Lawn mower for landscapers. Landscaping tools and equipment: 12 essentials for your business

Landscaping tools and equipment: 12 essentials for your business

Lawn care and landscaping can be a lucrative business. However, it takes more than a lawn mower to get your business off the ground. You’ll need to make a sizable investment in lawn care equipment and tools to grow and effectively market your landscaping company.

Fortunately, investing in high-quality equipment when you start a landscaping business will help you deliver first-rate service for years to come. Review this lawn care equipment list to discover what you’ll need and how much you can expect to pay for it.

Lawn mower

The lawn mower is an essential piece of landscaping equipment for any lawn care business. It’s also likely to be the most expensive tool you’ll buy. The number of commercial lawn mowers on the market may surprise you, and many have numerous attachments from aerators and spreaders to mulchers and dump carts.

A commercial walk-behind push mower can cost 3,000 to 6,000 or more, while a zero-turn riding mower runs between 3,000 and 16,000.

Odds are you’ll spend countless hours in the blazing sun mowing lawns, so you won’t want to skimp on this purchase.

Trimmers

A string trimmer can reach grass in places a mower can’t, like along a fence line, under decks, or around flower beds and mailbox posts. Also called a weed whacker, it gives lawns the finishing touch to look manicured.

Husqvarna offers an excellent selection of gas or electric string trimmers, ranging from 300 to over 500.

Hedge trimmer

Hedge trimmers can trim and shape hedges and shrubs quickly and easily. Like string trimmers, hedge trimmers come in cordless electric or gas-powered varieties. At a cost of around 500, it’s an investment that can save you considerable time.

When shopping for a hedge trimmer, remember you’ll be holding it in your hands for long periods. Therefore, it’s best to FOCUS on comfort and portability.

Edger

You might think a string trimmer can do the job of an edger, and you’d be partially correct. A string trimmer can help maintain an edge. But to create a distinct border or break through thick grass and roots, an edger is more efficient and will do a better job.

Handheld edgers range from 300 to 600. For more robust projects, a walk-behind model could cost up to 1,000.

Blowers

So-called “leaf blowers” are for more than cleaning up leaves. They’re also a quick way to clean up sidewalks and entrances for high-end homeowners and commercial businesses.

You can pick up a commercial handheld blower for about 300 or 400, while a backpack-style blower is around 700.

Which is right for your landscaping business? Handhelds can be more efficient for smaller, residential jobs or if you’ll be starting and stopping frequently. Otherwise, invest in a more powerful backpack blower.

Spreader

Fertilizer and weed and insect controls are crucial to providing excellent lawn care services. A spreader can help business owners save money by not wasting product during application.

This lawn care tool comes in a walk-behind or tow behind option that can attach to your lawn tractor. Both types cost about the same price, depending on the features you’re looking for. You can expect to pay between 100 and 400.

Sprayer

A sprayer can help you apply fertilizer, insecticides, and pesticides. Sprayers are best for large areas around a home or in a yard. However, it can also offer a more precise application compared to a spreader.

You can choose between handheld, backpack, wheeled, or tow-behind sprayers. How much you pay depends on the type. For instance, a handheld sprayer might only cost 15. But a tow-behind trailer sprayer could cost between 200 and 1,200.

Vehicles

You don’t need a fleet of trucks to launch your lawn care business. If you’re just starting, you may get by with a single truck. You could spend a lot (60,000) or a little (10,000) on a vehicle for your company.

Remember that getting equipment in and out of the truck will cause dings and dents, often in the first week. So, it might not make sense to invest tens of thousands of dollars initially.

Equipment trailer

You could probably run your lawn care business without a trailer. However, an equipment trailer can give you more space and is ideal if you do tree work or run a 2-person crew.

How much you spend depends on the services you offer. For example, you could buy a smaller trailer for around 1,000. But to haul more equipment and supplies, a larger trailer could cost 4,000 or more.

Buckets and lawn bags

Buckets and lawn bags might be some of the least expensive items on this landscaping equipment list, but they’re essential. You might only pay 4 for a bucket or 25 for a pack of 50 lawn and leaf bags.

Choose heavy-duty plastic buckets over metal buckets since plastic won’t rust or corrode from long-term exposure to water or moisture. And lawn bags are vital for hauling off grass clippings after lawn mowing.

Hand tools

The lawn care equipment list wouldn’t be complete without hand tools. Shovels, rakes, pruners, and other low-tech garden tools are a simple but necessary part of a lawn care business. You might choose those with wooden handles, although steel and fiberglass handles are also an option.

A shovel is around 25, garden and leaf rakes range from 10 to 40, and a pair of hedge shears or pruners can cost about 30. And don’t forget a wheelbarrow—the convenience of having one is worth the 60 to 150 you’ll spend.

Safety equipment

Business owners must think beyond power tools for landscaping equipment. Eye and ear protection, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, steel-toed work boots, and other safety equipment are also essential.

You could spend as little or as much as you wanted—from 10 to a few hundred or more—on gear to protect you and your landscapers.

How much will my landscaping tools and equipment cost me in total?

You might pay less up front if you buy residential or lower-quality commercial versions of the items on this lawn care equipment list. But it could cost more in the long run. Investing in high-quality lawn mowing and landscaping tools helps you deliver quick and efficient services that your clients will love.

Depending on the services you want to offer right out of the gate, you could fork over a significant amount of cash. Somewhere in the ballpark of 25,000 to 40,000 is a reasonable start-up estimate.

But remember: Lawn care is an excellent investment in your clients’ home improvement projects, whether you mow, mulch, prune, or offer complete lawn care or landscaping packages.

And once you get your landscaping business license, don’t forget landscaping business insurance to protect you, your lawn care business employees, and your customers.

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Should Your Lawncare Company Start Offering Robotic Mower Services?

Can lawn and landscape professionals finally hop on the robotic lawn mower movement? It’s a question lawn professional will need to be prepared to answer in the coming years as robotic mowers become more attainable.

Of course, there are some benefits—as well as challenges—with this model. There are also some situations and areas of the country where robotic mowers may prove to be more beneficial than in others.

Robotic Mowing for Residential and Commercial Lawn Professionals

Conceptually, the business model for using robotic mowers as part of your lawn and landscape business is fairly simple. You’ll lease each mower to a client who can then determine the most convenient times to run it so that they have a freshly cut look every day. With the mowing taken care of, your crew will only be responsible for the trimming, edging, and other detailed work.

At first glance, this sounds like a no-brainer; you save a lot of time and manual labor, and the client has a lawn that always looks freshly cut. Adding all of that extra time back into your schedule creates the potential to take on more clients with the same crew.

With the robotic mower doing most of the heavy lifting, expanding your business doesn’t have to go hand in hand with increasing your labor, tax, and insurance expenses. This allows you to take on new clients without hiring more crew members or budgeting for the costs that come with growing your workforce.

Initial Setup Costs

The potential labor savings that come with robotic mowers are easy to see, but it’s worth noting that there are other factors that may slow the adoption of this new option for consumers. A proper robotic mower can be fairly costly to purchase, so the initial investment can be rather steep.

A typical robotic mower suitable for commercial use will typically have a price tag that starts at around 1,300. It’s worth noting that a professional installation, which many in the industry highly recommend, can cost an additional 700 or so. For particularly large properties, you may need to purchase a more robust model with a longer-lasting battery. In this case, the mower alone is likely to set you back a cool 2,000, give or take.

Things to Think About

While the initial costs are important to consider, you can offset them by being more creative when positioning the robotic mower option for your clients. You can begin to balance the costs by charging a premium for those who want the consistency and convenience of robotic mowing. Start with marketing this new service to your larger, more established clients first; the more money they have to spend, the more likely they’ll be interested in robotic mowing and the benefits it brings.

If you convert 25 of your high-value clients, the mowers required could require initial investment north of 30,000; how much you charge for the service will determine your ROI. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of off-season storage, depending on where you’re operating. Those in states like Florida or California are more likely to mow year-round, effectively eliminating this cost.

Looking at the initial costs of purchasing robotic mowers, your first thought may be, this might be too much for me. Before ruling it out, though, be sure to consider the benefits, as well as how to pitch those benefits to your clients.

• Provides a fresh-cut look, every day.
• Electric mowers eliminate gas emissions.
• Next to no mower noise.
• Reduces the crew’s presence on the property.
• Allows for custom mowing times and schedules.
• Turns wet seasons into non-factors.

Closing Thoughts

Converting your business to include robotic mowers and beginning to convert part of your clientele will prepare your business for what experts anticipate will eventually become inevitable, allowing you to grab market share earlier than your competitors. This will showcase your ability to be innovative and modern, putting your industry expertise on display. over, with regulations in many areas buckling down on noise and emissions restrictions, demand for robotic mowers is only going to increase.

The most daring lawn care professionals will take on the challenge of implementing robotic mowers and become the ones who set the standard moving forward, creating a distinct advantage over their competitors as they scramble to get started.

Start Using Lawn Care Software!

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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. were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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.

• Power source: Gas
• Self-propelled: Yes
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Rear discharge or shred leaves
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 113 lbs

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.

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: Yes
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 88 lbs

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

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: No
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 66 lbs

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

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: Yes
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: All-wheel
• Weight: 89.5 lbs

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

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: No
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Rear discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 58 lbs

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

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: Yes
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 78 lbs

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

• Power source: Electric/corded
• Self-propelled: No
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 65 lbs

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.

Its small size makes storage a breeze.

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.

Cons

The Craftsman M220 is one of the more cumbersome mowers we’ve tested. Set up was more involved—to adjust it to my height I had to first kneel on the floor and remove two fasteners from the bottom of the handle and then pull the handle out of the body. Another two fasteners at the base of the handle allowed me to set the handle angle. The better mowers have release buttons and adjusting levers that allow the operator to make these adjustments quickly and safely while standing.

The mower started on the first pull and seemed to have enough power to tackle any lawn. However, the two levers on top of the handle—one to start and one for speed of self-propulsion—are difficult to operate. Both are difficult to grab if your hands are small to medium, and the levers are too far from the handle for comfortable operation. They’re also not intuitively placed; you have to look each time you make a pass.

The biggest disadvantage of this mower is that it is equipped with front-wheel drive. When self-propelled mowers first came out many years ago, a front-drive system was easy for manufacturers to design and implement and the homeowner didn’t have to push dead weight. The design worked for many years because there was nothing else. But over the years rear-drive systems were developed and it produced a more balanced, more comfortable cutting experience.

When cutting a lawn, the operator naturally has some weight on the handle. Add to this the weight of the grass in the bag off the back of the mower and you have a very light front end. Because the weight of the mower is not over the wheels, the front wheels tend to spin and grasp through each pass. This results in uneven lines, a hard to control mower (especially on a bumpy terrain), premature wearing out of the plastic front wheels, and difficulty trying to trim around obstacles. This antiquated front drive system really lets this mower down.

Cons

• Controls are cumbersome
• Front Drive System limits control and comfort
• Not nimble around obstacles

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

Director, Content Development

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.

Top Battery Powered Commercial Mowers

Last year, California Governor Gavin Newsom banned SORE (small off-road engines) emissions. The ban outlaws the use of gas-powered leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and other lawn care equipment.

The reason behind the change is to protect the environment. Small engines produce a large quantity of carbon pollution. In fact, using a gas-powered leaf blower for only one hour produces the same amount of pollution as driving in a car for 1,100 miles. That’s a lot of pollution.

Where does this leave landscaping and lawn care companies? In a newly battery-powered world with plenty of questions. Questions like how much will this cost me, is charging batteries time-consuming, and what are the best machines for my business?

Fortunately, Arborgold is constantly observing the landscaping industry. Our software is designed especially for businesses like yours. Staying on top of industry trends is one of the ways we support our clients.

Whether you’re in California or simply looking to reduce carbon emissions, here are the top battery-powered lawn mowers to consider.

A Bit About the Top Battery Powered Lawn Mowers

According to Protool reviews, there are a number of important factors to consider before ranking any battery powered lawn mower including:

Mow Time

Continuous mow time is an important feature for lawn mowers. In gas-powered machines, mow time lasts between the initial fuelling and eventual refuelling. In battery-powered machines, mow time is the duration of a battery charge. When the battery runs out, it must be recharged or replaced.

Electric mowers vary on mow time. Some brands, like Mean Green will run seven to eight hours before needing a charge. Brands like Gravely. feature a quick-swap battery system to let you mow all day. Some batteries only last 90-minutes and take half the time to charge. It depends on your machine.

Climbing Hills

Landscaping companies take on lawns of all shapes and sizes. Electric mowers work well on a variety of lawn types, but hills are not their specialty.

The problem with electric mowers on hills is that they generate less torque than their gas-powered counterparts. Torque powers lawn mower blades. Battery powers the lawn mower. When the mower diverts power to get up and down steep hills, power to the blade is reduced.

Changing and Charging

Some brands of battery-powered lawn mowers can have batteries swapped on a job site. This minimizes time wasted between charges if you’re stocked on fully charged batteries.

Some models need to be recharged between uses. Charge time depends on the size of the machine and battery. Your manufacturer can provide you with specific instructions based on the mower you purchase.

Cost to Charge

One of the most frequent questions we see about electric mowers is how much it costs to charge vs. fill up on gasoline. Charging cost depends on battery size. Smaller batteries might only take 45-minutes to charge and cost about 0.04 in electricity. That said, some larger commercial mowers require four batteries to operate.

Still, the electricity to gas cost ratio is obviously a benefit. It may cost more as an initial investment to purchase a large battery-powered mower, but the ongoing costs are more affordable than gas mowers in many ways.

Noise Reduction

Gas-powered mowers are noisy. For landscaping companies, loud mowers mean annoyed staff, clients, and neighbors. It also limits the time when work can be done, so the peace isn’t disturbed.

The top battery-powered lawn mowers make very little noise. They also don’t vibrate the way gas mowers do. This makes for a more comfortable ride during long work hours.

Gravely Commercial Electric Mower

Our Choice for Top Battery Powered Lawn Mowers

Choosing the best battery-powered mower means exploring all your options. There are too many popular mowers to list them all. Here are our top battery-powered lawn mower choices of the year:

1. Gravely Pro-Turn EV

This mower features six unique models, ranging in deck size from 48” to 60”. All units host a 16 kWh Li-ion battery and electric transaxle drive system with a ground speed of 11/5.5 mph. At the smaller end of the spectrum, the Pro-Turn EV mows 4.8 acres in an hour, while the larger models mow up to 6.1 acres per hour.

This battery-powered mower uses proprietary spindles with blade slip to reduce potential damage during impact. They also offer large LCD displays to tell your crew when blades are engaged, batteries are low, and other important information.

2. Greenworks Commercial CZ 52R 82V 52” Commercial Ride on Zero Turn Mower

Every mower has its pros and cons. This Greenworks commercial mower has a deck size of 52” and a maximum speed of 10 mph. It’s built for durability with an 8-gauge steel deck. What’s truly spectacular about this model, however, is that it rides up to 14 acres on one battery charge. It also offers fleet app connectivity for real-time GPS reporting.

On the cons side of things, the CZ 52R 82V only includes a 1.7kW charger. A faster, 7.7kW charger is available but must be purchased separately.

3. Mean Green ZTR Riding Mower

The Mean Green battery powered riding mower has a 74” deck and an eight-hour maximum battery time per charge. The mower is powerful, with a high speed of 13 mph. Mean Green compares it to a diesel mower with 40-horsepower.

As far as batteries go, there are three to choose from. The ZTR can be purchased with 14.5 kWh, 22 kWh or 35 kWh batteries.

4. RYOBI 40V HP Brushless 21” Mower

This is a small push mower. While many landscaping companies rely on ride-on machines, push mowers are handy for small yards and small jobs. The RYOBI 40V HP is the master of push mowers in the battery-powered lineup.

A push button starts, and rear-wheel drive makes for convenient lawn care maintenance. The mower is self-propelled and has high-performance traction. It offers 70 minutes of straight run time.

RYOBI built this mower to tackle ¾-acre properties. It uses two 40V batteries and consists of a 21” deck built from polypropylene for lightweight work.

5. Greenworks Commercial 82-Volt 21″ Brushless Push Mower

Greenworks Commercial also offers a push mower with similar specs to the RYOBI model. A heavy-duty steel 21” deck is accompanied by a 5Ah battery. This machine rides 1.5 acres on one charge and uses a three-in-one cutting system. It has settings for mulch and leaf pickup.

A major benefit to this push mower is the commercial-grade brushless motor. A push start makes it simple to operate, while SmartCut technology ensures it doesn’t waste energy when there’s no grass to cut. Grass sensors keep it honest, and keep your team moving quickly to finish commercial jobs.

Hopefully, some of these top battery-powered mowers have what you’re looking for. As California weeds out SORE exhaust by 2024 and with New York following closely behind, it’s beneficial for landscaping companies to make the switch.

Visit Arborgold Online to Learn

Arborgold designs business software for field-based businesses. We work with companies of all shapes and sizes, improving everything from invoicing to customer engagement. Less stress, less time wasted, and a more streamlined approach to field-based business.

If you’re making the switch from gas to battery, our software can help make the transition a breeze. From adding new tools and machines to inventory to ordering spare parts, chargers, and batteries. Arborgold software has your back.

Maximize crew capacity and schedule battery-powered lawn equipment using Arborgold. Learn more here.