The Best Electric Mowers, Tested

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After putting dozens of corded and battery-powered lawn mowers through our hands-on tests, we awarded the top performers.

For more and more buyers, electric lawn mowers are the easy-to-use, eco-friendly, and efficient choice for yard maintenance and lawn care. Not only can you bid goodbye to pulling a starter cord, replacing fouled spark plugs, and storing flammable fuel, but you’d be doing your part to reduce air pollution. 

We have tested more than 30 electric mowers and documented their performance with regard to grass-cutting power, price, and safety features. Our favorite overall was the Ego Power+ thanks to its impressive runtime, ability to increase cutting power for difficult conditions, and overall better performance. Plus, it’s comfortable and easy to use. 

In this guide, we will discuss the pros and cons of choosing an electric lawn mower and explore the features to look for while shopping. But first, we will share our observations from testing the following models and give you the reasons why we named them among the best electric lawn mowers around.

1. BEST OVERALL: Ego Power+ 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower 
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower
3. BEST FOR SMALL YARD: Worx Nitro 80V 21″ Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
4. BEST FOR LARGE LAWN: John Deere Z370R Electric Zero-Turn Mower
5. BEST SELF-PROPELLED: Toro 60V MAX 22″ Recycler Self-Propelled Mower
6. BEST PUSH: Greenworks Pro 80V 21″ Brushless Push Lawn Mower
7. BEST RIDING LAWN MOWER: Craftsman 56V MAX 42″ Battery-Powered Riding Mower
8. BEST CORDLESS: DeWalt 2x20V MAX 21.5″ Cordless Self-Propelled Mower
9. BEST CORDED: American Lawn Mower Company 14″ Corded Mower

Testing Stats
Products tested	32
Hours spent testing	96
Tests performed	6
Price range	$154 to $4,899

Before You Buy an Electric Lawn Mower

Electric mowers are an easy choice for those who want a cleaner alternative to gas-powered mowers. Still, an electric model might not be right for everyone. The gas vs. electric mower debate rages on, with adherents on both sides making convincing points. 

An electric mower is much quieter, works at the touch of a button, and can reduce the user’s carbon footprint. In contrast, a gas-powered mower is loud but can run for hours, as long as a can of gasoline is nearby. It’s also usually more powerful, making it better suited to mowing thick, dense grass where an electric mower may get bogged down.

Our Top Picks

After we tested dozens of battery-powered and corded electric lawn mowers of all styles, shapes, and sizes, we chose the following mowers as our top picks. These models are made by reputable brands and have some of the most popular features on the market. Check out the individual reviews for details on how each one performed in our backyard tests. 

Best Overall

Ego Power+ 21" Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

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Our Ratings: Value 5/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Durability 5/5; Maneuverability 5/5; Storability 4/5 

Product Specs 

• Type: Self-propelled
• Corded vs. cordless: Cordless 
• Power output: 56V

What We Like

• Better overall performance than other cordless mowers at this price point
• Has an easily adjustable self-propelled feature and can be pushed manually
• Automatically increases cutting power for difficult mowing conditions
• Rustproof deck and rugged construction for enhanced durability

What We Don’t Like

• Noisy drive system; may not be suitable for all users and neighborhoods
• Poor traction for slopes or wet grass, so it’s not ideal for hillsides
• Self-propelled feature cuts battery runtime in half

Our top pick boasts powerful cordless operation with features that are typical of more expensive models. The 56V 7.5 amp-hour (Ah) battery produces up to an hour of runtime per charge and recharges within 60 minutes. Cutting power automatically increases when conditions get tougher, such as in dense weedy areas or tall grass, and a lever allows the user to adjust the self-propelled pace for optimum comfort. Choose from rear bagging, side discharge, or mulching with the included equipment. 

Ego got it right on the basics, too. In our tests, the Ego Power+ mower was comfortable and easy to use in all conditions. The large wheels rolled smoothly over our rough terrain and made for easy push mowing when we weren’t using the self-propelled feature. The handle was easy to adjust for different user heights and folded neatly over the engine for compact storage.

Unfortunately the wheel drive motor seemed excessively noisy. More importantly, self-propelled mode cut the battery life in half compared to pushing the mower manually. We push-mowed for nearly 90 minutes per charge, but we were only able to get about 45 minutes of runtime in self-propelled mode. Buyers with large yards may need to consider adding a second battery to increase runtime.

What Our Expert Says: “I really liked the simple speed adjustment for the self-propelled pace, which was more reliable than many of the auto-adjust features on other models I’ve tested” — Mark Wolfe, Staff Writer and Product Tester 

Get the Ego Power+ electric lawn mower at Amazon or Ace Hardware. 

Best Bang for the Buck

Wild Badger Power 40V 18" Cordless Lawn Mower

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Our Ratings: Value 5/5; Cut Quality 4/5; Durability 4/5; Maneuverability 5/5; Storability 5/5 

Product Specs 

• Type: Push
• Corded vs. cordless: Cordless
• Power output: 40V

What We Like

• Small, lightweight lawn mower that’s ideal for small yards and limited storage areas
• Handle folds over the motor to conserve storage space
• Includes a large 11-gallon collection bag to gather the grass clippings
• Efficient brushless motor conserves battery life and provides up to 30 minutes of mowing per charge

What We Don’t Like

• Plastic wheels, deck, and motor housing are less durable than parts made of different materials

The Wild Badger 40V 18-inch electric push mower is an affordable space-saving option for townhomes, courtyards, and other small landscapes. This lightweight push mower weighs just 37.5 pounds. It comes with a 40V 4-Ah battery and charger to power the brushless motor for 30 minutes per charge. The battery recharges in just 60 minutes.

Besides easy push-button operation and a lightweight build, several convenience features make this mower even easier to operate. A single lever adjusts the mower deck height to any of five different cutting heights between 1 inch and 3 inches. Two-way clipping management lets you either mulch the grass clippings and recycle nutrients back to the lawn or attach the included 11-gallon bagger for easy collection and disposal.

This was the smallest and lightest of the battery-powered mowers we tested, but the 40V brushless motor held its own among the competition. While the mower offered plenty of power and a fairly clean finish, the small size of the deck limited the amount of area that could be mowed. On average, we were able to mow about 10,000 square feet per charge. It was quiet, easy to push, and more affordable than the rest of the mowers in our testing.

Get the Wild Badger electric mower at Amazon or Tractor Supply Co.

Best for Small Yard

Worx Nitro 80V 21" Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

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Our Ratings: Value 4/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Durability 4/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Storability 4/5

Product Specs 

• Type: Self-propelled
• Corded vs. cordless: Cordless 
• Power output: 80V

What We Like

• Space-saving power pack and charging system also works with the Nitro leaf blower
• Fast and easy-to-use single-lever deck height adjustment
• Bag, side-discharge, or mulch grass clippings without a mulch plug
• LED headlamps provide high-visibility mowing in low-light conditions

What We Don’t Like

• Removing and installing Base Camp power pack is more awkward than removing and installing a single battery
• Does not include the longer-lasting 20V 6-Ah Worx batteries

The Worx Nitro 80V power-share system packs a serious lawn-mowing punch. A standout feature on the Nitro mower is the Base Camp power pack. This mower combines the power of the four included 20V 5-Ah batteries to deliver 80 volts of power for up to 60 minutes of mowing time per charge. The power pack doubles as a four-way charger, recharging the depleted batteries in just 2 hours. It can be used for both onboard and offboard charging, and it is also compatible with the Worx Nitro 80V leaf blower.

It is a moderately priced, highly capable, self-propelled mower with numerous features to compete with others we’ve tested. For ease of operation, it incorporates a single-lever deck height adjustment; a one-touch fully collapsible handle; charge-level indicator; and choice of side discharging, bagging, or mulching. The built-in mulch/discharge lever eliminates dealing with a mulch plug. The quiet, load-sensing multistage motor automatically increases output for difficult conditions. Plus, LED headlights extend mowing time past sundown.

The Worx mower performed better than the average of the group in terms of smart power output and cut quality. It did a great job conserving power while providing an excellent cut on previously maintained lawn areas. It also increased output almost immediately to power through overgrown weedy lawn areas. The finish quality was very good in both the previously maintained area and in the overgrown area, and there was no need for a second pass. 

Battery runtime decreased by as much as 50 percent under a heavy mowing load, but the difference between sloped areas and flat ground was less pronounced. We gave this one the Best for Small Yard award, considering the amount of power that would be needed in reserve to blow off the driveway using the Base Camp–compatible 80V leaf blower. Those with between a quarter and a third of an acre of grass could probably do both on a single charge.

Get the Worx electric mower at Amazon, Walmart, or Target.

Best for Large Lawn

John Deere Z370R Electric Zero-Turn Mower

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Our Ratings: Value 4/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Durability 4/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Storability 4/5

Product Specs 

• Type: Zero-turn riding lawn mower
• Corded vs. cordless: Cordless 
• Power output: 58V 

What We Like

• Outstanding battery life; mows up to 2 acres per charge
• Onboard charging system; only requires a 3-prong extension cord to charge the battery
• Precise controls: smooth wheel motors and tight lap bars
• Extremely comfortable seat and suspension system

What We Don’t Like

• 42-inch deck was almost too small to mow perimeters without driving on bed edges

Large lawns with obstacles like landscape beds, tree rings, and outbuildings are best mowed with a nimble zero-turn riding mower for fast, efficient mowing. The John Deere Z370R ZTrak fills the need perfectly. It mows up to 2 acres per charge with superior cut quality, and it offers the smooth, articulate steering and comfortable ride that we expect from a top riding-mower brand.

The mower is equipped with a 58V 61.27-Ah battery system that charges in about 6 hours. We really liked the simplicity of the charging system, which is fully integrated on the mower. Rather than dealing with a dedicated charging cable, we simply connected the mower to our wall outlet with a 12-gauge extension cord. 

From a mowing standpoint, the cut quality was perfect, and the side-discharge chute did a great job dispersing the clippings. The deep mowing deck created ample airflow to lift the grass blades upright for a crisp, level cut in one pass, but we really wanted a slightly wider deck. The 42-inch deck was just wide enough to cut beyond the width of the tires, but we had to be extra careful not to drive over the borders when working around curved landscape bed edges. A wider deck would provide enough lateral reach to eliminate some of the edge trimming in these areas.

In addition to the standout cut quality, we also loved the quiet, comfortable ride. The John Deere Z370R didn’t sound nearly as “rattly” as other electric riding mowers we’ve tested. Where the lack of engine noise reveals the jarring sounds of mower deck mounts and other moving parts, John Deere has done a great job silencing the ancillary noise. Additionally, the highback seat was extremely comfortable. The standard configuration includes armrests, which take away some of the arm and shoulder strain of operating the lap bars. Most other brands offer armrests only as an upgrade option. While the suspension system was not adjustable, it delivered a smooth ride on uneven ground. 

Get the John Deere electric mower at Lowe’s.

Best Self-Propelled

Toro 60V MAX 22" Recycler Self-Propelled Mower

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Our Ratings: Value 5/5; Cut Quality 5/5; Durability 5/5; Maneuverability 4/5; Storability 5/5

Product Specs 

• Type: Self-propelled
• Corded vs. cordless: Cordless 
• Power output: 60V

What We Like

• 60V 6-Ah battery powers up to a half acre of mowing per charge
• Personal pace system automatically adjust self-propel system to user’s walking pace
• Motor automatically adjusts power output to match mowing conditions
• Deep deck enhances airflow for better bagging and mulching without clumps
• Handle folds flat and the mower stores in a space-saving vertical position

What We Don’t Like

• The self-propel system was not designed for occasional push mowing as an alternative
• While mowing performance is superior, runtime per charge is lower than other top brands

With a strong reputation for mechanical durability, mowing power, quality of cut, and value pricing, Toro has produced some of the best lawn mowers for decades. The Toro 60V Recycler self-propelled lawn mower continues this tradition in the battery-powered era. It works hard to deliver outstanding mowing results with a comfortable user experience.

This mower comes with a 60V 6-Ah battery that powers up to a half acre of grass cutting. The standout features are its powerful steel mowing deck and the Personal Pace drive system. The deck is designed to generate powerful airflow that stands grass blades upright for a cleaner cut, and it also enhances mulching and bagging capabilities. The drive system, controlled by a pressure-sensitive handlebar, automatically adjusts the speed to match the user’s pace in real time, without knobs, levers, or thumb paddles.

In our tests, the 60V Toro Recycler worked as well as advertised. We were especially impressed by the mowing quality, which may have been the best of all models tested, and the smooth operating self-propelled system. We’ve used other mowers with sliding handlebars, but the one on the Toro mower was the best. It accelerated and decelerated seamlessly with our walking pace and felt more natural than the others, even on slopes.

While this mower proved capable of cutting all kinds of lawn grass (including overgrown weedy areas) with a high degree o