There are two kinds of electric mowers on the market today, those that draw their power from a cord, and those that drop the cord in favor of the battery. While both have their advantages many homeowners opt for battery powered electric mowers because they provide the freedom of the gas mower with the environmental friendliness of the corded electric mower.
Battery powered lawn mowers start fast, run quiet, and are extremely maneuverable. Their only real limitation is the battery charge, meaning you will need to figure out beforehand whether a single or dual-battery mower is right for your yard. After all, you don’t want to run out of power halfway through the job. That said, take a look through our battery powered lawn mower reviews where I’m sure you’ll find one that fits your needs to a T.
Our Battery Powered Lawn Mower Reviews
Since we've reviewed cordless mowers for both the US and UK markets, we've split them into two distinct sections below to make it easier for you to read about the cordless mowers that are available to you locally.
US Models
UK Models
Is a battery powered (or cordless electric as they're otherwise known) mower a good fit for your yard? Only you can decide that, but below we've listed some of the main pros and cons of this type of mower to help you.
Advantages of Battery Powered Lawn Mowers
No Cord to Drag Around
Corded electric lawn mowers have their advantages but dragging an extension cord around the yard is not one of them. That’s not an issue with the battery powered electric lawn mower. Just flip the switch to turn it on and you’re free to go wherever you want without having to stop every minute to yank on the cord or flip it out of your way.
Maneuverability
The lack of a power cord means that mowing around trees and shrubs is a snap. You don’t ever have to backtrack to prevent the cord from getting tangled. Also, the electric motor is much lighter than a gas motor, which only adds to the maneuverability. And don’t forget that you’re not lugging around a tank of gas either.
You’re Not Limited to Smaller Lots
Corded electric mowers are great, but they’re small yard only machines. That’s because once an extension cord exceeds 100 feet electrical resistance in the wire reduces power levels. With a battery powered mower there’s no such limit. If you have a big yard simply choose a dual battery mower and you should be good to go.
You Can Store it Anywhere
Storing a gas powered mower can be tricky because of the fire risk associated with any gas-powered device. That’s not the case with a battery powered mower. You’re free to store it anywhere you can find space without having to worry about gas fumes or leaks.
It’s Environmentally Friendly
The gas mower has been an iconic symbol of suburban life for more than half a century, but we are well past the time when we can simply keep guzzling fossil fuels and pumping out carbon dioxide as though there were no tomorrow. Battery powered mowers make for cleaner air, a reduced carbon footprint and less noise pollution.
Cons of Battery Powered Lawn Mowers
Getting Less Power Than You Need
If you are sifting through cordless electric lawn mower reviews in search of the right one, the most important consideration is whether to get a single or dual battery mower. This decision will be driven almost entirely by the size of your yard. If you need a dual battery mower and opt for a single battery to save a few bucks you could be in for a rude awakening halfway through your first mow.
Weight
While a battery powered mower is lighter than most gas powered mowers, it’s heavier than a corded electric mower. If your property is hilly that might be an issue. At the same time though if you’re used to mowing your yard with a gas powered mower you’ll find your battery powered electric mower to be much lighter and easier to work with.
Recharging the Battery
Whether your mower has one or two batteries they have to be recharged after every use. Should you forget, then the next time you roll out the mower to tackle the lawn you won’t get far. That said, once you get in the habit of charging the battery (or batteries) this potential problem should disappear.
Not Great With Thicker Grasses
If your lawn is comprised of Bermuda grass or some other type of thick grass, you might be better off with a gas powered mower. Electric mowers don’t always have the power necessary to slice through thicker grasses. Even if they can manage it, having to work extra hard will drain the battery quickly. This isn’t something all battery powered lawn mower reviews will mention, but it’s true, and you need to keep it in mind.