Cordless Lawn Mower Buying Guide: Battery, Deck Size & Robot Mowers

A cordless (battery) lawn mower is a good fit for most yards up to about half an acre, and with a larger battery system or a robot mower it can handle more. You get push-button starting, no gas or oil to store, and far less noise than a gas mower. The right one depends on four things: how big your lawn is, how much battery capacity you get, whether you need self-propel for hills, and how wide a cut you want.

This guide explains each of those in plain terms and compares the battery mowers we carry, from compact 17-inch push mowers to wire-free robot mowers.

How to choose a cordless lawn mower

1. Start with lawn size

Lawn size decides almost everything else. A rough guide:

• Small yards and townhouse lawns: a 17-inch push mower such as the PowerSmart MB2417A is light, folds for storage and is easy to handle around beds and fences.
• Typical suburban lots (up to roughly a third to half an acre): a 21-inch mower is the standard size. The PowerSmart MB2400B (push) and PS76821SRB (self-propelled) are both 21-inch.
• Larger lots: a wider deck or a bigger battery system cuts down on passes and battery swaps. The PowerSmart PS768 cuts 26 inches, and the Makita GML01PL kit comes with two 40V 8.0Ah batteries; its listing states it can cut 1.2 acres in 108 minutes.
• If you would rather not mow at all: a robot mower, sized by the acreage on its listing (see below).

2. Understand voltage and amp-hours

Two battery numbers matter. Voltage (V) is roughly how much power the motor can draw; higher voltage helps in thick or wet grass. Amp-hours (Ah) is the size of the fuel tank; more Ah means longer run time from one charge.

Examples from our catalog: the PowerSmart MB2417A is a 40V mower with a 4.0Ah battery. The PowerSmart PS768 and PS76821SRB are 80V mowers with 6.0Ah and 6Ah batteries, and the PS768 lists up to 35 minutes of run time. The MB2400B comes with two 40V batteries, which lets you swap and keep going. Run time on any battery mower drops in tall, thick or wet grass, so read listed figures as a best case.

If you already own tools on one battery platform, staying on it saves money. The MB2417A listing notes it works with PowerSmart 40V tools, and the MB2480C kit pairs a 17-inch mower with a 40V leaf blower.

3. Push or self-propelled

Push mowers are lighter, simpler and cheaper. Self-propelled mowers drive the wheels for you, which makes a real difference on slopes and larger lawns. The PowerSmart PS768 lists climbing inclines up to 20 degrees, and the Makita GML01PL is a self-propelled commercial model. The trade-off is weight: the Makita is listed at 76.5 lbs with its batteries installed.

4. Cutting width and height range

A wider deck means fewer passes but less maneuverability in tight spots. Height adjustment matters if you cut cool-season grass long in summer or want a short cut in spring. Listed ranges in our catalog:

• PowerSmart MB2417A and MB2400B: six positions, 1.5 to 3.9 inches
• PowerSmart PS76821SRB: five positions, 1.18 to 3 inches
• Makita GML01PL: 1-1/4 to 4 inches, single-lever adjustment

5. Mulch, bag or side discharge

Most of the mowers here are 3-in-1, meaning they can mulch, bag, or side-discharge. The MB2400B is 2-in-1 (mulch or bag). Mulching returns clippings to the lawn; bagging gives a cleaner look; side discharge helps when the grass has gotten away from you.

6. Storage and upkeep

Battery mowers skip oil changes, spark plugs and stale fuel. Several PowerSmart models fold flat; the MB2400B listing says folding saves up to 70% of storage space. Keep the deck clean and the blade sharp, and store batteries indoors out of extreme heat and cold.

Robot lawn mowers: the hands-off option

A robot mower is a battery mower that runs on a schedule you set from an app. It cuts a narrow path often, rather than a wide path once a week. The Sunseeker Elite models we carry are wire-free, so there is no boundary wire to bury; depending on the model they navigate with LiDAR and camera vision (X4) or network RTK positioning plus vision (X5 and X7 Gen 2), and setup runs through the Sunseeker app. When comparing robots, look at the rated acreage, the maximum slope and the cutting width:

• Sunseeker Elite X4: up to 0.3 acre, 7.9-inch cut, 24-degree max slope, 27 lbs
• Sunseeker Elite X5 Gen 2: up to 0.5 acre, 8.7-inch cut, all-wheel drive, 30-degree max slope
• Sunseeker Elite X7 Gen 2: up to 0.75 acre, 13.8-inch dual-disc cut, electronic height from 0.8 to 4.0 inches, 35-degree max slope

Larger models in the same line are rated for multi-acre lawns. Robot mowers cost more up front than a walk-behind, so they make the most sense if you value the time saved.

Cordless lawn mower comparison

Specs are taken from each product page. Prices change, so check the listing for the current price.

Which type suits you

• Small, flat yard: a 17-inch 40V push mower. Light, compact and the lowest cost to get started.
• Average suburban lawn: a 21-inch mower. Choose push if the yard is flat, self-propelled if there are slopes.
• Larger or hilly lawn: an 80V self-propelled mower or a wider 26-inch deck, ideally with a second battery.
• Landscapers and property managers: a commercial-grade kit like the Makita GML01PL, with two batteries and a steel deck.
• Busy homeowners: a robot mower sized to your acreage and slope.

Cordless lawn mower FAQ

Are battery lawn mowers as good as gas?

For most residential lawns, yes. Higher-voltage models handle thick grass well, and you skip fuel, oil and pull cords. For very large properties or long commercial days, plan on extra batteries or a robot mower that can work daily.

How long does a cordless lawn mower battery last per charge?

It depends on voltage, amp-hours, grass height and self-propel use. As one example, the PowerSmart PS768 lists up to 35 minutes from its 80V 6.0Ah battery. A second battery is the easiest way to extend a mowing session.

What size cordless mower do I need?

Use a 17-inch deck for small yards, 21-inch for typical lots, and 26-inch or a two-battery system for larger lawns. For a robot, match the acreage and slope rating on the listing to your yard.

Do robot mowers need a boundary wire?

Not the Sunseeker Elite models we carry. They are wire-free and are set up through the Sunseeker app.

See the full range: shop cordless and electric lawn mowers, or browse Sunseeker robot lawn mowers.