Mowing your lawn regularly is an important task for keeping your yard neat and healthy. Though lawn mowers can be an expensive investment, electric lawn mowers are often more affordable than their gas counterparts in purchase price, running costs, and maintenance needs. With simple electric start buttons and no need for refueling or pulling chokes, electric lawn mowers are much easier to use than gas models, too. "Electric models are good for home use as they typically have lightweight aluminum frames and more user-friendly features than gas models," says Ian Spilsbury, a lawnmower maintenance professional at Chelmsford Garden Machinery. When shopping for electric lawn mowers, you'll find that these models tend to have simple electric start buttons, lightweight aluminum frames, and even self-propelling features that make caring for your yard a lot less arduous. Before you settle on a cordless model, Brian Feldman, the senior director of technical operations at TruGreen, suggests checking out the battery life per charge (as well as the amount of time the battery will last before a replacement is required), how much a replacement battery costs, and whether the battery life fits your lawn size. For corded mowers, Bryan Clayton, the CEO of GreenPal says it’s important to consider the voltage, and cord length. What We Tested We tested 15 lawn mowers on our own yards on different types of grass and all kinds of weather, evaluating each based on theirdesign,ease of use, power, performance, safety, and ease of cleaning.For more information on how we tested the mowers, check outour testing processbelow. Our Top Picks Best Cordless Push Mower: Ryobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower at Home Depot ($599) Best Self-Propelled Push Mower: Best with Storage: Ryobi Brushless 42-Inch Electric Cordless Riding Lawn Tractor at Home Depot ($4,499) Our Ratings Design 5/5 Performance 4.3/5 Usability 4.8/5 Safety 5/5 Value 4/5 Why You Should Get It It’s lightweight to push, is relatively quiet, and comes with a handy spare battery. Keep in Mind We found that we could only charge one of the two included batteries at a time. With lightweight maneuverability and a battery that lasts up to 70 minutes, the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Walk Behind Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower is the best cordless push mower we tested. Setup was easy, taking just 20 minutes—all we had to do was unfold the handle and install the debris bag. The instructions mainly consisted of pictures and were extremely straightforward. We tried this lawn mower on an average-sized lawn that was quite lumpy in parts and had a few hilly areas. Going up the hills was easy thanks to the mower’s self-propelled functioning that basically pulled us along as we lightly pushed.Rolling it around obstacles including hedges and tree stumps was also a breeze, and it could mow right up to the edges, too. The machine only weighs 75 pounds, which, combined with its self-propulsion, made it one of the most effortless mowers to operate. We first mowed on a rather neglected area with 6 inches of grass to get through. The mower powered through, but due to the sheer amount of clippings, we had to empty the bag a few times mid-mow before carrying on. However, after mowing the second and third times with one-week gaps between mows, we hardly had to empty the collection bag at all. If you’ve got a lot of mowing to do (like we did with the overgrown lawn), the mower comes with a spare battery so you can swap one out if the other dies. Having said that, it only took us 45 minutes to mow the lawn so we still had plenty of power left. Charging the batteries only took an hour, but we found we could only charge one battery at a time since the charger only has a single port. The deck height adjusted easily with a pull handle that’s situated at the side. The mower practically folds in half for storage, so it’s ideal if you only have an outdoor shed or an overcrowded garage to put it in. All in all, this model is efficient, versatile, easy to use, and superb value. After using this lawn mower for six months, we found the battery life to be very consistent, allowing us to mow our yard of about 2,200 square feet three to four times before needing a charge. We continue to love the self-propelling feature, which has helped us navigate uneven ground more easily. The mower hasn't had any technical issues, despite having been used in humid and wet conditions after a recent rainfall. Product Details: Power: Battery-powered, 40 volts, two 6.0-amp hour batteries | Ideal Lawn Size: up to 0.75 acres | Deck Width: 21 inches | Deck Height: 1.5 to 4 inches | Mower Weight: 75 pounds Our Ratings Design 4.8/5 Performance 4.5/5 Usability 4/5 Safety 5/5 Value 5/5 Why You Should Get It The battery lasts up to 75 minutes, and it was easy to steer and maneuver. Keep in Mind The lawn mower didn’t perform well on damp grass. The Ego Power+ Select Cut 56-volt 21-in Self-propelled Cordless Lawn Mower was our favorite self-propelled electric lawn mower during our testing. The mower required no setup, but we had to read through the instructions quite thoroughly to figure out the settings. We took this efficient machine out on a small lawn that is mostly flat, with only a few trees and a patio to manuever around. It comes with a battery that lasts up to 75 minutes on a single charge, and it only took an hour to fully charge up again. When we pressed the start button and engaged the self-propel function, it propelled itself forward, and all we had to do was steer.The speed in which the machine propels could be adjusted, and we could also choose to simply push the machine without the self-propel button engaged—we just had to release our grip on the clutch that’s located on top of the handle. The lawn mower handled turns and bumps well, and the deck height was easy to adjust, too. It cut grass smoothly and evenly, leaving behind a neat and precisely-trimmed lawn. It did get stuck on a particularly damp patch of grass, but once we moved it to a drier area and cleared the obstruction, the mower started up again with no issues. We also liked that there was an option to engage the self-propelling function without having the blades running, so we could easily wheel it back to the shed for storage. For storage purposes, this lawn mower compactly folds down so that you can put it in any tight space with ease. We went on a 10-day vacation during the spring growth season, and when we returned the grass was very long and thick. The mower had no trouble powering through the growth, though, and it also helped us mulch old wet leaves that we pulled out of our flower beds from last fall. We were then able to easily add the leaves to our compost bags from the mower's bagging system. Unlike other mowers we've used, we haven't had to stop mowing to clean out any clogs. We've also run this mower over sticks, next to fences, and over brick and have had no issues with the mower breaking. Product Details: Power: Battery-powered, 56 volts, 7.5-amp hour battery | Ideal Lawn Size: 0.25 to 0.5 acre | Deck Width: 21 inches | Deck Height: 1.5 to 4 inches | Mower Weight: 62.6 pounds Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Design 5/5 Performance 5/5 Usability 4.8/5 Safety 4.8/5 Why You Should Get It It has a deck width of 42 inches, and it’s suitable to lawns that are multiple acres. Keep in Mind During our testing, it struggled going uphill on wet grass. If you have a larger yard, the best riding electric lawn mower is the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42-inch Electric Zero Turn Riding Mower. During set up, the instructions were refreshingly understandable and the entire process took around 45 minutes. It came with a partially charged battery which took 70 minutes to fully charge, although a completely depleted battery takes over two hours to charge. There’s also a handy LCD screen that lets you know how much battery is left. On a half-acre yard with a variety of hills, trees, and fencing, this lawn mower performed admirably. It cut down mowing time by about 25 minutes, and it was super intuitive to operate. The forward and reverse functions were controlled by a joystick, and the 12 deck heights could be changed with a lever. The lawn was rather damp, but this mower powered through straight paths, mowing everything in sight. When we drove this mower up a hill, its tires spun a little, but when we mowed on dryer grass, this didn’t happen. We also appreciated that the blades stopped spinning as soon as we got up from the seat, which made us feel safe. There are also reflective side decals and bright headlights for additional safety, too. The seat was comfortable thanks to its adjustable suspension, and it even had storage compartments for smaller gardening tools. And as if that wasn’t enough, there are two USB ports for charging a phone or other devices. What’s more, the mower is also rather quiet (92 decibels to be exact) so it was possible to listen to music or have a conversation while the lawn mower was on. It even has a helpful Bluetooth function, so you can monitor the unit via the Ryobi riding mower app. We previously used a 42-inch tractor-style mower to maintain our 0.5-acre property, and we've found that this 42-inch mower is much more efficient to use. Our mowing time has gone down significantly, and we always had enough battery life to get the job done—the battery still has over 50% of its charge still remaining when we're done. Plus, we no longer have to mess with gas and oil and have enjoyed having a quieter mowing experience. We've run this mower in hot, dry conditions as well as over a damp, dewy lawn and experienced consistent performance, no matter the weather conditions. Product Details: Power: Battery powered, 80 volts | Ideal Lawn Size: Up to 3 acres | Deck Width: 42 inches | Deck Height: 1.5 to 4.5 inches | Mower Weight: 700 pounds Our Ratings Setup 3/5 Design 4/5 Performance 5/5 Usability 4.3/5 Safety 4.8/5 Why You Should Get It There’s plenty of storage for gardening necessities, and it has safety alerts when reversing and when you leave the seat. Keep in Mind There is no power steering. Tote all of your gardening necessities—tools, fertilizer, seeds, and more—with the Ryobi 80V HP 42-inch Electric Riding Lawn Tractor. It features side, front, and rear storage compartments, as well as charging ports (USB-A and USB-C), and even cup holders for your water bottle. Setup took over an hour, but we found the instructions to be pretty straightforward. Out on the grass, the mower was a pleasure to ride—the seat was comfortable and could be adjusted to suit different heights. While the accelerator pedal felt jerky at first, we loved the setting on the digital display menu that changed the pedal’s speed response. We did find ourselves wishing there was a power steering function, but we were impressed that this electric lawn mower mowed everything it came across, even leaves and sticks. It never got bogged down, and it even discharged grass clippings with damp grass. The battery lasted an impressive amount of time, enabling us to mow a third of an acre with power left over. We appreciated that the battery charged quickly—it only took an hour for it to be fully charged again. We also liked that this lawn mower had several safety features. When the mower is in reverse, the blades automatically turn off and the mower emits a warning beep. The mower also beeps if you get up from your seat while the mower is on. There are also LED headlights for clearer visibility, although they don’t seem bright enough to mow at night. This mower hasn't had any technical trouble during our testing period. After weeding our garden, we used the mower to chop up thick weeds, and it tackled the job with no issues. We do still wish that this model came with power steering since the steering wheel can be a bit difficult to turn at low speeds. We have also noticed occasional tufts of grass left behind, although it was easy to quickly run over those spots gain. Product Details: Power: Battery-powered, 80 volts | Ideal Lawn Size: Up to 2 acres | Deck Width: 42 inches | Deck Height: 1.5 to 4.5 inches | Mower Weight: 557 pounds For lawns up to 2 acres, the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Battery Electric Cordless Riding Lawn Tractor provided an effortless mowing experience and will leave your garden looking like it was tended to by a professional. To find the best electric lawn mowers, we tested various models of push mowers, riding mowers, and self propelled models. We tested each model on at least three different occasions, on different grass lengths, and in various weather conditions. Using a predetermined methodology, we evaluated each electric lawn mower based on its ease of use, power type (battery or electrical outlet), performance, safety, overall value, design, ease of cleaning, and portability. We evaluated battery-powered lawn mowers’ overall run time on a single charge, and how long the batteries took to charge up again. We determined how easy each mower was to push or ride, set up, start, maneuver, and operate. Performance was scored based on how much grass in inches each mower could cut in just one pass, how long it took the mowers to cut different surface areas, and, how long they ran on one charge (if applicable). We then cleaned each mower and made note of how easy they were to clean (including removing stuck-on grass and other lawn debris). We rated portability on how each unit could be moved around and stored. Electric lawn mowers either come in corded electric or cordless battery-powered options. A corded model will likely need a good outdoor extension lead in order to grant you more mowing freedom to reach all corners of your yard. Cordless electric lawn mowers give you the freedom to travel all across your yard without a power outlet, but you'll need to be mindful of its battery life or purchase extra batteries if you have a larger yard and don't want to wait for the battery to recharge. "The higher the voltage, the longer the mower will last," says Jason Swanson, vice president of global product development and management at Greenworks Tools. "The grass type and height can also factor into lawnmower run times. For instance, a larger, tougher lawn may take more time than a smaller, more maintained lawn." As a basic guide, 24-volt mowers can last around 20 to 30 minutes, whereas an 80-volt mower can run up to 60-minutes on a single charge. "If you have a mower with two batteries, you get double the runtime," Swanson says. The best electric lawn mower for you will also depend on the size of your yard. "For yards over an acre, electric riding mowers are a great choice, whereas walk-behind electric mowers are the best option for yards ranging from 1/4 to 1 acre," Swanson says. According to Swanson, the recommended lawn mower voltage corresponds to the size of the yard you're mowing. As a general rule of thumb, the larger the yard, the more voltage your electric lawn mower should have. Also known as the swath or mowing width, the width of a lawn mower's cutting deck denotes how much lawn can be mowed by the machine in a single pass. The deck's height determines the length the grass will be once cut. Decks with an adjustable height give users the choice of selecting different grass lengths for more landscaping design options. Electric lawn mowers tend to be lighter than their gas counterparts, making them easier to lift and store away if necessary. This also means they are ideal for anyone with limited storage space. Collapsible handles can also contribute to these mowers' space-saving abilities. When it comes to taking up space, ride-on lawn mowers are the hardest to store since they are much larger than a push mower and cannot be condensed. However, these types of lawn mowers are only really recommended for anyone with many acres of lawn to tend to and who probably already have a storage shed or two that can fit a riding mower. While the Greenworks Pro 80-Volt Max 21-inch Self-propelled Cordless Lawn Mower had easy-push self-propelling technology, we found that it got stuck on overgrown and denser areas of the lawn. It would then power off until we tended to it. Having to unclog and reboot the mower every so often added quite a bit of time to the overall process. However, it was quite a powerful machine with a small 21-inch deck size that made it easy to maneuver around obstacles and mow along narrow paths. We also liked that its battery lasted up to 60 minutes, and setup was easy. Unfortunately, we felt that the other mowers on our list were ultimately better performers and provided more value. The best electric lawn mower for you is highly dependent on the size of your yard and whether or not you need it to perform other functions, such as mulching. "There are several factors that consumers should consider when choosing a lawnmower," Swanson says. "These include cost, deck height adjustment, available storage space, and convertible options. Finding a mower with convertible options, such as push style, self-propelled wheels, built-in side discharging, mulching, and bagging, will save you from having to spend extra money on additional equipment later down the line." Choosing the size of an electric mower will depend on your lawn size and preference. “Electric mowers range from 14 to 21 inches in cutting width,” Clayton says. “The larger the cutting width, the fewer passes you need to make. But on the other hand, larger mowers are heavier, more expensive, and harder to maneuver.” Clayton offers a general rule of thumb that is helpful for deciding what size mower to buy: “14 to 16 inches for lawns up to a quarter acre, 18 to 20 inches for lawns up to half an acre, and 21 inches for lawns up to 0.75 acre.” In addition, Feldman says, “Consider that a large cutting deck will cut more grass in one pass with the caveat that it may be more difficult to maneuver with a small lawn.” Feldman says that this depends on several variables, such as if the lawn mower is self-propelled as well as the size of the motor and battery. “Additionally, consider that the thicker the lawn, the more power is required to spin the blades and cut the grass, ultimately requiring more battery power to perform,” he says. Additionally, specific types of batteries last longer than others. “Lithium-ion batteries last longer than lead-acid or nickel-cadmium batteries; higher-capacity batteries last longer than lower-capacity batteries; higher-voltage batteries last longer than lower-voltage batteries.” Clayton explains that, in general, lithium-ion batteries run for 30 to 60 minutes, lead-acid or nickel-cadmium batteries run for 15 to 30 minutes, and that corded electric mowers can run indefinitely if plugged in. Clayton also adds that a couple of other factors will have an effect on the battery life. “Continuous use drains the battery faster than intermittent use; cold weather reduces the battery performance.” While the best electric lawn mowers are designed to be waterproof and resistant to the elements, it's always a good idea to store your lawn mower in a clean, dry place for greater longevity. This will help preserve the lifespan of your lawn mower and minimize the need for repairs or purchasing a replacement mower. A cordless electric lawn mower's battery can last up to five years with proper care. To maintain your battery, you'll need to keep the terminals clean and dry during the mowing season, remove the battery during colder months, and make sure it's stored in a clean, dry place. A good indicator of how long the manufacturer expects the battery to last is the warranty it provides on the battery; for example, Greenworks offers a four-year warranty on its mowers' batteries, meaning you can expect the batteries to last at least four years before needing to be replaced. This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over ten years of commerce writing experience. Kat is also the commerce editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing. For this article, Kat spoke to Jason Swanson, vice president of global product development and management at Greenworks Tools, Ian Spilsbury, a lawnmower maintenance professional at Chelmsford Garden Machinery, Brian Feldman, the senior director of technical operations at TruGreen, and Bryan Clayton, the CEO at GreenPal. The Best Lawn Edgers to Maintain Your Yard:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-walk-behind-lawn-mowers-test-ryobi-40v-hp-brushless-21-inch-cordless-battery-dual-blade-self-propelled-jennifer-may-04-10f8d16defc246c59a2c2bac73aa6283.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (1)")
Best Cordless Push Mower
Ryobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Ryobi-RY401150-21-Inch-Cordless-Battery-Self-Propelled-Mower-99f9ab4e93244aa79aa718329d826690.jpg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (2)")
How It Performed After 6 Months
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-walk-behind-lawn-mowers-test-ryobi-40v-hp-brushless-21-inch-cordless-battery-dual-blade-self-propelled-jennifer-may-03-e37dc4e3a2524f30a69a9db24217b818.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (3)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-walk-behind-lawn-mowers-test-ryobi-40v-hp-brushless-21-inch-cordless-battery-dual-blade-self-propelled-jennifer-may-01-9c6609efbd004db8b9cad488af4f8d50.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (4)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-walk-behind-lawn-mowers-test-ryobi-40v-hp-brushless-21-inch-cordless-battery-dual-blade-self-propelled-jennifer-may-04-10f8d16defc246c59a2c2bac73aa6283.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (5)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-walk-behind-lawn-mowers-test-ryobi-40v-hp-brushless-21-inch-cordless-battery-dual-blade-self-propelled-jennifer-may-02-7714e856ff474a4c9bc2bb3b79302084.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (6)")
Best Self-Propelled Push Mower
EGO Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ego-lm2102sp-power--21-inch-cordless-self-propelled-mower-8574b05208144224ac5a8094d159246d.jpg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (7)")
How It Performed After 6 Months
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-walk-behind-lawn-mowers-test-ego-power-select-cut-56-volt-21-self-propelled-cordless-7-5-megan-wood-01-cea7dc50e80042698ff85013f0d966d9.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (8)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-walk-behind-lawn-mowers-test-ego-power-select-cut-56-volt-21-self-propelled-cordless-7-5-megan-wood-02-aca48f56656b4c89a71759518aaed769.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (9)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-walk-behind-lawn-mowers-test-ego-power-select-cut-56-volt-21-self-propelled-cordless-7-5-megan-wood-03-5ef2837886ae430d9deaec501b78771a.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (10)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ryobi-80v-hp-brushless-42-in-battery-electric-cordless-zero-turn-riding-mower-0fb816f18af749c1a785d67cde461b11.jpg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (11)")
How It Performed After 6 Months
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-riding-lawn-mowers-test-ryobi-80v-hp-brushless-42-inch-battery-electric-cordless-zero-turn-patrick-mcgowan-04-df3c3400ea6c4070a3857d14c719669a.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (12)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-riding-lawn-mowers-test-ryobi-80v-hp-brushless-42-inch-battery-electric-cordless-zero-turn-patrick-mcgowan-01-484eb8de71c543138bc4de8accecc89e.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (13)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-riding-lawn-mowers-test-ryobi-80v-hp-brushless-42-inch-battery-electric-cordless-zero-turn-patrick-mcgowan-03-eec2d8190a1c4400accfd8c3c33d0201.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (14)")
Best with Storage
Ryobi Brushless 42-Inch Electric Cordless Riding Lawn Tractor
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/RYOBI-80V-HP-Brushless-42-in-Battery-Electric-Cordless-Riding-Lawn-Tractor-5f989242a7d645e3ba5c747227822b3a.jpg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (15)")
How It Performed After 6 Months
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-riding-lawn-mowers-test-ryobi-80v-hp-brushless-42-inch-battery-electric-cordless-tractor-joseph-wanek-02-5cd830eecb234c878a80f34f50e2d298.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (16)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-riding-lawn-mowers-test-ryobi-80v-hp-brushless-42-inch-battery-electric-cordless-tractor-joseph-wanek-04-74061d7a5a2d4ed585cd317d7ff42403.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (17)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-riding-lawn-mowers-test-ryobi-80v-hp-brushless-42-inch-battery-electric-cordless-tractor-joseph-wanek-01-151e3fcc265449ed849278b01648aed8.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (18)")
The Bottom Line
Our Testing Process
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bhg-riding-lawn-mowers-test-ryobi-80v-hp-brushless-42-inch-battery-electric-cordless-zero-turn-patrick-mcgowan-02-bb5e893b5c0744a1b57a9e381dba87e1.jpeg "Here Are the 4 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2024, According to Our Testing (19)")
What to Know About Electric Lawn Mowers Before Shopping
Power
Property Size
Cutting Deck
Weight and Size
Other Electric Lawn Mowers We Tested
Greenworks Pro 80-volt Max 21-in Self-propelled Cordless Lawn Mower
Your Questions, Answered
What should I look for in an electric lawn mower before buying?
How big of a mower should I buy?
How long does the battery last in electric mowers?
What is the lifespan of an electric mower's battery?
Who We Are
Jump to Review
