Best Cordless Lawn Mower Reviews of 2020

Even just 4 or 5 years ago, electric mowers weren’t all that great. Even the best cordless lawn mower could just barely do the job of an average gas mower. However, things have improved drastically—especially during the past year. Now electric models are more powerful and can do more, all thanks to better-designed batteries and more intelligent designs. This is probably due to the fact that many of the top lawn mower manufacturers have put a considerable amount of money into the research of cordless batteries and have also benefited from the battery designs researched by the automobile industry.

However, that doesn’t mean that everything is coming up roses. While the best cordless lawn mower ranks among the top of ALL lawnmowers, the worst ones are also the worst of all lawnmowers. Which means that you are going to have to do your research to ensure that you are getting the best one possible for you.

Fortunately, I’ve done a lot of the hard work for you today. In this guide, I am going to give you tips on not only purchasing the best cordless mower but also information on how to properly maintain it. And if that’s not enough, then when you finish this article, you can then proceed to check out the cordless lawn mower reviews I’ve done for you on this site.

This is one of the first questions people often ask whenever they even see one of these mowers. And it’s a valid question. After all, with cordless electric mowers you have to worry about charging the batteries, then you have to worry if these batteries have enough charge to do the job and then you have to worry about how to store the battery. You even have to worry about how long the batteries last. It does sound like a bit of a hassle.

However, while there are drawbacks to owning one of these devices, there are also some positives as well. The first positive is these devices don’t pollute as much as gas mowers. They don’t burn gas and don’t require oil. They also don’t noise pollute either. Most of the ones on the market are pretty quiet, especially when compared to a gas mower.

Another thing that’s great about them is they require less maintenance. Notice how I said “less maintenance” and not “no maintenance.” While they require less maintenance than a gas mower, they do require some to keep them in working order. I’m going to be covering that later in this article.

Owning one of these mowers may also save you some money, especially if you take care of it. The biggest expense with owning an electric mower is that the batteries have to be replaced every 3 to 5 years and these batteries can cost a couple hundred bucks. Over that same period of time, how much gas, oil, filters and spark plugs do you expect to go through for your gas mower? If your answer is more than the cost of replacing an electric mower’s batteries, then you might save money buying one of the lawn care tools.

The last reason that many people prefer these types of mowers is because they are easier to start than conventional ones. In fact, I’ve seen many people state in cordless lawn mower reviews that they just have to usually push a button or turn a key to get these things to start. No more priming engines and pulling cords for them.

Of course, electric mowers are not for everyone. They are really intended for only a small handful of different lawn cutting scenarios. If you try to make them do too much, then you are going to be very disappointed in the end result.

For instance, do you have a small to medium sized yard? If you do, then this mower is probably right for you. They are really good for yards that are half an acre or less. Anything bigger than that and you might want to consider a different type of mower.

Another thing they don’t do well is cut tall grass. These machines simply don’t have the torque to cut down very tall grass. They also can’t handle thick weeds. These machines aren’t good for hilly terrain either; they are better suited to the flat terrain.

When you begin looking for cordless mowers, I urge you to take a little bit of extra time. These types of mowers require a little more thought than your average gas-powered one. I urge you to consider reading as many cordless electric lawn mower reviews as you can and considering the following features before you commit to just one model:

• The Battery

  One of the first things that need to be considered are the batteries of the lawn mower. The mowers available on the market today use either lithium-ion or lead-free batteries and these batteries can vary in voltages. Just remember, the higher the voltage the longer it will run. Be sure to also check its cordless mower reviews to be sure that people didn’t have problems with the life of the battery.

• Push Or Self-Propelled

  Which kind of electric mower should you choose? Well, that’s up to you. There are models which are self-propelled and models that you have to manually push. Self-propelled ones are easier to push. However, self-propelled ones also require more battery power and as a result, will probably need to be charged more often than push ones. Weigh the pros and cons of each and decide for yourself.

• Adjustable Height

  Another thing that needs to be considered is how many height adjustments you need. Most models have at least 3 or 4 but I’ve seen some of the higher end models with up to 7 height adjustments. You may only need a couple of height adjustment options for your needs, while someone else may need more of them.

• Conventional Or Brushless Engine?

  Another thing to consider is whether you want a brushless engine or an engine that uses brushes and a commutator. What’s the difference, you ask? Well, it’s mainly about efficiency. Brush-less engines adapt more to the task at hand than conventional electric motors. The engine is able to sense resistance and adjust for it. When resistance increases, the engine draws more power. When the resistance drops, then it draws less power. As a result, brushed engines are seen as the ones which can increase the mower’s power without causing the battery to drain too quickly. Brushed engines are also supposed to be more durable and last longer.

  With all of these benefits, you might ask why brushed engines aren’t used in all mowers. That’s because these engines are quite a bit more expensive than conventional ones and as a result, usually drive up the price of the mower. If two mowers are similar in all other aspects, then the one with the brushless mower is going to be the more expensive one 9 times out of 10.

• Side Discharge, Mulch, Rear Discharge, Bag Or 3-in-One?

  When it comes to how the mower handles clippings, you have a lot of options available to you. There are ones which discharge clippings from the side, ones that discharge them from the rear and those that mulch the clippings. There are even ones that can bag or are capable of doing all of them. Of course, mowers that do more tend to cost more, so it’s really up to you to decide which features you absolutely need and how much you’re willing to pay for them.

• Deck Width

  As with any mower, it’s important to check the cutting width of the lawnmower. Remember, wider cutting widths cut more of the lawn at one time and is, therefore, faster. In fact, a 24-inch blade cuts approximately 2/3rds quicker than a 16-inch blade. However, a bigger blade also requires more energy from the engine, which may mean shorter battery life. Therefore, always choose the blade width that is right for your particular needs.

• Push Button Or Key

  Once again, whether you buy a push button mower or one in which you have to turn a key is really up to you. However, it should be stated that ones which are key started are often harder to start for children. This makes them safer to have around children, although nothing can replace proper supervision of the children in the first place.

• Wheel Size

  Wheel size is another important consideration. While it’s largely a matter of personal preference, you’ll often see that the best cordless electric lawn mower will often have large back wheels. This is because large wheels handle rough terrain better and give more traction on hills. Otherwise, the choice of wheel size is really up to you.

Now that you know what to look for in a cordless mower, I think it’s time to switch gears and talk about how to properly maintain an electric lawnmower. Like I said earlier, these types of mowers generally require less maintenance than gas-powered ones, however, that doesn’t mean they are maintenance-free.

• Don’t Leave It Outside

  I think most people understand that these type of mowers are very sensitive to their environment and shouldn’t be left out in the weather. Not only because they can be ruined by rain but also because they can be damaged by frost, dew, excessive heat and even snow. So it’s important that you keep it in a dry shed where it can stay out of the weather all year long.

• Set The Deck Height Properly

  Some people use their mower without setting the deck height properly. They just use one height for all projects. However, this is a bad idea because this can put a strain on the blades and the engine. Always be sure to set your deck height to the proper height for what you’re cutting.

• Properly Charging The Batteries

  Another no-no people do with their electric mowers is not properly charging the batteries. You should always follow the guidelines set forth in your manual for the proper charging and use of your batteries. If you don’t, then you can diminish the amount of time the batteries will hold a charge or damage them altogether. And since batteries are fairly expensive, that is not something you want to do.

• Properly Storing The Batteries For Winter

  For years, there’s been a debate over whether you should store your batteries with your mower or bring them in during the winter. While there is some validity to the practice of not leaving your batteries in your mower over the winter season, in most cases it’s alright. It really depends on how charged the battery.

  How quickly the battery freezes (and potentially gets damaged) depends on how charged it is. If a battery is almost discharged, the higher the freezing point (meaning it will freeze quicker and higher below freezing temps). If the battery is well charged, on the other hand, it can handle much lower temperatures. However, if you live in areas that get especially cold, then it may be a good idea to bring those batteries in for the winter so they don’t freeze and become damaged.

• Clean And Inspect The Blades

  It’s also very important to clean the blades after each use and to inspect them before you use them. Every time you finish mowing, be sure to clean out from the underside of the mower and remove all of the debris you find. And before you use it again, be sure to check the blades and make sure that they’re sharp and free of defects. If they aren’t, then replace them before using them.

• Clean All Vents

  And finally, make sure that all of your mower’s vents are clean. These vents often trap grass clippings and other debris. It is usually recommended that you clean them out using canned air or an air compressor after each use.