Many gardeners are loyal to petrol lawn mowers for their power and range of features, despite their environmental impact, noise, and maintenance challenges. However, the latest advancements in battery technology have led to the emergence of the best cordless lawnmower to replace a petrol mower, offering comparable power and convenience without the drawbacks.
Finding the right cordless mower to take the place of a petrol model requires careful consideration, but the effort is worth it. The best cordless mowers now provide ample run-time and require minimal effort to maintain, all while ensuring your lawn looks immaculate.
With the value they offer, especially in 2024, now is the ideal time to make the switch. This guide will help you navigate the options and find the perfect cordless mower to replace your petrol one. For a deeper dive into specific models, my full reviews are available to give you a comprehensive understanding of what each mower brings to the table.
3 Excellent Cordless Lawn Mowers To Replace Your Petrol Mower
At A Glance
- Hyundai HYM80LI460SP – Best Value Petrol Alternative Cordless Lawn Mower
- EGO LM1903E-SP – Best Petrol Alternative Cordless Mower For Power And Performance
- Greenworks GD24X2LM46SPK4X – Best All-Round Petrol Alternative Cordless Lawn Mower
1. Hyundai HYM80LI460SP – Best Value Petrol Alternative Cordless Lawn Mower
This is a 45cm lawn mower making it perfect for mid-sized lawns without being too bulky. What’s more, it’s kitted out with a massive 65 litre grass box so you can mow for longer without having to stop. That said, I should point out that the Hyundai HYM80LI460SP has one of the lower running times at just 40 minutes and it’ll take a further 80 minutes to get the batteries charged, so make sure they’re topped up before you start. There is however a fast charger available that reduces this down to a very respectable 30 minutes and is cheap enough to make it a viable option.
This is a relatively versatile lawn mower that comes with mulching capabilities as well as six cutting heights so you can adjust how you cut the grass according to the season and conditions. Being a 4 in 1 mower, you have all the same options as the best petrol lawn mowers out there.
While the Hyundai HYM80LI460SP does benefit from a durable steel deck, it’s a very lightweight cordless mower at just 27.8kg which is great if you’re sick of lugging a bulky petrol mower around the garden. It runs smoothly and quietly, so your neighbours will be glad to hear the last of that noisy petrol lawn mower!
Hyundai HYM80LI460P Video Review
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2. EGO LM1903E-SP – Best Petrol Alternative Cordless Mower For Power And Performance
For anyone that wants a lawn mower whose power is comparable to that of a petrol lawn mower, I would highly recommend the EGO LM1903E-SP. This beast of a cordless lawn mower runs on a 3000 rpm brushless motor which delivers consistent power and runs incredibly smoothly. Not to mention how quiet it is.
It runs on 56 volt 5.0Ah batteries that provide up to 40% more power than comparable batteries. If you’ve been worried about leaving the power of petrol behind, you can rest assured that this will give it a run for its money. What I also love is that you get a rapid charger included in the box, so there won’t be any waiting around to get started.
The EGO LM1903E-SP features a strong steel deck and a 47cm cutting width making it ideal for medium sized lawns. It has a decent sized 55 litre grass box, but I was disappointed to find that you have to buy the mulching plug separately. The same can be said if you want a rear roller.
While petrol mowers can be very cumbersome, the EGO LM1903E-SP weighs just 25kg and it’s self-propelled so it’ll be a breeze moving it around the garden. What’s more, this mower has large rear wheels meaning it’s even easier to manoeuvre on uneven surfaces.
EGO Video Review
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3. Greenworks GD24X2LM46SPK4X – Best All-Round Petrol Alternative Cordless Lawn Mower
I was seriously impressed with the Greenworks GD24X2LM46SPK4X which could pass as a petrol mower thanks to the amazing array of features. This mower has everything you could ask for from a petrol lawn mower without the fumes and high maintenance.
For example, this is a 4 in 1 lawn mower with a range of seven cutting heights between 25mm and 80mm. The large 46cm aluminium deck is super durable and great for medium sized lawns. What’s more, since this is a self-propelled model, you won’t need to struggle. Even better is that this one comes with a variable speed option which cannot be said for the previous two mowers I have looked at here.
If you’ve grown tired of struggling to fire up a petrol lawn mower then the easy start push button will be a welcome change and with 48v batteries, you won’t need to compromise on power. Moreover, the Greenworks GD24X2LM46SPK4X benefits from a lengthy 52 minute run-time and is extremely quiet, all things considered.
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What Makes A Cordless Mower a Good Replacement For Petrol?
When cordless mowers first made their way onto the market, it was common knowledge that they weren’t as powerful as petrol. However, things have really progressed since then and it’s possible to purchase a surprisingly powerful cordless lawn mower. This is, without a doubt, one of the main things that determines whether a cordless mower is a suitable replacement for a petrol model.
Cordless lawn mowers that deliver excellent cut quality are ideal for replacing the high standards associated with petrol mowers. What’s more, with a wide selection of cutting options like rear and side discharge as well as mulching, many cordless mowers are just as versatile as their petrol cousins.
One of the things that really makes a difference and makes a cordless mower an amazing petrol replacement, is how easy they are to start, use, manoeuvre and maintain. Petrol mowers can be notoriously difficult to start, and they require a lot of on-going maintenance, but cordless mowers simply require you to press a button and get going. In terms of maintenance, it’s simply a case of keeping them clean and storing the batteries correctly.
When deciding if a cordless lawn mower is a viable alternative to petrol, it’s also important to keep in mind how easy it is to get replacement parts or access repairs. The best cordless lawn mowers for replacing petrol will offer long warranties and excellent customer support.
What Should I Look For When Purchasing A Cordless Lawn Mower To Replace A Petrol Mower?
The great thing about modern cordless lawn mowers is that they typically have all of the same features as a petrol mower. There won’t be anything you’ll miss when making the switch, but that does rely on you checking what features each mower has so that you can find something that perfectly matches your needs. Here are some of the most important things to consider when purchasing a cordless lawn mower to replace petrol.
Lawn Size
A petrol mower is normally quite a large piece of equipment, but one thing you’ll notice is that they come in different deck widths. The same can be said for a cordless mower. You’ll need to choose a larger cutting width for larger lawns, but try to get the balance between an appropriate width deck and something that is not oversized, as a larger mower will be heavier and take up more storage space.
Another thing to think about in terms of lawn size is the running time. Petrol mowers are pretty much able to run indefinitely as long as you keep the fuel topped up. However, a cordless model is limited by its battery. Of course, you can buy additional batteries so you never run out of power, but this will mean spending more money. Remember, if you only have a single battery you will need to consider how long it will take to recharge, to be on your way again. The good news is fast chargers are available for most brands and can charge the batteries in as little as 30 minutes.
Generally speaking, you will want to find a lawn mower that runs for at least 30 minutes, if not longer. With all of that in mind, I would say that large lawns over 800m² might be less work if you stick with petrol.
Mowing Features
A lot of petrol lawn mowers come with a huge range of mowing options like side discharge, rear discharge and mulching as well as the traditional cut and collect option. If you want a cordless mower that is going to rival petrol, then you’ll want to look for a 4 in 1 mower and the good news is that there are plenty of these about.
Just be mindful that there are some models out there that do have these capabilities, but require you to buy add-ons such as a mulching plug, which will require extra money.
Power
One of the things that puts a lot of people off buying a cordless mower to replace their petrol, is power. Petrol mowers were long hailed as the most powerful, but with modern advances in technology, cordless mowers really are starting to rival this.
You’ll want to look for something that has higher voltage batteries and also look at the Ah rating of the battery as this will tell you how long it’ll run for. The higher the Ah, the longer the battery will keep going, and the higher the voltage the more powerful. Many larger cordless models will use a combination of two batteries, so for example 2 x 40v batteries will provide 80v of power.
However, you should keep in mind that a cordless mower might not be powerful enough to tackle very trying conditions like very rugged terrain or cutting things other than grass. In this case, you might be better off with petrol. Although something like the EGO LM1903E-SP, that I will look at later in this guide might just cut the mustard!
Cut Quality
Petrol mowers do a very good job of delivering a clean and even cut in the smallest amount of time. This is a feature you’ll almost certainly want to look for when choosing a cordless mower to replace petrol.
Look at the material and quality of the blades. Steel blades are strong and reliable and as long as they are kept sharp, they’ll deliver a seriously impressive cut that’s comparable with petrol. What’s more, a lot of cordless lawn mowers are fitted with cut to edge technology, which means there won’t be any unevenness around the edges that you’ll have to fix with a trimmer later on.
Storage
Cordless mowers are, for the most part, a lot smaller than petrol but there are still some decent sized models, so you’ll need to look for something that you’re going to be able to store easily. Some models, unlike petrol, can be stored vertically which is a real space saver, but this isn’t always the case.
At the very least, you will want a cordless mower whose handles fold down at both the mid and lower points making it easier and more compact to store in the shed or an outbuilding.
Cost
As a rule of thumb, a cordless mower will cost a little more up front than a petrol one, but not so much so that you have to invest your life savings. This is largely because of the battery system. However, when you think about how much money you would spend maintaining a petrol mower, it’s easy to see how you will save money in the long run.
Conclusion
More and more people are seeing the benefit of changing from a petrol lawn mower to a cordless one. They’re better for the environment, don’t create as much noise, aren’t as heavy or hard to maintain and the newest models certainly rival petrol in terms of power, durability and performance.
There are so many options to choose from, so it’s worth looking over the features to make sure you get something that matches your needs and is a viable petrol replacement.
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.
