Mowing the lawn is a chore, but it’s one you might actually look forward to with the Ego Power+ Select Cut Mower LM2135SP. A good cordless mower blows away any gas option on convenience, because it doesn’t need fuel, there’s no exhaust, and it requires only minimal maintenance. This particular Ego stands apart from all other cordless mowers with its long run-time, short charge time, polished dual-blade cutting, excellent mulching ability, and user-friendly interface. Cordless mowers are still pricier than gas ones, but because the latest cordless models nearly match the top gas mowers in cut quality and performance, it’s hard to argue that paying more is not worth it.
Our pick
Ego Power+ Select Cut Mower LM2135SP
The self-propelled Ego LM2135SP’s battery runs for an hour and easily mows down overgrown grass—and it spares you the noise, emissions, and maintenance of a typical gas mower.
The Ego Power+ Select Cut Mower LM2135SP is a battery-powered, self-propelled mower that can cut grass for about an hour on a single battery charge. Compared with other cordless models, it has a longer run time than most and a faster charge time. And compared with gas mowers, the LM2135SP feels hassle-free: no trips to the gas station, no checking the oil levels, no spilled fuel, and no emissions. The LM2135SP improves upon previous Ego mowers with a more intuitive speed control and two blades (a feature found only on high-end mowers), ensuring an even cut and efficient mulching. When it’s not in use, the handle can be folded in and the mower can be stored upright. Typically sold for about $700, the LM2135SP is an expensive item; in fact, it’s priced on a par with the premium gas models. But after reviewing mowers for nine years—and seeing the full range of features and abilities of the top gas and cordless models—we are convinced this mower will be the most satisfying.
runner up
Ego Power+ Self Propelled Mower LM2102SP
This mower is not as polished as our main pick, but for a more basic, self-propelled cordless mower, it’s an excellent choice.
buying option
*At the time of publishing, the price was $599.
If our main pick is out of stock or simply not in the budget, we also like the Ego Power+ Self-Propelled Mower LM2102SP. This is our previous pick, and, like our main pick, it has a long run time and a short charge time. However, the LM2102SP lacks our main pick’s more-polished speed control. And though this model’s single blade can easily handle overgrown grass, it leaves a more-ragged cut edge than a dual-blade mower. But this is still a high-achieving cordless mower, and we prefer it over all the others we tested or researched.
So great
Honda HRX217VKA Lawn Mower
This reliable Honda gas mower’s dual blades manicure a lawn with precision, and its unique system can dial in the ratio of grass you’re bagging and mulching.
buying option
*At the time of publishing, the price was $699.
If you’re not ready to go cordless just yet, we recommend the self-propelled Honda HRX217VKA Lawn Mower. In terms of cut quality and the ability to maintain turf health, it’s one of the best self-propelled mowers available, due mostly to a pair of features—a two-blade cutting system that offers golf-course-like results, and a unique way to dial in a precise mulching-to-bagging ratio to compensate for various grass conditions. Combine all of that with this mower’s other strong details, like a large 200 cc engine and rear-wheel drive to help traverse tall grass or hills, and you’re getting enough to justify the steep price.
budget pick
Toro SmartStow Recycler 20340
This dependable, popular Toro performs as well as other decent self-propelled mowers and stands out for its ability to be stored upright (like the Egos), saving valuable garage space.
buying option
*At the time of publishing, the price was $449.
If you want to pay the lowest price possible and still get a quality self-propelled mower, we recommend the Toro SmartStow Recycler 20340. At around $450, the Toro costs less than the Egos and the Honda, and, like other good options at this price level, it offers intuitive self-propulsion and excellent mulching performance. The Toro’s unusual feature—and the reason we recommend it over a lot of similar machines—is its space-saving ability to be stowed upright in a crowded garage or shed (the egos can be stored this way as well). However, with the Toro, you don’t get the Ego’s gas-free convenience or the Honda’s cut quality.
Comments are closed.