There are a lot of electric lawn mower models on the market. Manufacturers like Black and Decker, Toro, Neuton, Greenworks, Earthwise are producing dozens of mower models, and you might have tough time to figure out which is the best choice for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cordless Electric Lawn Mowers
When you are shopping for a new lawn mower you have 3 choices – gas mower, corded electric mower, and cordless lawn mower.
Please continue reading and I will try to answer to around ten most often asked questions about cordless electric lawn mowers.
How do cordless electric lawn mowers differ?
Path width – from 14 to 22 inches
Voltage – usually 24 or 36 Volts
Watt-hours – from 200 to 500
Deck – plastic or metal
Battery– removable or built in
Self Propelled or not
Why you should buy cordless electric mower?
Have you woken up on Sunday morning because your neighbor decided that it is the best time to trim his lawn with his loud and terribly smelling gas mower? I have. Not my favorite experience. I hate loud tools. And I hate any noise on Sunday mornings.
I was surprised to learn that gas mower over a year can produce as much pollutants as 40 cars. And it sounds much worse than the loudest car.
OK, so electric mower is quieter and cleaner (environmentally friendly as they say) than gas mower. Want to know about several more brownie points?
Maintenance costs!
Or lack of thereof. It is perfectly normal that you spend less than $10 per year on average for maintenance of your cordless mower. That’s less than 100 dollars per 10 years. No gas, no oil, no tune-ups, the only thing you will buy is replacement batteries.
If you chose corded electric mower, you can escape even these battery replacements, but dealing with the cords often is a pain. I have destroyed several cords, so I know what I am talking about!
Why you should NOT buy cordless electric mower?
Cordless electric mower is battery operated. Electric batteries are heavy. So cordless mower is heavy as well. Or I should say, heavy as hell. Weight of Black & Decker CM1936 mower is 72 pounds, and more than one third of it, 28 pounds, is the weight of battery. Heavy? Earthwise 60120 is 92 pounds. And that is a normal weight for battery powered mower.
If you prefer to deal with lighter equipment, you should consider other options. The same goes if you have uneven lawn and some uphill pushing will be required.
Cordless mower is less powerful than gas mower. If you have a large lot, there might be not enough juice in the battery to mow the whole lot. You will either have to buy second battery or take prolonged breaks for recharging.
What is a watt-hour?
For battery operated equipment the watt-hour is a measurement of its ‘gas tank’. The more watt-hours the battery can store, the more juice you will have. And longer periods between recharging.
Is the higher voltage better?
Yes, that is right. Higher voltage means more power and faster recharging. 36V battery will charge in half of the time needed to charge 24V battery, if all other parameters are equal.
Is there any difference between metal and plastic deck?
Plastic deck is delicate, so you will have to stay away from poles, fences and trees. So be ready to trim a bit! The downside of metal deck is rust but it depends on climate and is not an issue if you take care about your tools.
What about the cutting path width?
It takes more power to move a bigger blade. So this tiny 14-inch mower most likely will be underpowered. Second, the narrower the path, the more passes you will have to take and the less you will manage to do in 1 hour. Think about productive!
We suggest staying away from mowers with blades less than 18”. BTW manufacturers overestimate the blade size, so this 18-incher is more like 17-and-something-incher.
Is removable battery better?
Yes, it is. First, you can get a second replacement battery and keep it charged all times in case you run out of juice during mowing and need to swap the batteries. No more waiting while the battery recharges. Cost of the question – around $100.
Second, let’s be real. The battery will die. Sooner or later. It is a fact of life. If your electric mower with built-in battery needs a replacement, you need to take it to authorized dealer. You don’t have authorized dealer in your town? Well, well, well. Then add shipping costs to servicing costs and price of the new battery. Isn’t it easier to replace the battery? I bet it is.
When will my battery die?
It depends on how much you will use your mower and if you will use the battery as described in the user manual. If you have a small lot inMichigan, your battery can last 7-9 years. If you have an oversized lot in Arizona and you don’t recharge the battery correctly, you will need a new battery by this time next year.
What about mulching feature?
Mulching is pretty standard feature for a gas mower because mulching takes a lot of power. Not many battery powered mowers have that much power, so discharging and bagging is what you usually get with the electric mower.
Do I need a self-propelled mower?
If you are a bit lazy and prefer taking slow walks behind the mower instead of work-out like pushing, go for self-propelled mover like Black & Decker SPCM1936. Just keep in mind that it adds to the price and weight of your machine.




