Best overall: Greenworks 10A Corded MowerBest cordless: Worx WG779 Power Share Lawn MowerBest premium: Husqvarna Automower Robotic Lawn MowerBest self-propelled: Greenworks Self-Propelled MowerBest budget: Black and Decker Electric Lawn Mower/Trimmer
How we chose the best electric lawn mowers
We’ve searched far and wide for the best lawn mowers many times. There isn’t a lawn mower we haven’t looked at, from riding mowers for your new house or a zero-turn mower for an industrial job. To create this list of the best electric lawn mowers, we took from our previous lawn mower research (push mowers to cordless mowers to all manner of more serious machinery) and combined it with personal testing, research, recommendations, and user impressions.
Best electric lawn mowers: Reviews & recommendations
Looking for the best electric lawn mower? You have several choices to make. The two big differences between models: Cord or cordless, and push or self-propelled. Explore the options, have a budget in mind, and you’ll find the perfect electric lawn mower for your yard.
Best overall: Greenworks 10A Corded Mower
Why it made the cut: Hills and tight corners are no match for this manual lawn mower. Specs
Weight: 37.5 lbs.Cutting width: 16 inchesOperation: Manual
Pros
Easy on hills and around tight cornersManeuverable despite weightNo major maintenance
Cons
Will need outdoor extension cord
The 16-inch cutting deck of the Greenworks electric mower is great for mid-sized suburban yards smaller than a quarter-acre. While 37.5 pounds may sound like a lot, it’s a shockingly light and agile mower. This mower has no trouble being pushed up hills or around tight corners. It starts easily, and there’s no major maintenance to worry about. Make sure you have an outdoor extension cord to give you optimal mobility. If you only have a few free minutes during the work to get the lawn cut, the Greenworks electric lawn mower is the yard tool for the job.
Best cordless: Worx WG779 Power Share Lawn Mower
Why it made the cut: Mowing the lawn is fun for the whole family with this lightweight electric lawn mower. Specs
Weight: 29.1 lbs. Cutting width: 14 inchesOperation: Manual
Pros
User-friendlyLightweight6 height adjustments
Cons
Small size means more walking to mow the lawn
Electric lawn mowers are known for their simplicity, but the WORK WG779 is perhaps the most user-friendly electric push mower on the market. The lightweight body can be managed by even young teens. The dual batteries last long enough to chop an eighth of an acre when fully charged. You can use the batteries from other WORX power tools, or buy a few extras to keep the mower running across larger yards. It comes ready to bag or mulch. A simple turn of a knob offers more torque when you hit a patch of tall or tough grass, but the extra power boost will eat up battery life. This is a great mower for everyone in the family.
Best premium: Husqvarna Automower Robotic Lawn Mower
Why it made the cut: Mowing the lawn is never a pain when a smart, powerful, small robot does it for you. Specs
Weight: 20.7 lbs. Cutting width: 8.7 inchesOperation: Automatic
Pros
Ran by an appWorks well on flat yards sans obstacles
Cons
Only runs for an hourHas trouble climbing inclinesExpensive
The Husqvarna mower is not your typical electric lawn mower. It’s also not a cheap mower. This robotic mower can be programmed and easily controlled via a user-friendly 4G app. On a full charge, it’ll run for about 60 minutes and is recommended for yards smaller than a half-acre. It can’t do everything. For instance, it has trouble climbing inclines. And anyone with a dog or outdoor pets should avoid robot mowers altogether. Plus, it works best if your yard has a simple layout—a rectangle without many obstacles such as trees or gardens. So, why would you want to spend over $1,000 on a robot lawn mower? When it works, it’s pure futuristic magic. Sit back and relax as your new robot takes a chunk out of your weekend to-do list. For those who don’t want to be bothered with lawn work, a robot assistant is an amazing addition to the family.
Best self-propelled: Greenworks Self-Propelled Mower
Why it made the cut: This electric lawn mower provides the power of a gas mower minus the ecological effects. Specs
Weight: 72.8 poundsCutting width: 20 inchesOperation: Manual
Pros
Eco-friendlyEasy to maneuverQuiet
Cons
Turbo button eats up power
The Greenworks self-propelled lawn mower is one of the best electric lawn mowers for every type of yard. It’s designed to tame lawns a third of an acre or smaller, powerful enough for most suburban homes. The rear-wheel drive is strong enough for mild hills. And the self-propelled lawn mower runs on two, 24-volt batteries that provide 45 minutes of cutting time on a full charge. There is a turbo button, but using it will eat up battery power. The handle feels solid and is easy to maneuver around property lines and landscaping. This self-propelled mower is comparable to the best gas-powered mowers but has all the benefits of quiet, energy-efficient, Earth-friendly battery power.
Best budget: Black + Decker Electric Lawn Mower/Trimmer
Why it made the cut: This budget-friendly electric lawn mower keeps your city lawn in tip-top shape. Specs
Weight: 9.9 lbs.Cutting width: 12 inchesOperation: Automatic
Pros
LightweightMower, trimmer, and edgerCompact
Cons
Not for larger yards
Is an electric mower under $150 worth it? Yes. If you only need to mow a small area, the Black + Decker electric lawn mower is a fantastic tool. Sure, it’s more of a glorified weed whacker than a true lawn mower, but it works wonders in confined areas too small for typical mowers. The corded electric yard tool can be switched from lawn mower to trimmer by unclipping it from the wheeled base. The 12-inch cutting width is great for the minimalist lawns of city homes. Because this is a trimmer, it uses a cable to cut the grass instead of blades. The cutting cable is spun around an automatic feed spool, making it easy to adjust on the go. While not designed for big lawns, those living in townhouses will love this petite, cheap lawn mower.
What to consider when shopping for the best electric lawn mowers
Power supply, special features, and price are the three main factors to examine when shopping for an electric lawn mower. Some electric mowers are better for smaller yard care, while others are better for hills and inclines. Think carefully about your lawn and how to make yard maintenance easier. The best electric lawn mower is out there—you just need to weed out the competition.
Battery-powered mowers vs. corded mowers
The power source will be the first major decision when choosing an electric lawn mower. Obviously, battery-powered mowers are more versatile and can go wherever they need to go. The downside: The battery may not last longer than an hour. In fact, most will die after 45 minutes of use. Having a backup battery helps keep the yard maintenance machine rolling, but it will add to the overall price. Also, if the battery isn’t charged and ready, you won’t be mowing right away. Even the most efficient lawn mower battery needs at least 30 minutes to get a full charge. Corded mowers are the simplest lawn mowers besides a fly-wheel push mower or sickle and are always ready to slice up some grass. You’ll need a hearty outdoor extension cord to give you room to work. And make sure an outdoor outlet is available or else you’ll be running cords through windows. But if you don’t mind the hassle of a cord, these tethered electric mowers are an inexpensive way to cut the grass quickly. Just watch where you’re mowing. Sling the cord over your shoulder so you’re always in control and reduce the risk of cord-cutting and you’ll be good to go and mow.
Self-propelled mower vs. push mower
A self-propelled mower is a must-have piece of lawn equipment for larger yards (anything over half an acre), but they do cost more. Electric lawn mowers are much, much lighter than their gas-guzzling brothers, so a push mower may not be as strenuous to operate as you think. Even when cutting up hills and inclines, an electric push mower is comfortable to control. Self-propelled mowers will eat up battery power quickly. Unless you have extra batteries handy, it can make mowing an average-sized yard take all day as you wait and wait for the battery to charge. When choosing between a self-propelled electric mower and an electric push mower, the push mower has a clear advantage. But there’s no denying that letting the self-propelled mower do all the work is nice. If you don’t mind the higher price and the need for extra batteries, the self-propelled mower can be a back saver and your best weekend friend.
Yard size
Electric lawn mowers are great for yards smaller than a half-acre. If you have a few acres to mow and still want an eco-friendly lawn tool, there are electric riding mowers on the market. An electric riding mower will be expensive (upwards of $4,000), and when you go that big, you may be better off with a more powerful gas mower. Robotic lawn mowers are becoming increasingly popular. These tiny electric lawn mowers are programmed via an app and can cover areas up to about three-quarters of an acre, depending on the make and model. However, robotic lawn mowers are easily defeated by hills and obstacles … and pets. Plus, they are still priced as a luxury-level product. For lawns smaller than a quarter-acre, a corded electric mower may be ideal. And for the tiny yard of a townhouse, there’s no need for a big mower when an affordable trimmer/mower hybrid will do the job.
Storage
One of the benefits of an electric mower is that they are often smaller and easier to store than gas-powered mowers. That said, if storage space is limited, you’ll want an electric lawn mower with a handle that’s easy to fold. These mowers can slide into small spaces in a shed or garage. Some electric mowers are also more delicate, they cannot stand up to the elements the same way as a big, robust gas mower. Make sure you can store your electric mower without exposing it to the elements (rain, snow, extreme temperatures). Don’t leave it out on the porch all night.
Additional features
Most electric lawn mowers, even the cheap mowers, are 3-in-1 yard tools. They can send the grass clippings out to the side, mulch the grass clippings into small bits, or bag the grass clippings. Switching between these options is usually straightforward, but some models of electric mowers are easier to adjust and manage. And don’t assume the bag comes with the mower, it could be an add-on option.
Final thoughts on the best electric lawn mowers
Today’s electric lawn mowers are energy-efficient and powerful, and they give gas-powered lawn mowers a run for their money. Corded mowers are fantastic for homes with available outlets. Battery-powered lawn mowers provide versatility and convenience, as long as you keep the batteries charged and ready. And if you want to live a life of luxury, opt for a robotic lawn mower to be your own electronic groundskeeper. Electric lawn mowers are eco-friendly yard tools that are as quiet as they are dependable. For anyone with a medium-sized yard, the best electric mower is the perfect power tool for lawn maintenance.
