What is the Best Cordless Lawn Mower? Top 5 Reviews of 2017

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If you’re sick and tired of gas lawn mowers that require so much maintenance for the motor, not to mention having to store extra gas and oil or wondering if it will leak when mowing a steep incline, then getting a cordless rechargeable or electric lawnmower may be just what will make your life easier.

That said, here are our Top 5 Best Cordless Lawn Mower picks for 2017. These are truly the best of the best available on the market today. Whether you have tough, average or weak grass, whether you’re mowing flat ground or ditches and steep inclines, if you’re tired of worrying about gas and oil or an electric cord getting in the way, one of the models on this list could be an amazing investment for you.

GreenWorks Pro 80V 21″ Brushless 3 in 1

The GreenWorks Pro 21” cordless mower is definitively the top rated on the list of best cordless lawn mowers. Not only does it get great reviews, it gets higher scores across the board than other battery powered rechargeable lawnmowers.

Product Features

Power

  • 80 Volts
  • 21″ Steel Deck
  • Weighs 62 Lbs.
  • 10″ Rear Wheels
  • 8″ Front Wheels

Built to Last

  • 2.5 Equivalent Horsepower
  • 4-Year Mower Warranty
  • 2-Year Battery/Charger Warranty

Easy to Use

  • Up to 1 Hour Run Time
  • Charges in 30 Minutes
  • Cuts up to 5″
  • Mulches and Bags

Variable Models

  • GLM801600: Includes mower, rear discharge bag, side discharge chute, owner’s manual
  • GLM801602: Includes all of the above PLUS1-80v battery and 1 charger
  • GLM801601: Includes all of the above PLUS 1 extra 80v battery

Video Review

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Lots of power
  • Wide 21” deck
  • Short battery charge time (30 minutes)

Cons

While it is lightweight and maneuverable enough without being self propelled, if you have a very steep yard, you may be better off getting a mower that has this feature to make the job as easy as possible.

FAQs

Is it Self-propelled?

This GreenWorks mower is not self-propelled, but users in reviews report it offers a very smooth and light operation. One owner even says she speed walks while mowing the lawn. She says that because of the big wheels and the light weight, she has no problems pushing it around. In user reviews, many of the comments say it’s much lighter than even the best comparable gas mowers.

However, it may get more difficult if you have really steep or hilly areas in your yard. This is where a self propelled machine really comes in handy and make the job easier. One review from a man who has lots of up and downs in his yard says he has no problems, but if you’re not as hearty, you may feel like you’re getting more of a workout.

How well does it cut for a rechargeable mower?

The overall consensus is that this machine works great, even when compared with gas powered mowers. The 80 volts of power and smart cut technology make the unit ramp up when going over particularly long, tough or wet grass, so it is by no means wimpy. Some reviews even say it outperforms gas mowers the users have previously owned.

To make sure it keeps running efficiently, keep the blade sharp just like you would with any other blade-driven appliance, and of course, keep the battery charged.

How big is the clippings catcher bag?

The rear-attaching bag is approximately 18” wide x 24” long x 12” high and holds about 50 liters or about 13 US gallons.

How long is the blade?

This 80v mower has one 20” blade attached with one steel bolt. The no-load speed (rpm) is 2800 and goes up to 3200 with a heavy load. The deck measures 21”.

Should I run down the battery to make it last longer?

Alternatively, you can get the model that comes with two batteries. Keep the one you’re not using charged up, and you’ll never run low or have the lawnmower die on you. Since it does go for about an hour on a charge (this depends on your lawn of course – if you have tough, long or wet grass, the battery will discharge faster), so if you have a really big yard, getting two batteries will save you some frustration in having to wait to finish off the job.

As far as how long the batteries will last, the manufacturer states the batteries have a 1000 life cycle charge, so they estimate they will last 2-3 years.

4AH Battery vs 2AH

If you’ve checked out GreenWorks tools at all, you’ve seen that the batteries are interchangeable. Many people are wondering what is the difference between the 4AH battery used for this lawnmower as opposed to the 2AH battery that comes with some other models. In function, they perform the same, meaning they have the same torque and power. However, you will get more run time from the 4AH version.

Does this 80v model have more power than the 40v model?

In short, yes. This model automatically uses higher torque to cut thick grass and has more power to do so than the 40v version. The smart cut technology also helps it run more efficiently, so the battery lasts longer with great performance.

One review says the user has used the machine to mow thick, wet grass (because there was so much rain it didn’t have a chance to dry out), and the power of this lawnmower was up to task. He says it outperforms his old Black & Decker that would never be able to handle it.

How easy is it to store?

You can store the GreenWorks 80V Pro vertically or horizontally. The handle does fold down, making it take up much less space, so storing it horizontally (with all four tires on the ground) is usually not a problem. If you have a really small space, you can also tip it up to the vertical position, and it is stable that way. Since there are no fluids to leak out, it’s quite safe in either position.

Verdict

Based on user reviews and feedback and tons of research, this GreenWorks Pro is the best cordless lawn mower on the market today. Whether you have tough or regular grass or a large or small lawn, this is the tool to use to keep it looking good. There’s no cord in the way, one battery will last about an hour, and even though the batteries have a short charge time, the model is available with two if you always want to have one ready to go. Overall, this model is a great investment that will serve you well for years to come.

2. EGO Power+ 56V Lithium Ion Cordless 3 in 1 – 20” Lawnmower

Overall, the EGO Power+ 56V is a good machine. While it doesn’t have the really high voltage output, it still has plenty to do most any job you need. With the added benefit of LED headlights, it’s also a nice choice if you do most of your mowing at dawn or dusk. This is a rare but appreciated feature without a doubt.

Product Features

Power

  • 56 volts
  • 600 watts

Battery

  • 4AH, 5AH or 7.5AH Battery
  • Charges in 30 Minutes
  • Up to 90 Minutes Cut Time

Extra Features

  • Push button start
  • 1.2” – 3.5” Cutting Height
  • LED Headlights

Variable Models

  • Mower Only
  • Mower PLUS 4AH Battery & Charger
  • Mower PLUS 5AH Battery & Charger
  • LM2001-X: Includes mower, 7.5AH battery, charger

Video Review

Pros

  • LED Headlights
  • Lightweight
  • Good power
  • Fast battery charge time
  • Different batteries to choose from

Cons

Many users were concerned about this not being a self-propelled model prior to buying it. However, now that they’re using it, reviews are very positive, and the lack of this feature doesn’t seem to be an issue since it’s so lightweight and easy to maneuver.

FAQs

How does this EGO Power+ compare vs the GMax Twin Force 40v?

You would think the difference between 56v and 40v wouldn’t be much, but users disagree. In fact, one review from a man with a tough lawn says he bought the Twin Force and wishes he would have bought this one instead now that he’s used it. He bought based on a lower sales price, but now he wishes he would have spent the few extra dollars to get one.

How does it perform on tall or tough grass?

While it will cut tall grass, it’s not recommended to overtax any lawnmower by cutting really tall grass all the way down. It’s best to cut it in stages and cut less off each time. It’s healthier for the grass and easier on your machine.

If you do need to cut tall grass, the best way to tackle it is to set the unit to the highest height, then make sure you overlap each pass quite a bit so it has less to handle at one time. It’s also best to go slow to give the mower a chance to discharge what you’re cutting.

It’s also to keep in mind that particularly tough, wet or tall grass will deplete the battery faster.

Is it self propelled?

Much like the #1 best rechargeable cordless mower, this one is not self propelled. However, users in reviews say it just doesn’t matter much. Because of its light weight, it’s still quite easy to steer and push on both flat ground and inclines.

How do I store it?

One nice thing about this machine is that the handle collapses, so it has a smaller footprint for storage. You can store it in either the horizontal or vertical position. You can also hang it on the wall as long as your hangers are mounted in studs for security.

What about the headlights?

One unique feature of the EGO Power+ 56v is that it has LED headlight. This is so helpful if you’re mowing in low light conditions, either on a really cloudy day or at dawn or dusk. A switch is incorporated for the headlights so you can turn them on and off as needed.

Which battery is strongest?

This machine has the added benefit of choosing which type of battery you’d like to have when you order it. They are available in 4AH, 5AH and 7.5AH capacities. It’s important to note they all provide the same power; the only difference is in how long they will run before recharging. The 4AH will give you about 45 minutes of mowing time, the 7.5AH will last about 90 minutes and the 5AH somewhere in between.

The one you choose depends mostly on the size of your yard. Think of how long it takes to mow it with your current lawnmower, then get the corresponding battery. The only consideration is if you have really tough grass or often have to mow it when it’s damp, as that will drain the battery faster.

Verdict

While it has less power than our top rated pick, this mower still gets the job done. As long as you don’t have extremely tough, wet or tall grass to deal with, it works great. It’s easy to start, steer, maintain and handle AND it has headlights! The quick battery charge time ensures that if you do run out of charge, you’ll be back to work quickly. With different strength batteries to choose from, you can get up to 90 minutes of run time, so it’s likely you’ll never run out of juice in the middle of the job.

Black + Decker CM2040 3 in 1 40V 20” Cordless

This Black & Decker is our third best cordless lawn mower because while it still gets the yard mowed, it doesn’t have nearly as much power, torque or run time as the top rated models and brands. It still has a decent deck size of 20”, the price is a bit lower and it does mulch, bag or side discharge your grass clippings. If you just don’t have the budget for a more expensive model, the CM2040 battery powered rechargeable mower might be a good choice.

Product Features

Power

  • 40 Volts
  • 20″ Deck
  • Weighs 43 Lbs.

Warranty

  • 1- Year Warranty

Easy of Use

  • Up to 40 Minutes Run Time
  • Charges in 60 Minutes
  • Cuts up to 4″
  • Mulches and Bags

Additional Features

  • Comes with 2-2.5AH Batteries
  • 6 Height Adjusments

Video Review

Pros

  • Decent battery life
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to store

Cons

At the end of the day, this is a good mower. However, it doesn’t have that much power. If you have a flat yard with regular grass, you probably won’t even notice the difference. If you have tough, thick grass or a very large yard, you may want to choose one of the higher voltage models instead.

FAQs

Is it self propelled?

Like the others on our list, this model is not self propelled. However, much like these other top rated models, it’s pretty lightweight and easy to push around, so in review after review, user say they don’t mind this missing feature.

How long do the batteries last?

According to users who have reviewed this Black and Decker, the batteries generally last for just under 3 hours combined with the two batteries included. However, you can expect them to last a little less time depending on how difficult your grass is to cut. Some users only get 20 minutes per battery. In any case, this is usually more than enough time to cut most yards.

As for how long it takes them to fully recharge, that seems to be about an hour for each one. This means you should always have one plugged into the electric charger and ready to go (if not both) prior to cutting your lawn if you don’t want to experience a delay in waiting for them to charge.

The important thing to note here is that only one battery can be used at a time in the mower, so if your lawn takes a while to cut, you’ll need to stop and some point and change to a fresh recharged battery.

How does it do on inclines?

According to user reviews, it does a good job in spite of not having the self-propelled feature. It’s much lighter than most gas mowers since most of the components are plastic (very typical of electric or battery powered machines). One review from a user who has a 40-foot long 5-6 feet steep incline in her yard says she has a very easy time of it.

How can I store it?

Like many electric mowers, you can store this one in either the horizontal or vertical position since there are no fluids to leak out. The handle folds down for easy storage and you can even hang it on the wall if you mount it on sturdy wall studs.

Verdict

While the Black and Decker CM2040 doesn’t have the max power of some of the other top rated best cordless lawn mowers on our list, it still does a decent job. If you have a small yard to mow and don’t have extremely tough grass, it will do a great job for you. It’s certainly one of the best mid-priced models on the market today and is a great investment if you’re mowing a smaller space.

GreenWorks 25223 G-MAX 40V 19” DigiPro Brushless Rechargable Cordless Mower

This is another great choice in the 40V cordless lawnmower category. It has an instant electric start, is lightweight, offers seven cutting heights and has the great 3 in 1 feature of bagging, side discharge and mulching. Overall, it’s a very clean and quiet machine that’s great if you don’t have really tough, tall or wet grass to mow.

Product Features

Power

  • 40 Volts
  • 19″ Deck
  • Weighs 46 Lbs.

Battery

  • 1-2AH & 1-4AH Battery
  • Charges in 60-120 Minutes
  • Up to 45 Minutes Run Time

Ease of Use

  • Cuts up to 3.5″
  • Mulches and Bags

Warranty

  • 4-Year Mower Warranty
  • 2-Year Battery/Charger Warranty

Video Review

Pros

  • Good battery life
  • Good warranty
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to store

Cons

Like the Black & Decker, the 40V of power is good enough if you have a flat lawn with average grass, but if you have tougher grass or a really large yard, you may want to invest in a heartier model. The 19” deck doesn’t seem to be an issue, but if you have a large yard, you may want to get a 20” model, as it does make a slight differences in the number of passes you’ll need to make.

FAQs

Is it easy to use?

While the 25223 is not self-propelled, it’s still easy to use. In more than one user review from people who use it on a regular basis say it’s so lightweight that this feature isn’t missed at all. In fact, one user says she can push it with one hand. The only time you might want a self-propelled mower is if you have really steep inclines in your yard.

How long do the batteries last?

GreenWorks advertises that the 4AH battery lasts 45 minutes of run time. Since this model comes with a 4AH and 2AH battery, you can expect about an hour total of run time. In user reviews, owners say you can get anywhere from 45 – 70 minutes using both batteries. This mostly depends on how tough your grass is to cut. If it’s really thick or damp, it will use up the batteries faster.

One of the great things about this model is that it does have a battery level indicator, so you always know how much charge is left. There’s a small button you can push on the battery, and lights will show which tell you how much is left.

One more cool thing about this model is that you can have both fully charged batteries in the mower at the same time. With some other models, you use one until it dies, then switch it out for the other.

How does it compare vs the 20” 25302 model?

These models are so close in features. The differences (aside from the 1” difference in the size of the deck) are that the GreenWorks 25302 (review here) has twin force technology. That just means it has two blades that are smaller, so there’s less rotational weight. This means it’s more efficient. They are both good products, but the 25302 is more efficient.

What’s the difference in the 19” 25223 and 16” 25322 models?

This really is the same mower. Some people with really tiny yards prefer the 16” model just because it’s smaller and lighter, but you will need to make more passes with it. Also, the 16” comes with only one 4AH battery, so you can expect less run time.

Verdict

GreenWorks 25223 G-MAX 40V is a good solid machine. It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver and works well over time. It has a decent battery run time and is great for smaller yards or if you have a large flat expanse of yard. While it doesn’t have the torque and power of some of the other cordless machines, it still does a very good job.

Sun Joe iON16LM 40V Cordless 16” with Brushless Motor

While this mower did make our best cordless lawn mower list, it’s at the bottom for a reason. It’s just not as hearty as the other models. However, if you have a small apartment, condo or townhouse-sized yard, it’s exactly the perfect choice.

It’s very light in weight, is smaller with a 15” blade and 16” deck and enough run time and power to tackle a small yard with ease.

Product Features

Power

  • 40 Volts
  • 16″ Deck
  • Weighs 64.2 Lbs.

Battery

  • Up to 40 Minutes Run Time
  • 4AH Battery
  • Battery Charges in 120 Minutes

Ease of Use

  • Cuts up to 3.15″
  • 6 Height Adjustments
  • 25 Gallon Bag Capacity

Warranty

  • 2-Year Warranty

Video Review

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Small footprint
  • Easy to store
  • Good for small yards

Cons

Overall, this is a very cut down version of the other best cordless mowers. It has a much smaller deck size, less battery capacity, a smaller clippings bag and has no mulching feature. If you have a large yard or tough grass or you want to mulch leaves or grass, you’ll definitely want to choose a different model.

It’s also important to note that while the manufacturer advertises a 3.15” maximum cutting height, user reviews tend to disagree. One review says the highest setting only cuts at about 2”. This will work fine for most lawns, but if you’re picky about cutting height, it’s something you’ll want to know.

FAQs

Is this a mulcher too?

Unlike the models above, this is not a 3 in 1 machine. You can either leave the bag off so the grass clippings are thrown back onto the lawn, or you can use the clippings bag. However, if you don’t use the bag, one review from a man who uses it on his yard regularly says that while the bag is a bit messy to clean, if you don’t use it, the grass comes out in clumps.

Does it have a propelling feature?

This is not a self-propelled lawnmower. However, you probably won’t even notice it’s missing as the unit is so lightweight and easy to move around. The only time you might want a propelled model is if you have steep hills to go up, in which case you’d probably want a machine that operates on a higher voltage as well.

Does it work on tough grass and weeds?

It’s best not to use this mower on tall grass. If you do, you’ll need to put it at the highest setting and make several passes. Then, adjust the blade down a little bit at a time and make as many passes as you need.

If you have Bermuda grass or St. Augustine grass, it seems to do a decent job as well. It does a good job cutting – just don’t use it on wet grass because that will deplete the battery fairly quickly.

How does this one compare to the iON16LM-CT model?

This is a very important distinction. The model with CT at the end is just the “core tool”. That means it doesn’t come with a battery or charger, so you would have to purchase those items separately. However, if you have other compatible Sun Joe tools, you may be able to get by with using one of those batteries. If this is your first Sun Joe purchase, definitely get the iON16LM, as it comes with these important accessories.

How long do the batteries last?

The downsize to the battery that comes with this Sun Joe is that it takes about two hours to charge if it’s fully discharged. However, once it’s full, you’ll get good run time from it. According to user reviews, you can mow for about 40 minutes, which is perfect since we only recommend this one for smaller yards. In other words, you should have no problem at all getting the job done with one battery and one charge. Just remember to put it back on the charger when you’re finished so it’s ready for the next time.

Can I use a 4AH battery from a different manufacturer?

Sun Joe doesn’t recommend this even if you find one that fits in the machine. However, this model is compatible with EcoSharp products, meaning their 4AH and 5AH batteries. These will give you about 65 minutes of run time.

If you have other batteries from the same manufacturer (like Snow Joe), those will work just fine in this machine.

How do I raise the blade height?

On some other models, there is a lever on the front that makes it easy to adjust the blade height. On this one, there is a dark green handle on the left side between the front and rear wheels, and it makes all the wheels go up and down at once.

Verdict

While it doesn’t have the power or size of many of the other models, this mower is ideal if you have a townhouse or condo with a tiny fairly flat yard (some incline is okay). Because of its smaller size and weight, it’s extremely easy to push and to store, so if this is you, the Sun Joe iOn16LM might be the ideal solution.

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