Do you know that emissions from gas-powered lawn mowers are equal to emissions from 10 cars? If you care about the environment, it’s time to switch to a cordless lawn mower.
For our research, we’ve reviewed over 20 models and selected 7 with EGO POWER+ 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Lawn Mower as our Editor’s Choice. The most important thing we looked for is the battery. Our picks offer up to 90 min run time, which provides enough power to cover a large area of grass. Next, we considered the cutting deck. A wider deck means you will spend less time mowing, but it also makes the mower more difficult to maneuver. We also looked at the height adjustment settings as you might want to leave your grass a little longer in the summer. And, of course, we included a self-propelled option that will do the whole work for you.
Extra features: weather-resistant construction; LED headlights
Multiple disposal options, broad swathes, varied cutting height, long runtime and LED headlights are among the reasons this best rated cordless lawn mower is so popular among buyers.
The 56V lithium-ion battery is available in 4.0Ah, 5.0Ah and 7.5Ah battery packs to power the 600-watt high-torque, a magnetic motor which spins at 3300 RPM to mow tough terrains. The rapid charger takes only half an hour to fully charge the battery, and depending on your chosen kit; you can expect an output of 45 to 90 minutes. Add the 20-inch deck size and the convenient five height positions from 1.2 to 3.5 inches, and you have a lawn mower which outperforms some gas models in performance and efficiency without contending with oil change, filters, and deafening droning. The LED headlights enhance visibility so you can mow at any time while the foldable handle improves storage.
The weather-resistant unit comes with three grass disposal attachments which include a side discharge chute, a rear clippings bag with a capacity of 15.8 gallons, and a mulching insert which redistributes the clippings back to your lawn for nourishment.
It also has numerous safety features such as safety key ignition, bail switch for blade control and a trailing shield to prevent objects ricocheting backward.
To quote one happy customer: “All of the glowing reviews are spot on.” We, too, can’t get enough of this model. If it had a self-propelling function like its other version, it would be the ultimate cordless electric lawn mower. But that should not be a deal breaker because, at 56.2 pounds, you can easily steer it anywhere you need.
Extra features: self-propelled; vertical storage
Cordless lawn mowers have risen in popularity, partly because of the increased awareness of the need to preserve our environment by getting rid of toxic emissions but mainly because of their convenience, ease of use, light weight, and maneuverability. Snapper XD Max SXD19PWM82K encapsulates these qualities while eliminating the weaknesses that are commonly found in other cordless models, such as quick depletion of batteries and difficulty in navigating uneven and rough surfaces. The 80.9-pound model combines the extra pounds with an imposing build which makes it as powerful as oil and gas lawn mowers in traversing through tough turfs without exerting additional effort on you, thanks to its self-propelling capability with adjustable speed for your ideal pace.
The 1,200-watt brushless motor is powered by an 82V 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery which generates 45 minutes of mowing time. The unit comes with two batteries and a rapid charger which takes only 30 minutes to fully charge the battery while a push-button easily swaps between the two batteries for continuous performance.
Once you start the lawn mower with a push-button, the 21-inch steel deck neatens a large or thick lawn in fewer passes and a single lever lets you adjust the cutting height to seven different positions. You can also opt to dispose of the grass clippings through a side discharge, mulch them, or collect them in the spacious 15.7-gallon bag. Load Sensing Technology dials up or throttles the cutting power to suit the thickness of the grass. Once done with your task, just fold the unit down for vertical storage to save space.
Extra features: on-board battery indicator; collapsible handle
We bet it is the dual batteries, dual port charger with onboard PowerTest battery level indicators and the varied height range which tipped the scales for this best rated cordless lawn mower to win the confidence of both buyers and retailers. Most models allow you to recharge one battery at a time unless you buy an extra charger, and even then you can only operate with one battery at a time. This lawn mower eliminates that inconvenience and extends the runtime to 40 minutes by having the two 20V 4.0Ah lithium-ion batteries operating at once. A single lever lets you adjust the height to six various positions with a minimum and maximum height of 1.5 and 3.5 inches respectively.
With a cutting deck of 14 inches as well as mulching, bagging, and rear discharge options, it provides everything you need to keep up to 5,000 square-feet lawns well-manicured. The handle on the grass bag allows for easy disposal of the clippings while the indicator alerts you when the bag is full.
We like the quiet operation and the compact size which makes this push mower easy to steer. Buyers find it quieter than a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner.
The handles are padded with foam to provide a comfortable grip and prevent bruises, and the collapsible handle reduces the unit’s footprint during storage.
You can purchase this model without the charger and batteries at a lower cost.
Extra features: up to 30 minutes of run time; 13-gallon grass collector
Featuring a cutting width of 17 inches, built-in ball bearings for effortless steering and a whopping 13 different heights, this model is more than capable of trimming all types of grass and reducing your overall mowing time. The reliable motor powered by two 18V LXT 5.0Ah lithium-ion batteries operates at 3,600 RPM to produce 30 minutes of runtime.
You can adjust the cutting height from a minimum of 0.8 inches to a maximum of 2.3 inches for additional comfort and to match the length of the grass. This is done by pushing the lever, selecting your preferred height then locking it. The included basket with a capacity of 13 gallons holds the grass clippings and features an indicator at the top to keep an eye on the grass level.
Extreme Protection Technology (XPT) has been incorporated to provide a protective seal for delicate components of this lawn mower against water and dust. Additional safety measures include a safety release bar which stops the unit’s movement in case your hands slip off and prevents jolted starts to extend the gear’s lifespan.
It is one of the best cordless rechargeable lawn mowers for small and mid-sized lawns which can be tidied in 30 minutes since the powerful motor depletes the batteries fast. The downside of this unit is that it does not come with a charger and batteries. They have to be bought separately.
Extra features: rear bagging and mulching capability
This is the best cheap cordless lawn mower for areas with an approximate coverage of up to 2,690 square feet. It is powered by a 40V 4Ah Lithium-ion battery which charges fully in two hours to yield 60 minutes of mowing time. According to the manufacturer, you can expect a total of 2000 charge and discharge cycles before the battery needs replacement. The battery indicator allows you to monitor the remaining charge time.
Several features have been incorporated to make mowing a breeze. This includes a single rotary blade with cutting width of 14 inches, a single front lever which adjusts cutting height in five different positions ranging from 1.25 to 3.12 inches to accommodate different lengths of grass, rear bagging capability with the bag accommodating 13 gallons of grass clippings, mulching option which adds nutrients to your lawn, seven-inch rear wheels and six-inch front wheels for smooth movement, and a removable safety key which locks the lawn mower in position when it is not operating to prevent accidents. Since this model is not self-propelled, the wheels and fold away handle are a welcome addition in improving maneuverability.
The cordless unit comes with a 40V charger, mulch plug, and one battery. We would advise you to get a second battery for longer runtimes since a substantial number of customers have complained about the battery losing charge soon afterward.
Extra features: detachable 10.6-gallon grass catcher; removable safety key
Rated as the best cheap cordless lawn mower, this ETL-approved model is powered by a built-in 28V lithium-ion rechargeable battery which trims lawns of up to 10,000 square feet on a single charge. The battery has a total of 1,000 charge cycles, with a single full charge generating 25 minutes of mowing time. It takes four hours to charge it fully, and a push-button LED indicator displays the battery level.
It features a rust-resistant steel blade with a cutting width of 14 inches and three different mowing heights ranging from 1.18 to 2.52 inches. A safety key is inserted, and the safety switch pressed to ignite the lawn mower while the trigger handle is squeezed to steer it to your desired direction. The grass clippings are collected in a detachable rear bag with a capacity of 10.6 gallons.
This lawn mower takes long to charge and has a short runtime. It also lacks a mulching option. However, it is a suitable option for small and mid-sized lawns which can be mowed in less than an hour. It is light enough to maneuver in every yard corner and affordable enough to equip you with all the basic mowing necessities without breaking the bank.
Extra features: folding handle and lift handles; mulching, bagging, and rear discharging
It features a brushless motor powered by two 5Ah 20V lithium-ion batteries to increase torque when trimming tall and thick grass and an on-deck LED battery gauge to monitor the remaining charge. The runtime is 15 minutes which is very short, but you can extend the runtime by using 60-volt FLEXVOLT battery. Customers have also suggested removing the mulcher before mowing to increase runtime.
Designed to mow lawns up to ¼ acre, it is equipped with a metal deck with a cutting width of 20 inches and five different positions of cutting heights between 1.5 to 3.4 inches. Three grass disposal options are provided: mulching with a plug, side discharge, and bagging.
To ignite the lawn mower, you simply need to insert the safety key then press back on the yellow handle and down on the push button.
Mobility and portability are enhanced by two seven-inch front wheels and two ten-inch rear wheels and lifting handles. The foldable handle allows for upright storage to fit in tight spaces.
Customers love the maneuverability, easy height adjustment and the 90-day money back guarantee which qualifies this model the best cordless rechargeable lawn mower for small lawns. Unfortunately, the batteries are a major complaint as well as the single battery charger which is included in the package for the two batteries. They make it harder to justify the slightly high pricing.
In this section, we compare cordless units with other types of lawn mowers and review the most essential qualities of the best rated cordless lawn mowers in detail to provide you with greater insight into the methodology we used to rank our recommended models so you can make an informed decision.
According to
California Air Resources Board (CARB)
Trusted Source
Zero-Emission Landscaping Equipment | California Air Resources Board
Gas-powered lawn and garden equipment can contribute heavily to local and regional air pollution. There are many options available for electric lawn and garden equipment, as well as landscapers and lawn maintenance companies that use all electric equipment.
ww2.arb.ca.gov
, a new gas-powered mower running for one hour produces similar emissions to the average car driving for 100 miles. Electric models eliminate these emissions which can cause asthma, cardiovascular disease, and even premature death.
Cordless lawn mowers are convenient because you will never have to worry about adding more extension cords to increase the range, tripping over the pesky cables, oil spillage, running out of gas, changing oil and plugs, toxic emissions, or roaring noise. They offer unlimited range and run quietly, generating a maximum noise of 75 decibels, similar to a washing machine. Statistics estimate that gas lawn mowers account for 5% of the greenhouse emissions in America and 17 million gallons of fuel are spilled annually when replenishing lawn and garden equipment! On the other hand, cordless electric lawn mowers are environmentally-friendly, light in weight and compact enough to maneuver every yard corner and fit in tight spaces for storage. They are also low-maintenance, only requiring regular checkups of trapped clippings to prevent obstruction of airflow, emptying of the grass bag and occasional sharpening of the blades.
Ultimately, the best value cordless lawn mower is the one which most suits your needs. The following features will equip you with everything you need to identify the right model for you.
Since cordless lawn mowers do not enjoy the unlimited power supply of their corded counterparts, battery life is the most important feature you should prioritize. Manufacturers indicate the estimated coverage and runtime of the fully-charged battery so you can match it to the size of your yard and your mowing speed. Lawn mowers with powerful motors trim thicker grass faster and cleaner, but the high torque depletes the charge fast. You can extend the runtime with a battery with higher ampere-hours like the 7.5 Ah battery pack of the EGO POWER+ 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Lawn Mower or with dual-battery models like Makita XML02Z and Worx WG779, or by investing in more batteries which can be swapped. Removable batteries tend to hold less charge than built-in batteries, but they are easier to replace and can be switched during mowing.
Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are the most common in cordless lawn mowers due to their light weight, high energy density, and low self-discharge rate. They require replacement after a while as their capacity reduces over time although the deterioration process is slowed down by the lack of memory effect. You can estimate the lifespan from the indicated charging cycles.
To estimate the power of your intended model, multiply the battery amperage by the voltage.
You may need to let the battery cool down before recharging it, so factor this as well as the charging time before you start mowing in case you have to switch batteries. Rapid chargers can fully charge the battery in less than half an hour while non-rapid ones can take up to four hours for a full charge. Most models also feature battery indicators which gauge the remaining charge.
Cutting width, also known as deck size, refers to the width of the blade swath and is typically measured in inches. It determines the number of passes required to mow your entire lawn. The broader the total width of the grass that is cut in one pass, the fewer the passes needed and the faster you can complete mowing. However, a broad cutting width requires more power and adds to the weight of the machine.
Ideally, the best cordless rechargeable lawn mower has a minimum deck size of 14 inches like the Sun Joe MJ401C-PRO and the Greenworks MO40B410, and a maximum cutting width of approximately 20 inches like the DEWALT DCMW220P2 and EGO POWER+ 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Lawn Mower.
Adjustable height is another key feature you should never ignore, whether you are eyeing the best cheap cordless lawn mower or upgrading to a pricier and more sophisticated model. This is because mowing too low or too high can damage your lawn or turn it into a shelter for unwelcome intruders.
Mowing should trim and tidy your lawn, not scalp it. Lawn care experts caution against cutting more than a third of the grass blade. Cutting lower than that destroys the part responsible for new growth through photosynthesis and dehydrates grass which makes it turn brown or yellow. The exposed soil may also increase weed. On the other hand, tall and thick grass makes your lawn look unkempt and provide the perfect shade and shelter for pests.
The two crucial aspects to consider for adjustable height are the ease of adjustment and the number and range of height options.
One, two or four levers are used to adjust the cutting height. A single lever is convenient because it adjusts all the wheels simultaneously instead of separate adjustment of each individual wheel.
Height positions and range, denoted in inches, varies with each model. To give examples from our list, Sun Joe MJ401C-PRO has three height options with a range of between 1.18 to 2.52 inches while Makita XML02Z has an impressive 13 height settings ranging from 0.8 to 2.3 inches. Generally, a minimum of four height options ranging between 1.5 and 4 inches would suit most lawns.
Cordless lawn mowers dispose of the cut grass by mulching, bagging or through a rear or side discharge chute. Ideally, the best cordless battery lawn mower should allow all the three options, but there are several models which lack the mulching function.
Mulching shreds the clippings and redistributes them back to your lawn where the resultant nitrogen from biodegradation serves as an organic fertilizer. It nourishes your lawn and saves you money on fertilizer.
For bagging, the clippings are collected in a detachable bag for later disposal. The bags hold different amounts so you will need to confirm the capacity before purchase to avoid frequent emptying and remember that a large bag full of grass clippings will make the machine feel heavier as you mow. Bagging is suitable for old or long grass which will not decompose fast if left on the lawn.
Rear and side discharge options shoot the cut grass either into the clippings bag or back on the lawn to be collected afterward. This is an ideal disposal method for aged grass.
Pushing a loaded lawn mower on a sizeable, hilly or uneven lawn can be a laborious task which leaves you drained and exhausted. This is why self-propelling models like Snapper XD Max SXD19PWM82K are a lifesaver which reduces time and effort. Also referred to as drive walk lawn mowers, they feature a speed lever and a gearbox connected to wheels to push themselves forwards and fixed or varied speed control to suit your preferred pace as you guide the machine around.
Wheel options can either be front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel. Front-wheeled models are ideal for flat surfaces, rear-wheeled for hilly or inclined lawns and all-wheel for better traction on wet grass and rough, uneven terrains.
Cordless lawn mowers with powerful motors, large wheels, long handles and wide deck size add to the overall build of the machine. This can make the unit struggle to navigate around obstacles and in tight spaces.
To make them more compact for upright storage, all the models in this review, including Worx WG779, feature handles which can be folded down. If you combine foldability with the desired cutting width and overall unit’s dimensions, you can balance maneuverability, large swathes, and convenient storage.
This is dependent on the construction material, motor, deck size, wheels and other additional components. While a heavy lawn mower can be beneficial in traversing uneven turfs, it is harder to maneuver through thick overgrowth unless it is a self-propelled unit. Manufacturers include wheels to improve mobility and portability.
More often than not, manufacturers offer different warranty periods for the unit and the battery and charger. This may range from a year to five years. Models like the DEWALT DCMW220P2 provide 90-day money back guarantee period as an additional incentive which allows you to test it before committing yourself.
Dual charger: It allows you to charge more batteries which can be swapped to prolong runtime.
Safety features: This is best exemplified by the EGO POWER+ 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Lawn Mower which boasts of safety key ignition, bail switch for blade control and a trailing shield to prevent objects from ricocheting backward.
LED headlights: They illuminate the lawn to improve visibility on poorly-lit sections or for nighttime mowing.
Noise level: A blaring lawnmower will quickly turn you from the dearest neighbor into the most detested intruder. Fortunately, the best cordless electric lawn mowers peak at 75 decibels.
Wheels: They make it easier to steer the unit around the lawn.
Load level indicator: It provides a convenient way of monitoring the grass level.
Foldable handle: It reduces the footprint for compact storage.
Brake clutch: It allows you pausing of mowing and quick resumption by stopping the spinning blades without turning off the engine.
Selecting our top pick was a tough choice, which only goes to show the high quality of the models we recommended in this review. Both the EGO POWER+ 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Lawn Mower, Editor’s Choice, and the Snapper XD Max SXD19PWM82K, the Best Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, topped our list for their versatility, powerful motors, large deck size, three grass disposal options, and other efficient features like the rapid charger for quick charging and lengthy runtime. The combination of these functions generates the superior performance of gas lawn mowers while retaining the compactness and convenience of the best cordless battery lawn mowers.
Worx WG779 sets itself from the pack as the best cordless rechargeable lawn mower with a dual port charger which powers the unit quietly through 5,000 square-feet lawns and customizes the cutting height to six different height options between the ranges of 1.5 to 3.5 inches for a clean, healthy trim. At only 29.1 pounds, it is also one of the lightest cordless electric lawn mowers.
