Makita XML10CM1 36V 21 Inch Electric lawn mower: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Makita XML10CM1 is an innovative 36V battery-powered electric lawn mower that provides a modern alternative to traditional gas mowers. This mower stands out for its powerful yet quiet 21-inch steel cutting deck, self-propelling rear-wheel drive, and long runtime from the lithium-ion battery.

Weighing just 67 pounds, the Makita XML10CM1 is nimble and easy to maneuver compared to bulkier gas mowers. It is designed to charge quickly and efficiently cut through grass without producing emissions or excessive noise. Overall, the Makita electric mower aims to combine power, performance, and convenience for environmentally-conscious homeowners seeking a high-end cordless lawn mower option.

Battery and Charging

The Makita XML10CM1 is powered by two 18V LXT Lithium-Ion batteries that deliver a total of 36 volts. This gives the mower plenty of power and longer run times compared to lower voltage battery models. The 36V battery enables the 21-inch steel deck to spin at 3,600 RPM for efficient cutting performance.

One of the advantages of this electric mower is the fast charging time. Makita states that the batteries can be fully recharged in just 22 minutes when using their rapid optimum charger. This allows you to quickly recharge the batteries in between mowing sessions. The rapid charger and two 4.0Ah batteries are included with the mower.

Cutting Deck

The Makita XML10CM1 comes equipped with a 21-inch cutting deck, which is a good size for maneuvering around most residential yards. The width enables the mower to cut a decent amount of grass with each pass without being overly wide and difficult to turn.

The cutting height is adjustable between 1-3/8 inches to 4 inches, in 7 different height settings. This allows you to cut the grass a bit taller in the hot summer months, or down to a lower manicured setting in spring and fall. Adjusting the height is straightforward using a single lever, without needing to adjust each wheel individually. Overall the 21-inch cutting deck with adjustable height provides the versatility and cutting width needed for most home lawns.

Drive System

The Makita XML10CM1 lawn mower features a rear wheel drive self-propelled system. This makes pushing the mower easier since the rear wheels help propel it forward as you walk behind it.

The self-propelled system has variable speed control so you can adjust the pace to your walking speed. Just push the speed control lever up to increase the speed or down to decrease it. This allows you to find the optimal pace that is comfortable for you.

The rear wheel drive system provides good traction even on damp grass. The wheels won't spin or slip excessively when self-propelled up slopes or inclines in the yard. This allows you to maintain control and efficiency when mowing hilly areas.

Overall, the rear wheel drive self-propelled system on the Makita XML10CM1 takes much of the effort out of pushing the mower. It helps the mower maintain momentum to get the job done faster with less fatigue.

Cutting Performance

The Makita XML10CM1 offers excellent cutting performance thanks to its powerful brushless motor. It has plenty of torque to handle thick, dense grass with ease. The mower utilizes dual blades to provide a smooth, even cut.

For clipping collection, the mower has a large 2.6 bushel fabric bag that fills up quickly so emptying is minimal. The bag has a clear window so you can easily see when it's full.

The mower can also mulch clippings into fine particles that are dispersed back into the lawn. This is a great fertilizer option and avoids bagging clippings.

For side discharge, the mower ejects clippings out the side chute for yards where bagging or mulching isn't needed.

The cutting height is adjustable from 1-1/4 to 4 inches via a single lever, allowing you to easily set the optimal height for your grass type and conditions. The mower handles tall grass very well.

Overall, the cutting performance of the Makita XML10CM1 is powerful, versatile, and efficient - easily handling thick, damp grass on large lots. The dual blades, 4-inch max cutting height, and excellent torque from the motor make short work of demanding mowing conditions.

Noise Level

The Makita XML10CM1 electric mower uses a brushless motor designed for quieter operation compared to typical mowers with gas engines. This makes it ideal if reducing noise pollution is a priority for you.

According to Makita, the noise level when operating the mower is just 76 dB. To put this in perspective, normal conversation is about 60 dB and a gas lawn mower is typically 95-105 dB. So the Makita is far quieter, making it more pleasant to operate and reducing disturbance to neighbors.

The quieter motor allows you to mow early in the morning or late in the day without creating a nuisance. And you can listen to music or talk while mowing without having to raise your voice to be heard over the mower.

If a quiet mower is appealing to you, the brushless motor design gives the Makita XML10CM1 an advantage over gas mowers and even some electric models that use louder brushed motors. The quiet operation can be a major selling point if noise is a concern.

Handling

The Makita XML10CM1 is lightweight and easy to maneuver thanks to its compact 36V battery system. The mower weighs just 60.6 pounds, making it one of the lightest electric mowers on the market.

Despite its light weight, the mower feels sturdy and stable when pushing and steering around the yard. The two 10-inch rear wheels provide smooth traction on most turf conditions.

The handle folds down for convenient storage. Simply squeeze the lever at the top of the handle to fold it all the way down to a vertical position. This makes the mower's footprint smaller for fitting into tight storage spaces like garden sheds.

Overall, the lightweight design, rear-wheel drive, and foldable handle make the Makita easy to handle and steer. The mower is nimble enough for tight spaces yet stable for mowing large open yards.

Additional Features

The Makita XML10CM1 comes with a few handy additional features that improve the mowing experience.

Headlights

The mower has built-in LED headlights that allow you to mow in low light conditions or at night. The headlights illuminate the path in front of the mower well and make it much easier and safer to mow when visibility is poor. The headlights turn on automatically when the mower is running.

Battery Charge Indicator

There is a battery charge indicator right on the mower that shows you how much charge is left on the battery. This allows you to monitor battery level and charge the battery when needed without guesswork. The indicator has a simple display that shows full, half, low or empty battery status.

Pros

The Makita XML10CM1 lawn mower has some key advantages that make it a great choice for many homeowners:

• Quiet operation: This electric mower operates at around 59 decibels, which is significantly quieter than gas-powered models. This makes it ideal if you have little kids napping or want to be respectful of neighbors.

• Efficient and eco-friendly: With no gas engine, this mower has zero emissions. It's powered by two 18V LXT lithium-ion batteries that deliver up to 40 minutes of runtime on a single charge. This is an energy-efficient way to mow your lawn.

• Good battery life: Given the large cutting width of 21 inches, the runtime is respectable at up to 40 minutes. For moderate sized yards, you may be able to mow on a single charge. And with two included batteries, you can always have one on the charger ready to go.

Cons

• The Makita XML10CM1 is an expensive mower, retailing for over $500. This high price tag puts it out of reach for some consumers.

• Replacement batteries can also be costly. Makita batteries tend to be more expensive than those from other brands. Expect to pay $150 or more for an extra battery.

• Batteries and chargers are sold separately. So factor in these additional costs if you need more than one battery.

• Availability of batteries may be limited in some areas. Makita mowers are less common than other battery-powered brands, so local retailers may have a limited selection of batteries in stock. You may need to purchase online if you can't find local availability.

• Some users report battery life declining after 1-2 seasons of use. So the initial investment may not last as long as hoped. Replacing batteries yearly adds to the long-term cost.