Best Battery Lawn Mowers: EGO vs. Milwaukee vs. Honda and More
The best battery lawn mowers ranked by how much lawn they cut per charge, speed, bagging, noise and ease of use, from EGO, Milwaukee, Honda and Toro.
Battery lawn mowers are no longer the compromise choice. The best self-propelled models now cut as well as a 200cc gas mower, run close to an hour or more per charge, fold flat against a garage wall and never need gas, oil or a pull cord. They are also far quieter, so an early Saturday mow no longer wakes the street.
They are not all equal, though. Across nearly 20 flagship mowers from EGO, Milwaukee, Honda, Toro, Greenworks, Makita, Kress, DeWalt and others, the gaps show up in four places: how much lawn one charge covers, how fast the self-propel moves, how much the bag holds, and how easy the controls, height adjustment and folding are to live with.
Quick verdict
- Best overall for most yards: EGO Power+ Select Cut 22-inch (LM2206SP kit). Cast aluminum deck, power that rivals a 200cc gas mower, the biggest bag haul of any homeowner mower, and the easiest controls, height lever and folding.
- Fastest self-propel: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 21-inch dual-battery mower. The quickest homeowner mower at top drive speed, with a simple thumbwheel, and it runs on the same M18 batteries as Milwaukee's tools.
- Longest run time: Honda HRX-BE. Covered the most ground of any homeowner mower, just under an acre, with Honda's twin-blade mulching and four-way Versamow system.
Battery mower comparison chart
| Mower | Shop | Deck | Cut width | Height positions | Batteries | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGO Power+ Select Cut 22-inch |  View on Amazon
| Cast aluminum | 22 in | 8 (front and rear levers) | One 56V 10Ah | Most clippings bagged, best controls |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 21-inch Dual Battery |  View on Amazon
| Stamped steel | 21 in | 7 (1 to 4 in) | Two M18 12Ah, both required | Fastest self-propel |
| Honda HRX-BE |  View on Amazon
| NeXite composite | 21 in | Individual wheel levers | 12Ah, two battery bays | Most lawn per charge |
| Toro 60V 22-inch Recycler Personal Pace | Stamped steel | 22 in | 5 | One 60V 8Ah | Quietest, best value | |
| Greenworks Commercial Optimus 22-inch | Cast aluminum | 22 in | 8 | Two 82V, both required | Commercial run time | |
| Makita 40V XGT 21-inch | Stamped steel | 21 in | 8 | Two 8Ah, switches between them | Lighter-duty commercial value |
Best overall
EGO Power+ Select Cut 22-inch (LM2206SP)
A cast aluminum deck, gas-mower power, the biggest bag haul and the easiest controls, height lever and folding of any homeowner mower.
- 22-inch aluminum deck
- 56V 10Ah battery included
- Select Cut dual blades
Good for
- Quarter- to half-acre lawns
- People who bag clippings
- Anyone switching from a gas mower
Skip it if
- Buyers who want the quietest mower
- Tight budgets
How much lawn one charge actually covers
Run time on the box is less useful than how much grass a mower cuts before it needs a recharge, because a mower that runs a long time at a slow pace may still cover less ground. Measured by square feet cut in tall grass, with the deck stepped down each pass, the results split clearly:
- Honda HRX-BE: over 93 minutes and about 41,000 square feet, just under an acre. Nothing on the homeowner side came close.
- Atlas homeowner mower: about 37,800 square feet in just under 90 minutes.
- Kress homeowner mower: about 28,600 square feet in 68 minutes, well ahead of popular models from EGO, Greenworks, Stihl and Milwaukee.
On the commercial side, the Greenworks Commercial Optimus ran 132 minutes and cut about 61,600 square feet, more than 1.4 acres. Makita's backpack-powered commercial mower ran the longest of anything, nearly 147 minutes, but moved slower and covered about 39,500 square feet. It still showed a bar of charge left when a branch tangled in a rear wheel and broke it off.
A rule of thumb from these numbers: if a lawn is big enough that a flagship battery mower runs out of charge before you finish, it is time to look at a riding mower. Nobody wants to walk behind a mower for 90 minutes.
Speed, noise and bagging
Self-propel speed. In a 100-yard run at top drive speed, the Milwaukee was the fastest homeowner mower at about 4.1 mph, with the Honda close behind. The Atlas, ECHO and Stihl homeowner models were the slowest. Several are fast enough that it is worth dialing them down.
Noise. Every battery mower is easier on the ears than gas, and the low, smooth sound matters as much as the decibel number. Measured outdoors with the bag on, the Toro Recycler was quietest at 76 dB, with Skil, ECHO and DeWalt at 77 dB and the EGO loudest at 86 dB. Measured indoors at peak output, DeWalt and Kress were quietest at about 86 dB, and commercial mowers ran louder.
Bagging. The EGO collected far more clippings than any other mower, about 34 pounds per bag against roughly 20 for the next best homeowner mower, the Atlas. Husqvarna and Ryobi homeowner models collected under 12 pounds.
Best overall
EGO Power+ Select Cut 22-inch (LM2206SP)
A cast aluminum deck, gas-mower power, the biggest bag haul and the easiest controls, height lever and folding of any homeowner mower.
- 22-inch aluminum deck
- 56V 10Ah battery included
- Select Cut dual blades
Good for
- Quarter- to half-acre lawns
- People who bag clippings
- Anyone switching from a gas mower
Skip it if
- Buyers who want the quietest mower
- Tight budgets
EGO Power+ Select Cut 22-inch: the one to beat
The EGO feels more like a commercial machine than a homeowner mower. It has a cast aluminum deck, a dual-blade Select Cut system that lets you prioritize bagging, mulching or run time, and enough power to outperform a 200cc gas mower. The kit comes with a 56V 10Ah battery.
It also wins on everyday use. The controls are intuitive, with a presence bar for the blade, self-propel buttons built into the handle and a dial for speed. Height adjusts with top-mounted levers, the fastest and easiest system on any mower here. The handle telescopes and folds with a single side lever, so it stores more compactly than nearly everything else. Its weak spot is noise: it was the loudest mower in the outdoor measurements, though still easier on the ears than gas.
Fastest self-propel
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 21-inch Dual Battery Mower
The quickest homeowner mower at top drive speed, with simple controls and batteries shared with Milwaukee's M18 tools.
- 21-inch steel deck
- Two 12Ah M18 batteries
- 1 to 4 in cutting height
Good for
- People who already own M18 tools
- Flat suburban lawns
- Anyone who likes a fast walking pace
Skip it if
- Buyers who want the most compact storage
- Very large lawns
Milwaukee M18 FUEL: fast and simple
Milwaukee's top mower uses a stamped steel deck with a single-point height lever covering 1 to 4 inches in seven positions and one 21-inch blade. It needs both of its 12Ah M18 Forge batteries to run, which together give roughly an hour of mowing. It is the fastest homeowner mower at full drive speed, and the controls are straightforward: a thumbwheel sets your pace and rubber buttons pick blade modes.
The best reason to buy it is the battery platform. Anyone who already owns M18 tools can share batteries between the mower and everything else in the garage. The handle uses a quick-release design that works well but is bulkier when stored than the EGO's.
Fastest self-propel
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 21-inch Dual Battery Mower
The quickest homeowner mower at top drive speed, with simple controls and batteries shared with Milwaukee's M18 tools.
- 21-inch steel deck
- Two 12Ah M18 batteries
- 1 to 4 in cutting height
Good for
- People who already own M18 tools
- Flat suburban lawns
- Anyone who likes a fast walking pace
Skip it if
- Buyers who want the most compact storage
- Very large lawns
Honda HRX-BE: the most ground per charge
Honda's battery version of its HRX mower covered the most lawn of any homeowner mower, running over 93 minutes and cutting nearly an acre. It was also the second-fastest homeowner mower at top speed. It keeps the features that made the gas HRX popular, including a rust-free NeXite deck: the Versamow system lets you mulch, bag, side-discharge or shred leaves without attachments, and the twin-blade MicroCut system chops clippings finer for a 2.2-bushel bag.
Honda rates one 12Ah battery at up to 45 minutes, about 0.37 acre. The mower has two battery bays, so a second battery doubles that. The trade-offs are ergonomics: height adjusts with a lever at each wheel, the least convenient system, and the quick-release handle stores bulkier than a telescoping one.
Longest run time
Honda HRX-BE
Covers the most lawn per charge of any homeowner battery mower, with Honda's four-way Versamow and twin-blade mulching.
- 21-inch deck
- Two battery bays
- 4-in-1 Versamow
Good for
- Half-acre to one-acre lawns
- Mulching and leaf shredding
- Former gas HRX owners
Skip it if
- Anyone who changes cutting height often
- Tight storage spaces
Other mowers worth knowing about
Toro 60V 22-inch Recycler with Personal Pace. The best value pick among homeowner kits. There is nothing to adjust: press the button, grip the handle and walk, and the self-propel matches your stride. One 8Ah battery runs close to an hour and handles up to about half an acre. It was also the quietest mower outdoors at 76 dB. Height adjusts at each wheel with only five positions, the fewest in the group.
Kress homeowner mower. The highest overall homeowner score across speed, noise, run time, bagging and ergonomics, with no weak category. It was second quietest, third in ground covered, and has a top-mounted height lever.
Atlas homeowner mower. The standout for value, cutting about twice as much grass per dollar as the commercial winner, with the second-longest run of the homeowner mowers.
Greenworks Commercial Optimus 22-inch. The top commercial mower: cast aluminum deck, power comparable to a 230cc gas engine, a 17,000 fpm blade tip speed, simple toggle-switch controls and up to 90 minutes or about 1.5 acres from its two 82V batteries. The handle does not fold, and it is priced for landscape crews.
Makita 40V XGT. A lighter-duty commercial mower that cut about 29,400 square feet per charge and was the least expensive commercial mower as a full kit. It shares batteries with Makita's 40V power tools.
SKIL 40V 20-inch with Smart Caddy. A residential mower with a removable covered bin on top for sticks, toys and debris you pick up as you mow. Its plastic deck and single battery put it at the budget end.
Longest run time
Honda HRX-BE
Covers the most lawn per charge of any homeowner battery mower, with Honda's four-way Versamow and twin-blade mulching.
- 21-inch deck
- Two battery bays
- 4-in-1 Versamow
Good for
- Half-acre to one-acre lawns
- Mulching and leaf shredding
- Former gas HRX owners
Skip it if
- Anyone who changes cutting height often
- Tight storage spaces
How to choose a battery mower
Match the run time to your lawn
Most flagship mowers handle a typical suburban lot on one charge. For a half acre to an acre, look at the Honda or a mower with two battery bays. Past an acre, a riding mower makes more sense.
Look at the deck
Budget mowers like Ryobi and Skil use reinforced plastic decks. Mid-range mowers usually have stamped steel. Cast aluminum, found on the EGO and commercial models, is the premium option.
Check height adjustment and folding
A single lever on top of the deck is the fastest way to change cutting height. A single lever by the rear wheel is common and works fine. Four separate wheel levers are the slowest but let you fine-tune each corner. For storage, telescoping handles (EGO, DeWalt) fold the smallest, and many battery mowers can stand upright or hang on a wall.
Stay in one battery family
Batteries are a big part of the price. If you already own a brand's drills, trimmer or blower, its mower may cost much less as a tool-only purchase. If this will be your first battery tool, a full kit from a brand with a wide range of outdoor tools makes the most sense.
For a hands-off option, see the guide to the easiest robot mower to set up or the Ecovacs GOAT O1000 robot mower guide. Full specs for the Honda are on Honda's HRX-BE page.
Who should buy which
- Most homeowners with up to half an acre: EGO Power+ Select Cut 22-inch.
- Milwaukee M18 tool owners: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 21-inch Dual Battery.
- Bigger lawns, mulching and leaves: Honda HRX-BE.
- Landscape crews: Greenworks Commercial Optimus, or the Makita 40V XGT for a lighter, lower-cost commercial kit.
Posted by Kristopher Larson
Frequently asked questions
What is the best battery lawn mower for most homeowners?
The EGO Power+ Select Cut 22-inch. Its cast aluminum deck and dual-blade system cut like a 200cc gas mower, it collects more clippings per bag than any other homeowner mower, and its controls, height adjustment and folding handle are the easiest to use.
How long does a battery lawn mower run on one charge?
Flagship self-propelled models run roughly 45 to 95 minutes. The Honda HRX-BE covered just under an acre in over 93 minutes, the Milwaukee M18 FUEL runs about an hour on its two batteries, and the Toro 60V Recycler runs close to an hour on one 8Ah battery. Tall or wet grass and high self-propel speeds shorten that.
Are battery mowers as powerful as gas mowers?
The best ones are. The EGO Select Cut can outperform a 200cc gas mower, and the Greenworks Commercial Optimus is rated comparable to a 230cc gas engine. Cheaper battery mowers with plastic decks and small batteries are better suited to small, regularly cut lawns.
What is the quietest battery lawn mower?
The Toro 60V Recycler with Personal Pace measured 76 dB outdoors, the lowest of the group, with Skil, ECHO and DeWalt close behind at 77 dB. Every battery mower is noticeably quieter and lower-pitched than a gas mower.
How big a lawn can a battery mower handle?
Most flagship battery mowers finish a typical suburban lot on one charge. For half an acre to an acre, choose a long-running mower like the Honda HRX-BE or carry a second battery. If you regularly mow more than an acre, a riding mower is the better tool.
Is it cheaper to buy a battery mower without the battery?
Yes, if you already own batteries from the same brand. Tool-only mowers cost much less than kits, so Milwaukee M18, EGO, Makita and other platform owners can save by reusing batteries and chargers they already have.
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