Cordless, or battery-powered, lawnmowers provide freedom from annoying power cables and make mowing easier for gardeners with all lawn sizes. When picking out a cordless mower, there are several factors to weigh regarding battery life, charging time, noise level, cutting width, height adjustments, and other extras like rollers. Read on for a guide on what to look for according to your lawn care needs.

Pay Attention to Battery Voltage

The battery is the driving force of a cordless lawnmower, powering an electric motor rather than needing fuel or oil. Paying attention to voltage gives insight into expected battery life. Higher battery voltage like 60V or 80V means the motor can run for longer without fading compared to lower voltages around 40V. It also indicates the cordless mower can handle thicker, denser grass without bogging down. Most modern cordless mowers operate on either 40V, 60V or 80V lithium-ion battery packs.

If your lawn has predominantly thick, tall grass, the higher voltage 80V battery gives more confidence the mower will make it through mowing sessions of over an hour without slowly losing momentum. Lawns with thinner or more average grass can get by just fine on 60V or even 40V battery packs if the lawn area falls on the smaller side. When estimating lawn size to pick an appropriate voltage, recall voltage directly correlates with potential motor run time.

Evaluate Charging Time

Rechargeable batteries give the user flexibility when it comes to charging options. Shorter charging times allow you to finish a partial mow, juice up in less than an hour, and get back to the lawn work. Most lithium-ion batteries recharge in 2-4 hours, letting you swap between two included batteries if needed.

Having an extra battery or two on hand works better for heavier mowing demands than chasing short 30-60 minute charging turnarounds. Some brands advertise super fast charging capabilities, but pay attention to the fine print, as faster chargers usually cost extra and shorten the battery lifespan.

Operating Noise

Part of what makes cordless mowers attractive is how quiet the electric motors operate, reaching noise levels 60% less than petrol mowers. That quieter profile makes mowing more pleasant and less intrusive on neighbourhoods. Cordless mowers typically generate around 75 decibels of sound during operation.

Higher-end models designed with noise reduction can reach 65 dB, comparable to the volume of a normal spoken conversation. If desiring a very quiet mow, compare noise ratings and buy the least noisy model within budget constraints. Less motor noise also helps balance safety, as you remain better aware of activity going on around you while wearing hearing protection.

Cutting Width Impacts Mowing Time

Cordless mower cutting deck widths, measured by the blade side to side, often fall between 14 inches on the low end to 24 inches on the higher side. That measurement plays a role in mowing duration and passes needed to cover the whole lawn.

If caring for a smaller lawn around a few hundred square feet, a model like the Snapper 16-Inch SP 60V Cordless Mower nicely balances compactness with a cutting swath able to cover modest lawns efficiently.

Homeowners with properties stretching into several thousand square feet need a wider cutting deck around 20+ inches for reasonable mowing times. Wider decks also assist in handling thicker grass and light vegetation without bogging down thanks to increased airflow.

When considering cutting width, think about odd corners or landscaping elements posing maneuverability challenges.

While larger cutting widths speed up mowing, they compromise the unit’s ability to tightly turn around enclosures or tree trunks. Make sure to balance time savings against accessibility needs for the unique contours and obstacles in your garden.

Adjust Cutting Height to Lawn Needs

Look for number of height settings available and their adjustment style. The majority of cordless mowers offer single lever height adjustment generally ranging from 1 to 4 inches in total variance. If wanting a clean cut lawn around 2 or 3 inches high, nearly any mower meets that with their standard height range options.

For property owners practicing natural lawn care at taller heights or allowing clover growth, having an expanded adjustment range proves useful. Some mower brands extend from 1 to 7 inches or higher to accommodate landscaping needs like meadows or ornamental grasses. Choosing a model with such expanded cutting gradation makes it simpler to experiment with sustainable lawn care goals.

Integrated Rollers Create Stripes

Lawn striping continues rising in popularity for the professional finish it lends. Cordless mowers achieve that refined look through integrated rollers. The roller sits just behind the actual mower blade and gently presses down the blades of grass in the direction mowed. When viewed from certain angles, the light reflecting off the flattened grass creates visible stripes or patterns across the lawn.

Rollers prove most effective on lawns with thicker growth as they bend the longer blades easier to reveal the striping effect. If wanting to experiment with ornamental stripes, select a cordless mower sporting an attached roller. For those unconcerned about striping accents, a roller-less model prevents having to clean grass clumps or moisture accumulation off the cylinder.