Solaris SP21HB 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Self-Propelled FWD Bag/Mulch/Side Discharge Cordless Lawn Mower

Solaris SP21HB 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Self-Propelled FWD Bag/Mulch/Side Discharge Cordless Lawn Mower Review

Pro's The Solaris is a great mower. I can listen to i-tunes while I mow. It cuts a 21 inch wide path each time. Not lacking power at all. It's a very normal color, unlike some brands that prius all over theirs. I really enjoy my neighbors reactions to this innovative piece of progress.

Con's During shipping since there is no battery on the terminals the springs sometimes slip out. You may find them in the bottom of the box. Linemar (the MFR.) is very helpful with all customer needs.

Solaris SP21HB 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Self-Propelled FWD Bag/Mulch/Side Discharge Cordless Lawn Mower Feature

• Front Wheel Drive Self Propelled
• Most advanced electric motor technology equals more power and longer run times
• Removable Batteries (With On board and Off board charging options)
• Push Button Start With LED Battery Level Indicator
• 7 position height adjustment from 1.5-inch to 3.5-inch

Solaris SP21HB 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Self-Propelled FWD Bag/Mulch/Side Discharge Cordless Lawn Mower Overview

Powerful. Pollution-free. Low-maintenance. Combining strength and innovation, the Solaris SP21HB 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Self Propelled FWD Bag/Mulch/Side Discharge Lawn Mower is an extra-wide rotary mower that cuts the average yard in one charge. Thanks to its high-performance motor and extra-large wheels, the Solaris is perfect for rough, hilly, or dense terrain.

Features include a self-propelled option for easy handling, even on hilly lawns.See More.

Accessories include an optional solar panel (not included).

The Terra Phase High-Performance Motor provides enough power to cut long, thick, or wet grass.See More.

The quiet, zero-emission design is advantageous for you, your neighbors, and the environment.See More.

The cordless Solaris requires no gas, oil, or cords, cutting maintenance to a happy minimum.See More.

Easy Maneuvering with Self-Propelled Front-Wheel Drive
If you are seeking the low-maintenance, zero-emission benefits of a cordless mower but don't want to forgo power and mobility, the Solaris is the answer. A combination of strength and innovation, the Solaris offers the option of powerful, self-propelled front-wheel drive. The extra-large wheels provide an excellent source of traction, which comes in especially handy on rough or uneven terrain.

Hassle-Free, Emission-Free, and Extra Quiet
With the Solaris it's simple: just push and go. This cutting-edge mower requires no engine maintenance and absolutely no gas, oil, or cords. So when you decide it's time to mow, you can get right to work without wasting valuable time on upkeep. The hassle-free design also means you can store the mower (even upside down or hanging on the wall) without worrying about spills.

To save you time, the Solaris also boasts a three-in-one capacity to mow using the side discharge, mulch, or bag. Its handy mulching ability eliminates the need for an additional mulching device. The side-discharge and bag components on the deck allow for efficient waste collection, and the wide 21-inch cut capability speeds up the mowing process.

Producing zero emissions and no greenhouse gases, this mower is perfect for anyone who is looking for an easy way to protect the environment. And if you are someone who wants to reduce your carbon footprint as much as possible, you can choose to recharge the Solaris with an optional solar panel (sold separately), which makes mowing your lawn absolutely carbon neutral. Plus, the quiet motor helps make lawn maintenance more relaxing while reducing noise pollution in your neighborhood.

High-Performance Motor Cuts Long or Wet Grass
The superb Terra Phase High-Performance Motor has a brushless, electric construction, which increases the mower's run-times for maximum efficiency and gives the mower the torque to cut through long, thick, or wet grass. this state of the art technology and a durable solid steel deck keeps the Solaris performing and looking like new for the long term.

Powerful Batteries Let You Tackle Your Lawn in One Charge
An average lot (7,000 to 10,000 square feet) can be cut in just one charge of the Solaris' highly efficient batteries. The included batteries only take 12 hours to charge, or they can be charged in four to five hours with the Rapid Charger Station sold separately. Charging can be done on board the mower with the built-in charging plug, or you can remove the batteries and recharge them using the included off-board charging cradle. Also, a built-in LED battery level indicator on the mower keeps you in-the-know about your battery power levels.

What's in the Box
Solaris SP21HB 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Bag/Mulch/Side Discharge Lawn Mower, two batteries, charger, off board charging cradle, and manual.

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

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Customer Reviews

Comparison and FAQ... - Y. R. Wu - Ann Arbor, Michigan
I've used three different cordless mowers and based on that experience I have to say I'm skeptical that 24 volts will work well with a 21" blade. I Have the 20" Toro with 36 volts which works very well and a 19"/24V B&D, which I found to be adequate 80% of the time - with only 24V it struggled with tall grass. The Greenworks 24v/18" self propelled mower may be a better bet.


I've put a quick guide of the most popular models on Amazon. All info reported by manufacturer. Amazon won't let me put prices in my review, sorry!

MOWER............Path/Volt/Watt-hr......WT............COMMENTS

Neuton CE5.3............14"/24V/240......48#....Plastic deck, Removable batt.
B&D CM1836..............18"/36V/NA.......64#....Plastic deck
Greenworks 25092......18"/24V/480......95#....Self Propel, Removable Batt
Worx ECO WG780.......19"/24V/408......80#....Removable Battery
Haussmann CLM46NU...19"/24V/NA........94#....Haussmann who?? Metal deck
B&D CMM1200.............19"/24V/432......76#....Update to our old CM1000
B&D CM1936...............19"/36V/360.......72#....Plastic deck, Removable Batt
Neuton CE6................19"/36V/360.......88#....Plastic deck, Removable Batt
Earthwise 60120..........20"/24V/480......92#....Metal deck, Removable Batt
Toro 20360.................20"/36V/432......77#....Metal deck
Solaris/Epic EP21H........21"/24V/NA......106#....Rmvble batt, self propel, steel



>>Why SHOULD I get a cordless electric mower? They are super quiet, clean, and convenient. No fumes or exhaust- because gas mowers don't have catalytic converters, they can pollute as much in a year as 43 cars!!!!. They aren't necessarily cheaper than a gas mower since they cost more up front but there is basically NO maintenance. (We spent over 10 years for a set of replacement batteries.) Corded electric mowers are a cheaper but having a cord is a pain.

>>Why SHOULDN'T I get a cordless mower? They weigh a LOT more than gas mowers so if you have a hilly lot or have difficulty with physical exertion, forget it. They don't have as much power as gas and re-fueling means charging for a few hours so if your lot is over ½ acre you may want to reconsider.

>>Why do they all come with mulching PLUS bagging? Electric powered mowers have come a long ways but mulching still takes a LOT more power than discharging, so bagging is pretty much a standard feature.

>>What is a watt-hour? It's basically how big your gas tank is - the more watt-hours, the longer you can mow before you have to recharge.

>>Is the cutting path a big deal? Yes - for two reasons. 1) The first thing manufacturers do when power is marginal is reduce the blade size, so I tend to see the smaller mowers as more likely to be underpowered. Second, when you consider that you have to overlap each pass by ~3", a 20" blade now effectively cuts 13% more on each pass. If you have a larger yard, you definitely do NOT want anything under 18" Also, my measurements show most mowers overstate their blade size by 1/2" (Our 20" measures 19-5/8, our 19 measures 18-1/2)

>>Why might I want a removable battery? If you have a large yard, this means you can have a second battery charging while you are using the first. A second battery typically costs 0-0 but it can make the difference between going electric or not. Finally, if you keep the mower in a shed that doesn't have power, a removable battery will let you bring it in for charging.

>>How long will my batteries last? That depends on your climate and usage. We had a small lot for many years and were religious about recharging right after use. We also live in a cooler climate (Michigan) so it's cooler and the mowing season is shorter. Our batteries lasted ~7 years. Most people should get 3-4 years easily but if you're careless and live in Arizona, you might be able to kill the batteries in a year or two.

>>Why should I care about higher voltage? Higher voltage = more power, PLUS you can recharge the mower faster. With the same chemistry and current, a 36V mower will charge 50% faster than a 24V mower.

>>Metal deck or plastic? Metal rusts but with minimal care it's not an issue. Plastic ends up giving you a more stuff to trim since you can't cut as close to fences, etc.

If you've found this review helpful or have questions/comments, please let me know!






Long time user with big lawn - James P. Luckett - Massachusetts
I have a big lawn with lots of hills. But I hate the noise of a gas mower. With the Solaris and noise cancelling headphones, I can really enjoy music from my MP3 player while mowing.

I would give the mower 5 stars for ease of use, quiet, and mechanical ruggedness. My mower gets a lot of hard use and I've had it for 2 years. No mechanical or electrical problems and very easy to handle.

The bad part is battery life. I use two sets of batteries. The set that came with the mower and a second set that I bought () so that I can have more mowing time, charging them with one charger in rotation. The set that came with the mower never had good life, so the manufacturer replaced them under warranty. At first the manufacturer was reluctant to replace them, but my final winning argument was to buy the second set and determine that the second set gave more mowing time than the first set. That nullified all their arguments about, maybe the blade was dull, maybe my grass is too thick, maybe I have too many hills, etc. So, then I had 2 good sets of batteries and for 2 years I was very happy with the mower.

However, when I got it out to start mowing again this year (2010), the battery life was very low on both sets, even though I had kept them charged over the winter as instructed. So, now I have ordered 2 new sets of batteries.

All-in-all, I would never go back to the noise of gas mowing. And I'm very pleased that the mower has been otherwise trouble-free. But the cost of buying batteries (which is apparently going to average 0/year for me) erases the savings on gas.

Here's a tip: Keep the blade sharp. It increases the battery life by decreasing the drag on the motor. And it's better for the grass and gives a better-looking lawn. It's easy on this motor. Since you don't have to worry about spilling gas, you can just turn the whole unit completely upside down to get the blade off. Then I sharpen it with my belt sander and a fine-grit belt. I mount the belt sander in my bench vise (clamp the handle, not the body) upside down and hold the blade at the correct angle against the belt. It's about a 5-minute job, including finding the wrench.



Almost there... - John C. Chandler - Richland, WA USA
I had great hopes for this machine, and the original delivery did nothing to dampen my expectations. The packaging and delivery were outstanding, and the owner's manual was informative and written with little jargon (meaning I could understand it easily). Right out of the box, the SP21HB has every appearance of a quality piece of equipment. The mower came as close to fully assembled as I have ever seen a mower to be--just unfold the handle, charge the batteries, and go. It's almost as if the manufacturer had taken a top-notch gas mower and dropped the electric motor and batteries right into the chassis. The first (and so far the only) glitch came when I pulled it out of my garage and tried to mow. The control handle, which is the little bar you pull back to the handlebar to engage the motor, just like in a gas mower, wasn't quite calibrated. When I pulled the control handle back to the stop, it pulled the switch to the "on" position and past it, back to "off." I was able to mow by fiddling with the mechanical linkage, but my hand kept slipping away from the perfect position and the motor kept stopping. When it was running, the mower was excellent. The lead-acid batteries made the mower heavy, but they have no memory effect, meaning I can leave it on the charger all the time (except when I'm mowing, of course). The jury is still out on how Linemar/Solaris handles the quality control problem, but I expect them to handle it quickly and professionally.