Quick verdict
A slope wants rear-wheel drive, a variable pace so the mower is not dragging the operator downhill, and enough battery to climb repeatedly, because uphill passes draw hard. The Greenworks 60V with two packs is the best climber for the money, the Greenworks 40V is the budget rear-wheel drive and the EGO LM2114SP is the premium pick with the most torque. Mow across the slope, never up and down.
Greenworks 60V 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower with Two 4 Ah Batteries
Rear-wheel drive is what climbs a slope, because the weight shifts to the back wheels going uphill, and this Greenworks 60V has it with an adjustable pace lever, two 4 Ah packs and a three-quarter acre rating. Greenworks lists slopes and thick grass as its purpose, and LED headlights help on a shaded bank.
The best battery mowers for a sloped backyard: Greenworks 60V with two batteries, Greenworks 40V 21-inch and EGO LM2114SP, all rear-wheel drive, compared on traction, pace control, torque and battery.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score /100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenworks 60V 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower with Two 4 Ah Batteries | Best Climber for the Money | 8.8 | Check price |
| Greenworks 40V 21-Inch Brushless Self-Propelled Mower | Best Budget Rear-Wheel Drive | 8.4 | Check price |
| EGO Power+ LM2114SP 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower | Best Premium Climber | 8.8 | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Greenworks 60V 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower with Two 4 Ah Batteries
Rear-wheel drive is what climbs a slope, because the weight shifts to the back wheels going uphill, and this Greenworks 60V has it with an adjustable pace lever, two 4 Ah packs and a three-quarter acre rating. Greenworks lists slopes and thick grass as its purpose, and LED headlights help on a shaded bank.
Reasons to buy
- Rear-wheel drive with adjustable pace
- Two batteries included
- Three-quarter acre rating
- LED headlights
Reasons to avoid
- Heavy with two packs
- Steel deck
- Lever drive
Greenworks 40V 21-Inch Brushless Self-Propelled Mower
The Greenworks 40V 21-inch self-propelled has rear-wheel drive, a brushless motor, a steel deck with seven heights and a 5 Ah pack rated for 45 minutes. Greenworks says the rear drive adds traction for the toughest backyard terrain, and for a modest slope on a modest lot it is the least expensive climber on the list.
Reasons to buy
- Rear-wheel drive
- Brushless motor
- Seven heights, three-in-one
- Lower price
Reasons to avoid
- 40V has less reserve on a steep bank
- One 5 Ah pack
- Heavier than a push mower
EGO Power+ LM2114SP 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
The LM2114SP drives the rear wheels, engages from either hand with a dual-toggle handle and has 6.0 foot-pounds of torque for the thick grass a slope grows at the bottom. The 6 Ah pack runs up to 50 minutes and the brushless motor is low on vibration, which matters when steadying a mower across a grade.
Reasons to buy
- 6.0 ft-lb torque
- Dual-toggle drive from either hand
- Low vibration
- EGO 56V platform
Reasons to avoid
- Costs more
- One 6 Ah pack
- Steel deck
What a slope asks of a mower
Mowing a bank is a traction problem and a control problem. Going uphill the weight of the mower shifts onto the back wheels, so a front-wheel-drive mower spins its drive wheels and stalls while a rear-wheel-drive mower keeps pulling. Coming across or down, a drive that runs at one speed drags the operator, so a variable pace that can be slowed matters. And climbing draws current, so a slope eats battery faster than flat ground. The three mowers here are all rear-wheel drive with adjustable pace and enough battery to climb repeatedly.
This guide is built from the published specifications and manuals of each mower and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run these mowers ourselves.
How the three compare
| Mower | Drive | Power | Battery in kit | Runtime claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenworks 60V 21 | Rear wheel, variable | 60V brushless | Two 4 Ah | 3/4 acre |
| Greenworks 40V 21 | Rear wheel | 40V brushless | 5 Ah | 45 min |
| EGO LM2114SP | Rear wheel, dual toggle | 56V, 6.0 ft-lb | 6 Ah | 50 min |
Greenworks 60V: the climber with two packs
Greenworks lists slopes and thick grass as the job for this mower, and the rear-wheel drive with an adjustable pace lever is why. Two 4 Ah packs mean a bank that drains one pack still gets finished, the three-quarter acre rating has margin for climbing, and the LED headlights help on a north-facing bank that stays in shade. It is heavy with both packs, which helps it hold a line across a grade.
Greenworks 40V: the budget rear-wheel drive
For a gentle slope on a modest lot the Greenworks 40V 21-inch does the job at the lowest price here. Rear-wheel drive, a brushless motor, seven heights and a 5 Ah pack rated for 45 minutes. On a steep or long bank the 40V motor has less reserve and the single pack may not finish, so this is the pick for a backyard with one modest slope rather than a hillside.
EGO LM2114SP: the premium climber
The EGO has the most cutting torque here at 6.0 foot-pounds, which matters at the bottom of a slope where grass grows thick and wet. The drive engages from either side of the handle, useful when one hand is steadying the mower across a grade, and the brushless motor runs with little vibration. The 6 Ah pack is rated for 50 minutes. It costs more and is the pick for a household already on EGO packs.
Mowing a slope safely
Mow across the slope with a walk-behind mower so it cannot roll back onto you, and never pull the mower toward you downhill. Wear shoes with grip and mow dry grass only; a wet bank is a fall waiting to happen. Set the drive slow, raise the deck a notch so the uphill wheel does not scalp, and let the drive do the work. If the bank is steeper than about 15 degrees, which is roughly a rise of one foot in four, use a string trimmer or plant it with groundcover.
Which one should you buy
Buy the Greenworks 60V with two batteries for the best climber for the money. Buy the Greenworks 40V for a single modest slope on a budget. Buy the EGO LM2114SP for the most torque and a household on EGO packs.
How we research
This guide is built from the published specifications, manuals and warranty terms of each product and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run these products ourselves; where a maker does not publish a figure we say so rather than guess.
What to look for
Rear-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive loses traction uphill as the weight shifts back. Rear-wheel drive is the one feature that matters on a slope.
Variable pace
A fixed-speed drive drags the operator on the downhill pass. A lever or dial that slows the mower is essential.
Battery
Uphill passes draw hard. Buy two packs or a big one for a slope over a quarter acre.
Weight
Heavier mowers hold a line across a grade better, but are harder to recover if a wheel slips.
Our verdict
A slope wants rear-wheel drive, a variable pace so the mower is not dragging the operator downhill, and enough battery to climb repeatedly, because uphill passes draw hard. The Greenworks 60V with two packs is the best climber for the money, the Greenworks 40V is the budget rear-wheel drive and the EGO LM2114SP is the premium pick with the most torque. Mow across the slope, never up and down.
FAQs
Across with a walk-behind mower, so the mower cannot roll back onto you. Up and down is for riding mowers.
Rear-wheel drive. Going uphill the weight moves to the back wheels, which is where the drive needs to be.
Makers generally advise against slopes over about 15 degrees. Beyond that, a string trimmer or groundcover is safer.
Climbing and thick grass at the bottom of a bank both draw more current. Expect less than the rated runtime.
