Everyone wants to keep their lawns beautiful. Whether it’s a small front yard that welcomes you home or a sprawling backyard that helps you connect with nature, lawns are a focal point that can set the tone for your property. Keeping your grass pristine can feel like a never-ending chore, especially when you’re battling an unruly lawn mower that is tough to maneuver. If this is the case, you might want to consider switching over to a self-propelled lawn mower to make outdoor maintenance easier.
A self-propelled lawn mower is equipped with a drive system that propels the mower forward without requiring the operator to exert much physical effort. It is a convenient and user-friendly option for those who want the efficiency of powered propulsion without the bulk of a riding mower or the autonomy of a robot lawn mower. It strikes a balance between user control and ease of use, making lawn maintenance less physically demanding.
If this sounds like something for you, we’ve assembled a list of the top-rated self-propelled lawn mowers to help you find one suitable for your own needs and personal preferences. No mower is one size fits all. Literally, some are bigger and bulkier for large projects, and others are lighter weight for easier control. All of the products on this list have a high average customer rating on retailer websites like Home Depot or Lowe’s to ensure that the rating comes from people who actually used the products. No matter which mower catches your eye, a self-propelled power will simplify your routine, giving you more time to actually enjoy your lawn.
EGO POWER+ 21-inch self-propelled mower
EGO is arguably the top name in the world of self-propelled lawn mowers, so you know when you buy any EGO mower, you can expect the best quality cut with proven reliability. This EGO POWER+ 21-in Cordless model with 56 volts of power is the best overall choice for its ability to handle even the toughest of mowing situations in all grass types, even with its sleek and lightweight construction. It’s easy to use right out of the box.
This is an electric mower, so it runs on a rechargeable lithium ion battery. Simply plug the battery charger into any household outlet to fully juice up, and then pop the battery into the mower when it’s time to work. The main complaint with electric mowers is that they are not as powerful and effective as gas mowers, but this EGO mower proves any skeptics wrong. It is extremely powerful for a battery-powered machine, being strong enough to handle thick growth. The battery itself charges quickly and boasts up to 60 minutes of run time on a single charge, though some reviewers have said in their experience, it has a capacity of over 90 minutes. Either way, you won’t have to stop your landscaping halfway through to wait for it to charge. Despite its power, customers love how quiet it is, being much quieter and lighter than a gas mower with the same power. With over 10,000 five-star reviews, this is a great mower for anyone buying their first or looking to upgrade.
Honda self-propelled 3-in-1 variable speed
For those who want to stick with their gas-powered motors, this Honda 21-inch 3-in-1 mower will get the job done. The 3-in-1 system with clip director gives you easily changeable options for what you want to do with the cut grass. Simply slide the clip director lever to switch between mulching, bagging, or discharging with no additional attachments required. Many reviews note that a main benefit of this mower is how well it both mulches and bags, with clogs being extremely rare in either setting. This aspect is critical to many buyers since a clog can cause a massive delay in your work.
This Honda offers many more customization options to fit your specific needs. There are seven different options for cut height, ranging from 1 to 4 inches. You can adjust the Smart Drive control paddle, which is the place where you hold the motor. It offers five different positions, allowing you to find what’s most comfortable for you and eliminating the thumb fatigue that often comes with pushing a mower. To use the Smart Drive control, simply start the engine and let the blades rotate. Gradually push the Smart Drive control to make the mower move faster. The harder you press the control, the faster the mower will go. But don’t worry about any rogue mower safety concerns; once you’ve reached the maximum speed, pushing harder won’t make it go any faster. To completely stop the mower, just let go of the Smart Drive control. This mower is a great choice for someone who doesn’t mind refilling the oil and gas, and who prefers to have a lot of control over the specifications of their cut.
RYOBI 40V HP brushless 20-inch
Ryobi
If you are an early bird who wants to mow their lawn at the crack of dawn without annoying your neighbors, this RYOBI 40 volt 20-inch mower is the choice for you, since it is one of the quietest mowers on the market. It is part of RYOBI’s 40V system, which means it is compatible with all 40V batteries used in the other products in the collection. This includes string trimmers, leaf blowers, ice augers, and much more. If you’ve already built up a RYOBI tool collection, then this mower might make sense for you. It has a 7-position cut height adjustment and 3-in-1 mulching, bagging, and side discharge capabilities. You can mow exactly how you want to with this product right out of the box.
It has a compact vertical storage design with a folding handle, making it easy to store in a garage or shed that is tight on space. The battery lasts around 42 minutes of runtime, making it ideal for a ½ acre or less lawn. Reviewers say this battery is just as powerful as a gas motor. However, if you have more land than ½ acre, going with another option might make more sense so that you don’t have to divide up your lawn maintenance. If you have other RYOBI products you love and want the ease of a battery-powered mower, this one will feel right at home in your collection.
Toro 22-inch gas self-propelled lawn mower
Toro
Toro is a name that customers trust, with the company known for making products that are just as durable as they are powerful, like this Toro 22-inch gas mower. Another great gas option, this mower has high-traction wheels for rough terrain, which makes it a great option for those with any rocky sections or hills on their property. However, some reviewers say that because these wheels are so rugged, it makes tight turns more difficult than with other mowers. If you have an unusually shaped plot of grass or an intricate layout around vegetable beds or other obstacles, you might want to consider whether you would find operating this mower too cumbersome.
If you think you can handle the more powerful mower, it has many other features that increase the ease of use. It is equipped with Toro’s Personal Pace Auto-Drive technology, making this mower easier to operate than other mowers that require a dial or lever to change speeds. As long as your hands are resting on the handles and you are moving forward, the mower will sense your speed and adjust accordingly. It folds upright for easy storage, it has extra long 22-inch blades to cut more grass with fewer passes, and it has a large bagger so that you can stop fewer times to empty the grass clippings. With its powerful gas motor, reliable build, and large capacity, if you have a lot of grass to mow, this is the option for you.
Makita 21-inch 18V X2 battery-operated mower
Makita
If you’re in the mood to splurge, treat yourself and your lawn to Makita’s powerful 21-in. 18V X2 battery-operated mower. For the $899 price tag, you get the luxury of maximum power and runtime for a battery-powered machine as well as bonus features that make lawn maintenance more efficient. It operates on Makita’s 18-volt battery system, which means that the same batteries and chargers work for all products in the system. This is useful if you have other Makita products that can share batteries; you can have a stockpile charged and ready to go. This particular mower has a 4-bay battery system for twice the runtime of most battery-operated mowers.
This machine is as durable as they come, ready to tackle any hill or knee-high overgrown grass on your property. With this strength comes heaviness, which is the main complaint of any subpar reviews, but the self-propelled nature of the mower will offset the actual weight and significantly reduce the pushing effort. With the simple push of a button, you can switch into noise reduction mode, reducing the motor from 2,800 RPM for faster cutting to 2,300 RPM for a quieter cut. It has a lever for the quick adjustment of 10 cutting heights from 1-1/4 inches to 4 inches. With these features and many more, this is a quiet, powerful option that is worth the higher price tag for those who are serious about getting the best.
Craftsman M220 gas self-propelled mower
Craftsman
This M220 mower offers a trusted name brand at a reasonable price. To get a solid machine at an affordable price means that it doesn’t have all the customizable options of other mowers, but this Craftsman is a single speed mower that is ideal for smaller yards. However, there are still a few big perks. You can adjust the cutting height from 1.25 to 3.75 inches, depending on the look you want. You can discharge, mulch, or rear-bag grass clippings. This is a front-wheel drive mower which is generally easier to maneuver, especially around tight corners and obstacles. They offer good traction on flat terrain, but it’s important to note that front drive mowers do lose some traction when running uphill, particularly with a full grass bag.
You do get what you pay for, and one major complaint with this mower is some reported issues with reliability after a few months of use. Some people needed a lot of pulls to get it started. However, others raved about the mower, noting that it was easy to use and very powerful for the price. One factor that could cause the difference in opinions is the type of grass you are trying to mow, as this mower works best on flat terrain. If you have a hilly backyard or are willing to pay a little more for extra benefits, you should consider going with another option. But if you want a simple, straightforward mower that will cut your grass well, this could be the right pick for you.
Toro Recycler 60-volt Max 22-inch cordless
Toro
Another Toro mower with the same level of power and reliability, this time in a battery-operated form for those who want a quieter or more earth-friendly lawn routine. The battery cuts up to 1/2 acre or more on 40 minutes of runtime. So while it can’t tackle a sprawling lawn, if you have less than 1/2 acre, it will do a fantastic job with the smaller space.
It has a push button for a quick start, which is perfect for those used to battling with a gas mower pull after pull. It’s loaded with other signature Toro features, like Toro’s Vortex Technology, a system that increases the airflow in the cutting camber to make the mower run even more efficiently. It also has the Personal Pace Auto-Drive, so its speed intuitively responds to how much you are pushing. Reviewers say that this machine is easily maneuverable and creates sharp lines on grass. If you want the technology perks and reliability benefits of a Toro mower but don’t want to deal with oil and gas, this is a perfect option for those with a midsized yard they want to keep looking pristine without too much effort.
Greenworks Pro 80-volt Max 21-inch
Greenworks
Greenworks offers an all-around solid machine with a dual-battery design that makes it ideal for lawns up to 1 acre, with 70 minutes of runtime on a single charge. This is one of the largest battery capacities available, making this a great option if you have a larger area to mow but want to make the switch from gas to battery power. All Greenworks 80V batteries are interchangeable and can be used with this product or any of the 75+ Greenworks 80V tools, which makes it a great addition to your lawn maintenance collection if you have other products from the brand.
Greenworks has a few added features for convenience, like the ability to fold the mower and store it upright to save space. It has a 4-in-1 option for mulch, rear bag, side discharge, and turbo for leaf pickup, as well as a 7-position single lever height adjustment. The main complaint from reviewers is that you have to mow slowly on lawns with thick or tough grass in order to get an even cut. If your lawn isn’t particularly unruly but is on the larger size, this mower could suit your needs perfectly.
