A Fantastic Way to Mow Your Lawn: The Electric Riding Lawnmower

Many people, in the modern world, are looking for ways to be more eco-friendly. One of these is by using an electric riding lawnmower. This type of lawnmower has many advantages over gas-powered models that make it worth considering.
An electric riding lawn mower is a self-propelled lawn mower powered by an electric motor. It can be either corded or battery-powered. While there are other types of riding lawn mowers, the most common type is a gasoline engine driven unit.
Riding lawn mowers are specifically designed to minimize user fatigue and maximize comfort while cutting grass. However, to make them suitable for the job, they need to be high performing.
This is an important aspect you need to consider when choosing a riding lawn mower since this machine will be used on large grounds which makes it operationally demanding. If you are an avid gardener, then you should add this handy machine to your arsenal.
How do you use an electric riding lawn mower?
The electric riding lawn mower is self-propelled and designed to make the job of mowing your lawn easy. The machine can be used on slopes as it is relatively lightweight and its electric motor delivers the torque needed to push the unit uphill. This type of lawn mower also comes with a rear wheel drive. Some units also have an option to engage the blades which is useful for cutting wet grass.
What are the benefits of using an electric riding lawn mower?
The main benefit of using an electric riding lawn mower is the reduction in noise and air pollution since they don’t emit fumes. Another advantage with an electric unit is that there’s no need to mix gasoline and oil. All you need to do is plug it in an outlet or charge the battery when needed. The electric riding lawn mower is great for small yards and flat terrain since it doesn’t require a lot of maintenance.
What are the different types of electric riding lawn mowers?
The two main types of electric riding lawn mowers are corded and battery powered. A corded electric riding lawn mower is connected to an electrical outlet and that limits its range. The unit also needs to be near a socket all the time which can create some issues, especially if you’re not able to plug it in a nearby outlet. Battery-powered units on the other hand are more expensive but they have the advantage of being cordless. They have a longer riding time and can be used in remote areas where there’s no power outlet. However, battery powered units only work for small yards since their batteries take a long time to recharge .
The most important features of an electric riding lawn mower
When choosing an electric riding lawn mower pay attention to the following features: engine size, cutting width and height adjustment range, riding comfort and user friendly control panel. The most popular brands in the United States are Ego and Earthwise . Ego is a cordless unit which makes it stand out from other models on the market. While on the other hand, Earthwise offers corded electric mowers which are also easy to operate and maintain.
How much does an electric riding lawn mower cost
An electric riding lawn mower can cost anywhere from $200 to $500 depending on its features and brand. The more expensive units come with extra features such as larger engines and bigger cutting decks. You can also find some great deals on Amazon.
How do you maintain an electric riding lawn mower?
Maintenance is easy with the electric riding lawn mower as it lasts longer, requires less maintenance and there’s no need to buy gasoline. Since these units don’t have a gas engine the only things you need to worry about are oil changes and blade sharpening .
Advantages of using an electric riding lawn mower.
- It is environmentally friendly.
- No noise pollution.
- No harm to the ozone layer as it does not emit any harmful gases into the atmosphere.
- No need for a messy oil and gasoline mix to deal with.
- Its self propelled electric motor makes operating such a mower quite easy and convenient . It is no hassle at all to push a self propelled machine while riding on it.
- Its design makes for easy storage and transportation . Due to its compact size it can be kept in any available space of your house or garage without taking up too much room. In fact, some of them can even fit inside a car trunk due to their foldable handle.
- It has a great cutting capacity.
- It does not require any maintenance except for its blades which need to be sharpened every once in a while.
- It is quite affordable . You may need to spend around $300 or so but that’s not too expensive for such a great machine.
- It is eco-friendly.
- It does not emit any toxic or harmful gasses into the atmosphere such as carbon monoxide and other gases that are commonly found in gas powered mowers.
- No messy oil and gasoline mix to deal with.
- Straightforward assembly and use . Most models come with a user manual that contains all the information you might need to know about their installation and operation.
- There’s almost no maintenance required for this type of mower as it is durable and lasts longer.
- It uses electric energy which means you don’t have to worry about refueling or adding gasoline after every use. This reduces the hassle of having to deal with gas powered engines which are known to be quite harmful to the environment .
- It is efficient at cutting grass even on larger areas since it can manage a wider cutting path compared to other mowers.
Disadvantages of using an electric riding lawn mower.
- It can only be used in smaller yards due to its small cutting width.
- Due to its compact size it cannot handle large areas effectively . You might want to look for a mower with a wider cutting path if you have bigger yards that need to be covered.
- It has short power cords which limits the area you can cover while mowing. You’ll need to find a nearby electrical outlet or invest in an extension cord that fits the outlet of your riding lawn mower.
- It is usually more expensive compared to other types of motorized lawn mowers such as gas powered models.
- Some users complain about it being quite heavy and difficult to use when turning corners or going up hills.
- It cannot be used in properties that lack a nearby power outlet . You’ll need to use an extension cord if there’s no electrical socket near your lawn area.
How to maintain your new electric riding lawn mower.
- Always make sure you check the oil supply before operating your machine. Since there are no gas fumes released, it may cause damage to your engine if not checked every now and then.
- Keep an eye on its blades since they tend to wear off easily especially during wet seasons or when used to cut through thick grass. You’ll have to sharpen them from time to time using a sharpening tool.
- Replace its spark plug wire every once in a while to avoid any problems and engine trouble later on . It is usually located somewhere near the engine and can be replaced easily without too much hassle.
- Keep your grass catcher clean and empty it after each use so you don’t end up with a messy work area.
Tips on how to buy an electric riding lawn mower
- The best way to find out which is your ideal model is by taking a look at its cutting width. You should always choose the widest lawn tractor if you have bigger yards to cover with an electric mower. Choosing one that’s too narrow might be harmful for your grass as it will leave some spots unseeded which makes it easier for weeds to grow through over time.
- Electric riding mowers can be quite bulky and heavy. It’s advisable to take a look at the shape and weight of your new mower before buying one since some models have been known to have issues when being used on sloped or uneven terrain . You’ll want to avoid this problem so you won’t have any trouble during operation.
- If possible, you should always choose a mower with longer power cords which allow you to do less re-cabling.
- Always check warranties and extras so you can enjoy your machine without having to worry about any costly repairs in the future. Some local retailers offer free service for 90 days or up to one year so it’s worth checking out their deals if you’re in the market for a new electric lawn mower.
Safety tips for operating your new electric riding lawn mower
There are a lot of risks associated with using an electric riding mower in your yard. For starters, most units don’t come with safety features that prevent you from injury while operating it. It’s crucial to understand what you’re getting into before purchasing this type of machine since they aren’t as safe as gas model riders that use seat belts for stability and protective barriers to protect the user from outside elements.
You should always use your new mower on flat terrains if you want to avoid malfunctions as a result of weight distribution issues . If you’re using it on some tough terrain, make sure you check for any signs of damage such as leaks or cracks first. Sharp stones and other hard objects in your yard can damage the machine or its protective features so you should avoid using it when in doubt.
If you want to increase the safety standards of your new riding mower, then get one that’s able to stop immediately . Look for models that have both brakes on the back wheels and a foot pedal that stops the blade from moving forward. This way, you can avoid collisions with trees or other objects that might be in your yard.
Most of the safety features for riding mowers are usually lacking due to price and convenience reasons . However, some models do come with a reverse function that’s helpful on big properties where it’s tough to back up without hitting something. If you can find a model that has this feature then it’s worth the extra money.
Because these machines are so heavy, it’s recommended to have at least one second person around when operating them . Make sure they know all the safety precautions and have some experience with using similar units before letting them use your new mower. You should also check the weight of the machine so they don’t push it around by hand.
Many people think electric lawn mowers are more stable than their gas counterparts but this isn’t always the case . These machines have a lot of areas that can vibrate or shake due to high amounts of torque used on tough terrains. Again, use caution when operating and watch for any signs that something might be wrong with the unit.
Check the weather forecast before getting started with your mower . While it’s okay to use them in rainy conditions, you should never operate these machines on snowy or icy terrains as they’re not designed to work properly in such conditions. You can find a lot of articles online that will tell you how to operate your new mower in the snow but it’s never recommended.
If you decide to buy a used electric riding lawn mower, be sure to check for any signs of damage or rust . Most of these units are heavy so keep this in mind when picking one up. Make sure the engine doesn’t have any leaks and check the tires for cracks or flats. Make sure each wheel has a good grip on the ground – there’s nothing worse than having an uneven lawn.
You should also check to see if your new mower is equipped with a kill switch . The vast majority of models manufactured now come with this feature but it never hurts to double check. The kill switch is usually located on the handlebars and comes in both push button and pull cord forms.
One final thing you should look for when inspecting your new unit is if it has any protective features like cabs, screens, or guards . These might not be high on your list of things to consider but they can help protect you from the mower’s spinning blades and other moving parts.
5 Electric Riding Lawnmower Reviews In 2022
Here, we have picked 5 of the most popular and highly rated units from amazon.com.
Now, without much ado, here are our top picks for this year!
1. Greenworks 40V 20-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower
Easy To assemble and use
The mower comes in a big box with all the parts well packaged to avoid any damage. We were surprised to see how easy it is to assemble this mower even without any manual.
Most of the mower comes already assembled from the factory. All we did was adjust the handlebar to its correct position and flip the lever to lock it in position.
The good thing is that this process is very modular which makes storing it in a compact place very easy. The mower has a push-button start functionality which makes it easy to handle. This makes it very user friendly even for the kids.
Lightweight and comfortable
The one thing that I like about this lawnmower is its lightweight. Due to its lightweight nature, it is quite easy to push and carry around.
The handle grips are also covered with a layer of foam covering which dampens any vibration. This makes it very comfortable to push around the yard and you didn’t get tired even after using it for quite a while.
Mowing performance
Talking about the performance, the mower has two separate cutting blades that rotate in opposite directions. Due to this configuration, the results are excellent and you get a very clean cut. No matter if your grass is thick or high, you can pretty much mow through it without any issue.
You can also insert the mulching plug to get an even fine cut across the deck. There is a 5 step height adjustment level at the top which is very convenient to use. Moreover, the mower comes with a large rear mounted grass catcher bag. It is easily detachable and has mesh sides with hardtop and semi-hard bottom.
Battery
Talking about the battery, you got two 40v lithium-ion batteries and a charger with the mower. Both the batteries have different capacities, one with 2 Ah and another one with 4Ah. But there is no specific slope for any battery in the mower and you can keep anyone in either slot.
Make sure to charge the battery right after unboxing your mower. As the batteries do not come fully charged for the dealer.
Moreover, the charger takes around 1 to 1.5hours to charge the batteries from 0% to 100%. And the good thing is that it provides a huge run time of 1hour 15minutes in one charge. That’s more than enough time to mow an average lawn.
It also has an interesting feature that automatically powers down the blade if the grass is easy to cut. This reduces battery usage by a lot and gives you longer run time.
Pros
- Lightweight, easy to use.
- Cut with ease Great maneuverability
- Great battery life and comes with a battery and charging indicator
- Less loud than an average gas mower.
Cons
- Battery heating problems after intense use.
- Foam padding is quite flimsy
2. BLACK+DECKER Cordless Mower
Easy To assemble
The mower comes well packaged in a big box with all its parts. Most of the parts come assembled except for the handles. From unboxing to full “assembly” it will take about 10 minutes. Even a person with no experience can do it easily without anyone’s help. And the good thing is that you don’t require any tools to do so.
Lightweight and comfortable
The mower has a unique shape of a mini racing car equipped with handlebars. It has a plastic construction that is less durable than metal construction.
But plastic does not mean it’s weak, in fact, it is a good quality plastic that is very sturdy. Due to its plastic construction, the weight of the mower reduces quite a lot, almost half of any gas mower.
As a result, it is very easy to maneuver and push around the lawn. Even people who are old can use it without any issue.
Mowing performance
Talking about the performance, the mower features a 19-inch long blade. The motor of the engine produces some high torque that is perfect for dense overgrowth. It can cut almost any grass excellently and cleanly, equal to the quality of a gas mower. It is also very suitable for cutting towards the edges to get a cleaner look.
Moreover, the mower 3-in-1 grass discharge system. That allows you to mulch, bag, or split the chippings. You also get a sporty looking height adjustment stick. That allows you to set the height to seven different positions. The height ranges between from 1-½ inches to 4 inches.
Battery
Talking about the battery, the mower is powered by an LBX2040 lithium battery. You get two batteries and a charger in the box. Each battery has a nominal voltage of 36V and a capacity of 2Ah.
The runtime of the individual battery is not that impressive. But with two batteries you have decent time to mow the lawn.
However, the charger can only charge one battery at a time. You have to wait for it to charge completely so to replace it with the dead one. Moreover, you cannot charge that battery immediately after the use when it is hot. You have to give it time to cool down and after 4 hours your battery will charge completely.
Pros
- Sturdy
- Cut with ease Great maneuverability
- You get two batteries and a charger in the box.
Cons
- Some parts are cheaply made
3. Greenworks Pro 21-Inch 80V
Quick Features
- Deck size of 21-Inch
- Consist of brushless mother
- The run time of this lawnmower is up to 60 minutes
- This mower comes with a push-button start
- It comes with a single lever height adjustment system
- Consist of smart cut technology
- Has 3-in-1 grass discharge feature
- Very silent to operate
What we like about this lawnmower
Easy To assemble:
The first thing that we liked about this lawnmower is, It’s easy to assemble. Right after unboxing this lawnmower, it took me around 5-7 minutes to assemble it. This is a perfect mower for a small-sized lawn.
The one big upside of this mower is it doesn’t require high maintenance. And since this is a battery-powered lawnmower, it saves you from the hassle of going to a gas station.
Easy to Use:
One of the best things about this mower is that it has push-button start functionality. This is a big advantage for almost everyone. It is both reliable and flexible to use which makes it pleasant to use.
Especially, a person like me who really sucks at starting mowers in one go.
I have to go through multiple failed tries and put a lot of effort into getting these things started. Due to this feature, it is very user friendly and even kids can use it without any issue.
Is It Louder?
Talking about the loudness, the mower is very silent in its operation. It runs very quietly and you don’t have to bother your neighbors while cutting the grass.
If you are someone who used to wear ear protection while mowing grass, you will thoroughly enjoy it.
Lightweight
The mower is quite compact in its size which makes it very lightweight in nature. Due to its less weight, you can easily carry it anywhere you want without much effort.
This was quite surprising for us because it is a battery-powered lawnmower. Honestly speaking, coming from the gas push mower it was quite refreshing to use. But if you’re used to using a low end corded electric model, you probably won’t find it that light.
Mowing performance
Talking about the performance, its blade actually mulches well. It chops the grass very fine. And produces good nourishment for grass. So if mulching is important to you, you cannot go wrong with this mower.
Apart from this, the mower is also quite powerful to mow through thick as well as wet grass. You can easily fill a bag full of grass in only one day after a vacation when the grass has overgrown. But, using it this way drains the battery much faster.
The battery also gets hot after an intense session of mowing. The mower also comes with a grass catcher bag and it is easily detachable. Moreover, it has a unique feature. It automatically senses if the grass is easy to cut or not. If it is, it automatically powers down to efficiently use battery usage.
Battery
Talking about the battery, I have seen many people complaining about the battery. I know it does have some flaws I’ll mention that later.
For now, let’s talk about the positives of the battery. You have to charge the battery right after unboxing your mower. Because GreenWorks sends the battery to you at only 40-50%. So make sure to fully charge it first then go for the mowing.
The great thing about the battery is it has a charging indicator. Which shows how much charge it has. This mower comes with a 4Ah battery. Which is easy to put and take off. This battery can easily last up to 45 minutes on a ½ acre yard. And also this is a fast-charging battery. So you don’t have to wait for hours.
Pros
- Lightweight, easy to use.
- Cut with ease Great maneuverability
- Great battery life and comes with a battery and charging indicator
- Less loud than an average gas mower. (You can listen to
- your earbuds)
Cons
- Battery heating problems after intense use.
- Some parts are cheaply made
4. Worx WR150 Lawnmower
Installation
The Worx android L uses a wired system to mow your lawn. This helps the mower to find its way around and back to its charger. Thus, you need to install these wires around your lawn or any other object to create a perimeter.
It sounds complicated but all the instructions are given in the box and you just need to follow them correctly. The entire process can take you 2 to 4 hours, depending upon the size of your lawn. If you do everything correctly, the mower will do its job flawlessly.
Easy of control
After the proper installation, you do not have to worry about the usage. The mower will automatically start working on the scheduled time and you just have to occasionally supervise it.
You have to download an app to do this, there you have all settings and features that control the mower and the good is that you can access all this anytime if the mower is connected to wi-fi. This really makes it very user friendly and easy to use, even for elderly people.
Mowing Performance
Talking about the performance, the mower uses three offset cutting blades and two brushless wheel motors. It cuts in a 9-inch cutting path with its blade and it does quite incredible work.
The mower also has a mulching feature, that cuts the clipping into tiny pieces. This not only gives a cleaner look but also adds nitrogen to your lawn for your grass.
Moreover, the cutting deck of the mower can range from 1.6 inches to 3.9 inches. It is way higher than other robotic mowers which provide good flexibility. Apart from this, the mower does have some flaws. If your lawn does not have a simple setup, the mower will work as well as on the simple setup.
You will find some uneven patches here and there, and your mower will bother you quite a lot. And by a simple set, we mean a lawn with fences, easy to mark boards, and fewer objects in the middle.
Additional features
The mower features an anti-collision system ( ACS) that helps it to avoid obstacles in its way. If you have a lot of objects in your lawn then this feature might be a great help to you. But one thing you should note that the systems turn it off in low power mode or when it receives return command.
Apart from this, the mower also has a GPS module inbuilt in the body. With this, you can track your mower at all times. This is very helpful if your mower got stolen and you want to track it. Lastly, it also has a rain sensor to avoid any damage as it is not waterproof.
Pros
- Easy-to-use app
- Good cutting performance
- Consist of offset Blades For Close Cutting
- Built-in Security and Safety Features
- Very budget-friendly
- 3-Year Warranty
Cons
- Wheels slip on some grasses
5. EGO Power+ LM2000-S Lawnmower
Very sturdy
At the very first glance, you can tell that it is a good build mower. Everything about it screams quality which is a good sign if you are planning to use extensively. All the parts of the mower are quite sturdy and made up of high-quality plastic.
Due to its strong plastic build, it is also very lightweight. This makes it very easy to maneuver and move around on the sloped area. Apart from this, it is liquid splashes proof and has an official iPX4 rating.
Easy to use
The mower comes with a push-button starter that wakes up the engine almost instantly. And the good thing is that it is quite consistent.
This makes it very easy to use for even kids and elderly people. Apart from this, the mower rolls over the grass very smoothly. And due to lightweight nature, it is quite easy to maneuver as well.
Moreover, The handle grips are also covered with a layer of foam that dampens any vibration. This makes it very comfortable to push around the lawn. You also didn’t get tired even after repeatedly starting and stopping the mover.
Mowing performance
Talking about the performance, the mower is powered by a 600W magnetic motor. The torque produced by this motor is very high, equal to the power of any gas engine in the same category.
If you are not familiar with it, you might accidentally think it’s a gas mower, it is that good.
Moreover, the 20-inch blade does an Incredible job when it comes to cutting the grass. Even when grooming the heavy, tall growth, it delivers a crisp as well as clean cutting. That looks very pristine and flawless due to its constant power delivery. Apart from this, the mower consists of bright LED headlights.
That allows you to work even after sunset or before sunrise. This coupled with its silent operation makes it a deal-breaker for people who live in hot climate areas. Moreover, the mower has five cuttings settings to choose from that range between 1.5 and four inches.
Battery
Talking about the battery, the mower comes with one 54V lithium-ion battery. The battery has a power capacity of 4 Ah that lasts up to 45 minutes. Its runtime is quite average but the real deal is its charger. The mower comes with a rapid charger that refills its juice in just less than 30min. It is quite impressive considering the performance of the mower.
However, if your lawn is quite larger and has thick grass then you can buy an extra battery. That way you get enough time to mow your field. But you have to spend extra to get this luxury.
Pros
- Push button for an easy start.
- High cutting power
- Adjustable 5 step cutting height through a single lever. 3-in-1 discharge functionality.
- Folds for compact storage after use
- Consist of LED headlights for night time
Cons
- Not self-propelled
- The battery has an average runtime