Best lawn mower

For most homeowners, I’d recommend a 21-inch cordless battery mower with self-propelled drive. It’s powerful enough for most residential lawns, quieter than gas, easy to start, and requires much less maintenance. Modern battery models can match gas mowers for many everyday mowing jobs. Consumer Reports Consumer Reports

The best choice depends mainly on the size of your lawn, whether it has hills, and how much you want to spend.

My top lawn mower picks for 2026

(Best overall)

EGO Power+ Select Cut LM2135SP

Premium battery mower

My first choice for someone who wants excellent cutting performance, convenient operation, and low maintenance. Its dual-blade cutting system is designed for quality mulching and bagging.

Best for: small-to-medium and medium-sized lawns where you want a mower worth keeping for years. Popular Mechanics Bob Vila YardToolLab

RYOBI 40V HP Brushless Cordless 21 in. Walk Behind Self-Prop…

Best if you already own compatible Ryobi batteries

A capable 21-inch mower with self-propelled drive and a multi-blade cutting system. A sensible option if you already use Ryobi outdoor or power tools, although the full kit can be expensive.

Listed at $958.00 at The Home Depot when checked.

4/5 (1215 reviews)

View current listing

Toro Recycler 22-inch Gas Self-Propelled Mower

Best gas-powered option

Worth considering if you prefer gasoline, mow thick grass, or don't want to stop to recharge batteries. The Personal Pace drive adjusts to your walking speed.

Listed at $499.00 at Lowe's when checked.

4.4/5 (3150 reviews)

View current listing

Greenworks 24V 13-inch Cordless Mower

Best for a small yard

Compact, lightweight, and easy to maneuver around garden beds and tight spaces. A good choice for a modest lawn where a full-size mower would be overkill.

Listed at $189.99 from Greenworks Tools when checked.

View current listing

Which mower should you buy for your yard?

These are general guidelines; grass thickness, slopes, and obstacles also affect how much a mower can cut per charge. Consumer Reports Consumer Reports Popular Mechanics

One question so I can narrow it down: Approximately how big is the lawn you need to mow?

1. Lawn size

Small yard — under ¼ acre

Medium — ¼ to ½ acre

Large — ½ to 1 acre

Over 1 acre

2. Budget in US dollars

Under $300

$300–$400

$400–$700

$700+

3. Preferred power source

Battery — quieter and less maintenance

Gas — longer continuous runtime

No preference — best performance

4. Terrain (optional)

Mostly flat

Hilly or sloped

Uneven or rough

[Find my best mower]

The best lawn mowers of 2026 vary depending on your yard size, power preference (battery-powered electric vs. gas), and budget:

Top Cordless Battery Mowers

Best Overall / Large Yards:EGO POWER+ 1000 Series Select Cut 22" (LM2236SP)

• Price: Around $999 (includes 10.0Ah battery and rapid charger)
• Key Features: Features a 22-inch super composite deck, multi-blade cutting system, up to 10.6 ft-lbs of torque, and touch-drive self-propelled speed control.

Best Value / Large Cut Width:Greenworks Pro 60V 25" Cordless Self-Propelled Mower

• Price: Around $599.99 – $849.99 (comes with two 4.0Ah batteries and dual-port charger)
• Key Features: Industry-leading 25-inch dual-blade cutting width, automatic battery switchover technology, and steel deck.
• Best for Milwaukee Ecosystem:Milwaukee M18 FUEL 21" Self-Propelled Dual Battery Mower Kit
• Price: Around $1,199 (includes two M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE 12.0Ah batteries and charger)
• Key Features: Delivers gas-equivalent 200cc torque, steel deck, active speed management paddles, and up to 60 minutes of runtime.

Top Gas & Specialty Mowers

Best Gas Mower:Toro SmartStow Recycler (Model 20340) TechGearLab YouTube

• Price: Around $579
• Key Features: Praised for its Personal Pace auto-drive self-propelling system, superior mulching, and vertical storage capability that saves garage space. TechGearLab YouTube

Best Budget Gas Mower:Troy-Bilt TB110 TechGearLab

• Price: Around $369
• Key Features: A reliable, straightforward push gas mower that offers solid cutting performance without a high price tag. TechGearLab

Best Reel Mower:American Lawn Mower 1204-14 TechGearLab

• Price: Around $150
• Key Features: Eco-friendly, maintenance-free, and ideal for small, flat lawns if you prefer a manual push option. TechGearLab

Detailed lab testing and rankings can be reviewed via TechGearLab and Wirecutter. The New York Times

The "best" lawn mower depends heavily on the size of your yard, your budget, and whether you prefer the low maintenance of battery power or the raw endurance of gas.

Top-rated walk-behind mowers are categorized by what they do best:

1. Best Overall Electric Lawn Mower: Ego Power+ LM2135SP (or Select Cut XP series)

• Type: Cordless Battery (56V) Reviewed
• Best For: Small to medium yards (up to about 1/3 to 1/2 acre with standard batteries)
• Why it wins: Ego dominates the battery-powered market. Reviewers (including Wirecutter and Reviewed) consistently rank it at the top because it has the torque and cutting power to genuinely rival gas mowers without the fumes, pull cords, or engine maintenance. It features excellent mulching, intuitive self-propulsion, bright LED headlights for evening mowing, and a handle that folds completely flat for vertical storage. Reviewed

2. Best Gas Reviewed Lawn Mower: Toro SmartStow Personal Pace Auto-Drive (e.g., 21465 / Recycler series)

• Type: Gas
• Best For: Medium to large yards, or anyone who doesn't want to worry about charging batteries.
• Why it wins: If you prefer gas, Toro is the gold standard for reliable push and self-propelled mowers. Their Personal Pace drive system is universally praised because it automatically matches your walking speed seamlessly. Additionally, the SmartStow feature allows you to fold and store the mower completely upright against your garage wall, saving massive amounts of floor space.

3. Best High-End / Precision Cut: Toro 60V Max Super Recycler

• Type: Premium Cordless Battery
• Best For: Homeowners who want a flawless, golf-course-quality cut from a battery machine.
• Why it wins: It comes with a heavy price tag, but it offers arguably the best mulching and cutting performance on the market. It finely minces grass clippings into invisible dust and pairs Toro's incredible self-propelled handling with zero emissions and zero engine fuss. TechGearLab

4. Best Budget / Small Yard Option: Greenworks 40V or 60V Cordless Mowers

• Type: Budget Battery TechGearLab
• Best For: Townhomes, small yards, and tight budgets. TechGearLab
• Why it wins: Greenworks mowers are lightweight, quiet, remarkably affordable, and incredibly easy to push or maneuver. TechGearLab If you only have a 15-to-20-minute mow ahead of you, paying for a heavy-duty Ego or Toro is unnecessary overkill.

Quick Buying Guide: How to Choose

• Choose Battery (Ego, Greenworks, Toro 60V) if you hate dealing with gasoline, oil changes, spark plugs, and loud engine noise. Battery tech is strong enough now that it handles most residential yards with ease.
• Choose Gas (Toro SmartStow) if you have a massive property, frequently let your grass grow too tall/wet between mows, or don't want to manage battery charging cycles.
• Consider Deck Size: A standard 21-to-22-inch deck is fine for most yards, but if you have over half an acre, you may want to look into riding mowers or zero-turn mowers (like the Ego Power+ Z6 electric or Toro TimeCutter for gas).

How large is your yard, and are you leaning toward a battery-powered or gas-powered mower?

For most medium-to-large lawns, the Ego Power+ 1000 self-propelled 22-inch battery mower is the best all-around choice: it cuts well, runs quietly, and needs less maintenance than a gas mower.techgearlab.com

There's no single "best" lawn mower—it depends on your yard size, terrain, grass type, budget, and whether you prefer gas, electric, or robotic. For most homeowners with typical lawns (up to about half an acre), a self-propelled electric (cordless) mower is widely considered the best overall choice in 2026. www.nytimes.com www.popularmechanics.com

Why electric wins for most people

• No gas, no maintenance: No fuel mixing, oil changes, air filters, or spark plugs. It starts instantly, runs quiet and emissions-free, and stores easily (no gas left in the tank).
• Better for regular use: Long battery runtime (60+ minutes per charge on top models), quick charging (often under an hour), and no seasonal storage hassles.
• Quiet and clean: Ideal if you mow in the morning or near neighbors.
• Top experts' picks: Wirecutter (NYT) calls cordless the clear winner and no longer recommends gas. Popular Mechanics agrees, rating electric models higher for convenience and cut quality. www.nytimes.com www.popularmechanics.com

Gas mowers (like the Toro Super Recycler 21") are still strong for large, rugged properties or heavy-duty jobs (tall/wet grass, hills), but they cost more in the long run on fuel, upkeep, and emissions. www.popularmechanics.com

Riding/zero-turn mowers (e.g., electric models from Honda or others) are best for big lawns or minimal effort, but they're overkill (and more expensive) for average yards. www.popularmechanics.com

Robotic mowers (e.g., Husqvarna Automower or Mammotion) are great for hands-off small-to-medium yards with some slopes—they handle 80-90% of the work—but require upfront setup costs ($1,000+) and work best with regular mowing.

Top recommendations for 2026

Here are the consensus standouts based on hands-on testing by Wirecutter, Popular Mechanics, and others:

• Best overall electric: Ego Power+ LM2236SP (56V, 22-inch self-propelled)
  Wirecutter's top pick (updated 2026). Runs 60+ minutes, mows through overgrown grass effortlessly, excellent dual-blade mulching, user-friendly controls, and folds for storage. Comes with a strong battery (or buy extras). Price: ~$899.
  Perfect for: Most people with ¼–½ acre lawns. www.nytimes.com

• Best value electric / Ryobi alternative: Ryobi 40V HP 21-inch self-propelled (or Ego's similar 21-inch models)
  Popular Mechanics' best value electric. Two batteries for ~75 minutes runtime, smooth handling, great mulching/bagging, and brushless motor. Works with Ryobi's huge ecosystem of other tools. Price: ~$699–$739.
  Perfect for: Budget-conscious buyers or those already owning Ryobi gear. www.popularmechanics.com

• Best budget electric: Greenworks 80V 22-inch self-propelled (or similar Craftsman/EGO entry models)
  Lightweight, easy to use, solid runtime, and lower price. Good for smaller yards or first-time buyers. www.popularmechanics.com

• Best gas: Toro 21-inch Super Recycler self-propelled
  Popular Mechanics' top gas pick—powerful, reliable in tough conditions, excellent bagging/mulching. Great if you want proven reliability and already have a gas setup. www.popularmechanics.com

Quick buying tips

• Measure your lawn — For ¼ acre or less: Walk-behind self-propelled electric. For ½+ acre or hills: Consider riding/zero-turn or robotic.
• Check your grass — Tall, thick, or wet grass benefits from a bigger deck (21–22 inches) and powerful motor.
• Extras that matter — Self-propulsion (eases pushing), adjustable cutting height (1–4 inches), mulching/bagging options, and LED lights.
• Where to buy — Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe's, or manufacturer sites (Acme Tools for Ego). Watch for battery deals—many brands expand with compatible tools.
• Other factors — Look for brushless motors (longer life), 40V+ batteries, and warranties (2–5 years on batteries). Check recent recalls (e.g., some trimmer-style mowers had fire risks). www.marthastewart.com

My advice: If you're unsure, start with an Ego or Ryobi self-propelled electric—they're the sweet spot for performance, ease, and longevity in 2026. Visit your local store to test them if possible. What’s your yard size, main challenges (hills, thick grass?), or budget? I can narrow it down further!