Electric mower battery replacement. How to Charge, Maintain Lawn Mower Batteries

How to Charge, Maintain Lawn Mower Batteries

Environmental consciousness and advances in electric mower performance are convincing more Americans to buy electric lawn mowers to replace their gas ones. But with that choice comes the responsibility of learning how to charge and maintain lawn mower batteries.

From the newest 100,000 Tesla to the humble golf cart at your local course, the batteries that power them have come a long way, both in power and in the amount of care required.

Types of Electric Lawn Mower Batteries

Note: In this article, we will be talking exclusively about electric lawn mowers.

Electric push mowers, which comprise about 80% of the electric mower market, use a rechargeable battery pack as a power source. To recharge the battery pack, remove it from the mower and use an appropriate battery charger.

Electric riding mowers use larger batteries (like car batteries). For example, the Ryobi RY48110 uses four 12-volt, lead acid batteries connected in a series. To charge them, you need specific charger cables or chargers that plug into the wall on one side and into the mower on the other through a built-in charging port in the mower itself.

How Will I Know When My Battery Starts to Wear Out?

“When it starts to wear out, the biggest thing you’ll see is it won’t last as long”, says Gary Koenig, associate professor in chemical engineering at the University of Virginia.

Older batteries become more resistive internally, and have to work harder to complete the same amount of output, he says. Batteries also have some amount of self-discharge, sometimes called “leakage current” or “parasitic current,” Koenig says.

This means a fully charged battery will slowly drain while off the charger. However, the discharge takes place slowly. It may leak out only a few percentage points per month. So if you’ve left a fully charged battery in the garage over winter, it’s not going dead if it only lasts 50 minutes on that first cut come spring. No trickle charger needed. Just pop the battery back on the charger until it’s fully charged for that first cut of the season.

Charge an Electric Riding Lawn Mower Battery

Here is a step-by-step guide to charging an electric riding lawn mower battery

• Stay safe. Put on protective clothing, including gloves and safety glasses.

• Unplug the charger. Unplug the charger from the electrical outlet.

• Locate the battery. If you’re using a riding lawn mower, the battery is found underneath the seat. The best way to find the battery is to consult the owner’s manual.
• Match voltage between the mower and the charger. Your battery’s voltage is indicated by an amp (ampere) rating. The higher the amp rating, the greater its amperage, meaning a stronger electric current can flow through it. Toggle the charger’s voltage to match your mower’s battery voltage.

• Plug the charger in. Make sure the cable is securely connected to your battery, and not touching any metal parts inside or outside the lawn mower. If you connect the cable incorrectly, it could damage your battery and/or charger.

When to Charge a Lawn Mower Battery

Most manufacturers recommend charging your lawn mower battery at least once a month during the summer months and at least once a week during the winter months.

Below are some of the most common times you should hook your battery up to a charger.

• After buying a new lawn mower. Charge the lawn mower’s battery before using it. This will give your machine a good initial start.

• If your lawn mower seems to be failing. If it seems like your lawnmower isn’t working, check its battery. Usually, all you need to do is charge the battery to get your lawnmower back in shape.

• After you’re finished mowing the lawn. After cutting the grass, leave the lawnmower unplugged so the battery can rest and re-energize. If your lawn mower has a built-in alternator, your battery will remain charged due to power being circulated through the lawn mower.

Dos and Don’ts of Charging a Lawn Mower Battery

Do:

✓ Choose batteries and chargers from the original manufacturer, engineered to work the best with the corresponding tool.

✓ Transport and store batteries away from metal objects like keys, coins, screws and nails. The same goes for liquids. These can connect the positive terminal and negative terminal and short the battery out.

✓ Remove the battery when storing the tool.

✓ Keep the battery dry, clean and free from oil and grease.

✓ Monitor the battery’s performance. Stop use if the battery is overheated, damaged or modified.

✓ Protect the battery terminals. Barry says terminals are the battery’s weak spot, where water, dust and dirt get in. Store batteries where terminals can be protected.

Don’t:

✗ Throw the battery in the trash. Always follow local regulations and recycle the battery at a local recycling center.

✗ Charge the battery in excessively hot or cold temperatures, which Koenig says can also cut into the battery’s useful life. Different manufacturers and products set different temperature limits, found in their owner’s manuals.

✗ Place batteries near fire or heat, including a pilot light, which increases the chance of explosion.

✗ Charge the battery in a damp or wet location.

✗ Try to bypass any safety or control devices to change the voltage rate at which a battery charges, Koenig says.

Useful Advice for Recharging Batteries

Lots of advice — some of it conflicting — circulates about whether to leave the battery on the charger all the time, and whether to let the batteries drain completely before recharging.

For lithium-ion batteries, overcharging and completely discharging them can cut down on the overall life of the battery, Koenig says.

It’s “generally better not to discharge it all the way,” he says. “Don’t run it very low.”

That means keeping the battery’s charge level at 20-percent or better. Discharging it below that will accelerate fade, or the battery’s slow degradation.

And when recharging, disconnect when it reaches 100-percent.

If you’re curious about which type of electric lawn mower is best for you, check out our guide on the best electric lawn mowers for homeowners.

Tips for Maintaining Your Lawn Mower Battery

Proper battery maintenance will help your lawn mower perform at its best and live longer. Here are a few tips to help extend your lawn mower’s battery life.

• In the winter, your battery will lose life due to a lack of use. To keep it charged during the off-season, disconnect it from your lawn mower and store it in a cool, dry place. Use a trickle charger to keep it charged during those cold winter months.

• Don’t operate the lawn mower with a dead battery.

• When taking your lawn mower indoors, turn it off to avoid damaging the battery.

• Don’t leave the battery on the lawn mower all day long. This will cause your lawn mower to overheat, shorten its battery life, and damage the lawn mower.

• Always charge the battery at least once a month.

• Never use the lawn mower battery to jump start a car. Doing so will damage your lawn mower, and unlike car batteries, lawn mower warranty doesn’t cover your batteries.

• Always remove the lawn mower battery from the charger when it reaches a full charge.

At the end of the day, it’s recommended to let the owner’s manual have the final say.

FAQs

How Long Does it Take for my Lawn Mower to Fully Charge?

Charging types for electric lawn mowers depend upon both battery and charger type. Some electric lawn mowers charge within 100 minutes and run for 1 to 2 hours. Larger lawn mowers can charge for 3 to 4 hours and run for 1.5 hours.

The type of lawn mower also plays a part in charging time. For example, BlackDecker’s cordless lawn mowers use a two-stage charging system where the first stage charges to 75%, while the second stage adds the remaining 25%.

Small Lawn Mowers

Large Lawn Mowers

Source: The Garden Gadgets

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Dead Mower Battery?

Unfortunately, batteries are the most expensive part of cordless push mowers. For example, a Ryobi 20-inch 40-volt mower costs about 400 at Home Depot. A replacement battery for the same model is about 200 at Home Depot. The 465 Ego 21-inch 56-volt mower Amazon offers runs on a 260 battery.

Replacing riding lawn mower batteries or lawn tractor batteries is cheaper, but you may need to buy more of them. For the Ryobi RY48110, which costs around 2,500 new, replacing a dead battery will cost you about 66. That means buying four on Amazon would cost 264.

What is the Lifespan of a Lawn Mower Battery?

With proper care, a lead acid lawn mower battery should last about 3 to 4 years. Most battery-powered motors have lithium-ion batteries that can last for up to 5 years.

Several factors that affect a battery’s life span are overcharging batteries, extreme temperatures (hot or cold), and making sure your battery is clean and dry. Keeping mowing decks clean can help the motor run more efficiently and the battery last longer.

Call in a Professional

If you have enough trouble keeping your cell phone battery charged, let a local LawnStarter pro take care of the mowing and maintenance in your lawn.

Main Image Credit: Drake McLemore / iStockPhoto

Derek Lacey

Formerly the agriculture writer for the Hendersonville Times-News, Derek Lacey’s articles have appeared in U.S. News World Report, The Charlotte Observer, News Observer, and The State. He has won 15 awards from the North Carolina Press Association and GateHouse Media, for pieces ranging from news features and investigative reporting to photography and multimedia projects.

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Lawn Mower Battery Size Chart | A Comprehensive Guide On Lawn Mower Batteries

Mowing is a fancy word for cutting grass. As a part of maintaining the lawn, many of us spend the maximum time mowing the lawn. The purpose of mowing is to keep the grass in the lawn at a set height so that the lawn looks neat and attractive. Lawn Mowers, as the name suggests, are a piece of special equipment that helps us in mowing lawns. Today, we have cordless and electric type lawn mowers that mow using an electric motor. But if you need a heavy-duty lawn mower, then chances are you look at a gas-powered lawn mower. Earlier gas-powered lawn mowers use a pull-string to start the engine. But nowadays, you get simple electric start models. The problem with electric start lawn mowers is they need starting batteries and depending on your usage, they die and you have to replace them.

There are several important parameters and specifications that you need to be aware of while choosing a replacement. So, in this guide, we decided to make a beginner’s guide on Lawn Mower Batteries. First, we will all the essential things about lawn mower batteries and then we will move to the lawn mower battery size chart.

Using this chart, you can compare your battery with the specifications of other batteries and purchase a perfect replacement.

A Brief Note on Lawn Mowers

We have been using lawnmowers since the late 1800s. All the initial lawnmowers were completely mechanical devices. Very soon, we saw gasoline-engine-based lawnmowers that made the job of lowing a garden very fast and easy.

These types of mowers are very popular even today as they are very powerful and allow you to mow thick and tall grass very easily. Then we have the main electric-powered lawn mowers.

They are small and easy to maneuver in small to medium-sized gardens. As a result, they became very popular in the market. But the limitation is you need to drag the cable or you can reach as far as the cable allows you.

The next important type is also electric but this time it is in the form of battery-powered mowers. These are cordless devices and you can use them anywhere you want. Their ridiculous cost makes them a niche product.

Types of Lawn Mowers

The basic type of lawn mower is a Reel Mower. It is a mechanical device that runs on our muscle power. We have to push the mower and when the wheels rotate, blades mounted on a cylinder cut the grass with a scissor-like action.

Next, we have rotary mowers that are powered by electricity, a battery, or a gas engine. Of the three power sources, gas-powered rotary lawn mowers are very common and popular, especially in the North American market.

You get both push-type as well as self-propelled models in gas-powered mowers. These types of mowers are very useful for large gardens, usually up to half an acre.

If you have a relatively small lawn, then corded electric lawn mowers are ideal. They are silent (comparatively), do not pollute, and are easy to maintain. Maneuverability is the main concern with corded-electric lawn mowers. In most cases, you have to stay within 150 to 200 feet distance from an electrical outlet.

An alternative to this is battery-powered cordless electric lawn mowers. They are very easy to maneuver as you don’t have to worry about the electric cord. Cordless Lawn Mowers are heavier than their corded counterparts.

Depending on the size of the battery, these models allow you to mow continuously anywhere between 45 minutes to 2 hours. But the cost of cordless lawnmowers is very high.

All the models we discussed till now are push-type or walk-behind mowers. But there is another type in the form of ride-on or riding mowers. As the name suggests, you can sit on the mower and ride it across the lawn to mow the grass.

If you have a very large lawn, over half an acre, then it makes sense to invest in a riding lawn mower. Usually, the ride-on mowers are gas-powered with rotary-type cutting mechanisms.

You often hear the term lawn tractor when you browse for riding lawnmowers. While ride-on lawn mowers just mow the lawn, riding lawn tractors can mow the grass and much more.

With the correct attachment, you can use a lawn tractor for mowing, dethatching, aerating, fertilizing, and even plowing snow.

Understanding Lawn Mower Batteries

As we mentioned in the previous section, gas-powered lawn mowers are very popular, be it the walk-behind type or the ride-on type. Earlier models came with a pull-string to start the gasoline engine.

Depending on the age of the mower, you could start the engine with a single pull in case of a relatively new and well-maintained mower. But as it ages, the performance of this starting mechanism starts to fail and you might need to pull more than a couple of times to crank the engine.

This is where lawn mowers with starter batteries come in handy. These batteries work similarly to our car SLI batteries as they help crank the gasoline engine of the mower.

With the push of a button or twist of a key, you can start the lawn mower and don’t have to worry about any pull strings.

Comparison between Lawn Mower Batteries and Car Batteries

The moment we say lawn mower batteries are useful for easily starting the mower’s engine, we immediately start comparing them with car starter batteries. They are similar in some aspects but there are a lot of differences as well.

Let us begin with the similarities. Car batteries are usually flooded lead-acid type or sometimes maintenance-free gel-type. It is very rare to see other types of batteries as car starter batteries.

Even lawn mower batteries are lead-acid batteries and they come in both flooded as well as gel types. But surprisingly, you can also find lithium batteries for lawn mowers.

As the majority of batteries in both cases are of type lead-acid, their working remains more or less the same. The advantages and problems you have with car batteries, you also have them with lawn mower batteries.

This includes low cost, a simple charging system, the life of the battery, etc.

Does this mean can we use a car battery in a lawn mower? No. this is where the differences kick in. First thing, car batteries are much bigger than lawn mower batteries, both in terms of physical dimensions as well as capacity.

The main difference is the starting current they can provide, which we usually represent as Cold Cranking Amps or CCA. As car engines are quite large, their batteries must provide a lot of amps to crank the engine.

So, you usually see CCA ratings of 500A or more in car batteries. But lawn mower engines are small. You don’t need such large currents. That’s why you will see CCA ratings in mower batteries in the range of 130 to 150A.

Important Specifications of Lawn Mower Batteries

Continuing the previous section’s discussion, let us see some important parameters and specifications of typical lawn mower batteries.

Type of Battery

As we mentioned before, you can find both lead-acid and lithium batteries for lawn mowers. In the case of lead-acid type, you again have flooded, AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat), and Gel types. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages.

Lithium batteries or Lithium Iron Phosphate to be specific, are also becoming quite popular with lawnmowers. The charging and protection methods (or lack thereof) are very different between lead-acid and lithium batteries.

Lead acid batteries are affordable, heavy, and robust to operate in all climatic conditions. But the problem is you have to take care of them and make sure they are fully charged all the time. Speaking of charging, the number of times you can charge and discharge a lead-acid battery is very less.

Lithium Batteries on the other hand are expensive and lightweight. Even though they support a good number of charge/discharge cycles, they need special circuitry in the form of a Battery Management System or BMS to protect the individual lithium cells from overcharging, deep discharging, etc.

Charging lead-acid and lithium batteries is very different. You can get chargers that support both these battery types but double-check the capabilities of the charger before using. Do not blindly use one type of charger on the other type of battery.

If the lawn mower has an alternator (which is usually the case with riding-type lawn mowers and lawn tractors), it can charge the battery once the engine is on. But for smaller mowers, this is usually not the case. You have to charge the battery externally.

Size and Other Physical Parameters

Physically, lawn mower batteries are smaller. In the next section Lawn Mower Battery Size Chart, we will see the dimensions of some popular types of lawn mower batteries.

Another important “physical” aspect of lawn mower batteries is the terminals and their position. Unlike car batteries, which usually have a pretty standard type of terminals, mower batteries have more than one type of terminal to connect the cables.

Also, the position of the terminals might be different between brands, manufacturers, and battery types. Usually, in a particular battery group, the type of terminals and their position (which is almost always on the top) will be common.

But we cannot say the same when you go to a different battery group.

Voltage

The reason why we are talking about battery voltage is in the early days of lawn mower batteries, we used to get them in 6V ratings as well. But it is safe to assume that most modern mower batteries that we get today are 12V batteries.

This applies to both lead-acid and lithium batteries. So, all the batteries we are going to discuss in the guide are 12V unless otherwise mentioned.

Capacity

The capacity of a starter battery is an interesting specification. It represents the amount of current in amps a fully-charged battery can deliver for 10 hours straight.

We usually see the battery capacity specification as Ampere Hour or Ah. Depending on the size of the battery, its capacity can range anywhere between 10Ah to 40Ah.

Cold Crank Amps (CCA)

This is one of the important specifications of a starter battery, be it for cars or lawn mowers. What does CCA mean? Cold Crank Amps or CCA represents the amount of cranking current (in amps) a fully-charged battery can deliver for a period of 30 seconds at a temperature of 0°F.

As the size of the gas engine in mowers is small, you don’t need a large cranking current to start the engine. Hence, you will see CCA ratings of mower batteries in the range of 100A to 300A. You can find batteries with CCA ratings more or less than this range. You have to check your lawn mower’s manual as it will usually recommend a specific CCA value.

Lawn Mower Battery Size Chart

An important thing to remember before purchasing a new mower battery is they are significantly smaller than car batteries and within lawn mower batteries we have several sizes.

A Battery Group categorizes the physical dimensions of the battery. All the batteries falling in a particular group have nearly identical shapes and sizes. If you are familiar with car and boat batteries, there are we have several battery groups.

Let us now see some popular lawn mower battery groups. The groups in this list are no way near the full possible types but these are pretty common with mowers.

The following table is a Lawn Mower Battery Size Chart consisting of the common battery groups.

Different manufacturers have their own set of battery sizes and they may or may not be compatible with batteries from other manufacturers. But if they come under the same battery group, then chances are they will become compatible.

How To Choose a Replacement Lawn Mower Battery?

The common thing between a gas-powered lawn mower and a car is they both have engines. But we take cars very frequently to school, work, shopping, or other commuting activities.

This is not the case with lawn mowers. We use them only when we need to mow the lawn or garden. So, for the most part of its life, a lawn mower usually sits in a garage or shed.

Here comes the problem. As we take our cars out for a spin on a regular basis, the level of discharge of the car’s starter battery won’t be that bad. But as lawn mowers are sitting idle most of the time, there is a good chance that the battery will discharge pretty quickly.

If you have an external charger, then you can extend the life of the lawn mower battery. But in case you don’t have a battery charger, then you will at a replacement in a short time.

Things to Consider for Lawn Mower Battery Replacement

The first and most important thing while choosing a new lawn mower battery is to check the physical dimensions of the battery. Lawn Mowers have a slot for the battery that fits only one type of battery.

When we say one type, we mean one size. The replacement battery must fit perfectly into that slot and it should be loose (and if it is tight, you can’t even fit the battery into the slot).

So, check the owner’s manual or maintenance guide of your lawn mower and look for battery specifications. If they mention the battery group, then you can simply browse for that particular group and purchase a replacement.

What if you can’t find the battery group information? We have to old school and measure the dimensions of your current battery. With this information, you can look up any lawn mower battery size chart and compare the dimensions with the common and popular battery groups in the list.

After the battery group size, the next important specification is the CCA rating of the battery. Once again, check the user manual if they specify the necessary CCA of the battery. If not, look at the label of the current battery and you might find the CCA ratings.

When shopping, you need to match the CCA values. It can be higher than the current value, but never lower. But if you opt for a higher CCA rating, then you have to spend more money.

Another important thing is the type of battery. We have lead acid and Lithium Iron Phosphate as the two base battery types. Further, in lead-acid, we have wet or flooded, AGM, and Gel types.

Always choose a replacement battery of the same type as your current battery. The compatibility between different battery types is, to put it in simple terms, highly questionable.

Conclusion

If you have a lawn or garden, then you have to invest in a decent lawn mower. It does the job of shearing or cutting the grass and maintaining it at a set level very easily.

Like many power tools, even lawnmowers come in different shapes, sizes, and power options. The most common and popular one is the gasoline engine-powered lawn mower.

Pull-starting the gas engine of the lawn mower is an old technique. Nowadays, most lawn mowers come with electric starters. When we say electric starters, it means there is a battery involved in it.

If the battery is old or dead beyond recharging capabilities, then you have to look for a replacement.

In this guide, we saw the basics of lawnmowers and their types. Then we moved to different types of lawn mower batteries and also some important specifications you need to consider while looking at mower batteries.

After that, we made a simple lawn mower battery size chart. This chart consists of some popular lawn mower battery groups with their physical dimensions.

We hope that this guide on lawn mower battery size chart could help you understand the basics of lawn mower batteries and also in making an easy purchase decision.

If you feel we missed something or want us to add anything, do let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев section below. If you want, we can add lists of possible replacements in several battery groups (for instance, all the best replacement batteries for the U1 or U1R battery group).

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Before you spend your hard-earned money on a new machine, get clear on the myths and facts about gas-powered and battery-driven lawn mowers.

By Bob Vila | Updated Sep 16, 2020 7:18 PM

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

The seemingly endless cycle of summer yard maintenance often motivates homeowners to think about buying a new lawn mower, one that will make the job faster and easier, and maybe even be greener for the planet. A battery-powered mower would seem to tick all of those boxes, and with today’s growing selection of battery mowers, it only makes sense that consumers would be curious about them.

When battery-powered mowers first hit the market, they made quite a splash—no cords, no gas, no sweat! Yet, even as battery options have taken up some share of the market in recent seasons, gas-powered mowers are still reliable, go-to machines—and many models have seen key upgrades that make mowing easier. Why is that so? Well, battery run time remains a big concern: When you get a maximum of between 30 and 60 minutes on one charge, you run the risk of having to stop work in the middle of a mow—and it takes about an hour for the battery to recharge.

Also, gas-powered mowers have undergone significant technological improvements in just the past five years that have made them even more attractive. Common notions about “old-fashioned” gas mowers and “newfangled” battery mowers no longer apply. So, to help you pick the best mower for your lawn, let’s separate truth from hype right here.

MYTH #1: If healthy grass is your goal, it doesn’t matter what kind of mower you use.

It’s a rule of (green) thumb: The better the cut, the healthier the grass. The latest gas-powered mowers offer improved cut quality, thanks in part to the blade design. In an effort to maximize battery life, though, some battery-powered models alter the blades’ length and lift, which can impact the cut quality.

Another consideration: Gas mowers lose little to no power when slicing through long, thick grass or damp grass, whereas cutting tougher turf on a battery-powered mower can cause performance (not to mention battery run time) to suffer.

MYTH #2: Battery mowers cost more because they’re better machines.

On average, battery mowers cost about 50 more than their gas-powered counterparts. Then, of course, for a more accurate cost comparison, you need to factor in machine features, fuel costs for gas mowers, and replacement battery for battery-powered mowers. A self-propelled gas mower, for example, can retail as low as 269 compared to a self-propelled battery mower at 499.

But the calculations can’t stop there—you also need to account for each mower’s life expectancy. Gas mowers are more durable; they simply last longer. In terms of engine life, a gas mower will run for 10 years or more, while a battery-powered mower will need to be replaced after about five years, on average. What’s more, as the battery ages, its run time degrades up to 6 percent a year (or sometimes even more, depending on the size of the battery, yard size, average annual use, yard conditions, and storage).

MYTH #3: Gas-powered mowers are a hassle to maintain.

It used to be the case that those of us who wanted the power and cut quality of a gas mower had to put up with messy, time-consuming oil changes. Not anymore, thanks to recent innovations like the Just Check Add™ Technology available on new Briggs Stratton engines. This feature allows you to simply check oil levels and fill as needed—no oil change necessary, ever!

MYTH #4: Battery mowers are easier to start and stow.

Homeowners may be attracted to a battery mower for its fast starts and easy storage. Battery mowers are activated by inserting a key and pushing a button or pulling a lever, and many models are also collapsible, so they don’t take up much room. But before you rush off and buy a battery-powered mower, know that for newer gas mowers, clunky starts and bulky storage have become things of the past. For example, there’s no need to yank a pull cord on gas mowers equipped with a push-button start. And some gas mowers offer a foldaway feature that lets you store the machine upright in small spaces, without risk of fuel or oil leaks. You literally mow and stow.

MYTH #5: If you care about the environment, you’ll go for a battery mower.

It’s true that battery mowers have zero emissions, but remember this: Recharging batteries uses electricity, which may come from coal-powered plants. Additionally, there’s the dilemma of having to dispose of the battery when it dies. Ecologically minded consumers should also be aware that today’s gas-powered mowers are much cleaner in terms of emissions than models sold just 10 years ago. In fact, in accordance with emissions standards, they’re 35 to 75 percent cleaner, depending on the model and age of the machine. And because noise pollution is also an issue, know that gas engines have come a long way in that department, too. Mowers powered by Briggs Stratton engines with Quiet Power Technology, for instance, are up to 50 percent quieter than standard gas models.

It’s clearer than ever to me why gas-powered mowers have dominated the market for so long. To learn more about the latest innovations available on today’s high-tech, high-performance gas lawn mowers, visit www.betterwithbriggs.com.

This content has been brought to you by Briggs Stratton. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.

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