The Best Lawn Mowers
Battery mowers have quietly gotten good enough that, for most suburban yards, there's no reason to deal with gas, oil, pull-cords, and fumes anymore. But big or hilly lots still favor gas. Here's the best mower for your yard size, plus the trimmer that finishes the job.
| Pick | Type | Best for | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery self-propelled | Electric | Most yards, no gas | $$$ | View → |
| Gas self-propelled | Gas | Big or hilly yards | $$ | View → |
| Budget push mower | Push | Small flat yards | $ | View → |
| Cordless string trimmer | Trimmer | Edges & tight spots | $$ | View → |
Price tiers are our rough guide ($ = budget, $$$ = premium); check Amazon for the current price.
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The mower
The big question is electric vs. gas, and it mostly comes down to yard size. Self-propelled is worth it on anything but a small flat lawn.
Battery self-propelled mower
push-button start, no gas or maintenance, and plenty of power and run-time for a typical yard — the right call for most people now.
Best for: most yards
Check price on Amazon →Gas self-propelled mower
the muscle and unlimited run-time for large or sloped yards — more upkeep, but it won't run out of charge mid-mow.
Best for: big or hilly lots
Check price on Amazon →Budget push mower
simple and affordable for a small flat yard — no self-propel, but nothing to break and easy to store.
Best for: small, flat lawns
Check price on Amazon →Finish the edges
A mower can't reach everywhere. A trimmer does the rest — and sharing a battery system keeps it simple.
Cordless string trimmer
cleans up everywhere the mower can't reach — pick one on the same battery platform as your mower and you share charges.
Best for: edges, fences, and tight spots
Check price on Amazon →Cordless leaf blower
clears clippings off the driveway and walkways in a minute — rounds out a tidy yard kit on the same battery.
Check price on Amazon →Frequently asked questions
Are battery lawn mowers good enough to replace gas?
For most suburban yards, yes. Modern battery mowers have the power for typical grass and enough run-time (often with a swappable second battery) to finish the job — without gas, oil, fumes, or pull-cords. Very large lots (over half an acre), tall thick grass, or steep hills still favor gas for unlimited run-time and torque.
Do I need a self-propelled mower?
On anything but a small, flat lawn, self-propelled is worth it — it drives itself forward so you just steer, which makes mowing far less tiring, especially on slopes or larger yards. For a small flat patch, a basic push mower is cheaper and perfectly fine.
How big a yard can an electric mower handle?
A single charge typically covers roughly a third to half an acre depending on the mower, grass, and conditions; a spare battery effectively doubles that. If your lot is larger than what one or two batteries can finish, or it's steep and thick, gas is still the more practical choice.