I just started cutting my lawn with the EGO Power 21+ LM2156SP self-propelled battery-powered mower. I was petrified about taking on the responsibility of weekly mowing. But I can mow my average-sized corner lot in just over an hour and with one charge.
I wrote a post weighing my first thoughts about gas-powered and battery-powered mowers. There are many options available on non-traditional lawn mowers, and ultimately I decided battery-powered mowers were easier for me to operate.
There was no learning curve, and already I am getting results comparable to the gas mowers. But I don’t get the noise, fuss, or fumes.
I was afraid this 65-year-old wouldn’t be able to start or operate the mower. The EGO mower arrived fully assembled. It starts with a push button instead of a pull chord. The self-propel speed is controlled by a dial directly on the handle. It’s so easy to manuver that I can direct and turn the mower with one hand. It comes to an immediate stop when the blade engagement handle is released.
The Unique Multi-Blade System Custom Cut
The EGO Power+ Mower’s select cut system was the first cordless lawn mower to offer interchangeable and multiple cutting blades. The upper blade creates suction that stands up the grass so each cut is even. There are three interchangeable lower blades to customize a precise and clean cut.
- Mulching Blade comes installed and is ideal for weekly mulching similar to the quality of high-end gas mowers. This would be typically used with the side-chute.
- The High Life Bagging Blade provides additional suction for easily capturing clippings in the provided grass catcher.
- The Extended Runtime Blade provides an optimal all around quality cut when you’re using the external shoot.
All the blades can be sharpened by a professional, and I’ve been told this technology will make the grass healthier, stronger, and resistent to disease. I don’t know about that. But the result are pretty.
The 21″ mowing deck has a cutting path that is 21-inches wide. I wanted the largest path I could find in a walk-behind mower. There was one contender with a 24-inch mowing deck, but the cost was almost double.
The mowing height is adjustable from 1.5 inches to 5-inches. This was a big issue for me. The professional landscapers I paid to care for my St. Augustine lawn were never able to raise the mowing height above 3-inches. They claimed to be mowing my grass at the highest depth they could accommodate, but the grass was always burned and even developed some bare spots. The lever has 5 adjustments. I’ve basically stayed within the 3, 4, 5 settings.
I’ve been mowing my lawn for just two months and it looks better simply because I’ve raised the blade height.
Lightweight Design Meets Supreme Maneuverability
One of the most immediate benefits of the EGO mower is its manageable weight and effortless handling. I admit I’m an old girl with limited upper body strenth. The EGO mower is a dainty 62 pounds; it’s about 10 pounds lighter than a typical gas mower.
It is self-propelled, but even using it in manual mode is easy. The mower glides smoothly over the lawn. It has fantastic maneuverability and navigate superbly around obstacles like trees, roots, and landscape art with a great turn radius.
For anyone who finds pushing a traditional mower strenuous, maneuvering the EGO unit is comfortable and easy. I find walking behind the self-propel unit is comparable to pushing a shopping cart. EGO can keep up if you want more of a cardiovascular benefit, but I prefer to count my steps on a leisurely stroll.
EGO collapses down for easy storage and can even hang on a hook in the garage. It’s super easy to get to the blades underneath for adjustment and cleaning.
Just Push START.
The EGO 21+ came with a 10.0ah battery and a charger, and because of a special promotion, I also scored an additional 7.5ah spare battery. I can typically mow the entire lawn in 75 minutes on just one charge of either battery. The battery usage increases when operating the mower at a faster speed or in long, thick grass. The battery refreshes in less than an hour if you do run out of power. That’s long enough to get a drink and take a break.
All the EGO mowers are equipped with this easy start up process:
Push the power button and pull up on the blade engagement lever on the handle. Releasing the blade engagement lever stops the engine and guarantees you won’t find the mower self-propelling itself across the yard if you stop to pick up a limb or trash. You set the self-propel speed by adjusting the knob up or down.
The variable 7-speed drive ranges from .9 to 3.1 MPH. This is a huge help when tackling small hills and significantly speeds up work on flat lawns. I’m only 5-foot tall and walking with the mower at 3 MPH is alot like jogging for me. However, I can see how anyone taller than 6-foot might appreciate the added speed.
One tip included in the instructions is that the blade will not spin if the mower’s extension handle is not fully extended. I read that twice and still attempted to test the safety feature by starting the mower with the handle lowered. The engine started but the blade won’t spin in that configuration!
Top-Tier Performance and Thoughtful Features
Despite its ease of use, the EGO mower does not sacrifice cut quality. It cuts through overgrown grass and thick weeds “like butter” without hesitating. Beyond its raw performance, the EGO offers features that enhance the mowing experience and safety:
- Customizable Cutting: This mower allows you to choose from six cut heights (1.5 to 4 inches) and, based on the blade configuration, enables clippings to be mulched back into the lawn, bagged or dischaged via the side chute.
- Compact Storage: The unit is designed with the ability to fold for compact, space-saving storage
- Added Visibility: Independently controlled LED lights are included for enhanced visibility
- The cell phone caddy attachment securely holds any size mobile phone. It’s a fun and unexpected tool that makes mow time fly by while listening to music or podcasts.
This mower comes with an attachable cell phone case. I didn’t get this option at first, but once I put my ear buds in and attached the case I realize mowing went much faster listening to a playlist or podcast!
Gas vs Battery: The Trade-Offs
To maintain fairness, it is worth noting the EGO’s primary drawbacks are typical of high-quality cordless units. You may not get a huge payoff if you’re used to mowing with a tractor or a high-end gas mower.
The battery life is impressive—lasting a full 45 minutes even while using the self-propel feature on a medium setting–but is limited when compared to the gas-powered options that run as long as fuel is provided. Using the self-propel feature on the highest speed setting can drastically decrease the runtime.
Additionally, while the EGO provides excellent value for a mid-tier price with the features and build of a more expensive mower, extra batteries are expensive compared to those offered by other brands.. The 7.5 ah battery is $349.99 at my local hardware store.
However, considering the power (56V versus 40V on some competitors) and superior ease of use, the EGO is still well worth the cost.
This EGO mower came with a 5-year tool warranty on the brushless engine and a lifetime warranty on the mowing unit as long as you register it within 90-days. The registration was painless through the EGO app on my phone. The included battery and charger have a 3-year warranty.
Final Verdict: The EGO LM2156SP retails for $650.00 to $900.00 depending on promotions and batteries. My yard is a standard 1/4-acre corner residential lot. I can usually mow the front and back lawn on a single charge. But the 56V charger refreshes the battery in just under 60-minutes if you run out of power. For me, the EGO mower was a great choice, and I don’t see me outgrowing it anytime soon. It exceeds my ease of use criteria, and it delivers professional results at a fraction of the cost.
Where to Buy EGO Products
EGO mowers are sold at many retailers including nationwide at Lowe’s, Walmart, and Ace Hardware,