Types of Batteries Used in Electric Lawn Mowers

Electric lawn mower batteries are the heart of your trusty outdoor power equipment. Knowing as much as you can about your battery’s specifications cannot only save you money, it can actually prolong your electric mower’s lifespan. However, terms like volts, amp-hours, and cold cranking amps (CCA) can be very confusing if you don’t have a background in physics and engineering.

Our dedicated team of engineers at Mowrator has extensive experience in providing the latest electric mower solutions to homeowners, as well as expertise in how outdoor power batteries work. We’ve created this guide to inform you about the different types of batteries electric mowers use, explain battery terms, and outline the best type of battery for your next lawn mower.

Key Takeaways

• Lithium-ion and lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are the best modern battery for lawn mowers.
• Lead-acid batteries are often used to start the engine in gas-powered mowers.
• Voltage, capacity, and CCA are battery specifications that tell you the power and charge of the battery.

What Types of Batteries are Used in Electric Lawn Mowers?

Cordless electric lawn mowers use many different types of batteries, including lead-acid, lithium-ion, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH). Each battery has its own advantages and disadvantages, so we’ll break down what you need to know.

Lead-Acid Batteries

If you have a gas-powered lawn mower, it likely uses a lead-acid battery to start its engine. Lead-acid is often considered the reliable option for many mowers, and a more affordable option to lithium batteries, which are beginning to dominate the market. As technology improves, you'll find fewer electric lawn mowers with lead-acid batteries as they’re relatively heavy, have a short life cycle, and need extensive maintenance.

Studies done by the Technological Institute of the Philippines aim to revitalize lead-acid battery technology, since they are incredibly recyclable and potentially another renewable energy source. However, their practical applications are still not yet available for modern homeowners.

Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have replaced lead-acid batteries as the preferred battery type for lawn mowers. As of 2023, market research by the IMAC group indicates that the North American Lithium-ion Battery Market has reached $18 billion, and it’s only set to increase. For lawn enthusiasts and homeowners, lithium-ion is excellent for driving battery-powered lawn mowers as they offer:

• 300 to 500 charge life cycle, with some models reaching 1000+ charges
• Lifespan of 3 to 5 years
• Lightweight build (3 to 8g/Wh)
• Significantly less maintenance than lead-acid batteries
• Environmental sustainability

While lithium-ion batteries have a higher upfront cost compared to lead-acid, they save costs in the long term thanks to the lack of maintenance, repairs, and gasoline.

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Batteries

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4) batteries are the latest batteries on the market and a marked improvement compared to lithium-ion. These stellar batteries are the premier choice for many of the most innovative lawn mowers, including Mowrator’s own S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD. On top of the exceptional longevity offered by LiFePO4, other benefits include:

• 1500 to 3000 charge life cycle (up to 6 times longer than lead-acid)
• 2.25-hour runtime
• Up to 10-year lifespan
• Safer than lithium-ion
• Charge efficiency (reaches 100% charge in 2 hours or less)
• Consistent power no matter the battery charge
• No maintenance
• 70% lighter than lead-acid batteries

A PNA Nexus study states that aggressive adoption of lithium iron batteries could reduce major savings for the planet’s carbon emission crisis. Buying electric lawn mowers for garden trimming that use LiFePO4 could propel your own carbon savings and help reduce your carbon footprint.

Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) Batteries

While not often seen in United States lawn mower brands like Greenworks, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are found in some Japanese lawn care equipment. In fact, over 85% of NiMH batteries are produced in Japan and have a similar capacity to lithium-ion (1000 charge cycle). However, lithium-ion and lithium iron batteries have taken over the market because they are far more efficient and don’t have as high of a self-discharge rate as NiMH batteries.

What are Lawn Mower Battery Specifications?

Electric mower battery specifications describe the different components of a battery that affect the performance or longevity of your battery, including voltage, capacity, and CCA. Thankfully, understanding lawn mower battery specifications doesn’t require advanced qualifications. We’ve outlined how these specifications are relevant to you and your lawn care below.

Voltage

Voltage is simply the flow of electricity through your battery, which impacts the type of power your battery will drive to your blades. There are three main ranges for voltage in batteries:

• Below 40V: Ideal for residential small to medium-sized lawns
• 40V to 60V: Ideal for commercial detailing and medium to large-sized lawns
• 82V: Ideal for commercial and industrial use

The most common voltage for lawn mower batteries is 12 volts. You will also see 20V electric lawn mowers, as well as high as 80V. The S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD uses a 56V battery, putting it on par with many other 40-volt plus electric mowers in terms of power.

Capacity

The capacity of a lawn mower indicates how much current the battery can deliver in 10 hours from a full charge. In most cases, modern electric lawn mowers have a capacity that ranges from 10 to 40Ah, and higher capacity batteries can offer longer runtime in between charges.

On an 18Ah lithium iron phosphate battery, for example, you can expect around a 135-minute runtime with ideal conditions.

Cold Cranking Amps

Cold cranking amps tell you the cranking current (measured in amps) a fully charged battery can deliver for 30 seconds at 0°F. This tells you how effective your lawn mower battery will be in cold weather, which can affect its lifespan and how compatible it is with your lawn mower. Since lawn mower batteries are smaller than car batteries, you can expect a CCA rating of between 100A and 300A.

You’ll want a CCA rating of at least 145 if you plan to purchase a riding mower, but this depends on the model.

What Factors Affect Battery Life?

Several environmental factors can affect your battery’s lifespan, including:

• Your usage patterns
• Maintenance routine
• Environmental conditions
• Battery pack replacement

Should You Choose Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Batteries for Your Lawn Mower?

Yes, the best lawn mower battery for your trimmer will likely be a lithium iron phosphate battery. Current market studies show that the LiFePO4 market size is estimated to grow to $100 billion by 2036 and currently makes up around 30% of vehicle batteries — this innovative battery will likely cement itself in the market and save you money in the long run.

It should be stated that lithium iron battery prices are still higher than lithium-ion and lead-acid, and you should always choose the best fit for your lawn. Nevertheless, our team at Mowrator believes that these rechargeable batteries are the best battery for electric lawn mowers, which is why we use them in our range of remote control lawn mowers.

FAQs on Types of Batteries Used in Electric Lawn Mowers 

How much does It Cost to Replace a Lawn Mower Battery?

A replacement battery for your lawn mower can cost from $20 to $350, although it will vary based on your model. Lead-acid batteries, especially second-hand ones, are on the cheaper side, and you can expect to pay between $20 and $35. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, will generally cost from $120 to $350, depending on the CCA and battery voltage.

How long does It Take to Charge a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFeP04) Battery?

It takes between 90 minutes and 5 hours to fully charge a lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) rechargeable lawn mower battery, depending on the type of charger you use. A 50A charger will charge a 100Ah battery in about 2 hours, while a 100A charger can fully charge your battery in 5 hours. For instance, Mowrator’s S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD can be fully charged within 90 minutes when using our Super Charger.

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