The Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers for a Low-Maintenance Lawn—Push, Self-Propelled, Riding, and More

A battery-powered lawn mower can cut grass just like a gas-powered lawn mower without the noise and maintenance hassle of a gas engine. If you care for a lawn that is smaller than an acre, a cordless push- or walk-behind mower can handle the job, while larger acreage calls for a battery-powered ride-on mower. After extensive product research and vetting more than 30 top-rated battery-powered lawn mowers, we narrowed our focus to the best models. Then we tested and evaluated 14 of them for cut quality, user convenience, battery life, and durability.

While each of the models in this guide put in a solid performance, our favorite was the Ego Power+ Select Cut Self-Propelled Mower. It was easy to operate, offered ample runtime per charge, and worked well under the stresses of overgrown grass, yard debris, hidden rocks, and more. Most importantly, it consistently produced an excellent cut, whether in a manicured lawn or in an overgrown, weedy yard. However, budget shoppers and those with larger (or smaller) yards may have priorities better served by a different mower. In this guide, we share what we learned from hands-on testing to help you find the best battery-powered lawnmower for your yard.

1. BEST OVERALL: Ego Power+ 21” Select Cut Self-Propelled Mower
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Ryobi 40V HP 21” Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
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3. BEST FOR SMALL YARDS: Litheli Easysurge 18.5″ Lawn Mower
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4. BEST FOR LARGE LAWNS: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21″ Dual Battery Mower Kit
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5. BEST PUSH: Echo 56V 21” Cordless Push Mower
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6. BEST SELF-PROPELLED: Ryboi 40V HP AWD Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
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7. BEST RIDING MOWER: Ego Power+ 42″ Z6 Zero-Turn Riding Mower
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8. BEST FOR MULCHING: Ego Power+ 22″ Aluminum Deck Select Cut Lawn Mower 
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Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers Comparison 

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.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.9/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Runtime 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4.7/5

We awarded the Ego Power+ Select Cut Mower our Best Overall award because it offers a premium mowing experience at a competitive price, and includes several upgrades over previous models. This lawn mower delivered the outstanding mowing power and cut quality we’ve experienced from prior models, with an upgrade to the self-propel system and a specialized multi-blade cutting system.

The LM2135SP incorporates Ego TouchDrive—a drive speed adjustment dial centered on the console with activation switches in the palm area of the hand grip. The configuration makes it easy to adjust the drive speed in real time. In our tests, it worked perfectly on flat ground and hills alike. No need to stop and readjust an awkwardly situated lever or dial. We would love to see Ego incorporate a system that automatically adjusts to the operator’s pace, but this setup worked nicely.

We also liked the specialty blades included with the kit. The dual-blade cutting system permits swapping out specialized lower blades depending on grass conditions and user intent. The mower came with a mulching blade preinstalled that could be replaced with the included high lift bagging blade or extended runtime blade. Each of the blades did a nice job cutting grass and seemed to improve on the specific applications they were designed for. We wouldn’t want to swap out blades every week, but we appreciate having greater flexibility over the course of a mowing season.

What our tester says: “I’ve tested several generations of Ego Power+ lawn mowers and this one is the best so far. It’s easy to operate, cuts incredibly well, and comes with a proven track record for dependability.” —Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Ego Power+ 800 Series battery-powered lawn mower at Ace Hardware, Lowe’s, Amazon, Acme Tools, or Northern Tool & Equipment.

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.

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 Amazon.

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.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.8/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Runtime 5/5; Noise 5/5; Value 4.7/5

A really good push lawn mower offers more than a strong motor and long-lasting batteries. Favorable weight and balance are essential. Weighing in at 70 pounds, the Echo 56-volt 21-inch cordless push mower is heavy enough to power through dense, tall grass and avoid bouncing across uneven ground. It’s also well balanced with an easy-to-maneuver high wheel design that minimizes user fatigue. It was a pleasure to operate.

It left a nice, clean cut, too. Although non-self-propelled lawn mowers are considered basic, this one mowed as well as our best overall pick. It came equipped with a multi-stage motor that automatically increased power output for taller, thicker grass, but otherwise ran at a lower RPM to conserve battery power.

We also liked that this mower has two battery ports, but only draws on one battery at a time. When the first battery is depleted, it automatically switches to draw on the second battery. If you have an extra-large yard, you can put the depleted battery on the rapid charger while mowing with the second. In moderate mowing conditions, the first battery will be ready to go again before the second one runs out, minimizing downtime.

Get the Echo battery-powered lawn mower at The Home Depot or Acme Tools.

Self-propelled lawn mowers help minimize operator fatigue, but they sometimes get out of hand on slopes. Featuring an all-wheel-drive self-propelled system, the Ryobi 40V HP AWD lawn mower takes it all in stride. The operator can keep it in 2-wheel drive to conserve battery power on average terrain, then seamlessly switch to AWD when the going gets tough. Through 2 hours of testing on slopes up to and beyond 45-degrees, it didn’t slip once.

But this mower does more than hills. The LCD control panel makes it easy to control the AWD, travel speed, mowing power, LED lights, and monitor battery life all in one place on the handlebar. The cut quality is really nice, too. It comes with a multi-stage motor that automatically boosts output for thick or tall grass, and an optional turbo mode for constant high power mowing. It has plenty of airflow to stand grass blades upright for an even finish, and to push them all the way to the back of the bagger.

Speaking of which, we really liked the integrated mulch plug (instead of having to keep track of a separate piece). In this day and age, it really feels like every mower should have one of these, but they don’t. The mulch/bag selector worked smoothly, even after the deck was caked with sticky fresh clippings.

Get the Ryobi AWD battery-powered lawn mower at The Home Depot.

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 Global Industries.

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.

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How We Tested the Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers

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.

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 self-propelled lawn mowers are easier to maneuver around the yard. Most battery-powered push lawn mowers also fold into a more compact size and can stand vertically for easy storage.

Safety Features

Like their gas-powered peers, electric lawn 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. 

Q. What is a major disadvantage of a battery-operated lawn mower?

Battery-powered lawn mowers require charged batteries, which have a limited runtime per charge and take an hour or more to recharge once depleted.

Q. How long do battery-powered lawn mowers last?

With proper storage and maintenance, a good electric 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 maintenance may also apply to battery-powered ones.

Q. What is the difference between electric lawn mowers and battery-powered lawn mowers?

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.

Q. How do you turn on a battery-powered lawn mower?

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. 

Q. How do you clean a battery-powered lawn mower?

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. 

Q. How reliable are battery-powered lawn mowers?

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.

Q. Do battery lawn mowers need oil?

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

 

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