DeWalt Rolls Out Second-Generation Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
DeWalt’s initial entry into the battery-powered lawn mower category had mixed results. With a new generation on the market, we got our hands on the updated DeWalt 2x20V Max self-propelled lawn mower to see what improvements they made.
Pros
- Excellent runtime
- Low noise level
- Durable steel deck
- Full 3-in-1 design that includes sides discharge
- True 21-inch blade width
- Rubberized tires
- Compatible with the entire DeWalt 20V Max system
- Made in the USA with global materials
Cons
- Quirky drive system
- Wide wheelbase requires more overlap than normal
- Some people may not like the angled handle
DeWalt 2x20V Max Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Performance
Cutting Power
To test cutting power, we drop the mower deck all the way down and see how well it handles 4 1/2-inch grass. In DeWalt’s case, its minimum cutting height of 1 1/2 inches did just fine cutting a clean swath through.
That tells us it has plenty of power, but you want to avoid cutting your lawn that way full-time. The mower doesn’t have a strong ejection to consistently clear all the grass, so it clogs up fairly quickly. That’s not unusual, even for a residential gas mower.
Cut Quality
The DeWalt 2x20V Max Self-Propelled Lawn Mower comes with everything you need to bag, mulch, and side discharge. Many battery mowers only bag and mulch, and we appreciate the side discharge option with how fast our grass grows here in Florida.
Overall, the cut quality is right on par with what we expect from battery-powered mowers. Bagging, mulching, and side discharge are all effective. However, there are models that are do all three better thanks to better clearing power and higher airflow.
In terms of cut evenness, we have no complaints. The blades that we left standing tall were due to us not giving the mower enough overlap. Normally, we’d notch that up to human error, but it’s actually more likely with this mower than others. The wheelbase is a little wider than the blade reaches. If you’re following your tire tracks exactly, the blade is going to miss a 1/2-inch to a full inch of the grass.
Runtime
Without a doubt, runtime was one of the biggest issues with DeWalt’s first-generation mower. That’s not the case with this update. On a light cut, the brushless motor used the kit’s two 10.0Ah batteries to cut for just over an hour. We noticed a little performance drop-off toward the end, though.
For most moderate cutting, expect 45+ minutes of runtime. That’s enough to cover most 1/4-acre lawns on one charge and up to 1/3 of an acre for some grass species.
DeWalt 2x20V Max Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Design Notes
Drive System
DeWalt’s drive system design may cause some confusion if you’re used to battery-powered lawn mowers already. As we walk through it (or behind it, lol), keep in mind that this system is designed to mimic the way gas-powered mowers work.
Rather than having a separate motor drive the wheels, DeWalt uses a more traditional belt system and connects it to the front wheels. The cable connected to the controls puts increasing pressure on a pulley to adjust your speed. Instead of having a button, dial, or slider, you just need to adjust how much pressure you put on the drive control bars. It’s very similar to the controls on our Husqvarna self-propelled mower.
If you look under the drive control area, there’s a small dial. This adjusts the cable so you can set the drive bars to engage the pulley at the most comfortable level for you. On the “slow” speed side, it puts less tension on the belt and pulley. By allowing a little bit of belt slip, your drive is slower. When you crank it up to “high” speed, you’re able to put full belt tension on the pulley and drive at the fastest speed.
There are some consequences of the design. The most noticeable is that when the blade speed increases in tougher grass, the drive speed steps up with it. When you encounter thicker grass, be prepared to ease up on the drive bars a little so you can slow down.
Going with front-wheel drive isn’t a bad call in and of itself. However, the weight is back just enough that the rubberized tires (which we love!) aren’t able to get their full traction while you’re mowing. You need to provide a little bit of upward force to push the front down to get full traction.
It sounds like a pain in the neck, but it’s actually not that bad. While I was mowing, I walked at a comfortable pace without having to do anything different than normal. Even though the wheels were slipping a little, I didn’t feel like I was working any harder. If anything, giving the mower that upward force let the wheels pull the mower faster than I wanted to go.
Handle Ergonomics
With their updated mower, DeWalt shifted the handle design and it comes to a more narrow top section than before. It essentially forces you to have your hands at an angle instead of giving you an angled section and a flat section. Our team was split on how comfortable it is. If you find you prefer to mow with your hands on the horizontal part of the bar, you may find the angled handle is uncomfortable or that it’s something you need to get used to.
Steel Deck
Steel decks are great for durability and our team generally prefers them. DeWalt uses a 21 1/2-inch steel deck to house its true 21-inch blade.
Deck Height Adjustment
This DeWalt lawn mower uses two height adjustment points—one on the front and another on the back. It’s not quite as convenient as a single-point adjustment, but there’s an added bonus. If you set the front height one notch higher than the back, you actually improve your bagging efficiency.
Additional Features
- Vertical storage
DeWalt 2x20V Max Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Price
The second-generation DeWalt 2x20V self-propelled lawnmower is currently available at Home Depot for $479.00. That’s for the full kit including two 10.0Ah batteries and a charger. Considering a two-pack of 10.0Ah batteries runs $349, you’re getting a mower and a charger for $130. That’s not bad at all.
Given the full landscape of battery lawn mowers, the total price is pretty compelling.
The Bottom Line
Compared to DeWalt’s first-generation self-propelled lawn mower, the DCMWSP244 is a big improvement. There are still some areas to consider improving and there are design elements that you might need to get used to. However, its $479 price tag makes this a real consideration for lawns up to 1/3-acre, especially if you’re invested in other DeWalt 20V Max and FlexVolt power tools and lawn care equipment.
For more information on DeWalt’s 2x20V lawn mowers, click here
DeWalt 2x20V Cordless Lawn Mower Specifications
- Model#: DeWalt DCMWSP244
- Power Source: DeWalt 20V Max or FlexVolt batteries (2 required)
- Deck: 21 1/2-Inch steel deck
- Cutting Height: 1 1/2 inches to 4 1/2 inches (6 levels)
- Estimated Runtime: 60 minutes with two 10.0Ah batteries
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $479 kit with two 10.0Ah batteries
