Battery-powered lawn mowers have many benefits. They're quieter, more environmentally friendly, and don't smell like their gas-powered equivalents. However, they do require some care so, to help manage your expectations, I've consulted some experts about how long a lawn mower battery should last.
Owning one of the best cordless lawn mowers has proved popular this year. With more and more brands running battery-powered yard care tools, it's no wonder that we have questions that we want answers to.
To help further, I've shared some top tips on improving battery run time and things to avoid that will drain the lawn mower battery.
How long does a lawn mower battery last?
It seems like the lifetime of a lawn mower battery can vary on a case-by-case basis. I've found that battery-powered robots and riding lawnmowers have the upper hand on battery run time over push lawnmowers.
Robot lawn mowers are tuned in to return to base whenever they need to recharge or finish mowing the lawn, whereas riding lawn mowers command a much larger battery (or more batteries) to get it moving. And then there are the push lawn mowers, which typically only have the space for one battery, and you'll need to manually get involved with charging the batteries using electricity.
Alex Temblador tried out the Mammotion Luba AWD 5000 (robot lawn mower), which has one of the best battery runtimes I have seen: three hours. It's said to be capable of mowing 1.25 acres, but due to charging issues with the RTK station, we can not vouch for this. Still, the spec is impressive. Alex also tried out the EGO TR4204 Power+ 42in T6 Lawn Tractor, which has six EGO Power 56V Arc Lithium batteries to give it enough juice to mow up to 1.5 acres. Comparably, the EGO Power+ LM2135SP 21-inch Select Cut Lawn Mower (powered by the same battery as the lawn tractor) has just one battery, which I found achieved an 800sqm cut on a single charge during testing. This is equivalent to a runtime of up to one hour.
The DeWALT 60V MAX Brushless Push Mower is powered by a DeWALT battery. The brand promises a run time of 80 minutes. Our reviewer, Jason Cockerham, mowed a 631sqm lawn on a single charge, and there was no sign of it running out of charge.
Gene Caballero backs my findings and says, "Typically, a lawn mower battery lasts between 30 to 60 minutes on a single charge, which can vary based on the model and battery capacity." Yet I caught up with another expert, Ben McInerney, who shared that you can typically expect 1-2 hours of runtime from a fully charged battery, but that's just scratching the surface.
Gene Caballero, born in Lima, Peru, is a distinguished entrepreneur and co-founder of GreenPal. For the majority of his life, Gene has lived in Nashville, Tennessee. With a strong background in various corporate roles, he eventually found his calling in the thriving world of startups.
In addition to his work with GreenPal, Gene is a sought-after speaker and industry thought leader. He frequently speaks at conferences and events on entrepreneurship, technology, and landscaping.
There's a debate to be had here, but they will vary greatly with so many battery-powered lawnmowers available to buy, which are all different shapes, sizes, and flavors. I'd say, though, that a lawn mower battery should last for one hour on average, providing that it is cared for and maintained correctly.
Without a fully operational lawn mower battery, you could be without a lawn mower. While lawn mower battery replacements can be bought directly from the brand or from reseller sites such as Amazon, it's always better to protect your investment and appreciate what they are capable of.
What can drain a lawn mower battery?
Knowing the answer to this could help your lawn mower last longer. There are some obvious things, such as keeping a key-operated lawn mower powered on when not in use and not charging it correctly, but what the experts shared has certainly opened my eyes to what could also cause a flat battery.
Caballero says that "the main factors that drain a battery quicker include mowing thicker grass or an overgrown yard, as these require more power and effort from the mower." McInerney adds that infrequent use, overcharging, temperature extremes, and the age of the battery are all silent battery killers.
Ben McInerney is a certified arborist and the founder of GoTreeQuotes.com. With over 20 years of experience in arboriculture and landscape management across the United States, Ben has developed extensive expertise in sustainable and efficient outdoor care practices. His knowledge spans large-scale tree management to detailed lawn care techniques, making him a respected authority in comprehensive landscape maintenance.
How can I improve battery run time?
A few key changes can extend the life of your lawn mower battery performance and, therefore, your lawn mower.
McInerney shares, "Make sure your mower's battery matches your lawn's needs. It's like choosing the right tool for the job, something I learned the hard way in my early days of running a lawn care business." And Caballero agrees: "Always use the battery and charger recommended by the manufacturer to ensure optimal performance and battery life."
He also says, "To improve battery runtime, [you need to] ensure the mower blades are sharp, as dull blades require more power to cut grass. Regularly cleaning the undercarriage can prevent the mower from working harder than necessary, conserving battery life."
One of the easiest things you could start doing if you're not already is getting into the habit of removing and recharging the battery after each use. Regularly using the battery will always be a good thing, and it will help you, too, because the battery will always be ready to go when needed. You can also sharpen lawn mower blades when they are starting to look a little dull as soon as possible.
