Earthwise 50220 Review
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Editor Rating - 7.8/10
7.8/10
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Customer Rating - 7.4/10
7.4/10
Summary
As we discussed in the top mowers article LINK LINK LINK, Earthwise is the electric spinoff brand from what began as “American Mower,” a large reel mower company. Now American Mowers has been around since the 1800s, and although they have had their name changed and their machinery evolved, they continue to produce quality products like the Earthwise 50220.
So how does this simple, yet elegant corded mower stack up? Let’s find out.
| Model Number: | 50220 |
| Cutting Width: | 20’ |
| Ignition Method: | electric start |
| Max cutting time: | 45 minutes |
| Drive: | manual push |
| Deck Material: | Steel |
| Cutting Height: | 1.5’-4’’ |
| Included Accessories: | Grass bag, mulcher |
| Weight: | 87lb |
| Speed: | manual push |
| Clipping Discharge: | Rear bag/Mulch/Side discharge |
| Consumer Warranty: | 2 years |
Pros
- Steel Deck: Many of the electric mowers we review are made with plastic components, and although they are well made we always prefer the structural rigidity of steel. It is worth noting that the steel used in the deck is thinner than you would expect. Nonetheless, a steel deck is rigid, and harder to crack when the mower is being stored, or if it hits something. The only downside to this deck is that it increases the weight. If lightness is your only concern then check out the Sun Joe MJ403A.
- Ergonomics: The wheels are manufactured with ball bearings, so the turning is incredibly smooth. Companies can overlook simple, unglamorous components like wheels, but Earthwise covers their bases. In the same way the handle is gently sloped to form a “V,” and the blade controls are accessible from the handle. Finally, there is a device for the cord that prevents an extension cord from disconnecting during a mow. All of these features work together to make a really comfortable mow.
Cons
- Blade may be nicked, and seems to be slightly less durable based on user testing.
- Rubber Flap: There is a rubber flap on the backside of the mower that was improperly designed. As a result, when the mower is pulled back, the flap may fold under and into the cutting path. This results in the rubber portion getting chopped up, and minor damage to the blade.
Note: In order to get optimum performance out of a lower powered mower you have to push it at a slightly slower pace, and avoid cutting tall or wet grass. This mower is ideal for smaller lawns, unless you enjoy dealing with miles of extension cord.
Q&A
Final Thoughts
The Earthwise 50220 performs admirably on small lawns, and has a small but useful feature set. It is a great first corded electric lawn mower pick, and comes from a company with a rich history. There are some nagging issues (mainly the tall grass performance/annoying flap), but as long as you avoid heavy duty mowing they shouldn’t be an issue. If you do need a heavy duty electric machine we would advise purchasing a battery pack mower. For a full list check out our guide.