An honest, experience-led review of the Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower. We look at real-world performance, mixed customer feedback, and whether it makes sense for small to medium US lawns.
First Impressions and Market Position
The Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ cordless lawn mower sits firmly in that crowded middle ground of the battery mower market. It is clearly not trying to compete with premium brands charging double the price, but it also is not positioned as a lightweight 20V “toy” mower either. With a typical price range of around $200 to $250, this mower is aimed at homeowners who want to move away from gas without overspending, and who realistically mow a small to medium-sized yard.
I think it is important to say early on that this mower has attracted a lot of positive attention online, but it has not been universally praised. Many owners are happy with the power and simplicity, while others raise fair concerns around battery life and long-term durability. Going in with an open mind really matters here.
Key Features at a Glance
On paper, the specifications look sensible rather than flashy. You get an 18-inch cutting width, a 40V brushless motor rated up to around 3,400 RPM, and a single 4.0Ah battery with a fast charger. Wild Badger Power claims coverage of up to 5,445 square feet on a single charge, which roughly translates to an eighth of an acre in ideal conditions.
The mower weighs about 37.5 pounds, which many users appreciate, especially if they are coming from heavier gas models. A single-lever, 5-position height adjustment ranges from roughly 1.5 to 3.5 inches, and there is a true 3-in-1 system for bagging, mulching, or rear discharge.
Designed for Real Home Lawns
From what I can see, this mower is engineered for everyday residential use, not for large properties or thick, neglected fields. Assembly is reported to be fairly quick, often under 20 minutes, and the folding handle is a practical touch for garage or shed storage. I reckon Wild Badger Power’s main appeal is that it tries to offer “enough power” and convenience without the premium markup, though how well it delivers on that promise varies depending on expectations and lawn conditions.
That balance, between value and real-world performance, is where the rest of this review will focus once we dig into positive, mixed, and negative customer experiences.
Positive Reviews
Overall, the positive feedback around the Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ cordless lawn mower is both broad and detailed. Many owners are not just saying they like it, but explaining why it fits their day-to-day mowing needs. What stands out most is how often words like lightweight, easy, and impressive for the size appear across reviews.
Easy Assembly and Quick Setup
One of the most consistent positives is how straightforward assembly tends to be. Several buyers mention being up and running very quickly, even if they are not particularly handy. “The handle is the only assembly needed… It takes about 15 minutes to assemble.”
Others echo the same sentiment, describing the process as “a breeze” and something they could manage without frustration. A few reviews note that the handle orientation can be slightly confusing at first, but even those reviewers still felt setup was manageable overall. “Assembly was a breeze, and I was able to get started quickly.” For first-time mower owners or those switching from gas, this simplicity appears to be a genuine confidence booster.
Lightweight Feel and Easy Handling
Weight and maneuverability are repeatedly highlighted as major strengths. At just over 37 pounds, many reviewers say it feels easy to push, turn, and control, even around tighter areas. “Very powerful, very lightweight, little lawn mower!” / “Light weight, very easy to push.”
This seems particularly appreciated by older users, people with back issues, or households where multiple family members might use the mower. “I’ve had back surgery and the mower was easy to operate and lift.”
Some even mention younger family members using it comfortably, which speaks to how unintimidating the mower feels in real-world use.
Surprising Power for an 18-Inch Cordless Mower
Despite its compact size, many reviewers feel the mower delivers more power than expected. The automatic power increase when encountering thicker grass is mentioned often and positively. “The motor automatically speeds up for higher grass.” / “It doubles the power automatically when it encounters thick grass.”
Several owners compare its performance favorably to gas mowers, at least within the context of small to medium lawns. “One customer noting it performs as well as a gas mower.” For grass types like tall fescue, users report clean, neat results without excessive bogging down. “Great for Tall Fescue lawn… extremely impressed by the results.”
Cutting Quality and Lawn Finish
Cut quality is another area where feedback is strong. Owners frequently describe the cut as even, neat, and clean, sometimes reducing the need for extra trimming afterward. “It cuts the grass neatly and evenly, leaving my lawn looking well-manicured.” / “Great cut and virtually eliminates the need to trim.”
The 3-in-1 system also earns praise, particularly for mulching and bagging during regular maintenance mowing. “Does great with mulch or bagging.”
Battery Performance for Smaller Yards
While battery life is a mixed topic overall, many positive reviewers report being satisfied with runtime when used within the mower’s intended limits. “The battery lasts about 1 hour.” / “I cut my whole front and side yards and didn’t even use half the battery power.”
Several users mowing lawns around 2,000 square feet to smaller residential yards say a single battery is enough, though some wisely suggest having a spare for peace of mind. “Invest in an extra battery, it’s worth it.”
Quiet Operation and Convenience
Quiet operation comes up often, especially from those transitioning away from gas mowers. “Very quiet!!” / “Strong, quiet, and light weight.”
Combined with push-button electric start and no fuel maintenance, this convenience factor clearly resonates with homeowners who just want mowing to feel simpler.
Overall Satisfaction and Repeat-Buy Sentiment
Perhaps the strongest positive signal is how many reviewers say they would buy it again or recommend it to family members. “The mower is a very good product I would buy again.” / “I have recommend it to my son.”
Even reviewers who mention small limitations still tend to conclude that it “gets the job done” and offers solid value for the price. Taken together, the positive reviews suggest that when the Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ mower is matched with the right lawn size and expectations, many owners walk away genuinely pleased with their purchase.
Mixed Reviews
The mixed reviews for the Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ cordless lawn mower tend to follow a clear pattern. Many owners genuinely like the mower’s design, weight, and ease of use, but feel those positives come with trade-offs, particularly around battery performance, power in difficult conditions, and expectations carried over from gas mowers. These reviews are useful because they highlight where the mower works well, and where it may start to feel limiting.
Lightweight Convenience, Especially vs Gas
Several reviewers who moved from gas mowers describe a noticeable reduction in physical effort. Even without self-propulsion, the lighter frame makes a meaningful difference. “I was very surprised at the decrease I experienced in physical effort switching from a powered gas mower to this non-powered electric one.”
The ability to maneuver easily in tight or awkward spaces also stands out. “Mowing the narrow strips along the side of my house is far easier.” Quiet operation is another commonly praised feature, particularly for users conscious of noise. “The mower is also extremely quiet, so much so that I wouldn’t feel rude mowing my lawn at 8:00 or 9:00 on a weekend.”
For elderly users or those who struggle with heavier machines, several reviewers feel smaller electric mowers like this one are simply easier to live with. “Seems these electric mowers are much better for elderly to use and maintain.”
Battery Life Depends Heavily on Lawn Conditions
Battery performance is the most consistent reason these reviews stop short of a full five stars. Runtime appears highly dependent on grass height, density, and mowing habits “I got 33 minutes out of the battery.” / “Run time of approximately 30 mins is not ideal for larger lawns.”
Those who let their grass grow longer between cuts often report needing to recharge between sections of the yard. “As a result, I have to recharge the battery between mowing the front and mowing the back yard.”
Cooling time before recharging adds another layer of inconvenience for some. “The battery generally has to cool down half an hour before recharging.” Several reviewers conclude that buying a second battery largely solves the problem, but also acknowledge the extra cost. “Invest in a second battery.”
Power is Adequate, Until Grass Gets Too Tall
Opinions on cutting power are mixed. In normal conditions, many reviewers are satisfied and even impressed by the automatic power boost in thicker patches. “I like how the motor kicks more power when you hit a thicker patch.”
However, when grass is wet, overgrown, or especially dense, the mower can struggle or shut off. “Machine shuts off when your lawn is too tall.” / “It shuts down when it hits thick grass.”
This tends to frustrate users who are used to gas mowers powering through neglected lawns without slowing down. “It just doesn’t have the power of the gas powered push mower.” For those mowing more frequently and keeping grass under control, the power limitations appear less noticeable.
Cutting Quality vs Gas Expectations
Some reviewers mention that while the cut looks good, it may not be quite as even as what they were used to with gas equipment. “I don’t miss my gas mower except for the cut which was more level with the gas mower.”
This is not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it reinforces that this mower performs best when expectations are adjusted to its class and price point.
Build Quality and Small Frustrations
A few mixed reviews point to minor quality control or durability concerns. These are not widespread, but they do appear. “Mower arrived with a small bolt on the height adjustment lever broken.”
Others mention early signs of wear in non-critical areas. “The foam on the handle is already splitting and probably won’t last long.” There are also comments that frame the mower as good value, but clearly built to a budget. “You get what you pay for.”
Not a One-Size-Fits-All Mower
Several reviewers sum up their experience by saying the mower works well for small yards and light maintenance but quickly feels underpowered or inconvenient on larger or more demanding lawns. “I suggest it for little grass but not long grass.” / “I wouldn’t get it if you have to mow a lot.”
Even those who are overall happy often add a note of caution about yard size and grass conditions before recommending it. “Great mower though. Just need 2 batteries if you don’t like stopping.”
Taken together, these mixed reviews suggest that the Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ mower can be a solid, user-friendly option when used within its comfort zone. Problems tend to appear when it is pushed beyond that, especially with long grass, larger yards, or expectations shaped by traditional gas mowers.
Negative Reviews
The negative reviews around the Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ cordless lawn mower are far more consistent in their concerns than the positive ones, and they largely revolve around reliability, battery quality, and long-term ownership experience. While some users acknowledge decent cutting results early on, frustration tends to build when problems appear quickly or repeatedly.
Battery Failure and Short Runtime Complaints
By far the most common and serious criticism relates to the battery. Many negative reviewers report batteries that either do not last anywhere near expectations or stop charging altogether after limited use. “Cuts good, but battery lasted like 20 minutes.” / “Battery doesn’t last long and the mower does not have a lot of power for thicker lawn.”
Several users describe needing multiple charge cycles to complete even small lawns, turning a simple chore into an all-day task. “It takes me days to mow it due to constantly having to recharge the battery.”
Others report complete battery failure within months. “It’s been less than a year since I purchased and already had to replace the 40V battery.” / “Battery won’t charge back up. Dead as a door nail.” Cooling time before charging and long charge durations only add to the frustration. “The battery takes at least 30–45 minutes to cool off enough to charge, then the charging takes 2.5–3 hours.”
Power Loss, Stalling, and Shut-Off Issues
Another repeated theme is the mower shutting down unexpectedly, even in conditions that users felt were reasonable. “It turned off twice within the first two fairly small rows.” / “It keeps dying while trying to cut the grass.”
Some reviewers report stalling even on grass that is cut regularly and not especially tall. “My lawn is promptly cut weekly… and yet it still sputtered and wanted to shut down.”
Wet, thick, or slightly overgrown grass appears to amplify these problems. “Won’t cut grass above 2 to 3 inches without stalling.” This behavior leads several buyers to conclude the mower simply lacks sufficient power for typical residential lawns in certain regions. “Engine is weak and cycles up and down while in use.”
Reliability Over Time and Early Failures
Long-term reliability is another major concern. A noticeable number of users say the mower worked acceptably for a short period before failing completely. “Worked well until it didn’t.” / “Good until it became useless.”
Failures range from broken start levers to mowers that will not power on at all, even with fully charged batteries. “The lever you need to pull back to start it broke in less than a year.” / “It won’t turn on more than 2 seconds.” In several cases, these issues appeared within the first season of use. “Worked for three weeks and could no longer start.”
Assembly, Missing Parts and Build Quality Issues
While many users found assembly simple, negative reviewers often report the opposite, citing poor instructions, missing parts, or misaligned components. “Assembly instructions were kinda bad and tiny print.” / “Small nuts would not align and would constantly fall out.”
Some report receiving damaged or previously used units. “Sent me a previously used and broken mower.” Others mention wheels, handles, or adjustment mechanisms arriving broken or failing quickly. “Garbage came right front wheel broken.” These experiences contribute to an overall impression of inconsistent quality control.
Customer Support and Warranty Frustrations
Customer service appears to be a significant pain point for dissatisfied buyers. Several reviewers mention difficulty contacting the company or receiving no response at all. “Trying to contact seller and see no contact information.” / “It’s been two weeks. No response.”
This lack of support becomes especially frustrating when batteries fail early and replacements are needed. “I suspect it was the battery… reached out to the company… no response.”
Some also point out the lack of readily available replacement parts, such as blades. “They don’t have spares of blades, terrible service.”
Value Concerns and Buyer Regret
For many negative reviewers, the combination of battery issues, power limitations, and poor support leads to strong buyer regret. “Find a better mower, this one isn’t worth it.” / “This mower is junk.” Even those who initially liked the mower often end up advising others to avoid it. “Buyer beware.”
In short, the negative reviews suggest that while the Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ mower can work well out of the box for some users, a significant number experience problems that make ownership stressful rather than convenient. Battery reliability, in particular, appears to be the biggest risk factor for potential buyers to consider carefully before committing.
Pros & Cons
At this point in the review, a clearer picture starts to form. The Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ cordless lawn mower has some genuine strengths, but it also comes with trade-offs that may or may not matter depending on your lawn, expectations, and tolerance for battery-based limitations. I think this is where being honest with yourself as a buyer really matters.
Pros for the Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower
1, Lightweight and Easy to Handle - One of the mower’s strongest points is how manageable it feels. At around 37.5 pounds, many users find it easy to push, turn, and store, even without self-propulsion. This can be a big plus for older users or anyone who struggles with heavier gas mowers.
2, Simple Electric Start and Low Noise - Push-button starting removes the frustration of pull cords, and the quiet operation makes it more comfortable to use in residential neighborhoods. It helps make mowing feel less like a chore, especially for short sessions.
3, Good Cutting Results in Maintained Lawns - When grass is kept under control, the mower generally produces a clean, even cut. The automatic power increase in thicker patches can help maintain consistency during routine mowing.
4, Compact Size and Easy Storage - The folding handle and 18-inch deck make it easier to store in smaller garages or sheds. For homes with limited space, this is a practical advantage.
5, Attractive Entry-Level Pricing - For buyers looking to move away from gas without spending premium-brand money, the price point can feel reasonable, especially when it performs as expected.
Cons for the Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower
1, Battery Life Is Inconsistent - Battery performance varies widely. Some users get close to an hour, while others report 15 to 30 minutes under similar conditions. Cooling time before recharging and long charge durations can make mowing inefficient for larger yards.
2, Struggles With Tall, Thick, or Wet Grass - The mower may stall or shut off when grass is overgrown or dense. This makes it less forgiving if mowing is skipped for a few weeks.
3, Long-Term Reliability Is Uncertain - A noticeable number of users report early failures, especially related to batteries and start mechanisms. This raises questions about durability beyond the first season.
4, Extra Costs May Be Required - Many owners end up buying a second battery to make the mower practical, which reduces the value advantage of the initial purchase.
5, Customer Support and Parts Availability - Some buyers report difficulty contacting support or sourcing replacement parts, which can be frustrating if something goes wrong.
Who it is For if…
- You have a small, flat to moderately sloped lawn, roughly within 2,000 to 5,000 square feet
- You mow regularly and keep grass at a manageable height
- You value light weight, quiet operation, and easy handling over raw power
- You want a cordless alternative to gas without paying premium-brand prices
- You are open to buying a second battery if needed
- I think for the right yard and the right expectations, it can be a convenient, user-friendly option.
Who it is Not For if…
- You have a large yard or thick, fast-growing grass
- You often mow overgrown or wet lawns
- You expect gas-mower-level power and forgiveness
- You want proven long-term durability with strong customer support
- You do not want to invest in additional batteries
- If your lawn pushes the limits of what a small cordless mower can handle, I reckon this model could become more frustrating than helpful over time.
Conclusion
The Wild Badger Power 40V 18″ Cordless Lawn Mower is one of those machines that makes sense only in very specific circumstances. When used exactly as intended, on a small, regularly maintained lawn, with dry grass and realistic expectations, it can do a perfectly acceptable job. In those optimum conditions, it feels light, easy to handle, quiet, and genuinely convenient compared to a petrol mower.
Difficulties
That said, this is not a mower with much margin for error. Once grass gets thicker, wetter, or slightly overgrown, performance drops off quickly. Battery life becomes unpredictable, power limitations show, and the overall experience can turn from convenient to frustrating. Add in mixed reports around battery longevity and customer support, and it becomes hard to recommend as a dependable long-term solution for most households.
Star Rating
★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5 stars, only under optimum conditions)
Final Word
This rating assumes a small lawn, frequent mowing, and acceptance of the mower’s limits. Outside of those conditions, we do not recommend it. If your lawn is larger, grows quickly, or you want a mower that can cope when life gets busy and mowing is delayed, you would likely be better served by a stronger cordless model or a reliable gas alternative.
In short, this mower can work, but only if everything lines up. For many buyers, that narrow sweet spot may be a deal-breaker rather than a selling point.
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