Earthwise 50616 16-Inch Electric lawn mower: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Earthwise 16-inch electric lawn mower provides a cordless, eco-friendly way to mow your lawn. This mower is powered by a 40V lithium ion battery and brushless motor for emissions-free operation. With its 16-inch cutting deck, 3-in-1 design, and adjustable cutting height, the Earthwise mower can handle yards up to 1/4 acre in size.

The sturdy steel deck and ergonomic handle make the mower easy to maneuver and transport. Safety features include a lock-out switch that must be depressed along with a bail switch while the mower is in use. With up to 50 minutes of run time on a single charge, the Earthwise mower allows for quick mowing sessions.

Overall, the Earthwise 16-inch cordless electric mower provides an environmentally-friendly option for small to medium sized lawns. Its cordless design offers the freedom to roam the yard without any cables. Let's take a closer look at the key features and performance of this electric lawn mower.

Design & Build Quality

The Earthwise electric lawn mower is designed with high quality, durable components to provide reliable performance over time. The deck is made from a robust 16-gauge steel that can withstand frequent use and resists rust.

Reinforced steel is used for key components like the handles and height adjuster lever to make them rigid and prevent flexing or bending during operation. The plastic components, including the battery housing, guard, and rear access door are made from impact-resistant polymer that holds up well against wear and tear.

Overall, the sturdy construction using quality steel and plastics allows this mower to maintain its structural integrity mow after mow. Users mention this mower feels solid and cuts well season after season thanks to its durable build.

Cutting Deck

The Earthwise electric lawn mower has a 16-inch wide cutting deck. This deck size is suitable for small to medium sized yards up to about 1/3 of an acre. The 16-inch width allows the mower to cut a decent swath of grass with each pass, minimizing the number of passes needed to mow the lawn.

The cutting deck is made of resin for durability and rust prevention. It has an ergonomic design with smooth rounded edges to prevent catching on obstacles.

The height of the cutting deck is adjustable between 1.25 inches to 3.5 inches, in 6 different height positions. This allows you to tailor the cut to your grass type and length. Raising the deck higher provides a longer cut, while lowering it gives a shorter trim.

Motor & Power

The Earthwise electric lawn mower is powered by a 16-amp 11-amp electric motor. This power level provides sufficient torque and cutting power to easily mow most suburban yard sizes up to 1⁄4 acre. The motor is rated at 120V, using a standard household plug for convenient operation.

Most suburban lawns between 1/8 and 1⁄4 acres in size can be fully cut on a single charge with the Earthwise's motor and battery capacity. Those with particularly thick or tall grass may need to top off the battery mid-mow for larger plots. The motor generates enough cutting force to cleanly cut through moderately overgrown areas.

While not as powerful as commercial or gas-powered mowers, the Earthwise motor provides a good balance of power, runtime, and energy efficiency ideal for most homeowners. The torque is sufficient for average yet intent residential mowing duties. Overall, the motor delivers solid, reliable power that suits the needs of most homeowners nicely without excessive power draw or noise.

Battery & Run Time

The Earthwise electric lawn mower comes with a 40V lithium ion battery that provides excellent power and runtime. The 5.0Ah battery is one of the highest capacity batteries you'll find in an electric mower in this class.

With a fully charged battery, you can expect to get up to 45 minutes of continuous mowing time. This is an ample amount of time to mow up to 1/4 acre of lawn before needing to recharge. The long runtime is thanks to the efficient brushless motor and lithium ion battery technology.

To recharge, the battery simply slides out of the mower body and clicks into the included charger. Recharging takes about 1 hour from empty. The battery gauge gives you a precise readout of remaining runtime so you can easily tell when it needs recharging.

The 2-year warranty on the battery gives added peace of mind. Overall, the good capacity 40V lithium ion battery enables this electric mower to deliver excellent cordless runtime.

Drive System

The Earthwise Mower has a rear-wheel drive system, which helps provide excellent traction and control when mowing on slopes and uneven terrain. The single-speed drive allows the mower to move at a steady pace that provides a clean cut.

The speed of the mower is suitable for residential use, not too fast but faster than a push mower. The large 8-inch rear wheels help the mower glide easily over bumps and ruts in the lawn. While not a fast mower, the rear-drive provides a consistent and controlled mowing speed to deliver an even cut.

Some users wish the mower had variable speed settings to accommodate different mowing conditions. But the simplicity of the single speed is appreciated by many homeowners who want an easy-to-use electric mower without complex controls.

Overall, the rear-wheel drive system offers traction and control when mowing sloped lawns or maneuvering around landscaping features. The steady pace suits most residential mowing needs.

Cutting Height

The Earthwise electric mower allows you to easily adjust the cutting height as needed for your lawn. It has 7 height adjustment positions, ranging from 1.5 inches up to 4 inches, in 0.5 inch increments. This gives you a good degree of flexibility to raise or lower the cut to suit your preferences and lawn conditions throughout the growing season.

To adjust the height, there is a single lever on the side. You simply move the lever to the notch for the desired height and the 4 wheels will adjust together. The height settings click into place securely. Raising to a higher cut is useful to reduce stress on the grass in hot summer months. Lowering the height is better for maintaining a tidy lawn appearance. The 0.5 inch adjustment increments allow you to fine tune the cut height to get the right look for your lawn.

Overall, the range of cutting heights and the easy single lever adjustment make it simple to adapt the Earthwise mower to your needs. The 7 height options with precise 0.5 increments give you lots of customizable cutting ability.

Noise Level

The Earthwise electric lawn mower operates at a sound level of 68-70 decibels, making it one of the quietest electric mowers available. This is comparable to the noise level of a normal conversation. The quiet operation is ideal if you want to mow early in the morning or late in the evening without disturbing neighbors.

Some key factors that contribute to the quiet performance:

• The precision-tuned blade produces a clean, quiet cut. There is no metal-on-metal contact.

• The brushless motor runs smoothly without excessive vibration.

• The ABS composite deck dampens noise and vibration.

• There is no noisy gas engine and exhaust.

The quiet operation is a major advantage over gas-powered mowers which typically generate over 90 decibels of noise. If you value a peaceful, quiet mowing experience, the Earthwise electric mower delivers. You can mow and talk at the same time without needing to raise your voice.

Ease of Use

The Earthwise electric mower is very easy to use and maneuver. The handles are designed for comfort and control during operation. The mower has two independent rear wheel drive motors, allowing excellent maneuverability and turning capability. The mower can do 180 degree turns on a dime.

The controls are simple with an easy-reach button to start and stop the mower. There is also a speed control to adjust based on your preference. The handle can be folded down for compact upright storage, taking up minimal space. The mower weighs only 52 lbs, making it easy to move in and out of storage. The grass collection bag in the rear has an indicator window so you can see when it's full and needs to be emptied.

Overall, the Earthwise mower provides great ease of use with its intuitive controls, excellent maneuverability, and convenient folding/storage design. It's one of the simplest electric mowers to operate.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Easy to assemble right out of the box
• Lightweight and easy to maneuver
• Can mulch, bag, or discharge clippings
• Powerful electric motor
• Adjustable cutting height
• Quiet operation compared to gas models

Cons

• Shorter runtime vs gas models
• Not suitable for very large yards
• Plastic wheels may wear down over time
• No self-propelled option

The Earthwise 16-inch cordless electric lawn mower offers a lot of value and convenience for small to medium sized yards. It's lightweight and easy to use, with mulching and bagging capabilities. The electric motor provides plenty of power and quiet performance. Downsides are the shorter runtime compared to gas mowers, and lack of self-propulsion. But for most homeowners with average yard sizes, this mower represents an affordable and eco-friendly option with very few compromises.