Makita XML11CT1 Review
36V (18V X2) LXT® 21" Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit with 4 Batteries (5.0Ah)
85Good!
4 / 5 from 130 users
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We spent 6.8 hours reading reviews from customers and experts. In summary, here's what users think:
9 reasons to buy
Multiple reviews mention that the Makita XML11CT1 mower is lightweight, making it easy to maneuver. (13 reviews)
“Mower cuts great easy and light to push if you don't use self propelled option.”
“What I liked was it's light weight, self propelling and ease of start up... purchased for my wife's use ie the self propelled and lightweight are great for her.”
“I like that it's light and quiet.”
“It's lightweight”
“The lawn mower is light weight, easy to maneuver, quiet when operating, relatively easy to clean.”
“Light as a feather a pleasure to use.”
“the mower if nothing else is super lightweight”
“It's so light and easy to maneuver!”
“This mower is so light.”
“I got the plastic body it is lightweight”
“Just what we wanted - easy to use, lightweight and quiet”
“Light weight and powerful on a slope”
“The strong plastic body saves a lot of weight over the similar, higher-end 06 version.”
The mower operates quietly, which is a noted advantage over traditional gas-powered mowers. (8 reviews)
“I like that it's light and quiet.”
“The lawn mower is light weight, easy to maneuver, quiet when operating, relatively easy to clean.”
“Love this mower, it’s quiet, cuts through the grass when set at the proper height with ease, and can cut the front and half of my back yard on the charge from just 2 batteries.”
“Went in the house wife asked when I was going to mow told her I was done she said she didn't hear anything.”
“Quiet but a little heavier than I expected.”
“Just what we wanted - easy to use, lightweight and quiet”
“Nice and quiet compared to a gas mower.”
“Quiet, easy to use and no pull cord start!”
The mower uses the same batteries as other Makita tools, which is beneficial for users already invested in the Makita ecosystem. (8 reviews)
“That said i have several Makita lawn tools so extra batteries not a problem.”
“But also as mentioned - having a stable full of other Makita battery tools ( & several "spare" 18V batteries to lean on) - not a problem.”
“I am heavily invested in Makita which is why I purchased this mower.”
“Got it mainly because I've got other Makita Tools that take the same battery”
“I have a large amount of Makita batteries so not an issue for me, but would have been if I didn’t have extra batteries.”
“And the battery operated one since I have a ton of their batteries.”
“Fits my tools I own”
“Long time Makita battery operated power tool owner and overall satisfied with reliable hand held tools such as drills.”
The mower has a self-propelled feature with various speeds, which makes it easier to use, especially on slopes or larger areas. (7 reviews)
“Self propelled has various speeds and the fastest i felt like I had to run to keep up!”
“What I liked was it's light weight, self propelling and ease of start up... purchased for my wife's use ie the self propelled and lightweight are great for her.”
“I have a lot of slopes so I need the self propelled and I got through my lawn with both sets of batteries.”
“The self propel is wonderful we have slopes in our yard.”
“it very nice to operate with self-propelled.”
“This self propelled mower was the answer! It runs so nicely on its own that mowing is easy now😊”
“Using the 3-speed self-propel option will use battery power about 33% faster.”
Reviewers appreciate the ease of starting the Makita XML11CT1 mower, particularly compared to gas-powered alternatives. (5 reviews)
“What I liked was it's light weight, self propelling and ease of start up”
“The mower is extremely easy to start. No more killing my shoulder to start the mower.”
“Started right up with no issues.”
“It's also much easier to start then a traditional gas mower.”
“Quiet, easy to use and no pull cord start!”
The mower is effective at mulching, with users noting that it does not leave clumps of grass behind. (3 reviews)
“Doesn't leave one bit of clumps of grass when mulching, I always mulch never bag.”
“I mowed then mulched leaves and it worked fantastic.”
“Well I cut weeds, in Mulch mode, second to lowest setting, and with slower, manual-push mode, and it cut everything without issues. Mulch Madness!”
The height adjustment mechanism is convenient as it adjusts all four wheels at once, simplifying setup for different grass lengths. (2 reviews)
“Height adjustment is easy”
“One thing that I really like is that the height adjuster adjusts all 4 wheels at the same time unlike my gas push mower that you have to adjust each wheel at a time”
The mower is fairly easy to clean, thanks to features that help you remove grass clippings easily. (2 reviews)
“The lawn mower is light weight, easy to maneuver, quiet when operating, relatively easy to clean.”
“easy to clean, bag or mulch”
Each battery of the Makita XML11CT1 has a test button that allows users to check the remaining charge, adding an extra layer of convenience. (1 review)
“oh yeah there is a battery test button on each battery”
4 reasons not to buy
Multiple reviews mention that the battery life of the Makita XML11CT1 is relatively short, lasting around 10-20 minutes per set depending on usage, which could be a major inconvenience for larger lawns. (23 reviews)
“Yes battery life is short but if you go electric you go electric with all your other tools! That said i have several Makita lawn tools so extra batteries not a problem. I used 2.5 sets of batteries to cut an hours worth of lawn I have.”
“Batteries only last about 20min.”
“As mentioned in other reviews, battery life is relatively short - a tradeoff for not having to mess with fossil fuel maintenance (gas, oil & air filters, winterizing).”
“a set of fully charged battery will ONLY last 10-15mins”
“I use up all the batteries to more the front and part of the side. I charge all the batteries maybe 3 times to get through the back and rest of the side.”
“Very heavy, short battery life, bad mulcher.”
“The mower goes through a ton of batteries. I have about a half acre and it takes six batteries.”
“People claim to get 45 minute run times but I'm getting about 15 minutes before the batteries die.”
“To begin with, the batteries (two at a time, four provided) do not last 45 minutes, more like 20.”
“The truth is the 4 batteries last less than 30 minutes and a 1-hour job now takes 2-3 hours.”
One review highlighted that it takes almost 3 hours to fully charge one set of batteries, which can be problematic when you need to mow large areas in one go. (4 reviews)
“It takes almost 3hrs to fully charge one set”
“Took over 2 hours to charge the batteries.”
“you burn up four batteries and and have to wait for the first two batteries to charge to finish.”
“Note that the battery charger is a rare two-port "standard-speed" version DC-18SH. So don't be alarmed that your 5-Amp batteries take 110 minutes to charge and not 45 minutes as on the fast-charger which ships with more costly Makita mowers.”
The self-propelled feature uses a lot of battery power, which can significantly reduce the overall run time, making it impractical for larger lawns or longer mowing sessions. (4 reviews)
“Self Propelled active will use batteries faster of course.”
“you can’t even self-propelled because it kills the batteries too fast”
“Discovered if you don't use the self propelled feature your battery will last longer ( so not thrilled I spent anything extra for that )”
“Using the 3-speed self-propel option will use battery power about 33% faster.”
A review mentioned that the mower struggles with grass that is too tall, causing it to stall. This requires manual adjustments to continue mowing, which can be inconvenient. (3 reviews)
“I haven't had any issues with it other than trying to cut grass that's too tall. It can kind of stall out if the grass is like 6 inches but I just angle it up and it starts again when the grass isn't clogging up the blades.”
“can’t cut grass longer than about 6” without slowing down blade.”
“Second, you cannot cut grass that is relatively high, not abnormally high, as the blade/motor whether in bagging mode OR the mulch mode cannot handle the volume of grass as a gas powered lawn mower would easily.”
Bottom Line
The Makita XML11CT1 mower is a lightweight, easy-to-maneuver option that runs quietly, making it a great alternative to gas mowers. It uses the same batteries as other Makita tools, offers a self-propelled feature with adjustable speeds, and is easy to start. Convenient height adjustment and effective mulching add to its appeal. However, battery life is short, lasting only 10-20 minutes, and charging takes up to 3 hours, which can be inconvenient for larger lawns.
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 | 1 Year |
| Weight | 86.8 lbs. |
Video Reviews
Special Features
- No Gas or Emissions: You don't need gas, oil, or have to deal with harmful emissions.
- Low Maintenance: You won't have to spend much time or effort on upkeep.
- Quiet Operation: It's quieter, making mowing less annoying.
- Powerful Motor: The motor is strong and cuts grass faster.
- Extended Run Time: You can mow for up to 40 minutes on a full charge with four batteries.
- Self-Propelled with Variable Speed: You can adjust the speed to what's comfortable for you.
- Rear-Wheel Drive: It grips better on hills and rough ground, making it easier to push.
- Lightweight Plastic Deck: It's lighter and easier to push and carry.
- 3-in-1 Design: You can choose to mulch, bag, or discharge the grass clippings.
- Makita® Extreme Protection Technology (XPT™): It's designed to keep working well even in tough conditions by protecting it from water and dust.
- IPX4-Rated: It can handle getting wet, so it's more durable.
- Folding Handles: You can fold the handles for easy storage and transport.
- Quick Height Adjustments: You can easily change how tall or short you cut the grass.
- Star Protection Computer Controls™: This tech helps protect the mower and batteries from overloading, over-discharging, and overheating, making them last longer.
- Part of Makita’s Expanding 18V LXT System: It's compatible with a large range of other Makita tools that use the same type of batteries.
- Fast Charging: The batteries charge quickly, so you spend less time waiting and more time working.
FAQ
- Q:
Is the handle height adjustable?
- A:
Yes, the handle height is adjustable.
- Q:
Does the model XML11 have a brushless motor?
- A:
Yes, the model XML11 is equipped with a brushless motor.
- Q:
Can the self-propelled feature be disabled?
- A:
Yes, the self-propelled feature can be disabled.
- Q:
Where is the mower manufactured?
- A:
The mower is manufactured in various countries including Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, Romania, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and the United States.
- Q:
What is the difference between Makita's residential and commercial 21" self-propelled mowers?
- A:
The commercial model features a brushless motor.
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| Final Score | 83 Good! | 97 Superb! | 94 Superb! | 92 Great! | 92 Great! |
| 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 |