Best Overall
Toro 21" 60V MAX Super Recycler Battery Lawn Mower
Best Bang for the Buck
Craftsman M220 21" 150cc Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Best Riding
John Deere S130 42" Lawn Tractor
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A salutary lawn mower is crucial for maintain a plushy , well - manicured lawn . However , with hundreds of gas and galvanic lawn lawn mower to choose from , selecting the right one can be gainsay . To simplify the appendage , we tested more than two 12 top - rat mowers to see how they ’d fit into ourlawn careroutine , evaluating their carving ability , last lineament , and operator comfort . We also reached out to a landscape gardening expert to ensure we considered key factors like deck size of it and utile spare feature .
Based on our research and trial , theToro 21″ 60V MAX Super Recycler Battery Lawn Moweremerged as our top pick . It delivers crisp cutting performance , uses convenient self - propelled electric operation , and feature a 21 - column inch edit deck suitable for most yard . Read on to memorise more about our selection criterion , how each machine do in our hands - on tests , and what to weigh when shop at for the best lawn mower for your property .
Lawn Mowers Comparison Chart
Our Top Picks
We mowed with everything from cordedlawn mowers for pocket-size yardsto herculean riding lawn mower that can handle 3 acres or more . Here ’s how they perform in our hand - on tests and why we retrieve they are some of the best lawn mower available today .
Toro 21" 60V Max Super Recycler Battery Lawn Mower
ThisBob Vila Approvedproduct carry our brand name ’s high stratum of recommendation .
Bob Vila Approvedrecognizes the household and DIY product that impressed us most in our substantial - human race testing and that exemplify core value of the Bob Vila brand , including craftsmanship , innovation , and value for the dollar . winner of this designation come recommend by our professional review team and are in person approve by Bob Vila .
The Toro Super Recycler is a premium battery - power walk - behind mower design for enhanced cut down performance and manipulator comfort . It runs on a 60 - volt ( fivesome ) 7.5 - amp - hour ( Ah ) lithium - ion rechargeable battery that provide up to 50 instant of runtime per guardianship . Its intelligent three - phase brushless motor optimizes mogul usage , conserve battery life when possible and ramp up for tougher mowing consideration . It has a rustproof mold - aluminum deck of cards that maximize airflow , lift the grass blade for a crisp cut and clean finish . Even with all that , perhaps our favorite matter about it is its Personal Pace Auto Drive system of rules that automatically adapt to your walking speed for bland operation on any terrain .
In our exam , we tried the Toro Super Recycler on a slightly weedy , importantly sloped front yard that was about a week delinquent for cut down , and it was totally up to the task . With the deck pose on a higher setting , we mowed up and down the slope , and then on a lower setting , we mowed perpendicularly . It climb up the slope without hesitation — even when the bagger was close to full — and did n’t find like it was run away on the downhill . Both deletion looked corking , bequeath a uniform finishing with no isolated weeds .
What our tester says:“This is our best-loved lawn mower because using it is such a pleasant experience . It ’s powerful , well-situated , and smooth , and its battery lasts a full hour , which is even longer than Toro ’s submit runtime . ”—Mark Wolfe , Product Reviews tester and author
Get the Toro lawn mower atAce HardwareorToro .
Craftsman is a well - launch , well - respected steel in the humanity of lawn mowers , and this throttle - powered model is no exception . With a powerful 150 - three-dimensional - centimetre ( milliliter ) engine and an rich 21 - inch mowing deck of cards , it ’s a respectable choice for yards up to three - quarter acre . It features 8 - inch rear wheels with grave tread for easy maneuvering , six turn off heights , and three disposal configurations : mulch , side discharge , and bag .
It only took us about 20 minutes to gather this low-cost and simple pick , and after adding oil and gas , it started easily on the first pull . It had upright exponent for cutting average lawn gage and pulling uphill , but it bogged down slightly in tall , overgrown grass . The front - wheel - private road feature made turning soft , but a full bag could weigh down the butt and do it to lose traction — though we did not know this . The completed handle configuration looks a routine unrefined since it ’s unpadded metal , and the blade and labour control transmission line are retained on the handle by lowering - duty cable length ties . Still , we think this is an splendid value pick for a budget - minded shopper looking for a durable self - propelled mower . Get the Craftsman gas lawn lawn mower atAce HardwareorBlain ’s Farm & Fleet .
For larger yard between ½ to 2 acres , a bigger grass trim machine is essential . The John Deere S130 — with its 22 horsepower ( hp ) V - twin engine , 42 - inch deck , and wide 20 by 10 - 8 rear tires — offers excellent mow ability plus performance and ease features that extend its range of mountains of use . It features hydrostatic operation , a exclusive - lever throttle with spring - return choking coil , an ergonomic pack of cards - height adjustment lever tumbler , a dash - mounted digital fuel calibre , and John Deere ’s Easy Change 30 - second oil variety organization . The include drop - pin towing duty tour and power take - off ( PTO ) make it compatible with a all-inclusive orbit of John Deere branded and non - branded yard implements such as public-service corporation carts , broadcaster , sweepers , snow blowers , and more .
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
During testing , we feel the high open - back seat nicely cushioned and supportive while allowing excellent public discussion . We think the deck peak , steel engagement , and throttle ascendence were well positioned for public toilet and safe operation . If you’re able to handle its more or less idealistic price tag , this lawn mower offers slews of economic value , making it an excellent choice for most tumid yard .
What our tester says:“We like the S130 lawn tractor because it ’s more well-to-do , capable , and manoeuvrable than many comparable options . It does well on grassy slopes up to 13 degrees , has a tighter tangible - life turning r thanks to superior weight symmetricalness , and its seat substructure is several inches higher than others for a honorable operator vantage point . ”—Mark Wolfe , Product Reviews quizzer and writer
Read our full review : John Deere S130 42″ Lawn Tractor
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Get the John Deere lawn mower atLowe’sor a localJohn Deere dealer .
Best Electric Riding
Craftsman 42" 56V MAX Battery-Powered Riding Mower
As the trend toward galvanizing lawn equipment continues , those with larger properties continually have more alternative . One of them is this Craftsman 56V MAX equitation mower , our favorite electric horseback riding mower thanks to its splendid battery life history , easy maneuverability , increase user comforter , and wide - range versatility . It feature three brushless motors power by a 56V 60Ah lithium - ion battery that charges in 4.5 hour and provides about 1.75 hours ( 3.5 acres ) of runtime . Its control feel very similar to a comparably sized gas - powered hydrostatic lawn tractor — no power train to shift — with bare forward and reverse foot lever for change of location and mowing speed up to 6 miles per hour . It has a 42 - inch cutting deck , run headlamp , a towing stop , an electronic PTO for blade engagement , and an electronic mowing - in - reverse nullification switch . The cut pack of cards is manually adjustable with a lever tumbler , with 12 configurations from 1.5 to 4.5 in high .
As with other battery mower , mow with the Craftsman battery - power lawn tractor was importantly quieter than gas and nearly silent when traveling with the mower brand disengaged . unluckily , it was underpowered for tall grass or weedy spots where the shallow deck did n’t provide passable airflow to pull the supergrass sword good . Thus , it will be effective for weekly lawn maintenance than discrepant or occasional mowing .
What our quizzer says:“The TurnTight steering system on this model is wild . It set aside the mower to carve unbelievably wet turn — a 5 - inch turning radius , according to Craftsman — making it easy to edge tree mulch rings . We also thought the hind end was comfortable , the ride was liquid , and the controls were responsive . ”—Mark Wolfe , Product Reviews tester and writer
Photo: Tractor Supply
take our full review : Craftsman 42″ 56V MAX Battery - Powered Riding Mower
Get the Craftsman 56V MAX lawn mower atLowe’sorAce Hardware .
Best Robotic
Worx WR147 20V Landroid M ¼-Acre Robotic Lawn Mower
This automatic lawn mower from Worx functions much like a automaton vacuum cleaner cleaner , automatically mowing a preset orbit determine by conducting wire barriers . It uses a optical maser eye to avoid obstruction and has two large rear - drive wheels that permit it to turn on a dime while convey it through a thou as orotund as a quarter acre . It can also associate to a voguish gadget , enabling users to run daily schedule or direct the mower to arrest or set forth remotely .
put up the robotic mini lawn mower took about 2.5 hours , let in installing the Landroid roving app , pairing the mower and base station to our Wi - Fi , and setting the boundary wire . luckily , the cognitive operation was straightforward , thanks to easy - to - follow instructions and tutorial videos . Once we prepare a mowing area with a squelch plane section , a narrow-minded corridor , a liberal contiguous area , and an off - limits landscape painting layer , the Landroid mowed on time every meter and stayed inbounds without a problem . On an evening when rain motivate in , the rain sensor picked it up and broadcast the social unit back to its alkali place to wait it out . The only challenge we encountered was that the mower ab initio did not tail properly after mop because the base post was not sit point .
What our tester says:“A week after we installed the Landroid , the Gunter Grass it veer still looked fresh mow — except the bound . Those looking to infuse robotics ’s time- , fuel- , and labor - save benefits into their lawn - upkeep routine may want to consider Landroid . ”—Mark Wolfe , Product Reviews tester and author
Photo: Lowes
Read our full review : Worx WR147 Landroid M ¼-Acre Robotic Lawn Mower
Get the Worx lawn mower atAmazon , Lowe’s , Tractor Supply Co. ,Walmart , Target , orWorx .
Best Battery-Powered
Ego Power+ 21" Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
The Ego Power+ 21 - inch mower offers a feature film - rich figure with a incumbrance - sensing motor that automatically boosts power in tough cutting off conditions . Its varying - speed ego - propelled wheel get to up to 3.1 mph , and it has an easy - to - line up handle - mount lever for bland command . extra substance abuser - friendly features include light-emitting diode headlights , a single - lever tumbler deck - height alteration , a fold - down handgrip , and three grass electric pig options .
We tested this lawn mower with a 7.5Ah shelling , which last about 60 minute on a single explosive charge — enough to mop a half - acre pace without quit . ( Ego Power+ also proffer 4Ah , 5Ah , and 10Ah battery . ) imposingly , the battery recharged in just 60 minute , making it one of the fastest - charge battery - power mowers we tested . It handled varied terrain well , leaving a clean , even cut without needing a second pass — except when we on purpose let the Mary Jane overgrow for testing .
The main downside was battery waste pipe when using the ego - propel feature article , which cut runtime in half . Additionally , the self - propelled wheel were noisier than expected . Still , with strong mop carrying into action , flying recharging , and well-fixed manipulation , this mower show to be a top - level choice for electric battery - power lawn care .
Photo: Lowes
register our full recapitulation : Ego Power+ 21″ Self - Propelled Lawn Mower
Get the Ego Power+ lawn lawn mower atAmazon(with 5Ah battery ) orLowe’s(tool only ) .
Best Electric
American Lawn Mower 14" 11-Amp 120V Corded Mower
The American Lawn Mower 14 - inch corded galvanising mower offers an affordable and eco - friendly solution that obviate the tussle and disbursal of flatulency or stamp battery . Its 14 - inch deck suits smaller K and computer storage areas , and since it only weigh about 20 pounds , it ’s also very well-off to head . While it ’s odd that it does n’t have a side - discharge pick , you may still bulge or mulch clippings . It also has a commodious exclusive lever tumbler for height control , eliminating the need to conform each wheel separately .
In our tests , this mannikin fork out a stone - hearty carrying out . Installing the handle and corduroy retainer only conduct about 10 minutes , and it mowed and bulge well , even in obtuse , underweight grass . To foreclose cord damage or web , we start mowing tight to our electric outlet and moved progressively farther aside . This technique figure out like a charm , and we ended up really value this unit of measurement ’s minimal environmental impingement alongside its restrained and up to execution .
Get the American Lawn Mower lawn lawn mower atAmazon , Walmart , orAmerican Lawn Mower .
Photo: Lowes
Best Push
Fiskars StaySharp Max 18" Reel Mower
Manual Scottish reel mowers are the dear choice for sincerely clean lawn charge with grab - and - go toilet facility . While battery mowers gain praise for their low emissions , electrical energy still produce emissions , and battery disposal can be problematical . However , traditional reel mowers often struggle on anything other than flat , pristine lawn and require frequent sharpening and blade adjustments . The Fiskars StaySharp Max reel mower lick these issuance with its InertiaDrive system and StaySharp blades .
At 52 pounds , this manual mower is bulky than traditional models . Nevertheless , its gear wheel - serve drive and ergonomic grip make it importantly well-situated to channelize than other reel mowers we essay . It easily slice through common widow’s weeds and little stick , allowing it to manage a all-encompassing variety of terrain and pot type . Additionally , it cuts nearer to the edges , providing a more precise finish . The only downside we find was the 8 - inch wheel , which felt slightly undersize when tackling taller sens or bumpy ground . However , we revalue the lever - operate height adjustment and the adjustable clip chute , which lets you direct press cutting either in front or behind the lawn mower .
interpret our full review : Fiskars StaySharp Max 18″ Reel Mower
Photo: Amazon
Get the Fiskars lawn mower atAmazonorWalmart .
Best For Small Yards
DeWalt 2X20V MAX 21.5" Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
With mulching , sacking , and side - discharge capability , the DeWalt 2X20V MAX ego - propelled lawn lawn mower has a better - than - mediocre shape quality and paying attention blueprint . Its heavy - duty 21.5 - column inch 15 - gauge stamped - steel deck adjusts to six unlike cutting height from 1.5 to 4 inches , and it comes with two shelling that offer up to 60 minutes of runtime each . This picking also sport an adjustable front - wheel - drive self - propulsion organisation that makes surgical process easy on virtually any terrain , and its motor apply auto - sensing engineering science to increase torque in hard condition .
We try the DeWalt on a 10,000 - square - metrical foot area in our grand with usurious slopes , weedy smirch , and dim gage . When line up to 2.5 in high with the forage catcher in place , it covered about 5,000 square metrical unit per thrill . At 3.5 inches , that widen to about 8,000 straight feet and 40 minutes of runtime—20 bit less than DeWalt ’s title of 60 minutes . Recharging was a meter - consuming 8 hours with the include battery charger . Still , the controls were conveniently laid out , and the cushiony handle was comfortable . It was also soft to rick than rear - roulette wheel drive lawn mower , although it was a second cumbersome to push without self - propel on . As a incentive , it only necessitate about 2.5 square feet of storage outer space thanks to its fold - flat grip and erect storage capability .
Read our full reassessment : DeWalt 2X20V MAX 21.5″ ego - Propelled Lawn Mower
Photo: Ace Hardware
Get the DeWalt lawn mower atThe Home Depot .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Lawn Mowers
After sourcing lawn mower harmonise to the shopping considerations below , we assembled and prove them in an modal K with mixed green goddess type , a few weeds , and rolling terrain . We evaluated them based on general character and durability , pout power and cutting quality , and operator comfort and public convenience .
We also tested each according to its take abilities . We used the riding mowers in larger and sometimes rougher areas , assessing them for force , speed , and comfort . We test push and walk - behind lawn mowers mostly on well - established and well - maintain lawn spaces , evaluating their slashed quality and user convenience . For the machinelike mower , we in reality premowed the weed onwards of examination , as the lawn mower is intended to maintain rather than reduce gage height .
What to Consider When Choosing a Lawn Mower
When shopping for one of the good lawn mowers , it ’s vital to turn over factors like deck sizing and fuel requirement in increase to mower type .
Types of Lawn Mowers
The first footprint in selecting the right lawn mower is to decide which of the three main type best befit your yard .
take the air - behind mowers come in two eccentric : push and self - propelled . A push lawn lawn mower require manual power to motivate it forward and does not have power - assisted wheels . Push models include accelerator - powered , galvanising ( corded ) , battery - powered , and reel mowers . Self - propelled mower have mogul - assisted wheels that pull the lawn mower forward . Some also have an adjustment feature of speech to increase or decrease the travelling f number for improved operator quilt and gadget .
free lawn mower include zero - turn mowers , lawn tractor , and rearward - engine riding mowers . Zero - turn mower , the most expensive lawn mowers on the market , have a motor that sit behind the operator and are controlled using two levers . The mower get their name from their ability to pivot 360 degrees in place . Zero - turn mowers also have very broad mowing pack of cards . Their size of it and maneuverability make them idealistic for cutting turgid lawn with obstacles the user must drive around .
Photo: Amazon
A lawn tractor looks alike to a farm tractor since its motor is in the front . Using a steering wheel , the drug user lock the tractor from a driver ’s seat . Lawn tractor have liberal mowing decks but do not have the small turning radius of a zero - turn tractor . Because of their balance and traction , lawn tractor are well suitable for mop hilly terrain and may be used for other property direction tasks like tow a public-service corporation cart or ploughing snow .
seat - engine lawn mowers are similar to lawn tractors but have their engines in the rear . Rear - engine lawn tractor typically have smaller decks , though they allow for greater operator visibleness and nimbler handling .
Robotic mowers are the newest type of lawn mower . They look similar to robotic vacuum cleaners , only they are larger and have bigger wheels that enable them to move through grass . Robotic lawn mowers can mop a yard automatically while being control via a saucy twist .
Photo: Amazon
These lawn mower are powered by a rechargeable barrage and can be programmed to mow the lawn at schedule times . Robotic mower require you to adjust up wire in the yard that create edge for the mower so it does n’t wander away . They also use laser - optic engineering that spots obstacles in the K so the lawn mower can dodge them .
Drive
Self - impel mowers add up in dissimilar movement wheel pick , include front - cycle , rear - rack , and all - rack drive .
Cutting Width and Yard Size
A mower ’s deck of cards size find out the breadth of the swath of grass it can cut with each pass and , hence , how quickly it can mow the lawn . A wider deck makes a lawn mower less nimble , make it awkward in small lawns with flower bed , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , and garden .
A base on balls - behind mower with a pack of cards up to 22 inches is usually a good size for a smaller thou of up to about half an acre . Kody Ketterling , founder of lawn maintenance companyK - IT Products , says this size lawn mower is “ easier to move around , fit out in those smaller K , and bring forth a good clean cut . ”
Riding mower with decks that straddle between 30 and 46 inches are a salutary alternative for lawns up to one Accho . Zero - bend mowers and lawn tractors with 48- to 60 - column inch decks can be effective pick for large property .
Photo: Ace Hardware
Fuel Type
Good lawn mowers can use one of three fuels : corded electricity , accelerator pedal , or rechargeable Li - ion barrage fire .
Electric mowers furnish a constant beginning of power . However , they are limited by a cord that connects to a stock bulwark mercantile establishment , make them passably awkward to use . Still , they are extremely durable , have no shelling to reload or supersede , and are almost entirely maintenance free .
Gas - powered lawn lawn mower offer the capital amount of powerfulness , run a long sentence on a individual tank , and have no recharge metre to worry about . However , gas lawn mowersare loud , require more maintenance than electric mowers , and grow exhaust fume .
Battery - power mowers be given on lithium - ion batteries . They are easier to start than gas - powered lawn mower and do not make exhaust fumes . However , they are less knock-down and generally limited to about 45 minutes of runtime per charge , with terrain , supergrass weather , and stamp battery - using feature of speech ( such as self - propel or certain grass - disposal options ) taken into account . A assault and battery - power mower may cost more than a gas lawn mower , and the batteries typically need to be replaced every 5 years .
Blade Type
Mowers have either of two blade types : rotary or piston chamber . Most residential lawn mowers have circular blade that spin horizontally , cut across the top of sens blade to trim them to the want height .
piston chamber blades cut the green goddess using a shearing natural action that make a clean cutting off , even at a abject height . Motorized model are generally confined to sports fields and golf courses , while manual models , orreel mower , are used on residential lawns . Manual models can bring down broadly in a range of 0.5 to 3 inches — with the Fiskars example above being a bit of an outlier , trim down up to 4 inches . Since they ’re energy - powered , Virginia reel mower excel when abridge fine , directly - grow grasses but can bog down down in coarse , wiry grass .
Grass Disposal Options
Mowers offer different method for Gunter Grass disposition , include side discharge , mulching , and sacking . Side electric arc ejects the grass clipping out of the side of the mower onto the lawn . Mulching keep the grass snip under the deck of cards , allow the blade to trim down them multiple times to produce a o.k. mulch that apace incorporates into the soil . A bagger lawn lawn mower gather up the clippings in a bag at the hindquarters of the lawn mower .
Additional Features
mower loosely have extra features that make them easy to operate and maintain . Deck - elevation fitting give up you to increase or lessen the mowing height for optimal lawn wellness . Ketterling advises shopper to “ make certain that adjusting the deck of cards is easy and does n’t take a lot of time to do . “
Other useful feature include cut down deck of cards with built - in wash - out port that make them easier to clean , electric switch that make it easy to interchange between cutting options , and well-to-do - to - control variable - swiftness restraint for ego - propelled mowers .
Many horseback riding lawn mower have LED headlights for nighttime mowing , swallow holders , adjustable plush ergonomic seats , and many other convenient feature article .
Brand
walk into the lawn and garden section ofThe Home Depot , Lowe ’s , or any self-aggrandising box store can seem frighten away , particularly when there are stacks of mower models to choose from . Narrowing your hunt to the best lawn lawn mower brands is a good way to take up shopping . The following brands have bear witness themselves to offer the most lasting , feature article - driven lawn mowers on the market .
FAQs
If you have concerns about maintaining a lawn mower or are wondering how boastful an locomotive the mower needs , answers to these and other mutual questions appear below .
Most mowers can last about 10 years , count on how often they are used and how well they are observe .
“ Power makes the lawn mower mould more expeditiously , ” explain Ketterling . This make select the appropriate amount of king essential . Engine sizes for manner of walking - behind mowers cast from 140cc to 190cc . For tough terrain with thickheaded sess , a larger engine is ordinarily a better choice .
Yes . In fact , supervene upon the pull cord on a mower is a fairly simple haunt , ask just a screwdriver and wrench .
As a general rule of thumb , a free lawn mower ’s battery can last about 4 years . The rechargeable electric battery on anelectric mowercan last about 5 years .
To clean a lawn mower , tilt the mower over to enter the deck . take away any grass clippings or dust that may be wrapped around the blade or stuck to the bottom of the deck . Wet the deck with a garden hose , then spray the underside with an all - purpose dry cleaner . Scrub the deck with a brush , then gargle thoroughly . Turn the mower back upright and utilize a damp rag or paper towel to pass over down the caparison .
Change the spark plug in the spring at the outset of the mowing time of year or after 100 hours of manipulation .
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer and mathematical product tester with a background in the nursery and landscaping industry . For more than 20 age he mowed , inch , planted , pruned , cultivated , irrigated , and refurbish beautiful landscape painting . Now he prove and writes reviews about the up-to-the-minute out-of-door exponent equipment , mitt tools , lawn - care production , and other outdoor - living goods .
extra enquiry leave by Tony Carrick .
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