Powersmart electric lawn mower. Surviving Testicular Cancer

The Truth About Electric Lawn Mower Horsepower

For the first time in nearly 20 years, I finally have a real yard to maintain at our new house, after living in apartments since 2000 and then our yardless townhouse since 2007. I’ve been having both fun, and frustration, purchasing lawn and garden equipment! Who knew there would come a time where I’d get so annoyed with lawn mower manufacturers that I’d feel the need to write a blog about them. All I’ll say is that considering the overall topic of my website, cancer support, I guess it’s nice to have some first world problems for a change!

Why Is It So Hard To Shop For An Electric Lawn Mower?

When we moved into our new home in July of 2017, the grass was growing and a lawn mower was the last thing I had time to think about on top of all of the logistics of moving and hectic work schedules. I figured I’d try to be green and buy an electric mower, and save myself the trouble of oil changes and maintenance and all that. Our lot is big for our area at 8800 sq ft, but still relatively small in the grand scheme of things, so how are you supposed to know what you really need with an electric mower?

What makes it difficult to shop for electric lawn mowers is that they only advertise the voltage that the battery and electric motor run at, and not how much power they actually produce. These are two different things. How are you supposed to know the differences between how 20V, 40V, 56V, or even 80V electric lawn mowers perform, compared to what actual gas powered lawn mowers with anywhere from 3 to 6 horsepower will do? It’s apples to oranges, and then you get to the issue of endurance. This is a non-issue with gas mowers, as they typically have more than enough internal fuel capacity for even larger yards, and if you run out you can just refill the tank and keep going. With an electric mower, if you can’t finish mowing your yard on a single battery charge, you either need a very expensive additional battery, or have to wait an hour to recharge the first, which can be a major inconvenience.

Claims of gas-like power or torque of gas, enough battery capacity to cover 90% of yards, and run times of up to 60 minutes or whatever are all incredibly generic weasel words, and highly prone to interpretation and misinterpretation. I guess I thought in my mind that a middle of the range 40V electric lawn mower ought to be enough. Was it? Well, I think you might know where I’m going, but read on to find out!

A 4HP Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower BASELINE

In the 1990’s, Homelite was a very reputable company that produced a full range of highly rated gas powered lawn and garden equipment. They don’t have the full line of products that they used to, but they’re still around, and I still remember my Homelite HSB21P4C mower. That’s Homelite Super Bagger, 21, Self-Propelled, with a 4HP gas engine, and a blade Clutch that allowed you to just idle the engine with the blade stopped while you emptied the bag without having to restart the engine. Don’t ask me how the heck I remembered that, but when you’re a kid and can’t even drive yet, getting a new lawn mower is pretty exciting. It was a pretty darned good mower, too. I was worried that 4 HP might not be enough when there were 5 to 6.5 HP mowers out there, but it was never lacking for power. It propelled itself up hills with a heavy bag filled with clippings just fine, and although it may have bogged down at times in taller grass that might have been a bit wet or required you to slow down a tad, it always kept going and never quit. It had just the right amount of power, not too little and not too much. I guess this was what I was expecting out of my 40V electric lawn mower, which wasn’t even self-propelled, and so all motor energy would be going straight to the blades and none to the wheels. Surely this must be enough, right?

MY 40V/4AHr Electric Lawn Mower

My wife knew I was looking for an electric lawn mower as we were moving. She saw this one come up on Amazon Prime Day on July 11, 2017 for just 199 last year and told me about it. It looked good enough to me, and heck for only 199 why not? I took a leap of faith and just blindly hip-fired the mower and jumped on it, hoping it would be enough. Honestly, it’s a great 3 in 1 mower for the money (rear bagging, side discharge, or mulching), but unfortunately it just couldn’t get the job done.

One of the first things I noticed was that it would shut down in heavier grass, and I was constantly tilting it on its side trying to clear all of the clippings out from under the deck in mulching mode. It just couldn’t maintain the blade RPM needed and would stall all the time, and overall didn’t do the greatest job of mowing. Not only did it not have the power to really mulch well, but it also didn’t have the suction to stand our mix of grass and weeds up straight enough to get a clean cut either. It would always leave rows of grass and weeds that would just get knocked over more than cut, and I’d have to end up going at certain areas again from the opposite direction to get a better cut. Even more frustrating was the lack of manual power control combined with all of the irregularities of our lawn. It would leave itself in high power mode as I exited thick grass, and would drop itself down to normal power mode right as I was hitting thick stuff again, and couldn’t stay in sync. What it really needed was a High, Normal, and an Auto power control lever, but didn’t have one.

As far as yard size and capacity, our house is on an 8800 sq ft lot with a front and rear portion, about half of which is mowable lawn. In the late summer and into the fall when the grass wasn’t really growing that much, it would finish the whole yard on its 4 AHr battery with about 25% or less charge left. I knew this was pretty marginal, and I wondered how it would do in peak growing season or as the battery aged and lost a bit of its natural capacity? The answer came this past spring when the grass started growing like crazy. This forced the mower into its high power mode almost all the time, and then it could only do just over half of our yard on a single charge! I had to wait an hour for it to recharge before finishing the backyard, which was annoying. There’s a slot for a second battery right on the mower itself, but they really kill you on these batteries. 100 for another 40V 4AHr battery was a bit steep for me, especially when the mower was already under-powered and not mowing that well in the first place.

Overall I was pretty disappointed. Clearly I needed more mower, and decided to just cut my losses and get another one.

THe electric lawn mower Marketing Weasel Words

I love all of these claims about gas-like power and torque of gas for electric mowers, and how even the lower end gas mower manufacturers are playing stupid games by only advertising the peak gross torque of their gas engines. None of this tells you a damned thing, and since since when did the lawn mower market become so ridiculous with such deceptive marketing? Really? You can’t just be straightforward with freaking lawn mowers? What on earth??

Hey, I have torque of gas! If I apply my entire 260 pound weight to a bicycle pedal with a 1 foot long crank, I’m making 260 ft-lbs of torque. Sweet! So I can power a car, right? Ha! No, because how quickly can I spin that pedal while applying that force to get actual work done? Not that fast. Just like electric motors, human beings make peak torque at 0 RPM, and then our torque curves rapidly fall off from there. How much power can I really produce?

This isn’t rocket science. There’s a very simple formula for this.

Horsepower = (Torque x RPM) / 5252

Lets say I could still apply 10% of that torque at 100rpm. How much power am I making? Per the formula, (26 ft-lbs x 100 rpm) / 5252 = 0.5 HP!! Right. That’s not powering a car, or even a lawn mower. If I go all out in spinning class at the gym, I can hit a little over 1000 watts for a brief and glorious few completely unsustainable seconds, which is 1.34 horsepower (746 Watts = 1 horsepower). In that burst of glory, that comes out to about 54 ft-lbs of torque at 130 rpm (or 47 ft-lbs at 150 rpm). In reality, most professional cyclists can sustain an output of about 280-300 watts for hours on end, which is around 0.4 horsepower.

Gas torque doesn’t mean that you have gas horsepower. And what does gas-like power even mean? If an electric mower really had gas power they could just advertise the horsepower of the electric mower, right? But they don’t, so obviously they’re hiding something. If you hit a patch of thick grass at a given speed, you need a certain amount of power (not torque) to get through it. If your lawn mower doesn’t have enough power, it’s going to bog down or even stop, unless you reduce your power demands on the mower by slowing down, possibly to a crawl, such that the rate at which you’re demanding power to mow isn’t exceeding the amount of power your lawn mower can deliver.

Lawn Mowing Is An Endurance Race, Not A Drag Race

There’s an old saying that horsepower sells cars, but torque wins races. Well, that can be true for automobiles if we’re talking about runs down the drag strip, and getting a nice hole shot off the line thanks to a mountain of torque (and traction). Watch most any Tesla Model S P85D or higher at the drag strip destroying tons of exotic cars, and you’ll see what I mean. Maybe that’s what the lawn mower manufacturers want you to think, and are preying upon consumer ignorance here by advertising gross torque and not even net torque, and are constantly trying to hide the actual horsepower output! Torque alone tells you nothing.

But we’re not talking about drag racing here. We’re talking about steady state mowing with very small engines or motors running at their maximum operating speeds. Horsepower is what’s going to win this race and get your lawn mowed, without having to slow to a crawl to avoid your engine stalling. What happens to electric cars at higher speeds or from 50 km/h rolls? They make a ton of torque (and power) up to a given speed, but after that they just fall off like a rock and get walked all over by cars that don’t necessarily have more horsepower, but that maintain higher levels of horsepower to higher speeds, and thus can do more work at higher speeds. Horsepower is what you need for mowing your lawn, not gas-like power or torque of gas. That’s total BS!

How Much Horsepower Does This THing Really Have?

When it comes to actual mowing performance, all I can say about my 40V electric mower is that it’s nowhere close to my old Homelite 4 HP gas mower that I used growing up, which I guess is kinda what I was expecting or hoping for. To be fair, the manufacturer, which I’m not singling out here or even identifying, never made any horsepower claims about this mower, but it doesn’t even mow like a low end 3 horsepower gas mower would either. A 3 HP lawn mower will bog down when you start running it through thick grass, but will keep going if you’re gentle enough. This electric mower doesn’t bog down in heavy grass, it just stops. It can’t handle it at all. It will get it done, but you have to be exceedingly gentle with it. So based purely on how it mows, I’d say this 40V electric lawn mower has a best of just 2 horsepower!

I’m an engineer, so I figured I’d try to be a little more scientific than just run what ya brung type butt dyno (grass dyno?) type testing. We can get a ballpark estimate of how much power this thing is cranking out based on the energy content of the battery, and how quickly it can drain itself. The battery is a claimed 40V and 4AHr battery which means it should be able to deliver 4 Amps of current for 1 hour at 40 volts. However, while pretty solidly in high power mode, it will actually go through an entire battery in a matter of 15-20 minutes. Let’s say that it has an endurance of 15 minutes in high power mode. That means it’s drawing about 16 Amps of current. 40V x 16 Amps = 640 Watts of power.

Electrical Horsepower is defined as 746 Watts, so 640 Watts is not even 1 HP.

Umm, Houston, we have a problem here.

I haven’t precisely measured how long the battery will drain if the mower is at high power mode the entire time. Maybe it’s 10 minutes? That would be 24 Amps of current and let’s say a peak power of 1000 Watts, or 1KW. And more than likely, 40 volts is just the nominal rating of the battery, and it’s probably running more like 45 volts. And maybe the battery is really more than about 4 AHr, or there’s a variance to the high power mode that you can’t really tell to give it an extra boost when needed, and assume 100% efficiency all around which isn’t true even with electric motors, and blah blah blah.

Even being as generous as possible and making every assumption in favor of this mower that I can, I can’t get the math to work out with this thing having anything more than about 1.5 peak horsepower!

And the reality is that it’s probably really sub 1-horsepower, as I suspect.

Gas like power? Compared to what? A weed whacker??

A Honda GX35 4-stroke 35cc weed-whacker type engine is rated to make 1.3 net horsepower, so there you go. That’s what they mean by gas-like power.

What a friggin joke.

It’s Not Just Electric Lawn Mower Manufacturers

This isn’t just about electric lawn mowers, though. I have to call out gas mower companies too, for the completely misleading claims that they’re making also. What ever happened to the base model 3 HP gas lawn mowers? Well, when you see a gas mower only advertising gross torque and not horsepower, that’s apparently how they market 3 HP class gas mowers today.

A certain gas lawn mower I saw with an unnamed but very well known brand of engine was advertising itself as having 6.75 ft-lbs of gross torque. What the hell is that? Well if you look up the engine directly at the engine manufacturer’s website, you can get the full torque curve in a PDF and see that it’s actually only making 5.25 ft-lbs of gross torque at the operational speed of 3600 rpm that most gas lawn mower engines have always run at. Using the formula, (5.25 ft-lbs x 3600 rpm) / 5252 = 3.6 gross horsepower. Now keep reading the fine print, and you’ll see that’s without air cleaner or an exhaust or small muffler installed, which is absolutely NOT how gas freaking lawn mowers that can kick up all sorts of dust and debris are ever run. That would be like instant death for a mower. The actual power you’ll be getting to the pavement (the grass) is the net horsepower, so figure maybe 10% lower figures than gross. You now have 3.25 net horsepower.

Boy, 6.75 ft-lbs of gross torque at a lower RPM that the mower never operates at sure sounds a lot better, so that’s what they go with these days, and they figure that consumers are stupid enough to fall for it or just won’t know any better. Better yet, if you end up buying something that ends up not working for you due to confusion, you have to buy another lawn mower, and they love that even more. That’s what they want. They want you to be as confused as possible so that you hopefully buy the wrong thing, and then have to buy again. You see how this little scam works? Yeah (bleep) that.

So yeah, I fell for it, but fortunately was only out 199, and now needed to buy another mower. Too much money for another battery for the electric mower that I bought that doesn’t even do a very good job in the first place isn’t Smart money.

Time To Upgrade, BUt What To Get?

Considering I had done exactly zero research on this mower or electric mowers in general and just sort of hip-fired it off of Amazon and hoped it would work out, I was perfectly willing to give another electric mower a chance, now having a much better idea of what I needed. I’m not biased one way or another, and actually kinda wanted an electric mower to work out. They’re quieter and can be stored vertically and take up a ton less garage space, and ultimately are going to have much lower operational costs than a gas. I wanted an electric mower to work for me, so if I was biased at all, it was actually towards getting another electric mower.

I knew that I clearly needed something with more oomph than a 40V motor could provide, and about double the capacity of the 40V/4AHr battery. Based on a read through Consumer Reports magazine online and other reviews, which I should have checked the first time around (I’m a lifelong subscriber to CR), it looked like the EGO 56V self-propelled lawn mower with a 7.5 AHr battery probably would do the trick for me. This is actually the only electric lawn mower that Consumer Reports magazine recommends, and seems to be at a pretty good price point at 499 with the battery and cooled charger included!

At a 40% higher operating voltage and assuming all other factors are equal, this 56V EGO mower might be equivalent to about a 2.0 to 2.5 HP gas mower on its best day or peak power level. That’s still marginal power at best, but it’s important to FOCUS on how well something actually works, and less on the numbers. The Consumer Reports review was pretty favorable, as were a few YouTube reviews, but I actually saw another YouTube video of this mower grinding to a stop in the same irregular grass that I have. Not exactly confidence inspiring. I was already committing to buying a second mower, and would have been kicking myself if this next one couldn’t hack it either. I felt like I needed a mower with both double the power and double the capacity at the same time. I was confident about the EGO having enough endurance, but only 40% more assumed power just wasn’t what I was looking for. I don’t have a big yard, but definitely need the power to get through grass, crab grass, weeds, and other super thick patches of combinations of all of the above that I have, otherwise a mower will just grind to a stop like my 40V electric was doing all the time.

I was torn and could have gone either way between the 56V EGO mower with 7.5 AHr and a base level Honda lawn mower that had a 160cc engine with a legit 4.5 net horsepower that would run all day for 100 less money. I actually have a Honda powered pressure washer that I’ve owned for years now, so it’s not like I don’t already have a small gas can for it, and oil to change once in awhile.

Our homeowners association ended up making the decision for me!

Electric Would Have Been Fine, but My HOA inadvertently Convinced Me To Get Gas!

This is now a funny story, but yes, my homeowners association mistakenly cited me for grass that was too long, even though I had just mowed it literally hours before we started getting over a week of solid rain. Yes, the grass got quite long, but adding injury to insult, the alleged inspection came during all of the rain when nobody could mow. I was already pretty pissed off about falling prey to deceptive and misleading marketing practices and needing to buy another lawn mower, and now I was double pissed off about being hassled by our HOA, not yet realizing it was a mistake and meant for another property.

My 1.5 horsepower on the best possible day electric mower would have absolutely choked on this grass after all of the rain we got. It literally has weed-whacker levels of power, which explains quite a bit! I would have had to raise the deck height all the way up, and probably run through the battery a few times, and mow a few times just to get it back into HOA spec. Needless to say, I don’t have time for crap like this, and I especially don’t have the patience to be hassled by our HOA for something so absurd! My wife and I are two busy professionals with two young children at home, a dog, and a disabled person that we care for full time, and I’ve had to travel for work quite a bit lately. I just need to be able to mow when I have time to mow, and not think about if it’s dry enough, what the weather forecast says, what time of day it is, or when our HOA might be eyeing our property (we live right across the street from their office!)

So I just said (bleep) it and got a Honda HRX21VKABCDEFG blah blah blah professional grade mower with the bigger 190cc vs 160cc engine, and 5.1 net (3.8kW) all day horsepower rather than 4.4 HP with the slightly smaller engine, and paid 599 for it rather than 399 for the lower tier Honda. Yes, this is total absolute overkill for my yard, but the first time I mowed with it put a smile on my face, and I knew I had made a great choice. It plowed right through even the thickest portions of my tall and still very slightly damp grass with zero bleeps given amounts of power. It has so much power and suction that it stands even the annoying weeds straight up and delivers a nice clean cut. It’s awesome. I can mow whenever I want with my ‘big block’ Honda mower, and if anybody asks me why I’ve gone all ‘eco-terrorist’ and didn’t get an electric mower, I can point right across the street to our HOA’s office, too. 🙂

Ultimately, both I and the HOA realized the mistake at about the same time. This was actually the second fix-it notice that I had received, and there were other fix-it requests on this notice that just made no sense at all, and seemed to fit some nearby properties better. I brought it to the HOA’s attention who had already realized the mistake themselves, and were profusely apologetic about it. It didn’t change the fact that it pissed me off to high heaven at the time, and that I bought fat and happy gas mower because of it. Hey, it’s fate. I was just meant to get a gas mower. 🙂 Even if a better electric would have had enough power, it still wouldn’t have mowed as well with the raw power this gas mower has to stand everything straight up as you mow and give a nice clean cut. Our yard and mixture of grass and weeds is very irregular, which is precisely where extra power comes in handy.

A SUmmary of Electric Lawn Mower Horsepower guEsstimates

In summary, here’s my best guesstimate of actual electric lawn mower horsepower based on some back of the envelope calculations from my 40V electric mower, and comparisons with actual ownership and use of 4 HP and 5 HP gas mowers, watching a few YouTube videos and reading reviews of the 56V EGO mower, and some feedback from someone I know who has an 80V mower.

Less than 40V: don’t even freaking bother. You’re talking sub 1 horsepower here. Maybe there are some lawns out there where this might be enough, but certainly not mine!

40V class: about 1.0 to 1.5 horsepower being as optimistic as possible. Enough if you have nice even grass and few weeds, but consider this the bare minimum, and totally inadequate if you have thicker stuff and/or weeds to get through. You’ll regret it like I did. There’s a reason why none of these lower voltage electric mowers are recommended by Consumer Reports magazine.

56/60V class: maybe about 2.0 to 2.5 horsepower also being very optimistic, but finally kinda like a real gas mower. Although I haven’t used one, they seem to be reasonably powerful and enough to cut through taller grass and some weeds, but YMMV, and the video I saw of one choking on some taller grass wasn’t really confidence inspiring for a 499 investment. Given one bad experience with an electric mower, if this one crapped out on me too I’d have instant buyer’s remorse and kick myself for not just getting a gas!

80V class: I honestly have no idea. The person that I know who has one has never felt like theirs was underpowered, but every yard and perspective is different, and the 80V motors could just be setup to deliver the same amount of power as a 56/60V mower with a bit less current draw from the battery. All other factors being equal, an 80V class mower could maybe be edging closer to 3 horsepower, but who knows? The people who make these aren’t claiming gas power, either!

120V Plug In Electric Mowers: Standard wall outlets in the U.S. are nominally 120V with 15A circuit breakers, but the maximum for continuous loads is 20% below that at 12 Amps, which is just below 1500W (1440W), and why our wives’ hair dryers all have a maximum of 1500W. What’s a few watts between friends? Thus, the theoretical maximum power you can get from a standard outlet for a plug-in electric lawn mower would be 1440W / 746W (per HP) = 1.93 gross electrical horsepower. The reality with all of these electric motors is that they’re not 100% efficient. Assuming 75-80% efficiency, you’re looking at about 1.5 net electrical horsepower at the blades, which is probably a bit better than my 40V mower, as my 1.5 HP estimate for my 40V mower is based on gross consumption and not net power after efficiency losses.

How Much Horsepower Are Those “Gross Peak Torque” Ratings Worth?

What 6.75 ft-lbs of gross torque on a gas engine comes out to

The very well known small engine manufacturer that I called out earlier, and whose initials perhaps not ironically are BS, is only advertising the peak gross torque rating of their engines these days. They have a bunch of engines, but here’s the actual peak net horsepower at 3600 rpm of their engines that I had to hand calculate from their datasheet, because they don’t want you to know. Net figures include the.10% correction going from gross to net.

150cc. 6.25 ft-lbs gross TQ at 2600 rpm but 5.70 ft-lbs @ 3600 rpm = 3.5 HP net163cc. 6.75 ft-lbs gross TQ at 2600 rpm but 5.25 ft-lbs @ 3600 rpm = 3.25 HP net163cc. 7.25 ft-lbs gross TQ at 2600 rpm but 6.00 ft-lbs @ 3600 rpm = 3.7 HP net

Yes, isn’t it interesting that one of the engines with higher advertised peak gross torque actually has LESS peak horsepower than another with less torque? This is because the torque curve drops off like a rock on this engine at higher RPM, and thus it’s less powerful while mowing your lawn with the engine at its high RPM operating speed! This is why advertising lawn mower engines by their peak gross torque ratings at engine speeds they never operate at while mowing is so freaking stupid and totally misleading.

Final Thoughts

It’s so stupid that I managed to get pissed off enough at just how intentionally deceptive and misleading lawn mower manufacturers are being that I felt the need to go on a big rant and write this blog, but here we are, and here are my final thoughts.

ELECTRIC: If you want a pretty good electric lawn mower with a nice combination of both power and endurance, the EGO 56V 7.5AHr seems to be the sweet spot for both of those as of 2018, which is probably why it’s the only electric mower that’s been recommended by Consumer Reports magazine. I probably would have gotten one of these if it weren’t for the mistaken citation by my HOA.

On a final side note, I saw a customer review at the EGO site claiming that this lawn mower out-performed a 6.25 horsepower gas lawn mower. Uhh, with a new blade? And was it running properly? Were they actually running it at full power, unlike certain neighbors of mine that I constantly hear running their gas mower at idle while trying to mow their lawn? (I’m not joking!) Let’s say it actually had the same 5.1 net horsepower as my Honda, and assume 100% efficiency. That’s an output of 3.8kW, which would require 68 amps of current from the 56V battery. Based on the energy content of the battery, you would have 6 minutes of run time at that power level, and it would be smoldering hot when you were done. You would need 4 gauge wiring to handle that much current, which is what they might typically put on large electric furnaces for homes!! Call me skeptical, but this isn’t passing my sniff test at all. I’m sure it’s a great mower, but I can pretty much guarantee you that it doesn’t have anywhere close to 5 or even 6 horsepower, or even gas mower power, and they don’t even claim that it does!

I’m pretty darned sure that this person surely must have confused horsepower with the peak gross torque rating of their gas mower, and that it actually only has around 3 horsepower. That would be far more believable and make sense!

But anyways, the EGO gets a recommendation from CR and a lot of positive reviews elsewhere, so I’m sure it’s a fine mower.

GAS: For gas mowers, I would just get a Honda. The base Honda mowers are very good and highly rated at Consumer Reports, and 4.4 net horsepower is more than enough power. I’m extremely pleased with my 5.1 net horsepower (3.8 kW) Honda HRX21VKA. It will plow through anything, at any time, no questions asked, and with zero bleeps given, and has a solid warranty. It ran right through my super tall grass at full speed, and probably has triple if not quadruple the power of whatever my 40V electric mower has just based on mowing performance alone, so I know my estimate and calculations of about 1.0 to 1.5 HP peak for my electric is probably pretty accurate.

Another thing I like about Honda is that they’re actually being HONEST, and publish the full power and torque curves for the engines, and in NET horsepower and torque rather than gross. Unlike a lot of the other manufacturers, Honda has a very powerful brand name to stand behind, so perhaps they can let the quality of their products and engineering speak for itself, and don’t feel the need, or like it would be beneath them, to resort to cheap lies, dirty tricks, and lying by omission to sell their product. In a world filled with so much BS, I appreciate a company that’s honest. Thanks, Honda. There are cheaper gas mowers out there from reputable brands that I’m sure do a perfectly good job of mowing, but I can’t recommend the products of companies that are marketing their goods in such stupid and misleading ways, even if they work OK in the end.

I hope this helped!

Don’t lie or mislead about technical things to an engineer, because they’ll find you out and call you out! I really can’t believe all of the shenanigans going on in the lawn mower industry, and that I felt the need to write a blog about it, but this is just plain ridiculous. How on earth did the lawn mower industry become so freaking dishonest and misleading? What in the world?? No standards, no shame, but considering the overall topic of my website, it’s nice to have some first world problems to rant about once in awhile. 🙂 Honda is actually being honest, and so I’m happy to give them my money.

If you’re someone who has more technical information about these things, or better ability to test them than I do with insights to share, get in touch. I’d love to hear from you.

APRIL 2020 UPDATE

For awhile this has been the #1 blog on my entire website, and it gets thousands of hits per month from early spring through the summer. It’s the first search result for “electric lawn mower horsepower” on most search engines, and I appreciate all of the Комментарии и мнения владельцев and emails that I get. I’m glad so many have found this blog and enjoyed it, and hopefully gotten a laugh or two out of it. So thanks, and I figured I’d post a quick update nearly two years out from this fiasco.

I donated the electric mower to the local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store last year in 2019, so hopefully it went to a good home while contributing to a good non-profit organization, and that the person who bought it didn’t find this blog! LOL!

For the record, I do have a Ryobi 40V string trimmer, that I also got the hedge trimmer, leaf blower, and pole saw attachments for. When it went on sale last year, I also got the Ryobi 40V dedicated chain saw as much for the extra 40V battery as for having a real saw. THOSE I LIKE. They all have an appropriate amount of power, and it’s nice to have a second 40V battery now also. They’re all very nice products, and saves me the trouble of having to have another gas can with 2-cycle fuel-oil mix.

The fire-breathing 190cc Honda “big block VTEC” mower is running great. No regrets on that, but I probably could have saved myself some money by just getting the 160cc model. I was obviously pissed off when I bought the bigger one, but it seriously has “zero fcks given” amounts of power, and it puts a smile on my face whenever I plow through way too tall grass at full speed, and it just takes it. Professional grade, bruh. I bought one for my parents also, the fancier one with the electric start, because their old mower was crap. They love it too and said it’s amazing, and that they can mow their yard in half the time with it, and that it gives them a good workout keeping up with it! Lol! They have a much larger yard, but it’s too hilly and sloped for a rider, so it’s the perfect mower for them. Honda truly makes good stuff.

Thanks again for stopping by and reading!

Top 10 Best Electric Lawn Mowers in 2023 – Cordless and Battery-Powered

With electric lawn mowers, maintaining your yard/lawn is no longer a tiresome chore.

They are perfect for mowing small to medium lawns. Compared to gas lawn mowers, they eco-friendly, noiseless and affordable as well.

How to replace the lawn mower’s belt | PowerSmart

If you think electric lawn mower is the right choice for you, then consider the below factors to make an informed decision.

Types – There are two types of electric lawnmowers – corded and cordless.

• Corded mowers run on electricity and are less expensive and less convenient yet efficient.
• Cordless mowers run on battery and convenient to use anywhere but runtime depends on battery charging.

You have to choose as per your convenience and requirement.

Deck Size

It represents the area covered by the lawn mower in a single pass. Higher deck size means, you can mow the lawn within few passes. However, they need more storage space. Small deck sizes take more time to mow the lawn. So, it is recommended to go for standard sizes between 15 to 20 inches.

Motor Power

It determines how fast the blades will spin and how strong they cut the rough grass. So, based on your terrain size and grass type, you can go for either higher or standard motor power.

Apart from these key factors, we recommend you to go through the “Buying Guide”, which has all the essential information required to pick the right electric lawn mower. Based on the same factors, we have provided the Best Electric Lawn Mowers.

Best 10 Electric Lawn Mowers for Garden

Electric Lawn MowersTypeDeck SizeBuy Now

Greenworks Electric Corded Lawn Mower

Greenworks is a popular brand that manufactures and sells a wide range of products including lawn maintenance equipment, power tools, and snow tools.

This electric lawn mower is a 3 in 1 gardening equipment that allows you to mulch, side discharge, and rear bag. It runs on a powerful 12 amp motor and has 20 inches cutting width that will make short work of your lawn maintenance needs. The electric lawn mower is perfect for mid-sized yards and lawns.

You can start the lawn mower by simply pressing the start button. Depending on the length of the grass, you can set the height of the cutting blade from 7 different height adjustment positions. You can select a height between 1.5 inches and 3.75 inches.

It has 10-inch wheels in the back and 7-inch wheels in the front. They allow you to maneuver the mower without any discomfort. When not in use, you can fold the handles and store in conveniently. The deck is made of steel which makes it very durable.

One of the major drawbacks of this lawn mower is that it does not have automatic operation. You have to manually maneuver it.

Greenworks’ offers a 4 years warranty on this electric lawn mower from the date of purchase.

• Unlimited run time
• Smooth and quiet operation
• Cutting blade height can be changed
• Easy to start

Ego Power Electric Cordless Lawn Mower

Ego Power Plus is an American brand that uses patented 56V ARC batteries to provide the industry highest capacity for its power tools.

The lawn mower offers you a run time of 80 minutes on a single charge to mulch, bag, and side charge. If you want to increase the run time, you can use an extra battery. It has a 21 inches cutting blade which allows you to complete the cutting tasks quickly.

The lawn mower is powered by an efficient brushless motor that gives you a quiet operation. It is self-propelled and comes with variable speed. You can choose a speed between 0.9mph to 3.1mph depending on the size of your lawn. On top of this, you get 6 cutting height adjustment positions.

The lawn mower comes with integrated LED lights. So, you will be able to use it even during dark hours. You can also adjust the height of the handle to suit your convenience.

What we don’t like about this lawn mower is that it does not come with a dust bag to store the cut grass. Besides, the brand provides a 5 year warranty.

• Large 21 inches cutting blade for faster cutting
• Runs for 80 minutes
• Variable speed – 0.9mph to 3.1mph
• 6 cutting height adjustment
• Built-in LED lights

PowerSmart Lawn Mower

PowerSmart is reliable brand that has been providing high-quality tools and accessories for the past 10 years. Their products range specializes in lawn mowers and snow blowers that have set new quality standards in the market.

It is equipped with 170cc OHV engine which provides adequate power to mow the effortlessly. It comes with a 22-inch steel moving deck which ensures durability and performance.

This lawn mower is also equipped with forced air-cooling system which ensures the engine doesn’t get overheated and completes the job without any issues.

It has 7 different adjustment levels that range between 1.21 to 3.15 inches. It also has grass catcher capacity of 2.3 bushels.

With 14.6 gallon of capacity and labour-saving design, this device is suitable for mowing large lawns and yards without any issues. Manufacturer provides 3-years warranty on this product.

• 8 height adjustment levels
• 22-inch steel mowing deck
• 6 large capacity
• 11-inch rear wheel
• Suitable for wide range of applications
• 20-inch cutting width

American Lawn Mower Company Electric Lawn Mower

American Lawn Mower has over 125 years of experience in developing gardening tools that are reliable and meet consumer needs. The brand focuses on designing planet-conscious products that contribute to a greener environment.

The corded electric mower runs on a 11 amp motor to cut grass and maintain uniform grass length in your lawn. The mower runs quietly without producing any noise. The decent blade size of 14 inches cuts large areas of grass in a single stride. Depending on the grass length, you can adjust the cutting length between the range of 1 to 2.5 inches.

The lawn mower is lightweight at only 25.6 lbs. Besides, it is compact and has a slim body frame. You can easily carry it to your porch from your lawn.

The handle uses a cushion grip so that you won’t feel any fatigue. You can also adjust the height of the handle to suit your convenience. The 16 gallons grass bag collects the grass clippings and you can dispose of it.

The lawn mower lags in power and the 11 amps motor can not deliver enough power to cut grasses over 5 inches high. Also, the mower is not durable. You have to be careful not to hit a rock or while mowing in rugged surfaces.

The lawn mower is backed by a 2 years warranty from the date of purchase.

• 5-position height adjustment options
• Smooth and quiet operation
• Lightweight with only 25.6 lbs
• Adjustable handle with cushioned handle
• 16 gallons detachable grass clippings storage bag
• 2 years warranty

Makita Electric Lawn Mower

Makita has become a household name when it comes to power tools and lawn maintenance equipment. It has a huge product portfolio that includes more than 275 products.

The brushless motor offers an rpm of 2,500 to 3,300 that allows you to cut grass faster. The lawn mower has a Quiet mode that reduces noise by controlling the rpm and delivering a steady rpm of 2,500.

For cutting grasses and maintaining a uniform height, you can choose a length from 10 different cutting heights. The cutting height ranges from 13/16 inches – 2 15/16 inches.

The lawn mower is powered by a battery and hence you can move it freely without being limited by a cord. When you use two 5Ah batteries, you can cut grasses of up to 7,300 square feet area. After using, you can fold the handle and store it conveniently. You also get a 16 gallons grass collector with this lawn mower.

The electric lawn mower has an 18 inches heavy duty steel deck that can operate in rugged surfaces without sustaining damage. On top of this, it has a weather-resistant construction. Even if you leave it out, it can withstand harsh temperatures.

While the lawn mower is suitable for clearing large areas of grass, you can not use it in narrow areas such as pathways. Besides, the blades extend beyond the wheels that makes it difficult to maneuver. The absence of an adjustable handle does not support the cause either.

There is no mention of warranty on the product page. But, according to the brand’s official website, all battery-operated power tools come with 3 years of warranty from the date of purchase.

• 18 inches cutting blade clears large areas of grass
• 10 cutting height adjustment positions
• Cuts 7,500 sq. ft. area on a single charge
• Dedicated quiet mode to reduce noise
• Durable and weather resistant
• 16 gallons grass collector bag
• 3 years warranty
• Difficult to maneuver
• Handle can not be adjusted
• Can not cut grass in narrow areas

BlackDecker Electric Lawn Mower

BlackDecker is a perfect go-to brand for trustworthy products ranging from power tools to small appliances.

The lawnmower you can see from the brand has a decent cutting width of 17 inches and a 1 to 3-inch adjustable cutting height.

This efficient lawnmower is completely eco-friendly as it runs with electricity, unlike conventional motors that run with gas that emit harmful fumes. It consumes just 12 amps of electricity which means it is a good energy-efficient appliance.

You don’t have to go through much hassle like ripcords and whatnot to start this mower as a simple button pushing would do. For convenience and absolute control, the mower offers pivot control handles.

The mower is designed to improve your lawn health and for that, it is designed with a winged blade that yields a clipping collection 30% better.

It offers you absolute control over it even on thick grass with its specially designed rugged wheel treads. Measuring 31 x 19 x 16 inches in dimensions, this mower can be stored away easily when not in use.

• 17-inch cutting width
• Adjustable cutting height
• Easy to start
• Eco-friendly
• Lightweight

Snapper Electric Lawn Mower

Snapper is one of the leading brands in developing yard maintenance tools that are easy to use and operate. Some of its popular products are leaf blowers, walk mowers, riding tractors, string trimmers, and hedge trimmers.

Snapper’s electric lawn mower is powered by 2 82V lithium ion batteries that give you up to 90 minutes of run time. Coupled with the 19 inches blade, the electric lawn mower will make short work of your yard maintenance tasks. It has a 3-in-1 function that allows you to mulch, bag, and side-discharge the grass clippings.

The lawn mower comes with a load-sensing technology using which it automatically adjusts the mower depending on the demand of the cutting blade. It features the standard push-start button that makes it easier to start.

You get 7 different cutting height adjustments with this lawn mower to choose the height of the grass in your yard. The lawn mower will cut the grass uniformly depending on the height you have selected.

There is a large grass bagger to collect up to 2.1 cubic feet of grass clippings. Once you are done with it, you can fold the mower and store it in compact space.

One of the major disadvantages of this lawn mower is that it is quite heavy. The weight increases when you use two batteries. This makes it difficult to maneuver the lawn mower, especially in tight spaces. Besides, the brand’s customer service is poor and it is difficult to find authorized repair stores.

• Powered by 82V lithium-ion battery
• Uses 19 inches blade for large clearing
• 90 minutes of run time
• 3-in-1 function
• 7 cutting height adjustments
• Easy push-start button
• Load-sensing technology for automatic power adjustment
• Grass bagger with 2.1 cubic feet capacity
• Heavy and difficult to maneuver
• Warranty is not specified
• Poor customer service and difficult to find authorized repair centers

BlackDecker Electric Lawn Mower

BlackDecker is a popular brand of power tools and small appliances that has been selling reliable products since 1843. The brand strives to create practical and meaningful products to make life easier.

BlackDecker has used a 10 amp motor to drive a 15-inch blade for powering through the grass. The blade has a winged design that allows you to collect 30 percent more grass clippings than other lawn mowers. This saves you from the extra work of blowing or side-discharging the grass clippings.

The handle of this lawn mower has a bike-handle design with a soft grip so you can maneuver the lawn mower effortlessly. Besides, the lawn mower is lightweight with only 7 lbs that allows you to maneuver it in tight spaces without any difficulty.

Like most electric lawn mowers, it comes with the push button to get the motor running. There are 6 adjustable cutting heights you can choose from. With these height options, you can cut the grass ranging within heights of 1 inch to 3 inches.

The wheel treads are rugged and can ride smoothly in rough terrains. You will not feel the vibration. The lawn mower allows you to fold it for compact storage.

What we don’t like about this lawn mower is that the grass clippings do not enter the collector bag. The grass clippings get clogged in the holes and fly away everywhere. Also, the cord is loosely connected to the power outlet and disconnects when the mower is maneuvered.

• Uses 10 Amp motor
• Uses 15 inches blade
• Winged blade design collects more glass clippings
• 6 adjustable cutting heights
• Lightweight with only 7 lbs
• Foldable for compact storage
• Comes with collector bag for grass clippings
• Rugged wheel treads

LawnMaster Electric Lawn Mower

LawnMaster leverages innovative engineering designs and motor technologies to develop solutions for lawn maintenance. LawnMaster’s lawn mowers come with comfort grips and forward-thinking design to make lawn maintenance easier for the end users.

LawnMaster’s electric lawn mower runs on a powerful 12Amp motor that delivers up to 3,600 rpm. Along with this speed and the 19 inches cutting blade, you can clear large areas of grass on a single stroll with zero effort. The lawn mower offers a 2-in-1 function using which you can mulch and side-discharge the grass clippings.

The cutting blade has 6 adjustable height positions. You can cut the grass to a height of 1.5 to 4 inches by adjusting the height of the cutting blade. There is a one-touch height adjustment lever to choose the desired height. The cutting blade locks in position and your yard will have grass of uniform height.

With the easy push button and brushless motor, the lawn mower practically runs itself. There is no maintenance involved.

Even though the lawn mower weighs 35 lbs, you can effortlessly maneuver it. The wheels are 6.7 inches in size and further help in moving the lawn mower easily even in tough grass and rough terrains. The handle is foldable allowing you to fit the lawn mower in tight spaces.

One of the major downfalls of this lawn mower is that it does not have a very durable construction. Some users have complained of oil leakage and the plastic flap located on the back of the mower deck getting damaged.

• Runs on a powerful 12Amp motor
• Delivers up to 3,600 rpm
• Uses 19 inches cutting blade
• 6-adjustable height positions for cutting blade
• Cuts grass up to 1.5 to 4 inches
• One-touch height adjustment lever
• Easy to maneuver
• Foldable handle
• Weighs 35 lbs

Earthwise Electric Lawn Mower

Earthwise brand, which is a part of American Lawn Mower Company, has all the essential products to give your lawn the best care possible.

The electric lawnmower from this brand runs with an 11-amp motor that is powerful enough to smoothly trim your lawn with a 14-inch cutting width and an adjustable cutting height of 2.5 inches.

As it purely runs with electricity, there is no harm caused by it to the environment, unlike conventional gas mowers. Weighing 26 pounds, this lightweight mower comes with a compact frame and gal grass bag along with a grass level indicator to let you know when it is time for grass disposal.

You can adjust the height of the handle into a position that is convenient and comfortable for you. It features the most prominent mulching system that is not only efficient but quiet.

This corded mower does not occupy more space than it needs. You can easily store it away in your garage when you are no longer using it.

• 11-amp motor
• 16 gal grass bag
• 14-inch cutting width
• Adjustable cutting height
• Lightweight
• Easy to handle

How to Choose an Electric Lawn Mower?

It would be really frustrating to invest in a model that doesn’t suit the requirements. To prevent wasting your money on a wrong model, we recommend considering the factors mentioned in this buying guide. This information helps you shortlist the right model as per your needs.

Corded Vs Cordless Mowers:

Electric lawn mowers are available in both corded (plug-in) and cordless (battery-powered) models.

Corded Electric Lawnmowers – Here, the mower will run by drawing power continuously from an outlet and thereby its mowing power won’t reduce with battery charging. It is the best option for mowing small lawns or lawn with thick grass. Though it is less expensive yet less convenient/comfortable to use because of its power cord and its extensions. Its power cord will let you know how far you can mow.

Cordless Electric Lawnmowers – The battery-powered mower is used anywhere a lawn requires cutting. It is the best option for mowing larger yards or lawn full of trees. In general, the battery runtime will be 30 – 60 minutes and has to be recharged. The drawback is its battery charging, as mowing power reduces when the battery level gets low. It’s worth investing in a second battery to continue your mowing process when the first one runs down.

Push Vs Self-Propelled:

Based on its movement (manoeuvrability), electric lawnmowers are available in two types – Push type and Self-propelled lawn mower. Let’s know about them in detail.

Are you concerned with tiredness (or) your lawn having thick grass or turf, which need extra force to cut through? Then this self-propelled mower will be your best companion. It is equipped with a motor that makes it work great for larger lawns or lawns with thick grass/weeds. You won’t require any physical effort, as the motor generators power to move the mower. It is a bit expensive than push-powered models.

It is the best option while dealing with smaller lawns or lawns with thinner grass. Choosing the best-corded push lawn mower is affordable and offers less maintenance, but you have to push it forward to move the mower, which includes most physical efforts and may result in back or leg strains for aged people.

Deck Size Cutting Swath:

A general rule for proper mowing is – deck size should equate to the width of its cutting swath. So, a mower with a big deck will cut a more significant path in every pass and thereby mow the lawn in a few passes. Thus, it saves your mowing time and the power of your mower.

A bigger deck works best on thicker grass and offers you an extra smooth cut than a small deck. In case, if you have a push type with a big deck, then it is hard to push the mower. Also, doing some extra work may have a chance of quick battery exhaust. Remember, unlike a small mower, it is not easy to store a big mower. So, the bigger the mower, the more room it occupies to store in a garage.

Most experts recommend to buy an electric mower with either a too big or too small deck for your lawn. The standard size of a deck for an electric mower should be 15 – 20 inches.

Motor Power:

Always choose the electric mower with enough energy/power to mow the thicker and taller grass. Or else whatever features it has, everything will go into vain.

So, the motor size will let you know how fast your mower blade will spin and how strong it can cut against the rough grass. The motor power is measured in terms of Amps. We recommend you choose a mower’s motor power based on the grass type and lawn sizes.

POWERSMART 80V LITHIUM ION ELECTRIC CORDLESS 26” WIDE DUAL BLADE SELF PROPELLED LED LIGHT LAWNMOWER

• For a bigger lawn or thick/tall grass, use a mower with a 12-amp motor
• To manage a small lawn with short grass, go with a mower having 8-to-10-amp motor power.

Height Adjustment:

No one wants to trim the grass too short, as they turn to brown or die, and don’t try to cut tall grass with a mower, which is low to ground. So, a height adjustment is an essential feature to check in all types of mowers, including this electric one.

In general, most manufacturers offer mowers with multiple cutting width adjustment settings. You can choose a mower with 3 – 4 height adjustment settings that will provide great flexibility to work well on any type of grass, and in any kind of terrain conditions.

Discharge Settings:

Modern mowers come with a grass management system, which includes various features like mulching, bagging and side discharging for the grass they cut.

• Bagging – Collect the grass clippings into the bag for disposal (or) mulching.
• Mulching – Helps to turn grass clippings into natural fertilizer and give back your yard.
• Side Discharge – It scatters the grass cuttings on the side while mowing, which you have to clean up later.

This grass discharge system is not found in traditional mowers. Not having a grass-catching bag, which makes you sweep all those grass clippings (thrown out through the sides of the mower) later to keep your yard clean.

So, a mower with a grass management system will be your best choice, as it prevents the stress of the later clean-up process after mowing. These are a bit expensive, yet worth investing in to manage your grass clippings effectively.

Mower Size and Width:

Usually, a large mower will have a large deck. As we all know that, a large and heavier mower is a bit harder to push maneuver, especially, if you have a small lawn or thicker grass. We spend some quality time with these mowing activities. So, choose a mower that is comfortable and easy to use.

Weight:

Weight is an essential factor to consider while shopping for these types of consumer machines. The reason is that we will spend some time dragging this mower around and no one wants to strain their hands and back.

A lightweight mower is easy to use/maneuver and also it is easy to store in a garage/shed. While heavier mowers are more difficult to maneuver and also takes up a lot of space for their storage. But these electric lawnmowers are compact (size) and not having a gas engine will make them lighter than gas-powered or traditional mowers.

So, one can easily carry this lighter electric mower around. In case, if you’re using a cordless mower, then the left-over charging in the battery will let you take it back to the garage in the middle for its charging.

Cord Size:

One has to consider this option while planning to purchase a corded electric mower. It is a must to buy the extension cords to use the corded mower effectively and effortlessly. Here, the lawn radius will determine the length of extension cords to use for mowing your yard.

For small-medium yards, the cord length will be from 50 – 100 feet with a thickness of 12 – 14 gauge, whereas it would be more for bigger yards. Choosing a high-rated extension cord will assist you properly in mowing the lawn. Though this rating will depend mainly on the wire size and the number of amperes. This indicates thicker wires ensure more power supply through the cord.

Voltage:

One has to consider this option while shopping for a cordless battery-powered mower. Here the voltage describes the strength of the battery. A mower with a higher voltage can easily handle even difficult tasks, but mowers with high-voltage batteries are heavier and expensive. On average, the battery range used to power a cordless mower will be 20 – 82 volts. High voltage batteries will generate more power and offer extra torque for more cutting power through dense grass.

Battery – Performance and Charge Time:

The runtime and charging time of a battery are vital to consider while choosing a cordless mower. Let’s know about them.

Battery Runtime – The runtime of most batteries will be from 30 – 60 minutes and one has to consider their lawn size and terrain type to choose a mower with a proper runtime. For instance, a mower with a 30 minutes battery will work fine for small yards. While the runtime will be more for larger or complicated lawns.

Charging Time – Another feature to estimate the battery’s quality. Usually, a few batteries regain their full charge within 30 minutes, whereas others may take a bit longer than 3 hours to charge fully. In case, a battery with a long charge time won’t matter much while trimming the whole lawn in one go. If the battery takes more than 1 charge cycle, then these three hours can get deadly fast.

Note – Irrespective of the runtime or charge time of your mower batteries, you have to choose a backup battery. It will let you charge one while using the other to complete the mowing task quickly.

Compatibility:

The manufacturers of an electric lawnmower consider this mower as a single piece of equipment. They manufacture battery to be compatible with various other equipment. So, check for the other devices available (like chainsaws, string trimmers, leaf blowers, etc.) from the same manufacturer, which is compatible with this battery.

Durability:

We want to use the machine for a longer time without any issues. So, be sure that a mower from the engine to the wheels, everything should be made of top-notch quality. This will ensure that your machine will work for many years. Also, read the customer reviews and ratings on a particular mower before buying it, to know about its quality and durability.

Safety Features:

Mostly the safety issues arise while using an electric corded mower. Since electricity passes through the cord, it should be heavy to provide safety. The corded mower is safe to use when handled properly and having safety features like child lock, flaps, and guards (to protect the operator from shooting debris).

Push Button Start:

One can start an electric mower by using several methods like a starter key, handle or a button. But most experts suggest you use a push button to start the device, as it is easy quick to start and convenient to operate.

Wheel Size Type:

The size and type of wheel will affect the grip and movement (manoeuvrability) of a mower while mowing your lawn. So, you have to check this feature while shopping for an electric lawnmower.

Wheel Type – A mower with soft rubber wheels will provide a smooth run and better traction. While hard ones will not roll smoothly and provides less traction.

Wheel Size – A general rule is, the bigger the wheels, the better you can move easily. So, irrespective of ground type (even or uneven), you should get a mower with its back wheels a bit bigger than front wheels for easy movement.

Blade Quality:

Always prefer to choose lawnmower blades, which are built with corrosion-resistant, durable, strong and high-tensile materials. This will retain their sharpness for a longer time and thereby increase the duration between its sharpening sessions.

Ease of Use:

Here are a few check-list, which let you use a mower with ease of use. Have a look at them.

• Check the cord length while selecting a lawnmower, as the cord won’t interfere with the grass cutting process.
• The mower with an adjustable handle height will let you make use of it by any of your family members.
• Select the mower designed with padded, ergonomic handles to prevent chaffing or blisters on your hands while mowing.
• Also, pick a model that offers a primary ignition system that ignites with either a button or a key or both. Thus, it works easier than gas mowers.
• Choose the mower that comes with a minimum warranty of 3 – 5 years, against its manufacturing defects.

Price:

The electric lawnmowers come within the range of 100 – 1000, as it depends on the build quality, type of the mower, extra features, and brand of the product.

• The price of corded electric lawnmowers will start around 100. Though they are affordable, one has to invest in a high-quality extension cord for its proper usage.
• Cordless mowers will cost a bit expensive, and their range will be from 200 – 800. Most customers prefer to pay extra for the convenience of battery power.

Electric Lawn Mowers – Advantages Disadvantages:

Before purchasing an electric lawnmower, one has to know all about its benefits and drawbacks. Have a look at them.

• There is no need to store flammable gasoline in your shed or garage.
• Unlike gas-powered/traditional mowers, no need to have engine maintenance like refilling engine oil, changing spark plugs and filters for this mower.
• Irrespective of the type of electric mower, it will cost around 5 – 10 to operate the mower for a single growing season. While gas-powered mowers, which uses fuel to operate will cost around 15 – 25 per session.
• This type of mowers is environmentally friendly, as they won’t produce hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide or other fossil-fuel fumes.
• In general, an electric mower will produce 65 – 75 decibels of noise, which is equal to the noise of an operating washing machine (or) a conversation between two persons. Whereas gas mowers will generate sound between 95 – 100 decibels of noise, which is comparable to a loud motorcycle.
• Corded mowers have limited cord length, usually around 100 feet from an exterior power outlet.
• How long the batteries of a cordless mower hold its charge will determine its runtime/mowing time.
• These are not powerful/efficient as gas mowers and a bit difficult to mow thick lawns or dense grass.
• Never operate electric mowers on wet grass, as it comes with a risk of shock. Also, accidental mowing over the cord of a mower will result in causing electric shocks.
• On average, cordless electric mowers are a bit more expensive than a gas mower.

Maintenance Tips:

Maintaining your lawnmower is as important as buying the best lawnmower as per your lawn requirement. So, look at its maintenance tips and follow them regularly for its proper ad long-lasting performance.

• Go through the user manual before you start using this mower to know all about its procedures (operating cleaning) and maintenance routine, which help you to make better use of it.
• It is best to clean the mower after its every use to keep away germs and bacteria from the machine and keep the blades sharp as well. Most models have a built-in washout port to make the cleaning job much easier. Also, clean mower carburetor several times.
• Blades tend to become dull over a course of time. So, they require constant sharpening at least once every 2 – 3 months to cut grass effectively.
• A battery-powered mower will run on the engine and it requires regular oiling to ensure its long lifespan.

Safety Tips for An Electric Lawn Mower:

Below are some basic precautionary measures one has to follow for operating a mower safely and securely.

• It is a must to read the user manual of a machine thoroughly before its operation to know how to operate, maintain and clean them effectively.
• It is better to walk in your yard before you start the mowing process. This will help to clear away any material on the lawn to have a proper mowing effect.
• Wear proper footwear when you’re mowing the lawn to reduce the potential hazards of injuries.
• If your children are interested in mowing the lawn then it’s best to stay by their side. Thus, they can learn how to mow the lawn properly.
• A continuous running of a machine will heat up the engine. So, avoid touching the hot engine part that may result in severe burn injuries.
• Avoid using a corded electric mower on wet grass. It is a universal reason that doesn’t mix water and electricity. So, mowing wet grass results in electrical short or shock.
• Driving your mower with blades out on a gravel driveway will weaken the quality of the blade and thereby makes them dull to chop. So, never do it in this way.
• It is not advised to run your fingers to remove any material/twig when the machine is working on, it causes injuries. Always try to remove any obstructions from the mower after turning it off.
• While using a corded mower, you should mow away from the cord. For this, you have to start mowing back and forth towards the house, starting near the electrical outlet and mow in swaths. This will keep the cord out of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Ans: In general, electric mowers need a little less maintenance than gas mowers. Here are some ways which let you maintain your mower effectively. Store the mower in a dry place like a covered shed or garage for storing after use. Regularly clean/remove any stuck-on grass clippings under the mower deck before and after its use. Sharpen their blades once every 2 months. Clean the blades and bags after their use.

Ans: As we already mentioned, electric mowers a bit less powerful than gas mowers. But no worries, this electric lawnmower will work best for small – medium-sized lawns or lawns having thin grass (not ultra-dense).

Ans: Yes, it is a must to use an extension cord while using corded electric lawnmowers. The reason is that they have an insufficient shorter cord, which makes them unable to mow effectively. So, complement your mower with an appropriate extension cord.

Ans: Usually, it depends on the quality and built material. So, an electric mower can last for 5 – 10 years. While using a lithium-ion battery for a cordless mower, you have to replace it every 5 years.

Ans: Although, there are plenty of brands, including newcomers manufacturing these mowers, that has flooded the market. This makes it quite difficult to choose the best one that comes within your budget. As per our research, you can choose makers like STIHL, American Lawnmower, BlackDecker, Green Works, Bosch, Sun Joe, Ryobi, Ego, and Husqvarna.

Ans: Usually, electric mowers are easy to start than gas mowers. They come with a simple button press, which is located either on the handle or side/back of the frame. While larger models come with pull bars or other safety locks to stop the mower from starting till you hold the handle in a certain way. Whereas other models have simply designed to press the start button to start and operate the mower.Instead of using a corded or cordless mower, you can look for modern mowers, which offer both corded plug and cordless battery. Here the battery works as a backup source by charging while running on an electric outlet. This will help you to operate effectively and grab the benefits of both types of electric mowers.

Final Words to Say…

So far, we’ve included the information related to the Lawn Mowers and in what way it is helpful to make the garden/yards look attractive. If you’re the one looking for best lawn mowers available in the market, then you must consider several key factors like run time, blades and attachments, mower type, price and warranty details.

Greenworks Electric Corded Lawn Mower is our top pick from the list of best lawn mowers that are in great demand. It comes with 7inch front, 10inch rear wheels, 20 inch steel and 12A powerful motor deck to maximize the usage capabilities. It is possible to adjust the mower in 7-different positions.

To start the mower, simply plug-in the cord to a power source and push start button to operate with hassle-free functioning. The manufacturer offers a backup of 4 years warranty and there’re very good online reviews and ratings too.

If you’ve any queries regarding Electric Lawn Mowers, feel free to share with us in the comment section. We’re pretty happy to clarify them as soon as possible.

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