Solaris S21HB 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Mulching Lawn Mower with Bag and Side Discharge

by Solaris

Product Features

• Most advanced electric motor technology equals more power and longer run times
• Removable Batteries Featuring On-Board And Off-Board Charging
• Push Button Start With LED Battery Level Indicator
• 7 position height adjustment from 1.5-inch to 3.5-inch
• 2 Year Limited Warranty

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 118 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001PKTRU8
• Item model number: S21HB
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,488 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden)
  • #81 in Patio, Lawn & Garden > Mowers & Outdoor Power > Mowers & Tractors > Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Powerful. Pollution-free. Low-maintenance. Combining strength and innovation, the Solaris S21HB 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Bag/Mulch/Side Discharge Lawn Mower is an extra-wide rotary mower that cuts the average yard in one charge. Thanks to its high-performance motor and extra-large wheels, the Solaris is perfect for rough, hilly, or dense terrain.

Features include extra-large wheels for optimal traction.See More.

Accessories include an optional solar panel (not included).

The Terra Phase High-Performance Motor provides enough power to cut long, thick, or wet grass.See More.

The quiet, zero-emission design is advantageous for you, your neighbors, and the environment.See More.

The cordless Solaris requires no gas, oil, or cords, cutting maintenance to a happy minimum.See More.

Easy Maneuvering with Extra-Large Wheels
If you are seeking the low-maintenance, zero-emission benefits of a cordless mower but don't want to forgo power and mobility, the Solaris is the answer. A combination of strength and innovation, the Solaris is a versatile push mower with extra-large wheels that ensure optimal traction even in rough terrain.

Hassle-Free, Emission-Free, and Extra Quiet
With the Solaris it's simple: just push and go. This cutting-edge mower requires no engine maintenance and absolutely no gas, oil, or cords. So when you decide it's time to mow, you can get right to work without wasting valuable time on upkeep. The hassle-free design also means you can store the mower (even upside down or hanging on the wall) without worrying about spills.

To save you time, the Solaris also boasts a three-in-one capacity to mow using the side discharge, mulch, or bag. Its handy mulching ability eliminates the need for an additional mulching device. The side-discharge and bag components on the deck allow for efficient waste collection, and the wide 21-inch cut capability speeds up the mowing process.

Producing zero emissions and no greenhouse gases, this mower is perfect for anyone who is looking for an easy way to protect the environment. And if you are someone who wants to reduce your carbon footprint as much as possible, you can choose to recharge the Solaris with an optional solar panel (sold separately), which makes mowing your lawn absolutely carbon neutral. Plus, the quiet motor helps make lawn maintenance more relaxing while reducing noise pollution in your neighborhood.

High-Performance Motor Cuts Long or Wet Grass
The superb Terra Phase High-Performance Motor has a brushless, electric construction, which increases the mower's run-times for maximum efficiency and gives the mower the torque to cut through long, thick, or wet grass. this state of the art technology and a durable solid steel deck keeps the Solaris performing and looking like new for the long term.

Powerful Batteries Let You Tackle Your Lawn in One Charge
An average lot (7,000 to 10,000 square feet) can be cut in just one charge of the Solaris' highly efficient batteries. The included batteries only take 12 hours to charge, or they can be charged in four to five hours with the Rapid Charger Station sold separately. Charging can be done on board the mower with the built-in charging plug, or you can remove the batteries and recharge them using the included off-board charging cradle. Also, a built-in LED battery level indicator on the mower keeps you in-the-know about your battery power levels.

What's in the Box
Solaris S21HB 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Bag/Mulch/Side Discharge Lawn Mower, two batteries, charger, off board charging cradle, and manual.

From the Manufacturer

The revolutionary Solaris Cordless Lawn Mower outperforms gasoline mowers with a touch of a button. Featuring Terra Phase Brushless Motor Technology - the future of lawn mowing is here. And here is why: Superior cut, Longer life, Quieter operation - Neighbor Friendly, Easier to start (push button), No spills (flip to sharpen or store without spills), Convenient to store (can hang on the wall), No Gas/No Oil/No Emissions, Can be powered by a solar panel, More economical to operate. The Solaris Cordless Electric Lawn Mower is powered by the Terra Phase Power System, it has a 3 in 1 steel deck (includes side discharge, bag and mulching option), no gas/no oil/no emissions, is quieter than a gas mower, includes a push button easy start system, no engine maintenance is required, features a LED battery power indicator, and on and off-board charging options. If the Solaris Lawn Mower is purchased with the solar panel option, it will produce no greenhouse gasses and no pollution of any kind. The solar panel will recharge the batteries in approximately 3 sunny days or 4-5 cloudy days. This lawn mower will typically cut 7,000 to 10,000 sq. ft of grass per charge depending on conditions. Offering consumers a viable electric alternative when choosing to replace their gas mower. The total pollution generated by all gasoline-powered lawn mowers is the equivalent pollution generated by 1.7 million cars; all of this pollution would be eliminated if they were replaced by Solaris mowers. In addition, gas mower users regularly spill fuel during fill-ups; that all adds up to the amount of fuel contained in 2,800 tanker trucks. That too, would be eliminated by using Solaris mowers.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superior solution., April 20, 2009

By 

worksong (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solaris S21HB 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Mulching Lawn Mower with Bag and Side Discharge (Lawn & Patio)

I initially considered the "SP" version of this mower @ Home Depot...the only model they sell. If you have serious elevation changes in your yard, perhaps the self-propelled version is worthwhile [whether the front-wheel drive Solaris or its rear-wheel drive Epic & Utopia cousins]. Otherwise, buy this model. You can't get this info from the Linamar website, but the self-propelled versions are 18# heavier; when you're trying to make a battery charge last, draining them via an extra drive belt to pull/push a [heavier] mower makes little sense.

This mower is solidly built, & the big wheels make it easy to push & quite maneuverable. I gave it a test run, then handed it off to the 16-year old who cuts my grass. No issues. I was particularly pleased to see how well it mulched, as I'm a big believer in leaving clippings to nourish the lawn. There was no clumping, & as long as we don't cut wet grass, I expect it to stay that way.

Other cordless mowers probably perform as well, though most have decks smaller than this one's 21" which means longer mowing time. I think the Solaris' brushless motor is a huge advantage, & expect great longevity. Ultimately, though, I rejected most other mowers because replacing their batteries was cumbersome or impossible; I think that's nuts. The Solaris batteries swap out in seconds. Mine lasted about as long as expected, covering 80% of my .4 acres. With the money I saved by skipping the self-propelled feature [& headaches], I bought a 2nd set of batteries & have power to spare. It's a great solution, & my neighbors--including one who just bought an $800 Honda to get a pushbutton start like mine--are jealous.

The cons are minor. Changing deck height requires moving 4 levers instead of 1...but I only do this a couple of times a season. The tone it emits on stopping is irritating [hold the bail down or pull the key to silence]. Charger mechanical connections could be tighter. Overall, though, well-designed & well-built.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Purchase, April 28, 2009

By 

Aging in Arlington - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solaris S21HB 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Mulching Lawn Mower with Bag and Side Discharge (Lawn & Patio)

<update> The fourth time I used the mower it quit after five minutes. I tried six times to restart by moving the key and after each the mower ran less than a minute. Both batteries had about 11.5 volts. The manufacturer said the motor was defective and to return to Amazon. It is now in transit and the gas mower is back in use.

<original posting> The cost Vs that of a gas power makes it hard to justify the purchase, but hopefully it will help the environment for my children and grandchildren. Yesterday I promised my 6.5 hp gas mower to a neighbor. The Solaris is not as powerful, but enough to easily cut my lawn with ~3000 sq ft of grass. The gas mower like the Solaris had a 21" cutting width and the weight seemed equivalent. I have cut the lawn twice with the Solaris mulching the clippings as well or better than the gas mower. After each cutting one of the three green lights plus a yellow and red light remained illuminated. Set up involved removing the mower from the box, unfolding the handle, inserting the batteries, and plugging in the charger. I charged the mower overnight per the instructions. During the first cutting the lawnmower stopped once, but after removing and reinserting the key everything was fine. The mower is very quiet, no more ear plugs, which permits me to cut and talk to my wife.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Needs attention to details, July 19, 2010

By 

Steven Horney - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Solaris S21HB 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Mulching Lawn Mower with Bag and Side Discharge (Lawn & Patio)

I've long been a fan of electric mowers; not because I had any delusions about saving the earth with one, but the fumes from gas mowers bother my lungs, the noise assaults my ears, and I don't care for the hassles of using gasoline and oil in the mower (buying/storing/winterizing). Having owned a cordless Ryobi mower about 15 years ago, I knew pretty much what to expect in terms of performance and run time for cordless mowers, with some hope of improvement in reliability (the Ryobi had a built in charger that went out on multiple occasions, and the batteries were not easily removable). I've been using corded electric mowers for the past 13 or so years, which I like quite well, but the cord became a bigger challenge more recently as my wife planted a number of flower gardens in our yard, along with trees, bushes and such. With the size of my lawn (approximately 1/3 acre) it also becomes more challenging to keep up with the 150 ft of cord necessary to reach all the corners. Plus, the corded mowers I've been using have been nearly as noisy as gas mowers. Thus the impetus to pick up another cordless electric mower!

Several considerations became a priority for me in considering the various options on the market (and it's great to see so many options on the market today). With a yard on the large end of the scale for a cordless mower, one of my prime considerations was mowing time; close behind was an easily removable battery; a larger cut was preferred as well. Added to the mix is the efficiency of the mower, and the ease of switching to Li-Poly or Li-Ion battery packs in the future. Quality is always a top consideration as well - particularly at the price of these mowers.

I purchased the Solaris S21HB mower from Amazon.com after quite a bit of research on the various cordless mower offerings available today. The following aspects really drew me to this mower:

1. The brushless power system really caught my attention. As an electric-powered model aircraft enthusiast, I'm very familiar with the efficiency and performance advantages of brushless motors over brushed motor power systems. Although the 24V system potentially offers less run time than competing 36V systems (due to the increased current required to produce equivalent power at a lower voltage level), I made some calculations of the potential run times of this mower vs. other mowers in consideration (Neuton CE6, Black and Decker CM1936, Toro E-cycler). Solaris said the mower could draw from 20 - 70 Amps, depending on grass conditions. I would assume 30 Amps is probably a good estimate for moderate length, dry grass. Assuming 80% efficiency at 24V with a 30 Amp current draw = 720 Watts*.80 = 576 Watts. With two, 12V /20Ah batteries wired in series to produce 24V, this mower has a potential 480 W-hr power system - more than the competing mowers on the market. When drawing 30 Amps, the potential run time from a 20Ah system is 40 minutes. Looking at competing 36V systems with 10Ah batteries and assuming 65% efficiency for the brushed motor system, the power system would produce potentially 360 W-hrs and require 24.6 Amps to produce equivalent power (576 Watts/36V = 16A, divided by .65 = 24.6A). The potential run time of such a system is about 24 minutes. Most of these mowers have a smaller cut, so the run time may actually be longer than estimated, but the smaller cut would also reduce the grass cut during that time. Clearly the Solaris is potentially superior in run time.
2. Easily removable batteries make it simple to swap batteries if the run time is insufficient to finish the lawn.
3. The use of two 12V batteries in series makes conversion to a Li-Poly system fairly easy. 3S1P (3 in series, 1 parallel) 5Ah Li-Poly battery packs are readily available and fairly reasonably priced at the current time, and the voltage from such a pack (roughly 11.4 - 12 V) should be pretty comparable to the actual voltage from the 12V batteries. It would be relatively easy to create 3S2P packs for a 10Ah battery pack (to finish the lawn), or 3S4P packs to get the equivalent run time as the lead acids - and with much less weight, negligible self-discharge, and easy charging from standard Li-Poly chargers.
4. The 21 inch cut was a major draw as well - most competing mowers are 19"- 20".
5. The large rear wheels looked like they would offer better handling.
6. The negative reviews on Amazon.com all focused on problems with the batteries holding charge. Otherwise, the reviews were generally positive.

I received the Solaris S21HB from Amazon in a very reasonable time frame, and shortly thereafter placed the batteries on charge. Two days later I took the mower out for its maiden run on relatively low, dry grass. The mower was very quiet and smooth - just like my old Ryobi - and seemed to have fairly decent mowing power. It didn't quite get all of my lawn cut on a single charge, but that didn't really surprise me (although I was hoping it would do so with the low, dry grass). The neighbors liked the quiet and the cool look of the mower.

Now for the negatives:
1. The first thing I noticed is a very marginal manual; pictures showed an off-board charger, but it wasn't clear if it was supposed to be part of the system or an extra cost option. There was no listing of components that should have been in the box; I eventually found the off-board charger when I opened the top of the mower (it was in the battery well). Very little information was given about charging the batteries; fortunately the batteries and charger systems are designed to be fairly fool-proof, but there is no indication of polarity on the off-board charger or the battery connectors in the mower.
2. The handle was already attached to the mower - a nice touch - but when I put it in position I found that the handle has quite a bit of up and down play. The base of the handle is held by a pin on each side to the wheel mounting plate attached to the mower deck; a little ways back from the pin the plate is bent around to form a notch to hold the handle in place. Unfortunately, the fit is sloppy. This is annoying at best; eventually it will fatigue and crack. It should be an easy fix (just place a bolt through the handle and plate near the notch), but I shouldn't have to modify a cheap handle arrangement on a $500 mower! My low-cost corded mower handle system is far superior. In addition to the slop in the handle, the forward weight of the mower causes the handle to flex quite a bit, making it more challenging to maneuver the mower.
3. Most annoying of all is the flex in the rear wheel attachment system. There's a noticeable amount of flex in both the mounting plate and the wheels. Between the flex of the wheels, flex of the handle, and the forward weight of the lead acid batteries, this is an awkward mower to maneuver and push. Really a poor design in a $500 mower! I'm not sure how to fix this issue.
4. Due to the above problems, I contacted Amazon to see about returning the mower. I've heard good things about Amazon's return policy. Unfortunately, this was not to be. After working a few angles to try to get through all the automated systems, I found that Amazon classifies this electric mower in the same class as gas mowers, and won't allow returns of items that use hazardous or flammable fuels (!). I'm not sure how that applies to an electric mower, but I'm also not sure how to get Amazon to take another look. I don't think I would ever buy an item like this through Amazon again, where I can't check out the item before purchasing.

Bottom line: This mower offers a lot of promise, but the low-dollar approach to the details kills off that promise. I would recommend going with a different cordless mower until Solaris upgrades this mower.