Our top pick is the EGO POWER+ 21" Self-Propelled Mower because it has an excellent run-time, is easy to maneuver, and charges rapidly. Here are the best electric lawn mowers. The EGO POWER+ 21" Self-Propelled Mower is our top pick because it is powerful, quiet, and simple to use. This battery-powered model has a self-propelled design that makes it easy to maneuver and can last for up to a full hour per charge, making it ideal for use on small and medium-sized yards. The EGO’s rapid charging system stands head and shoulders above the competition, juicing up the battery in less than an hour. The blades are adjustable to six cutting heights and deliver a precision cut that leaves the lawn looking professionally manicured. It can mulch, bag, or discharge grass clippings and even comes with a 2-bushel collection bag. A self-propel feature lets you set a pace between 0.9 and 3.1 miles per hour to match your walking speed. The body is plastic, making it feel less substantial than a traditional metal mower, but the lightweight material doesn’t affect performance. We tested EGO’s non-self-propelled model and found it to be one of the best electric mowers we’ve ever tested. This self-propelled version includes many of the same features we appreciated including a push-button start, LED headlights, quiet operation (our tester could hold a conversation while the mower was running!), and a quick-charging battery. Besides the self-propelled feature, we love that this model has a longer run time—60 minutes versus 45 in the other model—due to its 7.5 ah battery. If you’re ready to switch to an electric mower, this is the one. Price at time of publish: $429 This mower needs to be plugged in with a 14-gauge 50-foot extension cord or a 12-gauge 100-foot extension cord, which isn’t included with the purchase. The good news, however, is that you’ll have unlimited runtime as long as the mower is plugged in, and it has an integrated cord retention system that prevents it from coming unplugged if jostled. We found that the mower was lightweight enough to push around without much effort, and the included grass collection bag is easy to detach and empty. Price at time of publish: $200 You have your choice between mulching and bagging with this lawn mower—it can side-discharge clippings, as well, but the accessory required for this is sold separately. The mower has seven cutting heights and adjustable handles for comfort, and it even features LED headlights for nighttime mowing and an onboard battery storage compartment in case you need to swap it out mid-mow. Price at time of publish: $499 This mower can be used to mulch, bag, or side-discharge grass clippings, and there are six different cutting heights, ranging from 1.5 to 4 inches. It features a push-button start that’s easy for anyone to operate, but keep in mind that the mower weighs more than 70 pounds, so it can be a bit heavy to push, especially on hills. Price at time of publish: $549 This riding mower is extremely quiet during operation—it’s virtually silent when the blades aren’t engaged—and it can travel at speeds up to 8 miles per hour. There are 12 cutting heights for its dual-blade deck, and it has handy features like LED lights, cruise control, and a USB charging port. The mower charges via a standard 120-volt outlet, but the seat could be somewhat uncomfortable to sit in for longer mowing sessions. This push mower is lightweight and easy to maneuver around your yard, and it has seven deck height settings between 1.5 and 4 inches. It comes with a 13-gallon grass collection bag, and it’s also able to mulch or side-discharge grass clippings. Plus, its handles collapse for more compact storage in your garage or shed. Price at time of publish: $219 The Makita Push Lawn Mower has an 18-inch commercial-grade steel deck, which is a bit smaller than other models, and it’s able to bag, mulch, or rear-discharge clippings. There are 10 cutting heights, but the highest setting is only 3 inches, which can result in the machine struggling a bit in tall, overgrown grass. The mower has a soft, rubberized grip for operator comfort, and there’s even a quiet mode that helps keep the volume to a minimum—ideal if you like to mow early in the morning. Price at time of publish: $399 This mower can bag, mulch, or side-discharge clippings, and its personal pace self-propelled design automatically senses your walking speed and adjusts accordingly. The included battery offers up to 40 minutes of runtime per charge, and the 11-inch rear tires offer superior traction without tearing up your lawn. Price at time of publish: $729 This compact mower is able to mulch or bag grass clippings, and the included collection bag features a plastic top that lets you see when it’s full. There are six deck heights to choose from, and an onboard battery meter lets you know when you’re running out of power. Price at time of publish: $300 This lawn mower is able to bag, mulch, or side-discharge clippings, but the bagging unit is sold separately. There are 12 cutting heights to choose from, and the unit’s control panel includes a battery-level indicator, unit hour meter, USB charging port, LED lights, cruise control, and more. The mower comes with a towing hitch and tow assembly hardware, and despite its size, it still charges via a standard 120-volt outlet.
Features
Once you narrow it down a bit, look more closely at the features of various mowers. Some are small and lightweight, while others are larger and made to cover more territory quickly. Also, consider ease of operation factors like how easy a mower is to start and whether it can do things like mulch and bag your clippings.
Deck Size
Deck size refers to the width of the mower, which determines how wide a path it can cut. Generally speaking, the wider the deck size (also referred to as cutting width), the faster the mowing session. Small to medium-size lawns (up to 0.5-acre) are suited to a deck size of 40 inches or less, while larger lawns (0.5 to 2 acres) need something 42 to 48 inches wide.
Charging Time
If you choose a cordless electric mower, eventually it will need to be charged. How long that takes will vary by model. Some mowers can only run for 30 minutes, while others can go for hours without a charge. The size of your lawn is also a factor to consider because you don’t want to run out of power when you’re only partway through a job. Of course, if you don’t want to worry about charging your mower at all, a corded model may be the better choice.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance contributor for The Spruce. As someone who grew up on a 70-acre farm and owns a 5-acre parcel herself, she’s no stranger to lawn mowers, and she’s written extensively on them. She’s also personally tested both the RYOBI 38 in. 75 Ah Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower and the RYOBI 42 in. 75 Ah Battery Electric Riding Zero Turn Mower. Those with small to medium-sized lawns (up to about 2,700 square feet) should opt for an electric lawnmower since one charge will generally be enough to get you through your entire mowing session. These mowers have a variety of other benefits that make them more suitable for smaller properties, including the fact that they’re generally compact and easy to store in your garage or shed. If you have a larger yard (upwards of 0.5-acre), however, you’ll want to consider a gas-powered option. This type of mower can cut through tougher grass with ease, and you won’t be limited by a power cord or short battery life.
In terms of grass length, the higher the better. The general rule of thumb for mowing heights is between 2.5 and 4 inches depending on the type of grass, season, and location. You’ll want to remove only the top 0.33 of the grass blade during each session. (This is particularly true for cooler weather.) In the summer, aim for increasing the mowing height as this can inhibit pesky crabgrass growth. While selecting other battery-powered mowers for this list, she considered factors such as their power source, run- and charge-time (where applicable), deck size, and beneficial features such as self-propelled transmissions. She also spoke with Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love, for insights on selecting the best electric lawn mower for your home.
