Cordless mowing has matured fast, and the lineup now spans everything from serious walk-behind workhorses to pint-sized ride-on toys built for the backyard set. Battery platforms have grown quieter, cleaner, and surprisingly capable on mid-size yards, which is why more households are quietly retiring the gas can. The picks below cover both sides of that shift: real cutting tools for grown-up lawns, plus two ride-on toys that turn chore hours into play hours.
A Side-By-Side Look
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21″ Self-Propelled Mower Kit
HONEY JOY Ride On Tractor with Trailer (Pink)
Worx WG733.1 20V 14″ Cordless Mower
Worx WG735 40V 14″ Cordless Mower
Honda HRX217 Battery Walk-Behind Mower
Costzon Kids Ride-On Lawn Mower Toy
Inside Each Recommended Option
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21″ Self-Propelled Mower Kit is built for homeowners already invested in the M18 cordless system. A steel deck wraps a 21-inch cutting swath, while dual 12.0Ah batteries feed a brushless motor that keeps RPMs steady through thicker patches. Rear-wheel drive with active speed management lets you set a pace from 0 to 4 MPH, which makes long passes feel less like work.
Where this model separates itself from the smaller Worx picks below is cut width and runtime headroom. You get a single-point height adjustment with seven positions across a 1-inch to 4-inch range, plus 3-in-1 grass handling that covers mulch, bag, and rear side discharge. For households mowing half an acre or more, those numbers start to add up fast.
Notable Upsides
- Steel deck and 21-inch cut trim large yards faster than 14-inch mowers.
- Self-propelled drive with adjustable speed keeps pace comfortable on slopes.
- Dual-battery setup delivers the runtime needed for bigger properties.
- 3-in-1 grass handling means you can mulch, bag, or discharge without swapping decks.
- Brushless motor design typically lasts longer than brushed equivalents.
Things To Consider
- Steel deck adds weight, which may tire out smaller operators during long sessions.
- Full kit pricing lands higher than compact 14-inch alternatives.
- Battery storage matters: leaving packs in extreme cold can shorten their working life.
Feature Snapshot
Best Suited To
Owners of mid to large yards who already use M18 tools and want cordless convenience without giving up cut width or self-propelled drive.
Skip It When
A small urban lawn where the Worx WG733.1 will handle the workload with less weight and lower cost.
The HONEY JOY Ride On Tractor is not a mower, but it earns its place on this list by turning the lawn into the playground. A 12V battery feeds a small electric drivetrain with three gear-shift settings, while LED lights, a horn, and built-in music give kids the full farm-toy fantasy. The included trailer hitch adds hauling play, and a parent remote lets adults take over when needed.
Two operating modes matter here. Manual mode gives toddlers a steering wheel, gas pedal, and forward gear to drive themselves. Remote mode hands control to a grown-up through a 2.4GHz Bluetooth link, which is reassuring on uneven driveways or near steps. For ages roughly 2 to 5, that dual setup stretches the usable life of the toy well beyond a single summer.
A Few Strong Suits
- Parent remote adds a safety layer for younger drivers.
- Trailer hitch encourages imaginative hauling play beyond just driving.
- Three gears and forward motion let kids grow into the toy gradually.
Worth Noting
- Battery life depends on terrain, so flat pavement stretches play longer than grass.
- Pink finish may not suit every child’s taste over time.
- Storage takes up garage space similar to a small ride-on car.
Built With In Mind
Toddlers and preschool-age kids who want a real ride-on experience with parental oversight built in.
Look Elsewhere When
You want pretend-mower styling for an older child, where the Costzon Kids Ride-On Lawn Mower Toy fits better.
The Worx WG733.1 is the smallest and lightest mower in the brand’s lineup, and that is exactly the point. A 14-inch deck trims narrow strips of grass without dragging around a bulky frame, while a brushless motor (a design that uses electronic switching instead of physical brushes to reduce wear) keeps things efficient on a single 20V 5.0Ah PowerShare Pro battery. That battery is part of a broader platform, so it swaps into other Worx tools you may already own.
Runtime lands around 3,200 square feet per charge, which covers most city lots and townhouse yards. For small back gardens where storage space matters, the compact body folds down and slides into a closet. Compared to the larger Honda at the bottom of this list, the WG733.1 trades raw cutting muscle for easy handling and storage.
Notable Gains
- Compact 14-inch deck navigates tight corners and narrow gates easily.
- Lightweight build reduces fatigue and simplifies storage in small spaces.
- PowerShare battery works across the broader Worx tool ecosystem.
- Brushless motor extends runtime and typically outlasts brushed designs.
Trade Offs
- 14-inch cut width means more passes on bigger lawns.
- Single battery limits extended sessions without a charged spare.
- Lightweight deck can feel less planted on uneven ground.
Made For
Small-lawn owners and apartment dwellers who want a low-effort mower that disappears into a closet when the job is done.
Swap It Out When
Your lawn runs thicker or larger, where the Worx WG735 with IntelliCut torque management handles growth more confidently.
The Worx WG735 borrows the WG733.1’s footprint and adds a serious power bump. A 40V platform feeds the same brushless motor through IntelliCut, a sensor-driven system that automatically increases torque when grass thickens and dials back when it thins. That means cleaner cuts in spring growth without burning through battery on every pass.
The deck uses an optimized Airflow design that pulls clippings upright for a more even cut, and large rear wheels help on bumpy ground. You get roughly 1/8 acre of coverage per charge from the included 20V 4.0Ah battery, which lands this pick in the small-to-mid lawn range. In our view, this is the sweet spot for homeowners who want compact storage without giving up cutting confidence.
Standout Benefits
- IntelliCut torque management handles patchy growth without manual adjustments.
- Optimized Airflow deck leaves a cleaner finish in fewer passes.
- Same PowerShare battery compatibility as the smaller Worx models.
- 40V platform gives more headroom than the 20V WG733.1.
Room For Improvement
- Still limited to a 14-inch cut, so larger properties require more passes.
- Higher cost than the 20V sibling, though the upgrade is real.
Quick Facts
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Small-to-mid lawn owners who want compact storage paired with smarter torque for thicker seasonal grass.
Not Your Match When
Your property stretches beyond a quarter acre, where the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21″ Self-Propelled Mower Kit saves serious time.
The Honda HRX217YXBEXA6 carries Honda’s reputation for refinement into the battery era. Power comes from a Honda-built electric motor tuned to match the torque curve of the brand’s GCV gas engines, which matters when mowing tall fescue or thick Kentucky bluegrass. A 21-inch deck gives it the same cutting footprint as the Milwaukee, but the build feels dialed in a different way.
The headline feature is Versamow with Clip Director, a 4-in-1 system that lets you mulch, bag, discharge, or shred leaves without swapping any attachments. You simply slide a lever to change ratios. Compared to the 3-in-1 setup on the Milwaukee, that extra versatility is a real upgrade for yards with mixed debris through the season.
Why It Works Well
- Versamow system handles mulch, bag, discharge, and leaf shred without tools.
- Honda motor tuning delivers torque that holds RPMs under load.
- 21-inch deck trims larger yards in fewer passes than 14-inch options.
- Refined build quality reflects Honda’s reputation for long service life.
- Twin blade design improves bagging and mulching performance on damp grass.
Points To Note
- Premium price tag versus the Worx and Milwaukee alternatives.
- Heavier than compact 14-inch mowers, which can tire smaller operators.
- Battery platform is brand-specific, limiting cross-tool compatibility.
Feature Rundown
The Right Fit
Homeowners with larger or more demanding lawns who want premium refinement and four-mode cutting flexibility in a battery platform.
Consider Something Else When
Storage space is tight or the budget is leaner, where the Worx WG735 covers similar ground in a smaller footprint.
The Costzon Kids Ride-On Lawn Mower rounds out the list as a play-time companion rather than a yard tool. A 12V battery feeds dual control sticks that allow 360-degree spinning, mimicking the zero-turn agility of a real mower. A translucent deck with built-in LEDs lights up as the toy moves, and faux spinning blades add the look of a real mowing pass.
Designed for kids aged 3 to 8, it leans into the pretend-work fantasy that parents often see in young children who watch adults mow. Compared to the HONEY JOY tractor earlier in this list, this one trades trailer-hauling play for a more focused mowing role. In our view, that narrower theme keeps kids engaged longer when they are obsessed with helping outside.
What Works In Its Favor
- Dual control sticks allow sharp, realistic 360-degree turning.
- LED deck lights add visual appeal during dusk play sessions.
- Focused mower theme suits kids who love imitating yard chores.
Some Limits To Know
- 12V battery power limits use to flat surfaces for longer sessions.
- Smaller weight capacity than the HONEY JOY ride-on tractor.
- Plastic deck can scuff with rough outdoor use over time.
Perfect Match For
Kids aged 3 to 8 who want a dedicated pretend-mower toy with realistic turning and lights.
Where Another Pick Suits Better
Younger toddlers need parent remote control, where the HONEY JOY Ride On Tractor gives grown-ups override authority.
Picking The Right Mower For Your Lawn
Start with yard size, because it drives almost every other decision. Anything under 1,500 square feet plays well with a 14-inch deck like the Worx WG733.1 or WG735, where storage and maneuverability matter more than raw cutting width. Push past a quarter acre and a 21-inch deck, either the Milwaukee M18 Fuel or the Honda HRX217, starts saving real time per mow.
Battery platform matters more than people expect. The Worx PowerShare system lets a single set of batteries move between mower, trimmer, and blower, which simplifies charging and storage. The Milwaukee M18 system does the same for homeowners already invested in that ecosystem, while Honda’s platform stays brand-specific.
For most backyards, brushless motors are worth the small premium. They generate less heat, run longer per charge, and typically outlast brushed designs. If your grass leans thick or you mow infrequently, that efficiency compounds across seasons.
Cut management options (mulch, bag, discharge) shape how the clippings look and where they go. The Honda’s 4-in-1 Versamow gives the most flexibility, while the Milwaukee’s 3-in-1 covers the basics well. Worx’s 2-in-1 setup stays simple but limits fall leaf handling.
What To Weigh Before You Buy
Mistakes Worth Dodging
Buying more mower than the lawn needs is the most common slip. A heavy 21-inch walk-behind on a small urban lot adds storage headaches and effort that lighter 14-inch models avoid. Equally common: underestimating runtime. A single battery that covers 1/8 acre works fine for small yards, but anything larger deserves a dual-battery setup like the Milwaukee kit.
Where The Extra Money Goes
Premium tiers like the Honda HRX217 add real engineering rather than just cosmetic upgrades. The Versamow system replaces attachments, the motor tuning holds torque under load, and the twin-blade design improves cut quality on damp grass. For larger or more demanding lawns, those features justify the step up. For smaller spaces, the savings on a compact Worx model can fund a second battery or a trimmer instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do cordless mower batteries typically last?
Most modern lithium-ion packs hold useful capacity for several years under normal seasonal use, though cold winter garages can shorten lifespan over time. Storing batteries at room temperature and avoiding full discharge extends their working life.
Are battery mowers powerful enough for thick grass?
Brushless models with torque management, like the Worx WG735 or Honda HRX217, handle thick growth that would stall older brushed designs. Peak power no longer tells the full story; sustained torque under load matters more.
Can I leave a battery mower outside between uses?
Storing it in a garage or shed protects both the deck finish and the battery from weather extremes. Even weather-resistant models last longer when sheltered between cuts.
What maintenance do electric mowers need?
Blade sharpening, deck cleaning, and occasional battery terminal care cover most of it. There are no oil changes, spark plugs, or fuel stabilizers, which is part of the appeal.
Are ride-on mower toys safe for young kids?
Models with parent remote control, like the HONEY JOY tractor, add a useful safety layer for younger drivers. Flat, obstacle-free surfaces and adult supervision keep play sessions worry-free.
The Takeaway
The right pick depends less on a single spec sheet and more on your lawn size, your tool ecosystem, and how much help you want from the machine. Compact 14-inch models earn their keep in small yards, while 21-inch workhorses make sense once the property stretches. For households with kids, a ride-on toy adds weekend entertainment that doubles as outdoor time. Match the mower to your real-world routine, and the rest of the season takes care of itself.