Small portable lawn mower. 11 Really Good Small Lawn Mower Options

Really Good Small Lawn Mower Options

Small lawnmowers are in demand because who wants to push a big heavy beast? The exception is self-propelled models, but even then, if you have a small plot of grass, a compact lawn mower is best.

I’m not that great at mowing lawns. I get it done, but it’s not perfect. My brother, on the other hand, makes mowing lawns a fine art creating the checkered “baseball diamond” look. It’s amazing. When growing up, my parents had an amazing, professional-looking lawn thanks to him. Check out our epic types of lawnmower buying guide here.

Here’s our list of the different types and options for a small lawnmower.

Quicklist of Small Lawnmowers

BLACKDECKER 3-in-1 Lawn Mower, String Trimmer and Edger

The reason I published this “small lawnmower” list is we have one of the smallest lawnmowers you can buy. It’s this one. It’s tiny. Read my full BLACKDECKER 3-in1 mower review here.

We have very little lawn. I wanted something I could quickly pull from the garage, zip over the two small patches of grass, and be done.

This particular mower is one of the smallest you can buy.

This mower is unique in that it doesn’t cut grass with a blade but instead a string. It’s a glorified ledger.

Is it good? Honestly, I wish I had bought a cordless mower with a blade instead of the string. However, it does the job and I continue to use it for the two 10′ x 10″ patches of grass.

Greenworks 16-Inch 10 Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower

Ideal for when you don’t want lawn cuttings cluttering up your freshly-mowed lawn, this mower has a handy bag at the rear that collects clippings as you go. What’s really impressive is that you can use that bag for rear discharge and mulching too.

It also has a 10-amp motor, which gives it more than enough power to slice through most types of grass. The cutting deck underneath the big cover has a 16-inch width, so it shouldn’t take too long to bring smaller lawns under control. It can also cut to several grass lengths, from the strangely specific five-eighths of an inch, up to two and five-eighths.

The handles fold over the base when you’re finished, so it’s easy to park it away in the corner of a storage shed. It’s rechargeable too, so you don’t have to worry about any stray cords getting caught in the blades. Just plug it in, give it some juice, and press the button on the handle to get it started.

Having said all of that, it does struggle with wet grass. You may not be able to use it to keep the lawn maintained if you have a lot of rain during the week.

  • Folds in on itself to make it easier to store
  • The rear bag catches grass clippings and can discharge when needed
  • Blades have a 16-inch cutting width
  • Heavier than many small lawn mowers at 37.5 pounds
  • Occasionally pulls up small patches of tougher grass, rather than cutting

Sun Joe 16-Inch Brushless Cordless Lawn Mower

With its 28-volt rechargeable battery, this mower doesn’t require a lot of maintenance and has no cords that might get in the way. Each charge gives it enough juice to cut a quarter-acre of land, which is more than enough for most lawns. There’s even a little indicator on an LED screen that tells you when you need to plug it back in again.

It’s not the most powerful of the small lawnmowers on this list, plus it only has a 14-inch cutting width. Despite that, it’s has a nice and bulky aesthetic, with thick plastic wheels to ensure it runs smoothly over the grass.

There’s a nice FOCUS on safety here too, as the mower carries the ETL mark from Intertek. The base does a good job of covering the blades, plus it has a safety switch that you have to pull before it will start. This lowers the risk of adventurous children starting it up accidentally.

The rear bag can hold 10.6 gallons of clippings and slides off easily when you need to dispose of them. It weighs about 28 pounds and comes with a two-year warranty.

  • A long warranty means you’re covered in the case of damage
  • Meets Intertek’s safety standards
  • Has a rear compartment that carries 10.6 gallons of clippings
  • Runs for 25 minutes on a full charge
  • You should look at other small lawnmowers if you have a large yard
  • Blades seem to struggle with thick patches of grass

Greenworks 20-Inch 3-in-1 12 Amp Electric Corded Lawn Mower

The first thing you’ll notice about this mower is that it has a power cord. While that means you have to be a little more careful when mowing the lawn, it also ensures that the mower doesn’t run out of power halfway through the job.

GreenWorks lives up to its name too, as the mower has no carbon footprint. If you’re concerned about the environment, this may be one of the best small lawn mowers around.

It’s also among the most powerful, as its 120-volt battery and 20-inch blades can handle tough grass and larger lawns. You also have a choice of seven grass height settings, so you can mow your lawn just the way you like it.

The mower is a bit bulky at 56 pounds, so it’s not the best choice for getting into little corners and other small nooks. However, if you have a large, evenly-shaped lawn, there are few better small lawn mowers available for getting the job down quickly.

  • Extremely energy-efficient, to the point that it produces no carbon footprint
  • Packs a lot of power into a relatively small frame
  • Being corded means it won’t run out of power halfway through mowing
  • You have to keep the cord in mind whenever you’re mowing
  • Difficult to reattach the blades if you have to take them off for sharpening

Sun Joe 14 inch 13 Amp Electric Lawn Mower w/Side Discharge Chute

Another corded mower, has a 12-amp motor that provides it with enough power to mow through the average lawn easily enough. The 14-inch blades mean it’s best suited to small and medium-sized lawns, plus being only 30 pounds makes it easier to maneuver into tight spaces. You can also adjust the blades to three height settings.

The steel blades offer plenty of precision, while the black storage compartment in the back catches grass clippings. That makes this a great choice for people who don’t want to have to spend ages cleaning up the aftermath of mowing their lawn.

If you need to cut longer grass, the discharge chute may be your best friend. It fires out the clippings to keep them away from the blades, so clogging shouldn’t be an issue. The mower also comes with clear instructions, so you’ll have it set up and ready to use in no time.

  • Easy to set up
  • Allows for precision mowing thanks to the small blades
  • The low weight makes it easy to move around
  • Has a discharge chute for when you need to mow long grass

WORX 40V Power Share 4.0 Ah 14″ Lawn Mower w/ Mulching Intellicut (Battery-Powered)

This sucker only weighs 29 lbs. I curl 30 lb. dumbbells which means I could curl two of these at the same time. Instead of going for one, big base, WORX has created a molded plastic cover that almost makes the mower look like the front end of a race car. There’s also a rear bag, which can catch clippings, mulch, or discharge depending on your needs.

The battery is particularly impressive, as you can remove it from the mower to charge it. That means there’s no dragging a heavy, 43-pound mower around just to charge it up. Once charged, the battery can slice through about 6,000 square feet of grass before it needs charging again.

The 14-inch blades mean this mower works best for small lawns or those with a lot of awkward little spaces.

  • Looks the part with its sleek two-tone design
  • Great for dealing with small lawns and tight spaces
  • A removable battery makes charging easy

BLACKDECKER 40V MAX Cordless Lawn Mower

I’m told this mower can cut up to 1/8 of acre on a charge (unless it’s a meadow). That’s the size of many suburban yards (unless it’s Beverly Hills).

One of the most powerful small cordless small lawnmowers, this has a large cutting width of 19 inches. It has a removable battery too, so you can get several batteries and use them one after the other if you need to mow a large lawn. The charger comes with the mower and carries an Energy Star rating.

It has you covered if you want to change the cutting height too, as there’s a one-touch system that handles it for you. Weighing only 38 lbs. you’ll be able to zip this sucker around your lawn lickety-split. The rear bag also catches clippings as it mows.

Being battery-powered, it doesn’t emit toxic fumes while you use it.

  • One of the most powerful cordless small lawn mowers
  • 19-inch blades make it a good choice for larger lawns
  • One-touch height adjustment system
  • Doesn’t handle tight corners or spaces well
  • Leaves behind streaks of grass if you don’t overlap slightly while mowing

American Lawn Mower Company Push Reel Mower

We’d be remiss to not include push reel mowers. After all, you can’t get much smaller than these other than using a pair of scissors.

For over a century, American Lawn Mower Company has supplied push reel small lawnmowers to the public. Their design philosophy hasn’t changed much in that time, lending this lawnmower a classic feel when in use. Of course, the company has made small adjustments over the years to bring its mowers up to modern standards.

The rotary blades offer a 14-inch cutting width and can cut grass to a length ranging from half an inch up to 1.75 inches. It’s fine for most lawns, though you wouldn’t want to use it on an overgrown mess of a yard. Being a push reel motor, it requires no fuel to run.

The reel contains four 4-inch blades, which slice and dice with satisfying precision. Each is made using a steel alloy too, so they’re sturdy enough to get through any rough patches in the garden.

At 42.5 inches tall, it doesn’t require too much bending over to get the job done. The 8.5-inch polymer wheels run smoothly over the grass too, plus the light 19-lb. frame ensures you don’t end up feeling like you have to lug it around.

  • Sports a classic American design
  • Wide cutting width, which you can make wider if you spend more money
  • Feels as light as a feather and glides over grass easily
  • Perfect for keeping a tended lawn well-maintained
  • Not one of the best small lawn mowers for dealing with overgrown grass
  • Blades may need adjusting to get them right
small, portable, lawn, mower, really, good

Fiskars Staysharp Push Reel Lawn Mower (17″)

The big plastic base may make this look like a fuel-powered mower, but this is one of the better small lawn mowers for those who like to put a little more effort in. The cover also means it’s safer than many push reel small lawnmowers. It prevents little hands or paws from finding their way in between the blades.

Fiskars claim their mower is 30% easier to use than other push reel mowers, and it does glide over grass smoothly. The four wheels also lend it greater stability, so pushing hard won’t cause the mower to jam in the grass. The InterDrive reel offers a high cutting range too, being capable of slicing up grass to lengths of between 1.5 and 3.5 inches.

That same system also prevents the blades from touching each other as they cut, which reduces friction and keeps the blades sharper for longer. It also has a large cutting width of 17 inches, so it takes less time to get the lawn into the right shape.

  • Larger cutting with than most small lawn mowers
  • InterDrive reel protects the blades and offers an efficient cut
  • Plastic covering means you don’t have to worry about exposed blades

Earthwise 16-Inch 7-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower

With its 16-inch width and seven blades, this is a mower for people who need to slice through the tough and bent-grass. It works especially well on Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine grass, plus it deals with wet grass better than most small lawnmowers.

Though it carries the Earthwise branding, this is another mower from the American Lawn Mower company. As a result, it has a similar classic look to its original mower, though it’s a tad more imposing thanks to the extra blades. That does also mean there’s no cover over the blades, so it’s best not to use it when there are small children or animals around.

Weighing in at 26 pounds, it’s easy to maneuver and isn’t bad for getting into those pesky little corners. However, the seven-blade design does come with some downsides. If you’re looking for a mower that can handle regular, well-maintained grass, you may be better served by one of the company’s other small lawnmowers.

It stands at 47 inches tall, with a couple of curved handles coming away from the central stem. You can also adjust the reel, meaning it can cut grass to any length between a half-inch and 2.5 inches long.

  • Great at dealing with bent, non-traditional grass types
  • Handles wet grass better than most push reel small lawn mowers
  • Light enough to move around easily
  • Exposed blades may present a danger to children
  • There are better small lawn mowers for cutting regular grass

WORX WR140 Landroid M 20V Robotic Lawn Mower

They don’t come smaller than this. Better yet, you don’t actually have to push it.

Welcome to the wild world of robotic aids. On the heels of robotic vacuums are robotic lawnmowers.

This particular example can mow up to 1/4 acre on a charge.

How do you prevent it from escaping your yard and cutting up your neighbors’ yards? You must lay down a boundary wire and sync it with the app. From there, the mower stays within the marked out territory.

Another fun feature is you can set a schedule. It leaves the charging dock on its own whenever you schedule it to head out to work. If it’s raining or starts raining, it stays/returns to the dock.

Does it mow straight lines? Nope, it wanders around drunkenly but it will cut it all.

I think if I had a large yard to mow, I’d take a gamble on a robotic lawnmower. It’s an expensive gamble but if it works as well as I’d hope, that would save me many hours every summer.

Conclusion

Choosing between push reel and power is the first choice you have to make when looking at small lawnmowers. The former guarantees no fuel emissions but requires more work on your part. The latter make mowing easier, but you may have to deal with cords, fuel, or battery length.

Should you opt for a powered mower, avoid fuel-based ones if you’re even the slightest bit environmentally conscious. As for the choice between cordless and corded, it really depends on whether you prefer the need to recharge over having to avoid a cord while you mow.

Best Lightweight and Electric Lawn Mowers (2023)

Choosing the right home appliance can be tough. Power tools especially are items that take consideration before going through with a purchase, especially when it comes to looking for the best lightweight lawn mower.

When on the hunt for the best lightweight and electric lawn mowers, there are many places to shop.

This guide has a range of new lawn mowers that are available in store at your local Home Depot, Lowe’s, or there are great options online on Amazon.

Sometimes it is hard to know what you are looking for until you see it in front of you. Hopefully, this guide points out a few features you didn’t know you wanted in a lawn mower.

The lawn mower you need depends on the size of your yard or how much storage space you have in your home. Pick the type of mower that includes the special features you’re looking for with this list.

Here’s the scoop on the best lightweight lawn mowers!

Lawn Mower Guide

Greenworks G-Max 40V

This cordless mower is the best option if you want to get the job done fast and with minimal effort. The battery life of this mower allows for enough power to have a run time of 60 minutes on a fully charged AH battery.

One of the extra features of this push lawn mower includes the ability to adjust its single lever into seven positions that make it possible to cut in all environments.

The Greenworks G-Max 40V delivers performance levels that are similar to gas-powered lawn mowers all from the push-button start.

This mower is a great choice thanks to its essential maintenance free operation with no need for gas, oil, or emissions. The Greenworks G-Max 40V is a top pick if you are looking to purchase it for efficiency.

Sun Joe MJ-HVR12E Lawn Mower

The next lightweight mower that is the best choice for someone looking to purchase a powerful lawn mower is the Sun Joe MJ-HVR12E. Its blade hub spins up to 7,000 revolutions per minute.

This is the best electric lawn mower for sloped lawns and smaller yards. The product comes with 30 replacement blades for easy maintenance.

Sun Joe also includes a customer promise as an additional feature to purchasing their product. Their policy is a no questions asked warranty where they will send you a new product at any time within two years of the purchase.

There is no need to worry about whether you will like this purchase or not thanks to their customer service policy. A stress-free purchase is the best purchase.

American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14

Push mowers from the American Lawn Mower Company are an excellent choice when looking for a lightweight mower that does a great job without causing damage to the grass blades. This lawn mower has a capable cutting height of successfully trimming grass up to four inches.

This manual grass cutter is environmentally friendly which is not the same as every other lawn mower on the market.

It is pollution-free, has no noise, has low maintenance, and is easy to use. If you have a small lawn at home this push mower is a good choice for you.

Craftsman M105

Gas mowers can be difficult to choose, but when the powerful engine doesn’t impact the weight of the machine, they are still products to consider.

The 3-in-1 capabilities of this gas lawn mower are ideal for larger lawns due to its inclusion of both side discharge and rear bag attachments.

over, the mower has six different height adjustments along with a 21-inch cutting deck.

The CC engine on this powerful mower will be sure to get the job done even if your yard has extremely thick grass. This Craftsman M 105 is accountable no matter what your grass looks like. It will get the job done with ease.

WORX WG743 Lawn Mower

This next option is a top pick when looking for one of the best battery-powered mowers. The battery charge indicator on this mower shows you what a single charge will give you when busy at work in the yard.

This mower allows you to get a sharp cut successfully in tight spaces creating less for you to go back and trim later. It has 2-in-1 bagging or mulching functionality.

Use the bag to catch your grass clippings to make your yard look clean and crisp, or you can use the bag to mulch your lawn when it needs to grow back healthier.

Thanks to the powerful motor in the WORX WG 743 this is an appliance you can trust.

SENIX Electric Lawn Mower

This next option is a good lawn mower when you don’t have access to a large amount of storage space. The quick release handles account for easy storage either horizontally or vertically.

It includes lithium-ion batteries and a 13-gallon grass collection bag. The SENIX lawn mower has a volt brushless motor gives off the performance of gas-powered mowers without the hassle of gas or cords.

Customers who purchased this product rave about the battery life of this mower and the benefits of its lightweight structure.

It has helped people get up the hills in their lawns and finish their lawn maintenance feeling confident in how it looks.

EGO Power LM2101 Lawn Mower

Another great option for battery-powered lawn mowers that includes optimal ease of use thanks to the easy push-button start feature is the EGO Power lawn mower.

The foldable handle creates a compact design feature for this mower which is ideal for people looking to find the right mower although they may not have a lot of space for one.

The electric motor of this product lasts up to 45 minutes off a single charge. The 3-in-1 bag functionality is beneficial.

You can decide if you want the bag to serve as a grass catcher on the back or side of your mower. It also holds mulch for when you need to go through your lawn and help with its growth.

Customers who use this mower talk nonstop about its ease of use. Nothing is too heavy or hard to handle when young adults are mowing the lawn for their parents, and it mows through high levels of grass without needing an extra push from the person walking behind it.

With all of the great features including the electric motors, this can make mowing your lawn a breeze!

Craftsman All-Wheel Drive

This powerful engine contributes to why this appliance is a reliable and dependable lawn mower. Some of the additional features include a rear-wheel drive and a bushel dust blocker bag that intakes grass clippings to prevent in-air debris.

These contribute to why the Craftsman All-Wheel Drive is one of the best walk-behind mowers available. The four-wheel drive feature is one of the most beneficial additions that you don’t see on every other mower on the market.

It matches your needs wherever you go. This mower swiftly moves around obstacles, up hills, and down into ditches when you need it to. Invest in a mower you can count on to get the job done successfully.

Litheli Cordless Mower

The next great option for the best cordless lawn mower is this easy to start electric mower. The design includes a grass bag that takes zero hassle to clean.

The 35-minute battery charge is ideal for a small yard, but there is a convenient compartment for AH batteries to be stored right next to the battery port for quick changing if you do run out mid-mow.

It includes five cutting heights which make it reliable for keeping your yard at a healthy height.

Troy-Bilt Riding Mower

Another lightweight mower that is best purchased when you need to mow large lawns is this Troy-Bilt riding mower. It is space-saving with the storage size of a wide-cut walk behind mower. If you feel like yard work is a chore, investing in a riding mower is a great idea.

This mower includes a speed that can be easily adjusted and controlled during your mowing. It is also very simple to switch from side discharging clippings to mulching mode, which helps avoid build up and keeps your lawn healthier.

You will maintain control with easier navigation around landscaped borders and obstacles with 18 inch turn radius.

It will also mow in reverse so the rear wheel drive will allow you to work efficiently. This mower is the one for you if you no longer want mowing to be at the bottom of your to do list.

Makita XML03CM1 36V

The next electric lawn mower has controlled noise levels to ensure you won’t wake up your family members in the house if you are a person that likes knocking out the yard work in the morning.

This mower is made from steel which makes it both durable and reliable. A customer raved about this product’s durability by saying they have owned Makita cordless tools for a decade.

Purchasing an appliance for your home is something you don’t want to do every couple years, it should be an investment. Makita is a product you can count on.

Black Decker Electric Lawn Mower

Another lightweight mower best for smaller lawns is the Black Decker electric lawn mower. One of the additional features you don’t see on every mower is the comfort grip bike handlebar design.

It reduces friction and enhances maneuverability across all of the square feet you need to cover during your mow. This mower includes enhanced clipping collection winged blade yields that account for 30% better clipping collection.

The no-hassle startup is thanks to the easy-to-use push button start. This electric lawn mower also has an adjustable cutting height ranging from 1 to 3 inches which allows you to get the trim you desire.

Customers who have purchased this mower were pleasantly surprised with how well it does cutting lawns that have become out of control for weather reasons. Customers rave about the lightweight functionality and talk about how they’ve owned their Black Decker electric lawn mower for years.

RYOBI Riding Mower

This next mower is clean, quiet, and powerful. The RYOBI riding mower is fully electric and has three high powered brushless motors to provide up to a full hour of runtime off a single charge.

The onboard control panel is a feature that lets you engage the blades, operate the headlights, check your battery level, and turn on cruise control.

The seven-position manual deck adjustment allows you to pick heights between 1.5” and 4.5” to get a clean and level cut on any lawn.

It features two steel blades and a durable 30” cutting deck that fits in fenced areas with ease.

A minor feature that was added to this mower is the rear access charging port that makes charging your ride easy when the job is complete. This mower is a recommended investment with its three-year warranty.

Honda HRN Lawn Mower

Another mower that is lightweight and user-friendly is this self-propelled mower designed by Honda. It includes variable speed control while mowing with five adjustable positions for user comfort.

The helpful front and rear levers conveniently adjust to seven cutting heights. This is the best self-propelled lawn mower and is integrated with a speed control feature that efficiently adapts the mowing speed to match your stride.

A self-propelled model is a lawn mower that will save you time and energy. If you always have things to do but don’t want your lawn to suffer from your busy schedule, this mower is right for you.

Kobalt Lawn Mower

This battery-powered mower provides up to 80 minutes of run time and includes a high efficiency brushless motor that starts with the push of a button.

Without the hassle of pulling cords or fueling the self-propelled rear-wheel drive system, the variable speed control takes the hard work out of mowing the lawn. This mower can handle both flat and sloped yards with ease.

The easy to fold aluminum handles work quickly to save space wherever you need to store your mower. Its auto-sensing technology automatically adjusts performance for greater power based on changing grass conditions.

The Kobalt lawn mower is the best lightweight appliance that has you covered in all areas. This is your mower if you want an appliance you can count on.

LawnMaster MED 114K

Another great electric lawn mower that includes six different cutting positions is the LawnMaster MED 114K. The wheels are 5.5” and 7.75” and only 28 lbs, which makes them easy to rotate and simple to maneuver.

This electric lawn mower includes three different adjustments for handle lengths and has a seven-gallon grass collection bag. The purchase guarantee comes with a priority shipping service to ensure you are receiving your mower efficiently.

Customers who own this mower love it and want to share how well it has done in their yard. People talk about this mower cutting through tall grass or wet grass with ease.

ApolloSmart

The ApolloSmart electric mower is eco-friendly and doesn’t produce smog, fumes, or emissions. The lightweight balanced design will help you move freely with professional quality and maximum control.

This appliance is designed with an adjustable deck for tailored raking depth with the five-position depth control mechanism.

Customers that own the ApolloSmart feel confident their lawn will be healthier within a year. They say it is easy to use and switching out the rear bag takes no time at all.

PowerSmart Lawn Mower

This next electric lawn mower has a low noise level with minimum assembly acquired. The brushless motor is built to last for a long time.

The foldable handle collapses to assist with easy storage. The five different available positions for cutting height assures to account for tall grass or short grass.

Its 40-minute run time works well when cutting grass in large yards. The functionality of this mower is one of its best features. It includes a bag design that works for mulching, side-discharge, and rear bag discharge.

Customers who have purchased this mower discuss how it gets the job done without a doubt.

Goplus Lawn Mower

Another great choice when looking at walk-behind lawn mowers is this lightweight electric mower. This is the mower you want to go with if your yard or garden has different needs for each portion.

Keep your flower beds tidy thanks to this mower’s three position depth control feature. The large front wheels can turn at will and the lightweight rear wheels are flexible and labor-saving.

Trim your grass exactly how you want it with the Goplus electric lawn mower.

MYTOL 40V

The last option that is a great choice for a battery-powered lawn mower is the MYTOL 40V mower. It includes a brushless mower that cuts smoothly and efficiently.

Its high-performance batteries last a long time. The electric mower eliminates the hassle of dealing with a pull cord or extension cord.

You never have to stress about running out of power mid mow because this power runs for a consistent amount of time.

The cutting width of 16” allows for a crisp wide path. This mower is the one for you if you have any fear about mowing thanks to its triple safety protection features.

Final Thoughts

The best lightweight lawn mowers share a large number of the same features. Electric mowers that don’t require the hassle of dealing with fuel to run the engine work efficiently.

If you are set on buying lawn mowers that include engine power derived from gas, then make sure you are purchasing one that is lightweight and easy to maneuver.

This list includes the best lawn mowers of every style to ensure every customer looking to purchase can feel confident that they’ll find what they’re looking for.

Hopefully, this guide helped point out the features you want to keep an eye out for when shopping for the best lightweight lawn mower.

small, portable, lawn, mower, really, good

So find your favorite option and grab yourself a new lawn mower today!

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Types of Lawn Mowers: How to Choose the Best Kind for Your Home

A lush and neatly manicured lawn is a sight to behold.

But achieving it requires high-quality lawn care. It all starts with the right lawn mower.

There are a million models, but when you boil it all down, there are essentially three types of mowers.

No matter your lawn size and terrain type, you want a powerful and adaptable mower to tackle your yard and save you time and effort.

Here, we’ll provide tips on choosing the best option.

Whether you’ve got a sprawling country estate or a simple suburban lawn, you’ll find multiple options with the power and precision to tend your landscape and make your yard the envy of the neighbors.

What Are the Most Common Types of Mowers?

The three types of lawn mowers are defined by their build and functionality. Let’s take a closer look at the three most common classes of mowers to determine which one best suits your lawn size, terrain, and other requirements.

Riding Mowers

If you have a sizable lawn to cut, consider treating yourself to a riding mower. As the name suggests, riding mowers are gas-operated vehicles that you ride to cut the grass.

There are several different subtypes of riding mowers, including:

  • Lawn tractor: These large mowers have deck widths between 42 to 54 inches and offer between 18 to 25 horsepower. They’re best for big lawns and heavy-duty usage.
  • Zero-turn mower: These mowers can pivot on their back wheels for sharp turns. With enhanced steering ability and high-powered cutting performance, zero-turn mowers are a solid option for cutting grass quickly.
  • Rear engine riding mower: This type has an engine in the back with a hand lever control. These mowers are best for medium-sized lawns, no larger than 2.5 acres.

Riding mowers feature powerful engines and large wheels to cut through the grass and reduce manual labor.

Advantages

  • Cuts large plots of grass very efficiently
  • Ideal for large lawns or commercial properties
  • Eliminates the physical effort of pushing a lawn mower
  • May include optional attachments, like snow plows, for added functionality

Disadvantages

  • expensive than push mowers
  • Unnecessary for small lawns
  • Gas-powered machines that rely on fossil fuels; not eco-friendly
  • Ongoing fuel costs
  • Require routine upkeep for the engine to run smoothly

Push Mowers

If you ever tried to earn some money by cutting lawns as a kid, you’re probably all too familiar with push mowers.

Push mowers require the user to push them manually to cut the grass. Depending on the size of your lawn, this can be backbreaking work.

Push lawnmowers are best suited for small lawns — up to about an acre max. They come in endless variations — including gas, electric, cordless, and corded options. Push mowers usually utilize a cylinder blade system and work well for small flat lawns without slopes.

Modern push mowers are typically lightweight and easy to maneuver — a different beast from Grandma’s old gas-powered machine. Push mowers are great for navigating through gardens with obstacles or tight spaces.

The biggest drawback is that mowing your lawn by hand requires manual effort. It’s a hassle and not a viable option for people with physical limitations.

Advantages

  • Ideal for small and flat lawns
  • Little maintenance required
  • Most affordable option
  • Less complex than other types of mowers
  • Cordless, corded, and gas-powered options are available

Disadvantages

  • Not suitable for larger gardens
  • Requires manual effort to push
  • Challenging to use on uneven terrain

Robotic Mowers

Robotic lawnmowers are the latest innovation in lawn care technology. Similar to robotic vacuums — like the Roomba — robot mowers are automated machines designed to cut your grass expertly with no physical labor involved. Robotic mowers offer a high degree of user control, enable scheduled cutting and give you multiple options for where, when, and how much grass to trim.

EcoFlow BLADE — a revolutionary new robotic mower — “literally reinvents the wheel” and offers an unprecedented level of customization. Unlike most robotic lawn mowers, which move randomly and produce messy trims, the BLADE moves within boundaries that you designate and mows in a clean, efficient pattern.

Robotic lawnmowers use various technologies to stay within boundaries, including GPS, wire boundaries, and vision systems. The newest technologies can also recognize objects like your plants, flowers, or lawn ornaments, thus protecting your prized landscape features.

The Blade harnesses proprietary X-Vision technology, using LiDAR and visual sensors to avoid obstacles — from lawn chairs to rose bushes.

Advantages

  • Automates the entire lawn mowing process, saving you time and energy
  • Whisper quiet operation
  • Scheduled mowing
  • EcoFlow BLADE operates with a high degree of precision and autonomy
  • Safer to use. By eliminating manual operation, robot mowers also eliminate the risk of injuries and accidents

Disadvantages

  • High initial cost compared to other mower types
  • Requires initial setup and customization (usually through a smartphone app)

How Many Power Options Are There for Mowers?

Whether it’s gas or electricity, a mower’s power source will affect the machine’s performance, maintenance, and ongoing cost.

Here are the most common options.

Electric-Powered Lawn Mowers

Electric-powered mowers need to be plugged into a wall outlet to operate. Since they’re corded and less powerful, electric-powered mowers are better suited for small to medium lawns.

If you’ve ever used one, you’ll know that the further you get from the house, the more cumbersome (and potentially hazardous) the cord can be.

Electric mowers CAN be more eco-friendly than gas-powered mowers since no fuel is burned, but that depends on how your on-grid electricity is generated.

Lightweight and easy to operate, electric-powered mowers run quieter than gas-powered machines. With a push-button start, it’s easy to get mowing.

Since electric mowers don’t require oil changes or air filter replacements, they’re easier to maintain than those with gas-powered engines. Simply remove the clippings from the deck and blades to ensure that there isn’t debris stuck inside.

Electric mowers allow you to adjust the settings to mow higher, which leaves clippings on the lawn to feed the soil in a process called grasscycling. It can make for a healthier and greener lawn.

Battery-Powered Lawn Mowers

As the name suggests, battery-powered lawn mowers use a battery to store electricity to draw on while operating.

Robotic mowers are always battery-powered. Some electric-powered lawnmowers fall into this category if they’re cordless. Cordless land mowers give you the benefits of an electric machine without having to deal with an annoying cable.

Since battery-powered mowers don’t need to be plugged in to operate, they’re more suitable for medium to large-sized lawns.

Modern cordless (and robotic) mowers usually use lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries, known for being lightweight, energy-dense, and long-lasting.

Battery capacity is typically measured in watt-hours (Wh) or kilowatt-hours (kWh).

EcoFlow’s BLADE, for example, has an electricity storage capacity of 298Wh and can recharge in about 130 minutes when connected to a standard household AC plug via its charging station (included).

Fully charged, the BLADE can trim — or sweep — your lawn for about 4 hours before recharging.

And it doesn’t take lemonade breaks.

If you want to go longer between plugging into a wall outlet to recharge, add a Smart Extra Battery. It offers an additional 1024Wh of storage and enables you to recharge using clean, renewable solar power.

By more than tripling your electricity storage capacity, you can operate your BLADE for almost 13 hours (total) off-grid. But you will have to stop every four hours to recharge.

With a solar charge input of 400W, you can power up the Smart Battery to recharge your Blade with a 400W portable solar panel.

With some battery-powered mowers, the primary drawback is that you’ll need to continually recharge the battery and replace it when it reaches the end of its life cycle.

Thanks to leading-edge LiFePO4 battery chemistry, the BLADE, and its Smart Extra Battery, will last up to 3,000 cycles (full discharge/recharge) without a noticeable dip in performance.

Lastly, like electric mowers, battery-powered mowers are much quieter than their gasoline counterparts.

Gas-Powered Lawn Mowers

Gas-powered mowers use an internal combustion engine that runs on gasoline or diesel. They’re powerful, allowing them to cut more grass faster than other mowers. With a high-powered engine of up to 30 horsepower, you can cut thick, tall, and even dense grass.

However, gas-powered lawnmowers are slowly being phased out nationwide.

California has already announced they intend to ban the sale of gas-powered mowers and leaf blowers in 2025. With gas mowers burning between two to four gallons of gasoline (or more) on a full tank, they consume a lot of fuel and significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

small, portable, lawn, mower, really, good

Combustion engines are also loud and require frequent upkeep.

Manual-Powered Lawn Mowers

Manual lawnmowers are 100% human-powered.

Without a motor or engine, you must physically push the mower to spin the blades and cut the grass. Manual mowers run on muscle power instead of gas, battery, or electric.

A manual mower is great if you’re looking for the cheapest option or want to get in a bit of exercise.

However, manual mowing can take a toll on your body, especially if you’ve got a larger lawn of a half-acre or more — and it’s time-consuming.

If you have mobility or physical disabilities or limitations, you should stay away from manual-powered mowers. They’re better suited for flat terrains and not ideal for tough mowing conditions like slopes.

What To Consider When Choosing a Lawn Mower

The most important things to consider before choosing your mower are drive type, lawn size, terrain, and functionality.

Drive Type

Just like with a car, if you’re buying a riding mower, the drive type impacts performance.

  • Front-wheel-drive (FWD) mowers are best suited for relatively flat lawns with many obstacles — like trees or gardens.
  • Rear-wheel-drive (RWD) mowers are ideal for hilly yards and uneven landscapes.
  • All–Wheel–Drive (AWD) mowers are the best all-rounder — especially for medium to large lawns. Unless you’re living on a putting green, you’ll likely have many different types of terrain on a large property. AWD mowers give you the benefits of both FWD and RWD machines.

Lawn Size

The size of your yard is a HUGE factor in choosing the right lawn mower.

Here are some suggestions based on lawn size:

  • Push mowers are only viable for small lawns of up to about ⅓ or ½ an acre.
  • 1 to 2-acre lawns likely require a gas, electric, or battery-powered mower.
  • Riding mowers like lawn tractors and zero-turn mowers are best for large properties.
  • Robotic lawn mowers are the most versatile for lawns of any size

Terrain

Terrain matters, especially if your property has uneven ground, hills, or many obstacles.

Flat terrain isn’t as challenging to mow. For small properties, a front-wheel drive — or even a push mower — should be enough.

If you have multiple obstructions to work around — or steep terrain — rear-wheel drive or zero-turn mowers offer more power and maneuverability.

Or you can save yourself the hard work and take a hands-off approach with a robotic lawn mower.

Nobody really LIKES mowing the lawn — and now you don’t have to!

You might feel bad taking money away from a neighborhood kid. But a robotic mower like the BLADE will do a much better job of mowing the grass — and it’s WAY more reliable.

After the initial setup and customization with Blade, you can switch mowing the lawn to set-it-and-forget-it mode.

Functionality and Specs

Once you’ve decided on what type of mower you want, dive into the details like quality of manufacture, battery capacity, or horsepower to choose the model with the best performance.

With the CES Innovation Award-winning EcoFlow BLADE, you get the ultimate in automated lawn-cutting technology.

BLADE can even SWEEP your lawn. Say goodbye to that rusty old rake!

The optional BLADE Lawn Sweeper Kit lets you keep your freshly shorn grass free of debris — like leaves, sticks, or even rubbish like plastic cups — without breaking your back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still considering the best type of lawn mower for your home?

What Type of Mower Gives the Best Cut?

The mower that will give you the best cut depends mainly on your lawn size and terrain. For small, relatively flat lawns, an electric or battery-powered mower is a solid choice. But using a hand-pushed mower to cut the grass on medium to large-size properties is backbreaking work — especially in the summer heat. An All-Wheel-Drive riding motor lets you take a seat and gives you the most flexibility and

Or you can take the manual labor out of your yard-scaping altogether with a Smart Device like EcoFlow’s Blade Robotic Lawn Mower. You can customize your cut and set the BLADE’s path with no perimeter wire.

Thanks to BLADE’s proprietary X-Vison tech that uses LiDAR and other visual sensors, BLADE won’t bump into trees, and it takes the most efficient path to cut your grass quickly. You can even schedule it to mow the lawn when you’re not at home.

If you’re looking for the most convenient and efficient lawn mowing solution that frees up your time, look no further than the BLADE.

Final Thoughts

Your home deserves a beautiful lawn — the right mower will help you achieve that.

All things considered, EcoFlow BLADE is the best solution.

It’s definitely not the cheapest solution…

But your time isn’t cheap either.

After the initial setup using your smartphone, BLADE does all the work for you.

Forget about breaking your back or chasing unreliable landscapers ever again.

EcoFlow is a portable power and renewable energy solutions company. Since its founding in 2017, EcoFlow has provided peace-of-mind power to customers in over 85 markets through its DELTA and RIVER product lines of portable power stations and eco-friendly accessories.

Best Lawn Mower for Small Yard

When entering the world of lawn mowers, it’s possible to become overwhelmed by the amount of variety there is on offer. Each lawn mower has its own unique features, benefits and disadvantages. When deciding on which mower is best suited for your lawn, one must consider the facts surrounding your circumstances.

Small yards don’t often require the best, high-end lawn mowers to mow them. In fact, most of the more expensive options available, such as ride on mowers and self-propelled mowers, are tailored to larger lawns.

Even though some of these larger lawn mower varieties can be ruled out, there are still plenty of types available which are ideal for smaller yards.

Choosing the Right Lawn Mower

Choosing the right lawn mower for a smaller yard can be difficult, as most lawn mowers aim to be more effective on larger lawns. When choosing a lawn mower for a smaller lawn, there are a couple of things to consider.

Yard Shape

An irregularly shaped lawn may require a lawn mower that is easier to maneuver without messing up the lawn. This can also be said for lawns that may have obstacles on them, such as statues or sprinkler heads.

Power Type

Lawn mowers can be powered by a few different sources. Gas, electric, battery powered and push mowers all have different capabilities due to the power source that they use. The power source of your lawn mower matters less when mowing a small lawn, as it will require less power and time to complete the task.

Size

The size of your lawn mower can have many consequences. Not only are larger lawn mowers best for large lawns, they’re also harder to store and harder to maneuver and push due to their weight.

Features

Each lawn mower has its own features depending on the make and model. Some of these features can include mulching options, mulch bags, safety features, speed settings, and the drive that it runs in.

Preference

Everybody is entitled to their own preferences, and certain styles of lawn mower are preferred above others on an individual basis. If torn between two models, sometimes the best one is the one you like the look of more, and that’s okay.

The Best Lawn Mowers for Small Yards

The lawn mower you deem the best will be based on your own preferences and circumstances. Whilst not all these lawn mowers may be ideal for your situation, they each have their own benefits which are ideal for use on small lawns.

Budget Option – American Lawn Mower Company Push Reel Lawn Mower

  • 4-blade reel mower with a cutting width of 14” and durable 8.5” polymer wheels for maximum maneuverability. Lightweight at only 19 pounds. Reel Lawn Mowers are great for small lawns.
  • This push lawn mower has an adjustable blade height of 0.5”-1.75”. Capable of cutting grass up to 4 inches tall and is less effective on taller grass.
  • Manual grass cutter is environment-friendly alternative to other lawn mowers. This push mower is pollution-free, noise-free, low maintenance, lightweight and easy to use.
  • A reel mower uses a cutting action that does not bruise or damage the blades of grass. For best results using a reel push mower, mow no more than 1/3 of the grass blade, so that the roots stay intact.
  • Increase the amount of overlap while using your push mower if your lawn reaches a height of 4 inches or more. It’s better to mow smaller amounts more frequently than it is to let the grass get long. Try not reel mower when the grass is wet.

Push mowers have a certain level of charm that goes along with them. Being one of the oldest types of mowers still available for purchase, these reliable pieces of kit have been improving and reforming for the past century that they’ve been around. The American Lawn Mower Company Push Reel Lawn Mower is handy as it can mow lawns without any source of power needed, except a person to push it along. This type of lawn mower is completely emission-free, fairly quiet and the most eco-friendly option when it comes to mowing a lawn.

Specifications:

  • Ideal for only the smallest of spaces
  • Takes longer to mow with
  • Requires a decent amount of strength

Goplus 14” 12-Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower

  • 【Easy Safe Push-Button Start 】The walk-behind lawn mower can be easily started by pressing the dual switch buttons on the handle, without the need for oil or gas. This dual switch design not only makes this corded lawn mower convenient to operate, but also ensures user safety, perfect for people with no operating experience.
  • 【2-in-1 Design Large Collection Box】Featuring 2-in-1 function, this electric lawn mower meets your needs for mulching or collecting grass by attaching or disassembling collection box. (Two steps to install). Meanwhile, 30L large collection box helps you finish the job quickly and conveniently without dumping the collection box frequently.
  • 【Adjustable Cutting Height】3-level adjustable cutting height: 1”, /1.6”, /2.2” always provides the perfect cut on all types of grass, which is also easy to adjust through wheels. And equipped with four big 5.5” wheels, the corded lawn mower is certain to provide smooth and stable cutting performance, also labor-saving to operate on grass.
  • 【Steel Cutting Deck 12 Amp Motor】With 14 steel cutting deck, push lawn mower gets the job done faster and more efficiently. Meanwhile, the powerful 12 Amp, 3600 RPM motor provides a great balance between maneuverability and cutting capacity. Also, corded design features unlimited use time without the hassle of charging, which allows you to clean the yard anytime conveniently.
  • 【Foldable Lightweight Design】The push lawn mower measures 43.5” x 15.5” x 37” (L x W x H) and only weighs 15 lbs, characterized by a gripe on top. With such compact and portable design, our lawn mower is perfect for use in the home backyard or garden foldable handle makes lawn mowers space-saving and convenient to storage when not in use.

How To Choose The Right Lawn Mower for Your Yard | Lawn Mower Buying Guide 2020

Corded lawn mowers are always a suitable option for smaller yards due to the finicky nature of the attachment cord. The Goplus 14” 12-Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower is a cut above the rest in this regard as it is specifically designed with small yards in mind. The 14” deck is on the smaller side of decks available for purchase, and keeps it more compact whilst in use and in storage. The Goplus 14” 12-Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower makes a great alternative to reel mowers and banqueshes the additional effort needed to successfully use a push mower.

Specifications:

Power Source: Corded Electric

The best cordless lawn mowers in 2023

Looking for the best cordless mower? Browse our experts’ pick, from budget to premium models.

A lawn mower may be one of the first purchases we make when getting a garden of our own, but that doesn’t mean finding a good quality one is easy. There are so many models and brands on the market to choose from, including corded electric and petrol, but as their range increases and fall, cordless, battery-powered models are an increasingly popular option.

Light and compact compared with traditional petrol models, cordless mowers are simple to use, easy to manoeuvre around the garden, and have none of the maintenance and servicing needs or costs of petrol lawnmowers. Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which charges up quickly and won’t lose power in storage, they’re also quiet and emission free.

To compare these cordless mowers against other types of mower, we’ve reviewed the best lawn mowers, robotic lawn mowers, electric lawn mowers and push mowers, too. And if your lawn needs a bit of attention, our experts have tested a range of the best manual and powered aerators and scarifiers.Keep edges looking neat with our pick of the best strimmers, the best garden shears and the best lawn edging, and if you’re thinking about somewhere to store your new mower, our comprehensive guide to choosing the best garden shed will be helpful.

Are ROBOT LAWN Mowers any Good? ��Worx Landroid

For your next DIY project, have a look at the best cordless drills.

The best cordless mowers to buy at a glance

Cordless mowers. Buyer’s Guide video

Many thanks to Rosie Yeomans and Sparsholt College for their help in making this video.

Getting the best cordless lawn mower for you means ensuring it has the correct cutting width, range of cutting heights, and weight plus a battery run time that matches the size of your lawn. We’ve tested a range of cordless push mowers, putting them through their paces across a range of grass and terrains, to help you find the right one for your garden.

Each mower has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to set up and storage, handling, mowing and value for money. Every mower in our round up below has scored a minimum of four out of five stars, so you can buy with confidence.

In every review we award outstanding products our coveted Best Buy award. To see these and the others we recommend, browse our pick of the best cordless lawn mowers, below.

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Best Buy cordless mowers

Husqvarna Aspire LC34-P4A

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

  • Quiet
  • Cuts even long grass with ease
  • Battery level visible while mowing
  • Small and compact for easy storage
  • Part of the POWER FOR ALL cordless range

Part of the new Husqvarna Aspire cordless range, which includes a hedge trimmer, pruner and leaf blower, this 34cm mower is powered by an 18V POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE battery and charger. These are interchangeable with tools in other leading brands such as Flymo, Gardena and Bosch so if you also invest in tools in these ranges, you’ll only need to buy the bare tool and won’t have different batteries and chargers taking up space in the shed.Great for small gardens the mower comes ready to go, there’s no assembly or handles to attach, and it folds down to a compact size when you’re finished, with a telescopic handle that folds completely flat over the body of the mower. It can then be stood up against a wall or hung up, and even comes with a handy hook. The 30l grass bag also flattens down to take up very little room and can be hung on the mower. The Aspire is light, with a carry handle so that lifting it up steps or into other areas is easy and it has an adjustable handle to suit different height users. It’s comfortable and easy to manoeuvre around the garden and has just four cutting heights to choose from, ranging from 25-65mm and changed easily with a single lever on the body of the mower. It cuts grass quietly and smoothly and has an automatic boost that increases blade speed when you’re mowing in tougher, longer areas that works well. You can hear it kick in when you push the mower into longer grass and unlike other cordless mowers that can cut out, just carries on cutting the grass. While you mow the battery charge level is always clearly visible so you know how much battery you have left and when it needs charging. It comes with a two year warranty and we awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2023 for ease of use.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 95 mins; run time. 500sqm. Cutting: width. 34cm; height. 25-65mm. Grass box. 30 litre.

Buy the Husqvarna Aspire C34-P4A cordless mower from Husqvarna and Sam Turner

Greenworks GDG24LM33

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

  • Easy to assemble and use
  • Comfortable padded handle
  • Choice of mulching or collecting clippings
  • Interchangeable battery with Greenworks 24V family

Ideal for smaller gardens this sturdy, great value cordless mower is easy to put together, well thought out and simple to use. Thanks to a padded handle it’s comfortable to push, although it did feel a little short for our taller tester, and it’s light and easy to manoeuvre around trees and beds and borders. There are five cutting heights to choose from, adjusted with the simple lift of a lever and it offers the choice of collecting clippings in the 30 litre fabric grass bag or inserting the mulching plug and leaving them on the lawn to break down and feed the grass. It mows well but doesn’t like very long grass, with the battery cutting out occasionally but its long lasting brushless motor offers a a decent run time of 46 minutes and it charges in two hours. Plus, as part of the Greenworks 24V family, both the battery and charger are interchangeable with all the other tools in the range, saving you money if you invest in more in the future. We awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best budget cordless mower in 2023.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 120 mins; run time. 46mins. Cutting: width. 33cm; height. 25-70mm. Grass box. 30 litre.

Yard Force LMG37A 40v 37cm

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

  • Rear roller
  • Double folding handle for easy storage
  • Quickest charge time
  • Part of the Yardforce GR40 cordless range

This sturdy mower has a 37cm cutting width and useful features including a rear roller for those much desired stripes. Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy in 2022 for small to medium lawns, clippings are collected in the large 40 litre fabric grass bag. It offers a wide choice of seven cutting heights, from 25-75mm, and is easy to fold away at the end of the day. The 40V battery is quick to charge, taking just 50 minutes and when full it has the capacity to cut a 400m2 lawn.

Specs: Battery: charge time. 50 mins; run time. 400sqm. Cutting: width. 37cm; height. 25-75mm. Grass box. 40 litre.

Buy the Yard Force LMG37A 40V 37cm cordless mower from Yard Force, Amazon and Wickes