Gas lawn mowers are powerful machines that can tame even the wildest lawns. So we researched mowers available at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart to compile a list of the best gas lawn mowers on the market this year. We break down each model’s cost and features to ensure you find the perfect mower for your lawn and your budget.
Our reviews include walk-behind gas mowers and riding gas mowers, so you can find the best option for you no matter the size of your property.
Our top picks
| Best walk-behind gas mowers |
| — 1. Toro TimeMaster 21199 |
| — 2. Cub Cadet CC800 |
| — 3. Honda HRX217VKA |
| — 4. Yardmax YG1650 |
| — 5. Power Smart PSM2521PH |
| Best riding gas mowers |
| — 1. John Deere Z515E |
| — 2. Husqvarna Z254F |
| — 3. John Deere S140 |
| — 4. Husqvarna YTH22V46 |
Top 5 walk-behind gas mowers – Reviews
1. Toro TimeMaster 21199 – Best self-propelled gas lawn mower
The Toro TimeMaster 21199 quickly and cleanly cuts lawns up to one acre. It has a powerful overhead valve (OHV) Briggs & Stratton engine and two gator blades housed in a 30-inch steel cutting deck. Additionally, the TimeMaster has high rear wheels that smoothly navigate over sloped or uneven terrain. Then, when you are done mowing, its handles fold for easy storage.
How does it handle? The Toro TimeMaster comes with Toro’s Personal Pace System that syncs with your walking speed, and its ergonomic steering was inspired by race car technology. Lean forward on the handle to go faster (up to 4.5 MPH) and pull it back to slow down. Based on the pressure applied while handling, the mower knows how fast you want to go.
Maintenance: It never needs an oil change and features toolless adjustments. Add a fuel stabilizer to reduce starting problems, and be sure to keep the air filter clean and the blades sharp.
Specifications
- Engine displacement: 223 cc
- Engine make: Briggs & Stratton
- Cutting width: 30 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.25 – 4.25 inches
- Warranty: 3 years
- Fuel tank capacity: .3 gallons
- Weight: 140 pounds
- Recommended lawn size: Up to 1 acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes |
| Bagging grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Side |
| Cutting height options | 7 |
| Number of blades | 2 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Powerful engine ✓ Wide, steel cutting deck ✓ Dual blades ✓ Easy-to-control personal pace system ✓ Many cutting height options | ✗ Expensive ✗ Fuel tank is too small to finish mowing a bigger yard without a refill |
Cost comparison: The Toro TimeMaster 21199 is more expensive than 80% of the self-propelled mowers we researched. However, due to its speed, cutting width, and easy maneuverability, many customers purchase it instead of a riding mower, and it costs about $350 less than the cheapest rider we researched. Compare it to other top-reviewed self-propelled lawn mowers.
Where to buy
2. Cub Cadet CC800 – Self-propelled runner-up
The Cub Cadet CC800 is durable, fast, and efficient, helping you maintain pristine grass on lawns up to an acre. It features a wide 33-inch rust-resistant steel deck and a 344 cc Briggs & Stratton OHV engine. Its dual blades smoothly cut your grass and finely mulch the clippings, so your lawn will look professionally mowed in no time at all.
How does it handle? It offers flexibility with a variable 4-speed drive system and wheels that lock to mow in a straight path or unlock for zero-turn capability. The zero-turn feature is incredibly smooth and special for a push mower. In addition, it has high rear wheels for mowing sloped or uneven terrain and an effortless electric start.
Maintenance: It comes with Cub Cadet’s SmartJet high-pressure deck washing system. A water port on each side connects to a garden hose. Once connected, start the mower and engage the blades. Run two minutes on each side to clean the mower – this is so much easier than trying to scrub beneath the deck on your own. It also has a meter to help you track when it’s time to perform maintenance.
Specifications
- Engine displacement: 344 cc
- Engine make: Briggs & Stratton
- Cutting width: 33 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.25 – 3.75 inches
- Warranty: 3 years
- Fuel tank capacity: 2 gallons
- Weight: 323 pounds
- Recommended lawn size: Up to 1 acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes |
| Bagging grass clippings | Yes, but sold separately |
| Discharge | Side |
| Cutting height options | 8 |
| Number of blades | 2 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Powerful engine ✓ Wide, steel cutting deck ✓ Dual blades ✓ Variable speed settings ✓ Many cutting height options ✓ Zero-turn capability ✓ SmartJet deck washing system | ✗ Expensive ✗ Bag for clippings isn’t included |
Cost comparison: The Cub Cadet CC800 is the most expensive self-propelled mower we researched. However, it has a powerful engine and a wide deck, so many customers purchase it instead of a riding mower, and it costs about the same as a low-end riding mower but with much higher quality.
Where to buy
3. Honda HRX217VKA – Best gas mower for small yards
If you don’t need a huge mower, the Honda HRX217VKA is the best 21-inch mower on the market. Ideal for lawns under half an acre, Honda makes a high-performance mower that is both powerful and fuel-efficient. In addition, it comes with Honda’s 4-in-1 Versamow System that easily cuts grass, mulches clippings, shreds leaves, and bags debris.
How does it handle? We’re always impressed with the quick and easy start provided by Honda’s auto choke system. The mower is also self-propelled and has a rotating speed dial that adjusts up to 4 miles per hour. Ball bearings on all four wheels make it easy to maneuver.
Maintenance: It has toolless air filter access, but changing the oil can be cumbersome. After about 5 hours of use, it requires an oil change, and the air filters need to be changed after about 25 hours of use.
Specifications
- Engine displacement: 200 cc
- Engine make: Honda
- Cutting width: 21 inches
- Cutting heights: .75 – 4 inches
- Warranty: 5 years
- Fuel tank capacity: .24 gallons
- Weight: 89 pounds
- Recommended lawn size: Up to 1/2 acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Rear |
| Cutting height options | 7 |
| Number of blades | 2 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Powerful engine ✓ Rust-free steel deck ✓ Dual blades ✓ Many cutting height options ✓ Variable speed control for self-propelled feature ✓ 5-year warranty ✓ Easy to start | ✗ Oil changes can be difficult |
Cost comparison: The Honda HRX217VKA costs more than 68% of the self-propelled mowers we researched, but we only found one two-blade mower that was cheaper. We suggest comparing this mower to more of the best lawn mowers for small yards.
Where to buy
4. Yardmax YG1650 – Best push gas mower
The Yardmax YG1650 is durable and easy to maneuver, making it the best push mower (meaning it isn’t self-propelled) for small and medium yards. It features a 21-inch heavy-duty steel deck that protects the blade and reduces vibration. It also has Yardmax’s MaxFlow technology for better mulching, and it conveniently folds for easy storage.
How does it handle? Overall, it’s comfortable to use and easy to control, especially for a push mower. It easily maneuvers through flat terrain. All four tires have 1.5″ wide treads with double ball bearings, and it features high rear wheels for more uneven ground. Additionally, its height and handle position adjust.
Maintenance: It has toolless air filter access, but some users say the air filter cover falls off. Change the oil after one month or 10 hours of use, and replace the air filter and spark plugs after 6 months or 50 hours of use.
Specifications
- Engine displacement: 170 cc
- Cutting width: 21 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.25 – 3.75 inches
- Warranty: 2 years
- Fuel tank capacity: .21 gallons
- Weight: 60 pounds
- Recommended lawn size: Up to 1/2 acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Side |
| Cutting height options | 7 |
| Number of blades | 1 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Many cutting height options ✓ MaxFlow for better mulching ✓ Reduced vibration ✓ Heavy-duty cutting deck ✓ Easy to maneuver | ✗ Air filter cover falls off sometimes ✗ Takes a long time to get parts replaced through the warranty |
Cost comparison: The Yardmax YG1650 is an average-priced push gas mower. Compare it to the other best push lawn mowers out this year.
Where to buy
5. Power Smart PSM2521PH – Best budget buy
Out of all the push mowers we looked at, the Power Smart PSM2521PH has the most powerful engine, making it a handy tool for smaller yards. A durable 21-inch steel cutting deck protects its blade, and it has 3-in-1 cutting capability— side discharge, bagging, and mulching. When mowing is complete, the PSM2521PH folds for easy storage.
How does it handle? Although it takes more effort to move than a self-propelled mower, it has slightly larger rear wheels for smooth maneuverability. So, you can cover rougher terrain if you have the upper body strength.
Maintenance: Regularly check the oil level and make sure the air cleaner doesn’t get too dirty. It is a little difficult to clean compared to other gas mowers.
Specifications
- Engine displacement: 209 cc
- Cutting width: 21 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.18 – 3 inches
- Warranty: 3 years
- Fuel tank capacity: .24 gallons
- Weight: 67 pounds
- Recommended lawn size: Up to 1/2 acre
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Side |
| Cutting height options | 5 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Powerful engine ✓ Smooth cuts ✓ Affordable | ✗ Heavy for a push mower ✗ Doesn’t always start up easily ✗ Hard to clean |
Cost comparison: The Power Smart PSM2521PH costs less than 90% of the gas push mowers we researched.
Where to buy
Top 4 riding gas mowers – Reviews
1. John Deere Z515E – Best zero-turn gas mower
Manufactured in Greenville, Tennessee, John Deere is known for durability and performance, and the John Deere Z515E is the best residential zero-turn mower on the market. It’s fast, powerful, and comfortable to use. As a result, you can immaculately mow a lawn of up to 5 acres in a reasonable time.
The Z515E comes with John Deere’s Accel Deep Deck in 54- or 60-inch widths. The deck is made from a solid piece of metal. Because the deck is deep, it gets more airflow, allowing the blades to work better. Your grass receives an even cut, giving your lawn a professionally maintained appearance.
Safety is always a concern with riding mowers because we’ve all heard stories about them overturning. So, John Deere built the Z515E with a rollover protection system (ROPS) that combines with a seatbelt and a protective zone around the user for the safest experience possible. ROPS reduces the risk of overturning and prevents the user from being crushed if the mower does overturn.
How does it handle? Its controls are easily read and adjustable, and its medium-back seat and handlebars are also adjustable. It’s ergonomic, with armrests and smooth zero-turn capability. Easily adjust its speed up to 8 miles per hour.
Maintenance: A single lever lifts the deck for cleaning and maintenance. The oil filter is a bit difficult to access, but oil changes aren’t too difficult. In addition, it has an hour meter that helps you stay on top of your maintenance schedule.
Specifications
- Horsepower: 24 HP
- Engine make: OEM Branded Engine
- Cutting width: 54 – 60 inches
- Cutting heights: 1 – 4 inches
- Warranty: 5 years
- Fuel tank capacity: 4.5 gallons
- Drive type: Rear-wheel Drive
- Recommended lawn size: 2 – 5 acres
Drive features
| Max forward speed | 8.5 mph |
| Max reverse speed | 4 mph |
| Cruise control | No |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic |
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes, but sold separately |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Side |
| Number of blades | 3 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Powerful engine ✓ Wide Accel Deep Deck for a cleaner cut ✓ Comfortable ✓ Fast ✓ Large fuel tank ✓ 5-year warranty ✓ High-end safety features | ✗ Expensive ✗ No headlights |
Cost comparison: It is the most expensive lawn mower we researched, which is not unusual for a zero-turn riding mower. Compare the cost to our other top picks for the best zero-turn mowers this year.
Where to buy
2. Husqvarna Z254F – Zero-turn runner-up
If the John Deere zero-turn is a little too pricey, consider the Husqvarna Z254F for a professional-grade cut on large yards. It’s fast and powerful with a 54-inch ClearCut deck and a 24 HP engine, so it can mow up to 3 acres in a reasonable time. In addition, it has comfort features such as a high-back vinyl seat, cup holder, and optional hinged armrests.
The secret to the Z254F’s success is Husqvarna’s ClearCut deck. It’s high-performance and durable, with a higher airflow than standard cutting decks. As a result, it gives crisp and even cuts, even on rough grass.
How does it handle? It has intuitive, easy-to-access controls, an ergonomic design, and a spring-assist deck. It easily maneuvers around obstacles on flat terrain. Like most zero-turn mowers, it doesn’t handle great on slopes and uneven terrain.
Maintenance: It has an easy-to-remove footplate, so you can access its parts for maintenance and cleaning. It also has an hour meter with pre-programmed service intervals.
Specifications
- Horsepower: 24 HP
- Engine make: Kawasaki
- Cutting width: 54 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.5 – 4 inches
- Warranty: 3 years
- Fuel tank capacity: 3.5 gallons
- Recommended lawn size: 1 – 3 acres
Drive features
| Max forward speed | 6.5 mph |
| Max reverse speed | 3.5 mph |
| Cruise control | No |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic |
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes, but sold separately |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Side |
| Number of blades | 2 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Powerful engine ✓ Wide ClearCut deck ✓ Fast ✓ Large fuel tank ✓ Comfortable seating | ✗ Expensive ✗ No headlights |
Cost comparison: It costs more than two-thirds of the zero-turn mowers we researched.
Where to buy
3. John Deere S140 – Best gas-powered lawn tractor
The John Deere S140 48-inch lawn tractor is smooth and powerful with a 22 HP V-twin engine and two side-by-side foot pedals. It’s also built strong with a solid steel frame, cast iron front axles, and a durable bumper. This heavy-duty mower is perfect for mowing 1 to 2-acre lawns, and additional equipment is available for snow removal.
John Deere built the S140 with the user in mind, including features such as:
- Ergonomic design
- Large user station
- Non-slip footrest
- Cup holder
- Storage compartment
Basically, you can’t go wrong with a John Deere mower. They match bells and whistles with absolute mastery of the essentials.
How does it handle? It drives smoothly through flat lawns and hilly terrain, and you can easily adjust the drive speed using the foot pedals. It has an adjustable high-back seat and easy-to-access controls. Simply turn a knob to engage the mower blades.
Maintenance: John Deere makes mower maintenance simple with toolless oil and filter changes, an hour meter for tracking your maintenance schedule, and a lever to lift the deck. In addition, it has ports that connect to a hose to clean out the under-deck.
Specifications
- Horsepower: 22 HP
- Engine make: OEM Branded Engine
- Cutting width: 48 inches
- Cutting heights: 1 – 4 inches
- Warranty: 2 years
- Fuel tank capacity: 2.4 gallons
- Drive type: Rear-wheel drive
- Recommended lawn size: 1 – 2 acres
Drive features
| Max forward speed | 5.5 mph |
| Max reverse speed | 3.2 mph |
| Cruise control | No |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic |
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes, but sold separately |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes, but sold separately |
| Discharge | Side |
| Number of blades | 3 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Powerful engine ✓ Fast ✓ Wide deck ✓ Comfortable ✓ Headlights ✓ Great for towing | ✗ Expensive |
Cost comparison: It is the most expensive lawn tractor we researched. Compare the cost to other top riding lawn mowers.
Where to buy
4. Husqvarna YTH22V46 – Lawn tractor runner-up
The Husqvarna YTH22V46 is a compact yet powerful 46-inch lawn tractor. It uses Air Induction technology to lift the grass up straight before it cuts, so you consistently get a clean, high-quality mow. The YTH22V46 quickly and accurately mows one-half to 2-acre lawns, and kits are sold separately for snow removal and fertilization.
Additional features include:
- Durable steel deck
- Wheels designed to prevent scalping uneven lawns
- High-visibility headlights
- Adjustable comfort seat
How does it handle? It’s easy to adjust the speed with its foot pedal-operated hydrostatic transmission and easy to steer with an ergonomic soft-grip steering wheel.
Maintenance: It has an hour meter with pre-programmed service reminders and an easy-to-access air filter.
Specifications
- Horsepower: 22 HP
- Engine make: Briggs & Stratton
- Cutting width: 46 inches
- Cutting heights: 1.5 – 4 inches
- Warranty: 3 years
- Fuel tank capacity: 2 gallons
- Recommended lawn size: .5 – 2 acres
Drive features
| Max forward speed | 5.5 mph |
| Max reverse speed | 2.5 mph |
| Cruise control | Yes |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic |
Cutting features
| Mulch grass clippings | Yes, but sold separately |
| Bag grass clippings | Yes |
| Discharge | Side |
| Number of blades | 2 |
Pros and cons
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Powerful engine ✓ Fast ✓ Wide deck ✓ Comfortable ✓ Cruise control ✓ Headlights | ✗ Warranty-covered repairs take a long time |
Cost comparison: It costs a little more than an average lawn tractor, but not as much as the John Deere model.
Where to buy
Buyer’s guide to gas lawn mowers
Knowing what to look for makes shopping simple, so we break down the basics in our gas lawn mower buying guide. Here’s everything you should pay attention to when comparing mowers:
Lawn mower type
Most gas lawn mowers fall into one of two categories— walk-behind or riding. However, walk-behind mowers can be self-propelled or push, and riding mowers can be zero-turn or lawn tractors. Learn what all these categories mean below.
Walk-behind lawn mowers
As the name suggests, walk-behind mowers are lawn mowers that you walk behind. However, unlike reel lawn mowers, walk-behinds have an engine or motor that powers the machine. Most gas-powered walk-behinds have 4-cylinder engines.
| Pros of walk-behind mowers | Cons of walk-behind mowers |
| ✓ Great for smaller lawns ✓ Gives the user more control ✓ Best for steep slopes ✓ Gives a more even cut ✓ Fits in smaller spaces ✓ More affordable than large riding mowers | ✗ Takes longer to get the job done ✗ Takes more energy to get the job done |
Conclusion: Walk-behind mowers are the best choice for small to medium yards and uneven terrain. They’re also best for lawn fanatics on a budget.
Push mowers
Gas push mowers manually move forward, relying on your strength and effort.
| Pros of push mowers | Cons of push mowers |
| ✓ Affordable ✓ Gives you more control ✓ Lightweight | ✗ Takes more effort to operate ✗ Difficult to operate on hills ✗ Difficult to operate on rough terrain |
Conclusion: Push lawn mowers are best for small flat yards that are regularly mowed or lawns with many obstacles. You must have sufficient upper body strength to move around 50 pounds to operate most push mowers.
Self-propelled lawn mowers
Self-propelled mowers have a drive system to move them forward, so it takes less effort to use them than a push mower.
| Pros of self-propelled mowers | Cons of self-propelled mowers |
| ✓ Takes less effort than push mowers ✓ Easy to mow uphill ✓ Better for rough terrain | ✗ More expensive than push mowers ✗ Gives the user less control than push mowers |
Conclusion: Unless your lawn has many obstacles, a self-propelled mower is easier to use than a push mower. They’re more expensive, but they don’t take nearly as much effort to push.
Riding lawn mowers
A riding mower has an engine or motor, and the user sits on the mower and drives it around while in use, sort of like a go-cart. Riding mowers can be either zero-turn or lawn tractors. Most riding mowers are gas-powered because they take a ton of power to run.
| Pros of riding mowers | Cons of riding mowers |
| ✓ Great for large yards ✓ Get the job done quicker ✓ Less effort to mow the lawn | ✗ Expensive ✗ Difficult to maneuver around obstacles ✗ Can tip over on steep slopes ✗ Can be more dangerous than smaller walk-behind mowers if you don’t know how to operate them |
Conclusion: Riding mowers are best for large yards as long as there aren’t too many obstacles and the terrain isn’t too steep. They tend to be very expensive, though.
Lawn tractors
Lawn tractors are the less expensive type of riding mower, and many have towing and snow removal capabilities if you buy the necessary attachments.
| Pros of lawn tractors | Cons of lawn tractors |
| ✓ More affordable than zero-turn mowers ✓ Easy to operate ✓ Slower speeds make for cleaner cuts ✓ Better on slopes than zero-turn mowers | ✗ Slower than zero-turns ✗ Harder to steer ✗ Less powerful than zero-turns |
Conclusion: Lawn tractors are best for large yards that don’t have many obstacles or curves. They also perform better than zero-turns on slopes, and they’re less expensive.
Zero-turn lawn mowers
Zero-turn mowers make much sharper turns than a lawn tractor, and they’re much more responsive to controls. They give you more options for maneuvering around obstacles.
| Pros of zero-turn mowers | Cons of zero-turn mowers |
| ✓ Faster than tractors ✓ Better maneuverability than tractors ✓ More powerful than tractors | ✗ Expensive ✗ More complicated controls to figure out |
Conclusion: Zero-turn mowers are best for large yards with a lot of curves. They can go fast, and they’re super maneuverable, but their controls aren’t always intuitive and might take a while to get used to.
Engine power
Most homeowners choose a gas lawn mower because they are more powerful than electric mowers. Engine displacement measures the power of a walk-behind gas mower, and horsepower indicates the power of a riding mower.
Engine displacement (cc)
The size of a mower’s engine is measured in cubic centimeters (cc), and this specification is commonly called engine displacement. Mowers with larger engines have more power, so the table below shows the typical cubic centimeters of walk-behind gas engines.
| Mower Type | Average cc | Typical cc range |
| Walk-behind mowers as a whole | 180 | 125 – 235 |
| Push mowers | 145 | 125 – 210 |
| Self-propelled mowers | 200 | 140 – 340 |
Horsepower (HP)
Like a car, horsepower (HP) measures the power of a riding mower, and the following equation determines an engine’s horsepower:
Horsepower = Torque x RPM / 5,252
Torque measures the engine’s power force, and RPM measures how fast a mower’s blades spin. The table below shows the typical horsepower of riding mowers.
| Type of mower | Typical Horsepower (HP) |
| Riding mowers as a whole | 14 – 24 |
| Lawn tractors | 10 – 23 |
| Zero-turn mowers | 20 – 24 |
Blades
When comparing lawn mower blades, please consider the following:
- Cutting width: The wider the cutting width, the more ground you can mow in a single pass. Most gas-powered walk-behinds have a 20- to 30-inch cut width, and most riding mowers have a cutting width of 42 to 55 inches. The larger your lawn, the larger cutting width you should look for.
- Cutting height: Ideal grass height depends on the type of grass and the season. Most mowers give you 3 to 9 height adjustment options. If your grass type needs to be cut particularly high or particularly low, make sure you choose a mower with the proper height options.
- Number of blades: Most walk-behind mowers have a single blade, but some have two. The walk-behinds with two blades make finer cuts. Most riding mowers have 2 or 3 blades, and the ones with three blades tend to make less noise and smoother cuts.
- Blade type: High-lift blades are best for cool-season grass, and low-lift blades do better on warm-season grass. Gator blades work best on tall grass and are often used in mulching mowers.
- Cutting deck: The cutting deck is what protects you and the engine from the blades and should be made of durable material, such as steel. Larger decks can house wider blades.
Additional Features
Many homeowners are willing to spend a few extra bucks for these helpful features:
- Electric start: Gas equipment is challenging to start, so many models have an easy electric starting system.
- Easy Maintenance: Many lawn mowers have features that make maintenance easier. Examples include self-cleaning, toolless adjustments, and easy-access parts.
- High rear wheels: High rear wheels make it easier to maneuver the mower, especially through sloped or uneven terrain.
- Foldable handles: Consider a mower that folds if you have limited storage space.
- Large fuel tank: The more gas your mower holds, the longer its runtime. Mowers with smaller tanks may need to be refilled mid-mow.
- Overhead valve engine (OHV): OHV engines produce higher torque at slower speeds. Many trucks, SUVs, and high-performance cars have OHV engines, and some high-performance mowers do, as well. Benefits include higher efficiency, reduced fuel consumption, and less engine wear.
- Hydrostatic transmission: Some riding mowers have a hydrostatic transmission with easy-to-operate foot pedals that control driving speed.
Price
Most gas-powered residential lawn mowers cost between $260 – $5,000, and the average gas mower costs about $1,425. But prices vary by lawn mower type, as shown in the table below.
| Gas mower type | Typical cost |
| Push mower | $220 – $815 |
| Self-propelled | $270 – $3,310 |
| Lawn tractor | $1,950 – $5,500 |
| Zero-turn | $3,000 – $7,600 |
More expensive gas mowers will typically have stronger and more reliable engines and more special features. They tend to last longer and need less maintenance. However, lower-priced options can get the job done if you’re on a budget, and they can last a long time if you maintain them properly.
Gas vs electric mowers
Gas lawn mowers are more powerful and have longer runtimes, but electric mowers emit zero emissions and require a lot less maintenance. They’re also quieter and tend to be lighter and easier to push. The best electric lawn mowers include the following:
- Best cordless electric: Greenworks 40V Mower Series
- Best self-propelled: EGO Power+ 21-Inch Select Cut
- Best corded electric: Black + Decker MM2000
Cordless electric lawn mowers typically run on lithium-ion batteries. Batteries differ in power, runtime, and price, so check the stats on a lawn mower’s battery before you make a purchase.
FAQ about gas lawn mowers
The most reliable gas lawn mower brands include the following:
● John Deere
● Husqvarna
● Toro
● Honda
● Cub Cadet
As you can see from our top picks, our favorites are John Deere and Husqvarna, especially for riding mowers.
You can purchase the lawn mowers on our list for $260 to $5,100, but prices vary by mower type:
● Push mowers are the least expensive, and you can find a quality model for under $300.
● Self-propelled mowers that include all the bells and whistles typically run $1,000 to $2,100.
● Riding mowers are the most expensive, and the ones on our list cost $2,600 to $5,100. Expect to pay more for a zero-turn mower than a lawn tractor.
Most residential lawn mowers last 200 to 500 hours of use, which takes the typical homeowner 4 to 10 years. Most riding mowers last 5 to 8 years, and a quality push mower can live 10 years or more. Expect a quality self-propelled mower to last about 8 years.
That being said, maintenance plays a huge role in the longevity of a mower, especially when we’re talking about gas engines. The best mower, poorly maintained, can die before a cheap clunker that gets regular oil changes and cleanings. See our Best Lawn Mower Maintenance Practices to learn more.
When to call a lawn care pro
After learning the cost of a high-quality lawn mower, you may decide to save yourself the hassle and hire a pro instead. Experienced lawn care pros know what it takes to maintain a lush lawn, and routine lawn care is probably cheaper than you think. Find a local lawn care pro on Lawn Love today and get a free quote on regular mowing services.
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