DeWalt 60V MAX 21 in. Brushless Cordless Rear-Wheel-Drive Self-Propelled Mower Kit

Setup and first impressions

I set up the DeWalt 60V mower on a Saturday morning when the grass had already gotten ahead of me. Out of the box, it’s mostly ready: install the mulch plug or bagger, slide in the FLEXVOLT packs, and go. The battery bay uses an angled slide—secure once seated, but it took a moment to learn the angle so the packs latch positively. Two DCB612 batteries and two chargers are included, which is a smart touch if you’re new to DeWalt’s 60V system or want to turn packs around quickly.

The mower’s frame and 21‑inch deck are steel (15‑gauge), so it feels more substantial than most plastic-deck battery models. That extra heft pays dividends in durability and cut consistency, and the rear‑wheel drive takes any strain out of maneuvering. The single-point height lever has six stops from 1.5 to 4 inches—quick, positive, and easy to adjust.

Design and build quality

This mower is purposefully simple looking—no faux body cladding, just a low-profile steel deck and a compact silhouette. It’s a twin‑blade design, and the deck is noticeably shallower than many 21‑inch mowers. In practice, that low profile didn’t hurt lift or cut quality. In fact, the cut was impressively even, and the twin blades minced clippings finely when mulching.

DeWalt made a couple of clever packaging choices. The wheels aren’t pushed far outside the deck, which lets the blade reach closer to fences and edging than a lot of battery mowers; I had less string trimming afterward. The handle telescopes and folds flat for vertical storage, and once you learn the sequence—push the handle in to release the locks, then fold—it becomes second nature. It’s not a one-finger operation the first time, so don’t skip the quick-start diagram.

Controls and ergonomics

The control layout is clean: a push‑button start, a separate bail for the blade, and a second bail for the self‑propel. That last bit is handy—you can drive the mower without spinning the blade when repositioning. Speed is adjusted with a dial on the handlebar. Top speed is brisk enough for wide-open runs but not so fast that you’re chasing it. I’m tall, and with the handle fully extended the height and reach are spot on.

Up on the “dash,” you get LEDs for state of charge, cutting load, and even a blade end‑of‑life indicator. The load meter is more than a gimmick; it pairs well with the AutoSense brushless motor, which audibly spools up in thicker turf and dials back in light sections. The battery gauge is useful for a quick glance, but like most load‑based indicators it fluctuates in heavy grass. Treat it as guidance rather than gospel.

Cutting performance

Cut quality is the standout. In weekly maintenance cuts, the DeWalt 60V mower leaves a level finish with clean edges and minimal stragglers. The twin blades create a consistent airflow that keeps clippings suspended long enough to cut finely while mulching. In taller spring growth, the AutoSense system ramps the blade speed smoothly rather than hunting, and I rarely needed a second pass if I kept to the “one-third rule.”

Edge performance along fences and planting beds is better than most; fewer missed tufts translate to less trimming. The deck’s lower profile also seemed to help in uneven patches, keeping the blade engagement consistent rather than letting clumps sneak under the skirt.

Traction is solid on the rear‑wheel drive, and the self‑propel has enough torque for mild slopes and thicker turf. On steeper hills or with the deck set low in dense grass, you’ll hear the motor dig in and you’ll see it on the battery gauge. That’s normal for battery mowers; this one handles the transition without bogging.

Mulch, bag, or rear discharge

All three modes are well executed. Mulching is this mower’s strong suit: clippings come out fine and disappear into the canopy on typical growth. Bagging works efficiently, and airflow fills the bag uniformly—though like any 21‑inch mower, the bag fills quickly when the lawn is lush. Rear discharge is a nice-to-have for wetter or extremely tall grass when you just want to get the height down without clogging. The included plugs and chute fit positively and don’t rattle.

Runtime and battery management

DeWalt rates the kit at up to 75 minutes under controlled conditions, and that’s a realistic yardstick if you’re mowing one‑third off at a mid height with modest self‑propel use. Across several cuts, here’s what I saw:

• Routine weekly cut, mostly flat, height set at 3 inches, variable speed mid-range: both included batteries delivered roughly an hour to an hour and a quarter of total mowing time.
• First cut of the season with taller, thicker grass, height initially at 4 inches then a second pass at 3: runtime dropped noticeably as AutoSense stayed in the higher power band and I used more self‑propel.
• Modest slopes increase draw further—plan on shorter runtime if your yard has long uphill passes.

One design note: you manually switch between Battery 1 and 2 with a selector at the rear of the deck. I prefer this to an auto-switching bay; it’s obvious which pack you’re on and you avoid surprise mid‑stripe swaps. Including two chargers is thoughtful—you can top off both packs concurrently between chores.

As with all cordless mowers, self‑propel is the single biggest variable. If you’re chasing maximum runtime on a lighter yard, use it judiciously.

Noise, vibration, and comfort

It’s notably quiet—conversation-level in normal cutting—and the lack of engine vibration makes longer sessions less fatiguing. There’s no engine smell or hot exhaust to deal with, and the blade ramp-up is smooth rather than jarring. The deck is steel, so the whole package isn’t featherweight, but it feels planted rather than cumbersome.

Maintenance and storage

Maintenance is minimal: keep the deck clean, keep blades sharp, and store the safety key somewhere safe. The dual blades are easy to access, and the LED indicator for blade wear is a nice nudge to stop guessing. I appreciate that the handle folds down flat and the mower stands vertically; it fits neatly against a garage wall. As with any steel deck, I avoid hosing it down. A blower or plastic scraper keeps buildup in check, and it helps stave off corrosion.

Where it falls short

• Handle folding has a learning curve. The telescoping lock requires pushing the handle in before folding; once you know the motion it’s fine, but it’s not immediately intuitive.
• The battery bay’s angled slide is secure but fiddly the first few times. Align the rails and push decisively until you hear the click.
• Runtime follows conditions closely. In heavy spring growth, hills, or lower cut heights, you can watch the gauge drop quickly as the system feeds power to the blades and drive. That’s the trade-off for a mower that doesn’t bog, but if you’re mowing a dense half acre or more in one go, budget for pauses or extra packs.
• No auto battery switching. I’m fine with the manual selector, but some users will miss an auto-transfer.

Value and who it’s for

This is a premium kit—steel deck, twin blades, brushless AutoSense, two big FLEXVOLT packs, and dual chargers—and it’s priced accordingly. If you already run DeWalt 60V tools, the ecosystem benefit is clear. If you’re brand agnostic, the decision comes down to whether you value the cut quality and build over a slightly lighter plastic-deck model with similar runtime claims.

For small-to-medium yards (roughly 1/4 to 1/2 acre) and typical weekly cuts, the DeWalt 60V mower is a strong performer. It’s especially compelling if you mulch most of the time and want a clean, even finish with minimal trimming afterward. For larger properties or frequent heavy cuts, it will still do the job, but plan your workflow—raise the deck for the first pass or keep a spare pack ready.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt 60V mower for anyone prioritizing cut quality, quiet operation, and a durable steel build in a cordless package. It produces an excellent mulch, tracks close to edges, and its self‑propel and AutoSense motor make it easy to maintain pace and quality as conditions change. The learning curve on the handle and the runtime variability in heavy loads are worth noting, but they’re common trade-offs in this category. If your yard is within the intended size range and you appreciate the included dual chargers and robust kit, this mower is a confident pick. If you regularly tackle tall, dense grass on hilly terrain and expect to do it all in one continuous session, consider budgeting for an extra battery or splitting the cut—otherwise, you’ll be pushing the limits of any battery mower in this class.