Cordless Electric Mower comparison sub-study
ToolBoxBuzz did a fabulous review on Cordless Electric Mowers in Fall 2022.
Going thru their data, and doing some additional research, I focused on long-term (eg. 10 years) ownership cost, speed, weight, maneuverability, and ergonomics. In other words, affordability and usability.
The 5 mowers that passed my criteria were:
- SKIL
- Kobalt 80v
- Makita
- Echo
- Greenworks
All use Lithium batteries. Here is the data I was working with:
| Model | Price (best) | Speed | Maneuvering | Ergonomics | Weight (lbs) | Battery Cost | Availability |
| SKIL SM4910-10 | $399 | 13th - slow | 10th - unwieldy | 9th best | 60 | $150 | Wide |
| Kobalt 80v KMP6080-06 | $399 | 6th fastest | 9th best | 11th best | 87 | $107 | Exclusive |
| Makita XML11CT1 | $399 | 8th fastest | 5th best | 12th best | 88 | $150 | Wide |
| Echo DLM-2100SP | $349 + $230 batt = $579 | 3rd fastest | 8th best | 3rd best (tied) | 70 | $230 | Wide |
| Greenworks 2533402 | $464 | 5th fastest | 7th best | 3rd best (tied) | 74 | $90 | Wide |
As a long-term owner, battery cost is a BIG DEAL - an outlay I may encounter at least a couple times over ownership. So the Echo, Makita, and SKIL drop out, leaving the Greenworks and Kobalt as contenders.
I don't like the limited supply (only at Lowes) of the Kobalt brand, nor the extra weight of the Kobalt mower.
Greenworks 2533402 is my first choice for a cordless mower. Now if they will just get the price at a reasonable level...