The Honda Nexite 4-in-1 and Toro Super Recycler are the best gas self-propelled mowers. However, the Ego Power+ Select Cut and Wild Badger Power 40V are the best self-propelled lawn mowers that run on electricity.
The right self-propelled mower makes lawn care a cinch. But with so many options, finding the best one is a tall task. We compared models from Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart. After much research, testing, and expert input, we found the best ones.
Our article reviews the top models, then explains how to pick the best self-propelled mower for your yard in our Buyer’s Guide below.
Best overall
Honda Nexite 4-in-1
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Wide range of cutting heights ✓ Smooth on rugged terrain ✓ Reliable engine ✓ Durable deck ✓ Fuel efficient ✓ Easy to start | ✗ Sometimes it moves just a tad too fast ✗ Tough to maneuver in tight spaces ✗ It’s a bit heavy for small operators |
Specifications
- Cut modes: Mulch, bag, side-discharge, leaf shredding
- Cutting heights: .75 to 4 inches
- Cutting width: 21 inches
- Engine: 200 cc Honda
- Fuel tank capacity: .25 gallon
- Warranty: 5 years
Honda’s Nexite 4-in-1 gas walk-behind is the best self-propelled lawn mower overall. With a reputation for making the best gas mowers, Honda’s new model doesn’t disappoint. Its newly updated GCV200 engine is easy to start, fuel efficient, and highly reliable.
Exclusive to Honda’s HRK series, the durable Nexite deck is rust-proof and dent-resistant. In addition to mulching and bagging, the dual-blade system shreds leaves. With increased suction, it makes clean cuts and turns grass and leaves into a fine mulch.
The Nexite has Honda’s Select Drive system that intuitively adjusts the mower to a comfortable walking speed. Its large ball-bearing wheels are smooth and enduring over rough terrain. Additionally, the flywheel break brings the engine to an abrupt halt when you release the lever.
Where to buy
Best mulcher
Toro Super Recycler with Personal Pace
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Smooth on rugged terrain ✓ Makes super fine mulch ✓ No oil changes ✓ Durable deck ✓ Easy to steer ✓ Easy to start | ✗ Hard to push uphill ✗ Hard to move backward ✗ Sometimes the self-propelled system hesitates on release |
Specifications
- Cut modes: Mulch, bag, side-discharge
- Cutting heights: 1.25 to 4.25 inches
- Cutting width: 21 inches
- Engine: 190 cc Briggs and Stratton Engine
- Fuel tank capacity: .25 gallons
- Warranty: 5 years
The best self-propelled mulching mower is the Toro Super Recycler. It uses Toro’s patented Vortex technology to make crisp cuts and super fine mulch. The secret to the system’s success is supplying the cutting deck with extreme airflow so clippings spin at lightning speed. Combined with dual-blade accelerators and under-deck bumpers, it creates the finest mulch I’ve ever seen.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The Super Recycler is packed with innovation. I especially love its electric push-button start and effortless speed control. Instead of fiddling with knobs and levers, Toro’s Personal Pace System syncs to your walking pace.
With high rear wheels and terrific traction, it glides over humps and bumps. The suspension handle absorbs shock, so you won’t feel a thing. And no worries about the wear; its commercial-grade, cast aluminum deck and ball-bearing wheels can take a beating.
My tip: To get the best mulch, ensure your blades stay sharp. Regularly inspect them. When dull, either sharpen your mower blades or replace them.
Where to buy
Best electric
Ego Power+ Select Cut LM2135SP
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Interchangeable lower blades ✓ Low maintenance ✓ Bright headlights ✓ Easy to steer ✓ Easy to start ✓ Efficient | ✗ Not good on thick, overgrown grass ✗ Less bang for your buck than gas ✗ Not good on wet grass ✗ Limited runtime |
Specifications
- Battery: 56-volt, 7.5 Ah
- Cut modes: Mulch, bag, side-discharge
- Cutting heights: 1 to 4 inches
- Cutting width: 21 inches
- Motor: Brushless
- Runtime: 60 minutes
- Warranty: 5 years
The best self-propelled electric mower is the battery-powered Ego Power+ Select Cut. This monster machine runs on industry-leading technology, allowing it to compete with gas models. It’s efficient, low maintenance, and versatile.
Ego’s ARC Lithium batteries rank first in power, performance, and durability. The mower’s ARC battery combines with an efficient motor to run up to an hour per charge. Then, the included Power+ Rapid Charger fully refuels the battery within an hour.
Additionally, the Select Cut has a dual-blade cutting system with three interchangeable lower blades — a mulching blade, a high-lift bagging blade, and an extended runtime blade. It also has a user-friendly drive system that uses palm pressure to engage.
My tip: Electric lawn mowers are great for homeowners who don’t like to get their hands dirty. They don’t require as much routine maintenance as gas lawn mowers, such as spark plug replacements, oil changes, and carburetor cleanings.
Where to buy
Best wide deck
Toro TimeMaster with Personal Pace
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Easy to clean ✓ Easy to steer ✓ Durable construction ✓ Covers a lot of ground quickly | ✗ Loud ✗ Expensive ✗ Have to register for side-discharge |
Specifications
- Cut modes: Mulch, bag, side-discharge
- Cutting heights: 1.25 to 4.25 inches
- Cutting width: 30 inches
- Engine: 223 cc Briggs & Stratton
- Fuel tank capacity: .3 gallons
- Warranty: 3 years
The best wide-deck self-propelled mower is the 30-inch Toro TimeMaster. Like the Super Recycler, it has Toro’s Personal Pace system and a shock-absorbing handle. Additionally, the TimeMaster’s packed with all the bells and whistles needed to mow large lawns quickly and painlessly.
Powered by a potent engine with 10 foot-pounds of torque, it mows massive amounts of grass in minutes. The extra-wide stamped steel deck has dual gator-style blades and generous airflow. It effortlessly glides through the grass, making sharp slices and super fine mulch.
The TimeMaster comes out of the box with a mulcher and rear bag, and you’ll get a side discharge chute for free once you register the mower on Toro’s website.
When you need to step away, Toro’s blade stop system keeps the blade still while the engine’s running. After mowing, just connect a hose to its washout port to clean the underside of the deck.
My tip: Regularly clean your mower’s deck to increase the lifespan of your lawn mower. Removing built-up grass and debris prevents rust, improves cutting performance, and ensures proper airflow, which maintains engine efficiency and prevents issues that lead to costly repairs.
Where to buy
Best for hills
Wild Badger Power 40V Cordless
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ Cuts evenly ✓ Easy to start ✓ Easy to steer ✓ Handles hills well ✓ Low-maintenance ✓ Cuts tall, thick grass | ✗ Limited runtime ✗ Less bang for your buck than gas mowers ✗ Petite users may strain to cut thick, overgrown grass |
Specifications
- Battery: 40-volt, 4 Ah
- Cut modes: Mulch, bag, side-discharge
- Cutting heights: 1.18 to 3.55 inches
- Cutting width: 21 inches
- Motor: Brushless
- Runtime: 88 minutes
- Warranty: 3 years
The battery-powered Wild Badger Power 40V 21-inch self-propelled lawn mower features four-wheel drive, which superbly handles hills. Its light, compact design is easy to maneuver. And, being 4-foot-11, I appreciate the adjustable handle.
Powered by a super-fast motor, it crisply cuts thick and tall grass. Out of every electric mower I’ve used, it’s the best at mowing centipede and St. Augustine lawns. The motor doesn’t bog down, even when the grass is over 6 inches.
Although it took me a lot of elbow grease to mow centipedegrass that was over 8 inches, my 6-foot buddy said it was a breeze. For him, cutting foot-tall turf felt the same as mowing grass that was under 6 inches.
Where to buy
Best budget buy
Toro Recycler 21321
| What we liked | What we didn’t like |
| ✓ No oil changes ✓ Affordable ✓ Durable ✓ Nice airflow | ✗ Clippings sometimes fall out of the bag ✗ Hard to maneuver on uneven ground |
Specifications
- Cut modes: Mulch, bag, side-discharge
- Cutting heights: 1 – 4 in.
- Cutting width: 21 in.
- Engine: 140 cc Briggs & Stratton
- Fuel tank capacity: .24 gal.
- Warranty: 2 years
The Toro Recycler 21321 is the best budget self-propelled mower. It’s lightweight with 10-inch high rear wheels and sturdy traction. The mower’s steel deck is durable, with ample airflow. It evenly trims turf, then minces it into a fine mulch. Additionally, the Recycler has a large rear bag and easy-to-adjust cutting height.
If you dislike lawn mower maintenance, you’ll appreciate that the Recycler doesn’t need oil changes. Instead, just monitor the oil level and top it off with Toro’s engine oil.
The Recycler isn’t overly fancy, but it’s one of the best walk-behind mowers. It’s also one of the few self-propelled lawn mowers under $500.
Where to buy
What to Look For in a Self-Propelled Mower
Lawn size
Self-propelled lawn mowers are best for lawns that are ¼ to 1 acre. You want to choose a mower with the proper deck width for your lawn size:
< ¼ acre: We recommend push lawn mowers with no more than a 21-inch deck for small lawns under ¼ acre. Homeowners with small yards should also consider reel lawn mowers and mowers under $300.
¼ to ½ acre: Look for a walk-behind lawn mower (self-propelled or push) with a 21 to 30-inch cutting width. Some of the best robotic mowers also work great on medium lawns.
½ to 1 acre: Choose a self-propelled mower with a cutting width between 30 and 42 inches to get the lawn mowed promptly.
> 1 acre: The best lawn mowers for big yards that are over an acre are riding lawn mowers with a 42 to 60-inch cutting width. The best zero-turn mowers for multi-acre properties have a cutting width of over 48 inches.
Cutting features
Most of the models on our list are 3-in-1 mowers that come with the following cutting capabilities:
- Mulching grass clippings: Mulching lawn mowers make lawn care a cinch. They grind up grass so you can leave the clippings on your lawn to biodegrade into the soil. Grass clippings are a natural source of nitrogen that benefits turfgrass and other nitrogen-hungry plants. There are many ways to use grass clippings as mulch.
- Side discharge: Grass clippings are expelled through a discharge chute and blown several feet away. So, it works best in large lawn areas with few landscaping obstacles. The blades move quickly, giving a cleaner cut. Due to the cutting speed, it’s the best way to cut wet grass.
- Rear bagging: These lawn mowers are equipped with a bag attachment to help homeowners collect grass clippings for disposal or a compost pile. The advantages of bagging your clippings include reduced allergies and fewer pests.
Also, it’s important to consider the number of blades on your mower:
- Single-blade mowers are best for smaller yards and typically have no more than a 22-inch cutting width. They generally are lighter and less expensive than dual-blade models.
- Dual-blade mowers require a larger engine (or motor), so they are often heavier and more expensive. But they give the grass a cleaner cut and mulch clippings more finely.
Power source
Before buying a lawn mower, compare the pros and cons of gas vs battery-powered mowers:
Gas-powered self-propelled lawn mowers are the most efficient and cost-effective option for large yards and tall, thick grass. Although some high-end battery-powered models compete with gas-powered potency, the most mighty mowers run on gas.
Electric self-propelled mowers are low maintenance, easy to start, and typically quieter than gas models. They don’t emit harsh fumes, but battery production has a heavy carbon footprint. They give you less bang for your buck than gas but are more user-friendly.
Fueling
Gas self-propelled lawn mowers run best on ethanol-free fuel. Models with a higher fuel capacity hold more gas, thus run longer without refilling the tank.
Electric self-propelled lawn mowers run on lithium-ion batteries. Most models run 40 to 60 minutes on a single charge. All else equal, batteries with higher amp hours (Ah) last longer. However, higher voltage batteries require greater Ah to reach the same runtime.
Drive system
A self-propelled lawn mower works with a drive system that pushes it forward. In contrast, push mowers rely on human strength.
There are three main types of self-propelled drive:
All-wheel drive (AWD) mowers propel forward using all four wheels. They’re the best for steep slopes because they have the best traction.
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) mowers propel using their two rear wheels. They work well on slopes and rough ground, but are sometimes tough to navigate through obstacles.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) mowers propel using their two front wheels. They’re best for flat lawns with many twists and turns. They don’t do well on steep slopes or uneven terrain but are the easiest to turn.
Cost
Most self-propelled lawn mowers cost $410 to $915, but some cost as much as $2,300 or as little as $350.
FAQ about self-propelled lawn mowers
Self-propelled lawn mowers are less expensive than riding lawn mowers and fit in smaller spaces. So, you may want to consider a self-propelled model if:
• Your lawn’s under an acre, and you’re on a budget.
• There are narrow passages to mow.
• The yard gate is too narrow for a riding mower to enter.
• You have limited storage space.
• You want to stay in shape by mowing the lawn.
Some homeowners with large lawns buy both a riding mower and a self-propelled mower. The riding mower takes on the brunt of mowing, and the self-propelled mower is used to fine-tune tight spots.
A good quality self-propelled lawn mower typically lasts 8 to 10 years, about the same as a good push mower.
Keep the mower clean and well-lubricated. Also, stay on top of routine mower maintenance.
Expert mechanic Jeff Yochum of Ring Container Technologies says, “Ensure your blades are sharp, and your belts stay properly tensioned to lengthen the life of your belts and blades.” He also recommends securely storing the mower’s fuel (so it doesn’t get contaminated), and monitoring the oil level.
The most common self-propelled lawn mower repairs are:
• Belt replacement
• Blade replacement/sharpening
• Pull cord replacement
The disadvantages of a self-propelled mower include:
• More expensive than a push mower
• More maintenance than on a push mower
• More elbow grease than a riding mower
When to call a lawn care pro
Before spending a bundle on one of the best walk-behind mowers, consider if you enjoy mowing the lawn. If not, your best bet is hiring a lawn care pro. Between tools and maintenance, hiring a service is often more affordable.
Lawn Love’s user-friendly app contains a vast network of outdoor pros. Before joining our network, each pro must pass a background check and verify their insurance. Getting an online quote only takes a moment. Then, you can manage everything from the app. But no worries if you need help; our friendly support team is just a phone call away.
Sources:
- Tedesco, Marco. “The Paradox of Lithium.” Columbia Climate School
- “What to do with lawn clippings.” By Extension educators Sam Bauer and Julie Weisenhorn and horticulture professors Bob Mugass, Brad Pedersen. University of Minnesota Extension
- Yochum, Jeff. Ring Container Technologies. (2025). Personal interview.
Lawn Love participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other retailer affiliate programs. Lawn Love may earn revenue from products promoted in this article.
Main Photo Credit: andreas160578 | Pixabay, with text overlay created using Canva Pro
