The Best Electric Lawn Mowers for Every Yard

Quiet, lightweight, and powerful, the best electric lawn mowers cut through grass with ease. As more states and cities have started to limit and ban the sale of gas-powered lawn equipment due to pollution concerns, they’ve become a viable replacement. Unlike their gas-powered counterparts, electric lawn mowers are eco-friendly, quieter and require minimal maintenance.

After researching top-rated models, talking to experts, and testing some options for ourselves, the best overall electric lawn mower is the Husqvarna Lawn Expert LE-322. It’s a self-propelling model with multiple cutting modes and batteries that last up to 75 minutes. If you’re on a budget, we recommend the Sun Joe MJ401C-PRO Electric Lawn Mower, an affordable option with safety features and a compact design.

Our top picks of the best electric lawn mowers

Best overall: Husqvarna Lawn Expert LE-322 – See at Amazon

Best budget: Sun Joe MJ401C-PRO Electric Lawn Mower – See at Amazon

Best riding: John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak Mower – See at Lowe’s

Best robot: Segway Navimow X350 – See at Navimow

Best overall

This is our pick for medium-sized lawns. The Husqvarna Lawn Expert LE-322 sports two batteries that last up to 75 minutes on various cutting modes — mulching, boost, and auto-sensing. The lawn mower automatically adjusts to a battery-saver mode when the batteries are nearing the end of their charge, allowing you to cut for as long as possible. With its battery-powered operation, it’s also the best cordless electric lawn mower.

It’s speedy and adjustable. Although the deck is only 21 inches, this mower has self-propel features to help you mow up inclines easily and cross your yard faster. In fact, you can adjust the speed up to 4 mph, a great perk for a mower that weighs 102 lbs. The deck can be raised at seven different levels with a single lever, and it’s designed to cut through dense grass. While it comes with a bag, we prefer using the side discharge chute as it spreads the cuttings evenly on the yard. Other notable features of the Husqvarna lawn mower include a push-button start and LED headlights. Plus, it can be stored vertically.

Best budget

Our budget pick is also the best electric mower for small yards. At just shy of $200, The Sun Joe MJ401C-PRO electric lawn mower is ideal for anyone on a budget or those with a small yard. You can mow up to a quarter acre on a single charge. The relatively narrow width also makes it convenient to maneuver around tight landscaping elements like rocks or other obstacles that require more precision than a larger mower offers.

We appreciate the safety features. This model requires you to press the safety lock button and simultaneously pull the “on” trigger to power it up. It reduces the chance of you starting the mower unintentionally.

It’s easy to store and maneuver. Because of the 14-inch cutting width, this compact mower is also well-suited for those with limited storage space. It’s also incredibly lightweight. At just 23.1 pounds, it’s comfortable to use and makes its lack of a self-propelling mechanism less of an issue.

But we wish it had more height options and a different chute placement. The Sun Joe MJ401C-PRO features three height settings, less than our other options. It has a rear discharge chute, which isn’t ideal as the clippings will likely hit your feet as you walk.

Best riding

Electric riding lawn mowers are superior to gas-powered models. Electric riding lawn mowers are so effective that the John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak Mower is our top pick in our guide to the best riding lawn mowers. It beat out gas-powered riding lawn mowers for many reasons, including the fact that the batteries can last up to two acres. It also helps that you can go up to 7 mph on this mower for maximum efficiency.

It’s the best electric mower for large yards. You’ll mow medium and large yards in no time with a deck size of 42- or 48 inches. This John Deere starts with the push of a button, followed by bringing the handles together and pushing them forward or backward. If you push the handles outward and to the side, the lawn mower locks in place. The zero-turn riding mower adjusts with a foot lever among 11 different blade positions

Charging and cleaning is simple. Unlike other electric lawn mowers, the John Deere’s mower requires no external battery charger. In fact, all you have to do is plug an extension cord into the side of the machine, and it starts charging immediately. Even more exciting, the battery is in a chamber that keeps out water and dirt, so you can actually clean the riding mower with a hose and not have to worry about any damage.

It takes all the annoyance out of lawn care. In addition to a comfortable seat and a deck where you can extend your legs, this riding lawn mower has a USB port in the onboard storage container to charge your phone as you mow. I particularly like how the LED headlights along the front and the sides light up the path, as well as how this lawn mower requires little maintenance: you won’t ever have to change engine oil, spark plugs, an air filter, or mower belt.

Best robot

Robot lawn mowers take care of your yard so you don’t have to. Robot mowers completely change the game when it comes to lawn care, automating mowing your yard so you’re not spending your Saturday mornings pushing a mower. The best robot lawn mowers are all electric, but the Segway Navimow X350 topped the list during testing.

It’s deceptively easy to set up. Our tester appreciated the ease of getting started, noting that even the least technologically-savvy people should be able to use it without issue. You first set up your reference station — a spike that sends a satellite signal to your mower — and map your lawn with the accompanying app. Within the app you can tinker with settings such as the cutting height.

It also excelled at mowing. “The Navimow works quickly, perhaps because it has a wider mow path (9 inches),” tester Jill Waldbieser said. “It didn’t miss strips of lawn like some other models, and tackled higher grass, damp grass, leaves, and rough terrain well.” It also worked quickly, mowing a little over a third of an acre in 47 minutes.

It’s expensive and got stuck on debris. This model isn’t without its flaws, though. It’s pricey — even when compared to other robot lawn mowers — and it got caught on larger lawn debris and edging during testing. Still, if you’re looking to automate your lawn care, this is the model we recommend.

What to look for when buying an electric lawn mower

When shopping for an electric lawn mower, consider the following criteria:

• Type: There are four main types of electric lawn mowers: cordless, corded, riding, and robot. All of our options are cordless, since they’re easier to maneuver, but corded mowers are powerful and don’t require charging. Electric riding lawn mowers rival the performance of gas-powered options, and almost all robot mowers are electric.
• Deck size: A mower’s deck size determines how wide of a path it cuts. Our best overall pick has a deck size of 21 inches, which is best suited for mid-sized yards.
• Battery capacity: All of the options in our guide run on batteries. When shopping for a cordless electric lawn mower, pay close attention to the Ah (amp hour) of the included battery. The higher the Ah, the more energy the battery can store, the larger the power output, and the longer it will last. For reference, our the battery in our budget pick has four amp hours, so it’s best for small yards. Our top pick has a battery with 7.5 amp hours, making it ideal for medium yards.
• Maneuverability: The lighter the mower weighs, the less effort it will place on the battery and the longer the overall runtime. We did our best to choose lighter options whenever possible while still considering overall power.
• Charging time: The time it takes to recharge a depleted battery can seriously affect the convenience of a cordless mower. If your battery can be recharged quickly, you’ll be able to get back to work soon, and there’s less of a chance that you’ll need to purchase a second battery.
• Runtime: Overall runtime per battery charge is probably the most important metric to consider when evaluating cordless mowers — obviously, corded models will provide the longest. The longer the runtime, the better, especially for larger mowers that will be purchased to use on larger lawns.

How we chose the best electric lawn mowers

After extensive online research from expert sources like Thriving Yard and our own hands-on experience with various brands, we assembled the list of the best electric mowers you can buy.

For models we tested, mowed a half-acre yard multiple times to get a feel for the cutting capabilities, self propel features, deck size, weight, and more. We also used a set of specific criteria to help us evaluate and compare potential options and what to look for. For options we weren’t able to test, we consulted with experts for their recommendations, reviewed owner and operation manuals, and watched online tutorials. We also used our experience with large power tools to help evaluate battery life, runtimes, and power output.

Electric lawn mower FAQs

Are electric or gas lawn mowers better?

We recommend electric lawn mowers over gas-powered lawn mowers because they’re just as effective, don’t require gas or oil, and need much less maintenance. While electric lawn mowers may have a more expensive up-front cost, they will also be cheaper to operate in the long run. Plus, many states and cities are actually banning the sale of gas-powered lawn care equipment due to its impact on the environment.

How long do electric lawn mowers last?

Battery-powered mowers can last up to 10 years, but batteries should be replaced every four years. To keep your batteries lasting as long as possible, try to completely deplete it before recharging.

Corded mowers should also last around 10 years,. While there are no batteries to worry about, make sure the extension cord you use is thick enough to power your mower.

Is it safe to cut wet grass with an electric mower?

Based on our research, you should avoid cutting wet grass with your electric mower for two reasons. First, the moisture can affect the electrical components of the mower and cause serious damage not covered by the warranty. Secondly, using your mower on wet grass is a potential safety hazard and can cause you to slip or fall and potentially injure yourself.

Can you leave an electric lawn mower outside?

Because of the electrical components and batteries, we don’t recommend leaving your mower outdoors when not in use. Instead, keep it in a shed or garage. If you must leave it outside, elevate it off the ground to allow airflow.

Are electric lawn mowers worth it?

We think so, since you won’t need to worry about buying gas or oil to keep your mower running. You should consider the cost of replacing batteries, but electric lawn mowers typically cost less in the long run.