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9 Best Self Propelled Electric Lawn Mowers for 2023

An orange and black electric lawn mower in a yard of green grass.

9 Best Self Propelled Electric Lawn Mowers for 2023

No toxic fumes, push-button start and zero small-engine hassles: It’s not hard to see why electric lawn mowers are growing in popularity. And with technological advances creating more and better machines, there’s never been a better selection of options to choose from. 

But if you’re in the market for a self-propelled electric model, your choices narrow drastically. Self propel is still a fairly new feature for electric lawn mowers, and you may have to comb through the details to find out if a specific model actually offers it. 

The good news: We’ve already done the work of sorting through the crowd so you don’t have to!

Today, you’ll learn about 9 of the best self propelled electric lawn mowers with their various features, pros and cons. You’ll also pick up some helpful shopping tips for picking the one that’s right for you. 

Let’s jump in!

RELATED: For mowing those large areas, you might want to look for something a little bigger. We’ve reviewed the best electric zero turn mowers available today. These get the job done fast- without needing a drop of gasoline!

1. EGO Power+ LM2142SP 56-Volt Dual-Port Mower

**Best Overall Self Propelled Electric Lawn Mower

EGO Power+ LM2142SP 56-Volt Dual-Port Mower
  • Product weight: 89.8 pounds
  • Product dimensions: 61.61 inches long, 22.92 inches wide and 46.46 inches tall
  • Voltage: 56V
  • Amp hours: 5AH
  • Variable speed self propel: Yes
  • Cutting deck width: 21 inches
  • Approximate run time: Up to 80 minutes 
  • Folds flat for storage: Yes
  • Warranty: 5-year warranty on mower, 3-year warranty on battery

Regarded by many as the top of the line when it comes to electric lawn mowers, this EGO mower offers exceptional power, smart features and an awesome warranty. 

With 56 volts of power to work with, EGO’s brushless motor easily slices through dense, tall grass or autumn leaves. Choose to mulch your clippings, bag them up for disposal or use the side discharge chute. 

Thanks to a dual battery port, you can get up to 80 minutes of power from a single charge. This should be more than enough time to care for medium and fairly large lawns. And both batteries are included with your mower purchase. 

You have six cutting heights to choose from, ranging from as short as 1.5 inches to 4 inches.

A cutting deck height lever is pretty standard among electric push mowers, but we really like EGO’s lever construction here. With a chunky, elongated shape with a rubberized surface, it’s easy to get a firm grip on the lever and quickly make the necessary adjustments. 

The self propel feature has a variable speed setting, with the lowest at 0.9 MPH ranging up to a maximum of 3.1 MPH. 

A set of bright LED headlights is another clever addition. This feature can come in handy if you need to do your lawn care in the early morning or late evening. And with the whisper-quiet motor, you don’t have to worry about bothering your neighbors with off-hours noise. 

If you’d like to get a look at the EGO mower in action, this video from WorkshopAddict does a nice deomnstration:

Considering the number of features, the warranty and performance, it’s not too much of a surprise that this mower is near the top of the price scale. However, you should be looking at several years of service.

**Side Note: You can’t go wrong with Acme Tools. They’ll impress you with their customer service! All Seeds and Spades reader can use code Spades10 at checkout to get $10 off your bill after using our Acme links on this blog post.

PROS

  • Powerful but quiet motor
  • Dual battery port for long run time
  • Compatible with any EGO Arc Lithium batteries
  • LED headlights

CONS

  • Expensive

2. Toro Recycler 22-Inch SmartStow Electric Lawn Mower

**Best Self Propelled Electric Mower for Mulching

Toro Recycler 22-Inch SmartStow Electric Lawn Mower
  • Product weight: 95 pounds
  • Product dimensions: 60 inches long, 23 inches wide and 44 inches tall
  • Voltage: 60V
  • Amp hours: 6AH
  • Variable speed self propel: Yes
  • Cutting deck width: 22 inches
  • Approximate run time: Up to 45 minutes
  • Folds flat for storage: Yes
  • Warranty: 2-year warranty on mower, 3-year warranty on battery

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better, more effective (and cheaper!) fertilizer for your lawn than fresh grass clippings. But clumpy chunks of clippings can make your yard look messy, and it can also take a long time for larger clippings to break down and integrate into the soil.

Toro solved the problem with their innovative Recycler line of lawn mowers, and this is the premium 22-inch electric version. Thanks to a Vortex air system that produces airflow at turbo speed within the cutting deck, each cut grass blade gets chopped ultra-fine and spread evenly across your yard’s surface. This allows you to automatically feed your lawn each and every time you mow!

But if you prefer to bag or discharge your clippings, that’s easy too. The discharge chute connects to the rear of the cutting deck, and a quick-connect bag snaps easily into place.

Besides the recycling capability, this mower is packed with other helpful features and thoughtful construction. The battery is interchangeable with other Toro 60V tools, which is nice if you’re already a Toro fan. You can cut up to 1/3 of an acre per battery charge, and you should be able to cover that amount of ground in about 40 minutes or so.

One really clever feature is Toro’s Personal Pace Autodrive, which is an upgrade on the traditional self-propel. The mower automatically adjusts to your walking speed, eliminating the need for a speed setting lever.

The large wheels have a deep tread pattern that help boost traction in tough areas, and the steel deck is a nice addition for extra durability.

One thing to point out: Your yard conditions can pretty significantly impact the battery life on this mower. If you’re looking at tall, thick grass, you may only get about 30 minutes of run time. So you may need to re-charge midway through your mowing.

PROS

  • Outstanding mulching capability
  • Self propel automatically adjusts
  • Battery is compatible with Toro 60V platform
  • Large wheels and steel deck

CONS

  • Short run time

3. Milwaukee M-18 2823-22HD Battery Lawn Mower

**Most Powerful Self Propelled Electric Mower

Milwaukee M-18 2823-22HD Battery Lawn Mower
  • Product weight: 80.6 pounds
  • Product dimensions: 64 inches long, 22 inches wide and 42 inches tall
  • Voltage: 36V
  • Amp hours: 12AH
  • Variable speed self propel: Yes
  • Cutting deck width: 21 inches
  • Approximate run time: Up to 60 minutes
  • Folds flat for storage: Yes
  • Warranty: 3-year limited warranty

For those looking for the power of a gas engine with the convenience of electric, this beast of a mower fills the bill. Milwaukee built this mower with professional-grade components and added a dual 12AH battery port that delivers power that’s roughly equal to a 200cc gas engine. For added durability, the mower deck is made from sturdy 15-gauge steel.

One interesting feature is the High Lift Mode, which increases blade rotation speed and therefore the negative pressure that lifts grass blades upright. This enables you to get a precise, clean cut over your yard surface, with no straggler grass blades left behind.

Milwaukee places LED headlights at the front and sides of the blade deck, giving you enough light to mow safely even if you’re working into the evening hours.

You have three options for dealign with your grass clippings:

  1. Standard side discharge
  2. Mulching
  3. Bagging

What’s nice about this mower is that Milwaukee included the bag and mulch plug with your mower, so there are no extra accessories that require and additional purchase.

You can expect your Milwaukee mower to run for about 60 per charge. However, depending on the modes you use and your yard’s condition, that timeframe could vary up or down. Battery charing time is typically somewhere in the 2-hour range, so you could get back to work later in the day if need be.

One downside to point out is the price- this is the most expensive model on our list today. However, if you’re looking for maximum power in an electric self propelled mower, this one is hard to beat.

PROS

  • Incredible power
  • High Lift Mode for a flawless finish
  • Capable of side discharge, mulching and bagging
  • LED headlights on front and sides
  • Compatible with the M-18 Milwaukee battery platform

CONS

  • High cost

4. RYOBI 40-Volt 6.0 Ah Lawn Mower

**Best Self Propelled Electric Mower for Small Yards

RYOBI 40-Volt 6.0 Ah Lawn Mower
  • Product weight: 60 pounds
  • Product dimensions: 62.5 inches long, 21.5 inches wide and 39 inches tall
  • Voltage: 40V
  • Amp hours: 6AH
  • Variable speed self propel: Yes
  • Cutting deck width: 20 inches
  • Approximate run time: Up to 42 minutes
  • Folds flat for storage: Yes
  • Warranty: 5-year warranty on mower, 3-year warranty on battery

RYOBI is a trusted name in the world of power tools, whether it be for indoor shop work or outdoor landscaping jobs.

One really nice feature is that your mower’s battery is compatible with over 40 other RYOBI 40V tools. This includes lawn care products like chain saws, leaf blowers and more. If you’re a RYOBI enthusiast, you could use a single battery to power your entire tool arsenal!

Even though 40V isn’t as much power as some of the other models we’ve looked at, it should still be sufficient for small lots that are fairly level. And weighing in at 60 pounds, this mower is light and easy to maneuver. 

One nice touch that RYOBI added is a telescoping handlebar. This is a feature you don’t see too often on a lawn mower, and it can spare you from having to hunch over or reach while you’re busy at work.

This mower also offers 7 height settings for your cutting deck. Mulch up your clippings as you go, or bag them up for disposal. This mower has the capability to side discharge as well, but the chute is an additional purchase. 

One concern: The potential weak spot on this model is the battery.  Under ideal conditions, you’ll get 42 minutes of run time, which is lower than many other models. And some owners report battery life that’s less than that, especially on hilly terrain.

In short, this mower is ideal for small, flat yards that get regular maintenance. If that’s not your situation, you’ll probably want to look at another option. 

PROS

  • Perfect for smaller spaces
  • Lightweight and handles easily
  • Telescoping handlebar
  • Battery is interchangeable with other RYOBI 40V tools

CONS

  • Short battery life

5. KT Kobalt 80-Volt Max Electric Lawn Mower

**Best Self Propelled Electric Mower for Tough Conditions

KT Kobalt 80-Volt Max Electric Lawn Mower
  • Product weight: 76 pounds
  • Product dimensions: Not stated 
  • Voltage: 80V
  • Amp hours: 6AH
  • Variable speed self propel: Yes
  • Cutting deck width: 21 inches
  • Approximate run time: Up to 80 minutes
  • Folds flat for storage: Yes
  • Warranty: 5-year limited warranty

Do you have a good-sized yard or need a little extra power for tougher mowing conditions? This high-performance option from Kobalt might be your answer!

Boasting 80 volts of power and a brushless motor for maximum efficiency, you can work for up to 80 minutes per charge. With that kind of run time, you should be able to finish even a sizable lot without stopping for a recharge. 

Thanks to the strong motor, you shouldn’t have any trouble mowing through overgrown areas or dense grass during the summer. And when it’s time for a fall clean-up, attach the included nylon bag and gather up your leaves the easy way. 

What’s more, this mower uses just one battery. It’s pretty remarkable that you still get a lot of power and a long run time from a single battery port!

Kobalt built this mower with adaptive sensors that auto-adjust the cutting blade speed. This helps preserve battery life and makes for an even cut over both dense and sparse areas. 

The only downside to adaptive blade speed is that it has a tendency to kick in a little too late. For example, high speed may not engage immediately when you hit a patch of dense grass, resulting in the need for a second pass. 

PROS

  • Top-notch power for heavy-duty conditions
  • Long runtime per charge
  • Runs on a single battery
  • Adaptive blade speed sensors

CONS

  • Adaptive sensors can have a bit of a delay

RELATED: Electric leaf blower are another handy tool- especially if they’re also budget-friendly. Visit our post on affordable battery-powered leaf blowers to see for yourself!

6. Greenworks M-210-SP 40V Mower

**Best Budget Self Propelled Electric Mower

Greenworks M-210-SP 40V Mower
  • Product weight: 69.9 pounds
  • Product dimensions: 62.25 inches long, 21.5 inches wide and 42.25 inches tall
  • Voltage: 40V
  • Amp hours: 6AH
  • Variable speed self propel: Yes
  • Cutting deck width: 21 inches
  • Approximate run time: Up to 45 minutes
  • Folds flat for storage: Yes
  • Warranty: 4-year warranty on the mower, 2-year warranty on battery/charger

While self propelled electric lawn mowers can easily get expensive, you don’t have to drop a huge amount of cash to get a good, basic model. And this one from Greenworks is a perfect example.

Greenworks made the cutting deck from alloy steel. This makes the mower lightweight and easy to maneuver around your yard while still being able to stand up standard bumps and jolts.

The self propel rear-wheel drive system offers 3 speed settings, so you can tailor it to your yard’s conditions and your comfort.

Dual battery ports allow you to extend your working time if you’ve got a large area to cover. Greenworks includes one battery and charger with your mower, and this battery is interchangeable with Greenworks 40V battery platform. Additional 40V 6AH batteries are also available for purchase on Amazon.

One thing to point out is that the battery life can be significantly impacted by your grass conditions and how much you engage the self propel. And the battery recharging time is somewhat lengthy- it takes about 3 hours to charge a drained battery with the included standard charger.

For small yards and light, routine maintenance, this probably won’t be an issue. But if your yard is over 1/4 to 1/3 of an acre, purchasing an extra battery is a wise investment.

PROS

  • Attractive price point
  • Lightweight and easy to maneuver
  • Dual battery ports for longer run time
  • Adjustable self propel speed settings

CONS

  • Battery life greatly affected by tall, dense grass
  • Battery takes a long to recharge

7. Echo eFORCE DLM-2100SP Lawn Mower

**Best Budget Self Propelled Mower Runner-Up

Echo eFORCE DLM-2100SP Lawn Mower
  • Product weight: 69.56 pounds
  • Product dimensions: 57.24 inches long, 22.19 inches wide and 45.15 inches tall
  • Voltage: 56V
  • Amp hours: 5AH
  • Variable speed self propel: No
  • Cutting deck width: 21 inches
  • Approximate run time: Up to 70 minutes
  • Folds flat for storage: Yes
  • Warranty: 5-year limited warranty

Echo has gained a reputation for high-quality tools at affordable prices. So we’re excited to see Echo add a mower to their tool line-up!

And not only does this mower have bragging rights in coming from a good brand, Echo also priced it at a very reasonable point.

One thing that’s really cool about this mower is the battery power system. Echo built in a second battery port, and when you have an additional battery installed, the mower automatically switches over when the first battery is drained. If you’ve got a large area to cover, this double battery life capability can be a huge timesaver.

Charging time is just shy of 2 hours with the included standard charger. If you purchase or already own an Echo turbo charger, your can reduce your downtime by 50%, which is about 75 minutes.

Echo includes one battery with your purchase the mower, and the battery is fully compatible with all other Echo 56V eFORCE battery tools. You can also buy a second battery from Acme Tools.

With a steel cutting deck and large 10-inch rear tires, your mower should be able to handle standard lawn obstacles with a minimum of effort on your part.

Whether you prefer to deal with your grass clippings through side-discharge, mulching or bagging, you’ve got all the components you need included with your mower purchase. If your lawn-mowing task runs into the evening hours, LED headlights provide you with plenty of light to get the job done safely.

To say it again, this mower looks like a quality piece from a quality brand. However, it’s only been on the market a fairly short time as of publishing this article, so we can’t list it as our first Best Budget pick until it’s proven itself over time.

PROS

  • Low price point
  • Dual battery ports and automatic power switch
  • Discharge, mulching and bagging options included
  • Sturdy construction

CONS

  • Limited time on the market

8. Powerworks MO60L512PW 60V Mower

Powerworks MO60L512PW 60V Mower
  • Product weight: 84 pounds
  • Product dimensions: 59 inches long, 22.05 inches wide and 39.37 inches tall
  • Voltage: 60V
  • Amp hours: 5AH
  • Variable speed self propel: Yes
  • Cutting deck width: 21 inches
  • Approximate run time: Up to 45 minutes
  • Folds flat for storage: Yes
  • Warranty: 4-year warranty on frame, 2-year warranty on battery

This mower from Powerworks has several convenient features and mid-range amount of power to offer at an attractive price point.

The brushless motor runs on 60V of power and has a 5 amp hour lifespan. According to Powerworks, this should translate to about 45 minutes of runtime per charge, leaving you plenty of time to tackle a small yard in one go. 

However, some owners report a battery life that’s closer to 30 minutes, and in some cases less than that. Keep in mind that tall grass or dense grass can be a battery-drainer, so you may need to maintain a frequent mowing routine. 

One annoying aspect of rechargeable batteries is that they’re an expensive item that only works for a specific tool. Not the case here! This battery is compatible with any other 60V Powerworks or Snapper tools. 

A 21-inch cutting deck is on the large end of standard when it comes to cutting widths, so you should be able to make good time on your mowing task. When it comes to dealing with your clippings, you can either use the mulch setting, use the rear collection bag or the side discharge chute. 

A 7-setting deck adjustment lever lets you select just the right cutting height for the task at hand. And the handlebar folds completely forward over the cutting deck, allowing you to store your mower vertically or hang it on the wall.  

PROS

  • Powerful motor easily slices through dense grass
  • Folds down for compact storage
  • The battery is compatible with other devices
  • Option to side discharge, mulch or bag grass clippings

CONS

  • Battery life can be short

9. Snapper HD 48V MAX Lawn Mower

Snapper HD 48V MAX Lawn Mower
  • Product weight: 65.5 pounds
  • Product dimensions: 59 inches long, 21 inches wide and 42 inches tall
  • Voltage: 48V
  • Amp hours: 5AH
  • Variable speed self propel: Yes
  • Cutting deck width: 20 inches
  • Approximate run time: Up to 60 minutes
  • Folds flat for storage: Yes
  • Warranty: 3-year warranty on the tool itself (not the battery or charger)

Snapper is the power tools line from Briggs and Stratton, so you know you’re getting a product from a well-established company here!

The 48V brushless motor delivers as much as 60 minutes of run time, which is pretty impressive considering that it uses a single battery. However, the max run time is based on light duty, so expect to recharge a little sooner if you have tall or dense grass to contend with. 

Snapper achieves this long run time through adaptive technology that auto-senses the current terrain. For instance, if you start out mowing a dense area of your lawn and then move to a sparser patch, the motor senses the change and sends less power to the blade rotors. 

Seven cutting height settings give you plenty of options to choose from, and the adjustment handle is conveniently placed just above the rear wheel. 

As for comfort, the handlebar has a generous amount of padding to reduce any bumps or jolts. And the ultra-quiet motor will have your ears thanking you.

One area of concern is that some owners have reported that replacement parts for this mower can be hard to track down. The side discharge chute and mower blades seem to be the most common trouble points.

The good news is that most reviewers don’t seem to have a problem with broken parts. But forewarned is forearmed. 

PROS

  • Quiet motor powers through grass and leaves
  • Adaptive sensor conserves battery life
  • Comfortable handlebar

CONS

  • Finding replacement parts can be a challenge

Shopping for the Best Self Propelled Electric Lawn Mower

Now that you have a better idea of your best self propelled electric mower options, it’s time to figure out which one is right for your needs. 

Most models have several basic features in common:

  • Variable speed self propel
  • Multiple deck height settings
  • Comparable cutting widths
  • Fold-flat storage
  • Mulch/bag/side-discharge options

The primary differences come down to battery voltage and total runtime

In this section, we’ll take a closer look at these two factors, what they mean and how you can determine your needs. 

How Much Power Do You Need?

Your mower’s overall power depends on how many volts of electricity your battery can generate and how the motor regulates that electrical current.

It’s tempting to assume that higher-voltage models are inherently better and you should purchase as much voltage as you can afford. But that’s not necessarily true. 

The real measure of how much power you need is in the characteristics of your lawn:

Are there any slopes or hills? Low-voltage models may struggle to cut grass on inclines evenly, resulting in the need for a second pass.

And climbing a steeper slope may demand more power than a low-voltage battery can produce, leaving you with a dead mower halfway up a hill. 

Is your grass sparse, dense or a combination of the two in different areas? Dense grass creates more resistance against the mower blades and requires more force to cut.

Less-powerful mowers may lack the torque to make a clean, efficient cut. This can result in you having to pass over the area a second time.

Or again, if it’s a very large dense patch, it could overtax your battery and stop the motor in its tracks.

How often do you plan to mow? In much the same way that dense grass presents a challenge for your mower, tall grass can also cause bog your machine down. 

If you prefer to let your lawn get a little extra length between infrequent mowing, a lower-voltage model will likely struggle to stay alive or make a clean cut. 

In short, low-voltage mowers typically have between 20V and 70V of power. They should be perfectly sufficient for small lots that don’t have a lot of challenging conditions like the ones we just outlined. 

On the other hand, if you have a couple of these characteristics to deal with, springing for 70+ volts will likely save you some time and frustration.

How Much Battery Life Do You Need?

It goes without saying that larger lots require more time to mow, and you probably want to cover as much ground as possible in one go. 

Lots that are flat and small (think 1/4 acre or less) have the best chance of getting the job done on a single battery. If your area is 1/3 acre or larger, a mower with dual battery ports (and thus double the run time) is a good idea.

Even though the size of your mowing area is the primary factor here, mowing conditions also play a part.

Even a powerful battery won’t reach its max run time under difficult conditions. Like we mentioned above, tall or dense grass and hills all demand greater power from your battery, shortening your overall run time. 

What is a Brushless Motor?

You may have noticed that all the mowers we looked at here have a brushless motor. If you’re already familiar with the term, feel free to skip this part. But if you want a little more explanation, here it is!

The mechanical and electrical details are pretty involved, so we’ll be taking a very high-level approach to this question here. If you’d like to get a deeper look at exactly how brushless motors work, this article from Renesas is an excellent resource.

Traditional brushed motors use a commutator, coils, rotors and other components to harness and deliver electrical currents through an electrical pathway, called a brush. This motor design works well and is still in frequent use.

However, brushless motors bypass the commutator and the entire brush set-up to deliver the electrical current through a direct route. This design utilizes fewer elements and significantly increases the motor’s overall efficiency. 

What this means for you is that your brushless motor will deliver:

  • Increased amount of torque for the motor size
  • Better battery life
  • Less risk of motor parts wearing out or breaking
  • Quieter operation

Final Thoughts

When it comes to choosing the best self-propelled electric lawn mower, you have plenty of great options to pick from.

So leave the fumes, gasoline and small-engines hassles behind, and get your lawn taken care of in self-propelled, electric style!

What do you think? Are there any other self-propelled electric mowers you’d add to the list?

Let us know in the comments!