Anyone have an electric lawnmower? Looking for recommendations

[yg17]

I don't think my old gas powered mower is going to make it through next season, and I figure now might be a good time to find an end of season deal on a new one. My yard is pretty small, so I'm thinking a battery powered electric mower might be a good choice. Cheaper to run, easier to maintain, green, etc.

Does anyone here have one? I have a few questions:

Do they cut as well as a gas lawn mower? I try to not let my grass get too tall, but have been known to get lazy and go a couple weeks between mows.

Is the range generally as good as advertised? It takes me about 30 minutes to mow my yard so that's all the run time I'd need from the batteries. If I can't mow my small yard on one charge then I'll go gas again.

What brand? There are a few...Black and Decker, eGo, GreenWorks, Ryobi, probably some I missed. Not sure what make and model are best. Looking to spend no more than $400 or so, I don't necessarily need the Tesla of electric lawn mowers, but I don't want the Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust of electric lawn mowers either

 

[chown33]

Where is the mower stored in the off season? What temperatures? For how long? Is the battery easily removable so it can be stored indoors?

I suggest pricing the replacement batteries from the manufacturer at the same time you price the mower. If you have to replace the battery after two years, what's the TCO (total cost of ownership)? What's the TCO after 3 years? And so on. How does that compare to a corded electric mower of a similar model?

 

[dukebound85]

Electric mowers do not cut as well in my experience.

 

[Southern Dad]

I paid $200 for Black & Decker MM575. I bought this lawnmower around 5 years ago. It is a corded electric lawnmower. I chose the corded over the battery because they are much lighter and the area that I mow with it is small enough that my hundred foot orange extension cord works perfect with it.

There's no messing with oil, no messing with gas. I've never run the cord over, yet. It mows just as easily as a gas mower. It is quieter than a gas mower, but you won't be able to mow in the middle of the night. Your neighbors will still complain.

 

[Huntn]

I have a small front yard and 2years ago purchased a chorded B&D electric mower, I believe this model and have been quite happy with it especially for the $169 price. A battery mower might be better for a larger yard. I don't know if the batteries are replaceable or what they cost to replace, but there is extra expense associated with them.

It cuts well. I suggest a model with a bag. Sometimes I let me grass get longish, and it does not function well as a mulcher if the grass is real long. And if you do let you grass get long, you are not helping you lawn if you spread weed seeds around. I'm constantly battling weeds. Imo, better to bag them. Of note I throw my cuttings in a planting bed, do not send it off for the landfill.

I use a 100' cord, work my way back and forth parallel to the front of the house moving away from it, so there are no real issues with accidentily running over the cord, but situational awareness is important. I love no gas or oil to mess with.

 

[Southern Dad]

I had hoped that the electric lawnmower was quieter when I purchased it. I dislike heat so I like to cut grass either in the early morning or late evening. Unfortunately, neighbors think this is sleeping time. Go figure.

 

[localoid]

I had hoped that the electric lawnmower was quieter when I purchased it. I dislike heat so I like to cut grass either in the early morning or late evening. Unfortunately, neighbors think this is sleeping time. Go figure.

Did you install headlights on your mower or do you mow by the light of full moon?

 

[Southern Dad]

Did you install headlights on your mower or do you mow by the light of full moon?

I like to mow early but not quite that early. Around 6 AM during the summer would be perfect but alas, neighbors live too close.