It was a Saturday morning. My gas mower sat dead in the garage. The gas can was empty too, and the hardware store didn’t open for another hour. That’s the morning I gave up on gas for good. This EGO LM2135SP review covers what happened next, after months of mowing with EGO’s self-propelled cordless mower. If you’re tired of gas cans, pull cords, and oil changes, this review is for you. I’ll walk through the good, the bad, and a few things I didn’t expect.
Why I Decided to Test the EGO LM2135SP
I picked this mower because it kept showing up on every “best cordless mower” list I found. I wanted to know if it was worth the hype, or just good marketing.
What Made Me Curious About This Model
Three things caught my eye. The torque rating looked strong for a battery mower. The Select Cut blade system claimed to switch between mulching and bagging with a simple swap. And the price tag made me want proof before I spent that much money.
My old gas mower worked fine. But it smelled, it was loud, and it needed gas every single week. I wanted quiet mornings back. My neighbor mows at 7 a.m. on Saturdays, and I didn’t want to be that guy anymore.
First Impressions Out of the Box
The box was heavy. Heavier than I expected for something with no engine inside. Setup took about fifteen minutes, mostly snapping the handle into place and locking the battery in.
The first thing I noticed was the weight balance. It felt front-heavy at first, but that evened out once I started pushing it. The deck looked tough. Thick plastic, with a rubber bumper around the edge. Nothing about it felt cheap.
Key Specs Explained in Plain English
The EGO LM2135SP runs on a 56-volt battery and comes with a 7.5Ah pack rated for up to 60 minutes of runtime. Here’s what each spec actually means for your lawn, in plain terms.
Battery Voltage, Amp-Hours, and Runtime
Voltage tells you how much power the motor can pull. Amp-hours tell you how long the battery lasts before it needs a charge. The LM2135SP pairs a 56V system with a 7.5Ah battery, which EGO rates at up to 60 minutes of cutting time.
In my yard, a quarter-acre lot in central Florida, one charge got me through the whole mow with battery to spare. Thicker grass or hills will drain it faster. That’s just physics, not a flaw.
Cutting Width, Deck Size, and Height Adjustment
The deck cuts a 21-inch swath, which is the standard size for mid-size yards. You get eight height settings, adjusting from about 1.5 inches up to 4 inches.
I switched heights often. Spring grass got cut low. By July, I raised it to fight the heat stress that hits St. Augustine grass here in Florida. The adjustment lever is single-handed and takes two seconds.
Self-Propelled Drive System
EGO calls this Touch Drive. Instead of squeezing a bar like older self-propelled mowers, you rest your palm on a sensor pad and the mower senses your pressure to move forward. A dial next to it sets your speed.
It felt strange the first time. My hand barely had to do anything. After a few mows, it became second nature, and my arms thanked me on hot days.
Mulching, Bagging, and Side Discharge Options
This mower uses a system called Select Cut. You get three interchangeable lower blades: one for mulching, one for high-lift bagging, and one built for extra runtime. Swap the blade, and you switch the mower’s whole personality.
The mulching blade comes installed from the factory. I used the bagging blade in fall when leaves piled up, and switched back to mulching the rest of the year.
Spec Comparison Table (LM2135SP vs. Similar EGO Models)
EGO sells a few versions of this same mower body, each with a different battery setup. Here’s how they stack up.
| Model | Battery Included | Advertised Runtime | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| LM2135SP | One 7.5Ah battery | Up to 60 minutes | $649-$749 |
| LM2130SP | Tool only, no battery | Depends on battery used | Lower, BYO battery |
| LM2134SP-2 | Two 6.0Ah batteries | Similar runtime, swap battery for more | Comparable price |
| LM2156SP-2 | Two 10.0Ah batteries | Longer total runtime | Higher price |
If you already own EGO batteries from a trimmer or blower, the LM2130SP saves you money. If you mow a bigger yard, the two-battery kits make more sense than the standard LM2135SP.
How It Performed in Real Conditions
This mower handled every climate I threw at it, but not in exactly the same way. Heat, dust, and thick grass each tested it differently.
Hot and Humid Climates (Florida, Texas, Southeast)
In Florida humidity, the motor never overheated on me, even mowing at 2 p.m. in August. The battery did warm up to the touch by the end of a session, which is normal for lithium packs in heat.
St. Augustine grass grows fast and thick in summer. The mower pushed through it without bogging down, though I did slow my pace on the thickest patches. Humidity also means wet grass some mornings, and wet clippings clog the deck faster than dry ones.
Dry and Rocky Terrain (Southwest, Arizona)
I borrowed time with this mower at a friend’s place outside Phoenix. Dry Bermuda grass cuts easier than St. Augustine, so runtime stretched closer to the full 60 minutes.
Dust was the bigger issue. Fine desert dust worked into the wheel bearings faster than I expected. A quick wipe-down after each mow kept things smooth, but it’s extra work you won’t deal with in wetter climates.
Thick Grass and Midwest Lawns
A cool Minnesota spring means slow-growing grass that gets thick and tangled, especially after rain. I tested a similar lawn type outside Minneapolis in late spring.
The Select Cut blade system earned its keep here. Switching to the bagging blade cleared clumps that would have choked a single-blade mower. Cold mornings didn’t hurt battery performance the way extreme heat can.
Noise Level, Blade Speed, and Charging Time
This mower runs quiet enough to hold a phone conversation while mowing. It’s nowhere near gas-mower loud, more like a kitchen blender hum than a roar.
Charging time runs close to an hour for a full charge from empty, using the rapid charger that comes in the box. Blade speed stays steady under load thanks to the brushless motor, which is the same motor design used in most modern power tools for better efficiency.
Performance Comparison Table
| Condition | Runtime Observed | Cut Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida humidity, thick grass | 40-50 minutes | Clean cut, some clumping when wet | Battery warmed in direct sun |
| Arizona dry heat | 50-60 minutes | Very clean, dry clippings | Dust buildup on wheels |
| Midwest thick spring grass | 35-45 minutes | Clean with bagging blade | Cold mornings, no battery issues |
What I Liked After Months of Use
After several months, two things stood out above everything else: how it cuts, and how it feels to push.
Power and Cutting Quality
The 7.0 ft-lbs of torque is no joke for a battery mower. It chewed through thick patches that would have stalled cheaper electric mowers I’ve used in the past.
Cut quality stayed even across the whole lawn, no stray strips of missed grass. The Select Cut system means you’re not stuck with one type of cut all year.
Comfort, Weight, and Handling
Touch Drive made the biggest difference in daily comfort. No squeezing a bar for thirty minutes straight, which used to leave my hand sore after long mows.
The mower weighs around 60 pounds, which sounds heavy on paper. In practice, the self-propelled drive carries most of that weight, so push effort stays low.
What I Didn’t Like (Being Honest)
No mower is perfect, and this one has two real downsides worth knowing before you buy.
Price vs. Performance
This is one of the priciest cordless mowers on the market. Brands like Ryobi and Greenworks sell comparable 21-inch self-propelled mowers for less, sometimes with longer advertised runtime when paired with two batteries.
You’re paying for the Select Cut blade system and Touch Drive comfort. If neither feature matters to you, a cheaper 40V or 60V mower from another brand will cut your grass just fine.
Any Limitations for Specific Yard Types
Steep slopes are where this mower struggles most. Touch Drive feels great on flat ground, but on a hill, I found myself fighting the pressure sensor instead of just walking.
If your yard is larger than half an acre, plan on buying a second battery. One 7.5Ah pack won’t finish a big lawn in thick grass season without a recharge break.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy This Mower
This mower fits homeowners with quarter-acre to half-acre lawns who want gas-level power without gas. It’s not the right pick for huge properties or steep terrain.
Best Yard Size and Grass Type for This Model
Quarter-acre to half-acre yards are the sweet spot. Grass types like St. Augustine, Bermuda, and cool-season blends in the Midwest all responded well during my testing.
If you mow more than half an acre regularly, you’ll want a spare battery on hand, or a model that ships with two.
Better Alternatives If This Isn’t a Fit
Ryobi’s 40V self-propelled lineup runs cheaper and offers longer runtime when you stack two batteries, though it weighs more once both packs are loaded in. Greenworks’ 60V mowers land in a similar price range to the LM2135SP and use a steel deck instead of plastic, which adds durability but also adds weight.
If hills are your main challenge, look for a mower with a traditional bar-style self-propel system instead of a pressure-sensor design like Touch Drive.
My Final Verdict
After months of mowing in three different climates, I keep coming back to one word: dependable. The EGO LM2135SP cuts cleanly, runs quiet, and switches between mulching and bagging faster than any mower I’ve owned before. The price stung when I bought it, but I haven’t bought a drop of gas since.
It’s not a mower for every yard. Steep hills aren’t its strength, and if your lawn stretches past half an acre, you’ll want a backup battery in the garage. For a typical suburban yard, though, it handles the job better than the gas mower it replaced.
Would I buy it again? Yes. Not because it’s flawless, but because it solved my actual problem: a loud, smelly chore that ate up my Saturday mornings. Now mowing takes less time, less effort, and zero trips to the gas station.
Pros and Cons Table
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong torque for thick grass | High price compared to other brands |
| Touch Drive reduces hand fatigue | Struggles on steep slopes |
| Select Cut blades switch mulch to bag fast | One battery may not finish large yards |
| Quiet enough for early mornings | Battery warms up in direct summer heat |
| Folds flat for easy garage storage | Dust can build up on wheels in dry climates |
