The 5 best electric lawn mowers of 2024 (2024)

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Among the best lawn mowers, electric lawn mowers have become increasingly efficient now that the batteries last longer, and they're designed in such a way that they're quieter, more lightweight, and do a great job cutting your yard. The best electric lawn mowers can perform just as well, if not better, compared to their gas-powered counterparts, and are environmentally friendly and require minimal maintenance.

We researched and tested the best electric lawn mowers, including options well-suited for small yards to mulching. Through our own testing, we chose the Husqvarna Lawn Expert LE-322 as the best overall electric lawn mower. With a push-button start, this well-rounded option is great for medium-sized yards with the 21-inch deck and self-propel features. The batteries last 75 minutes, providing plenty of time to mow your yard before recharging. For a more affordable option, the lightweight Greenworks 25022 20-inch 12-amp Corded Lawn Mower requires an extension cord, but it also can mulch and is less than $230.

Our top picks of the best electric lawn mowers

Best overall: Husqvarna Lawn Expert LE-322 - See at Amazon

Best mulching: Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21" Self-Propelled Multi Blade Lawn Mower - See at The Home Depot

Best budget: Greenworks 25022 20-inch 12-amp Corded Lawn Mower - See at Amazon

Best riding: John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak Mower - See at Lowe's

Best for small yards: Sun Joe MJ401C-PRO Electric Lawn Mower - See at Amazon

Best overall

Easily manage small-to-medium yards with the Husqvarna Lawn Expert LE-322. It sports two batteries that last up to 75 minutes on various cutting modes — mulching, boost, and auto-sensing. The lawn mower automatically adjusts to a battery-saver mode when the batteries are nearing the end of their charge, allowing you to cut for as long as possible.

Although the deck is only 21 inches, this mower has self-propel features to help you mow up inclines easily and cross your yard faster. In fact, you can adjust the speed up to 4 mph, a great perk for a mower that weighs 102 lbs. The deck can be raised at seven different levels with a single lever, and it's designed to cut through dense grass. While it comes with a bag, we prefer using the side discharge chute as it spreads the cuttings evenly on the yard.

Other notable features of the Husqvarna lawn mower include a push-button start and LED headlights, and it can be stored vertically.

In an earlier version of this guide, we rated the Ego LM2102SP 21-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower as the best electric mower, overall, but stock felt unreliable, and it's a pretty heavy unit. It's slightly less expensive than the Husquevarna, but after hands-on time with the Husquevarna, we like that our current best pick has greater speed and cutting position variations, and it excels at cutting through dense grass.

Best mulching

A lawn mower that can mulch creates super fine grass clippings that are recycled back into your yard, thus maintaining the health of your soil. The Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21" Self-Propelled Multi Blade RY401150US lawn mower earned the spot as the best mulching lawn mower thanks to its cross-cut multi-blade cutting system. Two blades provide a finer cut, which means less clumping and better dispersal out the side chute, and more efficient bagging. If you use the bag, know it's designed so you don't spill clippings when removing it.

The batteries last up to 70 minutes and take less than 60 minutes to recharge. In addition to a push button start, you can adjust the speed of this lightweight mower though the maximum speed is unclear. The 21-inch deck has seven different cutting positions. It stores vertically when you need to put it away, and it is also relatively lightweight at only 75 pounds.

Best budget

Electric mowers don't have to be costly, and the Greenworks 20-Inch Corded Lawn Mower is proof. This mower, offered at a budget-friendly price, still has plenty of bells and whistles and impressive performance. Its 20-inch steel deck offers durability, and the 12-amp, 120-volt motor (effectively 1440 watts) is powerful enough for easy mowing.

The mower includes three-in-one mulching, side discharge, and rear bag functions. It also offers a seven-position height adjustment, allowing you to choose cutting heights between 1.5 and 3.75 inches. The push-button start allows easy operation, and the foldable handles allow for convenient storage or transportation.

This mower weighs just 56 pounds, so it's relatively easy to push. While it's a fairly basic design, this mower is suitable for homeowners or renters with smaller lawns, provided there's access to a power outlet. Greenworks advises using the mower with a 14-gauge 50-foot or 12-gauge 100-foot extension cord, which is not included.

Best riding

Electric riding lawn mowers are so effective that the John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak Mower is our top pick in our guide to the best riding lawn mowers. It beat out gas-powered riding lawn mowers for many reasons, including the fact that the batteries can last up to two acres. It also helps that you can go up to 7 mph on this mower for maximum efficiency. You'll mow medium and large yards in no time with a deck size of 42- or 48 inches. This John Deere starts with the push of a button, followed by bringing the handles together and pushing them forward or backward. If you push the handles outward and to the side, the lawn mower locks in place. The zero-turn riding mower adjusts with a foot lever among 11 different blade positions

Unlike other electric lawn mowers, the John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak Mower does not come with a battery charger of any kind. In fact, all you have to do is plug an extension cord into the side of the machine, and it starts charging immediately. Even more exciting, the battery is in a chamber that keeps out water and dirt, so you can actually clean the riding mower with a hose and not have to worry about any damage.

In addition to a comfortable seat and a deck where you can extend your legs, this riding lawn mower has a USB port in the onboard storage container to charge your phone as you mow. I particularly like how the LED headlights along the front and the sides light up the path, as well as how this lawn mower requires little maintenance: you won't ever have to change engine oil, spark plugs, an air filter, or mower belt with the John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak Mower.

Best for small yards

The Sun Joe MJ401C-PRO electric lawn mower may not have the width to be a practical option for larger yards, but its compact design and battery power make it ideal for small or medium-sized ones. You can mow up to a quarter acre on a single charge. The relatively narrow width also makes it convenient to maneuver around tight landscaping elements like rocks or other obstacles that require more precision than a larger mower offers.

I chose the Sun Joe for this list because I appreciate anything that improves operation safety, especially lawn mowers. This model requires you to press the safety lock button and simultaneously pull the "on" trigger to power it up. It reduces the chance of you starting the mower unintentionally.

Because of the 14-inch cutting width, this compact mower is also well-suited for those with limited storage space. It's also incredibly lightweight. At just 23.1 pounds, it's comfortable to use and makes its lack of a self-propelling mechanism less of an issue.

The Sun Joe MJ401C-PRO features three height settings, less than our other options. It has a rear discharge chute, which isn't ideal as the clippings will likely hit your feet as you walk. We previously recommended the side chute version, but it is currently unavailable. It could be the perfect fit if you are looking for a hassle-free mower.

How we chose the best electric lawn mowers

After extensive online research from expert sources like Thriving Yard, and our own hands-on experience with various brands, we assembled this list of the best electric mowers you can buy. We also used our experience with large power tools to help evaluate battery life, runtimes, and power output.

Although we did not test all the options we chose, we reviewed owner and operation manuals, watched online tutorials, and consulted with lawn care equipment expert to develop our categories For models we did test, we used them on a half-acre yard a few times to get a feel for the cutting capabilities, self propel features, deck size, weight, and more. We also used a set of specific criteria to help us evaluate and compare potential options and what to look for.

• Battery Capacity: For cordless options, we paid close attention to the Ah (amp hour) of the included battery. In short, the higher the Ah, the more energy the battery can store, the higher power output, and the longer it will last.
• Charging Time: The time it takes to recharge a depleted battery can seriously affect the convenience of a cordless mower. If your battery can be recharged quickly, you'll be able to get back to work soon, and there's less of a chance that you'll need to purchase a second battery.
• Runtime: Overall runtime per battery charge is probably the most important metric to consider when evaluating cordless mowers — obviously, corded models will provide the longest. The longer the runtime, the better, especially for larger mowers that will be purchased to use on larger lawns.
• Weight: The lighter the mower weighs, the less effort it will place on the battery and the longer the overall runtime. We did our best to choose lighter options whenever possible while still considering overall power.

Electric lawn mower FAQs

What are the benefits of electric lawn mowers?

Electric lawn mowers are just as effective as gas-powered lawn mowers but without certain drawbacks. They don't require gas or oil, so they don't emit harmful fumes or exhaust, making them far more environmentally friendly. Most importantly, electric lawnmowers come with far less maintenance. You'll never have to change a spark plug (because they're not outfitted with them) or remove the oil and gas before you winterize the mower in the winter. They are also quieter in operation. While they may have a more expensive up-front cost, they will also be cheaper to operate in the long run.

How long do electric lawn mowers last?

Battery-powered mowers themselves can last up to 10 years, but their batteries will only last about 4 years before they're unable to hold an effective charge. To ensure your batteries will last as long as possible, try to completely deplete the battery before recharging it. This will reduce the overall number of charging cycles placed on the battery, increasing its lifespan. You should also do your best to remove the battery from the charger once it's fully charged.

Corded mowers have a similar lifespan as long as they're cared for properly. There are no batteries to worry about, but their extension cords are just as important to pay attention to. This means using the correct gauge for the job, which indicates how thick the cord is. The thicker the cord, the more voltage will reach the mower and the less unnecessary work the motor has to do. Your mower's operating manual should tell you the best gauge for the job.

How expensive are electric lawn mowers?

Electric lawn mowers are available at a wide range of prices, although corded models tend to be cheaper than battery-powered options. Corded mowers also won't require any additional battery purchases over time. Size also plays a part. Large riding mowers can cost thousands of dollars, while smaller, compact machines, like the Sun Joe MJ401C-PRO, our recommendation for small yards, can be found for about $200.

Neither requires the fuel or oil that gas-powered models do, which should cut down on the overall expense of the mower. However, the long-term cost of replacement batteries — which can cost hundreds of dollars — should be considered as well.

Is it safe to cut wet grass with an electric mower?

According to the Ego mower manual, you should avoid cutting wet grass with your electric mower for two reasons. First, the moisture can affect the electrical components of the mower and cause serious damage not covered by the warranty. Secondly, using your mower on wet grass is a potential safety hazard and can cause you to slip or fall and potentially injure yourself.

Wet grass can also present maintenance and cleaning challenges. It can become stuck on the deck and other components, and unlike gas-powered mowers, you can't just spray it off with a hose. As long as you stick to cutting dry grass, you'll have a much easier time cleaning up.

Can you leave an electric lawn mower outside?

Due to the electrical components and vulnerable batteries, we don't recommend leaving your mower outdoors when it's not in use. Both Ego and Greenworks recommend keeping their electric mowers indoors in a cool, dry space. They also state that you should never cover them with a plastic tarp, which can trap moisture that can damage the internal components. If you need to keep your mower outside, keep it elevated and off the ground. This will allow air to flow around it and prevent unnecessary moisture damage.