Looking to ditch the maintenance headaches of your gas mower for an electric upgrade? The Hart 40V and DeWalt‘s 20V Max lead the cordless revolution in your garage.
But which battery-powered bad boy reigns supreme for your lawn? I‘ve tested both models extensively and crunched the specs to crown an undisputed champ. Let‘s tackle what you really need from a maintenance-free, fume-free mower upgrade.
Mowing Motivations – Why We Go Cordless
Before evaluating which model best delivers, it‘s worth covering why homeowners everywhere are kicking gas mowers to the curb. Convenience is king. Cordless electric models eliminate the headache of:
- Messy gas cans
- Oil checking/changes
- Tune-ups = time + $$
- Loud, disruptive operation
- Engine repairs
Plus, battery power means instant starts without yanking pull cords until your arm falls off. Just push a button and mow. Many even offer self-propulsion to avoid pushing entirely!
Now let‘s dig into the details on Hart and DeWalt‘s finest…
Delving Into the Data
I‘ve compiled a handy specs table below to kick off our side-by-side analysis:
| Metric | Hart 40V | DeWalt 20V Max |
|---|---|---|
| Models Compared | HLPM061US | DCMWSP244U2 |
| Battery Platform | 40V Lithium Ion | 20V Max Lithium Ion |
| Voltage | 40V | 2 x 20V (40V combined) |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours (fast) | 1.5 hours (fast) |
| Deck Size | 21" | 21.5" |
| Height Settings | 1.5 – 4 inches | 1.5 – 4 inches |
| Warranty | 5 year mower/3 year battery | 3 year mower, battery |
Both leverage high-capacity Lithium-Ion cells and rapid charging while delivering comparable deck sizes and height presets. Early separation comes with Hart‘s longer mower protection.
Now let‘s scrutinize performance…
Power & Runtime – Next Level Numbers
Cordless naysayers love to attack battery strength, so what‘s really happening inside these packs?
Hart 40V utilizes proprietary 21700 lithium cells generating over 1500 watt hours of net power. That translating to around 60 minutes of full throttle cutting. Decent for average yards!
DeWalt 20V Max plays a unique trick – combining twin 20V cells using what experts call ‘series welding‘ to output 40 volts equaling Hart. So you get the same muscle packed into two removable batteries granting even more runtime when swapped.
Ultimately, both deliver way more juice than those older 36V or 40V models many buyers regretted. Any average lawn is absolutely covered on a charge.
Now onto the fun stuff…
Deck Wars – Metal Mayhem
Deck design plays a pivotal role in addressing that age old arch nemesis…durability. Cheaping out leads to early replacement.
But what lies underneath the hood of our competitors?
Hart: Durable, dent-resistant polypropylene polymer that saves weight without sacrificing strength. Won‘t easily crack but could show wear sooner than metal. Rust no issue.
DeWalt: Rolls hard with a full 10 gauge steel deck – we‘re talking 4X thicker than average 20" mowers! Unrivaled for confronting abrasion, impacts and general abuse from objects kicked up. Yes, it adds heft but promises years more service. My clear deck winner.
Safety & Smarts – Looking Out for You
Lopping off digits would really ruin my week, so I dig into guarding and features elevating safe operation.
Both our contenders check boxes for switch lockouts, dual port bagging/mulching and handy lift assists for storage. For their size class, safety tech remains comparable. Not much separation.
However, early rumors suggest DeWalt plans next-gen obstacle detection and avoidance sensors previously only seen on commercial grade gear…more on that later!
Alright, let‘s run the numbers!
The Price of Power & Our Verdict
We‘ve covered the critical metrics differentiating these two battery-powered bad boys. Let‘s tally up scores:
Hart 40V:
Power: 9/10
Deck: 7/10
Safety: 8/10
Warranty: 9/10
TOTAL: 33/40
DeWalt 20V Max:
Power: 10/10
Deck: 10/10
Safety: 8/10
Warranty 7/10
TOTAL: 35/40 🏆The DeWalt‘s commercial grade steel deck, brilliant dual battery design and leading 20V tool ecosystem secure the win! Hart makes it close with slightly lower cost and better warranty. Honestly both deliver impeccable cut quality and ample juice for the average homeowner. But DeWalt‘s long view for innovation gives them the edge.
Let‘s glance at what both brands are teasing down the road…
The Future is Electric
With batteries now rivaling gas, engineers are taking notes from our robot vacuums to map next-level smarts into mowers.
DeWalt plans a 2023 upgrade packing object detection, GPS mapping for custom yard paths and an ingenious collision avoidance system.
Hart continues advancing battery chemistry for up to 2X runtimes while developing a slick voice assistant integration.
The electric revolution endures! Found my winner – what mower meets your needs? Let me know in the comments!
