9 Best Battery Lawn Mowers Reviews and Guide
Table of Contents
Why You Need a Battery Lawn Mower?
Invented by Edwin Budding in 1830, lawnmowers gained popularity like fire in wind. Even with its British origin, its technology traveled across the world in just a matter of years. The convenience and comfort that they began offering their users were quite impactful and gradually, innovations and yearning for better options for lawnmowers started riling up. In the beginning years, they were being pulled or pushed by either an animal or man. But after six decades of constant efforts, much more developed and less complicated gas-powered lawnmowers were invented and rose to popularity. But it did not stop there either. Further attempts at improving lawnmower technology led to the invention of the revolutionary battery-powered lawnmowers.
Battery-powered lawnmowers are an upgraded version of electric lawnmowers that use a cord to provide themselves with electric power. Battery-powered lawnmowers are mostly cordless. They make use of one or more high-capacity batteries to power the mower. The number of batteries varies according to the amount of power and longevity of performance provided by the mower. They are known for their powerful performance and longer runtime. And the biggest advantage of a battery-powered lawnmower is its environment-friendly nature. They do not harm the environment in any way,as they do not use any fossil fuel to produce the necessary electric energy.
These advantages make battery-powered lawnmowers a top seller in the mower section of both online and offline markets. Despite the criticisms of being a bit on the expensive side, the battery-powered lawnmowers proved to be worth each penny spend on them. As it does not require any kind of fuel, while doing a cost-benefit analysis, it is clear that in long term, a battery-powered mower is more convenient and less costly.
A Brief Summary
Battery lawnmowers, despite being a household name for lawn enthusiasts, buyers are stillquite confused as to what to look for in an ideal battery lawnmower. The multitude of options does confuse most of them. As they are one of the most popular devices in the market, many manufacturers misuse this popularity and scam customers with subpar products. As such precedence is present these days, a customer needs to find and deal with a reputed and trustworthy manufacturer for the perfect mower to be acquired. To make this daunting task much easier for you, a concise list of the best battery-powered lawnmower options is provided below. The list consists of a detailed description of each mower along with its pros and cons. You can check the specifications of each one and weigh their pros and cons before finally settling down on any option.
- Best cordless electric lawnmower: Greenworks 40V 16″ 4.0Ah Battery Cordless Electric Lawn Mower
- Best battery lawnmower with brushless motor: Greenworks 40V 21″ 5.0Ah USB Battery Cordless Brushless Push Mower
- Best walk-behind battery lawnmower: Greenworks 40V 14 Inch Cordless Lawn Mower, 4Ah Battery
- Battery lawnmower with rapid recharging technology: Greenworks Pro 21″ 80V Cordless Brushless Lawn Mower
- Highly maneuverable battery lawnmower: EGO Power+ LM2101 56-Volt 21-Inch Cordless Lithium-ion Lawn Mower
- Battery lawnmower with longer runtime: Greenworks 24V 13-Inch Cordless (2-In-1) Push Lawn Mower, 4.0Ah USB Battery
- High power battery lawnmower: Snapper XD MAX 82V Electric Cordless 19″ Push Lawn Mower
- Best battery lawnmower with high cutting capacity: Greenworks 40V 20-Inch Cordless (2-In-1) Push Lawn Mower, 4.0Ah + 2.0Ah Battery
- Best lightweight battery lawnmower: Greenworks 40V 17″ (2-In-1) Push Lawn Mower, 4.0Ah Battery
Battery Lawn Mowers – Detailed Review with Pros and Cons
1. Greenworks 40V 16″ 4.0Ah Battery Cordless Electric Lawn Mower
The cordless battery-powered lawnmower from the brand Greenworks is one of the top sellers in the mower section. Although it is made of hardened plastic, it offers one of the best durability among similarly priced devices. It is extremely lightweight and thus, so easy to handle and maneuver. It comes with a cutting deck of 16 inches in width and that can be arranged or positioned at about five cutting heights. It has a 4 Ah battery that supports the device to run for more than 45 minutes after a single recharge. Also, it does not take much longer to get fully recharged. It just takes about 120 minutes to fully recharge the battery. It is most ideal for small and medium lawns as the cutting deck has a particular width that is suitable to mow comparatively smaller areas. It does not use fossil fuels at any stage and thus, is extremely environment-friendly. It does not produce any fumes, nor does it produce any loud noise. It is very convenient and comfortable to use with its features like the easy start. It requires the buyer to assemble it a bit and the necessary instructions are provided in the user manual that comes along with the device. The manufacturers offer a 3-year warranty for the product. It has also earned a 4.4-star rating out of 5 on the Amazon platform.
Pros
- Battery powered
- High durability
- Can be adjusted in five positions
- Lightweight
- Cordless
- Fast recharging
- Easy start button
- Comes with a grass collection bag
- Comes with a rapid charger
Cons
- Ideal only for small and medium lawns
- Charging takes more time than the claim
2. Greenworks 40V 21″ 5.0Ah USB Battery Cordless Brushless Push Mower
Greenworks brand’s cordless lawnmower comes with a brushless motor. It is made with alloy steel material to ensure maximum strength and durability. At 21 pounds, it is one of the most lightweight lawnmowers despite its sturdy construction. It comes with a cutting deck of almost 21 inches. The lawnmower can be easily adjusted to 7 cutting heights which makes it ideal for most terrains. The brushless motor of this device enables the device to perform with utmost efficiency. It is equipped with a powerful single battery, when fully charged, can provide up to 60 minutes of run time for the mower. The biggest advantage of this mower is the provision to store an extra battery along with the one that is already in use. This dual battery feature makes the machine handy even in emergencies. It comes with a bag to collect the debris efficiently. The design of the mower is extremely compact and foldable, making it ideal to be stored in small spaces. Even in uneven terrains, the comfortably positioned handle lever makes it extremely easy to maneuver.
Pros
- High power
- Supports mulching
- Cutting height can be adjusted in five positions
- Easy to assemble
- Can be stored in compact spaces
- Lightweight
- Can be used in uneven terrains also
Cons
- The use of gasoline causes pollution
- Low rating in e-commerce platforms
3. Greenworks 40V 14 Inch Cordless Lawn Mower, 4Ah Battery
One of the top sellers in the battery-powered lawnmowers section is Greenworks brand’s 40V lawnmower. It comes in a cordless version to ensure maximum comfort and convenience for the person using it. Despite being powered by a battery, it performs even better than the traditional gas-powered mowers. It is made of different materials like plastic and Aluminum which offers flexibility and durability at the same time. It weighs around 34 pounds and comes unassembled. It does not take much time or effort to get it assembled once the buyer uses the instruction manual that comes with the machine. It has a single battery that has the potential to produce enough power to support the machine. The manufacturers also provide a charger alongside. The mower can run up to 45 minutes in one stretch after a single recharge. Although the design of the mower is quite compact and convenient, the handle height cannot be adjusted and it may affect the storage possibilities of the mower. The cutting deck can be adjusted in about 5 positions and is suitable for both even and uneven geographic terrains.
Pros
- Can be adjusted in five cutting positions
- High power
- No professional help is required for assembling
- Foldable design
- Lightweight
- Comes with a collecting bag of 16-gallon capacity
- Ideal for both flat and uneven geographic terrains
Cons
- Low market rating
- The plastic body is subpar according to client reviews
4. Greenworks Pro 21″ 80V Cordless Brushless Lawn Mower
The lawnmower manufactured by the Greenworks brand comes with a brushless motor that enables the machine to provide more torque and power while mowing. This cordless model ensures maximum coverage while mowing. It is supported by two batteries that together provide around 60 minutes of running time; one of the longest on the market. It is built with alloy steel and is a bit on the heavier side with a net weight of 80 pounds. But the heavy weights do make a positive impact when it comes to the durability and sturdiness of the machine. It is equipped with a smart cut technology that enables the mower to adjust and optimize the cutting speed and intensity according to the height and thickness of the lawn or the grass. It also supports mulching. It comes with a bag to collect the removed grass and debris. The charger featured with it is a rapid charger that facilitates fast charging for the mower. It is extremely easy to assemble than many of its counterparts. It has a top rating of 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon with hundreds of positive reviews.
Pros
- Provides runtime of 60 minutes in a single recharge
- Comes with batteries and charger
- Comes with a brushless motor
- High efficiency
- Equipped with sensors to identify the thickness and height of the grass to be cut
- Capable of mulching
- Has a collection bag for debris
Cons
- Requires assembly
- Blade is not quite stable and sturdy
5. EGO Power+ LM2101 56-Volt 21-Inch Cordless Lithium-ion Lawn Mower
The cordless model of a lawnmower from the EGO Power brand is one of the top-selling models in the concerned section. This battery-powered model weighs around 55 pounds and offers high durability and strength. It can be adjusted up to six cutting positions. It is equipped with a lithium battery pack that provides enough power to the machine to run for around 45 minutes with a single recharge. The cutting blade of the mower is made up of alloy steel and has a width of around 21 inches. The removed grass and other debris can be collected in a collecting bag provided along with the mower. It also has a side discharge feature that comes in handy during long lawn grooming sessions. It also supports mulching. The manufacturers also claim that the battery life is one of the best in the market. It also has a pair of built-in LED lights that help the mower to work even at night. It can be easily stored in any compact space as it has a foldable design. It has a good 4.6-stars out of 5 rating on the Amazon platform.
Pros
- Cordless
- Battery powered
- Can be positioned in six cutting heights
- Longer running time on a single recharge
- Supports mulching
- Easy start
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not self-propelled
- Customer service is subpar
6. Greenworks 24V 13-Inch Cordless (2-In-1) Push Lawn Mower, 4.0Ah USB Battery
Greenworks is one of the top brandsthatmanufacturetop-quality lawnmowers. Their 24V cordless lawnmower is a crowd’s favorite due to numerous reasons. It runs on battery and thus, is extremely flexible to be used anywhere at any time without the fear of running out of fuel. Once the battery is fully charged, this mower can run continuously for around 35 minutes. It has a cutting deck with 13-inch width that can be adjusted accordingly with a single pull of a lever. This mower is lightweight and has high maneuverability. It is equipped with a rust-resistant feature that makes it ideal for longer usage. The bag in the rear position is equipped to collect the waste grass and the debris that comes outfrom the mowing process. It also has a USB port that can be used to charge any mobile gadget. The manufacturers also provide a 33-year guarantee for their products. It has a 3.8-star rating out of 5 on Amazon.
Pros
- Cordless
- Longer runtime
- Resists rust
- Lightweight
- Highly maneuverable
- Supports mulching
Cons
- Low market rating
7. Snapper XD MAX 82V Electric Cordless 19″ Push Lawn Mower
The cordless battery-powered lawnmower manufactured by the brand Snapper comes with a set of two batteries and a rapid charger. The rapid charger provides fast recharging for the machine to run continuously for 90 minutes. Lithium-ion batteries are extremely powerful and provide high power, similar to that gas-powered mowers. It weighs around 60 pounds and although it is a bit on the heavier side, the strength and durability offered by this model areincomparable. It has a cutting deck of 19-inch widths and has the feature of adjusting the cutting height into seven positions. As the cutting blade is made of steel and is equipped with rust-resistant technology, this model is ideal forbeing used for a very long time. It also has a smart sensing technology that senses the thickness and growth of the grass to adjust the speed and performance of the cutting blades. It has a foldable design and thus can be stored vertically in very compact spaces too. It has earned a 4.2-star rating out of 5 on the Amazon platform.
Pros
- Quick recharging
- Cordless
- High durability
- Longer runtime of 90 minutes
- Wide cutting deck
- Easy start button
Cons
- Gets a bit hard to assemble
8. Greenworks 40V 20-Inch Cordless (2-In-1) Push Lawn Mower, 4.0Ah + 2.0Ah Battery
The battery lawnmower from the Greenworks brand sports a cordless feature to it. It is made of durable plastic and weighs just around 42 pounds. It offers great flexibility and maneuverability to its user. It comes with the necessary battery pack and a fast charger. The cutting deck equipped in this model has a width of 20 inches and is rust-resistant. The cutting deck also has two blades for added performance. It features a smart cutting feature that identifies and automatically adjusts the cutting speed and intensity according to the thickness and growth of the grass.
Pros
- Cordless
- Fast charging charger
- Lightweight
- High maneuverability
- Has dual blades
- Highly durable cutting deck
Cons
- Not self-propelled
9. Greenworks 40V 17″ (2-In-1) Push Lawn Mower, 4.0Ah Battery
The battery-powered lawn mower from Greenworks weighs around 40 pounds. It also sports a rust-resistant cutting deck of 17 inches in width. The cutting height of the mower and the cutting deck can be arranged in five positions with the pulling of a single lever. This provision makes it an ideal choice for mowing uneven terrains or lawns with tall grass. It also offers a 45-minute running time after a single recharge. It also features several user-friendly options like the easy button start. Its high performance has earned it a 4.4-star rating out of 5 on e-commerce platforms like Amazon.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Cordless
- Longer runtime
- High durability
- Requires less maintenance
- Produces less noise
Cons
- Difficult to cut thick grass
What is Battery Lawn Mower?
Summer yard maintenance is always a tough task that motivates homeowners to think about buying a new lawn mower. When it comes to shopping for this unit, they will think about whether a battery lawn mower will be the best suitable for their needs. If you are one such person, you should first know what a battery lawn mower is all about.
As the name implies, this mower is operated by a battery. Mostly, these units are cordless. Whenever you wish to recharge the unit just because the battery is down, you will have to plug the mower into a power outlet in your home using the adapter that you will get along with this unit when you buy. Yes, it is something similar to that of your smartphone. It is operated by a battery and once the battery is full, you can use the mower for your mowing task. After that, once the battery indicator shows a low level of the battery, you can recharge the unit using the power cord and can make it ready for the next mowing cycle. Naturally, you will be interested in learning how this unit works. Here is the answer.
How Does a Battery Lawn Mower Work?
To start a battery lawn mower, you will have to just turn the key on your mower. Then, you will have to pull a lever or should press the start button. Do you find that the lawn mower is not running even after doing these things? It is an indication that the battery is down. Get the unit recharged and try to restart it again. Once the system starts, you can mow around your lawn. If the unit stops all of a sudden, again you will have to recharge it for mowing again. As this unit will not have a cord, you can mow around without any restriction. When talking about the working of this lawn mower, it is better to be aware of the components in the mower that makes it function properly:
Control Levers
Control levers decide the level at which you can mow your lawn. These levers are generally hand-controlled and they will be present in the driver’s seat when your lawn mower is a ride-on model. Otherwise, if it is a push-behind model, these levers will be present near the handlebar so that you can easily use them at the desired level to cut the grass as per your requirement.
Safety Cutout Switches
These are otherwise called snap safety cutout switches. These are safety switches that you can find in a battery lawn mower to bring the device to a stop when an issue or a hindrance is deducted. These switches will prevent accidental and unintentional mowing.
Rollers
Rollers in your battery lawn mower can either be rear rollers or front rollers. They help with flattering out longer turf grasses. These rollers will be of great help when the grass levels in your lawn are not balanced. When the rollers are present on the rear side of the lawn mower, you can expect better stability when mowing.
What are the Benefits of Battery Lawn Mower?
A battery lawn mower can enhance your overall mowing experience. This mower is ideal for smaller yards with up to two acres in size. Also, this mower will suit yards with flat terrain and with a few obstacles. If you are wondering whether or not to invest in this lawn mower, understanding its benefits will help you arrive at an informed decision:
Affordability
One of the important reasons for lawn owners to choose a battery lawn mower is that it is affordable as compared to other types of lawnmowers. Most manufacturers of these mowers make these mowers to bring down the production cost. In turn, they are able to improve their profits. Above all, when they make battery lawn mowers, they can provide quality and longevity to their customers. So, you can expect the best value for your affordable spending on buying this mower.
Quieter Operation
If you are particular that your mowing session should not disturb either your family members or your neighbors, you can confidently opt for a battery lawn mower. Yes, as compared to conventional gas-powered lawnmowers, battery-operated units operate at around 65 decibels of noise. So, quiet mowing becomes possible with this unit.
Lesser Maintenance Requirements
When you take the case of gas-powered lawnmowers, they need regular oil and filter changes and servicing. Above all, oil changing can be a time-consuming and messy task as well. When you take care of this task yourself in a gas-powered mower, it will consume a lot of your time and you will get dirty. When you hire a person to take care of this task, you will have to pay for him. Either way, gas-powered units need maintenance, while a battery lawn mower will not require much maintenance time and energy from your end.
Power When You Need
Nowadays, most battery-operated mowers are powered by lithium-ion batteries. Above all, some of them offer quick charging ability as well. Some units can help you mow up to 1-acre of the lawn after recharging for an hour. With these capabilities, you will have your battery lawn mower ready for mowing as and when required. The only thing you will have to do is to recharge it after every mowing session or whenever the battery indicator shows low battery so that you can stay confident that your lawn mower will always be ready to mow.
No Danger of Running Over Cords
A battery lawn mower will not need any power cord for operation. You will use the power cord that you will get with this lawn mower only for charging it. When you mow, the unit will function on batteries and so there will not be any cord coming behind the mower. In turn, the danger of running over cords that is common in corded electrical lawnmowers is nullified for a safe mowing experience for users.
How to Choose a Battery Lawn Mower?
When you shop for a battery lawn mower, you will have to consider different factors to ensure the best shopping experience. Here are a few factors:
Consider the Battery Run-Time
Most battery-operated lawn mowers run for about 35 to 60 minutes. In case your lawn is smaller, you can mow the entire lawn without have to recharge again. But, if your lawn is bigger, you will have to invest in additional batteries. How long the mower runs relies on the amp-hour of the battery. When the battery has higher Ah, the longer it can last before the battery should be recharged. In case, you are particular about longer runtime, it is better to look for mowers powered by higher Ah batteries.
Know the Type of Battery Used
Battery selection is crucial when you intend to buy a battery lawn mower. Most mowers these days use either lithium-ion batteries or NiCd batteries.
NiCd Batteries
When comparing these two batteries, the comparison is between longevity and power. The good thing about NiCd Batteries is that they can handle strenous conditions without failing. On the other hand, mowers with this battery will be affordable as compared to mowers with Lithium-ion batteries. However, the problem with this type of battery is that it should be entirely discharge before you can recharge it. When you recharge it before it completely discharges, the longevity will lose. The power output gradually reduces when the battery runs out, which can lead to reduction in the performance of your lawn mower.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
As against mowers with Ni-Cd batteries, those with Lithium-ion batteries will have high power density, which will nearly be double the power of NiCd and a higher power output. It means that you can expect better cut for your mower. These batteries also require very little maintenance, which will be helpful in case you will be using the mower for a long time. The main problem with a battery lawn mower that uses lithium-ion batteries that it can reduce in charge capacity after a few years.
Push Vs. Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers
Cordless battery lawn mowers give buyers with the choice of either selecting self-propelled or push-style mowers.
Push-Style
When it comes to a push-style battery lawn mower, it will be a budget-friendly option. But, you will have to use your power to push the unit.
Self-propelled Mowers
In the case of a battery-operated lawn mower with self-propelled motor. It will have powered rear wheels for driving the mower in reverse and forward direction. With this type, you can have control over the direction and speed that the mower should travel in. In turn, you can expect greater ease of use and less fatigue from your part.
Deck Size
The deck size of the battery lawn mower will identify how wide of the path it can mow in a single pass. It can range from around 14 to 60 inches based on model. In case, your yard is smaller and less than 0.5 acre, you will find a lawn mower with a deck size of less than 30 inches the most suitable option. But, in case, your lawn is larger, you will have to choose a mower with a larger deck.
Consider the Battery Voltage
When you compare different battery-operated lawn mowers, you will come across units with around 36 to 120 volts power range. When a battery lawn mower has a higher voltage, it will suit larger yards. In the case of a lawn mower with a smaller voltage, it will be suitable for small lawns. So, you should decide on the right unit with suitable battery voltage based on the size of your lawn.
Choose Units with Interchangeable Batteries
Some models of battery lawn mowers come with two batteries. When one of the batteries is being recharged, you can use the other battery for mowing. So, when you go for a battery lawn mower with interchangeable batteries, you need not have to wait for the unit to recharge to start the mowing session.
Do You Need Mulching Facility or Not?
You will have to decide on the right battery lawn mower based on whether you need a mulching facility or not. Most mowers provide two facilities. It means that you can either mulch or can bag the cut grass.
When the lawn mower has a mulching facility, you will be leaving the grass clippings on the ground after mowing. The good thing about some mowers is that they offer the facility to finely chop the grass so that the grass can decompose and can act as a healthy feed for your lawn.
The other option offered by mowers is to bag the cut grass. When the grass is bagged, you can dispose of the grass with other green garbage in your home. Most people wish to use cordless mowers without any attachments, however. They wish to do it for a streamlined experience. But, when you fit the bag, it will collect the cut grass so that you can keep your lawn clean and tidy after mowing.
So, before you shortlist a lawn mower think about whether you need the mulching option or not. Some mowers also offer both these facilities. When there are both options, you can mulch rarely when you feel that your lawn needs a healthy feed. During other instances, you can get the cut grass bagged so that you can dispose of it with ease.
Adjustable Cutting Heights
Sometimes, you might feel like mowing your lawn when the grass has not grown too tall. But, sometimes, you might not find time to mow before which the grass can grow tall on your lawn. To suit both these instances, it is better to check whether the battery lawn mower that you have decided to shortlist offers a height adjustment facility. With this facility, you can cut grass of any height. Some mowers offer many height adjustments of up to 5, while some offer one or two alone. So, based on your requirement you can choose a suitable option.
Conclusion
Battery-powered lawn mowers are one of the latest additions to the mower section. Due to the extreme convenience and comfort offered by them being cordless, they are one of the top-selling products in their concerned section. As high popularity means easy money, several subpar manufacturers compromise on the quality of the product to gain maximum profit in the market and there are many in the mower section also. So, it is extremely important to identify the best options available in the market to get a better deal. Although the above list details many top-quality battery lawnmowers, some of the handpicked ones are listed below for a much closer look. The following ones are the best of the best and it would be a loss for any customer if they happen to miss these options.
- Powerful battery-powered lawnmower: Snapper XD MAX 82V Electric Cordless 19″ Push Lawn Mower
- Battery lawnmower with high durability: EGO Power+ LM2101 56-Volt 21-Inch Cordless Lithium-ion Lawn Mower
- Highly efficient battery lawnmower: Greenworks 40V 20-Inch Cordless (2-In-1) Push Lawn Mower, 4.0Ah + 2.0Ah Battery
- Best battery lawnmower with brushless motor: Greenworks 40V 21″ 5.0Ah USB Battery Cordless Brushless Push Mower
- Best battery lawnmower with rapid recharger: Greenworks Pro 21″ 80V Cordless Brushless Lawn Mower
From the above list, you can easily find the best options of lawnmowers available in the market. But it is not always about the top option, and thus, you should consider all your needs and priorities before moving on to settling on any of the above options. A good lawn mower can be a perfect companion for your gardening needs thus, make sure you take ample amount of time and thought before choosing one.