The 6 Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers of 2024, According To Testing

The Bottom Line

After testing, we chose the Ryobi Electric Ride-On Mower as the best ride-on mower because it is easy to use and can mow up to 3 acres in a single charge, making it a great choice for a large yard. Our pick for best push mower was from the same brand: the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21 in. Self-Propelled Mower because it has an impressive 70 minutes of runtime on a single charge plus multiple options for clipping disposal.

Our Testing Process

In order to find the best battery-powered lawn mowers, we tested 15 mowers, narrowing down our results to determine which of these battery-powered favorites made our list. First, we recorded how long it took to assemble each mower straight out of the box.

Then, we mowed our lawns with each mower three times, noting the date, weather conditions, how much we cut off the grass in inches, how much surface area we were mowing in acres, and how long it took for us to mow that area. 

As we used each mower, we considered many factors. We began with the ease of starting and powering the mower, plus the ease of adjusting the seat (if a ride-on mower) or heights for comfort, and whether or not the controls were user friendly.

With the riding mowers, we also took note of how easy it was to adjust our speed, as well as how easy it was to switch between cutting heights and how many options there were. We also evaluated how each mower compared to those that we previously owned or tried. 

One of the most important aspects of a battery-powered lawn mower is its power source. We determined how many batteries came with the mower, how long they took to charge, and how long that battery lasted before we had to swap it or recharge it.

We also tested each mower’s ease of movement, observing how they performed when maneuvering around obstacles like trees, flowerbeds, and tough terrain like hills or inclines. When it came to how well the mowers discharged the clippings, we noted if they discharged, collected debris in a bag, or mulched them.

Some models performed more than one function, and if that was the case, we tested each type of discharge method, and how easy it was to insert or remove collection bags (if applicable). We also observed how much storage each model had and how they would eventually be stored away. 

Finally, we tried each mower’s features. On the riding mowers, we tested their ignition cut-off switches, wheel weights, and headlights, or reflective surfaces. For push mowers, we tested the handle lever, back flap, and blade brake control.

We also evaluated the cutting height options, plus various speeds of each mower. If possible, we even tested these lawn mowers on other lawns, to see how the experience differed depending on type of grass and terrain.

What to Know About Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers Before Shopping

Lawn Size

When shopping for the best battery-powered lawn mower for your home, it’s important to take into consideration the size of your lawn. Typically, the batteries in your mower will last 50 to 60 minutes on one charge, so you’ll want to make sure you can cover the distance of your lawn in that time.

Otherwise, you’ll have to either change out the battery for a fully charged back-up, or charge your battery. If you have a yard that is more than an acre, it’s not ideal to have a battery-powered mower unless you have one that is made with large yards in mind.

Type

There are a few different types of battery-powered lawn mower to choose from: self-propelled mowers, push mowers, and riding mowers. 

Self-propelled mowers, like the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21-Inch Mower, are less work to operate than push mowers, with a design that uses the motor to propel the wheels, which makes it easy for you to simply guide the mower across your lawn. 

In order to operate a push mower, you have to push it forward manually. The bad news: You’re the one doing the pushing. The good news: most models are compact and lighter weight (especially when compared to a gas model) so it isn’t too difficult.

Riding lawn mowers, like the the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Riding Lawn Tractor, require the least amount of work, but are also the most expensive models. They are a great choice for people with larger lawns, and you can simply sit up top and steer it where you want it to go. 

Charge Time 

Battery-powered mowers need to be charged before use, and those times will vary. We found that the time it takes to recharge varies anywhere from one to two and a half hours.

For example, our best riding mower pick, the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Zero Turn Riding Mower, takes 2.5 hours to reach full charge. If you don’t have the time to pause your mowing to recharge, consider choosing a mower with an extra battery so you can change them out and continue on.

Power

Battery-powered lawn mowers do not require chords to function. Instead, they work using rechargeable batteries that have an output of anywhere from 36 to 120 volts.

Run time is largely dependent on the voltage of your battery. The higher the battery, the longer your mower will run. The higher the voltage, the larger the battery, so it may affect your mower’s deck size.

The deck is the part of the lawn mower that covers the engine and blades of the mower. It is measured in square inches, and is determined by multiplying the width of the bottom part of your mower (between the wheels) by the length. They are also usually made with durable material so they stand up against debris and the elements.

The size of the deck determines how much grass the machine will cut in one pass, as it is generally large enough to cover the blade. Smaller mowers may only have one blade, while larger models have two or three for more efficient cutting.

Mowers with larger decks offer less mobility, so it’s beneficial to use a mower with a smaller deck and voltage for a yard with less acreage. The larger your yard, the bigger the deck you’ll require because you’ll need to cover more ground in the same amount of time. The Ryobi Electric Ride-On Mower has the largest deck on our list at 42 inches.

Features

The best battery-powered lawn mowers come with plenty of features to make your lawn-cutting experiences as enjoyable as possible.

For example, some come with mulchers that take the grass, chop it up, and leave them behind on the lawn. Others have a grass bag catcher that attaches to the mower on either the side or rear where the lawn clippings drop straight into the bag.

Another feature that is important is the ability to adjust the blade height so that you can tailor your mower to your preferences. They usually range from 1 to 4 inches, and keep in mind that you should only remove the top third of the grass blades.

Adjustable handles are also important because they allow you to change the height in order to make them easier to mow. 

Other Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers We Tested

Greenworks Pro 80V Max, 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower

We loved that the Greenworks Pro 80V Max, 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower lawn mower had a space-saving storage design that allowed it to be stowed away vertically. We also appreciated how long the battery lasted—about 50 minutes total.

While testing, we found that this lawn mower had difficulty maneuvering in tight spots, and its weight made it difficult to turn. When we switched it to the self-propel mode, we found that even the fastest setting did not measure up to others on this list.

Your Questions, Answered

How long do batteries last in a battery-powered mower? 

This answer depends on the mower, but typically the batteries in a battery-powered mower last around fifty minutes to an hour if fully charged.

This is why battery-powered mowers are recommended for small to medium-sized yards—if you can’t get your mowing done within an hour, you’ll need to hit pause, plug it in to charge (or replace it with another fully charged battery if you’ve got a spare), and wait to mow. 

What is the best voltage for a battery-powered mower? 

The batteries in battery-powered lawn mowers provide anywhere from 36 to 120 volts of power. The higher the voltage, the longer the run time. The longer the run time, the more time you have to cover some distance in your yard before that battery runs out.

Getting a battery with a high voltage may sound smart because it allows for a longer run time. However, it also makes the machine heavier which can slow you down and can decrease the run time. 

Which mower is better: battery-powered, electric, or gas?

Battery-powered, electric, and gas lawn mowers each have their own pros and cons. Gas powered mowers have the advantage when it comes to being able to fuel them right away. When an electric or battery-powered mower runs out of juice, it needs to be plugged in and charged. 

“Battery-powered lawn mowers provide the power of traditional lawn mowers without the harmful emissions, which make them perfect for customers that value efficiency and sustainability,” Durden says.

Gas mowers also tend to require more maintenance in order to run smoothly, and you need to take care to store the fuel properly and even winterize your mower. 

Battery-powered lawn mowers have the advantage of being “lightweight and quieter than gas-powered mowers, too,” says Durden. You just need to remember to keep the battery charged.

Additionally, whereas gas-powered mowers need to be pulled or cranked, and cared for to ensure they’re winterized, you just need to push to start a battery-powered or electric mower and go. 

One downside to an electric mower is the range of motion—you may be limited by the cord. Battery powered and electric mowers are more equipped to handle small to medium-sized yards.

Who We Are

Andrea Wurzburger is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She has written about outdoor topics such as electric pressure washers, rain barrels, and pool alarms. For this story, she spent several hours analyzing our testing insights researching the best battery-powered lawn mowers. She also spoke with Nicole Durden, who is the senior merchant of outdoor power at The Home Depot.

What is BHG Recommends?

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.