Stop Dreading the Cut: How to Buy the Right Mower
Photo courtesy of boltdns.net
Last updated
January 31, 2026

Our team uses AI to gather and suggest products, but our experts ensure every recommendation meets our high standards.

Key considerations

Mowing the lawn used to mean yanking a starter cord until your shoulder popped and smelling like exhaust for the rest of the day. That reality has shifted. Battery technology is finally good enough for most suburban yards, offering a quiet, clean cut without the engine maintenance. But gas isn't dead yet—it remains the smart pick for massive lots or unruly terrain. We break down the power sources and drive types that actually fit your Saturday morning routine.

Cordless Battery Mowers

For most homeowners, the days of mixing oil and gas are over. Modern electric mowers handle typical quarter-acre lots on a single charge and start with a button press. Look for a system with batteries that fit other tools you own. Higher voltage usually translates to better torque for thick grass, while amp-hours determine how long it runs.
EGO POWER+ Select Cut Lawn Mower
Top Pick 4.7
EGO POWER+

EGO POWER+ Select Cut Lawn Mower

Best cordless mower for homeowners seeking gas-like power and versatile cutting.

This mower finally proves that battery power can outpace gas without the maintenance headaches. While you trade the infinite refueling of a gas tank for a finite charge, the modular blade system and effortless self-propulsion make it the most refined way to maintain a lawn.

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Mower
Runner Up 4.7
Milwaukee
Milwaukee

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Mower

Best cordless mower for homeowners seeking effortless, gas-free lawn maintenance.

This mower finally brings professional-grade battery power to residential lawns, trading the maintenance headaches of gas engines for pure, consistent torque. It is a heavy-duty workhorse that prioritizes effortless operation, though you will need to manage a dedicated battery ecosystem to keep it running at peak performance.

Toro SMARTSTOW Mower
Runner Up 4.5
Toro
Toro

Toro SMARTSTOW Mower

Best space-saving mower for homeowners with smaller, suburban lawns.

This mower finally solves the garage clutter problem with a clever vertical storage design that doesn't sacrifice cutting power. While you trade the infinite runtime of gas for a battery limit, the intuitive pace-matching drive and superior mulching make your weekly chore feel significantly less like work.

Makita XML06PT1 Lawn Mower
Runner Up 4.5
Makita
Makita

Makita XML06PT1 Lawn Mower

Best self-propelled mower for homeowners needing extended runtime and quiet performance.

This cordless mower delivers gas-like performance without the noise or maintenance of an engine. It is a smart, efficient choice for homeowners who want to simplify their lawn care routine while maintaining a perfectly manicured yard.

Start a search:
cordless electric lawn mower

Gas Walk Behind Models

If you have a yard bigger than half an acre or tend to let the grass grow knee-high before tackling it, gas still wins on raw power. You get unlimited runtime as long as you have fuel in the can. Focus on engines from reliable manufacturers like Honda or Briggs & Stratton, and prioritize self-propelled models to save your back on hills.
Ariens Razor Lawn Mower
Top Pick 4.5
Ariens

Ariens Razor Lawn Mower

Best self-propelled mower for homeowners maintaining small to medium-sized lawns.

This mower turns a chore into a quick, effortless walk thanks to a self-propelled drive and a dual-blade system that leaves a remarkably clean finish. It trades the complexity of high-end commercial gear for a straightforward, reliable design that prioritizes a perfect cut over unnecessary bells and whistles.

DeWalt RWD Mower
Runner Up 4.3
DEWALT
DEWALT

DeWalt RWD Mower

Best self-propelled mower for homeowners tackling uneven, hilly terrain.

This mower is built for those who want commercial-grade power without the headache of complex maintenance. The intuitive speed-control handle makes navigating uneven terrain feel effortless, though you’ll have to trade the quiet convenience of electric models for the raw, reliable muscle of a gas engine.

Senix Lawn Mower
Runner Up 4.0
Senix

Senix Lawn Mower

Best self-propelled mower for homeowners managing large, varied lawns.

This self-propelled mower relies on a proven, American-made engine to handle large yards with minimal effort. While you trade the quiet convenience of battery power for the maintenance of gas, you gain consistent, high-torque performance that won't quit halfway through a thick patch of grass.

Troy-Bilt Lawn Mower
Runner Up 3.8
Troy-Bilt

Troy-Bilt Lawn Mower

Best low-maintenance mower for homeowners seeking effortless, reliable yard care.

This mower turns a tedious chore into a walk in the park by eliminating the two biggest headaches: pull-starting and oil changes. You sacrifice the granular maintenance control of a traditional engine, but you gain a reliable, push-button machine that handles hills and thick grass with minimal fuss.

Start a search:
gas self propelled lawn mower

Riding Mowers And Tractors

Once your lawn exceeds a half-acre, walking gets old fast. Zero-turn mowers offer speed and agility around flower beds, while traditional lawn tractors are better if you want to tow carts or snow plows. A comfortable seat and a welded steel deck are more important than cup holders or headlights.
Craftsman Gear Gas Riding Mower
Top Pick 4.2
Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware

Craftsman Gear Gas Riding Mower

Best maneuverable mower for homeowners with complex, obstacle-filled lawns.

This is the workhorse you want for standard suburban lawns where efficiency matters more than complex landscaping. It trades fancy bells and whistles for a straightforward, durable deck and intuitive pedal control, making it the reliable choice for getting the job done without any unnecessary fuss.

Husqvarna 100 Series Riding Lawn Mower
Runner Up 4.0
Husqvarna
Husqvarna

Husqvarna 100 Series Riding Lawn Mower

Best riding mower for homeowners seeking comfort and a precise cut.

This is the ultimate workhorse for homeowners who prioritize comfort over everything else. While it lacks the raw, stripped-down agility of a professional-grade zero-turn, it compensates with an exceptionally plush seat and intuitive cruise control that turns a tedious chore into a genuinely relaxing weekend ritual.

Ryobi Riding Lawn Mower RY48110
Runner Up 3.8
Ryobi
Ryobi

Ryobi Riding Lawn Mower RY48110

Best electric mower for homeowners seeking quiet, low-maintenance lawn care.

This electric mower trades the headache of gas, oil, and engine maintenance for a whisper-quiet, battery-powered ride. You lose the raw, unlimited endurance of a combustion engine, but you gain a clean, effortless experience that turns a weekend chore into a surprisingly peaceful task.

Start a search:
riding lawn mower

Manual Mowers

For tiny city patches, a heavy machine is overkill so you need a light machine or none at all. Some of these mowers slice grass like scissors rather than tearing it, which keeps the turf healthier and greener. They are safe, easy to care for, and take up almost no space in the garage. Blade sharpness is the only real maintenance concern here.
Toro Recycler Lawn Mower
Top Pick 4.6
Toro
Toro

Toro Recycler Lawn Mower

Best space-saving electric mower for small to medium-sized residential lawns.

This is the ultimate space-saver for suburban lawns, trading a bit of raw gas-powered muscle for the convenience of vertical storage and a whisper-quiet electric motor. It turns a chore into a seamless experience, though you will need to keep an eye on the battery life for larger properties.

Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO Lawn Mower
Runner Up 4.4
Sun Joe
Sun Joe

Sun Joe MJ401E-PRO Lawn Mower

Best electric mower for homeowners with small, manageable lawns.

This corded mower is the ultimate low-maintenance solution for small-yard owners who are tired of gas-powered headaches. You trade the freedom of a battery for a tethered power source, but in exchange, you get a lightweight, reliable machine that starts instantly and stores away in a fraction of the space.

Greenworks Lawn Mower
Runner Up 4.2
Greenworks
Greenworks

Greenworks Lawn Mower

Best cordless mower for small to medium residential lawns.

This is the ultimate low-effort solution for small-yard maintenance, trading raw power for unmatched agility and silence. You sacrifice the heavy-duty performance of gas-powered alternatives, but you gain a lightweight, maintenance-free experience that makes weekly mowing feel like a quick chore rather than a weekend project.

YARDMAX YG1550 Lawn Mower
Runner Up 4.2
YARDMAX

YARDMAX YG1550 Lawn Mower

Best compact gas mower for homeowners with smaller lawns.

This mower is the ideal workhorse for smaller yards where maneuverability matters more than sheer size. It trades the complexity of self-propulsion for a lightweight, compact design that folds away easily, making it a perfect fit for tight storage spaces and precise, nimble cutting.

Start a search:
manual reel lawn mower

Metto aggregates product information from across the web and recommended based on criteria. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

Continue with a custom search...

Use what you learned in this guide to find more products tailored to your preferences and priorities.

Stay in the loop

New feature alerts, shopping guides and suggested products delivered straight to your inbox.