Sun Joe MJ403E 17-Inch Electric lawn mower: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

Electric lawn mowers have become increasingly popular over the last decade as more environmentally friendly and quieter alternatives to gas-powered mowers. Advancements in battery technology have enabled electric mowers to increase their power and runtime while decreasing their charge times. For homeowners with smaller lawns or those simply looking for an easy, low-maintenance way to keep their lawn trimmed, an electric mower can be a great option.

Overview of the Sun Joe MJ403E

The Sun Joe MJ403E is a cordless, battery-powered electric lawn mower. Some key features and specs include:

• 17 inch cutting deck
• Brushless motor
• Powered by a 40V 4.0 Ah lithium-ion battery
• Up to 25 minutes of run time per charge
• Rear bag, side discharge and mulching capabilities
• Adjustable cutting height from 1.18" to 3.15"
• Foldable handles for compact storage
• Weighs 42 lbs

The MJ403E combines a decent cutting width and battery run time in a lightweight, cordless package. The adjustable cutting height and ability to mulch, bag or discharge grass clippings provides versatility for different lawn conditions and user preferences. Overall, the Sun Joe electric mower aims to deliver quiet but capable cutting performance without the hassle of gas or cords.

Design

The Sun Joe MJ403E has a lightweight and compact design that makes it easy to maneuver and store. It weighs only 29.3 pounds, with dimensions of 22.8 x 16.5 x 8.7 inches. Despite its light weight, the MJ403E doesn't feel flimsy or cheap. The cutting deck is made of durable steel that can stand up to regular use.

The handles are designed for comfort and ease of use. Made of durable plastic, they fold down for compact storage when not in use. You can adjust the height of the handle with two available positions. This allows you to find the right height for your comfort, whether walking behind or off to the side.

At just under 30 pounds, the MJ403E is easy to move around the yard. Its lightweight design and compact size mean you shouldn't have any trouble navigating the mower, even in tight spaces. The materials feel sturdy enough for regular use and storage. Overall, the design focuses on portability and comfort of use.

Cutting System

The Sun Joe MJ403E has a 17-inch cutting width, making it suitable for mowing medium to larger sized lawns. It uses a 13-amp motor to spin the durable steel blades at up to 3,000 RPM for an even and consistent cut.

The blades are made of durable steel so they can handle frequently hitting sticks, stones and other debris when mowing. The blades can be easily removed and replaced when needed.

The 17-inch cutting deck allows the mower to cut a decent sized swath in each pass, reducing mowing time compared to mowers with smaller cutting widths. The adjustable cutting height ranges from 1.18 inches to 2.52 inches, enabling you to get the ideal cut length for your grass type and season.

Overall, the cutting system is designed to deliver efficient mowing for lawns up to 1/4 acre. The powerful motor and sharp blades make quick work of cutting even thick and tall grass.

Motor

The Sun Joe MJ403E is powered by a 12-amp electric motor. The motor operates at 120V, providing sufficient power for cutting through grass and light vegetation. The higher amperage of the motor compared to some competing models allows the mower to tackle moderately thick and tall grass without bogging down.

The electric motor is brushless, making it durable and low-maintenance. Brushless motors have a longer operating life than brushed motors and do not require any servicing of brushes or commutators. This makes the motor on the MJ403E essentially maintenance-free.

Overall, the 12A high-torque brushless electric motor gives the Sun Joe mower capable cutting power and longevity. Homeowners with small to mid-sized yards will find this motor can handle their regular mowing needs.

Battery

The Sun Joe MJ403E comes with a 4.0 Ah lithium-ion battery that provides up to 35 minutes of continuous mowing on a single charge. This is sufficient for mowing up to 1/4 acre.

The battery requires 2.5 hours for a full charge. The charger unit conveniently plugs into any standard 120V outlet and has an LED indicator to show charging status.

The battery is removable, allowing you to purchase a spare battery for extended mowing sessions or continuous mowing of larger areas. However, additional batteries must be purchased separately.

The battery is designed for longevity, providing steady power over the course of its lifespan. And it features no memory effect or self-discharge when storing over the winter or off-season.

Additional Features

The Sun Joe MJ403E comes equipped with several useful additional features that enhance the mowing experience. One major feature is the 3-in-1 design that allows you to mulch, bag, or discharge grass clippings. The large 14.5 gallon rear bag is easy to install and remove, making grass collection simple and convenient.

When mulching, the mower finely cuts up clippings which are then released into the lawn to act as a natural fertilizer. No bagging needed. This helps promote healthy turf growth. The adjustable cutting height range of 1.18" to 2.52" allows you to find the optimal setting for mulching your specific grass type.

For added versatility, the discharge chute can be used to side discharge clippings as you mow. This ejects them out to the side and away from the lawn. The durable rugged wheels provide excellent traction and maneuverability on any terrain.

Overall, the additional features of mulching, bagging, side discharge, adjustable cutting height, and rugged wheels make the Sun Joe MJ403E adaptable for any lawn mowing need.

Ease of Use

The Sun Joe MJ403E lawn mower is designed to be easy to use and maneuver.

Controls

The controls on the Sun Joe are straightforward with an ergonomic bail handle that stops the mower blades when released. It also has a safety key that must be inserted for the mower to operate. The single button and lever design makes starting and stopping the mower simple.

Maneuverability

Despite weighing over 40 pounds, the 3-wheel design and rear wheels make the MJ403E easy to move around the yard. The front caster wheels provide smooth steering and allow you to get close to landscaping features. The lower deck height provides good accessibility under bushes and other tight areas. The folding handle also enables convenient vertical storage.

Overall, most reviewers found the Sun Joe electric lawn mower to be user-friendly and able to easily navigate their lawns. The controls are intuitive and the design makes maneuvering straightforward for mowing grass in home lawns.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential for any electric lawn mower. An advantage of the Sun Joe MJ403E is that it has minimal maintenance needs. As it doesn't use gasoline or oil, there is no need to routinely check those fluid levels or change filters.

What you do need to regularly check and clean on the MJ403E is the cutting deck, wheels, and underside of the deck where grass can build up. The deck just needs periodic wiping down and the wheels can be sprayed off with a hose. This easy maintenance helps keep it running smoothly during mowing seasons.

Another benefit is that electric motors have far fewer moving parts that can wear down or break compared to gas motors. So keeping the rotating parts in the cutting deck clean from grass clippings is key to extending the lifespan of the mower. Blade sharpening will also be periodically required.

The simple maintenance of the Sun Joe MJ403E makes it appealing for customers who want to spend their time gardening rather than servicing their lawn mower equipment. While maintenance is still required, it is significantly reduced compared to gas mowers.

Pros and Cons

When considering any lawn mower purchase, it's important to weigh the pros and cons to determine if it's the right fit for your needs.

Pros:

• Electric - no gasoline or oil needed for quiet, eco-friendly operation
• Lightweight and maneuverable for easy use around landscaping and gardens
• Adjustable cutting height for customizing mowing
• Mows well on flat and small lawns under 1/3 acre
• Removable grass bag for easy emptying
• Easy to start with a single quick press of a button

Cons:

• Short run time per charge may require multiple charges to finish larger lawns
• Motors of some units may underpowered for thicker grasses
• Not ideal for larger lawns over 1/3 acre
• Have to stay near a power outlet while operating

When considering the Sun Joe MJ403E electric lawn mower, the lightweight and quiet operation are excellent for small to medium sized lawns. However, the limitations on run time and motor power should be considered if attempting to mow lawns with thick grasses or larger landscaping over 1/3 acre. As with any purchase, think through your specific lawn care needs and compare features.