Stihl Electric Lawn Mower Review: Does One Exist?

The search term “electric lawn mower Stihl” gets typed in by people who already know battery tools and are doing their homework. They want to know whether the EGO POWER+ is the better buy or whether they should stay in an existing platform. That’s a fair question, and I’ll answer it directly: Stihl does not currently make a 21-inch self-propelled battery mower in the same class as the EGO POWER+ LM2135SP 21” Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower. If you came here looking for a Stihl equivalent, it doesn’t exist yet at this price point. What I’ll do instead is tell you whether the EGO is worth your money, which is probably what you actually needed to know.

I’ve been running battery-powered outdoor tools across 12 acres for several years. If you’re researching cordless equipment more broadly, my starting point is always the Battery & Cordless Tools hub, where I cover the platform decisions that matter before you spend $400 on a mower.

Quick Verdict

The EGO POWER+ LM2135SP is the best battery-powered self-propelled mower I’ve used at this price. The self-propel system is genuinely good, the 60-minute runtime holds up under real conditions, and the cut quality is competitive with any mid-range gas mower I’ve owned. My complaint is about the retail sleight of hand where the base price (currently around $449 at the time of writing, tool-only) sounds reasonable until you add the 7.5Ah battery at roughly $199 and the rapid charger at $49. Full kit pricing runs around $650 to $700 depending on where you buy.

If you already own EGO batteries from a blower or trimmer, the tool-only version is a straightforward decision. If you don’t own any EGO equipment, budget accordingly.

Bottom line. Buy it. Just price it correctly before you do.

Key Specs

| Spec | Detail |

|,|,| | Cutting width | 21 inches | | Battery | 56V 7.5Ah ARC Lithium (BAX1510) | | Claimed runtime | Up to 60 minutes | | Drive system | Touch Drive variable-speed self-propel | | Cutting heights | 6 positions, 1.5” to 4” | | Cutting modes | Mulch, bag, side-discharge | | Weight (with battery) | Around 68 lbs | | Deck material | High-impact plastic with steel reinforcement | | Blade system | Select Cut multi-blade | | Warranty | 5-year mower, 3-year battery |

The 56V platform is the same voltage as every other current EGO tool. That matters: if you already have an EGO chainsaw or an EGO pole hedge trimmer, that battery works in this mower. EGO has built a genuinely coherent platform, which is more than I can say for some competitors.

Performance and Testing

Runtime in Real Conditions

EGO’s 60-minute claim is based on flat terrain with the self-propel off and presumably favorable conditions. My property doesn’t offer that. I mow around 8,000 square feet of lawn area across two main sections, both with some grade change and mixed grass that runs dense in late spring.

With the 7.5Ah battery, the 56V system, and the self-propel running at a moderate pace, I consistently got 45 to 50 minutes before the battery indicator dropped to one bar. That covers my larger section with a few minutes left. (I timed this across four mowing sessions.) On flat, lighter-growth grass, the full 60 minutes is plausible.

If you’re mowing over an acre, plan for a second battery. The 5.0Ah battery (around $129) will get you through smaller sections; the 7.5Ah is the right choice for anything over 6,000 square feet.

The Touch Drive Self-Propel System

This is the feature that separates the LM2135SP from EGO’s non-self-propelled models, and it works better than I expected. The drive engages through a variable-speed lever behind the handle. Press lightly, it moves slowly. Press fully, it pulls at a brisk walking pace, close to 3.5 mph at maximum.

The practical effect: if you’ve ever finished mowing a slope with your forearms aching from fighting a self-propel mower that wanted to go at one fixed speed, that’s the problem this solves. The system is genuinely responsive to pressure rather than being binary. I do think the lever placement takes a few sessions to feel natural, but that’s a minor adaptation cost.

Comparable to the Husqvarna HU800AWDH, which I ran for two seasons before switching to battery tools. The Husqvarna’s AWD drive is arguably more capable on steep slopes. On anything under a 15-degree grade, the EGO’s Touch Drive handles it without complaint.

Cut Quality and the Select Cut System

The Select Cut multi-blade system uses an inner and outer blade that work together to improve mulching performance. EGO’s marketing leans hard on this, and the mulching quality is good. Leaving clippings down in hot weather, I get reasonable decomposition without clumping on dry days. In wet conditions or after letting the grass get long, it clumps like any mower would.

Side-discharge works as expected. The bag holds about 1.9 bushels, which I find myself emptying more often than I’d like on heavy spring growth.

Blade engagement is immediate. No priming, no choke, no pull cord. If you have spent any time starting a gas mower in cold, wet weather, you understand why this matters.

Noise and Neighborhood Considerations

Measured at the operator position, the EGO runs around 77 dB. My previous gas mower, a Honda HRX217, ran closer to 95 dB. The difference is large enough that I no longer feel obligated to warn my neighbors before an early morning session. That’s a practical benefit that doesn’t show up in spec sheets but changes how you actually use the machine.

Durability Over Time

I’m two full mowing seasons in. No blade bearing issues, no drive problems, one battery cell replacement under warranty that EGO handled without friction. The plastic deck shows cosmetic wear. I’m not worried about it structurally.

The 5-year mower warranty and 3-year battery warranty are among the better coverage terms in this category. Greenworks offers similar terms; most others are shorter on battery coverage.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• 56V 7.5Ah battery delivers consistent power through the full charge cycle, not just the first 30 minutes
• Touch Drive self-propel is variable and responsive, not just on/off
• 60-minute runtime is realistic on moderate terrain
• Select Cut mulching produces clean results on dry grass
• 56V platform compatibility means the battery earns its cost across multiple tools
• 5-year mower warranty, 3-year battery warranty
• No gas storage, no oil changes, no carburetor problems after winter storage

Cons

• Tool-only pricing is misleading if you don’t already own the battery and charger
• At around 68 lbs with battery installed, it’s heavier than most corded options and some comparable gas mowers
• The bag capacity (1.9 bushels) is on the smaller side for dense spring growth
• Touch Drive lever position takes adjustment time
• No AWD option, which limits performance on steep grades compared to the Husqvarna HU800AWDH

Who It’s For

Buy this if. You have a lawn between 4,000 and 10,000 square feet, you want to stop buying gas and dealing with winter storage issues, and you’re open to building into the EGO platform for other tools. If you’re also looking at a battery edger or thinking about a 40V cordless leaf blower for fall cleanup, the EGO battery ecosystem starts to pay off across the season rather than just on one purchase.

Don’t buy this if. Your lawn is over an acre and you’re not willing to buy a second battery. The runtime is good for a battery mower; it’s not a replacement for a gas mower on serious acreage without planning for multiple charges or multiple batteries. Also: if you have substantial slopes (over 20 degrees), look at the Husqvarna AWD options before committing here.

The Stihl question specifically. If you’re already running Stihl battery tools, I understand the instinct to stay in platform. The Stihl AP and AK battery systems are well-made and the ecosystem has grown. But Stihl’s current mower lineup leans toward smaller push-only models, and there’s no direct competitor to the LM2135SP in their catalog at this writing. You’d be crossing platforms either way. If you’re invested in Stihl’s handheld tools, you might look at the Stihl battery edger for trim work and use the EGO for mowing.

The cordless tool category has moved fast. For a broader view of where the platforms stand now, the cordless outdoor power equipment section on this site covers battery systems across brands if you’re making platform decisions from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the EGO LM2135SP come with the battery included?

It depends on which version you buy. The tool-only version (ASIN B0857KWHHC) does not include the battery or charger. The combo kit versions, which include the 7.5Ah battery and rapid charger, run around $650 to $700 currently. If you already own EGO 56V batteries, the tool-only version is the better value. If you don’t, buy the kit or budget for the battery separately.

How does the EGO compare to a Stihl electric mower?

Stihl doesn’t currently make a 21-inch self-propelled cordless mower that competes directly with the LM2135SP. Stihl’s battery mower range is strong in the push-mower category but doesn’t match EGO at this size and feature level. If platform consistency is the goal and you’re running Stihl tools like the Stihl battery powered edger, that’s a reasonable priority, but for the mower itself, EGO is the stronger product at this specification.

What is the actual runtime on a full charge?

On flat terrain with the self-propel off and light-to-moderate grass, the 60-minute claim is plausible. On moderate terrain with the self-propel running at mid-speed, expect 45 to 50 minutes. Heavy grass, wet conditions, or steep grades will reduce that further. The 7.5Ah battery is the right choice for lawns over 5,000 square feet.

Is 68 lbs too heavy to maneuver?

For most adults on flat-to-moderate terrain, no. The self-propel system carries most of the forward load, so the weight is most noticeable when lifting over obstacles or loading it into a vehicle. If you’re managing the mower without the self-propel running, 68 lbs is harder work. Anyone with lower-back issues should try the mower with the drive engaged before buying.

Can I use existing EGO batteries from other tools?

Yes. Any EGO 56V ARC Lithium battery works in the LM2135SP. A 2.5Ah battery will run the mower but runtime will be short, around 20 to 25 minutes. For mowing use, the 5.0Ah battery is the minimum I’d recommend, with the 7.5Ah being the better choice for larger areas. This cross-compatibility is one of the best arguments for the EGO platform if you’re also running an EGO blower, trimmer, or chainsaw.