Best Overall: Toro 21-Inch 60V MAX Super Recycler Mower
The Toro 21-Inch 60V MAX Super Recycler Mower is our top pick for the best overall lawn mower. This premium, battery-powered, walk-behind mower offers key features to enhance mowing performance and operator comfort. Powered by a 60-volt (V) 7.5-amp-hour (Ah) lithium-ion rechargeable battery, this mower provides up to 50 minutes of runtime per charge. The intelligent three-phase brushless motor conserves battery life and increases power for tough mowing conditions.
The rustproof cast-aluminum deck is designed for maximum airflow, standing the grass blades up straight for a crisp cut and clean finish. The Personal Pace Auto Drive system allows the mower to roll smoothly at the operator’s natural pace on any terrain. In our tests, the Toro Super Recycler performed exceptionally well on a slightly weedy, significantly sloped front yard, leaving a uniform finish with no stray weeds. It ran quietly, was powerful, and very comfortable to use, making it an excellent choice for a more pleasant mowing experience.
Product Specs:
- Power source: 60V 7.5Ah battery
- Deck size: 21 inches
- Type: Self-propelled
Pros:
- Up to 50 minutes of runtime per charge for 0.5 acre of mowing or more
- Ample blade speed and deck airflow for a high-quality finish
- Mower automatically paces itself with the operator’s walking speed
- Rear-wheel drive improves traction even when the bagger is full
Cons:
- Much higher price for excellent performance compared to competition that may be adequate
Where to Buy: Get the Toro Super Recycler lawn mower at The Home Depot or Mowers Direct.
Best Bang for the Buck: Craftsman M220 150cc Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
The Craftsman M220 150cc Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is our choice for the best bang for the buck. This gas-powered model boasts a powerful 150-cubic-centimeter (cc) engine and an ample 21-inch mowing deck, making it a good pick for yards up to three-quarters acre. With large 8-inch rear wheels with heavy tread, this mower is easy to push and offers six cutting heights for versatility.
Assembly of the Craftsman mower was quick and easy, requiring only about 20 minutes. The mower started easily on the first pull, had good power for cutting average lawn grass, and handled uphill mowing well. The front-wheel-drive feature made turning easy, and the fuel tank size was adequate for mowing about a half acre per fill-up. This mower is an excellent value pick for budget-minded shoppers looking for a durable self-propelled mower.
Product Specs:
- Power source: 150cc Briggs & Stratton gas engine
- Deck size: 21 inches
- Type: Walk-behind
Pros:
- Front-wheel drive assists the user while mowing and prevents strain during use
- Easy to start with no priming or choke required
- Side discharge, mulch, or bag for ease of cleanup after mowing
Cons:
- Self-propelled feature is not adjustable and may not be suitable for some users’ preferences
- Non-padded grip could lead to hand fatigue with extended use
Where to Buy: Get the Craftsman M220 lawn mower at Lowe’s or Ace Hardware.
Best Riding Mower: John Deere S130 42-Inch Lawn Tractor
For larger yards ranging from a half to 2 acres, the John Deere S130 42-Inch Lawn Tractor is our top pick for the best riding mower. With a 22-horsepower V-twin engine and a 42-inch deck, this mower offers excellent mowing ability, performance, and comfort features. The hydrostatic operation, single-lever throttle with spring-return choke, ergonomic deck-height adjustment lever, dash-mounted digital fuel gauge, and Easy Change 30-second oil change system make this mower a versatile choice.
In our tests, the S130 lawn tractor proved to be a comfortable, capable riding mower with good maneuverability in a wide range of conditions. It easily handled grassy slopes and offered a tight turning radius for clean and even cutting paths. The high open-back seat was well cushioned and supportive, and the deck height, blade engagement, and throttle controls were well positioned for convenience and safe operation. Despite the slightly elevated price tag, this mower offers tons of value, making it an excellent choice for most larger yards.
Product Specs:
- Power source: 22-horsepower V-twin gas engine
- Deck size: 42 inches
- Type: Lawn tractor
Pros:
- High vantage point for optimal viewing of the yard and machine while mowing
- Tight turning radius allows for clean and even cutting paths
- Comfortable seat and controls make it easy for the user to mow the lawn
Cons:
- Limited performance on steep hills and may not be the best option for hilly yards
Where to Buy: Get the John Deere lawn mower at Lowe’s or a local John Deere dealer.
Best Electric Riding Mower: Craftsman 56V MAX 42-Inch Riding Mower
For those with larger properties looking for an electric riding mower, the Craftsman 56V MAX 42-Inch Riding Mower is our top pick. This mower features three brushless motors powered by a built-in 56V 6Ah lithium-ion battery, offering up to 1.75 hours of runtime per charge or mowing up to 3.5 acres. With simple forward and reverse pedals for travel and mowing speed up to 6 miles per hour, this mower is equipped with a 42-inch cutting deck, LED headlights, towing hitch, electronic PTO for blade engagement, and an electronic mowing-in-reverse override switch.
In our tests, the Craftsman battery-powered lawn tractor charged in 4.5 hours and mowed for about 1.75 hours, handling the ups and downs of the terrain at a comfortable pace. The TurnTight steering system allowed the mower to carve incredibly tight turns, and the seat was comfortable, the ride was smooth, and the controls were responsive for an all-around quality riding mower.
Product Specs:
- Power source: 56V 60Ah battery
- Deck size: 42 inches
- Type: Lawn tractor
Pros:
- Extremely tight turning radius easily maneuvers around obstacles
- 1.75 hours of runtime per charge, allowing users to mow up to 3.5 acres
- Familiar feel, with controls that operate similarly to gas-powered lawn tractors
Cons:
- Premium price, about twice the price of similar size gas lawn tractors
- Deck does not create as much of a vacuum to pull grass blades upright
- Not enough power to mow heavily overgrown, weedy areas
Where to Buy: Get the Craftsman 56V MAX lawn mower at Lowe’s or Ace Hardware.
Best Robotic Mower: Worx Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower
Pushing the limits of lawn mower technology, the Worx Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower is our top pick for the best robotic mower. This mower functions similarly to a robot vacuum cleaner, mowing a preset area of up to a quarter acre on its own. The operator sets up wire barriers that the lawn mower won’t cross, ensuring it only mows in a set area. Equipped with a laser eye that guides it around obstacles in the yard, a single front caster, and two large rear-drive wheels, this mower can connect to a smart device for programming daily schedules or remote control.
In our tests, the Landroid M required a detailed setup process but then operated almost completely hands-off. After programming the robot for a daily mowing schedule, it mowed on time every time and stayed in bounds without a problem. The mower’s rain sensor sent it back to its base station during inclement weather, and after fixing a docking issue, it worked flawlessly. The grass it cut still looked freshly mowed a week later, making it a great choice for those looking to infuse the benefits of robotics into their lawn-care routine.
Product Specs:
- Power source: 20V 4Ah battery
- Deck size: 8 inches
- Type: Robotic
Pros:
- Can be controlled via an app through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for hands-off mowing
- Brushless motor extends battery life, making it great for yards up to 0.25 acre
- Onboard rain sensor protects the mower from potential damage
Cons:
- Requires a detailed setup procedure, including ensuring the docking station is perfectly level
Where to Buy: Get the Worx lawn mower at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Tractor Supply Co.
Best Battery-Powered Mower: Ego Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
The Ego Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower offers a feature-rich option for those looking for a battery-powered mower. With a load-sensing motor that automatically increases output when encountering tougher cutting conditions, this mower is self-propelled with variable-speed wheels that drive up to 3.1 miles per hour. The handle-mounted lever allows users to adjust the speed to match their mowing pace easily.
In our tests, the Ego Power+ mower with a 7.5Ah battery powered it for about 60 minutes on a single charge. It navigated the terrain comfortably, held adequate battery life to mow the entire half-acre yard on a single charge, and left behind a nice, even lawn without the need for double mowing. The rapid recharging ability and blend of mowing ability, operator comfort, and rapid recharging impressed us, making it a top choice for battery-powered mowers.
Product Specs:
- Power source: One 56V 4Ah, 5Ah, 7.5Ah, or 10Ah battery
- Deck size: 21 inches
- Type: Self-propelled walk-behind
Pros:
- Up to 60 minutes of runtime per charge, allowing users to mow up to 0.5 acre
- Fast battery-charging time of just 60 minutes
- 2-stage motor automatically increases power output for tough cutting conditions
Cons:
- Drive system emits a surprisingly loud whiny sound
- Self-propelled feature cuts runtime in half
Where to Buy: Get the Ego Power+ lawn mower at Amazon (with 5Ah battery), Lowe’s (tool only), or Acme Tools (tool only).
Best Electric Mower: American Lawn Mower 14-Inch 120V Corded Mower
For small yards where a gas-powered mower would be a hassle, the American Lawn Mower 14-Inch 120V Corded Mower offers an easy, affordable choice. This corded electric mower can keep the yard looking great without the mess or expense of gasoline or batteries. With a 14-inch deck suited for smaller yards and storage areas, this mower is lightweight at about 20 pounds, making it easy to maneuver.
In our tests, this model delivered a solid performance, mowing well even in dense, weedy grass. The bagger worked effectively, and the small size and lightweight build made it easy to use. By starting close to the electrical outlet and mowing progressively farther away, we minimized the risk of cord damage or entanglement. This quiet, capable corded electric model is an excellent choice for anyone with a small lawn.
Product Specs:
- Power source: 11-amp corded motor
- Deck size: 14 inches
- Type: Walk-behind
Pros:
- Durable maintenance-free electric motor doesn’t require battery charging or fuel refills
- Lightweight and easy to use for excellent maneuverability
- Offers bagging and mulching options for easy cleanup
Cons:
- Not ideal for large yards; suitable for only the smallest yards
- No side-discharge option; may not be ideal for some users’ needs
Where to Buy: Get the American Lawn Mower lawn mower at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart.
Best Push Mower: Fiskars StaySharp Max 18-Inch Reel Mower
For truly clean lawn care with grab-and-go convenience, the Fiskars StaySharp Max 18-Inch Reel Mower is our top pick for the best push mower. This manual reel mower tackles the challenges of traditional push mowers with its InertiaDrive system and StaySharp blades. The gear-assisted drive system and ergonomic handle make it much easier to use than other reel mowers, allowing it to cut through coarse weeds and small sticks that can halt other mowers.
In our tests, the Fiskars mower worked on a wider variety of terrain and grass types than other push mowers, cutting closest to the edges and offering lever-controlled height adjustment and an adjustable clipping chute. While the small wheels struggled a bit in rougher terrain, the 18-inch width was ideal for small and midsize yards.
Product Specs:
- Power source: Manual
- Deck size: 18 inches
- Type: Reel mower
Pros:
- Manual operation for emission-free lawn care
- StaySharp self-sharpening blade system minimizes maintenance
- Easy to adjust mowing height from 1 to 4 inches
Cons:
- Heavier and bulkier than other manual reel mowers
- More expensive than other reel mowers
- Small wheels struggle a bit in rougher terrain
Where to Buy: Get the Fiskars lawn mower at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Best for Large Yards: Toro 50-Inch TimeCutter MyRide Zero-Turn Mower
For yards that could house a couple of football fields, the Toro 50-Inch TimeCutter MyRide Zero-Turn Mower is our top pick for the best mower for large yards. With its massive 50-inch deck and 24.5-horsepower engine, this mower can reach speeds of up to 7 miles per hour, making it capable of handling yards up to 4 acres. The adjustable MyRide suspension system absorbs bumps and vibrations, providing a comfortable ride for the operator.
In our tests, the TimeCutter mower mowed an acre in 20 minutes, a blistering 3-acres-per-hour pace. The finish quality was excellent, and it used less than 3 quarts of gasoline. The MyRide suspension system smoothed out the ruts and bumps for a comfortable ride at near top speed, making it an efficient choice for large grassy areas.
Product Specs:
- Power source: 24.5 horsepower
- Deck size: 50 inches
- Type: Zero-turn riding mower
Pros:
- Huge mowing deck makes this model ideal for large lawns
- Shock-absorbing suspension system eases the ride for the driver
- Large engine is capable of cutting thicker grass varieties
Cons:
- Large construction may be difficult for some users to store
Where to Buy: Get the Toro TimeCutter lawn mower at Tractor Supply Co. or The Home Depot.
Best for Small Yards: DeWalt 2X20V MAX 21.5-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
For small yards of a third of an acre or less, the DeWalt 2X20V MAX 21.5-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is our top pick. This mower offers a better-than-average build quality and thoughtful design, with a heavy-duty 21.5-inch 15-gauge stamped-steel deck that adjusts to six different cutting heights. Running on two batteries and offering up to 60 minutes of runtime per charge, this mower works well for small lawns.
In our tests, the DeWalt mower covered about 5,000 square feet per charge when adjusted to 2.5 inches high with the grass catcher in place. The comfortable controls and cushioned handle made it easy to use, and the self-propelled feature eliminated half the work of mowing. The mower’s quality is better than most and is a solid choice for small lawns of a third of an acre or