The best gas lawn mowers are ideal for tackling larger lawns, but it’s not always easy to choose the right one for your needs and budget. We’ve compiled a list of the top gas mowers for mastering your lawn, explaining their top features and specs so that they’re easy to choose between.
But why choose a gas lawn mower at all? While the best electric lawn mowers and even the best robot lawn mowers have seen a rise in popularity recently, it’s still gas power that rules when it comes to mowing in less-than-ideal conditions – and for sheer power. A gas mower is the most capable tool there is when it comes to cutting your lawn precisely, but there are a few considerations to make when you’re shopping.
Firstly, ask yourself how big your yard is, and where you’re going to store the mower – as that will help with size. It’s also wise to think about whether you need a self-propelled mower, which is easier to maneuver and push around. Lastly, think about how much you want to spend, and which features might speed up the task and enhance the mowing experience, such as twin cutting blades and a variety of cutting heights.
Keep reading to discover all the top-rated options and find the best gas mower for you. Or, if you’re unsure about getting a push-along mower, check out the best riding lawn mowers for the most comfortable mowing machine.
Best gas lawn mowers
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While we've reviewed most of the products in this guide, there are a few that we're still in the process of testing. For these gas lawn mowers, we've provided an overview of the important specs and features that you need to know – plus, we've provided a summary of user reviews to help you make the right decision for you and your garden.
The best gas lawn mowers
We've chosen the Honda HRX217HZA as one of the best gas lawn mowers because of its powerful 200cc Honda engine, high performance and build quality. We’d recommend this mower if you’ve got a 1/2 - 1 acre plot, as the 21-inch cutting deck isn’t the widest option out there. The mower sports twin blades and a 4-in-1 Versamow System, which means you can easily switch between mulching, bagging, discharging and leaf-shredding.
The difference between this model and the similarly named Honda HRX217VKA, in our buying guide below, is the addition of Roto Stop technology, which means you can stop the blades without stopping the engine. It has Hydrostatic Cruise control for more precise mower speed, and you also get an electric key start, so there's no awkward cord to pull on. Just turn a key and the mower springs into life.
There are seven cutting height positions from 0.75 to 4 inches, which allows you to tailor the cut to your own yard. The mower’s large 9-inch ball-bearing wheels are also great for maneuvering around and make the design more durable too.
Users have reviewed the Honda HRX217HZA favorably, too, and enjoy how quiet and fast it is. It isn’t the most expensive mower on our list, but it comes with a 5-year warranty to offer you extra peace of mind if you decide it’s the right one for you.
- Read our Honda HRX217HZA review
The Honda HRX217VKA is a great middle-of-the-road gas lawn model, with plenty of useful everyday mowing features and a sensible price tag. Being self-propelled, it's easy to operate and move forward with minimal effort. There's also an auto choke, so you can be guaranteed a start on the first attempt even if you have to pull a cord.
Honda lawnmowers are known for their great engines – indeed, many other manufacturers use Honda engines in their products, too. The HRX217VKA features a powerful 200cc engine, which is shared by the more expensive HRX21HZA above, as well as twin blades, so you can ensure an amazing cut. It's got the Honda 4-in-1 Versamow feature set that enables bagging, mulching, discharging and leaf cutting.
With both of these Honda mowers you get a generous 5-year warranty. Not that it’s likely you'll need it, as the user reviews rarely mention mechanical failure. In fact, 83% of users on the Home Depot website would recommend this model. One said it was “Easy to start, plenty of power, excellent mulching blades, adjustable handle height is quick and easy to adjust, and the self propel is no slack even on minimum speed.”
The HRX217VKA shares most of the same features as the more expensive Honda HRX21HZA, but at around $250 less. If you don’t need to cover a large area, this easily-stowed, reasonably-priced mower is a great choice.
- Read our Honda HRX217VKA review
If you're searching for a lightweight push lawn mower, then the Craftsman M105 is a brilliant choice. The 21-inch blade means it works best for gardens under a quarter acre, and a six-height adjustable deck and three different clipping disposal options ensures a thorough trim.
Like many of the mid range offerings on this list, the Craftsman doesn't offer two blades in its cutting deck for fine mulching, it still has a three-in-one clipping disposal system. This includes a “mulching” functionality. An extra inclusion with the mower is a “mulch kit”, which improves the nutritional quality of any caught lawn clippings used later for composting.
The M105 weighs in far less than a lot of its competitors, making it a great option for anyone who does not want to move a 100 lb machine around their garden. Sometimes less is more, especially with a push mower that has none of its own power. While it is easy to move, being a push mower the Craftsman is less suited to hilly gardens than self-powered machines.
The Craftsman M105 has an auto-choke pull cord engine to minimize any hassle. The dual lever used to operate the cutting deck is also easy to use, making the M105 a fantastic option for medium-sized gardens with a medium-sized price tag.
Although not the cheapest option for a mid-range mower, the Craftsman is a good value proposition regardless. It works especially well for users who want a simple and light lawn care solution.
- Read our full Craftsman M105 review
The Cub Cadet ZT1 is a top-class riding lawn mower. Powered by gas, the bright yellow 50-inch decked model is a sight to behold, with two bright front LEd highlights to help you mow in lower light conditions. It also has chunky rear tires to grip and turn in different weather conditions.
The Cub Cadet ZT1 gas zero-turn riding lawn mower is generally reviewed very favorably by users. On the Home Depot, 89% of verified customers said that they'd recommend the mower. Users were thrilled with how quickly they could mow larger areas compared to a smaller push mower – especially in taller grass – and felt that the ride quality was very smooth and comfortable. The few negative reviews mentioned the tires becoming flat very quickly, but this was a rare complaint.
This Cub Cadet is designed to offer a smooth riding experience, thanks to the rear-wheel transmission that helps with the 7.5 MPH forward and 3.5 MPH reverse zero-turn controlled ground speeds.
The machine is operated by adjustable lap bars and ergonomic hand grips, while a foot-operated deck lift and dial knob help you to choose the perfect cut with 15 qt. in. deck height adjustments from 1 to 4.5 inches. If you’re mowing for long periods of time, you should be more than comfortable sitting in the ergonomic and adjustable 18-inch high-backed seat with suspension. The Cub Cadet ZT1 comes fully crated with minimal assembly, so you can get mowing almost straight away. You’ll be able to stay mowing, too, thanks to its 3.5-gallon fuel tank.
If you’ve got a yard greater than two yards, a generous budget, and want the best gas lawn mower that money can be, the Cub Cadet ZT1 is ideal.
If you're looking for an affordable gas-powered lawnmower then has all the basic function then the Troy-Bilt 160 is a great mower to consider. Of course, at a price like this you can't expect all the high-end features of something like the Honda HRX217HZA, so it's not self-propelled, and it certainly doesn't have an electric starter, but you do get a really solid 160cc Honda engine.
As well as the reliable engine the Troy-Bilt 160 comes with an Auto-Choke system which means that starting won't be a problem, even if you need to pull a cord.
The Troy-Bilt 160 does more than just basic grass cutting too. It has a 3 in 1 action, so you get a 1.9-bushel rear bag for normal grass cuttings, but also a mulch kit, and side discharge options with this mower. A specialized cutting blade ensures that mulched grass is finely cut and you'll get a great freshly-cut look for your lawn.
While it's not self-propelled Troy-Bilt has done as much as it can to make it easier to cut with this mower. For instance, the rear wheels are large, at 11-inches, so they'll help you over rough spots in your grass or hills, too.
Finally, adjusting the height of the cutting blade is easy, thanks to duel levers which give you 6 different height positions.
The Troy-Bilt TB160 has a number of really good features for its price point, and as one of the cheapest here, it's great value.
- Read our Troy-Bilt TB160 review
The Beast 26 in. 208 cc is one of the cheaper gas lawn mowers in our guide, and while that means it lacks features like LED headlights or rugged tires, all the components of a great product are here.
100% of users on the Home Depot website would recommend this product, even though it received 4.3 out of 5 stars overall. There aren't hundreds of product reviews for the Beast 26 in. 208 cc yet. Those customers who did comment said that the mower was a great option without breaking the bank and that the 26-inch cutting deck noticeably reduced mowing times.
The mower comes with a brake clutch which can be used to stop the cutting blade from rotating while keeping the engine running, which means you can empty the mulch bag without having to restart it using the pull cord.
With a 26-inch cutting deck, this mower is ideal for yards around 1/4 - 1/2 acre in size, and it’s incredibly quick and easy to maneuver around thanks to its low weight of 111 lb. A self-propelled mower like this will also save you energy as it mechanically pushes through thicker grass and works steadily over uneven terrain.
In terms of design, the mower sports a simple black and orange colorway. It includes a 3-in-1 rear bag, with side discharge and mulching, plus a foldable handle for easier storage.
The cutting heights range between 1-4 inches, making this a great model for precise trimming. For an affordable, no-nonsense gas lawn mower, the Beast 26 in. 208 cc is a great buy.
Mowing your yard can be an important part of your weekly exercise regimen, and if you feel like you need the exercise then it's probably best to stay away from self-propelled mowers. Push mowers are also much cheaper, and if you're shopping on a budget then the price-friendly Troy-Bilt TB100 could be all you need.
Visually it looks very similar to the TB160, which is also in this buying guide, but it has a less-powerful 140cc Briggs & Stratton engine.
Another difference between the TB160 and this model though is that there's no bagging option with this mower. You only get mulch and side discharge. So, your cuttings are going to stay on your lawn, which might not be good if you want that clean look to your garden.
As you'd expect for a lightweight mower like this, most of the parts are plastic, so durability may be an issue, but that also means it's easy to transport, which is handy if you need to lift it into a truck. There are lots of positive user reviews and people note that assembly is easy and requires no tools.
Also on the positive side, there are 6 cutting positions to choose from, with a lever to help you manually adjust between them. You've also got the large rear wheels to help you over the rough spots.
As a rough guide, if you're considering getting a smaller lawnmower like the Troy-Bilt TB100 you're looking at a yard size of under a 1/4 of an acre.
- Read our Troy TB100 review
The Toro TimeMaster 21199 has all the features you need to mow larger yards efficiently, while quickly cutting grass with its wide 30-inch deck. As one of the best self-propelled lawn mowers, it’s also simple to operate with a Personal Pace and Traction Assist feature that ensures the machine operates at a speed that suits you.
Other great features include a Dual-Force Cutting System and Atomic blades, which also slice grass into mulch, plus there’s the option to control your mowing height. The Toro TimeMaster 21199 is practical too with a quick-stow storage handle, and a washout port to easily clean under the deck of the mower.
As the name suggests, the Toro TimeMaster can significantly reduce the time you spend mowing the lawn, and the 1.2-quart tank averages 45-60 minutes of runtime that will suit most residential lawns of up to an acre.
With its Torque Briggs and Stratton 223cc OHV engine, this best mower is designed to cope with larger residential lawns, but at over $1,000 in price, it might be a little too pricey for smaller backyards. However, if you want plenty of power to cut your mowing time in half with ease then the Toro TimeMaster 21199 is a reliable choice.
- Read our full Toro TimeMaster 21199 review
California Trimmer reel mowers have been around for over eighty years, and they're renowned for creating beautiful lawns.
This self-propelled reel lawn mower by California Trimmer has an impressive 4.8 stars out of a possible 5 on the Home Depot. While some users said that it was a learning curve to operate it, most were very praising of how well built and sturdy it was. There were also many mentions of how beautiful the lawn looked after use – "it leaves the lawn as golf green" – which is just what you want to hear if you're thinking of purchasing it yourself.
Experts will often recommend a reel mower, as they're better for lawn health, not to mention able to create a neat, golf pitch-like cut. Indeed, many reviewers of the Classic Standard mower said it left their lawn looking like a manicured golf course!
In terms of specs, this mower has a 9-inch wide deep tread drive roller that propels the mower while also protecting the grass – so no tears or clods of mud should be left afterward. The 20-inch cutting width isn't the highest in our guide by any stretch, but it’s well-suited to yards of 1/4 - 1/2 acre.
You can choose from 15 cutting settings, ranging between 3/8 to 1-7/8 inches to cut a variety of different grass types. The catcher that’s included with the mower will also collect the cut grass for you. The mower’s 118cc Honda GX120 OHV 4-cycle engine features automatic mechanical decompression which means it will start more easily. A 32 oz. bottle of engine oil comes included with purchases from Home Depot.
If you're looking for a shorter, neater cut than many gas lawn mowers, this option is worth the investment.
When it comes to a reliable cut and easy-to-handle operation, the Toro 21378 is one of the best mowers for the job. This affordable machine is packed with features too and includes a mulching system that finely shreds grass and puts it back onto your lawn to nourish it. If you wanted to bag the grass instead, then the Toro 21378 also has a quick-connect bagging system that allows you to easily switch from mulching.
The 150cc engine and 22-inch steel deck can take on yards of up to half an acre, with the adjustable handle and lightweight 11-inch rear wheels making it super-easy to control over most lawns. There is also flexibility for precision cutting, and this self-propelling lawn mower has nine positions that will trim between one to four inches.
Overall, when it comes to residential use this self-propelled gas mower is a no-brainer, and at 74lb the Toro 21378 Recycler Lawn Mower can be used by most people with relative ease.
- Read our full Toro 21378 Recycler Lawn Mower review
What should you look for in a gas lawn mower?
Engine power: The most crucial consideration for many, often the engine size of a mower will directly impact the cutting power. If you want a self-propelled model to help you along, then opting for a powerful engine will make your experience much smoother. To give a number, anything over 160cc will be assured to pack the power you need.
Self-propulsion: One of the benefits of gas lawn mowers is the fact that self-propulsion technology is often built in, meaning that you don’t need to exert all of your effort to even get your mower mowing. Self-propulsion will make your mowing experience less strenuous, but won’t completely eradicate the need to push.
Mulching: Lots of mowers are sold as having the capability to mulch, bag and side discharge all at once, which means that your grass cuttings will be dealt with as you move along. Lots of lawns can benefit from mulching, so it’s worth this feature if that applies to you.
Blade width: In short, the width of the cutting blade on your mower will set how many passes it takes to mow your lawn, meaning that the blade you need will depend on how big your yard is. If you have a wider blade, you’ll need to spend much less time pushing your mower around, but there might not be much point sizing up if you only have a small yard.
Noise level: Gas mowers aren’t the quietest mowers out there, but you can cut down on noise by opting for a smaller engine for your backyard, ensuring you stay on the good side on your neighbors.
Cutting height and positions: You can change the cutting position of your mower on its wheel, which will allow you to get specific with how tall your grass is. Less expensive models will likely require you to manually change this with a screwdriver.
