The best electric lawn mower will replace your old, noisy and smelly petrol mower with a lightweight, easy-to-use mower that will still give your lawn a great cut. It's like a completely different experience once you switch to an electric lawn mower: we bet you'll never want to go back to petrol again.
We've included every type of electric mower that you need to know about in this buying guide, from corded electric lawn mowers and cordless models, to robot mowers (the future) that will mow your grass without you having to do anything at all – apart from switching it on.
If you want to check out all the lawn mower options then take a look at our list of the best lawn mowers.
What is the best electric lawn mower?
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We think the best electric lawn mower you can buy is the Bosch Rotak 43 LI Ergoflex Cordless 36. It's cordless, features a huge 50 liter grass box and is great for medium-sized spaces. Read more about it below...
The best electric lawn mowers
Best for medium-sized yards/gardens
The 36V battery can last any time from 30 minutes to an hour, meaning the Bosch Rotak 43 LI Ergoflex Cordless 36 is the ideal lawn mower for medium sized yards/gardens.
Reliable
Thanks to its high torque and Powerdrive motor system, this lawn mower should provide a reliable cut, no matter the state of your outdoor space. It is lightweight and easy to handle, all in all, making it one of the best all-round electric lawn mowers.
Ergonomic handles
The Ergoflex handles reduce muscle strain and make this lawn mower comfortable to use.
Efficient battery
The battery charge is very efficient, allowing you to mow the front and back lawn on a single charge.
Can't splurge for our number one choice and happy to put up with a cord? The Bosch Rotak 32 is a great choice. And if you're looking for a lawn mower that's easy to use, store and manoeuvre, it's your lucky day.
Great for yards/gardens of all shapes and sizes
The Bosch Rotak 32 is ideal for maintaining small to medium sized lawns, and thanks to its grass comb, you can cut along flower beds, walls and lawn edges with ease, saving you the trouble of getting on your hands and knees trying to do it yourself. The Rotak 32 also copes well with multi-level gardens and complex lawn shapes and layouts.
Will cope with tall grass
Left your grass to grow for a little longer than usual? It can also cut tall grass due to its hardened steel blade, and our favorite feature is that it's compact and has a handle for easy carrying from your garden to the shed or garage.
Versatile
With an adjustable height setting, this Worx mower is a versatile buy that can be used on different types of grass, doing a great job on pretty much any length of grass, unless your lawn is seriously overgrown.
Ease of use
It’s super easy to use, it feels lightweight and is easy to maneuver. The batteries are quick to charge, and the operation is very quiet. Six cutting settings mean you don't have to worry about the mower doing a good job if your lawn is a little overgrown. The batteries are replaceable, too.
Great for medium-sized yards/gardens
It's the perfect all-rounder for small to medium-sized yards/gardens, with a long battery charge that easily covers the whole space.
Corded model
If you’re not prepared to compromise on the power outage of your lawn mower, corded is your best option. The Bosch UniversalRotak 450 is similar to its battery powered relation, with the same Powerdrive and motor system in place for an even cut.
Verstaile cutting
With the capacity to cut as low as 2.5cm and as high as 7cm, it’s very versatile, and can easily cut through long or tough grass. Featuring airflow technology to collect debris and a LeafCollection function to, well, collect leaves.
Long lead
The 15m lead also allows to be used it most medium-sized and larger outdoor spaces without the need for an extension.
Pre-program functions
The Flymo EasyLife is easily programmable to set to work at desired times, and can even have your grass cut for you by morning if you set its timer for night time.
Hands-off operation
It’s quiet, setting the boundaries so it doesn’t start mowing your flowerbeds is easy, there’s no grass box to empty, and it’ll even take itself back to its charging port if it needs to recharge – almost like a well-trained pet. You can leave it to work at night; and it also copes well with unusual terrain, such as a sloped garden.
Mulch for your yard/garden
While this mower doesn't have a grass box, it disperses the (very fine) grass cuttings that act as nutritious mulch for your lawn, making it healthier.
How to buy the best electric lawn mower
Where to buy an electric lawn mower
What should you be looking out for when investing in an electric lawn mower?
Corded or battery powered?
Electric lawn mowers are available both corded and battery powered. Corded lawn mowers are typically cheaper than battery powered lawn mowers, due to the hindrances of the electric cable; some corded electric lawn mowers may require an extension cable, and you need to make sure that the wire doesn’t get caught up in your prized hydrangea as you make your way round the yard. Due to their convenience, battery powered lawn mowers are more expensive, however, you will need to take into consideration charging time, power and how long the battery lasts in a single use.
Power
Electric lawn mowers typically have a rotary blade, which makes them the ideal choice for long grass – great if you don’t have the time to be mowing your grass every weekend during the summer. To ensure it doesn’t make a hash out of trimming your grass, you’ll need to consider the power output. The power output for battery powered electric lawn mowers is typically lower than corded lawn mowers.
Grass box
Aside from that, you may need to take into consideration the capacity of the grass box. Those with larger outdoor spaces should, naturally, go for a larger box, however 50L seems to be the generic capacity. If you want to cut out the middleman (the box), the Flymo 1200R Lithium-Ion Robotic lawn mower cuts grass into the into minuscule pieces, so it can easily decompose back into the ground.
More garden reading:
- Use our garden ideas page for all your garden needs
- Lawn mower deals: the best mowers at low prices
- Best small lawn mower: 5 top buys for small gardens
- Best cordless hedge trimmer: top 5 buys for achieving the perfect cut