This Electric Lawn Mower Replaced My Rake (and My Riding Mower)

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Shopping for the best electric lawn mower isn’t just about ditching gas—it’s about finding a machine that can handle real yard work. I needed a cordless mower powerful enough for a half-acre lawn, nimble around trees and landscaping, and capable of delivering a clean, even cut every time. The Craftsman V20 Brushless RP 21-inch self-propelled mower checked all those boxes, running more than 70 minutes on a charge while proving that modern battery-powered mowers are ready to replace gas for most homeowners.

What It Is

The Craftsman V20 Brushless RP Cordless 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower has an extraordinarily long product name and a rather hefty price—it’s $649 on Amazon. Before I dive into the specs on this self-propelled push mower and how it all worked, I should explain what the term “brushless” means when it comes to electric power equipment.

Back in the day, the first electric tools and power equipment such as drills and saws used a “brushed” design. As the name implies, there are tiny brushes that spin against a commutator (basically, a mechanical switch) to provide the power. More recent “brushless” designs use a combination of magnets and computer chips to achieve the same result. Nothing moves inside the motor to create the electric propulsion, which means less heat and more efficiency.

This means the Craftsman V20 Brushless RP won’t conk out after 45 minutes like some electric mowers and works for about a half-acre yard like mine. For comparison, the Toro Recycler 60V 22-inch lasts 50 minutes on a charge for about the same price. A Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2823-22HD 21-in that lasts about an hour costs quite a bit more at $1,199. What makes the Craftsman model is spendy because gas-powered mowers cost about half as much. 

Craftsman V20 Brushless Self-Propelled Mower Overall Impressions

The Craftsman V20 Brushless RP is much beefier and looks like a gas-powered mower compared to the previous Craftsman Brushless V20 model I’ve tested, which is still available on Amazon for $359. That more dainty self-propelled push mower lasts about 50 minutes, so you gain 20 minutes of usage with the Brushless RP. I decided to mow my entire yard even though I have a rider, testing both grass and leaf mowing to see how long it lasts on a charge.

I will say, this mower slices and dices with a keen efficiency. My yard looked perfectly level, almost like an expert hair stylist was trimming my lawn. I sucked up every leaf and grass clipping, never even needing a rake for my entire yard. My process involved leaf-blowing everything into the grass, then mowing it all up with the Craftsman V20 Brushless RP.

The mower lasted exactly 71 minutes with only a sliver of my yard left to mow. Not a big deal, I charged up the two batteries in about 30 minutes and finished the job. I had to use the “one” setting that mows slower but conserves the most power. When I mowed at a faster speed, the mower lasted 60 minutes but (not surprisingly) lasted long enough to finish the entire yard.

Key Features

What sets the Craftsman V20 Brushless RP apart from other push mowers is the clean operation and brushless design. The mower is not loud at all—at times I even wondered if it was working properly. I’d look back at my mowing path just to double check.

It’s efficient because of the two steel blades which help mulch the grass and leaves into fine pieces. There are three modes—mulching only, discharge, or bagging. The folding handle is also a smart design choice—it means you can hang the entire 84-pound mower vertically in your garage. No worries about oil or gas dripping, since the mower doesn’t use either. The V20 charging system is compatible with other Craftsman gear like leaf blowers and trimmers. The mower includes two chargers and batteries which snap into place below a top cover.

I liked how there is a key you need to operate the mower. With kids around in my house, I stashed the key in the garage to make the mower useless to underage house members. The speed control dial is now easier to use than the Craftsman V20 Brushless previous model I mentioned. On the new model, it’s right in front of you, but on the previous gen it was off to the right-hand side and harder to use. I liked that the start button is also right in front of you.

Pros

• Clean and efficient electric power
• Trimmed leaves and grass cleanly
• Lasted 71 minutes on a charge

Cons

• Higher than normal price
• Heavy to lift for hanging

Final Verdict

I’m sold on the Craftsman V20 Brushless RP, despite some reservations about the price and the fact that I do most of my mowing with a rider. During leaf-raking season, I’ve discovered that I never needed a rake for several weeks and snaked up every last leaf and grass clipping using this mower, then bagged everything onto a tarp and hauled it to the compost site. Done and done. For anyone who wants that kind of efficiency and a clean cut lawn, this mower is for you.

Why You Should Trust Me

I’ve been testing push mowers and riding lawnmowers for about 25 years as a journalist, covering many John Deere models over the years including the zero-turn mowers. In recent years, I’ve tested and reviewed many electric power tools including leaf blowers, mowers, trimmers, hand tools, power saws, and many more.