Best Overall
Honda HRN216VKA 21" Variable Speed Walk-Behind Mower
Best Bang For The Buck
Craftsman M220 150cc 21" Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Best Manual Lawn Mower
Honda HRN216PKA 21" Walk-Behind Push Mower
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Many householder hope to have a verdant , well - manicured lawn that makes them the envy of the locality , and while proper fecundation and watering are essential to growing gorgeous green turf , gas lawn mowers are critical for properlawn care . Choosing the best automobile can be a rather difficult task , however . natural gas - powered lawn mowers fall in many figure and sizing , ranging from pocket-size thrust - behind models with 20 - inch decks to monster lawn tractor open of slew a 46 - inch - wide belt .
Choosing the skilful flatulency - power lawn lawn mower from among the many options and brands on the market depends on several factors : yard sizing , eccentric of terrain , even the physical forte of the operator .
In selecting our list of the top gas - powered lawn mower , we looked at factors like engine exponent pertain to deck size of it and disregard versatility . We also scoured customer reviews to select the most reliable models . Our top pick is theHonda HRN216VKAbecause it ’s loose to habituate with great traction with a bare cleanup . habituate this guide to research these machines and the factors and features all-important to think when searching for the expert gas lawn mower .
Before You Buy a Gas Mower
Before purchase a gas lawn mower , it ’s a good thought to first considerelectric mower . Those with small thou can often get away with an affordably price corded galvanising mower . For those with declamatory yards , advancements in barrage technology have made barrage - power lawn mower a great alternative to gas mower .
Battery - powered mowers , which include both walkway - behind and ride - on poser , require less sustentation than accelerator mowers , are easier to set forth , and are a greener alternative to gas - powered models . While big residential lawns and yards with steeper or spotty terrain may still require the power that only comes with a gas mower , a electric battery - power lawn mower may be suitable for small to average yards .
Gas Lawn Mowers Comparison
Our Top Picks
The products described below narrow the field of gas lawn mowers to some of the best on the grocery in different categories . There are model suit to modest railway yard as well as large lawn tractors capable of cutting up to 3 acres . All these lawn mowers feature brawny locomotive engine , multiple cutting choice , and sizable deck sizes .
Whether it ’s generators , machine , or lawn mowers , Honda has a report for produce durable , luxuriously - performing engines like the one in this 21 - column inch gas - powered and self - prompt lawn mower . The herculean 170cc engine model atop an sizeable 21 - in deck , and unlike walk - behind good example that have a unmarried sword , this Honda ’s deck boasts two offset blades that give rise modest clippings than other blade fashion .
A simple clip system induce it easy to switch between mulching , sacking , and side dismission of sess clipping without call for to append or take out attachments . ThisHonda moweruses a rear - bicycle drive for its propulsion system , which gives it superscript power to manage tough and uneven terrain and climb slopes . Handlebar control make it a pushover to change over between the mower ’s varying f number .
Get the Honda HRN216VKA flatulence lawn lawn mower atThe Home DepotorNorthern Tool + Equipment .
Best Bang for the Buck
Craftsman , a well - established and highly regarded brand in the humanity of lawn mowers , has produced an exceptional self - propel gas pedal lawn mower with this manakin . It showcases a powerful 150cc engine mate with a spacious 21 - inch mowing deck that ’s specifically design to supply to yards up to ¾ Akko in size of it . Its large 8 - column inch rear wheel , feature lowering stride , effortlessly propel the mower forrader , while the six cutting heights ply remarkable versatility . With mulch , side dismission , and travelling bag electric pig configurations , this lawn mower adapts to the user ’s preferred method .
Although lacking power assist , its importantly low-priced price makes it an attractive choice for those with floor yard who have no pauperism for a self - propelled mower . Kickstarting the mower is a breeze , requiring just one pull after tote up oil and gas . It showcases commendable big businessman for handling average lawn Mary Jane and conquer uphill terrain , albeit experiencing a slight reduction in performance when dealing with tall , overgrown grass . Its front - wheel - effort feature enable seamless maneuverability and turns .
While a fully adulterate push lawn mower with bagger may potentially impact rearward traction , we did not encounter such an issue . With an adequately sized fuel tank , this mower insure half - acre coverage per filling - up . For budget - witting shoppers look for durability and a ego - propelled solution , this Craftsman lawn mower stands as an exceptional value proposition .
What our tester says : Mark Wolfe , Bob Vila product examiner and author , notes inThe Best Lawn Mowersthat “ we liked the Craftsman lawn mower ’s affordability and simplicity . It only ask about 20 minutes of easy gathering . The completed handle form was a bit less refined in visual aspect , the bobby pin area is unpadded metal , and the blade and labor control cable television are retained on the handle by weighed down - duty cable system ties . ”
Get the Craftsman gas lawn lawn mower atAce HardwareorLowe ’s .
A wide-eyed design pair with a knock-down engine and feature article that add strength make this Honda one of the good manual models on the marketplace . This lawn mower shoot a line a 170cc engine , which provide stack of power to release the brand inside its 21 - in durable steel deck .
Photo: The Home Depot Photo: homedepot.com
Its 8 - in wheel ( with musket ball - bearing rear wheels ) make this one of the easiest flatulence push button lawn mowers to maneuver over rough terrain . This gas mower offers seven ignore levels and mulching , bagging , or side spark . When lawn labor is done for the day , the handle fold quickly and smoothly inwards for summary storage .
Get the Honda HRN216PKA gas lawn mower atAcme Tools .
Best for Small Yard
Yard Machines 02B 20" Gas Push Mower
Small yards need in force preparation too , and this gas push lawn mower is a fine choice to get the caper done . It ’s somewhat ascetical , with a 20 - inch cutting deck , only three cut elevation versus the more pop six , and side discharge as the only cutting alternative . But its stripped - down weight of just 50 pounds ( almost 30 pounds lighter than some walk - behind mowers ) and little profile make it well-situated to manoeuvre around tight spaces like flush bed , trees , and lawn ornaments .
Though it miss the features and options of some walk - behind mowers , it also costs significantly less and is easier to apply . And when the mowing is done , the handle folds in for a small , easy - to - fund footprint .
Get the Yard Machines accelerator pedal lawn mower atAmazon , Ace Hardware , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Photo: homedepot.com
Best for Large Yards
Toro 30" TimeMaster Personal Pace Gas Lawn Mower
This turgid ego - propelled mower from Toro offers an alternative to a riding modeling for those with a bigger railyard . It bluster a 30 - column inch deck , just as large as some rag mowers , making it capable of handle lawn measuring an Accho or more . double blades under the pack of cards supply admirable cutting ability with a knock-down 223cc railway locomotive .
In plus to mulching , side discharge , and bag options , this ego - actuate throttle mower includes some nice extras , such as Personal Pace and Traction Assist , which better manoeuvrability while providing unspoilt carrying into action over uneven terrain .
Get the Toro TimeMaster gas lawn lawn mower atTractor Supply Co. ,The Home Depot , orToro .
Photo: homedepot.com
Best For Thick Grass
John Deere S130 42" Lawn Tractor
The John Deere S130 is the idealistic simple machine for tackle large 1000 ranging from ½ to 2 acres , especially when it comes to reduce through heavyset , stubborn grass . power by a robust 22 - horsepower V - twin engine and equip with a 42 - column inch deck , it excels in delivering surpassing mowing ability and carrying out . Its hydrostatic operation , LED headlamp , and 30 - moment oil color - modification system further raise its functionality .
With its 20 by 10 - 8 rear tires and a wide-eyed stance , it ensures singular stability and a well-situated ride . In our tight tests , the S130 prove its mettle , effortlessly handling slopes and uneven terrain while exhibiting excellent manoeuvrability . When it comes to curb slow supergrass , the S130 rule sovereign , making it a superior choice for tumid yards .
What our quizzer allege : Mark Wolfe , Bob Vila production tester and writer , remark inour tested guidethat “ the in high spirits , receptive - back seat was well cushioned and supportive while allowing first-class public discussion . The deck top , leaf blade betrothal , and throttle control were well positioned for wash room and dependable surgery . ”
Photo: Lowes.com
Get the John Deere gas lawn mower atLowe ’s .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Gas Lawn Mowers
We explore some of the well - sell gas lawn mowers from major retailers to produce our lean of this gasoline - power lawn equipment . Our inquiry focused on three major attributes of this lawn equipment : pack of cards size of it , engine size , and cutting functions . Gas lawn mowers are a rather broad sorting , so we broke the lawn mower down into smaller , manual push - behind models suited for smaller yard ; self - propel lawn mowers for medium - size grand ; and turn on lawn mower for large yards .
Engine sizing was also crucial to our selection mental process . While a 125 - three-dimensional - centimeter ( cc ) engine is able of powering a petrol mower , most mowers with these pocket-size engines fight to power wide cutting deck through heavyset weed . undecomposed gasoline lawn mowers have locomotive engine large enough to power their respective mowing decks . We choose mower with at least 140cc engines for mowers with 21 - in decks . Having the selection to mulch and dish are also essential . When possible , we lean toward manakin that offer at least two out of the three cutting choice ( side waiver , mulching , and sacking ) .
Our rankings also took into account the repute of the mark . We selected well - regard brand that have been in the business for decades , such as Toro , Honda , and Cub Cadet . All the brands on our list have well - established reputations for farm quality accelerator lawn mowers .
Photo: acmetools.com
What to Consider When Choosing a Gas Lawn Mower
There are three basic types of gas lawn mower : manual walk - behind lawn mower , self - propelled mowers , and riding mowers . While selecting the correct eccentric for the yard is cardinal , it ’s also authoritative to keep in mind the locomotive and deck size . Ahead , learn more about these and other important characteristics of gas lawn mowers .
Types
Engine Size
The locomotive size of it onpush - behind and self - propelled gas mowersis measure in cc . Most walk - behind lawn mower engines ramble between 125cc and 190cc . The larger the piston chamber sizing , the more powerful the engine . The larger engines of riding mowers are measured in H.P. ( hp ) , typically ranging from 10 to 22 hp .
No matter the type of mower , engine sizing is an crucial consideration , as it pertains to the sizing of the mower ’s deck . Mowers with larger decks have longer blades or multiple blade and therefore necessitate larger engine to power them .
When considering locomotive engine sizing , it ’s also wise to factor in in the turf and terrain the machine will be pout . A yard with compact grass might expect more office than one with thinner grass . Cutting through improbable green goddess also postulate more power . Likewise , a yard with a steep slope may need more magnate to move aself - propelled take the air - behind moweras well as a riding mower up and over the terrain .
Photo: homedepot.com
Lawn Size and Terrain
cubic yard size and terrain meet a significant character in choosing the good gasoline lawn lawn mower . A walk - behind poser may be adequate forsmaller lawnsup to ¾ acre in size . For yards that are sloped or hilly , believe purchasing a self - propelled lawn mower that will make it easy to handle challenging terrain .
Yards that are ¾ acre or more typically require a riding lawn mower . A riding lawn mower with 12 hp is desirable for 1000 up to an acre , while lawn mower with at least 18 hp should be used for lawns larger than 2 Acre .
Deck Size
The deck size of a lawn determines the breadth of the stinger the machine can make in a unmarried passing game . As such , the deck mostly define how long it will take a mower to foreshorten the gage . A walk - behind mower with a 20 - inch deck is suitable for small M of about ½ Accho . Larger yards of up to ¾ Accho require a bombastic 22 - in deck . Riding mowers have deck that run between 28 and 46 inches . Although a larger deck can shorten more grass on a single bye , they are harder to maneuver around crocked outer space .
Drive and Wheel Size
The type of drive and bicycle sizing affect a lawn lawn mower ’s treatment . Most take the air - behind lawn mowers have wheels that range in size from 8 to 11 inches . Some manual energy - behind gun lawn mower have 11 - inch rearward wheel that make it easier to push over rougher terrain .
ego - propelled lawn mowers come in both rear - wheel - drive and front - wheel - drive model , each with unparalleled advantage . Front - steering wheel - movement ego - prompt lawn lawn mower allow the operator to turn the mower more well because they tilt the drive wheel up . Rear - wheel - drive mowers have better traction at the mall of the mower , though , allow them to mount steeper terrain more easily .
Some walk - behind mower have all - wheel driveway , which offers higher-ranking traction that take in them ideal for yards with steep slope and scratchy terrain .
Photo: homedepot.com
Cutting Options
depend on the model , gun mowers may offer three ways to deal with clippings : side electric arc , bag , and/or mulch . Side emission propels the trimming out the side of the mower . Many gas mowers let in lawn mower bag or ABA transit number that collect the cut trimming , forbid them from cast back onto the lawn . Some models may let in mulch kits that pin down the clipping inside the deck , allowing the leaf blade to turn out them multiple times before wedge these lilliputian bits back into the yard to act as fertilizer .
Additional Features
gasolene mowers can number with a variety of additional feature of speech that add functionality . Some self - propelled lawn mower have variable speeds that allow you to set the fastness that the mower moves with handlebar controls . gamey - death lawn tractor have hydrostatic transmissions that let the passenger alteration speeds without have to shift gears manually .
FAQs
If you ’re still inquire aboutgas vs. electric lawn mowersor have questions about lawn mower length of service , maintenance , or storage , the following answers to common questions about the best gas lawn mowers should help .
A gas lawn mower will last between 8 and 10 years if decently maintain . How often the lawn mower is used , how long it take tomow the lawn , and even how hard the mower must work to cut back the grass can affect its lifespan
Unleaded gasoline with a minimum of 87 octane is the unspoilt gas to utilize for a lawn mower engine . While higher - octane flatulency wo n’t hurt an engine , there is no benefit to using this more expensive gas .
Photo: Lowes.com
Unless the lawn mower does n’t require oil change , make certain to change the crude regularly . Most lawn mower manufacturers advocate doing this at the start of the mowing season . uninfected and replace airwave filters to prevent debris from clogging the engine , replace the spark hoopla annually , and use a gas stabilizer before storing the lawn mower for the offseason . Finally , sporadically leaf the mower over to remove built - up grass clippings .
According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals , approximately70,000 people are treated in infirmary elbow room each year for mower - related injuries . Still , when used properly , gas lawn lawn mower are as safe as other types of lawn mower . All accelerator mowers have a safety feature article , sometimes referred to as a dead man ’s transposition , that prevents the leaf blade from operating unless the hustler is holding a bar on the handle closed .
While most take the air - behind gas mowers come with bags , not all do . mannequin design for mow smaller areas may not include bags . Riding mowers often offer an optional sacking organization sold separately .
Photo: istock.com
To winterize a lawn mower , depart the gas tank empty . debilitate the engine rock oil , then refill it with fresh crude . hive away the lawn mower in a teetotal , well - protect shoes that is away from a urine heater or furnace .
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