Are Electric Lawn Mowers Worth It?

On this page (9 sections)

1. Are electric lawn mowers worth it for your yard?
2. Which of these electric mowers fits your lawn?
3. What do electric mowers make easier?
4. What drawbacks should you plan around?
5. How should you set up and mow with one?
6. What care do electric lawn mowers still need?
7. Do electric mowers cost less to own?
8. When should you choose gas instead?
9. So, are electric lawn mowers worth it for you?

Electric lawn mowers are worth it for regularly maintained small and medium yards when the mower can finish with charge to spare. Easy starts and less engine upkeep are useful gains, but charging and battery replacement belong in the decision.

The 4 cordless options below suit different small-yard needs. Choose around your actual grass area, obstacles, and willingness to push, rather than buying on voltage alone.

Are electric lawn mowers worth it for your yard?

They're a good fit when your lawn and mowing schedule match their limits. Measure the grass you actually cut, excluding the house, driveway, patio, and planting beds.

Next, consider the route: a lawn split between front and back takes longer than one open rectangle. Trees, gates, and frequent turns also reduce how much ground you cover during a charge.

Allow some spare capacity rather than matching your usual mowing time exactly to a maximum runtime claim. Dense growth, extra passes, and bag-emptying stops can stretch the job.

A cordless mower suits someone who can charge between regular cuts. If you often leave grass for long stretches, choose for that heavier workload rather than an ideal weekly cut.

For more detail on battery expectations, see how long a cordless mower battery lasts.

Which of these electric mowers fits your lawn?

Choose the compact models for cramped spaces and the wider Greenworks options for more open grass. All 4 are push mowers with mulching and bagging, so none removes the effort of moving the mower.

Greenworks 24V: for tiny lawns with tight turns

The Greenworks 24V 13-Inch Push Mower suits a small lawn broken up by beds, paths, or corners. Its 18-pound weight makes it worth considering if moving the mower into storage is a concern.

Skip it for broad, open lawns, where the narrow cut adds passes. It's also the wrong battery platform if your goal is sharing packs with Greenworks 40V tools.

Greenworks 40V 17-inch: for regular cuts on open ground

The Greenworks 40V 17-Inch Push Mower fits a homeowner who wants a broader cut without moving to a large mower. Its brushless motor and single-lever adjustment across 6 height positions suit routine lawn care.

Greenworks describes it as suitable for yards up to 1/4 acre. Skip it if finishing requires using the full claimed runtime every time, or if you need powered drive assistance.

WORX WG733.1: for small gardens with borders

The WORX WG733.1 suits a small garden where mowing beside beds and fences takes a large share of the job. Its cut-to-edge design is intended to reduce the trimming left along borders.

It includes a 20V 5.0 Ah PowerShare Pro battery and charger, and WORX claims coverage up to 3,200 square feet per charge. Existing PowerShare users have another reason to consider it.

Skip it for large, open areas or if your preferred grass height exceeds its adjustment range. Closer edge cutting can reduce trimming, but don't expect a mower to reach every fence post or inside corner.

Greenworks 40V 25322: for shared batteries and routine mowing

The Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Push Mower (25322) suits someone building around Greenworks 40V tools. Its included battery and charger provide a starting point for that system.

At 37.5 pounds, it deserves a closer look if you must lift the mower over steps. Skip it if carrying weight or pushing uphill is your main problem.

Its larger coverage claim doesn't establish that it will finish faster than the other models. Compare actual cutting width, lawn conditions, and the work involved in each route.

What do electric mowers make easier?

Electric mowers remove fuel handling and routine engine oil changes. The Greenworks models here also offer push-button starting, which avoids a pull cord.

Battery power removes the need to steer around an extension cord. That helps when your mowing route crosses paths or moves between separate patches of grass.

Electric doesn't mean silent, and hearing protection may still be appropriate under the mower's instructions. Compare noise expectations in our guide to how loud an electric lawn mower is.

What drawbacks should you plan around?

Charging, pushing effort, and coverage limits deserve attention before you buy. A battery mower still needs somewhere dry and suitable to store its battery and charge it according to the manual.

Don't assume the included charger will restore a depleted pack during a short break. If your lawn needs multiple charges, check charging time and compatible spare-battery options before committing.

On slopes, a battery motor powers the blade but doesn't necessarily help move the mower. Our comparison of self-propelled and push mowers explains when drive assistance is worth choosing.

Corded models avoid battery charging but require an accessible outlet and an outdoor extension cord rated for the mower and cord length. Keep the cord behind your route and clear of the blade.

Our comparison of corded and cordless lawn mowers helps with that choice. For the broader battery tradeoffs, read whether battery lawn mowers are any good.

How should you set up and mow with one?

Start with a full charge, a clear lawn, and the correct cutting setup. Before fitting the battery, follow the manual to secure the handle, inspect the blade area, and attach the bag or mulching parts.

Set cutting height with the mower stopped. Choose a height suited to your grass type, then avoid removing more than about 1/3 of the grass blade in one cut.

Mow dry grass when possible, and slow down in dense patches. If the motor struggles, stop and raise the deck rather than repeatedly forcing it through the same heavy growth.

Overlap passes slightly to avoid missed strips. Alternate your mowing direction between cuts where practical, and follow the manual's slope limits and direction guidance.

For thick grass, whether electric lawn mowers are powerful enough is a more useful question than voltage alone.

What care do electric lawn mowers still need?

They need blade, deck, and battery care even without a gas engine. Stop the mower and remove its battery or disconnect its power before clearing clippings or working near the blade.

Clean built-up grass from the deck using the method in the manual. Don't hose down electrical parts unless the manufacturer specifically permits it.

Keep the blade sharp and check for damage after striking an object. A dull blade tears grass and makes the mower work harder.

Let a hot battery cool as directed before charging, and follow its storage instructions during long breaks. Store the mower clean and dry so damp clippings don't sit against its parts.

Do electric mowers cost less to own?

They can reduce running costs, but replacing a working mower doesn't guarantee savings. Compare the complete kit, possible spare batteries, electricity, and eventual replacement packs with what you already own.

Battery sharing helps only when the exact packs and tools are compatible. Greenworks 24V and 40V are separate systems, and a larger Ah number across different voltages isn't a direct runtime comparison.

Don't buy extra packs just because they fit future tools you might want. Start with the capacity your mowing routine needs.

Our electric vs. gas lawn mower comparison covers the wider ownership decision.

Are electric lawn mowers worth it with a narrow cut?

A narrow mower is worth it when easy turning saves more effort than extra passes cost. Measure gate openings and storage access, but distinguish the mower's overall width from its cutting width.

For an open rectangle, favor fewer passes. For small patches around beds, favor a mower you can turn without repeated backing up.

When should you choose gas instead?

Consider gas when a suitable battery setup can't cover your workload conveniently. A large lawn, frequent heavy growth, or several mowing jobs in succession can make charging logistics harder.

A wider or self-propelled electric model may also solve the problem, so compare the actual alternatives. Use our electric vs. gas lawn mower guide to weigh that choice.

So, are electric lawn mowers worth it for you?

Electric lawn mowers are worth it when they simplify your full mowing routine. Pick the Greenworks 24V for tiny, crowded lawns, WORX for small gardens with borders, and a Greenworks 40V option for more open ground or compatible tools.

Choose a wider or self-propelled model if pass count or pushing effort is the real obstacle. Compare the best cordless lawn mowers once you've settled those needs.

If finishing on one charge remains uncertain, check how long a cordless mower battery lasts before choosing your battery setup.

Frequently asked questions

Are electric lawn mowers worth it for a small yard?

Yes, electric lawn mowers are worth it for a small yard when their cutting width and power source suit the space. A compact cordless mower helps around beds and corners, while a corded mower can suit a lawn within safe cord reach; choose enough battery capacity to finish without a charging break.

Do electric lawn mowers save money?

Electric mowers can save on gas and engine oil, but savings depend on the mower and how long you keep it. Count electricity, blade care, and eventual battery replacement, then compare the complete setup with keeping your current mower; a working gas mower may still be the cheaper short-term choice.

Can an electric mower cut thick grass?

An electric mower can cut thick grass if the model suits the job, but dense growth uses more energy and can shorten runtime. Mow when the grass is dry, raise the cutting height within the recommended range, and slow down if the mower struggles rather than forcing it through.

What are the downsides of electric lawn mowers?

Cordless mowers need charged batteries, and replacement packs add to ownership costs. Narrow models require more passes on open lawns, while push models still demand effort on slopes; corded electric mowers avoid charging but require a suitable outdoor extension cord, a reachable outlet, and careful cord management.