Longest-Running Battery Mowers From Consumer Reports' Tests
8 of our recommended walk-behind models can run for more than an hour
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If you’ve avoided a battery mower for fear it would quit halfway through your lawn, it’s time to reconsider. Consumer Reports’ latest ratings of battery mowers include eight walk-behind mowers with typical run times of comfortably more than an hour.
That’s enough time to cut close to four-tenths of an acre—and possibly more.
How much more depends on the terrain and mower type. Below, we lay out the factors to help you shop for a walk-behind battery mower—either push or self-propelled—that’s a stamina standout.
What We Mean by 'Longest Running'
How Terrain Affects Mowing Time
All of the eight models below ran for at least 70 minutes under our consistent, ideal test conditions—a flat lawn with no obstacles. But don’t expect to get that much run time from your battery mower if your yard is sloped or requires lots of turning and maneuvering around trees, rocks, and other obstacles. Mowers expend lots of energy on those tasks, which cuts into their run times.
That said, all of these long-lasting machines most likely will give you at least 30 minutes of mowing on even the most challenging terrain. And as we explain below, that 30-minute mark is an inflection point in the choice between a push mower that you propel yourself and a self-propelled model that moves on its own while you steer.
Push or Self-Propelled: Which Runs Longer?
Battery push mowers typically last about 10 minutes longer than comparable self-propelled mowers using the same battery type. That’s because push mowers don’t need to use their battery power for their propulsion as self-propelled mowers do. But there’s another side to the battery-life equation. Because self-propelled mowers cut at a slightly faster rate, they can cover more area than a push mower in the same period of time. We estimate that a self-propelled battery mower will cut about 17,500 square feet (four-tenths of an acre) per hour, compared to about 15,000 square feet (about one-third of an acre) per hour for a push mower, based on our tests.
So which is the better choice? Battery life aside, remember that push mowers, while less expensive, require a lot more physical effort. So follow this rule of thumb: Opt for a battery push mower—and save an average of $150 to $200 over a comparable self-propelled mower—only if your lawn is relatively flat and takes 30 minutes or less to mow. Otherwise, consider getting a self-propelled mower. “If your 30 minutes of mowing involves a lot of sloping lawn, self-propelled is a better bet,” says Misha Kollontai, the engineer who leads lawn mower testing for Consumer Reports.
How to Get Your Battery Mower to Run Longer
Regardless of the battery mower type you choose, treating it right can help it run longer. Here’s how to get the most mowing out of every minute.
- Don’t let your lawn grow too high. Cutting higher grass puts extra strain on the battery. Aim for a maximum height of 3½ inches in cooler weather and 4½ inches in hot weather. The extra height will also help your grass grow deeper roots to access more moisture and better shade the soil to reduce evaporation. And if you want to maximize run time, trim no more than an inch each time.
- Cut on as regular a schedule as possible, so the grass grows at a predictable rate. That will generate more uniform run times, so you’ll have a better idea of whether the battery will last through the chore.
- Sharpen the blade at least a couple of times during mowing season. A dull blade requires more power and creates a ragged cut on your grass that invites disease.
- Charge batteries in between mowings, and store them properly in the off-season.
- Keep up with general mower care and follow these lawn care tips.
Check out CR’s Lawn Mower and Tractor Buying Guide for more useful information and advice on choosing the right model for your yard. CR members can read on for details on the longest-running walk-behind battery mowers—both push and self-propelled—among the recommended models in Consumer Reports’ lawn mower and tractor ratings.
Long-Running Battery Self-Propelled Mowers
These five recommended self-propelled battery mowers, in ratings order, last well over an hour on a single charge. So under the right conditions—on a regularly maintained, relatively flat lawn—they could cover nearly half an acre before you’d have to recharge.
Long-Running Battery Push Mowers
These three recommended push units, in ratings order, have run times greater than or equal to 70 minutes. On average—and under ideal conditions on a regularly maintained, relatively flat lawn—they could mow about four-tenths of an acre before you’d have to recharge.
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