Mowers equipped with larger-voltage motors (58 to 82 volts) do better in tall grass or if the mower is self-propelled, since that requires more power. Ego equipped it with an all-plastic deck that will never rust out, and a tilt-forward handle that also easily adjusts to suit the users height. When the mowing conditions are really tough, you can expect to see your mowed area per battery charge reduced from our above measurements by at least a third. Fully assembled, you need only put the included bag grass catcher together (an under-five-minute task) and charge the included 56-volt lithium-ion battery. We were pleased with this two-function machines performance. propelled
propelled In preparation for testing, we let our lawn grow extra long and the Ego easily cut through it on its highest setting without bogging down the motor and neatly bagged the grass. But the mower comes as a kit with four batteries, extending the cut per charge to a very large area. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. To change batteries, the key must be turned so its arrows point to the one in use. Given that we cut with it in the lushest of the lush spring conditions, we strongly suspect it will mow far more grass under more normal cutting conditions than what our cut area per charge test indicates above.
CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. It was also the trickiest to fold down for storage, as you must unscrew the thumb nuts, turn the knobs and fold it back on top of itself; we smashed a finger once trying to wrestle it into place. This may seem like a small point, but we love that the lid on this model stays open on its own when you insert the battery; most other models had to be held open, which is just annoying. It has great maneuverability, and it left a flawlessly cut surface, about on par with other great cutters (Toro, Ego, and Ryobis Crosscut). 
Perhaps the biggest negative is the Makitas battery situation. Buy a spare blade; keep it honed and swap blades often. Its a decent little machine for average-height grass under non-strenuous conditions. When youre done mowing, youll find the deck is easy to clean. Its rear-wheel drive and reasonably aggressive tread pattern provide good hill climbing and sidehill cutting performance, and its bagging on all surfaces (level, sidehill, and uphill) is also commendable. All were quieter than traditional gas mowers, although certainly not silent. Slip out the battery, turn the mower on its side, and with a couple of wipes, youre done. 
The six mowers we tested. Attaching the grass bag catcher was easy-peasy and we preferred its vertical handle that makes it easier to grasp than horizontal ones. Keep the deck clean. Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. We love it. The mower senses your walking pace and automatically matches it, also noting inclines and boosting rear-wheel power. The Ryobi comes with two 40-volt batteries (which can be used with brands line of power tools) and a dual battery port with up to 70 minutes of total run time, so you can switch from one to the other if one runs out of juice while youre still mowing. Until the DCMWSP244U2, we had never tested a front-drive battery mower. Another notable feature unique to this model is that there is no need to insert a mulch plug for that task; with the Toro you simply turn a lever between mulching and bagging.
Of course, this makes the mower heavier and more expensive, too. 1. We also found this to be the quietest lawn mower we tested and liked the functionality of the self-propulsion speed adjustment lever. This makes convenience one of the electric mowers best features. Featuring the same basic design as its big brother, our winning model the Ego Power+ Select Cut, this electric mower delivered similar grass-cutting results, though it isnt self-propelled so youll be getting a little more of a workout while you work. But you dont have to operate in all-wheel drive. It also weighs 95 pounds and is really hard to push when its not powered on and the power supply unit leaves three exposed wires on the mowers side, where others, such as the Ego Power+ Select Cut and Makita, hide the wires in a flexible conduit tube or run them through the side handles, as in the Ryobi. This permits optimum airflow under the mower, which reduces blade drag by helping the grass stand up more vertically for a clean cut.
2022 Cable News Network. And when we say smooth, we mean theyre as easy to shift as any weve seen in decades of testing, with hundreds of mowers behind us. Its also bulkier than most of the models tested, weighing 75 pounds. So in that respect, this is a nice little mower. These tests are long, hot, tiring, and repetitive. propelled mowers battery ryobi lawnmowers
We also looked at warranty coverage, customer service accessibility and price. Those are all features that weve come to expect on well-featured gas engine mowers, and youve got them here. Plus it has solid range, owing to the efficiency of its brushless motor and adaptive motor speed control to suit grass density (motor rpm ramps up when you push it into tall, thick grass). propelled timemaster mowers variable homedepot electrique tondeuse demarrage For storage, unlock the handle lever, telescope the handle down, flip another lever to pivot the handle forward, and stand the mower on end. Other battery mowers are equipped with a manual switch that conserves battery charge by running the motor at lower rpm (often called an Eco mode setting, or something similar). The straight edge deck is polypropylene; it will never rust and needs very little care other than basic cleaning. propelled mowers Wens push mower is a journeyman machine that mulches, bags, and side discharges, leaving a good quality of cut as it goes about its work. Love that. To stop the mower, just release the bail switch and the automatic braking mechanism stops the blade from spinning within three seconds. Again, if you have a small yard and dont care about self-propulsion, this is a great model that will cut your grass evenly, perform well on mulching and barely leave any grass on your drive or sidewalks to clean up. If youre undecided between a gas-engine mower and a battery mower, it comes down to this. Easier to operate than the competition, self-propelled and, best of all, great at cutting grass, the Ego Power+ Select Cut electric lawn mower packs plenty of power to get through mowing a standard lawn on a single charge and almost makes the chore fun.
Its motor and battery bay are mounted on a perfectly formed domed plastic deck without any grass-catching obstructions. Next, the companys redesigned Atomic blade configuration appears to assist the air flow and clipping movement.
A green knob in the middle of the handle clicks to indicate each speed increase (the mower is adjustable from a leisurely .9 to a quick 3 miles per hour), offering you good, steady control. Raise the mower deck to reduce the amount of grass you remove with each cut, and strive to remove no more than one third of the grass leaf with each mow. If your property is smaller, run a smaller battery. We didnt have many complaints when it came to using this electric push lawn mower. Makita has a three-year limited warranty. Finally, the three-phase, 60-volt motor is exceptionally efficient, resulting in a large cut area for a single battery. In one position, the door is open and clippings flow into the bag. Its also set up like a traditional gas mower: You insert a key, pull the bail to the handle and push the start button. Also, DeWalt didnt overthink this design. This is Ryobis top-of-the-line mower, and its American-made construction is something we wish we saw more of. A removable plug slides into the back of the deck to seal it for mulching. It delivers a tremendous cut area with its two (6-Ah) batteries providing a total of 12-Ah of capacity, and its X-shaped blade leaves a pristine surface in its wake. The deck is continuous from the rear wheels to the front, and a lift up hatch at the back provides access to the bag. We also found the Ego Power+ Select Cut was the most comfortable to push and liked that it can be operated with one hand if needed. We cut a section and lie on the grass and sight along the top of the surface of the grass to get a better sense of the finished product. For one, it was the easiest model to put to use right out of the box. People have diverse mowing needs, from tidy little patches of grass to rough-and-tumble rural properties. Clearing the underside of grass clippings, leaves or debris after each use and sharpening the blades once or twice a year is about all thats necessary. Fantastic for those with larger yards, or anyone who could use a little assistance, self-propelled mowers use a motorized drive system that, when engaged, moves the mower forward on its own so the user simply walks behind it, guiding it into place. The Worx is a substantial, metal-deck mower with four 20-volt batteries, each with 5-Ah capacity. The company says it helps the grass stand straighter under the mower and the clippings to be suspended longer for more thorough mulching, but it also helps airflow into the bag. propelled mowers All the electric mowers required one or two batteries to operate and were very easy to use, although some were more comfortable and required fewer steps to start mowing. Easy to use with little to no assembly right out of the box, the latest cordless electric lawn mowers run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, are far quieter than gas-powered models and, with no risk of fuel leaking or going bad, can be stored away vertically, saving precious garage or shed space and requiring no off-season maintenance. We mow tall grass and weeds. Most can be purchased as bare tools (since many use the same batteries and chargers as other tools made by their manufacturers) though we tested models sold with at least one rechargeable lithium-ion battery and a charger. propelled mowers But that small complaint pales in comparison to how simple this model is to use, its added features and high performance, not to mention its five-year limited warranty. Its also an excellent bagger, gathering pounds more grass per square foot of cut area than many mowers. Some mowers were self-propelled, which, once accustomed to the functionality, made mowing a cinch, although some were harder to move when not in self-propel mode. propelled Backups help see you through the wide variety of cutting conditions that occur in a growing season, and they also help spread out the wear and tear on the batteries, instead of quickly working them to death. It bags well. When youre done, one pull of the lever folds the handle back down and you can tilt it vertical to store it. The Ego Power+s battery compartment is easy to access, and the mower gives you clear feedback on how much battery life you have left. Its single-lever deck height adjustment gives you a maximum of 4 inches of clearance from the ground to the bottom of the deck. The models we tested either arrived ready to go out of the box or needed just a bit of assembly to put together, no tools required. Its a small, simple thing, but very convenient. And while the Select Cuts battery slides into place at an easy angle, this one goes in straight down and the lid doesnt stay open on its own, making it just a bit annoying. To test performance, we used all six electric mowers several times on a flat, standard residential quarter-acre yard with typical Kentucky bluegrass. Every feature and accessory on every machine gets a thorough workout. Its cut quality was very good, and its bagging was also respectable (it does not side discharge). It folds down easily and, like the others, can be stored vertically. Conversely, just release the levers to stop it. The handle adjustability, combined, with knob-controlled ground speed, make the mower very adaptable. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. While testing, we took special note of battery voltage, charge time, runtime and whether there was an external life indicator. Go with a gas-engine mower if mowing speed and power are essential to you, if you have a tendency to let your grass get tall, if you occasionally or even weekly walk your mower into tall, non-turf grasses to keep border areas from overtaking your yard, or if you do regular shifts of volunteer work (its your turn to mow the playing field or to cut an elderly neighbors yard). Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication. On the other hand, its lightweight, mid-fold handle, and 18-inch width allow you to pick the thing up and put it on a shelf when youre done, even laying it on its side, because the plastic deck is molded into a straight line on the left and right sides. Early spring testing and inconsistent grass height didnt allow us to come up with a reliable square footage assessment of this mower. mower lawn electric propelled self lawns medium cobra excellent Simply charge the battery or batteries (some require more than one), which, in our testing, ranged from two 18-volt batteries to one 80-volt battery, taking about 30 minutes to two hours, and youre in business. Turns out cutting grass doesnt have to be such a pain after all. A simple rocker switch on its control panel kicks in the front axle only when you need it. Raised way up, the mower looks like an off-road vehicle. Youve got it all with Egos mower. propelled 40v brushless greenworks 6ah mowers Toro mowers have garnered more recommendations from us than any other brand for two reasons: build quality and cut quality. Toro calls it Vortex technology, a design to increase air flow in the same way as a hood scoop on a car. propelled mowers We mow flats, washboard surfaces, uphill, downhill, and sidehill. Nothing to it. They cut grass as well as their gas counterparts, but feature high-efficiency, long-lasting brushless motors which are quieter and, because theres no gas or oil to worry about, can be stored upright. So whether youre keeping up with HOA rules, trying to be more green or just sick of choking down exhaust fumes in the summer heat and dealing with clogged carburetors in the winter, weve found the best electric lawn mower for you. propelled This (and starting the motor) relies on a start key inserted near the batteries. It also has some nice features: dual blades for better mulching (it and our winner did the best at mulching); LED headlights; a seven-position height adjustment, from 1.5 to 4 inches; bagging, mulching or side discharge options and a lifetime warranty on the 21-inch deck and a five-year warranty on the rest of the tool. Then, to start er up, simply press the green safety button, squeeze the bail switch lever to the handle and hold down the self-propel triggers. While all the models performed admirably and were very comparable when it came to cutting standard Kentucky bluegrass (all performed similarly to our gas mower), some mowers stood out for better mulching, comfort, ease of use and included features and details. Use another lever to swing shut its mulching door to mulch or open the door to allow the machine to bag. One nitpick: You do have to assemble the handle and grass bag out of the box. Over the course of our testing, we mowed grass of various lengths, both bagging and mulching. Adjusting the self-propelled speed was the easiest of all mowers tested. One surprising design attribute that weve never seen in any other mower is that you can lift the entire battery pack off the mower as a single module and plug it in for recharging wherever you like. Battery mowers are getting the job done. The brand recommends a battery with a minimum of 7.5 Ah of capacity, and thats what we used to arrive at the cut area you see above. If your property is very small and flat, a battery mower is far superior to a gas-engine machine in helping you get the job done quickly and quietly. It did a great job cutting and bagging, though we did notice this model didnt do as well as our top pick when it came to mulching. From there, most have a throttle for speed control and, for safety, all stop spinning when you release the bail. mowers lawn battery powered electric ego mower cordless propelled self lawnmowers To unfold the mower, a quick-adjust lever lifts the handle and you have the option of three height adjustment levels (high, medium and low most mowers tested only had two).
Its features include a seven-position height adjustment lever, a durable steel deck, a motor that noticeably kicked into a higher gear when the mower encountered a thicker patch of grass, nice big 10-inch rear wheels, a four-year limited warranty and the super-handy all-wheel single-lever height adjuster (we loved this as all four wheels can be adjusted at once with the pull of the lever). Also note in the above reviews that whenever possible, we record the square footage that each mower cut on a single battery charge, in other cases we estimate the square footage due to inconsistencies in our test areas. For anyone with a bigger or hillier yard, we think its worth stepping up to the self-propelled version. One nit is that the short lever used to adjust cutting height isnt as easy to use as the longer handles used on other models, such as the Ryobi and Greenworks; we preferred those. Besides, most cool-season turf grasses are healthier and do a better job of blocking weeds when they are cut tall, in the 2.5- to 4-inch range. In rear: Makita Self-Propelled, Ego Power+ LM2101, Toro Recycler Smart Stow, Ryobi Smart Trek, Greenworks Pro Cordless. propelled mowers Since it cant fold, that increases the space you need to store the mower. Toro has, wisely, not altered some of the previous features that make this mower work: rear wheel drive, a one-piece deck thats all steel (no plastic nose), rear-wheel drive, 11-inch wheels to help it roll over roots and crevices, and the same fold-forward handle that was an industry breakthrough when it was introduced some years ago. Simply pull the lever on the handle crossbar, raise the handle up and lock it into place, choosing from two height options. We have long familiarity with Skil power tools, but this was the first time we tried the companys mowers. When the mower encounters tall grass, the motor speed increases automatically, also ramping up the blade speed. We mulch, bag, and side discharge. First is the lithium-ion battery, which has grown in size and sophistication, with the ability to better manage the heat and electrical strain that it experiences. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, The 9 Best Wood Splitters for Any Size Wood Pile, 9 Best Paint Rollers for a Perfect Paint Job, The Best Safety Glasses to Protect Your Peepers, How to Accurately Cut With a Circular Saw, The Best Paint Sprayers for Projects of Any Size, Repair Stripped Threads with Professional Results, The Best Lawn Mower Blades for Residential Mowers. Like the Ryobi, the Makita uses a lock key that must be inserted with the two battery cartridges (and the lid does not stand up on its own). However, there are built-in handles to help move it easily (it weighs about 60 pounds), and you can store it vertically, like all the models. Discovery Company. Like Ryobis Smart Trek self-propulsion, Toros Personal Pace auto-drive feature takes all the guesswork out of making speed adjustments. This is especially important given that a mower operates in harsh conditions and high temperatures. Setting aside what manufacturers claim as their run time or their cut surface per charge, we find that on average they will cut grass for half an hour to an hour, allowing you to mow an area roughly from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet before they need to be recharged. To turn the mower on, just pull the bail lever toward the handle while holding down the switch button, then release the button when the motor kicks in. We also noted whether the electric motors were comfortable to use, how easy they were to assemble and store and disassemble and, for self-propelled models, how simple it was to change speeds while mowing. All included grass bag catchers, and most of those needed to be assembled, but again with no tools necessary. By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy. That said, this mower was one of our favorites in terms of performance and if self-propulsion isnt important to you, its just right for cutting grass in smaller yards. Still, we have to say that it could use better wheels (those with open faces on the inside tend to collect dirt and grass clippings), and we werent fond of the fixed handle. Learn more. That, along with the battery lid that doesnt stay up on its own, creates a lot of rigamarole. You can easily do better than that with a larger battery. We liked its mulch-bag door lever. For example, it has foam rubber padding around its metal handle instead of molded plastic like most other models, a battery lid that doesnt stay open on its own and, to fold the handle down, you must turn knobs and pull levers. lawn mowers electric start self propelled gardening update need propelled The Makitas drive motor-gear assembly at the rear axle is considerably larger than that in most mowers, reflecting Makitas experience as a power tool company and motor builder. The underside of the deck is a well-shaped dome; its among the easiest decks we have seen to clean of moist grass clippings. Remove the plug to bag. Our testing pool included six electric lawn mowers ranging in price from $370 to $640; four featured self-propulsion, while two were push mowers. If you need to cut several thousand square feet of grass and can do it in the range of 40 minutes to an hour, a battery mower will work for you. Almost all mowers will cut more area when the grass is at mid height and dry (mid summer). All the self-propelled versions we tested required a metal bail bar to be pushed toward the handle. To find out which electric mowers performed the best, we put six models to work, cutting, bagging and mulching grass and noting everything from interface to special features to run time.
propelled In preparation for testing, we let our lawn grow extra long and the Ego easily cut through it on its highest setting without bogging down the motor and neatly bagged the grass. But the mower comes as a kit with four batteries, extending the cut per charge to a very large area. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. To change batteries, the key must be turned so its arrows point to the one in use. Given that we cut with it in the lushest of the lush spring conditions, we strongly suspect it will mow far more grass under more normal cutting conditions than what our cut area per charge test indicates above.
CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. It was also the trickiest to fold down for storage, as you must unscrew the thumb nuts, turn the knobs and fold it back on top of itself; we smashed a finger once trying to wrestle it into place. This may seem like a small point, but we love that the lid on this model stays open on its own when you insert the battery; most other models had to be held open, which is just annoying. It has great maneuverability, and it left a flawlessly cut surface, about on par with other great cutters (Toro, Ego, and Ryobis Crosscut). Perhaps the biggest negative is the Makitas battery situation. Buy a spare blade; keep it honed and swap blades often. Its a decent little machine for average-height grass under non-strenuous conditions. When youre done mowing, youll find the deck is easy to clean. Its rear-wheel drive and reasonably aggressive tread pattern provide good hill climbing and sidehill cutting performance, and its bagging on all surfaces (level, sidehill, and uphill) is also commendable. All were quieter than traditional gas mowers, although certainly not silent. Slip out the battery, turn the mower on its side, and with a couple of wipes, youre done. The six mowers we tested. Attaching the grass bag catcher was easy-peasy and we preferred its vertical handle that makes it easier to grasp than horizontal ones. Keep the deck clean. Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. We love it. The mower senses your walking pace and automatically matches it, also noting inclines and boosting rear-wheel power. The Ryobi comes with two 40-volt batteries (which can be used with brands line of power tools) and a dual battery port with up to 70 minutes of total run time, so you can switch from one to the other if one runs out of juice while youre still mowing. Until the DCMWSP244U2, we had never tested a front-drive battery mower. Another notable feature unique to this model is that there is no need to insert a mulch plug for that task; with the Toro you simply turn a lever between mulching and bagging. Of course, this makes the mower heavier and more expensive, too. 1. We also found this to be the quietest lawn mower we tested and liked the functionality of the self-propulsion speed adjustment lever. This makes convenience one of the electric mowers best features. Featuring the same basic design as its big brother, our winning model the Ego Power+ Select Cut, this electric mower delivered similar grass-cutting results, though it isnt self-propelled so youll be getting a little more of a workout while you work. But you dont have to operate in all-wheel drive. It also weighs 95 pounds and is really hard to push when its not powered on and the power supply unit leaves three exposed wires on the mowers side, where others, such as the Ego Power+ Select Cut and Makita, hide the wires in a flexible conduit tube or run them through the side handles, as in the Ryobi. This permits optimum airflow under the mower, which reduces blade drag by helping the grass stand up more vertically for a clean cut.
2022 Cable News Network. And when we say smooth, we mean theyre as easy to shift as any weve seen in decades of testing, with hundreds of mowers behind us. Its also bulkier than most of the models tested, weighing 75 pounds. So in that respect, this is a nice little mower. These tests are long, hot, tiring, and repetitive. propelled mowers battery ryobi lawnmowers
We also looked at warranty coverage, customer service accessibility and price. Those are all features that weve come to expect on well-featured gas engine mowers, and youve got them here. Plus it has solid range, owing to the efficiency of its brushless motor and adaptive motor speed control to suit grass density (motor rpm ramps up when you push it into tall, thick grass). propelled timemaster mowers variable homedepot electrique tondeuse demarrage For storage, unlock the handle lever, telescope the handle down, flip another lever to pivot the handle forward, and stand the mower on end. Other battery mowers are equipped with a manual switch that conserves battery charge by running the motor at lower rpm (often called an Eco mode setting, or something similar). The straight edge deck is polypropylene; it will never rust and needs very little care other than basic cleaning. propelled mowers Wens push mower is a journeyman machine that mulches, bags, and side discharges, leaving a good quality of cut as it goes about its work. Love that. To stop the mower, just release the bail switch and the automatic braking mechanism stops the blade from spinning within three seconds. Again, if you have a small yard and dont care about self-propulsion, this is a great model that will cut your grass evenly, perform well on mulching and barely leave any grass on your drive or sidewalks to clean up. If youre undecided between a gas-engine mower and a battery mower, it comes down to this. Easier to operate than the competition, self-propelled and, best of all, great at cutting grass, the Ego Power+ Select Cut electric lawn mower packs plenty of power to get through mowing a standard lawn on a single charge and almost makes the chore fun. 
Its motor and battery bay are mounted on a perfectly formed domed plastic deck without any grass-catching obstructions. Next, the companys redesigned Atomic blade configuration appears to assist the air flow and clipping movement.
A green knob in the middle of the handle clicks to indicate each speed increase (the mower is adjustable from a leisurely .9 to a quick 3 miles per hour), offering you good, steady control. Raise the mower deck to reduce the amount of grass you remove with each cut, and strive to remove no more than one third of the grass leaf with each mow. If your property is smaller, run a smaller battery. We didnt have many complaints when it came to using this electric push lawn mower. Makita has a three-year limited warranty. Finally, the three-phase, 60-volt motor is exceptionally efficient, resulting in a large cut area for a single battery. In one position, the door is open and clippings flow into the bag. Its also set up like a traditional gas mower: You insert a key, pull the bail to the handle and push the start button. Also, DeWalt didnt overthink this design. This is Ryobis top-of-the-line mower, and its American-made construction is something we wish we saw more of. A removable plug slides into the back of the deck to seal it for mulching. It delivers a tremendous cut area with its two (6-Ah) batteries providing a total of 12-Ah of capacity, and its X-shaped blade leaves a pristine surface in its wake. The deck is continuous from the rear wheels to the front, and a lift up hatch at the back provides access to the bag. We also found the Ego Power+ Select Cut was the most comfortable to push and liked that it can be operated with one hand if needed. We cut a section and lie on the grass and sight along the top of the surface of the grass to get a better sense of the finished product. For one, it was the easiest model to put to use right out of the box. People have diverse mowing needs, from tidy little patches of grass to rough-and-tumble rural properties. Clearing the underside of grass clippings, leaves or debris after each use and sharpening the blades once or twice a year is about all thats necessary. Fantastic for those with larger yards, or anyone who could use a little assistance, self-propelled mowers use a motorized drive system that, when engaged, moves the mower forward on its own so the user simply walks behind it, guiding it into place. The Worx is a substantial, metal-deck mower with four 20-volt batteries, each with 5-Ah capacity. The company says it helps the grass stand straighter under the mower and the clippings to be suspended longer for more thorough mulching, but it also helps airflow into the bag. propelled mowers All the electric mowers required one or two batteries to operate and were very easy to use, although some were more comfortable and required fewer steps to start mowing. Easy to use with little to no assembly right out of the box, the latest cordless electric lawn mowers run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, are far quieter than gas-powered models and, with no risk of fuel leaking or going bad, can be stored away vertically, saving precious garage or shed space and requiring no off-season maintenance. We mow tall grass and weeds. Most can be purchased as bare tools (since many use the same batteries and chargers as other tools made by their manufacturers) though we tested models sold with at least one rechargeable lithium-ion battery and a charger. propelled mowers But that small complaint pales in comparison to how simple this model is to use, its added features and high performance, not to mention its five-year limited warranty. Its also an excellent bagger, gathering pounds more grass per square foot of cut area than many mowers. Some mowers were self-propelled, which, once accustomed to the functionality, made mowing a cinch, although some were harder to move when not in self-propel mode. propelled Backups help see you through the wide variety of cutting conditions that occur in a growing season, and they also help spread out the wear and tear on the batteries, instead of quickly working them to death. It bags well. When youre done, one pull of the lever folds the handle back down and you can tilt it vertical to store it. The Ego Power+s battery compartment is easy to access, and the mower gives you clear feedback on how much battery life you have left. Its single-lever deck height adjustment gives you a maximum of 4 inches of clearance from the ground to the bottom of the deck. The models we tested either arrived ready to go out of the box or needed just a bit of assembly to put together, no tools required. Its a small, simple thing, but very convenient. And while the Select Cuts battery slides into place at an easy angle, this one goes in straight down and the lid doesnt stay open on its own, making it just a bit annoying. To test performance, we used all six electric mowers several times on a flat, standard residential quarter-acre yard with typical Kentucky bluegrass. Every feature and accessory on every machine gets a thorough workout. Its cut quality was very good, and its bagging was also respectable (it does not side discharge). It folds down easily and, like the others, can be stored vertically. Conversely, just release the levers to stop it. The handle adjustability, combined, with knob-controlled ground speed, make the mower very adaptable. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. While testing, we took special note of battery voltage, charge time, runtime and whether there was an external life indicator. Go with a gas-engine mower if mowing speed and power are essential to you, if you have a tendency to let your grass get tall, if you occasionally or even weekly walk your mower into tall, non-turf grasses to keep border areas from overtaking your yard, or if you do regular shifts of volunteer work (its your turn to mow the playing field or to cut an elderly neighbors yard). Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication. On the other hand, its lightweight, mid-fold handle, and 18-inch width allow you to pick the thing up and put it on a shelf when youre done, even laying it on its side, because the plastic deck is molded into a straight line on the left and right sides. Early spring testing and inconsistent grass height didnt allow us to come up with a reliable square footage assessment of this mower. mower lawn electric propelled self lawns medium cobra excellent Simply charge the battery or batteries (some require more than one), which, in our testing, ranged from two 18-volt batteries to one 80-volt battery, taking about 30 minutes to two hours, and youre in business. Turns out cutting grass doesnt have to be such a pain after all. A simple rocker switch on its control panel kicks in the front axle only when you need it. Raised way up, the mower looks like an off-road vehicle. Youve got it all with Egos mower. propelled 40v brushless greenworks 6ah mowers Toro mowers have garnered more recommendations from us than any other brand for two reasons: build quality and cut quality. Toro calls it Vortex technology, a design to increase air flow in the same way as a hood scoop on a car. propelled mowers We mow flats, washboard surfaces, uphill, downhill, and sidehill. Nothing to it. They cut grass as well as their gas counterparts, but feature high-efficiency, long-lasting brushless motors which are quieter and, because theres no gas or oil to worry about, can be stored upright. So whether youre keeping up with HOA rules, trying to be more green or just sick of choking down exhaust fumes in the summer heat and dealing with clogged carburetors in the winter, weve found the best electric lawn mower for you. propelled This (and starting the motor) relies on a start key inserted near the batteries. It also has some nice features: dual blades for better mulching (it and our winner did the best at mulching); LED headlights; a seven-position height adjustment, from 1.5 to 4 inches; bagging, mulching or side discharge options and a lifetime warranty on the 21-inch deck and a five-year warranty on the rest of the tool. Then, to start er up, simply press the green safety button, squeeze the bail switch lever to the handle and hold down the self-propel triggers. While all the models performed admirably and were very comparable when it came to cutting standard Kentucky bluegrass (all performed similarly to our gas mower), some mowers stood out for better mulching, comfort, ease of use and included features and details. Use another lever to swing shut its mulching door to mulch or open the door to allow the machine to bag. One nitpick: You do have to assemble the handle and grass bag out of the box. Over the course of our testing, we mowed grass of various lengths, both bagging and mulching. Adjusting the self-propelled speed was the easiest of all mowers tested. One surprising design attribute that weve never seen in any other mower is that you can lift the entire battery pack off the mower as a single module and plug it in for recharging wherever you like. Battery mowers are getting the job done. The brand recommends a battery with a minimum of 7.5 Ah of capacity, and thats what we used to arrive at the cut area you see above. If your property is very small and flat, a battery mower is far superior to a gas-engine machine in helping you get the job done quickly and quietly. It did a great job cutting and bagging, though we did notice this model didnt do as well as our top pick when it came to mulching. From there, most have a throttle for speed control and, for safety, all stop spinning when you release the bail. mowers lawn battery powered electric ego mower cordless propelled self lawnmowers To unfold the mower, a quick-adjust lever lifts the handle and you have the option of three height adjustment levels (high, medium and low most mowers tested only had two).
Its features include a seven-position height adjustment lever, a durable steel deck, a motor that noticeably kicked into a higher gear when the mower encountered a thicker patch of grass, nice big 10-inch rear wheels, a four-year limited warranty and the super-handy all-wheel single-lever height adjuster (we loved this as all four wheels can be adjusted at once with the pull of the lever). Also note in the above reviews that whenever possible, we record the square footage that each mower cut on a single battery charge, in other cases we estimate the square footage due to inconsistencies in our test areas. For anyone with a bigger or hillier yard, we think its worth stepping up to the self-propelled version. One nit is that the short lever used to adjust cutting height isnt as easy to use as the longer handles used on other models, such as the Ryobi and Greenworks; we preferred those. Besides, most cool-season turf grasses are healthier and do a better job of blocking weeds when they are cut tall, in the 2.5- to 4-inch range. In rear: Makita Self-Propelled, Ego Power+ LM2101, Toro Recycler Smart Stow, Ryobi Smart Trek, Greenworks Pro Cordless. propelled mowers Since it cant fold, that increases the space you need to store the mower. Toro has, wisely, not altered some of the previous features that make this mower work: rear wheel drive, a one-piece deck thats all steel (no plastic nose), rear-wheel drive, 11-inch wheels to help it roll over roots and crevices, and the same fold-forward handle that was an industry breakthrough when it was introduced some years ago. Simply pull the lever on the handle crossbar, raise the handle up and lock it into place, choosing from two height options. We have long familiarity with Skil power tools, but this was the first time we tried the companys mowers. When the mower encounters tall grass, the motor speed increases automatically, also ramping up the blade speed. We mulch, bag, and side discharge. First is the lithium-ion battery, which has grown in size and sophistication, with the ability to better manage the heat and electrical strain that it experiences. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, The 9 Best Wood Splitters for Any Size Wood Pile, 9 Best Paint Rollers for a Perfect Paint Job, The Best Safety Glasses to Protect Your Peepers, How to Accurately Cut With a Circular Saw, The Best Paint Sprayers for Projects of Any Size, Repair Stripped Threads with Professional Results, The Best Lawn Mower Blades for Residential Mowers. Like the Ryobi, the Makita uses a lock key that must be inserted with the two battery cartridges (and the lid does not stand up on its own). However, there are built-in handles to help move it easily (it weighs about 60 pounds), and you can store it vertically, like all the models. Discovery Company. Like Ryobis Smart Trek self-propulsion, Toros Personal Pace auto-drive feature takes all the guesswork out of making speed adjustments. This is especially important given that a mower operates in harsh conditions and high temperatures. Setting aside what manufacturers claim as their run time or their cut surface per charge, we find that on average they will cut grass for half an hour to an hour, allowing you to mow an area roughly from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet before they need to be recharged. To turn the mower on, just pull the bail lever toward the handle while holding down the switch button, then release the button when the motor kicks in. We also noted whether the electric motors were comfortable to use, how easy they were to assemble and store and disassemble and, for self-propelled models, how simple it was to change speeds while mowing. All included grass bag catchers, and most of those needed to be assembled, but again with no tools necessary. By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy. That said, this mower was one of our favorites in terms of performance and if self-propulsion isnt important to you, its just right for cutting grass in smaller yards. Still, we have to say that it could use better wheels (those with open faces on the inside tend to collect dirt and grass clippings), and we werent fond of the fixed handle. Learn more. That, along with the battery lid that doesnt stay up on its own, creates a lot of rigamarole. You can easily do better than that with a larger battery. We liked its mulch-bag door lever. For example, it has foam rubber padding around its metal handle instead of molded plastic like most other models, a battery lid that doesnt stay open on its own and, to fold the handle down, you must turn knobs and pull levers. lawn mowers electric start self propelled gardening update need propelled The Makitas drive motor-gear assembly at the rear axle is considerably larger than that in most mowers, reflecting Makitas experience as a power tool company and motor builder. The underside of the deck is a well-shaped dome; its among the easiest decks we have seen to clean of moist grass clippings. Remove the plug to bag. Our testing pool included six electric lawn mowers ranging in price from $370 to $640; four featured self-propulsion, while two were push mowers. If you need to cut several thousand square feet of grass and can do it in the range of 40 minutes to an hour, a battery mower will work for you. Almost all mowers will cut more area when the grass is at mid height and dry (mid summer). All the self-propelled versions we tested required a metal bail bar to be pushed toward the handle. To find out which electric mowers performed the best, we put six models to work, cutting, bagging and mulching grass and noting everything from interface to special features to run time.
