What Are the Best Lawn Mowers?
The best lawn mower depends on your lot size, terrain, and preference for gas, battery, or corded power. Here is the recommendation framework.
Best Gas Push Mowers: Honda and Toro
Honda HRX series (self-propelled): consistently rated the most reliable residential gas push mower by Consumer Reports and landscape industry professionals. The Honda GCV200 engine: widely regarded as the most reliable small engine in residential mowing, with a reputation for easy starting and very long service life. Cost: $550 to $700. Toro Recycler series: a strong alternative with excellent mulching performance and a simpler, more affordable price point ($350 to $500). Best for: lots of 5,000 to 15,000 sq ft with moderate terrain.
Best Battery-Powered Mowers: Ego and Greenworks
Ego Power+ LM2135SP (self-propelled, 56V): the top-rated battery push mower in most independent testing. Run time (one full charge): 60 to 90 minutes on a 7.5 Ah battery, sufficient for lots up to 10,000 to 12,000 sq ft. Power output on par with mid-range gas mowers. Cost: $500 to $650 (mower plus battery and charger). Greenworks 60V: a strong alternative at a lower price point ($400 to $500) with excellent mulching and bagging performance. Battery-powered mowers: ideal for homeowners who value no gas storage, no engine maintenance, and quieter operation.
Best Riding Mowers: Husqvarna and John Deere
Husqvarna YTH series and TS series: the most widely used residential riding mowers in the US, with a strong dealer network and extensive parts availability. Cost: $1,800 to $3,500 for most residential configurations. John Deere D and E series: competitive in reliability and backed by John Deere’s extensive dealer network. Appropriate for: lots of 1/2 acre to 2+ acres where push mowing is impractical. Zero-turn radius mowers (Husqvarna, Cub Cadet): faster and more maneuverable than traditional riding mowers, most appropriate for lots over 1 acre.
Working With a Contractor on This Project
Getting the right outcome on any home services project starts before the work begins. A few consistent practices make the difference between a smooth project and a frustrating one.
Get at least two or three quotes. A single quote gives you no basis for comparison. Two or three quotes reveal the market rate for the work, expose scope differences between bidders, and let you assess contractor communication quality before any commitment is made. The lowest bid is not automatically the best value if the scope is thin or the materials are underspecified.
Ask for licenses and insurance before work starts. Verify current general liability insurance and, for any work involving workers on your property, workers compensation coverage. Licensing requirements vary by state and trade; confirm the specific requirements in your jurisdiction. A licensed contractor who carries appropriate insurance protects both parties if something goes wrong during the project.
Get the scope in writing. A written proposal that specifies materials, labor scope, timeline, what is included (permits, cleanup, disposal), and warranty terms is the foundation of a professional engagement. Verbal agreements on any of these points invite misunderstanding. For any project over $500, written scope is non-negotiable.
Clarify the payment schedule upfront. A reasonable payment schedule ties major payments to project milestones: a deposit at signing, a payment at material delivery or project start, and a final payment at completion after a walkthrough confirms satisfaction. A contractor who requires full payment upfront before work begins is a red flag in any trade.
How to Use This Guide
Finding the right contractor is the most important decision in any home services project. The criteria in this article reflect what distinguishes contractors who deliver excellent work from those who do not, based on the specific quality factors that matter for this type of work.
Use the criteria here as a screening framework, not a checklist to be completed mechanically. A contractor who scores well on the criteria that matter most for your specific project, home, and concerns is a better match than one who technically checks every box but does not communicate clearly or does not have local experience with your type of home.
The right contractor is one who provides a clear, written proposal with specific materials and scope, is licensed and insured, has verifiable local references from similar work, and backs their installation with a meaningful warranty. When you are ready to compare your options, use the button below to connect with qualified local professionals in your area.
Lawn Mowing Cost at a Glance
Here is a quick reference for what professional lawn mowing costs by lot size. All ranges include mowing, edging, string trimming, and blowing clippings off hard surfaces.
Small lot (under 5,000 sq ft): $30 to $45 per visit.
Standard lot (5,000 to 10,000 sq ft): $40 to $55 per visit. The most common residential lot size. A typical service takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Large lot (10,000 sq ft to 1 acre): $55 to $150 per visit.
Over 1 acre: $100 to $250+ per visit.
Season contract: $600 to $1,200 for a standard lot (bi-weekly, April through October). A 10 to 20 percent discount vs. per-visit pricing is typical.
Overgrown first cut: 1.5 to 2 times the standard visit rate.
Three quotes from local services is the fastest way to establish the rate in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Honda HRX series: consistently rated the most reliable gas push mower in Consumer Reports data and landscape professional surveys. The Honda engine's easy starting (even after sitting through winter) and long service life are its primary advantages. Ego Power+ LM2135SP: the most reliable battery push mower -- comparable performance to a mid-range gas mower with no engine maintenance.
Lot up to 1/4 acre (10,000 sq ft): push mower (21 to 22-inch deck). 1/4 to 1/2 acre: self-propelled push mower or small riding mower. 1/2 to 1 acre: riding mower (42 to 46-inch deck). Over 1 acre: riding mower (46 to 54-inch deck) or zero-turn. Larger deck widths cut more area per pass, reducing total mowing time.
For lots under 1/4 acre: yes, in most respects. Battery mowers produce no engine exhaust, require no fuel storage, and need no annual carburetor servicing or spark plug replacement. The best battery mowers (Ego 56V, Greenworks 60V): match the cutting performance of mid-range gas mowers on typical residential lawns. For lots over 1/4 acre or for very thick or wet grass: a gas mower still has a power and run-time advantage.
Ego and Greenworks 56V to 60V batteries: typically 5 to 8 years of service life before capacity degrades to the point where run time is significantly reduced. Battery replacement cost: $150 to $250 for a 7.5 Ah battery. A battery mower's total cost of ownership over 10 years: lower than a gas mower when engine maintenance costs (oil, filters, spark plugs, carburetor service) are factored in.
Yes if your lot is larger than 5,000 to 7,000 sq ft, you have slopes, or you have physical limitations that make pushing a heavy mower difficult. Self-propelled mowers: the rear wheels are driven by the engine (or battery), so you guide the mower rather than pushing it. Cost premium: $80 to $150 over an equivalent non-self-propelled model. For most standard suburban lots: the self-propelled feature significantly reduces mowing fatigue.