Wild Badger Power 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower 40V Brushless Review: The Lightweight Contender for Small Yards

For years, my weekend lawn care ritual was a symphony of frustration. It involved a grimy gas can, the dreaded pull-cord that seemed to mock my efforts, and the deafening roar of a two-stroke engine sputtering to life. The process left my hands smelling of gasoline and my ears ringing. Mowing felt like a chore I had to endure, not a satisfying task. The search for a better way—a quieter, cleaner, and simpler method—led me into the rapidly expanding world of battery-powered lawn equipment. The promise of push-button starts, zero emissions, and minimal maintenance was too compelling to ignore. This is precisely the problem the Wild Badger Power 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower 40V Brushless aims to solve, offering a modern, lightweight alternative to its cumbersome, gas-guzzling ancestors.

What to Consider Before Buying a Cordless Walk-Behind Mower

A Walk-Behind Lawn Mower, especially a cordless electric model, is more than just a tool; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your weekend peace. It addresses the core frustrations of traditional lawn care: the noise, the pollution, the constant need for fuel and oil, and the physical strain of operating heavy machinery. The main benefits are profound simplicity and convenience. You charge a battery, pop it in, and go. There’s no seasonal engine maintenance, no messy spills, and significantly less noise, making for a more pleasant experience for both you and your neighbors. It transforms mowing from a heavy-duty task into a manageable, almost therapeutic activity.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone with a small to medium-sized suburban lawn, typically up to a quarter of an acre. They value ease of use, quiet operation, and are looking for an environmentally friendlier option. It’s perfect for individuals who may lack the physical strength to wrangle a heavy gas mower or those who simply want to eliminate the hassle of fuel and maintenance. On the other hand, this mower might not be suitable for those with very large properties (over half an acre), lawns with extremely thick, dense grass varieties like St. Augustine, or terrain that is excessively hilly or rough. For those users, a more powerful gas mower or a high-end, self-propelled electric model with multiple battery bays might be a more practical investment.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: The deck width—in this case, 18 inches—directly impacts how many passes you’ll need to make. An 18-inch deck is a sweet spot for maneuverability in yards with flower beds and obstacles, while still being efficient enough for areas up to about 2100 sq. ft. Crucially, consider storage. The Wild Badger Power mower’s ability to fold and store vertically is a game-changer for anyone with a crowded garage or shed, saving significant floor space.
• Capacity/Performance: In the cordless world, power is measured in volts (V) and runtime in amp-hours (Ah). A 40V system like this one provides ample power for typical residential grass. The included 4.0Ah battery is a decent starting point, but you must realistically assess your yard size. The presence of a brushless motor is a non-negotiable feature for modern electric tools, as it provides more power, better efficiency, and a much longer lifespan than older brushed motors.
• Materials & Durability: The mower deck material is a key differentiator. While traditionalists swear by steel for its ruggedness, it’s heavy and prone to rust. The Wild Badger Power 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower 40V Brushless uses a high-impact plastic (polymer) deck. This drastically reduces the weight, making the mower easier to push and lift, and completely eliminates rust concerns. The trade-off is a potential decrease in long-term durability if subjected to very rough use.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Look for features that simplify the mowing process. A single-lever height adjustment, which changes all four wheels simultaneously, is a massive convenience over adjusting each wheel individually. Beyond that, the long-term care for an electric mower is minimal—keep it clean, sharpen the blade once a season, and properly store the battery. This is a world away from the oil changes, spark plug replacements, and fuel stabilizer rituals of gas mowers.

While the Wild Badger Power 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower 40V Brushless is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing the Wild Badger: First Impressions and Assembly

Upon its arrival, the first thing that struck us was the box’s manageable weight. At just 37.5 pounds, the Wild Badger Power 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower 40V Brushless is a true featherweight in a category often dominated by 60-80 pound machines. Lifting it out of the box was an easy one-person job. The mower comes almost fully assembled, a fact we were grateful for after reading user feedback. The only real task is attaching the handle assembly.

And this is where we encountered the first, and most common, hiccup reported by users: the instructions are remarkably poor. They are vague and poorly illustrated, which led to a few minutes of head-scratching. However, as others have noted, the process is fairly intuitive. Once you ignore the booklet and just look at the parts, it becomes clear how the bolts and locking knobs secure the handle. In total, it took less than 15 minutes from unboxing to being ready to mow. The mower itself feels solid despite its plastic construction. The vibrant blue deck is visually appealing, and the controls are simple and well-placed. The package includes the mower, the 11-gallon grass collection bag, one 40V 4.0Ah battery, and a fast charger, giving you everything needed to get started right away. You can see the complete package and its current price online.

Putting the Wild Badger Through Its Paces: A Performance Breakdown

A mower can have all the bells and whistles in the world, but it all comes down to performance on the lawn. We put the Wild Badger Power 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower 40V Brushless through a series of real-world tests on a typical suburban lawn with a mix of sun-drenched patches and thicker, shaded areas. We evaluated everything from its raw cutting power to its battery endurance and overall handling to see if this budget-friendly option punches above its weight.

Cutting Power & Quality: The Brushless Motor and Turbo Mode in Action

Engaging the mower is a simple, safe two-step process: press the safety button and pull back the bail bar. The brushless motor spins to life with a quiet hum, a stark and welcome contrast to the violent roar of a gas engine. On a standard stretch of grass at a medium height setting (position 3 of 5), the mower glided along effortlessly, leaving a clean and even cut. The 18-inch steel blade had no trouble slicing through healthy blades of grass, and the deck suction was adequate for lifting clippings into the 11-gallon bag.

The standout feature here is the automatic “Turbo Mode.” When we pushed the mower into a patch of thicker, slightly damp grass, we could hear and feel the motor instantly ramp up its speed and power. This intelligent power delivery is fantastic, as it conserves battery during light work but provides the necessary oomph to prevent bogging down in challenging spots. This confirms what many users have praised; one noted, “I like how the motor kicks more power when you hit a thicker patch.” However, the cut quality is context-dependent. For a regularly maintained lawn, the results are manicured and crisp. But in very dense or overgrown conditions, we did notice some clumping, a sentiment echoed by a user with a “very dense and full lawn” who struggled with clogging. For best results with this mower, it’s wise to mow regularly and not let the grass get too long, a common best practice for any battery-powered mower. The dual bagging and mulching function is easy to switch between, offering good versatility.

Battery Life & Charging: The 40V Power Plant’s Real-World Endurance

This is arguably the most critical aspect of any cordless tool, and it’s where user experiences with the Wild Badger Power 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower 40V Brushless vary the most. The mower comes with a single 40V 4.0Ah battery. In our testing, which involved varying grass thickness and a few activations of the Turbo Mode, we consistently achieved about 33-35 minutes of runtime. This was sufficient to mow our test lawn of approximately 2,000 square feet with a sliver of charge to spare. This aligns perfectly with the manufacturer’s recommendation of up to 2100 sq. ft. and confirms reports from satisfied users, one of whom clocked their runtime at exactly “33 minutes.”

However, the battery life is a clear limitation for those pushing the boundaries of that recommended area or dealing with tougher grass. We saw numerous reports of users getting only 20-25 minutes, forcing them to stop mid-mow. As one user bluntly stated, “The battery did not even last 20 min.” Our expert recommendation is simple: if your yard is close to or slightly over 2000 sq. ft., or if you often mow thick grass, invest in a second battery from the start. This allows you to swap and continue without a lengthy interruption. The included fast charger replenishes a fully depleted battery in about 60-75 minutes. We also noted the safety feature mentioned by a user: if the battery is too hot after use, the charger will show a red light and wait for it to cool before beginning the charge, which protects the long-term health of the battery cells. Having a second battery on hand makes this a non-issue.

Ergonomics and Handling: A Featherweight Mower with Premium Convenience

This is where the Wild Badger Power 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower 40V Brushless truly shines and wins over users. Weighing a mere 37.5 pounds, this mower is incredibly nimble. Pushing it across the lawn requires minimal effort, and maneuvering around trees, garden beds, and other obstacles is a breeze. For users with physical limitations, this is a revolutionary feature. We were particularly moved by feedback from users with back issues who found it “easy to operate and lift.” This lightweight design makes lawn care accessible to a much broader audience.

The convenience features further enhance the user experience. The single-point height adjustment is fantastic. A single, easy-to-move lever on the deck raises or lowers all four wheels simultaneously through five distinct cutting heights, from a low 1.5 inches to a tall 3.5 inches. This is a premium touch that saves time and hassle. The quick-folding handle is another brilliant piece of engineering. In literally five seconds, you can fold the handle forward, allowing the mower to be stored vertically against a wall. For anyone with a packed garage, this space-saving design is a massive selling point, transforming a bulky piece of equipment into a compact, storable object. For those who value easy handling and storage, it’s a feature that really sets it apart from competitors.

Build Quality and Durability: The Plastic Predicament

When you first unbox the mower, the all-plastic deck can be a bit jarring if you’re accustomed to heavy steel. As one user admitted, “When I opened the box, I was a little hesitant since the entire housing is plastic.” We shared that initial skepticism. However, modern polymers are incredibly tough, and this design choice is fundamental to the mower’s key advantages: its light weight and its immunity to rust. For its intended use in a residential setting, the deck is more than durable enough to handle the occasional bump and scrape.

The one area where we feel the cost-cutting went a step too far is the wheels. They are made of thin, hard plastic and feel noticeably flimsy, a sentiment that is the most consistent point of negative feedback from users. One reviewer aptly stated they’ve seen “better wheels on cheap toy cars,” and another reported a hubcap falling off during the first use. While the wheels function adequately on a smooth, flat lawn, they wobble slightly and do not inspire confidence for longevity or use on rougher, uneven terrain. This is the most significant trade-off for the mower’s attractive price point. It’s a functional component, but not a premium one by any stretch. If you can look past the budget wheels, the rest of the mower presents a compelling value proposition.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, user sentiment for the Wild Badger Power 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower 40V Brushless is largely positive, with most owners feeling it “exceeded my uncertain expectations.” The most frequently praised aspects are its incredibly low weight and ease of maneuverability. One owner who had recent back surgery specifically mentioned how easy it was to operate and lift, making it a joy to use rather than a painful chore. The automatic power-boosting “Turbo Mode” is another celebrated feature, with many expressing pleasant surprise at how effectively it tackles thicker patches of grass without stalling.

However, the feedback isn’t universally glowing. The two most common complaints center on battery life and build quality. Several users found the single 4.0Ah battery insufficient for their yards, with runtimes sometimes dipping below 25 minutes, leading to a strong consensus that buying a second battery is a wise investment. The other major point of contention is the quality of the wheels. A user memorably quipped that they’ve “seen better wheels on cheap toy cars,” highlighting their wobbly, plastic construction as the mower’s weakest link. While most users found the poor assembly instructions to be a minor annoyance, they ultimately managed to put it together without much trouble.

Competitors and Alternatives to the Wild Badger Power 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower 40V Brushless

While the Wild Badger Power mower is a fantastic push mower, your lawn care needs might require a different tool. It could be a direct competitor or a supplementary product to achieve the perfect lawn. Here’s how it stacks up against some popular alternatives.

1. BILT HARD 16 Inch Electric Dethatcher Scarifier

This is not a mower but a specialized lawn health tool. A dethatcher, or scarifier, uses rotating tines to remove the layer of dead grass and roots (thatch) that can choke your lawn. The BILT HARD model is an excellent companion product for someone who already owns a mower like the Wild Badger. If you’re serious about a lush, healthy lawn, dethatching once or twice a year is crucial. This electric corded model offers consistent power for the tough job of pulling up thatch, making it a great choice for the dedicated lawn enthusiast looking to improve turf health.

2. WORX Nitro 40V 16″ Cordless Lawn Mower

The WORX Nitro is a direct competitor to the Wild Badger. It operates on a similar 40V platform and also features a brushless motor. The main differences are its slightly smaller 16-inch cutting deck, which makes it even more maneuverable in tight spaces but requires more passes on open lawn. WORX is a more established brand in the electric tool space, and this model may offer a more refined build quality for a potentially higher price. This is a great alternative for someone with a very small, intricate yard who prioritizes brand recognition and is willing to trade a bit of cutting width for agility.

3. Greenworks 13 Amp 14-Inch Corded Dethatcher

Similar to the BILT HARD, the Greenworks model is a dedicated dethatcher. The key difference here is that it’s a corded electric tool. This means you get unlimited runtime and consistent power without ever worrying about a battery, but you are tethered by an extension cord. For smaller yards where a 50 or 100-foot cord can easily reach all corners, this is an excellent, often more affordable, option for improving lawn aeration and health. It’s ideal for the homeowner who doesn’t mind managing a cord in exchange for non-stop power.

Final Verdict: Is the Wild Badger Power Mower Right for You?

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Wild Badger Power 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower 40V Brushless is overwhelmingly positive, provided you are the right user. This mower is a triumph of lightweight engineering and user-friendly design. It excels in its mission to make lawn care simple, quiet, and effortless. For homeowners with small to medium-sized lawns (roughly a quarter-acre or less) who prioritize maneuverability, easy storage, and freedom from gas and oil, this mower is an outstanding value.

Its primary weaknesses—the sometimes-limiting runtime of a single battery and the budget-grade plastic wheels—are understandable trade-offs for its accessible price point. The battery issue is easily solved by purchasing a spare, and the wheels are perfectly functional for a typical suburban lawn. It’s not designed for acreage or hacking through a neglected jungle, but for weekly maintenance of a standard yard, it is more than capable. If you’re ready to ditch the hassle of your old gas mower and embrace the convenience of cordless, the Wild Badger Power 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower 40V Brushless offers an incredible combination of performance and convenience that makes it very easy to recommend.