The best electric lawn mowers we tested
Best electric lawn mower: Ego Power+ Select Cut LM2135SP
Best electric lawn mower for large yards: EGO Power+ Select Cut Aluminum
Best electric lawn mower for small yards: Senix X6
If you’ve been on the fence about buying an electric lawn mower, let us help you: ditch the gas-guzzler and embrace electricity. Maybe you already own an e-bike, so why not an e-mower? We understand the hesitation, though. Can they really cut grass as well as their gas counterparts? The answer is absolutely yes.
Better yet, the best electric lawn mowers are incredibly easy to use, require little to no assembly out of the box and run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. They’re quiet, won’t encounter things like oil leaks and are far easier to operate and store than the gas-chugging lunkers of the past.
We were skeptical too. Then we took to the task of testing various models from brands like Ego, Senix and Ryobi (innovators in the battery-powered tool space in their own rights) and were quickly convinced. The years we’ve spent mowing our lawns with a gas-powered mower are behind us. We’re electric lawn mower converts.
To start our testing process, we gathered eight of the most popular models to cut, bag and mulch grass in two geographic locations: Kentucky and Wyoming. We mowed small yards, average lawns and green spaces larger than an acre to get a true sense of how these all performed. So, whether you’re keeping up with HOA rules, trying to be more green or sick of choking down exhaust fumes in the summer heat and dealing with clogged carburetors in the winter, we’ve found three of the best electric lawn mowers worth owning.
Best electric lawn mower
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.
Read our review
Best electric lawn mower for large yards
The EGO Power+ Aluminum Deck Select Cut is expensive but what you get is an incredibly durable mower that's the most powerful in the brand's lineup. It cuts our 1-acre lawn quicker than any other model we tested, and its wide aluminum base means you won’t have to worry about kicking up rocks while you mow.
Best electric lawn mower for small yards
This e-mower from Senix is one of the lightest we tested, feeling almost like a toy that punches way above its weight. Combining ease of use with a powerful motor and all the benefits of an electric mower, the X6 is the solution for anybody who needs to keep their average or small yard neat.
Best electric lawn mower: Ego Power+ Select Cut LM2135SP
We’re pretty sure when it comes to ranking household chores, “mowing the lawn” comes in close to the bottom of the list, right there with “scrubbing the toilet” and “cleaning the gutters.” Shudder. But when you add a self-propelled electric lawn mower to the picture? Turns out cutting grass doesn’t have to be such a pain after all.
After testing six electric lawnmowers, the Ego Power+ Select Cut LM2135SP came out on top for its ease of use, simple and useful interface and high-performing dual-blade design. It’s easier and more comfortable to use than the competition and has a better-thought-out set of handy features that make mowing simpler.
Now, as far as cutting our grass went, every mower we tested did a great job both when mulching and bagging and required little assembly, and all had many similar features (mulch, bag and side discharge options, adjustable cutting heights and rechargeable batteries with enough juice to mow our standard-size lawn on one charge).
First, the Ego Power+ Select Cut is practically ready to put to use right out of the box. 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. Battery run time will differ based on how long your grass is, moisture, density and other factors, but on average it lived up to its promise of about 60 minutes of run time on a single charge.
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). Then you simply unclamp the side rails to extend the handle and use a short lever on the deck to choose from eight cutting heights ranging from 1 to 4 inches.
When the battery is charged (it takes an hour), pop it into the battery hatch. 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. 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.
Adjusting the self-propelled speed was the easiest of all mowers tested. A green knob in the middle of the handle clicks to indicate each speed increase (the mower is adjustable from a leisurely 0.9 to a quick 3 mph), offering you good, steady control. Near the handle, you can also turn on LED headlights with the push of a button, and a set of five indicator lights lets you know if the mower is running correctly, has a low battery, there’s an error, it’s overheating or the handle isn’t correctly in place. Additionally, we appreciate that a power indicator flashes to show how much battery power remains.
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. It also pushed easily when the self-propel was not engaged, which was not the case with some of the other self-propelled models tested. To stop the mower, just release the bail switch and the automatic-braking mechanism stops the blade from spinning within three seconds.
Attaching the grass bag catcher was easy-peasy and we preferred its vertical handle that makes it easier to grasp than horizontal ones. The Ego Power+ Select Cut and the Ryobi were the only mowers we tested that included a mulching blade in addition to the standard cutting blade. And the Ego was only the mower to include extra blades in the box: a high-lift bagging blade for extra suction when you’re bagging grass and an extended run time blade for longer battery use.
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. When cut at normal lengths, it was like a hot knife through butter, mulching grass so fine it seamlessly was incorporated back into the lawn.
Finally, when you’re done mowing, the handle easily folds down and can be stored upright, taking up little space. It also gets bonus points for front and rear handles on the body (at 55.3 pounds, it, along with the Ego Power+, was the lightest of the bunch) that make moving it extra easy.
One nit is that the short lever used to adjust cutting height isn’t as easy to use as the longer handles used on other models, such as the Ryobi and Greenworks; we preferred those. We noticed the mower would move while adjusting it unless you held it in place. 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. Yep, “mowing the lawn” just moved from last to first place on our chores list.
Best electric lawn mower for large yards: EGO Power+ Aluminum Deck Select Cut
The Ego Power+ Select Cut LM2135SP topped our list as the best electric lawn mower overall but if your lawn is bigger and tougher than average, the brand’s Power+ Aluminum Deck Select Cut is what you need. Here’s why.
First, start with the benefits of an e-mower: easy setup, low noise (though with a mechanical whir), the ability to run on power from a rechargeable battery and headlights that let you mow when the sun isn’t beating on you. Then bring in the size, performance and durability normally associated with gas-powered mowers.
We tested this mower on a 1-acre lawn in the Tetons, a yard full of rocks and dips, tough grass and tougher weeds. The EGO Power+ Aluminum Deck cut the lawn with only two charges, while a different model we tested took five. That’s excellent power efficiency. With the aluminum body, we didn’t have to worry about kicking up rocks or munching on a fallen tree branch. Many electric mowers use plastic because it’s lighter and easier to propel, but they do bring up questions about durability. Not this aluminum beast, though. This mower is sturdy and powerful, able to cut down a big elk thistle or a maple taking hold in your lawn.
The battery runs the two blades at 3,350 rpm and 11.1 pound feet of torque. Between that and the weight, Ego’s Power+ Aluminum is a high-performance machine built to last.
However, the weight can be problematic if, for example, your 10-year-old is cutting the lawn. My son had some trouble swinging it around sensitive spots, especially ruts that were difficult to remove the mower from. He also found that the buttons on the handle used to engage the drive made his hands more tired than others he tried. That aside, he loved how much quicker he could cut the entire lawn, thanks to the mower’s increased size and cutting power.
EGO’s Power+ Aluminum is an absolute force. Any misguided notions that electric mowers won’t perform as well as gas-powered ones go out the window with this model. This self-propelled mower can trim a big, tough yard faster and cleaner than any other one we tried. It’s tough, durable and very efficient. If you have a tough lawn, you need a tough mower, and EGO’s Power+ Aluminum can absolutely crush anything you throw it at.
Best electric lawn mower for small yards: Senix X6
Few things can be more frustrating than having to lug a heavy, gas-guzzling lawn mower over your average suburban lawn. This pain point was clearly on Senix’s mind when it designed the X6 electric mower.This blue garden tool, with traces of orange and the shape of a small tank, is the perfect balance of size, efficiency and performance for that average to small corner of grass surrounding your house.
The Senix X6 is incredibly easy to use right out of the box. The only thing you need to do is unfold the handle using a small switch on the side (this handle folds just as easily for storage too). There’s also a joystick on the side that easily adjusts the height, and firing up the mower requires only a few button presses.
My 10-year-old loved this mower. He could swing it around with ease and found the triggers that engage the auto-drive super comfortable. The simplicity of controls meant he could get it up and running and figure out adjustments entirely on his own. He had complete control over this small mower, no matter if he was guiding it through trees and bushes, in tight spots or over the undulating rolls of our yard.
If there is a shortcoming, it’s that the X6 is not made for larger yards. Senix even advises you to use it on nothing larger than a half acre. To mow my acre-plus yard, which has some rough terrain, I had to use a minimum of five charges of the battery. I would advise that if you have a yard approaching half an acre you buy an extra battery, as it took well over an hour to charge each time. Or just get a bigger mower.
However, the Senix X6 is the perfect electric lawn mower for those with a small lawn. It is highly efficient and stores easily, whether you stash it neatly in the corner of your garage or hang it from a hook or shelf. It’s also light, quick and intuitive to use. Ego may make a more powerful alternative but for smaller jobs, the X6 is the best option.
How to choose an electric lawn mower
Electric lawn mowers are eco-friendly, convenient (no lugging that gas can to the station for a refill), relatively quiet compared to traditional models and simple to store vertically, saving you precious storage space. 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 you’re in business.
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. All included grass bag catchers, and most of those needed to be assembled but, again, with no tools necessary. This makes convenience one of the electric mowers’ best features. They cut grass as well as their gas counterparts, but feature high-efficiency, long-lasting brushless motors which are quieter and, because there’s no gas or oil to worry about, can be stored upright.
All the models we tested featured standard 21-inch decks (save one that had a 22-inch deck), mulch, bag and side discharge and adjustable cutting heights and required at least one brand-specific rechargeable lithium-ion battery. These can be quite pricey: A 56-volt Ego battery is $249 at Lowe’s, but many mowers include them in their price and, if you are loyal to a certain brand, the batteries are often interchangeable with the line’s other cordless tools.
So perhaps the biggest decision in buying an electric mower is whether to opt for a push or self-propelled model. Four of the six mowers we tested were self-propelled, and we found that while a standard electric push mower is just fine for small yards, self-propelled models are worth any extra costs. 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. All the self-propelled versions we tested required a metal “bail” bar to be pushed toward the handle. From there, most have a throttle for speed control and, for safety, all stop spinning when you release the bail. It takes just minutes to familiarize yourself with the feel of a self-propelled electric mower and actually makes the chore of mowing so easy, even our teenager stopped complaining about being assigned the task.
Another selling point for an electric mower is maintenance: Little is required. Clearing the underside of grass clippings, leaves or debris after each use and sharpening the blades once or twice a year is about all that’s necessary.
How we tested
Our testing pool included eight electric lawnmowers ranging in price from $429 to $749; five featured self-propulsion, while three were push mowers. 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. All came with grass bag catchers.
While all the models performed admirably and were very comparable when cutting grass (all performed similarly to our gas mower), some mowers stood out for better mulching, comfort, ease of use and included features and details.
Performance
- Mowing test: To test performance, we used these electric mowers on a flat, standard residential quarter-acre yard with typical Kentucky bluegrass, as well as on rugged terrain with tough grass in the Rocky Mountain West region. 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.
- Battery life: All the electric mowers required one or two batteries to operate, and we took special note of battery voltage, charge time, run time and whether there was an external battery-life indicator.
- Noise level: We compared the sound of each model to that of a traditional gas mower, and although each one was noticeably quieter, they weren’t exactly silent.
Design
- Deck height and extras: All but two mowers featured 21-inch decks (two were 22 inches), and we recorded deck height adjustment, handle adjustment, included blades, functionality, variable speed settings for self-propelled models, build materials, ease of setup, size and other additional features such as LED headlights.
- Ease of use: We also noted whether the mowers were intuitive to use, comfortable to push around and navigate, and straightforward to assemble and store. For self-propelled models, we looked at how simple they were to change speeds while mowing.
Pricing and warranty
- Warranty: We looked at warranty coverage and what the customer service accessibility was like in the event an issue arose or parts needed to be replaced.
- Price: Although each mower is similar in price, some offered certain features or battery life that warranted a higher price tag. We compared these prices to each model to try to assess the true value of each mower.
Other electric lawn mowers we tested
We didn’t have many complaints when it came to using this electric push mower but felt that it didn't come with as many features as other similar mowers (despite being one of the most expensive).
This Greenworks mower is simple and well-balanced, and we loved the ease of starting it up. Just insert the 80-volt battery (it comes with two that charge in 30 minutes each, with a run time of up to 45 minutes), press and hold the safety lock-out button and pull the bail lever to the handle, releasing the button. Ready to stop? Release the bail lever. That’s it. While all the brushless motor mowers we tested were quieter than traditional gas models, this one was a little quieter than the Ego models. 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).
However, this was the priciest model we tested yet seemed the most bare-bones. For example, it has foam rubber padding around its metal handle instead of molded plastic like other models, a battery lid that doesn’t stay open on its own and, to fold the handle down, you must turn knobs and pull levers. It also has no headlights, is not self-propelled and requires assembly out of the box (although no tools were required). It was still one of our favorites in terms of performance and if self-propulsion isn’t important to you, it’s just right for cutting grass in smaller yards.
Ryobi's self-propelled Smart Trek model was the easiest mower to assemble among those we tested, comes with two 40-volt batteries and has unique pace-matching tech to always match the speed you're walking.
There’s a lot to like about Ryobi’s self-propelled Smart Trek model. For one, it was the easiest model to assemble out of the box. We just needed to pull the lever on the handle crossbar, raise the handle and lock it into place. One pull of the lever folds the handle back down and it tilts vertically for storage. 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.
The Ryobi comes with two 40-volt batteries (which can be used with the brand’s broad line of power tools) and a dual battery port with up to 70 minutes of total run time. You can switch from one to the other if one runs out of juice while you’re still mowing. However, changing batteries can be wonky. While its starter key must be turned so its arrows point to the one in use it also has a battery lid that doesn’t stay up on its own. Not a dealbreaker but annoying.
Ryobi’s Smart Trek self-propulsion senses your speed, matching the mower to your pace. We found the maximum speed slide clumsy to move and the self-propel paddle uncomfortable, as you must push it down to the handle using your thumbs. It’s also bulkier than most models tested, weighing 75 pounds. While it gets props for the easiest handle adjustment and intuitive pacing system, we found the Ego Power+ Select Cutwas superior for how easy it was to actually cut grass.
Makita’s self-propelled electric lawn mower shares many traits with the other models we tested like a 21-inch deck; a brushless motor; a 3-in-1 design for mulching, bagging or side discharge; eight adjustable height positions from 1 1/4-inch to 3 15/16-inches; and vertical storage. It did require more assembly than others, though.
Besides its tranquil turquoise color, we were smitten with the Makita mower’s thoughtful design of a grass-level indicator on the grass bag catcher. When it’s not full, a fabric indicator floats while the motor runs. But when it’s almost full, it stops floating so you know it’s time to stop and empty the basket. It’s a small, simple thing but very convenient. It did a great job cutting and bagging, though we did notice this model didn’t do as well as our top pick when it came to mulching.
We also found this to be the quietest lawn mower we tested and liked the functionality of the self-propulsion speed adjustment lever. Even though it didn’t offer clear clicks like the Ego Power+ Select Cut, it was easy to operate and goes up to 3 mph.
One nitpick: You do have to assemble the handle and grass bag out of the box. The handle is similar to an old-school mower in that it uses knobs and thumb nuts, and isn’t as intuitive as other models tested. 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. However, there are built-in handles to help move it easily (it weighs about 60 pounds), and you can store it vertically.
Perhaps the biggest negative is the Makita’s battery situation. This model comes with four 18-volt batteries (charge time is about 45 minutes) and the machine requires two of them to operate. It also only has a run time of up to 40 minutes when you use all four batteries, so they’ll likely need to be switched out during a single mow. 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). It does have a three-year limited warranty, though.
Like Ryobi’s Smart Trek self-propulsion, Toro’s Personal Pace auto-drive feature takes all the guesswork out of making speed adjustments. The mower senses your walking pace and automatically matches it, noting inclines and boosting rear-wheel power.
The Toro Recycler SmartStow has nine cutting positions, from 1 to 4 inches; a durable 22-inch steel deck; bag, mulch and side-discharge functions and comes with a two-year full warranty on the mower and a three-year warranty on the battery. It folds down easily and can be stored vertically. The 60-volt battery lasts up to 40 minutes on a single charge but does take two and a half hours to charge, which is a bit longer than others. Another notable feature unique to this model is that there is no need to insert a mulch plug for that task; with the Toro mower, you turn a lever between mulching and bagging. Love that.
It’s also set up like a traditional gas mower: You insert a key, pull the bail to the handle and push the start button. Unfortunately, like a traditional mower, the wheels must be adjusted individually, which can be a pain. It also weighs 95 pounds and is hard to push when it’s not powered on and the power supply unit leaves three exposed wires on the mower’s side. 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.
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 isn’t self-propelled so you’ll be getting a little more of a workout while you mow.
This Ego Power+ model has six height adjustment positions from 1 1/2 to 4 inches (the Select Cut has eight); mulching, bagging and side discharge functions; LED headlights and a five-year limited warranty.
And while the Select Cut’s battery slides into place at an easy angle, this one goes in straight down and the lid doesn’t stay open on its own, making it just a bit annoying. It’s also push-drive, rather than self-propelled, and doesn’t include the indicator lights on the higher-end model.
If you have a small yard and don’t 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. For anyone with a bigger yard, we think it’s worth stepping up to the self-propelled version.
FAQs
The motor on an electric lawn mower may need to be replaced between five and seven years after you buy it. However, given how new the technology is in these tools, it can be tough to gauge exactly how long they will last.
The biggest disadvantage of a battery-operated lawn mower is the battery. Some battery-powered lawn mowers can run for hours, though that typically occurs when they’re used with multiple batteries.
Yes, electric lawn mowers can be cheaper when you compare the price of electricity versus gasoline for a gas motor. Regular maintenance for an electric mower is also a bit cheaper since they don’t require oil changes or other similar gas-related maintenance.
