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10 Best Lawn Mowers in 2023 : Reviews & Top Picks

a black push lawn mower on grass

a black push lawn mower on grass

There are a lot of lawn mowers on the market. Some can get quite expensive, so it’s important to know that what you’re getting is what you want and need. The only way to do this is by asking friends and family what they’re using or reading reviews online.

We’ve gone ahead and gathered 10 of the best finds and included reviews on each of them. There’s also a short buying guide to help you make sense of the different considerations involved with purchasing a lawn mower that is right for you.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2023)

Rating Image Product Details
Best Gas-Powered Lawn Mower
Winner
Craftsman Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Craftsman Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
  • Front-wheel drive
  • Adjustable height
  • Oversized rear wheel
  • Best Electric Lawn Mower
    Second place
    Greenworks Pro Greenworks Pro
  • Multiple tools use the batteries
  • 3-in-1 discharge capabilities
  • No fuel
  • Best Reel Lawn Mower
    Third place
    American Lawn Reel Lawn Mower American Lawn Reel Lawn Mower
  • Eco-friendly
  • Inexpensive to purchase and run
  • Adjustable cutting height
  • Craftsman Lawn Mower Craftsman Lawn Mower
  • 3-in-1 grass discharge capability
  • Adjustable cutting height
  • Vertical storage
  • Black+Decker Lawn Mower Black+Decker Lawn Mower
  • Easy to start
  • Adjustable height
  • Side discharge and mulching
  • The 10 Best Lawn Mowers

    1. Craftsman Self-Propelled Lawn Mower – Best Gas-Powered Lawn Mower

    Craftsman Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

    Model: 12A-VB2M5791
    Weight: 82.8 pounds (lbs)
    Cutting Width: 21-inch
    Power Source: Gas

    If you’re looking for a reliable, gas-powered lawn mower, this self-propelled Craftsman mower is an excellent option. It is a front-wheel drive to make mowing the lawn easy. And if your lawn is uneven, the oversized rear wheels make navigating the terrain effortless.

    This lawn mower is equipped with several options for grass discharge. It comes with a chute for side discharge or a bagger in the rear. Or if you’d prefer neither, it’s also able to mulch. You can adjust the mower’s height for the perfect length of grass as well.

    Pros
    • Front-wheel drive
    • Adjustable height
    • Oversized rear wheel
    • Variable speed drive
    • 3-in-1 discharge capabilities
    Cons
    • Expensive

    2. Greenworks Pro – Best Electric Lawn Mower

    Greenworks Pro

    Model: GLM801601
    Weight: 79.5 lbs
    Cutting Width: 21-inch
    Power Source: Battery

    No gas and no pull rope are needed with this awesome battery-powered Greenworks Pro lawn mower, and it’s a great option if you’re looking to switch to eco-friendly tools. In addition to adjustable height and oversized rear wheels for easy use, this lawn mower also features a push-button start.

    Unfortunately, if you have a large yard, you may need to charge batteries partway through. But the kit includes a rapid charge, so that’s not a huge deal. Another plus to this kit is that its batteries can be used in other Greenworks battery-operated tools.

    Pros
    • Multiple tools use the batteries
    • 3-in-1 discharge capabilities
    • No fuel
    • Quiet
    • Easy to use
    Cons
    • Limited runtime before batteries need charging
    • Expensive

    3. American Lawn Reel Lawn Mower – Best Reel Lawn Mower

    American Lawn Reel Lawn Mower

    Model: 1815-18
    Weight: 27 lbs
    Cutting Width: 18-inch
    Power Source: Manual

    A manual reel mower is the only thing more eco-friendly than a battery-operated lawn mower. The operation of this reel mower may be simple, but it’s anything but basic. It has 10-inch wheels that make it easy to use. Unlike some other reel mowers, it also has a super comfortable U-shaped handle.

    With five blades, it offers great cutting performance. It also adjusts from 1 inch to almost 3 inches, so you can choose your desired cut length. A major benefit of using a reel mower—other than the environmentally friendly aspect—is that some types of grass thrive better by being cut in this way.

    Pros
    • Eco-friendly
    • Inexpensive to purchase and run
    • Adjustable cutting height
    • Ergonomic handle
    • Quiet
    Cons
    • Significantly narrower cut than other gas and battery-powered options
    • Can’t cut overgrown grass

    4. Craftsman Lawn Mower

    Craftsman Lawn Mower

    Model: 11A-U2V2791
    Weight: 66.9 lbs
    Cutting Width: 21-inch
    Power Source: Gas

    If you’d prefer to stick with Craftsman, this model gives you another option. Unlike the top pick, though, this one isn’t self-propelled. However, it still features the 3-in-1 capabilities for discharge. Another nifty feature of this model is its vertical storage. It’s designed to fold up and store upright on its back wheels which is a great idea when space is limited in the shed or garage.

    The rear wheels are fairly small, which can make this mower difficult to maneuver.

    Pros
    • 3-in-1 grass discharge capability
    • Adjustable cutting height
    • Vertical storage
    • Easy starting with auto choke
    Cons
    • No driving assist
    • No oversized rear wheel

    5. Black+Decker Lawn Mower

    Black+Decker Lawn Mower

    Model: 11A-A0S5736
    Weight: 62.9 lbs
    Cutting Width: 21-inch
    Power Source: Gas

    This mower from Black+Deckeris another great choice on this list. The thing about Black+Decker is they have been around for a long time and while they don’t deal in high-end tools, they have long been selling tools for the average homeowner that get the job done when it needs. This mower is no different.

    Unfortunately, this one isn’t equipped with a bagger attachment, but you still get the side discharge and mulching capability. It also has six height adjustments for the perfect length of grass. One minor complaint is that some people feel like the mower is a bit expensive for what you get.

    Pros
    • Easy to start
    • Adjustable height
    • Side discharge and mulching
    • Easy to assemble
    Cons
    • Expensive for what you get
    • No bagging capability
    • No oversized rear wheel

    6. Power Smart Lawn Mower

    Power Smart Lawn Mower

    Model: 17-Inch Gas Powered
    Weight: 52 lbs
    Cutting Width: 17-inch
    Power Source: Gas

    Unlike the last pick, this Power Smart lawn mower has a bagger for a 3-in-1 discharge. However, the cut width is significantly narrower, so it’s a bit of a trade-off. It also doesn’t have oversized wheels in the back, but it’s a pretty light unit at only 52 lbs. So, even without the bigger real wheels, the mower is still relatively easy to maneuver.

    There have been some complaints about the customer service being a bit of a hassle to deal with. However, the mower does have a 3-year warranty, which is a reasonable amount of time for coverage.

    Pros
    • 3-in-1 grass discharge capability
    • Adjustable height
    • Lightweight and easy to maneuver
    • 3-year warranty
    Cons
    • Only 17-inch cut width
    • Blade dulls quickly
    • Underpowered for long grass

    7. Greenworks Reel Lawn Mower

    Greenworks Reel Lawn Mower

    Model: RM1400
    Weight: 23.9 lbs
    Cutting Width: 14-inch
    Power Source: Manual

    This reel mower from Greenworks is a decent option if you’re trying to stay green. It’s quite a bit smaller widthwise than the top reel mower on this list. However, it comes with a little bagger attachment, which is handy, especially if the grass gets a little longer because a reel mower won’t mulch like a regular push mower.

    The T-style handle grip has some nice padding for comfort, but a T-handle is rarely as comfortable as an ergonomic U-handle. Also, many users found the overall construction to be somewhat flimsy.

    Pros
    • Inexpensive
    • Eco-friendly
    • Quiet
    • No fumes
    Cons
    • T-style handle
    • Flimsy construction
    • Light but not easy to maneuver

    8. Power Smart Gas Lawn Mower

    Power Smart Gas Lawn Mower

    Model: 21-Inch Push Lawn Mower
    Weight: 60 lbs
    Cutting Width: 21-inch
    Power Source: Gas

    This mower has a reasonable weight for a push mower, but it lacks a rear bagger. So, you can only do a side discharge or mulch, which is fine if you have a small lawn that you keep well-trimmed. A 170cc engine offers a reasonable amount of power which is nice because you don’t have to worry about the 21-inch blade stalling the motor as much.

    The rear wheels are only one inch bigger than the front, so don’t expect it to be super easy to maneuver if you’ve got hills in your yard. The height is adjustable, though. So, that’s a big plus.

    Pros
    • Inexpensive
    • Adjustable height
    • Decent power
    Cons
    • No bagger
    • No oversized wheels
    • Hard to find parts and service

    9. Einhell Lawn Mower

    Einhell Lawn Mower

    Model: GE-CM
    Weight: 44 lbs
    Cutting Width: 15-inch
    Power Source: Battery

    Another battery-powered lawn mower that makes it to our list is this Einhell mower. Usually, battery-operated anything is costly. But this kit is very reasonably priced; it includes two batteries, the mower, and a rapid charger.

    Being that the cutting width is quite narrow is a bit of a disappointment. However, it still features an adjustable cut height and rear bag system. But it won’t mulch very well unless the grass is short and there isn’t a side discharge.

    Pros
    • Cheap—especially for a battery-powered mower
    • Adjustable height
    • Versatile battery system
    Cons
    • Narrow cutting width
    • No side discharge and minimal mulching
    • Limited by battery life
    • Cannot handle tall, thick grass

    10. Maxlander Lawn Mower

    Maxlander Lawn Mower

    Model: B08X76WY46
    Weight: 34 lbs
    Cutting Width: 15-inch
    Power Source: Battery

    If you value lightweight and good storage above all else, this battery-powered lawn mower by Maxlander is a decent buy. It doesn’t quite compare to some of the other models on this list, but it’s not without its merits.

    With a 15-inch cutting width, it’s pretty average in the battery-powered mower category, but it’s lightweight and folds up small for condensed storage. It’s also designed for bagging and can mulch decently if the grass isn’t too long. Altogether, this isn’t the best mower in the world that you can buy, but it’s not a waste of money either.

    Pros
    • Eco-friendly
    • Adjustable height
    • Bagging and mulching
    • Easy to handle and store
    Cons
    • Lots of plastic components
    • Hard to get parts
    • Limited battery life
    • Build quality isn’t the best

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    Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Lawn Mowers

    When deciding what lawn mower will fit your needs the best, there are several things to consider. We’ve gathered some helpful information to assist you in making that decision.

    Choosing the Type

    There are three main types of push mowers to choose from: gas, battery, or manual-powered. See the table below for their ideal uses and the benefits of each.

    Gas Battery Manual
    Large yard Small or medium yard Small yard
    Uneven terrain Flat terrain Flat terrain
    Powerful Lightweight Lightweight
    Capable of cutting thick grass Quiet Quiet
    Abundant self-driving options Easy starting Low maintenance

    Cutting Width and Blades

    When deciding on a lawnmower, a significant factor to consider is the cutting width and type of blades. The wider the mower, the faster you will finish the lawn. That said, some mowers are a full 21 or 22-inches but lack the power and will stall easily. So, finding the balance is important.

    Also, the type of blades is essential. If you’re going to mulch instead of bag, you’ll want to make sure the mower has at least an all-purpose blade—preferably a mulching blade.

    Other Types of Lawn Mowers

    Another electric option is a corded lawn mower. Essentially, you power this type of lawn mower with an extension cord. They offer about the same or a little more power than a battery-operated mower. However, they are quite inconvenient at times because of a trailing cord. But they are usually pretty inexpensive, which is a bonus.

    A lawn tractor is another option. It would be overkill to have a lawn tractor in an average-sized yard. But if you have a small acreage or cut lawns for a living, then a lawn tractor may be a decent option to consider.

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    Conclusion

    Whether you want gas, battery, or manual-powered, there is a lawn mower out there for you. We hope that these reviews have helped you choose the best one for your needs.

    The self-propelled and gas-powered Craftsman is an excellent choice for overall ease of use and quality. Otherwise, the Greenworks Pro offers a fantastic battery-powered option. But if you’re looking for the ultimate eco-friendly option, the American Lawn Reel mower is an excellent consideration.

    See also: 10 Types of Lawn Mowers


    Featured Image Credit: rseigler0, Pixabay

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