The best electric lawn mowers help homeowners keep their grass looking tidy while reducing emissions and maintenance time.
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Best Electric Lawn Mowers and Push Mowers for the Effortless Lawn Care
Updated on Oct. 20, 2024
If you’re like many homeowners, you love the idea of keeping your lawn attractive—but you’re not so crazy about dealing with a smelly gas-powered lawn mower. Luckily, the best electric lawn mowers have improved dramatically in recent years.
From electric push mowers to affordable lawn mowers and even an electric riding lawn mower capable of holding lawn mower attachments, we’ve found a wide range of electric lawn mowers so you can find the right one for your needs. And if you’re looking for a deal, don’t forget to peep the best lawn mower sales!
On Sale
Best Overall Electric Lawn Mower
Ego Power+ 56-Volt LM2100 Electric Lawn Mower
Pros:
- Has a 45-minute runtime
- Weather-resistant construction
- Features bright LED lights
- Comes with lithium battery and rapid charger
Cons:
- Battery doesn’t last as long in self-propel mode
If you don’t mind putting down a little more cash up front, this Ego Power+ electric lawn mower offers all-around value. The 56-volt, 5-Ah battery provides up to 45 minutes of continuous run time. It comes with LED headlights and a two-bushel clipping collection bag. Plus, it’s covered by a five-year warranty.
Ego Power+ is a leading brand when it comes to cordless outdoor power, and the 56-volt battery in this electric lawn mower prevents overheating and is compatible with other tools in the brand’s platform.
Power Source: Battery | Deck Size: 21 in. | Runtime: 45 min.
Best Budget Electric Lawn Mower
Sun Joe MJ401E Electric Lawn Mower
Pros:
- Won’t break the bank
- Adjustable cutting height
- Handle folds for storage
- Includes a two-year warranty
Cons:
- Extension cord most likely needed
Want another option for a reliable corded lawn mower with a friendly price? Check out the electric lawn mower from Sun Joe. A 14-inch cutting deck lets you navigate the tight turns that come with smaller yards. This mower, covered by a two-year warranty, comes with a 10.6-gallon clipping collection bag. Don’t let the low price fool you—this machine can tackle tall grass. It features a three-position manual height adjustment, and is made of allow steel to last for years to come. Plus, its collapsible handle allows for easy storage when not in use.
Power Source: Corded | Deck Size: 14 in.
Best Corded Electric Lawn Mower
Greenworks 17-Inch Corded Lawn Mower
Pros:
- Compatible with range of extension cords
- Has mulching and rear discharge capabilities
- Features five height positions
- Low noise emission
Cons:
- Not ideal for large lawns
Want another option for a reliable corded lawn mower with a friendly price? Check out this Greenworks corded lawn mower. This 17-inch corded mower is lightweight and can mulch or collect clippings in the included 10-gallon collection bag. It’s simple to start, thanks to the push-button feature. There’s zero gas smell, zero pollution and zero maintenance with best electric lawn mower, so you don’t have to smell like gas after mowing or fuss with mixing fuels and tune-ups.
Power Source: Corded | Deck Size: 17 in.
On Sale
Best Cordless Electric Lawn Mower
Greenworks 16-Inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower
Pros:
- Has a 60-minute runtime
- Battery fully charges in 120 minutes
- Easy to maneuver
- Adjustable cutting height
Cons:
- Not ideal for large lawns
Cordless electric mowers tend to be more expensive than their corded counterparts, but many homeowners find escaping the limitations of the power cord worth the bump in price. The Greenworks 16-inch cordless electric lawn mower is a smart choice for a small yard.
Its 16-inch cutting deck makes it easily maneuverable, and the 40-volt, 4-Ah battery delivers plenty of power to make short work of smaller spaces. It’s compatible with other tools in the Greenworks 40-volt lineup. This mower has mulching options and ships with a bag and charger. There’s no need to stress about it making it to next season, because everything is covered by a three-year warranty.
Power Source: Battery | Deck Size: 16 in. | Runtime: 60 min.
Best Electric Lawn Mower for Large Yards
Toro Recycler 22-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Pros:
- Features an extra-long blade
- Has a brushless motor
- Auto-drive feature
- Has treaded 10-inch wheels for traction
Cons:
- More expensive than other options
If you have a larger yard, you’ll want a mower with a wider cutting deck, longer battery life and a self-propelled motor. The Toro 60-volt electric lawn mower meets all those requirements and is ready to tackle the job.
Toro calls its self-propeller Personal Pace, because it responds to how fast you walk, automatically increasing or decreasing the mower speed to match. No more jogging behind your mower trying to keep up! This 22-inch lawn mower is compatible with the Toro 60 Flex-Force cordless tool line. It ships with a collection bag and a two-year warranty (three years for the engine).
Power Source: Battery | Deck Size: 22 in. | Runtime: 40 min.
Best Electric Lawn Mower for Easy Storage
Craftsman 20-Volt Max Push Cordless Lawn Mower
Pros:
- Stores vertically
- Lightweight compared to similar models
- Adjustable cutting height
- Has a brushless motor
Cons:
- Cover could be lower
If your storage space is limited, take a look at the Craftsman cordless electric lawn mower. When not in use, this mower folds up and hangs on the wall vertically, which takes up 78% less space than when it’s in use. Hello, valuable garage or shed floor space! There are other vertical storage mowers on the market, but this 35-pound Craftsman is almost one-third lighter than some of its competitors.
We also like the double 20-volt battery setup that makes it easy to use with other 20-volt Craftsman tools. If we had to nit-pick, we wish this mower had a low-profile cover over those batteries to keep grass clippings out of the connections. But the plusses of a lightweight, easily stored cordless motor make this mower a solid choice.
It comes with a 20-in. deck, clippings collection bag and three-year warranty.
Power Source: Battery | Deck Size: 20 in. | Runtime: 50 min.
Best Riding Electric Lawn Mower
Ego Power+ Z6 42-Inch Electric Riding Lawn Mower
Pros:
- Has an adjustable hydraulic seat suspension
- Cuts up to two acres on a single charge
- Reaches 8 mph and 22 hp
- Offers premium features
Cons:
- Very expensive
While we’ve been concentrating on push mowers, there’s a market for riding electric mowers, too. The Ego Power+ Z6 riding mower lets you keep your yard looking great while you stay comfortable.
Smaller push mowers might get away with an 18-volt battery, but carrying a rider requires a jump to 48 volts. This mower reaches 8 miles per hour (mph) delivers 22 horsepower (hp)—equivalent to a gas engine—and covers up to two full acres on a single battery charge. This mower has four independent brushless motors and an LCD interface that lets you choose from three driving modes: control, standard and sport. It comes with premium features, like LED lights, a USB charging port and Bluetooth connectivity.
Power Source: Battery | Deck Size: 42 in. | Runtime: 120 min.
What to Consider When Buying an Electric Lawn Mower
Here are some key considerations when shopping for the right electric lawn mower for you:
Power source: Electric lawn mowers fall into corded or cordless models. Corded tools are lighter and more affordable, but tethered to the nearest outlet. Cordless tools are more mobile, but limited by battery duration. Higher voltage batteries can deliver more power while a higher amp-hour (Ah) rating means the battery can operate longer. But the battery is only one part in the greater picture. A well-designed mower can cut better and longer with an 18-volt battery than a poorly designed one, no matter how powerful the battery.
Interoperability (battery sharing): This is an important point for cordless mowers. If you already own battery-operated tools in one manufacturer’s system, you might save money by purchasing a mower as a “bare” tool in that system, foregoing additional chargers and batteries.
Brushed or brushless motors: Without sidetracking into a full discussion on the topic, brushed electric motors are more affordable while brushless motors last longer and generate less heat.
Deck size: The width of the cutting deck, which contains the blades, determines the mower’s cutting swath. The larger the deck size, the faster the lawn gets mowed. But an overly wide mower won’t easily maneuver around edges, bushes and trees.
Noise level: Electric lawn mowers are significantly quieter than gas-powered lawn mowers. The noise level depends on the model of the mower, its power level and whether it’s corded or cordless.
Price: The price of electric lawn mowers can vary greatly and corded lawn mowers are slightly cheaper than battery-powered models. The mowers we’ve gathered range from just under $150 to over $5,000. Higher-end models with more advanced features such as longer battery life, ride-on capability, larger deck size, etc. drive up the price.
Maintenance: Just like gas-powered mowers, electric lawn mowers require regular maintenance to last season after season. They should be cleaned out after each use (avoid using water that could damage electrical components), the blade should be sharpened regularly, some parts may require lubrication and you should always store it in a cool, dry place. Also, follow the care instructions for your mower battery if you have a cordless lawn mower.
Runtime: The bigger the battery on your electric lawn mower, the longer the run time. If you have a large yard, investing in a bigger battery is worth the extra cost. Battery run times range from 30 minutes to two hours on a single charge. Look for the Ah (amp-hour) rating on the battery to determine runtime.
Accessories: Most mowers have options for bagging accessories, mulching and more.
Features: Some mowers have self-propelled drives, LED lights and/or vibration reduction. How important these features are depends on your preferences and the topography of your yard.
Storage: Mowers that fold down flat take up far less space when stored or transported. Lighter models can even hang on a shed or garage wall.
Why You Should Trust Us
Dan Stout is a former residential remodeler, commercial site supervisor and maintenance manager. He’s worked on nearly all aspects of building and DIY, including project planning and permitting, plumbing, basic electric, drywall, carpentry, tiling, painting and more. Stout has covered a variety of lawn mower stories including the best lawn mowers for small yards, self-propelled lawn mowers, gas lawn mowers and push lawn mowers. His expertise in lawn care products helps him write knowledgeable content about lawn mowers and other yard tools.
Mary Henn is a Shopping Editor at Family Handyman with expertise in interior design, home decor, gardening and outdoor trends. She researched and updated this piece.
How We Found the Best Electric Lawn Mowers
As shopping experts, we strive to find the latest and greatest yard tools and narrow down the best products to find a winner for each shopper. To find the best electric lawn mowers we start with the research and reporting basics — top-quality mower brands, the best materials, battery runtime and special features. Then, we take advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes an electric lawn mower a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the mowers, and if they stand up to the test.
FAQ
What are the disadvantages of an electric lawn mower?
While electric lawn mowers are less powerful than gas mowers, they also require little to no maintenance and don’t give off harmful emissions. So although electric lawn mowers may not be the best choice for tough terrains, they are a more sustainable choice that won’t leave you smelling like grass and require upkeep.
What is the life expectancy of an electric lawn mower?
You can expect that a battery-powered lawn mower will need to be replaced about every five years.
Can you leave an electric lawn mower outside?
While you can store your mower outside, it isn’t ideal if the weather conditions are wet or damp. If you do need to store your electric lawn mower in your yard, we recommend hanging it or elevating it, so that it’s not sitting in wet conditions.
