Best Electric Lawn Mower 2023 – Battery-Powered Mower Reviews. Grass cutter electric machine

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!

Cordless Electric Mower/Grass Cutter Review. PHILIPPINES

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.

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.

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.

Best Battery Lawn Mower? EGO vs Milwaukee, ECHO, Ryobi, Toro, Greenworks, CAT, Hart

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.

The 7 Best Brush Cutters: Great Addition To Your Traditional String Trimmer

Brush cutter is the best alternative for traditional string trimmer. It is capable of handling heavy-duty works of lawn and landscaping where truck mover cannot reach.

As these machines are high and long term investment, you should be well-informed to make the right choice. Some important factors to consider while purchasing brush cutter include…

Type – Brush cutters come in three different types.

• Handheld – Among the three types, this one is the smallest one. they are perfect for cutting saplings, grass and overgrown weeds.
• Walk-Behind – Walk-behind brush cutter are perfect for larger areas and overgrown brushes.
• Tow-Behind – They are suitable for working on a very thick brush and large landscaping areas like abandoned field, and similar.

If you are buying a complete trimmer along with the brush cutter attachments, then the motor power is also quite important. A gas-powered motor like 26 or 28 cc should be more than enough. Similarly, electric ones have their voltage like 36v or 80v along with RPM ratings like 6000 RPM or 7000 RPM.

The cutting width tells you about the amount of grass or weed it can cut at a time. It is the diameter of the cutting head of your brush cutter. Any brush cutter of a cutting width of 10 inches or more should be more than enough for your backyard.

You can check out other features in our “BUYING GUIDE“. Furthermore, we have provided a list of 7 Best Brush Cutters.

Best Brush Cutter Trimmer in 2023

Brush CuttersMotorCutting WidthWarrantyBuy Now

Top 7 Brush Cutter Reviews

Husqvarna Gas Straight Shaft String Trimmer

Husqvarna is mainly known for its powerful chainsaws and lawnmowers. But it also makes other power tools including the brush cutters present in this article.

This Husqvarna Gas Straight Shaft brush cutter is present in the 1st position in this article as it is one of the best gas-powered options out there. It comes with a 28 cc gas engine that has a total of 2 cycles. And this offers more than enough power to its 17-inch cutting head. As a result, you can easily cut all of the grass and weeds in the lawn of your backyard.

It uses a mixture of unleaded gas and a 2 cycle oil mixture for running the engine. You get a very long shaft of 52 inches in this brush cutter. And this is quite long when compared with other options out there. As a result, you can easily work on your lawn without any back pain issues. It even comes with a small handle on the shaft that results in a highly ergonomic design. This brush cutter comes included with the T25 trimmer head that easily cuts grass.

• 28 cc gas-powered engine
• 2 cycle oil engine
• 17-inch cutting head
• Sharp and effective blades
• 52-inch shaft length
• Handle for an ergonomic shape
• Highly reliable and durable
• 2-year warranty
• Supports various other attachments

Greenworks PRO 16-Inch 80V Cordless String Trimmer

Greenworks is another highly popular brand of electric power tools. And we are here with a great electric brush cutter option from Greenworks in this article.

Greenworks claims that this PRO 16 inch brush cutter has an 80-volt motor that offers power equivalent to a 26 cc gas-powered engine. This means that it is a highly powerful tool that can be used to easily cut the grass, weeds, and other plants in the lawn of your backyard.

Another great thing about this brush cutter is that it is compatible with a wide range of attachments. You can even use attachments made for gas-powered brush cutters.

As per its name, you get a 16-inch cutting head in this brush cutter. And this is one of the largest electric brush cutter options available out there. Due to this, it can easily cut a lot of grass at once. Unfortunately, you do not get included batteries with this electric brush cutter. And if you want to use it in cordless mode, you have to buy its 2.0 Ah batteries separately.

• 26 cc gas-powered engine equivalent power
• 80-volt electric motor
• Support various attachments
• 16-inch cutting head
• Uses 2.0 Ah batteries for cordless power
• Grab handle on the shaft
• 4-year warranty
• Up to 45 minutes of battery life

Trimmer Plus BC720 Brushcutter

As per the name, TrimmerPlus offers all kinds of accessories and tools related to trimmers and brush cutters. And you can find a great brush cutter attachment from TrimmerPlus in this article.

The TrimmerPlus BC720 brush cutter attachment is in the 2nd position in this article as it one of the highest-rated options out there. It offers an 8-inch cutting head for cutting grass and weeds. While it is not the widest or the largest options out there, it still works quite great due to its sharp blades.

You can find a 4 tip steel blade in this brush cutter which is also reversible if needed. And this results in an excellent cutting performance from this cutter.

As per its name, it comes with a J-handle for its attachment mechanism. This means that you can use it with any string trimmer of your choice that offers a J-handle mechanism. Another great thing about this brush cutter is that it comes with a shoulder strap. As you would expect, this makes it a highly ergonomic tool for cutting grass in your backyard.

• J-handle cutting attachment
• Works with string trimmers, pole saws, and powerheads
• 8-inch cutting head
• Sharp and effective blades
• 4 tip steel blade
• Includes a shoulder strap
• 2-year warranty
• High-performance blade

Makita Brushless Cordless Trimmer

Makita is a highly reputable and premium brand of power tools that offers all kinds of tools. It even makes an excellent brush cutter that we have mentioned in this article.

Makita’s XUX01ZM5 is present in the 3rd position in this article as it one of the best performing electric brush cutters out there. As per its name, it uses a total of 2 batteries, where each battery is of 18 volts. In other words, it is a highly powerful 36-volt brush cutter that works flawlessly for cutting grass and weeds.

And as it uses lithium-ion batteries, they can be easily charged and replaced while offering decent power to the motors.

Due to these batteries, this brush cutter can offer a total of 3-speed options. And these range from 4200 RPM to 7100 RPM. You can even attach other shaft attachments in this brush cutter without any issues. As a result, it can be sued for various operations. The electric motor of this tool can offer sufficient torque for these attachments.

• 36-volt electric brush cutters
• Uses two 18 volt batteries
• 10-inch cutting head
• High torque electric motor
• Supports various attachments
• Ergonomic handle
• 7100 RPM high power motor
• 1-year warranty

Trimmer Plus TPB720 Brush Cutter

Trimmer Plus offers a wide range of accessories and tools related to trimmers and brush cutters at an affordable price.

This TrimmerPlus TPB720 brush cutter attachment is one of the best gas-powered options with a straight shaft design. Its shape lets you trim easily even at hard-to-reach places like under low branches or shrubs. They offer an 8-inch cutting head for cutting grass and weeds. There is a 4-tip steel reversible blade with a cutoff guard feature for excellent cutting performance to cut through heavy brush.

With its J-handle attachment mechanism, the brush cutter allows you to use it with any string trimmer of your choice. They come with a shoulder strap that makes a highly ergonomic tool to cut grass in the backyard. Thus, it provides more control, and comfortability while taking care of and maintenance of lawn and other garden works.

It is compatible to use with Remington, Troy-Belt, Snapper, Craftsman, Yardman, Ryobi, Kobalt, Greenworks, and other popular brands. However, the diameter of the inner coupler tube is 1.65 inches, and the 1/5-inch female square shape drive shaft connector. The product offers a 2-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects to enhance its longevity.

• J-Handle cutting attachment
• 8-inch cutting head
• Works with string trimmers, powerheads, and pole saws
• High-performance blade
• 4-tip steep blade for sharp and effective cutting
• Includes a shoulder strap
• Comes with a 2-year warranty

Poulan Pro PP4000C Brush Cutter Trimmer

Coming to the last option in this list of brush cutters, we have an option from Poulan Pro. And just like various other options out there, this one is also a brush cutter attachment.

One of the best things about this brush cutter attachment is that it offers a powerful blade. The blade is quite sharp and provides a total of 4 weed blades. This means that you can easily cut grass, weeds as well as plants using this brush cutter attachment.

Another great thing about this attachment is that it is highly reliable. It offers a heavy-duty gearbox and a 2-year warranty for peace of mind. You also get a hassle-free head in this brush cutter attachment.

As per the name of this brush cutter attachment, you get an 8-inch cutting head. And this makes it quite similar to the various compact brush cutter headers present in this article. You can use this attachment with a wide range of string trimmers out there. It offers support for Weed Eater, John Deere, Snapper, Ryobi, Craftsman, Homelite, and others.

• Supports various string trimmers
• 8-inch cutting head
• 4 teeth weed and grass blade
• Decent build quality
• Inbuilt deflector
• Heavy-duty gearbox
• Hassle-free head
• 2-year warranty

Ryobi Expand-It 8 in. Brush-Cutter Trimmer

Ryobi is one of the less popular brands of brush cutters out there but still offers a great cutting performance. And as per its name, it is another brush cutter attachment present in this article.

Ryobi offers one of the most unique brush cutter attachments available out there. As per its name, it is quite different from other options since it has an expandable design. In other words, it allows you to adjust the shaft length of this brush cutter as per your needs and requirements.

As per its name, it has an 8-inch cutting head which makes it one of the more compact options out there. Thankfully, you can attach it to a powerful motor or a string trimmer to easily cut grass. A great thing about this brush cutter attachment is that it is compatible with a lot of options out there. You also get a deflector in this brush cutter which can be quite useful for stopping flying debris.

• Compatible with various string trimmers
• 8-inch cutting head
• Extendable design
• Inbuilt deflector
• Easy to use
• Decent build quality

Buying Guide for Brush Cutter

What is a Brush Cutter?

Also referred as brush mower, it is a stronger and convenient version of a lawn mower. It used to cut tall grass (4” or above), brush, shrubs, woody material, saplings and weeds. These machines are either operated by a motor or battery. It provides more power than any other garden gear.

What are the Uses of a Brush Cutter?

Usually, string hammer is used to tackle brush or any other similar work. But it is not powerful enough to trim a thick brush. For such works, brush cutter is the right tool. They are much similar to line trimmer. However, line trimmer uses a nylon string in order to cut the vegetation like weeds or long grass. Whereas a brush cutter has metal blade which is strong enough to chop any dense vegetation like tree trunks, even up to 4 inches thick.

Tapering, scything, mowing and weeding are the most important times when brush cutter becomes a necessity. It can also be used for following purposes…

• When you have to chop heavy foliate that has grown around the fens that cannot be reached with a mower or tractor.
• If the overgrown foliage is brambles, thick grasses, woody grasses, nettles, tall grasses, saplings, and underbrush.
• If you have to work on a hill or a grade where you cannot drive a tractor safely.

How to Purchase a Brush Cutter?

If everything else has failed, then brush cutter is the right tool to reply on. They are incredibly tough, strong and can cut anything. Being powerful, they can be an expensive investment. However, it is the best choice you can make for your garden.

For purchasing the best brush cutter for your lawn, garden or landscaping, you have to consider certain factors. We have mentioned them below for your reference.

Types of Brush Cutter

Basically, there are three types of brush cutters like handheld, walk-behind and tow-behind.

Among the three types, this one is the smallest one. As they have thicker lines, larger engines, and metal brushes, they are perfect for cutting saplings, grass and overgrown weeds. They are available in 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines. Based on your convenience on mixing gas and oil, you can choose any one among them.

The design of this type of brush cutter is similar to a lawn mower. If you have less time to handle large project, then this is the right tool. Handheld crush cutter is suitable for dealing with small patches of work. Whereas walk-behind brush cutter are perfect for larger areas and overgrown brushes. If you want to trim a vacant plot or unused property area, then these are the perfect type of brush cutters.

This type of brush cutter is also similar to a lawn mower but at the bottom. As its name implies, you have to two it behind your tractor or any other vehicle. They are suitable for working on a very thick brush and large landscaping areas like abandoned field, section of prairie, wild brush area or weeds along the edge of a big property.

Gas Vs Electric

Brush cutter are powered by either gas or electric. Some prefer gas version while other prefer electric. We have mentioned a detail description of each type below. Read it carefully to know which one suits you best.

Electric brush cutters come in two different options – electric and cordless. Electric ones run by a plug-in extension cord, while battery ones are powered with battery pack. Battery powered technology has evolved in the years however it is still unpredictable. Both these models come with limited power and may not support for long time as you require.

This model can be taken to anywhere you want without worrying about wires or power source. It can deal with any heavy tasks like thick weeds, tangled grasses, high grasses and small saplings.

Note: If you keep environment things aside, gas powered electric brush cutter is the right choice. It can be used until you have gas present in the tank. It provides same performance like electric brush cutter. However, you don’t need any electrical outlet or battery changer. You can just add gas and work with it. Gas powered engines are more powerful than other brush cutters.

Type of Engine

Brush cutters come with either 2-stroke engine or 4-stroke engine. 2-stroke engine is reliable, has fewer moving parts and powerful but it makes annoying sounds and smell. Due to power stroke, it stays unbalanced. However, it required only small space, affordable and easier to maintain. They are perfect for handheld maintenance costs. 4-stroke engine is much heavy, has complicated design, runs unbalanced and expensive. However, it can handle more output and still run cooler.

Motor Power

How much power you require usually depends on the type of jobs you have to run. For rigorous works, you need more power. But using too much power can also be dangerous, especially for people who don’t have much experience.

Electric brush cutter come with 2o to 80 volts. 20V is suitable for small to medium yards. For more substantial or heavy works, go for 40 to 80 volts.

Brush cutter with medium power is sufficient enough for general yard maintenance. For more details, read the instruction manual provided by the manufacturer to know which works can be accomplished by the brush cutter.

Cutting Width

It is one of the important things to check out before purchasing a brush cutter. This represents the capacity of the tool – like how much weeds, plants or grass, it can trim at once. Cutting width of brush cutter is calculated based by the diameter of the cutting head.

Larger cutting width (10 inches) is suitable for quickly cutting and trimming the grass in the lawn. An 8-inch cutting width will take more time to handle same amount of cutting, trimming. Because it has lower contact surface area.

Features

Usually, features of a particular product wary depending on the style and brand. However, few of them are more important to have before making the purchase.

Shaft

It connects engine and spinning head. It comes in two different types – straight or bent. A bent shaft provides a closer job. Bent shaft models are prone to mechanical problem as the linking systems are prone required to provide the bend.

Straight shaft models usually have more power as they have a direct line to the power source. Most of the straight models come work better as they come with multiple attachments.

Shaft Length

Shaft length is also important to check for. It is the distance between motor and cutting head. Actually, it doesn’t impact the performance the performance of brush cutter or string trimmer motor. In fact, it helps the brush cutter in a positive way.

Shaft length of 52 to 65 inches long, then you can use it easily without bending forward. If you use smaller brush cutter, then it can lead to back pain issues as you have to bend forward in order to trim or cut the brush.

Straight trimmer is the best choice as they have curved handles. However, it should be a factor based on which you can confirm your decision.

Quick Change Heads

A good brush trimmer comes with changeable heads which lets you switch between nylon cord and steel based, according to your requirement. Interchangeable heads and multiple attachment options make it versatile and more useful. It also makes them more affordable in the longer run as they can do multiple tasks from small to large.

Some of the popular attachments are string trimmer and blade attachment. They allow you to use a brush cutter as an edger and weed wacker. Quick-change feature lets you change the heads using a simple tool or lever. With this option, you don’t have to unscrew the complete head unit.

Handles

Brush cutter are heavy duty tools, in order to use them safely, you should have good grip. Handles of a brush cutter comes in two designs – two handed or one-handed. 2-handed ones have handles that are similar to bull horns (side by side). While 1-handed one comes with a loop handle. Always ensure that the model you choose comes with safety harness or sturdy handle.

Best handle to choose depends on work you have to complete using this tool. Heavy duty jobs take a lot of time, so two-handed types are the best choice. They allow more control over the tool while using. As you will be using blades and saws, grip is definitely the important factor to consider. So, choose wisely so that your hands don’t get fatigued while using it.

Vibration

most of the small engine brush cutters come with anti-vibration factor. This increases the comfort and makes it more steady and smoother while cutting through the skin. Some quality brush cutters also come with little vibration while using. However, some models with high power output vibrate more. This factor is personal preference, so it is difficult to pin point which factor is the best. Checking out the previous customer reviews help you determine the vibration levels.

Blades

As you are investing in such a pricey tool, you should consider blade quality and cost of the replacement as well. For cutting grass and weeds, blades with eight teeth are suitable. For cutting through thick plants, brush and shrubs, 9 to 40 teeth are suitable. For small trees, saplings and brush, choose a blade with more than 40 teeth.

Durability

To maintain landscaping and gardening chores easy, it is better to invest in a brush cutter that is not only ideal to your requirements but also durable. As they don’t come in small budget, you have to make sure it will last for at least few years and capable of handling all the gardening work you require,

To check the durability of brush cutter, you have to check shaft formation and blade material. Choose the ones with metallic material as they have to survive heavy tasks.

Price and Warranty

Compared to string trimmer, brush cutters are costlier and need maintenance as well. If you are still unsure whether to purchase this product or not, we recommend you to weigh the options before investing in it, especially if you will use it only once in a while.

Price plays an important role in the quality. Affordable and cheap cutters usually come with cheap quality. So, we recommend to avoid any cheap ones.

When it comes to warranty, most of them come with at least 2-years warranty. Make sure to analyze the quality, price and warranty before making the purchase.

Tips to Use Brush Cutters Safely

As brush cutters are used for cutting down heavier and larger plants, you should be very careful while using them. Some tips to consider while using them are mentioned below.

• Before using the brush cutter, we recommend to read the product manual carefully. And make sure to follow all the safety standards.
• Make sure to wear hard hat, eye protection and hearing protection while wearing brush cutter.
• When it comes to costume, you should wear padded gloves, long clothes and boots.
• It is recommended to keep your children away from working area.

How to Sharpen Blade of a Brush Cutter?

Over the time, due to regular wear and tear, blades will become blunt which will lead to ineffective weeding, tapering and mowing. However, this doesn’t mean you have to purchase a new one. The blades can be sharpened easily at home without any shelling out any money.

While sharpening, it is important to wear protective gear and make sure the device is not plugged in or switched on. In order to sharpen the brush cutter, you have to follow the below…

• First, wash your blade with warm soapy water.
• Angle the blade and line up your sharpening tool.
• Make sure to drag the stone across the blade.

Keep continuing the process until the blade is sharpened according to your wishes. Make sure the process is repeated once every few months to maintain the blades in prime condition.

What is the Difference Between String Trimmer and Brush Cutter?

The main difference between these two is that a string trimmer use nylon cord to chop the vegetation. Though heads can be interchanged but brush cutter has more durable choices and it is easy to change the head. A string trimmer is perfect for trimming down small to medium weeds, down grasses, and overhands where a mower cannot reach.

Brush cutter uses a metal blade to cut down the thick weeds, small saplings and other others that are hard to reach. As it has a lot of power, they can handle even heavy-duty jobs. It is heavier than string trimmer and comes with a harness which allows you to carry more weight.

Some Frequently Asked Questions?

They are actually much heavier than a string trimmer. Though they may not look like heavy, once you use them for 20 to 30 minutes continuously, you will feel the weight. That is why you need a harness to withstand the weight. And don’t forget the vibration it will generate.

Large spaces require trimming more than once in a year, so you have to choose durable product. For small areas, it is better to choose other tools as it will be easy on your finance.

It depends on the engine used in the brush cutter. Most of the brush come with 2-stroke engine so you can use a combination of petrol and 2-stroke oil. However, we recommend to check the specifications before using. But for a 4-stroke engine, you need only unleaded petrol to run the machine.

Conclusion

If you also want to maintain the lawn in your backyard, then brush cutters and trimmers can be a great option. These are considered to be an all in one tool for cutting various things like grass and weeds. Therefore, we have mentioned some of the best brush cutters in this article along with their details. You can also find a detailed buying guide for the best brush cutters out there. It contains various details which can be quite useful for learning more about these brush cutters and choosing the best one for you.

• If you are looking for a gas-powered brush cutter, then you can go with the Husqvarna 128LD. It offers a 28 cc gas-powered motor which is quite powerful for your backyard. You also get a 17-inch cutting width that allows you to cut a lot of grass at once. And it even features a 2-year warranty for reliability over a long period.
• The Makita XUX01ZM5 is one of the best electric brush cutters out there. It uses two 18v batteries for its 7100 RPM motor. And this means that it is highly powerful for powering its 10-inch cutting width head. Even though it only has a 1-year warranty, Makita is a highly reputable brand that makes products including brush cutters that can last for a long time.
• Although, if you just want a brush cutter attachment without a motor, you can go with the Snapper XD SBC82A brush cutter. It works with most 82v string trimmers without any issues. And it uses a 10-inch cutting head for easily cutting a lot of grass at once. It cuts the grass quite easily since it uses a total of 3 steel blades.

Make sure to share your thoughts in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев section. You can also post any questions down there if you have any!

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.

Best Buy cordless mowers

Husqvarna Aspire LC34-P4A

• 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

• 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

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

The Best Lawn Mowers of 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Honda HRX217VKA

The Honda HRX217VKA is powerful, heavy and ideal for larger lawns. Read

Ego Power LM2135SP

This mower is powerful, comfortable, and a joy to use. It performed extremely well mulching and driving itself uphill. Read

Honda HRN216VKA

Honda has produced superior power equipment for many years and this mower, which operates with rear-wheel drive, is no exception. Read

Kobalt KM 5080-06

The electric Kobalt KM 5080-06 was flexible and easy to operate, and can run bagged or bagless. Read

Hart HLPM061US

The Hart HLPM061US performed well across terrains and has a simple to use speed control. Read

Cons

Until just a few short years ago, gas lawn mowers were king. As more consumers are seeking eco-friendly cars, homes, and, yes, power equipment, advanced battery technology answers the call.

Today, consumers can drive an electric car, thrive in a solar-powered home and maintain their property with battery-powered equipment. But are the new electric push lawn mowers as good as the old internal combustion mowers? We decided to find out.

We tested gasoline, electric-corded, and battery-powered lawn mowers from the leading brands. We were eager to see if the battery-powered mowers could handle a large yard as well as the tried-and-true gasoline models. We weren’t disappointed. The Honda HRX217VKA (available at Amazon) came out on top as Best Overall, edging out its predecessor and our previous winner, the Honda HRN216VKA.

For the non-gasoline mowers, the Ego Power LM2135SP (available at Walmart) is our choice for Best Electric Lawn Mower. This mower set-up was quick, and it handled our testing well. The Ego Power also includes features not found on similar electric models.

The Honda HRX217VKA was a pleasure to use.

Quiet and powerful, the Honda HRX217VKA 21-inch NeXite lawn mower is the one to have for larger spaces. It is not designed for small yards, and you won’t be darting in and out of flower beds and shrubbery.

It is a pleasure to use. We had tested Honda mowers before and were familiar with their operation and overall product quality. The HRX217VKA did not disappoint. Easy to assemble and set up right out of the box, it started on the first pull of the cord.

Right away you can feel the heft of this mower with its innovative NeXite deck and powerful motor. It’s heavier than most mowers, but it feels planted on the lawn and tracks perfectly. It’s a mower for large lawns, and it makes the most difficult cuts a breeze.

With its 200cc motor and Select Drive Control, this mower easily cuts, bags and mulches the heaviest grass with ease. The Select Drive Control is almost intuitive as it lets you adjust the walking speed with a variety of settings.

The controls on the mower are large and easy to use. You can set the mower to bag or mulch or anywhere in between. Its user-friendly platform is clearly marked. You will use this lawn mower for years and years to come.

Cons

The Ego Power LM2135SP is the best electric lawn mower we’ve tested.

Until a few years ago, those who preferred not to buy an internal combustion mower had little choice. But advanced battery technology has finally arrived and the benefits can readily be seen in the Ego Power LM2135SP, a 21-inch self-propelled electric mower. This cordless mower with a cutting width of 21 inches utilizes a 56-volt lithium ion battery to power through up to 60 minutes of lawn cutting.

The Ego Power is powerful, comfortable, and a joy to use. Even though the battery only lasted about an hour, the mower performed extremely well mulching and driving itself uphill. It has plenty of torque and is capable of doing anything a gasoline-powered mower can do. It is clean, easy to use, and efficient.

The set-up on this mower was the easiest of the bunch. The handle slides and folds across the mower with ease, making storage a snap. Adjusting it to a personal height takes seconds.

A quick 50-minute charge on the battery and you’re ready to go. The battery charger even has a cooling fan that improves charging times and keeps the battery cool.

Like some of our other mowers, the Ego Power has twin blades that improve mulching and keep the trips to empty the rear bag to a minimum. Cutting height is achieved with one easy-to-access lever.

Operation is straightforward, and the composite deck makes the mower light and easy to maneuver around yard obstacles. Simply depress the power button, pull the green handle and the blades begin to spin. Dual buttons on the handle make engaging the self-propel feature safe and comfortable.

The Ego Power comes with LED headlights for convenience, and it was the only mower we tested that could propel itself when the blades were not spinning. This was a nice feature that eliminated pushing the mower back to the garage.

Other Lawn Mowers We Tested

Previously our pick for best lawn mower, the Honda HRN216VKA is a 21-inch self-propelled gas mower that’s a great choice for any yard. Honda has produced superior power equipment for many years, and this mower, which operates with rear-wheel drive, is no exception. It can handle the toughest lawns with ease and won’t take up much room in the garage.

The set-up was easy and the mower started on the first pull. Its smooth engine is quieter than the other gasoline mowers, and it has more than enough power to cut and mulch the grass even while going uphill.

The Honda has a stacked and offset blade design that produces smaller clippings, which allows for better mulching and bagging. This means more efficient cutting and fewer stops to empty the grass bag. The bagging and mulching options can be easily and safely selected, once the mower is off, by using one lever on the mowing deck.

The innovative self-propel system is comfortable on the hands, provides adequate speed control, and can even be adjusted for those who are taller or shorter. Folding the handle for storage can be done quickly. This Honda lawn mower even has a gas shut-off valve for off-season storage.

Cons

The Kobalt 80V 21-inch electric mower is a great choice for anyone that wants an affordable, flexible, compact mower that is easy to maneuver and doesn’t require extension cords or gas cans. The mower is strong enough to chop through thick grass, and offers a highly adjustable cutting height.

At 66 pounds it is very easy to operate, with the ability to go bagged or bagless, and you can fold up the push handle for compact storage.

The main draw here is the 80V battery system, which gives you an hour of runtime in our testing, enough to cut about 7,500 square feet on a full charge. It also works in a variety of other Kobalt tools, and spares will run you right around 150. Charging the battery takes around 45 minutes when it’s dead, and it just pops into the battery slot and the mower can turn on with a press of a button if the safety key is inserted—much easier than having to use a traditional pull start.

Overall if you need a nice, basic mower to get the job done and want to go cordless, this is an excellent choice. It cuts clean lines, it’s easy to use, it can handle most lawns with ease, and the light weight makes it much easier to move up and around slopes and hills.

Especially if you’re planning to invest in a range of electric tools, this is a good system to buy into.

Cons

This Hart lawnmower was a pleasant surprise.

After removing it from the box and charging the batteries, we fired it up and took it out to the thick, lush grass.

It performed beautifully; its powerful electric motor cut through the lawn with ease and even increased its revolutions when we cut thicker grass. This mower easily handles a larger lawn.

The Hart mower moved with power and confidence through the lawn, and the simple-to-use speed control was right there at your fingertips. While our winning Honda gas mower has a sophisticated Select Drive System, the Hart’s simple slide bar works as well or better.

This excellent lawnmower has the power and convenience of mowers costing much more.

Cons

The Toro is a worthy competitor to the top-ranking mowers on this list.

This Toro lawn mower has the largest cutting area at 22 inches, and it is powerful and comfortable to use, thanks to its Personal Pace self-propel system.

To engage the self-propel, simply push the lever forward a bit and the mower begins to move forward, push it a little more and the mower moves faster. After a couple of rows of cutting, you will see how easy it is to regulate speed. This system is not as intuitive as some of the others, but it still works quite well.

Another great feature: The Toro has Briggs and Stratton’s check-don’t-change oil system that never requires an oil change.

Storage is also a snap as the handle folds down and the mower can be stored vertically.

Cons

At just 58 pounds, this mower makes cutting small lawns a lot of fun. The rear discharge chute allows you trim close to trees, beds, and shrubbery. I found myself zipping around obstacles using only one hand.

This is a simple machine with one battery in the center. Charging time is quick, and once the battery is in you’re on your way.

This is not a lawn mower for the back 40. With a 20-inch cut and a small electric motor, it is just not capable of handling larger lawns. But for most mid to small yards, this mower can clean up the area in no time.

Light and easy to store, this is the perfect mower to keep a lawn looking great.

Cons

The 21-inch Ryobi RY401150 40-volt brushless mower set up quickly and easily right out of the box. It includes double blades and cuts clean and clear.

This mower comes with two batteries that can be installed in the top of the machine. One notable drawback is that only one battery powers the mower at a time—cut your grass for approximately 30 minutes and when the first battery is depleted, you stop and move a switch to engage the second battery. Ryobi says that the batteries will last for 70 minutes, but stopping to change batteries seems counterproductive.

Otherwise, the mower performed well and completed all of the tests. It has a one-lever height adjustment and is light enough to maneuver around obstacles. It has plenty of power and handled the hill with little strain.

While both the Ego Power and Ryobi were solid performers on the electric front, the Ryobi was let down by its self-propel controls. The controls are located under the bar, but the lever is vague and unresponsive. Because the lever is designed for thumbs only, you need to push the lever in an awkward manner to get the mower up to speed.

Cons

For a corded mower, the Greenworks 25022 lawn mower performed quite well. The set-up was easy, and once it was plugged in, it started right up.

Of course, before you use the mower there is the time-consuming task of unearthing your extension cord, unraveling it, and finding a suitable outdoor plug. Once plugged in, the mower embraces its purpose with ease.

It has a powerful 12-amp electric motor that may not conquer larger lawns, but is perfect for smaller yards and trimming duties. Not to mention it offers clean and even mowing.

Not being self-propelled, it takes some effort to push the lawn mower and cord uphill and then navigate a path back so as to not cut your cord.

Cons

The 14-inch Sun Joe MJ401E lawn mower is the easiest to store. Its diminutive size makes it the perfect lawn mower for small yards and trimming duties. It’s light enough to pick up and move, and it comes with an easy-to-use bagging system.

Still, this is not a lawn mower for cutting the typical suburban lawn, as its lightweight, short wheel base and small wheels make it a little unstable over roots and ruts.

Of all of the lawnmowers tested, the Sun Joe provided the most difficulty when it came time to adjust the height of the blades. The mower utilizes solid axles, front and rear, and the axles are located in a three-notch system under the mower. To change the height of the cut, you need to pull the spring-loaded axles from their positions and move them up or down. It’s a challenging exercise.

The Sun Joe is corded, so cutting area is limited. To its credit, it’s powerful enough when running, but the limited scope means you will have a hard time tackling an entire yard.

How We Tested Lawn Mowers

The Testers

We spent the summer mowing a half-acre New England lawn, over and over again.

Kevin Kavanaugh is a retired public school teacher and a product tester for Reviewed. Kevin has been cutting lawns for just about 50 years. He has always been intrigued by all things mechanical, be it watches, power equipment, vintage bicycles, or classic cars.

Ray Lane is a retired supermarket store manager, avid golfer, and product tester for Reviewed. His lawn is the envy of Cumberland, Rhode Island, and he has used several push mowers over the years. At 83 years of age, his input on the mowers was critical, specifically when evaluating ease of starting, maneuverability, and safety.

The Tests

We tested lawn mowers on both flat land and hills to test maneuverability and power.

After ordering from retailers like Lowe’s and The Home Depot, we assembled each mower and took note of the ease of the set up and how quickly we could adjust the handle to our preference. We then added gasoline, a battery, or an electrical cord to get the mower ready. We evaluated at the ease of setting the cutting height, first testing a high cutting height and then a lower one.

We took each mower on a few passes of an uncut half-acre lawn, measuring approximately 22,000 square feet, noting how it cut at a high height and a lower height while we monitored both the bagging and mulching features. Then we took each mower up and down a grassy hill to see how they performed. Our final test was testing storage capability.

What You Should Know About Lawn Mowers

Self-propelled lawn mowers can take some of the effort out of walk-behind mowing.

There are two basic types of walk-behind mowers: push and self-propelled.

The push type of mower is usually smaller, lighter, and easier to store. They are used primarily for smaller, level lawns. They are perfect for cleaning up areas that larger riding lawn mowers may miss. They can be run by gasoline, cords, or battery.

Self-propelled lawn mowers usually have a larger cutting diameter and can move on their own through operator controls. These mowers can also be powered by gasoline, cords, or battery. Since they take the brunt of the pushing away, self-propelled mowers are perfect for larger lawns up to a half-acre, and they can easily handle hills and sloped lawns. These self-propelled mowers aren’t fully robotic lawn mowers so you still have to do some work guiding them around your yard.

What Is A Self-propelled Lawn Mower?

The first self-propelled lawn mowers started to appear in the late-1960s. As suburbia grew and lawns got larger, pushing a heavy steel mower around on a summer afternoon wasn’t what most people wanted to be doing.

The first self-propelled mowers had primitive front-wheel drive systems that worked well enough, but the mowers often moved along too slowly. Sure, you weren’t pushing but you were caught in a slow-moving lawn-cutting procession. Early mowers either moved too slowly or too fast to match a natural walking speed.

Today’s mowers offer a much better propulsion system. The Honda NeXite Variable Speed 4-in-1 Gas Walk Behind Self-propelled Mower with Select Drive Control, for example, allows a variety of walking speed settings. Owners can literally dial in their preferred walking speed so that they become one with the mower, not being pulled and not having to push.

The Ego Power Select Cut 56-Volt Brushless 21-in Self-propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower even allows the operator to drive out to the lawn without the blades turning. That is a great feature.

Today’s self-propelled mowers reduce operator fatigue and make cutting the grass easier than years ago. Self-propelled mowers make cutting on hills safer and more efficient. And with modern speed options they make a summertime chore a little more enjoyable.

Gasoline, Corded Electric, or Battery—Which Lawn Mower is Right for You?

Battery-powered lawn mowers can be powerful and efficient.

Gasoline

Gasoline-powered lawnmowers have kept lawns manicured for decades. They are powerful, reliable, and affordable, and come with features such as self-propelled movement, mulching features, and self-cleaning availability. They are powerful enough for large lawn care jobs and can tackle any lawn from a quarter- to half-acre acre. Any lawn bigger than that would necessitate a riding mower.

But gas-powered mowers emit dangerous carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, require yearly maintenance, and require the storage of gasoline and oil. This may not be suitable for some consumers.

Corded Electric

Corded electric mowers have been around for years and were historically the choice of consumers who had smaller lawns and didn’t need the more powerful gasoline mower. While powerful enough to get most cutting or trimming jobs done, the one obvious drawback to a corded mower is the electrical cord.

For any yard worthy of mowing, a long electrical extension cord is required to power the mower. This can be a minor annoyance, such as having to keep the cord free from getting tangled in trees and bushes, to a major annoyance when you drive over it and cut it into small pieces.

However, corded electric mowers require no gas, oil, or maintenance and, other than a blade sharpening from time to time, can perform reliably for years.

Battery

Battery-powered cars, power equipment, and tools have been around for a long time. The electric motors were strong and reliable enough, but the battery was not. Just a few years ago, an electric car could expect to go only 100 miles on a charge, and power tools and equipment didn’t last long either. In the past few years, battery technology has improved by leaps and bounds.

Electric cars can expect hundreds of miles on a charge and power tools and equipment can last a full day. This lithium battery technology found its way to lawnmowers and it has created a viable option for those consumers who don’t want gas and don’t want a cord. These battery-powered mowers are powerful, efficient, lightweight, and green. Many now use brushless electric motors, which are more efficient, produce more torque, and are longer lasting than the older electric motors with brushes.

How often should I mow my lawn?

Cutting the lawn too often and only cutting it when it gets overgrown are both unhealthy for a lush, beautiful lawn. The rule of thumb in the lawn-care industry is to keep the grass between 3 inches and 3.5 inches in length. This allows the grass to be long enough to thrive in hot, summer weather.

When cutting grass, never take more than a third of the blade at once. In other words, never cut more than an inch or so. Not only does this cause clumping of grass on the lawn or in the mower bag, but it takes too many nutrients and moisture from the grass itself.

After the late winter fertilizer treatments and the often heavy rains, lawns start to come to life. You’ll find that the grass will need cutting every 4 to 5 days in order to remove just enough length. As the summer wanes on and the temperature rises, the grass will grow a bit slower and a once week cutting is adequate.

It is also important to keep the blades of your lawnmower good and sharp. Since the lawnmower blades are often made of steel, they will develop a dull edge after a season of cutting. A dull edge on a blade will tear the grass and not cut it. This may result in browning of the tips of the grass and put more stress on the mower as well.

While you are under the deck checking those blades—and always disconnect the spark plug wire before going under the mower—be sure there is no old clumped up grass clinging to the mower deck.

Meet the testers

TJ is the Director of Content Development at Reviewed. He is a Massachusetts native and has covered electronics, cameras, TVs, smartphones, parenting, and more for Reviewed. He is from the self-styled “Cranberry Capitol of the World,” which is, in fact, a real thing.

Kevin Kavanaugh is a retired public school teacher and a product tester for Reviewed. Kevin has been cutting lawns for just about 50 years. He has always been intrigued by all things mechanical, be it watches, power equipment, vintage bicycles, or classic cars.

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you’re confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we’ll compare notes.