Best Overall
EGO Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
What We Like
Handles short through tall grass with ease
Runs for up to one hour on a single charge
Easy to adjust cutting heights
Good on slopes or hills
What We Don't Like
A bit of a learning curve to the self-propelled feature
After six months of testing through different weather and grass conditions, the Ego Power+ 21-inch Self-Propelled Mower is our top pick for most yards. We think this is the best lawn mower around because we found it easy to use on different terrains and around obstacles, and we loved how it kept our grass nicely manicured all season long.
Powered by an included 56-volt, 7.5 Ah battery, the mower can run up to one hour before needing a recharge, meaning you'll be able to mow just about any lawn up to 0.50 acre on a single charge. Our small Iowa lawn (less than a quarter acre) was easily completed before the battery ran down. However, if you have a bigger lawn, we love that the battery is compatible with other Ego Power+ tools (like cordless leaf blowers and hedge trimmers), so you can easily swap it out with another without having to wait for it to recharge.
Overall, we loved how easy it was to start, remove, and empty the bag and adjust the six different cutting heights (between 1.5 to 4 inches) of this mower. Even after we were away for 10 days, the mower tackled the tall, thicker grass without an issue, and thanks to how easy it is to adjust the cutting height, we could easily move it up and down with one hand when we came across any uneven areas. Mowing leaves or damp grass was also easy, and we never encountered any issues with the mower getting clogged.
We like that you can set the mower's "walking speed" to match your own pace, from a leisurely 0.9 mph to a more brisk 3.1 mph. We kept it on the slow side, and it was easy to mow up and down a small slope and around trees. But if you'd rather push the mower yourself, you can shut the self-propelled feature off and operate it without it.
Keep in mind that if you've never used a self-propelled mower before, it might take a little bit of getting used to. We found that there was a slight learning curve to adjusting the speed and not letting the mower pull us rather than us guiding it. Plus, the instructions weren't as clear as we'd like. However, once we became accustomed to the feel of the mower propelling itself, it was very easy to maneuver around trees and other obstacles.
This mower includes three different ways to deal with the grass clippings, which we also found easy to use: It can mulch the grass clippings, spew them as-is out the side, or collect them in the included 2-bushel bag. It has LED headlights, so you can easily see your path, even if cutting at dawn or dusk, and folds to save storage space.
Cutting Width:21 inches | Power Type:Battery | Weight:82 pounds | Cutting Options:Bag, mulch, side-discharge
What We Like
Easy to set up
Simple height controls
Compact and easy to store
Good cutting performance
What We Don't Like
Cord comes unplugged occasionally
Extension cord required
Small cutting deck
If you have a yard less than 0.25 acres, we recommend this Greenworks mower as a budget pick that provides excellent performance at a fraction of the price. For the first cut of the year, we used this electric mower in a small yard that was overgrown and full of weeds, and it navigated the bumpy, uneven terrain with ease. We like how easy it is to set up and store, although folding it up can be tricky until you get the hang of it.
We don’t recommend this mower for yards bigger than about 0.25 acres due to the small deck, which is only 16 inches wide. It worked well for our small yard, providing excellent maneuverability that allowed us to mow areas that our landscaper would usually trim with a weed whacker, which is the benefit of such a narrow deck. The downside is that each cut is less than 16 inches wide, so bigger yards would take too long to cut.
This is a corded electric mower, which has both benefits and drawbacks. We liked that we didn’t have to worry about charging batteries (or losing a charger), but it requires an extension cord, which is an additional expense. Greenworks says you can use it with an extension cord with a gauge thickness of 14 AWG or lower and no longer than 150 feet, but that isn’t a big issue since this mower is best with small lawns anyway.
We had a few problems with the extension cord coming unplugged, but the cord retainer did help a little. Mowing with a power cord trailing behind was also a learning experience, as you need to take care not to trip or mow over it. We accidentally ran over the cord once, and it blew a fuse in the house, so it’s important to take care when using corded lawn care equipment.
We think this mower is a great option for anyone with a small lawn who doesn’t want to deal with the hassle of batteries or gas. It has a narrow cutting deck, but it’s maneuverable and very easy to use. It isn’t self-propelled, but at just 48 pounds, that isn’t really an issue. It even comes with a bag for your clippings, or you can use the included plug to mulch as you mow.
Cutting Width: 16 inches | Power Type: Electric (cord) | Weight: 48 pounds | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch
Best Self-Propelled Mower
Toro 7013897 22 Inch 60V Flex Force 21466 Battery Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit
What We Like
Collapsible for easy storage
Handles dense grass
Adjusts to the user’s pace
What We Don't Like
Bag is tricky to attach
Confusing height adjustment instructions
Self-propelled mowers perform all the same functions to the same level as other mowers while also taking some of the effort out of mowing and setting a pace that’s neither too slow nor too fast. This Toro mower is our favorite self-propelled option because the 22-inch deck is perfect for small to medium-sized yards (up to half an acre), the 60 V battery provides enough power to mow that much lawn, and the well-designed self-propulsion system allows you to set your own pace rather than forcing you to keep up.
We used this mower on a 0.25-acre lawn, and we think it’s a good fit for lawns up to twice that size (which is exactly what Toro recommends). It consistently handled our lawn in about 20 minutes, with half of the battery life left, so we wouldn’t recommend using it with lawns bigger than 0.25 acres.
This mower sliced through dense grass, ran up and down inclines, and maneuvered over roots and around tree trunks with ease. Throughout all that, the self-propelled system allowed us to set our own pace, so we never felt rushed or like we had to slow down, even when moving up or down inclines. We felt very safe with the self-propelled system, especially since the mower immediately shuts off and stops moving if you let go of the blade control bar on the handle.
We also like how quick and straightforward the initial setup process was, and how easy it is to adjust the deck height and cutting modes. We initially had some trouble attaching the bag, but it was easy enough once we figured it out. The manual was also a little confusing on the topic of adjusting the deck height, but that turned out to be easy as well. The cutting options are also very flexible, and you can switch between bagging, mulching mode, and side discharge without removing the bag.
Cutting Width: 22 inches | Power Type: Battery (60V) | Weight: 85 pounds | Cutting Options: Bag, side discharge, mulch
Best Battery Mower
Ryobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower
What We Like
Long run time
Easy to store
LED headlight
Includes two batteries
What We Don't Like
Some leaking of grass around the clippings bag
For lawns up to 0.75 of an acre, we found this self-propelled battery-powered lawn mower from Ryobi to be a powerful and easy-to-use option. Thanks to the powerful 40-volt, 6.0 Ah battery and brushless motor, it gives you up to 70 minutes of run time (10 minutes more than our best overall). Like our best overall, the Ego Power+ Mower, it has a 21-inch deck, but it provides even more cutting heights (seven ranging from 1.5 to 4 inches), so you can cleanly cut even tall or thick grass with ease.
While testing, we found that it handled slopes and bumpy ground with ease. Start-up couldn't be easier; just push the power button, and you're on your way. We found it easy to assemble and really appreciated how easy it was to use all of the settings without a struggle or any confusion.
We tried this mower for our very first mowing session of the season. The lawn was close to six inches high and had a light covering of dead leaves. The mower had no issues with the tall grass and easily sliced through it. We did find that while trying out the clippings bag, some grass blew out around the bag’s edges, but other than that, it did an excellent job of cleanly cutting the lawn.
The mower performed beautifully on the subsequent two test mows and was easy to maneuver. We kept the self-propel speed on the lowest setting for most of our test period, as it is quite fast on high. It continued to perform well over time after that, and we fell in love with the self-propelled feature, which helped us tackle uneven ground and hills with little effort.
Similar to the Ego, you can mulch your grass clippings, discharge them to the side, or catch them in the included easy-lift bag. The bag is very simple to remove from the mower without fuss or strain, although we found it a bit tricky to replace. There is an LED headlight that comes in handy when mowing very early in the morning or after dusk, and once you're finished for the day, the mower folds for compact vertical storage, a feature we especially loved.
While there are many similarities between this and our best overall option, the Ryobi provides a little more runtime, and if you are already using tools in their 40-volt system (like a snow blower or pressure washer), you can use the same batteries. We appreciate the long battery life that comes with the 40-volt system and found that we were able to mow our very small lawn up to four times without a charge!
Our only complaint is that the mower does not collect weeds or leaves and just leaves them in the grass, forcing us to collect them manually after they are cut. Other than that one small wish, we are impressed with all of this mower's features and performance and have had no other complaints.
Cutting Width:21 inches | Power Type:Battery | Weight:75 pounds | Cutting Options:Bag, mulch, side-discharge
Best Gas Mower
Toro Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
What We Like
Performs well on slopes
Easy bagging and emptying
Safety shutoff feature
What We Don't Like
Struggles in overgrown grass
Tough to maneuver in tight spaces
Bag fills up quickly
The Toro Smartstow 21455 has everything we look for in a gas mower—a powerful four-stroke motor, a wide 22-inch deck, adjustable self-propelled movement, and the option to bag or mulch your clippings. We used it to tackle a 0.5-acre lawn on the first cut of the year with exceptionally long grass in some spots, and then mowed one more time after the grass had grown, and it started up with just two pull each time—no struggling with the pull cord or messing around with the choke needed.
We were impressed with this mower's performance and how it handled our overgrown grass and hilly terrain in the front and backyard. It was a little tough to maneuver between newly planted trees along our fence line (it’s especially tough to make sharp turns), and it struggled when it hit some very long patches of grass (about eight inches), but it performed well aside from that.
When we accidentally hit a rock we missed when cleaning up after planting our trees, we were pleased to see the mower automatically shut down rather than shoot the rock out dangerously. After clearing the problem, it started back up without issue, and it’s good to know that the safety shutoff works so fast.
We did have to empty the bag more than we’d like (about every 15 minutes), but it does have a mulch option if repeatedly emptying grass clippings sounds like a hassle. It has Toro’s Recycler system that uses air vents in the deck to hold clippings aloft and repeatedly cut them into very fine pieces, so it’s very good at mulching.
Setup was very easy, because the mower comes more or less already assembled. We had to attach the handle and bag, which is pretty standard, and then add oil and gas. It has a powerful 150cc Briggs and Stratton four-stroke engine, so it’s more efficient and more environmentally friendly than oil-burning two-stroke models. The powerful motor also comes in handy for the self-propelled option, which lets you adjust how fast the mower moves by squeezing the self-propel drive bar.
When we were done mowing each time, we were impressed with the way this mower folds up for storage. It uses Toro’s SmartStow system, which lets you fold the handle and store the mower upright, which can save a lot of space in your garage. Storing the mower upright also provides access to the underside of the deck, making it easier to clean out grass clippings and check for damage to the blade.
Cutting Width: 22 inches | Power Type: Gas | Weight: 71 pounds | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch
Best Zero-Turn Mower
Ryobi Brushless 42-Inch Electric Zero Turn Riding Mower
Orig.$5,999$3,999 at Home DepotView on Ryobitools.com
What We Like
Long battery runtime
Very comfortable ride
Powerful performance
Exceptionally quiet
What We Don't Like
Initial mower received was defective, although customer service was excellent
This is a battery-powered riding mower, but it certainly doesn’t lack for power; Ryobi claims its four included batteries—two 80-volt, 10-amp hour and two 40-volt, 12-amp hour—provide the equivalent of 31 horsepower and can handle up to 3 acres of lawn on a single charge. While the lawn we tested this mower in isn’t that large (a half-acre property in Iowa), we didn’t come close to draining the batteries during our testing sessions. And we agree that this riding mower is loaded with power.
But that’s not all we loved about this zero-turn mower. Unlike other riding mowers we tested, this one uses Ryobi’s iDrive joystick rather than a steering wheel, pedals, or levers to steer the machine and control its speed. We found it very easy to use, making driving the mower a lot of fun. The mower has a 42-inch deck (double the length of our best overall pick), a cutting height range of 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches that is easily set with a single lever, and four cutting blades; we found that it easily handled tall grass, thick weeds, wet turf, and small lawn debris without a hitch.
We also found it very quiet—we were able to converse with nearby family members with the mower powered on. It also has excellent suspension that absorbs bumps and vibration, making the ride very smooth and comfortable. And as with all zero-turn mowers, it turns on a dime, making it easy to maneuver around all manners of obstacles.
We were consistently impressed with this mower's performance level in various weather conditions. We have avoided using it on a slope in our yard when it's wet due to concerns about slipping, but we haven't experienced any problems mowing wet grass. On hot days, we love not needing to deal with gas exhaust.
We also loved all of the extras: It has headlights, cup holders, and USB ports for powering up your phone. It discharges clippings to the side, but you can purchase a bagger or mulching kit separately if desired.
Note that we had a bumpy start when we initially received this zero-turn mower, as our first machine had an electrical defect that rendered it unusable. However, the manufacturer not only sent a technician to attempt to figure out the problem but ultimately quickly replaced the mower with a new one that arrived fully assembled and ready to go. We were impressed with the excellent quality of service.
While this mower might not be the best choice for everyone's budget, it's a great zero-turn mower to splurge on, and we found that it saves you time, especially compared to tractor models we've used in the past.
Cutting Width:42 inches | Power Type:Battery | Weight:700 pounds | Cutting Options:Side discharge
Best Lawn Tractor
Ego Power+ T6 TR4204 42 in. Riding Mower
What We Like
Lots of cutting height options
Handles damp grass well
Cuts very evenly
Built-in USB phone charger
What We Don't Like
Requires a lot of storage space
Low backrest on seat
Side discharge only
The Ego Power+ T6 42-inch Riding Lawn Mower is our favorite lawn tractor because it easily handles challenging terrain, providing a fast and even trim even when dealing with hills, obstacles, and damp grass. With a wide 42-inch cutting deck and tons of battery power, we were able to effectively manage a half-acre lawn without ever running out of charge despite traversing steep inclines, dodging trees, and winding around other obstacles.
When we first started this mower, we were immediately impressed with its wealth of features, including a beverage cooler, cup holder, and built-in USB phone charger. It provides 12 different cutting heights, which are accessed via a convenient lever located on the lower right side of the mower. The mower also includes an LCD screen for monitoring speed, blade settings, cruise control, and more. It even has headlights for safety and a deluxe steering wheel for extra comfort.
The display is placed where it’s easy to see while you’re mowing, and it also shows you how much battery life you have remaining. We never had any issues with battery life mowing our half acre lawn, and we’re confident in recommending this lawn tractor for lawns that are one acre and even a little larger.
Ego lists this as a one to two-acre mower, but we typically used between 30 and 40 percent of the battery charge on our half-acre lawn, so two acres might be pushing it unless you have flat, easy terrain without any hills or obstacles.
We were also able to mow immediately after a heavy rain that left the grass quite damp, which was impressive. The mower never bogged down in the wet grass, and it cut just as evenly as it did when the grass was dry. It discharges cut grass to the side, with bagged and mulching options only available if you buy a bag or mulching kit, but that didn’t give us any issues.
The only thing we don’t really like about this lawn tractor-mower is the seat, which has a very low backrest. It’s too low for taller users, who may experience some discomfort. We like the way our best zero-turn mower, the Ryobi Brushless 42-inch Electric Zero Turn Riding Mower, handles the seating situation a lot more, with flip-up armrests and a taller backrest.
We love that this mower has six powerful lithium-ion batteries and a base station that charges them all at once. The mower (and charger) take up a lot of space, and we ended up having to store it in a shed while trying to find extra garage space, but we think the high level of performance is worth the trouble.
Cutting Width: 42 inches | Power Type: Battery | Weight: 639.33 pounds | Cutting Options: Side discharge (mulching kit and bag sold separately)
What We Like
Zero-turn radius
Powerful and fast
Very comfortable ride
What We Don't Like
A bit of a learning curve to use hand levers
No headlights
If you have a yard up to 4 acres in size and you want the power and performance of a commercial riding mower, we recommend this beast from Toro. It has a 50-inch deck allows you to cut wide and cut fast; the top speed is 7 mph. We tested this mower on a property with a lot of trees and other obstacles and definitely found the zero-turn function to be handy as we quickly swung around whatever came our way, yet still managed to mow cleanly, very close to all obstacles.
It did take us a bit of time to get the hang of using hand levers to control the mower's speed, direction, brakes, and blade engagement, but once we did, we found it very easy to maneuver. We slipped a bit while mowing a wet slope, but otherwise, we had no problems tackling tall and thick grass, wet grass, and small yard debris like twigs and leaves. It's also very easy to set the cutting height, which ranges from 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches.
Some riding mowers can be rather bumpy or have a lot of vibration, but thanks to Toro's MyRide suspension system, we found this mower to be very smooth and comfortable, even when mowing over rough terrain. It gave the lawn an even cut, leaving it looking professionally groomed. The clippings shot out far enough to the side to avoid unsightly clumps. If you prefer a bagger or mulching kit, you can purchase those separately.
While it does require periodic oil and filter changes, it's designed to make the procedure as easy as possible, with no tools required. We appreciated the built-in cup holder but did note that, unlike many other riding mowers, this one does not have headlights. Still, while admittedly an investment, we feel the power and performance of this commercial-quality mower make it worth the cost if you have a large property.
This mower had a bit of a learning curve at first, but we got used to it pretty fast. We have no issues using it anymore, and in fact, we find ourselves mowing the lawn more often (one to two times a week) just because it's so easy, and frequent mowing is better for healthy grass. Just note that depending on the obstacles in your yard, you may still need to use a trimmer and push mower—we've found that certain areas are hard to maneuver around and require additional tools to keep our yard looking its best.
Cutting Width:50 inches | Power Type:Gas | Weight:694 pounds | Cutting Options:Bag, mulch, side-discharge
Best Robotic Mower
Worx Landroid M Robotic Lawn Mower
What We Like
Efficient mulching action
Autonomous operation and docking
Safety features prevent contact with the blade
What We Don't Like
Requires you to lay out perimeter wires before initial use
Initial setup was challenging
App is difficult to navigate and set up
If you'd prefer to remain comfortably indoors while someone—or something—else does the mowing for you, then the Worx WR155 Landroid M is the mower of your dreams. This robotic lawn mower can handle lawns up to 0.50 acre in size, and once you set out the perimeter wires to keep it safely contained and download the Landroid app onto your phone, you're ready to set it loose. We used one to mow a small 500-square-foot lawn with a flower bed obstacle, and we loved how it took over mowing duties for us after an initially difficult setup process.
With its 8-inch cutting width and adjustable cutting heights from 1.5 to 3.5 inches, the Landroid works tirelessly to keep your lawn looking its best. We set it to mow for one hour at a time twice each week, and we love the way it shreds the grass to very fine pieces that remain in place to nourish the lawn as mulch. We also enjoyed sitting back and watching it work, which was a pleasant change of pace from mowing manually.
When this mower completes its scheduled mowing time, it automatically returns to its charging dock. It takes about 1.5 hours to recharge. If your lawn is bigger than ours, it can return to work or wait until you set a different time in the app. We like that we were able to run the mower frequently to prevent our grass from getting too high, which in turn allowed it to operate very efficiently.
If the Landroid bumps into an obstacle, it automatically stops and heads in a different direction. We found that it respects boundaries and stops when it encounters an area it shouldn't, like the flower area in our yard. While its movements across your lawn look random, it follows a complex algorithm that lets it cover the yard without missing spots. The blades will automatically lift when going over rough terrain, but Worx recommends not letting it operate in a very rugged area, full of rocks, or with inclines of more than 20 degrees.
This mower "knows" when the grass is too wet for mowing and will automatically return to its dock when it rains. It also easily handles narrow pathways and can cut right up to the edges of your lawn, something other robotic mowers struggle with. While this isn't an inexpensive option, it's worth it if you don't want to take time out of your schedule for regular lawn maintenance.
Our only complaints about this mower involve the initial setup and the complicated app. The setup process is very involved, even for a small yard, since you need to lay down a perimeter cable to show the mower where it's okay to go and then use the app to set up a mowing schedule. The app wasn't very clear or intuitive, and while we eventually got it working, we wish it had been easier.
Cutting Width:8 inches | Power Type:Battery | Weight:21 pounds | Cutting Options:Mulch
Best Reel Mower
American Lawn Mower Company Manual Reel Mower
What We Like
Environmentally friendly
Only weighs 19 pounds
Adjustable blade height
What We Don't Like
Can wear you out on large lawns or tall grass
Might get jammed on sticks or rocks
Although we didn't test this manual mower, it's consistently one of the highest-rated reel mowers by pleased buyers. We like that it can tackle up to 0.25 of an acre and is lightweight and easy to maneuver at 19 pounds. With this old-fashioned, environmentally friendly manual reel mower, it's just you, your lawn, and the snip-snip of the four blades as they rapidly spin while making perfect cuts through your grass.
This mower has a 14-inch deck and adjustable cutting heights from 0.50 to 1.75 inches. It can easily handle grass no more than four inches high, especially fine-bladed cool-season grasses like bluegrass, fescue, or rye. However, you'll need to clear out sticks, small rocks, and other debris, as they can jam the blades if you mow over them.
This mower requires very little maintenance. You'll need to sharpen the blades every few years and wipe them off after cutting the grass for best performance. That's about it. The clippings deposit right onto the grass, where you can leave them or rake them up if desired. However, American Lawn Mower Company sells a separate catch-bag for this manual mower.
Cutting Width:14 inches | Power Type:Manual | Weight:19 pounds | Cutting Options:Not applicable
Final Verdict
After six months of testing, the Ego Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower is our best overall pick. We love that it is powerful enough to tackle tough grass and terrain, but lightweight and simple to use. But if you are looking for something that's best suited for large lawns with lots of obstacles to mow around, the Ryobi Brushless 42-Inch Electric Zero Turn Riding Mower (our best zero-turn pick) is extremely maneuverable and can mow several acres on one charge.
Other Options We Tested
Husqvarna Automower 430XH: This impressive smart mower is entirely automated and also interfaces with a phone app and smart home systems like Alexa and Google Home for remote monitoring and operation. It’s rated for 1/2 to 1-acre yards, and we tested one in a 15,000-square-foot yard (about 1/3 of an acre) after consulting with Husqvarna regarding the complexity of the yard. We were impressed with the performance overall and thought it would work very well in a large, uncomplicated yard without many features and obstructions.
The setup is very complicated and requires a lot of fine-tuning of the boundary line, which is why we don’t recommend this mower to everyone. Once we had it set up and fine-tuned, it didn’t have any trouble driving up and down slopes, and it even navigated up and over exposed tree roots without issue.
How We Tested the Lawn Mowers
We tested 23 lawn mowers in our own yards, which range from very small to fairly large and include a variety of lawn grass types and grass heights. Mower types included gas models, battery mowers, and corded models, as well as riding mowers, push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and robotic mowers. Each mower was evaluated for setup, design, performance, safety, and value throughout the testing process.
- Setup: We started by timing how long it took to unbox the lawn mower and carry out any required assembly or preparations for use. We noted how easy it was to assemble the mower and whether or not the included instructions were clear.
- Design: Before mowing, we made note of several design factors, like the methods used for adjusting the cutting height, handle angle on push mowers, speed (for self-propelled mowers and riding mowers), and clipping-disposal options. We also noted how easy it was to store each mower when not in use. For battery models, we timed how long the batteries were to charge and noted how many batteries the mower had. We noted whether the included cord was long enough or if we had to use an extension cord for corded electric mowers.
- Performance and Usability: During the testing period, we used the lawn mower to trim our grass on three separate occasions, each time noting the date, the weather conditions, the length of the lawn, the amount of grass cut away, and how long it took to mow the entire lawn. We also noted how easy or difficult it was to start the mower. We then noted how easy maneuvering the mower around obstacles or up and down slopes was. We also observed how cleanly the mower cut the grass, especially through thick or tall patches of lawn or across wet grass.Riding mowers were also evaluated for the ride's smoothness and the seat's comfort.
- Safety: While using each mower, we considered whether we felt safe and paid special attention to any included safety features, like automatic shutoffs. For robot mowers, we examined whether the mower successfully avoided obstacles and whether the blade was adequately shielded from accidental contact.
- Value: To determine each mower's value, we considered performance, features, and price and then compared those factors to other available models to determine whether or not the mower's price was justified.
- Long-Term Testing: After our three-week testing period, we continued testing the lawn mowers for over six months as part of our regular lawn maintenance.
What to Look for in a Lawn Mower
Types of Lawn Mowers
There are three basic types of lawnmowers: those you ride, those you walk behind and push (or that self-propel), and the newest type, robotic lawnmowers that handle the work for you. Depending on the type of mower, there are gas-powered, cordless, and corded options available. In order to determine the best lawn mower for your own yard, you can start by considering the strengths and weaknesses of each type.
- Gas-powered push mowers: These mowers run on gasoline, and options like the Toro Smartstow Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower (our best gas option) are excellent for larger lawns. They are quite powerful and work well over hills or slopes. However, they tend to be loud and emit smelly fumes. Plus, you’ll need to have a supply of gas on hand.
- Battery-powered push mowers: These cordless mowers are good for small- and medium-sized lawns. They don't produce fumes and are much quieter than gas mowers. However, they are typically less powerful, and you’ll have to pay attention to the battery’s charge level.
- Corded lawn mowers: These electric lawn mowers don't run out of charge, because they plug into a wall outlet with the help of long extension cord. Our best budget pick, the Greenworks 16 Inch Corded Electric 10 Amp Walk-Behind Push Lawn Mower, has a narrow 16-inch deck that's suitable for small lawns, and it's very maneuverable as well.
- Self-propelled lawn mowers: These mowers are usually battery- or gas-powered, and they're easier to use than push-mowers because they do some of the work for you. Our best overall pick, the Ego Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower, can handle up to half an acre on a single charge even with the self-propelled feature active. These mowers are good for larger lawns and lawns that are sloped. You can expect to pay more for a self-propelled lawn mower than a regular push mower, but we think it's worth the investment.
- Riding lawn mowers: These mowers require very little effort to use because you stand or sit on them while the mower does all the work. These expensive lawnmowers are best for very large lawns, lawns with many slopes, or users who cannot walk or push a walk-behind mower. The Ego Power+ T6 TR424 (our best lawn tractor pick) is a riding mower that performs well on rough terrain and slopes.
- Zero-turn lawn mowers: These are riding lawn mowers with pivoting front wheels that allow them to make 180-degree turns, so you don’t have to make large curves to mow back and forth across a lawn. Most zero-turn mowers are gas-powered, but there are battery models now, as well, including our best battery zero-turn mower from Ryobi, the 80V HP Brushless 42-Inch Battery Zero-Turn Riding Mower.
- Robotic lawn mowers can handle a fairly good-sized lawn, including gentle slopes. These mowers mulch the grass clippings as they cut, returning the clipped grass to your lawn where it breaks down into helpful nutrients. Many robotic lawn mowers are “smart” and can be controlled via Wi-Fi or cellular connection on your phone, but some only have onboard controls. On the downside, these are expensive, and you’ll need to take the time to set up the guidewires before letting the robot loose. Our best robotic pick is the WORX WR155 Landroid M Robotic Lawn Mower, because it offers a variety of convenient features in addition to doing most of the work for you.
- Reel lawn mowers: These manual mowers are affordable and provide a clean cut, but they also take the most effort. The American Lawn Mower Company Push Reel Lawn Mower (our best reel pick) is lightweight and has an adjustable blade height. These mowers consist of a handle attached to a reel with four or five cylindrical spinning blades perched atop a pair of wheels. There is no engine or motor, so you supply all the power by pushing the tool across your lawn.
Deck Size and Cutting Height
The deck of a lawn mower is basically the width of the swath it can cut in one pass. When a lawn mower’s name or description includes inches, such as 21 inches, that tells you the mower’s deck size. Note that the lawn mower itself is wider than the deck size, which can be important when deciding where you’ll store the tool when not in use, as well as determining whether it will fit between trees or other obstacles on your lawn.
Generally, a larger deck size means you won’t have to make as many passes to mow your entire lawn, but also generally, the larger the deck, the harder to maneuver the mower. So don’t automatically assume you should buy the largest lawn mower available. Instead, choose a mower that suits the size of your lawn.
As a rough guideline, reel mowers generally have decks that are between 14 and 18 inches. Push lawn mowers have a larger deck range of 16 to 30 inches, with a deck of 21 or 22 inches being a good size for the average suburban lawn. Riding lawn mowers have much larger deck sizes.
Roughly, you’ll need a riding lawn mower with a 36 to 42-inch deck for mowing one or two acres, and a deck size that's larger than 42 inches if you need to mow more than two acres.The Ego Power+ T6 TR424 (our best lawn tractor pick) has a 42-inch deck, and it's capable of mowing up to two acres of flat land, or less if you have a lot of rough terrain, slopes, and obstacles.
Cutting height indicates the height to which the mower will cut your lawn. Most lawn mowers have adjustable cutting heights so you can tailor the height to your particular type of grass and desired lawn height. Generally, a range of 0.50 to 4 inches is common.
Grass Clipping Options
As the lawn mower cuts the grass, the clippings have to go somewhere, leading to the three common cutting options: bagging, side discharge, or mulching.
Bagging mowers have a canvas bag that collects the clippings as you mow, leaving your lawn looking clean and tidy. You’ll need to empty the bag, however, which can be heavy and awkward. Side-discharge mowers simply shoot the grass clippings back out onto the lawn. They decompose eventually, but look untidy while they do so, and an overly heavy layer of grass clippings can encourage fungal disease or weakness in the underlying lawn.
Mulching lawn mowers also shoot the clippings back out onto the lawn but clip them into very small pieces before doing so. The finely cut clippings decompose much more quickly than uncut clippings, so they are better for the health of your lawn. Some lawn mowers let you choose from two or three of the above cutting options. The Toro 7013897 22 Inch 60V Flex Force (our best self-propelled pick) uses air vents to suspend cut grass and mulch it into very fine particles, but it also has side-discharge and bag modes.
Drive Type
Self-propelled lawn mowers have three drive options: front wheel, rear wheel, and all wheel.
- Front-wheel drive mowers are best for fairly flat lawns or lawns with obstacles such as rocks or trees, as they are easy to pivot on their back wheels for making sharp turns. They are generally easy to steer, as well.
- Rear-wheel drive mowers are a little harder to steer, but they are better for mowing up and down hills or uneven terrain. You’ll pay more for these mowers than for one with front-wheel drive.
- All-wheel drive mowers are the most expensive option but also the best for tackling very uneven or hilly lawns.
FAQ
How often should you replace a lawn mower?
If you take good care of your lawn mower, paying attention to regular maintenance and storing it properly in between uses, you can expect the tool to last five to 10 years or even longer. However, gas lawn mowers usually last longer than battery mowers.
Some signs that it’s time to shop for a new mower include clouds of smoke from the exhaust, unusual engine noises, cracked or damaged shafts, inability to start the mower or keep it running, or excessive vibration. Of course, you might also want to buy a new mower if you redo your yard to include a much larger or smaller lawn, or if you move to a new home with different landscaping needs.
What is the best month to buy a lawn mower?
If you’re in the market for a new lawn mower, you’ll typically find the best selection at your local home improvement center in the spring, when the growing season gets underway, and homeowners start to think about beautifying their yards. But the summer holidays of Memorial Day and Independence Day, as well as Father’s Day to a lesser extent, usually mean big sales on outdoor equipment and tools, including lawn mowers, so that might be a good time to purchase that mower you’ve been eyeing. If you can wait, though, and are willing to take a chance on not finding the exact model you most want, retailers usually sharply cut prices on lawn mowers at the end of autumn, as they want to make room for seasonal winter products.
How often should you change your lawn mower oil?
The oil (and oil filter, if it has one) on your gas-powered lawn mower should be changed after every 50 hours of use, assuming it does not have a filter. If it has a filter, you can change it every 200 hours. At a minimum, change your oil at least once per season. It’s important to change the oil in your lawn mower to reduce friction between its moving metal parts and protect the life of your engine.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Jeremy Laukkonen is an updates writer for The Spruce with over a decade of experience covering yard equipment, appliances, and other home goods. He has used a variety of gas and battery-powered riding and push mowers throughout the years. He's relied on a 20-inch Black + Decker CM2040 for the last seven years, and it still runs like brand new (we can't recommend it, because it was discontinued and superseded by the Black + Decker CM2043C).
In preparation for this story, Laukkonen relied on insights from our hands-on testing that took place in our own yards. Using those insights as a baseline, he looked to include a variety of types of lawnmowers to suit different yards, evaluating each for ease of use, effectiveness, durability, and other factors.
Our Experts:
- Noah James, professional landscaper and owner of Liberty Lawn Maintenance
- Daniela Galvez, senior editor at The Spruce
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