Summary
For regular domestic lawn maintenance or sports turf care, you need a lawn mower that’s powerful, precise and packed with features that’ll ensure consistency and a great cut. While the Cobra Fortis 17E is certainly an investment, it’s an excellent, high end lawn mower that makes lawn care almost effortless.
There are four different sizes of the Cobra Fortis which include deck sizes of 14 inches, 17 inches, 20 inches and 25 inches. For the purposes of this review, I’ll be testing the 17 inch model on my back lawn which covers around 500m².
With a self-propelled drive, interchangeable cartridges, a metal roller and incredibly powerful batteries, the Cobra Fortis 17E is ideal for ongoing lawn care where your aim is to achieve a bowling green, flat lawn.
I have a full Cobra Fortis 17E video review over on my YouTube channel where you can see how to assemble this model, how it performs and more. In this review, I’ll be covering the finer details and helping you decide whether this is the right model for you and your lawn.
Cobra Fortis 17E 17″ Cordless 56v Cylinder Lawnmower Video Review
To see this Cobra cordless mower in action, see my video review below.
Main Features
- 43 cm cutting deck
- 17 inch blade
- 65 litre solid grass box
- 6 mm to 13 mm cutting heights
- 2 x 56 v 5.0Ah EGO batteries
- Interchangeable cartridge system
- Steel front roller
- Split rear roller
- Foldable, ergonomic handles
- Powershare batteries
- 95 cuts per metre
Power System and Battery
There are many cordless lawnmowers that are known for their power but none are quite as renowned as the Cobra Fortis 17E which comes with two 56 v 5.0Ah lithium ion EGO batteries. These are currently the highest energy capacity batteries for outdoor tools so that gives you a great idea of just how powerful they are.
What’s more, the batteries work independently of one another so you can, in theory, run the Cobra Fortis 17E on just one battery. Of course, this does mean that the 60 minute runtime is cut in half. But if you have a smaller lawn, that isn’t likely to be a problem. I tested the Cobra Fortis 17E on my 500m² back lawn and still had 25% battery power left so it’s extremely efficient.
I also really like that Cobra has chosen to use EGO batteries which are a little more high end. When you look at some of the competing models, you’ll notice that they use battery brands such as Greenworks. While there’s nothing essentially wrong with this, I’m a big fan of EGO batteries so seeing them included was great.
If you have any of the other 56 v tools in the Cobra range then it’s good news; these are powershare batteries which is a great money saver. However, since the Cobra Fortis 17E only comes with a single standard charger, you may find that you need to invest in the fast charger if you want your batteries to be ready more quickly. With the standard charger, it’ll take around 100 minutes to charge each battery whereas the fast charger brings this down to just 40 minutes. It’s also worth mentioning that if you opt for one of the larger 20 or 25 inch models, you will get the fast charger in the box. Of course, if you don’t need a larger model, there’s little point in sizing up just to get this benefit when you can purchase a fast charger separately.
The batteries have a handy set of charging lights on them so you can see how much or how little power is left. While this is a relatively common feature among cordless lawn mower batteries, it’s certainly a handy one.
Performance
I was really excited to be able to test the Cobra Fortis 17E on my lawn and I certainly made the most of it since this was a generous loan from Cobra for the purposes of this review.
If you take a look at my YouTube review of the Cobra Fortis 17E, you’ll see just how well this machine performs. Not just in terms of actually cutting the lawn but for lawn care in general. What’s impressive is that you get the option to add one of several different cartridges including a scarifier, dethatcher, 10 blade cassette, verticut blade, lawn brush and an aerator. It really is an all in one complete lawn maintenance tool. So, even though this is something of an investment, it saves you from having to have lots of different pieces of equipment.
Initially, I tested the Cobra Fortis 17E on my back lawn which is pretty large at 500m² so my main concern was whether the battery would be up for the challenge. As I mentioned earlier, I was able to cut the entire lawn with just 75% of the juice so this was super impressive.
I set the Cobra Fortis 17E on the highest cutting height of 30 mm but I had also used my rotary mower to bring the lawn length down as this isn’t a model that’s designed to tackle long grass. If you’re looking for something that’ll help to regularly maintain a short lawn, then this Cobra Fortis 17E is an excellent choice. After running the mower over my lawn, I was really pleased with the neat finish and how well the roller had created stripes. I also noticed how flat and even the lawn was when I was done which is saying something considering there were quite a few lumps and bumps around the area.
As I touched upon earlier, there are many different cartridges which can be used with the Cobra Fortis 17E and I couldn’t review this mower without giving a few of them a try. After I had mowed the lawn, I inserted the scarifier cartridge (you can see full instructions on how to switch cartridges in my Cobra Fortis 17E YouTube review) and again, I was very pleased with the results. You’ll also see that, when I remove the side panel, there’s an extremely heavy duty drive system with thick pulleys and durable components. This demonstrates that, while you’re making an investment with this mower, you’re getting the highest quality possible.
I set the blade quite high as, with it being May, I didn’t want to dig down into the soil too much but the Cobra Fortis 17E still did an incredible job of lifting thatch, weeds and dead grass, leaving my lawn looking very presentable.
The following day, after giving my lawn (and myself) a bit of a break, I popped in the verticut cartridge, which is designed to catch those pesky vertical strands of grass, and went over the whole lawn again. The amount that this blade collected was seriously impressive and made me see why this is such a good option for sports turf or regular domestic lawn care.
Cobra states that the Cobra Fortis 17E and its standard 6 blade cylinder is designed for precision and it didn’t disappoint. Again, I’d urge you to check out my video review to get a really clear idea of just what this lawn mower is capable of achieving
Deck and Blade
The Cobra Fortis 17E is the second smallest version of this model with a 17 inch (43 cm) blade width. Being a cylinder mower, you’re getting six blades as standard which deliver 95 cuts per metre. If you upgrade to the ten blade cartridge then you’ll be getting a whopping 150 cuts per metre.
It’s worth mentioning that the other deck sizes do come with varying features such as a grass comb cartridge with the fine turf version and a fast charger with some of the larger models. I have included a table which compares each model to help you decide which Cobra Fortis is right for you.
Rear Roller
The Cobra Fortis 17E doesn’t do things by halves. In fact, it does things doubly! At the front of the mower is a smooth, heavy, steel roller which does an amazing job of flattening the grass and creating that perfect bowling green finish. Just take a look at the results on my YouTube video review.
At the back of the Cobra Fortis 17E there is also a split rear roller which separates as you turn, protecting the lawn and also making manoeuvring much easier, especially considering what a heavy machine this is.
Handles
Being such a high-end lawn mower, it won’t surprise you that Cobra has gone above and beyond in every aspect of the Fortis 17E and the handles are no exception.
For starters, this is an ergonomically designed handle that means additional comfort and ease of use. When you’re covering a larger lawn, this is actually a feature that is far more important than many people realise and something I’d highly recommend looking out for.
What’s more, everything you need is situated on the LCD screen at the top of the handle so you can stay on top of performance and your batteries. Things like remaining run time, self-propelled speed and other things are right at your fingertips.
Now, I won’t sugar coat it, the Cobra Fortis 17E is a large model but with folding handles (and a removable grass box), the overall size is decreased significantly which makes storage easier. If that handle didn’t fold, you’d need a lot more space in the shed or garage so this may be a small consideration but it’s an important one.
Height Adjustment
Earlier, I discussed that the Cobra Fortis 17E is not a mower that’s designed to plough through overgrown grass. You’ll need your rotary mower for that. However, if you’re looking to maintain a bowling green lawn then it’s ideal and the cutting heights range between 6 mm and 30 mm so you can achieve a nice close cut.
However, if you need to go even shorter, I’d recommend looking at the 20 or 25 inch models of this mower as the cutting height can go as low as 3mm.
In any case, adjusting the cutting height is incredibly easy thanks to the knob at the front of the mower. Now, unlike many cordless lawn mowers, there isn’t a number system or guided measurements so you will need to use the tool provided by Cobra to measure the distance between the blades and the lawn.
Grass Collection Bag
Being a larger lawn mower, you’d expect a decently sized grass box and that’s exactly what you’re getting with the 65 litre solid grass box which easily attaches to the front of the Cobra Fortis 17E.
Now, my biggest gripe with solid grass boxes is that they’re not as easy to store since you can’t collapse them. But when I consider the other excellent features of the Cobra Fortis 17E, this is a minor inconvenience in my opinion.
Safety Features
As is standard with most cordless lawn mowers, the Cobra Fortis 17E comes with a safety key which must be inserted in order for the machine to fire up. But what I also like about this safety key is that it serves a dual purpose and also helps to release the batteries from their housing.
Practicalities
At first glance or if you’ve never used this type of lawn mower in the past, you might be fooled into thinking that the Cobra Fortis 17E is a complex piece of equipment. But you’d be wrong.
I had this mower delivered and got to work putting it together and the process was surprisingly simple. You’ll see in my YouTube Cobra Fortis 17E review that the mower comes delivered on a pallet and, since it’s so heavy at just under 85 kg, you will need to be mindful of how you get it out of the box. I personally found that constructing the handles while it was still packaged and then removing the sides of the box was the best option and allowed me to simply wheel the Cobra Fortis 17E out.
You’ll also see in this video review how quickly and easily I was able to put the handles together. What really impressed me was that Cobra includes a tool kit so you have everything you need to assemble the product without having to run out to B&Q!
The next step was to attach the brake which again, was very simple. Although, if you’re not entirely sure on what to do, I provide full visual instructions in the YouTube video.
In terms of practicalities, the weight of this mower does let it down a little. Now, it is important that I point out the weight is positive in many ways as it gives the Cobra Fortis 17E its unrivalled ability to flatten the lawn and create stripes. However, if you have steps or obstacles between the shed and the lawn, you’re going to struggle unless you can build a ramp.
I was very happy to see that there is also the option to turn the power on without engaging the blades. This makes it much easier and safer to move the Cobra Fortis 17E along paths on the way to the grass.
That said, once the Cobra Fortis 17E is on the lawn, it’s not hefty to move around thanks to the variable speed self propelled drive. At this weight and price point, this is something I’m not surprised to see. There’s a dial on the top of the handle which allows you to easily adjust the speed, further demonstrating the user-friendliness of this model.
Upon purchasing and registering your Cobra Fortis 17E, you’ll get a two year domestic warranty. However, it is worth keeping in mind that the commercial warranty for this model is only one year. I have also found the technical support to be incredibly good with Cobra in general and when I contacted them regarding this model, they were super helpful. In a UK based call centre, you’re able to get straight through to a human and the team are excellently trained to answer all your questions.
Cobra Fortis Cordless User Manual
Click here to access the Cobra Fortis user manual.
What’s Included In The Box?
- 1 x Cobra Fortis 17E
- 2 x 56 v 5.0Ah EGO batteries
- Tool kit
- Handles
- Brake
- Grass box
- User manual
Pros and Cons
Cobra Fortis Cordless Mower Comparison Table
| |  FORTIS14E KIT |  FORTIS17E KIT |  FORTIS20E KIT |  FORTIS25E KIT |  FORTIS20FTE KIT |  FORTIS25FTE KIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | x2 Ego 56v 4Ah | x2 Ego 56v 5Ah | x2 Ego 56v 6Ah | x2 Ego 56v 10Ah | x2 Ego 56v 6Ah | x2 Ego 56v 10Ah |
| Charger | Standard Charger | Standard Charger | Quick Charger | Quick Charger | Quick Charger | Quick Charger |
| *Approx Run Time | 45mins | 60mins | 70mins | 90mins | 70mins | 90mins |
| Cutting Width | 35cm / 14” | 43cm / 17” | 51cm / 20” | 63cm / 25” | 51cm / 20” | 63cm / 25” |
| Cylinder | 6 Bladed Cartridge | 6 Bladed Cartridge | 6 Bladed Cartridge | 6 Bladed Cartridge | 10 Bladed Cartridge | 10 Bladed Cartridge |
| Cutting Height | Fine Adjust Between 6 - 30mm | Fine Adjust Between 6 - 30mm | Fine Adjust Between 6 - 30mm | Fine Adjust Between 6 - 30mm | Fine Adjust Between 3 - 30mm | Fine Adjust Between 3 - 30mm |
| Single Height of Cut Lever | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drive Type | Self Propelled | Self Propelled | Self Propelled | Self Propelled | Self Propelled | Self Propelled |
| Cartridge System | Yes, all Cartridges | Yes, all Cartridges | Yes, all Cartridges | Yes, all Cartridges | Yes, all Cartridges | Yes, all Cartridges |
| Rear Roller | Yes, Split Smooth Steel | Yes, Cast Ribbed Split | Yes, Cast Ribbed Split | Yes, Steel Rubber Coated Split | Yes, Cast Ribbed Split | Yes, Steel Rubber Coated Split |
| Grass Box Capacity | 55ltr | 65ltr | 75ltr | 90ltr | 75ltr | 90ltr |
| Front Roller | Yes, Steel | Yes, Steel | Yes, Steel | Yes, Steel | Grooved Steel + Turf Rake | Grooved Steel + Turf Rake |
| Weight | 70.9kg | 83.8kg | 90.2kg | 102.4kg | 97.2kg | 110.4kg |
Should You Buy This Model?
For domestic users, the Cobra Fortis 17E is only going to be suitable if you’re looking for a system that’ll help you to regularly maintain your lawn. If you’re the type of person that only cuts the grass every few weeks, I think this will be overkill and largely unfit for purpose.
However, for complete lawn care and a consistently short, bowling green style lawn, the Cobra Fortis 17E is the epitome of excellence.
That said, if you are a domestic user that still wants a precise, short cut but your budget doesn’t allow for the high price point of the Cobra Fortis 17E then there is an alternative. The Cobra RM43. This is actually my go to mower and one that I regularly use on my own lawn so I can put my money where my mouth is when I tell you that this is an excellent piece of equipment.
The Cobra Fortis 17E is also a fantastic option for commercial users as well as for things like cricket grounds, bowling greens and other sports settings. Given the long run time and super low cutting height, it turns maintenance into a much easier job.
What’s more, I think that the Cobra Fortis 17E is a far better alternative to petrol as you don’t have the mower maintenance, petrol storage, fumes and loud noise to consider. If your bowling club is looking for a way to be more eco-friendly while still retaining a perfect green then this is an option well worth thinking about.
Conclusion
The Cobra Fortis 17E is, without a doubt, a serious investment for people that are serious about lawn care. But if you’re looking for convenience, quality and a cutting performance that’s worth getting excited about then it’s a model I’d highly recommend.
For short, fine turf settings, the Cobra Fortis 17E excels above rotary lawn mowers and comes with many features that make lawn care far easier than it has any right to be.
I love the interchangeable cartridge system which eliminates the need for several different tools in your shed, saving you space, money and time in the long run.
While there are a few minor drawbacks such as the weight and high price, these certainly wouldn’t be enough to deter me from using the Cobra Fortis 17E if I needed a system that allowed a precise, short cut and various lawn care options.
Where Should I Purchase?
Not sure about this electric mower? Click here to see more electric cordless lawn mower reviews.
As a seasoned expert in the field of garden power tools, I have dedicated over a decade to working with and reviewing a wide variety of lawn mowers. My extensive experience has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the benefits and limitations of different types of mowers and garden tools.
Over the years, I have honed my skills in writing informative articles and creating helpful videos for various blogs and publications. This has given me the ability to not only recognise what makes a good lawn mower, but also to help you choose the perfect garden tool for your specific needs and requirements.
With my wealth of knowledge and expertise, I am confident that I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations when it comes to selecting the right lawn mower for your lawn. So, whether you're looking for a battery cordless, electric, petrol, or robotic mower, you can trust in my expertise to guide you towards the best option for your garden.
