Lawn mower for professionals. Best Lawn Mower Reviews 2023

What’s the best push mower?

Looking for a good push mower to help you manicure your lawn?

Well, which 21” mower is the best on the market?

Below you will find our top 3 picks based on insight from lawn care pros and homeowners just like you on what they think the best push mower is on the market.

As well as several factors you should consider when buying your push mower.

Well then dive in quick, your grass is only getting taller the longer you wait.

Want to hire a lawn care pro? Keep these tips in mind when ordering lawn care.

What makes a good push mower?

A good push mower will have a quality engine, be easy to adjust in height, and be built to last.

Some of the best engines for push mowers are:

But the engine is only half the battle!

Here are 3 additional factors to consider when looking for the best push mower.

#1 High Wheels vs. Low Wheels

If you haven’t realized before, there are 2 different types of wheels that push mowers to come with, and this is a huge factor to consider when purchasing your push mower. And most brands will offer comparable models with high and low wheel sets.

High wheels are best for uneven land or a yard that has a lot of rocks. High-wheel mowers are also able to cut taller grass more effectively. However, there are some drawbacks to high-wheel lawn mowers, perhaps the biggest one is the increased cost.

Fortunately, if you have a small fairly even lawn, a low-wheeled mower will work just fine. For more on caring for your lawn, check out everything you need to know about lawn care.

#2 Should you get a reel mower or a rotary mower?

Many homeowners like to get a cheap reel mower if they have a small yard. These little mowers can be great if you stay on top of your lawn and cut it regularly. But if you fall behind a week or two in peak growing season, they aren’t going to serve you well.

That being said, if you want the best lawn mower, there are actually powered reel mowers that do an excellent job of maintaining your lawn.

In fact, they provide a superior cut in many ways, but like with the classic reel mower. If you fall behind, it’s not going to cut overly tall grass.

Whether you go with a reel or a rotary mower largely depends on how much time you want to dedicate to perfecting your lawn. If you want the job to be over with asap, go with a rotary mower. If you want to spend time cultivating the perfect lawn, then a reel mower is for you.

But for the sake of this guide, we are going to FOCUS on the best rotary push mower.

#3 Should I go with gas or electric?

Finally, the last thing you need to consider when selecting the best lawn mower is whether or not you want to go with gas or electric.

Nowadays, battery-powered lawn mowers are pretty comparable to gas-powered equipment both in quality and cost. So if you are split on the issue, you may want to go with a quieter battery-powered mower. Especially if you have neighbors nearby.

Pro Tip! If you do go with a battery-powered mower, be mindful of the brand you get. Batteries are not interchangeable across brands. So you want to pick a brand and stick with it when you go with battery power. Otherwise, you may wind up with a mountain of batteries and chargers clogging up your shed. So that your battery-powered mower, and battery-powered hedge trimmers have compatible batteries.

The 3 Best Push Mowers on the Market

Below you will find the best push mowers you can consider for your lawn. Both commercial and residential options.

#1 Top Pick- Best All Around- Honda Commercial Mower- 949

Hands down the top pick for a push mower is Honda’s 21” model. In fact 51% of lawn care professionals we have polled said that Honda was the go-to 21” mower. It does have a higher price point than most lawnmowers at about 949. But it is a solidly built push mower that is loved by lawn care pros and homeowners alike!

And for a commercial lawn mower, it has a relatively low price point.

#2 Best Battery Powered Mower- Ego. 399

If you are looking to go with a battery-powered mower, Ego’s push mower is a great option. They were one of the first in the battery-powered lawnmower game, and they have done a great job in advancing the technology. Ego’s push mower is light and highly collapsible.

It even offers unique features like headlights, a brushless motor, and a single height adjustment. Ego is a great battery-powered option and has a comparable price point to most push mowers at about 500.

#3 Best Budget Option- Troy-Bilt- 349

In 2019, we found that Troy-Bilt’s 21” mower was the best budget lawn mower. While the cost has gone up since then, the quality of the machine is still strong.

Compared to the other options in this list, it is substantially cheaper, all while delivering a solidly built push mower that will serve you for years to come.

Runner Up #1- Ex-Mark’s Commercial 21 X-Series- 1800

The first runner-up is the Ex-Mark X-series push mower. And the only reason it is not the number one pick on this list is that the 1800 price tag is a bit more than most homeowners want or need to spend.

That being said, if you want to make the investment, you won’t regret it!

Runner Up #2- Toro Recycler 21- 400

The second most revered push mower among lawn care pros is Toro. Toro’s 21-inch model was recommended by 40% of the lawn care providers that we polled. It’s also a rather affordable model as well coming in at 400.

Selecting the Best Push Mower for Your Lawn

There are a variety of factors that you should consider in your new push mower. If you want the best of the best as far as residential lawn mowers go, Honda is a solid pick.

But be sure to consider the factors discussed above before making your decision. It’s true, there are a lot of great models out there. In my experience, there are more good options than bad, but I would definitely stay away from the cheap 100-200 models.

You truly do get what you pay for when it comes to push mowers.

Hi, I’m Gene Caballero and I’m the co-founder of GreenPal. At GreenPal, we’re helping hundreds of thousands of Americans solve one of the trickiest problems: a reliable, fast, and affordable way to get lawncare taken care of. On behalf of GreenPal, I’ve been featured in the Indianapolis Star. the Sacramento Bee. Entrepreneur. Inc.com. and dozens more. Please feel free to say hi on or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Best Lawn Mower Reviews 2023

If you’re researching lawn mowers, you know there’s a TON to choose from. While we’ve used a bunch, we haven’t walked behind or sat on every mower available. We’re bringing our picks for the best lawn mower models from our own experiences to the table. But keep in mind these are hotly debated, even in our own office, and not every yard or property is the same.

There’s also another wrench in the mix—Honda is exiting the market in September 2023, bringing to an end some of our favorite mowers along with some of the most popular in the country.

We know they aren’t the only good ones out there. So give the other folks reading this article a hand and tell us what the best lawn mower is and why in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below.

Best Ride-On Lawn Mower

Commercial Pick: Hustler Hyperdrive Series Zero-Turn Lawn Mowers

Commercial ZTs have to have it all: durability, cut quality, speed, and comfort are at the top of the list. Fail in any one of these and you’ll be back to the drawing board.

Hustler’s Super Z Hyperdrive series earns our top recommendation in a split decision with Scag’s Turf Tiger II and eXmark’s Lazer Z X series also earning high marks.

Powered by Vanguard big block EFI 35 – 40 HP commercial engines, Hustler Hyperdrive mowers cut great and have speeds up to 16 MPH. Hustler’s I3M seats are comfortable for those long summer days while the hydraulics and transmission systems help keep the mower’s operations smoother than most.

On the durability side, the Hyperdrive’s 60 – 72-inch VX4 decks are fabricated from 7-gauge steel. Raised and lowered using foot control, they have a cutting height range of 1 – 5.5 inches.

Hustler backs the Hyperdrive series with a 2-year, unlimited hours/5-year, 1200-hour warranty with 3,000 hours for the drive system. Visit or call your local Hustler dealer for pricing.

Residential Pick: Cub Cadet Ultima ZTX6 Series Zero-Turn Lawn Mower

The Ultima ZT series is a popular entry into Cub Cadet’s zero-turn lineup but it’s worth stepping up to the Ultima ZTX series if you’re looking for the best ride-on mower for homeowners. As a whole, the line fits in the Prosumer class that bridges the gap between pure residential models and higher-priced commercial models. Dialing it in even further, the Cub Cadet ZTX6 mowers get our official recommendation.

Available with a 54 or 60-inch deck, both options get their power from Kawasaki FX801 25.5HP commercial-grade engines. Cub Cadet’s Hydro-Gear ZT-3400 hydrostatic transmission system is also commercial-grade and offers forward speeds up to 9 MPH.

Where you see the mowers come back toward a residential FOCUS is with a little less robust construction, including a 10-gauge reinforced steel deck. That said, with a 4 – 12-acre optimal property size rating, we’re not at all worried about its ability to hold up over time.

If you’re thinking you’d love a zero-turn in this class but lap bars aren’t your cup of tea, there’s now an Ultima ZTXS line that uses a steering wheel and Cub Cadet’s Synchro-Steer design.

Price: 8999.00 – 9299.00 (10299.00 for the 60-inch ZTXS6)

Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Commercial Pick: Exmark Commercial X-Series Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

As we bid adieu to Honda this year, the HRC series still gets two thumbs up from us while you can get them. From there, we turn to Exnark and its Commercial X line that complements its Lazer Z zero-turn mowers well. Some professionals will certainly turn to the higher-capacity 30-inch model, but we expect the 21-inch model will find its way onto more trailers.

Exmark wisely uses a Honda 163cc. GXV engine with a legendary reputation for reliability. It’s fed by a generous 1-gallon fuel tank and turns the blade at tip speeds up to 18,500 fpm. There’s also an option for a Kawasaki FJ180V engine if you’d like to step up to a 179cc engine.

The deck is 1/4-inch aluminum construction that keeps the weight down (112 pounds) while maintaining high durability. The deck is adjustable from 4.5 inches on the high side all the way down to 1 inch while the drive runs at speeds up to 4.2 MPH.

Residential Pick: Toro Super Recycler Series 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Toro runs deep in the residential lawn mower sector and our favorite among them is the Super Recycler series. Getting the best of all the technology Toro has to offer, our top recommendation (model 21565) includes the Personal Pace drive system and the Smart Stow design that allows you to vertically store the mower even though it’s a gas model.

It uses a 163cc Briggs Stratton engine that produces 7.25 ft-lbs of torque and just under 17,000 fpm blade tip speed.

Toro touts a commercial-grade construction on this model and includes a lighter aluminum deck rather than steel. In addition to that, you get outstanding cut quality, especially on the mulching side (you better with the name Super Recycler!). Wrapping it up, the Personal Pace drive system adjusts to your walking pace so there are no levers or dials to adjust.

Best Push Lawn Mower

Commercial Pick: Honda HRC-Series 21-Inch Push Lawn Mower

If you’re shopping for a legit push mower rather than a self-propelled one, your choices are very limited on the professional level. Our recommendation is to grab a Honda HRC216PDA while they’re still available. As part of the HRC line, you get the commercial-grade quality you need for a long service life.

The GSV160 commercial engine drives Honda’s MicroCut twin blades that create a better cut quality and handles overgrowth better than single-blade designs. The 3/4- to 4-inch height range is suitable for every lawn grass type.

The only downside is the fuel tank. It only holds 32 ounces, so you’ll need to refill it more often.

Residential Pick: Honda HRN-Series 21-Inch Push Lawn Mower

One good turn deserves another, and of all the residential push mowers available, we suggest you grab a Honda HRN216PKA while you still can. The HRN series replaced the massively popular HRR series and s a step down from the premium HRX series. Between those two residential lines, this is the only push mower Honda makes specifically for homeowners.

It uses a Honda GCV170 engine rated at 167cc, so you get more power than the 140cc class that most of the push mower options use. An auto choke makes starting easier and it comes with everything you need whether you mulch, bag, or side discharge.

Best Electric Battery-Powered Lawn Mower

Commercial Pick: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Ever since Milwaukee made its first efforts into the world of outdoor power equipment, people have been asking… what about a lawn mower? While it took several more years, the final product was worth the wait.

Using two M18 batteries for a power source, Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel mower produced more blade torque than any other electric competitor and matched the output of a 200cc gas engine. Excellent cut characteristics wrapped into a legit commercial-grade package made it the cream of the crop from day 1. So far, no other mower has been able to overtake it for the title of best electric lawn mower for professional use.

Price: 1099.99 with two 12.0Ah batteries and dual port simultaneous Rapid charger

Residential: EGO Select Cut XP 21-Inch Lawn Mower with Speed IQ

The evolution of EGO’s flagship mower is interesting. It started with the dual-battery Peak Power model that raised the bar of what lithium-ion is capable of. Then, we saw the first stacked-blade SelectCut options that improved cut quality and effectiveness in tall grass. The two technologies combined in the SelectCut XP. Now EGO adds Speed IQ to the mix.

Speed IQ is a self-propelled drive system that automatically adjusts to your pace. However, it’s not a spring-loaded set of handles like Toro uses on its Personal Pace models. Instead, there’s a sensor doing some serious engineering magic… and it works like a charm from our brief time with it at Equip Expo 2022 (formerly GIE).

Price: 999.00 with 12.0Ah battery and Turbo charger

Best Robotic Lawn Mower

Commercial Pick: Husqvarna CEORA Robotic Lawn Mower

Husqvarna runs deeper in the robotic lawn mower sector than any other brand and we’ve watched the technology get better and better as the years have passed. Moving into large-scale commercial mowing, we now see the Husqvarna CEORA take center stage.

The mower is capable of cutting up to 18 acres at a standard quality. However, you can also use it for sports fields where it can leave a professional cut on up to 6 acres per charge. Here’s the kicker—you don’t need wires. This model features Husqvarna’s Exact Positioning Operating System (EPOS) that combines a reference station and satellite technology to create a virtual boundary system.

Price: 32,829.94 starter kit

Residential Pick: Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD

Husqvarna consistently stays on the cutting edge of robotic lawn mower technology and they moved the bar higher (again) with the Automower 435X AWD. This futuristic-looking machine is specifically designed to be able to handle hills up to 35°.

This Automower works great for yards up to roughly 0.9 acres and the battery keeps it mowing for an hour and 40 minutes. Charging takes just 30 minutes before it’s off and running again.

Like most robotic mowers, the cut height is limited. Ranging from 1.2 to 2.8 inches, it’s not the best option for all grass species.

Smartphone connectivity and GPS assistance are built into the system. It’s not completely wire-free just yet, though Husqvarna is working on that.

Price: Starts at 5199.00 with professional installation (3999.00 without professional installation)

How We Choose – Best Lawn Mower Buying Guide

Lawn mowers at the level we’re writing on make up a vast category, and we’re not going into all the fine details about all the classes we’re recommending—that would take a really long time to write (and might be terribly boring to read)! However, there are several things common to all mowers that we look for.

Cutting Power

Some grass is easy to cut, others, not so much. The St. Augustine grass we have in central Florida grows particularly thick and we need enough power to cut through it while keeping the blade speed high enough to get the best cut quality the mower can offer.

Cut Quality

When we talk about cut quality, we’re looking at a couple of things. First, we want to see how even the mower leaves the grass. The best lawn mowers make your yard look like a green field of carpet that rolls with the small hills.

Second, we check to see how small the blades chop grass for mulching and how much grass it leaves behind when we’re bagging. No matter which one you prefer, you want the lawn to look clean when you’re done.

Engine Reliability

Do you want your mower to last a season or multiple seasons? Some engines, such as Honda, are known for their multi-year reliability. On the residential side, Honda engines can last a decade!

Even though professionals repower or buy a completely new mower every 3 – 5 years, quality engines from Kawasaki, Vanguard, and others can keep those years of service trouble-free with regular maintenance.

Build Quality

The engine isn’t the only part of the mower you need to keep an eye on. Belt pulleys, height adjustments, wheels, and much more need to stand up to the kind of hours you’re going to put on the mower. That’s very different for someone who mows once a week and a professional crew that covers 20 lawns a day.

Lawn Size Suitability

You’re not going to use an 18-inch lawn mower to maintain a 3-acre property. At least, you shouldn’t be. But those mowers are great for smaller city lawns. We always take into account the best lawn size for each mower. Part of that is the deck, and part of it is how efficiently it uses a tank of gas or a set of batteries.

Price and Value

What you get for your money is another consideration for many people. Finding the right balance of performance, quality, and price is high on our list, and what each mower offers for the price plays into our selections.

Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Ever check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they actually tested the tools or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers? That’s not us. We won’t recommend anything unless we’d actually use it ourselves and we don’t really care who the primary retailer is. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.

We’ve been in business since 2008 covering tools, writing reviews, and reporting on industry news in the construction, automotive, and lawn care industries. Our Pro reviewers work in the trades and have the skills and experience to know whether tools can perform well in the field.

Each year, we bring in and review more than 250 individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year.

We consult with innovators in the technology and design of tools to gain a broader grasp of where these products fit and how they work.

We work with more than two dozen professional contractors around the United States who review products for us on real job sites and consult with us on testing methods, categories, and weighting.

We’ll provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readers—including objective evaluations of individual tools and products.

The end result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize each and every time we pick up and test a tool.

Bradley Even-Cut 24 Self-Propelled Commercial Push Mower

Get even with your lawn with this heavy-duty self-propelled lawn mower.

When you’re looking for a new self-propelled mower, the Bradley even-cut 24-inch option is a wise choice. This mower features a transmission that pushes the drive wheels, so you can push the lawn mower with ease.

Whether you are a lawn care provider or are looking for a new lawnmower to use on your own lawn, this is an excellent and easy-to-use option.

Benefits of Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers

Self-propelled lawn mowers are convenient. They push through tall or weed-filled lawns with ease. If you have to go uphill, you will not have to give the mower an extra push. These mowers offer a ground speed of right at about 3 MPH.

You can use the optional mulching kit to have your mower mulch the grass clippings.

Uses of Self-Propelled Commercial Push Mowers

Commercial push mowers can be used on the lawns of office parks and small businesses, as well as on grassy medians along busy roads.

These mowers are also ideal for residential lawns that present a more challenging terrain! Even if your lawn is large and hilly, you will find it easy to mow with the Bradley even-cut self-propelled commercial push mower. This is also a great mower for larger, more estate-like properties.

Shop with Bradley Mowers today for the best in self-propelled mowers for commercial or residential use.

What to Look for in a Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

• The deck’s dimensions: You want a large enough terrace to handle your yard quickly, so you don’t have to waste your time pushing it around. If you have a large yard with many obstacles, consider getting a large front wheel self-propelled lawn mower with a small turning radius (like trees). This will assist you in quickly navigating trees and other objects, allowing you to work more efficiently.

• The blade’s teeth: The number of teeth on the blade determines how finely it cuts, affecting how healthy your grass remains after each mow. There are 16 teeth on a standard edge, but some options have fewer or more teeth. teeth imply smaller clippings and better overall cutting performance whereas fewer teeth mean more extensive clippings and poorer cutting results.

What’s the Difference Between a Self-Propelled Lawn Mower and a Push Mower?

A push mower and a self-propelled one are vastly different in terms of size and capabilities. A push mower must be pushed across your lawn whereas a self-propelled lawn mower has a drive system that moves forward on its own, allowing you to steer and to control the speed. In addition, push mowers are less expensive than self-propelled models, so they may be a good fit for someone on a budget. Self-propelled walk-behind lawn mowers have larger engines and are better suited to more extensive lawns or challenging terrain.

How Do You Maintain a Self-Propelled Mower?

Here are a few tips for keeping your lawn mower well-maintained:

Clean the mower after each use.

Remove the air filter, clean it, and reinstall it after drying.

Before storing the mower for an extended period, change the oil at least once a month during peak usage periods.

Sharpen and balance the blade every three months to ensure a smooth cut and even grass dispersal.

The 14 Best Lawn Mower Brands of 2023

Michelle Ullman is a home decor expert and product reviewer for home and garden products. She has been writing about home decor for over 10 years for publications like BobVila.com and Better Homes Gardens, among others.

Andrew Hughes is a certified arborist, member of the International Society of Arborists specializing in tree heal care, and reviews tree content on The Spruce’s Gardening Review Board. He founded and runs Urban Loggers, LLC, a company offering residential tree services in the Midwest and Connecticut.

Shereen Jegtvig is an author, fact-checker, and expert with over two decades of experience in health and wellness in the lifestyle space. In addition, she is a Developmental Editor for Dotdash Meredith where she reviews the work of other fact checkers.

A healthy lawn requires regular mowing, and that means sorting through the many lawn mower brands, along with the various types of mowers, that are available. There are walk-behind mowers, self-propelled mowers, riding mowers, and even robotic lawn mowers. Some lawn mower brands specialize in just one or two types of mowers, while others offer them all.

To sort through the many options, we spoke with three landscaping experts: Alex Tinsman, gardener and founder of How To Houseplant; Brock Ingham, gardener, landscaper, and founder of website Bigger Garden; and gardener Henry Bravo, founder and editor-in-chief of Smart Garden Home. The three were unanimous in naming Toro, Honda, and Robomow as top brands, and praised many others, including Greenworks, Cub Cadet, and Husqvarna.

We’ve come a long way since the first lawnmower was invented in 1830, Ingham says. It weighed over 100 pounds and had to be hand cranked! Now there are many brands of lawn mowers on the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The best brand of lawn mower depends on the type of mower you are looking for and your specific needs. That’s why it’s important to do your research and read reviews before making a purchase.

We evaluated lawn mower brands based on reputation, quality, durability, range of products and types of mowers offered, and value, as well as input from our three landscaping experts.

Honda

• Powerful and reliable
• Manufactures gas push and self-propelled mowers
• Easy to start
• Many innovative features

Founded in Tokyo in the 1940s by Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa, Honda Motor Company started off as a maker of motorcycles, but today, of course, they are a global powerhouse that manufactures a wide range of automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles, as well as engines used by other brands in their own gas-powered products. Honda first started making lawn mowers in the late 1970s and quickly became one of the top brands for both commercial and residential use. All of the experts we spoke with named Honda as one of the top gas lawn mower brands for push mowers and self-propelled mowers. We especially like the Honda HRN216VKA 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, which like other Honda mowers, is easy to start, powerful, and very effective in making even, clean cuts across the lawn.

Honda mowers, notably the HRX series, are well-regarded for their powerful engines, reliability, and innovative features like the Versamow system, which allows you to easily mulch, bag, discharge, or shred leaves, Bravo notes. Honda’s mowers also have a patented two-blade system, rather than the usual single blade, which further increases the cleanness of their cuts through all types of grass.

Honda mowers have few downsides, other than being somewhat expensive. And the company only offers gas mowers, not electric. Depending on the model, the warranties on Honda’s lawn mowers range from one to five years.

Toro

• Powerful and reliable
• Manufactures gas, battery, self-propelled, riding, and zero-turn mowers

Another brand recommended by all of our experts, Toro was founded in 1914 as a maker of engines for farm tractors. The company invented the first golf-course mechanical mower in 1919, and introduced its first power mower in 1924. Thanks to many innovative ideas and features, Toro became a dominant brand of lawn mowers and other landscaping equipment by the 1950s and continues to hold that position today. Toro mowers are known for their durability and ability to handle tough mowing conditions, Ingham says.

While Toro is best-known for gas push mowers, it also manufactures self-propelled mowers, battery-powered mowers, riding mowers, and zero-turn mowers, all of which are considered tops in their categories. We especially love their self-propelled Toro 22-Inch Recycler, which includes the Personal Pace system praised by Bravo, who says, The Personal Pace system, found in Toro’s TimeMaster and Super Recycler series, automatically adjusts to your walking speed, providing a more comfortable mowing experience.

Like Honda, Toro mowers can be expensive, but their quality, power, and great features make them worth the extra cost. Depending on the model, warranties on Toro lawn mowers range from three years to five years.

Husqvarna

• Powerful and reliable
• Manufactures gas and electric push mowers, riding mowers, zero-turn mowers, and robotic mowers

Swedish company Husqvarna was founded more than 300 years ago as a maker of rifles (it exited the weapons industry a couple of centuries later), but over the hundreds of years since, the comany expanded its range to include many products for the home and landscape, including top-rated chainsaws. Husqvarna has been making lawn mowers since 1918 that, according to Ingham, are known for their powerful engines and versatility, making them a great choice for large lawns. Along with highly rated gas push-mowers, Husqvarna makes some of the best riding mowers and zero-turn mowers, including our favorite, the Z254F 23-HP 54-Inch Zero-Turn Lawn Mower.

Husqvarna has also entered the robotic mower market with its Automower line. Bravo notes, Husqvarna’s Automower series is known for its cutting-edge technology, GPS-assisted navigation, and weather-resistant design. These mowers can handle complex lawns with various obstacles and slopes, providing a consistently manicured finish with minimal human intervention.

While Husqvarna makes a wide range of powerful, effective mowers, it is also one of the more expensive brands. Husqvarna mowers are covered by a three-year limited warranty.

Greenworks

• Reasonably priced
• Innovative technology
• Offers battery push mowers, self-propelled mowers, riding mowers, and corded electric mowers

Greenworks was established in 2002. Bravo praises the company, saying, Greenworks, a pioneer in battery-powered lawn equipment, offers a comprehensive line of cordless mowers, including their Pro 60V and 80V series. These mowers provide excellent cutting performance, lightweight designs, and superior battery life, making them a top choice for homeowners and professionals alike. Greenworks also offers very reasonably priced corded mowers, including the 25022 3-in-1 20-Inch Mower, although as batteries become ever-more powerful, the popularity of corded electric mowers is fading.

Along with electric push mowers, Greenworks offers several self-propelled mowers. The innovative SmartCut technology lets these mowers sense the thickness of the lawn grass and adjust the speed and power accordingly, thus extending battery runtime. We especially like the 40-volt, 21-inch self-propelled mower, which has the SmartCut feature. Along with push and self-propelled mowers, Greenworks also offers battery-powered riding mowers.

While Greenwork mowers are not the most powerful, Ingham Комментарии и мнения владельцев, Greenworks mowers are known for their affordability and wide range of features, making them a great choice for budget-conscious buyers. Greenworks lawn mowers are covered by a limited three-year warranty.

BLACKDECKER

• Reasonable prices
• Makes corded and cordless push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and some gas mowers
• Good for small lawns

Named for founders S. Duncan Black and Alonzo G. Decker, BLACKDECKER has been around for over a century, during which it has become one of the leading brands of power tools. It patented the first electric drill in 1917, was the first company to offer electric garden tools to homeowners in the 1950s, and was one of the first companies to sell battery-powered tools to DIYers and homeowners when it came out with a cordless drill all the way back in 1961. While BLACKDECKER does also have gas lawn mowers, those are falling by the wayside in favor of electric models.

BLACKDECKER offers a range of affordable and lightweight battery mowers with features like folding handles for easy storage and adjustable cutting heights. Their lithium-ion batteries provide long run times and charge quickly, Tinsman says. Along with reasonably priced push mowers, the company also offers self-propelled electric mowers at budget-conscious and is one of the few brands that still offer corded electric mowers, including the MM2000 20-Inch Push Mower.

Don’t expect the highest power or performance from a BLACKDECKER mower, but if you are looking for a reasonably priced lawn mower to keep a relatively small lawn under control, this is a reliable brand that you can count on. BLACKDECKER lawn mowers have a two-year limited warranty.

RYOBI

• Reasonably priced
• Makes corded and cordless push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and riding mowers
• Good for small lawns

Founded in Japan in the 1940s, today Ryobi in North America is a brand name of Techtronic Industries. The company is a top name for a wide range of power tools, including outdoor products such as edgers, trimmers, snow blowers, and of course, lawn mowers. While Ryobi does not make gas mowers, it does offer corded electric push mowers as well as cordless push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and even battery-powered riding mowers. Ryobi mowers are known for their innovative features, such as adjustable cutting heights and mulching capabilities, Ingham notes.

While Ryobi electric mowers aren’t the most high-powered, they are reliable and reasonably priced, making them excellent options for homeowners who don’t have a very large lawn. We especially like their 40-volt, 20-inch push mower, which has a long battery runtime and is easy to store. Like other Ryobi battery mowers, it’s lightweight and easy to maneuver, making mowing less of a chore. Ryobi offers a three-year limited warranty on lawn mowers.

Robomow

• Very innovative features
• Can mow large lawns
• Models that are controlled through Amazon Alexa

Israeli company Robomow was founded in 1995 as Friendly Machines. As the name suggests, the company is a top manufacturer of robotic lawn mowers with ever-increasing advanced technology and useful features, such as their RC312 Pro S, which can be controlled through Amazon Alexa. The Robomow RS series can handle lawns almost an acre in size. All Robomow mowers return to their charging docks when necessary, can handle rugged terrain or slopes, are undeterred by tall grass, are easily programmed and controlled, and remain within the perimeters set by you.

All three of our experts listed Robomow as a top brand for robotic mowers. Robomow Robotic Mowers are known for their advanced technology and precise cutting capabilities, Tinsman says. Their models feature weather sensors and a mobile app for remote control and monitoring. Bravo adds, Robomow, a pioneer in robotic mowing, offers a range of models designed for different lawn sizes and complexities. Their RS and RC series features intelligent navigation, customizable mowing schedules, and smartphone app integration, allowing you to monitor and control your mower remotely.

Like all robotic mowers, these are very expensive machines. And they are not always easy to find; few brick-and-mortar stores carry them and you might have to hunt to find them online. Websites Wellbots and Autmow regularly carry current models. Most Robomow products are covered by a three-year warranty.

WORX

• Manufactures corded and cordless push and self-propelled mowers, as well as robotic mowers
• Reasonably priced

Chinese company WORX was founded in 2004 and manufactures many electric corded or cordless tools, including chainsaws, string trimmers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, and of course lawn mowers. While WORX offers some corded electric mowers, its main FOCUS is on battery mowers, including push and self-propelled options. Most WORX mowers include the patented IntelliCut technology, which automatically increases the power when mowing through thick grass and then dials it back to increase battery runtime. WORX mowers are known for their affordability and ease of use, making them a great choice for small to medium-sized lawns, Ingham says.

WORX has recently entered the robotic mower market with Landroid mowers, including our favorite, the WR155 Landroid M. Like other robotic mowers, it depends on you to set its perimeters, but once inside them, it tirelessly follows your orders to keep your lawn looking its best. And while still expensive, the Landroids are generally not quite as pricey as robots from other brands, making them a good choice for an entry-level lawn robot. Most WORX lawn mowers have a three-year warranty.

Cub Cadet

• Manufactures gas and electric riding mowers, zero-turn mowers, robotic mowers, push mowers, and self-propelled mowers
• Powerful, reliable performance
• Many innovative and premium features

When it comes to riding lawn mowers, all three of our experts are in agreement that Cub Cadet is one of the best in this category, although Cub Cadet does also make push mowers and self-propelled mowers, and has even released a line of robotic mowers. The American company has been making riding mowers since 1961, though it is now owned by Stanley Black Decker. Ingham likes Cub Cadet riding mowers for their excellent performance and easy maneuverability, which makes them especially well-suited to yards with slopes or rough terrain. You can choose from many models, including gas-powered, electric, and zero-turn.

Tinsman especially likes Cub Cadet’s gas riding mowers, praising their powerful engines, self-propulsion feature, rear-wheel drive, and high-performance cutting decks that provide a smooth and even cut. Bravo specifically praises Cub Cadet’s XT Enduro and Ultima series: They provide excellent cutting quality, powerful engines, and a variety of attachments for versatile landscaping tasks. We agree with him—the XT1 Enduro LT is our favorite gas-powered riding mower.

On the downside, you’ll pay more for the premium quality of Cub Cadet mowers. They are covered by a three-year limited warranty.

John Deere

• Reliable, powerful, and great features
• Makes gas riding mowers, lawn tractors, and zero-turn mowers

Another brand that’s renowned for riding mowers, this company has a history that goes back to 1837, when blacksmith John Deere invented a steel-bladed plow that revolutionized farming. The company continued to expand its agricultural offerings and began manufacturing tractors in the early 1900s. But it wasn’t until 1963 that the company began selling lawn tractors specifically for tending residential lawns. John Deere riding mowers are known for their durability, comfort, and versatility, making them a great choice for large properties, Ingham says.

The company makes powerful, reliable, and innovative riding mowers, lawn tractors, and zero-turn mowers, almost all of which are gas-powered. Bravo particularly likes the company’s X300 and X500 series of gas lawn tractors, saying they deliver exceptional performance, reliability, and comfort. We also recommend the S120 22HP 42-Inch Hydrostatic Riding Lawn Tractor, which is a very sturdy and versatile mower that even has cruise control.

As with other high-end riding mowers, you’ll pay quite a bit for a John Deere, but in return, you’ll get quality you can count on. Depending on the model, the warranty on a John Deere mower can range from two years to five years.

EGO

• Excellent power and battery runtime
• Offers cordless push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and riding mowers
• EGO batteries can be interchanged among all EGO products

EGO has established itself as one of the top names for battery-powered outdoor tools, including leaf blowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, and lawn mowers. Thanks to powerful batteries, which Ingham says are known for their long runtimes and quick recharge, an EGO lawn mower—whether push, self-propelled, or even riding—can be almost as powerful as a gas mower.

EGO’s Power series boasts industry-leading battery technology, offering Rapid charging times, impressive runtimes, and compatibility across multiple tools, Bravo says. These mowers are powerful, quiet, and environmentally friendly, with the added convenience of being virtually maintenance-free. We agree—we love the EGO Power LM2102SP self-propelled mower, which matches your walking speed and runs for up to an hour, even on hilly terrain.

While EGO mowers tend to be some of the most expensive battery options, they are also some of the best. Plus, you can use any EGO battery in any of their tools, making the brand highly versatile. The warranty on an EGO lawn mower is five years.

Craftsman

• Reasonably priced
• Makes gas and electric push mowers, self-propelled mowers, riding mowers, and zero-turn mowers

Now owned by Stanley Black Decker, Craftsman was established in 1927 as a brand name for tools sold at Sears department stores. This iconic brand is well-known for its extensive range of basic hand tools, such as hammers and screwdrivers, as well as power tools. The company offers a wide range of lawn mowers, as well, including both gas and electric push mowers, self-propelled mowers, riding mowers, and zero-turn mowers. We like the Craftsman gas-powered M110 21-inch push mower, which is easy to start and powerful.

Craftsman lawn mowers are known for their affordability and reliability, making them a great choice for budget-conscious buyers, Ingham says. While these aren’t top-of-the-line mowers, for the most part, they are more than sufficient for the average homeowner who wants to keep the lawn looking good, yet not spend a fortune on the tools to accomplish that goal. Craftsman mowers come with a three-year limited warranty.

Sun Joe

• Reasonable price
• Offers corded and cordless push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and manual reel mowers

Snow Joe started selling snow blowers in 2004, but later added on Sun Joe lines of various outdoor landscaping tools, including chainsaws, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, and lawn mowers. Sun Joe Battery Mowers are known for their eco-friendly design and easy maneuverability, Tinsman says. They offer a range of models with features like instant start and detachable grass bags for easy disposal of clippings. The brand does not have any gas mowers, but does have a wide range of electric mowers, both corded and cordless, as well as manual reel mowers, an uncommon offering in the lawn mower industry.

Geared toward homeowners, not professional landscapers, Sun Joe mowers are reasonably powerful and have good battery life, but they aren’t heavy-duty tools intended for large lawns or rugged use. They aren’t exceptionally expensive mowers, which adds to their appeal. For a budget-priced model, we like their corded MJ401E-PRO push mower, which performs well for the price and is easy to maneuver and store. The warranty period for a Sun Joe mower is two years.

Troy-Bilt

• Powerful and reliable
• Makes gas push and self-propelled mowers, gas and electric riding mowers, zero-turn mowers, and manual reel mowers

Yet another brand now owned by Stanley Black Decker, Troy-Bilt was originally founded in 1937 with the first residential rototiller. It went on to manufacture a wide range of outdoor landscaping tools, including excellent gas-powered push and self-propelled lawn mowers and even manual reel mowers. But it’s riding mowers, both gas and electric, that the company is best known for. Tinsman especially likes this brand, saying, Troy-Bilt offers a range of versatile riding mowers with features like cruise control and adjustable cutting heights. Their models feature a range of attachments for year-round use.

While Troy-Bilt riding mowers might not be quite at the level of those made by Honda or John Deere—but they also aren’t as expensive as those brands—these are still popular machines that have many innovative features, are comfortable to ride, and handle well even on large lawns or rugged terrain. And Troy-Bilt push mowers are definitely worth a look as well; we recommend the gas-powered TB110 21-inch mower, which starts easily, is very powerful, and gives a clean, even cut to the lawn. Most Troy-Bilt mowers come with a two-year warranty.

What to Look for in a Lawn Mower Brand

Types of Lawn Mowers

There are quite a few types of lawn mowers available to homeowners these days, so along with choosing a brand, you need to choose a type of mower.

One of the biggest considerations is whether you want a gas-powered mower or an electric mower. Gas mowers tend to be more powerful, but are also louder and emit fumes. Electric mowers, which can be corded or cordless, have come a long way; today’s batteries are more powerful, run longer, and charge faster, making battery mowers a very appealing option to the average homeowner looking to tend a small to medium-sized lawn.

There are brands that offer only electric mowers, including Greenworks and WORX, and brands that are known for their gas mowers, such as Honda and John Deere. Many lawn mower brands, however, offer both gas and electric models. EGO takes it a step further by making only battery lawn mowers; they do not have corded electric mowers as do the other all-electric brands.

There are two basic types of walk-behind mowers: push mowers, which require you to use your own power to push the mower across the grass, and self-propelled mowers, which use their own power to keep the mower in motion. Tor is especially acclaimed for its walk-behind mowers. Most companies that make walk-behind mowers, whether gas, electric, or both, offer both push and self-propelled models.

Riding lawn mowers, also called lawn tractors, are ideal for very large lawns. Several companies on our list offer riding lawn mowers, although Cub Cadet and John Deere are especially renowned in this category. Zero-turn mowers are riding mowers that can make 180-degree turns on the spot. Just about all companies that make riding mowers, including Craftsman, also offer zero-turn mowers.

Robotic mowers are the newest additions to the lawn care scene. These battery-powered devices independently work their way around your lawn, mowing as they go, and are controlled by onboard controls or by an app. Robomow specializes in robotic mowers, but a few other companies, including Husqvarna and WORX, also make them.

Customization Options

When choosing a lawn mower, there are various features that can make your mowing experience easier and faster. Just about all mowers allow you to adjust the height of the blades, which lets you tailor the cutting height to your variety of lawn grass. The brands on our list make this adjustment easier by using a single lever or dial to move the blades higher or lower.

Some battery brands, including WORX and Greenworks, have sensors in their mowers that can detect especially thick grass. These mowers then automatically increase the power of the blade’s spin while tackling the tough spot, and then decrease it again once past the difficult patch of grass, thus saving on battery power.

All brands of self-propelled mowers let you adjust the speed of the mower to more comfortably match your own pace, usually by squeezing a lever; the harder you squeeze, the faster the mower moves. Some brands, though, including Ryobi, have mowers with cruise control so you can set a comfortable speed without having to keep a grip on a lever.

Most walk-behind lawn mowers have just one blade, which spins very quickly to lift and slice the grass. But Honda and EGO both offer mowers with twin blades, which give a more precise, clean cut.

Walk-behind mowers usually give you three choices for handling the grass clippings: bag them, mulch them, or discharge them back onto the lawn. Some mowers, however, only let you bag or mulch the clippings. Always read the description carefully before buying a particular mower, because this is a detail that can vary from model to model within the same brand.

Durability

Nobody wants a lawn mower that only lasts a season or two before failing. While all of the brands on our list are known for making quality mowers that should stand the test of time, as a rough rule of thumb, gas mowers tend to last longer than electric mowers, and top brands Honda, Toro, John Deere, and Cub Cadet are especially known for the durability of their mowers, all of which are used by professional landscaping companies as well as homeowners.

Where You Can Shop

With the exception of Robomow, which is only carried by a handful of specialized dealers, you can buy all of the other brands on our list at large home improvement centers or through the big home improvement center websites, including The Home Depot and Lowe’s, you can buy them from brick-and-mortar lawn care shops or from tool-and-garden websites, or you can find them on Amazon, Overstock, or similar outlets.

While buying a lawn mower online makes it easier to shop around for the best price, as well as have the mower shipped directly to your home, shopping in person gives you the opportunity to ask questions, touch and handle the lawn mower to get a feel for it, and usually take it home that very day.

The frequency of mower maintenance depends on the type of mower and how often you mow your lawn with it. But as a general rule, you should check the oil and fuel level before each use with a gas mower, and be sure the battery is fully charged before powering up your electric mower. After mowing, once your lawn mower has cooled down completely, remove any clots of grass from the blades and the bottom of the deck. Wipe away mud, wet grass, and other grunge from the deck. You’ll need to sharpen the mower blades at least annually, and more often if you mow very frequently or have tough or thick grass. Gas mowers require more maintenance than electric mowers, generally. At least annually, you should give your gas mower a complete oil change, replace the spark plugs, and replace the air filter.

Gas mowers usually measure their level of power in cubic capacity, which is a measure of the amount of air and fuel that can push through the cylinders. For walk-behind mowers, this generally translates to somewhere between 2 and 6 horsepower. Riding mowers are far more powerful; the engines in these mowers usually have between 12 and 20 horsepower. Battery mowers do not use horsepower or cubic capacity measurements. Instead, the battery voltage indicates the power of these mowers. You’ll find battery mowers ranging from 20 volts to 80 volts, but residential mowers most often use 40-volt batteries.

As lawn mowers are powerful tools with very sharp, rapidly spinning blades, they can cause injury if not used properly. There are some safety features required on all lawn mowers today, including a safety brake that stops the blade from spinning within three seconds if the user releases their grip from the controls and a foot shield that prevents the mower’s foot from being able to slip beneath the cutting deck. Common sense is also an important part of using your mower safely. Never mow barefoot or without full foot coverings. Don’t mow in floppy pants or clothing that could become entangled in the mower blade or wheels. Never put your hands or feet near the deck of the mower when it’s on, and never pull a running lawn mower backward toward your feet. Pick up toys, rocks, or other debris from the lawn before you begin to mow. Never mow when you are feeling unwell, overly tired, or otherwise impaired.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was researched and written by Michelle Ullman, who is a writer specializing in home and garden products. She has been a commerce writer for The Spruce since 2020, covering a wide range of home improvement products including power and hand tools, painting supplies, landscaping tools, and tool organizers. To choose the best brands of lawn mowers for this article, she consulted dozens of customer and third-party reviews, as well as websites specializing in landscaping, lawn care, and lawn mowers.

She also received extensive, helpful input from Alex Tinsman, gardener and founder of How To Houseplant; Brock Ingham, gardener, landscaper, and founder of website Bigger Garden; and gardener Henry Bravo, founder and editor-in-chief of Smart Garden Home.