Best lawn mower

From gas-powered lawn mowers built for power and speed to quiet electric ones, we’ve got what you need.

Best lawn mowers
(Image credit: @Daniel Watson on Unsplash)

The quality of your lawn mower is oftentimes the deciding factor between a smooth lawn care experience and a frustration-filled one. Choosing the best lawn mower is no easy feat because there are so many options out there, and they all promise to do the job just right. Fret not. Whether you are looking for your first ride or replacing an old favorite, we're here to help you navigate this tricky terrain with our top picks.

Best overall

Greenworks 12-Amp 20-inch electric lawn mower

(Image credit: Greenworks Tools)

Greenworks 12-Amp 20-inch electric lawn mower

Power through thick grass with less effort

A 3-in-1 electric model allowing you to rear-bag, side-discharge, or mulch grass clippings.

Pros:

  • Fast and reliable
  • 3-in-1 mowing capabilities
  • 20-inch cutting blade
  • Powerful 12-amp motor

Cons:

  • Manual push mower
  • Relies on a power outlet

The Greenworks 20-inch electric mower makes the tough yard work a little easier. Featuring a powerful 12-Amp motor, up to three different cutting options, and seven height adjustment settings for any type of grass, you can now take on all sorts of landscaping challenges. Packed with power while maintaining weightlessness, this handy machine is great for mid-sized lawns. Quickly change features like mulching or bagging without stopping the engine. Speaking of wheels, it has wide, 10-inch rear wheels and 7-inch front wheels.

Best value

American Lawn Mower Company 5051

(Image credit: American Lawn Mower Company)

American Lawn Mower Company 50514

Compact and powerful

This electric lawn mower comes with a hard-top grass bag and mulching system.

Pros:

  • Hardtop grass bag
  • Adjustable heights
  • Mulching system

Cons:

  • Limited to power cord length

This corded lawn mower does it all. You can mow your lawn as far as the cord goes as it catches grass clipping in a rear attached grass bag. You can also mulch to add to your gardens. With a 14-inch cutting swath, you can adjust the height of the cut from 1inch to 2.5 inches. The handle is also adjustable so you're comfortable while mowing, and it folds up for easier storage.

Best battery-powered

Greenworks Pro 80V push lawn mower

(Image credit: Greenworks Tools)

Greenworks Pro 80-volt push lawn mower

The best cordless model

Tackle tough, uneven terrain or overgrown grass without being tethered to an electrical outlet.

Pros:

  • Cordless
  • Durable deck
  • Decent battery runtime
  • Zero fumes

Cons:

  • Could have been self-propelling

This push lawn mower with heavy-grade construction and long-lasting peak performance is perfect for taking on big yard jobs. It's powered by an 80-volt, 4.0 Ah lithium-Ion battery with about an hour of cutting time on a single charge. Featuring a durable steel decking construction, convenient single-lever height adjustment, and an efficient brushless motor for more torque and longer life, this ultimate lawnmower leaves nothing on your lawn.

Self-propelled

CRAFTSMAN 21-inch self-propelled gas lawn mower

(Image credit: CRAFTSMAN)

Craftsman 21-inch gas-powered lawn mower

Requires minimal effort

This self-propelled mower is comfortable and easy to maneuver with either one or two hands.

Pros:

  • Gas-powered
  • Cutting height adjustment
  • Self-propelled
  • Front-wheel drive

Cons;

  • Not the most durable

If you don't want to keep pushing a mower all day long, you'll love this self-propelled Craftsman lawn mower. It's equipped with a powerful 149cc Honda gas engine that provides enough power and torque to handle tall grass and weeds. This versatile unit can mulch, side discharge, or rear discharge the grass clippings, depending on your preference. And because it has front-wheel drive, you don’t have to worry about dragging your mower out of a ditch, turning corners, or maneuvering obstacles.

Foldable

EGO Power+ LM2021 20-inch push lawn mower

(Image credit: EGO Power+)

EGO Power+ LM2021 20-inch push lawn mower

Perfect for small to medium lawns

The 60-minute runtime gives you the ideal duration to get your yard in tip-top shape without the hassle of extension cords or refueling.

Pros:

  • Push-button start 
  • Efficient brushless motor
  • Self-propelled
  • 20-inch steel deck

Cons:

  • A tad pricey

EGO's newest mower takes its place among an elite line of powerful, quiet, and clean high-performance lawn mowers thanks to a 56-volt lithium-ion battery. Equipped with an efficient brushless motor, the LM2021 has the features to go toe-to-toe with any gas model. A durable 20-inch steel mower deck will help you cut through taller grass, and EGO's trademark ruggedness to stand up to regular use. On a single full charge, the battery gives you a generous 60-minute runtime to maintain your yard.

Bottom line

Why you can trust Gardeningetc Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

When choosing the best lawn mower, remember to consider several factors, including the size of your yard, the terrain, and the power source. Our top pick, the Greenworks 12-Amp 20-Inch electric lawn mower, will cut your mowing time in half thanks to a powerful 12-amp motor and a durable steel 21-inch cutting deck. Also, a seven-position height adjuster gradually raises and lowers the mower so can achieve a clean, desirable cut. 

If you need a cordless powerhouse that makes quick work of all your lawn-mowing needs, you can bet on the Greenworks Pro 80V push lawn mower. This cleverly designed model uses a brushless motor powered by a lithium-ion battery to get the job done quickly and quietly.

The self-propelled Craftsman 21-inch gas-powered lawn mower is a great alternative to a push mower. Built with a 149cc gas engine and the ability to mulch or side discharge grass clippings, this machine will have you loving your yard in no time!

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Grace Monene is an avid writer with a keen eye for home and office improvement. She has a knack for finding the best little things that will improve the quality of indoor and outdoor living. When she's not writing, you will typically find her reading or testing out the latest technology.