Wild Badger Power 40V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower [Review]

The Wild Badger Power 40V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower offers unmatched efficiency at a surprisingly low price. We tested its limits, and the mighty mower prevailed.

The battery-powered Badger cuts unruly grass like a champ, powering through almost one-third acre on a single charge. Our review rates the mower’s cutting capability, power, design, and price. 

Specifications

• Battery: 40V, 4Ah (2 included)
• Charge time: 60 minutes
• Cutting heights: 1.18 to 3.55 inches
• Cutting height positions: 7
• Cutting width: 21 inches
• Drive: RWD (rear-wheel drive)
• Max runtime: 82 minutes
• Model number: WB40VSP21LM
• Motor: Brushless, 3200 RPM
• Mowing modes: Bag, Mulch, Side Discharge, Rear discharge
• Warranty: 3 years
• Weight: 53 lb.

Where to Buy

You can buy the Wild Badger Power 40V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower at:

• Amazon

• Wild Badger Power

Report Card

Overall mower grade	A
Cutting grade	A
Power grade	A
Design grade	B+
Price grade	A

Overall grade = 40% cutting grade + 25% power grade + 25% design grade + 10% price grade

Field Test

We tested the Wild Badger Power self-propelled lawn mower on a half-acre overgrown lawn with slopes and sharp turns. Then, rated the mower’s:

• Cutting capability
• Electric power
• Mower design
• Price

Cutting capability

It’s potent and versatile, with a 21-inch blade and infinite speeds.

Cutting grade	A
Cut quality	B+
Mowing options	A
Max grass length	A+

Cutting grade = 50% cut quality + 25% cutting options + 25% max grass length

Cut quality

Its sharp blade makes crisp cuts. The cut quality is best when the grass is under 6 inches, but the quality is pretty good when the grass is as tall as 12 inches. 

Mowing options

It’s versatile, with 7 mow height positions from 1.18 to 3.55 inches and the following cutting features:

• Mulch: It finely mulches grass and debris. As long as the grass is under 6 inches, the mulched clippings don’t clump.

• Bag: It comes with a sizable 15.8-gallon collection bag.

• Side discharge: Speed up mowing by mulching clippings and expelling them from the side-discharge chute.

• Rear discharge: The mower also can expel clippings directly in the rear bag. 

Max grass length

The mower did a decent job cutting grass as tall as 18 inches. That’s taller than any other battery-powered mower I’ve tested.

Electric power

The mower comes with two 40-volt 4 Ah lithium-ion batteries, a fast charger, and a 3200 RPM brushless motor. 

Power grade	A
Motor	A
Runtime	A
Charge time	A

Power grade = 50% motor + 30% runtime + 20% charge time

The Wild Badger Power WB40VSP21LM is the most efficient cordless electric lawn mower I’ve tested:

• Motor: Its motor is smooth, fast, and reliable. It never bogged down, even in places where the grass was higher than a foot.

• Runtime: The mower’s max runtime is 82 minutes. During our test, the batteries lasted over an hour and mowed almost one-third acre.

• Charge time: The mower has a fast charger that refuels each battery within an hour. When a battery runs out, you can charge it while using the second battery to extend runtime.

Mower design

The 21-inch cordless self-propelled mower is durable and easy to use.

Design grade	B+
Ease of use	B+
Durability	A-

Design grade = 50% ease of use + 50% durability

Ease of use

Wild Badger Power claims the mower is easy for users of any height, so I decided to test that theory. Since I’m 4’11”, I let my 5’11” buddy (Stephen Cowart) try the mower, too. Here’s what we found:

• Handle height: The handle height adjusts, making mowing comfortable for Stephen and me.

• Controls: Stephen and I found the controls comfortable and intuitive. It has a push-button start and separate handlebar engagement for the blade and drive system.

• Mow height adjustment: Adjusting the mow height lever takes seconds. 

• Drive: The mower’s 4-wheel drive makes mowing on slopes and uneven terrain stress-free. The drive system is easy to engage, and the mower matches your walking speed with auto-advance speed control.

• Switching mow modes: It’s quick and simple to switch between mulching and bagging.

• Grip: The grip is sturdy and comfortable, but I prefer models with a thick soft grip.

• Foldable: The mower’s handle folds in seconds. Stephen quickly lifted and placed the mower in my truck without strain. However, at 4’11” and 120 pounds, I cannot lift the mower high enough to put it in the back of my truck. 

• Turns: It makes smooth turns and is easy to handle.

• Overgrown grass: Stephen didn’t feel any resistance, even when the grass was over a foot tall. However, I strained mowing grass over 8 inches. 

• Assembly: It’s simple to set up.

Durability 

With an iron chassis and expert engineering, the mower is durable and stable. 

Price 

We compared the Wild Badger Power WB40VSP21LM to competing mowers at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart. The brazen Badger is a bargain, boasting industry-leading brawn at a budget-friendly price.

Price grade	A
Compared to 21” electric self-propelled  mowers	A
Compared to all 21” self-propelled mowers	A
Compared to all electric self-propelled mowers	A-

Price grade = 60% 21” electric self-propelled  + 20% 21” self-propelled  + 20% electric self-propelled mowers

We found the following prices*:

• The Wild Badger Power WB40VSP21LM costs $500. It’s more affordable than most battery-powered self-propelled lawn mowers.

• The average 21″ electric self-propelled mower costs $685, which is almost 40% more than the WB40VSP21LM.

• The average 21″ self-propelled mower (gas or electric) costs $635, nearly 30% more than the WB40VSP21LM.

• The average electric self-propelled mower (any width) costs $625.

* Prices were sourced at publishing and are subject to change.

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Durable ✓ Versatile ✓ Crisp cuts ✓ User-friendly ✓ Mows tall grass ✓ Low-maintenance ✓ Smooth on slopes and uneven terrain ✓ Best battery-powered bang for your buck	✗ I prefer a thick, soft grip ✗ I strained mowing grass over 8 inches ✗ Similarly priced gas-powered mowers are more potent

Our Verdict

The Wild Badger Power WB40VSP21LM is ideal for homeowners with sloped/uneven yards up to a quarter acre or flat, well-kept lawns up to one-third acre.  

Buyer’s Guide

To buy the best lawn mower, savvy shoppers assess:

• Power source
• Mower design
• Lawn Size
• Mow modes
• Cost

Power Source

The key differences between gas vs. electric lawn mowers, include:

• Ease of use: Electric lawn mowers are more user-friendly than gas mowers. They are quieter, lighter, simpler to start, and require less maintenance. The best electric mowers streamline lawn care.

• Potency: The best gas-powdered lawn mowers include the most potent mower models. They give you the most bang for your buck, making them the ideal mowers for big yards.

• Runtime: Corded electric lawn mowers have the longest run time, followed by gas. Cordless electric mowers have the shortest runtime, but some of the best battery lawn mowers last as long as 100 minutes per charge.

• Price: Corded electric lawn mowers are the most affordable rotary mowers. The best mowers under $200 are either corded electric or manual reel mowers.

Mower Design

Most mowers are one of the following design types:

• Walk-behind lawn mowers include push and self-propelled models. The best lawn mowers under $300 are high-performance push mowers. However, push mowers use a lot of elbow grease. Self-propelled mowers have a drive system to move forward, so the best self-propelled models are much more efficient. 

• Riding lawn mowers include lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers. The best riding mowers quickly cut lawns that are over an acre. Lawn tractors are the most common, but zero-turns are faster and make tighter turns. The best zero-turn mowers may cost a pretty penny, but many with large lawns are happy to pay the premium. 

• Robot lawn mowers are similar to robot vacuums. Robotic mowers work with pre-programmed automation, giving homeowners hands-off lawn care. The best robot mowers trim and mulch a bit of grass daily, keeping lawns lush. But they’re expensive, and some models can be cumbersome to set up. 

Lawn Size 

Our mower suggestions are based on the research team’s experience and feedback from lawn care pros and homeowners. 

Mower Design by Lawn Size

Lawn size	Suggested mower designs
< ¼ acres	Push mower, robot mower
¼ – ½ acres	Self-propelled, robot mower
½ – 1 acres	Self-propelled, rear-engine, robot mower, lawn tractor
1+ acres	Lawn tractor, zero-turn
3+ acres	Lawn tractor, zero-turn

Cutting Width by Lawn Size

Lawn size	Suggested cutting width
< ¼ acres	13 – 21 in.
¼ – ½ acres	21 – 30 in.
½ – 1 acres	30 – 36 in.
1 – 2 acres	36 – 48 in.
2+ acres	48 – 60 in.

Power Source by Lawn Size

Lawn size	Suggested power source
< ¼ acres	Corded electric, battery, manual reel
¼ – 1 acres	Battery, gas
1+ acres	Gas

Mow Modes

Lawn mowers may have these cutting options:

• Mulch: There are many reasons to use grass clippings as mulch, including providing natural nutrition to lawns.

• Bag: If your grass is tall or diseased, it’s better to bag grass clippings.

• Side-discharge: When mulching, a side-discharge chute quickly expels mulch as you mow.

• Rear-discharge: When bagging, the rear-discharge chute expels clippings directly into the collection bag.

Cost

The average self-propelled lawn mower costs $660, but lawn mower prices vary by design, power source, and cutting width. 

FAQ about Wild Badger Power

Does Wild Badger Power make a push mower?

Yes. We tested and reviewed the Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ Cordless Push Mower.

Does Wild Badger Power make a brush cutter?

The Badger WPB26BCI straight shaft 2-in-1 grass trimmer and brush cutter is one of the best brush cutters for homeowners. 

Who is Wild Badger Power?

Founded in 2009, Wild Badger Power is a privately held lawn care tool manufacturer. Their gas and electric tools are known for giving consumers a lot of bang for their buck.

When to Hire a Lawn Care Pro

If you want a lush lawn without the work, hire a local lawn care pro. LawnStarter makes it easy to find affordable pros. Our rigorous vetting process includes insurance verification, background checks, and customer feedback.

With fast online ordering and a user-friendly app, we make finding a pro as simple as shopping on Amazon. In addition to lawn care, we help homeowners with over 30 outdoor services, including bush trimming, landscaping, and leaf removal.

LawnStarter participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other retailer affiliate programs. LawnStarter may earn revenue from products promoted in this article.

Main Image Credit: Wild Badger Power 40V 21″ Self-Propelled Lawn Mower / Michelle Selzer