Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers: Expert Picks for 2025

Deciding on the best self-propelled lawn mower isn’t as easy as it used to be. Do you need commercial or residential quality? Do you want to use gas or batteries for power? How much grass do you need to cut? Are you a mulcher or a bagger?

Having tested dozens of the best walk-behind lawn mowers, from entry-level residential to high-performing professional models, we got our Pro team together to choose our top mowers in a range of scenarios.

Top-Rated Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Recommendations

• Best Commercial: Exmark Commercial 21 X-Series
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• Best Gas: ECHO 21-inch LM-2119SP
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• Best Battery-Powered: EGO 56V 22-inch LM2200SP
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• Best for Large Lawns: Toro Timemaster 30-inch 21220
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• Best for the Money: Toro 21-inch 21321
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Jump to These Sections for More Info

• More Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers We Recommend
• How We Made Our Choices
• What to Look For When You’re Shopping
• Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

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Best Commercial Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

If you want the best commercial self-propelled lawn mower on your trailer, I recommend Exmark’s Commercial 21. With Honda and Kawasaki commercial engine options, reliability won’t be a problem. Plus, the 1/4-inch thick aluminum deck improves the overall durability.

For performance, the blade tip speed approaches the allowable limit, ensuring you get the best lift, cut quality, and discharge possible. With its generous 1-gallon fuel tank, you’ll enjoy that high performance with fewer refueling interruptions.

The height adjustment has some give and take. On one hand, the pin-based system is a little slower than standard adjustment designs. On the other, it makes for an even more stable and durable build.

With a starting price just under $1800, the Commercial 21 certainly isn’t a cheap mower. However, its 100% Pro-grade design delivers the performance you demand and the build quality you need as a lawn care professional.

Deck Size/Material	21-inch aluminum
Blade	20.5-inch
Maximum Blade Speed	3,300 RPM
Fuel Capacity	1 gallon
Cutting Height	1.0 – 4.5 inches
Height Adjustment	4-point
Drive Speed	0 – 4.2 MPH
Cutting Options	Mulch, bag, rear discharge
Bag Capacity	2.5 bushels
Weight	117 lbs

Best Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

ECHO may be a little bit of a surprise as our pick for the best gas self-propelled lawn mower, but it’s an impressive build for the price. Sporting a 190cc Briggs and Stratton engine, it’s more powerful than most mid-range mowers.

ECHO is also one of the very few residential gas mowers to go with a stacked blade system. This design creates smaller clippings, leading to better mulching, more efficient bagging, broader discharging, and higher cut quality.

With vertical storage capability and a relatively light weight, there’s not much to complain about. It’s a solid design that should provide you with years of reliable service.

Deck Size/Material	21-inch steel
Blade	2 x 20-inch stacked
Maximum Blade Speed	3,100 RPM
Fuel Capacity	0.3 gallons
Cutting Height	1.3 – 4.5 inches
Height Adjustment	4-point
Drive Speed	0 – 3.5 MPH
Cutting Options	Mulch, bag, discharge
Bag Capacity	2.3 bushels
Weight	78 lbs

Best Battery-Powered Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

No one else comes close to the cutting power EGO offers in its LM2200SP. Even Milwaukee’s impressive 10 ft-lbs of torque falls short of EGO’s 11.1 ft-lbs. Compared to gas, this mower can outperform a 200cc gas mower, and its Select Cut blade system lets you prioritize bagging, mulching, or runtime.

Even though EGO is primarily a residential-focused brand, this model feels and drives much more like a commercial model. Plus, its three handle levels dial in a better fit and its thumb wheel drive speed control is easy to adjust on the fly.

One downside is that the weight and larger deck size take a little more effort to maneuver on turns. Its incredible build also puts it at a price point that is out of reach for some homeowners.

That said, if you want the best battery-powered lawn mower that can handle what any lawn throws at it, there’s no question EGO’s LM2200SP is it.

Deck Size/Material	22-inch aluminum
Blade	2 x 21-inch stacked
Maximum Blade Speed	3,350 RPM
Maximum Runtime	70 minutes (10.0Ah battery)
Battery Ports	1
Cutting Height	1 – 4 inches (8 positions)
Height Adjustment	1-point
Drive Speed	0.9 – 3.1 MPH
Cutting Options	Mulch, bag, discharge
Bag Capacity	2.5 bushels
Weight	83.8 lbs without battery

Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mower for Large Lawns

If your lawn is more than 1/2 an acre and you’re not interested in a riding mower, Toro’s Timemaster lineup is the best self-propelled lawn mower for large lawns. With its 223cc Briggs and Stratton engine producing 10 ft-lbs of torque to its twin side-by-side blades, it makes quick work of even the thickest grass species.

The mower has a blade brake clutch that allows you to step away from the mower with the blades off but keep the engine running. Combined with an optional electric start, it’s one of the most convenient mowers to use.

With such a powerful engine and large cutting deck, this is a heavy mower that takes some muscle to maneuver. It’s also one of the most expensive residential-grade models and creeps up toward entry-level riding mower prices. However, the Timemaster’s premium build is likely more reliable and will give you longer service than a cheap riding mower.

Deck Size/Material	30-inch steel
Blade	2 x 15.4-inch side-by-side
Maximum Blade Speed	Not listed
Fuel Capacity	0.3 gallons
Cutting Height	1.3 – 4.3 inches
Height Adjustment	2-point
Drive Speed	0 – 4.5 MPH
Cutting Options	Mulch, bag, discharge
Bag Capacity	2.5 bushels
Weight	150 lbs

Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mower for the Money

If you’re looking to save some money and have the convenience of a self-propelled drive system, it’s tempting to grab the cheapest model you can find. I recommend you expand your budget a bit, though.

The best self-propelled lawn mower for the money I could find comes from Toro. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles on the 21321, but it uses a Briggs and Stratton engine for the powerplant. Even though it’s at the minimum power level I would recommend using, having that engine over a no-name OEM gives me more confidence in the long-term reliability.

The smaller engine has some weight benefits as well. Coming in under 70 pounds, it’s easy to maneuver, even with a full tank of fuel.

The trade-offs for the price are lower overall power and a less refined build. As long as you can avoid letting your lawn get too overgrown and don’t mind forgoing advanced features, it’ll be tough to find a better value, though.

Deck Size/Material	21-inch steel
Blade	21.5-inch
Maximum Blade Speed	Not listed
Fuel Capacity	0.2 gallons
Cutting Height	1.3 – 3.8 inches
Height Adjustment	2-point
Drive Speed	0 – 3.4 MPH
Cutting Options	Mulch, bag, discharge
Bag Capacity	2.0 bushels
Weight	67 lbs

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More Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Recommendations

Not every mower earns an award, but there are several other models we recommend that didn’t find a place earlier in the article.

DR Power Pro Max30 Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

DR Power is giving Toro’s Timemaster a run for its money with a 30-inch design that’s compelling. Its DR 224cc engine produces an impressive 10.6 ft-lbs of torque with the highest allowable blade speeds, giving it the power to handle overgrowth and create finer clippings.

The design incorporates an aluminum deck that keeps the overall weight surprisingly low for a mower in this size class.

This model has a somewhat unusual drive speed control. Rather than using a full bar, there’s a lever on the right side that you pull further in to gain more speed or let up on to slow down. Its orientation has the added benefit of keeping your wrists in a more ergonomic position.

While it doesn’t have the blade brake clutch Toro provides, the performance, lighter weight, and lower price tag make it a quality alternative if you’re willing to give up a few features.

Deck Size/Material	30-inch aluminum
Blade	2 x 15.1-inch side-by-side
Maximum Blade Speed	4800 RPM
Fuel Capacity	0.3 gallons
Cutting Height	1.0 – 4.0 inches
Height Adjustment	1-point
Drive Speed	0 – 3.5 MPH
Cutting Options	Mulch, bag, discharge
Bag Capacity	2.0 bushels
Weight	117 lbs

Greenworks 21-inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Lawn Mower MO60L810

When it comes to getting the most for your money, I was really impressed with what Greenworks put together in its latest 21-inch self-propelled lawn mower. Its brushless motor delivers power in the 160cc gas equivalent class, its blade tip speed closes in on 17,000 FPM, and its RazorCut stacked blade system offers higher cut quality. There’s even a Turbo mode for thick grass or leaf collection.

It’s lightweight enough to easily maneuver for a mower in this power class, though not as light as models with smaller poly decks. It has all the right features, including a handle that’s easier to fold than most and a good control layout.

But what sets it apart is the price. For $424, you get a solid battery-powered mower that’s easy to use and can handle lawns up to 1/2 an acre with the batteries that come in the kit. Most of the competition is going to be $600+ for a similar setup, making this by far the best value among battery-powered mowers this season.

Deck Size/Material	21-inch steel
Blade	2 x 20.3-inch stacked
Maximum Blade Speed	3200 RPM
Maximum Runtime	60 minutes (1 x 8.0Ah battery)
Battery Ports	1
Cutting Height	0.75 – 4.0 inches (8 positions)
Height Adjustment	1-point
Drive Speed	1.6 – 3.4 MPH
Cutting Options	Mulch, bag, side discharge
Bag Capacity	Not listed
Weight	Not listed

Makita 40V max XGT 21-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower GML01

Makita has had several battery-powered lawn mowers that impressed our crew over the years, and the latest is the 40V max XGT 21-inch self-propelled GML01. In practice, it’s not much different from the ConnectX mower, but uses Makita’s 40V max XGT packs instead of the ConnectX backpack power supply, and it’s more than 20 pounds lighter.

Its build is geared toward professional needs and its battery capacity backs that up with enough runtime to cover nearly an acre on one charge when you use two 8.0Ah batteries. You can get even more if you want to bump up to Makita’s 12.0Ah packs.

As we expect from Makita, the overall design is well-refined and user-friendly with an eye on features that improve your overall experience. While this is an expensive mower compared to residential models, it’s in line with what Pros were paying for premium Honda gas walk-behinds.

Deck Size/Material	22-inch steel
Blade	21-inch
Maximum Blade Speed	2800 RPM
Maximum Runtime	108 minutes (2 x 8.0Ah batteries)
Battery Ports	2 active
Cutting Height	1.3 – 4.0 inches (8 positions)
Height Adjustment	1-point
Drive Speed	1.0 – 3.0 MPH
Cutting Options	Mulch, bag, side discharge
Bag Capacity	2 bushels
Weight	76.5 lbs with batteries

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 21-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower 2823

Boasting a build that targets professional needs, Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel self-propelled lawn mower is a powerful mower with a commercial-grade build. With 10.0 ft-lbs of torque, it has the power to compete against gas mowers in the 200cc class.

Using a pair of 12.0Ah High Output batteries, you can expect to cut between 1/3 and 1/2 an acre, depending on the conditions.

Our only real complaint is the angle of the thumb bar. We love having the combination of a max speed setting and the thumb bar for an effective on-the-fly variable speed experience. However, we’d like to rotate the thumb bar down more so it’s not as fatiguing on our thumbs.

If you’re on the hunt for a true commercial-grade mower, there are larger options available such as Greenworks Commercial’s’ 82V 30-inch model. However, Milwaukee’s price tag is much easier on your budget.

Deck Size/Material	21-inch steel
Blade	21-inch
Maximum Blade Speed	3300 RPM
Maximum Runtime	60 minutes (2 x 12.0Ah battery)
Battery Ports	2 active (2 batteries required)
Cutting Height	1.0 – 4.0 inches (7 positions)
Height Adjustment	1-point
Drive Speed	Up to 4.0 MPH
Cutting Options	Mulch, bag, side discharge
Bag Capacity	Not listed
Weight	85 lbs with batteries

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Self-Propelled Multi-Blade Lawn Mower RY40HPLM02

Ryobi’s line of multi-blade Cross-Cut mowers was a revelation from the very beginning. With significantly better power and improved performance around several key areas of the design, it vaulted the brand into serious contention among the best residential battery-powered mowers.

The latest iteration continues the trend. Its 170cc gas equivalent power boasts a whopping 9.7 ft-lbs of torque—almost as much as Milwaukee’s commercial model! Plus, the two 6.0Ah batteries that come in the kit can cut up to 2/3 of an acre on one charge.

Upgraded features such as an integrated mulching plug, turbo mode, new variable speed thumb controls, and blade life indicator build on the solid foundation of the original CrossCut mower, making this one of the most feature-rich models on the market.

Deck Size/Material	21-inch poly
Blade	2 x 21-inch stacked
Maximum Blade Speed	Not listed
Maximum Runtime	75 minutes (2 x 6.0Ah batteries)
Battery Ports	2 active
Cutting Height	1.0 – 4.0 inches (10 positions)
Height Adjustment	1-point
Drive Speed	Not listed
Cutting Options	Mulch, bag, side discharge
Bag Capacity	2.0 bushels
Weight	79 lbs without battery

Skil PWRCore 40 20-inch Self-Propelled SM4910-10

Here’s the challenge: find a brushless self-propelled lawn mower with a battery and charger for under $400. When it comes to the brands we trust, there aren’t many options.

However, Skil saves the day and offers plenty of value with its 20-inch self-propelled lawn mower. Running on the stronger PWRCore 40 line, this brushless mower has excellent all-around performance and cut-quality characteristics compared to others in the same price range. I pushed it through overgrowth that stalled lesser options from SunJoe and others. The Skil pushed through it.

If you’re trying to switch to battery power on a budget, Skil’s 40V solution offers the best value self-propelled lawn mower available.

Deck Size/Material	20-inch poly
Blade	1 x 19.5-inch
Maximum Blade Speed	2600 RPM
Maximum Runtime	52 minutes (1 x 6.0Ah battery)
Battery Ports	1
Cutting Height	1.5 – 4.0 inches (7 positions)
Height Adjustment	1-point
Drive Speed	Not listed
Cutting Options	Mulch, bag
Bag Capacity	1.7 bushels
Weight	66 lbs without battery

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How We Made Our Choices

Best Commercial Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Our recommendation for professional lawn crews has to have high performance, a reliable commercial engine, and a durable build. Excellent cut quality is a must, and we’re not too worried about price unless it’s significantly higher than other quality options.

Best Gas Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Our top recommendation for gas targets residential needs with the power to cut overgrowth, excellent cut quality, and a reliable engine that’s going to give you years of service. A 3-in-1 deck design is a secondary priority along with features that make the job easier and a manageable weight. We expect the price to be premium.

Best Battery-Powered Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

The priorities for the top battery-powered model are the same as those we have for gas, but with a couple of small differences. Instead of a gas engine, we’re looking for a quality, powerful brushless motor. We’re also looking for a battery system that can provide high runtime since it takes far longer to recharge batteries than it does to refill a gas tank.

Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mower for Large Lawns

When it comes to large lawns, the only major difference in priority from the top gas model is that we want a larger deck to cut more area with each pass. The larger, the better, but we still need to be able to effectively make our turn and maneuver around landscaping elements.

Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mower for the Money

If getting the best value is what you’re after, this is your category. Balancing a reliable engine with an affordable price tag is priority number one. Any convenience features are a bonus, but we don’t expect a lot of bells and whistles.

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What to Look For When You’re Shopping for a Self-Propelled Lawn Mower

Gas vs Battery

Gas power still wins when your highest priorities are keeping your purchase price down and your power level high. With advancements in battery and motor technology, though, the OPE world is shifting towards battery power. It’s cleaner, quieter, and requires less maintenance.

However, you have to look at premium models to get true gas power, and runtime can be a limiting factor. It’s also less likely you have a service center nearby that can get you back up and running quickly if there’s a problem.

If your lawn is 1/4 acre or less, you have plenty of battery-powered options. Once you get beyond that size, you need to consider how many batteries you’ll need and options start to thin out once you hit 1/2 an acre. With larger lawns, newer battery-powered zero-turn mowers are a legitimate option.

Commercial vs Residential

This might be better titled “professional vs homeowner,” considering there are both commercial and residential professional crews. Regardless, commercial mowers are built with better components and commercial engines, creating a machine that is built to last for years of high-hour daily use.

If you’re a homeowner mowing once a week or so, a good residential mower can still last for 5 or 10 years (or more) if you take care of it. It just uses components and engine designs better fit for occasional use.

Engine Size and Cutting Power

If you stay on top of your mowing and cut quality isn’t a high priority, an engine as small as 140cc is likely fine.

Move up to the 160cc–200cc class for better performance when the grass is thicker and taller or when you want to ensure excellent mulching, bagging, and/or clean cuts. The greater power improves lift and is less likely to bog down in thick patches.

When you’re looking at deck sizes beyond 22 inches, you should start looking for engines in the 180cc–200cc range (or higher) to ensure they can keep the RPMs high while it’s cutting such a large swath.

Cut Quality

We look for three major components of cut quality: evenness, mulching size, and bagging efficiency.

Evenness is pretty straightforward. When we’re testing, we look for grass blades that weren’t cut and indications that there wasn’t enough lift to clip all of the blades at the same level.

When mulching, smaller clippings are better since they drop down closer to the base of the remaining grass. We also look to see if a mower is prone to leaving trails and clumps.

For bagging, it’s all about how much grass is collected, if the chute tends to clog while we’re cutting, and how much grass is deposited back into the ground.

Noise Level

One of the major benefits of battery-powered mowers is the lower noise levels compared to gas, but that doesn’t mean gas mowers have to be obnoxious. We expect higher levels than battery-powered models, and that is typically the case.

When we test noise levels, we measure from our operator’s ear to get an idea of what the person using the mower should expect. Even though some mowers are quieter than others, we still recommend hearing protection when you’re using a gas model.

Fuel Efficiency

How efficient gas mowers use fuel has a very direct effect on your wallet, especially when you’re mowing every day as a Pro.

Fuel efficiency testing is more than just a runtime calculation. A mower’s cutting swath comes into play, especially on those 25- and 30-inch models. With larger lawns, it’s possible to get more cutting done per gallon of gas with an engine that uses more gas per hour.

Deck Size

21 or 22 inches is pretty standard for most mowers. Jumping up to a 25-inch or 30-inch mower may seem tempting, but it’s not for everyone.

If your lawn is a 1/4 acre or less, the time you gain with a larger deck might not mean a whole lot of time savings. Where you gain some time is on lawns that are a 1/2 acre or more.

Keep in mind that larger deck-size mowers are heavier. When you have to mow wet or soggy areas, the weight can work against you.

Steel vs Plastic (Poly) Deck

The vast majority of gas mowers have steel decks, while battery-powered models have a much higher percentage of plastic poly decks.

Those poly plastic decks are tougher than they look, but they probably won’t hold up as well as steel in the long run. It’s still highly unlikely that you’ll wear through one before it’s time to replace the mower, though.

However, poly decks offer a whole lot more design flexibility, and engineers can do some amazing things to help with airflow that directly affects cut quality along with bagging and mulching efficiency.

Deck Height

Here in Florida, we cut a lot of St. Augustine grass at 3 1/2 inches, so we prefer a mower with a maximum deck height of at least 4 inches.

Depending on what species of grass you have, you might be able to get away with a lower height, but 4 inches is a good all-around benchmark.

On the low end, most of us aren’t cutting golf course greens (you’d use a reel mower for that, anyway), so the minimum deck height usually isn’t an issue.

However, if you use a blade that dethatches or scalps for maintenance or re-seeding, you might want to make sure the deck height gets low enough—typically 1 1/2 inches or less.

Setting the Speed

The type of speed adjustment your self-propelled lawn mower has can make or break your experience. There are pull levers, thumb push levers, full push bars (Toro’s Personal Pace), and iterations on those.

Try it at the dealer before you buy it. If you hate working the mechanism for a couple of minutes, imagine what it’s going to feel like after 30 minutes or an hour.

Front-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, or All-Wheel Drive?

Front-wheel drive lawn mowers are typically the least expensive and work well for even terrain. They also help you turn the easiest since you lift the drive wheels as you make your turns.

Rear-wheel drive mowers add some cost but create better traction on hills and slopes. They’re particularly good at pushing the mower’s weight uphill where front-wheel drives start to lose traction as they try to pull the weight.

All-wheel drive mowers are the most expensive and generally do the best job on hills, slopes, and uneven terrain. On particularly bumpy areas where it’s likely one or more wheels will lose traction, it’s the best bet.

Wheel Size

Larger wheels tend to handle bumps and uneven terrain better than smaller wheels according to manufacturers. However, in our experience, managing uneven terrain has more to do with the overall weight, design, and ergonomics of the lawnmower. Larger rear wheels may come in handy when making 180-degree turns on thicker grasses or when mowing lusher lawns.

Electric Start

If you’ve used a gas engine, there’s a good chance you’ve worn out your arm pulling the cord to start it. Having an electric start on your mower can, undoubtedly, eliminate a lot of the frustration.

It won’t make up for poor maintenance, though. A well-maintained mower starts easily on the first or second pull. That begs the question as to whether the electric start is worth an extra hundred dollars.

It’s totally up to you, but if it’s in the budget, we want it.

Mulch, Bag, or Side/Rear Discharge?

Most quality mowers are 3-in-1, meaning you can bag, mulch, or side/rear discharge. Less expensive models often only provide options for bagging and mulching. Which one you choose depends on what type of grass you have, how fast it grows, and your personal preference.

In central Florida where St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Bahia dominate our landscapes, the summer heat and rains make our grass grow incredibly fast. Most of us mulch out of necessity since we almost need a dumpster for the volume of clippings we create.

Handle Positions

Most lawn mowers have 3 handle positions you can set. For tall guys like me or average-height guys like Clint, it helps you find a more comfortable grip. Some mowers opt for 2, or sometimes just 1 handle position.

Value

Value is more than just price. We take a broad look at the performance and features compared to the price to determine the value of each mower.

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Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Ever check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they actually use lawn mowers or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers? That’s not us. We won’t recommend anything unless we’d use it ourselves, and we don’t care who the primary retailer is. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.

Since 2008, Pro Tool Reviews has provided in-depth tool reviews, buying guides, how-to articles, and industry news in the construction and lawn care industries. We focus on professionals in the trades, and our writers have the skills and experience to know whether a tool or accessory will hold up on the jobsite.

Each year, we bring in and review more than 250 individual products. Additionally, our team will put their hands on hundreds more tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year. If I recommend a lawn mower, that means I’d use it myself (and perhaps one of our staff or I already do!)

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