11 Best Lawn Mowers

A good lawn mower makes a weekend chore feel less like, well, a chore. A bad one makes you want to pave the whole yard. I’ve spent the past few months testing the top lawn mowers of 2026 on my own lumpy, half-acre lot to see which ones actually make the cut.

I pushed these things up hills, navigated around swing sets, and let the grass get way too long on purpose. I looked for a clean cut, easy starting, and simple controls. Some were amazing, others were just frustrating.

This list has something for every yard and budget. Whether you want the quiet power of electric, the raw torque of gas, or the simplicity of a reel mower, you’ll find an honest take here.

 

 

Best Electric & Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers

EGO Power+ 21″ Select Cut XP Mower

This is the mower I recommend to most people. The EGO system is just so polished. It’s quiet, powerful, and the 56-volt battery has plenty of juice to handle a half-acre lawn with power to spare. I consistently got about 70 minutes of runtime.

What I really like is the dual-blade system. It gives you a much finer mulch and a cleaner cut than most other battery mowers I’ve used. It’s also self-propelled with a simple speed control dial, so my sloping side yard was no problem. It is expensive, but you’re paying for top-tier performance.

 

 

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21″ CrossCut Mower

If the EGO’s price makes you wince, the Ryobi is your answer. It also uses a dual-blade system and delivers a fantastic cut quality. The power is almost on par with the EGO, and it chewed through thick, damp grass without bogging down.

The build feels a little less premium, with more plastic parts. But the core features are all there: self-propelled drive, easy height adjustment, and one-touch folding for storage. The included 6.0 Ah battery is good for about 45-50 minutes, perfect for smaller suburban lots.

 

 

Greenworks Pro 60V 21″ Mower

Greenworks offers a great middle-ground option. It’s a seriously powerful 60-volt mower that feels incredibly sturdy. I found its steel deck gave it a more traditional, gas-mower feel, which some people will prefer.

It bags, mulches, and side-discharges cleanly. The self-propelled feature is responsive, though not quite as smooth as the EGO’s. It’s a workhorse, plain and simple, and a great choice if you already own other Greenworks 60V tools.

 

 

Worx Landroid M 20V Robotic Mower

Okay, so this one’s different. I was skeptical, but after setting up the boundary wire, the Landroid just went to work. It quietly trims the lawn every day, leaving it looking like a perfect carpet. You literally do nothing but clean it off once in a while.

This isn’t for people who let their grass get long. It’s a maintenance mower. It’s also not great for yards with lots of complex obstacles. But for a simple, open lawn up to a quarter-acre, it’s an amazing tool that gives you your weekends back.

 

 

Sun Joe MJ401C-XR 14″ Cordless Mower

Have a tiny patch of grass? A townhouse lawn? This is all you need. It’s incredibly lightweight and small, making it easy to store in a shed or even a closet. The 14-inch deck is perfect for navigating tight spaces.

Don’t expect it to tackle an overgrown field. This is for small, maintained yards. The battery gives you about 25 minutes of runtime, which is more than enough for its intended purpose. It’s simple, cheap, and gets the job done.

 

 

Best Gas Lawn Mowers

Honda HRX217VKA

When it comes to walk-behind gas mowers, Honda is still the king. The GCV200 engine starts on the first pull, every time. It’s smooth, surprisingly quiet for a gas engine, and has the power to muscle through the thickest grass without hesitation.

The twin-blade MicroCut system provides an amazing cut, and the Versamow system lets you switch between mulching and bagging with a simple lever. No plugs to install or lose. The composite deck will never rust, and the variable speed self-propel is intuitive. It’s a premium mower with a premium price, but it will last for decades.

 

 

Toro Recycler 22″ High-Wheel Mower

The Toro Recycler is a classic for a reason. It’s a fantastic value, offering reliable performance without the Honda price tag. The Briggs & Stratton engine is dependable and easy to service, and the front-wheel self-propel system is great for flat yards with lots of turns.

It doesn’t mulch quite as finely as the Honda, but it’s still very effective. The high rear wheels help it handle uneven terrain. If you want a no-fuss gas mower that just works, this is one of the best lawn mowers you can buy.

 

 

Craftsman M105 21″ Push Mower

Sometimes you just need a basic, reliable push mower. The Craftsman M105 is exactly that. It’s a simple, affordable machine for small, flat yards where self-propel would be overkill. It has a reliable engine and a 3-in-1 deck for bagging, mulching, or side discharge.

There are no frills here. No electric start, no variable speed drive. But it’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, and costs a fraction of the high-end models. It’s the perfect first mower or a great choice for anyone on a tight budget.

 

 

Best Riding & Reel Lawn Mowers

Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro LT 42″

For yards between a half-acre and two acres, a lawn tractor is the way to go. The Cub Cadet XT1 is a bestseller because it hits the sweet spot of power, features, and price. The 42-inch deck makes quick work of large areas, and the hydrostatic transmission means no clunky gear shifting.

I found the steering to be incredibly responsive, with a tight 16-inch turning radius that’s great for mowing around trees and flower beds. The seat is comfortable, the controls are intuitive, and it delivers a consistently great cut. It’s a serious upgrade for anyone with a big yard.

 

 

John Deere Z325E ZTrak

If you have an acre or more with lots of obstacles, a zero-turn mower is a must. The John Deere Z325E is a residential model that brings commercial speed and agility. I was able to whip around trees and cut my mowing time in half compared to a traditional lawn tractor.

The 24-hp engine has plenty of power, and the build quality feels solid. It takes a little practice to get used to the lap bar steering, but once you do, you’ll never want to go back. It’s a significant investment, but so is your time.

 

 

Fiskars StaySharp Max Reel Mower

For the eco-conscious and small-yard owner, a modern reel mower is a fantastic option. The Fiskars StaySharp Max is not your grandpa’s reel mower. It’s engineered to be 60% easier to push than other reel mowers, and I can confirm it’s shockingly easy to use.

It makes a quiet, satisfying snip-snip sound and gives the grass a clean, scissor-like cut that’s healthier than the tearing action of rotary mowers. There’s no gas, no oil, no batteries, and very little noise. It’s not for big or weedy lawns, but for small, well-kept ones, it’s perfect.

 

 

What to Look For in a Lawn Mower

Choosing the right mower comes down to a few key things. First is your yard size. A quarter-acre or less is perfect for a battery-powered walk-behind or even a reel mower. Anything from a quarter to a half-acre, and you’ll want a powerful battery mower or a self-propelled gas model. Over a half-acre, you should really be looking at a riding mower.

Next, think about power. Gas still offers the most raw power and unlimited runtime, but you have to deal with maintenance, noise, and fumes. Battery technology has gotten so good that most electric mowers can handle even tough grass, but you’re limited by runtime. Pick the one that fits your tolerance for hassle.

Finally, consider features. Do you have hills? If so, a self-propelled mower isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Do you hate bagging grass? Then look for a mower with a great mulching system. Don’t overbuy features you won’t use, but don’t skimp on the ones that will make your life easier every single weekend.