best non gas mowers out there IMO. The batteries are also transferrable to their other tools so you can buy from their "Tool Only" deals when they pop up.
I have the EGO Snow Blower and Trimmer. Will be buying their mower in the off season when they have a good Tool Only deal that I can jump on.
You'll probably need 2 batteries for anything close to 0.5 acres though. I was able to do a little under 1/3 of an acre on a single 4 Ah battery, provided it wasn't too long or too wet.
The 40V batteries can also be used for many of their other tools (they have an 18V line and 40V line). I have the Ryobi 16" chain saw, blower, and trimmer/brush cutter (the latter connect to the same pole along with some other options too.
Light, quiet, cuts nice. It comes with a 4Ah battery. I have a 100x60 piece of property and a mowing front and back uses a little more than half the charge.
There are a lot of Ryobi 40v home and garden tools if you want to get into that ecosystem. I almost bought the inverter, which came with a 5ah battery.
Small, gas engines are a pain in the ass and they're terrible polluters.
and you will have the thing for 10-15 years if you take care of it.
This is what I have done but honestly, its a pain. Draining gas, changing oil, and all the spills that go along with it added up for me and I just don't want to anymore. A good Honda mower is just about the same price as the Battery only models so you don't save on money either.
If you are starting fresh with buying tools for the first time and don't have a massive lawn I wouldn't even consider gas anymore.
That leads to how much time you'll spend mowing it, and the tradeoffs between different models. We're selling a small getaway cottage, with awkward different levels to mow, so an electric push mower (Black & Decker) with removable battery was ideal. Now that we're in a bigger place, nothing but a lawn tractor (42" deck) will do. In each case, it takes about 45-50 minutes for the entire job. But the old place was 1/4 acre, and the current one is 2 acres of grass, 2 acres of woods: 8 times as much to mow.
just do your research on battery size. I know EGO has 56V 5.0 Ah batteries and they get 45 minutes of run time approximately - I have 2 of them for my Snow Blower. They also make a 56v 7.5 Ah battery that will get you a solid hour.
Take a look at reviews, reddit, etc. I can't speak to Ryobi but EGO has been great and while i haven't had to use it yet apparently they have good customer service.
I have about a half acre total between the front and back yard so the Ryobi seems like a good fit for all the reasons you listed Gary.
Half acre is quite a bit for a battery powered mower.
Two 4+ Ah batteries and he'll be fine. Mowing deck is comparable to the gas powered models, so it won't take any additional time (maybe save a few minutes since you don't need to fill the tank/check the oil).
but IMO, those mowers do not perform as well. If that is okay with you...then go for it.
** I have tried the Ryobi weed wackers, hedge trimmers, etc. Virtually no torque.
I've used almost every EGO tool, as good as gas IMO. My trimmer is awesome, snowblower chucks snow easily. The mower I tried was one of their older models and has no issues with tall grass - might get bogged down if too high + wet but so does my current gas mower.
best non gas mowers out there IMO. The batteries are also transferrable to their other tools so you can buy from their "Tool Only" deals when they pop up.
I have the EGO Snow Blower and Trimmer. Will be buying their mower in the off season when they have a good Tool Only deal that I can jump on.
Never going back to gas.
Agree with this. I have the Ego mower, blower, and hedge trimmer and they all work great!
1/2 acre will be no problem.
but researched them a little for some family members and I think they are solid. An electric brushless motor provides as much torque, if not more, than a gas fueled mower. The electric motor should also last a long time as there are few moving pieces. Some friends and family use the worx weed eater and blowers and have been really pleased. Stihl is a high quality brand and look into them as they have other compatible accessory such as hedge trimmers, weedeaters etc....They also have a great warranty and customer service.
Like others mentioned, think about future battery operated tools/equipment you may purchase and buy into their "system".
If you want gas ( which I would suggest for 0.4 acre lawn) get a Honda or Toro. If you want electric, get Ego. I personally returned the Ryobi- really didn’t like how it performed.
I have about a 1/4 acre. A life changer! Every spring I would fight with the gas mower to get it started. Changed out the carburetor several times. Dreaded it. Go electric if you can. A nice feature of the EGO is that it is self-propelled. Don't know about the Ryobi, but something to think about.
No matter what you choose - gas, battery, or corded electric if they are still around - any outdoor power equipment (OPE) has its pluses and minuses.
Personally I would not consider anything electric for that size yard. There is a complex matrix of cost/time/effectiveness/repairability/life/disposability for all of this stuff that I think still favors gas powered equipment for larger areas (1/4-acre plus) like yours. I am also not sold at all on lithium-ion batteries as they tend to have problems including starting fires especially when overcharged. Plus, I tend to favor companies with time-tested products, which does not apply to any of the battery powered ope at this point.
Mowing equipment has an average life of seven years, but you can do much, much better if you choose carefully. I got 18 years out of my last Simplicity tractor, and I know others that have gotten even more out of Gravely or other brands. That will substantially cut your total costs in the long run and also put less junk in the land fills.
Gas mowers are actually pretty easy to care for if you buy a decent one and have the discipline to do a few things like add fuel stabilizer before seasonal storage. Oil changes are not frequent, and you can always have the dealer do it.
Your yard sounds like a good candidate for a small rider with emphasis on tight turning radius. A few better-quality brands to consider are Simplicity, Toro, and Husqvarna.
I also recommend purchasing from a servicing dealer, not a big box store. That way you will get proper equipment set-up from somebody who knows what they are doing and has the correct tools and equipment to do the job. Servicing dealers also provide factory trained warranty, service, authorized replacement parts, and sometimes other useful knowledge. On the other hand, third party service usually sucks the big one.
And all of it needs maintenance. Blades on ANY mowing device should be sharpened every spring. Dull blades tear the grass which produces poor looking cuts and encourages grass diseases. Air filters need service, too.
I always recommend mulching mowers as they leave a better finish by chopping up the cut grass to make it become free fertilizer. They cost a little more but I think they are worth it.
I have the mower, string trimmer and chainsaw with a 6.0 Amp & 3.0 Amp batteries. Planning on adding a blower soon. Done with gas forever. Just get the highest amp batteries you can find.
and is holding up well. I can almost get through a thid of an acre twice, o you should be fine.
It folds up for vertical storage, so the passive footprint is small. It's considerably lighter than having a gas engine, so it wont cause wheel ruts on wet soil. Ive got arthritis in my shoulder, and i don't notice it after using the electric motor, where i would have with the gas.
But you can see the difference in parts/materials....a lot more plastic compared to my old one (think it was Yard Machine from the now defunct Hechingers).
One thing I would always look for going forward: where is the oil drain. On the new Kenmore, it's nearly impossible to open then drain without spilling......
but IMO, those mowers do not perform as well. If that is okay with you...then go for it.
** I have tried the Ryobi weed wackers, hedge trimmers, etc. Virtually no torque.
18V or 40V? The 18V is lightweight and decent for small/simple jobs. The 40V is a beast. I have a 1/4 acre hill that too steep for my tractor and the 40V Ryobi weed wacker has no problem go through all sorts of weeds.
and voltage seems to be key. Most of the top performers tend to be those mowers with 80+ volts. For large lawns the 56v EGO was rated highly, behind the more commercial Greenworks (about $200-$300 more depending on what you get from EGO).
A lot of the power loss is going to come from a less able battery. You'll see this in reviews on HomeDepot.com as well. Electric Mowers - ( New Window )
I have the EGO Snow Blower and Trimmer. Will be buying their mower in the off season when they have a good Tool Only deal that I can jump on.
Never going back to gas.
Link - ( New Window )
The 40V batteries can also be used for many of their other tools (they have an 18V line and 40V line). I have the Ryobi 16" chain saw, blower, and trimmer/brush cutter (the latter connect to the same pole along with some other options too.
There are a lot of Ryobi 40v home and garden tools if you want to get into that ecosystem. I almost bought the inverter, which came with a 5ah battery.
Small, gas engines are a pain in the ass and they're terrible polluters.
This is what I have done but honestly, its a pain. Draining gas, changing oil, and all the spills that go along with it added up for me and I just don't want to anymore. A good Honda mower is just about the same price as the Battery only models so you don't save on money either.
If you are starting fresh with buying tools for the first time and don't have a massive lawn I wouldn't even consider gas anymore.
Half acre is quite a bit for a battery powered mower.
Take a look at reviews, reddit, etc. I can't speak to Ryobi but EGO has been great and while i haven't had to use it yet apparently they have good customer service.
Quote:
I have about a half acre total between the front and back yard so the Ryobi seems like a good fit for all the reasons you listed Gary.
Half acre is quite a bit for a battery powered mower.
Two 4+ Ah batteries and he'll be fine. Mowing deck is comparable to the gas powered models, so it won't take any additional time (maybe save a few minutes since you don't need to fill the tank/check the oil).
** I have tried the Ryobi weed wackers, hedge trimmers, etc. Virtually no torque.
** I have tried the Ryobi weed wackers, hedge trimmers, etc. Virtually no torque.
I've used almost every EGO tool, as good as gas IMO. My trimmer is awesome, snowblower chucks snow easily. The mower I tried was one of their older models and has no issues with tall grass - might get bogged down if too high + wet but so does my current gas mower.
I have the EGO Snow Blower and Trimmer. Will be buying their mower in the off season when they have a good Tool Only deal that I can jump on.
Never going back to gas.
Agree with this. I have the Ego mower, blower, and hedge trimmer and they all work great!
1/2 acre will be no problem.
Like others mentioned, think about future battery operated tools/equipment you may purchase and buy into their "system".
It is a Harbor freight brand so I don't know the long-term reliability.
That said I compaired it to my father in-laws Ego and I found the Atlas as well built and far more powerful.
Personally I would not consider anything electric for that size yard. There is a complex matrix of cost/time/effectiveness/repairability/life/disposability for all of this stuff that I think still favors gas powered equipment for larger areas (1/4-acre plus) like yours. I am also not sold at all on lithium-ion batteries as they tend to have problems including starting fires especially when overcharged. Plus, I tend to favor companies with time-tested products, which does not apply to any of the battery powered ope at this point.
Mowing equipment has an average life of seven years, but you can do much, much better if you choose carefully. I got 18 years out of my last Simplicity tractor, and I know others that have gotten even more out of Gravely or other brands. That will substantially cut your total costs in the long run and also put less junk in the land fills.
Gas mowers are actually pretty easy to care for if you buy a decent one and have the discipline to do a few things like add fuel stabilizer before seasonal storage. Oil changes are not frequent, and you can always have the dealer do it.
Your yard sounds like a good candidate for a small rider with emphasis on tight turning radius. A few better-quality brands to consider are Simplicity, Toro, and Husqvarna.
I also recommend purchasing from a servicing dealer, not a big box store. That way you will get proper equipment set-up from somebody who knows what they are doing and has the correct tools and equipment to do the job. Servicing dealers also provide factory trained warranty, service, authorized replacement parts, and sometimes other useful knowledge. On the other hand, third party service usually sucks the big one.
And all of it needs maintenance. Blades on ANY mowing device should be sharpened every spring. Dull blades tear the grass which produces poor looking cuts and encourages grass diseases. Air filters need service, too.
I always recommend mulching mowers as they leave a better finish by chopping up the cut grass to make it become free fertilizer. They cost a little more but I think they are worth it.
It folds up for vertical storage, so the passive footprint is small. It's considerably lighter than having a gas engine, so it wont cause wheel ruts on wet soil. Ive got arthritis in my shoulder, and i don't notice it after using the electric motor, where i would have with the gas.
Only downside is that the mulching is so so.
But you can see the difference in parts/materials....a lot more plastic compared to my old one (think it was Yard Machine from the now defunct Hechingers).
One thing I would always look for going forward: where is the oil drain. On the new Kenmore, it's nearly impossible to open then drain without spilling......
** I have tried the Ryobi weed wackers, hedge trimmers, etc. Virtually no torque.
18V or 40V? The 18V is lightweight and decent for small/simple jobs. The 40V is a beast. I have a 1/4 acre hill that too steep for my tractor and the 40V Ryobi weed wacker has no problem go through all sorts of weeds.
A lot of the power loss is going to come from a less able battery. You'll see this in reviews on HomeDepot.com as well.
Electric Mowers - ( New Window )