Skil Brushless 18 IN. Lawn Mower Kit

First impressions and setup

I rolled the Skil 18-inch mower out of the box on a Saturday morning, curious if a compact, dual-battery 20V mower could really handle weekly mowing without fuss. Out of the gate, it’s refreshingly light at around 35 pounds. Assembly is tool-free: unfold the telescoping handle, pin it into place, drop in the mesh bag if you’re bagging, and click two 4.0Ah PWRCORE 20 packs into the dual battery bay. The push-button start is immediate and clean—no priming, no cord yanking.

The build is a mix of a poly deck and a steel handle. The deck keeps things featherweight and rust-proof, and it contributes to how nimble this mower feels around landscaping. That said, the poly deck also flexes a bit when you bump into uneven edges. I never felt it was fragile during normal use, but it doesn’t inspire the same confidence as a stamped steel deck if you’re rough on equipment or routinely mow near curbs and rock borders.

Ergonomics and controls

Skil did a nice job on the control layout. The single-lever height adjustment moves through six positions with one hand, and the detents are positive—no wobbling or guessing. The telescoping handle is genuinely useful; I could get the handle height right without contorting my wrists, and it folds quickly for vertical storage. Upright storage is stable and cuts the footprint dramatically—about the size of a laundry basket—so it’s garage-friendly.

One quirk worth noting: the safety interlock seems sensitive to the handle being fully extended and pinned. If the handle isn’t locked in properly, the mower can cut out or refuse to start. Once I made “fully extend and pin both sides” a habit, the issue disappeared, but it’s something to be aware of if you experience intermittent stops.

Cutting performance

This mower is at its best on regular, weekly cuts of typical suburban turf. On a maintained lawn, mulching quality is good with a reasonably fine chop that doesn’t leave windrows. The single 16.9-inch blade tracks evenly, and the cut height stays consistent across the deck—no scalping at the edges. The brushless motor ramps up to thicker patches automatically, and I found it handled moderately tall grass without complaint as long as I slowed my pace.

Bagging performance is solid. The mesh bag breathes well and packs clippings tightly; dust is minimal compared to some fabric bags I’ve used. Attaching the bag is straightforward, though the hooks and rear flap alignment can be a bit fiddly until you get the motion down. There’s no side discharge option, which won’t bother mulching-first users but is something to keep in mind if you prefer to blow clippings out when tackling taller, damp growth.

In wet or dewy conditions, the mower will finish the job, but like most battery mowers, you pay a penalty in runtime and the deck can accumulate clippings. If you regularly mow damp grass, plan to clear the chute periodically and expect the motor to work harder.

Runtime and charging

Skil includes two 4.0Ah packs and a dual-port charger, and the mower draws on two PWRCORE 20 batteries in tandem. In my testing on mixed cool-season turf at a moderate pace, I averaged about 35–45 minutes of mowing per charge set, leaning toward the higher number when mulching dry grass at a mid-height setting. Taller or damp grass will knock that down. For small to mid-size yards, that’s enough for a full cut; for larger areas, I appreciated having the two ports and one charger to keep the cycle simple.

Practical advice: rotate your packs so they age evenly, let them cool for a few minutes before charging, and keep the blade sharp. A sharp blade makes a bigger difference to runtime than people expect.

Maneuverability

This is where the mower shines. Between the 18-inch deck and low weight, it snakes around beds, playsets, and trees with ease. The 5.9-inch front and 7-inch rear wheels are a good compromise for small-lawn agility; they roll smoothly on typical suburban turf but aren’t designed to float over ruts or lumpy terrain. There’s no self-propel, and you don’t really miss it on flat ground—the mower is that light. On slopes, you’ll feel the push more than with a self-propelled unit, but the low mass still keeps it manageable.

Noise and vibration

It’s quiet enough to carry on a conversation and to mow early or late without becoming the neighbor everyone talks about. There’s minimal vibration through the handle, and the brushless motor spools up and down smoothly when the load changes.

Storage and maintenance

Vertical storage is a highlight. Fold the handle with the two-sided pins, tip it back, and it stands confidently in a corner. The poly deck won’t rust if you store it in a humid garage, and cleaning clippings is quick with a brush or a light blast of air.

Blade maintenance is straightforward, and the 17-inch blade size is typical for an 18-inch deck. However, availability of brand-specific replacement blades can lag at some retailers. You can absolutely keep the factory blade sharp with periodic touch-ups; just plan ahead and pick up a spare when you see it in stock so you’re not stuck mid-season.

Durability notes

The lightweight, poly deck is a clear trade-off: great for maneuverability and rust resistance, less convincing for long-term abuse. Mine shows normal scuffs after a season and no structural issues, but I treated it like a yard tool, not a brush cutter. If you habitually bump into hard edges, ride the deck up onto obstacles, or mow gravelly areas, I’d be cautious. The handle assembly is sturdy, though the interlock depends on the telescoping rails being fully seated—keep those pins clean and fully engaged.

What I liked

• Easy, reliable push-button start and quick setup
• Light, agile handling with a compact 18-inch deck
• Respectable cut quality when mulching and solid bagging performance
• Single-lever, 6-position height adjustment that actually feels one-handed
• Two included 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger simplify the system
• Vertical storage saves real space in a crowded garage
• Compatibility with the PWRCORE 20 battery ecosystem

What could be better

• Handle interlock is unforgiving if not fully extended and pinned
• No side discharge option
• Runtime dips noticeably in damp or overgrown grass
• Poly deck doesn’t inspire the confidence of steel on rough terrain
• Bag attachment can feel finicky until you learn the motion
• Replacement blades aren’t stocked everywhere; plan ahead

Who it’s for

If you maintain a small to mid-size yard and want a light, maneuverable mower that tucks neatly into a tight garage, this is a strong fit. It’s especially appealing if you’re already on Skil’s PWRCORE 20 platform—or you want to build a kit that includes a trimmer and blower on the same batteries. If you routinely mow tall, wet grass, have a large property, or prefer a more rugged metal-deck chassis, you may want to look at a wider deck or a self-propelled model.

Recommendation

I recommend the Skil 18-inch mower for homeowners with compact to mid-size lawns who value light weight, easy storage, and simple operation over brute-force mowing. It delivers a clean, even cut on a normal weekly schedule, the controls are intuitive, and the included dual batteries and charger make the kit complete out of the box. Be mindful of the handle interlock, avoid abusing the poly deck, and keep the blade sharp; do those things and it’s a pleasant, low-maintenance way to get off gas without surrendering cut quality. If you need side discharge, a metal deck, or extended runtime for large, damp, or overgrown areas, I’d steer you to a larger, self-propelled alternative. For the intended use, though, this mower hits the mark.