DeWalt vs Makita for a new lawn mower – which one?

Alright folks, I've been using a gas mower for years and I'm finally ready to switch to battery power. I'm stuck between DeWalt and Makita – both have 20v/18v options. I need something that'll handle a 1/4 acre with some thick grass. Anyone have experience with either? I'm leaning DeWalt because I already have their drills, but I've heard Makita's mowers are beasts.

I've had a Makita 18V LXT mower for two seasons now. It chews through my lawn, even when the grass is damp. The dual batteries last about 30 min on a full charge, which is just enough for my 1/4 acre. But man, if you're already in the DeWalt ecosystem, that's a huge plus. Batteries are expensive. Just make sure the DeWalt mower has enough torque – some older models struggled on thick grass.

I'm a Makita fanboy, but I'll try to be objective. The key is battery platform. If you got Dewalt tools, get a Dewalt mower – sharing batteries is a no-brainer. But don't overlook the mower itself. I've seen both in action. The Makita has a more robust deck, and the blade is better at mulching. The Dewalt tends to be a bit lighter, which is nice for pushing. Just check the reviews on the specific models you're looking at.

Thanks for the input! I'm leaning toward the DeWalt just because I've got like four 5Ah batteries already. But I'm also seeing that Makita has a 36V (18Vx2) mower that gets more power. Any thoughts on that? Is it a game changer or just marketing?

The 36V is legit, I've used a friend's. It's got more torque and longer runtime, but it's heavier. If your lawn isn't that rough, the 18V (or 20V max) is fine. And since you have the batteries, I'd stick with DeWalt. You can always buy a second blade and sharpen it regularly. Better yet, invest in a high-lift blade for thick grass.