8 Best Stand-On Mowers of 2023. Wide deck lawn mower

The 5 Best Electric Lawn Mowers for 2023

LeafScore is reader supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

Leigh Matthews is a sustainability expert and long time vegan. Her work on solar policy has been published in Canada’s National Observer.

Looking for a lawn mower that doesn’t contribute to climate change, and that won’t wake up your neighbor’s sleeping baby? We rate the best emission free, electric, lawn mowers on the market today, plus tips for buying the right electric lawn mower.

Gas lawn mowers degrade air quality

Think your choice of lawn mower doesn’t matter?

According to research published by Michigan State, “mowing the average lawn in the U.S. creates as much air pollution as driving the family car on a 200-mile trip,” which has many of us looking for greener options. We rated, and tested, emission free lawn mowers and listed our top picks below

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) places restrictions on emissions from lawnmowers, but there are no emission-free gas lawn mowers. Gas mowers also become less efficient and pump out ever-greater emissions the older they get.

As for electric mowers, these are tankless and instead rely on a cord or battery. Corded mowers have no mowing time restriction as they draw energy from your main electricity hookup. For battery models, battery time means how long you can use an electric mower before having to charge the battery again.

Most battery-powered lawn mowers are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are just bigger versions of the lithium batteries in our laptops and cellphones. You can store a lot of energy in a lithium battery compared to older types of batteries, which is why electric lawn mowers are now possible and, indeed, comparable in power to a gas-powered lawnmower.

Unfortunately, lithium batteries are expensive and deteriorate over several years, with their capacity decreasing as the cells in the battery die off. It’s a good idea, therefore, to have a spare battery and to replace the battery every few years to ensure good performance.

Avoid second hand electric lawn mowers

Beware second-hand electric mowers with older batteries; the mower itself may be sold cheap compared to a new model, but the included battery or batteries may be next to useless and cost more than the mower to replace.

The best electric lawn mowers

Curious about how we rate products? Click here to view our methodology, which at its core, is about voting with our dollars to fight climate change.

Ego LM2102SP and LM2142SP [Staff Tested]

Highlights: 56V, Cordless, huge storage bag, headlights for evening mowing. Both models fold up easily for storage, have weather-resistant construction, and have a 21-inch deck size, with 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, side discharge options. Can buy with or without battery and charger.

• Same torque as a gas powered mower
• Huge collector bag
• Pin drop quiet while mowing
• Easy to store
• Can mow the lawn at night

The EGO 2102SP is a 21 in. 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Walk Behind Self Propelled Mower that includes a 7.5 Ah battery and charger, and offers 60 minutes of cutting time and a 60 minute charge time.

With more than 6,000 5-star reviews at Home Depot online and a reputation elsewhere for high performance and usability, the Ego is a top pick for an electric lawn mower that can easily handle larger lawns.

You can also buy the 2102SP model without battery or charger for 450 (View Price on Ace Hardware).

This mower delivers the same high torque as gas-powered mowers without the air pollution and noise, and at a lower price! If your lawn area is half an acre or more, this monster of a mower might be your new best friend. It even boasts headlights, so you can do a spot of evening mowing should you wish.

One big plus for the Ego is that huge collector bag, which means you can mow a large area of lawn without having to stop to empty the bag. The downside here, of course, is that the machine becomes quite heavy by the end of your run. Happily, this model doesn’t seem to lose traction at the front when the bag is nearing capacity, unlike some other models.

The LM2142SP (View Price on Amazon) is a 2 x 5 Ah battery model that is very similar to the LM2102SP 7.5 Ah model. The 2142SP offers a bit more flexibility in handle height, however, with 6 handlebar positions available rather than just 3. This makes it the better option if you’re a bit taller or shorter than average.

One other major difference between these two Ego mowers is that the 7.5 Ah model has a polymer composite cutting deck, while the 5 Ah model has a steel cutting deck. Both seem to perform extremely well across all kinds of grass, but the steel is, arguably, the more sustainable material.

The rear wheels on the 2 x 5 Ah model are also an inch bigger in diameter (10 inches vs. 9 inches), which may help with maneuverability in some situations and be better for sloping lawns. The 7.5 Ah model also weighs a dash more at 78.8 lbs compared to 75 lbs or the 2 x 5 Ah model.

The major difference between the two, though, is simply the run time. The 7.5 Ah gives you around 60 minutes of run time before you’ll need to charge the battery. And, of course, while you’re charging the battery, you don’t have a spare to use as a backup. With the dual battery model, you can use one 5 Ah battery for 45 minutes while charging the other battery, then switch them out to carry on mowing without having to take a break. This way, you could pretty much mow all day and, thanks to the LED headlights, all night if you wanted!

Both of these Egos have one easy-to-use shifter style handle that adjusts the height of all four wheels at the same time, which is much more convenient than having to adjust each one individually. Both models fold up easily for storage, and both have weather-resistant construction and a 21-inch deck size, with 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, side discharge options.

The Egos also offer independent self-propulsion, meaning you can turn off the mowing function but still use self-propulsion to move the mower easily from one spot to another, such as over surfaces that could damage the blades if they were moving.

Finally, both the Egos have a 5-year limited warranty and, if you buy from Home Depot, a 90-day return window in case you’re not happy with your new mower.

Oh, and the Ego Power 56 Volt battery/batteries are shipped separately and are compatible with all Ego Power products. This means you can save on the cost of the mower by buying the tool only, if you already have an Ego battery and charger. Or, consider this an investment in the future of your tool collection if you’ll also be replacing any snow blowers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws or so forth in the next little while.

One other reason Ego make my list of eco-friendly lawn mowers is their adoption of green power sources for their research and development facilities and industrial park. In 2004, the company installed a 7,500 square foot Green Roof system on their RD facility, with savings of around 1.5 gallons of gas per square foot each year. The roof of their Green Power Industrial Park also features a 2-megawatt photovoltaic power station.

This ‘Blue Roof’ generates, year-on-year, the equivalent power from burning 755 tons of coal. This cuts sulfur dioxide emissions by 50 tons and carbon dioxide emissions by 1677 tons annually.

In addition, the Ego Green Power Industrial Park utilizes ground-source heating, air-conditioning and water-storage technologies. They estimate that their ground source heating system alone saves 1 million kWh of electricity annually, the equivalent of 378 tons of coal. It also cuts sulfur dioxide emissions by around 25 tons and carbon dioxide emissions by 839 tons each year.

Ego hasn’t been in business quite as long as Black Decker, but they’re an innovative company with global reach. Established in 1993, they have long been invested in cordless electric technology and are now one of the world’s largest manufacturers of tools.

Our experience after one year of using the Ego electric lawn mower

After a year of hands-on use, here’s what a member of our team, Taylor, has to say about his experience with the Ego mower:

I’m not the type of person who really enjoys and looks forward to mowing their yard, unlike many of my neighbors; it’s a chore that needs to get done just like any of the others that are part of owning a home. With that being said, the Ego mower is hands-down my favorite mower that I’ve used to date.

It’s quiet enough that I have no problems listening to a podcast or audiobook while mowing, which definitely couldn’t be said about my older gas mowers. The battery life is commendable, and assuming it hasn’t been too long between mowings, one large battery easily gets me through both my front and back yards without issue.

One of my favorite features is its ability to neatly fold up with a few quick releases of a lever or two. If you’re short on storage space for yard tools like I am (the growing arsenal of Ego products isn’t helping) this space-saving feature is super welcomed.

A surprise feature I found myself thankful for just recently was the LED lights. In Pennsylvania fall, there isn’t much time between the end of the workday and it being too dark to mow. I had half of my front yard left to mow while the sun was quickly setting, but the headlights on the mower made it a total non-issue.

Greenworks PRO 21-Inch 80V Cordless Lawn Mower

Highlights: Boasts a powerful 80 V motor and a wide steel cutting deck, so you’ll probably be able to mow a half acre lawn in one charge.

Mower	Greenworks PRO 21-Inch 80V Cordless Lawn Mower
Price	240-700 (depending on batteries and self-propulsion)
Battery type	Lithium ion 4 Ah (or 2 x 2 Ah)
Voltage	80V
Cordless	Yes
Cutting width	21 inches
Self-propelling	Self-propelling option available
Run time	60 mins
Product link	View Price on Amazon

The Greenworks PRO 21-Inch 80V Cordless Lawn Mower GLM801602 (View Price on Amazon) is a top pick for those looking to be convinced of the merits of electric mowers versus gas mowers. Providing the equivalent of around a 160 cc gas mower, the Greenworks 80 V models mean business and costs just 550 for the PRO 21-Inch 80 V with a 4.0 Ah battery and charger.

Both sets of batteries offer up to 60 minutes of run time with a full charge, and because there are two, you could just adopt a policy of one out one charging, for continual operation. Greenworks also make the Self-Propelled 80 V 21 Inch Cordless Lawn Mower (without batteries or charger) (View Price on Amazon) with all the same great features plus self-propulsion courtesy of the back wheels. This model is compatible with the 2 Ah and 4 Ah batteries and can also be bought as a self-propelled model with a 5 Ah battery and Rapid charger (View Price on Amazon), providing 70 minutes of run time and charging fully in just 75 minutes. Compared to the almost four hours needed to charge a single 2.5 Ah Black Decker battery, this charger and battery combo is much more efficient and user friendly.

The variable speed control on the handle of these self-propelled models can be set between 0.5-1.5 m/s, which is super helpful if you struggle to push a mower around, especially as it gathers grass clippings. The self-propelled Greenworks 80 V lawn mower may also be a good option if you have hillier terrain.

Both the self-propelled and push versions of the Greenworks 80 V 21-inch Cordless Lawn Mower have lovely large rear wheels measuring 10″ (24.4 cm), with smaller 8″ (20.3 cm) front wheels for maneuverability. Greenworks brushless motor provides for a longer run-time, more torque and more power, meaning less wear and tear, extending the life of the mower.

The minimum cutting height on this model is a little higher than on some other mowers, but there are seven possible settings, easily toggled using the large lever on the handle. This means it’s likely you’ll find a setting to suit your grass. The lowest setting is 1 ¼”, the second is 1 ⅔”, the third is 2”, the fourth is 2 ⅓”, the fifth 2 ¾”, the sixth is 3 1/7”, and the seventh setting is 3 ⅝”.

Smart Cut Load sensing technology may help extend battery time, and you can definitely tell when the motor is revving up to deal with tougher spots. If you’re using the push mower, you’ll want to slow down just before hitting denser grass, to give the mower a chance to adjust. With the self-propelled model, consider switching to the slower (snail!) setting if you’re in the faster (hare!) setting.

One small issue with the Greenworks Pro is the relatively low suction compared to the Snapper XD. This can mean that grass clippings don’t always get sucked into the collector on the first pass, necessitating a bit of back and forth. With the Snapper, the greater suction means you rarely need a second pass.

The Greenworks self-propelled cordless mower is arguably one of the best electric mowers for medium to large gardens and is made by a company with a reputation for excellent build quality and cutting efficiency. This mower is also quite attractive, as mowers go, but the foam handle jiggles a bit and could be a tad more robust.

The Greenworks boasts a powerful 80 V motor and a wide steel cutting deck, so you’ll probably be able to mow a half acre lawn in one charge. However, if your grass is long, dense, wet, or all of the above, chances are you’ll need to switch out the battery (and empty the collector) at least once to cover this area of lawn though. On the slowest self-propulsion setting, two 2 Ah batteries can provide for around 60 minutes of continuous operation, with around the same run time for a single 4 or 5 Ah battery.

The Greenworks may be too large for very small lawns, with its wide cutting deck and large wheels. That said, it can easily be used by smaller people for larger lawns, thanks to an adjustable handle with three different height positions, including one suitable for folks under five feet tall.

What we Like About the Greenworks Cordless Lawn Mower

One thing I really like about Greenworks is that you could buy this mower with a battery or pair of batteries and use those batteries for around 20 other power tools from the company, including their snowblower, chainsaw, hedge trimmer, and polesaw. This not only saves you money and time, it also keeps resource use to a minimum, saving you from having to purchase, store, charge, and recycle numerous batteries for your power tool collection.

The Greenworks PRO charger takes just 30 minutes to fully charge a 2 Ah battery and around 75 minutes to charge a fully discharged 4 Ah battery. It has a useful diagnostic LED fuel indicator so you can see the current charge in the battery. This Rapid charger was Energy Star rated (the program has now been discontinued), has a compact design, and can be stored on a shelf or mounted on the wall. It is compatible with battery models GBA80200 and GBA400, but, and this is a big annoyance across the industry, this charger only works with Greenworks PRO 80 V batteries. It won’t work with other brands’ 80 V batteries. The same is true of the Ego Power batteries, though, so this isn’t an annoyance unique to Greenworks.

If you buy a Greenworks PRO lawn mower or other tool without the battery and charger, you can purchase their PRO 80V Lithium Ion Single Port Rapid Battery Charger GCH8040 for less than 100 (View Price on Amazon). This charger has a built-in fan to enable Rapid charge time without overheating.

Greenworks was founded in 2007 and quickly became an industry leader for electric power tools. So much so that they are now partly owned by tool giant STIHL. They opened an American headquarters in North Carolina in 2016, but their main office is in Sweden. As for their approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR), I can’t find any information on this side of the business. Instead, the FOCUS seems to be on making high quality electric power tools that are durable and energy efficient. I’ve reached out to the company for comment and will provide updates if/when I hear back from Greenworks.

Have you ever wondered if a stand-on mower is the right option for your lawn? We break down the pros and cons and help you make a decision.

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.

VIA MERCHANT

Buying a Stand-On Mower

If you’ve ever seen professional landscapers zipping around on stand-on mowers and completing their work in record time, you’ve likely wondered if you should get one for your own home lawn care.

These machines are favorites among pros for their nimbleness, comfort, durability and relatively small footprint, which means more of them fit onto a landscaping trailer.

Homeowners can also enjoy the benefits of these mowers. In particular, some homeowners favor the comfortable ride and precision controls.

Comfort comes from the design. Stand-on mowers spread the bouncing and jolts across your entire body, rather than concentrating it in your hips and back. Precision is another benefit. A stand-on mower provides a line of sight to the cutting line that can’t be beaten.

However, they’re not for everyone. Stand-on mowers are much more expensive than typical residential models, running in the thousands of dollars. It makes sense for pros to pay extra for that kind of reliability and power, but many homeowners find them cost prohibitive.

If you’re in the market for a stand-on mower, here are some essential factors to consider:

• Price: These mowers are built for rugged daily or near-daily use, which is why they’re targeted to commercial buyers. The cheapest will still run you more than 5,000, while most models are more than 10,000.
• Deck size: If you need to navigate gates and turn tight circles around beloved bushes and trees, a smaller deck is often better. If you have more wide-open spaces, look for a mower with a wider deck.
• Deck construction: A lower gauge steel deck can take more of a beating. Most stand-on mowers come with seven- or 10-gauge steel decks.
• Cutting speed: Stand-on mowers typically move forward at seven to 12 miles per hour. This puts them in line with. or even ahead of, most residential zero-turn riding lawnmowers. The bigger and more open your lawn is, the more that cutting speed pays off.
• Fuel supply: Almost all stand-on powers are gasoline powered, though one we’ll mention below runs on propane. If you have a particularly large yard, look for a mower with a larger fuel tank.
• Warranty: These vary by manufacturer and model. Most run at least a two years, but check the fine print. Some are different for commercial or residential use, and some limit coverage it you exceed a certain number of operating hours.

via merchant

Best All-Around Stand-On Mower

The Husqvarna V548 is a good middle-of-the-road option. Its 48-inch cutting deck is narrow enough to make it through most gates, while still big enough to make quick work of larger yards.

The seven-gauge steel deck can take a beating, and the seven gallon fuel tank carries enough gas to handle most jobs in one filling. It comes with a 24.5-horsepower (HP) Kawasaki engine, and a maximum cutting speed of 11 miles per hour (mph).

via merchant

Best Entry-Level Stand-On Mower

Cub Cadet’s Pro X 636 comes with a 36-inch-wide deck, allowing you to navigate tighter obstacles. It’s also a good choice if you’ll need to pass through narrower gates, or have limited storage options.

The Pro X 636 features an 18.5-HP Kawasaki engine and an 8.5 mph maximum cutting speed. It comes with a six-gallon fuel tank. The 10-gauge steel deck shell is on the thinner side, but should handle the wear and tear of residential use.

via merchant

Best Mower From a Legendary Manufacturer

John Deere is a well-recognized name in lawn care. The John Deere 636M stand-on mower offers a 36-inch cutting deck made of seven-gauge steel. Powered by a 19-HP engine, it’s features a 5.5-gallon fuel tank.

One nice touch: A storage area that provides a convenient place to stash your cell phone, gloves and other small items. If you prefer to mulch your grass clippings, the 636M has an optional mulching attachment and blades.

via merchant

Best Stand-On Mower for Heavy Use

The Pro X 660 EFI is the current top Cub Cadet stand-on mower line. It features a 60-inch cutting deck made of 10-gauge steel. Its 29.5-HP Kawasaki engine generates a maximum forward cutting speed of 10 mph, and the 7.5-gallon gas tank carries enough fuel to do most jobs in a single fill-up.

One strong selling point of the Cub Cadets is their warranty: Three years with no usage-hour limit for the motor, and five years on the cutting deck. This is a great choice for those with large properties requiring frequent mowing.

via merchant

Best Alternate-Fuel Stand-On Mower

The John Deere 652R made our list because it offers more fuel flexibility than most stand-on mowers. You can use standard gasoline or convert to propane with an optional kit.

It boasts a 52-inch, seven-gauge steel cutting deck. The 23.5-HP gas engine comes with a 5.6-gallon fuel tank and can reach forward cutting speeds of 9.6 mph. Like the 636M, the 652R has an optional attachment and blades allowing you to mulch your grass.

Lawn Mower Dimensions: Understanding Mower Sizes In Detail

Lawn mower dimensions comprise the machine’s length, width, and height and the width of its deck, which encompasses the cutting blade. Before you go out and buy a mower for effective lawn care, you need to know how big it is and whether it will even fit in your toolshed.

This article will discuss the dimensions of different mowers in detail and see how much land they cover. You also get to find out how mowers with larger dimensions fare compared to those of smaller dimensions.

What Are The Different Lawn Mower Dimensions?

The different lawn mower dimensions you should know are the riding type of mowers, the dimensions of the zero turn mowers, and the different sizes of the eclectic of push types. over, you should also know the dimension of the reel-type.

Lawn mower dimensions depend on the type of mower you own, which, in turn, depends on the overall size of the lawn. Riding mowers and lawn tractors have an average cutting width between 36 and 54 inches, whereas the standard push lawn mower width is around 16 to 30 inches.

– Dimensions of Riding Type of Mowers

Riding lawn mowers and lawn tractors are gigantic mowers that are well-suited for large-sized lawns, parks, gardens, farms, etc. This is because their cutting decks are wide enough to mow large sections of grass in a short amount of time. These mowers are around four feet tall and six feet long from front to back, making them ideal for cutting grass across land that is around one to four acres in size.

For a riding type of mower, the average range of dimensions of the mower deck is around 36 to 42 inches. Most companies sell this mower with a standard deck size of 42 inches. Tractor-type mowers are slightly bigger, and their dimensions range from 42 to 54 inches.

One of the most popular examples of these mowers is the John Deere S120. It is classified as a tractor by the company and is around 44.5 inches tall and 54 inches wide. With a cutting deck width of 42 inches, it boosts a powerful engine making it a beastly machine able to mow down grass within minutes.

– Dimensions of Zero-turn Mowers

A Z-turn mower is upgraded to the standard riding mower but has a much better-turning radius. It is no surprise, then, that its dimensions are similar to that of riding-type mowers. Regarding your average zero turn mower dimensions, its width and height are around 48 inches, and its length is around 72 inches. These are big machines and need a proper parking spot to keep them when not in use.

Z-turn mowers come with a variety of size options for their decks. What you must be keen about is how it depends on the size of the area you aim to mow with this mower, which means that you can opt for a customized deck of your choice.

over, a lawn that is one to two acres in size will do just fine with a standard 36 to 42 inches wide deck. The deck needs to be at least 42 to 54 inches wide for a lawn between three and four acres large.

You can install a deck that is as wide as 54 to 72 inches for lawns larger than four acres, and this would be according to your need and adjustment. You cannot get decks this large in a riding-style mower or a tractor-style one.

On the other hand, a good example would be a cub cadet Ultima ZT1 mower that is the same size as a tractor-type mower but comes with a much wider deck that cuts wider stripes of grass.

– Size of Push Type Mowers

Push mowers naturally tend to be smaller in size than ridden ones. Gas-fueled engines power these mowers because they come in all sizes and shapes. What you must know is that the average dimensions of the gas-powered push-type mowers manufactured in the US are 36 inches tall and 60 inches long, this is their basic given. On the other hand, the average mower deck size for these is around 21 inches, but you will find mowers with widths.

Usually, when a gas-powered mower is fitted with a large deck, it is engineered to be a self-propelled mower. The extra weight that a larger deck adds makes a mower difficult to push manually.

As a result of this, if you are out on the hunt for the right push-type mower with a deck of larger dimensions, it’s best to look for one that is self-propelled, so that you get the most out of it. Considering these dimensions, these mowers are better suited for lawns less than one acre in length.

– Size of Electric Mowers

Many electric-powered mowers are built on the same dimensions as that gas-powered ones. With a height of around 36 inches, a standard width of 18 inches, and a length of 60 inches, they are more energy efficient and often self-propelled.

Of course, you get to choose the dimensions of the deck yourself, and it comes with that option and specifications. Which means that you can get a decent-sized deck with an electric-powered mower if you are willing to pay a large sum.

Remember that the given and the average dimensions of these mowers are bound by the ground surface area they can cover. If you own a corded mower, then there is no point in using a very large deck because of the mower’s limited movement.

For these, a smaller deck naturally makes more sense, if you think about it. Even if these lawnmowers are cordless, they need to cover more ground than an equally-sized gas-powered mower.

A practical solution is to purchase two batteries and keep them charged whenever you mow your lawn. The dimensions and the mower features make these machines suitable for most small-sized yards in the US.

– Dimensions of Reel-type Mowers

Lastly, we have the reel-type lawnmowers that many of you might have inherited from your parents and still works perfectly. These small and manually pushed mowers are only suitable for some large areas because of the hard work involved by the person pushing them. Their small dimensions make sense as they are 36 inches tall but only 24 inches long.

The cutting width of the deck can only be about 14 inches wide in this case. You can find slightly wider decks but don’t expect them to be larger than 16 or 18 inches. These mowers do not work through any engine, so that you will be the sole power pushing them ahead. A reel mower with big dimensions will be challenging to cut grass with.

How To Measure Mower Deck Dimension?

To measure mower deck dimension, all you must do is to elevate the deck, and take out the mower check. Then, you must measure the diameter of the circle, afterward, you should check the deck shell, make sure you consider the anti-scalping rollers, regarding the dimension.

It helps to know the dimensions of a mower’s deck, and you need to learn how to measure it. These dimensions are always given in the manual specifications, but it still doesn’t hurt to check on your own.

– Elevate the Deck

In the case of a riding lawn mower, you will need to elevate the deck before it can be measured. There is a lever near the control panel that you can push to elevate the deck easily.

Take out your mower jack, a measuring tape, and wheel chocks. The wheel chocks will ensure that the rear wheels stay in place and do not start rotating. If you don’t own wheel chocks, wood blocks would also help. Once the mower is secure, push the jack under it right in the center and use it to lift it at least six inches.

– Measure the Diameter

Once you have clear access to the deck, it is time to measure it. The decks for smaller mowers can be easily accessed simply by turning them over. Measure the circle’s diameter for a circular-shaped deck to find its dimensions.

– Check the Deck Shell

You must know that the deck shell on either side, the chute, and the anti-scalp rollers tend to add extra width to the cutting edge. As you do so, you know has the measurement of the decking shell.

Unfortunately, most manufacturing companies do not allow you to change the dimensions of their mower decks per your preference. If you want to buy a particular mower model, you will have to make do with the dimensions you are being provided.

Some people try to put their DIY hats on and install larger or smaller-sized decks independently. We encourage you to do something other than this. Not only is there a risk of damaging delicate mower machinery by accident, but the process itself could be more manageable. The amount of time and energy this would require is not worth it.

What Are the Significance of Deck Dimensions?

The mower can be large or small, and this size is responsible for accommodating the dimension of the cutting deck. Usually, people prefer larger mowers and cutting blades because they mow faster and cover much larger ground quickly. In reality, mowers with smaller dimensions fare much better in several aspects.

– Larger Mowers

The larger the mower, the more chance of tire tracks developing in the grass. This is an inevitable consequence that people will smaller mowers do not have to deal with.

When the ground is uneven with slight dips and mounds, a smaller mower with a deck less than 20 inches wide will be able to follow these contours much better than a larger one. A larger-sized mower will ride over these spaces and leave behind patches of grass.

Another reason bigger mowers do not give an even cut is that they have multiple blades, and all of them indirectly connect to the engine, which tends to divide the engine horsepower. There is only one blade in single mowers, which is also connected directly to the mower. This property enables these mowers to give a very neat trim to the lawn grass.

– Smaller Mowers

Another major perk of smaller mower dimensions is that they are convenient to store when not in use. You cannot just park mowers outdoors like a car. Finding a large enough storage space for tractors and riding ones is always a hassle, especially during the long winter months.

You will be surprised that a small-sized deck creates a better vacuum to lift the grass blades to cut it. The grass cut by small mowers will be neater and more uniform than a riding one can ever hope to achieve.

Conclusion

Before you go on a mower-buying spree, here is a brief recap to keep in mind.

• The average deck dimensions of lawn tractors and riding-style mowers are around 36 to 54 inches and are best suited for grass spread over several acres.
• Z-turn-type mowers are the same size as riding-type mowers but can work with specially designed fabricated decks of much larger sizes.
• Reel-type mowers are the smallest, with dimensions ranging from 14 to 20 inches.
• The only benefit of using a mower with big dimensions is that they mow grass faster, whereas smaller mowers cut grass much more finely.

The information in this article will be very beneficial whenever you decide to upgrade your old mower for a new one. The next time you are researching the dimension specs of various mowers, do not hesitate to come back to this article anytime.

The 6 Best Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her 6 years of experience as a product tester, she’s reviewed hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as PEOPLE, The Spruce, Homes Gardens, and more. Camryn is also the proud owner of a small homestead in Rhode Island, where she spends her spare time gardening, tending her many animals, and working through a never-ending list of home improvement projects.

In This Article

Summer is almost upon us, which means it’s time to start thinking about lawn care. There are a wide variety of lawn mowers that you can use keep your backyard looking pristine, but it’s important to find the right option to fit your yard — and your budget. If you have a small- to midsize yard, a walk-behind lawn mower generally provides the right balance of value and efficiency.

Nicole Durden, senior merchant of outdoor power at The Home Depot, says that both gas and electric mowers can make lawn care an easier chore. “Depending on your yard’s size and terrain, a walk-behind mower is ideal for a yard that’s ¾ of an acre or less,” she adds.

Today, you can find walk-behind lawn mowers that are powered by gas, batteries, or even an extension cord, and to help you select the best product for your yard, we tested nine popular models, putting them through the paces over the course of 10 hours of testing. After many hours of mowing, we evaluated each walk-behind mower on its design, performance, useability, safety, and value.

The following are the best walk-behind lawn mowers that People Tested.

Best Overall

Honda HRN216VKA 21-Inch Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

• The mower is able to cut through dense and wet grass on the first pass.
• It starts quickly and reliably with just one pull.
• Thorough mulching abilities can handle wet leaves and grass.
• Good value for a lawn mower of its size and power.
• Bag latch can become clogged with clippings and may need cleanout prior to reinserting the bag.
• Self-propelled speed doesn’t respond well to slight increases.

In terms of all-around performance, our top-recommended walk-behind mower is this model from Honda. The gas mower has a self-propelled design that’s powered by a 4-stroke 166cc engine, yet we found that it was extremely easy to start up, only ever needing one pull to get the motor going. The tool has a 21-inch cutting deck and weighs around 75 pounds, but despite its substantial weight, the self-propelled design made it easy for us to operate and navigate around obstacles in the yard.

This Honda lawn mower did a phenomenal job while cutting, and it was able to cut through dense patches of grass and weeds on a single pass. We even tested it in slightly damp conditions, and it didn’t get bogged down at all. You can choose between rear discharge, bagging, or mulching grass clippings, and we loved that the mulching setting cut debris up into fine pieces that will help feed nutrients back into the lawn. It was even able to mulch wet leaves and grass without any issues.

While we were impressed with this mower’s overall performance, there are a few small caveats worth noting. The area where the collection bag latches to the mower frequently got clogged with grass pieces, and we had to clean it out before reattaching the bag. Additionally, the self-propulsion doesn’t respond well to gradual increases in speed — it tends to go from slow to fast with no options in between.

Price at time of publish: 549

Power Source: Gas | Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 74.75 pounds | Self-Propelled: Yes | Clipping Options: Rear discharge, bag, mulch

Best Budget

Sun Joe MJ401E-P2 Electric Lawn Mower

• This lawn mower is very lightweight, and it’s similar to operating a vacuum.
• Its small form is easy to maneuver and can fit into tight spaces.
• The mower is much quieter than a gas-powered mower.
• Grass collection bag fills up very quickly and may need to be emptied multiple times while mowing.
• Grass can get clogged underneath the mowing deck, which causes the mower to shut off.

If you have a small yard, chances are you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a push mower. Luckily for you, the Sun Joe Electric Lawn Mower is an inexpensive option that’s unbelievably easy to use and maintain. This lawn mower is half the weight of many other walk-behind models we tested, and its corded design makes it easy to mow a small yard without worrying about running out of power. In testing, we found that it requires very little effort to push — we’d compare it to pushing a vacuum cleaner across a carpet — and were impressed by how quiet it is while mowing.

This electric mower can get into tight spaces easily, thanks to its 14-inch cutting deck, but it can get stuck if you’re cutting thick grass — during testing, the mower shut off on us because the blades were clogged up. However, it was easy to clean out the cutting deck and continue mowing. The only major downside of this compact electric mower is that it solely bags grass clippings, and the collection bag is extremely small. We had to empty it two or three times while mowing a 400-square-foot area, which made the process take a little longer than expected.

Price at time of publish: 108

Power Source: Plug-in | Cutting Width: 14 inches | Weight: 29 pounds | Self-Propelled: No | Clipping Options: Bag

Best Electric

Greenworks 12 Amp 20-Inch 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower

• Good value for a larger corded mower.
• The mower performs well on both dry and damp grass, as well as tall weeds.
• It has no problem driving over uneven ground.
• The mower is easy to push with one hand, even though it’s not self-propelled.
• It can be a bit bulky to turn or maneuver around obstacles.
• Clippings often fall out when emptying the collection bag, even if it’s not full.

The Greenworks Corded Lawn Mower is a great value if you don’t mind working around an extension cord as you mow. This electric model has a fairly large 20-inch cutting deck, and it offers side discharge, bagging, and mulching abilities, unlike other corded models we tested. We used it on both dry and damp grass, and it had no problems cutting either one, breezing right through tall weeds. It also did a good job capturing grass clippings in the included collection bag, though some do spill out when you remove the bag for emptying.

We tested this mower on a fairly uneven lawn, and thanks to its large rear wheels, it didn’t have any problem driving over divots that have posed a problem for other mowers. We were able to push the mower around with just one hand, holding the power cord with the other, but it does require two hands to turn the mower around, as it’s a bit bulky (and not self-propelled). Bottom line? With its affordable price and reliable performance, this mower is a good option for anyone with a smaller yard who wants a corded lawn mower with features.

Price at time of publish: 229

Power Source: Plug-in | Cutting Width: 20 inches | Weight: 56 pounds | Self-Propelled: No | Clipping Options: Side discharge, bag, mulch

Best Battery-Powered

EGO Power Select Cut 56-Volt 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower

• The battery still had power left after 50 minutes of use.
• The handle can be adjusted to different heights and angles for maximum comfort.
• The self-propelled design is easy to maneuver and takes strain off your body.
• The mower did get bogged down on a wet patch of grass and ferns.
• The process to start the mower is a bit complicated and hard to understand based on the directions.

There are several benefits to battery-powered mowers like the EGO Power Self-Propelled Lawn Mower, including its lack of emissions, quiet operation, and minimal maintenance. This 21-inch lawn mower only comes with one 56-volt battery, but it was able to mow for 50 minutes with power to spare, making it a great option even for larger yards. On first use, we struggled to figure out how to start the mower — it’s not as simple as just pushing a single button — but once we conquered that hurdle, it was smooth sailing.

The self-propelled design was easy to maneuver around the yard, and we loved that it requires minimal effort, so it won’t strain your back. The mower delivered a clean, even cut, even when the grass was damp, and it’s easy and intuitive to adjust settings like the cutting height and mower speed. We did find that the mower would occasionally get bogged down in thicker, wet areas (for instance, it had trouble cutting through a patch of ferns), but this is the case with many mowers, so we don’t think it’s a dealbreaker.

Price at time of publish: 549 (orig. 576.45)

Power Source: Battery | Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 54.5 pounds | Self-Propelled: Yes | Clipping Options: Side discharge, bag, mulch

Best Gas

Honda HRX217VKA 21-Inch Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower

• The mower is easy to start without priming or worrying about flooding the motor.
• Self-propelled function locks into your desired speed, saving you from having to hold down a lever.
• There’s a setting that allows you to half bag and half mulch the grass clippings.

If you have a lot of ground to cover, we recommend this Honda HRX Lawn Mower. It’s powered by a 201cc engine that easily cuts through thick and dense grass, yet it’s incredibly easy to start up — we were able to get the mower going with a single pull, no priming needed. The Honda mower also has 4-in-1 functionality, meaning you can side discharge, bag, mulch, or shred grass clippings, and we like that there’s even an option to bag half and mulch half. This setting would definitely come in handy if you’re cutting longer grass.

This mower also stood out thanks to its convenient self-propelled design. The control bar has a knob that lets you select the speed you want, essentially locking the mower at that pace so you don’t have to worry about holding the lever down at the right pressure. It can also go quite fast — we found that a medium speed was comfortable for walking, but you could dial it up for faster mowing, if desired.

Overall, we had very few complaints about this self-propelled mower. It did take a little trial and error to find the right deck height and speed setting, but once that was done, the mower delivered a nice even cut every time.

Price at time of publish: 799 (orig. 989.99)

Power Source: Gas | Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 91 pounds | Self-Propelled: Yes | Clipping Options: Side discharge, bag, mulch, leaf shred

Best Self-Propelled

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower

• Unbelievably quiet during operation — it almost sounds like a white noise machine.
• The battery-powered mower offers comparable power to a gas mower.
• The batteries lasted for more than three mowings (42 minutes total) without needing to be recharged.
• Self-propelled design makes it effortless to mow hilly areas.

The Ryobi Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is our top pick for anyone with a hilly yard, as its self-propulsion abilities outperformed the competition in our testing. This electric mower has a standard 21-inch deck, and we found that it performs just as well as gas mowers thanks to its two powerful 40-volt batteries. It offers variable speed self-propulsion that lets you match the mower to your pace, and it had no problems tackling hills during testing. In fact, the feature can be too fast on straightaways if you turn it to max speed — we had to jog to keep up with it!

Because this mower is battery-powered, it’s much quieter than a gas mower, almost sounding like a white noise machine. It also impressed us with its runtime — we were able to mow a 2,000-square-foot yard three times without needing to recharge the batteries. While we loved the convenience and easy operation of this mower, it wasn’t totally perfect. The main negatives we discovered were that the grass collection bag is quite small and needed to be emptied frequently while mowing, and the mulching setting left behind quite a few dry leaves on the lawn.

Price at time of publish: 919

Power Source: Battery | Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 75 pounds | Self-Propelled: Yes | Clipping Options: Side discharge, bag, mulch

Things to Consider Before Buying a Walk-Behind Lawn Mower

Power Source

There are three main styles of walk-behind lawn mowers: gas, battery, and electric, also called corded. Gas mowers are usually the most powerful option, boasting large motors that can power through thick grass and weeds, but they’re also loud and require frequent maintenance, including oil and spark plug changes.

For these reasons, battery-powered models are becoming more popular: “Homeowners have been gravitating to battery power for a few years, and we’ll be seeing even more of that in 2023 with various laws and regulations and even HOA restrictions aiming to limit the use of gas,” explains Durden. “Advancements in technology are making it possible and practical for everyone to make the switch — we have several battery mowers that offer the same (or better) power than gas mowers today.” Battery-powered mowers are also quieter and don’t give off any harmful emissions, but they do have a limited runtime. Our top pick for a battery-powered mower is the EGO Power Lawn Mower.

Finally, there are corded walk-behind mowers, which tend to be the most affordable. These use an extension cord to plug into an electrical outlet, giving them an unlimited runtime, but you have to navigate around the cord as you mow, which is why they’re recommended for small yards.

Yard Size

The size of your yard will dictate which type of walk-behind mower is best for your needs. If you have a small yard that’s less than ¼ acre, a corded push mower will generally meet your needs. These are usually lightweight and have smaller decks, and they’re easy to operate and store.

For larger yards, you may want to upgrade to a self-propelled mower, such as the Ryobi Dual-Blade Mower, which moves forwards on its own using power from the motor. This means you don’t have to physically push the mower to move it around your yard, making the process less strenuous.

In terms of a gas vs. battery powered model, battery mowers do have a limited runtime — typically less than an hour, but it will vary by product — which may not be enough for yards that are an acre or more. However, keep in mind that you can always buy backup batteries, if needed.

Terrain

The terrain of your yard is another factor to consider as you shop for a lawn mower. “If your yard is flat, a push mower will be the most affordable choice,” recommends Durden. “If your yard has hills, you may want to invest in a self-propelled mower that takes less manual effort.”

Walk-behind mowers with larger rear wheels — like the Greenworks 12 Amp 20-Inch 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower — tend to handle better on uneven ground, so you may want to look for this feature if your yard has a lot of divots or ruts.

Clippings

There are three main options for handling grass clippings while you’re mowing: discharging them out the side or back, bagging them up, or mulching them into fine pieces that will decay back into your lawn. Some lawn mowers, such as the Sun Joe Electric Lawn Mower only offer one option, while other models like the Honda Hrx 21-in Self-Propelled Gas Lawn Mower offer all three.

If you want a bagging mower, pay careful attention to the size of the collection bag in comparison to your yard. If the bag is too small, you may find yourself stopping to empty it frequently — a problem we ran into when testing the Ryobi Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower.

How We Tested

We researched today’s most popular walk-behind lawn mowers, and we selected nine top-rated models for testing, including three battery-operated, two corded, and four gas options. We sent each model to the homes of our testers, who are located in seven different cities across three states, and they tested each lawn mower over the period of several days.

We used each lawn mower three times, evaluating them on their ease of use, performance, power, safety features, and more. Each product was then scored on its setup, design, performance, usability, safety, and value, and the highest-scoring products were selected for this round-up.

If you have a larger yard or a lot of hilly terrain, a self-propelled lawn mower will take a lot of the manual effort out of mowing your grass. “Self-propelled mowers are designed to automatically move forward from 1 to 3.5 miles per hour,” explains Durden. “They‘re recommended for yards of more than half an acre, especially those that are hilly or sloped. Some mowers offer variable speeds that come in handy when working near trees and garden beds.”

In general, you can expect to pay between 400 and 1,000 for a self-propelled lawn mower, and the more you’re willing to spend, the more power and features your mower will have. However, some of our top-rated models are only around 500, so don’t feel like you have to splurge to get a great tool.

If your lawn is only a few hundred square feet, you can probably get by with a reel-style lawn mower, but if it’s over ¼ of an acre, a walk-behind mower will make weekly maintenance much easier. The great thing about walk-behind lawn mowers is that there’s an option for every lawn size and budget. If you have a small yard, an inexpensive option like the Sun Joe Electric Lawn Mower will make quick work of your grass without breaking the bank.

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Camryn Rabideau has been a professional product tester for six years, and she’s previously tested ride-on lawn mowers from popular brands like Ryobi and Husqvarna. While writing this article, she relied on firsthand insights from the People Tested team, who used these lawn mowers for a total of 10 hours. She also spoke with Nicole Durden, senior merchant of outdoor power at The Home Depot, for tips on selecting the right lawn mower for your home based on factors like your yard size, terrain, and budget.

What Is People Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

Wide Area Lawn Mowers

Wide Area Lawn Mowers, also known as “Finish Cut” Lawn Mowers come in a variety of sizes from 25 inches to 60 inches, and are used in places where a walk mower is preferred over a riding lawn mower but there is a need for increased productivity and/or quicker cutting. While bagging kits are available for many of these types of mowers, many of those kits are side of deck oriented, and are therefore not as convenient as mulching or the rear-bagging 30″ Toro. The Scag “V-Ride” is a Stand-on Mower that can also be used as a walk-behind Wide Area Lawn Mower.

In addition to servicing virtually all of these units, ASJ sells Wide Area Lawn Mowers from Husqvarna, Scag, Toro and Gravely.

ASJ Small Engines, Etc.

selling and servicing all types of gasoline powered outdoor Home Garden and Construction power equipment, including but not limited to: Lawn Mowers, Lawn/Garden Tractors, Chainsaws, Line Trimmers, Generators, Leaf Blowers, Snow Blowers, Hedge Clippers, Roto-Tillers, Log Splitters, Pressure Washers, Lawn Edgers, Pumps, Power Rakes (De-Thatchers), Aerators, Chipper/Shredders, Pumps, Rammers, Plate Tampers, Power Cutters (Cut-Off-Saws), Generators, Augers, Engine Drills, Pumps, etc.

• Home
• Location
• Services
• Prices
• Equipment
• Tips
• Downloads
• About

Proudly Serving Customers in Nevada and California:

We are proud to say we count among our customers, people residing in Gardnerville, Minden, Genoa, Carson City, Dayton, Virginia City, Topaz Lake, Woodfords, Markleeville, South Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Zephyr Cove, Myers, Smith Valley, Yerington, Wellington, Washoe Valley, Reno, Sparks, Coleville, Walker, Bridgeport, Mammoth and even Bishop California.

ASJ Services All Major Brands of Outdoor Power Equipment!

ASJ Carries Equipment and/or Supplies from: Husqvarna, Toro, Scag, Oregon, Echo, Bear Cat, Generac, Tanaka, Gravely, Multiquip, Bluebird, Ariens, Corona, Billy Goat, DR Equipment, Mantis, Honda Generators, Giant-Vac, Briggs Stratton, Kawasaki, Kohler, Honda Engines, Tecumseh, Subaru (Robin), Bobcat, Classen, Trimmer Trap, Little Wonder, Ryan, Wright, Tru-Cut, Mackissic, Cub-Cadet, Vortexx, Snow-Way, Hydro-Gear, LCT, Walbro, Zama, Nippondenso, NGK, Trufuel, World, Total Equipment, Earthway, PowerTrim, Agri-Fab, Earthquake and more!

For EXCLUSIVE Offers, “LIKE” us on !

Copyright © 2015 All Rights Reserved | ASJ Small Engines, Etc. 775-782-1922 1404-A Industrial Way Gardnerville, Nevada 89410 | asjsmallengines.com by Ibex Multimedia