Electric mowers battery powered. 5 Best Battery Powered Mowers: 2023 Buying Guide

Best Battery Powered Mowers: 2023 Buying Guide

The best battery powered mowers all have a few things in common. And believe us, I have tested DOZENS of these bad boys and have only been impressed by a few.

Whether or not you agree, battery powered mowers are taking over the lawn care space. When I walk into any Home Depot or Lowe’s I see them prominently displayed in flashy colors all over the place.

But some of these new electric mowers are straight up plastic-y and cheap – and they’ve failed our rigorous testing. And if you’re used to using an OG gas push mower like we were, well then you’ve got some high standards.

We weren’t looking for the Rolls Royce of mowers when we made this list – I am looking for the best value, most durability, and most gas-like power I can find. Which is why I kept the list shorter than others.

Why we started The Lawn Review

The reason we started this website in the first place was because we had so much trouble trying to find reasonable, understandable, honest reviews for lawn equipment. And it’s not cheap! After hours and hours of research, trying products and returning them, and messing up our yards – we started this site.

As people who had to learn the hard way, we want you to know exactly what you are signing up for before you purchase a piece of equipment. That’s why we are committed to providing honest, easy-to-understand reviews that mean something.

How I tested these mowers

I tested these mowers over the course of a few years. For starters, I bought the Milwaukee M18 mower for over 1,000 a few weeks ago (you can see our YouTube video here). I have a few other videos that include the EGO mower and the Greenworks mower below. For the Toro mower, we went to Home Depot and tested it out. And lastly, the Ryobi mower I borrowed from my friend Drew for the comparison video we made against the EGO mower. All undergo an extensive testing protocol that includes assembly, mowing my 1/2 acre lawn, and battery run time tests.

Ranking the best battery powered mowers of 2023

This was actually a pretty easy list to put together. I do this all day – what did you expect? Let me break down the best electric mowers and why I ranked them where I did.

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Battery powered Mower

The funny thing about Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL lawn mower is that it is the only mower they make. It’s like they got a team together, thought about how to make the perfect mower, then just….did it. Then they decided to never try again.

• It has as much power as a 200cc lawn mower (more than your classic Honda push mower)
• A heavy, strong, steel metal deck as opposed to plastic ones found on the market
• Goes to full throttle in less than a second
• Brushless motor (requirement to be on this list)
• The two 18V batteries work with any of the other 200 M18 tools from Milwaukee

The only downside is that it is probably one of the more expensive push mowers I’ve seen. It retails at Home Depot for over 1,000. If you are a Milwaukee enthusiast or are truly looking for peak battery powered mower performance, then this one is the right one for you.

If you’re looking for a side-by-side comparison, check out how the M18 stacks up against the Ryobi 40V HP (which also made this list).

EGO Power LM2021 Battery powered mower

We are never popular for saying that this EGO mower is our favorite EGO mower, but we don’t care about being popular.

It is not the EGO mower with all the bells and whistles, but it does have most of the EGO features plus a steel cutting deck. It is the only EGO mower with a steel cutting deck, making it the most durable one they offer and also one of the heaviest.

Why do I like heavy electric mowers? Because they feel more like a gas powered mower and are actually easier to control and keep in a straight line.

I love that this EGO mower still runs for an hour, still folds like the other EGO mowers, and has a brushless motor.

When it comes to EGO, it is easy to just jump after the prettiest one for sale at Lowe’s or wherever else you buy it – but this is legitimately the one that will make you the happiest (in my opinion).

You can grab this one at your local Lowe’s – or check it out on Amazon (it’s usually cheaper there but good to compare).

Greenworks PRO 80V 21 inch Battery powered mower

We’ve been big fans of the Greenworks 80V mower because it is darn near perfect. I have it as number five not because it has the best specifications of any battery powered mower, but because it has the a great combination of quality and price.

If you haven’t heard of Greenworks, they are an up-and-coming battery powered lawn tool brand that puts out some high quality stuff. They have a real attention to detail and offer great warranties on their brushless motors, this one with a four year warranty. My other neighbor has this mower and is obsessed.

I got my hands on this mower (my photography skills below) and had a confusing experience. I mostly loved using the mower and was super impressed by the power, but when I tested it on my yard it seemed to fall apart. The self-propelled function jammed up whenever I made a turn and I also experienced the mower just randomly cutting off.

• Can mow up to 1 acre on a single charge
• Works with a bunch of the other 80V Greenworks tools
• A nice steel metal deck
• Super easy to fold and store
• The price
• Self-propelled function

The best thing about this mower though is hands down the price. It’s similar (maybe even better) quality than just about every mower on this list, but comes in at ½ to ¼ of the price.

Yes, you can grab this one on Amazon for an insane price, especially if you already own the batteries. It is also one that is starting to show up in Costco, which is another great place to buy it.

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Battery powered mower

My Ryobi 40V HP Brushless battery powered mower used to be my number one favorite electric mower. Because it was the first one I’ve ever used. Since then, I’ve matured a bit in my taste and become much pickier.

Nevertheless, it still made this list. It was a little bit too light for my liking, getting moved off-track whenever a tuft of thick grass or a stick got in the way.

But I can’t deny just how great it is to use my same Ryobi 40V battery with a ton of my other different tools. I have used it with my 40V weed eater, my 40V Whisper Series blower, and even my backpack sprayer.

It’s super convenient. Oh, and the mower’s not bad either. It has a brushless motor, some serious 6 Ah batteries, great functionality, and self-propelled function – really all the bells and whistles you could ask for.

The Ryobi 40V is an amazing mower and should still be highly considered despite being second to last on this list – it’s super exclusive.

Toro 60V Max Super Recycler Battery powered mower

Toro’s battery powered mowers are a beauty. But they’re a bit expensive. If you’re used to seeing these bright red mowers in your garage and all around your neighborhood, you aren’t alone.

Toro makes some of the most popular mowers on the planet and for some reason – they last for many years. But Toro definitely overcompensated for being late to the battery party by creating the 60V Super Recycler mower.

• The power output is similar to my Honda gas mower
• It has a shiny red metal deck that’s more durable than the plastic ones
• Recycler cutting system finely shredded my grass – that’s good for your yard
• It has this cool air intake valve at the top that pulls air in and causes grass to stand up tall, creating a really even cut in the lawn

Toro nailed this one and the price isn’t honestly all that bad. The reason it isn’t higher is that Toro doesn’t have a ton of other battery powered tools, so you won’t get the same efficiency that you would from a Milwaukee or EGO mower.

You can still grab this one (currently 80 off) from Home Depot online or in-store.

What to look for when buying a battery powered lawn mower

When looking to purchase an electric lawn mower, you need to make sure you understand what things matter. You will get hit with a lot of technical specifications and marketing tactics. Totally forget them and FOCUS on the things that impact you. Below are my recommendations:

Battery powered mower brand quality

Quality is going to be super important here. Just about everyone is in the electric mower game these days and there are a ton of junky mowers out there. Avoid anything from a weird brand on Amazon that takes 9 years to ship. It is probably being 3D printed in a Laotian bathroom. Go for brands that have consistent quality and FOCUS on the details, not just flashy colors.

Some brands I trust off the top of my head are: Greenworks, Milwaukee, Makita, Toro, EGO, and Kobalt. SOME Ryobi mowers, although myself and others have had some problems with reliability. Brand quality matters, but it’s also important to look at the specs on each. For example, Greenworks sells like 60 mowers, only a handful of them would I ever consider for this list. EGO also sells a bunch of mowers, and only a few are within an acceptable price range to be on this list.

Metal where it matters: the deck

Most electric mowers are plastic-y. Probably to reduce the weight of the mower so that the battery can get you further, but it feels cheap. Make sure to get metal where it matters – namely the deck. The deck is the part that covers the blades. Don’t get plastic here – a rock can rip through it.

Battery interoperability.

A ten dollar word used here, but really just make sure to buy a mower with a battery that is compatible with other electric tools. You’ll see a bunch of these brands that have battery lines that work with a ton of tools. Milwaukee, Makita, and DeWALT are all great options because you can use them for all lawn tools AND power tools – saving you a ton of money on extra batteries.

If you have more questions, check out our guide to electric lawn mowers, where we break this down into a lot more detail.

Self-propelled or not

Self-propelled mowers are lawn mowers that slowly crawl forward when mowing the lawn. They propel forward the mower, taking off a lot of the “pushing power” required by traditional push mowers.

Self-propelled mowers are ALWAYS more expensive because they have the additional power and functionality that makes life easier. They have their place, but because of the cost can often seem not totally worth it

Battery powered mower vs gas mower

This is an age-old debate. Which is better, battery powered or gas? It’s not that simple and I’ll explain why.

Gas powered mowers have always been the dominant force because they are reliable, run as long as there’s gas in them, and tend to be more powerful.

But that’s changing. Yes, the runtime will always be better as long as you have gas, but battery powered mowers are becoming increasingly reliable and in many cases just as strong (if not stronger) than their gas-powered counterparts.

Embarrassingly, I was mowing my damp lawn back in the Fall with my Troy Bilt TB160 gas mower when my neighbor, who owns an EGO Select Cut XP mower saw me struggling and asked if I wanted to borrow his mower.

The other huge benefit to battery powered mowers is virtually ZERO maintenance. No pull cords, no spark plugs, no oil changes. It’s super convenient. Except when your (expensive) batteries die.

How long do battery mowers last?

It depends on the Amp-hours of the battery and the specific mower, but most last up to 1 acre or around 45-60 minutes on a single charge.

Using the self-propelled function on a battery powered mower can decrease this, as can super long grass.

Is it worth getting a battery powered mower?

If you have less than an acre of land, then yes – these are great investments.

The real money savings from battery-powered mowers comes from the ability to use one battery system across several tools, saving money on batteries with each tool.

What are some disadvantages to battery powered mowers?

Battery powered mowers tend to be limited by their battery life, making it difficult for those with larger yards to get it all done in a single charge.

They also take a long time to charge, burning precious daylight. And while they are easier to maintain than gas-powered mowers, they aren’t as reliable and have a lot of electronic parts.

The Bottom Line: Best electric mowers of 2023

When I am picking a battery powered mower, it’s important to consider the comparison to gas-powered mowers, the size of your yard, and how much you’re willing to spend. The ones I’ve included on this list are all premium – if you are looking for a more affordable one (less than 400 or so), check out the best electric mowers for small yards.

Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers for 2023

As we once again approach the mowing season, OPE Reviews wants to offer its recommendations for the best battery-powered lawn mowers in 2023. These mowers have really improved to the point where they work great on large lawns. Of course, anyone with a smaller lawn can also benefit. No matter what your intended use for a battery-powered lawnmower might be, our Pros give their thoughts and tell you which ones they love to use.

If for some reason your favorite mower isn’t listed—tell us why you think it should be included in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below!

Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mower – What We Look For

Power to Cut Grass

With brushless motors, testing lawnmower power becomes more challenging. This is due to the ability of these motors to adjust power to meet the load on the cutting blade. To get a sense of real-world power, we cut an overgrown section of grass to around 4-inches and then see how short we can cut it.

The best battery-powered lawn mowers can cut these curated sections of grass at the lowest cutting positions without stalling out. It really lets us know how much working power the mower has.

Runtime and Cutting Area

Determining runtime on a battery-powered lawn mower combines several different metrics. We need to understand how much area we can cut on a single charge. To do this, we prepare our lawn by cutting it to a standard height. Then, we 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 change or recharge the batteries.

Quality of Cut

We test three basic things to determine the cut quality of each battery-powered mower. We look at the evenness of the cut, bagging efficiency, and the mower’s mulching efficiency.

To gauge evenness, we look for blades that stick out along a cut line. We also observe areas that may have been cut shorter than intended.

Measuring bagging efficiency looks at how much grass the mower leaves behind compared to how much it collects in the bag. Run three mowers over a similar section of grass, and the bags will likely tell very different stories as to how much grass gets collected.

Mulching efficiency takes in consideration the size of the grass clippings dropped by the mower as it makes a pass. It also looks to see if the lawnmower leaves behind any clumping or trailing along the path.

Noise Level

To understand how much noise each battery-powered lawn mower makes, we use an SPL meter set to slow response, A-weighted. In an open area, we measure the recorded decibels taken from a 5-foot, 8-inch operator’s ear.

Build Quality

We consider the quality of the battery-powered lawn mower by looking at the materials used. We also observe how well the mower is put together and how each major component physically functions. We’re looking for solid parts that will last well beyond the warranty period, rigid construction, and ample protection for any electrical components including the battery pack(s).

Mowing on Hills and Slopes

In Florida, we don’t encounter many slopes, but we do have access to some hilly terrain. We also encounter many lakes—most of which have sloped sides. And, of course, nearly every property out in the county has proximity to drainage ditches. We check both push mowers and self-propelled models to check how well they maintain traction when mowing uphill, downhill, and side-to-side along a pitch.

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 and material
• Height range and adjustment
• Handle positions
• Rear/side discharge and bagging options
• Battery ports and functionality

Price and Value

Our professional reviewers really appreciate value. To us, value means more than just the price of a product. It combines what you pay against what you get. A more expensive product may present the best battery-powered lawn mower value if it performs far better than the budget brands.

Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mower Buying Guide

As you’re deciding on the best battery lawn mower for you in 2023, consider how far these outdoor tools have come. Today’s battery-powered lawn mowers provide longer run-time, better cutting performance, and vastly improved features and ergonomics over the first models we started seeing back in 2014.

What’s Your Budget?

While you can buy a battery lawn mower for under 300, plan to spend at least 500 if you want something that comes from a reputable manufacturer and has features like a self-propelled mechanism. If you want premium features, expect that price to hit or exceed 700 (and Pro models can go even higher).

Looking back at gas lawnmowers, this may give you pause. After all, you can typically find a gas mower for a lot less money. You might even get something that has more power and additional features. The best battery-powered lawn mowers are more about what you don’t get: Noise, emissions, and yearly winterization hassles and costs.

Are Battery Riding Mowers Viable?

Several zero-turn and riding mowers exist in both the consumer and professional markets. Professional landscaping crews have options such as the Greenworks Lithium Z zero turn (they also have a battery-powered UTV). You can also look got brands like Green Machine.

Homeowners have many more choices. Brands like EGO, Ryobi, Greenworks, Cub Cadet, and others crowd the field—giving you lots of great choices. That wasn’t the case just several years ago.

We’ve reviewed many of these battery-powered zero-turn mowers. The downside comes in the form of potential increased up-front costs compared to similar gas ZTs. A second potential issue comes with charge times. One of the fastest charge times to date comes from Greenworks. Their ZTs use external dual battery chargers to top off batteries in just 90 minutes. For many other ZTs you might have to wait several hours to recharge all of the packs. That’s far longer than refilling a gas zero-turn lawn mower!

A third factor to consider involves longevity. Battery-powered zero-turn mowers are fairly new-to-market. That means we don’t yet fully understand the long-term maintenance or repair issues and required to keep these tools running for extended periods of time. Users of gas-powered ZTs can keep their tools running for 10 years or more with regular maintenance. With a fully-electric power plant, we simply don’t know what kind of service life to expect—even with proper maintenance routines.

Residential or Commercial Quality?

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

High-end battery-powered mowers match or exceed the power of comparable gas-powered mowers. The Milwaukee M18 FUEL lawn mower notably demonstrated more power than a popular commercial gas mower in recent testing. The EGO Select Cut XP —technically a residential model—also bests many gas models in our testing.

Commercial battery mowers add designs and features that meet the needs of professional landscapers. Steel and aluminum decks come to mind as do more rigid methods of adjusting deck height. Pros also demand the best cut quality and excellent bagging performance. Lastly, mowers designed for landscaping professionals must be ready to operate for longer periods of time—and for multiple days of the week.

Brands such as STIHL, Makita, and Husqvarna—to name a few—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.

Battery-powered riding mowers are a completely different ballgame. With those, you’ll find a much greater difference in Pro-vs-residential design and performance, along with a massive gap in cost.

Self-Propelled or Push Mower?

Self-propelled drives don’t subtract much from overall runtime. If you can afford this feature, we recommend getting it. Rather than simply on or off controls, look for variable speed that lets you dial in a top speed and then vary your pace within that range. EGO, Milwaukee Tool, Ryobi, and others offer this feature. You may also want to try out the controls in the store or dealership before buying it. We can typically get a good feel for the ergonomics of a mower after playing with it for a few minutes.

Look for a mower that disengages its drive easily when you want to pull the mower back. Some systems have a hard time disengaging the self-propelled motor. These mowers require you to drag the drive wheels rather than letting them roll.

Classic push mowers also have their place—especially if you’re on a budget. These mowers typically drop 100 off the price of a comparable self-propelled mower, and they cut just as well and with slightly higher runtime.

Bag, Mulch, or Side Discharge?

No matter if you tend to mulch or bag, we recommend getting a mower that has all three modes (including side discharge). There are times when you can use each throughout the year to your advantage.

The Ryobi AWD mower has an interesting integrated lever/gate system for switching between bagging and mulching modes. We love not having to remember where we placed the mulching plug! Nearly all push mowers include a bagging option—so figuring out rear or side discharge remains about the only decision here.

Deck and Blade Size

All of the best battery-powered lawn mowers use 21-inch blades for the most part. A couple have 20-inch blades and some vary in how they take that measurement. We appreciate brands that list the actual blade diameter (like Makita) as opposed to simply stating the deck diameter. The latter has no bearing on the cutting swatch.

Smaller push mowers work really well for tiny lawns or gardens. We know a gentleman who preferred a small 16-inch mower because he had to carry it up and down the stairs to mow his tiny backyard!

For those looking for a larger deck, both Greenworks Commercial and Greenworks Pro 60V have 25-inch mowers. Ryobi also just released a 30-inch riding mower that fits through gates—even with a bagger installed! Residential battery-powered riding mowers currently go up to 54 inches or larger while you can find commercial models with up to 74-inch decks.

Larger deck sizes really help when mowing lawns larger than 1/3-acre in size. When mowing a lawn less than that, standard 20- or 21-inch decks work really well.

Deck Height Adjustment and Cutting Height Range

Most consumers set their height once and leave it alone after that. Single-point height adjustments make it easy to adjust your cutting height. It’s certainly easier than adjusting each wheel manually.

Pros typically prefer 2 or 4-point adjustments. What they really want are stiff decks that don’t rock while you cut so that you get an even cut across any lawn. A 4-point height adjustment system offers the most rigid solution. This one is really about preference.

The majority of battery-powered lawnmowers 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 has that option.

Multiple Battery Ports

When mowing lawns over 1/3 of an acre, you may benefit from multiple battery ports. We typically see three ways lawnmowers utilize these ports:

• The second storage port acts as a battery holder
• An active second port includes a manual switch for engaging the second battery
• Two active battery ports include automatic switching where you can use either port while mowing

Automatic switching seems to be common—and certainly the most convenient. You find this option on the higher-priced mowers. While we prefer that over manually switching or swapping batteries, it does save you from having to return to the garage, shed, or trailer to get another battery.

Why Buy a Battery-Powered Lawn Mower?

The best battery-powered 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.

Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mower Overall

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

The Milwaukee lawn mower simply prioritizes power above all. With a full 10 ft-lbs of torque (roughly exceeding a 200cc gas engine), the M18 Fuel self-propelled lawn mower can start up while nearly buried in grass. It is the strongest battery-powered walk-behind we’ve had our hands on for testing to date. It runs off a pair of 12.0Ah batteries, running as much as 60 minutes in light conditions. We clocked over 40 minutes when doing some major grass-cutting (removing 4 – 6 inches of growth).

With that said, the mower doesn’t come without some glitches. The drive bar introduces some thumb fatigue, for example. In the end, we found we could adjust our natural grip to overcome most of the strain when mowing for extended periods of time.

Milwaukee Tool designed this mower to handle professional use while offering the convenience of single-point height adjustments and vertical storage.

Price: 999 for the kit with two 12.0Ah batteries and a dual-port Rapid charger

Residential Pick: EGO 56V Select Cut XP 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

The EGO Select Cut XP Mower built upon the original EGO Select Cut mower—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. It can still use some help on the side/rear discharge, but if you bag or mulch like most people, it’s tough to find a better mower to maintain your lawn.

Price: 549 bare, 799 with a 10.0Ah battery and Rapid charger

Best Self-Propelled 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.

Pro Pick: Makita ConnectX 21-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

One of the biggest challenges with any battery-powered 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: 999.00 bare, ~1399.00 power supply (2348.00 for both)

Residential Pick: Ryobi 40V HP Brushless CrossCut 21-Inch 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. Plus, Ryobi builds this mower in the US using global materials, and the kit is typically priced less than the EGO Select Cut XP mower.

Price: 749 with two 6.0Ah batteries and a Rapid charger

Best Battery-Powered Commercial Lawn Mower

Milwaukee and Makita both earned our recommendations as the top overall battery-powered lawn mowers on the commercial side. Greenworks Commercial is another brand worth considering thanks to improvements in its 25-inch model heading into the year.

Greenworks Commercial 82V 25-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

The big deal for Greenworks Commercial is an improvement in power. The 25-inch mower now has the performance equivalent to a 160cc gas engine. Aside from that and a change in the color scheme, it’s still very similar to the previous version with side-by-side blades that overlap to cover a larger area without losing a ton of battery efficiency.

The entire Greenworks Commercial line got an overhaul coming into this year with tools that are lighter and higher performing, making it one of the emerging systems to keep an eye on as more areas of the country shift to battery power.

Price: Starts at 714.99 bare

Best Cordless Push Lawn Mower

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless CrossCut 21-Inch Push Lawn Mower

If you don’t want a self-propelled drive system, or you’re looking to save a little money, you can get a quality push mower with similar performance and features to the top models we already mentioned. Of those options, Ryobi’s CrossCut is our pick as the best battery-powered push mower. Essentially, it just removes the drive system and keeps the performance, cut quality, and other features, along with its US-built designation.

Price: 599.00 with a 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 the Skil 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 with two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger.

Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mower for Large Lawns

Greenworks Pro 60V 25-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

In our testing, the Greenworks Commercial 25-inch mower earned our pick as the best battery-powered lawn mower for large lawns. Currently, no one else comes close to its 25-inch cutting width in a walk-behind. With the pair of 4.0Ah batteries in the kit, we were able to cut for over an hour, easily covering a 1/2-acre. With a 599.00 price tag when you buy direct from Greenworks, it’s an excellent value, too!

Once you get close to 3/4 of an acre, you might want to consider a battery-powered riding mower.

Best Battery-Powered Riding Lawn Mower

Residential: EGO 52-Inch Residential ZT Mower (ZT4204L)

The EGO Z6 Zero Turn Riding Mower shook up what you can expect from a battery-powered riding mower in 2021. This year, they’re stepping it up a level with a 52-inch fabricated deck and power equivalent to a 25HP gas engine. It keeps the comfort and refined controls of the original model, making the “Tesla of ZTs” even better.

Price: 6999 with six 12.0Ah batteries and an onboard charger.

Commercial: Mean Green 74-inch EVO Zero Turn Mower

Mean Green is pushing the envelope further with a 74-inch deck on its flagship EVO ZTR. It delivers an impressive cutting width and day-long 8-hour max runtime. Combined with a 13 MPH top speed and 37 HP equivalent power, this is the battery-powered riding mower to get when you have a lot of property to cut.

There are a lot of accessories to choose from—including a solar canopy! Mean Green certainly lets you customize the mower to suit your particular commercial needs.

All of this innovation comes at a cost, though. You’re looking at a minimum of 28,500 to get in and closing in on 35,000 if you want the most runtime. That’s before you add accessories.

Price: 28,500 (22kWh) – 34,499 (35kWh)

Best Budget Cordless Lawn Mower

EGO 56V 21-inch Self-Propelled Mower LM2102SP

If you’re shopping with a sub-400 budget, you don’t have access to the top-tier mowers, but you’re still in a range that has quality options. You can find budget self-propelled models in this price range, but we suggest stepping up in overall quality with the EGO LM2101 push mower.

It has a 5.0Ah battery that can run up to 45 minutes and covers a 1/4-acre lot well. You get single-point height adjustments, 3-in-1 discharge options, and vertical storage with a better build than most mowers in the same price range. When it comes to getting the best value battery-powered lawn mower, this is it.

Price: 399 with 5.0Ah battery and charger

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

Best DeWALT Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

DeWALT made some big improvements from its first-generation 2 x 20V self-propelled mower to the second. The DeWALT DCMWSP244 has far better runtime, low noise levels (even for cordless), and the build is sturdy. There are still some quirks in this one, though, and it’s not for everyone.

Price: 599 with two 10.0Ah batteries and charger.

Best Greenworks Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

If you like the design of the Greenworks 60V 25-inch mower, but don’t have a ton of lawn to maintain or want a smaller storage footprint, check out the Greenworks 60V 21-inch self-propelled mower. It’s effectively the same foundation and uses a single blade.

Price: 749.99 with two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port Rapid charger

Best Echo 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 the revised Echo DLM-2100 lawn mower. This 21-inch self-propelled mower includes a 5.0Ah battery and charger in the kit.

Best EGO Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

For all the reasons we mentioned above and more, the EGO Select Cut XP is our pick for the best EGO battery-powered lawn mower.

Price: 549 bare, 849 with a 10.0Ah battery and Rapid charger

Best HART Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

HART stepped up big-time in the lawn and garden department this year with several new mowers to choose from. Our favorite is the HART 40V brushless 21-inch self-propelled mower (HLPM061US) for several reasons. It’s stronger and runs longer thanks to the pair of 6.0Ah batteries in the kit. It has a full 3-in-1 mulching/bagging/side discharge design, stores vertically, and has a beefier build than previous HART models. To top it all off, this one is made in the USA using global materials.

Price: 598 with two 6.0Ah batteries and a Rapid charger

Best Husqvarna Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

The Husqvarna 20-inch self-propelled lawn mower features a commercial-grade aluminum deck as well as a front bar to protect the battery/motor housing. The W520i notably is compatible with a battery backpack. It doesn’t fit as cleanly as the Makita ConnectX mower 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.

Best Kobalt Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

Kobalt is quietly still making excellent battery-powered lawn mowers, and the 80V line is where its performance peaks. The Kobalt 80V 21-inch mower (a rear-wheel-drive system) sports 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 to 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: 749 with two 4.0Ah batteries and a charger

Best Makita Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

If Makita’s ConnectX lawn mower is a little too high-priced for your budget, give the Makita XML08 lawn mower a shot. It has a very similar commercial-grade build and feature set while running on the 18V X2 (36V) system that’s compatible with Makita’s largest line of OPE and power tools. With room onboard for four batteries, you can still cover a decent area. Oddly, it’s not uncommon for the four-battery kit to be priced less than the bare tool.

Price: 899 (look for discounts) with four 5.0Ah batteries and dual-port Rapid charger

Best Milwaukee Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

There’s only one Milwaukee M18 FUEL lawn mower, but it’s a good one! Check out more in our review (click the headline) or read our summary above.

Price: 1099 with two 12.0Ah batteries and a dual-port Rapid charger

Best Ryobi Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

For the reasons we stated earlier, the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless CrossCut mower is their top battery-powered model currently.

Price: 799 with two 6.0Ah batteries and a Rapid charger

Best Skil Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

We see a lot of value in the Skil 40V 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 shopping in the sub-500 class, Skil has the best budget self-propelled lawn mower available.

Price: 399.99 with a 5.0Ah battery and Rapid charger

Best STIHL Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

STIHL has been a little more cautious in entering the battery-powered 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: 509.99 bare, 729.99 with AP 300 battery and charger

Best Toro Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

The first-generation Toro Flex Force 60V lawn mowers were excellent, though not quite able to compete with the best of the best. A new generation of 60V Max Super Recycler 21-inch self-propelled mowers is on its way with a sleek black color scheme and the promise of serious upgrades. The two models (one with and one without headlights) FOCUS on high airflow, excellent power, a Flex Handle suspension system, and a durable build. Along with all that improvement comes a steeper price tag, though.

Price: 649 bare, 799 with 7.5Ah battery and charger

Why You Can Trust OPE 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 won’t recommend anything unless we’d actually use it ourselves, and we don’t really care who the primary retailer is. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.

We’ve been in business since 2016 covering outdoor power equipment, writing reviews, and reporting on industry news in the landscaping, heavy equipment, and lawn care industries. Our Pro reviewers have lots of experience in these fields as well as the skills and experience to know whether these products can perform well on the job.

Each year, our team reviews and gets their hands on hundreds of additional landscaping tools and equipment at our shop and at media events and trade shows.

We work with dozens of professionals around the United States who review products for us on real job sites and consult with us on testing methods, categories, and weighting.

Best cordless lawn mower 2023: top battery-powered trimmers for tackling turf

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If you haven’t tried the best cordless lawn mower yet, now’s the time. Aside from the safety aspect of not having a 240-volt cable within splitting distance of a fast-spinning blade, the best thing about cordless lawn mowers is the time saver of not having to unfurl the cable in the first place – and possibly an extension lead if your lawn’s on the large side – along with the constant lassoing around plant pots and garden furniture that mowing with an electric lawn mower invariably entails.

Today’s battery-powered mowers are invariably as powerful as their electric-driven associates while their high-tech Lithium Ion batteries are quick to charge and provide between 25 and 60 minutes of hassle-free mowing – plenty long enough for the average UK garden. Really, nab yourself one of these efficient cutting-edge sward swallowers and you’ll be back in the hot tub faster than a squirrel up a tree.

This buyers’ guide deals specifically with the best cordless lawn mowers on the market, which means every model in the list is battery powered. For smaller gardens that don’t need much work, we can also recommend best small lawnmowers. They may be small but still get the job done well!

And if cordless is not what you want, we also have guides to the best petrol lawn mowers and the best robot lawn mowers.

Best cordless lawnmowers ranking 2023

Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Reasons to avoid

Ego is fast becoming the Rolls Royce of cordless lawn mowers – and most other cordless garden machinery for that matter – and for good reason since not only are the US company’s brushless motors and batteries on another level of power and efficiency, but the superb build quality and attention to design detail they put into their products is so plain to see.

At around 31kgs, the imposingly black and very stylish self-propelled Ego LM2021E-SP is actually lighter than many similar-sized models so it can be easily pushed if necessary. This mower comes equipped with a 50cm steel cutting deck and a gargantuan 56-volt 5Ah ARC Lithium battery system that powers the beast for up to about 40 minutes at a time. Ego states that the supplied 5Ah battery is good for up to 700 square metres on a single charge – more if you ask me – but if you have an extra large lawn and require even greater range, I would also consider adding the 7.5Ah battery which will power the mower for a substantial 50 minutes or so. Thankfully this particular model also comes with Ego’s amazingly quick Rapid Charger which readies the supplied 5Ah battery for another stint on the sod in an industry-leading 40 minutes.

I am especially enamoured of this mower’s self propulsion system which can be set from a really slow walking pace to a spritely spring in the step simply by adjusting the rocker switch on the handlebar. The activation lever, too, is perfectly positioned for both comfort and convenience. over, the self propulsion can be used independently of the main blade motor for safe transport across the lawn. Oh, and unlike most self-propelled mowers that lurch off dragging you along behind, this one starts off nice and gently.

The superbly designed collapsible handlebar system, meanwhile, can be adjusted to three heights, from really low for those of short stature to a height to match a six footer. The whole handlebar assembly also collapses and folds up into a surprisingly small and tidy package that allows you to push the mower around like a trolley cart and store it in a space-saving upright position. And should you ever feel the urge to mow in the dark you may be pleased to know that this model is also fitted with LED headlights so you can avoid decapitating moles and gophers.

In my extensive tests, this mower cut through even the tallest of field-type grass as well any petrol-powered mower I’ve ever used. In fact I’d go so far as to say that Ego mowers are probably the most powerful cordless models on the market right now and arguably the only cordless range capable of matching petrol power for sheer cutting torque. Its specially designed bagging blade scythed through everything with confidence, chucking the cuttings deep into the large 60-litre mesh grass collector. As an extra bonus, the mower also comes with a mulching plug and side chute assembly for those who prefer to have the cuttings blasted back into the lawn. With a choice of six cutting heights (from 25-95mm), you can be sure this mower will deal with all types of grasses.

Granted, the Ego LM2021E-SP is one of the most expensive cordless mowers you can buy right now, but if you’re after a staggeringly well engineered model that has the power to deal with every type of grass known to humankind, then this one does the job brilliantly well. It is, quite possibly, the most thoughtfully designed lawn mower in existence. Top dollar.

Best Electric Lawn Mowers. Cut Lawns and Costs With Battery-Powered Mowers

Battery-powered lawn mowers offer homeowners and landscapers a cleaner way to mow the lawn, rivaling gas-powered lawn mowers in performance and cost—and some can even mow the lawn autonomously!

Are electric lawnmowers any good?

Battery-powered electric mowers are now as good as gas-powered mowers since they can go anywhere other mowers can. Battery-powered mowers are becoming cost-competitive with gas mowers at the store, and have a much lower lifetime cost since they don’t require gas or oil to operate.

Electric lawnmowers offer the same set of features that gas-powered mowers do. They include grass-cutting height adjustments; grass clipping management, including mulching bagging options and side discharge; push mower, self-propelled, and riding mower options; and many conveniently fold down for storage.

They offer advantages over gas-powered mowers, too. Chief among them lower operating costs and less maintenance. They’re also quieter to operate, which means you’re more likely to hear kids playing around behind you when you’re mowing the lawn. They’re also easy to maneuver, as the motor and batteries for an electric mower are lighter than the gas and engine on a gas mower.

The overall use costs of an electric mower over 10 years, including maintenance and energy, are about 191. The overall use costs for a gas-powered mower including fuel and maintenance over 10 years are much higher, at 490.

How long do electric lawnmower batteries last?

Most mower battery packs have a cut time between 30 minutes and 60 minutes, which will allow a homeowner to mow between a half to a third of an acre or so.

Depending on the voltage, and amp hours (Ah) offered by the battery, costs vary significantly as does the run time of the lawn mower. If you have a small lawn you won’t need a giant mower or battery. For a bigger lawn consider a mower with a higher voltage and higher Ah battery pack. If you want a self-propelled electric lawn mower you might need an even bigger battery.

A mower battery should have a five-year battery life. If replaced, it can extend the mower’s life to 10 or more years.

Another thing to consider when purchasing a battery-powered lawn mower is whether you want it to be part of an ecosystem of electric tools. Companies like Ryobi, STIHL, DeWALT and Black Decker, offer electric lawnmowers and electrified tools like weed whackers and trimmers—or even drills and saws. These offer opportunities to share batteries and chargers among many pieces of equipment.

What is the best electric lawn mower?

EGO’s line of 21-inch deck lawnmowers are leading most lists in 2020. The mowers offer the same torque and power of a gas mower, thanks to their 56-volt 7.5 Ah batteries, which offer up to 60 minutes of mowing and a 40 minute charge-up time.

The EGO line is on the expensive side, starting at 399 for the push version and 499 for the self-propelled version, at The Home Depot. were lower on Amazon, but without the charger and battery pack. There are plenty of other great options—depending on what you need. But some quick things to note: a smaller deck means a smaller mowing area, which is okay for small yards. voltage and Ah mean stronger motors and longer operating times. Of course, are subject to change.

Also, when checking prices, always check whether the mower comes with a battery pack and charger. It might cost a lot more to buy them later on. But if you’re buying the mower as part of an ecosystem of tools—you might save some cash by not buying the mower with the battery and charger!

Here are some of the top brands and models that make the cut for different mowing needs in 2023:

As mentioned earlier, with its 21-inch deck lawn mowers, EGO’s set itself up as the company to beat. Its mowers offer up to 60 minutes of cut time and boasts a 40-minute charge time. Like any decent gas mowers, EGO’s mowers can mulch, bag and side discharge. The mower is adjustable to 6 different deck heights. Since the company offers other battery-powered products like chainsaws, leaf and snow-blowers, and trimmers, you can interchange batteries if you don’t like to have a tea or beer break while mowing.

Ryobi’s 20-inch deck, 40-volt push mower is another leader. It has a 5 Ah battery. The company claims it can mow a 1/2 acre on a single charge with a run time of about 40 minutes. It has a bay for an extra battery, which means if you have other Ryobi 40-Volt tools you don’t have to wait 90 minutes to recharge while mowing. It’s available in both push and self-propelled versions. The deck is adjustable to 7 cut heights and it has a telescoping handle. The Ryobi also offers the ability to mulch, bag, and side discharge grass clippings. The push model’s retail price is 299, self-propelled is 379.

Greenworks offers some pretty impressive features on its mowers, too. Its 80-volt 21-inch deck model has two, 2 Ah batteries, each of which will charge in 30 minutes and each last for 60 minutes. You can also buy it without the batteries. With two batteries it can almost handle a full acre of continuous mowing. The adjustable mowing deck has two blades and also offers standard features like mulching, bagging and side discharge. The mower has a suggested retail price of 499.

Greenworks also offers great battery-powered mowers with smaller batteries and deck sizes, which are ideal for small properties. Its G-Max has a 16-inch deck and uses a 40-volt, 4 Ah battery. It has five cut heights and offers bagging and mulching, but not side discharge. Plus it looks kind of like a Formula-1 racecar, which is cool. It has a suggested retail price of 299.99.

If you’re looking for an even more budget-friendly electric lawn mower for a small lawn, consider the Sun Joe iON16LM. The 16-inch deck push mower features a 40-Volt, 4 Ah battery that can deliver 40 minutes of cut time. It has six height adjustments and has a rear bag for collecting grass clippings. However, it doesn’t mulch or have a side discharge option. The Sun Joe has a suggested retail price of 279.00 with a battery or 219.00 without if you have other Sun Joe or Snow Joe products.

What about the robots, you know, the lawn Roombas?

There is an increasing number of automated, electronic robotic lawn mowers but they’re still pretty expensive. Most of the best-rated ones cost about 1,000 and Husqvarna Automowers, which received some of the best ratings from Consumer Reports and PCMag, start at 1,999.00.

The Worx Landroid WG794 was rated Consumer Reports’ best buy for a robotic lawnmower. Its setup requires the installation of a perimeter wire. Then, like a dutiful, battle-hardened Roomba, it will course over your lawn looking for errant blades of grass to battle with and cut from anywhere between 1.6 inches and 4 inches. It self-docks and can cut up to about a quarter acre of grass. On Amazon it’s listed at 999.99.

Electric mowers battery powered

America’s #1 selling walk mower brand gives you 60V battery power that does everything gas can, minus the gas can. Don’t just mow, dominate with exclusive features like Personal Pace® Auto-Drive™ that moves at your speed, Vortex Technology™ that maximizes airflow, and a slew of lightweight, durable deck options. Plus every mower is part of the Toro 60V Max Interchangeable 75 Tool Power System for all seasons power.

60V Max 21″ Stripe ™ Mower

The Toro 60V Max Stripe ™ Mower is specifically designed from the ground up to deliver pro-level striping, dual blade mulching, effortless battery power, and up to 65 minutes of runtime. There’s only one mower like it and you’re looking at it.

60V Max 21″ Super Recycler ® Mower with Headlights

Super Recycler delivers samurai sword sharpness, commercial grade features and best-in-class under-deck airflow with Vortex Technology achieving that rich, green lawn that all your neighbors envy. This machine does everything gas can, minus the gas can. Plus, high-beam LED headlights. Even darkness can’t slow it down.

60V Max 30” eTimeMaster ™ Mower

The 60V Max 30” eTimeMaster TM Mower helps you tackle more yard in less time—40% less mowing time, to be exact. It also gives you the option of three active battery ports for up to 100 minutes of runtime, and Personal Pace Auto-Drive™ that detects your pace and adjusts on the go. Prepare to get more of your day back.

60V Max 22” Recycler ® Mower with Headlights

Our 60-volt battery-powered mower makes every mowing job easier and faster. It adjusts to your pace with Personal Pace Auto-Drive™, boosts performance with Vortex Technology that injects more air into the cutting chamber, and uses its 22” blade to cut a wider path with each pass. Plus dual LED headlights let you finish the job.

60V Max 21” Recycler ® Mower

Our 60-volt Toro Recycler ® Mower uses patented cutting technology to create clippings fine enough to allow moisture and nutrients back into your lawn. We call these clippings Lawn Vitamins ™. Combined with its RunSmart ® brushless motor that optimizes power, runtime, and tool life, plus its self-propelled ease, this is the definition of a do-it-all mower.

60V Max 22″ Recycler ® Mower

Our 60-volt battery-powered mower with Personal Pace Auto-Drive™ transmission adjusts to you in real time. RunSmart® onboard intel optimizes RPMs and workload. Vortex turbocharged airflow. It’s cordless self-propelled on steroids.

60V Max 21″ Super Recycler ® Mower

Super Recycler delivers samurai sword sharpness, commercial grade features and best-in-class under-deck airflow with Vortex Technology achieving that rich, green lawn that all your neighbors envy. This machine does everything gas can, minus the gas can.

60V Max 21″ Recycler ® Mower

Our 60-volt battery-powered mower has a 21″ all-steel deck with Recycler technology that cuts clippings over and over. Self-propelled to make everything easier. RunSmart® onboard intel optimizes RPMs and torque.

Celebrating our first 100 years in 2014, we continue to strengthen our position as a leading worldwide provider of innovative solutions for the outdoor environment including turf maintenance, snow and ice management, landscape, rental and specialty construction equipment, and irrigation and outdoor lighting solutions.

Battery manufacturer rating = 60V maximum 54V typical usage. Actual voltage varies with load.

† Compared to leading 60v battery-powered outdoor power equipment brands. Maximum battery power output measured in watts, based on battery cell manufacturer’s rating. Actual power output dependent on tool used and use conditions.