I am not the lead mower in our household, but when I got the opportunity to test Echo’s 21-inch cordless push mower (model DM-2100), I was eager to find out how manageable and comfortable it was to use, and if it could possibly be a way to get in a good cardio workout while chipping in with the household chores.

This push mower impressively tackled the first mow of the season, which included tall, thick grass—in some places up to 6 inches—and patches of weeds and rough spots without bogging down or choking. If you have a small to medium yard and want a durable, powerful, and reliable battery-powered mower, the Echo is a solid option.

Because we live close to both of our next-door neighbors at the Jersey Shore, and want to maintain cordial relations—I don’t want to disrupt the peace when cutting the grass. Since my testing took place in the evenings, I was pleased that the Echo is fairly quiet.

Our front yard faces a main road, and our backyard includes a pool area, so in total, I only have to cut around 5,000 square feet (0.115 acres), which is considered small-to-medium for a residential lawn. I expected the total job could take me close to an hour if the mower held up on its end.

Getting started was simple. I adjusted the handlebar height with one lever, hit the push-button starter, and I was up and running, starting with the front lawn. The 21-inch deck was wide enough for me to tackle the yard quickly and efficiently with large enough swaths that I didn’t need more than 10 passes. At times it was a bit hard for me to maneuver the turns, so I couldn’t help but wonder if a smaller deck (or possibly a plastic one versus the robust steel) might have been easier. That, of course, might cost me more time, so I’m not sure the trade-off would be worth it.

Another bonus, the Echo can be compactly put away when not in use. We have a full shed and even the garage needs a clean-out, so this mower, which has a handle that easily folds in just seconds, can be stored vertically.

The 56-volt model we reviewed came with one 5-amp-hour battery, and I was able to complete my full mow—both front and back yards as well as each side of our house—in 45 minutes (there was still some charge left. It is claimed to last 70 minutes). For those with larger yards, there is the option to add a second 5-amp-hour battery to the compartment, and the second battery will automatically switch on when the first is depleted.

It took 2 hours and 20 minutes to bring the battery to a full charge. The estimated time for a complete charge is 2 ½ hours, so it clocked in early. I have to admit, however, if I had needed to stop, charge, wait, and then resume mowing, I’m not sure how motivated I would have been to continue, so I think it’s worth shelling out $100 more for the two-battery mower kit that’s available.

I tested the Echo during two different cutting sessions, starting with our first mow of the season, with a yard full of grass that was nearly 6 inches high. Using the single-lever height adjustment, I set the mower to the seventh position (4 inches). While pushing through the taller, tougher grass and some of the thicker patches of overgrown weeds, the Echo never choked. It did require some additional muscle to push through at times, and with no self-propel drive, you’re doing all the work of pushing. Thankfully, our property is flat, with no major slopes.

My second mow later on was naturally easier. I set the height to the sixth position (3.5 inches), and it cut just as well as the first time. During both runs, I tried both mulching (preferred) and bagging (messy) modes.

Our normal mower is an Ego Power+ 21-inch self-propelled mower (LM2100SP), which I have never used, but my husband has, so I let him spend some time with the Echo, too. He observed that while the Ego is a more comfortable mower to use (helped, no doubt, by being self-propelled), both are capable of getting the job done with enough power and runtime. I would add, though, that I like the sturdiness of the steel deck of the Echo.

If you have a smaller yard like mine, this model from Echo can get the job done efficiently without having to stop for a recharge. It may require some muscle, but it does an acceptable job of cutting the grass neatly. Another benefit is that its battery can work in Echo’s ecosystem of eFORCE 56-volt power tools, which includes leaf blowers, chainsaws, and string trimmers. Overall, it looks like it will be part of our yardwork routine, and that I am officially on the mowing team roster.

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