DeWalt 60V MAX 21 in. Brushless Cordless RWD Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit

First impressions and setup

I put the DeWalt 60V mower to work as soon as it landed. Out of the box, it’s largely assembled: the mulch plug is installed, the bag and side-discharge chute are in the carton, and the handle telescopes into position with a single button. The steel deck makes it feel like a real tool, not a plastic toy, and the balance is solid front to back.

Two FlexVolt batteries and two chargers are included. Each battery slides into the compartment at a slight angle; once you get the feel, it’s easy, but the first few insertions required paying attention to the rails. There’s a selector switch on the deck to choose which battery to draw from. It’s not an automatic handoff—you flip the switch when the first battery is spent—but that also gives you control if you want to balance wear between packs.

The control layout is straightforward. There’s a safety key, a power button for the blade, a separate self-propel bail, and a speed dial. I like that you can drive the mower without spinning the blades for repositioning. The LED dashboard shows battery levels and mode, and the headlights are there if you’re wrapping up at dusk.

Design and build

This is a 21-inch, dual-blade machine on a 15-gauge steel deck. The deck profile is shallower than many battery mowers, and the wheels tuck in closer to the deck edge than I’m used to. The practical benefit: I could trim along fences and beds more closely on the right side, cutting down string trimmer time.

Build quality is confidence-inspiring. The handle is more robust than most battery mowers I’ve tested, with minimal flex when you lean into turns. At the same time, the steel deck adds weight; it’s not a featherweight, but rear-wheel drive (RWD) makes that a non-issue for most of the cut. The folding/telescoping handle is clever, but folding for vertical storage took a minute to learn: push the main handle forward to unload the locks, then release and fold. Once you know the sequence, it’s clean and compact.

Cutting performance

Dual blades and a brushless motor do the heavy lifting here. Cut quality is excellent on weekly growth. The mower produces an even, clean finish with very little straggle. The dual blades chop clippings into finer pieces than most single-blade decks, so mulched clippings disappear into the canopy rather than sitting on top.

There are three modes—ECO, AutoSense, and Boost. I spent most of my time in AutoSense, which adjusts blade speed to load. In regular turf, blade speed is conservative; hit a denser patch and it audibly ramps up. ECO is useful if you’re stretching runtime on a lawn that’s kept short. Boost is a “break glass” option for overgrown areas; it will chew through tall grass and damp patches better, but it will also eat battery at a faster clip.

Wet or very tall grass is the real test. With the deck at 2.5 inches and healthy spring growth, I needed to slow my walking pace in AutoSense to avoid bogging and streaking. In Boost, the mower held blade speed well and avoided clumping, but I wouldn’t call it a brush hog. If you’re catching up after a vacation or mowing the first tall cut of the season, plan on a slower pace or a higher initial cut followed by a second pass.

Self-propel and handling

Rear-wheel drive gives solid traction and a more natural push feel than front-drive units, especially when the bag starts to fill. The variable speed dial covers a true walking range—from a relaxed pace around obstacles to a brisk stride in open runs. On moderate slopes, RWD holds its line and doesn’t spin out.

Maneuverability is good, with a compact wheelbase that makes it easy to pivot at the end of rows. Because the deck and battery system carry some heft, you’ll appreciate the self-propel on longer stretches. Without it, the mower is still manageable, but you’ll feel the weight if you’re pushing uphill or through thick turf.

Runtime and charging

DeWalt rates the kit at up to 85 minutes on two packs under ideal conditions. My results depended heavily on lawn height, moisture, and how much self-propel I used.

• Weekly cut, 3 inches, mostly flat, AutoSense, self-propel at mid speed: I averaged 70–90 minutes total across both packs.
• First-of-season or slightly overgrown areas, AutoSense with more frequent Boost events, mid-speed self-propel: closer to 55–65 minutes total.
• Hills and heavy self-propel use shorten runtime noticeably.

The dashboard gauge bounces under load and can look pessimistic when the mower is working hard. The indicators on the batteries themselves are a more reliable snapshot when you pause. Charge time is roughly three hours per pack on the included chargers; having two chargers helps reduce downtime if you’re mowing and trimming in the same window.

If you maintain 1/3 acre or so and cut weekly, the two included batteries should cover a full mow. For thicker lawns or 1/2 acre (and especially if you like a fast walking pace), expect to run them down. Strategy helps: keep the deck slightly higher for the first spring cuts, use ECO on easy sections, and limit top-speed self-propel where traction isn’t needed.

Bagging, mulching, and discharge

Mulching is the mower’s strong suit. The dual-blade setup produces fine clippings that settle well. In dry, tall growth, a second pass or a slower pace helps if you want a pristine finish.

Bagging is efficient and doesn’t choke easily. The airflow lifts clippings into the bag predictably, even at lower blade speeds, and the bag capacity is adequate for a 21-inch mower. Side discharge works as expected; if you’re doing a rough cut or managing heavy growth, it’s a useful way to keep the deck clear and momentum up.

Switching between modes is straightforward: pull the mulch plug for bagging or discharge. The deck interior is accessible enough for cleanup; I recommend a plastic scraper rather than water to preserve the steel deck finish.

Noise and comfort

Noise is noticeably lower than a gas mower—conversation-level in AutoSense and still reasonable in Boost. There’s a higher-pitched note at full blade speed, but nothing fatiguing. Vibration through the handle is minimal, and the handle height and angle are comfortable for taller users. The headlights won’t turn night into day, but they’re actually handy in low light along hedges and fences.

Storage and maintenance

Vertical storage is a real space saver. With the handle collapsed and mower stood up, it occupies much less footprint. The handle mechanism is sturdy and didn’t loosen over multiple fold/unfold cycles. As with any steel deck, dry the underside if you wash clippings off and touch up any chips to prevent rust.

Blade access is typical for a twin-blade deck: two fasteners, two blades. Sharpening or replacing the pair keeps the cut quality high. The warranty (3-year limited with a year of free service and a 90-day satisfaction window) is solid for a residential mower.

Where it fits—and where it doesn’t

• Best for: Homeowners up to about 1/2 acre who want a clean, quiet cut, prefer mulching, and value a sturdy steel-deck build with smart storage. If you’re already on DeWalt’s battery platform, the included packs expand your ecosystem nicely.
• Think twice if: Your lawn is consistently tall or thick, you have lots of hills, and you expect to mow a true 1/2 acre at a fast walking pace without charging. The mower can do it, but you’ll either slow down, raise the deck, or plan for an additional battery. Also, if you prioritize ultra-light handling over durability, the steel deck’s weight may not be your favorite.

Final recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 60V mower for homeowners who prioritize cut quality, quiet operation, and a durable build in a battery platform. It’s an excellent mulcher with a thoughtful feature set—AutoSense blade control, a genuinely useful self-propel system, and compact vertical storage. Runtime is good to very good in typical weekly conditions, but it drops in heavy grass or on slopes, so be realistic about yard size and mowing habits. If your lawn care style is regular and you want a cleaner, lower-maintenance alternative to gas without sacrificing cut quality, this mower is an easy yes. If you routinely tackle overgrown turf or steep terrain and need guaranteed one-shot runtime on larger lots, budget for an extra battery—or look at a higher-capacity solution.