Will a Cordless Mower Do My Block?

Cordless mowers have come a long way. For many suburban and small rural blocks they now do the whole job on a charge or two. Here's how to tell whether one will handle your block.

1. What decides how much you can mow

Battery energy: watt-hours (Ah × V) is what counts. Two 18V 5Ah packs in a twin-pack mower give about 180Wh.
Grass: short, dry, regularly cut grass takes far less energy than long, thick or wet grass.
Ground: slopes, bumps and push versus self-propelled all change it.
Deck width: a wider deck covers more ground per pass, but draws more.
Mulching or catching: mulching and a full catcher both work the motor harder.

2. Rough guide to area per charge

Makers quote area per charge in ideal conditions. As a rough real-world guide for regularly mown grass:

About 80 to 100Wh: a small courtyard or front lawn.
About 150 to 250Wh: a typical suburban block.
About 300Wh and up, or a spare set of packs: larger blocks and acreage house yards.

Work out your own with the Mowing Area Per Charge calculator.

3. Getting more from each charge

Mow more often so the grass is never long.
Mow when the grass is dry.
Raise the cutting height for the first pass in long grass.
Keep the blade sharp and the underside of the deck clean.
Use eco or auto speed mode if the mower has one.

4. When a cordless mower isn't the right fit

Big paddocks, very long grass and steep, rough ground are still better suited to petrol or a ride-on. A cordless push mower suits the house yard, and a whipper snipper can take care of the edges and rough spots.

5. Battery care for mower packs

Let packs cool after mowing before you charge them.
Over winter, store them partly charged in a cool, dry place, not in a hot shed.
If the mower shares packs with your other tools, a spare pack means you're never waiting.