Tiny electric lawn mower. Best Electric Lawn Mower 2023 – Battery-Powered Mower Reviews

Best Electric Lawn Mower 2023 – Battery-Powered Mower Reviews

As the mowing season comes up on the horizon, it’s time to offer our recommendations for the best electric lawn mowers in 2023. Whether your top priorities are for large lawns, small lawns, high value, or something in between, our experts have weighed in on these best battery-powered lawn mower models.

The good news—there are a lot of quality battery-powered lawn mowers to choose from this year!

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Ask in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below and we’ll let you know what our choice would be!

Considering gas models, too? Check out those in our best lawn mower recommendations!

Best Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower Overall

Commercial Pick: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Boasting a monstrous 10 ft-lbs of torque (more than a 200cc gas engine!), Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel self-propelled lawn mower is the strongest battery-powered walk-behind we’ve tested so far. Using a pair of 12.0Ah batteries, it can run up to an hour in light conditions and we ran it for more than 40 minutes when taking off 4 – 6 inches of growth. If there’s a downside, it’s that the drive thumb bar introduces some thumb fatigue, but we were able to adjust our grip to deal with it.

The mower also has a tough build designed to handle professional use while offering the convenience of single-point height adjustments and vertical storage. While there are larger options now available (such as Greenworks’ 82V 30-inch), Milwaukee’s price tag is much easier on your budget.

Price: 1099.00 with two 12.0Ah batteries and a dual-port Rapid charger

Residential Pick: EGO 56V Select Cut XP Self-Propelled Lawn Mower With Speed IQ

The EGO Select Cut mower became an instant favorite of ours with its stacked-blade system and solid performance level to go with its excellent cut quality. EGO stepped it up with the release of the Select Cut XP, taking everything we already loved and stepping up the torque to 8.3 ft-lbs. Now, it’s taking the next evolution by adding Speed IQ.

Speed IQ is a drive system that automatically adjusts with the pace you’re walking. Unlike Toro’s Personal Pace system, this doesn’t use springs and a sensor in the handle arms. In fact, there’s no physical movement we were able to detect at all. Yet EGO’s sensor perfectly adjusted in our tests. Is it magic? No, but there’s some crazy-good engineering in play.

Price: 599.00 bare, 999.00 with a 12.0Ah battery and a Turbo charger

Best Self-Propelled Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

As self-propelled models, our recommendations from Milwaukee and EGO top the charts in this category, too. Here are two more outstanding options for you.

Commercial Pick: Greenworks Commercial 30-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

At Equip Expo 2022 (formerly GIE), we got our hands on the Greenworks Commercial 30-inch lawn mower. As the first in the 30-inch class for the commercial market, it’s an eye-opener for Pros who have been skeptical of battery power.

As we saw from the 25-inch version, the mower uses two side-by-side blades to achieve its cutting width. Thanks to brushless technology, it cuts with 16,000 fpm blade tip speed, making for clean cuts and efficient bagging/mulching and exceeding the power of a 200cc gas engine.

It’s Smart, too, taking advantage of 4G coverage to provide GPS tracking. On the “why didn’t they do that sooner?” list, it has a reverse function for its independent hub wheel motors.

Price: 1999.00 bare tool, 2999.00 with three 8.0Ah batteries and dual port charger.

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless CrossCut AWD Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Ryobi crushed it with the development of the 40V HP Brushless CrossCut self-propelled lawn mower, making huge strides over its previous generation of mowers. Matching up very well against EGO’s Select Cut XP, it’s a stacked blade design that offers excellent power and cut quality. Where it has a clear advantage over its competitors is on the side discharge. This mower distributes clippings far better than other battery-powered lawn mowers we’ve tested.

With the upgrade to an all-wheel-drive system, the design team made it selectable so you can run AWD when you need it and just the rear wheels when you don’t. Plus, Ryobi builds this mower in the US using global materials.

Price: 849.00 with two 6.0Ah batteries and a Rapid charger

Toro 60V Stripe Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Toro is introducing what is probably the most compelling battery-powered lawn mower for 2023. Using its 60V battery platform for power (there are also gas models), it’s making the jump to a stacked two-blade system similar to EGO’s Select Cut and Ryobi’s CrossCut models. What Toro is doing differently is adding a built-in striping feature, leaving your lawn not with just a clean cut, but also a professional finish.

Price: 629.00 bare, 729.00 with 7.5Ah battery and charger

Best Electric Ride-On Lawn Mower

Commercial Pick: Greenworks Commercial OptimusZ Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

At Equip Expo 2023, it was clear that Pros have more battery-powered ride-on lawn mowers than ever, and more are coming. Greenworks revealed its second generation as it moves from the LithiumZ mowers to the OptimusZ line and embraces a whole-system approach.

With several ride-on and stand-on ZT options up to 60 inches, there’s a wide range for professional crews to build from with the runtime to back up a full day of mowing. Greenworks also unveiled a trailer to support a 100% battery-powered crew, including up to three ride-on/stand-on mowers. Taking it another step further, the team is also working on a version of the OptimusZ that can run with an operator or fully autonomous. We got to see a working prototype at Equip Expo.

Residential Picks

If you’re looking for a residential battery-powered riding mower, there are several really good choices. Of those, two rise above the rest this year.

EGO E-Steer Residential Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

While some will argue EGO’s 54-inch zero-turn is the better option because of its wider deck, the EGO E-Steer is turning heads this year. It has a zero turning radius but uses a steering wheel rather than lap bars for turning. If the traditional lap bar steering system has been keeping you from going to a zero-turn model, it’s a big win.

Even if you’re comfortable with lap bars, there’s still a reason to consider the E-Steer system. EGO shifted the control panel from the side of the mower to the center of the wheel. Now they’re conveniently in front of you where it’s easier to keep an eye on your battery status and make quick adjustments.

Price: 5999.00 with four 12.0Ah batteries and onboard charger (scheduled for May 2023 launch)

Ryobi 80V iDrive Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

Ryobi is also joining the alternative control group this year. These 80V zero-turn lawn mowers feature the iDrive system that uses joystick control. Whether you want to think of it as playing a video game or flying a grass-maintaining fighter jet, it doesn’t take long to get used to.

For its first-generation iDrive models, you have three deck sizes to choose from: 30, 42, or 54 inches. They primarily use a suitcase-style 80V battery that can also be supplemented by 40V batteries to extend your runtime. With performance levels reaching up to that of a 42 HP gas engine, cutting power isn’t a problem.

Price: 5999.00 – 7999.00 ready to mow

Best Cordless Push Lawn Mower

EGO Select Cut Push Lawn Mower

EGO’s Select Cut mowers were the first to introduce a stacked two-blade system to battery-powered lawn mowers. By cutting high first and then following with a lower cut, you get a cleaner finish with finer clippings. EGO packs that performance and a host of convenient design features into an easy-rolling push mower for those of you who don’t want or need a self-propelled model.

Price: 379.00 bare, 649.00 kit with 7.5Ah battery and Rapid charger

Best Cordless Mower for Small Lawns

Skil PWRCore 20 18-Inch Lawn Mower

The joy of a small lawn is that it doesn’t take long to cut and you can go with a smaller mower that takes up less space. A 17 or 18-inch deck is great for that kind of lawn. The good news is, you don’t have to sacrifice all the features of larger mowers to get.

Our top pick is Skil’s PWRCore 20 18-inch lawn mower. It has the benefits of a brushless motor, folds up for vertical storage, and its 20V batteries are compatible with Skil’s entire line of PWRCore 20 lawn and power tools.

Price: 299.00 with two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger.

Best Electric Lawn Mower for Large Lawns

Ryobi 80V 30-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

We knew it would take something special to displace Greenworks 60V 25-inch mower as our top choice for large lawns. It’s taken a couple of years, but Ryobi has an 80V 30-inch self-propelled model that’s taking over.

Like the iDrive ride-on mowers, the 30-inch walk-behind uses an 80V suitcase-style battery for power. The brushless motors turn two sets of stacked twin blades, making for a total of four. By going that route, Ryobi keeps the overall blade mass down while achieving the large cutting width, performance, and runtime it needs to make sure you get the job done well.

This one is slated for launch later in the Spring. Check Home Depot for availability.

Best Budget Cordless Lawn Mower

Skil PWRCore 40 20-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Here’s the challenge: find a brushless self-propelled lawn mower with a battery and charger for under 400. When it comes to the brands we trust, there aren’t many options.

Skil offers a lot of value with its 20-inch self-propelled lawn mower. Running on the stronger PWRCore 40 line, this brushless mower has excellent all-around performance and cut quality characteristics compared to others in the same price range. If you’re trying to make the switch to battery power on a budget, Skil offers the best value self-propelled lawn mower available.

Price: 399 with 5.0Ah battery and charger

Best Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower: Options From Brands We Trust

Best Echo Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

Echo phased out its 58V battery lineup in favor of a completely new 56V eForce line (sorry, the old batteries are not compatible with the new tools) and that includes a new mower, the self-propelled DLM-2100SP. It’s a solid design that presses all the right buttons and makes for a well-rounded machine. It doesn’t challenge the power levels of the top performers, but it doesn’t have their price tags, either.

Price: 449.00 bare, 549.00 with a 5.0Ah battery and charger

Best Greenworks Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

Greenworks has a couple of excellent CrossoverZ battery-powered ride-on lawn mowers to choose from. They use the same 60V batteries that power its other mowers and lawn care equipment (there are 80V versions, too). The design is a very easy transition if you’re switching from a gas mower and you can choose between a zero-turn or lawn tractor design.

Best HART Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

HART stepped up with its SUpercharge 40V brushless self-propelled mower, demonstrating that the brand can make a mower capable of cutting 3/4-acre lawns. The performance level is in the 160cc gas engine class thanks to two active battery ports and the two 6.0Ah batteries included in the kit. Compared to the mowers we’ve used from HART before, this is by far the most capable for those of you holding out for a mid-range gas replacement.

Price: 598.00 with two 6.0Ah batteries and a Rapid charger

Best Husqvarna Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

Husqvarna launched a 20-inch commercial-grade 3-in-1 battery-powered self-propelled lawn mower with an aluminum deck and front bar to protect the battery/motor housing. The W520i notably is compatible with a battery backpack. It doesn’t fit as cleanly as Makita’s ConnectX since you still need to run an adapter into the battery slots, but it does take the weight off of your back and keep you from being tethered. It also has a higher-than-normal cutting range that tops out at 4.5 inches.

Take a look at Husqvarna’s Lawn Xpert mower—a Lowe’s exclusive for 2023!

Best Kobalt Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

Kobalt is quietly still making excellent electric lawn mowers and the 80V line is where its performance peaks. The most recent is a 21-inch rear-wheel-drive system with an upgrade to the handle system that makes folding it forward for vertical storage easier. In addition to its excellent cutting power, Kobalt also makes efficient use of its batteries, running up 60 minutes with a 6.0Ah battery. Plus, its high 4 1/8-inch top cutting height is great for tall grass species and reclaiming neglected areas.

Price: 699.00 with a 6.0Ah battery and charger, 749.00 with two 4.0Ah batteries and charger

Best Makita Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

One of the biggest challenges with any battery-powered electric lawn mower is runtime. Makita put that problem squarely in its crosshairs and developed the ConnectX system. Unlike other designs, the 1200Wh power supply attaches directly to the top of the mower, offering more than 3x the capacity of most cordless mowers and running up to 3 hours continuously.

Similar to the 18V X2 (36V) XML08, the mower tops out at 2800 RPM with a 2300 RPM Quiet Mode and has a true 21-inch steel deck.

Price: 949.00 bare, 1399.00 power supply (2348.00 for both)

Best STIHL Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

STIHL has been a little more cautious in entering the electric lawn mower market and upgraded the line with a couple of self-propelled models. Of the two available, the STIHL RMA 510 V is your top performer. It features a 21-inch steel deck (20-inch blade) with a tougher build than the 460 series and its 3.9-inch top cutting height is appropriate for taller grass species. The one downside is that this model runs through batteries quickly compared to other self-propelled mowers.

Price: 599.99 bare, 749.99 with AP 300 battery and charger

Best Electric Lawn Mower: What We Look For

Power

Brushless motors make testing power much more challenging because of their ability to sense and adjust to the load the blade is experiencing. To gauge it, we cut an overgrown section of grass to a manageable height and follow it up by seeing how short we can cut an even standard height section of grass.

The more effectively a battery-powered lawn mower can reclaim overgrowth and the shorter it can effectively cut a baseline height, the more working power it has.

Runtime

How much runtime an electric lawn mower has is only part of the equation. The best information is how much area you can cut on a charge. We start with a section of grass cut to a standard height and then see how long we can mow on one battery charge as we cut it down to 3 inches.

Once we know that, we calculate the maximum area you should be able to mow without having to stop and recharge.

Cut Quality

We test three basic areas of cut quality: evenness, bagging efficiency, and mulching efficiency.

Evenness is simple enough—we gauge how even the cut is by looking for blades that stick out and areas that may have been cut shorter than intended.

Bagging efficiency is a matter of seeing how much grass is left behind compared to the amount that is collected in the bag.

Mulching efficiency takes in consideration the size of the clippings the mower drops and whether it creates any clumping or trailing.

Build

We consider the quality of the build based on the materials and how well the mower is put together. We’re looking for solid components that will last well beyond the warranty period, a rigid construction, and protection for the electrical components and batteries.

Hills, Slopes, and Uneven Terrain

Sure, it’s Florida and we don’t have many legit hills. But we do have sloped lakesides and ditches to go along with plenty of uneven ground. We drive or push our mowers to see how well they hold wheel traction mowing uphill, downhill, side-to-side, and bumping along.

Features

In addition to any standout features, here’s a list of the standard items we look for:

• Brushless motor
• Drive type and function
• Deck size
• Deck material
• Height adjustment
• Height range and number of levels
• Handle positions
• Discharge options
• Battery ports

Value

For our team of experts, value is much more than just price. It’s about what you get for what you pay. An expensive model may very well be the best battery mower value if it’s performing far enough ahead of the budget brands to justify it.

Best Electric Lawn Mower Buying Guide

As you’re deciding on the best battery lawn mower for you in 2022, there’s a lot to consider. These electric mowers are a long way away from when we started with battery power.

Best Electric Lawn Mower. Top 10 Best Electric Lawn Mowers in 2023

What’s Your Budget?

While you can get a battery lawn mower for less than 300, plan on spending at least 500 for a quality model and more than 700 for the best electric lawn mowers.

That can cause a bit of a conflict. When you look at what you can get for the same price on a gas mower, you get more power and features from that gas engine. It won’t have the noise, emission, and maintenance benefits, though.

Are Battery Riding Mowers Viable?

There are a few riding mowers available for both professional and homeowner use. Professional crews have options such as Greenworks’ Lithium Z zero turn (they also have a battery-powered UTV).

Homeowners have more choices with well-known brands Ryobi, Cub Cadet, and EGO (along with several others) providing a handful of zero turns and more traditional lawn tractors.

The models we’ve tested work well and do the job they’re designed for. However, there are two key trade-offs you need to keep in mind. One, there’s a big premium on the cost compared to a gas model. Two, at the moment, you need to plan for long charge times.

A third consideration is simply that this class of electric lawn mower is still relatively new. It’s possible to keep a gas model running for 10 years or more and repower it if necessary. With a full electric power plant, we simply don’t know what kind of service life to expect with proper maintenance.

As battery technology continues to move forward, keep your eyes open for the first graphene or silicon lithium batteries. They’re able to take a charge much faster than standard lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries and have the potential to get you back in the saddle quicker.

Residential or Commercial Quality?

On the surface, there’s not a huge difference between commercial-quality and residential-quality walk-behind battery lawn mowers.

At the high end, power doesn’t seem to vary much (though Milwaukee just changed that expectation). In fact, one of the most powerful we’ve tested—EGO’s Select Cut XP—is technically a residential model.

What commercial battery mowers have going for them is a design and feature set that’s much more tuned in to what professionals ask for. Some of that is merely the difference between what homeowners and professional crews prefer on a mower. But there are differences in the quality of the components that brands choose for their separate lines. Commercial mowers have to be ready for far more service hours each week.

Brands such as Greenworks Commercial, Husqvarna, and STIHL rely on their dealer networks rather than big box stores. You get additional support during and after the sale that you won’t find at other retailers.

Electric riding mowers are a completely different ballgame. With those, you’ll find a much greater difference in design and performance, along with a massive gap in cost.

Self-Propelled vs Push

Considering a self-propelled drive doesn’t have a huge effect on your runtime, it’s a feature you should get if it’s in your budget. Look for variable speed controls and try working it in the store before you bring it home. You can usually tell in just a few minutes if it’s comfortable and natural for your hands.

Look for a mower that disengages its drive easily when you want to pull the mower back. Some systems have a hard time letting go and force you to drag the drive wheels rather than allowing them to roll.

Let’s not completely rule out the classic push mower style, though. When you’re on a budget, you can easily save 100 or more without losing cutting performance if you’re willing to carry more of the workload.

If that’s the direction you’re heading, look for a poly deck to help reduce weight and wheels with bearings and low rolling resistance to make your job a little easier.

Self-Propel Drive Adjustment

Our testing team generally prefers a variable speed dial separate from the presence bar. Taking a different approach, Toro’s Personal Pace and Ryobi’s Smart Trek systems offer a self-adjusting speed that some folks like.

As you’re trying different adjustment styles, look for one that’s on the stiffer side or has positive stops. This will reduce the chances of accidentally knocking it to a different speed if your hand hits it or the terrain is bumpy.

Keep an eye on the location of the dial as well. Front and center is convenient to make adjustments on the fly. However, some people hit that position with their hand or hip as they turn. If that’s you, you might prefer your adjustment on the side so you don’t accidentally change your speed with each turn.

Steel vs Poly Deck

In the gas-powered world, there are really no poly decks—most are either steel or aluminum. The cordless lawn mower world is much different with poly decks in every direction.

Steel is more durable, but it’s very unlikely you’re going to wear through a poly deck over the life of your battery-powered lawn mower. Poly also has an advantage in design. It’s much easier to make subtle changes in the shape that optimizes airflow for better lift, mulching, and bagging than a steel deck.

As we said, steel is more durable. If you have a lot of small rocks you kick up when you’re mowing or perhaps your teenager doesn’t pay quite as much attention as you’d like, then a steel deck can extend your mower’s life. Plus, it just looks good.

Bag, Mulch, or Side Discharge?

You probably already know whether you prefer to mulch or bag. Here in central Florida, we usually mulch to return nutrients to the lawn and avoid stopping every 10 minutes (literally) to dump the bag.

Sometimes, however, you go on vacation or the weather prevents you from hitting your normal mowing day. That’s when side (or rear) discharge becomes helpful.

Instead of keeping the grass up in the deck for finer mulching, it kicks it out. You could bag it, of course, but you’d spend a lot of time emptying. For the sake of getting your cut back under control, side discharging can help keep you moving along when your grass gets long.

Look for a mower that gives you all three options and keep that side discharge chute somewhere handy just in case you need it.

Deck and Blade Size

Most of the best electric lawn mowers have 20 or 21-inch deck sizes with slightly smaller blades (Several brands list the actual blade diameter rather than the deck diameter).

There are smaller models appropriate for smaller lawns or areas with a lot of landscaping to work around.

There are also larger models. Greenworks Commercial and Greenworks 60V both have 25-inch models available. Battery-powered riding mowers run up to 52 inches or more on the residential side and 74 inches for commercial.

The larger deck sizes are most helpful on lawns over 1/4-acre where they offer more significant time savings. For lawns 1/4-acre or less, the standard 20 or 21-inch deck is usually fine.

Single Point vs Multi-Point Deck Height Adjustment

There’s no doubt that single-point height adjustments are more convenient than adjusting each wheel. The relatively lighter weight of cordless lawn mowers also makes it a more viable solution.

Don’t completely discount two or four-point adjustments, though. A four-point system typically has a more rigid construction over single point. Plus, you can kick your front wheels one notch higher than the rear to improve your bagging efficiency.

This one is really about what your preference is. We find most people set their height once and leave it, so a four-point system may not be all that bad from a convenience standpoint.

Multiple Battery Ports

If you have a lawn that’s more than 1/3 of an acre, there’s a good chance you can benefit from multiple battery ports. There are three possibilities: a second storage port, a second active port with a manual switch, and a second active port with automatic switching.

Automatic switching is the most convenient and usually comes on higher-priced mowers. Manual switching and simple storage take some extra effort, but not as much as going back to the garage or trailer for another battery.

Height Range

The majority of electric lawn mowers have all the height range you need to cover a wide variety of grass species. If you prefer to cut at heights over 3-1/2 inches or under 2 inches, just double check that the mower you’re looking at covers it.

Why Buy an Electric Lawn Mower?

The best electric lawn mower for you should get your lawn cut on one charge. No matter which model that is, they all share some common characteristics. There are no gas emissions and no gas engine to maintain. You still need to clean it off when you’re done, but the maintenance is much easier and takes less time.

They’re also quieter. The early bird gets the worm and if you want to start mowing at 7:00 on Saturday morning, your neighbors can probably sleep through it. of a night owl? Many battery-powered mowers have headlights, and you’re unlikely to disturb your neighbor’s Lord of the Rings marathon at 10:00 PM.

Those are some of the more obvious reasons, but one of our favorites is the ability to put the battery in and mow. There’s no cranking, no choke, and no fuel cut-off valve. As long as you have enough batteries to get the entire lawn cut, it’s an easier system to work with than gas.

Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Ever check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they actually tested the tools or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers?

That’s not us. We only recommend what we’d actually use, even if we don’t earn a commission from it. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.

We’ve been in business since 2008 covering tools, writing reviews, and reporting on industry news in the construction, automotive, and lawn care industries. Our Pro reviewers work in the trades and have the skills and experience to know whether tools can perform well in the field.

Each year, we bring in and review more than 250 individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year.

We consult with innovators in the technology and design of tools to gain a broader grasp of where these products fit and how they work.

We work with more than two dozen professional contractors around the United States who review products for us on real job sites and consult with us on testing methods, categories, and weighting.

We’ll provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readers—including objective evaluations of individual tools and products.

The end result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize each and every time we pick up and test a tool.

Best Lawn Mower for Small Yard

When entering the world of lawn mowers, it’s possible to become overwhelmed by the amount of variety there is on offer. Each lawn mower has its own unique features, benefits and disadvantages. When deciding on which mower is best suited for your lawn, one must consider the facts surrounding your circumstances.

Small yards don’t often require the best, high-end lawn mowers to mow them. In fact, most of the more expensive options available, such as ride on mowers and self-propelled mowers, are tailored to larger lawns.

Even though some of these larger lawn mower varieties can be ruled out, there are still plenty of types available which are ideal for smaller yards.

Choosing the Right Lawn Mower

Choosing the right lawn mower for a smaller yard can be difficult, as most lawn mowers aim to be more effective on larger lawns. When choosing a lawn mower for a smaller lawn, there are a couple of things to consider.

Yard Shape

An irregularly shaped lawn may require a lawn mower that is easier to maneuver without messing up the lawn. This can also be said for lawns that may have obstacles on them, such as statues or sprinkler heads.

Power Type

Lawn mowers can be powered by a few different sources. Gas, electric, battery powered and push mowers all have different capabilities due to the power source that they use. The power source of your lawn mower matters less when mowing a small lawn, as it will require less power and time to complete the task.

Size

The size of your lawn mower can have many consequences. Not only are larger lawn mowers best for large lawns, they’re also harder to store and harder to maneuver and push due to their weight.

Features

Each lawn mower has its own features depending on the make and model. Some of these features can include mulching options, mulch bags, safety features, speed settings, and the drive that it runs in.

Preference

Everybody is entitled to their own preferences, and certain styles of lawn mower are preferred above others on an individual basis. If torn between two models, sometimes the best one is the one you like the look of more, and that’s okay.

The Best Lawn Mowers for Small Yards

The lawn mower you deem the best will be based on your own preferences and circumstances. Whilst not all these lawn mowers may be ideal for your situation, they each have their own benefits which are ideal for use on small lawns.

Budget Option – American Lawn Mower Company Push Reel Lawn Mower

• 4-blade reel mower with a cutting width of 14” and durable 8.5” polymer wheels for maximum maneuverability. Lightweight at only 19 pounds. Reel Lawn Mowers are great for small lawns.
• This push lawn mower has an adjustable blade height of 0.5”-1.75”. Capable of cutting grass up to 4 inches tall and is less effective on taller grass.
• Manual grass cutter is environment-friendly alternative to other lawn mowers. This push mower is pollution-free, noise-free, low maintenance, lightweight and easy to use.
• A reel mower uses a cutting action that does not bruise or damage the blades of grass. For best results using a reel push mower, mow no more than 1/3 of the grass blade, so that the roots stay intact.
• Increase the amount of overlap while using your push mower if your lawn reaches a height of 4 inches or more. It’s better to mow smaller amounts more frequently than it is to let the grass get long. Try not reel mower when the grass is wet.

Push mowers have a certain level of charm that goes along with them. Being one of the oldest types of mowers still available for purchase, these reliable pieces of kit have been improving and reforming for the past century that they’ve been around. The American Lawn Mower Company Push Reel Lawn Mower is handy as it can mow lawns without any source of power needed, except a person to push it along. This type of lawn mower is completely emission-free, fairly quiet and the most eco-friendly option when it comes to mowing a lawn.

Specifications:

• Ideal for only the smallest of spaces
• Takes longer to mow with
• Requires a decent amount of strength

Goplus 14” 12-Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower

• 【Easy Safe Push-Button Start 】The walk-behind lawn mower can be easily started by pressing the dual switch buttons on the handle, without the need for oil or gas. This dual switch design not only makes this corded lawn mower convenient to operate, but also ensures user safety, perfect for people with no operating experience.
• 【2-in-1 Design Large Collection Box】Featuring 2-in-1 function, this electric lawn mower meets your needs for mulching or collecting grass by attaching or disassembling collection box. (Two steps to install). Meanwhile, 30L large collection box helps you finish the job quickly and conveniently without dumping the collection box frequently.
• 【Adjustable Cutting Height】3-level adjustable cutting height: 1”, /1.6”, /2.2” always provides the perfect cut on all types of grass, which is also easy to adjust through wheels. And equipped with four big 5.5” wheels, the corded lawn mower is certain to provide smooth and stable cutting performance, also labor-saving to operate on grass.
• 【Steel Cutting Deck 12 Amp Motor】With 14 steel cutting deck, push lawn mower gets the job done faster and more efficiently. Meanwhile, the powerful 12 Amp, 3600 RPM motor provides a great balance between maneuverability and cutting capacity. Also, corded design features unlimited use time without the hassle of charging, which allows you to clean the yard anytime conveniently.
• 【Foldable Lightweight Design】The push lawn mower measures 43.5” x 15.5” x 37” (L x W x H) and only weighs 15 lbs, characterized by a gripe on top. With such compact and portable design, our lawn mower is perfect for use in the home backyard or garden foldable handle makes lawn mowers space-saving and convenient to storage when not in use.

Corded lawn mowers are always a suitable option for smaller yards due to the finicky nature of the attachment cord. The Goplus 14” 12-Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower is a cut above the rest in this regard as it is specifically designed with small yards in mind. The 14” deck is on the smaller side of decks available for purchase, and keeps it more compact whilst in use and in storage. The Goplus 14” 12-Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower makes a great alternative to reel mowers and banqueshes the additional effort needed to successfully use a push mower.

Specifications:

Power Source: Corded Electric

The 10 Best Lawn Mowers for Small Yards in 2023

When looking for a lawnmower for small yard, you may need a compact yet powerful mower to easily cut through thick and tall grass in open and confined spaces.

However, finding the best mower for small yards may be overwhelming, given the numerous options in the market. For this reason, we saw it noble to research and review the ten best lawn mowers 2023 for small yards and a guide to influence your buying decision.

We based our selection on the mowers with:

• Compact size
• Durable blades
• Easy maneuverability
• Small and durable deck
• Ease of use features, etc

Our Top 10 Picks

Our top-rated lawnmowers for small yards include:

• Best Corded: Greenworks 12 Amp 20-Inch 3-in-1Electric Corded Lawn Mower
• Most Lightweight: Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 304-14S 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower,
• Best Reel Push: American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower
• Best Battery Powered: Worx WG779 40V Power Share 4.0Ah 14″ Cordless Lawn Mower
• Best Self-Propelled: Snapper 1687914 21″ SP Walk Mower Kit, Self Propelled, Red/Black
• Best Budget: Great States 204-14 Hand Reel 14 Inch Push Lawn Mower
• Most Versatile: BLACKDECKER 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower, String Trimmer Edger, 12-Inch (BESTA512CM)
• Best Bagging: Sun Joe MJ401C 14-Inch 28-Volt Cordless Push Lawn Mower,
• Lightest Option: BLACKDECKER Electric Lawn Mower, 12-Amp, 17-Inch, Corded (BEMW482ES)
• Best Foldable Handles: Greenworks 10 Amp 16-inch Corded Mower

Keep reading to learn about their features, pros and cons, and a buyer’s guide.

Best corded: Greenworks 12 Amp 20-Inch 3-in-1 Electric Corded Lawn Mower

When looking for a mower to cut grass in your mid-sized lawn, do not go beyond the Greenworks 25022 small electric mower. It features a powerful 12 amp motor and a 20 inches long-lasting steel deck to give you fast and precise cuts.

What made us rank 25022 as the best lawn mower for small yard is its ease of use. For instance, the mower is easy to start by pressing a button. Use the single lever height adjustment mechanism to adjust the cutting height to any seven positions within 1.5 and 3.75 inches.

Being one of the best electric lawn mowers for small yards, this small electric lawn mower offers you mulching, side discharge, and bagging options for discharging the grass clippings.

You can use the mulching and side discharge options to return the grass clippings onto the lawn. On the other hand, the bagging option is ideal if you don’t want to litter your lawn with grass clippings.

Moving the mower across the lawn is easy given the integrated four wheels and the ergonomic handle.

What is more interesting is that the mower has no limited runtime. You can use it as long as it’s connected to the power mains.

After mowing, you can fold the handle for compact storage.

Pros

• No limited runtime
• Fast cutting speed
• 3-in-1 discharge options
• Adjustable deck height
• Durable construction

Specifications

Power source: Corded electricMaterial: Alloy steelStyle: Manual reelSize: 26.9 x 16.1 x 18 inchesWeight: 56 poundsCutting Width: 20 inchesHeight range: 1.5 up to3.75 inchesAmperage: 12 ampOperation mode: ManualRuntime: No limit

Most lightweight: Scotts Outdoor Power Tools 304-14S 14-Inch 5-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower

The Scotts mechanical lawnmower might be your ideal option if you are looking for a green mower that is silent and emission-free. It is man-powered, meaning it will rely on your power to work.

We loved this mower’s durable heat-treated alloy steel blades, which eat on the grass in a scissor-like action to deliver precise cuts.

Using the integrated height adjustment mechanism, you can tailor the cutting height between 1 and 1.75 for precise and even cuts.

The lightweight nature of this mower, the integrated 8.5-inch composite wheels, and the cushioned T-style handles make it easy to push the mower in and within your lawn.

Unlike its gas-powered and electric counterparts, the Scotts push lawn mower does not require regular maintenance. All you need is to maintain the sharpness of the blades to maintain their cutting efficiency.

Pros

• Durable blades
• Easy maneuverability
• Adjustable cutting height
• Best for physical exercise
• Eco-friendly

Specifications

Power Source: ManualMaterial: Alloy steelStyle: Reel onlySize: 41.73 x 19.61 x 26.18 inchesWeight: 18.08 poundsCutting Width: 14 inchesHeight range: 1″ up to 1.75″Operation mode: Self-propelled

Best Reel Push: American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower

Another green alternative for gas powered mowers is the 1204-14 push reel lawn mower by the American Lawn Mower Company. It boasts a 14-inch 4-blade reel for delivering quality cuts through thick and tall grass.

The cutter blades feature a heat-treated alloy steel construction to overcome the most obstacles and maintain their sharpness. This explains why the manufacturer claims that the blades can retain their sharpness for five years.

You can set your preferred cutting height using the featured height adjustment mechanism at any point between 0.5 and 1.75 inches.

The mower’s lightweight, composite wheels and ergonomic handles make it easy to push and transport the machine.

Pros

• Easy to assemble and use
• Cheap option
• Adjustable cutting height
• Durable blades
• Great tool for workout enthusiasts

Specifications

Power source: ManualMaterial: Alloy steelStyle: PushSize: 20 x 24 x 42.5 inchesWeight: 20 poundsCutting Width: 14 inchesHeight range: 0.5 up to 1.75 inchesOperation mode: Manual

Best Battery Powered: Worx WG779 40V Power Share 4.0Ah 14″ Cordless Lawn Mower

The next mower on our list is the WG779, 40V cordless lawn mower by Worx. It boasts two 20V, 4.0Ah lithium-ion batteries that can support mowing up to 5,000 square feet.

interesting about this mower is the integrated intellicut technology, which lets you shift the mower to high power when you encounter tough grass and back to standard power to save energy.

Additionally, the mower features a 6-positions height adjustment mechanism to allow you to tailor your most preferred cutting height within 1.5 and 3.5 inches.

The mower offers you mulching and bagging options for discharging the grass clippings on the rear end.

specifically, the mulching option features a mulching blade for reducing the grass clippings to a smaller size before returning them onto the lawn. The reason behind the installation of the mulching option was to offer an efficient way of adding organic nutrients to the soil.

On the other hand, the bagging option is ideal if you don’t want to litter your lawn with cut grass. It includes an easy-to-remove 0.85 bushels bag for holding the cut grass for disposal at a designated location. The integrated full bag indicator will alert you when the bag is ready for removal.

The featured battery level indicator helps keep your battery level under watch so that the battery doesn’t run out of juice while mowing.

Pros

• Includes indicators for battery and full bag
• 2-in-1 discharge options
• Clean and fast cuts given the Intellecut technology and the powerful motor
• 6-height adjustment options
• Powerful batteries

Specifications

Power source: BatteryMaterial: Alloy steelStyle: PushSize: 52.99 x 14.5 x 39 inchesWeight: 29.1 poundsCutting Width: 14 inchesHeight range: 1.5 to 3.5 inchesOperation mode: ManualVoltage: 40 VRuntime: Up to 1/8 acre / 5,000 sq ft

Best Self-Propelled: Snapper 1687914 21″ SP Walk Mower Kit, Self Propelled, Red/Black

The snapper 1687914 is your go-to option if you are looking for a compact mower with a powerful motor and various easy-to-use features for your mowing business. Its 82 volts motor runs on two Briggs and Stratton 2.0Ah batteries, which can support up to 45 minutes of non-stop mowing.

The mower is easy to use. For instance, you can start the mower by pressing the start button on the handle. And tailor the cutting height to your perfection use the 7-position height adjustment lever.

Another notable feature of this easy-to-use lawn mower is the 21-inch deck with bagging, mulching, and side discharge options for disposing of the grass gripping. Use the mulching and the side-discharge options if your lawn care customer requests you to return the grass clippings onto the lawn. The bagging option is ideal if you want to clear all the cut grass from your lawn.

The efficiency of this mower is further enhanced by:

• The integrated load sensing technology, which detects the need for mower cutting power and adjusts accordingly
• The ergonomic four wheels and handle for easy maneuverability
• Compact design, allowing for easy storage

Pros

• Fast and efficient cuts
• Adjustable height
• Easy to assemble and use
• Multiple waste discharge options

Specifications

Power source: BatteryMaterial: Alloy steelStyle: PushSize: 44.5 x 21.5 x 19 inchesWeight: 80.9 PoundsCutting Width: 21 InchesHeight range: 7 cutting heightsVoltage: 82VoltsOperation mode: AutomaticRuntime: up to 45 minutes

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Best budget: Great States 204-14 Hand Reel 14 Inch Push Lawn Mower

If you are looking for an environmentally-conscious lawnmower to replace your carbon-emitting gas mower, then do not go beyond the 204-14 reel lawn mower by the Green States. 204-14 reel lawn mower boasts heat-treated alloy steel blades to give you clean cuts in the long run.

The 14-inch reel’s four blades work in a scissor-like action to give clean and leveled cuts without shredding or ripping the grass blades. You can adjust the blades to your favorite cutting height within 1 and 1.75 inches.

With 8.5 inch composite wheels, an ergonomic handle, and 20 lbs weight, the 204-14 Hand Reel lawn mower is easy to move in and out of the lawn. Also, its lightweight and compact designs make it easy to store and transport the mower.

The 204-14 Hand, Reel Push lawnmower is motor-free. That means you don’t have to worry about the noise, carbon emissions, and regular motor repairs of gas-powered engines. Looking at it from a different angle, the lack of a motor means you should be ready to sacrifice your energy.

Pros

• Durable blades
• Easy to maintain
• Highly portable
• Environmentally friendly
• Adjustable height

Specifications

Power source: ManualMaterial: Alloy steelStyle: Reel onlySize: 23 x 8.5 x 13 inchesWeight: 20 poundsCutting Width: 14 inchesHeight range: 1 up to 1.75 inchesOperation mode: Manual

Most Versatile: BLACKDECKER 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower, String Trimmer Edger, 12-Inch (BESTA512CM)

Make clean cuts using the Black and Decker’s BESTA512CM corded electric mower. This 3-in-1 device offers you mowing, trimming, and edging options to let you perform multiple cutting operations with a single tool.

The small electric mower is meant to cut through small spaces, with a 6.5 amps gasless motor with a POWERDRIVE™ Transmission, 8000 rpm cutting speed, 1.6-inch cutting height, and 12-inch cutting width.

Its lightweight design coupled with four wheels and the auxiliary handle allows you to easily move the mower in and out of the lawn.

Another notable feature of the BESTA512CM corded mower is the automatic feed pool, which conveniently stores your power cord.

The 3-in-1 mower is the most ideal for:

• Mowing through small yards and inclined areas where the typical mowers cannot reach
• Trimming hard to reach areas where you cannot trim with typical mowers
• Edging flower beds, sidewalks, and borders

Note: you can adjust the cutting height to any position between 1.6 and 2.4 inches

Pros

• 3-in-1 machine
• Highly portable
• Best for confined areas
• Delivers smooth and fast cuts

Specifications

Power source: Corded electricMaterial: Alloy steelStyle: PushSize: 15 x 7 x 37 inchesWeight: 9.9 poundsCutting Width: 12 inchesHeight range: 1.5 up to3.75 inchesAmperage: 6.5 ampsOperation mode: AutomaticRuntime: No limit

Best Bagging: Sun Joe MJ401C 14-Inch 28-Volt Cordless Push Lawn Mower

The next best small yard mower on our list is the MJ401C, a 14-inch cordless lawn mower by sun Joe. It boasts of a 600w powerful motor and 14-inch cutting deck, which work together to deliver clean cuts throughout your lawn.

Its 600W powerful motor runs on 28V 4.0 Ah lithium-ion batteries, which support up to 25 minutes of non-stop mowing.

Press the button on the handle section to start the mower.

The mower is easy to push given the ergonomic handle, the integrated four wheels, and the 23.1 pounds weight. The mower’s compact design allows you to cut through small lawns easily.

Use the integrated battery level indicator to monitor the remaining juice level to avoid running out of power while still on the lawn.

Another good thing about this mower is that it lets you tailor your cutting height within 1.18 up to 2.52 inches using the 6-position height adjustment mechanism.

Better still, the mower comes with a Detachable 10.6 gallons bag to let you capture all your grass clippings for organized disposal.

Specifications

Power source: BatteryMaterial: ABS plasticStyle: PushSize: 61.5 x 21 x 16.5 inchesWeight: 23.1 PoundsCutting Width: 14 inchesHeight range: 1.18 up to 2.52 inchesAmperage: 6.5 ampsOperation mode: ManualRuntime: Up to 25 minutes

Lightest Option: BLACKDECKER Electric Lawn Mower, 12-Amp, 17-Inch, Corded (BEMW482ES)

Looking for a lightweight and emission-free lawn mower for small yard to help with your cutting needs? Let BEMW482ES electric lawn mower Black and Decker do the job for you. It boasts a 12 amp brushless motor and 17-inch deck to allow you to cut through dense grass with ease.

The mower is easy to use. Press the button on the handle to start the mower. You can adjust your favorite cutting height between 1 to 3 inches using the 6-position adjustable height mechanism.

When it comes to disposing of the grass clippings, the mower comes with a winged blade to reduce the cut grass into smaller sizes and channel them from the deck to the holding bag.

The cushioned handles and the rugged wheels enhance the mower’s maneuverability throughout the lawn.

Pros

• Easy to maneuver
• Adjustable height
• Clean and fast cuts
• Zero emissions

Specifications

Power source: Corded electricMaterial: Alloy steelStyle: PushSize: 31 x 19 x 16 inchesWeight: 4 PoundsCutting Width: 17 inchesHeight range: 1 up to 3 inchesAmperage: 12 ampsOperation mode: ManualRuntime: Unlimited

Best Foldable Handles: Greenworks 10 Amp 16-inch Corded Mower

The Greenworks 25142 Corded Mower boasts a 10 amp motor, 16-inch deck, and 5-positions height adjustments to let you make fast and even cuts through thick grass.

The mower is easy to start with the press of a button. The 5-positions height adjustment mechanism lets you customize the cutting height to any of the 5 points between 5/8 and 2-5/8 inches.

Moving the mower within the yard is easy, given the mower’s ergonomic handle and wheels.

The mower offers you mulching and bagging options on the rear end to let you dispose of the grass clipping with ease. All you need is to shift to your favorite disposal option.

Pros

• Adjustable cutting height
• Fast and precise cuts
• Highly mobile
• Multiple options for disposing of cut grass
• Easy to store given the foldable handles and compact design

Specifications

Power source: Corded electricStyle: PushSize: 31 x 19 x 16 inchesWeight: 37.5 PoundsCutting Width: 16 InchesHeight range: 5/8 up to 2-5/8 inchesAmperage: 10 ampsOperation mode: ManualRuntime: Unlimited

Buyers Guide: Considerations to Make When Buying A Lawn Mower

Choosing the best lawnmower for small yard doesn’t have to be a daunting task. This section outlines the various considerations you need to make to make the right pick.

Power Sources

Generally, lawn mowers for small lawns fall under the reel, corded, cordless, and gas-powered categories.

The reel push lawn mowers are operated manually. They don’t rely on electricity or gas to cut through grass, but your power. They are the greenest and the cheapest option to buy and maintain. Their compact and lightweight nature suits them for use in small lawns.

Corded lawn mowers are cheaper and lighter than cordless and gas-powered counterparts. They are ideal for use in small lawns since they must be tethered to the electricity mains to function efficiently.

The cordless mowers are battery-powered. They are relatively more expensive and heavier than the corded lawnmowers. Their application in the yard is limited to battery run time, and they can work for both small and large lawns.

Gas-powered lawn mowers are the heaviest and the most expensive lawn mowers. They are powerful enough to clear both large and small lawns in no time. However, their noisy and carbon-emitting engines and their high price reduce their mowing efficiency.

Deck Width

The width of a deck determines the lawn area you can clear on each stripe and the time it may take you to finish mowing the lawn. Specifically, a wider deck will take you less time to mow up the lawn.

However, this does not qualify for wide-deck mowers for use on your small lawn. A small deck may be handy when you want to mow through narrow and hard-to-reach spaces. That is why you should familiarize yourself with your mowing needs before shopping for a mower.

Mobility

The mobility of the mower is another important factor to consider when shopping for a mower. You can tell how mobile a mower is by looking at factors like:

The Weight

Lightweight mowers are easier to move in and within the lawn than heavy ones. Make sure you pick a mower that won’t give you a hard time when pushing it on your lawn.

Method of Propulsion

Some mowers are partially self-propelled to reduce your push effort, while others are entirely manual, meaning that they rely on your energy to move around the lawn.

The self-propelled lawns may be your best bet if you have a steep small lawn. If you must go for a manually propelled mower, we recommend the lightweight options.

Carrier Handles

If you own a mowing business, it’s important to note that your mowing team will have to carry the mowers to the customer site. You should go for mowers with ergonomic carrier handles to allow for easy transportation.

Noise Level

Go for low-noise electric and reel mowers so that you won’t disturb the neighbors with noise when mowing your small lawn.

Final Words

When looking for a mower for your small lawn, you should FOCUS on mowers that help you accomplish your cutting needs efficiently while conserving the environment. That means going for electric and reel push lawn mowers.

If you are new to the mowing business, we have reviewed the top-rated lawn mowers and the factors to consider to give you an idea of the mower you should pick. Check us out to get more insights into starting and nurturing a successful lawn care business.

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With Real Green Lite’s lawn care software, you can eliminate the guesswork and manage your entire lawn care business in one single, complete platform.

The 7 Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers of 2023, According To Testing

We put these battery-powered lawn mowers to the test to see which left our lawns looking fresh.

Andrea Wurzburger has been a writer for nearly a decade, with experience writing for publications like HerCampus.com, REDBOOK Magazine, VH1.com, and People.com. As a features writer at People.com, she wrote across verticals about everything from gift guides to buzzy pop culture galleries.

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a FOCUS on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants.

In This Article

Whether you’re looking to save money on fuel or do your small part to save the environment, battery-powered lawn mowers are an easy way to do so without sacrificing function. Battery-powered mowers are cordless, don’t use gasoline, and are typically best for small to medium-sized yards.

There are a few important factors to consider when looking for the best battery-powered lawn mower, according to Nicole Durden, senior merchant of outdoor power at The Home Depot.

“Be mindful of the size of your yard,” she advises, since over half an acre will require more battery power. “Consider the terrain and the drive system on the mower. Customers with steep or hilly yards should consider a self-propelled mower.”

Best Self-Propelled Push Mower

EGO Power Select Cut 56-Volt 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower

We’ve chosen the Ego Power LM2101SP Cordless Lawn Mower as the best self-propelled push lawn mower because it is easy to use, thanks to a powerful self-propel feature that makes it perfect for small- to medium-sized yards.

Self-propelled mowers use the motor to propel the mower forward, which means it takes less of an effort on the user’s part to cut the grass. During our testing, we noted that it may be ideal for those with limited strength or mobility since it doesn’t require as much muscle use as other push mowers.

It has six different height settings for lawn mower blades, which range from 1.5 inches to 4 inches. While testing, we found that it was simple to adjust the cutting height, the propelling speed, and the height of the handle with just one hand. It comes with LED lights, so if you are looking to beat the heat and mow your lawn before the sun rises or as it is setting, you will still be able to see what you’re cutting.

This lawn mower offers 60 minutes of run time on a single charge with a 56 volt 7.5Ah ARC lithium battery. This means that it is best suited for a small to medium-sized yard of 0.5 acres.

This unit made our list not only for its cutting capabilities, but also its disposal option. It offers three options for use: mulching, side discharge, or bagging. Although we loved having options for disposal, we found that attaching the bag for disposal was not an easy task on our own as it would sometimes pop off on one side as we pulled it tight to attach to the other—we think having an extra set of hands could be beneficial.

One feature we loved was this mower’s storage capability. Whereas some mowers can take up quite a bit of space in your garage or outdoor shed, the Ego Power Mower can fold in order to be stored away.

Price at time of publish: 700

Product Details: Run Time: 60 minutes | Height Adjustments: Six | Recommended Yard Size: 0.5 acres | Deck Width: 21 inches

Best Budget

Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Electric Push Lawn Mower

The Greenworks Cordless Lawn Mower is our pick for the best battery-powered lawn mower for those on a budget. It has five height settings, mulching, and rear bagging capabilities.

For a push mower, it’s lightweight at 37.5 pounds—as light as our pick for best lightweight mower. Some lawn mowers on this list weigh as much as 66 pounds.

With this mower, even though you have to do the work of pushing it around the yard, it makes the task much less difficult. It also has five height adjustments to choose from, this lawn mower can cut from 1.25 inches to 3.375 inches.

When it comes to mowing, it’s important to have a plan when it comes to handling your clippings, and this lawn mower offers options for both mulching and rear bagging. It even comes with a collection bag, should you choose to use it.

Keep in mind that this battery-powered lawn mower only has 45 minutes of run time on a full charge. Its 16-inch deck width also means that you clip less grass per pass, so it could take longer to mow your yard.

If you don’t have a small yard, this could present a problem, as you’ll have to pause to recharge. The good news is, the battery reaches full power after two hours.

Price at time of publish: 255

Product Details: Run Time: 45 minutes | Height Adjustments: Five | Recommended Yard Size: Up to 0.33 acres | Deck Width: 16 inches

Best Lightweight

BlackDecker 40V Max 16 inch Cordless Lawn Mower

We chose the BlackDecker Cordless Lawn Mower because it is affordable, and it is only 38 pounds, which makes it easy to maneuver around your yard. The mower’s technology also makes it simple to use as it determines the height of your grass and adjusts accordingly to increase power and preserve battery life.

Because it’s lightweight, it is also a pretty compact model, with handles that fold down to make storage simpler. Additionally, this model has carrying handles that make moving it easy. It’s the best battery-powered lawn mower for people who need a mower that is lightweight and convenient to carry.

This battery-powered lawn mower has plenty of practical features as well, and includes six cutting heights that range from 1 inch to 3 inches, and the single lever height adjustment is easy to use.

It also has a 9.5 gallon grass bag, which is attached to the back of the mower. The bag is made of soft fabric with a hard top, and it’s simple to check its capacity with a simple tap on the soft fabric.

With a 16-inch deck, plus a 30-minute run time, it can mow yards up to 0.125 acres big. If you have a yard larger than this, you’ll find yourself either switching out batteries (it does come with two) or stopping to recharge them.

Price at time of publish: 330

Product Details: Run Time: 30 minutes | Height Adjustments: Six | Recommended Yard Size: 0.125 acres | Deck Width: 16 inches

Best Push Mower

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower

The Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21-Inch Mower is our choice for best battery-powered push mower because it is intuitive to use with self-propelled technology that makes it possible to intuitively adjust the speed, plus it has options for clipping disposal.

We found that it took a bit to get used to maneuvering this lawn mower over uneven ground, as we needed to change the blade height in order to keep it from getting stuck. Otherwise, it was extremely easy to use, even on grass that was 6 inches high. The yard tested typically takes 45 minutes to mow, and this battery-powered lawn mower managed to get it done in 20 minutes.

We were able to use the mower three times, each round ranging from 10 to 15 minutes, without having to charge the battery, which holds a charge for up to 70 minutes. The Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21-Inch Mower uses two 6.0Ah batteries, which are powerful and carry a longer charge than your average lawn mower battery, which can range from 45 to 60 minutes of run time.

This lawn mower has the option of disposing of clippings via mulching, bagging, or side-discharging, which we loved while testing because it’s possible to decide which type of disposal based on each user’s unique needs. When we mowed the test lawn for the first time, we found that we had to empty the bag quite a bit, due to the height of the grass, even though it was only 0.05 acres.

We appreciated that this mower was quiet compared to other lawn mowers we tested. During testing, we noticed that it didn’t sound much louder than a noise machine. We also loved that this mower folds up so that it can be stored vertically, leaving floor space free in a garage or shed.

Price at time of publish: 749

Product Details: Run Time: 70 minutes | Height Adjustments: Seven | Recommended Yard Size: 0.5 to 1 acre | Deck Width: 22 inches

Best Riding

Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42-Inch Battery Electric Cordless Zero Turn Riding Mower

If you’re looking to do less manual labor while tending to your lawn, a ride-on mower may be the best battery-powered mower for you, like the Ryobi Electric Ride-On Mower. This model can mow a large yard without needing to be recharged, and it has cruise control.

During testing, we found that this battery-powered ride-on lawn mower was intuitive to use and easy to operate with the use of a single joystick. This mower has three travel speeds and three blade speeds, which are able to be changed with push button controls. It also has an LCD screen that displays battery life and run time (so that you’re never surprised that it’s time to recharge).

This mower comes with two 80V and two 40V batteries that make it possible to mow 3 acres per charge, and the batteries can recharge fully in two and a half hours. If this mower is getting low on battery while in use, there’s no need to worry: When the battery drops below 35%, the mower automatically begins to preserve battery so that it can be driven back to wherever the extra batteries are being stored or charged.

We love that this ride-on mower is powerful, with the equivalent power of 31 horsepower, and 12 different cutting settings, ranging from 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches. Even with all those settings, there is also comfort in mind: the seat has premium seat suspension, which minimizes the feel of rough terrain. It also has cup holders, USB ports, and storage compartments. The option to mulch or side discharge clippings was also a plus.

As is the case with most ride-on mowers, comfort and convenience comes at a premium. However, if you have a large yard and are looking to keep it looking good while keeping environmentally friendly, it’s a worthy investment.

Price at time of publish: 5,999

Product Details: Run Time: 2.5 hours | Height Adjustments: 12 | Recommended Yard Size: 2 to 4 acres | Deck Width: 42 inches

Best for Small Yards

Makita 36-Volt Lithium-Ion Push Lawn Mower

Our pick for best battery-powered lawn mower for small yards is the Makita Brushless Lawn Mower.

The Makita comes with four batteries, which power the mower for long enough to cut up to 0.33 acres of land in 43 minutes or less. It runs on two of those batteries at a time. Its brushless motor also allows you to cut grass faster at 2,500 to 3,300 rotations per minute.

The batteries are equipped with battery overload, overheat, and over-discharge protection, which help to extend the battery life by shutting it down before damage can occur.

Not looking to disturb your neighbors when you get up early to mow the lawn? The Makita Brushless Lawn Mower has a quiet mode that reduces noise by providing constant speed control.

With a single-lever, you can adjust the height of the mower to 10 different heights. The deck width of this mower is 19 inches, so it can cut up to 19 inches across of grass per pass of the lawn mower.

When it comes to your grass clippings, this lawn mower has a disposal bag that has a 16-gallon capacity—this means there isn’t the option for mulching or side-disposal.

Price at time of publish: 399

Product Details: Run Time: 43 minutes | Height Adjustments: 10 | Recommended Yard Size: 0.33 acres | Deck Width: 19 inches

Best with Storage

Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42-Inch Electric Cordless Riding Lawn Tractor

• We found that, because it does not have power steering, it takes some muscle to turn while going slowly.

After testing, we determined that the best battery-powered lawn mower with storage is the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Riding Lawn Tractor because it has two separate compartments. It’s great for someone who loves to landscape, as you can get more done than just mowing. We loved the large back storage area in particular, noting that it would make it easy to load up some bags of mulch to tote around your property.

When it came to actually mowing the lawn, we found that the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Riding Lawn Tractor was easy to maneuver, and we liked that it is able to change speeds easily to maneuver around obstacles, but can instantly speed up once past them.

It handled the lawn with ease, mowing over sticks, leaves, and more. We even took the lawn mower out in wet conditions, and it managed to mow grass without a problem. When the blades are on, it is still less noisy than a gas mower.

This mower has 13 height adjustments ranging from 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches, and we found that adjusting the height was simple with the use of a large lever on the side of the mower. We liked that we could get a close cut, even in wet conditions.

This ride-on lawn mower is able to side-discharge and mulch clippings, and is also capable of bagging. We only tested the side discharge and mulching capabilities, as the bagger is sold separately.

This mower also comes with a few safety features. It beeps while in reverse, as well as if the user hops off the seat while the mower is turned on. It also turns off the mowing deck while in reverse. While it does have headlights, we found that they are very small, and that we wouldn’t use them to mow in the dark.

Keep in mind that there is no power steering, and we found that we needed to use quite a bit of force when turning at a slow speed.

Price at time of publish: 5,000

Product Details: Run Time: 2.5 hours | Height Adjustments: 13 | Recommended Yard Size: 3 acres | Deck Width: 42 inches

The Bottom Line

Overall, when looking for the best battery-powered lawn mower, you should consider the size of your yard, whether or not you’ll need more than one battery, and whether you want a push, self-propelled, or ride-on mower.

After testing, we chose the Ryobi Electric Ride-On Mower as the best ride-on mower because it is easy to use and can mow up to 3 acres in a single charge, making it a great choice for a large yard. Our pick for best push mower was from the same brand: the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21 in. Self-Propelled Mower because it has an impressive 70 minutes of runtime on a single charge plus multiple options for clipping disposal.

Our Testing Process

In order to find the best battery-powered lawn mowers, we tested 15 mowers, narrowing down our results to determine which of these battery-powered favorites made our list. First, we recorded how long it took to assemble each mower straight out of the box.

Then, we mowed our lawns with each mower three times, noting the date, weather conditions, how much we cut off the grass in inches, how much surface area we were mowing in acres, and how long it took for us to mow that area.

As we used each mower, we considered many factors. We began with the ease of starting and powering the mower, plus the ease of adjusting the seat (if a ride-on mower) or heights for comfort, and whether or not the controls were user friendly.

With the riding mowers, we also took note of how easy it was to adjust our speed, as well as how easy it was to switch between cutting heights and how many options there were. We also evaluated how each mower compared to those that we previously owned or tried.

One of the most important aspects of a battery-powered lawn mower is its power source. We determined how many batteries came with the mower, how long they took to charge, and how long that battery lasted before we had to swap it or recharge it.

We also tested each mower’s ease of movement, observing how they performed when maneuvering around obstacles like trees, flowerbeds, and tough terrain like hills or inclines.

When it came to how well the mowers discharged the clippings, we noted if they discharged, collected debris in a bag, or mulched them. Some models performed more than one function, and if that was the case, we tested each type of discharge method, and how easy it was to insert or remove collection bags (if applicable). We also observed how much storage each model had and how they would eventually be stored away.

Finally, we tried each mower’s features. On the riding mowers, we tested their ignition cut-off switches, wheel weights, and headlights, or reflective surfaces. For push mowers, we tested the handle lever, back flap, and blade brake control. We also evaluated the cutting height options, plus various speeds of each mower. If possible, we even tested these lawn mowers on other lawns, to see how the experience differed depending on type of grass and terrain.

What to Know About Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers Before Shopping

Lawn Size

When shopping for the best battery-powered lawn mower for your home, it’s important to take into consideration the size of your lawn. Typically, the batteries in your mower will last 50 to 60 minutes on one charge, so you’ll want to make sure you can cover the distance of your lawn in that time.

Otherwise you’ll have to either change out the battery for a fully charged back-up, or charge your battery. If you have a yard that is more than an acre, it’s not ideal to have a battery-powered mower unless you have one that is made with large yards in mind.

Type

There are a few different types of battery-powered lawn mower to choose from: self-propelled mowers, push mowers, and ride-on mowers.

Self-propelled mowers are less work to operate than push mowers, with a design that uses the motor to propel the wheels, which makes it easy for you to simply guide the mower across your lawn.

In order to operate a push mower, you have to push it forward manually. The bad news: You’re the one doing the pushing. The good news: most models are compact and lighter weight (especially when compared to a gas model) so it isn’t too difficult.

Ride-on mowers require the least amount of work, but are also the most expensive models. They are a great choice for people with larger lawns, and you can simply sit up top and steer it where you want it to go.

Charge Time

Battery-powered mowers need to be charged before use, and those times will vary. We found that the time it takes to recharge varies anywhere from 1 to 2.5 hours. For example, our best riding mower pick, the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Zero Turn Riding Mower, takes 2.5 hours to reach full charge. If you don’t have the time to pause your mowing to recharge, consider choosing a mower with an extra battery so you can change them out and continue on.

Power

Battery-powered lawn mowers do not require chords to function. Instead, they work using rechargeable batteries that have an output of anywhere from 36 to 120 volts.

Run time is largely dependent on the voltage of your battery. The higher the battery, the longer your mower will run. The higher the voltage, the larger the battery, so it may affect your mower’s deck size.

The deck is the part of the lawn mower that covers the engine and blades of the mower. It is measured in square inches, and is determined by multiplying the width of the bottom part of your mower (between the wheels) by the length. They are also usually made with durable material so they stand up against debris and the elements.

The size of the deck determines how much grass the machine will cut in one pass, as it is generally large enough to cover the blade. Smaller mowers may only have one blade, while larger models have two or three for more efficient cutting.

Mowers with larger decks offer less mobility, so it’s beneficial to use a mower with a smaller deck and voltage for a yard with less acreage. The larger your yard, the bigger the deck you’ll require because you’ll need to cover more ground in the same amount of time.

Features

The best battery-powered lawn mowers come with plenty of features to make your lawn-cutting experiences as enjoyable as possible. For example, some come with mulchers that take the grass, chop it up, and leave them behind on the lawn. Others have a grass bag catcher that attaches to the mower on either the side or rear where the clippings drop straight into the bag.

Another feature that is important is the ability to adjust the blade height so that you can tailor your mower to your preferences. They usually range from 1 to 4 inches, and keep in mind that you should only remove the top third of the grass blades.

Adjustable handles are also important because they allow you to change the height in order to make them easier to mow.

Other Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers We Tested

Greenworks Pro 80V Max, 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower

We loved that the Greenworks Pro 80V Max, 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower lawn mower had a space-saving storage design that allowed it to be stowed away vertically. We also appreciated how long the battery lasted—about 50 minutes total.

While testing, we found that this lawn mower had difficulty maneuvering in tight spots, and its weight made it difficult to turn. When we switched it to the self-propel mode, we found that even the fastest setting did not measure up to others on this list.

Your Questions, Answered

How long do batteries last in a battery-powered mower?

This answer depends on the mower, but typically the batteries in a battery-powered mower last around 50 minutes to an hour if fully charged. This is why battery-powered mowers are recommended for small to medium-sized yards—if you can’t get your mowing done within an hour, you’ll need to hit pause, plug it in to charge (or replace it with another fully charged battery if you’ve got a spare), and wait to mow.

What is the best voltage for a battery-powered mower?

The batteries in battery-powered lawn mowers provide anywhere from 36 to 120 volts of power. The higher the voltage, the longer the run time. The longer the run time, the more time you have to cover some distance in your yard before that battery runs out.

Getting a battery with a high voltage may sound Smart because it allows for a longer run time. However, it also makes the machine heavier which can slow you down and can decrease the run time.

Which mower is better: battery-powered, electric, or gas?

Battery-powered, electric, and gas lawn mowers each have their own pros and cons. Gas powered mowers have the advantage when it comes to being able to fuel them right away. When an electric or battery-powered mower runs out of juice, it needs to be plugged in and charged.

“Battery-powered lawn mowers provide the power of traditional lawn mowers without the harmful emissions, which make them perfect for customers that value efficiency and sustainability,” Durden says.

Gas mowers also tend to require more maintenance in order to run smoothly, and you need to take care to store the fuel properly and even winterize your mower.

Battery-powered lawn mowers have the advantage of being “lightweight and quieter than gas-powered mowers, too,” says Durden. You just need to remember to keep the battery charged.

Additionally, whereas gas-powered mowers need to be pulled or cranked, and cared for to ensure they’re winterized, you just need to push to start a battery-powered or electric mower and go.

One downside to an electric mower is the range of motion—you may be limited by the cord. Battery powered and electric mowers are more equipped to handle small to medium-sized yards.

Who We Are

Andrea Wurzburger is a freelance writer for Better Homes Gardens. For this story, she spent several hours researching the best battery-powered lawn mowers by comparing product specifications. She also spoke with Nicole Durden, who is the senior merchant of outdoor power at The Home Depot.

The best cordless lawn mowers in 2023

Looking for the best cordless mower? Browse our experts’ pick, from budget to premium models.

A lawn mower may be one of the first purchases we make when getting a garden of our own, but that doesn’t mean finding a good quality one is easy. There are so many models and brands on the market to choose from, including corded electric and petrol, but as their range increases and fall, cordless, battery-powered models are an increasingly popular option.

Light and compact compared with traditional petrol models, cordless mowers are simple to use, easy to manoeuvre around the garden, and have none of the maintenance and servicing needs or costs of petrol lawnmowers. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which charges up quickly and won’t lose power in storage, they’re also quiet and emission free.

To compare these cordless mowers against other types of mower, we’ve reviewed the best lawn mowers, robotic lawn mowers, electric lawn mowers and push mowers, too. And if your lawn needs a bit of attention, our experts have tested a range of the best manual and powered aerators and scarifiers.Keep edges looking neat with our pick of the best strimmers, the best garden shears and the best lawn edging, and if you’re thinking about somewhere to store your new mower, our comprehensive guide to choosing the best garden shed will be helpful.

For your next DIY project, have a look at the best cordless drills.

The best cordless mowers to buy at a glance

Cordless mowers. Buyer’s Guide video

Many thanks to Rosie Yeomans and Sparsholt College for their help in making this video.

Getting the best cordless lawn mower for you means ensuring it has the correct cutting width, range of cutting heights, and weight plus a battery run time that matches the size of your lawn. We’ve tested a range of cordless push mowers, putting them through their paces across a range of grass and terrains, to help you find the right one for your garden.

Each mower has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to set up and storage, handling, mowing and value for money. Every mower in our round up below has scored a minimum of four out of five stars, so you can buy with confidence.

In every review we award outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best cordless lawn mowers, below.

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Best Buy cordless mowers

Husqvarna Aspire LC34-P4A

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

• Quiet
• Cuts even long grass with ease
• Battery level visible while mowing
• Small and compact for easy storage
• Part of the POWER FOR ALL cordless range

Part of the new Husqvarna Aspire cordless range, which includes a hedge trimmer, pruner and leaf blower, this 34cm mower is powered by an 18V POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE battery and charger. These are interchangeable with tools in other leading brands such as Flymo, Gardena and Bosch so if you also invest in tools in these ranges, you’ll only need to buy the bare tool and won’t have different batteries and chargers taking up space in the shed.Great for small gardens the mower comes ready to go, there’s no assembly or handles to attach, and it folds down to a compact size when you’re finished, with a telescopic handle that folds completely flat over the body of the mower. It can then be stood up against a wall or hung up, and even comes with a handy hook. The 30l grass bag also flattens down to take up very little room and can be hung on the mower. The Aspire is light, with a carry handle so that lifting it up steps or into other areas is easy and it has an adjustable handle to suit different height users. It’s comfortable and easy to manoeuvre around the garden and has just four cutting heights to choose from, ranging from 25-65mm and changed easily with a single lever on the body of the mower. It cuts grass quietly and smoothly and has an automatic boost that increases blade speed when you’re mowing in tougher, longer areas that works well. You can hear it kick in when you push the mower into longer grass and unlike other cordless mowers that can cut out, just carries on cutting the grass. While you mow the battery charge level is always clearly visible so you know how much battery you have left and when it needs charging. It comes with a two year warranty and we awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2023 for ease of use.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 95 mins; run time. 500sqm. Cutting: width. 34cm; height. 25-65mm. Grass box. 30 litre.

Buy the Husqvarna Aspire C34-P4A cordless mower from Husqvarna and Sam Turner

Greenworks GDG24LM33

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

• Easy to assemble and use
• Comfortable padded handle
• Choice of mulching or collecting clippings
• Interchangeable battery with Greenworks 24V family

Ideal for smaller gardens this sturdy, great value cordless mower is easy to put together, well thought out and simple to use. Thanks to a padded handle it’s comfortable to push, although it did feel a little short for our taller tester, and it’s light and easy to manoeuvre around trees and beds and borders. There are five cutting heights to choose from, adjusted with the simple lift of a lever and it offers the choice of collecting clippings in the 30 litre fabric grass bag or inserting the mulching plug and leaving them on the lawn to break down and feed the grass. It mows well but doesn’t like very long grass, with the battery cutting out occasionally but its long lasting brushless motor offers a a decent run time of 46 minutes and it charges in two hours. Plus, as part of the Greenworks 24V family, both the battery and charger are interchangeable with all the other tools in the range, saving you money if you invest in more in the future. We awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best budget cordless mower in 2023.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 120 mins; run time. 46mins. Cutting: width. 33cm; height. 25-70mm. Grass box. 30 litre.

Yard Force LMG37A 40v 37cm

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

• Rear roller
• Double folding handle for easy storage
• Quickest charge time
• Part of the Yardforce GR40 cordless range

This sturdy mower has a 37cm cutting width and useful features including a rear roller for those much desired stripes. Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2022 for small to medium lawns, clippings are collected in the large 40 litre fabric grass bag. It offers a wide choice of seven cutting heights, from 25-75mm, and is easy to fold away at the end of the day. The 40V battery is quick to charge, taking just 50 minutes and when full it has the capacity to cut a 400m2 lawn.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 50 mins; run time. 400sqm. Cutting: width. 37cm; height. 25-75mm. Grass box. 40 litre.

Buy the Yard Force LMG37A 40V 37cm cordless mower from Yard Force, Amazon and Wickes

Best Cordless Lawn Mower. Top 10 Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers in 2023