Quietest lawn mower 2023: Mow your lawn in peace

Quietest lawn mower
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The quietest lawn mowers are the perfect tool to transform your backyard into a scene of peace and serenity. While most lawn mowers are notoriously noisy, there are quiet lawn mower models that significantly reduce the amount of noise you (and your neighbors) will experience.

So, what should you look for in one of the quietest lawn mowers? You’ll see that noise levels are measured in decibels. Be aware that decibels are on a logarithmic scale, with 50 dB registering about twice as loud as 40 dB. As a guide, a normal conversation is the equivalent of 60 dB. However, it's worth noting that the majority of lawn mower manufacturers do not provide information on decibels (although our top pick does!). 

In this guide, you’ll only find electric lawn mowers, robot lawn mowers and manual push mowers. We excluded the best riding lawn mowers and the best gas lawn mowers from this guide as, while they tend to boast superior cutting power, they tend to be louder than their counterparts. 

Mulling over whether to opt for manual, electric, or robot? The main distinction is the amount of work. A manual mower is the most sustainable option but requires more physical exertion, a robot takes care of the mowing for you, and an electric model is somewhere in between.

Quietest lawn mowers

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We've rounded up the quietest lawn mowers around to help you find the right model for you. We've included everything from a high-tech robot lawn mower to a manual push reel mower. While we endeavor to review every product that we highlight in our guides, reviews for the products below are still in progress. However, we've summed up the key specs, features and user reviews to help you make the right decision for you and your lawn. 

The quietest lawn mower

Gardena Lawnmower on white background with hand holding mobile to programme the mower

(Image credit: Amazon)

GARDENA 15001-41 SILENO City

Let this robot mower take care of the work for you

Specifications

Noise rating: 57 dBA
Type: Robot
Power type: Battery
Size of yard: Up to 2700 square feet
Cutting Width: 6.3 inches
Running time: 65 minutes

Reasons to buy

+
Minimal effort
+
Super-quiet
+
Works in the rain

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Not suitable for large spaces
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Lengthy set-up

If you want a mower to do the hard graft for you, the GARDENA 15001-41 SILENO City is your new best friend. Better still, this robot mower operates so quietly that you may forget it’s there. 

What the users say

The GARDENA 15001-41 SILENO City scores an impressive 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon user reviews on the noise level. Many were thrilled with the convenience of the mower taking care of the lawn for them. A few mentioned that it trims the grass very short, which is not to everyone’s taste. The main drawback mentioned is that setting up the boundary wire can be a hassle - but you only have to do it once.

Gardena is a European brand renowned for its robot mowers, with 20 years of experience in the industry. An insider tip is that European brands often have quieter models as there are stricter regulations on noise control than in the US. At 57 dBA, it’s one of the quietest lawn mowers in its class. That’s equivalent to just shy of a normal conversation. The quiet operation allows you to relax and unwind in your yard while the mower takes care of the lawn. 

We love that this little mower works come rain or shine, with a clever weatherproof design. It can even navigate slopes up to a 35% gradient. At $799.99, it’s not cheap, though it may be worth the investment to tick the mowing off your list.

More of the quietest lawn mowers

What to look for in a quiet lawn mower

Why having the quietest lawn mower possible is important 

If you want to transform your yard into a tranquil haven, picking one of the quietest lawn mowers is a superb choice. 

“Quiet lawnmowers offer a multitude of benefits, including eliminating disruptions for neighbors and expanding a homeowner’s mowing opportunities. Mowing early in the morning was once considered a nuisance, but with quiet lawn mowers, homeowners can mow whenever it fits their schedule — without waking up the neighborhood,” says Christina Swanson, Marketing Manager at Toro. 

Headshot of Christina Swanson, marketing manager at Toro
Christina Swanson

Christina Swanson is a marketing manager with Toro, where she is responsible for the walk–behind lawn mower business. She's an expert on all aspects of lawn care – and understands why having a quiet lawn mower can be so beneficial. 

Picking one of the quietest lawn mowers is wise if you live in an urban area with buildings and neighbors nearby. It means you don’t have to worry about disturbing the people around you. 

Keeping the noise down isn’t just about peace and quiet. Evidence suggests reducing exposure to noise benefits your health and wellbeing. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to excessive noise can interfere with daily activities and negatively impact sleep and cardiovascular health. 

Exposure to loud noise over prolonged periods is also linked to stress. “It is thought that noise triggers the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which damages blood vessels over time,” says Poppy Szkiler, Quiet Mark CEO & CoFounder. 

If you share your home with pets, one of the quietest lawn mowers may be a wise choice. Loud noises can cause distress in some animals, but a quiet model can put your mind at ease.

What are the downsides to having a quiet lawn mower?

Perceptions of noise are shifting, and choosing a quiet appliance is increasingly desirable. According to a Quiet Mark survey, more than 77% of Americans have changed how they view noise in their environment since the beginning of the pandemic. 

What the expert says…

The World Health Organization says that noise pollution is the second biggest killing natural pollutant after air pollution. At least 1 million healthy life-years are lost every year in western European countries because of environmental noise, with cardiovascular disease contributing to the vast majority of these deaths, especially high blood pressure, heart attacks, and coronary heart disease,” says Poppy Szkiler, Quiet Mark CEO & CoFounder. 

People are willing to pay a premium for peace and quiet. You can expect models with quiet functioning to cost more as it’s a selling point. If you’re on a budget, a manual model may be a great choice as they are typically more affordable than other options. You may also want to take advantage of deals on quieter models to reap the rewards for less.

Typically, electric, battery, and manual models are quieter than gas lawn mowers. Consumers have traditionally faced a trade-off between the power of gas and the peace and quiet of other types of mowers. Recent developments see alternative models beginning to rival gas. “Battery-powered mowers stand up to their gas counterparts when it comes to quality of cut, reliability, and durability,” says Christina Swanson, Marketing Manager at Toro.

Yet be aware that often higher motor speeds produce more noise, so you may need to find a compromise between power and noise level. The Makita XML03CM1, for example, has an extra quiet mode, which reduces noise by slowing down the speed of the motor. 

On a very large plot? The quietest models may not offer sufficient power to cover the ground quickly. In this scenario, a riding mower may be a better alternative for your yard. 

Louise Bond

Louise Bond is a UK-based writer and the founder of The Cove Copy. She has been published in The Guardian, Breathe, Fit & Well, Top Ten Reviews, and more. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her out in nature, whether hiking in the woods or pottering in the garden.