- Cordless lawn mower (like the EGO POWER+ LM2125SP 21-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower for $649 on Amazon)
- Compatible batteries and charger
- Lawn edger/string trimmer (optional)
The best cordless lawn mowers offer an unbeatable combination of mowing performance and user-friendly convenience, thanks to their lithium-ion battery-powered operation. Simply charge your batteries, plug them into the mower, and cut the grass to perfection.
But there’s a little more to it than that. Like any lawn care process, mowing the lawn with a cordless mower has its pitfalls, and the ideal mow can be hard to achieve.
“Using a cordless lawn mower for the first time can be straightforward but there are a few initial tips to consider ensuring you’re getting the most out of your mower,” says Nick Ee, a Product & Training Manager at BLACK+DECKER.
“The first thing you should do is read the manual handbook so you can understand the specific features, familiarize yourself with the safety features and any other specific operating procedures,” he says.
In this quick guide, I’ll talk you through how to get the best out of your cordless mower in six easy steps. Let’s get started on how to mow with your cordless lawn mower.
Quick steps: How to mow with a cordless lawn mower
- Charge the battery
- Set up the mower, including its grass collector
- Remove obstacles and mow the lawn efficiently
- Finish trimming with an edging tool (optional)
- Lightly clean the mower
- Store the mower and recharge the battery
Step by step guide: How to mow with a cordless lawn mower
1. Charge the battery
Take the compatible lithium-ion battery (or batteries) that power your cordless lawn mower, and plug them into their charger to power them up via household electricity.
You should charge the batteries until at least half full – or fuller if you have a large lawn, or if your mower has a relatively short runtime.
Some cordless mowers have just one battery, but most have two. This is because mowing consumes energy at a higher rate than most other tasks performed using the same type of battery, such as drilling and hoovering.
Regardless of how many batteries your mower uses, make sure yours are sufficiently charged before you mow. There are few things as irritating as running out of power halfway across the lawn.
When you’re done charging, plug the batteries into the mower. Usually, you’ll hear a satisfying ‘clunk’ when the batteries are properly in place. Some mowers have an LED status light to let you know they can draw power from the battery.
2. Set up the mower
Before you start setting up your cordless mower, take a moment to consider: is this the right time to mow?
Lawns can usually tolerate frequent mowing during warm weather, but there are certain times and conditions that make mowing a bad idea. For instance, one of the things you shouldn't do to your lawn in a heatwave is mow it, when the grass is very wet, or right after dethatching or scarifying the lawn.
If you’re happy that it’s a good time to mow, go through this checklist to set up the mower perfectly:
- Attach the grass box/grass collector. This is necessary if you want the mower to collect grass cuttings as it mows.
- Set the cutting height. Most quality cordless mowers feature adjustable cutting height, so you can choose how short the grass is cut. Using the adjuster on your mower (if there is one), choose a height to suit your preference. Bear in mind that a shorter cut will usually put more stress on the grass plants.
- Configure additional settings. Some cordless mowers have advanced features such as self-propulsion. Configure any adjustable settings as you see fit.
Finally, wheel the mower to the part of the lawn where you will start mowing.
3. Mow freely!
A cordless lawn mower will let you mow with greater freedom than any other type of lawn mower. It’s a great feeling, especially if you’re used to mowing with a corded mower.
Before you start, remove any obstacles from the lawn. Then, mow as efficiently and regularly as you can.
Without a power cable to worry about, you can mow from one side of the lawn to the other in neat, straight lines, each one starting where the last ended. The Ancient Greeks had a name for this pattern: boustrophedon, which means ‘turning like oxen in plowing’. And that’s exactly what you’re doing with your cordless mower.
Mowing with a cordless model may be refreshingly easy – but that doesn’t mean you should race to the finish.
“If you’re new to cordless mowers, don’t rush, move at a steady pace, and avoid mowing wet grass as this can strain the mower and lead to inefficiency and shortened battery life,” says Nick.
Remember to empty the grass collector at regular intervals during mowing. You’ll soon get a feel for how long the container takes to fill up with grass cuttings.
Some gardeners water their grass straight after mowing, to promote healthy regrowth.
4. Finish with an string trimmer tool
No lawn mower can mow right up to the very edges of a lawn – at least, not unless the lawn blends seamlessly into flat paving on every side.
To achieve a really neat lawn, mow the edges using a suitable tool, such as a string trimmer. Remember to gather up the grass cuttings when you’re done (unless you want to leave them on the lawn as a mulch).
5. Lightly clean the mower
Lightly clean your cordless lawn mower after every use, in order to avoid potential issues such as buildup of debris, clogged components and rusting.
Remove any batteries, turn the mower on its side, and carefully use a stiff-bristled brush to clear grass cuttings out of the mowing deck and other parts of the lawn mower.
6. Store and recharge
“One of the best things about cordless mowers is they require little to no maintenance,” says Chris Giallanza, a Merchant at The Home Depot.
“Keep the mower clean and blades sharp, and keep the batteries charged and stored in a cool, dry place.”
It’s instinctive to charge batteries until they are fully charged – but this is not the best approach in terms of the longevity of your lithium-ion batteries, which usually wear out in the space of 5-10 years. This is partly because you risk overcharging a battery when you try to charge it fully; and partly because being fully charged causes more stress on the battery than being only half-charged.
So, to extend the life of your lawn mower batteries, charge them moderately before storage.
The mower itself should be stored in a safe, dry space such as a garage or garden shed. Try to raise the mower slightly off the ground, by placing it on a wooden pallet or similar surface.
“Storage is much easier with cordless mowers, most of which come with folding vertical storage capability,” Chris adds.
If storing over winter, cover the mower with a waterproof layer, such as a tarp or plastic sheeting. Amazon sell a bunch with prices from just $10.
How to use a cordless lawn mower: FAQs
Is a cordless mower more convenient than a gas powered mower?
During mowing, cordless lawn mowers and gas powered lawn mowers offer similar levels of convenience. Both tools will enable you to mow the lawn without the need to carefully maneuver a trailing cable, and both should offer sufficient runtime to cut the lawn without a recharge or refill (although gas mowers do tend to operate for longer without interruption).
When it comes to ongoing maintenance, cordless mowers tend to be far more convenient than their gas-powered cousins. Most owners would agree that it takes less work to recharge a cordless electric mower’s battery than it takes to change the gas and oil of a gas mower. Further, gas mowers have several additional components requiring maintenance, including the spark plug, air filter, ignition coil and carburetor.
“Many users will be pleasantly surprised by the power and cut quality of select cordless mowers that actually exceed the performance of gas,” says Chris.
“Cordless mowers require far less maintenance than gas. You still need to keep the blades sharp, but that’s where the similarities end. There is no oil, gas or parts that need to be replaced periodically in gas engines.”
What are the most common reasons why a cordless mower won’t start?
There are several reasons why a cordless lawn mower might not be starting. The first thing to check is the battery: is it sufficiently charged, and is it properly installed in the lawn mower? Or, might the battery be defective?
Another common reason why a cordless lawn mower won’t start is incorrect use of safety features. Many cordless electric lawn mowers have a safety button that must be depressed before you press the main activation button, and some also feature safety catches on the handle assembly, which also need to be depressed (by the properly configured handlebars). Check your mower’s instruction manual to ensure you’ve followed the correct setup and activation processes.
Unfortunately, it’s also possible that your lawn mower isn’t starting due to incorrect use or a mechanical fault.
Final thoughts
Mastering any yard tool takes time. Nature is usually more forgiving towards gardeners who take a gentle approach, so use a relatively high cutting height and allow plenty of time for regrowth, while you're getting used to your cardless lawn mower.
