The Best Lawn Mowers

Greenworks MO24B410 Lawn Mower

Fight Through Foliage

This mower has phenomenal precision and a battery that's built to last.

Best Electric Mower

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You can maintain your yard more efficiently than ever with smartly designed tools like the Greenworks Lawn Mower. Breaking from the stereotypical design, the MO24B410 is an electric unit boasting a 24-volt lithium-ion battery. With over a half-hour run-time, homeowners with medium-sized yards and a quick stride can clear their property on a single charge. Additionally, if you’re playing around in your yard all the time and hate tracking in grass, Greenworks’ bagger will capture nearly every blade for a clean finish every time.

Pros:

• Intuitive design with fewer moving parts than its gas counterparts
• Coated in rust-resistant finish
• The mower’s battery doubles as a USB power bank

Cons:

• Thicker grass will eat up the battery more quickly

Black+Decker BESTA512CM Electric Lawn Mower

Electric Edge Eliminator

If you need a tool for detailing or a compact device with a surprising amount of power, this mower is built to impress.

Best Multi-Purpose

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Anyone even slightly familiar with landscaping knows how painstaking the process of detailing an edge can be. This task, which usually requires incredible patience and multiple devices, can be accomplished painlessly with the Black+Decker Electric Lawn Mower. While this corded unit will require matching extension cords for massive lawns, the BESTA512CM is worth it. This machine can be configured as a four-wheeled mower, weed wacker, or edging tool depending on your needs. If your shed space is limited and you’d like to have a yard with a professional finish, this three-in-one stands out above the rest.

Pros:

• Extremely easy to navigate at only 13 lbs
• The automatic feeder makes replacing trimming string less frequent and dangerous
• Great at cleaning overgrown weeds

Cons:

• The cost of replacement trimming string can add up

American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 Push Reel Mower

A Classic Cut

Let this mower win you over with its accurate cuts and authentic feel of a bygone era of engineering.

Best Mechanical Mower

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If you can afford to take your time cutting the grass or find a moment of serenity while performing this time-honored duty, the 1204-14 Push Reel Mower might be the choice for you. Few of us can remember a time when engines didn’t dominate all of our wheeled gadgets, but the American Lawn Mower Company’s mechanical marvel is proof of concept. While the device might seem outdated at first glance, you can set the razor-sharp blade reel for 1/2″ – 1 3/4″ grass height, a half-inch shorter than most powered units are capable of — and without all the commotion.

Pros:

• Can cut overgrown grass up to 4″
• Cushioned handles for all-day comfort
• Quick assembly and disassembly

Cons:

• The mower can get stuck on twigs and branches

Craftsman M215 High-Wheeled Mower

Gas-Powered Gardener

When you're looking for uncompromising power, this mower will get the job done right, no matter the conditions.

Best Gasoline Operated

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Battery-operated machines tend to come up short for lawns with larger acreage or thicker foliage. Craftsman’s M215 High-Wheeled Mower is powerful enough to tackle overgrown plots in one pass but not too bulky that fence corners and property lines go neglected. The main feature of the M215 is the large 11″ rear wheels designed to navigate through dips and bumps without causing an uneven cut. We’re also a fan of the no-choke engine, adjustable mulch exits, and variable speed settings, fabulous factors that make even the most unruly trimmings a walk in the park.

Pros:

• It can be used as a multi-directional mulcher or bagger
• Made in the USA
• Cutting height can be adjusted from 1″ – 6″

Cons:

• The engine is very noisy

Black+Decker BEMW472ES Electric Mower

Precise Pivoting Power

This maneuverable mower will undoubtedly win you over with a futuristic design that makes reaching every edge a breeze.

Best Control

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If perfect ninety-degree angles don’t skirt the exterior of your yard, the Black+Decker BEMW472ES will cut down on the number of pass-throughs right out of the box. This electric mower is the go-to choice in irregular yards for one simple reason: it has a steering wheel. The front axle’s turning radius makes navigating around trees and gardens incredibly straightforward. As soon as you’re ready to take landscaping to the next level, grab your extension cord, push the start button, and trim away.

Pros:

• The handle folds down for convenient storage
• Solid metal cutting blade stays sharper longer
• Impressive value for the price

Cons:

• The cutting height indicator can be knocked out of place accidentally

Frequently Asked Questions

Can specific lawn mowers replace a weed wacker?

Weed whackers, as known as string trimmers, are a detailing tool used to cut foliage in cramped spaces. These nifty devices are the only tools built to deal with uneven terrain like garden stones or features with sharp corners such as fence posts. While they do make a mess, weed whackers don’t risk damaging your property by using a flexible yet durable plastic thread that will slash through both stalk and root with ease. Unless you only have a narrow strip of grass for a yard, substituting a lawnmower for a weed whacker would be impractical and time-consuming.

Should I bag my grass clippings?

If you’re concerned that leaving your grass clippings on your lawn will harm it, worry no more. Grass clippings are essentially fuel waiting to be used by your remaining lawn. Water and nitrogen particles are beneficial nutrients for both your grass and microorganisms spread throughout the affected area. The only times you should consider holding off on mulching your yard is when the grass is damp or if you have a lot of weeds. Damp, clumped grass clippings can kill otherwise healthy grass, and mulching can inadvertently spread the seeds of weeds if they are in abundance.