With so many lawnmowers on the market, it’s hard to know which pick is the best for your lawn. With our top five self-propelled lawn mower recommendations, you’ll know you’re getting exactly what you need. Whether it’s battery-powered or gas-powered, a recycler or a bagger, you can be confident you picked the right self-propelled mower for your lawn.
Keep reading for a complete buyer’s guide to help you along the buying process to pick the right mower for you!
The Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers: Our Top 5 Picks
Best Overall:
Toro 30 in. Timemaster 223cc Gas Powered with Self-Propelled Personal Pace Lawn Mower
Best USA-Built:
Troy-Bilt 21 in. Gas Powered FWD Self-Propelled Push Lawn Mower
Best Battery Powered:
EGO Power+ 21 in. 56-Volt Lithium-ion Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower
Best Budget Friendly:
SKIL PWR CORE 40 Brushless 40-Volt 20 in. Self-Propelled Mower Kit
Best for Mulching:
Toro 21 in. Super Recycler 163 cc Gas Powered Personal Pace & Smartstow Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Best Overall
Toro Timemaster Self-Propelled Personal Pace Lawn Mower
When it comes down to choosing the best self-propelled lawn mower, the title has to be given to the Toro 30-inch Timemaster. This lawn mower comes with everything you need to make a Saturday afternoon lawn mowing session simple and quick.
This self-propelled mower is perfect for larger lawns, and with the 30-inch deck, you’ll make much larger passes, getting the job done quicker. The personal pace allows you to set the speed, making it extremely comfortable to walk with, not against.
The Briggs and Stratton engine is top-of-the-line and will last for years with little to no maintenance. The blades are dual-forced, creating a top-tier mulching system to make bagged or bagless options better and more efficient than having to re-mow the same line twice.
You can easily adjust this mower to fit your height and customize the length of your cut. Once finished, the underside deck cleanout can be connected to your garden hose for a quick clean to clear out mud or grass clumps to ensure another perfect cut next week.
Pros:
- One-hour run time fuel capacity.
- 30-inch deck.
- High-quality engine.
Cons:
- Works best on level ground.
- May be difficult to repair if ever needed.
Best USA-Built
Troy-Bilt FWD Self-Propelled Push Lawn Mower
Buying a self-propelled lawn mower made in America is easier than ever with Troy-Bilt. Have confidence in your mowing power with the best and most reliable Briggs and Stratton engine.
With the ready start technology, you don’t have to worry about priming or using the choke to start your mower. This makes for an even simpler mowing experience. You can even adjust the cutting height to create your perfect custom lawn.
Use the variable speed front wheel drive to get the job done faster than ever, and with the 11-inch rear wheels, you’ll easily maneuver over rough or bumpy terrain. Once done, use the deck wash hose connection to clear the deck of debris to keep your mower in top shape for much longer.
Pros:
- Made in America.
- No prime and no choke start.
- Large 11-inch wheels.
Cons:
- Height adjusters are made from plastic.
- You can have a difficult time cutting thick, tall grass.
Best Battery-Powered
EGO Power+ Lithium-ion Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Look no further when looking for a reliable self-propelled lawn mower that runs off lithium-ion batteries. This EGO Power+ mower includes two batteries and a rapid charger, which is always ready when the lawn needs cutting.
You’ll get up to 65 minutes per battery of run time, so this is great for even medium-sized lawns, and the variable self-speeds will have you getting the job done quicker than ever.
The six-position cutting blade is easy to adjust to your liking, and you can either mulch, bag, or use the side shoots to discard the cut grass.
With the push button start, you won’t need to pull or use exertion when starting the mower, and the all-weather-resistant construction keeps the batteries safe and secure while mowing. Once you’re finished, quickly fold the mower compactly and slide it into the garage or shed for quick storage.
Pros:
- No fumes and no gas.
- 21-inch deck.
- Adjustable blade settings.
Cons:
- Batteries lose long charge after multiple uses.
- Not great at mulching grass or leaves.
Best Budget-Friendly
SKIL PWR CORE 40 Brushless 40-Volt 20 in. Self-Propelled Mower Kit
Just because you are on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a wonderfully manicured lawn. With this battery-powered self-propelled mower, you have seven height settings to get that perfectly cut look you want.
The push-to-start button makes turning on the mower easy and convenient, and you can choose whether you’d like to mulch or bag your grass by just removing the bag. While cutting, you can adjust the pace with a knob on the handle, making it a comfortable walking pace.
The SKIL mower comes with one powerful 40-volt battery and rapid charger. Unlike traditional gas-powered motors, the brushless motor is quiet but doesn’t skimp out on power. The 20-inch deck is excellent for those with smaller lawns or who live in townhomes.
Pros:
- Perfect for small lawns.
- Quiet brushless motor.
- Folds up for easy storage.
Cons:
- The battery loses charge after a while.
- Can be heavy to move once folded.
Best for Mulching
Toro Super Recycler Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
If you need a new self-propelled mulching lawn mower, you’re in luck because this Toro does the job perfectly. The top-of-the-line dual-blade accelerator and underdeck wedges shave the grass clippings down to nothing, making this an excellent cutting experience.
The vortex technology and bagging tunnel move the cut grass to the back of the bag with force, so you won’t have to worry about emptying the bag as often.
The personal pace self-propelled setting makes it so there is no pushing or pulling against the machine while maneuvering through your lawn, and the flex handle technology offers superior hand and wrist comfort and support.
The large high traction wheels let this self-propelled mower stroll through all landscapes and terrain, taking the performance to the next level. Don’t worry about maintenance since you’ll never need to change the oil. This mower uses the top-it-off method periodically between mowing sessions.
Pros:
- Top-notch personal pace.
- Comfortable handle for hands and wrists.
- The bag fills all the way up before having to empty.
Cons:
- The bag gets too heavy once filled.
- Height adjustment levers are difficult to move.
Complete Buyers Guide: The Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers
Type
Before purchasing a self-propelled lawn mower, you’ll need to know what type of mower you prefer and what would work better for your lawn and your lifestyle.
Gas
Gas mowers overall are much more powerful than any electric or battery-powered mower. Gas self-propelled mowers tend to run longer and are more durable..
If you have a large yard or don’t have the time for the grass to get to the perfect cutting conditions for a mow, you’re better off purchasing a gas mower.
Not only are gas mowers durable in the short term, but also in the long term. Gas mowers last years longer than the standard battery mower. This comes down to the overall better-used materials and engines.
Battery
It’s no secret that a battery-powered lawn mower takes less maintenance, is much quieter, and is less smelly than a gas-powered mower.
No emissions are another considerable perk when choosing battery-powered. You are not burning any oil or gas, making the mower much more eco-friendly. This is especially great when you have little ones in the home who can find their way into the shed or garage. You no longer need to worry about knocked-over gas or oil cans.
Battery power also takes less maintenance since the engines differ entirely from a traditional gas mower. There’s no need to winterize a battery-powered mower like you would gas.
Lawn Size
The size of your lawn can also determine what type of self-propelled mower you need. If you have a medium-sized yard with many trees, you may want to purchase an excellent mulching lawn mower.
But if you have a small lawn clear of trees, you should look into a smaller battery-powered self-propelled mower that you can easily use with less maintenance and that will be quieter for your neighbors.
Adjustability
Whether it is gas-powered or battery-powered, buying a self-propelled lawn mower is still a significant investment. So you’ll need to be sure it has all the bells and whistles.
Do you need to have a durable and reliable bagging system? Are you looking for a mower that you can easily adjust the cut height?
You may need a mower so that the self-propel option itself can be adjusted for whoever is using the mower.
Frequently Asked Questions For Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers
What’s the difference between a push mower and a self-propelled lawn mower?
Self-propelled mowers take the labor out of mowing your lawn, but if you have a small, simple rectangular, or square yard, you may want to save some of your hard-earned dollars and purchase a push. If you wish to ease and walkability regardless of lawn size, go for a self-propelled mower.
What’s the main difference between a battery-powered or gas-self-propelled mower?
The main difference between the two mowers is performance. Gas will outmatch the battery in every way. That doesn’t mean battery-powered mowers cannot keep your lawn well-manicured. There are, of course, pros and cons to both.
Wrapping up Choosing the Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
With our top 5 best self-propelled lawn mower picks, you are on your way to having the most manicured lawn on the block. Regardless of your preference for gas versus battery-powered, the ease of mowing with a self-propelled option makes cutting the lawn less of a chore.Need some more landscaping tips?
Here are the must-have garden tools to transform your outdoor space!
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Lauren has three main passions: her family, writing, and gardening! Lauren has spent countless hours in her garden tending to different plants, whether those be beautiful flowers, vegetables, or different perennials.
Rest assured that if it concerns plants and gardens, Lauren has got you covered. So, when needing advice or looking for the best new gardening gadget, you have come to the right place and the right author.