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Self-propelled lawn mowers can be a smart, labor-saving choice for those who maintain small to medium-size lawns. A step ahead of push mowers, these walk-behind lawn mowers have motor-driven wheels to propel them, leaving the operator free to simply steer. Rechargeable batteries are often used to fuel self-propelled mowers instead of gasoline, presenting a quieter, more convenient, and more sustainable lawn-care option.
Ego Power+ has become one of the most popular battery-electric outdoor power equipment brands. The company manufactures an extensive line of lawn-care tools including lawn mowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers, and chainsaws that offer a combination of affordability and high-level performance comparable to that of gas-powered equipment. All of its tools use interchangeable 56-volt ARC lithium batteries in sizes from 2.5Ah to 12Ah.
I tested an Ego Power+ LM2102SP self-propelled lawn mower on my rolling half-acre lawn. After mowing my yard five times with it, I am happy to say that the LM2102SP performed better than my old 22-inch gas push mower. It navigated the ups and downs of my landscape at a comfortable pace, held adequate battery life to mow the entire yard on a single charge, and left behind a nice even lawn without the need for double mowing. Read on to find out more about my experience and why I recommend this mower.
Ego Power+ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower: At a Glance
Rating: 8.7/10
PROS
- Value price point for a highly capable battery-powered lawn mower
- 7.5Ah lithium-ion battery and efficient brushless motors provide up to an hour of runtime per charge
- Two-stage motor automatically increases power output for tough cutting conditions
- Convenient handle-mounted control lever adjusts self-propel pace for user comfort
- LED headlight improves visibility for evening mowing or maneuvering through a dimly lit garage
CONS
- The wheel motors are excessively noisy compared to those of other self-propelled mowers
- Using the self-propel feature decreases battery runtime by up to half, depending on terrain
Get the Ego Power+ self-propelled lawn mower at:
What is the Ego Power+ self-propelled lawn mower?
The Ego Power+ LM2102SP is a 21-inch self-propelled lawn mower, powered by a 56V rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Brushless electric motors for the drive wheels and a powerful two-stage brushless blade motor ensure a long running time per charge. The one I tested came with a 7.5Ah battery that gave it an average of about 1 hour of runtime per charge and took about 1 hour to recharge on the included rapid charger. Some sellers offer this mower with a 10.0Ah battery that increases runtime to approximately 80 minutes.
The mower’s 21-inch deck offers a range of six height settings from 1.5 inches to 4 inches. Users have the option to mulch, side-discharge, or bag the grass clippings. The mower kit includes a 2-bushel bagger and a removable side-discharge chute. All controls needed during operation—on/off switch, drive-wheel engagement, speed adjustment, and LED light switch—are conveniently located on or near the hand grip. The mower can be pushed manually or self-propelled between 0.9 mph and 3.1 mph. For convenient storage, the handle retracts and folds flat. The mower weighs 68 pounds.
I tested the Ego Power+ lawn mower by cutting my own half-acre yard five times for a total testing time of about 7 hours. The lawn includes a mix of Bermuda, tall fescue, and centipede grasses in different areas, with some areas of especially dense growth. The land slopes gently for the most part, but it also includes a few steep areas. I mulched, bagged, discharged, and mowed at different heights , including one time that I let the grass grow twice as long as usual. Overall, my experience was very good, even the two times I couldn’t complete the job on a single charge, because the mower consistently delivered the two things I most wanted: cutting power and a clean finished appearance.
Is the Ego Power+ self-propelled lawn mower easy to use?
In a word, yes. Inserting and removing the battery for charging was not difficult, although the battery was a bit heavy at just over 6 pounds. Some users may prefer onboard charging, but for me this was not a problem. The large deck-height adjustment-lever handle, on the other hand, would be easy for anyone to use. It was conveniently located above the deck and didn’t require much hand strength to operate. Inserting and removing the bagger and discharge-chute attachments was similarly uncomplicated and easy.
The mower starts by means of a master switch in the form of an on/off key, a safety switch in the form of a wire bail (a squeeze bar the user must grip during operation), and a push-button starter: All the user needs to do is turn the key to “on,” grip the bail against the handlebar, and push the button. The mower started immediately every time and ran strong until it ran out of battery power.
A second wire bail turns the self-propelled wheels on or off, and a separate lever adjusts the speed. With the mower already running (and the speed adjustment on the lowest setting to start), I gripped the second wire bail to start moving and then adjusted the speed as needed. This sounds more complicated than it felt, and the whole process from startup to self-propelled mowing took only about 3 seconds.
The heavy-duty plastic mower deck was well balanced, even as the bagger got close to full. It rolled smoothly over uneven ground in both manual and self-propelled modes, and it climbed steep slopes quite well. When the mower encountered especially dense grass, it automatically increased power output to ensure a smooth cut. The only time it did not produce a nice clean finish with a single pass was when I let the grass grow an extra week before mowing.
How well does the Ego Power+ self-propelled lawn mower cut grass?
The cut quality from the Ego 21-inch lawn mower was comparable to that of the 140cc gas push mower I used for 15 years. It was better than sufficient, and I rated it 4 out of 5. The mower did a great job on grass that was consistently maintained. It also worked surprisingly aggressively in overgrown areas, although a second pass was necessary for a proper finished look when I mowed after a long absence.
For my half-acre of grass, the 7.5Ah battery was nearly perfect when the grass was at normal height. The charge ran out about 75 percent of the way through mowing on one occasion when I let the grass grow too tall between cuttings, and another time when I was using the bagger while mowing wet grass.
Is the Ego Power+ self-propelled lawn mower good quality?
I gave this mower a 3.9 out of 5 for quality. In general, the Ego Power+ LM2102SP’s blend of mowing ability, user conveniences, and rapid charging left a very favorable impression. It’s a heavy mower compared to some of the other battery mowers I have tested, but it worked consistently well in all conditions. The only negative impression I had was that the wheel motors produced a louder-than-expected whining sound.
Battery drain could be a problem for users with larger yards approaching a half acre or larger, especially with thick grass or undulating terrain, so a second battery may be in order. For my yard, the battery runtime was good, and the recharging time on the rapid charger was excellent. The mower has an IPX4 splash-proof rating, which means the electronics are protected from water intrusion in wet weather.
Is the Ego Power+ self-propelled lawn mower worth the money?
At its current price of $599, the Ego Power+ LM2102SP is a good value. This mower performed exceptionally well in testing, and the price is lower than that of many competitors. Offerings from other brands with similar functionality may be priced lower, but they don’t include the battery and charger, which typically cost hundreds of dollars.
The best value, however, comes with battery sharing. Owners of battery-power tools recognize the savings and convenience when multiple tools share the same battery. Ego Power+ offers a full range of yard tools that work with interchangeable batteries. Savvy shoppers may buy one or two tools with batteries included, then purchase compatible “bare” tools at much lower prices.
Is the Ego Power+ self-propelled lawn mower right for you?
Wherever shoppers look for a mower, they’ll find battery-powered options available. I have contributed to numerous hands-on lawn mower reviews, and Ego Power+ products are always in the mix—and for good reason. The company seems to have discovered the sweet spot that balances performance and features customers want with affordability. The powerful 56V battery has been put to good use, fueling all kinds of efficient brushless electric outdoor power equipment and delivering gas-like power, and the LM2102SP is yet another example.
In my yard, the mower proved capable of getting the job done very well under typical mowing conditions. It was easy to operate, ran strongly and smoothly over varying terrain, and left a nice clean finish. The battery lasted between 45 and 65 minutes, and it recharged from fully depleted in just under an hour. When I intentionally neglected the yard, the battery declined and I couldn’t mow the full half acre on a single charge; I also had to double mow some areas that were left rough after the first go.
The Ego Power+ LM2102SP would be an excellent pick for any yard with a quarter acre of grass, and a really good prospect for most yards up to a half acre. In my yard, it tackled “normal” grass, “neglected” grass, and even limited sections of overgrown natural areas. The main limiting factor is battery runtime. Those with larger yards and difficult terrain could make it work, but either a second battery or a recharge break would be required to complete the job—or, shoppers can check out the larger Ego Power+ riding mowers.
Where to Buy the Ego Power+ LM2102SP 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
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Meet the Tester
Writer Mark Wolfe has an extensive background in the nursery and landscaping industry. He has mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes for more than 20 years. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn-care products, and other outdoor living goods.