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A battery-powered lawn mower offers gas-like mowing performance without the noise and maintenance hassle. If you care for a lawn that is a half acre or smaller, a cordless push- or walk-behind mower can do the job, but for larger acreage, a battery-powered ride-on mower will be a better choice. There are plenty of quality options available, and we’ve tested dozens of them over the years. We’ve evaluated each one for grass cutting ability, user convenience, battery life, and durability. In this guide, we showcase the top performers.
The key to buying the right mower is matching your needs to the mower’s capabilities. With battery mowers, the most important consideration is whether the mower will run long enough on the included batteries to cut all of your grass. The next consideration is cut quality, followed by the various operating conveniences. In this review, we will highlight important specifications and share our observations from cutting grass with each of these mowers. With this information, you will be better equipped to choose the best battery-powered lawn mower for your property
- BEST OVERALL: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21″ Dual Battery Mower Kit
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Ryobi 40V HP 21” Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR SMALL YARDS: Litheli Easysurge 18.5″ Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR LARGE LAWNS: Green Machine 62V 22” Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PUSH: Greenworks Pro 80V 21″ Brushless Push Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SELF-PROPELLED: Ego Power+ 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST RIDING MOWER: Ego Power+ 42″ Z6 Zero-Turn Riding Mower
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR MULCHING: Ego Power+ 22″ Aluminum Deck Select Cut Lawn Mower
↓ Jump to Review
Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers Comparison
Product | Run/recharge times | Deck size | Mobility |
---|---|---|---|
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21″ Dual Battery Mower Kit | 60/90 minutes | 21 inches | Self propelled |
Ryobi 40V HP 21” Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower | 80/100 minutes | 21 inches | Self propelled |
Litheli Easysurge 18.5” Lawn Mower | 100/240 minutes | 18.5 inches | Self propelled |
Green Machine 62V 22” Lawn Mower | (2x) 45/60 minutes | 22 inches | Self propelled |
Greenworks Pro 80V 21″ Brushless Push Lawn Mower | 60/60 minutes | 21 inches | Push |
Ego Power+ 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower | 60/60 minutes | 21 inches | Self propelled |
Ego Power+ 42″ Z6 Zero-Turn Riding Mower | 120/120 minutes | 42 inches | Zero-turn ride-on |
Ego Power+ 22″ Aluminum Deck Select Cut Lawn Mower | 70/60 minutes | 22 inches | Self propelled |
Our Top Picks
Any of the lawn mowers we tested could be a great choice for residential yard maintenance, but each one comes with its own pros and cons. The individual reviews ahead describe how each model performed in testing and why we consider them among the best battery-powered lawn mowers.
Best Overall
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21" Dual Battery Mower Kit
What We Like
- Strong deck airflow to stand up grass blades
- Instant power response for tough cutting conditions
- Clearly visible LED battery life indicator
- Rear wheel self-propelled
- Excellent cut quality
What We Don’t Like
- Costs more than other battery-powered mowers
- Less maneuverable in constricted spaces
Specs
- Runtime/recharge time: 60 minutes/90 minutes
- Deck size: 21 inches
- Mobility: Self-propelled
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.8/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Runtime 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4.7/5
When Milwaukee Tool set out to design a lawn mower, it targeted professional quality and performance. The M18 Fuel 21-inch self-propelled lawn mower features a rugged steel deck, variable-speed rear-wheel drive, and a powerful motor that drives blade speed up to 3,300 revolutions per minute (rpm) and delivers more torque than a 200 cubic centimeter (cc) gas-powered mower.
The kit we tested came with two 18-volt (V) 12 amp hour (Ah) rechargeable batteries and a dual charger. The mower uses two battery ports to draw from both batteries simultaneously, achieving 36 volts of operating power. This configuration allows up to 60 minutes of mowing per charge, and the batteries recharge in 2 hours.
The strong blade motor works well with the deep mowing deck, creating stronger uplift than any other battery electric mower we tested. In “high-lift” mode, it stood the grass blades straight up for a superclean cut after a single pass. It did a great job picking up leaves and debris for the same reason—lots of power and blade speed. It easily packed the bag full of clippings and didn’t leave clumps behind when mulching or discharging.
The above statement, however, applied to “high-lift” mode, which runs the blade at a constant 3,300 rpm. In standard mode, the blade spins at 2,800 rpm and then increases to top speed only when it senses extra-thick grass. The change is immediate. In standard mode, the M18 lawn mower had plenty of cutting force, but bagging was slightly less efficient because the slower blade speed reduced airflow and uplift.
What our tester says: “The Milwaukee cordless mower was one of the first battery-powered models that made me consider swapping out my gas mower. It felt and performed the way I expect a mower to perform. No compromise and no apologies, just a great mower.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Milwaukee battery-powered lawn mower at Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Northern Tool + Equipment.
Best Bang for the Buck
Ryobi 40V HP 21” Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
What We Like
- Long run time per charge
- Easy to adjust self-propel system
- Excellent cut quality with 2-stage brushless motor
- Durable composite deck
What We Don’t Like
- Headlights are not that helpful
Specs
- Runtime/recharge time: 90 minutes/60 minutes (2 batteries)
- Deck size: 21 inches
- Mobility: Self-propelled

Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.

Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.6/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Runtime 5/5; Noise 4/5; Value 5/5
While the cost of traditional gas-powered lawn mowers have shot up in recent years, the opposite is true of top-quality battery-powered mowers. Ryobi offers one of the best values for those who need a midsize mower to tackle an average suburban-size lot. This 40V 21-inch self-propelled lawn mower packs power equivalent to a 163cc gas mower at a comparable price. The kit comes with a pair of 6.0Ah batteries for up to 80 minutes of mowing time per charge—that’s enough to cut about .75 acre of grass. Plus, it includes the most popular mowing features: three-way clipping management, single-lever mowing height adjustment, and a multi-phase brushless motor that instantly adjusts power output to match the cutting conditions.
After cutting our grass with the new Ryobi 40V cordless mower, we were duly impressed with its overall performance. It had plenty of cutting power for all types of grass, covered ground as fast as we wanted, and had plenty of charge left on the batteries when the job was over. There was plenty of airflow beneath the deck to stand up grass blades for a clean cut and completely fill the grass catcher bag. The composite deck was a little heavier than we prefer and may have a higher likelihood of clippings building up than other deck materials. But for less than $500, it’s hard to imagine getting a better lawn mower kit.
Get the Ryobi battery-powered lawn mower at The Home Depot or Ryobi.
Best For Small Yards
Litheli Easysurge 18.5” Lawn Mower
What We Like
- Folds flat for compact storage
- Clean, aggressive cut
- Electronic height of cut adjustment
- Batteries double as USB power banks
What We Don’t Like
- Small wheels are less mobile on rough ground
Specs
- Runtime/recharge time: 100 minutes/240 minutes
- Deck size: 18.5 inches
- Mobility: Self-propelled
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.6/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Runtime 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Whether you have a smaller lot or a lot of obstacles to navigate, a compact lawn mower could be the best option. We really liked the Litheli 18.5-inch Easysurge mower for those exact reasons. But a small lawn mower does not mean a weak lawn mower—the Easysurge’s blades turn at a respectable 4,500 maximum rotations per minute, which allows for clean cutting and efficient side discharge, mulching, or bagging. The model we tested included four 20V, 4.0Ah batteries for up to 100 minutes of run time per charge.
The Litheli Easysurge mower initially appeared similar to other small mowers we’ve tested, but a few unique features set it apart. This is the first mower we have tested that allows the user to adjust the height-of-cut with just the touch of a button. That, combined with the lightweight build and self-propelled mobility, makes mowing with this machine so much easier than its larger, heavier counterparts.
Also, unlike other small battery-powered mowers, the batteries double as portable USB power supplies. When they are not powering the mower, the dual USB-A and USB-C ports can actually charge two devices at the same time.
Most importantly, the Easysurge mower did a great job mowing. The final cut was clean and crisp, even in the areas of dense or weedy growth. It was easy to maneuver around landscape obstacles, although it did struggle to cover some of the steepest and roughest ground in our large test yard because of the small wheels.
Get the Litheli battery-powered lawn mower at Litheli or Amazon (with 2 batteries).
Best For Large Lawns
Green Machine 62V 22” Lawn Mower
What We Like
- 90 minutes of total run time
- Single lever height adjustment
- 3-way clipping management
- Adjustable self-propelled system
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t fold flat for storage
- Clunky 2-step pace adjustment
Specs
- Runtime/recharge time: 45 minutes/60 minutes
- Deck size: 22 inches
- Mobility: Self-propelled
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.6/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Runtime 5/5; Noise 4/5; Value 5/5
To keep up with a larger lawn, it’s more time-efficient to use a larger mower. Measuring 23 inches wide with a 22-inch blade, the Green Machine 62V cordless lawn mower cuts one of the widest swaths for a walk-behind battery mower. It moves at a quick pace and cuts a large swath as it goes, which is the perfect recipe for bigger yards. It also comes with a rear wheel self-propel system, 3-way clipping management, and two batteries so that you can mow with one while the other charges. Powered by the two included 4.0Ah batteries, it mows up to 90 minutes (total) per charge, covering nearly an acre in that time.
With the Green Machine mower, we mowed 20,000 square feet of lawn on just a single battery. The rear wheel self-propelled system had no trouble covering slopes, dips, and other obstacles in the yard, and the cut looked great. Not everything about this mower felt as well refined as in some of our other picks. There was a bit of loose movement in the handlebar adjustment system, a slight delay in the motor response at start-up, and engaging the self-propel system required an added step. However, the mowed grass looked just as clean and precise with this mower as with our top pick.
What our tester says: “The Green Machine model shows just how far battery-powered mowers have come in a very short timespan. It’s very affordable, built to last, and it really does cut as well as a gas mower.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Green Machine battery-powered lawn mower at The Home Depot or Green Machine.
Best Push
Greenworks Pro 80V 21" Brushless Push Lawn Mower
What We Like
- One 4.0-Ah battery offers up to 60 minutes of runtime
- Strong motor delivers powerful cutting performance
- Easy-to-use controls integrated into the handle
What We Don’t Like
- Included charger only charges 1 battery at a time
- Not self-propelled; may cause some strain on user
Specs
- Runtime/recharge time: 60 minutes/60 minutes
- Deck size: 21 inches
- Mobility: Push
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Runtime 4.5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Greenworks is known for its advancements in battery technology, and this model includes one 4.0Ah battery that delivers up to 60 minutes of runtime from a full charge, with a recharge time of just 60 minutes. This push mower features a 21-inch-wide mowing deck. Technology that adjusts the motor speed based on load helps to maximize battery life and maintain excellent cut quality.
Adding to the impressive mowing coverage is a steel deck with seven positions that are easy to adjust with a large handle near the right rear wheel. Its sturdy steel deck adds durability similar to gas-powered models.
A large start button and easy-to-maneuver speed control mean it can be manipulated with gloved hands. This push mower does not have motorized wheels, which keeps the price low and maximizes battery life for cutting grass. The 3-in-1 grass clipping capability allows for bagging, mulching, or side discharging, and a foldable handle design facilitates compact storage.
Although this Greenworks push lawn mower required a bit more effort to move around the yard than the self-propelled mowers, its simplified design made it an extremely capable mower. The powerful motor gave “gaslike” performance. It had no trouble cutting dense, weedy grass up to 10 inches tall and left an excellent finished appearance. In all three mowing modes, including bagging, mulching, and side discharging, the resulting grass cut was perfectly smooth, with no uneven spots or stringy weeds left behind. It had plenty of power to mulch thick grass into virtually invisible clippings.
The only downside of this mower was that hilly ground reduced the amount of area mowed per charge—not because of demand on the mower, but because the operator’s pace slowed. Everything else considered, we felt that this mower delivered the strongest mowing capability— behind only the Milwaukee model—even though we had to push it. And the price was significantly less than the others.
Get the Greenworks 80V battery-powered lawn mower at Amazon or Lowe’s (with two 2.0Ah batteries).
Best Self-Propelled
Ego Power+ 21" Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
What We Like
- Durable brushless motor provides long-term use
- LED headlights allow for nighttime mowing
- Intuitive speed controls offer excellent user-friendliness
What We Don’t Like
- Self-propelled motors make excessive noise
Specs
- Runtime/recharge time: 60 minutes/60 minutes
- Deck size: 21 inches
- Mobility: Self-propelled, manually adjustable pace
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.8/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Runtime 4/5; Noise 4/5; Value 4.7/5
Even though the Ego Power+ model has been around for a couple of years, it still warrants strong consideration. It boasts 60 minutes of runtime, thanks to its high-efficiency brushless motor and 56V 7.5Ah battery. With its 21-inch deck and self-propelled wheels, this mower is suitable for yards up to a half acre. The variable-speed self-propel system is easy to adjust with a lever on the handlebar and drives the mower up to 3 miles per hour. This mower also includes LED headlights and a rapid charger that powers up the 7.5Ah battery in just 60 minutes.
We really liked this mower’s blend of mowing ability, operator comfort, affordability, and rapid recharging. In our tests, it easily mowed down tall weeds and traversed steep slopes. Its battery life appeared to be unaffected by the added workload. In tough conditions where we experienced declines in battery life up to 50 percent with some of the other mowers, the Ego mower only lost about 25 percent of its runtime.
We docked points in two key areas: its noise level, specifically with its louder-than-average self-propelled wheels, and its finish quality. The Ego Power+ was more likely than the other mowers to leave behind ragged edges or stringy weeds after mowing overgrown spots. But even with a couple of minor faults, this cheap lawn mower represents a really good value for general use.
Read our full review: Ego Power+ 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Get the Ego Power+ self-propelled battery-powered lawn mower at Amazon.
Best Riding Mower
Ego Power+ 42" Z6 Zero-Turn Riding Mower
What We Like
- Four 56V 10Ah batteries included
- Onboard rapid battery-charging system
- 42-inch deck allows for ample cutting per pass
- Mows at speeds up to 7 mph/2.6 acres per hour
- Bright LED headlights for low-light mowing
What We Don’t Like
- Batteries will need to be replaced in 5 to 10 years
Specs
- Runtime/recharge time: 120 minutes/120 minutes (4 batteries)
- Deck size: 42 inches
- Mobility: Zero-turn riding mower
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.3/5; Cut Quality 4.5/5; Runtime 5/5; Noise 4/5; Value 4.7/5
For larger properties, the Ego Power+ riding mower is capable of mowing up to 2 acres per charge. A few easy upgrades can increase runtime to cut more than 3 acres per charge. This unit offers many of the popular features found on gas-powered zero-turn mowers, such as adjustable lap bars to independently control the rear-drive wheels; heavy-duty front swivel casters; a comfortable high-back seat with adjustable suspension; a 42-inch deck with 10 height settings from 1.5 to 4.5 inches; and side discharging, mulching, and bagging capabilities.
This electric motor delivers power equivalent to a 22-horsepower (hp) gasoline engine. The Z6 also boasts high-power LED headlights, a battery-level indicator, and independently adjustable modes and blade speeds. This mower comes with four 56V 10Ah lithium batteries, with six available battery slots onboard, and is compatible with any of Ego Power+’s other 56V batteries. It also comes with the fastest battery charger in the industry.
Startup was easy, and maneuvering felt intuitive. The only noise occurred while operating the mower deck. The machine travels almost silently when the blades are not running. The lap bars and drive wheels felt a little sloppy compared to other zero-turn mowers we’ve used, as they pulled slightly to the left at full speed on flat ground under an average mowing load. The suspension seat was comfortable, but the relatively small rear tires and light weight of the machine made for a bouncy ride at times. It climbed and maneuvered fairly well on minor slopes, which is not a strength for most zero-turn mowers.
For most mowing, we kept the machine in “standard” mode and the blades on half power with excellent results. We tested the top blade speed on an area of about 2,000 square feet of overgrown crabgrass that was about 12 inches high, and we had to slow the travel pace significantly to get an acceptable cut in that situation, but regular lawn maintenance was a breeze. The Ego Power+ battery-operated riding lawn mower would make a great choice for any large-acreage owner with lots of grass to maintain; it even gives the best riding lawn mowers a run for their money.
Get the Ego Power+ Z6 battery-powered lawn mower at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Ace Hardware.
Best for Mulching
Ego Power+ 22" Aluminum Deck Select Cut Lawn Mower
What We Like
- 3 blade speeds for optimal cut quality
- Stacked mower blade configuration for fast, efficient mulching
- Lightweight, tough, and corrosion-resistant cast-aluminum deck
- Touch drive self-propelled with ergonomic handlebar controls ;
What We Don’t Like
- Noise wheel motor when using self-propelled feature
- No side-discharging for grass clippings
Specs
- Runtime/recharge time: 70 minutes/60 minutes
- Deck size: 22 inches
- Mobility: Self-propelled
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.6/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Runtime 4/5; Noise 4/5; Value 4.3/5
The Ego Power+ 22-inch self-propelled lawn mower is one of the most powerful battery-powered lawn mowers available, with commercial-grade cutting power. Powered by a 56V 10Ah battery, it produces just over 11 foot-pounds of torque. The top blade speed of 3,350 rpm creates outstanding airflow under the deck to pull grass blades upright for a superclean cut. At full power, this mower is equally adept at either mulching or bagging grass clippings.
Beyond raw power, the first thing about this mower that stood out to us was the aluminum deck. Aluminum is a higher-end mower deck material that is lighter than steel and will not rust over time. That first characteristic is important, since the big battery adds considerable weight. At about 85 pounds, this was one of the heavier mowers we tested, comparable to the (similarly powerful) Milwaukee M18. The possible downside of aluminum is that it is more brittle than steel, which could be problematic in rocky areas where hard impacts beneath the deck could cause cracks.
In action, this mower did everything well. The ergonomic handle was pretty comfortable with its centrally placed control panel and thumb-dial drive speed controller. It only offered options for mulching or bagging. It’s a shame that side discharge is not available for cutting down taller grass, but it did a good job of mulching the tallest grass we mowed without bogging down or leaving clumps behind.
Get the Ego Power+ Select Cut battery-powered lawn mower at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Ace Hardware.
Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers
Products tested | 9 |
Time spent testing | 22 hours |
Tests performed | 7 |
Price range | $400 to $1,200 |
We tested all mowers the same way and captured the results on a testing rubric for comparison. After fully charging the batteries, we used them to mow two different areas: one that had been consistently maintained at the normal mowing height and one that had been neglected and allowed to grow about 10 inches high. Both areas included a mix of flat and moderately sloped ground. As we mowed, we assessed general operator comfort, self-propelled capabilities, mowing power, and finished mowing quality. We mowed until the batteries ran out, recorded the runtime, and measured the area mowed. Finally, we recorded the time required to recharge the depleted batteries.
Because riding mowers offer many more features and control options, we tested the Ego Power+ Z6 over several days with multiple battery configurations. Lawn mower battery life plays such an outsized role in overall performance and customer satisfaction that we wanted to collect results on maintained and overgrown grass for groupings of two, four, and six batteries. The testing criteria and observation points for each test run were virtually the same as those for the other mowers. The great news is that all of these mowers delivered excellent mowing power, good-to-excellent cut quality, and plenty of runtime for real-world applications, as shown in the individual reviews.
Product | Ease of Use | Cut Quality | Runtime | Noise | Value |
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21″ Dual Battery Mower Kit | 4.8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.7 |
Ryobi 40V HP 21” Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower | 4.6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
Litheli Easysurge 18.5” Lawn Mower | 4.6 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4.7 |
Green Machine 62V 22” Lawn Mower | 4.6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4.7 |
Greenworks Pro 80V 21″ Brushless Push Lawn Mower | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 4.7 |
Ego Power+ 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower | 4.8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.7 |
Ego Power+ 42″ Z6 Zero-Turn Riding Mower | 4.3 | 4.5 | 5 | 4 | 4.7 |
Ego Power+ 22″ Aluminum Deck Select Cut Lawn Mower | 4.6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4.3 |
What to Consider When Choosing a Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

When shopping for a battery-powered, rechargeable lawn mower, it’s crucial to consider the power and runtime, cut quality, weight, ease of use, and safety features.
Power and Runtime
Battery-powered lawn mowers use batteries that range in power from 36V to 120V. While it seems logical to go with the biggest battery you can afford, keep in mind that there are trade-offs. A 60V to 80V battery is heavier than a 40V battery and therefore requires more power to propel it forward. This can decrease runtime and make a cordless electric lawn mower more difficult to maneuver.
However, batteries with higher voltage can generate more power, which is needed for self-propelled wheels, and provide additional torque, which allows for more cutting power through dense grass.
Runtime depends on many factors. Generally, a larger battery will provide more runtime. Thick or tall grass, slopes, and obstacles that can slow the mower down decrease runtime. Most mowers will run from a half hour to an hour on one charge, which should cover about 5,000 to 10,000 square feet before needing a charge.
Cut Quality
Power affects cut quality. The larger the battery, the more power and torque a mower can generate to cut grass. Some mowers allow the user to adjust the torque or rpm of the blade, while others auto adjust based on the resistance that the blade senses. Altering the torque allows the operator to achieve a quality cut while preserving battery life.
Many electric mowers also offer numerous height adjustments for the deck. They range from 1.5 to 4 inches, allowing the operator to cut the lawn to a desired length.
Weight
The more powerful the mower, the heavier it is. This is primarily because bigger batteries weigh more. Deck size also makes a big difference. A larger mower with a 20-inch deck will weigh more than a smaller mower with a 14-inch deck.
Battery-powered mowers weigh from 35 pounds for smaller 13- and 14-inch decks to more than 70 pounds for self-propelled lawn mowers with 21-inch decks. A larger mower may cut more grass at a time, but a smaller, more lightweight lawn mower is easier to maneuver.
Ease of Use
One advantage of electric mowers compared to gas mowers is that they’re much easier to start. Electric mowers replace the frustrating pull start with a push-button start. They also feature large handles that make it easy to adjust the deck height.
Higher-end battery-powered mowers include self-propelled features, so they are easier to maneuver around the yard. Most battery-powered mowers also fold into a more compact size and can stand vertically for easy storage.
Safety Features
Like their gas-powered forerunners, electric mowers have built-in safety features to prevent accidents. These include safety bars on the handle that must be held closed to keep the motor running. They are also equipped with flaps and guards that prevent the mower from flinging debris at the operator.
FAQs
If you’re still wondering which mower is right for you, then read on for answers to some of the most common questions about battery-powered lawn mowers.
Battery-powered lawn mowers require charged batteries, which have a limited runtime per charge and take an hour or more to recharge once depleted.
With proper storage and maintenance, a battery-powered lawn mower will last at least 10 years. However, the lithium-ion batteries that power these mowers may need to be replaced sooner. Some of the same best practices for gas-powered lawn mower repair may also apply to battery-powered ones.
An electric mower can include battery-operated or corded options, powered by either a rechargeable battery or a power cord plugged into a standard 15V outlet. A battery-powered motor is cordless and runs solely on one or more batteries.
A lawn mower with battery power is much easier to start than a gas-powered mower. Simply hold the safety bar in place, then press the start button.
Before cleaning a battery-powered lawn mower, unplug the battery to prevent potential shorts in the wiring. Then remove all attachments. Never hose off a battery-powered mower; water can damage the wiring inside the motor. Use a washcloth instead. Wring out the washcloth over a bucket, then wipe down the mower to remove grass and other debris.
Battery-powered mowers are very reliable. As long as the batteries are charged, they work. After 5 to 10 years, the battery will eventually need to be replaced when it no longer holds an adequate charge.
Unlike the best gas lawn mowers, battery-operated mowers do not use motor oil. They may benefit from a few drops of machine oil on occasion, just to keep the handle, wheels, and control cables working smoothly.
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with an extensive background in the nursery and landscaping industry. For more than 20 years he mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn care products, and other outdoor living goods.
Additional research provided by Tony Carrick