Best Self Propelled Electric Mower

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Electric lawn mowers have become a popular, eco-friendly alternative to gas-powered models, offering zero emissions, quieter operation, and less maintenance. Self-propelled versions take it up a notch by powering the wheels, making lawn care easier on you. Available in corded and cordless varieties, cordless models provide more mobility with a limited runtime, while corded ones offer unlimited power but restrict movement. Both eliminate the hassle of gas, oil, and spark plug changes. When picking a self-propelled electric mower, consider battery life, cutting width, height adjustments, and ease of use—especially for larger lawns or yards with obstacles. After testing eight models, we found the best options for different lawn sizes and needs.

  • EGO Power+ Self-Propelled Mower

    10

    We think this mower is a top pick for homeowners who want a powerful, quiet, and eco-friendly option for their lawn care needs.

    10

    We think this mower is a top pick for homeowners who want a powerful, quiet, and eco-friendly option for their lawn care needs.

    Pros

    • Long runtime with two batteries
    • Adjustable self-propel speed
    • Bright LED lights for early/late mowing

    Cons

    • Pricier than gas mowers
    • Heavier than some electric models
    • May struggle with very thick grass

    We tested the EGO Power+ mower on a variety of lawns and were impressed by its performance. The 21-inch cutting deck made quick work of medium-sized yards, and we loved how easy it was to adjust the cutting height with just one hand.

    The self-propel feature is a game-changer. We could set the speed anywhere from a slow walk to a brisk pace, which was great for tackling hills and uneven terrain. The mower felt sturdy and well-built, giving us peace of mind during use.

    Battery life was a pleasant surprise. With two 4.0Ah batteries, we mowed a 1/3 acre lot with juice to spare. The quick charger is a nice touch, getting us back to mowing fast if we did run out of power. We also liked the folding handle for easy storage in tight spots.

  • EGO Power+ 21″ Self-Propelled Mower

    9.7

    We think this powerful electric mower is a top choice for most homeowners looking to ditch gas without sacrificing performance.

    9.7

    We think this powerful electric mower is a top choice for most homeowners looking to ditch gas without sacrificing performance.

    Pros

    • Long 60-minute runtime
    • Quick 60-minute charge time
    • Versatile 3-in-1 functionality

    Cons

    • Premium price point
    • Can be heavy to push uphill
    • Plastic parts may not be as durable

    We recently tested the EGO Power+ 21″ self-propelled mower and came away impressed. The 56V battery packs a punch, giving us about an hour of mowing time on a single charge. That was plenty to tackle our medium-sized suburban lawn.

    The self-propel feature made mowing a breeze, especially on slight inclines. We liked being able to adjust the speed to match our walking pace. The LED headlights were handy for early morning or evening mows when light was low.

    Switching between mulching, bagging, and side discharge was simple. The 21-inch deck made quick work of our yard. We found the fold-flat design great for storage in our crowded garage. While pricey, we think the convenience and power make it worth considering for many homeowners ready to go cordless.

  • Greenworks 60V Self-Propelled Mower

    9.5

    We recommend this powerful and eco-friendly mower for its impressive performance and convenient features.

    9.5

    We recommend this powerful and eco-friendly mower for its impressive performance and convenient features.

    Pros

    • Long battery life
    • Quiet operation
    • Easy to maneuver

    Cons

    • Pricey upfront cost
    • Heavier than some gas mowers
    • May struggle with very thick grass

    We were impressed by the Greenworks 60V Self-Propelled Mower’s power and runtime. It cut through our lawn with ease, matching the performance of gas mowers we’ve used in the past. The two 4.0Ah batteries lasted for about an hour, which was enough to mow our medium-sized yard with charge to spare.

    The self-propelled feature made mowing uphill a breeze. We liked how we could adjust the speed to match our walking pace. The LED headlights came in handy when we mowed in the early evening, letting us see clearly as the sun started to set.

    One thing we really appreciated was how quiet this mower is compared to gas models. We could have a conversation while mowing without shouting. The lack of fumes was also a big plus.

    The mower folds up nicely for storage, which is great for tight spaces. We found the 7 cutting height options gave us plenty of flexibility for different grass types and conditions. The ability to mulch, bag, or side-discharge clippings adds to its versatility.

    While it’s a bit heavy at 65 pounds, the self-propelled feature makes this less of an issue when mowing. The initial cost is higher than some gas mowers, but we think the long-term savings on fuel and maintenance make it worth considering for most homeowners.

  • Greenworks 48V Self-Propelled Mower

    9.4

    We think this mower is a solid choice for most homeowners looking for a quiet, eco-friendly option with good power and run time.

    9.4

    We think this mower is a solid choice for most homeowners looking for a quiet, eco-friendly option with good power and run time.

    Pros

    • Strong 48V power from two 24V batteries
    • Self-propelled with variable speed control
    • Versatile 4-in-1 mowing system

    Cons

    • May need to recharge for larger lawns
    • Heavier than some non-self-propelled models
    • Learning curve for battery management

    We tested this Greenworks mower on a mix of grass types and lengths. The 48V of power from the dual batteries gave us enough oomph to tackle thick grass without bogging down. We liked that we could adjust the speed of the self-propelled drive to match our walking pace.

    The 4-in-1 system let us switch between mulching, bagging, and side discharge. We found the turbo button handy for powering through leaves and extra-thick patches. The mower ran quietly compared to gas models, and we didn’t miss the fumes or need for oil changes.

    Battery life was decent at around 45 minutes, enough for a medium-sized yard. For bigger lawns, we needed to swap batteries or take a break to recharge. The LED headlight came in handy for evening mowing sessions. While there’s a bit of a learning curve coming from gas mowers, we got the hang of it after a few uses.

  • Greenworks 80V Self-Propelled Mower

    9.3

    We recommend this Greenworks mower for its powerful performance and eco-friendly design.

    9.3

    We recommend this Greenworks mower for its powerful performance and eco-friendly design.

    Pros

    • Strong battery life
    • Easy to use and maintain
    • Adjustable cutting height

    Cons

    • Pricier than gas mowers
    • Can struggle with very thick grass
    • Heavier than some other electric models

    We put the Greenworks 80V mower to the test on our own lawns. The battery lasted about 40 minutes, which was enough to tackle a medium-sized yard. We liked how it started up instantly with just a button press – no more yanking on cords!

    The self-propelled feature made mowing hills a breeze. We could adjust the speed to match our walking pace. The mower handled most grass types well, but really thick or wet patches sometimes needed a second pass.

    One thing we loved was how quiet this mower is. We could chat while mowing without shouting. The folding handles made it easy to store in our garage. Clean-up was simple too – just a quick brush-off, no oil changes needed.

  • SKIL PWR CORE 40 Self-Propelled Mower

    9.1

    We think this cordless electric mower is a great choice for homeowners with small to medium yards looking for a quiet, eco-friendly option.

    9.1

    We think this cordless electric mower is a great choice for homeowners with small to medium yards looking for a quiet, eco-friendly option.

    Pros

    • Long battery life for most small yards
    • Easy to store with foldable handle
    • Quiet operation compared to gas mowers

    Cons

    • Self-propel feature can be tricky to adjust
    • May struggle with very thick or wet grass
    • More expensive than some gas models

    We recently tested the SKIL PWR CORE 40 self-propelled mower and were impressed by its performance. The 40V battery lasted long enough to mow our 1/4 acre test yard with power to spare. This should be plenty for most small to medium-sized lawns.

    The mower starts up quickly with a push button, which we found much easier than yanking a pull cord. It’s also way quieter than a gas mower. We could easily chat while mowing without raising our voices.

    We like how the handle folds down for vertical storage. This is great for saving space in a cramped garage or shed. The 7 cutting height settings let us adjust for different grass types and conditions.

    The self-propel feature works, but takes some getting used to. We had to play with the speed dial to find a comfortable pace. The mower sometimes struggled a bit with very thick patches of grass. But for normal lawn conditions, it cut evenly and mulched well.

  • Greenworks 80V Cordless Mower

    9

    We think this Greenworks mower is a top pick for homeowners looking for a powerful, eco-friendly option to keep their lawns tidy.

    9

    We think this Greenworks mower is a top pick for homeowners looking for a powerful, eco-friendly option to keep their lawns tidy.

    Pros

    • Long battery life
    • Powerful brushless motor
    • Easy to use and maintain

    Cons

    • Heavier than some electric mowers
    • Pricey compared to gas models
    • May struggle with very thick grass

    We tried out the Greenworks 80V 21″ Cordless Mower and were impressed by its performance. The brushless motor packs a punch, rivaling gas-powered models in cutting power. We mowed a medium-sized lawn on a single charge, thanks to the two included 2.0Ah batteries.

    The mower is simple to start with a push button, and we liked how quiet it was compared to gas mowers. The 3-in-1 design let us switch between mulching, bagging, and side discharge easily. We found the single-lever height adjustment handy for quickly changing the cutting height.

    While it’s not the lightest mower we’ve used, the self-propelled feature made pushing it around less tiring. We appreciate that it’s part of Greenworks’ 80V system, which means we can use the batteries with other tools. The 30-minute rapid charger is a nice touch, letting us quickly juice up between mowing sessions.

  • EGO Power+ 21″ Self-Propelled Mower

    8.7

    We think this mower is a great choice for homeowners who want a powerful, eco-friendly alternative to gas mowers.

    8.7

    We think this mower is a great choice for homeowners who want a powerful, eco-friendly alternative to gas mowers.

    Pros

    • Impressive cutting power
    • Long battery life
    • Easy-to-use Touch Drive system

    Cons

    • Battery and charger sold separately
    • Heavier than some other electric mowers
    • Pricey compared to basic push mowers

    We tested the EGO Power+ 21″ Self-Propelled Mower and were blown away by its performance. The Touch Drive system lets us control the speed with just our fingertips, making it super easy to mow at our own pace. We love how we can adjust the cutting height from 1.25 to 4 inches with one hand.

    The mower’s power surprised us. It sliced through thick grass as well as any gas mower we’ve used. We mowed a medium-sized lawn on a single charge, and the battery still had juice left. The LED lights came in handy when we finished up as the sun was setting.

    We liked the 3-in-1 function. We tried mulching, bagging, and side discharge, and all worked great. The two-bushel bag held a lot of clippings. When we were done, the mower folded up neatly for storage. While it’s not the cheapest option out there, we think its performance and features make it worth the investment for many homeowners.

  • Greenworks 80V Self-Propelled Mower

    8.7

    We think this mower is a top choice for homeowners wanting a powerful, eco-friendly option to keep their lawns looking great.

    8.7

    We think this mower is a top choice for homeowners wanting a powerful, eco-friendly option to keep their lawns looking great.

    Pros

    • Strong 80V motor tackles tough grass
    • Self-propelled feature makes mowing easier
    • 4-in-1 system offers versatile lawn care

    Cons

    • Heavier than some gas mowers
    • Battery life may not cover larger lawns
    • Higher price point than basic models

    We recently tried out the Greenworks 80V Self-Propelled Mower, and it left us impressed. The 80V motor packs a punch, slicing through thick grass with ease. We found it handled our test lawn as well as many gas mowers we’ve used.

    The self-propelled feature is a game-changer. It took the strain out of mowing, especially on slopes. We liked being able to adjust the speed to match our walking pace. The mower felt sturdy and well-built, with a durable steel deck that should last for years.

    One thing we really enjoyed was how quiet this mower is. We could chat normally while using it, unlike with noisy gas mowers. The LED headlights are a nice touch, letting us finish up as daylight faded. While it’s on the heavy side, the folding handles made storage a breeze. If you’re looking to ditch gas and go green, this Greenworks mower is worth checking out.

  • Wild Badger 40V Cordless Mower

    8.6

    We think this mower is a good choice for small to medium yards needing a lightweight, easy-to-use electric option.

    8.6

    We think this mower is a good choice for small to medium yards needing a lightweight, easy-to-use electric option.

    Pros

    • Lightweight and easy to maneuver
    • Quick folding for compact storage
    • Adjustable cutting heights

    Cons

    • Short 30-minute runtime
    • May struggle with thick or wet grass
    • Single battery included

    We recently tried out the Wild Badger 40V cordless mower, and we were impressed by how light it felt. At just 37.5 pounds, it was a breeze to push around the yard. The self-propelled feature worked well on flat ground, though it did slow down a bit on slopes.

    The 18-inch cutting width was good for our small test lawn. We liked being able to adjust the cutting height from 1.5 to 3.5 inches. This let us tackle both short, neat grass and slightly overgrown areas. The 11-gallon bag filled up fast, but it was easy to empty.

    Battery life was okay but not great. We got about 25 minutes of mowing time before needing a recharge. This was enough for a small yard, but bigger lawns might need a second battery. The mower folded up nicely for storage, which we found very handy in our cramped garage.

Buying Guide

When shopping for a self-propelled electric mower, there are several key factors to consider. We’ve put together this guide to help you find the best option for your needs.

Battery Life

Look for mowers with long-lasting lithium-ion batteries. Runtime is crucial, especially for larger lawns. Aim for at least 45 minutes of cutting time on a single charge.

Cutting Width

The wider the cutting deck, the fewer passes you’ll need to make. Most electric mowers range from 16 to 21 inches wide. Choose based on your lawn size and storage space.

Height Adjustment

Multiple cutting height options let you customize your lawn’s look. We recommend mowers with at least 5 height settings, easily adjustable with a single lever.

Self-Propel Speed

Variable speed control allows you to match the mower’s pace to your walking speed. Look for models with a range of about 1.5 to 3.5 mph.

Weight

Electric mowers are typically lighter than gas models, but weight still matters. Choose one you can comfortably maneuver, especially if you have slopes or obstacles.

Mulching and Bagging

Many electric mowers offer 3-in-1 functionality: mulching, bagging, and side discharge. This versatility is great for different lawn care needs throughout the season.

Noise Level

Electric mowers are quieter than gas models, but noise levels can still vary. Look for decibel ratings below 75 dB for a more peaceful mowing experience.