The Best Lawn Mowers For Maintaining Your Outdoor Oasis

As Kody J. Ketterling, lawn, garden, and landscaping expert and owner of K-IT Products says, “People buy a mower to keep their grass cut or manicured so they don’t have to pay someone else to do it and so they can do it the way they like it.” My father was a big believer in that last one. He went one step further, though, and taught me and my brothers the intricacies of mowing the yard how he liked it. We grew up with a basic, Allis-Chalmers gas-powered riding mower, a couple gas-powered push mowers that were always a pain to pull start, and an old fashioned reel mower.

Maintaining your yard gives you a desirable and pleasant setting for your outdoor furniture, grills, porch or tree swings and hammocks, and helps you cultivate an outdoor oasis for you and your loved ones to enjoy and relax in (once the mowing is done, of course). Keeping the grass mowed also reduces the chance of it contracting diseases as well as cutting down on bug infestations (mosquitos love tall grass that remains damp near the soil).

Owning your own mower—or mowers—gives you freedom to mow when you want, says Ketterling, “and allows you to mow in the direction and heights that you desire.” These may seem like trivial details to some, but for many, (like my dad), they are quite important. To help in this important decision, I’ve put together a list of the best lawn mowers on the market.

Our top picks for the best lawn mowers

What to consider when buying a lawn mower

Size of yard and terrain

For big yards of ¾ of an acre or more, Ketterling recommends a zero-turn mower as they are easy to ride, capable of getting into and out of small corners, and capable of covering big areas. Gene Caballero, co-founder at GreenPal and a 25-year veteran in the landscaping industry, also suggests a zero-turn mower for large properties as they provide enhanced efficiency with their agility and speed.

“The bigger the area the bigger the mower,” Ketterling says.

Beyond just the overall size of your yard, consider your terrain. That includes hills, valleys, and obstacles such as flower and garden beds, and trees. For small, flat yards, a manual reel or electric mower will likely suffice, says Caballero, “while for larger or hilly terrains, you may want to consider a gas-powered or self-propelled mower.”

Features

Consider features like mulching capabilities, adjustable handle height, and mowing (cutting) options. For example, mulching leaves the grass on the ground, but cuts it up really fine, while bagging deposits the cut grass into a connected bag that you then dispose of.

“Keep in mind that the more bells and whistles that you get, the more things there are that can go wrong that you’ll need to maintain,” says Ketterling.

Self-propelled versus push mowers

“We always recommend a self-propelled mower that will drive itself with you guiding it,” says Ketterling. These are different from push mowers that move forward and backward by your strength alone. Think of a self-propelled mower like an electric assist bicycle — it provides pedal assist but still needs a human to guide and steer it.

“A self-propelled mower will drive itself, dragging you around the yard if you want,” explains Ketterling. Or, you can slow them down so you’re simply walking behind them.

“They are easy to move and work with and can make mowing better,” he says. If only there had been self-propelled mowers when I was kid. I may have spent less time and energy trying to avoid the hated chore, and less of my allowance bribing my big brother to take my turn.

Storage space

Many push mowers fold down so that they take up less space when not in use. If you’re planning on purchasing a riding mower, make sure you have room in your garage to keep it. Though my parents now have a three car garage, when we were growing up, it was a single car garage, and there was a lot of jockeying and moving of equipment (and my dad’s corvette) every time we mowed the grass.

Power source

“Evaluate whether you prefer a manual, electric, or gas-powered model based on your comfort with maintenance and environmental concerns,” says Caballero.

Electric mowers are “greener” and more environmentally friendly than gas-powered mowers. They do not emit dangerous fumes, are generally easier to start (by the push of a button) and maintain, and are also lighter weight than a gas equivalent, making them easier to maneuver.

Many, though, are not as powerful as gas powered options (though that is changing).

“Some gas mowers are stronger and more powerful and can handle different types of grass and terrain,” explains Ketterling. “Electric mowers are getting to that point and they can handle most of these environments but that means their overall battery life between charges becomes shorter.”

Electric mowers come in corded and battery versions. Corded means you’re more limited to the amount of area you can cover — and you need to be mindful of wrangling the cord and any extension cords as you work. Battery powered mowers limit the amount of continuous run time you have available. Most offer one to two hours of mowing before needing to be recharged.

There are also reel motors that run by human power alone. While a powered mower uses the engine to move the blades and get around, a reel mower will only turn and cut if you push it. A reel mower requires sharpening often, says Ketterling, in order to keep it working well.

Riding mowers versus push mowers

Seated mowers, especially zero-turn versions, do not put stress on the body and “they can get into the tight corners easily,” according to Ketterling. They’re also more time efficient for larger lawns than push mowers.

Power

For any mower, Ketterling recommends enough power to cut through grass 4-inches high.

“The [horse]power of the engine is what will create the ability to suck the grass and put it in the bag,” he explains. Also consider the size of the deck that houses the blade. He recommends no smaller than a 22-inch blade. Some mowers come with two blades which provide better cutting power. One blade cuts while the other pushes the grass to the back of the mower.

Maintenance and safety features

“Look for a mower with a blade you can take off easily and sharpen,” says Ketterling. If you don’t keep your blades sufficiently sharp, this can cause bearings to seize up.

Also, look for one that allows the blades to be engaged and disengaged at any time for safety.

Lawn mower maintenance for longevity

Proper maintenance of your lawn mower, including sharpening the blades and cleaning the carburetor, is essential for efficient performance, says Caballero. It's also crucial to change the oil annually, replace or clean air filters to ensure efficient operation, and check the spark plugs, which may need replacement to ensure easy starting.

To help maintain an even cutting performance, you should regularly inspect the fuel system for leaks and ensure the tires are properly inflated. You should also regularly clean the undercarriage to remove grass clippings and debris to prevent clogging and rusting.

According to Ketterling, proper maintenance also includes storing the mower in a place where it won’t get weathered and battered from the elements, and using the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer. You should also avoid leaving gas in the mower for extended periods of time as it can cause the engine to malfunction.

How I selected the best lawn mowers

Expert opinions and recommendations

In order to make my recommendations, I talked to landscaping and gardening professionals about what to look for in a mower and the best options for various scenarios.

Online reviews

I read online reviews for every mower included here (as well as countless others) to compile the best options for specific yard sizes and power preferences.

Personal experience

I also took into consideration my own personal experiences with various types of mowers and brands, weighing those carefully against the data from my experts and the plethora of online reviews and recommendations available.

I considered price, power source, ease of use, versatility, and features to determine the best possible mowers available today.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How do you clean a lawn mower carburetor?

To fully clean a lawn mower's carburetor, start by cleaning the outside of the lawn mower's engine, says Giuran. To access the carburetor, remove the air filter. Take out the carburetor entirely, disassemble it, and replace any worn-out parts. After that, clean the carburetor and its parts with a carburetor cleaner to remove deposits, clogs, and debris.

For stubborn residues, Caballero suggests a wire brush or a pin for clearing the jets. After thoroughly cleaning, reassemble the carburetor and reconnect it to the mower.

“This is important to do,” Giuran says, “because debris inside the carburetor can clog fuel and air passages, affecting the performance of the engine or even causing it to stop.” Most of these problems can be taken care of quickly and easily, often without even the need to remove the carburetor from the engine itself.

How do you sharpen lawn mower blades?

Both Caballero and Giuran say that the first step to sharpen lawn mower blades involves disconnecting the spark plug to prevent accidental starting. Then, remove the blade by unscrewing the bolts that hold it in place. Use a metal file or a bench grinder to sharpen the edges of the blade.

“Take care to keep the blade balanced,” advises Caballero. “An unbalanced blade can cause mower vibrations and result in uneven cutting.”

Once sharpened, reattach the blade securely to the mower.

What type of mower gives the best cut?

All the mowers included here provide excellent cuts as long as you keep the blade, or blades, sharpened. You can also buy different blades for cutting the grass intended for mulching or just cutting and bagging. Dual blades provide additional efficiency and power when bagging and/or mulching.

What is the best month to buy a lawnmower?

For the most variety and largest selections, shop in early spring — around late March — for a lawn mower.

Summer holiday sales like Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Father’s Day often provide discounts on lawn mowers. During the end of the season you’ll likely find mowers at the lowest prices though many stores will also have lower inventory.

How much should I pay for a good lawn mower?

“The cost of a good lawn mower varies widely based on type and features,” says Caballero.

For basic push mowers, prices start around $150 to $400. If you're looking for a more advanced self-propelled or electric model, expect to pay between $300 and $800. For riding mowers or zero-turn models suitable for larger properties, prices range from $1,500 to over $10,000 depending on the specifications and capabilities.

“You can find mowers of all different prices,” says Ketterling. He recommends not skimping on the mower and purchasing one that has good reviews and will last for a long time.

Make sure to do your homework to check how long a company has been in the lawnmower production business and see what others are saying about them. A lot of places have mowers that you can rent or that you can demo to see if you like them. If that is the case, Ketterling recommends trying them out first.