Which electric lawn mower is best?
Maintaining your lawn can feel like a full-time job. Luckily, many electric lawn mowers have the power to handle small- to medium-sized yards. When selecting a mower, some aspects to consider include battery life, power and noise level.
What to consider when buying an electric lawn mower
Types of electric lawn mowers
- Corded-electric mowers: These are usually more affordable than cordless mowers, but the cord can be limiting and may get in the way as you mow. If you buy a corded mower, you’ll want an extension cord rated for it. For example, a 14-gauge cord is ideal for mowers with 10 to 15 amps.
- Cordless mowers: These typically cost more, but you don’t have to worry about a cord getting in your way. Both cordless and corded mowers produce zero emissions and are much quieter than gas mowers.
- Robot mowers: Robot mowers automatically cut your lawn. These usually feature a base that charges their battery and a boundary wire that ensures the mower won’t leave your yard.
Electric lawn mower power
Electric mowers typically have between 20 and 40 volts of energy. The higher the voltage, the more power you can expect from your mower. Most corded mowers are more powerful than cordless ones.
Electric lawn mower battery life
Most cordless electric lawnmowers have 20- to 40-volt batteries and run between 20 and 45 minutes before needing a recharge. Larger batteries typically last longer on a single charge. Electric mowers generally take between two and four hours to charge fully.
Electric lawn mower noise level
Electric mowers tend to run at around 75 decibels, comparable to a washer or dryer. Alternatively, gas mowers usually produce about 95 decibels, similar to a motorcycle or subway train. According to the National Institutes of Health, continuous exposure to noises over 85 decibels can cause hearing damage. You won’t have to worry about impaired hearing when using an electric mower.
Electric lawn mower features
- Adjustable cutting height: Mowers with adjustable blades let you determine how low you want to cut your lawn. Many feature levers that make it easy to adjust the blades’ height.
- Mulching capabilities: Mulching your lawn clippings is a great way to keep your lawn healthy. Additionally, you can add mulched lawn clippings to compost bins.
- Removable bag: Collecting and disposing of your clippings is ideal if your lawn is tall, since large clumps of grass can inhibit growth. Still, many prefer to leave clippings on their lawn if it isn’t too tall. Buying a mower with a removable bag gives you the freedom to choose when you want to dispose of your clippings.
- Safety features: Many electric mowers feature a push-button start, making them easier to start than gas mowers. This means even a child can start them. So, most electric mowers have a safety feature such as a key that prevents children from being able to turn them on.
Best electric lawn mowers
Greenworks 40-Volt 20-Inch Cordless Push Lawn Mower
This Greenworks mower features dual blades and a 20-inch cutting deck. It automatically adjusts the power and run time to the thickness of the grass, and many people were impressed with its power.
Sun Joe 14-Inch 28-Volt Cordless Push Lawn Mower
This affordable Sun Joe mower includes a removable bag and rear-discharge chute.
It has a 14-inch cutting path and adjustable blades. Most people love how quiet and light it is. Removing and emptying the lawn-clipping bag is quick and easy.
Greenworks Pro 80-Volt 21-Inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower
This durable model features a seven-position adjustable cutting deck. The battery only takes around 30 minutes to charge fully, and on a full charge, you’ll get about 60 minutes of run time. It is easy to start and has mulching capabilities.
BLACK+DECKER 15-inch, 20-Amp Electric Lawn Mower With Bike Handle
This BLACK+DECKER mower is lightweight and features comfort-grip handlebars.
It is easy to start and maneuver and has a six-position cutting deck.
Greenworks 10-Amp 16-inch Corded Mower
This mower features a removable bag and a five-position cutting deck. The handle makes it easy to carry, and the cord-restraint system keeps the cord out of your way.
Ryobi 13-Inch 11-Amp Push Mower
This mower is easy to use and features collapsible handles. Adjusting the height is simple, and it’s backed by a three-year warranty. It’s powerful enough to mow tall lawns, quiet and comes pre-assembled.
Worx Landroid M 20-Volt Robotic Lawn Mower
This robotic lawn mower can cut up to one-quarter of an acre on a single charge, and the boundary wire keeps it from leaving your lawn. It features app compatibility and automatically docks on its charger base with very few errors.
Husqvarna Automower 415X Robotic Lawn Mower
This robotic mower features a weather-resistant design and GPS navigation system. It also has an anti-theft alarm and is app-compatible. Many were impressed with how easily it mowed yards with obstacles.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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