With mowing season fast approaching, it's time for our recommendations for the best electric lawn mowers of 2023. Whether your priority is large lawns, small lawns, high-value lawns or something in between, our experts have weighed in on these best battery-operated lawn mower models.
Great news — there are plenty of great battery-operated lawn mowers to choose from this year!
Don't see what you're looking for? Ask questions in the comments below and we'll let you know our picks!
Consider gas models too? Check out those in our best lawn mower recommendations!
Table of contents
- best overall
- best self propelled lawn mower
- best ride
- best lawn mower
- Best for Small Lawns
- Best for Large Lawns
- Best Budget Lawn Mower
- More testimonials from brands we trust
- what are we looking for
- Electric Lawn Mower Buying Guide
Commercial Pick: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
With an astounding 10 foot-pounds of torque (over a 200cc gas engine!) Milwaukee's M18 Fuel Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is by far the most powerful battery-powered walk-behind mower we've ever tested. Using a pair of 12.0Ah batteries, it can run for up to an hour in light conditions, and we ran it for over 40 minutes while taking off 4-6 inches of growth. If there's a downside, there's some thumb fatigue associated with actuating the thumbstick, but we were able to adjust our grip to fix that.
This mower also has a solid build designed to handle professional use while offering the convenience of single-point height adjustment and vertical storage. While there are bigger options these days (such as Greenworks' 82V 30-in), the Milwaukee's price tag is much easier on your budget.
Price: $1099.00 with two 12.0Ah batteries and a dual-port fast charger
Residential Pick: EGO 56V Select Cut XP Self-Propelled Lawn Mower with Speed IQ
The EGO Select Cut Mower was an instant favorite with its stacked blade system and solid performance levels with excellent cut quality. EGO beefed it up by releasing the Select Cut XP, taking everything we already liked and boosting torque to 8.3 foot-pounds. Now, it's taken to the next evolution with the addition of Speed IQ.
Speed IQ is a drive system that automatically adjusts to your walking speed. Unlike Toro's Personal Pace system, it doesn't use springs and sensors in the handle arms. In fact, we can't detect any physical motion at all. However, the EGO's sensor was perfectly tuned in our tests. Is it magic? No, but there is some really good engineering at work.
Price: $599.00 bare metal, $999.00 with 12.0Ah battery and turbo charger
Best Self-Propelled Electric Battery Powered Lawn Mowers
As a self-propelled model, our recommendations from Milwaukee and EGO also top the category. Here are two better options for you to choose from.
Commercial Pick: Greenworks Commercial 30-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
At Equipment Expo 2022 (formerly GIE), we got a hands-on look at the Greenworks Commercial 30-inch lawn mower. A first in the 30-inch class for the commercial market, it opened the eyes of professionals who had always been skeptical about battery power.
As we've seen from the 25-inch version, the mower uses two side-by-side blades to achieve its cutting width. Thanks to brushless technology, it cuts at a tip speed of 16,000 fpm for a clean cut and efficient bagging/mulching, and exceeds the power of a 200cc gas engine.
It's also smart, using 4G coverage to provide GPS tracking. On the "why didn't they do this earlier?" list, its independent hub motor has reverse.
Price: $1999.00 bare, $2999.00 with three 8.0Ah batteries and dual-port charger.
Residential Featured
Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Transverse AWD Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Ryobi broke it with the development of the 40V HP Brushless CrossCut self-propelled lawn mower, a huge improvement over the previous generation of lawn mowers. A good match for EGO's Select Cut XP, a stacked blade design that delivers excellent power and cut quality. Its clear advantage over its competitors is side discharge. This mower distributes clippings better than other battery-powered mowers we've tested.
By upgrading to all-wheel-drive, the design team made it selectable, so you can run AWD when you want and only the rear wheels when you don't. Plus, Ryobi manufactures this mower in the USA using global materials.
Price: $849.00 with two 6.0Ah batteries and a fast charger
Toro 60V Stripe Dual Blade Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Toro is launching what may be the most compelling battery-powered lawn mower for 2023. Powered by its 60V battery platform (there's also a petrol model), it's moving to cross-cut models similar to EGO's Select Cut and Ryobi's stacked twin-blade system. What makes the Toro different is the addition of a built-in striping feature that gives your lawn not only a clean cut, but a professional finish.
Price: $629.00 bare metal, $729.00 with 7.5Ah battery and charger
best electric ride-on lawn mower
Commercial Pick: Greenworks Commercial OptimusZ Zero-Turn Lawn Mower
At Gear Expo 2023, it's clear that the pros have more battery-powered riding lawn mowers than ever before, and there will be more. Greenworks is showing its second generation as it transitions from the LithiumZ mowers to the OptimusZ range and takes a total systems approach.
With multiple ride-on and stand-on ZT options up to 60 inches, professionals can build with the runtime to support a full day of mowing. Greenworks is also introducing a trailer to support 100% battery-powered crews, including up to three ride-on/stand-up mowers. Going a step further, the team is also developing a version of OptimusZ that can run alongside a human operator or run entirely autonomously. We saw a working prototype at Equip Expo.
Price: $22,999.00 – $26,999.00
Residential Featured
If you're looking for a battery-operated riding lawn mower for home use, there are several very good options. Of these, two outshone the others this year.
EGO E-Steer Home Zero Turn Lawn Mower
While some will argue that EGO's 54-inch Zero Steer is the better choice because of its wider deck, the EGO E-Steer is gaining traction this year. It has a zero turning radius, but uses the steering wheel instead of lap bars to make turns. If traditional lap-rod steering has been holding you back from switching to zero-steer models, it's a huge win.
Even if you're happy with your knee bars, there are still reasons to consider an E-Steer system. EGO has moved the control panel from the side of the mower to the center of the wheel. Now, they're right in front of you so you can keep an eye on battery status and make quick adjustments.
Price: $5999.00 with four 12.0Ah batteries and car charger (scheduled for launch in May 2023)
Ryobi 80V iDrive Zero Turn Lawn Mower
Ryobi also added an alternative control group this year. These 80V zero turn lawn mowers are equipped with the iDrive system controlled using a joystick. Whether you want to think of it like playing a video game or flying a grass fighter, it doesn't take long to get used to.
For its first-generation iDrive models, you can choose from three deck sizes: 30, 42 or 54 inches. They primarily run on a suitcase style 80V battery, but can also be supplemented with a 40V battery to extend your run time. Downsizing isn't an issue as performance levels are at the level of a 42 HP gas engine.
Price: $5999.00 – $7999.00 Ready to Mow
The best cordless walk-behind lawn mowers
EGO Select Cut Walk-Behind Lawn Mower
EGO's Select Cut mower is the first to bring a stacked dual blade system to a battery-operated mower. By cutting high first and then low, you can achieve a cleaner finish and finer clippings. EGO has packed this performance and a host of convenient design features into an easy-to-roll push mower for those who don't want or need a self-propelled model.
Price: $379.00 bare, $649.00 kit with 7.5Ah battery and fast charger
The Best Cordless Lawn Mowers for Small Lawns
Skil PWRCore 20 18" Lawn Mower
The joy of a small lawn is that it doesn't take long to mow, and you can use a smaller mower that takes up less space. A 17 or 18 inch deck is perfect for that kind of lawn. The good news is that you don't have to sacrifice all features to get a big lawn mower.
Our top pick is Skil's PWRCore 20 18-Inch Lawn Mower. It has the benefits of a brushless motor, folds away for vertical storage, and its 20V battery is compatible with Skil's full line of PWRCore 20 lawn and power tools.
Price: $299.00 with two 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger.
The best electric lawn mowers for large lawns
Ryobi 80V 30" Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
We knew it needed something special to replace the Greenworks 60V 25" mower as our go-to for large lawns. It took a few years, but Ryobi has an 80V 30" self-propelled model that is taking over.
Like the iDrive ride-on mower, this 30-inch walk-behind mower runs on an 80V suitcase-style battery. A brushless motor turns two sets of stacked twin blades, for a total of four. By going this route, Ryobi has reduced overall blade quality while enabling a large cutting width, performance and runtime to ensure you get the job done.
The program launches later in the spring. Check to see if it's in stock at Home Depot.
Price: $1,999.00
Best Budget Cordless Lawn Mower
Skil PWRCore 40 20" Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Here's the challenge: Find a brushless self-propelled lawn mower with batteries and charger for under $400. When it comes to brands we trust, there aren't many options.
Skil's 20-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is a great value. Running on the more powerful PWRCore 40 Series, this brushless mower offers excellent overall performance and cut quality characteristics compared to other mowers in its price range. If you're looking to switch to battery power on a budget, Skil offers some of the best value self-propelled lawn mowers on the market.
Price: $399 with 5.0Ah battery and charger
Best electric battery-powered lawn mower: More options from brands we trust
Best ECHO Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower
ECHO is phasing out its line of 58V batteries in favor of a new line of 56V eForce (sorry, old batteries are not compatible with new tools), including a new lawn mower, the self-propelled DLM-2100SP. It's a solid design that hits all the right buttons for a well-rounded machine. It won't challenge the power levels of top performers, but it doesn't have their price tags either.
Price: $449.00 bare metal, $549.00 with 5.0Ah battery and charger
Best Greenworks Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers
Greenworks has several great CrossoverZ battery powered ride on lawn mowers to choose from. They run off the same 60V battery as other lawn mowers and lawn care equipment (there's also an 80V version). If you're switching from a gas mower, the design makes for an easy transition and you can choose between a zero-turn or lawn tractor design.
Price: $4499.99 – $5499.99
Best HART Electric Battery Powered Lawn Mowers
HART has beefed up its 40V brushless self-propelled lawn mowers, but the SuperCharge version is on a whole different level. Performance levels are at the 160cc gas engine level, and the two active battery ports give you plenty of run time, down to 3/4 of an acre with the two 6.0Ah batteries in the kit. Compared to the HART mowers we've used before, this is by far the most capable mower for those sticking with mid-range gas alternatives.
Price: $598.00 with two 6.0Ah batteries and a fast charger
The best Husqvarna electric battery-operated lawn mowers
Husqvarna has launched a 20-inch commercial grade 3-in-1 battery powered self-propelled lawn mower with an aluminum deck and front bar to protect the battery/motor housing. The W520i is especially compatible with battery packs. It's not as clean as Makita's ConnectX, since you still have to plug the adapter into the battery slot, but it does take some weight off your back and keeps you from being tied down. It also has a higher than normal cutting range up to 4.5 inches.
Price: $1299.99 bare metal
Check out Husqvarna's Lawn Xpert Mower – Lowe's Exclusive for 2023!
The best Kobalt electric battery-operated lawn mowers
Kobalt is still quietly making great electric lawnmowers, and the 80V line is where their performance peaks. The latest is a 21-inch rear-wheel drive system with an upgraded handle system that makes it easier to fold forward for vertical storage. In addition to its excellent cutting capabilities, the Kobalt also makes efficient use of its battery, running for 60 minutes on a 6.0Ah battery. Plus, its tall 4 1/8" top cut height is perfect for tall grass species and reclaiming neglected areas.
Price: $699.00 for 6.0Ah battery and charger, $749.00 for two 4.0Ah batteries and charger
The best Makita electric battery-powered lawn mowers
One of the biggest challenges with any battery powered electric lawn mower is run time. Makita took this problem head-on and developed the ConnectX system. Unlike other designs, the 1200Wh power supply connects directly to the top of the mower, providing more than 3 times the capacity of most cordless mowers for up to 3 hours of continuous operation.
Similar to the 18V X2 (36V) XML08, this mower has a top speed of 2800 RPM, a silent mode of 2300 RPM, and a true 21-inch steel platform.
Price: $949.00 bare metal, $1399.00 power supply ($2348.00 for both)
The best STIHL electric battery-powered lawn mower
Stihl took a more cautious approach to the electric lawn mower market and upgraded the line with several self-propelled models. Of the two, the Stihl RMA 510 V is your best choice. It features a 21-inch steel deck (20-inch blade), stronger construction than the 460 Series, and a 3.9-inch top height of cut for taller grass species. One downside is that this model's battery drains quickly compared to other self-propelled lawn mowers.
Price: $599.99 bare metal, $749.99 with AP 300 battery and charger
Did you know Sithl now has a zero turn mower? ? ?
Best electric lawn mower: what we looked for
strength
Brushless motors make testing power more challenging because they are able to sense and adjust to the load being applied to the blades. To measure it, we cut an overgrown grass field to a manageable height, and then followed up by seeing how short we could cut the standard height grass.
The more effectively a battery-powered lawn mower can restore overgrowth, the less time it can effectively cut at baseline heights, and the more powerful it will work.
run
The runtime of an electric lawn mower is only part of the equation. The best information is how much area can be cut on a single charge. Let's start by cutting a section of grass to a standard height and see how long we can cut on a single charge when we cut the grass down to 3 inches.
Once we know this, we calculate the maximum area you can mow without stopping to recharge.
cutting quality
We tested three fundamental aspects of cut quality: uniformity, bagging efficiency and coverage efficiency.
Evenness is simple – we measure the evenness of the cut by looking for protruding blades and areas that may have been cut shorter than expected.
Bagging efficiency is measured by how much grass is left compared to the amount of grass collected in the bag.
Mulching efficiency takes into account the size of the clippings dropped by the mower and whether it creates any clumps or tails.
put up
We consider build quality in terms of materials and how well the mower is assembled. We're looking for robust components that will last beyond the warranty period, solid construction, and protection for electrical components and batteries.
Hills, slopes and uneven terrain
Of course, this being Florida, we don't have many legal hills. But we do have sloping lake sides and ditches, and a lot of uneven ground. We drive or push our lawn mowers to see how well they maintain wheel traction on uphills, downhills, sideways and bumps.
feature
In addition to any standout features, here's a list of the standard items we look for:
- Brushless Motor
- Drive Types and Capabilities
- deck size
- deck material
- height adjustment
- Height Range and Number of Layers
- handle position
- discharge option
- battery interface
value
For our team of experts, value is more than price. It's about what you get for what you pay for. An expensive model is likely to be the best battery lawn mower if it outperforms budget brands by far to justify it.
Best Electric Lawn Mower Buying Guide
When you decide to buy the best electric lawn mower for you in 2022, there are many factors to consider. These electric lawn mowers are a long way from when we started running on battery power.
What is your budget?
While you can pick up a battery powered lawn mower for less than $300, plan to spend at least $500 on premium models and over $700 for the best electric lawn mowers.
This might cause some conflicts. When you look at what you can get on a gas lawn mower for the same price, you get more power and features from that gas engine. It won't have the noise, emissions, and maintenance benefits, though.
Are Electric Lawn Mowers Possible?
There are several riding lawn mowers available for professionals and homeowners. Professional workers can opt for the Lithium Z zero turn from Greenworks (they also have battery-powered UTVs).
Homeowners have more choices, with a handful of zero-steer and more traditional lawn tractors from well-known brands Ryobi, Cub Cadet, and EGO (among a few others).
The models we tested worked well enough to do what they were designed to do. However, there are two key tradeoffs you need to keep in mind. One, there is a substantial premium in cost compared to gasoline models. Second, right now, you need to plan for longer charging times.
The third consideration is simply that this class of electric lawn mowers is still relatively new. Gas models can be left running for 10 years or more and restarted if necessary. For a complete power plant, we have no idea what life expectancy can be achieved with proper maintenance.
As battery technology continues to evolve, keep an eye out for the first graphene or silicon-lithium batteries. They are capable of charging faster than standard lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries and potentially get you back in the saddle sooner.
Residential or commercial quality?
On the surface, there isn't much of a difference between commercial-quality and residential-quality walk-behind electric lawn mowers.
At the high end, strength doesn't appear to have changed much (although Milwaukee just changed that expectation). In fact, one of the most powerful products we've tested — EGO's Select Cut XP — is technically a residential model.
The advantage of commercial battery lawn mowers is that their design and feature set are more in line with the requirements of professionals. Some of these are simply differences between homeowners' and working professionals' preferences for lawn mowers. But there are differences in the quality of components that brands choose for their individual product lines. Commercial lawn mowers must be ready for longer service times each week.
Brands like Greenworks Commercial, Husqvarna, and Stihl rely on their dealer networks, not big box stores. During and after the sale, you'll get extra support that no other retailer can provide.
Riding an electric lawn mower is a whole different ballgame. With these, you'll find even greater differences in design and performance, and a huge gap in cost.
self-propelled and push
Considering that self-propelled drives won't have a huge impact on your runtime, this is a feature you should get if it's within your budget. Look for a variable speed controller and try it out at the shop before taking it home. You can usually tell in just a few minutes how comfortable and natural your hands are.
When you want to pull the mower back, look for one that can be easily disengaged from its drive. Some systems are hard to let go, forcing you to drag the drive wheels instead of letting them roll.
We can't entirely rule out the classic push mower style, though. On a budget, you can easily save $100 or more without performance degradation if you're willing to take on more workloads.
If that's the way you're headed, look for poly decks that help save weight and wheels with bearings and low rolling resistance to make your job easier.
Self-drive adjustment
Our test team generally prefers the variable speed dial separate from the status bar. Taking a different approach, Toro's Personal Pace and Ryobi's Smart Trek systems offer the kind of self-adjusting speed some people like.
As you experiment with different adjustments, look for one that is a bit stiffer or has an aggressive stop. This will reduce the chance of accidentally knocking it to a different speed if your hand hits it or the terrain is rough.
Also note the placement of the dial. Front and center for on-the-fly adjustments. However, some guys hit that spot with their hands or hips when turning. If it's you, you'd probably prefer to make adjustments on the side so you don't accidentally change speed with each turn.
Steel & Poly Deck
In the gasoline-powered world, there are practically no plastic decks – most are steel or aluminum. The world of cordless lawnmowers is very different from poly decks in every direction.
Steel is more durable, but you're less likely to wear down a plastic deck over the life of a battery-operated lawn mower. Poly also has advantages in design. It is much easier to make small changes in the shape to optimize airflow for better lift, coverage and bagging than a steel deck.
As we said, steel is more durable. If you have a lot of small rocks being kicked up while mowing, or your kids aren't paying as much attention as you'd like, a steel deck can extend the life of your lawn mower. Plus, it looks good.
Bags, covers or side discharges?
You probably already know whether you prefer covering or bagging. In Central Florida we usually mulch to return nutrients to the lawn and avoid stopping every 10 minutes (literally) to dump the bag.
However, sometimes you go on vacation or the weather keeps you from your normal mowing day. This is when side (or back) discharge becomes useful.
Instead of leaving the grass on the deck for a finer mulch, it kicks it out. Sure, you could bag it, but you'd spend a lot of time emptying it. To keep your mowing under control, side discharges help keep you going as your grass grows.
Look for a mower that gives you all three options, and keep the side dump chute close at hand in case you need it.
Deck and Blade Dimensions
Most of the best electric lawn mowers have a 20 or 21 inch deck size with slightly smaller blades (some brands list the actual blade diameter instead of the deck diameter).
There are smaller models for smaller lawns or areas with a lot of landscaping.
There are also larger models. Both Greenworks Commercial and Greenworks 60V are available in 25-inch models. Battery-powered riding lawn mowers run up to 52 inches or more on the residential side and up to 74 inches on the commercial side.
Larger deck sizes are most helpful for lawns over 1/4 acre, and they save even more time. For lawns 1/4 acre or smaller, a standard 20- or 21-inch deck is usually fine.
Single and multi-point deck height adjustment
There is no doubt that a single-point height adjustment is more convenient than adjusting each wheel. The relatively light weight of a cordless lawn mower also makes it a more viable solution.
Don't completely ignore two or four point adjustments, though. Four-point systems generally have a more rigid structure than single-point systems. Plus, you can kick the front wheel a notch higher than the rear for more efficient bagging.
It's really about your preference. We've found that most people just set the height once and forget about it, so a four-point system probably isn't that bad from a convenience standpoint.
Multiple battery ports
If your lawn is larger than 1/3 of an acre, chances are you could benefit from multiple battery ports. There are three possibilities: second storage port, second active port with manual switch, and second active port with automatic switch.
Automatic switching is the most convenient and is usually found on pricier mowers. Manual switching and simple storage require some extra effort, but not as much as going back to the garage or trailer to replace a battery.
height range
Most electric lawn mowers have all the height ranges needed to cover a variety of grass species. If you prefer to cut over 3-1/2 inches or under 2 inches, just double check that the mower you're looking at has it covered.
Why Buy an Electric Lawn Mower?
The best electric lawn mower for you cuts grass on a single charge. Regardless of the model, they all have some common characteristics. There are no gas emissions and no gas engine maintenance is required. You'll still have to clean it up when you're done, but it's easier and takes less time to maintain.
They are also quieter. The early bird gets the worm, and if you try to start mowing the lawn at 7:00 on a Saturday morning, your neighbors will probably sleep through. More night owls? Many battery-operated lawn mowers have headlights, and you're less likely to disturb your neighbor's Lord of the Rings marathon at 10:00 p.m.
These are some of the more obvious reasons, but one of our favorites is the ability to put in batteries and mow grass. There is no cranking, no throttle, and no fuel shutoff valve. It's easier to use than a gasoline system, as long as you have enough battery to mow your entire lawn.
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