Our top pick is the RYOBI 40-Volt Brushless Self-Propelled Mower, a cordless electric mower that is powerful, quiet, and relatively easy to maneuver, even on hills. Here are the best lawn mowers. We sent this mower to our tester to try at home. They were particularly impressed by the power of the self-propelled feature and found that it could cut through thick, dense grass with ease. They also appreciated that there were seven cutting height options. While it was a breeze to push up hills, it was harder to maneuver around corners, though it’s so lightweight it’s easy to lift. In addition to power and versatility, this mower offers other great features, like high-intensity LED headlights that allow you to see better at dusk. The mower has an onboard battery storage compartment where you can stash an extra battery, so you can swap it out quickly if you need a charge in the middle of mowing. We also love that it has handles that can adjust to your height, lock in place, and fold nicely for more compact storage. This lawn mower is quick and easy to assemble, but many of its components are plastic, so they’re not the most durable. There are seven cutting heights to choose from, and the included 12-gallon grass collection bag is easy to detach and empty when you’re done cutting. Price at time of publish: $174 This self-propelled mower has bagging and mulching abilities, and there are nine cutting height positions to choose from. The brand’s recycler cutting system allows more air into the cutting chamber to help cut grass clippings into very fine, clumpless pieces, and the mower’s wheels have an improved tread pattern that offers more traction. Plus, this gas mower doesn’t require oil changes—you can simply top off the oil as needed. Price at time of publish: $579 This mower has a variable speed self-propel system that you can adjust to match your walking pace, and its 21-inch cutting deck has six height positions. It can bag, mulch, and side-discharge grass clippings, and it comes with a 2-bushel grass collection bag. The battery charges up extremely quickly, and the whole unit folds flat and stands vertically for easy storage. Price at time of publish: $429 This electric mower has dual brushless motors, and its 38-inch deck features two blades for a clean, level cut. The machine features 12 deck height positions, as well as cruise control and USB charging to ensure you’re comfortable. Our testers did note that the seat is somewhat stiff and can be uncomfortable when used for long periods, but overall, this machine is a worthwhile investment, especially for those with medium- to large-sized yards. Price at time of publish: $5,200 Despite its manual design, this mower still allows you to adjust its blade height, and its blades only need to be sharpened once every three to five years. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to pick up sticks (even small ones) and other debris in your yard, as these will jam up the reel mower. Price at time of publish: $90 This mower has a fully-welded steel frame and cast-iron front axle for unbeatable durability, and there are 13 different cutting heights. Its ergonomic seat has a 15-inch back and 10 adjustable positions. The mower offers cruise control for comfort while cutting large areas. Plus, to make maintenance easier, the S120 has the brand’s “30-second oil change” system, which lets you change the oil without any tools. Price at time of publish: $2,700 This mower has a 22.5 HP engine and can travel up to 7 miles per hour when mowing. There’s an under-cubby storage compartment, as well as a cupholder, to keep you comfortable during operation, and washout ports make it easy to clean out the cutting deck with your garden hose. Plus, the mower comes with white glove delivery, where a rep can review safety and operation information with you. Price at time of publish: $3,800 The caveat of this mower is that it does require a 14-gauge 50-foot or 12-gauge 100-foot extension cord for operation, and you have to navigate around the cord as you mow. It has a cord lock to prevent the plug from accidentally disconnecting, as well as a cut-off switch for safety. Price at time of publish: $200 Because it’s technically a lawn tractor, this mower can be used with a variety of attachments, including a hauler, snow blower, and more. As is, it can only be used to side discharge grass clippings, but the brand does offer bagging and mulching kits separately. The mower has a fairly tight 18-inch turning radius that makes it easy to navigate around obstacles, and it has automatic headlines for those times you’re driving it at dusk. Price at time of publish: $2,600 “A riding lawn unit is easy to maneuver, especially on flatter land, and prevents the operator from experiencing fatigue as they are sitting while mowing,” explains Caroline Skelton, Go-To-Market Manager for Riding Lawn Equipment at John Deere. “These units come in a variety of speeds and horsepower ratings, depending on the needs of the operator. In recent years, zero-turn mowers have become more popular, as they are ideal for a variety of terrains and larger properties. With a zero-turn mowing deck, operators can easily cut close to objects such as trees or shrubs.” When it comes to fuel type, gas mowers have a reputation for being more powerful, but they require more maintenance. Today’s electric and battery-powered mowers are often comparable in performance to gas mowers, and they’re quieter and more eco-friendly.
Deck Size
The size of your yard will dictate how large a deck your lawn mower should have. If you have 0.5-acre or less, you’ll do fine with a 20- to 30-inch deck. However, if you have more than an acre of land to mow, you’ll want a bigger mower with a deck of 40 inches or more—this will decrease the number of passes you have to make while mowing, decreasing the time it takes to trim your lawn.
Cutting Options
Most lawn mowers have a combination of side discharge, mulching, and bagging capabilities, each of which has its own benefits. Side discharge simply tosses grass clippings back onto your yard, while mulching cuts them up into fine pieces to deliver nutrients back to the lawn. If you don’t want grass clippings on your lawn at all, you may prefer a bagging mower, but keep in mind that you’ll have to empty the collection bag frequently.
Drive Type
Lawn mowers come in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and rear-wheel drive (RWD) options. FWD mowers perform best on flat, even terrain, and they’re often easier to steer. However, RWD mowers are better for hilly or uneven terrain, as they provide more traction at the center of the mower.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance contributor for The Spruce. As someone who grew up on a 70-acre farm and owns a 5-acre parcel herself, she’s no stranger to lawn mowers, and she’s written extensively on them. She’s also personally tested the RYOBI 38 in. 75 Ah Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower. While selecting lawn mowers for this list, she looked at factors such as their deck size, power source, special features, and warranty period. She also spoke with Caroline Skelton, Go-To-Market Manager for Riding Lawn Equipment at John Deere, for insights on choosing and maintaining a lawn mower.
