6 best electric lawn mowers to buy in Australia in 2024
The grass has never looked greener on your side of the fence, thanks to these top-rated electric lawn mowers.
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Regardless of whether you’re hosting a summer BBQ or a serious game of backyard cricket, the best seat in the house is always on the lawn.
But overgrown grass doesn’t make the best impression, especially if you’ve left mowing to the last minute and become that neighbour who ruined everyone’s Saturday sleep in.
Thankfully, there are electric lawn mowers. Appliances Online’s Outdoor Category Manager, Russell Crosdale says these are perfect for small yards or noise-sensitive areas. Plus, they don’t need refuelling or require as much upkeep as their petrol-fueled siblings.
“If you have a small yard, the best type of unit will be a push or electric lawn mower as they are designed for small, suburban areas. You should also take into consideration the size of your property as well as access and obstacles such as; gardens, pools, ledges etc,” he told news.com.au.
“Petrol lawn mowers are more powerful and robust than an electric engine, however they require more maintenance and constant refuelling depending on the usage amount.”
RELATED: Top robot lawn mowers to buy
From corded models to hands-free robotic units like the Dreame Robotic Lawn Mower A1 with OmniSense 3D Ultra System that can be controlled straight from your smartphone, check out our roundup of some of the top-rated electric lawn mowers on the market.
If you’re after a good budget-friendly electric lawn mower for keeping the backyard in order this summer, then the Bosch ARM 371400 Watt Lawn Mower is a great option at just $225. ““I love this mower,” an Amazon customer posted. “It’s light and easy to move around and the power cord is quite long... Been using this quite regularly for about a year now and it works great each time.”
Read on to find the mower that's right for you. We also give a few tips on how to get the best out of your lawn.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
Our team of experienced writers spend hours researching products to include in articles. We find out what factors make a good product by talking to experts, reviewing test results and analysing thousands of customer reviews.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST CORDLESS ELECTRIC LAWN MOWER
Swift 40V 37cm Wide Cordless Battery Lawn Mower Kit, $329.99 at Matt Blatt
What You Need To Know
For wider cuts, this Swift cordless lawn mower has a 37cm metal steel blade and five adjustable mower heights to suit different terrains and yards. It also comes with a 40L grass box for your clippings.
“This mower is amazingly easy to use, exactly what I was looking for and cuts awesomely. Great product and fantastic value for money,” one happy shopper wrote.
“Light and easy to manoeuvre. Grass was a bit long and after I adjusted the height it managed it well. Easy to attach (a) catcher and not too heavy even with grass in,” another reviewer posted.
BEST OVERALL ROBOT LAWN MOWER
Dreame Robotic Lawn Mower A1 with OmniSense 3D Ultra System, $2999 (down from $3999) at Dreame
What You Need To Know
If you don't have time to push the lawn mower around the garden — and who does, especially at the rate the grass grows over summer — then the Dreame Robotic Lawnmower is the way to go. With an easy antenna-free setup, you can manage your lawn mowing from your mobile phone, with an immersive 3D map giving you a 360 degree perspective of your garden.
This clever mower has the ability to familiarise itself and map your garden in just 15 minutes and offers 3D omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, if anything changes on the day. It follows an ordered and efficient U-shape path and can be adjusted depending on the height of the grass you desire. It's also lightweight, easy to clean and has an advanced rain sensor, sending it back to the charging station should it start to sprinkle — then resuming once again when the rain stops.
BEST ELECTRIC LAWN MOWERS FOR LARGE BACKYARDS
WORX WR140E Cordless Landroid Robot Robotic Automatic Lawn Mower, $1999 at Amazon Australia
WORX WR140E Cordless Landroid Robot Robotic Automatic Lawn Mower
What You Need To Know
Now we’re talking. If the idea of pushing a lawnmower isn’t your idea of a fun Saturday activity, there is another option. This fully automated robotic lawnmower from WORX lets you control the appliance straight from your smartphone, with features such as Smart Auto Scheduling and Multi Zone Management making it extra handy for days you want to customise when and where the robot lawn mower goes.
It’s suitable for yards measuring between 500 and 1500 square metres.
Makita 36V 5.0Ah Cordless Brushless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit, $2159 at Toolmart
What You Need To Know
This workhorse from Makita can be used as a self-propelled lawn mower for yards up to 1700 square metres, or a push unit for areas up to 2000 square metres. It holds four batteries and boasts a 21-inch heavy duty steel deck with four swing back blades, a self-propelled motor with variable speed control and a high power brushless motor.
You can also expect 10 different cutting height settings, ranging between 20mm and 100mm, and a large 70L grass box capacity.
BEST ELECTRIC LAWN MOWER FOR LIGHT MOWING AND SMALL YARDS
Bosch City Mower 18 Cordless Lawnmower Kit, $329 at Amazon Australia
Bosch City Mower 18 Cordless Lawnmower Kit
What You Need To Know
If you’ve managed to score a yard in the urban jungle, Bosch’s City Mower 18 might be worth checking out. It’s designed to cut close to the edge, so you won’t need to worry about getting a lawn edger, and has three adjustable cutting settings (between 30mm and 60mm) to suit your preferred grass length. This 18V Bosch electric lawn mower additionally has ErgoFlex handles, allowing you to adjust the handle height for a more comfortable grip.
“This little lawn mower is easy to use. It is a neat package, nothing superfluous or gimmicky about it,” an Amazon customer reviewed.
“I like its simplicity, it doesn’t weigh much but still feels solid. It covers a smallish garden very well, and the different settings are useful. It is also pretty quiet!”
Bosch ARM 371400 Watt Lawn Mower, $225, Amazon Australia
Bosch ARM 371400 Watt Lawn Mower
What You Need To Know
For light jobs, this Bosch electric lawn mower weighs just 12.5kg and packs a fairly large 40L grass box capacity. It features an ergonomic design with Ergoflex handles and a foldable handlebar, along with a carry handle for when it’s time to return it to the shed. The model additionally offers five cutting height settings, a 37cm cutting span and a 10m cable.
“I love this mower,” an Amazon customer posted. “It’s light and easy to move around and the power cord is quite long... Been using this quite regularly for about a year now and it works great each time.”
Another customer wrote, "I love it I’ve only got a 12 metre footpath to mow and this is just perfect for that I’m also surprised at how much power it has."
HOW TO CHOOSE AN ELECTRIC LAWN MOWER
Here’s what to consider when purchasing a mower.
Catcher capacity
If you have a large lawn, a larger capacity means you won’t have to constantly pause to empty the catcher.
Deck size
The deck on a mower houses the cutting blade — so a wider deck above 20 inches can help you get through a large garden more quickly.
Power type
Lawnmowers are traditionally manual or petrol-powered, although you can also get electric or even robotic mowers now (as above), if that’s your preference.
Adjustability
Mowers with “multistage adjustable height” allow you to select the cutting height of your choice.
Push type
You can choose from a push or self-propelled model. The former requires you to push it around the yard, while the latter has driving wheels that move it forward so all you have to do is guide it.
Engine size
The engine size you choose depends on your lawn conditions. A larger engine is suitable for tough cutting conditions, including tall and wet grass, bagging, leaf mulching, or weed cutting. The engine size is referred to with “cc”, which stands for “cubic centimetres”. Higher cc means higher horsepower, which translates to a greater ability to tackle tough conditions.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU MOW THE LAWN?
This can vary depending on your specific type of lawn and weather condition, according to Russell.
“Consider what type of grass you have and the amount of ground moisture and rainfall. Some lawns will require mowing more frequently and to a lower length, while others will require less maintenance and a higher blade cut,” he said.
Here are Russell’s tips on how regularly you should cut grass based on different seasons:
• Summer: It’s good to mow the lawn weekly or fortnightly because the grass is healthier and grows faster.
• Spring: Russell says your lawn will need the most attention during this time and recommends water and rain levels before cutting, although once a week or once a fortnight is ideal.
• Winter: The yard won’t need as much maintenance during the colder months, so you can get away without mowing the lawn for four to six weeks.
HOW LONG DO ELECTRIC LAWN MOWERS LAST?
Russell says this ultimately depends on how well you care and maintain your electric lawn mower, similar to other appliances. Keep in mind that while many models have warranty periods of either one or two years, battery-operated models usually come with separate guarantees for the machine itself and the battery.
“Once you finish mowing your lawn, always clean under the cutting deck, grass catcher and around the wheels and tyres to stop grass build up that can lead to clogging and rust,” he said.
“It is best to follow the user manual on the frequency of this maintenance schedule to increase the lawn mower’s longevity and ensure it is helping you to create a wonderful lawn.”
IS IT SAFE TO CUT WET GRASS WITH AN ELECTRIC MOWER?
Generally, no. Russell suggests steering clear of wet grass because it will likely clump together and get stuck in the cutting deck and cause blockages inside the unit, which can cause damage and decrease the lifespan of the lawnmower.
“If your lawn is wet, the best thing to do is let the lawn recover and dry out naturally before cutting. It is also important to consider the dangers of using an electric lawn mower on wet grass, as electricity and water are not the best mix,” he explained.
But if you do plan on using your lawn mower on wet grass, make sure to check the user manual to see whether it’s safe.
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