Does John Deere Make an Electric Riding Lawn Mower. Battery ride on mowers

Does John Deere Make an Electric Riding Lawn Mower?

Interest in electric vehicles has continued to increase over recent years. With more people interested in “going green” and reducing their carbon footprint, John Deere is joining the electric revolution and offering their first fully electric residential lawn mower, available for purchase in 2023. Continue reading to learn more about John Deere’s new electric riding lawn mower and what it has to offer your property.

What electric riding mower models are available from John Deere?

John Deere is adding to their well-known residential line of ZTrak mowers with the Z370R Electric ZTrak This is a residential-size, zero-turn mower. While John Deere has plans to offer a full line of battery-powered residential lawn mowers, the Z370R Electric is the first to be released. Keep an eye out, as more models will be available in the future.

How does the electric mower work?

The Z370R Electric mower works and offers the same performance you’ve come to expect from John Deere’s lawn mowers, except it is powered by a 3.2-kWh (3.56 kWh maximum) sealed lithium-ion battery. Charge your mower by plugging a standard extension cord into a 110-volt grounded outlet. The battery does not need to be removed from the mower to charge, and there is no special charger to purchase. Once your mower is fully charged, you are ready to go.

What kind of power does an electric mower offer?

The electric Z370R ZTrak offers excellent power to mow your lawn efficiently. The 58 Volt lithium-ion battery operates a dual electric motor transmission that provides enough power to mow up to 2 acres with a full charge. With forward speeds up to 7 mph and reverse speeds up to 3.5 mph, you can mow your lawn at the same speeds as a gas-powered mower.

What maintenance does an electric mower require?

John Deere electric mowers might not have oil or filter change needs, but they still require some maintenance to keep them in proper working condition and increase their lifespan.

Battery maintenance – Since a lithium-ion battery powers the mower, it is crucial to keep it charged after each use and store it in a cool, dry place.

Electrical connections – Electric mowers include multiple electrical connections. Routinely check that your connections are secure and show no signs of corrosion.

Moving parts – Even though there are fewer moving parts on an electrical mower than on a gas-powered mower, it is important to keep them lubricated for proper operation. Prevent wear and tear by routinely lubricating axles, wheels, and other moving parts.

Blades – Your blades are the most important piece for a clean-cut lawn. Check your mower blades and sharpen them as needed. If your blades are dull, you risk damaging your grass and increasing your chance of disease.

As always, be sure to follow specific maintenance instructions included in your Operator’s Manual.

What are the pros and cons of an electric mower?

With any purchase, it is important to consider the pros and cons before making your final decision. Fully electric riding lawn mowers are the ideal solution for some properties, but not all.

Pros

Quiet operation – Electric mowers offer more silent operation than gas-powered mowers. The quieter operation makes them ideal for residential areas, as you will be less likely to disturb your neighbors. If you want to mow early in the morning without waking people up, this is an ideal feature.

Easy start – Electric mowers are quick and easy to start, with no manual choke.

Low maintenance – Electric mowers do not need gas or oil, meaning less maintenance than gas-powered lawn mowers. Without gas or oil, there is no need to change the oil or replace fuel and oil filters.

Cost-effective – Electric mowers are cheaper to maintain and operate in the long run due to fewer maintenance requirements.

Environmentally friendly – If lowering your carbon footprint is important to you, an electric lawn mower can help. Electric mowers are powered by batteries that do not emit harmful gases like gas-powered lawn mowers.

Cons

Initial cost – While cheaper to maintain in the long run, electric mowers are more expensive than gas-powered mowers when first purchased. An electric lawn mower is an investment in the beginning and might not be a feasible option for some.

Charging time – The lithium-ion batteries take several hours to charge and power your electric lawn mower fully, so it is important to always plan when you would like to mow so your battery can be fully charged.

Operating time – A fully charged battery only offers power for so long. If you have a large area to cover, your limited battery life might require recharging before you can complete mowing.

Limited availability – Electric lawn mowers are newer to the scene and not mass-produced yet like gas-powered mowers, making them not as easy to find and purchase. Finding accessories and replacement parts can be difficult as well.

Where can I find more information about purchasing the new John Deere electric mower?

Currently, the John Deere Z370R Electric mower is only available for purchase online. If you want to learn more or purchase the new electric residential riding mower, contact your trained Sales Specialist at your local Koenig Equipment.

Going green – The Best Electric Riding Mowers, Lawn Tractors and ZTRs

This article discusses the best electric riding lawnmowers and electric zero-turn mowers for 2021. It will be updated as new electric mowers are introduced.

Electric vehicles are starting to replace gas/diesel cars, trucks, and ATV’s. If you are one of the ever-growing numbers of EV owners who commute to work in your efficient electric car all week, only to hop on your gas-guzzling lawnmower to mow your lawn it may make sense to consider going electric for mowing your lawn.

A number of new all-electric ride on mowers entered the market in the last year and I’ll help you find the best one for you.

Looking for a comparison of the Ryobi, EGO, and Cub Cadet ZTR’s? Check out this article: 42-inch Electric ZTRs – Ryobi, EGO, or Cub Cadet? Which One Is Best For You?

In addition to being better for the environment, electric riding mowers, electric lawn tractors, and electric zero-turn mowers have a number of other benefits.

• Less yearly maintenance costs. You can forget about changing the oil, oil filter, spark plugs, belts, and air filters. Just change/sharpen the mower blades and check the tire pressure as needed. Savings – about 250 a year.
• Less expensive to operate. My 42 inch, 24 HP Zero-turn uses about 2 gallons of fuel or 5.50 to mow my lawn. An electric riding mower will use about 75 cents in electricity. (My local fuel and electric rates) Plus, I don’t have to buy a gas can, go to the gas station in my vehicle, and have gas sitting around my garage.
• Less expensive to own. An electric riding mower powered by Lithium-Ion batteries and brushless motors will pay for itself and actually save you money over the life of the mower compared to a gas-powered one. A lead-acid powered electric rider will pretty much break even because you have to replace the batteries every few years. But you still get all the benefits of a quieter mower and reduced yearly maintenance.
• Quieter to operate: You can mow without the deafening roar of a lawn tractor engine.

Noise: All-electric riding mowers are much quieter than your gas-powered lawn tractor but they still make noise when the blades are engaged. The noise is still loud enough that you may want to wear hearing protection.

One big advantage that’s not advertised: Performing yard work with an electric rider. My wife loves to work outside on her landscaping. It’s her therapy. She is constantly moving from one landscape bed to another trimming that branch, pinching off that flower or changing a plant that has flowered for another yet to bloom. A Cub Cadet yard cart stays attached all the time. An electric rider is perfect for her. No noise, no choking the engine and waiting for it to warm up. She just turns the key and goes from bed to bed. She doesn’t mow the yard so the electric rider’s battery easily lasts a week or more before it needs to be plugged in and charged.

One more thing you need to know before we discuss the actual electric riding mowers.

Lithium-Ion or Lead Acid Deep Cycle AGM/SLA?

Lawn Mower Manufacturers are currently using two types of batteries in electric riding mowers. Lithium-Ion and Lead-Acid AGM/FLA. Lithium-Ion is the way to go because they last longer, are lighter, and are better for the environment but they do cost more upfront. Because of that some manufacturers still offer lead-acid batteries in a few of the residential models for cost-conscious buyers.

Lithium-Ion Batteries are Best

Lithium-ion batteries are the same battery as in your phone – just bigger. Lithium-Ion Batteries last longer, maintain the same power throughout their discharge cycle, and can be discharged repeatedly without damage. Because of this, a 48 Volt, 60 Ah Lithium-Ion battery will mow about the same area as a set of 48V, 100 Ah Lead Acid batteries. Lithium-Ion batteries can be stored in freezing temps. They do not need to be charged periodically during storage although a few brands are recommending charging them every six months in storage.

Using the supplied factory charger a 56 Volt, 60 AH battery will charge in 4 hours. In addition, you can partially charge the battery and not damage it.

When used in a residential riding mower a Lithium-Ion battery should last 1000-1200 cycles or 10 years.

Lead Acid Batteries Are Cheapest Up Front.

Lead Acid AGM batteries are similar to the starting battery in your new car. AGM batteries cost less upfront, have a much shorter life span than Lithium-Ion, loose power/voltage during discharge, and can only be discharged down to 60-80% repeatedly without damage. Because of that, you need a 100 Ah AGM battery to mow the same amount of lawn as a 60 AH Lithium-Ion battery. AGM batteries need to be stored in temperatures between freezing and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and periodically charged when stored for more than a month. They are much larger and heavier than Lithium-Ion batteries.

Using the supplied factory charger a 48 Volt, 100 AH lead-acid battery set will charge in 12-14 hours. You should always leave the battery on the charger the full time to equalize the charge in all the batteries (usually four).

When used in a residential riding mower an AGM battery set should last 150-400 cycles or 3-5 years. (If you never run your battery below 60%, charge it correctly, and store it correctly you may get 400-500 cycles)

Finally! the Mowers!

Please note! This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. But, please feel free to visit your local authorized dealer and purchase locally. I don’t make a commission when you do that but I don’t mind.

I am going to cover Lithium-Ion and Lead-Acid powered mowers separately.

Lithium-Ion Battery Mowers

2021 Cub Cadet CC30e

This is a proven rear engine riding mower and the gas version (CC30H) has been around for many years. “No more gas, no spark plugs, no belts, no nothing. I only wish it was heavier on the drive wheels because I have some slight inclines to climb. Owner Review.”

• Class: Riding Mower, Great for small lawns.
• Model: CC30e
• Deck: 30 inch. Comes with a mulching plug. 2 bin bagger available.
• Type: Rear engine rider
• Battery: 56 volt, 30 Ah, 1500 Watt-hour Lithium-Ion Will mow up to 1 acre and charge fully in 4 hours.
• Cub Cadet open high-back seat with elevated back support and armrests attached
• 3-year unlimited hours/4-year battery warranty

Read all the details, buy online or order through a select Cub Cadet Dealer here: Buy Cub Cadet CC30e

Read more and buy through the Home Depot here: Buy Cub Cadet CC30e

2021 Cub Cadet LT42e Electric Lawn Tractor

This is a proven lawn tractor with a great cutting deck converted to electric. Same workmanship and cut quality as the highly-rated Cub Cadet LT42 lawn tractor. “This mower matches its gas-powered stablemates in the quality of cut. Owner Review.”

• Class: Lawn Tractor, Great for typical suburban lawns up to 2 acres.
• Model: LT42e
• Deck: 42-inch QuickAttach (no tools required)
• Type: Rear engine rider
• Battery: 56 volt, 60 AH, 3000 Watt-hour Lithium-Ion Will mow up to 2 acres and charge fully in 4 hours.
• Cub Cadet open high-back seat with elevated back support and armrests attached
• 3-year unlimited hours/4-year battery warranty

Read all the details, buy online or order through a select Cub Cadet Dealer here: Buy Cub Cadet LT42e

Read more and buy through the Home Depot here: Buy Cub Cadet LT42e

For the homeowner who wants the best cut first, the best ZTR second, and is excited it comes in a battery version. Cub Cadet ZT1 42E zero-turn mower will mow up to two and a half acres on one charge and the lithium-ion battery can be quickly charged to any amount if you have “just a little more” lawn than that. It is straightforward and simple to use. This mower also comes with the best dealer service network and support of the three mowers in this article.

I have an extensive article comparing this mower to the EGO and Ryobi zero-turn mowers. Check it out here: 42-inch Electric ZTRs – Ryobi, EGO, or Cub Cadet? Which One Is Best For You?

EGO Power 42” Z6

EGO’s new 56 volt ZTR is the talk of the news media. It looks cool and sports all kinds of hi-tech gadgetry like 360-degree lighting, multiple mowing modes, and a control panel right out of the Space X rocket. It’s the first riding mower that uses the same EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries as all their other residential tools.

The EGO will be available at Lowes and servicing dealers.

I have an extensive article comparing the Cub Cadet, EGO, and Ryobi electric zero-turn mowers. Check it out here: 42-inch Electric ZTRs – Ryobi, EGO, or Cub Cadet? Which One Is Best For You?

Wiebang E-Rider

When I was growing up my grandmother had a Cub Cadet 60 Rider. I loved that little mower. It was quick and a lot more maneuverable than the John Deere 110 my father had. It was fun! The Wiebang E-Rider reminds me a lot of the Cub Cadet 60.

Owners love how small it is and it’s perfect for that lawn that’s just a little too big to mow with a walk-behind. It will mow one acre but really shines on 1/4 to 1/2 acre flat lawns.

• Class: Riding Mower, Good for small, smooth lawns
• Model: Weinag E-Rider
• Deck: 30 inch
• Type: Rear engine rider
• Battery: 72 volt, 20 AH, 1500 Watt-Hour.
• Very Compact and does not take up a lot of room in your garage.
• Warranty: 3 Year Residential

Read more and buy through the Home Depot here: Buy Weibang E-Rider

TURF ONE E-Rider Model #30-EB

Weibang makes a great little mower for people who have just a little more lawn than they can walk. But, not many people want a mower with a name that sounds “foreign.” So, it appears they have renamed it Turf ONE. Owners love how small it is and it’s perfect for that lawn that’s just a little too big to mow with a walk-behind. It will mow one acre but really shines on 1/4 to 1/2 acre flat lawns.

• Class: Riding Mower, Good for small, smooth lawns
• Model: Turf One E-Rider Model #30-EB
• Deck: 30 inch
• Type: Rear engine rider
• Battery: 72 volt, 20 AH, 1500 Watt-Hour.
• Very Compact and does not take up a lot of room in your garage.
• Warranty: 3 Year Residential

Read more and buy through the Home Depot here: Buy Turf One E-Rider

TURF ONE VOLT 32C Model #32c1900

If you use a bagger most of the time on your smaller lawn the TURF ONE VOLT 32C Model #32c1900 may be a great choice for you.

• Class: Riding Mower, Good for small, smooth lawns
• Model: Turf One E-Rider Model #32-C
• Deck: 30 inch
• Type: Rear engine rider
• Battery: 72 volt, 30 AH, 1500 Watt-Hour.
• Very Compact and does not take up a lot of room in your garage.
• Warranty: 3 Year Residential

Read more and buy through the Home Depot here: Buy Turf One 32-C E-Rider

Craftsman

(Owned by Stanley, Black Decker – Sold through Lowes and other retailers)

Although the Craftsman branded electric riding mowers are most likely the same mower as the Cub Cadet’s above (made by MTD) I am not going to recommend them at this time. Why? 1. Service and parts availability are very poor. Parts are not available online. Any service requires you to ship your mower off to some unknown location. Owners with problems are very frustrated with both Lowes and Craftsman. 2. All reviews on Lowes are “[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]” meaning Lowes or Craftsman paid the reviewer for the review and the results may be skewed because of that.

Plain and simple – You want a mower that works when you want to use it – if it breaks you want to get parts immediately or get it repaired quickly. When/if this improves I will update this article to reflect the changes.

GreenWorks Commercial Lithium Z RZ48R

The Greenworks Lithium Z is a high-end residential ZTR and will be available through GreenWorks Commercial dealers this spring. This mower features a commercial fabricated deck, heavy-duty frame, and smooth controls. I saw it at GIE-EXPO and I was impressed. The cost will be around 7000.

Greenworks Commercial also offers a full line of commercial electric ZTR, Stand-ons, and walk-behinds.

If you are not familiar with Greenworks it is a global company headquartered in Changzhou, China and has offices in South Carolina, and Sweden. The brands they offer are Greenworks (residential) PowerWorks (residential) and Greenworks Commercial.

• Class: Zero-Turn Mower (ZTR) up to 2 acres.
• Model: Lithium Z RZ48R
• Deck: 48″ Residential Zero Turn Mower
• Type: Zero-Turn
• Battery: 82 volt, Run Time Up to 1 Hours?, Cut Area Up to 2.25 Acres, Charge Time 7 hours
• Very Compact and does not take up a lot of room in your garage.
• Warranty: 2 Year Residential, 3-year battery

Gravely EVZT

The EVZT zero-turn is the first commercially capable battery-powered ZTR developed by a tried and true outdoor power equipment manufacturer. Gravely has had this mower out on lawns now for a year and the owners just rave about how well it cuts and how easy it is to maintain. If you are a commercial mower and need a dependable unit this may be the best choice for you right now.

This mower will mow up to 15 acres (5 hours) on one charge of the 4 kWh batteries. (one battery is equivalent to EIGHT 10 Ah EGO batteries) The FusionCore QuikSwap batteries are swappable out in the field and Gravely has even introduced an offboard portable charger so your crews can work all day long.

Class: Commercial Zero-Turn Mower.

You can read more here: Gravely EVZT

Mean Green

Mean Green – Commercial Electric Mowers

Mean Green Mowers has a complete line of lithium-powered commercial riding, stand-on, walk-behind and trimming mowers. They feature interchangeable high-capacity battery packs that can quickly be exchanged to power their mowers all day long. This is the true “Tesla” of riding mowers – state of the art batteries, chargers, and electronics.

Like the Tesla autos, there is no maintenance on these mowers other than occasional inspections for safety and a few grease fittings. No seasonal maintenance like oil, spark plugs, oil filters, air filters, hydraulic fluid, etc to purchase and store. Best of all, there is NO gas to purchase and haul around in your trunk! No storage cans of stale fuel sitting around your garage! Commercial owners are seeing savings of hundreds of dollars per month on parts and fuel alone, not to mention the high labor costs to accomplish the maintenance. The additional cost of the batteries quickly is offset by maintenance and operating savings over gas-powered equipment.

The mowers themselves are true commercial grade mowers and cost about the same as an equivalent commercial gas-powered zero-turn. The battery packs and chargers are additional.

Did I mention how quiet they are?

DR Power Equipment, a subsidiary of Generac Holdings Inc., a manufacturer of professional-grade, outdoor power equipment recently acquired Mean Green Products, the established leader in the battery-electric commercial electric lawn mower industry.

Find out more about Mean Green Mowers here: Mean Green Mowers

Lead Acid Deep Cycle AGM Battery Powered Mowers

Ryobi Electric Riding Lawn Mower

The Ryobi Electric Rider and Electric Zero-turn are the most popular residential electric mowers available because they can be easily purchased through The Home Depot and they are gaining a great reputation for cut quality, ease of use, and dependability.

Ryobi 42 Inch Zero-Turn Mower RY48ZTR75 and RY48ZTR100

No emissions, no starting issues, no fuel or other maintenance besides changing the mowing blades once in a while. Combine this ZTR with the Ryobi 40 volt Tool Collection or the Toro Flex-Force System and you no longer need a gas-powered product to maintain your 2-3 acre yard! It’s time to get rid of the gas can! The RYOBI 48V Zero Turn Electric Riding Mower is powered by 75 Ah or 100 Ah Lead-Acid Batteries and 4 High-Powered Brushless Motors. This mower can cut up to 2.25/3.0 acres on a single charge. The durable 42 in. steel deck is equipped with two precision-cut steel blades. The 12-Position Manual Deck Adjustment provides a clean-cut to your lawn every time. The advanced control panel activates the blades, slow speed function, LED headlights and displays the battery level and run-time. The rear access charging port makes charging your rider easy when the job is done.

• Class: Zero-Turn Mower (ZTR) up to 2 acres
• Lead-Acid Battery Operated: fully electric and 0 emissions
• Up to 3 acres of mowing per charge (2.25 acres with 75 AH batteries)
• 4 high powered brushless motors
• 42 in. heavy-duty steel deck
• 2 precision cut steel blades
• 12 position manual deck adjustment
• Side discharge, mulching, or bagging capable (bagger accessory available online only)
• 1.5 in. to 4.5 in. adjustable cutting height
• Low maintenance: no belts, spark plugs, or filters
• Battery operated: quiet cutting, no gas, fumes, charge and go
• Control panel: battery level indicator, unit hour meter, USB charging
• Easy access rear charging port
• Charges through a standard 120-Volt outlet. 12-14 hour charge time
• Includes towing hitch and tow assembly hardware
• Warranty: 3-Year Limited
• Battery Warranty:1-Year Limited

I have an extensive article comparing the Cub Cadet, EGO, and Ryobi electric zero-turn mowers. Check it out here: 42-inch Electric ZTRs – Ryobi, EGO, or Cub Cadet? Which One Is Best For You?

Ryobi RM480E – RM480ex ELECTRIC RIDING MOWER

The Ryobi RM480E has been on the market for two years and features a proven battery and propulsion system that will give you years of use. No gas, no oil changes, no real maintenance besides blades and cleaning for years. This mower uses standard deep discharge batteries for long mowing time and long battery life. If you have a smaller property to mow, and would like to be rid of noise, fumes and maintenance headaches of a gas-fueled riding mower, the cordless electric Ryobi RM480ex deserves serious consideration. It can run up to 2.5 hours on a single charge and is a great performer, too.

• Class: Riding Mower, Great for small lawns
• Battery-Operated: fully electric and 0 emissions
• 3 Brushless motors for superior power and performance
• Up to 2 hours of runtime or 2 acres of mowing
• Environmentally friendly.
• Virtually maintenance-free.
• Super quiet. Intuitive operation.
• Warranty: 3-Year Limited
• Battery Warranty:1-Year Limited

With the RM480E, you get all the benefits of owning a fully electric riding lawn mower without sacrificing power, performance or features.

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The best electric lawn mowers to keep your yard under control

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• Best electric lawn mower overall
• Best electric mulching lawn mower
• Best budget electric lawn mower
• Best electric riding lawn mower
• Best electric mower for small yards
• How we rate electric lawn mowers
• What else we considered
• Electric lawn mower FAQs
• Check out more of our lawn care buying guides

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Although gas-powered lawn mowers have their place on large lawns that require maximum power and runtime, their messy fuel mixes, harmful fumes, and environmental effects have many seeking another option. Luckily, electric lawn mowers don’t have these issues.

Advancements in battery design and capacity have made electric mowers a practical alternative to gas-powered machines, with long running times, quiet operation, and lightweight design. Perhaps most convenient of all, electric mowers feature push-button start mechanisms, which means no more frustrating pull cords.

All the mowers in this guide are either battery-powered or corded models that can be plugged into a standard home power outlet. These corded options are perfect for small yards that don’t require the portability of cordless options. Battery-powered models are a bit more versatile, though you’ll find that battery life varies. If you have a large yard or an incline, keeping two sets of batteries charged and ready may be necessary if you want to mow the entire space in one session. Just keep in mind that electric mowers won’t be as powerful as gas versions and aren’t ideal for extremely thick grass or brush.

We included the electric lawn mowers below based on several factors, including versatility, power, battery life, features, and overall performance. They’re available at various price points, so you should be able to find something that works for your budget and needs.

Our top picks for electric lawn mowers

Best electric lawn mower overall: Ego LM2102SP 21-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower. See at Lowe’sThe Ego Power LM2102SP 21-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower produces plenty of power, has a push-button start, and self-propels for nearly effortless operation.

Best electric mulching lawn mower: Toro 21356 Recycler SmartStow Cordless Lawn Mower. See at The Home DepotThe Toro 21356 Recycler SmartStow Cordless Lawn Mower offers mulching, bagging, and nine cutting positions, making it versatile and efficient.

Best budget electric lawn mower: Greenworks 25022 20-Inch 12-Amp Corded Lawn Mower. See at AmazonThe Greenworks 25022 20-Inch 12-Amp Corded Lawn Mower cuts the cost compared to other electric ones without cutting down its versatile trimmer options.

Best electric riding lawn mower: Ryobi RY48111 38-Inch Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower. See at The Home DepotThe Ryobi RY48111 38-Inch Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower is a hands-on option that still reaps the benefits of a traditional gas-powered ride-on.

Best lawn mower for small yards: Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO Electric Lawn Mower. See at AmazonA narrow 14-inch cutting width makes the Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO Electric Lawn Mower ideal for maneuvering around small yards, and its affordable price is perfect for those on a tight budget.

Best electric lawn mower overall: Ego LM2102SP 21-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Pros: Powerful motor, quiet operation, Rapid-charging battery, foldable upright storage, headlights, good warranty

Cons: Batteries are expensive to replace (or stock spares)

Featuring a powerful 7.5 Ah battery, the 56-Volt Ego LM2102SP 21-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower offers the performance of gas in a convenient, cordless electric design. Its functionality and ease of use made it an easy choice for our top pick.

A three-in-one design allows you to choose between mulching, bagging, and side discharge of your grass cuttings, and the battery provides 60 minutes of runtime on a single charge. The push-button start makes it easy to start mowing right away, and thanks to a pair of LED headlights, you can safely mow at dusk or on overcast days.

The self-propelling feature of this mower also offers variable speed control, so you can customize it to whatever pace you prefer. A large, easy-to-use lever by the handle makes it simple to adjust these speeds. If you feel like getting some exercise, you can disengage this feature and push the mower manually.

We’re also big fans of the six cutting heights offered by the Ego LM2102SP allowing you to precisely set your preferred height from 1.5 to 4 inches. Although the 165-pound weight is heavier than similar models, the fold-up design is extremely convenient, especially if your garage or tool shed is tight on space. This mower comes with great warranty options that are slightly on the generous side compared with others.

Best electric mulching lawn mower: Toro 21356 Recycler SmartStow Cordless Lawn Mower

Pros: Fast to charge, wide range of blade position options

Cons: Expensive

Mulching your grass while you mow allows you to reuse those valuable clippings instead of throwing them away with the rest of your yard waste. These mulched clippings break down and release nutrients back into your lawn, which both benefits your grass and makes less work for you after you’re finished. If you’d prefer not to mulch, you can also use the Toro Recycler as a bagging mower.

The mower uses a single 60V battery to power its 21-inch blade, and the brushless motor help it to operate as efficiently as possible. This should help increase the lifespan of the mower motor itself. The Toro Recycler’s runtime is about 45 minutes, which should be sufficient for medium-sized yards up to 1/3 acre. It can fully recharge in 2.5 hours.

You can adjust the handle of the Toro Recycler to two different positions, making it convenient for those who want to customize their mower to their specific height. This handle also completely folds down when the mower is not in use, so you’ll be able to store it vertically or potentially under a worktable.

Nine height settings allow for a wide range of positions. With a minimum cutting height of 1.25 inches, you can get very low. The steel deck of this mower is also more durable than other plastic or composite models and should hold up well under regular wear and tear.

Best budget electric lawn mower: Greenworks 25022 20-Inch 12-Amp Corded Lawn Mower

Pros: Seven-position height adjustment, foldable handles, four-year warranty

Cons: Corded design limits reach

Electric mowers don’t have to be costly, and the Greenworks 20-Inch Corded Lawn Mower is proof. This mower, offered at a budget-friendly price, still has plenty of bells and whistles and impressive performance. Its 20-inch steel deck offers durability, and the 12-amp, 120-volt motor (effectively 1440 watts) is powerful enough for easy mowing.

The mower includes three-in-one mulching, side discharge, and rear bag functions. It also offers a seven-position height adjustment, allowing you to choose cutting heights between 1.5 and 3.75 inches. The push-button start makes for easy operation, and the foldable handles allow for convenient storage or transportation.

This mower weighs just 56 pounds, so it’s relatively easy to push. While it’s a fairly basic design, this mower is suitable for homeowners or renters with smaller lawns, provided there’s access to a power outlet.

Best electric riding lawn mower: Ryobi RY48111 38-Inch Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower

Pros: Excellent battery power, full of features, capable of large jobs

Cons: Requires more storage space than push mowers, higher price point

The Ryobi RY48111 38-Inch Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower is a quality piece of equipment that pairs durable construction with the benefits of electric power. The steel frame houses a generous 38-inch blade deck, and three high-torque brushless motors provide maximized cutting power.

Assessing power is trickier because Ryobi doesn’t offer the same information as the other brands featured within this guide. Still, the 48-volt battery can last for about two hours or 2 acres of mowing time on a single charge so you can get plenty of work done quickly.

This mower is full of features. The seat is adjustable for your comfort, and the control panel is conveniently located for accessibility. The 12-point deck height adjustment gives you nuanced control over your mowing height, and its LED headlights allow for evening work. There’s also cruise control and USB charging. A cup holder and cell phone holder round out this machine’s excellent design.

This mower offers plenty of advantages over traditional gas-powered variants. With no belts, spark plugs, or filters, it’s a low-maintenance option. If you’re looking for an alternative to gas-powered riding mowers, the Ryobi is reliable, powerful, and quiet.

Best electric mower for small yards: Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO Electric Lawn Mower

Pros: Lightweight, 10.6-gallon collection bag, low price

Cons: Too small for larger yards, only three height settings

The Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO electric lawn mower may not have the portability or width to be a practical option for larger yards, but its compact design and easy-to-use operation make it ideal for small or medium-sized ones. The relatively narrow width also makes it convenient to maneuver around tight landscaping elements like rocks or other obstacles that require more precision than a larger mower offers.

One reason I chose the Sun Joe for this list is that I appreciate anything that improves operation safety, especially involving lawn mowers. This model requires you to press the safety lock button and simultaneously pull the “on” trigger to power it up. It reduces the chance of you starting the mower unintentionally.

Because of the 14-inch cutting width, this compact mower is also well-suited for those who have limited storage space. It’s also incredibly lightweight. At just 29 pounds, it’s comfortable to use and makes its lack of self-propelling mechanism less of an issue.

I’ve used Sun Joe products in the past and have found them to be straightforward to operate. The user manual provides a clear diagram of how to effectively mow with a corded model and prevent running over your extension cord.

The Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO features three height settings, which is less than our other options. But if you are just looking for a hassle-free mower, this mower could be the perfect fit.

How we rate electric lawn mowers

After extensive online research from expert sources like Thriving Yard, we assembled this list of the best electric mowers you can buy. We also used our experience with large power tools to help evaluate battery life, runtimes, and power output.

Although we did not test all the options we chose, we reviewed owner and operation manuals, watched online tutorials, and consulted with lawn care equipment experts. We then used this information to create our five categories and choose the best option for each one.

We also used a set of specific criteria to help us evaluate and compare potential options.

• Battery Capacity: For cordless options, we paid close attention to the Ah (amp hour) of the included battery. In short, the higher the Ah, the more energy the battery can store, the higher power output, and the longer it will last.
• Charging Time: The time it takes to recharge a depleted battery can seriously affect the convenience of a cordless mower. If your battery can be recharged quickly, you’ll be able to get back to work soon, and there’s less of a chance that you’ll need to purchase a second battery.
• Runtime: Overall runtime per battery charge is probably the most important metric to consider when evaluating cordless mowers — obviously corded models will provide the longest. The longer the runtime, the better, especially for larger mowers that will be purchased to use on larger lawns.
• Weight: The lighter the mower weighs, the less effort it will place on the battery and the longer the overall runtime. We did our best to always choose lighter options whenever possible while still taking overall power into consideration.

What else we considered

Ego Power LM2101 56-V 20-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower: This was our previous top pick. Although it is a great option, we ultimately decided that its replacement, the EGO LM2102SP 21-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower and its self-propelled design, was a better fit. If a self-propelled option isn’t important to you, this Ego mower would be a great choice for anyone with a relatively high budget who is looking for a high-quality battery-powered mower.

Worx WR165 Landroid: The high price of this robotic lawnmower kept it off our list. But if the 950 price tag isn’t an issue, it could be a good fit for anyone looking to explore a unique mower option. Similar to a Roomba, this mower navigates entirely on its own and automatically adjusts the height of the blade to account for uneven terrain. It wouldn’t be practical for anything larger than 1/8-acre, though, so keep that in mind.

Electric lawn mower FAQs

How long do electric lawn mowers last?

Battery-powered mowers themselves can last up to 10 years, but their batteries will only last about 4 years before they’re unable to hold an effective charge. To ensure your batteries will last as long as possible, try to completely deplete the battery before recharging it. This will reduce the overall number of charging cycles placed on the battery, increasing its lifespan. You should also do your best to remove the battery from the charger once it’s fully charged.

Corded mowers have a similar lifespan as long as they’re cared for properly. There are no batteries to worry about, but their extension cords are just as important to pay attention to. This means using the correct gauge for the job, which indicates how thick the cord is. The thicker the cord, the more voltage will reach the mower and the less unnecessary work the motor has to do. Your mower’s operating manual should tell you the best gauge for the job.

How expensive are electric lawn mowers?

Electric lawn mowers are available at a wide range of prices, although corded models tend to be cheaper than battery-powered options. Corded mowers also won’t require any additional battery purchases over time. Size also plays a part. Large riding mowers can cost thousands of dollars, while smaller, compact machines, like the Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO, our recommendation for small yards, can be found for about 140.

Neither requires the fuel or oil that gas-powered models do, which should cut down on the overall expense of the mower. However, the long-term cost of replacement batteries — which can cost hundreds of dollars — should be considered as well.

Is it safe to cut wet grass with an electric mower?

According to the Ego mower manual, you should avoid cutting wet grass with your electric mower for two reasons. First, the moisture can affect the electrical components of the mower and cause serious damage not covered by the warranty. Secondly, using your mower on wet grass is a potential safety hazard and can cause you to slip or fall and potentially injure yourself.

Wet grass can also present maintenance and cleaning challenges. It can become stuck on the deck and other components, and unlike gas-powered mowers, you can’t just spray it off with a hose. As long as you stick to cutting dry grass, you’ll have a much easier time cleaning up.

Can you leave an electric lawn mower outside?

Due to the electrical components and vulnerable batteries, we don’t recommend leaving your mower outdoors when it’s not in use. Both Ego and Greenworks recommend keeping their electric mowers indoors in a cool, dry space. They also state that you should never cover them with a plastic tarp, which can trap moisture that can damage the internal components. If you need to keep your mower outside, keep it elevated and off the ground. This will allow air to flow around it and prevent unnecessary moisture damage.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy an Electric Riding Lawn Mower

Josh Hendrickson

@canterrain

Riding lawn mowers are great for making quick work of lawn care. But they’re loud, jerky, and chug through oil and gas. An electric riding lawn mower promises to solve all of that. But after two years of owning one, I’m here to say don’t make the mistake of buying one. At least not yet.

I’ve owned a variety of lawn mowers, both of the push and riding variety, and have tried both gas and electric options. I switched over to electric mowers years ago, first with my push mowers and then my rider. And while I absolutely loved my electric riding lawn mower in the beginning, now I’m sorry I bought it. The purchase feels like a mistake, and it’s all down to using old technology.

The Benefits of an Electric Mower

Although it’s easy to think an electric mower sounds like a dumb idea, that’s not true. Range really isn’t as much of an issue as you might assume. While corded electric mowers were once a thing, battery tech has come a long way. If you have an electric push mower, chances are a single battery can get through the average 1/4th acre yard found in the U.S., and if not, you can swap it out with another battery on the fly.

It helps that companies selling electric push mowers also typically sell other yard tools, like weed whips, that use the same batteries. It’s a lot like power tools at this point—stick with a brand, buy more batteries, and you’ll have plenty of juice for the job. And you get other benefits along the way.

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For one, whether we’re talking push or riding, electric mowers are much quieter thanks to skipping the traditional engine. Depending on your machine, the loudest part will be the blades themselves; you may not even need hearing protection as you do with conventional mowers. In the case of my riding lawn mower, I once helped out a neighbor who ran out of gas partway through a mowing job. When I started mowing, she grabbed my attention as though something was wrong. It turned out she thought I hadn’t started the blades on the machine because it was so quiet.

An electric mower is easier to use, too. No seriously. Think about all the times you’ve pulled the chain of a gas mower only to have to pull it again and then a third time. If you’re lucky, that’s all it took. Even with a riding lawn mower, you’ve probably dealt with getting everything set just right, so it starts when you turn the key. Electric mowers are nothing that. You push a button, and it just goes. Every single time, assuming you remembered to charge the battery.

On top of all that, while an electric mower is typically more expensive to purchase than a gas mower, it’s also less costly to use. Electricity is cheaper than gas, especially right now, and you won’t have to deal with oil. Depending on where you live, it’ll cost you pennies to mow your lawn with an electric mower.

When I first purchased my electric riding lawn mower, I loved it for all these reasons. It starts quickly, it’s quiet, it doesn’t cost much to run, and it felt like I finished mowing the lawn faster than with my old gas-riding lawn mower.

But two years later, I’m not so in love with it anymore.

The Problem With Most Electric Riding Lawn Mowers

The first year and a half I owned my riding lawn mower, I loved the thing. But starting this summer, I changed my mind. In fact, I can’t in good conscience advise anyone to buy an electric riding mower right now. You should not buy one at all. You’re better off with a gas mower, at least for the next few years.

Why did I change my mind so much? The batteries. When you buy an electric push mower, you get a nice set of easy-to-change long-lasting lithium-ion batteries. But that’s not the case with an electric riding mower. Instead, most currently use a Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery. You’re probably already familiar with SLA batteries—there’s one in your car. Yes, it’s the same kind of battery your car uses. And chances are, if you have a gas riding mower, it also uses one as well!

But there’s a big difference between how your gas riding mower, your car, and an electric riding mower use that battery. In very basic terms with the former two, the battery starts the engine before the gas components take over to keep things going. After that, the battery powers other electrical functions, like those useless headlights on your mower.

Electric riding mowers are entirely reliant on SLA batteries. In the case of my machine, it houses four SLA batteries under the seat, and they all work together to provide 48 volts or about an “hour of run time.” My mower promises to get through an acre before needing a recharge, but I can tell you from my experience that’s inaccurate. It’s probably something closer to 3/4ths of an acre.

So what’s bad about that? Well, SLA batteries are, frankly, terrible. They don’t last long at all and are easy to damage. They work well enough in a car (though some people might disagree) because most people drive their vehicles daily. But you probably don’t mow your lawn every day, and you definitely don’t during the winter.

And therein lies the problem. Buy any electric mower with an SLA battery, and you’ll find heavy warnings:

Always connect the mower to the charger when the unit is not in use. If it is not possible to leave the mower charger connected, make sure to charge the batteries fully at least once a month.

Unlike other battery tech, SLA batteries need to remain charged, and letting them drop below 50% can damage them. They don’t do well with cold either. Ignore those warnings, and you can kill batteries. Or the batteries may not hold a charge anymore. We tried our best to keep to those rules, but our batteries aren’t working correctly two years later.

I think range issues ended up killing the batteries. Our mower is rated for a full acre before needing a recharge, but it’s realistically closer to 3/4ths an acre. We have a half acre of land, so just mowing the lawn regularly drained the battery below 50%. Again, going below 50% can deplete an SLA battery’s recharge life.

From the information I’m now getting from the battery indicator display, I can tell two of the four batteries are dead. That tracks, as when I get the mower to start (it now takes several tries), I only get half the range I had when I first bought the mower. Two years in, and my electric mower needs two new SLA batteries—that’ll cost around 480 to swap out. And doing so requires a tricky procedure that entails taking apart the mower, dragging a heavy tray back, avoiding toppling the mower over in the process, then avoiding shorting out the system since the four batteries are tied together. It’s not pretty.

I spent over 2,000 on a mower that’s now half as useful as it once was, and I’ll spend hundreds more getting it back into shape. Only to have to repeat the process two years from now. That same mower now costs even more than when I first purchased it. A gas mower would be better. You might be wondering if better electric riding mowers are on the way, and the answer is yes. But it’s not all good news.

The Future of Electric Riding Lawn Mowers

Obviously, the biggest complaint and downfall of most current electric riding lawnmowers is the reliance on SLA batteries. And if that’s the case, the solution is, in theory, pretty easy—switch to Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. You probably own devices that already use Li-ion batteries. Do you have a smartphone, cordless drill, true wireless earbuds, or an electric vehicle? All of those use Li-ion batteries.

It’s not surprising that so many gadgets made that choice either because Li-ion solves many of the problems plaguing SLA batteries. It doesn’t damage them to drain the battery to zero (at least not as much), you can keep them charged all the time (modern tech prevents “overcharging”), it doesn’t suffer from “memory issues,” and as much it’s generally longer lasting. With a Li-ion battery-powered electric mower, you won’t have to worry about maintaining charge as much or plugging in over the winter.

So what’s the catch? Price. Electric riding mowers are already expensive. You’ll pay over 2,000 for a model that promises to mow just one acre on a charge, more if you need something that can handle a bigger yard. Compared to other similar riding mowers, that’s a 20% premium. But if you want to buy a Li-ion electric riding mower, the price goes way up.

Ryobi only recently started selling its first Li-ion options, and the starting price is a wallet-busting 6,000. That giant price gets you a mower that only promises to mow around an acre of land on a single charge. And remember, companies tend to overpromise and underdeliver on charge claims. When it comes time to recharge, you’ll need to wait an hour and a half to get back to a full charge. You can buy a model with more range, but each step up adds another 1,000 to the price.

Other mowers either go for a similar price or come from lesser-known manufacturers. The most affordable entry I can find is a Craftsman, tipping the scales at 3,000. But scroll through the reviews, and any Комментарии и мнения владельцев not tagged as a promotion are pretty negative.

For that kind of money, you can buy professional-grade gear that’ll cut your lawn in a fraction of the time.

The bottom line is until come down and enough time has passed to prove reliability; you probably shouldn’t drop a ton of cash on a Li-ion electric riding mower. Push mowers, on the other hand, are a solid bet. Those work well and won’t break the bank. For now, electric riding mowers just aren’t worth the money, despite their benefits. They’ll either cost way too much up front, or cost too much down the road as you replace batteries again and again.

Josh Hendrickson Josh Hendrickson is the Editor in Chief of Review Geek and is responsible for the site’s content direction. He has worked in IT for nearly a decade, including four years spent repairing and servicing computers for Microsoft. He’s also a Smart home enthusiast who built his own Smart mirror with just a frame, some electronics, a Raspberry Pi, and open-source code. Read Full Bio »