Litheli Mower Review

Litheli EASYSURGE 18.5” Electric Lawn Mower Review: Our Hands-On Impressions & What Others Are Saying

Disclosure: We received this mower for free from Litheli to test and review. As always, all opinions are honest and based on our real-world experience using the product.

Who Reviewed this Mower?

Joe H., MFA - Managing Editor & Head of Brand Partnerships, LawnChick.com

Hello reader! Managing Editor Joe here. I tested the Litheli EASYSURGE mower this season (2025) on my property in Maine, and below I’m happy to report what I’ve observed.

For some context on my background, I own and use a Greenworks 25″ self-propelled electric mower as my daily driver, and used a gas powered walk-behind mower for years prior to going electric. I came into this product test with clear expectations for performance and functionality in this category, based on my own experience.

Quick Take: This mower is on the smaller side, so it won’t be a good fit for everyone, but it had some very nice features which differentiated it from others in the space. This included my favorite feature — the fact that its batteries have built-in USB-C output, giving them utility to charge devices during emergency situations or when you’re on the go. Where I live we often lose power during the winter, so this feature gave the product off-season utility for me. I also found the cut on my lawn to be high quality, and the blade speed numbers reported by the manufacturer deliver a very high RPM for a mower of this size.


First Impressions & Setup

When the Litheli EASYSURGE 18.5” Electric Lawn Mower showed up at our door, the first thing that stood out was the design. Most mowers, even electric ones, look like… well, mowers. The Litheli looks more like a futuristic gadget you’d park next to a Tesla or a high-end e-bike.

Setup was simple. The handle folded out in seconds, the batteries clicked into place, and we were ready to mow. Litheli advertises its “three steps, three seconds” handle system, and that’s pretty accurate. Within five minutes we were cutting grass.

At just under 19 inches wide, this isn’t a mower for someone with acres of lawn. But for smaller yards, it hits a sweet spot between maneuverability and coverage. And once you’re done, the telescoping handle and folding frame really do shrink the footprint — it slid neatly into a corner of our garage where a traditional mower wouldn’t fit.

In general, here at Lawn Chick we’ve become big fans of electric mowers, and their storage is a big part of the reason why. Most battery-powered mowers these days fold up and can be easily stored away vertically – something you’d never do with a gas powered mower. The fact that the power output on today’s battery-powered mowers is often comparable to gas makes this convenience a real difference-maker for homeowners where space is at a premium.

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Power & Performance in the Yard

On paper, the EASYSURGE boasts some impressive numbers:

  • 1000W motor that can “overclock” to 1200W
  • Blade speed up to 4100 RPM (most mowers under 20 inches are in the 3000s)
  • Six cutting height settings (0.98–2.95 inches)
  • Rear-wheel drive with self-propel speeds from 1.34–2.91 mph

But numbers only tell part of the story. In practice, here’s what we noticed:

  • Regular mowing: On a dry afternoon, the mower breezed through average lawn grass. The cut was even, the clippings packed nicely into the bag, and we didn’t feel underpowered.
  • Tougher conditions: The next morning we tried again on grass that was slightly damp and thicker in spots. This is where many electrics bog down. The Litheli slowed a bit but kicked into higher RPMs when needed. It wasn’t unstoppable — we had to clear the bag more often and pause once to unclog — but overall it handled better than expected.
  • Tall grass: We didn’t test it in a full jungle, but user reports (more on that later) suggest it’s not the best tool for 6–9” growth or weeds. If you mow regularly, you’ll be fine; if you let your lawn get wild, expect multiple passes.

Battery Life & Charging

One of the headline features is Litheli’s U20 Ultra batteries, which double as portable power banks. Each battery has USB-C output, meaning you can charge a phone, laptop, or even a drone straight from your mower battery.

It sounds gimmicky, but it actually works — we tested it with a smartphone and it charged like any regular power bank. Personally, I would use this during Maine’s tough winters. We lose power a few times every year, and keeping those batteries inside and as an emergency power source to keep cell phones charged would be very helpful. I can use batteries from my Greenworks tools like this, but only if I buy a power inverter for about $100. Litheli has this built-in, which is an awesome value for users like me.

For mowing, here’s what runtime looked like:

  • Two-battery kit (included): Up to 50 minutes advertised. We got about 42 minutes of actual mowing on a single charge in mixed conditions. That’s good for a quarter acre or so.
  • Four-battery setup: Advertised up to 100 minutes. We didn’t test this, but user reports suggest it’s realistic if you’re mowing under lighter conditions.

Charging time was reasonable — with Litheli’s quick-charge base, we had usable batteries again in about an hour. That’s not bad if you keep a rotation of charged batteries on hand.

Controls & Ease of Use

This mower has something you won’t find elsewhere: the SurgePanel™ control system. Instead of crouching to yank a lever for deck height or fiddling with separate speed controls, everything is centralized:

  • Start button and power toggle
  • Dial for six cutting heights
  • Dial for self-propel speed
  • Mode switch between standard and EasySurge power

We found this genuinely helpful. Adjusting deck height mid-mow was easy, and the self-propel speed range felt natural. At the top end (2.9 mph), the mower pushed us a bit fast in tight turns, but on open stretches it was perfect.

Noise levels were manageable — quieter than a gas mower but not whisper quiet. You can hold a conversation while mowing, and pets/kids won’t be startled like they would with a roaring gas engine.

Design, Storage, & Sustainability

A few other highlights worth mentioning:

  • Sports car-inspired look: It’s not everyone’s taste, but the design of this mower does stand out. More importantly, all wiring is tucked away inside the frame, which looks cleaner and feels safer than what is offered with some electric mowers.
  • Folding handle: Genuinely useful. With the mower folded, we stored it against the wall and reclaimed a surprising amount of space.
  • Eco-conscious build: Litheli says over 96% of the mower’s parts are recyclable. Combine that with no gas or oil, and it’s a greener choice, though there is still an environmental impact when Lithium is mined. Also – depending upon where your electricity comes from, electric power may or may not be as green as you think. In Maine, where I live, 67% of electricity from the grid comes from renewable sources. In Florida? Only 10% of the electricity used to charge your batteries comes from renewable sources. There may not be any emissions from your equipment, but that electricity may or may not be quite as green as you think, so do some research here!

How Litheli’s Mower Stacks Up Against Competitors

FeatureLitheli EASYSURGE 18.5”EGO Power+ 600 Series LM2114 (21”)Greenworks 40V 16”
Cutting Width18.5”21”16”
Max Blade Speed4100 RPM~3500 RPM~2800 RPM
Runtime (standard kit)~42–50 min (2 x 4.0Ah Ultra)~60 min (6.0Ah battery)~45 min
Runtime (extended)Up to 100 min (4 batt.)~90 min (2 x 7.5Ah, optional)N/A
Self-PropelledYesYesNo
Price (Current Sale / MSRP)$268.99 (sale) / $429.99 regular$499.00$219.99 (sale) / $299.99 regular
Storage76% smaller footprintBulkier foldCompact
Unique PerksBatteries double as power banksHuge review base (3,950+), established reliabilityLowest price, simple design
Best ForSmall-to-medium lawns, easy storageLarger lawns, proven durabilityBudget buyers with small yards

What Other Users Are Saying

We also dug into reviews on Litheli’s website and third-party forums like Reddit. Here’s a snapshot of the feedback:

Positive themes:

  • Lightweight and easy to maneuver
  • Good runtime for small yards
  • Price is attractive compared to premium brands
  • Compact storage is genuinely helpful

Common complaints:

  • Struggles with tall or thick grass: Several users said the mower bogs down in 6–9” growth, requiring multiple passes.
  • Battery/charger issues: Some reported batteries refusing to hold charge after a season or chargers failing outright.
  • Durability questions: A few owners said their mower stopped working within a year, and parts/warranty support was slow.
  • Parts availability: Replacement covers, caps, or small components are reportedly hard to get.

Our experience so far has been better than some of these reports. We didn’t encounter outright failures, but we did notice that runtime dropped in heavier grass, and clearing clogs was necessary when the lawn was damp. The reliability concerns are harder to judge without multiple seasons of use — they’re worth keeping in mind if you expect to keep your mower for many years.

Pros & Cons (from our test and third-party user reports)

Pros

  • Easy to set up and store
  • Powerful motor for its size class
  • SurgePanel controls reduce bending and hassle
  • Batteries double as USB-C power banks
  • Price is competitive

Cons

  • Narrow deck means more passes on bigger lawns
  • Runtime can dip below claims in tough conditions
  • Mixed reports on battery longevity and durability
  • Litheli is a newer brand in the U.S., so parts/service aren’t as proven

Final Verdict – do we recommend this mower?

The Litheli EASYSURGE 18.5” mower is a solid choice for small to medium lawns where convenience, storage, and ease of use matter more than brute force. It’s not the tool for tall weeds or overgrown fields, but it does what most homeowners need — and it does it with style.

What impressed us most was the combination of thoughtful design (folding handle, SurgePanel controls) and versatile batteries that double as portable chargers. Runtime and power were in line with claims in most cases, though we’d recommend keeping expectations realistic if your lawn often grows thick or wet.

Where this mower’s story will be written is in durability. Early adopters report mixed experiences — some glowing, some frustrating. For now, we’d say it’s a compelling, affordable option for homeowners with a small lot and minimal storage space. If you plan to mow regularly and want a modern, compact mower at a reasonable price, this one should be on your short list. If Litheli can improve long-term reliability and parts availability, this mower could be a standout in the electric category, especially with its high RPM blade speed, and the flexibility of its batteries to provide utility in the off-season as an emergency power bank.

Where to Buy: Litheli Website, Amazon

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