Makita XML08PT1 Review
18V X2 (36V) LXT® Lithium‑Ion Brushless Cordless 21" Self Propelled Lawn Mower Kit with 4 Batteries (5.0Ah)
83Good!
3.9 / 5 from 247 users
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We spent 7.4 hours reading reviews from customers and experts. In summary, here's what users think:
8 reasons to buy
Many reviews highlight the long battery life and efficient battery usage of the Makita XML08PT1, even on larger lawns. (19 reviews)
“After mowing 3,200 square feet, only 1/3 of one battery was used. Incredible!”
“Battery life is great and the rapid charger makes for quick turnaround.”
“I can mow a 3000 square foot lawn on one set of batteries.”
“Charge holds great, four batteries. Uses two at a time. Once one set dies you can switch over to the other two. Charges quickly.”
“The batteries have good life.”
“It's advertised to cut 2/3 acre with 4 batteries and that is pretty accurate.”
“Great power, great battery life, great cut!”
“Using four 6 amp hour batteries and can cover 1/3 acre with just two of the four.”
“I have a 3000 sqft yard and able to mow the entire lawn with just two of the four batteries fully charged.”
Users appreciate the quietness of the mower compared to gas-powered models. (19 reviews)
“It runs smoothly and quietly, cutting the grass well.”
“It cut my grass just as well as my husqvarna push mower while making less noise and feeling lighter so easy to turn and move about.”
“It’s quiet enough to use after dark.”
“it is really nice how quiet the mower is and the fact o can go out at 6 in the morning and mow the lawn and not feel bad about it.”
“Its quiet.”
“The lighter weight took a little getting used to, as did the varying motor speed and quiet operation.”
“It is so quiet and with the adjustable speeds, I can go fast and my husband can go slow.”
“The quiet mode is amazing!”
“Seriously, so quiet. I felt like I was vacuuming my yard. I bet I could mow my lawn at 3AM and the neighbors wouldn’t wake up!”
“Lots of power and quiet.”
The mower is noted for being well-constructed, durable, and sturdy across multiple reviews. (17 reviews)
“The mower works well and looks to be very well made.”
“This a fine mower, well built and engineered.”
“Build quality is excellent. Mower is sturdy and durable.”
“This mower is very well constructed.”
“Seems very solid, well made”
“This is a quality mower with good build quality and some great features.”
“The mower is of very good build quality”
“Feels solid.”
“Very well built.”
“Very pleased with the quality of construction.”
The self-propel mechanism works well, making the heavy mower easier to maneuver. (16 reviews)
“The self propel feature works so well I doubt many will care.”
“Self-propel feature works very well and I’m glad I decided to get a model that includes it.”
“when you engage the self propel mode, that thing really takes off! It really moves a lot faster than I can walk. It's not slow at all. I'll probably use the propel mode only on the steepest hills.”
“the self-propelled function pulls you forward like a Saint Bernard.”
“the mower ramps up speed in tougher spots which also speeds up the mower movement so one moment you are pushing it and next minute it is pulling you”
“Makes turns around objects very easy and the power drive works effortlessly.”
“It's heavy but self propelled so nice going up steep embankments.”
“The variable walking speed feature worked great and it travels as fast as we will ever want to use it.”
“The self propel and grass cutting ability of this lawn mower deserves 5 stars.”
“Self Propelled: Its fast! I do like the variable speeds.”
The ability to use the same Makita batteries across different tools is a significant plus, especially for users of the Makita XML08PT1. (16 reviews)
“Since the batteries used on them also work the lawn mower it makes this purchase much more sweet.”
“I can use the batteries in my other tools, if needed.”
“Makita 18v and 36v battery platform is versatile and I love that all my tools run on the same batteries.”
“I already had batteries charged, as I have a Makita trimmer too. So I know it works.”
“it has loads of power and is a no brainer for someone already owning lots of makita batteries.”
“Its a good thing i have tons of 5 amp makita batteries.”
“the plus side also batteries work with all the Makita tools so you can buy the bare tools without the cost of the batteries”
“On the plus side I can use them with my other Makita tools.”
“fits all my batteries!”
“It's also nice to be able to use the same batteries for all of our tools.”
Several reviews mention that the mower is easy to assemble out of the box. (8 reviews)
“It assembled with ease.”
“This was easy enough to assemble”
“The material quality is very high and the assembly was super easy.”
“Mower was easy to set up out of the box.”
“I put it together (just a couple bolts on the handle) charged the batter and gave it a shot”
“Tool needs minimum assembly of a few screws.”
“Easy to assemble”
“Installing: super simple, no complaints.”
The mower is effective at bagging grass clippings and leaves, with good suction power. (7 reviews)
“The suction keeps our lawn free of clippings and very clean in appearance.”
“With the bag attached, it vacuums up grass clippings and leaves better than other mowers I have owned.”
“The suction seems good when mowing leaves. It doesn't leave any behind.”
“Eats up leaves and throws them in the bag, dump and done.”
“Bagger works well.”
“Grass bagging suction was more than adequate to lift grass when wet with dew.”
“all the wet grass went into the bag”
The motor increases RPM when encountering dense grass, ensuring a consistent cut. (4 reviews)
“The motor did raise in RPM's if it hit a patch of dense grass.”
“Likewise, when this mower runs into thicker grass it ramps up the RPM's to work a little harder.”
“The automatic speed increase for the mower blade, when encountering heavy grass, is a nice feature which conserves battery power!”
“It conserves energy by remaining in a slower speed mode until it hits heavy grass when it speeds up quite quickly to tackle any thing we throw at it.”
3 reasons not to buy
Multiple reviewers mentioned that the self-propelled feature of the Makita XML08PT1 has a noticeable delay in activation, making it less responsive compared to gas mowers. (9 reviews)
“The self propelled feature is not even close to being as responsive as my old gas mower was. It takes a surprising amount of time to get going.”
“The self drive doesn’t just go, when the bar is activated there is a delay.”
“It takes several seconds to engage, which means I push the mower several feet by the time the motor engages the wheels.”
“Self propelled is slow taking off”
“self propelled is about worthless for me, it progressively starts taking time to get to full speed”
“Immediately I noticed that the self propel had a 3 second lag after engaging the handle”
“The self drive is a little weird ( it takes a second to get moving )”
“I have to disengage the self propel, make the turn, then re-engage to which there is always a couple second delay before it fully kicks back in.”
“it has a three-second ramp up when engaged (almost certainly to save excessive draw on the batteries), which becomes a nightmare to use.”
The mower has been reported to struggle with pulling up blades of grass that have been pushed down by the wheels, leading to uneven cutting. (6 reviews)
“However, mowers I've had in the past have been able to suck up the longer grass blades (that were pushed down by the wheels), to be cut. The Makita blade's design is not sufficient to pull the longer blades up.”
“The video shows how much of the grass gets laid over and it doesn’t matter how long it is or how high or low the deck is.”
“I need to cut the grass twice to get what it misses or said differently doesn’t suck up because it runs at half speed”
“It just couldnt create enough suction.”
“The ease of a battery powered mower is nice but the suction is terrible.”
“Lastly, the severe lack of power in this mower means it cannot spin the blades fast enough to suction up the grass properly.”
There is no option to keep the mower in high-speed mode continuously, which affects cutting performance on taller grass. (4 reviews)
“Also, l wish there was an option to keep the mower in high speed instead of it automatically slowing the blade speed down to conserve battery life. It cuts much better at high speed than in low.”
“Likewise, when this mower runs into thicker grass it ramps up the RPM's to work a little harder. However, there is no option/control to keep the RPM's up, which I believe would help suction the longer blades up.”
“If it could allow full time full power and adjustable Self propelled launch speed, this would be a great mower, it’s just dialed back too far to save battery life”
“You can’t turn up the rpm’s manually so by the time it revs up you are past the thick spot.”
Bottom Line
The Makita XML08PT1 is a durable, battery-powered lawn mower praised for its long battery life, quiet operation, and sturdy build. It's easy to assemble and features a self-propel mechanism that aids maneuverability despite its weight. Users love the consistent cut, especially with its ability to adjust RPM for dense grass, and appreciate the compatibility with other Makita batteries. However, it has a delayed self-propel activation and struggles with uneven cuts on grass pushed down by the wheels.
Facts
| Brand | Makita |
|---|---|
| Cutting Width (in) | 21 inch |
| Features | Electric Start |
| Max Cutting Height | 4" |
| Min Cutting Height | 1.25" |
| Power Source | Battery |
| Category | Self Propelled Mowers |
| Warranty | 3 Year Limited |
| Weight | 116.8 lbs. |
Video Reviews
Special Features
- Dual Battery System: It uses two batteries, but you can add two more to make it last longer without changing the battery type.
- Self-Propelled with Variable Speed: You can control how fast it moves, from 1.5 MPH to 3 MPH, to match your walking speed or the type of grass.
- 4-Bay Battery System: It can hold four batteries, which means it runs twice as long before you need to recharge.
- Efficient Grass Cutting: The motor is strong and can spin up to 2,800 times per minute to cut grass nicely. It also has a Quiet Mode that makes it quieter while still cutting well.
- Zero Emissions and Low Noise: It's environmentally friendly and less noisy, so it's good for neighborhoods.
- Quick Height Adjustments: You can easily change the cutting height with a lever, making it simple to get the grass just the way you want it.
- 3-in-1 Design: You can choose to mulch, bag, or side discharge the grass clippings, giving you three options in one mower.
- Commercial-Grade Steel Deck: It's built tough with a strong steel deck, so it can handle rough use and last a long time.
- Extreme Protection Technology (XPT): This feature keeps water and dust away from important parts inside the mower, so it works better in bad weather.
- Rapid Optimum Charger: The charger can quickly recharge two batteries at once, so you spend less time waiting.
- Star Protection Computer Controls™: This fancy-sounding feature stops the mower from overloading, overheating, or using too much battery, so it lasts longer and works better.
- Compatibility with 18V LXT System: It works with all other Makita 18V tools, making it easy to use the same batteries for everything.
- Extended Battery Life: The batteries charge quickly and last a long time, so you can keep working without many breaks.
- Professional Quality Results: People say it cuts grass like a pro, making it great for home use or even small commercial jobs.
FAQ
- Q:
Is this a front-wheel or rear-wheel-drive mower?
- A:
This is a rear-wheel-drive mower.
- Q:
Does this mower have 1/2-inch height adjustment settings?
- A:
Yes, the blade can be adjusted in 1/2-inch increments.
- Q:
How long do the batteries last before needing replacement?
- A:
Makita Lithium-Ion batteries are designed to last for many years. They have shown no deterioration after two years of usage, with similar batteries powering laptops and cell phones for over five years.
- Q:
Can this mower be used without engaging the self-propelled feature?
- A:
Yes, the self-propelled feature only activates when you clasp the driving-activation bar, which is located below the main steering handle. You can use the mower without engaging this feature.
- Q:
Can this mower operate with 4.0 Ah batteries?
- A:
Yes, this mower can run on 4.0 Ah batteries. However, please note that the runtime will be shorter compared to using 5.0 Ah batteries.
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| Name | Makita XML11CT1 | Greenworks 80V 21" | Greenworks 48V 21" | Greenworks 40V 21" | EGO Power+ Select Cut LM2156SP |
| Final Score | 85 Good! | 97 Superb! | 94 Superb! | 92 Great! | 89 Good! |
| Category | Self Propelled Mowers | Self Propelled Mowers | Self Propelled Mowers | Self Propelled Mowers | Self Propelled Mowers |
| Power Source | Battery | Battery | Battery | Battery | Battery |
| Cutting Width | 21 inch | 21 inch | 21 inch | 21 inch | 21 inch |