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Short answer
Each brand's best 21-inch self-propelled mower
These are the three cordless brands most American homeowners end up choosing between. Walk into a big-box store and you’ll see at least two of them side by side, all promising gas-like power and an hour of runtime.
Choosing one is a bigger decision than it looks. You aren’t just buying a mower. You’re buying into a battery platform, and the trimmer, blower and hedge trimmer you buy next will probably follow it.
I use EGO battery tools on my own lawn, and as someone who works with tools every day in my workshop I care more about the platform than the badge. Below I compare the three on the published specs and owner reviews, with no brand favoritism.
The 21-inch flagships side by side
Scroll sideways for more specs →
| Product | Power | Deck | Voltage | Battery | Runtime | Cutting height | Weight | Easy for beginners |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGO POWER+ 21" Select Cut Self-Propelled Mower LM2135SPCheck price | Battery | 21" | 56V | 1 x 7.5Ah | Up to 60 min | 1-4 in (8 positions) | 62.5 lb | Yes |
| RYOBI 40V HP Brushless 21" Self-Propelled Multi-Blade Mower Kit RY40HPLM02K2Check price | Battery | 21" | 40V | 2 x 6Ah | Up to 75 min | 1-4 in | 79.2 lb | Yes |
| Greenworks 60V 21" Brushless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower LM2116SCheck price | Battery | 21" | 60V | 2 x 4Ah | Up to 60 min | 1.3-4 in (7 positions) | 65 lb | Yes |
| EGO LM2135SP | Ryobi RY40HPLM02K2 | Greenworks LM2116S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voltage | 56V | 40V | 60V |
| Batteries in kit | One 7.5Ah | Two 6Ah | Two 4Ah |
| Rated runtime | Up to 60 min | Up to 75 min | Up to 1 hour |
| Deck | 21-inch | 21-inch | 21-inch stamped steel |
| Blades | Two-blade Select Cut | Cross Cut multi-blade | Single blade |
| Cutting height | 1 to 4 in, 8 positions | 1 to 4 in | 1.3 to 4 in, 7 positions |
| Self-propel | Touch Drive, 0.9 to 3.1 mph | Smart Trek, variable speed | Separate drive motor |
| Power claim | 7.0 ft-lb torque | More than a 170cc gas mower | Brushless, SmartCut |
| Weight | Not listed by EGO | 79.2 lb | 65 lb |
| Warranty | 5 yr tool, 3 yr battery | 5 yr tool, 3 yr battery | 4 yr mower and battery |
Specs come from EGO’s LM2135SP page, Ryobi’s RY40HPLM02K2 page and Greenworks’ LM2116S page.
Battery platforms
This is the part that matters most long term.
EGO: one 56V platform
EGO runs everything on one 56V ARC Lithium battery family. Every EGO mower page says the mower works with all EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries, so the battery from your blower fits the mower and vice versa. Lawn Manual lists EGO battery sizes from 2.5Ah to 12Ah.
EGO’s Peak Power models (like the LM2142SP and LM2244SP-2) combine two 56V batteries for more power and runtime.
Strength: one battery for everything, including riding mowers. Weakness: EGO focuses on outdoor power equipment, so your drills and shop tools will likely be on a different battery.
Ryobi: 40V for outdoor, 18V ONE+ for the rest
Ryobi’s mowers run on its 40V platform. Home Depot’s listing for the RY40HPLM02K2 says it works with over 85 Ryobi 40V products. Ryobi’s “40V HP” mowers are the brushless, higher-power generation.
Ryobi also has the separate 18V ONE+ system for drills and smaller garden tools. Those batteries don’t fit the 40V mowers.
Strength: a huge 40V line-up and kits that often include two batteries. Weakness: two Ryobi platforms can be confusing, and you’ll need the 40V one for a mower.
Greenworks: several platforms
Greenworks sells 24V, 40V, 60V and 80V tools, plus 48V mowers that run on two 24V batteries, per Greenworks’ site. The 80V line is its heavy-duty one, and 60V covers its main walk-behind mowers.
Strength: something for every budget, from small 24V push mowers to 60V riders and zero-turns. Weakness: batteries don’t cross between voltages. Pick a voltage and stick with it.
Mower line-ups
EGO
EGO’s mower comparison page lists these walk-behinds:
| Model | Deck | Battery in kit | Runtime | Torque | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LM2114 | 21″ | 6.0Ah | 55 min | 6.0 ft-lb | Push |
| LM2114SP | 21″ | 6.0Ah | 50 min | 6.0 ft-lb | Self-propelled, dual lever |
| LM2125SP | 21″ | 7.5Ah | 60 min | 6.0 ft-lb | Single blade, Touch Drive |
| LM2135SP | 21″ | 7.5Ah | 60 min | 7.0 ft-lb | Select Cut, Touch Drive |
| LM2156SP | 21″ | 10.0Ah | 75 min | 8.3 ft-lb | Select Cut XP |
| LM2236SP | 22″ composite | 10.0Ah | 75 min | 10.6 ft-lb | 10-year deck warranty |
| LM2206SP | 22″ aluminum | 10.0Ah | 70 min | 11.1 ft-lb | Lifetime deck guarantee |
| LM2244SP-2 | 22″ composite | Two 6.0Ah | 90 min | 10.6 ft-lb | Peak Power |
| LM3004SP-2 | 30″ composite | Two 6.0Ah | 75 min | 13.2 ft-lb | Twin blades, dual motors |
That’s the deepest premium range of the three. EGO also sells riding and zero-turn mowers on the same batteries.
Ryobi
Ryobi’s 40V page lists about 20 walk-behind mowers. The main current 40V HP models:
- RY40HPLM08K: 20-inch self-propelled multi-blade
- RY40HPLM06K and RY401170: 20-inch push
- RY40HPLM05K: 21-inch push
- RY40HPLM04K2: 21-inch push multi-blade, two 6Ah batteries, up to 80 minutes
- RY40HPLM01K2: 21-inch self-propelled, rear-wheel drive, two 6Ah batteries, up to 80 minutes
- RY40HPLM02K2: 21-inch self-propelled multi-blade, two 6Ah batteries, up to 75 minutes
- RY40HPLM03K2: 21-inch self-propelled all-wheel drive multi-blade, up to 75 minutes
- RY401210: 21-inch Whisper Series all-wheel drive multi-blade, which Ryobi says is 85% quieter than gas
Ryobi also lists an 18-inch 40V 2-in-1 push mower (RY401101) at the budget end. Older models like the RY401140 are now marked discontinued on Ryobi’s site.
Greenworks
Greenworks’ walk-behind range splits by voltage:
- 48V (2 x 24V): 17, 20 and 21-inch push and self-propelled mowers, often in combo kits with a trimmer and blower
- 60V: LM1716 (17-inch push), LM2116 (21-inch push), LM2116S (21-inch self-propelled), LM2516S (25-inch dual-blade self-propelled)
- 80V: the heavy-duty line
Greenworks also sells 60V riding mowers, zero-turns and robot mowers.
Power and cutting
EGO publishes cutting torque for every mower, which makes comparison easy inside its range: 6.0 ft-lb at the entry level up to 13.2 ft-lb on the 30-inch. Reviewers back up the top end. TechGearLab said its EGO Power+ 1000 22-inch had more power than any mower they tested, gas included.
Ryobi rates power against gas engines: more than a 170cc gas mower for the RY40HPLM02K2 and more than 196cc for the RY40HPLM03K2. Pro Tool Reviews gave the RY40HPLM02 a 9.7 out of 10, praising its Cross Cut blades, auto turbo mode and strong side discharge.
Greenworks’ LM2116S uses a brushless motor with SmartCut, which adjusts power to grass load, and a 3,200 RPM maximum blade speed. Greenworks doesn’t publish torque or a gas-engine equivalent.
In practice: EGO’s top models are the strongest on paper and in tests. Ryobi’s 40V HP mowers are close behind for typical lawns. Greenworks’ 60V mowers are capable for average lawns but aren’t marketed as gas-beaters to the same degree.
Runtime per dollar
Ryobi leads here because its 21-inch kits ship with two batteries. Two 6Ah 40V packs give the RY40HPLM02K2 up to 75 minutes, and Ryobi rates it for yards up to 3/4 acre. Pro Tool Reviews thinks about 1/2 acre is realistic in peak season.
EGO’s single-battery kits run 50 to 75 minutes depending on battery size. The two-battery LM2244SP-2 reaches 90 minutes, but it’s a premium model.
Greenworks’ LM2116S gets up to 1 hour from two 4Ah 60V batteries, with automatic switching between them.
Decks
EGO: plastic decks on the 21-inch models (Ace Hardware lists a plastic deck for the LM2156SP), a Super Composite deck with a 10-year warranty on the 22-inch LM2236SP and LM2244SP-2, and an aluminum deck with a lifetime deck guarantee on the LM2206SP.
Ryobi: doesn’t list deck material on its 40V HP mower pages.
Greenworks: a 21-inch stamped steel deck on the LM2116S. If you prefer steel for durability, Greenworks is the only one of the three that offers it at this level.
Warranty
| Brand | Mower (tool) | Battery |
|---|---|---|
| EGO | 5-year limited | 3-year limited; 5 years with registration on newer models like the LM2156SP and LM2236SP |
| Ryobi | 5-year limited (40V outdoor) | 3-year limited |
| Greenworks | 3 years standard, 4 years Pro | Same as the tool |
EGO’s and Ryobi’s terms come from their product and warranty pages. Greenworks’ terms come from its warranty page; the LM2116S is listed with a 4-year warranty on mower and battery. All three have shorter terms for commercial use. Check the current terms before you buy.
Where each brand is sold in the US
EGO: Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Walmart, Acme Tools and local outdoor power dealers, according to Lawn Manual. ToolBox Buzz also reported the LM2135SP launching at The Home Depot. When I checked, EGO’s own site showed several mower kits as “Coming Soon,” so a retailer is usually the easier route.
Ryobi: The Home Depot, which carries the full 40V line, and Ryobi’s own site, ryobitools.com.
Greenworks: Greenworks’ online store (including its refurbished “Recharged” section), plus retailers you can find with its store locator. Greenworks also lists Walmart-specific models.
Who should buy which?
| You… | Pick |
|---|---|
| Want the strongest battery mower | EGO (LM2156SP or a 22-inch model) |
| Want the most runtime for the money | Ryobi RY40HPLM02K2 |
| Already own Ryobi 40V tools | Ryobi |
| Already own EGO tools | EGO |
| Want a steel deck | Greenworks LM2116S |
| Want a small, cheap push mower | Greenworks 48V or Ryobi 18-inch 40V |
| Want the longest warranty | EGO or Ryobi (5-year tool) |
| Shop mostly at Home Depot | Ryobi |
| Have rough, uneven ground | Ryobi RY40HPLM03K2 (all-wheel drive) |
My verdict
If you’re starting from zero and care most about mowing, I’d lean EGO. It has the deepest mower range, the best published torque and a single battery system for everything outside. The EGO Power+ lawn mower review covers the LM2135SP in depth.
If you want the most mower for the money, or you’re already on Ryobi 40V, buy Ryobi. Two batteries in the box is a big deal for runtime. See my Ryobi cordless lawn mower review.
Pick Greenworks if a steel deck matters to you or you want a cheap, small push mower. Just watch the voltage so your batteries match.
For more models from all three, see my best cordless lawn mowers list and the best battery yard tool systems guide. If you’re still deciding on cordless at all, read electric vs gas lawn mower.
FAQ
Is EGO better than Ryobi?
EGO has stronger top-end mowers and more published torque. Ryobi gives more runtime for the money because its 21-inch kits include two batteries. For a typical lawn, both cut well, so match the brand to the tools you already own.
Can I use Ryobi batteries in an EGO mower?
No. EGO mowers take EGO 56V batteries and Ryobi mowers take Ryobi 40V batteries. Each brand only supports its own packs, so pick one platform for your yard tools.
Do Ryobi 18V batteries fit Ryobi 40V mowers?
No. Ryobi's 18V ONE+ and 40V systems are separate. Ryobi's walk-behind mowers need 40V batteries.
Is Greenworks a good mower brand?
Yes, for average lawns. The 60V LM2116S has a steel deck, two batteries and a 4-year warranty. Greenworks' main drawback is its many voltages, which makes battery sharing harder.
Which brand has the longest runtime?
Among 21-inch kits, Ryobi's two-battery models lead at up to 75 to 80 minutes. EGO's two-battery LM2244SP-2 is rated at 90 minutes but costs more.
Which brand is quietest?
None of the three publish comparable decibel ratings for every mower. Ryobi markets its Whisper Series as 85% quieter than gas. TechGearLab measured EGO models at about 73 to 77 dBA.
Where is the best place to buy an EGO mower?
Lowe's, Ace Hardware and local EGO dealers are the main US options. Dealers can also handle warranty service, which is useful for a mower.
Which brand has the best warranty?
EGO and Ryobi both offer 5 years on the mower and 3 years on the battery, and EGO extends some batteries to 5 years with registration. Greenworks offers 3 or 4 years depending on the line.