Our top pick is the RYOBI 20 in. Battery Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Updated on 07/14/22
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The Spruce / Lindsay Boyers
Cordless and environmentally friendly, a battery-powered lawn mower is easier to maintain and operate than a gas-powered model, and is especially suited for small to medium-sized lawns. We researched and tested dozens of battery-powered lawn mowers, evaluating battery life, maneuverability, value, and noise level.
Our favorite is the RYOBI 20 in. Battery Self-Propelled Lawn Mower because it is lightweight, quiet, easy to push, and has adjustable handles.
Here are the best battery-powered lawn mowers.
Courtesy of Home Depot
What We Like
Lightweight
Easy to push
Adjustable handles
Quiet operation
What We Don't Like
Side discharge accessory sold separately
Can be hard to turn
What do buyers say? 3,500+ Home Depot reviewers rated this product 5 stars.
The best battery-powered lawn mower for small to medium-sized yards is the RYOBI Battery Self-Propelled Lawn Mower. This walk-behind unit has a 20-inch cutting deck and can run for around 42 minutes per charge, and if you want to invest in a second battery, there’s an onboard storage compartment that lets you swap in a fresh power source mid-mow. In testing, we found that it was easy to start and a breeze to maneuver, thanks to the self-propelled design.
This mower weighs just 60 pounds, making it manageable for most people, and its handles are adjustable, too. As is, the machine can mulch or bag your grass clippings—if you want it to side-discharge, you’ll need to buy an additional accessory. The mower’s blades are adjustable to seven different heights, between 1.5 and 4 inches, and our testers liked that it’s quiet and has LED headlights for mowing at night.
Cutting Width: 20 inches | Weight: 60 pounds | Run Time: 42 minutes | Charge Time: 4 hours | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 0.5-acre
Courtesy of Amazon
What We Like
Lightweight
Generous run time
Battery is compatible with other Greenworks tools
What We Don't Like
Battery shouldn’t be left on charger
No side discharge
Battery-powered lawn mowers are often less expensive than their gas counterparts, and this push mower from Greenworks is an unbeatable value for anyone with a small yard. The compact push mower weighs just 37.5 pounds, making it incredibly easy to handle, and it has a modest 16-inch cutting deck with five cutting height options. However, its 40-volt battery delivers up to 45 minutes of runtime per charge, and it can be charged back up in around two hours.
The Greenworks Push Lawn Mower can either mulch or bag your grass clippings, and it comes with a grass collection bag to do so. It’s easy to start up with a push of a button, and the handles fold down for more compact storage. The only major downside is that you need to remove the battery from the charger once it’s powered up—if you don’t, it can impact the longevity of the power unit.
Cutting Width: 16 inches | Weight: 37.5 pounds | Run Time: 45 minutes | Charge Time: 2 hours | Cutting Options: Mulch, bag | Size of Yard: 0.5-acre
Courtesy of Home Depot
What We Like
Durable construction
Adjusts to your walking speed
Quick-connect bagging system
Folds for storage
What We Don't Like
No height adjustment markings
The Toro Recycler Walk Behind Mower has a self-propelled transmission that makes it easy to guide around your yard and operate on sloped terrain. It even has personal pace technology that automatically adjusts to your walking speed, making it comfortable to operate. The mower has a 22-inch deck, and it can mulch, side-discharge, or bag grass clippings.
This self-propelled mower can run for around 40 minutes per charge, and it’s recommended for lawns up to 0.33 acres. It has a durable steel deck and 11-inch rear wheels with a unique tread that improves traction, and it can be set to nine different cutting heights. (However, there are no markings on the levers that adjust the blade height, making it a little tricky to find the exact height you want.) The mower folds flat for storage, and its “Super Bagger” is easy to connect, lift, and empty.
Cutting Width: 22 inches | Weight: 95 pounds | Run Time: 40 minutes | Charge Time: 2.5 hours | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 0.33 acres
Courtesy of Amazon
What We Like
Generous run time
Fast recharging
Rear or side discharge
Folds for storage
What We Don't Like
Needs better suction while bagging
If you have a flat lawn, you might not mind a traditional push mower, and the EGO Power+ is a top choice in this category. Not only is it reasonably priced, but it offers one of the longest runtimes and shortest charging times you’ll find among today’s battery-powered mowers. Its 56-volt battery can run for up to a full hour, and when the battery is drained, it can be charged back up in just 40 minutes!
This push mower has a 20-inch steel deck, and there are six cutting height positions and three handle positions to choose from. It can mulch, bag, or side or rear discharge grass clippings, though it’s not the best option for bagging, as the suction isn’t quite as strong as it needs to be. The mower folds flat for storage and can be stood up to save space, and its EGO ARC Lithium battery is compatible with other EGO tools, as well.
Cutting Width: 20 inches | Weight: 55.2 pounds | Run Time: 60 minutes | Charge Time: 40 minutes | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 1 acre
Courtesy of Amazon
What We Like
Good value
Durable construction
Comes with four batteries
Quiet mode reduces noise
What We Don't Like
Needs higher cutting height
No handle adjustment
For those with yards of 0.33-acre or less, the Makita Push Lawn Mower is a great value. It’s fairly compact with just an 18-inch cutting deck, but the machine comes with four batteries that deliver a total of around 40 minutes of runtime per charge. The unit has a commercial-grade steel deck and offers 10 cutting heights, but the highest setting is 3 inches, which may be a bit too low if you’re cutting through overgrown grass.
This push mower can be used to bag, mulch, or side-discharge grass clippings, and the included catcher bag holds up to 1.7 bushels. The handle has a rubberized grip for comfort, and the machine even features a quiet mode that provides a constant speed to minimize any revving.
Cutting Width: 18 inches | Weight: 60.5 pounds | Run Time: 43 minutes | Charge Time: Not listed | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 0.33 acres
Courtesy of Home Depot
What We Like
-
Generous run time
Zero-turn radius
Comfortable seat
Built-in USB charger
Includes towing hitch
What We Don't Like
Expensive
Bagging attachment sold separately
If you have a lot of grass to cut, you might want to splurge on the RYOBI Electric Zero Turn Mower. This impressive unit has a 42-inch cutting deck that will cover more ground with each pass, as well as an unmatched battery life that can cut up to 2.5 acres on a single charge. The zero-turn mower allows for cleaner turns, and there are 12 cutting heights to choose from, too.
Since you’re likely going to be sitting on this riding mower for a few hours, it features a comfortable padded seat as well as a built-in USB charger for your phone. It comes with a towing hitch so you can use it as a lawn tractor around your yard, and despite its size, it still charges via a standard 120-volt outlet.
Cutting Width: 42 inches | Weight: 617 pounds | Run Time: Not listed | Charge Time: Not listed | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge | Size of Yard: 2.5 acres
Final Verdict
The RYOBI 20 in. Battery Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is a solid choice for anyone with a small- to a medium-size yard, as it offers a lightweight design that’s easy to handle and features a self-propelled transmission. Its adjustable handle makes it comfortable to operate, and we were impressed by its quiet operation during testing. For a slightly more budget-friendly option, we also love the Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Electric Push Lawn Mower. It is lightweight, easy to handle, and delivers up to 45 of runtime per charge.
Deck Size
The deck size of a lawn mower determines how wide of a path it will cut on each pass, and it can range anywhere from 14 inches all the way up to 60 inches. If you have a small yard that’s less than 0.5-acre, you’ll do fine with a deck size under 30 inches. But those with more ground to cover may want a lawn mower with a larger deck.
Cutting Options
Today’s lawn mowers can typically side discharge, mulch, or bag grass clippings. Some mowers only offer one of these abilities, while others have all three. Bagging is ideal if you don’t want grass clippings back on your lawn, while mulching can help to improve your lawn’s quality by returning nutrients to the soil.
Runtime
When shopping for a battery-powered lawn mower, see how long it can operate on a single charge and compare its runtime to the average time it takes you to mow your lawn. Those with small lawns can often get by with a runtime under 60 minutes. But if you have more than an acre to mow, you may need to splurge on a lawn mower with longer-lasting batteries—or run the risk of having to mow in multiple sessions.
FAQ
What are the advantages of a battery-powered lawn mower?
There are several noteworthy benefits to choosing a battery-powered lawn mower. Because they don’t have gas-powered motors, there’s significantly less maintenance involved—they don’t need oil changes or spark plug or belt replacements. Additionally, battery-powered mowers don’t give off any harmful emissions, and they’re significantly quieter during operation, allowing you to mow without disturbing your family or neighbors.
How do you turn on a battery-powered lawn mower?
It’s incredibly easy to turn on a battery-powered lawn mower. With most models, all that’s required is inserting a key and pushing the start button—there’s no need to prime them or check the fuel levels.
How do you maintain a battery-powered lawn mower?
Battery-powered lawn mowers require less maintenance than gas mowers, but they still need to be properly taken care of if you want to enjoy years of continued use. You’ll need to clean out the undercarriage of the mower periodically throughout the mowing season and sharpen the blades at least once per year. It’s also a good idea to use an air compressor to blow dust and debris out of the battery compartments to keep your mower running optimally.
How long do battery-powered lawn mowers last?
With proper maintenance, battery-powered lawn mowers should last between eight and 10 years. However, because a battery's charge capacity decreases over time, you will likely need to replace the battery after about five years.
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance contributor for The Spruce. As someone who grew up on a 70-acre farm and owns a 5-acre parcel herself, she’s no stranger to lawn mowers, and she’s written extensively on them. She’s also personally tested both the RYOBI 38 in. 75 Ah Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower and the RYOBI 42 in. 75 Ah Battery Electric Riding Zero Turn Mower. While selecting other battery-powered mowers for this list, she considered factors such as their runtime, deck size, and features such as self-propelled transmissions. She also spoke with Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love, for insights on selecting the best lawn mower for your home.