EGO Power+ Select Cut 56V Review (2026)

How I tested it

I’ve been running my own landscaping business for years before I switched to testing gear full time, so when I say I put the EGO Power+ Select Cut through its paces, I mean it. My property is a half-acre lot in the Pacific Northwest, which means I get the full spectrum of grass conditions: dry summer fescue, that thick, lush spring growth that comes with constant rain, and the occasional patch of clover that loves to cling to the deck. I also mow for two neighbors who have steeper slopes and wetter lawns than mine. Over two seasons, I’ve used this mower for about 30 cuts total, ranging from early April through late October. I didn’t baby it. I mowed when the grass was damp from morning dew, I mowed after a three-day rain when the lawn was spongy, and I even let the grass get a little tall to see if the EGO would choke. I also stored it in my cramped garage, hung it on the wall, and folded it flat more times than I can count. This review is based on real work, not a demo on a manicured test plot.

Cutting power: it really does mow like gas

The first thing I noticed with the LM2135SP is how it handles thick, wet grass without bogging down. I have a section of my backyard that’s shaded by a big maple, and in the spring that grass stays damp until noon. With my old gas mower, I’d have to go slow or risk the engine sputtering and the deck clogging. The EGO just chewed through it. I’m talking about grass that was nearly 6 inches tall in spots, with dew still on the blades. I set the height to 3 inches, engaged the Select Cut dual-blade system, and the mower didn’t hesitate. No bogging, no stalling, no leaving that telltale clump of wet clippings. The brushless motor has instant torque, and it feels like it has more guts than a lot of 140cc gas mowers I’ve used. On a particularly wet day last May, I mowed my neighbor’s lawn, which has a mix of rye and crabgrass. The grass was literally dripping, and the EGO left a clean cut. I’ve never seen a cordless mower do that without leaving a mess. It’s not just marketing hype: the dual blades really do lift the grass before cutting, and the vacuum under the deck is strong enough to handle moisture.

That said, if you’re mowing dry, thin Bermuda grass, the power is almost overkill. The mower runs so smoothly that you might forget you’re even cutting. But for anyone who deals with thick, lush lawns or those unpredictable spring rains, this mower is a beast. I’ve had zero instances of the blade stalling, even when I accidentally hit a small fallen branch. It just clipped it and moved on.

Battery and real-world runtime

The EGO comes with a 56V 7.5Ah battery in most packages, but I’ve also tested it with the 10Ah battery from my EGO string trimmer. The advertised runtime is 45 to 62 minutes, and I can confirm that’s accurate for my half-acre. On a typical cut with the self-propelled engaged about half the time, I got 62 minutes on the dot with the 7.5Ah battery. That’s enough for my entire lawn, including trimming around flower beds and edging. If I let the grass get tall and the self-propelled runs more, I’ve seen it drop to around 50 minutes. But even that is impressive. I’ve never run out of charge mid-lawn, and I’ve never had to rush. The battery indicator on the handle is a lifesaver: it shows three lights, and when one goes out, I know I have about 15 minutes left. I’ve pushed it to the last light twice, and both times it kept cutting at full power until it died. No gradual slowdown, no weak cuts. It just stops, which is fine because you know exactly where you are.

One thing that bugs me is the rapid charger. It’s sold separately in some bundles, which is a pain. The standard charger takes about 2 hours to fully charge the 7.5Ah battery. That’s not terrible, but if you have a big lawn and only one battery, you’ll be waiting. I bought the rapid charger separately, and it cuts that time to about 45 minutes. If you’re on the fence, factor that into your decision. Also, the battery is heavy. At 7.5Ah, it’s about 5 pounds, and the 10Ah is even heavier. But it slides into the mower easily and locks securely.

Self-propelled feel and handling

The Touch Drive self-propelled system is one of the best I’ve used on a cordless mower. It’s variable speed from 0.9 to 3.1 MPH, controlled by a dial on the handle. I set it to about 2 MPH for flat sections and crank it to 3.1 for the straightaways. The handle itself is comfortable, with a soft grip, and the push-button start is so satisfying. No pulling a cord, no priming, no fuss. Just press the button and squeeze the bar. The self-propelled engages instantly, and it doesn’t jerk forward like some mowers do. It’s smooth and responsive. On my neighbor’s slope, which is about a 15 degree incline, the mower climbed without slipping. The rear-wheel drive gives good traction, but the mower is heavy at 62 pounds, so you feel that weight when you’re turning on a hill. It’s not unmanageable, but if you have a steep, long slope, you’ll work a bit. For flat lawns, it’s a dream. The mower rolls easily, and the wheels are decently sized. I’ve never had it get stuck in soft ground, even after a rain.

One annoyance: the handle doesn’t telescope. It’s fixed height, which is fine for me at 5’10”, but my neighbor who’s 6’2” found it a bit low. Also, the self-propelled can be a little jerky if you’re going from a dead stop to full speed quickly. I learned to ease the squeeze bar, and it became second nature. The LED headlights are a nice touch. I’ve mowed in the evening a few times, and they light up the grass well enough to see clippings and obstacles. They’re not blinding, but they work.

Mulching, bagging and the Select Cut system

The Select Cut system is the star here. It comes with two blades: a standard blade and a high-lift blade. You can run them together or swap to a single blade for bagging. For mulching, I run both blades. The result is a fine, almost powdery clippings that disappear into the lawn. I’ve mulched leaves in the fall, and it chopped them up small enough that they didn’t smother the grass. The key is the dual blades spin in opposite directions, creating a vortex that lifts the grass and cuts it multiple times. On my thick fescue, I’ve never had clumps. Even when the grass was damp, the clippings were tiny and evenly distributed. I’d say it mulches as well as my old gas mower, if not better.

Bagging is where the system shows its limits. The bag is a 2.5 bushel hard plastic unit with a handle. It attaches securely, but it fills up fast when the grass is wet. I’ve had to empty it twice on my half-acre when the grass was lush. The high-lift blade helps, but the bag capacity is average. For dry grass, it’s fine. The side discharge is loud and throws clippings pretty far, but I rarely use it. I prefer mulching. One thing I love: switching between modes is tool-free. You pull a lever, slide the baffle, and you’re done. It takes 10 seconds. The 7-position height adjustment goes from 1.5 to 4 inches, and the lever is easy to reach. I set it to 3 inches for summer and 2.5 for spring. It clicks into place firmly.

Build, storage and the things that annoyed me

The build quality is solid. The deck is a 21-inch stamped steel with a powder coat that hasn’t chipped or rusted after two seasons. The wheels are plastic with rubber treads, and they’ve held up fine. But the mower is heavy. At 62 pounds with the battery, lifting it into a truck bed or over a curb is a chore. I’m used to it, but my wife can’t lift it. The folding handle is great for storage. It folds flat in seconds by pulling two knobs, and the mower stands upright on its back. I store mine in a tight garage corner, and it takes up maybe 2 square feet of floor space. That’s a huge win over gas mowers. The battery charges separately, so I can keep it inside.

Now, the annoyances. First, the premium price. This mower costs a lot more than a comparable gas model. You’re paying for the battery system, the dual blades, and the brand. Second, the rapid charger being sold separately is a money grab. Third, the wheels have some play in them. They wobble slightly, not enough to affect cutting, but it feels cheap. Fourth, the handlebar doesn’t have any padding where it folds, so it can pinch your fingers if you’re not careful. Fifth, the LED headlights are nice, but they’re not bright enough to see the grass in front of you clearly in total darkness. They’re more for visibility than illumination. Lastly, the self-propelled dial is easy to bump with your knee when you’re turning. I’ve accidentally changed speed mid-cut a few times. Minor, but annoying.

Who should buy the EGO Select Cut (and who shouldn’t)

Buy this mower if you have a medium to large lawn, up to half an acre, and you want gas-like power without the gas. It’s perfect for people who hate dealing with ethanol, oil changes, and carburetor cleaning. If you mow thick, damp grass regularly, the Select Cut system is a game changer. It’s also great for anyone with limited storage space because it folds flat. If you’re already in the EGO battery ecosystem, this is a no-brainer. The battery works with their trimmers, blowers, and chainsaws. I use the same battery in my leaf blower.

Don’t buy this mower if you have a huge lawn over an acre. You’ll need two batteries and the rapid charger, and the cost adds up fast. Also, if you’re on a tight budget, the premium price is hard to justify when a good gas mower costs half as much. If you have a very steep, long slope, the weight might be an issue. And if you’re a stickler for bagging performance, you might be disappointed with the bag size. Finally, if you want a mower that’s light and easy to carry, this isn’t it. It’s a heavy machine.

My verdict after two seasons

After two years and about 30 cuts, the EGO Power+ Select Cut LM2135SP is the best cordless mower I’ve used. It cuts like a gas mower, the battery lasts long enough for my half-acre, the mulching is superb, and the storage is fantastic. The self-propelled is smooth, the start is instant, and the build is durable. But it’s not perfect. The weight, the premium price, and the separate rapid charger are real drawbacks. I’ve had to deal with the wobbly wheels and the occasional speed change from bumping the dial. Still, the pros outweigh the cons for my situation. I’ve recommended it to three neighbors, and two of them bought it. One of them even sold his gas mower. If you can afford the upfront cost and you want a mower that handles real-world conditions without the mess of gas, this is it. I’m keeping mine for the foreseeable future.