Best lawn mowers in 2024: for neater, healthier and greener grass in the yard

Best lawn mowers
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Owning one of the best lawn mowers will help to save you time and money this spring. They are often quick to start, efficient to use and relatively easy to store. And there are plenty of types of lawn mower to choose from, too.

The best robot lawn mowers are a fantastic option for busy homes who simple don't have the time to cut the grass. A robot lawn mower can be automated to cut when you want, and where you want. Have a large lawn? One of the best riding lawn mowers will mean that you can cover a lot more ground than, say, a push along. They're a fantastic upgrade-option to a gas lawn mower because many of them retain the power that you're used to, but they're just bigger in stature. 

While we have used plenty of lawn mowers, we haven't tested all of the five we have featured in this guide. We've instead honed in the brands that we know that you know and trust such as John Deere, Black + Decker and Honda, and used our expertise to decipher the spec to determine the mowers a position in this guide. The factors we look out for include the deck size, cutting height and drive type. We've even looked at user reviews to see what they say about each of the models featured.

Keep scrolling to see which of the five made it into our shortlist ahead of the first cut of the year then, check out what you need to be looking out for when buying a lawn mower.

Best lawn mowers

Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

We're on a mission here at Top Ten Reviews to review everything that we feature in our buyer's guide. While we haven't been able to test every lawn mower in this guide in person, we've instead honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the spec you'll need to look out for to help you make the right decision for your yard, all for the best price. 

Best lawn mower overall

Best lawn mower overall

Specifications

Mower type: Electric
Cordled/cordless: Cordless
Deck size: 21-inch
Cutting height: 1.5 - 4.5in
Drive type: Self-propelled
Dimensions: 66 x 39 x 17in (h x w x d)
Weight: 28.9kg

Reasons to buy

+
Quick and easy to assemble
+
Feels solid
+
Fantastic cutting performance

Reasons to avoid

-
It takes some trial and error to use as a self-propelled mower
-
May be too heavy for some

When we reviewed the EGO Power+ LM2135SP 21-Inch Select Cut we gave it almost full-marks for it's cutting performance, and ability to be self-propelled or be used a push lawn mower.  In our eyes, though: it is still one of the best lawn mowers that you can buy - and it topped our list on the best electric lawn mowers, too.

If you have a slopping yard then the self-propelled mower can help get you over the top, or back down to the bottom. Although we found that it does take some trial and error to use this self-propelled function, we found that it was worth the patience (eventually) because it essentially did all the hard work for you.

We mowed over an apple (not on self-propelled) to test the cutting performance. What we were left with wasn't much; just pulp.The grass was also cut in our reviewer's 400sqm yard, too, which did a great job although that 70ltr collection bag required regular emptying (probably more to do with the grass length, than the mower).

Out of the box there's no set-up required, other than to attach the 70Ltr collection bag. The battery (which took 60 minutes to fully-charge) neatly clips under the hood, and the handle bar can be adjusted into three different heights for comfort.

With a list price of $749 / £919 and a weight of 30kg, the mower may be out of the budget or too heavy for some of our readers.  Yet with a self-propelled drive type and interchangeable battery, we feel that could be an easy mower to add to your yard this spring.

Read our full EGO Power+ LM2135SP 21-Inch Select Cut Lawn Mower review

Best lawn mower for small-medium yards

Best lawn mower for small-medium yards

Specifications

Mower type: Electric
Corded/cordless: Cordless
Deck size: 21 inches
Cutting height: 1.5 - 4.5in
Drive type: Self-propelled?

Reasons to buy

+
Multiple cutting modes for maximum efficiency
+
Easy to maneuver with a self-propel system
+
Durable plastic and metal build with a convenient control panel

Reasons to avoid

-
Batteries didn't last as long as promised
-
Cleaning process was a little tricky
-
Expensive

This lawn mower impressed us by it's performance on test, especially around our small to medium yard. It offers multiple cutting modes, and the self-propel system is a game-changer which makes it much easier to maneuver the machine.

The Lawn Xpert LE-322 includes two batteries, although only one battery can be charged at a time. We found that the control panel on the handle was very convenient and includes indicator lights for battery life, errors, high-temperature notification, and a locked blade.

Other features we found to be useful include the three different modes which can be tweaked depending on your needs. It also has a rear-wheel drive of this lawn mower that makes it easy to mow in a straight line and around trees, and the drive speed lever lets you choose how fast you want the self-propel system to go. Then, the grass catcher, rear discharge chute, and mulch plug can be easily exchanged, and the grass catcher size is decent at 2.3 cubic feet.

However, the batteries did not last as long as advertised, but this is not uncommon for lawn mower batteries. The cleaning process can be tricky, but maintenance is minimal overall, and the three-year limited warranty is a bonus.

Read our full Husqvarna Lawn Xpert LE-322 review

Best gas lawn mower

Honda HRX217HZA lawn mower

(Image credit: Home Depot)

3. Honda HRX217HZA

The best gas lawn mower

Specifications

Mower type: gas, electric start
Corded/cordless: cordless
Deck size: 21in
Max cutting height: 4in
Min cutting height: 0.75in
Dimensions: 65.5” x 42.2” x 23.1”in
Weight: 106lb
Drive type: self-propelled

Reasons to buy

+
Powerful engine 
+
Twin blades for superior mulching 

Reasons to avoid

-
Pricey 
-
Heavy 

The Honda HRX217HZA is an impressive walk-behind gas powered mower that really delivers for medium and large sized lawns. 

What the users say...

The Honda HRX217HZA scored a 4.5 rating out of 5 on the Mowers Direct website. Fans of the mower praised how powerful it is, as well as how quiet it is despite the big engine. One said: "This lawn mower is better than sliced bread,” while another said: “The double blades really chop the grass into fine pieces”. Meanwhile, negative reviews cited issues with faulty parts, but these were quickly replaced under the warranty.

With its Hydrostatic Speed Control and Roto-Stop technology (that’s a blade stop system to you and me), we rank it as one of the best gas lawn mowers you can buy. 

The deck has state-of-the-art twin blades to finely cut grass and it has a 4 in 1 system that bags, mulches, discharges and also shreds leaves. The 200cc engine makes it one of the most powerful mowers on the market, and we love the Cruise Control feature, which means you barely need to push the mower at all - simple fingertip pressure is enough to start it moving. The Honda HRX217HZA also has nine adjustable cutting heights. 

Best riding lawn mower

John Deere S180 lawn mower

(Image credit: Lowe's)

4. John Deere S180

The best riding lawn mower

Specifications

Mower type: riding lawn mower
Corded/cordless: cordless
Deck size: 54in
Cutting height: 1 - 4in
Dimensions: 81.5” x 53.5” x 49”
Weight: 595lb
Drive type: self-propelled

Reasons to buy

+
Good engine 
+
Very easy to maintain 

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive 
-
Hard to get on if mobility issues 

If you want a reliable, powerful lawn mower that makes light work of cutting grass, look no further than the John Deere S180. 

What the users say...

The John Deere S180 scores 4.2 out of 5 stars on the John Deere website. Fans of the lawn mower praise how powerful it is, with one saying it: “Goes up hills like a champ. Never bogs down in tall grass.” Another reviewer said it feels very safe. Negative reviews cited issues with the tires being quite small and thin, while another user had problems with the belt breaking.

Designed for convenience and comfort, this riding lawn mower has several advanced features to take on even the most challenging lawns. 

Under the hood there is a 24 horsepower V-twin engine that is powerful yet quiet. The John Deere S180 also comes with an operator presence system (OPS) that shuts off the engine if you get out of the seat. The cup holder is a nice touch so you can have a hot or cold beverage during your mow.

It has a big 54” deck (not designed to be stood on) so there’s a bit of a step up to get onto the mower, so this is one thing to consider if you have mobility issues. The S180 comes with a really comfortable weather-resistant seat with spring suspension and lumbar support, and you can adjust it forwards or backwards to fit your height/size. There are very few cons to this impressive machine, apart from the high price and it may be incompatible with certain accessories and parts.

Best entry-level lawn mower

Black + Decker BEMW472BH lawn mower

(Image credit: Amazon)

5. Black + Decker BEMW472BH

The best entry-level lawn mower

Specifications

Mower type: electric
Corded/cordless: corded
Deck size: 15in
Max cutting height: 1-3in
Dimensions: 31” x 18” x 15.6”
Weight: 38.9lb
Drive type: push

Reasons to buy

+
Ergonomic steering 
+
Foldable for easy storage 

Reasons to avoid

-
Doesn’t mulch grass 
-
Not suitable for large lawns 

The Black + Decker BEMW472BH is an entry-level lawn mower for smaller lawns that has a unique bike handlebar design for ergonomic steering. 

What the users say...

The Black + Decker BEMW472BH gets 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon, with 60% giving it the full five stars. Positive reviews praised the lawn mower for its long running motor and one said: “One of the reasons I got this one was due to the weight of the machine. I have a very bad back along with bad shoulders and hips. I can pick this up and take it up or down the five steps to our backyard. This is very lightweight and easy to use.” Negative reviews complained that the machine was quite cheap looking with a lot of plastic, while another said the bag was too small and “only catches a small amount of grass”.

It’s fast to set up, lightweight and the bike-style handles make it super easy to push. It’s also foldable so is a great choice for anyone short on space or with a small garage.

The 10-amp 15” electric mower has six adjustable cutting heights as well as safety features to prevent accidental starting. It’s cheap to run and while it’s not packed with features, it gets the job done efficiently and is made by a trusted brand that delivers. Our only real complaint is it’s a shame it doesn’t come with a retractable mechanism for your extension cord, because the hooks on the front that you have to keep wrapping and unwrapping the cord around are a bit inadequate and annoying. 

Buying advice for the best lawn mowers

What to look for in a lawn mower

What should I look for in a lawn mower? Cobra’s managing director Chaloner says first think about budget, yard size, terrain and power source.

He says: “You can choose between gas, electric or cordless battery. Gas is a more traditional option but does require a trip to the gas station to fill up. Electric mowers are also popular but aren’t ideal for larger lawns where power may not be easily accessible. Cordless mowers are a very convenient solution – you can mow from the charge of a battery, so you don’t have to worry about electric cables or filling up with gas. They are also more environmentally friendly, and the battery could be transferred to be used in a range of hand tools like strimmers, leaf blowers and hedge trimmers.

“Another factor should be the cutting finish that you want. Many people strive for the classic striped finish. To achieve this you want to be looking for a cylinder or rear roller mower that will cut and press the lawn in the right direction to achieve the perfect stripes.”

Nick Grey, CEO for garden appliances firm Gtech, has some advice, too. “When choosing a lawn mower, think about what your lawn is used for. If you have kids and pets, or your lawn gets lots of use, it will need to be hardwearing. 

“Hardwearing lawns generally have thicker leaved grasses, which you cut no shorter than 50mm. If, however, you mainly like to look at your lawn then close cut fine-leaved grass and perfect stripes may well be your aim.

“The good news is you don’t have to reseed your lawn, how you care for it will ultimately determine the type of grass that will thrive. Most lawn mowers on sale are rotary – they have a helicopter type blade that spins horizontally over the lawn. The blade has aerofoil features which makes the grass stand up straight for cutting and then sweeps it into a bin for collection. These mowers are perfect for hardwearing lawns as they can cut long grass very evenly, tend to be wider so cut faster and are very low maintenance.

“Many rotary mowers are cordless and these tend to have the added safety of no 240v cable trailing around the blade, no need for gas and are generally quicker to use. The drawback of cordless is that you will need to cut larger lawns in two attempts while you recharge the battery. Gas and cordless mowers tend to be a bit more expensive, starting at around $165, while corded mowers range from $82. Gas mowers are becoming less popular due to the noise levels and mess.”

Jennifer Oksien
Editor

Jennifer Oksien is the Editor of Top Ten Reviews. Jennifer (Jen) has over a decade of experience as a digital product writer specialising in appliances, smart tech and mattresses for some of the UKs leading retailers and magazine titles such as TechRadar, Real Homes and Ideal Home. Generally, you’ll find her watching the latest Netflix series, digging around in the garden or making a cake.