Ego's new electric lawn mower amps up the power
A bigger battery puts the Ego Power+ a cut above the competition.
- 10 years product testing experience with the CNET Home team
EDITOR'S NOTE: Updated April 3rd, 2014 with additional information about the interchangeability of Ego Power+ batteries.
Spring is finally here, and it won't be long before the suburbs are buzzing with the sounds of lawns being mowed. That is, unless those lawns are being mowed with the new Ego Power+ Lawn Mower. Powered by a 56-volt lithium ion battery that can charge in less than thirty minutes, this $499 machine promises powerful grass-cutting performance with just a fraction of the noise -- and without the gasoline.
Those 56 volts put the Power+ well ahead of the nearest competitors, with Ego calling it the first electric lawn mower to match or surpass the performance capabilities of premium gas-powered models. Ego also claims that you'll be able to mow with it for up to 45 minutes before draining the battery. Once it's dead, a full charge takes less than thirty minutes.
Like a few other recent models, including Black & Decker's electric mower, the Power+ will fold for easy storage, which, along with the lack of a need for gas cans, can help you save some space in the tool shed. The Power+ features the usual 3-in-1 functionality of most mowers today (bagging, mulching, side discharge), along with a 20-inch cut capacity deck that can be adjusted to five different heights. Ego's mower even comes equipped with LED headlights, in case the quiet hum of the electric motor inspires you to mow in the middle of the night.
$499 is a lot to spend on a push lawn mower, and more than the cost of other electric models. What you're paying for here is power, as those 56 volts represent a 40 percent bump up from the nearest competitor. If the size of your yard is all that's prevented you from going electric in the past, then the Power+ might be worth the springtime splurge.
The Ego Power+ mower is available exclusively at Home Depot, alongside a matching Power+ straight trimmer, hedge trimmer, and leaf blower, all of which are powered with that same 56-volt battery. The Power+ comes with a five-year mechanical warranty, as well as a separate three-year warranty on the battery.
As for that battery, extras are available for $199.99 should you feel the need, but considering that the Power+ straight trimmer, hedge trimmer, and leaf blower each also cost $199.99 and come with universal Power+ batteries that can be used in the mower, too, I'm not sure why you wouldn't just buy one of those, instead.