Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ Cordless Push Mower [Review]

We tested the Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ Cordless Push Mower. It’s lightweight, affordable, and capable of uniformly cutting over a quarter acre on a single battery charge. 

Our review grades the battery-powered mower’s cutting capability, power, design, and price. We include invaluable feedback, cost comparisons, and handy tips for buying the best lawn mower.

Specifications

• Battery: 40-volt, 4 Ah Li-ion 
• Charge time: 60 minutes
• Cutting heights: 1.5 – 3.5 inches
• Cutting height positions: 5
• Cutting width: 18 inches
• Max runtime: 30 minutes
• Model number: WB40V18PLM
• Motor: Brushless, 3,400 RPM
• Mowing modes: Bag, mulch
• Warranty: 3 years
• Weight: 37.5 lb.

Report Card

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

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

Where to buy

You can buy the Wild Badger Power 18-inch Push Mower at:

• Amazon

• Lowe’s

• Wild Badger Power

Field Test

I tested the Wild Badger Power 40-volt 18″ Push Mower on a 1-acre centipedegrass lawn in South Georgia and graded its:

• Cutting capability
• Electric power
• Mower design
• Price

I’m very petite (4’11”), so I sprinkled in some feedback from someone larger. My buddy’s son, Jeff Yochum, asked to try the mower. He’s a 6-foot-tall student at the University of Georgia with eight years of mowing experience. 

Cutting capability

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

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

Cut quality

It cuts smoothly and evenly. After mowing, the lawn looked uniform and void of patches.

Cutting options

The Wild Badger Power 18-inch push mower is versatile:

• Cutting heights: It has 5 cutting heights from 1.5 to 3.5 inches.

• Mowing modes: The rear-discharge mower comes with a detachable 11-gallon collection bag and mulch kit. It grinds grass clippings and leaves into a fine mulch and only clogs if the grass is overgrown. 

Grass length

The mower cut best when grass was 4.5 inches or shorter. We tested the mower on centipedegrass, a dense warm-season grass. I don’t anticipate any trouble cutting fine grasses (e.g., fine fescue) as high as 6 inches. This is standard for a battery-powered mower. 

Tip: If the grass is too high, use a string trimmer to get it down to a mowable length. 

Electric power 

The Wild Badger Power mower has a short runtime, but its high-speed brushless motor powered through over a quarter acre on a single charge. It comes with a battery and fast charger.

Power grade	B+
Motor	A
Runtime	C-
Charge time	A+

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

It’s potent for a push mower:

• Motor: I was pleasantly surprised by the motor’s speed and efficiency. It ran smoothly on flat grass, especially when I maintained a steady pace. The only time the motor bogged down was when Jeff tried mowing a ditch.

• Runtime: The 18-inch mower has a max runtime of 30 minutes (about 5 minutes less than the average battery push mower). During testing, the battery lasted 19 minutes. I mowed over a quarter acre on a single charge. 

• Charge time: The battery charges completely in about one hour. That’s very fast for a lawn mower.

• Motor speed: 3,400 RPM

• Battery specs: 40-volt, 4 Ah

Mower design 

The mower is lightweight, durable, and easy to use.

Design grade	A
Ease of use	A+
Durability	A-

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

Ease of use

Even with my small stature and long fingernails, it was easy to use:

• Assembly: It was easy to assemble.

• Weight: It’s lightweight and easy to maneuver on flat ground.

• Switching mow modes: It takes seconds to connect/remove the grass collection bag.

• Starting: It has a push button start. Both Jeff and I found the button easy to reach.

• Engaging blades: Squeeze the handlebar latch to engage the blades. There’s little resistance, making it quick and simple.

• Grip: It has a cushioned grip that’s satisfying and sturdy. It provides superior support to operators of all sizes. 

• Compact: It quickly mows tight spots, like along walkways. 

• Foldable: It takes seconds to fold for compact storage or transport.

Durability 

The mower is well-designed and durable. Its cushion grip, mower deck, and motor are built to last. However, the handle screws may need occasional tightening.

Price 

The Wild Badger Power 18” 40V Push Mower is an excellent budget buy, costing less than its competitors.

Price grade	A
Compared to 18” rotary push mowers	A+
Compared to battery push mowers	A
Compared to all push mowers	B

Price grade = 50% 18” rotary push mowers + 30% battery push mowers + 20% all push mowers

We priced* push mowers at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart and compared their costs to the Wild Badger Power 18″ Push Mower’s price.

The Wild Badger 18” Cordless Mower costs $230:

• About $15 less than the average push mower

• About 35% less than the average battery-powered mower

• About $130 less than the average 18-inch rotary push mower

• The Wild Badger Power mower is the cheapest battery-powered 18-inch mower 

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

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Lightweight ✓ Affordable ✓ Easy to use ✓ Compact ✓ Cuts evenly ✓ Mulches  ✓ Bags ✓ High-speed brushless motor	✗ Short runtime ✗ Not good on hills ✗ Not good on uneven terrain ✗ Doesn’t cut overgrown grass well

Our Verdict

It’s an affordable, high-quality lawn mower for homeowners with level lawns that are less than a quarter acre. 

Buyer’s Guide

To buy the best lawn mower, consider:

• Types of lawn mowers
• Cutting width
• Cutting height
• Mowing modes
• Maintenance
• Cost

Types of lawn mowers

There are several types of lawn mowers to choose from:

• Power sources: Most lawn mowers are gas or electric, but there are a few manual reel mowers.

• Designs: Walk-behind mowers include push and self-propelled models. Push mowers are affordable and best for lawns under a quarter acre. Self-propelled mowers have a drive system that moves the wheels, making them fast for lawns up to an acre. But if your lawn’s over an acre, you’ll probably prefer a riding mower (lawn tractor or zero-turn).

• Cutting action: Most mowers have rotary blades. Powered by gas or electricity, rotary blades speedily spin, chopping grass. In contrast, rotary blades slice like scissors, creating crisper cuts. Reel mowers are best for small, flat lawns with short grass. 

Cutting width

With each pass, a broader cutting deck mows more grass, so you finish quicker. However, mowers with a narrow deck can cut in small spaces.

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

Cutting height

Your lawn’s ideal mow height depends on the grass type. Mow it often enough to cut no more than ⅓ of its length per mow. 

Mowing modes

Some mowers have these mowing modes:

• Mulch: The best mulching mowers help your lawn stay healthy and lush. There are many reasons to use grass clippings as mulch. Grasscycling gives lawns natural nitrogen, keeping them green and thick.

• Bag: You may prefer bagging your clippings if you have allergies or a compost pile. It’s also better to bag when grass is overgrown.

• Side discharge: Some mowers mulch and then expel the clippings from the side. This is the fastest way to mow and the best method for tall grass. 

Maintenance

Lawn mowers need the following maintenance:

• Cleaning the underside
• Sharpen blades
• Proper storage

And gas-powered lawn mowers need the:

• Oil changed
• Spark plugs changed
• Air filter clean/changed

Cost

The average push mower costs $245, but lawn mower prices vary by mower type.

FAQ about Wild Badger Power 

Who is Wild Badger Power?

Wild Badger Power is a lawn tool manufacturer based in Indian Train, North Carolina. In 2009, a lawn-loving engineer founded the company. 

Does Wild Badger Power make self-propelled mowers?

Yes, Wild Badger Power makes self-propelled mowers. We tested their 40V 21” self-propelled lawn mower.

Does Wild Badger Power make gas-powered tools?

Wild Badger makes affordable gas-powered tools, including a string trimmer and backpack leaf blower.

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Main Image Credit: Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ Cordless Push Mower / Michelle Selzer