Brushless vs brushed motors in cordless mowers

How the two motors work

A brushed motor uses small carbon blocks, the brushes, to pass current to the spinning part of the motor. The brushes rub as the motor turns, which creates friction, heat and wear. A brushless motor swaps the brushes for an electronic controller that switches the current. There is no rubbing contact, so less energy is lost as heat.

The controller can also sense load. On many brushless mowers it raises power when the grass thickens and eases off on short grass, which saves battery.

Side by side

The table sums up the general differences between the two motor types in a cordless mower.

What you notice when mowing

In short, regularly cut grass, many people would not notice the difference. The gap shows in long or wet grass, where a brushless mower keeps the blade speed up and cuts more cleanly, and over a full battery, where it usually covers more ground. Some brushless mowers also have a load sensing mode that runs quieter on light work.

Examples in our guides include the Greenworks 24V 33 cm and the Bosch UniversalRotak 2x18V-37, both of which list a brushless motor.

Cordless mowers for small gardens →

Battery life and run time

Because a brushless motor wastes less energy, the same battery goes further. That can let you choose a smaller battery or finish a larger lawn on one charge. Battery capacity still matters most: our guide to mower battery voltage and watt hours explains how to compare packs.

Lifespan and repairs

Carbon brushes wear and eventually need replacing, though on a garden mower this can take many seasons. Brushless motors avoid that wear, but the electronics are more complex and are usually repaired by replacing a module. In practice, both types tend to outlast the battery if the mower is kept clean and dry. Our article on how long cordless mowers last covers what wears first.

When brushed is fine

A brushed mower is a sensible choice for a small lawn mown every week or so in the growing season, where one battery charge covers the job easily. It is often lighter on the wallet and simpler. If you have a large lawn, let grass grow long between cuts or want the most run time, choose brushless.

Brushless in strimmers and hedge trimmers

The same reasoning applies to other cordless garden tools. A brushless strimmer holds its line speed better in thick grass, and a brushless hedge trimmer keeps its blade speed up through dense growth. On small tools used for short jobs, the battery saving is less noticeable, but a smoother, quieter motor is still pleasant to use.

If you are building a battery platform, check whether the brand offers brushless versions of the tools you plan to buy. Batteries from one brand usually fit all its tools on the same voltage, so a brushless mower and a brushed strimmer can share packs without issue. Our explainer on mower battery platforms covers how those systems work.

Motor type is only one part of the picture. Deck design, blade shape and how sharp you keep the blade affect cut quality and run time too. A sharp blade on a brushed mower can easily outperform a blunt blade on a brushless one.

Frequently asked questions

Is a brushless mower worth it? On larger lawns and in long grass, yes. On a small, regularly cut lawn the benefit is smaller.

Do brushless motors last longer? They have no brushes to wear, so in general they need less motor maintenance.

Does brushless mean more power? It means power is used more efficiently and held better under load. Voltage and motor size also matter.

Can you tell if a mower is brushless? Makers state it on the box and listing. If it is not mentioned, assume the motor is brushed.