My backyard used to fight me every weekend. Thick St. Augustine grass, a patch of clover the dog refuses to surrender, and a slope that turns a quick mow into a workout. After two seasons of wrestling a temperamental gas mower, I started paying close attention to what makes cordless bagging models actually pleasant to live with. This roundup reflects what I learned about run time, cut quality, deck size, and how each mower handles clippings.
The Essentials At A Glance
Greenworks 80V 21in Push Lawn Mower
EGO POWER+ Self-Propelled 21in Mower LM2135SP
Honda HRX-BE 21in Battery Mower HRX217YXBEXA6
Honda HRX-BV 21in Battery Mower HRX217YXBVKA4
Litheli 40V 16in Cordless Brushless Mower
Inside Each Recommended Option
The Greenworks 80V feels like a sensible middle-ground pick for anyone leaving gas behind without craving the heaviest kit on the shelf. Its 21-inch steel deck trims a meaningful strip per pass, and the brushless motor (the brushless design means fewer moving parts touching the rotor, so it runs quieter and tends to last longer than brushed equivalents) hums along without rattling the fence panels.
Where this one earns its spot is in routine suburban mowing. The single-lever height adjustment lets you swap cutting heights in one motion, and the included 4.0Ah battery returns to a full charge in roughly 60 minutes. For most backyards up to about a third of an acre, that cycle fits a weekly mow with margin to spare.
Benefits That Matter
- 21-inch steel deck covers a wide path per pass
- Brushless motor runs quieter and tends to outlast brushed designs
- Up to 60 minutes of run time on a full 4.0Ah battery
- Rapid charger refills the pack in roughly an hour
- Single-lever height adjustment for quick deck changes
Points To Keep In Mind
- Push-only design; expect effort on slopes or thicker turf
- Run time scales down in dense grass, which is normal for cordless mowers
- Steel deck adds weight versus plastic-deck competitors
Who It Suits Best
Homeowners with flat, mid-size lawns up to a third of an acre who want a quiet, low-maintenance cordless mower without paying for self-propelled hardware.
Look Elsewhere When
The EGO POWER+ Self-Propelled 21in Mower LM2135SP suits shoppers dealing with slopes or thicker turf where drive assist and a higher-torque motor make a real difference.
Stepping up from the Greenworks, the EGO POWER+ LM2135SP brings self-propelled drive and a multi-blade cutting system aimed at people who care about the look of the cut, not just whether the grass got shorter. The 56V battery platform and torque rating close to gas levels make this a confident pick for tougher turf.
The Select Cut system ships with interchangeable lower blades, so bagging, mulching, and extended run time each get their own blade profile. Owners commonly swap blades based on the day’s task. A 7.5Ah pack plus an extra 5.0Ah battery gives flexibility for larger yards or back-to-back sessions.
A Few Highlights
- Self-propelled drive takes strain off slopes and thick grass
- Select Cut multi-blade system supports mulching, bagging, and runtime blades
- 56V 7.5Ah battery delivers output approaching gas-equivalent torque
- Bundled extra 5.0Ah battery extends usable runtime
Trade Offs
- Heavier and pricier than push-only models
- Multi-blade system means extra setup steps when switching modes
- Extra battery may ship separately, so plan for a staggered arrival
Quick Facts
Best Suited To
Homeowners with larger lawns, slopes, or mixed turf who want cordless convenience without giving up the cutting refinement of a premium gas mower.
Swap It Out When
The Litheli 40V 16in Cordless Brushless Mower fits smaller lots and tighter storage spaces where the EGO’s size and self-propelled drive become overkill.
Honda’s HRX-BE carries over the engineering DNA of the brand’s gas walk-behinds and pairs it with a battery platform. The 21-inch deck and Honda motor lineage aim at people who already trust the nameplate and want its cut quality in a quieter package.
The standout feature is the 4-in-1 Versamow system with Clip Director, a sliding lever that adjusts how much grass goes into the bag versus back onto the lawn, no tool changes required. Mulching, bagging, discharging, and leaf shredding all live behind one dial.
Everyday Wins
- Versamow system with Clip Director switches modes without tools or attachments
- Honda motor lineage geared toward sustained RPM under load
- 4-in-1 capability covers mulching, bagging, discharge, and leaf shredding
- Twin-blade MicroCut design tends to produce a finer, more even finish
Honest Caveats
- Battery and charger sometimes ship separately from the main unit
- Heavier than most 21-inch cordless competitors
- Premium pricing reflects the Honda badge and build quality
Made For
Shoppers who want Honda’s cut quality and the flexibility of four cutting modes in one deck, especially homeowners who mulch and bag through the season.
Consider Something Else When
The Greenworks 80V 21in Push Lawn Mower suits value-focused shoppers who don’t need Versamow or twin-blade refinement and want a simpler, lighter package.
Sitting alongside the HRX-BE, the HRX-BV is the BV variant in Honda’s battery HRX line, built around the same Honda motor and Versamow platform but tuned for buyers who want straightforward, bag-forward mowing in a quieter format.
Same 21-inch deck, same Clip Director for shifting between mulching, bagging, and discharge. Owners get Honda’s take on cut consistency without the self-propelled drive that pushes the BE model into higher cost. For tight-lot owners who bag weekly, this variant makes the most sense.
Noteworthy Benefits
- Honda motor and Versamow system for consistent cut quality
- Clip Director lets you bag and mulch without swapping parts
- Quieter operation suits noise-sensitive neighborhoods
- 21-inch deck handles typical suburban lots efficiently
Soft Spots
- Push-only design means effort on inclines
- Same premium price tier as the BE variant despite lacking self-propulsion
- Steel deck adds weight during transport and storage
Feature Snapshot
Whose Yard It Belongs On
Honda loyalists with smaller, flatter lawns who prioritize bagging consistency and quiet operation over self-propelled convenience.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
The EGO POWER+ Self-Propelled 21in Mower LM2135SP serves shoppers who mow slopes or want the bundled extra battery for longer runtime sessions.
The Litheli 40V is the smallest mower in this roundup, and it earns its slot by being easy to live with rather than aiming for raw power. Its 16-inch deck trims a tighter strip per pass, which actually suits smaller, irregular lawns where a 21-inch deck feels clumsy around corners.
The brushless motor keeps maintenance low and noise down, and the 50-liter collection bag holds enough clippings to clear most small-lot cuts without constant emptying. Six cutting heights between 25 and 75 millimeters give meaningful range from short carpet to taller summer growth.
Useful Highlights
- Compact 16-inch deck fits tight lawns and narrow storage spaces
- Brushless motor cuts down on maintenance and noise
- 50-liter collection bag reduces emptying stops
- Six cutting heights from 25mm to 75mm cover most lawn conditions
Potential Drawbacks
- 40V platform produces less torque than 56V or 80V competitors
- 16-inch deck means more passes on larger lots
- Both 5.0Ah batteries must be inserted to power the mower, so charge cycles matter
Feature Card
Perfect Match For
Small-lot homeowners, apartment dwellers with shared green space, and anyone short on garage space who values a lightweight, easy-to-store mower.
Not Your Match When
The Greenworks 80V 21in Push Lawn Mower fits shoppers with bigger lawns who need the wider deck and longer run time of an 80V platform.
What Matters Most Before Choosing Bagging Lawn Mowers
Deck Size And Lawn Footprint
Deck width is the first number to anchor your search. A 21-inch deck covers roughly a third more ground per pass than a 16-inch, which matters more than most spec sheets admit. For lawns under a quarter acre, the 16-inch Litheli often finishes faster because turns take less effort. For anything over half an acre, a 21-inch deck saves real time across a season.
Drive Type And Terrain
Push mowers reward flat ground and penalize slopes. If your yard has a noticeable grade, a self-propelled drive like the EGO POWER+ LM2135SP pays for itself in saved energy. Flat lots under a third of an acre can happily stay with a push model and pocket the difference.
Battery Voltage And Run Time
Voltage hints at torque (the rotational force the motor delivers to the blade), while amp-hours hint at endurance. The 56V EGO and 80V Greenworks both push into gas-comparable torque, useful for thick or damp grass. The Litheli’s 40V dual-battery setup trades raw output for a lighter, easier-to-handle package.
Bagging And Mulching Flexibility
The Honda HRX pair stands out with the Versamow Clip Director, which slides between bagging and mulching without tools. If you switch modes often through the season or shred leaves in fall, that flexibility earns its keep.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Pitfalls Shoppers Hit
The most common mistake is buying a mower sized for someone else’s lawn. A 21-inch deck on a small, oddly shaped yard wastes time on turns. Run time is the second trap, because manufacturer estimates assume light cutting. Thick grass, slopes, and wet conditions drain batteries faster than the printed number suggests.
Where The Extra Money Goes
Stepping up to a Honda HRX or the EGO self-propelled typically buys three things: stronger motor platforms, smarter cutting systems, and integrated drive hardware. For demanding lawns, those features prevent the mid-mow battery panic and the rough second pass that comes from a struggling motor. For small, simple yards, a budget-friendly model delivers nearly all the day-to-day benefit without the premium.