The 7 Best Lawn Mower Picks to Keep Your Grass Gorgeous

Best Overall

John Deere Hydrostatic Riding Lawn Tractor

The John Deere Hydrostatic Riding Lawn Tractor is the best overall for comfort, speed and efficiency. This battery-powered mower sports a comfortable 15-inch seat backing and a 48-inch cutting system to slice your grass for a neat and tight appearance.

This is the best lawn mower, it has a hydrostatic transmission that’s easy to operate, with handles for forward and reverse motions that cut down on the overall mowing time. Thanks to the cast iron and solid steel materials, this mower has enough durability to withstand rough terrains and preserve its longevity.

Pros

• High horsepower
• Easy to operate
• Highly durable

Cons

• Some reviewers say it’s noisy

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Best Budget

Ego Power+ Cordless Lawn Mower

Looking for the best affordable lawn mower? The Ego Power+ Cordless Mower is the best bang for your buck. With its rapid charger, this battery-powered push mower contains lots of helpful features, such as LED lights that keep you on track if your mowing time spans into the night.

Create the cut of your dreams with one of six height positions, so the stripes on your grass are always up to snuff. When you’re ready to store your mower, take advantage of its foldable technology to be compact and out of sight.

Pros

• Very wallet-friendly
• Three-in-one capability
• Rapid charger

Cons

• Only 45 minutes of run time
• Not suited for large yards

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Best Riding Lawn Mower

Cub Cadet Enduro Series LT Riding Lawn Mower

The Cub Cadet Enduro Series Lawn Mower is the best heavy-duty lawn mower for those who prefer to sit instead of push. Featuring a completely redesigned model, this series gives you a professional-grade mower for residential use.

This best lawn mower pick comes with an adjustable cut height range between one and four inches to match your style preference, and a steering wheel with a 16-inch turning radius. Being that it’s gasoline-powered, it contains a strong 22-horsepower engine and 12 deck positions.

Pros

• Professional-grade engine
• Heavy-duty cutting blade
• Corrosion defense coating

Cons

• Low back on seat
• Hard to assemble

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Best Push Lawn Mower

Riyobi Cordless Battery Walk Behind Mower

The Cordless Battery Walk Behind Push Mower is among the top-rated lawn mowers for push use. It features a powerful 40V horsepower engine with a fast-charging battery. It also has a storage compartment for holding an extra battery if you need to switch mid-mow.

While this push mower runs on battery power, it delivers gas-like performance for a smooth finish in one of its seven height positions, up to four inches. Its three-in-one mowing functions—such as mulching, bagging and side discharge—give you the flexibility to mow with your preferences while in use.

Pros

• Strong battery for extended running time
• Foldable for compact storage
• Seven blade positions

Cons

• Grass flap comes off easily
• May extend mowing time

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Best for Large Yards

Cub Cadet Ultima Zero-Turn Mower

Have a large yard to mow? Then enlist the help of the Cub Cadet Ultima Zero-Turn Mower. Capable of mowing up to four acres, this strong lawn mower can handle slight hills and yard obstacles. The high speed of this best lawn mower cuts down on mowing time, which is always a win.

Its open frame design and removable floor pan offer easy maintenance to preserve the performance and quality, so you’re able to use it for years to come. Even though this mower contains a powerful 24-horsepower engine, its V-twin cylinders eliminates vibrations for a smooth ride as you mow.

Pros

• Runs up to seven mph
• Precise cutting
• 3.5 gallon capacity

Cons

• Some assembly required
• Some reviewers say seat is uncomfortable

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Best Robotic Lawn Mower

Husqvarna Automower Robotic Lawn Mower

Why mow the lawn yourself when you can get a robot to do it for you? This Husqvarna Automower Robotic pick mows the yard for you! It can complete large yards, too, thanks to its 145 minutes of running time and fast-charge battery.

Its adjustable cut height system can be set between 0.8 to 2.4 inches, and you never have to worry about it being stolen thanks to its GPS tracker and PIN code. The weatherproof technology allows this mower to be caught in the rain without damaging its system, and it’s also capable of mowing slopes up to 24 degrees.

Pros

• Does all the work for you
• Extended running time
• Lightweight
• Works well for medium to large yards

Cons

• Pricey
• Small cutting width
• Hard to cut against fences

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Best Gas Lawn Mower

Troy-Bilt Gas-Powered Push Lawn Mower

Prefer to push but want the performance of gas? Then get the best of both worlds with the Troy-Bilt Gas-Powered Push Lawn Mower. Capable of mowing up to one-quarter of an acre or less, this mower leaves behind a clean cut from one of the six height adjustment settings for your preferred taste.

A ready-start engine and high performance blade make this one of the best lawn mowers for small yards. This three-in-one system machine features a rear bag that collects grass clippings for easy cleanup or composting. An included mulch kit helps maintain a healthy lawn.

Pros

• Long-lasting steel deck
• Budget-friendly
• Six cutting positions

Cons

• Best for smaller yards
• Small fuel tank capacity

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What to Consider When Buying a Lawn Mower

There are a lot of things to consider when buying a lawn mower so you aren’t left with a machine that’s hard to operate, or one that doesn’t perform as you were hoping. The lawn mower you select should be a machine you feel comfortable operating for years to come, since this is a home investment you’ll use almost weekly. In addition to easy operation, how well the machine performs over time and longevity of the engine is important. You want a mower that doesn’t require constant repairs, too.

Types of Lawn Mowers

• Riding Mowers: Broken down into different styles—such as a lawn tractor, zero-turn or rear-engine—riding mowers offer you a place to sit and a wheel to steer while tending to your lawn. Riding mowers speed up the process and make it more enjoyable, since you do not have to walk or push your mower.

• Walking Mowers: Machines such as rotary, cylinder, push and self-propelled mowers do not have a seat, and require you to push them rather than sit. Since they require so much out of the user, they are best for smaller yards to conserve time.

• Manual-Powered Mowers: These types of mowers are generally seen with push mowers, though some push mowers can have an engine. Manual-powered mowers rely on the individual to guide the mower over the yard for the blades to cut the grass.

• Battery-Powered Mowers: Battery-powered mowers are similar to electric mowers, but do not require the use of a cord. When charged overnight, these mowers have the capability of running for at least an hour before running out of power.

• Electric-Powered Mowers: If you have an outdoor outlet and a smaller yard (or extension cord), you might benefit from an electric-powered mower. These options never run out of steam since they are constantly plugged into their power sources, which means you can mow your entire yard uninterrupted until you’re finished and ready to shut it down.

• Gas-Powered Mowers: Gas mowers rely on petrol for fuel and can tackle medium to large yards. Not only are they not restricted by a power cable like electric mowers, but they cut grass faster and are all around the easiest to use.

How We Found the Best Lawn Mower

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like, and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product and if it stands up to the test.

FAQ

When’s the best time to buy a lawn mower?

The best time to buy your next lawn mower depends on one of two factors: availability and cost. Early spring is the ideal season to purchase top-rated lawn mowers that are pushing newer models, or for selecting a mower you’ve had your eye on but was sold out during the last season.

Early fall is the best time of year to shop for lawn mowers at a discounted price since it’s no longer mowing season, meaning the demand is low, and stores are looking to reduce their spring and summer inventory to get ready for fall and winter.

When is the best time to mow grass?

While mid-morning is the best time to mow a lawn, the second-best time of day is anywhere between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. It’s crucial to only mow grass when it’s dry (or before a rainstorm hits) to ensure your lawn is cut evenly. Mowing when your yard is wet leads to clumps of grass getting stuck in your mower and an unevenly-trimmed yard. It can also cause your grass to lose the moisture that is responsible for keeping the yard strong and vivid in color.

What is a mulching lawn mower?

A mulching mower is a yard maintenance machine that not only cuts your grass, but fertilizes it in an unconventional sense. Instead of purchasing mulch separately to keep your yard moisturized, a mulching mower takes the clippings from your yard that are collected as you mow, then breaks the shards down further to spit back out onto the grass. The broken-down clippings break down even further to give your yard the nutrients it needs for healthy growth and appearance.

How powerful of a lawn mower do I need?

In order to find the right amount of power in your lawn mower, it’s important to consider your yard size and the area you will be trimming. Know how many acres your yard has before purchasing a mower. Yards with an acre or less will need a mower that has an engine of at least 14 horsepower, while yards with one to two acres need a mower with 14 to 16 horsepower. Areas more than three acres should opt for a 24-horsepower engine.

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