Best Battery Lawn Mowers—and the Worst
Consumer Reports' tests found that the best battery walk-behind mowers are from Ego, Greenworks, and Ryobi
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The best battery lawn mowers perform as well as—or better than—the best gas mowers, Consumer Reports’ lawn mower ratings reveal.
Two of these cordless electric mowers, from Ego and Ryobi, receive higher Overall Scores than the top-rated gas push mower, a Honda. Push walk-behind mowers are ideal for yards of less than a quarter-acre.
The best self-propelled battery mower, made by Greenworks, scores the same as the top-rated gas model, also a Honda. And several other highly rated self-propelled battery mowers—so named because the battery, not the user, powers the wheels—perform on a par with comparably rated self-propelled gas models.
Why Buy a Battery Lawn Mower Now?
Battery walk-behind mowers are attractive options for lawns of less than a half-acre, which make up the bulk of newly developed residential properties. Consumer Reports’ exclusive lawn mower and tractor ratings show that these electric mowers have become competitive with—or are even superior to—gas mowers in many respects:
Why Trust Consumer Reports' Mower Tests?
CR’s expert lawn mower tests are uniquely useful because they combine scientific rigor with real-world usage. To give you ratings and reviews of the latest models by early spring, Consumer Reports’ testers travel to Florida to conduct tests in late winter at grounds we specially prepare each year. We plant 1,800 pounds of grass seed (predominantly annual rye, prized for its dense growth). We cut 500,000 square feet of grass in three modes—mulching, side discharging, and bagging (collecting a total of 3,000 pounds of clippings). We cut both level turf and slopes to get a feel for the handling of each and every model. We also review the convenience features of every model we assess.
And every model’s Overall Score in CR’s ratings incorporates all of that performance data with predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings. We compile those ratings from our latest member surveys, leveraging data on more than 42,300 lawn mowers and tractors that members purchased between 2012 and 2022. That includes responses on 9,724 battery mowers.
Which Battery Mower Is Best for You?
Consumer Reports recommends more than half the battery lawn mowers in our current walk-behind lawn mower ratings. Among the more than 60 push- and self-propelled cordless electric mowers we’ve tested, most models earn strong overall ratings. So there are plenty of appealing options at a variety of prices.
If you have a lawn or less than a quarter-acre, you’ll probably find a battery push mower will fit your needs; they’re generally less expensive than self-propelled models, albeit with fewer features. For a lawn that’s between a quarter-acre and a half-acre, a self-propelled mower’s added maneuverability will help you climb slopes and trim your larger lawn with less effort.
For more battery lawn mower options, check out CR’s advice on which mower to choose and our Lawn Mower and Tractor Buying Guide.
CR members with digital access can browse our in-depth ratings of dozens of mowers and tractors, encompassing battery-powered lawn mowers and tractors from brands including Cub Cadet, Ego, Greenworks, Hart, Kobalt (Lowe’s), Ryobi, Skil, Snapper, Stihl, and Toro. And below, members can read on for ratings and reviews of this year’s very best battery-powered walk-behind mowers—both push and self-propelled—as well as a couple of models that miss the mark.
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