Lawn mower with battery or cable? Stiftung Warentest comes to a clear verdict

Stiftung Warentest has tested various lawn mowers with battery and cable operation.

One variant performs significantly better.

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Table of contents

• A comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of cordless and corded lawnmowers

• Cordless and corded lawnmowers at Stiftung Warentest: which are the best?

• When are petrol lawn mowers useful?

• Lawn mower maintenance and care tips

• Safety tips for lawn mowing

For many, a well-groomed lawn is part of a beautiful garden.

A mowed lawn doesn't just look good: mowing the lawn also promotes dense growth and keeps weeds in check.

A lawnmower is therefore indispensable for everyone who relies on a well-groomed lawn.

But which lawnmower best suits your needs?

Should it be a model with battery or cable operation?

Stiftung Warentest has tested numerous lawn mowers of both variants.

One guy did significantly better.

Are you looking for robotic lawnmowers that work automatically?

You can find them here.

Lawn mowers at Stiftung Warentest: battery and cable models in comparison

The obvious difference between the two variants is the cable.

Especially when there are obstacles in the way, a cable can get in the way.

With battery-powered models, this problem does not exist.

Nevertheless, both lawn mower types have their advantages and disadvantages:

Cordless lawn mower advantages and disadvantages:

Corded Lawnmower Pros and Cons:

Cordless lawn mowers

offer a high level of flexibility, are quieter and easier to use.

However, they have to be charged regularly and have a limited running time.

With many models you can buy additional batteries and do not have to charge them before proceeding.

However, the purchase price is significantly higher - with some models, the battery and charger are not included in the scope of delivery.

Corded lawnmowers

score with an uninterrupted power supply and would be ideal for large areas - if it weren't for the limited working radius due to the cable length.

Therefore, you are less flexible with these models and the cable can also get in the way.

Cordless and corded lawnmowers at Stiftung Warentest: which are the best?

Stiftung Warentest tested and rated a total of 27 lawn mowers.

The testers used various criteria, including cutting quality, handling, volume, safety and environmental factors.

Eleven lawnmowers received the test grade "Good".

It was striking that ten of these eleven lawnmowers were cordless models - only one corded lawnmower achieved the grade "good".

Stihl RMA 443 C cordless lawn mower: Test grade "Good" (1.8) - the test winner

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Stihl RMA 443 C cordless lawn mower

© Stihl

Order the Stihl cordless lawn mower for €439.99

1,000 watts, a speed of 3,150 rpm and a cutting width of 41 cm ensure that the lawn can be trimmed quickly and thoroughly.

Particularly practical: The mono comfort handlebar can be adjusted to the body size in just a few simple steps.

order battery

Order a battery charger as well

Einhell GE-CM 36/36 Li cordless lawn mower: test grade "good" (2.0)

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Einhell GE-CM 36/36 Li cordless lawn mower

© Einhell

This branded product is ideal for lawns up to 400 m2.

As a so-called high wheeler, the cordless mower is on the road with large wheels and so is the turf.

A special plus: Einhell gives a 10-year motor guarantee after registration.

Order for €293.36

AL-KO 42.9 Li SET cordless lawnmower: Test grade "Good" (2.2)

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AL-KO 42.9 Li SET cordless lawn mower

© AL-KO

This robust sheet steel model is supplied with a battery (36 V / 4 Ah) and charger.

The ball-bearing wheels enable effortless lawn mowing.

Order for €429

Einhell GE-HM 18/38 Li Solo cordless lawn mower: test grade "good" (2.3)

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Einhell GE-HM 18/38 Li Solo cordless lawn mower

© Einhell

This cylinder mower scores with extremely precise technology.

Its horizontally rotating blade spindles produce clean cut surfaces that heal quickly and ensure a particularly even result.

Order for €143.95

Stiga Combi 340e Kit Cordless Lawnmower: Test grade "Good" (2.3)

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Stiga Combi 340e Kit cordless lawnmower

©Stiga

This hand-propelled cordless mower requires little effort to push and is much easier to maneuver than a large wheel-drive model.

It mows quietly over a width of a comfortable 38 cm.

Order for €334

Stihl RME 235 corded lawn mower: test grade "good" (2.3)

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Stihl RME 235 corded lawn mower

© Stihl

Weighing only 13 kg and particularly quiet, this affordable model is the winner among corded lawn mowers.

Practical: the 30 l grass catcher box with visual level indicator.

Order for €170

When are petrol lawn mowers useful?

As you can see from the respective data sheets, the electrically operated lawn mowers are suitable for areas with a maximum of 400 square meters.

Gasoline models are more suitable for particularly large gardens and green spaces of up to 1,000 square meters.

Disadvantages of petrol engines are, of course, that they are noisy and produce exhaust fumes.

Lawn mower maintenance and care tips

To ensure a long service life of the lawn mower, you should service it regularly.

This includes, for example, cleaning the mower and grass catcher after each use.

The blades should also be sharpened regularly to achieve a clean and even mowing result.

Stiftung Warentest recommends having worn knives sharpened or replaced by a specialist retailer.

Lawn mowing: Safety first

When mowing the lawn, you should always pay attention to your own safety.

Here are some tips:

• Wear sturdy shoes, no flip-flops, sandals or similar

• Do not wear loose clothing that can get caught in the mowers

• Never mow when children or animals are nearby

• Never put your hands on the blades when the mower is in operation - if something gets caught, switch off the machine first.