Grass and lawn mower. A Lawn Mower vs. Grass Cutter- What’s The Difference

A Lawn Mower vs. Grass Cutter- What’s The Difference?

Generally, homeowners would agree that they are hardly thrilled by the expectation of cutting grass or mowing the lawn. While they can always wait for both to grow a little longer before purchasing, it is safer to cut them before then. The initial reasoning may sound pretty valid, but it is not reliable.

What is the difference between a lawn mower and a grass cutter?

The main difference between a lawnmower and a grass cutter is that the mower is meant for cutting your lawn fast and efficiently. Where a grass cutter is meant for areas that a lawnmower can not access or has difficulty with. These can be areas close to or between objects, or close to something, areas with steps, or have a very steep angle.

If you happen to be a busy professional residing in a private residence, then perhaps you don’t have neighbors around to complain about your unkempt environment. This is because they may not be obsessed with the manicured look of your lawn. However, it is not always that simple. If we leave the aesthetics aside, we can carefully ask the question and find relevant answers.

• 1 Major Differences between the Grass Cutters and Lawn Mowers
• 2 Major Similarities Between The Two Devices

• 2.1 Merits of a Grass Cutter

• 2.1.1 1. Ease of Use
• 2.1.2 2. Power Convenience
• 2.1.3 3. Safety Concerns

• 3.1 Understanding The Anatomy Of Lawn Mowers
• 3.2 Unique Features Of Lawn Mowers
• 3.3 Types Of Lawn Mowers

• 3.3.1 – Budget
• 3.3.2 – Riding lawn mowers

• 4.1 1. Hedge Trimmers
• 4.2 2. Manual Shears
• 4.3 3. Sod Cutters

Major Differences between the Grass Cutters and Lawn Mowers

The main differences, in this case, relate to the capabilities of the grass cutters and lawnmowers. The grass cutters and lawnmowers have different abilities. For instance, the lawnmowers are more powerful and efficient. Trying to manage the whole lawn using a grass cutter might be cumbersome. When you use the grass cutter around trees, there is a high chance that the blades will be damaged. There are some areas where the lawnmowers cannot access; nevertheless, the grass cutters can easily access some of these regions, including the borderline.

As a homeowner, you should always strive to ensure that the lawn is well maintained using natural means. Taking care of the lawn means that it should be trimmed and mowed regularly. Also, some organic fertilizers should be applied regularly.

Types Of Lawn Mowers

As we earlier stated, there are several types of lawnmowers. They come in different styles. Some of the best include riding mowers, self-propelled mowers, addition to robotic mowers. Other examples are such as push mowers, gas-powered mowers, corded and cordless mowers. Because these machines come in a variety, you need to be familiar with your demands before choosing one.

– Budget

Also, your budget should be factored into the list. Usually, your selection would rely on the state of your lawn. For instance, your lawn’s size should determine the quality of the mower you need to purchase. This implies that a walk-behind mower would be a perfect selection for a large yard. A smaller yard can be mowed using a smaller device.

– Riding lawn mowers

If your yard is larger than ½ acre, then consider purchasing a rear-engine mower. Riding mowers that have a rear-mounted engine can also offer excellent visibility coupled with mobility around your garden.

A quality lawnmower is generally pretty affordable. It may cost you a couple of hundred dollars. Secondly, there are also several budget options for those who aspire to own relatively functional equipment compared to the standard versions. Your selection will depend on the style as well as the features you prefer. These options will dictate the price to pay in the long run. The type of mower you select will also dictate the volume of dirt and remnants you will manage to shell out from your lawn. To make a viable decision, here is what you should know;

A reliable lawnmower can be fixed in design. However, generally, it is adjustable by its operator, which is usually a single lever. Other than that, it can be controlled by a nut as well as a bolt. When it comes to choosing a reliable mower, still, you can select one that is powered with a manual force because the wheels operate mechanically.

The wheels are also connected to their corresponding cutting blades. In this case, you should be aware that every time the blades of the mower spin, you will be shelving off some dirt. When you push your mower forward, the blades will spin, thereby cutting any element that needs to be disposed of.

Grass Cutters

If you reside in a home with a yard, you may be making use of a specific type of grass cutter to ensure that the yard is in good condition. There are different types of grass cutters, and they each have different uses. Also, these grass cutters come in different types and sizes. Their major use is to make sure that the grass in the yard has been trimmed. When cutting grass, you need to make use of the grass cutters. When you choose the right grass cutter, the results will be satisfactory, and the yard will be appealing. Different types of grass cutters include:

Hedge Trimmers

Hedge trimmers are quite common. They are used to trim lawn hedges since a lawnmower cannot cut the grass located at the edge. The hedge trimmers usually have an electric or gas motor. They also have a spindle that usually spins the hard plastic line that generally cuts the grass. There are also heavy-duty hedge trimmers, and they have cutting blades. They are specifically suited towards cutting the thick bushes. The hedge trimmers are also operated manually.

Final Remarks

When looking into the differences between the grass cutters and the lawnmowers, the comparison should be narrowed down by focusing on your goals when maintaining the lawn. You may peruse through various reviews so that you may gain some insight into the best lawn mowers to use. The grass cutters are operated manually, and they cannot be used to trim the entire lawn as a result of the cumbersome nature of the procedure. The lawnmowers and the grass cutters also share some similarities, and they also have numerous differences; nevertheless, they come in handy when carrying out lawn maintenance. Now that you have garnered knowledge about the differences and advantages of the lawnmowers, you should ensure that you weigh these factors in your selection list.

The Best Lawn Mower for Small Yards, Including Cordless and Reel Mower

Welcome to the Thomas guide to the best lawn mower for small yards 2023. Thomas has been connecting North American industrial buyers and suppliers for more than 120 years. When you purchase products through our independent recommendations, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The best lawn mowers for small yards are easy to use, compact and easy to store, and, most importantly, can reach areas of a lawn, i.e., around garden beds, that larger, more heavy-duty mowers can’t. A lot of mowers on the market nowadays also include necessary accessories that deem it unnecessary for buyers to purchase various other garden tools like trimmers. Smaller lawn mowers tend to have some key features that make them unique including foldable handles and a shorter cutting width.

The list below has a selection of small units with various deck sizes, including one mower with a deck that completely detaches to transform into a string trimmer and lawn edger. Before that, our buying guide can help you know what to look for when shopping for the best mower for your smaller yard especially if storage space is limited.

Here is a list of the best lawn mowers for small yards, followed by a buying guide to help you select the best lawn mower for small yards.

Thomas’ Top Picks for the Best Lawn Mowers for Small Yards 2023

Whether you cut the lawn regularly or once a month, there are plenty of mowers to choose from for small yards. A manual mower, a reel style mower, or models with a decent cutting width, here is the list of the best lawn mowers for small yards.

Best Lightweight Mower for Small Yard: Yard Machines 20-Inch Push Mower | Buy Now

Best Practical Mower for Small Yard: BLACKDECKER 20V 3-in-1 Kit | Buy Now

Best Corded Lawn Mower for Small Yard: Sun Joe Mow Joe 20-Inch Electric Mower | Buy Now

Scroll down to read more about these top picks for the best lawn mowers for small yards, according to many happy buyers.

listed in this article were as shown in US on amazon.com (USA), homedepot.com, and walmart.com, as of May 2023

Best Cordless Lawn Mower for Small Yard—Makita XML03CM1

For a battery-powered, cordless lawn mower with a bit of punch, the Makita XML03CM1 is a strong contender. There are four 4.0 batteries included with the unit, and it has an 18-inch steel mower deck that’s easily folded away for storage. It moves around a lawn with ease and can do so quietly thanks to a special mode that keeps noise down with a constant speed of 2,500 rpm.

“I was able to cut 7,000 square feet with three sets of batteries,” wrote a customer. “I used one, inserted the second, and in the meantime charged the first set. [The] motor is really powerful and doesn’t stop on really high grass and weeds. This takes approximately 40 minutes to charge 1 set of 4.0 Ah batteries. It’s easy to remove grass from the basket and to clean the mower.”

Cutting width: 18 inches

Power: Battery powered

Weight: 79.8 pounds

Best Durable Lawn Mower for Small Yard—Toro Recycler 21-Inch Lawn Mower

One durable lawn mower that produces smooth, reliable power is the Toro Recycler. Customers have praised this outdoor power tool for handling lawns well. With a full tank of gas, it should have around 90 minutes of run time. The gas-powered mower is lightweight, made of quality materials, and can be stowed vertically. It’s also a rear-wheel drive and uses a pull cord to start.

“The Toro Recycler 22 in. SmartStow really is a great lawnmower,” wrote one reviewer. “The pulling power it has is great. Now I do my whole lawn in about one hour on one tank, front and back. I like even better [that I can] just fold the handle forward, lift, and roll into its spot.”

Cutting width: 21 inches

Power: Gas mower

Weight: 67 pounds

Best Push Lawn Mower for Small Yard—PowerSmart DB2194PR 21-Inch

Praised for getting into hard-to-reach places and for working wonders on uneven lawns, the PowerSmart DB2194PR 21-inch 3-in-1 gas push lawn mower has proven highly effective. The compact size makes it ideal for small yards, but its 21-inch cutting width allows it to hit every blade. The bag has mulching capabilities and a side discharge to direct grass clippings toward one side.

“It is pretty light and easy to maneuver,” wrote a customer. “[It] did a great job in mulching the clippings, and so far, it has a sharp cut.” Another user wrote, “I found this easy-to-use, and it’s a very effective lawn mower at a decent price.”

Cutting width: 21 inches

Power: Gas-powered push mower

Weight: 63 pounds

Best Lightweight Lawn Mower for Small Yard—Yard Machines 20-Inch Push Mower

Customers were thrilled with how lightweight and easy to maneuver the Yard Machines 20-inch push mower was. Though it doesn’t have a push-button start, buyers found that the machine started up easily and also praised it for cutting down tall weeds without hassle. Start this mower by using the pull cord and walk behind the mower to push it over the lawn.

One customer wrote, “I’ve used it for about three hours run time, and it has been constantly easy to start; it appears to use less gas for the same cutting time, and it’s quite lightweight.” Another buyer commented, “It was incredibly easy to set up, starts every time on the first pull, and powers through tall and/or wet grass.”

Cutting width: 20 inches

Power: Gas-powered push mower

Weight: 50 pounds

BUY NOW: US269 (Was US329), The Home Depot

Also Available at: Walmart, Amazon

Best Electric Lawn Mower for Small Yard—Litheli Cordless 13-Inch

There are five height adjustments on the Litheli Cordless 13-inch electric mower. This is a mower built especially for users wanting a quiet machine that’s easy to move, compact, and fit for small yards. For added protection, the machine has two safety power switches–one on the handle and one inside the battery compartment.

“It meets all my expectations,” wrote a customer. “It arrived earlier than expected. It comes mostly assembled and is lightweight but also does a great job mowing the lawn. The battery life lasted about 40 minutes on a full charge.”

Cutting width: 13 inches

Power: Cordless electric

Weight: 27.3 pounds

Best Reel Mower for Small Yard—Remington Push Reel Lawn Mower

Gas-powered mowers can be side-stepped for lower-maintenance electric options, such as the Remington RM3000 16-inch reel push power tool. It has nine different height adjustments and finding fuel isn’t necessary for its sharp blades to function. When in action, the engine runs quietly to help with cutting during the early mornings or late evenings, without feeling guilty about disturbing the neighbors.

“This mower is so easy to use and has very sharp blades,” wrote a customer. “Perfect for our smaller-sized yard. Love that I don’t have to fill it with gas, or mess with the motor. Nope—just grab and go. Mowing the yard takes only a few minutes!”

Cutting width: 16 inches

Power: Electric

Weight: 28 pounds

Best Cordless Electric Lawn Mower for Small Yard—Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Battery-Powered Mower

To help cut grass with ease, customers opted for the Greenworks 40v, 16-inch, cordless 4.0Ah electric lawn mower. It has a self-propellor mechanism that adds pressure on the lever and boosts the cut quality to power through tough grass. The batteries pop in and out of the charger with ease and the handle folds down to make for easier storage.

“This is a great mower for trimming around the house before or cleaning up after a larger mower,” wrote a shopper. “It is narrow, light, can be height adjusted on the fly, and can reach the places [that] a heavier mower would need considerable strength and stamina [to push], with minimum effort.”

Cutting width: 16 inches

Power: Electric, battery

Weight: 37.5 pounds

Best Practical Lawn Mower for Small Yard—BLACKDECKER 20V 3-in-1 Kit

There are several reasons why the BLACKDECKER 3-in-1 string trimmer, lawn edger, and lawn mower kit is worth it for owners of small lawns. This is a powerhouse of a kit and customers were impressed with this do-it-all set. Once the wheeled deck is removed, this converts into two other tools—a trimmer and edger. The mower is lightweight and cuts a 12-inch width, while the trimmer and edger are handheld tools and equally as efficient in their roles.

It has a cutting height of 1.6 to 2.4 inches and is most suitable for small yards. It can also tackle inclines. The unit comes with two batteries, and its small size makes it easy to pack away. “Lightweight and I don’t break my arm starting it, like my gas mower,” wrote one customer. “It switches from mower to weed eater and edge trimmer with a tap of foot to release.” Another person who lives on a two-acre hill added that it’s “a go-anywhere masterpiece of yardsmanship.”

Cutting width: 12 inch

Power: Two 2 Ah batteries and charger included

Weight: 14.95

Best Corded Lawn Mower for Small Yard—Ryobi 13-Inch Corded Electric Mower

This corded electric lawn mower from Ryobi impressed customers with its power output. The company produces a number of good-quality power tools, and this one is no different. It is a handy small mower with a long extension cord that’s perfect for small yards as smooth to push around and emits low noise levels. Thanks to its 23-pound frame and 13-inch cutting width, it can get close to objects and keep overgrown grass and weeds at bay.

Many satisfied customers also commented on how easy it was to dispose of the clipping bag contents once it’s filled. “This little Ryobi did an amazing job,” began one customer. “Super easy to maneuver under tree branches, rose bushes, around stumps, and on corners. Not much assembly was required. You lock the handle poles into corresponding holes on the sides of the mower and push down with force to lock into place. Very happy with my purchase!”

Cutting width: 13 inches

Power: Electric

Weight: 23 pounds

Best Lawn Mower for Small Yards with High Grass—Sun Joe Mow Joe 20-Inch Corded Electric Mower

Push mowers such as the Sun Joe Mow Joe 20-inch corded electric machine are a popular choice as they’re easy to use and eco-friendly. It’s lightweight, has seven manual height adjustments, and can cut through tall grass well. Taking less than 15 minutes to assemble, this Sun Joe electric mower for small yards is durable and requires little maintenance. It has a steel blade and is powered by a 12-amp motor.

Other features include a foldable handle, mulching disposal bag, and rust-resistant deck. “This corded electric mower works great…This gets the leaves up pretty well while the grass is not growing as quickly, as the clippings are mostly leaves,” wrote one happy customer. “I just dump the chopped up leaves from the catcher in my wooded areas and flower beds for mulch to keep the weeds down. The large wheels are easy to roll over the bumpy portions of the yard and can turn tight corners.”

Cutting width: 20 inches

Power: Corded electric mower

Weight: 51.8 pounds

The Best Lawn Mower for Small Yard—Summary

One cordless lawn mower that impressed customers with its powerful abilities to cut grass is the Makita XML03CM1 (US399, Amazon). This mower is battery-powered and has an 18-inch steel mower deck. It’s great for keeping noise levels down and easily folds to store away.

Multiple customers hardly needed to use another garden tool or accessory once they purchased the BLACKDECKER 3-in-1 kit (US160.86, The Home Depot). The set includes a lawn mower, string trimmer, and lawn edger. It’s impressively apt at doing all its jobs and is lightweight enough to reach hard-to-reach areas, such as around bushes and trees.

Though it didn’t make it to this list, the 14-inch manual reel mower from the American Lawn Mower Company (US85.49, Amazon) is another good option for anyone with complex lawns with things like exposed tree stumps and exposed roots. This is lighter than a gas mower and can get around tough patches with ease.

Choosing the Best Lawn Mowers for Small Yards—Buying Guide

To help make cutting the lawn feel more pleasurable and less like a chore, it’s best to take some time to decide what type of mower will cut the grass as quickly and efficiently as possible. There are around 15 types of general lawn mowers available. Customers often choose electric and reel mowers for small gardens, however, there are a few more options suited to smaller yards.

Cutting Width

The lawn mower’s deck is one of the most important features of this power tool. The deck not only protects the user from the cutting blade and debris flicking up but decks are often available in smaller dimensions to best navigate around a small yard. This part is usually height adjustable to tackle various grass heights and is typically made of corrosion and rust-resistant metal.

Before cutting the grass, it’s wise to think about what cutting width is required. A lawn mower with a large cutting width will be more difficult to maneuver around small yards. On the other hand, if a lawn mower with a cutting width too small is used then the task could take longer than needed. The upcoming selection features cutting ranges between 12 to 21 inches to offer a variety of options for small yards. A 16-inch cutting width is good for boxy or rectangular yards, while a yard with more obstacles is more suited to a 14-inch mower.

Other Considerations

Once the decision has been made on which lawn mower easily cuts the grass of the small yard in question, there are a few other features to consider.

• Grass catcher capacity: Check the size of the bag which is collecting the grass clippings. A larger bag means less trips to the compost heap, although it may make the mower heavier.
• Self-propelled mowers: From the list of the best lawn mowers for small yards below there are a few electric models which are self-propelled. This is a great feature to have in a mower as it means the mower doesn’t need to be pushed. Guide the mower through and it does the job automatically. This makes mowing easier and some mowers have adjustable speeds to assist as required.
• Mulch mowers: A mulching mower is where the blade and mowing deck chop the grass multiple times before spitting out the grass clippings back onto the lawn. Side discharge mowers can direct this cut grass out to the side, and usually, a bag can be installed to directly catch the clippings as they fall out.
• Assembly: Some mowers require assembling. Most will just need the handle slotted into place, and some will come pre-assembled. Check before you buy how intricate or fiddly a model is to put together.
• Handle: Depending on how tall or short the user is, it’s worth checking whether the mower has an adjustable height handle. Also, some handles can be folded down to easily be tucked away for storage which is particularly handy if you mow frequently.
• Cutting heights: Depending on the grass length, the cutting height of a mower may be a significant detail to buyers purchasing a new mower. Most manufacturers will state how tall of grass the mower will cut.
• Start: Though many mowers, typically gas mowers, have a pull cord to start, many newer mowers have a push button start which many customers find easier and preferable.

We hope our review of the top lawn mowers for small yards has been helpful. For more suppliers of related products, including lawn mowers, lawn mower tractors, lawn mower bags, lawn mower blades, and lawn mower handles, consult our additional guides, or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform.

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The Best Lawn Mowers of 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Honda HRX217VKA

The Honda HRX217VKA is powerful, heavy and ideal for larger lawns. Read

Ego Power LM2135SP

This mower is powerful, comfortable, and a joy to use. It performed extremely well mulching and driving itself uphill. Read

Honda HRN216VKA

Honda has produced superior power equipment for many years and this mower, which operates with rear-wheel drive, is no exception. Read

Kobalt KM 5080-06

The electric Kobalt KM 5080-06 was flexible and easy to operate, and can run bagged or bagless. Read

Hart HLPM061US

The Hart HLPM061US performed well across terrains and has a simple to use speed control. Read

Cons

Until just a few short years ago, gas lawn mowers were king. As more consumers are seeking eco-friendly cars, homes, and, yes, power equipment, advanced battery technology answers the call.

Today, consumers can drive an electric car, thrive in a solar-powered home and maintain their property with battery-powered equipment. But are the new electric push lawn mowers as good as the old internal combustion mowers? We decided to find out.

We tested gasoline, electric-corded, and battery-powered lawn mowers from the leading brands. We were eager to see if the battery-powered mowers could handle a large yard as well as the tried-and-true gasoline models. We weren’t disappointed. The Honda HRX217VKA (available at Amazon) came out on top as Best Overall, edging out its predecessor and our previous winner, the Honda HRN216VKA.

For the non-gasoline mowers, the Ego Power LM2135SP (available at Walmart) is our choice for Best Electric Lawn Mower. This mower set-up was quick, and it handled our testing well. The Ego Power also includes features not found on similar electric models.

The Honda HRX217VKA was a pleasure to use.

• Power source: Gas
• Self-propelled: Yes
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Rear discharge or shred leaves
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 113 lbs

Quiet and powerful, the Honda HRX217VKA 21-inch NeXite lawn mower is the one to have for larger spaces. It is not designed for small yards, and you won’t be darting in and out of flower beds and shrubbery.

It is a pleasure to use. We had tested Honda mowers before and were familiar with their operation and overall product quality. The HRX217VKA did not disappoint. Easy to assemble and set up right out of the box, it started on the first pull of the cord.

Right away you can feel the heft of this mower with its innovative NeXite deck and powerful motor. It’s heavier than most mowers, but it feels planted on the lawn and tracks perfectly. It’s a mower for large lawns, and it makes the most difficult cuts a breeze.

With its 200cc motor and Select Drive Control, this mower easily cuts, bags and mulches the heaviest grass with ease. The Select Drive Control is almost intuitive as it lets you adjust the walking speed with a variety of settings.

The controls on the mower are large and easy to use. You can set the mower to bag or mulch or anywhere in between. Its user-friendly platform is clearly marked. You will use this lawn mower for years and years to come.

Cons

The Ego Power LM2135SP is the best electric lawn mower we’ve tested.

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: Yes
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 88 lbs

Until a few years ago, those who preferred not to buy an internal combustion mower had little choice. But advanced battery technology has finally arrived and the benefits can readily be seen in the Ego Power LM2135SP, a 21-inch self-propelled electric mower. This cordless mower with a cutting width of 21 inches utilizes a 56-volt lithium ion battery to power through up to 60 minutes of lawn cutting.

The Ego Power is powerful, comfortable, and a joy to use. Even though the battery only lasted about an hour, the mower performed extremely well mulching and driving itself uphill. It has plenty of torque and is capable of doing anything a gasoline-powered mower can do. It is clean, easy to use, and efficient.

The set-up on this mower was the easiest of the bunch. The handle slides and folds across the mower with ease, making storage a snap. Adjusting it to a personal height takes seconds.

A quick 50-minute charge on the battery and you’re ready to go. The battery charger even has a cooling fan that improves charging times and keeps the battery cool.

Like some of our other mowers, the Ego Power has twin blades that improve mulching and keep the trips to empty the rear bag to a minimum. Cutting height is achieved with one easy-to-access lever.

Operation is straightforward, and the composite deck makes the mower light and easy to maneuver around yard obstacles. Simply depress the power button, pull the green handle and the blades begin to spin. Dual buttons on the handle make engaging the self-propel feature safe and comfortable.

The Ego Power comes with LED headlights for convenience, and it was the only mower we tested that could propel itself when the blades were not spinning. This was a nice feature that eliminated pushing the mower back to the garage.

Other Lawn Mowers We Tested

Previously our pick for best lawn mower, the Honda HRN216VKA is a 21-inch self-propelled gas mower that’s a great choice for any yard. Honda has produced superior power equipment for many years, and this mower, which operates with rear-wheel drive, is no exception. It can handle the toughest lawns with ease and won’t take up much room in the garage.

The set-up was easy and the mower started on the first pull. Its smooth engine is quieter than the other gasoline mowers, and it has more than enough power to cut and mulch the grass even while going uphill.

The Honda has a stacked and offset blade design that produces smaller clippings, which allows for better mulching and bagging. This means more efficient cutting and fewer stops to empty the grass bag. The bagging and mulching options can be easily and safely selected, once the mower is off, by using one lever on the mowing deck.

The innovative self-propel system is comfortable on the hands, provides adequate speed control, and can even be adjusted for those who are taller or shorter. Folding the handle for storage can be done quickly. This Honda lawn mower even has a gas shut-off valve for off-season storage.

Cons

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: No
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 66 lbs

The Kobalt 80V 21-inch electric mower is a great choice for anyone that wants an affordable, flexible, compact mower that is easy to maneuver and doesn’t require extension cords or gas cans. The mower is strong enough to chop through thick grass, and offers a highly adjustable cutting height.

At 66 pounds it is very easy to operate, with the ability to go bagged or bagless, and you can fold up the push handle for compact storage.

The main draw here is the 80V battery system, which gives you an hour of runtime in our testing, enough to cut about 7,500 square feet on a full charge. It also works in a variety of other Kobalt tools, and spares will run you right around 150. Charging the battery takes around 45 minutes when it’s dead, and it just pops into the battery slot and the mower can turn on with a press of a button if the safety key is inserted—much easier than having to use a traditional pull start.

Overall if you need a nice, basic mower to get the job done and want to go cordless, this is an excellent choice. It cuts clean lines, it’s easy to use, it can handle most lawns with ease, and the light weight makes it much easier to move up and around slopes and hills.

Especially if you’re planning to invest in a range of electric tools, this is a good system to buy into.

Cons

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: Yes
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: All-wheel
• Weight: 89.5 lbs

This Hart lawnmower was a pleasant surprise.

After removing it from the box and charging the batteries, we fired it up and took it out to the thick, lush grass.

It performed beautifully; its powerful electric motor cut through the lawn with ease and even increased its revolutions when we cut thicker grass. This mower easily handles a larger lawn.

The Hart mower moved with power and confidence through the lawn, and the simple-to-use speed control was right there at your fingertips. While our winning Honda gas mower has a sophisticated Select Drive System, the Hart’s simple slide bar works as well or better.

This excellent lawnmower has the power and convenience of mowers costing much more.

Cons

The Toro is a worthy competitor to the top-ranking mowers on this list.

This Toro lawn mower has the largest cutting area at 22 inches, and it is powerful and comfortable to use, thanks to its Personal Pace self-propel system.

To engage the self-propel, simply push the lever forward a bit and the mower begins to move forward, push it a little more and the mower moves faster. After a couple of rows of cutting, you will see how easy it is to regulate speed. This system is not as intuitive as some of the others, but it still works quite well.

Another great feature: The Toro has Briggs and Stratton’s check-don’t-change oil system that never requires an oil change.

Storage is also a snap as the handle folds down and the mower can be stored vertically.

Cons

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: No
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Rear discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 58 lbs

At just 58 pounds, this mower makes cutting small lawns a lot of fun. The rear discharge chute allows you trim close to trees, beds, and shrubbery. I found myself zipping around obstacles using only one hand.

This is a simple machine with one battery in the center. Charging time is quick, and once the battery is in you’re on your way.

This is not a lawn mower for the back 40. With a 20-inch cut and a small electric motor, it is just not capable of handling larger lawns. But for most mid to small yards, this mower can clean up the area in no time.

Light and easy to store, this is the perfect mower to keep a lawn looking great.

Cons

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: Yes
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 78 lbs

The 21-inch Ryobi RY401150 40-volt brushless mower set up quickly and easily right out of the box. It includes double blades and cuts clean and clear.

This mower comes with two batteries that can be installed in the top of the machine. One notable drawback is that only one battery powers the mower at a time—cut your grass for approximately 30 minutes and when the first battery is depleted, you stop and move a switch to engage the second battery. Ryobi says that the batteries will last for 70 minutes, but stopping to change batteries seems counterproductive.

Otherwise, the mower performed well and completed all of the tests. It has a one-lever height adjustment and is light enough to maneuver around obstacles. It has plenty of power and handled the hill with little strain.

While both the Ego Power and Ryobi were solid performers on the electric front, the Ryobi was let down by its self-propel controls. The controls are located under the bar, but the lever is vague and unresponsive. Because the lever is designed for thumbs only, you need to push the lever in an awkward manner to get the mower up to speed.

Cons

• Power source: Electric/corded
• Self-propelled: No
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 65 lbs

For a corded mower, the Greenworks 25022 lawn mower performed quite well. The set-up was easy, and once it was plugged in, it started right up.

Of course, before you use the mower there is the time-consuming task of unearthing your extension cord, unraveling it, and finding a suitable outdoor plug. Once plugged in, the mower embraces its purpose with ease.

It has a powerful 12-amp electric motor that may not conquer larger lawns, but is perfect for smaller yards and trimming duties. Not to mention it offers clean and even mowing.

Not being self-propelled, it takes some effort to push the lawn mower and cord uphill and then navigate a path back so as to not cut your cord.

Its small size makes storage a breeze.

Cons

The 14-inch Sun Joe MJ401E lawn mower is the easiest to store. Its diminutive size makes it the perfect lawn mower for small yards and trimming duties. It’s light enough to pick up and move, and it comes with an easy-to-use bagging system.

Still, this is not a lawn mower for cutting the typical suburban lawn, as its lightweight, short wheel base and small wheels make it a little unstable over roots and ruts.

Of all of the lawnmowers tested, the Sun Joe provided the most difficulty when it came time to adjust the height of the blades. The mower utilizes solid axles, front and rear, and the axles are located in a three-notch system under the mower. To change the height of the cut, you need to pull the spring-loaded axles from their positions and move them up or down. It’s a challenging exercise.

The Sun Joe is corded, so cutting area is limited. To its credit, it’s powerful enough when running, but the limited scope means you will have a hard time tackling an entire yard.

Cons

The Craftsman M220 is one of the more cumbersome mowers we’ve tested. Set up was more involved—to adjust it to my height I had to first kneel on the floor and remove two fasteners from the bottom of the handle and then pull the handle out of the body. Another two fasteners at the base of the handle allowed me to set the handle angle. The better mowers have release buttons and adjusting levers that allow the operator to make these adjustments quickly and safely while standing.

The mower started on the first pull and seemed to have enough power to tackle any lawn. However, the two levers on top of the handle—one to start and one for speed of self-propulsion—are difficult to operate. Both are difficult to grab if your hands are small to medium, and the levers are too far from the handle for comfortable operation. They’re also not intuitively placed; you have to look each time you make a pass.

The biggest disadvantage of this mower is that it is equipped with front-wheel drive. When self-propelled mowers first came out many years ago, a front-drive system was easy for manufacturers to design and implement and the homeowner didn’t have to push dead weight. The design worked for many years because there was nothing else. But over the years rear-drive systems were developed and it produced a more balanced, more comfortable cutting experience.

When cutting a lawn, the operator naturally has some weight on the handle. Add to this the weight of the grass in the bag off the back of the mower and you have a very light front end. Because the weight of the mower is not over the wheels, the front wheels tend to spin and grasp through each pass. This results in uneven lines, a hard to control mower (especially on a bumpy terrain), premature wearing out of the plastic front wheels, and difficulty trying to trim around obstacles. This antiquated front drive system really lets this mower down.

Cons

• Controls are cumbersome
• Front Drive System limits control and comfort
• Not nimble around obstacles

How We Tested Lawn Mowers

The Testers

We spent the summer mowing a half-acre New England lawn, over and over again.

Kevin Kavanaugh is a retired public school teacher and a product tester for Reviewed. Kevin has been cutting lawns for just about 50 years. He has always been intrigued by all things mechanical, be it watches, power equipment, vintage bicycles, or classic cars.

Ray Lane is a retired supermarket store manager, avid golfer, and product tester for Reviewed. His lawn is the envy of Cumberland, Rhode Island, and he has used several push mowers over the years. At 83 years of age, his input on the mowers was critical, specifically when evaluating ease of starting, maneuverability, and safety.

The Tests

We tested lawn mowers on both flat land and hills to test maneuverability and power.

After ordering from retailers like Lowe’s and The Home Depot, we assembled each mower and took note of the ease of the set up and how quickly we could adjust the handle to our preference. We then added gasoline, a battery, or an electrical cord to get the mower ready. We evaluated at the ease of setting the cutting height, first testing a high cutting height and then a lower one.

We took each mower on a few passes of an uncut half-acre lawn, measuring approximately 22,000 square feet, noting how it cut at a high height and a lower height while we monitored both the bagging and mulching features. Then we took each mower up and down a grassy hill to see how they performed. Our final test was testing storage capability.

What You Should Know About Lawn Mowers

Self-propelled lawn mowers can take some of the effort out of walk-behind mowing.

There are two basic types of walk-behind mowers: push and self-propelled.

The push type of mower is usually smaller, lighter, and easier to store. They are used primarily for smaller, level lawns. They are perfect for cleaning up areas that larger riding lawn mowers may miss. They can be run by gasoline, cords, or battery.

Self-propelled lawn mowers usually have a larger cutting diameter and can move on their own through operator controls. These mowers can also be powered by gasoline, cords, or battery. Since they take the brunt of the pushing away, self-propelled mowers are perfect for larger lawns up to a half-acre, and they can easily handle hills and sloped lawns. These self-propelled mowers aren’t fully robotic lawn mowers so you still have to do some work guiding them around your yard.

What Is A Self-propelled Lawn Mower?

The first self-propelled lawn mowers started to appear in the late-1960s. As suburbia grew and lawns got larger, pushing a heavy steel mower around on a summer afternoon wasn’t what most people wanted to be doing.

The first self-propelled mowers had primitive front-wheel drive systems that worked well enough, but the mowers often moved along too slowly. Sure, you weren’t pushing but you were caught in a slow-moving lawn-cutting procession. Early mowers either moved too slowly or too fast to match a natural walking speed.

Today’s mowers offer a much better propulsion system. The Honda NeXite Variable Speed 4-in-1 Gas Walk Behind Self-propelled Mower with Select Drive Control, for example, allows a variety of walking speed settings. Owners can literally dial in their preferred walking speed so that they become one with the mower, not being pulled and not having to push.

The Ego Power Select Cut 56-Volt Brushless 21-in Self-propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower even allows the operator to drive out to the lawn without the blades turning. That is a great feature.

Today’s self-propelled mowers reduce operator fatigue and make cutting the grass easier than years ago. Self-propelled mowers make cutting on hills safer and more efficient. And with modern speed options they make a summertime chore a little more enjoyable.

Gasoline, Corded Electric, or Battery—Which Lawn Mower is Right for You?

Battery-powered lawn mowers can be powerful and efficient.

Gasoline

Gasoline-powered lawnmowers have kept lawns manicured for decades. They are powerful, reliable, and affordable, and come with features such as self-propelled movement, mulching features, and self-cleaning availability. They are powerful enough for large lawn care jobs and can tackle any lawn from a quarter- to half-acre acre. Any lawn bigger than that would necessitate a riding mower.

But gas-powered mowers emit dangerous carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, require yearly maintenance, and require the storage of gasoline and oil. This may not be suitable for some consumers.

Corded Electric

Corded electric mowers have been around for years and were historically the choice of consumers who had smaller lawns and didn’t need the more powerful gasoline mower. While powerful enough to get most cutting or trimming jobs done, the one obvious drawback to a corded mower is the electrical cord.

For any yard worthy of mowing, a long electrical extension cord is required to power the mower. This can be a minor annoyance, such as having to keep the cord free from getting tangled in trees and bushes, to a major annoyance when you drive over it and cut it into small pieces.

However, corded electric mowers require no gas, oil, or maintenance and, other than a blade sharpening from time to time, can perform reliably for years.

Battery

Battery-powered cars, power equipment, and tools have been around for a long time. The electric motors were strong and reliable enough, but the battery was not. Just a few years ago, an electric car could expect to go only 100 miles on a charge, and power tools and equipment didn’t last long either. In the past few years, battery technology has improved by leaps and bounds.

Electric cars can expect hundreds of miles on a charge and power tools and equipment can last a full day. This lithium battery technology found its way to lawnmowers and it has created a viable option for those consumers who don’t want gas and don’t want a cord. These battery-powered mowers are powerful, efficient, lightweight, and green. Many now use brushless electric motors, which are more efficient, produce more torque, and are longer lasting than the older electric motors with brushes.

How often should I mow my lawn?

Cutting the lawn too often and only cutting it when it gets overgrown are both unhealthy for a lush, beautiful lawn. The rule of thumb in the lawn-care industry is to keep the grass between 3 inches and 3.5 inches in length. This allows the grass to be long enough to thrive in hot, summer weather.

When cutting grass, never take more than a third of the blade at once. In other words, never cut more than an inch or so. Not only does this cause clumping of grass on the lawn or in the mower bag, but it takes too many nutrients and moisture from the grass itself.

After the late winter fertilizer treatments and the often heavy rains, lawns start to come to life. You’ll find that the grass will need cutting every 4 to 5 days in order to remove just enough length. As the summer wanes on and the temperature rises, the grass will grow a bit slower and a once week cutting is adequate.

It is also important to keep the blades of your lawnmower good and sharp. Since the lawnmower blades are often made of steel, they will develop a dull edge after a season of cutting. A dull edge on a blade will tear the grass and not cut it. This may result in browning of the tips of the grass and put more stress on the mower as well.

While you are under the deck checking those blades—and always disconnect the spark plug wire before going under the mower—be sure there is no old clumped up grass clinging to the mower deck.

Meet the testers

Director, Content Development

TJ is the Director of Content Development at Reviewed. He is a Massachusetts native and has covered electronics, cameras, TVs, smartphones, parenting, and more for Reviewed. He is from the self-styled Cranberry Capitol of the World, which is, in fact, a real thing.

Kevin Kavanaugh is a retired public school teacher and a product tester for Reviewed. Kevin has been cutting lawns for just about 50 years. He has always been intrigued by all things mechanical, be it watches, power equipment, vintage bicycles, or classic cars.

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you’re confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we’ll compare notes.

The best robotic lawn mowers for 2023

Like the look of robotic lawn mowers? Browse our pick of the very best, for gardens of all shapes and sizes.

Increasingly popular with UK gardeners, robotic lawn mowers are a welcome, hands-free alternative to traditional petrol and electric lawn mowers. Because a robotic lawn mower is fully automatic, it can be a brilliant option for gardeners who have mobility concerns, are away from home a lot, or simply find mowing a chore. Powered by rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries, most mowers are guided by a boundary cable laid around the edge of the lawn, which helps the robotic lawn mower identify where to mow and to avoid flower beds, trees and other obstacles.

While we tested models from a number of different brands, note that all of them offer a range of mowers with varying sizes, capabilities and features.

To compare these robotic models against other types of mowers, see our reviews of the best cordless lawn mowers, the best electric mowers and the best push mowers. And, if you’re looking to give your lawn a bit of TLC, our experts have tested a range of manual and powered aerators and scarifiers. check out the best scarifiers and best aerators reviews. You can also keep edges looking neat with our tests of the best strimmers or pick of the best lawn edging.

Best robotic lawn mowers at a glance

Our expertise

To help you find a robotic lawn mower suitable for your garden, we tested a range of mowers for different size gardens, including gardens with slopes and a complex shape. Each mower is in use for weeks at a time to allow us to assess its battery capacity and cutting proficiency as well as ease of use.

Each mower in our review has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to set up and ease of use, cutting performance, extra features and value for money. Every robotic mower in our round-up below has scored a minimum of four out of five stars, so you can buy with confidence.

The robotic mower industry is constantly evolving, with new developemnts and advances, and we are currently testing a number of the latest models ready to update this review shortly. Please check back soon to see the results of our new review.

Best robotic lawn mowers

Husqvarna Automower 405X

RRP: From £1899.00

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

• Unobtrusive colour
• Easy connectivity
• Clever mowing features
• GPS theft tracking

Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for features, the Automower 405x boasts a huge range of features that help the mower cut well and make the experience easy for the user. These include, three different start points, switching mowing pattern according to where it’s mowing, such as through a narrow passage, frost guard and weather time that automatically adjusts the height according to the grass growth, and its new Rewilding Zone where you can leave 10% of the lawn aside to grow for pollinators.It’s available to buy as a bare mower, which is then installed by a dealer for an additional cost, or with the installation kit included and you install it yourself. Suitable for smaller gardens 600m2, the mower operates with both a boundary wire and a guide wire and unlike some other mowers, has a more flexible docking station, which doesn’t need a wide, clear space around it. ours was tucked neatly into the side of a hedge. It’s also easy to set up via the intuitive keypad or the impressive Automower Connect app, which allows you to change the schedule, adjust the height of cut, check on the mower’s progress and receive notifications, simply and quickly no matter where you are. As an X model, the mower also has a built in SIM so you have both remote and voice controlled control. Our only confusion with set up was working out the scheduling needed, which took a couple of weeks to establish, and that the height of cut on the app is listed as 1-9, when it cuts between 20mm and 50mm.The mower can cope with 40% slopes, which should suit most gardens. The slope in our test garden has a tendency to get muddy and slippery so at the installer’s advice, we used the spiked Terrain wheels which stop the wheels slipping. Only occasionally did the mower fail to get up the slope and when the weather was really wet we simply removed that zone from the work area. The mower cut consistently well and is very quiet, the only perceptible sound is the whirring of the blades as they cut. It occasionally missed spots on the lawn but overall this is a very easy to use and high performing mower.The Automower 405x is just one in a large range of Husqvarna mowers to suit different size lawns. A host of accessories are also available, including a cover for the docking station and wheel brushes, as well as spare parts, from batteries and blades to wheels. Both the mower and the battery come with a 2 year warranty.

Buy the Husqvarna 405X Automower from Sam Turner, Husqvarna and Red Band