If you dream of a lush, green lawn but dread the maintenance involved in keeping it that way, a self-propelled lawn mower is a great solution. These mowers power the blades and wheels, making your pushing requirements little more than guiding the machine across the grass.
We tested nine self-propelled mowers, both gas and cordless electric, in our own yards across the country for six months, covering a range of weather and grass conditions. We found that self-propelled mowers sometimes take a little getting used to compared to traditional push mowers, but once you understand the controls and set the right speed to match your pace, they are relatively simple and even fun to use.
Aside from saving you effort in pushing a mower over uneven terrain and around obstacles, they can make your lawn look better. "Self-propelled mowers can also provide a more consistent cut since the speed is controlled by the mower rather than the operator, says Brock Ingham, gardener, landscaper, and founder of the website Bigger Garden.
For this list, we included the best self-propelled mowers we tested that held up over six months of testing. We also researched and added top-performing models based on what we learned. Each mower was evaluated on its design, performance, usability, safety, and value.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
EGO Power+ 21-Inch Self-Propelled Mower
What We Like
Variable-speed self-propel
Generous battery runtime
Fast recharging
Folds for compact storage
What We Don't Like
Tricky to attach the clippings bag
Some struggles with mowing wet or tall grass
Earning the top spot in our list is a battery lawn mower we tested that rivals the power of a gas mower but without the smelly fumes, the oil changes, or the frustrating pull cord. Instead, this self-propelled mower from Ego has a 56-volt, 7.5-Ah battery that provides up to 60 minutes of runtime on a single charge; that's enough to mow most lawns up to half of an acre.
This mower has a 21-inch cutting deck and a one-hand lever that adjusts the cutting heights through six different settings for grass heights of 1.5 to 4 inches. We found it very easy to adjust. We also liked the adjustable handle, which made it more comfortable to mow.We found it can easily handle mowing the lawn three times without requiring a recharge. Even when it does need to be recharged, it only takes around 20 minutes.
The speed of the mower is variable, so you can set it to match your stride from a leisurely 0.9 mph up to a brisk 3.1 mph. As this was our first time using a self-propelled mower, there was a bit of a learning curve. At first, it felt like the mower was pulling us along. However, we soon got the hang of it and enjoyed the ease of adjusting the mower’s speed. We then found that the mower was easy to maneuver, even around obstacles or sharp turns. This is an excellent mower for sloped yards as well, thanks to the self-propelled feature that handles the majority of the heavy lifting.
At nine inches in diameter, the mower’s wheels are fairly large, and it is rear-wheel drive, which also helps when mowing over rough terrain or hilly areas. You can dispose of the grass clippings in the included 2-bushel bag, discharge them to the side, or mulch them into fine clippings to quickly decompose them into healthful lawn nutrients. This mower even has an LED headlight, so you can mow early in the morning or at dusk to take advantage of mild temperatures.
The lawn mower easily handles all common types of lawn grass, including tougher warm-season varieties like Bermudagrass, zoysia, and St. Augustine. While testing, we found that it struggled a bit in the wet grass, becoming stuck at one point in a ferny patch. Aside from that, it delivers a precise and crisp cut that is sure to impress.
Most of the mower's construction is heavy-duty plastic for weather and rust resistance, but that might not be as durable as steel, although we felt it seemed quite sturdy. Once you finish mowing, the handle folds all the way down for easy storage. We loved this feature, as the mower doesn’t take up as much room in the garage. This mower comes with a 56-volt battery that is compatible with other tools in Ego's Power+ system (like battery chainsaws and snow blowers, and a fast charger that has the battery ready to go in just an hour.
Cutting Width:21 inches | Power Source:Battery | Weight:62.6 pounds | Grass Discard Options:Bag, mulch, side-discharge
What We Like
Automatically adjusts to grass thickness
Handle folds for storage
What We Don't Like
Tricky to attach the cutting bag
With this Greenworks model, you don't have to sacrifice performance to save money; it still does a good job mowing lawns less than 0.5 acres in size. While we were not able to test this model, we feel it's a great choice if your lawn is small and you are watching your budget.
The mower runs on an included 40-volt, 5.0-Ah battery, with a runtime of up to 45 minutes under ideal conditions. However, keep in mind you may get considerably less than that when mowing tall grass or using the mulching setting. The mower has a 21-inch deck and seven cutting settings ranging from 1-3/8-inch to 3-3/4-inch. The brushless motor starts up at the push of a button and is fairly quiet. Once running, Greenworks' SmartCut Technology detects the thickness of the grass and adjusts the power accordingly to handle it.
When switched into the self-propel mode, the mower takes a few seconds to kick in but then lets you adjust the speed by squeezing the levers. While the manufacturer doesn't give an exact speed range for the mower, like the self-propelled mowers we tested, it may seem too fast at first until you find your pace. Still, for the price, this is a sturdy lawn mower that won't emit smelly fumes like a gas mower, does a good job at cutting grass evenly, and lets you side-discharge, mulch, or collect grass clippings in the included bag.
We also like that the handle folds down for easy storage (a feature we loved on mowers we tested), and the mower comes with a rapid charger. It's part of Greenwork's 40-volt system, so if you have compatible tools in their brand (like weed eaters), you can easily swap in other batteries and continue mowing.
Cutting Width:21 inches | Power Source:Battery | Weight:83 pounds | Grass Discard Options:Bag, mulch, side-discharge
Best for Hills
Toro 60V MAX* Electric Battery High Wheel Mower
What We Like
Collapsible for easy storage
Easy to start
No gas hassle
What We Don't Like
Tricky to attach the cutting bag
We tested Toro's battery-powered mower in a quarter-acre home with varying hills and found that it handled them with ease. With its rear-wheel drive and large wheels, the mower was easy to steer on level ground and inclines, and we were able to mow the lawn in around 20 minutes without exerting too much effort. As with any lawn mower, it's important to mow from side to side on a slope to avoid losing control of the mower or tipping it over.
The lawn mower has a 22-inch steel deck (the longest on our list, along with our best gas pick) and tabs on each wheel that allow you to adjust the cutting height from 1 to 4 inches. No matter what setting we used, the mower had no trouble cutting through thick grass, dandelion stalks, and even tiny weeds. We were careful not to pick up any bigger sticks from our trees, but we found it was capable of handling smaller pieces.
The mower's brushless motor requires no upkeep and is powered by a single 60-volt battery. We weren't concerned about the 45-minute cutting time because we were able to mow our lawn in half that amount of time with a fully charged battery. However, we discovered that the lower the blade is set, the faster the battery will drain.A convenient feature we loved is the ability to monitor the battery level. When the mower is turned off, open the battery area and click the button on the battery. When the battery is fully charged, four green dots will light up.
Thanks to the visual images in the manual, the mower took around 15 minutes to set up. The cutting bag was the trickiest to install because it had a bent plastic component on the cloth portion that needed to be squeezed around the metal frame. Once the mower was assembled, we took some time to adjust the handles to our height. There are two blue knobs on either side of the mower's body, allowing you to change the handle's two levels. One of our testers was 6 feet tall, and the other was 5 feet 8 inches tall; they both used the mower's higher handle height during testing.
You can discharge the clippings to the side, bag them in the included bag, or mulch them. Like our best overall, we loved that the handle collapses for easy storage when not in use. All in all, this is a great choice if you need a heavy-duty lawn mower to handle a hilly lawn.
Cutting Width:22 inches | Power Source:Battery | Weight:85 pounds | Grass Discard Options:Bag, mulch, side-discharge
What We Like
Includes two batteries for up to 70 minutes runtime
Handles tall grass well
LED headlights
Folds down for storage
What We Don't Like
Some leaking of grass clippings from the bag
Didn't pick up fallen leaves well
This powerful cordless mower from Ryobi impressed us during testing with its power, self-propelled feature, and long runtime (up to 70 minutes, the longest battery-operated option on our list) thanks to the two 40-volt, 6-Ah batteries. We found that a single charge can power the mower for up to four uses depending on how often (and how fast) we use the self-propelled function.
The mower has dual ports, so you can keep both batteries plugged in at the same time, switching from one to the other as the first battery loses charge. We think it's a great choice for lawns up to 1 acre in size. We really enjoyed how effortless it was to operate the self-propelled feature. All we had to do was slide the lever with our thumbs to adjust the speed accordingly. We kept the mower at a slow pace, just bumping it up a bit when going up hills. We did give the highest speed setting a brief try and had to jog to keep up with it.
The mower has a 21-inch deck and a seven-position height adjustment for cutting grass to lengths between 1.5 and 4 inches. Adjusting the cutting height was very easy so we could figure out the best level for cutting our lawn, especially over the uneven terrain, where the mower had a bit more trouble creating a smooth cut. It easily handled the tall, thick grass but didn't do as good a job of picking up the fallen leaves, and it struggled to collect heavier weeds. We also had no trouble with damp grass, but the grass bag did become heavy with clippings.
This mower features Ryobi's Cross Cut Multi-Blade Cutting System, which is claimed to provide superior performance in cutting the lawn and disposing of the clippings, which can be bagged, mulched, or side-discharged. We found that clippings tended to leak out around the edges of the bag a bit, and we did have to scrape away some clotted grass when emptying the bag, but other than that, it was easy to set the clippings disposal options and the mower did a good job on all settings.
Thanks to the rear-wheel drive and 11-inch rear wheels, the mower easily handles slopes up to a 15-degree incline. There's an LED headlight if you are mowing at dawn or dusk. And since the handle folds down flat for vertical storage, your lawn mower won't take up too much room in your garage or shed. Along with the two batteries, the mower comes with a rapid charger to recharge the batteries as quickly as possible. However, it's part of Ryobi's 40-volt system so if you have compatible tools (like cordless leaf blowers and hedge trimmers), you can share batteries between them.
Cutting Width:21 inches | Power Source:Battery | Weight:75 pounds | Grass Discard Options:Bag, mulch, side-discharge
What We Like
Easy height adjustment
Bottle of oil included
Clean, uniform cut
What We Don't Like
Struggles with overgrown grass
If you're looking for a powerful gas lawn mower that can handle a variety of terrain, consider the Toro Smartstow 21445 Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower. Weeds, damp grass, hills, and small twigs were no match for this mower, which we put through its paces on our 0.47-acre lawn. Even though it took us over an hour to mow the front and back yards, we were pleased by how clean and uniform our lawn looked.
The mower's high-traction 9.65-inch rear wheels made it easy to drive on our uneven ground and sloped lawn. However, we had some difficulty making tight turns around the trees along our fence. There were also some issues when we encountered a corner where the grass exceeded eight inches, at which point the mower turned off.We simply moved the mower to a different spot and turned it back on with no issues. The manufacturer doesn't say anything about the mower turning off automatically when it snags something, but it's worth noting that it did just that when it encountered a large rock on our lawn—a far safer alternative than shooting it out.
This mower has a 22-inch cutting deck (like our best for hills pick) and several cutting heights ranging from 1 to 4 inches. We always kept the cutting height in the middle since we felt it trimmed nicely without being too low. However, you can modify the height by utilizing the tabs located on each wheel, which we found was easy to adjust. At 71 pounds, this mower is the second lightest option on our list after our best overall pick.
Similar to the other mowers on our list, this mower allows you to bag, mulch, or discharge your clippings. We only tested the mower using the bagger, which worked perfectly for our needs. The only real drawback was how quickly the bag filled up; we had to empty it every fifteen minutes. Despite this, we found the bag to be simple to install, lift, empty, and reattach. If you choose to side-discharge your clippings, you'll need to get a discharge chute. Although it's not included, you can receive a free one in the mail by registering your mower online.
If you're short on storage space in your garage or garden shed, this gas mower's folding design is a lifesaver. You won't need to mix oil and fuel for this engine, but you will need to change the oil in your gas mower periodically. The oil is included, so you don't have to worry about purchasing it separately. Despite the maintenance requirements, we believe the mower's exceptional performance is worth it.
Cutting Width:22 inches | Power Source:Gas | Weight:71 pounds | Grass Discard Options:Bag, mulch, side-discharge
Final Verdict
Based on our testing, our best overall pick is the Ego POWER+ Self-Propelled Mower, which is a cordless lawn mower that can run up to an hour on its 56-volt battery. You get plenty of power without smelly fumes, and the mower is easy to use and effective on all types of grass. We also tested and love the Ryobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower, our best electric pick. This mower has even more runtime, up to 70 minutes. Each mower has a battery that is compatible with other tools in the brand.
How We Tested the Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers
Over the past few years, we have tested over a dozen lawn mowers (gas and electric, riding and walk-behind), including six self-propelled mowers from various brands. The mowers were tested in our own yards on lawns that ranged from tall and thick to short and patchy. We also made sure to try the mowers on a variety of terrains, including flat, bumpy, sloped, and studded with tree roots or other obstacles.Each mower was evaluated on its design, performance, usability, safety, and value.
- Design: We noted how easy it was to start the mower; this is especially important for gas mowers with pull cords. Once out on our lawns, we noted how easy it was to set the mowing height and adjust the speed of the mower. While cutting the grass, we observed how well the mower handled a variety of grass types and the smoothness of the cut. We also checked to see how well the clippings were handled, noting any clogs or spewed bits of grass.
- Performance: We used the mower on three separate occasions to mow our lawns. We noted the weather conditions, grass height, whether the grass was dry or wet, and the time required to mow the entire lawn for each mowing session, as well as how easy or difficult it was to dump the clippings bag. We also noted how easy it was to maneuver around tree roots or other obstacles, how well the self-propelled function worked, the intuitiveness of the controls, and the comfort (or discomfort) of the mowing experience. At the end of each testing session, we checked to see how much battery life remained on cordless mowers.
- Usability: Upon receiving the mowers, we unpacked and assembled them, noting how long it took and how difficult it was to get them up and running.We then indicated how manageable it was to store the mower, including the ease of folding down the handle on models that include this feature.
- Safety: In addition to the standard safety features, we noted any optional extras, such as LED headlights, storage-friendly foldable handles, and more.
- Value: Finally, we determined the value of each model by weighing its cost against all of its positive and negative features.
- Long-Term Testing: We continued testing these mowers for six months and reported on their long-term durability and performance during different weather and grass conditions.
What to Look for in a Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Power Source
There are two main categories of self-propelled lawn mowers: those powered by gasoline and those powered by electricity.
Gas mowers, such as our best gas pick, the Toro Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, are the winners when it comes to power. If you have a very large yard with rugged terrain or need a mower that is powerful enough to tackle whatever you throw its way, then a gas mower is your best option. However, the downsides of gas mowers are that they are noisier than electric options, they emit smelly fumes, they can be difficult to start, and they generally require oil changes or topping off an oil reservoir, as well as keeping gasoline on hand.
Battery mowers have come a long way, and battery technology keeps on improving, so today, you’ll find battery self-propelled lawn mowers that are powerful enough to mow through tall grass with ease. However, most do not match the power of a gas mower. Plus, most battery mowers have only 20 to 40 minutes of runtime per charge, so you need to keep an eye on the battery gauge to be sure you don’t run out of juice before you finish mowing. There are some battery mowers, though, including the Ryobi RY401150 40-Volt Dual-Blade Cordless Lawn Mower, our best electric pick, that have dual ports so you can have two batteries installed at the same time, thus allowing you to simply switch over to the second battery once the first one is depleted. That can double your runtime.
For most homeowners, though, a battery mower, such as the Greenworks 40-Volt 21-Inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, our best budget pick, is the best option for an average-size lawn. There are no fumes, the mower starts at the push of a button, there is less maintenance required, and these mowers are generally not as noisy as gas mowers.
Corded electric lawn mowers are not nearly as popular as they once were, but generally, they are the least-expensive option. While these mowers are fairly powerful and don’t require you to monitor a battery’s runtime, they do keep you tethered to an extension cord, which is inconvenient, and if you aren’t careful, it’s easy to mow right over the extension cord and cut it through.
Deck Size
The deck of a lawn mower is the base that holds the blade. The deck size determines the width of the mower’s cutting swath. All the self-propelled mowers on our list have a 21 or 22-inch deck, which is a good size for the average lawn.
However, if you have a very large lawn, you’ll be happier with a mower that has a larger deck. There are mowers with 24- or 25-inch decks and even commercial mowers with decks as large as 30 inches. Keep in mind, though, that the larger the mower, the harder it is to maneuver. Mowers with decks that are 16 or 18 inches in width could be preferable to the conventional 21-inch model for small lawns or lawns that have many obstacles including densely planted trees.
Bravo advises, “Most self-propelled mowers come with a set of useful features. Look for a mower that has an easy-to-access storage compartment for small tools and accessories, a large grass collection bag, and a start/stop button for added convenience.”
Motor Power and Type
The best electric lawn mowers have a brushless motor. While the details of brushed versus brushless motors are quite technical, the most important aspects for homeowners are that brushless motors last longer, are more energy-efficient, and have fewer maintenance requirements. However, they cost more.
Henry Bravo, founder and editor-in-chief of SmartGardenHome.com, says, "When looking for a self-propelled lawnmower, of course, you want a reliable engine. The engine should be powerful and long-lasting, so it can run the mower for years to come and cut through even the toughest grass and weeds."
The engines of gas lawn mowers measure power in cubic centimeters (cc). This is a measurement of the amount of air and fuel that can push through the engine cylinders. Most gas lawn mowers have engines ranging from 140 to 190 cc. The higher the number, the more powerful the mower.
Battery mowers measure their power in volts. The least powerful cordless lawn mowers have 20-volt batteries, while the most powerful run on 80-volt batteries. The most common voltage for residential mowers is 40 volts, which is more than sufficient for the average lawn.
Another very important number to consider when buying a battery mower is the ampere-hours (Ah) of the battery. This is a measurement of how long it takes for the battery to completely discharge, and so it gives you an idea of the battery’s runtime. Generally, batteries for residential lawn mowers range from a low of 2.5 Ah to a high of 7.5 Ah. Regardless of voltage, a larger Ah value indicates a longer runtime for the battery.For example, a 40-volt, 5.0-Ah battery might run twice as long as a 40-volt, 2.5-Ah battery. Our best overall pick, the Ego POWER+ Self-Propelled Mower, comes with a 56-volt, 7.5-Ah battery.
Yard Size
When choosing your self-propelled lawn mower, consider the overall size of your yard as well as the size of your lawn. Most self-propelled mowers, especially electric models, are designed to handle an average-sized suburban lawn of 1/4 acre or so, and many can mow up to 1/2 acre before running out of power. Our best for hills pick, the Toro 7013897 Battery Self-Propelled Lawn Mowe, can mow lawns up to 1/4 an acre in 20 minutes minutes. If your yard is much larger than that, you’ll need to look for either a gas mower or an electric mower with enough battery power to handle the larger space, like our best electric pick, the Ryobi RY401150 40-Volt Dual-Blade Cordless Lawn Mower.
If you have a small yard, then battery runtime might not be as much of an issue. However, you might want a mower with a smaller deck, as that can be easier to maneuver through tight curves or obstacles.
Bravo adds, "Another thing to look for in a self-propelled lawn mower is a purposeful design. The mower should be ergonomic and easy to push and maneuver, and there should be handles and wheels that provide comfort and control to the user. Depending on the size of your lawn, you might want to look for one with adjustable speed options and a reverse gear. This way, you can efficiently mow your lawn in any direction."
FAQ
What is a self-propelled lawn mower?
With a traditional push mower, the engine or motor provides the power to spin the blades, but you have to provide the pushing power to move the mower across the lawn. In a self-propelled mower, however, the engine or motor not only powers the blades but also provides power to turn the wheels, meaning that you basically only have to guide the lawn mower, not actually push it. That greatly reduces the effort required to mow, especially when working on slopes.
"The main advantage of a self-propelled mower is that it requires less effort to operate than a push mower. This can be beneficial for people with large lawns or those who have difficulty pushing a mower due to physical limitations," says Bravo. The downside is that you’ll typically pay a lot more for a self-propelled mower than for a push mower, and there can be a bit of a learning curve when it comes to handling the self-propelled feature.
What is the difference between rotary and reel lawn mowers?
Reel lawn mowers, also called "manual mowers," do not have a motor or engine. While there are commercial reel mowers that tow behind a tractor for mowing golf courses or similar stretches of grass used for sports, the common reel mower is a residential tool that relies entirely on the pushing power of the user to propel it across the lawn. Reel mowers have multiple blades that spin vertically. These mowers give a very clean, precise cut, much like a pair of scissors trimming the grass. Reel mowers also can cut grass very short, often less than an inch in height. However, pushing a reel mower is tiring, and these mowers are not good for grass that’s taller than a couple of inches.
Rotary mowers have either a gas or electric engine or motor. Most have a single blade, although some have two. The blade in a rotary mower spins very rapidly on a horizontal plane. The spinning blade creates a slight updraft that lifts the grass, which is then whacked off by the edge of the blade. This creates more of a chopped cut than the clean cut created by a reel mower, but the physical effort required by the person pushing the lawn mower is much less.
When it comes to deciding between a reel and a rotary lawn mower, neither is necessarily better. The best option for you depends on the size of your lawn, your own level of physical fitness, the time you have to devote to lawn maintenance, and perhaps environmental concerns, as reel lawn mowers are the most environmentally friendly type of lawn mower.
What is better: front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive?
The “drive” of a self-propelled lawn mower refers to which wheels are directly powered by the mower’s motor or engine. There are three options: front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive.
- Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the least-expensive option. These mowers are best on flat lawns, as uneven terrain tends to cause the front wheels to lift slightly, thus interfering with the self-propelled function of the mower.
- Rear-wheel drive (RWD) costs a little more than FWD, but is worth the price if you have a lawn with slopes or uneven terrain. These mowers tend to have good traction on uneven ground, and if you need to lift the mower’s front wheels slightly to maneuver around an obstacle, you won’t lose the self-propel function.
- All-wheel drive (AWD) is not a common feature on residential mowers, but it is a useful feature if you need to mow steeper inclines or work across rough terrain. You’ll pay considerably more for a mower with AWD.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Michelle Ullman is a freelance writer for The Spruce, focusing on home improvement and gardening topics since 2020. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs around the house and yard.
For this list, she analyzed results from self-propelled lawn mowers we tested in our own yards and considered dozens of other self-propelled lawn mowers of various types. Feedback from customers, both positive and negative, as well as reviews and information on landscaping and lawn-care websites, was also taken into account.
Our Experts:
- Brock Ingham, gardener, landscaper, and founder of the website Bigger Garden
- Henry Bravo, founder and editor-in-chief of SmartGardenHome.com
- Daniela Galvez, senior editor at The Spruce
- Jenica Currie, editor at The Spruce
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