Very small lawn mowers. 7 Best Lawn Mowers for Small Yards 2023

Top 5 Smallest Riding Lawn Mowers in 2023

The innovations in the lawnmower industry are constantly making the mowers smaller in size but more powerful. Currently, there are too many compact riding lawnmowers available on the market. If you are finding the same, this article is just for you.

There are several small riding lawnmowers from various manufacturers on the market. The bests of them are the Ryobi RY48130, Cub Cadet CC30H, Greenworks CRT426, Troy-Bilt TB30B, Weibang E-Rider, etc.

This article will discuss the Smallest Riding Lawn Mowers and who should buy them. Completely read the article to learn more.

Why Do People Need Smallest Riding Lawn Mower?

A riding lawnmower, also known as a ride-on mower or a lawn tractor, is a lawnmower type that is designed to be driven while sitting on it.

People generally look for small riding mowers instead of walk-behind mowers. It is often used to cut grass on larger lawns, fields, and gardens, as it is larger and more powerful than a conventional push lawnmower.

Benefits of Small Riding Mowers

Here are some of the benefits of why individuals choose to use small ride-on mowers:

• Small riding mowers are more efficient than push mowers at cutting grass in large areas in less time.
• Mowing with a small riding mower is more soothing than mowing with a push mower. They typically have a comfortable seat, armrests, and a footrest, which make them easier to operate for extended periods.
• Compact riding mowers are adaptable vehicles that can be utilized for residential, commercial, and industrial mowing activities. With the proper attachments, they can be further used for a range of other tasks than mowing, like snow removal and leaf blowing.
• Riding mowers have multiple safety features compared to push mowers. For instance, in the case of a rollover, the operator is shielded by a rollover protection system (ROPS). A safety belt and parking brake keep the vehicle in place when not in use.
• Compact riding mowers are also a good solution for individuals with physical limitations that make operating push mowers difficult. These small riding mowers help older people or people who have trouble moving around take care of their lawns without putting too much stress on their bodies.

What is the Smallest Riding Lawn Mower?

The smallest riding lawnmower is Ryobi RY48130. This small battery-powered riding mower has a 30-inch stamped steel cutting deck with three high-powered brushless motors.

The Ryobi RY48130 is designed for homeowners who have a larger lawn area to maintain and are looking for a convenient and efficient method to do so. Those who are environmentally conscious and prefer an eco-friendly alternative to a gas-powered one may also be interested in this product.

Top 5 Best Smallest Riding Lawn Mowers

There are residential and commercial models of riding mowers ranging in size. Here is a list of the five best small riding mowers:

A Comparison Chart of Top 5 Best Small Riding Lawnmowers

Ryobi RY48130 48 Volt RYOBI 30 in. Riding Lawn Mower

The Ryobi RY48130 is a 48 V Lead Acid battery-operated riding lawnmower. With 50 Ah batteries and three high-powered brushless motors, this mower can provide up to an hour of runtime on a single charge, or enough power to mow up to one acre of lawn.

In addition to its impressive performance, the Ryobi 48 V riding mower is designed for ease of use and low maintenance. Its 30-inch steel cutting deck, which is equipped with two blades, is highly durable and can fit into fenced areas with ease.

The mower also has a 7-position manual deck adjustment that allows you to select cutting heights between 1.5 inches and 4.5 inches, ensuring a clean and uniform cut on your lawn.

The RY48130 comes with a range of premium features such as LED headlights for improved visibility, a battery level indicator, and a cup holder to make mowing more comfortable and convenient.

The mower also has a rear access charging port that makes it easy to charge when the job is done. For even greater convenience, this riding mower can be charged through a standard 120 V outlet.

To ensure that your mower stays in top condition, it is important to note that it requires very little maintenance. With no belts, spark plugs, or filters to replace, this mower is highly reliable and can be used for years without any issues.

However, it is worth noting that this RY48130 riding mower is not compatible with certain blade models, including ACRM001, ACRM002, ACRM003, ACRM005, ACRM006, and ACRM007. Also, if you need to replace the battery, the recommended model is the Leoch 6-EVF-50.

The Ryobi RY48130 is designed for homeowners who have a larger lawn area to maintain and are looking for a convenient and efficient method to do so. Those who are environmentally conscious and prefer an eco-friendly alternative to a gas-powered one may also be interested in this product.

Cub Cadet CC30H MINI RIDING MOWER

The Cub Cadet CC30H is a gas-powered riding lawnmower with a rear engine of 10.5 HP Briggs Stratton engine that provides plenty of power to tackle even the toughest yards. It offers a 30-inch mower-cutting deck made of 14-gauge stamped steel.

The engine of the CC30H is fully pressurized with an oil pump like those used in automobiles. The mower also features a hydrostatic drive transmission, which allows for smooth and effortless operation.

The open high-back seat on this mower is designed with an oversized base and elevated back support, providing a comfortable and supportive seat for extended periods of use.

It is easy to maneuver around trees and flowerbeds on smaller lawns due to its little size and tight turning radius. The mower’s compact form makes it easy to store in a garage or shed for people with limited space.

Overall, the CC30H is a compact riding mower ideal for smaller lawns and properties. It is also an excellent choice for homeowners looking to keep their yards in top shape.

It is a feasible alternative for purchasers looking for a riding mower that is more effective than a walk-behind mower, but also smaller and more affordable than a full-sized riding mower.

• It has a hydrostatic transmission, which provides a smooth and efficient drive
• Its compact size makes it easy to maneuver.
• Adjustable cutting height from 1.5 to 4 inches.
• Fully pressurized engine with an automobile-like oil pump.
• It may be less fuel-efficient than other gas-powered mowers.
• The engine could potentially fail.
• May not be suitable for larger lawns.
• Requires more maintenance and upkeep than electric mowers.

TB30B Compact Riding Lawn Mower

The Troy-Bilt TB30B riding lawnmower is a gas-powered lawn tractor with a 10.5 horsepower Briggs Stratton engine that provides a reliable starting, ensuring that you can get the job done with ease.

It features a 30-inch side-discharge steel cutting deck which is specifically designed to fit through gates up to 4′ wide, making it an ideal choice for small or gated yards. The deck is durable and designed to last, ensuring that you get the most out of your mower.

The AGM battery provides a longer lifespan and lower maintenance compared to traditional lead acid wet batteries and also improves starting performance for reliable starting season after season. This helps to ensure that your mower is always ready when you need it.

The TB30B riding mower is simple to store in garages and sheds due to its small size. Additionally, the soft-touch steering wheel reduces vibrations, making the ride more comfortable.

The TB30B riding mower is a reliable and efficient machine designed to make mowing your small or gated yard a breeze. Its 30 inches wide cutting deck makes it suitable for people who want to mow yards that are either relatively small or have gates separating them from the rest of the neighborhood.

• Equipped with a powerful 10.5 horsepower Briggs Stratton engine.
• This 30-inch side-discharge steel cutting deck is perfect for small or gated yards.
• The cutting deck is built to last, ensuring long-lasting performance.
• AGM batteries offer a great advantage over traditional lead acid wet batteries with their longer lifespan and lower maintenance requirements.
• The soft-touch steering wheel enhances the comfort of the ride by minimizing vibrations.
• May face steering control issues while mowing.
• May stop frequently while mowing.
• No anti-scalping system is available.

Weibang WB76E Electric Drive Riding Lawn Mower

The Weibang WB76E is a 72 V Lithium-ion battery-operated riding lawnmower with a rear engine. It features a two-blade cutting system and a 30-inch wide, simple-to-clean deck.

It has a rechargeable battery that can power it for a maximum of two hours. The mower’s two-hour runtime on a full charge makes it an excellent choice for large lawns.

One of the best things about the Weibang E-Rider is that it is an environmentally friendly mower. It operates quietly and efficiently, leaving no carbon footprint behind. This makes it an excellent choice for homeowners.

In addition to being eco-friendly, the WB76E is also user-friendly. The control panel is easy to use, with clearly labeled buttons for forward, neutral, and reverse.

The mower also features LED lights mounted on the front bumper providing excellent visibility in low-light conditions. This makes it possible to get your yard work done even when the sun has gone down.

With ten cutting positions ranging from 1 inch to 4 inches, the Weibang E-Rider allows you to customize the length of your grass to your preference. The adjustable seat is comfortable and ensures that you can mow your lawn for extended periods without experiencing any discomfort.

Overall, the Weibang E-Rider is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an environmentally friendly, user-friendly, and family-friendly lawnmower. Its quiet operation, efficient performance, and easy-to-use features make it an ideal choice for maintaining a beautiful lawn without harming the environment.

• The rechargeable battery powers the mower for up to two hours.
• The forward, neutral, and reverse buttons on the control panel are all simply labeled.
• The adjustable seat will allow you to maintain a comfortable position while mowing.
• Adjustable cutting height from 1 to 4 inches.
• Batteries may experience difficulties.
• The mower’s body might get damaged.
• Drive functions may unexpectedly stop and not restart.

Greenworks CRT426 Electric Riding Lawn Mower

The Greenworks CRT426 is a 60 V Lithium-ion battery-operated riding lawnmower that delivers efficient and powerful performance. This mower boasts a 24 HP gas engine equivalent power with its intelligent brushless motor technology.

It is equipped with six 8.0 Ah batteries that outperform gas-powered riding lawnmowers, providing industry-leading cutting speeds of up to 6 mph, allowing you to get the job done faster and with greater precision.

Its 42-inch heavy-duty 13-gauge stamped steel deck provides maximum airflow for optimal cutting and side discharge. Its dual action blades provide a constant blade tip speed of 17,000 fpm, assuring optimal power for a variety of grass conditions and an unmatched level of cut quality.

This mower’s innovative bog-resistant Smart cut technology automatically adapts to grass conditions, preventing bogging even in the tallest, thickest, and driest grass. It also features a 7-position cutting height adjustment with a single lever to achieve the perfect cut height, ranging from 1.5-in to 4.5-in.

The mower is also equipped with premium features like an integrated rear storage bin to haul up to 200 lbs. of cargo, LED lights, a USB charging port, and Greenshields real-time 4G theft protection. The adjustable suspension seat with lumbar support and fold-down armrests ensures added comfort during use.

Additionally, this lawnmower is capable of handling slopes up to 15 degrees with adaptive traction control to keep the mower straight on slopes and prevent sliding on hills. It has a rear hitch that can tow 350 lbs. and a front-mount 2-inch receiver hitch for mower accessories.

The Smart G Connect App and 4G/GPS technology give the mower industry-first real-time theft protection, allowing you to track your machine. With onboard dual USB phone charging ports and a cup holder, this mower is designed for maximum operator convenience.

Operating costs are significantly lower compared to gas mowers since there are no gas, spark plugs, oil, belts, spindles, or winterization to worry about. Lastly, this riding mower is backed by a 4-year tool- and battery-limited warranty, providing peace of mind and assurance of its quality and durability.

Its six 8.0 Ah batteries allow this mower to mow easily up to 2.5 acres on a single charge, making it a reliable and convenient option for homeowners with large lawns

• It has a 42-inch cutting deck, which is suitable for medium- to large-sized lawns.
• Electric, so it produces zero emissions and is quieter than gas mowers.
• 60 V, 8 Ah batteries provide enough power and runtime.
• It has seven height adjustment positions from 1.5 to 4.5 inches, which makes it versatile for different grass lengths.
• It is relatively expensive compared to other electric mowers.
• The battery may not last long enough to mow larger lawns.

How Should You Choose a Small Riding Lawnmower?

There are various aspects to consider while picking the smallest riding lawnmower:

Lawn Size

Considering the size of your lawn and then choose which sort of riding mower is necessary. If you have a smaller lawn, you should use a riding mower with a rear-mounted engine. If your lawn is expansive, you can choose between a lawn tractor and a zero-turn radius mower.

Type of Terrain

Take the terrain of the area that needs to be mowed into consideration. If your yard has hills or slopes, you should likely search for a mower with a higher horsepower rating so it can manage the incline.

Maneuverability

If your lawn has obstacles like trees or flower beds, a small riding lawnmower should be simple to steer. Find mowers with a small turning radius for easy maneuverability.

Engine Power

Select a mower with a suitable engine for the size of your lawn. With a smaller lawn, a smaller engine will be more efficient and will save you money on fuel.

Comfort and Convenience

Choosing a riding lawnmower that you feel comfortable with is crucial. Look for mowers that include a soft-touch steering wheel, an ergonomic seat, and controls that are simple to operate and maintain.

Maintenance

You should search for mowers that are simple to maintain and have parts that are simple to obtain. Because of this, you will spend less time and money on repairs and upkeep.

Price

The cost of the mower should be taken into account last. for small riding lawnmowers can range widely, so it’s important to Set your budget and search for a mower that is inside it.

Brand Reputation

Brand reputation is also an important factor to consider when choosing a small riding lawnmower. It is important to choose a reputable brand that has a history of producing high-quality and reliable mowers. A reputable brand is more likely to offer good customer support, warranty coverage, and replacement parts.

Finally, if you want to discover a small riding mower that is both effective and pleasant to operate, you need to think about your lawn’s individual needs and your own preferences.

�� Top 9 Best Lawn Mower For Small Yards in 2022- Review Of The best Models On The Market

Final Words

A compact riding mower may be a good investment for those with small lawns, and these five models offer excellent performance, dependability, and user-friendliness.

This smallest riding lawnmower list above contains a riding mower that meets your requirements, whether you choose a compact, quick, or powerful model.

Though your demands and tastes will determine which small riding mower is optimal, these five models are the best based on user satisfaction and preferences.

s:

Greeting! I am Anthony Harry, a skilled scribe with a FOCUS on the art of lawn mowing and the beauty of all things green. My objective is to impart my knowledge and enthusiasm for lawn care to others, enabling them to attain their ideal lawns.

Best Lawn Mowers for Small Yards 2023

Taking care of lawns is not an easy task as it involves a lot of time and manual effort. But you can simplify the process by investing in a lawn mower.

These lawn mowers are available in different sizes and capacities to suit user requirements. Without proper knowledge, it can be difficult to analyze and shortlist a model among the varied range.

We suggest considering the below-mentioned main factors while purchasing a lawn mower for your small yard.

• Power Source: Manual and electricity (corded or cordless) are two main types of power sources available for lawn mowers while dealing with small yards. The gas-powered mower is considered the less convenient option for small yards. Why because its powerful engine is not necessary for mowing small areas with less grass.
• Cutting Width: The cutting width of a particular lawn mower will determine the grass cutting area in a single pass. The cutting width range will be 14 – 16 inches (for gas-powered mowers), and 15 – 21 inches (for electric and reel style mowers). A mower with higher cutting width will make it difficult to maneuver around small spaces while having a mower with a little small cutting width, then it takes a longer time to mow.
• Cutting Height: Though it is essential to cut the grass to make it grow with even height. The range of cutting height will be 1 – 3. 5 inches, in which you can adjust and set the cutting height as per your requirement. After doing, the grass length in the lawn will be equal.

We have explained everything about lawn mowers for small yards in our detailed Buying guide. Also, to cut down your searching time, here we came up with a list of the best lawn mowers for small yards.

Read on to purchase your best lawn mower within your budget range and perfect for your lawn requirement.

Best Lawn Mowers for Small Yards Table

Best Lawn Mowers for Small Yards: Reviews

GreenWorks Electric Lawn Mower

GreenWorks is another great brand of lawn mowers that offers highly reliable options. And we are here with a great 20 inch electric lawn mower from GreenWorks.

GreenWorks 250022 electric lawn mower is in the 1st position in this article as it offers a powerful 12 amp motor. And this motor offers you with a 20 inch cutting width which is quite useful for larger lawns. You also get a push start system in this lawn mower and it is quite easy to use. This lawn mower offers a 7 position height adjustment system with a range of 1-½ to 3-¾ inches according to your needs and requirements.

The 10 inch rear and 7 inch front wheels allow you to easily use this lawn mower even in long grass without any issues. Another great feature of this lawn mower is that it offers a foldable handle for easily storing it once you have used it. You also get a rear bag in this lawn mower for storing grass along with the option of side discharge.

Best Features

• 20 inch cutting width
• 1-½ to 3-¾ inch cutting height
• Grass bag with discharge option
• 12 amp motor
• 4 year warranty
• Large sized wheels
• Foldable handles
• 7 position height adjustment

BLACKDECKER Electric Lawn Mower

Black and Decker is another highly popular brand out there if you are looking for power tools. It also offers multiple lawn mower options out there out of which we have mentioned one of the most popular ones in this article.

The Black and Decker Besta is one of the smallest electric powered lawn mowers present in this article. It has a 12 inch cutting width that offers a great balance between cutting performance and compactness for easily storing this lawn mower. You also get a cutting height of 1.6 inch to 2.4 inch that can be adjusted as per your requirement. As for its power, it is powered by a 6.5 amp motor that is powered using a power cord.

This lawn mower can also be converted between a trimmer and an edger as per your needs and requirements. You also get an automatic feed spool that lets you use the mower without having to adjust the spool again and again. The blade of this lawn mower spins at 8000 RPM which is quite high when compared with other options out there.

Best Features

• 12 inch cutting width
• 6 to 2.4 inch cutting height
• 5 amp 8000 RPM motor
• Works as a trimmer and an edger
• 2 year warranty
• Corded lawn mower
• Automatic feed spool

American 1204 Lawn Mower

American Lawn Mower is a leading manufacturer of lawn and garden maintenance equipment. The brand has been fulfilling the needs of garden enthusiasts with its innovative products for the past 120 years.

American Lawn Mower’s lawn mower uses a 4-blade reel with a decent cutting width of 14 inches that is ideal for cutting overgrown grass on a small yard. The height of the blade can be adjusted allowing you to cut grass at heights of 0.5 to 1.75 inches. With this lawn mower, you can cut grasses that are up to 4 inches tall.

The blades are made of heat-treated alloy to retain the sharpness even after years of use. It would be sufficient if you sharpen the blades once every 3-5 years. As an electric-powered lawn mower, this operates without producing any noise. Furthermore, it is easy to start with just the press of a button and there is no maintenance work involved.

Although this lawn mower has to be assembled, you can assemble it easily in less than 10 minutes. It is lightweight with just 20 lbs. Plus, it is equipped with 8.5-inch durable wheels that provide easy maneuverability.

American Lawn Mower Company backs this lawn mower with a 90-day limited warranty from the original date of purchase.

Best Features

• 14-inch cutting width
• 0.5 to 1.75-inch cutting height
• Cuts grass up to 4 inches
• 90-day warranty
• Low maintenance
• Lightweight with 20 lbs
• Large 8.5-inch wheels for maneuverability

Worx Lawn Mower

Worx is another popular brand that specializes in developing power tools, lawn maintenance equipment, and other outdoor equipment. The brand leverages advanced technology to design products with innovative features and superior performance.

This lawn mower is one of the most powerful options on our list. It is powered by two 20V 4.0Ah Power Share batteries for your heavy-duty cutting tasks. With this battery capacity, you can mow up to ⅛-acre area on a single charge.

The lawn mower comes with an Intellicut feature that provides torque on demand for tougher conditions. The 14-inch blade features 6 height adjustment levels. Using the lever, you can adjust the height of the blade to maintain uniform height of the grass based on your preference. You can adjust the height of the blade from 2.5 to 3.5 inches.

Apart from cutting the grass, you can also bag it up or mulch the grass back into the ground using this versatile equipment. It is equipped with a.85 bushels capacity and a full-bag indicator that lets you know when it is time to empty the bag. There is also an on-board battery level indicator that shows exactly how much charge is left in the mower.

With a weight of just 29 lbs, you can maneuver this lawn mower easily around your small yard. It features a dual-port charger for faster charging.

Worx backs this lawn mower with a 3-year limited warranty from the original date of purchase.

Best Features

• 14-inch cutting width
• 2.5 to 3.5-inch cutting height
• 2-in-1 function
• 3-year warranty
• .85 bushel-capacity bag
• Full bag indicator
• On-board battery level indicator
• Lightweight with 29 lbs
• Lawn Mower
• Two 20V batteries
• Charger
• User manual
• Warranty card

American Lawn Mower

American Lawn Mower Company is one of the most reputable brands out there if you are looking for a lawn mower for your backyard. We have mentioned a great electric option from this company in this article.

The American Lawn Mower Company 50514 is in the 5th position in this article as it is one of the cheapest options in this article. And even then it offers a 14 inch cutting width along with a decently powerful 11 amp motor. As a result, you can easily cut a lot of grass at once using this lawn mower. It is a corded lawn mower that requires you to plug it into a wall socket for using it to cut your backyard grass. You also get a 2 year warranty with it.

This lawn mower also offers a cutting height of 1 to 2.5 inch which is quite decent for its given price. To make this lawn mower highly practical, it includes an inbuilt grass bag. And this hard top grass bag offers a capacity of 16 gallon for easily disposing grass once you have cut it. You also get a grass level indicator in this grass bag for ease of use.

Best Features

• 14 inch cutting width
• 1 to 2.5 inch cutting height
• 16 gallon grass bag
• 11 amp motor
• 2 year warranty
• Corded lawn mower
• Large sized wheels
• Multiple handle height options

Great States Lawn Mower

Great States is one of the highest rated lawn mower brands available out there. And unlike all other options in this article, this Great States lawn mower is a manual push lawn mower.

This Great States 204-14 lawn mower is in this article as it is a push lawn mower. As a result, it requires almost zero maintenance and a great option for small yards. It comes with a 14 inch blade with 3 spiders and 4 blades. You also get an adjustable cutting height of 0.5 to 1.75 inch for easily cutting grass as per your requirement. This lawn mower offers 8.5 inch wheels for easily navigating it through grass.

It uses heat treated alloy steel and this allows the blades last for a really long time. Since this is a manual lawn mower with no engine, storing it is quite easy. You also get a T-style handle in this lawn mower that can be used to easily mowing your grass. Unlike a powered lawn mower, this one does not make any noise either.

Best Features

• 14 inch cutting width
• 3 spiders and 4 blades
• 5 to 1.75 inch cutting height
• T-shaped handle
• Easy to store
• 2 year warranty
• 5 inch wheels
• No maintenance and noise

EGO Power Lawn Mower

Ego Power offers some of the most premium lawn mower options out there. And we are here with the only battery powered lawn mower present in this article from Ego Power.

This Ego Power lawn mower comes with an included battery kit for easily using it without needing to plug into a wall socket. It comes with a 56 volt lithium ion battery that can be easily charged. The included 5.0 Ah battery can be easily charged using the included charger. You get a battery life of up to 55 minutes while using this lawn mower on battery power. Just like other electric mowers out there, this one also offers a push start button.

You get a large 20 inch cutting width in this lawn mower along with a cutting height of 1.2 inch to 3.5 inch. As a result, it is among some of the most powerful lawn mowers out there. And since it is a highly expensive lawn mower, you also get a 3 year warranty with it for peace of mind. It also has a grass bag on the back along with the option of side discharge and mulching lawn mower as required by the user.

Best Features

• 20 inch cutting width
• 2 to 3.5 inch cutting height
• Grass bag with option for side discharge and mulching lawn mower
• 0 Ah battery
• 3 year warranty
• Push start button
• 55 minute battery life

How to Choose the Best Lawn Mower for Small Yards

Here we are going to know some of the key factors that have to be taken into consideration while shopping for a lawn mower for a small lawn/garden.

Cutting Width

The cutting width of the mower will let you know the grass cutting area in a single pass. Picking a mower with a big cutting width will make it a bit difficult to maneuver around the small spaces. If you select too small mower, then it takes a bit longer time to do the task.

So, it is essential to get the right mower with 14 – 16 inches cutting width for small yards. If you have a uniform layout of the lawn (rectangle or square), then prefer to choose a mower with a 16-inches cutting width. While if a yard is full of obstacles, then pick a 14-inch cutting width mower for better maneuverability.

Generally, electric mowers are made with widths of 15 – 21 inches to make them perfect for small yards. The same is applicable for the reel-style mower.

Cutting Height

Cutting height of a mower is another essential feature to check out when cutting the grass on the lawn. Here the grass should be of even height for best results. The range of cutting height for most mowers will be 1 – 3.5 inches, in which lawn mower helps you to cut grass as per your requirement. One can adjust and set the cutting height of the mower within this range. When once it is done the grass length in the lawn will be of the same cutting height.

Power Source

Gas-powered lawn mowers are not meant to use for small yards, why because their maintenance and usage will be a big hassle rather than taking care of a small lawn area of grass. Though manual and electric (corded cordless) are two main power sources available for lawn mowers to use on small yards. But a few manufacturers designed gas-powered mowers for small lawns to help to mow your lawn quickly without much effort.

Here is the detailed explanation of each option that helps you to choose the best one, as per your requirement.

Electric Corded Lawn Mower –

It is the most popular mower for small yards, offering a bit more features at an affordable price range. With its continuous usage, until it is plugged in, it is considered the better and powerful option than battery-powered models.

The power cord length is its main drawback. It makes it a bit difficult to maneuver around, particularly while the yard possesses lots of obstacles like flower beds or trees. Also, electric corded mowers are considered the next lighter and cheaper option after reel mowers.

Battery Powered or Cordless Lawn Mowers –

With their rechargeable batteries, the cordless mower is used to mow anywhere on the lawn without any nearby electric outlet or power cord length. These are lightweight, noiseless, and eco-friendly mowers. Though it is gaining popularity these days, yet one has to check the charge and runtime of a particular mower before buying.

It is a perfect and convenient option for smaller yards. The main drawback of this type is the limited battery life (runtime) and has to recharge the battery (or keep extra battery) to continue your work. So, check out the battery life and warranty on the product before buying.

Manual (or) Push Lawn Mowers –

Since they cut grass without using electricity or gas, it is considered simple, eco-friendly, portable, compact, easy to store, and maintenance-free mowers. These are hand-powered mowers that come at an affordable price range with a simple design and are a perfect option for those mowing the lawn regularly.

The main drawback for this type is that they won’t work well on thick or long grass (4-inch or taller). But one can mow over a thick lawn with this reel mower in a checkerboard or overlapping pattern.

Gas-Powered Lawn Mowers –

They have a powerful engine that makes them work more effectively than other types of mowers. Yet these are heavier, noisier, and hard to maintain like changing oil regularly, fuel mix-ups, and produce emissions, which makes it not an eco-friendly mower. So, for all these reasons, it is the least preferred option while dealing with small yards. Yet a perfect powerful option for medium-large yards.

Weight

It is quite difficult to push a heavier mower, especially for seniors, or children. Usually, the electric or manual powered mowers used for small yards are not as heavy as gas-powered models. Yet, one has to check out the weight of a given lawn mower before making its purchase. It will help you to know whether or not, you can push the mower around the lawn for perfect cutting.

Starting Mechanism

It is quite essential to check out the starting mechanism before buying a lawn mower for small yards. Mostly this problem is faced while using electric models (gas models are not preferred mostly for small lawns), but not for manual models. The mower should be easy to start without much ordeal.

Although, it is a simple and straightforward to start an electric mower. All you need is to connect the mower to an electric power source, turn on the power and push the button to start the mower. While if using gas-powered mower for small lawns, then it is a bit difficult to start the mower compared to electric models.

Grass Disposal System

Some people use clippings as mulch, while others won’t like the lawn clippings on their yard. Most lawn mowers discharge clippings through the space available on the mower’s side for grass clippings to dispose of the mower. A few models offer a perfectly fitted detachable bag in this space, which allows the user to bag those clippings and use them as mulch. So, most people prefer to choose a mower with a detachable bag. The reason is that they keep the yard clean, and also the mulch will enrich the soil with nutrients and restricts the weeds from growing.

Maneuverability

An easily maneuverable lawn mower is a perfect option for the yard having lots of obstacles or less spaces between garden beds and shrubbery. This will help to manage for small passages and perfect tight turns.

Yet make sure to check out the weight of this easy to maneuver mower, as a lighter mower (of 50 pounds or less) will aid in tighter turns and accurate mowing. Also, a mower with a small width is easy to go through the tight spaces. Plus, check out the mower deck, as it supposes to mow in tight spots, even if it takes more passes.

5 Best Lawn Mowers of 2023

Safety Features

Irrespective of the mower’s type you are using, it should run safely without any hazards while operating, and also, it should be stored easily after its usage.

Electric Mowers – Though there are easy to start mowers, which makes them a bit dangerous to operate. Since it can be started easily, even by a child by a simple press of a button. So, to get rid of this issue, you have to check out for electric mowers having a lockable switch or removable key.

Reel Mowers – Though it is manually operated, it offers fewer safety features, especially its blades that move whenever its wheels spin.

Gas-Powered Mowers – Offers the best safety features, as they have a throttle bar to shut down the mower whenever the push bar is unconfined. So, for those who fall or lose grip of the mower, then it shut off immediately.

Common Safety Features – Make sure to wear perfectly fitted shoes, especially closed-toe model while mowing. Keep the pets children out of this mower.

Storage Space

If you lack space for its storage, then check out for foldable options. Most compact lawn mowers offer a foldaway handle along with the grass box. As some models have soft material grass boxes that flatten down.

Maintenance

Reel and electric mowers won’t need much maintenance and also, a cold weather won’t affect them. Plus, they won’t use filters or spark plugs and all it needs is to have some common maintenance. Make sure to clean the mower’s underside regularly for a few times every year. This will avoid the build-up of grass and thereby restrict corrosion. Also, resharpen the blade regularly to maintain it sharpen and cut the grass evenly.

Price

Price is another essential feature to consider while buying the best lawn mower for small yards. However, the price of manual and corded electric lawn mowers are less compared to cordless lawn mowers. So, check out the price of various models having decent qualities and built-in construction.

Motor Power

Motor power is essential to consider while buying a powered lawn mower like electric or gas-powered mowers. If using an electric lawn mower for small yards, check out the motor amp usage, which ranges around 11 or 12 amps. The usage of a mower with a higher amp is more powerful and works quickly and easily.

Alternatively, one has to check the power of a gas-powered model with its engine having CC ratings. Just like any other gas-powered engine, the lawn mower engine has CC ratings like 149 CC or 196 CC. As expected, a mower with a larger engine displacement like 196 CC offers more power to cut grass effectively.

Tips to Use the Small Lawn Mower Effectively

Knowing the right tips and tricks will let you use the small lawnmower with ease. Here are some of the common tips explained that helps you to use them effectively.

Avoid Mowing Wet Lawn – If the lawn gets wet due to rain or morning dew, then it is advised to wait till it is dried before mowing. The reason is that wet grass is a bit heavier and makes the mower unable to cut the grass effectively, and also it may damage the mower, but not with the case of dry grass.

Clean the Mower Deck – Grime and grass build-up under the deck and on the blades of the mower happens commonly. If left untreated, it makes the mower less effective and dull. If using a gas-powered model, then ensure the gas tank is empty and the spark plug wire is disconnected while cleaning the deck with a garden hose. Also, use a blower to blow off the mower after its every usage.

Be Cautious While Mowing – Before you start mowing the lawn, make sure to clear the sticks and other debris which may ruin the mower blades. Also, prevent vines and stumps, which may damage or wrapped around the blades of the mower while mowing the lawn.

Use Grass Clippings for the Lawn – Some people won’t like to leave grass clippings on their lawn, yet they are good for the yard’s health. They act as a natural fertilizer and when having a mulching feature on a mower, then it decomposes quickly by breaking down the grass and dried leaves. Also, bagging clippings for grass or weeds is helpful to clean the lawn.

Lawn Mowers for Small Yards FAQs

Not at all necessary to upgrade or buy a new mower every year until the present mower is working in perfect condition and meets all your lawn requirements. So, we suggest you buy or upgrade a mower when you have a definite need for it, or else it is a waste of money spent on its purchase.

It completely depends on the growth rate of grass in your yard, and seasonality is another main factor affecting grass growth. Usually, the grass growth rate is more in summer than winter. So, most experts suggest you mow the lawn once a month in winter and twice a month in summer (depending on the growth of grass in your lawn).

Both gas and electric lawn mowers are best in their ways. Though they work in the same way of mowing the lawn, yet they use different power sources. In some cases, gas-powered mowers are considered a bit more powerful than electric mowers. Both have their pros and cons, in which the final choice is based on one’s personal preference and requirements.

Absolutely not for mowing small lawns. Mostly, experts recommend using a lawnmower by yourself without going for any professional lawn mower service, as it is considered healthy exercise and aids in family bonding.

Mostly, NO. We recommend not to use a lawn mower (irrespective of its type) while drizzling slightly outside. The reason is that the mower comes with steel parts, which might catch rust or an engine gets jammed due to the increased humidity levels.

Conclusion

Lawn mowers are one of the most essential tools for maintaining your backyard lawn. While some of them are manual, some might be powered via electric motors or gas engines. Similarly, there are various other things to check before buying a lawn mower. And thus, we have mentioned some of the best lawn mower options in this article along with their major features and differences. You can also find a detailed buying guide with all of the aspects related to lawn mowers. But if you are still not able to choose the perfect lawn mower for your needs and requirements, here are some of our requirements:

• If you want an electric lawn mower with decent power and a 14 inch cutting width, then you can go with the American Lawn Mower. It offers a very justified price tag to its users while offering decent power. And you also get a 2 year warranty with it despite the affordable price tag.
• On the other hand, if you have a small lawn in your backyard, then you can also go with the Great States Lawn Mower. This is a hand powered lawn mower which is quite simple and cost effective when compared to powered options and.
• But if you are looking for a powerful lawn mower, then you can go with the BLACKDECKER Electric Lawn Mower. It comes with a 6.5 amp motor that offers a 12 inch cutting width. And you get a great cutting performance from this lawn mower that also offers a 2 year warranty.

Make sure to share your thoughts in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев section. You can also post any questions down there if you have any!

The 6 Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Michelle Ullman is a home decor expert and product reviewer for home and garden products. She has been writing about home decor for over 10 years for publications like BobVila.com and Better Homes Gardens, among others.

Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals.

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.

If you dream of a lush, green lawn, but dread the maintenance involved in keeping it that way, then a self-propelled lawn mower can make your life easier. These mowers not only power the blades but also power the wheels to make your pushing requirements little more than guiding the machine across the grass.

Brock Ingham, gardener, landscaper, and founder of the website Bigger Garden, says, 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. Self-propelled mowers can also provide a more consistent cut, since the speed is controlled by the mower rather than the operator. Overall, a self-propelled lawn mower can make mowing easier and more efficient.

Henry Bravo, founder and editor-in-chief of SmartGardenHome.com, adds, Self-propelled lawnmowers are much easier to maneuver around obstacles, and they can handle uneven terrain without a problem. Plus, I can adjust the speed so I can mow quickly or at a slower, more leisurely pace. And I love that I can easily switch between mulching, side discharge, and bagging capabilities.

We bought and tested several self-propelled mowers, both gas and electric, and evaluated many others based on their power, the size of lawn they can handle, their options for handling grass clippings, their range of cutting heights, the easiness of using the mower, and their overall value.

Best Overall

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

• Variable-speed self-propel
• Generous battery runtime
• Fast recharging
• Folds for compact storage

Earning the top spot in our tests is a battery lawn mower 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 a 0.5 acre and more than enough for our small yard. We put the mower to the test in early spring, mowing a lawn just out of winter dormancy that was patchy, wet, and ferny.

Other than attaching the bag, assembling the mower was easy. And a mere press of the button brought it roaring to life. 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.

The lawn mower easily handles all common types of lawn grass, including tougher warm-season varieties like Bermudagrass, zoysia, and St. Augustine. A few buyers have complained that it struggles to lift overly tall grass high enough for an even cut. However, we found that it struggled a bit in the wet grass as well, becoming stuck at one point in a ferny patch. Aside from that, it delivers a precise and crisp cut that is sure to impress.

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 appreciated the ease of adjusting the mower’s speed. We also liked the adjustable handle, which made it more comfortable to mow.

We found that the mower was easy to maneuver, even around obstacles or sharp turns. As the self-propelled function does most of the heavy work, this is also a great mower for yards with slopes. 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 a LED headlight, so you can mow early in the morning or at dusk to take advantage of mild temperatures.

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 really appreciated this feature, as the mower doesn’t take up as much room in the garage. This mower comes with a 56-volt battery and a fast charger that has the battery ready to go in just an hour.

How It Performed Long-Term

We are extremely satisfied with the performance of the lawn mower, particularly with how long the battery lasts. 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 mower is also highly effective when dealing with thick, tall grass and can even tackle 10 days of uncut grass without issue. Additionally, it can handle damp grass and leaves with ease. Initially, it took some time to become familiar with turning it on and utilizing the self-propel feature, but once we did, mowing the lawn became a breeze.

Price at time of publish: 549

Cutting Width: 21 inches | Power Source: Battery | Weight: 62.6 pounds | Grass Discard Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge

The 7 Best Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers of 2023, According To Testing

We put these battery-powered lawn mowers to the test to see which left our lawns looking fresh.

Andrea Wurzburger has been a writer for nearly a decade, with experience writing for publications like HerCampus.com, REDBOOK Magazine, VH1.com, and People.com. As a features writer at People.com, she wrote across verticals about everything from gift guides to buzzy pop culture galleries.

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a FOCUS on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants.

In This Article

Whether you’re looking to save money on fuel or do your small part to save the environment, battery-powered lawn mowers are an easy way to do so without sacrificing function. Battery-powered mowers are cordless, don’t use gasoline, and are typically best for small to medium-sized yards.

There are a few important factors to consider when looking for the best battery-powered lawn mower, according to Nicole Durden, senior merchant of outdoor power at The Home Depot.

“Be mindful of the size of your yard,” she advises, since over half an acre will require more battery power. “Consider the terrain and the drive system on the mower. Customers with steep or hilly yards should consider a self-propelled mower.”

Best Self-Propelled Push Mower

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

We’ve chosen the Ego Power LM2101SP Cordless Lawn Mower as the best self-propelled push lawn mower because it is easy to use, thanks to a powerful self-propel feature that makes it perfect for small- to medium-sized yards.

Self-propelled mowers use the motor to propel the mower forward, which means it takes less of an effort on the user’s part to cut the grass. During our testing, we noted that it may be ideal for those with limited strength or mobility since it doesn’t require as much muscle use as other push mowers.

It has six different height settings for lawn mower blades, which range from 1.5 inches to 4 inches. While testing, we found that it was simple to adjust the cutting height, the propelling speed, and the height of the handle with just one hand. It comes with LED lights, so if you are looking to beat the heat and mow your lawn before the sun rises or as it is setting, you will still be able to see what you’re cutting.

This lawn mower offers 60 minutes of run time on a single charge with a 56 volt 7.5Ah ARC lithium battery. This means that it is best suited for a small to medium-sized yard of 0.5 acres.

This unit made our list not only for its cutting capabilities, but also its disposal option. It offers three options for use: mulching, side discharge, or bagging. Although we loved having options for disposal, we found that attaching the bag for disposal was not an easy task on our own as it would sometimes pop off on one side as we pulled it tight to attach to the other—we think having an extra set of hands could be beneficial.

One feature we loved was this mower’s storage capability. Whereas some mowers can take up quite a bit of space in your garage or outdoor shed, the Ego Power Mower can fold in order to be stored away.

Price at time of publish: 700

Product Details: Run Time: 60 minutes | Height Adjustments: Six | Recommended Yard Size: 0.5 acres | Deck Width: 21 inches

Best Budget

Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Electric Push Lawn Mower

The Greenworks Cordless Lawn Mower is our pick for the best battery-powered lawn mower for those on a budget. It has five height settings, mulching, and rear bagging capabilities.

For a push mower, it’s lightweight at 37.5 pounds—as light as our pick for best lightweight mower. Some lawn mowers on this list weigh as much as 66 pounds.

With this mower, even though you have to do the work of pushing it around the yard, it makes the task much less difficult. It also has five height adjustments to choose from, this lawn mower can cut from 1.25 inches to 3.375 inches.

When it comes to mowing, it’s important to have a plan when it comes to handling your clippings, and this lawn mower offers options for both mulching and rear bagging. It even comes with a collection bag, should you choose to use it.

Keep in mind that this battery-powered lawn mower only has 45 minutes of run time on a full charge. Its 16-inch deck width also means that you clip less grass per pass, so it could take longer to mow your yard.

If you don’t have a small yard, this could present a problem, as you’ll have to pause to recharge. The good news is, the battery reaches full power after two hours.

Price at time of publish: 255

Product Details: Run Time: 45 minutes | Height Adjustments: Five | Recommended Yard Size: Up to 0.33 acres | Deck Width: 16 inches

Best Lightweight

BlackDecker 40V Max 16 inch Cordless Lawn Mower

We chose the BlackDecker Cordless Lawn Mower because it is affordable, and it is only 38 pounds, which makes it easy to maneuver around your yard. The mower’s technology also makes it simple to use as it determines the height of your grass and adjusts accordingly to increase power and preserve battery life.

Because it’s lightweight, it is also a pretty compact model, with handles that fold down to make storage simpler. Additionally, this model has carrying handles that make moving it easy. It’s the best battery-powered lawn mower for people who need a mower that is lightweight and convenient to carry.

This battery-powered lawn mower has plenty of practical features as well, and includes six cutting heights that range from 1 inch to 3 inches, and the single lever height adjustment is easy to use.

It also has a 9.5 gallon grass bag, which is attached to the back of the mower. The bag is made of soft fabric with a hard top, and it’s simple to check its capacity with a simple tap on the soft fabric.

With a 16-inch deck, plus a 30-minute run time, it can mow yards up to 0.125 acres big. If you have a yard larger than this, you’ll find yourself either switching out batteries (it does come with two) or stopping to recharge them.

Price at time of publish: 330

Product Details: Run Time: 30 minutes | Height Adjustments: Six | Recommended Yard Size: 0.125 acres | Deck Width: 16 inches

Best Push Mower

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

The Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21-Inch Mower is our choice for best battery-powered push mower because it is intuitive to use with self-propelled technology that makes it possible to intuitively adjust the speed, plus it has options for clipping disposal.

We found that it took a bit to get used to maneuvering this lawn mower over uneven ground, as we needed to change the blade height in order to keep it from getting stuck. Otherwise, it was extremely easy to use, even on grass that was 6 inches high. The yard tested typically takes 45 minutes to mow, and this battery-powered lawn mower managed to get it done in 20 minutes.

We were able to use the mower three times, each round ranging from 10 to 15 minutes, without having to charge the battery, which holds a charge for up to 70 minutes. The Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21-Inch Mower uses two 6.0Ah batteries, which are powerful and carry a longer charge than your average lawn mower battery, which can range from 45 to 60 minutes of run time.

This lawn mower has the option of disposing of clippings via mulching, bagging, or side-discharging, which we loved while testing because it’s possible to decide which type of disposal based on each user’s unique needs. When we mowed the test lawn for the first time, we found that we had to empty the bag quite a bit, due to the height of the grass, even though it was only 0.05 acres.

We appreciated that this mower was quiet compared to other lawn mowers we tested. During testing, we noticed that it didn’t sound much louder than a noise machine. We also loved that this mower folds up so that it can be stored vertically, leaving floor space free in a garage or shed.

Price at time of publish: 749

Product Details: Run Time: 70 minutes | Height Adjustments: Seven | Recommended Yard Size: 0.5 to 1 acre | Deck Width: 22 inches

Best Riding

Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42-Inch Battery Electric Cordless Zero Turn Riding Mower

If you’re looking to do less manual labor while tending to your lawn, a ride-on mower may be the best battery-powered mower for you, like the Ryobi Electric Ride-On Mower. This model can mow a large yard without needing to be recharged, and it has cruise control.

During testing, we found that this battery-powered ride-on lawn mower was intuitive to use and easy to operate with the use of a single joystick. This mower has three travel speeds and three blade speeds, which are able to be changed with push button controls. It also has an LCD screen that displays battery life and run time (so that you’re never surprised that it’s time to recharge).

This mower comes with two 80V and two 40V batteries that make it possible to mow 3 acres per charge, and the batteries can recharge fully in two and a half hours. If this mower is getting low on battery while in use, there’s no need to worry: When the battery drops below 35%, the mower automatically begins to preserve battery so that it can be driven back to wherever the extra batteries are being stored or charged.

We love that this ride-on mower is powerful, with the equivalent power of 31 horsepower, and 12 different cutting settings, ranging from 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches. Even with all those settings, there is also comfort in mind: the seat has premium seat suspension, which minimizes the feel of rough terrain. It also has cup holders, USB ports, and storage compartments. The option to mulch or side discharge clippings was also a plus.

As is the case with most ride-on mowers, comfort and convenience comes at a premium. However, if you have a large yard and are looking to keep it looking good while keeping environmentally friendly, it’s a worthy investment.

Price at time of publish: 5,999

Product Details: Run Time: 2.5 hours | Height Adjustments: 12 | Recommended Yard Size: 2 to 4 acres | Deck Width: 42 inches

Best for Small Yards

Makita 36-Volt Lithium-Ion Push Lawn Mower

Our pick for best battery-powered lawn mower for small yards is the Makita Brushless Lawn Mower.

The Makita comes with four batteries, which power the mower for long enough to cut up to 0.33 acres of land in 43 minutes or less. It runs on two of those batteries at a time. Its brushless motor also allows you to cut grass faster at 2,500 to 3,300 rotations per minute.

The batteries are equipped with battery overload, overheat, and over-discharge protection, which help to extend the battery life by shutting it down before damage can occur.

Not looking to disturb your neighbors when you get up early to mow the lawn? The Makita Brushless Lawn Mower has a quiet mode that reduces noise by providing constant speed control.

With a single-lever, you can adjust the height of the mower to 10 different heights. The deck width of this mower is 19 inches, so it can cut up to 19 inches across of grass per pass of the lawn mower.

When it comes to your grass clippings, this lawn mower has a disposal bag that has a 16-gallon capacity—this means there isn’t the option for mulching or side-disposal.

Price at time of publish: 399

Product Details: Run Time: 43 minutes | Height Adjustments: 10 | Recommended Yard Size: 0.33 acres | Deck Width: 19 inches

Best with Storage

Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42-Inch Electric Cordless Riding Lawn Tractor

• We found that, because it does not have power steering, it takes some muscle to turn while going slowly.

After testing, we determined that the best battery-powered lawn mower with storage is the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Riding Lawn Tractor because it has two separate compartments. It’s great for someone who loves to landscape, as you can get more done than just mowing. We loved the large back storage area in particular, noting that it would make it easy to load up some bags of mulch to tote around your property.

When it came to actually mowing the lawn, we found that the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Riding Lawn Tractor was easy to maneuver, and we liked that it is able to change speeds easily to maneuver around obstacles, but can instantly speed up once past them.

It handled the lawn with ease, mowing over sticks, leaves, and more. We even took the lawn mower out in wet conditions, and it managed to mow grass without a problem. When the blades are on, it is still less noisy than a gas mower.

This mower has 13 height adjustments ranging from 1.5 inches to 4.5 inches, and we found that adjusting the height was simple with the use of a large lever on the side of the mower. We liked that we could get a close cut, even in wet conditions.

This ride-on lawn mower is able to side-discharge and mulch clippings, and is also capable of bagging. We only tested the side discharge and mulching capabilities, as the bagger is sold separately.

This mower also comes with a few safety features. It beeps while in reverse, as well as if the user hops off the seat while the mower is turned on. It also turns off the mowing deck while in reverse. While it does have headlights, we found that they are very small, and that we wouldn’t use them to mow in the dark.

Keep in mind that there is no power steering, and we found that we needed to use quite a bit of force when turning at a slow speed.

Price at time of publish: 5,000

Product Details: Run Time: 2.5 hours | Height Adjustments: 13 | Recommended Yard Size: 3 acres | Deck Width: 42 inches

The Bottom Line

Overall, when looking for the best battery-powered lawn mower, you should consider the size of your yard, whether or not you’ll need more than one battery, and whether you want a push, self-propelled, or ride-on mower.

After testing, we chose the Ryobi Electric Ride-On Mower as the best ride-on mower because it is easy to use and can mow up to 3 acres in a single charge, making it a great choice for a large yard. Our pick for best push mower was from the same brand: the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21 in. Self-Propelled Mower because it has an impressive 70 minutes of runtime on a single charge plus multiple options for clipping disposal.

Our Testing Process

In order to find the best battery-powered lawn mowers, we tested 15 mowers, narrowing down our results to determine which of these battery-powered favorites made our list. First, we recorded how long it took to assemble each mower straight out of the box.

Then, we mowed our lawns with each mower three times, noting the date, weather conditions, how much we cut off the grass in inches, how much surface area we were mowing in acres, and how long it took for us to mow that area.

As we used each mower, we considered many factors. We began with the ease of starting and powering the mower, plus the ease of adjusting the seat (if a ride-on mower) or heights for comfort, and whether or not the controls were user friendly.

With the riding mowers, we also took note of how easy it was to adjust our speed, as well as how easy it was to switch between cutting heights and how many options there were. We also evaluated how each mower compared to those that we previously owned or tried.

One of the most important aspects of a battery-powered lawn mower is its power source. We determined how many batteries came with the mower, how long they took to charge, and how long that battery lasted before we had to swap it or recharge it.

We also tested each mower’s ease of movement, observing how they performed when maneuvering around obstacles like trees, flowerbeds, and tough terrain like hills or inclines.

When it came to how well the mowers discharged the clippings, we noted if they discharged, collected debris in a bag, or mulched them. Some models performed more than one function, and if that was the case, we tested each type of discharge method, and how easy it was to insert or remove collection bags (if applicable). We also observed how much storage each model had and how they would eventually be stored away.

Finally, we tried each mower’s features. On the riding mowers, we tested their ignition cut-off switches, wheel weights, and headlights, or reflective surfaces. For push mowers, we tested the handle lever, back flap, and blade brake control. We also evaluated the cutting height options, plus various speeds of each mower. If possible, we even tested these lawn mowers on other lawns, to see how the experience differed depending on type of grass and terrain.

What to Know About Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers Before Shopping

Lawn Size

When shopping for the best battery-powered lawn mower for your home, it’s important to take into consideration the size of your lawn. Typically, the batteries in your mower will last 50 to 60 minutes on one charge, so you’ll want to make sure you can cover the distance of your lawn in that time.

Otherwise you’ll have to either change out the battery for a fully charged back-up, or charge your battery. If you have a yard that is more than an acre, it’s not ideal to have a battery-powered mower unless you have one that is made with large yards in mind.

Type

There are a few different types of battery-powered lawn mower to choose from: self-propelled mowers, push mowers, and ride-on mowers.

Self-propelled mowers are less work to operate than push mowers, with a design that uses the motor to propel the wheels, which makes it easy for you to simply guide the mower across your lawn.

In order to operate a push mower, you have to push it forward manually. The bad news: You’re the one doing the pushing. The good news: most models are compact and lighter weight (especially when compared to a gas model) so it isn’t too difficult.

Ride-on mowers require the least amount of work, but are also the most expensive models. They are a great choice for people with larger lawns, and you can simply sit up top and steer it where you want it to go.

Charge Time

Battery-powered mowers need to be charged before use, and those times will vary. We found that the time it takes to recharge varies anywhere from 1 to 2.5 hours. For example, our best riding mower pick, the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Zero Turn Riding Mower, takes 2.5 hours to reach full charge. If you don’t have the time to pause your mowing to recharge, consider choosing a mower with an extra battery so you can change them out and continue on.

Power

Battery-powered lawn mowers do not require chords to function. Instead, they work using rechargeable batteries that have an output of anywhere from 36 to 120 volts.

Run time is largely dependent on the voltage of your battery. The higher the battery, the longer your mower will run. The higher the voltage, the larger the battery, so it may affect your mower’s deck size.

The deck is the part of the lawn mower that covers the engine and blades of the mower. It is measured in square inches, and is determined by multiplying the width of the bottom part of your mower (between the wheels) by the length. They are also usually made with durable material so they stand up against debris and the elements.

The size of the deck determines how much grass the machine will cut in one pass, as it is generally large enough to cover the blade. Smaller mowers may only have one blade, while larger models have two or three for more efficient cutting.

Mowers with larger decks offer less mobility, so it’s beneficial to use a mower with a smaller deck and voltage for a yard with less acreage. The larger your yard, the bigger the deck you’ll require because you’ll need to cover more ground in the same amount of time.

Features

The best battery-powered lawn mowers come with plenty of features to make your lawn-cutting experiences as enjoyable as possible. For example, some come with mulchers that take the grass, chop it up, and leave them behind on the lawn. Others have a grass bag catcher that attaches to the mower on either the side or rear where the clippings drop straight into the bag.

Another feature that is important is the ability to adjust the blade height so that you can tailor your mower to your preferences. They usually range from 1 to 4 inches, and keep in mind that you should only remove the top third of the grass blades.

Adjustable handles are also important because they allow you to change the height in order to make them easier to mow.

Other Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers We Tested

Greenworks Pro 80V Max, 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower

We loved that the Greenworks Pro 80V Max, 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower lawn mower had a space-saving storage design that allowed it to be stowed away vertically. We also appreciated how long the battery lasted—about 50 minutes total.

While testing, we found that this lawn mower had difficulty maneuvering in tight spots, and its weight made it difficult to turn. When we switched it to the self-propel mode, we found that even the fastest setting did not measure up to others on this list.

Your Questions, Answered

How long do batteries last in a battery-powered mower?

This answer depends on the mower, but typically the batteries in a battery-powered mower last around 50 minutes to an hour if fully charged. This is why battery-powered mowers are recommended for small to medium-sized yards—if you can’t get your mowing done within an hour, you’ll need to hit pause, plug it in to charge (or replace it with another fully charged battery if you’ve got a spare), and wait to mow.

What is the best voltage for a battery-powered mower?

The batteries in battery-powered lawn mowers provide anywhere from 36 to 120 volts of power. The higher the voltage, the longer the run time. The longer the run time, the more time you have to cover some distance in your yard before that battery runs out.

Getting a battery with a high voltage may sound Smart because it allows for a longer run time. However, it also makes the machine heavier which can slow you down and can decrease the run time.

Which mower is better: battery-powered, electric, or gas?

Battery-powered, electric, and gas lawn mowers each have their own pros and cons. Gas powered mowers have the advantage when it comes to being able to fuel them right away. When an electric or battery-powered mower runs out of juice, it needs to be plugged in and charged.

“Battery-powered lawn mowers provide the power of traditional lawn mowers without the harmful emissions, which make them perfect for customers that value efficiency and sustainability,” Durden says.

Gas mowers also tend to require more maintenance in order to run smoothly, and you need to take care to store the fuel properly and even winterize your mower.

Battery-powered lawn mowers have the advantage of being “lightweight and quieter than gas-powered mowers, too,” says Durden. You just need to remember to keep the battery charged.

Additionally, whereas gas-powered mowers need to be pulled or cranked, and cared for to ensure they’re winterized, you just need to push to start a battery-powered or electric mower and go.

One downside to an electric mower is the range of motion—you may be limited by the cord. Battery powered and electric mowers are more equipped to handle small to medium-sized yards.

Who We Are

Andrea Wurzburger is a freelance writer for Better Homes Gardens. For this story, she spent several hours researching the best battery-powered lawn mowers by comparing product specifications. She also spoke with Nicole Durden, who is the senior merchant of outdoor power at The Home Depot.

The Best Lawn Mowers of 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed’s editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Honda HRX217VKA

The Honda HRX217VKA is powerful, heavy and ideal for larger lawns. Read

Ego Power LM2135SP

This mower is powerful, comfortable, and a joy to use. It performed extremely well mulching and driving itself uphill. Read

Honda HRN216VKA

Honda has produced superior power equipment for many years and this mower, which operates with rear-wheel drive, is no exception. Read

Kobalt KM 5080-06

The electric Kobalt KM 5080-06 was flexible and easy to operate, and can run bagged or bagless. Read

Hart HLPM061US

The Hart HLPM061US performed well across terrains and has a simple to use speed control. Read

Cons

Until just a few short years ago, gas lawn mowers were king. As more consumers are seeking eco-friendly cars, homes, and, yes, power equipment, advanced battery technology answers the call.

Today, consumers can drive an electric car, thrive in a solar-powered home and maintain their property with battery-powered equipment. But are the new electric push lawn mowers as good as the old internal combustion mowers? We decided to find out.

We tested gasoline, electric-corded, and battery-powered lawn mowers from the leading brands. We were eager to see if the battery-powered mowers could handle a large yard as well as the tried-and-true gasoline models. We weren’t disappointed. The Honda HRX217VKA (available at Amazon) came out on top as Best Overall, edging out its predecessor and our previous winner, the Honda HRN216VKA.

For the non-gasoline mowers, the Ego Power LM2135SP (available at Walmart) is our choice for Best Electric Lawn Mower. This mower set-up was quick, and it handled our testing well. The Ego Power also includes features not found on similar electric models.

The Honda HRX217VKA was a pleasure to use.

• Power source: Gas
• Self-propelled: Yes
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Rear discharge or shred leaves
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 113 lbs

Quiet and powerful, the Honda HRX217VKA 21-inch NeXite lawn mower is the one to have for larger spaces. It is not designed for small yards, and you won’t be darting in and out of flower beds and shrubbery.

It is a pleasure to use. We had tested Honda mowers before and were familiar with their operation and overall product quality. The HRX217VKA did not disappoint. Easy to assemble and set up right out of the box, it started on the first pull of the cord.

Right away you can feel the heft of this mower with its innovative NeXite deck and powerful motor. It’s heavier than most mowers, but it feels planted on the lawn and tracks perfectly. It’s a mower for large lawns, and it makes the most difficult cuts a breeze.

With its 200cc motor and Select Drive Control, this mower easily cuts, bags and mulches the heaviest grass with ease. The Select Drive Control is almost intuitive as it lets you adjust the walking speed with a variety of settings.

The controls on the mower are large and easy to use. You can set the mower to bag or mulch or anywhere in between. Its user-friendly platform is clearly marked. You will use this lawn mower for years and years to come.

Cons

The Ego Power LM2135SP is the best electric lawn mower we’ve tested.

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: Yes
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 88 lbs

Until a few years ago, those who preferred not to buy an internal combustion mower had little choice. But advanced battery technology has finally arrived and the benefits can readily be seen in the Ego Power LM2135SP, a 21-inch self-propelled electric mower. This cordless mower with a cutting width of 21 inches utilizes a 56-volt lithium ion battery to power through up to 60 minutes of lawn cutting.

The Ego Power is powerful, comfortable, and a joy to use. Even though the battery only lasted about an hour, the mower performed extremely well mulching and driving itself uphill. It has plenty of torque and is capable of doing anything a gasoline-powered mower can do. It is clean, easy to use, and efficient.

The set-up on this mower was the easiest of the bunch. The handle slides and folds across the mower with ease, making storage a snap. Adjusting it to a personal height takes seconds.

A quick 50-minute charge on the battery and you’re ready to go. The battery charger even has a cooling fan that improves charging times and keeps the battery cool.

Like some of our other mowers, the Ego Power has twin blades that improve mulching and keep the trips to empty the rear bag to a minimum. Cutting height is achieved with one easy-to-access lever.

Operation is straightforward, and the composite deck makes the mower light and easy to maneuver around yard obstacles. Simply depress the power button, pull the green handle and the blades begin to spin. Dual buttons on the handle make engaging the self-propel feature safe and comfortable.

The Ego Power comes with LED headlights for convenience, and it was the only mower we tested that could propel itself when the blades were not spinning. This was a nice feature that eliminated pushing the mower back to the garage.

Other Lawn Mowers We Tested

Previously our pick for best lawn mower, the Honda HRN216VKA is a 21-inch self-propelled gas mower that’s a great choice for any yard. Honda has produced superior power equipment for many years, and this mower, which operates with rear-wheel drive, is no exception. It can handle the toughest lawns with ease and won’t take up much room in the garage.

The set-up was easy and the mower started on the first pull. Its smooth engine is quieter than the other gasoline mowers, and it has more than enough power to cut and mulch the grass even while going uphill.

The Honda has a stacked and offset blade design that produces smaller clippings, which allows for better mulching and bagging. This means more efficient cutting and fewer stops to empty the grass bag. The bagging and mulching options can be easily and safely selected, once the mower is off, by using one lever on the mowing deck.

The innovative self-propel system is comfortable on the hands, provides adequate speed control, and can even be adjusted for those who are taller or shorter. Folding the handle for storage can be done quickly. This Honda lawn mower even has a gas shut-off valve for off-season storage.

Cons

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: No
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 66 lbs

The Kobalt 80V 21-inch electric mower is a great choice for anyone that wants an affordable, flexible, compact mower that is easy to maneuver and doesn’t require extension cords or gas cans. The mower is strong enough to chop through thick grass, and offers a highly adjustable cutting height.

At 66 pounds it is very easy to operate, with the ability to go bagged or bagless, and you can fold up the push handle for compact storage.

The main draw here is the 80V battery system, which gives you an hour of runtime in our testing, enough to cut about 7,500 square feet on a full charge. It also works in a variety of other Kobalt tools, and spares will run you right around 150. Charging the battery takes around 45 minutes when it’s dead, and it just pops into the battery slot and the mower can turn on with a press of a button if the safety key is inserted—much easier than having to use a traditional pull start.

Overall if you need a nice, basic mower to get the job done and want to go cordless, this is an excellent choice. It cuts clean lines, it’s easy to use, it can handle most lawns with ease, and the light weight makes it much easier to move up and around slopes and hills.

Especially if you’re planning to invest in a range of electric tools, this is a good system to buy into.

Cons

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: Yes
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: All-wheel
• Weight: 89.5 lbs

This Hart lawnmower was a pleasant surprise.

After removing it from the box and charging the batteries, we fired it up and took it out to the thick, lush grass.

It performed beautifully; its powerful electric motor cut through the lawn with ease and even increased its revolutions when we cut thicker grass. This mower easily handles a larger lawn.

The Hart mower moved with power and confidence through the lawn, and the simple-to-use speed control was right there at your fingertips. While our winning Honda gas mower has a sophisticated Select Drive System, the Hart’s simple slide bar works as well or better.

This excellent lawnmower has the power and convenience of mowers costing much more.

Cons

The Toro is a worthy competitor to the top-ranking mowers on this list.

This Toro lawn mower has the largest cutting area at 22 inches, and it is powerful and comfortable to use, thanks to its Personal Pace self-propel system.

To engage the self-propel, simply push the lever forward a bit and the mower begins to move forward, push it a little more and the mower moves faster. After a couple of rows of cutting, you will see how easy it is to regulate speed. This system is not as intuitive as some of the others, but it still works quite well.

Another great feature: The Toro has Briggs and Stratton’s check-don’t-change oil system that never requires an oil change.

Storage is also a snap as the handle folds down and the mower can be stored vertically.

Cons

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: No
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Rear discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 58 lbs

At just 58 pounds, this mower makes cutting small lawns a lot of fun. The rear discharge chute allows you trim close to trees, beds, and shrubbery. I found myself zipping around obstacles using only one hand.

This is a simple machine with one battery in the center. Charging time is quick, and once the battery is in you’re on your way.

This is not a lawn mower for the back 40. With a 20-inch cut and a small electric motor, it is just not capable of handling larger lawns. But for most mid to small yards, this mower can clean up the area in no time.

Light and easy to store, this is the perfect mower to keep a lawn looking great.

Cons

• Power source: Electric/battery
• Self-propelled: Yes
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 78 lbs

The 21-inch Ryobi RY401150 40-volt brushless mower set up quickly and easily right out of the box. It includes double blades and cuts clean and clear.

This mower comes with two batteries that can be installed in the top of the machine. One notable drawback is that only one battery powers the mower at a time—cut your grass for approximately 30 minutes and when the first battery is depleted, you stop and move a switch to engage the second battery. Ryobi says that the batteries will last for 70 minutes, but stopping to change batteries seems counterproductive.

Otherwise, the mower performed well and completed all of the tests. It has a one-lever height adjustment and is light enough to maneuver around obstacles. It has plenty of power and handled the hill with little strain.

While both the Ego Power and Ryobi were solid performers on the electric front, the Ryobi was let down by its self-propel controls. The controls are located under the bar, but the lever is vague and unresponsive. Because the lever is designed for thumbs only, you need to push the lever in an awkward manner to get the mower up to speed.

Cons

• Power source: Electric/corded
• Self-propelled: No
• Cutting options: Bag, Mulch, Side discharge
• Drive: Rear-wheel
• Weight: 65 lbs

For a corded mower, the Greenworks 25022 lawn mower performed quite well. The set-up was easy, and once it was plugged in, it started right up.

Of course, before you use the mower there is the time-consuming task of unearthing your extension cord, unraveling it, and finding a suitable outdoor plug. Once plugged in, the mower embraces its purpose with ease.

It has a powerful 12-amp electric motor that may not conquer larger lawns, but is perfect for smaller yards and trimming duties. Not to mention it offers clean and even mowing.

Not being self-propelled, it takes some effort to push the lawn mower and cord uphill and then navigate a path back so as to not cut your cord.

Its small size makes storage a breeze.

Cons

The 14-inch Sun Joe MJ401E lawn mower is the easiest to store. Its diminutive size makes it the perfect lawn mower for small yards and trimming duties. It’s light enough to pick up and move, and it comes with an easy-to-use bagging system.

Still, this is not a lawn mower for cutting the typical suburban lawn, as its lightweight, short wheel base and small wheels make it a little unstable over roots and ruts.

Of all of the lawnmowers tested, the Sun Joe provided the most difficulty when it came time to adjust the height of the blades. The mower utilizes solid axles, front and rear, and the axles are located in a three-notch system under the mower. To change the height of the cut, you need to pull the spring-loaded axles from their positions and move them up or down. It’s a challenging exercise.

The Sun Joe is corded, so cutting area is limited. To its credit, it’s powerful enough when running, but the limited scope means you will have a hard time tackling an entire yard.

Cons

The Craftsman M220 is one of the more cumbersome mowers we’ve tested. Set up was more involved—to adjust it to my height I had to first kneel on the floor and remove two fasteners from the bottom of the handle and then pull the handle out of the body. Another two fasteners at the base of the handle allowed me to set the handle angle. The better mowers have release buttons and adjusting levers that allow the operator to make these adjustments quickly and safely while standing.

The mower started on the first pull and seemed to have enough power to tackle any lawn. However, the two levers on top of the handle—one to start and one for speed of self-propulsion—are difficult to operate. Both are difficult to grab if your hands are small to medium, and the levers are too far from the handle for comfortable operation. They’re also not intuitively placed; you have to look each time you make a pass.

The biggest disadvantage of this mower is that it is equipped with front-wheel drive. When self-propelled mowers first came out many years ago, a front-drive system was easy for manufacturers to design and implement and the homeowner didn’t have to push dead weight. The design worked for many years because there was nothing else. But over the years rear-drive systems were developed and it produced a more balanced, more comfortable cutting experience.

When cutting a lawn, the operator naturally has some weight on the handle. Add to this the weight of the grass in the bag off the back of the mower and you have a very light front end. Because the weight of the mower is not over the wheels, the front wheels tend to spin and grasp through each pass. This results in uneven lines, a hard to control mower (especially on a bumpy terrain), premature wearing out of the plastic front wheels, and difficulty trying to trim around obstacles. This antiquated front drive system really lets this mower down.

Cons

• Controls are cumbersome
• Front Drive System limits control and comfort
• Not nimble around obstacles

How We Tested Lawn Mowers

The Testers

We spent the summer mowing a half-acre New England lawn, over and over again.

Kevin Kavanaugh is a retired public school teacher and a product tester for Reviewed. Kevin has been cutting lawns for just about 50 years. He has always been intrigued by all things mechanical, be it watches, power equipment, vintage bicycles, or classic cars.

Ray Lane is a retired supermarket store manager, avid golfer, and product tester for Reviewed. His lawn is the envy of Cumberland, Rhode Island, and he has used several push mowers over the years. At 83 years of age, his input on the mowers was critical, specifically when evaluating ease of starting, maneuverability, and safety.

The Tests

We tested lawn mowers on both flat land and hills to test maneuverability and power.

After ordering from retailers like Lowe’s and The Home Depot, we assembled each mower and took note of the ease of the set up and how quickly we could adjust the handle to our preference. We then added gasoline, a battery, or an electrical cord to get the mower ready. We evaluated at the ease of setting the cutting height, first testing a high cutting height and then a lower one.

We took each mower on a few passes of an uncut half-acre lawn, measuring approximately 22,000 square feet, noting how it cut at a high height and a lower height while we monitored both the bagging and mulching features. Then we took each mower up and down a grassy hill to see how they performed. Our final test was testing storage capability.

What You Should Know About Lawn Mowers

Self-propelled lawn mowers can take some of the effort out of walk-behind mowing.

There are two basic types of walk-behind mowers: push and self-propelled.

The push type of mower is usually smaller, lighter, and easier to store. They are used primarily for smaller, level lawns. They are perfect for cleaning up areas that larger riding lawn mowers may miss. They can be run by gasoline, cords, or battery.

Self-propelled lawn mowers usually have a larger cutting diameter and can move on their own through operator controls. These mowers can also be powered by gasoline, cords, or battery. Since they take the brunt of the pushing away, self-propelled mowers are perfect for larger lawns up to a half-acre, and they can easily handle hills and sloped lawns. These self-propelled mowers aren’t fully robotic lawn mowers so you still have to do some work guiding them around your yard.

What Is A Self-propelled Lawn Mower?

The first self-propelled lawn mowers started to appear in the late-1960s. As suburbia grew and lawns got larger, pushing a heavy steel mower around on a summer afternoon wasn’t what most people wanted to be doing.

The first self-propelled mowers had primitive front-wheel drive systems that worked well enough, but the mowers often moved along too slowly. Sure, you weren’t pushing but you were caught in a slow-moving lawn-cutting procession. Early mowers either moved too slowly or too fast to match a natural walking speed.

Today’s mowers offer a much better propulsion system. The Honda NeXite Variable Speed 4-in-1 Gas Walk Behind Self-propelled Mower with Select Drive Control, for example, allows a variety of walking speed settings. Owners can literally dial in their preferred walking speed so that they become one with the mower, not being pulled and not having to push.

The Ego Power Select Cut 56-Volt Brushless 21-in Self-propelled Cordless Electric Lawn Mower even allows the operator to drive out to the lawn without the blades turning. That is a great feature.

Today’s self-propelled mowers reduce operator fatigue and make cutting the grass easier than years ago. Self-propelled mowers make cutting on hills safer and more efficient. And with modern speed options they make a summertime chore a little more enjoyable.

Gasoline, Corded Electric, or Battery—Which Lawn Mower is Right for You?

Battery-powered lawn mowers can be powerful and efficient.

Gasoline

Gasoline-powered lawnmowers have kept lawns manicured for decades. They are powerful, reliable, and affordable, and come with features such as self-propelled movement, mulching features, and self-cleaning availability. They are powerful enough for large lawn care jobs and can tackle any lawn from a quarter- to half-acre acre. Any lawn bigger than that would necessitate a riding mower.

But gas-powered mowers emit dangerous carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, require yearly maintenance, and require the storage of gasoline and oil. This may not be suitable for some consumers.

Corded Electric

Corded electric mowers have been around for years and were historically the choice of consumers who had smaller lawns and didn’t need the more powerful gasoline mower. While powerful enough to get most cutting or trimming jobs done, the one obvious drawback to a corded mower is the electrical cord.

For any yard worthy of mowing, a long electrical extension cord is required to power the mower. This can be a minor annoyance, such as having to keep the cord free from getting tangled in trees and bushes, to a major annoyance when you drive over it and cut it into small pieces.

However, corded electric mowers require no gas, oil, or maintenance and, other than a blade sharpening from time to time, can perform reliably for years.

Battery

Battery-powered cars, power equipment, and tools have been around for a long time. The electric motors were strong and reliable enough, but the battery was not. Just a few years ago, an electric car could expect to go only 100 miles on a charge, and power tools and equipment didn’t last long either. In the past few years, battery technology has improved by leaps and bounds.

Electric cars can expect hundreds of miles on a charge and power tools and equipment can last a full day. This lithium battery technology found its way to lawnmowers and it has created a viable option for those consumers who don’t want gas and don’t want a cord. These battery-powered mowers are powerful, efficient, lightweight, and green. Many now use brushless electric motors, which are more efficient, produce more torque, and are longer lasting than the older electric motors with brushes.

How often should I mow my lawn?

Cutting the lawn too often and only cutting it when it gets overgrown are both unhealthy for a lush, beautiful lawn. The rule of thumb in the lawn-care industry is to keep the grass between 3 inches and 3.5 inches in length. This allows the grass to be long enough to thrive in hot, summer weather.

When cutting grass, never take more than a third of the blade at once. In other words, never cut more than an inch or so. Not only does this cause clumping of grass on the lawn or in the mower bag, but it takes too many nutrients and moisture from the grass itself.

After the late winter fertilizer treatments and the often heavy rains, lawns start to come to life. You’ll find that the grass will need cutting every 4 to 5 days in order to remove just enough length. As the summer wanes on and the temperature rises, the grass will grow a bit slower and a once week cutting is adequate.

It is also important to keep the blades of your lawnmower good and sharp. Since the lawnmower blades are often made of steel, they will develop a dull edge after a season of cutting. A dull edge on a blade will tear the grass and not cut it. This may result in browning of the tips of the grass and put more stress on the mower as well.

While you are under the deck checking those blades—and always disconnect the spark plug wire before going under the mower—be sure there is no old clumped up grass clinging to the mower deck.

Meet the testers

Director, Content Development

TJ is the Director of Content Development at Reviewed. He is a Massachusetts native and has covered electronics, cameras, TVs, smartphones, parenting, and more for Reviewed. He is from the self-styled Cranberry Capitol of the World, which is, in fact, a real thing.

Kevin Kavanaugh is a retired public school teacher and a product tester for Reviewed. Kevin has been cutting lawns for just about 50 years. He has always been intrigued by all things mechanical, be it watches, power equipment, vintage bicycles, or classic cars.

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