Lawn Mowers
Best Lawn Mowers for Every Yard Size
7 picks compared
10 min read
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The short answerFor most suburban lawns the EGO Power+ LM2135SP is the best lawn mower, delivering gas-like power from a 56V battery with self-propel drive and no fumes. For small yards the Greenworks 40V push mower is the best value, and for large or thick lawns the Senix 201cc gas mower is the pick.
?How we pickedWe compare published specifications, safety certifications and thousands of verified owner reviews, and we do not physically test every unit. Read the full process in our review methodology.
EGO Power+ LM2135SP 21" Self-Propelled
★★★★★ 4.7 / 5 Best overall
A cordless 21-inch self-propelled mower that matches gas power without the fumes or pull cord. The 56V battery, self-propel drive, and quiet motor make it the easiest mower to live with for most mid-size yards.
Power 56V batteryDeck 21 inDrive Self-propelledBest for Up to half an acre
- Gas-like power, no fumes
- Self-propelled and foldable
- Push-button electric start
- Battery run time limits big lots
- Higher upfront cost
Best for: Most suburban lawns
Greenworks 40V 16" Push Mower
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5 Best budget cordless
A light 16-inch battery mower with the battery and charger included, aimed at small flat yards. It is the cheapest way into cordless mowing, and it starts every time with a button.
Power 40V batteryDeck 16 inDrive PushBest for Small yards
- Affordable with battery included
- Very light to push
- No fuel or maintenance
Best for: Small, flat lawns
Senix 201cc 22" Self-Propelled Gas
★★★★★ 4.5 / 5 Best gas
A 22-inch gas self-propelled mower with variable speed and 3-in-1 mulch, bag, and side discharge. For big or thick lawns where a battery would run flat, gas still rules, and this one cuts a wide swath.
Power 201cc gasDeck 22 inDrive Self-propelledBest for Large lawns
- Wide 22-inch cut
- Unlimited run time with fuel
- Variable-speed drive
- Needs oil and gas upkeep
- Heavier and louder
Best for: Large or thick lawns
Greenworks 80V 21" Self-Propelled
★★★★★ 4.6 / 5 Best high-power cordless
An 80V self-propelled mower with a full 21-inch deck for people who want gas-level cutting on battery. The higher voltage handles taller, damp grass better than lower-voltage rivals.
Power 80V batteryDeck 21 inDrive Self-propelledBest for Up to half an acre
- High-voltage cutting power
- Self-propelled
- Battery and charger included
Best for: Thick grass without gas
YARDMAX 22" 201cc Select Pace CVT
★★★★★ 4.4 / 5 Best for hills
A gas self-propelled mower with a 6-speed CVT drive and high rear wheels, built for uneven and sloped yards. The variable drive lets you dial the pace to the terrain instead of fighting the mower.
Power 201cc gasDeck 22 inDrive 6-speed CVTBest for Hilly yards
- 6-speed variable drive
- High wheels for rough ground
- Wide 22-inch deck
Best for: Slopes and rough terrain
MZK 20V 13" Compact Electric
★★★★★ 4.3 / 5 Best for tiny yards
A compact 13-inch brushless mower for courtyards, patios, and very small plots. It stores in almost no space and weighs little, which matters when the lawn is barely a lawn.
Power 20V batteryDeck 13 inDrive PushBest for Tiny yards
- Ultra-compact and light
- Brushless motor
- Easy to store
- Small cutting width
- Short run time
Best for: Courtyards and tiny plots
PowerSmart EasyGlide 21" 3-in-1 Gas
★★★★★ 4.3 / 5 Best value gas
A 21-inch push gas mower with 3-in-1 cutting at a low price, for those who want a full-size gas deck without self-propel cost. A straightforward workhorse for flat medium lawns.
Power Gas engineDeck 21 inDrive PushBest for Medium flat lawns
- Full 21-inch gas deck
- Low price
- 3-in-1 mulch, bag, discharge
Best for: Budget full-size gas
The best lawn mower is the one matched to your yard size, terrain, and how much upkeep you want. Cordless models now handle most suburban lawns with none of the fuss of gas, while gas still earns its place on big or thick properties. Below, picks for every yard and budget.
Gas vs battery: which suits your lawn
For years gas meant more power, but modern battery mowers have closed the gap for the majority of lawns. A 56V or 80V cordless mower starts with a button, runs quietly, and needs no fuel, oil, or winterising. The trade-off is run time, so gas remains the sensible choice for lawns approaching an acre or more, or for tall, damp grass where a battery would drain quickly. Judge by your lawn, not by habit.
Deck size, drive, and cut modes
Deck width sets how fast you finish. Tiny plots do well with a 13 to 16-inch mower that stores easily, most suburban yards suit a 21 to 22-inch deck, and larger properties want the widest walk-behind or a rider. Self-propel drive is worth it on slopes and bigger lawns, and variable-speed versions let you set the pace. Look for 3-in-1 cutting so you can mulch, bag, or side-discharge as the season demands.
Matching the mower to your yard
Small flat lawns are happiest with a light push mower, cordless or budget gas. Mid-size suburban yards are the sweet spot for a cordless self-propelled model like our top pick. Hilly or rough ground calls for high rear wheels and a variable drive. Big or overgrown properties still favour a wide gas deck with unlimited run time. Buy for the hardest conditions your lawn actually presents, not the average day.
Maintenance and mowing habits
Battery mowers ask little beyond a clean deck and a sharp blade once a season. Gas mowers need oil changes, fresh fuel, and occasional spark plugs. Whatever you run, mow often enough to remove no more than a third of the blade at a time, keep the grass around three inches for most species, and sharpen the blade yearly. Good habits keep any mower cutting cleanly for years.
Questions people ask
Should I buy a gas or battery lawn mower?
Battery mowers now match gas power for most suburban yards, and they start instantly, run quietly, and need no fuel or oil. Gas still wins for very large or thick lawns where a battery would run flat mid-job. If your lawn is under half an acre, a cordless self-propelled mower like the EGO LM2135SP is the easier choice.
What size mower deck do I need?
Match the deck to the lawn. A 13 to 16-inch deck suits tiny plots and tight gates, a 21 to 22-inch deck is the sweet spot for most suburban yards, and anything larger is for big properties or a riding mower. A wider deck cuts faster but is heavier and harder to store.
Is a self-propelled mower worth it?
On flat small lawns a push mower is fine and cheaper. On slopes, rough ground, or lawns over a few thousand square feet, self-propel saves real effort and makes the job faster. Models with variable-speed drive, like the YARDMAX CVT, let you match the pace to the terrain.
How long do battery mowers run on a charge?
Run time depends on grass height, battery capacity, and whether the mower is self-propelled, so treat any single figure with caution. A typical 21-inch cordless mower covers a quarter to half an acre per charge. For larger lawns, buy a second battery or step up to an 80V model with more capacity.
What does 3-in-1 mean on a lawn mower?
A 3-in-1 mower can mulch clippings back into the lawn, bag them, or side-discharge them. Mulching feeds the grass and saves cleanup, bagging gives the tidiest finish, and side discharge is fastest for tall grass. Most full-size mowers here offer all three modes.
How often should I mow and at what height?
Mow often enough that you never remove more than a third of the blade height at once, which usually means weekly in the growing season. Keeping grass a little longer, around 3 inches for most types, shades the soil and crowds out weeds. Cutting too short stresses the lawn.
Do battery mowers need much maintenance?
Very little. There is no oil to change, no spark plug, and no fuel to stabilise. You mainly keep the underside of the deck clean, sharpen or replace the blade once a season, and store the battery somewhere cool. That low upkeep is a big reason cordless mowers have taken over.
Can one battery power my other yard tools?
Often yes, if you stay within one brand's battery platform. EGO, Greenworks, and similar systems share batteries across mowers, trimmers, blowers, and more. Buying into one platform means spare batteries and chargers work everywhere, which lowers the cost of adding tools later.
The bottom lineSo which one?
Buy the EGO Power+ LM2135SP for the best all-round mowing on a typical lawn. Choose the Greenworks 40V for a small flat yard, and the Senix 201cc gas mower when the lawn is too big or thick for a battery.
