Sun Joe Cordless Mowers: Push Mower or Reel Mower?
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Sun Joe is a home and garden tool brand known for battery and plug-in tools aimed at homeowners with small to medium yards. Its cordless lawn mowers run on the 24-volt IONMAX battery system, which means you skip gas, oil and pull cords entirely. For a first-time buyer, that is the main appeal of a Sun Joe cordless lawn mower: you charge the battery, click it in, press a switch and mow, with no fumes and far less upkeep than a gas machine.
The three models here come in two styles: the 24V-X2-17LM is a traditional rotary push mower with a spinning 17-inch blade and two batteries, while the 24V-CRLM15 and 24V-CRLM15-CT are the same 15-inch motorized reel mower, sold either as a full kit or as a bare tool without battery and charger.
Sun Joe Cordless Lawn Mowers Compared
Sun Joe
Sun Joe Cordless Electric Push Lawn Mower with 11.9-Gal Bag, 24V-CRLM15
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Sun Joe Cordless Electric Push Lawn
Best for: First-time buyers wanting a complete reel kit
Pros
- 5-blade RAZOREEL cut
- Battery and charger included
- 9-gallon collection bag
- Low 0.6-inch cutting option
Cons
- Max height only 2 inches
- Listed weight figures conflict
Best for: Small lawns needing a classic rotary mower
Pros
- 17-inch steel blade
- 670W brushless motor
- Two 4.0Ah batteries included
- 6 height settings, 1 to 3 inches
Cons
- Up to 25 minutes runtime
- Heaviest at 33.8 pounds
| Model | Mower Type and Width | Motor | Cutting Height | Battery in Box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM | Rotary, 17 inches | 670W brushless | 1 to 3 inches, 6 positions | Two 24V 4.0Ah batteries and dual-port charger |
| Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15 | Reel, 15 inches | 360W | 0.6 to 2 inches, 4 positions | 4.0Ah battery and charger |
| Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15-CT | Reel, 15 inches | 360W | 0.6 to 2 inches, 4 positions | Tool only, none included |
Sun Joe 24V-X2-17LM for Classic Push Mowing
The Sun Joe Cordless Electric Push Lawn Mower 24V-X2-17LM is the model that works most like the mower you probably grew up with. It has a 17-inch steel blade that spins flat under the deck, which the listing says cuts a clean path in one pass. A 6-position height adjustment lets you set the cut anywhere from 1 inch to 3 inches, so you can leave the grass taller in summer heat or trim it short in spring.
Power comes from a 670-watt brushless motor. “Brushless” simply means the motor has no small carbon brushes rubbing inside it, so it runs cooler and tends to last longer, which matches the listing’s claim of cooler, longer-lasting performance. It runs on two 24V 4.0Ah lithium-ion batteries working together as 48 volts, and both batteries plus a dual-port charger come in the box. Runtime is listed at up to 25 minutes. The item type describes it as a mulching mower, and an 11-gallon grass catcher with a see-through indicator window shows you when the bag is full. It weighs 33.8 pounds and carries a 2-year warranty.
This model suits a homeowner with a small, fairly flat lawn who wants a familiar rotary mower and a complete kit ready on day one. It is the better choice if your grass sometimes gets long between cuts, since its 3-inch top height is higher than the reel models. Its limit is runtime: 25 minutes suits a small yard, but larger lawns may need a recharge partway through.
Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15 for a Complete Reel Mower Kit
The Sun Joe Cordless Electric Push Lawn Mower 24V-CRLM15 is a different kind of machine. Instead of one flat blade, it uses a 5-blade RAZOREEL system: a spinning cylinder of curved blades that works a bit like scissors, snipping grass against a fixed bar. Reel mowers are generally known for a neat, clean cut, and the listing says this one gives a manicured lawn in fewer passes across its 15-inch cutting width.
A 360-watt motor turns the reel, so you are not relying on pushing speed alone like an old manual reel mower. A 4-position lever sets the cut from 0.6 inches up to 2.0 inches, and an 11.9-gallon collection bag catches clippings so you do not need to rake. This kit includes a 4.0Ah battery and charger. The feature list says it weighs just under 30 pounds, while the specifications list 33.6 pounds, so expect somewhere in that range. It measures 22 x 18 x 15 inches.
This is the pick for someone with a small, smooth lawn who likes a short, tidy cut and wants everything in one box. It makes a sensible gift for a new homeowner who does not yet own any Sun Joe batteries. If your grass tends to grow tall before you mow, the rotary 24V-X2-17LM handles that better, since reel mowers top out at a 2-inch height here.
Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15-CT for Existing Battery Owners
Sun Joe
Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15-CT 24-Volt IONMAX Cordless Push Reel Mower w/Rear Collection Bag, Tool Only (Battery + Charger Not Included)
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15-CT 24-Volt IONMAX Cordless
Best for: Owners of Sun Joe 24V batteries
Pros
- Same reel system as kit
- 4 height positions
- Rear 11.9-gallon bag
Cons
- Battery and charger not included
- Description conflicts on battery
The Sun Joe 24V-CRLM15-CT 24-Volt IONMAX Cordless reel mower shares its core design with the kit above: a 360-watt motor, a 15-inch 5-blade RAZOREEL system that lifts and cuts each blade of grass, a 4-position height lever with settings at 0.6, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 inches, and an 11.9-gallon rear collection bag. It measures 22 x 18 x 15 inches and is listed at 31.8 pounds, though the features say under 30 pounds.
The key difference is in the name: “CT” means tool only. The title and item type both clearly say the battery and charger are not included. The product description, however, says Sun Joe includes a 4.0Ah battery with up to 50 minutes of runtime per charge and enough power to mow up to 4,910 square feet. That description appears to be copied from the kit version, so go by the title: plan on supplying your own 24V IONMAX battery and charger. The 50-minute and 4,910-square-foot figures are useful as a rough guide to what a 4.0Ah battery can do with this reel mower.
Buy this version only if you already own Sun Joe 24V IONMAX batteries from other tools, such as a trimmer or blower. For anyone starting from scratch, the full 24V-CRLM15 kit is the simpler, safer choice.
How to Choose the Right Sun Joe Cordless Lawn Mower
First, decide between rotary and reel. A rotary mower like the 24V-X2-17LM chops grass with a single fast blade and copes better with taller or uneven growth. A reel mower like the 24V-CRLM15 gives a scissor-like cut that suits short, well-kept lawns. If you mow every week and like a golf-course look, reel makes sense. If you mow when you get around to it, rotary is more forgiving. For more on how other walk-behind electric models compare, our electric lawn mower guide explains the basics.
Second, check what is in the box. The 24V-X2-17LM includes two batteries and a charger, the 24V-CRLM15 includes one battery and a charger, and the 24V-CRLM15-CT includes neither. Buying the tool-only model by mistake is the most common gift-giving slip with battery tools.
Third, think about yard size and runtime. The rotary model is listed at up to 25 minutes, while the reel description cites up to 50 minutes and about 4,910 square feet with a 4.0Ah battery. Either suits a small yard, and a smaller lawn is where cordless mowers shine. If you are weighing other cordless options for a bigger yard, our battery-powered lawn mower guide covers what to look for.
Finally, consider cutting height. The rotary model adjusts from 1 to 3 inches, while both reel versions go from 0.6 to 2 inches. Many lawns do best with taller grass in summer, which favors the rotary mower.
If you plan to build a set of tools on one battery, the 24-volt IONMAX system also powers other Sun Joe yard tools, and our Sun Joe blower guide is a good next stop.
FAQ
Is a Sun Joe reel mower the same as an old push reel mower?
No. A classic reel mower only spins when you push it. The 24V-CRLM15 and 24V-CRLM15-CT use a 360-watt motor to drive the reel, so cutting does not depend on how fast you walk.
Which Sun Joe cordless lawn mower comes with batteries?
The 24V-X2-17LM includes two 24V 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger. The 24V-CRLM15 includes one 4.0Ah battery and a charger. The 24V-CRLM15-CT does not include a battery or charger.
How long does a Sun Joe 24V mower run?
The 24V-X2-17LM lists up to 25 minutes on its two batteries. The reel mower description lists up to 50 minutes per charge with a 4.0Ah battery.
Do Sun Joe cordless mowers collect clippings?
Yes. The rotary model has an 11-gallon grass catcher with an indicator window, and both reel models have an 11.9-gallon collection bag.
Which Sun Joe mower is lightest?
The reel models are the lighter choice. The listings say under 30 pounds, though the specifications list 33.6 and 31.8 pounds. The rotary 24V-X2-17LM is listed at 33.8 pounds.
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