Cordless vs corded lawn mowers

Corded and cordless at a glance

The table below uses widely known features of each type rather than one model's specs. Individual mowers vary, so check the listing for cutting width, height range and weight.

Power and cut quality

On a dry, regularly cut lawn, a decent corded mower and a decent cordless mower both cut cleanly. The differences show in long or wet grass. A mains mower has a steady supply, so it holds speed for as long as the motor can cope. A battery mower can match that, especially brushless models on higher voltage packs, but heavy grass drains the battery faster and some mowers slow or cut out under load.

Whichever you choose, follow the RHS one-third rule: do not remove more than a third of the grass height in one cut. That keeps the lawn healthy and keeps any mower working within its limits. Our one-third rule tool gives the lowest height to cut to today.

Run time, cable handling and weight

Run time is the main reason people stay with a cable. A corded mower never needs a recharge, so it suits a lawn that a single battery would not finish. Battery makers quote the lawn area each kit will cut: the Greenworks 40 V 41 cm mower, for example, is listed at about 250 m² per 2 Ah battery and 500 m² with both supplied packs.

Cable handling is the main reason people switch. You need to mow away from the lead, flip it over your shoulder on each turn, and plan a route that avoids cutting it. Around trees, beds and narrow side passages that becomes slow. A cordless mower removes that job entirely, and you can mow a front lawn without running an extension lead through the house.

Weight cuts both ways. Small corded mowers are often light because there is no battery. Battery mowers carry their packs, but many fold flat and hang on a wall.

Energy use in kWh

Both types use little electricity. A corded mower's energy use is roughly its rated power in kilowatts multiplied by hours of use at full load, so a 1.4 kW mower running flat out for half an hour would use up to about 0.7 kWh. Real use is often lower because the motor is not always at full load.

For a battery mower, the useful figure is the pack's watt hours. A 40 V 2 Ah battery holds about 80 Wh, so a full recharge takes a little under 0.1 kWh once charger losses are allowed for. Either way, mowing is a small item on a household electricity bill compared with heating or cooking. The Energy Saving Trust explains how to read appliance power ratings if you want to work it out for your own kit.

Safety with mains and battery mowers

Corded mowers should always be used through an RCD (residual current device), either built into the consumer unit or as a plug-in adaptor. Check the cable for cuts before each use, keep it behind you, and never mow over it. Use an outdoor-rated extension lead and unwind it fully so it does not overheat. Battery mowers remove the cable risk but bring battery care: charge on a hard surface away from heat, and store packs indoors in a cool, dry place.

Note:Unplug a corded mower, or remove the battery or safety key from a cordless one, before you touch the blade or clear the deck. Wear gloves and never tip a running mower. If a cable is damaged, replace it or have it repaired by a qualified person rather than taping it.

See cordless mowers for small gardens →

Which should you choose?

A corded mower makes sense for a compact, simple lawn close to a socket, where cable handling takes little effort and you want unlimited run time. A cordless mower makes sense for most other gardens: lawns split into front and back, lawns with trees and beds to steer round, and anyone who already owns a battery platform for a strimmer or drill.

For lawns up to a few hundred square metres, see our small garden cordless mower guide. For bigger lawns, the best cordless lawn mower guide compares wider decks and larger battery kits.

Frequently asked questions

Is a cordless mower as powerful as a corded one? On a regularly mown lawn, a good cordless mower cuts as well as a corded one. In long, wet grass a battery runs down faster, so raise the cutting height and take two passes.

Do I need an RCD for a corded lawn mower? Yes, using an RCD is the standard safety advice for mains garden tools, because it cuts the power quickly if the cable is damaged.

How far can a corded mower reach? As far as its cable and any outdoor extension lead allow. Long runs are awkward to manage, which is why big or awkward lawns suit cordless better.

Are cordless mowers heavier? Often slightly, because of the battery, but many fold flat for storage. Check the listed weight if you need to carry the mower up steps.