Best Self Propelled Lawn Mower

But before you buy a lawn mower that propels itself, what characteristics should you look for? After analyzing and contrasting a large number of mowers, we came up with a list of the five best self-propelled lawn mowers on the market today. Our criteria for this list included power, battery run time, variable speed, cutting width, maximum cutting height, cutting options, and pricing.
We have also included a buying guide as well as a frequently asked questions section, both of which should assist you in making the best decision for both you and your yard.
The cost of mowers that propel themselves can range anywhere from less than $300 to more than $800. In our list, we have included mowers that fall into a variety of pricing categories, including:
 

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When searching for a self-propelled lawn mower, it's possible that you won't know what features to look for if you've never used one before. Don't worry, we're here to assist you in any way we can. This article will provide you with all of the information you require to select the best self-propelled lawn mower for your specific needs.

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Gas vs. battery-powered

 

In the past, only gas-powered lawn mowers had the power to generate enough forward momentum to propel themselves. However, the batteries that are used to power lawn mowers have come a long way in the past few years, and as a result, some of the best self-propelled mowers that are currently available are electric.

Which kind of self-propelled lawn mower should you get now that you have the option between one that is driven by gas and one that is powered by batteries? Let's compare and contrast the benefits of gas and electric lawn mowers, shall we?

If you have a large yard that requires you to spend more than an hour mowing it, you are on a limited budget, or you frequently need to cut grass that is wet or overgrown, you should consider investing in a gas-powered lawn mower.

If you need something that is lightweight and easy to maneuver, if you don't want to deal with the hassle of engine maintenance, if you need to mow without disturbing your family or neighbors, or if you want your lawn care to be more environmentally friendly, a lawn mower that is powered by batteries might be the best option for you.

Note: When you go shopping, keep an eye out to see if the battery and charger are sold separately. If they are, this will drive up the initial cost of the purchase. Our two recommendations that run on batteries each come with both a battery and a charger in the package.

 

Front-wheel vs. rear-wheel vs. all-wheel drive

 

The drive systems of self-propelled lawn mowers are also distinct from one another. The drive system is what decides which wheels the mower's motor turns so that it may move forward. A lawn mower will behave differently depending on the drive system that it has, and each one has perks and drawbacks.

Front-wheel drive (FWD) refers to the fact that the mower is propelled forward by its two front wheels. However, turning and maneuvering these mowers around obstructions is more difficult, and they are not as effective on slopes. In most cases, FWD is the choice that will save you the most money.

RWD stands for rear-wheel drive, which refers to the fact that the mower is propelled forward by its two rear wheels. RWD is an excellent choice for driving on challenging terrain, such as one with slopes, bumps, and ruts. On the other hand, these mowers are notorious for being difficult to maneuver in confined areas, and it can be a real nuisance to back them up in order to turn them around.

When it comes to lawnmowers that have all-wheel drive (AWD), the motor is responsible for turning all four wheels in order to propel the mower ahead. Both types of two-wheel drive mowers lack the traction offered by all-wheel drive (AWD) mowers, making them the inferior choice for cutting grass on sloped or uneven terrain. The most expensive mowers are those with all-wheel drive.

 

How we chose the best self-propelled lawn mowers

 

To determine our top picks, we ranked several of the most popular and highly acclaimed self-propelled mowers on the market. These are the factors we ranked the mowers on, with an explanation of each one to help you understand what makes our picks the best. 

• Power: The more power that goes into spinning a mower’s blade, the better the mower will be at cutting through thick, tall, or wet grass. In gas mowers, a larger engine (measured in cc) means more power. In electric, a stronger battery (measured in volts) means more power. 

• Battery run time: For battery-powered mowers, we also considered the battery’s run time, which is how long the mower can run on one battery without stopping to charge. Most batteries can power a mower for around 30 to 60 minutes, but it depends on the conditions. If the grass is harder to cut or you’re using the self-propel feature a lot, the mower will use more juice and drain the battery faster. 

• Variable speed: Some self-propelled mowers have different speed options, so you can set the mower to match your personal pace. With single-speed mowers, you run the risk of the mower going too fast for you to comfortably keep up with it or too slow for you to mow the lawn as efficiently as you want to.

• Cutting width: Cutting width is the size of the mowing deck, which determines how much grass you can cut in one pass. A larger cutting width lets you mow the lawn faster, with less walking and turning the mower around. However, a large mowing deck can be difficult to maneuver in tight spots and takes up more storage space. 

• Maximum cutting height: Most lawn mowers, including all the ones featured in our top picks, let you raise and lower the mowing deck so you can cut your grass to different heights as needed. Mowers with a higher maximum cutting height give you more options for a wider variety of grass types. A higher mowing deck is better for uneven ground with bumps and ruts, as well. 

• Cutting options: Look for a mower with a 3-in-1 cutting deck that gives you options for what to do with your grass clippings. A 3-in-1 mower features a mulching blade, a discharge chute, and a collection bag. All the mowers in our top picks are 3-in-1.

• Price: We wanted to find mowers that were both high-quality and affordable for the average homeowner. That’s why the price is an important ranking factor in our algorithm. Note that gas mowers are usually hundreds of dollars cheaper than the typical battery-powered mower. Also important to know: You’ll always pay more for a self-propelled mower than a comparable manual push mower. 

The table below shows the weight of each factor in our ranking algorithm.

Ranking factor	Ranking weight for gas mowers	Ranking weight for battery-powered mowers
Power	15%	15%
Battery run time	N/A	15%
Variable speed	20%	15%
Cutting width	20%	15%
Maximum cutting height	10%	10%
Cutting options	15%	10%
Price	20%	20%

 

FAQ About Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers

1. How long do self-propelled lawn mowers last?

There’s no reason a self-propelled lawn mower shouldn’t last just as long as any other mower. You should expect a quality mower to serve you for 5 to 10 years. The better you are about maintaining your mower, the longer it will last. 

2. Is it bad to pull a lawn mower backward?

It’s fine to pull a lawn mower backward to turn it around or transport it across the lawn. Just make sure you deactivate the self-propel feature first, as it drives the wheels forward. 

3. Can you just push a self-propelled mower?

Yes, you can push a self-propelled lawn mower manually if you so choose. Simply disengage the self-propel feature using the lever, bar, button, or whatever mechanism your mower uses. But beware: Self-propelled mowers are usually heavier than others and may prove difficult to push.

4. How do you maintain a self-propelled mower?

You maintain a self-propelled mower the same way you would maintain a regular push mower. 

Proper lawn mower maintenance includes:

• Sharpen the mower blade any time you notice your grass looks rough and torn after mowing. The blades will usually need sharpening every 20 to 25 hours of use. 
• Clean the underside of the mower to remove caked-on mud, grass clippings, and other debris. You should clean the mowing deck at least twice a year, but you may need to clean more frequently if you use the mower a lot. 
• Winterize your mower every year before putting it away for winter. Drain the gas or add a fuel stabilizer to winterize a gas mower. For a battery-powered mower, all you have to do is remove the batteries. 
• Change the engine oil in a gas mower at least once a year, or about every 50 hours of use. 
• Change the spark plug in a gas mower once a year, or about every 25 hours of use. 
• Change the air filter in a gas mower every three months. 

 

Propel Your Lawn Care into the Future

 

The future of lawn care, like the future of a lot of other sectors, is making things easier to use and more convenient. Because of this, we now have self-propelled lawn mowers, which very literally take the weight off your back while you mow the grass (and your arms).

If you detest cutting your grass due of the physical strain involved, you should probably do yourself a favor and invest in a self-propelled mower so that you can get the job done faster and with less effort. Believe us when we say that your aching body will be grateful to you. Check out our list of the top five self-propelled lawn mowers to get you started on your search for the perfect machine.

Even with the assistance of a self-propelled mower, does the task of mowing the lawn represent more labor than you are willing to undertake? One more simple solution is as follows: With the stroke of a button, Lawn Love connects you with a local lawn care specialist in your area.

Lawn Love is an affiliate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is a form of online advertising. It's possible that Lawn Love will get money off of the products that are promoted in this post.

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