5 of Our Favorite Electric Mowers

Forget the mess of filling a gas tank or protecting your ears from loud motors. Today’s electric, rechargeable mowers come with powerful lithium-ion batteries and brushless motors that keep mowers humming with fewer recharges. Plus, using a battery-powered lawn mower improves your green footprint by not emitting air pollution.

Benefits of Rechargeable Mowers

There are two features to look for when shopping for a rechargeable mower: a lithium-ion battery and a brushless motor. The lithium-ion battery recharges quickly and doesn't weigh down a convenient, light mower model. Brushless motors are quiet and efficient.

Electric mowers' efficiency and quieter motor is a win for you, the environment, and your neighbors. Here are the most common benefits of today’s electric mowers:

Lithium-Ion Battery

• Reduced power fade
• Lightweight
• Faster recharge

Brushless Motor

• Quiet
• No cord
• Without brushes to transfer power, drag and friction are eliminated. This converts more electrical power into mechanical power, making the motor 80–90 percent more efficient
• Long life span—no brushes to wear out or replace

Related: How to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade

Electric Lawn Mowers for Your Yard

Depending on the size of your yard and your mobility, you may have specific needs that your mower has to meet. Luckily, there are many battery-powered models on the market that are perfect for every yard.

Best for Big Yards

Electric lawn tractors need to reach a high bar: They have to cover lots of ground and meet the power demands of handling irregular terrain on one charge. This mower makes the cut using three high-efficiency brushless motors, a one-touch control panel, and a fully welded steel frame to mow up to 2 acres in one charge and scale 15-degree slopes.

Buy It: LT42e Battery Tractor, Cub Cadet, $3,999

Best for Your Budget

Tired of a self-propelled mower that runs away from you? Choose a model that automatically adapts to your walking speed. Adjustable telescopic handles allow you to set the height that works best for you and can be folded for compact storage. Simply start the mower with a push of a button.

Buy It: RYOBI 40-Volt 21-Inch Brushless Mower with SmartTrek Self-Propelled Technology, The Home Depot, $369

Best for Beginners

Featuring a highly efficient brushless motor, this mower comes with a push-button start, a steel deck, more power and torque than a gas mower, and a long life span to make cutting quick and easy. Its 3-in-1 discharge design allows you to mulch, rear-bag, or side-discharge clippings. Mows for up to 60 minutes straight. Stores vertically, taking up 70 percent less space in the garage.

Buy It: 60-Volt 21-Inch Self Propelled Brushless Lawn Mower, Greenworks, $399

Best for Efficiency

With a push of a button, this budget-friendly, 20-inch steel deck walk-behind mower runs for up to 40 minutes to mow up to ½ acre. With the interchangeable battery platform, you can pop in a second battery to run even longer. Store vertically to save space in your garage.

Buy It: Kobalt 40-Volt Brushless Lithium Ion 20-Inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower, Amazon, $377.90

Best High-Tech Option

Rather spend more time gardening or playing with the kids than mowing your lawn? This fully automated 20-volt robotic mower does the work for you. It can be programmed through its control panel’s interface or using the Landroid smartphone app.

One of the app’s features is a lawn size calculator. Walk the lawn’s perimeter, and the app calculates its size. Or confine the mower inside a boundary wire that keeps it on track—and out of your flowerbeds. The mower will retract its 7-inch blades and change direction if it encounters an obstacle such as a tree or shrub. It will also shut down automatically if it becomes tilted or lifted. Its innovative electronics allow for mowing on hills and slopes, but it functions the best on flatter terrain.

Buy It: Landroid 20-Volt Robotic Mower, WORX, $999.99

• By Lauren Vespa