How Long do Battery Lawn Mowers Last?
You can expect your battery lawn mower to last between 3 and 5 years, depending on the type of battery your lawn mower uses and the condition you keep it in. The most durable electric lawn mower can last for 10 to 15 years if you have an efficient battery (like a LiFePO4 battery) when it's well-maintained. While choosing a lawn mower with a lithium-iron-phosphate battery like Mowrator's S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD is a great choice, it's important to understand as much as you can about lawn mower batteries before you make a decision.
We've set out to help answer all the most common questions about lawn mower batteries here for you today, including how long they last, the different types, and the best ways to extend your battery life.
Key Takeaways
- Extreme temperatures, depth of discharge, and your charging habits directly influence how long your lawn mower's battery lasts.
- Lead-acid, lithium-ion, lithium-iron phosphate, and nickel-cadmium are all types of lawn mower batteries.
- The best way to extend your lawn mower's battery life is to avoid overcharging, store it properly, and maintain all your mower's components.
- If your lawn mower is struggling to start, has low voltage, or has a lower battery capacity than usual, then you may need to replace its battery.
What Factors Influence Your Lawn Mower's Battery Life?
Your lawn mower's battery life is influenced by hot and cold temperatures, depth of discharge, as well your charging habits and usage patterns. Here's a close look at how a battery-powered lawn mower is affected:
- Temperature Extremes: Excessive heat accelerates the chemical reactions inside the battery, leading to faster degradation and reduced lifespan. This is exasperated by hot weather, which can cause the battery to self-discharge more quickly, increasing wear and tear.
Cold weather also has an effect, slowing down chemical reactions, which can prolong battery life, and the battery's output capacity. Moreover, cold conditions can expose underlying degradation issues, making it seem like the battery has suddenly failed.
- Depth of Discharge (DoD): The deeper you discharge a battery before recharging, the shorter its lifespan will be. For lithium-ion batteries, keeping the depth of discharge low (i.e., charging before the battery is fully drained) can significantly extend its life.
For example, a lithium-ion battery that is discharged to 25% will degrade faster than one that is only discharged to 50% or 75%. Partial charging and avoiding full discharges are key to prolonging battery life.
- Charging Habits: Leaving a battery on the charger after it reaches full capacity can reduce its lifespan. Most modern chargers have automatic shutoff features to prevent this, but older models may require manual intervention. Allowing a battery to remain in a low state of charge for extended periods (especially below 80%) can lead to irreversible damage, such as sulfation in lead-acid batteries. For lithium-ion batteries, charging to slightly lower voltages (e.g., 4.10V/cell instead of 4.20V/cell) can double the cycle life at the cost of some capacity.
What are Different Types of Lawn Mowers Batteries? | Lifespans, Price Range, and More
| Battery Type | Lifespan | Price Range | Maintenance Requirements | Battery Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead-Acid | 3 to 5 years | $20 to $60 | Periodic checks of electrolyte levels, avoiding overcharge and over-discharge | 20 to 35Ah |
| Lithium-Ion | 2 to 5 years | $120 to $350 | Maintenance-free with proper charging practices | 5 to 10Ah |
| Lithium-Iron Phosphate | 5 to 10 years | $200 to $500+ | Maintenance-free with proper charging practices | 100 to 200 Ah |
| Nickel-Cadmium | 2 to 5 years | $200+ depending on size and capacity | Generally low maintenance requirements; requires proper cycling to avoid “memory effect” | 500 to 1500 mAh |
Lead-Acid Batteries
You'll find that lead-acid batteries are a common option for lawn mower batteries, although they're becoming phased out for lithium-ion batteries for lawn mowers as well as automotive vehicles.
Nevertheless, they're still a popular choice for your gas-powered riding lawn mower as they're relatively affordable and reliable. You can buy or replace a lead-acid battery for around $30 to $100 from your local store, so they are a lot quicker to replace if your cordless lawn mower comes across any issues while you mow.
Lead-acid lawn mower batteries last around 3 to 5 years, although you need to ensure that you're regularly maintaining the battery if it's a flooded lead-acid battery. Otherwise, corrosion can build up around the battery's terminals over time.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
If you want a battery that will last long for your electric mower, then lithium-ion batteries are the upgrade from lead-acid. When it comes to run time, lithium batteries are incredibly efficient at making the most of their battery capacity, and typically last 20 to 50% longer than lead-acid ones.
Lithium-ion batteries can also hold a charge for longer, with a lifespan that is fixed around 3 to 5 years (or 1,000 charging cycles). This is also one of the lightest battery mowers available on the market today, which reduces the overall weight of your lawn mower significantly.
Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Batteries
As people transition from gas to electric, the technology used to make batteries for your lawn care has improved substantially. Nowhere else is this more noticeable than with lithium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, which consistently outperform even lithium-ion batteries when it comes to lifespan, efficiency, safety, and maintenance. An electric lawn mower that takes advantage of LiFePO4 battery technology is at the forefront of innovation, which is why we use these batteries for our range of Mowrator lawn mowers.
For the right electric or riding mower, using a LiFePO4 battery will help you make the most out of your mowing experience. They're even 70% lighter than lead-acid alternatives.
Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) Batteries
Nickel-Cadmium batteries were once used regularly as batteries for your push lawn mower and lawn tractor but, similar to lead-acid batteries, have been phased out for more efficient alternatives. They're not the best battery, but still boast great durability and perform well under extreme conditions.
The decrease in NiCd battery usage as well as market share is largely due to their environmental impact and the battery performance of lithium options. It’s worth noting that nickel-cadmium batteries are banned in the EU as of 2025, to comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulations. This RoHS directive may affect other regions in the future.
Another significant downside to NiCd batteries is a phenomenon called the “memory effect”, where the overall battery runtimes would decrease due to partial discharges. If you didn't let the battery run out of juice before fully charging it, your charged NiCd battery would reduce its overall battery capacity.
What are the Best Ways to Extend Your Lawn Mower Battery Life?
The best ways to extend your lawn mower's battery life include:
- Storing it in a cool, dry place between 50 ℉ and 80 ℉
- Avoid overcharging your battery
- Charge your battery after each use
- Do not allow your battery to deep discharge
- Clean the battery terminal regularly
- Keep the mower blades sharp
- Monitor your lawn mower battery's voltage
- Winterize your lawn mower
What are Signs Your Lawn Mower Battery Needs to be replaced?
Some signs that your lawn mower battery needs to be replaced are:
- Difficulties starting your lawn mower
- A slow engine crank
- Dimming headlights for riding mowers
- Constantly hearing a clicking sound when starting
- Battery leaks (for lead-acid batteries)
- Low battery voltage
- Short run times
- Battery fails under load
If you're planning to replace your battery and want to know what's the best battery operated lawn mower, then look no further than Mowrator's collection of remote control mowers. Our lawn mowers sport LiFePO4 batteries that won't let you down come spring mowing season. Shop today!
FAQs on How Long do Battery Lawn Mowers Last?
Do electric lawn mowers burn out?
Yes, some electric lawn mower batteries can burn out. This usually happens when the battery's electrical power cables or connections are damaged and cause intermittent power loss or if the motor's thermal cut-out activation is overactive.
Can a completely dead battery be recharged?
Yes, a completely dead battery can be recharged. However, whether it can be fully restored depends on several factors, including the type of battery, how long it has been dead, and the extent of damage caused by deep discharge.
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