The Best Battery Powered Lawn Mowers

• Lawn mowers often come with bag attachments to catch grass clippings. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  Gas-powered lawn mowers create noxious fumes and require regular trips to purchase both gasoline and oil to create special fuel mixtures. Electric mowers simply require a power plug, but dragging a power cord across the lawn may not be possible for some homeowners. The best battery powered lawn mowers allow homeowners to charge their mower at a power outlet, then unplug and trim their lawn.

Neuton CE 6.2

• With no extension cords to run over and a removable battery that can be charged without requiring the mower to reach a power outlet, the Neuton CE 6.2 is one of the most popular battery powered lawn mowers, according to Galt Home Buying Guides. It features zero emissions during operation, but there is a problem with its claim of environmental friendliness. Battery powered lawn mowers like the CE 6.2 use nickel cadmium batteries that produce plenty of toxic chemicals and other pollutants during their production. Neuton mowers succeed at being well designed, sturdy and very quiet to operate. Weighing less than other battery powered models, the CE 6.2 is a little easier to maneuver and push up steep grades.

Toro E-Cycler 20360

• Smooth cutting and fast recharging make the Toro E-Cycler 20360 one of the highest rated battery powered lawn mowers says ConsumerSearch. Powered by a 36-volt battery, it provides as much power as a 12-volt corded model and displayed the most even cut of all battery mowers. Charging the battery to full capacity requires an overnight wait, but it will become 70 percent full within just three hours, making it possible to recharge and cut again within the same day. Hills are challenging with this 77 lb. model because it is not self-propelled like many gas-powered push mowers. The control lever located on the right of the handle must be held in place to keep the engine running, making operation difficult or uncomfortable for left-handed users.

Black & Decker CM1936

• Like the more expensive Neuton models, the Black & Decker CM1936 uses easily removed batteries that allow for charging without parking the mower next to a power outlet. The ConsumerSearch website says that spare batteries are also available, allowing homeowners to charge one battery while the other is in use for longer mowing sessions. Plenty of power is available from the 36-volt battery, but the cut provided by this model is not as smooth or even as the Toro E-Cycler. Weighing in at 72 lbs., it is also a struggle to maneuver up slopes or across large acreages.