Electric lawn mowers are a modern solution to traditional petrol powered lawn mowers, and these powerful machines are well-suited to working small and medium-sized gardens, keeping your lawn lush and neat.
In our Australian buying guide for 2024, we’re taking a look at the best electric lawn mowers on the market, as well as answering questions on how to choose the right model, maintain it and use your electric lawn mower safely.
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Product | Our Rating | Price | |
---|---|---|---|
1. Ryobi One+ Battery Lawn Mower | |||
2. Bosch ARM 37 Corded Electric Lawn Mower | |||
3. Swift 40V Brushless Cordless Lawn mower | |||
4. Greenworks 16-Inch 40V Battery Powered Lawn Mower |
Why Should You Buy an Electric Lawn Mower?
- Quiet operation – These lawn mowers are significantly quiet when compared to petrol lawn mowers, operating at about 75 decibels, which is approximately the same noise level as a normal conversation.
This protects your hearing and makes this chore a lot more enjoyable for you and your neighbours. - Low maintenance – These machines are almost completely maintenance-free. Aside from cleaning it off after using it and replacing blades as needed, electric lawn mowers are hassle-free.
- Easy operation – There’s no need to buy, store or mix fuels, and you won’t run out of fuel either.
- Lightweight – As they don’t have that heavy motor and fuel tank, electric lawn mowers are smaller and lighter than petrol models. This makes them easy to transport and manoeuvre, making mowing the lawn fast and strain-free.
- Eco-friendly – These mowers emit no fumes or greenhouse gasses, and they don’t use fossil fuels, making them a great choice for homeowners conscious of climate change, pollution and their carbon footprint.
- Affordable – Using electricity is substantially cheaper than fuelling your petrol lawn mower, and you save even more down the line as you don’t need to pay for engine tune-ups/servicing, oil, spark plug and fuel filter replacements either.
Types of Electric Lawn Mower
When you want to buy an electric lawn mower, you’ll have to choose between two types – corded and battery lawn mowers.
Corded electric lawn mowers
These mowers are continuously supplied with electricity via an electric cord that can plug into any outlet in your home. They are usually lighter and more affordable than battery lawn mowers.
You can extend the range of this mower easily for larger gardens by adding on a rated extension cord, but there is the hassle of dragging a cord behind you that can snag on bushes and landscaping.
Battery lawn mower
Also called a cordless lawn mower, battery lawn mowers solve the issue of having to drag a cord behind you, giving you complete freedom and full range when you are mowing.
They tend to be a bit heavier and a bit more expensive because of the batteries, and you will also have to charge and possibly recharge the battery when mowing.
You will also have to replace the batteries every 5 years or so as they lose their ability to hold a charge over time. Here are some tips on how to maintain your lawn mower batteries.
Which is Better – Corded Electric Lawn Mower or Cordless Mower?
Both mowers have their pros and cons, and it’s all about seeing what is right for you and your garden.
Pros of Corded Electric Lawn Mowers
- Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre
- Constant, unlimited power supply
- Lower cost
- Runs at full power all the time
Cons of Corded Electric Lawn Mowers
- Range is limited by cord length
- Cord can get run over to tangled in plants and landscaping
Best Suited To:
The best corded electric lawn mowers are best suited to smaller to medium-sized gardens where the lawn can be covered by the range of the cord (or the cord plus an extension cord), where you have an easily accessible outlet, and where you need more power to cut through tall/thick grass.
Pros of Cordless Lawn Mowers
- Unlimited range
- Increased mobility (don’t have to constantly watch out for a cord)
- Similar experience to using a petrol lawn mower
Cons of Cordless Lawn Mowers
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- Limited operating time depending on the battery capacity
- Heavier due to the weight of the battery
- Higher cost due to the batteries
- Slightly more maintenance (charging the batteries, replacing them after their lifespan has run out
Best Suited To:
The best battery lawn mowers are well-suited to medium-sized gardens or gardens with more complex landscaping where cords can get damaged or tangled.
It’s also a good choice for people who are familiar with petrol lawn mowers and want a similar experience. If you do consider a battery lawn mower, try to get one that offers a spare battery so you can swap out easily while you work.
Remember, the higher the voltage on the battery, the more powerful the mower will be.
How to Maintain Your Electric Mower
Electric lawn mowers don’t need oil, spark plugs, air filters or petrol, but they do need a little maintenance to stay in perfect condition.
- Cleaning – Remove the battery and/or safety key and use a soft, damp cloth to remove any dirt and debris in the undercarriage and blade. Wear protective gloves to prevent injury from the blade or use a blower/air compressor to blow out the debris.
Do not use a pressure washer or lots of water, as this can force moisture into the motor and cause corrosion. - Battery and cord – Check the battery and cord for wear and damage before you use your mower. There should be no exposed wires on your mower cord.
Always store your battery and mower in a dry location to extend the lifespan. With proper care, a battery should last 5 years.
Reviews of the Best Electric Lawn Mowers
1. Ryobi One+ Battery Lawn Mower
Best Battery Lawn Mower in Australia
One of the most affordable yet powerful battery lawn mowers on the market, this model has a practical 40cm cutting width that’s a great choice for small to medium-sized gardens with around 400 square meters of lawn.
It can handle thick grass with ease and produces good quality mulch. One of the best things about this mower is that it is very lightweight at 14kg and easy to use, so anyone can mow the lawn without breaking into a sweat.
Although the battery has a 2 hour charge time, you get two batteries with your mower so you can swap out without waiting, with each battery lasting about 40 minutes. The cutting height adjusts between 20-70mm, and it’s single bar blade allows you to cut right up close to walls and fencing.
2. Bosch ARM 37 Corded Electric Lawn Mower
This corded electric lawn mower is a push lawn mower with a 1400W motor, a 40 litre grass catchment box, and a 10m cord. It has a 37cm cutting width and, with its grass combs, it can cut very precisely along tight borders and flowerbeds.
You can adjust the cutting height easily between 20-70mm. It’s ergonomic and lightweight design (12.5 kgs) make it easy to use without straining your back, and the handles fold away for easy storage too. It comes with a warranty of 2 years.
3. Swift 40V Brushless Cordless Lawn mower
Weighing just 13kgs, this is one of the lightest cordless electric mowers on the market. It has a narrow cutting width of 32cm, making it easy to reach into tight corners.
Using metal blades and a powerful 40 volt battery, this mower is efficient and handles different grass types with ease. You can adjust your cutting height between 5 different options ranging from 20-60mm, making it easy to work on any terrain, even if your lawn is uneven or sloped.
It comes with a battery, charger and 30 litre grass box as well as a 2 year machine warranty and 1 year battery warranty. You can cut up to 250 square meters on a single charge.
4. Greenworks 16-Inch Battery Powered Lawn Mower
A very compact machine from Greenworks, this battery-powered mower is ideal for small to medium-sized lawns and where storage is at a premium.
It has a narrow cutting width of 40cm, allowing you to mow into tighter spaces, and 5 height settings ranging between 30-80mm for cutting on every type of terrain, including uneven or sloping lawns.
It offers rear-bagging and mulching capabilities and can handle all grass types easily. In terms of operating time, the powerful 4Ah battery runs for approximately 45 minutes per charge.
Electric Lawn Mower Top Picks for 2024
Best Electric Lawn Mower - Our Top Pick
The Ryobi One+ Battery Lawn Mower is our best electric lawn mower for 2024 for a number of great reasons. It is exceptionally affordable while still offering great cutting power and useful feature.
It is exceptionally affordable while still offering great cutting power and useful features, including mulching capabilities, an adjustable cutting height of 20-70mm, and the ability to mow right up close to flower beds and fences for a neat finish.
It’s lightweight at just 14kgs, and it can cut up to 400 square meters of lawn in one charge, which is perfect for most gardens.
Impressively, it also comes with 2 batteries, which is fantastic value for money and allows you to double your running time without any hassle, making it one of the best battery lawn mowers around.
Electric Lawn Mower Frequently Asked Questions
Are electric mowers powerful enough?
While they are not as powerful as petrol lawn mowers, both corded and battery lawn mowers have enough power to tackle any lawn with ease, even if the grass is thick and tall.
If you have a more challenging garden and want a cordless model, look for a machine with a higher voltage battery (around 80 volts) to deliver the most cutting power.
Is it cheaper to run a petrol or electric lawn mower?
Electric lawn mowers are cheaper to run, and are less effective against long grass. On standard, well-kept lawns, electric lawn mowers are cheaper to run and operate, as well as having lower maintenance requirements than petrol options.
Are electric mowers powerful enough?
Electric lawn mowers are powerful enough to cut most lawns. For long grass, you can get high-powered electric lawn mowers with short run times that do the job well but slowly. For typical lawns though, electric mowers are more than up to the task.
Are battery mowers any good?
The main problem with battery lawn mowers is their run time, often needing to be charged after 20-30 minutes of use. Corded electric lawn mowers are better for larger gardens, but battery mowers are great for small yards or gardens with smaller lawns.
Is it ok to leave an electric mower outside?
Some electric mowers, and particularly automatic lawn mowers, are designed to be stored outside, but unless it specifically says so in the specifications, it's best to keep any battery-operated or corded electric lawn mowers indoors, either in the shed or a garage when not in use.
Can an electric lawn mower cut thick grass?
Tall thick grass is often too hard for most electric lawn mowers to handle, but some of the battery-powered lawn mowers we’ve tested out have been great for even the toughest of terrains, with self-drive and higher torque than some traditional petrol options.
Are electric lawn mowers hard to push?
Self-driven electric lawn mowers are easy to push and move under their own steam, but old-fashioned electric mowers like Flymo models are really quite hard to push over bumpy ground or uneven surfaces.
What is the life expectancy of a battery powered lawn mower?
Battery operated lawn mowers have a standard warranty of 5 years from most manufacturers, but even the cheapest models from the 1990s are still going strong, so it’s pretty safe to say that corded electric and battery lawn mowers can last for well over twenty or even thirty years if properly maintained.
Do electric lawn mowers need oil?
Electric lawn mowers don’t need oil, petrol, or any of the common maintenance that comes with keeping up a petrol lawn mower. For most gardeners who don’t want to spend days at a time maintaining their petrol mower, electric mowers are a good low-maintenance alternative.
Where should you store an electric lawn mower?
A watertight garage is the best place for an electric lawn mower. If you have a shed, make sure its roof is sealed, and it hasn’t got any holes for rats or other pests to get in. corded electric lawn mowers are particularly at risk against pest damage in sheds, so make sure any storage space is secure.
Is 4 inches too high to cut grass?
A few years ago, the idea of cutting grass to 4 inches would be unthinkable, but most lawn mowers are capable of it, and it’s actually better for your soil, weed prevention, and wildlife. The majority of electric mowers can easily be raised up to accommodate 4-inch long grass.
Why is my electric lawn mower not cutting grass evenly?
Your electric lawn mower will have height adjusters, either on each wheel, or just one mechanism for the entire machine. If you have independent wheel adjusters, make sure they are at the same height as your mower may stop cutting your grass evenly if the wheels aren’t level with the blade.
Are electric lawn mowers reliable?
Yes, they are very reliable – especially when you buy a quality machine and maintain it well. Fortunately, electric mowers require very little maintenance! All you need to do is clean it after using it.
Is it safe to cut wet grass with an electric mower?
Electricity and water are famously bad partners, but the reality is simpler than that: you should never cut wet grass anyway. It’s best not to cut your grass when it is wet, regardless of what type of lawn mower you have.
That’s because you can damage the lawn mower because of the additional strain that cutting through thick, bent over grass puts on the machine. It will also clog up the lawn mower and won’t mulch well.
Mowing wet grass can also damage your lawn, as the soft, slippery soil can cause the mower to sink in and rip out the roots of the grass. An electric mower presents additional risks to you, as you risk electrical shock.
Not yet 100% sure to go for an electric lawn mower? Do some more research by reading our buying guides of different types of mowers below:
Enjoy Having the Best Electric Lawn Mower for Your Garden!
Electric corded and cordless lawn mowers offer so many benefits, from their quiet operation and low maintenance requirements to their affordability, not to mention that they’re really eco-friendly too.
The biggest choice to make is between a corded and cordless model, with corded models offering reliable, constant cutting power while the best battery lawn mowers give you the best range and free movement.
Remember to keep your mower clean and dry, and it will last you a long time. We hope you got all the information you need to buy the best electric lawn mower for your garden!
Published on January 27, 2023 by Gary Clarke
Last Updated on October 7, 2024