The 7 Best Lawn Mowers of 2024 to Keep Your Yard Neat and Trim, According to Testing

Best Overall

Ego Power+ LM2102SP-A Cordless Lawn Mower

View On Amazon $699 View On Walmart $699 View On Acmetools.com

This machine from Ego serves as proof that when it comes to lawn mowers, gas is not always the best option. Providing just as much power as some professional-grade mowers double its price (sans the maintenance, fumes, and noise), this machine let testers mow easily and safely thanks to a plethora of user-friendly features such as an easy height adjustment, a simple push-button startup, and a detachable bag to catch all the lawn clippings.

When fully charged, its batteries will provide up to an hour of cutting time, which could very likely mean that you will get tired before the machine does. However, if the batteries do die, it only takes 60 minutes to fully charge them up again—or you can invest in another battery and swap it out mid-job.

The machine is durable and weather-resistant and is built to last. It also has bright LED lights if you want to get some early morning mowing in before the sun comes up (don't tell the neighbors we suggested it). As an extra perk, it folds up super compactly, too.

Product Details:

Power: Cordless 4Ah 56-volt battery | Ideal lawn size: 0.25–0.5 acres | Deck width: 21 inches | Deck height: 1.5–4 inches (adjustable, 6 settings) | Mower weight: 81.15 pounds

Best Cordless Electric Push Mower

Ryobi 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower

View On Home Depot $699 View On Ryobitools.com

Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Performance
  4.3/5
• Usability
  4.8/5
• Safety
  5/5
• Value
  4/5

If you’re after a super quiet and efficient lawn mower that gives you as much freedom to roam as a gas model, but without the gas fill-ups, oil checks, and fumes, the best lawn mower is this Ryobi pick. In addition to being a quiet option, it also comes with an additional battery. 

This mower was tested on a medium-sized yard that has a few inclines and is lumpy in some areas. We appreciated that the mower self-propels at different speeds that you set, so navigating smaller hills and bumps is a breeze. Plus, maneuvering around obstacles, like tree stumps, and getting close to garden beds and bushes was also easy. 

At 75 pounds the mower is quite lightweight, so it wasn’t difficult to maneuver. The 6-inch grass height meant we had to stop a few times to empty the collection bag but after the second and third mows, when the grass was fairly short, we rarely had to empty the collection bag. 

On the side of the mower there is a pull handle that can adjust the deck height, which is effortless to do. The garden we tested this on usually takes around 45 minutes to mow, and since each battery lasts 70 minutes, we had plenty of battery life to spare after we were done. If one battery loses power, however, you can always swap it out with the spare that comes with it. 

Setting up this mower is an easy one-person job and takes just 20 minutes. We appreciated that the instructions were straightforward and consisted mainly of pictures, a testament to how very simple and intuitive a machine this is. All you have to do is unfold the handle and put together the debris bag, although you can use the mower without it. We also had to charge the batteries, which took under an hour. 

The mower almost folds down right in half, which is convenient for storage. When folded, it measures a compact 2 x 3 feet, and not much more with the bag on. 

Apart from a few sprays of grass that flew out from the blade due to the wind, and the fact that there’s only one charging port so you can’t charge the batteries at the same time, we had no complaints. This lawn mower performed just as well as a gas mower, and we didn’t notice any missed spots after mowing. 

Product Details: Power: Battery | Ideal Lawn Size: 0.5 to 1 acre | Deck Width: 21 inches | Deck Height: 1.5 to 4 inches (adjustable, 7 positions) | Mower Weight: 75 pounds

Best Corded Electric Push Mower

Greenworks 20-Inch 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower

View On Amazon $230

Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Performance
  4.8/5
• Usability
  4.8/5
• Safety
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

The Greenworks 25022 20-inch 3-in-1 Electric Corded Lawn Mower is the best lawn mower for a small front or back yard. During testing, we found that it works well, offers a great cut, and has foldable handles that make for easy storage. 

We appreciated that it was effortless to set up and is lightweight, allowing you to push it along with just one hand. Setup took just 15 minutes as all you have to do is install the top handle. There’s also deck height adjustment that you can set via a side lever– it’s labeled low to high and has seven options in total.   

We tried the mower on a small lawn and it did a great job of cutting down long, spindly weeds as well as the grass. To start the lawnmower, all you have to do is press a button at the top of the handle, then pull the smaller handlebar up. It started up immediately every time we used it. 

Though it doesn’t turn perfectly, we felt that the mower gets the job done and noted that it didn’t even flinch when going over bumps or divots. It also worked well with wet grass. Overall, we were able to achieve an even and attractive trimmed lawn with each use. 

The mulching, side discharge, and bagging functions all worked well, and it’s completely intuitive to switch between bagging and mulching modes. The collection bag just clips on and off with a metal hook on each side. However, we weren’t able to remove it without spilling some clippings, even when the bag wasn’t all the way full. 

This small lawn mower can move through tight spots with ease, although it does feel a little bulky to turn. The cord makes it less maneuverable than a gas mower, but that's the case for electric mowers in general. 

While testing this lawn mower, we felt safer holding the cord with one hand and pushing with the other. We felt that an extra hook for the cord at the top would have been a helpful touch. There is, however, a cool cord retainer that can spin, which ensures the mower doesn't accidentally unplug while you’re moving along. However, we still had to flip the cord every few yards to keep it out of the way).

Product Details: Power: Corded | Ideal Lawn Size: Mid-sized | Deck Width: 20 inches | Deck Height: 1.5 to 3.75 inches (adjustable, seven positions) | Mower Weight: 56 pounds

Best Gas Riding Mower

John Deere S100 42-Inch Gas Hydrostatic Riding Lawn Tractor

View On Lowe's $2,399 View On Home Depot $2,399 View On Deere.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Usability
  4.8/5
• Safety
  4.8/5

John Deere’s S100 42-inch riding mower is the best lawn mower lawns of up to an acre, and it’s small enough for easy stowing away, too. We tested this machine out on a large and hilly property and found that it performed impeccably. 

The mower came fully assembled and the instructions were easy to understand. Starting it up does require a few steps. First, you must push the brake pedal all the way down, then you set the parking brake. Next, advance the throttle forward to the choke position, and lastly, turn the key.

Mowing 0.2 acres of lawn took just 15 minutes. It was able to cut the grass evenly and didn’t seem to have any problems when the grass was damp either. The mower was fast and agile during testing, and it turns corners sharply, so you can get close to obstacles and mow around them. 

The lawn mower has great maneuverability and a highly responsive pedal that controls the speed depending on how hard you push it. Puddles are no problem for this solid gas lawn mower, and if you need to pass over anything higher like rocks, you can just raise the blades via the lever. 

It has two separate pedals for reverse and forward drive which took some getting used to at first. We loved the side discharge chute that powerfully sends grass far away from the mower. Steering was easy and it rides smoothly, even over gravel. It’s quite a loud mower, but not so much that you need hearing protection. 

While it doesn’t have wheel weights or reflectors, we felt safe using it overall. For added safety, however, it features an ignition cutoff switch and headlights for clearer visibility. The adjustable seat has a short back that supports the lower back, and it’s comfortable even with extended use. 

Product Details: Power: Gas | Ideal Lawn Size: Up to one acre | Deck Width: 42 inches | Deck Height: 1 to 4 inches (adjustable, 13 positions) | Mower Weight: 414 pounds

Best Electric Riding Mower

Ryobi Brushless 42-Inch Electric Zero Turn Riding Mower

View On Home Depot $4,999 View On Ryobitools.com

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Design
  5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Usability
  4.8/5
• Safety
  4.8/5

The RYOBI 80V HP 42-inch Electric Riding Lawn Tractor offers a fast and safe riding experience, so it’s one of the best lawn mowers if you’re looking for an electric riding option. It’s a lightweight machine due largely to its mostly plastic construction, and we found that it’s quiet when in operation. 

Setup took 1.5 hours, which was a bit longer than some of the other mowers we tried. Luckily the battery was partially full when it arrived, so we were able to take it out and test it immediately once it was assembled. While testing it, we liked that the faux leather seat that was comfortable and adjustable forward and back.

As an electric model, it’s quite easy to start (no choke), and we particularly appreciated the lack of exhaust fumes and excess heat as well. As soon as you hit the accelerator the mower really took off, so keep in mind light footing is needed.

While it certainly has a lot of power if you want to go fast, it’s also able to go slowly around obstacles. If you feel the pedal is too jerky, there’s a convenient speed response setting that you can adjust via the digital display menu. 

The mower cut the grass evenly and even chopped up leaves and sticks as it went over them. If you want to reverse the mowing deck will turn off, but you can override this in the display menu if you wish. The deck height is also adjustable with a large manual lever.

For extra safety, the mower beeps (rather loudly) and also automatically beeps when you lift from the seat. LED headlights at the front provide extra visibility on gloomier days, though they’re not bright enough for mowing at night if they’re your only source of light. 

The mower is quite compact so takes up minimal storage space. The only downside was that it doesn’t have power steering. While it was fine when going along fast, it was a little tiresome when turning slowly around obstacles.

We liked that the mower featured a handy digital display to let you know how much battery is left. The mower only takes an hour to fully charge up when empty, and mowing a third of an acre only took 20% of its battery life. Charging is simple—simply connect the mower’s charger to the wall socket and the mower, and unplug it when it’s full. 

Product Details: Power: Battery | Ideal Lawn Size: Up to 2 acres | Deck Width: 42 inches | Deck Height: 1.5 to 4.5 inches (adjustable, 12 positions) | Mower Weight: 700 pounds

Best Zero-Turn Mower

Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 42-Inch Zero-Turn Mower

View On Tractor Supply Co. $3,300

Our Ratings

• Setup
  4.8/5
• Design
  4.5/5
• Performance
  5/5
• Usability
  4.7/5
• Safety
  4.7/5

Thanks to a large mowing swath, two speed adjustment options (for both forward and reverse), and its nifty ability to turn on a dime around lawn obstacles, the Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1 40-inch riding mower was easily our top pick for the best zero-turn lawn mower. 

Setting up this mower took half an hour, thanks in part to the straightforward instruction manual. After we got it all set up, we were able to start it immediately and get going.

We took it out for testing on a slightly sloped lawn with several obstacles, and it took 3.5 inches of grass off quickly and evenly. Taller grass was no issue for this machine, and the side discharge chute powerfully ejects clippings far away from the mower, with no lawn chunks in sight. 

There’s a knob on the left side that adjusts the deck height, and the machine’s lower overall height gave us clearer visibility ahead, as well as making us feel safe with no fear of toppling. The ride was smooth, even on bumpy terrain, and the mower’s seat is adjustable for both the rider’s comfort requirements, and according to the type of terrain you’re mowing on.

Since zero-turn mowers have levers instead of steering wheels, steering this mower does take some getting used to. It’s also rather loud due to its exposed motor, but it didn’t bother us too much.

Product Details: Power: Gas | Ideal Lawn Size: 2 to 4 acres | Deck Width: 42 inches | Deck Height: 1 to 4.5 inches (adjustable, 15 positions) | Mower Weight: 580 pounds