Electric mower with bag. 20 Best Lightweight and Electric Lawn Mowers (2023)

Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, gas mowers cause 5% of the nation’s air pollution. Trade in your old gas mower for a rechargeable cordless electric lawn mower. You’ll save time and money—and help the environment. Compared with cars, gasoline-powered lawn mowers produce a disproportionate amount of air pollution. Mowing your lawn for one hour with a conventional gas lawn mower can cause more air pollution than driving from Madison to Chicago and back in a new car.

Federal regulations aimed at reducing smog-producing mower emissions have made today’s gas-powered mowers cleaner than old onessomething to consider if you’re now using an older gas powered mower. However, the new cordless models only use as much electricity as an ordinary toaster. The only pollution generated is from that used to generate the electricity at the power plant which is supposedly better equipped to handle pollution issues that the average homeowner and the recycling problems associated with worn out batteries used in cordless mowers.

Clean and Quiet

Perhaps the best feature of these new cordless mowers is their minimal environmental impact during operation. Even after accounting for power-plant emissions, replacing gas mowers with electrics results in a 99% reduction in carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and methane, and a 38% reduction in carbon dioxide.

Have you ever felt a twinge of guilt when your gasoline-powered mower first roars.- those of us with nearby neighbors have. Or have you waited until you knew your neighbors were up and about before mowing the lawn? Gas mowers run at some 90 decibels (ear-protectors are recommended for operators normal conversation about 75 decibels). Electric mowers, operating in the 65. 85 decibel range, make being a thoughtful neighbor a whole lot easier.

Although the typical lawn won’t pose any problems for these mowers, assess your situation before investing.

Cordless electric mowers are best for flat lawns smaller than 8,000 square feet and composed of cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, fine and tall fescues, and perennial ryegrasses. Warm season grasses such as St. Augustine or Zoysiagrass may create too much resistance to make the cordless mower feasible or you may have to mow it at higher than normal and keep a spare battery charged up.

Because of their overall weight, including batteries, These mowers are often hard to push up sloping lawns. Although they’re not that heavy in comparison to standard mowers, cordless models are not usually self-propelled.

Electric Mower Maintenance

Electric mowers eliminate the cost of oil changes, spark plugs, air filters and annual tune-ups. Electric mowers use about 5 worth of electricity each year for an average size yard. Beyond replacing the battery every 5. 7 years, periodic cleaning, and blade sharpening, theres little maintenance.

Batteries and Power

Cordless mowers generally come with one to three 12-volt, lead-acid batteries (12-, 24-, and 36-volt models). The two Lawnboy cordless electric mowers have 6-volt batteries. But the actual voltage (or power) delivered to the motor depends on amperage. For example, a 12-volt mower with high amperage can mow longer than a 36-volt mower with low amps.

Power is a function of battery type, blade and deck design, and power transfer. All manufacturers exploit computer-aided design techniques to optimize blades’ weight and shape and decks’ contours. Toro and Black Decker claim that their cordless mowers have more torque than a 5-horsepower gas engine.

Batteries lose power when they’re stored for a long time. To store most models during winter where temperatures fall below 40 degrees., charge the battery overnight, then disconnect the mower from the charger until the next mowing season (up to 6 months). If temperatures generally stay above 40 degrees where you live, leave the battery connected or plugged in year-round. However, check the owner’s manual for specific storage directions.

Run Time

Manufacturers’ run time numbers are only estimates. How long a machine will run depends on height and grass texture, moisture, and terrain. Cutting relatively dry lawns takes a less energy than cutting lush, wet turf.

As a general rule, if amperage is equal, 12-volt batteries provide 30. 40 minutes of mowing time; 24-volt mowers last 40. 75 minutes; and 36-volt mowers run for up to 90 minutes.

The more power required, the less time batteries last. For example, if your lawn is lush and thick, or if you let it grow tall before mowing, assume batteries will last for 4,000. 5,000 square feet or so. If your lawn is easier to mow, many cordless electrics can handle up to 8,000 square feet of lawn.

Electric Corded Mowers

The obvious difference between batteries and corded electric mowers is the cord. While neither version are suitable for larger lawns, the corded model is limited to about 100′ from a receptacle outlet (beyond this distance and voltage drops may cause a problems). You also have to be careful about running over the extension cord. To be on the very safe side, electrical outlets that you hook an electric corded mower to should have a GFI receptacle in place. This will help prevent you from being electrocuted should you accidentally run over the cord.

As with cordless models, corded electric mowers are capable of effective mulching action. The prime advantages over the cordless models is that you don’t have a battery that needs charging or disposing of when they reach the end of their life cycle. You’re also not limited to the mowing time of your battery’s charge (about 60 minutes).

When you compare total costs. purchase and maintenance. the electric mowers are cheaper than the gas driven mowers of similar power, but the difference between corded and cordless is negligible.

Solar Powered Cordless Mowers

Today there are several companies producing cordless electric battery chargers. The solar panels recharge the batteries in 2. 3 sunny days or 4. 5 cloudy days. This solar panel option costs about 250.

EPA Report Activity and fuel consumption data for these sources are limited in comparison to transportation sources. There is no one datsource that currently has information on all the non-transportation mobile sources [which includes lawn mowers], and different publications report significantly different estimates, complicating the estimation process. For instance, estimates derived from a 2004 analysis of various datsources, including FHWA, EPA, and EIA by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), were considerably higher than estimates currently used in developing the U.S. GHG [Green House Gases] Inventory. over, it is likely that the transportation and mobile sources estimates of GHG emissions in the U.S. GHG Inventory are missing emissions associated with off-road use of trucks, and these emissions may be captured under other sectors, especially the industrial sector.

Black Decker Cordless 24V Mower

  • 24 Volt Sealed Lead Acid Battery for Trouble-Free Cutting of Up to 1/3 Acre Homesites (grass conditions will effect run-time)
  • Rechargeable Battery Recharges to 60-70% in 4 Hours and to 100% in 10 Hours
  • LIFETIME 19 Mower Deck. Mulch Plate and Bag Included; Deck Has Lifetime Warranty
  • Cutting Path. 19
  • Height Adjustment. 1 Touch
  • Weight. 76 lbs
  • Cutting Heights. 1 1/2-3 1/2
  • Ideal Property Size. up to 1/3 Acre
  • Mulching Capability. YES
  • Charge Time at 60%. 4 hrs
  • Charge Time at 100%. 10 hrs

New Standards for Gas-Powered Lawn Mowers

EPA has finalized a new emission control program to reduce hydrocarbon emissions from small spark-ignition engines by about 35 percent. The new exhaust emissions standards take effect in 2011 or 2012, depending on the size of the engine.

Best Lightweight and Electric Lawn Mowers (2023)

Choosing the right home appliance can be tough. Power tools especially are items that take consideration before going through with a purchase, especially when it comes to looking for the best lightweight lawn mower.

When on the hunt for the best lightweight and electric lawn mowers, there are many places to shop.

This guide has a range of new lawn mowers that are available in store at your local Home Depot, Lowe’s, or there are great options online on Amazon.

Sometimes it is hard to know what you are looking for until you see it in front of you. Hopefully, this guide points out a few features you didn’t know you wanted in a lawn mower.

The lawn mower you need depends on the size of your yard or how much storage space you have in your home. Pick the type of mower that includes the special features you’re looking for with this list.

Here’s the scoop on the best lightweight lawn mowers!

Lawn Mower Guide

Greenworks G-Max 40V

This cordless mower is the best option if you want to get the job done fast and with minimal effort. The battery life of this mower allows for enough power to have a run time of 60 minutes on a fully charged AH battery.

One of the extra features of this push lawn mower includes the ability to adjust its single lever into seven positions that make it possible to cut in all environments.

The Greenworks G-Max 40V delivers performance levels that are similar to gas-powered lawn mowers all from the push-button start.

This mower is a great choice thanks to its essential maintenance free operation with no need for gas, oil, or emissions. The Greenworks G-Max 40V is a top pick if you are looking to purchase it for efficiency.

Sun Joe MJ-HVR12E Lawn Mower

The next lightweight mower that is the best choice for someone looking to purchase a powerful lawn mower is the Sun Joe MJ-HVR12E. Its blade hub spins up to 7,000 revolutions per minute.

This is the best electric lawn mower for sloped lawns and smaller yards. The product comes with 30 replacement blades for easy maintenance.

Sun Joe also includes a customer promise as an additional feature to purchasing their product. Their policy is a no questions asked warranty where they will send you a new product at any time within two years of the purchase.

There is no need to worry about whether you will like this purchase or not thanks to their customer service policy. A stress-free purchase is the best purchase.

American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14

Push mowers from the American Lawn Mower Company are an excellent choice when looking for a lightweight mower that does a great job without causing damage to the grass blades. This lawn mower has a capable cutting height of successfully trimming grass up to four inches.

This manual grass cutter is environmentally friendly which is not the same as every other lawn mower on the market.

It is pollution-free, has no noise, has low maintenance, and is easy to use. If you have a small lawn at home this push mower is a good choice for you.

Craftsman M105

Gas mowers can be difficult to choose, but when the powerful engine doesn’t impact the weight of the machine, they are still products to consider.

The 3-in-1 capabilities of this gas lawn mower are ideal for larger lawns due to its inclusion of both side discharge and rear bag attachments.

over, the mower has six different height adjustments along with a 21-inch cutting deck.

The CC engine on this powerful mower will be sure to get the job done even if your yard has extremely thick grass. This Craftsman M 105 is accountable no matter what your grass looks like. It will get the job done with ease.

WORX WG743 Lawn Mower

This next option is a top pick when looking for one of the best battery-powered mowers. The battery charge indicator on this mower shows you what a single charge will give you when busy at work in the yard.

This mower allows you to get a sharp cut successfully in tight spaces creating less for you to go back and trim later. It has 2-in-1 bagging or mulching functionality.

Use the bag to catch your grass clippings to make your yard look clean and crisp, or you can use the bag to mulch your lawn when it needs to grow back healthier.

Thanks to the powerful motor in the WORX WG 743 this is an appliance you can trust.

SENIX Electric Lawn Mower

This next option is a good lawn mower when you don’t have access to a large amount of storage space. The quick release handles account for easy storage either horizontally or vertically.

It includes lithium-ion batteries and a 13-gallon grass collection bag. The SENIX lawn mower has a volt brushless motor gives off the performance of gas-powered mowers without the hassle of gas or cords.

Customers who purchased this product rave about the battery life of this mower and the benefits of its lightweight structure.

It has helped people get up the hills in their lawns and finish their lawn maintenance feeling confident in how it looks.

EGO Power LM2101 Lawn Mower

Another great option for battery-powered lawn mowers that includes optimal ease of use thanks to the easy push-button start feature is the EGO Power lawn mower.

The foldable handle creates a compact design feature for this mower which is ideal for people looking to find the right mower although they may not have a lot of space for one.

The electric motor of this product lasts up to 45 minutes off a single charge. The 3-in-1 bag functionality is beneficial.

You can decide if you want the bag to serve as a grass catcher on the back or side of your mower. It also holds mulch for when you need to go through your lawn and help with its growth.

Customers who use this mower talk nonstop about its ease of use. Nothing is too heavy or hard to handle when young adults are mowing the lawn for their parents, and it mows through high levels of grass without needing an extra push from the person walking behind it.

With all of the great features including the electric motors, this can make mowing your lawn a breeze!

Craftsman All-Wheel Drive

This powerful engine contributes to why this appliance is a reliable and dependable lawn mower. Some of the additional features include a rear-wheel drive and a bushel dust blocker bag that intakes grass clippings to prevent in-air debris.

These contribute to why the Craftsman All-Wheel Drive is one of the best walk-behind mowers available. The four-wheel drive feature is one of the most beneficial additions that you don’t see on every other mower on the market.

It matches your needs wherever you go. This mower swiftly moves around obstacles, up hills, and down into ditches when you need it to. Invest in a mower you can count on to get the job done successfully.

Litheli Cordless Mower

The next great option for the best cordless lawn mower is this easy to start electric mower. The design includes a grass bag that takes zero hassle to clean.

The 35-minute battery charge is ideal for a small yard, but there is a convenient compartment for AH batteries to be stored right next to the battery port for quick changing if you do run out mid-mow.

It includes five cutting heights which make it reliable for keeping your yard at a healthy height.

Troy-Bilt Riding Mower

Another lightweight mower that is best purchased when you need to mow large lawns is this Troy-Bilt riding mower. It is space-saving with the storage size of a wide-cut walk behind mower. If you feel like yard work is a chore, investing in a riding mower is a great idea.

This mower includes a speed that can be easily adjusted and controlled during your mowing. It is also very simple to switch from side discharging clippings to mulching mode, which helps avoid build up and keeps your lawn healthier.

You will maintain control with easier navigation around landscaped borders and obstacles with 18 inch turn radius.

It will also mow in reverse so the rear wheel drive will allow you to work efficiently. This mower is the one for you if you no longer want mowing to be at the bottom of your to do list.

Makita XML03CM1 36V

The next electric lawn mower has controlled noise levels to ensure you won’t wake up your family members in the house if you are a person that likes knocking out the yard work in the morning.

This mower is made from steel which makes it both durable and reliable. A customer raved about this product’s durability by saying they have owned Makita cordless tools for a decade.

Purchasing an appliance for your home is something you don’t want to do every couple years, it should be an investment. Makita is a product you can count on.

Black Decker Electric Lawn Mower

Another lightweight mower best for smaller lawns is the Black Decker electric lawn mower. One of the additional features you don’t see on every mower is the comfort grip bike handlebar design.

It reduces friction and enhances maneuverability across all of the square feet you need to cover during your mow. This mower includes enhanced clipping collection winged blade yields that account for 30% better clipping collection.

The no-hassle startup is thanks to the easy-to-use push button start. This electric lawn mower also has an adjustable cutting height ranging from 1 to 3 inches which allows you to get the trim you desire.

Customers who have purchased this mower were pleasantly surprised with how well it does cutting lawns that have become out of control for weather reasons. Customers rave about the lightweight functionality and talk about how they’ve owned their Black Decker electric lawn mower for years.

RYOBI Riding Mower

This next mower is clean, quiet, and powerful. The RYOBI riding mower is fully electric and has three high powered brushless motors to provide up to a full hour of runtime off a single charge.

The onboard control panel is a feature that lets you engage the blades, operate the headlights, check your battery level, and turn on cruise control.

The seven-position manual deck adjustment allows you to pick heights between 1.5” and 4.5” to get a clean and level cut on any lawn.

It features two steel blades and a durable 30” cutting deck that fits in fenced areas with ease.

A minor feature that was added to this mower is the rear access charging port that makes charging your ride easy when the job is complete. This mower is a recommended investment with its three-year warranty.

Honda HRN Lawn Mower

Another mower that is lightweight and user-friendly is this self-propelled mower designed by Honda. It includes variable speed control while mowing with five adjustable positions for user comfort.

The helpful front and rear levers conveniently adjust to seven cutting heights. This is the best self-propelled lawn mower and is integrated with a speed control feature that efficiently adapts the mowing speed to match your stride.

A self-propelled model is a lawn mower that will save you time and energy. If you always have things to do but don’t want your lawn to suffer from your busy schedule, this mower is right for you.

Kobalt Lawn Mower

This battery-powered mower provides up to 80 minutes of run time and includes a high efficiency brushless motor that starts with the push of a button.

Without the hassle of pulling cords or fueling the self-propelled rear-wheel drive system, the variable speed control takes the hard work out of mowing the lawn. This mower can handle both flat and sloped yards with ease.

The easy to fold aluminum handles work quickly to save space wherever you need to store your mower. Its auto-sensing technology automatically adjusts performance for greater power based on changing grass conditions.

The Kobalt lawn mower is the best lightweight appliance that has you covered in all areas. This is your mower if you want an appliance you can count on.

LawnMaster MED 114K

Another great electric lawn mower that includes six different cutting positions is the LawnMaster MED 114K. The wheels are 5.5” and 7.75” and only 28 lbs, which makes them easy to rotate and simple to maneuver.

This electric lawn mower includes three different adjustments for handle lengths and has a seven-gallon grass collection bag. The purchase guarantee comes with a priority shipping service to ensure you are receiving your mower efficiently.

Customers who own this mower love it and want to share how well it has done in their yard. People talk about this mower cutting through tall grass or wet grass with ease.

ApolloSmart

The ApolloSmart electric mower is eco-friendly and doesn’t produce smog, fumes, or emissions. The lightweight balanced design will help you move freely with professional quality and maximum control.

This appliance is designed with an adjustable deck for tailored raking depth with the five-position depth control mechanism.

Customers that own the ApolloSmart feel confident their lawn will be healthier within a year. They say it is easy to use and switching out the rear bag takes no time at all.

PowerSmart Lawn Mower

This next electric lawn mower has a low noise level with minimum assembly acquired. The brushless motor is built to last for a long time.

The foldable handle collapses to assist with easy storage. The five different available positions for cutting height assures to account for tall grass or short grass.

Its 40-minute run time works well when cutting grass in large yards. The functionality of this mower is one of its best features. It includes a bag design that works for mulching, side-discharge, and rear bag discharge.

Customers who have purchased this mower discuss how it gets the job done without a doubt.

Goplus Lawn Mower

Another great choice when looking at walk-behind lawn mowers is this lightweight electric mower. This is the mower you want to go with if your yard or garden has different needs for each portion.

Keep your flower beds tidy thanks to this mower’s three position depth control feature. The large front wheels can turn at will and the lightweight rear wheels are flexible and labor-saving.

Trim your grass exactly how you want it with the Goplus electric lawn mower.

MYTOL 40V

The last option that is a great choice for a battery-powered lawn mower is the MYTOL 40V mower. It includes a brushless mower that cuts smoothly and efficiently.

Its high-performance batteries last a long time. The electric mower eliminates the hassle of dealing with a pull cord or extension cord.

You never have to stress about running out of power mid mow because this power runs for a consistent amount of time.

electric, mower, best, lightweight, lawn, mowers

The cutting width of 16” allows for a crisp wide path. This mower is the one for you if you have any fear about mowing thanks to its triple safety protection features.

Final Thoughts

The best lightweight lawn mowers share a large number of the same features. Electric mowers that don’t require the hassle of dealing with fuel to run the engine work efficiently.

If you are set on buying lawn mowers that include engine power derived from gas, then make sure you are purchasing one that is lightweight and easy to maneuver.

This list includes the best lawn mowers of every style to ensure every customer looking to purchase can feel confident that they’ll find what they’re looking for.

Hopefully, this guide helped point out the features you want to keep an eye out for when shopping for the best lightweight lawn mower.

So find your favorite option and grab yourself a new lawn mower today!

For more scoop, visit these:

Best Electric Lawn Mower 2023 – Battery-Powered Mower Reviews

As the mowing season comes up on the horizon, it’s time to offer our recommendations for the best electric lawn mowers in 2023. Whether your top priorities are for large lawns, small lawns, high value, or something in between, our experts have weighed in on these best battery-powered lawn mower models.

The good news—there are a lot of quality battery-powered lawn mowers to choose from this year!

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Ask in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below and we’ll let you know what our choice would be!

Considering gas models, too? Check out those in our best lawn mower recommendations!

Best Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower Overall

Commercial Pick: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Boasting a monstrous 10 ft-lbs of torque (more than a 200cc gas engine!), Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel self-propelled lawn mower is the strongest battery-powered walk-behind we’ve tested so far. Using a pair of 12.0Ah batteries, it can run up to an hour in light conditions and we ran it for more than 40 minutes when taking off 4 – 6 inches of growth. If there’s a downside, it’s that the drive thumb bar introduces some thumb fatigue, but we were able to adjust our grip to deal with it.

The mower also has a tough build designed to handle professional use while offering the convenience of single-point height adjustments and vertical storage. While there are larger options now available (such as Greenworks’ 82V 30-inch), Milwaukee’s price tag is much easier on your budget.

Price: 1099.00 with two 12.0Ah batteries and a dual-port Rapid charger

Residential Pick: EGO 56V Select Cut XP Self-Propelled Lawn Mower With Speed IQ

The EGO Select Cut mower became an instant favorite of ours with its stacked-blade system and solid performance level to go with its excellent cut quality. EGO stepped it up with the release of the Select Cut XP, taking everything we already loved and stepping up the torque to 8.3 ft-lbs. Now, it’s taking the next evolution by adding Speed IQ.

Speed IQ is a drive system that automatically adjusts with the pace you’re walking. Unlike Toro’s Personal Pace system, this doesn’t use springs and a sensor in the handle arms. In fact, there’s no physical movement we were able to detect at all. Yet EGO’s sensor perfectly adjusted in our tests. Is it magic? No, but there’s some crazy-good engineering in play.

Price: 599.00 bare, 999.00 with a 12.0Ah battery and a Turbo charger

Best Self-Propelled Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

As self-propelled models, our recommendations from Milwaukee and EGO top the charts in this category, too. Here are two more outstanding options for you.

Commercial Pick: Greenworks Commercial 30-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

At Equip Expo 2022 (formerly GIE), we got our hands on the Greenworks Commercial 30-inch lawn mower. As the first in the 30-inch class for the commercial market, it’s an eye-opener for Pros who have been skeptical of battery power.

As we saw from the 25-inch version, the mower uses two side-by-side blades to achieve its cutting width. Thanks to brushless technology, it cuts with 16,000 fpm blade tip speed, making for clean cuts and efficient bagging/mulching and exceeding the power of a 200cc gas engine.

It’s Smart, too, taking advantage of 4G coverage to provide GPS tracking. On the “why didn’t they do that sooner?” list, it has a reverse function for its independent hub wheel motors.

Price: 1999.00 bare tool, 2999.00 with three 8.0Ah batteries and dual port charger.

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless CrossCut AWD Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Ryobi crushed it with the development of the 40V HP Brushless CrossCut self-propelled lawn mower, making huge strides over its previous generation of mowers. Matching up very well against EGO’s Select Cut XP, it’s a stacked blade design that offers excellent power and cut quality. Where it has a clear advantage over its competitors is on the side discharge. This mower distributes clippings far better than other battery-powered lawn mowers we’ve tested.

With the upgrade to an all-wheel-drive system, the design team made it selectable so you can run AWD when you need it and just the rear wheels when you don’t. Plus, Ryobi builds this mower in the US using global materials.

Price: 849.00 with two 6.0Ah batteries and a Rapid charger

Toro 60V Stripe Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Toro is introducing what is probably the most compelling battery-powered lawn mower for 2023. Using its 60V battery platform for power (there are also gas models), it’s making the jump to a stacked two-blade system similar to EGO’s Select Cut and Ryobi’s CrossCut models. What Toro is doing differently is adding a built-in striping feature, leaving your lawn not with just a clean cut, but also a professional finish.

Price: 629.00 bare, 729.00 with 7.5Ah battery and charger

Best Electric Ride-On Lawn Mower

Commercial Pick: Greenworks Commercial OptimusZ Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

At Equip Expo 2023, it was clear that Pros have more battery-powered ride-on lawn mowers than ever, and more are coming. Greenworks revealed its second generation as it moves from the LithiumZ mowers to the OptimusZ line and embraces a whole-system approach.

With several ride-on and stand-on ZT options up to 60 inches, there’s a wide range for professional crews to build from with the runtime to back up a full day of mowing. Greenworks also unveiled a trailer to support a 100% battery-powered crew, including up to three ride-on/stand-on mowers. Taking it another step further, the team is also working on a version of the OptimusZ that can run with an operator or fully autonomous. We got to see a working prototype at Equip Expo.

Residential Picks

If you’re looking for a residential battery-powered riding mower, there are several really good choices. Of those, two rise above the rest this year.

EGO E-Steer Residential Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

While some will argue EGO’s 54-inch zero-turn is the better option because of its wider deck, the EGO E-Steer is turning heads this year. It has a zero turning radius but uses a steering wheel rather than lap bars for turning. If the traditional lap bar steering system has been keeping you from going to a zero-turn model, it’s a big win.

Even if you’re comfortable with lap bars, there’s still a reason to consider the E-Steer system. EGO shifted the control panel from the side of the mower to the center of the wheel. Now they’re conveniently in front of you where it’s easier to keep an eye on your battery status and make quick adjustments.

Price: 5999.00 with four 12.0Ah batteries and onboard charger (scheduled for May 2023 launch)

Ryobi 80V iDrive Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

Ryobi is also joining the alternative control group this year. These 80V zero-turn lawn mowers feature the iDrive system that uses joystick control. Whether you want to think of it as playing a video game or flying a grass-maintaining fighter jet, it doesn’t take long to get used to.

For its first-generation iDrive models, you have three deck sizes to choose from: 30, 42, or 54 inches. They primarily use a suitcase-style 80V battery that can also be supplemented by 40V batteries to extend your runtime. With performance levels reaching up to that of a 42 HP gas engine, cutting power isn’t a problem.

Price: 5999.00 – 7999.00 ready to mow

Best Cordless Push Lawn Mower

EGO Select Cut Push Lawn Mower

EGO’s Select Cut mowers were the first to introduce a stacked two-blade system to battery-powered lawn mowers. By cutting high first and then following with a lower cut, you get a cleaner finish with finer clippings. EGO packs that performance and a host of convenient design features into an easy-rolling push mower for those of you who don’t want or need a self-propelled model.

Price: 379.00 bare, 649.00 kit with 7.5Ah battery and Rapid charger

Best Cordless Mower for Small Lawns

Skil PWRCore 20 18-Inch Lawn Mower

The joy of a small lawn is that it doesn’t take long to cut and you can go with a smaller mower that takes up less space. A 17 or 18-inch deck is great for that kind of lawn. The good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice all the features of larger mowers to get.

Our top pick is Skil’s PWRCore 20 18-inch lawn mower. It has the benefits of a brushless motor, folds up for vertical storage, and its 20V batteries are compatible with Skil’s entire line of PWRCore 20 lawn and power tools.

Price: 299.00 with two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger.

Best Electric Lawn Mower for Large Lawns

Ryobi 80V 30-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

We knew it would take something special to displace Greenworks 60V 25-inch mower as our top choice for large lawns. It’s taken a couple of years, but Ryobi has an 80V 30-inch self-propelled model that’s taking over.

Like the iDrive ride-on mowers, the 30-inch walk-behind uses an 80V suitcase-style battery for power. The brushless motors turn two sets of stacked twin blades, making for a total of four. By going that route, Ryobi keeps the overall blade mass down while achieving the large cutting width, performance, and runtime it needs to make sure you get the job done well.

This one is slated for launch later in the Spring. Check Home Depot for availability.

Best Budget Cordless Lawn Mower

Skil PWRCore 40 20-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Here’s the challenge: find a brushless self-propelled lawn mower with a battery and charger for under 400. When it comes to the brands we trust, there aren’t many options.

Skil offers a lot of value with its 20-inch self-propelled lawn mower. Running on the stronger PWRCore 40 line, this brushless mower has excellent all-around performance and cut quality characteristics compared to others in the same price range. If you’re trying to make the switch to battery power on a budget, Skil offers the best value self-propelled lawn mower available.

Price: 399 with 5.0Ah battery and charger

Best Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower: Options From Brands We Trust

Best Echo Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

Echo phased out its 58V battery lineup in favor of a completely new 56V eForce line (sorry, the old batteries are not compatible with the new tools) and that includes a new mower, the self-propelled DLM-2100SP. It’s a solid design that presses all the right buttons and makes for a well-rounded machine. It doesn’t challenge the power levels of the top performers, but it doesn’t have their price tags, either.

Price: 449.00 bare, 549.00 with a 5.0Ah battery and charger

Best Greenworks Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

Greenworks has a couple of excellent CrossoverZ battery-powered ride-on lawn mowers to choose from. They use the same 60V batteries that power its other mowers and lawn care equipment (there are 80V versions, too). The design is a very easy transition if you’re switching from a gas mower and you can choose between a zero-turn or lawn tractor design.

Best HART Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

HART stepped up with its SUpercharge 40V brushless self-propelled mower, demonstrating that the brand can make a mower capable of cutting 3/4-acre lawns. The performance level is in the 160cc gas engine class thanks to two active battery ports and the two 6.0Ah batteries included in the kit. Compared to the mowers we’ve used from HART before, this is by far the most capable for those of you holding out for a mid-range gas replacement.

Price: 598.00 with two 6.0Ah batteries and a Rapid charger

Best Husqvarna Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

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 doesn’t fit as cleanly as Makita’s 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.

Take a look at Husqvarna’s Lawn Xpert mower—a Lowe’s exclusive for 2023!

Best Kobalt Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

Kobalt is quietly still making excellent electric lawn mowers and the 80V line is where its performance peaks. The most recent is a 21-inch rear-wheel-drive system with an upgrade to the handle system that makes folding it forward for vertical storage easier. In addition to its excellent cutting power, Kobalt also makes efficient use of its batteries, running up 60 minutes with a 6.0Ah battery. Plus, its high 4 1/8-inch top cutting height is great for tall grass species and reclaiming neglected areas.

Price: 699.00 with a 6.0Ah battery and charger, 749.00 with two 4.0Ah batteries and charger

Best Makita Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

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 (36V) 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 (2348.00 for both)

Best STIHL Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

STIHL has been a little more cautious in entering the electric lawn mower market and upgraded the line with a couple of self-propelled models. Of the two available, the STIHL RMA 510 V is your top performer. It features a 21-inch steel deck (20-inch blade) with a tougher build than the 460 series and its 3.9-inch top cutting height is appropriate for taller grass species. The one downside is that this model runs through batteries quickly compared to other self-propelled mowers.

Price: 599.99 bare, 749.99 with AP 300 battery and charger

Best Electric Lawn Mower: What We Look For

Power

Brushless motors make testing power much more challenging because of their ability to sense and adjust to the load the blade is experiencing. To gauge it, we cut an overgrown section of grass to a manageable height and follow it up by seeing how short we can cut an even standard height section of grass.

The more effectively a battery-powered lawn mower can reclaim overgrowth and the shorter it can effectively cut a baseline height, the more working power it has.

Runtime

How much runtime an electric lawn mower has is only part of the equation. The best information is how much area you can cut on a charge. We start with a section of grass cut to a standard height and then see how long we can mow on one battery charge as we cut it down to 3 inches.

Once we know that, we calculate the maximum area you should be able to mow without having to stop and recharge.

Cut Quality

We test three basic areas of cut quality: evenness, bagging efficiency, and mulching efficiency.

Evenness is simple enough—we gauge how even the cut is by looking for blades that stick out and areas that may have been cut shorter than intended.

Bagging efficiency is a matter of seeing how much grass is left behind compared to the amount that is collected in the bag.

Mulching efficiency takes in consideration the size of the clippings the mower drops and whether it creates any clumping or trailing.

Build

We consider the quality of the build based on the materials and how well the mower is put together. We’re looking for solid components that will last well beyond the warranty period, a rigid construction, and protection for the electrical components and batteries.

Hills, Slopes, and Uneven Terrain

Sure, it’s Florida and we don’t have many legit hills. But we do have sloped lakesides and ditches to go along with plenty of uneven ground. We drive or push our mowers to see how well they hold wheel traction mowing uphill, downhill, side-to-side, and bumping along.

Features

In addition to any standout features, here’s a list of the standard items we look for:

  • Brushless motor
  • Drive type and function
  • Deck size
  • Deck material
  • Height adjustment
  • Height range and number of levels
  • Handle positions
  • Discharge options
  • Battery ports

Value

For our team of experts, value is much more than just price. It’s about what you get for what you pay. An expensive model may very well be the best battery mower value if it’s performing far enough ahead of the budget brands to justify it.

electric, mower, best, lightweight, lawn, mowers

Best Electric Lawn Mower Buying Guide

As you’re deciding on the best battery lawn mower for you in 2022, there’s a lot to consider. These electric mowers are a long way away from when we started with battery power.

What’s Your Budget?

While you can get a battery lawn mower for less than 300, plan on spending at least 500 for a quality model and more than 700 for the best electric lawn mowers.

That can cause a bit of a conflict. When you look at what you can get for the same price on a gas mower, you get more power and features from that gas engine. It won’t have the noise, emission, and maintenance benefits, though.

Are Battery Riding Mowers Viable?

There are a few riding mowers available for both professional and homeowner use. Professional crews have options such as Greenworks’ Lithium Z zero turn (they also have a battery-powered UTV).

Homeowners have more choices with well-known brands Ryobi, Cub Cadet, and EGO (along with several others) providing a handful of zero turns and more traditional lawn tractors.

The models we’ve tested work well and do the job they’re designed for. However, there are two key trade-offs you need to keep in mind. One, there’s a big premium on the cost compared to a gas model. Two, at the moment, you need to plan for long charge times.

A third consideration is simply that this class of electric lawn mower is still relatively new. It’s possible to keep a gas model running for 10 years or more and repower it if necessary. With a full electric power plant, we simply don’t know what kind of service life to expect with proper maintenance.

As battery technology continues to move forward, keep your eyes open for the first graphene or silicon lithium batteries. They’re able to take a charge much faster than standard lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries and have the potential to get you back in the saddle quicker.

Residential or Commercial Quality?

On the surface, there’s not a huge difference between commercial-quality and residential-quality walk-behind battery lawn mowers.

At the high end, power doesn’t seem to vary much (though Milwaukee just changed that expectation). In fact, one of the most powerful we’ve tested—EGO’s Select Cut XP—is technically a residential model.

What commercial battery mowers have going for them is a design and feature set that’s much more tuned in to what professionals ask for. Some of that is merely the difference between what homeowners and professional crews prefer on a mower. But there are differences in the quality of the components that brands choose for their separate lines. Commercial mowers have to be ready for far more service hours each week.

Brands such as Greenworks Commercial, Husqvarna, and STIHL rely on their dealer networks rather than big box stores. You get additional support during and after the sale that you won’t find at other retailers.

Electric riding mowers are a completely different ballgame. With those, you’ll find a much greater difference in design and performance, along with a massive gap in cost.

Self-Propelled vs Push

Considering a self-propelled drive doesn’t have a huge effect on your runtime, it’s a feature you should get if it’s in your budget. Look for variable speed controls and try working it in the store before you bring it home. You can usually tell in just a few minutes if it’s comfortable and natural for your hands.

Look for a mower that disengages its drive easily when you want to pull the mower back. Some systems have a hard time letting go and force you to drag the drive wheels rather than allowing them to roll.

Let’s not completely rule out the classic push mower style, though. When you’re on a budget, you can easily save 100 or more without losing cutting performance if you’re willing to carry more of the workload.

If that’s the direction you’re heading, look for a poly deck to help reduce weight and wheels with bearings and low rolling resistance to make your job a little easier.

Self-Propel Drive Adjustment

Our testing team generally prefers a variable speed dial separate from the presence bar. Taking a different approach, Toro’s Personal Pace and Ryobi’s Smart Trek systems offer a self-adjusting speed that some folks like.

As you’re trying different adjustment styles, look for one that’s on the stiffer side or has positive stops. This will reduce the chances of accidentally knocking it to a different speed if your hand hits it or the terrain is bumpy.

Keep an eye on the location of the dial as well. Front and center is convenient to make adjustments on the fly. However, some people hit that position with their hand or hip as they turn. If that’s you, you might prefer your adjustment on the side so you don’t accidentally change your speed with each turn.

Steel vs Poly Deck

In the gas-powered world, there are really no poly decks—most are either steel or aluminum. The cordless lawn mower world is much different with poly decks in every direction.

Steel is more durable, but it’s very unlikely you’re going to wear through a poly deck over the life of your battery-powered lawn mower. Poly also has an advantage in design. It’s much easier to make subtle changes in the shape that optimizes airflow for better lift, mulching, and bagging than a steel deck.

As we said, steel is more durable. If you have a lot of small rocks you kick up when you’re mowing or perhaps your teenager doesn’t pay quite as much attention as you’d like, then a steel deck can extend your mower’s life. Plus, it just looks good.

Bag, Mulch, or Side Discharge?

You probably already know whether you prefer to mulch or bag. Here in central Florida, we usually mulch to return nutrients to the lawn and avoid stopping every 10 minutes (literally) to dump the bag.

Sometimes, however, you go on vacation or the weather prevents you from hitting your normal mowing day. That’s when side (or rear) discharge becomes helpful.

Instead of keeping the grass up in the deck for finer mulching, it kicks it out. You could bag it, of course, but you’d spend a lot of time emptying. For the sake of getting your cut back under control, side discharging can help keep you moving along when your grass gets long.

Look for a mower that gives you all three options and keep that side discharge chute somewhere handy just in case you need it.

Deck and Blade Size

Most of the best electric lawn mowers have 20 or 21-inch deck sizes with slightly smaller blades (Several brands list the actual blade diameter rather than the deck diameter).

There are smaller models appropriate for smaller lawns or areas with a lot of landscaping to work around.

There are also larger models. Greenworks Commercial and Greenworks 60V both have 25-inch models available. Battery-powered riding mowers run up to 52 inches or more on the residential side and 74 inches for commercial.

The larger deck sizes are most helpful on lawns over 1/4-acre where they offer more significant time savings. For lawns 1/4-acre or less, the standard 20 or 21-inch deck is usually fine.

Single Point vs Multi-Point Deck Height Adjustment

There’s no doubt that single-point height adjustments are more convenient than adjusting each wheel. The relatively lighter weight of cordless lawn mowers also makes it a more viable solution.

Don’t completely discount two or four-point adjustments, though. A four-point system typically has a more rigid construction over single point. Plus, you can kick your front wheels one notch higher than the rear to improve your bagging efficiency.

This one is really about what your preference is. We find most people set their height once and leave it, so a four-point system may not be all that bad from a convenience standpoint.

Multiple Battery Ports

If you have a lawn that’s more than 1/3 of an acre, there’s a good chance you can benefit from multiple battery ports. There are three possibilities: a second storage port, a second active port with a manual switch, and a second active port with automatic switching.

Automatic switching is the most convenient and usually comes on higher-priced mowers. Manual switching and simple storage take some extra effort, but not as much as going back to the garage or trailer for another battery.

Height Range

The majority of electric lawn mowers have all the height range you need to cover a wide variety of grass species. If you prefer to cut at heights over 3-1/2 inches or under 2 inches, just double check that the mower you’re looking at covers it.

Why Buy an Electric Lawn Mower?

The best electric lawn mower for you should get your lawn cut on one charge. No matter which model that is, they all share some common characteristics. There are no gas emissions and no gas engine to maintain. You still need to clean it off when you’re done, but the maintenance is much easier and takes less time.

They’re also quieter. The early bird gets the worm and if you want to start mowing at 7:00 on Saturday morning, your neighbors can probably sleep through it. of a night owl? Many battery-powered mowers have headlights, and you’re unlikely to disturb your neighbor’s Lord of the Rings marathon at 10:00 PM.

Those are some of the more obvious reasons, but one of our favorites is the ability to put the battery in and mow. There’s no cranking, no choke, and no fuel cut-off valve. As long as you have enough batteries to get the entire lawn cut, it’s an easier system to work with than gas.

Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Ever check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they actually tested the tools or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers?

That’s not us. We only recommend what we’d actually use, even if we don’t earn a commission from it. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.

We’ve been in business since 2008 covering tools, writing reviews, and reporting on industry news in the construction, automotive, and lawn care industries. Our Pro reviewers work in the trades and have the skills and experience to know whether tools can perform well in the field.

Each year, we bring in and review more than 250 individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year.

We consult with innovators in the technology and design of tools to gain a broader grasp of where these products fit and how they work.

We work with more than two dozen professional contractors around the United States who review products for us on real job sites and consult with us on testing methods, categories, and weighting.

We’ll provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readers—including objective evaluations of individual tools and products.

The end result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize each and every time we pick up and test a tool.

Electric Lawn Mowers

The benefits of electric equipment extend far beyond cutting time. flexibility, less time servicing and fewer hassles give you freedom in the rest of your life like never before.

Powerful Performance

Powerful Performance

Our lineup of electric riders is powered by lithium-ion batteries that deliver extended runtimes, a fast 4-hour recharge and no power fade.

Cuts Grass like Gas

Cuts Grass Like Gas

Engineered and tested to deliver the same results as our industry-leading gas models, our lithium-ion powered riding mowers will provide you with premium cut quality you expect from Cub Cadet without power fade.

Low Maintenance

Low Maintenance

Riders with no gas, oil, air filters, spark plugs, pulleys or belts means less maintenance and more barbecues, handstands, and whatever else you love to do.

100% Electric. 0% Compromise.

100% Electric. 0% Compromise.

Our electric lineup meets the same rigorous standards for performance, power and durability you’ll find in any Cub Cadet equipment, and is backed by a strong 4-year battery and 3-year machine warranty.

Quieter Than Gas

Quieter Than Gas

Up to 64% quieter during operation than gas means you can cut at dawn or dusk without disturbing the neighborhood.

Zero Emissions While In Use

Zero Emissions While In Use

No exhaust, carbon monoxide or unburned hydrocarbons from the on-board source of power for a cleaner, zero-emission ride while in use.

Shop Compare Electric Riding Mowers

Filter By

  • 56 Volt MAX, 60Ah, 3000Wh lithium-ion battery that can be charged using a standard 110-Volt outlet.
  • Mow up to 3.5 acres, or 1.5 hours, on a single charge without power fade. Recharges in about 4 hours
  • No need for oil changes, filters to change, spark plugs to change, no more buying gas
  • 60 Volt Max, 5.0Ah, 300Wh lithium-ion battery
  • Mow up to ½ acre, or 50 minutes on a single charge, without power fade
  • Premium ball bearings and 11” rear wheels increase traction and maneuverability
  • 56 Volt MAX, 30Ah, 1500Wh lithium-ion battery that can be charged using a standard 110-Volt outlet
  • Mow up to one acre, or 1 hour, on a single charge without power fade. Recharges in about 4 hours
  • No need for oil changes, filters to change, spark plugs to change, no more buying gas
  • 56 Volt Max, 60Ah, 3000Wh lithium-ion battery that can be charged using a standard 110-Volt outlet
  • Mow up to 3.5 acres on a single charge without power fade. Recharges in about 4 hours
  • No need for oil changes, filters to change, spark plugs to change, no more buying gas

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Learn About Electric Products

Learn more about the 60V Max battery system

Cub Cadet’s 60 Volt Max battery system has many convenient features, including lithium-ion batteries, flexibile charging and an interchangeable battery platform. Read

Lithium-Ion Battery vs. Lead Acid Battery — which is Better?

Lithium-ion batteries have several advantages over their lead acid counterparts, which is why Cub Cadet uses them throughout its suite of battery-powered outdoor power equipment. Read

What is a Brushless Motor?

Brushless motors provide several advantages for Cub Cadet’s lithium-ion battery powered equipment, see how they work. Read

Electric FAQs

  • Our ZT1 42E zero-turn mower has a run time of up to 2 acres on a single charge without power fade.
  • The Cub Cadet LT42E lawn tractor runs for up to 1.5 hours, or up to 2 acres, on a single charge without power fade.
  • The CC30E riding mower runs up to 1 hour, or up to 1 acre, on a single charge without power fade.
  • The 60 Volt Max walk behind push mower runs up to 50 minutes or ½ acre on a single charge without power fade.
  • The 60 Volt Max leaf blower clears up to 90 minutes on low speed or 11 minutes on high speed.
  • The 60 Volt Max string trimmer runs up to 45 minutes on a single charge on low speed without power fade. (Disclaimer: Run time based on using 0.080” line.)
  • The 60 Volt Max hedge trimmer runs up to 80 minutes on a single charge without power fade.
  • The 60 Volt Max chainsaw provides up to up to 80 minutes of run time on a single charge with no power fade. (Disclaimer: Up to 140 cuts of 4-in. x 4-in. pressure treated pine per charge.)

What is the life of the battery?

Operating under normal conditions and care, our lithium-ion batteries will last for the lifetime of the product as defined in the operator’s manual. Cub Cadet offers a 3-year limited warranty that protects your mower and a 4-year battery warranty against manufacturing defects.

Are the batteries included?

The Cub Cadet ZT1 42E zero-turn and LT42E lawn tractor come with two batteries and one charger. The CC30E riding mower comes with one battery and one charger. Our 60 Volt Max walk behind push mower comes with one batter and one charger. The bundled suite of 60 Volt Max handheld products — leaf blower, string trimmer, hedge trimmer, and chainsaw — includes one interchangeable battery and charger. Battery and charger are not included when purchased as a bare tool, however the suite is compatible with the battery included with the 60 Volt Max walk behind push mower, too.

Is the cut quality the same as gas engines?

All of our lithium-ion battery powered lawn mowers are being engineered to the same specifications as their gas counterparts. Our electric mowers have to pass the same cut quality tests, and we apply our experience in gas to ensure that our electric equipment delivers the same premium cut you’ve come to expect from Cub Cadet.

What cost benefits does a lithium-ion battery powered riding lawn mower provide over a gas-powered mower?

One of the biggest benefits of a lithium-ion battery-powered lawn mower is the reduction of regular maintenance. Unlike their gas-powered counterparts, battery-powered mowers do not require belts, filters or oil to be changed. Additional benefits include a reduction of noise and savings seen through the elimination of purchasing gas. You can also use our savings calculator to compare cost savings between gas and battery-powered mowers.

How long does it take the battery to recharge?

Recharge time varies by product:

  • The recharge time of our riding mowers — the ZT1 42E zero-turn, LT42E riding mower, and CC30E riding mower — is about 4 hours.
  • The recharge time of the 5 Ah Lithium-ion battery used by our 60 Volt Max walk behind push mower is 2.5 hours.
  • The recharge time of the 2.5 Ah Lithium-ion battery used by our 60 Volt Max handheld products — leaf blower, string trimmer, hedge trimmer, and chainsaw — is 2.5 hours.

Our lithium-ion powered mowers have the same restrictions as their gas counterparts when it comes to uneven terrain and hills. Please refer to each unit’s operator’s manual for specific guidelines.

Electric Mower FAQs

Cub Cadet’s lithium-ion battery powered lawn mowers are engineered to perform to the same standards as their gas-powered counterparts. You can expect the same unmatched strength and durability along with the peace of mind that comes with all our Cub Cadet products. Additionally, our lithium-ion lawn mowers will also not experience power fade as the battery depletes, maintaining a superior cut quality throughout operation.

Is the cut quality the same as gas engines?

All of our lithium-ion battery powered lawn mowers are being engineered to the same specifications as their gas counterparts. Our electric mowers have to pass the same cut quality tests, and we apply our experience in gas to ensure that our electric equipment delivers the same premium cut you’ve come to expect from Cub Cadet.

Can Cub Cadet’s lithium-ion battery powered lawn mowers be used in the rain or wet conditions?

Cub Cadet’s lithium-ion powered mowers are engineered to handle cutting in damp or moist grass conditions. Like other outdoor power equipment, the mower should not be operated in the rain, taken through heavily saturated areas or stored outside.

Will the electric riders work on sloped terrain/hills?

Our lithium-ion powered mowers have the same restrictions as their gas counterparts when it comes to uneven terrain and hills. Please refer to each unit’s operator’s manual for specific guidelines.

Can I charge the battery from a regular 110V outlet?

Yes. Cub Cadet’s lithium-ion battery powered equipment can be charged using a standard 110V electrical outlet. The charger uses an electrical input of 720W, 6A at 120V. You should never connect the charger to an AC voltage that differs from 100-240V.

How does a bagger impact run time?

Run time will vary depending on the product. Using a bagger with our 60 Volt Max walk behind push mower does not impact run time. As for our riders, it’s recommended that you an Xtream blade on the ZT42E zero-turn and LT42E Enduro lawn tractor to get the best results and could impact run time. The CC30E may experience lower run times when bagging.

What is the run time of the battery?

The run time of the battery varies by mower:

  • Our ZT1 42E zero-turn mower has a run time of up to 2 acres on a single charge without power fade.
  • The Cub Cadet LT42E lawn tractor runs for up to 1.5 hours, or up to 2 acres, on a single charge without power fade.
  • The CC30E riding mower runs up to 1 hour, or up to 1 acre, on a single charge without power fade.
  • The 60 Volt Max walk behind push mower runs up to 50 minutes or ½ acre on a single charge without power fade.

When compared to the same engine without IntelliPower™ feature, improvements vary depending on engine models and specific operating conditions.

A-weighted sound level per ISO-5395-1, 95% confidence comparing XT1 Enduro Series LT42, Ultima ZT1 42 and CC30.

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WARRANTY ADDENDUM. IMPORTANT: This addendum defines the start of the warranty period. The applicable Warranty Period will begin on the original date of purchase of the Product or on the date of delivery of the Product, whichever is later. Engine Disclaimer: The engine horsepower information is provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. See your local Cub Cadet Dealer for warranty details.Pricing Disclaimer: Posted price is in USD Dollars and is manufacturer’s suggested sale price. Models and pricing may vary by location. Taxes, freight, set-up and delivery not included. Optional equipment, accessories and attachments sold separately. See your retailer for details. Image Disclaimer: Products may vary from depicted model image in design, required attachments, safety features and non-functional appearance, and may not reflect dealer inventory or unit specifications. Specifications Disclaimer: Specifications subject to change without notice. Images may not reflect retailer inventory and/or unit specifications. Operator’s Manual Disclaimer: The operator’s manual posted is for general information and use. To ensure the download of the operator’s manual specific to your unit, we require a model and serial number. Speed Disclaimer: Actual vehicle speed varies based on load, use and environmental conditions. Battery Disclaimer: Battery and battery powered product performance varies with load, use and environmental conditions. Software Disclaimer: Software available on Company websites is provided on an as is basis without any warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The download and use of any software is done at the user’s own risk. Professional Products: Cub Cadet commercial products are intended for professional use. UTV: Cub Cadet Utility Vehicles (UTV) are intended for off-road use by adults only. Please see the operator’s manual and the warning labels posted on the vehicle itself for more details. Email disclaimer: Sign up to receive communication on services, products and special offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. Please refer to our Privacy Policy.

The 7 Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers of 2023, According To Testing

We put these battery-powered lawn mowers to the test to see which left our lawns looking fresh.

Andrea Wurzburger has been a writer for nearly a decade, with experience writing for publications like HerCampus.com, REDBOOK Magazine, VH1.com, and People.com. As a features writer at People.com, she wrote across verticals about everything from gift guides to buzzy pop culture galleries.

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a FOCUS on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants.

In This Article

Whether you’re looking to save money on fuel or do your small part to save the environment, battery-powered lawn mowers are an easy way to do so without sacrificing function. Battery-powered mowers are cordless, don’t use gasoline, and are typically best for small to medium-sized yards.

There are a few important factors to consider when looking for the best battery-powered lawn mower, according to Nicole Durden, senior merchant of outdoor power at The Home Depot.

“Be mindful of the size of your yard,” she advises, since over half an acre will require more battery power. “Consider the terrain and the drive system on the mower. Customers with steep or hilly yards should consider a self-propelled mower.”

Best Self-Propelled Push Mower

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

We’ve chosen the Ego Power LM2101SP Cordless Lawn Mower as the best self-propelled push lawn mower because it is easy to use, thanks to a powerful self-propel feature that makes it perfect for small- to medium-sized yards.

Self-propelled mowers use the motor to propel the mower forward, which means it takes less of an effort on the user’s part to cut the grass. During our testing, we noted that it may be ideal for those with limited strength or mobility since it doesn’t require as much muscle use as other push mowers.

It has six different height settings for lawn mower blades, which range from 1.5 inches to 4 inches. While testing, we found that it was simple to adjust the cutting height, the propelling speed, and the height of the handle with just one hand. It comes with LED lights, so if you are looking to beat the heat and mow your lawn before the sun rises or as it is setting, you will still be able to see what you’re cutting.

This lawn mower offers 60 minutes of run time on a single charge with a 56 volt 7.5Ah ARC lithium battery. This means that it is best suited for a small to medium-sized yard of 0.5 acres.

This unit made our list not only for its cutting capabilities, but also its disposal option. It offers three options for use: mulching, side discharge, or bagging. Although we loved having options for disposal, we found that attaching the bag for disposal was not an easy task on our own as it would sometimes pop off on one side as we pulled it tight to attach to the other—we think having an extra set of hands could be beneficial.

One feature we loved was this mower’s storage capability. Whereas some mowers can take up quite a bit of space in your garage or outdoor shed, the Ego Power Mower can fold in order to be stored away.

Price at time of publish: 700

Product Details: Run Time: 60 minutes | Height Adjustments: Six | Recommended Yard Size: 0.5 acres | Deck Width: 21 inches

Best Budget

Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Electric Push Lawn Mower

The Greenworks Cordless Lawn Mower is our pick for the best battery-powered lawn mower for those on a budget. It has five height settings, mulching, and rear bagging capabilities.

For a push mower, it’s lightweight at 37.5 pounds—as light as our pick for best lightweight mower. Some lawn mowers on this list weigh as much as 66 pounds.

With this mower, even though you have to do the work of pushing it around the yard, it makes the task much less difficult. It also has five height adjustments to choose from, this lawn mower can cut from 1.25 inches to 3.375 inches.

When it comes to mowing, it’s important to have a plan when it comes to handling your clippings, and this lawn mower offers options for both mulching and rear bagging. It even comes with a collection bag, should you choose to use it.

Keep in mind that this battery-powered lawn mower only has 45 minutes of run time on a full charge. Its 16-inch deck width also means that you clip less grass per pass, so it could take longer to mow your yard.

If you don’t have a small yard, this could present a problem, as you’ll have to pause to recharge. The good news is, the battery reaches full power after two hours.

Price at time of publish: 255

Product Details: Run Time: 45 minutes | Height Adjustments: Five | Recommended Yard Size: Up to 0.33 acres | Deck Width: 16 inches

Best Lightweight

BlackDecker 40V Max 16 inch Cordless Lawn Mower

We chose the BlackDecker Cordless Lawn Mower because it is affordable, and it is only 38 pounds, which makes it easy to maneuver around your yard. The mower’s technology also makes it simple to use as it determines the height of your grass and adjusts accordingly to increase power and preserve battery life.

Because it’s lightweight, it is also a pretty compact model, with handles that fold down to make storage simpler. Additionally, this model has carrying handles that make moving it easy. It’s the best battery-powered lawn mower for people who need a mower that is lightweight and convenient to carry.

This battery-powered lawn mower has plenty of practical features as well, and includes six cutting heights that range from 1 inch to 3 inches, and the single lever height adjustment is easy to use.

It also has a 9.5 gallon grass bag, which is attached to the back of the mower. The bag is made of soft fabric with a hard top, and it’s simple to check its capacity with a simple tap on the soft fabric.

With a 16-inch deck, plus a 30-minute run time, it can mow yards up to 0.125 acres big. If you have a yard larger than this, you’ll find yourself either switching out batteries (it does come with two) or stopping to recharge them.

Price at time of publish: 330

Product Details: Run Time: 30 minutes | Height Adjustments: Six | Recommended Yard Size: 0.125 acres | Deck Width: 16 inches

Best Push Mower

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

The Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21-Inch Mower is our choice for best battery-powered push mower because it is intuitive to use with self-propelled technology that makes it possible to intuitively adjust the speed, plus it has options for clipping disposal.

We found that it took a bit to get used to maneuvering this lawn mower over uneven ground, as we needed to change the blade height in order to keep it from getting stuck. Otherwise, it was extremely easy to use, even on grass that was 6 inches high. The yard tested typically takes 45 minutes to mow, and this battery-powered lawn mower managed to get it done in 20 minutes.

We were able to use the mower three times, each round ranging from 10 to 15 minutes, without having to charge the battery, which holds a charge for up to 70 minutes. The Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21-Inch Mower uses two 6.0Ah batteries, which are powerful and carry a longer charge than your average lawn mower battery, which can range from 45 to 60 minutes of run time.

This lawn mower has the option of disposing of clippings via mulching, bagging, or side-discharging, which we loved while testing because it’s possible to decide which type of disposal based on each user’s unique needs. When we mowed the test lawn for the first time, we found that we had to empty the bag quite a bit, due to the height of the grass, even though it was only 0.05 acres.

We appreciated that this mower was quiet compared to other lawn mowers we tested. During testing, we noticed that it didn’t sound much louder than a noise machine. We also loved that this mower folds up so that it can be stored vertically, leaving floor space free in a garage or shed.

Price at time of publish: 749

Product Details: Run Time: 70 minutes | Height Adjustments: Seven | Recommended Yard Size: 0.5 to 1 acre | Deck Width: 22 inches

Best Riding

Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42-Inch Battery Electric Cordless Zero Turn Riding Mower

If you’re looking to do less manual labor while tending to your lawn, a ride-on mower may be the best battery-powered mower for you, like the Ryobi Electric Ride-On Mower. This model can mow a large yard without needing to be recharged, and it has cruise control.

During testing, we found that this battery-powered ride-on lawn mower was intuitive to use and easy to operate with the use of a single joystick. This mower has three travel speeds and three blade speeds, which are able to be changed with push button controls. It also has an LCD screen that displays battery life and run time (so that you’re never surprised that it’s time to recharge).

This mower comes with two 80V and two 40V batteries that make it possible to mow 3 acres per charge, and the batteries can recharge fully in two and a half hours. If this mower is getting low on battery while in use, there’s no need to worry: When the battery drops below 35%, the mower automatically begins to preserve battery so that it can be driven back to wherever the extra batteries are being stored or charged.

We love that this ride-on mower is powerful, with the equivalent power of 31 horsepower, and 12 different cutting settings, ranging from 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches. Even with all those settings, there is also comfort in mind: the seat has premium seat suspension, which minimizes the feel of rough terrain. It also has cup holders, USB ports, and storage compartments. The option to mulch or side discharge clippings was also a plus.

As is the case with most ride-on mowers, comfort and convenience comes at a premium. However, if you have a large yard and are looking to keep it looking good while keeping environmentally friendly, it’s a worthy investment.

Price at time of publish: 5,999

Product Details: Run Time: 2.5 hours | Height Adjustments: 12 | Recommended Yard Size: 2 to 4 acres | Deck Width: 42 inches

Best for Small Yards

Makita 36-Volt Lithium-Ion Push Lawn Mower

Our pick for best battery-powered lawn mower for small yards is the Makita Brushless Lawn Mower.

The Makita comes with four batteries, which power the mower for long enough to cut up to 0.33 acres of land in 43 minutes or less. It runs on two of those batteries at a time. Its brushless motor also allows you to cut grass faster at 2,500 to 3,300 rotations per minute.

The batteries are equipped with battery overload, overheat, and over-discharge protection, which help to extend the battery life by shutting it down before damage can occur.

Not looking to disturb your neighbors when you get up early to mow the lawn? The Makita Brushless Lawn Mower has a quiet mode that reduces noise by providing constant speed control.

With a single-lever, you can adjust the height of the mower to 10 different heights. The deck width of this mower is 19 inches, so it can cut up to 19 inches across of grass per pass of the lawn mower.

When it comes to your grass clippings, this lawn mower has a disposal bag that has a 16-gallon capacity—this means there isn’t the option for mulching or side-disposal.

Price at time of publish: 399

Product Details: Run Time: 43 minutes | Height Adjustments: 10 | Recommended Yard Size: 0.33 acres | Deck Width: 19 inches

Best with Storage

Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42-Inch Electric Cordless Riding Lawn Tractor

  • We found that, because it does not have power steering, it takes some muscle to turn while going slowly.

After testing, we determined that the best battery-powered lawn mower with storage is the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Riding Lawn Tractor because it has two separate compartments. It’s great for someone who loves to landscape, as you can get more done than just mowing. We loved the large back storage area in particular, noting that it would make it easy to load up some bags of mulch to tote around your property.

When it came to actually mowing the lawn, we found that the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Riding Lawn Tractor was easy to maneuver, and we liked that it is able to change speeds easily to maneuver around obstacles, but can instantly speed up once past them.

It handled the lawn with ease, mowing over sticks, leaves, and more. We even took the lawn mower out in wet conditions, and it managed to mow grass without a problem. When the blades are on, it is still less noisy than a gas mower.

This mower has 13 height adjustments ranging from 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches, and we found that adjusting the height was simple with the use of a large lever on the side of the mower. We liked that we could get a close cut, even in wet conditions.

This ride-on lawn mower is able to side-discharge and mulch clippings, and is also capable of bagging. We only tested the side discharge and mulching capabilities, as the bagger is sold separately.

This mower also comes with a few safety features. It beeps while in reverse, as well as if the user hops off the seat while the mower is turned on. It also turns off the mowing deck while in reverse. While it does have headlights, we found that they are very small, and that we wouldn’t use them to mow in the dark.

Keep in mind that there is no power steering, and we found that we needed to use quite a bit of force when turning at a slow speed.

Price at time of publish: 5,000

Product Details: Run Time: 2.5 hours | Height Adjustments: 13 | Recommended Yard Size: 3 acres | Deck Width: 42 inches

The Bottom Line

Overall, when looking for the best battery-powered lawn mower, you should consider the size of your yard, whether or not you’ll need more than one battery, and whether you want a push, self-propelled, or ride-on mower.

After testing, we chose the Ryobi Electric Ride-On Mower as the best ride-on mower because it is easy to use and can mow up to 3 acres in a single charge, making it a great choice for a large yard. Our pick for best push mower was from the same brand: the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21 in. Self-Propelled Mower because it has an impressive 70 minutes of runtime on a single charge plus multiple options for clipping disposal.

Our Testing Process

In order to find the best battery-powered lawn mowers, we tested 15 mowers, narrowing down our results to determine which of these battery-powered favorites made our list. First, we recorded how long it took to assemble each mower straight out of the box.

Then, we mowed our lawns with each mower three times, noting the date, weather conditions, how much we cut off the grass in inches, how much surface area we were mowing in acres, and how long it took for us to mow that area.

As we used each mower, we considered many factors. We began with the ease of starting and powering the mower, plus the ease of adjusting the seat (if a ride-on mower) or heights for comfort, and whether or not the controls were user friendly.

With the riding mowers, we also took note of how easy it was to adjust our speed, as well as how easy it was to switch between cutting heights and how many options there were. We also evaluated how each mower compared to those that we previously owned or tried.

One of the most important aspects of a battery-powered lawn mower is its power source. We determined how many batteries came with the mower, how long they took to charge, and how long that battery lasted before we had to swap it or recharge it.

We also tested each mower’s ease of movement, observing how they performed when maneuvering around obstacles like trees, flowerbeds, and tough terrain like hills or inclines.

When it came to how well the mowers discharged the clippings, we noted if they discharged, collected debris in a bag, or mulched them. Some models performed more than one function, and if that was the case, we tested each type of discharge method, and how easy it was to insert or remove collection bags (if applicable). We also observed how much storage each model had and how they would eventually be stored away.

Finally, we tried each mower’s features. On the riding mowers, we tested their ignition cut-off switches, wheel weights, and headlights, or reflective surfaces. For push mowers, we tested the handle lever, back flap, and blade brake control. We also evaluated the cutting height options, plus various speeds of each mower. If possible, we even tested these lawn mowers on other lawns, to see how the experience differed depending on type of grass and terrain.

What to Know About Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers Before Shopping

Lawn Size

When shopping for the best battery-powered lawn mower for your home, it’s important to take into consideration the size of your lawn. Typically, the batteries in your mower will last 50 to 60 minutes on one charge, so you’ll want to make sure you can cover the distance of your lawn in that time.

Otherwise you’ll have to either change out the battery for a fully charged back-up, or charge your battery. If you have a yard that is more than an acre, it’s not ideal to have a battery-powered mower unless you have one that is made with large yards in mind.

Type

There are a few different types of battery-powered lawn mower to choose from: self-propelled mowers, push mowers, and ride-on mowers.

Self-propelled mowers are less work to operate than push mowers, with a design that uses the motor to propel the wheels, which makes it easy for you to simply guide the mower across your lawn.

In order to operate a push mower, you have to push it forward manually. The bad news: You’re the one doing the pushing. The good news: most models are compact and lighter weight (especially when compared to a gas model) so it isn’t too difficult.

Ride-on mowers require the least amount of work, but are also the most expensive models. They are a great choice for people with larger lawns, and you can simply sit up top and steer it where you want it to go.

Charge Time

Battery-powered mowers need to be charged before use, and those times will vary. We found that the time it takes to recharge varies anywhere from 1 to 2.5 hours. For example, our best riding mower pick, the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Zero Turn Riding Mower, takes 2.5 hours to reach full charge. If you don’t have the time to pause your mowing to recharge, consider choosing a mower with an extra battery so you can change them out and continue on.

Power

Battery-powered lawn mowers do not require chords to function. Instead, they work using rechargeable batteries that have an output of anywhere from 36 to 120 volts.

Run time is largely dependent on the voltage of your battery. The higher the battery, the longer your mower will run. The higher the voltage, the larger the battery, so it may affect your mower’s deck size.

The deck is the part of the lawn mower that covers the engine and blades of the mower. It is measured in square inches, and is determined by multiplying the width of the bottom part of your mower (between the wheels) by the length. They are also usually made with durable material so they stand up against debris and the elements.

The size of the deck determines how much grass the machine will cut in one pass, as it is generally large enough to cover the blade. Smaller mowers may only have one blade, while larger models have two or three for more efficient cutting.

Mowers with larger decks offer less mobility, so it’s beneficial to use a mower with a smaller deck and voltage for a yard with less acreage. The larger your yard, the bigger the deck you’ll require because you’ll need to cover more ground in the same amount of time.

Features

The best battery-powered lawn mowers come with plenty of features to make your lawn-cutting experiences as enjoyable as possible. For example, some come with mulchers that take the grass, chop it up, and leave them behind on the lawn. Others have a grass bag catcher that attaches to the mower on either the side or rear where the clippings drop straight into the bag.

Another feature that is important is the ability to adjust the blade height so that you can tailor your mower to your preferences. They usually range from 1 to 4 inches, and keep in mind that you should only remove the top third of the grass blades.

Adjustable handles are also important because they allow you to change the height in order to make them easier to mow.

Other Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers We Tested

Greenworks Pro 80V Max, 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower

We loved that the Greenworks Pro 80V Max, 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower lawn mower had a space-saving storage design that allowed it to be stowed away vertically. We also appreciated how long the battery lasted—about 50 minutes total.

While testing, we found that this lawn mower had difficulty maneuvering in tight spots, and its weight made it difficult to turn. When we switched it to the self-propel mode, we found that even the fastest setting did not measure up to others on this list.

Your Questions, Answered

How long do batteries last in a battery-powered mower?

This answer depends on the mower, but typically the batteries in a battery-powered mower last around 50 minutes to an hour if fully charged. This is why battery-powered mowers are recommended for small to medium-sized yards—if you can’t get your mowing done within an hour, you’ll need to hit pause, plug it in to charge (or replace it with another fully charged battery if you’ve got a spare), and wait to mow.

What is the best voltage for a battery-powered mower?

The batteries in battery-powered lawn mowers provide anywhere from 36 to 120 volts of power. The higher the voltage, the longer the run time. The longer the run time, the more time you have to cover some distance in your yard before that battery runs out.

Getting a battery with a high voltage may sound Smart because it allows for a longer run time. However, it also makes the machine heavier which can slow you down and can decrease the run time.

Which mower is better: battery-powered, electric, or gas?

Battery-powered, electric, and gas lawn mowers each have their own pros and cons. Gas powered mowers have the advantage when it comes to being able to fuel them right away. When an electric or battery-powered mower runs out of juice, it needs to be plugged in and charged.

“Battery-powered lawn mowers provide the power of traditional lawn mowers without the harmful emissions, which make them perfect for customers that value efficiency and sustainability,” Durden says.

Gas mowers also tend to require more maintenance in order to run smoothly, and you need to take care to store the fuel properly and even winterize your mower.

Battery-powered lawn mowers have the advantage of being “lightweight and quieter than gas-powered mowers, too,” says Durden. You just need to remember to keep the battery charged.

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Additionally, whereas gas-powered mowers need to be pulled or cranked, and cared for to ensure they’re winterized, you just need to push to start a battery-powered or electric mower and go.

One downside to an electric mower is the range of motion—you may be limited by the cord. Battery powered and electric mowers are more equipped to handle small to medium-sized yards.

Who We Are

Andrea Wurzburger is a freelance writer for Better Homes Gardens. For this story, she spent several hours researching the best battery-powered lawn mowers by comparing product specifications. She also spoke with Nicole Durden, who is the senior merchant of outdoor power at The Home Depot.