Buying guide for best electric lawn mowers
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Let’s be real here for a moment — cutting the grass is one of the most annoying things about summer. I’ve mowed my fair share of lawns, especially as a teenager when my mom forced me to do so against my wishes. If anything good came out of those sweat-soaked afternoons under the blazing sun, it’s that our clunky lawn mower gave me a good understanding of what could have made the job easier.
There are a few objective factors that make a good lawn mower. But the best way to choose a lawn mower is to consider your lawn’s size and layout. Some lawn mowers are good enough for small or midsize yards, while others are better suited for tackling larger lawns. There are also a handful of features you’ll want to consider that might make life in the yard more manageable.
We researched dozens of lawn mowers to help you find the best options to keep your lawn healthy and looking crisp for curb appeal. Our favorite is the self-propelling EGO POWER+ Electric Lawn Mower, which is so easy to use it almost feels like it’s doing all the work for you.
Editors’ picks
EGO POWER+ Electric Lawn Mower
Editors’ Favorite
Deck Width: 21” | Voltage: 56V | Weight: 55.3 lb | Drive System: Self-propelled | Power Source: Battery
The EGO POWER+ Electric Lawn Mower’s self-propelling design makes it a no-brainer if you want something that makes yard work a piece of cake. It’s super easy to maneuver around your yard, and Touch Drive means you barely have to apply any force to get it moving.
Featured in the Best of Forbes Vetted 2025, this lawn mower was a popular pick last year among homeowners with bigger yards. Its 21-inch cutting blade means you’ll slice through more grass with each pass-through, so tackling big yards is less of a hassle. It also features a high-lift bagging blade that ensures minimal grass clippings for easy cleanup, and a convenient mulching blade for weekly mulching that’s nearly as good as what you’d get from a gas-powered unit.
With 60 minutes of continuous usage on a full charge, this lawn mower is the best option if you’ve got a large yard to deal with consistently. Plus, if the battery runs out mid-mow, fast recharging lets you get back to work in just 25 minutes.
WORX 14-inch Cordless Lawn Mower
Great Value
Deck Width: 13” | Voltage: 40V | Weight: 29 lb | Drive System: Push | Power Source: Battery
There’s no need for one of those bulkier lawn mowers if you’ve got a small-to-medium-sized yard. That’s why homeowners with smaller grassy areas to deal with prefer something more compact, like the WORX 14-inch Cordless Lawn Mower.
It's a cordless lawn mower with enough battery life to cut down up to an eighth of an acre, and an ultra-compact design and weight of just 29 pounds that makes storage and maneuvering super convenient and hassle-free. Advanced technology delivers the right amount of torque based on grass length and thickness, automatically ramping up cutting power when mowing over high grass.
If you have a larger yard, you’ll need something more robust and better suited to it. However, if you have a smaller yard, especially with lots of rolling hills or narrow pathways, the WORX 14-inch Cordless Lawn Mower is more than enough to get the job done without leaving you feeling too fatigued. Plus, it gives you the freedom to bag or mulch, making cleanup and lawn nourishment that much easier.
WORX 17-inch Cordless Lawn Mower
Lightweight & Maneuverable
Deck Width: 17” | Voltage: 40V | Weight: 40 lb | Drive System: Push | Power Source: Battery
Lightweight lawn mowers are hands-down the best option for tackling small or mid-sized yards. However, with a 17-inch cutting blade and a powerful brushless motor, this Worx Cordless Lawn Mower offers performance comparable to more robust gas-powered units.
If you’ve had lawn mowers that weren’t very good at cutting near fences, this one handles it with ease thanks to a slim deck design that lets it cut closer to edges. IntelliCut technology makes cutting through grass of varying lengths more manageable by automatically adjusting the cutting speed as soon as it senses changes in conditions. The included grass bag can hold up to 45 pounds of clippings, and the onboard display tells you when it’s time to recharge the battery.
Any homeowner with a medium-sized yard should consider getting this mower. It’s the perfect middle ground for those who need substantial cutting power without sacrificing easy maneuverability. Plus, the included batteries are compatible with more than 140 power tools, making them an excellent addition to your DIY toolkit.
BLACK+DECKER Electric Lawn Mower
Budget Model
Deck Width: 12” | Voltage: 110-120V | Weight: 9.9 lb | Drive System: Push | Power Source: Corded
Forget the lawn mowers if you have small patches of grass that need periodic cutting. For that, you’re better off looking into a combo unit such as the BLACK+DECKER Electric Lawn Mower. Instead of using a bulky lawn mower to navigate small areas, this lawn mower and string trimmer lets you cut grass in tight spots with ease, and it doesn’t cost nearly as much as other, more robust units.
With three-in-one functionality, you can choose between trimming, mowing and edging based on your lawn's layout and needs. You don’t have to worry about manual adjustments thanks to an automatic feed spool system, and the integrated storage compartment lets you conveniently store the cord whenever you’re not using your trimmer.
One of the biggest reasons we love this trimmer is that it’s surprisingly powerful given its sleek, lightweight design. It’s fantastic at cutting through weeds and overgrowth, and its versatility as a mower and string trimmer makes it a must-have for dealing with smaller yards.
Greenworks 40V 21-inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower
Best for Thick Grass
Deck Width: 21” | Voltage: 40V | Weight: 84 lb | Drive System: Self-propelled | Power Source: Battery
Not all lawn mowers can cut down thick grass, so you’ll need something reliable and well-suited for the job if that’s a common occurrence in your yard. The Greenworks 40V 21-inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower offers enough cutting power and a wide cutting deck to make clearing thick grass super easy.
With a smart self-propel system, you can gently push around this lawn mower without overexerting yourself, making it one of the best choices for those who want something easy to maneuver. It uses two batteries that let you mow uninterrupted for up to 60 minutes, which is enough to clear up to half an acre. It’s super-easy to start thanks to its onboard dial, which makes it completely hassle-free compared to older, gas-powered units.
If you have a large yard that consistently sprouts thick grass, you need a mower with sufficient cutting power. However, unlike some of the more powerful gas-powered units, this one is easy to push around and doesn't sacrifice performance thanks to its self-propelled design.
How we analyzed
We wanted to include different types of lawn mowers based on how well each model handles yards of varying sizes. For budget-conscious shoppers, we included models with dual weed-wacking functionality, as well as more robust options for those with larger lawns. We also considered both corded and battery-powered options for those who want more flexibility while working in the yard.
Key features to consider
Push vs. self-propelled lawn mowers.
A self-propelled mower is exactly what it sounds like. It moves on its own, meaning all you have to do is steer it around your yard. It’s the best choice for those with larger yards or those who don’t want to overexert themselves with a push model.
If you have a small, flat yard or need to navigate around many trees, it might be better to use a push mower, since it offers greater maneuverability. Push mowers are usually cheaper than self-propelled units, but you’ll get tired faster since you’ll need to apply some force to push them around.
Power source
Corded: Corded lawn mowers are often more affordable than battery-powered models, and you won’t need to worry about running out of power while working. You won’t have the same kind of navigation freedom as with battery-powered models. Still, you’ll usually get a more reliable unit with a powerful motor that makes large yards easier to tackle.
Battery: Most battery-powered lawn mowers come with two rechargeable batteries that provide up to 60 minutes of total runtime, usually more than enough for small and midsize yards. You can also use those batteries with compatible power tools. The downside? You have to charge your batteries often, and you often won’t get as much power as corded models.
Deck size
A large deck size is ideal if you have a big yard with few obstacles. Smaller deck sizes are better if you need to navigate around fences and flower beds, but they don’t cover as much ground as mowers with larger decks. Most standard lawn mowers have deck sizes ranging from 17 to 22 inches, but more compact units usually have deck sizes of 12 to 14 inches.
Functions
So what do we do with the grass clippings once they're done? Most lawn mowers these days have three options for how you deal with that: mulching, bagging and side discharge. Cheaper models don’t offer them, but if you want to make mowing the lawn less tedious, it’s a good idea to get one that offers at least two of the three.
- Mulching: It chops down grass into tiny pieces that decompose quickly, effectively nourishing your lawn. It’s best for weekly maintenance, but be aware that it can get messy if the grass is wet or too high between cuts.
- Bagging: It places clippings in an attachment for you to dispose of later. It’s best for larger lawns, but it’s a bit inconvenient since you’ll have to empty the attachment frequently.
- Side discharge: This is the classic method of what lawn mowers do with clippings, where they simply shoot them out of the side of the deck as you work. It helps prevent the mower from clogging and works great for high grass, but it often makes a mess on your driveway, patio, walkway and flowerbeds.
Adjustable height and speed
Many lawn mowers offer different cutting heights to cut swaths of grass with ease, depending on the conditions. It also gives you more freedom in deciding how you want your lawn to look. Most cutting heights range from 1.5 inches, which prevents scalping your yard and leaving it barren, to 4 inches for a thicker-looking lawn.
Adjustable speed is a feature found on many self-propelled models. There’s usually a dial or pressure-sensitive drive system that determines how fast your lawn mower goes. For example, the less pressure you apply, the slower it goes. When moving slowly in thick or high grass, it's best to maximize performance without clogging, but when going uphill or navigating tight corners, you’ll want a bit of speed to make maneuvering easier.
5 tips for lawn mowing
- Avoid cutting the grass if your lawn is wet, as it not only makes it more difficult but can also clog your lawn mower.
- Don’t cut too low at once, as it can damage your lawn and affect plant growth.
- Don’t mulch if the grass is wet or too high, as it won’t nourish your lawn the same way normal mulching would.
- For residential lawn mowing, it’s best to cut the grass once a week in the spring and once every 10 to 14 days in the summer.
- Clean the deck frequently to prevent clogging, which can affect performance and compromise your lawn mower’s longevity.
FAQ
Q. How much do electric lawn mowers cost?
A. If you need a compact lawn mower that doubles as a string trimmer, you can get a reliable model for $80 to $120. Most midtier options cost anywhere from $200 to $500, depending on features, and high-end mowers with all the bells and whistles typically range from $500 up to $800.
Q. How often do I need to replace the blades on my lawn mower?
A. Typically, every one to three years, but you can extend that up to five years with frequent sharpening and avoiding hard surfaces and objects. It’s a good idea to check the blades periodically to see if they’re damaged; if so, replace them immediately.
