Our best overall pick is the EGO Power+ Self-Propelled Electric Lawn Mower, which stands out for its adjustable speed, battery life, and ability to tackle tall, tough grass. Here are the best self-propelled lawn mowers to make yard maintenance a breeze. What do buyers say? 8,100+ Lowes reviewers rated this 5 stars. The EGO Power+ Self-Propelled Electric Lawn Mower is one of the best options you can find in terms of value and performance. It’s our favorite self-propelled mower, thanks to its variable speed self-propel feature—it can be adjusted to speeds from 0.9 to 3.1 miles per hour, matching your walking pace even as it cuts through tough grass. We also appreciate this mower’s impressive run time. It runs on a 56-volt battery, delivering up to 60 minutes of runtime per charge. It also charges back up extremely quickly—usually within an hour. The mower has a 21-inch deck and weather-resistant construction, and it bags mulches, or side-discharges grass clippings into the included two-bushel collection bag. With its adjustable deck, you can choose from six cutting-height settings to find the perfect one for your lawn. And as a nice space-saving feature, it folds flat for easy storage. Price at time of publish: $470 The mower has six height settings that you can adjust using dual levers on the front wheels, and it mulches, bags, or side-discharges grass clippings as you mow. It has a traditional recoil start and a single-speed propulsion lever, and the eight-inch bar tread tires in the front and back handle uneven spots on your lawn. Price at time of publish: $401 This variable-speed mower has a 21-inch deck and seven cutting heights, and it’s mounted on nine-inch ball-bearing wheels for improved maneuverability and smoother driving. It’s easy to adjust the speed of the mower to match your walking pace, and the handle can be adjusted into three positions for comfort. The mower comes with a 2.5-bushel grass collection bag, and the NeXite deck is protected by a limited lifetime warranty. Price at time of publish: $1,000 In addition to its large cutting deck, this mower has a dual-force cutting system that results in finer mulch, and it bags, mulches, or side-discharges clippings. There are seven cutting heights, and you can adjust the pace of the self-propel system to match your walking speed. Plus, the mower has a safety stop feature that stops the blades but leaves the motor running, allowing you to move a stick or other debris out of the way. Price at time of publish: $1,599 This walk-behind mower can mulch, side discharge, or bag your grass clippings, and there are seven cutting heights to choose from. An on-board battery indicator lets you know how much battery life is remaining, and there’s even a turbo setting that helps when picking up leaves or cutting through thick grass. Price at time of publish: $600 This mower has a 21-inch deck with dual blades for superior mulching, and there are seven cutting height positions. The handle can be adjusted to three different heights for maximum comfort, and the unit’s large ball-bearing wheels deliver a smooth ride and improved turning. It comes with a 2.5-bushel grass collection bag, and the brand offers a five-year warranty on the mower. Price at time of publish: $1,099 There are seven cutting heights controlled via a single lever, and the mower even offers cruise control for effortless mowing on straight paths. The handle can be adjusted into three positions, and the unit can be folded and stored vertically to save space. Plus, this mower uses the same 40-volt batteries as other Kobalt tools, making it useful for people who have purchased from the brand previously. Price at time of publish: $429 This self-propelled mower has a curved, ergonomic handle with two height settings, and it mulches or side-discharges clippings in addition to bagging. There are nine cutting heights to choose from, and large back wheels offer greater traction and maneuverability on uneven terrain. Price at time of publish: $529 Then, there are front-drive and rear-drive mowers. Front-drive models are best for flatter terrains and, generally, are easy to steer. Rear-drive grass cutters, on the other hand, have better traction and usually are best for hilly areas. Additionally, all lawn mowers have engines, which can vary in terms of power and efficiency.
Lawn Size
Also consider the size of your yard. Because battery-operated mowers typically run for a little over an hour, a gas-powered model might be better if it takes you longer than that to mow your lawn. However, some options come with two batteries, allowing you to resume your mowing session when the first one runs out. Gas and electric lawn mowers are suitable for small yards. That said, look for one that’s easy to maneuver around tight corners, as less square footage usually means more turns.
Cutting Options
Self-propelled lawn mowers often have multiple cutting options. Usually, you can choose between several grass-cutting heights. Also, many models allow you to set it to discharge, mulch, or bag your grass. Some even cut grass into super-fine pieces and then return the nutrient-rich clippings back into the ground to fertilize your lawn.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance contributor for The Spruce. As someone who grew up on a 70-acre farm and owns a five-acre parcel, she’s no stranger to lawn mowers, and she’s written extensively on them. She’s also personally tested the RYOBI 38 in. 75 Ah Battery Electric Rear Engine Riding Lawn Mower. While selecting lawn mowers for this list, she looked at factors such as their deck size, power source, special features, and warranty period. She also spoke with Ray Brosnan of Brosnan Property Solutions for tips on how to select the right lawn mower for your needs.
