Having published our best lawn mower review article as well as an article on the best electric lawn mowers, we know about lawn mowers. We've spent countless hours cutting with them and testing them on our property. So what if you've already decided on Makita as your manufacturer of choice? You also have more than six models to choose from! We've polled the best Makita lawn mower reviews for many different applications to help you decide. We've reviewed nearly every model and have the tests, data, run times, and more to help you make an informed decision.
Best Overall Makita Lawn Mower Reviews
Makita XML08 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Review
If you want our best Makita mower reviews of the year, we have to recommend the XML08, which we reviewed for the first time in 2021. This model offers you a great product at an affordable price. In fact, we've seen the lawn mower and battery on sale for $699. You can also just buy a lawn mower and add your own battery pack. For the commercial professional or anyone with 1 acre or smaller, this Makita mower should do the trick.
When testing in the summer, we set the deck to 3 inches and loaded four 6.0Ah batteries. We're not exactly letting go — cutting Bermuda, Bahia and St. Augustine. About 2/3 of the cutting area is pre-cut to 5 inches. Another 1/3 was not cut at all in two weeks. We have a total of 47 minutes of runtime. We could easily cut more than an hour out of scheduled maintenance cuts.
Commercial self-propelled lawn mowers can cost over $1,000 to run. Compared to battery competitors, Stihl's self-propelled model with a similar battery load costs $879. This may seem expensive compared to a residential lawn mower, but you're getting a lot more in terms of build quality and cutting power. When your crew needs a solution to a gas lawn mower they don't need or want, the Makita XML08 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is a great solution.
Other than the possibility of making the battery switch automatic, there is nothing to complain about with this mower. If you want a true aluminum deck, look at the XML09, which adds a little weight as a trade off for better weather resistance and a higher price point.
Our Favorite Professional Makita Lawn Mowers
Makita XML09 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
We've declared the XML08 the best Makita mower we've reviewed so far. However, if you want to step it up a notch, the nearly identical XML09 adds an all-aluminum deck that makes this mower even more weatherproof. It does gain some weight, but you don't get anything from a commercial petrol model. In our Makita mower reviews, the XML09 really stands out (it's also the most expensive model Makita makes).
You get the same power and runtime as the XML08, but it does away with the plastic on the front of the panel. Instead, the aluminum (rather than steel) deck extends all the way to the front, which also has a metal guard in front to avoid damage from obstacles, stone edges, etc.
Look for the Makita XML09PT1 lawn mower, which runs around $999 on a set of four 5.0Ah batteries.
Makita CML01 ConnectX 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
For landscapers, the Makita ConnectX 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower addresses run-time concerns squarely. Its ConnectX 1200Wh backpack is like having a little over thirteen (13) 18V LXT 5Ah batteries. Makita isn't the first to have backpack batteries, but we really like their implementation. The backpack battery attaches directly to the top of the ConnectX mower. You don't have to tie yourself to it with a rope.
In terms of runtime, you can trim up to 3 hours straight. For the way most professional workers use their walk-behind mowers to supplement their ZTs, that's enough to get them through the day.
A professional-grade mower, the Makita CML01 sells for $949 bare-bones. If you buy it separately, the battery adds another $1,399, for a total of $2,348. Like Makita's other lithium-ion tools, both the mower and power supply are covered by a 3-year warranty.
The Best Makita 36V Walk-Behind Lawn Mower for Homeowners
Makita XML11 21″ 36V (X2) Self-propelled Lawn Pusher
If you don't need a self-propelled mechanism, the Makita XML11 makes a great entry-level option for homeowners who still have a reasonable sized property (1/2 acre max). The Makita XML11CT1 lawnmower kit includes four 5Ah batteries and usually sells for around $499. This includes a back pocket and dual-port charger.
Makita claims these batteries have a run time of about 40 minutes, with speeds between 1.5 and 3 MPH for the self-propelled mechanism. A single-lever height adjustment lets you set the blade to cut between 1-1/4" and 4". Finally, the handle folds down to make garage or shed storage a breeze. At $499, this mower might be one of the best value for money in the 21-inch self-propelled mower category.
Best Makita 18V (X2) Mowers for Really Small Yards
Makita XML03 18″ Push Mower
Chances are you're looking for a self-propelled lawnmower that's a little less expensive than the commercial models that Makita offers. In this case, the Makita XML03 lawn mower offers a good compromise. This walk-behind lawn mower kit includes four 4.0Ah batteries and a dual charger for just $399. That's a ridiculously low price for an all-electric battery-operated lawn mower.
In our Makita lawn mower review, the Makita XML03 seems to be down. It doesn't have a self-propelled motor, and you "only" get an 18" wide deck. However, it can cut up to 1/3 of an acre in 43 minutes or less. The steel deck also offers commercial grade quality – making it equally suitable for a more flexible solution for landscapers.
With a fold-down handle for easy storage and single-lever cutting height adjustment (13/16" – 3"), you have everything you need for a smaller yard or a super-mobile commercial mower.
Best Electric Push Lawn Mowers (Not Self-Propelled)
Makita XML07 Walk-Behind Lawn Mower
The Makita XML07 is basically the same as the XML08 we recommended above, but doesn't drive itself. Makita has vastly improved the model compared to earlier versions to make it commercially ready.
You'll get the same steel decks commercial landscapers love. Like other Makita mowers, the XML07 runs on two 18V batteries (it's a 36V mower) and has room for a four-pack so you don't have to go back to the trailer or garage as often.
Makita has also included a silent mode for its brushless motor. It keeps the blade at a lower and quieter RPM when you're trying to save runtime or lower noise levels in lighter cutting conditions. Pick up this powerful commercial-grade walk-behind lawn mower for $699 with four 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger.
How we made our picks for the best Makita lawn mowers
Deck Dimensions and Materials
When doing Makita Lawn Mower Reviews, we have to be aware of deck sizes and materials. Professionals often want steel tops (Makita even has a model with an aluminum top to save weight). While most people stick to the 21-inch deck size for mowing grass, many professionals need a solution for accessing tight areas with zero turns or inaccessible uprights. For that, the 17- and 18-inch models do a great job.
run
How much run time a battery-powered lawn mower has is only part of the equation. The best information is how much area can be cut on a single charge. We recommend the Makita mowers, noting the amount of cutting they can do on a set of 4 batteries.
put up
Build quality primarily includes deck materials, but also considers other items that consumers and professionals need for extended use. We're looking for robust components that will last beyond the warranty period, solid construction, and protection for electrical components and batteries.
other features
In addition to any standout features, here's a list of the standard items we look for:
- Drive Types and Capabilities
- Height Adjustment and Range
- handle position
- discharge option
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 Makita Lawn Mower Buying Guide
When you're deciding on the best Makita battery powered lawn mower for you in 2022, there's a lot 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 buy a Makita battery mower for less than $500, plan to spend at least $700 for a commercial kit with four batteries, and more than $800 for the top model.
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.
Residential or commercial quality?
With many manufacturers, you won't see a huge difference between commercial and residential walk behind electric lawn mowers. Makita mainly produces commercial lawn mowers.
These professional battery-operated electric lawn mowers from Makita have the familiar design and features to meet the needs of professionals. Makita also has a fairly large dealer network, which they should eventually tap into as they continue to expand into battery powered outdoor power equipment.
Self-propelled and push-driven
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 variable speed control 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 your way of going, look for poly decks that help save weight and wheels with low rolling resistance to make your job easier.
Self-drive adjustment
Our test team generally prefers the variable-speed controls separate from the status bar. The Makita XML03 also includes a "whisper mode". This tells the brushless motor to maintain 2500 RPM to reduce noise and improve battery efficiency.
The Makita XML11 uses an easy-to-use speed control on the left to set the speed between minimum and maximum limits.
Steel vs Aluminum vs 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.
And, while steel is more durable, aluminum reduces weight and resists corrosion. If you're mowing with lots of small rocks being kicked up, or your 15-year-old isn't paying attention as much as you'd like, a steel or aluminum deck can extend the life of your lawn mower!
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.
Some Makita lawn mowers give you all three options. That way, you can keep that side dump chute close at hand somewhere 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 (Makita is one brand that lists the actual blade diameter, not the deck diameter).
Makita also offers smaller models for smaller lawns or areas that require a lot of landscaping.
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, even a 17-inch deck will work well. These smaller decks can also be used to tackle limited areas where zero turns cannot fit.
Height Adjustment and Range
It's really about your preference. We find that most people just set the height once and forget about it, so just make sure the mower you choose has the mowing height you need.
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.
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. With four battery ports onboard, Makita can at least ensure you have plenty of runtime on their 18V X2 (36V) mower.
Why Buy an Electric Lawn Mower?
The best Makita 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.
Makita mowers are also significantly less noisy than gas mowers. 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? While many battery powered lawn mowers have headlights, Makita's doesn't – so you don't need to mow at night!
Our favorite thing about buying a Makita electric battery lawn mower is that you can just plug in the battery and mow. 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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