WIRED Review: Ego 1300 Electric Mower Tames Large Lawns With Dual-Blade Power
A recent WIRED assessment highlights the Ego 1300’s capacity to handle tall grass and extensive acreage, positioning it as a high-torque alternative to traditional petrol equipment.
WIRED has published a comprehensive review of the Ego 1300, a 30-inch self-propelled electric lawn mower, evaluating its performance on a 2.5-acre property in northern Wisconsin. The publication positions the unit as the largest and most powerful residential electric mower in Ego’s current lineup, designed to compete with the brand’s own commercial series while offering a maintenance-free alternative to traditional petrol engines.
The review details a test of the mower on overgrown terrain, noting its ability to cut grass up to 10 inches high in a single pass. The unit features a dual-blade design driven by twin 6.0-Ah batteries and dual brushless motors, producing 13.2 foot-pounds of torque. This configuration allows the blades to reach speeds of up to 3,800 revolutions per minute, generating stronger suction and lift compared to standard single-blade models.
Battery life varies significantly depending on the operational mode selected. The reviewer recorded approximately one hour of runtime on the Turbo setting, which was utilised for the initial mow of tall grass. On the lowest power setting, the mower achieved around 1 hour and 20 minutes of operation. While the reviewer has not directly tested mode 2, they estimate a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes for that setting.
Key features highlighted in the assessment include a dual-blade design, adjustable cutting heights, and multiple operational modes including mulching, bagging, and side-discharge. The reviewer notes the mower's efficiency in cutting tall grass and its compatibility with Ego's broader battery system, which is shared across a wide variety of lawn and garden electric tools.
The unit includes a height adjustment system marked plainly in inches, with options for mulching, bagging, or side-discharging clippings. The reviewer highlights the mower's compatibility with Ego’s broader battery ecosystem and its suitability for larger properties compared to standard 21-inch mowers. Performance in extremely wet conditions, such as areas near a seeping spring, may require multiple passes, indicating variable performance depending on terrain and moisture levels.
The review is based on a single user experience and may not reflect performance across all lawn types or conditions. Claims about time savings and efficiency are subjective to the reviewer’s specific property size and mowing habits. The reviewer’s personal preference for manual mowing over robot mowers is subjective and should not be generalised.
Despite the size of the 30-inch deck, the mower is described as surprisingly manoeuvrable around obstacles such as trees and firepits. The self-propelled motor can be disengaged for manual handling, though the reviewer suggests conserving battery for uphill navigation. The included rear bag is noted to have a larger capacity than expected, and the handle folds down for storage.
