One of the primary considerations for homeowners transitioning to battery powered lawn mower is understanding how long it takes to recharge the batteries. Unlike gas mowers that can be refueled in minutes, battery mowers require a charging period. This factor directly impacts workflow, especially for larger lawns or those requiring multiple passes. Fortunately, advancements in battery and charger technology have significantly reduced downtime, making these mowers a practical choice for many.
Factors Affecting Recharge Times
Several variables influence how long it takes to fully charge a battery-powered lawn mower:
- Battery Capacity (Amp-Hours – Ah): This is the most significant factor. Larger capacity batteries (e.g., 7.5Ah, 10.0Ah) store more energy and naturally take longer to charge than smaller ones (e.g., 2.5Ah, 4.0Ah) using the same charger.
- Charger Output (Amps/Watts): “Rapid” or “Fast” chargers deliver more power (higher amperage or wattage) to the battery, significantly reducing charge times compared to standard chargers. Many brands offer both standard and rapid charger options.
- Battery Chemistry and Health: While most modern mowers use lithium-ion batteries, slight variations in cell chemistry and the overall health/age of the battery can affect charging efficiency. Older or degraded batteries might take longer to reach full charge or might not charge to full capacity.
- Depth of Discharge: Charging a battery that is only partially depleted will naturally take less time than charging one that is completely empty.
- Temperature: Batteries charge most efficiently within a moderate temperature range (typically to or to ). Charging in very cold or very hot conditions can slow down the process and potentially impact battery longevity. Many smart chargers have internal fans or temperature monitoring to optimize this.
Typical Recharge Times for Popular Brands
Here’s a look at the approximate recharge times for batteries from some leading battery-powered lawn mower brands, assuming a standard or rapid charger is used (always refer to your specific model’s manual for precise figures):
EGO Power+
EGO is known for its fast-charging capabilities across its 56V ARC Lithium™ platform. Their rapid chargers are designed to minimize downtime.
- 2.5Ah Battery: As little as 30 minutes (with rapid charger)
- 5.0Ah Battery: Approximately 40 minutes (with rapid charger)
- 7.5Ah Battery: Around 60 minutes (with rapid charger)
- 10.0Ah Battery: Approximately 70 minutes (with rapid charger)
- 12.0Ah Battery: Around 90 minutes (with rapid charger)
EGO’s system often allows the battery to charge faster than it depletes during typical mowing, especially with multiple batteries.
Greenworks
Greenworks offers various voltage platforms, with charging times varying by voltage and battery capacity.
- Greenworks 40V (e.g., 4.0Ah battery): Around 120 minutes (2 hours) with a standard charger. Some models or kits may include faster chargers.
- Greenworks 48V (2x24V) (e.g., two 4.0Ah batteries): Approximately 75 minutes per battery with the included dual-port rapid charger.
- Greenworks 60V (e.g., 8.0Ah battery): Around 80 minutes with the included 6A charger.
RYOBI
RYOBI’s 40V system also provides various charging speeds depending on the charger type.
- RYOBI 40V (e.g., 6.0Ah battery): Approximately 3 hours with a standard charger. With a “Rapid Charger,” this can be reduced to around 45-60 minutes.
HART
HART offers competitive charging times, especially with their fast chargers.
- HART 40V (e.g., 6.0Ah battery): Approximately 6 hours with a standard charger. However, HART also offers “Fast Chargers” that can reduce this to about 1 hour per battery.
Sun Joe
Sun Joe’s charging times vary by their specific battery voltage and capacity.
- Sun Joe 24V (e.g., 4.0Ah battery): Around 90 minutes for a full charge.
- Sun Joe 40V (e.g., 4.0Ah battery): Around 90 minutes for a full charge.
Maximizing Your Mowing Time
To minimize downtime and ensure you can complete your lawn care tasks efficiently:
- Consider a Second Battery: For larger lawns, having a second battery charged and ready can allow for continuous mowing.
- Invest in a Rapid Charger: If your mower didn’t come with one, upgrading to a rapid charger can drastically cut down waiting times.
- Charge Proactively: Charge your battery immediately after mowing, rather than waiting until just before your next session.
Conclusion
The recharge time of a battery-powered lawn mower is a crucial aspect of its practicality. While times vary significantly by brand, battery capacity, and charger type, modern technology has made it possible to quickly replenish power, often within an hour for many popular configurations. By understanding these factors and choosing the right setup for your needs, you can enjoy the quiet, clean, and convenient benefits of battery mowing with minimal interruptions.
