The best cordless lawn mowers in 2024

Light and compact compared with traditional petrol models, cordless mowers are simple to use, easy to manoeuvre around the garden, and have none of the maintenance and servicing needs or costs of petrol lawnmowers. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which charges up quickly and won’t lose power in storage, they're also quiet and emission-free.

If you're on the market for a new cordless mower then we've reviewed a selection of models to find the best cordless mowers to buy in 2024. There are a variety of cordless mowers to choose from which suit a variety of price points, garden types and ease of use. Whether it's your first purchase of a lawn mower or you're looking for an upgrade, there's sure to be one for you in our comprehensive list.

If you're still unsure about the type of mower you want, you can compare our cordless mower selection with our reviews of the best lawn mowers, robotic lawn mowers, electric lawn mowers and push mowers.

And if your lawn needs a bit of attention, our experts have tested a range of the best manual and powered aerators and scarifiers. Also, keep edges looking neat with our pick of the best strimmers, the best garden shears and the best lawn edging, and if you're thinking about somewhere to store your new mower, our comprehensive guide to choosing the best garden shed will be helpful.

For your next DIY project, you could also have a look at the best cordless drills and best multi-tools.

The best cordless mowers to buy at a glance

• Best for ease of use 2024: Webb Eco WEV20X2LM43B4X 40V cordless mower
• Best for ease of use 2023: Husqvarna Aspire LC34 P4A
• Best for very small lawns and allotments 2024: Powerbase 20V City mower
• Best for budget 2023: Greenworks GDG24LM33
• Best for small to medium lawns 2022: Yard Force LMG37A
• Best for very small lawns 2022: Gardena Handymower
• Best budget buy for extra features 2022: Powerbase 34cm 40V
• Best budget buy for ease of use 2022: Einhell GE-CM 18/33 Li

Jump to:

• Best Buy cordless mowers
• Previous Best Buy winners
• The best of the rest
• What are the benefits of a cordless lawn mower?
• How to choose the best cordless lawn mower
• What can I expect to pay for a cordless mower?
• How long will the batteries last?
• How we tested

Cordless mowers - Buyer's Guide video

Many thanks to Rosie Yeomans and Sparsholt College for their help in making this video.

In every review we award outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best cordless lawn mowers, below.

Best Buy cordless mowers

Webb Eco WEV20X2LM43B4X 40V cordless mower

RRP: £269.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from Marshalls and FFX

Pros

• Quiet, comfortable, and smooth to handle
• Long run time
• Great for storage
• Spare parts available

Cons

• Battery level not visible when mowing
• No safety plug

Easy to put together, this mower just needs the handle attaching and the 50L fabric grass bag has already been assembled. There’s a choice of three handle heights and it double folds snugly over the mower so it takes up very little space in storage. The two 20V 4Ah batteries have a charge indicator on the end and although there’s no way of seeing this when the mower’s in use, the approximately 60 minute run time means there’s time to finish the cutting of most small to medium lawns. The handle is padded for comfort and this mower is smooth and easy to push, even over longer, bumpier lawns. It cut very well in our test and the six heights of cut, from 25-75mm are easy to adjust with a single lever. At 96db the mower is reasonably quiet and we awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award for ease of use.It also feels durable and sturdy with spare parts readily available from Webb and it comes with a three year warranty.

Husqvarna Aspire LC34-P4A

RRP: £349

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

Available from Husqvarna

Pros:

• Quiet
• Cuts even long grass with ease
• Battery level visible while mowing
• Small and compact for easy storage
• Part of the POWER FOR ALL cordless range

Cons:

• Only four cutting heights
• 95 minutes charge time

Part of the new Husqvarna Aspire cordless range, which includes a hedge trimmer, pruner and leaf blower, this 34cm mower is powered by an 18V POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE battery and charger. These are interchangeable with tools in other leading brands such as Flymo, Gardena and Bosch so if you also invest in tools in these ranges, you’ll only need to buy the bare tool and won’t have different batteries and chargers taking up space in the shed.
Great for small gardens the mower comes ready to go, there’s no assembly or handles to attach, and it folds down to a compact size when you’re finished, with a telescopic handle that folds completely flat over the body of the mower. It can then be stood up against a wall or hung up, and even comes with a handy hook. The 30l grass bag also flattens down to take up very little room and can be hung on the mower. The Aspire is light, with a carry handle so that lifting it up steps or into other areas is easy and it has an adjustable handle to suit different height users. It’s comfortable and easy to manoeuvre around the garden and has just four cutting heights to choose from, ranging from 25-65mm and changed easily with a single lever on the body of the mower. It cuts grass quietly and smoothly and has an automatic boost that increases blade speed when you’re mowing in tougher, longer areas that works well. You can hear it kick in when you push the mower into longer grass and unlike other cordless mowers that can cut out, just carries on cutting the grass. While you mow the battery charge level is always clearly visible so you know how much battery you have left and when it needs charging. It comes with a two year warranty and we awarded it a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy in 2023 for ease of use.

Specs: Battery: charge time - 95 mins; run time - 500sqm. Cutting: width - 34cm; height - 25-65mm. Grass box - 30 litre.

Powerbase 20V City mower

RRP: £119

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from Homebase

Pros

• Small and light to lift and use
• Great for storage
• Pivotal handle easy to manoevre
• Surprisingly powerful for such a small mower cutting long grass well
• Battery level visible when mowing +USB charging option
• Long run time

Cons

• Limited use
• Only 3 cutting heights

Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for very small lawns and allotments this little mower is light, compact and easy to manoeuvre. It's ideal for the regular cutting of small areas of grass or for keeping the paths on your allotment in trim. Minimal assembly's needed, you just screw the handle together and into the body and once the battery is charged it’s ready to go. It has a cutting width of 21.5cm and just three cutting heights, from 30 – 50mm and rather than collecting the clippings, this mower mulches, dropping them back onto the lawn where they break down and fertilise the grass – so you don’t need to spend time emptying a grass bag and your grass gets fed. A pivoting handle helps it get into tight spots really easily and it also copes surprisingly well with bumpy ground and long grass. This is a powerful little mower with an impressive battery run time of 50 minutes. While you’re mowing, the battery charge is clearly displayed on the mower and the battery can not only be charged by the included charger but it has a USB charge point too for ease. It comes with a three year warranty.

Greenworks GDG24LM33

RRP: £219.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Amazon, Currys, Tooled Up, B&Q

Pros:

• Easy to assemble and use
• Comfortable padded handle
• Choice of mulching or collecting clippings
• Interchangeable battery with Greenworks 24V family

Cons:

• Short handle for taller users
• Struggles on long grass

Ideal for smaller gardens this sturdy, great value cordless mower is easy to put together, well thought out and simple to use. Thanks to a padded handle it's comfortable to push, although it did feel a little short for our taller tester, and it's light and easy to manoeuvre around trees and beds and borders. There are five cutting heights to choose from, adjusted with the simple lift of a lever and it offers the choice of collecting clippings in the 30 litre fabric grass bag or inserting the mulching plug and leaving them on the lawn to break down and feed the grass. It mows well but doesn't like very long grass, with the battery cutting out occasionally but its long lasting brushless motor offers a a decent run time of 46 minutes and it charges in two hours. Plus, as part of the Greenworks 24V family, both the battery and charger are interchangeable with all the other tools in the range, saving you money if you invest in more in the future. We awarded it a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best budget cordless mower in 2023.

Specs: Battery: charge time - 120 mins; run time - 46mins. Cutting: width - 33cm; height - 25-70mm. Grass box - 30 litre.

• Buy now from Amazon (£119.99) and Robert Dyas (£149)

Yard Force LMG37A 40v 37cm

RRP: £259.99

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from OnBuy, Amazon

Pros:

• Rear roller
• Double folding handle for easy storage
• Quickest charge time
• Part of the Yardforce GR40 cordless range

Cons:

• Assembly slower than some

This sturdy mower has a 37cm cutting width and useful features including a rear roller for those much desired stripes. Awarded a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy in 2022 for small to medium lawns, clippings are collected in the large 40 litre fabric grass bag. It offers a wide choice of seven cutting heights, from 25-75mm, and is easy to fold away at the end of the day. The 40V battery is quick to charge, taking just 50 minutes and when full it has the capacity to cut a 400m2 lawn.

Specs: Battery: charge time - 50 mins; run time - 400sqm. Cutting: width - 37cm; height - 25-75mm. Grass box - 40 litre.

• Buy now from Amazon (£179)

Read the full Yard Force LMG37A cordless mower review

Gardena Handymower

RRP: £175 (+battery and charger)

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Amazon , Homebase

Pros:

• Small and light to carry and store
• Pivoting handle very easy to manoeuvre
• Easy to check battery charge
• Part of the Power For All Alliance

Cons:

• Battery and charger are purchased separately
• Cuts out if handle pushed too close to the upright position

Gardena Handymower Best Buy review - video

Reviews Editor Kay Maguire explains why the Gardena Handymower was awarded BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy status.

This great little mower was awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2022 for very small lawns. It’s light, compact and easy to manoeuvre around the lawn and is ideal for the regular cutting of small areas of grass. There’s minimal assembly needed, you just screw the handle into the body and once the battery is charged it’s ready to go. There are three cutting heights to choose from and rather than collecting the clippings, this mower mulches, dropping them back onto the lawn where they break down and fertilise the grass – so you don’t need to spend time emptying a grass bag and your grass gets fed. A pivoting handle helps it get into tight spots really easily and it also copes surprisingly well with bumpy ground. While you’re mowing, the battery charge is clearly displayed on the mower. The battery and charger come separately, which does push the price up but this mower is part of the Power for All Alliance, which includes Gardena, Flymo, Husqvarna and Bosch battery powered tools and will save you money if you invest in cordless tools in the future.

Specs: Battery: run time - 20 mins. Cutting: width - 22cm; height - 30-50mm. Grass box - N/A.

• Buy now from Amazon (£159.47) and Tooled-Up (£163.95)

Read the full Garden HandyMower Li-18/22 cordless mower review.

Powerbase 34cm 40V

RRP: £179.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Homebase

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Front and side combs, and rear roller
• Double folding handle for easy storage

Cons:

• Awkward to manoeuvre
• Not part of a battery system

Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2022 for best budget mower for extra features, this mower is well thought out and simple to use. It’s easy to assemble and the handle folds down flat over the body of the mower so it takes up very little room in storage. There’s a choice of five cutting heights, easy to adjust with a single lever and there are several features to ensure a neat, sharp cut, including front and side combs and a rear roller for elegant stripes. The 40V battery takes 120 minutes to fully charge and will cover a 200 m2 lawn. It comes with a three year warranty.

Specs: Battery: charge time - 120 mins; run time - 200sqm. Cutting: width - 34cm; height - 25-75mm. Grass box - 35 litre.

• Buy now from Homebase (£159.20)

Read the full Powerbase 40V cordless lawn mower review

Einhell GE-CM 18/33 Li

RRP: £149.95 (+battery and charger)

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from B&Q, Wickes, Travis Perkins, ManoMano

Pros:

• Light and simple to use
• Choice of handle heights
• Large rear wheel turns easily
• Part of the Einhell Power - X Change battery system

Cons:

• Lacks features and battery and charger purchased separately
• Handle only folds in half for storage

This simple, light, well priced mower was awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2022 for best budget mower for ease of use. It’s simple to assemble, with a choice of handle heights to suit different users, and the handle also folds in half helping it take up less room in storage. It moves smoothly across the lawn and manoeuvres well and offers a choice of five cutting heights that are easily adjusted with a central lever. The 18V battery takes just 75 minutes to charge and has the capacity to cut a lawn 200 m2. The 33cm cutting width mows neatly and efficiently, tackling longer grass with ease.

Specs: Battery: charge time - 75 mins; run time - 200sqm. Cutting: width - 33cm; height - 25-65mm. Grass box - 30 litre.

Read the full Einhell GE-CM 18/33 Li cordless mower review.

• Buy now from Amazon (£149.95), Wickes (£170) and Toolstation (£199.98)

Previous Best Buy winners

We regularly test core gardening tools to ensure we keep up with new introductions and developing technologies. Our previous Best Buy winning cordless mowers, all still deserving our award and available, are listed below:

Worx WG779E

RRP: £199.99

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from B&Q, Homebase, Very

Pros:

• Easy assembly and storage, long warranty
• Turbo and Eco modes
• Robust, light and easy to manoeuvre
• Battery and charger interchangeable with other Worx 20V tools

Cons:

• Long charge time
• One handle height

Awarded a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy in 2020 for small lawns, our testers found this lawnmower easy to assemble and it handily folds away for storage when not in use. There’s a 30 litre ready-made grass bag and six cutting heights to choose from, which are easily changed with a single lever. We were impressed with the amount of features packed in for the price and it comes with a three-year warranty.

Specs: Battery: charge time - 120 mins; run time - 35 mins. Cutting: width - 34cm; height - 20-70mm. Grass box - 30 litre.

• Buy now from Homebase (£249) and Amazon (£249.99)

Read the full Worx WG779E cordless mower review

Stihl RMA 248

RRP: £399

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Just Lawnmowers

Pros:

• Steel deck
• 55-litre grass box with fill level indicator
• Seven cutting heights, from 25-75mm
• Eco-mode
• Handle folds for storage
• Battery level indicator
• Battery compatible with Stihl AK tools

Cons:

• Grass box is a bit fiddly to assemble
• Relatively long charge time (205 minutes)

Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2022 for value, this mower will cut 250 m2 in a single charge, but takes a relatively slow 205 minutes to charge. However, there’s a battery level indicator, which is visible during mowing so you can see how much time you have left, as well as storage for a second battery on the mower itself, although an additional battery will cost an extra £139 from Just Lawnmowers. Well-designed, it has a powder-coated steel deck, which means it’s more durable than the plastic alternatives we tested, and with a 46cm cutting width and seven cutting heights, it cuts the lawn quickly, cleanly and efficiently. Packed with features, this mower has an eco-mode to extend battery life, a generous 55-litre grass box and folding handles for easy storage. It also comes with a five-year warranty. Despite being the second most expensive mower on test, for the features and durability of the deck, we think it represents great value.

Specs: Battery: charge time - 205 mins; run time - 250sqm. Cutting: width - 46cm; height - 25-75mm. Grass box - 55 litre.

• Buy now from Just Lawnmowers (£399, body only)

Read the full Stihl RMA 248 cordless review.

Husqvarna LC 247iX

RRP: £599 (+battery and charger)

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from Sam Turner & Sons

Pros:

• Comes assembled and folds flat for storage
• Battery power level clearly visible on handle
• Cuts well
• App for service needs and run time
• Battery compatible with Husqvarna products

Cons:

• Heavy
• Long charge time

Our expert testers felt this was a well-designed mower with a host of great features. It has a battery level indicator on the handle, plus an Eco mode and it even connects to an app. On the lawn it handles well and cuts efficiently. A one year warranty is included and we awarded this a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy in 2020 for medium sized lawns.

Specs: Battery: charge time - 130 mins; run time - 20 mins. Cutting: width - 47cm; height - 20-75mm. Grass box - 55 litre.

• Buy now from Sam Turner & Sons

Read the full Husqvarna LC 247iX cordless mower review

Makita DLM460PT2

RRP: £608.95

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from FFX

Pros:

• Battery power level on handle
• Fast charge time
• Ten cut heights
• Adjustable handle height
• Robust steel deck

Cons:

• Heavy
• Assembly awkward for the price

The Makita model has a 46cm cutting width, the choice of ten cutting heights and a mulching option. The aluminium deck feels robust and the mower cuts well, with an optional quiet mode. The battery power level is displayed on the handle and it charges in 45 minutes, which was faster than most of the other models we tested. It’s guaranteed for a year and overall we felt this was great value. We judged this model a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy in 2020 for bigger lawns.

Specs: Battery: charge time - 45 mins; run time - 800sqm. Cutting: width - 46cm; height - 20-75mm. Grass box - 60 litre.

• Buy now from FFX (£760.95)

Read the full Makita DLM460PT2 cordless mower review

Ego LM1701E

RRP: £519

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from Amazon

Pros:

• Easy to assemble and folds for storage
• Adjustable handle height for different users
• Sturdy and easy to handle
• Clear visibility of battery power levels
• Battery and charger interchangeable with other Ego Power+ tools
• Wide range of cutting heights

Cons:

• Short run time on battery supplied

Our testers thought this was a well-thought out lawnmower with plenty of great features. It’s simple to assemble and fold away for easy storage. The mower cuts and manoeuvres well and is a pleasure to use. There are seven cutting heights and it has collect, mulch and rear discharge features. Although it charges quickly in 30 minutes, it has a run time of just 20 minutes. A generous five-year warranty is included and we awarded this a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy in 2020 for extra features.

Specs: Battery: charge time - 30 mins; run time - 20 mins. Cutting: width - 42cm; height - 20-80mm. Grass box - 55 litre.

• Buy now from Amazon (£445.60) and mowers-online (£455)

Read the full Ego LM1701E cordless mower review

Worx WG737E cordless mower

RRP: £259.99

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from Homebase and Worx

Pros:

• Height of cut very easy to change
• Cuts to the edge
• Auto cut adjusts to grass length
• Part of the Worx Powershare range

Cons:

• Long charge time
• Feels heavy to turn
• Noisy and vibrates in the hands

Simple and quick to put together, with clear diagrams showing how to attach the handles and grass box, this sturdy cordless mower is also easy to store, with a double folding handle that collapses over the body of the mower. It comes with two 20V batteries and a double charger that are part of the Worx PowerShare range, saving you money if you invest in any of their 20V, 40V 0r 80V tools in the future.
Although it has a long charge time of almost four hours it has a run time of around half an hour depending on what you’re mowing. It’s reasonably light at 15.3kg, with a carry handle to help you lift it into the shed, but it feels quite chunky to manoeuvre and turn and isn’t as smooth as some in our tests. It has a padded handle but it does vibrate in the hand particularly when the mower’s auto cut increases to cut longer grass. But, it cuts well, with a cutting width of 37cm and six heights of cut from 20m – 70m to choose from, each easily adjusted with a single, smooth lever. It also has a mulching plug, so you can opt to either collect the clippings in the generous 40 litre grass bag or leave them to mulch the grass, and has grass combs so it cuts close to the edge of walls, paths and fences.
It’s useful for medium size lawns, 300-550m2, is durable and well made, has a brushless motor and comes with a five year warranty.

The best of the rest

Although some models didn't quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest on test.

Gtech CLM 2.0

• RRP: £599.99, Our rating: 4.5 out of 5
• Buy the Gtech CLM 2.0 from Amazon
• Read the full Gtech CLM 2.0 cordless mower review

Hayter Osprey 46 60V

• RRP: £775, Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
• Buy the Hayter Osprey 46 60V Cordless lawn mower from Mowers Online
  Read the full Hayter Osprey 46 60V review

Cobra MX3440V

• RRP: £232.99
• Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
• Buy the Cobra MX3440V from Just Lawnmowers

Ryobi One+ RLM18X33B40

• RRP: £219.99
• Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
• Buy the Ryobi One+ RLM18X33B40 from Very

Greenworks 48V 36cm

• RRP: £299.99
• Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
• Buy the Greenworks 48V 36cm cordless mower from Amazon and Wickes

Kärcher LMO 18-36 Battery Set

• RRP: £379.99
• Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
• Buy the Karcher LMO 18-36 battery set lawnmower from Kärcher
• Read the full Kärcher LMO 18-36 Battery Set cordless mower review

Mountfield Electress 30 Li Kit

• RRP: £179
• Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
• Buy the Mountfield 30 Li kit cordless mower from Amazon and Mowers Online
• Read the full Mountfield 30 Li Kit cordless mower review

Honda IZY HRG416XB 36V

• RRP: £487.00
• Our rating: 4.3 out of 5
• Buy the Honda IZY-ON 416XB cordless mower from Just Lawnmowers
• Read the full Honda IZY-ON 416XB cordless mower review

What are the benefits of a cordless lawn mower?

There are a variety of benefits to buying a cordless lawn mower in comparison to the more traditional petrol or electric models, including:

• Easy to manoeuvre: Without a cord, these mowers are typically easy to move around the lawn and can get to parts of the garden a cord may not stretch to. Without an engine, they're lightweight and there are a large variety of models to choose from so you can be particular about weight, handle size, and ease of storage.
• Quiet: Powered by lithium-ion batteries, they're much quieter than petrol-engine mowers. It's worth noting that the bigger the mower, the more noise it will likely make, so if you're looking for a very quiet mower keep this in mind.
• No emissions: As they don't use petrol, they don't emit emissions. Being battery powered cordless mowers are also better for the environment as they use electricity rather than fuel.
• Minimal maintenance: Cordless mowers don't need the typical upkeep of petrol mowers. You don't need to refill cordless mowers or worry about engine problems. They are typically easier to start up as well, requiring just a push of a button.

How to choose the best cordless lawn mower

Your budget and the size of your lawn will be pivotal in deciding which brand and model of cordless lawn mower best suits your needs. Think about the following points before you buy:

• Where are you cutting? The type of lawn you’re cutting will dictate the mower features you’ll need. Push mowers require you to provide the momentum, so manoeuvrability is key, particularly if your lawn slopes or you have play equipment, beds and trees to navigate. A mower that cuts to the edge gives a neat finish and saves time with the shears or trimmer later. For a sharp, neat look opt for a low cut height, but if you lack time to mow regularly, a higher cut will tackle longer grass. A rear roller gives neat stripes, while a mulching plug lets you choose between collecting clippings or mulching them. It saves you emptying the collection box but mulching only works if the lawn is cut regularly.
• What’s the battery charge and run time? Lithium-ion batteries vary in size, from 18V to 40V and from 2Ah to 5Ah in our test, and this determines the cutting power and run time on a single charge. Match the run time to the size of your lawn. Most mowers have a recommended maximum lawn size or run time (although this depends on the conditions on the day) and ideally a fully charged battery will last long enough for you to finish the job. Some models use two batteries at the same time so you can mow for longer and most brands also sell batteries separately. Fast charge times allow you to get mowing again quicker.
• Is it easy to use? Most mowers should just need the handles attaching and the grass box assembling, with fabric bags simpler to construct than plastic box-style collectors. Switching between cutting heights should be easy. Some mowers need to be turned over and the entire axle moved, but a single lever simply moved through the range is ideal.
• Is storage space limited? If you don’t have much room, check how far the handle folds down and how easily. Most can be partly unscrewed to fold over the body of the mower; others are designed to unclip and double fold completely flat or can be hung or stood up vertically. Fabric bags also collapse while plastic grass boxes are tricky to take apart. If you need to lift the mower up steps into storage or onto a shelf, check its weight and whether there are carry handles to make this easier.
• What do you get for your money? The quality of materials often relates to the price. Budget models made from lightweight plastic as opposed to higher-end machines with metal decks are unlikely to last long. Brushless motors are powerful, efficient and longer lasting, and buying another mower later rather than one robust model now is bad for your wallet and the environment. Warranty length can vary – some brands require the mower to be registered to get the longest warranty period and some differ between the mower, battery and charger.

Match the battery run time to the size of your lawn. Most mowers have a recommended maximum lawn size or run time (although this depends on the conditions on the day) and ideally a fully charged battery will last long enough for you to finish the job

How long will the batteries last?

How long the battery lasts on a single charge depends on the model, the terrain and mowing conditions on the day and some mowers have an eco or power saving mode to help extend the battery life. A battery can take anywhere from 45 minutes to over two hours to charge although Lithium-ion batteries can be used when partly charged if you're in a rush. Always check the charge time too as these can also vary widely. Many brands have fast chargers, which are usually available separately but can cut the waiting time down considerably and are useful if you need to get back to the job quickly.
Lithium-ion batteries typically last between three and five years (or 500 charges) before they need replacing and always check with the manufacturer if they will take back their batteries for recycling rather than you putting them into landfill.

How we tested cordless lawn mowers

When we test cordless mowers, each is unpacked, assembled, and then used to cut grass over a wide area, and wheeled up slopes and in and out of storage to see how they fared. They are assessed according to the following criteria with equal marks attributed to each:

• Setup and storage. Looked at the ease of assembly and clarity of instructions, the battery charge time and how easy the mower is to store.
• Handling. Focused on comfort and ease of use, handle-height adjustment and how to change the height of cut, weight, noise levels and run time.
• Mowing. Assessed cutting width, the range of cutting heights, collection-bag capacity and features such as cutting to the edge or mulching.
• Value for money. Considered all of the above as well as quality, design, warranty and price, which includes the battery and charger. For example, the Worx WG779E was awarded Best Buy for the range of features it offered at its low price point.

For more information on our testing process see How we Review

This review was last updated in January 2024. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.