Best Cordless Push Mower
Ryobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower
- Design5/5
- Performance4.3/5
- Usability4.8/5
- Safety5/5
- Value4/5
- It’s lightweight to push, is relatively quiet, and comes with a handy spare battery.
It’s lightweight to push, is relatively quiet, and comes with a handy spare battery.
- We found that we could only charge one of the two included batteries at a time.
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.
How It Performed After 6 Months
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
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JENNIFER MAY
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JENNIFER MAY
Best Self-Propelled Push Mower
EGO Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
- Design4.8/5
- Performance4.5/5
- Usability4/5
- Safety5/5
- Value5/5
- The battery lasts up to 75 minutes, and it was easy to steer and maneuver.
The battery lasts up to 75 minutes, and it was easy to steer and maneuver.
- The lawn mower didn’t perform well on damp grass.
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.
How It Performed After 6 Months
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
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MEGAN WOOD
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MEGAN WOOD
Best Riding
Ryobi Brushless 42-Inch Electric Zero Turn Riding Mower
- Setup5/5
- Design5/5
- Performance5/5
- Usability4.8/5
- Safety4.8/5
- It has a deck width of 42 inches, and it’s suitable to lawns that are multiple acres.
It has a deck width of 42 inches, and it’s suitable to lawns that are multiple acres.
- During our testing, it struggled going uphill on wet grass.
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.
How It Performed After 6 Months
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
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / PATRICK MCGOWAN
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / PATRICK MCGOWAN
Best with Storage
Ryobi Brushless 42-Inch Electric Cordless Riding Lawn Tractor
- Setup3/5
- Design4/5
- Performance5/5
- Usability4.3/5
- Safety4.8/5
- There’s plenty of storage for gardening necessities, and it has safety alerts when reversing and when you leave the seat.
There’s plenty of storage for gardening necessities, and it has safety alerts when reversing and when you leave the seat.
- There is no power steering.
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.
How It Performed After 6 Months
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
- BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JOSEPH WANEK
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JOSEPH WANEK