7 Best Lawn Mowers in 2024
The lawn mower is a necessary piece of equipment, for maintaining everything from a small lawn to large lawns, including those that are acres in size. Lawn mowers come in all shapes and sizes, making it sometimes difficult for a potential buyer to make a choice.
In order to better understand lawn mowers, and to know which particular type might best suit your needs, it is important to know all the different lawn mower types, because they each come with their Pros and their Cons. Following is a listing of the different types of lawn mowers in existence.
You can also read other product reviews such as self propelled lawn mower, lawn mower for steep hill, electric lawn mower, zero turn mower, reel lawn mower, lawn mower blade, weed eater, pole hedge trimmer, lawn sweeper, lawn edger.
Types of Lawn Mowers
#1. Reel Lawn Mowers
Reel or manual lawn mowers are a completely manual method of mowing your lawn. If you are environmentally friendly, and you also like to break some sweat from time to time, then a reel lawn mower might sound like a very good idea to you. It consists of revolving blades, much like the wheels of old paddle boats, and you have to push it from behind and make it cut the grass.
The functioning method is quite simple. Many blades are designed around a wheel, and they revolve together with the wheel. Another blade remains permanently fixed at the lower end on the wheel, and grasses which find themselves between any of the revolving blades and the stationary blade are simply clipped.
Pros
- Being a completely manual mowing method makes this the most environmentally friendly mower.
- It is a very cheap mowing method. There are no cables to tackle, batteries to charge or change, no gasoline to buy.
- They are also guaranteed to give you a great workout each time.
Cons
- They simply cut the grass, but can't bag them. You must use a rake on the lawn afterwards, if you want some perfection.
- If your grass is too thick or too high, then you are in for a rough ride.
#2. Push Mowers
Push mowers are so to speak, the standard lawn mower that most of us know. Their functioning principle is simple: An engine or motor, drives a horizontal blade and rotates it at a very high speed, causing it to cut everything around it. Someone then has to push it along, in order for its spinning blade to come in contact with new grass.
Push mowers were traditionally gas powered, but electric push mowers have almost taken over the market. The difference between the two is that gas powered lawn mowers simply pollute the environment more than electric mowers, and as people are becoming more eco-friendly, electric mowers are becoming more beloved.
Pros
- Both electric and gas-powered push mowers can cut a swath of up to 20 to 22 inches.
- They can bag the grass clippings, mulch them, or simply discharge them.
- Push mowers are strong enough to handle tough grasses and weed.
Cons
- Gas powered push mowers are noisy and also pollute the environment.
- Electric push mowers are costlier than gas push mowers.
#3. Self-Propelled Mowers
Self-propelled lawn mowers or walk behind mowers, are identical to push mowers, except that they use a portion of the engine's or electric motor's power to drive the wheel. They therefore cause the lawn mower to move on its own. Different companies offer different mechanisms like front-, rear- and all-wheel drives, and rear-wheel drives are generally the best walk behind mowers.
Front- and rear-wheel drive mowers are generally easier to maneuver when the engine is off, than all-wheel drives. But all-wheel drive mowers have better traction and are the best self propelled lawn mowers for slopes and other abnormal terrains. This movement problem with a switched-off engine is not a problem with electric self-propelled mowers, although those that use batteries have to sacrifice up to 20% of battery-life for self-propulsion.
Pros
- These mowers have large engines, and so can power up to 21-inch cutting swaths.
- Electric self propelled mowers are easy to start and control.
- They feature bagging, mulching and side-discharge functionalities.
Cons
- Difficult to navigate all-wheel drive models with gas engines when the engine is off.
- A large amount of energy is required for propulsion, so you may require a backup battery if you are using a cordless, self-propelled mower.
#4. Lawn Tractors
Lawn tractors are simply what their name implies: A lawn tractor. They are tractors in reality, with many of the brands offering mechanisms and design elements that make them very tractor-like. Lawn tractors are heavy-duty mowers, and usually have a mowing width of up to 48 inches. This means that they can mow many times faster than push mowers and self propelled mowers.
Another important point about lawn tractors, is that they actually carry you along. Taking things one step further from self-propelled mowers, lawn tractors let you ride along like a farmer on his tractor. You usually get a high-back seat, mowing controls like height adjustment, a gas pedal, brake and a steering wheel, of course.
Pros
- They are an enjoyable method of mowing the lawn.
- Lawn tractors are perfect for large lawns because of their wide cutting width.
- Operating a lawn tractor is very easy. Almost anyone can do it.
Cons
- They can be quite expensive. Lawn tractors are not cheap.
- These machines are not really environmentally friendly, since the majority run on gas.
- Bagging kits usually constitute an additional expense.
#5. Zero-Turn Mowers
A zero-turn mower is similar to a lawn tractor, but unlike lawn tractors that require some space to turn around, a zero-turn mower can turn in-place. This is based on their functioning mechanism, zero-turn mowers do not use steering wheels, rather, they use two levers, one on the left and one on the right. These two levers act as both gas pedal and as brakes for the mower.
They power the left and right rear wheels respectively. The front wheels practically rotate on their own. This means that if you push the right lever while holding the left one back, the mower will turn in-place anti-clockwise. This phenomenon makes zero turn mowers very maneuverable. They can also mulch, side-discharge, or bag the grass clippings.
Pros
- These mowers can be maneuvered excellently around obstacles like trees.
- They can have large cutting swaths up to 48 - 50 inches, just like tractors.
- Zero-turn mowers usually have higher top-speeds.
Cons
- Using levers to control a vehicle requires some practice, and getting used to.
- They don't have very good traction, especially on slopes.
- Most of them use gas, which makes them environmental polluters.
#6. Tow Behind Mowers
Tow behind mowers are designed to be attached to a standard tractor. They are designed as an attachment for those who already own a tractor or an ATV, and have a large lawn to mow, like a sports field or a golf course. There are basically two types of tow-behind mowers: The powered type and the gang reel mower.
A powered tow behind mower basically functions like a push mower. It has its own engine, which is usually gas powered, and once started, turns the horizontal cutting blade. As it gets driven, it then cuts everything in its way. A tow behind reel mower is usually made up of 3, 4, 7, or any amount of standard reel mowers. As they are pulled along, their blades revolve and they clip the grasses.
Pros
- They are ideal for mowing vast areas of land.
- Tow behind mowers help to save costs if you already have a tractor or an ATV.
- The gas powered type are perfect for taming overgrown fields.
Cons
- Tow behind mowers are not for everyone, only for those with tractors or ATVs.
- They are bulky and take up plenty storage space.
#7. Hover Mowers
Hover mowers do exactly what their name suggests: They hover and mow. They are available either as gas powered or as electric devices. Unlike normal mowers, they do not have wheels of any kind. When the engine, or motor, is started, part of the power it generates it channeled to the cutting blade, while the rest of the power is used to create a cushion of air beneath the mower.
Some electric models feature two motors. One motor will power the blade, while the second one produces the air cushion. This functioning principle is the same as that of a hover-craft. Being suspended on air also makes the hover mower lighter, plus it can be moved in any direction: front, back, left, or right.
Pros
- Being suspended on air eliminates friction with the ground, making the mower lightweight.
- Hover mowers can be pushed and pulled in all directions, they have no wheel tracks to stick to.
- They look cool gliding on air.
- Their lightweight makes them great for mowing uphill on slopes.
Cons
- They can be difficult to carry when the power is off.
- Hover mowers don't work well on uneven or bumpy grounds.
- You cannot use a hover mower to create stripes on your grass, since you will need a roller.
#8. Robotic Mowers
Robotic mowers are the latest variety of lawn mowers. They entail having a pre-programmed computer software controlling a self-propelled lawn mower. This means that the robotic mower is able to move on its own, as well as able to change direction when necessary. Robotic lawn mowers are still in development, but their future does look bright.
Conventional ones involve setting up a perimeter inside which they will buzz around and reverse when they reach a wire or any other perimeter guide. In the future though, these robots will use technologies like GPS to know exactly where they have to mow, and where they have already mowed. Of course they could also include better sensors like cameras linked to image recognition systems.
Pros
- Robotic mowers are autonomous devices that can completely function on their own.
- Being powered by electricity makes them environmentally friendly, because they do not cause any emissions.
- With a steady power supply, they can theoretically work round the clock to keep your lawn perfect.
Cons
- The quality of the cut is usually less than that of standard mowers.
- Although robots may get cheaper in the future, they are currently expensive.
- Despite their being autonomous, you still have to keep an eye on them.
What to Look for When Buying a Lawn Mower
#1. Garden Size
The size of your yard, including its slope, if any, is a very important consideration when you are planning to buy a lawn mower. This is because there are many sizes of lawn mowers, with different power levels and cutting widths. If you have a very large lawn and you buy a small lawn mower with 12-inch blades, then you will always have to mow for too long.
If you have a small lawn on the other hand, and buy a very large mower, like a lawn tractor for example, then you've just thrown money out of the window. As you can see, it's important to match the lawn mower to the size of the yard. This way, you optimize your investment into caring for your lawn.
#2. Environment
Our environment is another factor to consider, although it's not so important for everyone. For eco-friendly people, one of the most important aspects to consider is how environmentally friendly a machine is. This will naturally cause a shift from gas-powered lawn mowers to the electric variety.
As lovely as eco-friendliness sounds, some people just don't care about it, and are only interested in maximum machine power. If you have the feeling that an electric mower may not be the perfect machine for the job, then of course it's okay to get a gas-powered mower. If you don't have that feeling, then try to be nice to the environment and go electric.
#3. Comfort & Convenience
After considering your yard size and your affiliation to the environment, the next major issue to consider is your desired level of comfort. You have to know in your mind, how you expect to mow your lawn. Are happy pushing the mower, or do you want a self-propelling machine? Would you enjoying exerting physical strength, or would you rather be seated and drive around?
These are questions that no one else can answer for you. You have to know what you want, and then check your wallet to know that you can afford it. Everything is available from manual reel mowers, all the way to lawn tractors. The choice is yours.
#4. Collection Box Size
This is one of the less important considerations. For most small to medium sized lawns, a standard grass bag should be okay. But if you are planning to mow a large or even very large lawn, then making an effort to have a system with a large grass bag should be beneficial. This is for the simple reason that a larger bag reduces your grass disposal routines, and lets you focus more on mowing.
#5. Want a Strip Effect?
Strip effects can be so awesome. They have to be planned from the beginning though, if you really want to impress with the stripes. The major tool here is the roller, and instead of having to buy an extra roller, you may as well consider getting a lawn mower with a roller attachment. This way, the roller flattens the grass directly while you are mowing, so you don't have to walk the whole yard twice, first mowing, and then rolling.
6 Popular Lawn Mower Brands
Many companies have joined the lawn mower industry over the years, manufacturing one type of lawn mower or the other. Before getting to our lawn mower reviews, the following is a list of the major lawn mower brands and what they do.
#1. Husqvarna
Husqvarna makes a wide variety of lawn mowers, including push mowers, self-propelled and riding mowers. Their entry level mowers come with a 160 cc engine, while their more expensive range comes with a larger 190 cc engine, and all-wheel drive. Husqvarna's lawn tractors are top of the line machines. They have an average cutting width of 48 inches, are gas powered, and have between 18 and 24 HP of engine torque. They also produce robotic mowers, which are rather expensive, and gas powered zero turn mowers as well.
#2. GreenWorks
GreenWorks products generally have a zero-carbon footprint. They are entirely electric and are mostly push mowers. Their lowest priced mowers are corded, while the more powerful and cordless mowers feature dual batteries with up to 6Ah of combined power. The company also offers a manual reel mower that even includes a grass catcher. Their model 25022 with a 20-inch swath is the best and most popular GreenWorks mower.
#3. Poulan Pro
Poulan Pro makes both electric and gas powered lawn mowers, but they focus more on gas powered machines. On the lower range is Poulan Pro's 21-inch, gas-powered push mower, featuring a 140 cc Brigss & Stratton engine. The range then goes up to mowers with 163 cc engines and a 22-inch swath. At the top of their product range, you will find Poulan Pro riding mowers, with engines ranging between 10 and 24 HP of torque.
#4. EGO Power+
EGO Power+ is dedicated to the design and manufacturing of cordless power tools which deliver a performance comparable to gas powered tools. Their cheapest and best lawn mower features a 20-inch cutting swath, plus a 4.0 Ah battery and charging kit. All EGO Power+ mowers feature headlights and a futuristic design. In the higher range, you will find the 21-inch self propelled EGO mower, although its battery and charger have to be additionally purchased.
#5. Snapper
Snapper is an outdoor power tool and equipment manufacturer, which built the first self-propelled rotary mower way back in 1951. It manufactures both gas powered and electric lawn mowers, including the pushed variety and the self propelling type. Snapper's cordless mower without battery and charger costs the same as its entry level gas mower. At the top of the line are mostly gas powered mowers. They are self propelled, feature variable speed, and have large engines, up to 190 cc in size.
#6. Troy-Bilt
Troy-Bilt came into the limelight in 1937, when it revolutionized the rototiller. It makes all types of mowers from push mowers, which are competitively priced, to self propelled mowers and riding mowers. Troy-Bilt mostly makes gas powered mowers, which it often outfits with appropriate Powermore or Briggs & Stratton engines. The company's top of the line zero turn mower features a 22 HP engine with a 46-inch cutting width. Its 382 cc riding lawn mower is the best product from the company, and amongst the lowest priced riding lawn mowers in the market.
7 Best Lawn Mowers - Reviews
Image | Product Name | Power | Power source | Cutting Width | Rating | Current Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. GreenWorks 25022 Corded Lawn Mower | 12 Amps | Corded | 20 in | 4.5 | |
 | 2. Sun Joe MJ401E Mow Joe Electric Lawn Mower | 12 Amps | Corded | 14 in | 4.4 | |
 | 3. GreenWorks 25302 Twin-Force Lawn Mower | 40 V, 4 AH / 2 AH | Cordless | 20 in | 4.5 | |
 | 4. EGO Power+ LM2000 Cordless Lawn Mower | 56 V, 4 AH | Cordless | 20 in | 4.6 | |
 | 5. American Lawn Mower 1204-14 Reel Mower | N/A | Manual | 14 in | 4.5 | |
 | 6. Honda 662120 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower | 160 cc | Gas | 12 in | 4.6 | |
 | 7. Husqvarna 967324101 V-Twin Zero Turn Mower | 724 cc | Gas | 54 in | 4.5 |
1. GreenWorks 25022 20-Inch 12-Amp Corded Lawn Mower
Editor's Rating: 
(4.5 / 5)
If you are the eco-friendly type, then GreenWorks is here to serve you. The 25022 is a powerful mower designed to provide you with optimum power and a 20-inch wide swath, making your mowing time shorter, and your life easier. Its powerful 12-Amp electric motor delivers enough torque to slice through even the toughest of grasses. There are 7 height adjustment positions, and it will either mulch, side-discharge, or bag the grass clippings.
GreenWorks 25022 is corded and so weighs just 56 lbs. Its handle can also be folded to allow for compact storage or for transportation. The height adjustment is done using a single lever, and it allows cutting heights between 1.5 and 3.75 inches.
2. Sun Joe MJ401E 14-Inch 12-Amp Mow Joe Electric Lawn Mower
Editor's Rating: 
(4.4 / 5)
Sun Joe's Mow Joe is an electric lawn mower with more power output than meets the eye. Mow Joe weighs just 29 lbs., and has a cutting width of just 14 inches, but it packs a 12-Amp motor with a 10.6 gallon hard-top grass bag. All these combined, lets Mow Joe look like a little tough-guy.
You get a 3-position height adjustment system. the hard-top grass bag is easily detachable for easy disposal of the grass, and the it is ETL approved as well. Mow Joe will easily get into the tiniest of spaces, and yet it cuts with the power of a champion. It is the best push mower for those who need a lightweight mowing solution. Sun Joe, the maker of this mower, backs it up with a 2-year warranty.
3. GreenWorks 25302 20-Inch Twin-Force Cordless Lawn Mower
Editor's Rating: (4.5 / 5)
GreenWorks' 25302 lawn mower is the ultimate machine for a cordless lawn mowing experience. It is powered by 40-Volt G-Max batteries, and comes delivered with 2 battery pieces. One battery has a 4 Ah capacity, while the second battery has a 2 Ah capacity. The two batteries are plugged into the machine simultaneously, and the system will automatically switch over to the second battery once the first one is depleted. This allows up to 70 minutes of mowing time.
It also uses dual, 10-inch blades to achieve a 20-inch cutting width. There is a 5-position height adjustment, controlled by a single lever. You can choose between 1.25 and 3 inches of grass height. This mower will also adjust its power automatically, depending on the toughness of the grass at hand. GreenWorks backs it up with a 4-year warranty.
4. EGO Power+ LM2000 56V 20-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower
Editor's Rating: 
(4.6 / 5)
Ending our push mower reviews is this EGO Power+ lawn mower. It is as powerful as it is stylish and ultra-modern looking. It features headlights, so you can also mow at night. The battery is a 4 Ah capacity powerhouse that produces enough power for the 600 Watts electric motor. It can drive the 20-inch cutting blades for up to 2 miles on a single charge.
This lawn mower can fold so beautifully, you would even doubt it was a lawn mower. Its battery charges full in less time than it takes to deplete, because of the rapid charging system. It is the best push mower for geeks and others who love technology. The 3-in-1 function allows you to either mulch, bag or discharge the grass clippings. EGO Power+ backs it up with a 5-year warranty, and a 3-year warranty for the battery.
5. American Lawn Mower 1204-14 4-Blade 14-Inch Manual Reel Mower
Editor's Rating: (4.5 / 5)
For the good old times, the manual lawn mower remains unbeatable. Whether you just like it because it helps you to exercise, or because its the perfect chore for your teenage rebel, you can hardly go wrong with a reel mower.
It is ideal for turf grasses. Reel mowers cut clean like shears, and not like horizontal blade mowers. You will appreciate the precise cut of a reel mower once you experience it. It is lightweight, weighing just 19 lbs, although made from alloy steel. It is the best push mower for those with a not-too-large lawn.
6. Honda 662120 Self-Propelled Gas-Powered Lawn Mower
Editor's Rating: (4.6 / 5)
While electric lawn mowers are the rage these days, some folks still prefer the 'good old' gas powered lawn mower. They usually deliver raw cutting power, although that comes at the expense of sound and environmental pollution. Additionally, this Honda lawn mower is self propelling, with variable speeds between 0 and 4 mph. The company also backs it up with a 3-year warranty.
It can mulch, discharge or bag the grass clippings. It features twin micro-cut blades, which are powered by the GCV160 engine. These blades produce the finest cuts, perfect for mulching and bagging. The engine features an automatic choke and is easy to start. It is also EPA and CARB compliant, and is the best self propelled lawn mower, if you don't mind using a gas engine. There are 6 positions for height adjustment, a 2.4 bushel grass bag, and 2 positions for the handle, including a complete fold for storage.
7. Husqvarna 967324101 724 cc V-Twin 54-Inch Zero Turn Mower
Editor's Rating: (4.5 / 5)
Featuring B&S' 724 cc and 24 HP V-Twin engine, this zero turn lawn mower with its 54-inch cutting deck is the ultimate heavy-duty machine for your mid sized to large lawn. It uses an electric clutch for easier engagement of the blade, has chrome plated valves, and a large cooling fan.
The controls are designed ergonomically, and well positioned for your comfort. There is a spring assisted deck lift system, an anti-slip area for the feet, a bumper with led headlights, a rear engine guard and an automatic park brake system. With its dual hydro-gear zero turn transmission, you can rest assured to experience the ultimate in maneuverability, while the 54-inch cutting swath ensures a speedy completion of your job.
Conclusion
We have come to the end of our lawn mower reviews, and as you can see, there is no single best rated lawn mower or best lawn mower brand in the market. This is because of different brands focusing on different key aspects of a lawn mower, producing thereby, a wide variety of the machine. You might need a push mower, or a lawn tractor, or even the manual reel mower, and whichever type of mower you end up choosing, it should hopefully serve your needs.
Last Updated on August 7, 2020 by