After many years as apartment dwellers, where landlords and landscapers are responsible for lawn maintenance, we’re facing the fact that we need to buy a lawn mower. The last time I mowed a lawn, well over ten years ago, it was with a clunky, messy and smelly gas mower. Back then, there were just three mower options: gas, electric or manual. Today there’s a fourth option: battery operated rechargeable mowers.
Rechargeable mowers seem like a great alternative for lawn care. Unlike a gas mower, battery operated models are eco-friendly, easy to start and won’t require a last minute trip to the gas station. While a corded electric mower offers some of the same eco-friendliness, I would always be concerned about mowing over the cord. And while a manual push mower seems great in theory, our yard is way too big for that.
After searching around for a greener grass cutting machine, I stumbled upon a plethora of cordless lawn mowers. While the price of rechargeable mowers is slightly higher than their gas counterparts, the dollar difference should be recouped every time you mow without filling the tank with gasoline.
My only concern about these rechargeable mowers is that I won’t be able to finish the entire yard on one charge. Most of the mowers are capable of cutting up to 1/3 acre on a single charge. From reviews I’ve read, however, that estimate is based on optimal conditions. Apparently, long or wet grass can decrease the cutting capability. To get around this issue, I could see purchasing a second battery to switch out when the first battery gets drained.
- Recharge 20″ Push Mower – 36V Lithium-ion battery, weighs 62 pounds, 45 minute run time, 4 hour battery charge time. Mower: $579. Replacement battery: $160.
- Ryobi Cordless Mower – 40V Lithium-ion battery, weighs 40 pounds, 40 minute run time, battery charges in 90 minutes. Mower: $329. Replacement battery: $129.
- GreenWorks G-Max Mower – 40V Lithium-ion battery, weighs 49 pounds, up to 60 minutes of run time, charges in 1 to 2 hours. Mower: $359. Includes 2 batteries.
- Homelite 20″ Cordless Mower – 24V rechargeable pull-out battery, weighs 99 pounds, 50 minutes run time, 15 hour charge time. Mower: $269. Replacement battery: $99.
- Neuton CE6 Battery-Powered Mower – 36V battery, weighs 69 pounds, 45 – 60 minute run time, 12 hour charge time. Mower: $439. Replacement battery: $129.
- Stihl RMA 370 Mower – 36V battery, weighs 31 pounds, 28 minute run time. Mower: $399. Replacement battery: No information available.
- Black and Decker Self Propelled Cordless Electric Mower – 36V battery, weighs 72 pounds, 1/2 acre cutting capacity, 12 hour charge time. Mower: $349. Replacement battery: $127.
- Toro E-Cycler – 36V battery, weighs 77 pounds, cuts up to 10,000 square feet, recharges overnight. Mower: $369. Replacement battery: Not available.
MORE RECHARGEABLE MOWER INFORMATION FROM AROUND THE WEB
- We Test the Best Battery-Powered Lawnmowers from Popular Mechanics
- 2014 Best Electric Mower Comparisons and Reviews from Top Ten Reviews
- Lawn Mowers: Cordless and Electric from Mother Earth News
— J. Blandings
Images: Credited and linked above.
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