winged blades are designed for optimal grass collection. The BLACK+DECKER mower is easy to push around your yard thanks to its large rear wheels, and its handle folds down for more compact storage.
Cutting Width: 20 inches | Weight: 52.9 pounds | Power Source: Corded | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 0.25 to 0.5 acres
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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.
Lawn Size And Terrain
The size of your lawn might be the single most important thing to consider when buying a mower.
If you have a large yard, you want to find a self-propelled lawn mower with a big gas tank or large capacity battery so you can finish your mowing on a single charge without the need to refuel or recharge.
You should also analyze the terrain of your lawn before buying a lawn mower. For instance, a lightweight mower is going to be easier to maneuver up and down hills.
On the other hand, if you have difficult terrain that is more bumpy, up and down, or otherwise challenging to mow over, larger wheel size and adjustable cutting height could be helpful features.
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How Do I Know When It Is Time To Replace My Self
If your self-propelled lawn mower is no longer performing as well as it used to or if its starting to show signs of wear and tear, it may be time to replace it. Be sure to consult with the manufacturers recommendations to see how long your specific model is expected to last.
> > > See more: Push Vs Self Propelled Mowers Whats Better?
Corded Electric Lawn Mower Buying Guide: The Next Considerations
Besides the points that I have mentioned above, there are some other important factors that determine the actual performance you’ll experience. Especially for people that are first time buyers in the market, understanding these features and how they differ from one mode to the other would be very handy. Now, moving on…
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Worx Wg719 Corded Electric Mower
Having a grass collection bag makes the whole mowing task to be easy. But most time, it is all dependent on individual preferences and the nature of your yard. However, there are people that start their search with a definite interest in the mower with a grass bag.Assuming you are one of these people, Worx WG719 will certainly serve your need.
The ignition method built into this machine powered by electrical systems. This makes it very easy to start among old and young users alike. In other words, you don’t have to spend a considerable amount of time just to put your machine in motion. Unlike some others reviewed so far, Worx WG719 comes with steel which adds to its long-life span. But the thing I don’t like at all is that this mower can only offer 45 minutes runtime.
Another cool feature is the lightweight nature of this equipment. In specific terms, the actual weight stands at 48.5lbs. And that makes it easy to move through thick and thin grasses. From the same brand, the other corded mowers that belong to the same category are Worx WG751 and Worx WG744. As a matter of fact, these two other models are priced slightly above $200.
Even as a push mower, Worx WG719 had been proven to work well for uneven terrain in difference lawn sizes. The only thing is that cannot compare the speed with self propelled models like Greenworks MO09B01 or Sun Joe MJ408E-Pro. The maximum cut height is between 5 6 inches.
Pros
Why You Should Trust Us
Over the past nine mowing seasons, weve 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 isnt writing about mowers, hes often being interviewed about them .
Weve interviewed landscapers, including Chad Crosby of West Michigan Lawn Services and Paul Koehler of Koehler Landscape Construction Services. Weve called people at lawn mower retail/service outlets, like Nick Ortiz at Kellam Lawn Mower in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, and Boston Lawnmower Companys David . Weve 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 guides editor, Harry Sawyers, assists with testing mowers on his LA property and draws from his previous experience as a professional landscaper.
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Honda Hrc216 Series Commercial Lawn Mowers
Start with a Honda GXV160 engine, tell the design team to build the best lawn mower they can think of, and you end up with the Honda HRC216 series. The flagship model is the HRC216HXA. Highlights include a hydrostatic transmission, RotoStop system that lets you take your hands off without turning off the engine, MicroCut twin blades, and more. Its not just a bunch of hype, either. This mower is powerful and built to a level that stands up to legitimate commercial and possibly even battlefield use.
If you want to save a little money and the Blade Stop feature doesnt feel like a requirement to you, check out the HRC216HDA mower which drops the price to $1,379.
Price: $1379 $1489
Greenworks 25022 Electric Lawn Mower
In order to make your purchase decision easier instead of making you overwhelmed with too many options in the list, I have limited the best corded electric lawn mower reviews to five options only. Tell me, haven’t you heard of analysis paralysis? The endless analysis of alternatives that often lead to confusion and indecision. Ok, what is it about Greenworks 25022?
First, it is last on the list. And it has some interesting features that made it a considerable option among thousands of other competing models in the market. For prospective buyers that have a strong interest in a corded mower, the maximum cord length on this machine is about 150 inches. When you buy Greenworks 25022, it comes with three grass clipping discharge options side discharge, bagging, and mulching.
As one of the best lawn mowers under $200, replacing it is relatively easier than the counterparts that are sold above $400. Above what is obtainable from others, the size of the steel is about 20 inches. For different grass types and heights, this Greenworks mowers offer you 7 position adjustment options. With that, you can be able to handle grass blades that have varying heights between 1.2 4 inches.
When you are using this machine, the only noticeable noise you’ll hear is the grass blades being cut. The mower itself operates very quietly at all times. The other notable features are the 12 amp motor which powers the wheels as well as the lighter 54 pounds weight it has.
Pros
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How To Choose The Right Self
There are a few factors you need to consider when choosing the right self-propelled lawn mower for your needs.
The size of your yard, the type of terrain, and how often you plan to use the mower are all important factors to keep in mind. If you have a small yard, you may want to consider a lightweight model that is easy to maneuver.
The terrain of your yard will also dictate the type of lawn mower you need. If you have a hilly yard or have a lot of obstacles, then you will need a model that can handle hills with good traction and maneuverability. If you will be mowing mostly flat surfaces, then a standard self-propelled lawn mower should work fine.
If you plan to use your lawn mower frequently, be sure to choose one that is durable and easy to operate. When it comes to self-propelled lawn mowers, there are various features that you might want to consider. Some features include: mulching capability, bagging capability, and side discharge.
The other thing you will need to do is measure your lawn. This will help you determine the appropriate mower width. Most self-propelled mowers have a cutting width of 21 inches or more.
Next, you will need to think about the type of grass you have. If you have a lot of thick, dense grass, you will need a mower with more power. Conversely, if you have a lot of thin or patchy grass, you can get away with a less powerful mower.
Honda Hrx217hza: Best Gas Lawn Mower Overall
We’ve chosen the Honda HRX217HZA as our best overall gas-powered mower because it’s got all the features you’ll ever need in a mower coupled with that fantastic Honda engine and build quality.
Let’s start with the engine size. At 200cc it’s the most powerful engine in our buying guide, matching the Honda HRX217VKA and just a whisper ahead of the Weibang WB537SCV-3IN1. You get twin blades with the Honda HRX217HZA too, and a 4-in-1 Versamow System, which means you can easily switch between mulching, bagging, discharging and leaf-shredding.
The difference between this model and the similarly named Honda HRX217VKA, also in our buying guide, is the addition of Roto Stop technology, which means you can stop the blades without stopping the engine, and Hydrostatic Cruise control for simple, precise control of the mower’s speed.
You also get one of our favorite features, which is the electric key start, so there’s no cord to pull. Just turn a key and the mower springs into life. In fact, it’s hard to think of a feature of a lawnmower that you’d want and that you can’t find here. The Honda HRX217HZA might be expensive, but if you pay a little more you get a mower that will last you a lifetime.
- Read our Honda HRX217HZA review
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How We Tested And Selected
We put all of the mowers we test through the paces using our standard Popular Mechanics methodology: We cut turf grasses such as fescues and blue grass and rougher non-turf grasses like Timothy, clover, orchard grass, and wild oats, all in both normal and shin-deep heights. We mow uphill, downhill, and across the faces of hills. The maximum slope we cut is about 30 degrees. That may not sound like much, but itâs about all you can do to stand on it, let alone push a mower up it or across it. We mow damp and wet grass to test general cutting performance and whether clippings accumulate on the tires. And we cut dry and dusty surfaces to see how well the bag filters under less-than-optimal conditions.
A couple of the mowers weâve selected but havenât tested yet . But we tested the previous, now discontinued generation of each of those machines. And based on the performance and build quality of their predecessors, we think any of these three self-propelled mowers is a likely candidate to handle your mowing needs this summer.
Engine Power Vs Motor
We can compare the horsepower of a gas engine to the volts of an electric motor. There is a wide range of engine or motor sizes and power options.
A gas engine is more robust, powerful, and the better option for large yards. But, a gas engine will require more maintenance than an electric mower.
Gas engines can also be trickier to start than electric motors.
The best electric mowers require little maintenance and are easy to get going. They are also cheaper to run and quieter than gas engines.
However, electric motors offer less power and wont work well for larger yards. Less power also means electric motors dont do as well as gas engines when cutting through tall or wet grass.
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How Long Do Electric Lawn Mower Batteries Last
This is a multi-faceted question. Lithium-ion batteries have run times and lifetimes. As previously mentioned a mower battery should have about a five-year battery life. If replaced, it can extend the mowers life to 10 or more years. Depending on the voltage, and amp hours offered by the battery, costs vary significantly as does the run time of the lawn mower. Most mower battery packs have a cut time between 30 minutes and 60 minutes, which will allow a homeowner to mow between a half to a third of an acre or so. If you have a small lawn you wont need a giant mower or battery. For a bigger lawn consider a mower with a higher voltage and higher Ah battery pack. If you want a self-propelled electric lawn mower you might need an even bigger battery.
Another thing to consider when purchasing a battery-powered lawn mower is whether you want it to be part of an ecosystem of electric tools. Companies like Ryobi, Stihl, DeWalt and Black & Decker, offer electric lawn mowers and electrified tools like weed whackers and trimmersor even drills and saws. These offer opportunities to share batteries and chargers among many pieces of equipment.