Lawn Mower & Tractor Buying Guide

The best battery-powered mowers cut grass just as well as their gas counterparts. Battery mowers use rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs and are available in both push and self-propelled models. They’re much easier to store and maintain than gas mowers. In our tests, run times with battery mowers are generally 30 to 45 minutes, regardless of the capacity of the battery. But battery technology continues to improve, and some of the best performers can provide 60 minutes or more of run time. In general, those relatively short run times make battery mowers better suited to yards of a third of an acre or less, though some models can mow half an acre on just one battery charge.

Pros: Most battery mowers cut a 20- or 21-inch swath, and their batteries are interchangeable with other outdoor power tools from the same brand. They also start with push-button ease, produce no exhaust emissions, and run more quietly than gas models. And they don’t require oil changes or frequent tune-ups.

Cons: They have a limited run time, usually enough to cut a third of an acre. Battery-powered self-propelled models use up to 20 percent of the battery charge to power the wheels, so you won’t be able to cut as much grass unless you buy a larger or additional battery. And they’re pricier than gas models, though you’ll recoup that cost over time.

Upkeep: Battery mowers require little upkeep beyond blade sharpening.

Best for: Yards of one-third acre or less.

Tried-and-true gas-fueled mowers aren’t limited by battery capacity and can cut much larger yards in one go—assuming you have enough gas on hand. They come in both push and self-propelled models and usually cost less than their battery-powered counterparts, though you might spend more in the long run on fuel and maintenance.

Pros: Most gas mowers cut a 21- or 22-inch swath, can handle long or thick grass and weeds, and can bag, side discharge, and mulch clippings. They also cost less and run much longer than their battery-powered counterparts.

Cons: Gas mowers are noisy (we recommend ear protection), produce emissions, and require more frequent maintenance.

Upkeep: Gas mowers require regular tune-ups, oil changes, and blade sharpening.

Best for: Yards a quarter-acre to a half-acre.

These gas-powered machines can cut two to three times faster than simple push mowers, making them best suited for larger lawns. Models with hydrostatic transmissions are easier to use and provide smooth operation. A small subset of this category, rear-engine riders, bridges the gap between walk-behind mowers and tractors. They’re typically cheaper than tractors, with smaller cutting decks.

Pros: Most models mow a 42- to 48-inch swath (though wide-deck models cut 54 inches or more in a single pass) and can bag, mulch, and side discharge clippings. Steering them is easy and familiar because they use a wheel, just like a car. The best models have comfy, high-backed seats and make it easy to engage the blades and adjust the cutting height. (We’ve found that gas rear-engine riders don’t cut as well as traditional gas tractors. Many also have a jerky gear drive rather than the smooth hydrostatic drive of most tractors.)

Cons: Bagging kits cost extra and tend to be expensive, a major reason a majority of tractor owners mow in the side-discharge mode. And even today’s cleaner machines create exhaust emissions and require lots of storage space. And tractors have a wider turning radius and lower top speed than zero-turn mowers.

Upkeep: Gas mowers require regular tune-ups, oil changes, and blade sharpening.

Best for: Yards larger than half an acre.

Think of these as souped-up tractors. Rather than a steering wheel, you control a zero-turn with a pair of levers; pushing one forward and the other rearward causes the mower to turn in place. They offer nimble handling and higher top speeds than tractors.

Pros: These are similar to the mowers landscapers use, with a rear engine and rear-wheel steering. They’re easy to maneuver around obstacles, such as trees and flower beds. Some new models have a steering wheel. They can side discharge, bag, and mulch clippings, and typically mow a 42- to 50-inch swath. Their nimble handling and high top speed make it easy to get across your property quickly. Zero-turn mowers are usually gas-powered, but a few battery-powered zero-turn mowers have entered the marketplace in recent years.

Cons: Zero-turn mowers cost more than most tractors, and not all of them cut as well as tractors. Rear steering wheels can tear up grass during turns. They’re not well suited for hilly properties because they can lose traction and may be hard to control on slopes. Their lever controls also require practice. And though they offer a higher top speed, that won’t necessarily save you time—you’ll still want to go 3½ to 4 mph to get an even mow. Bagging kits can be pricey, and because fewer users opt for that option, we no longer test a zero-turn mower’s bagging performance.

Upkeep: Gas engines require tune-ups and oil changes. Battery models need at least blade sharpening.

Best for: Yards larger than a half-acre without too many hills.

Battery riding mowers, which encompass traditional riding mower designs and zero-turn versions, operate the same as their gas cousins but on cordless electric (battery) power. Their decks range from 42 to 54 inches. With many models, you can cut an acre of grass on one charge. Featurewise, they’re on par with gas models, offering cruise control, washout ports, suspension seats, the ability to cut in reverse, and gauges you can view from your seat to see how much battery juice is left. CR tests have found that the top-rated battery riding mowers perform as well as—or better than—gas riding mowers and tractors. A small subset of this category, rear-engine riders, bridges the gap between walk-behind mowers and riding mowers, with smaller cutting decks. We have found their cutting to be less effective than with zero-turn and riding mowers.

Pros: With no gas engine, these mowers require far less maintenance than gas tractors and riding mowers. You’ll get a quieter ride, save money on fuel, and help the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

Cons: Battery riding mowers can be more expensive than traditional gas tractors and riding mowers. Among zero-turn mowers, however, the price difference between battery and gas versions is shrinking.

Upkeep: As with a gas-powered model, you’ll have to keep the blades sharp and your eye on the tire pressure. But you won’t need to change the spark plugs or motor oil. You’ll need to ensure that the battery remains charged in the off-season and isn’t exposed to temperature extremes to prevent deterioration.

Best for: Yards larger than half an acre—and for zero-turn versions, yards without too many hills.

Low-profile battery-powered robotic mowers maneuver on their own around your yard, so all you need to do is sit back and watch it work. The units cut only within the boundaries you select, either by using GPS navigation or sensors attuned to wires installed around your lawn, then automatically return to their charging docks. Most robotic mowers wander randomly until the job is done. Depending on the model, a robotic mower may have smartphone or smart speaker controls, a rain sensor to return the unit to its charging station when it starts to rain, a tracker in case it’s stolen, and all-wheel drive to handle steep hills and gullies. These units have low decks and aren’t designed to cut high grass.

Pros: Once they’re set up, robotic mowers can save you the time and effort of regular mowing. Because they’re battery-powered, they’re quiet and won’t pollute. You can control them remotely to mow while you’re away from home. They can even mow in the middle of the night.

Cons: These units are relatively costly compared with push mowers, with most priced between $600 and $2,000. Deck sizes can be narrow—typically around 9 inches—so it’ll take a while to cut even a small lawn. With boundary-wire models, setup can take several hours. CR currently doesn’t include robotic mowers in its ratings, but in earlier tests we found that their random wandering doesn’t create the smooth, even lines of a traditionally mowed lawn. For many of these units, to avoid getting stuck, say, in a depression or at the bottom of a sharp rise, your lawn must be uniformly flat.

Upkeep: A robotic mower’s underside needs regular cleaning and the blade needs replacement once or twice a season. Check the wiring and charging station periodically to ensure they’re intact and still running properly. A mini storage “garage” can protect the charging station and docked mower from falling branches and the elements, though not necessarily from animals.

Best for: Lawns that are mowed frequently.